It's official, Mencken is not the president. With the election result being overturned, ATN is more under fire than ever, with daily protests outside the Waystar headquarters and the threat of legal action.
Gerri comes home with her face set, having had another day of talking to the DOJ about their options.
"Are you okay?" Roman asks as she collapses on the couch, turning on PGM news.
"Yeah, I'm great."
"Can I get you something? Martini? Foot rub?"
"No, I'm good." Gerri continues to glare at the TV as one of the anchors talks about the action ATN is facing. Roman finds himself wishing that he and his siblings had bought PGM after all.
After a few minutes of Gerri alternately tutting and falling silent, Roman can't take the tension any more.
"You want to talk about it, Ger-bear?"
"I said I'm fine. I just had a bad day, dealing with the shitshow you and your brother left Waystar with."
Roman nods and sinks down beside her. "So that's it. You blame me for this whole election debacle?"
"Well, you and Ken made the call."
"I had my reasons."
"Did you fuck him? Mencken?"
Roman's eyebrows shoot up. "Is that what this is? Geraldine, are you jealous?" He smiles even though he knows he's in trouble.
"No. I just wonder what kind of hold he had over you."
"I wanted him to block the sale, that's all."
"Even if it meant destroying the country?"
"Don't be so dramatic," she scoffs. "You sound like Shiv."
She shakes her head, still not looking at him. He's starting to feel defensive.
"It's not like you've never compromised your principles," he makes air quotes, "to get ahead."
"What does that mean?"
"Hello, cruises? Mo? How many allegations did you cover up back in the day?"
"I was a young woman, Roman. If I had blown the whistle your father's company would have destroyed me."
"Yeah, I know." He shrinks inward a little at the mention of his father.
Gerri continues to watch the screen, then says, "I got shoved around by some protesters today."
"What?" He looks at her, shocked, and moves closer to her on the couch. "They hurt you?"
"No. I'm fine. I was just shaken up."
"I'm sorry." He puts an arm around her, pulling her close to him. After a moment she sighs and relaxes against him.
"Maybe I will have that martini," she says.
"Okay, honey." He kisses her forehead and goes to fetch her a drink. Maybe she'll let him give her a foot rub later.