Ladies First

This is a story about a man named Damien.

Damien had it all.

Wealth, sex, power.

Because he was also an arsehole.

-Oh good, you're up. - Hey.

I'll get to say goodbye.

Last night was incredible.

- It was. -I ordered you breakfast.

I didn't know what you wanted, so I got you one of everything.

Housekeeping are dry-cleaning your dress.

But in case you wanted to go home in something more discreet,

I got you a new outfit.

The receipt's in the bag.

Wow.

Anything for the woman

who took my virginity.

As we know, in this world,

it's often the very worst people who seem to have it all.

So this is what being the CEO of Guinness gets you.

-Does he own the whole island? - Only the good parts.

Louis is an old friend from Oxford. He always does business this way.

Surrounded by beauty, if you know what I mean.

But don't worry.

Damien is about to get exactly what he deserves.

So, the board are on to me about "female representation"…

Uh-huh.

…when they discovered that Atlas doesn't have

a single creative director who is a woman.

Why the hell should that matter?

Well, I was told we need to look elsewhere.

What?

-Sorry, Fred. -Come on.

You mean to tell me that you brought us all the way out here

just to fire us, huh?

Yeah, well, I think a man should do these things face-to-face.

I'm sorry, but it is out of my hands.

- Louis, I-- -No, I… I don't know what to tell them.

I do.

Your information is out of date.

We just promoted the most incredible woman to creative director last week.

And not for the optics,

but because she's the best person for the job.

Feminism is not a numbers game for Atlas.

-Mm. - Tell that to your board.

- Hm. -

So tell me, who is this new female we appointed last week?

-Oh, sorry. Did I say last week? -Mm-hmm.

I meant this afternoon.

The time difference always gets me.

You clever bastard.

-Well, now listen. -Hm?

Between you and me, I'm thinking of retiring next year,

but I've already floated your name past the board.

So, as far as I'm concerned,

you're the next CEO of the Atlas Agency.

You ready for that?

Stupid question.

Hello, Atlas Agency. Damien Sachs' office.

Ruby, I've got a high-priority project for you.

Okay, I've checked with HR,

and you cannot legally make me break up with one of your girlfriends again.

No, no. I would never ask you to do that. You were crap at it last time.

I need you to compile me a list of female creatives

so that I can promote one.

Okay. So you want me to categorize our employees for a promotion

based on gender and/or race?

- - No. Just on gender.

And don't write that down in your document.

Mm-hmm.

So who've we got?

- We've got Alexandra Fox. -Perfect.

Set up a meeting so I can give her the good news.

Do you even know who she is?

- - I was just going alphabetically.

Ruby, honestly.

Oh, and move my flight to tomorrow.

I've just identified three very strong candidates

for a few other positions.

You are so predictable.

Thank you.

-Uh, Alex. -Yes.

Some of the other junior creatives

are meeting up later at the pub for happy hour, and, uh…

Oh, wow. Thanks.

But I think my happy hour days might be long behind me.

Oh, I wasn't inviting you. I was just, uh,

hoping if we left a little early, you could finish up uploading

the images for the Morris campaign.

Yes, absolutely. Yeah, I'm on it.

Great.

- Alex. -Oh, Ruby, you look nice.

Just to let you know, Damien would like to meet with you

tomorrow at 9 a.m. sharp.

-Oh, no. Is something wrong? -No, actually, the opposite.

-A pro-- A promotion? -Mm-hmm.

So he liked the presentation I sent on the Guinness campaign.

I know it's not my account, and I didn't want to overstep,

but I had a feeling he might respond to it.

Yep, that is why.

- Wow. -

Oh my God, I'm sorry. Sorry. I know I've only been here 20 years,

and I don't regret taking time off to raise my child at all,

but it has been hard coming back, and everyone being so young,

just with so much energy.

So I'm just feeling proud of myself.

And, um, I'm excited,

and I… I can't believe that I'm crying at work.

Okay, you absolutely should not do that in front of anyone else.

-No, I won't. - Yeah.

-Baby gherkin? - Yes.

Hi, Mum.

What? Of course I haven't forgotten.

Happy birthday. Yeah, I'm in the car right now.

Yeah, I flew back specially.

Um…

Yeah, I have got you a present.

Ruby, remind me what I bought my mother.

You are a terrible son.

-Got you. I did! - No, you didn't! You're dead!

- You're dead. - You missed!

Uncle Damien!

-Hi, boys. - Pew!

You're dead.

- Watch my dance. -Watch mine.

Ow!

I didn't touch him!

Yes, you did!

-No, I didn't. -Chris!

I think your boys need you.

Sunny!

Coming.

-What did you do to him? -Sunny. You look…

- Careful. -…wonderful.

Save the fake compliments for your conquests.

Hey, Dad.

Oh! You've been getting some sun, haven't you?

Don't it look like he's been getting some sun, Chris?

Not really. Looks the same as he always does.

-Where's Mum? -Where do you think?

-Okay. -Do us a favor.

- Hm? -Let her know we need more beer.

-And for me, Damien, mate. - Hi, Mummy.

Oh!

-Sweetheart. You made it. -

-Of course. Happy birthday. -Oh, thank you.

This looks so lovely. Oh, thank you.

You look sad.

-Well, I'm not sad. - Oh…

-I'm actually extremely happy. -Are you?

-I've got some very good news, Mummy. -Mm-hmm?

-Your little boy… -Yeah?

…is going to be the next CEO of the Atlas Agency.

- Oh! -

And no one to share it with.

No, I've got plenty of people to share it with.

In fact, I shared it with six women just this last weekend.

- Oh, you naughty boy. -

Six in a weekend?

-Yeah. -Right, service, please.

- Can I take that? -No, no, no. You must be exhausted.

-I am. -Christopher.

Sunny, your mum needs you in the kitchen!

"Guinness. Love takes time, but it's worth it."

Well, your presentation's actually really good.

- -Wow, thanks, darling.

I don't know if I should be touched or offended.

Maybe we could celebrate by getting me an iPhone.

An iPhone? I think new phones are your father's domain.

Well, yeah, but now he spends all his money on Tina.

- -On Tina? What happened to Rebecca?

She turned 30.

Oh, well, poor thing. Well, it happens to the best of us.

-You think you'll get a new office? -A new… No. No.

No, I haven't earned that yet. And I… I like where I am. I like my desk.

It's good to be in the center of things.

-You always do that. - Do what?

Act like you don't deserve anything.

No, I don't.

Yeah, you do. You need to stand up for yourself.

- -I do stand up for myself.

Sure you do.

Anyway, I think it's great.

Thank you.

I'm excited.

I'll get that quote off to you, all right? See you soon.

Oh, hi.

Hello.

After you.

Please. Ladies first.

So you like my presentation?

Mmm.

-I do. -I'm glad. I put a lot of work in.

Clearly.