The liquor license from the last owner
didn't transfer over.
Hopefully, this helps.
- DENNIS: That's illegal. - RANJIT: I did it.
Your integrity remains intact.
Hey!
What the hell is going on here?
I am out 500 bucks, so you owe me.
Dennis doesn't need to know.
DETECTIVE: Adam Miller confessed to shooting the rifle
and will be charged with the attempted murder.
JOAQUIN: Adam is Silas' right-hand man.
WOMAN: Our daughter, Madison,
lived on the farm with Silas for a year.
Maybe you could help us find Maddie.
MARIANA: You need my help.
I need to feel like I can do something right.
The council is bringing the Women's Center proposal to the floor.
We need one more vote to get it passed.
Our only option is Councilman Jack Hauss.
Maybe you just need to tell Evan
you guys used to be in a relationship.
DOCTOR: It appears Evan's memory loss is limited
to the last two years or so.
It's better not to press him to remember things.
MARIANA: I read Dylan's emails,
and he is definitely aligned with the board members
that are trying to oust Evan.
I need to liquidate my positions
in small tech start-ups
to battle this attempted coup.
Bulk Beauty's on this list.
♪
What are you doing here?
MAN: Next up, Item 11,
motion to approve Center for Women
impacted by incarceration and housing insecurity.
This is it.
Everything you've been working for.
MAN: Floor is open for public hearing.
Please don't. I can't do this.
BRAYDEN: But you want to.
I love Dennis.
Mariana, why did I go to that farm looking for you?
The real reason.
You went to the farm
because we used to be in a relationship.
♪ Pa-pa-paa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa ♪
♪ Pa-pa-paa, pa-pa-pa-pa ♪
♪ Then we'll find our peace of mind ♪
♪ You and me, Bel Ami ♪
♪ Pa-pa-pa, pa-paaa ♪
(Hit and Run by Blookah feat. Alyx Rush playing)
Hey.
I love this song.
Dance with me.
♪ Headlights ♪
♪ Bodies in-between the white lines ♪
♪ Why'd you have to leave me here? ♪
♪ Thought it was something real ♪
♪ Now I'm standing still ♪
♪ But there's no slowing down ♪
♪ Won't you make me feel?
(breathing heavily)
GALEN: Hey. Luca!
Wha-- What are you doing here so late?
LUCA: Oh, um...
(sighs)
I made a deal with Yaddy.
I... clean the studio in exchange for classes.
That's great.
Love having you in class.
I love being there.
But, um...
I don't really want anyone else to know
that I'm doing this, if that's okay.
I got you.
Thanks.
(knocking on door)
- What's up? Come in. - JOAQUIN: Hey.
So I've been reading Madison's chats
with these other players on the Word Saga game,
and she told someone that she had a brother.
Madison's an only child.
So that means--
That means the account's not hers after all.
Or she lied about having a brother.
Or someone else is playing under her profile
and actually knows something about her disappearance.
Maybe they're responsible for it.
What's going on?
The board at Speckulate is trying to push out Evan
while he's still recovering.
And...
in order to fight them,
he'll need to borrow $20 million
and sell all of his investments,
including Bulk Beauty.
So what does that mean?
It means that Bulk Beauty will probably get bought out
by a bigger company and... (breathes deeply)
we'll get laid off.
And after losing so many subscribers because of Zelda,
we won't even get our initial investment back.
We'll be starting over with no capital.
Isn't there something else he can do?
No.
They're gonna dilute his shares by 10%.
He's gonna lose controlling interest.
Okay, what about getting more shares?
From where?
Have you told your friends at Bulk Beauty?
Not yet.
I mean, how will I even tell them about this?
I'm really sorry.
Well, of all the gin joints in all the world...
Ooh! She stumbles drunkenly into mine.
Ha-ha.
I had two, possibly three, drinks tonight.
These after-rehearsal bar crawls
are becoming a regular deal, huh?
Ah, it's a theater thing!
You should join us sometime and meet everybody.
Especially Brayden, who is super sweet
and you will love him.
Oh, love. Brayden, the sexy bartender?
Wait a minute. That's whiskey.
You told me you had to wait six months
for the license.
Yeah, um... (clears throat)
Ranjit called in a favor with a friend.
And I thought you told him
you didn't wanna do anything illegal.
Well, no cash was exchanged.
And you believe that?
Look, Ranjit made all of this possible,
and I trust him.
You'd like him. He's a good guy.
Well, maybe I should meet Ranjit.
Sure.
In the meantime...
At least three drinks.
- Oh, yeah. - DENNIS: Minimum.
Which is why you're about to get lucky.
Don't you think we should christen the place?
Mm, well, I mean, if-- if you insist.
Yeah, but why is the guy always the lucky one?
(scoffs) I think you know why.
Mm.
Hey! Thanks for meeting me here.
Of course. What's up?
Okay.
What do you think about this becoming the Women's Center?
It's for lease.
And it has offices and meeting rooms.
All we need to build are the housing units.
And not having to break ground on the empty lot
would cut our costs in half, which means...
less money to get the city council to approve for the project.
And we could open sooner.
I think it's a great idea.
Yeah?
And getting community support...
- Yes. - ...will go a long way with the council.
Yes. I'm on it!
Okay, let me show you around.
Sell Bulk Beauty?
How can you do this to us?
You abandoned us for Evan!
Again!
You need to save us!
This is your fault!
What about our shares?
They'll be worth nothing!
There has to be another way!
So I woke up this morning and I thought,
duh, everyone who works at Speckulate
has stock options.
And they can exercise them at any time.
If they do that now, and they give it to you,
you'll still have 51%.
And there's nothing that the board can do to oust you.
So you're going to convince a hundred employees
to exercise their stock options early
to support me?
No.
You're going to convince them.
Me?
I'm their boss. I don't think they like me.
(scoffs) They do.
They like how much you've changed
over the last two years,
how you've made yourself more accessible.
Like when you moved your office
to where the blue team used to be.
The fishbowl?
Yes.
And how much you've improved the culture at Speckulate.
You've hired more women and people of color.
You've given employees paid personal days.
Paid personal days?
Wh-- What is wrong with me?
MARIANA: If this works,
all you'll need is 250,000 instead of 20 million.
And you won't need to sell all of your investments.
Like Bulk Beauty?
Well... yes.
I'm not sure how I would make a persuasive argument.
MARIANA: I'll help you.
Trust me, please.
Why do I feel as if I can't say no to you?
Because I always want you to have what you want.
Because you know it's a good idea.
♪ ♪
My father was imprisoned when I was a few years old,
and my mother struggled as the only provider.
If she had had a center like this,
our lives would've been profoundly improved.
And with your support,
the 10 housing units we'll build here will allow us
to offer long-term housing for some of these women
to give them the time they need
to get needed services, secure jobs,
and to become independent.
Any questions?
We don't want your center here.
Why?
Not everyone wants a shelter in their neighborhood.
Those folks demand more police patrols,
which means more harassment of the unhoused
and Black and brown residents.
You'll end up hurting the very same communities
you're trying to protect.
Okay. Please trust that our office is deeply committed
to the safety and wellbeing of this community.
We appreciate what you're trying to do here,
but we can't support this.
And we'll be at the council meeting to say so.
♪ ♪
My shirt literally flies--
- Wait, did the audience see everything? - Do you remember this?
- I'm heading straight towards the person in the front row. - TYLER: No!
They think I'm gonna crash in-- Hi!
Oh, I'm so glad you came.
This is my boyfriend, Dennis.
Dennis, this is Ethan, Tyler, and Brayden.
All right, nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you too. - We've heard a lot about you.
You are extremely handsome and tall.
Davia, lucky girl!
Nah, he's the lucky one. Hope you know that.
Oh, I do.
Oh, we're both lucky.
Took us a while, but we finally got it right.
TYLER: Aw!
Let's get you a drink. What's your poison?
Uh, scotch, neat.
Oh, no. Your money's no good here.
I got you.
I told you you would love him.
♪ ♪
Nice! Very nice, everyone!
All right, don't forget
you have to sign up for Freestyle Roulette.
It's coming up.
I can't wait. I'm so excited.
It's such a good opportunity
to showcase yourselves as artists.
I will see you there. Best of luck!
(all cheering)
I have a meeting with an agent from Velocity LA this weekend.
I'm so excited and nervous.
This would really open up some doors for me.
You gonna sign up for Freestyle Roulette?
Ooh. I'm not really sure what that is.
It's awesome. You have to do it.
I can tell you more about it.
Maybe tomorrow night after class over drinks?
GALEN: Wha-- What are you doing here so late?
LUCA: Oh, um...
I clean this studio in exchange for classes.
But, um...
I don't really want anyone else to know
that I'm doing this, if that's okay.
I actually, uh, have a meeting
with an agent.
- For dance? - Yeah.
Whoa! Congrats!
But, uh, maybe afterwards?
You know, if it's not too late.
Sure.
Greetings, employees.
My name is Evan Speck.
And you need to exercise your stock options immediately
or there will be consequences.
Okay, um... let's start again.
You don't have to introduce yourself.
And "greetings" sounds a little Spock-like.
What's wrong with sounding like Spock?
He was the Federation ambassador
who bravely attempted to save Romulus from a supernova,
sadly, resulting in him having to live out
the rest of his days in a parallel timeline.
Okay, uh, you can keep "greetings."
But try adding "team" behind it.
And be careful not to sound demanding or threatening.
You're asking them for help.
I didn't realize I sounded like that.
I know.
Okay. How about this?
"Greetings, Team. I've missed you all.
"I'm feeling much better
and will be returning to work soon."
That doesn't sound like me.
But it is you.
Well, my feet are cold,
and I-- I can't think with cold feet.
I haven't been able to find my slippers.
Uh, well, they're under your bed.
How do you know that?
♪ ♪
Hey, mind if I grab something to eat?
Uh, of course.
♪ ♪
Doesn't everyone keep their slippers under their bed?
Yes.
Logically.
Okay, well, I will get you those.
But... first, let's-- let's loosen you up.
Okay? Try this.
♪ ♪
Okay, that's enough.
Um, take two?
So Davia tells us you're opening a restaurant.
Ooh, entrepreneur. Cool.
Uh, chef, actually.
Oh, so you're like Mrs. Lovett.
Sweeney Todd.
Ah!
Well, no human meat pies on the menu.
He knows. He knows.
Jenna Hunterson, then?
(laughing) Except I am not his waitress.
But I totally would be if you needed me to.
Oh, you-- you'd be great as the waitress in Working.
Mm, that's due for a revival.
Of course, she'd be great in anything.
You know you've got a star on your hands.
BRAYDEN: A Broadway star.
You might need to open your next restaurant in New York.
Hey, can we talk about the sexual tension
between Ethan's assistant and the stage manager?
- Oh, yeah! - Play nice! She's young.
DAVIA: (laughing) They are totally doing it!
ETHAN: Did you see the way she dropped our coffees
when she brushed past him?
DAVIA: So uncomfy!
BRAYDEN: Oh, God.
ETHAN: Young love.
I just never dreamed
the center would draw more policing and harassment.
What if you take out the, uh, the housing component?
I mean, housing first is important
to get these women back on their feet, so.
DAVIA: What can you do?
I don't know what I have time to do
because the council is voting tomorrow.
Well, what if you made a provision to the proposal
that restricts police presence?
Wait, I'm not even sure I can do that.
Well, the city council has police oversight,
so if you can get the council members on board.
Sounds like it's worth a try.
(scoffs) Well, that's gonna be a fight.
LUCA: It's like you keep telling me,
it's always a fight.
Why shy away from this one?
You know what?
I don't like it when people use my good advice against me.
(group chuckling)
MALIKA: I love you all.
- You don't quit, do you? - I try not to.
All the other council members
who are supporting the Women's Center
have already agreed to adding a provision
restricting increased police patrols
to address community concerns.
So I just need you on board.
Saved the best for last, did you?
Absolutely.
Okay. You have my vote.
Yes! Thank you, Councilman Hauss.
Thank you so much!
- You're the best! - (chuckling) Uh-huh.
EVAN: (on video) Greetings, Team.
I miss seeing all of you
and I hope to be back to work very soon.
As you may or may not know,
the board of directors are attempting
to dilute my shares in the company
and force me out.
In order to maintain a controlling interest in Speckulate
and guide our vision for this company,
I need at least 100 of you to exercise your stock options
and assign them to me.
I am asking you to place a lot of trust in me.
Trust your heart
and do what you believe
is best for you and Speckulate. Thank you.
(overlapping audio from devices)
- (door opening) - DYLAN: What the hell do you think you're doing?
Keeping you and the board
from taking this company away from Evan.
Okay, Mariana,
you don't understand the bigger picture here.
Eh-- You know what?
I'm putting a stop to this right now!
Can I get everyone's attention, please?
All right, look,
I understand your loyalty to Evan.
He started this company.
But the truth is,
we don't know if Evan is ever coming back.
Due to injuries sustained in his accident,
he has lost a significant and critical part of his memory.
We can't trust that his judgment is sound
and in the best interest of the company
- or its employees. - No, no.
He-- He's not telling you the truth.
Yes, Evan has suffered some memory loss.
But he's still the founder of this company
and the man with the vision for its future.
And since when has the board of directors
ever given a shit about the workers?
All they wanna do is get rich off the backs of all of you.
That's why they're trying to steal this company from Evan.
While he is recovering from a terrible trauma,
a trauma that he sustained because--
because he was trying to help me.
I had gotten myself in a dangerous position
trying to help someone else.
And because I didn't show up for work,
Evan came looking for me
and was shot.
(people gasping)
He almost died.
Look, Evan is a good man.
You've seen how much he's evolved this workplace,
how much he has evolved.
He wants to do better and be better.
He's the heart and soul of this company.
There is no Speckulate without Evan Speck!
I have faith in him.
And if you put your faith in him,
I promise you won't be sorry.
♪ ♪
And last up is the pork loin schnitzel
with grilled lemon arugula
and radish salad and roasted heirloom carrots.
Let me grab the pairing wine.
LUCA: Sorry.
The, uh, proper way to serve is from the left.
Oh, sorry.
I'm just the dishwasher.
RANJIT: "Just the dishwasher"?
You seem smart enough.
Surely, you have ambitions beyond this job.
Luca is, in fact, very smart.
And I do have ambitions.
What are they?
Maybe I can help.
Thanks. But, um, we should clear these dishes.
Hmm. Wow. Delicious! (laughs)
Now, try that with the Riesling.
Amazing!
All of it's amazing. Really, Dennis, well done.
This is so good,
but everything you make is delicious.
- Thank you. - RANJIT: All right.
So... let's talk about the opening.
We need to throw a launch party
that's like a-- a movie premiere.
Pull out all the stops, the best champagne,
invite influencers, publicists, celebs.
You guys know any famous people?
Um... not really.
And with all the unexpected repairs around here,
there is no money left over for a party.
Aah!
Not your concern.
It is on me. I'm gonna pay for everything.
Wow, uh, that's really generous.
I don't know what to say.
There's nothing to say.
I believe in you, man.
So invite all your friends and neighbors.
You invite your cast members.
As many people as you can fit in here.
Let's light it up.
Thank you, Ranjit.
I-- I couldn't ask for a better partner.
Listen to me,
when this place is the hottest reservation in town,
I will be thanking you.
So, salud!
Yeah?
Cheers.
So what do you think of Ranjit?
(sighs) He's fine.
LADLE: Is he?
I-- I don't wanna make waves.
This job is just extremely important to me.
So how'd you meet Dennis?
Uh...
we live in the same building.
LADLE: Oh, cool.
And how long have you lived in LA?
Not that long.
I'm sorry.
For what?
If I'm making you uncomfortable.
I'm not trying to pry or anything.
It's-- No, um...
I'm sorry. You-- You did nothing wrong.
It's just--
I guess I've learned the less you share,
the less people judge you.
Not everyone is judging you.
Some people just wanna get to know you better.
Fair enough.
So tell me about these ambitions you have.
Um, well... I'm a dancer.
Or an aspiring one. (chuckles)
If you dance, you're a dancer, right?
There's nothing aspiring about it.
- I guess so. - (Ladle chuckles)
I'm, uh, actually taking these classes now
from this incredible choreographer.
I mean, she is kind of kicking my ass...
(both chuckling)
...but I am learning a lot.
Well, I also dance.
Oh, yeah?
(scoffs) Watch and learn.
- Oh, sorry. - (scoffs) Excuse me.
- (Ladle yelps) - Oh! Oh!
(laughing) Okay.
Maybe next time, do that in a space
with less sharp objects.
Right.
(Ladle clears throat)
- Oh, um, speaking of dance. - Oh!
Get outta here. I got this.
Thank you.
RANJIT: No, I am not kidding.
Dennis was the shit back in B School.
Businessman slash musician.
Chicks couldn't keep their legs crossed.
DENNIS: Eh, I think you're remembering things
through beer-colored glasses.
I mean, the real player was our roommate Charlie.
RANJIT: Yeah! He used to collect panties
of all the girls he slept with.
And hang 'em up around the house.
We called him PR.
DENNIS AND RANJIT: Panty Raider! (laughing)
You know, I always have my doubts about PR.
I mean, do women really leave behind their underwear?
You make an excellent point.
Settle the debate.
Have you ever left a pair of underwear behind
- at a guy's house? - Hey, hey, hey.
That's none of your business.
So that's a yessss?
(laughing) I'm teasing! I'm teasing.
I know a lady when I see one.
Although it is the quiet ones.
So... you haven't really said much.
What'd you think of Ranjit?
He was all right.
Until he got drunk and turned into a frat boy.
We were just reminiscing about the idiots we were back in school.
- We're not like that now. - Hm.
Maybe you aren't.
Look, he's invested a lot in me, all right?
He's an old friend.
Why can't you just be supportive?
Oh, you're one to talk supportive.
You basically disappeared into your phone
when you came out with my friends.
(blows raspberry, scoffs)
I just didn't feel like competing with Brayden
for your attention.
Oh, what is that supposed to mean?
He just seems pretty taken by you.
You know what?
He is a great guy and a real friend
who's never gotten close to crossing any lines!
Well, Ranjit is a great guy too.
He's just trying to do everything he can
to help me make my dreams come true.
You know what? We've been drinking.
Why don't we just table this conversation for now.
Good call.
Choose wisely.
So I'll see you at 9:30 at Bar One.
I will be there.
Good luck at your meeting.
I hope you get signed.
♪ ♪
(Oysters In My Pocket by Royel Otis playing)
♪ Oysters in the pocket ♪
♪ We're saving for lunch ♪
♪ Not that we are selfish ♪
♪ We just haven't learnt much ♪
Oh, well... ♪
Hey. Left my charger.
I'm gonna go grab it.
No problem.
♪ ♪
YADDY: Did you find it?
No.
Must've left it at home.
(phone vibrating)
MARIANA: Distracting myself
by reading Madison's Word Saga chats,
looking for more clues.
JOAQUIN: Me too. She sure is chatty.
MARIANA: How about her complimenting WORDWIZARD69
on his "word prowess"?
(Joaquin snickers)
JOAQUIN: Adam's mother lives in Downey.
Madison told someone that she had a brother,
but Madison's an only child.
Adam's my brother.
If your sister's with him, she's in danger.
(tense music playing)
- Oh! - Oh, sorry.
Wait. Wait! Madison's chat!
- It mentions that she's from-- - Downey!
BOTH: It's Adam! Right?
Okay. So we know that Adam's mom lives in Downey.
We know that he has a brother.
Yes. And there's no phones allowed at the farm.
So maybe Adam hid Madison's phone from Silas
so he could play games and make calls.
Wait, how did he get her phone?
Maybe she left it behind when she ran away.
Or...
Madison and her phone never left the farm.
♪ ♪
Next up, we have Item 11,
motion to approve the Center for Women
impacted by incarceration and housing insecurity.
This is it.
Everything you've been working for.
(tense music playing)
Thank you, Mr. Councilman.
This Women's Center will serve as a model
to more humanely address poverty, racism,
and other systems of inequality
that prevent women impacted by the prison industrial complex
from building back their lives.
And with the provision we've added
to restrict patrols,
we will provide housing and services
without increasing the presence of law enforcement
in the community.
Thank you.
You did amazing.
COUNCILMAN: Anyone else that would like to speak
for or against Item 11?
(tense music playing)
I am here representing the people
who live in the community.
I came here to express our concerns
over increased policing.
However,
with those concerns addressed,
we're looking forward to the positive effect
the center will have.
And we urge you to vote yes.
(softly) Thank you.
COUNCILMAN: Are there any other statements to be made?
Then let's vote.
Open the roll.
Close the roll.
Tabulate the vote.
Motion does not pass.
(indistinct chatter)
Who flipped?
- Jack Hauss. - What?
Next up, Item 12,
amending the Los Angeles municipal code 44.55.
♪ ♪
What are you doing here?
I'm here on behalf of Madison McClain's family.
We're looking for her.
I know you had her phone.
I don't know what you're talking about.
JOAQUIN: Word Saga?
Level 31. It's impressive, man.
I know you were using Madison's phone.
Now I want to know, where is she.
I have some information that might help you.
I'm listening.
ADAM: Before I talk,
I need you to do something for me.
Why did Jack Hauss vote against the Women's Center
when he told me to my face that he would support it?
(chuckling) There's a reason they call him Jack How-ass.
Jack Haaass. Jackass?
No one?
(chuckles) I call him that all the time!
In my head where it is appropriate.
Anyway, I heard he wants to be the new city council president.
Which means he needs to look supportive of the police
in order to get a majority of the council's votes.
LUCIA: And by not telling you
he was going to vote against the Women's Center,
he ensured that the proposal failed.
Welcome to politics.
♪ ♪
Well, if this is politics,
then maybe politics aren't for me.
Please don't. I can't do this.
BRAYDEN: But you want to.
I love Dennis.
Okay, good!
Except you said Dennis.
Oh, my God!
ETHAN: No, no, no. That's good. You're feeling it.
I think adding the kiss really works.
Who's the cheater now?
- Oh, my God. - I know. That's terrible!
(crowd cheering)
(Attitude by Leikeli47 playing)
♪ Brushed my hair Went downstairs ♪
♪ Favorite jeans on my rear ♪
♪ And I looked up in my mirror ♪
♪ And I said "Who's that there? ♪
♪ Who's that there in that mirror?" ♪
♪ I don't care and they're aware ♪
♪ Now I see just why they stare ♪
♪ I just pay, guess what? ♪
♪ I'm... I'm gonna have a attitude ♪
♪ I got a attitude ♪
♪ I'm gonna have a attitude ♪
♪ I got a attitude ♪
♪ So what I got a attitude? ♪
♪ I got a attitude ♪
♪ So what I got a attitude? ♪
♪ I got a attitude... ♪
GALEN: Well done! Well done!
Oh, my gosh!
That was an excellent round of the roulette.
But only one of you can be the winner, of course.
Make some noise if you think it's Friidom!
(crowd cheers)
And make some noise for Alyson!
(crowd cheers louder)
Alyson, I think you took the round!
Well done. Congrats, well done!
Have a seat for me. Let's see our next couple.
Luca, come on up.
And your opponent will be... Riley.
(crowd cheers)
What's going on with you?
Did you see Riley?
Uh-- Uh...
Yeah, I-- I just saw her leave.
She came back looking for this.
I'll give it to her tomorrow.
Nothing. Let's just do this.
All right, your prompt is...
"You are attracted to someone you hate."
Riley, you're up first.
Three, two, one.
- (knock on door) - (door opens)
- WOMAN: Uh, come in. - Thank you.
So where are we at? Did we get the 100 votes?
101.
You did it!
That is very good news.
Thank you.
Wow. Over a hundred of your employees
just saved your company because they believe in you.
I thought you'd look a little happier.
I am happy.
But I learned something else disturbing today.
I was speaking with my accountant.
She told me that I invested
a million dollars in Bulk Beauty
after your partners,
former employees, sued me.
Why would they do that?
It-- It's complicated.
- I-- I can explain-- - Were you a part of it?
No!
It's your company. Why not?
Mariana,
why did I go to that farm looking for you?
The real reason.
You went to the farm...
because we used to be in a relationship.
A relationship?
A romantic relationship.
And we aren't or weren't anymore?
No.
Uh, what happened?
Uh, it just
didn't work out.
I see.
Why didn't you tell me this?
The doctor said not to--
(loudly) I don't care what the doctor said!
I can't have people keeping things that I don't remember from me!
It is hard enough being in the dark.
I don't-- I don't even remember why I got shot!
How?
There are so-- so many blanks!
And I-- I just--
- I need to be able to trust you! - And you can.
I-- I promise I've only ever acted in your best interest.
How do I know that?
How do I really know anything when
I can't remember?
I can't--
- I-- I can explain. - EVAN: No, no.
I-- I can't. (breathing heavily)
I can't. Not now. Just-- I'm tired.
Just please go.
Just-- (panting)
Just go!
♪ ♪