04x13 - Feeling Exposed

[bunniefuu]

We're going to keep this
a secret from everyone.

We're kind of on shaking
ground at work, so,

So, we wait.

AMIKA: What are you doin'?

NIECY: I'm changing
my search to New York.

Havin' a long-distance
with some New York n*gro

ain't gonna feed your kids.

HELEN: Something is up.

Sorry I haven't been able
to get more out of her.

You could go visit her.

HELEN: Oh, no, I can't do New York.

But you could, Niecy.

God, it's so great to have you back!

I'm still in shock.

Listen, not only do I have my job back,

but Garrett bumped
me to senior producer.

I don't know what you did,
girl, but, oh, my God...

- Oh, no, no, I didn't...
- Just shhhh!

Just accept my thanks,
already, please, okay?

BOTH: [laughing]

MARY JANE: You are willing
to share your title with her?

I thought that meant so much to you.

♪

[knock at door]

- Emergency meeting.
- Let's go.

- After you two.
- JUSTIN: [clears throat]

Kara...

AARON: Justin, you look tired.

Late night?

- KARA: [roaring]
- GARRETT: Oh, Kara, get...

Our main goal at the moment
is to reverse the ratings slide

the show experienced during
the somewhat bumpy transition

from Ronda to the lovely Mary Jane here.

Our numbers still aren't
where we would want them to be,

but when you look at the demos,
there are some promising trends.

With that said, I would
like to formally welcome

"Great Day USA" 's newest
correspondent, Dani Hollins.

[clapping hands]

Dani, anything you'd like to add?

Just how wonderfully
excited I am to be here.

I mean, last week, I
was making YouTube videos

off of my iPhone and look at me now!

GARRETT & DANI: [laugh]

- Miracles really do happen.
- GARRETT: Yeah.

Well, anyway, I wanna
do a great job here

and learn from each
and every one of y'all.

GARRETT: [clapping hands]

Oh.

GARRETT: Today also marks the return

of producer Kara Lynch.

ALL: [applauding]

GARRETT: Kara, we all make mistakes.

But your work as a producer
here at "GDU" was invaluable,

and I, for one, am thrilled to
welcome you back into the fold.

You're screwing him!

- Kara, I wanted to tell you.
- Don't give me that sh*t, okay?

Because the fact that you didn't tell me

means that you knew that you were wrong.

You dumped Lee for that piece of sh*t,

snake-in-the-grass who had me fired?

Yeah, that snake also
got you your job back.

Yeah, that was Justin, not me.

That's because you told him to.

What were you thinking?

This is insanity.

Kara, we're trying to
keep this quiet at work.

We just need a little more time

to get on better footing
with Garrett, okay?

- Please?
- You know what?

It took me all of five
minutes to figure it out, so...

[clicks tongue] ...good
luck with that one.

MARY JANE: Kara knows.

We've gotta make sure that
she keeps this under wraps.

I've got Garrett's ear now.

Any rumor about the two of
us could jeopardize that.

Kara wouldn't betray me.

Can you be certain of that?

[cell phone bings]

Oh. It's Garrett.

Conference room.

♪

- KARA: Oh.
- GARRETT: [clears throat]

Have a seat, you two.

♪

- Excuse me.
- JUSTIN: Oh.

GARRETT: Emma.

Hey, guys.

GARRETT: [clears throat]

So, we have a big problem.

We are all God's children,

but I would be shirking
my responsibility

if I did not call out
this sin and perversion.

If a man locks lips with another man,

or, Heaven forbid, touch his penis,

you are going to hell!

- KARA: Wow. Isn't that...
- Sandra Curtis.

Television's premiere
home-decorating diva

slated to appear on "GDU" to launch

the viewer home makeover contest.

MARY JANE: Yeah, I mean,
the contest is huge.

It's multiple segments
airing over four weeks.

GARRETT: Exactly,

and because this is a delicate issue,

I've invited Aaliyah from
PR and brand strategy.

So, what do you all think?

Should we dis-invite Sandra Curtis?

- Absolutely.
- I agree.

- You know, she's toast.
- She's Paula Deen . .

[palm slap]

- DANI: [sighs]
- Dani, you disagree?

I do, and not just
because it's my segment.

It's censorship.

You're taking away this woman's
right to freedom of speech,

freedom of religion.

This fool is about to be
the next Martha Stewart mogul

and she's got nothing better to do

than to rag on lesbians and
gays at her coffee klatch?

Well, if you're a Christian,

that follows the teachings of the Bible.

KARA: If you're a Christian who follows

the teachings of the Bible,

you shouldn't be judging anybody anyway.

Garrett, it's too controversial.

DANI: Controversy draws viewers,

and she has a huge following.

It could be a ratings bonanza.

The only discussion we
should be having here

is what are we gonna replace
that home makeover contest with?

The segment is gone.

We can do better, okay?

Right, Justin?

I actually agree with Dani.

I think we should have her on.

If Tr*mp's surprise
victory taught us anything,

it's that we cannot
squash the conversation

and ignore what's going on out there,

otherwise, we end up
just getting blindsided.

Yep.

JUSTIN: Fox News has done some
vital reporting on this subject.

You don't really believe that, do you?

Chris Wallace, and
others, have called out

this administration's
disinformation campaign,

and I think they
deserve credit for that.

GARRETT: Justin might be right.

Many in America still agree with Sandra.

Yeah, just like the church-going people

in your community, Mary Jane.

Oh, I didn't realize

you were an expert on
the Black community.

Look, all due respect,
Garrett, this debate is lunacy.

GARRETT: Aaliyah, what's your opinion?

Will this hurt us?

Her social media followers
are already defecting.

Her network is this close to axing her.

As the story grows, it's
only gonna get worse.

Having Sandra Curtis on
"GDU" would be a PR nightmare.

I don't think it's worth the risk.

- GARRETT: Fine.
- She's axed. Provisionally.

Now we need to come up
with a replacement segment,

something with legs.

So, if you think you
can, in Mary Jane's words,

"do better," you have until
the end of the day to prove it.

MARY JANE: So, what happened
to us being a united front?

That is the aim.

But in practice, it's gonna
be a little bit tricky.

Yeah, now that I know
you watch Fox News.

Does that mean I cannot add
"Fox & Friends" to your DVR?

♪

Just wait here. I'll go get Ms. Paul.

NIECY: Okay, thanks.

♪ Drinking Henny out the bottle ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

Oh. Don't mind if I do.

♪ All that talking, I hear nada ♪

♪ Nothing ♪

♪ When every... want you ♪

[gasping] Auntie!

Oh, I've gotta take a picture.

♪ All these haters actin' reckless ♪

♪ But what the... They gon' do ♪

- [cell phone camera clicking]
- ♪ They won't do nada ♪

MARY JANE: Oh, Niecy!

Auntie!

MARY JANE: Welcome!

NIECY: Hi!

It's so good to see you. Oh.

This is so cool. Everything
looks so different.

Right. I wish I had time
to give you the full tour,

- but we are in a crisis.
- Oh, no, it's cool.

I already checked everything out anyway.

Oh, good. Well, I've made arrangements

- for you to see all the sights...
- What?

The Empire State Building,
the / Memorial, the MOMA.

- I even got you a torch ticket.
- Torch ticket?

Oh, yeah, you get to walk around

the Statue of Liberty's torch.

Most people have to wait a
year to get those tickets.

Girl, that's too cool.

- Go. Enjoy.
- Have a good time.

I will, but I'll see you tonight, right?

- Yeah. Of course.
- Okay.

I'm so glad you're here.

Yeah. I don't even
know what to do first.

All of it. Let me take that.

- All right.
- I gotcha.

- Be careful.
- See you later.


- That is amazing.
- I owe you big time.

Thank you. Okay, bye.

- Garrett.
- Mm?

I found a replacement for
the Sandra Curtis story.

- Wow, you work quick.
- Who is it?

James Bond.

As in Daniel Craig, the actor?

As in the new "Bond"
girl, Anastasia Petrov.

- GARRETT: Mary Jane.
- Yeah.

Did you hear this?

Kara got a lead on the new "Bond" girl,

the Russian supermodel.

An exclusive, actually.

She just landed a lead role
in the next Spielberg movie,

and she's starring opposite Will Smith

in his next blockbuster.

- Well, that's perfect.
- I mean, come on.

You've got James Bond, you've
got Will Smith, Spielberg.

It doesn't get any
more A-list than that.

- Yeah.
- DANI: I'm sorry.

Are we really gonna scrap a segment

that could be an important
piece of social commentary

for some Russian Amazon
that no one's ever heard of?

Look, that Russian chick is obviously

the next big Hollywood "It
Girl," and we got her first.

I mean, I'm sorry,
correction. Kara got her first.

I'm inclined to agree with you.

Uh, Justin, um, do you
wanna weigh in on this?

- Uh...
- weigh in on what?

We're trying to decide
between Sandra Curtis

and the, uh, new "Bond" girl.

Well, look, uh, the "Bond"
girl definitely has some heat.

But I did hear that Diane Sawyer's

been sniffing around for an
exclusive with Sandra Curtis.

Now, we have the jump because
we already have her booked

for the makeover segment.

I just don't think
that we should be scared

of a little controversy.

Well, then, I think
the choice is obvious.

We will move forward
with the Sandra Curtis

- interview as planned.
- DANI: Awesome.

GARRETT: Mary Jane will do it.

Oh, but the home makeover
segment was my assignment.

No, no, no, it's a hot-button
political and social issue now.

That's different.

Justin, uh, you can
work up some questions?

Sure, but you know, uh,
Kara doesn't have a segment

in the : o'clock hour,
so maybe she can do it.

GARRETT: Oh, no, Kara's gonna do

the consumer report segment with Emma.

You're okay with that, right, Kara?

I'll get right on it.

- GARRETT: Great.
- KARA: Yeah.

♪


♪ Oh oh oh ♪

No, nothing yet, Grandma,

but I'm watching her like a hawk.

Gotta trust.

[laughs]

Whatever Auntie is hiding,

I'ma get to the bottom of it.

Don't worry, okay?

All right, I'll talk to you later.

Kiss Isabelle and Treyvion for me, okay?

Love you. Bye.

♪ Eat bacon and ice cream hoppin' ♪

♪ A time machine ♪

Go ahead, give it a try.

Okay, let me see what this hittin' on.

Well, what you think?

- It's a'ight.
- It's a'ight?

It's a'ight.

This is authentic, New York City pizza.

It don't get no better than that.

- Mm-hm. [laughs]
- I blame that response

on the lack of culture
down there in ATL.

- Oh, lack of culture.
- Uh-huh.

Akili, do you mind if we
take a seat for a little bit?

- Oh, yeah, of course.
- Here, have a seat.

So, how are you?

These are the wrong shoes
for all this walkin'.

You ever think about buyin' a car?

A car? In New York City?

Nah, cars are for rich people.

But in Atlanta, you'd be hard-pressed

gettin' around without a vehicle, okay?

MAN: A rose for your lady?

- How much?
- MAN: One dollar.

- This is for you.
- Thank you.

No problem.

You know what? I knew that's
why this park looked familiar.

This is where Sidney and Dre
ate hot dogs in "Brown Sugar."

- You want a picture?
- Yeah.

There we go.

- [phone camera clicking]
- AKILI: One more.

- Check those out.
- Thank you.

- Mm-hm.
- [kisses]

♪

What's all this?

The consumer report segment.

Are toilet paper
brands telling the truth

about their sheet count?

We find out on "Great Day USA."

Oh...

From "Bond" girl to two-ply.

- Kara, I'm...
- Save it.

The only reason I'm stuck
in the toilet paper doghouse

is because Garrett thinks

his golden boy Justin can do no wrong.

So, I wonder what's gonna happen

when he finds out what the two of you

have been doing behind his back.

Kara, you wouldn't.

Kara.

♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ That's right, babe ♪

♪ That's right, babe ♪

♪ That's right, babe ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

NIECY: Uh...

no offense, but your
neighborhood's a little ratchet.

- AKILI: [laughs]
- You sure it's safe?

You see the White folks out there?

Gentrification at work.

Ah, good point.

You know, in Atlanta,
it's either nice or 'hood.

Take a seat and I'll
get you a drink, okay?

♪ You be acting like you on one ♪

- ♪ You be acting like you don't want it ♪

♪ How you gon' lie to me ♪

- ♪ Don't I stay a hundred if it's some over ♪

- ♪ It's something like you on top of me right now ♪

♪ Breathin' on me and I'm breathin' on you ♪

[phone camera clicking]

♪ It's like making love ♪

- ♪ But it's more like making magic ♪

♪ We be stopping traffic ♪

♪ We be going this hard ♪

♪ Oh but you already knew that ♪

- Thank you.
- Mm-hm.

♪ You already knew that ♪

♪ You already knew that, girl ♪

♪ You already knew that ♪

♪ But you already knew that ♪

♪ You already knew that, girl ♪

♪ Yeah yeah ♪

♪ Oh oh oh oh oh ♪

♪ Oh oh oh oh oh oh ♪

MARY JANE: [laughs]

She's gonna tell Garrett.

What makes you so sure?

Her team is literally

unspooling toilet paper right now,

all because you opted to side with Dani.

We need to get back on the scoreboard.

Sandra Curtis can do that for us.

And I did not side with
Dani, I agreed with her,

but for very different reasons.

MARY JANE: Mm-hm.

JUSTIN: Look...

our heads are spinning, all right?

Let's just go back to your place.

- Let's get something to eat.
- My niece is in town.

- Oh...
- Yeah, I forgot.

Okay. So, we'll focus on
the interview. That's key.

We get a homerun with Sandra Curtis,

then you'll have Garrett eating
out of the palm of your hand.

And then we can spring it on him.

If we don't turn the tide,
I'm next on the chopping block,

and I will be damned if I
give Ronda that satisfaction.

Garrett's main concern is the ratings.

All we need to do

is promote the hell
out of this interview.

How? There's no time, Justin.

The network's gonna throw together

their usual -second
spot and that's it.

You don't need a spot.

We can certainly milk the
controversy around her comments.

But this is the age of the ground game.

We need something that's gonna create

the same kind of buzz as her rant...

- #GotYouBitch.
- Okay.

JUSTIN: [laughs]

All right, you got something?

How bad do you want it?
By any means necessary?

Yes.

Well, no, wait, no, no. Well, I...

Just promise us one thing.

Our hands remain clean. No fingerprints.

Leave it to me.

[glasses clink]

- Oh, you're about to get it.
- Here we go.

- MEN: [laughing]
- Yeah.

MEN: [laughing]

ORLANDO: Are you kidding me?

Hit the button right now.

- [game bell ringing]
- You missed it. Come on!

KARA: Are you kidding me right now?

- Is this my Mofongo?
- ORLANDO: I don't know.

Is this my leftover Mofongo, yes or no?

I told you I was gonna have
this for dinner tonight.

Don't touch anything!

All right, we're gonna
let you two do your thing.

Later, Orlando, Kara.

- Go.
- Vamos.

KARA: [heavy sigh]

[door closes]

They even got into my freakin'
secret stash over here,

all up in my damn refrigerator!

Pepperoni.

You do remember me.

Mm-hm.

Babe, I don't understand.

Why do you guys insist on
hanging out in my apartment,

when you have that huge penthouse

with all those fancy electronics?

Isn't it obvious?

We don't have all this delicious food.

[laughing] I'm sorry.

You... Baby...

- come here, come here.
- KARA: [sighing]

[kisses]

How was your first day back?

Hell.

[heavy sigh]

The demonio was there.

[quiet laugh]

You know what else I found out today?

Mary Jane is sleeping with Justin.

- What?
- Yep.

That's why she broke up with Lee.

Yep.

And I lost a story because of it.

sh*t.

Yep.

I mean, that's the...

that's the guy that
got me fired, you know?

Where is her friendship?
Where is her loyalty?

And Garrett's treating me
like I'm a damn stranger,

like he doesn't even know who I am.

Hey, you got the job
back. Your rep's intact.

You've been wanting to
make a move to nightly news.

[heavy sigh]

Maybe do it now.

And start all the way
from the bottom? No.

I just got promoted to senior producer.

Babe, maybe you can court Garrett, huh?

Invite him to a game,
maybe even an after-party.

- I don't know.
- Come on.

You can show Mr.
Repressed how you have fun.

You know I don't like to hang
out with fans after the game,

when I'm all keyed up.

Come on, can you imagine my cousin Marco

and Garrett hangin' out
in the same room together?

You need to leave those
clowns at home, okay?

Listen to me. Baby, listen to me.

Garrett knows a lot of people.

You need to think about
this like your down payment

for your future broadcasting career.

Baby, this could be a
win-win for both of us.

Think about it.

I really need this, Papi.

- I really need this.
- All right.

You'd better remember
me in your memoirs.

Oh, baby, you're gonna
get a whole chapter.

[laughs]

♪

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I am going to go and
disintegrate with my pizza...

into a hot bath.

Papi, if you rub my
back, you can join me.

[knock at door]

- Hi.
- Hi.

Auntie, oh, my goodness,
this is gorgeous.

Well, thank you, baby girl.

I know you must be exhausted
from all that sightseeing.

You had a long day.

Yeah, well, it was amazing.

I cannot wait to show
you all the pictures.

Well, make yourself at home.

Okay. Where's the guest room?

Oh, this is it.

Oh, but I thought you
were makin' bait now.

This place costs twice
as much as the old one.

- But it's smaller.
- You got played.

No, you don't understand
New York real estate.

This is the goddess treatment.

Mm, well, even the
Cosbys had a guest room.

Well, the Cosby house is
actually not far from here,

if you wanna go see it.

What?

You just seem different
than what I expected.

And what were you expecting?

For you to be all salty
and soap opera-like.

Because of Lee?

Oh, honey, when you've had
as many break-ups as I have,

you develop a thick skin.

Hm, that's not my
experience, but if you say so.

[cell phone ringing]

Oh!

Is that the guy from your office?

Yeah, Justin, Justin, uh-huh.

You know, but I'm not
discussing work right now.

This is family time.

- You want some hot cocoa?
- Yeah.

- I've got salted caramel.
- Okay.

Okay.

Um, why is he facetiming
you if it's for work?

♪

Justin, Mary Jane, have
you seen this article?

[clears throat]

"Home & Garden Guru Sandra Curtis'

Secret Lesbian Past Revealed."

"Homemaking h*m*'s
Hidden Lesbian History."

"Decorating Diva Loves
the Carpet and the Drapes."

All right, this is begging for
a segment on fake news stories.

It's really, really gotten outta hand.

Yeah, now Sandra wants
to use your interview

to clear up this rumor.

- Oh, yeah, I don't...
- I don't know. I mean...

Maybe this gives us the
ratings boost we need, though.

MARY JANE: What kind
of journalists are we?

We are literally generating fake news.

We didn't generate this, remember?

Not directly.

Look, this woman's comments are vile.

Don't waste your guilt on her.

Do you use a high-powered microscope

- to split those hairs or...
- She's gonna come on the show.

She's gonna dispel the rumors,

and a lot of people who don't
normally watch the show will.

I wish this just didn't leave
such a bad taste in my mouth.

It's a means to an end, right?

Right?

Right.

Good.

Now if we can just get Kara

to keep her mouth shut in the meantime.

Popular culture wants to
normalize this behavior.

But our young people need to know

if they allow themselves to be seduced

by the evil h*m* spirits,

they will be subjected
to eternal damnation.

TY: Ugh.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I was just taking some additional notes.

Please. That woman didn't say nothing

I haven't heard from my parents

every damn day since I came out.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Don't be.

Just bury that bitch.

SANDRA CURTIS: I have
never, in my entire life,

been involved with a woman "that" way.

But what would you say to those

who found your comments in that video

to be hateful and anti-gay?

JUSTIN: That's good.
Don't let her off the hook.

Go hard, but keep it respectful.

I was raised to believe
strongly in the word of Christ.

The Bible is very consistent.

h*m* acts are a sin.

The Bible also forbids tattoos,

and the wearing of mixed fabrics,

and eating pork, premarital sex,

the seeding of lawns.

Do you also take those
condemnations literally?

People in the African-American community

who share similar
religious views as mine

feel the same way about h*m*.

And some would argue that
they are just as wrong as you.

That they, too, are
cherry-picking Bible verses

and using them to restrict the
gay community's civil rights.

You shouldn't get special rights

because of who you sleep with.

Equal, not special.

See? This is the problem.

God-fearing people can't preach the word

without fear of some
mob-mentality backlash.

Is religious freedom really
being att*cked, Sandra?

Or has that just become
the go-to dog whistle

for anyone who has been
called out for bigotry?

Just look at what's happening now.

I am basically being criticized
for believing in Christ.

I would imagine that the backlash

has been difficult for you.

It has.

I love my work...

and now...

It has been hard.

So, what about those
in the gay community

that you've worked with

in the design and decorating industry

who feel injured by your comments,

or those who've purchased your products?

What do you say to them?

Jesus loves you.

JUSTIN: [scoffs]

Sandra Curtis, thank you for coming on.

Great job, Mary Jane. That was great TV.

Nice work.

You and Mary Jane are
really hitting your stride.

- Thank you.
- Mm-hm.

KARA: Hey.

What's this?

You like to support the
hometown team, don't ya?

- Field level?!
- KARA: [laughs]

Kara, uh...

It's just my way saying thank you

for bringing me back.

Yeah.

Enjoy.

Hey. She was really great today.

Yeah, she was great.

And, oh, my goodness,
the camera just loves her.

[chuckles]

Oh, I sure would like to sink my teeth

into that Georgia peach,
you know what I'm sayin'?

[chuckling]

DANI: MJ!

- Oh!
- Oh!

You did such a great job.

Oh. It's Mary Jane, and thank you.

To be truly fair and balanced

is to adequately explore
an issue from both sides

without letting your personal
ideology cloud your piece.

Exactly.

You know, I am so curious.

Dani, are you gonna give
tips to all of our guests,

or just Sandra Curtis?

Oh, you didn't expect me to believe

that she came up with
the whole Black community

comparison on her own, did you?

If you wanna be a part
of the "GDU" family,

it would behoove you to remember

on what side your
Wonder Bread is buttered.

♪

- Good job on the piece.
- Garrett is thrilled.

Thank you.

That was so hard 'cause I'm...

I'm pretty sure that there's
some truth to the story.

I mean, home girl was
protesting a little too...

Stop.

I paid you a compliment.

That doesn't make us friends again.

Kara, I screwed up.

It's not charming, but I'm... I'm human,

and I owned up to it.

No, you don't get to
play a victim, Mary Jane.

You're entitled to mess up,

but I'm entitled to make
that mess up my last straw.

♪ This is for my future baby mama ♪

♪ Hope your skin is black as midnight ♪

♪ I'll take you out that
Honda, I can put you in a Benz ♪

♪ I can balance out your chakras ♪

♪ Fornication is a sin ♪

Hamptons, you havin' a good time?

Friggin' awesome, awesome.

Best night of my life.

Hey, here's to proving you
can hang with the big boys.

GARRETT: Hm...

ORLANDO: Salut!

She's pretty hot, huh, Hamptons?

You wanna meet her?

GARRETT: What? No. I'm good. I'm good.

- MARCO: Let me ask her.
- GARRETT: I'm good. I'm good.

MARCO: Garrett, I want
you to meet Esther.

Esther, meet my man, Garrett.

But you can call him Hamptons,

'cause we all do, right?

[slurring speech] It's
nice to meet you, Esther.

My God, you are beautiful.

- [kisses hand]
- ESTHER: Oh.

[sighs]

_

Come on.

[gasps]

Oh, my God!

Oh, hell, no!

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Oh!

[phone ringing]

Okay, I'll be right back, Hamptons.

- KARA: Yo te dije a ti...
- What's up, Mama?

KARA: ¿Por qué no me escuchas, ah?

Whoa, whoa, hold on. Calm down.

KARA: Ya, déjame...

- Everything's cool.
- KARA: Ya sal de ese sitio.

- Garrett's enjoying himself.
- KARA: Enjoying himself?

Obviously, I've seen
all the photos, Orlando.

- Hey, calm down.
- I'm telling you right now.

I can't understand you
when you talk like that.

I should have never let
you guys go out together.

- ¿Por qué te dejé salir con él?
- You don't trust me?

KARA: Concho.

My boys are behaving
themselves, all right?

I'm telling you, mi amor, trust me.

Your precious Garrett is perfectly fine.

- [heavy punch]
- ESTHER: Oh!

- MARCO: Maybe not do that.
- Oh, sh*t!

_

_

_

_

What the hell is goin' on?

What are you doin'?

What it look like? I'm paintin' you.

Unh-unh, not like this you ain't.

My hair is all messed up.
I got sleep in my eyes.

Are you crazy?

Girl, hush all that up.

You look beautiful.

NIECY: [sighs]

So, wait, you're a painter?

I thought when you said "artist,"

you were trying to be
a rapper or whatever.

[scoffs] Nah.

[laughs]

- You paint all these?
- Mm-hm.

So, you've obviously got
a thing for big girls.

AKILI: [laughs]

Is that why you responded to my profile?

I mean, I'm not gonna lie.

Your profile was sexy.

But I read your tweets

and you seemed like a real
woman who's about something.

Well, these ain't bad, Akili.

[laughs] Thank you.

- How much you sell 'em for?
- Nothing yet.

I do maintenance in the
building in exchange for rent.

That gives me time to work on my art.

It beats working at
some crappy desk job,

or bustin' tables at a restaurant.

Well, a place this size,

they should be paying you to live here.

You don't ever get claustrophobic?

Nah. That's New York.

In a city with million people,

space comes at a premium.

At least I have my own spot.

I used to live with my mom,
up until about a year ago,

if you can believe that.

NIECY: [laughs]

My aunt lives in Manhattan,

and she could buy a mansion in Atlanta

for what she paid for a
regular-sized apartment here.

Your aunt. That's, uh...
that's Mary Jane Paul, right?

Maybe she'll be interested in my work.

A high-profile person like that

would really help a brother out.

Look, come... come check it out.

♪

Like a Black Botticelli angel.

Bota-who?

Aw, y'all wouldn't know what I mean.

So, what you think?

Can I get the introduction?

Hi.

- Kara.
- Yeah.

Last night was so...

awesome!

I mean, look at this. Lookit.

What am I looking at?

That's my battle scar.

Wow, that looks like it hurt.

Oh, it hurt.

- It hurt so good.
- Oh?

And then, afterwards,
there was this woman,

Esther, with the...

she was...

please don't sue me
for talking about this.

Oh, no.

- She was so gorgeous.
- Oh! What a night!

[heavy sigh]

I can't wait to do it again.

Oh? Okay.

Um, I'll, um...

- I'll talk to Orlando.
- Would you really?

That would be amazing.

Sure, um, I'll be in touch.

- Thank you.
- Absolutely. Absolutely.

I'm sorry we didn't have a chance

to spend any time together.

Did you enjoy the sights at least?

Oh, yeah, the sights, they were good.

But, um...

I've got a confession to make.

Okay.

There was a guy.

Niecy, a guy? You were
here all of, what, two days?

Where did you meet a guy?

- The normal way...
- Online.

Oh, goodness.

Well, was it good? Were you safe?

Tell me you were safe.
Just tell... please?

Yes, of course, I was safe.

I'm not gonna be dumb again.

And the sex... it was pretty good.

- And?
- And he a'ight.

I mean, he's just as poor

as those broke-ass dudes in Atlanta.

- Oh, is that right?
- Mm-hm.

Comin' at me, like, baby
girl, I've gotta draw.

Boy, handin' out paintings

on the stoop of your apartment building,

ain't no damn job.

- But he did give me this.
- Mm-hm?

- Oh, wow.
- Yeah.

Niecy, this is gorgeous.

Your boy has some talent.

If you wanna buy it, it's $ .

His broke-ass only wanted
help gettin' his art out there.

And what did your broke-ass want?

You wanted to come to New
York and find a sugar daddy

who was gonna solve all your
problems and take care of you?

Right?

Look, your broke-ass artist,
he might not have any bank,

but he... he found his passion.

Maybe it's time to
get real with yourself

and find that thing that makes
you wanna get up in the morning.

Yeah, but what if I can't find it?

Auntie, you have all of this, you know?

What if I'm just, I
don't know, just regular?

Regular? You don't know that.

How come I don't?

'Cause you haven't even tried, have you?

Now another piece of advice.

Hold on to that painting.

If old boy ends up the next Basquiat,

that's gonna be worth some coin.

- Oh, please.
- I'm serious.

- Please.
- Hey, sorry to interrupt, um...

Uh, Justin, this is my niece, Nicole.

Nicole, this is my producer Justin.

Hi. Oh, everybody calls me Niecy.

- Nice to meet you, Niecy.
- Nice to meet you, too.

JUSTIN: I just wanted
to go over that story

about the -year-old
boy who's building robots.

Okay, give me just a second.
I've gotta see my niece out.

- Okay. Nice to meet you.
- NIECY: Likewise.

What?

Hm. So, what you want
me to tell Grandma?

Nothing. What are you talking about?

You're a terrible liar, Auntie.

- #LightEyes.
- MARY JANE: [laughs]

Yeah, you know, he seems to be

a little too deep in
the game for my liking.

However, so are you,

so, it might be a match made in Heaven.

Did Grandma send you
out here to spy on me?

Well, she said, if you cheated on Lee,

it had to be with somebody fine, so...

She knows I cheated on him?

[sighs] Look, Grandma
is only in your business

because she's worried about you, Auntie.

Yeah, 'cause she thinks
I'm gonna end up alone.

Basically.

Well, tell her that I...

I have not given up on love.

No, no, no. Don't...
Don't... don't say anything.

Just... just give it a little time.

Or I can tell her why you
really came to New York.

Don't worry, I won't go
bumpin' my gums just yet.

Well, you're lucky that
Garrett had a good time, okay...

Which I still can't believe.

I mean, what the hell is wrong with him?

Oh, he doesn't get out much.

I mean, I totally thought
I was gonna get fired again.

How did his goofy-ass
manage to get laid, anyway?

Well, she liked him, you know,
in a pity party kinda way.

[laughs]

So, everything was real nice, huh?

Mama, you have nothing to worry about.

KARA: Yeah, this time.

But I promise you, Orlando,

if you think continuing
to pal around with

all your Animal House frat brothers

is gonna get you

the broadcasting career that you want,

you have a rude awakening coming, okay?

You know, I don't think I heard

"Thank you, Orlando"
once in this conversation.

- Thank you, Orlando.
- Mmm...

I'm serious, Papi, okay?

I do appreciate your help, all right?

- But my point is still valid.
- What point?

KARA: You're never gonna
have a grown-up life,

if you keep draggin' around
that posse of lost boys.

That's the point.

JUSTIN: [clears throat]

Ratings came in.

And?

They're even better than we thought.

Let me see, let me see!

Oh, my God!

Oh! Oh, my God!

Wow!

I always knew we were a great team.

MARY JANE: [laughs]

_

Garrett just saw the ratings as well.

I don't mind a pat on the back, do you?

Not at all.

GARRETT: I don't like
to be kept in the dark

about what's going on on my show.

What do you mean?

- You two.
- You're involved.

Romantically.

We... we are seeing
each other, but it's...

I can assure you it'll
have no effect on our work.

- You've seen the numbers.
- I did.

But just because this has not

negatively affected your work yet,

there are a million other reasons

why this thing is a problem.

We're not breaking any rules

that haven't already been broken.

I mean, "GDU" is literally

a graveyard of Aaron's conquests.

This is an egregious
double standard, Garrett.

You're not going to
att*ck Aaron's character

based on unsubstantiated rumors.

Besides, Justin is a senior producer,

not some intern or production assistant.

He needs to rule on story
assignments, work details.

I mean, how can I believe that

he is going to be fair,
balanced and impartial?

Because I always am.

Look, relationships are messy,

and after what happened with Kara,

the execs are concerned about anything

that could result in a lawsuit.

Disclosing our relationship
eliminates that concern,

so, we can't sue...

But that doesn't eliminate their concern

about you, Mary Jane.

Trust me. You don't wanna
give them another reason

to question your
suitability on this show.

Now, I need to assure everyone upstairs

that I run a tight ship.

So, Justin, I'm taking
you off Mary Jane's stories

- effective immediately.
- What?

And that's not all.

Justin, I'm sending you to Kansas

with Sylvia to cover a developing story.

An uprising is brewing

over the fiscal mismanagement
in the state's capital.

With all due respect,
this feels like a...

bit of an overreach.

I'll be sure to relay
that to the News Director

when I see him, but
until then, it's Kansas.

Your flight leaves this afternoon.

[door closes]

KARA: [typing on keyboard]

Can I see you in my office, please?

I know you were upset about
my relationship with Justin,

but I never thought
you would rat me out.

Excuse me?

Admit it. You told Garrett.

I should have. I had
plenty of reason to.

But just because you've been
a shitty-ass friend to me

doesn't mean that I am.

I don't need to crap all over somebody

to get ahead, Mary Jane.

That's Justin's MO.

Why are you so mad about my
relationship with him, anyway?

I'm not mad, I'm hurt,

because it's only been a few days

and look at you running around

trying to clean up all of his sh*t.

It's just like Andre,
and David, and Sheldon.

But what you don't seem
to realize, Mary Jane,

is that I'm on this
rollercoaster ride with you,

so, when you decide to jump
off, I feel the scrapes, too.

But you know what? I'm done. That's it.

You hear me? Done!

Kara.

So, you didn't tell Garrett.

That's the thing about making
so many enemies, Mary Jane.

When you get stabbed in the back,

you don't know which one did it.

♪

AARON: Kansas, huh?

You heard?

A word of advice.

You might wanna work on your poker face.

It's too strong. It's an obvious talent.

I don't follow.

When I made that comment
about Mary Jane's ass,

you didn't so much as flinch.

It was you that told Garrett.

If you and Mary Jane think
you're gonna get rid of me

as easily as you got rid of Ronda...

[chuckles]

JUSTIN: It was Aaron.

That snake. How did he even know?

I don't know. He figured it out.

Getting on top is gonna
be harder than we planned.

Now that we've got the
dynamic duo of Aaron

and Garrett to contend with, yeah.

[cell phone bings]

My car is here.

I can't believe you're gonna
be gone for a whole week.

At least.

If the story blows
up, it could be longer.

Oh, geez.

♪

I feel like the cat is all
the way out of the bag now.

Yeah.

♪

Hey.

Be careful out there, okay?

♪