Hope we don't miss our flight.
My dad said Ramsey told them
he'd been sneaking his gun in here for months
before they ever caught him.
He was, like, proud of it.
Are you saying that legitimizes
this oppressive denial of our right to privacy?
JOAN: Grace, I didn't put these things up.
Don't rag on me.
Well, they consulted with Dad, though.
That helps, Luke. Thanks.
I have metal studs on my boxers.
I-It's from my eighth grade Iron Maiden period.
I haven't done a wash in a few days, so...
Details are not necessary, Rove.
( alarm beeps )
PRICE: Not so fast, Miss Polk.
( alarm beeps )
What?
Where are you going, Mrs. Jankow?
I quit.
First, there was those faculty meetings
and then the politics, then the forms for the supplies.
Now this.
I am not teaching art in a war zone.
I have a degree from Parsons.
I studied with Judy Chicago.
( alarm beeps )
Oh. Oh, I'm sorry.
Adam,
you're really talented,
but I... I'm sorry.
What? I didn't set off any alarm.
So unless you want to sentence me to death
for possession of Gummi Bears,
I would like to go to class.
You seem very upset, Joan.
Take a breath.
Fascist God?
That's nice.
( chuckles )
You know, I-I hope that you're pleased with your work here.
You're being cursed
by the entire student body, you know.
I didn't do this.
I merely provide choices.
Adam was just starting to do his art again,
and now the teacher jets out of here.
This totally sucks.
"Suck" is a relative term, Joan.
Things could be much worse than this.
Or much better.
You're catching on.
It all depends...
On our choices. Yes, I know,
but we don't know how things are gonna turn out
until after we choose, and then it's too late.
This is not a good system.
Ah. It's a perfect system, Joan,
but very well-argued.
You'll be an excellent addition to the debate team.
Debate?
No. No, no. Uh...
I'm already a sub-defective.
What...
you-you want me to devolve into a toad?
What? A lively exchange of ideas in search of the truth.
Who wouldn't love that?
Uh, me.
Next!
( sighs )
His name's Richard Yardley.
The maintenance man found him in the alley behind the church,
called the ambulance.
He's the pastor?
Must have been going home for the night when it happened.
Still had his wallet, untouched.
So we know the guy who did this wasn't greedy.
His skull is fractured,
arm broken, collarbone,
three ribs, internal bleeding, uh...
Almost dead.
I get it, Doc.
Reverend Yardley...
I'm Will Girardi,
detective with the County Sheriff's Department.
Do you have any idea who might have done this to you?
Any idea why?
Gay.
Someone did this because you're gay?
But he wasn't greedy.
Wow, this heightened security
has really made the school function better,
hasn't it, Mom?
HELEN: Not now, Joan.
I'm a little stressed, in case you're blind.
Okay, here's your late slip, your history book,
and the paper you were working on.
You left them in your room this morning.
You were looking through my room?
Sometimes you forget things.
I was trying to help.
That's what a mother does.
A helicopter mother.
Sorry?
Helicopter. Hovering.
Always overhead.
I didn't need these today.
That's why I left them in my room.
HELEN: Mr. Price, can we please forgo
the formality of the late slips?
The teachers understand
why the kids aren't in class.
Do you want the system to break down on the first day?
Hmm. We can hope.
I want to drop art.
What?
It's the only class you like, Rove.
Without art to break up your day, you're gonna get all morose.
And morose belongs to me.
The teacher's gone, yo.
They're gonna have one lame sub after another
teaching us how to draw a dog.
I'll work on my own in my shed.
Adam, you need art on your transcript
if you're gonna go to art school.
I know that you think you don't want to go to college,
but you might someday.
Give yourself the option.
Option! That's good, Mom.
Y-You need them. Options.
I-I have a friend that's into... options.
I...
Forget it.
Listen, Adam,
Price put me on the search for the new art teacher.
I will find you a good one, I promise.
Yeah, there are tons of inspiring artists
lining up to teach high school.
I'm sure there's one, and that's who we'll try to find.
WILLIAMS: I talked to the woman
who lives across from the church.
She was on her porch when the attack occurred.
She saw some cars passing.
One turned into the alley.
Blue, American, big dent on the side.
Let's show her some pictures.
Try and get a match for make and model.
I also talked to the church staff.
They were surprised to learn the reverend was gay.
Not the guy who beat him.
I mean, using the victim's blood
to write this on the car.
Oh, yeah. We're dealing with a true believer here.
This has nothing to do with God, Will.
Not much does from the looks of this.
Okay. Place your reagent in your calorimeter
and put a fire under your H2O bath.
Excite those molecules, people.
Start that
fiery tango of particles
body-slamming into each other.
So, did it hurt getting your navel pierced?
Dude, don't talk about my navel.
FRIEDMAN: Some people find the pain
very erotic. Was it?
You are foul.
Eroticism isn't a negative, Joan.
It's a part of life.
Not yours.
GLYNIS: He's right.
It's a fact that the oddest things
can arouse powerful feelings of...
you know.
I've been teaching a health class
to middle school kids at the "Y".
They're so sweet.
After class, I'm going to sneak off campus for lunch.
Who wants to join me?
I can't. I'm joining the debate team.
What? Excellent.
I'm on the debate team.
Me, too.
Yeah, I know.
GRACE: Cheerleaders,
chess team... now debating?
There's easier ways to bring pain into your life.
I'm a joiner, okay?
I like to be involved.
Becoming involved
in the increasingly totalitarian regime
of this school makes a mockery
of involvement.
Grace, it's debate team, not North Korea.
Save your breath.
Do I look like I'm on the team?
Graduated Harvard Divinity in 1989,
was a chaplain during the first Gulf War, started
an outreach program for at-risk kids,
and took over the church last May...
all things worthy of a beating.
How's he doing?
He's gonna make it,
but they think there's brain damage.
He'll never be the same.
I mean, he's going to have a lot to deal with.
I didn't mean...
It's okay.
I'm just sorry
me being vertically-challenged makes you uncomfortable.
You know, that is getting really tiresome.
Tell me about it. Do you know what it's like
trying to get something off the top shelf?
I'm not taking the bait this time.
This is not about you being in that chair.
If us getting close makes you uncomfortable...
Yeah. It was a kiss, Rebecca.
One kiss.
You're right...
and neither one of us can stop thinking about it.
Dinner, my place, Friday night.
We'll sort things out then.
The hole in the ozone
is causing the level of the oceans
to rise as much as ten feet per decade.
There's no tangible evidence
that polar ozone depletion is caused by human interference.
In fact, the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo
sent more toxic chemicals into the atmosphere
than anything man is doing to the environment.
BOY: Every study shows
the levels of fluorocarbons rising at a steady rate.
FRIEDMAN: Every study?
What kind of citation is that?
( bell dings ) Okay, ducklings.
Pas mal.
Mr. Friedman, your valid point is seriously compromised
by your belligerent tone.
Amend it.
Okay, so, what do we think?
Did affirmative properly establish significance and harm?
Um,
you, uh, mystery lady.
I'm Joan.
Joan Girardi.
Um...
Uh, I-I don't... I don't have any idea
what you're talking about.
But I assume you have an interest in debate
or you wouldn't be here.
So, uh, who do you think
was more persuasive, Ms. Girardi?
Um... Glynis.
But I disagree with her.
The beauty of debate.
I would imagine
that eloquent oxymoron is one of the reasons
you're joining us?
I'm dying to be a elegant moron...
( laughter )
Huh. Well, uh,
then in, uh, preparation for our
public debate on Thursday,
let's pair off while I assign
the resolution.
Girardi, Brooks.
Your topic-- Resolved:
the new security measures at Arcadia High School create
a more productive learning environment for all.
You'll be pro.
Well, this is my first time.
( whispering ): I'm totally an amateur.
Uh. Well, pro-pro means
that you will be, uh,
arguing in favor of the security measures.
( scoffs ): Great.
Hi. I'm Joan.
You should probably know, I suck at debate.
Uh, s-s-so d-d-d-do I.
( laughs )
I'm S-Scott.
Sorry you w-wound up with me.
( laughs )
Um, hey, it's okay.
( laughs ): It's cool.
( sighs )
I hate this.
What?
The stupid Internet. I put in a simple search--
264,879
pages found.
How does that make life any easier?
Well, what are you looking for?
Information about zero-tolerance policies in schools.
Interesting topic.
Are you pro or con, Joan?
I'm annoyed, as long as you're asking.
Can I have a bite of that?
I had to skip lunch for this, remember?
Sure.
Thanks.
How do you expect me to be on a debate team
with someone who can't even talk?
I mean, I feel bad
for him and everything,
but debate is really a speaking thing, you know?
And there's time limits.
I mean, he would get like two words out
before the bell would go off.
It's humiliating.
How do you think he feels?
WOMAN: No eating in here, Miss Girardi.
So this is about Scott?
Everything is connected, Joan.
You should have learned that by now.
This whole inscrutable thing is getting very old, you know.
I put you in debate because it's an excellent way
for people to find their own voice.
So it is about Scott.
Try adding more search terms, narrow things down.
Wait, wait, wait, wait. How can I cure someone's
stuttering in two days?
Miss Girardi!
( sighs )
You got to forget about Grace, dude.
But I get these feelings.
I know it's a biological reaction, glandular...
We're not talking biology here.
We're talking psychology.
You're always throwing yourself
against the one gate that's locked.
And why? Because you're afraid of going through the gate
and enjoy the pleasures of the garden...
Hey, hey. I'm not afraid of going through the gate.
Then why are you always walking right past
the one gate that's wide open?
And don't tell me you don't know who I'm talking about.
Glynis?
She's wacky for you, dude.
When I took her to the dance, all she talked about was you.
Extremely annoying, but, uh...
it's because I was wearing cologne and everything.
I can't just transfer my feelings
from one person to another.
Of course you can.
It's built into our DNA.
Did you see the look
Glynis gave you in Chem today?
That's a look you usually have to download.
Okay... I appreciate the rather base concern,
but I can take care of my own love life.
Right...in the shower.
Wasn't me. I was home.
I-I don't have to say anything else till my lawyer gets here.
Two witnesses ID'd your car, Mr. Shoalar.
The little league bat you used--
your kid's, nice touch--
was found in a dumpster two blocks away,
but you were home the whole time.
I'm sure your lawyer will find that an excellent defense.
I'm not talking to you.
You see, what happens in an attempted murder case like this,
when the perp-- that's you
in this case--
when the perp remains silent
and offers no explanation, no remorse
the jury has a tendency to give him the max.
What is that in this case, Detective?
40 years, no parole.
Small price to pay
for doing the Lord's work.
You think God intended someone like him to minister to people?
Not sure.
I don't have his phone number, like you seem to.
What should I have done?
He touched my boy.
He molested my son.
Fifteen.
What the hell would you have done,
somebody did something like that to your kid?
What the hell would you have done?
WILL: What is all this?
Stuff for Mom to sign, permission slips and tests.
You can't do this.
It says there's a danger of physical injury.
JOAN: It's a nature walk.
We're going to be looking at beetles.
But it says "physical injury" right here.
( sighs ) Mom!
It always says that, Will.
It was on their permission slip when they went to see Hairspray.
Well, why did they go see Hairspray? How is that school?
It's theater, honey. I'll sign these.
Set the table.
Mom, do you know where my blue shirt is?
Oh, it's in the hamper. I'll do wash tomorrow.
Don't worry. It'll be ready for your date.
Who said anything about a date?
Well, Rebecca called,
wanted you to bring some dessert.
You and Rebecca have a date?
Ah, she's cooking him dinner.
So is Mom. Doesn't mean I'm dating her.
That's a disgusting analogy.
Are other people coming, or just Rebecca?
Just them.
Oh, yeah. That's a date.
Mom, don't look. The men are leering.
KEVIN: So, I heard you arrested
the guy who tried to kill the pastor.
HELEN: Attempted murder.
That's one way to change the subject.
Yeah, but it's getting more complicated.
I heard he accused the reverend of abusing his son,
said that's why he attacked him.
No comment.
There's always a gray area in every situation, Dad.
"That's what a reasoned verbal exchange
"tries to explore,
"and logic can provide proof,
"even when there is no evidence."
What does that even mean?
What's she doing now?
Joan joined the debate team.
As if she weren't contrary enough.
She has to argue in support
of the draconian security measures
instituted by the school.
Assisted by you.
Well, spend a day seeing what I do, and you'd ask for more.
GRACE: Hey.
Hi.
We're gonna study.
JOAN: Assuming we still have
the right to assemble. Oh, Adam,
I've got lots of applicants
for the new art teacher.
Cool.
GRACE: Okay, we have to determine the heat of a solution
of an ionic compound in water.
Okay. Uh, "O" equals "Q" heat
plus "Q" water plus "Q" solution.
Yeah, but what does that mean?
Mm-hmm.
Can you believe what we have to learn
to go to college to get away from our parents?
Hey, this isn't chemistry, yo.
The Necessity of Martial Law.
Abdicating Civil Rights. Are you insane?
It's research.
( chuckles )
You really are the daughter of a cop, aren't you?
Grace, I joined a club. It means nothing.
Words have power. You're giving power to this.
Understanding and Controlling Stuttering.
Oh, great. So she's
helping someone stop stuttering
so they can spout this repressive propaganda.
If I can help Scott speak in front of a crowd,
don't you think that's a good thing?
Not if you're turning him into a mouthpiece for tyranny.
Wait, wait, w-w-wait. Okay, I understand
that we disagree about debate,
but you're doing this whole seething,
smoke-coming-out- of-your-ears thing.
We can disagree and still be friends.
This is fundamental. This is basic human rights.
Friend. I'm doing this
to help Scott!
( door closes )
Guess we're not gonna study tonight, are we?
( sighs )
Why didn't you tell me the school needed an art teacher?
Well, I don't tell you
a lot of things that happen at school, Will,
because most of it is boring,
but since you're suddenly interested,
um, Marlene got an ugly paper cut today.
You applying?
I beg your pardon?
To be the, uh...
art teacher.
You're qualified.
The administration knows you. The kids love you.
( chuckles )
Don't be ridiculous, Will. I could never take that job.
You work already.
Well... the hours would be
a lot longer than they are now.
There'd be papers to grade,
lessons plans to create,
There'd... after-school conferences.
And you'd love it.
This house would fall apart.
We'd all pitch in.
You just think it's so easy?
Our genius son can't even find the salt.
Helen, we can do it.
I'll make a list of chores, and everyone...
Hey! I am not just some
housekeeper you can replace.
I'm a mother,
and that means being available to my children
whenever they need me,
and the kids do still need me, Will.
Of course they do.
Not necessarily in the same way they have in the past.
Now, how would you know that?
You're at work all day,
and-and when you are home,
you run off every time you get paged.
I'm not blaming you.
I understand, and I'm proud
of the way you do your job. It's just...
I would have thought you would have understood me, too.
I'm not trying to fight here, Helen.
Some things would have to change, yes.
Well, they
are not going to,
not now, not while my kids still need me.
Okay. Whatever you want.
This is your decision.
So, these notes you made
on the advantages of school security?
Really good, like professional good.
'Cause at first, I didn't agree at all,
and then I read these notes-- your notes--
they totally convinced me.
C-c-cool.
So why don't you read them to me?
Nah.
Come on, Scott.
They're primo.
You should have enough confidence
to shout this stuff out to the world.
Come on. Let me hear that voice of yours.
Uh... ( clears throat )
S-s-school crime has...
d-d-decreased...
That's good. Good. This time, look at me.
Okay? Just look right into my eyeballs
when you say it.
Eyeballs. Confidence. Confidence. Eyeballs. Got it?
I-I-I...
I d-d-don't n-need
another s-s-speech therapist.
What? No, I-I, I'm, uh...
I'm not...
I've always been into stuttering.
( chuckles )
I mean, how about that left hemisphere of the brain
messing up the messages to the mouth, huh?
I mean, who hasn't read about that?
Look, I don't want to be h-h-here, okay?
My f-father thinks
that d-d-debating
w-w-will help, but it only makes things w-w-worse.
But you have so many great ideas in here
and some very impressive big words.
I mean, it would take, like,
two guys to lift these words, they're so big.
( both chuckle )
Look, all you have to do is find your voice, Scott.
Just let the world know what great thoughts you have.
My voice?
Yeah.
Listen, if Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe,
James Earl Jones,
Carly Simon...
if they can all cure stuttering, so can you.
Who's C-C-Carly Simon?
I don't know,
but James Earl Jones is Darth Vader.
That is so freaky.
( laughs )
My-my dad was just trying to protect me, that's all.
WILL: I know, Daniel,
but even if the allegations
against Reverend Yardley are true,
your father still has to answer for what he did.
Well, they are true.
And the court will take that
into consideration in your father's case.
We just...
need to get a statement from you.
( sighing )
I was at the church,
and I helped out there sometimes
with the after-school committees,
and Reverend Yardley seemed nice.
We talked.
He was a good listener,
and then this one day,
he asked me to come to his office.
And that's when it happened.
He, um... you know,
he... put his... his hands on me...
down there,
and then...
( sighs )
...he tried to kiss me and touch me...
and...
Take your time, son.
And my dad told me not to spend time with him.
Why?
What do you mean?
Well, did he suspect something happened?
No. No, I just meant...
you know,
being gay-- it's a sin.
You know, Daniel...
my daughter said something the other night.
She's on the debate team.
She said... logic is a way to find truth.
And what you're telling me, son--
it just doesn't seem logical.
Why?
Well, if your father didn't know then
that the reverend was gay,
why would he tell you to avoid him?
He touched me, and it was a sin.
They why didn't your father come to us first?
You know, he was so mad,
and he kept yelling about being gay,
and he just wouldn't listen.
So, you tried to talk to him.
Yeah. You didn't want him
to hurt Reverend Yardley.
No.
But he wanted to...
because he was gay,
not because he was a molester.
My dad was just trying to protect me.
He wasn't, you know, he didn't want me getting mixed up.
"Mixed up"?
I... look...
He told me I'd go to hell.
He's my dad.
He's supposed to know what's best, right?
And was the reverend telling you something different?
I...
hated myself...
being this way.
I was always so alone.
I wanted to kill myself.
But he said--
the Reverend Yardley--
he said that God loved me, no matter what.
He was... I mean, he understood what it was like.
He wasn't even gay, and he understood me.
So, he didn't touch you.
He was my friend!
When I tried to talk to my dad,
he just screamed that the reverend made me a fag.
He ran out of the house telling me I'd see
what happened to sinners like him,
( sobbing ): but I didn't know what he was going to do.
I swear to God!
( sobs ): I'm sorry. I...
He was my friend.
The reverend was my friend.
He was my friend. He was my friend.
( sobbing softly )
I, uh, c-c-compiled all the data
and wrote an opening a-a-affirmation.
Wow. This is fearsome, Scott.
You did all this in one night?
( chuckles ): W-w-writing i-is no problem.
Apparently not.
Writing is kind of like your voice, huh?
I g-g-guess so.
I mean, the world
can hear you this way.
You can let people know what you think this way, right?
W-w-what are you s-s-saying?
This is your voice, Scott.
You have to go with your voice.
You should be, like, writing for the paper, or something.
You mean q-q-quit debate?
No, no,
not quitting-- moving on to what's right for you.
Wouldn't you love to see your stuff in the paper?
( chuckles )
Yeah.
Then do it.
This is about you-- not your dad, not Mr. Enfield.
This is about you, your voice.
Yeah.
I'm a...
I-I-I'm a, I'm a w-w-writer.
Yeah.
I q-q-quit.
I beg your pardon, Mr. Brooks?
Q-q-quit.
( laughs )
I-I quit.
( laughing )
Thank you.
I quit.
I totally have this down, God.
So, any luck finding Adam an art teacher?
No, and Price says he's going to fill
that position by Friday, no matter what.
Adam told Price he should hire you.
Really?
Yeah. Can you imagine, you grading my friends?
Ew and ew.
I used to teach, you know, and I've been exhibited.
What are you saying, Mom?
You can't teach at my school.
It's like incest, or something.
I'm going to look at the hamburger meat.
Hi. Two and a half pounds
of hamburger meat, please.
So, you quit debate, huh?
Shouldn't you be in the produce section?
I always thought God would be a vegetarian.
( chuckling )
You know, I was surprised.
You were only in debate for...
Three days,
because I'm good.
I am so getting
this whole mission thing.
I'm getting even better
at the riddles.
"Finding his voice."
Ah. Ah?
That was a good one.
Because at first I thought I had to cure his stuttering,
which, according to the books,
could take years.
Oh, lean beef, please; my mom's on a health kick.
You aren't done, Joan.
But I completed the mission.
I wanted you to join the debate team
to be in a debate.
Oh, come on.
If I argue in favor of that stupid policy,
Grace is totally going to write me off.
So, your position has no validity at all?
Yeah. Huh.
Grace is all political
and knows about this stuff,
and I know what a drag it is to get searched.
So, you think believing something to be true
makes it true?
Well, if believing in things is wrong,
that would put you out of business
pretty fast, wouldn't it?
I don't exist because people believe in me.
I simply exist,
whether they believe in me or not.
Hanging onto beliefs--
that's not truth.
Open your mind, Joan.
Read what Scott gave you.
Be a part of that debate tomorrow.
Here.
Doesn't get any fresher than this.
Just ground it.
I can't believe Grace won't talk to me.
Why? I went for weeks without talking to you,
and I can't hold a grudge like she can.
Yeah, but you had a good reason.
She's being a jerk.
You don't think she's right, do you?
I usually don't listen to what's going on
unless I hear my name.
I mean, there are arguments on the other side.
Scott put together some amazing facts
that I couldn't get out of reading.
Grace could at least come to the debate and listen.
She is.
Oh. How about you?
Me?
Yeah, are you coming?
You want me to?
Well, yeah.
Yeah, I'll come.
Adam...
we're okay now, aren't we?
S-sure.
We're... us.
HELEN: Here are the applications.
I put the best one on top-- a Mr. Rooney.
Uh, fine.
Put them in my in-box
and I'll go through them in the morning.
Okay. Um, he's not ideal, though,
'cause he does go on.
I mean, I had to sit and listen
to him denigrate Abstract Expressionism.
He feels deKooning and Pollock are overrated.
They're only responsible
for one of the major artistic revolutions of the 20th century.
Do I seem engaged in this discussion, Helen?
No. As usual, no.
Uh, I'll put them in your in-box.
I, uh, I talked to my dad
about the Yardley beating.
Wrote a follow-up.
You can use it if you want.
The kid's going to live with his aunt.
When he went to say good-bye to his father,
the guy wouldn't even look at him.
Kevin, this is wonderful.
A little, uh, loose and free with the commas,
but hey, it's tight, descriptive.
Thanks.
Uh...
Listen, uh...
about tonight?
Uh... I can't make it.
I have a family thing.
Oh.
So, sorry about the short notice.
Kevin...
we can just have a nice dinner.
No, we can't.
It's already more than that.
This... this used to be easy for me, Rebecca.
I mean,
I-I used to know how to handle a night like this, but...
I'm not that guy anymore.
I never knew that guy.
I invited the guy you are now.
And, uh...
I think I should figure out who that is first.
Go.
I have doubts.
And you think your doubts have any validity?
You were certain about Grace.
You were dead wrong.
It's not your field, dude.
Go.
I'm engaging in an exploratory mission, that's all.
Glynis?
I just...
I just wanted to wish you luck on the debate.
Thanks.
It's kind of awkward that I'm opposing Joan, but...
Are you okay?
You're flushed,
and your breathing is rapid and shallow.
Oh...
You must..
you must be the best Health teacher at the "Y".
I feel it's important to have a complete grasp
of the information in order to teach the kids.
Your breathing is also increasing.
It has, it had to do with restricted capillaries
and increased blood flow, you know.
I know.
Uh, the hypothalamus gland
processes external and intellectual stimuli
which causes... tells the body how to respond.
Yeah, I read the Walen and Roth study.
We seem to share a lot of the same interests.
Yes.
So you must know that if my heart rate
continues to increase, I might get light-headed,
which wouldn't be good for the debate.
Not at all.
So I should go.
Of course.
There was a study, um,
published in the Washington Post
that said, uh...
one incident
of minor...
( feedback squeaks )
One incident of minor violence in school,
you know, like someone
getting decked or mugged, um,
can lower the rate of graduation.
That was, like, a complete surprise, wasn't it?
( clears throat )
Uh, psychologists
at, um...
Uh...
Um....
psychologists at, uh...
Johns Hopkins-- big, big, important medical school--
have found that while increased security can
also create a sense of anxiety,
that the anxiety is nothing next to
the sense of security,
which allows students to focus on their study.
So they can grow up and be part of a system
which will take away even more of our civil rights.
This is not a free-for-all. It's a debate.
Please continue, Miss Girardi.
Um...
( clears throat )
In Florida,
their zero tolerance policies
are responsible for a 37% reduction...
You know, this whole debate is a joke!
FRIEDMAN: I, uh,
I have a very strong rebuttal.
GRACE: Like it matters!
No matter what happens in this debate,
those metal detectors will still be there.
They will still stop us and search us.
I would like you to leave, Miss Polk.
Oh, gee, remember free speech, Mr. Price?
ENFIELD: Remember decorum?
Manners? Civility?
Yeah, all the things they use to keep us down.
Well, guess what? Today is about freedom.
You call what you're doing right now
free speech? You're not debating
this young woman, Miss Girardi.
I suggest you not deviate from the rules.
We are so gonna win this debate.
GRACE: That's right, Girardi.
Party line. That's what it's about.
All right, out.
And what's it about for you, Grace?
Your idea of freedom is a world
where everybody agrees with you?
You believe in this crap?
I don't know what I believe!
I know Ramsey
came in here with a gun.
I know people could have died!
You, me!
You said I think like this because
my father's a cop-- like that's bad?
Yeah, my dad is a cop,
and you may think that makes him some kind of pig,
but he deals with those guns every day!
This is not some
political thing for him, this is reality.
He's had them pointed at him
and shoved in his face,
and that makes it real for me, too,
because every time I hear the cops are someplace
and shots are fired,
I wonder if I'm ever gonna see my father again!
I don't think we should have
to, like, live in some prison-- that sucks--
but I do know we have to deal with this.
We have to work something out!
Even if it's not what we started believing in the first place.
I... I know I'm mouthing off, Mr. Enfield,
and I can't cite some report to back up my theories.
This is just how I feel.
Sorry I messed up the debate.
( murmuring )
You made quite an impression in there.
I don't need the sarcasm.
I tried to debate.
I tried to do what you wanted, and I lost it, okay?
I thought it all turned out just fine.
What you did up there,
it was true.
You found your voice.
Great.
( chuckles ): Great.
Thanks for the lesson. It cost me my friend.
Oh, what, because you two don't agree about things?
I don't have a lot of friends, okay?
Do you know what grace is, Joan?
Yeah, pissed off.
Do you know the meaning of grace?
It's a touch of truth
that lets you see the world in a new way.
It's a gift that can only be felt
when you're open enough to accept it.
Um...
I don't, I don't really apologize, so, um...
so this isn't happening, but, uh...
I just should've thought about you.
( sobbing )
Thank you.
You would've been so proud of her, Will.
Somehow, these days,
every time we're proud of Joan, it involves chaos.
Do you think that's good?
I don't think we have a choice.
I filled out the application
today, Will.
What?
For art teacher.
After everything calmed down,
I realized how much braver my little girl was than me, so...
I filled out the application. I threw the others away,
and I just left mine
in Price's in-box.
You're the first person I've told.
I am so scared, Will.
You can't be brave if you're not scared.
It'll be okay?
Sure.
♪ Have a little faith in me ♪
Why are you home so late?
Paperwork.
♪ Have a little faith in me ♪
You were gonna come give me a kiss, right?
♪ Have a little faith in me ♪
Always.
♪ When your secret heart ♪
♪ Cannot speak so easily ♪
♪ Come here, darlin' ♪
♪ From a whisper start ♪
♪ Have a little faith in me ♪
♪ And when your back's against the wall ♪
Just don't flunk her.
I don't think any of us could handle that.
♪ Just turn around, you will see ♪
♪ I will catch your, I will catch your fall ♪
♪ Just have a little faith in me ♪
♪ Have a little faith in me... ♪
( song fades )