Original subtitles

Some explicit photos of Opal

went live on the site last night.

- Who posted them? - Came from Opal's account.

[Evelyn] That pig!

- Delete the skid marks piece. - No!

Mm. Sweet.

Mm. Like Sweet Jane, your number-one fan.

Should I be thinking about sex?

No. You should be having it.

[Lucy] Loosen your thigh muscles.

Have you ever thought that your sarcasm

might be a bit of a costume?

No, it's just my personality.

You remember the Tinder mishap?

- Ugh. - I need you to talk to her.

By now, many of you will have read Norma Pearce's new book.

You may feel like the Evelyn Jones

you thought you knew has died.

But I'm not dead.

It's very difficult to defend oneself against hearsay.

Perceptions are subjective

and almost impossible to substantiate.

All I can do is deny - vehemently deny,

Norma's depiction of me and my colleagues.

[woman] No! Hate it.

The lady doth sound like a defensive coward, methinks.

[Peter] Okay, what's the right amount defensive then?

Because we need to voice our dissent.

[woman] Ah, you don't let the public determine

if Norma's betrayal is negative.

You determine it for them.

I have determined it, Sue. It's bad.

The book's called "Toxic Boss". I'm the toxic boss.

Yeah, and I'm the dick-swinging publisher.

Ah, but that's cute, that's punchy!

Ooh, makes me think of a nice big dick.

[Peter] Look, we can deny Norma's allegations all we like,

but in the end the general public,

they're going to draw their own conclusions.

The general public are drongos.

They'll believe whatever they want.

Then, why are we here?

Because they'll also believe whatever we tell them to.

We're going to minimise the negatives,

and maximise the positives.

So, what are they?

Sorry, can you, can you repeat the question?

The negatives and the positives.

What has she actually said about you two?

Well, we don't exactly know.

Her, her writing's very hyperbolic.

What do you mean, you don't know?

We, um, well, um...

Well, we haven't read it yet.

[scoffs]

You're going to have to come back

when you've actually got something for me to spin.

[Sue] Okay, who do I invoice?

- Dick-swinging publisher? - Yep.

You're paying, aren't you?

Well, you called the meeting.

She's your friend.

[tense music]

[man on phone] Hello. Parrot Publishing.

Oh hi, I haven't yet received my advance copy

of "Toxic Boss" by Norma Pearce.

[man on phone] Look, we're only just keeping up

with the requests, but all pre-releases have been sent out.

[clearing throat] It might be a mistake?

[man on phone] You're right, it probably is a mistake.

We have had so many phone calls this morning, it's crazy.

[Paul] Evelyn, is something on fire?

No, I'm just burning some incense.

[man on phone] Sorry, where were you calling from?

[mumbling] "Eve Life"...

[man on phone] Where was that?

Eve.

[man on phone] Did you say "Eve Life"?

Yeah, that's not a mistake. You're not on the list.

- Have a good one. - [phone disconnects]

[phone clatters]

Paul!

Yeah?

I need you to call Parrot Publishing

and get the advanced copy of Norma's fucking book.

Don't say you're from "Eve Life".

Well, what should I say?

Um, I don't know, pretend you're someone different and...

[Paul] Okay...

Hi, yeah, this is Paul Clark from Ask Adam Sales.

Yeah, I'd really love to get my American hands

on a copy of "Toxic Boss".

I'm here for business and pleasure,

but I'm a big wig, buddy.

I'm a hot shot.

You know, one day I might be the President.

Can you make it out to Paul at ah...

"Eve Life"?

Hello?

["Breakdance" by Irene Cara playing]

I want hot topics, punchy headlines.

Make me break my thumb I'm clicking so fast.

You've got until I score a home run.

- Isn't that baseball? - A basket then.

A goal.

[foosball table rattles]

Gemma's shock exit from The Jugglers.

Children's band. What's the angle?

Do we know Gemma?

She's the band's first non-white member.

Her leaving looks... sus.

What about an historic look on whitewashing

in children's music and how that psychologically

affected kids like me?

[ball clacks]

[foosball table rattles]

What else you got?

Tantalize's new viral fake tan.

I'm thinking road test, a photo diary.

See how the fake tan fares over seven days.

Put the self into self-tan.

Oh, but not this self.

Being tanned is a proxy for low socioeconomic status

for us Japanese.

It's very peasant farmer, working in the fields.

Oh, that's a better angle.

What the fake tan means to an Asian woman, write that.

[ball clacks]

- [Evelyn scoffs] - [Lily claps]

[foosball table rattles]

How is this supposed to be helping?

We're getting flabby. We've got to be tighter. Got competitors now.

[ball clacks]

That's not fair. I wasn't ready.

How's that my problem?

Everyone's talking about it.

Gemma's post already has 200 retweets

and this story's really important to me.

[Evelyn] It's not the story I'm against, Jeet. It's the tone.

Why would I want to click?

Make me care without striking out.

- [ball clacks] - That's baseball again.

[hands clap]

Alright, Pen.

- Wake up. - Whoa.

You're wide open. What you got?

Nothing. I was up all night with Stormy.

He's got pinkeye.

That's highly contagious.

We just shook hands.

I just don't see how I'm supposed to make racism sound peppy.

Well, right wing politicians seem to make it work.

[ball clacks]

[Penny] Lily's got it.

[Evelyn] Pinkeye?

Norma's book.

[Jeet] We might be done for.

[Penny] Parenting editor who hates children. [chuckles]

Everyone hates children.

Well, at least your character's not the office virgin.

I've had sex.

I've had sex.

Don't look at me. I'm the diversity hire.

Do I really talk about myself that much, guys?

'Cause you could totally tell me.

I'm serious. Tell me. Don't miss my elbow.

At least she hasn't used our real names.

Yeah, 'cause Evelyn Jones and Emily James

- are not similar at all, are they? - Shut up.

"Emily, over time, devolved from a self-eulogizing writer

"into a misogynist feminist

"who appeals to privileged middle-aged white capitalists."

[sighs] I mean, could she use more adjectives?

This is very poorly written.

Hey, Norma's thing about Rita being the office token hire,

you don't see me like that, do you?

Of course not.

I hired you before I even met you, Jeet.

I loved your blog.

Yeah, that's, yeah, cool.

That's what - I was just, oh, nevermind.

- [Lily] Sorry. - [Opal] Really stinks, too.

Guys, none of this is true.

You know that, right?

Right?

[Penny coughs]

She's pretty bang-on about the Christmas party.

Leave it with me.

In the meantime, we've got a website to fill, so get up.

Come on. Let's go. Back to work.

Jeet, I may have been a bit harsh

about your Jugglers piece. Let's run it.

- Really? - Yeah.

We don't just write about middle-class,

middle-aged white women playing tennis on Tuesdays.

[Evelyn tuts]

- [distant people chattering] - [traffic hums]

Well?

Well, I mean, with some of these claims, you know,

she might've defamed you, but clearly it's fiction.

It can't be defamation. The intern moves in with the boss.

No, that bit's real.

She broke up with her boyfriend.

I had a spare room. I was trying to be a good boss.

- You wanted her to like you.

- Sorry. Am I in therapy? Where are the tissues?

Ev, you've got to maintain a

professional distance with your employees.

Otherwise, you don't leave yourself with any legal options.

Also, why do you even care about this?

Because it hurts when people don't like you.

Men don't really understand that. Can I sue?

You can't sue if the statement is substantially true.

What about libel or a cease and desist letter?

[Daniel chuckles] Cease and desist -

nobody sends those anymore.

I mean, they hold about as much weight

as a strongly-worded tweet.

Come on Dan, I've got to do something.

It's, it's unfair.

Well, have you thought maybe you're overreacting?

- No! - I mean, it's just a book.

Who even reads anymore?

It's really gutted my team.

It just, it can't be published, for them as much as me.

This is more than hurt feelings, Dan.

Alright, well, leave it with me

and, you know, I'll take another look, okay?

Thank you.

[ringtone chimes]

[Daniel coughs]

Um, yeah, I can't talk right now.

Who's that?

Ev, time's up.

- Talk to you soon. - Yeah.

- People do still read. - Sure.

[upbeat music]

I want to attach two more photos to my story.

- [Lily] Why? - Because I'm making my point

that it's not the photos I have a problem with.

It's about control.

Let me guess. The new ones are much hotter.

He really exploited my bad side.

"My boyfriend is more committed to his work than me.

"Discuss."

Oh, Paul, if you're going to write the questions,

can you at least make them sound like

they come from a woman and not just you

working through your personal problems?

That's it. I'm out of here.

Where are you going?

I forgot that's not my office anymore.

[Evelyn] Opal, this is so strong, but are you sure?

I'm making a statement

about the proprietorial nature of men.

But maybe you don't need to post it.

I bet you feel good that you've written it.

Words are very healing.

No, vodka's healing.

Why are you so gun shy all of a sudden?

I thought you didn't care about commenters.

Well, we're letting Sweet Jane run rogue.

[Evelyn] No, I want her to keep me in check.

I just don't want all of you dragged through the coals.

Norma's book will be out in a moment

and the pitchforks will be raised and ready.

Let's not let the naysayers dictate our editorial.

The only people who should dictate our editorial

are advertisers.

[Evelyn] Let's hope they don't read her book.

Okay. Opal, go for it.

And keep up the good work, guys.

I mean, you're just inspiring me every day.

- Whoa, don't do that again. - What?

Whatever that was.

Why?

Because you're not Sugar Ray, okay?

Oh, okay.

[footsteps tapping]

Wow. That was a lot.

[pensive music]

[keyboard clacking]

[sighs]

[sighs]

That's not how the teacher does it.

Well that's how we did it in my day.

- Well, it's wrong. - [book slaps]

[paper rips] Factorising is breaking down

numbers into smaller numbers.

- Then, when you multiply... - Mum, your mouth is moving.

I don't know what you're saying.

Please help Addy with her maths.

No, I've got my own study. What's for dinner?

Thank you. Dumplings.

[Vivian] Oh, yum. Where do you guys go, Din Tai Fung?

[Evelyn] Oh, Vivian, I didn't know you were here.

I was just leaving, but...

Oh, well, stay for dumplings.

Actually, we're going to have dinner,

me and Mum and Addy.

Cool. Alright. Um... See ya, Addy.

- Bye. - See ya.

[fridge clatters]

You want to talk about it?

Not really. I'm tired.

- [footsteps thumping] - [Alex sighs]

Al, I'm here, if you want to talk.

I know. Thanks.

Alright. Well don't drink all that orange juice.

You still on for dumplings?

[Alex] No, I'm not hungry.

[muffled grungy music]

Oh, where are you going?

I'm just going to call Gracie.

Oh, come on. I want to factorise with you.

I'm never falling in love.

- [footsteps tapping] - [mobile phone pings]

- [keyboard clacking] - [footsteps thumping]

Um, they're here. Where do you want them?

Oh, in Malala,

but I'll keep them waiting for five.

- Micro power. - Very micro.

[Lily] Hi. It's just this way.

[footsteps tapping]

Oh yeah. No, that's fine. We can just, um,

we can go with that, yeah.

Sorry...

[Daniel] Ladies, pastry?

[indistinct chatter]

No, no, I thought that you quit.

Fuck no. I loved that job.

Still had six months left on my contract.

They said I wasn't a good fit 'culturally'.

Seriously? I mean, seriously.

One minute, I'm exactly what The Jugglers need

to stay relevant. The next... [Gemma pops] Trash time.

So you think that you were a diversity hire

to make the band look more PC.

Babe, that's the only reason people like us ever get hired.

Oh no, not always.

Yeah? How come none of the office Anglos

are interviewing me?

Because I wanted to...

Look, once you've ticked that box,

you're going to be out in the scrap heap with me.

[footsteps echo]

[Jeet] Evelyn!

Just, sorry.

This is Gemma, you know, from The Jugglers,

the kids' entertainment group.

Hi Gemma, lovely to meet you.

Oh, you're in good hands with Jeet.

Oh, you two should be in Malala, not us.

Why?

Because you're young activists.

Sure.

I'll just, I've got the meeting.

[footsteps tapping]

Evelyn, Laura - Parrot Publishing.

Evelyn Jones. Dan, Norma.

We just wanted to assure you face to face

that "Toxic Boss" is a work of fiction,

so any resemblance to real life is purely coincidental.

Oh good, so you'll be putting that wording on the cover then.

[Laura] It's already with the printer,

so we can't make any big changes,

unless it's a sticker from Oprah's Book Club,

but the book will be sold in fiction sections.

Well, your intention as a publisher

doesn't actually matter.

My client can still claim liability on unintended errors.

No, you'd have to prove that Evelyn Jones

is identifiable in 'Emily James'.

Oh, that wouldn't be hard.

It's only two consonants between us.

Emily has two daughters. Evelyn has a daughter and a son.

[Dan grunts]

Perhaps Ms. Pearce can clarify in all press interviews,

that "Toxic Boss" is not inspired

by her time at 'Eve Life'

either as an intern or later as a full employee.

Sure. Yeah, if you think that'll help,

but personally I think it'll raise the flag.

Hmm...

Oh, Norma, I may have said and done

a version of these things, like provide housing for you,

but you've misconstrued them to make Emily sound like

a tyrant and that it was all self-serving,

which it simply wasn't.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

I'm sorry, but I hate the

"I'm sorry you feel that way" apology.

Okay. Well, I regret that is your experience.

[Daniel] Would anybody else like some of these?

No.

Okay, we agree on something.

Don't we have an obligation as women

to protect each other?

You're firing at the wrong enemy.

That's not how I see it.

I think what Norma means is reality is such a powerful

source of inspiration...

- Thanks, Laura. - Yeah.

So I guess I have no obligation to protect you then.

What do you mean?

Well, I'm sure all my contacts would love to know

that you're trying to destroy my reputation.

That is simply not true.

You torpedoed your career by plagiarising.

[Daniel] Alright, Ev, let's maybe take a breath, hey?

Let's take a breath.

Well, I'm sure that we can resolve this

without going public or court.

To court? You guys are delusional.

Just so I'm clear,

you're feeling threatened by Norma's book

because you know there's an element of truth to it, right?

Her truth, which is subjective.

Shouldn't people be free to interpret things differently?

Not if their interpretation is full of untruths.

Isn't that what fiction is, untruths?

Well, there's a little bit of truth in your untruth.

It's just a book, Evelyn.

[Evelyn] It's an attack on my business.

It's an attack on me.

It'll be my name and face all over the media.

I'll be the one that's made out to be toxic.

[Daniel slurps]

Please stop eating.

[Daniel] Well, you wait until it's published,

and then, pending the reaction,

set about proving any serious harm

that it's done to your reputation.

Now there's going to be considerable interest

also in the fact that, you know, she's young

and you're, well, you know?

Thank you.

Anytime.

How's Jon?

He's fine.

Good. Hey, listen, I've got a small favour to ask.

[Evelyn scoffs]

OK, careful. I don't want her to see us.

Alright. That's her, the redhead at the bar. You see her?

She'll know who I am.

No, she won't. Trust me. She doesn't read "Eve Life".

I'm having second thoughts.

How about you do it for the free legal advice, hmm?

Well, your legal advice isn't worth it.

I'll do it for Lucy.

[footsteps tapping]

Jill?

Yes. Do I know you?

Are you here to meet Daniel? He's my husband.

Ex-husband?

No, still very much married,

three kids and a spoodle with hip dysplasia.

What? No, he told me that it was a cavoodle.

Sorry, but can you pick another husband to be obsessed with?

I really can't be bothered finding someone else

to raise the kids and pay the mortgage.

Just leave me to my dysfunctional marriage.

Hang on. He told me that you were okay with it.

He's pre-diabetic, eats a lot of pastry.

He's a shit lawyer. He bought DJ turntables the other day.

He dyes his pubic hair.

[footsteps tapping]

Well, what did you say?

Never ask me to do anything like that ever again.

- [Daniel sighs] Alright. - [keys rattle]

Did Lucy tell you about dinner tonight?

- She wants to see you. - No fucking way.

She's making the hoisin chicken wings.

With the garlic green bean side thing?

- Mm. - What time?

7:00.

- [traffic hums] - [footsteps tapping]

- [sombre music] - [keyboard clacking]

[Evelyn sighs]

[door knocks]

You got a comment from band management?

Have you finished it yet?

I've read enough to know

that we have to get a right of reply from The Jugglers.

Oh, but their point of view isn't relevant.

This is a story about the commodification

of multiculturalism by white people

for the benefit of white people.

It's an expose on how diversity hiring keeps people like me

oppressed and othered...

I understand, Jeet, but

we have to present both sides of the story, so do it.

Evelyn, I really think that we should just post my story as is.

Jeet, you know the rules.

You have to get them to respond first, okay?

I left space for your article. Now I have to post Opal's.

What should I do for my birthday?

Maybe a low-key dinner here. I'll cook.

The usual suspects, and Bec and Rach.

So a dinner party then?

- Hey, I wanted to... - [ringtone chimes]

Sorry, it's Jeet. She won't stop calling. Fuck.

So do you think this time, it's really it?

Do you think my career's over?

You're a woman. People are going to criticise you.

People hate women. Women hate women.

[Evelyn] This is so maddening.

I don't get to defend myself.

Facts don't matter.

Should I fight harder?

Probably not a good idea to punch down, Ev.

She's a young writer.

[Daniel] Babe, have you seen the chopsticks,

you know, the ones with the little cranes on them?

[Lucy] Did you even look?

Thanks.

- I'll set the table. You relax. - Okay.

I'm not going back to work.

What?

I'm enjoying being a wife.

What are you talking about?

Well, don't do this just for us.

Actually, it's not just about us.

Six months ago, a patient walked into the ER, pregnant

with cramping, sharp pains.

I dismissed it as early Braxton Hicks, sent her home.

She didn't want to go home, but I didn't listen.

[Evelyn] Because you were overworked, Lucy, and probably

completely exhausted by...

She came back the next day

and I had misdiagnosed an ectopic pregnancy.

There's a very good chance that she will never be able

to have children because of me.

[Daniel tuts]

Because I knew better.

I'm not a good doctor.

- [Evelyn] That's not true. - Come on.

Lucy, please don't do this.

You are an extraordinary doctor.

You work under extraordinary conditions.

Please don't throw your whole life's work away.

Don't give this up.

We'll talk about it later in private, okay?

No, don't talk about it later.

I don't want her to just be a wife.

Okay, well, this is our marriage.

So you know, here, here, you want this?

- Oh, don't be ridiculous, Dan. - Well, come on!

- She's talking... - Guys, I made a decision.

The chicken's burning.

Have you had counselling?

What are they going to say, Ev?

It's not your fault, you shouldn't blame yourself,

you need to move on with your life?

Yes. Sometimes it's good to pay someone

to reiterate the obvious.

I'm sick of the responsibility of being a doctor.

I find this decision very freeing.

[footsteps tapping]

[Evelyn] Hi.

I've just finished the first draft of my memoir.

Ah.

And it needs some of your editing technique.

Oh, I'm pretty brutal. Just ask Addy.

[relaxing jazz music]

I'm not sure I'm the right person to edit your memoir.

Well, you were there for most of it and I'm, what am I?

An unreliable narrator.

Yeah, that's it.

[footsteps tapping]

Dad was the love of your life.

Funny way of showing it.

I've destroyed every relationship

I've ever gotten into,

because you and Dad were such poor role models.

Yes, we were young. We didn't know any better.

And also, you were slow to develop empathy.

- Keep reading. - But why is that?

I was 13 before I realised that

the sound of your parents shouting at each other wasn't normal.

- At least we didn't hide it. - I wish you had.

It's important to fight, healthy even.

That was a good lesson you learned.

Yeah, but you only taught me how to blow things up, Mum.

You didn't teach me how to make up

or resolve conflict without becoming resentful or bitter.

Ev, when I became a mother,

we were still smacking.

I did my best. I was busy.

I was working hard to make a living,

so that we could have money,

and I was trying to build a career.

I was also trying to be an exemplary modern mother.

Now I've fallen into the same trap.

Working is my whole identity.

I mean it's...

- Is it even worth it? - Yes.

You might not feel it and you might not see it,

but you're making a difference.

Christine, Norma, do you think they would've left

and gone on to bigger and better things,

if you hadn't mentored them first?

Your ambition is not a curse.

It makes people, women around you

feel they can do anything.

And also, someone's written a book about you

and it's not yourself.

Thank you.

Want me to run you a bath?

Yeah, thanks.

- [calm music] - [birds chirping]

[keyboards clacking]

I just want to say, my door is always open.

I don't want any of you to feel unheard.

It's important that you enjoy where you come to work,

and who you're working for.

Metaphorically open.

Holy shit.

What?

- [Lily] Jeet? - [Evelyn] What about Jeet?

"Iconic children's group The Jugglers have accused

"Evelyn Jones of sloppy journalism

"after one of her reporters wrongly claimed

- "racial discrimination." - Wrongly?

"The Jugglers say that they didn't fire Gemma

"because of her race." Surprise, surprise.

Then why did they fire her?

She does X-rated standup as a side hustle.

It's just not a good cultural fit

for the children's entertainment group.

How dirty are we talking?

[Penny] Well, let's just say her idea of the hokey pokey

involves root vegetables and an anus.

Well, that's one way to turn yourself around.

Yuck. Sorry.

Evelyn.

Is Norma not a big enough threat to the business?

Just because Gemma does dirty standup,

it doesn't mean that she wasn't hired and fired because of her race.

Why does the white version of the truth always trump the Asian?

That's beside the point. The truth is the truth.

You said the truth is subjective.

Well, I don't know what the truth is anymore,

but regardless of that, why did you go ahead

and post without approval?

Because what happened to Gemma resonates with a lot of people.

It resonates with me.

I've told you, you're not a token hire.

How many times do you want me to say it?

Maybe not consciously.

I don't know.

Nothing I ever write seems to make the mark,

and I thought that this one would be different.

The environmental stories may not pack as much punch

as, say, Opal's, but don't think they don't have value.

Don't think you don't have value.

- You're just saying that. - No, I'm not.

You're the kind of reporter that wants to hold us accountable,

to expose the truth.

The type that inspired me to become part of the industry

in the first place,

but you cannot make unfounded accusations.

It's not how good journalists operate.

Even if what I'm trying...

Even if you think there's truth to it, we need facts.

Not emotion or feelings, okay?

I'm going to have to give you an official warning.

And I'm sorry, but I can't be seen

to approve of sloppy reporting.

You know, sometimes I wonder if there's actually

any point to any of this.

I'm just trying to change things and make us better.

[sombre music]

["Utopia" by Goldfrapp playing]

Repair and Synchronization by Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0