Grown-ish (2018) s03e06 Episode Script

Real Life S**t

1 From an early age, we are led to believe that a degree from a prestigious university will set us apart from the next man.
That the promise of higher education is to get a leg up and bring us closer to our aspirations.
But for some people, that higher education only creates more space between them and their goals.
And let's be honest, those "some people" are Black people.
Yo, you got to relax, bro.
You got this.
I know, I know.
I just I just feel like I don't want to reek of desperation.
Okay? But to be clear, I am very desperate.
Yo, you you Don't be.
You got six months til you graduate, bro.
Six months.
You're gonna get a job.
I don't have six months.
I owe 100K in student loans now, Doug.
Right now.
Come on, the line's over there.
Bro, you're looking at this the wrong way.
You're a diversity hire with mad community service hours - and a high-ass GPA.
- Okay.
All these dudes at these companies are gonna be begging for you to be their one non-threatening Black work friend.
- Wait, wait - Watch.
I can be threatening.
You're wearing a vest, bro.
Tupac wore a vest.
Not to a career fair, he didn't.
Bro, look, you just gotta go in there with your signature Aaron Jackson charisma and you'll be good.
You're right, you're right.
You're right.
I'm gonna go in here.
- Yes.
- I'm gonna get a job with good benefits.
I'm talking about student loan forgiveness program - Right.
- a six-figure starting salary - Uh-huh.
- maybe a little Maxima.
I love those cars.
See you later, bro.
You're gonna kill it.
- Yep.
- Excuse me.
This is as far as it's gonna go.
Okay.
Watch out, world, I'm grown now I'm grown Learn something new every day I don't know, so I'm-a feel my way Got the weight of the world on me But no regrets, this is what I say Watch out, world, I'm grown now - I'm grown - You can tell me My heart beating so loud Mama, look, I'm grown now I'm grown Although Aaron was facing one corporate Caucasian complication after another, he was determined to keep pushing forward.
This all looks really good, but typically, our candidates are accounting majors.
So, you'd say you have a wealth of project management experience, then? I'm just struggling to see how your "experience" translates to this particular skill set.
Well, we appreciate you submitting your résumé, and we'll certainly be in touch if you're a good fit.
Right, I appreciate you looking out, brotha.
Yeah, hey, uh, look, Joey, I'm just stepping into class right now, but I promise as soon as I'm out, I'm gonna e-mail you those looks, okay? All right.
Hit you later.
Bye.
Of course the only seat open is beside the girl I found out was sleeping with my ex.
Hey, girl! How you doing? Good, good.
How are you? Oh, me? I've been really good.
I've been I've been so good.
I've been the truest definition of G-double-O-D good.
- You know? - Good.
Good.
So, that's me.
Uh, look, I just wanted to apologize for the other night.
I didn't know you and Luca had a history.
Pssh Ancient history.
It's just like prehistoric at this point.
It's so old.
So old, like a young Morgan Freeman old.
- That's old.
- Uh-huh.
Well, look, we should grab a drink or something.
Oh, I Wow.
Uh, yeah, no, I would love that.
Drinks shall be grabbed.
Okay, so here's a little bit about me.
Uh, I am hardworking, dedicated, a natural-born leader.
I just think I could seamlessly fit into the culture at your company.
In fact, one of your senior VPs, Andre Johnson, is my friend's dad, so - Oh, cool, cool.
- Yeah.
My dad owns the company.
Yeah, and my dad has been banned from the Staples Center for the next five years.
It's nothing weird.
He just likes to have sex with strangers in the nosebleed section.
You know, he tried having sex with people he already knows, but he just doesn't like it as much.
Great, well, you guys seem you guys seem great, and I would love the opportunity to apply.
And the fact that you guys help pay back your employees' student loans amazing.
It'd really help me out a lot.
- What? - What? - Oh, that doesn't sound right.
- We don't do that.
- I don't think that's - Oh, look at that! - Wow.
- There it is.
- I'll be damned.
- Crazy.
Well, listen, we have been looking to bolster our urban division.
One of our execs has just been so checked out lately.
- Oh.
- Charlie.
Yeah, absolutely.
I haven't seen him in a while.
It's been two days at least.
Anyway, thank you for your résumé.
We're gonna have interviews on Friday from 2:00 to 5:00, and then those candidates that are selected will be notified via e-mail.
Okay, awesome.
Hey, well, I look forward to hearing from you.
And you.
Hell, even your dad.
Oh.
Daddy would love you.
- I'm gonna go now.
Thank you.
- Yep.
- I like your ponytail.
- Mm.
Hi.
Ohh! Love this song! You love Beethoven? Yeah, yeah.
Great movie.
Hey, yo, Sky, good luck being a traitor to your race.
What the [bleep.]
did you just say? Because I'm dating a White guy, I'm a traitor to my race? Y'all mess with White girls all the time.
You're the real traitor to your race.
And your mama.
What? Why you bringing my mama into this? I said good luck training for your race.
Oh.
Oh.
Well Thank you.
Go, Titans.
Um What What was that? I'm sorry.
Look, I've got to be honest with you.
I've never dated, like, a a White guy before.
So is this gonna be a problem? No.
N-No.
I mean, I I don't think it is.
Cool.
Um How about you get at me when you figure it out? Here are your Cheetos.
Yo, you want in on this Postmates, bro? No, man! I told you, I am on a strict bologna and Cup-o-Noodle diet for the next rest of my life.
Are you back on this loan mess? Yes! I am looking at 750 bucks a month in student loans.
Even if I get a great job, it'll take me at least 30 years to pay this off.
How am I supposed to affect change at 50? I mean, John Lewis still be leading marches at 80.
I mean, it's more like like a hobble now, but it's a hobble for us.
I don't want to hobble.
Oh, shit.
It's from Stevens & Lido.
Look at Jesus.
Won't He do it.
- Hallelujah.
- "Dear Aaron Thank you for your" I didn't get the interview.
Oh, He didn't do it this time.
Uh, yeah, one second! Coming, coming.
- Hey, dude.
- Hey.
You here looking for Vivek? Uh, no.
Actually, I came here to see you.
I need a favor.
I applied for a gig at your dad's job.
- Stevens & Lido? - Yeah.
Um, and you know I hate to ask favors, but this is a huge opportunity, you know? - Mm-hmm.
- There's a solid chance it could turn into a full-time job after I graduate, so Ohh.
They're holding interviews tomorrow, so I would just I'd really appreciate it if you would just get me in front of your dad, you know? Yeah, I got you.
Don't even stress about it.
Really? You You can get me in? Of course I can.
I'm Zoey Johnson.
I'm my father's favorite child.
He would do anything for me.
Oh, and you know what? You should wear this.
It's supposed to be for Joey, but I really think you should take it for your interview.
It would look amazing on you.
Uh, one second.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
Goodness.
That's Joey.
I should take this.
Yeah, no, do your thing.
- Yeah.
- But thanks again, really.
- Mm-hmm.
- Appreciate it.
Hey, Joey.
Yeah.
Hello.
Excuse me.
I'm Aaron Jackson.
I'm here for an interview.
Just want me to sit down? Cool.
Exciting.
Okay! Hi.
That's cool, all right.
Okay, yeah, go.
What you got? Hey, excuse me, Miss.
Uh, I'm sorry, I just I've been here, like, sitting there for a couple hours.
So, just wondering, you know, when I'm up.
Um Sorry, it looks like we've completed all our interviews.
What was your name again? Uh, Aaron Jackson.
I'm sure it's in there.
No, sorry.
You're not on my list.
All right.
Hey, Rachel, I'm done for the day.
Mr.
Johnson! Hey! - Hey.
- Just the man I want to see.
- How you been? - I'm all right.
- Do I know you? - Yeah, it's me, Aaron Jackson.
Uh, Zoey's friend from school.
We met a couple years back.
I stayed the weekend at your place.
Oh! Yeah, yeah.
Aaron.
Hey, man, my mama's still talking about you.
Uh, so what brings you here? Oh, my God, is Zozo with child? Please, God, don't tell me my baby's pregnant! No, no, no, no, Zoey's not pregnant.
At least I don't think.
Certainly not by me.
I'm just here about an interview, man.
She told me she was gonna call you today about getting me in.
I'm in, I'm here, and I'm ready, so Well she didn't.
In fact, we haven't talked in a few weeks.
Tell her to get at me, though.
No, I did, about a job.
That's why I'm here, sir.
Hey, man, are you following me? I wouldn't call it following.
It's just more of like a trailing behind.
Look, if you would just take a look at my résumé here I'm sorry.
Um, now, I know you won't see a lot of marketing experience, but I promise you I am I am a hustler, I'm motivated, and, um, to be honest, I kind of remind myself a lot of a young you.
Obviously I'm I'm a little taller, but, still Son, I would never wear a vest.
Hey, look, man, this résumé looks like it's pretty strong, but I've already filled the position.
Okay, cool.
Uh, thanks.
Keep your head up, man.
"Good looking out, homie.
" What the hell does that mean Oh, my God! The interview! On a scale from 1 to 10, how mad is Aaron? Oh, you could add a zero to that 10, and you'd be in the ballpark.
- Great.
- What, could you blame him? You flaked on a simple favor.
Okay, yeah, I know.
But it was an honest mistake.
I get that it doesn't make it any better, but but I've been swamped at work.
I literally haven't slept in the past 48 hours.
Okay, well your "honest mistake" cost him a real opportunity.
He's going through it.
Because I didn't get him an interview at Stevens & Lido? No, because his student loans are, like, six figures.
And your dad's company could've helped him with their loan forgiveness program if you hooked him up.
Right.
I feel awful.
You should.
Okay, wait a minute.
Granted, we all know that Zoey tends to be a little wrapped up in Zoey, but we can't put Aaron's entire financial crisis on her.
She didn't make him take that money.
No, the banks who preyed on Aaron did.
What, preyed on him? How? Sometimes I really forget how Sherman Oaks you are, Sherman Oaks.
The way they prey on all Black kids who want to go to college but can't afford it.
Yeah.
They know that there's no other option for us, so they give us this easy money, wrap it in a free T-shirt, right? And then you go off to college, and then it's, "Whoo, I'm in school," just for you to realize when you get out, that you owe them twice the money that they gave you, plus the shirt off your back.
Um.
Hello.
Hi.
Fellow person of color here.
And as someone riddled with student loans, I still think there's something to be said for more minorities going to college than ever before.
Yeah, and that's great and all, but the cost and the benefit of that education aren't equal.
The reality is if we all graduated with the same degree, all had the same experience, and all slayed the same interview, the offer would go to Nomi first, and then to you, and then to Doug and Aaron, and then Zoey, Sky, and I would come dead last.
Yep.
You You should probably pick that up right there.
Pick what up? Oh, that that knowledge my baby just dropped.
She did.
- You did.
- I did.
Mm-hmm.
Like a Congresswoman.
Hi.
What's up? Aaron, I had no clue about everything that was happening with the loans and all that, and and believe me when I say I am so, so sorry.
I promise I'm gonna make it up to you.
I I swear.
Yeah.
All good.
Look, um, hey.
No, um Dude, can you give me a second, please? Okay.
Here's your second.
What's up? Well, I put a call in to my dad, and he can't Great, because it seemed like he had been waiting to hear from you.
Weeks, actually.
Look, Aaron, I messed up.
Look, Zoey, I'm I'm trying my hardest not to say anything disrespectful to you, so I'm politely asking you to please give me some space.
All right? No, because I want to fix this.
- You can't fix it.
- You're not letting me.
Because you're too late, Zoey! The one time that I needed you the one time where were you at? - I - Right.
But if you need something, you expect me to drop everything and be there, no questions asked.
Because that's how this relationship works.
You You You You You need some advice about something, I give it to you.
You need some support during a crisis, you got it.
You need somebody to kiss to get over your ex? I'm your man, right? Right? You said it yourself.
I'm always there for you.
I know, and I'm I'm sorry.
Man, don't be.
Please don't be.
I'm actually I'm honestly not even mad at you.
I'm mad at myself to think that you would actually come through for me.
How'd it take me this long to realize how selfish you are? It's crazy.
You good? Oh, yeah.
No, I'm good.
I'm G-double-O-D good.
You wanna talk? No.
But how about that drink? You got it.
Right.
What's up? Hey.
So, you wanted to talk? Yeah.
So I was I was out with my sister and her boyfriend tonight, and I think I figured out what's been bothering me.
It's their connection.
What does their connection have to do with us? Theirs is rooted in a shared cultural experience because both of them are Black.
We'll never have that.
And no matter how hard I try, I just I can't seem to get past it.
Wow.
Well, I guess you figured it out, then.
But the other thing that I can't seem to get past is how much I like you and how much I can't stop thinking about you.
So, which side outweighs the other? Is it okay if I still call you Rod'Nae? No.
Excuse me, Dean Telphy.
Excuse me, sir.
Hold on a second.
Okay.
How can I help you? I don't know, man! You called me in here.
Uh Oh, right.
See, that's my problem.
This is why I need an administrative assistant.
And when I got a call from my good friend and confidant, Andre Johnson, he told me that you might be looking for a job, I immediately summoned you.
Wait, are you Are you offering me a job? It all depends.
Are you accepting it? I mean, I can only accept it if you're offering it to me.
Are you offering it to me? Hmm, you drive a hard bargain, young Aaron.
But you got the job.
What job, sir?! I'm sorry.
What job? I'm sorry, you're just confusing me.
Look, let's start with the basics.
How much does this job pay? Oh.
Minimum wage.
Okay, is there health insurance? Is there health insurance? Right.
Um Is there any type of loan forgiveness program? Hmm, does free grad school for Cal U staff count? Wait.
Free grad school? You mean like a Masters degree for no money? - There's got to be a catch.
- No.
There's no catch.
You just got to show up, put in 20 hours a week, and become my personal assistant.
Now, your first order of business you need to call this lady I've been seeing and tell her I don't want to see her no more.
Her name's Keshia Kirschbaum.
She's, uh unhinged.
- Good luck.
- This is huge, man.
You don't realize what it's doing for me.
This This past week has been Oh, it has it has sucked.
Not as much as my week with Keshia.
You know what? - Man.
- I'll take the job.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
Hey.
The reality was that Aaron couldn't erase the debt he had already acquired, but this bizarre job and the offer of free grad school would give him a financial head start to ensure he wouldn't become just another statistic.
Is the sun always this bright out here? Yes.
And please just stop yelling.
You know what I could use right now? Hmm? - Waffle House.
- Mm.
They come through for a hangover every time.
We don't have Waffle Houses in L.
A.
We have Roscoe's.
They have an Obama special.
Always down for anything Obama.
Should we go? Uh Yeah.
In a minute.
Yeah.
Is it okay if I just
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