Rise (2018) s01e08 Episode Script

1 Previously on "Rise" So, the next step will be a meeting, just you and your mom.
You're gonna be moving back home, Maashous.
Honey, your school should not be doing this material.
We'd like you to step away from this.
Why were you just staring at me like that? You calm me down.
Why was that jerk just trying to give you all that money? Oh, my God.
Are you pregnant? My mom lost her job, and until she gets another one I have to work extra shifts.
We're not gonna recast.
We'll make it work.
In this family we still have rules - and discipline! - Where was that disciplin when you screwed Vanessa Suarez? You broke us.
Just tell me how you want me to say it.
I can't tell you how to say it.
You have to feel it.
Do not walk off this stage! Man, I lost everything for this stupid play! The Stanton's loss put them behind Faraday, Valley City Prep, and Brookings in the standings.
I know that's right, and now they've got to fight tooth and nail for a playoff spot when it should've been in the bag.
- Yeah, we can't disagree.
- Well, if you ask me, Coach Strickland has mismanaged the entire thing.
The guy just doesn't seem to know which way's up.
- Hold on a second.
- No, but I'll tell you, the true villain here is the theater teacher, the one who cast Robbie Thorne in the play.
- That Lou Mazzuchelli.
- Mazzuchelli, yeah.
The way I see it, the whole thing comes down to a war between Coach Strickland - and this wannabe theater hack.
- Wow.
That was some pretty harsh words there, Frank, and I guess we will see what happens in the next few days.
Thanks for the commentary.
Next caller, you're up.
BOTH: Hey.
So, have you heard from Robbie? No.
I haven't heard anything from Robbie.
Well, let's just hope that he shows up to rehearsals.
[computer dings.]
Well, the good news is tickets sales have spiked.
I told you poster would help.
This has nothing to do with the poster.
May I? [keyboard clacking.]
Check this out.
It's the bitch of living It's the bitch of living Living in your head Living in your head Who did this? I don't know, but it's definitely an inside job.
Is this it? This can't be it Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah Oh, this could offend people.
We should take it down.
We should.
- Blah, blah, blah, blah - [computer dings.]
We do need to sell tickets, though.
True.
I suppose we could just agree that we never saw this.
- [computer dings.]
- Saw what? [guitar strumming.]
Um.
Hey.
Are you okay? I just noticed you weren't at rehearsal last night.
You should ask your mom.
What? Just saying if you want to know what's upsetting me you should ask your mom.
What are you that's over.
- That's been over.
- Mm-hmm.
Talk to your mom.
Robbie.
Good to have you back.
May I speak to everyone for a minute? Of course.
I just want to apologize for walking out of rehearsal on Friday.
It's not how I was raised or how I want people to think of me.
I'm not an actor like you guys.
I don't have your instincts or your talent.
- Robbie.
- Just But I'm gonna do the best I can.
Anyway, um That's it.
Thanks.
Okay.
Let's pick it up from, uh, scene four.
- That kid has lost his mojo.
- No doubt.
- Mixed up in the head.
- Yup.
Well, he's your star.
You gotta fix this.
I know.
It's the bitch of living It's the bitch of living - And living in your head - Wow.
I know.
Sadie is definitely not seeing this show.
It's misleading.
You're taking it down, right? - Lou? - We practically sold out the opening night in less than 24 hours.
- You have to take it down.
- I will.
Eventually.
- Morning, Maashous.
- Morning.
No, seriously.
Uh, I was wondering if you'd be able to drive me to Eagleton on Thursday.
Um, yeah, sure.
What's in Eagleton? My mom.
She's, uh, out of prison, and anyway I'm supposed to go meet her.
And it's just there's no bus line that goes there.
- Of course.
- Yeah, that's great.
You'll get to see your mom.
Yeah, it is.
Sasha, it isn't clear from what you've written in your intake papers what your plan is whether to terminate or carry the fetus to term? She isn't sure yet.
I'm her friend.
Not the dad.
So normally at nine weeks we do a sonogram.
Take a look at the fetus.
Check for markers.
The heartbeat.
Get a picture of the general health of the fetus.
Did you want to do that? Um - Sure? - Okay.
Lay back for me.
This might feel a little cold.
[soft piano music.]
There's the fetus.
Wow.
[inhales deeply.]
[soft piano continues.]
Robbie.
I need you to come with me.
I got a game Friday, Lou.
What do you want? Well, after everything that's happened I just figured we could air some things out.
I told Robbie to call your bluff, that you wouldn't continue to bench him even if he refused to quit the show.
I was wrong.
That was bad advice, and I apologize.
Now, according to the radio, I am responsible for ruining your entire season, which is obviously an exaggeration.
Are we coming to a point here? The point is what is more important than my show or your team is this young man.
I want you to consider letting him start this Friday.
So you're like a drama teacher - and a football coach.
- Sam.
Look, I got a depth chart out.
I made my decision.
He's your best quarterback.
He's your best athlete.
We both know that.
Unfortunately, since he started doing your play, I haven't had time with him to get him ready both mentally and physically for what he ought to be doing on that field.
And I am giving you that time.
I am excusing Robbie from all rehearsals this week so he can focus entirely on Friday's game.
- Are you re-casting me? - No.
I am giving you time to focus on the game.
You're going to get through Friday.
You got a bye week next week.
Next week will be about the show.
Hey, then everybody wins.
This young man loves football.
He has a gift for it.
Don't let what I've done get in the way of that.
[soft music.]
He's all yours this week.
Ball's in your court, Sam.
[door slams shut.]
Prove it to me.
Yes, sir.
You got 48 hours.
Prove it to me.
[school bell rings.]
I feel like it is.
I walk in there and I'm like, "Oh.
Hi.
" - "Thank you for all the" - There goes all of my money.
- [chuckles.]
- Yeah.
I'm here to keep you honest.
- Oh, no.
- Hey, Gwen.
[laughing.]
Honest? - Hey.
- Uh, Jolene, right? Yeah, good memory.
- I'll meet you in the library.
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
- How's it going? - Good, you? Good.
The other night was, uh Yeah.
Yeah, it was.
We should do it again sometime.
I don't know.
Calendar's kind of tight.
Oh.
[chuckles.]
I don't have anything on my calendar.
Actually don't even have a calendar.
Anyway, uh, I'll meet you anywhere.
Anytime.
Okay.
[school bell rings.]
- I I should - Yeah.
- Yeah.
Okay.
- Oh, you're gonna Be wounded Oh, you're gonna be my wound Oh - You're gonna - Okay, okay.
Uh, hold on.
What is happening? Why aren't you guys digging into this? Where's the physicality? We decided we want to do a more subtle version of the scene.
It's it's what I'm comfortable with.
Look, I don't mind subtle, but we can't water it down.
Look, we got full houses now.
I mean, this is our chance to show people what's really possible.
We cannot be afraid of the material.
Okay? This is an erotic scene.
It's about lust and repressed sexuality.
We want them to feel it in the back row.
I need to know who made that video right now.
- What video? - I will shut this entire damn thing down if that's what you want.
Who is responsible? It was me.
I'm sorry.
- That comes down now.
- Okay.
Now! [door opens, closes.]
[tense music.]
Let's take five.
I've tried hitting myself to see how it really feels inside.
- This is some twisted stuff.
- [both chuckle.]
Thanks for running lines with me.
Mr.
Mazzu gave Robbie the entire week off, and I really need to run the scene.
Anything you need, baby.
I'm here for you.
You are gonna get your own star on Hollywood Boulevard.
- [laughs.]
- Yes, you are.
So, Mom someone said something at school today.
I said it wasn't true, but I just wanted to make sure.
Mm-hmm.
About what? You and Coach Strickland.
Who said that? Gwen.
I told her it wasn't true because you told me it was over.
It's over right? Honey, it's not really public right now, but Coach Strickland Sam and I have been seeing each other.
It's it's not what it sounds like.
- Oh, it's not? - The motel I'm working at, he's he's staying there.
So you're having an affair at work? No, his marriage to that woman - Gwen's mother.
- Broke up.
His divorce isn't official, and it's new, so it's not like we're going public with it yet, but I care about Sam.
And he cares about me.
It's not some sordid affair.
Mom, you're meeting him at a crappy motel that you work at to have sex with him.
That's literally a sordid affair.
Sweetie, you have to trust me.
- Oh.
- You're still a kid and I'm not.
I know what I'm doing.
And you need trust me.
This is a good thing.
- Okay? - Okay.
You're the adult.
I can't even Honey.
[sobbing.]
I'm so sorry.
I was doing it for you.
You told us to be ambassadors for the show, and I just wanted to help.
I was trying to be an ambassador.
Lexi, it's okay.
It's okay.
[knocking at door.]
You're a good ambassador.
[crying softly.]
Uh, Lexi, I I need to talk to someone.
Don't worry about this, okay? You were just trying to help.
Robert Saunders.
Simon's Dad.
Yes, of course.
Come in.
- Is she okay? - Oh, yeah.
It's the drama department.
Please.
Saw that video.
We took that down.
It's been re-posted.
There is no taking it down.
Mr.
Mazzuchelli, maybe you think you're making art, being provocative.
But you're hurting these kids.
You're hurting my son.
That video is misleading.
It does not represent the show.
I see you're selling tickets hand over fist.
Seems like that video's doing exactly what you want it to.
I just wanted to let you know I'm gonna do everything in my power to stop you.
Good day, Mr.
Mazzuchelli.
[soft instrumental music.]
My feet are falling off.
[dogs bark in distance.]
[TV playing.]
We're home.
- Hi, Mr.
Foley.
- Is that Margaret? - Long time.
- I told you a hundred times.
- It's Michael now, Dad.
- It's fine.
- Hi, Mr.
Foley.
- We'll be in my room.
- I missed being here.
- Home sweet home.
Will you be the godparent? [exhales slowly.]
Sash.
I don't want to tell you what to do at all.
At all.
But you have school.
And like you're this amazing actress and songwriter and just this artist.
I admire you so much.
How is it going to work? I mean it's amazing.
But don't let a picture cloud your decision-making.
Michael.
You have these great parents.
This great family.
This beautiful house.
When you told your sister you were trans, how did she react? - She was cool about it.
- Let me guess.
She drove 200 miles from Kenyon College that very night, brought you a tub of ice cream.
You stayed up all night listening to lame Sam Smith songs and weeping in each other's arms.
And your parents your parents were like, "Michael, we love the name Michael.
"We love you no matter what your name is, what your gender is.
You are our perfect angel.
" - Tell me I didn't nail it.
- Pretty much word-for-word.
Me? [scoffs.]
Look at me.
Look at my dad.
I know Travis is a major jerk I never should've gotten involved with.
[voice breaking.]
But maybe things happen for a reason.
Maybe this is my chance to build a family of my own.
Have something that matters.
I don't know what's right or wrong.
I know it won't be easy.
All I know is how I feel.
It's not just a picture.
[sniffles.]
It's mine.
[soft music.]
[softly.]
Yeah.
Mazzu.
Hey.
There's a rumor going around that you gave Robbie Thorne a week off from rehearsal and [chuckles.]
I know that's definitely not possible, because that would be insanity.
- I gave him the week off.
- What? There are only nine days before opening night.
And and that doesn't even include the day we lose the theater because of parent night.
That gives us, what, three days to work with this kid? You're the one who told me he lost his mojo - and I needed to do something.
- Yeah, I was thinking more on the lines of of some improv or maybe some breathing exercise not a vacation! He needs to get back on the field.
- Did you hear what I said? - I did.
- We go up in nine days.
- I know.
- Nine.
- Tracey.
- Nine! - I okay.
This is not Okay.
Nine! [whistle blares.]
Team huddle! Jamal.
What? You tired? Hey.
It's called a square in, not a round in.
- Sharpen up that break.
- A'ight.
Bump, Derek, great blitz pickup.
This whole thing doesn't happen without your pass protection, all right? This Friday night, boys, is us.
We got this.
Let's do this, all right? Out Bullet 16 Hot Delay on three.
- Ready? Break! - ALL: Break! [mellow pop music.]
Ready, set! Hot 16.
Hit it! - [whistle blares.]
- Beautiful, beautiful! That's pretty damn good, gentlemen.
Starting to look like a football team again.
You're gonna be out here tomorrow 6:00 a.
m.
- You understand? - ALL: Yes, coach! All right, good work.
Go home.
[applause.]
Hey, Nancy.
Is, uh, something wrong? Honestly, as president of the PTA, I should tell you that we're very concerned about your production.
And I should tell you that there's a petition going around to shut you down.
Look, that video was completely unauthorized - and misleading.
- Well, maybe so, but now everyone's read the play.
Masturbations, onstage sexual acts, S&M, sexual abuse.
People bring their kids to these plays.
- Nancy, please.
- The PTA's unified.
We're not gonna let that show go up.
Not if we can help it.
I mean, honestly, what were you thinking? Hey, man, you gonna be done anytime soon? I can't leave until I wash your jersey.
Man, Coach still has you out here doing this crap? What the hell did you do to get this job? Uh Basically, I got caught with two pints of blackberry brandy in my locker.
[laughs.]
Well, you're here.
Can you run a slant? Really? I keep throwing at the trashcans but they don't throw back.
- Come on.
- Yeah.
We'll get home earlier this way.
[emotional music.]
Hit it.
Oh, wow.
I love that.
It's for the Graveyard scene.
Going for moody, not creepy.
If you like this general direction, I'll keep tweaking.
Oh, it's looking so good.
[chuckles.]
So when was the last time you saw your mom? You know, I visited her once or twice when she was away.
Last time I lived with her I was eight.
You must be real excited to see her again, huh? Yeah.
Yeah, I'm really excited.
Great.
Thanks.
For asking about it.
And just for everything.
Being in your home it's not just some foster home.
Well, you're not just some foster kid.
[soft music.]
Good job, honey.
You're missing one word, though.
Look at number six.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
- How could you do this? - What? You signed this lame petition.
- Hold on, Simon.
I don't - The stupid PTA is trying to shut down our show, and you signed it.
I am the only person in the troupe whose parents signed this.
How am I supposed to face everybody? No, let me see this.
Honey, this is a mistake.
Do you understand me? It is a mistake.
And and I will take care of it.
- [knocking at door.]
- Yeah? [gym sounds in background.]
What are you doing here? Sam.
- I left messages.
- Yeah, I know.
I I'm sorry, I just I got a big game this week.
I don't think it's a good idea you being here.
Yeah, I know, I I had to.
Lilette knows about us.
So does Gwen.
They both do.
- How do th Did you tell her? - Tell Lilette? No, of course not.
It sounded like Gwen might've seen us at the motel.
[exhales.]
Oh, damn it.
Sam maybe this is for the best.
Vanessa.
I just moved out of my I just moved out of my house a week ago.
I'm trying to keep my family together.
I can't lose my daughter.
[soft pop music.]
- I think that we have to, um - Yeah.
End it.
I get it.
Your family.
Hey.
Come on, hey, it's both of our families.
I know what I want, Sam, and I know what we could be.
So do not make it sound like we both decided this.
Here I could sit for days Here in ecstatic praise Here let me count the ways I missed the chance to sing Everything I'm looking for We'll wait for you.
Thank you, ma'am.
But everything I'm looking for is Everything I'm looking for Is here I been looking for it everywhere But everything I'm looking for is you It's just a meeting.
It's not just a meeting.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh She wants him back.
Here is all I long for Look.
Look at her.
Here is what I know Here I'd love to show you Hit! Why don't you come on over Trying to burn out the damn stadium lights? If that's what it takes, sir.
I'm gonna start you tomorrow.
I won't let you down, sir.
No, don't tell me.
Show me.
- Hey, Gordo.
- Yes, sir.
- Nice work.
- Yes, sir.
- Let's go.
You got noticed.
- Yep.
Some places that no one's ever been Hit it! Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh - Whoo! - That's what I'm talkin' about, baby.
So, uh It's over.
Between me and Coach.
Okay.
I know how the whole thing may have looked, but he wasn't just some guy.
We connected.
Uh-huh.
How about we drive into Pittsburgh? Hm? Go to that, uh, great Chinese restaurant we found.
- Catch a movie.
Girl's night.
- Can't.
Sure you can.
You're gonna ace those tests.
You always do.
Come on, baby.
I need my girlfriend tonight.
You have been lying to me about this this entire time.
This is what you do.
You cry and then I take care of you, - and we go on like it's normal.
- Hey, hon.
It's not normal! It is not my job to make you feel better.
- Don't take that tone.
- It is not my job to take care of you.
I'm not your girlfriend.
Oh, yeah, so it's all one-sided.
It's all poor little Lilette having to take care of a screwed-up mom.
- That's not fair.
- Do you have any idea how much I've sacrificed for you.
How much I have given up for you.
I'm so sorry it's such a burden to have a daughter! Why don't you grow up and stop blaming people for your problems? It's Anton's fault, it's Coach's fault, it's my fault.
Why don't you take a look in the damn mirror? Screw you.
Mom.
One day you are gonna learn that life isn't some little play where you get to make big speeches and the good guys win.
- Where are you going? - I need some air.
I need a break from you and a break from this crap town.
What do you mean, break from me? Where are you going? [door slams.]
[door opens.]
[door closes.]
Hey.
Where is everyone? Upstairs.
Everything all right? Why would you do this? Because I agree with everything this petition states.
Robert, how dare you put my name on that.
I didn't realize I needed your permission to stand up - for our basic beliefs.
- Well, do you realize what this does to our son having our name on there? - It is a total betrayal.
- This is protecting our son.
This is standing up for what we believe.
No, this is you.
You hiding behind religion and God and morality to stop Simon from being who he is.
Who is he? What do you mean? No.
[crying.]
No.
No, this isn't about him.
This is about us.
And our marriage.
How dare you fake that signing that represents me.
How could you possibly know - that little of your - Our marriage is fine.
We don't have a marriage, Robert.
We don't have a marriage.
We pretend.
There's no intimacy.
There is no tenderness.
You never touch me.
Is that why you're afraid of this play? Is that why you are afraid of him playing a gay boy? Is that why? Tell me the truth.
Is that why? Patricia.
I will never stop fighting for our family.
I will never stop fighting for what I believe.
This conversation is over.
[breathing heavily.]
You haven't [upbeat band music.]
[crowd cheering.]
Robbie Thorne has kept his team in the game but the Stanton Tigers are on the verge of ending their playoff hopes down 4 with less than a minute on the clock.
If they don't score here, there is no tomorrow.
The season is over.
[crowd cheering, crowd noise.]
[overlapping shouting.]
Ten-hut! Thorne drops back.
He's looking to pass.
He fires it to O'Donnell.
Oh, but he led him a little too much on that pass, and it is incomplete.
Uh-oh, and O'Donnell, looks like he's injured on the play, and it does not look good.
Trainers are on the field to take a look at O'Donnell's right knee.
- And that is a shame.
- [crowd booing.]
O'Donnell out for the game.
Hey, Gordy.
- Put your hat on, let's go.
- Yes, sir.
Come on, let's go.
Show me something.
Now let's go.
We're going way down on the depth chart here.
Holy smokes, he's bringing in third string back-up Gordon Mazzuchelli.
- All right, Gordy! - Gordy! He's drama teacher Lou Mazzuchelli's son, and this young man has exactly zero minutes of playing time to the best - of my knowledge.
- Go Gordo! RB bobber trips left deep post Z.
- Be ready.
- Born ready, man.
- On one.
Ready? - ALL: Break! 20 seconds on the clock, and it is do or die for Robbie Thorne and the Stanton Tigers.
Looks like they're lining up in a two-wide set here.
[cheering.]
Bobber Z bobber Z Hit! [grunting.]
Thorne drops back.
He's going for broke right here.
Harris goes deep but he's got triple coverage and can't get free.
Thorne is looking for someone.
Oh, and he lets it rip.
He finds the Mazzuchelli kid.
On a cross, he got him He is wide open! He beats the linebacker.
This kid's got some wheels, and he is hauling derriere to the 20, to the 10! Oh, but he's not gonna get there.
He's going down just yards shy of the stripe.
Did he get out of bounds? Yes! - Oh, my God! - Yes, he did.
Oh, my word.
Benchwarmer Gordon Mazzuchelli has kept this game alive.
The clock has stopped with two seconds to play, and we will have one more play for the Tigers to decide it all.
And so I sing that song The one - Hut! - From way back - [whack.]
- [players yelling.]
Right now, the hurt is gone It doesn't sound so bad How in a single song It doesn't sound so bad I use the same voice I always had The Tigers win! The Tigers win! Whoo! Whoo! Yes! Oh, that was not an easy game for those of us with pacemakers, I'll tell you that, as the Tigers pull out a real nail-biter.
The Stanton Tigers have earned a spot in the playoffs.
And Robbie Thorne has proven tonight that there is no doubt that he's QB1 of this organization.
Whoo! Oh, my.
What a battle it was.
[cheering.]
[mellow acoustic music.]
- [conversing quietly.]
- [man, indistinct.]
Hey, thanks, buddy.
I guess I'm gonna say hi to Gwen, but I'll talk to you Monday? - All right.
- Okay, thanks.
Hey.
Hey.
I'm glad you're here.
- Yeah, sure.
- Hey, come on, please.
I just I know that you're upset.
About the thing with Lilette's mom, but it's over.
For good.
- That's great, congrats.
- Hey, listen to me.
Listen to me.
When you get a little older, you're gonna understand that adult relationships are complicated.
I promise you, it's over.
You know what, don't pick me up for school anymore.
Just don't talk to me ever again.
Don't worry.
I'm not gonna tell mom, but not for you.
For her.
- This would kill her.
- Peanut I'm not your Peanut.
[distant band music playing.]
[background chatter.]
Great game, Coach.
Gwendolyn.
Hey.
Great job out there.
Thanks.
Uh, the whole team's going to Volpe's Pizza.
You coming? Gordy, I think we should slow things down.
That night that we were together I was just really freaking out about my family, and I had a great time.
I just don't think I want more than that right now.
I just don't want to let you down.
Yeah, yeah, i-it's cool.
It's okay.
You should go celebrate with the team.
- [sniffles.]
- Yeah, yeah Sure.
This is it.
This is how it starts.
Hey, good job, Robbie.
- [laughing.]
- You did it, Detrell.
I told you we would do it.
All that hard work paid off, man.
Did y'all see the scouts were here too? Yeah, saw that.
Hey, I got to go talk to someone.
- I'll be right back.
- Oh, okay.
Mr.
Mazzu.
- Mr.
Mazzu.
- [laughing.]
Hey.
- What a game.
- Yeah, thanks to Gordy.
It was definitely the highlight of my life.
You were extraordinary out there, Robbie.
I I was wondering if you could give me a ride somewhere.
I want you to meet someone.
So Michael must have talked to you, huh? He did.
Never could keep a secret.
He is overwhelmed because he cares a lot about you.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, he just didn't know the right thing to do.
So you're gonna try and talk me out of it? I'd gotten pregnant when I was around your age.
- Really? - Yes.
What did you do? I carried her.
I gave birth to her.
I got to hold her in my arms for 24 hours.
Mm.
We bonded so deeply.
And, um and then I gave her up for adoption.
Do you think about her? Every day.
But That was the right decision for me at the time, and you need to figure out what's right for you now.
And I'm gonna help you.
I'm gonna support you.
I thought you said 'cause [sobbing.]
I thought you said 'cause you're a teacher you can't do that.
Oh, forget that.
- We're in this together, okay? - Okay.
All right.
Mom? Mom? [phone clacking.]
Whispering [somber piano melody.]
Hear the ghosts in the moonlight Sorrow doing a new dance Through their bones Through their skin Listening To the souls in the fool's night Fumbling mutely with their rude hands And there's heartache without end See the father bent in grief The mother dressed in mourning Sister crumples And the neighbors grumble The preacher issues warnings Something beautiful A new chance Hear, it's whispering There again You wanted to see me? Could you close the door, Ms.
Wolfe? [aggravated sigh.]
This has gone beyond the PTA.
Now the district is involved.
The superintendent.
My job is on the line.
What I'm trying to say is, the show has to change.
I'm I'm sorry, w-why isn't Lou here? I no longer trust Lou.
You need to take the reins.
Clean this show up.
Make it high-school appropriate.
Dig me out of this hole.
You do that for me, the program's yours.
- Evan.
- You want that job, Tracey.
I know you do.
And now you know how to get it.
[tense music.]
Think on it.