Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me again.
I know revitalize beauty seems similar to your concept.
Any similarities are purely coincidental.
I'm here to convince you to hire me.
Jackie wanted me to find out if you could be trusted.
You're welcome to tell jackie that she has nothing to worry about.
Let's burn revitalize beauty to the ground.
Oh, shit.
I just got a bunch of likes on my "fat bitch" video.
Gael: Why is that "oh, shit" worthy?
Because they're from my students.
Who's that guy over there?
Sumi: Joaquin. He is our newest coterie member.
Joaquin: Hey, mom.
Joaquin's mom: We need to talk about your sister.
Do you have any idea where she is?
Joaquin's mom: The last postcard she sent me had a return address
from someplace called the coterie.
Do you always answer a question with another question?
I thought we were just having a conversation.
What do you think of the new guy?
I think he's a dick.
If you wanna invite matt over for dinner, I'm cool.
Um, he already had plans tonight.
-Matt dumped me. -What?
Malika: When angelica told me
she had a friend working in the city council office,
I didn't expect it to be an actual city council person.
I need somebody like you on my team.
Come work for me.
I got a job with the aclu.
(all exclaiming)
callie: In washington, d.C.
Mariana: When do you leave?
Callie: In two days.
("le desir" by gilles douieb & jacques leon mercier playing)
♪
♪ pa-pa-pa pa-pa-pa-pa-pa ♪
♪ then we'll find our peace of mind ♪
♪ you and me, bel ami ♪
♪ pa-pa-pa, pa-paaa ♪
so... You never told me about your first day on the new job.
Oh, yeah, that feels like a million years ago.
-Really? -Yes.
-How was it? -Stressful.
For one, I couldn't figure out what to wear.
("feel this good" by alla volpe & soulplusmind playing)
♪ oh, oh, oh, oh-oh oh-oh, oh, oh-oh ♪
♪ oh, oh, oh, oh-oh ♪
♪ oh, oh, oh, oh-oh oh-oh, oh, oh-oh ♪
♪ watch out, here I go ♪
and then, I guess I sort of imagined my introduction
a little... Differently.
♪ every day should feel this good ♪
-hi, I'm malika will-- -hang on one second.
-Oh, hi. I'm new here. -Yeah, talk to will.
Hi, will.
I'm malika.
Williams.
Lucia hired me.
Yes, the bartender.
And activist.
Nice to meet you.
-Tracy, can you show her around? -Sure.
We'll talk soon.
Okay.
That was will. He's lucia's chief of staff, in case you didn't know.
He wears goofy ties
and truly believes government can make a difference
in people's lives,
even in the absence of any proof.
Personally, I don't think highly of government,
but I do love my government job.
I never have to worry about my employer going out of business,
I get every holiday off, the benefits are great,
and it's almost impossible to get fired.
So, the staffers sit here and man the phones.
You'll get a lot of angry callers.
Pretend to care about their complaints,
bite your tongue when they scream at you
that as a taxpayer you work for them.
Then get them off the line as fast as you can.
Okay, tour's over.
Any questions so far?
Uh, no. No.
Yup.
Uh-- should I just--
okay.
That sounds like a pretty typical first day to me.
You know, I just thought
since lucia sought me out to work at her office
that she would be the one to show me around.
But it's like you need a vip wristband
just to say good morning.
I mean, you know lucia.
Do you have any advice on how to get her attention?
Not really. I mean, that's sort of why we broke up.
She was either on her phone or talking about work.
Like me right now.
No, it's okay. That's okay, it's okay.
I'm sorry.
It's just, you know, I thought I was hired to further my work at dpn,
and I have all these ideas to share,
and I can't even get a minute of her time.
Are you sure you want to do this?
Because you don't have to.
Taking this job is the only way
that we can prove that jackie stole our idea.
I'm just gonna slip on in
and snap a photo of our stolen source code
and then get out.
Then we shut them down on copyright infringement
and then it's bye-bye, revitalize!
Easy-peasy, we'll be in and out in a day.
How've you been doing, with callie gone?
Great!
If you're lonesome, I can move back in.
Oh, thank you.
But, you know, I love having the loft to myself.
And callie snored a lot when she slept on her back.
I'd have to...
Throw my slippers at her every once in a while.
You know-- so it's-- you know, it's really nice
how quiet it is.
In fact, it's so quiet
that I can hear the little mice scurrying around at night.
You get used to it.
Claire: What about the revitalize beauty girls?
Like, do you think jackie might've shared her suspicions with them?
I don't think so.
They seemed pretty clueless.
(phone ringing)
hello.
-Woman: Is this davia moss? -Yes.
Woman: This is grace harris from teach for america.
Do you have a moment to talk?
Um, sure.
Grace: I regret to inform you
your school is terminating your contract
effective immediately.
Why?
Grace: Did you show a student your personal instagram page
and a video you made called "fat bitch"?
No, I didn't show her that video.
Grace: Well, she saw it
and shared it with a number of students,
and as a result, you violated their morality clause.
The school has the authority to terminate you.
There's nothing we can do about it.
I'm sorry.
("ghosts in the river" by ag playing)
♪ snakes in the trees snakes in the trees ♪
♪ I should be afraid ♪
♪ on the edge of my seat edge of my seat ♪
♪ I should be afraid ♪
♪ hello, hello ♪
♪ is there anybody out there? ♪
♪ hello... ♪
♪ is there anybody out there? ♪
♪
welcome to the team!
We got first-day donuts.
Thank you. Wow, they look delicious.
And dangerous, mariana.
Hi, I'm liza, revitalize beauty's new project supervisor.
Uh, nice to meet you.
Jackie's told me so much about you.
-Oh, really? -Really.
Which reminds me,
I need you to sign this contract asap.
It's just your standard non-compete agreement.
If, for whatever reason, things don't work out here,
you can't work at another beauty-based start-up for two years.
T-- two years?
Great! Um, yeah, I will just look this over really quick
and get it right back to you.
End of day would be great.
End of day should be plenty of time
to prove that you cloned our code.
End of day would be great.
End of day sounds great.
-Great. -Great.
I truly believe government
can make a difference in people's lives,
which is why I have dedicated my life and career to service.
Fun fact. Many of you may not know this,
but I could have pursued a career as an actor.
I have my sag card, and I appeared in several...
Well, two episodes of the fresh prince of bel-air!
(silence)
anyway, number one on the agenda
is funding our families first initiative.
That's also number two through infinity.
However, there is one sticking point with lucia,
which is an expansion of rent control.
She's getting some pushback, but we want that in the bill.
So we need to gather research
and write up a brief that will convince her.
Let's get to work, everyone. Thank you.
Will, can I have a word?
Sure. What's up?
I was just wondering if you've had a chance
to go over the proposal I put on your desk.
Sorry, uh, I'm all about helping women
who've been impacted by incarceration.
In fact, I dated a girl in high school
who's in prison for attempted murder of her boyfriend.
I dodged that one.
Anyway, I promise we will get to this important issue
eventually.
Excuse me, uh, lucia's mine on tuesdays.
She's expecting me. I won't take long.
Who's the new girl?
Oh. Malika williams. Former activist.
I assume you did a thorough background check on her.
-Of course. -Oh, I'd like to read it.
Just in case there are any red flags.
Hey. Who is that woman looking at me?
Oh, that's scary dana.
She's lucia's reelection campaign manager.
Scary how?
She just gives off a miranda priestly vibe.
And will hates her.
They're always in a tug of war
for lucia's time and attention.
(scoffs) you do not want to get in those crosshairs.
Okay.
So what's this for?
-It's-- it's-- -man: Your burritos.
Thank you.
Here you go.
So it's a non-profit online news source,
and I'm doing a story right now
about the homeless crisis in la.
Oh, cool.
So...
How long have you been homeless?
Since I was 14.
-So for about... -Ten years.
I see.
And how-- how'd you--
how'd you end up on the streets at 14?
So my, uh, parents died in a car accident.
Um, I was in a bunch of bad foster situations.
-Mm-hmm. -So I bounced.
I hitchhiked around all over.
And, um, I've been living in la for, like, a year now.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Oh, no, it's cool. I mean, I love to travel
and I've gotten to see a lot of, like, really cool places, so.
How have you survived for...
For 10 years?
I don't know, you'd--
I mean, I-- I try to avoid, you know, bad situations.
Make friends where you can.
But you just gotta, like, keep going,
you know, and be happy.
You know, I-- I try to aggressively be happy, like, every day.
And I've never actually had to dumpster dive, you know?
'cause, you know, 'cause I got my sign, so.
-Keeping it simple, huh? -Worked on you, didn't it?
Revitalize beauty is committed to sustainability.
...Committed to sustainability.
We are ethically compatible to your brand's values.
We're ethically compatible to your brand's values.
...Brand's values.
But take your time.
I'll circle back in a week or so.
Think about it, and no rush.
Okay, yes. Great! Thank you. You too.
Oooh. Hey, how about a coffee break?
Love.
They've got a great barista downstairs.
You know what? I'm good.
I think I hit my caffeine limit for the day.
I think I'm just gonna push through.
I love your work ethic.
Love!
-So how's it going? -(gasps)
sorry, didn't mean to scare you.
No, I'm not afraid of you.
I-- I mean, no, um, you didn't scare me.
So did you have a chance to read and sign your contract?
Uh, not yet.
I've been so busy reelin' these brands in.
But, you know, I-- I just realized
I didn't get the password to the app.
No one has access to the app until they sign their contract.
Company policy.
Of course.
Well, you know, I should probably get on that then.
Fabulous.
Oh, shit.
I'm so sorry.
Everyone on the equity committee is so upset about this.
Thank you.
I'm sorry that I let you all down.
You didn't.
You've been a great ally and a champion for the kids.
You won't be forgotten.
Thanks. It means a lot.
♪
(no audio)
♪
♪♪
malika williams?
Hi, I'm dana batra, lucia's campaign manager.
You free to grab some coffee?
Sure.
Oh. Like right now?
If it's convenient for you.
Um...
You don't need will's permission.
Okay.
So I can't get a regular job
because, uh, I don't have my birth certificate,
so I can't get an id.
Where's your birth certificate at?
-I was born at home. -Ah.
Yeah, and I guess my parents
just never registered for one, you know?
I mean, I've tried to apply,
but, you know, they make it hard.
I mean, I don't have a present address.
I don't know where my birth took place.
No witnesses I know of to, like, vouch for me, you know?
Tell me this.
What do you see for your future?
You know, like, what do you-- what do you want?
I mean, I would like to get indoors, you know?
Um, but I actually really want to be a dancer, you know?
Um, sometimes, if I make enough on the street,
I go and take a class.
But, you know, it's just-- it's expensive out here.
-Yeah. -Yeah.
Hey! Hey!
Hey, man, that's my stuff!
Officer: Stay back.
-No, no, please. -You weren't here.
I was just getting something to eat, all right?
Just please let me grab my duffel bag--
joaquin: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey, man, come on!
Wha-- what are you doing? Let him get his things.
He should've paid attention to the notices.
He had 48 hours to move his stuff. Now get back!
No, no, that sign was not here this morning.
Please, man, you're throwing away my life!
You can pick up your things at the reclamation center.
And where's that at? Yo, excuse me!
Don't bother. It's as good as gone!
They take everyone's stuff. They pack it into these bags.
They barely use any tags and you can't find your stuff.
And then, you know, after 60 days,
they dump, it's gone.
That's the thing about being invisible.
No one cares when they erase you.
Bankers box. That's never a good sign.
(davia sniffles)
whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What happened?
I can't talk about it.
-Why? -I just can't.
Not with you.
Getting fired just makes me feel like I'm a bad person.
And that I failed as a teacher.
I'm never gonna be good enough for anything or anyone.
That's not true. You're good enough for me,
matt, and everyone who loves you.
Getting fired because of that video
just brings up all the shame I've ever felt
about myself or my body.
You remember the last time we sang together?
Yeah, I'm never allowed back in that club.
You out-heckled a heckler.
You got in his face and you refused
to let him tell you that you sucked.
No, I was mostly defending you.
Okay, well...
You need to learn to defend yourself.
And instead of looking at this as a failure,
maybe see it as an opportunity to pause,
reassess what you want out of your life and career.
Maybe this is the universe telling you
to see what else is out there.
Find your toast truck.
Why are you being so nice to me?
You said that we're better off as friends.
So I'm being your friend.
Why don't you think that you can talk to me?
Because you still think that you're the one who has to take care of me?
Close your eyes.
-Why? -Trust me.
Close your eyes.
Dana: So tell me why you left activism to work in politics.
Because in government, you have greater access to financial resources
and power to make real change in people's lives,
if you're doing the people's work.
And you want tax dollars invested
in helping women impacted by incarceration?
Yes! In fact, I submitted a proposal to will,
but he's pretty focused on the families first initiative, so.
Let me give you a word of advice.
The three most important words in politics:
Quid. Pro. Quo.
Find out what will wants, get it for him,
and then collect by getting what you want.
Thanks for the advice.
Another word of advice.
There is no free advice.
I'm a powerful ally.
I'll be of help to you as long as you're of help to me.
How does that sound?
It...
Sounds good.
♪
hey.
Um, so, I'm curious about the ordering algorithm.
Can you pull it up on the app and show me?
Oh, we don't do that.
Yeah, liza handles algorithms.
But you want me to ask her?
Oh! No, no. I-- I'll do it.
Yes, we would love to set up a pitch meeting.
Uh, wait-- what was that? A glitch in the merge sort?
(quietly): They heard a rumor about a glitch?
Pull it up so we can look.
Who would they have heard that from?
We haven't even launched.
Yeah, that's sus.
Yeah, that is!
Hey, who did you hear that from?
(scoffs) they hung up.
♪ I'ma do that ♪
♪ you lit the fire ♪
♪ you itched the scratch ♪
♪ ain't nothin' to it, y'all I'ma do that ♪
♪ you're gold every time you go ♪
♪ and move, move, move it ♪
♪ cannot help but love that ♪
shut the front door.
♪ ain't nothin' to it, y'all I'ma do that, I'ma do that ♪
♪ oooh, oooh, oooh I'ma do that ♪
-(knocking on door) -yeah?
You have a gentleman caller.
Frankly, I think he's a little young for you,
but then again,
I'm the least judgmental person you'll ever meet, so.
Yeah. Are you though?
(scoffs)
(door closes)
okay.
You're most welcome.
Andre? What are you doing here?
How did you find out where I live?
Jeptha does his detention working in the admin office.
He stole your address for me.
That's disconcerting.
Is it true?
You-- you got fired?
Yes.
-That's bullshit! -Hey, language.
I'm sorry, but they can't do this!
Well, unfortunately, they can.
Please don't let this discourage you.
I'm so proud of you and how much you've grown
and how much more I know you're going to accomplish.
You've...
Changed things for me,
more than any other teacher I've ever had.
Well, hey, you can reach out to me anytime.
And there are other teachers who will support you
and students deserve.
You're a real one, miss moss.
Thanks for everything.
(sighs deeply)
look at this file.
It's identical to ours, line by line, our style.
Except blocks of code--
are missing and have been replaced--
by different variables.
They altered it just enough--
that we have no legal claim of copyright infringement.
All: Shit.
Oh, shit.
What do we do now?
They have all the resources of the hallis group behind them.
We can't compete with that.
♪
(phone buzzes)
(sighs)
hey, mom. Everything okay?
Joaquin's mom: I received a sign from god today.
I was praying for jenna
and her picture suddenly fell from the wall.
I believe it was jesus
telling me that your sister has passed on.
Hey, hey, don't talk like that.
Joaquin's mom: She was out there...
You can't know that from a picture falling, mom.
Joaquin's mom: ...In hollywood.
They're part of the satan-worshiping elites.
They might have lured her
into one of their sex-trafficking rings
-and killed her. -Mom.
Joaquin's mom: End days are near.
-Please come home. -Mom.
Joaquin's mom: Come back to the church
-before it's too late. -Mom.
Joaquin's mom: I can't lose you too.
I don't believe what you believe.
And I don't believe jen...
I don't believe jenna is dead.
(joaquin's mother crying)
I gotta-- I gotta go, okay?
Joaquin's mom: I'll pray for your soul.
♪
(footsteps approaching)
you're up late.
Yeah. You too?
Not used to sleeping alone?
Because your sister is gone.
-Hmm. Nice save. -Yeah.
You must miss her.
Well, she just moved. It's not like she's dead.
Hmm.
I think you're putting on an act.
I think you're more upset about your sister leaving
than you're letting on.
Oh. Because you know me so well?
So tell me what's going on with your app.
Nope.
Nope?
Tonight, you're answering the questions.
Oh!
You never reveal anything about yourself.
Talk about putting on an act.
I'm an open book.
-Really? -Yeah.
Ask me anything.
Okay. Where are you from?
Oklahoma.
Are your parents still there?
Yes.
And what do they do?
Well, they're retired now, but my mother was a teacher
and my father worked in the oil fields.
Do you have any siblings?
I have a sister. Yeah.
And where is she?
Uh, she is, uh, back in oklahoma.
She married her high school sweetheart.
They got two kids.
Is any of that true?
-Most of it. -Mmm.
(both laugh)
(objects crashing)
(gasps) raccoons.
What?
Never mind.
That scared the shit out of me.
How did that happen?
(gasps) I wonder if it was a ghost.
You know, I always thought
that the coterie must be haunted.
Or the shelves gave way
because this place isn't exactly in tip-top shape.
You know, for a reporter, you have no imagination.
Well, that's because I deal in facts, not imagination.
Mariana: Okay, who highlighted fifty shades of ey?
-It had to be kelly. -Yeah.
Yeah, I should probably get to bed.
Oh, well... What about your tea?
Yeah, it's getting late. I should get some sleep.
Okay.
Good night.
("looking for knives" by dyan playing)
♪ I went looking for blood ♪
♪ and they're giving me bone ♪
♪ and I wanted a map ♪
♪ I got directions back home ♪
♪ I went looking for knives ♪
♪ and I was looking for you ♪
♪ and I wanted a race ♪
♪ and I got a parade ♪
♪ then they gave me a picture ♪
♪ of the mess I'd make ♪
♪ I went looking for knives ♪
♪ I went looking for you ♪
♪ I went looking for knives ♪
♪ and I was looking for you ♪
(crowd chanting): Rent free now! Rent free now!
(crowd continues chanting)
okay, team, good news.
Lucia has reconsidered
her position on rent control, so yay.
And for the record, I had nothing to do
with the protesters showing up this morning,
but I don't hate it. I'll take it.
There's still lots of work to do
to get our proposal ready in time
for the next council meeting.
So let's keep the pedal to the metal.
-Uh, will. -Speak.
Um...
Well, I just wanted to let you know
that I was hanging out with some friends
from the coalition for affordable housing last night.
♪♪
♪
and the issue of expanding rent control came up,
and knowing how important that is to you,
I mentioned that the city council members
could use some more support from the public.
So they showed up this morning,
and I hope that's okay.
Yes, of course.
We can use all the support we can get.
Especially for issues near and dear to us.
That's right. Thank you.
You're welcome.
♪
signed, sealed, and delivered.
I'm not giving up.
I'm staying at revitalize
and I'm going to feed you guys intel on their strategy
and the brands that they're going after.
Are you nuts?
They stole our idea and cloned our code.
Making a few small tweaks doesn't change that,
and they're not going to get away with this.
But you'll have to sign the non-compete.
This is my mess to fix.
And top priority is to save bulk beauty.
I don't know.
We're in this together.
We've been through hell and back,
and I'm not just going to pick up and move across the country.
You know, sometimes you have to think
about how your actions might affect other people.
You won't be able to come back to bulk beauty.
Well, once we launch
and blow revitalize out of the water,
there's not going to be a non-compete issue
because there won't be a revitalize.
You sure about this?
Trust me.
By the way, were you thinking of moving across the country?
No, it was just a metaphor.
Welcome to the team.
Thank you.
-(gasps) oh, sorry. -Sorry.
Been there, done that.
Right.
So what are you doing here?
Uh, well, I have a few apps in development with the hallis group.
So...
I guess we'll be running into each other from time to time.
Though, hopefully, not literally next time.
Yeah.
Well...
Oh. Uh, yes, of course.
See you.
Around.
You should have seen will's face.
He had no idea I was capable of playing the game.
And so, did it work?
Oh.
-Malika. -Hi.
How are you settling in?
Great. You know, I'm just learning the ropes.
Good. I'm glad you're here,
and I just want to let you know
will emailed me your proposal for the women's center
and I'm looking forward to giving it a read tonight.
Thank you.
Finally! Access to lucia!
And she's reading my proposal tonight.
Oh, my god. I hope she likes it.
You know, she is really hard to read.
You, however, are not.
I'm sorry, I'm...
I'm doing it again. I'm talking about work.
It's okay.
I want to hear about your new job. I do.
But when I said I didn't think
you working with my ex was a big deal,
I did not realize how much we would be talking about her.
-And it's kind of a-- -a turn off.
-Kind of. -Yeah. I'm sorry.
Don't apologize. I totally get it.
And thank you for being honest.
Thank you for hearing me.
And while we're being honest, um,
I'm just curious.
Like, where do you think this is going with us?
You know, I'm-- I'm happy to take things slow.
I just-- I want to know if, um...
If I like you?
How much you like me.
-Well... -I know you like me.
Of course.
Do you "like" like me?
Yes. I do.
I "like" like you very much.
("why'd you let me go" by jordan max playing)
♪ now I'm feeling a little better ♪
♪ I don't mind the stormy weather ♪
♪ I won't crumble under pressure, woaaah ♪
♪ I seen the pain I seen the pleasure ♪
I think I've been taking it slow
because I've never been with a woman before.
I'm just not exactly sure what to do.
All you have to do
is whatever feels good and right for you.
I think I might need you to take the lead.
I can do that.
I need you to tell me if we're going too fast.
Then we can slow down.
-Does this feel good? -Hmm.
♪ floating light just like a feather ♪
♪ all the time I've spent is precious ♪
♪ me and my family stick together ♪
♪ we're on a journey to the treasure ♪
♪ what you gonna do? ♪
♪ my world's fallin' down ♪
♪ ♪
♪ got no melodies ♪
♪ don't be wasting my time ♪
you a believer?
Uh, no. I-- I was. Yeah.
This is my...
My sister's bible.
I think she might have lived here at some point.
Where is she now?
I don't know.
♪ left me here alone ♪
♪ what will rise will fall ♪
♪ won't you tell me ♪
♪ do we get what we deserve? ♪
♪ won't you help me? ♪
"diana graham."
♪ why'd you let me go? ♪
♪ left me here alone ♪
("le desir" by gilles douieb & jacques leon mercier playing)
♪
dennis: Close your eyes.
-Why? -Close your eyes. Trust me.
I want you to picture what it would look like
to not beat yourself up for getting fired
and what you can do instead.
What's the one most outrageous, exuberant,
I-am-davia-goddam-moss thing that you can imagine?
♪
-very nice. -Thank you.
Have you ever done burlesque before?
No, but I was a musical theater major in college,
so I have some dance experience,
but nothing like this.
What made you want to audition?
I like that you're looking for dancers of all sizes.
I've been a lot of sizes in my life.
I want to do something that inspires me to love my body...
And to feel powerful and confident
and like I deserve to be here.
So here I am.
♪