♪ Hard work, yeah, dedication ♪
♪ Know I'm great, it ain't no debating ♪
♪ Always know the people waiting ♪
[alarm dinging]
♪ Ran it up just to make a statement ♪
♪ Hard work, yeah, dedication ♪
I thought that me and this sign would be
somewhere more permanent, but business has changed.
I thought I handled talent like Zaara and Annika.
But what I really handle is inspiration.
Sure, my dad isn't sold on the plan,
but Dad hasn't seen my new roster of clients--
like Deanna, a TikToker who's huge
in the vegan celiac community.
What is more inspiring than a working digestive system?
Or Magnus, a motivational speaker
who's conveniently taken a vow of silence.
And I'm not just his manager. [phone chimes]
♪ Ran it up just to make a statement ♪
Hmm.
I'm also his client.
It's all in the mission statement.
Get, period.
The, period.
Bag, period.
So, if you've got a talent--
or better yet, a following-- come through.
And, yeah, 2,000 coffee sleeves
sure did put a dent in my profits,
but it's like they always say--
inspiration is always right around the corner.
[indistinct chatter, camera shutters clicking]
Oh, my God, it's the new Squid drop.
The Squid strikes again.
I hear The Squid's going to Art Basel.
Oh, my God, Malia Obama just reposted my Squid photo.
So did Complex.
[ethereal synth music]
Wow.
Who's The Squid?
And are they seeking representation?
both: ♪ Watch out, world ♪
♪ I'm grown now ♪
♪ I'm grown ♪
♪ Learn something new every day ♪
♪ I don't know so I'ma feel my way ♪
♪ Got the weight of the world on me ♪
♪ But no regrets ♪
♪ This is what I say ♪
both: ♪ Watch out, world ♪
♪ I'm grown now ♪
♪ I'm grown ♪
♪ You can't tell me nothin' ♪
both: ♪ My heartbeat is so loud ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Mama, look, I'm grown now ♪
♪ I'm grown ♪
♪ ♪
[plucky string music]
[door opens and closes]
Guys, I think I found my next client
who's gonna make me a ton of money
and get me a nice office I can rub in my dad's face.
Hold on, brother--it's a staring contest going on.
Oh.
All right, fellas. I call draw,
because I lost interest five minutes ago.
Yes! I'm undefeated.
My eyes stay moist.
Guys, I'm going to manage...
The Squid.
What's The Squid?
I got this, Andre.
See, squids are ocean-dwelling creatures.
They're like a mixed-race octopus.
[sighs]
If you guys are wondering why I'm getting advice
from these three billy goats instead of my A-team,
aka The Girlies,
they actually have lives.
No. No.
The Squid is a street artist who recently inked
the Business School building. - Ah.
The anonymous Cal U artist. - Yes.
- They're going by "The Squid"? - Yeah.
Yeah. The Squid is their tag. Their identity is unknown.
Wait, but how do you make money off of graffiti?
Well, a ton of prominent artists
got their start in graffiti.
I think The Squid has the potential
to become the next Banksy.
I could manage the next Banksy.
I could be a cultivator of taste worldwide.
I could be like the-- the DJ Khaled of the art world.
[imitating DJ Khaled] Another one.
Alas, what happens when an unstoppable manager meets
an unknowable force?
Mm. That's deep.
Cole, are you The Squid?
Well, that doesn't make sense, considering the fact
that you just told me they exist.
Yeah, I mean, The Squid is clearly white--
you know, damaging public property and all.
- Mm. - Mm-hmm.
- And they got to be a woman. - What?
I-I can't elaborate for fear of sounding sexist.
This is the teamwork we need, though,
if we're gonna find The Squid, so let's keep it up, boys.
Let's put our heads together. - Hey, guys, I'm all-in.
You know I love a good mystery, all right?
I don't know if you guys know this,
but I actually read every Agatha Christie book,
even the original racist versions.
She would hate me, but I love her.
Then it's settled. Let's go find this white lady!
- Let's do it. - Let's do it!
Any ideas? Where are we looking first?
- Ah. - Starbucks.
- Let's just go with it. - Starbucks.
That's a good place to go.
When is Svetlana gonna realize
Brett only does that when he's drinking?
She's blind to the red flags. That's the point of the show.
Ah, you're right.
You've done it again, "Blind Drink Love: Kosovo."
You have done it again.
Brother, I, uh, do appreciate you having me hibernate here
in my post-Sloane breakup era.
It's triggering, man.
All I see are women, bikes,
and the men that could be married
to the woman that I'm dating.
Except for Edie. I know she's not married.
- You do? - Mm-hmm. Yeah.
I blew my paycheck on a private doxxer
for my friends, family, and acquaintances.
That's how I knew that Andre wasn't living here.
- Mm-mm. - Are y'all good?
Uh, you'll have to ask him.
Also, as for Edie, she won't be hanging for a few days.
Why, you ask? Is she traveling?
Work retreat? Medical procedure?
Essence Fest? Who's to say?
Man, why is it that we're always up in one place
and then down in another?
You know, it's like I'm making strides in business,
and then as soon as that happens, boom,
Sloane has this sneaky link of a husband she lives with.
I think you might be the sneaky link in that situation,
but please continue.
We're not side pieces. We're entrées.
Put some respect on our names.
I really don't know what got into me, man.
Why would I give Sloane's son a bike?
What is the universe trying to tell me?
I wish the universe would tell me anything
about my relationship with Edie.
Is it even a relationship, or am I just a Costco sample?
Because, yeah, sure, you eat it because it's free,
but you're never really gonna buy bulk poutine.
Know what I mean? - Okay. Enough.
This is like the blind leading the blind,
and we're not--we're not going down this road again.
We need professional help, and I have it.
There's an exotic dancer--
Not like that. - Oh.
- Kind of like that, actually. - Okay.
But she gives the best advice.
Bro, she started off dancing 'cause she wanted
to pay for her psych studies, yeah?
And then she realized she would make more money
just asking men about their past traumas
while dancing to "Pony." - Simultaneously?
- Yes. Absolutely. - Interesting.
If we need to find what's next, we need to find Destiny.
Destiny--that's her name?
That's a little on the nose, don't you think?
No, her name's actually Rebecca.
- Oh, okay. When do we leave? - Tomorrow.
I mean, as far as I know, she does not dance on Fridays.
But isn't Friday, like, a big night?
It's Shabbat.
- Ah. - Mm-hmm.
With four sets of eyes,
we can spread out and look for evidence.
You know, a good Agatha Christie trope
is that the answer is right there,
often overlooked. - Exactly.
So we're looking for paint chips, trash,
eyewitness testimonies,
"Law & Order" style.
I can't believe the university would paint
over a Squid original.
As they come, so they must go.
- Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho. - You can't do this.
This could be worth millions one day.
Oh, yeah. So were my baseball cards as a kid, okay?
But here I am.
Hey, man, just 'cause you don't have taste
or a keen eye for alternative art
doesn't make this trash.
And what's next?
You've heard of those famous criminal profilers, hmm?
"Mindhunter," chick from "Silence of the Lambs"?
Yeah? Well, that's gonna be me, okay?
But with The Squid.
Uh, but not in a-- not in a murderer-y way.
And with the phone cameras, the geotagging,
and all that digital footprint nonsense,
we're getting close.
You better believe we're getting close.
- Wow. You're intense. - Mm-hmm.
These days, no one can stay anonymous for long.
See you soon, Squid.
Hey, yo, who is he talking to?
Shit! I have to find The Squid
before this weirdly motivated security guard
deep-fries them like calamari.
When inspiration strikes, it's important to strike back
before it's taken from you or arrested.
Bro, have you slept?
I'll sleep when The Squid is safe
in the Andre Johnson Entertainment aquarium.
Yeah, but if Cal U finds The Squid, won't that help you?
No. What?
If Cal U knows who The Squid is,
then everybody knows who The Squid is,
and then the value of the art decreases
because everyone knows who the artist is.
I am protecting The Squid's identity
so that I can protect my bag.
[softly] All right.
Squid has dropped a new piece every night
for the past week.
They keep getting taken down immediately.
But thanks to the FindTheSquid subreddit--
Wait. Hold-- They already have a subreddit?
Mine's been pending since 2014.
Yes, and fans are posting theories and locations
on where they think The Squid is gonna drop next.
Wait, but what about the camera footage?
No. There's no footage.
The Squid keeps posting in blind spots.
Whoever they are, they are brilliant.
You just know there's a deeper message behind all of it.
Brother, this looks like a lot of work.
Wouldn't it just be easier to stick with the influencers
you've been working with? - No.
Influencers make pennies in comparison
to what I have planned for The Squid.
And, uh, what is that exactly?
A bigger canvas, longevity.
Why look for what's at the end of the rainbow
when The Squid is the rainbow?
You know, Banksy doesn't have to do deals
with energy-drink companies.
His last piece of art sold for $25.4 million.
- That's a lot. - Hold up.
[dramatic music]
[cat meows]
What are we looking for? What am I missing?
♪ ♪
The buildings.
♪ ♪
Oh, oh. [indistinct chatter]
- They're yours. - Partridge.
Bam. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Straight to Lepore.
What are we cooking with, good-lookin'?
Lepore to Enoch.
And you are Kudus.
He's gonna get them like this.
Partridge, Lepore, Enoch, Kudus.
What does that mean?
♪ ♪
I know where The Squid's gonna strike next.
A new building is being dedicated
in Derek Wright's name.
I'll explain in the car.
[hip-hop music]
I thought this was where Rebecca worked,
but at least the bouncer was cool enough
to tell us where she transferred to.
Yeah, he told us that after we paid the cover charge.
Here's what I think we should do.
We go back inside for investigation purposes only,
just to make sure we're headed in the right direction.
I had a great OJ in there, so let's just go back in.
- Professor Jackson? - Huh?
Or we can go right now.
Our Uber's probably still right there.
[distant siren wailing]
Every building The Squid has hit so far was funded
by an exploitative capitalist.
Thurman used child labor.
Kudus manipulated the markets.
And Derek Wright is just the worst.
I tell you, that's some darn good detective work.
Agatha Christie would have been so proud.
I mean, a little conflicted, but--
- Yeah. - So proud.
Dawg, 5-0 is everywhere.
[tense music]
Bro, you sure The Squid would risk it?
If I know The Squid--
and after the last 24 hours, I feel like I do--
they're close by.
Damn, we've been out here all day.
Hey, yo, you know, we should go get
some hold-us-over snacks, you know?
- Oh, smart. - Yeah.
Yo, there's an army-surplus store nearby.
- Word. - They got some face paint,
night-vision goggles, and some trail mix.
Come on.
[Andre sighs]
[door slams] - Mm.
- Good God. - Could not have been louder.
Well, looks like we've got first watch.
Fine by me. [phone chimes]
[groans]
My client who Griddys in grocery stores
wants me to take him to Kroger.
[chuckles] He can't take a bus?
No, he got permanently banned
for Griddying too close to the bus driver.
I just--I'm not gonna text back.
I can't deal with this right now.
You can't do that. You're his manager, no?
On paper.
I just thought being a manager
would be more than handling travel arrangements
and tracking Cameo residuals.
You don't want to be a manager, do you?
I do. I just want to be more than a manager, you know?
When I first got into this, I was so focused
on getting clients that I wasn't focused on their work,
until I saw The Squid's art.
So I'm gonna make sure that The Squid is everywhere,
and then I'm gonna show my dad to prove to him
that he was wrong for not believing in me.
- Hmm. - It's gonna fix everything.
For you?
I hope that's not your pitch.
♪ Make it rain, yeah, I make it snow ♪
♪ If you want the best, better add the zeroes ♪
♪ I get the bread, yeah, I get the dough ♪
♪ Stacking up the bills underneath my pillow ♪
♪ Tooth Fairy lit, one for the money... ♪
Okay, okay, okay. We're good. We're in the clear.
Nobody from our personal or professional lives.
No Rebecca.
Maybe she's in the back somewhere.
Yo, y'all trying to party?
No, we're fine, but thank you.
I would love to party with you, yes.
- No. - What?
Never go for the first dancer.
If they approach, it's not worth it.
Fine. Fine. Fine!
All right, well, all this searching
has got me hungry, dog.
So I'm gonna come over here. - Do your thing.
All right, Doug-y boy, you go get yourself a lap dance,
while me and this shrimp scampi and scrambled eggs--
we're gonna stay on the lookout for Rebecca.
I love a dance, man,
especially when I have no one to go home to.
Well, there's plenty of shrimp in the sea.
It should be easy.
Bro, like, look at this Asian one right here, right?
Love her. I love her.
- Gorgeous. - Nice.
- But she's not Black. - [inhales sharply]
I like to keep it in the Black community.
Who you telling? I only buy Black.
♪ Money, money, money, money, money, money ♪
♪ You heard? ♪
♪ Money, money, money... ♪
- Oh, she's gorgeous. - Yeah, she is.
Oh. She looks like Edie.
- A little bit. - [sighs] Damn.
♪ For a dollar? ♪
♪ You'll do all this for a dollar? ♪
♪ ♪
She's probably married, too.
She's got a lot of tattoos of men's names on her arm.
You got room for one more?
- Go for it. - Okay.
♪ Lickety split, banana Ice cream sundae ♪
You sure you don't want any shrimp?
Absolutely not.
Hey, Doug. I've been waiting for you.
Rebecca. We've been looking for you so long,
they restarted the playlist.
Oh, we have a celeb who practically lives back there.
- Mm. - Okay.
Don't ask who, 'cause I can't say,
but his name rhymes with James Harden.
- Okay. - So what's bothering you?
Wait, how does she know? Wait, you were right.
She knows that we need help. Are you psychic?
No, you're just the only guys in here eating warm shrimp.
- Step into my office. - Okay.
And leave the plate, Bubba Gump.
♪ Money, money, money ♪
[snoring]
[phone chimes]
Hello, my celiac kings and queens.
You've been asking, so here it is--
part 12 of my kale-salad series.
[musical chime]
Oh, my God. Enough with the kale.
[phones chiming, vibrating] Ooh! Ooh!
- Squid! - They're here!
Man, they're not here.
Yo, The Squid hit another location.
What?
Somewhere we know?
Yeah. We're pretty familiar.
[indistinct chatter]
Can they move out the way?
[horn honks]
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
Whoa.
Well, I guess you were right about Wright
but wrong about Wright.
Right?
Whoever The Squid is, they're [bleep] with me.
Hold on.
This piece couldn't possibly be The Squid's work.
Yo, maybe it's bedtime, fam.
No. No, no, no, no. Look.
The brush strokes are discordant.
This is shoddy work.
The Squid's style is very intentional.
Every color glows with inspiration.
"Glows"?
Yeah.
The Squid's work speaks to me
in a language I just can't describe.
It inspires me to slow down and breathe,
smile, cry...
live.
This doesn't make me feel any of that.
Mm.
This isn't The Squid's work.
Boys, I think we have an impostor on our hands.
- Mm. - Uh, I got to be honest...
I have no idea what's going on.
♪ You ain't ready for this, ah ♪
♪ Wait till I give you that... ♪
She's treating me like a simp.
I'm just mad that I'm being so manipulatable.
Whoa, whoa, Doug. The floor lights up.
It sounds like you two are at a crossroads.
So...
which way will you go?
Uh, which--whichever way you think we should go.
Song's over.
- Oh, God. - [grunting]
I need to know what to do next.
She's got to tell me which way to go.
Bro, we've already done 13 songs,
and at the end of every one, she says the same thing.
It's like advice "Inception."
You're right.
This room is the crossroads, and the only way to go is out.
We got to leave. - Let's go, man.
[chuckles] You guys are sweet,
so this next one's on the house.
both: Okay. - We can stay.
Plus, the Grizzlies are in town on Tuesday,
and one visit from their backcourt
will pay off my Land Rover.
♪ Let me tell you one thing ♪
- I'm gonna be candid, okay? - That's exactly what we need.
Yeah?
Aaron. - Yes, ma'am?
What would happen if you got handsy with me
in this strip club?
I-I think the security guards
and bouncers would throw me out Jazzy Jeff style.
Mm. And how do you know that?
Well, I know that because they have house rules
located on each wall.
Your problem is, you agreed to the rules with Edie,
but you keep expecting something different to happen.
What's wrong with me?
If you don't accept the situation as is,
you're gonna keep getting hurt. - [gasps] Ooh. Okay.
You're saying be more like the door and less like Jazzy Jeff.
- Yeah. - Me. Do me next, please?
She wasn't done. She wasn't--Hey.
She wasn't done with me yet.
You need to accept that what happened with Sloane
has nothing to do with you.
Grieving can look like anger in a lot of men.
Mm-hmm.
And you need to release your grief...
Oh.
Not anger...
and get closure however you can.
Session's over.
That'll be two grand.
And I'll just have to accept that feelings aren't facts.
Okay, is the tattoo located on your lower back--
is that the QR code for your Venmo, or--
Oh, yeah, it sure is.
I'll just--thank you.
And who--who should I make this out to?
Oh, Rebecca Shapiro is fine.
♪ ♪
I can't believe that crazy security guard
ended up being the fake Squid.
He must have lost himself in the search.
You don't want to help?
Uh, I'm helping a different way.
But I got a new clue.
You can toss that. I'm done.
I'm sorry that I kept you guys awake with all this craziness.
Trust me...
you're gonna want to see this.
[soft synth music]
♪ ♪
You're The Squid.
No, I'm Cole...
who is The Squid, so...
yeah, I guess I am The Squid.
What? Then--then why did you deny it
when I asked you if you were The Squid?
No, I didn't. Look, you're not crazy.
I was gonna hit the Derek Wright building,
but you didn't catch me because--
You were there the whole time.
Overlooked, in plain sight.
Wow.
What made you want to reveal yourself now?
You weren't trying to expose or exploit The Squid.
You were trying to protect and preserve the art
and the artist.
I got so worried it was just all about money.
When you saw my work, then I knew you saw me.
I feel you.
You know what? I'm gonna-- I'm gonna keep quiet.
I know you don't want a manager,
and I know that you just, you know--
you don't want to sell out.
You're right. I don't want to sell out.
Yeah.
But I do want to buy in.
Cole, I'm running on fumes here.
Can you just tell me what you mean?
All right, look,
we both found something new we weren't expecting today.
You found clarity,
and I found a manager.
Wait, you want me to represent you?
I'll consider it on a handshake agreement.
That-- [chuckles]
You never know when inspiration
is going to find you...
or how long it will take to track down inspiration
and embark on a mutually beneficial relationship.
But trust me--you'll know it when you see it.
And if you're lucky, maybe it'll see you, too.
We did it!
Yeah! Stole a bike from a child.
- Not something I'm proud of. - Oh, no, I'm proud.
You know why? - Why?
Closure.
Hey, well, look, man, petty theft or not,
there's no one else I'd rather run out of money
and walk through the L.A. streets with.
I do agree.
Once this blister on my foot heals,
I'll be able to fully appreciate this moment.
And even after all the shit that we went through,
I'm glad I did it with you. - Same. Love you, man.
Love you, too, man.
It would have been a lot cheaper, though,
to remember that before we spent a mortgage
on strip club therapy. - Eh.
But then we wouldn't have had this great idea.
[yawning] You're right.
You're right. - Closure.