Bad Genius (2024)

[bunniefuu]

(electrical buzzing)

(sighs)

It's not mine.

I'm the last person on Earth

who needs to cheat.

Ask anyone.

MENG:

Top of class every year

and in each subject.

Her awards are next.

First in math and science

competitions.

State crossword puzzle

champion three times.

(chuckles)

Also very well-rounded.

Student athlete honors

in track and cross-country.

She's very quick.

Lynn will be first in our

family to go to college.

We know this is the best place

for getting into

top-tier schools.

MIT is our dream for her.

Their provost is

an old college friend.

I'm sure we can

be helpful there.

Lynn?

What do you think?

Exton Pacific

really looks amazing,

but given our current

financial situation,

I think public school

makes more sense.

Why don't we go for a walk?

(students chattering)

This school produces the

people who change the world.

And I take my responsibility

seriously

to invite students here

who may not otherwise

have a chance

to fulfill their full potential.

(camera clicks)

(students laughing, chattering)

I'm sorry, Ms. Walsh.

There's no way we can afford

$50K a year.

-Lynn.

-Tuition's actually 40.

But right now I'm on

my dad's route to work,

so it's a free ride.

To get here,

I'll need to get the bus,

which costs one grand

after we buy

ten monthly passes

to cover the school year.

It's two hours each way

with transfers.

I won't have time

for extracurriculars

or to help my dad

at the laundromat,

which compromises our income,

so my best bet is Uber,

which is 16 bucks a ride

if I avoid surge pricing.

32 bucks a day

five days a week for ten months

is $6,400.

Add the new student fee at two

and another three for books

and uniforms, and it's

$50,000...

give or take.

First in math competitions.

Lynn, you can attend

Exton for free.

And I'll waive all the fees.

You are as deserving as

any of our other students

at a chance

to follow your dreams.

All you need to do

is figure out

the best way

to get here each day.

Is that a problem

you think you can solve?

("Chasing Shadows" by Santigold

playing)

(horns honking)

Limousines, big people,

their parties

But I'm on an island

(lively chatter)

Watching through a window

The flashing light

on the bed

Neon sign goes red

"You are here," it says

Well, at least someone

knows where I am.

(song fades)

(piano playing classical music)

(door opens)

(door closes)

-Lynn.

-(piano playing stops)

I cut the trip down

to just over an hour each way.

If I count that

as homework time,

it'll average out.

It won't be every day.

Between me and the bus,

we'll make it work.

(vocalizing fanfare)

-(Lynn gasping)

-(Meng chuckles)

Everyone will ask,

"Who's the new girl

in the sharp clothes?"

(makes whooshing sound)

So shiny you can see

your reflection.

Dad, you shouldn't have.

Thanks.

(announcer speaking Mandarin

over TV)

I signed up for Quiz Slam.

Their team made state finals

last year, so they get

-their own room to practice in.

-Huh.

We had to share

with the theater kids.

Oh, that's why you were

so fun to watch.

Their acting skills

must have rubbed off on you.

What else are you thinking

of joining?

The music program is amazing.

It has a summer residency

in New York.

Last time I checked, uh,

MIT is in Boston.

Well, two Exton students

actually got

into Juilliard last year.

I have a real chance

of getting an audition now.

Ms. Walsh is going to ask

her friend to help with MIT.

You don't want to risk

making her look bad.

Don't get distracted.

You're going further

than your mom and I ever could.

You're going to accomplish

big, big things.

LYNN: A first-gen kid

spends 462 hours a year

doing activities

she's told guarantee her future.

But it was the time spent

practicing piano with Mom

that she felt most free.

If X equals the pressure

to please everyone

multiplied by the isolation

of having no time for friends,

what are the odds

she finally slips up,

costing her everything

she's ever worked for?

-(camera clicks)

-(students chattering)

Lynn! I am so sorry I'm late.

Uh, who are you?

Oh. Good, no one told you.

(chuckling): Okay, so I am

your Exton ambassador.

Walsh wanted to make sure

that you got

the lay of the land, so I'm here

to give you the VIP treatment.

I'm Grace.

Um, excuse me, mister.

No bueno. Go again.

One more time.

We're only allowed

one photo each.

Okay, so first lesson

at Exton... May I?

Some rules are not meant

to be followed by those

who are actually

wishing to excel.

It's just a yearbook photo.

Oh, babe, photos are forever.

Ask Britney.

Give it a smoosh. (smacks lips)

Okay, that is it.

-That's the one! Yes.

-(Grace clapping)

Look at that.

-(gasps) Beautiful.

-(camera clicks)

-(camera clicks)

-(laughing)

-(plays concluding chords)

-GRACE: Oh, my God, Lynn,

if I could figure out

how to do math

half as well as you play piano,

I wouldn't be failing

this class.

It's C.

It's... it's what?

Well, treat union as everything

in A or B,

which means all numbers.

And C: three, six, ten.

You got it that fast

and upside down?

(laughter)

Oh, my God.

That food smells foul.

MJ?

Since when are you so picky

about what you put

in your mouth?

(scoffs)

-Thanks.

-Honestly,

she has no room to talk.

You should smell

her sports bras after PE.

-(laughs)

-It is disgusting.

It's so gross.

Lynn, what if you tutored me?

I need to keep my GPA

above a 3.0

or else I'm not allowed

to audition.

And acting is what

I'm betting my future on.

If you tutored me, I would...

I don't think

I have the time, Grace.

I mean, on top of school,

I still have to help

my dad out at the laundromat.

It wouldn't take that much

time at all. I promise.

And we'll be hanging out

either way, right?

LYNN:

Of course I tutored Grace.

She's my friend.

Why wouldn't I help my friend?



Just relax.

We went over all of this.

-(timer beeps)

-You may begin.



My life is over.

(Mr. Lasso clears throat)



(yawning)



(whispers):

Grace.

(mouthing)





(sighs)



3.4!

Lynn! Oh, my God.

Hey, what'd you get?

Um, 4.2.

Such an underachiever. Come on.

Let's go celebrate.

Uh, don't we have AP History?

Believe me, no one's gonna care

if you dip out early

on the last day

of semester, okay?

Oh, I don't want

to get in trouble.

Lynn, they can't afford

to get you in trouble.

You're a star.

And, you know, not to be gross,

but you're kind of

the face that they want

on their brochures, right?

So, do you want to...

-That's my girl!

-(both laugh)

("Home" by morgxn playing)

Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh

-Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh...

-(both laughing)

PAT:

Well, well, well.

(laughs):

Oh.

If it isn't the most beautiful

girl in the world.

And all these

precious memories...

GRACE:

This is...

Lynn.

I have been dying to meet you

now that lacrosse is done.

Pat Stone.

Welcome to Chez Stoney.

Thirsty?

Yes.

Pat!

Oh, my God.

What can I say?

I love to get you wet.

(lively chatter nearby)

My brother and his pals

are running this, like,

crypto start-up.

Usually consists

of getting f*cked up

while they choke off

our Internet.

Are you working with them?

I'm just trying to

get my a*s into college.

What happens if you don't?

My dad disowns me.

Uh, what about you, Lynn?

What are your plans after Exton?

GRACE:

Lynn wants to go to Juilliard.

-Juilliard? (chuckles)

-Mm-hmm.

Is that funny?

My dad's on the board.

So, Ted is a Big Tech lawyer

who happens to love Chopin,

and he takes care of everyone

this side of the lake.

Mm, not the way Lynn

takes care of you.

I just heard

you were hooking her up.

Pat.

Is this why I'm here?

-No, no. Lynn.

-(Pat scoffs)

You're here because

you're my friend.

You're on a scholarship, right?

I'm just guessing money's

pretty tight right now.

That's not... (scoffs)

What Pat means--

if we can use our family names

and our connections

to get what we want,

why should you not be able

to use what you have

to do the same?

$200 a test.

Me, Grace and four of my buds.

You expect me to risk

my scholarship

for you and four of your buds?

Oh, Lynn! (chuckles)

You are one of Walsh's

token trophies.

There is no way she'd believe

you could do anything bad.

I... Let's just...

Let's think about it

for a second.

How many classes in a semester

with Scantron tests?

GRACE:

Four minus electives.

LYNN: Travel for an audition

to Juilliard costs $1,300.

Coupled with the loss of

productivity at the laundromat

and owed rent, combining for

a deficit of $6,700.

Divide by the cost of

significant moral backsliding

and add a return trip

for callbacks

and proper tuning on our piano,

and you get...

$12,000.

$12,000.

And if I get my grades up,

my parents promised me

a new car,

so I swear to be your personal

chauffeur to and from school.

That's nice,

but my dad and I are fine.

I go to Exton for free.

Everything is

a transaction, Lynn,

even if they hide the price tag.

Listen.

Give it some thought,

and I'll talk to my dad

about getting Exton's

finest student

on the inside track

to Juilliard.

Everyone wins.

(retching, spitting)

(toilet flushes)

(breathing heavily)

(takes deep breath)

(strings playing gentle

classical music)

(quiet chatter)

I'm going to hang that up

at work.

(chuckles)

Where'd you get this suit?

Oh.

The laundromat gave it to me.

-Nice fit.

-(chuckles)

I look like a Mafia guy.

Mr. Kang.

Ms. Walsh. (chuckles)

I am so glad to see you here.

This is a wonderful event.

I'm grateful for everything

you've done for Lynn.

She'll impress your MIprovost friend-- I guarantee it.

Oh, I have no doubt about that.

And I'm looking forward

to eventually

having that conversation.

In fact, I would love

to introduce you

to one of the parents who steers

our small gift committee.

She has some delightful items

on display in the gallery.

There's a skin care package

you just have to see.

MENG:

Of course. Uh...

You okay?

Yeah.

I just don't like talking

in front of people.

Your parents couldn't make it?

My dad's in Nigeria.

And my mom hates these things.

Why would she hate a dinner

that celebrates us?

The dinner's to raise money,

Lynn.

Celebrations aren't for mascots.



MAN (on TV): We've always seen

technology as a tool,

and it's a tool, we believe,

for empowering the individual.

(broadcast continues

indistinctly)

Don't you ever get tired

of the news?

Watching the news

is how I learned English

and how you got so smart.

Well, if I'm so smart,

why didn't you listen to me

when I said it was crazy

to spend a thousand dollars

on face cream

when you won't even buy yourself

a suit that fits?

That money shows them we're

committed to your education.

There are plenty of rich parents

who give to that school.

Our money is

just as good as theirs.

Except we have a lot less of it.

-Mom would never...

-Mei Ling.

All your mother ever wanted

was to see you succeed.

This school gives us

the opportunity

to make our sacrifices count.

We have to make sure they do.

I'm going to wash my face

because I feel like a jellyfish.

(door opens and closes)

(playing Debussy's

"Clair de Lune")

(repeats melody)

(repeats melody)

(repeats melody)

(piano melody repeats softly)

(piano melody repeats softly)



I paid for piano lessons.

So what?

Since when is that ill*gal?

LYNN:

A coda is a passage

that finishes a song.

In Italian, its plural

is the word "code."

It made me think--

what if we made

our own code from music?

We'll use four songs

to represent A, B, C and D.

Memorize my finger movements.

This is A.

(plays snippet of "Fur Elise")

Starts with the pinkie

and finishes with the thumb.

This is B.

(plays snippet of Vivaldi's

"The Four Seasons: Spring")

B is five, four, three, three,

three, two, one, five.

Now we have C.

(piano plays snippet

of "Clair de Lune")

And finally D.

(piano plays snippet

of Strauss's "The Blue Danube")

I'll give three answers,

then skip one

and keep repeating this pattern

to randomize our results.

The ones I skip,

you answer yourselves.

If it's just the hand signals,

what's the point of the songs?

LYNN: The song gives your brain

something to memorize.

And if you get caught,

you can say you were

tapping out a song

you learned on the piano.

A song you can then play for

anyone who doesn't believe you.

("Deadly Valentine" by

Charlotte Gainsbourg playing)

With this ring I thee wed

With all my worldly goods

I thee endow

(cheering)

To love and to cherish

According to God's

holy ordinance

You have declared

your consent

May the Lord fill you both

with blessings...

-GRACE: Oh, yes, king!

-Oh!

-GRACE: Open it.

-PAT: Open it.

GRACE:

Open it!

(Lynn chuckles)

Here we come, New York.

(playing classical music)

You look so good.

I feel like, uh, Jeff Bezos.

(both laugh)

I saw you paid

the back rent we owed. (sighs)

Tutoring must be going well.

LYNN:

Mm.

GRACE: Okay, we should have a

dozen clients by semester exam.

-(door opens)

-MR. LASSO: Lynn Kang.

Headmaster's office.



(knocking)

BANK:

Of course I know Lynn.

We're teammates.

Nothing more.

You wanted to see me, Ms. Walsh?

Yes, uh, Lynn, have a seat.

So, I'm sure you're both

familiar with the Cartwrights?

Their name's on

the science building.

Mrs. Cartwright

is sponsoring a scholarship:

a full ride to any school

a student decides to attend

after graduation.

One scholarship is offered

to each school in the region.

Each school nominates two

students to interview for it.

Now, I can't think of anyone

to better represent

this school's values

than you two.

You've made a remarkable team.

I'm sure you'll only make

each other better

as competitors.



ADAM NEUMANN (on TV): We think

that that's very important.

Technically speaking, we have

80 locations around the world.

We're in 30 cities.

We're in 12 countries.

We add between five to ten

locations a month.

We have 60,000 members.

And those members

all have companies

and families and friends,

and they're all taking part

of this great new way

of working.

(sets remote on table)

(objects rustling)

(Meng sighs)

Where were you?

Piano lessons.

(Meng grunts)

Your mama would be so happy

you found a way

to do your music.

Dad?

You know what day it is?

(Meng snoring softly)







(siren wailing in distance)

(light laughter)

(indistinct chatter)

(dog barking nearby)

(indistinct chatter continues)

BANK:

Hey, guys.

Uh, please just...

not in front of the store.

Or what you gonna do,

Kunta Kinte?

(laughter)

-Looks like a dork a*s.

-(laughter)

Look at Africa over here--

think he rule the street.

Hello, 911?

-You seriously calling the cops?

-I need your assistance.

There's a couple of guys,

uh, doing drugs

in front of my mother's store.

-You serious?

-Yeah, if you could just

get here as soon as possible,

that'd be great. Thank you.

(men scoffing)

Good luck with that.

(engine starts)

(hip-hop music playing

over car stereo)

(sighs)

(sighs)

I get why you think I did this,

but Bank is the most honest

person I've ever met.

He'd never cheat.

Bank!

Banky. Bankster, hey.

Study for the exam?

It's a semester exam.

Of course I studied.

Of course. Of course, yeah.

It's just that

it's really hard for me

with my learning disability.

Which one would that be?

-It's one of the bad ones.

-(scoffs)

-Good luck with that.

-Wait. Hey, hey, hey.

Sorry. I just, uh...

I got to ask,

can I copy off you?

Look, uh, if I fail this,

my parents are totally

cutting me off.

And I already tried

the piano thing,

but I'm more of a flute guy,

-to be honest.

-"Piano thing"?

It's nothing. Never mind.

Um, I'll pay you $300.

Look, come on! I'm-I'm trying to

make a Bank deposit here, man.

(softly):

sh*t.

("Sister/Nation" by BROCKHAMPTON

playing)

(man speaking Spanish in song)

I feel myself getting better

by the f*cking minute

'Member when my mama always

had to save the minutes

"Throw Some D's" dropped,

I wanted to be Russell Simmons

Better keep work 'em out,

had an inner vision

Where the kitchen at?

-Keep the lyrics written...

-(song stops)



MR. HAMILTON:

Let's hurry up.

It's almost 9:30.

Take your seats.

You will have 60 minutes

to complete the exam.

(takes deep breath)

You may...

begin.





Excuse me?

Are we...

are we taking two exams?

There's been some concern

about similarities

in test results recently,

so we've issued two sets

for all cumulative exams.

Just finish the test

you received.

(hushed):

Lynn, what set do you have?



MR. HAMILTON:

Can I help you?

(piano notes playing)



(hushed):

Chapin. Switch papers with me.

Now.



MR. HAMILTON:

20 minutes left.

CHAPIN:

Lynn. Lynn.

Should I put my name on yours?

Just do nothing.

MR. HAMILTON:

Ten-minute warning.

(inhales sharply)

Five minutes left.

(piano notes playing)

Time's up.

Pencils down, please.

I said pencils down.

I said stop!

How high a GPA do you need?

(paper rustling)



(snaps fingers)

(students chattering quietly)

(sighs)

MR. HAMILTON:

Lynn Kang.

You didn't write your name

on your scratch paper.

(pencil writing on paper)

(laughter)

Lynn, you're the GOAT.

PAT: So, are we doing

piano lessons this summer?

LYNN:

Yeah.

I need new winter coats

for New York.

GRACE (chuckles): We'll have

them pay you in Moncler.

-Can you even do that?

-(laughing): I have no idea.

MAN (over P.A.):

Lynn Kang and Chapin Joyce,

please report to head of school.



You're all here because

there's something that we need

to get to the bottom of.

Together.

Bank says that he saw Chapin

cheat off Lynn's exam.

Lynn, did you see him do this?

MR. HAMILTON:

They've got different exam sets.

Cheating would be pointless.

Chapin, did you cheat

off Lynn's exam?

No!

No.

Chapin. (scoffs)

How does the son

of a state attorney general

consistently show

such poor judgment?

Lynn, Bank, I'm sorry you got

dragged into this. You can go.

Lynn. Wait a second.

Why are there problems

from both exams

on your scratch paper?

Because it was you.

Yo, will you please just chill?

There's no reason to freak out.

Oh, sh*t.

This is not possible.

MS. WALSH:

Lynn's already admitted to it.

I don't understand.

Were you and your father

having financial problems?

No, no.

We have no money problems.

Well, to say I'm disappointed

is an understatement.

Lynn, you're the face

of success for this school.

I can assure you

Lynn will do whatever it takes

to make up for the mistake.

Please.

If this were

any other student than Lynn,

it would be grounds

for expulsion.

But you mean a lot

to this school. (sighs)

And we have all grown

very fond of you.

This being the first infraction

merits a second chance.

Meaning what?

Meaning you can stay

at Exton, but...

I have to rescind

your scholarship,

and I'm afraid you're ineligible

for the Cartwright.

The Cartwright isn't

an Exton scholarship.

Whoever receives it

represents this school

and must reflect its values.

By "values," you mean driving

an already poor family

further into poverty

just to prove a point?

I-I apologize on behalf

of my daughter.

I have worked very hard

to provide her

with the chance to learn

at a place like this.

I'm just grateful her mother

isn't here to see this.

It would break her heart.

Thank you for giving her

another chance.

This is your plan?

You're running away to New York?

I just want the chance to do

what I love, like my friends.

You're not like your friends.

They care about me enough

to support what I want.

What happens when they get

what they need from you?

Will they be there

if this doesn't work out?

I know what I'm doing, Dad.

And if Mom were here,

she'd understand that.

Oh, that after

all the sacrifices she made,

her daughter thinks

it's okay to cheat

so you can buy fancy shoes?

Your mother wore the same

sneakers to work every day.

When they ripped,

she put duct tape over them.

I would say, "Get a new pair."

She would say, "No.

That money can be for Mei,

for the future."

And this is what you do

with the future

she helped you to have?

Return the money.

Get rid of these.

And, uh, this, uh...

I never want to see this again.

Ms. Walsh will be changing

your class schedule

so you can't cheat

with those friends anymore.

You stay away from them.

I raised you better.

(door opens and closes)

(rain falling)



(thunder rumbling)

("No Harm Is Done" by Christine

and the Queens playing)

(fabric rustling)

It's a blur

The pulsing is so loud

Surely we'd feel better

If we had something

to fight for...

(door opens)

Why didn't you answer my text?

Mr. Tong was upset when

I couldn't find his scrubs.

Oh, you don't get five stars

if you answer the phone

with passengers.

(sighs)

(Meng bites apple)

You promised

you'd cut back driving

to ten hours a week.

It's just until you graduate.

As long as I can keep

the laundromat open on holidays

and, uh, keep driving,

we should be able

to cover what we need.

Because you took out a loan.

Well, it's not your job

to worry about it.

Go study.

(cell phone vibrating)

-Hey.

-GRACE (over phone): Lynn?

You answered.

I'm so glad you answered.

I miss you.

Miss you guys, too.

Saint Bart's looked fun.

GRACE: Yeah. We really

wanted you there.

LYNN: My dad needed help

in the laundromat.

I couldn't leave him.

GRACE: Well, that's actually

why I'm calling.

There's someone who might

be able to help with that.

This is delicious, Eliza.

Thank you.

Oh, I'm so glad you like it.

Sandy is a wiz.

She won Chopped,

so I don't feel too bad

asking her to pull something

together last minute.

(Grace chuckles softly)

Where's Pat?

It's his first day at Google.

Ted's firm does

some of the visa work

for one of

the research divisions,

so they gave him an internship.

So, Lynn...

I hear you're first

in your class.

GRACE:

Mm, yeah. Not to mention

a Quiz Slam shark

and a forensics icon,

and she's probably

the best piano player

that Exton has ever seen.

Aw.

(Grace chuckles)

Grace tells me you have plans to

go to New York after graduation.

My dad prefers Boston.

Someone with a future

as bright as yours

can't waste time

on what other people prefer,

no matter how much

you care about them.

We know you spent last year

tutoring Pat, and wow,

did you put every expensive

thing we tried to shame.

(chuckles softly)

Pat worked really hard.

TED (laughs): We're talking

about someone who thought

Parmesan was an ethnicity

until he was 14.

Stop.

I don't know how you're

doing it, and I don't care.

I just need to get him

into Columbia.

Pat is our last chance to send

a Stone to my alma mater.

His S.A.T.'s won't cut it with

Columbia, not even as a legacy.

We need him... (sighs)

to ace this test.

If he does, all three of you

go to New York.

Our real estate person's found

a place on the Upper West Side.

Doorman, three beds, two baths.

A subway stop away from anything

you could ever want.

I have made it clear to our son

that all he has to do

is get into Columbia--

it's his.

GRACE:

Lynn.

We'd be roomies. (chuckles)

So, you're asking me to...

To help our son.

And I will provide

whatever resources he needs

to ensure you can.

ELIZA: Just think, the three

of you together in New York?

So exciting.

I'm sorry,

Mr. and Mrs. Stone, but...

But, um, you know, like...

like I was explaining to you,

Lynn is, um, she's super,

super focused on graduating,

and obviously, she wouldn't want

to jeopardize that

by, you know,

getting too distracted.

Well, Sandy has prepared some

incredible after-dinner treats

if you want to go down

to the theater to wait for Pat.

-Thank you, Eliza.

-Of course.

Lynn.

Think about it.

(TV playing quietly)

Sorry if that was weird.

I just thought if there's

any chance that we could be

together in New York

that we had to try, right?

I mean, with your Juilliard

audition coming up,

you'd be a few blocks away

from Lincoln Center.

And then I could get

to any audition that

I ever want-- it's perfect.

Cheating the S.A.T.

is impossible.

-It's the Fort Knox of tests.

-Exactly.

It'll be the greatest problem

you've ever solved.

You just haven't put

your big brain to it.

(Lynn sighs)

Yeah, you're probably right.

I just got really hyped thinking

about us on the East Coast.

(changing channels)

REPORTER (on TV): Negotiations

continue here in Brussels

over the United Kingdom's

decision

to leave the European Union.

But, given the time difference

and the British prime minister's

visit to the United States,

sources say it will likely

not be until tomorrow

that we hear a response

on his latest proposal.



Philadelphia is

three hours ahead.

If I go there,

I can take the S.A.T.

and send the answers

back to Seattle.

But I'll need serious

money this time.

Even if Pat's dad helps

with Juilliard,

I still have to pay for it.

Tuition is $180,000, and I want

another 70 to help my dad.

Um, Lynn,

I admire your hustle,

but just because

our parents are loaded

doesn't mean we have a quarter

million dollars laying around.

And before we even get to that,

how do you know

it's gonna be the same test?

LYNN: I trawled

every subreddit on the S.A.T.

and found several threads

that cross-check test

answers across cities.

Philly and Seattle have

received the same test

three years running.

PAT:

Okay.

So, how do you get the

answers out of the test?

I memorize them.

(Pat laughs)

There's over 150 answers.

I did a dry run.

I can definitely do half

before the clock runs out.

The problem is

our window to get you guys

to the test centers

is very tight.

I'll need help.

No one can do what you do, Lynn.



Yeah, I just did

Ms. Ajukwu's delivery,

but I have to get ready for my

Cartwright interview tonight.

(chuckles)

It's at a fancy restaurant.

I'll-I'll be home soon, okay?

Uh, I-I got to go.

(car doors opening)

Hey, yo, Kunta Kinte.

You knocked my mirror

with your big-a*s case.

What? No, I didn't.

What, you calling me a liar?

No, I-I j... Hey!

Hey! Dude, stop!

(grunting)

(grunts)

(breathing heavily, groaning)



PAT:

It's 12 K a head to buy in.

Count me in.

LYNN:

We'll need about 30 clients.

Any more, we risk

getting caught.

Any less, we don't make enough.

I can get that

from my study group.

(elevator bell dings)

("Do It Again (feat. Goose)"

by Soldout playing)

PAT:

All of our lives,

we've been taught to fear

a three-letter word:

S.A.T.

But what if I told you

there's a way

to make that test your b*tch?

(cheering, whooping)

LYNN: All we can bring

into the exam are

2B pencil,

eraser, a calculator,

our admission ticket

and a photo I.D.

We don't all have

photographic memory.

How are we gonna get the

answers into the exam?

PAT:

Each of you will receive

a 2B pencil

with a barcode stuck on it.

The different widths represent

the different answer choices,

going from thickest to thinnest.

Thickest being A.

Then B, C, D.

-Anyone else getting hot yet?

-(laughter, excited chatter)

(wolf-whistles)

GRACE:

What is wrong with you?

I need you to unlock your phones

so I can download encrypted apps

to communicate with.

(Pat and Grace arguing

indistinctly)

I'll send answers back

during designated break periods.

Why would you like

MJ's bikini photo?

That makes me feel

insecure, Pat!

PAT: Okay, first of all,

it was an open-back one-piece,

not a bikini, and secondly...

She's what?

PAT:

You'll each get four pencils,

one per section.

Reading, writing, math with

and without a calculator.

The numbers next to the barcode

are for the grid-in section.

We skip the essay.

The top-tier schools don't

count it, so why should we?

(laughter)

This is a first-class ticket

to your future.

Are you ready to ride?

(cheering)

Why should three hours

on a Saturday morning

determine the rest of our lives?

The schools don't choose us.

We choose the schools.

ALL (chanting):

We choose the schools!

We choose the schools!

We choose the schools!

(song ends)

(dog barking in distance)

-(indistinct chatter)

-(siren wailing in distance)

(hip-hop music playing quietly)

-LYNN: Thank you.

-BANK: Thanks, Mom.

You left this in the kitchen.

Oh. Uh... (sighs)

LYNN:

Mmm.

What is this?

Akamu.

(chuckles) I got to stop

by here more often.

What are you doing here?

I heard what happened.

I just want to say I'm sorry.

Are they going to

give you a chance

to make up the interview?

They said it wouldn't be fair

to apply different standards

to different students.



What if you could still

get that money?

What do you mean?

The S.A.T.

-You're nuts.

-The rich kids get great scores.

We get paid. No one gets hurt.

I don't give a sh*t what you

and your rich friends do.

I don't care about getting paid

or having fancy things.

My life is school and my family.

And scraping by

on Quiz Slam prize money?

Lynn, you can't cheat the S.A.T.

It's the most secure test

in the world.

It's a scam,

engineered by people with money

and sold to other people

with money

to protect their status.

(scoffs)

The only way to beat

a rigged game

is to outmaneuver it.

I have a plan.

(exhales sharply)

I'm sorry, Lynn,

but I've worked too hard to

risk it all for one big score.

You've got it backwards, Bank.

You've worked too hard not to.

You pick me

'cause I'm the only one

smart enough

to pull this off with you?

That...

and I think you

deserve the chance

to make whatever kind of future

you want for yourself,

no matter what the rules say.

(bell jingling)

(bell jingling)



(garage door clanking open)

(door opens)

So... what's the plan?

This is home base.

You and I will fly

to Philadelphia.

We found an inner-city school

called Canopy High.

Busted security cameras,

multiple exits

we can get out through

if things go sideways.

It looks like the best place

for us to take the test.

BANK:

We should use the g*nman method.

The what?

It's what

test-taking rings abroad do.

Essentially, you sign up

as a foreign student in America

so they don't have

our real names.

Use a real school

but a fake identity.

We'll need valid I.D.'s

to check in.

I know where we can find those.

We just need real passports

that can be modified.

They'll make minor tweaks

that make it

almost impossible to tag.

It's good enough

for test security.

What are you, a secret agent?

Wait, Lynn. What about your dad?

The Quiz Slam final

is in Philly.

You and I will split

the test in two

and tag-team memorizing

the answers.

I'll answer questions for

the first half of each section.

You'll do the second.

Pat and Grace will combine them

for the pencils.



Sections two and three will be

back-to-back without a break.

In section four,

we'll have to leave early

to get the pencils out, so we

won't get the full 55 minutes.

We'll have 20.

-(cell phones buzzing)

-(chuckling)

That means out of Canopy

by 11:10 a.m.

Then Pat and Grace

will have 20 minutes

to get everyone

to the test centers.

Once you're done memorizing

comes the tricky part.

They don't let us leave early

unless we're sick.

I can make myself throw up.

It helps me feel better

when I'm nervous.

So, what's my cut?

150 grand.

(bell dings)

BANK:

And what's yours?

LYNN:

250.

AUTOMATED VOICE (over phone):

Your payment this month

has already been received.

No further action is required.

You in?

Yeah.

(thumps table, claps)

Okay.

Whew!

Your bookings in Philly

are in your aliases,

so no one knows your real names.

Bank, you're a Nigerian national

at an American school in Lagos.

Lynn, your dad owns a real

estate company outside Beijing.

Reservations are on Pat's card.

Anything else,

we pay for in cash.

And luckily for us,

we have plenty.

(sighs)

There's one thing left

to rehearse.

(crying):

I-I'm innocent, okay?

I swear I-I'm innocent.

(stammering)

What do I have to do

to make this end?

I'll do anything.

I-I'll do anything, okay?

I'll do...

(stops crying):

anything for you, daddy.

(Grace exclaims)

No one wants to see that.

-Don't do that.

-PAT: Okay. Look, I get it.

If they catch you,

you hide behind your alias.

And if that goes bust,

we play dumb

and you fall on your sword.

One last time--

if Bank gets caught.

PAT (sighs):

Okay.

Bank. Uh...

he's not the kind of guy

I'd be friends with.

I-I mean,

I don't want to be a d*ck,

but he's kind of a loser.

In the past four years,

I just see him

hanging out alone.

All he does is study

and kiss a*s to teachers.

No one likes him.

I mean, I guess

I shouldn't be surprised

he got his a*s kicked

and tossed into a dumpster.

(Pat taps table rhythmically)

Okay.

-Whoa! -What are you doing?!

-Bank, Bank, Bank!

What the hell is wrong

with you, dude?

I said exactly

what you told me to say.

I never told you I ended up

in a dumpster.

I never told anyone.

(sighs)

You all set me up.

You paid those guys

to kick my a*s

so I would miss my interview

and I'd be forced

to go along with this.

And you're all in on it,

aren't you?

-No. No. No.

-Aren't you? Yes, you are.

-No. No.

-Yes, you are.

Guys, you know how bad

I needed that money?

It's not just me. It's my mom.

It's my whole family.

PAT:

Hey, Bank, wait. Bank.

Bank, look, man.

Just wait for a second.

Okay. Calm down.

Look, I'm sorry.

Okay, I-I saw those guys

outside your mom's store.

I didn't know they would be

so rough on you.

But we can't quit now.

What do you think's

going to happen

if I get caught doing this?

'Cause it won't be the same

for me as you all.

You're rich kids.

Your dad's a lawyer.

And you, you're just a nice

Asian girl who got carried away.

Me?

Only if we get caught, okay?

But if this works, you're set.

Everyone wins.

You win!

You people always do.

PAT:

Hey, Bank.

Bank. Bank!

(door closes)

What?

(chuckles) You think this plan

works without Bank?

I did what had to be done.

Lynn. Lynn!

Lynn, wait. Please just...

please, please, Lynn.

-Did you know about this?

-I didn't.

I swear to you,

I swear that I didn't know.

I never meant for any of this

to go this far, Lynn.

I just... All I ever wanted...

Was to be an actress.

How do I know this whole

friendship hasn't been an act?

Return the money, Grace.

It's over.

-

-(vehicle approaching)

(brakes hissing)



BANK:

Flight leaves in three hours.

Why'd you come back?

I'm here because of you.

I got thrown in a dumpster

and lost my chance at a

free ride because of you.

I'm not letting you

and your friends

take away everything

I've worked my whole life for.

What if I can't

do this anymore?

I want what's mine,

and you at least owe me

the chance to get it.

Wait, Bank.

There's something

you should know.

("Secrets" by GGOOLLDD playing)

He may be a sociopathic as*h*le,

but at least Pat doesn't skimp

on the accommodations.

(chuckles)

You know, I've never had

room service before.

I'll give you time

to breathe...

(song fades)



You know that's not

how you take a bath, right?

I don't get it, Lynn.

Why do you even want to do this?

(Lynn sighs)

Who's Mei Ling?

It's my Chinese name.

My real name.

My mom taught me to play.

It's what we used to do

together.

What happened to her?

She worked in this factory

downtown.

She got sick...

but it was under the table,

so it wasn't like

there was anyone

she could go to.

My mom used to clean houses.

That's how she found out

about Exton.

She wanted to send her kid

to the same place

as the people she worked for.

Since then, everything goes

into that school.

This isn't just about the chance

to do music, Bank.

We deserve to be the people

our parents didn't get to be.

We deserve to be whole.

To make mistakes.

To go after what we want even if

it isn't the best plan on paper.

We deserve that.

Yeah, we do.

(Bank chuckles)

(phone vibrating and chiming)

GRACE (over phone): Wait,

so they changed the location?

The test isn't

at Canopy anymore.

It's at a university

in Center City.

There'll be

much tighter security.

We'll be going in blind.

LYNN:

I just looked it up online.

-It's like a maze.

-Look, if we don't

get these kids

every answer we promised,

you owe back the money.

GRACE:

Are we still doing this?

Lynn?

Get some sleep.

Tomorrow's a big day.



PRESTON:

Good morning.

I imagine you were thrown

for a bit of a loop.

But some registration

irregularities

made us think it best

to move some groups

to one of our more secure

test-taking centers.

If you have any issues,

remember we're here to help you.

Please hand in your phones.







(toilet flushes)



Section one will be

the reading test,

consisting of 52 questions.

You will have 65 minutes

to finish.

Sections two and three

will be taken together,

followed by a break.

You may take nothing in or out

of the testing room

on your breaks.

You will only be allowed to use

a calculator for section four.

You may begin.

(papers rustling)



(takes deep breath)

(muttering quietly)

MS. KAUFMAN:

Five-minute warning.

(muttering)

-Time's up. Pencils down.

-(sighs)

Ten-minute break.

(door opens)

Cars and clients

are ready and waiting.

(scoffs quietly)

(flushes toilet)

-(cell phone vibrating)

-Okay, here we go. Here we go.

-(phone vibrating)

-What the hell?

-What?

-Another $100K?

PAT: He wants another 100 grand

in five minutes?

Is he high?

You are not helping!

(phone vibrates)

(breathing heavily)

(phone vibrating)

(chuckles softly)

(phone vibrates)

(sniffs)

-(door opens)

-WOMAN: You have one minute

remaining in your break.

-(door closes)

-(breathing heavily)

(vibrates)

(sighs)

PAT:

A as in Alaska.

B as in banana.

B as in Baltimore.

-Pat, letters! Letters!

-Okay.

C, C, A, B,

C, B, D, B, A, C,

B, C, D.

Print.

(printer whirring)

(sighs):

Okay.

(Bank sighs)

Just making sure everyone wins.

You may begin section two now.



Time's up on section two.

You may begin section three now.

(breathing heavily)

(Lynn muttering quietly)

(muttering)

(takes deep breath)

(muttering quietly)

(muttering quietly)

MS. KAUFMAN:

Time's up. Pencils down.

You have a ten-minute break.

(knocking on stall door)

PRESTON:

Excuse me.

We're conducting a search

of the bathroom.

Please step out.

(knocking)

Young man,

will you please step out?

I'll-I'll be right out.

(knocking)

I don't want

to have to ask again.

Now, open this door now.

If you don't open this door

right now...

-What are you doing in there?

-(banging at stall door)

Open this door now!

You're gonna face some

very serious consequences

if you don't come out of there

this instant.

WOMAN:

Hello?

Please come out now.

(toilet flushes)

You're gonna miss

the start of your exam.

PRESTON: You are in a lot

of trouble right now.

I'm giving you a chance

to confess.

What was on that phone?

If you don't get back now,

you're gonna forfeit

your test scores.

(water running)



You may begin section four now.

(short, gasping breaths)

(takes deep breath)

Sooner or later, he'll reach

the Nigerian consulate

or your school in Lagos.

Now's the time to talk.

(deep, shaky breaths)

(muttering quietly)



(plays snippet

of "Clair de Lune")

(plays snippet of "Fur Elise")

(plays snippet of

"The Four Seasons: Spring")

(plays snippet

of "The Blue Danube")

(piano plays snippet

of "Clair de Lune")

(piano plays snippet

of "Fur Elise")

(piano plays snippet

of "The Blue Danube")

(piano plays snippet of

"The Four Seasons: Spring")

(piano plays snippet

of "Fur Elise")

(piano plays snippet

of "Clair de Lune")



What if they don't come by 8:10?

They will come by 8:10.

No one's answering.

Like I said,

they're closed on Saturday.

Can I go?

You've got my passport.

I'm screwed either way.

Right?

Get out of here.

PRESTON: You know,

it's amazing you have no accent.

It's a good school.

(piano rapidly playing)

(exhales)

(exhales)

(gagging)

(others groaning)

Oh, my God.

Are you all right?

I need to go home, please.

MS. KAUFMAN: If you leave,

your score will be canceled.

(horns honking outside)

Dude, these people really want

their answers.

Just tell them to wait.

-Okay.

-Go!

Okay. Okay.

I don't know how much longer

he's gonna be able

to hold them off.

Well, Jesus,

maybe something happened, Pat.

(groaning):

Oh, God.

(typing nearby)

CLINT: There's a reason

he's got no accent.

He doesn't live in Nigeria.

His home address is

an empty field.

We have to stop him.

Now.



WOMAN:

She has long dark hair.

Green raincoat.

About this tall.

We got a potential accomplice.

Asian female,

long dark hair, green coat.



(indistinct radio chatter)

(indistinct radio chatter)

(panting)

Hey.

Hey, stop!



(panting)



(cell phone ringing

and vibrating)

PRESTON: I don't know,

and I don't care.

Just find 'em.

CLINT:

Security has their descriptions.

As long as we keep them

on campus,

they'll be able to help

pin them down.

(door opens)

(sighs)



(vibrates)

Hey!



(panting)

(beeping)

(printer sputtering)

Pat, the printer's jammed!

Go. I'll take care of it.

(gasping)

(horn honks)

-(grunts)

-(horn honks)

(horns honking)

(straining)

(gasping)

Hi.

PAT:

They come in yet?

No.

We have six more answers left.

Wait.

Why are there no bars?

BANK:

Lynn, we're running out of time.

We need answers.

(piano playing rapidly)

(vibrating)

I got them.

Come on!

Hoof it! Let's go!

(sighs)



We won.

BANK'S MOTHER (over phone):

Oh, big man.

Well done.

Everything's gonna be okay

from now on, Mom.

I have a big plate of food

waiting for you.

I love you.

Being broke made me rich,

yeah

Gotta keep the stove hot

so it cook right

If everybody eating,

that's a good night...

(indistinct chatter)

PAT: As we march forth

into our futures,

we will forever be indebted

to the geniuses

that made this possible.

The icons, the legends,

our best friends, Bank and Lynn!

(cheering, whooping)

(laughter)

Okay, wait.

So you guys upgraded

to the top floor of the hotel?

I mean, I need to get used to

living in a skyscraper, right?

I cannot wait to visit

this fancy New York condo.

-(laughter)

-Grace, you didn't tell her?

Tell me what?

Oh, just the...

BOTH:

We... (laughing)

We're gonna defer a year

to travel.

Oh, my God,

Lynn should come with...

Lynn, you should come with us.

It's just for a year.

It's just for a year.

You should come! Oh, my God,

please, that would be so fun.

What about the apartment?

This is what you call

not using a friend?

-GRACE: Lynn. Lynn, hold on.

-Hey, hey, hey.

GRACE: Lynn, hold on.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

You-you pretty much got

everything you wanted, right?

I just need to take some time

for myself, you know?

If I don't get more

life experience,

I'm never gonna make it

as an actor.

I risked everything,

and all you ever cared about

was yourselves.

(laughing):

Come on.

You did it for yourself.

Same as us.

Look, it doesn't have to end.

We're still going to Columbia.

Think of all the new clients.

You'll make stupid

amounts of money,

and eventually, we'll all be

in New York together

and you try for Juilliard.

Everyone still wins.

Yeah, he's right.

I have to go.

Hey, hey.

-Lynn. Lynn!

-(door opens)

(door closes)

People are just

a means to an end.

And once we outlive

our usefulness,

it's better we just disappear.

'Cause seeing us,

it only reminds you

what assholes you are.

(door opens)

(door closes)

(newscast playing indistinctly)

Back already?

I wasn't feeling well.

(water running)

REPORTER (over TV): Now to

take you to breaking news.

A cheating scandal

in one of Philadelphia's

poorest school districts

has led to the cancellation

of hundreds of S.A.T. scores.

Though the College Board is

unable to identify the culprits,

as a precautionary measure to

protect the test's legitimacy,

all students

at the breached exam center

will retake their S.A.T.'s.

For more on this story,

we are joined by...

It's always the ones with

the most to lose who suffer.

(newscast continues

indistinctly)



-All right?

-CUSTOMER: Yeah. Thank you.

-(drawer opens)

-(coins clinking)

(drawer closes)

Did you hear about Canopy?

I saw it on the news.

Those kids are being punished

for something they didn't do.

Some of them can't even afford

taking the test again.

We have to fix this.

How?

Turn ourselves in.

Lynn.

Are you crazy?

Do you know

what would happen to us?

Bank, what we did

to those kids...

There's no such thing

as "everyone wins."

Someone always loses.

Okay, but we have

to do something.

All right, but turning

ourselves in is not gonna

change anything for those kids.

So is it really for them,

or is it just to make yourself

feel better?

I'm sorry I dragged you

into this, Bank-- I really am--

but I'm gonna confess

with or without you.

Lynn... you can't.

-Bank, I have to.

-No, you don't understand.

I get why you're scared, but...

-No, you don't.

-...maybe if we're honest,

-they'll understand.

-Lynn, I'm undocumented!

(breathing heavily)

What?

I'm undocumented.

How else do you think I know

where to get fake papers?

(sighs)

Me and my mom,

we came here when I was six.

We overstayed our visas.

My dad, my sister,

everyone is counting on me.

And going to college, it can

mean a job, a student visa

and one day a green card

so I can sponsor my family.

How many more people

do you have to punish?

Bank.

Bank, I'm so sorry.

If I knew, I-I...

We all have to live

with the choices we make.

Live with yours,

and please just let me

live with mine.

(Lynn shuddering)

(crying softly)

It was me, Dad.

What happened on the news

in Philadelphia.

(Meng sighs)

I know.

I could tell by the look

on your face last night.

If I confess what I did,

more people will get hurt

who don't deserve to.

I don't know what to do.

Hey. Come.

(crying):

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, too.

(sighs)

I should have listened to you.

Your mom was always

the listener.

Maybe if I pray with you,

I'll...

I'll be able to hear her again.

It'll help me

hear you better, too.

(sighs)

(sniffles)

What do you think I should do?

Whatever you think is right.

I didn't decide

to do this lightly,

but once I did,

I wanted to prove that I could.

So I figured everything out:

using the time difference,

the encoded pencils.

Bank only got involved

once I knew

I couldn't do

the whole test alone.

The thing is... Pat's the reason

it all happened.

When tutoring didn't improve

his S.A.T. scores,

he sent Grace

to ask me for help.

He wired the money

from his account,

he paid for the travel,

and it was his friends

who benefited.

All the evidence

leads back to him.

Pat could be described

as the mastermind

of this whole thing,

especially by the kids

who watched his presentation

at your firm's offices.

All of this coming out

wouldn't exactly

leave you unscathed, Lynn.

I don't want it to come out,

Mr. Stone.

I don't want

to tell people about

the minority scholarship kids

who had money and access

dangled in front of them

by the son

of one of Big Tech's

premier lawyers

just so that he and his friends

and his girlfriend

didn't have to work

like everybody else.

I also don't want it to come out

that your son hired people

to as*ault another student

in order to coerce us

into doing this.

You expect me to believe that?

After what Pat did,

I promised Bank I'd protect us.

(no dialogue)

LYNN:

I had an insurance policy.

(no dialogue)

I wasn't planning

on looking at it...

till I found out

your son was a liar.



There are texts between Pat

and the people

who assaulted Bank,

not to mention...

He paid them on Venmo?

With a fist emoji

in the transaction description.

What do you want?

The students at Canopy

shouldn't have to pay

to retake their S.A.T.'s.

I'd like you to set up

a fund to cover

their testing

and tutoring costs,

for this class

and those that follow.

Do you know how much

that would cost?

Registration's $55.

There's a high-quality

S.A.T. prep course near Canopy

for $699.

Considering transportation costs

and given that

there are 417 students

in Canopy's current

graduating class,

that averages out

to $397,818 annually.

Less than what that condo

in New York would've been.

What else?

Bank's family needs assistance

with their immigration status.

I'd like you to help him

through your law firm.

I can make a call.

Thank you, Mr. Stone.

I appreciate your help.

Wait.

All this, and you aren't gonna

ask for anything for yourself?

You can wish me luck

at my Juilliard audition.

You're not gonna coax me

into making

a phone call on your behalf?

If I get in, I want to believe

it's because I deserve it.

Lynn.

If music doesn't work out

and you ever want a job...

-call me.

-(chuckles softly)

("Put It Down" by TOKiMONSTA,

Anderson .Paak & KRANE playing)

Look how the people

gather round

When you finally came up

Boy, you came up

Put it down for 'em

Ooh

Boy, you came up,

boy, you came up

Put it down for 'em



Uh

Put it down for 'em

Yeah

Uh

-Put it down

-Shut it

Look how the people

gather round

When you finally came up

Boy, you came up

Put it down for 'em

You make the city

so proud of you, boy

You came up,

boy, you came up

Put it down for 'em

Uh, came a long way

from underpaid, uh

Took the long way

to make 'em wait, uh

Could be summer

in a hurricane, 'ey

Flipping work

till she please

Oh, they can't wait to say

I changed on 'em now

Gold chains on 'em now

Whole team smoking loud now

Oh, I can't wait to put

the blinds on the side

Both hands on the wheel now

Working like

we're still broke

Oh, from the sign to a dream

From the dream

to the real life

Oh, what's your worth?

Why you here?

When it's time to be young,

will you put it down?

I put it down for 'em

Ooh

Boy, you came up,

boy, you came up

Put it down for 'em

Ooh

Boy, you came up,

boy, you came up

Put it down for 'em

Uh

Put it down for 'em

Yeah

Uh

-Put it down for 'em

-Shut it

Look how the people

gather round

When you finally came up

Boy, you came up

Put it down for 'em

You make the city

so proud of you, boy

You came up,

boy, you came up

Put it down for 'em

Oh, from the sign to a dream

From the dream

to the real life

Oh, what's your worth?

Why you here?

When it's time to be young,

will you put it down for?

(song ends)

(music fades)