Original subtitles

Previously on Love Is... We'll leave it to Ange to decide if she wants to co

-write the episode with you.

Nira, you're my girl, but you're not my writing partner.

I'm sorry, but this is business.

You're going to get a script.

Just not this one. This one ain't for you. A new pilot, me and you.

Boom. What?

Yes. It's funny because I never wanted to fall in love with a man with kids.

I didn't want the drama.

But after seeing how much you love him, what a sacrifice it must be for you to

walk away from that child.

I don't want to lose him, Mary.

Then you better get to it.

What's your script written?

I'm happy to read them and send them to my agent.

Don't give up. Hang in there.

Use this as your writer's room.

I don't know what to say.

Say thank you.

Yeah, what she said.

Thanks.

What the hell is this about?

Excuse me? Okay, first of all, you're never late.

And I know you ain't doing this for us, so what is this about? You got church

later? Dinner with your mama. Somebody die?

You got a date?

No date.

But the day is young.

Need to go to the bathroom?

No, I'm good.

Oh, come on and tell me.

What y 'all in here doing?

A whole lot of nothing, it looks like.

Looking sharp.

I know.

Can we get a pickup?

Steph, you still eat at the kiddie table, all right? You and your spray -on

beard can't be getting in the grown folk business just yet.

Wow. But speaking of business, I got a scoop for you.

You peons are now looking at the creator of a new drama pilot.

Sorry, co -creator.

With Angela.

Y 'all can clap.

Mike, you got a feeling.

So what does this mean?

Are we going with you? Hey, what's the show about?

So when did you guys do all of this? This morning.

Nothing really to tell yet.

Just know that we sold something huge.

So what does this mean for us?

The pilot?

Yeah.

Nothing. But for Marvin, still got two more episodes to do. And that means y

'all got two more episodes to do.

Don't think you can just phone it in. These fools could decide they want to

renew the show, and that means you would have jobs, too.

Not T -W -O, too, as in multiple, like myself.

T -O -O, as in you would have jobs also.

It's all good news.

Ours is just better.

You know what? Let's take a five.

Call Val. Tell her to oil it up.

I'm coming home.

Get some strawberries.

Got a new conquest I want to celebrate.

Oh, that's just gross. Too much information.

Babe, where you at?

I'm back here. You are never going to believe what happened at work today.

So imagine Angela with a fresh press due. And no, it's not for a date like I

said.

Wow, what's happening here?

Oh, I just organized some of your things, salvaged some odds and ends from

garage to create a little vibe for myself.

I hope it's okay.

Yeah.

This looks amazing.

You know, since we got back from the bay, I mean, the story I did just been

my mind. My wheels have been turning, and so I figured I'd just write it down.

Hmm. What do you think about this title?

Mama get that monkey?

I'm a tree.

A comedy?

No, a drama.

So you lure them in with the comedy, and then you surprise them with the drama.

It's like Gloria, but with a black woman.

Gloria?

I added to your list of films to watch.

Oh, I'm sorry.

You walked in saying you needed to tell me something.

So, you remember how Norman gave Angela the option to co -write with me, and

then she decided not to?

Norman gave it back to me.

Well, technically, Angela developed a new show with Norman, and they sold it,

and now they're working on it. But in the meantime, he needed someone to pick

the script that she was working on.

So now he's depending on me.

I'm up.

It's my script to write.

Wow.

Yes.

That's great.

We need to celebrate.

Well, maybe have celebrate.

I only have two days to write it, and Angela's right. The story's pretty bad.

But that's not panic in my voice.

I'm not panicked. Come here.

It's beautiful.

Can you believe I have my first script?

Yes, I do.

Let me show you something.

This is my prayer box.

All my hopes and dreams are in here.

Please grant Nuri the blessing of her first written -by -credit this year.

Like I said, what's for you is for you.

Congratulations, baby.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

We got to celebrate.

Look,

I'll be right back.

School, if I take your car? Yeah. Okay.

I love you.

Love you too.

And I'm proud of you.

To you, the girl I met in 1996 with long curly hair sitting in an insomnia cafe

with a dream.

May this be the first of a thousand more written by it.

Congratulations.

I have an idea.

First, I am going to write an amazing script in two days.

And then you're going to come to show night.

Of course, so you can see my first show and also so you can meet my agent.

You'll give him your scripts and we'll be toasting you next time.

No, Mary.

It's your night.

Exactly, and I want you there.

Not like this.

We celebrate you.

If it's my party, I want it my way.

And I want you there.

I want you to bring your best friend to him.

That way you can get out of the bookstore and be the storyteller you

to be.

Wow.

So what script?

Sex tape?

Or mama get that money?

Well... Oh, you haven't finished reading, huh?

I'm in act three. Come on, Nuri. I've read enough to know that you are

brilliant.

And the industry needs you more than you need it.

I love when you lie to me.

To new beginnings.

For both of us.

Thank you.

Look at us.

Two artists inspiring and encouraging each other.

You have your writing space.

I have mine.

Mm -hmm.

Living the dream.

Yeah.

No,

I have to work.

You sure you don't need a little inspiration?

My deadline is my inspiration.

I will be in my office if you need me.

You're not being in my office.

I'm working to make my scripts even better because you know our brother got

get himself an agent.

Ooh.

I like a brother who has an agent.

Oh, do you now?

I do.

Girl, you better get away from me.

Maybe just a quickie.

You know, it ain't nothing about what we do is quick.

Come on, we can make it quick.

Can't we?

Not productive.

It's been like three hours.

Woman, I told you.

I know.

You gotta go.

You stay in your office. I'll stay in mine. We'll both get our work done.

And then we'll revisit this later tonight.

Deal?

Deal.

You've got to go.

Woman, you came into my office.

Oh, my God. I'm never going to get this script done.

Maybe if I work at the office, I can keep my focus.

You know I can just crash at my place.

You mean at Ruby's?

I have a week left on my six -week lease.

No, stay.

And work.

Your script has to be great, too.

And I'll need a reward.

You know what?

You better get going.

Good

luck.

Bye.

Make sure you call me when you get to work.

Promise.

Drive safe, Nuri. I will.

Don't forget to call me.

Me, I'm super fly, super duper fly, super duper fly.

Me, I'm super fly, super duper fly, super duper fly.

Me, I'm super fly, super duper fly, super duper fly. Me, I'm super fly,

duper fly, super duper fly.

Me, I'm super fly, super duper fly, super duper fly.

Me, I'm super fly, super duper fly, super duper fly.

When the rain hits my window, I take it.

Me come in though.

can hear the pig talking

It's my window.

It's my window.

Me, me, who got the keys to the beat?

I'm driving to the beat.

Top down, loud sound, see my feet.

Give them pounds now, look, who it be?

It be me, me, me and Timothy.

Look like it's about to rain, what a shame.

I've got the armor all to shine up today.

Old Missy, try to maintain.

I can't stand the rain.

I can't stand the rain.

Against my window.

I can't stand the rain.

Against my window.

I can't stand the rain.

I must have slept pretty hard.

Is there tea?

I only made coffee.

Something wrong?

I don't know. Is it?

Did I miss something?

It's really tense right now.

I just asked you to call me. Real simple stuff.

I'm sorry. I was working.

That's your excuse for a lot of things. It's not an excuse. It's true.

I was at work trying to finish my script. You know that.

And I also know that you said that you was going to call me and you didn't.

Because I was lost in the... Work?

I got it.

It's here.

I'm sorry, okay?

Whoa. Okay.

We're doing this today, I guess.

Doing what?

Arguing about the fact that you have a man that loves you and worried if

something happens to you or not?

I'm fine. I'm here.

And I'm sorry.

Can we move on?

No, maybe you can.

Is it more important that I'm safe because I am?

Or is it more important that I do what you say I do? Oh, so I'm the bad guy.

Because I'm worrying about you. When women are raped and murdered every day.

large, Ma, you fear?

Look, I'm sorry I didn't call.

I just got distracted.

I finished my episode on time for the table read today.

This is a good day.

It's a post -it read, anyway.

I paid you all night.

I didn't even look at my pager. Right, because you was working and couldn't

a break to give me a little peace of mind. This is a lot, you see.

Two of my really good friends were raped.

One was raped and murdered.

So you're right.

It is a lot.

Hey. I have an extra 15 minutes before I have to leave.

Okay.

Maybe 20.

If you don't stay mad.

I'm not mad when you don't understand the thought of losing you. You know

I'm from.

This year.

And I promise to call next time.

Okay?

Okay.

Damn it.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Everybody,

if you could take your seats, please. We're about to start this party.

Ladies and gentlemen, our next to last episode, written by my padawan, Nuri

Summers. Wow.

Story by Angela and Nuri. Would y 'all look at these two black women just doing

the damn thing?

Let's give them some love. You know you love them.

All right, who's not ready? I'm ready. Let's get it. Come on. Let's go.

Here we go.

Page one.

Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?

That's never a good start.

Look, we love having you around.

In fact, you're the only one of my employees who actually reads the books

knows what they're talking about. So what's the problem?

We're the only one reading the books.

This Internet thing, it's really taking a toll on our business, and we can't

afford to keep all of the employees that we have.

But you did hire me.

I know, I know. And I'm keeping you on.

But your hours are getting reduced.

To what?

I'm only working 30 hours on a good week as it is.

Fifteen.

That's only two days. Or three, if you break it into half shifts.

But it's the same paycheck.

Only costing me more going back and forth.

It's the cost of being a working man.

He was saying some bad things about you.

See, Marvin?

I told you.

You guys don't hear the pig complaining.

That's because he can't talk.

He said you wanted something hip. And baby, you are hip.

Woo! All right, Jerry.

Yes!

Great job.

Great job.

Wow. Great job.

How's your writing going?

Got any bites?

Not yet.

My girl got her first script on that show, Marvin.

Marvin? Oh, I love that show.

Well, she must be doing pretty well for herself then.

Knock her up. You can be a stay -at -home dad.

Then you can do as much writing as you want.

Back here.

Wow.

You're still at it.

I want to make a good impression, you know?

How was the table read?

That's what I want to hear. How'd it go?

Great. It was great.

They said a majority of my jokes right. Story flowed. And hardly any notes.

They like how I humanized the pig -eating contest, but mostly how we get

Wendy going after her dreams.

The man who'd get paid better at the shop.

And finally, setting boundaries with her mom, getting her to take better care of

herself.

Because she doesn't have to run back and forth to the dialysis center. She has

time to go after her dreams.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

I really do want to read your scripts.

Neri, I know.

You're working.

You're a working, busy woman.

Are you hungry?

No, I had pizza on set.

I think I'm going to crash early, though.

You coming?

No, I'm kind of in a groove here.

Man, all I need now is a period.

I'm in her house cooking her food that she don't eat.

She didn't say thank you for the flowers?

She ain't even seen my flowers.

They say women these days don't even like flowers.

They independent now.

Right. Breadwinners even.

And clearly nary wearing the pants for your relationship.

Stop it.

I don't have a problem with her success.

And yet.

Man,

I'm sharing a vulnerable moment and you gotta hit me with the jam.

It's fun, it's fun.

Not bad.

Look, I'm happy for her.

So go to show night.

I don't know, man.

I do.

You take your script, you hand it to an agent like she told you to.

I didn't want it to happen like that.

I mean, it's her night.

I don't want to be in front of her co -workers when her boss trying to hustle

a connect.

Man, listen, your problem is you don't know how to take what's being offered.

She offered me too much. Because she got a lot to give, so take it.

It's her blessing, too.

I mean, you don't want to be blocking her blessings, do you?

Sean, if I start eating off her now, people ain't going to ever think that I

earned it on my own.

I want to celebrate my girl, not ride her success.

People will never think you earned it or deserve it.

But when you start caring about what people think, anyway.

I guess when my boss said I should knock her up so I can stay at home and give

up on my dreams.

What, are we talking about me now?

Nah, man, we talking about me. We talking about you. Yeah, we talking

Look, man, she invited you.

Put on that one -night suit, take your scripts, and you can even use my car.

This shit is about smoking mirrors, and you belong just as much as the rest of

them, if not more.

ID?

Oh, yeah, sure.

I'm one of the last guests of a writer.

A lot of writers around here. Nuri Summers from Arvin?

Well, if you're here for the taping, you need your ID.

Here you go.

Nope. What do you mean, nope?

You're not on the list, my man.

Can you check it again?

Look, there's a taping every week for some show or another.

Get your paperwork in order, come back another time, because you're not getting

in here tonight.

I know what the problem is.

My license has my old name on it. She probably lists me by my new name.

Like I said, get your paperwork in order. Your top flight.

I got a few more names from Norman.

Just hold up.

No ID, not on my list, you know, the usual.

Sir, I'm on the list.

Can you call someone?

I'm Nori's boyfriend, and she's the writer of tonight's episode.

Ah.

So you the boyfriend?

Yes, and you?

Will.

The cat that gets the lunches?

Production assistant.

He good, Top Light.

Enjoy the show, man.

Thanks.

Here's a pass for the show.

But since you're not on my list, you're going to park in the overflow lot. You

need to make a U -turn right here and follow the signs for Lot J.

What was the lot?

J.

Thank you. All right.

Congrats,

darling. Thank you.

Oh, hey.

Oh, you coming with me? What's the deal? I never thought I'd share my story by

credit with anyone.

I'm glad it was you.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

You're just happy I made you look good.

You ain't never lying.

Have fun tonight.

Take a deep breath, Padawan.

Let me get you first night one.

This is your moment.

Enjoy every second of it.

Welcome to a special edition of Marvin, the funny show on TV. But first, let's

give it up for our cast!

Name.

Yes, sir?

Hi, Yaseer.

Good evening.

Good evening to you too, Yaseer.

Does Yaseer have a last name?

Yaseer Omar, guest of Nuri Summers.

The show's already started, Mama. I got held up at the gate.

You see, once these lights come on, nobody gets in.

Maybe next time, son.

My name is Yaseer, and I'm not your son.

Well, like I said, You not getting in, son.

Girl,

I got it. Give it up for the one and only, Wendy!

Yes, Wendy, you better work it, girl.

Norman 10 -1.

Sounds more like a 10 -2 to me.

I got that bond of caring because this is my shit and I don't need any shit on

my set.

I'll handle it.

These two sisters are behind tonight's episode.

Y 'all gotta show some love for Nuri Summers and the one and only Angela

You notice, too? Of course. This is my boyfriend. I put his name on the list

next to us. Well, whatever name you gave him is not on his list.

It's not?

Yes, sir. Calm down, I'm sure. It's just a mistake.

Right.

Another mistake like forgetting to call.

What?

What kind of game is this, Nuri?

You tell me that you're going to do something and you don't.

Then you invite me here, but for what? To parade me around your exit?

This don't sound like it got nothing to do with me.

What's the problem, you fear?

How many problems is all you going to break, Nuri? I can't believe you're

this to me right now.

You know what? You're right.

You should enjoy your night because I'm asking for too much.

That's not what I was saying. I told you that it was your night.

That I was sharing with you.

That's why my name on the list?

Whoa, whoa.

They're already rolling.

You're going to have to wait until they say cut.

Come on, Nori.

Ain't no better than that. You're about to get both of us fired.

And you know I ain't got no options.

Padawan, what are you doing?

Norman, I'm sorry. It was a mistake. You missed your introduction.

But I hope you saw me pitching the whole rest of the night. Yeah, but you were

sad. I mean, this was a great night for you.

You were looking like sackcloth and ashes.

I'm speaking to you as a mentor, and I would hate to see you come this far.

Do you know how hard it is for you to be here? Yes. You're answering too fast.

I don't think you do.

Because if you did, I know you would check that. I heard he's broke and

up here with a script in hand hoping for a job. That was my idea.

He's a good guy.

He's a great guy.

He's an amazing writer. Just needs a chance.

He's a lot like you, Norman.

You come from similar backgrounds.

So now you hustling for him?

You doing a lot for this dude. I thought I was reprimanding you, but you

pitching me your boyfriend?

Nuri, there's a lot of money in this game and it attracts all types of...

not using me. Again, you're answering too fast.

But you're clear.

And I made myself clear.

We have a lot of fun at work.

But I need you to show up.

I understand.

Yeah. And I'm sorry.

Get home safe, Padawan.

Send me a script.

You got me curious.

You're gonna love it.

I sure hope so.

Otherwise, I'm gonna lose a lot of respect for you.

Jimmy Baldwin said, if you're black in America and relatively

conscious,

You're in a rage almost all the time.

You have anything to say?

I think I made myself very clear.

You embarrassed me in front of my boss and my co -workers.

I told you how important this thing was. No, you invited me.

You invited me and you forgot about me. I was working. I came to the door.

fast as I could. Is that always going to be your excuse? It was an oversight.

I'm asking for some basic respect.

Can you call me? Can you put my name on the list?

Damn! Someone misspelled your name and Big Bob can barely read. Why am I

blamed for this? Because you put me in that position.

I've overlooked so much and given you nothing but love.

I have completely welcomed you into my life, in my home.

And tonight, I needed you to have my back.

Maybe we need to take a break.

I don't think love is supposed to be this hard.

We fight all the time now.

I believe in you.

And I know you'll realize your dreams.

But maybe it's too hard for you to watch me live out mine.

You don't have to share everything.

Hmm?

Well, we in it now?

It's me.

You don't have nothing to apologize for.

I debated whether I should tell you this.

I didn't think it mattered too much anymore.

Maybe I should have told you this sooner.

You can tell me anything, all right?

Here.

I was molested.

I guess I got triggered.

I guess.

It started when I was nine.

My stepfather.

I was 12.

We have more in common than you think, Naree.

Some people spend a lifetime running from their past, trying to

make sense of it, looking for a silver

lining, some reason why it

should happen in the first place.

Sometimes it's your path that needs healing so that you can launch into your

destiny.

Sometimes I ask for a sign to validate that I'm on the right path.

That moment, God confirmed that we were meant for each other.

Not because we shared a similar experience, but because we made space

other that night to be honest and vulnerable.

Figure the rest out on another night.