Guilty at 17 (2014) - full transcript

- So, he touched you
on top of your clothes,

or underneath?
- On top,

but... he tried to put
his hand under my shirt.

- What happened then?
- Well, I told him to stop,

and then I ran out.

- Where was Traci at that time?

- Um, she was
just on her way in,

and... and she was
just standing there.

- Goggles are to protect
the eyes, not the hair.

Fantastic look, though.

Where's your lab partner
today, Lee?



- I don't know.
I haven't seen her this morning.

- What did you see
when you opened the door?

- I saw him touch her.

Between her...

you know, between her legs.

- Did she say anything?

- No. She just
ran out crying.

- She said nothing?

- No, she said, "Stop."

- What happened then?

- I mean... nothing.

Um... I followed her out
into the hall.

I asked her
what happened in there.

And she said that
he tried to grab her



and that it happened
several times.

I told her she had
to tell someone.

She... said
she didn't want to

'cause she thought
no one would believe her.

- Why did she think that?

- Maybe... 'cause it's
his word against hers.

I don't know.

- All right. Thank you.

Ma'am,

can I talk to you privately?
- Yes, of course.

- You did the right thing
by telling the truth, sweetie.

- I don't... think

this sort of thing would have
happened at my old school.

- No, this could have
happened anywhere.

I'm just glad it wasn't you.

God, that poor girl.

Hi.

Gilbert, I'm gonna
need you to step out

into the hallway, please.
- Why? What's going on?

- Just step out,
or they'll come in.

- OK, he looks scared.
- - Everyone, please, back to your tables.

- Step out, sir.
Take the jacket off.

Gilbert Adkins, you're under arrest for
criminal sexual contact with a minor.

- What?
- You have the right to remain silent.

Anything you say will be used
against you in a court of law.

You have the right
to an attorney. If you cannot

afford an attorney,
one will be appointed for you.

If you choose to answer any questions
without an attorney present...

- Please, everyone,
just back to work.

- Thank you so much, Traci.

I really couldn't have
done this without you.

You know, maybe this will inspire
other people to come forward,

'cause who knows how many girls
he's done this to?

- I should probably
get to class.

What did they ask her?

- So, just basically
what she saw?

- Pretty much.

I think it helped
that the detective was a woman.

- Well, good.
I'm glad that's over with.

Hey, will you call me when you
get back from the cardiologist?

- Yeah, yeah, I, um...

I had to reschedule that.

- Don, come on. You told me you weren't gonna
flake out again on those appointments.

- Tony asked me to pull
a double. I had no choice.

- Well, tell Tony you have
dangerously high blood pressure

and you need
this doctor's appointment.

- Honey, I'm fine.
I'll see him next week.

- It takes a month to get in.

- Then I'll see him in a month.

Please relax.
Everything's OK.

- Hey, Dad.
- Traci's here.

- Traci? She left school?

- Yeah, apparently.

Let me, see what's up
and I'll call you back.

- Hey, sweetie.
- Hey.

- What are you doing here?

- Didn't feel like staying.

- Hey, I can understand that.

How about an Italian soda?
- Sure.

Cherry?
- Cherry. I'll be right back.

- So...

other than creepy teachers,

how's life?

A shrug.
What does that mean,

You love your new school,
everybody's fantastic.

You wish you'd transferred
years ago, right?

- More like, I have
hardly any friends,

no one really talks to me,

and I still hate myself
for messing up my knee.

- Honey, come on.
What's done is done.

You weren't meant to go to
college on a track scholarship.

- Maybe I wasn't meant
to go to college at all.

- That I completely
disagree with.

- Yeah, but look
at both you and Mom.

Neither of you went to college
and you're both really successful.

You're a manager,
and Mom owns her own shop.

- Your mom has Aileen.
Aileen went to college,

has a business degree,
and even then they're struggling.

Believe me, going to college,
you'll have a leg up.

- I just... I don't even know
what I want to do.

All I wanted was to compete.

- Like I said,
what's done is done, OK?

The quicker you let go of it,

the quicker you move on to
figure out what you want to do.

- Thanks for bailing me out?
- Of course.

You gonna tell June?

- Yeah, when she wakes up
in the morning.

It's the middle of the night
there - seven hours ahead.

So, I guess that's it, then?

Thirty years building a career.

One lie, one false accusation,

and it's over.

Scotch, gin, or whiskey?

- Whatever you're having.

- How about all three?

It's been one hell of a day.

- You can say that again.
Don't be discouraged.

You've won how many teaching awards?
- That doesn't matter.

Even if I can prove these girls are
lying, people are still gonna wonder,

"Did he get away with it?"

As teachers, we're screwed.

I mean, you do the best you can,

you try to help
the kids that need it,

be a good role model.

But one kids wants
to ruin your life, she can.

- Why'd this girl
hate you so much?

- I don't know.
Stupid reasons.

Devon doesn't think
the rules apply to her.

She's always been handed
anything she wants.

You know, I'd take away her cell
phone or give her a detention.

A couple of weeks ago,
she failed an exam

and complained that I didn't
give them enough time to prepare.

And I wouldn't be surprised if she
was behind my broken laptop too.

- Laptop?
- Yeah.

Last week, my laptop
goes missing,

somehow gets smashed into pieces
by the loading dock.

Who did it?

I want to know,
and I want to know right now.

This is not like gluing
an eraser to a chalkboard.

This is wilful destruction
of school property.

Not to mention the fact that every document
I need to do my job is on that computer.

- Well, you could have
backed it up.

Devon, do you find this funny?

- No, not at all.

- I will find out who did this,
and when I do,

I will go to the police.

Kids play pranks;
I get that,

but this was vindictive.
I wouldn't put it past her.

- What about that other girl, though,
the one that said she witnessed it?

- Yeah, that one
I can't figure out.

Traci's new. She transferred
here from Monroe

at the start of the year.
She's conscientious.

Average marks,
but you can tell she's trying hard.

She's certainly not
a troublemaker.

But who knows?

Maybe... maybe
Devon paid her off.

- What does your lawyer say?

- We'll fight, but so what?

I can't teach.

- If you prove they made it up,

you could sue Devon
and her father for libel.

Punitive damages -
you'd make out pretty well.

Just trying
to be positive, is all.

- Teaching is my life.

I'm good at it.
I inspire those kids.

- I know you do.
- I mean, I still get letters

from them, years after they graduate,
telling me what a difference I made.

Now I'm gonna lose everything,

and have my name
on some sex offenders list.

No.

No way.

That's not the life
I signed up for.

I don't want that. Ever.

- You mean he touched you?
Just now?

I didn't know what to do,

so I just... I told him to stop
and I... I ran out.

- Honey.

I'm so sorry.

I think you need
to tell the principal.

- Would you come with me?
- Of course.

- You think you could...
tell her that you saw it?

- But I didn't see it.
- I know, but

no one's gonna believe me
if I don't have anyone

to back me up.
They're gonna think I'm lying.

Please.

- How's the studying going?

- Fine. Thanks for the snacks.
- Sure.

- Hey, Mom?

Can I ask you something?
- Sure.

- What's going to happen
to Mr. Adkins

now that he's been arrested?

- Well, if he pleads guilty

or is convicted, he's probably
gonna go to prison.

- For how long?

- I don't know.

What he did

was a very, very serious thing.

He's certainly not gonna
ever teach again.

- Never again?
- Well, the schools have

a responsibility
to keep the kids safe.

- I just didn't realize that he
wouldn't ever be able to teach again.

- Hey, you did the right thing,
OK? Mr. Adkins

made his own choice.

I'm proud of you. Don't feel
guilty for telling the truth.

- I don't...
feel guilty.

- Good.
You did the right thing.

- Thank you.

- Hit those books.

- I am, don't worry.

Thank you.

- Dad.

What are you gonna do?
You can't let her get away with this.

- I can't make contact with either of
those girls. There's nothing much I can do;

- This is completely insane.

How are you holding up?

- Ask me that again
after I get some sleep.

I'm coming home.

No, I don't want you to do that.
There's nothing for you to do here anyway.

- I can be there to support you.
- No.

You need to finish out
that contract down there.

- They can live without me
for a few weeks.

This is a family emergency.

- All right.

You're gonna do what you want to
anyway, aren't you?

- Damn right.

I'll email you
my flight info later,

and I'll see you in a few days.

- I love you too.

- Get some sleep.

- I'll try.

Who is it?

- It's Traci.

She wants to talk about...
I don't know.

- Answer her. I don't mind.

- No, I am all about you
right now.

- Hey, guys.
- Hi, Daddy.

Is that my car?

- Not until I see
those CAT scores.

- I know, but don't worry.

- Chief, pour me one of those.

You'd better not distract her
from studying, kiddo.

Wouldn't dream of it, sir.

I want her to have that car
as much as she does.

- How you doing, honey?
Better?

- Yeah.

- Not bad at all.

Just promise me you won't quit your job
at my office and become a bartender.

- No way, sir. And thank you, by the
way, for hooking me up with that.

- You've thanked me a hundred
times already. Just be good

to my little girl so I don't
have to break your legs.

- Daddy, he treats me
like a princess.

- You two don't
stay up too late.

- We won't.

- Good night.

You're up early.

- Yeah, I want to meet up
with Leigh to study.

Any deliveries today?
- No.

Hopefully next week.
You want some coffee?

- No, I'd better get going.

- Bye.
- Bye.

- Love you.
- Love you.

- Hey. You look cute.

Sorry about not being able to
talk last night, but what's up?

- It's just, the more I think
about it, the more I feel

like it's a way bigger deal
than we realize.

- What do you mean
by "a bigger deal"?

- What if they make us
testify in court?

- Well, they might,
but my dad thinks

he's gonna plea out anyway.
Why are you so worried?

I mean, if anything,

just say the exact same thing
you said to the cops.

- That's easy for you to say.
You're not the one who lied.

- Traci, what you did
for me was amazing,

and I know you feel bad
about lying, but you shouldn't.

You know, last night was

the first time in a really
long time that I didn't have

a bad dream about him,
and that's because of you.

You were here for me,

so I'm totally gonna be there
for you too. Whatever you need.

You've got a friend for life.

OK? So no stress.

Especially about Adkins,
all right?

It's better for everyone
that he's gone.

And... you know, the guilt,
it'll pass. I promise.

- I guess.

- All right. And if we have to go to
court, we'll deal with it together, OK?

- All right.

- I have to go,
but we'll talk later, OK?

- OK.
- See ya.

- "Thinking of
your lessons all the time.

"Thanks for being
the best teacher ever.

Peter."

Thirty years
building a career. One lie,

one false accusation,
and it's over.

No.

No way.

That's not the life
I signed up for.

I don't want that. Ever.

- Sorry, we don't open till 11.

- Well, I'm not here to eat.

I was hoping to talk
to Don Scott.

- That would be me.

I'm Don.
What can I do for you?

- I'm Gilbert Adkins,

Traci's chemistry teacher.

Look, I know
what you're thinking.

I just need to talk to you
for a minute. Please.

I've known Traci for a few months.
She seems like a good kid.

But the truth is, she's corroborating
something that never took place.

And I was hoping you could talk to her
and maybe find out what's really going on.

And of course
if she does recant,

I'll do everything possible
to make sure there are no

repercussions for her.

- Look, I don't know what happened
between you and that girl. I wasn't there.

But what I do know is
my daughter doesn't lie,

so if she said she saw it,
she saw it.

- I've worked with kids
for a lot of years,

and sometimes they make
mistakes in judgement.

Now, this Devon,
she's a queen bee.

Every girl in that school wants
to either be her friend or be her.

- You think Traci lied because she
wants to be part of Devon's clique?

- I don't know.

That's what I was hoping
you could find out.

I've devoted me entire life
to teaching.

I'm about to lose everything.

Everything,
for something I didn't do.

And all I'm asking you to do
is just explain to Traci

it's not too late
to tell the truth.

- Come on, pick it up, kids!

- Forget about yesterday.

Just think about right now.

Right now.

- Hey.

- Hey, honey.

You're doing beautiful.

- What are you doing here, Dad?

- I just wanted to have
a little chat about something.

Figured it would be better

to do it here than at the house.

- What is it?

- Gilbert Adkins came
to the restaurant today.

- Why?

- He asked me to talk to you,

and I told him I would.

He claims he never did anything
inappropriate with your friend

Devon.

And here's the deal:

either he did it,

he's desperate
to get out of trouble,

or he didn't do it.

And if he didn't do it,

it's impossible for you
to have seen it.

Trace, you've always
told the truth,

even when it was
the harder path.

And if you didn't this time,

I figure there's gotta be
a damn good reason why.

You see, though,

in this particular situation,

the stakes, they're high.

They're real high.

So, that damn good reason,
whatever it is,

it isn't damn good enough.

- I get it.

- I know you do.

That's why I'm gonna
ask you this once,

and I'll never
bring it up again.

Did you see him touch that girl?

- He did it.

I saw him.

- All right.
That's all I wanted to know.

You want a lift back?

- Um... no.

I'm gonna stay here
a little while longer.

- OK. See you
back at the house.

- Hi, this is Gilbert Adkins.
Please leave a message.

- Hey, Dad. I ended up going
ahead and getting into a cab

because I haven't
heard from you.

Can you please call me
when you get this?

Otherwise, I guess I'll, um,
I'll just see you at home.

OK, bye.

- I can't wait till we're
done this media project.

Who knew editing footage
could be so tedious?

- I love it. It's so much better
than math and science

and all that boring crap.

- That's sad.

- Not really.
He's a creep.

- Well, supposedly the girl he
touched was Devon Cavanor, though.

- Well, how'd you hear that?

- Supposedly she was bragging
about getting him fired

to one of her groupies, and someone
overheard. Who knows if it's true?

It could have been someone else,
but if it was her, I bet she made it up.

- Why would you say that?

You know, I've been
in a situation where

people didn't believe me,
and it really sucked.

- Like when?

- It was a long time ago.

But this really mean kid
told the teacher

he saw me steal something,
which I didn't,

but everything thought
I was lying.

As it turns out, he was the one who
was the thief, but I took the blame.

- That's completely different.
You're trustworthy and honest.

Devon's a complete liar.

- What are you talking about?

- OK, a year ago,
she said her mom lived in Paris

and she was gonna go visit her,
and they were gonna go

to Monte Carlo to go shopping,
blah, blah, blah.

- So, what, her mom
doesn't live there?

- Her mom committed suicide
three years ago,

in some hotel in LA.

- Dad?

He left me a message saying

that he would pick me up
from the airport.

I got it when I landed. Why would
he say that and then not be here?

- I think Gil is more upset
than he's letting on.

I don't want to call the police.

If I say he's missing, it's
gonna look like he skipped town.

- OK, so what do we do?

Do we drive around
and look for him?

- Yes, this is Gary.

Yes, I'm his brother -
well, his half-brother.

My god.

I'll be there right away.

- What is it? Where is he?

- They found his car
near Colfax Bridge.

There's a note inside.

- I'm gonna need
an evidence bag over here.

Tape the area off.

- June. The officer said
this note

was on the dash.

The car was unlocked,
the keys were in the ignition.

- "Please forgive me for what
will seem like a drastic act

"to most of you.
I feel as if my life is over.

"I did something I shouldn't
have done, and I apologize

"to those I have hurt.

"Please remember me
for my life in its entirety;

"not just the mistakes I made.

Gilbert Adkins."

This can't be happening.

- I'm so sorry.

- All seniors,
please report to the lecture hall.

- Give me back my book.
- - Take your seats, please.

Thank you for coming
and allowing me to interrupt

whatever you were working on
in your respective classrooms.

I received news
about half an hour ago

that Mr. Adkins,
whom you know had been placed

on administrative leave
earlier this week,

has committed suicide.

Suicide?

- Many of you have come to me
with questions and concerns

about what has happened here
in the last few days.

I'm unable to give
any information

about the investigation
surrounding Mr. Adkins' arrest.

I know that many of you were... you were quite
close with him and you would like answers.

I know nothing about
the details of his death.

The detective I spoke with
on the phone said that the story

is gonna break on tonight's
evening news, and he said

they'd be releasing more
information at that time.

There'll be somebody here
for you to talk to

starting this afternoon
if you would like.

Thank you very much.
That's all.

- Are you OK?

- No, I think I'm gonna be sick.

- I need to talk to you
right now.

Do you mind

if I catch up with you guys
later? Awesome.

What's up?
- Have you been

bragging to people
that you got him fired?

- Excuse me? What? No.

Of course not.

What? You were there.
The police told us

we weren't allowed to talk
to anybody about it.

Look, we have to get to class,

so can we talk about this later?

Just meet me in the park
after seventh,

all right?

OK, you really gotta stop
freaking out like this.

- Are you serious?

- Yeah. This is better
for you anyway.

Now you don't have to
testify or anything.

- You're unbelievable.

- No, I'm realistic.

Adkins was an adult man

capable of making
his own decisions, right?

None of that falls on you or me.

So, please, stop whining
and feeling guilty,

and move on.

- I don't think I can.

- What is that supposed
to mean exactly?

- I should go to the cops

and tell them I wasn't there
and I didn't see anything.

- Well, you can't do that.
- It doesn't mean

it didn't happen.
It just means I didn't see it.

- Do you understand
the consequences of that?

Because if you tell anyone
that you lied,

they're gonna think
Adkins was innocent.

And if they think that,

then his death suddenly
becomes our fault,

which it obviously isn't.
So it's more important

now than ever for you
to keep our secret.

OK?

We have to make people believe
that he actually did it.

- Did he?

- Of course.
My god.

Please. I...
I trusted you to believe me.

And I'm never gonna
change my story that he did it.

All right?
He assaulted me.

You have

my word, so please
give me yours.

- I promise.

- Thank you.

It's gonna be OK.

I knew this was a bad idea.

- What are you talking about?
It was your idea.

- What? No, it was
my idea to make up

the sexual harassment story,
yeah, but it was your idea

to steal Adkins' computer.
- Whoa, whoa.

No, it was your idea. You were the one that
wanted me to get those CAT answers off of it.

I did it for you so you could get your car.
- Please. You said it yourself.

You want me to have that car
just as badly as I do.

I feel like you're not

taking this seriously. She could
be a really big problem.

- But I am, though.

What do you want me to do to fix
this situation? And I'll do it.

- I have no idea, Jay,
but if we don't figure it out,

God, we're gonna be
in a lot of trouble.

- I'm sure you can find a way
to keep Traci on your side.

I know you can.

You're amazing.

- Why did you do this to me?

This is your fault!

- I'm here at Colfax

Bridge, where Gilbert Adkins,
the teacher accused of fondling

a student at Powelton High
reportedly

jumped to his death
late last night.

Adkins had been
on administrative leave

after the student claimed
she was inappropriately touched

by the chemistry teacher.
Authorities will put off

the search for Adkin's body
tonight due to darkness,

but have assembled a dive team to continue
the search... - Traci, what are you

doing down here?
- I couldn't sleep.

It's so heavy.

Taking your own life.

- Yeah, it is.

He wasn't a well man.

I don't think we'll
ever understand that.

- I guess.

- Hey, come upstairs, OK?
Get in your own bed.

You'll sleep better.
- OK.

- Come on.
- OK, OK.

- He was gonna proctor
the CAT exam.

- Hello?

Yes.

- So, where are we
with all that?

- I finished the application
for the bank loan.

- OK, how long does it take?

- Depends, but I'll ask
to push it through

as quickly as possible.
Cross your fingers.

All right, what is it?

Talk to me. Is it Don?

No, it's nothing.

I don't know.

I mean, his father

died from heart disease
when Don was like 12 years old.

You'd think that he would
take this seriously.

- A lot of guys are like that. If they
ignore a problem, then it doesn't exist.

Look,

I know you love him and you want
what's best for him,

but until he decides
to take control of this himself,

there's nothing you can do.
Stop driving yourself crazy.

You're probably right.

- This is from a week ago.

So, what printer did he use
for the suicide note?

- There you go.

- I just don't get it.

Nothing about the note
make sense.

- What do you mean?
- Well, how did he write it?

There's no history of it
on his computer at all.

- Maybe he deleted it.

- No. No, there was stuff in
his trash bin over a year old.

And when I put paper
in the printer,

it printed stuff that was added
to the queue last week.

There's no way
that he printed it from home.

- That is kinda strange.

What else?

You said there's something weird
about the note itself?

- He mentioned twice

that he was sorry
for his mistake.

What mistake?
When I spoke to him,

he was adamant
that the girls were lying.

- He was like that with me too.

- What if he didn't
kill himself?

- You mean somebody
could have done that to him?

Killed him then faked the note?

- The girl that accused him,
Devon, her father is some

rich surgeon, right?

What if he took justice
into his own hands?

He could have hired someone.

- Well...

anything is possible, I suppose.

I don't think she showed you
how really depressed he was.

He believed his career was over and
there was no way he could recover.

I believe he could have decided
to take his own life.

- I just...

I feel like there's something
more to this than we know.

- We always investigate suspicious
deaths as possible homicides,

but in this case,

it looks very much like your father
chose to jump off that bridge.

- But...

Well, what about
the weirdness of the note?

And the timing?

He knew that I was
on a flight back from Uganda.

- When people commit suicide,

they... they don't
act logically.

- All that I'm asking is that
you investigate the possibility

that someone had him killed because
of this scandal at the school.

I know in my heart that my father never
touched Devon Cavanor inappropriately.

I just feel like there might be
something more going on.

- Until the autopsy report
comes back,

the investigation is ongoing.

I promise you.
We'll look at every angle.

- Thank you.

That's all that I ask.

- So, how long
have you been teaching?

- Ooh, um, a long time,
21 years.

- What's your favourite thing
about it? I mean, what's

kept you going this long?

- I guess the best thing is
when a student comes back

a decade after they graduate,

and the tell you
how you changed their lives.

The fact that they remember you,

that they remember what you taught them,
and that it had a profound effect...

Traci?

Hey.
What you up to?

- Um, just working on a project.

My deadline's coming up
really fast.

- Yeah, sounds boring.

Do you want to go for lunch?
'Cause my boyfriend's here

to pick me up.
You can come. My treat.

- That sounds really fun, but Leigh is gonna
kill me if I don't get this done, so...

- OK. Well, Friday

there's a concert in the park.
I can get us front-row seats.

- I actually
already have plans Friday.

Um, but next time, for sure.

- OK, cool, yeah.

Enjoy your project thing.
- Thanks.

- Bye.
- Bye.

- She coming?

- No, and she doesn't want to
hang out with us on Friday either.

- screw her, then.
Let's go eat. I'm starving.

- No, it's a problem.

We can't let her
distance herself.

- So... what do you want
to do about it?

- I don't know yet.

But we really have to
figure something out.

- June.

So sorry about your father.

- Thank you.

- Please, sit down.

It's been a while.

You're,

just as beautiful as always.

That's probably inappropriate.

You're likely married
or something.

- No.

Eighteen months in Uganda can be
pretty rough on a relationship.

- Africa.

That's...

that's so you.

Are you heading back
right after the funeral?

- No.

That's why I came
to see you, actually.

Well, um, one of the reasons.

I am gonna stick around here

for a while, and I need
a teaching position,

so I was hoping

that you could pull some strings

and get me in as a sub.

At Powelton.

- Powelton? Why?

- I don't know.

I'm not sure if it's closure

or what, but...

whatever it is, I need it.

- Yeah, but given what happened
with your dad...

- That's why I don't want you
to tell them that we're related.

We've never had
the same last name.

There's no way that they would
know unless you say something.

- Is that such a good idea?

- Nothing seems good right now,

but...

yeah, it's really
important to me.

- Well, if you're gonna be
around for a while,

maybe I can take you out for
lunch or dinner or something?

- I'd really like that.

- And if you need anything,
I mean anything at all,

you call me, because...
when my mom passed away,

you were the one
that got me through that,

and I'd like to be
that person for you.

- Thank you.

That, um...
that really means a lot.

- OK, um...

I'll talk to you soon.

- Ladies.

How's it going?
- Pretty good.

- Dad, that's enough food.

- Speak for yourself!

- There's more
where that came from.

- Your dad's really cool.

- Yeah. He is.

- You now have

16 minutes left
to complete your CAT exam.

- Good morning.

- I got good news.
I was able to get you in

as an English sub at Powelton.
You start Monday. - You're amazing.

- I was thinking maybe we could
do an early dinner tonight.

I would love that.

Well, I'll swing by your Dad's
after work and pick you up.

- OK. Thank you again.

- Yeah.

Don't give me that look.
You'll like her.

Trust me.
Let's go.

You know, you never actually
told me how you found out

Gil was your biological father.

- I didn't?
- No.

- But you knew

that he left my mom when she was
pregnant with me, right?

- No.

- I can't believe
we never talked about this.

- Yeah.
- OK, well,

um, my mom and dad - Gil -

they weren't ever
really together.

Gil got back

from Vietnam, they met,

and then he got sent back
like a month later.

And they weren't really
into each other enough

to try to make it work
long distance, so...

then when I was 26,
I decided to find him.

- Why did you wait
until you were 26?

'Cause that's when
your mother passed away.

- Yeah.

- My father asks about you.

Yeah, when he's,

had too much to drink,
he'll say stuff like...

"Why'd you
let her get away?"

- And then you say...

- And then I say,

I don't know.

I... I never know
how to answer that.

- Here's your schedule.
Now, you are in room 212.

Your first-period class
is AP English,

and I believe your break is
right before lunch.

- And the roster
of my students is...

- You'll find that on your desk.

- Great. Thank you.
- You're welcome.

- Devon Cavanor, second period.

Now, where's Traci Scott?

Who knows the answer?

Devon?

- What?

- Did you hear the question?

Why didn't Julius Caesar

listen to the soothsayer's
warning?

- Because he was inventing
Caesar salad.

- Phone, please.

- I'm sorry?

- It's against school policy
to bring phones to class.

You can have it back
after school.

Back to Shakespeare.

- I'm looking for Traci Scott.

Thank you.

Traci?
- Yeah?

- Hi. I'm June Gailey.

I'm subbing for Mrs. Laurie's
English class.

Hi.
- Do you have a minute?

I wanted to talk to you about something.
- Yeah, yeah, sure.

- So, I hear
that you're a runner.

- Well, not anymore.

Not since I injured my knee.

- Right. I heard that too.

I'm sorry.

I'm part of a teachers program

that tries to encourage students
to get more fit and active,

and I'm hoping to start
a running club here at Powelton.

- That sounds pretty cool.

- Well, I need a student
to lead it with me.

And all the girls on the track
team are super busy,

so I was wondering if maybe
you'd help me out.

- I don't know.

I'm working
on getting my grades up.

- Well, how about this?

You help me out
with the running club,

and I will tutor you
in all of this.

Think about it, OK?
We can talk more after school.

- I'll be down at the track.
- Perfect. I'll find you.

- OK.

- I'm here for my phone.

- Can I assume that you'll
leave it in your locker

from now on
when you come to my class?

- You can assume
whatever you want.

Have a good day.

Biatch.

- Pick it up, girls.
- Let's pick it up. Come on.

- Not bad.

- Not good either.
My knee's burning up.

- So, hey, I was thinking
about the running club, and...

- Hold on one sec.
Sorry, my mom called me.

My god.

- What is it?

- My dad had a heart attack.

They took him to Saint
Millicent's. I have to go!

- Traci.

Hey, you're on a bike?

- Yeah.
- That hospital's all the way

across town. Why don't you
let me drive you?

- Really?
- Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, come on.
- Thank you.

I just don't want him to die.

- He has a really good chance
of making it.

Most heart attack victims
survive, sweetie.

- He just wanted me to go to
a good college, and I blew it.

- You mean because of your knee?
- Yeah.

- It wasn't your fault.
Accidents happen.

- It was, though.

I was just screwing around.
I was playing paintball.

My parents didn't want me to go,
and I snuck out anyway.

And I was running, and I tripped
and blew a ligament in my knee,

and then it was surgery,

and then rehab,
and then no scholarship.

- I will help you
get your grades up. I promise.

- They made me transfer here
'cause it's a better school,

but I hate it.

Everyone's already in their
little groups of friends.

I don't fit in anywhere.

- You must have one or two.

- There's Leigh.
She's cool.

But... there was...

another girl
who I thought was my friend,

but...

she may have lied to me
about something.

I don't know if I can trust her.

- What did she lie to you about?

- It's... complicated.

There it is.

There's the hospital.

- Mom! Mom!
- Hey.

- How is he? - I don't know. He collapsed
at the restaurant. They brought him

over here in an ambulance.
I haven't seen him yet.

- Hi, I'm June Gaily.

I'm one of the new subs
at Powel.

I was with Traci
when she got your call,

so I brought her over in my car.
- Thank you so much.

Hey, come on.
Sit with me.

- Hey, you've reached Jay.
Leave a message.

- Jay.

- Hey, sweetie, why don't you
do some homework or something?

It'll help you
take your mind off things.

- I don't have my books
or anything here with me.

They're all at the school.

- Well, I have to
run back there anyway.

Why don't I go get them for you?

- I'll write down my locker
combo for you. Thank you.

- It's not a problem at all.

Jay Allerson.

Hey. Hey, are you OK?

Come on.

Let's go somewhere and talk.

I'm sure your dad is

gonna be fine.

- It's not just that.
It's a bunch of other stuff too.

- Like what?

- I can't talk about it.

- Is it about Mr. Adkins
and Devon Cavanor?

- How do you know about that?

- I knew Gilbert Adkins
before he died.

Honey, you can talk to me.

Hey, even if you... even if you
can't tell your parents,

or the police, you can tell me.

- You know I witnessed it,

what happened between him
and Devon?

It was a lie.

I never saw it.

- Why did you say you did, then?

- I saw her come
out of his classroom crying.

She was so upset.

And I asked her what was wrong,

and she told me what happened.

- She convinced you
to say that you were there?

- She said no one would
believe her if she didn't

have a witness.
I believed her.

- So, you thought you were doing
the right thing by helping her out.

- I think she used me, though.

I found out Devon's lied
about stuff in the past.

And...

I don't even know
if Mr. Adkins did what she said.

- Why would she want
to get Mr. Adkins in trouble?

- I don't know.

All I know is,
he killed himself because of it,

and it's my fault.

- Traci, it's gonna be OK.
- No, it's not.

- Yes, it is.

It is if you go to the police

and tell them the truth.
- I can't.

I can't now.
It's too late.

- It's not too late.
It's not.

Traci, he was my father.

Gilbert Adkins was my father.

I knew that Devon had lied
about what he did to her,

and so I came here
hoping that you...

would tell me the truth.

- Hey, there you are.

So, he's out of surgery.
He's gonna be fine.

The surgeon says he's
stabilized, but unfortunately,

we can't see him
until he gets out of the ICU.

- That's really good news, Mom.

- Hey.

Hey, sweetie, you OK?

- Yeah, I just don't feel
very well.

I'm gonna walk home.

- Hey, you know what? It's OK.
I'll go and I'll drive her.

Traci? Traci, wait.
Hey, hey.

Hey. Please.

Let me drive you.
- I'm sorry.

I didn't know he was your dad.

- Traci.

Once you tell the truth and you
get out from under this lie,

everything's gonna
feel a lot better.

- I can't... can't.

- I need to tell you something.

I don't think
my father killed himself.

I think that there's a chance
that maybe he was murdered.

- Murdered?

By who?

- I don't know,

but there's another person
involved, I think.

Devon's boyfriend.

- Is he a student?
- No. No, he's a little older,

and he has a record.

- June, seriously,

you gotta be careful.
Go to the police.

Let them handle it.
- Yeah, they're investigating,

which seems to be code
for doing nothing.

- Look, I understand that you don't
want people to think your dad's a creep.

But not at the expense
of getting yourself hurt.

- I'm pretty sure
I can handle this.

- OK, sweetheart,
open your eyes.

Congratulations on doing

even better on the CATs
than I thought you would.

- Daddy, it's beautiful.

- My god.

- Right? Do I look good
behind the wheel?

- I think you look better naked.
- Get in.

- I'll drive.

- Yeah, nice try.
Shotgun's

right here.

- Just do it.

- You are so stupid.
You're stupid!

- See?

Told you everything
would work out.

You passed your test,
you got your car,

and you don't have
some crusty old teacher

out to get you anymore.
- Yeah, thanks to you.

- Yeah.

I thought it was gonna be hard.

You know, to do that to someone.

- It wasn't?

- I was thinking about you
the whole time.

About how...

what I was doing was the ultimate
proof of what I would do for you.

- I'll never forget
what you did for me.

- I'd do it again
in a heartbeat.

- Yeah, I know you would.

- My god.
What the hell?

- I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

- Have you been drinking?

- I'm just really sorry.
I'm just

stupid.

- God, Traci,

what were you thinking?
- I can't... Please...

- My god, you could have
really hurt yourself,

or killed somebody.
- I'm sorry.

I know I shouldn't.

I'll pay for the door.

- It's not about the door,
and you know it.

Do you realize
how lucky you were?

- I'm sorry.
I really am.

- Where were you?

- I was by the island.

Alone.

- What's happened to you?

- What do you mean?
- I mean

where is my little girl?

Where is the ambitious,
smart young lady

who always made
the right decisions?

- What time are you
going to see Dad?

- I don't know. Sometime after 10.
I have to open up the shop.

- I'd like to see him
before I go to school.

- I think you should.

I think he would like that.

- Can I ask you
a weird question?

- Those are my favourite kind.

- We all make mistakes, right?

- Some more than others,
but... yeah.

- How do you know

when it's too late
to fix that mistake?

Like, if it's time
to just accept it and move on?

- Any specifics?

- No, just in general.

- Well...

it's never too late
to do the right thing.

You may not be able
to change the outcome,

but... at least you tried
to make things right?

And it's about staying true
to your character,

doing everything you can
to make the situation better.

Does that answer your question?

- Yeah.

I gotta get to school.

I love you, Dad.

- I love you more.

- Thank you so much.
Come back.

Well?

- We got the loan!
- Yay!

- You're just gonna need
to sign some papers.

- OK.

- So, how's Don doing?

- Pretty good. I'm gonna go over
there in a couple of minutes.

And I thought about what we talked about
the other day, and I wanted to thank you.

You were right.

No more nagging.

You're a good friend.

- I need to talk to you
privately.

There's nothing you can say
to change my mind.

I'm just letting you know
as a courtesy.

- How many times
do I have to tell you?

You cannot tell anyone
that you lied!

What do you not get?!
- Yes, I can. Tonight

I'm going to tell both of my
parents, and then I'm gonna have them

drive me to the police station,
and I'm going to tell them.

You can be a part of that,
or you don't have to.

It's your choice.
- This is way bigger than me.

There are more people
involved in this than you know.

- I don't care.
It's time to end all of this.

You know that new
substitute teacher, Miss Gailey?

Adkins was her father.

Talk about other people
being involved.

No kidding.
- Traci,

I am warning you, OK?
Stay out of this!

- I'm going to the hospital
around seven.

You have until then to decide.

- Traci, I...

It's all good.

- Don't do it, OK?

- Do not stop for your purses
or cell phones.

Walk outside
and away from the building.

Gary, hi.

The autopsy reports weren't
finished yet,

but they did send the results
of the toxicology tests.

- I haven't seen them yet.
What were they?

- They said he had a large
amount of some sedative

in his system - about six times

- Come on, guys.

You would have burned to death
by now. Let's go.

- We really need
to do something.

- Like what?

- I don't know,
but if she tells anyone

that she lied, the entire thing
is just gonna unravel -

first the cheating scam,

and then the sexual misconduct,
and... God.

Murder? I mean,

I really don't want to spend
the rest of my life in prison.

Do you?

- That's the same day he died.

- I can't believe
how far behind we are on this.

- I'm sorry.

It's all my fault.

But don't worry.
We'll get it done.

- OK, well, if we don't
get it done tonight,

I guess we can
work on it tomorrow.

- I may not...

I may not be here tomorrow.

- Why not?

- I can't tell you right now.

I really can't.

But...

a lot of...

stuff is gonna
come out tomorrow.

And you'll be one of the first
to find out.

Don't worry about it right now.

I'll just work on the project.

- It was the only pack

of sleeping pills
in that entire house,

and he bought them less than eight
hours before he supposedly jumped.

If he had access to something
much stronger,

and could take six times
the dosage, why would he go buy

some weak over-the-counter
sedative and take just one?

- You're right. It doesn't make much sense,
but it doesn't mean that he was murdered.

- No, but it could prove
that he was drugged,

and that's a good start, especially
combined with Traci's confession.

- When are you going
to the hospital?

- Fifteen minutes.

I, um, wanted

to give her some time
to see her dad first.

- That's generous of you -

something you didn't get
a chance to do.

- We are so close.

I just really hope
that she doesn't back out.

- Come on, you stupid bitch.

That's right.
Good girl.

Come on, you bitch.

That's it.

- It's my fault. I...

I should have listened to you.

- No, I understand
why you tuned out.

I was harping on you.
- You shouldn't have

had to say anything at all.

It's my responsibility
to take care of my health

and do everything necessary
to do so.

- I feel like sometimes you just didn't realize
how much it was affecting me and Traci.

- You're right.

I didn't look at it
like that, and I...

Everything I do
is for you and Traci.

Everything.

- Is a doctor available?
- Yeah.

- Room three is open.
Coming through!

- I've been given
a second chance.

And I promise,
things are gonna change.

I want to be here
for a long time,

so I'm gonna watch my diet,
get more exercise,

keep all my doctors'
appointments.

You won't have to say
a single word about it.

- I just love you.
I don't want to lose you.

- And I love you.

You couldn't get rid of me
even if you tried.

- Mr. and Mrs. Scott?
- Yes?

- Your daughter's been
in an accident.

- What?

- Did you get her?

- I hit her. I don't know.
I don't think she's dead.

- What? Well, what do you mean?
Was she moving?

- I don't know, OK? A car was
coming. I couldn't check.

- What are you talking about? A car?
Did someone see you? - I don't know,

OK? I-I-I don't
think so.

Damn it! I knew
this was a bad idea.

- I need you to go home right now. I
need you to go home. I'm gonna handle it.

If she's alive, I'll take care
of it, all right? Go home.

- Come with me.
- What are you talking about?

I have to check and see what
happened to her. Go home right now.

Go.

- Hello?

- Hi. Miss Gailey.

It's, um, it's Devon Cavanor.

- Devon?

Actually really important.
It's about Traci Scott.

- OK. I'm in my car
right now.

I can... I can
come to your house?

- no, actually my dad's
gonna be home any second.

I was wondering if we could
meet somewhere private, like,

the high school?

- OK. In the parking lot
behind the school.

OK, great. Thank you so much.

I'll see you soon.

Thank you for meeting me,
Miss Gailey.

- What did you want to tell me?

- Traci Scott got hit
by a car tonight.

And I know who did it.

- What? My god.
Is she OK?

- I don't know.

All I know is that it was...

it was my boyfriend who did it,

and...

he threatened to kill me
if I told anyone.

- Why would he do that?

- Because...
he was afraid

she was gonna tell the truth
about Mr. Adkins.

And if she did, he was gonna be

in a lot of trouble.

He made her and I lie
and make up this story

about him molesting me.
None of that is true.

- Whoa. Um, start
from the beginning.

- God, it all started
with this stupid cheating thing

that was Jay's idea.

He had access
to the CAT answers,

and gave them to me so that
I could get a good grade,

and I knew
that cheating was wrong.

I just... It was the CATs,
and that's

a big deal, you know? - What does
this have to do with Gilbert Adkins?

- Jay knew that he was gonna
proctor the test a week early,

and that...
that never happens.

There was a girl named Brady

that needed to take the test early
because she was going somewhere.

Mr. Adkins was supposed to supervise,
and when Jay found that out,

he had me steal his laptop.
And then his friend hacked into

the computer and, you know,
made an answer key.

We smashed it
to hide the evidence.

You know, make it look
like a prank.

But Mr. Adkins was so adamant
on finding out who it was

that... Jay thought that it would
be a good idea to get him fired

so that people stopped listening
to him about the computer.

- So, you made up
the sexual harassment story

to cover up the fact that you
stole the test from his laptop?

- Yeah.

- What about his death?

Did Jay have something
to do with that?

I know that he didn't kill
himself. Tell me the truth!

- Yeah.
Yeah, it was Jay.

It was just because

Mr. Adkins went to go
speak to Traci's father,

and he thought she was
on the verge of caving. I...

I'm so sorry. I swear
I did not know until afterwards.

I'm so sorry.

- Now that is
one hell of a story.

You are one hell of a liar.

- Liar?

This is all the truth.

- Jay, please.

Enough people have been hurt

over this already.
I'll listen

to anything
that you have to say.

Just...
put the gun down.

- So, this is
how you want to play it?

You want to blame me
for everything?

- You know what you did.
- I know

what I did. I made the mistake
of believing you.

Believing you loved me and
you meant everything you said.

- I have no idea
what you're even talking about.

- Jay, tell me what happened.
Tell me what really happened.

- It's just gonna be lies.
- Shut up!

You want to know?

It was all her idea.

Why would I give a rat's ass
about some test for college?

She's the one that needed
a good grade so Daddy would

buy her a new car.
- It was all you, and you know it.

- It was my idea to get him fired,
but it was her idea to kill him.

- I wasn't even there!

- Jay, please put the gun down.

- I would have done
anything for you.

I told you that so many times.

You used me.

- Jay.

Jay, listen.

There are cameras everywhere.

Just put the gun down.
We can call your parents

and you can tell your side

of the story.

Jay.

- What did they say?

It's better to have
lost at love...

than never to have loved at all.

- Jay, listen, you don't want
to end your life like this.

All that we need to do

is go to the police and...

I'm-I'm-I'm at Powelton High,

um, near the track.
A young man just...

just shot himself.

My name is June Gailey.

- You know he was lying, right?

He was lying.

- I'm gonna need
the police too, please.

- Looks like I'm losing
my hospital buddy.

- It's only for two days.
You'll be home soon.

- Don't worry. I'll be here
every night to continue

our little chess war.
I gotta be able

to beat you sooner or later.

- Knock, knock.
- Hey.

- Hey.
- Hi.

I made these for you.
- Aww.

- I'll take them for her.
Thanks.

- Thank you for coming.

Um, I have something for you.

Leigh finished cutting it
together for me today.

Um, it's not another confession,

but it's just something
I made for you.

- Thank you.
- I guess the best thing is when a student

comes back a decade
after they graduate

and they tell you
how you changed their lives.

The fact that they remember you,
and they remember

what you taught them, and that
it had a profound effect.

Well, that's why I would never
quit this job and do anything else.

- And that's why Gilbert Adkins

should be remembered
for the man that he was:

funny, happy, a man who loved

science almost as much
as he loved his students.

- That's a nice tribute she did.

- I just miss him so much.

- I know.

You ready?

We should get going.

- Yeah.

- Hey, so, what have you decided
about Africa?

Are you heading back
right after the funeral?

- Well, I need to go back to Kampala
to finish out my contract, but, um,

then I'm pretty sure
I want to come back here.

- For good?

- Yeah, I think so.

- I spoke with her father when I
returned everything from her locker.

She's decided to plead guilty.

- Good. I hope she gets
the help she needs.

- Thank you so much
for doing this. It, um...

it really means a lot.

- You're welcome.

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