04x04 - Getting Schooled

Episode transcripts for the 2013 TV show "Being Mary Jane". Aired January 2014 - September 2017.*
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"Being Mary Jane" follows the professional and personal life life of a young black woman, and the popular talk show which she hosts, while she searches for "Mr. Right".
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04x04 - Getting Schooled

Post by bunniefuu »

Mary Jane: Previously, on "Being Mary Jane"...

How, pray tell, does my little brother, who used to twirl signs on the street corner, afford this?

My old boss in LA hooked me up with one of the best real estate firms in New York.

Come out with it.

Unh-unh. Unh-unh.

Come on.

Mary Jane: Justin Talbot... now this brother told me that he had my back.

What I didn't realize is that meant stabbing me in my back.

Wow.

And now you're a correspondent on one of America's top-rated morning shows.

I say Justin Talbot, he did you a favor.

Aaron: We'll be right back with Orlando Lagos who's gonna show us the key to his signature swing.

You have fun doing this.

It's the best job in the world.

Orlando: Yeah, how'd you get started, anyway?

You wanna get out while you're at the top of your game, and if you're looking to be the next Michael Strahan, I can help you.

What's in it for you?

Let's just say making you look good makes me look even better.

I've really gotta get serious about finding a new place.

Do you know what? I do, too.

My sublet's up soon.

My brother's showing me a listing tomorrow afternoon.

Look, we're not actually having this conversation now, are we?

No, 'cause... it's way too early for us to be... even thinking about this.

You haven't met my kids.

Exactly.

I suppose that congratulations are in order.

You and Mercedes broke the internet.

We should capitalize on it.

Ronda came up with a great way to do just that.

She suggested that you become our resident web correspondent.

What are you doing here?

I'm the new senior producer.

Producer? Here?

When Ronda Sales calls and invites you on the biggest morning show in the country, you answer.

Ty: Lord Jesus have mercy.

Kara: Oh, you, too, Ty?

Ty: Child, please.

Justin's fineness trumps whatever y'all got goin' on.

Kara: Oh?

Women: [laughing]

Can nobody see through all this?

Kara: Apparently not.

He did the same damn thing in Atlanta.

Oh, he's your friend... until he isn't.

The last thing I need is Justin with an army on his side.

Young woman in crowd [on video]: Hey, hey, hey.

Man, it's okay.

Young Man: What are you doin'?

Is someone assaulting that boy in broad daylight?

Mary Jane: Yeah, it the kid's dad.

He dragged him away for wearing a kilt.

The story's huge all over social media.

Garrett: Do we have details?

Yeah, the kid's name is Calhoun Jeffries, and the as*ault happened yesterday.

as*ault?

You said it's the kid's dad, right?

Yeah, but it's been extremely polarizing.

Some people, like me, consider this gender-bashing.

Okay.

I call it good parenting.

What's your angle?

The way it's trending, it's gonna be a huge story.

Oh, this is how we're reporting now... chasing Twitter feeds?

I mean, you know, where's the journalism?

Exactly. This isn't news.

Okay, then what is it?

A family matter.

Because it's the father, we're supposed to overlook that a child has been assaulted.

Mary Jane, I... I...

I agree the footage is shocking.

But Justin and Ronda do have a point.

Let's back burner the story for now, and see where it goes on social media.

Natalie: Oh, sorry, my phone bumped yours off the TV.

Did you take up knitting, Natalie?

There's a new declutter book climbing the bestseller list.

Another one?

Natalie: Uh-huh.

Uh, Ronda, you mentioned something to me earlier.

Yes, I did.

Vera Wang called me the other day.

I guess it's time for my Winter Wedding segment.

Great. Let's go with winter wedding gowns for now.

Thank you.

Garrett: All right, good work, everyone. That's it for now.

You're getting a kick out of this, aren't you?

Being a news producer?

Don't be coy.

You've been blocking me at every turn.

I'm not the problem here.

So, it's my imagination.

You didn't have a sufficient angle.

And that's not for you to say.

Garrett has asked me to produce your stories.

And why would he do that?

Hm, good question.

It's either punishment for what happened with our reality star, or a reward.

I'm not sure which.

So, I'm just supposed to believe that this is all Garrett's doing.

You think I wanted to be paired with a web correspondent?

[laughs] Wow.

I'm not one to dwell on the past.

What's done is done, okay?

I'm focused on producing k*ller stories and you should, too.

Images of a New Jersey teen being assaulted have set Twitter abuzz.

Some are saying it's an act of...

Kara: Hey.

I thought this story idea got sh*t down.

It did.

So, what are you doing?

Well, Garrett said to put it on the back burner, but he didn't say I couldn't put it online.

And you are the web correspondent.

I am.

Ohhhh...

So, if the story keeps trending, it'll get Garrett's attention.

Mmmm.

Kara: [clicking tongue]

Very smart.

Except, uh, because of that assh*le Justin, I can't produce it.

Yeah, but you have been given the opportunity to work with Ronda and Aaron. Run with it.

Yeah, but I'm still gonna give him a piece of my mine 'cause he's pissing all over my territory.

Oh, sh*t, I'm late. I've gotta go help Orlando with his reel now.

You definitely have kept up your end of the bargain.

Hey, if this news thing doesn't work out, I have a future as an agent.

Orlando: [on tape] People complain the baseball season is too long, and I agree.

But baseball clings to its traditions, which is k*lling the sport.

How much longer?

Hm?

Oh, um... half an hour or so.

Are you bored?

No.

I was just thinking that... maybe after?

[unintelligible] Los dos solitos.

Oh! [laughs]

Listen, I had a lot of fun the other night, Yeah, the tequila was good, huh?

Yeah, it was... it was real good, yeah.

But I don't... [sighing]

I just don't wanna go there, okay? So...

[laughs] Why not?

Because we have an understanding and we're just doing one another a favor, so...

Exactly.

Orlando: [gasping]

[grunting]

Images of a New Jersey teen being assaulted have set Twitter abuzz.

Two million views already.

This New Jersey story is really blowin' up.

It's a controversial issue and it just made sense to put it out on our platform.

Hm, good work.

All right, let's get on this, you two.

I think it's great for the 8:00 o'clock hour.

Garrett...

I don't... I don't know if it's...

Well, what's not to know?

Thanks to Mary Jane, we own the story.

Now can you land this kid?

I can get him.

Just you watch.



[dog barking]

♪ Hey, hey, yo ♪
♪ Hey yo ♪
♪ Honestly I think that 24 seven ♪
♪ A understatement to my day to day ♪
♪ If ain't no way then I'ma make way ♪
♪ Naysayers say it ain't no way I ain't never listen ♪

Come on, I know you're in there.

♪ This is for the ones who ain't afraid ♪

Come on.

♪ I wonder who else can say the same ♪
♪ Never worried 'bout what they attain ♪
♪ If I'm living then I really can't complain ♪
♪ Hustle hard like a MMA hit Innovative ♪
♪ Didn't do it all in a day spent ♪
♪ But if they did we ain't hating ♪
♪ Look, I go double or nothing ♪
♪ I'm just here to gamble ♪
♪ On my grind like my name was Kareem Campbell ♪
♪ Built it from the ground up like I just went camping ♪
♪ My name should be hand in hand with Thor's hammer ♪
♪ Remember when I couldn't afford dinner ♪
♪ Losing weight I'm getting more thinner ♪
♪ Only kept my thought on being great ♪
♪ And that's what I attracted like a magnet ♪
♪ I hustle from Monday to Monday ♪
♪ Knew that I would get it some day ♪
♪ Got me feeling like LeBron James ♪
♪ Wasting time bet that's what some say ♪
♪ Remember when they didn't want me ♪
♪ I knew I was on to something ♪
♪ 10 to 10 what my alarm say ♪
♪ Aka Monday to Monday ♪

[knocking on door]

♪ I'm from my own castle ♪
♪ Got it out the ground like gravel ♪
♪ Coming back around like a lasso ♪
♪ Micro, macro ♪
♪ I'm from my own castle ♪
♪ Got it out the ground like gravel ♪
♪ Coming back around like a lasso ♪♪

[laughter]

Lee: Mm, that smells good. Time to set the table?

Mary Jane: Almost.

I think at this point, I'm just prolonging my pleasure.

I miss my kitchen.

You can get but so creative in a hotel wet bar.

Me, I'm missing that southern cooking, so, please don't keep us waiting.

Oh, it's not... oh.

Pj: Oh, yeah.

My little brother with a Rolex?

Just a small little gift from my client, Olivia.

Mmmm!

Your client?

A little trust here, okay?

Oh, I trust you.

So, when can I meet this client?

You know, if everything's above board.

You're on. I'll set up some time.

Could one of you grab the profiteroles out of the fridge, so they can come up to room temperature?

I stopped at Fleur du Mal on the way here.

Kara: Mmmm, I've been dying to go to that place.

Ah, it's my latest obsession.

[kisses]

Aw, look at you two... like a lil' old married couple. [laughing]

Mary Jane: Please. We need just a little bit more time in the honeymoon stage.

I'm serious, MJ.

I've never seen you so at ease with a guy before.

It's nice.

So, what's up with you and the ball player?

Oh, that's not a real relationship. It's more like a business deal.

Really?

Yeah.

You know what... at this stage in my life, I'm not looking to have a man weigh me down.

Between my job, and flying back and forth to Atlanta, and trying to see the kids as much as I can, you know, it's just... it's not gonna happen.

Well, cheers.

Yeah.

To being busy.

[glasses clink]

'Cause that's how we roll.

That's how we roll.

Mmmm... although, I was hoping to settle for some great casual sex.

Oh, I'm sure Orlando's up for that.

Yeah, he is, but...

He's not bringing his "A" game?

Girl, it's worse than that.

He thinks I'm a freakin' bosu ball.

I swear I can hear him counting.

He's like... [grunting, huffing]

I'm like, oh? [laughing]

Yeah, I know the type.

Stick to the script, homeboy.

Yes, he checks off all the erogenous zones.

I got that one! Please.

Maybe you can teach him a thing or two.

What, school a 34 year old man?

Please, I ain't got time for that, girl, unh-unh.

Lee: You're really gonna try and make this kid talk?

Mary Jane: Mm-hm.

Mm, look.

My New Jersey teen has a role model.

I found his fashion icon... D Razor.

I'm gonna say rapper.

Yes.

He has a new fashion line.

It specializes in traditionally female items... skirts and camisoles... but for dudes.

You know, you should see me in my kilt.

You have a kilt?

Uh-huh.

My mother has an ancestor in the Gunn Clan.

It's a long story.

Still, a kilt.

There is a Puritanical streak in this country that always amazes me.

No, even my gay friends are hesitant when it comes to skirts.

Why do we do that?

Question a person's sexual orientation based on what they wear?

You are different.

I should hope so.

I mean, look at how you're sitting.

You cross your legs like a girl.

Come on. What's wrong with the way I cross my legs?

Okay, most Black men will... most American Black men, they spread 'em wide, right?

They keep those legs wide.

At best, they cross the foot over the knee.

It still has space for their junk.

You have all this empathy for this kid who wears skirts, but, really...

I can feel it's wrong for a boy to be bullied for wearing skirts, but it doesn't mean I want my man wearing them.

Right.

Oh, what are you doing?

Oh, I'm gonna make a cup of tea.

If that's not too foreign.

Or feminine.

No, it's fine.

Mom, your pose with Orlando Lagos was so cool.

I've shown it to everyone at school.

Really?

He's one of our favorite players.

How do you know him?

Oh.

[laughs] He's just a friend.

Man, I want your job.

Really, baby?

Because what if you have two kids and you never get to see them, hm?

I miss you guys.

We miss you, too.

So, do we get to meet Orlando whenever we come to New York?

Um...

Maybe. We'll see.

Cool.

All right, listen, why don't you finish getting ready for school, okay?

All right.

I love you guys.

We love you.

Okay. Bye.

[kisses phone]

[laughs]

They haven't even met you and they like you already.

I love kids, too.

What's that about?

Come here, mami.

[groans, laughs]

What's wrong?

[heavy sigh]

Orlando, um...

I like you... a lot, and you're a lot of fun to hang out with, really, but the, um, physical stuff... is not that much fun.

Excuse me?

I mean, the sex is good, you know?

But it can be so much better.

Listen, you've got the perfect body, and you've got all the equipment that you need.

It's just...

I've never had any complaints before.

Well, of course, you haven't.

Because you've been screwing all these 23 year old groupies and they don't complain because they don't know any better, so...

You seriously don't like it.

[sighing] Listen... it doesn't have to be a negative, you know?

This could be fun.

Then what is this?

We are gonna work on your technique... starting with oral.

What, you don't even like how I go down on you?

Okay, Orlando, wait, wait, wait.

Listen... papa...

Look, you are a strong man, and even your tongue, sometimes it's extra forceful, and it's not always about how hard or how fast you go, you know what I mean?

Oh...

I have something for you.

Does this remind you of anything?

Yeah.

Yeah?

[laughing] Good.

Because...

I want you to remove this pit with nothing but your tongue.

[laughs]

Justin, I wanna bring the rapper D Razor on the show, and ask him about the Calhoun Jeffries video.

A rapper talking about a video he saw.

Yeah.

That's your angle.

No, what happened to that kid was child abuse.

Did anyone report it to Child Protective Services?

No, but they should have.

Mm-hm... according to whom?

The idiots who chime in on their smartphones?

Well, yeah, that's how the internet works.

I call that mob rule.

And I call that clicks rule.

Whether you like it or not, social media is news.

Okay.

You see, that's exactly the kind of thinking that got us your reality star.

Now you want me to bring on a crossdressing rapper?

On the morning news?

No, thanks.

Wait, wait, wait.

How about we put it to Garrett?

Let him decide.

Hey, Justin, come here. Check this out.

One second. Um, look at this.

The turnover's killin' us... again.

That defense is lookin' strong, isn't it?

I can come back, if this isn't a good time.

No, go ahead. Pitch.

Okay. Uh...

So, I was thinking of bringing in D Razor and asking him about that New Jersey teen.

D Razor the rapper?

Yes.

What happened to landing the kid first?

He's proving a little hard to nail down.

But this is my way of reaching out to him.

You think this'll convince him to talk?

Maybe. But, at any rate, it keeps the story hot.

Hm... tsk, this D Razor.

He's popular in his own right?

Yes.

Mm-hm?

Look, he has a lot of fans, all right, but you wouldn't even be considering him if it wasn't for this video.

Yeah, and my segment on that video just surpassed three million hits.

Three million?

Yes.

Hm... I wasn't expecting that.

Look, I have to agree.I don't want to, but...

Let's do it.

Great.

Oh, and, uh, Mary Jane... the next time you two can't agree on something, work it out yourselves.

Sure.

Camera two, go to a two-sh*t.

Hey, Justin, can I talk to you for a second?

Yeah.

Listen, if you hate Mary Jane so much, why are you manoeuvering to get on all her stories?

I don't hate Mary Jane and I definitely don't manoeuver to get on her stories.

Right. That's a lot of crap.

Because the way you've got this place wired around here since you arrived, nobody's gonna force you into doing something you don't want to.

Are we done?

No, actually, I'm not done.

You should know that this little charm spell you've got going with everybody here is not working on me.

So...

You wanna know what my secret is?

I'm dying to find out. What is it?

I just work harder than everyone else.

Oh...

You're a single mom, yeah?

What does that have to do with anything?

Well, you can never commit as much as I can.

You and I both know that the system is rigged, and it's unfortunate, but it's harder for you.

That's a fact.

Right. Right.

You know what?

You might be a hard little worker bee, but I'm frickin' smart.

Mm-hm?

Yeah.

And Mary Jane is special. Her talent is one of a kind.

But it takes somebody really smart to bring it out of her.

Like you did at SNC?

Thanks for the advice.

Yeah, I'll be watching out for her.

Pig.

Pj: Welcome. Come on in. Come on in.

Mary Jane: Here you go.

I got you.

Mary Jane: Thank you.

Mary Jane, I'm so glad that we finally get to meet.

I'm Olivia.

It's so nice to meet you.

This is the client that I've been telling you about.

Ah, so, you're the one trying to turn my brother into a real estate mogul.

Well, we're working on that, aren't we?

Yes, we are.

And you must be Lee.

Such a pleasure to meet you.

[kisses]

Nice to meet you.

I'll open that for you.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Come.

Olivia, I'm curious.

How is it that my little brother got a Rolex after six months?

What do you get when you retire?

Olivia: You know what they say.

There are two kinds of people... those that say something about your Rolex and those that notice, but don't say anything.

Oh, yes, and we all know what kind Mary Jane is.

When my parents d*ed, I knew nothing about the business.

It took me quite a few years to learn that it's not the financials that trip up most people.

It's the intangibles, the invisible barriers.

I know that all too well.

PJ has the most natural talent that I've ever seen.

He's both intelligent and disarming.

If I were 20 or 25 years younger, he would have had me in bed long ago.

PJ: [laughing]

But I have other plans for him.

I want to break up these exclusive circles that PJ is shut out of, bring in someone like him to open more doors for people of color.

That's commendable.

So, PJ with a $30,000 Rolex?

People want to see that you're in or out of the club.

The watch just says that he's one of us.

To us.

To us.

[glasses clinking]
I'm kind of stunned.

What do you mean?

Olivia really is PJ's mentor.

What, you still doubted him, after everything he said?

If you knew my brother, you'd understand why.

I think he's a lucky guy.

You mean I can relax.

My brother's in a good place.

So, it seems, are you.

[kisses]

[sighing] Oh...

Okay, okay, stop, stop, stop, stop, no.

What?

[sighing]

You're just trying too hard.

[groans]

Sorry.

Maybe I should find somebody who likes what I do.

No, come on, papi. No, no, no.

Listen to me. Stop.

You're just overthinking it.

You know, you're concentrating too much.

But I wanna give you your pleasure.

I know. I know.

But in order to do that, you've gotta kind of lose yourself in the flow, like you do in baseball, okay?

It's not just you doing things to me.

It's back and forth, all right?

Yeah.

Let's try it again. Come on.

Mmm, give me your hand.

Yes. Oh...

[moans] Yes...

[sighing]

Mmmm... What's wrong?

I can't.

[sighs] Okay.

Okay, listen to me.

Let's just slow this down a little bit.

No, just stop.

Let's just slow this down.

Just stop.

Why?

Oh, hi.

How'd it go with Justin?

I said what I had to say.

Huh.

Mm-hm.

Is that the leftover food from our dinner?

Mm-hm.

Girl, this is so amazing, honestly.

You have got to get your own kitchen... quick.

I'm workin' on it.

And Lee is so amazing, too.

Hm...

Oh, no.

No, no, no, please don't... don't ruin my illusion.

I need my vicarious orgasms right now.

It's not that. It's just... he lacks that... swagger, you know what I mean?

So, he's a little on the soft side.

He's like a big, sexy teddy bear.

You know I'm not used to that.

Mary Jane, you make up these imaginary problems.

No. Seriously, though, seriously, though... how metro is too metro?

'Cause I think he's it.

I don't know.

But I do know this... you are so fired as a sex therapist.

The ball player?

Yes.

You took my advice?

Yes... and that boy got up outta my bed and called an Uber.

Ouch.

All right?

That's gotta be tough on the ego.

Yeah, no kidding.

Now I don't know if I'm ever gonna see him again, which really sucks, because having Orlando around was working wonders on Garrett, 'cause he was finally starting to listen to me.

Now I'm back to zero.

Oh, check it out.

What?

Justin: Boom, boom, boom.

He's got their full attention, Yeah, but I don't think he's flirting.

I think he's recruiting the hell outta this.

He's even got the boys in his corner.

And now he's working on the women.

Everything that man does is strategic.

I'm just having reservations about it all.

Reservations? About my story?

Garrett already approved it.

I'm aware of that.

Men like D Razor, you put them on, we are essentially coming down in favor of their lifestyle.

Ronda, what are you trying to say?

Kids watch this show, Black kids, many of whom don't have positive role models at home.

I am concerned that it's our duty to put forth positive images of Black masculinity, and with these young men, they don't exactly do that.

I don't have a problem giving him a mic.

I'm more concerned that this rapper is gonna portray this kid in the viral video as a victim.

And how is he not a victim?

Okay.

You wanna know what I see on that tape?

A father protecting his son.

Let's just be real.

If you wanna be that different around Black people, you've gotta be prepared to take a few knocks.

Funny, Justin, I don't recall you talking this tough in the story meeting.

You know why, Mary Jane.

Garrett's not one to pick up on the subtleties.

Okay, is either one of you going to tell Garrett that he's wrong?

Hm? Oh, no? Right. I didn't think so.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a story to prepare.

D Razor, everyone watching here today sees a man wearing women's clothes.

What do you want them to think about that?

That I'm fabulous.

You certainly are.

See, here's the thing, Mary Jane... the youth is more open-minded.

Okay? We don't care.

Like me, I'm a male who wears skirts and dresses.

So what?

What about the influence that you have on kids... kids that don't have your wealth or fame, but wanna emulate your flamboyant style.

You're talking about that video.

You saw it?

Of course.

Let's take a moment to show our viewers the viral video.

Young woman in crowd: [on video] It's okay.

Crowd: Oh!

Young man in crowd: Oh, ho, ho.

Crowd: Ohhh...

The young man was assaulted wearing your clothes.

What would you like to say to him?

I would say that... we need to call out the person that did that.

We need to make sure that that never happens again.

[knock on door]

Kara: What are you doing here?

I didn't expect you to be back.

Quite frankly, I...

October 19th, 2010.

Okay. What happened?

The greatest play of my career.

Oh?

The ball sh**t up the middle.

If it gets past me, Philly scores.

We don't get to the World Series.

Okay.

I laid out for that one.

Popped up, still made that double play.

It was my first pennant win.

Good for you! Wow!

Congratulations!

I'm saying, if I can do all that...

Yeah?

... Ican master all this.

Whoa. Wait a minute.

[kisses]

Okay. We need to set some ground rules first, okay?

You need to slow it down.

All right. [kisses]

No, no, no, listen to me.

Before you step up to home plate to bat, what do you do?

Warm up?

Exactly.

Same rules apply here, papi. You've gotta warm up.

And take it slow... you know, just relax... and we have to ease into it...

Both: [laugh]

Okay?

Yeah. Okay.

Nice and slow.

Mmmm.

Now that was nice.

Mmmm...

[laughing]

[panting]

Not yet. Not yet.

Oh.

Not yet.

I'm trying to get you in control.

You mean like the zone?

Whatever you wanna call it.

[head thuds]

Can I call it the zone?

You can call it the zone.

[groans]

♪ I can feel that body shake ♪
♪ And the heat between your legs ♪

[gentle kissing]

Oh, yes.

♪ You've been scared of love ♪
♪ And what it did to you ♪
♪ You don't have to run ♪
♪ I know what you've been through ♪

Look at me. Look at me.

No, no, no, no, honey.

♪ We don't have to rush ♪

Really look at me.

♪ When you're alone with me ♪
♪ I feel it coming ♪
♪ I feel it coming ♪
♪ I feel it coming, babe ♪
♪ I feel it coming, babe ♪
♪ I feel it coming ♪
♪ I feel it coming ♪
♪ I feel it coming, babe ♪
♪ I know I can feel it, I feel it ♪
♪ I feel it coming ♪
♪ I feel it coming, babe ♪
♪ I feel it coming ♪
♪ I feel it coming ♪

Kara: [gasping]

♪ I feel it coming ♪
♪ I feel it coming, babe ♪
♪ I know what you feel right now ♪♪

Yes!

[heavy thud]

[gasping]

Oh, my God...

[laughs] Oh, my God...

Oh...

Natalie: Do you like basketball?

Justin: Yeah.

They're pretty nice seats.

Yeah, these are, uh, these are great seats.

Mm-hm, yeah.

Thank you.

[laughs] So, would you wanna go?

Is Natalie falling for it, too?

Girl, she's got two tickets to the Knick's game tonight, and she's trying to see if she can get him to bite.

These are great seats.

Yeah?

Oh, he paused. That's not a good sign.

Yeah, a pause is always no.

I have to admit this is oddly therapeutic.

Okay.

Kara: Natalie? Nat?

How'd it go?

Great. Justin definitely wants to see the Knicks play.

But he wants to bring his girlfriend.

Oh?

Girlfriend?

He offered to buy the tickets off me.

Oh, girl, I'm sorry.

What'd you say?

I sold them to him... for twice what I paid.

Good girl.

You know what, though, Natalie, it's not even you.

I'm pretty sure he prefers White women.

Natalie: You think?

Mary Jane: Mm-hm.

That's always the case with guys like that.

A registered Republican, political climber.

Mm-hm.

Damn sure he's probably dating Becky.

Mm-hm.

Mm. Mm. Mm.

Mm-hm.

[sighs]

Olivia, hi.

It was so great to meet your sister the other day, PJ.

She really shines in person, not just on TV.

Thank you. I'll let her know you said so.

Listen, I need a favor.

Sure.

My daughter Ava is driving down from Vassar tonight.

Mm-hm.

She'll be looking into some internship opportunities.

Could you sit down with her?

Sure, I'd love to help her out.

Ava has a good head on her shoulders, but she's young.

I get it. Not a problem at all.

Thank you.

I'll talk to you soon.

[knocks on door]

Any luck gettin' the Jersey kid?

Okay, look... you know I'm not a fan for this story, but the fact is, it's blowing up, and if you don't deliver, you're gonna screw us both.

I'm working on it.

Okay. Working on it?

Yeah.

Why are you still here, then?

Excuse me?

You said you were gonna talk to him, right?

You were gonna find him and talk to him.

So, let's go, it's show time.

I... I have tried many times.

Oh, okay.

So, your big plan with the rapper doesn't work out.

What are you gonna do now?



Ava, hey. I'm Paul. Let me help you with that.

Your mom wanted me to make sure you got in okay.

How's everything?

I'm not Ava, I'm Kristy.

This is Ava.

Ava: Hey, Paul.

Oh. Hi.

Mom didn't tell me my new babysitter would be so cute.

[laughing]

Oh, boy... [sighing]

Calhoun? Hey, Calhoun?

I'm Mary Jane Paul from "Great Day USA."

I know who you are and why you're here.

Wait. I have a message from D Razor.

Yeah, he felt for your situation and he wants to meet you in person.

He said that?

And we can make it happen, if you come on our show.

I don't know. I...

It would mean so much to so many people... what with gay-bashing on the rise.

Oh, that's right.

Because I wear skirts, all right, I must be gay, right?

No, that's not...

It's cool. It's cool.

A lot of people make that assumption.

My dad does.

So, you don't identify as gay.

Clothes don't make you gay any more than they make you straight.

And why should what I wear affect you?

Why should you even care?

Exactly.

That's why you should come on "Great Day USA" and tell America that.

What the hell is going on here?

Mr. Jeffries, I was just talking to Calhoun...

You have exactly ten seconds to get off my property.

Look, I have reporters knocking on my door every day accusing me of all manners of things.

I'm just trying to protect my son the best way I know how.

I cannot have him walking up and down this neighborhood dressed like a damn freak.

Your son is not a freak.

You don't know a damn thing about my son.

You just wanna turn him into a media spectacle.

But what happens when the cameras leave, and you move on to your next story?

Ah. No, my son's not doing no damn interview and that's that. Come on.

You're wrong, Dad.

I am doing it.

So, you're man enough to tell me what you're gonna do now?

So what? What if I b*at you down?

Then I'll have your respect?

You'll be proud of me then, right?

Look, if that's what it's gonna take, then come on, I'm ready.

It's okay.

[door slams]

Kara: [gasping]

[groans]

Hold on. Not yet. Not yet.

Oh, boy...

Not yet.

[groaning]

Wait. [laughing]

Wait a minute.

Oh! Oh, my God, what are you doing?

Both: [laughing]

[groaning]

[groans]

Yeah. [gasping]

[groans]

[laughing]

[laughing]

[sighing]

Orlando: Oh...

Oh, my God.

I can't even focus my eyes.

That was record for me.

You can't tell me you didn't enjoy that.

Oh... [laughing]

I utterly... enjoyed that.

Oh, mami.

Mmm... no complaints here.

[laughing]

No? No complaints?

That was amazing.

Finally.

Oh, God...

[sighs]

What's up?

What are you thinking about?

Huh? Nothing.

Nothing. I was just thinking about a story I have to prepare for.

You were?

You're thinking about work right now?

[laughing] I'm sorry.

About work, huh?

[laughing]

You're thinking about work right now, are you?

[laughing] No, cut it out. Oh!

What are you... stop. Put me down.

Are you thinking about work right now?

Oh!

You thinking about work right now?

No. [laughing]

Oh, here we go.

[moaning]

Okay. [gasping]

Oh, okay... oh!

Oh! Oh!

What? What?

What's the matter?

I can't move my neck.

Oh, my God.

I can't move my neck.

Hey.

What are we gonna do about this situation?

What?

Orlando's neck.

Oh. Oh, I know. Right?

Poor guy. I know.

They say he's gonna miss the start of spring training.

Oh, my God, I didn't know it was that serious.

Mm-hm.

How the heck did he do it?

Um, I mean, I... I think he was trying to show off, trying to play football with a few friends, or something like that, I don't know.

Well, tell him to be more careful, for Christ's sake.

Yeah, I will. I will.

Calhoun, gotta say... loving the outfit.

Aw, thank you. It's D Razor all the way.

He was my stylist for today.

D Razor, he's on record as saying that clothes don't make you gay.

What do you think about that?

He's right.

I mean, what I'm wearing doesn't determine my sexuality.

So, is it tough to find like-minded peers at school?

Yeah, but I use social media as an outlet, you know, like, I share my looks, and I get ideas, too.

It's kinda like where I find my community, I guess.

Speaking of community, what's been the reaction to your clothes at school?

How do the kids treat you?

I get teased and... and roughed up a lot.

But, I don't know, I feel like for every kid who, like, picks on me, or roughs me up, there are, like, two or three more who defend me, I guess.

And how does it feel when they defend you?

It feels good to be accepted, you know, 'cause...

I don't deserve to go through the things that I go through because of what I wear.

So, you know, when someone is bold enough to, like, step forward and defend me because I'm human, it just... it feels better than the things I experience every day, I guess.

Can you imagine having to deal with this abuse all day at school and coming home and getting an extra dose from your father?

My father dropped a lot of hard sh**t on me, too.

It must have been tough.

Hm... I've got no regrets.

I'm not a victim.

I'm a winner.

It made me a stronger person.

Oh.

I have courtside seats to the game this evening.

Hey.

Hey.

[kisses]

I'm so happy to get outta here.

I hope you don't mind me dropping in on you like this.

No, papi, sure. Come on in and sit down.

I'm so worried about your neck.

I'm sorry. Does it hurt?

It'll slow me down a bit.

Oh...

I know I can't perform like I used to, but, um...

I was hoping, uh...

Oh, what?

I was hoping that maybe you'd wanna just hang out.

[laughs] That's so sweet.

Is that okay?

Aw...

Yeah.

Of course. Sure, you can hang out.

[kisses]

We can hang out.

Female Reporter: Offers of support continue to pour in for New Jersey teenager, Calhoun Jeffries...

Man, oh, man, that Calhoun interview... woo!

You watch me?

It's my way of keeping tabs on you.

Right.

Both: [laugh]

Without you, none of this would have seen the light of day.

Probably not.

Seriously... a great story.

Thanks. [kisses]

Tea?

Come on. Come on.

Mary Jane. What?

Just because I drink tea, cross my legs funny, and wear skinny jeans, which all the guys are doing, by the way, doesn't make me any less of a man.

I know. It's just...

I wish sometimes you'd dial it back a little.

Right... because you're used to dating those... thuggish, muscular, tattooed dudes who are straight out of '90s rap video.

Well... if that's what you're after, I'm not your guy.

I know.

I've gotta wrap my head around it.

Didn't you learn anything from your story?

Apart from the fact that skirts and leggings make a great combo.

Yes, I did, I did, and you're right.

But self knowledge is just the first step to enlightenment.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Lee: [laughs]

[kissing]

Okay, babe.

Hm.

I'm gonna show you how to drink tea like a real man.

Oh, God...

Lee: [laughing]

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