The Girls on the Bus (2024) s01e07 Episode Script
She Was Against It, Before She Was For It
1
[FIRST AID KIT'S "ON THE ROAD AGAIN"]
I became a reporter
because I wanted to see the country.
On the road again ♪
Just can't wait to
get on the road again ♪
I wanted to soak up the local culture
and savor the regional cuisine.
And I can't wait to
get on the road again ♪
I wanted to meet interesting,
salt-of-the-earth people
and talk to them about our delicate
and beleaguered democracy.
Seeing things that I
may never see again ♪
I wanted to join the circus,
to live everywhere and
nowhere all at once.
I can't wait to get
on the road again ♪
But the thing about
being the type of person
who runs away
is that in the end,
that thing you're running from,
it always ends up catching up with you.
Just can't wait to
get on the road again ♪
The life I love is making
music with my friends ♪
And I can't wait to
get on the road again ♪
[TYPEWRITER DINGS]
[HORN BLARING]
And where are you now?
Uh, Wyoming.
Um, wait, Colorado.
Um, no, I'm sorry.
I might be in Montana.
We're rolling into Super Tuesday,
and shit has been a little crazy.
I've been in 26 cities
and 14 states in five days.
So wherever I am, I will
not be here very long,
so I don't really have
time for medical procedures
or waiting rooms or
But you'll be in California by Monday
to receive the pills?
Yes. Uh, wait.
Yes.
Well, it looks like you qualify
for a medication abortion.
As you're under ten weeks,
you're within the window.
[EXHALES]
So how long will I be out of commission?
Plan for about 24 to
48 hours of downtime.
You'll want to be somewhere comfortable
with access to a toilet, shower,
ibuprofen, and menstrual
pads for at least 24 hours.
Would a souped-up Greyhound
with shoddy Wi-Fi work?
Sadie, you've got a
lot going on right now.
You may want to give
yourself a mental break.
Felicity Walker is tied in the polls,
and Super Tuesday is
right around the corner.
This is not exactly the
time for a nap, doctor.
[LAUGHS]
But I hear you.
Our online pharmacy will
review the prescription
and reach out within 24 hours
to confirm the delivery address.
If you have any questions, I'm here.
I appreciate it.
Thank you so much, Dr. Collins.
Thank you.
[SIGHS]
Men don't take personal calls
in the middle of breaking a huge story.
They also don't get pregnant.
Mm.
[SURFBORT'S "BIG STAR"]
[UPBEAT PUNK MUSIC]
[PHONE CHIMES]
When I feel lonely ♪
Remember all the times I've got ♪
What the fuck?
♪
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Behind door number one,
a shit ton of information
on Novak's nonprofit.
- 501(c)(3) filings
- Uh
Balance sheets, a top
secret internal audit
conducted by Simpson
Thacher and Bartlett,
showing Felicity Walker's
deep ties to his charity.
Did you hack Ronan
Farrow's frontal lobe?
How did you get all of this?
Behind door number two,
everything I could dig up
on Novak's personal life.
Now, what do you have for me
on our recently unemployed
videographer, Missy Monroe?
Right.
[CHUCKLING] Wow, look at these.
A lot.
Here. This is oh, I just had it.
Oh, here it is.
Um
mm-hmm.
I mean, I know it
doesn't look like much,
mainly because it isn't.
What the hell have you
been doing all this time?
We're never in one place long enough
for me to do any real reporting.
And if you must know, I've been trying
to get a fucking
abortion, which has become
way more difficult than it should be.
Thank you, voters of Wisconsin.
- Fuck.
- Indeed.
- Is it
- Yeah.
Although I appreciate you thinking
my sex life is better than it is.
- And does he
- Know? No.
- But you are
- Totally fine.
You're sure?
I had more doubts about the hot tub
at that motel in Appalachia.
My agony is not whether
I should do it, it's how.
But I finally talked to my doctor,
and the pills are en
route to California,
so we are good.
Good.
So is this a hug moment, or
[LAUGHING] This I'm sorry.
This is a "let's get to work" moment.
- Let's
- Thank God.
But, you know, whatever you need,
I'm here.
Thanks.
[PHONE RINGING]
Hey, I was just about to call you.
Hey, you busy?
I just need, like, 20 more minutes.
Well, I only need two.
You okay?
No, I'm not.
I miss you.
I miss you too.
It's just been crazy, you know?
Super Tuesday
Then it'll be the convention
and then the general election.
We got married.
I know we got married.
Yeah, it doesn't feel like it!
I scheduled us an appointment
with a couples therapist.
I talked to Gary about our schedule,
and we found a window.
Tomorrow morning for a Zoom.
Are you saying that Gary
knew about our therapy
before I did?
Don't worry. Don't worry. I
didn't give him any details.
I talk to Gary more than I talk to you,
which is why we need couples therapy.
[SOLEMN MUSIC]
I'll make it work.
[PHONE RINGING]
Look, I gotta take this,
but I will see you tomorrow.
I promise.
Yeah.
I love you.
Love you too.
♪
This is Kimberlyn.
Hey, Kimberlyn. It's
I know who this is.
What do you have to
spin me on this fine day?
Actually, nothing.
I have a headache. Or a tumor.
Look, I just need five
minutes of your time.
- I'm listening.
- Not right now, okay?
We're wheels up in a few hours.
I'm in back-to-back radio
hits until 9:00 tonight,
unless the tumor kills me first.
I'll text you after. Okay.
Okay.
Hmm.
It looks like Walker's going
all in to win California.
We're flying to San
Francisco for a GOTV rally.
I figured I'd peel off
and talk to Missy then.
Missy?
The videographer Walker fired?
Do you even want this story?
I'm not even convinced there is a story.
I mean, you have a burner
phone that hasn't rung
in, what, how many days?
Fuck the phone. I have Missy.
Yeah, well it's a phone
that led you to Missy.
So who said it, and
will they go on record?
I am working on it.
Jesus, Sadie.
You have to at least know
who's feeding you this stuff.
Am I approved or not?
Book the fucking flight.
Oh, and Sadie,
there are worse things
than getting scooped.
[SCOFFS] Yeah, I know.
[PLUCKY MUSIC]
♪
Maman, did you give
her the pacifier again?
She was crying. She likes it.
Mom?
Lola!
[SPEAKING FARSI]
What the fuck is this?
Hey, watch your mouth.
Did you guys think I wouldn't find out?
You think I'm fucking
stupid or something?
Hey, no one thinks you're stupid.
We just assumed you
knew. What's so wrong?
Please calm down, azizam.
What's going on? Why
is everyone shouting?
This is my life, not yours!
If I wanted to be part of that article,
I would have agreed to it
when the writer asked me
to sit down with them three months ago.
I said no!
You haven't called us back in weeks,
and you barely text, so
how would we have known?
[SPEAKING FARSI] I'm working, Lily!
Do you know what that's like? No.
[SPEAKING FARSI]
For Dad, nepo baby.
[SPEAKING FARSI]
If I knew you would be so upset,
I would have never done the interview.
All she said was that
you were brave and strong.
It's nothing that hasn't
been said 100 times.
A million years ago.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
I don't want to be a poster
child for death anymore.
Do you get that?
I've changed.
I've moved on from this.
And you guys need to
move the fuck on too.
[DOOR SLAMS]
I don't see how this is gonna work.
It's a little awkward,
but I'm sure we can push through it.
Kimberlyn, maybe you want to go first.
Okay.
I mean, obviously, this isn't
the ideal way to start a marriage.
Most couples would be on
their honeymoon right now,
and we're, you know
- Apart.
- Yeah.
But also, it's not like he didn't know
that this was how it was gonna be.
I feel like he's mad
at me for doing my job.
Eric, is that true? Are you mad?
Eric.
No. No, no. I'm not mad. I just
[SIGHS]
Shit.
Okay, so
Last week, I was out with the fellas.
You and I had a phone
date, and you didn't show,
not that that's an excuse.
An excuse for what?
What are you talking about?
We went to a bar, and
Brianna was there.
- Brianna.
- Now before you freak out
Oh, my God. Did you fuck Brianna?
No!
Okay, let's just take a beat.
We kissed at the bar.
I was drunk.
It was stupid.
So that's what this is all about?
We're paying this woman $500 an hour,
and you're making me
late to the motorcade
so that you can tell me you hooked up
with your ex-fucking-girlfriend?
Well, I knew if I called you
and told you on the phone,
you'd just hang up on me.
I don't know how else to
[SOFT ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]
♪
How does this work?
What are you gonna do with this?
Well, right now, I'm just
here to listen to your story.
So I understand that you received
a scholarship from
Blaine Novak's foundation
three years ago.
Is that how you met him?
Blaine was a guest speaker
at one of our events.
That's when he first came up to me.
He said I had a lot of great ideas.
He loved this app I was working on.
He was really supportive and charming.
Maybe I was flirting. I don't know.
But we hung out a few more times,
and he got this idea.
I said I'd be into it,
but I didn't really get what "it" was.
And then it felt too
late to take it back.
But it only happened once
because it kind of grossed
me out, to be honest.
I'm sorry, Missy, I know
this might be difficult,
but I
I need you to tell me what "it" was.
Puppy play?
What the fuck is that?
[PERCUSSIVE MUSIC]
Anyone seen Sadie?
Nope.
Yeah, this is the third stop this week
- the paper-of-record has missed.
- Second.
She's not doing much recording.
- Has Walker gone on yet?
- Not yet.
Where is Gary?
Here. I'm here. Hi.
Okay, hey, has everybody forgotten
that we are the goddamn
frontrunner right now, okay?
So can you all just, you know,
get your shit together, please?
Yeah.
No.
You show up late tonight,
I go with someone else.
That said, I may be late.
Okay, let's look alive.
Late for what? What's he giving you?
How should I know?
Gary, let's go.
♪
He gets a leash slapped on
and calls it "puppy play"?
Blaine Novak's words, not mine.
The saint of Silicon Valley
recruited girls for his kink
via his feminist charity?
The "New York Post"
headlines write themselves.
"Dogged by Scandal."
Well, now it's Missy's
word against his, so
- "In the Doghouse."
- They will destroy her and us.
We will find more women.
I have no doubt he did.
Yeah.
Why aren't you happier about this?
Christmas came early. We have a story.
We have Blaine Novak's story. Maybe.
But there's still no
connection to Walker,
no proof that she knew.
Look, your source told
you to follow her money.
You dig into donors.
The next thing we know, Missy is fired.
The campaign brings on a law firm
and Benji fucking Newman,
who hasn't spun me this hard
since Bill de Blasio
dropped a groundhog.
We have got the story.
I know.
And even if Walker didn't know,
someone close to her did.
It's enough.
Maybe, or maybe Missy got fired
'cause she's a shitty videographer,
and this is all one
big fucking coincidence.
Fair.
Okay, this one's yours.
What does your gut say?
Just close your eyes.
Yeah.
Feel it.
Hear it.
We need more sources.
I need to find out who
sent me that fucking phone.
Oh, my God, Kimberlyn Kendrick!
You're my favorite!
[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]
Where do they love
Liberty Direct News more?
This bar or a Bass Pro Shop?
Tough call.
What do you got for me?
Mm.
- No small talk?
- Not without a drink.
And I don't drink until
I'm off the clock, so
Okay, we want to give you Walker's
first interview after Super Tuesday.
The campaign must be
feeling pretty cocky
already targeting
Republicans and Independents
so early in the game.
You got your eyes on the general.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]
♪
[LAUGHS] Okay.
- Work part over?
- That's all I got.
Basil Hayden on the
rocks, and keep 'em coming.
Just, like who actually says that?
I said it.
You know, the true crime
is mass incarceration.
The U.S. has the
highest prison population
with over 2 million people incarcerated.
That obliterates Black
and brown communities.
We need to focus on the root causes
like racism and economic inequality.
That's how we fix our broken
criminal justice system.
Yes.
What about defunding the police?
So that movement was
born out of protests
at a time when violent
crime was on the decline.
But now violent crime is
increasing in major cities,
which means we need to pivot.
- We need to ensure
- Pivot?
Both the safety of our communities
What the fuck?
And our hardworking men
and women in uniform.
That sounds like some
Blue Lives Matter bullshit.
[PEOPLE WHISPERING]
Lola, thank you for coming.
You see, it's that kind of reductive
and divisive language that got us here.
No.
It was Michael Brown and Tamir Rice
and Eric Garner and George Floyd
being murdered that got us here.
Sorry, everyone. Let's
just give this a moment.
Are you fucking serious?
[CROWD MUTTERING] Oh, my God.
You are just like the rest of them,
talking out of both sides of your mouth
but saying nothing and doing nothing.
[CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING]
You have everybody fooled.
- Don't listen to her.
- All right, let's go.
Don't touch me.
Don't fucking touch me, dickass!
- [CROWD EXCLAIMING]
- Hey!
You know how some people do this job
for, like, their whole lives?
How would they do that?
God, I have no idea.
It's just isn't it too hard?
- It is very fucking hard.
- It's so hard.
But you're great at it, so
Oh, no, I am a fucking beast at the job.
It's the personal life stuff
that I'm struggling with.
Oh, yeah.
You mean balance.
Yeah, that one's tough.
But what are you talking about?
You're ahead of the game there too.
Didn't you just get married?
I did.
Thank you.
I did.
- Going that well, huh?
- [CHUCKLES]
Do you have, like,
a girlfriend or something back home?
- Me?
- Yeah.
No.
No, no, no, no, no.
You know, I'm all out
on this limb right now.
No time for distractions.
That sounds nice.
Just to be able to focus on one thing.
I wish I could do that.
Hmm.
See, and here I thought it'd be nice
to have someone to call at
the end of every shitty day.
I miss that.
Hey, but you know,
if things do not work
out with your husband,
there is always that guy.
[SCOFFS]
Oh, you know the Secret Service guys'
campaign motto, right?
"Wheels up, rings off."
Oh, charming. [LAUGHS]
- Thanks for the chat.
- Yeah, any time.
[UPBEAT DANCE MUSIC]
Yeah ♪
I want this one, that
one, this one, that one ♪
More, want that one ♪
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Back it up ♪
♪
Back it up ♪
♪
[RECORD SCRATCH]
Oh, God. Okay.
No.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[KNOCKING AT DOOR]
What are you doing here?
I'm about to head out.
Okay, Maman's sorry. We're all so sorry.
Can I come in, please? I have to pee.
You came all the way here
to tell me you're sorry?
You flew all the way home to attack us?
I flew here with the campaign.
I go where they go. And
I did not attack you.
Okay, that's not the point.
If I thought this was
good for you, then I
If you thought what was good for me?
This job, or whatever
it is you're doing.
To be honest, we don't have any idea
what you're doing anymore,
and we are worried about you.
Okay, like, you call
Dad asking for money.
Oh, my God, I told him never mind.
You're screaming at your family.
You're screaming at
politicians on social media.
You you seem
What? What do I seem?
Lost, Lola.
You seem really lost, and [SIGHS]
I know you hate to
admit when you don't know
what you're doing, but come on.
Obviously, you don't.
[SCOFFS] Fuck you.
Okay, you're not supposed
to know what you're doing.
You're 24 years old.
You're still figuring things out.
But if this isn't the path,
then maybe it's time to come home.
Just be with the people who love you.
I have people here that love me.
And they get me better
than you ever did.
I'm seeing the country.
I'm helping America
pick the next president.
You're just fucking jealous!
You're all jealous.
It's really pathetic.
I booked you an open plane ticket.
In case you change your mind.
[DOOR CLICKS]
♪
[LINE TRILLING]
- Yo.
- Yo.
I need a hookup in San Francisco.
- [PHONE RINGS]
- Go ahead.
Missy told me everything.
She agreed to go on background, and
and thanks to her tip,
I nailed the source
from the burner phone.
Declan Morales,
private investigator who digs up dirt
for the world's most
rich and powerful men.
He called the tip line
and sent the burner phone.
Declan Morales.
Huh.
No shit.
Hang on, hang on, hang on.
Wait, you know him? How?
Well, I could tell you, but
then I'd have to kill you.
Introduce me! I need to talk to him.
He assembled the dossier on Walker.
Well, I'm kidding, sort of.
All right, in the cone,
Morales is ex-spy,
CIA, al-Qaeda expert
Black Ops shit.
And he doesn't talk to journalists.
Uh, he called me.
Someone must have paid
him a shit ton of money
to dig it up and then
get me the burner phone
to leak to "The Sentinel"
with no fingerprints.
All right, I'm gonna talk to Declan,
but you need to slow down, you know?
Publishing explosive,
unsubstantiated oppo,
it's a good way to get sued.
Just ask BuzzFeed.
Well, we're verifying
it seven different ways.
Talking to more women,
establishing a pattern.
Good.
You just need to keep on pressing on.
You're in the boat.
Now you just need to row out to sea.
You just reel in that marlin.
Nail down that Walker angle.
Hang on, does this mean
you think it's a story?
Could be the Rosetta
fucking stone of scandals
if you can confirm it's true.
I gotta call the masthead.
- [LINE BEEPING]
- [GASPS]
We might need some extra
space on Monday's paper.
McCarthy is on to something.
- Sounds big.
Oh, it's not just big.
It's I mean, this
one, this one has it all.
It's got sex and power and money.
It even has puppies. [LAUGHS]
Who doesn't love puppies?
[ENERGETIC MUSIC]
And did he say what he wanted?
Yes. No, I don't
[LINE BEEPS] Hello? Audrey?
Ah, and you agreed to that point?
And is that when he told you
you'd never work in tech again?
Yeah, "The Sentinel."
Yes, I am a reporter.
[YELPS] No, I'm here.
And you worked for Beam Webb as well?
And you'd agree to go on background?
Shit! Shit!
I'm so sorry that happened to you.
But if you come
forward, we can make sure
he doesn't do it to anyone else.
- Hi, this is Sadie McCarthy
- Hi, this is Grace Greene
- From the "New York Sentinel."
- From the "Washington Union."
BOTH: Thanks for picking up.
"Presidential frontrunner
Felicity Walker
allegedly covered up sexual harassment
by her largest donor,
billionaire Blaine Novak."
That's it. I'm calling Walt.
Wait, wait, wait.
I don't think we're ready.
Look, we have two women on record,
three on background, plus Missy.
That is six.
Can we just wait a beat?
Maybe reassess after Super Tuesday?
We can't afford to get this wrong.
One misspelled name, one typo,
and they will discredit
the entire story.
And by the time you
overcome your panic attack,
there won't be a story because Sue Craig
or Maggie Haberman will have scooped us.
I'd rather be right than be first.
These are real women, most of whom have
zero to do with Walker,
which brings me back
to my initial question
is this even a Walker story,
or is this more of a #MeToo?
Enough!
You are running in circles,
trying to talk yourself
out of this because you're scared.
I get it, it's fucking scary.
But it's time to put
on your big girl pants
and pull the trigger.
[SIGHS]
I know you've got a
lot of emotions involved
between Loafers and waiting
for your pills to show up.
This has nothing to do
with Loafers or the pills,
which haven't even shipped yet.
Fine.
You're still obsessed with Walker,
and you don't want to hurt her chances.
This has nothing to
do with Walker either.
This has to do with me.
I'm on thin ice, and I'm
out of second chances.
And I cannot tell Bruce to publish
until I am absolutely certain.
Well, that is your problem, Sadie.
I am sorry that you
have a tense relationship
with your father figure
editor, but I don't.
And waiting is a loser's game.
- What are you doing?
- I'm filing the fucking story.
You know, if you actually
gave a shit about those women,
you'd wait.
But all you care about is your scoop.
Super Tuesday is in two days.
If we don't publish tomorrow,
it won't have an impact.
You mean it wouldn't take down
another female candidate,
which is kind of your favorite pastime.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Do what you want.
I'm calling my desk.
Yeah, Walt. It's big.
I think Walker knowingly
protected an abuser.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Hey! There you are.
I've been looking all over for you.
- We gotta pack.
- I can pack later.
We don't leave for
Houston until tomorrow.
Well, everybody else leaves tomorrow.
You leave tonight for New York, baby!
They want you to be a Liberty Belle.
Come on!
Are you still mad at me or something?
I thought we made up.
No, I'm not still mad at you, Gary.
I'm sorry.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Do you not want to be a Liberty Belle?
[SOMBER MUSIC]
♪
Whoa.
I know.
♪
You're really sweaty.
[BOTH LAUGH]
[PHONE RINGING]
Hmm.
Well, look who finally decided
to call her mother back.
What the hell is wrong with you?
You cut off my credit cards?
Those are my cards, Annie.
I was just generous
enough to let you use them.
[SCOFFS]
[SCOFFS] Oh.
[LINE TRILLS]
You've reached Charles Greene.
Please leave a message.
Hi, Charlie, it's me.
I just talked to Annie,
if you can call it that.
But she's alive.
Hopefully you are too.
So please call me, all right?
We need to talk.
Hey.
Whoa! Jesus Christ.
What happened to you?
[LAUGHS] I'm fine.
- Leave me alone.
- Lola.
Hey, look at me.
♪
Yeah, okay.
I got you.
Come on.
[PHONE DINGS]
Mm! Finally!
Hallelujah.
Please say the pills are here.
"Label created"?
Bitch, don't tell me it's shipped
until it's actually moving.
Come on!
Ugh!
Here's a truth.
I wasn't always proud of what I learned,
but I never doubted
it was worth knowing.
That's not what I'm doubting.
- Hmm.
- I'm doubting myself.
There's too many voices
in my head right now.
Between Bruce and
Grace and, well, you
Mm.
I'm afraid I'm gonna miss something.
I don't want to get this wrong.
Trust your instincts.
Block out the noise.
It is your name on that byline.
Hmm.
Kiss again between the bars ♪
Get me out of here ♪
[TESS PARKS' "HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOREVER"]
Get me out of here ♪
It's missing some connective tissue.
Then go find it.
Don't say a word ♪
You oughta shake your world ♪
♪
Here, take this.
You want to talk about it?
Talk about what?
Whatever seems to be eating away at you
from the inside out.
Is it about that article?
What can I say?
You're in my algorithm.
It's crazy.
I used to spend so much
time talking to reporters.
I thought I could help.
You did help a lot of people
talking about it, telling your story.
I didn't tell my story.
Not all of it.
Not the worst part.
Tell me.
The night that it happened,
I wasn't in the theater.
I was coming out of the
bathroom when I saw the guy.
And I should have
I should have yelled or
or done something, anything.
I should have done
anything, but I froze.
And then when I saw him
go into the theater, I
I ran back in and I hid in a stall.
[CRYING] And I could hear gunshots.
And I could hear people screaming.
I'm here.
You're here.
I remember reporters
were calling my cell phone
and coming to my family's house, and
I don't even know what I said to them,
but I just remember
that they kept asking me
what it was like in there, but I wasn't.
I wasn't in there.
My friends were.
My best friend, he
[SOMBER MUSIC]
♪
I'm so sorry.
I tried to talk about him.
I tried to talk about
about all of them.
But they just kept asking about me.
Nobody was nobody
was listening, you know?
So eventually, I stopped.
And I decided that I
would find another way
to make a difference, but this
[SIGHS]
I'm fucking this up too.
You called it on day one.
I don't know what the fuck I'm doing.
I'm a total fraud.
You know, you, Lola Rahaii,
might just be the most
authentic person I've ever met.
And for the record,
holding the Freshman's feet to the fire
when she flip-flops like you did,
that is the definition of journalism.
♪
Fear only serves to devalue me.
Fear only serves to devalue me.
For the next few minutes,
think about where you want to be
in one year, five, ten.
If you've already
completed this exercise,
now is a good time to
revisit those goals.
Have they changed?
Goals can evolve, like people.
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
So Walker was doing
Blaine Novak's bidding?
Holy shit. With how much earmarked?
I owe you one.
Dinner on me at BLT next
time I'm on the Hill.
I promise.
Thank you, thank you, thank
you, thank you, thank you.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
I was wrong.
You were right.
Walt wants to give the story to Theo.
- He thinks it's a #MeToo story.
- Fuck Theo.
All he does is bask in the limelight
while everyone else does the reporting.
And he'll do it again here,
unless we come up with a
stronger Walker connection.
Well, remember that jobs
and infrastructure bill
that Walker co-signed on last year?
Guess who was the biggest contractor.
Not Beam Webb.
$21 billion, and a billion
earmarked to Novak's holding company
to build some bullshit wind farm.
It took every favor in my book,
but a source on
appropriations came through.
We can attribute to a person familiar?
Sounds like a quid pro quo.
Who's going to Benji?
[PLUCKY MUSIC]
Rochambeau?
♪
[GROANS] Best two out of three?
What are you doing here?
Tomorrow is Super Tuesday.
Right? Shouldn't you
They wanted me in the
studio for a tech run.
I'm gonna be a Liberty Belle.
Kimmie, I'm so sorry.
- I can't say it enough
- Let me just let me
I know you are.
Remember when we were young,
when we first got together,
and the world was our oyster?
Anything seemed possible.
I wanted it all.
We wanted it all.
All those dreams we talked about
over hot wings and ginger beer.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
It doesn't feel like I thought it would
now that it's all real.
Maybe that's for the best,
because I don't even know
if it's what I want anymore.
♪
Eric, I love you.
But the work keeps coming first.
I'm choosing that, and I didn't
see it at first, but I am.
And it's not fair to you.
So wait, wait, what are you saying?
I need to be able to focus
on just one thing right now.
And it has to be that.
For how long?
I don't know.
♪
Have you lost your fucking mind?
Is that your comment?
You spring this on me the
day before Super Tuesday?
Not even Liberty Direct News
would bring me this fucking trash.
We have multiple sources.
And we have no fucking comment.
Fuck you, Sadie McCarthy,
and fuck "The Sentinel."
Wow.
- Hey, you ready yet?
- Oh, just five more minutes.
I want to make sure it reads.
"Multiple women who benefited
from Blaine Novak's charity
spoke of being forced into
humiliating sexual acts."
"The allegations directly undermine
Walker's central campaign
message of uplifting women,
casting a cloud over her candidacy."
[PHONE RINGING]
So?
Well, it's all cleared by legal.
Copy desk has it.
We're gonna get it
up on the web tonight,
then four columns, page one tomorrow.
[SIGHS]
That's cool.
I know how you must be feeling,
but you busted this wide open.
You're a polar bear.
I'm a what?
You look sweet and cuddly,
but really, you're a fucking killer.
- Thank you.
- [BOTH LAUGH]
Uh, I'm actually late for the bus.
Walker's scheduled a
last-minute rally in Houston.
Well, go get 'em, killer.
And brace for impact.
[UPLIFTING MUSIC]
♪
Hi, I'm actually waiting for a package.
My name's Sadie McCarthy.
I haven't gotten my
delivery notification yet,
but the window said
between 10:00 and 12:00,
- so I'd thought I'd
- Let me check.
Thank you so much.
The motorcade is leaving.
Hey, look, I know you
probably hate me right now,
but could you just wait?
Why would I hate you, you know?
It's not like you lied to my face
and then shat on any
future career prospects
I could possibly have.
Oh, wait, you did.
Can we talk about it, please?
There's actually a lot of things
that we need to talk about.
It doesn't look like it's arrived yet.
Wait, seriously?
Are you are you sure?
- Okay, good. Good chat.
- Can you please
You know what? We're done talking.
I have nothing left to say to you,
except the bus is leaving
with or without you.
No, no. You can't leave, please.
I am waiting for a package,
and it's a very important package.
Oh, my God, for fuck's sake, Sadie,
when are you gonna
figure out that the world,
it doesn't revolve around you?
No, that's not what I'm trying to do.
I'm Malcolm!
[JOY OLADOKUN'S "BREATHE AGAIN"]
The devil's in the
basement in my home ♪
Shit.
A flight of stairs is way too close ♪
He comes for me when I'm alone ♪
♪
I am pregnant.
♪
Am I looking ♪
For revival? ♪
Am I dressed in others' sin? ♪
♪
Hold my breath until I'm honest ♪
Will I ever breathe again? ♪
♪
When the world's so
heavy, I can't stand ♪
I close my eyes and start again ♪
Though my heart is in my hands ♪
I won't break, give me faith to bend ♪
♪
Am I looking ♪
For revival? ♪
Am I dressed in others' sin? ♪
♪
Hold my breath until I'm honest ♪
Will I ever breathe again? ♪
Again ♪
♪
Will I ever breathe again? ♪
Greg, move your head.
Bye.
[FIRST AID KIT'S "ON THE ROAD AGAIN"]
I became a reporter
because I wanted to see the country.
On the road again ♪
Just can't wait to
get on the road again ♪
I wanted to soak up the local culture
and savor the regional cuisine.
And I can't wait to
get on the road again ♪
I wanted to meet interesting,
salt-of-the-earth people
and talk to them about our delicate
and beleaguered democracy.
Seeing things that I
may never see again ♪
I wanted to join the circus,
to live everywhere and
nowhere all at once.
I can't wait to get
on the road again ♪
But the thing about
being the type of person
who runs away
is that in the end,
that thing you're running from,
it always ends up catching up with you.
Just can't wait to
get on the road again ♪
The life I love is making
music with my friends ♪
And I can't wait to
get on the road again ♪
[TYPEWRITER DINGS]
[HORN BLARING]
And where are you now?
Uh, Wyoming.
Um, wait, Colorado.
Um, no, I'm sorry.
I might be in Montana.
We're rolling into Super Tuesday,
and shit has been a little crazy.
I've been in 26 cities
and 14 states in five days.
So wherever I am, I will
not be here very long,
so I don't really have
time for medical procedures
or waiting rooms or
But you'll be in California by Monday
to receive the pills?
Yes. Uh, wait.
Yes.
Well, it looks like you qualify
for a medication abortion.
As you're under ten weeks,
you're within the window.
[EXHALES]
So how long will I be out of commission?
Plan for about 24 to
48 hours of downtime.
You'll want to be somewhere comfortable
with access to a toilet, shower,
ibuprofen, and menstrual
pads for at least 24 hours.
Would a souped-up Greyhound
with shoddy Wi-Fi work?
Sadie, you've got a
lot going on right now.
You may want to give
yourself a mental break.
Felicity Walker is tied in the polls,
and Super Tuesday is
right around the corner.
This is not exactly the
time for a nap, doctor.
[LAUGHS]
But I hear you.
Our online pharmacy will
review the prescription
and reach out within 24 hours
to confirm the delivery address.
If you have any questions, I'm here.
I appreciate it.
Thank you so much, Dr. Collins.
Thank you.
[SIGHS]
Men don't take personal calls
in the middle of breaking a huge story.
They also don't get pregnant.
Mm.
[SURFBORT'S "BIG STAR"]
[UPBEAT PUNK MUSIC]
[PHONE CHIMES]
When I feel lonely ♪
Remember all the times I've got ♪
What the fuck?
♪
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Behind door number one,
a shit ton of information
on Novak's nonprofit.
- 501(c)(3) filings
- Uh
Balance sheets, a top
secret internal audit
conducted by Simpson
Thacher and Bartlett,
showing Felicity Walker's
deep ties to his charity.
Did you hack Ronan
Farrow's frontal lobe?
How did you get all of this?
Behind door number two,
everything I could dig up
on Novak's personal life.
Now, what do you have for me
on our recently unemployed
videographer, Missy Monroe?
Right.
[CHUCKLING] Wow, look at these.
A lot.
Here. This is oh, I just had it.
Oh, here it is.
Um
mm-hmm.
I mean, I know it
doesn't look like much,
mainly because it isn't.
What the hell have you
been doing all this time?
We're never in one place long enough
for me to do any real reporting.
And if you must know, I've been trying
to get a fucking
abortion, which has become
way more difficult than it should be.
Thank you, voters of Wisconsin.
- Fuck.
- Indeed.
- Is it
- Yeah.
Although I appreciate you thinking
my sex life is better than it is.
- And does he
- Know? No.
- But you are
- Totally fine.
You're sure?
I had more doubts about the hot tub
at that motel in Appalachia.
My agony is not whether
I should do it, it's how.
But I finally talked to my doctor,
and the pills are en
route to California,
so we are good.
Good.
So is this a hug moment, or
[LAUGHING] This I'm sorry.
This is a "let's get to work" moment.
- Let's
- Thank God.
But, you know, whatever you need,
I'm here.
Thanks.
[PHONE RINGING]
Hey, I was just about to call you.
Hey, you busy?
I just need, like, 20 more minutes.
Well, I only need two.
You okay?
No, I'm not.
I miss you.
I miss you too.
It's just been crazy, you know?
Super Tuesday
Then it'll be the convention
and then the general election.
We got married.
I know we got married.
Yeah, it doesn't feel like it!
I scheduled us an appointment
with a couples therapist.
I talked to Gary about our schedule,
and we found a window.
Tomorrow morning for a Zoom.
Are you saying that Gary
knew about our therapy
before I did?
Don't worry. Don't worry. I
didn't give him any details.
I talk to Gary more than I talk to you,
which is why we need couples therapy.
[SOLEMN MUSIC]
I'll make it work.
[PHONE RINGING]
Look, I gotta take this,
but I will see you tomorrow.
I promise.
Yeah.
I love you.
Love you too.
♪
This is Kimberlyn.
Hey, Kimberlyn. It's
I know who this is.
What do you have to
spin me on this fine day?
Actually, nothing.
I have a headache. Or a tumor.
Look, I just need five
minutes of your time.
- I'm listening.
- Not right now, okay?
We're wheels up in a few hours.
I'm in back-to-back radio
hits until 9:00 tonight,
unless the tumor kills me first.
I'll text you after. Okay.
Okay.
Hmm.
It looks like Walker's going
all in to win California.
We're flying to San
Francisco for a GOTV rally.
I figured I'd peel off
and talk to Missy then.
Missy?
The videographer Walker fired?
Do you even want this story?
I'm not even convinced there is a story.
I mean, you have a burner
phone that hasn't rung
in, what, how many days?
Fuck the phone. I have Missy.
Yeah, well it's a phone
that led you to Missy.
So who said it, and
will they go on record?
I am working on it.
Jesus, Sadie.
You have to at least know
who's feeding you this stuff.
Am I approved or not?
Book the fucking flight.
Oh, and Sadie,
there are worse things
than getting scooped.
[SCOFFS] Yeah, I know.
[PLUCKY MUSIC]
♪
Maman, did you give
her the pacifier again?
She was crying. She likes it.
Mom?
Lola!
[SPEAKING FARSI]
What the fuck is this?
Hey, watch your mouth.
Did you guys think I wouldn't find out?
You think I'm fucking
stupid or something?
Hey, no one thinks you're stupid.
We just assumed you
knew. What's so wrong?
Please calm down, azizam.
What's going on? Why
is everyone shouting?
This is my life, not yours!
If I wanted to be part of that article,
I would have agreed to it
when the writer asked me
to sit down with them three months ago.
I said no!
You haven't called us back in weeks,
and you barely text, so
how would we have known?
[SPEAKING FARSI] I'm working, Lily!
Do you know what that's like? No.
[SPEAKING FARSI]
For Dad, nepo baby.
[SPEAKING FARSI]
If I knew you would be so upset,
I would have never done the interview.
All she said was that
you were brave and strong.
It's nothing that hasn't
been said 100 times.
A million years ago.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
I don't want to be a poster
child for death anymore.
Do you get that?
I've changed.
I've moved on from this.
And you guys need to
move the fuck on too.
[DOOR SLAMS]
I don't see how this is gonna work.
It's a little awkward,
but I'm sure we can push through it.
Kimberlyn, maybe you want to go first.
Okay.
I mean, obviously, this isn't
the ideal way to start a marriage.
Most couples would be on
their honeymoon right now,
and we're, you know
- Apart.
- Yeah.
But also, it's not like he didn't know
that this was how it was gonna be.
I feel like he's mad
at me for doing my job.
Eric, is that true? Are you mad?
Eric.
No. No, no. I'm not mad. I just
[SIGHS]
Shit.
Okay, so
Last week, I was out with the fellas.
You and I had a phone
date, and you didn't show,
not that that's an excuse.
An excuse for what?
What are you talking about?
We went to a bar, and
Brianna was there.
- Brianna.
- Now before you freak out
Oh, my God. Did you fuck Brianna?
No!
Okay, let's just take a beat.
We kissed at the bar.
I was drunk.
It was stupid.
So that's what this is all about?
We're paying this woman $500 an hour,
and you're making me
late to the motorcade
so that you can tell me you hooked up
with your ex-fucking-girlfriend?
Well, I knew if I called you
and told you on the phone,
you'd just hang up on me.
I don't know how else to
[SOFT ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]
♪
How does this work?
What are you gonna do with this?
Well, right now, I'm just
here to listen to your story.
So I understand that you received
a scholarship from
Blaine Novak's foundation
three years ago.
Is that how you met him?
Blaine was a guest speaker
at one of our events.
That's when he first came up to me.
He said I had a lot of great ideas.
He loved this app I was working on.
He was really supportive and charming.
Maybe I was flirting. I don't know.
But we hung out a few more times,
and he got this idea.
I said I'd be into it,
but I didn't really get what "it" was.
And then it felt too
late to take it back.
But it only happened once
because it kind of grossed
me out, to be honest.
I'm sorry, Missy, I know
this might be difficult,
but I
I need you to tell me what "it" was.
Puppy play?
What the fuck is that?
[PERCUSSIVE MUSIC]
Anyone seen Sadie?
Nope.
Yeah, this is the third stop this week
- the paper-of-record has missed.
- Second.
She's not doing much recording.
- Has Walker gone on yet?
- Not yet.
Where is Gary?
Here. I'm here. Hi.
Okay, hey, has everybody forgotten
that we are the goddamn
frontrunner right now, okay?
So can you all just, you know,
get your shit together, please?
Yeah.
No.
You show up late tonight,
I go with someone else.
That said, I may be late.
Okay, let's look alive.
Late for what? What's he giving you?
How should I know?
Gary, let's go.
♪
He gets a leash slapped on
and calls it "puppy play"?
Blaine Novak's words, not mine.
The saint of Silicon Valley
recruited girls for his kink
via his feminist charity?
The "New York Post"
headlines write themselves.
"Dogged by Scandal."
Well, now it's Missy's
word against his, so
- "In the Doghouse."
- They will destroy her and us.
We will find more women.
I have no doubt he did.
Yeah.
Why aren't you happier about this?
Christmas came early. We have a story.
We have Blaine Novak's story. Maybe.
But there's still no
connection to Walker,
no proof that she knew.
Look, your source told
you to follow her money.
You dig into donors.
The next thing we know, Missy is fired.
The campaign brings on a law firm
and Benji fucking Newman,
who hasn't spun me this hard
since Bill de Blasio
dropped a groundhog.
We have got the story.
I know.
And even if Walker didn't know,
someone close to her did.
It's enough.
Maybe, or maybe Missy got fired
'cause she's a shitty videographer,
and this is all one
big fucking coincidence.
Fair.
Okay, this one's yours.
What does your gut say?
Just close your eyes.
Yeah.
Feel it.
Hear it.
We need more sources.
I need to find out who
sent me that fucking phone.
Oh, my God, Kimberlyn Kendrick!
You're my favorite!
[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]
Where do they love
Liberty Direct News more?
This bar or a Bass Pro Shop?
Tough call.
What do you got for me?
Mm.
- No small talk?
- Not without a drink.
And I don't drink until
I'm off the clock, so
Okay, we want to give you Walker's
first interview after Super Tuesday.
The campaign must be
feeling pretty cocky
already targeting
Republicans and Independents
so early in the game.
You got your eyes on the general.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]
♪
[LAUGHS] Okay.
- Work part over?
- That's all I got.
Basil Hayden on the
rocks, and keep 'em coming.
Just, like who actually says that?
I said it.
You know, the true crime
is mass incarceration.
The U.S. has the
highest prison population
with over 2 million people incarcerated.
That obliterates Black
and brown communities.
We need to focus on the root causes
like racism and economic inequality.
That's how we fix our broken
criminal justice system.
Yes.
What about defunding the police?
So that movement was
born out of protests
at a time when violent
crime was on the decline.
But now violent crime is
increasing in major cities,
which means we need to pivot.
- We need to ensure
- Pivot?
Both the safety of our communities
What the fuck?
And our hardworking men
and women in uniform.
That sounds like some
Blue Lives Matter bullshit.
[PEOPLE WHISPERING]
Lola, thank you for coming.
You see, it's that kind of reductive
and divisive language that got us here.
No.
It was Michael Brown and Tamir Rice
and Eric Garner and George Floyd
being murdered that got us here.
Sorry, everyone. Let's
just give this a moment.
Are you fucking serious?
[CROWD MUTTERING] Oh, my God.
You are just like the rest of them,
talking out of both sides of your mouth
but saying nothing and doing nothing.
[CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING]
You have everybody fooled.
- Don't listen to her.
- All right, let's go.
Don't touch me.
Don't fucking touch me, dickass!
- [CROWD EXCLAIMING]
- Hey!
You know how some people do this job
for, like, their whole lives?
How would they do that?
God, I have no idea.
It's just isn't it too hard?
- It is very fucking hard.
- It's so hard.
But you're great at it, so
Oh, no, I am a fucking beast at the job.
It's the personal life stuff
that I'm struggling with.
Oh, yeah.
You mean balance.
Yeah, that one's tough.
But what are you talking about?
You're ahead of the game there too.
Didn't you just get married?
I did.
Thank you.
I did.
- Going that well, huh?
- [CHUCKLES]
Do you have, like,
a girlfriend or something back home?
- Me?
- Yeah.
No.
No, no, no, no, no.
You know, I'm all out
on this limb right now.
No time for distractions.
That sounds nice.
Just to be able to focus on one thing.
I wish I could do that.
Hmm.
See, and here I thought it'd be nice
to have someone to call at
the end of every shitty day.
I miss that.
Hey, but you know,
if things do not work
out with your husband,
there is always that guy.
[SCOFFS]
Oh, you know the Secret Service guys'
campaign motto, right?
"Wheels up, rings off."
Oh, charming. [LAUGHS]
- Thanks for the chat.
- Yeah, any time.
[UPBEAT DANCE MUSIC]
Yeah ♪
I want this one, that
one, this one, that one ♪
More, want that one ♪
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Back it up ♪
♪
Back it up ♪
♪
[RECORD SCRATCH]
Oh, God. Okay.
No.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[KNOCKING AT DOOR]
What are you doing here?
I'm about to head out.
Okay, Maman's sorry. We're all so sorry.
Can I come in, please? I have to pee.
You came all the way here
to tell me you're sorry?
You flew all the way home to attack us?
I flew here with the campaign.
I go where they go. And
I did not attack you.
Okay, that's not the point.
If I thought this was
good for you, then I
If you thought what was good for me?
This job, or whatever
it is you're doing.
To be honest, we don't have any idea
what you're doing anymore,
and we are worried about you.
Okay, like, you call
Dad asking for money.
Oh, my God, I told him never mind.
You're screaming at your family.
You're screaming at
politicians on social media.
You you seem
What? What do I seem?
Lost, Lola.
You seem really lost, and [SIGHS]
I know you hate to
admit when you don't know
what you're doing, but come on.
Obviously, you don't.
[SCOFFS] Fuck you.
Okay, you're not supposed
to know what you're doing.
You're 24 years old.
You're still figuring things out.
But if this isn't the path,
then maybe it's time to come home.
Just be with the people who love you.
I have people here that love me.
And they get me better
than you ever did.
I'm seeing the country.
I'm helping America
pick the next president.
You're just fucking jealous!
You're all jealous.
It's really pathetic.
I booked you an open plane ticket.
In case you change your mind.
[DOOR CLICKS]
♪
[LINE TRILLING]
- Yo.
- Yo.
I need a hookup in San Francisco.
- [PHONE RINGS]
- Go ahead.
Missy told me everything.
She agreed to go on background, and
and thanks to her tip,
I nailed the source
from the burner phone.
Declan Morales,
private investigator who digs up dirt
for the world's most
rich and powerful men.
He called the tip line
and sent the burner phone.
Declan Morales.
Huh.
No shit.
Hang on, hang on, hang on.
Wait, you know him? How?
Well, I could tell you, but
then I'd have to kill you.
Introduce me! I need to talk to him.
He assembled the dossier on Walker.
Well, I'm kidding, sort of.
All right, in the cone,
Morales is ex-spy,
CIA, al-Qaeda expert
Black Ops shit.
And he doesn't talk to journalists.
Uh, he called me.
Someone must have paid
him a shit ton of money
to dig it up and then
get me the burner phone
to leak to "The Sentinel"
with no fingerprints.
All right, I'm gonna talk to Declan,
but you need to slow down, you know?
Publishing explosive,
unsubstantiated oppo,
it's a good way to get sued.
Just ask BuzzFeed.
Well, we're verifying
it seven different ways.
Talking to more women,
establishing a pattern.
Good.
You just need to keep on pressing on.
You're in the boat.
Now you just need to row out to sea.
You just reel in that marlin.
Nail down that Walker angle.
Hang on, does this mean
you think it's a story?
Could be the Rosetta
fucking stone of scandals
if you can confirm it's true.
I gotta call the masthead.
- [LINE BEEPING]
- [GASPS]
We might need some extra
space on Monday's paper.
McCarthy is on to something.
- Sounds big.
Oh, it's not just big.
It's I mean, this
one, this one has it all.
It's got sex and power and money.
It even has puppies. [LAUGHS]
Who doesn't love puppies?
[ENERGETIC MUSIC]
And did he say what he wanted?
Yes. No, I don't
[LINE BEEPS] Hello? Audrey?
Ah, and you agreed to that point?
And is that when he told you
you'd never work in tech again?
Yeah, "The Sentinel."
Yes, I am a reporter.
[YELPS] No, I'm here.
And you worked for Beam Webb as well?
And you'd agree to go on background?
Shit! Shit!
I'm so sorry that happened to you.
But if you come
forward, we can make sure
he doesn't do it to anyone else.
- Hi, this is Sadie McCarthy
- Hi, this is Grace Greene
- From the "New York Sentinel."
- From the "Washington Union."
BOTH: Thanks for picking up.
"Presidential frontrunner
Felicity Walker
allegedly covered up sexual harassment
by her largest donor,
billionaire Blaine Novak."
That's it. I'm calling Walt.
Wait, wait, wait.
I don't think we're ready.
Look, we have two women on record,
three on background, plus Missy.
That is six.
Can we just wait a beat?
Maybe reassess after Super Tuesday?
We can't afford to get this wrong.
One misspelled name, one typo,
and they will discredit
the entire story.
And by the time you
overcome your panic attack,
there won't be a story because Sue Craig
or Maggie Haberman will have scooped us.
I'd rather be right than be first.
These are real women, most of whom have
zero to do with Walker,
which brings me back
to my initial question
is this even a Walker story,
or is this more of a #MeToo?
Enough!
You are running in circles,
trying to talk yourself
out of this because you're scared.
I get it, it's fucking scary.
But it's time to put
on your big girl pants
and pull the trigger.
[SIGHS]
I know you've got a
lot of emotions involved
between Loafers and waiting
for your pills to show up.
This has nothing to do
with Loafers or the pills,
which haven't even shipped yet.
Fine.
You're still obsessed with Walker,
and you don't want to hurt her chances.
This has nothing to
do with Walker either.
This has to do with me.
I'm on thin ice, and I'm
out of second chances.
And I cannot tell Bruce to publish
until I am absolutely certain.
Well, that is your problem, Sadie.
I am sorry that you
have a tense relationship
with your father figure
editor, but I don't.
And waiting is a loser's game.
- What are you doing?
- I'm filing the fucking story.
You know, if you actually
gave a shit about those women,
you'd wait.
But all you care about is your scoop.
Super Tuesday is in two days.
If we don't publish tomorrow,
it won't have an impact.
You mean it wouldn't take down
another female candidate,
which is kind of your favorite pastime.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Do what you want.
I'm calling my desk.
Yeah, Walt. It's big.
I think Walker knowingly
protected an abuser.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Hey! There you are.
I've been looking all over for you.
- We gotta pack.
- I can pack later.
We don't leave for
Houston until tomorrow.
Well, everybody else leaves tomorrow.
You leave tonight for New York, baby!
They want you to be a Liberty Belle.
Come on!
Are you still mad at me or something?
I thought we made up.
No, I'm not still mad at you, Gary.
I'm sorry.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Do you not want to be a Liberty Belle?
[SOMBER MUSIC]
♪
Whoa.
I know.
♪
You're really sweaty.
[BOTH LAUGH]
[PHONE RINGING]
Hmm.
Well, look who finally decided
to call her mother back.
What the hell is wrong with you?
You cut off my credit cards?
Those are my cards, Annie.
I was just generous
enough to let you use them.
[SCOFFS]
[SCOFFS] Oh.
[LINE TRILLS]
You've reached Charles Greene.
Please leave a message.
Hi, Charlie, it's me.
I just talked to Annie,
if you can call it that.
But she's alive.
Hopefully you are too.
So please call me, all right?
We need to talk.
Hey.
Whoa! Jesus Christ.
What happened to you?
[LAUGHS] I'm fine.
- Leave me alone.
- Lola.
Hey, look at me.
♪
Yeah, okay.
I got you.
Come on.
[PHONE DINGS]
Mm! Finally!
Hallelujah.
Please say the pills are here.
"Label created"?
Bitch, don't tell me it's shipped
until it's actually moving.
Come on!
Ugh!
Here's a truth.
I wasn't always proud of what I learned,
but I never doubted
it was worth knowing.
That's not what I'm doubting.
- Hmm.
- I'm doubting myself.
There's too many voices
in my head right now.
Between Bruce and
Grace and, well, you
Mm.
I'm afraid I'm gonna miss something.
I don't want to get this wrong.
Trust your instincts.
Block out the noise.
It is your name on that byline.
Hmm.
Kiss again between the bars ♪
Get me out of here ♪
[TESS PARKS' "HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOREVER"]
Get me out of here ♪
It's missing some connective tissue.
Then go find it.
Don't say a word ♪
You oughta shake your world ♪
♪
Here, take this.
You want to talk about it?
Talk about what?
Whatever seems to be eating away at you
from the inside out.
Is it about that article?
What can I say?
You're in my algorithm.
It's crazy.
I used to spend so much
time talking to reporters.
I thought I could help.
You did help a lot of people
talking about it, telling your story.
I didn't tell my story.
Not all of it.
Not the worst part.
Tell me.
The night that it happened,
I wasn't in the theater.
I was coming out of the
bathroom when I saw the guy.
And I should have
I should have yelled or
or done something, anything.
I should have done
anything, but I froze.
And then when I saw him
go into the theater, I
I ran back in and I hid in a stall.
[CRYING] And I could hear gunshots.
And I could hear people screaming.
I'm here.
You're here.
I remember reporters
were calling my cell phone
and coming to my family's house, and
I don't even know what I said to them,
but I just remember
that they kept asking me
what it was like in there, but I wasn't.
I wasn't in there.
My friends were.
My best friend, he
[SOMBER MUSIC]
♪
I'm so sorry.
I tried to talk about him.
I tried to talk about
about all of them.
But they just kept asking about me.
Nobody was nobody
was listening, you know?
So eventually, I stopped.
And I decided that I
would find another way
to make a difference, but this
[SIGHS]
I'm fucking this up too.
You called it on day one.
I don't know what the fuck I'm doing.
I'm a total fraud.
You know, you, Lola Rahaii,
might just be the most
authentic person I've ever met.
And for the record,
holding the Freshman's feet to the fire
when she flip-flops like you did,
that is the definition of journalism.
♪
Fear only serves to devalue me.
Fear only serves to devalue me.
For the next few minutes,
think about where you want to be
in one year, five, ten.
If you've already
completed this exercise,
now is a good time to
revisit those goals.
Have they changed?
Goals can evolve, like people.
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
So Walker was doing
Blaine Novak's bidding?
Holy shit. With how much earmarked?
I owe you one.
Dinner on me at BLT next
time I'm on the Hill.
I promise.
Thank you, thank you, thank
you, thank you, thank you.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
I was wrong.
You were right.
Walt wants to give the story to Theo.
- He thinks it's a #MeToo story.
- Fuck Theo.
All he does is bask in the limelight
while everyone else does the reporting.
And he'll do it again here,
unless we come up with a
stronger Walker connection.
Well, remember that jobs
and infrastructure bill
that Walker co-signed on last year?
Guess who was the biggest contractor.
Not Beam Webb.
$21 billion, and a billion
earmarked to Novak's holding company
to build some bullshit wind farm.
It took every favor in my book,
but a source on
appropriations came through.
We can attribute to a person familiar?
Sounds like a quid pro quo.
Who's going to Benji?
[PLUCKY MUSIC]
Rochambeau?
♪
[GROANS] Best two out of three?
What are you doing here?
Tomorrow is Super Tuesday.
Right? Shouldn't you
They wanted me in the
studio for a tech run.
I'm gonna be a Liberty Belle.
Kimmie, I'm so sorry.
- I can't say it enough
- Let me just let me
I know you are.
Remember when we were young,
when we first got together,
and the world was our oyster?
Anything seemed possible.
I wanted it all.
We wanted it all.
All those dreams we talked about
over hot wings and ginger beer.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
It doesn't feel like I thought it would
now that it's all real.
Maybe that's for the best,
because I don't even know
if it's what I want anymore.
♪
Eric, I love you.
But the work keeps coming first.
I'm choosing that, and I didn't
see it at first, but I am.
And it's not fair to you.
So wait, wait, what are you saying?
I need to be able to focus
on just one thing right now.
And it has to be that.
For how long?
I don't know.
♪
Have you lost your fucking mind?
Is that your comment?
You spring this on me the
day before Super Tuesday?
Not even Liberty Direct News
would bring me this fucking trash.
We have multiple sources.
And we have no fucking comment.
Fuck you, Sadie McCarthy,
and fuck "The Sentinel."
Wow.
- Hey, you ready yet?
- Oh, just five more minutes.
I want to make sure it reads.
"Multiple women who benefited
from Blaine Novak's charity
spoke of being forced into
humiliating sexual acts."
"The allegations directly undermine
Walker's central campaign
message of uplifting women,
casting a cloud over her candidacy."
[PHONE RINGING]
So?
Well, it's all cleared by legal.
Copy desk has it.
We're gonna get it
up on the web tonight,
then four columns, page one tomorrow.
[SIGHS]
That's cool.
I know how you must be feeling,
but you busted this wide open.
You're a polar bear.
I'm a what?
You look sweet and cuddly,
but really, you're a fucking killer.
- Thank you.
- [BOTH LAUGH]
Uh, I'm actually late for the bus.
Walker's scheduled a
last-minute rally in Houston.
Well, go get 'em, killer.
And brace for impact.
[UPLIFTING MUSIC]
♪
Hi, I'm actually waiting for a package.
My name's Sadie McCarthy.
I haven't gotten my
delivery notification yet,
but the window said
between 10:00 and 12:00,
- so I'd thought I'd
- Let me check.
Thank you so much.
The motorcade is leaving.
Hey, look, I know you
probably hate me right now,
but could you just wait?
Why would I hate you, you know?
It's not like you lied to my face
and then shat on any
future career prospects
I could possibly have.
Oh, wait, you did.
Can we talk about it, please?
There's actually a lot of things
that we need to talk about.
It doesn't look like it's arrived yet.
Wait, seriously?
Are you are you sure?
- Okay, good. Good chat.
- Can you please
You know what? We're done talking.
I have nothing left to say to you,
except the bus is leaving
with or without you.
No, no. You can't leave, please.
I am waiting for a package,
and it's a very important package.
Oh, my God, for fuck's sake, Sadie,
when are you gonna
figure out that the world,
it doesn't revolve around you?
No, that's not what I'm trying to do.
I'm Malcolm!
[JOY OLADOKUN'S "BREATHE AGAIN"]
The devil's in the
basement in my home ♪
Shit.
A flight of stairs is way too close ♪
He comes for me when I'm alone ♪
♪
I am pregnant.
♪
Am I looking ♪
For revival? ♪
Am I dressed in others' sin? ♪
♪
Hold my breath until I'm honest ♪
Will I ever breathe again? ♪
♪
When the world's so
heavy, I can't stand ♪
I close my eyes and start again ♪
Though my heart is in my hands ♪
I won't break, give me faith to bend ♪
♪
Am I looking ♪
For revival? ♪
Am I dressed in others' sin? ♪
♪
Hold my breath until I'm honest ♪
Will I ever breathe again? ♪
Again ♪
♪
Will I ever breathe again? ♪
Greg, move your head.
Bye.