The Big Leap (2021) s01e05 Episode Script
We Were Just Babies
1
-
- And finally,
this year's most powerful woman
in business, Paula Clark.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
- The Executioner.
- PAULA: Thank you for this.
I'm often asked how to have a successful career as a woman in this industry, and the first thing I'd say is, forget everything you know about being a woman.
The companies that survive in a ruthless marketplace are the efficient ones, not the nice ones.
Inefficiency is the tumor you need to excise, in order to save the rest.
And yes, sometimes that means layoffs, but business is about hard decisions.
I know that some people call me The Executioner.
That's not accurate.
I'm a surgeon, and when I do my job, the patient thrives.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE.]
Call my job a tumor again, you corporate rat! All right, is everybody here? Where's Monica? Don't say anything.
About what? Oh, about the cane? Think that's what you're talking about, the cane.
A lot of people use canes, Monica.
Winston Churchill had a cane.
Scrooge McDuck, Willy Wonka.
- Charlie Chaplin.
- Hugh Laurie, House.
- Hit show, that was a hit show.
- Oh, good, good.
- He was good, right? - So hot.
- That acting.
- So hot! - DANTE: So ripped.
- Ripped? - I hate all of you.
- So the deal for today.
Jessica and Dante are gonna be taking half the cast off site.
This is a heartwarming background package.
I want nostalgia, I want tearful high school memories, I want a nap just thinking about it, but, guys, we gotta make it pop.
That's about it the rest of us are gonna be here.
Monica, you can lead rehearsal, and try not to take out any knees or eyes with that thing.
Should be an easy day, guys.
- Let's get to it.
- Nick, a word? Alan, we've been over these rules! No cast members without prior positions.
Hey, all right.
Here, you know what? Have a seat, please.
I've recently learned some concerning information about my employment history vis-Ã -vis Mike's employment history.
- Oh, yeah, what's that? - I know you already know.
I do, The Executioner.
Hoo-hoo, I'm shaking.
I want to be the one to tell him in person.
Sure, of course.
I'll set up an SDI for the two of you guys today.
No.
I want to tell him off-camera before I tell him on-camera.
No, come on, no can do.
You signed a contract.
We get to film anything and everything deemed important to the Big Leap story, and this is very important.
Right, okay.
That makes sense.
I agree.
Oh, we got a runner! Make a V formation! - STAFFER: What is that? - ALLY: Cut her off! - Mike! - NICK: Cut her off! Don't do this.
We can talk about it! - Paula.
- Mike! ALLY: Are you serious right now? I'm not running.
I have off-brand shoes.
Nice, Ally.
Hey, make sure you take her phone.
She is on hard ice from now on.
Hey, anybody got eyes on Mike? MIKE: Oh, love cottage cheese.
It's like my favorite cheese, which I know is weird, but, like, it's not just for babies oof! You look extra bulgy today.
Is that for me? I just ramped up my workouts.
You know, trying to get back in football shape.
BRITTNEY: Well, I like it.
Mm, just want to show you off.
[GASPS.]
We should go to Tulum next year.
- Next year? - Yeah.
Between filming and your football season, we won't be able to leave till, what, February? But that's okay.
- Gabby, you're staring.
- Sorry, sorry.
It's just that he hasn't, you know, acknowledged what I said the other day about him, and love, and me.
Yeah, maybe he's just processing all that, but who cares? Because you're famous.
Hey, did they tell you what we're doing today? 'Cause this is our neighborhood.
GABBY: No wait.
BOTH: Oh, no.
We're going back to high school.
This is fun, huh? It's cute.
- Oh, for who? - Here.
Welcome, theater and art students.
We have some very special guests for you today.
- What are we doing here? - Background package.
You're gonna meet with your old dance team, teach them your state-winning dance, do some interviews, some B-roll, and give them this giant check, easy-peasy.
the Big Leap PRINCIPAL: Put your hands together for Justin Calgrove and Gabby Lewis! - Ooh! - JESSICA: Get out there.
- PRINCIPAL: 10,000 - SIMON: Really? Oh.
Um as distinguished alumni, it is our pleasure to be able to give you this huge-ass check.
Oh, it's it's very surprising to be here.
Wouldn't have minded a heads-up, but follow your dreams.
You know, we did, and we're now on a dance TV show, so Doesn't that guy work at the bowling alley? Hey, I quit that job three weeks ago.
We'll cut that out.
Once again, it's Gabby, Gabby, Gabby.
Brittney, this is literally her background package.
- Zip it.
- I'm just saying these kids deserve a real role model, like Reggie.
You should be out there, instead of these losers.
They're not losers.
Yeah, actually, Reggie, that's a good idea.
Why don't you go talk about success? - Yes.
- What, wait.
Go, babe, go, go.
Go, go, get out there.
- SIMON: Here is Reggie.
- GABBY: Oh, great.
Hey, hi, I'm Reggie Sadler.
Whoo! I'm a football player, as many of you know, and, uh, the way that I achieved my dreams was through focus, you know? So there's a lot of distractions in the world, so you know, eyes on the prize.
You know, for me, that prize was football.
Is football.
Still is football.
You know, in fact, I need to lead by example.
- Brittney? - Yeah, babe? Look, I'm I'm sorry, but we're done.
- What, babe? - It's over.
You know, I can't do this anymore.
I gotta focus, you know? Look, it's not you.
It's me.
Well, I mean, actually, it's football.
Well, it's me and football, but it's not you.
- It's not me.
- Not you.
It's not me.
[SOBS.]
I'm gonna miss him so much.
[SOBBING.]
Like, I think I loved him, you know? All right, thanks, Brittney.
I think we have enough.
Okay, do you need, like, another color? 'Cause I can do one that's, like, ragey, you know? Like Reggie Sadler doesn't deserve me, but he does deserve revenge.
- It's okay? - That's great.
Okay.
[DJ KHALED'S "ALL I DO IS WIN".]
Yeah, whoo! Yes.
This is crazy.
This song's bringing back so many sense memories.
It's like I can almost smell the White Castle and hairspray.
God, Gabby, remember? A little too well, yeah.
Hey, Gab.
You see I broke things off with Brittney today, right? Yeah, yeah, congrats.
Focusing on football, right? Yeah, right.
SINGER: All I do is win, win, win no matter what Okay, um Guess I'ma catch you later.
SINGER: Hands go up, and they stay there And they stay there, and they stay there Hey, Gabby, you okay? You've been acting weird ever since we got here.
Yeah, you know what? Why are we focusing on the past? No one wants to do the same thing again, anyway.
Let's do something different.
Hunter, right? Yeah.
Mmm, so good.
- So, Al can I call you Al? - Sure.
What's up? First, you tackle me.
Then we're just sitting at your desk all day.
Is this a date? 'Cause if it is, I'm seeing somebody, you know? Not to brag, but it's going pretty good.
Good, yeah.
We just have something planned for you later today, so A surprise? I love surprises.
Not everybody does, but yeah.
No, I love surprises.
It's gonna be good.
Well, it'll certainly be a surprise.
- Didn't love that tone.
- Sorry.
A little ominous.
Nice shoes.
Stylish and comfortable.
Thanks.
You guys work what, a 12-hour day? - More.
- Wow.
ALLY: Mm-hmm.
And I see you.
You're so good at your job.
Does Nick ever tell you that? I'm not letting you talk to Mike, Paula.
Okay.
Okay, $500, $1,000.
What's it gonna take? It's not gonna happen.
God.
Can anyone hear me? Can anyone hear me? Can anyone hear me? - Can anyone hear me? - It's not on.
Mike! Mike Devries! Okay, so here we go.
Five, six, seven, eight.
And one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and one! This is so good.
I mean, I've never seen you choreograph anything like this.
Where is it coming from? I don't know.
Just trusting my gut, I guess.
Gabby, can I steal you for a quick interview with your English teacher? Say hey to Mr.
A.
for me.
I always knew Gabby was the one doing all the work in the group projects, but she would never admit it.
She was so smart, yes, but also loyal, kind, thoughtful.
I'm not at all surprised to see her here doing this.
Gabby, anything you want to say to your favorite teacher? Thank you for saying all that.
Everyone always loved you, including me.
You were a great teacher.
Okay, that's great.
Thank you, guys.
We got it.
[WHISPERING.]
Keep the camera rolling.
Curtis? You could have given me some notice.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know we were coming.
Zach, Zach, my man, listen.
I know you want feel-good.
Trust me, this is going to be feel-good, all right? I've never felt so good in my life.
Yeah.
Nothing.
Yeah, I hear you.
GABBY: Curtis? MR.
ALDERLUND: He's not here, is he? No.
Zach.
Yeah, listen, buddy.
I'm gonna have to call you back.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
That's him.
That's the dad.
Oh, God, that's the dad.
[UPBEAT PERCUSSION MUSIC.]
Okay, so today just became a whole 'nother thing.
Mike is in the van with me.
Paula's coming separately.
Do not let them within earshot of one another.
We'll do their interview here later, but first, I gotta talk to Gabby.
Where is she? - Right over here.
- All right.
You set me up, you son of a bitch.
Gabby, I had no idea.
It was supposed to be good, clean fun.
What exactly are we talking about here, anyway? I was 18.
I was obsessed with him.
He said he loved me.
When I got pregnant, he didn't want to have anything to do with me after that.
So how's that for good, clean fun? Man, okay.
- Okay, I'm so sorry, Gabby.
- Are you gonna put this on TV? I haven't decided yet.
I'm not sure how America's gonna feel about you.
- Oh, screw you [GASPS.]
you.
- Okay, all right.
You know what? I didn't come on this show to be the girl who hooked up with her teacher.
- I quit.
- No, don't quit! Damn it, come on.
Look, take a walk.
Clear your head.
Just come back when you're ready.
Jessica? I need an empty classroom and all hands on deck.
[HEAVY HIP-HOP MUSIC.]
SINGER: Get it, get it, get it, uh Get it, get it, uh Yo, that's crazy.
This school got a Reggie Sadler, too.
Cut.
That's a prop trophy.
These are all props.
We're gonna play this B-roll over your interview where you talk about being a high school football player, so let that wash over you or whatever.
- And let's go back to one.
- Okay.
- MAN: Card's full.
- My bad.
Okay, stand by, everyone.
Camera's reloading.
[SIGHS.]
Right.
Just need a wash, and Hi, Mr.
Sadler.
I saw your speech today.
You said I should focus on my dreams.
My dream is to go to homecoming with Zoe Washington, and I was wondering if you would ask her to go with me.
Wait, so you want me to ask a girl to go to homecoming for you? Yes.
Okay, cool.
Hi, I'm sorry to interrupt.
I couldn't help but overhear, but now that I've overheard, I need to insert myself into this huge mistake you're making - Evan.
- Evan, hi, Evan.
Now, did you see the way that this man broke up with my sister this morning? Messy.
Tell me.
What does Zoe Washington love with all of her soul? Is it the Detroit Lions? EVAN: I-I don't think so.
Yeah, no.
That's what I thought.
Oh, my God.
You're so lucky I'm here.
Listen, we have limited time, so it's not gonna be my best work, but Look, man, I'm sorry for the way things ended with your sister, okay? - Don't be, she's psycho.
- Yeah.
Hey, don't you dare agree with me.
Evan, don't worry.
I got you.
[LINE TRILLING.]
- Hey, who are you calling? - My dove guy.
He owes me.
- DOVE GUY: Hello? - Hi, guess who? LINUS: Julia.
Hey, your lav mic is rustling.
Do you mind if I adjust it? Yeah, sure.
Okay.
Hey, I happened to hear earlier that you were selling a classic guitar.
Yeah, yeah I am.
Yeah, sorry.
I hear lots of things.
Well, it's apparently a 1970s "Lay" Paul Les Paul? Les Paul? Yeah, you interested? Yeah, wow, really interested.
Cool, all right.
My daughters are coming in for an interview later on this afternoon.
I can ask them to bring it if you want to see it.
- I would love that.
- Cool, all right, thanks.
Hey, Al.
Why are we in a high school? And why am I still in isolation? Starting to feel like quarantine all over again, except, you know, I'm finally wearing pants, right? Oh, my God.
Look how precious this is.
Can you believe that? Love.
Is there anything sweeter than love? Yeah.
You ever been in love, Al? No, but I've thought about it many a time.
It's out there waiting for you.
You know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna make something for Paula.
- Oh.
- Yeah, you know? - Yeah, I don't know.
- Come on.
You know, something that shows her that I care about her.
Are you sure? We could do anything else.
I've never been more sure about anything in my entire life.
Hey, Gabby? I think those are already clean, buddy.
Hey.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
- Nick told you? - Yeah.
He thought maybe you could use a friend right now.
Mr.
A.
I can't believe it.
What happened? I mean, if you want to tell me.
Remember that trip to Fringe Festival in Montreal? The one where Clara Draper got her One Direction tattoo? Yeah.
That's the trip when it started.
We were in his room talking about plays, and he said all the right things, that I was smart, and valuable, and beautiful.
You are beautiful.
When he said it, I believed it.
The thing is, everyone had a crush on him, and he chose me.
You know what that felt like for me? And after that, we had this big secret, which was really sexy.
There would be these little moments of eye contact in the hallway, and I just felt like the hottest girl in school.
And then when I got pregnant, he told me never to tell anyone it was his.
He didn't want to have anything to do with me.
Or Sam.
Gabby, I'm so sorry.
[PRODUCERS ARGUING.]
NICK: Guys, shut up, shut up! Come on.
We need to get into the minds of our demo.
Jessica, your mom just found out that Gabby slept with her teacher in high school.
Quick, what does she think about it? My mom loves Gabby.
She wants to see redemption and/or revenge.
Great, love 'em both.
Redemption and revenge.
Anybody else? Honestly, my mom probably thinks that Gabby's a slut that brought this on herself, and she's probably just looking for attention, and if she kept her eyes on her hemline, none of this would have happened.
Yikes, Dante's mom.
She was a kid.
- Hey, you asked.
- My mother wants to know why I haven't marched down the hall and castrated him myself.
[PRODUCERS MURMURING.]
PRODUCER: I think I like the idea.
Anybody else? I keep wondering, why did he choose me? Out of everyone.
Was it because he liked me, or was it because he knew I wouldn't complain? Was I just that fat girl who could keep a secret? You're being so mean to yourself.
You want to know what the worst part is? I still like him.
I still think about what it would be like to be with him.
Gabby.
I wish I could have been there for you through this.
I wish I had told you before or told literally anyone, but I was ashamed.
Because if there's one thing I learned, it's that there is something about me that needs to be kept secret.
And part of me still believes that.
JESSICA: She's gonna get doxxed.
Do we care about that? Well, silence is the enemy, and if she does this, she'll inspire others.
That's a great point.
People love bravery.
Where are we on the MeToo backlash? It's over; we're now on the backlash to the backlash.
Okay.
What are we even talking about? All we have is one odd moment at the end of an interview.
- And Gabby quit the show.
- NICK: Okay.
What we're talking about is going after the guy, right? Put him in a room with me and a camera.
If we want him to talk, I'll get him to talk.
Okay, what if we do that, and we get sued? By who, a Detroit public schoolteacher? Come on.
And what if we don't do it, and then it comes out? Yes, the last thing I need is Ronan Farrow asking questions about what we knew and when we knew it.
Yeah, and I'll fight Ronan Farrow every day The man still works here! Pro: we go after him, he gets fired.
I find this whole conversation disgusting.
Sure, yes, but should we do it or not? It should be up to Gabby.
We were babies in high school.
We ate Lucky Charms with chocolate milk.
We didn't know how to do taxes.
We drew little doodles on each other's shoes at lunchtime.
I still don't really get taxes.
Look, I'm not gonna tell you what to do about Mr.
A.
Or the show, but I'm gonna ask you to just forgive yourself, because it's not your fault.
And I really don't want to see this guy take dance away from you again.
I don't know what to do.
That's okay.
Maybe we can take a baby step.
You know, you choreographed something incredible today.
How about we go watch those kids dance? How many weddings have I referred you for? No, no.
How many funerals, Larry? Oh, okay, how about that community theater production of Carousel, huh? "You'll Never Walk Alone"? Well, I'm walking alone right now.
Larry, how could you do this? I don't we're done.
Ah! DANTE: Simon? Um so my dove guy is having an abscessed tooth removed, but you know what? Not to worry.
Everything else is sailing along.
I've arranged for the dancers to arrive from the stages.
They're learning the choreo now.
I've already cleared the song.
The streamer cannons are coming in an hour.
Zoe Washington has no idea, but it's gonna be the best day of her life.
And the worst day of Larry's.
How's it going? I don't know.
I know this all just kinda seems like a lot.
I mean, what if you do all this, and then Zoe still says no? You think she's gonna say no? She said she liked me.
Well, how do you know she meant it, hmm? Well, what if she changed her mind and didn't tell you? And then when you told her that you broke up with the girl that you were seeing, she didn't seem to care, even though she's the one that told her mom that she loved you.
What the Zoe told her mom she loved me? SIMON: Okay, Reggie, Reggie, I know you're struggling, but you're freaking him out, okay? So listen.
Maybe we're just gonna focus on somebody else's narrative.
- You might learn something, okay? - Yeah.
Zoe's gonna say yes, though, right? Yeah, absolutely.
I'm six for six on proposals.
Now, I need your hat size.
PAULA: Did you know that every other producer is together right now, deciding the future of the show, and I am stuck here in detention with you? You should go.
I won't tell anybody.
Shut up.
[GNARLS BARKLEY'S "RUN (I'M A NATURAL DISASTER)".]
ALLY: Whoa, hey, hey! Hey! - What are you doing? - Ah! God, I hate dancers.
Can you not Whoa.
Hello! We do not have access to that property or permission! Thank you.
Hey all right, take it easy.
Oh, you can't get on the tables! Whoa, we haven't no, we have a TV show.
Save it for the camera.
Okay, you know what? Who are you trying to impress? It's just us! Seriously, what are you doing right now? Doesn't even make sense.
You're just wasted.
This is so annoying.
Oh, look at me.
I have arms and legs.
I can dance.
That's really badass, actually.
No, no, stop.
I can't.
Okay, all right.
SINGER: No time for question asking Time is passing by, all right You can't win, child, we've all tried to You've been lied to Hey! Paula's in the wind! So exciting to finally meet you two.
How do you feel about your mom being on the show? - Pretty embarrassed.
- Can we talk about the guitar? I don't think now is the time to talk about the guitar.
What guitar? Mom's selling all of Dad's stuff.
First, it was his Bulls jersey, then his ergonomic office chair.
And now it's his guitar.
I mean, it's like she's trying to erase him.
I just think that, if he wanted those things, he would have taken them with him, so can we please get - back to the interview? - Why are you like this? - Like what? - I mean, the second that he left, you've turned into this weird eBay robot.
Have you even stopped to be sad? That's a fair question, Julia.
How do you feel about your husband's absence? Whose side are you on, Wayne? I'm on the side of honesty.
It sounds like your daughters are looking for a real emotional connection with you.
Okay, well, the honest answer is, I can't afford to be sad.
Kevin left, and someone has to be the adult, and that is me.
- Olivia, sweetheart - No.
- Please just do this interview.
- No.
Got what you needed? Great.
Evan, we're five minutes out, man.
What's going on? I'm gonna make a fool of myself.
- What if she says no? - Wait just a second.
- Do you like this girl? - Yeah.
Do you think about her all the time? Yeah, even in calculus.
- And that's a thing because - I love calculus, yeah.
Right, right, right, and would you do anything to make her happy? - Yes.
- And does she love flash mobs? - I think so? - And tap dancing.
- I guess? - Then you gotta try, man.
Come on, you gotta try.
Okay, okay.
Now, come on, man.
Let's go! Come on! Get your head in the game.
So the scary bee is supposed to represent Paula in some way, or It's a murder hornet, Al, and it's an inside joke between us, and you know what? She's gonna love it.
Just trust me, all right? - AL: All right.
- Hey, would you do me a favor? Can you get me a cup of fresh water? - Okay.
- Thank you.
That would mean a lot to me.
Sure.
Al, you're a good man.
You're gonna find somebody that loves you one day.
AL: Thank you.
Oh, Mike.
Thank God I found you.
- Oh, hello, stranger.
- I have to tell you something.
I used to work in restructuring.
We're doing trivia.
Cool.
I used to have a pet hamster named Teriyaki, but then my cat ate it.
No, please listen.
I worked for an auto company.
And I had to identify inefficiencies and then make the appropriate cuts.
Whoa.
What are you talking about? Hey, you can't be in here.
- Which auto company, Paula? - Mike, I'm sorry, It was me.
I'm the one that fired you.
Go.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
Surprise.
[BELL RINGING.]
Places, places, crown.
Places, everybody! Less chit-chat, more places.
Go, go, go.
Hi, smiles.
You ready? All right, let's do this.
She's here, she's here.
Zoe Washington, there's something you should know! [CARLY RAE JEPSEN'S "I REALLY LIKE YOU".]
Hey, go now.
Come on, man.
SINGER: I really wanna stop But I just got the taste for it I feel like I could fly with the boy on the moon So honey, hold my hand You like making me wait for it I feel like I could die walking up to the room Oh, yeah, late night watching television But how'd we get in this position? It's way too soon, I know this isn't love But I need to tell you something I really, really, really, really, really Really like you And I want you, do you want me? Do you want me, too? I really, really, really, really, really Really like you And I want you, do you want me? Do you want me, too? Oh, did I say too much? I'm so in my head when we're out of touch I really, really, really, really, really Really like you And I want you, do you want me? Do you want me, too? Who gave you eyes like that? Said you could keep them I don't know how to act or if I should be leaving I'm running out of time, going out of my mind I need to tell you something I need to tell you something Yeah, I really, really, really, really, really Really like you And I want you, do you want me? Do you want me, too? I really, really, really, really, really Really like you And I want you, do you want me? Do you want me, too? Zoe, will you go to homecoming with me? - Yes.
- Yeah? - Oh, my God! - Yeah! Yeah, I told you, boy! That's what I'm talking about.
I told you she'd say yeah.
Seven for seven.
Go.
Can I hug you? Okay, Paula, let's share your news with Mike as though for the first time.
Mike, pretend to act surprised please.
Go ahead.
Mike, you and I worked at the same company, and it was my job to identify inefficiencies.
Ha, inefficiencies.
You know what I remember about the day that I got laid off? I went into work on a Tuesday.
I was told that I had 30 minutes to clear out the station that I worked for 12 years.
- Hmm.
- MIKE: I drove home in a daze.
Paige was not home, but when she got back, I was laid out on the couch.
Couldn't move.
Couldn't speak.
I went from being someone with respect, and power, and responsibilities to a throw pillow in one day.
And the most evil part about it is that nobody even cared to check in on me.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
Yeah, it was the worst day of my whole life, and it's because of her.
NICK: Wow.
- You know, I'm good here.
- NICK: All right, Mike, we got a couple more questions here, buddy.
- Let's - MIKE: We're done.
[DAUGHTER'S "YOUTH".]
SINGER: Shadows settle on the place that you left Our minds are troubled by the emptiness Setting fire to our insides for fun Collecting names of the lovers that went wrong The lovers that went wrong We are the reckless, we are the wild youth Chasing visions of our futures Gabby, you choreographed this? It's exquisite.
SINGER: One day, we'll reveal the truth That one will die before he gets there And if you're still bleeding You're the lucky ones We were just babies.
SINGER: Collecting pictures from the flood That wrecked our home It was a flood that wrecked this home And you caused it And you caused it And you caused it What do you want to do? SINGER: Well, I've lost it all, I'm just a silhouette And if you're in love, then you are the lucky one 'Cause most of us are bitter Never seen this place so empty.
Yeah, yeah I know.
Everybody went to do some flash mob thing.
I don't know, but I would really like to take care of this, if we could.
Wow, do you mind? Yeah, yeah, of course.
It's what we're here for.
She is beautiful.
Would you believe my husband only knew how to play three songs? Let me guess, "Blackbird.
" You got it.
And "Free Falling," and weirdly, the "Macarena.
" The "Macarena.
" Well, that is a shame.
A guitar like this deserves to be played.
I mean, really played.
[STRUMMING BLUESY RIFF.]
That's a really interesting tattoo that you have, too.
- Oh, this? - JULIA: Yeah.
Is that a snake or something? You want to see the rest of it? Okay.
Check this out.
[UPBEAT MUSIC.]
- You have a really nice - Tattoo? Body.
So do you.
- Guess what? - What? I'm gonna record us having sex without you knowing and put it on the Internet.
Yeah, I love it.
How much do you want for it? I-I-I can't.
I can't do you thing this this.
Sell the guitar.
I just I can't.
I'm really sorry for wasting your time.
No, it's no worries, okay? Yeah, sorry.
Hey, teach.
Had a little snafu this morning.
We gotta do your interview again.
Can you believe we left the lens cap on? - You what? - NICK: Only take a minute.
Guys, come on in.
Yeah.
Is that Chinese? It smells great.
Hey, you ready to do this? Anything you say right now is fair game.
I know.
I want to.
All right, do your thing.
Gabby, is everything okay? I was ashamed for a long time about what happened between us, but you know what? It wasn't my fault.
You slept with me when I was still a student, a teenager who trusted her teacher.
You made me believe you cared about me, but when I got pregnant, you disappeared.
- Gabby - I'm no, I'm going to finish.
This is my time to speak.
I didn't say anything before, because I felt stupid and ashamed, but I'd hate if my silence let you think that that was okay, or worse, gave you the chance to do that to some other girl.
I can't change the last seven years, but I can speak up now.
I am done letting you make me feel small, because the truth is, I'm thriving.
I love my son.
I love me.
I love what is in my future.
And you are not a part of it.
[MICROWAVE DINGS.]
So you can either quit or be fired.
Either way, this is going on television.
Oops.
We never really liked Paula anyway.
Yeah, she was too pretty.
Pretty, good personality, and can dance? I was always suspicious.
[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING ON SPEAKERS.]
Mike, can I talk to you privately? I mean, anything you want to say, you know, you can say it right here.
Okay.
I grew up poor, and I made it to college thanks to scholarships.
And I majored in business because I thought that's where the good jobs were.
And when I graduated, I got a job in restructuring, and you know, I was good at it.
And it felt really good to earn a paycheck every month.
And if I ever thought about the people that got laid off because of me, I just told myself that they'd get another job.
ANTHONY: It's true.
I could always deliver packages.
I heard you get to pee in your car.
If it makes you feel any better, I got fired as soon as my cancer treatment got in the way of my work.
- That sucks.
- ANTHONY: Okay, sure, but her firing and our firing feel different somehow.
Hey, maybe we should ask her driver what he thinks.
Come on.
She didn't invent capitalism.
It's not just capitalism, Joel.
It's 40 years of free market fundamentalism coupled with deregulation, based on the flawed neoliberal principle of the so-called "invisible hand.
" What's any of that got to do with her? She fired us.
Look, what happened to you guys was not fair, and I am sorry.
I'm sorry, Mike, and if you never want to talk to me again, I understand, but I like you.
You make me laugh.
And when I'm around you, I feel like I can breathe again, and I would really I would really like a chance to try and make this work.
I'm sorry, Paula.
I can't.
That's all right.
Let's get more drinks, huh? Um, excuse me.
Where have you been all day? You missed my flash mob.
I heard.
It was not easy.
Check it out.
Oh, my God.
Look what you did.
How was I not in this? It was an inspired day.
Well, you made this kid's dreams come true.
Yeah.
And, uh, we learned the value of a gesture, right, Reggie? Right, Simon.
Gabby, hey, come in.
So I just got off the phone with Legal.
They're not gonna air it.
- What? - Yeah.
They don't want to touch anything involving the teacher.
- It's a liability thing.
- But that was my moment.
- I know.
- GABBY: I had a whole thing, a whole "it's my time to speak" thing.
I know you did, and look, you nailed it.
It was great television, and also, I imagine, emotionally cathartic.
Yeah, yeah.
[SIGHS.]
[WARM MUSIC.]
Yeah, incredibly.
Look, here's the thing.
People are awful.
You know, you would have had Internet wackadoos coming out of the woodwork, and you did get him fired, you know? Yeah, that is something.
Hey, Alan, is Nick available? I saw one of his cameras shooting me from below, which is not on my list of approved angles.
Gabby's in there right now, so you can go in after she gets done.
Ugh.
What's Gabby in there for? They decided not to run the story with the teacher, so What story with the teacher? - Did I don't think I - BRITTNEY: What story Alan? What story? You're so close to my face.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
Mom? I didn't mean to act like I was erasing your dad.
- I didn't.
- I know.
What's happening? Mom's crying.
Finally.
He left us, and I don't know why.
And we don't have enough money, and it's such a shock, and I'm so worried about you guys.
I know, Mom.
[BIG STAR'S "THIRTEEN".]
I do miss him.
SINGER: Won't you let me walk you home from school? - Me too.
- I'm sorry.
Me too.
SINGER: Won't you let me meet you at the pool? Maybe Friday I can Get tickets for the dance Sammy, can you come downstairs please? SINGER: And I'll take you We're having cake.
- No plates? - No, we're going wild.
SINGER: Get off my back? Hey, so you know how I told you your birth dad was an international spy? Yeah.
Well, that wasn't true.
I lied to you because I was embarrassed.
But what I discovered is that secrets make you lonely, and so I want you to know the truth, okay? Okay.
The truth is, your birth dad was my teacher.
Yeah, teachers aren't supposed to get together with their students like that, but this one did.
It wasn't right, but I want you to know that it doesn't change how I feel about you.
Hey, I love you the most it's possible to love someone, and that is permanent, okay? Okay.
You're probably gonna have questions about this, maybe tonight or maybe in the future, but I promise you I'll answer any question you have forever.
Okay? What kind of teacher was he? English.
He was an English teacher.
Okay.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
- The Executioner.
- PAULA: Thank you for this.
I'm often asked how to have a successful career as a woman in this industry, and the first thing I'd say is, forget everything you know about being a woman.
The companies that survive in a ruthless marketplace are the efficient ones, not the nice ones.
Inefficiency is the tumor you need to excise, in order to save the rest.
And yes, sometimes that means layoffs, but business is about hard decisions.
I know that some people call me The Executioner.
That's not accurate.
I'm a surgeon, and when I do my job, the patient thrives.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE.]
Call my job a tumor again, you corporate rat! All right, is everybody here? Where's Monica? Don't say anything.
About what? Oh, about the cane? Think that's what you're talking about, the cane.
A lot of people use canes, Monica.
Winston Churchill had a cane.
Scrooge McDuck, Willy Wonka.
- Charlie Chaplin.
- Hugh Laurie, House.
- Hit show, that was a hit show.
- Oh, good, good.
- He was good, right? - So hot.
- That acting.
- So hot! - DANTE: So ripped.
- Ripped? - I hate all of you.
- So the deal for today.
Jessica and Dante are gonna be taking half the cast off site.
This is a heartwarming background package.
I want nostalgia, I want tearful high school memories, I want a nap just thinking about it, but, guys, we gotta make it pop.
That's about it the rest of us are gonna be here.
Monica, you can lead rehearsal, and try not to take out any knees or eyes with that thing.
Should be an easy day, guys.
- Let's get to it.
- Nick, a word? Alan, we've been over these rules! No cast members without prior positions.
Hey, all right.
Here, you know what? Have a seat, please.
I've recently learned some concerning information about my employment history vis-Ã -vis Mike's employment history.
- Oh, yeah, what's that? - I know you already know.
I do, The Executioner.
Hoo-hoo, I'm shaking.
I want to be the one to tell him in person.
Sure, of course.
I'll set up an SDI for the two of you guys today.
No.
I want to tell him off-camera before I tell him on-camera.
No, come on, no can do.
You signed a contract.
We get to film anything and everything deemed important to the Big Leap story, and this is very important.
Right, okay.
That makes sense.
I agree.
Oh, we got a runner! Make a V formation! - STAFFER: What is that? - ALLY: Cut her off! - Mike! - NICK: Cut her off! Don't do this.
We can talk about it! - Paula.
- Mike! ALLY: Are you serious right now? I'm not running.
I have off-brand shoes.
Nice, Ally.
Hey, make sure you take her phone.
She is on hard ice from now on.
Hey, anybody got eyes on Mike? MIKE: Oh, love cottage cheese.
It's like my favorite cheese, which I know is weird, but, like, it's not just for babies oof! You look extra bulgy today.
Is that for me? I just ramped up my workouts.
You know, trying to get back in football shape.
BRITTNEY: Well, I like it.
Mm, just want to show you off.
[GASPS.]
We should go to Tulum next year.
- Next year? - Yeah.
Between filming and your football season, we won't be able to leave till, what, February? But that's okay.
- Gabby, you're staring.
- Sorry, sorry.
It's just that he hasn't, you know, acknowledged what I said the other day about him, and love, and me.
Yeah, maybe he's just processing all that, but who cares? Because you're famous.
Hey, did they tell you what we're doing today? 'Cause this is our neighborhood.
GABBY: No wait.
BOTH: Oh, no.
We're going back to high school.
This is fun, huh? It's cute.
- Oh, for who? - Here.
Welcome, theater and art students.
We have some very special guests for you today.
- What are we doing here? - Background package.
You're gonna meet with your old dance team, teach them your state-winning dance, do some interviews, some B-roll, and give them this giant check, easy-peasy.
the Big Leap PRINCIPAL: Put your hands together for Justin Calgrove and Gabby Lewis! - Ooh! - JESSICA: Get out there.
- PRINCIPAL: 10,000 - SIMON: Really? Oh.
Um as distinguished alumni, it is our pleasure to be able to give you this huge-ass check.
Oh, it's it's very surprising to be here.
Wouldn't have minded a heads-up, but follow your dreams.
You know, we did, and we're now on a dance TV show, so Doesn't that guy work at the bowling alley? Hey, I quit that job three weeks ago.
We'll cut that out.
Once again, it's Gabby, Gabby, Gabby.
Brittney, this is literally her background package.
- Zip it.
- I'm just saying these kids deserve a real role model, like Reggie.
You should be out there, instead of these losers.
They're not losers.
Yeah, actually, Reggie, that's a good idea.
Why don't you go talk about success? - Yes.
- What, wait.
Go, babe, go, go.
Go, go, get out there.
- SIMON: Here is Reggie.
- GABBY: Oh, great.
Hey, hi, I'm Reggie Sadler.
Whoo! I'm a football player, as many of you know, and, uh, the way that I achieved my dreams was through focus, you know? So there's a lot of distractions in the world, so you know, eyes on the prize.
You know, for me, that prize was football.
Is football.
Still is football.
You know, in fact, I need to lead by example.
- Brittney? - Yeah, babe? Look, I'm I'm sorry, but we're done.
- What, babe? - It's over.
You know, I can't do this anymore.
I gotta focus, you know? Look, it's not you.
It's me.
Well, I mean, actually, it's football.
Well, it's me and football, but it's not you.
- It's not me.
- Not you.
It's not me.
[SOBS.]
I'm gonna miss him so much.
[SOBBING.]
Like, I think I loved him, you know? All right, thanks, Brittney.
I think we have enough.
Okay, do you need, like, another color? 'Cause I can do one that's, like, ragey, you know? Like Reggie Sadler doesn't deserve me, but he does deserve revenge.
- It's okay? - That's great.
Okay.
[DJ KHALED'S "ALL I DO IS WIN".]
Yeah, whoo! Yes.
This is crazy.
This song's bringing back so many sense memories.
It's like I can almost smell the White Castle and hairspray.
God, Gabby, remember? A little too well, yeah.
Hey, Gab.
You see I broke things off with Brittney today, right? Yeah, yeah, congrats.
Focusing on football, right? Yeah, right.
SINGER: All I do is win, win, win no matter what Okay, um Guess I'ma catch you later.
SINGER: Hands go up, and they stay there And they stay there, and they stay there Hey, Gabby, you okay? You've been acting weird ever since we got here.
Yeah, you know what? Why are we focusing on the past? No one wants to do the same thing again, anyway.
Let's do something different.
Hunter, right? Yeah.
Mmm, so good.
- So, Al can I call you Al? - Sure.
What's up? First, you tackle me.
Then we're just sitting at your desk all day.
Is this a date? 'Cause if it is, I'm seeing somebody, you know? Not to brag, but it's going pretty good.
Good, yeah.
We just have something planned for you later today, so A surprise? I love surprises.
Not everybody does, but yeah.
No, I love surprises.
It's gonna be good.
Well, it'll certainly be a surprise.
- Didn't love that tone.
- Sorry.
A little ominous.
Nice shoes.
Stylish and comfortable.
Thanks.
You guys work what, a 12-hour day? - More.
- Wow.
ALLY: Mm-hmm.
And I see you.
You're so good at your job.
Does Nick ever tell you that? I'm not letting you talk to Mike, Paula.
Okay.
Okay, $500, $1,000.
What's it gonna take? It's not gonna happen.
God.
Can anyone hear me? Can anyone hear me? Can anyone hear me? - Can anyone hear me? - It's not on.
Mike! Mike Devries! Okay, so here we go.
Five, six, seven, eight.
And one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and one! This is so good.
I mean, I've never seen you choreograph anything like this.
Where is it coming from? I don't know.
Just trusting my gut, I guess.
Gabby, can I steal you for a quick interview with your English teacher? Say hey to Mr.
A.
for me.
I always knew Gabby was the one doing all the work in the group projects, but she would never admit it.
She was so smart, yes, but also loyal, kind, thoughtful.
I'm not at all surprised to see her here doing this.
Gabby, anything you want to say to your favorite teacher? Thank you for saying all that.
Everyone always loved you, including me.
You were a great teacher.
Okay, that's great.
Thank you, guys.
We got it.
[WHISPERING.]
Keep the camera rolling.
Curtis? You could have given me some notice.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know we were coming.
Zach, Zach, my man, listen.
I know you want feel-good.
Trust me, this is going to be feel-good, all right? I've never felt so good in my life.
Yeah.
Nothing.
Yeah, I hear you.
GABBY: Curtis? MR.
ALDERLUND: He's not here, is he? No.
Zach.
Yeah, listen, buddy.
I'm gonna have to call you back.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
That's him.
That's the dad.
Oh, God, that's the dad.
[UPBEAT PERCUSSION MUSIC.]
Okay, so today just became a whole 'nother thing.
Mike is in the van with me.
Paula's coming separately.
Do not let them within earshot of one another.
We'll do their interview here later, but first, I gotta talk to Gabby.
Where is she? - Right over here.
- All right.
You set me up, you son of a bitch.
Gabby, I had no idea.
It was supposed to be good, clean fun.
What exactly are we talking about here, anyway? I was 18.
I was obsessed with him.
He said he loved me.
When I got pregnant, he didn't want to have anything to do with me after that.
So how's that for good, clean fun? Man, okay.
- Okay, I'm so sorry, Gabby.
- Are you gonna put this on TV? I haven't decided yet.
I'm not sure how America's gonna feel about you.
- Oh, screw you [GASPS.]
you.
- Okay, all right.
You know what? I didn't come on this show to be the girl who hooked up with her teacher.
- I quit.
- No, don't quit! Damn it, come on.
Look, take a walk.
Clear your head.
Just come back when you're ready.
Jessica? I need an empty classroom and all hands on deck.
[HEAVY HIP-HOP MUSIC.]
SINGER: Get it, get it, get it, uh Get it, get it, uh Yo, that's crazy.
This school got a Reggie Sadler, too.
Cut.
That's a prop trophy.
These are all props.
We're gonna play this B-roll over your interview where you talk about being a high school football player, so let that wash over you or whatever.
- And let's go back to one.
- Okay.
- MAN: Card's full.
- My bad.
Okay, stand by, everyone.
Camera's reloading.
[SIGHS.]
Right.
Just need a wash, and Hi, Mr.
Sadler.
I saw your speech today.
You said I should focus on my dreams.
My dream is to go to homecoming with Zoe Washington, and I was wondering if you would ask her to go with me.
Wait, so you want me to ask a girl to go to homecoming for you? Yes.
Okay, cool.
Hi, I'm sorry to interrupt.
I couldn't help but overhear, but now that I've overheard, I need to insert myself into this huge mistake you're making - Evan.
- Evan, hi, Evan.
Now, did you see the way that this man broke up with my sister this morning? Messy.
Tell me.
What does Zoe Washington love with all of her soul? Is it the Detroit Lions? EVAN: I-I don't think so.
Yeah, no.
That's what I thought.
Oh, my God.
You're so lucky I'm here.
Listen, we have limited time, so it's not gonna be my best work, but Look, man, I'm sorry for the way things ended with your sister, okay? - Don't be, she's psycho.
- Yeah.
Hey, don't you dare agree with me.
Evan, don't worry.
I got you.
[LINE TRILLING.]
- Hey, who are you calling? - My dove guy.
He owes me.
- DOVE GUY: Hello? - Hi, guess who? LINUS: Julia.
Hey, your lav mic is rustling.
Do you mind if I adjust it? Yeah, sure.
Okay.
Hey, I happened to hear earlier that you were selling a classic guitar.
Yeah, yeah I am.
Yeah, sorry.
I hear lots of things.
Well, it's apparently a 1970s "Lay" Paul Les Paul? Les Paul? Yeah, you interested? Yeah, wow, really interested.
Cool, all right.
My daughters are coming in for an interview later on this afternoon.
I can ask them to bring it if you want to see it.
- I would love that.
- Cool, all right, thanks.
Hey, Al.
Why are we in a high school? And why am I still in isolation? Starting to feel like quarantine all over again, except, you know, I'm finally wearing pants, right? Oh, my God.
Look how precious this is.
Can you believe that? Love.
Is there anything sweeter than love? Yeah.
You ever been in love, Al? No, but I've thought about it many a time.
It's out there waiting for you.
You know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna make something for Paula.
- Oh.
- Yeah, you know? - Yeah, I don't know.
- Come on.
You know, something that shows her that I care about her.
Are you sure? We could do anything else.
I've never been more sure about anything in my entire life.
Hey, Gabby? I think those are already clean, buddy.
Hey.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
- Nick told you? - Yeah.
He thought maybe you could use a friend right now.
Mr.
A.
I can't believe it.
What happened? I mean, if you want to tell me.
Remember that trip to Fringe Festival in Montreal? The one where Clara Draper got her One Direction tattoo? Yeah.
That's the trip when it started.
We were in his room talking about plays, and he said all the right things, that I was smart, and valuable, and beautiful.
You are beautiful.
When he said it, I believed it.
The thing is, everyone had a crush on him, and he chose me.
You know what that felt like for me? And after that, we had this big secret, which was really sexy.
There would be these little moments of eye contact in the hallway, and I just felt like the hottest girl in school.
And then when I got pregnant, he told me never to tell anyone it was his.
He didn't want to have anything to do with me.
Or Sam.
Gabby, I'm so sorry.
[PRODUCERS ARGUING.]
NICK: Guys, shut up, shut up! Come on.
We need to get into the minds of our demo.
Jessica, your mom just found out that Gabby slept with her teacher in high school.
Quick, what does she think about it? My mom loves Gabby.
She wants to see redemption and/or revenge.
Great, love 'em both.
Redemption and revenge.
Anybody else? Honestly, my mom probably thinks that Gabby's a slut that brought this on herself, and she's probably just looking for attention, and if she kept her eyes on her hemline, none of this would have happened.
Yikes, Dante's mom.
She was a kid.
- Hey, you asked.
- My mother wants to know why I haven't marched down the hall and castrated him myself.
[PRODUCERS MURMURING.]
PRODUCER: I think I like the idea.
Anybody else? I keep wondering, why did he choose me? Out of everyone.
Was it because he liked me, or was it because he knew I wouldn't complain? Was I just that fat girl who could keep a secret? You're being so mean to yourself.
You want to know what the worst part is? I still like him.
I still think about what it would be like to be with him.
Gabby.
I wish I could have been there for you through this.
I wish I had told you before or told literally anyone, but I was ashamed.
Because if there's one thing I learned, it's that there is something about me that needs to be kept secret.
And part of me still believes that.
JESSICA: She's gonna get doxxed.
Do we care about that? Well, silence is the enemy, and if she does this, she'll inspire others.
That's a great point.
People love bravery.
Where are we on the MeToo backlash? It's over; we're now on the backlash to the backlash.
Okay.
What are we even talking about? All we have is one odd moment at the end of an interview.
- And Gabby quit the show.
- NICK: Okay.
What we're talking about is going after the guy, right? Put him in a room with me and a camera.
If we want him to talk, I'll get him to talk.
Okay, what if we do that, and we get sued? By who, a Detroit public schoolteacher? Come on.
And what if we don't do it, and then it comes out? Yes, the last thing I need is Ronan Farrow asking questions about what we knew and when we knew it.
Yeah, and I'll fight Ronan Farrow every day The man still works here! Pro: we go after him, he gets fired.
I find this whole conversation disgusting.
Sure, yes, but should we do it or not? It should be up to Gabby.
We were babies in high school.
We ate Lucky Charms with chocolate milk.
We didn't know how to do taxes.
We drew little doodles on each other's shoes at lunchtime.
I still don't really get taxes.
Look, I'm not gonna tell you what to do about Mr.
A.
Or the show, but I'm gonna ask you to just forgive yourself, because it's not your fault.
And I really don't want to see this guy take dance away from you again.
I don't know what to do.
That's okay.
Maybe we can take a baby step.
You know, you choreographed something incredible today.
How about we go watch those kids dance? How many weddings have I referred you for? No, no.
How many funerals, Larry? Oh, okay, how about that community theater production of Carousel, huh? "You'll Never Walk Alone"? Well, I'm walking alone right now.
Larry, how could you do this? I don't we're done.
Ah! DANTE: Simon? Um so my dove guy is having an abscessed tooth removed, but you know what? Not to worry.
Everything else is sailing along.
I've arranged for the dancers to arrive from the stages.
They're learning the choreo now.
I've already cleared the song.
The streamer cannons are coming in an hour.
Zoe Washington has no idea, but it's gonna be the best day of her life.
And the worst day of Larry's.
How's it going? I don't know.
I know this all just kinda seems like a lot.
I mean, what if you do all this, and then Zoe still says no? You think she's gonna say no? She said she liked me.
Well, how do you know she meant it, hmm? Well, what if she changed her mind and didn't tell you? And then when you told her that you broke up with the girl that you were seeing, she didn't seem to care, even though she's the one that told her mom that she loved you.
What the Zoe told her mom she loved me? SIMON: Okay, Reggie, Reggie, I know you're struggling, but you're freaking him out, okay? So listen.
Maybe we're just gonna focus on somebody else's narrative.
- You might learn something, okay? - Yeah.
Zoe's gonna say yes, though, right? Yeah, absolutely.
I'm six for six on proposals.
Now, I need your hat size.
PAULA: Did you know that every other producer is together right now, deciding the future of the show, and I am stuck here in detention with you? You should go.
I won't tell anybody.
Shut up.
[GNARLS BARKLEY'S "RUN (I'M A NATURAL DISASTER)".]
ALLY: Whoa, hey, hey! Hey! - What are you doing? - Ah! God, I hate dancers.
Can you not Whoa.
Hello! We do not have access to that property or permission! Thank you.
Hey all right, take it easy.
Oh, you can't get on the tables! Whoa, we haven't no, we have a TV show.
Save it for the camera.
Okay, you know what? Who are you trying to impress? It's just us! Seriously, what are you doing right now? Doesn't even make sense.
You're just wasted.
This is so annoying.
Oh, look at me.
I have arms and legs.
I can dance.
That's really badass, actually.
No, no, stop.
I can't.
Okay, all right.
SINGER: No time for question asking Time is passing by, all right You can't win, child, we've all tried to You've been lied to Hey! Paula's in the wind! So exciting to finally meet you two.
How do you feel about your mom being on the show? - Pretty embarrassed.
- Can we talk about the guitar? I don't think now is the time to talk about the guitar.
What guitar? Mom's selling all of Dad's stuff.
First, it was his Bulls jersey, then his ergonomic office chair.
And now it's his guitar.
I mean, it's like she's trying to erase him.
I just think that, if he wanted those things, he would have taken them with him, so can we please get - back to the interview? - Why are you like this? - Like what? - I mean, the second that he left, you've turned into this weird eBay robot.
Have you even stopped to be sad? That's a fair question, Julia.
How do you feel about your husband's absence? Whose side are you on, Wayne? I'm on the side of honesty.
It sounds like your daughters are looking for a real emotional connection with you.
Okay, well, the honest answer is, I can't afford to be sad.
Kevin left, and someone has to be the adult, and that is me.
- Olivia, sweetheart - No.
- Please just do this interview.
- No.
Got what you needed? Great.
Evan, we're five minutes out, man.
What's going on? I'm gonna make a fool of myself.
- What if she says no? - Wait just a second.
- Do you like this girl? - Yeah.
Do you think about her all the time? Yeah, even in calculus.
- And that's a thing because - I love calculus, yeah.
Right, right, right, and would you do anything to make her happy? - Yes.
- And does she love flash mobs? - I think so? - And tap dancing.
- I guess? - Then you gotta try, man.
Come on, you gotta try.
Okay, okay.
Now, come on, man.
Let's go! Come on! Get your head in the game.
So the scary bee is supposed to represent Paula in some way, or It's a murder hornet, Al, and it's an inside joke between us, and you know what? She's gonna love it.
Just trust me, all right? - AL: All right.
- Hey, would you do me a favor? Can you get me a cup of fresh water? - Okay.
- Thank you.
That would mean a lot to me.
Sure.
Al, you're a good man.
You're gonna find somebody that loves you one day.
AL: Thank you.
Oh, Mike.
Thank God I found you.
- Oh, hello, stranger.
- I have to tell you something.
I used to work in restructuring.
We're doing trivia.
Cool.
I used to have a pet hamster named Teriyaki, but then my cat ate it.
No, please listen.
I worked for an auto company.
And I had to identify inefficiencies and then make the appropriate cuts.
Whoa.
What are you talking about? Hey, you can't be in here.
- Which auto company, Paula? - Mike, I'm sorry, It was me.
I'm the one that fired you.
Go.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
Surprise.
[BELL RINGING.]
Places, places, crown.
Places, everybody! Less chit-chat, more places.
Go, go, go.
Hi, smiles.
You ready? All right, let's do this.
She's here, she's here.
Zoe Washington, there's something you should know! [CARLY RAE JEPSEN'S "I REALLY LIKE YOU".]
Hey, go now.
Come on, man.
SINGER: I really wanna stop But I just got the taste for it I feel like I could fly with the boy on the moon So honey, hold my hand You like making me wait for it I feel like I could die walking up to the room Oh, yeah, late night watching television But how'd we get in this position? It's way too soon, I know this isn't love But I need to tell you something I really, really, really, really, really Really like you And I want you, do you want me? Do you want me, too? I really, really, really, really, really Really like you And I want you, do you want me? Do you want me, too? Oh, did I say too much? I'm so in my head when we're out of touch I really, really, really, really, really Really like you And I want you, do you want me? Do you want me, too? Who gave you eyes like that? Said you could keep them I don't know how to act or if I should be leaving I'm running out of time, going out of my mind I need to tell you something I need to tell you something Yeah, I really, really, really, really, really Really like you And I want you, do you want me? Do you want me, too? I really, really, really, really, really Really like you And I want you, do you want me? Do you want me, too? Zoe, will you go to homecoming with me? - Yes.
- Yeah? - Oh, my God! - Yeah! Yeah, I told you, boy! That's what I'm talking about.
I told you she'd say yeah.
Seven for seven.
Go.
Can I hug you? Okay, Paula, let's share your news with Mike as though for the first time.
Mike, pretend to act surprised please.
Go ahead.
Mike, you and I worked at the same company, and it was my job to identify inefficiencies.
Ha, inefficiencies.
You know what I remember about the day that I got laid off? I went into work on a Tuesday.
I was told that I had 30 minutes to clear out the station that I worked for 12 years.
- Hmm.
- MIKE: I drove home in a daze.
Paige was not home, but when she got back, I was laid out on the couch.
Couldn't move.
Couldn't speak.
I went from being someone with respect, and power, and responsibilities to a throw pillow in one day.
And the most evil part about it is that nobody even cared to check in on me.
[SOFT MUSIC.]
Yeah, it was the worst day of my whole life, and it's because of her.
NICK: Wow.
- You know, I'm good here.
- NICK: All right, Mike, we got a couple more questions here, buddy.
- Let's - MIKE: We're done.
[DAUGHTER'S "YOUTH".]
SINGER: Shadows settle on the place that you left Our minds are troubled by the emptiness Setting fire to our insides for fun Collecting names of the lovers that went wrong The lovers that went wrong We are the reckless, we are the wild youth Chasing visions of our futures Gabby, you choreographed this? It's exquisite.
SINGER: One day, we'll reveal the truth That one will die before he gets there And if you're still bleeding You're the lucky ones We were just babies.
SINGER: Collecting pictures from the flood That wrecked our home It was a flood that wrecked this home And you caused it And you caused it And you caused it What do you want to do? SINGER: Well, I've lost it all, I'm just a silhouette And if you're in love, then you are the lucky one 'Cause most of us are bitter Never seen this place so empty.
Yeah, yeah I know.
Everybody went to do some flash mob thing.
I don't know, but I would really like to take care of this, if we could.
Wow, do you mind? Yeah, yeah, of course.
It's what we're here for.
She is beautiful.
Would you believe my husband only knew how to play three songs? Let me guess, "Blackbird.
" You got it.
And "Free Falling," and weirdly, the "Macarena.
" The "Macarena.
" Well, that is a shame.
A guitar like this deserves to be played.
I mean, really played.
[STRUMMING BLUESY RIFF.]
That's a really interesting tattoo that you have, too.
- Oh, this? - JULIA: Yeah.
Is that a snake or something? You want to see the rest of it? Okay.
Check this out.
[UPBEAT MUSIC.]
- You have a really nice - Tattoo? Body.
So do you.
- Guess what? - What? I'm gonna record us having sex without you knowing and put it on the Internet.
Yeah, I love it.
How much do you want for it? I-I-I can't.
I can't do you thing this this.
Sell the guitar.
I just I can't.
I'm really sorry for wasting your time.
No, it's no worries, okay? Yeah, sorry.
Hey, teach.
Had a little snafu this morning.
We gotta do your interview again.
Can you believe we left the lens cap on? - You what? - NICK: Only take a minute.
Guys, come on in.
Yeah.
Is that Chinese? It smells great.
Hey, you ready to do this? Anything you say right now is fair game.
I know.
I want to.
All right, do your thing.
Gabby, is everything okay? I was ashamed for a long time about what happened between us, but you know what? It wasn't my fault.
You slept with me when I was still a student, a teenager who trusted her teacher.
You made me believe you cared about me, but when I got pregnant, you disappeared.
- Gabby - I'm no, I'm going to finish.
This is my time to speak.
I didn't say anything before, because I felt stupid and ashamed, but I'd hate if my silence let you think that that was okay, or worse, gave you the chance to do that to some other girl.
I can't change the last seven years, but I can speak up now.
I am done letting you make me feel small, because the truth is, I'm thriving.
I love my son.
I love me.
I love what is in my future.
And you are not a part of it.
[MICROWAVE DINGS.]
So you can either quit or be fired.
Either way, this is going on television.
Oops.
We never really liked Paula anyway.
Yeah, she was too pretty.
Pretty, good personality, and can dance? I was always suspicious.
[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING ON SPEAKERS.]
Mike, can I talk to you privately? I mean, anything you want to say, you know, you can say it right here.
Okay.
I grew up poor, and I made it to college thanks to scholarships.
And I majored in business because I thought that's where the good jobs were.
And when I graduated, I got a job in restructuring, and you know, I was good at it.
And it felt really good to earn a paycheck every month.
And if I ever thought about the people that got laid off because of me, I just told myself that they'd get another job.
ANTHONY: It's true.
I could always deliver packages.
I heard you get to pee in your car.
If it makes you feel any better, I got fired as soon as my cancer treatment got in the way of my work.
- That sucks.
- ANTHONY: Okay, sure, but her firing and our firing feel different somehow.
Hey, maybe we should ask her driver what he thinks.
Come on.
She didn't invent capitalism.
It's not just capitalism, Joel.
It's 40 years of free market fundamentalism coupled with deregulation, based on the flawed neoliberal principle of the so-called "invisible hand.
" What's any of that got to do with her? She fired us.
Look, what happened to you guys was not fair, and I am sorry.
I'm sorry, Mike, and if you never want to talk to me again, I understand, but I like you.
You make me laugh.
And when I'm around you, I feel like I can breathe again, and I would really I would really like a chance to try and make this work.
I'm sorry, Paula.
I can't.
That's all right.
Let's get more drinks, huh? Um, excuse me.
Where have you been all day? You missed my flash mob.
I heard.
It was not easy.
Check it out.
Oh, my God.
Look what you did.
How was I not in this? It was an inspired day.
Well, you made this kid's dreams come true.
Yeah.
And, uh, we learned the value of a gesture, right, Reggie? Right, Simon.
Gabby, hey, come in.
So I just got off the phone with Legal.
They're not gonna air it.
- What? - Yeah.
They don't want to touch anything involving the teacher.
- It's a liability thing.
- But that was my moment.
- I know.
- GABBY: I had a whole thing, a whole "it's my time to speak" thing.
I know you did, and look, you nailed it.
It was great television, and also, I imagine, emotionally cathartic.
Yeah, yeah.
[SIGHS.]
[WARM MUSIC.]
Yeah, incredibly.
Look, here's the thing.
People are awful.
You know, you would have had Internet wackadoos coming out of the woodwork, and you did get him fired, you know? Yeah, that is something.
Hey, Alan, is Nick available? I saw one of his cameras shooting me from below, which is not on my list of approved angles.
Gabby's in there right now, so you can go in after she gets done.
Ugh.
What's Gabby in there for? They decided not to run the story with the teacher, so What story with the teacher? - Did I don't think I - BRITTNEY: What story Alan? What story? You're so close to my face.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC.]
Mom? I didn't mean to act like I was erasing your dad.
- I didn't.
- I know.
What's happening? Mom's crying.
Finally.
He left us, and I don't know why.
And we don't have enough money, and it's such a shock, and I'm so worried about you guys.
I know, Mom.
[BIG STAR'S "THIRTEEN".]
I do miss him.
SINGER: Won't you let me walk you home from school? - Me too.
- I'm sorry.
Me too.
SINGER: Won't you let me meet you at the pool? Maybe Friday I can Get tickets for the dance Sammy, can you come downstairs please? SINGER: And I'll take you We're having cake.
- No plates? - No, we're going wild.
SINGER: Get off my back? Hey, so you know how I told you your birth dad was an international spy? Yeah.
Well, that wasn't true.
I lied to you because I was embarrassed.
But what I discovered is that secrets make you lonely, and so I want you to know the truth, okay? Okay.
The truth is, your birth dad was my teacher.
Yeah, teachers aren't supposed to get together with their students like that, but this one did.
It wasn't right, but I want you to know that it doesn't change how I feel about you.
Hey, I love you the most it's possible to love someone, and that is permanent, okay? Okay.
You're probably gonna have questions about this, maybe tonight or maybe in the future, but I promise you I'll answer any question you have forever.
Okay? What kind of teacher was he? English.
He was an English teacher.
Okay.