01x05 - The Struggle for Rights

[bunniefuu]

This is truer than principles
Discovered by geniuses like XY

You are so captivating
That I can't take my eyes off you

We are merely beings who are just living

But we are beings unlike any other

You make me wonder

Actors caught in a drama
Unaware of the ending

Our "relationship chart" is still blank
And it bothers me

We only want to share laughter
Yet somehow end up hurting each other

It wasn't supposed to be like this

I wonder what principles or clues
Apply to our relationship

A stereo yearning to blend
Like left and right

Could it be love?
I don't know

Are we at odds?
I don't think so

It's a frustrating thing
And I can't even tell if it's real

Just how deep is our relationship?
Why can't it be measured?

I want to know you
I want you to know me

And what's the level of expectation
When we get to know each other?

I know nothing else but the long-sought
Love, and I want to seek it out

You make me wonder

Just beyond words

You make me wonder

EPISODE 5
THE STRUGGLE FOR RIGHTS

What's going on?

Let me go!

Phil! He just tore
straight through the bars.

Charlie! Are you all right?
Did they hurt you?

Hey, Charlie. Wanna go home?

Can we?

Def.

Hey! You ain't goin' anywhere.

Simmer down and get back in your cell,
Humanzee.

Or else…

I realized something.
While I was in that cage.

Not being able
to move around freely is really stressful.

You shouldn't put
animals in places like that.

Let's go home. I'm hungry.

Stop right there!

Pointing a g*n at honest citizens, huh?

White police oppression?
They're gonna eat you alive online.

Hey, isn't this looking bad?

We're gonna get bashed again.

Honest citizens don't help
people break out of jail.

That's enough, Lucy!

Lucy, just take it easy.

"People"? I thought Charlie was a thing.

How does a thing break out of jail?

We haven't stolen anything.

Your evidence has decided
to up and leave, that's all.

Mrs. Stein, are we breaking
any laws right now?

Well…

Nope, none at all. I hope.

Then we're all good. Let's go.

What do we do, Phil?

Stop.

If I sh**t a thing,
it just amounts to property damage.

Means a pay cut, at worst.

Phil, this isn't a good look…

Call for backup, Marco.

We need the state police…
No, the national guard. Get on it.

That won't be necessary.

Jesus. What a racket.

Sheriff Navarro.

Mrs. Stein. Mr. Stein.
You head on home, now.

Him too. I appreciate your cooperation.

What the hell is this?

It's final, is what it is. All right?

Exactly whose
"final" decision is this, Roy?

All right, everyone, back to work.

You gonna stand 'round
here gawking on the taxpayers' dime?

You hear that? You're free.

Yeah…

- Let's go.
- Uh-huh.

Come on, Phil.

Damn it.

That thing shouldn't be let loose.

It's a lethal weapon.

So, Charlie's been released
without charges?

Yes. Thanks to you.

Thank you
for your assistance in the matter.

That's one problem solved.

So, how's Charlie doing now?

He's messaging with a friend right now.

A friend?

Yup, he's made a friend.

A really sweet girl called Lucy.

And he likes going to school.

Really? That's good to hear.

And I don't think anyone believes

those stupid rumors
about him being linked to the t*rrorists.

Besides, the rest
of the ALA will be behind bars soon.

So everything's good here.

The ALA, huh?

We've had
to take a big step back thanks to them.

It's going
to be tough to run on animal rights

in the next midterm.
For the foreseeable future, in fact.

In a democracy, the image we present
to the people is everything.

Slogans about the environment
and climate justice

will be more palatable,
in terms of political strategy.

Tired of hearing this kind of thing?

Oh, no. That's not…

That incident ten years ago, and now this.

I can't always
keep cleaning up your messes.

And it's a big risk for me,
owing favors to law enforcement.

Of course.
We're so grateful for your help.

But, Ms. Linares, Charlie--

Charlie is not the important thing here.

Let's be clear, Mrs. Stein.

As you're well aware,
there's a huge distinction in our law.

A wall that separates
people from all other animals.

I went
into politics to tear that wall down.

To establish in this country

laws and rights that apply to all animals.

The existence of a Humanzee is
the key to our success.

But Charlie himself has
no more intrinsic value than anyone else.

Anyway, if there are any more issues,
keeping him there isn't going to be easy.

Don't forget that.

I'll keep that in mind,
Representative Linares.

I'm glad Charlie made a friend.

Charlie. Morning.

Morning, Lucy.

Can I talk to you for a sec?

What is it?

Come on, Charlie.

Don't lose your cool, okay?

You can't get violent
over stuff like this.

Wasn't planning to.

Anyway, we've got more important things
to worry about than this crap.

What things?

Your parents told me all about it.

How you have to fit in at school so
you can win your rights in court. Right?

Oh, that.

So I've come up with a plan.

Humanzee's Rights!

I call it Operation Get Along
in School to Win Humanzee Rights!

Operation?

Step one: make friends.

You've just gotta start with small talk.

It'll be a cinch.

CAFETERIA

- Hey, listen to this.
- What?

Michael just came and talked to me.

- For real?
- Think he likes you?

Hi. Sure is nice today. How's it going?

Anyone sitting here? Mind if we…

Hey…

On to the next group.

Hi, guys. What's up?

Hi.

Hi.

This isn't how…

Heath Ledger's acting's
so good, I really got into it.

Evil villains are freakin' cool
'cause they don't play by anybody's rules.

- I know, right?
- Exactly.

Hi, what movie you talking 'bout?
Mind if we join ya?

I know. You were talking
about the Joker in The Dark Knight, right?

What a coincidence, so were we.

- Wanna head out?
- Yeah, sure.

Hey, wait.
We can talk about Immortan Joe instead…

What's so funny?

This is definitely
why everyone's being like that. Look.

We're getting flamed online.
Most of this stuff's not even true.

Actually, don't look. It makes me sick.

I was sure those nerds would jump
at the chance to talk about the Joker…

What, this? Yup, it's all vegan.

That conversation I had
with your folks over dinner,

it kinda made me think.

I figured maybe I'd try my best
to live without animal products.

Mom says I'll get sick
or turn stupid or something.

In fact,
we just had another huge argument.

Lucy, what did you do?

I just got
a call from the sheriff's office.

You were with that family again?

I told you
not to go near that monkey-man--

Chimpanzee.

What was that?

Charlie's a cross
between a human and a chimpanzee.

Monkeys and chimps are different, Mom.

Chimpanzees are hominids,
and they don't have tails--

I don't give a damn about that!

Look, I'm sorry for yelling, Lucy.

I'm just so worried about you.

If you want friends,
there are plenty of other kids.

Why does it have to be that mon--

That family with all the issues?

Because I like Charlie and his family.

And I decide who I hang out with.

I'm a strong, independent woman,
just like you always talk about, Mom.

You should be happy.

Lucy! Fine, then.

You're transferring schools.
For your own sake.

Safety first, then independence.

You're still a minor who needs protection.

Do what you want.

But if you make me transfer, I'll become

a shut-in and stop going to school.
No college for me.

Hey…

Before you know it,
you'll be looking after a thirtysomething

antidepressant addict playing
video games in her childhood bedroom.

Congrats.

Lucy! Wait!

Anyway, don't worry about me.

As long as I'm getting A's,
we're all good.

You're the main thing right now.
What are we gonna do?

My mom told me
just to act normal at school.

Normal, huh? I'm not a fan of the word,

but I've gotta admit,
that's what people want from you.

All right, how about this?

We'll focus on the girls.

Why?

Missouri boys are all crazy about
asserting dominance and hate new guys.

But girls can give and take compliments.

They're easier to work with.

You think?

Look, just try and see it that way
for now. That's basically how it is.

Most importantly, though,
you need to talk more.

About what?

Anything.

Just say,
"Those earrings look great on you."

"Neat bag, where did you get it?"

Stuff like that. Piece of cake, right?

Okay.

All right, let's do this.

You know, I was thinking of baking a tart.

Great idea. What kind of tart?

- You ready, Charlie?
- Uh-huh.

Yeah, strawberries are on sale and--

Hi, Mia, hi, Kayla. What's up?

Hey, Lucy…

You need something?

Do you guys wanna team
up with us for the Lit assignment?

The four of us?

Sorry, but we're gonna…

Charlie wants to work
with you guys too. Right, Charlie?

Hey.

Hi, Charlie…

Kayla. Those ears look great on you.

Huh? My ears?

Don't mind him.
It's just a cultural difference.

I mean,
that difference is exactly why I think

we could totally smash
this report together.

Right, Charlie?

Why's he up there?

What are you doing?

Look. That chick had fallen
out of its nest.

Its parents noticed, but they couldn't get
close to it because we were here.

Well, you did a good deed.

Here, use this.

Neat handkerchief. Where did you get it?

It's no good.
No one wants to even get close to us.

I think it's actually getting worse.
Now I'm like some kind of helicopter mom.

Man, it's so obvious
the way they're freezing us out.

I guess it's not like I was actually
getting on that well at school either.

So, you don't have other friends?

Nah, not since starting high school.

I mean, girls are only interested
in who kissed who, who broke up with who,

it's all they ever talk about.

And if you're not into it,
they call you a l*sbian behind your back.

Not that there's
anything wrong with being a l*sbian.

But what I'm saying is,
they're just all so freakin' conservative.

And the guys are even worse.

I can't stand being sized up by dudes
who are only interested in one thing,

and I'm just as sick of the geeks
who only ever talk about games and anime.

Everybody sucks.

So, yep, being shunned as a nerdy loner
is probably the least terrible option.

That's why I'm basically a hermit already.

If you can't make friends at school,

does it mean
you can't adapt to human society?

Nah, I don't think so.

We're only all here because we live in the
same place and are around the same age.

So it's more like a miracle
if you do find someone who gets you.

I mean, this place is
basically a prison, you know?

So that means I don't
actually need any friends besides you.

I don't know much about the legal system,

but I doubt they take away
your human rights for not having friends.

Does it really make any difference?

You know what, you're right.

You should say that in court.

Okay, we're done. Operation terminated.

We can forget
about those jerks and their nasty gossip.

After all, we're having
a pretty good time just the two of us.

Just what was I thinking?

Lucy's sure having fun.

She's a misanthrope. Guess she
only likes hanging out with other species?

But I've never seen her laugh
like that before.

Hey, Kayla. You don't believe
Charlie's one of the t*rrorists, do you?

I mean, of course not.

But if we hang out with them,
everyone's gonna think we're weirdos too.

Maybe…

But, wouldn't that
actually be kind of cool?

Kinda, I guess…

Hi, Lucy. Charlie.

About that assignment…

Do you still wanna work on it together?

Sure.

Charlie, Charlie. What's your sign?

We can work out
how compatible you are with Lucy.

My sign?

You don't know your sign?

You're kidding, right?

I don't know mine either.

Seriously? You too?

Maybe you two are perfect for each other.

What the hell do you mean?

Quit yelling.

The investigation into Charlie is over.

Tell your guys. And no more surveillance
around the school, either.

Are you out of your mind?
The ALA's bosses are still out there.

Look, Philip…

I know you're on edge
because of what happened ten years ago.

But there isn't a shred
of evidence connecting Charlie to the ALA.

No evidence? If we wait until
after we find some, it'll be too late.

Come on now, Phil. It's not
just t*rrorists we have to deal with.

We've got parking tickets to hand out,

violent drunks to bring in,
plenty of fine work to be getting on with.

Not particularly exciting, maybe…

But at least peace has returned to Shrews.

No way.
You actually said that to your mom?

You gotta give as good as you get.

Tell me about it. Moms are all like that.

Mine too.

Really?

What's with the crowd?

- That's quite the crowd.
- What's he doing?

Oh, ew… Why's he doing this at school?

Let's go. We don't wanna see that.

Hey, isn't that…

I'm Gare. I'm a sympathizer.

Charlie?

Hey, what the hell's all this?

You think you can do
this on school grounds?

You're gonna put me off my lunch.

I have permission from the school.

Oh, yeah? Permission to gross people out?

- Hey.
- I'll get a teacher.

Hey, I'm talking to you.

If you don't wanna eat meat, that's fine.

But don't go pushing this crap on us.

I know, right?

It's not like we're force-feeding
vegans meat or something.

You trying
to make us feel bad with this stuff?

You f*ck' hypocrite.
Vegans eat plants, don't they?

What about those? Aren't they alive too?

It's not life that's the issue.
It's consciousness.

The ability to experience suffering.

Hanh?

Yeah? So, how about bugs, then?

What about shellfish?
Or jellyfish? Are they conscious?

Even science doesn't
really have the answers yet, right?

Who says plants don't have
some kind of consciousness too?

Deciding it's okay to eat plants

is just some arbitrary rule
invented by humans.

Yeah! Exactly. If you think discrimination
against other species is so wrong,

go to the savannah
and tell that to the lions.

"Excuse me, sir,
how about you lay off those zebras?"

He's got a point.

Sick of you morons.

What was that?

Do you really not get it?

A red light means stop.

You might be the one I'm searching for

Make this moment last forevermore

Starting my day just the same as always

Even when night ends
And then the dawn finds its way

Hey, that's why I rush back into the flow

Facing all these
Super crazy hectic days I know

Singing while it's stabbing my brain

Just like filling up the holes remained

I'll keep on breaking through
Without stopping

Even if insane

Are you sure?

I know it's boring, right?
I pray softly

Even if I live how I want, I'm lonely

Stacking fragile things
That will fade someday

Just same as you
I am also just lonely, fall away

Turn It Up!

There's no way I can stop now

Turn It Up!

Let it sway with a gentle sound

Turn It Up!

Every thought I have of you

Turn It Up!

Riding straight to happiness too