All language subtitles for Prom.Pact.2023.1080p.WEB.h264.Hi

[students cheering]

- [announcer] North Seattle High…
- [instruments clanking]

…it's pep rally time.

- So let's get loud, Bulldogs!
- [drumroll]

[marching band playing
triumphant music]

[students cheering]

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

MY APPLICATION Mandy Yang

ADMISSION STATUS: Pending

[cheering continues in distance]

[announcer] The prom committee's also
going to announce this year's prom theme.

Oh, yeah!

[students cheering]

BULLDOGS

Prom PACT

[announcer] It's
about to get crunk!

- [music continues]
- [cheering continues]

[announcer] Now, give it up for
the pride of North Seattle High,

your championship
team, Bulldogs!

[students chanting] We are the
Bulldogs, and we're here to fight!

- Bulldogs unite!
- [announcer laughs] I love it!

[students] Go, fight, win!

[announcer] There's
Graham. There he goes!

[cheering continues]

DONATIONS FOR THE UNHOUSED

LOST & FOUND

[announcer chanting] Bulldogs! Come
on, everybody! Bulldogs! Bulldogs!

[guidance counselor] Mandy
Yang, what are you doing?

We've been over this.

You cannot skip pep rallies to
steal from the lost and found.

Ms. Chen, I'm not
stealing. I'm donating.

- All right. All right, fine.
- [announcer] For the win! Give it up!

I hope you're happy.

I'm a high school
guidance counselor.

I'm never happy.

You're not gonna actually make
me sit through that thing?

I am.

Oh, look at that.

I guess I am happy sometimes.

[Mandy] Fine.

- [Ms. Chen] Have fun!
- [music continues]

[students chanting] Go,
Bulldogs. Go, go, go.

Go, Bulldogs. Go, Bulldogs, go!

Go, Bulldogs. Go, go, go.

Go, Bulldogs. Go, Bulldogs, go.

Go, Bulldogs. Go, go, go.

BOOO! THE CANARIES

Go, Bulldogs. Go, Bulldogs, go!

Whoo! Go, Bulldogs.

- Really, Ben?
- What?

[students cheering]

- How we doing, Bulldogs?
- [music stops]

[cheering continues]

I said, how we doing, Bulldogs?

[cheering louder]

[principal laughs] There ya go.

Now, let's keep it going for your team
captain, number ten, Graham Lansing!

[students cheering]

How we doing, Bulldogs?

[cheering continues]

I said, how we... [chuckles]

Just kidding, I'm not gonna do
that. That's corny as hell. [laughs]

No offense, Principal Mossler.

Ah, you got me! [laughing]

I do that. He got me.

- [laughs] Great guy.
- [Graham] Okay…

Why do people insist on
treating Graham Lansing

like he's some
sort of golden god?

[scoffs] Well,
because he kind of is.

Please. He's just an entitled dumbass who
uses his nice smile and male privilege

to fail upwards and become
king of the Everests.

Whoa, Mandy, let's chill
with the Everests, okay?

And now, for the moment
we've all been waiting for,

the reveal of this
year's prom theme.

So please join me in welcoming…

- It's probably old-fashioned nepotism.
- Hmm.

…class president,
LaToya Reynolds.

[Mandy] People let Graham Lansing get away
with murder because his dad is a senator.

Are you guys ready?

We should be holding
him more accountable...

Can we just... Shut up, shut up.

LaToya is about to
announce the prom theme.

[student] What's the prom theme?

Did you just tell me to shut up
so you could hear the prom theme?

Other people wanna hear it,
okay? I'm just being polite.

[LaToya] Drumroll, please!

[drumroll]

[LaToya] The prom theme is…

- the '80s!
- [students cheering]

[cheering fades]

What is happening?

["Ghostbusters"
playing on speakers]

[student 1] Oh, my God!

It's a promposal.

[gasps] This is not
a drill, people!

[marching band playing
"Ghostbusters"]

[Ghostbusters] ♪ Promposal ♪

[all] ♪ Promposal ♪

PROM?

[Ghostbusters] ♪ Promposal ♪

- [students cheering]
- [song ends]

Graham Lansing, are
you asking me to prom?

What? N-N-No, no, no, Jodi.

Me, Owen, your-your boyfriend,
is asking you to prom.

- [chatter, laughing]
- [student] Epic fail.

Oh. Yeah, sure. That's fine.

[student] Dude!

She said yes.

[light applause]

Let's hear a round of applause for
the first promposal of the year!

[students cheer, applaud]

Okay, everyone.

Ah, that was great.

Little awkward.

All right, we got about five minutes to
get back to class. Now, everybody out!

I'm gonna hit the faculty lounge
for a cranberry juice! Let's go.

- Ms. Chen.
- What are you doing here?

Is this my punishment because I
forced you to go to the pep rally?

Look, I'm still
pending at Harvard,

and so, I was just wondering
if maybe you'd heard anything?

- Mandy, it doesn't work...
- [cell phone buzzing]

Oh, it's Harvard.

Hello?

Oh, hi. Yes. Mandy's right here.

You wanna give her a full ride?

And an honorary doctorate?

[chuckles] Oh, wow.

Thanks, Mr. Harvard.
Thanks for calling.

I'll let her know right away.

I'll explain later, honey.

- That wasn't Harvard. That was your wife.
- No, it wasn't.

It was totally Mr. Harvard.

- It's not funny.
- It is.

You just can't see it because
you're so tightly wound.

[chuckles] "Tightly wound."

Huh. Do you want to know
why I'm so tightly wound?

Oh, no. This is a
speech again, isn't it?

Because Harvard is the
best school in the world.

And Harvard is where my hero, development
economist, Dr. Ingrid Downs went.

And Harvard is where she
is a tenured professor.

And Harvard is where Dr. Downs, a woman
who has literally won two Nobel Prizes

for her work reducing
global poverty,

mentors young women like me who wanna
change the world for the better!

So, please, forgive me if I seem a little
tightly wound when it comes to Harvard.

I'm sorry. I didn't catch the name
of the school. Is it "Hergerds"?

That's funny.

Mandy, there are other colleges where
you can get an amazing education.

Like where? Dartmouth? [scoffs]

Get out!

What? How am I supposed to become
Dr. Downs' favorite student

that she takes to the UN's
Woman Economic Empowerment...

- Out.
- Fine.

Bethany's staging
a coup, Charles.

She's trying to overthrow
me as drum major.

I can't hear this again. Can
we talk about anything else?

- Not Harvard.
- Hmm.

People seemed to like the
whole Ghostbusters thing.

Promposals are just another
example of the patriarchy

affirming its
dominance over women.

Okay, but you have to admit the
'80s theme makes it kind of fun.

The '80s theme makes
them even worse.

Can you name one popular '80s
movie that isn't totally sexist?

Are you being for
real? Of course I can.

- Dollar bet. Who you got?
- Mandy, duh.

- I don't know. I think Ben's got this one.
- [Ben] Okay.

Breakfast Club.

The theme is be yourself unless
you want a cute boy to like you,

- then get a makeover from Molly Ringwald.
- Fine. Fine.

Weird Science.

The perfect woman is scantily
clad and here to please.

Revenge of the Nerds?

The hero nerd tricks a girl into
believing he's her boyfriend

so she'll have sex with him.

That's not a comedy.
That's an episode of SVU.

Come on, Ben. Even
I knew that one.

Pay up, Chuck.

- Calm down. I'll Venmo you.
- [school bell rings]

I don't have Venmo.

["Miss Independent" playing]

- [song continues]
- [employee on PA, indistinct]

[cell phone chimes]

Mandy: Finished early at soup kitchen.
Pick me up at my house instead?

Ben:

[song ends]

Who you texting, huh?

Your girlfriend?

Just a friend. I don't
have a girlfriend.

Obviously. [chuckles]

Man, I was joking.

You know what, Kyle? I don't
need this from you, okay?

You're a freshman. I'm a senior.
Treat me with some respect.

Come on. You're barely a senior.
You don't even drive a car.

I do! I gave you a ride home.

Right. Your janky Ford Fiesta!
It's basically a go-kart.

- You've never been to a party.
- I've been to a party.

With drinking?

I mean, I'm sure one of the adults
had a glass of wine in the other room.

I bet you've never even
hooked up with a girl.

I've kissed a girl before.

Kissed? Ugh. What are you, nine?

I'm talking about your P in a V.

I don't have to prove
anything to you.

You just did.

See that guy?

His P has been in some V.

He's a senior.

He's coming.

[exhales] Don't embarrass me.

You're a bag boy, Kyle.
That ship has sailed.

- 'Sup.
- [Graham] How you guys doing?

- Uh, Graham?
- Yeah, bud?

Have you, uh, decided where
you're going to college yet?

[chuckling] Not you too.

Sorry. At a certain point you never
want to hear that question again.

You guys will understand
when you're seniors.

[giggles] He's a senior.

My bad. What school you at?

Your school.

- Right, right. You're, uh...
- Ben Plunkett.

No Nuts Plunkett. Of course!

[squeals] No Nuts Plunkett?

Someone gave this kid a Snickers
in the sixth grade field trip.

Blew up like a puffer
fish, like... It was crazy.

You okay from that?

- Yeah, I'm... I-I recovered, so…
- [Graham] Cool.

Well, sorry I didn't recognize
you, No Nuts. It's just...

You look different when
you're not all swollen.

But, uh, see you at school.

And, hey! Go, Bulldogs.

[imitates barking]

Hey, girl.

It's Friday night.
You got a hot date?

[sighs] Well, I didn't
wanna tell you, but yes.

I'm going out with the
most popular boy in school.

You're going out
with Graham Lansing?

The Graham Lansing?

Ugh, stop. Why do you
guys know who that is?

I actually don't know who he is.

I just felt the vibe and
wanted to "Yes, and."

And now I can feel
the vibe has shifted.

I'm gonna go.

So, no date with Graham?

[Mandy] Mom, he would
never date a girl like me.

What?

Don't look sad.

Let me remind you my worth is
not determined by some boy, okay?

I'm my own woman, and I
decide my worth. [exhales]

And I love that, but let me remind
you that you're only young once.

I mean, it's great that
you give all those speeches

and you were named "Best
Student Economist in America."

Okay, in North America.

Yeah, but I think you
need to have some fun,

- make some memories.
- [cell phone chimes]

Put Flamin' Hot Cheetos
in the principal's car!

Ben: Here

Oh, it was hilarious
when I did it. [laughing]

Look, Mom. I have
a very memorable…

Mandy: OMW!

…Friday night planned with Ben.

Bookstore, movies, waffles.

It's the same thing you
do every Friday night.

See? It's memorable for you too.

Hey. How was work?

Work was, uh... I don't
wanna talk about it.

Was it that little skid
mark, Kyle? What'd he say?

It wasn't just him, I... Look, I said
I didn't want to talk about it, okay?

So, can you just stop
talking about it, please?

- Okay.
- [Ben sighs]

[Ben] What're you doing?

Imagine Dragons Believer

Imagine Dragons, really?

["Believer" playing on radio]

They were my favorite band freshman year.
I haven't listened to them in forever.

Why are you even
doing this right now?

It's not like it's gonna
magically make me...

[singing "Believer"]

[singing continues]

Whoo!

["Believer" continues playing]

NEXT WEEK 80S ACTION
MOVIE MARATHON

[no audible dialogue]

[song continues]

Deacon's Corner All Day Breakfast!
- Seattle's Best

[song ends]

["Addicted to Love"
playing on speakers]

[patrons chattering, laughing]

- Thank you.
- [sighs] Thanks.

- [student] Julie, it's your promposal!
- [Julie] Yes!

So, you thinking chocolate chips or no
chocolate chips in the table waffle?

[Julie] That's amazing.
You're so sweet.

Hey, do you ever feel like

we have wasted our youth sitting
on the sidelines judging people?

- So, no chocolate chips?
- [song fades]

Look at us. We... We've spent every
Friday night sitting at a diner

debating whether or not we
wanna put chocolate on a waffle.

What do you want us to be doing?

- Keg stands with the Everests?
- [scoffs] No.

Maybe. I don't know.

Um, you know, it's like, even Charles
and Zenobia do stuff, you know?

Like, they go to games, and
they go to parties and dances.

Who cares about that stuff?

You and I know the truth.
None of that matters.

Okay, real life starts once we
get out of here and go to college,

where we get to make
a real difference.

Not all of us are
going to Harvard.

Okay? Some of us are going to an in-state
college, like, 20 minutes down the road

with half the Everests
for the next four years,

where we're gonna have to
listen to them wax nostalgic

about their high
school glory days.

Because high school
is all they have.

Their lives have peaked. That's
why we call them Everests.

But don't you wanna,
just for once, feel like…

like…

Like what?

What if this is my peak?

[scoffs] I don't have any
glory days to look back on.

[chuckles] Okay, that's
a little dramatic.

That's easy for you to say.
You're not No Nuts Plunkett.

Forget it. I will
order us a waffle.

Thanks.

[Julie's date] Julie, will
you go to prom with me?

[Julie] Yes! [chuckles]

- Oh, my God!
- [guitarist 1] Yay! Congratulations!

[guitarist 2] Good job!

[sighs]

[sighs]

PROM?

Prom?

Ha, ha. Very funny.

It's not a joke.

Why is this not a joke?

You want trite,
I give you trite.

But only because you're
my best friend. Okay?

But no limos.

I'm not paying for
hair and makeup, okay?

This is it.

And no slow dancing.

The only thing I hate more than
slow dancing is the gender wage gap.

Wow, you really know how
to make a boy feel special.

[both laughing]

So, Benjamin Walter Plunkett,

do you accept the terms and
conditions of my promposal

and agree to this prom pact?

["Addicted to Love" resumes]

Mandy Elizabeth Yang,

- it would be my honor.
- [both laugh]

Ugh.

Thank you. Yes.

There's no chocolate
chips in that.

Yeah, well, I was mad at you
when I put in the order, so…

[chuckles] Sorry.

[chuckles]

It's a celebratory waffle.
We're going to prom.

[song continues]

ELECT - SENATOR JAMES
LANSING A MAN FOR THE PEOPLE

NORTH SEATTLE
HIGH GO BULLDOGS!

[song ends]

Coming up, a sit-down
with Senator Lansing.

We'll talk revitalizing and
reelection, today on NPR.

When you sleep better,
you live better.

Which is why sleeping on
the wrong mattress is more

than just a pain in the neck.

Take our sleep-better quiz to
find out which mattress will…

Turn that off.

You always say it's important to
support the businesses that support NPR.

I know. It's Harvard.
It's updated.

[sighs]

What does it say?

ADMISSION STATUS: Waitlisted

[cell phone clattering]

Just leave me here. Uh,
I'll see you in seven hours.

- Mandy.
- Don't.

It's over. [sniffles]

Harvard, Dr. Downs, saving the
world, my life. It's all over.

Stop. You've been wait-listed,
okay? You haven't been rejected.

It's the same thing.

Harvard was supposed to be the
place. [chuckles] My place.

And they don't want me either.

What am I looking at?

Who is this sad, little person?

This is not the Mandy I know.

The Mandy I know would get up,

march into school in her
"Future is Female" T-shirt,

and she would figure out
a way to get into Harvard!

Be that Mandy.

Thank you.

[sighs]

I need to talk to you.

- I am with a student right now!
- Oh, that's okay. I'll wait.

Okay, the only reason I'm gonna let that
fly is because I don't like that kid.

- So...
- I got wait-listed at Harvard.

Oh. I'm sorry.

Don't be sorry. Just help
me figure out how to get in.

Mandy, let's take a beat.

Maybe it's finally time to
start to discuss backup schools.

You know, with your grades, community
service, extracurriculars...

They've been applied
to and forgotten. Next.

Fine. You need a
killer letter of rec.

Okay, I can't believe
I'm about to say this,

but what about
Graham Lansing's dad?

The Harvard-alum senator?
That's a great idea. Ask him.

Uh, I don't know him, but I
was hoping maybe you knew him.

Oh, me? Yeah, we're super close.
Let's just call him right now.

[humming]

- Ms. Chen?
- No, be quiet.

I'm trying to psychically
connect with him.

[humming continues]

Okay, stop! You made your point.

I know that a letter from a
senator would seem big and flashy,

but unless you have
a magic in with him,

get a rec from a teacher who
can speak to your passion,

your character, your Mandy-ness.

That is your best bet.

Yeah, yeah. Totally. Okay, okay.

Uh, I hear you, loud and clear.

She don't hear me.

So, Ms. Chen told you to
become BFFs with Graham Lansing

so you can ask his senator father
for a letter of recommendation?

Uh, not in so many words.

But what's with the pushback?

I thought you wanted a banal,
party-filled high school experience.

Hanging out with Graham
Lansing can give you that.

Yeah, I also said I want arm muscles,
but have you seen me sign up for a gym?

Besides, this is... this is
manipulation, okay? It's unethical.

Are you really willing to compromise
your values for some letter of rec?

Okay, this is not some letter of
rec! This is my life's ambition.

Besides, there is a long history
of men taking advantage of women

for things far less
important than Harvard.

I don't know, Mandy.

[squeals] Put me down!

He's crazy.

Okay, but we would, like, hang
out with all the Everests?

- [indistinct announcement]
- Probably.

I'm in.

Let's do it. Let's live out
this little '80s movie of yours.

Okay, this is not an '80s movie.

In an '80s movie, Molly Ringwald falls
in love with the cute boy with dimples,

going to great lengths to be
with him, future be damned.

In my movie, Molly Ringwald
falls in love with Harvard,

going to great lengths to
get there, dimples be damned.

What are you even saying?

- What are you saying?
- [Ben] What is the plan?

Let's start with what we know
and then fill in the gaps.

So, aside from being a popular
womanizer with a senator father,

what do we know
about Graham Lansing?

- Uh, basketball.
- Right.

Um…

Basketball team.

Okay. Um, so a lot of gaps.

Yes, lots of gaps.

It just means we check his socials.
Do some under-the-radar recon.

Recon? Okay, well,
who are we gonna ask?

The only other
people we talk to.

Mandy, Ben told us.
We are so sorry.

We've ordered you an
Edible Arrangement.

Thanks, guys.

Uh, but let's... let's talk about
something normal, yeah? [chuckles]

- Normal?
- You know, like, uh…

Uh, Graham. Lansing.

What... What does he do? You
know, besides basketball.

Very under the radar.

Okay. He's probably going to
Kayla Jacobson's party tonight.

The entire senior
class is going.

- I mean, besides you two.
- Ouch.

Noted. Zenobia, what about you?

We have AP Psych together.

Last week, I heard Graham talking to
the teacher about needing extra credit.

Zenob, baby, we gotta go.
Bethany's making money moves.

She's eating with the color
guard girls in the band room.

She will not stop until she has
my head on a platter. Let's go.

Okay, wait.

I got it. Okay, we go
to the party tonight…

- Whoa, okay.
- …talk to Graham.

I'll offer to tutor
him in psych for free.

Then once I earn his trust, I will ask
him to ask his dad for the letter of rec.

Okay. Okay, so the plan is, uh,

we... we stage a run-in with
the most popular guy in school,

whom we have never spoken to before,
at a party that we were not invited to,

and then charm him by super casually
bringing up his failing grades.

And then ask him for
a gigantic favor.

Yeah, see? Easy peasy.

- ["Art of the Strike" playing]
- [students chattering]

This is a party.

Cody! Yo, what's going on, man?

[song continues]

You okay, Ben?

Yeah. Yeah, why wouldn't I be?

'Cause I've spent the last four years
wishing I could be like these people

but never putting myself out
there for fear of being rejected?

I'm totally fine. Let's just...
Let's just do it. [sighs]

Okay.

[doorbell chimes]

[song stops]

Who invited the party virgins?

[all laughing]

- I regret everything.
- [song resumes]

It's okay! We can do this. We just
need to find Graham Lansing, okay?

I'll take here and upstairs, you
take the basement and the backyard.

Text if you see him. Okay?

Okay. Noticeable pit stains yet?

- You're good.
- Okay.

[song ends]

- ["Something to Say" playing]
- [students chattering, laughing]

- [Jodi] Owen's coming. I'm forcing him.
- [LaToya] I don't know!

Elijah already told me
he's not coming tomorrow.

Like... I'm screwed! Look, I'm
leading the community garden build

for the basketball players and
cheerleaders tomorrow morning.

No one is gonna
get up that early.

Look at everyone.
They're trashed.

Yeah. They need to bring a hammer,
not show up hammered, right?

Lurk much?

Sorry, I, um... I just, um...

Would you like me to
take your empties?

[song continues]

- I'm good.
- Okay.

[LaToya] So, tell anyone who isn't
completely faded to come tomorrow.

8:00 a.m.

- [friend] You got it.
- [Jodi] Copy that. Try my best.

[LaToya] Thanks, ladies.

["Coincidance" playing]

[grunts] Wanna kick
it with me at prom?

You're not Erica.

No, I'm looking
for Graham Lansing.

He's not here. Close the
door quickly before...

Erica! Wanna kick
it with me at prom?

Erica, wait!

Hey, have you, by any
chance, seen Graham Lansing?

[song continues]

Hi, is Graham Lansing in here?

- I wish.
- Hey!

Okay, um, I'm so
sorry to interrupt.

I'm an ally, so please
continue. [chuckles]

[song continues]

Thanks, No Nuts.

I hate my life.

I shouldn't have to tell you when I
want a drink. You should just know that.

- Have you seen Graham Lansing?
- No. [coughs]

[retches]

Who?

Graham Lansing! I know
you know who he is.

You people worship the ground he walks on,
which is absurd because he's a Neanderthal

whose only forms of
communication are grunts and…

- [imitates Graham] … "Go, Bulldogs!"
- [song stops]

[students murmuring]

- What?
- [murmuring stops]

Go, Bulldogs!

[students cheering]

[song resumes]

Ben? We gotta get outta here.

Oh, thank God.

I just called Graham Lansing
an idiot in front of everyone,

and he definitely heard.

I can officially
kiss Harvard goodbye.

Well, maybe not officially.

- I'm listening.
- LaToya Reynolds said

that the basketball team has a
community garden build tomorrow,

and as captain, I'm
sure he has to go.

[sighs] That's not terrible.

Wait. [chuckles] You
talked to LaToya Reynolds?

Kind of. I mean, I... I made
a joke, and she laughed.

It was funny. I'm funny, so…

[chuckles] Oh, my God. Look
at your face. You love her.

What? No, no. I j... [stammers]

That... I'm doing...

You asked me for help,
so just say thank you.

[song continues]

[stops]

[LaToya] …and thanks in
advance for all your hard work.

Now, let's do this!

[grunts] What is
wrong with this thing?

[scoffs, grunts]

Here. Let me help.

No... I don't need
a man's help...

I mean, that would be great.

- [hose clicks]
- [air hisses]

[nail impacts wood]

Not bad for a Neanderthal, huh?

Uh, look, I... I actually
need to apologize for that.

I mean, you're clearly not a
Neanderthal. You seem very...

It's... It's cool. It's cool.

[sighs] Uh, you are in AP Psych
with my friend Zenobia, right?

I don't think so.

You don't have Ms.
Allen third period?

No, I do. Is that when
your friend has her?

Yeah.

Guess we do have
class together, then.

Yeah, maybe.

I took that class last
year. Are you liking it?

I do not like it, and
it does not like me.

Well, um, if you ever need
help, I'd be happy to tutor you.

You know, as an
apology for last night.

I'm all set.

Are you sure? Because, you know,
I got a five on the AP exam.

And I'm a great tutor.
I have references.

And it's free! I mean,
what's better than free?

What's the catch?

- There's no catch. [chuckles, scoffs]
- [Graham chuckles]

We haven't spoken in ever.

And now you're crashing parties
and team service projects

and offering to
tutor me just 'cause?

Come on. There's gotta be a
catch. So, what is it, hmm?

Do you want us to take
a selfie or something?

[chuckles] I do not
want a selfie, okay?

I'm just a nice person
trying to do a nice thing,

and if you can't see that, then
that's your problem and not mine.

Hey.

[Ben] Yo. How'd it go?

[sighs] Well, Graham Lansing is the
narcissistic tool we thought he was.

But I'm officially his tutor.

Yes!

What about you? You have fun
with your new girlfriend?

LaToya Reynolds is not
my girlfriend, okay?

Besides, she barely even
looked at me anyway, so…

So, you noticed her not looking?

No, I... Just...
Well... Shut up.

[students chattering]

[typing]

SAVE THE BEES! SAVE HUMANITY!

- [sighs]
- [phone chimes]

You're five minutes late.

That's it? That's not bad.

So, you're big into bees, huh?

SAVE THE BEES

I'm into saving them.

And you should be too, if you
enjoy fruits, vegetables, life.

But we're here to
talk psychology.

- So… [sighs] …according to your syllabus…
- [camera shutter clicking]

…today was about
Ebbinghaus, who was fam...

[students giggling]

What was that?

It's some game the freshman girls
play where they take pictures of me.

Keep going.

Okay. Uh, so, Ebbinghaus...

- [students] Whoo!
- [student 1] Let's go, let's go!

That's it. One, two, three, go!

- [phone dings]
- [Graham] No way.

[students chattering]

[grunts]

Mei, would you come
to prom with me?

[gasps] Oh, my God,
yes, Edward. Yes!

[students cheering]

Would you like to go
talk to your friends?

Oh, no. I don't know them.
That's just quality content.

- People eat that stuff up.
- [librarian] Get out!

You know, I... I actually had
a few questions about that.

Does Jodi even like
the Ghostbusters?

No clue. Why?

Well, I just think
it would be nice

if any of these promposals took into
account the girl's interests or life.

Instead of just being an excuse

for the guy to look cool
in front of his friends.

But that is just me.

Uh. Let's try this again.

[Principal] Attention, students.
Don't be wack. Get your prom tickets…

BACK TO THE 80S

…on sale in the cafeteria now.

- Hello.
- [LaToya] Hey.

One ticket for prom, please.

Okay. One ticket for…

- Ben Plunkett.
- …Ben Plunkett.

I know your name, Ben.

Oh, uh, sorry. I... I... I just...
did... did not think that you did.

We've had classes together
since middle school.

We did a group project
for AP Bio last year.

No, I know.

Wait. Do you not know my name?

I do. Obviously. I mean,
you're... you're like...

You're you. [chuckles]

- You don't know my name!
- No, of course I do. Of course I do.

LaToya Reynolds. I just mean
that, you know, you're like...

[chuckles]

LaToya Reynolds, I mean,
does that make any sense?

Not entirely. [chuckles]

- Try to hang on to that.
- Right.

But if you lose it, we have your
name at the door, Ben Plunkett.

Thank you, LaToya Reynolds.

[chuckles]

- There are people in line behind you.
- Right, behind... Okay, I'll...

So sorry. Um...

Ebbinghaus was famous
for his forgetting curve,

which shows that you forget about 75%
of the information you learn in a day

without relearning
or repetition.

Which is kind of what makes
tutoring such an effective tool.

Can you stop with the tapping?

Sorry, but if you're just gonna sit
here and talk at me like Ms. Allen does,

I'm gonna get antsy.

Like it's my fault you have the
attention span of a golden retriever.

Well, this was fun.

Thank you. I'll let you know
how I do on the next test.

Wait. I'm sorry.

[sighs] I'm sorry.

- Can we start over?
- I don't think this is gonna work.

You're right.

Follow me.

You serious?

You said it yourself.
You get antsy.

So, let's redirect that nervous energy
into something else so you can focus.

It'll be like a fidget
spinner for jocks.

We prefer the term athletes.

I'm sure you do.

So, Ebbinghaus's
forgetting curve says

you forget 75% of the information you
learn in one day without relearning.

- [Graham] He shoots.
- What did I just say?

He scores.

You said Ebbinghaus's
forgetting curve says

we forget up to 75% of the things we
learn in a day without relearning them.

- You might be onto something.
- ["bad guy" playing]

The stereotype threat is where
someone does worse academically

because they're told
they're not good enough.

Oof. That one hits
deep. Thanks a lot, Dad.

[song continues]

Mandy, heads up.

No.

So, me being able to remember
the last thing you said

is an example of
the recency effect.

That actually makes sense.

You can store that
explicit memory…

in your hippocampus.

- Am I right?
- You actually are.

Huh. Look at me learning.

- Mandy, I got an 88 on my quiz.
- [song continues]

- [squeals]
- [Mandy chuckles]

Did Graham Lansing just hug you?

Girl, that was not just a hug. He
slid into your DMs with his eyes.

It is on.

It is not like that.

Girl, it should be,
'cause he is hot.

[no audible dialogue]

[song continues]

[student] Oh, my God. Yes, I'll go to
prom with you! Oh, my God! [laughs]

- Claire, will you go to prom with me?
- Yes, I'll go to prom with you!

I bet his girlfriend doesn't
even like John Cusack.

- It's called priming.
- [song ends]

Now, get up. New plan.

You have spent all this time
tutoring me. Now let me tutor you.

No, I don't play basketball.

What? You have to.

You said that when we store memories, we
store the emotion we felt at the time.

And, well, you don't want me associating
psychology with being sad now, do you?

[sniffles]

Okay, okay. I'll do it.

Just stop making that face.

Okay. So the acronym we use
to teach shooting is BEEF.

Now, I'm sorry if that
offends you as a vegetarian.

How did you know I
was a vegetarian?

Just assumed.

Okay. BEEF.

Balance: feet
shoulder width apart.

Eyes: up and on the hoop.

Elbow: under the ball.

And, finally, follow-through.

Keep moving your hand after you
release the ball to finish your shot.

[scoffs] Well,
that was pathetic.

Hey.

What? If I said that was good, you would
lose all respect for me as a coach.

Okay, let's try again.

Balance.

Eyes.

Elbow.

Follow-through.

Whoa! Did LeBron just get here?

Okay, get ready.

Let me just make one more tweak.

Do I have permission
to touch your arm?

Yes.

You flare out just
a little bit here.

Okay. You're good.

Eyes on the basket.

You sink this, it means
I'm acing my psych test.

No pressure.

[exhales]

[both cheer]

I did it! Everyone here saw it.

I leave here a champion!

[imitating Mandy] "Oh, Graham,
thank you so much for all your help.

I-I couldn't have
done it without you."

Oh, thank you. You
are a good coach.

[scoffs, normal] Well, I'd hope
so. I coach at the rec center.

- Really?
- Yeah.

I am the proud head coach

of the nine-year-old West
Division Co-Champ Lil Bulldogs.

Really?

I've been with them since they
were wee six-year-old pups.

- Really?
- Could you stop sounding so surprised?

Just 'cause I don't
advertise it on my T-shirt,

doesn't mean I'm
not a good person.

But if you need to see it
to believe it, come with me.

[whistle blows]

["Way to Go" playing]

[players chattering]

- [Mandy] Oh!
- [players chattering, screaming]

- [players cheering]
- What?

- [whistle blows]
- [players] Traveling!

[song continues]

[players clamoring]

- [player] No!
- [players] Yes! Yes!

Oh!

[players cheering]

- Nice job.
- [whistle blows]

[song ends]

Okay, you guys
were amazing today.

So amazing, I'll
make you a deal.

If I make this shot…

I'll bring doughnuts
to the next practice.

- [players cheering]
- Yeah.

There will be
doughnuts for everyone.

[players laughing]

- You got hops.
- Really?

No. But Coach always tells us
sportsmanship is important.

Well, he makes a good point.

But, be honest, I'm not the worst
girl he's brought here, right?

You're the only girl
he's ever brought here.

Hey. Guess what? I am tutoring
Graham at his house on Friday night.

Where he lives with
Senator Lansing.

Wait. Friday night as in Mandy and
Ben's bookstore-movie-waffle night?

Yeah, I know. It sucks.

We're gonna have to skip the
bookstore and push back the movie.

Are you mad?

No. I mean, as long as we can
make it to the movie, it's fine.

It's better than
fine. It's good.

The Harvard Gods have
given you a sign.

You can't ignore them, or they might
smite you and make you go to Brown.

Oh, don't even joke about that.

What am I doing?

- Hi.
- You must be Mandy.

- Yeah.
- Come on in.

- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.

It's so nice to finally
meet the miracle worker

who helped my son get
a B-plus on his test.

- Oh.
- He's so proud.

He even put it on the fridge.

- Oh.
- [laughs]

Graham?

Hey.

Oh, for God's sake,
Graham, put a shirt on.

Your tutor is here.

I'll be right down.

Oh. I'm so sorry.

Raising four boys has
taught me one thing.

It's they think this whole
house is a fancy locker room.

- Oh.
- We're lucky he's wearing pants.

- So lucky.
- [Mrs. Lansing laughs]

[cell phone ringing]

- Oh. Make yourself at home, sweetie. Okay?
- Thanks.

[ringing continues]

[Mrs. Lansing] Hello.

Oh, yes. I've been
meaning to call you.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY
TEDDY LANSING

National Academic Decathlon
3RD PLACE - TEDDY LANSING 2015

You found the
Lansing wall of fame.

[chuckles] It's very impressive.

Your brother went to nationals
in Academic Decathlon?

Teddy? Yeah, he got third
place. Cried afterwards.

[chuckles]

Where are you?

[chuckles] Aw.

But where's the real stuff?

You know, being
crowned homecoming king

and winning basketball player
of the year or whatever.

It's called MVP. And none
of that counts for the wall.

According to my father, the wall is
reserved for actual achievements,

not silly games or
popularity contests.

He's a senator. His job is literally
winning a popularity contest.

That's what I said.

And now I'm stuck on the wall with
my fifth-grade graduation picture.

Let's go get me on this
wall for real, huh?

The Babinski reflex
and the Moro reflex.

[Mandy] Correct. And
that's it for today.

[Graham] It looks like we got
time to work on that jumper.

So, what's the deal
with your folks?

You guys get along?

Person with the ball has
to answer the questions.

It's kind of the rule of
our tutoring sessions.

Fine. Uh…

Yeah, we do for the most part,
just normal annoying parent stuff.

- You?
- I don't have the ball.

I don't have to
answer your question.

Hmm. Do you get along
with your parents?

Uh, yeah, with my mom it's easy.

Hmm, she's a talker, but my dad…

No matter how hard
I try, I just...

I just can't live
up to his standards.

You know, the only reason
I took this AP class

is so maybe he'd think of me as
not a complete idiot for once.

- [sighs] Sorry.
- For what?

People don't wanna listen to
Graham Lansing's daddy issues.

I'll listen.

Who's your best friend?

Ben Plunkett.

No Nuts Plunkett is
your best friend?

Yes. And don't call him that.

Who's your best friend?

Owen Kirksey.

Favorite movie?

9 to 5.

Favorite book?

Unbroken.

First kiss?

Peter Garcia. Seventh grade.

Last kiss?

Sophie Homan. Kayla's party.

Did you think I was just
a dumb jock before this?

Yes.

- Did you know who I was before this?
- No.

Why'd you offer to tutor me?

Dinner in 15 when your dad
gets home. Get cleaned up.

Dad's joining us for dinner?
To what do we owe the pleasure?

Get it all out now
before he gets here.

Hey, do you wanna
stay for dinner?

With your parents?

- Right. That's weird. You don't have to...
- No, I want to.

Unless you wanna take it back, in
which case, I don't have to. [chuckles]

I want you to. It's why I asked.

- Okay. Then I'm in.
- Good.

- I'm gonna go wash up.
- [Mandy] Okay.

Ben: Have I read
this?? nvm. got tix.

hellooooo… hv u left Graham's?

[sighs]

Mandy: So sorry gotta
bail. Eating at Graham's!

[cell phone chimes]

Ben: ur bailing to
hang with GRAHAM?!

Mandy: It's for my future!!
His dad's gonna be here.

Can you return the ticket?

Ben: ill try

- LaToya Reynolds!
- Oh!

[sighs] Ben Plunkett,
you scared me.

Oh, I'm so sorry. So sorry.

I'm just... I'm surprised
to see you here.

Because I'm not going to
Corey Eckhart's party?

Yeah, yes, 'cause I... I am
definitely aware of that party.

So, why aren't you going?

Every once in a while, I just
need a break from that scene.

Yeah, I mean... [scoffs]
Same. [chuckles]

I thought you could relate.

Uh... What are you here to see?

Infinite Doom.

Scary movies are not my thing, but
where Michael B. Jordan goes, I follow.

Well, I'm here to see that
too. Do you wanna go together?

Not together, of course.
Obviously not together.

I just meant, like, would you...

Would you wanna go as
friends? Or you know what?

Now that I say it out loud,
friends may be presumptuous.

I can totally hear that now.

What I mean to say is that
I have this extra ticket,

and you can totally
have it if you want it.

And it would just be, like, one
classmate helping out a fellow classmate.

Nothing more than
that. You know what?

We don't even need to sit next to
each other if you don't want to, so…

I'd be happy to help
out a fellow classmate.

And we can sit
next to each other.

Great. 'Cause the
seats are assigned.

So your dad won't be
joining us. [sighs]

He got pulled into last-minute
drinks with a donor.

Can't be missed. Reelection's
right around the corner.

[Graham] Well, I,
for one, am shocked.

[Mrs. Lansing] Stop
it. He works hard.

So, Mandy, where are
you off to next year?

The way Graham talks about you, I imagine
you must have your pick of schools.

[groans] Well... You know,
my first choice is Harvard.

I wanna study under Dr. Downs.
She's this amazing...

I know who she is.

I love her.

- I went to her book signing last year...
- Uh, me too.

- What?
- Yeah.

[laughs] Where have
you been hiding?

The last girl Graham brought home asked
why we didn't live in the White House.

[chuckles] Mandy's
my tutor, Mom.

- Okay? She's not like Tess.
- No.

- Or Jenna or Hannah or Taylor.
- Stop.

[laughs] Kidding.

Mandy, so please, go on.
You're going to Harvard.

Oh, hopefully.

I got wait-listed.

Oh, that's a shame.

Did you know my husband
went to Harvard?

Uh, no. I had no idea. Wow. That
is so impressive. [chuckles]

You know, I would love the
opportunity to pick his brain.

See if he has any tips.

Only if he has the time.

[Mrs. Lansing] Oh, well, clearly
his schedule is unpredictable.

But, you know, next weekend there's a
fundraiser where he's being honored.

The whole family is going.

You should come. You
could talk to him then.

- You don't have to.
- I would love to.

[Mrs. Lansing] Excellent. I will
have Graham get you the details.

- [Ben] What did you think of the movie?
- [LaToya] I'm just gonna say it.

- Michael B should be in every movie.
- [Ben] Okay.

[LaToya] Even the old ones.
Titanic, Godfather, Citizen Kane.

Go back. Remake 'em
all with him in it.

Okay. So, you liked it?

It... It was hard to tell. You
spent the whole movie like this.

I did not.

I'm pretty sure I have a bruise on my arm
from how hard you were leaning into me.

Shut up!

- Oh, I'm sorry. Did that hurt?
- A little. [chuckles]

Well, this is me.

I had fun.

I'm glad Mandy canceled.

You said you two usually
grab waffles after a movie?

Yep.

- Do you wanna...
- I will see you at school. [chuckles]

See you at school.

See you at school? What are
you doing, Ben? [grunts]

Why am I running? This
is only making it worse.

Why am I making it worse?

You made quite the
impression on my mom tonight.

[chuckles] I guess I have Britney,
Tiffany, Rachel and Jessica to thank.

- You're just making up those names.
- [laughs]

But how many of them
are girls you've dated?

Uh, two-ish.

Oh, I feel bad
for that ish-girl.

No, she was very happy.

[chuckles] Gross.

Good night, Graham.

Wait, wait.

I'm glad you're coming
to the fundraiser.

My dad's gonna freak when I
show up with a Harvard girl.

The hopeful Harvard girl.

Look, either way, he'll
be very impressed.

[smacks lips]

He wouldn't even let me apply there,
and I'm a legacy basketball recruit…

[sighs]

…but my dad didn't think I
would be able to hack it, so…

"Let's just minimize
potential embarrassment."

That's rough.

But you should've
done it anyway.

You don't have to live
your life for his approval.

You my tutor or my therapist?

Sorry. [chuckles] You
didn't ask for my opinion.

No, no. I…

I like hearing it.

All right. I could
stay here all night,

but Coach will kill me if I don't
get sleep before the tournament.

- Right. Good luck.
- Don't miss me too much.

[chuckles]

[sighs]

Oh, finally. Okay.

Is this jacket '80s enough?
'Cause I asked Ruth,

and she said the women's jackets
would fit my shoulders better.

But I don't have
lady shoulders, do I?

Uh, no, your shoulders
are totally normal.

Whoa. I just insinuated having
lady shoulders was a bad thing,

and you didn't even
notice. Are you okay?

Yeah, yeah. Sorry,
I'm fine. I...

It's just that Graham Lansing
is not who I thought he was.

It's like when you find out your
parents aren't just your parents

and had a whole life before you.

It feels kinda weird, you know?

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. This one's
kinda good though, right?

[Ruth] Your shoulders are
too narrow for that jacket!

Thank you, Ruth! [sighs]

- She's got a point.
- Are you serious right now?

- I'm kidding. Sort of.
- Okay.

I think you can do better.

Ooh.

["Reinvent Urself" playing]

[no audible dialogue]

[no audible dialogue]

Wear it like a cape.

[song continues]

[song ends]

Great Scott, will you
go to prom with me?

Oh, my God! Yes!

- Oh, my God. I love this.
- Oh, thank you.

You have to…

Mandy: Because I know how
much you love promposals.

[Principal] Attention, this is a
reminder. The library is for reading…

Graham: bc i know how
much you love my selfies

…not for scrolling
your social medias.

Mandy: Deleting this ASAP Wouldn't
want the girls to be jealo

Mandy! Who you texting?

Uh, my mom.

- What's up?
- Where are we going Saturday night?

I'm thinking we class it up
and go to the Olive Garden.

- What are you talking about?
- My birthday dinner.

Crap.

The fundraiser with Graham's
dad is Saturday night.

Seriously? Graham again?

Not Graham. The letter.

Oh, let's do Friday
night instead.

I told you we're going to my grandma's
retirement community on Friday.

[sighs] Ben, I'm so sorry.

But you can still go with
Charles and Zenobia on Saturday.

No, I can't, because they
have band competition.

Mandy, this sucks. What
am I supposed to do now?

I can't go to the Olive Garden by myself
on my birthday. That's humiliating.

I know. I know. I'm sorry.

- But Saturday night is it. Okay?
- [Ben scoffs]

Once I talk to the senator,
it'll be back to us.

You kill me in Scattergories while I
rant about billionaires not paying taxes.

Normal times. Promise.

[sighs]

What about LaToya Reynolds?

You said you had a good
time at the movies.

I can't ask LaToya Reynolds to
the Olive Garden on my birthday.

That's worse than
shaking her hand.

Trust me, nothing is worse
than shaking her hand.

- LaToya Reynolds!
- Hey.

Ben has a question for you.

[chuckles] Hi.

Yeah. I do have a question
for you that I wanted to ask.

And I... I guess I'll...

Well, first of all, cool puffy
shirt. I just wanted to say that.

And I also just wanted
to say that I am...

My birthday is coming up.

I'm having a birthday,
um, dinner on Saturday.

If you would like to come to that birthday
dinner, you can totally come to it.

- What time?
- Anytime.

- I'm in, Ben Plunkett.
- [Ben chuckles]

- [school bell rings]
- [Mandy chuckles]

- We're going to the Olive Garden!
- And she said yes.

- Okay. Get to class.
- Okay.

BUYFRESHMARKET

- Have a good day, sir.
- Thank you.

- Happy birthday!
- [screams]

- You did not have to get me all this.
- Whoa, selfish.

I am buying this for
myself, thank you.

You're getting soda
with single-use plastic?

- Okay, it's all for you.
- [chuckles]

I'm sorry that I'm missing
your birthday dinner tonight.

Is there anything else
you want me to get?

Just a Harvard letter so I
can get my best friend back.

[sighs]

Sorry. Cheap shot.

Nah, it's okay. I deserve it.

But it's for the best that
I'm not going tonight.

I wouldn't want to get in the
way of you spitting that game.

- I have no game.
- Having no game is your game.

Thank you?

Look, I'm just saying, I know dinner
with the LaToya Reynolds is a big deal.

But you are Ben Plunkett, okay?

You're smart and funny and charming,
even though you don't know it.

- She's lucky to be going out with you.
- [employee, on PA] Attention, shoppers.

- Remember that.
- [employee, on PA] Especially you, Jenny.

Nobody puts Baby in the corner.

["(I've Had) The Time of My
Life" playing on speakers]

- Turn around.
- No.

It's happening.

[song continues]

- Jenny, will you go to prom with me?
- Yes! [laughing]

- [song ends]
- [customers applauding]

- Oh, dear God.
- Just go.

All right. Have fun tonight.

You too.

["Little Lies" playing]

[song continues]

[sighs] Screw it. Phones
are too addictive anyway.

- [sighs]
- [song ends]

[Mr. Yang] She was so excited. She
couldn't wait to see One Direction.

Then the concert started,

and she sobbed from the second they
walked on stage until the final bow.

Dad. Dad, uh, what
are you doing?

Uh, just showing
Graham some pictures.

I didn't know you were
such a One Direction fan.

[Mandy] I was 11, so…

Were you 11 when you were singing,
"You Don't Know You're Beautiful"

in the shower last week?

♪ Oh, oh You don't
know you're beautiful ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

Okay, it's "What Makes You
Beautiful," and, uh, we should go.

But first, I need
to ask about this.

- [gasps]
- [Mr. Yang laughs]

[Mrs. Yang, singsongy]
Her Halloween costume.

She was Tom Cruise
from Risky Business.

And for the next month, she would
come home from school every day,

put on one of Tom's shirts and
slide around the house in her socks.

Hmm. Letting a third-grade girl
dress up as a kid who runs a brothel.

That's very
forward-thinking, Mom.

Yeah, it was. Because now I have this
adorable picture to blackmail you with.

[Mr. Yang laughs]

Uh, Mandy's right.
We should head out.

Mr. and Mrs. Yang, it
was nice meeting you.

Have her back by 2:00.

- 2:00?
- Oh, 3:00.

He will have me
back by midnight.

[whispers] Yes.

Have fun.

Come on. 2:00 a.m., Tom? Really?

She's never gone
on a date before.

How am I supposed to know?

Well, that happened.

Those photos are the
bane of my existence.

No. I liked it.

[scoffs] Please. It's not exactly
the wall of fame in there.

What are you talking about? Your
whole house is a wall of fame.

They love everything you do.
No achievements necessary.

So, have you decided where
you wanna go to college?

Uh, no, not yet.

Coach wants me to
play ball at State.

Owen's pushing for ASU
so we can room together.

And then there's my
dad's choice, UT.

"A respectable yet
attainable Public Ivy."

Hmm. But where do you wanna go?

[sighs] I don't know.

Right now, I'm just
happy to be here.

[car alarm chirps]

[Mandy] Thank you.

[patrons chattering]

[door opens]

- LaToya Reynolds!
- [gasps]

Ben, you have got to start saying
my name at a normal volume.

Sorry. I... [stammers]
You're... You're here.

Well, yeah, you invited me.

I know, but then you came, so…

Should we go get a table?

Yeah, we should. That's
what happens next.

I promise I've been to
a restaurant before, so…

SENATOR LANSING WELCOMES YOU
TO OUR ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT

[big band music
playing on speakers]

[song continues]

Wow.

Come on.

So, the key is to keep your
head down and keep moving.

Don't make eye
contact with anyone.

Because if you do, you'll get
stuck in some boring conversation

with some boring donors who
just wanna butter you up

to good ol' Senator Lansing.

All right. You're exaggerating.

No, I'm not. My brothers
are all trapped right now.

There's Teddy.

And Nate.

Oh. Logan just got free.

Logan.

- Made eye contact. Rookie mistake.
- [scoffs]

[song continues]

[no audible dialogue]

You guys are quite the hot
commodity at these things.

Yep. My dad loves it.

So when you meet him tonight,

mention Harvard right away before
anyone with money swoops in.

[attendee] Hey, Graham.

Ah, we've been
spotted. We gotta move.

- ["Fall On Me" playing on speakers]
- Oh, no.

I'm not slow-dancing.

Oh, come on. Just
pretend it's 1D.

[song continues]

Oh, you're a natural.
Just like on the court.

So, when you look
back on high school,

what do you think your
biggest regret will be?

The 94 in PE that
cost me valedictorian.

You?

I always thought it would be missing
the free throw in the City Finals.

But now?

That I took so long
to get a tutor.

Hmm.

Do lines like that work for you?

I don't know. I
never needed a line.

People just come to me
with their expectations

of who I am or who I should be…

but I don't know.
With you, it's…

Everything's different.

Good different or bad different?

Definitely good different.

[song continues]

Still thinking
about that 94 in PE?

A little bit. You should
probably kiss me one more time.

[song continues]

[song ends]

So, why did you come to
Kayla Jacobson's party?

I mean, besides to
collect people's trash.

[chuckles] Right,
um, uh, well, I...

I guess I just felt like

I was letting the authentic high
school experience pass me by.

Like, um, you know,
what you all do.

Like, uh, with the fun and the
games and, um, uh, going to parties.

I wanted to see
what that was like.

And?

Not for me. [chuckles]

I'm beginning to think
it's not for me either.

Cheers.

Graham Lansing?

Oh, I thought we lost him.

Go. Save yourself. I'll
meet you back at the table.

What happened this season?

[Graham sighs] I don't know.

[grunts]

- [Mandy] I'm so sorry.
- [laughing]

- [gasps] Senator Lansing. Uh...
- Yeah. Uh...

Well, that is the beauty of drinking
in dark suits. Hides all the spills.

[laughs] Um, did I see
you here with my son?

Yes, uh, Mandy Yang. It's
very nice to meet you.

- You're tutoring him, right?
- Yeah.

Yeah, well, as the man who used
to quiz him on his times tables,

I know that is not
an enviable task.

Oh, he's actually doing very
well. Barely even needs me.

Oh, you're very sweet to say so.

Now, my wife tells me that
you are applying to Harvard?

Yes, sir, I am.

Well, that's my alma mater.

If there is anything I can do to say
thank you for the help, I'm happy to.

Although, I'm not so sure
even Harvard is enough payment

for what you're putting
yourself through with Graham.

That boy.

That boy is incredible. And
you should be proud of him.

He's funny and kind.

And he makes every person
he talks to feel like

the most important
person in the room.

Especially me.

And so, I... I
appreciate the offer…

I don't need anything
as a thank-you.

I'm good.

- Senator Lansing.
- Bill.

Very nice to meet you, Mandy.

You too, sir.

[Teddy] Did you see Graham making out
with that girl on the dance floor?

- Don't move. Sorry.
- [Teddy] Gotta hand it to him.

- The kid commits to a bit.
- What's that supposed to mean?

Come on. Graham never
brings a girl to these,

and the first time he does, it's
some brainiac Harvard wannabe?

Come on. It's obvious.

He's trying to show Dad he's not the dumb
kid because some smart girl likes him.

- Wait.
- [Teddy] He's parading her around tonight,

but he spent all afternoon
holed up in the basement

with that girl he was
hooking up with last summer.

[Logan] The blonde lifeguard
from the pool? [laughs]

[Teddy laughs] No, the
other one. The dancer.

[Graham] Hey, guys.

Graham, what's the name of
that girl who was over today?

[Graham] Liv. [sighs] Shut
up. Mandy might hear you.

[Teddy laughs] Oh...

[Logan] Your girlfriend?

Come on. You've
got three of them.

[laughs]

- [Graham] It's not funny.
- [Teddy] Just the one?

- [Teddy, Logan laugh]
- [Teddy] Come on, man. What? Come on.

Hi.

[gasps] Mandy, you made it.

- [sobs]
- Hey, are you okay?

Yeah, I just... I don't feel well.
So I need to go. I need to leave.

Uh. Slow down. What...

Yes, I like Robert
Downey Jr. too.

But Captain America is clearly
the heartbeat of the MCU.

That's why they pass on the
shield, not the Iron Man suit.

I give up. I give up. I never would
have taken you for a true believer.

I wasn't. But I told you, where
Michael B. goes, I follow.

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

- ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
- [cell phone rings]

Spam call.

♪ Happy birthday Dear
valued customer ♪

♪ Happy birthday… ♪

Unknown

♪ …to you ♪

[ringing continues]

Hello?

Ben! Ben, I don't have my phone,
and you're the only number I know.

Could you pick me up?

- Mandy?
- [Mandy sniffles]

[Mandy, on phone] I'm so stupid. So,
so stupid. This was all a mistake.

- [LaToya] What's going on?
- I...

- [LaToya, on phone] Is everything okay?
- Oh, God.

I... I shouldn't have called.

Uh... I'm so sorry. I... Have
fun. I'll figure it out, okay?

Um.

I... I have to go.

- Why? What happened?
- I... I don't know exactly, but, um…

D-Do you need something?

Uh, we can't leave until
you blow out the candle.

- [servers cheering]
- All right!

- Yeah!
- Okay.

I'm so sorry, but this is an emergency,
and I will call you later, okay?

- I promise.
- Ben, wait.

Are you serious?

Take your time.

Tip's not included.

Wait. Do you take Apple Pay?

[emcee] Ladies and gentlemen,

I stand here with great honor for
the opportunity to introduce a man

who has relentlessly worked
for the American people.

There's nobody better
fit for reelection…

ELECT SENATOR LANSING
A MAN FOR THE PEOPLE

…than my good friend,

the honorable Senator Lansing.

- [applause]
- ["Don't Cry" playing]

[song continues]

- You didn't have to...
- Get in.

I'm such an idiot.

You know, I thought
Graham Lansing liked me.

Like... Like, like-liked me.

I mean, how stupid am I?

- You are not stupid.
- No, I am. I am.

Because Graham's dad offered
me the letter and I said no.

[sniffles]

I chose Graham, and he chose
Liv from the dance studio.

You know, I was a
pawn in his game.

I got outplayed by an Everest.

And you wanna know
the worst part?

I've been a terrible friend.

I mean, I've missed
lunches and Friday nights.

And your freaking birthday.

But I am gonna make it
up to you. Okay? At prom.

Limos and fancy dinners.
Okay? Whatever you want.

If you'll still go with me.

Of course I will.

You are my best friend.

Besides, we made a
pact. Gotta honor it.

I'm so sorry I ruined your
date with LaToya Reynolds.

It's okay. She
totally understood.

[song continues]

[song ends]

- Gotta go.
- And bye!

- Bye.
- Peace.

Hey, did you get
my texts? You okay?

Whoa. Mandy, what's
going on? Can we talk?

Sure. Yeah, let's talk.

Did you have fun
with Liv on Saturday?

How did... Y-You weren't
supposed to know about that.

[scoffs]

Wait! It's not what
you think! Mandy.

Take the hint, dude.

LaToya...

Take the hint, No Nuts.

[sighs]

BIOLOGY

[teacher] Mmm.

Thank you. [sighs]

Mandy, go to the front office.
They have something for you.

- Now?
- No, you can go when the bell rings.

- [school bell rings]
- Boom!

Pencils down,
everybody. Hand 'em in.

- LaToya Reynolds!
- That has stopped being cute, Ben.

I'm sorry about that.

And about Saturday night.
Mostly about Saturday night.

Uh... How much do I
owe you for dinner?

I don't want your money.

I don't want anything from you,

'cause I'm not here to be your second
choice to Mandy Yang or anyone else.

No, no, you're not! Can you
just please, please hear me out?

You have until I get
to my car. Talk fast.

Okay... Uh, okay.

…and she's my best
friend, so I was there.

But I can honestly say, until
that phone call came in,

that was the best
birthday I ever had.

Because of you.

Hi, uh... I'm Mandy Yang. I got a note
saying there was something here for me.

If I had a time machine, the
very first thing I would do is...

Okay, I would probably stop
some wars and some genocides.

But then after that, I would
go right to Saturday night...

Okay, I get it. I get it.

- You're sorry.
- Yeah.

Nope. Nothing.

- Okay.
- But these are all just words, Ben.

I know. I know I-I... I screwed
up, and "I'm sorry" is not enough.

Uh… [pants]

You never deserve
to feel less than.

So, can I please, please
make it up to you?

Let me take you somewhere
nicer than the Olive Garden.

How does the
Macaroni Grill sound?

[LaToya] Good. [laughs]

Okay.

But maybe instead
of Macaroni Grill,

we go to prom together.

What?

Ben Plunkett,

will you go to prom with me?

Uh…

[student 1] Get ready.

What the hell?

[student 2] Okay.
Get ready to record.

[student 3 whispers]
She has no idea.

[Mandy] Hmm?

["Old Time Rock and Roll"
playing on speakers]

A promposal? No!

No.

[lip-synching]

[record scratch]

["What Makes You Beautiful"
playing on speakers]

♪ Mandy, you light up my
world Like nobody else ♪

♪ The way that you tutor
me Gets me overwhelmed ♪

♪ Your fight for human rights
Makes you hot as hell ♪

♪ Mandy Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Will you go to prom with me? ♪

- [song ends]
- [students cheering, applauding]

So?

[students chanting] Say
yes! Say yes! Say yes!

Ben.

Graham just asked me to prom.

LaToya just asked me to prom.

- That's great!
- [scoffs]

Why isn't that great?

Well, when I told her that I was
going with you, she was pissed.

But, uh, what did Graham
say when you told him?

- Uh…
- You didn't tell him?

You said yes?

Two nights ago, you
were crying in my car

telling me that Graham Lansing was using
you and that he had a girl on the side.

I know. I know. But I was
wrong about all of it.

- She was helping him plan the promposal.
- [Ben scoffs]

My promposal.

[stammers] So just tell
LaToya what happened.

What? You want me to tell LaToya
that you got a date, so now I'm free?

Yeah, that'll go over real
well. What the hell, Mandy?

Okay. Calm down.

No! Don't tell me to calm down!

You asked me to prom! We had a
pact! We freaking double-tapped it!

I-I know. I know,
and I'm... I'm sorry.

[Ben] Oh. Oh, you're sorry? You're sorry.
I... I did not realize you were sorry.

Well, then it's totally
cool. Forget about it.

Mandy, I am supposed
to be your best friend.

I am not some doormat for you to wipe
your feet on when your life falls to crap.

Do you even like
Graham Lansing? Do you?

Or is this all part of your con to get
a letter for Harvard from his father?

You know what? I... I don't
even care. I don't, just...

[sighs] Have fun being
an Everest, Mandy.

[car door opens]

Hey, Mandy. Come here. I
wanna show you this video.

[Ben] Do you even
like Graham Lansing?

Or is this all part of your con to
get a letter for Harvard from his dad?

You know what? I...
I don't even care.

Have fun being an
Everest, Mandy.

- No, I can explain.
- You don't need to.

Made my dad write
it before he left.

- Graham...
- I gotta hand it to you, Mandy.

You played me perfectly.

You even had me convinced
there wasn't a catch.

I really am a Neanderthal.

Best of luck Mandy

We do not wanna take sides

- in this whole thing.
- No.

You're both our friends, and we know
this was a complicated situation.

But we did invite Ben to eat
with us in the band room.

He shouldn't be alone 'cause he
didn't do anything wrong, you know?

But, again, we are
not taking sides.

["Love Hurts" playing]

[camera shutter clicks]

- [Ms. Chen] How are you holding up?
- [Mandy] Barely.

Um, you know when I said that you
needed an in with the Senator,

you know I didn't mean in
his son's pants, right?

So, what happened, Mandy?

Well, I used tutoring to get close
to him so I could get the letter.

Hey, Mandy! I know it's short
notice 'cause it's this weekend,

but my dad works at
the senior center,

and I was wondering, if he writes
you a letter of recommendation,

will you go to the prom with me?

[Mandy] But things changed.

[song continues]

Feelings changed.

But that's ruined.

As is my friendship with Ben.

NUT-FREE ZONE

As is whatever he
had with LaToya.

And now I am officially the
Hester Prynne of our school.

And then…

[song continues]

…there's this.

Are you gonna send it in?

I have to. It's Harvard.

There's nothing
that beats Harvard.

Is there?

[Ms. Chen] A few months ago,

I would have said that Harvard is the
most important thing in Mandy Yang's life.

- [Mandy] But now?
- [Ms. Chen] If you haven't mailed it in,

maybe there are other things that
are more important to you now.

[sighs]

What do I do?

I can't tell you that, but I
support any decision you make.

Thank you.

Just not publicly. You're
kind of poison right now.

[song continues]

Hey, you should really leave.

[exhales sharply]

Will you give him this? For me?

Tell him I'm sorry.

For everything.

Okay.

Graham.

[song ends]

[imitating guitar]

- "Eruption." Van Halen.
- Yes!

- How did you know?
- [laughing]

- Because I know my man.
- [moans]

And whenever you go… [imitates
guitar] …I know it's "Eruption."

Can I take the car?

Uh, keys are on the hook.

- Uh, where are you going?
- Prom.

- With who?
- Maybe no one. [chuckles]

Bye.

- She's going to the prom!
- The prom!

- [both laughing]
- Yes!

[stone thuds]

[stone thuds]

Go home, Mandy.

Wait! Wait, wait, wait.

Hear me out. Please.

Yeah, I screwed up. Majorly.

I took you for granted,

and I made you feel like you
weren't a priority in my life,

and I'm sorry.

But wherever our
futures take us,

I need to know that
you're my best friend.

And, more importantly,

I need you to know that
I'm your best friend.

Which is why I just have
one question for you.

["The Safety Dance"
playing on speakers]

[passerby whistles]

♪ Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben Plunkett,
Plunkett, Plunkett, Plunkett ♪

[horn honks]

♪ P P P P ♪

♪ R R R R ♪

♪ O O O O ♪

♪ M M M M ♪

♪ With me, me, me, me? ♪

[song continues]

Uh, how long does
this go on for?

It's a pretty long playlist.

I still have "I'd Stop the
World and Prom with You,"

"Total Eclipse of the
Prom," "My Per-Rom-ative."

If I say yes, will this stop?

There's only one
way to find out.

[song continues]

Yes, I'll go to prom with you.

- Yes!
- [bystanders cheering]

Okay. Go get changed.

Why? Prom isn't for,
like, four hours.

We have to make a
few stops first.

[sighs] Yes!

[song continues]

I owe you a few Friday nights.

Come on.

Green Books

[laughing, indistinct]

Deacon's Corner

[song continues]

Wow.

- I know. This place is fancy.
- [song ends]

But don't worry about the price. I'm
paying, so get whatever you want.

Just no bacon, because it's
terrible for the environment.

[chuckles]

[sighs] I missed you, Mandy.

I missed you too, Ben.

I'm so sorry.

Enough. You know, we... we both could
have handled things a lot differently.

I could have not screamed at you in a
parking lot full of people, you know?

And I could have done pretty much
the opposite of everything I did, so…

["Love is a Battlefield"
playing on speakers]

Are we okay?

We're okay.

[both chuckle]

So, you thinking chocolate chips or no
chocolate chips in the table waffle?

Is that even a question?

It's like you
don't even know me.

- Okay. We've made progress.
- Chocolate all the way!

[song continues]

NORTH SEATTLE HIGH'S
TOTALLY RAD 80s PROM

CONGRATULATIONS

[song continues]

- Thanks.
- Thank you.

[song fades out]

["Let's Dance"
playing on speakers]

[song continues]

[student 1] Nice suit, No Nuts.

[student 2] What
are they wearing?

- That dress.
- [camera shutter clicks]

[student 3] Look at that.
That's so embarrassing.

[student 4] Wait. You
guys see that tie?

You guys are here? T-Together.

- So that means...
- We're good.

Although, I am really reconsidering
our clothing choices right now.

Yeah, I thought the
theme was the '80s.

Everyone just kind of ignores that day
of because, you know, pictures exist.

[song ends]

And you'd know that if you
ever went to a dance before.

- Or just had Instagram.
- Thank you.

You wanna dance? Let's go.

["Mony Mony"
playing on speakers]

I feel like we should just go.

[sighing] Probably.

- But we are not going to.
- Oh, okay.

[song continues]

[students cheering]

[song continues]

- [Mandy] Sorry.
- [Ben] Excuse me.

[pants] Any noticeable
pit stains yet?

Oh, very much so. Yeah.

- Worth it.
- [chuckles]

[Principal] Yeah. Okay.

All right, everybody,
just settle for a second.

[song ends]

It is now time for us to
announce our Prom King and Queen.

[students cheering]

Whoo!

Okay, okay. We
came, we conquered.

Do we have to stay and
watch Graham and LaToya win?

- Yes, we do!
- [Principal] Your Prom Queen is…

- LaToya Reynolds!
- [students cheering]

[fanfare playing on speakers]

LaToya!

Okay. Ben,

I'm dumping you.

- What?
- You and I are no longer prom dates.

- Why?
- [Principal] Your Prom King is…

[student] Our boy, Graham!

Ben Plunkett.

- [student 1] Huh?
- [student 2] Wait.

- [student 3] Who?
- [Principal] Is he even here?

- Ben Plunkett?
- [student 4] No Nuts?

[Principal] Yeah, Ben
Plunkett. Are you here?

[Mandy] He's right here!

[students murmuring]

Okay, go. Go.

[murmuring continues]

No Nuts!

[students chanting] No
Nuts! No Nuts! No Nuts!

[chanting continues]

[chanting continues]

[chanting fades]

- [Principal] Your Prom King and Queen!
- Whoo!

- ["Only You" playing on speakers]
- [students cheering]

- [song continues]
- We don't have to...

- Let's just get through this.
- Okay.

[song continues]

[song continues]

You know what? No.

No, that's what I've
done with school,

and work,

my entire life, because...
because I've been afraid…

of basically this
exact scenario…

but screw it.

This is my life, and I am
not gonna let it pass me by.

I am No Nuts Plunkett!

- [student 5] What?
- [student 6] Oh, my God.

[student 7] What's going on?

And I am Prom King.

And I'm dancing with
the girl of my dreams.

[students] Aw.

And I wanna kiss her now.

You should've just kissed me.

[student 8] Cute!

[students cheering]

[gasps]

[song continues]

[students chanting] No Nuts
Plunkett. No Nuts Plunkett.

Oh!

- Hey!
- [students cheering]

["Last Laugh"
playing on speakers]

[students cheering]

PROM QUEEN & KING VOTE HERE

Thanks again for your
help with the votes.

Would you be cool?

If anybody finds out what I did,
they'll send me back to chorus concerts.

Is your boy still icing you out?

[Mandy sighs] Yeah.

But it's okay.

Tonight wasn't about him.

[cheering continues]

[song ends]

- [Mandy] Okay, wait. One more.
- [shutter clicks]

["I Wanna Dance with
Somebody" playing]

- Aw, congratulations, you two.
- Thank you.

Okay, my work here is
done. I'm gonna go home.

What? No.

I know you're Mandy "High
School is Dumb" Yang.

But it's prom. Have some fun.

I did. And now I'm gonna go home and
look at dorms for backup schools.

Oh, God. I totally
forgot to ask, so…

Harvard is a no?

I actually haven't checked,

but I'm starting to realize there's more
to life than just Harvard, you know?

What? No! No! I do not know!

We did not go through hell
for you to give up on Harvard.

Please check your phone.

- Check your phone right now.
- No, I...

As King and Queen of this prom, we
demand you to get out your damn phone.

[sighs]

Okay.

Hey.

Whatever happens…

we can deal with it.

ADMISSION STATUS: Waitlisted

MY APPLICATION
ADMISSION STATUS:

Accepted

I got in.

[screams] I got in!

- Really? Harvard?
- Yes!

- Dr. Downs? It's really happening?
- Yes!

Oh, my God.

[both screaming]

Okay. You two are a lot.

But I'm here for
it. Let's celebrate.

[song continues]

Ms. Chen! Ms. Chen! I got
into Harvard! [screams]

- Congratulations, Mandy.
- I don't even know how it happened.

I mean, I didn't send in
the letter of rec. I swear.

Well, someone else
must have done it.

Like who?

It was me, dummy!

It was just a boring,
unsexy teacher rec.

And who would know it?
It actually worked.

I don't even know what to say.

That's all the thanks I
need. Now get out there.

No, really. I
can't believe it...

Oh, would you listen to
me for once in your life?

Go! Leave me alone!

[mouthing word] Okay.

[song continues]

[song continues]

- [applause]
- [song ends]

Hi, I'm Mandy Yang, your salutatorian
because I got a 94 in PE.

[students murmuring]

And today…

[student clears throat]

Well, today, um, I was
going to give a speech

filled with words of
wisdom from my heroes

like Ruth Bader Ginsburg
and Ingrid Downs.

But instead, I'd like to share some advice
I got from someone very important to me.

And that advice is: BEEF.

Balance.

Eyes.

Elbow.

Follow-through.

- What is she doing?
- I don't know, but I am gonna film it.

[Mandy] Now, for those of you who are
not sports aficionados like myself,

BEEF is how you teach
someone to shoot a…

layup?

- [whispering] No.
- [Mandy] A free throw?

Free throw. A free throw.

Um, sorry.

Uh, it's how you teach
someone to shoot a free throw.

Uh, but it also applies to life.

Balance.

It's something I
didn't have enough of.

You know, it's... it's
important to have goals,

but don't let pursuing those
goals become your entire life.

Work hard but also have fun.

Laugh, dance, fill up a car
with Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

- [audience laughs]
- Yes!

Eyes. Keep them open.

You never know who
you might meet.

Elbow.

Keep them safe.
They're important.

[audience laughs]

And finally, follow-through.

When you take a shot,
make sure to finish it.

So to that end…

Graham Lansing.

Thank you for making my last
semester of high school different.

Good different.

And to my fellow seniors…

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

…oh, I hope whatever life brings
you next is good different too.

Oh, and one more thing.

Go, Bulldogs!

[audience cheering]

We love you!

[groans]

I can't believe you're
going to Boston right now.

I know, but I couldn't say no to
Dr. Downs's offer to sit in on her...

- Summer lectures on Global Poverty.
- Poverty.

I know, I know. I just...

[sighs] I am gonna miss you.

- I'm gonna miss you.
- [Ben grunts]

But I will be back
before Labor Day,

so you'll have to pencil me in in
between dates with your new girlfriend.

- Can you believe I have a girlfriend?
- Can you believe it's LaToya Reynolds?

At what point will you two stop
referring to me by my full name?

[Mandy] Probably never.

Oh. I should go.

Bye, Ben.

Bye, Mandy.

Oh.

Hey. Congratulations, graduate.

Double congrats to you.

That was... That
was some speech.

I'll always remember to protect
my elbows because of you.

Good.

That is what I was hoping
you took from that.

[sighs] So, Harvard, huh?

Yeah. What about you? You
decide where you're going?

UT.

[Mandy] Your dad's choice.

- I mean, it's a... It's a great school.
- Yeah, I know what you mean.

But, hey, good luck.

I'll call you if I need a tutor.

And I will call you if I join
the girls' basketball team.

Bye, Graham.

Bye, Mandy.

["The Promise" playing]

You ready?

Yeah, I am. Let's go.

CAMBRIDGE, Ma

[song continues]

EPA ACT NOW Bee aware

I'm gonna get a refill.
You guys want anything?

- Sure thing.
- Yes, please. Thanks.

Hey, could I get a refill?

[employee] Sure.

Graham, order up!

[laughs] Mandy.

Graham.

Is that a Save the Bees shirt?

Is that really what
you wanna talk about?

No, no. But what
are you doing here?

Well, I was all set to go to UT because
that's what was gonna make my dad happy,

but someone once told me not to
live my life for his approval.

So I'm here, taking a gap year,

just trying to figure out
what I wanna do, you know?

Oh. And... And what you want
is here in... in Boston?

Yeah. Yeah, it is.

Working non-profit,
coaching inner-city kids.

It's really a great program.

Yeah. That sounds like
a... Like a perfect fit.

I'm really happy for you.

Thanks. You know, um, there
is one other reason I...

[song continues]

the end…

[song fades]

["Reinvent Urself" playing]

[song continues]

[TRANSLATOR CREDIT]