[melancholic music playing]
♪
[audience applauding]
[people chatting]
[door shuts]
[man] Are you, uh, waiting for someone?
No.
Sorry, I was...
Sorry.
[man] No worries.
Take your time.
[door unlocking]
[sighs deeply]
["I Used To Think It Was Easy" playing]
♪ When the sun's too hot
♪ And my old man's not
♪ Well I stumble Outside the door ♪
♪ And I'm asking myself
♪ If I haven't been Through all this ♪
♪ Too darn many times before
♪ I gave up singing My half-done songs ♪
♪ And the money Ran out before the months ♪
♪ And I gave up love In my lone-sided love ♪
♪ But I couldn't believe In their lies ♪
♪ I used to think it was easy
♪ I used to think It was all right ♪
♪ I used to think It was simply love ♪
♪ Till scratching my way Became my way of life ♪
♪ I used to think It was easy... ♪
[Margot] The thing that really spoke to me
was the idea of emotional freedom.
Like leaving yourself, being free.
'Cause most people aren't in institutions, obviously,
but we're all locked up in some way.
-[Margot] So when-- -School is an institution.
-It's not an institution. -[students chuckle]
But it's still a place that we have to go,
everyday,
and it can feel like...
you're stuck.
Like you're not allowed to be yourself
all of the time, right?
What are some other places that can feel like that?
-Sorry, Miss Stevens? -Yes, Margot.
Can we get back to the ending?
Sure. Yes, the ending.
You were saying that when McMurphy has--
[Billy] What do you think?
Excuse me?
What did you think of the ending?
[boy] Nice try, man.
-[Billy] Calm down, I read it. -Guys--
Just like you read The Great Gatsby?
Guys!
[boy] Why don't you just watch the movie?
Actually, watching movies aren't really a safe way to cheat.
Just 'cause someone doesn't talk
every time they feel like talking,
doesn't mean they didn't read the book.
Guys!
Done?
Let's get back to the book.
[Billy] What did you think?
Of the ending?
Mm-hmm.
I love it.
This is what I wanna do.
So I checked with the front office,
and they have the petty cash all ready to go,
and they double checked
and all our permission slips are in.
So we're all set for the drama competition.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
And we're leaving after third period, yes?
That's the plan.
And thank you for taking us.
I had to ask three other teachers
before you volunteered to come.
Billy?
-Hi, Margot. -Hi, Billy.
Billy, when are we doing the Gatsmake up?
Shit!
[Rachel] Margot?
-Oh, right. See you both at-- -[Rachel] 12:00?
First of all, no cursing.
Second of all, did you finish the book?
Yes, I did.
It's been two weeks.
I don't wanna fail you. What's going on?
I'm just having trouble
caring about a lot of things right now.
Are you talking to anyone?
Hmm.
"Anyone"?
Are you?
Just 'cause people are the people
you're supposed to talk to,
it doesn't mean you can talk to them.
[bell ringing]
[principal] So, just a few things before you go.
I'm sure your kids are all caught up in their class work, yes?
Uh, why?
[principal] They can't go on the trip if they're missing assignments.
School policy.
I already spoke to the other teachers.
And so I'm just checking--
Oh, yes. No. Of course. Yeah, of course.
Okay. Good, good. [clears throat]
Our main concern is, uh,
William Mitman.
-Billy? -Yeah, Billy.
I don't know if you're aware of his issues.
But we wouldn't be letting him go
unless he was 100%.
But Legal just wants to make sure
that I discuss this with you, just to keep your eyes open.
What he has is a behavioral disorder.
And he will be taking his medication with him on the trip.
He's allowed to administer the medication himself.
Between you and me, I think there's just
some tension at home,
so they just wanna show him a little trust
by letting him go on this trip.
But you have my number, so if you need me, call.
[upbeat music playing]
-Hey, Sam. -Hey!
Sweet ride, Miss S.
Hi.
I brought the test.
You're taking it this weekend. No excuses.
Uh, what test?
Take care of yourself, Margot.
Oh, the Gatsby test? Why didn't Billy take--
-Margot. -Sorry.
Okay.
[car engine revs]
Are you ready?
[upbeat jazz music playing on radio]
♪
What's that light?
That? That thing's been on forever.
Wait, your warning light is on?
It's nothing.
Well, if it were nothing it wouldn't be on.
It's a really old car, it kind of just
does things sometimes.
It just does things sometimes?
Do you want us to stop and deal with it
even though we're already running late?
Well, on behalf of all of us,
I would just like to say how grateful we are
that you're taking us to the competition.
I mean, since the school cut our arts program,
it's important to get exposure wherever we can.
Yeah, seriously.
Don't you think it's interesting, Miss Stevens,
that we spend almost every day together
and we talk about so many different things,
but we don't really know each other?
I mean, not really.
I wanna talk to you about life.
It's just too difficult to be alive, isn't it?
And to try to function.
There are all these people to deal with.
Like, when I was at the supermarket,
trying to buy a can of tuna fish,
and there was someone standing right in front
who wanted to reach out and grab the tuna fish.
And I waited a while to see if they'd move,
but they didn't.
They were looking at the tun fish, too,
but they were taking a really long time,
and they're reading each ingredient like they were--
[thud]
What was that?
Shit.
Oh, shit. Sorry.
No, seriously. What was that?
-I think it was the tire. -[Margot] Oh, my God!
Fuck! Sorry. Shit.
-[Margot] Oh, my God! -Sorry, sorry.
Sam.
Sam, your monologue was really good so far, I'm sorry.
It's Christopher Durang, right?
I didn't think you knew who Christopher--
Guys! We're sitting on the side of the road.
Right.
It was the warning light, wasn't it?
It wasn't the warning light, Margot.
Oh, Jesus!
You guys, please.
Guys, please, please. Come on, stop.
You are driving other people's children in an unfit automobile.
I'm sorry. I'm really embarrassed.
Why are you embarrassed?
Because I am the asshole
who ignores a big, flashing orange light.
You curse a lot.
-I know. -When we're at school--
It's just a switch.
[Billy] Why isn't the switch on now?
Because we're not at school.
But, like, we are.
Right.
Okay.
[indicator clicking]
We're gonna be so late.
I have to call the hotel. I'm gonna call the hotel.
Hi. This is Margot Jensen from Franklin High School.
Is this the front desk?
Where do I...
[man] Where it says "signature".
Oh. [chuckles]
Make sure you get that to your service station
as soon as you possibly can.
Drive too long on the spare...
Right. Okay. Will do.
-Thank you. -Great. Thank you.
Thank you.
["Sister Golden Hair" playing on radio]
♪
[Margot] All of your music is... old.
Oh, I'm sorry.
-I'll change the station. -[Billy] No!
I love this song.
How do you know this song?
-[Billy] My dad-- -[Margot] Exactly.
This is dad music.
Yeah.
And old lady teacher music.
You are not old.
No, I am old.
You like America?
-[Rachel] Well-- -[Margot] America?
The band. This band.
America.
It's just called "America"?
-[Billy] Yep. -[Margot] And that's it?
That's it.
I don't know, Margot.
I kinda like what it's doing to me.
Do you mind if I ask how old you are?
Sam thinks you're 26, but I think you're older.
Not 'cause you look older,
you just seem older. My older sister--
Twenty-nine.
Best part. [increases volume]
♪ Will you meet me
♪ In the middle
♪ Will you meet me
♪ In the air?
♪ Will you love me
♪ Just a little
♪ Just enough To show you care? ♪
♪ Well, I tried to fake it
♪ I don't mind sayin' I just can't make it ♪
♪
♪ Well, I keep on Thinkin' 'bout you ♪
♪ Sister Golden Hair surprise
♪ And I just can't
♪ Live without you
♪ Can't you see it In my eyes... ♪
[muzak playing]
I'm gonna go check us in.
-[waiter] Another glass? -[Rachel] Oh. Um...
Sure. Thank you.
Another vino for the lady, coming right up.
So, what was your favorite part?
Oh, gosh. Um...
We did The Glass Menagerie.
I loved that play.
[Sam] And who were you?
I was Tom.
I ended up playing boys a lot.
Why?
I don't know. I... I was tall.
I don't really have hips.
-Here you go. -Thank you.
Pinot noir.
Such a good choice.
-Totally. -[both chuckle]
It is.
[Margot] So are we excited to see
who's gonna be there tonight?
-Pretty interesting-- -[Rachel] Oh.
Man. There was this-- There was this one time...
[Billy] What?
Gosh, I haven't thought about this in years.
We were doing Taming of the Shrew.
And I played Petruchio.
And in the last scene, on the last night--
Petruchio is the main character.
Right. Sorry. But--
Petruchio is this guy who's in love with this girl...
Kate.
And in the last scene, the girl playing Kate,
this girl... Gillian.
She... kisses me.
We'd been doing it with this-- This stupid hug.
Because it was that kind of school.
So I go in for the stupid hug, and she just...
turns her head and...
And kisses me.
Really kisses me.
And I remember
thinking why didn't we do this in the first place?
These two people are in love.
And then it hit me that my teachers,
my mother,
my grandmother and...
And the boy I liked, Thomas...
O'Toole, are all out there watching me
make out with Gillian Cooke.
[laughs] God! That's crazy.
What happened?
We had to go to the principal's office.
But didn't you tell them it was her fault?
No.
Why not?
I don't know.
It didn't feel like it was her fault.
I totally get it.
And if we-- One of us had actually been a boy,
we wouldn't have got into... trouble at all.
They wouldn't have cared.
They would have clapped and thought you were dating.
I never did another play.
Still good on that wine?
Are you trying to get me drunk?
[laughs]
Yeah. No, I'm good. Thank you.
-[Rachel] No more for-- -[Margot] Can you...
Margot.
Well, we should get going. We're gonna be late.
Again.
[George] Most of you will be eliminated.
And it will be difficult.
So much of acting is about the struggle.
But some of you,
the truly talented few,
will earn the right to stand on this stage
and be heard by all.
And an even smaller group will experience...
the exhilaration...
of the win.
On Sunday afternoon,
three winners will be chosen
by our esteemed panel of judges.
Give them a round of applause.
[applauding]
He's a big guy.
The director.
He also directs this teen soap.
[George] Every year we begin with a group affirmation.
Thank you.
A moment for all of us to come together,
before we judges rip you apart.
[laughter]
Quick. Close your eyes.
Feel...
everyone breathing with you.
Breathing as one.
-Inhale. -[inhales]
[George] One, two, three, four.
And out.
Four, three, two and one.
[hip hop music blaring]
♪
[Walter] I don't want to interrupt.
Sorry. What?
I'm Walter.
I'm Rachel.
♪
What do you teach?
-Hmm? -What is it that you teach?
I'm an, uh...
I'm an English-- I teach-- I'm an English--
I teach English.
You're really bad at small talk.
[laughing]
So, so bad.
I'm so used to talking at people
that I just-- I forget how to, you know...
With grown ups...
Just so tired of being an adult.
I think I would get, too, if it weren't for my wife.
[imitates explosion]
Now you're not using words.
Wife... You dropped...
Wife. You said "wife". You dropped the "wife" bomb.
Did you think that you were gonna meet
a nice, single guy at this thing?
Well...
I don't really see anybody else that I wanna talk to.
♪
I really did. I had...
The biggest crush on my high school English teacher.
-No. -[Walter] So hot.
No, there's just--
There's no way that
every high school English teacher was hot.
Maybe-- Maybe one of those teachers
actually was really hot.
The rest-- The rest were just...
okay. Or...
Or not even at all.
I get it. I get it.
Think about it.
You have this woman,
this real woman,
and she's telling you what to do.
Right?
And she's inspiring you and exciting you.
And think about these guys.
All they have on their weekends
are these little baby girls to talk to.
But you're a woman.
[both chuckle]
You're a goddamn woman.
And you're standing out there,
in front of all their pimples,
and all their boners,
and you're talking about... sex.
I mean, you're talking
in similes or metaphors, but really...
Really...
It's just sex.
Those are really nice.
Thanks.
Yeah, they're just so...
Young.
[beeps]
[machine whirring]
[laughing softly]
[laughing louder]
What?
[continues laughing hysterically]
What?
[laughing] I can't...
No, seriously. What?
Uh...
[sighs]
Nothing.
[panting]
Nothing. Never mind.
Uh...
Is everything okay?
[Billy] Yeah.
What are you-- What are you--
I forgot my key inside.
Oh.
Doesn't Sam have one?
He's still downstairs.
Oh.
Kind of met someone.
You know, you can get one from the front desk.
Oh, my God.
Duh! [chuckles]
Okay, goodnight.
[Rachel] Pride and Prejudice. So loud.
Wake up, wake up.
Hello. Good morning.
Good morning.
Good-- Good morning.
Just smile like a normal... person.
"Good morning. Good morning.
Pride and Prejudice.
Okay, did you read it? Did anybody read it?
Am I just talking to people who haven't read the book?
Because you're still-- Has anyone read the book?
Let's... Let's start with...
Let's start with-- Let's start with prejudice.
Let's start with pride.
Pride. Pride. We've all felt pride.
And goodnight. You're all asleep."
[sombre music playing]
[sighs deeply]
♪
[Billy] Hey, Miss Stevens.
I'm just going to get a tire. Did you get my note?
I left notes under your doors.
Can I come?
Um...
-Where are Margot and Sam? -Rehearsal.
Don't you need to be in there?
It's afternoon. They wanted more time.
Nervous, I guess.
[Rachel] You're not nervous?
I mean, I get nervous sometimes.
When? Standing on a stage in front of--
I'll let you know.
Okay?
So, can I come?
[rock music plays on radio]
[Billy] You don't even listen to other stations?
[Rachel] I love this one.
[Billy] Why?
[Rachel] I listened to it growing up.
[Billy] You grew up here?
[Rachel] In California? Yeah.
[Billy] Are your mom and dad still here?
[Rachel] What is this? Twenty Questions?
[Billy] Sorry.
Margot's convinced you're a lesbian.
Excuse me?
Sorry. That wasn't appropriate.
[music continues]
[Billy] But you're...
You're not... right?
[Rachel] That is also inappropriate.
[Billy] Sorry.
[increases volume]
It's gonna be a while.
I've got a couple of jobs in front of you.
How long?
About an hour.
Okay. That's fine. That's fine, right?
I'm hungry.
You're the one who wanted to come.
There's a diner about a mile away.
You guys can cut through round back.
No, that's okay.
Best burgers in town.
So what made Margot think I was--
That story you told,
about the girl kissing you.
She just got it into her head that,
'cause you didn't rat the other girl out,
you must be a lesbian.
Oh. [chuckles]
I told her that's not what you meant.
[Rachel] Ugh.
What did I mean?
-Is that a teacher question? -[Rachel] No.
No. You think you know what I meant. Tell me.
-[chuckles] -[Rachel] Tell me.
Tell me.
[Billy stutters] Yeah...
You felt like she was doing the right thing.
Kissing you.
[sighs]
I'm not...
A lesbian.
Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Sam's gay.
I know.
He came out to me last year.
-[Billy] It's pretty cool. -It's cool.
He has a lot of friends. [chuckles]
He's easy to be around.
I don't really have a lot of friends.
I don't either.
-[Billy] You don't? -Mm-mmm.
I'm... tough.
Me, too. Uh...
How are we talking about this?
I don't know.
[melancholy music playing]
Where were you guys?
You better hope they don't kick you out of the competition.
What is he talking about?
[Sam] Rehearsals. He missed rehearsals.
No, no. He said he didn't have to be there till--
Billy.
I better go.
Where were you?
I left a note under your door.
I talked to the front desk.
[Sam] I didn't get it.
I'm sorry.
You really think they'll kick him out?
[Sam] They take things pretty seriously.
[indistinct chatter]
So what did she say?
I'm fine.
Of course you are.
[man] All right. Welcome to round one.
It's a big day today.
Today we learn what's you, what's me,
and what's us.
Okay. First up is the group from Franklin High School.
Uh, let's start with Margot Jensen.
[applause]
Hi, I'm Margot Jensen from Franklin High School.
And today I'll be performing
one of Blanche DuBois' monologues
from Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire.
[exhales]
When I was 16, I made the discovery...
Love...
All at once and much, much too completely.
But I was unlucky.
[man chuckles]
[door opens]
[door shuts]
Okay, okay.
That's okay. That's okay.
We're safe.
Next up we have William Mitman.
[applause]
[Margot sniffling]
Margot?
I'm not here.
[Rachel] I know.
Can I talk to you anyway?
I guess so. [sobs]
I just want you to know that it's totally okay to be upset.
[Margot] That was humiliating.
It was, wasn't it?
[Margot] Are you supposed to say that?
Would you rather I lied?
[Margot] I guess not.
It was humiliating.
And it sucks you worked so hard and forgot.
But you know what else?
It's gonna be okay.
Not today maybe, or...
Or even tomorrow.
But there will be a day when this
is okay.
The worst part is I knew I was gonna be terrible.
[Rachel] Then why'd you do it?
I don't know.
I thought maybe I wasn't as bad as I thought,
or something would click today.
But I am just not a good actress.
Well, what are you good at?
School.
And organizing things.
[Rachel] That's true.
You organized all of this.
And I got Billy to come.
Well, that's great.
[Margot] He's so talented.
It'll be really good for the school if he won.
What do you mean?
I think, maybe if he wins,
the school might give some money back to the arts program
and we could do a real play again.
The school won't even pay for this trip.
This is our last chance.
What do you mean the school wouldn't pay?
Um...
Sam and Billy don't know this,
but my parents paid for this trip.
[Rachel] I didn't even know.
Will you-- Just please don't tell them.
Of course not.
Maybe that's one of your gifts, Margot.
And if you're right,
you will be responsible for bringing the arts
back to our school.
[Margot] Are your jeans touching the toilet seat?
Yeah.
Gross.
I'm not gay.
I can't believe he told you that.
[door opens]
[door shuts]
I'm really sorry I missed your monologues today.
But I'm really proud of you guys for moving on.
Thanks, Margot.
Yeah, thanks.
I can't wait to see them tomorrow.
Speaking of which, I am so nervous.
Aren't you?
I get nervous sometimes.
Remember?
Oh, right. Yeah. Sometimes.
Hey, your food should be out in a minute.
Sorry for the wait.
Another one? Yes?
Oh, uh, no.
No, thank you.
[Margot] Can I get another Diet Coke?
Coming right up.
You should totally give him your number.
Excuse me?
He's been flirting with you.
[stuttering] No, no. He has not been.
And even if he has been,
that's not a reason to give your telephone number to a stranger.
Unless he's cute.
No, that is-- That is not a--
Do you have a boyfriend?
-[Rachel] Why are you asking me that? -[Margot] So that's a no?
[Rachel] Margot.
-[Margot] What? -[Rachel] Seriously?
Leave Rachel alone.
-"Rachel"? -Wow.
What?
Why did you call me that?
[Billy] Feels weird to call you Miss Stevens.
Well, it shouldn't. It shouldn't feel weird.
We've been spending so much time together.
As Miss Stevens.
Phones.
-[Margot] What? -[Rachel] Phones.
On the table.
People don't like it when you're having
more than one conversation.
I'm sorry.
I'm gonna take a break.
I will see you guys later.
[woman moaning on TV]
Where are your kids?
They're in their rooms.
I guess I know what kind of teacher you are now, don't I?
[chuckles]
Hey, look, um...
Ugh!
[Walter] Last night was, um...
You know, I'm married, so...
So now you're married?
[woman moaning on TV]
I'm sorry. I...
[turns off TV]
You knew I was married.
Right. But now it matters?
Look, um, the thing is, uh...
All I really want is to
finish my mini Jack Daniels
and maybe this $14 movie.
And then tomorrow, I'm gonna go home
and get in bed with my wife.
[knock on door]
[knocking continues]
Uh, hang on.
-[knocking continues] -Just a sec. Sorry.
[clears throat]
-[pounding on door] -Coming.
Hi.
I'm sorry, Miss Stevens.
It's been a weird couple of days.
Are you okay?
-[Rachel] What? -I don't know. You...
No, I'm...
I don't know.
You seem like...
-you're not okay. -I'm fine.
[Billy] I brought you something.
'Cause you missed dinner.
-Thought you might be hungry. -[Rachel] Thank you.
You should go back to your room.
-Okay. -Okay.
[Billy exclaims] What?
What? My hand...
-Miss Stevens, I can't... -Billy.
I can't-- I feel an urge to knock on people's doors.
Billy. Enough, Billy.
[Rachel] Billy!
Billy.
Billy!
Go back to your room.
People are trying to sleep. Billy!
You're right. We shouldn't be in the hallway.
-We should probably go inside. -Billy! No--
Ugh! Billy...
What are you doing?
Why are you doing this, Billy?
You love asking that question.
Excuse me?
I'm just jumping on the bed.
Don't be sad.
Don't be sad. Don't be sad.
I'm not.
-Don't be sad. -I'm not. Billy, I'm not.
Don't be sad. Don't be sad.
-I'm not. I'm not. -[Billy] Don't be sad.
[laughing]
[Rachel laughing]
[Billy] Yeah.
That's a good jump.
[laughing]
[serene music playing]
[Billy] Excuse me, excuse me.
[panting]
[laughing]
[Rachel continues panting]
It's quite cold out here.
Here. Take my sweatshirt.
-No. -[Billy] Why?
[Rachel] No.
Thank you.
So...
Do you have a boyfriend, or...
No.
I don't have a boyfriend.
You ever had your heart broken?
Yeah.
[Billy] By who?
When my mom died.
You thought I was gonna tell you a story about...
some horrible guy who's ruined...
men for me forever?
When?
A year ago.
Tell me about her.
Tell you about her? How can I...
Um...
How can I tell you about her?
I don't know, you just...
pick somewhere and start.
And keep going.
You wanna hear about my mom?
[Billy] Mm-hmm.
Okay.
She... Uh...
She drove a...
blue Volvo station wagon.
And she always listened to the oldies.
Um...
She was an actress.
She did this...
This big movie when she was younger, and then...
And then she had me.
It was just the... It was just the two of us.
And the acting wasn't...
Wasn't enough for two, so she had to get a real job.
Um...
And then, when I got old enough, she...
She started doing plays after work.
And... [clears throat]
And I would go...
I would go watch them.
And there was this, um-- This one play that she did,
I completely forgot that I was...
watching my mother.
I was just...
I was just watching this...
This woman.
And all the other
people on stage were...
They were men, and they were...
They were all terrible.
And she was just...
holding them all...
together.
Holding them...
Holding them up.
And then this, um...
One of the guys had this line
that makes her...
That makes her character laugh, and...
[sighs]
And then there she was.
[Rachel sniffles]
[sobbing]
[melancholy music playing]
You have to go. You have to...
You have to go.
[Billy] What are you talking about?
You have to go. Billy, you have to go.
[Billy] What are you talking about?
It's time to go.
-It's time for you to go. -What?
Come on, you have to go.
Billy...
[Billy] What? What?
I need you to go. Come on.
Come on.
[Billy] Why?
Billy, please. Please, Billy.
Go. I need you to go to your room.
-Go to your room. Come on. -Why?
Why are you making me go?
-Billy... -[knock on door]
[pounding on door]
-Uh, yeah? -[Sam] Miss Stevens.
[Sam] Miss Stevens.
I don't know where Billy--
Hi, Sam.
Why are you here?
I locked myself out of that room again.
I couldn't find you and I was too embarrassed
to go downstairs and ask for a new key again. So...
Miss Stevens is holding me up. But I was just on my way back.
-[Billy] What's up? -[Sam] Can I come in?
The boy I met, the one I've been texting.
Well, he texted that he wanted to hang out tonight,
so Margot and I found him in the parking lot--
What were you doing in the parking lot?
Sorry, Miss Stevens.
-[knocking on door] -[Margot] Miss Stevens?
Oh. Hi, Billy.
-[Margot] Is Sam... -[Sam] I'm in here.
Why did you leave?
[Sam] Sean sucks.
[stutters] What... What are you all doing
out of your rooms?
Can I?
Uh... Yes.
[Margot] I didn't say anything
'cause I knew you were into him.
But, um, I kinda had a feeling.
Yeah. Mm-hmm. Sean is an asshole.
Sorry.
And this is a theater competition,
so I didn't think that I'd have to deal with this shit.
Sorry.
I mean, I guess I thought that I could meet someone.
You know?
[Margot] Sorry.
I didn't say this,
but most people suck, Sam.
They do.
Some of them are wonderful.
But mostly they're not.
And the weirdest part is it is...
surprising...
every single time.
But I am here for you.
Me, too.
-[Rachel] We are all here-- -[door opens]
[melancholy music]
♪
You're gonna hear the truth.
What you are,
and what I am.
We never told the truth for ten minutes in this house.
Well, hear this, Willy.
This is me.
You wanna know why I had no address for three months?
It's cause I stole a suit in Kansas City,
and I was in jail.
I stole myself out of every good job since high school.
And I never got anywhere.
Because you blew me so full of hot air,
I could never stand taking orders from anybody.
That's whose fault it is.
It's goddamn time you heard that, Pop.
I ran down 11 flights
with a pen in my hand today.
Suddenly I stopped, you hear me?
And in the middle of that office building--
Do you hear this?
I stopped in the middle of the building
and I saw...
the sky.
I saw all the things that I love in this world.
The work and the food.
The time to just sit and smoke.
[chuckles]
I looked at the pen
and I thought to myself,
"What the hell am I grabbing this for, huh?
Why am I trying to become what I don't want to be?
What am I doing in an office,
making a contemptuous, begging fool of myself,
when all that I want is out there,
waiting for me the second I say I know who I am!"
Why can't I say that, Willy?
Pop, look at me.
I'm a dime a dozen,
and so are you!
I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you.
You were never anything but a hard-working drummer
who landed in the ash can, like all the rest of them.
And me?
I'm a dollar an hour, Willy!
I tried seven states. I couldn't raise it!
One buck an hour!
Do you gather my meaning, huh?
I'm not bringing home prizes...
Anymore.
And you're going to stop waiting for me to bring them home, Pop.
I'm nothing.
I'm just what I am,
that's all.
[applause]
[general chatter]
[exhales]
Billy!
Billy, you were amazing.
You...
Billy...
What? Hey, hey.
Billy.
[woman] Excuse me?
[Rachel] Sorry, we're just, um...
We're just...
[whispering] Billy!
Hey!
What was that?
I'm nervous.
I told you I would tell you when I was nervous.
I'm nervous.
You know what I was thinking up there today?
I wasn't thinking about, you know, how well I was doing,
or how much I wanted to win.
I was thinking about how even though
you were trying to hide it last night,
I could see that you were sad.
And I knew how to make you happy.
And then you asked me to leave.
I don't know why you asked me to leave.
You were sad again and I knew how to fix it.
No, Billy, you can't--
-Yes, I can! -[Rachel] Fix it!
Up until a week ago, I was pretty straight.
The medication, right.
I'm saying, look--
I'm saying I'm sad, too, Rachel.
But the pills I take to make me not sad,
they make me feel nothing.
All right. Those are my options.
Sad or numb.
So I stopped taking them, and I didn't tell anyone.
And I was scared.
And I thought I was gonna go-- [mumbles] Crazy or something.
But I don't. I feel great.
Rachel, I feel, like, alive. Like I could just...
[Rachel] Do I need to call someone?
What?
Do I need to call someone?
That's why you don't wanna be with me, isn't it?
It's 'cause you-- You don't realize.
You're messed up too, Rachel.
-[Rachel] Hey. -I know you think
'cause you have a job and an apartment,
that you're fine, but you're not fine. And--
[chuckles derisively] Go ahead. Call someone.
Go ahead.
You know, under normal circumstances,
I would walk away right now.
-"Normal circumstances"? -[Rachel] Yes.
But I am-- I am your teacher.
So I have to stay here.
I have to call someone
and I have to tell them what is going on.
What's going on?
All I know is that I...
I can't walk away from you right now.
Then I will.
[door opens]
[door shuts]
[sniffles]
[line ringing]
[clears throat]
[answering machine] Hello, you've reached Albert Alvarez,
principal of Franklin High School.
Please leave your name and number,
and I'll get back to you ASAP.
[beep]
Hi. It's, uh... It's Rachel.
It's Miss Stevens.
[Rachel] Um...
[stutters] I-- The--
The thing that you wanted me to call you about with Billy.
With, uh--
With William Mitman. I'm, um--
Billy?
[Rachel] I'm feeling a little...
worried about him.
Sam?
So I'm calling.
Call me back.
So call me back, please.
[sighs] Shit.
[sombre music playing]
[door shuts]
Hey.
Hey, come on.
You need air? I got air.
[lighter clicking]
[Rachel] They just...
take over, you know.
Yeah, I've been trying to quit my whole life.
I actually find cigarettes to be more difficult.
Being a teacher is difficult.
Everybody says that.
But really, it's not.
Excuse me?
You know how a teacher like me has been around so long?
No, Walter, I don't.
Well...
It's because I don't get involved.
Yeah? [laughs]
Well, that will only work at your shitty school.
No, let me finish.
I care a lot about my job.
And I'm pretty good at it.
I care that my students succeed.
They graduate.
The outside.
Tell you what I don't care about
is the inside.
Their... silly little lies.
That's the stuff that makes people think that it's hard.
'Cause that stuff is hard.
You gotta stay outside.
How do you stay outside when something--
I mean, these kids
are right there in front of you.
I have my own.
You have kids?
Yeah.
We should go back inside.
They're gonna announce the award soon.
You go ahead. I'm gonna finish this.
All right.
[applause]
[woman] Wow! What a weekend.
Who's a little nervous? That's okay.
I just wanna thank you for letting us witness
all of your talents.
Truly, there was such incredible work this weekend.
And we just wanna encourage all of you
to keep striving,
keep trying to pursue your dreams.
And a big congratulations to the finalists.
We had a really tough job, I think, this year.
But I-- I think we're ready to announce
the winners!
In third place, Jordan Hargrove
-from Clarksdale Club. -[applause]
[inaudible]
And in second place,
William Mitman, from Franklin High School.
[cheering and applauding]
Go, Billy!
[George] And the winner is Arthur Jones,
from Westbro High School.
[cheers and applause]
[George] Let's give all our winners a big hand.
[applause continues]
[sombre music playing]
[cheering and applause continues]
-[boy] Hi. -Hi.
-Sorry. -[Rachel] It's okay.
Is everything all right?
No. Well, I mean, yes.
Well, um...
I've been trying to work up the guts to ask you out.
And my friends convinced me that if I didn't...
I'd regret it.
My last name is Rose.
Add me?
Sure.
Hey, your monologue was amazing.
[Sam] Thank you.
Bye.
[upbeat music playing]
[Margot laughs]
♪
-[Billy] Really? Just pull over-- -[Margot] Are you kidding me?
[soft music playing]
Don't make me put this out.
I had a cigarette this weekend.
[sighs deeply]
Neither one of us should smoke.
I didn't wanna come on the trip this weekend.
I was fine to come, and then...
On Thursday night, I went to see a play
at the theater where my mom used to--
This, uh...
This old friend of hers called me and...
I had no idea how hard it would be.
It was that thing
where people say you lose them again.
Because she wasn't there.
[car honking]
[music playing]
Um, did Billy ever take the Gatsby test?
[Rachel] Shit.
Here she goes again.
I brought the wrong folder.
I don't have the test.
So? I'll just take it back at school.
[Rachel] No. I lied.
-[Margot] You what? -[Billy] Yeah, what?
They weren't gonna let you come on the trip
if you had incomplete work, and so I lied.
Because I knew that coming on the trip mattered to you.
I really needed you to take it this weekend, and now...
And now you can't.
And if when you do take it, you fail--
-[Margot] Miss Stevens? -Margot, I know.
I actually think
sometimes it's okay to lie.
What?
Sometimes I even think it's the right thing to do.
And as it turns out,
I actually have a copy of the test in my bag.
It has all the correct answers on it,
but I could read the questions out loud.
No, it's a different test.
[Margot] What?
It's always new questions on a make up test.
Well, perhaps I'm being optimistic or naive,
but I really don't think Billy engineered all this
just so he could cheat and ace the test.
You know what, Margot?
What?
[sighs] You're right.
[Rachel] Thank you. Okay. Come get it.
I didn't bring my laptop.
You can use my notebook.
[Rachel] Hey.
Did you really read the book?
Okay.
"In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby,
what does the green light
ultimately represent for the characters?"
[instrumental music playing]
[Margot] Kinda looks like she's writing a lot.
[Sam] Maybe she's just drawing a bunch of smiley faces.
[Margot] I think she's done.
["Sister Golden Hair" playing]
Yay!
♪ Well I tried To make it Sunday ♪
♪ But I got so damn depressed
♪ That I set my sights On Monday And I got myself undressed ♪
♪ I ain't ready for the altar But I do agree there's times ♪
♪ When a woman sure can be A friend of mine... ♪
[song continues on radio]
You should talk to your parents
about your medication.
And I'm not saying go back on it.
I'm just saying talk to them.
Let them take care of you.
That's what parents are there for.
You should, um...
[sighs deeply]
[Rachel] What?
Someone should take care of you, too.
["Sister Golden Hair" playing]
♪ Well, I keep on thinkin' 'Bout you ♪
♪ Sister Golden Hair surprise
♪ And I just can't live Without you ♪
♪ Can't you see it In my eyes? ♪
♪ I been one Poor correspondent ♪
♪ And I've been too Too hard to find ♪
♪ But it doesn't mean You ain't been on my mind ♪
♪ Will you meet me In the middle ♪
♪ Will you meet me In the air? ♪
♪ Will you love me Just a little ♪
♪ Just enough To show you care? ♪
♪ Well I tried to fake it
♪ I don't mind sayin'
♪ I just can't make it
♪ Well, I keep on Thinkin' 'bout you ♪
♪ Sister Golden Hair surprise
♪ And I just can't Live without you ♪
♪ Can't you see it In my eyes? ♪
♪ I been one Poor correspondent ♪
♪ And I've been too Too hard to find ♪
♪ But it doesn't mean You ain't been on my mind ♪
♪ Will you meet me In the middle ♪
♪ Will you meet me In the air? ♪
♪ Will you love me Just a little ♪
♪ Just enough To show you care? ♪
♪ Well I tried to fake it
♪ I don't mind sayin'
♪ I just can't make it
[vocalizing]
[song ends]
[instrumental music playing]
♪