Outmatched (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 4 - Bullying - full transcript

Well, we did it.

It took three geniuses
and 16 years,

but we finally got our first
call to the principal's office.

Mm.

Being here
really brings back memories.

I almost feel
like that class-skipping,

whippet-doing 16-year-old again.

Yeah. Now you're
just the work-skipping,

whippet-doing mom
of a boy who gets bullied.

(chuckles softly)
Honestly, I'm surprised

it took Marc this long
to get picked on.



I mean,
he's a weird, gifted kid

in an Atlantic City
public school.

I wonder
what finally did him in?

Oh. Could have been
a hundred things.

I mean, he says,
"Good morrow."

He's a vocal advocate
for thyroid health.

He runs like his arms are trying
to get away from his torso.

Yes. Yes.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennett?

Oh, my God.
Sweetie, are you okay?

Who did this to you?
Just give me a name.

Kids fall off the jungle gym
all the time.

No, I think
you both misunderstood.

Marc wasn't the victim.
He was the bully.



No. No, that can't be right.

I mean,
Marc couldn't hurt anybody.

Last night, he got trapped
under his weighted blanket.

Technically,
it was just a top sheet.

Marc didn't use his fists.

He has a way of making people
who aren't as bright as him

feel inferior.

Sweetie, you can't make fun
of other kids

because they're not
as smart as you.

Actually,
the victim wasn't a student.

You didn't tell me
he was going to be here.

-Marc bullied his teacher?
-No.

I simply correct him
when he is wrong.

Which is all the time.

(sighs)
He has repeatedly undermined me.

I've lost the respect
of the whole class.

You lost that yourself when
you said you went to Dartmouth.

It's an Ivy!

Sweetie, you can't treat
your teacher like this.

You have to apologize.

All I did was tell the truth.

Apologizing would be lying.

Connie, you promised
you'd make him stop.

Connie can't help you now.

? ?

I can't believe
Marc bullied his teacher.

Brains and cruelty?

I may have finally found
a running mate.

I talked to him about it;
he wasn't trying to be a bully.

I think he's just acting out
because he's bored

and not being challenged
at school.

You know, you guys acted out,
too, but in different ways.

Like when you grew human ears
on the backs of mice

so you could "play God."

Funny story,
most of those mice went insane.

This is a problem.

I don't know how we can keep
sending Marc to that school.

So, send him to ours.

They'll accept anyone
related to me sight unseen.

We can't afford a third kid
in private school.

Money doesn't just grow on the
backs of mice like ears, Nicole.

If he's bored, can't you just
skip him a few grades

so he'll be more challenged?

Oh, he is not emotionally
mature enough for that.

And how's he gonna
reach the urinals?

I guess he could stand back
and arc it.

What about sending Marc
to Marlboro Charter?

They have a gifted program.

Jason Berger went there
after our school kicked him out

for using the robotics lab
to build a girlfriend.

Oh, we have dinner with them
on the 24th

to celebrate their anniversary.

What's Marlboro Charter?
Sounds expensive.

No, it's free.

It's like a public school
with a specialized...

He stopped listening
after "free."

I stopped listening after
you said you have a dinner date

with a pervert
and his robot girlfriend.

From what he says,
she's the pervert.

And we think Marlboro Charter's
gifted program

would be perfect for Marc.

He wrote his first concerto
when he was four

and then self-published
a magazine

that gave it a rave review.

Well, it's quite impressive.

And while my little
academic sandbox

is open to all qualified
children in the district,

I'm concerned about
Marc's history of bullying.

I understand.

But that was just
a one-time thing.

The class is a little slow
for him,

so he's bored and acting out.

Interesting.
"He's bored and acting out."

Tell me, was that also
your excuse

back when you bullied me?

Uh... I'm sorry, when I...?

I could tell
you didn't recognize me.

Ventnor High,
we graduated together?

Oh, my God!
Yes, yes, of course.

Dr. Walker. How are you?

You were the architect

of the most humiliating moment
of my life.

Well, how have you been
since then?

I can't believe Marc's bullying
was a one-time thing.

The apple rarely falls
far from the tree.

Are you kidding me?

That apple fell so far
from the tree,

I wouldn't believe
it's our apple

if I didn't see the tree
push it out with my own eyes.

Marlboro appreciates
your interest.

I'll pass Marc's application
on to my colleague.

Well, thank you both
for your time.

Well, there goes any shot
of getting into Marlboro.

That guy really hates you.

I mean, that shredder
was brand-new.

I feel like he bought it
just for that meeting.

I don't even know
what he was talking about.

I wasn't a bully in high school.

I played a few pranks.

I was voted class clown.

Sure, but clowns
aren't always funny.

I mean, the most popular ones
terrorize Gotham

or live in the sewer
and eat children.

Hey.

How did it go at the school?

Uh, great, buddy. Yeah.
We-we should hear soon.

I'm hopeful it works out.

Did you see that?

I've never seen him
that amped up about anything.

Yeah.

I know.
I got to fix things with Walker.

So we'll-we'll just call him
and apologize.

That's perfect.

Except for I have no idea
who he is or what I did to him.

I got to figure this out.

Someone has to remember him.

I don't remember him.

Wait. Was this the guy

you stapled into
the mascot outfit?

-No, that was John Norwood.
-Oh.

What about the dude
whose deodorant

you switched for spray glue?

Ryan Farley.

And how was I supposed to know
he sprayed deodorant down there?

Who does that?

-What?
-(scoffs) No one.

That's crazy.

Okay, okay... Oh! What was
the name of the flat-assed guy

you shoved into the locker
during homecoming?

Oh-oh-oh, oh.
Uh, uh, his name was Mike.

(clears throat)
Mike Bennett. She married him.

(chuckles)

You know, the more we talk
about all the stuff I did,

it sounds more mean than fun.

Was I just a bully
in high school?

No... no, babe.

You just-- you did some...

cruel things at the expense
of other people's confidence

in their white jean collection.

Wow, Mike.
You found the only thing

that a white guy
can't get away with.

So Walker was right.

I am the jerk tree,

and Marc is the apple
that didn't fall far from me.

Maybe you were a tree
on the jerky side,

but you're
a different person now.

Pancake-Ass is right.

Why don't you just show this
Walker guy that you changed.

Uh, invite him over
for dinner or something.

Yeah, or do what you did to us:

invite him over for beer
and pizza,

and then talk about stuff
he can't even contribute to

because he went to
a different high school, Kay!

All right, you know what?
Let's give it a try.

We'll roll out the red carpet.

Oh! Was Walker the guy
you rolled in that carpet?

MIKE:
No-no-no-no-no.

Uh, buh-buh-buh-buh, also me.

Walker just e-mailed back.

He is in for dinner tomorrow.

But he said his "girlfriend"
can't make it.

Weirdly, he's the one
who put "girlfriend" in quotes.

Great. Did he mention
any food allergies?

'Cause we throw a couple nuts
in his salad,

next thing you know,
we're saving his life

and he owes us.

-Ha!
-Oh. Hey, buddy.

What did we say about you
and lurking?

Don't get caught.

Maybe now's a good time
to talk to your apple.

Hey, sweetie.

Here. Sit.

You know,

I've been thinking
about all the stuff I did

when I was in school,
and you know what I realized?

It is never okay to bully.

-Well, actually...
-I hate when they start
sentences like that.

I recently read an article
that I wrote

that highlights
the sociopolitical benefits

of diminishing the weakest
among us.

From an evolutionary standpoint,
ineptitude should be ridiculed,

as to discourage that trait
from the species.

Does everything have to be
a nature documentary?

Just be kind to people,
even if they're dumber than you.

So, based on that premise,

I should be extra nice to Brian.

What a beautiful sentiment
from my brilliant

and symmetrically-featured
sister.

In case your lackluster
intelligence isn't following,

it is I who am
being nice because...

because of what Mom said.

Interesting.

They're being nice to be mean.

-No, no-no-no-no-no,
don't learn this.
-MIKE: Guys,

niceness is not a weapon, okay?

It makes the world
a better place,

and also, it's a great way
to hedge your bet

in case there really is
a heaven.

So just put your egos aside
and-and just,

you know... be good.

Forever.

Yes!

Definitely forever.
But especially tomorrow.

Because Marc's academic life
hangs in the balance,

and we have to prove

that we are a warm,
loving family,

and not just a bunch of bullies.

Hey, Dad, can I borrow
your hammer?

My imaginary friend
needs to be taught a lesson.

Hey, what do you think?

Pretty clean, right?

I mean, I had to
drill the closet door shut

'cause it wouldn't stay.
But that's for tomorrow us.

Nice. Look what I got.

Nothing says "warm, kind home"
like a welcome mat.

Good news, it was on sale.

Bad news, it says
"Welcome to our ho ho home."

That's perfect. He's gonna think

we're year-round
Christmas people.

Those freaks
are nice to a fault.

BRIAN:
Mom,

your deceitful daughter
plagiarized

my look for the night.

Plagiarized? You took that
turtleneck out of my drawer.

What happened to you two
out-nice'ing each other?

That tiresome charade
ran its course.

Yeah, it got weird when Nicole
tried to draw me a bath.

Okay, Walker is going to be here
any minute.

I don't have time
for your your fighting

and competing right now.

Nicole gets the turtleneck,
Brian gets the khakis,

no one gets a bath.

Why can't they ever
just make anything easy?

Isn't it obvious?

I was a bully, and now
I'm raising an army of bullies.

Well, I don't know
about an army.

I'd say maybe
an elite task force.

I was just worried about Marc,
but it's all of them.

It's like my mean DNA
combined with their brains

makes them
bullying supersoldiers.

Well, we can't count on
the kids, so it's just gonna be

up to us tonight to make sure
that-that we're nice.

Okay, you know you're already,
like, professionally nice,

so you're just saying that
to remind me.

-What?
-Do you not think I'm nice?

Yeah, of course
you're nice, babe.

Yeah-- I'm just, I'm saying,
you know, it never hurts to, uh,

-be more nice.
-What the hell is more nice?

-Not this.
-(doorbell rings)

Great.

Now I'm all in my head
about "more nice."

You know, I'm gonna "more nice"
your head right up your...

(gasps)
Hey, you!

Get in here.

-I'm a hugger.
-Oh.

Careful, I have a soft spine.

This is a very quaint home.

Shoes on, I assume.

Dr. Walker,
thank you for coming.

We're sorry your girlfriend
couldn't make it.

Ah. Yes, well, actually,
we broke up.

My decision.

And don't try calling her;
she doesn't have a phone.

Please come in. Let me
introduce you to the family.

Um, t-this here is Leila.

And of course, this is Marc--

come here, buddy--
the man of the hour.

-Enchant?, Marc.
-Enchant?, aussi.

Oh, French.
(chuckles)

The language of France.

Okay.
(clears throat, chuckles)

KAY:
And these are our other two

gifted children
Brian and Nicole.

-Enchant?.
-Enchant?.

-Enchant?.
-Enchant?.
-NICOLE: Actually,

I think you can help us.

My brother and I were having
an intellectual debate.

Is there any other kind?
(laughs)

How droll.

As an academic evaluator,
you are uniquely qualified

to settle something for us.

Uh, we don't need
to bother Dr. Walker with...

We could show you
our r?sum?s, drone on

about our commendations, but
let's dismiss the formalities.

You've seen enough.

Decide: who is drawing
whom a bath?

Come again?

Who is drawing whom...

(laughs): Okay.
Why don't, why don't we, uh,

go upstairs and, uh, and change
our clothes... (clears throat)

...and our personalities?

Okay. So the kids
enchant?d the bed.

I think it's time to pull the
trigger and say you're sorry.

(whispers): Ah, yeah. There's
one problem-- same problem--

-I don't remember him.
-Right.

Okay. Okay, I-I got this.
(clears throat)

So, Dr. Walker,
tell me about yourself.

D-Did you play any sports
in high school?

(chuckles)
No, I was not a sporting man.

The only team I cheered for
was the team of physicians

trying to rectify
my calcium deficiency.

I drank an obscene amount
of milk.

Cool, cool. That seems like
a memorable characteristic,

just a sick dude
chugging milk all the time?

What is this?

No, no, no.
Uh, we're-we're not...

I had my reservations
about tonight.

Now I see you brought me here
only to mock me.

My girlfriend was right.
I shouldn't have come.

I thought you broke up.

This is a new one.

She also has no phone.
I should be going.

No-- Dr. Walker, wait.

I realize now that I was not
a good person in high school.

I feel terrible about the things
I did back then,

and I wish I could apologize

for what I did to you.

But the truth is, I don't
even remember what it was.

Well, I appreciate your candor.

I wish it were only
so easy for me

to forget about
that election speech.

Election speech.

You're Andy Walker.

(high-pitched):
And I owe you an apology.

(regular voice):
Oh.

Would you, um...

excuse me?

Uh, I'm just gonna go help her
for a minute.

(clears throat)

-What is going on?
-I remember Walker.

Senior year, right before
his student council speech,

I slipped a bottle of laxatives
into his prescription soup.

Walker was the kid that dumped
out in front of the school.

I remember that.

They had to replace
the whole stage.

But this is great.
Now you can really apologize.

No, I can't. I will never ever
apologize to that guy.

Well, drink up.
Usually after the second glass,

you're more up to try things
you first said no to.

-Why won't you tell this guy
you're sorry?
-Look,

I feel bad about a lot of stuff
I did back then, but not that.

That was not bullying,
it was standing up for a friend.

My only regret
is I didn't use more laxatives.

But I needed to fit
into my prom dress.

-But again...
-The guy was a huge creep.

He had a crush on my friend
Heather, and she just

didn't like him back, so he lied
about her cheating off him

and got her kicked
out of school.

Whoa, that guy did that?

Okay, they might get
the bullying from me,

but they get
the lurking from you.

Yes.

Your mom needs to say
she's sorry to this guy.

But it sounds
like she was right.

She shouldn't have to apologize.

Ugh, I have to be a parent
right now, don't I?

Your dad has a point.

What I did was wrong,
and it is never okay

to treat someone like that.

So I should own up to it.

(whispers): Even though I was
right and I don't want to.

And then Neil deGrasse Tyson
said, "Give me some time."

And I said, "What is time?"
and, oh, did we laugh.

Well, I laughed.

He was very far away.

Can I go to bed?

Dr. Walker, I just want to
finish what I was saying before.

Oh.

KAY:
I am...

sorry for what I did to you.

It was, uh...

Cruel, childish and unjustified?

Those are three things.

And for whatever reasons I
thought I had, I see now that...

You did it because
you were jealous

of my success and intelligence.

The important thing
is that Marc is a great kid.

All of my kids are great kids,

and I have done my best to set
a good example for all of them.

Well, at least you have
the self-awareness

to make yourself a cautionary
tale for your children.

Though you must
appreciate the irony.

You, once so powerful
and popular, now reduced

to working at a second-rate
casino, pleading for my help

like a squirrel trapped
in a garden rake.

Okay. Okay, ho--
That is my squirrel.

-Mike, it's fine.
-It is fine.

I graciously accept
your apology.

Justice has been served.

All is right in the world.

You're a dick.

-Leila.
-NICOLE: She's right.

No one can talk
to our mother like that.

Especially not some
pedantic pseudo-intellectual.

Pseudo? I have an IQ of 135.

(both laugh)

I can't believe
you'd admit that.

So, you're just a whole family
full of bullies.

I guess some things
never change.

You should know.

Becoming an educator
is a transparent attempt

to wield power in an environment
where you once felt so impotent.

What know you of my impotence?

Your words mean nothing.

"Let them speak lewdly of me,
what am I the worse?"

-Sir Thomas More.
-(scoffs)

More like Sir Thomas Snore.

(both laugh)

I'll be going.

Marc, it seems like you're the
only decent one of the bunch.

Wait.

(whispering indistinctly)

(crying softly)

Sir Thomas More
was a damned fool.

(door opens, closes)

What did you say to him?

Just enough.

Again, I am so sorry for all
of the mean things I said

and did to you in high school.

Thanks. It was nice
talking to you, too.

Jerry Weenus accepted
my apology.

Another burned bridge rebuilt--

-And what are you wearing?
-Oh. These?

Well, I figured,
now that we are officially

a bully-free ho ho home,
I am free to be me.

And I can't say
anything about it.

No, you cannot.

You just got to watch me walk.
(chuckles)

Okay, the jeans don't want
to sit. (clears throat)

Announcing entrance.

Sweetie, we are so sorry
about Marlboro.

But don't worry, we are gonna
come up with another plan.

It's okay. I'm going
to apologize to my teacher.

-You are?
-If you could be nice to a jerk

like Dr. Walker for me, I can
be nice to my teacher for you.

It's not his fault
he went to Dartmouth.

(chuckles)

Wow, that is really mature
of you, buddy.

Yeah.

Maybe even like
seventh grade mature.

-Then we'd have two drop-offs.
-Sixth it is.

Hey, jelly bean,
what are you doing?

I'm going to dig
in the backyard.

Oh, y-you planting something?

Sort of. Let's just say
that you won't be seeing

my imaginary friend
around here anymore.

Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH