While Nate is finding out that the Captain actually followed through for once and has vanished from the Empire, so God knows what he's going to perseverate on now. And the Captain, he's over at Thorpe talking about how mean Chuck was to demand Raina fire him, and they talk about conflicts of interest and whatever, and Captain's like, "Screw those boys, I'm with you now."

Speak of the Devils, Chuck's over at Raina's apologizing for making his totally valid request, and Sutart Fuji is there looking naked, and she's like, "I told you who I was when we met [drink!]. I don't play games [drink!] in business or in my personal life. My father is going do everything humanly possible to acquire Bass Industries, it's not a secret [drink!]." Chuck totally goes, "Look, you're a beautiful girl who says what's on her mind [drink!] and isn't afraid of the consequences." He says something about the complications, he can deal with them, and she says "I think complications are the least of what I can handle," which: What does that even mean? She talks so crazy all the time. She's like, "I'd invite you in for a morninger, but Stuart is naked." And he knows she's telling the truth, because that's her deal.

Here's the one way this weird repetitive Raina thing will be awesome: Being so close to Chuck erodes her honesty and she finds herself doing nasty fake things and being like, "You have corrupted my honesty, my core feature! I no longer mean what I say with absolute certainty!" Which, given that this has been historically Dan's storyline (and Vanessa's even moreso) about 8 in 10 times, seems like a good bet. Plus, it provides a nice counterpoint to the Unassailable Fleur Delacour story that started the season, doesn't it? ("Even though you make me a better man and I depend on you for emotional stability, I still can't shake this weird feeling that you are a French whore solely after my money and a green card. Wait, where are you going? Was it something I repeatedly said?")

"Guess it turns out your friend wasn't worthy," they say, and Blair smiles a little sadly to herself. "Tell me about it. I've been trying to convince people for years. But just so you know, he was never really my friend." And what's sad is that she believes it, because she has to. But I don't think it'll last.

"Thank you so much, Rufus. We're just not going to take no for an answer. Ben is still a good person, I know he is!" And just S saying that is enough to flip some switch in his head and let Ben #3 out of the cage. He appears out of the shadows and shoves Damien Dalgaard into the wall and, jaws smacking, slavering, screams in the face: "Consider this a warning. Stay away from Serena, stay away from her family! I will rat your job out to your father the Ambassador! You bring shame!" Damien, of course, is cool as a cucumber: "What do you care? Those people ruined your life, not me..." Ah, right: Serena Curse. "You actually like her!" he grins, and Ben shoves him around some more and tells him to disappear.