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[girl giggling]
[girl gasps] He's home!
Get off! Get off! Get off! Get off!
[Boy] Out of my way, kid.
[Man] What's going on, huh?
Watching Mommy.
Suzanne's not your mommy. She's your babysitter.
[beeping]
I just got called back into work. Stay a couple more hours?
Okay, yeah.
Promise you won't leave me, Suzie?
I promise.
Baby, I have to go to work.
- No. - Yes.
- Come on. - No.
- Yeah. - Come on. Please stay.
I can't. I gotta go.
All right. Are you sure?
Yes, I'm sure.
And what are you doing today?
Well, I don't know. I'll probably work on a new song.
Robert, I gotta go!
Bye.
Hey, babe, can you make it to the gig tonight?
I'm gonna try. Yes.
Mom, I gotta get to school.
And I gotta get her to school. Bye.
- Have a good day, ladies. - You, too.
No! Actually, it's not okay.
The anniversary edition cover story should've been decided by now,
and I really need that PDF compiled for everybody's references immediately, okay?
- Can we do that? Thank you. - [car honking]
- Whoa! God! Mom! - I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
- Why are you being so crazy? - What a moron.
I'm not, honey. It wasn't my fault.
Just pull over here. I'll walk with Dougie.
Baby, I'm sorry. I don't want you to walk with Dougie.
I'll be safer that way.
Sweetheart... Sweetheart, wait...
Please, I'm sorry... Oh, my...
Ugh! Great.
I hate that kid.
[phone ringing]
[Woman] Style Harmony.
Suzanne. A word?
Sure.
As you know, you're highly valued here.
I think that you're Harmony's top asset.
Thank you.
You're getting an assistant.
Excuse me?
I've accepted your unwillingness to work alongside a comanaging editor
since you took this role five years ago,
but it's time for you to step into the real world.
All leaders delegate.
Thank you, but I really have no need for an assistant.
Suzanne, your stress levels have concerned me lately.
[sighing] Janet, I appreciate the gesture.
It's not a gesture. I've already hired somebody.
His name is David Barinas,
and he is a former assistant to the editor of Health and Vitality magazine.
As everybody knows, that woman is near impossible
when it comes to her standards of who she'll work with.
She wrote him a glowing reference.
He approached me last week.
We should be thrilled to have him onboard, working with our magazine.
Wow. I don't know what to say.
- I mean, can I at least have some time to think about it? - [knock on door]
Ah, David.
Hello.
David Barinas, Suzanne Austin.
- Pleased to meet you. - Pleasure is all mine.
I'll leave you to it.
Well... [clears throat]
Great.
Before we get started, I would like to introduce you all to my new assistant.
Do not be shocked.
David Barinas.
- Mary. - Charles.
Ian.
Nice to meet you guys.
As you know, this edition marks Style Harmony's 50th anniversary,
and I need each and every one of you to step up to the plate on this one, okay?
It is essential that we accelerate our social media game
and amp up our online interaction and really get our readers involved.
Oh, plus, I want them to get a copy of this as soon as it hits the shelves.
Understood?
And by the end of the day, Mary will have compiled a PDF
of every single cover in history for your reference.
It's already done.
Oh, sorry to interrupt.
When I was preparing for the job,
I compiled that as my research.
Great. Well, that saves you some time.
I'll WeTransfer it to everybody.
Perfect.
Well, uh, I guess that's it for now.
Oh, and please keep brainstorming cover story ideas for the next meeting,
and I have yet to hear anything exciting enough for our feature
and it has to be truly mind-blowing.
Mind-blowing. Please. Thank you. Goodbye.
Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, NYU.
And how did you find studying under Professor...
Wilkinson? He's a difficult man,
but I was granted the highest honor he's given out in over a decade.
- And that was class of... - 2013.
Full-time study accompanied by a part-time internship at Health and Vitality,
along with heading the NYU Local.
Where my job was to ensure a 7:00 a.m. publication each weekday.
I will be available day and night.
I've already dedicated to learning from you Miss Austin.
Along with climbing the ladder, here at Style and Harmony.
I will do absolutely anything.
- Welcome aboard, David. - Thank you.
And it's Mrs. Austin.
[phone ringing]
Suzanne Austin's office.
Hi. This is Callista, Suzanne's daughter.
Callista. Hello.
I'm your mother's new assistant, David.
She's actually in a meeting right now, but I'd be happy to take a message.
[Callista] Assistant? Weird.
Um... yeah, can you just tell her that I don't need to be picked up.
I'm going to hang out at the Red Hen Coffee Shop.
I'll be home later.
All right. I will pass that message right along.
It was a pleasure to phone-meet you, Callista. You have a good day.
[Callista] Thanks. Bye.
- Any calls? - One. Callista.
She's going to her regular cafe after school and doesn't need you to pick her up.
Oh, okay.
Your daughter must be so proud of you.
She's got a great role model.
Must be one big power family, huh? What does your husband do?
He's a musician.
Excuse me. I have some errands to run on my way home. Good job today.
Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow.
Hmm.
I mean, can you believe that guy.
Who compiles a PDF of all magazine covers for research?
Yeah, he's definitely a little eager, but damn he's fine.
Okay, good-looking or not, there is definitely something weird about him.
Yeah, but you think there's something weird about everybody.
Yeah, most people suck. That's why I don't like many people.
I'm going to see what I can find.
What exactly are you even looking for?
I want to know his blood type,
the name of his first pet that died,
his mother's shoe size.
And she wonders why she's still single.
Hey. What was his last name again?
Whose last name?
Yours, actually.
I was gonna friend you online.
Hmm. I'm not really into social media.
Huge waste of time, if you ask me.
Seriously?
Whoa! New guy. Hold up.
[chuckles] So, where are you from?
Greendale in New York.
No way. I'm from Pilsford, like three towns over.
What part of Greendale?
- Right by the park. - Which park?
- The one with the skate ramp. - Hmm.
I don't remember there being a skate ramp in Greendale.
Well, there was one. I really have to get back to Suzanne.
Yeah, of course. Hey, you know,
a bunch of us are staying late to brainstorm some ideas for the cover story.
You want to join?
I would, thank you for the invite, but I already made plans.
Of course.
[sighs] Oh...
Damn it.
Really?
[laughs]
Dad, that was awesome. You were amazing.
They went wild for you when you played "Suzie's Eyes."
- Thanks, guys. - Hey.
- Hey, babe. - I am so sorry, I got tied up.
Oh, don't worry about it. I understand.
Hi, Callista.
Douglas, are you staying for a while?
Mom, he was just leaving. God!
- Later, babe. - Bye.
Roberto.
Bring me next time, yeah?
Thanks, dude, I appreciate you coming.
All right, Mrs. A. See you later, all right?
Good night, Douglas.
It's not funny. I'm not laughing about that.
Hey, honey, how was your night?
Yup. Okay.
Seriously, why is he here? Why was he here?
What in the heck are you thinking?
He just came to my gig with Callista.
Come on, think back to how we were at their age.
Yeah, but baby, we are the adults making the rules now.
Yeah, but they'll just do it behind our backs if we don't let them, right?
I don't want to encourage or help them.
Do you really want your daughter getting pregnant with some deadbeat loser's baby?
I know what you're saying, but please try and relax.
And remember what the doctor said.
Breathe deeply from the diaphragm.
And I don't know, maybe it's time you start seeing the therapist again.
Callista told me that you had a little bit of road rage.
Driving, yelling at somebody on the road...
and it really scared her.
I know. I know. Work's really hectic right now,
but I got a new assistant.
So that should make things a lot easier for us.
That's great! That means we'll get to see more of you, right?
- Yeah. - An assistant! Wow!
I never thought I'd see the day.
I know, but, you know, he's hardworking and ambitious,
a little overly confident, maybe, but it's good.
Sounds like it might be a good thing in the editorial world.
- I need a drink. - Yes.
[groans]
What's this?
It's Dougie's.
And what's it doing in your room?
I was taking care of it for him, which is none of your business.
Actually, it is my business because this is my house and you are my teenage daughter.
Honey, he's no good for you. He's using you.
You shouldn't let him push you around.
[scoffs] You would know all about that, wouldn't you?
- Watch your tone. - You're such a hypocrite.
I mean, look at you and Dad, you guys are constantly fighting and you still stay with him.
That's enough, Callista.
You're never even here anyway.
So I'm pretty sure you lost the right to judge my life.
Douglas is banned from this house.
Fine. I don't have to be in this house to see him.
[scoffs]
[grunting]
How about a piece on the cost of looking good,
that details how much the average person spends on beauty maintenance?
Mmm. That could be interesting.
I'm pretty sure someone else did that a few issues ago.
So we do it better.
Oh.
I swear, one of us better get a promotion for all the overtime we've been putting in.
Uh, yeah, it better be me.
I'm the one who's been slaving away here the longest.
I don't know, Mary. Suzanne's new assistant may have you beat.
[Ian laughing]
After that PDF stunt today.
You never know what that cat's got up his sleeve.
Okay, seriously, who does that?
Way to bring it up again, Charles.
She already wants to launch an FBI investigation on the guy.
I just know a rat when I smell one.
Or someone's feeling a little butt-hurt for getting owned in front of the whole team today.
- Correct. - Whatever.
All right, I'm calling it a night.
- What? We... - I've got some cyber-stalking to do.
Oh, God.
She ain't kidding.
- Peace out, my squad. - Bye.
Yeah, Mom, I'm eating enough. You ask me that everyday.
Listen, I'm on my way home. I'll call you when I get there. Love you. Bye.
Hello?
Aah! Oh my...
Oh my God! Oh my God!
[sobbing]
[Charles] Mary, are you all right?
- You okay? - My leg.
- What happened? - My leg! Oh my God!
- Hold on. Hold on. - Oh my God!
[officer on phone] 911. What's your emergency?
- Yeah. I need an ambulance. - Hurry.
Yeah, there's a lot of blood. I don't know.
- Wow. [mutters] - [sobbing]
We're treating this as an assault.
Slashing the Achilles points to intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
What we're trying to determine is whether the attack was at random,
if it was a sexual assault that was thwarted, or if it was calculated.
Calculated, meaning?
Meaning that the attacker could have been somebody that Mary knew.
Does she have any enemies that you know about?
I mean, no one that I know of at work,
but I can't speak for her personal life.
Good. Great, okay.
Well, we'll be in touch.
- Thank you, Detective. - Thank you.
As you know, Mary was attacked in the parking lot last night.
But she's in the hospital in a stable condition. She's going to be fine.
- Oh, my God. - This is so crazy.
Now we've been speaking with detectives
and they are 100% committed in catching whoever did this to her.
But in the meantime, I want you all to be very careful at night
and report anything that looks suspicious immediately.
So apologies for our brevity,
but we've got to get our cover story firm and we've got to do that today.
So, what have you got for us?
How about InstaFamous?
"Sophia Reeves' Rise to Model Stardom via Instagram."
That's not a big enough name.
All right. How about, "Liv Daly the New Queen of Funny"?
No, she was on our September cover last year.
I have a lead on a former Real Housewife of Miami from like season one.
I know she'd be up for a "life after reality TV" piece.
No. No. No reality, please. Substance, you guys.
What about Nora Patters?
That girl is a bigger mess than Lindsay Lohan circa 2007.
Well, she just got released from prison for her stint of drunk driving and hitting
a pedestrian, and I actually already reached out to her reps via my personal contacts
and, I mean, I'm pretty confident that I can get us an exclusive interview.
But Suzanne just said "substance only."
Sure, in the public eye that's a common line,
but I feel like there's something inherently sad about the child-star trajectory.
And we all know what her parents were like,
and my source says that she's full of remorse and that prison life has, and I quote,
"changed her for the better."
Plus, I have intel that she just signed on as the lead
for Emmanuel Rivera's new indie, and we know how that transforms careers.
I'm sorry. I know it's not my place place to pitch stories,
but I feel like it's something worth mentioning.
So the evolution of Nora.
- And this could be an exclusive? - Exclusive.
This could be our feature.
I like it.
Her rise of the phoenix story is similar to ours as a magazine.
Almost folding, right, in 2004, only to wind up one of America's top style mags.
Yes, follow up with this, David.
- Okay. - Yes.
- Excellent, David. - Thank you.
Hey, guys. Is Mary okay? Have you talked to her?
Define "okay." She's in the hospital.
Wow. I can't believe this.
- Are you going to visit her? - After work.
Well, hey, please give her my best.
I mean, you know, I'm trying to keep it straight 'cause I'm the new guy and all,
but it's kind of shaken me up a bit.
She'll be fine.
Our Mary's a tough cookie.
Good.
Sorry, it's taken me a few days and an assault
to welcome you onboard with coffee.
You must have an interesting first-impression of Style Harmony.
No, not at all. It takes a lot more than that to phase me.
To be honest with you, I have had my eyes on your magazine since I graduated.
Even from your New York skyrise office at the country's biggest health mag?
Well, it may seem odd, but absolutely.
You know, it's not about the publication so much as the people behind it for me.
And I have been a big fan of yours for years.
You have?
I have.
You know, I've always wanted to be in your position.
I really want to run my own magazine someday.
And, yeah, here I'm just trying to learn everything, and to be honest with you,
sometimes I feel like a bit of a fraud pushing my way to the top.
But I'm positive that I'm in the right place.
Well, you seem like you're off to a good start.
I started at the bottom. We all have.
My first column was in the Los Angeles Daily Observer. I think it was read by maybe,
eight people total.
Although, one of my favorite pieces was the "Stranger in a Train."
"The social anxiety of public transport.
"Have we mutually contracted to avoid eye contact?
"Or if I avoid it, am I breaking some superior social contract that I never agreed to sign?"
That must've been published about 10 years ago.
Yeah, I was... I was a shy kid.
I spent most of my teenage years reading and learning about anything that I could.
- I was pretty lame. - No.
It's not lame. Your parents must be very proud.
Well, my father was. My mother died when I was born.
Sorry to hear that.
No. You have a two o'clock.
- You better get going. - Oh, right.
Remind me how I went this long without an assistant.
[knock on door]
David, what can I do for you?
I was wondering if I can walk you to your car tonight?
I don't mean to sound like an old man, but you know, I'm a little uncomfortable
with you walking alone after what happened to Mary.
You have a point. Thank you.
- Better safe than sorry. - Yes, of course.
Well, uh, thank you for walking me to my car.
You're welcome. Like I said, I'm at your disposal.
- I'm never leaving. - What?
I said, I better get leaving.
Uh, get home safe, okay?
- Yeah, good night. - Good night.
- Hi, guys. - Hey, babe. Welcome home. How are you?
I'm good.
Guess what? I made everyone's favorite, lasagna.
[Suzanne] Mmm.
So it looks like we booked Nora Patters for our anniversary feature story.
[on recording] No way, that's awesome. Congrats!
Wait, Callista, didn't you have a poster of her?
Yeah, when I was like, 13.
Well, I think she'll be an interesting story.
She seems like she's been through a lot,
and we'll need a lot of graphics arranged celebrating her past work.
Callista, I thought you could come to the office for some ideas.
- I'll pass. Can I be excused? - Hey.
We haven't even eaten yet.
And there's dessert. I picked up your favorite raspberry cheesecake on my way home.
Mmm.
Yeah, I don't want any.
Sit down until after family dinner.
Dougie dumped me, okay?
So, excuse me if dessert isn't my top priority right now.
Sweetheart, I'm sorry.
Now, what do you care, anyway? You hated him. You're probably happy he dumped me.
That is not true.
You know what, this is all your fault.
He would never have broken up with me if you hadn't banned him from this house
like I'm some kind of 12 year old.
Don't you have work to get to?
You're not going to help me?
Wow.
Well, let's eat.
Great.
Yeah, so apparently he broke up with Callista for some junior he'd been cheating on her with.
I didn't like that guy anyway.
- You okay, babe? - Yeah, I'm fine.
A staff member was attacked the other day, you know that.
And it's just really stressful at work,
because we have this 50th anniversary edition that I can't seem to close.
And my assistant has been acting strangely.
How so?
I don't know. I can't put my finger on it.
He got weirdly close to me today,
and I thought I heard him say something, but maybe I'm just hearing things.
I think he's...
overly fond of me or something.
Well, I mean, come on, babe.
You're beautiful, successful, at the top of your field.
What kid's not going to have a crush on you, right?
Really? That's how you're going to help me?
[laughing] I'm serious.
Go to sleep.
I'm trying.
- Your lunch is at Perch. - Perch?
Well, Nora picked it. I typed the address into your GPS.
- Okay, she knows who to look for? - She knows everything.
She's probably going to enter the restaurant via the back door to avoid paparazzi.
Great. 'Cause I'm not feeling photo-ready today.
The intent is to focus on your positive steps forward.
Your life changes, transformations.
And I assure you that the exclusive will be positive for your image.
Great. It's important to me that we don't talk about Diane.
- Your mother. - Yes.
She's a compulsive liar who uses me for money.
She'll probably tell you I'm dating some guy in a boy band.
I'm not. Let's make sure all communication goes through me from now on.
Of course.
I want you to highlight the maturity of my role in "Echo."
I age myself up by 15 years.
- Yeah, it's amazing... - I am on a self-development crusade.
You can quote me on that.
Almost killing someone was a wake-up call for me and I hate myself for it.
I can't re-write the past, but I can make sure something like that never happens again.
I have a thing I gotta be at.
Okay, absolutely. It's good to be busy.
Are you sure you don't want to go through the back door?
Oh, you're nobody unless somebody wants your picture.
Nora, thank you so much for being part of the Style Harmony team...
- Please. Please. Give a girl some space. - [cameras clicking]
Oh, and right side only, thank you.
- You were saying? - Yeah.
- Sorry. So great to meet you. - So great to meet you.
I'll look forward to our interview.
- Totally. Me, too. - Bye.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
[shouts]
Robert!
[door opens]
Stay out!
[sobbing]
[phone ringing]
Suzanne Austin's office.
[Janet] We need Suzanne in the conference room now.
Janet, yeah. She's just finishing up
a phone call to her daughter's school right now,
and I'll have her meet you in the conference room.
You okay?
Let's go.
At Adeline Rose we promote freedom, enjoyment of life,
not unlike Style Harmony, engaging the human drive to do what makes them happy.
At the expense of their loved ones?
Well, of course our customer is not the "loved one."
It's quite often the one who feels un-loved.
Ah, okay.
Well, correct me if I'm wrong,
but you take advantage of weakness to exploit the sanctity of marriage.
Suzanne, we're here to discuss a potential partnership
with Adeline Rose and Style Harmony, not to get into any kind of a moral debate.
Our business is grounded on the scientifically established fact
that monogamy is an unnatural state.
Affairs will happen anyway.
Our app is merely an outlet for our very, very large and lucrative customer base.
Do you have a conscience? How do you sleep at night?
Soundly. Business is business.
If that's what you want to call it.
Perhaps...
Adeline Rose, as an advertiser,
could launch that discussion,
and Style Harmony, as receiver of those funds,
could easily draw an argument about "snatching back" from the app
that "snatches" from morality.
I think this would draw a lot of attention to both Style Harmony
and to Adeline Rose.
Ladies?
Works for me.
[Janet] I look forward to working with you.
Dad?
Hey.
You look like crap.
Are you okay?
[sighs] I don't know.
I love you.
I love you, too, sweetie.
Is this about you and Mom?
I feel like all you guys do is fight these days.
Look, if you're not happy, don't feel like you have to stay together because of me.
Oh, no, honey. Listen, I need you to understand something.
You mom is the only woman whom I've ever loved.
She's the love of my life. I can't imagine it without her.
I love you.
I love you, too.
- Uh, Callista. - Yeah.
- The beer. Yeah. - Right.
Nice try.
You need to check your personal opinions at the door.
You cannot alienate potential advertisers.
I mean what happened in that Adeline Rose meeting.
It could just be so detrimental for the magazine.
You know, we're counting on their ad buy, Suzanne.
It was unprofessional of me, okay?
I just... You know what? I'll call in to apologize.
No. No, I'll fix it.
Are you okay?
I'm here as your boss, but...
I think you know I'm your friend.
Every thing's fine. Thank you.
Are you doing your anger exercises?
Of course I am.
Well, I wish I could tell.
[phone ringing]
Suzanne Austin's office.
Hi, Robert. Your wife's actually not available right now.
Can I have her call you back?
Sure. Have a great day.
Any calls for me?
No. None.
It seems like you've had a long and stressful day.
Look, I don't want to step out of line, but...
would you like to grab a drink after work to decompress?
Sure. I think I need it.
Listen, about the Adeline Rose meeting,
I behaved unprofessionally and I'm ashamed that you saw that.
No, no, no, no. Don't worry about it.
To be honest with you, I find that concept repulsive as well.
I mean, why stay married to someone if you just want to cheat on them.
Everything okay?
Yeah, everything's fine.
Thank you. Cheers.
Mmm.
I definitely needed that.
I thought you did.
You know what's funny?
The timing today.
You know, about an hour before the meeting,
my husband was kissing a woman that wasn't me.
- Life's weird like that, isn't it? - Wow. I'm so sorry.
A stunning brunette.
Beautiful and floaty like a music video.
You know, I...
I had a girl friend that cheated on me with my best friend.
It wasn't a one-off either. I found out that they were seeing each other for months
by the time I caught 'em.
Sorry.
Ah! Life goes on.
Yes, it does.
I don't get why anybody would want to cheat on you.
Really. You are the most beautiful, intelligent woman I have ever met.
Well, thank you, but I definitely have my faults.
I am not a perfect wife or mother.
I work a lot, probably too much.
And I have a little, little bit of a temper. Little one.
Well, faults and all, I would never cheat on you.
- Thanks. - Really, I mean, you know,
it's tough to balance work and family and a relationship.
And the anger thing, that's manageable.
It's actually not your fault. It's a chemical imbalance.
Have you ever thought of seeing a therapist?
I saw a therapist.
I thought it was working, but I don't know.
I mean, the more I go, the more I feel like I need it.
Well, stick with it. Therapy takes time, but it's worthwhile.
Where'd you get all this wisdom?
The whiskey.
You know what relieves stress?
Whiskey.
And sex.
[laughing]
Excuse me, can I get another one?
You're beautiful.
This is wrong.
[gasps]
[muttering]
[moaning]
Good morning.
You've got a breakfast meeting with GlamCrew regarding their feature,
followed by a luncheon with the head of Capri Equities.
I've got the office shower running, it should be perfect by now.
Last night was a mistake. I have to go home.
Reschedule my meetings for this morning.
Where the hell have you been?
None of your business.
I'm serious, Suzanne. Where were you?
Kissing random strangers.
That's not funny.
If you love me, you wouldn't keep cheating on me with that hippie whore.
Suzanne, what the hell are you talking about?
Tell me, Robert. Tell me how long have you been seeing her this time?
- Who, Ellie? - Yes.
I saw you kissing her yesterday.
Oh, come on, I didn't kiss her, she kissed me.
Oh, God! You're lying! Stop!
Okay, you are incapable of telling me the truth.
How can we move on if you keep reliving the past?
Because you're the one who keeps making the same mistake.
I can't trust you anymore. I want a divorce.
No. We are not getting divorced, please don't walk away from me.
It's over, Robert.
Are you seeing someone else?
Okay, look, I know I haven't been the most faithful husband,
but I love you and I believe in us.
Yeah, well, actions speak louder than words.
[Callista] Oh, my God, Stop fighting!
I will go to therapy.
You hate therapy.
I'm serious this time, Suzanne. I will make the appointment. I will go everyday.
We can go together everyday.
I gotta get to school.
Please, I will do anything.
You need to get your daughter to school.
Just installing some anti-viral software.
I'm transferring you to another desk.
Completely unnecessary. We're two consenting adults,
and I had an amazing time with you last night,
should you ever be in need of my services again.
Don't be absurd. It's absolutely inappropriate for us to be working together.
I'm making arrangements for you in the fashion department.
No.
Excuse me?
I'm opting to stay as your assistant.
- I didn't give you a choice. - Then I'll give you one.
Move me, and I'll make sure that everybody's aware of your reasoning.
And it will be your word against mine.
Oh, what's this?
[giggles, gasps]
Bad, bad boy.
Screw you.
[sighs]
So when are you going to end things with Robert?
'Cause I know that he hasn't been faithful to you.
I'd appreciate it if you left my office.
I have work to do.
[phone ringing]
- What? - I've got Nora Patters on line three for you.
Hi, there, Nora.
Just give me a moment. I'm pulling up the document,
so we can confirm our interview context for your cover story.
Okay, here it is.
Uh...
[stammering] The first topic...
we'd like to address is your recent exit from jail,
and how you felt stepping out into the public for the first time? Okay?
Great, and then we'd like to get into, um...
into how you overcame the difficult step from childhood stardom to...
potential Oscar fame.
[door opens]
[Suzanne sighs]
Did you delete my interview outline content?
I'm sorry. What?
Did you delete contents from the document
that I prepared for my interview with Nora Patters?
No. No. I have no idea what you're talking about.
No? 'Cause I'm pretty sure it was there
in perfect condition before you got on my computer.
Please, keep your voice down with me.
I mean, I'm sensing some anger in your tone.
Oh, I'll raise my voice, all right, you little twit!
I know you're lying to me.
You ruined my call and you almost embarrassed me in front of a client.
Just who the hell do you think you're messing with?
I will end you, do you hear me?
End you.
[door slams]
[sighs]
[computer bleeps]
[moaning]
God.
David.
That was highly inappropriate behavior by Suzanne.
I want to apologize.
It's totally okay. She's under a lot of stress. I can't take it personally.
Has she behaved aggressively toward you before?
No, no, no, of course not.
David?
Okay, yes, a couple of times,
but please don't say anything to her, it'll only make it worse.
I understand.
I'm committed to maintaining a healthy workplace, so I will sort it out.
I will sort it out, David.
Callista, sweetheart, hi.
Listen, I know you're not my biggest fan right now,
but I just...
I wanted to let you know the offer to intern here is still open.
I could really use an ally here right now.
Anyway, I hope your day at school is good.
Just... call me when you can.
I love you, honey.
[rock music playing over speaker]
That's very Rembrandt.
Oh, thanks.
He's actually one of my biggest inspirations.
Well, you're doing him an honor.
Very talented.
Thank you.
So, how do you know about art?
Oh, I don't really.
Just working for a magazine, you learn new things.
You work for a magazine? Which one?
Oh, it's called Style Harmony.
I didn't know that would be up your alley.
No, it's not. It's...
It's just that my mom works there.
She's the managing editor.
[chuckling]
Your mom's Suzanne Austin?
Wait. So you must be Callista?
Oh, how do you know that?
Sorry, that probably sounds weird.
We actually spoke on the phone.
I'm David, Suzanne's assistant.
Oh! Wow!
I'm sorry, you're just not what I pictured.
What did you picture?
I don't know.
Balding, dorky guy with Harry Potter glasses?
[laughs] No, no, no, no, not at all.
Probably a little bit.
Okay, a little bit.
Wow, you look so much like your mother.
It's a compliment.
Thanks.
Can I... Can I look at your work?
Yeah, sure.
You know, we're having a hard time figuring out the graphics for the new anniversary edition,
and you're really talented. You should think about interning at Style Harmony.
Maybe you can help us out. Provide some fresh ideas.
Hey, Curtis?
Curtis, I know you, right?
I'm sorry, I think you're mistaking me for someone else.
Oh, sorry, man.
That was weird.
Yeah, well, I have a common face. It actually happens quite a bit.
You don't have a common face.
Well, thank you.
You should really think about it though. It'd be nice to see you around the office.
[sighs]
Hey, you got a minute?
Mary! I'm so glad you're back. Yes.
- Sorry about that. - Awesome.
- You okay? - Yup.
Hopping around on one foot is...
- Not easy. - ...lots of fun.
What's going on?
What do you think about David?
Why do you ask?
I don't want to start any drama, but...
I feel like he's hiding something.
[on speaker phone] He just gives me a weird vibe.
He said he grew up in Greendale which is right near my hometown.
He said he lived near a skate park,
but I did some research and there is no skate park in Greendale.
Well, maybe there used to be one?
No, I don't remember there ever being one.
[sighing] Okay.
Well, I appreciate you coming to me with your concerns,
and I will keep a very close eye on David.
And in the meantime, I want you to focus on getting better please.
- Right. - Right. Okay.
- You think you can do that for me? Yeah? - Yeah.
- Mmm-hmm. - Thanks.
Do you mind if I sit?
No, no, not at all.
How are you feeling?
Amazing! Clearly.
Oh. Did they get any leads on who's responsible?
They found the guy's truck, but it had been stolen.
Oh, let's hope that they get him.
So, listen, I was thinking, you and I probably know a bunch of the same people.
Where'd you go to high school? I went to the Greendale Academy for Girls.
I went to Buxley.
Oh, Buxley.
I didn't really hang out with a lot of guys from there.
What year did you graduate?
2008. I really gotta get back to the desk. Got a lot of work to do.
Yeah, sure. Do you, buddy.
Let's hope nothing else bad happens to you.
[chuckles]
What the...?
Who the hell are you?
Hey, is Suzanne still in the office?
[yelps]
[Mary] No! No...
[Mary screaming]
- [thudding] - [Mary screaming]
Oh, yeah. I remember. We were one year into dating,
and I left school early to surprise him,
and the front door was open, and I went inside and saw his feet hanging over the couch,
and just as I went to sneak up on him, I noticed
a pair of red heels sitting on the floor.
Not mine.
And then I saw her under the covers with Robert,
and she got up and ran so quickly, she left her red heels on the floor.
And have these infidelities continued?
There was one woman Ellie. I went back to her numerous times.
Suzanne already knows this.
I put an end to it. It's in the past.
Would you like to talk a little about the most recent situation that upset your wife?
There is no recent situation.
The woman couldn't take a hint. She tried to kiss me,
I pushed her away and that's all there is to it.
You're lying. You're always lying.
Robert, why do you think you went back to Ellie more than once?
I don't know.
We hung out.
We had fun.
She made me feel like I was needed and it felt good.
Do you feel Suzanne doesn't need you?
[scoffs]
[sighs] Suzanne has made it very clear that she doesn't need me.
I remember being on a family vacation years ago,
and I think I didn't do the dishes or something like that,
and I admit, I'm not good at that sort of stuff,
but Suzanne said she was going to count to three and if the dishes weren't done,
then her and Callista were going to go snorkeling without me.
That trip was over 10 years ago.
Do you feel like you're an equal partner in the relationship?
My wife runs a very popular magazine.
She makes more money in a year than I can imagine making in my entire life.
People that don't even know her respect her.
And me? [scoffs]
My most relevant skill is that I can cook.
I did, however, write a great song once,
and that did buy our house.
But that was then, and now,
I feel like I have no value in life,
no purpose in life.
What about your daughter?
You're of value to her.
Callista looks up to you so much.
She definitely is my ray of sunshine.
Callista and me, we definitely fell from the same tree.
Do you ever put time aside for the two of you to just reconnect as a couple?
No, but I think that's a great idea.
I would love to do that. Date night.
But work keeps her away.
Honey, I work to pay our bills
and to keep living the way we live.
I know you're not happy, I know.
But the more you mope, the more apathetic you get,
and the angrier I get and the less time I want to spend with you.
I know you're depressed, and I want to try and help you,
but you have to want to help yourself.
And you have to be invested in this relationship and try to find
purpose in your life.
I will tell you this, I will not...
stick around if you cheat on me again, I will not do that to myself.
And we need to set a better example for Callista.
You're right.
And I need you to try and find more time for us...
so I can rebuild your trust.
Please, can we do that?
Okay.
Suzanne. Hi.
I've a list of social media blasts that you need to approve before I send out.
You ready?
[Suzanne] Uh, sure. Shoot.
All righty. "Nothing more grueling than a fitness session with @JuliaGainsford.
"Our whole office is getting onboard. See her in this month's issue of #Harmony."
- Great. - Great.
"Less than one month until our #anniversary edition.
"Are you as excited as we are? #HarmonyTurns50"
Sounds great.
All righty.
Then as usual, we'll share messages, add encouraging comments
about our upcoming featured celebrities.
That all works.
All right. Perfect.
So, maybe you could place the corresponding images
side-by-side, vertically instead on the left.
So the "I" is drawn in with the lines.
- Ah! - That's a great idea.
What do you think about that?
Actually, I like it.
She's doing really well.
Looks like a young version of you.
I don't want you anywhere near my daughter.
Well, being as Callista has an internship here,
it's going to be hard to avoid.
[phone ringing]
Hey, Janet.
What in God's name were you thinking?
What do you mean?
Nora got highly intoxicated this morning before she went on the GMW appearance,
and she spent the entire time on the interview
ranting and raving about how rehab was for suckers,
and how her parents and all parents should just let their kids enjoy their lives.
And, I quote...
"do all the drugs that they want."
Oh, my God.
[Janet] And we endorsed her!
How in the world could you let a tweet go out like that?
[Suzanne] You have got to be kidding me!
You know what, kids? Do whatever the [bleep] you want.
All the drugs you want, anything.
Whatever puts a smile on your dial.
Cocaine? Yummy.
Alcohol! Yay!
I say, get the [bleep] party started.
[Janet] You let tweets go out unapproved?
No, I approved them remotely.
[Janet] It's your job to be on top of this kind of thing Suzanne.
Fix it!
You did this!
- Mom. - Callista!
Well, you approved it. I told you on the phone along with the others.
I thought you wanted it to go out.
Why would I approve something like that?
I don't know.
You're right. I messed up, I'm going to fix it.
I'm going to prepare a statement of defense right now.
No. No.
- Mom! - Callista, please.
Callista! Callista!
You have done enough already.
Never in my history as an editor have I done anything remotely inappropriate
or irresponsible when it comes to what I promote.
Especially, when it comes to drugs and teenagers.
Are you kidding me? It goes against my ethics!
And why?
Why would I approve something like that,
if I knew what she had said.
And why didn't you tell me Nora was drunk at GMW?
Well, I thought you'd seen the interview.
It's on your schedule to watch it every morning.
You knew where I was this morning.
You knew. You...
Oh, my God!
I'm sorry you had to see that.
I'm sorry she flipped out on you like that.
No, no, no, it's fine.
It's a stressful environment and this is a big issue.
She's the same at home, believe me.
She gets mad at you like that at home?
Sometimes.
And with my dad.
Oh, I'm sorry.
You okay?
Yeah, thanks.
Oh, Dad!
- Hi, sweetie. - Hey.
You must me Mr. Austin.
It's a pleasure to meet you, sir.
I'm David, Suzanne's assistant.
Yeah, I believe Suzanne has mentioned you.
Well, all good things I hope.
You ready to go home, sweetheart?
- Yeah. - Nice to meet you, man.
You, too, sir.
Good job today.
Bye.
I don't need to tell you how disappointed I am in your performance just now, Suzanne.
I mean, in front of the entire office and your teenage daughter.
I mean, David's barely been here a month and you tore him to shreds.
I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses, but David...
David? Don't blame your assistant, Suzanne.
I think David's doing this to me on purpose.
Doing what?
Everything. Setting me up. Pushing my buttons.
I don't know, but I'm telling you, Janet.
What reason would he have to behave like that?
I don't know.
All right.
Then I'd like you to consider that possibly you're over-analyzing.
We have bigger problems now.
Yes, we have,
and I've thought of a way to rectify this.
We run a piece that promotes a better understanding of people with substance abuse problems,
featuring a plethora of recovered celebrities
that can shed some light on Nora's behavior.
Now I don't condone her behavior.
But we need to understand that this is an illness,
and often times, it's not their fault.
It's a chemical imbalance.
That could actually work.
Regardless, I need you to take some time off.
What? For this one thing? It's so easy to fix.
No, Suzanne, not over this one issue.
You've had numerous outbursts.
I've had complaints from staff members.
You need to take some time for yourself and you need to get your anger issues
and your stress levels under control.
I've already arranged for Amber Barnett to replace you while you're gone.
The lead editor of Lolene?
Wow! I guess you've already made up your mind.
[knock on door]
Detective Westwood is here to see you.
[Janet] Thank you, David.
Detective.
Why don't you stay here?
Mary O'Connor was found dead in her apartment this morning.
Oh, my God.
She was beaten to death.
Mary worked under Suzanne, correct?
Was she a good employee?
She was very good at her job.
Who were some of her closest friends, in the office?
She was close with Ian Simpson.
They spent a lot of time together outside the office.
Can you think of any reason why someone would've done this to her?
No.
No enemies at all that you know of?
Mary spoke her mind bluntly.
So she basically had enemies, basically everywhere she went.
That was her thing.
It's why I loved her.
Would you say Mary was a good employee?
Of course, I only hire good people.
Did she ever cause any trouble with any of the other employees?
No more than the others. They're competitive.
Ever have to reprimand her?
Yes, I did.
Mary could overstep her bounds
and hold grudges against people who slighted her.
It's been bit of a rough start for you here at Style Harmony, hasn't it?
I guess it has.
What happened to Mary is an absolute tragedy.
Were you guys friends?
Well, we didn't exactly hang out together socially,
but we were always friendly at work.
To be honest with you, I think she had a bit of a crush on me.
So people think that Mary was a troublemaker.
Did he make any trouble for you?
No, not really.
You know, Mary once mentioned something about an online stalker.
She didn't really go into details,
but seems like something worth looking into.
Enjoying the read?
You're behind the Snark?
You've heard of it? I'm impressed.
But no, it's not mine. I'm just a measly contributor.
And you write things like that?
Well, I was inspired by your advice.
"Write what you know."
I want you to stay out of my life.
And stay the hell away from my daughter.
- [crashing] - Oh!
Oh, damn it!
That was completely intentional.
Uh, I am so, so sorry.
Cut the crap, David, just cut it.
You know what? I'm going to have to report this.
I know you're screwing with me,
and I'm going to make sure you don't get away with it.
[grunting]
I think it's dead now, Mom.
I've got you a salad, babe. Come on in, take a break.
Okay.
Mary was murdered.
Murdered?
I know.
Sweetheart, you need to talk to me.
I don't trust my assistant.
I do not trust, David.
I don't get it. He seemed like a decent guy when I met him.
Sweetie, you're gonna give yourself a breakdown.
He's driving me crazy.
I gotta get some air.
Whoa, where are you going?
Out!
Where out?
No, no, no, no, no.
What the hell is going on here?
Callista's with David.
You gotta be kidding me.
Damn it, pick up.
So where are we going?
Oh, you'll see.
It's a surprise. I know just the place.
I don't understand why you have such a problem with this guy.
He seems like such a step up from Dougie.
Come on, baby. Pick up. Pick up.
Why are you freaking out?
What is going on?
I don't want our daughter in that sleazy lowlife's car.
All right, what the hell are you not telling me?
You slept with your assistant.
It was a mistake.
I asked you, Suzanne. I asked you and you said, no, you lied to me.
And you had me thinking I was the bad guy this entire time when you've been messing around.
Once.
But this isn't about you right now.
I am seriously worried that David's been watching us.
Not just me, all of us,
and now Callista is with him.
You think he's stalking us?
So you slept with your own stalker,
and now our daughter has a crush on him?
You're a real class act, you know that?
Robert, you're not listening.
I think David is out to get us.
Me, you, Callista, and I don't know what his limits are and I'm scared.
Yeah, well, I just think you're being overly paranoid.
Robert?
I'm going for a run.
[camera clicks]
Damn it. Damn it. Come on.
Yeah, it's really pretty.
I better get you home.
Okay.
[door opens]
Callista, honey...
Wait.
I need you to listen to me. I need you to stay away from David.
He is trying to ruin my life.
Oh, like you've ruined everyone else's?
He's bad news.
- He's obsessed. - I don't believe you.
Okay, wait, please! I'm telling you the truth.
I caught him writing crazy things online, a website called the Snark,
and I know he is writing about me.
You're delusional.
You're not the object of everyone's obsession.
[sighing]
Robert! Hey!
Thought that was you.
Listen to me, David, I don't know what kind of games you're playing,
if you go anywhere near my family again, I'll kill you.
Whoa! Apparently your family really likes me.
You screwed my wife and now you're smiling in my face like it's nothing?
Hey, hey, it's not my fault that you can't satisfy your wife.
I guess one-hit wonder musicians aren't that much of a turn-on
'cause I had her begging for more.
[knocking on door]
Mom.
Can I help you?
Yes. I'm Detective Westwood. Can I come inside?
Yeah, come in.
Thank you.
Hi.
Can I sit down?
Sure.
What's going on?
I'm here to inform you that your husband Robert Austin was found dead.
What?
I am so sorry, Mrs. Austin.
Oh, my God.
Look, it's my duty to ask you where you were last night.
Uh, I was here.
I had a little bit to drink and I fell asleep early.
Do you black out when you drink?
No. No, I don't.
What about your marriage? Were you happy in your marriage?
Why would you ask me that? I was here all night.
Can anybody confirm that?
Yes.
Okay, look I'm going to ask you just one more question and I'll leave you in peace.
Is there anybody you know that could've done this?
Yes.
David. David Barinas, my assistant.
Mom.
No. There's no way David would've killed Dad.
Callista.
- Callista, wait. - Leave me alone!
Baby, come back, please.
Why do you think it was David?
I just know.
Okay? I know.
Look, don't leave anywhere. You're probably going to need an attorney.
Wait a minute, wait.
David and I slept together. It was a one night stand and I ended it immediately.
But I think he's obsessed with me and my family.
This is no coincidence.
I am telling you David killed my husband.
[sobbing]
Robert.
Oh, baby, I'm sorry.
Oh, my God.
[Westwood] How do you think Suzanne is taking this?
She'll be hurting. Badly.
She doesn't deserve this.
Why was she suspended from Style Harmony?
Look, she was under stress.
I gave her a break.
I watched her smash her car into David's,
and then she like, went nuts on him.
I think she even pushed him.
It was crazy.
First Mary, now this.
Come on, baby.
I'm so sorry. I just want you to know...
Get out! I don't want you here!
How familiar were you with Suzanne and her home life?
Uh... well...
I know that Suzanne and Robert were in couple's counseling.
I see.
I heard there was an incident between you and Suzanne in the parking lot.
Yeah, yeah. Um...
Suzanne rear-ended me out of nowhere,
and then got really angry at me about it,
which was confusing.
Why do you suppose that...
she had hostility towards you?
Well, I made a mistake or two.
Do you and Suzanne have any kind of relationship outside the office?
Yes.
Yes, we...
We had a one night stand.
Silly, drunken...
She was my boss and I was just seduced by the idea of it.
But she's a married woman... Was a married woman...
and she started acting strange with me ever since.
How so?
Jealous, anxious, possessive.
You know, that night she told me that Robert was having an affair and that she wanted
someone for her own and...
I wasn't in a place to have something like that in my life,
and she didn't take that very well.
I see.
No, she's not the type to kill anyone though.
Thank you for your time, Mr. Barinas.
Yeah.
And please, give Suzanne my condolences.
I feel for her and her poor daughter.
[Janet] How are you?
If there's anything I can do for you, Suzanne, you just tell me.
Where did his resume come from?
Who?
David, where did you find him?
He approached us, Suzanne, but you really need to give yourself a break on this.
Do you have the initial correspondence? Can you forward it to me, an address? Anything?
Listen to yourself, Suzanne.
Janet.
If you're not going to help me, get out!
- Would you listen to yourself? - Get out!
Suzanne!
I really don't understand you.
[grunting]
[Curtis] Promise me you wont leave me, Suzie?
[Suzanne] I promise.
Suzanne's not your mommy.
[knocking on door]
Oh, um, sorry, I can come back another time.
No, no, no. Don't be silly. Come on in.
Thanks.
Sit down.
How are you holding up?
It's just that... I can't be in that house with her.
She was so mean to him.
All the time.
And now she wants to play the widow, the martyr.
Yeah, well...
sometimes our parents aren't everything we want them to be.
[sobbing]
You remind me so much of your mother at your age.
My mother?
Pictures of her...
that I've seen while studying for Style Harmony.
I'm going to get you a beer.
Sure. Thanks.
- There you go. - Thank you.
All right, I gotta wash up. I'm filthy.
I'll be right back.
[water running]
[indistinct conversation]
[David] You good?
You haven't touched your beer. Everything okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
[cell phone buzzing]
Oh, my God.
Your phone's going off.
Don't worry about it.
Well, it keeps going off. Sounds like it's important.
[sighs]
Oh, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no. It's probably my mom looking for me.
Sounds important.
Hang on baby. I'm coming.
Ooh.
Hmm. Mmm-mmm-mmm.
Let go of me! Let go of me!
No!
Let go of me!
What do you want from me?
Your mother.
Come on in.
Where the hell is my daughter? You better not have hurt her.
She's fine.
Sit.
Sit!
I'm not going to hurt you.
I'd never do that.
I want my daughter.
[sighs] You promised me...
that you would never leave me.
You said that I would always be your boyfriend.
I believed you.
Oh, my God.
Curtis?
I used to baby-sit you.
Five days a week, and then you left and you never came back.
I didn't have a choice. Your dad let me go.
And then I was dropped into the foster care system.
It's too late for apologies now, Suzie.
You were seven years old.
How do you still remember?
Because I loved you.
And then you left me for some scum, just like my real mother.
Whatever your mother did has nothing to do with me.
My mother left me, my father wanted nothing to do with me.
But you... you weren't just my baby-sitter.
You took care of me better than most mothers take care of their own children.
You raised me.
You loved me.
I know that you did.
And then, you started having Robert come over.
He took the attention away from me.
And finally...
you abandoned me.
And you haven't let go of that?
All these irrelevant people have gotten between us.
Mary, Robert, your daughter.
But I'm taking care of that now, you see?
Soon it'll just be you and me, again, finally.
The way it should've always been.
You know, it's always been about you, Suzie.
You know, I've been searching for you. That feeling that I get when I think about you
and every ex-girlfriend, every lover, every victim...
all I've ever wanted is you.
Callista!
Mom!
- [sobbing] - Oh, baby! Baby, are you okay?
Please, I'm so sorry. I didn't believe you about David.
Oh, my God.
Sick bastard. Listen to me.
You untie your feet and you stay here.
Mom!
[grunting]
I lost you. You're going to lose Callista.
Curtis, I can't breathe.
It's your fault they're dead.
Mary, Robert, I killed them for us!
[groans]
- Baby, are you okay? - Mom.
- Yes. - Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Come on.
* I never wanted to hurt you
* Never wanted to cause you pain *
* But I'm going downtown
* If I have to go in the rain *
* It's calling to me
* Yeah, it's calling out my name *
* And the darkness
* Is taking me home again
* I've been a fool, yeah that's for sure *
* Oh, baby, I let you down
* You have every right to kick me out *
* And drag my name around town *
* Love is fool Ain't fool enough *
* Not to me tonight
* I'd do anything
* Anything for Suzie's eyes
* And you're free now
* And I dreamt of that, my dear *
**