Original subtitles

Before Abigail,

I never had a real relationship.

She said she just needed some time.

But eight weeks feels a little long for a break.

Woohoo!

Beautiful day!

The first day of school,

an opportunity for a fresh start.

For second chances.

I bet Eugene O'Neill never had to work

at a middle school.

Hey, Doug! You in there?

Hey, uh, just a quickie reminder,

we have a "no-lock doors" policy at the school.

Right, sorry.

Oh, no, it's early enough.

There are no kids here,

so I guess we can let it slide.

Uh, come on in.

Clark Gable.

Gone with the Wind, right?

Yeah, it's a little problematic today though.

Yeah.

Hmm.

Yeah, I wanted to pop in

and tell you I saw your car in the parking lot.

Uh, what you got there, Lexus?

Korean, right?

Japanese. Ah!

Sick. Anyway, so I saw the car,

it has last year's parking pass.

Yeah, sorry about that.

I've been meaning to get on that.

I got a lot going on.

It's early in the year.

A lot of stuff's happening.

Yeah, that's it.

Just, um, you know,

fix the parking pass.

People look up to us.

We lead by example.

Yeah. I'll get right on it.

Oh.

Don't forget, we have the all-hands

at the gymnatorium.

I'll be there with bells on.

Good to see you, Doug.

This time last year,

Abigail and I were just getting started.

Late rehearsals,

takeout becomes dinner in my office.

Just need to get through that first conversation.

Seriously, all the Danishes are gone.

- Ugh. - Yeah, yeah.

- I bet you it was Mrs. Grant. - Hmm.

All right.

Good morning, everyone.

I just wanna do a couple of housekeeping notes

before we get started on an amazing Cedarhurst year.

I can't believe those long summer nights

are over already.

Okay. First, and this is a big one.

I have heard through the grape vine,

and possibly a source in the city council's office,

my brother,

that we are this close to getting added

to the Southern California Blue Ribbon Schools List.

And it's-- and it's been a team effort.

But when I got here just two years ago,

it was at the top of my priorities.

And now here we are.

But it doesn't happen without everybody in this room.

All right. So let's make sure

we keep the learning train chugging

with Reading and Science and Español.

Excellenté.

It's very important to have everything buttoned up

because the committee is paying attention.

We all saw what happened to Woodcliff

when they started teaching Harry Potter.

The left thought it was anti-trans.

The right thought it was anti-Christian.

And I think they're not winning

the Blue Ribbon this year.

Okay.

Um, all right.

Let's talk extracurricular.

I said, Doug, what do we got cooking

for the school play?

Uh, West Side Story.

Uh, we're gonna do West Side--

West Side Story. Oh.

♪ Maria, Maria ♪

Oh, that sounds like Carlos Santana.

Yeah, and I think it is.

The Blue Ribbon panel will love it.

Next year, we'll do Ironman.

Okay.

I guess that's it. Everyone, thank you.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

There's--we have a birthday.

Um, this woman is not only an amazing teacher,

but she is a fantastic artist.

Abigail Morris, we love you so much.

You're an amazing woman.

Hey, Doug,

I sang alto in college if you need anybody.

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday ♪

♪ Happy birthday, dear Abigail ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

Fuck!

Mr. L?

Sorry.

Move! Move!

We can do this all year.

If nobody shows up within 15 minutes,

we're legally allowed to leave.

Where would we go? It's not like we have a ride.

- Hey, Mr. L? - Yes, Lata?

Do know when sign-ups are going up?

I will make an announcement to the class about sign-ups

at the appropriate time.

Okay, great.

Mikey, pass out those scripts!

Yes, Mr. L.

Who knows what a tragedy is?

We'll pick this up tomorrow.

- Abigail? - Oh. Hi, Doug.

Hi, I'm sorry. I was--

I was trying to talk to you.

Actually, I need to talk to you too.

Oh, real--really? Um, well, great.

Uh, I was just on my way up to my classroom

if you wanna...

Yeah, that sounds fine, yeah.

Okay. Well...

Okay. ...after you.

West Side Story.

Wow, so fun.

Yeah, I mean,

it's not the most original idea in the world,

but it could be fun.

Um, and, you know,

maybe we could build a fire escape.

Yeah. I don't know that insurance would cover that,

but--but maybe.

You said you wanted to talk to me about something.

- Is that what it was? - Yeah.

Yeah--well, no.

- I-- - Well, um, wait one sec.

Um, I know that it's your birthday.

So I...

got you this.

Wow.

Oh, wow.

Doug, I...

Um, and I also-- I just wanted to say

I am really sorry,

um, for how I was about... PDA.

- Hmm. - And also about

intimacy in general.

Um...

my therapist,

uh, said that I have a PTSD response to human touch.

Wow. Um, I'm so happy for you.

I mean, because of the therapy,

not because of the P...

Right, yeah.

I--well I-- so I was just wondering

if maybe you wanted

to, um, go out and try again

- and maybe get a drink? - Doug,

- wow, Doug-- - Because I just--

- I feel like-- - Doug, Doug...

What--sorry. You say what you wanted to say.

I wanted you to hear it from me first,

before you heard it from somebody else.

I'm seeing Michael.

Principal Brady.

So, are we still on a break?

Yeah, but not really a break.

It's more like we're broken.

I'm really sorry, Doug.

But, you know,

I think we can still work together just fine

because nobody even knew we were dating.

Totally.

Yeah.

See you-- see you around campus.

The writer is a paradox.

He has to step back from the world

in order to understand it.

And yet, be immersed in it,

to absorb every excruciating detail.

He finds meaning in a world

that makes no sense.

Principal Brady?

How does that even happen? You know what?

I bet it was teacher's retreat. That's so classic.

What a fucking snake.

Whatever. It was a distraction anyway.

Now I can really focus, get the fellowship.

- Go to New York. - Yes. Awesome.

Yes. This is a speed bump, brother.

There's only one Broadway, and it's in New York!

You know she, um, messaged me

about the fundraiser you were having?

- She texted you? - Oh, God.

I think just like about the venue and hosting it here.

Or we don't have to at all.

Don't mean to step on your toes.

Let's-- no. No, no, no. It's fine.

I just don't know what she sees in him.

That guy is like a-- a boiled cabbage of a person.

Bet he hasn't read a book since high school.

You're gonna be fine. Truly, you know?

You just have to move forward and accept it.

I mean, if plans change, you shift it up.

And if you're getting stressed out,

put that into your creative work.

All right.

I wanna thank everyone for coming out today.

You all made the time to--

Hi!

I'm sorry, did you start already?

Just one second.

Oh, look at you. You look amazing.

Hey, girl. - Yes.

- What are you doing here? - Oh, well,

it's auditions.

- It's so exciting. - Right.

I was thinking for the set we could--

What? You don't need to be here.

Well, I mean, I was here last year.

Last year was different.

Well, I already started working on the model

- for New York. - Right.

I'll send Mikey to grab it when it's ready.

I'm sure it's great.

It's a quarter past.

Thank you, Mikey.

Then I guess I'll just finish the model and get it to you.

Find a way to lock these doors.

As I was saying...

you've all been working very hard,

but not everyone can get a starring role.

In fact, most of you won't get a starring role.

♪ I ain't got nobody ♪

♪ And somebody cares for me ♪

♪ I'm so sad and lonely ♪

♪ Won't somebody come and take a chance... ♪

Because sometimes what you have to offer

isn't what other people think they're looking for.

Even if you disagree.

Even if you think that's stupid.

That's just the way it is.

And you gotta deal with it.

There's no going back in time.

No resets.

No do-overs.

So you just gotta become a massive success...

to prove them wrong.

I want you to post the list

and get back here as fast as you can.

All right.

Mikey is posting the cast list.

All decisions are final.

Worried about the chorus.

You can always pair it down.

You chose Cindy for the lead?

Lata, you're an amazing dancer.

Cindy is an amazing singer.

But she's White.

It says she's supposed to be Puerto Rican.

Are you Puerto Rican?

She doesn't even speak Spanish.

Cindy!

Do you speak Spanish?

Let me tell you something, Lata.

The thing about life is, sometimes you win.

But sometimes, you watch your enemy

steal what could have been yours.

There are no small parts, only small actors.

But-- No, no.

You're number one in the ensemble.

This is erasure.

I dunno what I was thinking

to sign up to chaperone a zoo trip.

Okay. I wanted to see the pandas, so sue me.

Hey, can I scan while you print?

Yeah. Yeah.

And then these stupid little perverts

wanna get their grubby little hands on everything.

Pretty soon Danny DelCole's got his arm stuck

in the tortoise enclosure, and he's screaming.

Ugh.

Ooh. Look, pretty crazy, huh?

Yeah, I think it's pretty inappropriate.

Apparently, her last boyfriend

was a real hot mess.

I mean, emotionally, you know.

- Did she say that? - Oh, no.

Principal Brady did.

Well, did--any idea who it was?

Not a clue.

They've been going out for a while.

They didn't want anyone to know,

they don't want the old guy to find out.

But I mean, what's he gonna do?

Principal Brady does jiu-jitsu.

Are you okay? - Huh? Well, yeah.

I put the holes on the wrong side...

- Everybody. - ...of the thing.

Last minute additions to the morning announcement?

Doug?

All locked up then. All right.

Jiu-jitsu.

Hello, students,

and welcome to another beautiful day

here at Cedarhurst Middle School.

I just wanna let everyone know

that our Art teacher, Abigail Morris,

is much happier now

that she is having the best sex of her life.

Her previous boyfriend

can't definitively say

whether he's ever given a woman an orgasm.

So if you see him in the halls,

make sure you look right at him and say nothing.

He will know what you mean.

Finally, a reminder to look out for each other.

Here at Cedarhurst, we're a community

and we rise and fall together.

Special delivery.

Mikey, go to class.

All right, Mr.--

Sometimes, it feels like a dream.

And then I remember...

Principal Brady.

When the muse calls,

you answer.

Look at him. Big salami.

Good luck getting the Blue Ribbon

when every paper in the country

is calling for your head.

All right, people. Circle up.

All right. Now, I know everyone's excited.

But do we really wanna do the same play

that every other school does?

Or do we wanna do something special, contemporary?

Is this about me not being Spanish or whatever?

Latina.

I just think that the best parts

go to the best people.

I mean, we're all actors, right? Let us act.

It's not like there's a lot of roles for Latina girls.

Shouldn't we at least try to be realistic?

Okay. So Black people can't play Hamlet then?

That's not what I mean. And what do you mean?

Okay. Okay.

This is what I'm talking about.

We are arguing about something that is a hundred years old

when we could be talking about something new.

You said this play has never been done before, right?

What if that's because it sucks?

Okay. It doesn't suck.

You know what? If anything, West Side Story sucks.

This is about real people

and how they stand up for what they think is right,

for what they believe in,

even if it means breaking the rules.

Not about killing your girlfriend's brother

just because you're sad.

Is that what happens?

Will we have to audition again?

Audition?

No, everyone who has a lead stays a lead.

Well then, I think we should do it.

- It's-- - Listen, listen.

Acting is about trust.

You trust your scene partner

to support you and you trust your director

to have a vision, and you trust yourself

to step out on that stage

in front of an audience and deliver.

Do you trust me?

Okay. There's just one more thing.

We can't tell anybody what we're doing.

Parents, friends, no one can know.

You want us to lie?

What? No. No.

Not lie, just not tell anyone.

I tell my parents everything.

Well, think about it like this.

Remember when you found out Santa wasn't real?

So your parents lie to you but it's not a bad thing.

Sure they're fibbing, but only

'cause they want Christmas to be that much better.

In my house, we celebrate Hanukkah.

Instead of one night--

It's eight nights, yeah, we all know.

Look, let me let you in on a little secret.

The superpower of the theater is the element of surprise.

When we perform for our audience,

do we wanna give them the best Christmas ever,

or do we wanna make them cry because Santa isn't real?

The superpower of the theater is the element of surprise.

The superpower of the theater

- is the element of surprise. - Again.

The superpower of the theater

is the element of surprise!

The superpower of the theater is the element of surprise!

Okay, people. Let's get to work!

Put on your blacks!

See you later.

Don't listen to them, Mikey.

What?

The people that want you to settle.

When I got out of undergrad, Wesleyan,

I had a grant for a play.

Small opening, well-reviewed.

We were all set to open Off-Broadway

and the producer disappeared.

He said it was a pulmonary embolism.

I know he took that money.

Oh. So I moved back in

with my mom in Sylmar.

Do you know where Sylmar is, Mikey?

And then she got sick.

I thought I'd work here for a year.

It's you against the world, Mikey.

We got those flow-y robes, right?

It says they're in transit.

Well, if that's it,

I better get going before I miss my bus.

Your bus? I'll take you home.

You don't have to. Don't be crazy.

Come on.

You know, Lexus was the first car

to have seat warmers?

That's cool.

You ever use them?

It's nice to have the option.

Mr. L?

Wazzup?

I was wondering,

why do we have to keep the play a secret?

Why? I already told you,

the superpower of the theater--

Well, I know that.

Would it really matter if my parents knew?

Did you tell your parents?

No, definitely not.

Well, okay. That's good.

That's good. This is your house here?

Yeah.

Not everyone is going to understand

what we're doing.

And...

people are afraid of what they don't understand.

It's okay to lie if it's for the right reasons.

We wanna blow everyone away, right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Thanks for taking me home, Mr. L.

I really appreciate it.

Oh, and...

for the record, I don't think you're settling.

Not anymore.

People don't understand

the burden of a writer.

Relationships end.

Civilizations crumble.

But literature endures.

Hello? - Hey. Hey, Mr., uh, Rothman.

This is Doug Leibowitz.

Sorry, who is this?

I, uh, was one of the applicants

for the fellowship and I just got rejected.

Oh. Oh. How did you--

Well, I found your phone number

in an email signature from a playwriting festival

that we were at together in 2014.

I had just written "The Bells and Whistles"

out of Wesleyan.

Right. Right, I think I remember you.

"Bells and Whistles."

Though I meet a lot of aspiring playwrights, so...

Yeah, yeah. So, um, yeah.

So, I just got this rejection letter

and I was--thought, you know,

that I would call and see if I could get

a little insight into, um, the decision-making process.

Yeah. Look, Mr. Leibowitz,

this is really unusual.

- Definitely not-- - Yeah, I know.

We haven't been in touch for a while,

but I'm just--um, it's not like my writing

has gotten worse, you know.

I--I'm wondering if I was good enough then,

why I'm not good enough now, you know?

Well, the fellowship is highly selective

and we always have many talented writers

who for one reason or another just can't--

What did I do wrong?

What? What?

Can you just get--

could you look up my application

and tell me why I was rejected?

Okay, uh...

It seems I actually did recommend you.

I didn't like the work you submitted very much,

but I thought there was something

in the personal statement.

- An edge. - Uh-huh.

But our selection process

is by committee,

and it seems that the other board members

reacted quite strongly

in a negative sense.

They felt your work was too impersonal.

One colleague wrote,

"The candidate seems to prefer intellectualism

to emotion.

We're here for theater,

not a treatise on the theater."

Heh.

Well, harsh criticism

is the only kind worth hearing, right, Mr.--

All right. Phones in the basket.

Phones!

Today, we're gonna watch a movie.

It's called The Manchurian Candidate.

It's from 1962.

It's about how people in power

will do anything to maintain control.

You don't have to pay attention.

But one day when you wake up powerless

at the hands of the machine,

you might just wish you were ready.

Mikey, lights.

Mr. L, what's The Machine?

The algorithm.

The government.

An anonymous review board.

Everything that's trying to keep you down.

Imagine you only have one job

and it's to spin a wheel.

But every time you ask a question

or get tired or try to speak up for yourself,

you get replaced

because there are a thousand other wheel spinners out there

and they're all just itching to replace you.

It doesn't matter if you graduated

at the top of your class,

if you went to a good school,

or if you read books and know about art,

because at the end of the day,

your dreams don't matter.

It's "What can you do for me?

How well can you spin the wheel?"

Your friends will move away.

Your parents will die.

And at the end of all things,

the best you can possibly ask for

is that someone maybe...

will remember you.

That's the machine.

Hey, Mr. L.

Hello, Lata.

I've been thinking about what you said.

Sometimes people who maybe don't work as hard,

or want it as bad, or even care

about getting into the top performing arts high school,

get the best parts.

But it's like what you said.

There are no small parts, just small actors.

And I've been thinking about the cab driver role

you assigned to me.

And I wrote a monologue that I think could really

set the stage at the end of the first act.

"How many people shared my taxi?

A small world, divided by a sheet of plastic."

Stop. Stop, stop, stop.

Lata, what are you doing?

You said no small parts.

So I'm making it bigger, beefing it.

The cab driver doesn't need any beefing.

But I research-- I researched it and--

Lata, I don't think you're hearing me.

It's not that you don't have something to offer, you do.

You're talented. You're smart.

You work very hard.

It's just that your performance,

it's a little bit... intellectual.

We're looking for a cab driver,

not a treatise on a cab driver.

Honestly, maybe it's too much for you.

Maybe you'd find more success as the Fire Hydrant.

Oh, a fire hydrant. Yeah. Okay.

I thought you were trying to make me work harder

because you recognized my gifts.

Sometimes the best way to stand out

is by blending in.

- I'm sorry, Lata. - I don't want an apology.

Well, that's just how the business works.

What do you know about how the business works?

You teach at a middle school.

Stop! Stop!

Wrong!

How many times do we have to watch the videos?

It is North tower and then South.

There's just no feeling. There's no depth.

It has to be personal.

When she crashes into those towers,

the whole world changes...

forever!

And you become collateral damage!

You are lost in a conflict that you didn't start,

but it is now up to you to finish it.

Brian...

your parents are divorced, right?

What your character is going through is just like that.

You want to do the right thing,

but you don't even know what the right thing is anymore.

You're caught between two worlds.

The world you knew...

and your uncertain future.

And... you are alone.

And that goes for all of you.

From there, right away, back to one. Let's go.

♪ 9/11 ♪

♪ It's a story about greed ♪

♪ 9/11 ♪

♪ Jet fuel doesn't melt steel beams ♪

♪ 9/11 ♪

♪ All brown guys are a threat ♪

♪ 9/11 ♪

♪ 9/11 ♪

♪ Hashtag ♪

♪ Never forget ♪

Could I have a Manhattan straight up, please?

Uh-hmm.

Hi.

Oh. Hey.

I wish we could be friends.

Friends?

You wanna be friends so that you don't feel

guilty anymore.

What?

You broke up with me

and then immediately started dating our boss,

like, the next day.

Is that what you think?

It did not happen like that.

Doug.

Doug, it wasn't the next day.

Oh, was it during?

Sorry.

Sorry.

Can we at least be civil, then?

We work at the same school.

I see you every day.

Honestly, I don't know how much longer

I'm gonna be at Cedarhurst, so...

Wait, did you get the fellowship?

Are you moving to New York?

Do we cheers?

To new beginnings!

Doug in New York.

All right! What are we celebrating?

- What's happened? - Oh, Doug.

I did--I just saved a boatload

of money on my car insurance.

Right on. Hey, can I borrow you

- for a moment? - Uh-hmm.

Another Manhattan?

Excuse me, where's your head?

Oh, around the corner.

Hey. We gotta talk.

Could you come by the office tomorrow?

Uh, yeah, sure. Okay.

What do we got goin' on here? Huh?

- A piercing? - No.

All right. I'm gonna go tinkle.

I wonder what he wants to talk to you about.

Ah, there he is.

Sorry I kept you waiting.

Yeah. How was last night, man? It was fun, right?

Oh, it was.

Yes, um--

So, I actually have rehearsal in a few minutes.

Here's the thing.

I'm hearing some potentially

concerning chitter-chatter about the show.

Something about Cindy playing a...

person of color.

Well, Cindy

does actually have the stronger singing voice.

I don't wanna make it political.

I'm not gonna go there. But...

the play's already pretty racy, theme-wise.

And I just think with the parents,

and the board, and the culture

that we are navigating,

we cannot have any controversy.

Well, there's no controversy.

There is just too much on the line.

I mean, we're talking about a Blue Ribbon here, Doug.

Cindy is out. Lata's in.

- We'll figure it out. - Thanks.

- I knew you'd understand. - Sure.

Thing is, I was-- I wish it were different.

I wish we were living in different times.

Boy howdy.

And the script's clean?

Squeaky. It's totally PG.

Okay. Great.

I just have to sit in on rehearsals.

What?

Sorry, I--no.

Well, I just-- I have a very specific

creative relationship with the students.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You'll have all the creative control.

I'm there to use my eyeballs, man.

You know, make sure everything's A-OK,

needs to be top-shape, and make sure

we're keeping our eye on the ball there.

You won't even know I'm there.

- Okay. - We should start tonight.

- Good with you? - Sure.

- We're good right now. - Yeah.

Tonight I have jiu-jitsu.

Rats. Um...

Maureen, call the dojo,

cancel, tell 'em I'm goin' to rehearsal.

Yes!

- Oh, I gotta take this call. - Okay.

Then I'll see--I'll see you in a little bit.

Yeah, I'll see you in a minute.

Mikey.

Mikey, open the fucking door!

Mikey, you gotta lock that door!

It's happening! We're resetting everything!

Everybody flip the world. Cindy, grab the booklets.

- What's happening? - Grab the booklets!

He's coming! - The Machine?

Stop screaming! Piano kid, get rid of that music.

Everybody, like we practiced. Go, go, go!

Hi.

Hey, what did we say about locked doors?

Come on, man.

You're better than that.

These doors are weird.

Wow! Look at this set?!

Am I in New York City?

The Big Apple?

Wow!

Why is she dressed like that?

Uh, well, we're--uh, we wanted to depict

the diversity of New York City accurately.

And her grandmother is Middle Eastern.

Oh, of course. 'Course.

Right. Smart.

Because here at Cedarhurst,

we welcome everyone, right?

All right. Let's have some theatre!

Never mind me, I'll be invisible.

All right, everybody.

So, um, a little change.

Lata, Cindy, would you two switch places?

Lata, you're now Maria.

Let's go. Let's keep it professional.

All right.

West Side Story.

Uh, I'm telling you, I'm tired of these guys

hanging out on our streets.

Well, I say we do away with them once and for all.

Uh, but how are we gonna do that?

Oh, I's tell you how.

We're gonna challenge them to a rumble.

Why, I, uh, I, uh...

Oughta.

Why, I oughta...

Wait, is that my line?

All right. All right. Great.

Let's, um, let's work through

some of the choreo that we've been working on.

So, everybody, let's start doing some snaps.

Great.

All right.

Really nice, everyone.

Snap, snap, snap, snap, snap.

We should cancel the play.

No, please don't say that.

We can't present something

that isn't, uh, you know, just...

perfect.

Like, perfect perfect.

I can see you're nervous, but it'll all come together.

It all clicks.

- Clicks? - It clicks.

The kids are shaken up right now

because of the cast change.

Trust me.

I feel terrible about that,

but it's the right thing to do.

Uh-hmm.

Uh, when's the performance again?

Oh, a couple weeks.

Couple weeks? Time flies.

Hey, everybody, everybody, everybody, hey.

Uh, I just wanna say...

you're awesome, every one of you.

Regardless of your race or sexual orientation,

what kind of religion you're doin',

you're all just good humans.

They really appreciate that.

- Thank you. - Yeah.

Hey, thank you for that pep talk.

I think I needed it.

I think it's just first rehearsal jitters.

- Yeah. - You know?

We can always cancel in a couple of days.

- Yeah. - All right.

Uh, same time tomorrow.

Looking forward to seein' it click.

Yeah.

Thank you, Principal Brady.

Did that feel good?

Did that feel good?

No.

No, it didn't.

But there are some people, outsiders

who want us to feel that way all the time.

In fact...

they're already threatening to cancel us.

- No! - I moved my Bar Mitzvah!

But we have a trick up our sleeves.

What do we always say?

The superpower of the theatre

- is the element of surprise. - Louder!

The superpower of the theatre is the element of surprise!

Exactly.

Now, if we're really all in this together,

if we really wanna make something special,

then were going to have to commit harder to the surprise.

The only way we stay alive is if we learn their play.

It's gonna be twice as much material.

And we're gonna have to do double the rehearsals.

Mornings will be for us.

After school... that's for them.

If we can fake them out, they can't shut us down.

Yeah.

When that curtain opens

and they see what we've created,

their minds will melt in their seats.

Let's go!

Hello?

Hey.

What's going on? - That's a good question,

Mikey. That's a very good question.

Brady is problem number one.

But we've got another fish to fry.

Or more specifically, a rat.

Who?

Maybe we can do a full cast talkback session or...

No, no, no. No. Think about it.

Why would somebody tattle

without giving away our secret?

For leverage, Mikey.

They're trying to apply pressure

without ruining the show.

Our rat wants more cheese.

Cheese?

- Lata wants a bigger part. - You think it's Lata?

I know it is. - How?

Because it's what I would've done.

Keep this between us, Mikey.

And let me know if she does anything suspicious.

And so we walk the razor's edge.

Hello, Lata.

Hello?

You're here early?

I can rehearse somewhere else if that's a problem.

Lata Ramos.

The perfect student.

I know what you did.

I dunno what you're talking about.

Okay.

Okay.

You're tired of being overlooked.

Waiting in the wings. Playing the fire hydrant.

Honestly, I'm impressed.

You are a killer, Lata.

I think I might just have the perfect role for you.

I'm already the lead.

Hmm.

You're the lead of a charade.

Principal Brady says the Toluca Times

should do a profile on me.

I'm not just offering you a lead.

I'm offering you a starring role

in something that could really put you on the map.

I'm talking L.A. Times, New York Times.

Sky's the limit.

Be selfish.

There are two types of people in this world.

Givers...

and Takers.

People who build fires

and people who stay warm by the flames.

Ernst Rothman told me my writing wasn't personal.

Well, it's personal now.

Uh-oh!

We have a superstar in the house.

I gotta say, I was--I was skeptical.

Honestly, I didn't believe you,

but it is--it's clicking,

it's clicking all over the place.

I'm really connecting with these kids.

Totally.

And I didn't know how things

were gonna go with us, you know?

I mean, because of the whole Abigail situation,

but you've been just...

such a mensch.

- Am I saying that right? - Yeah. Yeah.

Well, you know, we're all mature adults here.

There's no reason why we can't move on.

That's what I love about you, Doug.

You're a--you're very mature, you know.

And... we all rise

and fall together.

So, I wanted to ask you a question.

Sure, Doug, I'm an open book. You can ask me anything.

Well, I was thinking

and I just wonder, how would you feel

about giving the introductory speech for the show?

You want me to introduce the play?

Well, you've just been so helpful over the past

couple of weeks and with the Blue Ribbon

on the line...

I'd be honored.

Hi.

- Speak of the devil. - Sorry.

I didn't wanna interrupt.

- Not at all. - No. Come on in.

Hey, hi. Oh, wow.

Wow. Look at what you did with the set.

You really took it, um, in your own direction.

And that is amazing. Good job.

It's really coming together.

A lot of talent in this building.

- Mm. - You ready to scoot?

Um, can I get one second?

Yeah, sure. I'll be in my office.

- Okay. - Someone may have gotten...

Everybody quiet down!

- Hi. - Hi.

So, I've really been trying to give you space,

but we're getting very close to opening night,

and I would just really hate it

if we ended the semester like this.

Like what?

Oh, I don't know. I--weird.

It's fine.

You know...

I've been hearing really great things about the show.

Apparently, Lata is just killing it.

I'm really trying here, Doug.

Abigail, it's a middle school show.

And you know what?

You'll probably be running this whole thing

anyway next year.

So, you're really going?

Yeah.

Well, the kids are really gonna miss you.

But I know you've always talked about wanting

to move on from here, so I'm happy for you.

I didn't get the fellowship.

Can I give you a hug?

I'm really sorry, Doug.

But you know what?

Those people kinda look like douchebags anyway.

And I know you don't wanna hear this

but you're such a good teacher.

- Wait. - And who even cares about

a fellowship anyway?

How do you know what they look like?

Did you look it up?

Well, yeah.

I mean, Michael wanted to do

a whole press release about the show

and about you and the theatre department

as he wanted to get you more money

- and attention. - Oh, my God.

You were gonna use me for the school.

I'm not gonna use you.

It's for the kids and to celebrate you.

How is this guy not so obvious to you?

What? Obvious what? He was trying to help.

He wants to get money for the school

- and for the children. - Oh, yeah.

He really wants to help the children.

Not everybody has a nefarious plan, Doug.

You know, this is all a part of my job

and you've completely excluded me from it.

And I'm tired of dancing around your hurt feelings...

Yeah. That's easy for you to say.

I didn't fall in love with your boss.

I hope you get whatever it is that you're looking for.

You and Principal Brady think you're better than me?

What do you say about me?

I'll bet you two just love talking about me.

What the hell is going on?

Oh, mind your own fucking business!

What?

Hey. Hey, shut up!

- I see right through you... - Whoa!

...motherfucker!

Hey, Doug, I'm just checking

to make sure your mental health leave

is going A-okay.

Um, no hard feelings, of course.

Everybody has big emotions sometimes.

Um, you know what they say,

a healthy community begins in the mind,

so don't worry about anything.

Don't worry about the play.

I've got it all handled,

uh, but I am gonna need you to pay any outstanding fines.

And when you're cleared to come back to work,

we can discuss next steps.

Okey-dokey?

All right. We'll, uh, talk soon.

All right. Cindy.

Cindy, don't forget, when you turn around,

big smile, big, big, big, big, big.

Okay? All right. Just like that.

All right. Thanks. All right.

See you all tomorrow.

- Okay. - Wrap it up, brother.

I heard Mr. L punched Principal Brady in the face.

I heard he had a nervous breakdown

and pissed on his desk.

Oh, my gosh.

So much for The Heroes.

Oh!

Mikey, you scared me.

Is everything okay?

No, not really.

Oh, honey, come here. Come here, sit down.

Come here.

Here.

All right.

So, tell me what's going on.

It's Mr. L. You two are friends, right?

Um, yeah, I'd say we're friendly.

He's not been coming to rehearsal

for a couple days now.

Do you think...

maybe his parents are getting a divorce?

Uh...

I don't know.

I'm really worried about him.

If you want, you could write him a card?

I think he's gonna be okay.

Loser!

You suck!

Get off the stage!

Doug, open up the door.

Doug, open it up, okay?

I saw your car in the driveway.

Please tell me you're in there.

Doug. Open the door, Doug.

Jesus fucking Christ, man.

- Are you okay? - Yeah, I'm fine.

God. Ugh.

Look, I--I've been trying to reach you, man.

I heard about everything that happened.

Did Abigail tell you?

Well, I mean, yeah. She told me.

Okay. Well, if that's everything...

This is from your students.

She wanted me to give it to you.

You don't realize that people care about you.

It's okay to lie

as long as it's for the right reasons.

Never settle. You're a teacher.

Kids look up to you, man.

So, whatever this is...

figure it out.

- Thanks for checkin' in. - Wow, dude.

Everyone talks about the power of love,

but nobody talks about the power of spite.

You realize I'm the arts and culture reporter

at the Toluca Times, right?

Well, the suspicious activity

I wanted to report is about the school play.

Okay.

I don't know how much I can really say over the phone,

but the principal is making these students

do some... pretty crazy stuff.

Should we involve child services?

No, no.

I just think...

you really need to see the play.

Some cultures burn whole forests to start new again,

to come back stronger,

like a phoenix hardened by the lessons of the past.

I got your letter.

So, no one else made it, huh?

I wouldn't say that.

A lot of you are probably pretty...

pissed at me right now.

And rightly so.

I almost let the machine win.

I'm sorry I couldn't--

I want to apologize.

Not for being selfish

but for telling someone who could never understand

what we've built.

Outsiders can't be trusted, my mentor taught me that.

Well, what are we doing sitting around?

Curtains are tomorrow, people!

Let's go! Let's go!

If you could please take your seats.

The show is about to start.

Whoo!

Oh, thanks, thanks, thanks.

That's, uh, that's very nice.

Uh, this is a project

that's very near and dear to my heart.

And it's not just because I was intimately involved

in every aspect of, uh, putting it together.

This is a story about two groups of people

who don't understand each other.

And it's not because they can't,

it's because they won't.

At Cedarhurst, we challenge our students

to see beyond our differences.

When I see what these kids have done,

it reminds me

of why I became an educator in the first place.

I see art

and knowledge

coming together for change.

So, I'd like--I wanna--

I wanna give a special shout-out

to our amazing set designer,

Abigail Morris.

So, enjoy the show.

You're gonna love it.

Sit back and break a leg.

I'm walking here.

Uh, yeah.

Go, go, go.

What will become of me, Rudy Giuliani,

nursing the wounds of a lost race for senator.

Would the skies not open up

and bestow the gift of a sterling reputation?

Payback shall be mine and thy name is Hillary!

I'm falling behind in the polls!

What could we do to get the people behind me?

We need a controversy! Something!

We can make more arrests.

Bigger!

And what about helping the vets?

Bigger!

How about a win for the Jets?

Bigger!

It's--it's perfect.

You should stop the show. Stop it.

- I can't do that. - Stop the show.

♪ Love ♪

♪ Devotion ♪

♪ Feeling ♪

♪ Emotion ♪

♪ Don't be afraid to be weak ♪

♪ Don't be too proud to be strong ♪

♪ Just look into your heart... ♪

You turned the gymnatorium into Ground Zero,

are you fucking ill?

♪ To yourself ♪

♪ The return to innocence ♪

♪ The return to innocence ♪

♪ And if you want, then start to laugh ♪

♪ If you must, then start to cry ♪

♪ Be yourself, don't hide ♪

♪ Just believe in destiny ♪

♪ Don't care what people say ♪

♪ Just follow your own way ♪

♪ Don't give up and use the chance ♪

♪ To return to innocence ♪

♪ That's not the beginning of the end ♪

♪ That's the return to yourself ♪

♪ The return to innocence ♪

After the play, things got pretty crazy.

They took my teaching licence

which, I think, was for the best.

The service industry is simpler

and much more straightforward

than working at a school ever was.

Separating my job from my work as a writer

has actually been really helpful.

And I realized there was nothing really stopping me

from coming to New York after all,

no matter what some fellowship says.

I don't know how to tell you this, but...

I've been sleeping with Principal Grady.

So you're cheating on me!

- Please. - Okay.

Okay, great. Let's save it for showtime.

Doors open in five.

- Thank you, Pipe. - Thank you, Pipe.

It's crazy to think about,

but in a weird way,

I ended up exactly where I'm supposed to be...

in New York doing theater.

That's Jen.

She works at the post office,

but really has a knack for the stage.

We kind of have a thing going,

but I learned my lesson and we're taking it slow.