The Middle (2009–2018): Season 1, Episode 4 - The Trip - full transcript

Here in the middle,

we have a long tradition
of kids raising

money for their school
by hitting up their neighbours,

to buy crap
they don't want or need.

Following in that
great tradition,

Sue is selling cheese and sausage
for Orson Junior High.

Four exciting varities
of sausage to match

whatever sausage meat
you may find yourself in.

I think what makes Sue
such a good seller

is that
she can take rejection.

Probably cause she's had
so much practice.



Or maybe you can,
perhaps,

show your love of cheese,
cheese ball...

I'll just wait here at the door
in case you change your mind.

Let me tell you:

When it come to selling
cheese and sausage,

Sue was driven.

She was driven by Mike
all over Indiana.

Mike took her to Terre Haute...

They went to Gary.

She hit almost
every county in the state.

'Cause if she sells
$3,000 worth,

she wins a free trip,
all the way...

to Indianapolis.

So it's okay
to sell your stuff, Sue,



but, remember,
this is a place of business.

People are busy.

Oh, hey, Bob.

Would you like to help my school
and send me on a trip

to the state capital
by buying some delicious--

I'll take ten.

Really? Oh, my God.
That's great!

I love food you don't
have to refrigerate.

Fridges--
they just tie you down.

That's why I just have
a hot plate and a P.O. Box.

Okay, that'll be $284.

What? Are you...
Ehlert.

Just casually scatter.

Oh, hi, Mr. Ehlert.
Would you like to help my--

No. Frances!
You forgot to make coffee again.

You got me walking
around here like an idiot

with a doughnut and
nothing to dunk it in.

Mr. Ehlert, how come
I'm the one

who's always asked
to make the coffee?

I'm beginning to think
it's because I'm a woman.

Well, of course it's
because you're a woman.

The day I start telling men
to make coffee for women,

you have my permission
to put a bullet in my head.

Wow. Mom,
that is so unfair.

You are not going
to make that coffee, are you?

Eh. Not worth the fight.

All personnel-- I've been informed
there will be fresh coffee shortly.

Hey, can I interest you
in a cheese sampler,

so I can win a trip
to my state capital?

**Put me down for the
jalapeno cheddar ball.

Yes!

Oh, and if you get that,

I can throw in the wild game
sausage trio at half price.

Fine.

Sue was really
kicking butt.

She was a shining beacon
of motivation.

Axl?
Not so much.

Axl, how many times
do I have to say it?

Turn off that TV and
get dressed for school!

It'll take me, like,
two seconds. Chill.

Hey, hey.
Only one to a customer.

It's for Olivia.

I'm sorry, honey.
Who?

Olivia, my girlfriend.

So this girlfriend of yours--
Is she...

here right now?

No.
She's at her house.

So how did this happen?

You're my boyfriend now.

Okay.

Wow, Brick.
That's great!

So this Olivia--
Do you like her?

She says I do.

Is she cute?
Is she nice?

She has a red ribbon
in her hair.

I like red ribbons.

All Heck men
like red ribbons.

Red ribbons.

Ma, we're out of cereal.
You going to the store or what?

Hey. I will go
to the store

when I decide it's time
to go to the store.

Actually, we're almost
out of a lot of stuff.

I'm going after work.

First I gotta go
to the post office.

Then I'm gonna swing by
Aunt Edie and Aunt Ginny'S.

They're hosting bridge club,
and they're almost out of scotch.

Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.

I did it.

I sold over $3,000 worth
of cheese and sausage!

Oh! Honey!

- That's great, Sue.
- That's terrific!

Look at you.

I know.

I just have to send
the checks to the company,

and then I am off
to Indianapolis...

the capital!

Oh, honey,
I am so proud of you.

You worked hard,
and it paid off.

And now you get to see close-up
how Indiana state government works.

I know.
It's like a dream!

Damn it, Axl!

I told you, turn off the TV
and get ready for school!

Now the bus is here,
and you're not ready.

Told you, two seconds.
Chill.

How the hell
does he do that?

Now that you're my boyfriend,
you have to buy me ice cream,

tell me I'm pretty

and walk me to and from
recess and lunch.

I made you a list
so you don't forget.

Okay.

The crash rating
on this baby?

Two stars.
Not one, but two.

Out of how many?

Five.
But who cares?

'Cause if you crash,
the doors are so thin,

they will cut you out
like that.

Sue. What are
you doing here?

The school put up a list of
winners for the field trip,

and my name
wasn't on it.

- What?
- Does this car have--

Yeah, yeah, it has everything.
Just give me a minute.

But you were a top seller.

I know.
Can you believe it?

Unfortunately,
I could believe it.

This was Sue's whole life
in a nutshell.

She tries and tries and
never gets any recognition.

It's like
people don't even see her.

Sue Heck?

Here.

Sue Heck?

Here.

Okay. Not here.

Pizza or fish?

Pizza, please.

Oh. Okay.

# Happy birthday to you, #

# Happy birthday to you, #

# Happy birthday dear... #

# Happy birthday to you #

Oh, honey.
That's just not fair.

What's not fair?

Sue sold enough sausage and
cheese to win the big trip,

and she's not
on the list to go.

Oh, those monsters.

I'm gonna
cancel my check.

Looks like I'm not
going to Indianapolis.

I was really
looking forward to it, too.

What are you talking about?

This is just a mistake.

Things like this
happen all the time.

Yes, more often to you,
but we'll straighten it out.

Eh.
It's not worth the fight.

Great. Why do I have to be
the only mom in the world

whose teenager listens
to what they say?

Then Sue turns to me and says,
"Eh, it's not worth the fight."

Well, that's your fault.
She gets that from you.

I said it once!

- You say it all the time!
- I do not!

Hey, we don't wear
flip-flops to church.

Jesus wore sandals.

Eh, it's not
worth the fight.

I'm not paying $6
a month for other fees

unless you can tell me
what those other fees are.

No, don't transfer me
to India.

Don't transfer me--
Eh, it's not worth the fight.

Well, the kids
are asleep, so...

Honey,
I am so exhausted.

Eh, it's not
worth the fight.

And I said it to Mr. Ehlert
right in front of her.

Oh, my God!

Am I a horrible mother?

Too soon to tell.

It's just so unfair.

I mean, for once in her life,
Sue finally wins something, and--

And then that stupid school
has to go and screw it all up.

She earned that trip.
We earned that trip.

Hell, yeah! I'm the one that spent
50 hours in the car with her.

Oh, did you know that her friend
Stacy likes a boy named Ben,

but Ben likes
Stacy's friend Madison,

so now they're not
talking to her?

You want more?
I got lots more.

I have got to fix this.

Sue has
to stand up for herself.

I mean, if this isn't
worth the fight, Mike,

I don't know what is.

Hey, Sue, get in here.

You know what this is?

A teachable moment.

I saw that on "Oprah,"
or "Project Runway" or something.

I don't remember,
but it's teachable.

Am I in trouble?

Sue, I want you to march
into that school,

talk to who's ever in charge
and get yourself on that trip.

I don't know.

Mr. Perez, the teacher,
is kind of weird.

Someone said they saw him
crying in the parking lot.

Doesn't matter.
You can't just be invisible,

so you gotta stand up and
fight for what's yours.

I mean, I don't always do that,
but I've had kids. I'm tired.

And don't be afraid
to stare 'em down.

Wow. Okay.
Got it.

How's this?

You got a little something--
You know what?

Lose the stare.
Just be yourself.

Hey, Brick's girlfriend's here.

Hello, Olivia.
So nice to meet you.

Hi! Can Brick
come out and play?

Hey, Brick?
Your girlfriend's here.

Get out there
and have fun.

I don't want to.

Hey, you're not getting
a lot of offers, bud.

Come on! She's cute.

I told you
I'd be here at 3:00.

Why weren't you
waiting outside?

And another thing--make sure
you're free on Saturday.

We have a birthday party.

You forgot, didn't you?!

It's like you don't
hear a word I'm saying.

I hear all the words, Olivia.

All of them.

All of them.

And why do you
whisper to yourself?

It's so annoying!

This was
a big step for Sue.

She was finally
making a stand.

Yep, this girl
was gonna be heard...

Eventually.

M--Mr. Perez?

I sold over $3,000
of cheese and sausage to,

you know, go on
the trip to Indianapolis?

Who are you?

Oh, Sue.

Sue Heck?

I'm in your fifth period
Spanish class?

I don't think so.

Anyway... I sold over $3,000
worth of cheese and sausage to...

You know,
go on the trip to Indianapolis.

Well, good for you, Sandy.
We'll see you on the bus.

Uh, see, that's the thing--
I'm not on the list.

But I sold over--

Okay, I'll look into it.

Really?

Gracias.

Tenga un buena dia.

How do you break up
with a girl?

You sure you want
to break up with that chick?

I mean,
you're kind of a weird dude.

You got a little hottie
that likes you.

I'm sure.

All right. Well,
girls like it you talk to 'em,

so try blowing her off
or something.

How do I do that?

Like this.

Great advice, Axl.

Now I'm married,
and we have a baby!

I really thought
I nailed the Sue thing.

I had taught her
to stand up for herself.

I was so pumped,
I was even making dinner.

Yep, she's lucky
to have me.

I did it.

I talked to Mr. Perez,
and neither one of us cried.

Oh, great!

I did it, Dad.

I was a little bit
scared at first.

Okay, a lot scared...

But I stood my ground and
explained the situation.

And...?

And he said
he'd look into it. Yay!

- Oh! That's great.
- All right! See, there you go.

- You stood up for yourself.
- Yes, good for you.

- Good girl.
- Perfect.

I'm going down there
and talk to that guy.

Wait, Mike,
didn't you hear her?

He said
he would look into it.

He's blowing her off.

I tell people all day long,
"I'll look into it." I never do.

No. We are not
doing this for her.

We are not
helicopter parenting.

"Regis and Kelly."

You saw
how excited she was.

If you go down there,

you're gonna undermine
her self-confidence,

and she will never learn
to fight her own battles.

Look, the trip
is in two weeks.

If we don't hear before then,
we'll step in.

So while I had one kid desperately
trying to get into something,

I had another desperately
trying to get out.

It's her!

Don't make me
go out there.

I'll do any other kind of social
interaction you want me to.

There's this new boy in my class
who eats his boogers.

I bet he'd be my friend.

Anyone, but Olivia.

So if you don't like her,
don't play with her.

I tried!
It's not that easy.

Okay, relax.
I'll take care of it.

Can Brick
come out and play?

Look, Olivia,
Brick asked me to speak to you

because he thinks
you're a very nice girl,

but he's not ready
to get married.

But he wants to remain friends
because he likes you very much.

It's too late.

We're already married
and we have kids.

What God has joined together,
let no man put asunder.

Okay.
How about this?

You're not really married,
and your kids are dolls.

So why don't you
head home,

and Brick will see you
around school, okay, hon?

Nope.

What?

I've put too much time into this
relationship to just walk away.

Well,
I think you have to.

Nope.

You can't keep saying
"nope" to everything.

- Yes, I can.
- No, you can't.

- Yes, I can.
- No, you can't.

- Yes, I can!
- Okay, that's enough.

I'm not gonna get into this
because I'm the grown-up,

and I don't have to.

I'm sorry
it came down to this,

but, uh,
it's over, okay?

Brick doesn't want
to see you anymore.

Got it?

Nope.

Go home, Olivia.

How ya gonna make me?

Brick, Olivia's here.

Morning.

Trip to Indianapolis is today
and they didn't call.

I was all packed
and everything.

Now I'll never see
the state seal up close.

What?

No, no, no!
You said the trip is next Saturday.

Yeah, it was next Saturday
when I said it.

- Now it's today.
- It's today?

Well, they can't do that.

They said
they'd look into it.

I'm beginning
to think they didn't.

Oh! That's it.
Come on.

Get your stuff.

What time did you say
the bus is leaving?

It's okay, Mom.

They already left.
It's not worth--

Don't you dare say it!

You deserve this, Sue,
'cause you try and try long past

when others would have
stopped trying

and, damn it, you are
going on this trip.

Mom, you're still in pajamas.

They're drawstring.
It's almost pants.

Pull the bus over!

Okay, I know
this doesn't look safe

but I have dual air bags...

I think.

Open up!

Y-yes, I am talking to you.

My daughter, Sue Heck,
is supposed to be on this bus.

A-Are--Are those pajamas?

They're drawstring.
It's almost pants.

I'm sorry.
She's not on the list.

Okay, you want
to take it from here?

And really give it to him.

Um, I sold more than enough cheese
and sausage to be on this trip.

She sold more than enough
to be on this trip.

I demand...
to be on this bus.

She demands!

- I strongly suggest--
- Strongly suggests!

Okay, you know what?
I'm gonna take it from here.

Good job, though.

I've got your number,
Mr. Perez.

You never had any intention of
"looking into this," now, did you?

For your information,
I called the company,

and they had no record of
Sue Heck selling anything.

That is baloney!

Nobody ever has a record of Sue,
but I was there.

She counted the orders,
we mailed in those checks

and she is getting
on that bus!

Go! Go, go, go!

I'm sorry.
I can't allow that.

Oh, okay.

Get back
on that bus, Sue.

Okay.

No.

You should be ashamed
of yourself.

You're gonna penalize this
sweet, innocent young girl

because you and that stupid company
can't get your acts together?

What kind of message are
you sending to our young people--

That hard work
doesn't pay off?

Because that's what
she's hearing, loud and clear.

Yeah, congratulations.

We just lost
another teen to cynicism.

So you gonna let my daughter
get on the bus or not?

Eh, it's not
worth the fight.

Oh, God.

I thought I mailed Sue's envelope,
I really did!

I gotta stop
puttin' crap up there.

I can't do it anymore.

So you're stuck with her.

It's not all bad.
Olivia's got her strong points.

She's... strong.

I know.
She threw a pumpkin at the car.

Hey, if you and this chick
got pretend married,

why don't you just
get pretend divorced?

She said
if we ever broke up,

she'd take half my books
and we'd split the babies.

She'd get Strawberry Shortcake,
and I'd get Rainbow Brite.

I'm not even sure
if Rainbow Brite is mine.

I don't know
what to tell you, Brick.

Women are complicated.

They're not simple and
straightforward like us guys.

Yeah. I only got two thoughts
in my head--driving and sex.

Uh, grades.
I mean driving and grades.

Unfortunately, she's the kind
of girl who won't move on

till she's found some other
poor sucker she can torment.

Oh, yeah.
Olivia called earlier.

She wants you
to buy her lunch tomorrow.

She said it's, uh,
her favorite

and that you would know
what that is.

Oh, God. I don't!

Hey. Sue make it
on the bus?

All right!
That oughta feel good.

Yeah, it does.

Really does.

Yep. She's lucky to have me.

Well, at least
she'd be gone for four days.

Four days is a long time--
plenty of time for forgiveness.

And she did write.

Until finally...

Sue...
I am so, so sorry.

I went to the post office,
but before I could go in,

Aunt Ginny called,

and then Brick
needed more goldfish

and I had a million things
in my head and...

I love you!
I love you so much!

It was a disaster.

Because you forgot
to mail in the envelope...

My name wasn't on
any of the lists!

I had to sleep on the
floor in the hotel.

They didn't have tickets
to any of the museums,

I missed
the state government in action,

and a junior guidance counselor had
to sit outside with me everywhere

because legally,
I couldn't be left alone!

Well, I'm not invisible
to Miss Glover now!

Oh, no.
She hates me!

This is all your fault!

There it was--
Sue found her voice.

And boy, was it loud.

I didn't deserve this!

I strongly suggest...

No, demand that
you make it up to me.

Yep, my girl
was a fighter.

She was gonna be fine.

And all the cheese and
sausage in the world

doesn't make you feel
prouder than that.

Oh, and Brick?

Turns out he could take
care of himself, too.

You're my boyfriend now.

Okay.

Damn I'm good.