PHINNEAS REDWOOD: Look alive, memoirs. I’m afraid I have some bad news.

Someone knocked on my front door tonight…a tall dude—aren’t they all? Never seen him before. Said he was here on behalf of Addison Stern. Her new assistant…Lorenzo.

So I let him in. He was on the phone with Addison when he arrived…or someone who sounded like Addison…Sent by her to prep me for the gala tonight since she’s flying back from Paris. [Slurring] …Something about Malina had the night off.

We went over talking points.… Then he brought out a tray of wheatgrass shots.

Wheatgrass shots? I hate those fuckers…I said. [Pause] But Lorenzo said Addison’s pre-event ritual required them.

So he lined them up and I took them…one after the other…after the other. Three. [Pause] It was only on the third one that I smelled the vodka.

I said…the fuck? And the guy…Lorenzo…just smiled.

The shots hit me…hard. [Pause] So hard. I haven’t touched alcohol in weeks, let alone…three back-to-back…shots that smell like goddamned wheatgrass…and something else.

So I knew. I stumbled down the hall to my office…locked the door. [Pause] Shouted how I was going to tell everyone about Peter…Called 911. Twice. Four times…Busy signals. Every time. Stupid LA…always full of people in need.

I feel terrible. I can’t move. Can’t hide. [Pause] There must have been something else in those shots beside vodka. [Slurring] …in my chair like a loser behind my desk. Waiting. Waiting.

Peter has come for me, as I thought he might.… I didn’t know he’d send Gumby’s uglier cousin to do the job.

[Banging noise]

Shit. Shiiiiiiiiit. [Banging] He’s at the door. Peter must be hiding some…next-level criminal shit. [Pause] Just how many people has he drugged before?

Okay, I just hit the panic button on my home security app.… Someone—anyone—better come along soon.

Fuck. But if they don’t…

Okay… [Scratching] In case this reaches you, Addison Stern…in case you’re not working with Peter…I am writing down the only date you’re going to need in the near future—but in the Euro format of day, month, year…October 13. [Slurring] Zero doubt that Peter is going to drug another client who jeopardizes Ovid’s rep…probably Emilia Winthrop.… The police should know you’re the only A.S. in my life…and you should figure out that Emilia Winthrop and everyone who is anyone…will be at the closing night of Fashion Week.

[Pause] Granted, Addison Stern is usually the one busting knees…rather than trying to save them. But Peter has gotten sloppy. Flippant about the damage he’s doing. [Pause] Addison will be pissed to know he’s entangling her beloved firm. And if this turns out to be one stupid scare tactic by Peter…I’m going to ream his ass out…and air all his dirty laundry in public. He can’t just manipulate and force substance abuse on…innocent clients—real people with families…and plans for their futures. I can’t let another tragedy go on, like what happened to those teen girls…Not without at least trying to do something.

[Loud banging noise]

C’mon, c’mon cops…Where are they?

Ironically, Annalise always said she loved me…when we were together—but she worried that I loved money more than I cared for people in this world…and she was right. That’s why we broke up even after I said we could still be together…despite her cheating on me with Devon Lim. She couldn’t stomach being with someone who didn’t share her humanitarian ideals. Well. [scoffs] Look at me now, Annalise…I’m preparing to fight—maybe to the death…to hold Peter accountable for his [slurring] megalomania.

I always thought alcohol would get me in the end. [Pause] Just not in the guise of wheatgrass.

If anything happens to me… [Louder banging] tell Annalise I love her. I’ve always loved her. And…maybe more importantly, I forgive her. For everything.