01x09 - Slouching Towards Brooklyn

[bunniefuu]

[PRIMAL SCREAM'S "ROCKS"]

[UPBEAT ROCK MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Oh, Peters.

Give me 1,000 words on
the party's platform.

Sounds like a sh*t show.

Get it up on the live briefing

before it's b*llet points on Axios.

- Yes, sir, right away.
- [SIGHS]

- Hey, Bruce?
- Oh, no, not now, Bloom.

Whatever questions you think
you have, go with your gut.

And give me copy.

- Claire.
- Bruce.

I love you.

But you've gotta stop
it with the alliteration.

This is not a creative
writing class at Oberlin.

It is who, what, where, and
why the f*ck it happened.

Be clear. Be concise. Be accurate.

You got this.

Okay, listen up.

Come on. Bring it in.

As some of you might realize,
our fair city is hosting

a brokered Democratic
National Convention.

Now, this has never
happened in my lifetime.

And I am old as sh*t.

[LAUGHTER]

Now, if you are not
living for this moment,

then resign and get a job in PR.

But I'm gonna be editing
like my life depends upon it.

And you should be writing
with that same spirit.

I'm gonna meet McCarthy in an hour,

so do not disturb me until then.

You know, even then, don't disturb me.

And remember, we may never make history.

But we sure as hell are gonna write it.

[APPLAUSE]

Get to work.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

[GROANS]

Oh, God!

[GROANS]

[TYPEWRITER CLICKING]

- [DING]
- [KNOCK AT DOOR]

Hello?

Eric?

Eric?

[PHONE BUZZING]

Hey.

How's it going over there?

Uh, I have lost years of my
life waiting in this line.

I'm 40 now. Where are you?

I just had to grab a few clothes.

I can meet you back at the hotel.

Yeah, that's fine,
but just don't forget,

we have that sit-down interview

with the Senator from...

I don't know what to tell you, homey.

The PNL's gonna be
what the PNL's gonna be.

Don't be mad at Matt.
Don't be mad at me.

All right, I'm grabbing my wallet.

I'll be back in 20 minutes.

[EXHALES]

[APPREHENSIVE MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Hmm. Sounds like she's spiraling.

Oh, yeah, she's definitely on a rampage.

Fired half the staff,
including yours truly.

You know, HQ looks like
one of those "Purge" movies.

You know it's not your fault, right?

Yeah, I know. It's your fault.

I never wanted this to happen.

All she had to do was
answer our questions

and stop being so damn defensive.

Sadie, I'm messing with you.

Okay, look, I'm gonna be fine.

And if it turns out Walker
didn't know the truth

about Novak, then maybe
she'll be fine too.

Well, it's hard to prove a negative.

But if I'm able to find out who paid

to dig up the dirt on Walker,
maybe it will be the thing

that finally turns
things around for her.

- Well, what about you?
- Me?

Oh, things are already
turning around for me.

I am about to have an
actual meal with Bruce,

which means he's not mad at me anymore.

I meant, um...

how are you, as, like, a person?

Oh, uh...

I'm-I'm-I'm fine.

It really wasn't that bad.

But I appreciate all the checking in.

I wish I could have done more.

Uh, Bruce is gonna be here any minute.

Can I call you back?

Okay. Uh, good luck.

Okay.

Welcome to the Democratic
National Convention.

Please proceed to your morning session.

Our first events are about to begin.

- Hey.
- Hey.

Grace Gordon Greene, "Washington Union."

- Got you right here.
- Thanks, Jennifer.

Sure.

- Have a good day.
- Good to see you.

Yo, Grace, wait for me.

We can go grab brunch at
this stupidly overpriced

restaurant I saw on Insta.

I thought you were so broke

you had to crash with Kimberlyn.

Yeah, no, you're paying.

[LAUGHS] Oh, well, I would love to,

but I am already late for a meeting

with your favorite candidate

and then back-to-backs after that.

I will be subsisting on red eyes

as God and New York intended.

Enjoy the city.

Hey, Lola Rahaii.

Okay, and are you print or TV?

Digital.

Mainly TikTok, but I'm
building out my Substack.

And I'm, like, huge on
Snap, too, if that helps.

I'm not seeing you as a
credentialed media outlet.

Did you go to the new media tent?

It's outside.

Do that, and if you
get yourself sorted out,

- come and find me, okay?
- Okay. Yeah.

- Great. Next.
- All right.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

[CAMERA SHUTTERS SNAPPING]

Yo, what's up, Lola? Where you been?

Oh, you know, on the road,
following the campaign.

Looks like the scene
hasn't changed here?

Oh, no. It's way better this year.

Rock the Vote has stepped up the game.

There's like, five different
sparkling water sponsors,

edibles out the wazoo.

Do you know where they're
giving out credentials?

Do you mean wristbands?

No, I mean, like, to get
inside the convention.

Is anyone from the DNC here?

You mean for, like,
the presidential sh*t?

Yeah.

I don't know. Why?

Because the point of being here

isn't to get likes and free swag.

This is democracy in action.

What's going on in there

is gonna have global implications.

I need to be in there watching
that presidential sh*t.

My audience needs me in there.

Mm.

No, I know. I'm surprised as you are.

Freshman came off pretty poised.

I'm going in to meet
the mayor now, yeah.

[PHONE BEEPS]

I will get you
everything this afternoon.

I gotta go.

- Hey. Any updates?
- Annie's here.

- What? Where?
- Home.

She hitchhiked from Nashville.

Piece of sh*t stole the
van, left her with nothing.

Is she okay?

She barely said a word to
me. She's taking a shower now.

I'm gonna talk to her
once she's settled.

I mean, I don't think
she's physically hurt.

I am looking at Acelas.

Wait, wait, wait,
wait, just take a b*at.

All right, she feels humiliated, Grace.

I don't want her to feel
like she's being ganged up on.

Why don't we just give
her a minute to decompress?

I think it's important that

we're there together, don't you?

I'm not shutting you out.

So I'll keep you posted.
Just stay by the phone.

Yeah.

I always am.

No, it's no problem, Mr. Beamer.

Yeah, this afternoon will work.

Okay, thanks. I'll see you then.

Oh, my God.

They wouldn't give me a key

because my name's not on the room.

Yeah, I'm sorry, I meant
to call them this afternoon,

but then my whole day got
rearranged last minute.

Come in.

I had a meeting this
morning with Johnny Beamer,

but then he pushed.

Johnny Beamer? Holy sh*t.

I know, right?

I actually have no idea who that is.

Johnny Beamer is the guy for jumping

from network to independent.

He knows all about launching platforms,

and I'm going to pitch him my vision

of my own media ecosystem.

I know that sounds crazy.

That doesn't sound crazy.

It sounds cool.

You know, actually, I should be

picking your brain about this.

You know all about brand
building and independent news.

True, but are you sure
that's what you wanna do?

Said with love as someone who can't even

get inside the big tent.

And let's not forget,
I'm crashing in your room,

not the other way around.

Yeah, well, I'm pretty
sure my shaky marital status

should get partial credit for that.

You still haven't talked to Eric?

No.

But I did go back to
our place this morning

to grab a few things,

and I hid in the closet
to avoid talking to him.

No.

Things are just really
messed up right now.

Just get your outlet up and running,

and there's gonna be plenty
of time for makeup sex.

Now, what do you think about this?

I took a picture of
Margaret's press pass,

and then I did a little Photoshop magic.

Are you out of your mind?

You need to delete that right now.

Girl, if you wanna
get into the big tent,

why don't you just call in a favor?

Don't you have, like, a friend
in the Freshman's campaign?

They turned out to be a psychopath.

Welcome to politics.

Some of my best sources are psychopaths.

[SENTIMENTAL MUSIC]

Hello.

Well, now I know I've made it.

The Grace Gordon Greene in the flesh.

Ah, not all it's cracked up, I promise.

[CHUCKLES] Have a seat, please.

- Thank you.
- Of course.

My first campaign, and you made it

all the way to the convention.

Well, me and three
other candidates, sure.

Still, you have exceeded expectations.

Including yours. [CHUCKLES]

Look, you knew McCain was picking Palin

before McCain knew.

So what can I tell you
that you don't already know?

What qualifies you to be vice president,

much less president?

What do you say to voters who worry

about your lack of experience?

You know, I've found it's reporters

who worry about that more than voters.

Hmm.

I survived !sis. I'm
confident I can handle D.C.

You know, as a mayor, I'd
run into my constituents

in the grocery store.

If there was a pothole
that needed fixing...

[PHONE BUZZING]

I'd hear about it.

That's the kind of accountability

we need in government.

You know, my campaign is entirely funded

by small dollar donations.

And that kind of grassroots...

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Is there another time
you'd like to do this?

Because off the record,
it kind of feels like

you don't give a sh*t
about what I'm saying.

Well, it's not my job to give a sh*t,

it's my job to quote you accurately,

and so far, I've gotten every word.

Well, look, I'm sorry if this process

has lost its luster for you.

You want honest?

You're right about my Palin scoop.

I have seen this shtick before.

Aw, shucks, "Mr. Smith Goes
to Washington" country boy

who is just so happy to be here.

Clearly, a lot of people
are buying it, but I'm not.

So why don't you be honest and tell me

if you've been vetted to
be the Action Star's veep?

I haven't accepted defeat just yet.

But I'll be sure to give
"The New York Sentinel" a call

when I pick my own veep.

[TWANGY UPBEAT MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Walt, I need to push my
sit-down with the Action Star.

Something came up. It's personal.

Well, then send someone else.
I actually don't give a sh*t.

Dumplings.

Thanks. He'll be here any minute.

Sure. Okay.

Excuse me. I'll have some more water.

Yeah. Be right back.

[SOFT POP MUSIC PLAYING ON SPEAKERS]

♪ ♪

[PHONE BUZZING]

Bruce, where are you?

The waiter thinks I'm getting stood up.

[SOMBER ACOUSTIC MUSIC]

[ANGELO DE AUGUSTINE'S "ALL YOUR LIFE"]

What?

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Thought I'd go and leave ♪

♪ Anyway time recalls ♪

♪ All your life,
all your life, all your life ♪

♪ ♪

♪ All your life,
all your life, all your life ♪

He had a good ride.

I need a minute.

You don't have one.

Bruce is dead, which means it's
on you to finish this thing.

Gotta figure out who wants
Walker out of the race,

find that seedy
spy-for-hire, Declan Morales,

sweet talk him, get
him to go on the record.

I don't give a sh*t.

I don't give a sh*t about
Declan Morales or the story.

Of course you do.

- This is front page expl*sive sh*t.
- Can you stop?

None of it matters anymore.

I can't do it without Bruce.

You think he'd want you to miss a story?

Your boss had nine
lives. He battled demons.

He should have been dead years ago.

He did not p*ssy out.

What do you know about Bruce?

When have you ever thought
of anyone other than yourself?

- Did you know he hated you?
- [SCOFFS]

Your selfishness and sexism?

You sh*t on journalistic
ethics and called it gonzo,

not to mention your
f*cking run-on sentences.

You know what? You needed an editor.

You needed a Bruce.

Babe, I was a counterculture icon.

Johnny Depp played
me in a f*cking movie.

You wouldn't have survived
five minutes in this era

of enraged fact checking.

- [LAUGHS] Facts.
- Yeah, facts.

[LAUGHS] Yeah.

Bruce wasn't just my editor.

He was my friend.

He protected me...

Looked out for me...

Unlike you. So you need to go away now.

- Sadie.
- I said get the f*ck away!

[SOMBER MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Call on God, kiddo.

But row away from the rocks.

Good luck, Sadie.

♪ ♪

[CRYING]

It's so nice to meet you.

- Great to see you.
- Hey.

- Hey.
- Thank you.

- Thank you. Thank you.
- Great to meet you.

Congresswoman.

Hey, Lola.

I don't have time for
an interview right now.

It's not an interview, more of a favor.

I need to get into the convention hall,

and I was thinking
maybe you could help me?

Sorry, it's not my jurisdiction.

Maybe someone from the DNC can help.

I tried.

They're a bunch of dinosaurs
who don't understand

the value of new media, but you do.

You know that my audience
is the future of this party,

the future of democracy.

And you know how important
it is that they're

in there with all of you.

I don't disagree, but I
don't issue the credentials.

Can you just bring me in then,

like a guest of the campaign?

I wish I could help you, I really do,

but I can... [CHUCKLES]

I can just see this coming
to bite me in the ass somehow.

I don't wanna attract the
wrong kind of attention

right now, not when I finally
have a chance at winning.

Yeah. Sure.

I understand.

But between you and me, I
am not the only show in town.

What, Walker?

I really don't see her helping.

Not Walker. She's in a death spiral.

But some people have a way
of flying under the radar.

[INQUISITIVE MUSIC]

Must be nice being a white guy.

And at the end of the day,

I want to amplify the voices
of moderates and conservatives

with common sense values
who don't feel like

their views are represented
in mainstream media.

I gotta tell you, that's
one of the best presentations

I've heard in a long time.

- Well, when do we launch?
- [LAUGHS]

Part us deciding if
we're gonna invest in you

is getting a sense
of your metrics, CPMs,

social media reach, your email list.

Total followers on all
socials is just under 300k.

And I know that that's
not where it needs to be,

but Liberty's demo skews older.

A lot of those folks aren't
on TikTok or even Instagram.

Once the platform is there, I
know I can build my audience.

You could really use a viral moment

to draw in a younger audience.

Get back to me with a plan to
boost your engagement metrics.

What's your husband
think about all this?

He's not involved.

Not yet, but he will be.

I mean, it's not just
the time and energy

it takes to get something
like this off the ground.

If you're gonna be the brand,
your whole life is involved.

To be honest, we're not
really together right now.

In that case, we'll play
up the divorce angle.

There's a huge market there too.

Either way, let me know.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Sadie, for this, there are no words.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

Go away, please.

We love you. That's not gonna happen.

We're very persistent knockers, Sadie.

[KNOCKING]

Hey.

Oh, Sadie.

Ow.

Charlie?

Grace.

- What are you doing?
- I'm sorry.

I know what you said,
but I just couldn't...

No, no, no, just... thank God.

[SOBBING]

- Is that her?
- Yeah.

She won't come out of her room.

She won't let me come in.

I thought she might
get hungry eventually.

Jesus Christ. I mean, what happened?

- Did she tell you anything?
- Nothing.

Maybe you should talk to her.

Uh, maybe you're right.

Maybe she needs more time to process.

I'm gonna tell her you're here.

Wait.

What if it makes it worse?

- Worse than this?
- [SOBBING]

I don't know, Charlie.

The last time she and I
were in a room together,

it didn't go great.

- Are you scared?
- Aren't you?

Well, yeah, but you're never scared.

That's kind of why I married you.

Bruce... Bruce had no filter.

He would call it like he saw it.

And sometimes I thought that
that brutal honesty was harsh,

but now I realized that it
was all just about truth.

Ah, and he didn't give a f*ck
about credentials, either.

I walked in there with no connections,

no... no fancy degree,

like, some mediocre clips
from "The Star Ledger."

But Bruce said that, uh,

that the best storytellers
were not in the club.

He took all of his reporters
under his wing, fought for us,

even when it meant putting
his own ass on the line.

I don't think...

I don't think anyone has
ever believed in me like that.

Sadie.

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

I'll get that.

Grace?

Uh... no, I spoke to Grace.

She's in D.C. It's family stuff.

Hey.

♪ ♪

- Uh...
- Malcolm?

Hey, you know, I can come back if...

You're okay.

It's okay.

Okay.

Hey, hey, you're okay.

You're okay.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I can't believe Loafers is the guy.

I mean, he is the guy, right?

Oh, he's definitely the guy.

I mean, I get it. He's
cute and he's smart.

A little high strung, but still.

Why wouldn't Sadie tell us?

Maybe because they are 100%
not allowed to be hooking up.

- [PHONE DINGS]
- Forbidden love, even hotter.

- Oh, sh*t.
- Hmm?

Terry Heite wants to see me.

Is he friends with Johnny Beamer?

I'm sorry. You just keep saying names.

Terry Heite is my boss.

He must have found out about
my meeting with Johnny Beamer.

He wants me to come to
his office right now.

Oh, sh*t. That sounds bad.

Yeah, it's really
bad. I'm getting fired.

Hey, maybe that's okay.

Maybe this is a sign, like the universe

is telling you to take a
leap and bet on yourself.

I mean, you said you
wanted more freedom, right?

Yeah, I said that, but I don't even know

if that's the move I
wanna make right now,

or if I can even make it on my own.

Plus, Johnny Beamer said
that I'm not even ready.

I would need a whole lot more followers.

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

It's gonna be okay.

Thank you.

Do you want me to find him and k*ll him?

Because I know people.

Hey, I just need to make
sure he didn't hurt you.

No, it's not like that, he...

[SIGHS] He was just a regular
assh*le using me for my money.

As soon as I didn't
have any, he took the van

and f*cking left me there.

I really might need to k*ll him.

You were right.

About everything.

I feel so stupid, Mom.

Oh, sweetie.

Hey, hey, hey.

We have all been there, trust me.

You haven't.

You would never do something this dumb.

Oh, no?

There was a guy that I
thought was different.

- In college?
- I wish.

I don't even have that as an excuse.

No, I was 24.

I mean, he was older, and I just...

I thought he knew everything.

Who was he?

He worked for a campaign.

- But you always say...
- Don't f*ck the flack.

Now you know why.

The point is, you f*ck up
when you're young and then...

actually, you know what?

I still f*ck up every single day.

But you learn from it.

And you find a way to put one
foot in front of the other,

and then if you're
lucky, you don't f*ck up

in exactly the same way next time.

[SENTIMENTAL MUSIC]

♪ ♪

You hungry?

Dad made pizza pockets.

Dad's my real dad, right?

Jesus, Annie.

- I'm...
- Yes.

Yes.

♪ ♪

He'd always say to me that
we were both broken toys.

And for the longest
time, I pretended to know

what he meant, but
now, I-I finally get it.

Um...

I was disappointed so many
times growing up that...

Depending on someone else
for anything seemed stupid.

It seemed like a mistake.

So I didn't wanna depend on anyone,

and I didn't want anyone to depend on me

because I didn't wanna let them down

the way I felt let down.

But it seems like I
managed to do that anyway.

I'm sorry.

Hey, no.

- You didn't let me down.
- I did.

I did.

I just didn't ever feel like I would be

what you needed, what you deserve.

I'm so sorry, Malcolm.

I should have told you
that a long time ago.

I should have told you a lot of things.

♪ ♪

You know I don't give a sh*t

about your bad-ass writer armor.

All I wanted was to see
you just the way you are.

♪ ♪

Thank you.

Have a seat.

Kimberlyn, thanks for coming by.

Of course.

It's not every day you get a
call to come see Terry Heite.

- How are you?
- I'm excited to be here.

It's been a long road, literally.

And I heard you just got married.

- Congratulations.
- Yes. Thank you.

I'm sure planning a
wedding during a primary

was no small feat.

You've been doing great
work these last few months.

And we've noticed.

And we know we're not the only ones.

I'm sure you've been
getting plenty of interest

from our competitors.

But we want you here
at Liberty Direct News.

"In the Spin with Kimberlyn."

How does that sound?

- My own segment.
- Your own show.

We can roll it out at the convention.

Wow. That... that's... wow.

It's the perfect opportunity
for a wider audience,

get you started on strong footing

as we head into the general.

And hey, you can be here in New York

instead of out on the road.

Think about it.

But don't take too long.

We need to move quickly on this.

It's not a career. It's a calling.

Doubt yourself as a
writer if you need to.

It will drive you to
new ways of thinking.

But don't doubt who you are.

You are your own damn thing.

We get to afflict the comfortable

and comfort the afflicted.

Chase the facts, battle the dragons,

find the truth, yell
it from the rooftops.

It beats working, Sadie.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

Go get the story, Polar Bear.

♪ ♪

Why are you up?

I have to finish my story on Walker.

I have to get to the truth.

Bruce wasn't able to
meet with the source,

who could have told us who paid
for the opposition research.

But maybe... maybe he'll talk to me.

♪ ♪

Dear Mr. Morales, my
name is Sadie McCarthy,

and I worked for your fishing buddy,
Bruce Turner, at "The Sentinel."

Bruce was more than my editor.

He was a friend.

He was family.

I'm trying to finish
what we started together,

and I'm hoping you can help me.

♪ ♪

Breakfast is just about ready.

- Wanna grab Annie?
- Sure.

[PHONE BUZZING]

Walt, hi.

Yeah, I was just about to check in.

Well, I told you to send someone else.

Yeah, well, I'm not in the city,

so we can get on the phone, but...

oh, for f*ck's sake, why the hell

does he need to meet
in person? It's print.

You want coffee or just orange juice?

- Both.
- Both.

Fine, let me just figure it
out, and I'll call you back.

Good morning, honey. How'd you sleep?

Fine.

- Who was that?
- Just work.

- You want more coffee?
- Yeah, sure.

Apparently, America's
favorite fish man insists

on speaking to me in person.

- When?
- Today.

Don't worry.

I'm not going.

But isn't this, like,
the most important part?

He could be the nominee.

You should go, Mom.

Well, this is more important.

We're still gonna be
here when you get back.

I mean, it's not like
I have school, anyway.

Why don't you guys come with me?

[COUGHS]

To New York? Really?

Mm. Why not?

All these years, neither of you
have ever come to a convention.

I think it could be fun.

I mean... [LAUGHS]

- Thank you.
- Excuse me.

Excuse me, Mr. Mayor.

- Can I help you?
- Yeah. I'm a journalist.

I just need to speak to the mayor.

Sorry, but the candidate
isn't available right now.

Actually, the candidate is. It's fine.

Thank you, Lizzie.

What can I do for you?

As I understand, you, um,

you already have a
horse in this race, so...

Actually, it turns out I'm
in the market for a new one.

Here's my plan.

You get me into the convention,

I'll give you exposure.

I like your initiative.

You know, we have more
in common than you think.

Okay, let's not get crazy.

No, seriously, look,
we're both new around here.

We're both trying to claw
our way in from the outside,

relying on regular folks online
to pick up the tab for us.

And we're both idealistic
enough to think that we can.

Or deluded.

Well, I guess we'll find out, won't we?

So is that a yes?

I'll see what I can do.

Actually, I'll have
Lizzie see what I can do.

But I'm speaking at this
delegate coffee klatch at 4:30.

If you can be there and be ready...

I was born ready.

Well, then, I'll make it
a priority to get you in.

[INQUISITIVE MUSIC]

♪ ♪

[PHONE BUZZING]

What time is it?

Sadie McCarthy.

Declan Morales.

Hi. Hi.

I didn't think I would hear from you.

You sent me 17 encrypted messages.

That many, huh?

Sorry.

Don't be.

Bruce said you were tenacious.

And trustworthy.

Can we meet?

Bruce's spot, two hours.

Come alone.

[INQUISITIVE MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Ah, Grace. Thanks for stopping by.

Well, thank you for
sitting down with me.

Of course.

There's been a lot of speculation

about all the meetings
you've had this week.

The latest RealClearPolitics average

puts you solidly in the lead.

So I assume you're
vetting a running mate.

Actually, no.

I'm dropping out of the race.

And I wanted to tell you first.

But you're poised to win this thing.

And I have nothing
but love for all those

who voted for me, really.

And if they wanna see
me as the president,

there gonna love my new project.

I am so excited to announce
that we've begun pre-production

on my next film,

"All the President's Men in Black."

Bruckheimer called
me. I said, "Jerry... "

That's why you wanted to see me?

So that I could announce your next film.

Well, I mean, I could
offer it to "Deadline,"

but I was told you were the scoop queen.

You know you're giving up an opportunity

to be the leader of the free world here?

The truth is, I thought I
was chasing something bigger.

But then I realized,

my cup's already full, you know?

I think I might.

[POP MUSIC PLAYING ON HEADPHONES]

♪ ♪

Hey.

How'd it go last night?

You're not gonna believe this.

Liberty offered me my own show.

What? No f*cking way.

Oh, it must have felt so good

to tell them to shove it up their ass.

Well, I told them I
would think about it.

What?

I mean, I don't know.

Maybe it's better for me
to get my name out there

and build up my metrics
and then just put myself

in a stronger position to launch
my own thing for the midterms.

You mean in two years?

That's not that far away.

Or maybe it is. I don't
know. I don't know.

I don't know anything anymore.

Okay, hey, well, I'm here.

Let's... let's hash it out together.

Honestly, you are not the person

I should be hashing it out with.

This is about Eric.

It's about me.

But I can't remember the last time

I made a big decision without him.

Well, maybe you should
talk to him about it.

I can't.

I told him that I needed space
to figure things out on my own.

And I do.

I just didn't think
it would be this hard.

Of course it's hard.

You love him.

Really?

I thought you were gonna
give me a whole long speech

about how we don't need
cishet men for anything.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Uh, we don't.

But we all need love

in whatever form it takes.

And at the end of the day,
I want you to be happy,

with or without a man.

And for what it's
worth, I believe in you.

And I'm so impressed that
you used cishet correctly.

- [BOTH LAUGH]
- Don't you tell anyone.

Too late. I tweeted it.

Are you about to become
a political donor?

No, I just, um... I don't know.

I thought maybe it was a way
to get into the convention.

Lola, buying your way into politics?

Congratulations, girl.

You are officially a
part of the establishment.

Great.

Are you hungry?

It should go without
saying that we never met.

And anything we discuss
is off the record.

Of course.

They don't pay me just for intelligence.

They pay me for discretion.

I understand.

You don't become a base
chief at a black site

in al-Qaeda territory
by talking to reporters.

Bruce told you that?

You know, the day before he d*ed,

he reached out, nagging
me to meet with you.

He says that you're
one of the good ones.

And he was always right about people.

Who paid you to dig
up the dirt on Walker?

I'll protect you.

Oh, you think you can protect me?

You need to worry about yourself.

I swear on Bruce's memory

that I will never reveal my source.

You don't even have to say it.

Be careful, McCarthy.

These schmucks are dangerous.

They have all the money in the world.

And they play dirty.

♪ ♪

- Right this way.
- Thank you.

You think Mike Moriarty gets Botox?

I don't... I never
really thought about it.

Come on, we've all thought about it.

I can see my reflection
in that forehead.

[BOTH LAUGH]

So where did we land?

I've been thinking a lot
about our conversation.

And I just wanted to
say what an honor it is

that you would trust me with an
hour of Liberty's programming.

But?

No buts.

Let's get in the spin.

Well, all right, good news.

Now, let's talk about your first guest.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

Hi.

Hey. How's it going?

I'm sorry, can you take
a step back, please?

Yeah, yeah, of course.

How can I help you?

I'm press.

Credentials?

Well, that's what I'm waiting for.

I think someone from
the Garrett campaign

is supposed to come get me.

Name?

Of course. Yeah, sorry.

Lola Rahaii.

Give me one second, okay?

Yeah, I have a Lola Rahaii back here,

says she's with Garrett.

They can't find anything.

Okay, well, if you just
call Lizzie, I'm sure...

You have her number?

Well, no, I don't, but...

Look, ma'am, I can't let you
in there without credentials.

Great.

Alex, if you're gonna be my new editor,

you need to trust me.

d*ck Braun funded the
opposition research.

He was Walker's biggest
donor last cycle,

and then when he got
arrested on that whole

crypto fraud thing, she cut ties.

She had no problem taking his money.

But she didn't. That's the whole point.

She gave his money back,
publicly called for the DA

to throw the book at
him, humiliated him.

Slow down, Sadie.

Is any of this attributable?

Who told you about Braun?

Uh... I can't tell you that.

I'll call you back.

So how'd it go with the source?

You ready for this?

d*ck Braun paid for the oppo on Walker.

Walker's crypto bro donor.

Holy... sh*t, a revenge story.

Yes, exactly.

Thank you so much.

God, it is so good, it writes itself.

But Braun isn't just
trying to smear Walker.

He also has a candidate
in his back pocket

he's trying to install
in the White House.

And it's gotta be the Action Star.

Why else would a totally unqualified...

[PHONE DINGS]

Blowhard celebrity wade
into national politics?

Uh, counterpoint.

Grace just reported that the
Action Star is dropping out.

- What?
- Yeah.

God damn that woman. How
does she know everything?

She's real good.

This doesn't make any sense.

Braun would never back the
Freshman, even out of spite.

[NINA SIMONE'S "SINNERMAN"]

There's another guy still in the race.

♪ Please hide me, I run to the rock ♪

♪ Please hide me, Lord ♪

♪ All on that day ♪

♪ I said, rock ♪

- Oh.
- Oh, I'm sorry.

You do a piece on me.

You have virtually
zero name recognition.

That's what you're for.

I heard there's a pretty good
piece on me in "The Sentinel."

Thanks to a windfall, a small
dollar donation sent your profile.

Somehow my words always sound better

- when you write about them.
- Good luck.

Good luck?

So you are rooting for me.

Oh, my God.

♪ Power, Lord ♪

- m*therf*cker!
- [VASE CRASHES]

[EXCITING MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Greg, move your head.

Bye.