Year One (2024) Movie Script
1
[music]
[party din]
[pensive music playing]
[hum of excited chatter]
Um, I'm--
I'm too drunk for this.
-What?
-I'm too drunk for--for this.
You're great.
This is great. Yeah.
Um...
[]
[birds chirping]
[street din]
[Ezra] Hi, everyone.
I'm Ezra
and I'll be your RA this year.
[smacks lips] I live
down the hall in room 435,
and before we start
any rules or regulations,
I was thinking
we could do a little icebreaker.
I'm Selene, I am a freshman,
and this is Ruby, my roommate,
and yeah, oh, I'm bringing
strawberries to the picnic.
You're Ezra,
and you're bringing eggs.
You're Jonathan,
and you're bringing jam.
You're Becca,
and you're bringing b--bacon?
Bacon, got it.
You're Mika,
and you're bringing mangoes.
[sorrow music playing]
-You're Ruby, obviously, and...
-Yeah, I mean--
...you're bringing pineapples...
[music swells,
Selene's voice fades]
[decoration clattering]
[bed squeaking]
Are those your friends
from high school?
Yeah, we were really--
uh, we were really close.
This is the first time I've gone
to school without them.
-That must be nice.
-What?
You know,
to have a group of girlfriends.
It's like in Heathers.
Doesn't everyone get, like,
murdered in Heathers, though?
I mean, obviously not that part.
You just remind me of Veronica.
Uh, I can assure you
that my high school experience
was nothing like that,
but thank you?
What was your high school
experience like?
Um... [smacks lips]
...it was pretty boring,
actually.
I studied my ass off
to get here.
Um, that's--
that's pretty much it.
I didn't really,
like, party or anything.
-You didn't?
-No. No.
Um, I think
I'm just most excited
for, like, finally being here
and meeting
all these different people
from, like,
all around the world.
And, like, finally
being able to write, actually.
So...
-What about you?
-Um, wait, what about me what?
Like, what are you
most excited for?
Oh, um, you know, probably
everything that you said.
Uh, but actually, I think
I'm actually really excited
to have a group of girlfriends
because I never had that
in high school.
Well, college
is the perfect place to do that.
There are a ton of people
for us to meet.
[contemplative music playing]
[overlapping chatter]
Uh, what about them?
Right there.
I recognize them from our floor.
-They seem nice.
-Oh, okay. Okay.
I just saw the other dude
the other day.
-[Ruby] Hey, do you guys mind
if we sit with you?
-Yeah, sure.
-[Selene]
Um, what were your names again?
-Uh, Becca.
-Brianna.
-Selene.
-I'm Ruby. Hi.
-[Becca] Hi.
Um, so are you guys going
to any frat parties this week?
Uh, we were considering it.
Um, I know Rho Phi is
having one off campus tonight.
-[Brianna] Which one is that?
-It's like, I think it's,
like, the Nice Jewish Boy one.
-Oh.
-Oh.
My orientation leader
made a whole list
of all the parties
happening this week.
Um, we can do a group chat
and I can share it with you
if you want.
-Yeah. Yeah, let's do it.
-[Selene] Awesome. Cool.
Yeah, you can just put
your contacts there.
Ah! [chuckles]
You can just text me from there.
Yeah.
So there's this boy, Garth.
It's so cute.
He'd make
the perfect first boyfriend.
-You met him, like, yesterday.
-I know,
but he's, like, perfect.
It's like,
oh, I want him inside me.
-[Ruby chuckles]
-Have you swiped the V-card yet?
-Oh, um--
-Oh, hi boys!
Hi! Oh, my God, hi! Hi.
-Oh, this is my roommate, Ruby.
-Hi.
-I met Garth at orientation.
-And this is my friend, Sam.
-Hi. Ruby.
-Hey, Sam.
-Hi.
-Hi.
-Are you guys ready to go?
-Uh, yeah. Yes.
-Yeah?
All right, let's head out.
-[Selene] Let's do it.
Let's do it!
You came in like you knew
["Doublesides" playing]
-You got a text from a brother?
-Uh, I'm Sam Robinson.
Liam said he'd vouch for me?
-Oh, yeah, dude. You're good.
-My friends too?
Yeah, man. All good.
See you
at the rush event next week?
[Sam] Yeah. For sure.
So you dimmed my light
I was on the road,
But you be calling back
I know that it hurts
Said I'll leave it
in the past
But baby, when we touch
I forget just why I left
But you make me
want to try
Hate you, but I smile
When the time is right
Blame you, 'cause I cried
Onto your sheets tonight
You feel like
A nightmare in a lullaby
But damn,
You know I love the high
Hurt me, it's erotic
When you make me cry
Crossing lines, and I blurred
Them more than once or twice
You know I'm addicted to that
fire sign
I'm a Gemini,
Know I got the doublesides
-You're safe.
-Thank you.
-[Selene] What should we get?
-Uh, rum and coke?
-Rum and coke?
-[Ruby] Yeah.
-[frat boy] Two?
-Yeah.
-[frat boy] Cool.
-Great.
-Do you like 'em strong?
-[Selene] Of course, yeah, yeah.
-We're here to party.
-Yeah, that's right dude.
So then he was like, "Yo,
who do you need for this job?"
And I was like, "Bro, bro,
I don't know, I don't know."
And he's like, "Your mom!"
I was like, "Bro."
-That was also very fun!
-[Selene laughs] Whoa.
[laughs]
[crickets chirping]
Um...
-Maybe--maybe not.
-Oh, yeah.
-Sorry.
-No, you're good. [sighs]
[Sam clears throat]
[pensive music playing]
[door clicks closed]
Um, is anybody
sitting right there?
-I'm Ruby.
-Will.
[door shuts closed]
-Oh, hey.
-Hi.
-How was your first day?
-It was okay.
Just okay?
Yeah, I had
my first Psych class.
I don't know, I didn't really
like the other Psych majors.
Like, they were
all psychoanalyzing me.
-I don't know.
-Oh, I'm sorry, that sucks.
Um, I was thinking of going
to the activities fair later,
-if you want to come.
-Okay, yeah.
-Cool.
-Cool.
See anything interesting?
Uh, yeah, I'm looking
for Literary Magazine.
I first heard about it
when I was applying here,
and I've been
super excited ever since.
Oh, uh, were you planning
to rush at all?
I, uh, hadn't
really thought about it.
I think I'm going to wait
and see how I feel
at the end of the quarter.
I think I'm going to.
Apparently everyone's
friend groups change after rush.
-Who told you that?
-My orientation leader.
She told us everything about
navigating the social scene.
Huh.
Mine didn't say
anything about that.
The most useful piece
of information he told us was
what dining stations to avoid.
-Hey, are you interested
in Ancient Drama?
-Uh, kind of.
-Creative Writing major.
-Nice.
-I'm a Classics major,
so similar territory.
-What's this club?
We put on a production
of a Greek play each quarter.
It's a really low-budget thing,
but a lot of fun. Do you act?
I've always been interested,
but I don't sing.
In my high school,
I did musical theater, so...
Well, you don't
really need any experience
to be in one of our plays.
If you're interested, you can
sign up for our e-mail list.
Oh, nice.
Nice to meet you.
Hope to see you
at one of our info sessions.
Thank you.
If I knew you were interested
in the theater scene,
I would have asked
my orientation leader
which group is best.
[sighs] I'm not really.
I just like classic literature.
[quiet hum of chatter]
Um is this the Literary
Magazine info session?
Oh. [chuckles]
[melancholic music playing]
...gave me something
I could handle.
-Hey.
-Oh, hey.
Hi. [chuckles]
Where are you off to now?
-Class. Calculus.
-Oh, that sucks.
It's not that bad.
-Okay, well,
I'll--I'll see you around.
-Yeah.
["THE MAN" playing]
All these bitches want to drop
It bus it open for a nigga
They know I'm the man
Singing all my lyrics
With her bestie
She my biggest fan,
Fall for anything
-Jesus Christ.
-Yeah.
-Ooh. [laughs] Hefty pourer.
-Well, yeah.
Oh, okay.
Um, thank you.
Is this going to be a problem
with Ezra, do you think or--
Who, is Ezra? Oh, wait.
Yeah, the--oh.
I never even see him.
I hope
he doesn't want to come around.
Um, you don't--you don't think
he's going to come
to our room, right?
-No, he probably not.
-He's never done a round.
-Never?
-No.
I don't think so.
I just don't,
I just don't get it
This is good.
But I can't let a bitch
Get me in my feelings
We should take a cute photo.
-Yeah.
-Um, yeah.
It's going to be great.
Let me just...
[cell phone chimes]
Ah. [chuckles nervously]
Yes.
[camera shutter clicking]
Cute, I love it.
[crickets chirping]
[cell phone chimes]
-[woman] Why?
-[man] Yeah, exactly.
Why does it feel like everyone
has their friends already?
Because they do.
-You think?
-Definitely.
The frats and sororities
have already picked
who they want to rush.
Sports teams have been training
since before we even got here,
and everyone else
already has friends
from home or camp
or some club that hazes.
-Really?
-Oh, yeah.
How did that happen so fast?
Like, don't people
want to make friends
outside of their inner circle?
I feel like I haven't had enough
time to get to know anyone yet.
What's there to know?
You just have to find someone
to do things with.
That's kind of a shallow
definition of friendship.
Don't you think?
[pensive music playing]
[liquid pouring]
[sighs]
[ominous music playing]
[door clicks closed]
[upbeat music playing]
Sorry, I just wanted--
I just have to get
through there, thank you.
Mm. Mm.
Ew! What is it?
There's a lot of stuff
that we can, like, improve on.
Yeah, she didn't like it at all.
-Oh, shit, man.
-I know.
I'm not even in charge.
[door clicks closed]
-You'll be next year, though.
-Yeah, exactly.
Man, I'm so sick
of these things.
Right? Yeah, me too.
[frat boy 2] I mean,
all these girls just come in
and want to take pictures,
never actually talk to anyone.
I know, I feel like
I'm, like, surrounded by people
who are just,
like, putting on an act.
Like, they don't want actual,
like, genuine human connection.
They just want
Instagram followers.
So, what's your handle?
Uh...
[water splashing]
Fuck.
[upbeat music playing]
You're in my English class.
I just dropped my phone
in the frat toilet.
-[laughs] No fucking way.
-Yeah fucking way.
Fucking way up.
[teacher] What goods
and services should we produce?
-For example, should we produce
mangoes or oranges?
-[cell phone chimes]
Should we produce
computers or cars?
Second, how do we produce
those goods and services?
Do we produce
using the employment
of possible income?
[melancholic music playing]
[keyboard clacking]
[professor] Accent,
in linguistic terms,
everyone speaks
in some form of dialect.
-[Ruby clears throat]
-Boundaries between
accents and dialects
are fluid and socially distinct.
-[Ruby coughs]
-So, what is standard language?
Standard language
is referred to...
[Ruby clears throat]
[Ruby coughing]
-[Rub retching]
-[Selene] Oh, my God.
[Ruby coughing]
[Ruby panting]
-I need health services.
-It's ten. They're closed.
-[Ruby] Hospital, then.
-[Selene] The ER?
-[Ruby] Anything.
-Okay, just give me 15 minutes.
I don't have 15 minutes, Selene.
I need you to call an Uber.
I can't because my phone
is still broken from the party.
-Okay, okay. Um...
-[Ruby panting]
-[engine humming]
-[Ruby coughing]
-For Selene?
-[Selene] Yes.
-[Ruby coughing]
-[paper bag rustling]
Please, please, please, please
do not throw up in this car.
-Is she okay?
-Not really.
God, if you throw up
in this car, I will throw up.
Selene, you don't have to come.
-It's okay.
-I have to. You need me.
-Are we going or not?
-Can you just drive, please?
[Ruby coughing]
-[Ruby panting]
-[car beeping]
[pensive music playing]
We're going to discharge you
in about 20 minutes.
I never get sick.
This is my
first time in a hospital.
[nurse] It's not uncommon.
We get a ton of freshmen
this time of year.
You're exposed to new things,
and you're building up
your immune system.
Do you get enough rest?
That could weaken it, too.
I usually do.
My roommate actually thinks
that I get too much sleep,
but she's an insomniac, so.
Do you have regular fatigue?
Oh, definitely,
but I always just thought
that was because I was so busy.
You should keep an eye on it.
I tell all the college students
that come through here,
excessive fatigue
is often the first indicator
of something wrong.
Thank you.
[waves crashing]
-[professor]
There are three waves...
-[phone chimes]
...of linguistic variation
and analysis.
The first wave is questions
we can't address.
Correlation versus causation.
Why these patterns?
Why these variables?
What's the relationship
between smaller groups
and social practices
at a micro-level
and macro-social patterns?
The second wave is analysis.
Local categories as underlying
or embedded
demographic categories.
Local variables as tied up
in local ideologies.
Symbolic capital, which can vary
depending on the community.
Understanding how
these broader patterns work...
[door clicks open]
[Brianna] You look so cute!
[laughter]
[contemplative music playing]
[cell phone vibrating]
[cell phone chimes]
[overlapping chatter]
[ominous music playing]
Hello. I love your phone case.
It's great!
Um, so what are you guys up to?
[]
[alarm beeping]
[cell phone chimes]
[somber music playing]
Oh, my God. I got in.
Oh, my God.
[crickets chirping]
So, how was your day?
Um...
not great.
I--uh, I didn't get
into the Literary Magazine.
Oh.
Yeah, I didn't realize
that I had thought of it
as such, like, a central part
of my college experience, so.
-How was your day?
-Terrible.
I have two papers to write.
I have no time to do it
because of ski club,
and also it turns out
Garth is in ski club,
and he doesn't even know
how to ski,
and I haven't even eaten
since breakfast today
because the dining hall's out of
saltines and everything I like.
Wait, you haven't eaten
since breakfast?
No.
Well, the dining hall's closed.
Well, aren't you hungry?
Well, yeah,
but there's nothing I can do.
You need to eat something.
Like, you should order Chinese.
No, I can't.
-[sighs] Here, eat this.
-Oh, no, no, no, please.
-No, please.
-No, no, no.
Just take it, just take it.
If you're hungry, like, you need
to eat, so just take it.
-I--I will replace them.
-Don't worry about it,
it's fine.
-No, I will.
-It's a granola bar.
-I promise.
-No, it's fine.
I will replace them.
[phone ringing]
-Hey! Oh, my God!
-Hi!
I miss you so much.
How is everything?
I'm so sorry.
Can I call you back later?
I'm on my way to a party,
but I want to hear everything.
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, sure.
-Just--just text me.
-Okay.
Bye!
Oh, I'm crossing the street.
Hold on.
[sighs]
[foreboding music playing]
[waves crashing]
[keyboard clacking]
Apparently, Becca and Brianna
are having problems.
Really?
According to Becca, like,
Brianna is super disrespectful
as a roommate.
Oh, I thought
they were best friends.
Apparently, that was just like
a first week of school
sort of thing.
Do you know what happened?
Apparently,
Brianna always has people over
without asking Becca first.
Hmm.
You don't think that's selfish?
I think that when two people
move in together,
they have to make
some adjustments.
Especially
in such a small space.
Like, I mean, like,
we had to make adjustments
with each other, right?
[keyboard clacking loudly]
Hey.
Oh, I didn't know
you were still awake.
Yeah, I wasn't.
Um, do you think you could
finish that with the light off?
Um, I'm almost done.
-[keyboard clacking loudly]
-Okay.
[somber music playing]
[overlapping chatter]
[]
[Ruby spits]
[door clicks open]
[door shuts closed]
-[Selene hyperventilating]
-Oh. Whoa.
[Selene]
When I'm having a panic attack,
I'm supposed
to put pressure on my eyes.
-[Ruby] Okay, okay, calm down.
-[Selene] I can't calm down!
Right, sorry,
that was insensitive.
Uh, did something happen
while I was brushing my teeth?
I can't get the heat to work!
Uh, did you try
turning it up all the way?
-No.
-Okay, well, let's try that.
[heating beeping]
Hmm. Um...
we can call maintenance
in the morning.
I can't wait till the morning.
-Okay, well, I'll go get Ezra.
-No!
-No?
-No.
Selene, I don't know--I don't
know what you want me to do.
Please, I'm--I'm--I'm just--
I'm just trying to help.
You're cold, right?
-Um...
-[Selene crying]
It's okay.
[professor] Variation
doesn't just reflect immunity.
We actively use
linguistic variation
to create or project immunity.
Variation allows use
to convey social meanings
through different ways
of speaking or sounds.
When we start
talking about meaning,
we need to see language
as a system of--
[overlapping chatter]
[heartfelt music playing]
[phone ringing]
-[Ruby's mom] Hello?
-Mom?
-Ruby, what's wrong?
-[Ruby sniffles]
[Ruby breathing heavily]
I'm not making any friends.
-[Ruby sighs]
-What do you mean?
What about Selene?
She--she's--she's complicated.
What about the other girls
from your hall?
I'm in my room...alone...
right now. [crying]
[somber music playing]
Because I have no one.
Because I have
no one to be with.
I'm surrounded by people,
I just--I...
I feel so lonely.
[Ruby breathing heavily]
[foreboding music playing]
[waves crashing]
[melancholic music]
[]
[crickets chirping distantly]
So, what classes
are you taking this quarter?
Um... Narrative Fiction,
Greek Tragedy,
-and Psychology.
-[Selene] Psychology?
Why are you taking that?
I didn't take it in high school,
and everyone says
it's a great class.
Well, it's a really hard class,
so you should probably drop it.
I don't really care
if it's hard.
I want to take the class,
so I'm gonna take the class.
Okay, well, I got a five on
the AP test, so I can help you.
Okay, if I need it,
I'll let you know.
[phone buttons clacking]
Are you planning on rushing?
Uh...
I signed up.
Do you know what sorority
you want to be in?
I don't know, I think
I was gonna decide that
once we made our way through.
You're definitely gonna be
an Alpha Zeta.
I can totally see you there.
See, I, like, I don't even
know what that means.
You know them,
they dress like you.
Flowy pants, jean jackets.
You wear jean jackets.
Yeah, but you know what I mean.
Like, the fake hippie girls.
Oh.
Well, I'm definitely
gonna be in Chi Mu.
See, I think it might be even
too early for you to say that.
So, where are you from?
Oh, I'm from Michigan.
Oh, cool.
[hum of excited chatter]
Oh, my God, see, like, I would,
like, I've always wanted
to live in a sorority house.
I--I know I can't really
ask this, but, like,
what frats do you mix with?
Like, I don't know.
You know what I'm saying?
But, you know,
that is important for me.
Oh, well, we do have...
And, uh, what's your major?
Uh, creative writing,
I want to be an author.
Oh, my friend's
an English major.
I like English a lot, too.
I was thinking
of double-majoring.
That's cool.
[hum of excited chatter]
Yeah.
[laughter]
[hum of excited chatter]
[foreboding music]
I got called back
to nine houses.
-That's awesome, that's great.
-I know!
Wow, so excited, wow.
I'm really excited.
[somber music]
[girls laughing]
-Yeah, yeah, like, she's--
She thought she could fly,
I said, you have to--
[women laughing]
[waves crashing]
[roar of water]
[foreboding music]
[low hum of chatter]
[birds singing distantly]
[alarm clock beeping]
[alarm clock beeping]
[Selene sighs]
[alarm clock beeping]
[Selene grunts]
[alarm clock beeping]
[alarm clock beeping]
[alarm clock thudding]
Can you please
stop hitting snooze?
Like, please.
Or just, like,
turn it off or something.
[Selene] No.
[Ruby sighs]
[keys clicking]
[computer chimes]
[students murmur quietly]
[sorrowful music]
[]
[Will] I met Aaron on the very
first day of orientation,
and there wasn't a kinder soul
to live on the third floor.
I knew instantly that we were
going to become best friends...
-Do you know how he died?
-Suicide, I think.
Damn, it's so sad
this happens, like, every year.
[Will] ...though I only knew him
for a short time,
his presence has changed
my life forever.
[]
[]
[wistful music]
A group of Alpha Z's
are hanging out tonight,
do you want to come?
Oh, I don't know, I don't want
to feel like an outsider.
We're supposed to bring friends,
it's fine.
-Okay.
-Cool.
Cool.
[crickets chirping]
I don't know, um...
You don't have to if you
don't want to, it's really okay.
Hey, I actually think I've
seen you around campus before,
are you an English major?
-Uh, Creative Writing.
-I don't think that we've met,
-though, I'm Ruby.
-Margot.
I've definitely seen you around.
You have really
distinctive hair.
Oh. [giggles] Um, I guess I do.
Um, are you
in the literary department?
-Yeah, I'm Comp Lit.
-[Ruby] Cool, awesome.
That girl Margot seems nice.
Oh, yeah, I liked her.
I think she's friends
with Becca.
Is she in a sorority?
Uh, I don't know, I didn't ask.
Well, good for you,
for making a new friend.
[street din]
-Hey.
-[Ruby] Hey.
Anxiety and depressive disorders
are different than mood
and personality disorders.
As I've said before,
everything is a spectrum.
Not a black and white
"You have it" or "you don't."
This includes feelings
of worthlessness,
fatigue, guilt...
Hey, did you end up
getting in a sorority?
-[Dr. Summa] ...difficulty
concentrating...
-Um, no.
-I dropped out.
-[Dr. Summa] ...it's pretty
common in your age group.
Oh, that's okay, you know,
you do you.
[Dr. Summa] ...experience
what is called
depressive episodes.
[hum of excited chatter]
[gentle music]
Oh, fuck.
[keyboard clicking]
[Selene sighs]
[computer keys clicking]
[cafeteria din]
-Hey, how are you?
-Hi.
-I'm good, I--
-I haven't seen you
at the dorm at all.
-Yeah, I actually moved out.
-Oh!
Do you mind if I ask, like, why?
Yeah, I mean,
it just wasn't really working
between me and Becca.
-Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. That sucks.
-Yeah.
Yeah, I mean, I thought
we were gonna be friends,
but I don't know,
I just can't live with someone
that treats me like shit,
you know?
-Yeah, yeah, oh--
-Oh, anyway.
Latte, please.
[phone buzzing]
[phone buzzing]
-Hello?
-[Selene] I need you
to come get me.
[Selene breathing heavily]
What's going on, where are you?
[Selene] Alpha Z house.
Okay, I'm coming.
[sighs]
All right, Selene,
we are gonna get into the room,
you're gonna be put into
some comfortable clothes,
and then you're gonna eat
something.
-No.
-Yes, yes you are.
Preferably, like, bread or
something, bread's good for you.
-And then, like, water.
-No.
Yep. And then you're going to
let me take you to the hospital.
No! No.
-Please.
-Help me.
-[Selene sobbing]
-[Ruby grunting]
Yeah, remember when you took me
to the hospital last quarter?
It wasn't an emergency,
but you took me anyway.
-You can't make me go.
-All right.
Let's--Let's uh, get in here.
[grunts]
You're gonna take a seat, okay?
All right.
[Ruby sighs] Selene,
I really think you need
to let me take you
to the hospital.
-I'm gonna call your mom.
-Don't.
Well, then,
I'm going to go get Ezra.
Selene, I really don't know
what you want me to do.
You need to eat those.
Okay, why don't you eat those,
call your mom,
while I go get Ezra.
[Ruby sighs]
[solemn music]
[knocking forcefully]
-My roommate
needs to go to the hospital.
-What's wrong?
I don't know, she looks like
she's gonna faint.
Well, I'm pre-med,
so I could check her out.
You're also our RA.
Yeah...
what's your name again?
Ruby, and my roommate's name
is Selene.
Got it.
[Selene sobbing]
Whoa.
What's happening?
She doesn't eat,
she doesn't sleep.
What should we do?
I don't know,
that's why I got you!
[Selene sobbing softly]
[Ezra] Hey.
-How--How you feeling?
-[Selene sobbing softly]
-[muttering incoherently]
-[Ezra] What?
Obviously not good.
-What would help you?
-[Selene sobbing] I don't know.
Is it--Is it okay
if we take you to a hospital,
just as a precaution?
That's what my mom
wants me to do.
Your mom?
[Selene sniffles]
Selene's mom?
We're trying,
she's not letting us.
-[Ezra sighs]
-[Selene's mom] Selene,
go to the hospital, now!
I don't wanna go.
[Selene's mom] Come on, Ruby
will take you.
I don't want her to come.
[sobbing]
[Selene's mom] Then the RA.
Selene?
Are you listening to me?
Selene, listen to me!
[brooding, tense music]
[thunder rumbling]
[waves crashing]
[roar of waves]
[music turns ominous]
[low hum of chatter]
[gentle music]
[]
[psychiatrist]
Talk to you on Thursday.
Okay, great, thanks,
see you then, bye.
[Selene gasps]
Hi, I thought you were in class.
Uh, no, the professor was sick,
it got canceled.
Oh, okay, I wasn't expecting you
to be back so soon.
Sorry. [chuckles]
[computer keys clicking]
[street din]
[gentle piano music]
[blowing gently]
[blowing]
[keys clicking rapidly]
[cafeteria din]
Is that all you're having?
Oh, I usually have
small lunches.
Ruby busy?
Um... [clears throat]
...so, I actually wanted
to talk to you guys.
Because I need some advice.
Ever since I got
into a sorority,
Ruby's been, like,
terrible to be around.
[Becca] Well,
it's not your fault
that you got in, and she
didn't.
-I only rushed because of her.
-Really?
-Maybe you should ask her
what's wrong.
-I can't do that.
-Why not?
-Because she doesn't get it.
[sighs] She's the first real
friend I had here,
and I don't want her to hate me.
[Becca]
Well, maybe that's a sign.
You shouldn't feel that way
about your friends.
[Selene] You think?
[solemn music]
You don't think
Ruby's doing anything wrong?
I think... I think that if these
things are bothering you,
you should bring them up
with her and not with us.
[woman] I know, I know!
[laughing]
[low hum of chatter]
[solemn music]
Thank you for joining me here.
[Margot] Of course, you can call
me anytime, seriously.
Does Selene kick you
out of the room often?
[sighs] Well, only when
she needs to talk
to her psychiatrist,
which is very often.
[Margot] Jeez.
Yeah, well, I'd rather her
talk to him than me.
I don't think I have
the strength to deal
with another one
of her panic attacks.
[Margot] Yeah, she sort of
mentioned something about that.
About what?
About your response
to the panic attacks.
About my response?
I--I don't really remember
the details of the conversation.
It seemed like something
that should be talked about
between the two of you.
-I don't wanna be
in the middle of it.
-No, like, no, totally.
So, like, why is she talking
to you about it?
I don't know, and it put me
in a super awkward position.
I didn't know she even,
like, felt any way about me.
I'm trying to help her,
but I'm just a kid.
Like, I don't know how to deal
with all of her shit.
And it's not
your responsibility to.
[whispering] So why does it
feel like it is?
[Margot] I don't know.
And I told her
if she has issues,
she should be
addressing them with you.
Totally.
Anyway,
whatever it is
that she told you,
you know I'm just trying to be
a good friend, right?
Too bad you have no one
to go out with tonight.
[somber music]
Hmm!
The Greeks will weave
a crown for you, Iphigenia,
and set it on your lovely hair
for sacrifice
like the innocent heifer,
spotted white on red.
Led down from mountain caves
to sacrifice,
they will slit your throat,
blood stains the knife.
I'm not gonna lie to you, Ruby,
this is morbid.
Well, I can write another draft.
I'm really passionate
about this project,
and I think the fellowship
can help me make it great.
This really isn't the type
of work that we're looking for.
[scoffs] Well, I don't really
know what I'm supposed
to do, then.
[professor] Spend some time
thinking about where your
character is headed.
-What if she's confused?
-[professor] Make her
figure it out.
[papers rustling]
I didn't want to be part of
your stupid fellowship, anyway.
[Dr. Summa] Classical
conditioning is learning
to associate two stimuli.
It works best when the stimulus
and the response
have the type of relationship
that will lead you to believe
that the stimulus
caused the response.
In other words,
they go together more easily
if they make sense...
[cafeteria din]
[notification dinging]
[buttons clicking]
Grieve for me mother,
the same sad song
sent by fate falls on us both.
I shall never see
the light of the sun--
Oh, am I interrupting something?
Uh, no,
I was just reading out loud.
Okay.
[sighs]
[murmuring] Oh,
I have to email that girl,
and then, I'll have
to go to office hours.
And then, oh, I have to get
my prescription first,
then do lunch, oh, and then--
Hey.
Do you mind, like,
being just a bit quieter?
-I'm really trying to focus.
-Oh.
So, um, today
at Alpha Z initiation,
someone mentioned that, um,
Chi Mu might be inviting
new members.
-You should reach out
to the girl.
-Hmm.
I wish I could redo rush,
and pref Chi Mu instead.
You got into the sorority
you wanted.
Yeah, but, you know, those girls
are really superficial.
[sighs]
[Selene clears throat]
You should really reach out.
I somehow don't think I'm going
to end up being a Chi Mu.
You're so self-absorbed.
[scoffs]
[somber music]
Why would you say that to me?
It slipped out, it--
Um, you know, uh,
today we were talking
about sororities,
and, you know, reputations,
and I kept--
It really hurt to be rejected
by all those sororities.
I don't think
that makes me self-absorbed.
Ever since you didn't get
into a sorority,
you've been
taking it all out on me.
-In what way?
-Every day, constantly.
I don't feel welcome
or safe or comfortable
-in this room anymore.
-How?
Like, when you yelled at me
for setting an alarm
or keeping the lights on?
Selene, I am really sorry
if anything I've said or done
has been hurtful towards you.
It was never
my intention at all.
Clearly, you are very hurt,
otherwise,
you wouldn't be so angry,
but do you think
it might be possible
that you are just overreacting?
Overreacting?
You cause my panic attacks.
[]
I'm--I'm really, uh,
sorry to hear that.
I--I've never lived with someone
who's had panic attacks before,
and I'm just--
-I'm trying my best.
-[Selene] See?
[Ruby] What?
You're making me feel like
I'm some kind of freak.
-No, I'm not.
-[Selene] Yes, you are.
Selene, all I said
is that I'm new to this,
and I'm trying my best.
You're trying your best.
You see, I can tell
by the look on your face
that you think I'm crazy.
-I don't have a look on my face.
-[Selene] Yes, you do.
Selene, I am just trying
to talk to you,
but that is impossible
when you're making up stuff
about me that's not true.
No, no, you're making stuff up
that isn't true.
My psychiatrist says
that you're being manipulative
because you're so
fucking insecure.
[]
I had no idea you were...
feeling these things.
Do you have any idea
of what it's been like
to live with you?
My psychiatrist wants me
to move out.
Then why didn't you?
Um, I didn't want to desert you.
[bleak piano music]
If I'm such an awful person,
why didn't you just move out?
That would have been
wrong of me.
Selene, I'm not perfect.
And things have been really,
really hard for me.
And I didn't know you were
so sensitive about this stuff.
You think
my feelings don't matter.
I didn't say that,
stop putting words in my mouth.
-[Selene] I'm not putting
words in your mouth.
-Yes, you are.
You're saying that I said things
that I didn't fucking say.
I had to schedule extra therapy
because of you.
Do you understand
how expensive therapy is?
[sobbing]
Selene.
Selene, I am sorry
that you are feeling this way,
I had absolutely no idea.
But being a roommate
is a two-way relationship,
I have feelings and needs, too.
[Selene sobbing]
[]
[thunder rumbling]
[waves crashing]
[tense music]
[street din]
[distant voices, laughter]
[somber music]
[sighs heavily]
-Oh, uh--
-Oh.
No, no,
you're all good, you're good.
[]
Uh, I'm going to O'Hare,
Terminal One.
[]
[buttons beeping]
[]
[buttons clicking]
[]
[Sherry] Ruby, you're home
from college?
You must be on break.
Sherry just came by to pick up
some of your hand-me-downs.
[Ruby] Uh, I'm only home
for a week.
Oh, man, you must miss it
already, though, huh?
Well, you know, classes are, um,
are hard and stuff.
And you're having
the time of your life?
Um, yeah, yeah.
Wally...
you are my best
friend in the whole world.
That's not true.
But it is.
What do you mean?
You have lots of friends.
Yeah?
A lot of people feel like
they have to be my friend.
Why do you think that?
I just...
I just feel so rejected.
By who?
-Everyone.
-Who is everyone?
I don't know.
Like, everyone at school.
Like, I have
nobody I can rely on.
What about expanding
your circles or joining a club?
I didn't get into
anywhere I applied for.
No sororities.
The Literary Magazine.
Not even...
the Writer's Fellowship,
which was, like,
the one thing I thought I was
actually really qualified for.
Honey, those are just things.
It has nothing to do
with who you are as a person.
Doesn't it, though?
Like, I feel like...
nobody values me or wants me.
Like, I have
nothing going for me.
That's not true.
You have
everything going for you.
You are such
a friendly and talented kid.
You have to think that.
You're my mom.
I'm saying it because it's true.
Ruby, honey...
Why are you letting
all of these things
get to you so badly?
It's not the things themselves.
It's...
all of it together.
[softly] I feel like
I have nothing.
I've never
seen you like this before.
Ruby, I don't know
how to ask you this...
but do you
think you're depressed?
I don't know.
I thought depression was when
you can't get
out of bed and stuff.
I just feel
really shitty inside.
Well, there were times when...
as a single mother...
I felt overwhelmed.
Terrified that
I wouldn't be able to be there
for you and make ends meet.
There was times
I felt like I was drowning.
But you never want
your kid to feel the same way.
I know, Mom.
But there are some things
that moms can't fix.
I promise
it doesn't have to be this way.
-You can't promise that.
-Yes, I can.
I know
you can't see it now, but...
you don't have to feel this way.
I promise you.
[ethereal music playing]
[waves crashing on shore]
[indistinct chatter]
[sobbing softly]
Hey, do you need
a glass of water or something?
No, I'm okay. Talking to my mom.
Hey, just let me know
if you need anything.
[sobbing]
[Mom] I think it might be
best if you moved out.
It's spring quarter.
It's not worth it to go through
all that for two months.
[Mom] Two months
can make a big difference.
She may not like it at first,
but it will benefit her too.
I can't.
She's going to freak out.
[Mom] You've had an unhealthy
relationship for a while,
though, and
you need to distance yourself.
[sighs] I can't handle it.
She's going to
say that I caused her
to have a panic attack,
or that I sent her to therapy.
I can't be
responsible for that again.
[Mom] You are not and never were
responsible for that, Ruby.
I love you, Ruby.
-It's for the best.
-Okay.
-Hey.
-Hey.
I don't know
if you got notified or anything,
but I just wanted to tell you
in person that I'm moving out.
Yeah, I got the email.
Is it because
of differences with Selene?
Um...
[clicks tongue]
...I just need my own space.
Don't you think you should
try to work things out with her?
I have already tried,
but Ezra,
she needs some serious help.
Me living with her
is not going to fix that.
Have you tried
getting help for her?
Okay, first of all, she
already has professional help.
Her parents are fully aware.
Second of all, you are the RA.
I have my own life too.
There's only so much I can do.
I just don't think
you're doing the right thing.
Okay, well, I--
I just wanted to tell you that
I was moving out in person, so,
you know, sorry I bothered.
Worst fucking RA in this school.
[muttering inaudibly]
[muttering inaudibly]
You're acting
just like her right now.
Where is that old shirt--
Yesterday? Was it yesterday
or the day before?
Oh, but I know it was, like,
this one.
-Selene.
-Where is that shirt?
I know I have it. It's like--
I have to talk to you
about something.
[clothes ruffling]
An opportunity fell on my lap
and I decided to take it.
I'm moving
to a single at North Campus.
You're moving out?
Look, i--it's not you.
It's me.
And look on the bright side.
Now you can stay up
as late as you want
and set
as many alarms as you want
without having to bother me.
And, and--
And remember when you said that
you needed to move out,
but you didn't
because you didn't want to
desert me?
That was so...
so b--brave of you.
So brave.
And this is not me
abandoning you at all.
We're going to
hang out all the time.
But just now
at the end of every night,
we can go
to our own separate spaces.
It's going to be incredible.
It's going to be amazing.
[Selene sobs]
Is it because I'm messy?
No.
No, no, no,
no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Like I said, it is me.
It is not you.
I need to work on myself.
And on the bright side,
look at the bright side.
You're going
to stay in a dingle.
It's like a single,
it's double, but it's just you.
Who are you texting?
My mom and my psychiatrist.
Okay.
[phone keys clattering]
All right.
[somber music playing]
Okay.
[exhaling] Okay.
[ocean waves crashing on shore]
[ethereal music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[phone vibrates]
Hello?
[Amy] Uh, look out your window.
Oh, my God.
You're fucking kidding.
-No, stop.
-[Amy laughs]
-[Amy babbling]
-Shut up right now!
No way!
What the hell
are you doing here?
Oh, my God.
I was already bored this summer.
And?
I asked your mom
if I could visit you.
Oh, my God.
This is the perfect,
like, fucking time.
Oh, my God. How are you?
What are you doing?
What have you been doing?
-Let's go someplace.
-Okay, okay.
-Where do you want to go?
-Anywhere.
-Anywhere?
-Anywhere.
-I don't know where I'm going.
-[both laughing]
[Ruby]
I haven't been feeling, uh...
good lately.
[Amy] In what way?
Like...
I go to the college
of my dreams, and...
I have everything
at my fingertips,
but it's like
none of that matters, and...
I'm just so sad
and angry
and frustrated with everything.
Did I tell you that I started
seeing a counselor at my school?
No, you didn't mention it.
Last month,
I started seeing this woman
from psychological services,
and she really helped me.
That's great.
I'm really happy for you.
I just...
I don't--I don't think
that's for me.
Trying it would be better
than not doing anything at all.
Right?
So tell me what's been going on.
I don't even know
where to begin. [chuckles]
You can just start
with whatever's been
on your mind lately.
Can you please leave?
You don't need therapy.
There are people
in the world with real problems.
Mom said that
we have to do this, so...
There's no pressure
to talk about anything specific.
I moved out
of my dorm because...
my roommate had a lot of issues
that were affecting me.
Oh, I see. Well...
We don't have to talk about her
if you don't want to.
Well... [sighs]
Selene was just, like,
really hard on me, I think.
To the point where,
like, I felt...
like a stranger to myself.
I still feel like
a stranger to myself.
Um...
I--I--I just feel...
sad...
and...
distressed...
and, like, isolated.
And I don't know--
I don't know if this is for me.
Well, it's going to take time.
Do you think
it'll help if we're able
to work through
all these feelings?
Yeah--um, yeah.
Sure, maybe.
[somber music]
[phone chiming]
[faint chatter]
-Hi.
-[device beeping]
Hi.
Uh, mind if I join you?
Uh, sure.
[chair scraping ground]
So, um...
I haven't seen you in a while.
It's been a minute
since we hung out.
Well, I've been spending
a lot of time with Selene.
Oh.
Nice.
She's kind of needed a friend
since you sort of abandoned her.
You're kind of
making me feel bad
for moving to a single. [laughs]
I'm not making you feel bad.
I'm just saying.
Well...
living together wasn't
really good for either of us,
so now we each
have our own space.
She was trying to
rely on a friend,
and you kind of ditched her.
Is that what she told you?
Because she told me
that I was the reason
for her panic attacks.
I just think
it's kind of selfish.
You know, I haven't really
thought about
that word until recently.
And in all my relationships,
I try my best.
But lately...
I've been made out to be this...
mean, cold-hearted bitch.
And I even believed it myself,
for a while.
But I needed to remind myself
that I am a good person.
Because the only thing
I'm guilty of...
is taking care of
my own well-being.
So, if that makes me selfish,
then yeah...
I guess I am.
You know what, Ruby?
I hope you're proud of yourself.
Yeah.
I am.
[somber music playing]
Hey, Ruby.
[professor] Ruby.
I really enjoyed
your analysis of the role
of women in Iphigenia.
You were the
only student to tackle
a non-contemporary part
of the assignment.
Oh, thank you. Um...
I read it last quarter
in Greek Tragedies class,
so... really
struck a chord with me.
A couple of my other students
are putting on
a small production of it.
Would you like me to
put you in touch with them?
Oh, they're--
they're staging it here?
Yeah, I'd love to be
a part of it.
-[Nolan] Hey.
-Hi.
I'm Nolan, the director.
This is a super casual audition.
I'm just looking for someone
who really understands
the character.
If I see
one more attention-seeking,
fake-ass performance,
I will vomit.
Okay, that's pretty
fucking dramatic, Val.
We've only had, like,
four people audition
for the entire play.
[Val]
Can we just let her start now?
"Thousands of warriors
have picked up shields.
Thousands more
have taken hold of oars
in their ships when
they saw their country wronged.
And each of them
will fight and die for Greece.
Should my one little life stand
in the way of all of Greece?
Would there be any
justice in that?
And if Artemis demands
my body as offertory...
I am mortal.
How can I oppose the goddess?
I give my life to Greece.
Take me.
Kill me.
And bring down Troy.
That will be my memorial.
That will be my wedding...
my children...
and the meaning to my life."
[music fades]
Your symptoms qualify
for a moderate
depressive episode.
[birds chirping]
I just feel...
like, guilty.
I have no reason for that.
No reason
for having clinical depression?
Like, I feel ungrateful.
Like, no one
in my family has died.
I'm going
to the college of my dreams.
You know,
one in four college-aged people
have depression.
-Sure, but--
-It's extremely common.
I really think that
medication would be of help.
An antidepressant?
Don't think of it
as an antidepressant.
Just think of it
as something you can take
that will give
your brain a boost.
What will it feel like?
It's different for everyone.
Some patients have described it
as storm clouds parting,
or a weight being lifted.
Okay, yeah, yeah,
I'll give it a try.
[ethereal music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[ocean waves crashing on shore]
[hopeful music playing]
[computer chimes]
[computer chimes]
[]
[crickets chirping]
-Hey, you made it!
-Hi, how are you?
I'm good, how are you?
-Good, I'm good.
-Come on in.
Thanks.
-[indistinct chatter]
-[laughter]
This is
my true college experience.
The mark of a stoner.
Oh, come on, you still smoke
way more than I do.
That's because I was depressed
as fuck freshman year.
[Val] What say you, Iphigenia?
College everything
it's cracked up to be?
Fuck no. [laughs]
No one ever tells you
it's going to be that way, huh?
Oh, come on, Val, you know
we've had some good times.
You're going to
miss this when we graduate.
No, for sure.
There are high highs
and low lows.
It's like a roller coaster ride
you never realized
you were getting strapped into.
Is everyone at the school
having an existential crisis?
I think
it's a requirement to get in.
It's midnight, let's go.
[]
[inaudible speaking]
[inaudible speaking]
Oh. Hey.
Hey.
What are you doing
in the humanities building?
Believe it or not,
I'm taking an English class.
I am shocked.
-Which one?
-Greek Tragedy.
Oh, I love that one.
That was my favorite class.
I took it last quarter.
-Really?
-Yeah.
It's been kind of
boring so far, so... [laughs]
-Boring?
-Yeah.
You think Agamemnon is boring?
No, no, I think
The Bacchae is boring.
-Oh, yeah.
-Yeah.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, that one is, like,
a really long read.
-So long.
-Um...
I am doing a staging
of Iphigenia at Aulis
this weekend at the Black Box.
I was just wondering
if you maybe wanted to come.
-You're inviting me?
-Yes, I am inviting you, yeah.
-Yeah.
-Um...
You don't have to if it's, like,
not your thing.
-No. No, I would love to.
-Okay.
-Yeah, I really would.
-Okay, cool.
-Yeah.
-Well, then I'll see you there.
I--I live this way, actually.
Not this way?
-No, I moved North.
-Oh, okay, cool.
Yeah, yeah,
but it was good seeing you.
-Yeah, you too.
-Cool.
-I'll see you later.
-Yeah.
-Yeah.
-'Cause I'll be there.
Cool. Awesome.
No.
Do not cry for me.
Women, join
me in hymn for Artemis,
the daughter of Zeus...
and to celebrate my fate.
Let the army
keep reverent silence.
Bring baskets of barley
for the cleansing fire.
Let my father circle the altar.
I bring salvation
and victory to Greece.
Lead me on for the sack
and destruction of Troy.
Put garland reeds in my hair,
and a crown on my head.
Let me approach
the altar of Artemis,
drenched with purifying water.
With the blood
of my sacrifice...
I will cleanse
this fateful curse.
I give you
my tears now, Mother...
for in that holy place
I cannot be.
[audience cheering
and applauding]
-Hey.
-Hey.
-You were fantastic.
-Oh, thank you.
You had depth.
You had a strong presence.
Your emotions were real.
I'm so lucky to have had you.
Oh, thank you
for giving me a chance.
Absolutely.
[indistinct chatter]
[Nolan] Thank you.
[ethereal music playing]
[]
["The Coward"
by Cat Boland playing]
I dreamed a dream
Wished upon a star
Danced through life,
Thought it'd all shake out
But when my feet
Hit the ground
I took the money and I ran
Across some great blue pond
To a far, far away land
In my room with a view
No golden hair to undo
There's so much going on
And all I can do
Is sway to a song
Sway to a song
God, I really hate
this part
I've been swimming
In the dark
You're the fool, and I'm
The coward
The coward
The coward
My window sill
collects dust
And my skin's
Starting to rust
And what little I know
Keeps me locked
in this hold
Oh, but I believe
There's another life
Here for me
It calls me in my sleep
But when I wake
up I'm stuck
In my room with a view
No golden hair to undo
There's so much going on
And all I can do
Is sway to a song
Sway to a song
God, I really hate
this part
I've been swimming
In the dark
You're the fool, and I'm
The coward
The coward
The coward
I'm too tired to try
I'm too scared to jump
There's too much on my mind
But I don't know
what I want
I'm too easily fooled
By their tricks
And their jewels
I can't think for myself
I'm useless, I'm useless
As hell
Hell, oh, no
God, I really hate
this part
I've been swimming
In the dark
You're the fool, and I'm
The coward
The coward
The coward
[music fades]
[music]
[party din]
[pensive music playing]
[hum of excited chatter]
Um, I'm--
I'm too drunk for this.
-What?
-I'm too drunk for--for this.
You're great.
This is great. Yeah.
Um...
[]
[birds chirping]
[street din]
[Ezra] Hi, everyone.
I'm Ezra
and I'll be your RA this year.
[smacks lips] I live
down the hall in room 435,
and before we start
any rules or regulations,
I was thinking
we could do a little icebreaker.
I'm Selene, I am a freshman,
and this is Ruby, my roommate,
and yeah, oh, I'm bringing
strawberries to the picnic.
You're Ezra,
and you're bringing eggs.
You're Jonathan,
and you're bringing jam.
You're Becca,
and you're bringing b--bacon?
Bacon, got it.
You're Mika,
and you're bringing mangoes.
[sorrow music playing]
-You're Ruby, obviously, and...
-Yeah, I mean--
...you're bringing pineapples...
[music swells,
Selene's voice fades]
[decoration clattering]
[bed squeaking]
Are those your friends
from high school?
Yeah, we were really--
uh, we were really close.
This is the first time I've gone
to school without them.
-That must be nice.
-What?
You know,
to have a group of girlfriends.
It's like in Heathers.
Doesn't everyone get, like,
murdered in Heathers, though?
I mean, obviously not that part.
You just remind me of Veronica.
Uh, I can assure you
that my high school experience
was nothing like that,
but thank you?
What was your high school
experience like?
Um... [smacks lips]
...it was pretty boring,
actually.
I studied my ass off
to get here.
Um, that's--
that's pretty much it.
I didn't really,
like, party or anything.
-You didn't?
-No. No.
Um, I think
I'm just most excited
for, like, finally being here
and meeting
all these different people
from, like,
all around the world.
And, like, finally
being able to write, actually.
So...
-What about you?
-Um, wait, what about me what?
Like, what are you
most excited for?
Oh, um, you know, probably
everything that you said.
Uh, but actually, I think
I'm actually really excited
to have a group of girlfriends
because I never had that
in high school.
Well, college
is the perfect place to do that.
There are a ton of people
for us to meet.
[contemplative music playing]
[overlapping chatter]
Uh, what about them?
Right there.
I recognize them from our floor.
-They seem nice.
-Oh, okay. Okay.
I just saw the other dude
the other day.
-[Ruby] Hey, do you guys mind
if we sit with you?
-Yeah, sure.
-[Selene]
Um, what were your names again?
-Uh, Becca.
-Brianna.
-Selene.
-I'm Ruby. Hi.
-[Becca] Hi.
Um, so are you guys going
to any frat parties this week?
Uh, we were considering it.
Um, I know Rho Phi is
having one off campus tonight.
-[Brianna] Which one is that?
-It's like, I think it's,
like, the Nice Jewish Boy one.
-Oh.
-Oh.
My orientation leader
made a whole list
of all the parties
happening this week.
Um, we can do a group chat
and I can share it with you
if you want.
-Yeah. Yeah, let's do it.
-[Selene] Awesome. Cool.
Yeah, you can just put
your contacts there.
Ah! [chuckles]
You can just text me from there.
Yeah.
So there's this boy, Garth.
It's so cute.
He'd make
the perfect first boyfriend.
-You met him, like, yesterday.
-I know,
but he's, like, perfect.
It's like,
oh, I want him inside me.
-[Ruby chuckles]
-Have you swiped the V-card yet?
-Oh, um--
-Oh, hi boys!
Hi! Oh, my God, hi! Hi.
-Oh, this is my roommate, Ruby.
-Hi.
-I met Garth at orientation.
-And this is my friend, Sam.
-Hi. Ruby.
-Hey, Sam.
-Hi.
-Hi.
-Are you guys ready to go?
-Uh, yeah. Yes.
-Yeah?
All right, let's head out.
-[Selene] Let's do it.
Let's do it!
You came in like you knew
["Doublesides" playing]
-You got a text from a brother?
-Uh, I'm Sam Robinson.
Liam said he'd vouch for me?
-Oh, yeah, dude. You're good.
-My friends too?
Yeah, man. All good.
See you
at the rush event next week?
[Sam] Yeah. For sure.
So you dimmed my light
I was on the road,
But you be calling back
I know that it hurts
Said I'll leave it
in the past
But baby, when we touch
I forget just why I left
But you make me
want to try
Hate you, but I smile
When the time is right
Blame you, 'cause I cried
Onto your sheets tonight
You feel like
A nightmare in a lullaby
But damn,
You know I love the high
Hurt me, it's erotic
When you make me cry
Crossing lines, and I blurred
Them more than once or twice
You know I'm addicted to that
fire sign
I'm a Gemini,
Know I got the doublesides
-You're safe.
-Thank you.
-[Selene] What should we get?
-Uh, rum and coke?
-Rum and coke?
-[Ruby] Yeah.
-[frat boy] Two?
-Yeah.
-[frat boy] Cool.
-Great.
-Do you like 'em strong?
-[Selene] Of course, yeah, yeah.
-We're here to party.
-Yeah, that's right dude.
So then he was like, "Yo,
who do you need for this job?"
And I was like, "Bro, bro,
I don't know, I don't know."
And he's like, "Your mom!"
I was like, "Bro."
-That was also very fun!
-[Selene laughs] Whoa.
[laughs]
[crickets chirping]
Um...
-Maybe--maybe not.
-Oh, yeah.
-Sorry.
-No, you're good. [sighs]
[Sam clears throat]
[pensive music playing]
[door clicks closed]
Um, is anybody
sitting right there?
-I'm Ruby.
-Will.
[door shuts closed]
-Oh, hey.
-Hi.
-How was your first day?
-It was okay.
Just okay?
Yeah, I had
my first Psych class.
I don't know, I didn't really
like the other Psych majors.
Like, they were
all psychoanalyzing me.
-I don't know.
-Oh, I'm sorry, that sucks.
Um, I was thinking of going
to the activities fair later,
-if you want to come.
-Okay, yeah.
-Cool.
-Cool.
See anything interesting?
Uh, yeah, I'm looking
for Literary Magazine.
I first heard about it
when I was applying here,
and I've been
super excited ever since.
Oh, uh, were you planning
to rush at all?
I, uh, hadn't
really thought about it.
I think I'm going to wait
and see how I feel
at the end of the quarter.
I think I'm going to.
Apparently everyone's
friend groups change after rush.
-Who told you that?
-My orientation leader.
She told us everything about
navigating the social scene.
Huh.
Mine didn't say
anything about that.
The most useful piece
of information he told us was
what dining stations to avoid.
-Hey, are you interested
in Ancient Drama?
-Uh, kind of.
-Creative Writing major.
-Nice.
-I'm a Classics major,
so similar territory.
-What's this club?
We put on a production
of a Greek play each quarter.
It's a really low-budget thing,
but a lot of fun. Do you act?
I've always been interested,
but I don't sing.
In my high school,
I did musical theater, so...
Well, you don't
really need any experience
to be in one of our plays.
If you're interested, you can
sign up for our e-mail list.
Oh, nice.
Nice to meet you.
Hope to see you
at one of our info sessions.
Thank you.
If I knew you were interested
in the theater scene,
I would have asked
my orientation leader
which group is best.
[sighs] I'm not really.
I just like classic literature.
[quiet hum of chatter]
Um is this the Literary
Magazine info session?
Oh. [chuckles]
[melancholic music playing]
...gave me something
I could handle.
-Hey.
-Oh, hey.
Hi. [chuckles]
Where are you off to now?
-Class. Calculus.
-Oh, that sucks.
It's not that bad.
-Okay, well,
I'll--I'll see you around.
-Yeah.
["THE MAN" playing]
All these bitches want to drop
It bus it open for a nigga
They know I'm the man
Singing all my lyrics
With her bestie
She my biggest fan,
Fall for anything
-Jesus Christ.
-Yeah.
-Ooh. [laughs] Hefty pourer.
-Well, yeah.
Oh, okay.
Um, thank you.
Is this going to be a problem
with Ezra, do you think or--
Who, is Ezra? Oh, wait.
Yeah, the--oh.
I never even see him.
I hope
he doesn't want to come around.
Um, you don't--you don't think
he's going to come
to our room, right?
-No, he probably not.
-He's never done a round.
-Never?
-No.
I don't think so.
I just don't,
I just don't get it
This is good.
But I can't let a bitch
Get me in my feelings
We should take a cute photo.
-Yeah.
-Um, yeah.
It's going to be great.
Let me just...
[cell phone chimes]
Ah. [chuckles nervously]
Yes.
[camera shutter clicking]
Cute, I love it.
[crickets chirping]
[cell phone chimes]
-[woman] Why?
-[man] Yeah, exactly.
Why does it feel like everyone
has their friends already?
Because they do.
-You think?
-Definitely.
The frats and sororities
have already picked
who they want to rush.
Sports teams have been training
since before we even got here,
and everyone else
already has friends
from home or camp
or some club that hazes.
-Really?
-Oh, yeah.
How did that happen so fast?
Like, don't people
want to make friends
outside of their inner circle?
I feel like I haven't had enough
time to get to know anyone yet.
What's there to know?
You just have to find someone
to do things with.
That's kind of a shallow
definition of friendship.
Don't you think?
[pensive music playing]
[liquid pouring]
[sighs]
[ominous music playing]
[door clicks closed]
[upbeat music playing]
Sorry, I just wanted--
I just have to get
through there, thank you.
Mm. Mm.
Ew! What is it?
There's a lot of stuff
that we can, like, improve on.
Yeah, she didn't like it at all.
-Oh, shit, man.
-I know.
I'm not even in charge.
[door clicks closed]
-You'll be next year, though.
-Yeah, exactly.
Man, I'm so sick
of these things.
Right? Yeah, me too.
[frat boy 2] I mean,
all these girls just come in
and want to take pictures,
never actually talk to anyone.
I know, I feel like
I'm, like, surrounded by people
who are just,
like, putting on an act.
Like, they don't want actual,
like, genuine human connection.
They just want
Instagram followers.
So, what's your handle?
Uh...
[water splashing]
Fuck.
[upbeat music playing]
You're in my English class.
I just dropped my phone
in the frat toilet.
-[laughs] No fucking way.
-Yeah fucking way.
Fucking way up.
[teacher] What goods
and services should we produce?
-For example, should we produce
mangoes or oranges?
-[cell phone chimes]
Should we produce
computers or cars?
Second, how do we produce
those goods and services?
Do we produce
using the employment
of possible income?
[melancholic music playing]
[keyboard clacking]
[professor] Accent,
in linguistic terms,
everyone speaks
in some form of dialect.
-[Ruby clears throat]
-Boundaries between
accents and dialects
are fluid and socially distinct.
-[Ruby coughs]
-So, what is standard language?
Standard language
is referred to...
[Ruby clears throat]
[Ruby coughing]
-[Rub retching]
-[Selene] Oh, my God.
[Ruby coughing]
[Ruby panting]
-I need health services.
-It's ten. They're closed.
-[Ruby] Hospital, then.
-[Selene] The ER?
-[Ruby] Anything.
-Okay, just give me 15 minutes.
I don't have 15 minutes, Selene.
I need you to call an Uber.
I can't because my phone
is still broken from the party.
-Okay, okay. Um...
-[Ruby panting]
-[engine humming]
-[Ruby coughing]
-For Selene?
-[Selene] Yes.
-[Ruby coughing]
-[paper bag rustling]
Please, please, please, please
do not throw up in this car.
-Is she okay?
-Not really.
God, if you throw up
in this car, I will throw up.
Selene, you don't have to come.
-It's okay.
-I have to. You need me.
-Are we going or not?
-Can you just drive, please?
[Ruby coughing]
-[Ruby panting]
-[car beeping]
[pensive music playing]
We're going to discharge you
in about 20 minutes.
I never get sick.
This is my
first time in a hospital.
[nurse] It's not uncommon.
We get a ton of freshmen
this time of year.
You're exposed to new things,
and you're building up
your immune system.
Do you get enough rest?
That could weaken it, too.
I usually do.
My roommate actually thinks
that I get too much sleep,
but she's an insomniac, so.
Do you have regular fatigue?
Oh, definitely,
but I always just thought
that was because I was so busy.
You should keep an eye on it.
I tell all the college students
that come through here,
excessive fatigue
is often the first indicator
of something wrong.
Thank you.
[waves crashing]
-[professor]
There are three waves...
-[phone chimes]
...of linguistic variation
and analysis.
The first wave is questions
we can't address.
Correlation versus causation.
Why these patterns?
Why these variables?
What's the relationship
between smaller groups
and social practices
at a micro-level
and macro-social patterns?
The second wave is analysis.
Local categories as underlying
or embedded
demographic categories.
Local variables as tied up
in local ideologies.
Symbolic capital, which can vary
depending on the community.
Understanding how
these broader patterns work...
[door clicks open]
[Brianna] You look so cute!
[laughter]
[contemplative music playing]
[cell phone vibrating]
[cell phone chimes]
[overlapping chatter]
[ominous music playing]
Hello. I love your phone case.
It's great!
Um, so what are you guys up to?
[]
[alarm beeping]
[cell phone chimes]
[somber music playing]
Oh, my God. I got in.
Oh, my God.
[crickets chirping]
So, how was your day?
Um...
not great.
I--uh, I didn't get
into the Literary Magazine.
Oh.
Yeah, I didn't realize
that I had thought of it
as such, like, a central part
of my college experience, so.
-How was your day?
-Terrible.
I have two papers to write.
I have no time to do it
because of ski club,
and also it turns out
Garth is in ski club,
and he doesn't even know
how to ski,
and I haven't even eaten
since breakfast today
because the dining hall's out of
saltines and everything I like.
Wait, you haven't eaten
since breakfast?
No.
Well, the dining hall's closed.
Well, aren't you hungry?
Well, yeah,
but there's nothing I can do.
You need to eat something.
Like, you should order Chinese.
No, I can't.
-[sighs] Here, eat this.
-Oh, no, no, no, please.
-No, please.
-No, no, no.
Just take it, just take it.
If you're hungry, like, you need
to eat, so just take it.
-I--I will replace them.
-Don't worry about it,
it's fine.
-No, I will.
-It's a granola bar.
-I promise.
-No, it's fine.
I will replace them.
[phone ringing]
-Hey! Oh, my God!
-Hi!
I miss you so much.
How is everything?
I'm so sorry.
Can I call you back later?
I'm on my way to a party,
but I want to hear everything.
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, sure.
-Just--just text me.
-Okay.
Bye!
Oh, I'm crossing the street.
Hold on.
[sighs]
[foreboding music playing]
[waves crashing]
[keyboard clacking]
Apparently, Becca and Brianna
are having problems.
Really?
According to Becca, like,
Brianna is super disrespectful
as a roommate.
Oh, I thought
they were best friends.
Apparently, that was just like
a first week of school
sort of thing.
Do you know what happened?
Apparently,
Brianna always has people over
without asking Becca first.
Hmm.
You don't think that's selfish?
I think that when two people
move in together,
they have to make
some adjustments.
Especially
in such a small space.
Like, I mean, like,
we had to make adjustments
with each other, right?
[keyboard clacking loudly]
Hey.
Oh, I didn't know
you were still awake.
Yeah, I wasn't.
Um, do you think you could
finish that with the light off?
Um, I'm almost done.
-[keyboard clacking loudly]
-Okay.
[somber music playing]
[overlapping chatter]
[]
[Ruby spits]
[door clicks open]
[door shuts closed]
-[Selene hyperventilating]
-Oh. Whoa.
[Selene]
When I'm having a panic attack,
I'm supposed
to put pressure on my eyes.
-[Ruby] Okay, okay, calm down.
-[Selene] I can't calm down!
Right, sorry,
that was insensitive.
Uh, did something happen
while I was brushing my teeth?
I can't get the heat to work!
Uh, did you try
turning it up all the way?
-No.
-Okay, well, let's try that.
[heating beeping]
Hmm. Um...
we can call maintenance
in the morning.
I can't wait till the morning.
-Okay, well, I'll go get Ezra.
-No!
-No?
-No.
Selene, I don't know--I don't
know what you want me to do.
Please, I'm--I'm--I'm just--
I'm just trying to help.
You're cold, right?
-Um...
-[Selene crying]
It's okay.
[professor] Variation
doesn't just reflect immunity.
We actively use
linguistic variation
to create or project immunity.
Variation allows use
to convey social meanings
through different ways
of speaking or sounds.
When we start
talking about meaning,
we need to see language
as a system of--
[overlapping chatter]
[heartfelt music playing]
[phone ringing]
-[Ruby's mom] Hello?
-Mom?
-Ruby, what's wrong?
-[Ruby sniffles]
[Ruby breathing heavily]
I'm not making any friends.
-[Ruby sighs]
-What do you mean?
What about Selene?
She--she's--she's complicated.
What about the other girls
from your hall?
I'm in my room...alone...
right now. [crying]
[somber music playing]
Because I have no one.
Because I have
no one to be with.
I'm surrounded by people,
I just--I...
I feel so lonely.
[Ruby breathing heavily]
[foreboding music playing]
[waves crashing]
[melancholic music]
[]
[crickets chirping distantly]
So, what classes
are you taking this quarter?
Um... Narrative Fiction,
Greek Tragedy,
-and Psychology.
-[Selene] Psychology?
Why are you taking that?
I didn't take it in high school,
and everyone says
it's a great class.
Well, it's a really hard class,
so you should probably drop it.
I don't really care
if it's hard.
I want to take the class,
so I'm gonna take the class.
Okay, well, I got a five on
the AP test, so I can help you.
Okay, if I need it,
I'll let you know.
[phone buttons clacking]
Are you planning on rushing?
Uh...
I signed up.
Do you know what sorority
you want to be in?
I don't know, I think
I was gonna decide that
once we made our way through.
You're definitely gonna be
an Alpha Zeta.
I can totally see you there.
See, I, like, I don't even
know what that means.
You know them,
they dress like you.
Flowy pants, jean jackets.
You wear jean jackets.
Yeah, but you know what I mean.
Like, the fake hippie girls.
Oh.
Well, I'm definitely
gonna be in Chi Mu.
See, I think it might be even
too early for you to say that.
So, where are you from?
Oh, I'm from Michigan.
Oh, cool.
[hum of excited chatter]
Oh, my God, see, like, I would,
like, I've always wanted
to live in a sorority house.
I--I know I can't really
ask this, but, like,
what frats do you mix with?
Like, I don't know.
You know what I'm saying?
But, you know,
that is important for me.
Oh, well, we do have...
And, uh, what's your major?
Uh, creative writing,
I want to be an author.
Oh, my friend's
an English major.
I like English a lot, too.
I was thinking
of double-majoring.
That's cool.
[hum of excited chatter]
Yeah.
[laughter]
[hum of excited chatter]
[foreboding music]
I got called back
to nine houses.
-That's awesome, that's great.
-I know!
Wow, so excited, wow.
I'm really excited.
[somber music]
[girls laughing]
-Yeah, yeah, like, she's--
She thought she could fly,
I said, you have to--
[women laughing]
[waves crashing]
[roar of water]
[foreboding music]
[low hum of chatter]
[birds singing distantly]
[alarm clock beeping]
[alarm clock beeping]
[Selene sighs]
[alarm clock beeping]
[Selene grunts]
[alarm clock beeping]
[alarm clock beeping]
[alarm clock thudding]
Can you please
stop hitting snooze?
Like, please.
Or just, like,
turn it off or something.
[Selene] No.
[Ruby sighs]
[keys clicking]
[computer chimes]
[students murmur quietly]
[sorrowful music]
[]
[Will] I met Aaron on the very
first day of orientation,
and there wasn't a kinder soul
to live on the third floor.
I knew instantly that we were
going to become best friends...
-Do you know how he died?
-Suicide, I think.
Damn, it's so sad
this happens, like, every year.
[Will] ...though I only knew him
for a short time,
his presence has changed
my life forever.
[]
[]
[wistful music]
A group of Alpha Z's
are hanging out tonight,
do you want to come?
Oh, I don't know, I don't want
to feel like an outsider.
We're supposed to bring friends,
it's fine.
-Okay.
-Cool.
Cool.
[crickets chirping]
I don't know, um...
You don't have to if you
don't want to, it's really okay.
Hey, I actually think I've
seen you around campus before,
are you an English major?
-Uh, Creative Writing.
-I don't think that we've met,
-though, I'm Ruby.
-Margot.
I've definitely seen you around.
You have really
distinctive hair.
Oh. [giggles] Um, I guess I do.
Um, are you
in the literary department?
-Yeah, I'm Comp Lit.
-[Ruby] Cool, awesome.
That girl Margot seems nice.
Oh, yeah, I liked her.
I think she's friends
with Becca.
Is she in a sorority?
Uh, I don't know, I didn't ask.
Well, good for you,
for making a new friend.
[street din]
-Hey.
-[Ruby] Hey.
Anxiety and depressive disorders
are different than mood
and personality disorders.
As I've said before,
everything is a spectrum.
Not a black and white
"You have it" or "you don't."
This includes feelings
of worthlessness,
fatigue, guilt...
Hey, did you end up
getting in a sorority?
-[Dr. Summa] ...difficulty
concentrating...
-Um, no.
-I dropped out.
-[Dr. Summa] ...it's pretty
common in your age group.
Oh, that's okay, you know,
you do you.
[Dr. Summa] ...experience
what is called
depressive episodes.
[hum of excited chatter]
[gentle music]
Oh, fuck.
[keyboard clicking]
[Selene sighs]
[computer keys clicking]
[cafeteria din]
-Hey, how are you?
-Hi.
-I'm good, I--
-I haven't seen you
at the dorm at all.
-Yeah, I actually moved out.
-Oh!
Do you mind if I ask, like, why?
Yeah, I mean,
it just wasn't really working
between me and Becca.
-Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. That sucks.
-Yeah.
Yeah, I mean, I thought
we were gonna be friends,
but I don't know,
I just can't live with someone
that treats me like shit,
you know?
-Yeah, yeah, oh--
-Oh, anyway.
Latte, please.
[phone buzzing]
[phone buzzing]
-Hello?
-[Selene] I need you
to come get me.
[Selene breathing heavily]
What's going on, where are you?
[Selene] Alpha Z house.
Okay, I'm coming.
[sighs]
All right, Selene,
we are gonna get into the room,
you're gonna be put into
some comfortable clothes,
and then you're gonna eat
something.
-No.
-Yes, yes you are.
Preferably, like, bread or
something, bread's good for you.
-And then, like, water.
-No.
Yep. And then you're going to
let me take you to the hospital.
No! No.
-Please.
-Help me.
-[Selene sobbing]
-[Ruby grunting]
Yeah, remember when you took me
to the hospital last quarter?
It wasn't an emergency,
but you took me anyway.
-You can't make me go.
-All right.
Let's--Let's uh, get in here.
[grunts]
You're gonna take a seat, okay?
All right.
[Ruby sighs] Selene,
I really think you need
to let me take you
to the hospital.
-I'm gonna call your mom.
-Don't.
Well, then,
I'm going to go get Ezra.
Selene, I really don't know
what you want me to do.
You need to eat those.
Okay, why don't you eat those,
call your mom,
while I go get Ezra.
[Ruby sighs]
[solemn music]
[knocking forcefully]
-My roommate
needs to go to the hospital.
-What's wrong?
I don't know, she looks like
she's gonna faint.
Well, I'm pre-med,
so I could check her out.
You're also our RA.
Yeah...
what's your name again?
Ruby, and my roommate's name
is Selene.
Got it.
[Selene sobbing]
Whoa.
What's happening?
She doesn't eat,
she doesn't sleep.
What should we do?
I don't know,
that's why I got you!
[Selene sobbing softly]
[Ezra] Hey.
-How--How you feeling?
-[Selene sobbing softly]
-[muttering incoherently]
-[Ezra] What?
Obviously not good.
-What would help you?
-[Selene sobbing] I don't know.
Is it--Is it okay
if we take you to a hospital,
just as a precaution?
That's what my mom
wants me to do.
Your mom?
[Selene sniffles]
Selene's mom?
We're trying,
she's not letting us.
-[Ezra sighs]
-[Selene's mom] Selene,
go to the hospital, now!
I don't wanna go.
[Selene's mom] Come on, Ruby
will take you.
I don't want her to come.
[sobbing]
[Selene's mom] Then the RA.
Selene?
Are you listening to me?
Selene, listen to me!
[brooding, tense music]
[thunder rumbling]
[waves crashing]
[roar of waves]
[music turns ominous]
[low hum of chatter]
[gentle music]
[]
[psychiatrist]
Talk to you on Thursday.
Okay, great, thanks,
see you then, bye.
[Selene gasps]
Hi, I thought you were in class.
Uh, no, the professor was sick,
it got canceled.
Oh, okay, I wasn't expecting you
to be back so soon.
Sorry. [chuckles]
[computer keys clicking]
[street din]
[gentle piano music]
[blowing gently]
[blowing]
[keys clicking rapidly]
[cafeteria din]
Is that all you're having?
Oh, I usually have
small lunches.
Ruby busy?
Um... [clears throat]
...so, I actually wanted
to talk to you guys.
Because I need some advice.
Ever since I got
into a sorority,
Ruby's been, like,
terrible to be around.
[Becca] Well,
it's not your fault
that you got in, and she
didn't.
-I only rushed because of her.
-Really?
-Maybe you should ask her
what's wrong.
-I can't do that.
-Why not?
-Because she doesn't get it.
[sighs] She's the first real
friend I had here,
and I don't want her to hate me.
[Becca]
Well, maybe that's a sign.
You shouldn't feel that way
about your friends.
[Selene] You think?
[solemn music]
You don't think
Ruby's doing anything wrong?
I think... I think that if these
things are bothering you,
you should bring them up
with her and not with us.
[woman] I know, I know!
[laughing]
[low hum of chatter]
[solemn music]
Thank you for joining me here.
[Margot] Of course, you can call
me anytime, seriously.
Does Selene kick you
out of the room often?
[sighs] Well, only when
she needs to talk
to her psychiatrist,
which is very often.
[Margot] Jeez.
Yeah, well, I'd rather her
talk to him than me.
I don't think I have
the strength to deal
with another one
of her panic attacks.
[Margot] Yeah, she sort of
mentioned something about that.
About what?
About your response
to the panic attacks.
About my response?
I--I don't really remember
the details of the conversation.
It seemed like something
that should be talked about
between the two of you.
-I don't wanna be
in the middle of it.
-No, like, no, totally.
So, like, why is she talking
to you about it?
I don't know, and it put me
in a super awkward position.
I didn't know she even,
like, felt any way about me.
I'm trying to help her,
but I'm just a kid.
Like, I don't know how to deal
with all of her shit.
And it's not
your responsibility to.
[whispering] So why does it
feel like it is?
[Margot] I don't know.
And I told her
if she has issues,
she should be
addressing them with you.
Totally.
Anyway,
whatever it is
that she told you,
you know I'm just trying to be
a good friend, right?
Too bad you have no one
to go out with tonight.
[somber music]
Hmm!
The Greeks will weave
a crown for you, Iphigenia,
and set it on your lovely hair
for sacrifice
like the innocent heifer,
spotted white on red.
Led down from mountain caves
to sacrifice,
they will slit your throat,
blood stains the knife.
I'm not gonna lie to you, Ruby,
this is morbid.
Well, I can write another draft.
I'm really passionate
about this project,
and I think the fellowship
can help me make it great.
This really isn't the type
of work that we're looking for.
[scoffs] Well, I don't really
know what I'm supposed
to do, then.
[professor] Spend some time
thinking about where your
character is headed.
-What if she's confused?
-[professor] Make her
figure it out.
[papers rustling]
I didn't want to be part of
your stupid fellowship, anyway.
[Dr. Summa] Classical
conditioning is learning
to associate two stimuli.
It works best when the stimulus
and the response
have the type of relationship
that will lead you to believe
that the stimulus
caused the response.
In other words,
they go together more easily
if they make sense...
[cafeteria din]
[notification dinging]
[buttons clicking]
Grieve for me mother,
the same sad song
sent by fate falls on us both.
I shall never see
the light of the sun--
Oh, am I interrupting something?
Uh, no,
I was just reading out loud.
Okay.
[sighs]
[murmuring] Oh,
I have to email that girl,
and then, I'll have
to go to office hours.
And then, oh, I have to get
my prescription first,
then do lunch, oh, and then--
Hey.
Do you mind, like,
being just a bit quieter?
-I'm really trying to focus.
-Oh.
So, um, today
at Alpha Z initiation,
someone mentioned that, um,
Chi Mu might be inviting
new members.
-You should reach out
to the girl.
-Hmm.
I wish I could redo rush,
and pref Chi Mu instead.
You got into the sorority
you wanted.
Yeah, but, you know, those girls
are really superficial.
[sighs]
[Selene clears throat]
You should really reach out.
I somehow don't think I'm going
to end up being a Chi Mu.
You're so self-absorbed.
[scoffs]
[somber music]
Why would you say that to me?
It slipped out, it--
Um, you know, uh,
today we were talking
about sororities,
and, you know, reputations,
and I kept--
It really hurt to be rejected
by all those sororities.
I don't think
that makes me self-absorbed.
Ever since you didn't get
into a sorority,
you've been
taking it all out on me.
-In what way?
-Every day, constantly.
I don't feel welcome
or safe or comfortable
-in this room anymore.
-How?
Like, when you yelled at me
for setting an alarm
or keeping the lights on?
Selene, I am really sorry
if anything I've said or done
has been hurtful towards you.
It was never
my intention at all.
Clearly, you are very hurt,
otherwise,
you wouldn't be so angry,
but do you think
it might be possible
that you are just overreacting?
Overreacting?
You cause my panic attacks.
[]
I'm--I'm really, uh,
sorry to hear that.
I--I've never lived with someone
who's had panic attacks before,
and I'm just--
-I'm trying my best.
-[Selene] See?
[Ruby] What?
You're making me feel like
I'm some kind of freak.
-No, I'm not.
-[Selene] Yes, you are.
Selene, all I said
is that I'm new to this,
and I'm trying my best.
You're trying your best.
You see, I can tell
by the look on your face
that you think I'm crazy.
-I don't have a look on my face.
-[Selene] Yes, you do.
Selene, I am just trying
to talk to you,
but that is impossible
when you're making up stuff
about me that's not true.
No, no, you're making stuff up
that isn't true.
My psychiatrist says
that you're being manipulative
because you're so
fucking insecure.
[]
I had no idea you were...
feeling these things.
Do you have any idea
of what it's been like
to live with you?
My psychiatrist wants me
to move out.
Then why didn't you?
Um, I didn't want to desert you.
[bleak piano music]
If I'm such an awful person,
why didn't you just move out?
That would have been
wrong of me.
Selene, I'm not perfect.
And things have been really,
really hard for me.
And I didn't know you were
so sensitive about this stuff.
You think
my feelings don't matter.
I didn't say that,
stop putting words in my mouth.
-[Selene] I'm not putting
words in your mouth.
-Yes, you are.
You're saying that I said things
that I didn't fucking say.
I had to schedule extra therapy
because of you.
Do you understand
how expensive therapy is?
[sobbing]
Selene.
Selene, I am sorry
that you are feeling this way,
I had absolutely no idea.
But being a roommate
is a two-way relationship,
I have feelings and needs, too.
[Selene sobbing]
[]
[thunder rumbling]
[waves crashing]
[tense music]
[street din]
[distant voices, laughter]
[somber music]
[sighs heavily]
-Oh, uh--
-Oh.
No, no,
you're all good, you're good.
[]
Uh, I'm going to O'Hare,
Terminal One.
[]
[buttons beeping]
[]
[buttons clicking]
[]
[Sherry] Ruby, you're home
from college?
You must be on break.
Sherry just came by to pick up
some of your hand-me-downs.
[Ruby] Uh, I'm only home
for a week.
Oh, man, you must miss it
already, though, huh?
Well, you know, classes are, um,
are hard and stuff.
And you're having
the time of your life?
Um, yeah, yeah.
Wally...
you are my best
friend in the whole world.
That's not true.
But it is.
What do you mean?
You have lots of friends.
Yeah?
A lot of people feel like
they have to be my friend.
Why do you think that?
I just...
I just feel so rejected.
By who?
-Everyone.
-Who is everyone?
I don't know.
Like, everyone at school.
Like, I have
nobody I can rely on.
What about expanding
your circles or joining a club?
I didn't get into
anywhere I applied for.
No sororities.
The Literary Magazine.
Not even...
the Writer's Fellowship,
which was, like,
the one thing I thought I was
actually really qualified for.
Honey, those are just things.
It has nothing to do
with who you are as a person.
Doesn't it, though?
Like, I feel like...
nobody values me or wants me.
Like, I have
nothing going for me.
That's not true.
You have
everything going for you.
You are such
a friendly and talented kid.
You have to think that.
You're my mom.
I'm saying it because it's true.
Ruby, honey...
Why are you letting
all of these things
get to you so badly?
It's not the things themselves.
It's...
all of it together.
[softly] I feel like
I have nothing.
I've never
seen you like this before.
Ruby, I don't know
how to ask you this...
but do you
think you're depressed?
I don't know.
I thought depression was when
you can't get
out of bed and stuff.
I just feel
really shitty inside.
Well, there were times when...
as a single mother...
I felt overwhelmed.
Terrified that
I wouldn't be able to be there
for you and make ends meet.
There was times
I felt like I was drowning.
But you never want
your kid to feel the same way.
I know, Mom.
But there are some things
that moms can't fix.
I promise
it doesn't have to be this way.
-You can't promise that.
-Yes, I can.
I know
you can't see it now, but...
you don't have to feel this way.
I promise you.
[ethereal music playing]
[waves crashing on shore]
[indistinct chatter]
[sobbing softly]
Hey, do you need
a glass of water or something?
No, I'm okay. Talking to my mom.
Hey, just let me know
if you need anything.
[sobbing]
[Mom] I think it might be
best if you moved out.
It's spring quarter.
It's not worth it to go through
all that for two months.
[Mom] Two months
can make a big difference.
She may not like it at first,
but it will benefit her too.
I can't.
She's going to freak out.
[Mom] You've had an unhealthy
relationship for a while,
though, and
you need to distance yourself.
[sighs] I can't handle it.
She's going to
say that I caused her
to have a panic attack,
or that I sent her to therapy.
I can't be
responsible for that again.
[Mom] You are not and never were
responsible for that, Ruby.
I love you, Ruby.
-It's for the best.
-Okay.
-Hey.
-Hey.
I don't know
if you got notified or anything,
but I just wanted to tell you
in person that I'm moving out.
Yeah, I got the email.
Is it because
of differences with Selene?
Um...
[clicks tongue]
...I just need my own space.
Don't you think you should
try to work things out with her?
I have already tried,
but Ezra,
she needs some serious help.
Me living with her
is not going to fix that.
Have you tried
getting help for her?
Okay, first of all, she
already has professional help.
Her parents are fully aware.
Second of all, you are the RA.
I have my own life too.
There's only so much I can do.
I just don't think
you're doing the right thing.
Okay, well, I--
I just wanted to tell you that
I was moving out in person, so,
you know, sorry I bothered.
Worst fucking RA in this school.
[muttering inaudibly]
[muttering inaudibly]
You're acting
just like her right now.
Where is that old shirt--
Yesterday? Was it yesterday
or the day before?
Oh, but I know it was, like,
this one.
-Selene.
-Where is that shirt?
I know I have it. It's like--
I have to talk to you
about something.
[clothes ruffling]
An opportunity fell on my lap
and I decided to take it.
I'm moving
to a single at North Campus.
You're moving out?
Look, i--it's not you.
It's me.
And look on the bright side.
Now you can stay up
as late as you want
and set
as many alarms as you want
without having to bother me.
And, and--
And remember when you said that
you needed to move out,
but you didn't
because you didn't want to
desert me?
That was so...
so b--brave of you.
So brave.
And this is not me
abandoning you at all.
We're going to
hang out all the time.
But just now
at the end of every night,
we can go
to our own separate spaces.
It's going to be incredible.
It's going to be amazing.
[Selene sobs]
Is it because I'm messy?
No.
No, no, no,
no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Like I said, it is me.
It is not you.
I need to work on myself.
And on the bright side,
look at the bright side.
You're going
to stay in a dingle.
It's like a single,
it's double, but it's just you.
Who are you texting?
My mom and my psychiatrist.
Okay.
[phone keys clattering]
All right.
[somber music playing]
Okay.
[exhaling] Okay.
[ocean waves crashing on shore]
[ethereal music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[phone vibrates]
Hello?
[Amy] Uh, look out your window.
Oh, my God.
You're fucking kidding.
-No, stop.
-[Amy laughs]
-[Amy babbling]
-Shut up right now!
No way!
What the hell
are you doing here?
Oh, my God.
I was already bored this summer.
And?
I asked your mom
if I could visit you.
Oh, my God.
This is the perfect,
like, fucking time.
Oh, my God. How are you?
What are you doing?
What have you been doing?
-Let's go someplace.
-Okay, okay.
-Where do you want to go?
-Anywhere.
-Anywhere?
-Anywhere.
-I don't know where I'm going.
-[both laughing]
[Ruby]
I haven't been feeling, uh...
good lately.
[Amy] In what way?
Like...
I go to the college
of my dreams, and...
I have everything
at my fingertips,
but it's like
none of that matters, and...
I'm just so sad
and angry
and frustrated with everything.
Did I tell you that I started
seeing a counselor at my school?
No, you didn't mention it.
Last month,
I started seeing this woman
from psychological services,
and she really helped me.
That's great.
I'm really happy for you.
I just...
I don't--I don't think
that's for me.
Trying it would be better
than not doing anything at all.
Right?
So tell me what's been going on.
I don't even know
where to begin. [chuckles]
You can just start
with whatever's been
on your mind lately.
Can you please leave?
You don't need therapy.
There are people
in the world with real problems.
Mom said that
we have to do this, so...
There's no pressure
to talk about anything specific.
I moved out
of my dorm because...
my roommate had a lot of issues
that were affecting me.
Oh, I see. Well...
We don't have to talk about her
if you don't want to.
Well... [sighs]
Selene was just, like,
really hard on me, I think.
To the point where,
like, I felt...
like a stranger to myself.
I still feel like
a stranger to myself.
Um...
I--I--I just feel...
sad...
and...
distressed...
and, like, isolated.
And I don't know--
I don't know if this is for me.
Well, it's going to take time.
Do you think
it'll help if we're able
to work through
all these feelings?
Yeah--um, yeah.
Sure, maybe.
[somber music]
[phone chiming]
[faint chatter]
-Hi.
-[device beeping]
Hi.
Uh, mind if I join you?
Uh, sure.
[chair scraping ground]
So, um...
I haven't seen you in a while.
It's been a minute
since we hung out.
Well, I've been spending
a lot of time with Selene.
Oh.
Nice.
She's kind of needed a friend
since you sort of abandoned her.
You're kind of
making me feel bad
for moving to a single. [laughs]
I'm not making you feel bad.
I'm just saying.
Well...
living together wasn't
really good for either of us,
so now we each
have our own space.
She was trying to
rely on a friend,
and you kind of ditched her.
Is that what she told you?
Because she told me
that I was the reason
for her panic attacks.
I just think
it's kind of selfish.
You know, I haven't really
thought about
that word until recently.
And in all my relationships,
I try my best.
But lately...
I've been made out to be this...
mean, cold-hearted bitch.
And I even believed it myself,
for a while.
But I needed to remind myself
that I am a good person.
Because the only thing
I'm guilty of...
is taking care of
my own well-being.
So, if that makes me selfish,
then yeah...
I guess I am.
You know what, Ruby?
I hope you're proud of yourself.
Yeah.
I am.
[somber music playing]
Hey, Ruby.
[professor] Ruby.
I really enjoyed
your analysis of the role
of women in Iphigenia.
You were the
only student to tackle
a non-contemporary part
of the assignment.
Oh, thank you. Um...
I read it last quarter
in Greek Tragedies class,
so... really
struck a chord with me.
A couple of my other students
are putting on
a small production of it.
Would you like me to
put you in touch with them?
Oh, they're--
they're staging it here?
Yeah, I'd love to be
a part of it.
-[Nolan] Hey.
-Hi.
I'm Nolan, the director.
This is a super casual audition.
I'm just looking for someone
who really understands
the character.
If I see
one more attention-seeking,
fake-ass performance,
I will vomit.
Okay, that's pretty
fucking dramatic, Val.
We've only had, like,
four people audition
for the entire play.
[Val]
Can we just let her start now?
"Thousands of warriors
have picked up shields.
Thousands more
have taken hold of oars
in their ships when
they saw their country wronged.
And each of them
will fight and die for Greece.
Should my one little life stand
in the way of all of Greece?
Would there be any
justice in that?
And if Artemis demands
my body as offertory...
I am mortal.
How can I oppose the goddess?
I give my life to Greece.
Take me.
Kill me.
And bring down Troy.
That will be my memorial.
That will be my wedding...
my children...
and the meaning to my life."
[music fades]
Your symptoms qualify
for a moderate
depressive episode.
[birds chirping]
I just feel...
like, guilty.
I have no reason for that.
No reason
for having clinical depression?
Like, I feel ungrateful.
Like, no one
in my family has died.
I'm going
to the college of my dreams.
You know,
one in four college-aged people
have depression.
-Sure, but--
-It's extremely common.
I really think that
medication would be of help.
An antidepressant?
Don't think of it
as an antidepressant.
Just think of it
as something you can take
that will give
your brain a boost.
What will it feel like?
It's different for everyone.
Some patients have described it
as storm clouds parting,
or a weight being lifted.
Okay, yeah, yeah,
I'll give it a try.
[ethereal music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[ocean waves crashing on shore]
[hopeful music playing]
[computer chimes]
[computer chimes]
[]
[crickets chirping]
-Hey, you made it!
-Hi, how are you?
I'm good, how are you?
-Good, I'm good.
-Come on in.
Thanks.
-[indistinct chatter]
-[laughter]
This is
my true college experience.
The mark of a stoner.
Oh, come on, you still smoke
way more than I do.
That's because I was depressed
as fuck freshman year.
[Val] What say you, Iphigenia?
College everything
it's cracked up to be?
Fuck no. [laughs]
No one ever tells you
it's going to be that way, huh?
Oh, come on, Val, you know
we've had some good times.
You're going to
miss this when we graduate.
No, for sure.
There are high highs
and low lows.
It's like a roller coaster ride
you never realized
you were getting strapped into.
Is everyone at the school
having an existential crisis?
I think
it's a requirement to get in.
It's midnight, let's go.
[]
[inaudible speaking]
[inaudible speaking]
Oh. Hey.
Hey.
What are you doing
in the humanities building?
Believe it or not,
I'm taking an English class.
I am shocked.
-Which one?
-Greek Tragedy.
Oh, I love that one.
That was my favorite class.
I took it last quarter.
-Really?
-Yeah.
It's been kind of
boring so far, so... [laughs]
-Boring?
-Yeah.
You think Agamemnon is boring?
No, no, I think
The Bacchae is boring.
-Oh, yeah.
-Yeah.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, that one is, like,
a really long read.
-So long.
-Um...
I am doing a staging
of Iphigenia at Aulis
this weekend at the Black Box.
I was just wondering
if you maybe wanted to come.
-You're inviting me?
-Yes, I am inviting you, yeah.
-Yeah.
-Um...
You don't have to if it's, like,
not your thing.
-No. No, I would love to.
-Okay.
-Yeah, I really would.
-Okay, cool.
-Yeah.
-Well, then I'll see you there.
I--I live this way, actually.
Not this way?
-No, I moved North.
-Oh, okay, cool.
Yeah, yeah,
but it was good seeing you.
-Yeah, you too.
-Cool.
-I'll see you later.
-Yeah.
-Yeah.
-'Cause I'll be there.
Cool. Awesome.
No.
Do not cry for me.
Women, join
me in hymn for Artemis,
the daughter of Zeus...
and to celebrate my fate.
Let the army
keep reverent silence.
Bring baskets of barley
for the cleansing fire.
Let my father circle the altar.
I bring salvation
and victory to Greece.
Lead me on for the sack
and destruction of Troy.
Put garland reeds in my hair,
and a crown on my head.
Let me approach
the altar of Artemis,
drenched with purifying water.
With the blood
of my sacrifice...
I will cleanse
this fateful curse.
I give you
my tears now, Mother...
for in that holy place
I cannot be.
[audience cheering
and applauding]
-Hey.
-Hey.
-You were fantastic.
-Oh, thank you.
You had depth.
You had a strong presence.
Your emotions were real.
I'm so lucky to have had you.
Oh, thank you
for giving me a chance.
Absolutely.
[indistinct chatter]
[Nolan] Thank you.
[ethereal music playing]
[]
["The Coward"
by Cat Boland playing]
I dreamed a dream
Wished upon a star
Danced through life,
Thought it'd all shake out
But when my feet
Hit the ground
I took the money and I ran
Across some great blue pond
To a far, far away land
In my room with a view
No golden hair to undo
There's so much going on
And all I can do
Is sway to a song
Sway to a song
God, I really hate
this part
I've been swimming
In the dark
You're the fool, and I'm
The coward
The coward
The coward
My window sill
collects dust
And my skin's
Starting to rust
And what little I know
Keeps me locked
in this hold
Oh, but I believe
There's another life
Here for me
It calls me in my sleep
But when I wake
up I'm stuck
In my room with a view
No golden hair to undo
There's so much going on
And all I can do
Is sway to a song
Sway to a song
God, I really hate
this part
I've been swimming
In the dark
You're the fool, and I'm
The coward
The coward
The coward
I'm too tired to try
I'm too scared to jump
There's too much on my mind
But I don't know
what I want
I'm too easily fooled
By their tricks
And their jewels
I can't think for myself
I'm useless, I'm useless
As hell
Hell, oh, no
God, I really hate
this part
I've been swimming
In the dark
You're the fool, and I'm
The coward
The coward
The coward
[music fades]