Owning Up

"Owning Up" is the third episode of the first season of *Morning Show,* a segment of *It's All Been Done Radio Hour*. It was first performed on November 10, 2018 as the closing of Show XLI. It was released as podcast episode 203.

Written by Jerome Wetzel

Directed by Nick Arganbright

Previous episode: "The Aide"

Next episode: "Bro Code"

## **The Story**

This episode picks up a few hours after the previous one, at the end of the first broadcast. Gus Goodall delivers a lame closing tag. Off-air, Pat Shock ribs him for it, but Gus throws back in his face how it feels when your co-host doesn't stick to what was agreed upon. Pat says he's already apologized multiple times, and besides, they played Gus' Bro Code game on-air. This doesn't satisfy Gus.

Shelly Meyers first tells them they did great, then says their boss, Brooks Dylan, wants to see them upstairs. Gus is sure they're about to be fired, and Shelly thinks the same, starting to regret her actions, having previously thought it was better to ask forgiveness than permission. Pat calmly insists the show was too good for them to be fired, and suggests Shelly bring up some of the positive calls and emails they received that morning. Pat even goes so far as to float out that they might be congratulated for exceeding expectations, but no one else is buying it.

Taking the elevator up to the top floor, they are immediately ushered into Dylan's office. Dylan asks if they know why they're there. Pat stops Shelly from confessing anything. Dylan explodes that the mayor is quite angry about their little stunt. Gus speaks up for Shelly, calling the program smart and substantial, and admitting he was glad he didn't know ahead of time because he would have stood on its way. Dylan doesn't care how smart the program is, he just wants to stay in business, which they can't do if they piss off local officials. Dylan says they're done and he's going to sue them for the promotional money he spent on their show.

Shelly contradicts him, saying no, he won't. She brags about her instincts and how she will use her free time to doggedly chase stories. Then she implies if he fires them, she might look into his companies. Dylan insists he hasn't done anything criminal. They argue, but Dylan is assured that someone will run Shelly's expose on him if he doesn't cooperate. Shelly then plays nice and tells him he can take the credit and reap the benefits of their work.

Dylan is reluctant, not wanting to work with people he doesn't trust. But he's pragmatic enough to realize the situation he's in. He and Shelly work out a deal where she'll get research assistants and editorial freedom, though he will be regularly consulted. She also won't make a point to go after him. He's not happy about it, and reminds Shelly that taking him down will cost her her own job and the station its existence. She acknowledges this. He also demands an NDA and non-compete contract and only offers a three-month trial, which she agrees to.

Now, Dylan is resigned, though frustrated this station is stealing his attention. He sends them out of his office, saying they'd better get him lots of sponsorship money.

In the parking lot, Gus is relieved. Pat calls Shelly amazing. Gus goes home, and Pat asks Shelly to lunch. She says she'll be too busy trying to make tomorrow's show as good as today's. When Pat says he doesn't know if that's possible, she responds "challenge accepted."

## **Trivia**

* "Bro Code" was actually performed first, but was released second on the podcast feed and listed separately here because "Owning Up" completes the three-part beginning of the series.
* There is a mistake at the beginning of this episode, as the music stinger is played over Gus' intro.