Being Mary Jane (2013) s04e10 Episode Script
Getting It
1 MARY JANE: Previously, on "Being Mary Jane" Now I've never said this to anyone.
I love you.
Now tell me you don't love me.
If you let me walk out that door, I'm not comin' back.
- [door closes.]
- KARA: [sobbing.]
At the time, I really thought those internet trolls had destroyed my life.
Then, one day, everything changed.
RONDA: And what brought on the change? It started by coming on to your show last year.
RONDA: [chuckles.]
I'm never gonna be in the anchor chair.
Ronda's too good and I just I can't beat her.
You've gotta trust me.
You will be the anchor of this show.
It's what you don't do I know you love me, I don't need proof Ginger-apple with salsa-caramel.
- Hmmm.
- Okay, no, that's not it.
Wait, um, it's it's, um It's burnt brown sugar.
- How would you even know that? - KARA: [laughing.]
I was gonna say chocolate with white frosting, but I'm obviously out of my league.
He said it, I didn't.
It's what you don't do KARA: [distant voice.]
Mary Jane? Mary Jane? Mary Jane? Right? Mary Jane! I told you not to mess with Kara.
She may be small, but she punches above her waist.
And I know my girl, so [snaps fingers.]
- Hah! - LEE: Okay.
Let's just see, uh 4 to 1.
- Are you ready to give up, yet? - LEE: You got it.
Look, all I wanna do is celebrate my birthday with the two of you, so, where are we eating this cake? - Mary Jane, my darling - Oh, Jesus.
My love, my sweetheart All right, can we cut the sweet talk - and just get to it? - Okay.
Imagine Mmhm.
A brightly-lit marquee with the names Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and [drum roll with hands.]
Mary Jane Paul! Okay, wait, did you get her a role in the remake of "Coming to America" or something like that? No, it's not a remake, it's a comedy charity event.
You wanna get me on stage telling jokes.
Yes.
It's something you'll never forget.
- Out loud? - Okay Now, come on, that's what your 40th has to be about.
What she needs is what I planned.
This year is the year you vowed to make changes, right? So, I say that it's only fair that you celebrate your 40th by crossing something huge off your bucket list.
Uh, Kara Lynch, did you get my girlfriend pregnant? No, I'm leaving that to you and modern science.
All right, MJ, imagine this.
A long weekend at a beach house at the Obamas' favorite retreat.
You got us a place at Martha's Vineyard? - Yes, I did! - Oh, yes! Yes, I did and it comes with a very special dinner with a very special guest Zadie Smith.
- All the way from Italy? - Yes.
Okay, Okay, I was one of the first people in my Dorm to re-write - Italy? That's not a big deal.
- MARY JANE: Oh, my gosh.
Eddie Murphy's coming all the way in from Jersey.
KARA: Oh, please.
Who cares about that? Okay, Mary Jane, which one? Which one are you choosing? Obviously, we're goin' with the Vineyard.
Hello! With one exception.
KARA: Okay.
After my experience with Ronda, you know, I think I've learned my lesson about meeting my idols.
- Uh, no Zadie Smith? - No Zadie Smith.
Well, that's gonna make me a third wheel, but I'm goin' anyway, so [snapping fingers.]
You know what? I can live with that.
KARA: Okay.
Here's to turning 40.
- To turning 40.
- [glasses clinking.]
- Cheers! - Cheers! Could ever be made to measure you It's what you don't do I know you love me I don't need proof Proof No, I can leave it.
I got it.
All right.
No, you guys are all good.
And, listen, just so you know, I tried to invite your family to the Vineyard, but puh.
Don't tell me.
You lost them somewhere around the part where you told them it was gonna take a plane, a car and a ferry to get them there.
KARA: [laughing.]
No, no.
I think they have something else in mind for you anyway.
If they even remember.
No, no, PJ said he's gonna bring you back something from Dubai.
Oh, well, let's hope it's not a sister-in-law.
LEE & KARA: [laugh.]
- I'm gonna get the coats.
- You know he's a pig.
Oh, my goodness.
You'll get through this, mama, turning 40.
I can't believe it.
Amazing, isn't it? Not a single meltdown yet, but give it time.
You know what? You should be so proud of yourself.
You did something that we all talk about.
You changed and you're in love with a great Black man.
Hallelujah! Oh, my God, you're so sentimental.
This is how I know you're missing Orlando.
How can I miss him? He's all over the damn TV.
Did you see him on that Sports Night thing yesterday? Girl, he looked terrible.
It's probably because he's missing you, too.
KARA: Please.
Maybe you should think about reaching out to him.
No.
No, no, no.
Hot-blooded Latino men, they don't forget.
Nope.
LEE: Come on, stereotyping a little.
I'm serious.
Listen, once you kick them to the curb, that's it.
There's no coming back from there.
They are very prideful.
You know what I want for my birthday? - To turn me into a sap? - No.
For you to take a risk.
Yeah.
You're that bad ass that went from Atlanta to a great job in New York, but you're a coward when it comes to love.
All right, you're making me miss the old Mary Jane.
- She doesn't talk like this.
- LEE: [laughing.]
Kara, you made a mistake.
No, what I said still stands.
Falling in love with a young athlete, no.
- Heartache, misery - I don't care.
I don't care.
I don't care.
Go after him.
Will you please get this drunk ass romantic outta my house now.
Vete.
Go.
I'm here if you need me.
Pa fuera, adiós.
I love you.
Goodbye.
[slips chain on lock.]
[heavy sigh.]
Yeah Yeah yeah oh yeah Whoa, what's gotten you so horny? Oh, do I need a reason? I'm just a bachelor Looking for a partner MARY JANE: You're so hot.
LEE: [laughing.]
No, no, honey, we can't do this tonight.
What? I've gotta make a deposit in your rock star fertility doctor's office in two days.
Oh, but I'm so suddenly inspired.
Oh.
Get off.
You're gonna have to buzz away on your own.
It's just you and Nick now, I'm afraid.
- Oh, come on.
- [kisses.]
Have fun.
Let's do it [flings "Nick".]
GARRETT: I mean, he clearly fouled.
That official ruled it technical, but AARON: The study's right here.
The taunts and the boos from the fans, they work.
The refs are influenced by that stuff.
So, you're saying a bad call last night could have gone the other way.
If you'd shout about it enough, yeah.
KARA: There's a good segment here.
Fans researching all the refs and nerding out on individual stats.
It's a story about sports stats? Kinda but RONDA: Lord, you're putting me to sleep.
No, you're right.
Stats don't have much juice.
JUSTIN: Hold on.
Hold on.
How about we bring in those fans.
Let them talk with Mary Jane and she gets them all riled up about this lousy ref.
Now you're talking.
AARON: Knicks fans.
That's who Mary Jane's gonna be talking to, right? - Of course.
- Done.
Mary Jane, Aaron, and New York's most loyal fans.
So much for getting into the boys' club.
I love the way I pitch an idea and it doesn't take off until one of the guys goes runs with it.
Well, Justin did make it sound exciting.
He just pitched it with a penis.
Hey, do you mind if I borrow her for a second? We've gotta keep this What happened last night won't happen again.
No, great.
Um I'm glad we're on the same page.
Okay.
Great.
Thanks for, um, getting me on Aaron's story.
Yeah, the more we get you two together, the better.
Why? What I was trying to get to, and couldn't, for various reasons, was I still have a plan.
Justin, I'm over getting my hopes up.
It's it's cool.
Just hear me out.
Ron - Hi.
- Would you like your lunch? Right on time.
Thank you.
- You hungry? - Yeah, sure.
Ronda may be a venerable journalist, but as of late, she's been getting very sloppy.
The ratings don't reflect that.
That whole story with Liz and the internet bullying, Ronda didn't vet it.
It just doesn't happen.
Liz's private texts were posted on all nine gossip sites.
How'd they get there? The guy that hacked her account, the co-worker.
The co-worker was charged for hacking her account, not for posting it online.
It doesn't mean he didn't.
That's what I said.
So, I wanted to just confirm that it was him.
And you found he didn't send it.
Liz posted it herself.
She created the online brouhaha.
She was looking for a little attention.
What she got was a full-on shit storm.
So, her whole sob story? It's all a lie, and by telling it on air, Ronda just signed her own pink slip.
If Ronda aired a bogus story, she's done as an anchor.
Without a doubt.
What if Garrett does like a nationwide search to find a replacement? Well, a search would take time.
And they'll need someone in the meantime.
Mm-hm.
But it doesn't guarantee that they're gonna choose me to take over.
Well, who already has Aaron's vote? - Me.
- There you go.
Thanks for the sandwich.
Oh, by the way, I asked Garrett to bring the News Director down tomorrow.
To watch my segment? If he sees you holding your own alone with Aaron, it's a done deal.
Justin, you should know by now there's no such thing as a done deal.
It's gonna work this time.
All right? Just remember who made it all happen.
I found my way back I found my way back - Hey.
- Hey.
You're up before the alarm.
I am.
What's gotten you so energized at 3:00 in the morning? Ah, well, if all goes well today, you might just be looking at the new co-anchor of "Great Day USA.
" - What? - Yes.
- That's massive.
- I know.
What happened? The house fall on Ronda? It will in a day or two, yeah.
I can't believe it, but she slipped up.
Justin thinks it might be enough to get me in the chair.
- Justin? - Yeah, it was his idea.
And you're just gonna go with it.
If you haven't learned by now it's either her or me.
Can you put this on my back? - Yeah, sure.
- Thank you.
So [kisses.]
I guess this means that Martha's Vineyard's off the table.
Oh, shit.
I hadn't even thought of that.
No, that's fine.
Me and Kara will go.
We'll have a great time.
We'll postpone it.
Do you think you're possibly diving into this all a bit too quickly? I was practically promised the anchor chair in my interview.
No, not just the job.
Everything.
Okay, Lee, I know it's early, but, uh, you're not making any sense.
It just occurred to me that when we have this baby, I'm gonna have children on two different continents An ocean apart.
You're not gonna leave New York, especially now.
Zoe and the kids aren't gonna leave the UK.
Okay, this didn't just occur to you.
This occurred to Zoe.
Zoe Zoe pointed this out during dinner 'cause you guys share everything.
I realized it at dinner.
But it was nothing to do.
With anything Zoe said.
Then what was it? When I sat across from her, I remembered every single time she would dive into things with reckless abandon, and I would have to pick up the pieces.
I just wanna make sure I'm not falling into the same trap.
- Trap? - Look Huh, well, if you think I'm trapping you No.
then we need to rethink the whole damn thing.
That was a bad choice of words.
Look, MJ, we're just talking here.
What's the matter? Okay, I'm confused.
Are you saying you want to have a baby with me? I'm saying I want you to be happy, and if that's what it takes, then, yes.
Before you, I was not above getting pregnant by any means necessary, but now I can't go back.
I don't I don't wanna go back, and I'm being all honest and shit and I want you to want it, too.
You know what I'm saying? If I can't say that to you, then what? - It's over? - Yes! - Are you kidding me?! - Damn it, Mary Jane! Every time things don't go exactly the way you want, you just cut and run.
Are you kidding me? Exactly the way I want.
Yeah.
Do you think this shit went on my vision board? Do you think I want your wackadoodle baby mama, your masturbating kid, your your freaking tea drinking? - Do you think that - But I compromise, too.
Every time you fly off the handle, I compromise.
This whole baby conversation is about compromise.
I don't want you to compromise.
I don't want you to give in to me.
I don't I don't want that.
I want you [gasping.]
to be a man with backbone who is as passionate about what he wants as I am.
- That's what I want.
- Who are you kidding? You would run that man and every other one away.
- [teacup shatters.]
- Asshole! [gasping.]
Well done.
You can add me to the list.
You know what? Good luck with your bloody job.
[door slams.]
That's good baby.
That's good colors.
HELEN: What are you making? TREYVION: I'm making a car for Auntie.
Ah, isn't that something.
But whose name is that? Mommy's.
I thought we already picked a gift for Pauletta.
Yeah, I don't know if I'll have time to do it all.
Oh, Niecy, that sounds like an excuse.
The whole point is so that Pauletta doesn't have to do it for you.
I'm gonna do it, Grandma.
Patrick has everything all ready, don't you, Patrick? - What's that? - Pauletta's gift.
Yeah, the iPad's right here.
I suppose I'll figure out how to edit the video, too.
But we should get started, if we're gonna get it to her on her birthday.
Well, Paul and I are ready.
I will be, too.
- Justin, my man.
- [palm slap.]
Mary Jane gonna be ready for those Knicks fans? She was born ready.
AARON: [laughing.]
What? Just just give me a minute, please.
I'm I'm fine.
I'm fine.
Hey, put BBitv up on the line.
We're in the middle of a rebuilding here, which, for a lot of kids He's rockin' a goatee now.
Can we pull up the graphics for the first segment, please? Kara, can I see you for a minute, please? ORLANDO: They're putting together a really good group KARA: Yeah.
What's the matter, baby? - Oh, my God - What's wrong, honey? What? I'm back to where I started, just worse.
Worse how, baby? What are you talking about? You said I changed, Kara.
You did.
You said I changed.
- Yeah.
- But I didn't change.
I'm the same Mary Jane in a different city.
Okay, sweetie pie, listen to me.
Something obviously happened with Lee, and it's all gonna work out.
Yes, it is.
Come over here.
Sit down.
Come over here.
Oh, my goodness, honey, let's calm you down.
No, no, no, no, no.
Come here.
[tsks.]
Oh, honey.
GARRETT: Uh, Justin.
Hey, uh, I need to speak with you and Mary Jane.
Okay, she's just about to go on.
Well, then, you'll have to meet with her and Aaron.
Let them know I'm switching the segment.
Okay, whoa, whoa, it's a little late, isn't it? Well, stories get bumped all the time.
So, it's a breaking story.
It was just released this morning.
It's the latest emojis.
- Emojis? - Mm-hm.
Aren't they darling.
Uh, you know, Aaron hates it when we pander to the millennials like this.
Oh, we've got Mary Jane.
You know, he tests lowest with that demo and that's the reason that Ronda suggested that he cover it.
- Okay.
- It'll be fun.
- It sounds fun.
- It sounds fun.
Yeah, listen, why don't we push it till tomorrow, and then that way, it'll give us a little time to prepare.
Oh, it'll be old new by then.
The researchers will walk you through the graphics.
I'm sure it'll take them two minutes tops to get Mary Jane and Aaron up to speed.
- Okay? - Okay.
Great.
Ronda, can I speak with you - about the next segment in my office? - RONDA: Oh, sure.
I thought I finally got it right, you know? Finally.
Finally.
I know what this meltdown is.
This whole thing with Lee has been made to be much bigger because of this whole turning 40 thing.
Yes, that's what it is.
Look at you.
You're crying over Lee.
I'm crying over Orlando.
We're like two big broken-hearted crybabies.
- We're viejitas.
- Yes, we're viejitas.
We should just go home and listen to Adele.
Oh, baby.
Tell me how long the segment with Aaron is today.
Two minutes and thirty seconds.
Two minutes and thirty seconds! You can do anything for two minutes and thirty seconds, Mary Jane.
- You can hold it together.
- I can't.
- Yes, you can.
- I can't.
I can't.
Yes, you can.
Look at me.
Yes, you can, and then you can fall apart all you want.
- I can? - Yes.
And guess what? I'll be here to catch you.
Okay? You promise? I promise.
All right mamita? Okay, baby girl, yes.
Come on, let's get you cleaned up.
You're gonna be fine.
I got you.
Okay? It's gonna be fine.
We're gonna get you beautiful.
You're gonna be great.
It's all gonna be good.
Ty.
Hook this up, please.
Take care of her.
Hey is she okay? [heavy sigh.]
She's she's she's lookin' better, right? Any idea what this is about? I wanna talk to you.
I may be off base here, but you seem to be genuinely concerned.
I am.
You see how hard I've been working for her, right? Yeah, I have and it's been huge for her.
I wanna continue.
Well, she's just been through a really huge break-up.
- With the guy I just met? - Yeah.
But, I mean, look at her.
She's getting ready for today's story.
She's gonna be all right.
No, that's that that's the thing.
We're not doing that story anymore.
What? Wait a minute.
We're back up.
Ready? One.
- Take one.
Yeah? - Mmhm.
Two, roll.
Have you ever gotten an emoji pic from Aaron? AARON: Emojis! This is why my assistant can't spell.
We are live in ten, people.
JUSTIN: Um, the suits are here.
It's outta my hands.
What do you want me to do? - Five four - Pray.
All right, back in 60.
Mary Jane, we ran long, so when we're back on the air you have only 90 seconds.
PENELOPE: This is one of our faves of this year's release.
Is she she waving? - Mary Jane? - You got me.
It's the boy fine emoji.
It's like a Beyoncé thing.
- PENELOPE: Sure.
- AARON: [laughs.]
Now, this one's a toughie.
[emoji bings.]
AARON: It's a puck.
Like a like a hockey puck.
KARA: Oh, Lord.
It's a rice cracker.
AARON: What's what's the green thing? MARY JANE: Seaweed.
Oh, Aaron, I know you'll get this one.
AARON: [heavy sigh.]
- I think I like this one.
- Yeah? Yeah, it's like a rained on smiley face.
Like I have a smiley face in spite of the rain.
[chuckles.]
Sorry, Aaron, it's actually a smiley face with a cold sweat.
How is that not a raindrop? Ask them how you're supposed to use that in a text.
How useful are these emojis, Penelope? I mean, what is the circumstance where one would use an emoji of a rice cracker? That's right.
Uh, in my day, uh, emojis meant something.
A smiley face, thumbs up, they were useful.
- Oh, I think we got a pulse.
- JUSTIN: Yeah.
Get him to use the emojis.
MARY JANE: Okay, quick, send a message using these three emojis.
Uh, the coupon, uh, the Russian flag, and the sweaty guy.
Uh, I got a coupon for a one-way ticket to Russia.
What could possibly go wrong? Cold sweat emoji.
ALL: [laughing.]
KARA: We're out of time.
Penelope, thank you so much for sharing these with us.
You can find more of the latest emojis for 2017 on our website.
More to come.
Nice job.
Fine segment, Garrett.
Nice work, guys.
I knew this one would be a winner.
- JUSTIN: Good call.
- Thanks.
Listen, um, thanks for all your help with this.
Oh, you don't have to thank me.
I'm always gonna have Mary Jane's back.
MAN: And 30.
There it is.
There's no way Sawyer did not notice the chemistry between you and Aaron just now.
Wait, the News Director, he was here? All of the suits were here.
So, I say we go in and blow the lid off.
Ronda's internet bullying story right now.
Are you sure? Okay.
Look, I'll tell you what.
It's probably better you don't have your fingerprints on this.
I'll do the dirty work, you make yourself scarce.
My hotel's five minutes away.
All right.
You did great tonight.
- Thanks.
- I'll update you.
Feelin' better? I think so.
Letta, we wanted to do something special for your birthday.
But you already have a warm coat, expensive rain boots and an overpriced cashmere scarf, so [quiet chuckle.]
[heavy sigh.]
You know, after you left for New York, we were a little lost.
But you leaving the nest inspired us to try new things.
So, for your birthday, we challenged each other to think of ways we could live up to your example.
GARRETT: You deliberately went after her.
Maybe I did some digging, but if Ronda had properly vetted the story, there would be nothing to find.
You have proof that Liz posted her own private conversation on this website? I wouldn't be here, if I didn't.
Ronda's the stalwart of this show, this network.
Garrett, if that were true, she wouldn't have cut corners.
I'm gonna have to go upstairs and talk to Sawyer about this.
[sighing.]
You and Mary Jane should lay low for the rest of the day.
But don't stray too far.
Sawyer may wanna talk with you.
[knock at door.]
Oh, God, finally.
What happened? I didn't wanna put it all in a text, but, uh Ronda's out.
Garrett's gonna give me a call and let me know if we need to come and talk to the News Director.
Oh, God, this is really happening.
Yeah.
Do you wanna come in for a drink or something? - I don't wanna impose.
- No, no, no, I'm not imposed.
- Are you sure? - Yeah.
Come on.
Please.
What do you drink? Uh Uh, you know what? Do you mind? - Be my guest.
- Okay.
I didn't peg you as a mixologist.
I couldn't have a conversation with my dad without a serious drink.
- The car salesman? - Yeah.
But you never told me.
How did you figure out that Ronda didn't vet the story? Well, in working with Ronda, I noticed a lot of things slipping through the cracks.
So, I started combing through everything, looking for inconsistencies.
It must have taken weeks.
Oh, about two months.
So, you had this in your back pocket when you pitched the internet bullying story.
You knew she'd bite.
I told you trust me.
Mmm, this is good.
What is this? It's called an "Air Mail.
" MARY JANE: Wow, so you you must have started planning this whole thing, like, what, on the first day? No, I, uh I started when I realized that you belong in that chair, not her.
I should get some crackers or something.
- I'm allergic to gluten.
- Really? - No.
[laughs.]
- [laughs.]
No.
No.
No, you were like the king of the boys' club in Atlanta.
It wasn't much of a boys' club, though.
It was Vlad Fredericks and Stu Isaacs.
It was more of like a geek squad.
True.
Vlad was the one who was claiming - that he and you were - No! Okay, I didn't believe him, 'cause I didn't feel You did.
You did.
like you would fall for a poser like that.
It's just not in you.
It's not in your style.
Mm-hm Do you think Ronda'll figure out a way to wriggle outta this? [sighs.]
I think I've considered just about every possibility.
Just taking into account what happened with Dan Rather at CBS and Brian Williams at NBC, the network has no choice but to get rid of her.
And part of me kinda wishes she does wriggle out of it.
Why? I guess when I got here, I sort of imagined her, like, showing me the ropes and then looking on proudly when I did make it.
So, she wasn't there to lift you up.
Don't lose sight of what you came here to do.
You deserve to be in that chair.
Are you hearing me? Yeah.
Yes.
The audiences, they liked Ronda.
Yeah, of course.
I mean, she had a huge audience.
Okay, but they're gonna love you.
[cell phone bings.]
Garrett wants us to meet him at the studio.
- Oh! - JUSTIN: [laughs.]
We're drunk.
Oh, my God, I've gotta change.
GARRETT: Aaron will be issuing a retraction on behalf of the show tomorrow morning.
Ronda's being placed on suspension Effective immediately.
The News Director approved it.
This means you should be ready to co-anchor the show tomorrow.
JUSTIN: Taking it for a spin? Oh, Jesus! [laughs.]
Was I drooling? It suits you.
Salivating over a chair? Naked ambition.
Were you and Garrett watching me from the control room? - A little bit.
- Great.
I'm kidding.
I'm kidding.
Garrett went home, as did everyone else.
Oh, hey, I never had a chance to thank you for helping me get here.
You don't have to thank me.
We're a team.
I I can't.
We we shouldn't right? Right.
Yeah.
[sighs.]
You're my haunt Beg my way A work of art Made of porcelain So, drive slow Drive slow Let me see your face Let me see it glow Don't stop Don't stop I wanna hide forever in your heart Drive slow Drive slow Let me see your face Let me see it glow Don't stop Don't stop I wanna hide forever in your heart We're just humans Nothing more I wish it wasn't looking 'Cause we're haunted 'Cause we're haunted We're just humans Nothing more I wish it wasn't looking 'Cause we're haunted For the next and the best And for something [heavy sigh.]
This is a tough one for me.
I remember how I felt after helping Niecy with that statement about the tasing.
It was the first time in a long time I felt good about what I was doing.
So, when a local group reached out to me, I accepted a role as a community activist.
Now I speak out, and attend meetings, and I plan to do more.
I know this don't sound like much to most people, but I think you'll appreciate how big this is.
(city noises) I've gotta hand it to you, Mary Jane.
You did it you won.
You succeeded in getting me out of the anchor chair.
You got yourself out of the anchor chair, Ronda.
If you would have waited, you could have gotten there on merit.
But, instead, you did it by discrediting me With Justin's help, of course.
I'm sorry that it went down that way, - I truly am.
- Oh, please.
You know you are as far gone as I am.
It's intoxicating, isn't it? That seat.
The power that it affords.
A drug like that is bound to lead to some bad choices.
I don't understand how exposing your mistake is a bad choice.
Hm, time will tell.
But then again, who am I kidding? You won't have much time.
This is a young person's game.
Oh, by the way, Happy 40th.
Jealousy doesn't suit you, Ronda.
Oh, really? Getting into the anchor chair on your birthday.
That's something.
I'm just so sorry that Kara won't be here to see it.
What? Oh, please, tell her I wish her the best of luck.
I'm sure she'll land on her feet.
Kara, what happened? Garrett suspended me.
- It's okay.
- [sobbing.]
We're gonna figure this out.
We're gonna figure this out.
[sobbing.]
Baby, Liz's story pre-dated you.
Why would they blame you for not vetting it? Because Ronda claimed that as the new producer, it was my job to review it, and she's not entirely wrong.
No, don't you dare blame yourself for this.
They are wrong, okay? They're wrong.
Oh, I'm not taking this on all by myself.
Trust me, this was Justin.
I'm telling you now we know for sure, Mary Jane, that he's got it out for us.
He was there when Garrett called me in the room.
- When they suspended you? - Yes.
Yes, Mary Jane, he dug up this whole story.
He plotted this whole thing.
I'm telling you You'd better watch your back.
I've been trying to tell you that and you don't wanna hear it.
No [sobbing.]
What am I gonna do? We're gonna fix this.
Okay? Okay? - We're gonna fix it.
- [sobbing.]
Yeah, we can move that segment up.
I'll meet you in the editing room in three? em.
Damn you, Justin! When you laid out your master plan, you left out the part about Kara being collateral damage.
Mary Jane, I did not know that Ronda was gonna do that.
You beautifully masterminded this whole thing! Are you telling me you didn't see that coming?! Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Listen listen - I I - No, no, wait, wait.
Was last night a part of your plan? You screw her and then you screw me? That's not what that was.
I'm only in New York because of Kara.
She looked after me.
Maybe I should have seen it coming, but I didn't and I'm sorry.
Mary Jane? All right, time's run out.
It's now or never.
- Okay, Dad, I - Come on.
Come on.
- No more excuses.
- I said okay.
- Okay.
- BOTH: [laugh.]
At least let me straighten up.
- PATRICK: Go on.
- [heavy sigh.]
- Are you ready? - Yeah.
Hey, Auntie, it's me, obviously.
Um, after everything that happened with the settlement, and Dante, I realized that I needed to get on my own two feet, so, I got a booth at Claudia's Salon.
I don't have my license yet, but I'm working on it.
And Dante's baby mama, Amika, and I, have worked out a babysitting share, so we'll both have time to go to school.
You know, I've only got 15 hours in, but, hey, it's a start and I'm gonna stick it out, just like you taught me.
I promise.
I love you.
[blows kiss.]
How was that? That was perfect.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I had to bribe a PA to let me wait in here for you.
Lee, I'm sorry, I Now's not the time or the place to discuss this.
I get it.
[sighing.]
We can work this out.
Mary Jane? Ty's ready for you.
- I've gotta go.
- MJ, look You and me We used to be together Everyday together Always Always I really feel Like I'm losing my best friend I can't believe This could be the end It looks as though You're letting go And if it's real Well I don't want to know Don't speak I know what you're saying So please stop explaining Don't tell me 'cause it hurts [knocking on door.]
Don't speak I know what you're thinking I don't need your reasons Don't tell me 'cause it hurts Oh oh oh Don't speak to me Oh oh oh Don't speak to me Oh oh oh I know I know I know Don't speak to me now No no PATRICK: I know this is a non-traditional birthday gift, but we thought you'd appreciate us trying to make you proud for a change.
Is that from your family? Yeah, it's my birthday.
Happy Birthday.
NIECY: We thought we'd step out of our comfort zone.
That's right, and Helen and I got in on it, too.
PAUL SR.
& HELEN: [laughing.]
That's so sweet.
HELEN: It may not sound as brave to go back to where you came from, but your father has agreed to visit Hattiesburg with me.
PAUL SR: Yep.
I haven't been there in more than 40 years! - Ainât that right baby.
- Yep, yep.
I wasnât keen on Mississippi, but Helen moved with me to Atlanta and never looked back.
So I owe her a chance of closer.
Has you family done this sort of thing before? No, never.
First step in a .
And I have one more thing to say.
I didnât want to admit that your move to, New York was a good thing, but once you came home I could see that well it was what you needed to do to turn things around.
So baby girl.
This is truly your year to achieve all your dreams.
- I see it, and we canât be happier.
- (all) Thatâs right (all laughing) - So Happy Happy.
.
- Come on Pat.
All: Happy Birthday auntie We love you.
- Mary Jane, weâre ready for you.
- (sighs) Let me check the mic.
Yep, looks good.
Okay.
Are you ready? Iâm not the enemy here.
I want you to listen to me, Forget about last night.
This morning, everything.
This is you moment.
Alright, itâs time to shine.
Hey Que in 5, 4 Good morning.
Welcome to "Great Day USA.
" I'm Mary Jane Paul.
I love you.
Now tell me you don't love me.
If you let me walk out that door, I'm not comin' back.
- [door closes.]
- KARA: [sobbing.]
At the time, I really thought those internet trolls had destroyed my life.
Then, one day, everything changed.
RONDA: And what brought on the change? It started by coming on to your show last year.
RONDA: [chuckles.]
I'm never gonna be in the anchor chair.
Ronda's too good and I just I can't beat her.
You've gotta trust me.
You will be the anchor of this show.
It's what you don't do I know you love me, I don't need proof Ginger-apple with salsa-caramel.
- Hmmm.
- Okay, no, that's not it.
Wait, um, it's it's, um It's burnt brown sugar.
- How would you even know that? - KARA: [laughing.]
I was gonna say chocolate with white frosting, but I'm obviously out of my league.
He said it, I didn't.
It's what you don't do KARA: [distant voice.]
Mary Jane? Mary Jane? Mary Jane? Right? Mary Jane! I told you not to mess with Kara.
She may be small, but she punches above her waist.
And I know my girl, so [snaps fingers.]
- Hah! - LEE: Okay.
Let's just see, uh 4 to 1.
- Are you ready to give up, yet? - LEE: You got it.
Look, all I wanna do is celebrate my birthday with the two of you, so, where are we eating this cake? - Mary Jane, my darling - Oh, Jesus.
My love, my sweetheart All right, can we cut the sweet talk - and just get to it? - Okay.
Imagine Mmhm.
A brightly-lit marquee with the names Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and [drum roll with hands.]
Mary Jane Paul! Okay, wait, did you get her a role in the remake of "Coming to America" or something like that? No, it's not a remake, it's a comedy charity event.
You wanna get me on stage telling jokes.
Yes.
It's something you'll never forget.
- Out loud? - Okay Now, come on, that's what your 40th has to be about.
What she needs is what I planned.
This year is the year you vowed to make changes, right? So, I say that it's only fair that you celebrate your 40th by crossing something huge off your bucket list.
Uh, Kara Lynch, did you get my girlfriend pregnant? No, I'm leaving that to you and modern science.
All right, MJ, imagine this.
A long weekend at a beach house at the Obamas' favorite retreat.
You got us a place at Martha's Vineyard? - Yes, I did! - Oh, yes! Yes, I did and it comes with a very special dinner with a very special guest Zadie Smith.
- All the way from Italy? - Yes.
Okay, Okay, I was one of the first people in my Dorm to re-write - Italy? That's not a big deal.
- MARY JANE: Oh, my gosh.
Eddie Murphy's coming all the way in from Jersey.
KARA: Oh, please.
Who cares about that? Okay, Mary Jane, which one? Which one are you choosing? Obviously, we're goin' with the Vineyard.
Hello! With one exception.
KARA: Okay.
After my experience with Ronda, you know, I think I've learned my lesson about meeting my idols.
- Uh, no Zadie Smith? - No Zadie Smith.
Well, that's gonna make me a third wheel, but I'm goin' anyway, so [snapping fingers.]
You know what? I can live with that.
KARA: Okay.
Here's to turning 40.
- To turning 40.
- [glasses clinking.]
- Cheers! - Cheers! Could ever be made to measure you It's what you don't do I know you love me I don't need proof Proof No, I can leave it.
I got it.
All right.
No, you guys are all good.
And, listen, just so you know, I tried to invite your family to the Vineyard, but puh.
Don't tell me.
You lost them somewhere around the part where you told them it was gonna take a plane, a car and a ferry to get them there.
KARA: [laughing.]
No, no.
I think they have something else in mind for you anyway.
If they even remember.
No, no, PJ said he's gonna bring you back something from Dubai.
Oh, well, let's hope it's not a sister-in-law.
LEE & KARA: [laugh.]
- I'm gonna get the coats.
- You know he's a pig.
Oh, my goodness.
You'll get through this, mama, turning 40.
I can't believe it.
Amazing, isn't it? Not a single meltdown yet, but give it time.
You know what? You should be so proud of yourself.
You did something that we all talk about.
You changed and you're in love with a great Black man.
Hallelujah! Oh, my God, you're so sentimental.
This is how I know you're missing Orlando.
How can I miss him? He's all over the damn TV.
Did you see him on that Sports Night thing yesterday? Girl, he looked terrible.
It's probably because he's missing you, too.
KARA: Please.
Maybe you should think about reaching out to him.
No.
No, no, no.
Hot-blooded Latino men, they don't forget.
Nope.
LEE: Come on, stereotyping a little.
I'm serious.
Listen, once you kick them to the curb, that's it.
There's no coming back from there.
They are very prideful.
You know what I want for my birthday? - To turn me into a sap? - No.
For you to take a risk.
Yeah.
You're that bad ass that went from Atlanta to a great job in New York, but you're a coward when it comes to love.
All right, you're making me miss the old Mary Jane.
- She doesn't talk like this.
- LEE: [laughing.]
Kara, you made a mistake.
No, what I said still stands.
Falling in love with a young athlete, no.
- Heartache, misery - I don't care.
I don't care.
I don't care.
Go after him.
Will you please get this drunk ass romantic outta my house now.
Vete.
Go.
I'm here if you need me.
Pa fuera, adiós.
I love you.
Goodbye.
[slips chain on lock.]
[heavy sigh.]
Yeah Yeah yeah oh yeah Whoa, what's gotten you so horny? Oh, do I need a reason? I'm just a bachelor Looking for a partner MARY JANE: You're so hot.
LEE: [laughing.]
No, no, honey, we can't do this tonight.
What? I've gotta make a deposit in your rock star fertility doctor's office in two days.
Oh, but I'm so suddenly inspired.
Oh.
Get off.
You're gonna have to buzz away on your own.
It's just you and Nick now, I'm afraid.
- Oh, come on.
- [kisses.]
Have fun.
Let's do it [flings "Nick".]
GARRETT: I mean, he clearly fouled.
That official ruled it technical, but AARON: The study's right here.
The taunts and the boos from the fans, they work.
The refs are influenced by that stuff.
So, you're saying a bad call last night could have gone the other way.
If you'd shout about it enough, yeah.
KARA: There's a good segment here.
Fans researching all the refs and nerding out on individual stats.
It's a story about sports stats? Kinda but RONDA: Lord, you're putting me to sleep.
No, you're right.
Stats don't have much juice.
JUSTIN: Hold on.
Hold on.
How about we bring in those fans.
Let them talk with Mary Jane and she gets them all riled up about this lousy ref.
Now you're talking.
AARON: Knicks fans.
That's who Mary Jane's gonna be talking to, right? - Of course.
- Done.
Mary Jane, Aaron, and New York's most loyal fans.
So much for getting into the boys' club.
I love the way I pitch an idea and it doesn't take off until one of the guys goes runs with it.
Well, Justin did make it sound exciting.
He just pitched it with a penis.
Hey, do you mind if I borrow her for a second? We've gotta keep this What happened last night won't happen again.
No, great.
Um I'm glad we're on the same page.
Okay.
Great.
Thanks for, um, getting me on Aaron's story.
Yeah, the more we get you two together, the better.
Why? What I was trying to get to, and couldn't, for various reasons, was I still have a plan.
Justin, I'm over getting my hopes up.
It's it's cool.
Just hear me out.
Ron - Hi.
- Would you like your lunch? Right on time.
Thank you.
- You hungry? - Yeah, sure.
Ronda may be a venerable journalist, but as of late, she's been getting very sloppy.
The ratings don't reflect that.
That whole story with Liz and the internet bullying, Ronda didn't vet it.
It just doesn't happen.
Liz's private texts were posted on all nine gossip sites.
How'd they get there? The guy that hacked her account, the co-worker.
The co-worker was charged for hacking her account, not for posting it online.
It doesn't mean he didn't.
That's what I said.
So, I wanted to just confirm that it was him.
And you found he didn't send it.
Liz posted it herself.
She created the online brouhaha.
She was looking for a little attention.
What she got was a full-on shit storm.
So, her whole sob story? It's all a lie, and by telling it on air, Ronda just signed her own pink slip.
If Ronda aired a bogus story, she's done as an anchor.
Without a doubt.
What if Garrett does like a nationwide search to find a replacement? Well, a search would take time.
And they'll need someone in the meantime.
Mm-hm.
But it doesn't guarantee that they're gonna choose me to take over.
Well, who already has Aaron's vote? - Me.
- There you go.
Thanks for the sandwich.
Oh, by the way, I asked Garrett to bring the News Director down tomorrow.
To watch my segment? If he sees you holding your own alone with Aaron, it's a done deal.
Justin, you should know by now there's no such thing as a done deal.
It's gonna work this time.
All right? Just remember who made it all happen.
I found my way back I found my way back - Hey.
- Hey.
You're up before the alarm.
I am.
What's gotten you so energized at 3:00 in the morning? Ah, well, if all goes well today, you might just be looking at the new co-anchor of "Great Day USA.
" - What? - Yes.
- That's massive.
- I know.
What happened? The house fall on Ronda? It will in a day or two, yeah.
I can't believe it, but she slipped up.
Justin thinks it might be enough to get me in the chair.
- Justin? - Yeah, it was his idea.
And you're just gonna go with it.
If you haven't learned by now it's either her or me.
Can you put this on my back? - Yeah, sure.
- Thank you.
So [kisses.]
I guess this means that Martha's Vineyard's off the table.
Oh, shit.
I hadn't even thought of that.
No, that's fine.
Me and Kara will go.
We'll have a great time.
We'll postpone it.
Do you think you're possibly diving into this all a bit too quickly? I was practically promised the anchor chair in my interview.
No, not just the job.
Everything.
Okay, Lee, I know it's early, but, uh, you're not making any sense.
It just occurred to me that when we have this baby, I'm gonna have children on two different continents An ocean apart.
You're not gonna leave New York, especially now.
Zoe and the kids aren't gonna leave the UK.
Okay, this didn't just occur to you.
This occurred to Zoe.
Zoe Zoe pointed this out during dinner 'cause you guys share everything.
I realized it at dinner.
But it was nothing to do.
With anything Zoe said.
Then what was it? When I sat across from her, I remembered every single time she would dive into things with reckless abandon, and I would have to pick up the pieces.
I just wanna make sure I'm not falling into the same trap.
- Trap? - Look Huh, well, if you think I'm trapping you No.
then we need to rethink the whole damn thing.
That was a bad choice of words.
Look, MJ, we're just talking here.
What's the matter? Okay, I'm confused.
Are you saying you want to have a baby with me? I'm saying I want you to be happy, and if that's what it takes, then, yes.
Before you, I was not above getting pregnant by any means necessary, but now I can't go back.
I don't I don't wanna go back, and I'm being all honest and shit and I want you to want it, too.
You know what I'm saying? If I can't say that to you, then what? - It's over? - Yes! - Are you kidding me?! - Damn it, Mary Jane! Every time things don't go exactly the way you want, you just cut and run.
Are you kidding me? Exactly the way I want.
Yeah.
Do you think this shit went on my vision board? Do you think I want your wackadoodle baby mama, your masturbating kid, your your freaking tea drinking? - Do you think that - But I compromise, too.
Every time you fly off the handle, I compromise.
This whole baby conversation is about compromise.
I don't want you to compromise.
I don't want you to give in to me.
I don't I don't want that.
I want you [gasping.]
to be a man with backbone who is as passionate about what he wants as I am.
- That's what I want.
- Who are you kidding? You would run that man and every other one away.
- [teacup shatters.]
- Asshole! [gasping.]
Well done.
You can add me to the list.
You know what? Good luck with your bloody job.
[door slams.]
That's good baby.
That's good colors.
HELEN: What are you making? TREYVION: I'm making a car for Auntie.
Ah, isn't that something.
But whose name is that? Mommy's.
I thought we already picked a gift for Pauletta.
Yeah, I don't know if I'll have time to do it all.
Oh, Niecy, that sounds like an excuse.
The whole point is so that Pauletta doesn't have to do it for you.
I'm gonna do it, Grandma.
Patrick has everything all ready, don't you, Patrick? - What's that? - Pauletta's gift.
Yeah, the iPad's right here.
I suppose I'll figure out how to edit the video, too.
But we should get started, if we're gonna get it to her on her birthday.
Well, Paul and I are ready.
I will be, too.
- Justin, my man.
- [palm slap.]
Mary Jane gonna be ready for those Knicks fans? She was born ready.
AARON: [laughing.]
What? Just just give me a minute, please.
I'm I'm fine.
I'm fine.
Hey, put BBitv up on the line.
We're in the middle of a rebuilding here, which, for a lot of kids He's rockin' a goatee now.
Can we pull up the graphics for the first segment, please? Kara, can I see you for a minute, please? ORLANDO: They're putting together a really good group KARA: Yeah.
What's the matter, baby? - Oh, my God - What's wrong, honey? What? I'm back to where I started, just worse.
Worse how, baby? What are you talking about? You said I changed, Kara.
You did.
You said I changed.
- Yeah.
- But I didn't change.
I'm the same Mary Jane in a different city.
Okay, sweetie pie, listen to me.
Something obviously happened with Lee, and it's all gonna work out.
Yes, it is.
Come over here.
Sit down.
Come over here.
Oh, my goodness, honey, let's calm you down.
No, no, no, no, no.
Come here.
[tsks.]
Oh, honey.
GARRETT: Uh, Justin.
Hey, uh, I need to speak with you and Mary Jane.
Okay, she's just about to go on.
Well, then, you'll have to meet with her and Aaron.
Let them know I'm switching the segment.
Okay, whoa, whoa, it's a little late, isn't it? Well, stories get bumped all the time.
So, it's a breaking story.
It was just released this morning.
It's the latest emojis.
- Emojis? - Mm-hm.
Aren't they darling.
Uh, you know, Aaron hates it when we pander to the millennials like this.
Oh, we've got Mary Jane.
You know, he tests lowest with that demo and that's the reason that Ronda suggested that he cover it.
- Okay.
- It'll be fun.
- It sounds fun.
- It sounds fun.
Yeah, listen, why don't we push it till tomorrow, and then that way, it'll give us a little time to prepare.
Oh, it'll be old new by then.
The researchers will walk you through the graphics.
I'm sure it'll take them two minutes tops to get Mary Jane and Aaron up to speed.
- Okay? - Okay.
Great.
Ronda, can I speak with you - about the next segment in my office? - RONDA: Oh, sure.
I thought I finally got it right, you know? Finally.
Finally.
I know what this meltdown is.
This whole thing with Lee has been made to be much bigger because of this whole turning 40 thing.
Yes, that's what it is.
Look at you.
You're crying over Lee.
I'm crying over Orlando.
We're like two big broken-hearted crybabies.
- We're viejitas.
- Yes, we're viejitas.
We should just go home and listen to Adele.
Oh, baby.
Tell me how long the segment with Aaron is today.
Two minutes and thirty seconds.
Two minutes and thirty seconds! You can do anything for two minutes and thirty seconds, Mary Jane.
- You can hold it together.
- I can't.
- Yes, you can.
- I can't.
I can't.
Yes, you can.
Look at me.
Yes, you can, and then you can fall apart all you want.
- I can? - Yes.
And guess what? I'll be here to catch you.
Okay? You promise? I promise.
All right mamita? Okay, baby girl, yes.
Come on, let's get you cleaned up.
You're gonna be fine.
I got you.
Okay? It's gonna be fine.
We're gonna get you beautiful.
You're gonna be great.
It's all gonna be good.
Ty.
Hook this up, please.
Take care of her.
Hey is she okay? [heavy sigh.]
She's she's she's lookin' better, right? Any idea what this is about? I wanna talk to you.
I may be off base here, but you seem to be genuinely concerned.
I am.
You see how hard I've been working for her, right? Yeah, I have and it's been huge for her.
I wanna continue.
Well, she's just been through a really huge break-up.
- With the guy I just met? - Yeah.
But, I mean, look at her.
She's getting ready for today's story.
She's gonna be all right.
No, that's that that's the thing.
We're not doing that story anymore.
What? Wait a minute.
We're back up.
Ready? One.
- Take one.
Yeah? - Mmhm.
Two, roll.
Have you ever gotten an emoji pic from Aaron? AARON: Emojis! This is why my assistant can't spell.
We are live in ten, people.
JUSTIN: Um, the suits are here.
It's outta my hands.
What do you want me to do? - Five four - Pray.
All right, back in 60.
Mary Jane, we ran long, so when we're back on the air you have only 90 seconds.
PENELOPE: This is one of our faves of this year's release.
Is she she waving? - Mary Jane? - You got me.
It's the boy fine emoji.
It's like a Beyoncé thing.
- PENELOPE: Sure.
- AARON: [laughs.]
Now, this one's a toughie.
[emoji bings.]
AARON: It's a puck.
Like a like a hockey puck.
KARA: Oh, Lord.
It's a rice cracker.
AARON: What's what's the green thing? MARY JANE: Seaweed.
Oh, Aaron, I know you'll get this one.
AARON: [heavy sigh.]
- I think I like this one.
- Yeah? Yeah, it's like a rained on smiley face.
Like I have a smiley face in spite of the rain.
[chuckles.]
Sorry, Aaron, it's actually a smiley face with a cold sweat.
How is that not a raindrop? Ask them how you're supposed to use that in a text.
How useful are these emojis, Penelope? I mean, what is the circumstance where one would use an emoji of a rice cracker? That's right.
Uh, in my day, uh, emojis meant something.
A smiley face, thumbs up, they were useful.
- Oh, I think we got a pulse.
- JUSTIN: Yeah.
Get him to use the emojis.
MARY JANE: Okay, quick, send a message using these three emojis.
Uh, the coupon, uh, the Russian flag, and the sweaty guy.
Uh, I got a coupon for a one-way ticket to Russia.
What could possibly go wrong? Cold sweat emoji.
ALL: [laughing.]
KARA: We're out of time.
Penelope, thank you so much for sharing these with us.
You can find more of the latest emojis for 2017 on our website.
More to come.
Nice job.
Fine segment, Garrett.
Nice work, guys.
I knew this one would be a winner.
- JUSTIN: Good call.
- Thanks.
Listen, um, thanks for all your help with this.
Oh, you don't have to thank me.
I'm always gonna have Mary Jane's back.
MAN: And 30.
There it is.
There's no way Sawyer did not notice the chemistry between you and Aaron just now.
Wait, the News Director, he was here? All of the suits were here.
So, I say we go in and blow the lid off.
Ronda's internet bullying story right now.
Are you sure? Okay.
Look, I'll tell you what.
It's probably better you don't have your fingerprints on this.
I'll do the dirty work, you make yourself scarce.
My hotel's five minutes away.
All right.
You did great tonight.
- Thanks.
- I'll update you.
Feelin' better? I think so.
Letta, we wanted to do something special for your birthday.
But you already have a warm coat, expensive rain boots and an overpriced cashmere scarf, so [quiet chuckle.]
[heavy sigh.]
You know, after you left for New York, we were a little lost.
But you leaving the nest inspired us to try new things.
So, for your birthday, we challenged each other to think of ways we could live up to your example.
GARRETT: You deliberately went after her.
Maybe I did some digging, but if Ronda had properly vetted the story, there would be nothing to find.
You have proof that Liz posted her own private conversation on this website? I wouldn't be here, if I didn't.
Ronda's the stalwart of this show, this network.
Garrett, if that were true, she wouldn't have cut corners.
I'm gonna have to go upstairs and talk to Sawyer about this.
[sighing.]
You and Mary Jane should lay low for the rest of the day.
But don't stray too far.
Sawyer may wanna talk with you.
[knock at door.]
Oh, God, finally.
What happened? I didn't wanna put it all in a text, but, uh Ronda's out.
Garrett's gonna give me a call and let me know if we need to come and talk to the News Director.
Oh, God, this is really happening.
Yeah.
Do you wanna come in for a drink or something? - I don't wanna impose.
- No, no, no, I'm not imposed.
- Are you sure? - Yeah.
Come on.
Please.
What do you drink? Uh Uh, you know what? Do you mind? - Be my guest.
- Okay.
I didn't peg you as a mixologist.
I couldn't have a conversation with my dad without a serious drink.
- The car salesman? - Yeah.
But you never told me.
How did you figure out that Ronda didn't vet the story? Well, in working with Ronda, I noticed a lot of things slipping through the cracks.
So, I started combing through everything, looking for inconsistencies.
It must have taken weeks.
Oh, about two months.
So, you had this in your back pocket when you pitched the internet bullying story.
You knew she'd bite.
I told you trust me.
Mmm, this is good.
What is this? It's called an "Air Mail.
" MARY JANE: Wow, so you you must have started planning this whole thing, like, what, on the first day? No, I, uh I started when I realized that you belong in that chair, not her.
I should get some crackers or something.
- I'm allergic to gluten.
- Really? - No.
[laughs.]
- [laughs.]
No.
No.
No, you were like the king of the boys' club in Atlanta.
It wasn't much of a boys' club, though.
It was Vlad Fredericks and Stu Isaacs.
It was more of like a geek squad.
True.
Vlad was the one who was claiming - that he and you were - No! Okay, I didn't believe him, 'cause I didn't feel You did.
You did.
like you would fall for a poser like that.
It's just not in you.
It's not in your style.
Mm-hm Do you think Ronda'll figure out a way to wriggle outta this? [sighs.]
I think I've considered just about every possibility.
Just taking into account what happened with Dan Rather at CBS and Brian Williams at NBC, the network has no choice but to get rid of her.
And part of me kinda wishes she does wriggle out of it.
Why? I guess when I got here, I sort of imagined her, like, showing me the ropes and then looking on proudly when I did make it.
So, she wasn't there to lift you up.
Don't lose sight of what you came here to do.
You deserve to be in that chair.
Are you hearing me? Yeah.
Yes.
The audiences, they liked Ronda.
Yeah, of course.
I mean, she had a huge audience.
Okay, but they're gonna love you.
[cell phone bings.]
Garrett wants us to meet him at the studio.
- Oh! - JUSTIN: [laughs.]
We're drunk.
Oh, my God, I've gotta change.
GARRETT: Aaron will be issuing a retraction on behalf of the show tomorrow morning.
Ronda's being placed on suspension Effective immediately.
The News Director approved it.
This means you should be ready to co-anchor the show tomorrow.
JUSTIN: Taking it for a spin? Oh, Jesus! [laughs.]
Was I drooling? It suits you.
Salivating over a chair? Naked ambition.
Were you and Garrett watching me from the control room? - A little bit.
- Great.
I'm kidding.
I'm kidding.
Garrett went home, as did everyone else.
Oh, hey, I never had a chance to thank you for helping me get here.
You don't have to thank me.
We're a team.
I I can't.
We we shouldn't right? Right.
Yeah.
[sighs.]
You're my haunt Beg my way A work of art Made of porcelain So, drive slow Drive slow Let me see your face Let me see it glow Don't stop Don't stop I wanna hide forever in your heart Drive slow Drive slow Let me see your face Let me see it glow Don't stop Don't stop I wanna hide forever in your heart We're just humans Nothing more I wish it wasn't looking 'Cause we're haunted 'Cause we're haunted We're just humans Nothing more I wish it wasn't looking 'Cause we're haunted For the next and the best And for something [heavy sigh.]
This is a tough one for me.
I remember how I felt after helping Niecy with that statement about the tasing.
It was the first time in a long time I felt good about what I was doing.
So, when a local group reached out to me, I accepted a role as a community activist.
Now I speak out, and attend meetings, and I plan to do more.
I know this don't sound like much to most people, but I think you'll appreciate how big this is.
(city noises) I've gotta hand it to you, Mary Jane.
You did it you won.
You succeeded in getting me out of the anchor chair.
You got yourself out of the anchor chair, Ronda.
If you would have waited, you could have gotten there on merit.
But, instead, you did it by discrediting me With Justin's help, of course.
I'm sorry that it went down that way, - I truly am.
- Oh, please.
You know you are as far gone as I am.
It's intoxicating, isn't it? That seat.
The power that it affords.
A drug like that is bound to lead to some bad choices.
I don't understand how exposing your mistake is a bad choice.
Hm, time will tell.
But then again, who am I kidding? You won't have much time.
This is a young person's game.
Oh, by the way, Happy 40th.
Jealousy doesn't suit you, Ronda.
Oh, really? Getting into the anchor chair on your birthday.
That's something.
I'm just so sorry that Kara won't be here to see it.
What? Oh, please, tell her I wish her the best of luck.
I'm sure she'll land on her feet.
Kara, what happened? Garrett suspended me.
- It's okay.
- [sobbing.]
We're gonna figure this out.
We're gonna figure this out.
[sobbing.]
Baby, Liz's story pre-dated you.
Why would they blame you for not vetting it? Because Ronda claimed that as the new producer, it was my job to review it, and she's not entirely wrong.
No, don't you dare blame yourself for this.
They are wrong, okay? They're wrong.
Oh, I'm not taking this on all by myself.
Trust me, this was Justin.
I'm telling you now we know for sure, Mary Jane, that he's got it out for us.
He was there when Garrett called me in the room.
- When they suspended you? - Yes.
Yes, Mary Jane, he dug up this whole story.
He plotted this whole thing.
I'm telling you You'd better watch your back.
I've been trying to tell you that and you don't wanna hear it.
No [sobbing.]
What am I gonna do? We're gonna fix this.
Okay? Okay? - We're gonna fix it.
- [sobbing.]
Yeah, we can move that segment up.
I'll meet you in the editing room in three? em.
Damn you, Justin! When you laid out your master plan, you left out the part about Kara being collateral damage.
Mary Jane, I did not know that Ronda was gonna do that.
You beautifully masterminded this whole thing! Are you telling me you didn't see that coming?! Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Listen listen - I I - No, no, wait, wait.
Was last night a part of your plan? You screw her and then you screw me? That's not what that was.
I'm only in New York because of Kara.
She looked after me.
Maybe I should have seen it coming, but I didn't and I'm sorry.
Mary Jane? All right, time's run out.
It's now or never.
- Okay, Dad, I - Come on.
Come on.
- No more excuses.
- I said okay.
- Okay.
- BOTH: [laugh.]
At least let me straighten up.
- PATRICK: Go on.
- [heavy sigh.]
- Are you ready? - Yeah.
Hey, Auntie, it's me, obviously.
Um, after everything that happened with the settlement, and Dante, I realized that I needed to get on my own two feet, so, I got a booth at Claudia's Salon.
I don't have my license yet, but I'm working on it.
And Dante's baby mama, Amika, and I, have worked out a babysitting share, so we'll both have time to go to school.
You know, I've only got 15 hours in, but, hey, it's a start and I'm gonna stick it out, just like you taught me.
I promise.
I love you.
[blows kiss.]
How was that? That was perfect.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I had to bribe a PA to let me wait in here for you.
Lee, I'm sorry, I Now's not the time or the place to discuss this.
I get it.
[sighing.]
We can work this out.
Mary Jane? Ty's ready for you.
- I've gotta go.
- MJ, look You and me We used to be together Everyday together Always Always I really feel Like I'm losing my best friend I can't believe This could be the end It looks as though You're letting go And if it's real Well I don't want to know Don't speak I know what you're saying So please stop explaining Don't tell me 'cause it hurts [knocking on door.]
Don't speak I know what you're thinking I don't need your reasons Don't tell me 'cause it hurts Oh oh oh Don't speak to me Oh oh oh Don't speak to me Oh oh oh I know I know I know Don't speak to me now No no PATRICK: I know this is a non-traditional birthday gift, but we thought you'd appreciate us trying to make you proud for a change.
Is that from your family? Yeah, it's my birthday.
Happy Birthday.
NIECY: We thought we'd step out of our comfort zone.
That's right, and Helen and I got in on it, too.
PAUL SR.
& HELEN: [laughing.]
That's so sweet.
HELEN: It may not sound as brave to go back to where you came from, but your father has agreed to visit Hattiesburg with me.
PAUL SR: Yep.
I haven't been there in more than 40 years! - Ainât that right baby.
- Yep, yep.
I wasnât keen on Mississippi, but Helen moved with me to Atlanta and never looked back.
So I owe her a chance of closer.
Has you family done this sort of thing before? No, never.
First step in a .
And I have one more thing to say.
I didnât want to admit that your move to, New York was a good thing, but once you came home I could see that well it was what you needed to do to turn things around.
So baby girl.
This is truly your year to achieve all your dreams.
- I see it, and we canât be happier.
- (all) Thatâs right (all laughing) - So Happy Happy.
.
- Come on Pat.
All: Happy Birthday auntie We love you.
- Mary Jane, weâre ready for you.
- (sighs) Let me check the mic.
Yep, looks good.
Okay.
Are you ready? Iâm not the enemy here.
I want you to listen to me, Forget about last night.
This morning, everything.
This is you moment.
Alright, itâs time to shine.
Hey Que in 5, 4 Good morning.
Welcome to "Great Day USA.
" I'm Mary Jane Paul.