Episode Report Card Niki: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT The Scarlet Letter Jacket
By Niki | Season 1 | Episode 3 | Aired on 10.04.1999
Cut to Grace in a classroom, getting a pep talk from some woman in a running suit, who's admonishing the students that if they don't "get [their] butts out there and act like a carnival means something to [them]," they won't have any of the sports programs they've all come to know and love. Eli saunters into the room, and Grace has to divert her eyes before her corneas get scorched. He glances briefly at Grace as he passes down the row of desks, and everyone else giggles and whispers. The chick in the running suit starts delegating jobs, saddling Grace with signs and then asking who still doesn't have an assignment. Hmmm. Three guesses. Eli uncomfortably shifts at the back of the room, which draws the teacher's attention. She pairs him up with Grace and another girl. Grace can barely catch her breath as she glances over her shoulder. Eli sort of smirks to himself.
Out in the hallway, some girl expresses sympathy for Grace for having to work on the carnival. "Any cute guys, at least?" the girl asks. Grace gives her an "oh please," which the girl correctly interrupts as a yes, and asks who. Grace doesn't even have to say it; the girl figures out Eli's involved. "Well, he is cute," she concedes. They stroll past a couple of girls who toss out a condescending "Hi Grace" in unison. They give her a disparaging look, and one says, "Nice blouse." Somehow, it isn't a compliment. Grace looks at her for a second but decides just to say thanks and move along. Not before muttering "bitch" under her breath, though.
Over at Manning Manor, Zoe's twirling around in a pale blue leotard and tights. She dances trough the dining room, where Jake's slumped on a stair, chin in hand, watching her. He nags her about doing her homework, but she deftly avoids getting roped in. Instead, she asks, "Can I have another cupcake?" Jake mutters something about her "mother" not wanting her to "have all that sugar." Zoe pooh-poohs him: "Dad, sugar has no effect. That's what grown-ups say who don't want to get fat." Or a wealth of other diseases and health problems. Sugar is evil, people. That's why it's so damn good. Jake, getting desperate, makes another attempt at getting Zoe to tackle her homework, saying, "We all have to work." Zoe's got an answer for this, too, informing him that "nobody does their homework in the afternoon." Then she asks why she can't have another cupcake. Jake's dangling at the end of his rope. He slaps his hands on his knees and stands up, saying in a warning tone, "Zoe, your mother and I talked about this putting things off." He hands her another cupcake as she sighs a weary "I know, I know." Jake scoops her up and tells her to get to work, and she feigns a headache. So another cupcake is just what she needs.