(blankets rustle, bed creaks)
- (exhales) nathan: Fuck!
- Huh? Oh, uh, fuck!
- What are you doing? - What? Nothing.
Like, um, I'm like, about to cum.
- (nathan grunts)
(grunts)
(groans)
Are you looking at your email? - No!
No, I was just-no, I was just checking the time, real quick.
- I'd prefer a present partner.
- I'm sorry, can we start over? - Please.
- Here, go to your favourite, come on.
- All right, yeah. - All right.
- Let's hit the classics. Hup! Hup! Here we go.
- (moans) - oh my!
- Mm! - Ah!
- Oh fuck yeah. - Mmm! Mmm.
- Oh, you're a monster, yeah! - (moans)
- Oh! (bed creaks)
- Oh!
(bed creaks)
(both moan)
- Oh god!
Thank you so much for taking the kids to school.
I mean, assuming they're well enough.
- Look at them, they're... They're fine.
- Yeah, it's just with nathan being away
At all these hearings, I'm like--
- Please, your journalist person's being interviewed
By marion davenport, you don't need to explain it to me.
- I know, it's a big deal, right?
- It's a fuckin' huge deal! She interviews like,
Princes and shit!
- I know, I can't fuck this up. - You're not gonna fuck it up.
- Oh god, but I double-dipped,
I nearly cost this author her own book.
I-I got egged, anne, I mean, that's rock bottom.
Professionally speaking.
- Waah, waah, waah. So then, quit.
Stop.
- You-you think I should stop?
- No, of course don't stop! - No?
- You're not gonna quit anyway, so snap out of it!
- (sighs) you're right, thank you.
- No problem. Anything to get out of the house.
- Oh my god, is lionel still freezing you out?
- There is a palpable chill. - What is going on with him?
- I don't know! He's just-- nathan jr.: Hey!
Y-you're coming to my school later, right?
- For...
- It's our assembly for my public speaking unit, remember?
- Yes, of course I remember. Um...
I'm-I'm just so slammed at work today, though,
I might see if your father can make it.
- It kinda has to be you. - (inhales deeply)
Uh, well, if it has to be me,
Um, I can't wait!
- Thank you. - Hmm.
Bye.
(thermometer beeps) oh, would you...
- Yep. Can I have this? Thank you.
- Oh god, what's it say?
- It's a hundred degrees, it's barely a temperature.
- You think? - Yes!
Just give 'em some cold meds, call it a day.
They'll be fine, I'm a doctor. - Right, right.
(charlie coughs)
- Oh god, am I a bad parent?
- Are you stupid? You're a great parent!
And your kids know it. Don't you, guys?
They know it. They do. - Hmm.
God, I just feel like I'm hanging on by a thread
Right now, you know-- jesus christ! Ow!
- You're not hanging on by a thread.
You're a goddamn powerhouse! - I appreciate that, I think,
I just, I-I have been disappointing people--
God! Could you stop doing that?!
- You run a small empire,
And still manage to make dinner for your kids.
- Most nights. - Most nights, yes.
- I don't know-- - you're literally wonder woman.
- Am I though? - You're--
- Bu--anne, I swear to god, if you slap me again...
- Okay, I'm sorry, god!
- (sighs)
- My head hurts. - Shit.
- Well, it's a good thing we got roadies
For the trip, buddy! Off we go.
- Okay.
- Listen to me! - Oh, boy.
- You are at your best when you're kicking ass,
And you're not making compromises for anybody.
- Yeah. - Don't your kids deserve you
At your best? - Yeah.
- Kate! - Yes.
- Kate! - Yes! Yes!
- Then let's fuckin' go! - Okay! Yes!
- These kids! Anyone needs 'em, they'll be at school!
- That's right, and if anyone needs me,
I'll be at work kicking ass, let's go!
- Yes! Go! - Let's go!
- Yeah, I got the bags. - Let's go, I got the kids.
- Let's go, come on, kids.
- You got the bags, I got the kids.
- Let's go! Let's go. - Go! Go! Come on, guys!
- You're not sick. Come on! - No, you're not sick!
You're fine, come on, my friend!
- You're not sick. Woo! - Woo-hoo! Let's go!
I'm so hyped right now.
Let's get hyped, all right?
Hype! Hype! Hype! - You all right, foster?
I feel like I'm in a locker room on game day.
- Listen up, alright, this marion davenport interview
Is just a couple days away.
- I still can't believe she reached out about rebecca.
Her viewership is-- - is massive, I know.
- Come on, ladies.
Her numbers are high just because she's controversial.
She'll dig up dirt on anything.
I've said it before, I'll say it again,
This interview is not a good idea.
- Disagree, all publicity's good publicity.
- You know it's literally your job to know that's not true?
- Look, as much as it pains me to say this,
I agree with mo.
- Appreciate it.
- At least on this one and very unusual instance.
But richard, you're not wrong.
Davenport loves a scandal.
Which is why we need to make sure that rebecca
Is bulletproof. I know she's young,
And she's got the best of intentions with this book,
But that doesn't mean she's squeaky clean.
So we need to dig up everything we can find on her.
I want to know if she was mean at sleepovers.
Did she ever pee in the pool?
Does she wipe back to front? - Good lord!
- None of that seems relevant.
- I need all hands on deck, no excuses, no distractions.
(cell phone buzzes)
It's just that it's my kids' school, so.
Hello? Uh-huh.
You sure? - (blows raspberry)
- Because they've been known to lie.
Really?
No, they were fine, they were totally fine, yeah.
Okay.
Thank you. - (clears throat)
- I'll be right back. I'll be right back.
Everything you can find, just dig it up.
Dig! Dig! Dig! Dig! Dig! No distractions!
How are you?
- Peeing in the pool is not that big of a deal.
- You mean to tell me they were 100% healthy
When they woke up this morning?
- I mean, healthy as a couple of horses!
That's what makes this so crazy.
- Mm-hmm.
- Anyway, you know how kids are, though, right?
I mean, one second they're fine, and the next,
They're a couple of walking petri dishes.
Charlie: I was coughing a lot last night.
- Yeah, he's-- he's a goddamn liar.
His sister's always saying it. Anyway, listen,
Thank you so much for letting me know under these wildly
Unexpected circumstances.
I'll be sure to get them in bed early tonight. Okay?
- Are-are you leaving?
- Was there something else you needed?
- Yes, you need to take them home!
- Yeah, no, they're coming with me, of course.
I was just making sure my car's still there.
All right, guys, let's head home
And have some chicken soup, what do you say, get cozy?
Thank you so much. Okay, come on.
- Bye-bye. - Are we going home now?
- Yes, we just have to make a quick pitstop at the office,
And then we'll go home, okay?
- Unbelievable.
- Chicken soup!
Straight out of the microwave!
- That's what I'm talking about, thanks, rosie!
- Kate, are you sure you don't wanna go home?
Mo and I I'm sure can handle all of the--
- Uh-uh, this book is my baby, richard.
I'm not going anywhere. - Aren't they your babies?
- Yeah, of course. Uh, but... You know,
And I love those babies, but sometimes,
One baby needs more attention than the other baby,
Which is okay, really,
As long as all the babies are feeling good.
- My tummy hurts. - Shh!
What do you got?
- Well, uh, rebecca's reputation is pretty spotless.
Graduated top of class.
Adored by her colleagues. - Great.
- She even fosters terminal dogs.
- Oh! I love terminal dogs!
- Uh, why do I feel a "but" coming?
- Uh, but she's a homewrecker. - What?!
- Yeah, had an affair with a married man.
- No! - He left his wife for her.
They're still together, but the optics aren't great.
- God, a woman's personal life always supersedes her resumé.
What are the chances we can keep this under wraps?
- Not high.
Have you guys seen this?
- And instead of worrying about the hard-working women
Of goldie's goodness,
Rebecca anderson should consider the poor woman
Whose husband she ran away with.
Well, I have considered that poor woman,
And to ease her pain,
I have sent her a year's supply of my entire product line.
- She conveniently left out the part about their marriage
Being loveless and miserable! This is bullshit!
- Hey, we can handle this. - How?
I'm about to release a book that challenges the integrity
Of these companies,
And my personal integrity just got obliterated!
I can't do this interview!
- And that is absolutely your decision to make.
- It is, but doing this interview might also be
The smartest thing you can do right now.
- Agreed. - Is it?
- It is, and here's why. Hey, what-- (knocking)
Oh! (chuckles)
- Are they... Yours? - They are, sorry.
The school called and said,
They were a little bit under the weather,
But you know, schools can be very dramatic. Sorry, guys.
Why don't you guys stay in the kitchen?
Okay, guys, we're gonna be really, really quiet,
Because mommy's in a very important meeting.
This never happens. Here we go, look at this.
We'll do some drawings. (awkward laugh)
Yeah, it's fun, right? Here you go.
Very, very quiet.
Kids, am I right?
- I wouldn't know. - Sure, yeah. Anyway.
Uh, listen, the point I was trying to make
Is that you have to take control of the narrative.
You're about to launch your career,
And you've got an important story to tell.
And as your pr rep, I can make sure davenport
Doesn't get anywhere near your personal life.
- Yeah, well, hang on.
Wouldn't it be smarter to be transparent?
- Absolutely not, because women don't forgive women
For having affairs. - I don't know.
Right person, wrong time,
I think the public would appreciate rebecca's honesty.
- We don't engage, mo, it's a distraction.
- Part of controlling the narrative is owning up to the truth.
- The conversation's over because I already made a decision.
- I'm sorry, do I have a say in this?
- Yeah-- - of course you do.
Of course she does. Mo and I will sidebar this,
And put together an integrated strategy
Hat we'll present to you.
We won't do anything until we get your sign-off.
The important thing to know is that we got you covered.
(ella retches, mo squeals) - oh my god!
Kate: Oh no, honey, are you-- - mommy.
- Oh! Did it get on your shoe? (laughs nervously)
(phone alarm beeps)
Shit. Um...
Rosie, could you do me a favour?
- Hmm? Uh, yeah. - No, no, no, I got that.
But could you um... Do something else?
Lause)
- Thank you, penelope, for that stirring speech
About your twin sister, josie. - Which one's yours?
- Up next is nathan podeski.
- Uh... Oh! That one. Right there.
(woman laughs)
- When we were asked to speak about someone we admire,
I immediately thought of my stepmom.
After my mom died,
She took me in like I was one of her own.
- God bless you.
- Thank you.
- But I don't see why I'm doing this
When she can't even be bothered to be here.
- So you're not his stepmom? - Shhh! Shh!
Watch the show.
- Anyway, I guess the speech can be about someone
I used to admire,
So what can I tell you about kate?
She works in pr, which means that she's good at making
People believe things that aren't true.
Which makes a lot of sense now.
Um, she has two kids,
And a-a kinda nice car,
So there's that, um...
That's not really important, but...
I can't really think of anything else, so.
Yeah.
(smattering of applause)
Teacher: Thank you, nathan.
♪♪♪
- For god's sake, go home.
- Yeah, I'll go home when I'm done
Putting this strategy together. - You've got a problem, foster.
- Yes, I do, and that problem is you.
- Excuse me?
- Don't you ever undermine me in front of a client again.
- Undermine?
I was being collaborative. And I stand by what I said.
- Look, when I'm gone, go nuts.
But until then, you gotta stand by what I say.
- (scoffs) wow.
That's our working relationship, huh?
- Yeah, that about sums it up.
- (sighs) good to know.
You've got some snot on your shoulder, by the way.
- I don't think I do. But-- (laughs)
Shit.
Which one of you did that?
- Oh, you were great. Good job.
(clears throat)
Oh, nathan jr.? - Yeah?
- I-uh, I work for kate.
- Where is she?
- Well, she couldn't make it, but I wanted to let you know
I recorded every word of your speech for her.
Might I say, you're quite the little toastmaster.
- I'm gonna go. - Oh, sure.
- Hi!
- I love that you went off book.
It was so brave. - Thank you for coming.
- Oh, I wouldn't have missed it for the world, kiddo.
Don't you forget it! (both laugh)
Let's go celebrate.
Hmm!
- Aww, that's nice.
♪♪♪
Kate: Here we go, guys. Oh, yeah.
(inhales deeply, sighs)
So warm.
Okay. (sighs)
(door creaks open, then shuts)
(footsteps thud)
Hey, buddy, how'd it go today?
- It was super fun. Best speech of my life.
Thank you for being there.
- Hey, look, I'm-I'm sorry I wasn't there.
We had this last-minute work deadline.
I wanted to be there, I--
- You didn't have to send a sub, you know.
You could've just asked aunt cassie to record the speech.
- Wait, your aunt was there? - Yeah, I invited her.
Is that a problem? - Uh, no, it's um...
She's supposed to run these things by us.
- Why?
- Uh, because, you see--
- Are you trying to micromanage my relationship with my aunt?
- I wouldn't put it that way. - I have homework.
- Wait, honey-- (sighs)
(pages rustle)
(key clicks)
- When we were asked to speak about someone we admire,
I immediately thought of my stepmom.
- Shit.
- After my mom died, she took me in
Like I was one of her own.
But...
I don't see why I'm doing this
When she can't even be bothered to be here.
♪♪♪
(birds chirp)
- All right,
I know yesterday I didn't win any parenting awards,
But today I'm turning that around!
All right? We're all playing hooky.
No work, no school, just fun. Who wants a pancake?
- Me! - Me!
- Oh yeah!
- Are you seriously not going to work?
- Not today. Today... I am all yours.
(sighs)
And hey, listen, um...
I'm-I'm sorry about yesterday.
- I mean, if you don't have time for me in your life,
Just say so or whatever.
- Hey, of course I have time for you.
Look, taking you in,
It's the best thing we've ever done.
How about a pancake, huh?
Oh, look at this beauty, look at this beauty.
She's big, but she knows what's up. There we go.
- (laughs)
- Mom, my pancake is wet.
- What? - I'm pretty sure it's raw.
- No, that can't be, you just have to sort--
Oh no, yeah, that's raw. Don't eat that.
(cell phone buzzes) hmm?
Uh, nope, not today.
Today, my attention is fully yours.
- Are you sure you're capable of that?
- Is that a challenge? - I think it is.
- All right, all right, okay, look.
Pancakes were a bust,
But uh, who wants some cinnamon toast?
- Me!
- Mm-hmm. I said, who wants some cinnamon toast?
- (laughs) me. - Yeah, you do!
Yeah, you do, come on, guys!
Okay, so right now we're looking for all
Puzzle pieces with... Flat sides,
That's gonna be the border. - Like this one.
- That's it, you work outside in.
(cell phone buzzes)
I'm just gonna grab a quick sip of water,
You keep up, okay? - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Good job!
Keep on checking out where... What about this one?
Does it go over here? - What the fuck?
Nathan jr.: Let's see. - Hey.
Rosie: Okay, don't freak out.
Davenport had to reschedule rebecca's interview,
And it got bumped up to today.
- But I'm not in today!
- I know, I think she wanted to capitalize
On goldie's stunt. - What?!
- Mom?
Okay, the homewrecker topic is off-limits.
- Well, mo said he's handling all of that.
- No, no, no, no, no.
Mo is not handling shit!
Okay, you know what? I'm coming in!
- Uh, there isn't really time.
I mean, rebecca's already mic'ed.
- This is happening right now? - Yeah.
Nathan jr.: Hi. - Hey, hey!
All right, I'll call you back. Yep.
(taps call off) (sighs) oh god!
I just... Dropped my ring.
Losing so much weight.
- Were you calling work?
- What? No! Of course not. I was um...
Confirming a dentist appointment.
- That seems like a lot of random information
To give your dentist.
- What are you, a detective? (chuckles)
Who wants popcorn and a movie?
Charlie and ella: Yeah! - Yes!
That's what we're gonna do.
- Rebecca anderson, journalist,
And soon-to-be published author, welcome.
- Thank you so much for having me.
- First, let me congratulate you on your upcoming exposé.
Multi-level misconduct.
I'm a few chapters in, and... (cell phone buzzes)
Wow, what a fascinating... - Kate?
- Rosie, what the fuck's going on over there?
- Marion just congratulated rebecca on the upcoming exposé.
- Great, they're on the book, okay, okay.
- You know, I really think mo's got this under control.
And it's probably good for you to take the day with your kids.
- Not helpful, just um, uh, put me on speaker phone.
Rebecca: What I wanted to accomplish with this book.
The human toll.
- Of course, but before we get into the book,
I'd be remiss not to bring up--
- No! Pass.
- Kate? Is that kate?
Uh-I think I'm-- I-I'm okay right now.
- It's a trap! Just--whatever she says--
Stick to the book, davenport! (oil hisses, sizzles)
Ow! Shit! Fuck!
- I'm sorry, who is that?
- Kate foster, of kate foster pr.
I-I'm rebecca's rep.
- Can I have butter on my popcorn?
- Of course you can, sweetie, yes, yes, yes.
Just one sec, okay, just one sec.
- Hey, kate, look, you sound awfully busy.
So why don't we call you back when this is all done?
- Yeah, how about mo tells me what's on the no-ask list?
- Sorry, there's a no-ask list?
- Oh! You haven't been given a no-ask list?!
- I want water.
- Yes, sweetie, yeah, one sec, one sec,
I'll get it for you in like, five seconds.
- Look kate, you said the day you're gone, I get--
- I meant the day I was dead, mo!
- We've got this under control, foster.
Rebecca's been briefed, and she's fine with it.
To not address her relationship would be insane.
- No, what's insane is to bring something so personal
Into a story that has absolutely nothing to do
With rebecca's personal life! - About that,
Is it true that your partner's ex-wife had cancer
When you started the affair?
- I think something's burning. - Don't answer that!
And-and you know what? As rebecca's pr rep,
I will shut this thing down so fast if any--
(flames crackle)
Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh shit!
Okay, watch out, watch out. Um-ugh!
(fire whooshes)
Oh god! Uh, uh-- (smoke alarm beeps)
- What's that sound?
- Kate, is that the fire alarm?
- Oh my god, is your house on fire?
- Kate, get the kids and get out!
- Ow! Ow!
Ow! Fuck! (lid clangs) ow! Ow! Ow! Shit!
(smoke alarm beeps) (breath hitches)
- Kate?
(taps call off) - okay, let's continue, huh?
- So listen, uh, as long as you stick to the book,
And rebecca's career, we should be fine.
(fire alarm beeping) hello?
God damn it, mo!
- Kate? Your arm.
(smoke alarm continues to beep)
Tantly)
- Agh! (winces) thank you.
Jesus fucking christ. I'm sorry, I--
- It's okay. Look, these-these...
- Oh.
- Consider yourself lucky. A first-degree burn.
- Yeah, it was just a dumb accident, I--
- Well, it's actually not that uncommon,
But I've seen this story play out much worse.
And it's often in women your age.
- Women my age?
(scoffs) sorry, but uh, what do you mean?
- Juggling too many things? - No, not really.
Just normal things. - It's hard to slow down.
But the stress catches up,
And it can lead to high blood pressure, insomnia,
Accidents like the one you just had.
- Sorry, so what are you suggesting,
That I uh, that I quit working?
- (laughs) I can't tell you what to do.
But after an event like this,
A lot of people feel the need to reassess.
Okay. And I'll be back with the ointment for the pain.
(muffled announcement over pa)
- What kind of bullshit diagnosis was that?
You know?
(chair rattles)
- Sounds like she thinks you...
Might be a workaholic. - (laughs)
Well, that's ridiculous. - Is it?
- Yes, it is, obviously.
(cell phone buzzes)
Well... Speak of the devil.
Work. Now, if I was a workaholic,
Would I be able to ignore this call?
Probably not.
You know what?
Take it. Take my phone.
- Kate, come on. - No, seriously.
Take it, I don't need it. Here.
I should probably put it on "away,"
If I don't put like, an auto thing, then people--
- Uh-huh. - You know.
- Okay. Yeah. Take it.
Is that a--
- You sure about this? - Yeah, yeah.
Why wouldn't I be sure? Yeah.
- Okay, I'm gonna grab you some water.
- Okay, okay.
♪♪♪
It's just a phone.
Just a phone.
♪ look at us tonight
♪ we're holding on to fire tonight ♪
(big exhale turns into panicked breaths)