Dear White People (2017) s01e03 Episode Script

Episode 3

1 [classical music playing.]
[narrator.]
It's election time at Winchester, a chance for the campus to choose their student body president from a bevy of nearly identical candidates.
With candidates like these, voter turnout tends to be rather anemic.
That is, until this year.
It's the role Troy was groomed to play.
I bet the old Griffins would be better with you on the field.
You're probably pretty fast.
[chuckles.]
I adore the old pigskin, Marty, but alas, I fell in love with crew.
- [phone buzzes.]
- Yeah.
Excuse me.
So, um are they ready to put their name on our new student center? I set 'em, you spike 'em.
That's my boy.
[chuckles.]
- Hi.
- Oh.
Hi.
Dean's here.
[Fairbanks laughing.]
[woman.]
Good to see you.
[chattering continuing.]
[Troy.]
Dad? Something's happening on campus.
Not now, son.
You're being rude.
[narrator.]
Perpetually in the shadow of his father, Troy's never had success standing up to him.
Dad.
- Calm down, son.
- I can't.
I got into performing arts high school, like Wesley Snipes, Amy Winehouse, Tupac.
Tax evasion, overdose, shot.
But but, Dad - You're going to Trinity.
- Yes, sir.
[Troy.]
So we were thinking of taking a four-day weekend and heading up to Toronto.
See the sights.
Do a little legal Canadian wine tasting.
[chuckles.]
Wait, what just happened? - Are we still going? - We're not going.
[narrator.]
This time, however, was different.
Troy saw something in those photos he simply could not abide.
- Dad, this is serious.
- [laughing.]
You're being rude, son.
How about I tell your donors about the kind of school they're giving to? You listen to me.
No, you listen to me for once.
We need to get the campus police over to Garmin House now.
[shouting.]
Just take that shit off.
I'm pouring out your motherfuckin' liquor.
I'm pouring out your liquor.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Thanks for making sure they don't arrest the black kids.
Nice party.
Dude, I have no idea who these people are or why they're here.
Yo, yo, Kurt, on the real, can I fuck in your room? [narrator.]
In the wake of the party, with students of color needing an advocate and white students needing to assuage their guilt, Troy became the man of the moment.
[funk music playing.]
[woman moaning.]
[music continuing.]
[heavy breathing.]
Damn, girl.
[laughs.]
Don't put it down so good then.
It's the only way I know how.
[knock on door.]
What's up, man? You need something? [Lionel.]
Uh, just wanted to take you up on that haircut.
[chuckles.]
Oh, shit.
Bet, man, bet.
Meet me in the bathroom.
Mm-hmm, that is not what you were wearing last night.
[inhales sharply.]
Walks of shame are for the ratchet.
Jackie O.
or Marilyn? Is this some girl riddle where the only answer is I'm an asshole? When you get elected today, am I your Jackie O.
or your Marilyn? Hmm.
I hate any hypothetical that ends with me getting shot in the head.
All of the above? Mm, that doesn't work for everything.
So, uh see you later or are you rationing that so I don't get addicted? I'll text you.
Brush your teeth.
[door clicks shut.]
Now I gotta get these edges super crispy because you motherfuckers are picky as shit.
[scoffs.]
I'm not like that.
[Troy.]
Want to listen to some music? - [Sam.]
This party is what it took - [Lionel.]
Sure.
to wake this campus up.
[texts chiming.]
Look, I sent the invite.
I wrote it.
Every time I see your face Or look into your eyes I'm lost in time and space [Sam.]
I'm becoming a mainstay here.
[Fairbanks.]
I cannot believe you made such a spectacle of sending out that invite, and I will not sit by while you instigate a race war on my campus.
You don't accuse your doctor of infecting you just because she diagnosed your problem.
Allow me to diagnose your problem.
You got a nasty case of misplaced rage.
Fortunately, I've got a cure for that.
[scoffs.]
Seeing what you did to your son, I imagine it involves brainwashing.
[Fairbanks.]
You are on probation.
One more incident like this, and you will have to find another campus to blow up.
Now, I hear that Harvard has really loosened their admission standards.
Please, see yourself out.
Good meeting? Fucking fantastic.
I don't know what you ever saw in that girl.
She's a hothead.
Her rhetoric makes this campus look like a powder keg of racial unrest, like a state school.
Now, it's gonna be hard enough for you to convince these students to vote and elect their first black president.
Relax.
We're good.
The article in The Independent was basically a love letter.
Oh, so you want to take a day off? [sighs.]
You're Odysseus with Ithaca in plain sight.
And you want to take a nap.
You remember what happened to him, don't you? He reached Ithaca safely? I never finished the Odyssey.
He fell asleep.
And his men cut open his prized possessions, unleashing the adverse winds that sent him back across the ocean, adding years to his journey.
Spoiler alert.
Look, nigga, you're gonna hit these ivy-lined streets, and you're gonna leave neither hand unshaken or baby unkissed.
Yes, sir.
[knocking on door.]
One sec! Hey.
Uh, I was thinking [coughs.]
I could hit the campaign trail with you.
Sure.
What, the, uh, paper wants to see how I campaign? Uh yes.
This is totally an assignment for the paper.
Cool, all right.
[door clicks shut.]
[sighs.]
[Troy.]
Yo, my computer science majors, when are you guys gonna invite me to D&D? I got a wizard ready to whoop Zargon's ass.
[laughs.]
We don't have time to quest right now, Troy.
We've been trying to perfect this VR interface, which is impossible on Winchester's Paleolithic network.
Hmm.
Number one on my agenda: bring fiber optic Internet to Winchester.
How are you supposed to make the next Facebook on MySpace speeds? - [chuckles.]
- Vote Fairbanks.
Winchester is not just a school to me.
I practically grew up here.
And that party wasn't just painful.
It was embarrassing.
We didn't land on Winchester.
Winchester landed on us.
I got caught up.
We need to work together to make our voices stronger! [speaking Spanish.]
Too bad we can't vote.
With me as your lifeline, we will have unprecedented access to the administration.
So we should vote for you because your father's the HNIC? No, because of all the other candidates, who do you think is gonna have your back? Especially after that shit you pulled.
[Troy.]
Sam, help a brother out.
What's it gonna take to get your support? You could put a political foot in Pastiche's ass for this blatant racism they call satire.
[Troy.]
As students of color at Winchester, we're like this dumpling: a mix of exciting flavors surrounded by bland, white dough.
But when brought together with love, it can be beautiful.
Damn.
This brother can do anything.
[chuckles.]
Oh, Pastiche is going to pay.
[chattering.]
Am I the only one who sees that this emperor is bare-ass naked? Look, I know we don't agree on a lot of things Most things.
Like, all the things.
Then vote for Aidan, Colin or Muffy if you can tell 'em apart.
[laughing.]
[Troy.]
Hey, ladies, having fun? Hardly.
This display of toxic masculinity and peacocking perpetuates a rape culture on campus.
Couldn't agree with you more, my sister.
Number one on my agenda: open social clubs to all genders.
Tro-bama! My man.
When you win, can I be your Secret Service? Those dudes get all the pussy.
[inhales.]
Getting you all the pussy? Number one on my agenda.
Vote Fairbanks.
[man over PA.]
Next group, Men's Crew versus Bechet.
[man.]
Yo, Troy, get in on this! [Thane.]
Let's see what you got.
[all chanting.]
Troy! Troy! Troy! Troy! Troy! Troy! Troy! Troy! Troy! - [man.]
Come on! - [whistle blows.]
[cheering.]
- [grunting.]
- [whistle blows.]
Whoo! Don't forget.
Vote Fairbanks.
[cheers and applause.]
[Lionel.]
Last question.
Why is it important that people vote for you? It isn't.
It's important to vote, period.
Whether on a collegiate, local or national level, what makes this country great is that we have the power to choose our leaders.
[camera shutters clicking.]
And the broken vending machine in Bechet that gives two-for-one sodas? That also makes this country great.
[laughing.]
[camera shutters clicking.]
[beeps.]
My dad says if I lose, he's moving to Canada.
[laughs.]
Fingers crossed that I can remain stateside.
- [woman.]
Yeah.
- [laughing.]
If you'll excuse us a moment.
Son, I'd like you to say hello to Neika Hobbs, African-American Studies professor.
And student faculty liaison.
I guess we'll be working closely together.
Well, I apologize in advance.
You're a better person than I.
In politics, you can't tell people to go fuck themselves.
If I don't do that once a week, I get a migraine.
- [laughing.]
- Ah, Monique.
How lovely to see you.
Hey, when are you two tying the knot? Good question.
Well, why don't we just enjoy our love pure and untouched by the heteronormative culture, the way God intended? But when I have an answer to your question, you'll be the first to know.
Ah.
- [laughing.]
- Okay.
Ah, Nancy! Come on.
Well, I guess I'll see you around, Mr.
President.
Students should leave Winchester with more than just a degree and a beer belly.
If you were a cat owner and only all cats were dying in America, if someone said to you, "All pets matter," you'd be upset, too.
Beyoncé would make a fantastic candidate for an honorary degree.
[chattering.]
[chuckles.]
Troy.
You remember Thane.
Best running back in the Ivies.
Tro-bama.
Ha, very clever, very clever.
Now, listen, we still have the support of the Griffins, yes? Hell yeah, bro.
Glad someone's having a good time.
[Fairbanks.]
You're not them.
- Ah, Stacy! - Walter! This party's a fucking snooze-fest.
I mean, there's some quality MILFs up in here, but I need about six more whiskeys before I taste the early bird special, if you know what I mean.
Oh, Lionel.
Have you met Thane Lockwood? I'm on my way out.
No, you should interview him about how the team is doing this year.
I don't really cover sports.
Well, it's time to expand your horizons.
- [sighs.]
- Sometimes I get tired of football - Sprite, please.
- [phone dings.]
It's the mighty Fairbanks.
- Ha-ha.
- [chuckles.]
I just want to say you're doing a great job.
Well, I learn by watching you, President Fletcher.
Oh, see? That's what I always liked about you.
You're even smoother than your father.
It feels like yesterday you were just a toddler taking your first steps in your father's office.
- Look at you now.
- Walking like a champ.
Next semester? Jogging.
[both laughing.]
Uh, two champagnes, please.
Troy, when you are elected president If.
When.
I hope you'll look out for my boy any way you can.
God knows Kurt really needs it after that disgraceful party.
Number one on my agenda.
- [glasses clink.]
- To you.
Now, you'll have to excuse me.
I think Diane and Richard are just drunk enough to buy us a new track.
Diane! Oh, you look stunning.
I'll take that, thank you.
It's just one glass of champagne.
And you're one year away from legally being able to drink it.
I'm all talked out, Dad.
Probably should just head home and shut it down.
Okay.
Good night, son.
[muffled rap music playing.]
[phone dings.]
Just the man I wanted to see.
Well, I can't say the same.
I need your help.
People think I threw that racist party, but I didn't send out those invitations.
Let me guess, the only reason you didn't is because your dad found out? No, I realize we live in a delicate time rife with racial tensions.
And my dad found out.
Yeah, if you're so innocent, then why was I the one that called the cops and not you? [Kurt.]
'Cause Sam invited people over.
They showed up at my house, and, you know, purple drink ain't gonna serve itself, know what I mean? - Wow.
- I'm kidding.
I'm kid look, Troy.
If you get elected, you need to give me a pardon.
- Not a governor.
- A social pardon.
I've been bailing you out since grade school.
Remember that time you put the boot on the kid's wheelchair tire? Just because his legs didn't work doesn't mean he wasn't an asshole.
You know, the BSU is pissed at you.
And they're not wrong.
What the fuck was that lawn jockey shit on your cover? It's a commentary on how people don't even know why they're angry anymore.
The lawn jockey used to signal to slaves on the Underground Railroad if a house was safe.
Where did you get that from? Wikipedia, man.
[scoffs.]
You are tiptoeing towards "piece of shit," man.
Oh, so Sam's the only one who's allowed to be provocative? - [phone dings.]
- [Kurt.]
If you threw a white-face party, I'd defend you.
[Troy.]
That's not a thing! Not yet! Hey! Who wants to see me fly? - [all cheering.]
- Whoo! [Neika.]
I can't believe your father introduces us every time.
Eye of the tiger, memory of the goldfish.
[both chuckle.]
How long has it been? Two years? Well, tomorrow's our anniversary.
I'm just kidding.
[breathes deeply.]
You look tense.
And you look beautiful.
And you look like you have on too many clothes.
Mmm.
[kisses.]
Ooh.
I remember those games.
Someone marking their territory.
[kisses.]
Yeah? How's Monique? [laughs.]
That's funny, Troy.
So so who'd you vote for? [exhales sharply.]
The white one.
Troy, your father has a life of his own.
Why are you living yours for him? He pays my room and board? Today at Armstrong-Parker, I told everyone how bad I wanted to fight for them.
And you know what? What? Think I meant it.
Then why did you vote for someone else? You don't think you deserve to wear that crown? Look at me.
Let me let you in on a little secret.
No one does.
[phone dings.]
[exhales.]
Troy.
It's 6:30.
And congratulations, you won.
Come on, we gotta go.
Let's go before the team gets here.
Yeah.
[chattering.]
- Oh.
- We're fucked.
We're gonna figure this shit out.
Professor Hobbs, Troy, thank God you're here.
We wanted to get here before the team.
Yeah, he was showing me the boats.
- She's a lesbian.
- I love boats.
Who cares? Thane Lockwood died last night.
[Troy.]
Oh, God.
So that's why everyone is here.
That's why we're here.
This is so tragic and so sad.
So sad.
He tried to fly and he couldn't.
So, so sad.
- Mm, my heart.
- Did you call anyone? [phone dings.]
[Neika moaning.]
Yeah, I don't know where to start How do you admit That you're falling apart? Well, maybe I should fuck it And be happy instead I should just say fuck it And be happy instead, right? Right.
'Cause there's a lot of people trying To tell me how to deal with myself But I'm not gonna listen If you mention my health I don't care Don't tell me and don't text me 'Cause that kind of shit upsets me Just kind of affects me And it's bringing me down And I'm not gonna lie These days I prefer to not be outside These days I just end up spending all Of my time with my girlfriend But to be honest I think that's all right 'Cause time keeps rolling And I'm just making songs I'm doing my best Still find myself stressed And I'm no longer sure where I belong I'm starting to rust Don't know who to trust
Previous EpisodeNext Episode