7th Heaven (1996–2007): Season 1, Episode 16 - Brave New World - full transcript

A lot of kids cry
when their moms

drop them off
on their first day

of pre-kindergarten.

Don't do that.

Once inside the classroom,
you'll probably do some

counting--
beads, Cheerios,

or something. Don't eat them,
whatever they are.

Then you'll
probably

color, glue, maybe cut.

Don't get regular scissors.

They'll only tear if you're
a lefty, which you are.



Right.

Your other right.

Don't worry. After that,

you're pretty much
in the home stretch.

Then you'll take a nap,

you'll have a snack.

Stay away if it's coconut,
and then Mom

will come to pick you up.

Oh, yeah, and never ever

pick anything.

It'll come back to haunt you.

No crying, no coconut,
no picking.

Got it.

Good. I'm glad
we had this little talk.



Welcome to the Big Leagues.

What if I'm no good at school?

You're in the beginning.

Nobody's good in the beginning.

I hate to interrupt
this seminar,

but one of us has a
very big day tomorrow.

No kidding.

My day is completely booked--

school, lunch,
recess, more school,

Happy, and then homework.

Where does the time go?

I have no idea, Simon.

But by this time tomorrow,

I'm gonna be tucking
in a pre-kindergartner.

You're going
to have a great time.

Ha!

Where does the time go?

Um, just so I know,
you told him no, right?

Of course I said no.

I wouldn't go out
with Michael Towner

if there was a cash prize
involved.

But it wouldn't be any
of your business if I did.

Believe that
if it helps you sleep.

Thank you very
much for dinner.

Oh, you're very welcome.

And thank you for letting me
borrow this shirt.

I can't believe
I spilled my milk.

I am such a geek.

Don't worry about it.

Simon spills something
at every meal.

Well, I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay.

We'll just wait
till you get inside.

Um, that's okay.

I'm gonna go through the back

so I don't set off the alarm.

Okay.

Dad, stop, pull over.

What? What is it?

Suzanne forgot
her science notebook,

and she has homework.

Okay,

we'll drop it off.

But that's it, okay?

No catching up
on the events

of each other's lives
during the past,

uh, four minutes.

I'd like to get home

before Ruthie has to leave
for school in the morning.

Okay.

Wait a minute.

Isn't that her?

Oh.

Hey, Suzanne!

We were on our way
back to your house.

You forgot your science folder.

Oh, I know. I was just trying
to catch up with you.

Thanks. I have homework.

Pages 119 to 127.

Hop in. We'll drive you home.

Um, that's okay.

It's just down the street
a little.

Yeah, but I don't like you
walking around

by yourself at night.

Here you go.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Dad...

...did Suzanne seem
a little weird last night

when we dropped her off?

Well, you know,
something was a little off,

but I'm not sure what.

Could you find out?

Uh, how?

I don't know.

Just get in there
and root around.

Do what you usually do.

Well, I can't just butt
into somebody's life

because we have a feeling
something might be up.

Why? You do it all the time.

Well, not exactly.

I... I help people
who ask for my help.

Oh, so my asking's
not enough? Great!

That's not what I said.
That's not what I said.

It's just what she heard.

Thanks. She'll be a real joy
to ride with.

What's the matter, honey?

Not too hungry today, huh?

Opening day jitters, Mom.

Listen, eat something light--
a little toast, maybe.

Throwing up at school is just
as bad as crying.

Simon.

What? I'm just giving Ruthie
the benefit of my experience.

I mean, come on, let's face it:

it has been a while since
you and Mom were in school.

Honey, it's gonna be okay.

We know the teacher,
and she's really, really nice.

And you're going
to make a lot of friends.

I'm fine. I just
don't like this cereal.

Good.

Oh, nice you
could join us.

It won't happen again, Mr. Maki.

I wouldn't bet my outer
shell electrons on that.

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

Where have you been?

I was worried about you.

My mom's car wouldn't start.

And this was the only thing
I had clean

and not at the dry cleaners.

Do you mind?

Of course not.
It looks good on you.

Uh, we're-we're
mixing clear stuff

and clear stuff and
getting yellow sludge.

Ooh, the miracle of science.

The real miracle
would be figuring out

what Mr. Maki's
hair is made of.

You know,

when I called you last night,
your mom said

you weren't back
from my house yet.

Maybe she didn't hear me
come in.

I guess.

You know, it's a big house,
and my mom's kind of a flake.

You do the math.

So, you ready?

How's my breath?

It's good.
It smells like cheese.

Oh, good.

Okay...

So, want me
to take her in for you?

Uh, Simon, thanks for the offer,
but we took you your first day,

so we're gonna do the same
for Ruthie.

You took him?

Yeah. We took all you kids.

He told me he took a cab
and paid for it

- with his own money.
- Uh,

well, cabs are cheap
on planet Simon.

Let go.

I want to go home.

Oh, sweetie,
come on.

It'll be fine.

Come on.
I want my mommy.

Mommy! I want...

Okay, uh, Simon,
you better get going.

You don't want to be late.

I don't want
to go to school!

Hi, Reverend,

Oh.
Annie.

Hi.

Is this the last
of the Camden clan?

Yeah.
Yeah.
You know.

I'm Mrs. Miller, your teacher.

I'm Ruthie Camden.

Nice to meet you, Ruthie.

Isn't she
nice?
Yeah.

And Mommy
will be back.

Mommy will
be back.

And look, I have
Daddy's beeper.

Oh, yup. Here.

If you need me,

Mrs. Miller
will beep me,

and I'll be here in
two minutes, okay...?

I love you, I love
you, I love you.

I love you.

Me, too, me, too, me,
too, me, too, me, too.

Look, modeling clay!

Oh!

We will see you later.

See you
later? Yeah.

I'm okay.
Are you okay?

My little baby's
a pre-kindergartner.

No crying.

I know.

Hey.

Michael Towner thinks
he's such a player,

and he's such
a total jerk.

Yeah. Just be glad
he didn't ask you out.

Well, I don't think he took
your turn-down real well.

What makes you say that?

My boyfriend told me
there's something

on the guys' bathroom wall
that makes it sound like

you did more than
go out with him.

A lot more.

What does it say?

He didn't give me the details.

Get Matt to check it out.

Yeah. Okay.

See you later.

Yeah.

Hello?

Hello?

"You'll always score
with Mary Camden

because she loves to go
one-on-one."

So, what about you?

How much jammin'
did you take?

I completely
blew my ears out

at that rave party
last weekend.

I've just been nodding
at my mom all week.

Who knows
what I've agreed to.

Yeah, the guy who
threw that party

can't have any stereo
left, or stomach lining,

after the stuff
they were pounding.

And the hangover
those guys must've had,

man, it'd have been easier
just to have my dad kill me.

Yeah, no kidding.

And mine would have.

Oh, here it is.

"You'll always score
with Mary Camden

because she loves
to go one-on-one."

I'm going to kill this guy.

This can't be right.

I hope no one made us

while we were out
in the open.

Just act natural.

Blend.

Apartment "C." Sanders.

That's her name,
but she can't live here.

Then why is her name
on the mailbox?

Maybe she takes her allowance

and uses it to pay for her own
place because her mom is so mean

that she can't take living
in the same house with her.

Or maybe she just lives here
and doesn't want anyone to know.

Hey, you guys look lost.

No, no.

Um, we're just
looking for someone.

Yeah, we just got
the wrong building.

Oh.

Do you need directions
or anything?

No, we're fine.

Thank you anyway.

Okay.

If that was her mom,

she didn't seem too mean,
did she?

No, but maybe
she was battling

to keep her dark side
at bay the whole time.

We never
should have come here.

You know, I've seen a
detention slip before,

but I'm pleasantly surprised

to see your name
on it and not mine.

Have fun. Don't
sit in the back.

This is my third tardy

this month, and Mom and Dad
are gonna kill me.

So I was thinking
maybe you would sign it.

No, no, no. See, I'm the
"relieved it's not me" brother

not "parent or guardian."

No, actually, you're the
"I went to a rave last weekend

"with some guys
who were drinking when I said

I was at the movies"
brother.

You know, I don't know
where you get your information,

but you need another source.

Save it-- I heard you talking
about it in the bathroom.

Who loves Jennifer?

Brad. "True love forever."

You were in the guys' bathroom?
Yeah,

there was something
written about me on the wall,

and I wanted to check it out
for myself.

You know,
it doesn't matter anyway

'cause I didn't do anything
at the party.

Oh, yeah, that's the part
Mom and Dad are gonna focus on.

Fine.

And don't worry about Michael.

I'm going to take care of him.

No, you won't.

I can take care
of my own problems.

Really? You just blackmailed
your own brother

to take care of one of them.

Yep, and admit it:
you're a little bit proud.

You know,
somehow, some way

this is going to blow up

in our faces
and lead to groundings,

ugly recriminations and tears.

Only if you plan on crying.

Hmm.

What's that?

An advisory from
Ruthie's school.

"Be advised, it is against
the law as well as school policy

"to bring or have a weapon
on school property at any time.

"This includes
regular school hours,

"all after school activities,

"school bus transportation.

"Possession of a weapon
is forbidden

"on an individual's person,

in a locker, gym bag,
backpack, or on the bus."

That's Ruthie's?

"Prohibited weapons include,
but are not limited to,

"knives, firearms,
switchblades, razors,

blackjacks, chains
or whips of any kind."

There's a place for our
signatures and... Ruthie's.

You've gotta be kidding.

We didn't go through this
with any of the others.

Well, it has been five years

since the last of our "others"
started school.

I don't know.

They want Ruthie to sign this?

She doesn't even stay in the
lines when she's coloring.

Well...

Man, I hate this.

Me, too.

Unbelievable.

Something we can do for you?

I hope so.

Well, shoot.

No offense, Dad, but alone?

I've got stuff
to do anyway.

Come on.

What? Oh, I have to sit down?

This must be serious.

I thought you might want
the lumbar support,

but yes, it is serious.

Oh, okay.

Well, I'm comfortable.

Let's have it.

Well, um, I...

I know you're a good mom
and everything, but...

But...?

You absolutely, positively

cannot under any circumstances
ever kiss me

on or around any school property
ever again.

Oh, well, um, I-I'll do my best.

Under any other circumstances
that would be acceptable,

but in this case, I need more.

You have to promise.

Even if my cheek is on fire,

you cannot use your lips
to put it out.

You have to let me go.

I know it's tough, but that's
just the way it's gotta be.

I understand.

You have my word.

Good.

You almost ruined my life today.

Oh...

Oh, I'm sorry.

What do you mean "almost"?

Well, um, I kinda told the kids

that you were having
a nervous breakdown

about Ruthie going to school.

Lucky for me

that you started crying
when she went in.

They totally bought it.

Nice touch. Thanks.

Oh, yeah, well,
anything to help.

Yeah, well,
I was a desperate man.

I have to face those kids
every day.

It's a jungle out there,
you know.

Yeah, so I'm learning.

What are we doing?

Nothing.

So, Mom,

are you taking me and Ruthie
to school tomorrow or is Dad?

Uh, your Dad.

I'm not going tomorrow.

What do you mean
you're not going?

I went today.
I'm done with pre-kindergarten.

No, you're not.

Yes, I am.

I paid good attention.

You have to go every day.

What's he babbling about?

Your school's every day,
just like the other kids.

Every day?

Uh-huh.

For the rest of my life?

Duh.

Why didn't you teach me this?

'Cause I thought
you already knew.

How could I know
unless somebody teaches me?

I didn't know
she was such a powder keg.

Honey, I thought
you like going to school.

I like peanut butter,
but I don't want it every day.

If I'd known
pre-kindergarten
was every day,

I would never have
signed up for it.

This is all your fault.

Ruthie Camden,

where did you learn
to do something like that?

School.
And I'm never going back.

Ever.

Um, that should be an "R,"
not a "T."

Do you need me

or can you wait till I'm
done before you grade this?

Actually, Suzanne needs you.

Which means
I sort of need you,

you know, through her
because we're best friends.

Yes, yes, I've heard.

Continue.

Well, remember how we thought
something was weird

when we dropped her off
last night?

Yeah.

Well, we were right.

She doesn't live
where she said she does.

She lives in an apartment
downtown, off of Genesee Avenue.

And how do you know this?

Because Jimmy and I
followed her home.

You did what?

Something wasn't right,
and I had to find out what.

So, I told Matt that Jimmy's mom
was driving us home

and we tailed her.

It seemed like
a good idea at the time.

What time was that exactly?

That's a high crime area.

You had no business being
anywhere near that part of town,

especially not by yourself.

What was I supposed to do?

I asked you to help,
and you didn't.

Besides I wasn't by myself,
I was with Jimmy,

and he's an expert
at acupressure point defense.

He could take any guy down
by just poking him... there.

Um... here?

I'm not the expert, he is.

I should ground you,
but you're already grounded.

Just don't go to
that part of town ever again.

Okay.

But Suzanne has to.

She lives there every day.

Get me her address.

I'll see what I can do.

Thanks, Dad.

I'm not promising anything.

You know, that may be
the only place they can afford.

You'll figure out something.

You always do.

I'm so glad it seems that way.

Hi, Ms. Sanders?
Eric Camden.

Oh, of course,
Lucy's dad.

Yeah.
The minister.

Suzanne's told me
all about you.

Come on in.
Oh, all right.
Well, thanks.

I hope I'm not
disturbing you.

Well, I've got to
leave for work in
a few minutes,

but I've got time
for a refill

if, uh, you want
a cup of coffee.

Well, that'd be great.
Thanks.

I'm returning
Suzanne's blouse.

She, uh, she spilled
something on it,

uh, the other night
at dinner,

and my wife cleaned it
up for her.

Oh, that's very
nice of her,

and very nice of
you to drop it off.

Well, I'm-I'm glad

I got the right address.

Uh, Suzanne had us drop her off

at a different one
the other night.

Oh. Suzanne's dad Bill and I
divorced a couple of years ago,

and our standard of living isn't
quite the same as it used to be.

You guys okay?

Oh, yeah.

Between... my jobs

at the motel
and waiting tables,

we're hanging in.

Please, sit down.

Of course, I can't lie.

Things would be a lot easier,
but my ex

doesn't believe
in child support.

Well, the courts do.

Yes, but the
courts aren't

on the same timetable
as my landlord and creditors...

which is okay-- I don't mind
a little hard work.

The worst part is Suzanne thinks
her dad doesn't love her

because he doesn't help
take care of her.

I try to explain
it has nothing
to do with her--

he's just mad at me--

but sometimes actions
or lack thereof

speak louder than words,
you know?

Yes, I do.

Listen, there's a couple lawyers

in my congregation
who handle this kind of thing.

Would it be okay with you if I
asked them to look into this?

Oh, you could,
but I've talked to him,

and I've had lawyers
talk to him.

It doesn't do any good.

Well, maybe I should take
a crack at him.

Oh, oh, I would love to hear
what he'd say to a reverend

about not taking care
of his daughter.

Let's find out.

That's his used car place

down-down by the freeway,
isn't it?

Yeah.
Well...

Oh, honey, Lucy's dad
dropped by
Hey.

to deliver your blouse.

I'm so sorry. I thought
she'd still be in school.

You want me to go after her?
Oh, no, no, no,
no, no, I-I'll go.

You'll just, uh, let
me know what he says?

I have a feeling
I'm going to need
a good laugh today.

Okay.

What was that look for?
She's giving me a dirty look.

This is getting really old.

I hate that guy.

Him and his sad, sad friends.

Why don't you let Matt
take care of him?

'Cause I don't want to make
a big deal out of it.

I was just hoping
the whole thing would go away.

Mary Camden is
such a tease.

So much for hope.

What did you say?

Me? I didn't say anything.

What is your problem?

I don't have a problem.
I mean, what's yours?

You didn't get enough
of me last time?

You're pathetic.

Oh... I told you
she was hot-blooded.

Let's get out of here.

Hey, you okay?

Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

Just stay out of this, okay?

I will for now.

We colored with glitter,

then we sang, then
we played house.

I was the mother, so I rewired
the house on a clapper system.

We had a great day.

I'm jealous just
hearing about it.

Would you, uh, please
take this upstairs

and put it on my bed?

Okay.

"Great" day?

Last night, she swore
she'd never go back.

She met someone.

Really?

A boy someone.

Oh.

Dad, do you
have a minute?

Uh, well, actually, uh,
I have an appointment,

but, uh, for you,
I'm always happy

to find a minute or two.

Thanks a lot,
Reverend.

For what?

For humiliating my best friend
by being at her house

when she came home--
I was waiting

for Matt to pick me up
when Suzanne's mom drove by

and asked me
if I'd seen Suzanne.

She explained
everything.

Suzanne will probably
never speak to me again,

and that is if her mom
even finds her.

I'm sorry. I-I know
how important a best friend is,

but y-you asked me to check
into the situation, and I did.

I-I meant to be gone
before Suzanne got back, but...

By the way, you might want
to change your tone of voice

before I'm as mad at you
as you are at me.

It's just that I didn't want you
to take care of it this way.

What way?

The way that ends up

with my best friend
not talking to me.

So, are you heading out?

Yeah, I got to go
see a deadbeat dad.

Oh, well, I think I have
your cape in here somewhere,

but you're on your own
for the phone booth.

My superpowers
may have been overrated.

Oh, not even a little.

See you later.

I did great
on my math test today.

I guess overconfidence
is the real enemy now.

Do you think I'm overconfident?

Tell me how your day was.
Don't skip a minute.

Come on, Ruthie,
at least tell me if it was okay.

My day was fine.

I have a new best friend
named Skyler,

and he's a superhero.

Yeah, right.
The Tick.

Talk to the hand.

What?

Talk to the hand,

'cause the ears
aren't listening.

And who taught you that?

Skyler.

Hey, what do you know
about this Skyler guy?

Well, I know that he's coming
over to play tomorrow.

Well, I don't want to worry you,

but I don't think
he's a good influence on Ruthie.

Oh, well, uh...

I'll keep a close eye on him.

That's it? You're just going
to let this guy

and his undermining,
upstart ways

just waltz right into the house,
just like that?

Yes.

You're going to take a chance

on this character? Fine.

I like your gambling spirit.

What kind of a name
is Skyler anyway?

Oh, I don't know.

A superhero name?

I said I'd take care of it,
and I will.

You know, I don't think how and
when are unreasonable questions.

I'll tell you how and when.

In my own way,
in my own time.

You know, this
whole thing is
driving me crazy.

Why? It's not your problem.

'Cause you're my sister,
and I won't stand for someone

talking trash about my sister.

You won't "stand for it"?

No.
You know, one guy's

warped ego's enough for me

to deal with this week.

I don't need yours, too.

Well, I'm sorry
this whole thing

bothers me more
than it bothers you.

Yeah, me too.

Al, you have a call
on line one.

Al, call, line one.

Excuse me. Hi.
I-I'm Eric Camden.

I'm the minister
down at Glenoak.

I-I'm looking
for Bill Sanders.

Well, you just found him.

How are you?
Oh, hey.

Nice to me you.

So, what's the church's
special need

A new organ,

furnace or, uh,
water heater?

Oh, all of those, actually,
b-but that's not why I'm here.

Um... your ex-wife asked me
to give you a call.

Things are a little tough,
and they could use some help.

Well, if you know that much,

you know there's no love lost
between us.

So you're punishing Suzanne

'cause you're mad
at your ex-wife?

Wait a second, you just leave
my daughter out of this.

If I could, I wouldn't be here.

She took her
mother's side.

She had to live with
the consequences.

Well, l-let me bring you up
to date on those consequences.

Uh, y-your daughter's living
in a rundown apartment

in an unsafe neighborhood,
going without things she needs,

because... they can't make ends
meet on her mom's two jobs.

If my daughter needed me,
she could've called me.

Well, maybe she can't call.

Maybe... maybe she thinks
you don't love her.

If she thinks that,
it's my ex-wife's fault.

Look, if Suzanne called you,

would you catch up
with the child support?

I'd buy her a pair of shoes
or something.

You ever wonder
why Suzanne doesn't call?

No.

Well, maybe you should.

Thanks for your time.

Any word from Suzanne?

She's probably never going
to speak to me again.

What do you say
we shoot a little pool,

you know, I mean,
if you feel like talking?

Really?

Just you and me?

Yeah.

I'll get my coat.

May I be excused?

Yes.

Why aren't you
and your sister talking?

What's going on?

Nothing.

I won't worry
if you tell me not to.

Don't worry.

May I?

Thanks.

I wasn't talking
to Simon, either,

but now I am, even
though I don't need to,

because I have
a new best friend
who's a superhero.

Oh?

You may not need me,

but you'll miss me.

Ha, ha.

Oh, let's see,
let's see...

Get us a couple of sodas,
would you, Luce?

Now.

You following me?

No, I'm just shooting pool
with my daughter.

So you didn't just

show up here to show me

what a real father/daughter
relationship ought to be?

Only you can decide

what a father/daughter
relationship should be.

This...

...is just a coincidence.

A pool playing minister?

I hadn't heard that one before.

Well, maybe you need
to get out more, Bill.

I'm Suzanne's dad.

I suppose
you're in on this, too.

You don't want
to mess with my kid.

You say you're a
pool player, huh?

Prove it.

I'm sorry. I don't...
I don't play for money.

Maybe you should start.

Yeah, Dad.

Maybe you should start.

20 bucks--

two weeks' allowance.

Okay, Luce, rack 'em up.

Hi.

Hi.

What, did you knock over
a liquor store on the way home?

Oh, well, it's just, uh...

just a little
overdue child support.

Hey.

I knew you'd end up here
eventually.

Knowing what kind of guy you
are, I had a pretty good idea

what you were going to do
with that money.

You don't know
what kind of guy I am.

Anyone who spends five minutes
with you

knows what kind of guy you are.

Even if you're killing him
at the pool table at the time...

game after game
after game.

Would you like to...?

Yeah, I would... very much.

It's a good reason as any
to see my daughter.

Yeah, maybe the best.
Course, you're going

to have
to see your ex-wife, too.

Oh, I can handle that.

What I can't handle is this.

I can't come up
with one lump payment,

but I can find the money
to get them out of here.

Look, I'm sorry if I overstepped
my bounds before.

Suzanne is my daughter's
best friend.

You know how important
a best friend is.

I know how important
any friend can be.

Thank you.

Good luck.

Hey, Suze.

Somebody here
to see you.

It won't take me so long
to get here next time.

I love you, kiddo.

Just ignore him.

The guy's a creep.

Don't let him get to you.

Yeah, he's not
worth your energy.

He hassles tons of girls.

You're no different
than they are.

Oh, yes, I am.

I'm the one
who's not going to take it.

You know, it says
"Men's Room" for a reason.

Listen, Michael, this whole
thing has gone far enough.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Give me a break.

Oh, so I guess you're here

to fight your little sister's
battles for her.

Look, she doesn't need me
to fight her battles for her.

If you had half a brain,
you'd have known that

before you decided
to take her on.

You put that stuff on the wall,
you mark it off.

Sorry, but that's just
not going to happen.

But I'll tell you what,

you can have you pen back
as a lovely parting gift.

Slam and dunk.

She'll always be faster,
and she'll always be smarter.

That's why I don't have
to fight her battles for her.

4:00, my office.

4:00?

And it won't hurt
either one of you to have

a little cool downtime
in detention.

Ooh, busted.

I'm really sorry for
being such a jerk before.

It's okay.

No, it's not.

It's not okay to treat
your best friend like that.

It's just since the divorce.

I mean, I know my clothes
aren't that great

and our apartment...

I was kinda embarrassed.

It doesn't matter.

Look around--
of course it matters.

To me. It doesn't matter to me.

You know the house we live in,

it's not ours,
it's the church's.

And that shirt you borrowed,
my sister's.

Thanks.

I talked to my dad.

Really?
Yeah.

He's helping us
get a new apartment.

I don't know how your dad did
it, but I really appreciate it.

I'll tell him.

So, how was taking to your dad?

Weird at first, but then okay.

It's just... he's trying.

It hurts too much
to be mad at my dad.

I know.

Suzanne says "hello"
and "thank you."

And I say, "Ditto."

You're both welcome.

Hey, keep an eye on your sister
and Skyler, will you?

Sure.

Skyler's here?

The superhero guy?

Yes, and I want you
to leave them alone.

They're playing very nicely
in the living room.

Skyler's sister
should be here any minute.

Oh, and will you, uh,

keep him busy?

I'll do what I can.

So your sister shoved a guy's
head in the toilet?

Up to the collar.
You'd have been proud.

He's been hassling her all week.

I asked,
and you told me not to worry.

You didn't have to.
I'm her older brother

and it's my job
to look out for her.

I stay awake
so you guys don't have to.

Thank you.

Ah! See ya.

Show me. Show me.

That kid's a superhero.

And do you know what I am?
I'm yesterday's news.

You might as well
line a hamster cage with me.

Are you kidding? Your
job is just beginning.

What are you talking about?

Well, she's always
going to need you.

I mean, half the time
she won't know it,

and she'll never admit
it, but you're older

and you know it and
that'll be enough.

The tricky part is teaching her
how to take care of herself.

Well, I'll do my best.

She's a handful.

It could be worse.

How'd you like to be
Mary and have to keep
an eye on Lucy?

Well, then I'd have
to quit school.

She's a full-time job.
Oh, yeah.

And as the oldest, I have
to look out for everybody,

including you.

And when do you ever
have to look out for me?

I'm doing it right now.

But don't worry,
sometimes sisters

can come in handy.

Oh, hi.
You must be Skyler's sister.

I'm Simon,
Ruthie's much older brother.

Let me take that
violin case from you.

I love the violin, by the way,

our four-stringed friend.

The kids are right
in the living room.

I want to file
assault charges.

Fine.

And Mary, I'm assuming
you'll want to file

sexual harassment charges?

What did you think
that was?

Messing around, joking,
having fun?

It's not.

It's sexual harassment.

You know, I'm not the
least bit surprised

that you see it this way.

Mr. Towner, I understand

that you
would rather believe

that this is about sisterhood

when in fact,
it's about right and wrong.

You see,
your belief is incorrect

and holding fast to it
at this point

is really not going
to help anyone,

especially your son.

So Mary,
how do you want to handle this?

It's over.
I just want to let it go.

Really?

I'm not inclined to be
as generous as you are.

You talk trash, you write trash,

your dare to snap
this woman's bra strap?

At the very least your head
is gonna wind up in a toilet.

You harass another human being
in this building,

and you will find that you have
no friend here, got it?

Yeah.
Good.

Now go spread the word.

I know you're good at that.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Mary, don't make a habit
out of waiting so long

to ask someone for
help next time.

Okay. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

There's one more thing.

I got stuck in
the boys' bathroom

a couple of days ago
and was late for class,

so I forged your names
on the detention slip.

Weekend.

Okay.

Just know that there's always
gonna be somebody around

who'll try to take your dignity,

your self-esteem.

But don't let them
take your voice.

I'll try.

Maybe we should just
keep Ruthie home

for ten to 15 years.

I've had my first nap.
And...?

She's not staying home.

Oh.

How long till she gets
out of school?

Including graduate and
medical school, 25 years.

We'll never make it.