Original subtitles

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

I just think you've been too hard on him, George.

Look at him.

Kid's lost his swagger.

Uh, I'm not sure that one really had that much swagger

to begin with.

I had swagger.

Look at me, junior year, re-elected class president

for the third year straight.

Come on, George, that's... that's impressive.

Oh, yeah, right up there with crossing the Delaware.

Look at that double-breasted jacket.

I look great.

"Don't forget your Jimmy hat!"

My winning slogan.

Quick! Somebody grab my quill and ink.

I was victorious freshman, sophomore, and junior year.

What happened senior?

Manish Singh happened.

Manish Singh was a herb.

Couldn't run against me junior year,

he would've gotten smoked.

KAI: Smoked herb?

Gots my vote.

Hey, Jimmy, uh... - Uh...

Um, I'm clocking out.

I just...

We seem to be missing a couple of the Icons

of American History dolls.

You wouldn't happen to, uh...

Yeah.

Hey, um, are you still planning on going to that.

Manish Singh rally at the old high school tonight?

Uh, probably.

If you need a plus-one, I can... - Oh, thank you.

I don't... Uh, that is so nice, I... but I... I'm good.

Yeah, I just...

I remember how rough that place can be, alone.

Yeah, no, not for me, actually.

Richardson High School, I was...

I was actually a pretty big deal around there.

Yeah, okay.

Uh, well, anyway, um, don't forget to bring back

the dolls.

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

Hey, I thought we had a customer.

I got it, pop.

Don't know what I'd do without you, son.

(Grunts) Oh.

What!

My one clean shirt.

Oh!

(Music)

COMPUTER VOICE: Welcome.

Every morning, I wake up, look around, and think,

"I must have made some pretty darn good decisions

to end up here."

And wouldn't it be nice if more people

from the great state of Texas could wake up

and feel that way, too?

(Kisses)

Good things don't just come about by luck.

They come about by the choices we make,

and we've got a big one coming up on November 4th.

Choose wisely.

I'm Manish Singh and I approve this message.

(Soft music)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Music)

Oh, gosh.

Everything's all set, boss. - Ah!

A/V tested, seats are cleaned, and security's in position.

Great.

How long have you been standing there?

Like a millisecond.

Wonderful.

I'm just really hoping we make the Governor proud.

With you in charge,

he doesn't have any other choice.

Oh.

(Slurps)

Ah.

Fresh.

Very fresh.

All right, see you in an hour.

My middle-aged brother can't afford a car,

so I'll be picking him up.

(Music)

(Music)

SHAWNA: You should take her.

No way.

She's just trying to be nice.

Most of my classmates have three kids, two mortgages,

and a golden retriever.

I can't show up with

a tatted-up 24-year-old chain smoker.

I'm not Ben Affleck.

Why do you want to go to Manish's rally anyway?

You hate Manish.

I don't hate Manish.

We're rivals.

You're not rivals.

But we were.

It was my dream to be senior class president,

my dream to marry Charlie Harper,

and my dream to become the Governor of Texas.

Yeah, well, he did it.

You didn't even graduate high school, Jimmy.

Here we go.

You basically gave up on your life the week

after that stupid election, failed all your final exams,

ended up three credits short of graduating.

I mean, come on, who does that?

Take a jewelry class.

I understand losing to Manish was painful.

Not painful.

Life altering.

♪ Hit it! ♪

-♪ Nah, na, na, na, na, na ♪ -Vote for Manish.

JIMMY: He passed out Magic 8 balls to everyone in the class.

No matter what question they asked, the answer

they always got was, Manish Singh.

Manish Singh for President.

Who's gonna take my virginity?

(Indistinct) ♪ Here comes the hotstepper ♪

Who can bring peace to the Middle East?

♪ I'm the lyrical gangster, murderer ♪

♪ Pick up the crew in-a de area, murderer ♪

♪ Still love you like that, murderer ♪

Why did Michael Jordan retire?

♪ No, no, we don't die ♪

♪ Yes, we multiply ♪

I knew that dude could ball.

♪ Anyone pres will hear the fat lady sing ♪

Don't forget to wear your Jimmy hat.

That double entendre doesn't really work on girls.

You get that, right?

Nothing gets past you, Ama.

Mind like a steel trap.

♪ Chi-chi-Chang-Chang ♪

♪ Here comes the hotstepper, murderer ♪

Who's gonna win the election for senior class president?

♪ I'm the lyrical gangster, murderer ♪

♪ Excuse me, mister officer, murderer ♪

♪ Still love you like that, murderer ♪

Brilliant.

I used to love Magic 8-Balls.

That's not the point.

Sounds like the point to me.

He used a popular medium of the day to connect

with his electorate and win an election.

That's good politics.

You could've gone to summer school that summer

or any of the 25 summers since.

You know what happens to people who go to summer school?

- Neither do I. - No one does. You want to know why?

'Cause no one ever hears from them again!

Oh.

I'm sorry.

Working as a store clerk for your father,

the same job you've had since high school,

is somehow the pinnacle of achievement?

Dad needs the help.

Even now, I could get you re-enrolled in like,

35 seconds.

Just last month we had an old football player come back.

Will you give it a rest?

I'm not going back to high school.

I'm 42 years old.

It's absurd and pointless.

Your life is not pointless.

I'm glad somebody thinks so.

(Slurps)

(Indistinct chatter)

Jimmy Bauer!

Ha!

Man, I thought you were dead.

I could've sworn I donated to a GoFundMe for his funeral last year?

Jimmy, Noa, I want you to meet my brother, Jimmy.

- Hi. - Jimmy, this is Noa Polly,

our magnificent student council elections chair.

It's really nice to meet you.

My pronouns are they/them.

(Indistinct background chatter)

WOMAN 1: Look. There he is. Oh!

(Cheering)

Hello.

(Indistinct chatter)

Jimmy Bauer?

Hey, man.

MANISH: Wow, I didn't expect to see you here.

Look, Charlie.

Hey, Jimmy.

Hey, Charlie.

Oh, yeah. I... I... (Laughs)

- I spilled ketchup on my shirt. - Okay.

Um, we should probably head in.

Good to see you, brother.

Marcia.

That's not his real accent.

Singh out loud!

(Crowd chanting)

JIMMY: You know what people sound like.

There's a massive shift in his entire voice.

He has an event coming up.

Shh. (Cheering)

NOA: Hello, everyone.

My name is Noa Polly, and it has been my great honor

to chair tonight's event on behalf

of the student council.

Manish Singh is actually the reason I wanted to come

to this school in the first place.

But you came to hear him speak, not me.

So, without further ado, the Governor of Texas

and 1995 RHS grad, Manish Singh.

(Crowd cheering)

CROWD: Singh out loud!

-Singh out loud! -Singh out loud!

-Singh out loud! -Singh out loud!

-Singh out loud! -Singh out loud!

-Singh out loud! -Singh out loud!

-Singh out loud! -Singh out loud!

-Singh out loud! -All right, all right.

All right.

CROWD: Singh out loud!

Richardson High School, Rising Phoenix, what up?

CROWD: What up!

Thank you so much for that gracious introduction, Noa.

I know a winner when I see one,

and I have no doubt that it's only a matter of time

before you're working for me.

(Chuckles)

MAN 2: Whoo!

Wow, I'm really emotional right now.

When I think back on my political career,

I always come back to where it began, this place,

where I won my first election for senior class president.

(Crowd cheering)

As a matter of fact, I just ran into my opponent

in that race a few moments ago.

Uh, Jimmy Bauer, you still out there?

Oh, there he is.

Jimmy!

Give a wave, little buddy.

(Manish chuckles)

MANISH: Jimmy Bauer, everyone.

You know, that election changed everything for me.

Am I in hell?

It changed what I thought of myself.

It changed who I believed I could become.

So now, a very special award to help someone

in this room become the next Manish Singh.

(Cheering, whistling)

Thank you, Governor.

We've established the first annual Manish Singh.

Senior Class Presidential Scholarship,

which will be awarded to the winner of this year's.

RHS senior class presidential election.

(Crowd cheering)

Whoo!

This scholarship will allow the winning student

a paid internship in Manish's office,

with personal mentorship from the governor himself.

(Crowd cheering)

Now, I hope this helps rocket launch an RHS student

who's always dreamed of a bigger life,

but just didn't know how to make that all possible.

(Crowd cheering)

Jimmy, no.

Jimmy Bauer, 2024, you heard?

That chair is adjustable.

Hey, you guys have Zima?

I think they stopped making that in the mid '90s, man.

They make it.

Just 'cause something goes low pro for a hot minute

doesn't mean it gave up on its life.

I'll keep my eye out.

That scholarship is for a high school student.

Well, I guess it's time to finally become one.

I heard someone could make that happen for me in,

what was it, 35 seconds?

Yeah, that was to get your diploma.

This is... I don't know what this is.

(Chuckles)

It's too sad to be a mid-life crisis.

This is my chance to rewrite history.

Now Jimmy wins the class election.

Now Jimmy works in the governor's mansion.

Now Jimmy marries Charlie Harper.

Everything that's supposed to happen finally

fucking happens.

Check, please.

JIMMY: I'm ready to re-enroll.

These are my conditions.

Take 'em or leave 'em.

Leave 'em.

If your answer is leave 'em, then I never want to hear

from you about going back to high school.

And I mean never, never, never, never again.

Thanks for the ride.

(Sighs)

(Burps)

Ugh.

Oh my God.

(Grunts)

(Music)

Oh, you're late.

I tried paging you,

but I don't think they went through.

I called like, six or seven times,

but you know, I'm just not good with technology.

JIMMY: Chin up, Pop.

I got some great news.

STANISLAW: Oh, yeah?

Oh, h... hang on.

Stan's Memorabilia, Stan speaking.

Oh, hi Kai.

Uh-huh.

Oh, I see.

No, no, yes.

No, of course not, but when you put it like that.

Well, of course I don't want to stand in the way

of your personal growth.

But I need...

Well, two weeks is... is pretty, pretty standard.

Yeah, okay.

Bye.

She quit.

Says the work schedule is presenting too many

obstacles to her self-actualization.

Needs more time to work on her music.

Now I... I have to try to replace her,

and how I have no idea.

I mean, sh... I can barely afford your salary as it is.

Salary?

This is a disaster.

You want to hear my good news?

You remember the election in 1995?

The day that changed our lives forever?

I'm gonna fix it, Pop.

I'm gonna go back to high school.

I'm gonna re-run for class president,

and this time I'm gonna win.

Who will cover your shifts?

Really?

Don't worry about your store, pop.

Don't worry about anything.

After today, it's gonna be a whole new world.

Yeah.

I guess I could just, I could just close early

on the weekdays.

JIMMY: You'll see.

Believe me, you will see.

The whole wide world is finally going to see.

(Sighs)

This is insane.

Correction.

That kid who 3D printed a human vagina was insane.

This is beyond insane.

I agree.

How is the governor gonna feel when he finds out

his new high school intern doesn't know how to use

the internet?

They know each other.

That's even worse!

My brother's situation is the reason I became

an educator in the first place.

Well, I'm inspired.

Oh, gosh.

Okay.

I don't, I don't shop.

I don't travel.

I saw the word hobby in the newspaper the other day

and I didn't know what it meant.

(Chuckles)

This is getting awkward.

I have been a principal at Richardson for nine years,

and this is the one thing I'm asking for.

I need you to hear me now and hear me good.

If you screw up this scholarship with the governor,

it's your ass on the line.

If this little experiment backfires,

everything that you worked for is gonna go right down

the drain.

That's a long drain.

What's the worst he can do?

♪ This is how we do it ♪

♪ This is how we do it ♪

♪ Sha, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ Shabada, lo, lo, lo, whoa ♪

♪ This is how we do it ♪

♪ Lo, lo, low-oh-oh ♪

What's up?

You've been here 15 minutes and I've already received

four complaints.

That doesn't seem possible.

"Ancient white male propositioning

underaged girls."

Propositioning?

"Definite pedo in hideous tan suit taking down names

of potential victims."

Pedo?

This one just says, "Help" next to a drawing of you.

I'm trying to learn the names of the voters.

Terry Janice is a freshman, Jimmy.

Great!

I'm asking for her vote, not a picture of her boobies.

Only members of the student council can vote

in class elections

and freshmen are not a part of the student council.

JIMMY: Okay, that's a change.

In 1995, everybody was eligible to vote

for senior class president.

I distinctly remember handing out Jimmy hats like this

to each and every member of...

It's not 1995, Jimmy.

A lot of things have changed since 1995.

And Jimmy hats is a sexually suggestive

and completely inappropriate slogan

for a school-sponsored election.

That's the whole joke!

And freshmen aren't allowed to vote!

You want a snowball's chance in hell at winning

this election?

Stop living in the past and start figuring out

how things are done in the actual here and now present.

(Music)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Laughter)

(Indistinct chatter)

Hey, bud.

What's your name?

I'm Jimmy Bauer, newest candidate, for senior...

Stranger danger!

Stranger danger!

Molesting a student in the lunchroom?

Molesting?

I was trying to say hello.

Kylo has social anxiety, and unmolested lunches are

part of a carefully-constructed plan worked out

by his therapist.

I didn't molest anybody.

Molest, meaning pester, aggravate, annoy.

JIMMY: Okay.

Well, it meant something very different in my day.

(Sighs)

I'm trying to connect with my electorate,

which has turned out to be harder than I thought.

NOA: Hi, boss.

I got your email.

Happy to help.

- Who's the nervous Nellie? - Noa.

Thank you. Perfect timing.

He's right here.

(Chuckles)

Uh, no, no, no.

I... I meant the high schooler who needs help with

their campaign.

Yes.

For class president.

Yes.

You're running for senior class president?

But you're like 50.

I'm 35.

Mm.

Jimmy: 37.

(Coughs)

39. (Clears throat)

I'm in my early, mid-40s.

Is this legal?

Unclear.

Well, like any man in a tan suit,

I'm sure you mean well.

(Chuckles)

NOA: First things first, know thy competition.

The incumbent, Faiza Al-Ghamdi, junior class president.

Faiza's had one singular goal since the day she was born,

get into Yale.

The challenger, Metetakee "Meat" Tolmochusse.

He's Mr. Fun Guy.

You can't beat!

CROWD: The Meat!

These same two students have run against each other

in every single election since freshman year.

Well, I guess I'm your Ross Perot.

To qualify as a candidate, you need to accrue points

by attending school-sponsored activities.

Betty?

(Music)

(Chuckles)

(Music)

You'll need a strong social media presence,

which you'll need to use to regularly connect with

your electorate.

Please tell me you have social media.

I had a Facebook page, but I... I deleted it.

Okay, TikTok?

Snapchat?

Insta?

Okay, okay, hold on.

Let's just walk this back for a second.

Before we find you the right platform,

we should probably make sure you have something

actually meaningful to say.

Believe me, I got plenty to say.

But uh, the thing is that students nowadays,

they face very complex issues.

I think you're forgetting, I was president

of this place freshman, sophomore, and junior year.

Anything you guys are dealing with, I assure you,

I have dealt with before.

What's next on the list?

Gender-neutral bathrooms.

Why can't you just use this one?

Because I'm not a girl.

So, then use the boys.

I'm not a boy.

Is this like a RuPaul situation?

RuPaul is a drag queen.

So, yes?

Look, if you're not up-to-date with

gender identities,

you might not be up to the task of running for

class president in 2024.

I'm honestly not trying to piss you off.

No pun intended.

No pun achieved.

(Sighs)

Look, just really think about this one, okay?

'Cause this issue is huge.

That's what she said.

They said.

(Sighs)

Machiavelli's The Prince, one of the most famous

treatises on leadership in Western literature.

So, what's it about?

Faiza.

Power.

Go on.

Machiavelli felt that power, and the pursuit of it,

trumped everything, that even brutal violence

was acceptable as a way to hold onto it.

That's right.

And what do we think about this theory, class?

Stupid.

(Chuckling)

Go on, Meat.

Okay.

Uh...

stupid.

(Chuckles)

AMA: Meat.

I mean, if you can just do anything to get power,

then like, that makes you kind of a dick.

(Chuckling)

I mean, you're not supposed to hurt people.

It's pretty basic.

But Machiavelli felt that being a good person is

different than being a good leader.

Correct.

Or as he so famously put it,

"The ends justify the means."

Welcome to the eighth annual RHS senior class

presidential debate.

(Cheering, whistling)

AMA: Okay. Faiza, your opening statement is up first, 30 seconds.

As your junior class president, I have helped to ensure

that we've gotten many things accomplished this year,

including more healthy options at the lunchroom

and greater access to charging stations

throughout the school.

As your senior class president, I plan to build on

these successes with more concrete, actionable plans.

- Thank you. - AMA: Okay.

Meat, you're up next.

30 seconds.

Uh, I haven't done diddly-squat,

because I've never won diddly-squat.

(Chuckling)

You can't beat!

-The Meat! -The Meat!

You can't beat!

-The Meat! -The Meat!

(Crowd cheering)

-The Meat, Meat! -Okay.

Close your shirt, Meat.

All right.

Jimmy Bauer, you're up.

Uh, I... it's gonna be tough

to top that charging station bit,

but I will do my best.

(Crowd laughs)

You know, I think that student elections are

a little bit stupid...

-Honestly... -WOMAN 2: Okay.

Because they only benefit the winner.

WOMAN 2: Uh-huh.

If I am going to be elected as your class president,

I am going to do things not just for me,

but for all of you.

(Cheering)

I mean, I remember what sucks about high school.

So if I'm elected, I would do shorter classes.

-Yes! -Woo!

I would do, uh, free cinnamon rolls.

CROWD: Yeah! Woo!

How about ping pong table?

(Cheering)

Oh, you know, we should get

like those, uh, those shoulder massage machines

from the mall.

Uh, that seemed good in my head.

Um, how about um, a permanent ban on final exams?

(Crowd cheering)

AMA: All right.

Thank you, candidates.

Now, onto the questions.

Jimmy, you're first.

Obviously, a middle-aged man returning to high school

could be perceived as a sad sort of cautionary tale

for the rest of us.

What do you have to say to students who feel you may

not be up to speed on the needs of today's teens?

Um, I would say don't be ageist.

That's fair.

As a follow-up, can you tell me how you feel

about Charli D'Amelio?

I'm sorry, who?

CROWD: Oh.

(Indistinct chatter)

That was a got ya question.

I thought you were on my side.

I'm not.

I am on the side of a free and fair election,

and that's all.

Besides, you were being kind of a dick to Faiza.

So... - Charli D'Amelio, dude?

Come on.

It's politics, Jimmy.

You gotta grow a thicker skin.

How am I supposed to know who some 19-year-old blogger is?

She's the most famous TikToker in the world.

Mostly for appropriation, but still.

Okay, well, sorry I'm not up on my latest TikTok.

If you want to compete in this election,

maybe you should be.

STUDENT 1: Meh.

Cringe.

(Students chuckle)

Teach me how to use it.

No.

Look, I'm sorry, I didn't know how to do

the bathroom thing.

I... I might be ignorant, but I'm not a dick.

I don't have a social media page,

because my life has been a complete

and utter train wreck for the past 25 years.

Honestly, I've been a little embarrassed

to advertise it.

(Sighs)

4:00, you're buying, and then after that,

you're on your own.

- Okay? - Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

No, no, no.

You need to find a date to homecoming,

because right now half the student population

thinks you're a child molester.

So, this is Neville Chamberlain's actual umbrella?

I mean, it's plastic.

Well, uh, uh, it's an actual replica, but yeah.

That's not a thing.

Well, you know, the real umbrella is probably

in a museum somewhere.

So, you're just selling us plastic knickknacks that

I can find for half the price on Amazon?

Well, I... I wouldn't...

You... you know, my son Jimmy, he can sell it better.

I'm not usually the pitch man.

Let's uh, let's get outta here, Tommy.

This place sucks.

Can I help you?

Are you married?

(Chuckles)

Excuse me?

I mean, or do you have a boyfriend or...

Mr. Bauer, this kind of suggestive banter is

frowned upon in today's school system.

JIMMY: Oh, I'm sorry.

Still getting acclimated to all the changes.

Um, I am asking you this, because I'm running

for senior class president, as you know,

and we have to accrue a whole bunch

of Rising Phoenix points,

and I was wondering if, um, if you... if it's...

I... I was wondering if you'd go with me to homecoming.

As an act of public service and all.

You don't remember me, do you?

♪ Pop ♪

♪ No, you're never gonna get it ♪

Could Jimmy Bauer ever ask me to homecoming?

♪ No, you're never gonna get it ♪

♪ Never ever gonna get it ♪

♪ Ooh, bop ♪

You're Ama Fernandez?

So, you do remember.

Wow.

Well, don't look so shocked.

No, I... I... I... I just... I... I know all caterpillars

become butterflies, but... - Not all caterpillars.

As you well know.

Only the special few.

(Sighs)

You know that stuff's not healthier than real beef,

right?

Healthier for the planet.

Methane emissions from cattle production is one of

the single biggest contributors to climate change.

Your generation is worried about cow farts?

Yup, thanks to your generation who was worried

about who could drive the bigger Hummer.

I never had a Hummer.

Aw, well, that's sad, dude.

(Chuckles)

If you're so worried about this stuff,

how come you don't run for office?

Nobody's voting for a non-binary class officer.

I can barely get through the day without some asshole

blowing up my phone.

Is Micah still doing that?

It's not just Micah.

Who's Micah?

Micah was Noah's elementary school boyfriend

whose fragile masculinity could not handle their coming out.

Have you reported this to Ama?

Oh my God, this is so boring.

No, I'm not the first non-binary kid in Texas

to deal with bullies.

It's not boring.

You know what?

Let's just teach you TikTok, okay?

Okay.

And don't blame us if they ban it next month.

Mm.

Right.

So, this is called, a "smartphone".

It replaced the pager in popularity amongst

high school students around... - Ooh, Y2K?

So, these are filters.

- Filters? - Mm-hmm.

(Giggles) Look at that.

That's awesome.

-You see that?

-It's amazing. -Yeah.

That suits you.

ALAINA: Mm-hmm.

That's really cool.

(Chuckles)

Look at that.

Okay, I think I could definitely master this.

Jimmy Bauer, senior class president.

That's my new iPhone number right there.

Just got it.

Senior, senior class president, Jimmy B., that's, uh,

iPhone right there.

Text it, TikTok it.

I'm around, no problem.

You came!

Full disclosure, I'm officially here

as a school chaperone, so... ♪ Hit it! ♪

Technically, I'm getting paid.

You had me at technically.

(Chuckles)

Want to show these fools how it's done?

I remember this one.

♪ Na, na, na, nah, na, na, nah, na, na, na, nah ♪

♪ Na, na, na, nah ♪

(Chuckles)

♪ Here comes the hotstepper, murderer ♪

♪ I'm the lyrical gangster, murderer ♪ Woo!

♪ Pick up the crew in-a de area, murderer ♪

♪ Still love you like that, murderer ♪

♪ Na, na, na, nah, na, na, nah, na, na, nah ♪

♪ Na, na, nah, na, na, nah ♪

♪ Hey ♪

STANISLAW: Hey, you're up early.

JIMMY: Yeah, I uh, I thought I'd put in a Saturday shift.

Felt like you could use the help.

STANISLAW: Well, you know I can always use the help.

Hey, speaking of which, can you help me get this down?

I don't think I've ever seen the walls without that poster.

You know, I always really loved this one.

Here, grab.

Ready?

1, 2, 3.

Wow.

I didn't realize how faded these walls had become.

Yeah, well, 25 years can do that.

I'm giving these guys three minutes.

Jimbo!

Twice in one week.

I love it.

JIMMY: What is he doing here?

All right. Pen?

Where are we gonna put this?

Uh, right here, front and center.

Frame her up.

I'm timing you.

JIMMY: We're hanging that in our store?

While we're on the subject of memorabilia,

I... I thought you'd appreciate its historical significance.

Ah, perfect.

Photo?

Good to see ya.

Sorry, which of my constituents come to the store?

You're giving back to the little guy...

Let me walk you out. (Indistinct)

MAN 3: Polling is a little low on these distressed neighborhoods,

Governor. WOMAN 3: All press is good press, Governor.

It's not that bad, son.

I had to do something, Jimmy.

Manish was furious.

He didn't seem furious.

Do you realize as a direct result of your campaign,

the superintendent has been terrified Manish is

gonna pull his scholarship?

I have been terrified I'm gonna lose my job.

Dad is terrified he's gonna lose this store.

We calmed them down with one stupid piece

of free publicity

and left your campaign entirely intact.

I would think you might thank us.

(Music)

Do any of you feel trapped by your life

and all the people in it who are supposed to have your back,

but when push comes to shove, never, ever do?

Do you ever wish you could just go from this, "Oh, sure."

Yes, that's fine.

Whatever you want.

"Don't worry about me," to this... (Screams)

(Chime)

Uh... (Exhales)

JIMMY (ON PHONE): K means 1,000, right?

Let's throw a party to celebrate my TikTok.

NOA (ON PHONE): Uh, I don't... - We have to.

A massive kegger.

17,000 views.

Uh, people don't really throw keggers anymore, Jimmy.

Fam don't pay for everyone else's drinks.

That's shocking.

-Let's bring 'em back. -NOA (ON PHONE): No.

How am I supposed to get there?

I'm not gonna pay for a car.

I'll just borrow my dad's.

Which one of us is 16 again?

This is a game-changing moment, Noa.

It needs to be celebrated properly.

This TikTok could be the centerpiece of my campaign.

When they look back on the trajectory of this election,

this will be the moment, the one single inflection point

after which everything changed.

As the Elections Chair of the student council,

I would think you might be able to appreciate

its historical significance.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Who's the biggest herb in Texas?

No doubt.

CUSTOMER: Is this place open?

KIDS: Chug! Chug! Chug!

Chug! Chug! Chug!

Chug! Chug! Chug!

Chug! Chug! Chug!

Chug! Chug! Chug!

Chug! Chug! Chug!

Chug! Chug! Chug!

Chug! Chug! Chug!

Chug! ♪ Wake up, I'd get out of bed, stay up ♪

♪ Stay out of my head, 'cause today's ♪

(Cheering)

♪ I don't wanna lose my mind, no ♪

♪ I just want to shine like the sun when it comes up ♪

Is that White Claw?

♪ Run the city from the rooftops ♪

I'm alive!

I'm a freaking alive!

♪ 'Cause today is gonna be my day ♪

♪ I just want to climb to the top of the mountain ♪

Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo.

I think I hurt my back. You guys want a turn on the keg?

No. Thank you though.

Uh, we're gonna go wander.

Don't abandon us.

You're our ride.

Got my dad's whip all night.

Don't leave home without it.

(Indistinct chatter)

(Music)

A simple thumbs up would've sufficed.

Do you want to hang out?

Texting you my address.

Hanging up.

♪ I just want to climb to the top of a mountain ♪

Jimmy Bauer for president!

(Cheering) ♪ Standing tall in the morning ♪

♪ 'Cause today is gonna be my day ♪

(Cheering)

♪ I used to lay low, hiding in the shadows ♪

They better not post that.

♪ So don't give me darkness, I already had those ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ I'm just trying to figure out how to be myself right now ♪

♪ I don't wanna lay low, hiding in the shadows ♪

♪ So I wake up ♪

♪ I get out of bed, and I stay up... ♪

Manish wasn't very nice to me in high school

if you want the whole truth.

♪ I don't wanna lose my mind, no ♪

It's high school.

Was anybody really nice to anybody?

You were.

You were nice to everyone.

♪ And I stay up, 'cause I'm sure good things will happen ♪

♪ If I get out of my way ♪

♪ I just want to shine like the sun when it comes up ♪

♪ When the sun comes up ♪

♪ Run the city from the rooftops ♪

Zero bars.

He ditched us.

He didn't ditch us.

He's not here, Noa.

We've walked around 10 times.

Fine.

Then hitch a ride with them then,

'cause you're so embarrassed of me.

I'm not embarrassed.

They're leaving.

Wait up!

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

Roar!

Roar!

Micah, right?

Thank you for the support.

I am TikTok famous, baby.

You ditched us.

Oh my gosh, Noa.

I am so sorry.

I totally forgot, total brain freeze.

I had a two-hour walk home where I legit thought

I was gonna get killed.

Throwing a keg party, serving God knows what

to underage students and using it as some kind

of perverse campaign rally?

Jimmy Bauer for president!

Roar!

Now, we can do this the easy way

or we can do this the hard way.

(Chuckles)

The hard way then.

You think Al Franken got it bad?

Just wait till I'm finished with you.

You're about to become the high school poster boy

for canceled.

You're on your own.

(Cheering on phone)

Do you have anything to say for yourself?

Jimmy?

(Music)

It wasn't me.

Hmm.

You're saying this video that clearly shows you

standing on a keg yelling, "Jimmy Bauer for president",

isn't you?

Correct.

You're gonna have to do better than that.

I'm TikTok famous, Shawna.

What does this have to do with TikTok?

I'm just saying, I just became famous on an app

I'd literally never heard of a week ago.

You don't think Faiza could've figured out how to

deep state my image?

It's deep fake, not deep state.

See?

She knows all about it.

I don't even know the correct term.

The only thing I know for sure is that whoever was

at this illicit keg party just brought in that video.

And if that person was Faiza, maybe she's the one that

should be facing this interrogation.

It's not an interrogation.

This is insane.

Well, then it's your word against mine, isn't it,

sweetheart?

And if it wasn't you, then who was it?

I'd like to know.

This whole thing is a hoax.

I want to get to the bottom of it.

Bring in that student.

Let's find out who created this whole mess to begin with.

You know, you should be ashamed of yourself,

framing an innocent man with a fake video.

If you'll all excuse me, I have a campaign to run.

(Students cheering)

JIMMY: Roar against authority!

Roar against entitlement!

♪ Watch me roar ♪

JIMMY: Roar against those who think they're better than us.

♪ Watch them roar ♪

JIMMY: Roar for the little guy. ♪ Watch me roar ♪

♪ Watch 'em roar ♪

♪ Pull up to the spot, let's even the score on 'em ♪

♪ They thought we was less, let's show 'em ♪

♪ There's more of 'em ♪

STUDENTS: Roar!

JIMMY: Yeah, roar like your life depends on it!

STUDENTS: Roar!

JIMMY: Let it out!

STUDENTS: Roar!

Let it out!

STUDENTS: Roar!

JIMMY: Roar against those who make us feel like nobodies.

Roar!

Roar!

Roar!

Roar!

Roar!

♪ I'll throw you off the cliff like Tarzan in a jungle ♪

STUDENTS: Roar!

JIMMY: Roar against the people in power.

Roar against the teachers' pets.

♪ Watch me roar ♪

STUDENTS: Roar!

♪ Watch us roar ♪

♪ Watch them roar ♪ -STUDENTS: Roar!

♪ Whole world roar ♪

-I know. -♪ Whole world roar ♪

Jimmy's out of control.

We're not speaking.

- Ugh. - I'm sorry, Dad.

I'm gonna try to find a student to help cover

some shifts.

STUDENTS: Roar!

Roar!

I gotta go.

STUDENTS: Roar!

(Sighs)

Let's roar!

-Roar! -Roar!

STUDENT 2: Let's go (Indistinct)

-Roar! -Roar!

Haters gonna hate.

How you been, little lady?

I've been trying to call you a couple times.

Listen, Jimmy, I know that you really want to win

this election, but don't forget,

these kids are just 16 years old.

You're not asking me to back off my opponents, are you?

WWMD.

What would Machiavelli do?

If it makes any difference,

I wouldn't have returned Machiavelli's calls either.

Roar against coddled whiners!

Roar against the speech police!

Roar against proper pronouns!

You know, we all kind of tolerated you around here

for the past few years, but you might want to transfer

before it gets bad for you.

(Students roaring, cheering)

All your life, you've been told to follow orders.

STUDENTS: Boo!

Respect your parents.

STUDENTS: Boo!

Listen to your teachers.

STUDENTS: Boo! - Obey school administrators.

STUDENTS: Boo!

And even though you've done everything they've asked,

even though you followed every rule they've set,

your lives have only gotten worse.

STUDENTS: Yeah!

You're twisted into pretzels trying to make

everyone else happy, and they're more than happy

to sit and let you twist.

STUDENTS: Boo!

But this year, we're changing it up.

This year, we're rewriting the rules.

- STUDENTS: Yeah! - (Students cheering, whistling)

This year, we're not gonna vote for the same

hold-us-back candidates

who are all part of the same hold-us-back clan.

(Students cheering)

This year, we're pushing back.

-STUDENT 3: Woo! -STUDENT 4: Yeah!

This year, we're standing up.

This year, we're telling these oppressors,

Not anymore!

Everybody.

ALL: Not anymore!

Next Tuesday...

When you cast that ballot, you are not casting

with your pen.

You are not casting with your voice.

STUDENTS: Not anymore!

You are casting with a full body roar!

(Students roaring)

(Shouting, cheering)

NOA: Hell is empty.

All the devils are here.

Are you proud of yourself, Jimmy?

Are you proud of this?

It's politics, Noa.

Grow a thicker skin.

Yeah!

(Students shouting)

I quit.

BOY 1: Oh, look, it's a they.

(Boys chuckling)

- Roar! - Roar!

GIRL 1: Roar!

(Kids chuckling)

MICAH: Vote for Jimmy Bauer!

(Sighs)

Losers hatin' every hour, winners votin' Jimmy Bauer.

Each of the students who perpetuated this act

has confessed and will be suspended.

Micah Warner, who lit the torch, has been expelled.

What about him?

We are currently discussing disciplinary action,

but no formal decision has been made.

We want to extend our deepest apologies as a school,

and I just want you to know I extend my...

My personal apologies as well, for everything that transpired.

I couldn't be more embarrassed.

You think it's easy figuring out the right way to raise

a kid like this?

Don't I got enough to deal with already?

Noa's an extraordinary student, sir.

You've done a great job.

Glad somebody thinks so.

I was voted into this office, like Obama.

I know, Donna.

I answer to the people.

We had an understanding.

He was supposed to be expelled.

I tolerated the tan suit.

I ignored the lunchroom molestation.

I even let that man-child lead a fascist march

down the hallway like a... a Chuck E. Cheese Mussolini!

I prayed that despite all the obvious evidence to

the contrary, that you had a handle on your

brother's misguided campaign.

But it has become quite obvious, to myself

and to the entire Richardson School board, that you don't.

Shawna, I hereby place you on administrative leave.

I expect your desk to be cleared by end of day.

Give me that. Give me that.

-Give me the badge. -What?

Give me the badge!

It's not your fault.

Leave me alone.

It's my fault, it's Micah's fault,

but it is definitely not your fault.

I just wanna make sure you know that.

You know, I always knew the world was full of jerks.

That is nothing new.

But I also believed it was full of good people,

and I always thought I could tell the difference.

The thing about Micah is, he may be a jerk,

but at least he never pretended to be anything else.

- Not like you. - You did.

You pretended to care.

You pretended to care about the students, about the school,

about me, when all you ever cared about was yourself.

Before you, student council gave me hope.

Before you, I honestly believed that the good guys

could actually win.

But you took all of that from me.

Give us a roar, Jimmy!

Roar!

(Music)

♪ I see your face out on the border line ♪

♪ Your silhouette is moving with the tides ♪

♪ Wish that I could live a different life ♪

♪ And see with my own eyes ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I can't keep track of all my apologies ♪

♪ Finding too many roads closed and now you don't believe me ♪

♪ I tried to be... ♪ SAM: Hey, man.

♪ Somebody that you could need ♪

You're never gonna believe what we just got in today.

Boom!

Nobody wants that tired-ass shit.

I gotta quit this fricking job.

♪ Keep running back ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

JIMMY: That's power for you.

It's a powerful drug.

That's not a joke, George.

You literally just repeated the same word twice.

Do you two need a time-out?

You can fool some of the people all the time,

and all the people some of the time.

But you can never fool yourself.

Finally, we agree.

Honesty, that's something we always had in common, Abe.

So, I guess the only question now... - Is him.

(Music)

You're standing in the dark.

Light bulbs went out.

Nobody here to change them.

I'll do it.

I'll do it now.

Your sister got fired.

What?

Nine years at that school down the drain.

And now I'm trying to decide what I'm supposed to do.

Uh, I got it.

"What a man thinks of himself,

that is which determines his fate."

You believe that?

I... I don't know.

Listen.

You have an extraordinary gift.

I mean it, son. You...

You have the great gift of empathy.

Don't ever lose that.

But you spent the last 25 years withering away on that stool,

packaging up boxes in an increasingly unprofitable

souvenir shop in the middle of Northeast Texas.

Well, you needed the help.

Each of our lives is, is priceless, Jimmy.

And we have a sacred responsibility to ourselves.

We can't just throw away our futures.

I can't just leave you all alone.

I'm your son.

That's right.

And so for the very first time in my life,

I'm gonna be the parent that I always wanted to be.

Jimmy...

you're fired.

(Chuckles)

You gotta get outta here, son.

You gotta stop worrying about your old man

and you gotta stop worrying about ancient history.

And you gotta stop using this place as another excuse

as to why your life is not where you know

it's supposed to be.

(Music)

History has known a lot of leaders.

Some were pretty awesome.

And some really sucked.

And every leader has some version of both of

these guys inside of us at all times.

And so it's up to us, every day,

to choose which path we take.

Because it is a choice.

And even though the bad choice might be easier,

we all know deep in our hearts when it's wrong.

In this election,

I have failed, turned my back on my good impulses

and I leaned into my bad ones.

But it's never too late for any of us to examine

our choices and reverse course.

Faiza Al-Ghamdi didn't serve beer at a keg party.

Faiza wasn't even there.

She's a good student who has served her constituents well

and is very deserving of every one of her supporters.

Metetakee Tolmochusse is also deserving

of his supporters, because despite

a very questionable campaign slogan

and some decidedly odd fashion choices,

he's a good guy.

But if I had to vote for one person in

tomorrow's election, I wouldn't vote for either

of those two candidates,

and I wouldn't vote for me either.

I'd write in someone who isn't even officially running.

Noa Polly.

They're honorable, passionate, and dedicated.

They look out for everybody at RHS,

even those of us who don't immediately fit in.

They're not doing it for Ivy League scholarships

or TikTok followers

or a fancy internship at the governor's office.

Noa fights every day for one reason

and one reason only.

Because they want to make your school

a better place.

They have integrity.

And that's the stuff that real leaders are made of.

AMA (ON SPEAKER): Good luck to all of our candidates.

And remember, voting is one of the great privileges of

a democratic society.

Make yours count.

(Students roaring)

♪ We gonna take your pick, we gonna run it ♪

(Roaring)

♪ We gonna take your pick, we gonna run it ♪

♪ We gonna take your pick, we gonna run it, quit ♪

♪ When we in the field, we gonna run up the score ♪

♪ Yeah, I got a little bit, gotta give me some more ♪

♪ They know that I can, but they say that I won't ♪

♪ Run for a couple bills, you could put on a show ♪

♪ And in my head I'm checking, maybe they will ♪

♪ Or maybe they won't ♪

♪ I'm checking the bill, they looking for quote ♪

♪ I'm all about promotion ♪

JIMMY (ON PHONE): They have integrity.

And that's the stuff that real leaders are made of.

Oh, God.

Um...

Coward.

Now you're assaulting people?

I was helping you.

I can fight my own battles.

I know you can.

I'm just not sure you will.

What is that supposed to mean?

Jimmy's TikTok was right, Noa.

We all have hard choices to make,

but just because they're hard doesn't mean we can't make them.

All you did just now was throw a high schooler into the wall,

that doesn't count as systemic change.

And besides, when it comes to having the courage to

make tough decisions, you don't have a lot of room

to talk.

Look, I know what I said was hurtful

and I'm sorry, okay?

But like, I don't know who's gonna see that picture.

Am I gonna have a two-hour conversation with

my dad, a conversation which we both know

isn't going to end well?

Maybe not, but what is the alternative, right?

What are we supposed to do?

Just refuse to be honest about who we are?

Roll over and let the trolls win?

(Music)

As the duly appointed student council elections chair,

I believe I'm required to double check the vote count.

(Chuckles)

Yeah.

Oh, it's friends like you that really help keep

this place well-funded.

Oh, thank you.

Hey, you know, that next check you write,

can it be one of those really big ones?

You know?

How you hold up and show the people?

(Chuckling)

Can we talk?

You got three minutes.

(Sighs)

My sister made a mistake in vouching for me.

You don't say.

I didn't deserve it.

Shocked beyond measure.

Believing in my potential and fighting for it even,

even when I no longer believed in it myself.

But isn't that what being an educator's all about?

Fighting to give the least-likely students

a chance to be successful.

Not just looking out for the obvious winners,

but... but fighting for the potential in everybody.

I don't know how many other candidates you've got

waiting in the wings that have proven just as willing

to fight these battles as my sister but,

I'd be willing to wager everything that you

don't have a single one.

You'd be willing to wager everything?

AMA (ON SPEAKER): And now for the results of yesterday's election.

But before I read them, I wanna make a special mention

of someone who received more write-in votes

than any other previous student

in Richardson High School history.

Noa Polly,

who received a whopping 72 write-in votes

for senior class president.

Congratulations, Noa.

And now on to the winners.

Jimmy.

Wait, no, you can't look at that.

Stop the announcement.

What is taking so long?

AMA (ON SPEAKER): Sorry for the delay there.

But without further ado, Richardson High School's

new senior class president is...

Metetakee Tolmochusse!

Wait, what?

Wait, what?

(Chuckles)

(Cheering, whistling)

Why did you do that?

Anyone help.

Hey! Meat!

-Meat! Meat! -Meat! Meat!

-Meat! Meat! -Meat! Meat!

-Meat! Meat! -Meat! Meat!

-Meat! Meat! -Meat! Meat!

-Meat! Meat! -Meat! Meat!

-Meat! Meat! -Meat! Meat!

-Meat! Meat! -Yeah!

Don't worry.

You can always run again, in what, 25 years?

(Music)

The world is still full of good people, Noa.

And you're one of the very best I've ever met.

(Soft music)

(Music)

Hey!

You don't have to win an election to be a leader.

JIMMY: You must be the new principal.

You didn't have to drop out of school again, Jimmy.

Yeah, I did.

Superintendent said so explicitly.

You're a real piece of shit, you know that?

Yeah, well, like all pieces of hereditary shit,

there ain't nothing anybody can do about it.

All right, I'm off to go re-enroll

at J.J. Pearce High School.

Don't look so surprised, people do it all the time.

A few months ago, I heard that some old football player

re-enrolled.

(Upbeat music)

And second,

I would like to ask for a round of applause

for Faiza Al-Ghamdi.

(Students cheering)

I simply could not have done this job without you.

And congrats on getting into Yale.

You deserved it.

(Students cheering)

And lastly, this is gonna sound a little cocky,

but I'd like to thank me.

Because over this past year, I've learned so much,

but mostly just the things I was capable of.

Good job, old buddy,

you're not just a stupid idiot after all.

(Chuckling)

As it turns out, you simply cannot beat the Meat.

(Students cheering)

(Indistinct)

One stall, no urinal?

Ah, "gender neutral", I think the kids call it

these days.

Yeah. Nice job.

So, how's summer school?

Almost over. (Chuckles)

Oh, I'm so proud of you, son.

(Indistinct)

I'm proud of you too, pop.

KAI: Hey. Mr. B, come on.

-Let's do this. -I got it.

A one, a two... A 1, 2, 3, hit it!

(Crowd cheering)

WOMAN 4: Go Noa!

(Cheering)

CROWD: Noa!

Noa!

Noa!

Noa!

Noa!

Noa!

Noa!

Noa!

Noa!

Noa!

Noa!

(Cheering)

Good afternoon, everybody.

Thanks so much for being here.

(Crowd cheering)

I'd like to start with a huge thanks to Stan Bauer

and everyone at Stan's Memorabilia for hosting us.

Ey!

(Cheering)

And now, without further ado, I am so thrilled to unveil

the launch of our brand new TikTok ad campaign.

MAN 4: Yay!

When most people imagine a politician,

they picture something like this.

(Crowd chuckles)

NOA: But if you're like me, then maybe that image might

make you feel just a little bit left out.

(Chuckling)

Because in this changing moment in time,

it's important that we have a leader who not only supports

our changing city,

but is a reflection of that change,

to show that no matter how different we are

or how other we may feel, we all deserve an equal chance

to grow, from caterpillar into butterfly.

I'm Noa Polly, and I'm asking for your vote

for Dallas City Council.

(Cheering)

Uh, let's give it up for my campaign manager,

Jimmy Bauer, by the way.

Old dude can make a TikTok, am I right?

(Crowd cheering)

As we embark on this momentous campaign,

stay bold, stay fearless, and keep fighting.

Because it's not how we start our journey that matters.

It's how we finish it.

Hear, hear!

(Crowd cheering, whistling)

(Music)

SHAWNA: Stan's Memorabilia.

Hey Jimmy, it's for you.

Hey, I gotta go.

I'm headed to a wellness retreat for the weekend.

My first inner intimacy workshop starts in an hour.

If I'm late, I'll miss ecstatic dance.

This is Jimmy.

Jimmy, Manish Singh.

From high school?

Yeah, no, I... I re... I remember.

MANISH (ON PHONE): Hey, we were just trying to get in touch with Noa Polly.

My office has been calling and texting the number

we got from the school,

but we haven't been able to connect.

Hey, Noa, have you been getting any missed calls

or texts from...

It'll come up as blocked, official state biz and all.

A blocked number?

Really? Holy shit.

Governor Singh just endorsed our campaign.

(Cheering)

Wow, uh, Governor Singh, thank you.

MANISH (ON PHONE): Your candidate's got a real future, Jimmy.

Now they just need to work on their accent.

Mm.

STANISLAW: Hey, son.

You know, I was thinking, with all this new merchandise,

I don't think we have room for this on the floor.

(Music)

♪ Oh! ♪

♪ Oh! ♪

♪ I'm still learning how to untie love ♪

♪ And I've pulled apart most everyone ♪

I'm Manish Singh and I approve this message.

Alamo, come here boy.

♪ They're still alive ♪ Alamo. (Indistinct)

- Alamo, it's your cue.

-Oh, good boy. Good boy.

Alamo!

Good boy. Come here.

Come here, baby.

We're gonna have to do this again.

♪ I don't blame you ♪

I'm Manish Singh and I approve this message.

-That was too early, Alamo.

Can we do it again?

♪ Ways I'll forget about you in time ♪

We gotta do this again.

Alamo, I said as soon as I finish my line.

♪ This morning I awoke ♪ - (Indistinct) Come on, Alamo.

(Indistinct) ♪ To the sound of birds ♪

I'm Manish Singh and I approve this message.

-Alamo. -Too late.

I'm Manish Singh and I approve this message.

He was literally in front of me.

Literally.

I'm Manish Singh and I approve this message.

Now, Alamo!

-Alamo! -Alamo!

♪ Fight the wind ♪

How many takes are you gonna ruin, Alamo?

♪ And all the sights... ♪

-I'm Mani... -Smile, smile.

(Indistinct speech) ♪ Oh ♪

Okay.

♪ I don't know which to believe ♪ Where are you going?

(Indistinct)

♪ I much prefer being alone with the birds

And their songs ♪

♪ 'Cause they won't leave ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)

(Music)