Being Mary Jane (2013) s02e05 Episode Script
No Eggspectations
Previously on Being Mary Jane The Gifting Alliance? How did you manage to get an invite? Because I'm Paul Patterson, hater.
I just don't understand how one minute you're twirling mattress signs on the corner, and then the next, you're being invited to elite millionaire investment meetings.
There is no "We.
" There's you, and then there's me.
I want to be involved with Treyvion.
Treyvion doesn't know you.
You left.
You should go through the process of freezing your eggs.
It's a follicle stimulating hormone injection, and you'll give it to yourself.
Then why can't we just take a beat and talk about it? Just give me the damn shot.
I don't need a lecture or a diagnosis from you.
Just the shot.
I want to make sure you're doing this for you and not some one-up to David.
You know what? Never mind.
I'll do it myself.
Thank you.
My sister was telling me that three of her girlfriends are doing it.
It's like the modern day woman's insurance policy.
Today's woman continues to be educated and career-focused, waiting longer and longer to start a family.
And while there's still no time machine, modern technology is proving to have a jump on slowing down the clock.
In fact, just two years ago, egg freezing was still considered experimental.
Now it's a standard within the fertility community.
SNC's own Mary Jane Paul has bravely taken on the journey, and she is back for a checkup with Dr.
Jacob Marrs, renowned fertility expert and director of the Oocyte Cryopreservation Center.
Mary Jane? Yes, I am back.
I don't know how easy it is, but I'm back.
Actually, Dr.
Marrs, it was fairly easy except for the needles-- - Hello? - Lisa, are you seeing this? Yes, Aunt Helen, I'm watching.
To increase your egg production.
By next week, it'll be out of your system.
You won't be able to blame any mood swings on me.
Oh, but I will.
So I'm here today because I'm at the end of my hormone regimen and you are measuring my follicles.
Exactly.
I'm measuring and counting.
You see, removing the eggs is a delicate process, and timing is everything.
If we take them out too soon, they might not be ready.
But leave them in too long, and the eggs might expire, if you will, and then they're useless.
It's an imprecise science, but we like to see about ten follicles.
If they're of good size, we can be confident that we'll get the eggs we need, and an ultrasound is the best way to get a picture of what we've got, so legs up.
Oh, goodness, I can hear my mother now.
"What are you doing? What are you doing?" Take a deep breath and relax.
Whoo, okay.
I w as hoping for a little wine and roses before, but I'm sure my follicles are huge, because I picked up a little extra weight around my waistline.
I see three-- no, four follicles.
Quality over quantity, right? Doctor? Mary Jane, it's not what we were hoping for.
They're measuring, I would say, on average 6 millimeters.
That's far short of what I expect to see at this stage.
Okay.
What are you telling me? This is abnormal, but you can always try again.
Kara, don't let her drown.
Throw it back to me.
Mary Jane, wrap it up.
We'll be right back in just a second.
You're out.
Commercial up.
Kara, what are you doing? Just stand by.
I'll let you know what's going on.
Going back to Mary Jane-- confirm? Hold on.
Wait for instructions.
Hold on.
Oh my God.
What went wrong? Huh? What went wrong? Could I have taken the medicine wrong? I mean, you said God, could it be my sexual history? Could I have damaged something? It could be a myriad of reasons.
I did have tequila and not just wine.
It could be as simple as adjusting your hormone dosage.
Okay, how do I fix it? I am supposed to extract for Friday's newscast.
I'm supposed to have eggs, okay? I would advise against extraction given your condition.
Oh--condition.
Great.
I am not supposed to have a condition.
I'm referring to your eggs.
They aren't in the ideal condition.
If we do extract-- No.
If done successfully, that wouldn't have an impact.
Let's not jump to any conclusions, all right? I would advise you to do another cycle of hormones at a higher dosage, give us another shot at that perfect egg.
- I bet you can do it.
- 50 seconds.
Along with additional lifestyle support, I would expect we can get there.
And what if they don't get better? Kara, Kara, I can handle this.
Just let me know what we're doing.
No, no, no, no, no.
Mary Jane is going to sign off of her own show.
- But thank you.
- We're up in 30 seconds.
We're good.
Will you just excuse me one second? Mary Jane, listen to me, baby girl.
Breathe, okay? Breathe.
Listen, I know I can put Gayle on, and she can do the closing of the show, but I know you want to finish this strong.
You understand? Just sign off, Mama.
All right? Okay.
Just talk about the nature of live television.
Let them know you're in the studio again tomorrow.
You've got this.
You're fine, right? You're fine.
Okay, you're good.
Prize attention Crave affection Guys, come on.
Come on.
Another pop concession We fear rejection Prize attention Crave affection Five seconds.
In five, four, three Every woman's story is different.
Just like live television, life is unpredictable.
Tomorrow, I'll be back in the studio where we will look at the latest election polls and investigate the new schemes of political super PACs.
Until then, thank you for listening.
I'm Mary Jane Paul.
And we're clear.
That was great.
Why did you let me do this? Why? Everybody clear the room please.
No, no, no, no! Please, everybody stay, 'cause the world now knows my business! Why don't you shoot a little B roll, huh, of my breakdown? Everybody, clear the room.
Please, give us a few minutes.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Mary Jane.
Mary Jane, I can only imagine how you're feeling right now.
No, you cannot imagine how I'm feeling.
The doctor said that this is not a perfect process and that these things can happen.
So I don't think anyone is laughing at you, baby girl.
I think they're gonna be compassionate, and not just for you, but for all those women out there that are going through this.
Wasn't that our goal for this story? Huh? And if you really want a baby, Mary Jane, you're gonna have to go through this.
You said, "Keep going.
" "Just keep taking the shots.
"Have a little hope.
"Experience your worst nightmare.
And then, let's air it.
" Kara, where was your compassion? That's what I needed: your compassion.
I knew this wasn't a good idea.
She can't have babies, and now the whole damned world knows.
She's doing it for all the women who are in this Lisa, I heard the man just now tell my baby that she's abnormal.
I have never raised my children to be abnormal.
What tends to happen, Aunt Helen, is that-- Of course, I didn't raise them to spread their legs on TV, either.
Okay, listen, it's not that-- How does someone wait 40 years to think about a baby, and then do this on national TV? More and more women are doing this.
Well, if she is barren because of my lupus, I'll never forgive myself.
How did you make this about you? There could be a million reasons why this didn't work.
And even if she was, your lupus wouldn't be one of them.
Well, she brought all this attention to her vagina.
Okay, Miss Helen, will you hold on one second please? Paul, how do we face this? Oh.
Hey, Mary Jane, I know you're going through a lot.
Call me.
Checking up on you, baby--please call me.
I know whatever I say to you right now is gonna be the wrong thing, but I want you to know I get it.
Call me back.
Hey Mary Jane.
What's happening? I saw you on Talk Back earlier.
Call me if you need to talk, all right? I'm here for you.
I don't need you To save my life I only need you in it Hey lover, you all right? Hit me back.
Don't front on me Don't front on me Have you read this? It's good.
Why are you here, Lisa? Damn, do you know another emotion besides anger? I mean, I'm here because I'm concerned about my friend.
Honestly, I don't have time for this.
Time might be what you need.
Maybe it's a blessing.
I see single women every day who think that they're ready for a baby, and they find out they're completely unprepared.
Who is ever prepared for a baby? I'm just saying that maybe right now your lifestyle isn't conducive to having a child.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry--conducive? What are you--what? Conducive--helpful, in alignment with-- I don't need a definition, Lisa.
I need to know where you get off questioning my lifestyle.
Just calm down.
I'm just saying that I'm concerned about some of your choices.
Oh, my choices--oh, you mean, like, because I don't choose to be dateless or sexless or joyless? Are those the choices that you're concerned about? See, I was hoping that I'd be able to come over here without you thinking you had carte blanche to be as rude and nasty as you want.
No, you couldn't have been hoping that, because you wouldn't have come at me sideways.
Really--my lifestyle? You work like a dog, and if you were serious about having a baby, you wouldn't be running around like a hamster on a wheel.
How else am I supposed to afford a kid? I told you your stress levels were high.
And in the last six months, you haven't made a single decision to suggest that you even want a baby, let alone should be allowed to have one.
Wait, allow? Allow? Oh, wow.
Well, it's like I just got stabbed, and instead of getting a bandage, I just keep getting stabbed.
Okay.
Okay.
It's the middle of the day, and you already have a drink.
Even if that were good for your fertility, I don't think a baby should be raised by someone who gets a drink as soon as the cock crows.
Well, speaking of cocks crowing, as many blowjobs as you have given, you really want to talk to me about drinking some tequila? Oral sex is sex, Dr.
Hudson.
I shared that with you as a part of my healing, and you're gonna throw that back in my face? Your healing--okay, yeah.
You're always healing or reading some book.
At some point, you've got to just let it go and move on.
Yeah, I get that that is my issue to figure out, and you can deflect all you want, but you still got your work, your mister married guy, David, your mom and your pop, and what else? Stop it.
How are you so self-righteous? This is a joke, right? You are so extremely self-righteous.
The only reason that you have not slept with a married man is because you haven't met him yet.
So none of what I'm saying is true, Mary Jane? 'Cause it's all right to admit that you're wrong.
I could maybe accept what you're saying, except I know where this is really coming from.
We've been having the same argument in some way, shape, or form for the last five years.
Why are you only mad at me and not David? Because you were my friend and you're supposed to be loyal to me.
There we go.
There we go.
Now we're getting somewhere.
You finally admitted it.
Here we go.
I can't believe I'm about to have this stupid-ass high school discussion, but here we go.
Since you love revisionist history, let me give you a little reminder.
You kept calling David your friend, so he asked me out.
I did not accept until you said, "Okay.
" So don't come in my house and try to lecture me about accepting my decisions.
Wait.
Wait.
Wait a second.
Wait a second, Lisa.
Lisa, wake up.
He didn't want you.
Well, now you know how that feels.
Oh Oh, oh Oh, yeah Look yourself in the mirror And see who you are on this day Intuition is clear But every part of you Is unique in every way Oh, what a lovely place Oh, what a lovely place Get up, bitch.
Oh, what a lovely place Here we go.
I feel I fit in Here in my skin Now, we can go.
Yeah, yeah This journey's not for the faint of heart It takes time You just need to embrace Good vibrations exploding I'm up in the clouds Riding all the waves I think I got these right this time.
What are you doing here? I thought maybe you could use a friend.
I was worried about you.
You have a lot of things to be worried about these days.
Does that mean I can't still worry about you? I guess.
Well, I'm sure you probably need to get to work.
I do.
I'm not gonna hold you up.
I just wanted to give you these.
Thank you.
And call me if you need anything.
I'm here.
I know.
Hey.
I'm always gonna be here.
Some things are complicated, but this doesn't need to be one of 'em.
Have a good day, all right? Come on, Trey.
I told you we call him by his full name.
Yo, what are you doing, man? Don't yell at my son.
Look, he's my son too, Niecy.
Well, Cameron, you should act like it more often.
Look, unless you got something to tell me, this is my son too, so he needs to obey me.
Obey you? He doesn't even know you.
And you constantly reminding me of that isn't helping anything, Niecy, especially Trey vion.
You know what? You can show yourself out.
Go.
Show yourself out.
Bye for another two years.
Sometimes we have to do what's best for our children, even when it doesn't benefit us.
Let me translate in a language you can understand It ain't always about you.
Don't worry, my man.
We're gonna get out of here.
Go ahead and go upstairs, baby.
Every day for the next 15 years, roughly 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65.
The market to provide housing communities for this aging group is wide open, particularly at the design level.
Now, I believe my thoughtful and cutting edge approach, combined with your development contracts can position us to launch the first in a collection of high-end retirement communities right here in Georgia.
And as you'll see, within six quarters, we'd create infrastructure to expand to additional states.
I'll get straight to the chase, Paul.
There's definitely an angle here, but what really snatched my interest was that you actually already own significant choice acreage at Lake Keowee.
Thank you.
My family's vacationed there many times when I was young.
I knew it was a special place then.
I've been buying the land since I was in college.
Well, you've got a good eye, 'cause everybody wants it now.
Is that why you switched to architecture and gave up on the law degree? Guilty.
Listen.
This is great.
I mean, I get it.
City council over there has offered up some land development permits and you need me to get one.
And build it.
Besides the land and some fancy drawings, what are you bringing to the table? Well, tell me what else you need.
Another investor with 3 to 5 million in capital to take you seriously.
Eight, nine, and ten.
All right, come on, son.
We're playing hide and go seek, all right? That means you got to hide your whole body, not just half, all right? What are you doing? What are you doing here? You know, playing hide and go seek.
Well, you can't just come up in my house unannounced.
It's my house, and I told him he could come back.
Cameron, leave now, for real.
No, no, no.
We're not gonna do this.
You let him come up in here, and I'm wrong? Let me talk to you, Niecy.
Why would you do that? I told you this wasn't about you.
He needs to show me some respect.
How has he disrespected you? You just doing this to get back at me.
Oh, little girl, you're not mad at me or your auntie or Cameron or the little Filipino boy.
It's you.
You're angry with yourself.
Hell, I see you rolling your eyes like I'm the big bad wolf in your life, but I'm standing right here tussling with you because I know you can do better.
You could have at least told me he was here.
I was mad that you were asleep.
Grandma, I was up all night with Belle.
It's funny.
You barely ever cried when you were a baby.
I used to always say you were like me.
Mm-hmm.
Came here to get things done.
Didn't have time to cry.
Prove me right, please.
Now, you know Grandma likes to be right.
Now, now, now, don't get those.
I'm tearing up because you just said that you love me.
Well, but he's gonna think it's about him, so stop.
Your job is to let him be the boy's daddy.
Don't make it hard for him to show up, and don't do cartwheels when he does.
Let him walk this.
I'm sorry for everything.
I love you.
Now, now, don't be sorry.
Just live right the first time.
Translation: keep your legs closed.
I'm gonna get me some more apples.
Before I sign off, I need to address the special segment which aired yesterday.
Uh-oh.
Here we go.
What are you doing, Mary Jane? I have no Xanax on me today.
I have been overwhelmed by your emails Push in, damn it.
And Facebook posts offering your support and heartfelt testimonials.
While my physician and I have not yet decided on my next course of action, I want to genuinely say thank you for your thoughts and your prayers.
And moreover, I thank you for sharing in my journey.
Carl Gustav Jung said, "He who looks outside dreams.
He who looks inside awakes.
" And I'm Mary Jane Paul.
Thank you for listening.
What was I thinking? And why didn't you stop me from doing this whole infotainment thing? I could have done the Modern Motherhood series without inserting myself into it.
I'm a corporate whore.
Well, it is a step up from being just a regular old ho.
Hello? This thing on? Hello? Hello? Oh, Mary Jane, come on.
We all make compromises.
Okay, look, remember, I'm the dude who is doing the news standing up with no tie.
Mark, I realize it's a big deal for you, but it does not compare to being told live, on air, that you are broken.
It's about as bad as when Geraldo Rivera opened up Capone's vault, and all they found were dust and cobwebs.
I mean, it's not journalism.
This is mental midgetry.
I mean, we are doing all these gymnastics to pander to an audience that doesn't even appreciate real news unless they are info-tained.
Okay, hold on, Mary Jane.
Look, what you did-- you know what? Scratch that.
What you are doing--it resonates with a lot of viewers.
I actually like your story.
Before Eric and I broke up, we were actually talking about adopting a baby.
Adoption? Really? Yeah, you know, here I am in my 40s just dancing three years now.
He's gone, I'm alone, and I have no clue what my future holds.
Baby, why couldn't you just say that you're 43? 'Cause I refuse.
Why didn't you tell me? Look, despite what Eric thought, you know, some conversations are just best between lovers, so while I don't have follicles or eggs or a vagina, it doesn't mean you're alone.
Mary Jane-- Oh, my God, I can't stop crying.
Oh great--walls of glass.
Listen.
Listen.
Listen.
Don't worry, okay? I got you.
I got you, all right? So what does she want in return for this kind of latitude? She must want to see some kind of quantitative investment on your part, otherwise she's assuming all the risk.
A $5 million investment to prove I'm serious.
She says a straightforward capital investment will legitimize the project.
Now, that's what I've been building towards, but I just don't have 5 million.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I hope you're not expecting it from me.
No.
Look, that's not what I'm asking, okay? I just need some advice on the offer she's making.
Well, the first question is do you want to partner with an angel investor or a venture capitalist? Well, I've already talked to Jake, and he's pretty sure we can convince his father to double down.
Are you really sure you want Jake to have a stake in your company? No, no.
Jake didn't go to that meeting.
You did.
Jake didn't secure the offer.
You did.
Jake didn't conceptualize the idea.
You did.
Don't let that boy and his daddy capitalize off of you simply because they were born into the freedom of wealth.
Donald Sterling's rants didn't teach you anything? Stick with your own.
That's the way they do it.
Okay.
I know there'll always be people who think like that, but Jake's my friend first.
I trust him.
You know, this sounds like a great investment opportunity for a young internet guru with liquid assets.
David? New money's always looking to spend money, and he'll probably give you double of what you ask him just to impress Pauletta.
He likes this family.
He's not gonna mess that up.
Use it to your advantage.
I just don't want to piss of Letta.
You know how complicated they like to be.
I get why she's not calling me, but why isn't she calling you? She's mad at me again.
You know your daughter.
She could be dead like that girl she reported on.
Really, you girls I'm sure she'll call you.
I think they're gonna choose house number two.
Me too.
- Hey, what's up, PJ? - Yo, glad to see you, brother.
Thanks for coming by so quickly.
Oh, no problem.
I was in the neighborhood.
Hey, Lisa.
How's Mary Jane? I'm fine, David.
Thanks for asking.
Okay, first, let me thank you for taking the time to stop by.
Oh yeah, I mean, you sounded pretty serious on the phone, so.
It is very serious.
It's not about my sister.
Calm down.
Okay? Yeah, all right.
I have a business opportunity for you.
Now, I've mentioned to you many times about my retirement community development.
Oh, yeah, over at Lake Keowee? Yeah.
Well, now I have the attention of Barbara Ling-Cho, CEO of Carter.
Wow.
That's impressive, grasshopper.
Thank you.
Well, the real estate trade's been talking Keowee up.
Yes, and I know how committed you are to promoting and investing in our community's economic participation, so I-- That's something I say when I give speeches.
- All right? - Yeah.
She's looking for a commitment.
How much? Hmm.
Yeah, I think I can raise that.
You think you can--okay.
But when I do, my group's gonna need Come on, man.
You're killing me.
I'm already splitting my profit in half with Jake.
That's not my issue, is it? I mean, you guys are gonna maintain controlling interest of the company, and how you split that between the two of you is your business.
But one thing I do want to make sure of is that we're being transparent with Mary Jane.
What does she think about all this? She's cool.
Look, come on.
You know us Pattersons, we stick together.
So why don't I call your office once my lawyer draws up the paperwork? Sounds good.
Whew, well, give it to me.
We're family, man.
Come here.
We've already teased a conclusion to part one, and the promotions department would prefer to air it on Monday.
The live team is still prepared for a second visit to Dr.
Marrs' office should you go through with the extraction.
We can sell it as a long shot-- a hopeful long shot.
You know, chart the costs, spin an angle on the insurance coverage or the lack thereof, and we'd reinvigorate the Obamacare debate, which would flow nicely into the legacy package.
You know, take a look back before moving ahead.
I'm almost done vetting the founder of that co-parenting site, Modamaly.
Maybe we could sell a part two before concluding part one? No, no, no.
Absolutely not.
No.
That's not the conversation we're having at all.
Look, Mary Jane, I know this is difficult for you personally, but we have got to give these guys some kind of direction before tomorrow.
And if you're not going back to Dr.
Marrs, then we need to prepare a conclusion for this segment before we launch into anything else.
I'll let you know.
Oh, boy.
Okay.
Hey, Dad.
What are you doing here? Hey.
Couldn't sleep.
And the hot light was on.
Smart girl.
Oh, yeah.
Better than a dog, quiet, and just as effective.
Come on.
So everybody's doing all right? Yeah, believe it or not.
I think they may have reached an understanding finally.
And Cameron is coming around, so it's good.
Really? Good for her.
I don't know anymore, Dad.
I mean, when that thing first started, I just kind of felt like it was work, you know? But after what happened yesterday, I mean, God, it's frightening, 'cause it's finally dawning on me.
Like, what if I can't have babies at all? Well, baby, maybe that's not such a bad thing.
Why would you say something like that? Because I'm not convinced that you really want children.
Were you watching yesterday? Yeah.
Do you think I would suffer public embarrassment because I don't want to have kids? Call it a father's intuition.
Call it 38 years of watching and raising a child who, from college to grad school to the news room, always went after what she wanted and got it.
Call it doing the analysis and finding it strange that the only goal that has eluded you is a husband and a baby.
You're trying to make it seem like it's all within my control, like I can just cast a spell, and poof: husband and a baby.
I mean, getting what you and mom have-- it doesn't happen like that.
What we have started in a tradition that I don't think is even relevant today.
You've got to throw out of your mind what we have and start focusing in on what it is that makes you happy.
Pauletta Patterson, what your mother and I have is not something you should aspire to.
I am confused.
I'm saying that I worked my ass off at the airlines for years to give my children everything, and what I'm beginning to see is my children are drifting out to sea with no direction, unaware of the fact that a rip tide is about to pull them under.
Pauletta, figure it out.
That boy loves you, and you love him.
You've even got his college shirt on.
So what if it's not the perfect package? Let that woman give him the babies that you don't want.
So what am I supposed to do, just go get my man even though he's with somebody else? No, you're supposed to go out there and get your happiness.
And if it's David, don't let misunderstandings and misinterpretations get in your way.
Stop chasing some Leave It to Beaver dream that doesn't really work.
Stop chasing goals that you really don't want.
Focus on the ones that you do, and move toward 'em with gusto.
I'm also saying if it's not David, move on.
And if you don't want to live in Atlanta anymore, go.
Don't tether yourself to us, worrying about us, and forgetting about you and what it is that you want.
I'm exhausted.
I can't stand it anymore, Dad.
Well, don't have children.
Hey Kara, it's me.
I hope you're not at work, but you probably are, so go home.
I'm not gonna go through with it, but I have an idea for Friday's show, so I'll talk to you later.
I don't know about my love I don't know about my Loving anymore All that I know is I'm fallin', fallin Fallin', fallin' I'm fallin' Egg freezing is most ideal for women between the ages of 30 and 38.
And while most experts agree success largely depends on the woman's age, cancellation due to immature follicles occurs in 10% to 20% of IVF treatment cycles.
With the cost of such treatments ranging from $10 to $20,000 a cycle, it's no wonder the process can become emotionally and financially exhaustive.
I don't recommend it.
But is there a chance I can get pregnant with one of those four eggs? Yes.
Then I want to take that chance.
Okay then.
The trigger shot will give your follicles one last boost before the extraction.
You'll take home a syringe and two vials.
I will not proceed on the path toward freezing my eggs here on Talk Back, but I encourage every woman out there to continue to explore different paths to modern day motherhood.
As Plato said: "Necessity breeds invention.
" And I suspect that society will continue to prove this to be true.
Until next week, I'm Mary Jane Paul.
Thanks for listening.
Time is of the essence, so once you take the shot, you'll have 36 hours until you need to get back here for the extraction.
And then, of course, we'll hope for the best.
All I know is I'm fallin', fallin' Fallin', fallin'
I just don't understand how one minute you're twirling mattress signs on the corner, and then the next, you're being invited to elite millionaire investment meetings.
There is no "We.
" There's you, and then there's me.
I want to be involved with Treyvion.
Treyvion doesn't know you.
You left.
You should go through the process of freezing your eggs.
It's a follicle stimulating hormone injection, and you'll give it to yourself.
Then why can't we just take a beat and talk about it? Just give me the damn shot.
I don't need a lecture or a diagnosis from you.
Just the shot.
I want to make sure you're doing this for you and not some one-up to David.
You know what? Never mind.
I'll do it myself.
Thank you.
My sister was telling me that three of her girlfriends are doing it.
It's like the modern day woman's insurance policy.
Today's woman continues to be educated and career-focused, waiting longer and longer to start a family.
And while there's still no time machine, modern technology is proving to have a jump on slowing down the clock.
In fact, just two years ago, egg freezing was still considered experimental.
Now it's a standard within the fertility community.
SNC's own Mary Jane Paul has bravely taken on the journey, and she is back for a checkup with Dr.
Jacob Marrs, renowned fertility expert and director of the Oocyte Cryopreservation Center.
Mary Jane? Yes, I am back.
I don't know how easy it is, but I'm back.
Actually, Dr.
Marrs, it was fairly easy except for the needles-- - Hello? - Lisa, are you seeing this? Yes, Aunt Helen, I'm watching.
To increase your egg production.
By next week, it'll be out of your system.
You won't be able to blame any mood swings on me.
Oh, but I will.
So I'm here today because I'm at the end of my hormone regimen and you are measuring my follicles.
Exactly.
I'm measuring and counting.
You see, removing the eggs is a delicate process, and timing is everything.
If we take them out too soon, they might not be ready.
But leave them in too long, and the eggs might expire, if you will, and then they're useless.
It's an imprecise science, but we like to see about ten follicles.
If they're of good size, we can be confident that we'll get the eggs we need, and an ultrasound is the best way to get a picture of what we've got, so legs up.
Oh, goodness, I can hear my mother now.
"What are you doing? What are you doing?" Take a deep breath and relax.
Whoo, okay.
I w as hoping for a little wine and roses before, but I'm sure my follicles are huge, because I picked up a little extra weight around my waistline.
I see three-- no, four follicles.
Quality over quantity, right? Doctor? Mary Jane, it's not what we were hoping for.
They're measuring, I would say, on average 6 millimeters.
That's far short of what I expect to see at this stage.
Okay.
What are you telling me? This is abnormal, but you can always try again.
Kara, don't let her drown.
Throw it back to me.
Mary Jane, wrap it up.
We'll be right back in just a second.
You're out.
Commercial up.
Kara, what are you doing? Just stand by.
I'll let you know what's going on.
Going back to Mary Jane-- confirm? Hold on.
Wait for instructions.
Hold on.
Oh my God.
What went wrong? Huh? What went wrong? Could I have taken the medicine wrong? I mean, you said God, could it be my sexual history? Could I have damaged something? It could be a myriad of reasons.
I did have tequila and not just wine.
It could be as simple as adjusting your hormone dosage.
Okay, how do I fix it? I am supposed to extract for Friday's newscast.
I'm supposed to have eggs, okay? I would advise against extraction given your condition.
Oh--condition.
Great.
I am not supposed to have a condition.
I'm referring to your eggs.
They aren't in the ideal condition.
If we do extract-- No.
If done successfully, that wouldn't have an impact.
Let's not jump to any conclusions, all right? I would advise you to do another cycle of hormones at a higher dosage, give us another shot at that perfect egg.
- I bet you can do it.
- 50 seconds.
Along with additional lifestyle support, I would expect we can get there.
And what if they don't get better? Kara, Kara, I can handle this.
Just let me know what we're doing.
No, no, no, no, no.
Mary Jane is going to sign off of her own show.
- But thank you.
- We're up in 30 seconds.
We're good.
Will you just excuse me one second? Mary Jane, listen to me, baby girl.
Breathe, okay? Breathe.
Listen, I know I can put Gayle on, and she can do the closing of the show, but I know you want to finish this strong.
You understand? Just sign off, Mama.
All right? Okay.
Just talk about the nature of live television.
Let them know you're in the studio again tomorrow.
You've got this.
You're fine, right? You're fine.
Okay, you're good.
Prize attention Crave affection Guys, come on.
Come on.
Another pop concession We fear rejection Prize attention Crave affection Five seconds.
In five, four, three Every woman's story is different.
Just like live television, life is unpredictable.
Tomorrow, I'll be back in the studio where we will look at the latest election polls and investigate the new schemes of political super PACs.
Until then, thank you for listening.
I'm Mary Jane Paul.
And we're clear.
That was great.
Why did you let me do this? Why? Everybody clear the room please.
No, no, no, no! Please, everybody stay, 'cause the world now knows my business! Why don't you shoot a little B roll, huh, of my breakdown? Everybody, clear the room.
Please, give us a few minutes.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Mary Jane.
Mary Jane, I can only imagine how you're feeling right now.
No, you cannot imagine how I'm feeling.
The doctor said that this is not a perfect process and that these things can happen.
So I don't think anyone is laughing at you, baby girl.
I think they're gonna be compassionate, and not just for you, but for all those women out there that are going through this.
Wasn't that our goal for this story? Huh? And if you really want a baby, Mary Jane, you're gonna have to go through this.
You said, "Keep going.
" "Just keep taking the shots.
"Have a little hope.
"Experience your worst nightmare.
And then, let's air it.
" Kara, where was your compassion? That's what I needed: your compassion.
I knew this wasn't a good idea.
She can't have babies, and now the whole damned world knows.
She's doing it for all the women who are in this Lisa, I heard the man just now tell my baby that she's abnormal.
I have never raised my children to be abnormal.
What tends to happen, Aunt Helen, is that-- Of course, I didn't raise them to spread their legs on TV, either.
Okay, listen, it's not that-- How does someone wait 40 years to think about a baby, and then do this on national TV? More and more women are doing this.
Well, if she is barren because of my lupus, I'll never forgive myself.
How did you make this about you? There could be a million reasons why this didn't work.
And even if she was, your lupus wouldn't be one of them.
Well, she brought all this attention to her vagina.
Okay, Miss Helen, will you hold on one second please? Paul, how do we face this? Oh.
Hey, Mary Jane, I know you're going through a lot.
Call me.
Checking up on you, baby--please call me.
I know whatever I say to you right now is gonna be the wrong thing, but I want you to know I get it.
Call me back.
Hey Mary Jane.
What's happening? I saw you on Talk Back earlier.
Call me if you need to talk, all right? I'm here for you.
I don't need you To save my life I only need you in it Hey lover, you all right? Hit me back.
Don't front on me Don't front on me Have you read this? It's good.
Why are you here, Lisa? Damn, do you know another emotion besides anger? I mean, I'm here because I'm concerned about my friend.
Honestly, I don't have time for this.
Time might be what you need.
Maybe it's a blessing.
I see single women every day who think that they're ready for a baby, and they find out they're completely unprepared.
Who is ever prepared for a baby? I'm just saying that maybe right now your lifestyle isn't conducive to having a child.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry--conducive? What are you--what? Conducive--helpful, in alignment with-- I don't need a definition, Lisa.
I need to know where you get off questioning my lifestyle.
Just calm down.
I'm just saying that I'm concerned about some of your choices.
Oh, my choices--oh, you mean, like, because I don't choose to be dateless or sexless or joyless? Are those the choices that you're concerned about? See, I was hoping that I'd be able to come over here without you thinking you had carte blanche to be as rude and nasty as you want.
No, you couldn't have been hoping that, because you wouldn't have come at me sideways.
Really--my lifestyle? You work like a dog, and if you were serious about having a baby, you wouldn't be running around like a hamster on a wheel.
How else am I supposed to afford a kid? I told you your stress levels were high.
And in the last six months, you haven't made a single decision to suggest that you even want a baby, let alone should be allowed to have one.
Wait, allow? Allow? Oh, wow.
Well, it's like I just got stabbed, and instead of getting a bandage, I just keep getting stabbed.
Okay.
Okay.
It's the middle of the day, and you already have a drink.
Even if that were good for your fertility, I don't think a baby should be raised by someone who gets a drink as soon as the cock crows.
Well, speaking of cocks crowing, as many blowjobs as you have given, you really want to talk to me about drinking some tequila? Oral sex is sex, Dr.
Hudson.
I shared that with you as a part of my healing, and you're gonna throw that back in my face? Your healing--okay, yeah.
You're always healing or reading some book.
At some point, you've got to just let it go and move on.
Yeah, I get that that is my issue to figure out, and you can deflect all you want, but you still got your work, your mister married guy, David, your mom and your pop, and what else? Stop it.
How are you so self-righteous? This is a joke, right? You are so extremely self-righteous.
The only reason that you have not slept with a married man is because you haven't met him yet.
So none of what I'm saying is true, Mary Jane? 'Cause it's all right to admit that you're wrong.
I could maybe accept what you're saying, except I know where this is really coming from.
We've been having the same argument in some way, shape, or form for the last five years.
Why are you only mad at me and not David? Because you were my friend and you're supposed to be loyal to me.
There we go.
There we go.
Now we're getting somewhere.
You finally admitted it.
Here we go.
I can't believe I'm about to have this stupid-ass high school discussion, but here we go.
Since you love revisionist history, let me give you a little reminder.
You kept calling David your friend, so he asked me out.
I did not accept until you said, "Okay.
" So don't come in my house and try to lecture me about accepting my decisions.
Wait.
Wait.
Wait a second.
Wait a second, Lisa.
Lisa, wake up.
He didn't want you.
Well, now you know how that feels.
Oh Oh, oh Oh, yeah Look yourself in the mirror And see who you are on this day Intuition is clear But every part of you Is unique in every way Oh, what a lovely place Oh, what a lovely place Get up, bitch.
Oh, what a lovely place Here we go.
I feel I fit in Here in my skin Now, we can go.
Yeah, yeah This journey's not for the faint of heart It takes time You just need to embrace Good vibrations exploding I'm up in the clouds Riding all the waves I think I got these right this time.
What are you doing here? I thought maybe you could use a friend.
I was worried about you.
You have a lot of things to be worried about these days.
Does that mean I can't still worry about you? I guess.
Well, I'm sure you probably need to get to work.
I do.
I'm not gonna hold you up.
I just wanted to give you these.
Thank you.
And call me if you need anything.
I'm here.
I know.
Hey.
I'm always gonna be here.
Some things are complicated, but this doesn't need to be one of 'em.
Have a good day, all right? Come on, Trey.
I told you we call him by his full name.
Yo, what are you doing, man? Don't yell at my son.
Look, he's my son too, Niecy.
Well, Cameron, you should act like it more often.
Look, unless you got something to tell me, this is my son too, so he needs to obey me.
Obey you? He doesn't even know you.
And you constantly reminding me of that isn't helping anything, Niecy, especially Trey vion.
You know what? You can show yourself out.
Go.
Show yourself out.
Bye for another two years.
Sometimes we have to do what's best for our children, even when it doesn't benefit us.
Let me translate in a language you can understand It ain't always about you.
Don't worry, my man.
We're gonna get out of here.
Go ahead and go upstairs, baby.
Every day for the next 15 years, roughly 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65.
The market to provide housing communities for this aging group is wide open, particularly at the design level.
Now, I believe my thoughtful and cutting edge approach, combined with your development contracts can position us to launch the first in a collection of high-end retirement communities right here in Georgia.
And as you'll see, within six quarters, we'd create infrastructure to expand to additional states.
I'll get straight to the chase, Paul.
There's definitely an angle here, but what really snatched my interest was that you actually already own significant choice acreage at Lake Keowee.
Thank you.
My family's vacationed there many times when I was young.
I knew it was a special place then.
I've been buying the land since I was in college.
Well, you've got a good eye, 'cause everybody wants it now.
Is that why you switched to architecture and gave up on the law degree? Guilty.
Listen.
This is great.
I mean, I get it.
City council over there has offered up some land development permits and you need me to get one.
And build it.
Besides the land and some fancy drawings, what are you bringing to the table? Well, tell me what else you need.
Another investor with 3 to 5 million in capital to take you seriously.
Eight, nine, and ten.
All right, come on, son.
We're playing hide and go seek, all right? That means you got to hide your whole body, not just half, all right? What are you doing? What are you doing here? You know, playing hide and go seek.
Well, you can't just come up in my house unannounced.
It's my house, and I told him he could come back.
Cameron, leave now, for real.
No, no, no.
We're not gonna do this.
You let him come up in here, and I'm wrong? Let me talk to you, Niecy.
Why would you do that? I told you this wasn't about you.
He needs to show me some respect.
How has he disrespected you? You just doing this to get back at me.
Oh, little girl, you're not mad at me or your auntie or Cameron or the little Filipino boy.
It's you.
You're angry with yourself.
Hell, I see you rolling your eyes like I'm the big bad wolf in your life, but I'm standing right here tussling with you because I know you can do better.
You could have at least told me he was here.
I was mad that you were asleep.
Grandma, I was up all night with Belle.
It's funny.
You barely ever cried when you were a baby.
I used to always say you were like me.
Mm-hmm.
Came here to get things done.
Didn't have time to cry.
Prove me right, please.
Now, you know Grandma likes to be right.
Now, now, now, don't get those.
I'm tearing up because you just said that you love me.
Well, but he's gonna think it's about him, so stop.
Your job is to let him be the boy's daddy.
Don't make it hard for him to show up, and don't do cartwheels when he does.
Let him walk this.
I'm sorry for everything.
I love you.
Now, now, don't be sorry.
Just live right the first time.
Translation: keep your legs closed.
I'm gonna get me some more apples.
Before I sign off, I need to address the special segment which aired yesterday.
Uh-oh.
Here we go.
What are you doing, Mary Jane? I have no Xanax on me today.
I have been overwhelmed by your emails Push in, damn it.
And Facebook posts offering your support and heartfelt testimonials.
While my physician and I have not yet decided on my next course of action, I want to genuinely say thank you for your thoughts and your prayers.
And moreover, I thank you for sharing in my journey.
Carl Gustav Jung said, "He who looks outside dreams.
He who looks inside awakes.
" And I'm Mary Jane Paul.
Thank you for listening.
What was I thinking? And why didn't you stop me from doing this whole infotainment thing? I could have done the Modern Motherhood series without inserting myself into it.
I'm a corporate whore.
Well, it is a step up from being just a regular old ho.
Hello? This thing on? Hello? Hello? Oh, Mary Jane, come on.
We all make compromises.
Okay, look, remember, I'm the dude who is doing the news standing up with no tie.
Mark, I realize it's a big deal for you, but it does not compare to being told live, on air, that you are broken.
It's about as bad as when Geraldo Rivera opened up Capone's vault, and all they found were dust and cobwebs.
I mean, it's not journalism.
This is mental midgetry.
I mean, we are doing all these gymnastics to pander to an audience that doesn't even appreciate real news unless they are info-tained.
Okay, hold on, Mary Jane.
Look, what you did-- you know what? Scratch that.
What you are doing--it resonates with a lot of viewers.
I actually like your story.
Before Eric and I broke up, we were actually talking about adopting a baby.
Adoption? Really? Yeah, you know, here I am in my 40s just dancing three years now.
He's gone, I'm alone, and I have no clue what my future holds.
Baby, why couldn't you just say that you're 43? 'Cause I refuse.
Why didn't you tell me? Look, despite what Eric thought, you know, some conversations are just best between lovers, so while I don't have follicles or eggs or a vagina, it doesn't mean you're alone.
Mary Jane-- Oh, my God, I can't stop crying.
Oh great--walls of glass.
Listen.
Listen.
Listen.
Don't worry, okay? I got you.
I got you, all right? So what does she want in return for this kind of latitude? She must want to see some kind of quantitative investment on your part, otherwise she's assuming all the risk.
A $5 million investment to prove I'm serious.
She says a straightforward capital investment will legitimize the project.
Now, that's what I've been building towards, but I just don't have 5 million.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I hope you're not expecting it from me.
No.
Look, that's not what I'm asking, okay? I just need some advice on the offer she's making.
Well, the first question is do you want to partner with an angel investor or a venture capitalist? Well, I've already talked to Jake, and he's pretty sure we can convince his father to double down.
Are you really sure you want Jake to have a stake in your company? No, no.
Jake didn't go to that meeting.
You did.
Jake didn't secure the offer.
You did.
Jake didn't conceptualize the idea.
You did.
Don't let that boy and his daddy capitalize off of you simply because they were born into the freedom of wealth.
Donald Sterling's rants didn't teach you anything? Stick with your own.
That's the way they do it.
Okay.
I know there'll always be people who think like that, but Jake's my friend first.
I trust him.
You know, this sounds like a great investment opportunity for a young internet guru with liquid assets.
David? New money's always looking to spend money, and he'll probably give you double of what you ask him just to impress Pauletta.
He likes this family.
He's not gonna mess that up.
Use it to your advantage.
I just don't want to piss of Letta.
You know how complicated they like to be.
I get why she's not calling me, but why isn't she calling you? She's mad at me again.
You know your daughter.
She could be dead like that girl she reported on.
Really, you girls I'm sure she'll call you.
I think they're gonna choose house number two.
Me too.
- Hey, what's up, PJ? - Yo, glad to see you, brother.
Thanks for coming by so quickly.
Oh, no problem.
I was in the neighborhood.
Hey, Lisa.
How's Mary Jane? I'm fine, David.
Thanks for asking.
Okay, first, let me thank you for taking the time to stop by.
Oh yeah, I mean, you sounded pretty serious on the phone, so.
It is very serious.
It's not about my sister.
Calm down.
Okay? Yeah, all right.
I have a business opportunity for you.
Now, I've mentioned to you many times about my retirement community development.
Oh, yeah, over at Lake Keowee? Yeah.
Well, now I have the attention of Barbara Ling-Cho, CEO of Carter.
Wow.
That's impressive, grasshopper.
Thank you.
Well, the real estate trade's been talking Keowee up.
Yes, and I know how committed you are to promoting and investing in our community's economic participation, so I-- That's something I say when I give speeches.
- All right? - Yeah.
She's looking for a commitment.
How much? Hmm.
Yeah, I think I can raise that.
You think you can--okay.
But when I do, my group's gonna need Come on, man.
You're killing me.
I'm already splitting my profit in half with Jake.
That's not my issue, is it? I mean, you guys are gonna maintain controlling interest of the company, and how you split that between the two of you is your business.
But one thing I do want to make sure of is that we're being transparent with Mary Jane.
What does she think about all this? She's cool.
Look, come on.
You know us Pattersons, we stick together.
So why don't I call your office once my lawyer draws up the paperwork? Sounds good.
Whew, well, give it to me.
We're family, man.
Come here.
We've already teased a conclusion to part one, and the promotions department would prefer to air it on Monday.
The live team is still prepared for a second visit to Dr.
Marrs' office should you go through with the extraction.
We can sell it as a long shot-- a hopeful long shot.
You know, chart the costs, spin an angle on the insurance coverage or the lack thereof, and we'd reinvigorate the Obamacare debate, which would flow nicely into the legacy package.
You know, take a look back before moving ahead.
I'm almost done vetting the founder of that co-parenting site, Modamaly.
Maybe we could sell a part two before concluding part one? No, no, no.
Absolutely not.
No.
That's not the conversation we're having at all.
Look, Mary Jane, I know this is difficult for you personally, but we have got to give these guys some kind of direction before tomorrow.
And if you're not going back to Dr.
Marrs, then we need to prepare a conclusion for this segment before we launch into anything else.
I'll let you know.
Oh, boy.
Okay.
Hey, Dad.
What are you doing here? Hey.
Couldn't sleep.
And the hot light was on.
Smart girl.
Oh, yeah.
Better than a dog, quiet, and just as effective.
Come on.
So everybody's doing all right? Yeah, believe it or not.
I think they may have reached an understanding finally.
And Cameron is coming around, so it's good.
Really? Good for her.
I don't know anymore, Dad.
I mean, when that thing first started, I just kind of felt like it was work, you know? But after what happened yesterday, I mean, God, it's frightening, 'cause it's finally dawning on me.
Like, what if I can't have babies at all? Well, baby, maybe that's not such a bad thing.
Why would you say something like that? Because I'm not convinced that you really want children.
Were you watching yesterday? Yeah.
Do you think I would suffer public embarrassment because I don't want to have kids? Call it a father's intuition.
Call it 38 years of watching and raising a child who, from college to grad school to the news room, always went after what she wanted and got it.
Call it doing the analysis and finding it strange that the only goal that has eluded you is a husband and a baby.
You're trying to make it seem like it's all within my control, like I can just cast a spell, and poof: husband and a baby.
I mean, getting what you and mom have-- it doesn't happen like that.
What we have started in a tradition that I don't think is even relevant today.
You've got to throw out of your mind what we have and start focusing in on what it is that makes you happy.
Pauletta Patterson, what your mother and I have is not something you should aspire to.
I am confused.
I'm saying that I worked my ass off at the airlines for years to give my children everything, and what I'm beginning to see is my children are drifting out to sea with no direction, unaware of the fact that a rip tide is about to pull them under.
Pauletta, figure it out.
That boy loves you, and you love him.
You've even got his college shirt on.
So what if it's not the perfect package? Let that woman give him the babies that you don't want.
So what am I supposed to do, just go get my man even though he's with somebody else? No, you're supposed to go out there and get your happiness.
And if it's David, don't let misunderstandings and misinterpretations get in your way.
Stop chasing some Leave It to Beaver dream that doesn't really work.
Stop chasing goals that you really don't want.
Focus on the ones that you do, and move toward 'em with gusto.
I'm also saying if it's not David, move on.
And if you don't want to live in Atlanta anymore, go.
Don't tether yourself to us, worrying about us, and forgetting about you and what it is that you want.
I'm exhausted.
I can't stand it anymore, Dad.
Well, don't have children.
Hey Kara, it's me.
I hope you're not at work, but you probably are, so go home.
I'm not gonna go through with it, but I have an idea for Friday's show, so I'll talk to you later.
I don't know about my love I don't know about my Loving anymore All that I know is I'm fallin', fallin Fallin', fallin' I'm fallin' Egg freezing is most ideal for women between the ages of 30 and 38.
And while most experts agree success largely depends on the woman's age, cancellation due to immature follicles occurs in 10% to 20% of IVF treatment cycles.
With the cost of such treatments ranging from $10 to $20,000 a cycle, it's no wonder the process can become emotionally and financially exhaustive.
I don't recommend it.
But is there a chance I can get pregnant with one of those four eggs? Yes.
Then I want to take that chance.
Okay then.
The trigger shot will give your follicles one last boost before the extraction.
You'll take home a syringe and two vials.
I will not proceed on the path toward freezing my eggs here on Talk Back, but I encourage every woman out there to continue to explore different paths to modern day motherhood.
As Plato said: "Necessity breeds invention.
" And I suspect that society will continue to prove this to be true.
Until next week, I'm Mary Jane Paul.
Thanks for listening.
Time is of the essence, so once you take the shot, you'll have 36 hours until you need to get back here for the extraction.
And then, of course, we'll hope for the best.
All I know is I'm fallin', fallin' Fallin', fallin'