Hey, Sam. - What's up?
This.
Ugh. What is that? Is that Nathaniel?
Yeah, he keeps emailing me from his retreat.
It actually sounds really fun.
Do you think I could get diagnosed
with toxic masculinity?
No.
And, dude, we can't lose you.
It's been mayhem since Nathaniel left.
Oh, corporate just sent out this week's assignments.
Ugh. I got the Renaissance Faire.
Great, I got to spend the whole day
with a blacksmith with a theater degree.
- What'd you get? - Holy shit.
The Greater Boston Film Festival.
- Wait, what? Why? - I don't know.
It says I'm interviewing Bob the Drag Queen from Drag Race.
I guess she has like a new documentary she's promoting.
I could get a byline on a big article.
Honestly, that sounds like a lot of work.
And you look kind of tired.
My dark circles are hereditary, Jeff.
I'm just saying the Ren Faire is so much easier.
It's corsets, jousting, turkey legs. You're in, you're out.
And everyone's home by, like, 6:00 p. m.
Because they all still live with their parents.
Yeah, that sounds really fun,
but I think I'll stick with mine.
You know, this could be good for me, actually.
But here's the thing,
it's not about others' actions, right?
We can't control other people, right?
- It-It-It's not about their actions.
It's about your reaction.
Um, for instance, if I said,
"Carol, although you might think that your judgment is silent,
the eye roll you just gave me could be seen from space,"
you would say...?
Eh.
Not taking the bait?
Very good, great illustration, Carol.
Can you hear me?
Yeah. Control is a lie. Got it.
Okay, um, seriously, though, do-do you want to move up?
Because it's a smaller group today.
- And, um... - There's a spot open next to me.
Great. Um, you know what?
I should actually mention I-I'm teasing a little bit,
and it's because Carol and I kind of do know each other...
Excuse me, I prefer an aisle seat.
And this is her first meeting.
Actually, you know what, Carol?
- Thank you. - It's time for newcomers share.
Would-would you like to come up?
God, no.
Okay, well, Carol, thank you
for sharing why you are not sharing.
Oh-ho-ho, yes, swag bag.
Aw, lemon banana crunch? It's like their worst flavor.
Did anyone get blueberry oat?
It's my favorite, I'll trade you.
Sammy?
Sam.
- Sam, you okay? - Huh? What's up?
You got that thinking emoji face on.
What's going on? You okay?
Yeah, no, sorry, I just want to make sure
these questions are good, that's all.
Are you sure you want us to be here?
Because I know I get kind of stressed
when I combine work and fun,
like when I did the happy hour haircuts
and everybody kept dancing in the chair.
So many Band-Aids.
No, no, I'm happy you guys are here.
You sure? - I mean, it was free
and you get to meet Alex, finally.
I think it'll be really fun.
It's gonna be fun. Everything's gonna be great.
You know, we can meet Alex when you're not working.
We can go to that Korean-Italian fusion spot.
- Ew. - What's going on, pals?
- "Pals"? - Hey.
Yeah, pals. I didn't want to say "ladies."
I don't want your friends to think I'm hitting on them.
- Oh, no, God forbid. - Yeah.
This is, um, Felicia and Brit. This is Alex.
It is such a pleasure to meet you two.
I've heard so much about you.
- Oh, yeah? - Yeah.
- Oh.
One second.
My boy Big Rog is hitting me up.
- We came up together at The Observer. - Right.
He has some media dudes he wants me to meet.
Ooh, local film scene your thing?
Uh, yeah, I actually used to cover this event
and then I got fired, so...
I'm just arm candy this year.
Here he is. Give me one sec.
Yo, Rog, where you at, dude?
I don't see you nowhere.
Nah, I'm just hanging out with my girl.
I'll be there in a sec. Bye.
- Um, is it cool if I pop over there? - Yeah, of course.
- You're the best. Mwah. - Okay.
I'll see you guys in 15?
- Oh. Oh.
What do you guys think?
- Oh... - He-he seems like...
- a busy guy, he's working the room. - Mm-hmm.
- We like that. - Yeah.
Do you think he'll mind if I just take a look?
Because, um, if I can get extra pens,
- Zack loves promotional pens. I don't think he'll care.
Ooh, tequila.
Venti oat milk caramel
half-sweet cappuccino
with four shots of espresso, for Mindy.
Oh. Mindy. Hey.
James.
Um, four shots of espresso, that's a lot.
Well, it's a gamer holiday.
The new Ren's Legion is dropping,
and I want to stay up all night and stab wraiths in the eye.
Oh, yeah, right, I'm-I'm actually picking up Ren's, also.
So...
if you're going to Pixel Palace, maybe save me a spot in line?
It's not 2008, James. I'm downloading it.
Well, uh, see you around, I guess.
And then I told him, "Look..."
It's been like half an hour.
What do you think he's doing over there?
Ooh. Fading Farmland: A Real Look at America's Middle.
And... the last showing is in five minutes.
You can't actually want to see that.
Yes, I can. We're at a film festival.
Go ahead. I-I'll meet up with you after the interview.
Yeah? Okay, great. You're-you're gonna kill it.
You know, I got to go, too.
Zack's got plans and Trent's stuck at work.
No. Hey, you can't leave me, too. I mean...
you haven't even gotten to hang out with Alex yet, so...
Yeah, I'd say it's more like he didn't get to hang out with us.
But it's okay.
Calm down. You're gonna be great.
- Okay? - Okay.
Break all the legs.
I'm just gonna, um...
just see if they have more swag bags real quick.
Love you.
Sorry.
So I said to him, "If you're not gonna wear pants,
I'm not gonna wear pants."
and then the interview went amazing.
He trusted me, it worked out. It was great.
Hey, there she is.
This is my girlfriend Sam, the working lady.
She's actually gonna have to pay for my scooter
to get home tonight, you know?
Uh, Alex has told us so much about you.
Oh, really? What did he say? Tell me everything.
- I'll actually hang around to hear the answer.
Can I interest anyone in a signature cocktail?
We have Boston Dirty Tea.
Nah, we're good here, man.
Not thirsty.
Oh, um...
Yeah, me neither.
Actually, can we get a round of waters?
- Ooh, yeah. - That'd be great. - Awesome.
I, um, I actually have a lot of free drink tickets.
If you guys want a round of beers, I can go get you some.
Um, that's really nice of you, Sam, but no, thanks.
We're good.
Are you okay?
Would you excuse me for a minute?
- I'm gonna go... - Shit, yeah, dude, yeah. - That makes sense.
Sam. Sam, are you okay?
Hey, Sam, what's up? Where's your friends?
Uh, they left.
Oh, I am so sorry.
It... The guys, did you tell them I was sober?
No, that didn't come up.
Really? 'Cause it seems like
it's the only thing they know about me.
Why are you being so weird?
It's midday and they didn't want to get drunk at work.
I think they didn't want to drink in front of the alcoholic.
Sam, not everything is about you.
Sam? Sam Fink?
Sam Fink?
- Sam Fink? - Yeah, hi.
Oh, hi, I'm Bob the Drag Queen's publicist.
Can you come with me, please?
Oh.
Sam.
Great. Bob's so wonderful.
- You're just gonna crush it. Sam.
Of course, I don't just represent Bob.
- I represent a ton of other...
Bob's right through here.
- Thanks. - Yeah.
Hi, um, Sam Fink, Hit Pause.
Oh, hi, Bob the Drag Queen, from the film.
Very nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you, too. Welcome, I'm so excited.
Me, too. Where would you like me to, um...?
- You can sit right there. - Oh, great. Okay, cool.
Are you thirsty? You want some water?
It is... it's very fancy.
It is, um, filtered through the porous rocks
- of an active volcano. - Whoa.
I mean, I think it's just a marketing tactic.
Yeah. - But have some.
Oh, no, uh, thank you, I-I appreciate that, though.
I'm not worthy of-of $40 water.
- Okay. - Um, let me see what I have for you here.
Okay, so...
Uh, how did you first get introduced to drag?
Oh, I was recruited.
Yeah, the gay agenda is actually at work.
I used to be a straight white guy.
So, no, I'm kidding.
Honestly, I'm just, I'm just a really interesting person.
And I wanted more people to pay attention, so...
wigs, lashes, heels, and the rest is history.
Perfect.
Uh, I... forgot to record.
- I'm so sorry about this. - No worries.
I'm just gonna...
set that... Nope, that's not the right thing.
- You got to use the right... - And then we'll...
Okay.
- I'm sorry. - No, leave it, just leave it.
Baby, it is just volcano water.
- I have,
I have another bottle, it's okay, it's all right.
Okay, good. - Are you all right, though?
Oh, uh, yeah, sorry.
No, I just...
My boyfriend and I just kind of got into a little fight outside.
- Oh. - I'm sorry.
I just feel a little frazzled.
Sam. Listen.
I love millennial drama.
It is my favorite thing in the world.
So, if you want to be messy...
come be messy next to me.
- Really? - Yes.
- Okay. - I prefer it.
I'll be quick, I promise.
Oh, no. Please do not be quick.
Okay. Um...
Your-your boyfriend.
- Alex. - Alex.
Eight. Nine.
Do me a favor. Give me a high five on the way up.
- Oh! - Oh, geez, okay.
Oh, hey, hi, honey.
How was the meeting?
I... don't.
Oh, okay. We're done, we're done.
Hey, Rick, you know what? On-on second thought,
let's-let's end it now, okay?
All right? Don't want to overextend.
- No ego, amigo. - Sounds good.
All right, I'll see next week, okay?
Got you. See you later, Terminator.
Bye, Rick. Bye, Rick.
Okay.
So, uh...
- how was it? - It was ridiculous.
It was everything I thought it would be.
We spent an hour in really uncomfortable chairs,
and they get excited about asinine readings.
And then they talk and they talk and they talk.
Isn't the point to talk?
According to them, yeah.
No, what-what I meant is, I'm wondering if maybe
part of the-the healing
is to-to speak your-your-your experience out loud.
Why would I want to share my business with those whiners?
Well, because it's anonymous and maybe a safe space to share.
You know what else is anonymous?
Glory holes.
Are those a good idea?
Whose side are you on?
Well, I'm-I'm on your side. Of course I'm on your side.
C-Carol, you're-you're on my mat with your-your shoes. That's...
Carol, I've asked you many times not to walk on my mat.
It's my only space and you're stomping all over it.
Look, I get that you're annoyed,
but what's the harm in maybe going to a few more meetings?
Listen, if you don't make a real effort,
you risk permanently damaging your relationships.
I'm great at relationships, Bob.
Yeah, I know.
I know you are.
All right, come on. Next, please.
We'll get you a hot dog or something.
Yes. - Oh, James.
Hi.
Hey.
H-How you doing?
Uh, good, I'm good.
Uh, ready to kick some owlbear butt in this Ren's Legion game.
You play Ren's Legion?
Sure do. What clan you guys in?
We're the Demon Boyz with a "Z."
- That's-that's legit. - What about you?
You know, I had a crew, but we had some creative differences.
So now I'm rolling solo dolo.
You can't be trying to face a boss on your own.
- You're gonna get eviscerated. - Zachary.
Be nice.
I am proud of that use of "eviscerated,"
-that's good vocabulary. Where'd you learn that? -Reddit.
Reddit? We have talked about this before. Sorry.
I got to get these kids fed. All right, have a good one.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Zacky, you better believe, the second we get home,
I am taking that tablet away.
You know who's self-centered? My mother.
That's who is self-centered. And if you are gonna see me
in that same light, then, like, I actually don't know
that we should be dating at all.
Do you know what I mean? Like, can I even date a normie?
- Okay, I cannot answer that question for you. - Oh, right.
And, I mean, we don't have enough volcano water
- in the world to get through that. - Totally.
Okay, time's up.
Thank you, Samantha Fink of Hit Pause: Boston.
- No, no, no, no. - Yeah.
I don't think my time's up. It hasn't been that long.
- It is, babe. - Yeah.
- Thank you, though.
But I...
Could I get just like five more minutes?
No, sweetie, we've got...
- We're really booked. - I would, but sorry.
- Okay. - Yeah.
- Um... - Sorry.
- No, that's okay. - Best of luck with everything, babe.
Okay, I just...
God, there was so much that I had...
I had wanted to ask you.
- Especially about the movie. - Tell-tell Alex I said hey.
- Oh, yay. - Oh, no, I will.
But do you have any, like, one-liners?
The movie is great and you'll love it.
- It's gonna be so good, you're gonna love it. - Oh, okay.
- Thank you so much. - From Bob the Drag Queen.
- Thank you. - All right, bye, Sam.
Okay, bye. Did you need anything else?
-I need a Red Bull. That was a lot. -Okay, I got you.
Oh, my God, corn.
Oh, Sam, look, this is Henry, he's the star of Fading Farmland
and he just got signed as a model.
- What? - Yeah.
- Sick. - Okay, well, come back if you have any questions
about crop rotation.
Yo, Sam.
Something big is happening.
It's gonna be amazing.
Oh, yeah? That's super cool.
- You want to know what's happening with me? - Yeah.
I just blew that interview thanks to you.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What do you mean "thanks to me"?
You picked a fight with me like right before I went in there.
I did not pick a fight with you.
Samantha, I understand you're going through a lot right now.
But I cannot become your punching bag.
You're not my punching bag.
You're my boyfriend, and all I wanted from you
was a little bit of support.
But you weren't there at all.
Now, how am I supposed to know that?
I'm just supposed to read your mind?
Is that how this is supposed to work?
- Please explain. - Why do men always say that?
It's not mind-reading, it's just picking up on basic social cues.
Why is that so hard?
I'm impressed that you're putting this all on me.
- I really am.
Did you do this to your friends or just me?
No, I didn't. Felicia has a kid and Brit is getting divorced.
I don't know, I just thought maybe my boyfriend
could show up for me this time.
Okay, well, I'm gonna put a pause on this conversation
because I'm not dealing with this shit tonight, all right?
Cool.
Awesome.
Very cool.
What? What is this?
I'm moving out.
W-Wait, wait.
I'm... No, I'm not in the mood for any more drama today, Bob.
Not today.
Did you ever even want me here?
Of course.
What do you mean? You moved in.
Yeah, but you never really let me move in.
We...
eat at that table every day,
we sleep in that bedroom every night.
Yeah, yeah, but per your instructions,
I keep all of my-my clothes in the garage.
It gets cold out there, I have to microwave my pants.
You're being absolutely ridiculous.
All right, you-you see? Do you see these pans?
I brought these pans with me when I came.
And I asked you not to use a fork on them
because they have a non-stick coating.
I asked you to be gentle.
And you ignored me, and-and you scratched them up anyway
and now they're ruined. This-this is us, Carol.
We are two scratched-up skillets
that don't work the way they're supposed to.
I will buy you new skillets, Bob.
I-I would love that, thank you.
Okay, my-my point about the pans...
is that you're not great at relationships.
- You bulldoze...
- Okay, no, no, no. - And you don't listen.
No, no, no. That's enough, that's enough.
Okay, I want... I want us to get better, I...
I really want you to get better.
And the only way I know how to do that is for me to leave.
And, unfortunately, you're gonna have
to figure out the rest on your own.
Please call me if you do.
And that's when I learned
the most crucial thing a first- time director needs to know.
But you're gonna have to tune in to next week's episode
to find out. All right, thank you, everyone, goodbye.
Mwah. See you next week.
Hey.
Henry and I had the best time.
He taught me all about agronomics.
And guess what. He's a doctor.
A crop doctor.
I mean, it's perfect. We went to this afterparty...
Brit, can we talk about this another time?
I-I'm sort of in the middle of something right now.
Damn, okay.
What's wrong?
- Uh, this piece is killing me.
I mean, my interview was... horrible,
and Alex will not stop calling me, I...
Okay. Breathe. Let me see it.
Uh...
I'm sure it's fine. Let me see.
Uh...
It's a take.
It's, um...
Volcano water sounds amazing now.
- Okay, yeah. - I feel like that's great.
I told you it was... it was rough.
I mean...
Is it just a transcript of a podcast?
'Cause I think you left this ad in here about natural hair dye?
I can take that part out!
You again.
Why are you so obsessed with me?
Is it cool if we party up?
I got donut holes and wet naps for the controllers
so we don't get them dirty.
Maybe some other time.
Good luck with the swamp witch.
You'll need an enchanted spear,
but it's surrounded by, um, a swarm of ants.
So...
S-So, uh, what I wanted to say back there is...
I actually got 20 days, um...
Cool.
I'm glad to hear that.
Started going back to church.
Um, so, that's been helping a lot.
I don't have a lot of people to tell that to, so...
Listen, I'm really sorry for what happened back at 24/7.
I embarrassed myself and, um...
I really appreciate you talking to me.
My clan is pretty small these days.
- Oh, my God, save me.
- I-I can't. - Why aren't you saving me?
I'm a paladin, I can't do anything.
No, no, no.
Oh, take that, you hairy bitch.
Alex?
Oh, hey, Samantha.
Um... Why haven't you answered any of my phone calls?
I called you like 20 times.
Yeah, I was busy, I was working, okay?
I mean, what are you...
What are you doing here? Is this about our fight?
No, it's not about the fight.
I-I'm... Nathaniel is taking a permanent leave of absence.
And they couldn't find another editor,
so the bosses called the devil that they knew and...
Here we are.
So, you're, uh, you're my boss again?
Yeah, I'm your boss again.
- Sick. - Yeah.
So, I-I think that me and you should sit down soon and...
just figure out what that means
and the next steps.
Yeah, no, that, uh, makes sense.
Uh, anyway, I should probably get out of your office.
Yeah, and we have that staff meeting. I'll see you there.
- Oh, cool. - Great.
- Can't... - Okay, cool.
- Can't wait. - Yep.
And, oh, yo.
Send me the write-up from the film festival.
- Oh, yeah, the film festival thing. - Yeah.
That's...
You know, it's not totally polished yet.
I feel like it could use a few more, like...
- Oh, come on.
I know the interview didn't go well,
but I'm sure it's still good.
Send it by end of day.
- Oh, end of the day? - Yeah.
: Okay, great.
Shit.
The nice thing about getting abandoned is, it makes you
realize maybe I'm also the asshole.
Nobody arguing that. Okay, noted, uh...
Uh, I'm sick of hearing myself talk.
Would anyone like to share?
All right, that's our meeting.
I will see everyone across at the coffee shop.
Carol?
Um...
I'm Carol.
You all know that.
Um...
I guess I'm talking today because...
I haven't felt this alone
since my husband died.
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org