Good Trouble (2019–…): Season 2, Episode 16 - Fragility - full transcript

And we're live!

Thank you for believing
in me and ACT-ivism.

Sometimes, I like,
kinda get a feeling...

So I was wondering if you would
like to get a drink with me sometime?

Guys, you're gonna wanna
look at your phones...

We used to be best friends.

Until Mariana showed
up, and you chose her.

So you're like in love with her?

You into magic? Hmm...

I love magic.

Hey, would you say
it's normal to fantasize



about another woman during sex?

Is the woman Mariana's new roommate?

The development company
we are trying to sue

is owned by a Chinese company.

The company that owns
the development group

you're suing, I represent them.

I know you're invested in this case,

but you're not a lawyer on it.

If I give up this case, am
I always going to be expected

to put your career first?

Guess who I ran into? Heather.

- Oh.
- Jamie's ex-girlfriend.

You know what they say
about Sig Pis and Kappas.

They go together.



Jamie, I love you

but I'm not ready to get engaged.

I didn't buy that ring for you.

It was meant for my ex.

Okay, Andre. Principal's office. Now.

I can't go to the
principal's office again.

Well you should have thought about that

before you threw something at a teacher.

I'm sorry but I don't
know how to teach kids

- who don't want to be taught.
- You mean black kids.

In a racially separate,
and unequal society,

white people are the ones who benefit.

But when we try to talk about race,

white fragility quickly emerges.

This is the problem with
recruiting white college grads

- to teach at diverse urban schools.
- Oh my God...

Y'all can't relate to your students!

And you have no clue what
their real home lives are like.

So now you wanna educate me.

The racial status quo is
comfortable for white people.

We don't have to deal with racial stress

and feel entitled to our advantage.

So you have feelings for me?

_

_

_

It was no big thing.

But it's not a small thing.

You must have loved her to propose.

When white people are confronted

with their racial prejudice,

we think we're being
told we're bad people.

And feel like we have
to defend our character.

I'm not racist, okay?

I'm a good person and
I have feelings too.

Hey.

I know you heard me!

As a white person, are there
racial dynamics that I can't see?

What up, gumboot Becky?

Am I open to that possibility?

If we were willing to
consider the possibility

of us getting married...

- Hypothetically.
- Sure.

We have the same values, don't we?

Where it counts.

Aiming to be colorblind
denies the reality of racism.

- We're watching you.
- I am so sorry that they did that to you.

Don't act like you care.

I don't know how to teach kids

who don't wanna be taught.

You mean black kids.

No. In my classroom I don't
see color. I'm colorblind.

Yeah, well, that's your problem.

White tears is how
our fragility presents,

as we cry about how
hard racism is for us.

I tried to tell you...

You lied to me.

We need to feel grief

about the brutality of white supremacy

and how we benefited from it.

But our grief must lead us to action.

It's not enough to acknowledge racism.

We must act to interrupt it.

Okay.

Let's talk about gumboot Becky.

What?

Why did Heather say no?

I think she knew we
weren't really a match.

Well, I heard that Kappas
and Sig Pis just go together.

It was no big thing.

But it's not a small thing.

You must have loved her.

To propose.

She was the kind of girl
I was expected to marry.

- I'm certainly not.
- Exactly.

- Oh, I'm your act of rebellion.
- Am I yours?

I think the best matches
are the unexpected kind.

And I don't want a
marriage like my parents'.

I would like a relationship
as strong as my moms.

Who are very different people.

True, but they have the same values.

If we were willing to consider

the possibility of us getting married.

- Hypothetically.
- Yes.

We have the same values, don't we?

Where it counts.

Yeah.

So, why'd you hold on to the ring?

Just thought you'd dust it off
and try it on the next girl.

Yeah, depended on who the girl was.

Hmm.

But, if say that girl was you...

Nah, it's not your style at all.

What's my style?

Somethin' vintage...

Simpler, but elegant. Not flashy.

You think you know me. So well...

Don't I?

I think we got up too
early this morning.

Definitely.

- We should go back to bed.
- Mm-hmm.

- We're gonna be late for work.
- We'll skip the foreplay.

Hey, Principal Solomon,
can I have a word?

Davia, yes, come in. Have a seat.

And please, call me Dan.

Oh, uh, thanks, Dan.

What can I do for you?

Uh, I wanted to talk to you
about one of my students,

Andre Johnson, and this
diversion program that he's in.

Sure. What would you like to know?

Well, apart from roughing
students up in the hallway

and confiscating their
permanent markers,

I'm not really sure what
this program is all about.

It's a pipeline to prison.

- Targeting mostly students of color?
- Pretty much.

Well, this program is
about diverting kids

who are getting in trouble at school

from getting in trouble with the law.

The only contact most

of these kids have with the law,

is these probation officers
treating them like criminals.

We're trying to keep these
at-risk kids out of gangs.

What they're at risk of is racial bias.

We're giving them tough love
here. That's the whole point.

They're being too lazy to come up with

real solutions outside
of law enforcement.

These kids, they need discipline.

Right? They need to be told
what's right from wrong.

Some of them need more
discipline than others.

You treat a kid like a criminal,

they're more likely to become one.

We're telling these kids
that you can be somebody.

These kids are in middle school.

Is getting in trouble with the law

really that much of a concern?

Trust me. I've seen it happen
with so many of these kids.

And it just...

Breaks my heart.

Well, I think I overreacted

the last time I sent
Andre to your office

and I would like that
struck from his record.

Davia, you're not the first teacher
to send him to my office, okay?

He's obviously not getting the
kind of parenting he needs at home.

You did him a favor.

Ugh...

I really screwed up.

The whole system is screwed up.

The whole purpose of public education

was to promote social equality.

Here you go.

Every single one of my students

deserves a chance at success in life.

But not every one of them
gets that opportunity.

Well how can I help Andre
and my other students?

You can join the Equity Committee.

We're a group of teachers.

We meet a couple times a week.

We work on a plan to
do better by our kids

and close the achievement gap.

I'm in. Whatever I can do.

Okay! Well we're meeting
tonight at my place

so I'll just text you the address.

Sounds good.

How's it feel? Being the first
all-female team at Speckulate.

- Amazing.
- It's great.

So empowering.

There's this perception that
women don't work well together.

Yeah, like we're gonna
cat fight instead of code.

Right? But I've had so much less drama

working with these ladies

than any primarily male team
that I've ever worked on.

- Same
- Same.

I've launched apps before.
Where's my photo shoot?

You see, when a woman launches
an app, it's so rare, it's news.

Because the opportunity is rare.

When's your glamour shoot?

You're green team-ish, right?

He's whatever Mariana wants him to be.

She's green. He's blue.

She's blue. He's green.

Can we talk about my privacy
proposal for the new app?

No. Evan is not gonna like it.

What we can talk about, is
this salary laddering bullshit.

And how it's gonna turn a
meritocracy into mediocrity.

What can you tell me about
the new salary laddering plan?

I understand that's another
project you all took on.

Well, laddering levels the playing field

and ensures income equality
for women and people of color

doing the same work, as say,
their white male counterparts.

It's not just about the women.
I'm finally being paid

as much as Sam for doing the same work.

- But is it the same work?
- No.

I rest my case.

- Raj's is better.
- What? How so?

Oh. Look who's ready for his close up.

Is my work even good?

It's your girlfriend's boyfriend.

Uh, Mariana. Can you
have a seat there, maybe.

- Looks great. Feel good?
- Yeah.

Uh, yes...

So Evan, an activism
app doesn't seem like

an obvious choice for Speckulate.

Well, maybe not the old Speckulate.

So Mariana's enlightened you.

Ah, she has, uh,
definitely opened my eyes

to many things that needed fixing.

And, Mariana. You've only
been here a short time.

What was it like pitching
your idea to uh, the boss?

Oh. Well, I was terrified.

Really? Huh. Seemed
cool as a cauliflower.

Um, no, I wasn't cool as anything.

I was a nervous wreck.

And, uh, what was your
first impression of Mariana?

Uh... well... I thought
she was incredibly bright.

And confident.

Enthusiatic.

Everything I'm looking for...

in an engineer.

You-you were kidding about Raj's work

being better than mine...

- ... right?
- Nope.

He's more focused than you.

Yeah, sure, I'd be focused on work too

if I had to watch my boss do
publicity porn with my girlfriend.

There's so many things
wrong with that statement.

First, the idea of you
even having a girlfriend.

- Someday...
- And two, can I finish?

Two, how would being distracted
make you more focused?

Have you ever tried to
like cook or shower...

Evan, let's lose the jacket.

Maybe pull up your sleeves a bit.

Just loosen you up. You know?

Here. Got it.

You gotta play music so
you can distract yourself...

then you get the task done faster.

This is how you're
backing up your argument?

_

_

- This stuff that we're working on...
- Stop.

I've stopped listening to you.

Well whose fault is that?

Callie. Do you know what this meeting

with the CC Hastings lawyers is about?

No, um, I'm not working
on the case anymore.

I ju... I really have to
focus on passing the bar.

And doing the job I was hired for.

You aren't bailing because
you think we're gonna lose?

No. Absolutely not. I-I
really believe in your case.

And you're in great hands
with Marcus and the ACLU.

Where were you this morning?

Sorry, I, uh, was running late.

Well, we're shorthanded today.
Can you get the lunch order?

Sure.

Lisa, thanks for coming
in. Let's chat in my office.

Um, any idea what's up?

- You know as much as we do.
- Which is sad.

Because without you inside
the room where it happens,

we're all in the dark.

Callie. Can you grab coffee

for a dozen people for this afternoon?

Sure.

Hey, um, I was just looking for, uh...

Mmm. She's, uh, in the laundry room.

- I'll wait in the lounge.
- Oh!

Don't be silly. Have
you ever tried yoga?

I'm Indian so we kind of invented it.

Oh, right.

But, no, I have not.

Come on. I'll show you some poses.

- Come on. Easy ones.
- Uh...

Okay. Knees head width apart.

And we'll start with cat cow
just to warm up the spine a bit.

Arch your back.

- That feel better?
- Uh-huh.

Uh, so...

- I have a favor to ask you.
- Uh...

- A favor?
- Mm-hmm.

I need a wood elf.

You know, like the
kind from Middle Earth.

- Oh, okay.
- Mm-hmm.

You might also need a doctor,

you know, like from a psych ward.

Feet flat.

- Oh.
- Hips up.

- Oh!
- This one's called downward dog.

- Head down.
- Oh, okay.

So as a side gig, I do kids' parties.

I'll dress up as a princess or a fairy

and we'll do face painting, and games.

Okay, uh, puppy pose.

- Mmm.
- Puppy pose...

So, I usually do it with this guy
and he's totally bailed on me.

So I was thinking...

maybe you could be my new partner.

Well, I have zero wood elf training.

Okay. Easy pose.

That may be true, but you
do have some special skills.

Magic.

When did you learn that?

I'm glad you asked. To
tempt you, I got a magic kit.

It's literally a bag of tricks.

Okay, so you could do a magic show

and I could be your assistant.

Come on. We could do this.

You can do this.

Oh, you look amazing.

Thanks.

- So do you.
- Ah. Thank you.

Are you ready?

Let me just get my bow and arrows.

Okay, let's talk about gumboot Becky.

I know it was pretty dumb of me

to teach you a dance
about black oppression.

- I thought it was funny.
- I didn't. It was awkward.

And I hear that.

I just wanted to find
a way for this class

to connect to the material.

But it wasn't cool how
you put on a costume

and dance like you understood
what you were doing.

You're right. And I'm sorry.

Look, sometimes I
don't get it because...

Well, as a white person

I'm not forced to think
about my whiteness

and how that might allow me to
be clueless about some stuff.

But I want to do better.

And I want you all to feel
like can call me out...

For real?

- Absolutely.
- Your perfume smells hella cheap.

Constructively.

Seeing somebody who
does the dance for real

would have been dope.

You're right, and I should have
tried to reach out to someone

who understood the
culture and the history.

Okay, but my dancing aside...

what did you all think about the gumboot

and how it was used as
a communication tool?

I thought it was cool.

I read that a lot of the miners
didn't speak the same language.

So even if they were allowed
to talk, they couldn't.

So the dance kinda like,
bridged the language gap too.

That's right, Andre.

So downloads for
ACT-ivisim have been growing

which has generated a
lot of amazing feedback.

But I do think that we
could expand on that buzz.

The article's gonna be great...

Does she want people to
know that her app is shitty?

What? Sorry. I fell asleep.

So if we could reach our target
users, we'll see more traffic.

Agreed. We'll talk to ad sales.

Thank you.

Seriously, he's throwing more money

at this loser? How?

Oh. Um, I would love to
bring Rachael on the team

to help with outreach.

Okay. Approved.

What about my request
for additional coders

for the new social media project?

Shouldn't that be our
priority seeing how it could

actually make the company some money?

The social media project has
all the resources it needs.

But when your team starts
working as hard as the green team

to meet its deadlines,
then maybe I'll consider

investing additional resources.

Oh, you found me!

Should we go see if we can
find some other fairies?

- Yeah!
- Yeah, come on! Let's go!

Oh, be careful!

Oh look. Here's some. Hi, ladies...

Okay. Should we all play?

Oh! Try to keep it in the air.

What are you supposed to be?

I'm a wood elf.

Magician.

Make me a giraffe.

Oh, sorry. I don't rea...

Okay. Well, yup. Um...

- Hello.
- Where are you?

Uh. I had a personal matter.

Okay, well I need you
to pitch your privacy feature.

I'll put you on video chat.

What?! No, wait. What!

And you have Evan. And everyone.

Um, hello everyone.

Hi Raj.

Where are you? We can't see you.

Uh...

Hey. So, uh...

Whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Back up, man. We can
see up your nostrils.

What? I can't hear you.

So. The privacy feature will
give you just complete control

to opt in for any algorithm.

Something no other social app allows.

Whi...

Sorry about that. Here I am.

Cosplay during the day. So lame.

Cosplay anytime is lame.

Yeah, no, it's lame always.

Raj. This is Evan.

Are you dressed as an elf?

Hmm?

Pfft. Yes. Yes, I am, sir.

Okay. Well, I'm intrigued by this idea.

You're intriged by the elf
costume or the privacy feature?

Privacy feature, of course.

Carry on.

Well, we have have dreams. I know I do.

One thing I dream about is social media

that doesn't invade my privacy.

Bye.

See ya tomorrow.

Hey. Can I talk to you for a second?

So I wanted to apologize
for the part I played

in getting you placed in
this diversion program.

And I spoke to Principal
Solomon on your behalf.

Okay.

I just wanna figure out
how best to support you.

And I would love to meet your parents

to figure out how we
can do that together.

It's just my mom.

Well I'd like to meet her.
If that's okay with you.

- I-I guess.
- Great.

I'll set it up.

What took you so long?

The order wasn't ready
when I went to pick it up.

And I couldn't call
'cause I left my phone.

- Yeah. It's on your desk.
- It's been blowing up.

And a Jamie Hunter
called a couple of times.

- Left word to call him back.
- Okay. Thanks.

Come on.

You all know that these intimidation
tactics are breaking the law.

So if you don't tell him to back
off until this matter is settled,

then we're gonna take
legal action against him.

My clients deserve to live in
peace. Not in constant fear.

Gary. Can you stay
to take notes, please?

Yeah, sure.

Callie. We good?

Uh, yes.

Greetings, young maidens.

I've come all the way
from the enchanted forest

with my very good friend,
Neldor the Wood Elf!

You're not an elf.
Elves are really small.

I'm not that kind of
elf. I'm an elf giant.

Neldor.

And...

- He's magic.
- Elves aren't magic!

Oh really? Are you sure...

Wow...

And now watch as I, Neldor
the magical Wood Elf,

turn water into ice.
Right before... your eyes.

Voila.

Whoa...

He just made ice!

Feel how cold...

And now, I will need the birthday girl.

All right, Ava.

I want you to pick a
crayon from the box.

Don't let me see it.

And I will now read Ava's mind...

to reveal the secret crayon color.

- No way.
- It's true.

When a kid turns 8, their psychic aura

becomes instantly readable to magicians

and wood elves and moms.

Watch and be amazed, young
skeptics, as I read her mind.

I'm seeing a color. I'm
sensing... something...

Warm. Bright. Like fire.

Is your crayon... orange?

Wow...

Wow!

That was amazing.

We'll be in touch.

- What happened?
- Not your case anymore, Callie.

_

_

So?

What's going on?

I really shouldn't speak out of turn.

But of course I will.

Mariana.

Good job today on the photo
shoot and the interview.

Thank you.

The reporters has some follow-up
questions for you tomorrow.

Okay.

About the Amanda situation

and the wrongful termination lawsuit.

- I thought that went away.
- It did.

But somehow the reporter
found out about it anyway.

And we'd like you to
set the record straight.

- How?
- Just...

tell them that you've
worked closely with Evan

and that he's never crossed a line.

Assuming that that's true.

- It is.
- So, let them know.

That he's not what Amanda and her
lawsuit tried to make him out to be.

And that he's been nothing
but professional with you.

Okay?

- Okay.
- Okay.

Hey! Andre was really
great in class today.

He took part in the discussion

and he had some really great insights

into the book that we're reading.

Oh. Maybe the diversion
program is making a difference.

I'm planning to meet with his mom.

To see how we can work
together to come from a place

that's, you know, less punitive.

Sounds encouraging.

Yeah I'm also joining the
Equity Committee.

I'm excited about coming
up with ideas to address

the achievement gap.

You know they're not a
school-sponsored group, right?

And the administration
isn't exactly thrilled

about their ideas.

Instead of helping us improve
what's already in place,

they just want to blow everything up.

Oh well... I didn't know that.

Look, your review is coming up
and any recommendation I make,

it still has to be approved
by the administration.

I'm really impressed by your passion

and the progress you're
making with the students.

I'd hate to lose you.

See you tomorrow.

Look, if I just leave,
then you can still fix it.

I don't wanna lose you.

You wanna talk about dating?

Not even sure there's
someone out there for me.

Oh, of course there's
someone out there for you.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.

May I?

Please.

- Is everything okay?
- No.

Kendra asked me to talk to
the reporter again about the

whole Amanda situation.

I thought that was settled.

Yeah, well, I guess the story's out.

Look, I don't know what happened
between you and Amanda.

I wasn't there. So I can't defend you

without discrediting her.

And I can't contribute to the narrative

that women shouldn't be believed.

You don't need to defend me.

Just... speak to our relationship.

Yeah, but I can't exactly
defend that either.

Like, Kendra asked me if you've
ever crossed a line and I lied.

I can't honestly say
that a professional line

hasn't been crossed between us.

And not just by you.

What do you mean?

We both crossed a line?

I think that we have feelings
that are more than professional.

Hey, do you have a second?

Uh, sure.

Okay, so, as someone who's...

dealt with a bunch
of inequities at work.

Uh-huh.

Would you rather have
an ally for the long term

helping change the culture,

or would you want that ally
to fall on their sword by like,

joining an Equity Committee
and risk that ally being fired

as a result, and not
being able to help at all.

I'm not sure under-the-radar
allies are much help.

Soft support doesn't really help
make the change that's needed.

Okay. Thanks.

You wanna know what I think?

No...

I think if we all fall on our sword,

who will be left on the battle field?

I also think we should abolish
government, taxes, Fox News.

Definitely that blouse you're wearing.

Hey, that's just me.

Can you put your bowl in the sink?

Actually, can you? That'd be great.

You're drinking milk and whisky?

Yeah.

Hey.

Hey.

So, uh... I have to talk
to you about something.

Me too.

So I need to talk to you
about the CC Hastings lawyers.

Um, one of them, Jamie Hunter,
is the person I told you about.

That I'm seeing.

Did you know he was gonna
be at the meeting today?

No. I didn't think that he represented
Anwei's subsidiary companies.

- Well, he presented the offer.
- Which they doubled.

I made him tell me.

So, Lisa's gonna take the offer
back to the other plaintiffs?

It's a lot to ask these
tenants to fight gentrification

when the bottom line
is, they're renters.

They don't own their homes.
And that much cash in hand

can solve a lot of short-term problems.

Okay, but what about the long-term ones?

It's hard to focus on the long-term when

you're living hand-to-mouth
like most of these folks.

So, you think the lawsuit's dead?

I think no one else is gonna offer
them this much money to move.

What is so special about
this particular building?

I don't know. Why don't
you ask your boyfriend?

So you're okay with me and Isabella?

Yeah.

Of course I am.

I fell back that Raj
is stuck on blue team

and I'm getting all of
this attention for the app.

I just wish that there was something

that he as passionate about,
that made him happy.

Well, he loves magic.

I mean, he could get
good enough to perform.

He's terrified to get
up in front of people.

Even pitching at work
gives him heart palps.

But what about people who aren't adults?

I think I may have an idea.

You don't need my approval to
do kids' parties with Isabella.

You get to perform your
magic which I know you love.

I did crush it.

- You sure?
- Yes.

If it makes you happy,
it makes me happy.

Okay.

So what did you want to tell me?

_

- What manifesto?
- What?

Hey, guys.

Hi.

"Why the women engineers at Speckulate

aren't equal to the men"?

I tried to tell you.

You lied to me.

I didn't lie to you.

You said that you have
nothing to do with this case,

or CC Hastings,

that you represent
Anwei's other interests.

And that was true,
until at the last minute,

they asked me to step in
on this negotiation today.

Why didn't you tell them it
was a conflict of interest?

Because, technically it isn't.

You're not on the case anymore.

Because you said that
they would get their day

in court with our without me.

I was unfamiliar with the Ellis Act

which allows building
owners to evict tenants

because they're claiming they're
going out of the rental business.

Well there are exceptions.

They've already gotten approval, Callie.

You can stall the inevitable
but you won't win.

Wow. It sounds like you
were very persuasive.

Where I was persuasive was
in convincing CC Hastings

to double the money they're
offering the tenants.

and to increase the number
of affordable living units.

It's still wrong.

They're powerless and they're
being taken advantage of

by powerful companies
lining their pocket.

I don't disagree, but
until the law changes,

this is a whole lot better than
what they were gonna get.

I'm sorry I blindsided you, but I
tried to do right by those people.

_

_

_

_

"Salary should be based on
merit, skill and competency

and not reverse discrimination
against white males".

"Men are better suited
to high-stress jobs

because women are more
interested in life-work balance,

relationships, and starting a family".

"If women engineers were qualified

and could do their job
better than male engineers,

they wouldn't have to get
special favors from their bosses

who use $10,000 of their own money

to bail them out of an app failure

like Mariana Adams Foster
and her ACT-ivism app".

I never asked Evan to
bail me out of that glitch.

- I wanted him to garnish my wages.
- I know that.

Now everyone's gonna think that
he did me some special favor.

Wait.

How did whoever wrote that know
about the 10K and the glitch?

Oh, she swears Evan's not into her.

Dude, Evan wants her.

- We all want her.
- Right?! Wait.

Not... no, no, no. Not like
technically but like conjecturally.

Right. Right. I mean, why else would he

bail her out with his own money?

Whoa, whoa, whoa...

Like out of jail, like she got arrested?

No, no, no.

We had a code glitch
during the beta test.

Yeah, it doubled the
event donations by $10,000

and Evan picked up the tab.

That's like...

Yeah.

Right.

Did you tell anyone?

I... might have...

I... mean I forgot, but

now I remember. I was really drunk.

And upset after you had drinks with Evan

and didn't tell me and so I

did, I told...

Alex.

Wow, um, you told the one
person who's been horrible to me

since my first day at Speckulate
and still calls me Mary Anna?

I'm so sorry.

- I can go.
- No, stay.

I might need you to
keep me from killing Raj.

- I was really drunk.
- Bad excuse.

Now everyone's gonna think that
Evan gives me special treatment.

And none of my hard work
is gonna matter at all.

For the record, I told Alex
the glitch was my fault.

And it was whiskey...

Okay, still bad, Raj.

At least we know it was Alex.

We have no proof.

I'm sure he covered his tracks.

There no way to trace it back to him.

I'll get the proof.

I'll find a way. I'll make
this right. I promise.

So you have feelings for me?

I do, uh...

have some feelings sometimes.

But I have a boyfriend
who I really love.

What if you didn't?

I still wouldn't act on those feelings.

Why?

Because you're my boss.

And everyone would assume that

any success I've had at Speckulate

was based solely on my
relationship with you.

- It's what they think now.
- Well they're wrong.

You've earned everything
at this company.

I know.

And I intend to keep it that way, so...

I don't want you to invest
any more money into my app.

I'll find a way to get the word
out and get us more downloads

without help from ad sales.

So these feelings?

We just don't feel them anymore?

We can't.

Agreed.