Takedown (2024) Movie Script
1
(audience cheers and applauds)
(gentle upbeat music)
(crowd cheers and
applauds continue)
- [Jack] For as long
as I can remember,
I always wanted to
wrestle for Hoover.
My dad, Jason
Fawcett, was a Viking.
He began taking me to matches
while I was still
pooping my pants.
- Yeah! Woo!
- Did we win, Dad?
We won, right?
- We sure did. We beat
a really good team.
- Are we gonna go down
to the mat now, Dad?
Are we gonna get to
talk to them again?
- You bet we are,
buddy. Let's go down.
- [Jack] This was the first time
I had seen wrestlers up close.
They were giants, like the
superheroes in my comic books.
And I finally got
to meet Coach D.
- Guys, this is Jason Fawcett,
heck of a wrestler-
- Hey-
- back in his day-
- nice to meet you.
- took fifth in state.
- Wow, right on, Mr. Fawcett.
- I see you got the little
guy you with you today.
Is he gonna hop on the
mat with us sometime?
- I hope so.
- Hey, kid. So, how about it?
You think you got what
it takes to be a Viking?
- Heck yeah, I am!
I'm gonna be a state
champion just like you.
- (chuckles) Well, you get in
the gym, work some technique,
develop a little bit of
that killer instinct.
You may just have a stud
on your hands after all,
Mr. Fawcett.
- [Jack] It was at that moment,
I knew I wanted to be a
wrestler, just like that.
(audience cheers and applauds)
Seven years later, I
had my first match.
And I was scared to death.
(audience chanting
"Rico" and applauding)
(hands smacking)
Dad, I'm scared.
- Nothing to be scared of,
buddy. I'm gonna be right here.
- No, it's not that.
What if I lose? What
if I look stupid?
- What? Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Look, it's not about
winning or losing, okay?
It's about the
lessons that you learn
and the kind of man
it helps you become.
Do you understand?
(audience chanting "Rico")
As long as you give it 100%
every time, I'm good with that.
No big deal.
- Yeah, it's no big deal to you.
You're not about to
get your butt kicked
by someone apparently
named Rico.
- (chuckles) Wise guy, huh?
Okay, let's go. Let's go.
Ready? Get in there.
(audience chanting
"Rico" and applauding)
- Dude, this Rico kid's
never lost a match.
- Ah, Jack's in trouble.
(audience applauding)
- You got this, buddy.
You got it. You got it.
(gentle suspenseful music)
(whistle blows)
(tense suspenseful music)
(audience shouts and applauds)
(tense suspenseful music)
(audience shouts and applauds)
Let's go, Jacky!
Let's go, Jacky!
(audience gasps)
(tense suspenseful music)
(audience shouting)
(whistle blows)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- [Jack] Pride, that's
what I was feeling.
Self-esteem, confidence.
I had done something good.
I started to become
known and feared.
I was referred to as
tough and tenacious.
I had found my thing.
I had found my tribe.
I started winning. A lot.
- [Reporter] A local high
school superintendent
was arrested over the weekend
while hanging his assets
off the Hall of Fame Bridge.
Janus Brockdale is facing
charges of indecent exposure
after he left a local
bar Friday night.
In an intoxicated state,
Brockdale climbed the bridge
and mooned to passing motorist
on Route 77.
(parents chuckling)
The local sheriff...
- What's so funny.
What's mooning?
- [Reporter] No one wants
to see your anus, Janus.
- Well, it's when someone
pulls down their pants
and shows their butt.
- Why do people do that?
- Because it's funny.
- Oh.
(whimsical music)
Because it's funny?
Well, that's all
I needed to hear,
as I spent a great deal of
my time trying to be funny.
Mostly for my mom.
(whimsical music continues)
(brakes squeak)
(doors hiss)
(whimsical music continues)
(doors squeak and hiss)
(students laughing)
(horn honking)
(whimsical music continues)
(Jack chuckles)
Now that was funny.
(leaves rustling)
(bell ringing)
My school, on the other hand,
didn't find it funny at all.
- Okay, that was a good
guess. Anybody else?
(bells faintly ringing)
(footsteps pattering)
Oh, okay.
- Mr. Fawcett, come
with me, please.
- [Jack] I was terrified
of Sister Mary Margaret,
and when she came for
me, which was often,
it never ended well.
(footsteps thumping)
(students chattering)
- I wanna ask you what happened
after school yesterday?
- Oh, is this about
the goldfish cracker
I threw across the classroom?
- No. Now, I'll ask you again,
what happened yesterday?
Or more specifically, after
you got off the school bus?
- Oh, um, after I
got off the bus,
I did this thing.
- [Sister Mary
Margaret] This thing?
- Well, I, I mooned the bus.
- You did what?
- [Jack] I mooned the bus.
- And what exactly is that?
- Well, it's like this.
- No, no, sit back down.
You don't have to show me.
Why on earth would you
do something like that?
- Well, I thought it was funny.
- Well, well, it's not
funny. It's disgusting.
And I won't tolerate
that type of behavior.
So, what school will
you be going to now?
- What, what school
I'd be going to?
- Yes, I will be moving you
out of St. Christopher's.
Today is Friday and I expect you
to inform your parents
of what you did.
And on Monday, I
want you to come
and I want you to
apologize to every student
that was on that bus
and to their parents.
Do you understand me?
- Yes, Sister Mary Margaret.
- Sister Mary
Margaret] You may go.
- Like I said, it
never ended well.
(latch clicks)
(forking clinking)
That weekend,
all I could think about
was how to tell my parents.
(silverware clinking)
- Hey buddy, you not hungry?
You haven't, you haven't
touched your food.
- I mooned the bus.
I mooned the bus, and they
wanna kick me out of school.
Sister Mary Margaret
said I was disgusting.
And you and mom have to
come to school with me
tomorrow morning.
(gentle music)
(Jack sighs)
- Okay.
(gentle music continues)
(silverware clinking)
- I am sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry
for what I've done.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
I'm very sorry.
I'm sorry for what I've done.
I apologize for what I've done.
- I'm, I'm sorry, Kim,
but this seems like
a little much to me.
Okay, I, I say if they want
him out, we take him out.
- [Jack] My dad never
really wanted to send me
to parochial school,
but my mom insisted.
My mom's family was
deeply Catholic.
And before she met my dad,
her parents were grooming
her to become a nun.
- I, I, I just, I don't
see things changing
for the better here.
You know, he's, he's
always been a busy kid.
- [Jack] My dad was
right. I was a busy kid.
(cheerful music)
And I became a big hit
around the neighborhood
when I took up streaking.
- Go Jack, you crazy little guy!
(Jack shouts)
(gentle upbeat music)
of course, this
came after I learned
my dad had streaked
my mom's ladies group
at the country club.
(upbeat music)
(women chattering)
- [Jason] Hello!
(women screaming)
Woo! Woo!
Woo!
Off I go!
- Woo!
- [Jack] My dad, like me,
was always just trying
to make my mom smile.
- Jason, he has to learn
that he can't go around
doing whatever he wants
whenever he wants, just
because he thinks it's funny.
He needs rules.
Sister Mary Margaret
has a few ideas,
and I think we should
just give it some time.
(gentle music)
(bell ringing)
(Jason sighs)
- [Jack] Yeah, Sister Mary
Margaret had some deals,
all right.
(table thuds)
And they all involved
humiliating me in
one way or another.
(chair thuds)
(room divider clattering)
There was the "put me in
the box" idea, which sucked.
(students chattering)
(gentle music continues)
- This is Jack Fawcett.
I want him sitting
at the front seat
for the rest of the year.
He's being disciplined.
- Then there was the "stick
me in front of the bus
so the kids could make fun of
me" idea, which also sucked.
(bottle rattling)
And the final humiliation came
when they convinced my mom
to put me on meditation.
(door clicks)
(door thuds)
which I never really
got the hang of.
(gentle music continues)
I had this dream. I was a knight
fighting a massive dragon.
I had a big sword. I stabbed
him right in the throat.
And I was in my underwear.
(students laughing)
(teacher gasping)
- Mr. Fawcett, did you forget
to take your hyper pills today?
- [Jack] My hyper pills?
- Go! In your seat!
- Ouch.
Look, I wasn't trying-
- Put your feet-
- to get in trouble.
- underneath.
- [Jack] I just like
making people laugh,
which of course got me
put back in the box.
(shoes clacking)
(gentle music continues)
(door knocking)
(latch clicks)
- Hello, Mrs. McBride.
I'm Dr. Lisa Martin.
- Oh, yes, Dr. Martin, I
have been expecting you.
I have reintegrated Jack
with the rest of
the class for today.
So you can move among all
the students more discreetly.
- Great. That sounds perfect.
And how has his behavior
been so far today?
- Well, he was a bit of a
distraction this morning
when he got up out of his seat
to go to the window
when a paramedics and
firetruck went by.
But besides that, he's
been relatively quiet.
Shall we go in?
- Yes, please.
(door squeaking)
(shoes clacking)
- Class, attention.
I would like for you to say
good morning to Dr. Lisa.
She is here today to
get to know all of you.
I expect for you to treat her
with courtesy and respect.
- Good morning, Dr. Lisa.
(Jack blows raspberry)
(teacher sighs)
- [Jack] I just
couldn't help myself.
I guess you could say I
had impulse control issues.
(pencil clicking)
(students laughing)
(fingers flick)
(gentle music)
- Hello there.
- Hi.
- What are you drawing?
- Godzilla. I love Godzilla.
- You love Godzilla?
- Yeah, but not the stupid
one with baby Godzilla
and that giant moth that
sprays crap all over the place.
The real Godzilla,
Gojira. He's the cool one.
- He's cool, huh? What
makes him cool, Jack?
- 'Cause no one or
nothing can stop him.
(paper rustling)
- Oh, my.
- [Dr. Lisa] Jack gave these
to me. He even signed them.
(paper rustling)
- [Teacher] This shark one
is particularly disturbing.
- Jack told me his dad
let him watch "Jaws."
So now he also loves
great white sharks.
Says he wants to be
an oceanographer.
- (chuckles and sighs) So,
what is your assessment?
- I definitely have
some more work to do
before I make a final analysis,
but I would describe much of
what I saw today as aberrant.
And I think it's safe to say
he will never be an artist.
- (chuckles) No.
- [Jack] I was labeled as a
troubled kid and it stuck.
(thunder rumbling)
(melancholic music)
Then weird stuff started
happening with my mom.
(Kim yelling)
(bowl clattering)
- [Renee] I hate you!
(Kim sobs)
(feet pattering)
(melancholic music continues)
(thunder rumbling)
- [Jack] My mom was becoming
erratic and unstable,
and we didn't know what to do.
(Kim sniffles)
(melancholic music continues)
My dad tried, but nothing
could make my mom feel better.
(Kim crying)
(melancholic music continues)
And I could tell my parents'
marriage was falling apart.
(melancholic music continues)
(door knocking)
(mom sobbing)
My mom quit coming
out of her room.
It was like she was
becoming a ghost.
- So, look, I just wanted
to sit you guys down
and tell you what's going on.
Um,
mom has been really
tired lately.
(melancholic music continues)
- Excuse me, I
just wanted to say
what a handsome
family you all are.
- Oh, thank you.
- Such beautiful children.
And this one, he's a spitting
image of you. It's remarkable.
- I started wondering
what was happening to her,
and more importantly, since
she and I were so alike,
when would it happen to me?
That became my greatest fear.
(thunder rumbling)
(melancholic music continues)
(rain pattering)
My parents' marriage was over.
(rain pattering continues)
(melancholic music continues)
(feet rustling)
(door knocking)
Mama, I'm all packed up. Gonna
go, can you open the door?
(melancholic music continues)
To heck with it then.
(melancholic music continues)
Renee and I had to
choose who to live with.
She chose to stay with my
mom, and I chose my dad.
(alarm beeps)
While it was an easy decision
for me to pick my dad,
it was a decision that no
kid ever wants to make.
(melancholic music continues)
(door thuds)
And that was it.
The relationship I had with
my mother was never the same.
My mom was sick and her
behavior destroyed me,
but I never gave up on her.
It would've been like hating
someone for having cancer.
- [Jason] Yeah, I think this
is it right there, this one.
- [Jack] There?
- [Jason] Yeah.
(car humming)
(cars whooshing)
(door thuds)
(door thuds)
- [Jack] So this is it, huh?
- Yeah, yeah.
You know, I, I, I wanted you
to be able to walk to school,
so I picked the closest place.
- Maybe being close isn't
all that important, Dad.
But we'll make the
best of it, right?
We are two-
- [Both] wild and
crazy bachelors!
- That we are, man. That we are.
All right, let's check it out.
- Yeah, I was gonna
miss my old life,
but I was also looking
forward to a new chapter.
(gentle upbeat music)
Then came my first day at
Hoover, and I was excited.
Dad, you making cronuts?!
- Hey, you know I
am, bud. Bacon too.
We gotta send you off to
school with a full belly.
Come on. All right, here we go.
We got your cronuts.
- Two pieces of bacon.
- Two, two pieces. (gasps)
Ooh! Ooh! (sighs)
How is it, hm? Thumbs,
I got a thumbs up?
I'll take it.
- [Jack] Things weren't perfect,
but I was gonna be
a Hoover Viking,
and the best part was no
more Sister Mary Margaret.
- You ready?
- Yeah.
- My man.
(fists thudding)
(lips smack)
I love you.
- I love you too, Dad.
- Okay.
Behave yourself, okay?
- [Jack] I will.
(door thuds)
(gentle music)
(Jason sighs)
- [Jack] My dad was
doing everything he could
to make sure I was happy.
And he always let me
know that I was loved.
(Jason sighs)
And he never let me see
how much pain he was in.
(Jason sobs)
(car whooshes)
(door thuds)
And then there were the
weekend visitations.
(feet pattering)
(door knocking)
All I wanted to
do was see my mom,
(gentle upbeat music)
but I saw the
neighborhood instead.
(upbeat music)
(gentle music)
(feet pattering)
I never quit going to that door.
(feet pattering continues)
(gentle music continues)
And by the time high
school came around
(door knocking)
visiting my mom was the same.
(footsteps thumping)
(car whooshing)
(birds chirping)
Sure, plenty of guys
came sniffing around
trying to rescue my mom.
(door thuds)
- Kim, do you even know what
he's doing when he comes here?
He's with one of his
delinquent friends
sitting up on the roof,
smoking cigars, pounding beers.
This is insane. This
kid is out of control.
- He was right, I
was outta control,
but I was living life
the only way I knew how.
As for the guys, most of 'em,
I never saw again. (chuckles)
I can never figure out why.
(hands smack)
(ball thumping)
(gentle music)
And then one day...
(door knocking)
Mom?
(gentle music continues)
(latch clicks)
- Jack, come in, I wanna
show you something.
(gentle music continues)
Do you see that?
- Yeah.
- Do you know what it is?
- No.
- It's stain.
A stain from my tears,
where I cry myself
to sleep every night.
- [Jack] As I stood there,
I felt both pity and
resentment for her.
It was all very confusing.
(gentle music continues)
- Jack,
I just thought you should know
that your father used to ask me
to do unspeakable things to him.
(gentle music continues)
He's a homosexual.
- [Jack] And my mother's
dissent into madness continued.
(image whooshes)
(birds chirping)
(whistle blowing)
- Bring it in.
Welcome to what we
affectionately referred to
as the kill box.
- [Jack] And then there was
coach D. The man was a legend.
(upbeat music)
He pretty much walked
on water around here.
- Hey, coach.
(upbeat music continues)
- Fawcett, come back here.
- Yeah? (sniffs)
- Something looks a little
different about you.
- Yeah, a new haircut.
- Oh yeah. That's,
that's pretty fancy.
Yes, that's, that's fancy stuff.
I think they missed a
little spot, though.
- No, I don't think they did.
- No, no, I do, I do.
Come here, come here.
Lemme see.
- [Jack] Are you sure?
- Yeah, yeah. Let's see here.
Oh, yeah.
See, look at...
No, no, just...
Yeah, lemme see.
This is what they
did. They missed it.
I'll fix it for you real quick.
Can you hear me?
- No.
- No, no, it's fine. Trust me.
(scissors snipping)
There we...
Oh, missed. Just
trim it a little.
There you go, buddy.
There, fixed it for you. Much
better, fixed it for you.
See you practice.
(scissors clink)
- (sighs) Thanks.
(upbeat music continues)
Dad, he just grabbed
my hair and cut it
with these giant paper scissors.
I, I looked like a dork.
- [Jason] Well, bud, if Mr. D
thought you needed a haircut,
I guess you needed a haircut.
- [Jack] Like I said,
the man walked on water.
- Welcome to what we
affectionately referred to
as the kill box.
Now, first day's gonna be tough.
Some of you might puke,
some of you might pass out,
some of you might do both.
Tomorrow, after
today's practice,
many of you will never sit
foot again on a wrestling mat,
unless of course, it's to
help clean up the blood,
the sweat, and the puke.
Ready to get to work?
- [Students] Yes, sir.
(whistle blows)
- Get up. Let's go, let's go.
Move, move, move, move.
- [Jack] Yeah, the haircut
thing was a bummer.
He was teaching me the
wrestlings about the team,
not the individual.
- Set up the shot.
Set up the shot.
(upbeat music)
Woo!
(class chattering)
- [Jack] While I loved
wrestling, I never
gave up on my art.
- Well, Jack, you seem to
have outdone yourself again
with this one.
Go ahead and make a map for it.
I'd like to put it
in the display case,
if that's okay with you.
- Yeah, thanks.
- Yeah.
- Hey. Hey, Jack, um, could
you, ah, help me cut this?
I can never figure it out.
- Yeah, I got you.
Where do I start?
So for yours, you, mine's a C.
In this room,
I'm not Jack the wrestler
or Jack the football player.
I'm just Jack. I
like it in here.
It makes me feel safe. I
have confidence in this room.
The feelings I've carried
since grade school,
those of being the bad kid,
for a brief time disappear.
(crickets chirping)
(phone chiming)
(TV roaring)
(phone chiming)
And then came the late
night calls from my mom.
- [Jason] Kim?
- I hate you.
Do you know that? Do you
know that I hate you.
You are an awful person,
and I'm going to kill you.
- Kim, look, you need help.
- Shut up. Shut up.
You will listen to me.
I need you to know that
you have destroyed my life,
and I'm going to kill you.
I have a gun.
(Kim crying)
(gentle music)
- [Jack] And while my
dad wasn't perfect,
he didn't deserve that.
(audience shouting and cheering)
This is Jimmy Brink,
my best friend.
We were both
fiercely competitive.
And when pushed, you could
find us running our hardest.
Jimmy for the coach.
(upbeat music)
(body thuds)
(machine chimes)
- Hey, Jack, heard you been
hanging out with Tracy still?
- [Jack] Yeah. And
me, for my life.
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
I'll admit it, Jimmy
was a better athlete,
but I had all the street smarts.
- Time!
(audience cheering and clapping)
- There he is. My dad, my
guardian angel, my biggest fan.
He raised me by himself.
And I wasn't an easy kid.
I was told I was bad.
And I believed it.
Even while I slowly
began to destroy myself,
he never gave up on me.
(tense music)
Bro, so you got that, right?
- Bro, I did not get it.
The dude never showed up.
I was waitin' out
there for 30 minutes.
- Bro, what? Are you serious?
- Bro, I am not serious!
- Yay!
Gimme that, gimme
that, gimme that.
(top pops)
Hey.
(melancholic music)
(Jack coughs)
Oh, crap.
Oh. (chuckles)
Ooh. (chuckles) Oh my gosh.
- Oh my gosh.
- Uff.
- Oh, it burns.
Bro, I don't feel anything.
(tense music)
- We gotta get him outta here.
My mom's gonna be
home in 30 minutes.
She can't see any
of this. Any ideas?
(crickets chirping)
(gentle music)
(footsteps thumping)
- [Teen boy] Holy. Gosh.
Alright, put him here. (sighs)
Oh.
- He's a mess. What
the heck did he do?
- We're not sure.
He was with Jimmy.
- So, where's
Jimmy? I don't know.
He and Jack showed up
at Cindy's together,
and then Jimmy said
he had a split.
- Nice.
Okay, I'm just gonna have
to leave him out here
till my dad goes to bed.
Me and my little brother will
come out and grab him later.
- All right, sounds
good. All right, see you.
- See you.
- Later.
(crickets chirping)
- That boy was heavy.
(crickets chirping continues)
- Dude, why here?
Why bring him here?
Why didn't they just
take him to Jimmy's?
- Because they brought
him here, all right?
And I'm not just gonna let my
friend lay out in the yard.
- Okay, where are
we gonna put him?
- We can throw him on
the couch in the basement
or something.
- All right, but if Dad
finds out, he's gonna freak.
- He's not gonna find out.
(Brian huffs)
(basketball crowd
cheering and shouting)
- [Sports Host] Bruce Brown
really good on the ball.
- [Sports Host] Yep. Irving
trapped gets rid of it Brown.
Now, they're running.
He missed an open dunk!
Rebounded by Carter.
(tone beeping)
(phone ringing)
Seconds into the game...
(cell phone buzzing)
Now, they wanna be
very physical with-
- Hello.
- [Sports Host] Kevin Durant-
- Hey, Brian, hey,
it, it's Jack's dad.
- [Sports Host] Paced
himself a little bit-
- Is, is Jack over there?
- Uh, yeah. Hey, Mr. Fawcett,
yeah, he's, he's, he's here.
He's downstairs sleeping.
- Okay. Could, could
you go get him, please?
- Um, sure, just
gimme one second.
- Dude, what did you just do?
Why would you tell him
that Jack was over?
- Man, I don't know. It
just caught me off guard.
- Besides, you know, I'm not
good at covering for your BS.
- Well, what are
you gonna tell him?
- Uh, I got it covered.
- Mr. F?
- Yep.
- Yeah, Jack's here. You
know, he's downstairs.
You know, he's
sleeping. He's fine.
- He's sleeping?
- [Brian] Hm-mm.
- Mm-hmm, okay,
(chuckles) well, uh,
could you, could you
go wake him up, please?
- [Brian] Yeah, sure.
Just gimme one second.
- What did he say?
- [Brian] He wants
me to go wake him up.
- Well, he's not waking up.
What are you gonna tell him?
(Brian panting)
Uh, Mr. Fawcett? Yeah,
he won't wake up, so.
- Oh.
(Brian sighs)
- He's on his way.
- Oh shit.
Hey, Mr. Fawcett.
- Hey, Steve. Where is he?
- [Mark] What's
going on out there?
(footsteps thumping)
(Jason sighs)
- Jack? Jack, get up.
Jack?! J, John Kelly, get up!
Jack, get up.
John Kelly, get up.
(Jack coughs)
(vomit splatters)
Oh!
Oh, Mark, I'm...
Jack?
(Jack coughing)
Oh no.
Oh, Jack, I can-
(vomit splatters)
Oh! Oh, Mark, I'm so sorry.
- It's okay, Jason.
Jack, get up!
- That's fine.
It's okay.
- Get up!
- [Mark] Let's just...
(Jason grunting)
(hand smacks)
- Jack! Mark, I'm so sorry.
Watch the puke. Watch the puke.
Watch the puke. Okay, all right.
All right, let's go.
- [Mark] All right, now
get up out of there.
- [Jason] Oh! Ew! Oh!
(gentle music)
(traffic buzzing)
(sheets rustling)
- [Jack] Oh.
(gentle music continues)
Mm.
(Jack sighs)
(gentle music continues)
And I remembered none of it.
(pencil thuds)
Sometimes my ADHD
got the better of me.
Boredom was my enemy.
(pencil thuds)
And algebra was boring.
(students chattering)
(paper rustles)
(students chattering continues)
(paper rustling)
(pencil thuds)
- [Students] Yeah.
(students chuckling)
- Jack, hall, now.
- [Students] Ooh!
(door thuds)
- Jack, are you trying to
make me look like an idiot?
Do you think I'm an idiot?
Or you're just trying
to convince them
that you're an idiot?
Which is it?
- Oh, no, coach. I, I, I
don't think you're an idiot.
- Then why do you do that crap?
Because it's crap like that
that makes us both
look like idiots.
Look, you know, I
like you, Jack. I do.
But man, you've gotta
start showing up in here.
You're failing this class, and
yet you keep jerking around.
I don't know what
to do with you.
- I just don't get it, coach.
I, I don't think my
brain is wired that way.
And trust me, I, I
don't like getting F's.
- Well, what do you expect?
You don't do the work, you
get the grade you deserve,
and then you get upset about it.
I don't understand that.
(students chattering)
- I don't really understand
it either, coach.
It's just I'm stuck.
- We better figure a
way to get unstuck, pal.
Because at this rate, you're
never gonna make college.
(sighs) I mean, look, college
isn't for everyone, Jack.
Have you thought about getting
a job here in North Canton?
Say, parks and recreation?
The hours aren't too bad,
and they'll give you
your own pickup truck.
Ricky Vaughn's got a job
there, and he loves it.
(upbeat music)
- I imagine what my life
at parks and recreation
would look like,
(upbeat music continues)
and it wasn't attractive.
(upbeat music continues)
- Look man, I wanna
see you succeed.
I wanna see you do well.
So get it together,
figure it out, all right?
- Yeah. Thank you, coach.
- Okay. Let's go.
(door clicks)
- [Jack] Then there was the
night my dad went outta town,
and my sister came over to make
sure I stayed outta trouble.
(upbeat music)
(door knocking)
But that didn't quite work out.
- Hello?
- [Kim] Renee.
- Oh shit.
- Here, I'll take that.
(door clicks)
- Hi, mom.
- Hi, Renee.
May I come in?
Hi, everybody.
- Hey. Hey, Mom, what you up to?
- I think the better
question John Kelly is,
what are you up to?
(clothes rustle)
- Mom, I really don't
think you should be here.
Dad wouldn't want you here.
- Oh really?
I'm not welcome
here? I should go.
- It's really not
a big deal, Mom.
- No, it's really
not a big deal.
Goodnight.
(door clicks)
(door thuds)
- Well, that was awkward.
(traffic buzzing)
(door knocking)
(door knocking continues)
(door clicks)
- Good morning, is there
Renee Fawcett here?
- Uh, yeah, that's me.
Is there a problem?
- No, no problem.
We were just told to deliver
these boxes to this address.
- No way. No way,
she moved me out.
That lunatic moved
me out of the house.
- And just like that,
my mom and Renee never
spoke to one another again.
(audience cheers and applauds)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(audience drowns
Coach D's voice)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(whistle blows)
- Yeah!
(audience cheers and applauds)
- Ah, yes, Tracy,
my first girlfriend.
Remember when Jeff was gonna
kick my butt at the arcade?
(machine chimes)
Yeah, that Tracy.
She and Jeff were an item.
but somehow she always found
herself spending time with me.
(upbeat music)
We always have fun together.
- [Tracy] Okay.
- [Jack] Okay.
- [Tracy] (gasps) Okay, okay.
This is gonna be so
good. Okay, okay.
(Jack faintly speaking)
- I know, what?!
- [Jack] I know.
- [Tracy] Look at
all the bags she has.
Okay, okay, okay, I'm ready.
Okay, right now?
- [Jack] Tracy was
a little wild...
(car beeps)
(woman yells)
(Tracy laughing)
Which was what I
liked about her.
- Oh my gosh.
- Yeah.
- [Tracy] Oh my gosh.
(birds chirping)
(traffic buzzing)
- Then came a reality check.
Wait, wait, wait.
Tracy, slow down.
Where are you again?
- I'm, I'm at the
hospital right now.
- At, at the hospi...
Why, are you okay?
- Jack, I, I just, I can't
really talk about it right now,
and I really have to go.
(tone beeps)
(Tracy sniffles)
- Hello? Tracy, hello?
Tracy was in the hospital,
and that could only
mean one thing.
Mom,
(hand thumps)
Tracy's pregnant.
- Oh, Jack, (sighs)
what did you do now?
How could your father
let this happen?
Does he know?
- It's because I'm an idiot.
No, no, trust me, it's,
it's not his fault, okay?
He's, he's not home
yet. What am I gonna do?
- You have to tell him.
That's all you can do for now.
- (sighs) Why? Why?
Why?! Why do I do
this to myself?
- Jack, I don't
know what to say.
- I know, I know.
(gentle music)
I'll let you know what he says.
I mean, I'll call
you back later.
Okay, love you.
- [Kim] Love you too, Jack.
(tone beeps)
(gentle music continues)
(door clicks)
- Hey, Jackie, my boy. Hey,
I got dinner for tonight.
Oh, and you'll be happy
to hear I, I got the last
of the smiley face cookies.
Some lady was eyeballing them,
but I swooped in
and scooped them up.
(plastic rustling)
Jack,
(Jason sighs)
(gentle music)
what did you do now?
(birds chirping)
You got me on this
one, Jack. (sighs)
I'm speechless, man. I
mean, this is big, okay?
This is gonna affect
the rest of your life.
I mean, the rest of my life.
I mean, who, who do you think
is gonna take care of this
kid, Jack, pay for this kid?
Besides you, (sighs)
you and Tracy,
you're just kids yourselves.
You're too young to be
involved in that way.
(phone buzzes)
- Hey, hey!
- Hey.
- Is everything okay?
I've been sitting here
like a nervous wreck.
- [Tracy] Sorry.
- Is everything all right?
- Not really.
- Are you pregnant?
- Am I what?! Am I pregnant?!
- Well, yeah.
- No, I'm not pregnant.
Why would you think that?
- I don't know, okay.
Maybe 'cause you were at the
hospital and you were crying
and you would not tell
me what's going on.
So I just, man, I, I don't know!
(Jack inhales deeply)
So if you're not pregnant,
why are you at the hospital?
(people chattering)
- My brother tried
to kill himself.
(students chattering)
- Perfect.
You know, Jack, if you
apply yourself every time
like you did with this piece,
I can help get you
into a good art school.
(shoes clacking)
(students chattering)
Jack?
- Um, yeah, thanks.
But, uh, I don't know.
- You don't know what,
whether you can apply yourself,
or whether you will
apply yourself?
- Both, I guess.
- Jack, I don't know
what you're hiding from
or what's holding you back,
but I want you to know
that you don't fool me.
I see you, I see
who you really are,
and I believe you're more
than a varsity jacket
or having your hand
raised on a wrestling mat.
But I can't do it for you.
I can't force you to apply
yourself for your own good.
- All right, yeah.
Thank you Mr. Walter,
I, uh, I appreciate it.
I, I guess I'm gonna go
apply myself to my lunch.
- Okie dokie.
(students chattering)
Jack, think about
what I said, okay?
- [Jack] All right.
I heard what he said.
(bell ringing)
But the biggest wrestling
match of my life was coming up,
and that's what I
needed to focus on.
- Hey, Jack, is it true
you're gonna cut down to 38,
or are you gonna stay at 145?
- Man, I'm staying
fat and happy at 145.
- Isn't that where Bumper is?
Dude's, he's the two
time state champion.
- Three.
- Three?
- Three time state champion.
(upbeat music)
Stop that
(whistle blowing)
- Suicide, let's go.
On the wall, on the
wall, on the wall.
Stop that
(players cheering and clapping)
Stop that
(music drowns Coach D's voice)
(players cheering and clapping)
- So, where'd you say
you're from then, Tijuana?
(chuckling) Hilarious.
- Actually, I didn't
say where, and no.
- So, I'm sure you're aware
of all the illegals entering
our country with drugs.
How do you feel about that?
- (chuckles) As long as
they save some for me.
- Oh, so you're a junky too.
- Too, in addition to what?
(students chattering)
(locker door thuds)
- Hey!
- Hey, Jack.
- Come on, we're
late. We gotta go.
- We're late. We gotta go.
(gentle music)
- Yeah.
- Thanks, but you
didn't have to do that,
- Wasn't you I
was worried about.
- (chuckles) Hey, I
am gonna duck out.
Thanks again. Catch you later.
- Yeah, catch you later.
But I'm thinking
- [Jack] I don't
know what it was,
but there was something
about this girl.
(students chattering)
Mm, let's loose track
- Jack Fawcett drew that?
- The photograph looks so sad.
- Yeah, it's so depressing.
Wow, so talented.
- I thought Jack
Fawcett was a wrestler.
- I can't even draw
a stick figure.
(students laughing)
- Are you kidding?
(bell ringing)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
- Hey, Robert,
(door thuds)
is that your photo in the
booth? I mean, it's amazing.
- I wish.
- That's my girl Lily's.
She's my hot new bestie.
- Who's Lily?
(students chattering)
(gentle music continues)
- Oh, Jack, meet Lily.
Darling stay for
a little longer
- Hi, Jack, nice to meet you.
- Hi, Lily, uh,
nice to meet you.
Head upon my shoulder
Nothing in the way
- So what's the deal, Jack?
- The deal?
- Yeah, the girls told
me you went somewhere
with some Mexican yesterday.
Where'd you go, Taco Bell?
- Hilarious.
Did they also tell you
that they had her cornered
and were just being
complete idiots?
- What do you care?
Do you have the hots
for her or something?
- If by hots you mean
wanting to look after someone
that doesn't know a soul here,
who's being attacked
by your stupid clique of
mean girls, then yeah.
- Jack, what is up with you?
- What's up with me? No, I'm
so done with this conversation.
I'm looking forward to
going to algebra class.
(gentle electronic music)
(whistle blows)
- You guys up
first. Ready to go?
And on my whistle,
(whistle blows)
monkey rolls.
(upbeat electronic music)
(students shout and thump)
(upbeat electronic music)
(students shout and thump)
(whistle blows)
- Let's go.
- Let's go. Let's go.
- Got it. Go.
- Keep going, keep going.
(upbeat electronic music)
(students shout and cheer)
(whistle blowing)
(upbeat electronic music)
(students cheer and applaud)
- Man, I've been bugging
Mr. Walter for weeks
just to get supplies
for the mat table.
You come in after a week and
get this thing opened up?
What's your secret?
I start wearing concert
T-shirts and Converse tape.
- It couldn't hurt.
No, he just feels sorry for me
because I'm the only
Latina in this school.
- (chuckles) Really? I mean,
you seriously think that's why?
- No, not completely. He's cool.
I just think he
recognizes talent.
(object rasping)
- Man, you're good.
You can just never tell
when you're being serious.
- Sorry, I guess I can
be a little sarcastic.
- It's cool. I dig sarcasm.
So, what brought
you to North Canton?
- Well, I'm kind of
from all over the place.
My dad's in the Air Force,
so we've moved around a lot.
- [Jack] So, you're
living in the air base?
- No, it's complicated.
- I mean, I've got all day.
- My dad split about a year ago.
So, my mom, my sister
and me live in a house
over on Ridgecrest.
Well, we were until my
mom burned the house down.
- (chuckles) Your mom burned
the house down? Sarcasm, right?
(TV roaring)
- Knock, knock.
- Oh, hey, honey,
did you find it?
- I sure did.
Somehow it got mixed in
with the kid's laundry.
- Thank you so much.
You know, I'd be a nervous
wreck without this undershirt.
- I do know,
and I think it's adorable
how superstitious you are.
- Honey, I'm not superstitious.
It's just that we tend
to win when I'm...
Well, it's good...
Okay, fine, maybe I'm a
little bit superstitious.
- Well, it's a good
thing you didn't have me
scouring the house looking for
your favorite boxer shorts.
- I don't wear boxers anymore.
- All right, well look,
I'll get outta your way.
Good luck tonight.
- Thank you
- Boys ready to go?
- Boys are ready.
- Good.
I can't wait to
see my handsome man
in his favorite
non-superstitious shirt
taking it to those Leopards.
- Thank you, honey. I love you.
- I love you too.
(feet thumping)
- Jack, it's Lily.
(chair scraping)
(feet thumping)
(shoes squeaking)
- Where?
- Cafeteria.
(feet thumping)
(students shouting)
(gentle suspenseful music)
- What's wrong with
you, Tracy? All of you!
I mean, is it just
'cause she's different?
'Cause she doesn't
need your acceptance,
and that terrifies you?
'Cause it proves that
you don't really matter
and that bubble you
live in means nothing.
- What's the matter with us?
Jack, you wanna talk
about living in a bubble?
Well, maybe you should ask
yourself the same question.
You flunk all your classes,
and then you hide
behind special treatment
just because you're
some big jock.
And you will never
leave this place
because you are so scared
you're gonna go somewhere
and someone's not
gonna worship you,
or, or they're gonna find out
that you are nothing more
than a frightened little boy.
- [Students] Ooh.
- You're just like your mother.
- Ooh!
- Oh fuck.
- She's a lunatic, and you're
gonna end up just like her,
afraid and alone.
(gentle music)
- Jack.
- Jack!
- Wow, Robert, your
ensemble's so convulsive.
I had no idea you were
such a wrestling fan.
- Oh, girl, please!
I just want an excuse
to be loud and proud.
And besides, Jack is sweet,
and I wanna be there
to support him.
- Speaking of,
have you seen him?
(sliding door scraping)
Jack, what are you doing here?
- She was right. What she said.
I'm the one that's terrified.
I'm terrified of the world.
You know, I'm, I'm
terrified of being broken
and ending up like my mom.
- Well, with all due respect,
who cares what she says?
And talk about broken,
that girl has issues.
How in the world did you
end up with her anyways?
- I don't know. I guess I'm
just, I've got a broken picker.
- Broken picker? That's funny.
Look, who doesn't
have battle scars?
It's what you let cripple
you that's going to kill you
or define you.
Just make a lane and
get out of your own way.
These things with your
mom don't define you.
They define her circumstances
and the tools she was given,
which sadly weren't many.
You have a choice. Find
your tools and use them.
- Sorry, what exactly
are we talking about?
- We're talking about God.
- (sighs) Oh my God, here we go.
- Well, you have a choice.
You need to find
something to believe in
that's bigger than you,
bigger than your sports,
and bigger than the idea
of chance saving you
from what might be
and what will be.
(gentle music)
- Still nothing.
- You're not the
only person paralyzed
at the thought of
being human or exposed.
Everyone is. So
choose that, be human.
Be humble.
(gentle music continues)
It's okay not to be
a star on the mat
or king of the school.
I mean, you practically
are a king of the school,
and you're miserable.
What's important is to
be okay with yourself.
That is where the peace
sits in the place of faith.
Don't be defined by the
obstacles given to you.
Be defined by how
you overcome them.
- How are you so
far ahead of me?
- It has nothing to do
with being ahead of anyone.
I had no choice. I don't have
the support system you have.
There's a lot you don't know.
(gentle music continues)
(sighs) I too have
a crazy mother.
The house, yes, she burned
it down to the ground.
My father left a year ago,
and since then, it's been
me taking care of her,
on suicide watch.
(gentle music continues)
- Seriously?
- Yep.
wrist, in the
middle of the night,
I found her bleeding over the
bathroom sink six months ago.
She was institutionalized
and she just got out.
And now we're here, staying
with extended family.
It hasn't been fun.
- Wow, I'm sorry.
- It is what it is. I just
let those things define me.
They're only part of my story.
The reality is I'm not equipped
or powerful enough to navigate
these things on my own.
Neither are you.
(gentle music continues)
Which is when and why I
turn to God for strength,
guidance, and resilience,
to keep identifying tools,
to move forward towards a
place that brings me joy,
and to maybe one day be
in a place to help my mom.
(gentle music continues)
- The nuns kicked God
outta me years ago,
and I just haven't
found my way back.
- Jack, God never left
you. You left God.
The fact that you
have your art is proof
that God is still with you.
I mean, you think a gift like
that is all you, seriously?
- I guess I just never
thought about it that way.
- Okay, so now we have a tool.
- Whoa, you're
calling me a tool?
- Jack,
(fingers snap)
stay focused.
What just happened? Did
you hear a dog whistle?
- I'm sorry. Hey, I'm 10.
- I know you're 10, but I'm
trying to help you turn 11.
- No, I'm, I'm sorry, okay?
I hear you. I'm, I'm listening.
- [Lily] Good.
- So, you coming to
the match tonight?
- No offense, but sporting
events really aren't my thing.
- I mean, you'd get
to see me in tights.
- I think I just threw up in
my mouth a little. (chuckles)
(upbeat music)
- [Jack] Then came
the big match.
(upbeat music continues)
(players applauding)
- [Coach] Let's go,
let's go, let's go!
(upbeat music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(upbeat music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(upbeat music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(music drowns coach
and players voices)
(upbeat music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(upbeat music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(whistle blowing)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- [Sports Host] Up
next at 145 pounds,
from North Canton, Jack Fawcett.
(gentle music)
(audience cheers and applauds)
And from Jackson, three
times state champion,
Billy Bumper (indistinct)
(gentle music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(gentle music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- You ready?
- Yes, sir.
- No fear.
- No fear.
- No fear.
- No fear.
- Let's go, let's go.
(gentle suspenseful music)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- Look, it's not about
winning or losing, okay?
It's about the
lessons that you learn
and the kind of man
it helps you become.
Do you understand?
As long as you give it 100%
every time, I'm good with that.
(gentle suspenseful
music continues)
(whistle blows)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- You are nothing more than
a frightened little boy.
- [Students] Ooh!
- You're just like your mother.
(singer vocalizing)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- Jack. I don't know
what you're hiding from
or what's holding you back,
but I want you to know
that you don't fool me.
I see you. I see
who you really are.
And I believe you're more
than a varsity jacket
or having your hand
raised on a wrestling mat.
(singer vocalizing)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(whistle blows)
(gentle suspenseful music)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- It's okay not to
be a star on the mat
or king of the school.
What's important is to
be okay with yourself.
(gentle suspenseful music)
(audience cheers and applauds)
Don't be defined by the
obstacles given to you.
Be defined by how
you overcome them.
(audience cheers and applauds)
(gentle upbeat music)
(audience cheering and
shouting drowns out singer)
- Hey, hey, great job! It's
a three time state champ.
Great job, buddy. Good job.
(gentle upbeat music continues)
(audience cheering and
applauding drowns out singer)
- Hey.
- Hey.
Wow, nice nose.
- Yeah, chicks dig it.
- They do dig it.
At the end of the
- (sighs) Man, I
am so proud of you.
I love you so much.
- Thanks, I love you too.
I used to be
(gentle upbeat music continues)
- All right, I see how it is.
- What are you doing
at a sporting event?
I didn't think that
was your thing.
- I know, I guess I
just wanted to see
how the other half lived.
Nice nose, by the way. Matches
your picker. (chuckles)
- You know I appreciate
your sarcasm, right?
- I do.
So in an attempt to help you
from continuing to be a fashion
victim, I got you a present.
- More sarcasm?
- Nope, not this time.
- (gasps) No way, a
Black Sabbath T-shirt?
I mean, I'm gonna start
looking cool like you now?
- Well, let's not get
carried away. (chuckles)
Oh, and there's this.
I've crossed the desert
And the endless sea
(paper rustles)
I'm not the same
as I use to be
- Well, uh, how?
- I had some help
from Mr. Walter.
We both agreed that you needed
a little push, so we pushed.
(gentle music continues)
- I don't, I don't
know what to say.
- You don't have to
say anything, Jack.
Just make a lane and
get out of your own way.
I look forward to
seeing you rock
that Sabbath shirt tomorrow.
- Yeah. Goodnight,
see you tomorrow.
- Goodnight, Jack.
Hey, Jack!
(camera clicks)
- Someone said that Lily coming
into my life at this time
was a coincidence,
but I don't believe
in coincidences.
What Lily taught me
is that we're all just
trying to do our best
and live our lives with
the tools we've been given.
My mom didn't have the
tools to have a normal life,
and my dad didn't have
the tools to fix her.
Sister Mary Margaret
didn't have the tools
to deal with a kid like me,
and I didn't have the
tools to get closer to God
and live a happy life.
But I'm determined to find them.
Day's light breaks
through the window pane
Morning coffee steams
waking me again
Put on my boots
Laces tied and neat
Another day trudging
down that same old street
(gentle music continues)
The boss man's scouth
The clock's steady tick
Paperwork and phone calls
It makes me sick
The lunch break
comes and goes
My spirits worn thin
Same old routine
This ain't no way to win
Ooh, it's the
day we cry loose
Dragging me down
Pushing me around like
an old circus clown
Day in, day out
No end in sight
I'm dreamin' another life
Where it all feels right
Ooh, ooh
(gentle music)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
Hear a voice calling
out your name
And they're calling up high
(singer singing in
foreign language)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(gentle upbeat music)
(crowd cheers and
applauds continue)
- [Jack] For as long
as I can remember,
I always wanted to
wrestle for Hoover.
My dad, Jason
Fawcett, was a Viking.
He began taking me to matches
while I was still
pooping my pants.
- Yeah! Woo!
- Did we win, Dad?
We won, right?
- We sure did. We beat
a really good team.
- Are we gonna go down
to the mat now, Dad?
Are we gonna get to
talk to them again?
- You bet we are,
buddy. Let's go down.
- [Jack] This was the first time
I had seen wrestlers up close.
They were giants, like the
superheroes in my comic books.
And I finally got
to meet Coach D.
- Guys, this is Jason Fawcett,
heck of a wrestler-
- Hey-
- back in his day-
- nice to meet you.
- took fifth in state.
- Wow, right on, Mr. Fawcett.
- I see you got the little
guy you with you today.
Is he gonna hop on the
mat with us sometime?
- I hope so.
- Hey, kid. So, how about it?
You think you got what
it takes to be a Viking?
- Heck yeah, I am!
I'm gonna be a state
champion just like you.
- (chuckles) Well, you get in
the gym, work some technique,
develop a little bit of
that killer instinct.
You may just have a stud
on your hands after all,
Mr. Fawcett.
- [Jack] It was at that moment,
I knew I wanted to be a
wrestler, just like that.
(audience cheers and applauds)
Seven years later, I
had my first match.
And I was scared to death.
(audience chanting
"Rico" and applauding)
(hands smacking)
Dad, I'm scared.
- Nothing to be scared of,
buddy. I'm gonna be right here.
- No, it's not that.
What if I lose? What
if I look stupid?
- What? Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Look, it's not about
winning or losing, okay?
It's about the
lessons that you learn
and the kind of man
it helps you become.
Do you understand?
(audience chanting "Rico")
As long as you give it 100%
every time, I'm good with that.
No big deal.
- Yeah, it's no big deal to you.
You're not about to
get your butt kicked
by someone apparently
named Rico.
- (chuckles) Wise guy, huh?
Okay, let's go. Let's go.
Ready? Get in there.
(audience chanting
"Rico" and applauding)
- Dude, this Rico kid's
never lost a match.
- Ah, Jack's in trouble.
(audience applauding)
- You got this, buddy.
You got it. You got it.
(gentle suspenseful music)
(whistle blows)
(tense suspenseful music)
(audience shouts and applauds)
(tense suspenseful music)
(audience shouts and applauds)
Let's go, Jacky!
Let's go, Jacky!
(audience gasps)
(tense suspenseful music)
(audience shouting)
(whistle blows)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- [Jack] Pride, that's
what I was feeling.
Self-esteem, confidence.
I had done something good.
I started to become
known and feared.
I was referred to as
tough and tenacious.
I had found my thing.
I had found my tribe.
I started winning. A lot.
- [Reporter] A local high
school superintendent
was arrested over the weekend
while hanging his assets
off the Hall of Fame Bridge.
Janus Brockdale is facing
charges of indecent exposure
after he left a local
bar Friday night.
In an intoxicated state,
Brockdale climbed the bridge
and mooned to passing motorist
on Route 77.
(parents chuckling)
The local sheriff...
- What's so funny.
What's mooning?
- [Reporter] No one wants
to see your anus, Janus.
- Well, it's when someone
pulls down their pants
and shows their butt.
- Why do people do that?
- Because it's funny.
- Oh.
(whimsical music)
Because it's funny?
Well, that's all
I needed to hear,
as I spent a great deal of
my time trying to be funny.
Mostly for my mom.
(whimsical music continues)
(brakes squeak)
(doors hiss)
(whimsical music continues)
(doors squeak and hiss)
(students laughing)
(horn honking)
(whimsical music continues)
(Jack chuckles)
Now that was funny.
(leaves rustling)
(bell ringing)
My school, on the other hand,
didn't find it funny at all.
- Okay, that was a good
guess. Anybody else?
(bells faintly ringing)
(footsteps pattering)
Oh, okay.
- Mr. Fawcett, come
with me, please.
- [Jack] I was terrified
of Sister Mary Margaret,
and when she came for
me, which was often,
it never ended well.
(footsteps thumping)
(students chattering)
- I wanna ask you what happened
after school yesterday?
- Oh, is this about
the goldfish cracker
I threw across the classroom?
- No. Now, I'll ask you again,
what happened yesterday?
Or more specifically, after
you got off the school bus?
- Oh, um, after I
got off the bus,
I did this thing.
- [Sister Mary
Margaret] This thing?
- Well, I, I mooned the bus.
- You did what?
- [Jack] I mooned the bus.
- And what exactly is that?
- Well, it's like this.
- No, no, sit back down.
You don't have to show me.
Why on earth would you
do something like that?
- Well, I thought it was funny.
- Well, well, it's not
funny. It's disgusting.
And I won't tolerate
that type of behavior.
So, what school will
you be going to now?
- What, what school
I'd be going to?
- Yes, I will be moving you
out of St. Christopher's.
Today is Friday and I expect you
to inform your parents
of what you did.
And on Monday, I
want you to come
and I want you to
apologize to every student
that was on that bus
and to their parents.
Do you understand me?
- Yes, Sister Mary Margaret.
- Sister Mary
Margaret] You may go.
- Like I said, it
never ended well.
(latch clicks)
(forking clinking)
That weekend,
all I could think about
was how to tell my parents.
(silverware clinking)
- Hey buddy, you not hungry?
You haven't, you haven't
touched your food.
- I mooned the bus.
I mooned the bus, and they
wanna kick me out of school.
Sister Mary Margaret
said I was disgusting.
And you and mom have to
come to school with me
tomorrow morning.
(gentle music)
(Jack sighs)
- Okay.
(gentle music continues)
(silverware clinking)
- I am sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry
for what I've done.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
I'm very sorry.
I'm sorry for what I've done.
I apologize for what I've done.
- I'm, I'm sorry, Kim,
but this seems like
a little much to me.
Okay, I, I say if they want
him out, we take him out.
- [Jack] My dad never
really wanted to send me
to parochial school,
but my mom insisted.
My mom's family was
deeply Catholic.
And before she met my dad,
her parents were grooming
her to become a nun.
- I, I, I just, I don't
see things changing
for the better here.
You know, he's, he's
always been a busy kid.
- [Jack] My dad was
right. I was a busy kid.
(cheerful music)
And I became a big hit
around the neighborhood
when I took up streaking.
- Go Jack, you crazy little guy!
(Jack shouts)
(gentle upbeat music)
of course, this
came after I learned
my dad had streaked
my mom's ladies group
at the country club.
(upbeat music)
(women chattering)
- [Jason] Hello!
(women screaming)
Woo! Woo!
Woo!
Off I go!
- Woo!
- [Jack] My dad, like me,
was always just trying
to make my mom smile.
- Jason, he has to learn
that he can't go around
doing whatever he wants
whenever he wants, just
because he thinks it's funny.
He needs rules.
Sister Mary Margaret
has a few ideas,
and I think we should
just give it some time.
(gentle music)
(bell ringing)
(Jason sighs)
- [Jack] Yeah, Sister Mary
Margaret had some deals,
all right.
(table thuds)
And they all involved
humiliating me in
one way or another.
(chair thuds)
(room divider clattering)
There was the "put me in
the box" idea, which sucked.
(students chattering)
(gentle music continues)
- This is Jack Fawcett.
I want him sitting
at the front seat
for the rest of the year.
He's being disciplined.
- Then there was the "stick
me in front of the bus
so the kids could make fun of
me" idea, which also sucked.
(bottle rattling)
And the final humiliation came
when they convinced my mom
to put me on meditation.
(door clicks)
(door thuds)
which I never really
got the hang of.
(gentle music continues)
I had this dream. I was a knight
fighting a massive dragon.
I had a big sword. I stabbed
him right in the throat.
And I was in my underwear.
(students laughing)
(teacher gasping)
- Mr. Fawcett, did you forget
to take your hyper pills today?
- [Jack] My hyper pills?
- Go! In your seat!
- Ouch.
Look, I wasn't trying-
- Put your feet-
- to get in trouble.
- underneath.
- [Jack] I just like
making people laugh,
which of course got me
put back in the box.
(shoes clacking)
(gentle music continues)
(door knocking)
(latch clicks)
- Hello, Mrs. McBride.
I'm Dr. Lisa Martin.
- Oh, yes, Dr. Martin, I
have been expecting you.
I have reintegrated Jack
with the rest of
the class for today.
So you can move among all
the students more discreetly.
- Great. That sounds perfect.
And how has his behavior
been so far today?
- Well, he was a bit of a
distraction this morning
when he got up out of his seat
to go to the window
when a paramedics and
firetruck went by.
But besides that, he's
been relatively quiet.
Shall we go in?
- Yes, please.
(door squeaking)
(shoes clacking)
- Class, attention.
I would like for you to say
good morning to Dr. Lisa.
She is here today to
get to know all of you.
I expect for you to treat her
with courtesy and respect.
- Good morning, Dr. Lisa.
(Jack blows raspberry)
(teacher sighs)
- [Jack] I just
couldn't help myself.
I guess you could say I
had impulse control issues.
(pencil clicking)
(students laughing)
(fingers flick)
(gentle music)
- Hello there.
- Hi.
- What are you drawing?
- Godzilla. I love Godzilla.
- You love Godzilla?
- Yeah, but not the stupid
one with baby Godzilla
and that giant moth that
sprays crap all over the place.
The real Godzilla,
Gojira. He's the cool one.
- He's cool, huh? What
makes him cool, Jack?
- 'Cause no one or
nothing can stop him.
(paper rustling)
- Oh, my.
- [Dr. Lisa] Jack gave these
to me. He even signed them.
(paper rustling)
- [Teacher] This shark one
is particularly disturbing.
- Jack told me his dad
let him watch "Jaws."
So now he also loves
great white sharks.
Says he wants to be
an oceanographer.
- (chuckles and sighs) So,
what is your assessment?
- I definitely have
some more work to do
before I make a final analysis,
but I would describe much of
what I saw today as aberrant.
And I think it's safe to say
he will never be an artist.
- (chuckles) No.
- [Jack] I was labeled as a
troubled kid and it stuck.
(thunder rumbling)
(melancholic music)
Then weird stuff started
happening with my mom.
(Kim yelling)
(bowl clattering)
- [Renee] I hate you!
(Kim sobs)
(feet pattering)
(melancholic music continues)
(thunder rumbling)
- [Jack] My mom was becoming
erratic and unstable,
and we didn't know what to do.
(Kim sniffles)
(melancholic music continues)
My dad tried, but nothing
could make my mom feel better.
(Kim crying)
(melancholic music continues)
And I could tell my parents'
marriage was falling apart.
(melancholic music continues)
(door knocking)
(mom sobbing)
My mom quit coming
out of her room.
It was like she was
becoming a ghost.
- So, look, I just wanted
to sit you guys down
and tell you what's going on.
Um,
mom has been really
tired lately.
(melancholic music continues)
- Excuse me, I
just wanted to say
what a handsome
family you all are.
- Oh, thank you.
- Such beautiful children.
And this one, he's a spitting
image of you. It's remarkable.
- I started wondering
what was happening to her,
and more importantly, since
she and I were so alike,
when would it happen to me?
That became my greatest fear.
(thunder rumbling)
(melancholic music continues)
(rain pattering)
My parents' marriage was over.
(rain pattering continues)
(melancholic music continues)
(feet rustling)
(door knocking)
Mama, I'm all packed up. Gonna
go, can you open the door?
(melancholic music continues)
To heck with it then.
(melancholic music continues)
Renee and I had to
choose who to live with.
She chose to stay with my
mom, and I chose my dad.
(alarm beeps)
While it was an easy decision
for me to pick my dad,
it was a decision that no
kid ever wants to make.
(melancholic music continues)
(door thuds)
And that was it.
The relationship I had with
my mother was never the same.
My mom was sick and her
behavior destroyed me,
but I never gave up on her.
It would've been like hating
someone for having cancer.
- [Jason] Yeah, I think this
is it right there, this one.
- [Jack] There?
- [Jason] Yeah.
(car humming)
(cars whooshing)
(door thuds)
(door thuds)
- [Jack] So this is it, huh?
- Yeah, yeah.
You know, I, I, I wanted you
to be able to walk to school,
so I picked the closest place.
- Maybe being close isn't
all that important, Dad.
But we'll make the
best of it, right?
We are two-
- [Both] wild and
crazy bachelors!
- That we are, man. That we are.
All right, let's check it out.
- Yeah, I was gonna
miss my old life,
but I was also looking
forward to a new chapter.
(gentle upbeat music)
Then came my first day at
Hoover, and I was excited.
Dad, you making cronuts?!
- Hey, you know I
am, bud. Bacon too.
We gotta send you off to
school with a full belly.
Come on. All right, here we go.
We got your cronuts.
- Two pieces of bacon.
- Two, two pieces. (gasps)
Ooh! Ooh! (sighs)
How is it, hm? Thumbs,
I got a thumbs up?
I'll take it.
- [Jack] Things weren't perfect,
but I was gonna be
a Hoover Viking,
and the best part was no
more Sister Mary Margaret.
- You ready?
- Yeah.
- My man.
(fists thudding)
(lips smack)
I love you.
- I love you too, Dad.
- Okay.
Behave yourself, okay?
- [Jack] I will.
(door thuds)
(gentle music)
(Jason sighs)
- [Jack] My dad was
doing everything he could
to make sure I was happy.
And he always let me
know that I was loved.
(Jason sighs)
And he never let me see
how much pain he was in.
(Jason sobs)
(car whooshes)
(door thuds)
And then there were the
weekend visitations.
(feet pattering)
(door knocking)
All I wanted to
do was see my mom,
(gentle upbeat music)
but I saw the
neighborhood instead.
(upbeat music)
(gentle music)
(feet pattering)
I never quit going to that door.
(feet pattering continues)
(gentle music continues)
And by the time high
school came around
(door knocking)
visiting my mom was the same.
(footsteps thumping)
(car whooshing)
(birds chirping)
Sure, plenty of guys
came sniffing around
trying to rescue my mom.
(door thuds)
- Kim, do you even know what
he's doing when he comes here?
He's with one of his
delinquent friends
sitting up on the roof,
smoking cigars, pounding beers.
This is insane. This
kid is out of control.
- He was right, I
was outta control,
but I was living life
the only way I knew how.
As for the guys, most of 'em,
I never saw again. (chuckles)
I can never figure out why.
(hands smack)
(ball thumping)
(gentle music)
And then one day...
(door knocking)
Mom?
(gentle music continues)
(latch clicks)
- Jack, come in, I wanna
show you something.
(gentle music continues)
Do you see that?
- Yeah.
- Do you know what it is?
- No.
- It's stain.
A stain from my tears,
where I cry myself
to sleep every night.
- [Jack] As I stood there,
I felt both pity and
resentment for her.
It was all very confusing.
(gentle music continues)
- Jack,
I just thought you should know
that your father used to ask me
to do unspeakable things to him.
(gentle music continues)
He's a homosexual.
- [Jack] And my mother's
dissent into madness continued.
(image whooshes)
(birds chirping)
(whistle blowing)
- Bring it in.
Welcome to what we
affectionately referred to
as the kill box.
- [Jack] And then there was
coach D. The man was a legend.
(upbeat music)
He pretty much walked
on water around here.
- Hey, coach.
(upbeat music continues)
- Fawcett, come back here.
- Yeah? (sniffs)
- Something looks a little
different about you.
- Yeah, a new haircut.
- Oh yeah. That's,
that's pretty fancy.
Yes, that's, that's fancy stuff.
I think they missed a
little spot, though.
- No, I don't think they did.
- No, no, I do, I do.
Come here, come here.
Lemme see.
- [Jack] Are you sure?
- Yeah, yeah. Let's see here.
Oh, yeah.
See, look at...
No, no, just...
Yeah, lemme see.
This is what they
did. They missed it.
I'll fix it for you real quick.
Can you hear me?
- No.
- No, no, it's fine. Trust me.
(scissors snipping)
There we...
Oh, missed. Just
trim it a little.
There you go, buddy.
There, fixed it for you. Much
better, fixed it for you.
See you practice.
(scissors clink)
- (sighs) Thanks.
(upbeat music continues)
Dad, he just grabbed
my hair and cut it
with these giant paper scissors.
I, I looked like a dork.
- [Jason] Well, bud, if Mr. D
thought you needed a haircut,
I guess you needed a haircut.
- [Jack] Like I said,
the man walked on water.
- Welcome to what we
affectionately referred to
as the kill box.
Now, first day's gonna be tough.
Some of you might puke,
some of you might pass out,
some of you might do both.
Tomorrow, after
today's practice,
many of you will never sit
foot again on a wrestling mat,
unless of course, it's to
help clean up the blood,
the sweat, and the puke.
Ready to get to work?
- [Students] Yes, sir.
(whistle blows)
- Get up. Let's go, let's go.
Move, move, move, move.
- [Jack] Yeah, the haircut
thing was a bummer.
He was teaching me the
wrestlings about the team,
not the individual.
- Set up the shot.
Set up the shot.
(upbeat music)
Woo!
(class chattering)
- [Jack] While I loved
wrestling, I never
gave up on my art.
- Well, Jack, you seem to
have outdone yourself again
with this one.
Go ahead and make a map for it.
I'd like to put it
in the display case,
if that's okay with you.
- Yeah, thanks.
- Yeah.
- Hey. Hey, Jack, um, could
you, ah, help me cut this?
I can never figure it out.
- Yeah, I got you.
Where do I start?
So for yours, you, mine's a C.
In this room,
I'm not Jack the wrestler
or Jack the football player.
I'm just Jack. I
like it in here.
It makes me feel safe. I
have confidence in this room.
The feelings I've carried
since grade school,
those of being the bad kid,
for a brief time disappear.
(crickets chirping)
(phone chiming)
(TV roaring)
(phone chiming)
And then came the late
night calls from my mom.
- [Jason] Kim?
- I hate you.
Do you know that? Do you
know that I hate you.
You are an awful person,
and I'm going to kill you.
- Kim, look, you need help.
- Shut up. Shut up.
You will listen to me.
I need you to know that
you have destroyed my life,
and I'm going to kill you.
I have a gun.
(Kim crying)
(gentle music)
- [Jack] And while my
dad wasn't perfect,
he didn't deserve that.
(audience shouting and cheering)
This is Jimmy Brink,
my best friend.
We were both
fiercely competitive.
And when pushed, you could
find us running our hardest.
Jimmy for the coach.
(upbeat music)
(body thuds)
(machine chimes)
- Hey, Jack, heard you been
hanging out with Tracy still?
- [Jack] Yeah. And
me, for my life.
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
(upbeat music continues)
I'll admit it, Jimmy
was a better athlete,
but I had all the street smarts.
- Time!
(audience cheering and clapping)
- There he is. My dad, my
guardian angel, my biggest fan.
He raised me by himself.
And I wasn't an easy kid.
I was told I was bad.
And I believed it.
Even while I slowly
began to destroy myself,
he never gave up on me.
(tense music)
Bro, so you got that, right?
- Bro, I did not get it.
The dude never showed up.
I was waitin' out
there for 30 minutes.
- Bro, what? Are you serious?
- Bro, I am not serious!
- Yay!
Gimme that, gimme
that, gimme that.
(top pops)
Hey.
(melancholic music)
(Jack coughs)
Oh, crap.
Oh. (chuckles)
Ooh. (chuckles) Oh my gosh.
- Oh my gosh.
- Uff.
- Oh, it burns.
Bro, I don't feel anything.
(tense music)
- We gotta get him outta here.
My mom's gonna be
home in 30 minutes.
She can't see any
of this. Any ideas?
(crickets chirping)
(gentle music)
(footsteps thumping)
- [Teen boy] Holy. Gosh.
Alright, put him here. (sighs)
Oh.
- He's a mess. What
the heck did he do?
- We're not sure.
He was with Jimmy.
- So, where's
Jimmy? I don't know.
He and Jack showed up
at Cindy's together,
and then Jimmy said
he had a split.
- Nice.
Okay, I'm just gonna have
to leave him out here
till my dad goes to bed.
Me and my little brother will
come out and grab him later.
- All right, sounds
good. All right, see you.
- See you.
- Later.
(crickets chirping)
- That boy was heavy.
(crickets chirping continues)
- Dude, why here?
Why bring him here?
Why didn't they just
take him to Jimmy's?
- Because they brought
him here, all right?
And I'm not just gonna let my
friend lay out in the yard.
- Okay, where are
we gonna put him?
- We can throw him on
the couch in the basement
or something.
- All right, but if Dad
finds out, he's gonna freak.
- He's not gonna find out.
(Brian huffs)
(basketball crowd
cheering and shouting)
- [Sports Host] Bruce Brown
really good on the ball.
- [Sports Host] Yep. Irving
trapped gets rid of it Brown.
Now, they're running.
He missed an open dunk!
Rebounded by Carter.
(tone beeping)
(phone ringing)
Seconds into the game...
(cell phone buzzing)
Now, they wanna be
very physical with-
- Hello.
- [Sports Host] Kevin Durant-
- Hey, Brian, hey,
it, it's Jack's dad.
- [Sports Host] Paced
himself a little bit-
- Is, is Jack over there?
- Uh, yeah. Hey, Mr. Fawcett,
yeah, he's, he's, he's here.
He's downstairs sleeping.
- Okay. Could, could
you go get him, please?
- Um, sure, just
gimme one second.
- Dude, what did you just do?
Why would you tell him
that Jack was over?
- Man, I don't know. It
just caught me off guard.
- Besides, you know, I'm not
good at covering for your BS.
- Well, what are
you gonna tell him?
- Uh, I got it covered.
- Mr. F?
- Yep.
- Yeah, Jack's here. You
know, he's downstairs.
You know, he's
sleeping. He's fine.
- He's sleeping?
- [Brian] Hm-mm.
- Mm-hmm, okay,
(chuckles) well, uh,
could you, could you
go wake him up, please?
- [Brian] Yeah, sure.
Just gimme one second.
- What did he say?
- [Brian] He wants
me to go wake him up.
- Well, he's not waking up.
What are you gonna tell him?
(Brian panting)
Uh, Mr. Fawcett? Yeah,
he won't wake up, so.
- Oh.
(Brian sighs)
- He's on his way.
- Oh shit.
Hey, Mr. Fawcett.
- Hey, Steve. Where is he?
- [Mark] What's
going on out there?
(footsteps thumping)
(Jason sighs)
- Jack? Jack, get up.
Jack?! J, John Kelly, get up!
Jack, get up.
John Kelly, get up.
(Jack coughs)
(vomit splatters)
Oh!
Oh, Mark, I'm...
Jack?
(Jack coughing)
Oh no.
Oh, Jack, I can-
(vomit splatters)
Oh! Oh, Mark, I'm so sorry.
- It's okay, Jason.
Jack, get up!
- That's fine.
It's okay.
- Get up!
- [Mark] Let's just...
(Jason grunting)
(hand smacks)
- Jack! Mark, I'm so sorry.
Watch the puke. Watch the puke.
Watch the puke. Okay, all right.
All right, let's go.
- [Mark] All right, now
get up out of there.
- [Jason] Oh! Ew! Oh!
(gentle music)
(traffic buzzing)
(sheets rustling)
- [Jack] Oh.
(gentle music continues)
Mm.
(Jack sighs)
(gentle music continues)
And I remembered none of it.
(pencil thuds)
Sometimes my ADHD
got the better of me.
Boredom was my enemy.
(pencil thuds)
And algebra was boring.
(students chattering)
(paper rustles)
(students chattering continues)
(paper rustling)
(pencil thuds)
- [Students] Yeah.
(students chuckling)
- Jack, hall, now.
- [Students] Ooh!
(door thuds)
- Jack, are you trying to
make me look like an idiot?
Do you think I'm an idiot?
Or you're just trying
to convince them
that you're an idiot?
Which is it?
- Oh, no, coach. I, I, I
don't think you're an idiot.
- Then why do you do that crap?
Because it's crap like that
that makes us both
look like idiots.
Look, you know, I
like you, Jack. I do.
But man, you've gotta
start showing up in here.
You're failing this class, and
yet you keep jerking around.
I don't know what
to do with you.
- I just don't get it, coach.
I, I don't think my
brain is wired that way.
And trust me, I, I
don't like getting F's.
- Well, what do you expect?
You don't do the work, you
get the grade you deserve,
and then you get upset about it.
I don't understand that.
(students chattering)
- I don't really understand
it either, coach.
It's just I'm stuck.
- We better figure a
way to get unstuck, pal.
Because at this rate, you're
never gonna make college.
(sighs) I mean, look, college
isn't for everyone, Jack.
Have you thought about getting
a job here in North Canton?
Say, parks and recreation?
The hours aren't too bad,
and they'll give you
your own pickup truck.
Ricky Vaughn's got a job
there, and he loves it.
(upbeat music)
- I imagine what my life
at parks and recreation
would look like,
(upbeat music continues)
and it wasn't attractive.
(upbeat music continues)
- Look man, I wanna
see you succeed.
I wanna see you do well.
So get it together,
figure it out, all right?
- Yeah. Thank you, coach.
- Okay. Let's go.
(door clicks)
- [Jack] Then there was the
night my dad went outta town,
and my sister came over to make
sure I stayed outta trouble.
(upbeat music)
(door knocking)
But that didn't quite work out.
- Hello?
- [Kim] Renee.
- Oh shit.
- Here, I'll take that.
(door clicks)
- Hi, mom.
- Hi, Renee.
May I come in?
Hi, everybody.
- Hey. Hey, Mom, what you up to?
- I think the better
question John Kelly is,
what are you up to?
(clothes rustle)
- Mom, I really don't
think you should be here.
Dad wouldn't want you here.
- Oh really?
I'm not welcome
here? I should go.
- It's really not
a big deal, Mom.
- No, it's really
not a big deal.
Goodnight.
(door clicks)
(door thuds)
- Well, that was awkward.
(traffic buzzing)
(door knocking)
(door knocking continues)
(door clicks)
- Good morning, is there
Renee Fawcett here?
- Uh, yeah, that's me.
Is there a problem?
- No, no problem.
We were just told to deliver
these boxes to this address.
- No way. No way,
she moved me out.
That lunatic moved
me out of the house.
- And just like that,
my mom and Renee never
spoke to one another again.
(audience cheers and applauds)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(audience drowns
Coach D's voice)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(whistle blows)
- Yeah!
(audience cheers and applauds)
- Ah, yes, Tracy,
my first girlfriend.
Remember when Jeff was gonna
kick my butt at the arcade?
(machine chimes)
Yeah, that Tracy.
She and Jeff were an item.
but somehow she always found
herself spending time with me.
(upbeat music)
We always have fun together.
- [Tracy] Okay.
- [Jack] Okay.
- [Tracy] (gasps) Okay, okay.
This is gonna be so
good. Okay, okay.
(Jack faintly speaking)
- I know, what?!
- [Jack] I know.
- [Tracy] Look at
all the bags she has.
Okay, okay, okay, I'm ready.
Okay, right now?
- [Jack] Tracy was
a little wild...
(car beeps)
(woman yells)
(Tracy laughing)
Which was what I
liked about her.
- Oh my gosh.
- Yeah.
- [Tracy] Oh my gosh.
(birds chirping)
(traffic buzzing)
- Then came a reality check.
Wait, wait, wait.
Tracy, slow down.
Where are you again?
- I'm, I'm at the
hospital right now.
- At, at the hospi...
Why, are you okay?
- Jack, I, I just, I can't
really talk about it right now,
and I really have to go.
(tone beeps)
(Tracy sniffles)
- Hello? Tracy, hello?
Tracy was in the hospital,
and that could only
mean one thing.
Mom,
(hand thumps)
Tracy's pregnant.
- Oh, Jack, (sighs)
what did you do now?
How could your father
let this happen?
Does he know?
- It's because I'm an idiot.
No, no, trust me, it's,
it's not his fault, okay?
He's, he's not home
yet. What am I gonna do?
- You have to tell him.
That's all you can do for now.
- (sighs) Why? Why?
Why?! Why do I do
this to myself?
- Jack, I don't
know what to say.
- I know, I know.
(gentle music)
I'll let you know what he says.
I mean, I'll call
you back later.
Okay, love you.
- [Kim] Love you too, Jack.
(tone beeps)
(gentle music continues)
(door clicks)
- Hey, Jackie, my boy. Hey,
I got dinner for tonight.
Oh, and you'll be happy
to hear I, I got the last
of the smiley face cookies.
Some lady was eyeballing them,
but I swooped in
and scooped them up.
(plastic rustling)
Jack,
(Jason sighs)
(gentle music)
what did you do now?
(birds chirping)
You got me on this
one, Jack. (sighs)
I'm speechless, man. I
mean, this is big, okay?
This is gonna affect
the rest of your life.
I mean, the rest of my life.
I mean, who, who do you think
is gonna take care of this
kid, Jack, pay for this kid?
Besides you, (sighs)
you and Tracy,
you're just kids yourselves.
You're too young to be
involved in that way.
(phone buzzes)
- Hey, hey!
- Hey.
- Is everything okay?
I've been sitting here
like a nervous wreck.
- [Tracy] Sorry.
- Is everything all right?
- Not really.
- Are you pregnant?
- Am I what?! Am I pregnant?!
- Well, yeah.
- No, I'm not pregnant.
Why would you think that?
- I don't know, okay.
Maybe 'cause you were at the
hospital and you were crying
and you would not tell
me what's going on.
So I just, man, I, I don't know!
(Jack inhales deeply)
So if you're not pregnant,
why are you at the hospital?
(people chattering)
- My brother tried
to kill himself.
(students chattering)
- Perfect.
You know, Jack, if you
apply yourself every time
like you did with this piece,
I can help get you
into a good art school.
(shoes clacking)
(students chattering)
Jack?
- Um, yeah, thanks.
But, uh, I don't know.
- You don't know what,
whether you can apply yourself,
or whether you will
apply yourself?
- Both, I guess.
- Jack, I don't know
what you're hiding from
or what's holding you back,
but I want you to know
that you don't fool me.
I see you, I see
who you really are,
and I believe you're more
than a varsity jacket
or having your hand
raised on a wrestling mat.
But I can't do it for you.
I can't force you to apply
yourself for your own good.
- All right, yeah.
Thank you Mr. Walter,
I, uh, I appreciate it.
I, I guess I'm gonna go
apply myself to my lunch.
- Okie dokie.
(students chattering)
Jack, think about
what I said, okay?
- [Jack] All right.
I heard what he said.
(bell ringing)
But the biggest wrestling
match of my life was coming up,
and that's what I
needed to focus on.
- Hey, Jack, is it true
you're gonna cut down to 38,
or are you gonna stay at 145?
- Man, I'm staying
fat and happy at 145.
- Isn't that where Bumper is?
Dude's, he's the two
time state champion.
- Three.
- Three?
- Three time state champion.
(upbeat music)
Stop that
(whistle blowing)
- Suicide, let's go.
On the wall, on the
wall, on the wall.
Stop that
(players cheering and clapping)
Stop that
(music drowns Coach D's voice)
(players cheering and clapping)
- So, where'd you say
you're from then, Tijuana?
(chuckling) Hilarious.
- Actually, I didn't
say where, and no.
- So, I'm sure you're aware
of all the illegals entering
our country with drugs.
How do you feel about that?
- (chuckles) As long as
they save some for me.
- Oh, so you're a junky too.
- Too, in addition to what?
(students chattering)
(locker door thuds)
- Hey!
- Hey, Jack.
- Come on, we're
late. We gotta go.
- We're late. We gotta go.
(gentle music)
- Yeah.
- Thanks, but you
didn't have to do that,
- Wasn't you I
was worried about.
- (chuckles) Hey, I
am gonna duck out.
Thanks again. Catch you later.
- Yeah, catch you later.
But I'm thinking
- [Jack] I don't
know what it was,
but there was something
about this girl.
(students chattering)
Mm, let's loose track
- Jack Fawcett drew that?
- The photograph looks so sad.
- Yeah, it's so depressing.
Wow, so talented.
- I thought Jack
Fawcett was a wrestler.
- I can't even draw
a stick figure.
(students laughing)
- Are you kidding?
(bell ringing)
(gentle music continues)
(gentle music continues)
- Hey, Robert,
(door thuds)
is that your photo in the
booth? I mean, it's amazing.
- I wish.
- That's my girl Lily's.
She's my hot new bestie.
- Who's Lily?
(students chattering)
(gentle music continues)
- Oh, Jack, meet Lily.
Darling stay for
a little longer
- Hi, Jack, nice to meet you.
- Hi, Lily, uh,
nice to meet you.
Head upon my shoulder
Nothing in the way
- So what's the deal, Jack?
- The deal?
- Yeah, the girls told
me you went somewhere
with some Mexican yesterday.
Where'd you go, Taco Bell?
- Hilarious.
Did they also tell you
that they had her cornered
and were just being
complete idiots?
- What do you care?
Do you have the hots
for her or something?
- If by hots you mean
wanting to look after someone
that doesn't know a soul here,
who's being attacked
by your stupid clique of
mean girls, then yeah.
- Jack, what is up with you?
- What's up with me? No, I'm
so done with this conversation.
I'm looking forward to
going to algebra class.
(gentle electronic music)
(whistle blows)
- You guys up
first. Ready to go?
And on my whistle,
(whistle blows)
monkey rolls.
(upbeat electronic music)
(students shout and thump)
(upbeat electronic music)
(students shout and thump)
(whistle blows)
- Let's go.
- Let's go. Let's go.
- Got it. Go.
- Keep going, keep going.
(upbeat electronic music)
(students shout and cheer)
(whistle blowing)
(upbeat electronic music)
(students cheer and applaud)
- Man, I've been bugging
Mr. Walter for weeks
just to get supplies
for the mat table.
You come in after a week and
get this thing opened up?
What's your secret?
I start wearing concert
T-shirts and Converse tape.
- It couldn't hurt.
No, he just feels sorry for me
because I'm the only
Latina in this school.
- (chuckles) Really? I mean,
you seriously think that's why?
- No, not completely. He's cool.
I just think he
recognizes talent.
(object rasping)
- Man, you're good.
You can just never tell
when you're being serious.
- Sorry, I guess I can
be a little sarcastic.
- It's cool. I dig sarcasm.
So, what brought
you to North Canton?
- Well, I'm kind of
from all over the place.
My dad's in the Air Force,
so we've moved around a lot.
- [Jack] So, you're
living in the air base?
- No, it's complicated.
- I mean, I've got all day.
- My dad split about a year ago.
So, my mom, my sister
and me live in a house
over on Ridgecrest.
Well, we were until my
mom burned the house down.
- (chuckles) Your mom burned
the house down? Sarcasm, right?
(TV roaring)
- Knock, knock.
- Oh, hey, honey,
did you find it?
- I sure did.
Somehow it got mixed in
with the kid's laundry.
- Thank you so much.
You know, I'd be a nervous
wreck without this undershirt.
- I do know,
and I think it's adorable
how superstitious you are.
- Honey, I'm not superstitious.
It's just that we tend
to win when I'm...
Well, it's good...
Okay, fine, maybe I'm a
little bit superstitious.
- Well, it's a good
thing you didn't have me
scouring the house looking for
your favorite boxer shorts.
- I don't wear boxers anymore.
- All right, well look,
I'll get outta your way.
Good luck tonight.
- Thank you
- Boys ready to go?
- Boys are ready.
- Good.
I can't wait to
see my handsome man
in his favorite
non-superstitious shirt
taking it to those Leopards.
- Thank you, honey. I love you.
- I love you too.
(feet thumping)
- Jack, it's Lily.
(chair scraping)
(feet thumping)
(shoes squeaking)
- Where?
- Cafeteria.
(feet thumping)
(students shouting)
(gentle suspenseful music)
- What's wrong with
you, Tracy? All of you!
I mean, is it just
'cause she's different?
'Cause she doesn't
need your acceptance,
and that terrifies you?
'Cause it proves that
you don't really matter
and that bubble you
live in means nothing.
- What's the matter with us?
Jack, you wanna talk
about living in a bubble?
Well, maybe you should ask
yourself the same question.
You flunk all your classes,
and then you hide
behind special treatment
just because you're
some big jock.
And you will never
leave this place
because you are so scared
you're gonna go somewhere
and someone's not
gonna worship you,
or, or they're gonna find out
that you are nothing more
than a frightened little boy.
- [Students] Ooh.
- You're just like your mother.
- Ooh!
- Oh fuck.
- She's a lunatic, and you're
gonna end up just like her,
afraid and alone.
(gentle music)
- Jack.
- Jack!
- Wow, Robert, your
ensemble's so convulsive.
I had no idea you were
such a wrestling fan.
- Oh, girl, please!
I just want an excuse
to be loud and proud.
And besides, Jack is sweet,
and I wanna be there
to support him.
- Speaking of,
have you seen him?
(sliding door scraping)
Jack, what are you doing here?
- She was right. What she said.
I'm the one that's terrified.
I'm terrified of the world.
You know, I'm, I'm
terrified of being broken
and ending up like my mom.
- Well, with all due respect,
who cares what she says?
And talk about broken,
that girl has issues.
How in the world did you
end up with her anyways?
- I don't know. I guess I'm
just, I've got a broken picker.
- Broken picker? That's funny.
Look, who doesn't
have battle scars?
It's what you let cripple
you that's going to kill you
or define you.
Just make a lane and
get out of your own way.
These things with your
mom don't define you.
They define her circumstances
and the tools she was given,
which sadly weren't many.
You have a choice. Find
your tools and use them.
- Sorry, what exactly
are we talking about?
- We're talking about God.
- (sighs) Oh my God, here we go.
- Well, you have a choice.
You need to find
something to believe in
that's bigger than you,
bigger than your sports,
and bigger than the idea
of chance saving you
from what might be
and what will be.
(gentle music)
- Still nothing.
- You're not the
only person paralyzed
at the thought of
being human or exposed.
Everyone is. So
choose that, be human.
Be humble.
(gentle music continues)
It's okay not to be
a star on the mat
or king of the school.
I mean, you practically
are a king of the school,
and you're miserable.
What's important is to
be okay with yourself.
That is where the peace
sits in the place of faith.
Don't be defined by the
obstacles given to you.
Be defined by how
you overcome them.
- How are you so
far ahead of me?
- It has nothing to do
with being ahead of anyone.
I had no choice. I don't have
the support system you have.
There's a lot you don't know.
(gentle music continues)
(sighs) I too have
a crazy mother.
The house, yes, she burned
it down to the ground.
My father left a year ago,
and since then, it's been
me taking care of her,
on suicide watch.
(gentle music continues)
- Seriously?
- Yep.
wrist, in the
middle of the night,
I found her bleeding over the
bathroom sink six months ago.
She was institutionalized
and she just got out.
And now we're here, staying
with extended family.
It hasn't been fun.
- Wow, I'm sorry.
- It is what it is. I just
let those things define me.
They're only part of my story.
The reality is I'm not equipped
or powerful enough to navigate
these things on my own.
Neither are you.
(gentle music continues)
Which is when and why I
turn to God for strength,
guidance, and resilience,
to keep identifying tools,
to move forward towards a
place that brings me joy,
and to maybe one day be
in a place to help my mom.
(gentle music continues)
- The nuns kicked God
outta me years ago,
and I just haven't
found my way back.
- Jack, God never left
you. You left God.
The fact that you
have your art is proof
that God is still with you.
I mean, you think a gift like
that is all you, seriously?
- I guess I just never
thought about it that way.
- Okay, so now we have a tool.
- Whoa, you're
calling me a tool?
- Jack,
(fingers snap)
stay focused.
What just happened? Did
you hear a dog whistle?
- I'm sorry. Hey, I'm 10.
- I know you're 10, but I'm
trying to help you turn 11.
- No, I'm, I'm sorry, okay?
I hear you. I'm, I'm listening.
- [Lily] Good.
- So, you coming to
the match tonight?
- No offense, but sporting
events really aren't my thing.
- I mean, you'd get
to see me in tights.
- I think I just threw up in
my mouth a little. (chuckles)
(upbeat music)
- [Jack] Then came
the big match.
(upbeat music continues)
(players applauding)
- [Coach] Let's go,
let's go, let's go!
(upbeat music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(upbeat music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(upbeat music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(music drowns coach
and players voices)
(upbeat music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(upbeat music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(whistle blowing)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- [Sports Host] Up
next at 145 pounds,
from North Canton, Jack Fawcett.
(gentle music)
(audience cheers and applauds)
And from Jackson, three
times state champion,
Billy Bumper (indistinct)
(gentle music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(gentle music continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- You ready?
- Yes, sir.
- No fear.
- No fear.
- No fear.
- No fear.
- Let's go, let's go.
(gentle suspenseful music)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- Look, it's not about
winning or losing, okay?
It's about the
lessons that you learn
and the kind of man
it helps you become.
Do you understand?
As long as you give it 100%
every time, I'm good with that.
(gentle suspenseful
music continues)
(whistle blows)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- You are nothing more than
a frightened little boy.
- [Students] Ooh!
- You're just like your mother.
(singer vocalizing)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- Jack. I don't know
what you're hiding from
or what's holding you back,
but I want you to know
that you don't fool me.
I see you. I see
who you really are.
And I believe you're more
than a varsity jacket
or having your hand
raised on a wrestling mat.
(singer vocalizing)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(singer vocalizing continues)
(audience cheers and applauds)
(whistle blows)
(gentle suspenseful music)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- It's okay not to
be a star on the mat
or king of the school.
What's important is to
be okay with yourself.
(gentle suspenseful music)
(audience cheers and applauds)
Don't be defined by the
obstacles given to you.
Be defined by how
you overcome them.
(audience cheers and applauds)
(gentle upbeat music)
(audience cheering and
shouting drowns out singer)
- Hey, hey, great job! It's
a three time state champ.
Great job, buddy. Good job.
(gentle upbeat music continues)
(audience cheering and
applauding drowns out singer)
- Hey.
- Hey.
Wow, nice nose.
- Yeah, chicks dig it.
- They do dig it.
At the end of the
- (sighs) Man, I
am so proud of you.
I love you so much.
- Thanks, I love you too.
I used to be
(gentle upbeat music continues)
- All right, I see how it is.
- What are you doing
at a sporting event?
I didn't think that
was your thing.
- I know, I guess I
just wanted to see
how the other half lived.
Nice nose, by the way. Matches
your picker. (chuckles)
- You know I appreciate
your sarcasm, right?
- I do.
So in an attempt to help you
from continuing to be a fashion
victim, I got you a present.
- More sarcasm?
- Nope, not this time.
- (gasps) No way, a
Black Sabbath T-shirt?
I mean, I'm gonna start
looking cool like you now?
- Well, let's not get
carried away. (chuckles)
Oh, and there's this.
I've crossed the desert
And the endless sea
(paper rustles)
I'm not the same
as I use to be
- Well, uh, how?
- I had some help
from Mr. Walter.
We both agreed that you needed
a little push, so we pushed.
(gentle music continues)
- I don't, I don't
know what to say.
- You don't have to
say anything, Jack.
Just make a lane and
get out of your own way.
I look forward to
seeing you rock
that Sabbath shirt tomorrow.
- Yeah. Goodnight,
see you tomorrow.
- Goodnight, Jack.
Hey, Jack!
(camera clicks)
- Someone said that Lily coming
into my life at this time
was a coincidence,
but I don't believe
in coincidences.
What Lily taught me
is that we're all just
trying to do our best
and live our lives with
the tools we've been given.
My mom didn't have the
tools to have a normal life,
and my dad didn't have
the tools to fix her.
Sister Mary Margaret
didn't have the tools
to deal with a kid like me,
and I didn't have the
tools to get closer to God
and live a happy life.
But I'm determined to find them.
Day's light breaks
through the window pane
Morning coffee steams
waking me again
Put on my boots
Laces tied and neat
Another day trudging
down that same old street
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The boss man's scouth
The clock's steady tick
Paperwork and phone calls
It makes me sick
The lunch break
comes and goes
My spirits worn thin
Same old routine
This ain't no way to win
Ooh, it's the
day we cry loose
Dragging me down
Pushing me around like
an old circus clown
Day in, day out
No end in sight
I'm dreamin' another life
Where it all feels right
Ooh, ooh
(gentle music)
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Hear a voice calling
out your name
And they're calling up high
(singer singing in
foreign language)
(gentle music continues)
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