1 00:00:01,086 --> 00:00:02,796 NELLA: Previously, on The Other Black Girl... 2 00:00:02,796 --> 00:00:05,173 MAISY: Nella, meet Hazel-May McCall, my new assistant. 3 00:00:05,173 --> 00:00:07,968 - Wait, Burning Heart? This book is literally why I work at Wagner. 4 00:00:07,968 --> 00:00:10,971 - Couple weeks after the book came out, Kendra Rae took her own life. 5 00:00:11,721 --> 00:00:12,597 Broke my heart. 6 00:00:12,597 --> 00:00:13,598 [electricity buzzing] [Kendra Rae screaming] 7 00:00:13,598 --> 00:00:16,560 MALAIKA: Nella, you have to agree that this is mad weird. 8 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:18,144 You don't trust Hazel either. 9 00:00:18,144 --> 00:00:20,063 - I'm the one you don't wanna fuck with. 10 00:00:20,063 --> 00:00:23,441 NELLA: Richard is using Hazel to, like, recruit Black women 11 00:00:23,441 --> 00:00:25,110 and turn them into pod people. 12 00:00:25,110 --> 00:00:26,361 We just have to uncover it, 13 00:00:26,361 --> 00:00:28,280 and then, we use your platform to go public. 14 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:29,447 - Bet. Let's get it. 15 00:00:29,447 --> 00:00:32,324 - Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. Jesse Watson. 16 00:00:32,324 --> 00:00:33,868 HAZEL: You wanna know who's in charge? 17 00:00:33,868 --> 00:00:34,703 It's right in front of you. 18 00:00:34,703 --> 00:00:35,579 NELLA: Diana? It's you? 19 00:00:35,579 --> 00:00:36,413 [tires screech] [Malaika screams] 20 00:00:36,997 --> 00:00:37,831 [Nella screams] 21 00:00:45,964 --> 00:00:48,717 [heavy breathing] 22 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:52,554 - Nella. 23 00:00:52,554 --> 00:00:54,431 - Satan. [panting] 24 00:00:58,602 --> 00:01:00,562 - These are way too tight. - What do you care? 25 00:01:00,562 --> 00:01:02,480 - Just do what she says. Okay? Just take the grease. 26 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:04,858 - What? What are you-- What, what grease? 27 00:01:04,858 --> 00:01:06,026 What are you talking about? - Nella! 28 00:01:06,026 --> 00:01:07,736 DIANA: You still haven't figured it out? 29 00:01:07,736 --> 00:01:08,695 ♪ ominous music plays ♪ 30 00:01:08,695 --> 00:01:11,531 You're smarter than that, Nella. [chair scrapes on floor] 31 00:01:12,616 --> 00:01:13,825 [chair clanks] 32 00:01:14,576 --> 00:01:16,578 ♪ 33 00:01:22,042 --> 00:01:23,335 What do you want, Nella? 34 00:01:23,335 --> 00:01:24,753 - I wanna get the fuck outta here. 35 00:01:25,045 --> 00:01:27,589 - Unfortunately, that's not on the table. 36 00:01:28,798 --> 00:01:29,799 What else? 37 00:01:31,468 --> 00:01:33,428 You wanna be an editor, right? 38 00:01:33,428 --> 00:01:37,182 Because you wanna tell stories about Black people 39 00:01:38,099 --> 00:01:41,144 that'll make the little girl inside of you feel less alone. 40 00:01:42,103 --> 00:01:43,355 That's what you told me. 41 00:01:43,897 --> 00:01:46,650 Well, I'm about to give you all of that. 42 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:53,114 Next week, when Ascendant announces the release of Jesse Watson's book, 43 00:01:53,531 --> 00:01:57,160 we're going to change the world, 44 00:01:57,911 --> 00:01:59,788 and you're gonna be right next to him 45 00:02:00,121 --> 00:02:02,374 getting all the credit that you deserve. 46 00:02:02,874 --> 00:02:06,795 - Wait, Jesse wrote a book in, like... three days? 47 00:02:07,295 --> 00:02:08,672 - Well, his name will be on it, 48 00:02:08,672 --> 00:02:13,969 but... this book has been worked on for years 49 00:02:13,969 --> 00:02:18,473 by me and some of the greatest minds of our sisterhood. 50 00:02:18,473 --> 00:02:21,726 And it's... it's brilliant. 51 00:02:22,936 --> 00:02:26,982 It's going to change the way Black people feel about ourselves. 52 00:02:27,274 --> 00:02:30,485 We just needed a spokesperson, and you gave him to us. 53 00:02:30,819 --> 00:02:34,322 Someone who famously fought the system for years, 54 00:02:34,322 --> 00:02:35,865 admitted he was wrong, 55 00:02:36,616 --> 00:02:40,120 telling people to seek us out and join us. 56 00:02:40,495 --> 00:02:41,788 And that's just the first step. 57 00:02:41,788 --> 00:02:44,040 You'll have Wagner at your disposal. 58 00:02:45,834 --> 00:02:48,670 People like us will have Wagner, 59 00:02:49,254 --> 00:02:50,881 just like you wanted. 60 00:02:53,925 --> 00:02:55,260 - I don't want it 61 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:58,972 if it means I can't look myself in the mirror. 62 00:03:00,807 --> 00:03:03,310 - All that pain you feel about compromising, 63 00:03:03,310 --> 00:03:05,437 it's weighing you down, Nella. 64 00:03:06,354 --> 00:03:09,566 And they put it there. You gonna let them drown you? 65 00:03:09,566 --> 00:03:11,985 You gonna let them choose your future? 66 00:03:13,403 --> 00:03:15,363 The pain is what's holdin' us back. 67 00:03:15,947 --> 00:03:17,532 And if we don't have that, 68 00:03:19,409 --> 00:03:21,411 we can be whatever we wanna be. 69 00:03:22,746 --> 00:03:26,958 - But the pain... is part of what makes us who we are. 70 00:03:28,335 --> 00:03:30,545 - Do you hear how miserable that sounds? 71 00:03:32,547 --> 00:03:34,174 [sighs] What do you say? 72 00:03:34,966 --> 00:03:36,927 Are you ready to change your life? 73 00:03:39,596 --> 00:03:40,680 - Diana? 74 00:03:41,264 --> 00:03:42,515 - Yes, dear? 75 00:03:44,434 --> 00:03:45,727 - Fuck you. 76 00:03:49,356 --> 00:03:50,357 - Ladies. 77 00:03:51,900 --> 00:03:52,817 Hazel. 78 00:03:52,817 --> 00:03:56,154 - Shani. Hazel, don't. Please. - Hazel! 79 00:03:56,154 --> 00:03:58,490 NELLA: Shani, don't do this. 80 00:03:58,490 --> 00:03:59,908 Hazel, don't. 81 00:04:00,575 --> 00:04:01,785 Hazel, please! 82 00:04:03,453 --> 00:04:05,205 [taser zapping] [women screaming] 83 00:04:05,205 --> 00:04:06,665 [taser zaps] [Hazel groans, thuds] 84 00:04:06,665 --> 00:04:07,958 - What the fuck? 85 00:04:08,667 --> 00:04:09,834 You look good. 86 00:04:09,834 --> 00:04:11,378 - No, I don't, bitch. 87 00:04:11,378 --> 00:04:14,089 [taser zaps] [Diana yelps, thuds] 88 00:04:14,631 --> 00:04:17,467 - You're... dead. 89 00:04:18,260 --> 00:04:20,011 - You know who I am? [Nella gasps] 90 00:04:20,011 --> 00:04:21,846 - Kendra Rae Phillips. How? 91 00:04:21,846 --> 00:04:23,515 - Come with me. Come on! 92 00:04:25,642 --> 00:04:28,853 ♪ tense, eerie theme music playing ♪ 93 00:04:38,780 --> 00:04:40,740 ♪ upbeat talk show music playing ♪ 94 00:04:40,740 --> 00:04:43,201 [audience applauds] 95 00:04:44,035 --> 00:04:45,787 CHELSEA: And we're back with two ladies 96 00:04:45,787 --> 00:04:48,665 who are taking the literary world by storm. 97 00:04:48,665 --> 00:04:51,835 Diana Gordon is the author of the hit new novel, Burning Heart, 98 00:04:51,835 --> 00:04:53,503 and Kendra Rae Phillips is her editor. 99 00:04:53,503 --> 00:04:56,256 And, get this, they grew up together. 100 00:04:56,256 --> 00:04:57,757 AUDIENCE: Aw. 101 00:04:57,757 --> 00:05:01,511 - Ladies, your book is a surprise number one bestseller. 102 00:05:01,511 --> 00:05:03,054 Tell us how it all came together. 103 00:05:03,305 --> 00:05:06,266 - I'd been struggling to tell Evie's story for years. 104 00:05:06,266 --> 00:05:08,518 Kenny crystallized everything for me, 105 00:05:08,518 --> 00:05:11,479 and then, of course, she took my book to Wagner. 106 00:05:11,479 --> 00:05:15,108 - Where Richard Wagner took a chance on two African American women 107 00:05:15,108 --> 00:05:17,152 with no experience. 108 00:05:17,152 --> 00:05:18,945 You two must be so grateful to him. 109 00:05:18,945 --> 00:05:21,948 - We are. He's a great man. [Kendra Rae laughs] 110 00:05:22,991 --> 00:05:25,911 - And things were easy with you two? 111 00:05:25,911 --> 00:05:28,496 I know if I was working with my best friend, 112 00:05:28,496 --> 00:05:30,874 we would be scratching each other's eyes out. 113 00:05:30,874 --> 00:05:32,667 [laughs] [audience laughs] 114 00:05:32,667 --> 00:05:34,377 I am sorry, Marcia. It's true. 115 00:05:34,377 --> 00:05:35,212 [laughter] 116 00:05:35,503 --> 00:05:40,675 - Definitely. I got to work with someone who... means the world to me. 117 00:05:40,675 --> 00:05:41,843 My sister. 118 00:05:41,843 --> 00:05:42,677 AUDIENCE: Aw. 119 00:05:43,261 --> 00:05:44,471 - Kendra Rae? 120 00:05:47,682 --> 00:05:49,017 - We worked really hard. 121 00:05:49,684 --> 00:05:51,853 This book was something I really cared about, 122 00:05:52,270 --> 00:05:53,688 and that's why I'm here today. 123 00:05:54,022 --> 00:05:56,566 - It's not perfect, but what is, right? 124 00:05:57,025 --> 00:05:58,401 - What do you mean, "not perfect?" 125 00:05:58,401 --> 00:06:00,904 - [chuckles] Yes, Diana, what do you mean? 126 00:06:01,571 --> 00:06:03,198 Do you have any regrets? 127 00:06:05,408 --> 00:06:06,576 - No. 128 00:06:06,868 --> 00:06:09,079 - [quietly] Wow. 129 00:06:09,079 --> 00:06:10,872 Okay. Well, I do. 130 00:06:10,872 --> 00:06:13,667 - Kenny, please. It is-- - No, no. I'd rather have made nothing 131 00:06:13,667 --> 00:06:15,544 than watch you lie to yourself. 132 00:06:15,544 --> 00:06:18,838 - And if we would've done your ending, that's exactly what we would've made. 133 00:06:19,089 --> 00:06:20,090 Nothing! [Kendra Rae scoffs] 134 00:06:20,090 --> 00:06:23,176 What's the point of writing a book no one's gonna read? 135 00:06:23,176 --> 00:06:25,303 - Being able to say you kept fighting! 136 00:06:25,303 --> 00:06:27,430 Not doin' whatever dance white people tell you to do. 137 00:06:27,430 --> 00:06:29,849 [crowd clamoring] - Ooh. 138 00:06:30,725 --> 00:06:31,977 - Excuse me? 139 00:06:31,977 --> 00:06:35,814 - I think this experience has taught me a very valuable lesson, Chelsea. 140 00:06:35,814 --> 00:06:37,315 - And, uh, what's, what's that? 141 00:06:37,315 --> 00:06:39,943 - I'd rather never work for the rest of my life 142 00:06:39,943 --> 00:06:41,319 than be Richard Wagner's whore. 143 00:06:41,319 --> 00:06:42,654 [crowd gasps] 144 00:06:42,654 --> 00:06:44,573 [amped-up murmuring] 145 00:06:45,699 --> 00:06:49,160 [mic feedback screeches] ♪ upbeat talk show music plays ♪ 146 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:51,204 CHELSEA: Uh, coming up next, uh, Jazzercise. 147 00:06:51,204 --> 00:06:52,956 Nobody's doing that, right? [chuckles] 148 00:06:52,956 --> 00:06:53,873 After this break. 149 00:06:53,873 --> 00:06:55,417 ♪ 150 00:06:56,710 --> 00:06:58,420 KENDRA RAE: I was at the peak of my career 151 00:06:58,420 --> 00:07:00,213 and she took everything from me. 152 00:07:00,213 --> 00:07:02,841 Shani found me and told me Diana was after you-- 153 00:07:04,467 --> 00:07:06,970 Well, after you fought for my ending, I knew I had to save you. 154 00:07:07,220 --> 00:07:09,431 NELLA: This really the only clothes they had? 155 00:07:12,058 --> 00:07:14,769 - Well, it was that or "I heart guns." 156 00:07:16,104 --> 00:07:18,064 You'll get used to gas station clothes. 157 00:07:18,064 --> 00:07:19,608 If they find you, sometimes you have to run 158 00:07:19,608 --> 00:07:22,485 with... just the Tigger t-shirt on your back. 159 00:07:22,485 --> 00:07:24,654 - So, that's where you've been. Running. 160 00:07:25,447 --> 00:07:28,909 - Richard and Diana tried to force me to sell my soul. 161 00:07:29,910 --> 00:07:33,580 The system will always make you give up a part of yourself to succeed. 162 00:07:33,997 --> 00:07:36,041 Don't you wanna stay true to yourself? 163 00:07:36,833 --> 00:07:39,753 Everything you believe in. To never compromise. 164 00:07:39,753 --> 00:07:44,507 To wake up every day... and think, "I'm free." 165 00:07:44,507 --> 00:07:46,551 ♪ 166 00:07:46,551 --> 00:07:48,011 Isn't that what you want? 167 00:07:49,804 --> 00:07:50,639 Nella? 168 00:07:51,348 --> 00:07:52,182 Isn't it? 169 00:07:53,183 --> 00:07:54,059 - Yeah. 170 00:07:55,227 --> 00:07:56,061 I want that. 171 00:07:57,103 --> 00:07:58,104 - Proud of you. 172 00:07:58,855 --> 00:08:00,482 Text your friends goodbye, give me your phone, 173 00:08:00,482 --> 00:08:02,234 so I can run over it. - Wait, what? 174 00:08:02,234 --> 00:08:04,069 Don't we have to go and stop Jesse's book? 175 00:08:04,069 --> 00:08:07,489 No, no, no. I-I-I can't just-- I-I have to see my friends. 176 00:08:09,908 --> 00:08:11,910 - You're not gonna like what ya see. 177 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:17,874 NURSE [over intercom]: Dr. Weber, dial 2422. Dr. Weber, 2422. 178 00:08:17,874 --> 00:08:20,293 - This happened because of me. 179 00:08:20,293 --> 00:08:23,421 - And it'll keep happening until you're in Idaho. 180 00:08:24,506 --> 00:08:25,507 - What? 181 00:08:28,176 --> 00:08:29,678 - I need to talk to Malaika. 182 00:08:33,098 --> 00:08:34,099 Alone. 183 00:08:35,183 --> 00:08:39,020 - Idaho? Wait, what did she mean by-- 184 00:08:39,020 --> 00:08:43,108 [indistinct chatter in hallway] 185 00:08:43,108 --> 00:08:46,611 ♪ tense music playing ♪ 186 00:08:46,611 --> 00:08:47,988 - Where did they go? 187 00:08:47,988 --> 00:08:50,156 - I have my whole crew on it. We will find them. 188 00:08:50,156 --> 00:08:51,533 DIANA: Your crew? 189 00:08:51,533 --> 00:08:52,492 We're trying to catch her, 190 00:08:52,492 --> 00:08:54,869 not get her to follow our wellness Instagram. 191 00:08:54,869 --> 00:08:57,080 - No, we don't even need Nella. 192 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:59,499 - We just can't have her derail everything. 193 00:09:00,584 --> 00:09:02,085 We'll just do what we did to Shani. 194 00:09:02,085 --> 00:09:03,086 - No! 195 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:07,924 No, she will come around. 196 00:09:08,466 --> 00:09:09,467 We'll fix it. 197 00:09:10,135 --> 00:09:11,136 I will fix it. 198 00:09:12,596 --> 00:09:13,680 - I know you will. 199 00:09:14,180 --> 00:09:15,932 DIANA: She really doesn't have a choice. 200 00:09:15,932 --> 00:09:18,935 If Nella isn't greased by the end of today, 201 00:09:18,935 --> 00:09:21,396 Hazel is no longer part of our operation. 202 00:09:22,856 --> 00:09:24,024 - I won't let you down. 203 00:09:24,566 --> 00:09:26,109 - I guess we'll see. 204 00:09:27,986 --> 00:09:31,156 ♪ 205 00:09:34,326 --> 00:09:38,079 - Kendra Rae can't hurt us, Di, she's nothing. 206 00:09:38,079 --> 00:09:40,790 I'll protect you. I always have. 207 00:09:42,751 --> 00:09:43,585 Hey. 208 00:09:44,794 --> 00:09:46,171 Look at everything you are. 209 00:09:47,172 --> 00:09:49,174 Look at everything you have. 210 00:09:50,217 --> 00:09:51,885 We made the right choice. 211 00:09:51,885 --> 00:09:54,888 I'm more sure of it every day. 212 00:09:59,392 --> 00:10:01,186 - I just need a moment. 213 00:10:01,186 --> 00:10:04,397 ♪ tense music continues ♪ 214 00:10:04,397 --> 00:10:05,607 - Okay. 215 00:10:08,985 --> 00:10:10,195 [sighs] 216 00:10:11,404 --> 00:10:12,656 - No! No. 217 00:10:12,656 --> 00:10:15,533 Absolutely the fuck not. [bed motor whirs] 218 00:10:15,533 --> 00:10:18,870 You, you are not running away-- Can this thing go any faster? 219 00:10:18,870 --> 00:10:20,163 You're not running away. 220 00:10:20,413 --> 00:10:21,331 Where is Owen? 221 00:10:21,331 --> 00:10:23,208 - He's goin' to get ya Milk Duds to calm ya down. 222 00:10:23,208 --> 00:10:24,167 [bed clicks into position] 223 00:10:24,918 --> 00:10:26,711 - So, you're just gonna give up? 224 00:10:26,711 --> 00:10:28,380 - To protect you both. 225 00:10:28,380 --> 00:10:30,674 I mean, what am I supposed to do? Look what they did to you. 226 00:10:30,674 --> 00:10:32,592 Kendra Rae is right, they're too powerful. 227 00:10:32,592 --> 00:10:35,303 - Okay, I know you love her book or whatever, but she is not a hero. 228 00:10:35,303 --> 00:10:38,848 She is just a person who needs to get her nails done. 229 00:10:38,848 --> 00:10:40,058 - At least she's alive. 230 00:10:40,892 --> 00:10:43,436 - She abandoned everyone. 231 00:10:43,436 --> 00:10:44,479 She abandoned you. 232 00:10:44,479 --> 00:10:48,149 She knew what Diana was doin' and she ran away for 35 years. 233 00:10:48,149 --> 00:10:50,944 - Okay, well, we don't know what the world was like for her back then. 234 00:10:50,944 --> 00:10:53,196 - Exactly. "Back then." 235 00:10:53,196 --> 00:10:55,240 They didn't have phones. They-- [scoffs] 236 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:57,117 I don't even know if they had cars. 237 00:10:57,117 --> 00:10:58,660 - They had cars. 238 00:10:58,660 --> 00:11:02,664 - Things... are different... for you. 239 00:11:03,373 --> 00:11:04,708 You know their plan. 240 00:11:07,669 --> 00:11:08,795 - It's true. 241 00:11:08,795 --> 00:11:12,299 - And now, you need to stop that Jesse book from ever gettin' published. 242 00:11:12,966 --> 00:11:15,677 - I need... to know that you're safe, 243 00:11:16,678 --> 00:11:18,388 so that I can live with myself. 244 00:11:18,847 --> 00:11:21,016 - You never gonna be able to live with yourself 245 00:11:21,016 --> 00:11:22,642 if that book sees the light of day. 246 00:11:22,642 --> 00:11:24,352 - But what are they gonna do to you? 247 00:11:24,853 --> 00:11:26,396 - They hit me with a car already. 248 00:11:26,396 --> 00:11:30,150 I'm pretty ready for whatever comes next. 249 00:11:34,654 --> 00:11:36,948 Think about the girls comin' up after you. 250 00:11:36,948 --> 00:11:38,533 ♪ dramatic music playing ♪ 251 00:11:38,533 --> 00:11:41,286 Isn't that the whole reason why you stayed at Wagner? 252 00:11:41,995 --> 00:11:44,998 For the nerdy, little Nellas out there? 253 00:11:45,999 --> 00:11:50,754 They're gonna be just as alone as you were if you don't help them. 254 00:11:50,754 --> 00:11:54,466 Now, go do whatever you want after. 255 00:11:54,466 --> 00:11:57,677 Go run a bed and breakfast with Kendra Rae in Vermont. 256 00:11:58,470 --> 00:12:00,222 But you have to stop that book. 257 00:12:00,805 --> 00:12:02,724 ♪ 258 00:12:02,724 --> 00:12:03,934 - You're right. 259 00:12:05,810 --> 00:12:07,103 - What's goin' on? 260 00:12:07,729 --> 00:12:09,356 What are we gonna do now? 261 00:12:12,025 --> 00:12:13,652 - Where the fuck are my Milk Duds? 262 00:12:16,529 --> 00:12:18,657 - Okay, so, to stop Jesse's book, how 'bout this? 263 00:12:18,657 --> 00:12:21,117 - If you suggest callin' the motherfuckin' police again-- 264 00:12:21,826 --> 00:12:23,912 - How 'bout our congressperson? 265 00:12:24,329 --> 00:12:25,580 - Do you know who that is? 266 00:12:25,789 --> 00:12:27,040 - Mark something. 267 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:28,625 [Nella groans] [Owen sighs] 268 00:12:29,125 --> 00:12:32,546 - TikTok. Okay? I've been sayin' it all along. 269 00:12:32,546 --> 00:12:36,174 You will get all over the news, and then Oprah would interview you. 270 00:12:36,174 --> 00:12:39,302 - I don't think Oprah interviews people who believe in magic hair grease. 271 00:12:39,302 --> 00:12:41,721 - She used to in the '80s. [knock at door] 272 00:12:44,474 --> 00:12:46,726 - [whispering] Oh, my God. - [whispering] Is it Kendra Rae? 273 00:12:46,726 --> 00:12:49,145 - She said she wouldn't be back for hours. 274 00:12:49,145 --> 00:12:51,398 - You hide. I'll get a knife. 275 00:12:51,398 --> 00:12:53,692 - [whispering] No knives. - I think a knife is a good idea. 276 00:12:53,692 --> 00:12:55,110 [knocking continues] 277 00:12:55,110 --> 00:12:56,319 VERA: Nella? 278 00:12:57,988 --> 00:12:58,863 - Vera? 279 00:12:58,863 --> 00:13:01,241 - Uh. [cat meowing] 280 00:13:01,241 --> 00:13:03,660 Nella, do you have a cat? 281 00:13:07,038 --> 00:13:08,331 [latch clicks open] 282 00:13:09,916 --> 00:13:11,918 - [softly] Surprise. [chuckles] 283 00:13:11,918 --> 00:13:15,547 - What are you doin' here? - I brought garlic knots. [chuckles] 284 00:13:17,257 --> 00:13:19,926 Maisy texted to tell me that you've been placed on leave. 285 00:13:19,926 --> 00:13:22,762 I thought it might be nice to commiserate. 286 00:13:23,555 --> 00:13:27,976 Uh, hello. Malaika! What happened? 287 00:13:28,560 --> 00:13:29,769 - I fell. 288 00:13:30,437 --> 00:13:32,731 - Oh, I'm so sorry. MALAIKA: Hm. 289 00:13:32,731 --> 00:13:34,774 - Uh, okay. [chuckling] This is weird. 290 00:13:34,774 --> 00:13:36,693 Um, I should go. [mutters] 291 00:13:36,693 --> 00:13:38,111 NELLA: Uh, a-actually, wait. 292 00:13:39,613 --> 00:13:42,574 Uh... hypothetically speaking, 293 00:13:42,574 --> 00:13:45,035 if you wanted to keep a book from getting published, 294 00:13:45,410 --> 00:13:46,661 what would you do? 295 00:13:46,661 --> 00:13:49,831 - Bury a sensitivity read that says the writer's a racist. 296 00:13:50,540 --> 00:13:51,499 - Brilliant. 297 00:13:52,292 --> 00:13:53,293 We get the author canceled. 298 00:13:53,293 --> 00:13:54,961 - Girl, how? 299 00:13:54,961 --> 00:13:57,214 - We take his credibility, and then, we turn his followers against him. 300 00:13:57,214 --> 00:13:58,882 - Wait, wait, wait, wait. Who we talkin' about? 301 00:13:58,882 --> 00:14:01,051 - Oh, uh, no one. [laughs] 302 00:14:01,051 --> 00:14:01,885 VERA: Oh. - Thank you so much 303 00:14:01,885 --> 00:14:03,720 for the garlic knots. - Sure. No, sure. 304 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:04,888 - It was really great-- Bye! 305 00:14:04,888 --> 00:14:06,598 VERA: Bye, bye. Enjoy the knots! NELLA [chuckling]: Yeah, okay. 306 00:14:06,598 --> 00:14:07,557 [door clicks shut] 307 00:14:07,557 --> 00:14:10,810 If Jesse's book gets leaked before Richard and Diana have a chance 308 00:14:10,810 --> 00:14:13,605 to do their little PR spin, and without Jesse's endorsement, 309 00:14:13,605 --> 00:14:15,815 then his followers will completely alienate him. 310 00:14:15,815 --> 00:14:17,859 They'll think he's a total sellout, and they'll boycott the book, 311 00:14:17,859 --> 00:14:20,654 and it'll tank their entire plan. - Okay. 312 00:14:20,654 --> 00:14:23,198 But how do we get the book to then leak it? 313 00:14:23,198 --> 00:14:25,450 - Yeah. You heard Vera, they put you on leave. 314 00:14:25,450 --> 00:14:28,536 Richard probably made sure your badge doesn't work anymore. 315 00:14:28,536 --> 00:14:29,955 - My badge doesn't. 316 00:14:32,332 --> 00:14:35,168 [dialing number, ringback tone] 317 00:14:35,168 --> 00:14:38,630 Hey, Sophie, my fellow Phish Head-- Phish Food? 318 00:14:38,630 --> 00:14:40,423 What, what do, what do we call ourselves? 319 00:14:40,423 --> 00:14:42,050 [elevator dings] 320 00:14:42,050 --> 00:14:45,053 ♪ tense music playing ♪ 321 00:14:55,605 --> 00:14:56,982 [knock on door] 322 00:14:56,982 --> 00:14:59,192 [TV playing indistinctly] 323 00:14:59,192 --> 00:15:00,735 [knocking persists] 324 00:15:01,194 --> 00:15:02,195 DIANA: Kenny? 325 00:15:02,571 --> 00:15:03,780 I know you're in there. 326 00:15:03,780 --> 00:15:06,199 I can hear Jackée through the door. 327 00:15:07,242 --> 00:15:09,244 [audience on TV laughs] 328 00:15:12,289 --> 00:15:13,164 [TV clicks off] 329 00:15:17,294 --> 00:15:20,589 Hey, you want some of the cheapest wine in New York City? 330 00:15:22,048 --> 00:15:25,385 This is not the way things end for us. I refuse. 331 00:15:32,350 --> 00:15:34,352 ♪ 332 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:40,233 [distant siren wails] 333 00:15:44,738 --> 00:15:47,115 - Shit. [sighs] 334 00:15:50,368 --> 00:15:52,370 [computer dings] [Nella sighs] 335 00:15:54,414 --> 00:15:56,499 Uhh. 336 00:15:56,499 --> 00:15:59,878 [computer chimes for correct password] Oh, come on. 337 00:16:01,338 --> 00:16:04,966 - [sighs] We're different, Kenny. 338 00:16:04,966 --> 00:16:10,639 You've always felt everything... so much, and that means pain. 339 00:16:10,639 --> 00:16:13,266 But maybe that doesn't have to be your future. 340 00:16:14,226 --> 00:16:16,978 - What future? I'm gonna get fired. 341 00:16:16,978 --> 00:16:19,439 - Girl, you just need a new attitude. 342 00:16:20,357 --> 00:16:21,983 Let me do your hair. 343 00:16:22,484 --> 00:16:25,487 - What? - Yeah. Like we used to. 344 00:16:25,487 --> 00:16:27,530 Cheap chardonnay and braids. 345 00:16:27,530 --> 00:16:31,284 You got to admit, you look like that baby that fell in the well. 346 00:16:33,453 --> 00:16:36,122 - I really do. - Mm. Mm-mm-mm. 347 00:16:38,541 --> 00:16:40,544 NELLA [whispering]: Jesse Watson. 348 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:45,131 "Radical Power?" Ugh, fuck you. 349 00:16:51,930 --> 00:16:53,932 [laughing] 350 00:16:56,101 --> 00:16:58,228 - I'd do anything for you. 351 00:16:58,228 --> 00:16:59,646 You know that, right? 352 00:17:00,355 --> 00:17:01,982 And you'd do the same for me? 353 00:17:04,276 --> 00:17:05,694 - Of course. 354 00:17:05,694 --> 00:17:07,153 [Diana chuckles] Yes. 355 00:17:07,153 --> 00:17:09,406 - Okay. [Kendra Rae laughs] 356 00:17:11,491 --> 00:17:14,494 ♪ ominous music playing ♪ 357 00:17:21,167 --> 00:17:23,795 [light buzzing softly] 358 00:17:28,133 --> 00:17:31,803 Ya know... Richard told me he's not gonna fire you. 359 00:17:32,721 --> 00:17:35,724 - Wh-What? You, you talked to Richard? 360 00:17:36,516 --> 00:17:37,809 - Just before I came here. 361 00:17:38,852 --> 00:17:40,228 We made a deal. 362 00:17:40,228 --> 00:17:41,396 - What deal? 363 00:17:41,396 --> 00:17:43,648 - He said he's gonna kill the Chelsea interview. 364 00:17:43,648 --> 00:17:46,067 It's bad for the book, bad for us. 365 00:17:46,067 --> 00:17:48,445 And he'll leave ya alone. You can have your career. 366 00:17:48,445 --> 00:17:52,282 People just will never know what you said. 367 00:17:52,282 --> 00:17:55,702 [muffled] And you and I will be on the same team again. 368 00:17:56,661 --> 00:17:58,204 Doesn't that sound good? 369 00:17:58,204 --> 00:17:59,706 ♪ music intensifies ♪ 370 00:17:59,706 --> 00:18:00,582 [Kendra Rae scoffs] 371 00:18:01,291 --> 00:18:05,503 [Kendra Rae groans] 372 00:18:06,213 --> 00:18:08,798 [groaning] 373 00:18:08,798 --> 00:18:11,218 [loud scream] [subway car screeches] 374 00:18:11,218 --> 00:18:12,677 [Kendra Rae whimpers] 375 00:18:14,846 --> 00:18:16,848 ♪ eerie music playing ♪ 376 00:18:21,519 --> 00:18:22,729 - That's great. 377 00:18:23,897 --> 00:18:27,525 ♪ I'm Sticking With You by The Velvet Underground playing ♪ 378 00:18:28,235 --> 00:18:32,405 ♪ And I'm doing the same ♪ - Come on. 379 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:37,994 ♪ Saw you hanging from a tree ♪ 380 00:18:37,994 --> 00:18:42,415 ♪ And I made believe it was me ♪ [Kendra Rae sighs] 381 00:18:44,834 --> 00:18:46,461 [light buzzing] 382 00:18:49,464 --> 00:18:52,092 ♪ tense music playing ♪ 383 00:18:55,387 --> 00:18:57,222 [glass shatters] [screams] 384 00:18:57,222 --> 00:18:59,224 ♪ 385 00:19:06,898 --> 00:19:09,776 ♪ 386 00:19:22,455 --> 00:19:23,665 [shard scrapes] 387 00:19:29,296 --> 00:19:30,130 ♪ tense musical sting ♪ 388 00:19:30,922 --> 00:19:32,340 - Don't freak out. - Is it just you? 389 00:19:32,340 --> 00:19:33,174 - Nella, Nella. 390 00:19:33,174 --> 00:19:34,968 - I can take you. I'm already bleeding. - Nella, 391 00:19:34,968 --> 00:19:36,344 I just want you to have everything. 392 00:19:36,344 --> 00:19:38,889 All it takes is just one little compromise. 393 00:19:38,889 --> 00:19:40,807 - Little? This is some Get Out shit! 394 00:19:40,807 --> 00:19:43,518 - I just really wish you could see the bigger picture here. 395 00:19:43,518 --> 00:19:45,896 - Oh, you and Diana's evil bullshit? 396 00:19:45,896 --> 00:19:47,939 - Diana doesn't even know that I'm here. 397 00:19:48,565 --> 00:19:50,442 I am your friend, Nella. 398 00:19:50,442 --> 00:19:53,862 If you can listen to one thing, just listen to that. 399 00:19:55,363 --> 00:19:56,698 You don't understand. 400 00:19:58,783 --> 00:20:01,328 I don't come from anything. 401 00:20:01,328 --> 00:20:03,496 ♪ music softens ♪ 402 00:20:03,496 --> 00:20:05,540 Diana gave me my way out. 403 00:20:05,540 --> 00:20:08,543 And this, this is a better life. 404 00:20:09,294 --> 00:20:13,048 This is a real life where we can be real friends, 405 00:20:13,048 --> 00:20:16,051 and we can work on projects that we care about. 406 00:20:16,051 --> 00:20:18,428 - And all it costs is our souls. - Girl. 407 00:20:18,428 --> 00:20:22,224 Do you really think white people are out here distracted all fuckin' day 408 00:20:22,224 --> 00:20:24,309 about how furious they are at the world? 409 00:20:24,309 --> 00:20:27,395 Don't you just wanna free your mind from that shit? 410 00:20:27,395 --> 00:20:29,814 - I can't let Jesse's book get out there. 411 00:20:29,814 --> 00:20:31,942 - So, you're just gonna blow your whole life up? 412 00:20:31,942 --> 00:20:33,109 And have nothing? 413 00:20:33,568 --> 00:20:35,445 Just like Kendra Rae. 414 00:20:36,279 --> 00:20:38,949 You really need to forget what little Nella 415 00:20:38,949 --> 00:20:40,951 thinks the world is supposed to look like. 416 00:20:40,951 --> 00:20:44,371 And you need to think about what you want. 417 00:20:44,371 --> 00:20:47,958 Everyone makes sacrifices to get ahead. 418 00:20:48,333 --> 00:20:51,211 Be for real. You've already done it. 419 00:20:51,211 --> 00:20:53,755 You got your foot in the door by goin' to a white school. 420 00:20:54,631 --> 00:20:57,759 You tell Richard Wagner how smart he is. 421 00:20:57,759 --> 00:21:00,387 Vera how insightful she is. 422 00:21:01,429 --> 00:21:04,558 And the thing is, Diana made compromises, too. 423 00:21:05,934 --> 00:21:08,103 And you love Burning Heart. 424 00:21:08,103 --> 00:21:09,646 Changed your life. 425 00:21:09,938 --> 00:21:11,940 And Kendra Rae, she stood her ground. 426 00:21:11,940 --> 00:21:12,899 But for what? 427 00:21:13,191 --> 00:21:15,944 For a book that actually touched you? 428 00:21:17,737 --> 00:21:20,699 Compromising doesn't have to mean giving up your goals. 429 00:21:20,991 --> 00:21:22,993 You just have to play the game. 430 00:21:22,993 --> 00:21:26,371 Because it is the only way that we can win 431 00:21:26,371 --> 00:21:29,791 in a system that is stacked against us. 432 00:21:29,791 --> 00:21:31,209 And this? 433 00:21:32,836 --> 00:21:35,839 This just makes it so it doesn't hurt so much. 434 00:21:37,090 --> 00:21:40,802 Everything you've worked for... is right here. 435 00:21:42,804 --> 00:21:44,139 - What'll I become? 436 00:21:44,139 --> 00:21:46,141 ♪ 437 00:21:47,601 --> 00:21:49,686 - A person with an easier life. 438 00:21:51,187 --> 00:21:53,189 You just have to give yourself permission. 439 00:21:54,816 --> 00:21:58,236 ♪ soft, melancholy music playing ♪ 440 00:22:01,781 --> 00:22:03,199 [sharp exhale] 441 00:22:07,746 --> 00:22:11,458 ♪ 442 00:22:29,059 --> 00:22:31,061 ♪ 443 00:22:46,034 --> 00:22:49,037 ♪ tense music playing ♪ 444 00:22:52,874 --> 00:22:56,503 ♪ singers humming somberly ♪ 445 00:23:02,342 --> 00:23:04,010 [groans] 446 00:23:04,010 --> 00:23:07,097 [voices chattering] 447 00:23:07,097 --> 00:23:10,267 ♪ singers hum somberly ♪ 448 00:23:22,153 --> 00:23:25,156 [voices chattering] 449 00:23:34,249 --> 00:23:37,252 ♪ singers singing ♪ 450 00:23:42,507 --> 00:23:43,842 [elevator dings] 451 00:23:46,344 --> 00:23:49,347 ♪ soft music playing ♪ 452 00:23:49,347 --> 00:23:53,059 RICHARD: And I think I speak for everyone at Wagner. 453 00:23:53,310 --> 00:23:55,562 Well, I know I speak for everyone in Wagner. 454 00:23:55,562 --> 00:23:58,398 I'm Wagner for God's sake, uh, [employees laugh] 455 00:23:58,398 --> 00:24:03,945 but I hope I also speak for everyone at Ascendant Books when I say 456 00:24:03,945 --> 00:24:05,989 next month's launch of Radical Power 457 00:24:05,989 --> 00:24:09,659 will be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship. 458 00:24:09,659 --> 00:24:12,287 - You are-- Everyone's in the conference room. 459 00:24:12,287 --> 00:24:15,498 - Thank you, Jesse! Come on, everybody. A toast. 460 00:24:15,498 --> 00:24:18,335 - You can't cheers with an empty glass, Dick. 461 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:21,504 It's bad luck. 462 00:24:21,504 --> 00:24:22,839 - Oh, shit. 463 00:24:24,341 --> 00:24:27,510 ♪ music swells ♪ 464 00:24:27,510 --> 00:24:29,971 - I'm sorry? What are you doing here? 465 00:24:29,971 --> 00:24:32,766 - [scoffs] You didn't think you were gonna change the world 466 00:24:32,766 --> 00:24:34,059 without me, did you? 467 00:24:34,768 --> 00:24:37,270 Richard and Diana asked me to come back 468 00:24:37,270 --> 00:24:40,774 to make sure that your brilliant book gets in as many hands as possible. 469 00:24:40,774 --> 00:24:42,484 And I jumped at the chance. 470 00:24:42,692 --> 00:24:45,987 It's a message that I truly and deeply believe in. 471 00:24:47,614 --> 00:24:49,658 Not to mention it's gonna make us all some serious bank. 472 00:24:49,658 --> 00:24:51,701 [all laugh] 473 00:24:51,701 --> 00:24:53,578 - Well, that sounds good to me. 474 00:24:53,828 --> 00:24:59,793 - To Jesse and to Nella Rogers, our newest senior editor. 475 00:24:59,793 --> 00:25:01,586 [group murmurs] 476 00:25:01,586 --> 00:25:02,629 [slight chuckle] 477 00:25:03,630 --> 00:25:04,756 Cheers, everybody. 478 00:25:04,756 --> 00:25:07,092 ALL: Cheers. 479 00:25:07,092 --> 00:25:09,719 [group chatters indistinctly] 480 00:25:14,641 --> 00:25:17,686 - You look great. [chuckles] [Nella chuckles] 481 00:25:17,894 --> 00:25:19,521 I love what you've done with your hair, 482 00:25:19,521 --> 00:25:21,856 and it looks like you've been using a new product. 483 00:25:21,856 --> 00:25:23,608 - Every day. - Mm. 484 00:25:23,608 --> 00:25:24,985 - You were so right. 485 00:25:24,985 --> 00:25:28,613 It just gives me so much... control. 486 00:25:28,613 --> 00:25:32,492 - [chuckles] We lost you for a minute there. 487 00:25:32,492 --> 00:25:33,410 - Sometimes you need a break 488 00:25:33,410 --> 00:25:35,245 from the grind to remember what's important. 489 00:25:36,413 --> 00:25:38,540 - Well, we're happy you're back. - Hm. 490 00:25:38,540 --> 00:25:40,375 - Richard and I left your office empty for you 491 00:25:40,375 --> 00:25:42,127 hoping that you would make the right decision. 492 00:25:43,336 --> 00:25:44,504 - My office? 493 00:25:44,963 --> 00:25:46,089 - Vera's. 494 00:25:46,798 --> 00:25:48,174 It's yours now. 495 00:25:48,174 --> 00:25:49,676 [indistinct office chatter] 496 00:25:49,676 --> 00:25:52,304 And I think you'll find that everything is gonna start 497 00:25:52,304 --> 00:25:53,805 to fall into place for you, Nella. 498 00:25:55,974 --> 00:25:57,100 [Diana chuckles] 499 00:26:02,022 --> 00:26:04,357 ♪ tense music playing ♪ 500 00:26:06,693 --> 00:26:08,486 - Oh, sorry, one second. 501 00:26:09,070 --> 00:26:11,948 Hey... Hey! Hey, girl. 502 00:26:11,948 --> 00:26:12,949 I'm just-- 503 00:26:13,408 --> 00:26:18,580 I just wanted to say, it is so good... that you're here. 504 00:26:18,580 --> 00:26:22,292 I've-- I'm just really glad we can be friends. 505 00:26:22,292 --> 00:26:24,544 - Me too, girl. - Yeah. 506 00:26:24,544 --> 00:26:26,755 Don't it feel good to finally be on the same team? 507 00:26:26,755 --> 00:26:28,965 - Totally... Same team. 508 00:26:31,092 --> 00:26:33,887 - Looks like you finally got everything you wanted. 509 00:26:34,346 --> 00:26:35,263 - Looks like. 510 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:38,850 - I told you no one was gettin' in our way. 511 00:26:39,434 --> 00:26:40,769 And now, 512 00:26:43,897 --> 00:26:45,732 now we can tell each other everything, girl. 513 00:26:45,732 --> 00:26:47,234 [laughs] We-- 514 00:26:47,234 --> 00:26:48,735 Mm. [clears throat] 515 00:26:49,319 --> 00:26:50,320 I am sorry. 516 00:26:50,320 --> 00:26:52,447 I did not mean to act like a 12-year-old. 517 00:26:52,447 --> 00:26:55,659 I was just, um-- I'm just really excited. 518 00:26:55,659 --> 00:26:56,993 - No, I get it. 519 00:26:56,993 --> 00:26:58,745 - Okay. So, you wanna grab lunch? 520 00:26:58,745 --> 00:27:00,247 Or we can get a martini to celebrate. 521 00:27:00,247 --> 00:27:04,167 - Um, yeah. I'm actually... really busy. 522 00:27:04,834 --> 00:27:07,212 - Oh. Oh, sure. 523 00:27:07,212 --> 00:27:08,588 - Maybe tomorrow? 524 00:27:09,339 --> 00:27:10,507 Or the next day? 525 00:27:11,299 --> 00:27:12,217 - Yeah. 526 00:27:12,634 --> 00:27:14,344 Yeah. I get it. [chuckles] 527 00:27:15,303 --> 00:27:16,555 Totally. 528 00:27:16,555 --> 00:27:20,976 Um... congratulations. 529 00:27:22,394 --> 00:27:23,395 - Thanks. 530 00:27:27,607 --> 00:27:28,984 [door clicks shut] 531 00:27:28,984 --> 00:27:31,611 ♪ 532 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:44,082 [Jesse groans] 533 00:27:47,711 --> 00:27:49,713 - Yo... this my Uber. 534 00:27:50,964 --> 00:27:52,757 - Oops, my bad. [laughs] 535 00:27:52,757 --> 00:27:54,759 [taser zaps] 536 00:27:54,759 --> 00:27:57,721 ♪ 537 00:27:58,847 --> 00:28:02,767 [laughs] This shit is fun. [laughing] Okay. 538 00:28:02,767 --> 00:28:04,019 - Please don't talk. 539 00:28:13,278 --> 00:28:18,116 ♪ Float by Janelle Monáe ft. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 playing ♪ 540 00:28:20,243 --> 00:28:24,164 ♪ No, I'm-- No, I'm not-- No, I'm not the same ♪ 541 00:28:24,164 --> 00:28:26,541 ♪ No, I'm not the same, no, I'm not the same ♪ 542 00:28:26,541 --> 00:28:28,418 ♪ No, I'm not the, fuck ♪ 543 00:28:28,418 --> 00:28:32,214 ♪ No, I'm not the same, uh ♪ [dialing number] 544 00:28:32,214 --> 00:28:37,302 ♪ I think I done changed, yeah ♪ [ringback tone] 545 00:28:37,302 --> 00:28:38,511 - I'm in. 546 00:28:40,430 --> 00:28:43,558 Let's burn it down. ♪ Woo, woo, woo ♪ 547 00:28:43,558 --> 00:28:45,560 ♪ No, I'm not the same, nigga ♪ 548 00:28:47,395 --> 00:28:50,941 ♪ I think I done changed, nigga, uh ♪ 549 00:28:50,941 --> 00:28:53,401 ♪ See somethin' not the same, nigga ♪ 550 00:28:53,401 --> 00:28:56,488 ♪ I used to walk into the room head down ♪ 551 00:28:56,488 --> 00:28:59,658 ♪ I don't walk, now I float ♪ 552 00:28:59,658 --> 00:29:03,411 ♪ Float on 'em, I float on 'em, just float ♪ 553 00:29:03,411 --> 00:29:07,249 ♪ They hangin' on to that Goose down in my coat ♪ 554 00:29:07,249 --> 00:29:09,834 ♪ Float on 'em, I float on 'em, just float ♪ 555 00:29:09,834 --> 00:29:13,713 ♪ I don't step, I don't walk, I don't dance, I just ♪ 556 00:29:13,713 --> 00:29:19,386 ♪ Float, float, float, float ♪ 557 00:29:19,386 --> 00:29:21,263 ♪ I don't dance, I just ♪ 558 00:29:21,263 --> 00:29:27,269 ♪ Float, float, mm, float, float, float ♪ 559 00:29:27,477 --> 00:29:29,646 ♪ Mm, I just float ♪ 560 00:29:29,646 --> 00:29:31,523 ♪ I'm light as a feather, I'm light as a feather ♪ 561 00:29:31,523 --> 00:29:32,941 ♪ Yeah, baby, I float ♪ 562 00:29:32,941 --> 00:29:34,901 ♪ It's hard to look at my resume, hoo ♪ 563 00:29:34,901 --> 00:29:36,736 ♪ And not find a reason to toast ♪ 564 00:29:36,736 --> 00:29:38,405 ♪ She throwin' that thang in a circle ♪ 565 00:29:38,405 --> 00:29:40,448 ♪ Makin' it viral, I might just elope ♪ 566 00:29:40,448 --> 00:29:42,659 ♪ Say, Listen lil' mama, you like shibari? ♪ 567 00:29:42,659 --> 00:29:44,077 ♪ Watch while I show you the ropes ♪ 568 00:29:44,077 --> 00:29:45,996 ♪ I used to let niggas get to me ♪ 569 00:29:45,996 --> 00:29:47,747 ♪ I used to be my own enemy ♪ 570 00:29:47,747 --> 00:29:51,626 ♪ Now I done had several epiphanies over some breakfast at Tiffany's ♪ 571 00:29:51,626 --> 00:29:53,545 ♪ Had to forgive all my frenemies ♪ 572 00:29:53,545 --> 00:29:56,256 ♪ They are not who they pretend to be ♪