By Joe R
Because, yes, Skinner's still working herself into an early grave. We see her at home -- or the tiny sliver of a $1,500 a month living space she calls home -- and we also see that she's got a boyfriend, a skinny skater-looking boy named Alano who she's been dating for a year. As with everyone in Skinner's life, no doubt, Alano wishes Skinner would stop working all the time. Particularly on those rare occasions when she can tear herself away from the office. Like, for example, the one night in history that Skinner leaves work at a decent hour, meeting Alano for drinks. But she's on her Blackberry the whole time and spots Emily walking by and calls her over to talk shop. Alano is not unjustifiably annoyed.
Lucky for all of us, but especially Skinner, Andrew is around to brighten our day. In the DVR-buster, they take a trip to Dunkin Donuts where Andrew makes jokes about stacking donuts on dicks... you know, as you do. Later, he fashions her a spiked "crown" (basically a spiked collar worn as a headband) that mimics something they saw at a Givenchy show. "I'm like his little mannequin sometimes," says Skinner with a not inconsiderable grin on her face. Meanwhile, Andrew continues to push Skinner to go the eff home already, as everyone continues to expect she's going to burn herself out. But in the meantime, Andrew and Skinner crown themselves the Prince and Princess of Darkness (Kelly's the queen, of course) and pretty much continue to be the best non-romantic couple on reality TV. "I would totally date Skinner," Andrew interviews. "I'm just into dudes right now." Come to think of it, they're better than all the romantic couples on reality TV too.
So Grace arrives for her first day, and on the basis of being competent and flesh-colored, she's already one up on Vorhees and Tandrew. Everyone's happy to have her. The task of the day is clearing out the second-floor space, as Kelly's going to be renting it out. So racks and racks of clothes have to be inventoried, then moved. But when Emily steps out for a bite, Grace asks Skinner if she needs her to do anything, and Skinner...well, there's some debate over whether she tells Grace she can go home or just says there's nothing she needs for her to do, and what the difference between the two actually is. Emily's pissed at Grace for leaving "early" (i.e. not as insanely late as everyone else), while Kelly (who is offsite but gets word) is more angry at Skinner for continuing to take on all the work and failing to delegate. Moreover, there's the issue that Grace technically outranks Skinner, so Skinner isn't really in a position to dismiss her. Emily stands up for Skinner, which is notable, but I think I'm with Kelly here. Skinner can't play the "I didn't send her home" card when she refuses to hand off any bit of the work. It's starting to seem like Skinner defines herself by being overworked, and despite how insane that makes her, she's not willing to let go of being the overburdened one. Kelly finally comes back to the office and lays down the law: Nobody leaves until everybody can leave, and Skinner needs to spread the work around.
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