Run the World

Previously onRun The World...

Getting divorced is surprisingly easy.

Cheers!

Divorce can be like a death.

I'm fine.

All women deserve to fuck up at least once.

I'm sorry, what?

Every woman deserves to sleep with at least one man

who can actually change her station in life.

Why are you taking her side?

If you are fucking up, then good for you!

I love Ola so much.

I didn't cheat on him because I have doubts about him or us.

Make peace with this and bury it.

You told me seven days before you left.

You were so depressed after your publishers dropped you.

I didn't wanna make it worse.

Don't you think this will look amazing

with a thigh-high slit?

Renee, no.

What is wrong with you?

Hey.

Can you please start being

the friends that I very much need right now?

So what's going on?

This wedding is literally

bringing out the worst in my friends.

And maybe me too.

Ever feel like every day is a fight?

Lately, I wake up,

and I feel like I have to put on my armor

even when I'm with my girls.

I'm fantastic.

I'm just here because, you know,

divorces and therapy seem like a natural combo.

And besides, I need to use my flex spending.

I can't believe this is where I am at this point in my life.

And what point is that?

You know, I have patients whose lives are really fucked up.

You're 32, you're employed,

you're beautiful, you're smart...

And yet my life's a shit show.

Hi! Can you sign this, please?

Of course! What's your name?

Jacquetta, spelled the regular way.

Huge fan of "What The El." I read it every day.

You've taught me how to be sexy,

and empowered and perfectly single...

Not like the last girl to get chose.

You're like my BFF in my head.

Except not how Beyoncé's my BFF in my head.

You're like my BFF in my head

if I knew this person in real life.

- Thank you? - Mm-hmm!

- Thank you! - You're welcome.

Everything okay?

Yeah. It's just a work thing.

It can wait.

Tonight is all about celebrating

my gorgeous girlfriend and soon-to-be bestselling author.

Tonight doesn't happen without you.

I'm proud of you, baby.

I love you.

Ugh. I hear the room rate at the Standard

is discounted on Tuesdays.

You actually did the damn thing.

Congratulations.

That means a lot coming from you, Barb.

I really appreciate you coming out.

I'm on the hunt for a waiter with free booze and tiny food.

Have you tried the crab cakes? They are bite-sized yum!

I'm too nervous to eat.

But it's already written.

Now you just wait for all these single Black girls

with big dreams

and too much attitude to buy it.

- Did you read it? - No.

But look at you and all these pages!

Ooh, crab cakes.

So, not-so-good news.

Some of the early reviews are... less than stellar.

- Oh, my God. They hate me. - Sweetie, don't spiral.

It's not a huge deal.

I just wanted to let you know so you won't get blindsided.

What are you doing? No.

I'm not letting you do this right now.

No. Okay.

The lowlights: There are some sentiments

that you may have abandoned your core audience

to become more palatable.

What?

Also, the words "banal" and "trite" were used,

but screw those self-righteous, Pussyhat-wearing critics.

What about the sales projections?

Oh, it's all very fluid.

Just enjoy your party, okay?

André Leon Talley is here. Mm-hmm.

Okay, that is a whole moment you got going on there.

Yes, darling, it's a look.

You like?

Jason thought it was too risqué.

Mm, for a book party? Shocking.

Ella, this party is everything!

I'm so proud of you!

I really hope that you're soaking all this up.

I was, until five minutes ago.

Apparently my book got some shitty reviews.

Do reviews matter anymore?

I'm a writer. Haven't you heard?

We're all deeply insecure.

Forget the reviews.

I just saw André Leon Talley with Pat Field.

Oh, my God. Where? I love them.

Guys, what if my book doesn't sell?

I don't have a backup plan.

Okay, okay.

Do not do your negative energy woe-is-me thing.

This is your moment.

And you get to choose how you experience it.

Look around.

This is what you asked for.

Yum. Are those lamb pops?

Oh.

To be clear, it was not what I asked for.

I didn't ask for osteoporosis

or for my shit commute

or for my tax guy to retire

and only send notification by paper mail.

Who sends paper mail?

Ella, what is it you think you asked for?

I asked for success, to amplify my voice.

And you had a book published.

So a few people didn't like it.

It's no longer an accomplishment?

I thought it was the beginning of my career,

but it damn near ended it.

How?

Sure, would've been nice

if the reviews were a little better.

But, you know,

life isn't always gonna kiss your ass, sweetheart.

You have osteoporosis?

You have such good posture.

It's my lumbar pillow.

It's made of Hyper Foam.

Oh.

You know, whenever we talk about this particular night,

you always mention what Renee was wearing.

Why?

Renee does things I would never do.

I would wear the bridesmaid's dress

that she picked out even if I hated it.

I did, in fact, wear a very hideous

poofy chiffon number in her wedding,

but I would never ask to have it altered

with a slit up to my cervix.

Well, this can't be a surprise to you.

No. I mean, this is who Renee is.

She's been on a crusade

to make sure everyone knows she's there

ever since her mom started letting her dress herself

in the fourth grade.

But this is really not about the way she dresses, is it?

No. She always looks amazing.

It's just, she never thinks about...

About what?

About what other people think of her?

Should she?

Yes.

No.

Sometimes.

She just walks around not giving a fuck.

Well, perhaps you resent Renee's ability to be free.

Well, when I allow myself freedom,

bad things happen.

I go to one club on a weeknight

and end up sleeping with a guy I just met.

I mean, who does that?

It's New York, honey. Most people.

- Well, I'm not most people. - I know.

You're the person who never wants anyone to be mad at her

ever.

Hurry up, Whitney.

What's taking so long with those drinks?

When are they gonna start playing the juke music?

You know what? I'm ready to per-co-late!

I'm waiting for the reggae set.

Where are the cuties?

Of course.

Tall, light skin, long hair wins every time.

- Mm-hmm. - Um, excuse me?

Boys literally just stopped calling me Big Bird yesterday.

Remember? "She tall and she yellow"?

Well, now, they're calling you America's next top model.

Right.

No one's interested in your pretty-girl problems.

Well, I'm not interested in those guys.

Then why did you smile at them?

Because I'm nice.

Uh, keep walking. Mm-mm.