02x06 - #ToMyFutureSelf

[bunniefuu]

[upbeat rock playing]

[whistle blowing]

[music continues]

[whistle blowing]

Holy... Shay, you can fly!

Okay, Powers, bring it in.

[panting] Did I do okay?

Well, is "off the charts" okay?
[chuckles]

You're top five for
your age group, easy.

- Are you serious?
- [chuckles] Yeah.

I only have a couple of concerns.

Your high school team had
some issues this year

and you missed some games.

Uh, yeah.
Some juvenile prank-type stuff.

As captain, I helped resolve it.

Right. Well, there's also this.

Now, we need dedicated girls
who won't be distractions.

- It was a peaceful protest.
- It's fine, we can get past this.

[panting] Okay. Phew! I'll do anything.

All right, the camp has a
code of conduct. You sign it.

You write a letter about how you made
a mistake, and it won't happen again.

I can't see anything stopping you.

Okay?

[softly] Yeah.

[theme music playing]

♪ Whatever it takes I know
I can make it through ♪

♪ And if I hold out I know
I can make it through ♪

♪ Be the best, be the best
The best that I can be ♪

♪ Whatever it takes ♪

♪ I know I can make it I
know I can make it through ♪

[Tristan on monitor]
After this week's protest,

the administration is listening.

[Goldi] To start the discussion,

we invite students to join the committee
to reassess the zero-tolerance policy,

which will be led by Lola Pacini.

Nice! I didn't think Simpson
would come through.

- Sweet!
- Quit moving.

I'm trying to get your weird ear.

[chuckles] Sorry.

Uh, hey.

Jonah told you he can't
make it to the gig, right?

Our guitarist is bailing day of?

His little girlfriend's kind of
freaking out.

Well, can't he just bring her?
It's always nice to have fans!

She won't leave her house.

- Ugh.
- Sit still.

I'm trying to do your eyebrows,

and it looks like you're half-surprised,
half-confused.

Okay, well, fine.

I guess we'll just have
to get together at lunch

and figure out new
arrangements for the songs.

Does it have to be at lunch?

- Don't tell me you're being sketchy, too.
- No, it's just...

I promised I'd eat with Zig.

- Since when are you two hanging out?
- I don't know.

Since, like, recently?
He'd be cool if you joined us.

[sighs] Well, gee, thanks for inviting
me to lunch with my ex-boyfriend.

Chill, this isn't helping me
get your eyebrows right.

[scoffs]

You really want me to bail on him?

Never mind.

I have something I have to do, anyway.

Handouts are on my desk,
pick your partners, then grab one.

Go!

Uh, so, what do you say? Partners?

Sorry, Tristan and I
have a lot to catch up on.

Oh, sorry, Zo, I'd love to, but this
little rascal already cuffed me.

Any excuse to have him to myself.

- [chuckles] Isn't he the cutest?
- Handsomest. I'm handsome.

- Looks like I'm all yours! [laughs]
- I'll get the handouts.

Shouldn't you want
to work with your boyfriend?

I do.

- It just... feels weird.
- "Weird."

Like, claustrophobic?

Closets can get pretty tight.

Miles was dating girls,
and now he's dating you.

- It can be fluid.
- Miles is firmly on boys now.

So am I. You'll see.

[snickers]

[chuckles nervously]

- What's another word for "embarrassed"?
- Mortified?

Uh, can you use that red-face emoji?

What? That's how we communicate.

Oh...

This isn't for English.
Why are you apologizing for our protest?

So I can get into that
summer sports camp.

They saw our picture in the paper,

and now they're worried
I'm an angry black girl.

You were angry!

But we were right.

- You can't go back on that.
- I'm not!

It's just a letter.

I mean, this is my chance to train
with national-level athletes.

But you have to lie to get it?

Our volleyball season's been a bust,
and now I'm getting a second chance.

I mean, Olympic-level
scouts will be there!

Tell her she can't do this!

I don't know. Opportunities like this
don't come around every day.

So you think she should
write the letter, too?

She doesn't have to mean it.

She can write it, apologize,
go to the camp,

and no one will ever know.

Wrong, my love.

Shay will know.

I don't understand.
This is just my song.

- Yeah, but with Zig on guitar.
- Are you serious right now?

[sighs] Okay, before you get upset,
he's been practicing a lot,

and, more importantly, he's available.

[sighs] Yeah, well, call him off,
because I found another solution.

Peter.

- Like, your boss?
- Well, co-worker, technically.

But, yeah, we had lunch,
and he's in for the show.

- You guys had lunch?
- We're buds.

That old guy just wants to be buds?

Come on, why else would a -year-old
want to hang out with a -year-old?

Are you saying I'm not interesting
enough to be friends with?

I'm saying he's trying to bone you.

Subtle. But, you know what?
You're wrong, and I can prove it.

You're playing right into his hand.

He has no hand, Grace.
Well, actually, he has two.

And he's gonna use them to play guitar,
and you're gonna love him.

[chuckles] Did you know
Imperial Japan started

when a bunch of samurai
stormed a palace?

That's so cool!

Um, maybe you could wear this.

Do you know how to sew?

I'm pretty good with duct tape.

Should we rent the costumes or...

Well, this project's only
worth % of our grade.

I was thinking we'd do a PowerPoint.

Every % counts.
How do you feel about musical numbers?

Well, if I say, "Amazing,"

do you think maybe we
could take a break?

Is everything okay?

It seems like you're
trying to escape from me.

No, it's just...

Tristan doesn't think
we're a good match.

So?

So I want to focus on this presentation
and really rock it and prove him wrong.

Is that okay?

Uh, yeah.

[chuckles nervously]
Yeah, I'll call the costume place.

♪ When you're next to me ♪

♪ Tell me things I wanna hear ♪

♪ You're so sweet
But I don't know you yet ♪

♪ When I feel this way ♪

♪ I wonder what should I believe ♪

♪ It's so sweet
But I don't know you yet ♪

♪ You got me spinning
And I wanna get off ♪

♪ My head is swimming
And I wanna get off ♪

♪ My world is spinning
And I wanna get off ♪

♪ My heart is reeling
And I wanna get off, get off ♪

♪ I wanna get off, get off ♪

♪ I wanna get off, get off ♪

[cheering]

Thank you!

I saw you cr*ck a smile.

Yeah, because of all the sex faces
he made during the show.

Come on, he's a guitarist!

Guys, that was k*ller!
You wanna hang out, chill for a bit?

- Yeah!
- Uh, I have to be home in minutes.

Well, maybe we could all hang
out tomorrow night, then?

Can't, my friends are throwing me
a birthday thing at the studio.

Your th?

[laughs sarcastically] Twenty-fourth.
I do enjoy shuffleboard, though.

Please?

My mom finally lets me come
play these gigs alone now.

Shouldn't we capitalize on that?

[sighs] Fine.

- [Maya exclaims]
- Cool!

- I'll grab some Cokes.
- Cool.

You're gonna love him, seriously.
And then we can all be best friends.

[Zig] Hey, did I miss it?

What are you doing here?

You said it's nice to have fans.

[Zig] Yeah, sorry I'm late.

Um, I thought we could all hang?

Well, I don't think
that's a very good idea.

Maya, I'm trying here, okay?
Why are you being like this?

- [scoffs]
- [Peter] Everything cool?

- Of course. Maya's boss.
- Well, co-worker, technically.

I should have guessed.

So, when you said, "Anything's possible,"
you never meant anything between us.

You meant between you
and Mr. Man-scruff over here.

Okay, I'm gonna go.

No, Peter, stay. Zig, you go.

I just...

Why can't we be friends?

Because I don't wanna
be friends with you.

All I think about when I look at you
is Zoë's hands all over your body

while we were still together.

Maya, chill.

Why should I be the one to chill
when he's the one who messed up?

Okay, why do I have to be
the one to put on a smile,

pretend like everything's okay,
and "just be friends" already?

That is so not fair!

[scoffs]

[bell ringing]

"Enrich the country.
Strengthen the armed forces."

This was the slogan of Imperial Japan.

It all began on a fateful day
in January, .

[Winston] Samurai from Chōshū
joined my army of samurai from Satsuma,

forming an alliance.

In the dark of night,
when the enemy was least...

Isn't this, like,
crazy racially insensitive?

What? Uh, no, these are all just facts.
[chuckles]

And fact is, you probably
shouldn't be dressed as a geisha.

This is a project on Japan.

- You're not Japanese...
- Neither are you, so what's your problem?

[scoffs] Back me up.

I don't know, Zo.

Just after all the stuff
that came out of the protest,

maybe we do need to be more thoughtful.

This is absurd. Can we continue?

It would probably be best
if you both went and changed.

[Zig] October th
text from Maya Matlin.

"Admit it, even you
find Mr. Mitchell hot."

[all laughing]

November th,

"Can I be a feminist and
love Khloe Kardashian?

- Because I love Khloe Kardashian."
- [all laugh]

Come on, Maya...

Okay, ha-ha, show's over!

[girl] Uh-oh!

What are you doing?
Why are you being such a jerk?

Takes one to know one.

[scoffs]

If you apologize for last night,
I'm sure he'll get over it.

Hold up. If I apologize?

- You kind of embarrassed him.
- He embarrassed me!

- Why are you taking his side?
- I'm not taking any sides.

He came out and made an effort,
and you kind of just...

I can't just stop being his friend.

Well, you could try.

We're all here at this school
for a whole 'nother year together.

Can't you just try to get over it
so we can all be friends again?

[sighs] Let me make this easy for you.

You can take Zig.

I've got Peter.

I'll put peroxide in her
conditioner in gym class.

- Zoë...
- [sighs] You're right.

Esme would probably
look good as a blonde.

Then, I'll sic moths in all her
prissy little sweater sets!

- Zoë...
- I want to destroy her!

[stammers] Okay, I didn't...

I shouldn't have done that.
I know that now.

But I just don't think it was personal.

Yes, it was.

Esme hates me ever since you gave me
the MC part at the gala instead of her.

That may very well be true,
but also she may have had a point.

Are you saying our presentation
was racially insensitive?

- I'm not saying those exact words.
- Then which exact words are you saying?

Look, you're my girlfriend, and I
support you in everything you do...

Winston.

Yes, it was... it was inappropriate.

You knew? Why didn't you tell me?

I really like you.

And I didn't want to give you
any excuse to dump me.

Honestly, I think it's crazy that
you're even going out with me.

What are you talking about?

Sometimes it feels
like you may not be...

into this.

Like, right now.

That's just because...

[stammers]

I'm trying to figure out
what to do about Esme.

She keeps trying to make
me into the villain.

So don't do villain stuff.

That's the old Zoë. The scary Zoë.

You're better than that.

You're sweet.

You... think I'm sweet?

I think you can be.

Listen, let's redo the project.
Starting with a real apology.

We can still destroy Esme...

but with kindness.

[chuckles softly]

[chuckles] Thanks for coming
to our first zero-tolerance policy

review committee meeting!

We'll get started shortly.

Please enjoy the piononos,
they're from my family's restaurant.

Hey, um, I have some bad news.

Oh, no, are you allergic to nuts?

- Next time, I'll bring alfajores.
- It's not about the sweets.

Look, I can't stay.

- I gave them the letter, and...
- Now you can't join the committee?

But this makes, like, zero sense.

What if it turns into another protest,
or we end up in the paper again?

They don't want me to be a distraction.
They'll kick me out.

Then they don't deserve you.

Playing in the Olympics is my dream.
This camp is on that path.

We did something special. Together.
Don't you get that?

Hey, look who's here!

Cool! You're so brave for
standing up to the police.

Well, I'm...
I was just standing up for my friend.

You would have done the same.

I saw the picture and I thought,

"If she's willing to
get arrested for this,

then I have to do something."

Oh, me, too. That was so fierce.

This morning, I even stood up to Perino

and demanded he stop
using the term "manpower."

- So sexist.
- Because of me?

And you know what? It worked.

See?

Lo, I just want to play volleyball.

Look, I know this is my first time
doing something politics-y,

but even I know that sometimes,
people need to make sacrifices.

Why does it have to be me?

[cell phone chimes]

[indistinct chatter]

We're not interested in
whatever you're selling, kiddo.

I work here.

- Maya, hey.
- Hey.

Oh, thanks. Cool, you came.

[laughs]

You've met Chrissy.

Uh, yeah.

[Peter] Thought you'd be hanging out
with your school buds tonight.

Well, you know, high school friends,
they're kind of temporary, right?

Really? I still hang out with all mine.

Dudes, Maya.

Maya, dudes.

Wait, where are you going?

Be back in a sec.
I'm just gonna go put this down.

[sighs]

So, we getting turnt tonight, or what?

- [Spinner] Turnt?
- I think it means to "party hard."

Ah, I remember that.

- Mmm.
- Sadly, no.

I have to be up early in the morning,
I have a bidding w*r.

Oh, cool, like... like an auction?

No, my wife and I are,
uh, buying a house.

Or at least we're trying to.

Everything's going for to
over asking, so...

Well, if you need to borrow cash,
my mom lent me some cab money.

[chuckles]

Fifty to a hundred thousand.

[Sav] This is why I've been saying, you
just need to get a junker and gut it.

[Spinner chuckles] Yeah, okay,
and then do the whole thing myself?

[Sav] I will help you.

[Spinner] You think I'm letting those
spindly arms near my home?

[Sav] I'll fight you, right now.

I... gotta make a phone call.

Kids.

[Shay sighs]

How many more laps are you gonna do?

Should we consider
getting a track installed?

I'm just nervous about
the coach coming over.

Well, you already got
into the camp, honey.

It's not like it's another tryout.

He likes you!

- You're not ready to go?
- I know I belong there, it's just...

[Mrs. Powers] Still not sure
about signing the letter?

I keep hearing Lola's voice in my head,
telling me I'll regret it.

- [sighs]
- [doorbell rings]

Hey, come here.

I will be proud of you,
no matter what you do.

You just have to make sure
you're proud of yourself.

Hang on.

[Mrs. Powers] Hi, Coach. Come on in.
[Coach] Hi.

Hi, Shay.

[stammers] Um, listen, I'm sorry to
be a nuisance around dinnertime,

but, Shay, if I could just
get your John Hancock...

- Mind if I read it over, first?
- Yeah, absolutely.

[Shay sighs]

[Shay] "To whom it may concern,

I want to assure you that my
actions at a recent protest

were impulsive mistakes which I regret.

I assure you that it won't happen again.

I would appreciate
the opportunity to prove

that I have learned from my mistakes.

This lack of judgment is one that
I take as a learning experience.

I recognize my failure and promise,
if chosen as a candidate,

I will think before I act and always
act with integrity and respect.

Sincerely yours, Shay Powers."

[sighs]

[door opening]

[Chrissy] Just give me two minutes, okay?
I'm not gonna be some weird ex, I promise.

[Peter] Fine, what is it?

Are you ever gonna come see Arfur?

He misses you.

[Peter] This is why you're being weird?
Your Maltipoo?

[Chrissy] Well, after the break-up,
you said we'd still be friends.

Well, you're at my birthday, aren't you?

Yeah, but so is some teenaged blonde!

[Peter scoffs] That's
what this is about.

We're broken up, I can hang out
with whoever I want!

[Chrissy] What, so you are
trying to sleep with her?

What? I didn't even invite her!

Honestly, she just showed up!
It's kind of weird.

[cell phone chimes]

[automated voice] I'm sorry,
I don't understand what you're saying.

[Peter] Aw, crap, Maya...

- Okay, let me help you.
- No!

- You're missing a shoe.
- Keep it. Happy birthday.

See you at work next week, co-worker.

So, after the w*r and, basically,
the end of Imperial Japan,

Emperor Hirohito prepared an
apology to the Americans,

but they refused to accept it.

The idea of apology is
important to Japanese culture.

And after doing this project, I get it.

I was wrong for insensitively portraying
someone of Japanese descent.

I sincerely apologize and,
unlike the Americans,

I hope you accept. Thank you.

[students clapping]

[bell rings]

[Tristan] Okay, you win.

If Winston can make you nice,
you must really like him.

[chuckles]

[Esme] Told you the costume was wrong.

That's what you took from all that?

"Yada, yada, yada,
Japan something something."

"I'm a monster." Yeah.

[sighs] Actually...

- I have a question for you.
- Proceed.

How come everyone jumped down
Zoë's throat for playing a geisha,

but no one cared that I
was playing Japanese?

What, is it 'cause I'm Asian,
and there's only one kind of Asian?

Because I'm sure you know Korean
and Japanese aren't the same.

My bad.

[sighs]

No one's ever stood up for me like that.

[chuckles] I don't like seeing
people treat you badly.

It gives me a weird
feeling in my stomach.

But I know I probably like
you more than you like me,

so if you want out,
this is me giving you an out.

Do I have spinach in my teeth again?

- I don't want it.
- Want what?

Your out.

[chuckles]

We make a good team.

[both chuckle]

[sighs]

- [both] I'm sorry.
- [Maya laughs]

- No, I'm sorry.
- I know I can't make you choose.

I shouldn't have tried to force
you to be friends with Zig.

It's just really confusing right now.

I know.

That's why I've decided that he
gets me Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday.

And you get me Monday,
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday.

Wait, why do I get four,
and he only gets three?

- He is the cheater, after all.
- [chuckles] So we're friends again?

- Yeah, dummy.
- Good, because I'm coming in for a hug.

- No. No, stop it.
- It's happening.

Grace, if you let me hug you,

I will tell you the totally awful,
embarrassing story

of what happened to me
at Peter's party last night.

Okay, how embarrassing are we talking?

Well... [sighs]
I left with only one shoe.

[laughs] All right,
I gotta hear the rest of this.

- [both laughing]
- [Grace] Bring it in.

[panting]

You gonna offer me some of that,
or are you just gonna...

you just gonna taunt me with it?

Probably just taunt you. [chuckles]

I came to grab Lola.
Isn't practice over?

Yeah, for everyone else.

Oh, but not for elite members of the
Medallion Sports Training Camp?

[panting] Actually...
I turned them down.

- Really?
- I can't apologize for what we did...

what I believe in, and I can't
give up the option to fight again.

Wow, I couldn't do that.
So why the extra practice?

You were right, opportunities
are hard to come by,

so I got Armstrong to give me
an enhanced training schedule,

and I'll just have to find another
way on to the national team.

Here, you've earned this.

[exhales]

[Lola] Hey, baby,
ready to get out of here?

You were working on a speech thing
for our next committee meeting, right?

Of course.
I'm thinking on it right now.

[Lola] I'm so glad
you did the right thing.

Hmm?