We Are Not Like Them

Riley has recently moved back to Philadelphia for a job as a television broadcaster. She hopes to be promoted after the announcement that the iconic anchor Candace Dyson is looking to retire. For as long as she can remember, she has wanted to be Candace, a Black anchor she watched often growing up, and now, if she works hard enough, harder than everyone else, the voice of her grandmother whispers to her, she can see her dream coming true. Throwing herself into her work, she hasn’t made as much time as she should have for her childhood friend Jenny Murphy, and she is on her way to meet her in an upscale restaurant near the news station. Jenny looks almost unrecognizable with her short hair and pregnant belly, but Riley is happy to see her. Riley encourages Jenny to drink a glass of wine, but Jenny opts for ginger ale, saying she doesn't want to take any risks with her pregnancy. Riley understands: Jenny went through several rounds of IVF before finally getting pregnant and, as Riley reveals in flashback, Riley loaned her the money for the successful procedure.