Original subtitles

- Previously, on "Twenties"...

- I know it's not the job you wanted,

but at least it's a job on a scripted show.

You need to be the best writer's PA they've ever had.

- I'm gonna slay. - This isn't a classroom.

It's a job. - Well, let me get your number

so I can text you when I get there.

- Oh, I don't have a phone. - Are you serious?

- Where the hell is the art department?

- You want a map?

- Does this ever get any easier?

- Once Courtney gets over hating you for taking her job.

Ida just told her that someone needed the opportunity

more than she did.

That person was you.

[sweeping orchestral music]

? ?

- Yo, does everyone use this place as their personal office?

- That woman has her packages sent here all the time.

And that dude brought in a shredder last week.

- No wonder the Wi-Fi's so damn slow in this bitch.

- I know, it can take forever for my stories to load.

[both laugh] You ordering or picking up?

- Picking up for Hattie. - Ah.

Here you go.

Love the name, by the way.

It's real vintage.

- Thanks. - Yeah.

What do you do? - I'm a writer's PA

for this show called "Coco's Butter."

- Oh, I know that show.

I did a write-up on the rape episode

for "Best Coast Weekly."

- Oh, yeah. I think I read that.

Yeah. - So you a writer on the show?

- Nah, I'm a writer's PA.

- Ah, well, only a matter of time.

Most people kill for your job.

- Yeah, I feel like I won the lottery

every time I pick up a grown-ass woman's lunch.

- I'd happily pick up Ida B.'s lunch

and drink her bathwater.

- [chuckles]

If you write for "Best Coast Weekly,"

why are you working here?

- When's the last time you picked up

a "Best Coast Weekly"?

- Touch�. [both laugh]

- So are you working on a script?

- Yeah, I'm more in the idea phase.

Taking it one day at a time. I don't wanna rush the process.

You know.

- Sure.

[Molly Brazy's "Lil Booties Matter"]

- All right.

- ? Little booties matter, little booties matter ?

? Taking a check ?

? 'Cause them little booties matter ?

? Little booties matter, little booties matter ?

? All the rich love me ?

? 'Cause them little booties matter ?

- Somebody's getting fired. - Relax.

- I knew I shouldn't have got that Tesla.

- You got a Model 3.

You're fine. - Whoo!

Ladies and gents, as of this morning,

the merger is officially complete.

Tomorrow we're throwing a big party in the lot to celebrate.

[light applause]

Ah, y'all must be worried about your jobs.

Yeah, unfortunately, I have to let go of half of you.

Guys, come on. Everybody is safe.

Not only that, I have been promoted--

thank you very much--

which means that my old position as VP

is now up for grabs.

So take a look to your left.

Now take a look to your right.

That is the person you will have to stab in the back

to get my old job.

Now, our new mandate is building talent relationships.

And our number one target is Quaintrelle King,

NBA superstar turned Hollywood actor and producer.

Now word on the street is he's looking for an overall deal.

And we need to make him an offer that he can't refuse.

- Since we're notorious for being cheap,

how are we supposed to do that?

- We need to woo him with more than just money.

We need to make sure that he knows

that this studio is the best home for him

because we will care about the projects he cares about.

- Okay. - If all else fails,

we'll just hit him over the head with how inclusive we are.

- Well, we are not that inclusive.

- Hmm.

[clears throat]

We're inclusive enough.

Great work, guys. Love you all.

Keep up the good work.

- I just don't want the only two black execs at the studio

trying to kill each other over a promotion.

It's not what the ancestors would've wanted.

I don't know. I did the 23andMe thing.

Turns out half my ancestors were feuding tribes,

the others were house negroes.

- And we both know what side you took after.

- May the best man win. - That's sexist.

- You know what I mean.

- I just wanna thank each and every one of you

for bringing your energy and light

to share with everyone this evening.

Go forth in peace and love.

- Namaste. all: Namaste.

[soothing music playing]

- Don't forget to sign up for my two-for-one special.

Twice the mindfulness, half the price.

[laughs]

- Sorry I missed class.

I had to remove the lint from all of Ida B.'s black sweaters.

- Ah, the glamour of working in Hollywood.

- You gotta pay your dues. That's how the game works.

- When am I supposed to find time

to write an excellent script if I'm on call 24/7?

- You find time for Lorraine.

- Well that's a name I haven't heard in a while.

- Uh, excuse me.

Don't I know you from somewhere other than class?

- No, I get that all the time.

I look like everyone's third cousin.

- No, that's not it.

Oh, my God. You were on "Whoosh"!

- [laughs] - Oh, my God!

I love that show.

It's so much better than "Zoom."

I can't believe you're teaching yoga.

Are you still acting? - Not anymore.

- [laughs] Can I get a quick pic?

- Let's take a selfie! - Ahh!

- I can take it. - Oh.

- Here, I got you.

[shutter clicking] Yeah, yeah, okay.

- Yes. Angle. - I think you got it.

- I just wanna make sure. [shutter clicks]

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name.

- I'm Kelly. - Nice to meet you, Kelly.

I love your kicks. - Oh, thank you.

I just got these. - I can tell.

They real crispy.

- I have such a hard time keeping my shoes clean.

- Oh, I'm a sneakerhead, so I know all about that shit.

I can hook you up.

- Oh, thank you. - Yeah.

I'll just put my number in your phone.

- All right. - You can hit me up anytime.

- Okay. - All right.

Use that.

All right, now.

Kelly!

What?

- You really gonna help her keep her sneakers clean?

- I'll help her with whatever she want.

- I'm sure.

[sweeping orchestral music]

? ?

- [vocalizing cheerfully]

- Um, do you mind clearing out soon?

My class is about to start. - Class?

How do you have class on a Friday morning?

- They're writing from home today.

I'm on call.

- That must be nice.

- I mean, I'm still working, though.

I signed up for this online screenwriting course.

I'm brushing up on the basics.

- Screenwriting course. Why does that sound familiar?

- You probably got an email about it.

I used your email address because my free trial expired.

I'll cancel before the 15th so you don't get charged.

- That's so considerate of you.

- What can I say? I was raised right.

- Welcome to "Expert Screenwriting,"

discount edition.

The first step for any writer is to find your happy place.

Finding a quiet, peaceful place to write

will open up your heart and mind and cause--

[blender whirring]

- Oh. [laughs]

My bad.

I'm sorry.

I just gotta make sure these bananas

are completely blended up, 'cause I love the taste,

but I can't stand the texture.

I'm serious.

I'll start gagging, and not in a good way.

- Do what you gotta do, man.

[blender whirring]

[upbeat music]

? ?

- What's wrong?

- Ben's gonna get the promotion.

- You don't know that yet. - I can feel it.

And it pisses me off because he's not gonna get it

because he's smarter than me.

He's gonna get it because he's not.

- He's just like them. - Like who?

- The white boys that I work for.

Meanwhile, I'm over here breaking my neck,

trying to make movies that are actually good.

- Well, greatness always rises to the top.

- That's not true. - Sometimes it does.

- Is this supposed to make me feel better?

- No, but maybe this will.

I went online and bought you every self-help book

I could find with a black person on the cover.

? ?

- Who knew there were so many fabulous black people

in the self-help business?

- And the covers are a little airbrushed,

but once you start reading, shit gets real.

- This is amazing. Thank you, babe.

Maybe I should start with this one.

- Oh, no. That one's for me.

It's all about how black men are carrying

the trauma of slavery in our epigenetic DNA like PTSD,

so we have intimacy issues

because our brains won't let us love ourselves,

which means we don't know how to love anyone else,

especially not a woman.

'Cause we wanna be strong like the warriors we know we can be.

But how can we be warriors

when we can't even protect ourselves out in these streets?

So we need to heal the warrior within

so we don't end up in jail or with a white woman.

- Okay.

[mellow music]

? ?

- [softly] Congrats, queen.

[Lady Bri's "Do What I Do"]

- ? Ladies and gentlemen ?

? Let me introduce me ?

? ?

? Here I come ?

? Yeah ?

? Here I go ?

? Whoo ?

? Ain't no time for imitation ?

? Ain't no time for playin' ?

? I'm just gonna do me ? [screen clicking]

? Whoo ? [phone blipping]

? I feel elated ?

? So elevated ?

? I'm just doing my thing ?

? Hey ?

- Welcome to "Expert Screenwriting."

- Ain't y'all supposed to be in school?

Badass B�b� Kids.

- ? I'm gonna do ?

- A writer's happy place

should be a place of comfort.

Your happy place should be

a place that makes you feel safe,

a place that is nourishing your creative spirit.

? ?

- ? Do what I do ?

? I feel marvelous ?

- Excuse me, sir.

I can't help but notice your words per minute.

Might I ask what you're working on over there?

- My manifesto.

- Your what? - ? It's the real thing ?

? Tell me what's that thing ?

? It's a real thing ?

["Gymnopedie No. 1" playing]

? ?

- Whenever I'm stuck, I try writing longhand.

It's like the words travel from my brain through my arm

and down onto the page.

Try it.

I'm usually here writing in the mornings

before I clock in.

Hope to see you soon, Idina.

[romantic music]

- First of all, who writes letters anymore?

What is this, 1875?

? ?

Wow, actually, it's... It's not a bad idea.

[phone chimes]

Damn!

- Still at it, huh?

I'm gonna exercise my male privilege and leave early.

- Do you. - Look, no matter what happens,

we're both great at what we do.

And I'm just happy we're both being considered

for the promotion.

When one of us wins, we all win.

- Wow, that's really mature of you.

- I try. What you reading?

- Oh, this incredible biography

about this 18th century black man who--

- [chuckles] I gotta go.

[light music]

- ? Ooh ?

- This massage isn't gonna get me high, is it?

I have somewhere to be tonight.

- It's just CBD oil.

No THC. No hallucinations.

- Thank God.

The last time I got really high,

I almost slept through Chingy.

- What? - [laughs]

- How? - It's a long story.

- [laughs]

- You're a photographer and a drug dealer?

- I'm not a drug dealer.

I grow weed just like the privileged white boys do.

- How'd you get into the reefer business?

- Reefer? [laughs]

You sound like my least favorite aunt, for real.

I grow weed, and I sell it.

- That sounds like you sit around

and get high all the time.

- No. [laughs]

I'm for real passionate about this shit--

just like you passionate about yoga.

- I wouldn't say I'm passionate about yoga.

It's more of a job.

- So what are you passionate about?

- I used to be passionate about acting.

- Then why aren't you doing that?

- Oh, once I was old enough to drive,

my mom stopped taking me to auditions, and...

I guess I wasn't determined enough to keep going, so...

I fell out of it and just got a regular job.

- Mm. Wow.

- What do you mean, "wow"?

- I guess I just always been confused

by people who know their purpose,

but refuse to walk in it.

- Not everyone can afford to walk in their purpose.

- But some of us can't afford not to.

What do you miss most about it?

- I miss feeling alive.

[mellow hip-hop music]

? ?

- Just hang them in there.

Finding everything all right?

- Yeah, uh, all done.

[chuckles] Nothing to see here.

I, um, also grabbed you dinner.

It's in the kitchen.

- Thank you.

I've been so busy I forgot to eat.

- I don't ever wanna be that busy.

- Then you never wanna be successful.

I need to get the new draft to the studio

first thing in the morning.

- Can't they give you more time?

The creative spirit can't be rushed.

- [chuckles] Sounds like the mantra of someone

who never finishes anything.

What have you gotten accomplished today?

- I was supposed to work on my script,

but I kept getting distracted.

And I still haven't found my happy place.

- Happy place?

- Yeah, the place where writers go to be inspired to write.

- Where are you getting this?

I don't have a happy place.

But you know what I do have? Deadlines.

Writing isn't about being happy.

It's about being disciplined.

- You don't ever get distracted?

- I don't have the luxury of being distracted.

Writing isn't a hobby for me. It's a job.

- It's not a hobby for me either.

- Well, then I suggest you get to it.

You can work on your script here

at the office, if you'd like.

I'm gonna be here all night anyway.

- I can't.

Actually, I have a party I need to get to.

- Well, we all have our priorities, don't we?

I'm gonna get back to work, but you have fun though.

[Normani's "Motivation"]

- ? I'ma break you off, let me be your motivation?

? To stay and give it tonight ?

? And, baby, turn around ?

[indistinct chatter]

- Wow. - What?

- He is such an asshole.

No. He's smart.

- Really, babe? - Don't let him out-hustle you.

I shouldn't have to give Quaintrelle a handjob

just to get him to sign with us.

- Well, we both know how much you hate giving those.

- Look at them over there.

- Maybe you should go insert yourself in the conversation.

? ?

- How's the party?

- Honestly, it's kinda wack.

And low-key, I need to be home working on my script.

- According to your Insta story you were writing all day.

- Nah, I was bullshitting most of the day.

- Well, tomorrow is a new day.

- Yeah.

- I'll keep Mary company.

I don't think she'll mind if you go home.

- Really?

I love you, Ni. - I love you too.

? ?

- Nia?

- Sarah? Is that you?

How have you been?

I haven't seen you since

we did that Tide commercial when we were kids.

- I know. That was forever ago.

- Are you still acting? - Hell no.

Girl, I escaped that life and went to college,

then to grad school.

I work here now in business affairs.

- Look at you-- all corporate and shit.

- What about you?

- Um, I took a break for a while,

but I think I might get back into it.

- Really?

Such a crazy lifestyle.

- Better that than be stuck in a boring corporate job.

[laughs]

- I'm gonna go find the crab wontons.

You want one? - I don't eat fake crab.

- So how--how-- how long ago was that?

- Kindergarten. - Kindergarten?

- Oh, we go way back. - Aww.

- [laughs] - How was the game?

- Aw, it was amazing, man.

It's too bad you were busy. - Busy?

- Yeah, Ben said you couldn't make it.

- Yes. Uh, right.

I had a work dinner I just couldn't move.

- Ah, that's too bad.

But yeah, things are looking good with Quaintrelle and...

[laughing] Ben has a great rapport with him,

so he's gonna run point.

? ?

Okay. I'ma get some shrimp.

- I know this looks bad.

It was spontaneous. I thought that you would--

- I've been reading "Warriors and Fools."

It's an analysis of how the U.S. lost a war

to a little group of rebels known as the Viet Cong.

You know how it happened?

The U.S. underestimated their opponent.

They had power, but lacked strategy.

They were fighting a ground war,

but the Viet Cong built tunnels.

They had spies.

They knew the enemy better than the enemy knew themselves.

[dreamy eerie music]

I hope you like the smell of napalm in the morning, Ben,

because this is your Vietnam.

? ?

[woman laughs]

[indistinct chatter]

[uneasy hip-hop music]

? ?

[mellow hip-hop music]

- [laughs softly]

? ?

[phone buzzes]

[phone beeps]

Yo. - What you doing?

- Working.

- You wanna come with me to Santa Barbara?

Just for the weekend. My treat.

- [clicks tongue] Ah, sounds amazing.

But I'm finally getting some writing done,

and I wanna keep the party going.

- You don't wanna have a private party with me?

- [laughs softly]

[car door slams]

- Sorry to pull you away from work.

But every now and then, it's good to be distracted.

- Yeah, but distractions can be dangerous.

- How so?

- Too many distractions can keep me

from walking in my purpose.

- Are you saying that I'm preventing you

from walking in your purpose?

- I ain't say that. - What are you saying?

- I'm just saying,

every time I start getting my shit together,

here you come.

- I'm just trying to help you relax.

- Oh, is that what you're trying to do?

- If you don't wanna go to Santa Barbara,

you can stay another night on Marie's futon.

- I'm sorry, all right? I'm just stressed about work.

- That's exactly why I'm trying

to take your ass away for the weekend.

[dreamy music]

? ?

- I love you.

- I know. [giggles]

[Doja Cat's "Roll with Us"]

- ? Baby, you can roll, roll with us ?

- Now what the hell is that on your head?

Is that a hat or a beanie?

- ? You should bring them ?

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