Previously on Run The World...
"I'd like to formally submit
my resignation at Hot Tea Digest."
- I knew it. - Ella had the right idea.
I should have stayed with her in Tulum.
I'm not gonna beg again.
I-I'll let you know when I can come back for the rest.
Consider this my very calm resignation.
I also quit.
- Wait, w-what? - Yep.
- Naomi. - Hey, Sondi.
- Welcome back. - You too.
I left Eclipse.
Oh, new agency?
Yes. Mine.
You know, my ex-fiancé hated tattoos on women...
which I always thought was really sexist, by the way.
Fuck that guy.
Thank you, Zeke.
Hoo.
So we almost done?
Not even close.
Cool. Cool.
The band is sounding so good, B.
Hopefully the demo's mixed by tomorrow.
- Dope. - Yeah.
You don't think I really sound pitchy, do you?
Bro, don't let my ex get in your head.
Another night, another sad drunk girl getting a tattoo.
Fuck.
Someone better be dead.
Your girl Whitney getting inked
like it's the early 2000s.
She's what? Are you sure it's her?
Well, did you go in there and stop her?
Not getting involved. She's a grown woman.
Come on, who are we talking about right now?
This is spiraling one-oh-motherfucking-one.
Then you better hurry up
and get dressed and get down here.
I'll text you the cross streets.
Mm, it's fine. My phone still tracks you.
What the...
I don't have time for this shit!
You know what I'm like
if I don't get my seven hours of beauty sleep.
I still don't know why I'm here.
I thought you were on Whitney duty.
Well, I didn't know I was gonna be on after hours.
- You got to call Hope. - Why me?
I thought you two got along now.
We do, when I have access to rum and weed.
Now call her while I go deal with this.
Whitney!
What is this?
Hey! I'm getting a tattoo.
You need to get here fucking now.
- Stop that. - Come in.
It hurts really bad.
And up and down...
Girl, thanks for coming on such short notice.
Of course.
So...
what's your take on that?
It's not good.
She seemed thrilled to see me, almost too happy.
She's got a touch of the crazy eyes.
I know you guys are talking about me.
You're doing great. Keep going.
Good. I want you to know.
I'm sorry, Whit, but enough is enough.
You can't keep calling in sick to work.
And fix those overgrown eyebrows.
Oh, this is getting sad.
We'll come back to you, Whit.
Renee, what's new with you? You land L'Oréal yet?
No, I left Mia three messages,
and she hasn't even bothered to text me back.
Oh, okay.
Sondi, how are Matthew and Amari?
Oh, Matthew, and Amari, and Naomi are just great.
Who?
Amari's mother just got discharged from the Navy,
and now she's back
to take care of the daughter she gave birth to.
How dare she?
Renee, don't make light of this.
I'm happy that Amari has her mom back,
but things are just changing really quickly,
and it's getting weird, okay?
Like, Matthew's inviting Naomi over for dinner,
so we can get to know each other.
And that's a bad thing?
No, the bad thing is that tattoo on your ankle.
A bumblebee with a song lyric?
- Really, Whit? - The wrong lyric at that.
Okay, I thought it was "I can have another dude in a minute."
It's not that big a deal. It's the same meaning.
Okay, okay, enough with the negativity.
Let me gather you all real quick.
Um, my vote... Lean into the dinner.
Show you're not scared.
Show how much you mean to Amari.
You ain't going nowhere.
As for you and Mia,
I guess my last sister-circle pep talk wasn't enough.
You should stage a fake run-in right outside her home.
That's some high-school bullshit right there.
And it's fucking brilliant.
Who am I trying to look good for?
I ain't got no man.
I want ice cream.
Breakup?
It's pretty obvious, huh?
Mm-hmm.
Hope, you got that?
I'm on it.
You want to keep going?
Okay. Yeah.
- Girl, what are you doing? - I'm finishing this workout.
I don't got $45 to waste.
Shit, me either.
Damn.
Fuck my life.
I am so sorry.
Do you prorate?
Oh, Mia, Mia, hey!
- Hey, you! - Oh, Renee.
- What are the chances? - Sorry, Freshie.
- I owe you a call. - Well, today's your lucky day.
'Cause now you can scratch "give Renee good news"
off your to-do list.
Look, I tried to find the right time
to pitch you to the big boss.
Uh-huh.
But he's never going to approve a new start-up shop.
And to be honest, I don't know if I can vouch for you
when I don't know that much about it myself.
Fair enough.
So have dinner with me and Abby
and let us convince you why two women
are way better than Eclipse.
I promise we're worth the stretch.
I did have a dinner cancel tomorrow night.
Okay, well, tomorrow night it is.
I'll, uh... I'll text you the details.
All right, honey, I'll see you soon.
Yes! Okay.
Oh.
Damn it.
Even the restaurants with two Michelin stars are booked.
Oh, wait.
I think my au pair blew the waiter at this place.
We can probably get in.
I... stop focusing on where we're eating
and start focusing on the work, so we can keep eating.
Well, dinner is an important part of this, Renee.
I mean, you know that.
We've got to show
that we have the same access as the big boys.
No, we have to show her
that we can offer her what the big boys can't.
She's been at L'Oréal for a long time.
She's used to the best.
Speaking of the best, I have a gift.
- Really? - Yeah.
"The Henley Ross Agency."
It's our logo. I had it designed for us.
- Don't you love it? - The font is nice.
It's brown and white, like us.
Yeah.
You know, but there's no need for a sign
if we don't have an office space,
and we can't afford an office space
until we get some clients, so...
- Yeah? - I hear you.
I know. I mean, I want clients too.
But it would help us to go after some smaller fish.
No. No.
We can get L'Oréal. I know it.
- She's my friend. - Yes.
We're gonna try.
Am I in trouble?
It was a joke. I'm kidding.
Do you have any plans this summer?
I want you to be my TA for the summer session.
Seriously?
I-I mean, I'm only a second-year.
I TA'd my second year.
And in case you're wondering, the normal response I get is,
"Professor Baptiste, I'd be honored."
Right. Sorry. I'm just... I'm shocked.
And I'm flattered.
I just need to check on...
Don't you dare say "with Matthew."
No, I wasn't gonna say that.
Um, I was gonna say, "I need to check my schedule."
Uh, I have some things going on.
I signed Amari up for the summer ballet class,
but her mom wants her to...
Never mind.
- You definitely don't care. - Correct.
Can I just take the weekend to think about it?
You can have tonight.
Okay.
Thank you.
Can I take this to mean
that you think I'm, like, really awesome
because you asked me to be your TA...
- Goodbye, Sondi. - So good to see you.
Thank you for getting me in here.
Well, after I saw you inhale that Chipwich
after the workout, I knew I had to do something.
Oh, it's good to hear you laughing again.
What are you talking about?
I laugh all the time.
Uh-huh.
Okay, maybe not lately,
since I've been either crying or raging, but...
I feel good.
Okay.
Oh, I look...
Good.
Please.
Girl, you look better than good.
You are walking into that office tomorrow
with confidence, okay?
All right, you guys, have a good week.
Remember we have a test coming up.
Study hard.
Hey, beautiful.
How did your meeting with Baptiste go?
Uh, great.
She asked me to be her summer TA.
Really?
Really.
What, are you surprised?
No, no, I'm not surprised at all.
It's, um...
I was hoping that since Amari's
gonna be spending so much time with Naomi
that you and I could have a fun
and relaxing
summer together.
Well, I'm not just here to be your summer playmate.
Besides, we can have a fun, relaxing time tonight
when Naomi comes over for dinner.
It's gonna be fine.
And thank you.
It's important that Amari sees
that we can all make this work.
Right.
I know.
- You know what else? - What?
I am done with classes for the day.
And...
Oh, hold on one second.
Ooh.
I have to go.
My girl needs me. I'm sorry.
Sorry.
Bye.
Argh.
Hey, girl.
Damn, girl.
Yeah, I know. My home office is on struggle.
Yeah, it is.
So, how's it going with Abby?
Um, it's, uh... it's great.
Mm-hmm.
She was my boss at Eclipse, you know,
but now that we're solo,
I don't think she understands the dynamic.
She's second-guesses me every chance she gets,
and then she just nods in my face like she agrees.
It's some real passive-aggressive shit,
you know?
And I know she quit, and she's out on a limb,
but, you know, setting up my own shop was my idea.
- Mm-hmm. - And Mia is my friend.
And this dinner wouldn't even be happening
if it weren't for me.
I mean, what if she tries to contradict me
during this meeting?
Okay, listen to me. You said it yourself.
She's not your boss anymore. You are the lead on this.
Make sure she knows that.
This is your account.
Mia is your client,
so tell Abby she can go sit her little...
- Okay, relax. - Narrow ass down somewhere...
Relax, Sista Souljah.
I got it.
All right, well, don't SOS me
and not expect the militant pep talk, okay?
- That is my specialty. - It is.
- Who's the boss? - I'm the boss.
Hey, Radha.
Uh, still working from home.
Um, I looked over the Alpine foreign investment disclosures,
and they're good to go.
Uh, I'll be back soon.
Okay.
Yeah.
Hope.
Let's go for a walk.
You know, I don't see what the big deal is anyway.
Are you being serious?
You do know this is you we're talking about.
You live for work.
I was convinced if I got
a "we're worried about Whitney" call,
it would be because they couldn't get you to leave work,
not the other way around.
They called you?
I was gonna go to work today.
I just, you know...
I just couldn't.
You know, at work, I'm the shit.
It's just with my messy personal life,
uh, I-I'm just like everybody else.
Okay, well, mm, first off,
you and I will never be regular people.
We were in the top five at HBS.
That is quantifiable proof of how good we are, okay?
Mm, what you need is a confidence boost.
- No. - Yes.
Oh, yes, we're doing it.
Don't forget about us.
All right, welcome to trivia night.
Yeah.
Looks like we have a last-minute entry.
So give it up for B School Bitches.
- Ooh! - Yeah.
All right, the first round is world geography.
Question number one,
these three African countries
were once named Northern Rhodesia,
Southern Rhodesia, and Zanzibar.
What are those countries' current names?
Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania.
My girl.
No cheating, Greg.
- If you don't go on somewhere. - Yeah, beat it, Greg.
Keep 'em comin'.
- They ain't ready. - No, they ain't.
- Remember Rubber Well? - That was you?
- That was me. - Ooh, fantastic work.
Lord knows I don't need any more Tupperware,
but when Angela Bassett talks, I listen, okay?
But, you're no longer at Eclipse.
How does Ross Henley plan to meet our needs
and expectations?
We hear you, and what we currently lack in reach,
we make up for in creativity and strategy.
Well, I know Renee is bursting with creativity,
so strategy must be where you come in?
Yep, I run strategy at Henley Ross.
So...
what's your strategy for this new brand extension?
I'm not really in the habit of dispensing my expertise
before contracts are signed, so...
But we would love to pitch you some ideas,
just as soon as we get back from the ladies'.
- Mm-mm - Yes.
Let's go.
I have to pee, too.
Okay.
I just realized it.
What is your problem? You don't want to see me win?
What? R... no, Renee.
Let me ask you this.
Why'd you go all Jerry Maguire and leave when I quit?
Well, technically, I went Renée Zellweger
because you quit first, so...
Abby, Abby.
I don't know. Solidarity, I guess.
I just thought it was really fucked up
what they were doing to you, so I needed to...
You felt bad for me and thought I needed your help.
That's not what I said.
No, but that's what you thought.
No.
Renee, I think you're brilliant.
This meeting is a pipe dream, okay?
We're never gonna get L'Oréal, not even with Mia's help.
Why are you just saying this now?
Because Mia's your friend, and you were really excited...
So you were just, what, just humoring me?
Renee, we're partners.
I just want to be real with you.
And I appreciate that.
And I'll be real with you.
I don't think this partnership is gonna work out.
Thank you, Abby, but I got to be on my own.
Okay.
Did you hear all that?
- Mm-hmm. - Yeah.
Oh, thank you very much.
No, no, no. Please, let me get that.
No, I'll get it. It's fine.
No, no, no, please.
This isn't gonna happen, is it?
No.
But don't take it personally.
You've been a hungry, bossy bitch
since the day I met you.
You made a bold move by leaving,
but I know you're gonna figure this out.
- Thank you. - Come here.
- Thank you. - Of course, honey.
Keep in touch.
- I will. - All right.
All right.
Damn, Abby, a $50 scotch?
Bitch.
So, Naomi, I have been meaning to ask you...
How is your new job?
Great.
Not a lot of Black women programmers,
but I'm back with my girl, so I can't complain.
Sondi,
I do appreciate you stepping in
and doing all that you did.
You really went above and beyond.
Well, Amari means a lot to me, so...
I know.
But now you don't have to split your time so much anymore.
But I'm... I'm still happy to be here for Amari.
Oh, definitely,
but now you don't need to overextend yourself anymore.
Um...
well, I am just happy that my daughter
has so many strong, beautiful, intelligent women in her life.
How about a toast?
To strong, independent women,
especially you, baby.
Cheers.
Yay!
Now, is it dessert time?
- Yes. - Mm, too much sugar.
You know, since it's a special dinner,
you can have dessert this time.
- But what do you say to Sondi? - Thank you, Sondi.
You are so welcome.
Oh, this is my advisor.
Usually I wouldn't answer this at the table, but it's work.
You understand.
No need to explain.
Hello, Professor Baptiste.
Hi.
So happy to hear from you.
I'm sorry that I kept you waiting.
I would love to be your new TA.
Yep.
Thank you so much for the opportunity.
Mmm.
I'm so grateful.
Renee?
Uh, do you know what I'm trying to do right now?
No.
I'm trying to close my kitchen cabinet,
but the hinge is broken.
You know, the hinge you said you fixed.
But you didn't fix it, did you, Jason?
Because you don't know how to fix shit.
All those muscles, those well-sculpted CrossFit muscles,
and you can't fix a goddamn cabinet.
You know, it's really a fucking disgrace.
You spend all that time at the gym,
doing burpees and flipping big-ass tires
or whatever dumb shit you pay them to make you do.
But as soon as I ask you to lift a damn finger...
Uh, did you just hang up on me like a little...
After Mo showed up at the cabin...
We recommitted to our relationship.
And that whole mess with the baby mama
and me having a miscarriage...
We already got a house together, and...
Knocking like the damn police.
Sorry, a little riled up
from you calling my manhood into question.
- Remember that? - Nope.
Why are you here?
I still know when you need me.
- I don't need anyone. - I'm not just anyone.
You're right. You're no-fucking-one to me.
You're full of shit.
You're full of lies.
And I can't even look at you anymore
with that fucking shirt on.
Listen, um, I'm sorry.
I know how that came off.
She basically said to me, "Thanks for raising my kid,
but your job here is done now."
- It's not. - I know.
She's not wrong.
I love you, and I love Amari,
but all of this
can be really distracting,
and I'm not trying to spend the next five years
getting my PhD, so...
honestly...
Naomi's arrival was perfect timing.
Well...
I appreciate you staying so positive about all this.
Uh, one more thing.
I'm sorry that I was so selfish about this summer.
And I got you a present.
These...
are the books that you're gonna be using
in the class that you're gonna TA...
Already annotated by yours truly.
Congratulations.
You're gonna be great.
Hey, I'm, uh, going to Atlanta next week.
Yeah?
With the band?
Yeah, studio time is much cheaper there.
Ooh.
Look at you being fiscally responsible.
How long you gonna be gone?
Not sure. Few months maybe.
What? For real?
Yeah.
What's wrong?
- You gonna miss me? - Negro, please.
Well...
don't let me keep you.
You're free to run off to Hotlanta.
You know they don't call it that, right?
Bye, Jason.
"Renee. I'm so sorry about last night.
"I think you're a superstar.
"Please accept this mea culpa. Best of luck, XOXO, Abby.
"P.S., don't go telling people I'm a Karen.
I sent you a little something."
Yeah.
Whoo-hoo!