04x11 - Diff'rent Strikes

[bunniefuu]

♪♪

Oh, Rae, I hope the
kids aren't late again.

Each tardy is a
Kn*fe in my heart.

And a complaint on my voicemail.

All right, kids. We talked
about being on schedule, right?

Well, it takes time to look this
good, mom. I get it from you.

- Point taken. No excuse.
- Yeah, and why were you late, Levi?

Hey, let's not call
it late for today.

Let's call it early
for tomorrow.

Good save.

And what about you,
Booker? Why weren't you late?

That's suspicious.

Uh, rude!

High school Booker's on time.

Plus, I wanna impress
principal Jones.

Love that guy. He's so cool.

Isn't that him right there?

Oh, I'd love to meet him.

Hi, principal Jones!

One-hundred percent...

Community
participation is required.

Please support
the teacher's strike.

The megaphone's kind of
his thing, so just go with it.

Yep. Guys, look. Strike
negotiations just broke off.

- The teachers actually walked out.
- What?

I'm on time and they're
walking out of school?

- Why don't they get detention?
- Well,

they're trying to
get the city to listen.

They need smaller class sizes,

updated facilities,
and more support.

At my school, the nurse
doubles as the art teacher,

and there's only so much
crafting you can do with gauze.

They should give the
parents a heads-up.

- You know what I mean?
- Yeah. Uh-huh.

Oh, there's the heads-up.

I forgot to check my email.

No school? What
are we gonna do now?

Join the strike.

Or take a hike. Keep it moving.

- Okay.
- Yes! Yes! I'm grabbing a sign.

- No, wait! Chels!
- We're in!

Chels. Chels!
This is not our fight.

Rae, if not us, who?

Them!

Look, no. You heard Levi.

Unless you want another gauze
picture frame for Christmas,

you better grab a sign!

Chel... Chels! Chelsea!

I mean, should
we go get her, or...?

Give her an hour.
She'll wear herself out.

♪ Hey... Yo ♪

♪ Let me tell you somethin' ♪

♪ Had my vision all worked out ♪

♪ But then life
had other plans ♪

♪ Tell 'em, Rae ♪

♪ It's crazy when things
turn upside down ♪

♪ But ya gotta get up
and take that chance ♪

♪ Maybe I'm just finding my way
Learning how to fly ♪

♪ Yeah, we're gonna be okay
Ya know I got you, right? ♪

♪ It might be wild, but ya
know that we make it work ♪

♪ We're just kids caught
up in a crazy world ♪

♪ C'mon! ♪

♪ It's Raven's Home ♪
Yo!

♪ We get loud! ♪

♪ It's Raven's Home ♪

♪ It's our crowd! ♪

♪ Might be tough, but
together we make it look good ♪

♪ Down for each other
like family should ♪

♪ It's Raven's Home ♪

♪ When it's tough ♪

♪ It's Raven's Home ♪

♪ We got love ♪

♪ 'Cause no matter the weather,
ya know we gon' shine ♪

♪ There for each other,
ya know it's our time ♪

Yep! That's us.

♪♪

Oh, you guys are back.

Just found out
about the strike, huh?

Whoo. No school? No problem.

I am happy to support the
teachers from the comfort

of my couch.

How long is this gonna last?

I don't wanna miss
this much school.

It's been minutes.
Relax, safety scissors.

Look, my brain's like a car.

If you leave it in the
garage for too long,

it might not start up again.

That's a simile.

Or is it a metaphor?

I'm losing my brain
cells as we speak.

You could afford to lose a few.

No school? No problem.

You guys, grab your things.

Sienna's mom is hosting
a study group upstairs.

Mm. That's not a bad idea.

Come on, book. Sienna
has comfy couches.

Yes! Brain cells reactivated.

Yes. All the reactivated
brain cells will be upstairs

in C, including yours.

Yeah, I love you, too.

Oh, that must be Chels
wanting to get picked up.

Rae, get down here.

We need donuts, coffee,
and sweet, sweet justice.

Okay, uh, let me go get Chels

before another
Grayson goes to jail.

If you guys need
anything, text me,

but you should be fine
up at Sienna's, all right?

Okay.

Booker, I thank you for
starting this study group.

You remind me
of myself. Myself...

You guys, I just had a vision.

We're not going to Sienna's.

We are gonna start
our own study group.

You had a vision about studying?

Just when I think I'm
out, he pulls me back in.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna
take my chances with Sienna.

No, seriously.

In my vision, principal Jones
said that this is gonna work.

Let's just do it.

Why do you care so much

about what principal
Jones thinks?

Because he's smart, Tess,

and everybody listens to him.

Plus, the suit and tie thing.

It's a power look, Tess.

Power.

Isn't it easier just
to go up to Sienna's?

Nia, think about it this way.

If we bring everybody down here,

then you have a c*ptive audience

to teach all your
planet stuff to.

- Our planet stuff.
- Exactly.

Well, I, I have been
wanting to focus group

my plastic reduction plan.

Ha, ha! Save it for
the students, Nia.

And Tess, think
of the conditioning

if you teach phys
ed on the roof!

Yo, I like it! I like it.
I'll go put the word out.

And Levi, go nuts.

Do I teach math or science?

Or do I teach everyone

that they're really
the same thing?

He's in!

And what are you
teaching, Booker?

I'm the principal Jones
of this little operation.

Without me, none of this

would be possible.

Now bring it in.
Fake school on three.

- One, two, three.
- Fake school!

♪♪

Hey, Chels. Hey. What's up?

You all striked
out? Ready to go?

Oh, well, I haven't
even really got started.

No one seems to be
appreciating my strike spirit.

Oof. Looks like they could
use some of your spirit.

Yeah.

What happened to all the fight
that I see at the PTA meetings?

I mean, last time I
had to duck a juice box.

What?

Oh, that was you?

Sorry. I got a little heated.

Wait, you're a parent? I
thought this was all teachers.

I'm both. And it feels
like we're getting nowhere.

- Nobody even sees us.
- Mm.

Well, you're not gonna get a
lot of attention with that sign.

How old is that thing?

"Raise our budgets
or we're done.

Save the class of ' "?

Yeah, that's a misprint
from the printers' union strike.

No one's reading them, anyway.

Oh. Well, how about, "raise
our budgets or we're done.

Save the class of today." Yep?

- "Yay."
- okay.

It's not perfect,
but it's a start.

Uh. I haven't heard one
honk since I've been here.

Right? I mean, where is
the passion, you know?

No one's paying
attention to any of this.

- They need...
- glitter.

And a catch phrase that
resonates with the community.

Sequins.

And a clear statement
of their demands.

Googly eyes. Chels, are
you thinking what I'm thinking?

Your best-dressed strike!

- Get the kit, Chels. Get the kit!
- Yes!

Vest.

Belt.

Gloves.

Glue g*n and besparkler.

Oh.

Let's make some signs.

We're on strike.

We're on strike.

All right, all right. Teachers!

- Come here. Look.
- Yeah.

Look what we made for you.

- You're welcome.
- Yeah, they're sparkly.

There it is. Yeah.

No worries. See, Chels?

You decorate it, they will come.

Go, teachers, go!

Go, teachers, go!

Go, teachers, go!

All right, all right.
The signs are good.

Now we just have to
figure out this chant.

- Hey, Mary. What you got?
- Yeah.

Uh... We are
teachers. We're united.

We are broke. And we are tired.

Oke... is there more?

Steve's got one
about hand sanitizers,

but it's hard to rhyme.

Okay, take it to the line,
Mary. We'll, we'll workshop it.

Yeah. Oof.

Okay, well, while we
figure out these chants,

maybe we can spruce
up that line a little bit.

You know, put some
bounce in their step.

Bounce? Mm. Mm-hmm.

All right, I'm back in
business. Hold my cocoa.

All right, listen. I want
everybody in formation, all right?

I am from "the Thea-tah."

♪♪

And once you guys are
done with this recycling quiz,

I've got some exciting
composting news for you.

Newton sh*t the
apple, not the pear.

It fell to earth at
feet per second squared.

Gravity.

Let that sink in.

Hey, you guys. How's it going?

I was born to teach.

Yeah. This is actually
going really well.

I mean, I've got my
students taking a quiz,

and Tess is gathering
gym equipment.

See? I told you guys.

I have great ideas sometimes.

And as educators,

we need to be the change
we want to see in the world.

You just read that off the
refrigerator in the kitchen.

I can read. And I
thank a teacher.

So, miss Nia, what's on
the schedule for today?

Well, I'm gonna take
my students on a field trip

to the rooftop garden,

and we are going
to talk about...

Brace yourselves...
Sustainability.

Once again... ha, ha.
Save it for the students.

Levi?

They've mastered gravity.

Now, I'm gonna blow
their minds with...

Brace yourselves...
Anti-gravity.

That all sounds...
Brace yourselves...

Super boring.

But that must mean our
school is a big success.

Guys. Good news.

So, I put the word out for
"no school? No problem!"

And it's really taking off.

- That's great, Tess.
- Here's the problem.

I'm gonna need a bigger whistle.

♪♪

How many words did you put out?

I only texted gossipy Gwen.

Oh, wait. I hear it now.

So what are we gonna
do with all these extra kids?

I don't know.

Booker said he had a plan
and then he went to his room,

so I guess we'll find
out when he gets back.

Okay.

This? This was your
plan? To put on a suit?

Not just any suit. A
principal Jones suit.

Power, Nia.

Fine. So you're dressed
like a game show host.

What's next?

Guys, we have a problem.

Relax. I'm aware
of the situation.

I'm about to handle it.

Everyone, be calm.

I know it's a little crowded right
now, but you are in good hands.

Principal Booker is on the case.

Booker! Booker! Booker!

Hooray for principal Booker!

Booker! Booker! Booker!

It's the suit, Nia.

Am I missing something?
Did he fix anything?

He definitely didn't.

Well, guess we'll have to
figure this out on our own.

Hooray, principal Booker!

David, don't make
me call your parents.

♪♪

I think I should have checked

the weather report
before doing this.

That would have been nice!

It's fine. We're
gonna make it work.

Jump sh*t!

Class is over!

Okay, we are gonna talk
about reducing emissions.

But, uh, first I gotta reduce

the amount of
people in this room,

so, excuse me a moment.

No. No, it's not a thumb's up.

Booker, there are way
too many people in here.

- It's getting too crowded.
- Okay, well, have 'em sit on the floor.

No space? No problem.

Well, gym class is over.

One, gym class: Zero.

Have your gym class in
here. No roof? No problem.

Booker, I can't teach
under these conditions.

There's an active
volcano in our room.

I probably put this on myself

when I had the students build
an active volcano in our room,

but I guess you
live and you learn.

Okay. Teach your science
class in here for a while.

No fresh air? No problem.

How are we gonna
have all these people...

- Uh, hold that thought.
- Gotta take care of lunch.

♪♪

New contracts! More
paper! Right now! Not later!

New contracts! More
paper! Right now! Not later!

Thank you, Chicago teachers!

I'm principal Jones,

and we have never had this
much community spirit behind us.

So I'd like to thank
our amazing parents,

supporters, and strike captains.

Bring them up here.

- Oh, stop!
- Chelsea!

- Raven and Chelsea!
- Oh, stop!

Raven and Chelsea!

These are the kinds of
parents that Chicago needs.

They stepped in,
and made it happen.

We did what any
parent would have done.

Make a sign. Start a chant.

Get our boogie on. Aah!

She's being a little modest.

They did all of this.

Meanwhile, there's a
study group with all our kids

at their house!

There's a what? Excuse me.

You mean all the
kids are at our house?

Not all of them.
Just mine, and hers.

And his, and theirs.

Thirty? No. Sixty.

I don't know. I'm
an English teacher!

Chels.

- Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
- Yes.

Your best-dressed strike!

No, Chels! That's not
what I was thinking.

Yeah, we should
probably get the kids.

- Yes! Yes. Okay.
- Yes.

Hi, yes. Listen, they
want an interview.

Oh, yes, that's it. Well...

♪♪

Good job, Johnny.

Force does equal mass
times acceleration, but ow!

Guys, this is
getting out of control!

We need to clear this room.

- I'll start with Johnny.
- No, Tess. Hold on.

We just need to talk
to Booker, all right?

All right.

Oh.

Aah!

Oh, great, you guys are
here. You can help me out.

Why are you putting
two olives on each plate?

- Two olives?
- Yeah.

Oh, no. That's a mistake.

Everybody gets one.

We got a lot of mouths to feed.

- With olives?
- Olives, Kale, pasta...

And a squirt of
mustard for some flavor.

Wait, shouldn't we cook that?

Same nutritional value.

- Now move these plates!
- No.

No, we need to give
these kids real food.

That's your
responsibility, principal.

All right, fine. Let's see
what we got in the fridge.

Oh! We got some mystery meat.

Mystery solved.
Do not serve this.

Wait! My mom keeps a tub
of orange slices in the fridge

for after basketball practices.

- I'll go grab them.
- Okay.

Nia,

you let Booker use your
love of recycling against you,

and you fell for it.

I expected more from you.

I think I speak
for everyone here

when I say, we're hungry!

Yeah! We're hungry!

My student body needs me.

Hey, everyone!

Where'd he get a megaphone?

Who gave him a megaphone?

I heard you all were hungry,

so a delicious fruit
snack is on the way.

And here it is!

Dig in. You're welcome.

All Booker! Booker!

Booker! Booker!

Booker! Booker! Booker!

All right, these are
unsuitable working conditions.

Don't even get me
started on lunch.

And now he's taking
credit for my orange slices!

See? I solved
everyone's problems.

Look at all of them
cheering for me.

Booker! Booker! Booker!

Booker!

Booker.

Booker!

We're on strike.

♪♪

♪♪

No, no, no. You
guys can't go on strike.

Well, you aren't a
very good principal.

What am I talking about?
You're not a principal at all.

What happened to you, Booker?

This used to be
about the kids, man!

You expect us to execute
all your half-baked plans

with no oven. We
deserve better than this.

Yes! I knew you
wouldn't bail on me.

I came back to tell you
that the toilet is broken.

I hope you're a better plumber
than you are a principal, man.

Mm-hmm.

♪♪

- Yeah, and I really think...
- we gotta go!

Yeah, what are we doing?

You two can't leave
before I say thank you.

You're welcome. Bye!

And thank you for
running the study group.

I'd love to see what the
kids are up to at your house.

Oh, yeah... so would we.

Oh, mind if I tag along?

Sure, you can tag
along, but buckle up.

It's gonna be a bumpy ride.

Oh!

♪♪

"No school? No problem!"

Look, you've gotta admit their
hearts are in the right place.

Yeah, right place, wrong house.

Principal Jones.

I want you to remember that
we're your favorite parents.

Because what
you're about to see,

you will not be able to UN-see.

Nia, Levi and Tess:
Fake school isn't cool!

Fake school isn't cool!

All right, now there's a chant!

Are you here with more olives?

Booker!

Where is Booker?

We had a fake school.

And Levi was teaching.

And then we didn't
have enough olives.

And I wore my suit,
mama. I'm the principal!

But then everybody
had a problem.

And then there was
this mystery meat.

And it was stinky. And
then they quit on me, mama!

- And your toilet broke.
- And our toilet broke!

Mama!

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

Okay! Okay, everybody.
Study time is over.

Yes, that is right.
Call your mama,

call your daddy,
call your auntie,

call your uncle that you haven't
spoken to since Christmas.

I need you to get your
cellphones out and call someone,

'cause you cannot stay here.

Who are you?

Who am I... who am...

I am principal Booker's mama.

Any more questions?

There is no way in the world
that I would take that back.

Of course. I'm getting
everything wrong today.

Booker, I thank you for
starting this study group.

You remind me of myself.

Somehow I had a
feeling you'd say that.

But things got a
little out of control.

- What happened?
- I don't know. I...

I guess I just thought
I could put on this suit,

and the rest would
come together.

It's not all about the suit.

Well, it's, uh...

It's a little about the suit.

But there's more to
being a leader than that.

I was just trying to
do the right thing.

I've been there. I make
mistakes every day.

You make mistakes?

If you aren't making
mistakes, you aren't learning.

But now you gotta make
it right with everybody else.

Part of the job.

Let's go. Let's go, everybody!

Y'all gots to get up
outta here. Y'all gotta go.

Keep it movin'. Keep it movin'.

Keep it movin'.

How many kids are left?

Thirty? Sixty? I can't tell.

Aw, you must be Mary's son.

Yeah, hi. Her and I walked
the picket line together.

Where are my strike moms?

Looks like your kids
got a taste of what

hard-working
teachers do every day.

That's right.

I am going to be even nicer
to my teachers from now on.

I'm goin' back to
my former teachers,

to be nice to them
all over again.

I definitely see some
teaching in my future.

By then, my classroom
might be on Mars.

Oh, well, honey, that, that
seems like a terrible commute.

Come on, kids. Let's go!

I'll wait in the lobby till the
last students are picked up.

Hey, guys. Listen, um...

You guys were the
backbone of fake school.

You were all in, and I
was in it for the glory.

I'm for real sorry.

It wasn't all that
terrible, bruh.

Olives and mustard are
actually, like, a really good combo.

I'm uh, sorry to you, too, mom.

I know. But tell
it to the plunger.

That seems like
a principal's job.

♪♪

Hey! All right, all right. Good.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Listen, listen, listen.

I've got the perfect chant,
and the perfect moves, okay?

Everybody get in formation.
Get in formation. All right.

Here we go!

Great news!

Strike's over! See you
all at school tomorrow.

I miss the lunch lady.

I can't wait to get
back in the gym.

- I'm taking over science class.
- Finally.

Oh, what's the matter,
Chels? This is a happy moment.

I know, I know. I'm
excited for the teachers.

I just really wanted to
show everybody my chant,

- and my moves.
- Why don't you show me?

Okay. All right.

Spirit! Fight!

Teachers strike!

Ssssssave our... Ooh!

Ssssschools!

- Sssssssss!
- Yeah!

Yeah!