In 1965, Lenny Bruce took the stage in San Francisco, yet his usual lightning wit and irresistible charm were overshadowed by the darkness of his drug addiction. Susie, an unwitting witness, checked in on the comic post-performance, surreptitiously concealing her presence for Midge's sake. She offered to harness her influential connections to reinstate Lenny's grandeur, but he humbly declined, preferring she use those favors for someone more deserving.
Back in 1961, Susie found herself arrested for dozing on a park bench, her emotions rattled after her encounter with Hedy. Midge, rushing from work, arrived to bail her out of jail. Susie confessed to Miriam that she had begged Hedy for a spot on the show, and then embarked on a rambling, ambiguous narrative about their past. While studying on a scholarship at Pennbrook, Susie had worked as a waitress, and Hedy would visit daily to engage in conversation. Though they clashed frequently, they dreamed of escaping together after graduation. However, Hedy's engagement during college shattered Susie's hopes, and she fled to New York, never looking back.
At the office, Gordon reluctantly informed Midge that she would be appearing on his show tonight. This news set her into a tizzy, scrambling to prepare in haste. She procured a dress, alerted Susie, and then hunkered down in her office to ensure Rose would attend. Overjoyed, Midge shared the exciting news with Joel, who kindly granted her permission to discuss him as she pleased. She invited him to the studio, only to realize, upon hanging up, that she had marred her dress by leaning against Susie's window ledge. Swiftly, Dinah darted to Bergdorff's to fetch a replacement dress, and together with Susie, they hastily assembled a set for the evening's performance.
As Moishe and Shirley stumbled into the factory, supported by their canes, with Moishe's leg encased in a cast, they recounted their unexpected morning. Moishe had slipped in the shower, calling out for Shirley who, in a comical turn, slipped and fell right on top of him. With the cleaning lady's arrival delayed, they lay there, indulging in a rare moment of listening to each other's stories. Ultimately, this encounter swayed Moishe's decision; he was convinced to sell the business and embrace retirement, all for the sake of his beloved wife.
Meanwhile, Midge excitedly called Abe, offering him and Rose tickets to an event. Abe's enthusiasm was palpable, but Rose hesitated. She pondered why Miriam, if she truly wanted her there, hadn't contacted her directly. It transpired that Miriam had been desperately trying to reach her, only to find Rose's phone constantly off the hook. Recognizing Midge's sincerity, Rose and Abe hastily scurried out, scrambling for a cab and ultimately settling for a bus.
As Miriam prepared for her big moment on the show, Gordon clarified a misunderstanding. It wasn't for her stand-up act that he wanted her; he intended to interview her as one of his writers. Susie's negotiations with Gordon fell on deaf ears, and Mike was equally powerless to intervene when Gordon made his decision final.
When Gordon introduced Midge as the show's "resident lady writer," her parents beamed proudly from the audience, oblivious to the original plan's deviation. As Midge captivated the audience with her humor, an irritated Gordon abruptly cut to a commercial, four minutes early. Mike scolded Gordon for the premature end, leaving him with four minutes to fill upon their return. Midge had a daring idea to fill those minutes, and she pulled Susie aside to disclose her plan, warning of the risks it posed to both of them. Susie, unfazed, reminded her that she had started her career by saying what no one wanted her to say; why should she stop now?
When the commercial break ended, Miriam boldly took over the segment to perform her stand-up, informing Gordon beforehand that she had never been good at following rules. Her tight four-minute set left an indelible impression on the audience. Even Gordon, unable to deny her comedic prowess, invited her to join him to properly introduce her to his viewers. Susie watched proudly, her hand clasped over her heart.
Flashing back to six months earlier, Midge and Lenny shared a dinner during a snowstorm. Lenny took her fortune cookie and read aloud its prediction of her future under the spotlight. She snatched it from him, revealing it actually listed her lucky numbers. But Lenny's sentiment remained unchanged; he knew she was destined for success.
Lenny's prediction was spot on. In 2005, Midge's schedule was booked solid with worldwide tours. Though her life was somewhat solitary, she cherished a weekly ritual with Susie that brought her joy. Now retired (and seemingly thriving in her own success, judging by her lavish living space), Susie remained Midge's closest friend. Every week, they taped "Jeopardy" so they could watch it together and catch up on life's happenings. The season concluded with Midge laughing uncontrollably over something Susie had said, a testament to the enduring bond between the two friends.
