Because of Cupid (2026) Movie Script

Throughout time,
the mere mention of love
evokes a warmth, a yearning.
And when true love is found,
there is a spark, a fire.
But then again,
the course of true love
never did run...
Smooth.
Marcus.
I... I know.
Do I need to ban bottle tosses?
I am trying to sell the place.
Try not to trash it before
potential buyers see it, yeah?
I'm sorry, Lisa.
Only with his right hand.
He never misses with his left.
Well, Naomi's my right-hand man,
so my right arm's
a little underdeveloped.
Oh, this implies a world
where you're in charge
and I'm the sidekick.
Oh, don't worry,
we all know who's in charge.
Uh-huh.
- Lisa, duh.
- Lisa, of course.
Thank you.
Lisa, are you really sure
that you wanna sell?
I mean, look how much
business has boomed
since I started using
ingredients from my greenhouse.
And added small plates
to the menu.
With an actual oven, I could
really get things fired up.
- Again with the puns.
- I'm sorry.
It's a beautiful plan.
But it's not enough.
Okay.
Forget the oven.
The real move?
Mocktails.
You got my email.
Mocktails are expected
to be a $30 billion
industry this year,
and alcohol consumption
is down 20%.
Look, I wish I could stay,
but even with you
as an amazing manager,
I'm so overwhelmed.
I love my work,
but the brake pedal
is also slammed,
and it's like, you know,
screechy noises in my head.
Ugh.
Remind me to never
let you borrow my car?
Well, surely the potential buyer
will share some kind of vision
or plan for the space.
Nobody does anything
without a plan.
I don't know. I usually don't
have a plan for most things.
Whatever happens is meant to be.
Well, what else do they own?
Parking garages.
Sorry.
Oh, no.
Oh, no, we can't
let this happen.
The Agora is too special.
We've gotta do
something about this.
What, were you an Olympic darts
player in your youth?
Uh, something like that.
Hey guys, what can I get ya?
Please shower my new friend
here in charcuterie
and cheese platters.
Thank you
for at least 45 minutes,
my attention was off work.
It's my first time out
of the writing cave in months.
What kinda writing do you do?
Uh, do you know the book series
A Game of Silks and Steel?
So, no?
I have to get Lisa.
You mean those
fantasy romance books?
They're big fans.
Oh.
Lisa.
I know you're furious with me,
and you have every right to be.
I can tell you're feeling
unprecedented levels of guilt,
but there's no time
for any of that
because E.J. Cortland is here.
Where?
This is gonna sound weird,
but I thought you'd be a woman.
Uh, yeah, I... I get that a lot.
You mean to tell me
that the writer
of my favorite romance novels...
Fantasy romance novels.
I wanted to write
a fantasy series.
My editor suggested
a romance B-plot,
and it just kind of took off.
So come meet him.
What? No!
No, that's weird.
He probably gets
swarmed all the time.
Yeah, probably not.
If we all assumed
he was a she with the initials.
Were confusing.
And when the fandom
assumed I was a woman,
the publisher asked
that I just not correct them.
Made the book series huge
and made my personal life
kind of a...
Hi, I'm...
E.J. Cortland.
Yeah.
I hope this isn't weird.
I am a fan.
I mean, sorry,
I should introduce myself.
Uh, Lisa.
Hi.
Lisa.
Hi.
I am so looking forward
to the final installment,
but I also don't want it to end.
It must be hard,
knowing that it's the last book,
to leave the world
that you created behind.
Uh, yeah.
Can I be totally
honest with you?
Please.
I looked up one day
and I realized
that I had this thing
that I loved, you know,
but I... I didn't have a life.
Sorry, that's, um...
No.
I know exactly what you mean.
Can I buy you a drink, or...
Oh.
Uh, well,
I can't let you do that.
Oh. Yeah.
I own the place.
Oh, sorry. I, I...
Oh, no, no, it's fine.
I just didn't want
you to think...
Not at all.
I, uh, I should probably
stop takin' up all your time.
Oh, right. Yeah.
Uh, well, um, enjoy your evening
and... and thanks
for the, uh, writing.
Sh... sh... sure.
What was that?
It was a spark.
So close.
They could've been soulmates.
- No.
- Yeah.
Was that attraction?
Without question.
But soulmates?
Soulmates are
the shiny gift wrap
on the flimsy cardboard box
of love.
Oh, boy,
I've heard this tune before
and it's a real downer.
You're gonna want
a drink, snack,
something to tide you over,
Mr., um...
Hal.
Pleasure.
Pleasure.
Naomi. And that's Marcus.
- Hey.
- Do you have any mocktails?
We should, shouldn't we?
I think I can come up
with something.
Great.
E.J. over there,
writing books about Lysander
trying to burn the world down
for his true love,
that is what true love gets you.
I'm sorry, I thought
you didn't read those books.
Whatever.
You left one behind
the register.
Okay, he's just cynical because
his parents are divorced,
and his favorite uncle
lost the love of his life
at a very formative age
for Marcus.
That is private, and accurate.
Well, from the outside,
love looks painful,
but it's different living it.
Love looks not with the eyes,
but with the mind.
And therefore
is winged Cupid painted blind.
Cupid, what a guy.
Oh, the statistical evidence
suggests that humans
are meant for partnership,
for connection.
Oh, so you believe in soulmates?
Oh, definitely not.
The premise of soulmates
rests in a belief in magic,
and magic does not exist.
Here we go again.
Love is a ruse,
but magic, magic exists.
- No, it doesn't.
- It does.
- No.
- Trust me.
It doesn't.
Lord, what fools
these mortals be.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Um, can I get a re-do?
Of course.
All right, let's see if I can
turn this spark into a flame.
Good luck.
Ooh, thank you.
So, how long have you
been in love with her?
Since the moment I met her.
Yeah.
What? I mean, uh, no, I'm... I'm
not.
I'm not.
Why would I tell you that?
Just friends.
Best friends.
Work husband
and work wife at best.
Mm, there's something there.
You know, Hal maybe
on to something.
Those two might be
a great match.
Mm-hmm.
Mm!
Oh, wow, you simply must tell me
what's in this mocktail.
- You like it?
- Yes.
It's a matcha yuzu sour.
I wanna try it with this
Taiwanese mountain tea,
but I can't find it.
Alishan?
Yes.
I have some.
I'd be happy to share.
You have Taiwanese mountain tea?
Sorry.
I should explain.
Uh, I'm the owner
of Eros Tea Cafe,
and we specialize
in, um, rare blends.
How have I not heard of this?
Yes, please.
I would love to try some.
Great.
What are you guys
doing tomorrow?
We could do a tasting.
It's actually
a wonderful date spot.
Noms, would you
please explain to this man
that you already
have a boyfriend?
Um, Chris and I broke up.
Anyway, we would love to,
but we've got...
Oh, whoa, you broke up?
What? How? Why?
Well, that's all the questions.
It's fine.
It's not a big deal.
Anyway, we would love
to come by,
but we got a big singles mixer
here tomorrow,
so we gotta work.
Oh, that's a shame.
But we could come by
before work.
What's the address?
Great. It's a date.
Whoa, it's not a date.
Not a date.
They just broke up
and we're friends.
It's an errand.
- It's, um...
- It's a figure of speech.
- Right.
- Thank you.
Tomorrow.
Come in, Marcus.
Morning.
Morning.
Ooh, coffee.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Are we singing to them now?
My usual song choice
doesn't seem to be working.
Hmm, maybe you should
try something
a little more avant-garden?
Ugh.
So, um, you and Chris broke up?
Yeah, truly.
I'm okay,
we can skip the pep talk.
It should've ended a while ago.
Besides, there's not time
for romance
with our jobs on the line.
Yeah.
Well, that's the other thing.
I was hoping you might
have a plan to save our jobs,
The Agora, the world?
I do.
The plan is
we're gonna buy the Agora.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, that... that's it?
Yeah, that's not a plan,
that's a pipe dream.
I love working with you, Marcus,
but I really need
a true partner.
Where do we start?
Okay, we are gonna
make a plan to buy the Agora
by talking to
the second smartest person
that you know.
No.
No, not my uncle.
Please, I'm not in the mood
for a lecture.
He's experienced and reasonable,
and I am the one
making the plan.
Your plans don't usually make
me this queasy.
You ready for this?
Just, uh, let me do the talkin'.
Naomi.
Marcus.
Uncle Richard.
You finally acquiesced
to taking some advice.
Well, come in,
I'll put some coffee on.
Oh, we actually
already had some.
Not for you.
This is who
my uncle wants me to be,
a desk guy, a take charge guy,
just like him.
Ooh, very official.
I'd run a business
with that guy.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
If you did what I told you,
you could take over
one of my restaurants.
You wouldn't need the Agora.
We talked about that,
Uncle Rich.
I need to do something for me.
So how old were you
when you bought your restaurant?
29!
He did that
with a VA business loan
40 years ago in a much less
competitive market. No offense.
Facts can never offend me.
Permission to speak candidly?
Your problem isn't
your age or the market.
Your problem is
he's two Golden Retrievers
in a trench coat.
You cannot
compete with the offer
that Lisa is gonna get
from the parking lot people
that you told me about.
So, you have to convince her
that you two
can run that restaurant
and let her be a silent partner.
To do that, you're gonna have
to prove yourselves,
to Lisa, to the investors,
and frankly, to each other.
Well, I have spreadsheets, a
deck,
I've got a five-year growth
plan...
No, no, none of that.
It's gotta be
something inspiring,
a story that people
can get behind, a...
Please don't say a...
- Competition.
- Competition.
What competition?
Starts tomorrow,
but I can pull some strings.
Now, for the last time,
I'm not entering
your annual cocktail competition
with those annoying
podcast bros.
With all due respect,
how does a competition prove
we can run a business?
Well, for one thing, it comes
with a substantial cash prize,
enough for you to buy your oven
for the Agora.
And this year,
in order to appeal
to a younger generation,
they're going to make it
a mocktail competition.
Which I, for one,
find a real travesty
as a six-time champion
of a real drink competition.
And is anyone surprised
that he's afraid to step out
of his comfort zone?
Lucy.
Hi.
I have to appear live
and in person
because someone
doesn't check their voicemail,
and still hasn't RSVP'd
to my invitation.
For the last time,
I do not need a singles mixer.
You tell him
that it would be cruel
to abandon his close friend
of 50 years in her search
for true love,
and that if he doesn't
come with me,
he's gonna be alone forever.
Oh, I'm not gonna tell him that.
I'm gonna unpack groceries.
Naomi, can we talk for a minute?
Mm-hmm.
Are you seriously
asking me to do this?
Are you seriously
asking me to do this?
What, do you have a better plan?
Because I'm open to suggestions.
I'm open to trying
to be open to suggestions.
My dearly departed
best friend made me promise
that you wouldn't turn
into a hermit.
I won't let you sit
at home and sulk.
Would you hold this?
Hold this?
I have to go to yoga,
but I will see you
at Hal's tea shop later tonight.
And don't wear
that green plaid shirt.
It needs tailoring.
Good, it's settled.
And move into warrior one.
Okay, just think about it.
You let Marcus and I take over.
You stay on as a silent partner,
and then you can still travel
or read or make pottery
or whatever it is
you're planning on doing.
Reverse your warrior,
press into your foundations,
and ground yourself.
Truth time.
I would love to sell to you two,
but I think you doubt
yourself and Marcus,
and that is
a recipe for disaster.
Uh, you think
I don't trust Marcus?
Well, you're so afraid
of failure,
you step in for Marcus,
and Marcus trusts you
so much he doesn't step up.
Cartwheel the arms forward,
bring both feet together.
And let's repeat the sequence
on the second side.
But this time, Marcus really
wants to put in the work.
He's fully on board.
Marcus is always on board.
He has his Naomi.
But running a business
requires improvisation,
and improvisation
requires trust.
Breathe.
Give us a chance
to prove it to you.
Just don't sign yet.
Give us two weeks
to change your mind.
Oh, awful lot
can happen in two weeks.
I'm counting on it.
All right. Fine.
Uh, okay.
This is it. Hal's place.
Weird.
I could've sworn
this used to be a nail salon.
What?
Mm. That's incredible.
Is... is this
the higher altitude one?
Remarkable!
She's cheating a little bit.
She has a degree
in biochemistry.
That is not cheating.
Ooh.
I got a job at the Agora
over the summers
to pay for my grad school,
and then I just fell
in love with mixology,
and a little bit less
with biochemistry.
Which is where we met.
And have been inseparable since?
Yeah, pretty much.
Although, this is
not biochemistry.
My grandparents raised me,
and we would do
a lot of cooking,
and always using
ingredients from my grandma...
- Your garden.
- Yeah.
- Your grandma's garden.
- Hmm.
And now, Naomi has this
beautiful greenhouse of her own.
Nice.
Well, then, please accept
my tea to-go bag.
You know, something to help you
jumpstart your mocktail menu.
Is this...
butterfly pea tea
as a simple syrup?
I made it myself, yes.
Oh, it's aromatic.
It's vegetal.
It's...
It's your Uncle Richard.
Oh, yeah.
Do you have any news?
So, you haven't
told her, I gather?
After years of me
raggin' on love,
she'd think it was a joke.
And I can't be a punchline.
I don't think I could take it,
not from her.
You know, the word courage
comes from
the Old French corage,
meaning the heart.
And this
is a little elixir de corage,
an old apothecary love potion.
Love potion?
Whoa.
Hmm.
You know what? On second
thought, I'm not so sure
that's a good idea.
Well, sure, you don't
believe in everlasting love.
But magic?
I already told you
I believe in magic, but...
Good.
I don't wanna make
anyone fall in love with me.
No, no, no, no, no,
it's nothing like that.
No, no, no. Just...
Just like ginger
soothes the stomach
and green tea
clarifies the mind,
this just gives
the heart confidence.
Hmm.
Ooh, what's that?
Uh...
Another simple syrup
for our classic mixologist.
But it has melon in it,
and Naomi's allergic,
so probably
shouldn't even risk it.
Okay, well, Marcus can try it.
Thank you.
Actually, one can
never be too cautious.
You'll just use it
one night when I'm not working.
Honestly, Marcus.
Thank you so much
for these parting gifts, Hal,
and I hope that you will come
visit us again very soon.
- Of course.
- Gotta go.
Hmm.
- Uh, Nomes?
- Yeah?
Maybe let me hold onto that bag?
I got it.
Mix it up as our
Valentine's Day celebration
enters its second hour.
No one caught your eye, Jane?
Oh, no.
I'm not looking to fall in love.
I'm looking to be
surrounded by love,
suspended in
the quantum field of it.
I think I saw a greeting card
to that effect once.
Marcus, Naomi, this is Steven.
He's the host
of the Social Time podcast
and the annual cockt...
- Sorry, mocktail competition.
- Yeah.
Mocktails this year
to highlight our sponsor's brand
of non-alcoholic
sparking beverages.
As you know,
applications are closed,
but your uncle begged me
to give you a chance.
I did not and have never begged.
So here I am.
Unfair, but I do
require excellence.
- Hey.
- Hey!
Wow me.
Don't worry, guys.
He thinks pressure
makes people perform better.
Just relax,
do your best, you'll be great.
Thanks.
As I live and deep breathe.
Jane Serrano.
Hmm.
They told me
you went all live, laugh, love.
I did.
I prefer life without ulcers.
Hmm. Right.
Well, pressure does
make diamonds, as they say.
I actually have
a regular segment about that
on the podcast.
Well, I'm sure that'll make
for a great sound bite.
You are so right.
Don't forget, Jane,
I learned marketing from you.
Before you were a yoga teacher,
you were teaching
the power of brand.
Thank you again
for the opportunity.
Just wanna make sure we bring
you over a sample of our...
And he's walking away.
Yeah, he's gone.
We used to work
in finance together.
How do you think
I perfected my warrior pose?
Okay, what should we do?
I have 20 different recipes
to choose from
listed in order of...
Gotta have a twist,
something to impress the guy.
Right. I have a spiritless
whiskey sour,
but it's missing a twist.
That's the one.
You start building and I will...
Excuse me.
Go clean up whatever that was.
It's pretty, uh,
cold out there, yeah?
Uh, yeah.
Pretty, uh, cold.
Name one time
that you've taken my advice.
For the last time,
I do not need a wing woman.
Oh.
Kinda awkward out there.
Here, try this.
- Mm.
- Yeah?
It needs something
to round it out,
something sweet, aromatic.
- Okay, okay.
- Excuse me, sir.
Hang on. I gotta get that.
You need to improve a little
bit.
No. I don't improv, you improv.
Just think,
"What would Marcus do?"
Okay.
What would Marcus do?
What would Marcus do?
Okay, not enough of that.
Melon would pair well.
Hey, Lisa.
Would you try this for me?
Yeah.
I took a swing at this mocktail,
but the infused syrup
I use has melon in it.
Melon? But you're allergic.
I know, but Marcus said
something sweet and aromatic.
Try it for me. You too, E.J.
Naomi, it's...
Wow!
I've got goosebumps all over.
Oh, may I try it, too?
Yeah, of course.
That is the best thing
I've ever tasted.
I don't usually like sours.
Ooh, that is sublime.
Nomes.
- Yeah?
- That is incredible.
Delicioso.
- Mm.
- Seriously, what's in this?
So, is that a winner?
There's only one way
to find out.
I'll see you guys
at competition tomorrow.
Yes!
Thank you.
Oh, you did it.
We're in.
We did it.
You told me
what would Marcus do,
and then I remembered
that melon syrup
that Hal gave you.
- And?
- And I used it.
I couldn't taste it,
but it smelled amazing.
You used the vial Hal gave me?
Uh-huh.
This night is amazing.
Everything is amazing.
You know what?
I think you're amazing.
I think you're amazing, too.
Should we dance?
We should totally dance.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Oh...
- Cute.
No, no, no, no, no,
no, no, no, no, no.
It's not a simple syrup.
It's a love potion.
Marcus, there are no such things
as love potions.
Then how do you explain that?
Or that?
Have you ever seen them
act like the last 10 minutes
of a Nora Ephron movie before?
Hey, probably just
pre-Valentine's Day jitters,
right?
Let me just see what was
in that mixture.
Maybe wild pansy
or mandrake maybe.
Hmm. That's odd.
Well, you drank it
and you're not feeling
any adverse effects, right?
Marcus?
Fire it up, boys.
Let me call you sweetheart
I'm in love with you
Let me hear you whisper
that you love me, too
Keep the love light glowing
Richard, Lucy, are you okay?
No.
My heart,
it stops every time
I look at her.
Okay.
With you
Steven, Jane, do you feel okay?
I thought I couldn't stand you,
but actually I can't
stand the thought
of being without you.
Same.
Let me call you sweetheart
I'm in love
I'm so in love
I'm in love with you
Nomes, I love you.
I have loved you
since the first moment we met.
So you are feeling
some adverse effects.
Oh, it just feels
so good to finally say it.
Yeah?
- I love you, Naomi.
- Okay.
And I don't care who knows it.
You don't care who knows it
because you don't even
know it, because it's...
It's a chemical reaction.
I know. I feel it, too.
No. Like, literally,
your brain chemistry
has been altered.
Yes, of course.
Stop agreeing with me.
All right, let's just
look at the evidence.
Everyone who drank
that mocktail was acting weird.
I mean, Lisa was practically
shouting her feelings.
And Uncle Richard
was trying so hard
to tango with Lucy,
and refused to tango home.
Snap out of it.
You hate my puns.
I don't.
I love everything you say.
Please stop.
Listen to me.
Hal told me the vial is magic.
There is no such thing as magic.
He told me it was a love potion.
- Those don't exist.
- They do.
Okay, let me get this straight.
You think you've always
been in love with me.
I know I have.
Even though you were
never attracted to me
before one hour ago.
That's not true, Nomes.
I've always loved you.
That's why I needed the courage.
You probably needed courage
about, like, our work situation.
No.
Okay, your senses
cannot be trusted.
I think that you should
just stay at my place tonight.
You can sleep on the couch.
I can't send you home.
You're gonna invest
all your money
in some meme coin or something.
But I would do that anyway.
See, I'm fine.
Love the way
you take care of me.
I even love the way
you close the door!
Nomes, you awake?
I hope you're asleep.
I just wanna say I'm sorry.
I know it's a lot.
I know you think
I didn't love you before today,
but it's not true.
I didn't say anything
'cause you were with Chris.
I respected that
because I want you to be happy.
Felt like, I don't know,
selfish to tell you how I feel.
And it hurt, a lot.
But not being around you
would have hurt a lot more.
I also know
I'm not really the kinda guy
most people take seriously.
Maybe that's my fault.
But I always wished
for some magical moment
where you'd see me differently.
And now there's this potion,
and what do you know?
It's the reason
you can't take me seriously.
Anyway, good night, Nomes.
Good morning.
Morning.
You don't believe me.
Fair enough.
The burden of proof is on me.
So, let's gather the evidence,
find Hal, track down
the other couples,
compare behaviors.
Ooh, gonna run some more tests.
Maybe one of your friends
might have access to a lab.
Uh, yeah, maybe Marie?
Marcus, what is this?
Omelet, mesclun salad,
blueberry muffin...
You're outperforming.
We have a major problem,
and you did not
ask me for a plan.
You, in fact, have a plan,
a really solid plan.
You made eggs.
Eggs is a really sad low bar.
You have put me
in an impossible situation.
If Potion Marcus comes
with brunch and plans,
I... I feel much less
compelled to cure you.
It's a real moral dilemma.
Mm.
Muffin?
Is this zucchini in there?
Yes, but that's how
you get the texture.
- That's what you put in there?
- Yeah.
No.
No. No, no.
Hal? Hal?
Hal, I know you're in there!
What happened to the tea cafe?
I think you mean
the magic tea cafe.
Mm-mm, this is not magic.
Nope.
But you didn't take the potion
and the tea shop
still disappeared.
Well, maybe the potion's
delusion is contagious.
Does that mean
you're catching feelings?
It's a crime.
This could be like a very
elaborate fraud to rob us.
Come on. If we had any money to
steal, we'd just buy the Agora.
Okay, I'm not loving that you're
the voice of reason right now.
I am.
And I'm really not loving
that the voice of reason's
reasoning is magic.
Kinda told you so.
We have to check on everyone
who took this thing.
Okay, that was me,
E.J. and Lisa,
Steven and Jane...
- Yes.
- And Richard and Lucy.
Ooh, try calling Richard.
- Now?
- Yes.
You have reached
the voicemail box.
Straight to voicemail.
Should we just head over there?
Mm, the competition kickoff
starts in a few hours,
and we're gonna see him
and Steven there.
Should we just start with Lisa,
see if she knows
how to track down E.J.?
- Lisa.
- Yes.
Teamwork.
No sign of Lisa.
This is very bad, Marcus.
She's not at home,
not at the Agora.
If Lisa went
on a romantic binge,
what would she do?
Hmm.
She would reenact
her favorite movie scene.
Let's go.
Oh, hey, guys. What's up?
Don't "what's up" me, Swayze.
Where have you been?
Went down to the park,
stopped for some stargazing,
and came to my craft studio.
- Don't!
- You're on a love potion.
That mocktail I made last night
had some kind of
chemical compound in it
that makes you think
that you're in love.
No, we are not on a love potion.
We already liked each other.
You were a matchmaker.
Yeah, I came to the Agora
to get a personal life,
remember?
You did say that, yeah.
I've been working so hard,
pushing off
really living for so long.
Right?
You've been living to work
instead of working to live.
Yeah.
And we need to live.
That's really beautiful.
Wow, I'm so relieved.
Which is why we talked
to our accountants this morning,
we're selling everything we own,
and we are...
Moving to Costa Rica.
- No, no, no, no, no, no, no!
- Congratulations!
- I know.
- Oh.
Marcus, we need
to find everyone.
Oh, there's Lucy and Richard.
Thank you.
They seem okay.
All right, what is up, everyone?
Oh, he's starting.
Welcome to the Social Time
Annual Cocktail,
or should I say, this year,
drum roll please,
Mocktail Competition.
I'm Brent, co-host
of the Social Time podcast,
and my co-host Steven...
I was thinking,
"Why am I doing that?"
Uh, Steven...
- Um.
- Is coming to the stage.
Do your thing.
You good?
- Oh, yeah.
- All right.
This year, you asked
and we answered,
we are going all in
on mocktails.
Special thanks
to our sponsor Bujo Estigio
for supplying us
with their new line
of non-alcoholic beverages,
as well as...
Steven, tell them
what they might win.
Thanks, bro.
Uh, this cycle of
winning and losing,
it's an illusion,
it's a metaphysical trap
designed to convince us
of our separateness.
The real prize is consciousness.
Oh, woo, yes, babe!
Woo!
Also, $30,000 from our sponsor.
How about that?
Brent] Right?
- Um, nice.
- How about that?
There will be
three rounds this week.
The first round
will be on Tuesday,
and it's called Love is Blind.
We're gonna be testing
our competitors' instincts
by giving them a blind taste,
and then asking them
to reconstruct the mocktail.
Maybe I'll deconstruct,
you reconstruct?
And, uh, the theme
for the next round
is gonna be The Perfect Match.
We're gonna be asking everyone
to make an appetizer
to pair with their mocktails,
and that can be a perfect match,
or it can be
a delicious contrast,
or like my amazing
girlfriend Jane and I,
a little bit of both.
- I love you.
- I love you.
- You're doing amazing.
- I love you.
Oh, no, I...
For round one and two,
you, the audience,
will vote using
these valentines here
for the best mocktail.
And then, for the final round
on Valentine's Day,
it's Love Conquers All.
Make us a mocktail
with a custom garnish
that wows us.
And we'll see you right back
here on Tuesday for round one.
Wooh!
Okay.
We need to find Richard.
Yes.
Where'd he go?
Lisa selling the Agora
and meeting E.J.,
Steven and Jane.
I mean, maybe this potion's
the jumpstart everyone needed.
Will you marry me?
What were you saying?
Not even magic can explain that.
What do you think?
Yes! Yes!
Ow.
We need to find an antidote.
Agreed.
And we need to tell
everyone the truth.
Hey, here come Steven and Jane.
Just play it cool.
Absolutely.
Hey, guys
You're both on a love potion.
- What?
- Smooth.
Oh, I love that.
That doesn't make you worried?
I am not worried
about anything anymore.
Neither am I. Come on.
See?
We need to talk to Richard.
Just play it cool.
Totally.
You can't get married.
You guys are on a love potion.
I'm on a love potion,
I'm not proposing.
Well, that's just
your problem, nephew.
You need to be a man of action.
Uncle Richard,
I have, shall we say,
opted into the snorkel tour
of love
because you told me deep dives
and deep connections
both come with the bends.
I said that?
What do I know?
Really hope you
know some things,
because I've risked
my entire career
and a very close relationship
on your advice.
Why can't you just
be happy for us?
It was love at first sight.
You guys have been friends
for 50 years.
Yesterday you were bickering
like those guys
from The Muppets.
Statler and Waldorf.
What?
I know some things, too.
And we've lost again.
Antidote?
Antidote.
We'll go see Marie tomorrow.
Ooh, thank you so much, Marie.
I know this is a little outside
your real house.
- Marcus, Marie.
- Hi.
Honestly, it's nice to
have a break from the nanobots.
How are those
nanobots treating you?
Oh, you know...
Terrible.
Yeah.
Dating too, actually.
Would you ever set me up
with your cute bartender friend?
Wouldn't know who you mean?
Your friend from work?
The one you said was super cute.
Really? Super cute.
I didn't say super cute.
Well, I believe the words
"total hunk" were used.
What?
Why are you making that face?
Why can't scientists
read social cues?
Total hunk.
Let the record permanently show.
He's the bartender?
- Hi.
- Huh.
But he's in love with you.
He's not in love with me.
- Yes, I am.
- Yes, he is.
Great.
As much as I'd love to, uh, stay
and just debate this all day,
could we just
have those results?
The test revealed nothing.
I mean, maybe some things
that could lead
to a racing heart
or oxytocin boost,
but nothing
that could cause delusions.
Sorry.
- Thanks.
- Good luck.
Just say it.
I am willing to consider
the cosmological constant,
dark matter.
Magic.
So we can't use science.
We will turn to history.
Ah, how about this one?
Shall I compare thee
to a summer's...
Nay, less love poems,
more research.
Okay, look at this.
The ancient Greeks
used a specific orchid
in love potions.
Ah, but it's extinct.
Hmm, maybe someone
Jurassic Parked it back to life?
It's possible, but unlikely.
Ah, I got it.
An antidote?
No.
I think I should have
loved you presently.
And given in earnest words
I flung in jest.
Cherish no less
the certain stakes I gained,
and walk your memory's halls,
austere, supreme.
A ghost in marble
of a girl you knew,
who would have loved you
in a day or two.
Wait, Hal?
Hmm?
Oh, mighty Aphrodite, that hurt.
Whoa, whoa! Easy now!
Please, do not invoke Aphrodite.
What was in that vial?
We know it's magic.
If you say so.
Do you say so, Naomi?
You have caused
unspeakable levels of chaos,
and we're willing
to not press charges
if you just tell us
what was in it.
Well, I am willing
to share some insight
if you would just admit
that magic exists.
Yes.
No. Nope. No way.
I will not have my last strand
of sanity snipped
by a man who is clearly
the host of some
hidden camera prank show.
I do not consent to be recorded.
Okay.
Uh, wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait.
Hold on a second,
hold on a second.
We can't just give up.
We love-bombed
six unsuspecting people.
Seven, and that's not
what love bomb means.
Sorry, not to eavesdrop,
but seven?
Yes, I used it in a mocktail,
and so now three couples,
plus Marcus,
are in some kind of
collective woo-hoo.
But you didn't drink it?
Did not.
- That's disappointing.
- Okay.
Has a magical love potion
not gone as expected?
Shocker.
Ah, so you admit it's magic!
I will tell you that
it is distilled leprechaun tears
if you just tell me
what was in it.
I cannot tell you
what was in it.
What is it,
mystical trade secrets?
But I can give you
the ingredients to the antidote.
Very old magic.
Risky, but I will warn you,
this erases anything
that isn't true.
And I beg you to remember,
love doesn't need
a perfect start
to have a happy ending.
Thank you.
Fleece? What is this?
Do these ingredients c...
Did he really just disappear?
Sorry, I thought we were done.
Bye, lovebirds.
What?
Here you go.
An option for the competition
I've been thinkin' about.
Mm. What is in this?
I added a little twist
to Naomi's gingersnap recipe.
Twist? No twist.
No, what did you do?
It's magnificent.
It's transcendent!
- Thank you.
- Mythical.
Really?
Oh, uh, not that.
Your antidote recipe,
it's mythical.
It occurred to me
that these ingredients
aren't exactly edible,
but they are all items
from Greek mythology.
Golden Fleece,
Stygian water, poppy seeds.
Hmm.
And this last ingredient's
too smudged,
but I'll bet
the right Greek myth
has your answer.
All right.
So, tonight,
we finalize the mocktails
for the competition.
Tomorrow, more research.
I got some ideas.
Potion Marcus
comes up with a plan.
Man, you two
are right for each other.
I thought we were
meeting at the library
to do antidote things.
If we're gonna be combing
through ancient mythology
for clues,
might as well immerse
ourselves in it, you know?
Hmm.
Kind of feels like a date.
Not a date.
An antedate.
Antedate for antidote.
Huh.
Okay, so Psyche and Eros.
As the story goes,
Psyche fell in love with Eros,
Cupid,
but when her lack of faith
caused him to disappear,
she begged Aphrodite
for a second chance.
- Ah.
- Mm-hmm.
Whoa!
These are Psyche's trials.
Yep.
Ooh, paintings.
What's goin' on in this one?
Hmm, she had to sort grains.
So barley, wheat,
beans, poppy seeds.
Wait, poppy seeds.
Okay, I wonder if something here
has to do with Golden Fleece.
Some kinda water is here.
- Hmm.
- A river, maybe?
The River Styx.
Stygian waters.
Stygian waters.
Okay. Okay.
And here, she has
a porcelain flask
from Persephone
from the Underworld.
This might be the key
to our smudged ingredient.
Am I crazy,
or is there something here?
Hal?
Welcome to round one,
Love is Blind.
We will start as soon
as I find my co-host.
Steven?
Steven, are you out there?
Come on, bro.
Well, contestants,
you can begin.
Hmm.
Something pink, you know?
Hey, write down the...
- I got it.
- What?
- Cherry.
- Cherry.
Whoa, hey. Sorry.
Where is it, where is it,
where is it?
There. Yes.
Uncle Rich, come on.
More speed, less haze.
Oh, I'll take one of these
just for safety.
Five teams
got the heart for accuracy,
and the audience votes are in.
And in second place,
two hearts go to Richard Kelly.
And in first place
for round one,
three hearts go to
Naomi Thomas and Marcus Kelly.
Congratulations.
I can't believe it.
What do you mean?
I told you we were a great team.
No,
I... I can't believe it.
It's Hal.
What are you doing here, Hal?
I came to check in
on the antidote,
but I'm delighted to see
you have yet to follow through.
That antidote is a jumble of
inedible storybook ingredients.
I'm not surprised you took
my instructions literally,
but I really thought Marcus here
would think outside the box.
I feel like the answer
is in his grasp,
if he would just open his eyes
and see what's in front of him.
Seriously,
I'm all but giving you
the answer right now.
No more tricks.
Who are you?
I think you already know.
I...
Am Cupid.
I knew it!
Okay.
You know,
you remind me of Psyche.
Yeah, always searching
for proof before you're allowed
to feel what you feel.
And you, Naomi Thomas,
you're surrounded
by lovesick fools, yeah,
but do not let love blind you
to their wisdom.
Marcus, take a picture
of Lucy and me together.
Si por favor.
Cheese.
It's great.
Lucy, what's the meaning
of Bujo Estigio?
It means Stygian owl,
native of Mexico.
Stygian refers
to the River Styx.
That...
That's Stygian waters.
Yes.
Yes.
Stygian waters.
Okay, okay,
we gotta think outside the box.
Golden Fleece
could be, like, a cereal brand,
or, or, or what about something
like that weird orchid
you read about?
Oh, that's it!
That's it!
Yes, yes, it's a plant.
Yes.
Okay, Golden Fleece
is a rare Mediterranean plant,
but where can we
source it locally, unless...
Y... you don't mean...
No.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Th... th... th... there's gotta be
another way.
He's a botanist. He has access.
I'd rather all of us
spend the rest of our lives
under this magical spell
than ask your ex-boyfriend
for help.
Good.
It's settled.
We'll go see Chris tomorrow.
Okay?
Oh, so beautiful in here.
It's not that beautiful, but...
Hey, Chris.
Hey, Mimi.
So, I have
what you called about.
Let me go get 'em.
Marcus.
Mimi? He calls you Mimi?
It's a nickname, like Nomes.
It is not like Nomes.
Okay, this is gonna be fun.
Here they are.
Oh, thank you.
Shoot.
We need one per dose
and this is only six,
but we need seven.
Any chance
you'd have access to more?
Yeah, I could put in
a rush order
for old time's sake.
No, no.
Nobody needs
to go back to old times.
Oh, I see.
Suppose it was to be expected.
You two have always been close.
Uh, we're not together.
The antidote we're trying
to make is for Marcus.
He's on some kind of...
- Love potion.
- Yeah.
That's not real.
It is.
Vasodilator, uh, psilocybin.
No, that's what I thought,
but the chemistry tests
were inconclusive.
Because it's magic.
It's magic.
But potion aside,
if she ever gave me a chance,
I definitely wouldn't
screw it up...
Marcus.
- Sorry.
- Okay.
I'll put in the rush order,
but I urge you
to consider Occam's razor.
Magic.
Marcus.
Thank you, Chris.
Magic.
I don't get what you saw in him.
He hangs out
with his plants all day.
I also love botany.
Even his name is boring.
I mean, what kinda name
is Chris?
Chris?
Okay, every famous actor
is named Chris.
I am doing my very best
to save you from embarrassment
while you're
under this influence,
but you embarrassed me.
Chris broke up with me,
and now I look petty,
and you're ragging on him,
but he and I are the same.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hey, wait, wait, wait a second.
Okay.
I went a little overboard,
but you are not Chris.
You know, you think you're
all straight laces and plans,
but you've always
been magical to me.
Yes, I said magical.
Or whimsical,
or whatever you wanna call it.
You are connected to that
thing, that spark,
that makes the world
an interesting place to be.
With Chris, I saw two lives
being fueled by one fire,
and I think you deserve someone
who has their own spark,
who matches you,
whether that's me or not.
That was nice.
Thank you.
Okay, let's go.
So much to do, so little time.
I have never seen
this side of Marcus before.
He's making plans,
he's being bold,
he's just wonderful.
And I think I'm...
Uh, but on the other hand,
he may not be like this
without the potion.
You keep blaming the potion.
This is us responding
to a feeling.
We're still ourselves
inside of whatever this is,
and it's a bit dismissive of you
to keep discounting that.
I'm sorry.
It's just been, you know...
Okay.
I called my editor and told her,
"Forget the final book.
I'm on an indefinite hiatus."
Tickets are booked.
We fly out Friday.
Whoa, whoa.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
- Wait.
Mm, what about the Agora?
What about your book?
You guys are making
really big decisions based on...
Hello, my beautiful yogis.
Before we start class today,
I just wanted to highlight
that we have branded yoga mats,
branded yoga gear,
and also
all new membership options.
Studio Jane
is your one-stop shop
for fashion and fitness.
So let's get our stretch on.
Everyone rise and grind.
Make your way
to the front of your mat.
Let's bring our feet
hip distance apart, parallel,
or you can just take a savasana.
Do you wanna talk about it?
Namaste on the floor.
Look, I know
you're worried about me,
but ever since me
and Steven have gotten together,
I realize that I was using
my spirituality
to cut off parts
of myself that I didn't like.
That corporate part
is not all that bad.
I mean, that girl has guts.
Yeah.
And, you know, E.J. and I needed
to make a change
for a long time.
It may feel rushed,
but it's overdue.
I want you all to be happy,
but a lot of people
depend on your work.
Marcus, me.
And E.J., your fans
are gonna grab pitchforks
if you don't finish that book.
Fans will be fine.
I'll just sell it as a TV show
and let those writers
figure out the ending.
That has historically
never gone wrong.
Okay, fine.
I will stop saying
that your feelings aren't real
if you all agree
to take the antidote
before acting
on any big decisions.
Deal?
Deal.
- Oh, uh, deal.
- Yes. Deal.
- Sorry.
- Deal.
Yeah.
Careful.
Last time we tried
what would Marcus do,
we all collectively
lost our minds.
Well, Lisa's accelerated
timeline has me
a little desperate.
Well, we already got
two out of the four ingredients.
Actually, three.
- Three?
- Mm-hmm.
Turns out I had
Greek poppy seeds
in my collection,
so we only have one more
ingredient to track down.
Nice.
Yeah.
But first, we gotta eat.
Okay.
Sticks.
Thank you.
And, oh, yes,
I also got us fortune cookies.
Maybe you'll like magic
that comes from a cookie.
Perhaps.
Mm.
The love of your life
will appear in front of you
unexpectedly.
I didn't do that, I swear.
- Really?
- I swear.
I don't...
Although, who am I
to argue with your fortune?
What?
I was thinking about what you
said earlier about spark.
Being raised
by my grandparents, I just...
They were way past
the heart eyes
and honeymoon phase.
They just chose
each other every day.
They looked out for each other
in these little ways
that no one but me noticed.
And it might not be
very exciting,
but that's love to me.
And this week,
solving all this with you
has been chaotic,
but really fun.
And I think that that's your...
I don't want to call it magic,
but it's a thing
that I don't know
how to do that feels mysterious
and it's just easy for you.
Thank you.
So, uh, what does
your fortune cookie say?
Good question.
Let's find out.
The woman in the gray sweater
will pay for dinner.
No, it doesn't.
Get out of here.
It's good to see you.
Should we wake her?
I'm not sleeping.
I'm just defeated.
She snores when she's defeated.
Well, you've been juggling work,
the competition,
weird mythological
treasure hunts.
Who knew you two
could multitask like this?
It's this last ingredient.
I... I can't crack it
and it's smudged,
but I know it has something
to do with Psyche's last trial
where she brought Aphrodite
a box of Persephone's beauty.
So far we have shadow box,
Pandora's box, K-beauty,
and face cream.
Well, in the myth,
Psyche uses the box
and gets covered in shadows,
so something to do
with darkness or, uh,
pomegranate is famously
Persephone's symbol.
Pomegranate.
Pomegranate!
Can you...
- Nomes?
- Yeah.
You think this has
cooled down enough?
Mm-hmm.
I think so.
- Okay, who's gonna go first?
- Me.
I think if anybody's
gonna be taking
this mysterious elixir,
it should be the guy
who got us into this mess.
Okay, um, we only have
enough for six doses,
so we should probably focus
on the innocent people
that we mixed up in this first.
I think that you
have to go last.
Sure, but is that
the only reason why?
I am just saying that...
that they are making
major life decisions,
and you have me
to keep you in check.
- Right.
- Right.
We'll take it.
Seriously?
You guys are down to go first?
Worst-case scenario is what?
Well, you'll realize
your relationship
is the product of magic,
you've risked
your retirement funds,
and you break up.
Okay.
Everything okay?
Absolutely.
All good.
But, um, I think I should, uh,
call my accountant
and... and just move
some things around.
Yeah, I'm just gonna
call my editor, too,
- Just a quick...
- Yeah.
Okay.
Whoa!
Whoa!
Welcome to the second round
of the Social Time
Mocktail Competition.
Today's theme is
the perfect match.
Pair the perfect appetizer
with the perfect mocktail.
Pay close attention
as you sample
the various offerings
because you gotta remember,
you only get one vote
for your favorite mocktail.
Let the competition begin.
Salud!
Hola!
Hola, Luce.
Mind if I'm your first taster?
By all means.
Yes, this is a... a spin
on a dish that I created
at the Agora.
Delicious.
Spicy.
Oh, so refreshing.
It's called Fire and Ice.
Mm.
So, Lucy, could we persuade you
to wash it down
with the potion antidote?
Your uncle and I told you,
we're not interested
in the antidote.
Please.
Worst-case scenario, you take it
and nothing happens.
Oh, Richard.
- Okay, let's go.
- Yeah, okay.
All right.
What have we got here?
Hey.
Okay.
All right, here you go.
- Mm.
- Thank you.
Hmm. Mm.
Oh, spicy. Mm.
Oh.
- Technique I taught you.
- Uh-huh.
- Okay, it's not that spicy.
- It's really not.
- I'm so proud of you.
- Oh.
You handled that so well.
- Did I?
- Yes.
- Did I do it right?
- You did it right.
I was trying to breathe in.
Hey, uh, hey guys,
while we have you...
I guess we should try it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Let's try.
Hmm.
Hmm.
What?
I mean, look at...
Oh, my goodness.
So, are...
are we, uh, in love?
We're definitely not in loathe,
which is where we were
a week ago.
It's... it's not enemies
to lovers here,
But... but I do love you,
friend of friend.
Honestly, more shocking
than being in love
is wanting to be your friend.
I was so stressed out and you...
You taught me so much
about how to care for myself.
No, no, thank you.
I was running away
from parts of myself,
and even though
this wasn't real, but...
Hey, every part of you is real,
and I admire
and respect you so much.
I want you to know
that you're perfect
for my friend Diana.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
Set it up.
- Yes!
- Let's do it.
Yes, oh.
So that... that's it.
Just, um, poof, done.
Yeah.
Just like that.
Wow.
- Take care.
- You, too.
Awesome, okay.
So...
You wanna talk about it?
And it feels like
we should talk about it.
It's just infuriating.
You know, we put together
some random ingredients,
and poof.
Poof.
Just poof.
Hal said
anything that wasn't real
would go poof, and it did.
After all this,
doesn't that scare you?
Doesn't that make you
feel wildly out of control?
No.
Oh, come on.
That is so annoying.
Not even a little bit?
Look, I felt wildly
out of control
when loving you was a secret.
I was scared I'd blurt it out
and ruin our lives.
This is nothing
compared to that.
If you've always
loved me like you say,
and there's some big poofning,
what if all of it,
our friendship,
our work dynamic,
gets all mixed up together?
Nomes, no matter what happens,
I'm not goin' anywhere.
I promise.
Marcus?
Oh.
No, nothing like that.
Um, we're, uh, out of napkins.
With his yerba mate mocktails
and empanadas,
which he described
as a love letter to his fianc,
first place
for this round goes to
Richard Kelly.
Congrats, Uncle Rich.
Mm-hmm. Hmm
Also, we gotta get them
to take that antidote.
Those were two separate
and legitimate thoughts.
Sure, yeah.
Please, I'm begging you.
Before you shell out for
this engagement party tomorrow,
take the antidote.
Do it before you do something
that will be painful
and hard to undo.
Let's say
it's not really true love,
and it is just the potion,
would it really be so bad
to marry my best friend?
Okay, if you can't
do it for yourselves,
then please do it for me.
Fine.
Tell Naomi to bring
the antidote tomorrow night.
Thank you.
Goodnight.
Lucy has, uh, suggested
that perhaps in the many years
since I lost your aunt,
that I have shut down
a lot of emotions
to avoid feeling pain,
and that I have
pushed people away,
including you.
Oh.
I know how hard
I've been on you.
I thought that by pushing you
to take some initiative
that I'd help you avoid
some of the problems I had,
but I see now I might have
just undermined your confidence,
made it hard for you to believe
that you could succeed
in life, or love.
I don't blame you
for not wanting
to work with me
at the restaurant.
I just always wanted
to make you proud, Uncle Rich,
but you had such high standards
that I felt like
I could never reach them.
Guess after a while,
it just became easier
to not try so hard
and tell myself
whatever happened
was meant to be.
Well, for what it's worth,
I've seen the effort
you put in this week,
how you've stepped up at work
and for the contest, for her.
Yeah, well, remains to be seen
if my foolishness will pay off.
It already has.
You've put yourself
out there, courageously.
I couldn't be more proud of you.
Thank you.
Nah.
Naomi doesn't take risks,
even when she should.
She ain't gonna say it
if you don't ask.
One more act of courage, then.
Hi.
You look beautiful.
Oh, thank you.
Okay, don't look.
E.J., 3 o'clock. Hide.
A drink as promised,
and hopefully
I can get a dance later.
Well, you don't have
to ask me twice.
Wait, are you guys...
Oh, we're not tryin'
to rush things
or rush
to another continent, but yeah.
After the antidote,
we kinda crashed,
but then we had a long talk.
It might not be love, yet...
But there's definitely
something exciting here
worth exploring.
Okay, so it all worked out.
No harm, no foul.
Oh, my editor yelled
at me for an hour.
Right.
Marcus is looking for you.
You're late.
Hi.
Hi.
So, do you have the antidote?
It's Richard.
Let's put you two
out of your misery
and settle the question.
Do you have it?
Are you sure
you wanna take it tonight?
It's such a beautiful party.
Well?
Well,
we should probably go
talk to our guests.
Beloved guests,
we must apologize.
You believe that you're here
for an engagement party,
but that isn't quite true.
For the last week,
it may have seemed
that we are madly in love,
but the truth is
we've spent decades
driving each other mad.
It's difficult to admit
when something isn't working.
Especially
for stubborn people like us.
And this version of us
just isn't working,
because every second
that this brilliant,
beautiful woman isn't my wife
feels like a waste of time.
Which is why
we're excited to announce
we're getting married on Sunday.
And you're all invited!
Well, I guess we're celebrating.
To hell.
To a failed experiment.
What?
Three couples, one elixir,
three drastically
different results.
That's faulty science.
The antidote worked as promised.
Only what's honest remains.
To honesty.
In the spirit of honesty,
why didn't you want me
to take the antidote earlier?
Because it was our fault.
And, you know, they were making
rash, life-altering decisions,
and the worst thing
you did was...
Excuse me,
I am a fantastic singer.
You should feel honored
that I serenaded you.
Hmm.
Well, we'll see about that
in a few days.
Right now,
you're powered by potion.
Well, then...
Let's not waste another drop.
Nomes, I think
there's another reason
why you delayed me
taking the antidote.
Oh yeah, the chaos,
the impromptu serenades.
The threat to our jobs.
Me being in love with you.
If you take that antidote,
and we're like Steven and Jane,
and we kiss,
I don't know if it's real
Marcus or potion Marcus,
and it's not fair
to either of us.
I don't think we're
Steven and Jane.
I know deep down
that I'm Richard
and I just needed a push.
You told me
who you're afraid we are,
but you haven't told me
who you hoped we are.
What do you want, Naomi?
You don't have to answer that.
All right.
Don't answer that.
Just you've been
too busy protecting me
to stop and think about
whether there's something here.
Oh, here's the pomegranate.
I think we need
a different aromatic
for the final round.
I took some of the flowers
you planted for me
and I froze 'em into ice cubes.
They would be perfect for this.
Eh, it would never work though.
Pomegranate juice is so dark.
Marcus, that's it!
You're a genius.
Feel like
we're breezing right past
the it'll never work part?
No.
Pomegranate juice,
if you clarify it,
it'll be light pink.
But it would take
hours to clarify, no?
Yeah, unless you have a friend
with a centrifuge and a lab.
Brilliant.
Absolutely brilliant.
You've been holding out on me.
I didn't know
you were experimenting
with ice garnishes like that.
Eh.
Okay, I will go
get the centrifuge from Marie.
You pick up the extra fleece
from Chris.
Somehow I knew you'd say that.
Hey.
Thanks again for the rush order.
Yeah, I know you're
on a time crunch.
Yeah, and uh,
I'm sorry about how
I acted the other day.
That, uh, wasn't cool.
Same.
Yeah, it's clear Naomi
and I aren't compatible.
After some time, I guess,
just didn't feel right
that she wasn't sure about us.
Right.
Anyway,
thank you again for the...
Good luck with your placebo.
Yeah.
Welcome to the final round
of the Social Time
Mocktail Competition!
Happy Valentine's Day
to everyone.
We'd like to thank
our competitors
for their amazing work
this week.
Also, our sponsor Bujo Estigio
who made this event possible.
They're also gonna be
our special guest judges
tonight.
This does not get
any more exciting,
does it, Brent?
You know what?
It does not.
As we enter the final round,
we have a tie for first place
between Richard,
and Naomi and Marcus.
But trust me,
it is still anyone's game.
Remember,
our final round is all about
making a custom garnish
that wows us.
Competitors, when you are ready,
please bring your final
mocktail up to the judges table.
Good luck.
Let's get started.
You're kind of quiet.
That's not like you.
No, I don't think I've ever
been this nervous before.
It's awful.
Zero stars.
Oh, I have a really good
feeling about this.
Honestly, I think we came up
with something really good.
I'm not nervous
about the competition.
Look, I know I told you
to think about it, us,
but the more I tossed
and turned last night,
the more I realized
it's not so much
a thinking thing as a feeling.
You either feel something
or you don't.
And I just don't know
how much longer I can take
not knowing the answer.
There's a lot to consider.
We're... we're best friends,
we're coworkers,
we might be starting
a business together.
It's not as simple as...
I think it is.
Because if you felt like I did,
that yes would be so resounding
it would drown out any doubt.
Well, that's...
that's easy for you to say
because that's how you are.
You like to improvise
and go with your gut, and I'm...
You left biochemistry
to follow your passion.
You took a huge risk
trying to make
this event happen.
I don't know, Nomes.
You've got this story
about yourself,
but I think if you really
love something...
Whoa, whoa.
Can we just take a beat?
I...
What if...
Let's just have you
take the antidote,
and finish the competition,
and then we can...
We'll talk about it after.
You can get back to normal.
Right, normal.
And the winner
of the Social Time
Mocktail Competition is...
Naomi Thomas and Marcus Kelly!
All right.
Well done.
Congratulations.
Congrats, everyone.
I had to lose eventually.
Like...
Hey, thank you.
Every good thing
comes to an end.
Hey ladies, well done.
Come on, man.
Just... just open up.
I know you can hear me.
Okay. What... what do you want me
to say here?
Hmm?
Want me to call you, uh,
Hal or Eros?
Fine.
Okay.
Oh, Cupid?
Welcome.
Hmm-hmm.
So, now the tea shop is visible.
Mm-hmm.
I thought love was blind.
Well, lots of
conflicting accounts.
Love is patient.
Love is a many-splendored thing.
Love is a battlefield.
Okay. Love likes to vacation in
Cambridge.
Okay, enough banter.
To what do I owe this summoning?
Information.
Data analysis.
Ah, yes.
The very heartbeat of romance.
Numbers.
To what end?
Okay. As Cupid, you have been
doing this for centuries.
You've probably put like
thousands of couples
in motion.
Thousands?
You wound me.
There has gotta be something
that you've gleaned
from all of this.
Some secret for success,
or some reason, or logic
that I can use
to understand all of this.
Yeah, but Marcus isn't asking
what you understand.
He's asking what you feel.
And feelings aren't all logic
or numbers that you can analyze.
You have to leave
a little room...
For magic.
Okay, but real love is steady.
You know, my grandparents
had something steady.
They had something
built on trust.
Well, you saw the product
of 30 years of leaps.
Real trust comes after
a lot of wild takeoffs
and safe landings.
Mm.
I guess I just wanted
to look before I leapt.
Is that so wrong?
I mean, we plan so that
we don't have to make mistakes.
Isn't it wise to gather
the evidence and then choose?
In Ancient Greece, we had
a very popular kind of story
where the hero
was given the ending
at the very beginning
so that they could
plan accordingly.
See?
This is my kinda story.
They were called tragedies.
Right.
I think the scientist in me
is just having a hard time
admitting it out loud.
Hmm.
Thanks.
Are you kidding me?
I had to try.
Toodles.
But are you in love with him?
Uh...
Yes.
I...
Yeah.
But I... I can't tell him that.
Why not?
Because for years,
I have listened to that man say
how much
he does not believe in love,
that it's a soggy cardboard box.
And if I tell him,
and he takes that antidote,
and all his feelings go away,
I will have risked everything
and he'll reject me.
And there's not an antidote
that I can drink
to take that back.
Naomi, the antidote
didn't take back
anything we did either.
God, the things I said
and did under the potion.
It was mortifying.
Just a little bit.
Mm.
But you know what made
it a little more bearable?
Knowing that E.J.
and I were in it together,
that I wasn't alone.
Well, Marcus wasn't alone.
I was with him the whole time.
Uh, but you weren't
in it with him.
You didn't sing in public,
or offer your heart up
on a platter.
He did all those things alone.
If you really love him,
the least you can do is
put some skin in the game
while there's still
some risk involved.
He deserves your courage
and your honesty.
You're right.
I have to tell him how I feel
before he takes that antidote.
Hey, can I get
a bourbon on the...
Whoa, no.
What are you doing here?
Cover your drink.
Easy there.
I'm just here
to admire my handiwork.
Admire the last of it right now.
Finally ready to take it.
So, here goes nothing.
Feel better?
I don't feel any different.
Yeah. That's 'cause the potion
only works
if both people take it.
I was hoping
you'd switch the vials,
most likely when you
two were practicing
mocktail recipes,
but I could not have anticipated
the delicious chaos
that followed.
But yeah, it's not designed
to work for one person.
It requires two.
It's a placebo?
It's... it's a... it's a fake?
It's, what, just
a beautiful mocktail
made by the woman I love?
That's it? No potion?
Yeah, that was all you.
Seems like thinking
you were on the potion
allowed you to finally do
and say the things
you've always wanted to.
Wow!
That's powerful stuff.
Well, we can keep that
between you and I though, right?
Because if people knew
that I chose to make brunch,
or loudly declare my love
in the street, or sing.
Oh, the singing.
Oh.
Let me call you
sweetheart
I'm in love with you
Let me hear you whisper
that you love me, too
Keep the love light glowin'
in those eyes so true
Let me call you sweetheart,
I'm in love with you
Thank you.
I love you,
and it's not just
because of this past week.
I... I think that there's
always been this question
that I was too scared
to ask myself
about you and I,
because losing you,
even as a friend,
was the one thing
that I just couldn't risk.
And what do you know?
I did anyway.
So, I don't know if you've
taken the antidote or not,
or how you feel.
And don't tell me yet.
Just first I have to say
without any plan
or motive except honesty that...
I just love you, Marcus.
It took me years
to finally tell you how I felt,
and a placebo love potion
to finally get it off my chest.
I get it.
As long as it's the last thing
we keep from each other.
Deal.
Did you just say placebo?
Yeah, so apparently
if both people don't take it...
Oh, wow.
Yeah.
Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome
Richard and Luciana Kelly.
Folks,
we're so grateful to have you,
our family,
and friends join us tonight.
Please, everybody,
join us on the dance floor.
So have you told them yet?
Told us what?
I realized maybe
I was making hasty decisions
before the potion.
I knew something was missing,
and was ready to rip up my life.
But maybe that isn't necessary.
So you're not selling the Agora?
I am still selling it.
Oh.
To you two, in two years.
Gives me a chance to train you
and teach you the ropes.
And you
to raise money, find investors.
Two of which
are standing right here.
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
You two have proved yourself
as the right team
to take over the place,
and I... I couldn't be happier
than to see it in your hands.
A toast to timing.
And putting pride aside.
Salud.
I think we should dance.
- Yes.
- Yeah!
Shall we?
Nomes, I love you.
I've always loved you.
To magic.
To love.