05x06 - Once a Cheater

[bunniefuu]

I'm determined to have
a work-life balance,

and no job is worth losing you.

- ANGELICA: Actually, I gotta head out.
- Okay.

I wrote the part specifically for you.

I'm just happy that Mia Colfax
passed on your role.

TYLER: I hear she's a nightmare.

Can I offer a little advice?

I couldn't help but notice
that you've been struggling.

They offer beginner classes here.

I'm gonna get better.
Gotta learn from the best, right?

RILEY: Well then, keep your eyes on me.

For K, I could have it up and
running through the first quarter.

RANJIT: It's a no-brainer.
Yeah, let's do it.

That's, uh, that's for me.

- [SNORTING]
- I think I just

miss the peace and quiet of the farm.

JOAQUIN: I... I know
that you're confused.

Just let me get you help.

Okay.

EVAN: I created an app
to adopt turtles?

- Shut it down.
- What'd you decide about the turtle app?

- We're keeping it.
- Why didn't you tell me Evan was awake?

I thought I told you
to k*ll that turtle app.

[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]

f*ck!

- [MACHINE BEEPING RAPIDLY]
- [EVAN GASPING]

The future embraces
the pain of the past.

The future embraces
the pain of the past.

Hands, Luca!

Feel the combo, Luca!

I can't do it!

We're gonna get you some help. Okay?

JENNA: I'm not the one who's lost.

You are.

This is bullshit!

[GASPING]

What's wrong?

- [MACHINE BEEPING RAPIDLY]
- [EVAN GASPING]

♪ Pa-pa-paa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa ♪

♪ Pa-pa-paa, pa-pa-pa-pa ♪

♪ Then we'll find our peace of mind ♪

♪ You and me, Bel Ami ♪

♪ Pa-pa-pa, pa-paaa ♪

I thought I told you
to k*ll that turtle app.

Well... I thought it would be best

to not make any big
changes at Speckulate

until you recovered more of your memory.

Hopefully.

And yet, she fired three of our top VPs.

They weren't performing.

And we needed to make budget cuts.

Evan seems perfectly
capable of making decisions

and giving orders
that you should've followed.

Which begs the question,
now that you're awake, Evan,

do you even need a proxy?

- [EVAN GASPING]
- What's going on? What's wrong?

NURSE: His heart rate and
blood pressure sh*t up suddenly.

I need you two to step
out of the room. Now.

- [MACHINE BEEPING RAPIDLY]
- [EVAN GASPING]

- Just let me explain, okay?
- Yeah.

WOMAN: Our daughter, Madison,

lived on the farm with Silas
and the other girls for a year.

Once she got there,
she cut us off completely.

But then, one day,
she called and told us that...

That she was leaving and...
and that she would be in touch.

- But, um...
- But weeks went by.

And we never heard from her.

Finally, we convinced the police
to go out there and talk to Silas.

He told them that Maddie had left,
and he had no idea where she was.

That was two years ago.

She's never posted anything online

or gotten in touch
with any of her old friends.

It's like she just vanished.

Maybe Silas did something to her.

You know, maybe, maybe...

[VOICE BREAKING] Maybe he has
her locked up somewhere or...

Don't.

We have to face it.

We have to.

Maybe she's dead.

And Silas had something to do with it.

Look, I mean, I... I...

I'm really sorry to
hear about all this, but...

Why did you come to me?

WOMAN: A friend at the
Sheriff's Department told us

that you had rescued
your sister from the farm.

And we thought...

Um...

That maybe you could
help us find Maddie.

Or what happened to her.

- MAN: We can pay you.
- WOMAN: We just...

We just need to know what happened.

MAN: We have no one else...

we can turn to.

WOMAN: Please help us.

RANJIT: Whoa!

What happened in here?

I've got some really bad news.

The liquor license from the
last owner didn't transfer over.

They told me it would.

I feel like such an idiot.
It could take six months to a year

to get a new one. We're totally screwed.

I'm so sorry.

All right, we can open
with... wine and beer...

No, no. That would suck

and result in a huge loss of profits.

Alcohol is where you make the money.

Yeah, I know. [SCOFFS] All right?

I feel...

I feel awful about it.

Hey! Not to fear, Uncle Jit is here.

I know a guy at the ABC.

For K, he'll cut the red tape.

We'll get the license ASAP.

That's illegal.

It's the cost of doing business, buddy.

You were in the corporate
world, you know that.

Besides, I don't think your
office can take much more abuse.

Yeah.

Ah! Hey, stranger.

- Haven't seen you around.
- Yeah, sorry,

I've been slammed between...

running Speckulate
and keeping Evan up to date, so.

Hey, we should do a family dinner soon.

- It's been a while.
- Oh, yeah! What about tonight?

Oh. I can't tonight.

I have plans with Angelica.

I'm taking her to a new hot restaurant.

- Oh, really?
- Mm-hmm!

We thought she put you
in the friend pen.

- She did.
- DAVIA: Mmm.

But my plan is to show her

that I'm maintaining
a work-life balance

so she'll let me out
of the friend pen to...

graze in the relationship meadow.

That's too many metaphors in the
morning. How about tomorrow night?

- Yes!
- Oh, yes.

Oh, I can't. I've got
a lot of work to finish, so.

[PHONE VIBRATING]

Hi, Jerome. Uh, did you

get my message that
Dylan knows Evan's awake?

JEROME [OVER PHONE]: I actually
just got off the phone with Evan.

He asked if he can
change his proxy to Dylan.

He... He can do that?

JEROME [OVER PHONE]: Of course.
He can do anything he wants.

I just wanted to give you a
heads-up that he's thinking about it.

Okay, thank you.

You okay?

♪♪

You know, maybe
you just need to tell Evan

you guys used to be in a relationship.

Remind him why he trusts you.

I... I don't know
if that would help or hurt.

It's... It's been
so complicated between us.

We're not supposed to overwhelm
him with information about the past.

On the other hand,
Dylan is in tight with the board.

And he should know
that they don't have his back.

Well, can you prove that
Dylan's in with the ones who don't?

Uh, maybe if I hack his emails,
but that's unethical.

JOAQUIN: Uh, not his work emails.
As CEO, you're allowed to read those.

Wait, you... you think that
Dylan would be dumb enough

to send something
incriminating in a work email?

You'd be surprised.

Even people who know better
can't help hitting send.

♪♪

And one, two, three, four,

hup, six, seven, eight.

And one, a two, and...

Cass, chin down.

A five, good. Six, seven, and eight.

Stevie, arm.

A-three, and four, five and...

Charlize, we're losing your face.

And eight, and...

A-two, and...

Hold on a second. Hold on, hold on.

Luca, I feel like
you're trying to be invisible.

You have to have the courage to be seen.

All right, go from the top. Review that.

♪♪

What the hell, Darla?

We're getting married tomorrow

and I find you in a bar,
flirting with the bartender?

I'm not flirting!

And at least I didn't screw anyone!

TYLER: That was two years ago.

You forgave me for that.

Well, maybe I can't forget
how bad you hurt me.

And maybe, Sean,

once a cheater, always a cheater.

[FAST-PACED PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]

♪ How do we build back what we lost? ♪

♪ I wonder how could you ♪

♪ Look me in the eye
and say it wasn't true ♪

♪ When I asked
if there was someone else? ♪

♪ I don't know what came over me ♪

♪ Just take responsibility ♪

BOTH: ♪ All the times we spent
on each other's case ♪

♪ When we fell in love
it was all about the chase ♪

♪ Maybe marriage isn't for us ♪

♪ Oh, girl, you're
preaching to the chorus ♪

♪ Once a cheater Always a cheater ♪

♪ You want to change
but you say you're cursed ♪

♪ You may not look me in the eyes ♪

♪ But I can still see
through those lies ♪

♪ And your denial makes it worse ♪

BOTH: ♪ So very hurt ♪

ETHAN: [CLAPS] That was
great, guys. Let's take .

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

So how is it
you're always pitch perfect?

Mm. Please, you're one to talk.

No, seriously, I'm a little intimidated.

You're incredible.

Hey, Davia.

Can we hang out after rehearsal today?

There's something
I wanna talk to you about.

Um, yeah.

GALEN: Hup, six, seven.

Luca, hands.

Get those feet, Luca.

Wider stance.

You gotta feel the combo, Luca.

Hold it. Hold, hold, hold. Luca.

So being seen doesn't just
mean standing in the front.

You could be in the very back,

but if you're putting yourself into it,

I can still see who you really are.

You're using your sleeves
as a security blanket.

Push them up for me.

All right, that's the end
of class, everyone.

We'll work on it next time.

RILEY: Hey.

You know, I'd like to know more
about this mysterious new dancer too.

Who is Luca Ryusaki?

Just a guy late for work.

I guess.

The council is bringing
the women's center proposal

to the floor next week.

We need one more vote to get it passed.

Unfortunately, our only option
is Councilman Jack Hauss.

And his vote won't be easily won.

He is notoriously cantankerous

and not to mention
fiscally conservative.

Yeah, I've seen his Twitter.
I mean, all he seems to care about

is real estate. And the Lakers.

WILL: We've been trying to get
a meeting with him for a month.

But he's impossible to pin down.

Like an Atlas moth.

What? I'm a collector.

So what do we do?

We need to keep our eyes
open and our ears peeled

for any opportunity
to cross paths with him.

- Okay.
- We need his vote, and the clock is ticking.

Okay. I'm on it.

WOMAN: The goal with
exit counseling from a cult

is to help you reclaim self-awareness,

identity, and independence.

I'm gonna start by talking
about who you were

before you lived
under the control of Silas,

what some of his practices
and rituals were.

For example, did he enforce
any food restrictions

or sleep deprivation?

Isolation from family, friends,

and the outside world?

But, uh, there were also times

that I was... I was happy on the farm.

Uh, I... I liked working
with the other girls.

Felt like a family.

And... And Silas helped us
understand our purpose in life.

Like he had all the answers?

Yeah.

Uh...

I guess I'm just...

Missing the community I had there.

I'm surprised that you...

would wanna be part of any group

considering how controlling
our church was, growing up.

I mean, that's why you left home.

Well, there's a difference between

a controlling community
and a supportive one.

We all crave something to be a part of.

Mm, I don't.

No, I feel like being part of a
group means you have to conform.

Then why are you living at the Coterie?

- What's the Coterie?
- A communal living space.

Where there's no leader or mind control.

Just because I share
a kitchen and a bathroom

doesn't really mean
I'm a part of a community.

Not to mention, I only moved there
because I was looking for my sister.

Okay. So now that you've found me,

when are you moving out?

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to
turn the conversation to me.

This is about you, Jenna.

[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]

_

_

MARIANA: [READING] We need
to remove Evan before the IPO.

Now's the time to act,
while he's incapacitated.

We have to move fast.
Dilute his shares. Strip his power.

♪ I did it all for you ♪

♪ Those secrets I kept safe ♪

- [CLATTERS]
- Ah. Oh, sorry.

- I dropped one of my b*ll*ts.
- b*ll*ts?

Uh, no, they're not
real b*ll*ts. They're, uh,

these magnetic things. They help...

me.

♪♪

Where're you off to in such a hurry?

I have a meeting.

With Evan?

I thought we were supposed
to back off, not stress him out.

Not with Evan. I...

You know, I have my
own business, Bulk Beauty.

Hmm.

♪♪

Aren't you ever lonely?

No.

I didn't hate everything
about our church, growing up.

I liked our youth group.

The sense of belonging.

I just... I wish it didn't come

with all the repression and judgment.

Yeah, well,
like the therapist said today,

it's a very controlling community.

I didn't know I was joining a cult.

I was just...

searching for that feeling
of belonging somewhere again.

Don't you?

Ever?

No, I don't really think about it.

Jeez.

I just... I don't want you to
live life all isolated and alone.

I mean, does anyone
here really know you?

Yes.

Yes, Mariana does.

No one else?

What... What did you
think about therapy?

You gonna go back?

Yes.

I wanna be myself again.

And I want both of us

to leave Silas, and the farm,

and all of this behind.

If I let go and walk away,

will you?

♪♪

Yeah, okay.

Joaquin, hey, it's me.

So I read Dylan's emails,
and he is definitely aligned

with the board members
that are trying to oust Evan.

They've applied for a pre-IPO loan,
which will dilute Evan's shares

from % ownership to %.

He won't be a majority stockholder.

He won't have veto power.

And they can basically strip
the company away from him.

I know that this
is probably gonna upset him,

but I... I feel like this is
something he should know

before he makes Dylan his proxy.

I'll let you know how it goes.

ETHAN: First of all,

you...

are k*lling it!

[SIGHS IN RELIEF] Oh, thank you.

I thought you were f*ring me.

Oh, my God, no.

But, uh, there is
a slight change I wanna make.

I'm gonna make Darla
the one who cheats on Sean.

I think it makes her much more complex.

- You know?
- Oh.

Yeah, a past infidelity shows

that Darla had some doubts early on

and helps us understand
why she's questioning

going through with the marriage now.

So it's not out of the blue.
You know what I mean?

If you think that's
what's best for the story.

I do. Trust me.

Trust me. [CHUCKLES]

Ooh, grilled branzino
in puttanesca sauce.

It is very cute how you always
have to read the menu beforehand.

Well, I hate looking
at the menu at the table

when I should just be enjoying the wine.

Yeah.

[PHONE VIBRATING]

It's Lucia.

Sorry.

- Hey.
- LUCIA [OVER PHONE]: I just got word

Jack Hauss is at the reception
in the council office lobby.

I'm... I'm tied up at a charity event.

You need to get back to the office now.

This might be our only chance.

[MALIKA CLEARS THROAT]

This is bullshit!

I didn't know what to say at the time,

but if Darla is the one who cheats

and now has cold feet
and is flirting with the bartender,

how is the audience supposed
to root for her at all?

DENNIS: I think you need
to tell Ethan how you feel.

I mean, you went into this to have

a different experience of the theater.

Yeah, but do you think I have the right

to tell him how to write his show?

I think you have a right
to protect your character.

Yeah, once a cheater, always a cheater,

so no one will even
want Tyler to marry her!

Do you think that's true?

Once a cheater, always a cheater?

I don't know.

I cheated on Jennifer.

Do you think that means
I'd cheat on you?

Well, you better not.

Besides, that was
a different situation, okay?

You have more integrity
than anyone I know.

In life and in business.

It's one of the reasons I love you.

I didn't always have
integrity in business.

Yeah, but you do now.

And that's what's important.

Hmm.

♪♪

♪♪

[EVAN GROANS]

- PHYSICAL THERAPIST: You did great, Evan.
- Yeah.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST: And I'll
be back later for some stretches.

I'm so happy to see you up and walking.

[GRUNTS]

Uh, the, um, doctors told me

that there was a choice to be made

about whether to have the surgery,

one that could determine whether
or not I would be able to walk again,

and... you were the one that made it.

Thank you.

That is the decision I would've made.

So anything to report on Speckulate?

What would you say if someone asked you

who you were?

Uh...

I don't know. Why?

My dance teacher thinks
I am not being vulnerable

or showing who I am when I'm dancing.

Huh.

Well... I mean, dude,
I might not be the best person to ask.

My sister doesn't think
I show myself to anybody really.

Maybe that's why you're a journalist.

You can ask people about themselves

without having to reveal
much about yourself.

Yeah, that's probably... probably true.

Yeah, I learned to be invisible
on the streets.

You know, the less you stand out,
the safer you are.

What are you, um...

afraid...

that they'll see,

like, when you dance?

[SIGHS] Someone who
doesn't deserve to be there.

I mean, I've just...

I have lived so many
years on the streets,

begging for food and money,

and sleeping in doorways
and next to dumpsters.

And I just... I don't want
people to see that.

JOAQUIN: You got nothing
to be ashamed of.

I got nothing but respect for you, man.

I think you're... a survivor.

I never realized how lonely
I was until I moved in here.

I just never had people.

Yeah, I guess...
I guess vulnerability, man,

it takes a certain type of bravery.

Maybe your... your teacher's asking you

to just bring down some of
those walls that keep people out.

You don't have to share
all the details of your life,

but maybe just...
drop the defenses a little bit.

I will if you will.

Ooh.

[BOTH LAUGH]

- All right, all right.
- Yeah.

- Thank you.
- Yeah.

♪♪

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Old fashioned?

Orange bitters,
just the way you like it.

Thanks.

You're so sweet for
making this pit stop with me.

No, it's fine.

He's surrounded by people trying
to get a minute with him.

Just... figuring out
how to wedge myself in there.

You said he likes the Lakers, right?

- Yeah.
- Okay.

[LOUDLY] Oh, the Lakers should've
kept Magic Johnson over Pelinka.

I mean, Pelinka's messed up
the salary cap so badly.

And Westbrook's contract's
an absolute albatross.

JACK: You got that right.

Yeah, and LeBron
deserves so much better.

I mean, he's...
he's still a Laker, right?

You're funny.

We signed the GOAT,
and we're wasting his talents.

I mean, someone's gotta
talk to Jeanie Buss.

Oh, believe me, I've tried.

And with whom do I have
the pleasure of speaking?

I'm Malika Williams.

I work for Councilwoman Lucia Morales.

And this is my friend, Angelica.

Pleasure.

While I have your attention,

I wanted to talk to you
about my proposal

to support women
impacted by incarceration.

In the last decade,
the LA Sheriff's Department

has booked over ,
women in county jails

at the cost of over $ million.

I mean, you must agree,

we're wasting tax payer dollars

and not investing in programs

that are helping to prevent
arrests and recidivism.

I do agree.

Look, I have a lot of people to talk to,

but I will read your proposal tonight.

And as far as the Lakers go?

Let's pray LeBron and AD
stay healthy this season.

Okay, and that we get
some three-point sh**t.

- Yes. Yes!
- Mm-hmm.

That's what I'm talking about.

- Very nice to meet both of you.
- You too.

Thank you.

Three-point sh**t?

Nice touch!

I took a s*ab in the dark.

But how did I not know that
you were such a hoop head?

RANJIT [OVER PHONE]:
Are you out of your mind?

No. I just don't want to cheat
to get my liquor license.

RANJIT: Cheat?
This isn't a... a board game.

We are trying to launch a business.

DENNIS [OVER PHONE]: Yeah, and I
want my restaurant built on integrity,

which means not breaking the law.

Ma... Make your food ethically sourced

or sustained or whatever.

Without liquor,
you are destined to fail.

And...

- And my investment will be worthless.
- DENNIS: That's not true.

Plenty of beer and wine
restaurants are successful.

It's... This isn't forever.

We will get the license eventually.

Eventually will be too late!

I feel strongly about this,
Ranjit, all right?

I can't do this any other way.

I'm sorry.

RANJIT: Okay, Dennis.

You don't want to do anything unethical.

I will respect that.

Good night.

God.

[SNORTING]

[PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]

♪ How do we build back what we lost? ♪

♪ I wonder how could you ♪

♪ Look me in the eye
and say it wasn't true ♪

♪ When I asked
if there was someone else? ♪

♪ I don't know what came over me ♪

♪ Just take responsibility ♪

♪ Once a cheater Always a cheater ♪

♪ Elaborate and covert ♪

♪ You may specialize
in believing your lies ♪

♪ You don't care who you hurt ♪

♪ Who you hurt ♪

ETHAN: [CLAPS] Okay, sounds great!

It's really coming together.

Heather, let's take
a look at the bridge.

Hey, Ethan, I actually
wanted to say something.

Um...

Making Darla the cheater
doesn't make her more complex,

it just makes her more unlikable.

That's not true.

She already has cold feet.

And if she's the one who
cheated on Sean in the past,

why is the audience gonna root for her?

I agree. She's supposed
to be the hero of the play.

And having been cheated on in
the past helps us empathize with her.

HEATHER: Audiences can
be hard on female characters.

We have to do everything
to make them love her.

DAVIA: The show that you've written
is rich and messy and complex.

Don't second guess yourself.

Fine.

We'll leave it as it is.

But I need .

Thank you for having my back.

No, you did all the heavy lifting.

Look, if Ethan tries
to assassinate your character,

I'll have your back.

I'd like to see him try.

♪ A cold November day ♪

♪ I watched us wash away ♪

♪ Wiped away my tears ♪

♪ Wiped away my tears ♪

♪ Finally... ♪

GALEN: Let's hold there. Hold.

Let's go back to that first position.

So, Luca, when you do that
beginning hand pulling away,

what're you thinking about?

I'm not sure.

So let's try it but give it a story.

So when you pull away this time,

are you pulling away from someone?

Are they pulling away from you?

I'm pulling away from someone.

Okay, why?

'Cause they're holding me back.

From what?

Food.

I'm...

cold and hungry, and this person
is... They're holding me back.

Let's try it again.

Five, six, seven, and eight, and a pull.

Good, Luca. I saw you that time.

Everyone, take note
of what Luca just did.

Try it again from the top.

♪♪

♪ A cold November day ♪

♪ I watched us wash away ♪

♪ Wiped away my tears ♪

♪ Wiped away my tears ♪

♪ Finally, caught the sunset ♪

♪ Finally, caught the sunset ♪

I just got off the phone
with Councilman Hauss.

We got his vote for the women's center.

- [MALIKA SQUEALING]
- [LUCIA LAUGHING]

What?

And one of his aides sent over these.

Oh, my...

Courtside?

- [GASPS] Wow.
- Whatever you said to him, bravo!

And Brayden stood up for me,

which is really unusual in the theater.

I mean, I hate to say it,
but the guys don't always

stick up for the girls,
especially when they're the leads.

[SIGHS] Well, at least
Darla is no longer a cheater.

And Davia is no longer somebody
that Ethan can push around.

- [CHUCKLING] Yeah.
- I'm really proud of you.

Yes!

Well, I had a work win today too.

DAVIA: Oh!

Ranjit thought we should

pay someone off to get
our liquor license faster.

He was just trying to be helpful,

but I'm not gonna do business that way.

I cheated a lot when I was
in the corporate world.

The prevailing idea
was that everyone did it

so that made it okay, but...

it wasn't.

And part of why I hated
myself in that job and...

why I want this to be honest and pure.

I admire that.

Yeah.

- Once a cheater, not always a cheater.
- Hmm.

And I have a name for the restaurant.

DAVIA: Hmm?

Uh, what do you think of...

Haven?

DAVIA: Haven.

I want it to evoke
a sense of safety or refuge

from the craziness
of the rest of the world.

I love it.

- Really?
- DAVIA: Yes, really!

I'm so proud of you.

Come here.

[PHONE CHIMES]

Hey.

Do you remember hearing anything
about a girl named Madison McClain?

I think she was at the farm before you.

Uh, I heard about her
from some of the girls.

What'd they say?

Just that she gave into
her demons and left.

Why?

[SIGHS]

Her parents contacted me.

She's been missing for two years,

and they think something bad
might've happened to her.

- We're walking away from this, remember?
- I know, but you know what?

Silas has hurt so many people, okay?

Including you.

It's not right he just
keeps getting away with it.

Madison's parents are suffering.

They're suffering like I did
when I didn't know where you were.

Okay? They deserve to know
where their daughter is.

And if something bad did happen,

that means that it could
happen to all the other women

that are still at the farm.
Women I know you care about.

I just... I feel like I need to do this.

But I won't.

Not without your blessing.

[SIGHS]

Okay.

If you think you can help
these people find their daughter,

I won't ask you not to.

Thank you.

Hey, Luca.

That was so amazing today.

It's just so awesome to get
to see more of who you are.

I wanted to check in
about what you said,

about being kept from food.
Are you okay?

Yeah.

I am now. That was...

in the past.

GALEN: Good.

If you ever need anything,
I'm here, all right?

LUCA: Thank you.

You made a big leap forward today.

Thanks.

See you tomorrow.

No, but that is what
the holiday is supposed to be,

defending your life choices.

Yeah, I don't disagree with that.

Wow. Accurate.

[MALIKA LAUGHS]

JOAQUIN: Hey.

Is it, uh, too late to join?

- MALIKA: You kidding?
- Of course not!

Take a seat. I'll fix you both a plate.

MALIKA: We were just
talking about Thanksgiving.

Everyone's inviting their families,

- which is a Coterie first.
- Oh, wow.

Yeah, your family's welcome to join.

Um, yeah, we're not like

super close with our...
our parents, actually.

- Can I?
- Yeah, of course.

Uh...

We grew up in, like,
a really religious home,

and our parents weren't very forgiving.

Kinda couldn't be ourselves

and just everything was
about the church, so...

- we left.
- We all get it.

Family can be complicated.

- Tell me about it.
- I second that.

Or third that?

Well, you have us.

And we hope that you both will be there.

Thanks.

We would love to.

DAVIA: Yay!

Well, here is to the family we choose.

- Cheers to that.
- Cheers.

DAVIA: Yes!

- MALIKA: As always.
- Cheers.

[MALIKA LAUGHS]

RANJIT: Burning the midnight oil.

That's what I like to see.

Yeah, lots to do
to get this place open.

Well.

Hopefully, this helps.

Oh. What's this?

♪♪

I told you I didn't want to do this.

Well, you didn't.

I did it.

And I just... I called in a favor.

No money was exchanged,
if that makes you feel any better.

Now we can open with a full bar

and double our chances of success.

And your integrity remains intact.

♪ It's a cruel world ♪

♪ It's a cruel world ♪

♪ It's a cruel world ♪

♪ It's a cruel world... ♪

Oh, hey!

Thank you so much for last night.

I could not have done that without you.

Oh, not at all. It's fine.

I'm sorry that we missed
our dinner reservation,

but I think I have something
to make it up to you.

- Courtside.
- [GASPS] Oh, wow!

That was well worth it!

- Oh, my God!
- I know that putting work first

has been an issue for us before.

- So now I'm really...
- Hey, there's no need to apologize, seriously.

It's not an issue
now that we're just friends.

♪ While most get pain
some get pleasure ♪

♪ Most get debt get no treasure ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Let the Lord lift your head up ♪

♪ You don't know about my flame ♪

♪ I've been burning so long ♪

♪ You don't know about my pain ♪

♪ I've been hurting alone ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ They say that dream's
hard to measure ♪

♪ While most get pain
some get pleasure ♪

♪ Most get debt get no treasure ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ It's a cruel world ♪

♪ It's a cruel world ♪

♪ It's a cruel world ♪

[SIGHS]

So what'd you tell Evan?

So anything to report at Speckulate?

No.

Nothing to report.

Everything's running smoothly.

And we are under strict orders
from your doctor

to not talk about business.

Uh, but before I forget,

I... grabbed these for you.

Thought they could help you relax.

Thank you.

MARIANA: I couldn't tell him.

He was so happy to be up and walking.

I couldn't shatter that.

And the stress of that
could set him back.

Okay, what about the board
trying to take his company?

I'll just have to try to figure out

how to stop them without involving Evan.

That is if he even
keeps me on as his proxy.

Hey. Hey.

You're taking on a lot, all right?

Have you found somebody to talk to
about the sh**ting and everything?

[SIGHS] Not yet.

But I... I will. I'm just...

I'm so busy and... and I'm angry.

Angry, why? Why are you angry?

Evan is going through all of this,

and Silas is free
to go and hurt other people.

It... It's not right! It's...

It's not right, but you know what?

You gotta focus on all this
stress that you're trying to manage.

Okay, try to breathe.

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

♪♪

[PHONE VIBRATES]

- Sorry, that's Evan's lawyer.
- Yeah, no. You should...

just take that.

Hello?

[JEROME SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Um, yeah, thank you for letting me know.

JEROME [OVER PHONE]: Of course.

He picked me.

[CHUCKLES]

Evan's keeping me as his proxy.

And I'm gonna save his company
if it's the last thing that I do.

♪♪