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Previously on Boston Public: In a scene we never saw before, Dick Teachie suggested that the teachers put on a talent show for the kids; The Gay Son's Mom Lady asked Big Boy if it's her fault that Jeremy's gay, and protested that he's good at sports; Teachie told Steven that teaching is selfish because he likes to think he's making things better for the kids; Harvey explained to Marilyn that when he sings in the talent show, people scream, and Marilyn countered that this is because he's very scary; Harvey sang "If I Were A Rich Man."
Sanctum Stevenorium. Steven does an excellent Mike Tyson impression for Scott and The Exposition Fairy. In lights of recent events, this is both more and less funny, but it's still a good impression. Scott's all, "I can do JFK," and proceeds to quote a JFK speech in his own voice. "That sounds like you." "But they're JFK's words." Heh. Louisa's all, "Oooh, I'm gonna get up onstage and quote people. That's a talent." "And what are you gonna do? Get up there and shake your bounty, Louisa?" "I think you mean 'booty.'" Of course he does, but why would he think it was "bounty"? Who has ever said that in the history of life on earth?
YMCA. Dick Teachie is helping cerebral palsy kids swim around. At the moment, he's occupied with a kid named Hunter. When he gets out of the pool (Teachie, not Hunter, obviously), he is intercepted by Hunter's parents. Let's call them the Head Hunters. Because they're in charge of Hunter, of course, not because they'll turn out to be soulless mercenaries. Or both. Anyway: "We want Hunter to be fully included. He wants it. He's very close to graduation, he very badly wants a diploma, and we think he can get one at a regular school. His academic performance has been very strong." Teachie says he's definitely smart enough, but, get this: "There might be some challenges physically." Oh, you think? The Head Hunters were hoping that Hunter could attend Winslow, but Teachie says that Winslow's not exactly state-of-the-art. "As long as all his classes could be scheduled on the same floor, that's really all he'd need." Teachie says he'll make inquiries and let them know. Hunter swims around in the pool.
Delineation Alley. Teachie explains the Hunter situation to Scott. Scott says it's okay, provided the school can meet his needs. I mean, Winslow's not exactly state-of-the-art, I've heard, but that didn't seem to bother the Head Hunters. I wonder why that is? Anyway, Teachie veers off and walks with Steven, who tells him he needs to rehearse his Norton for their Honeymooners sketch. Teachie complains, "All I do is say, 'Ralphy Boy.'" Steven says the show is about morale, not ego. "Hey, my ego is good for morale."
Lauren's classroom. Some kid is leaning against her doorway. "Hey, Austin," she says. He says nothing. "Is something wrong?" He comes in. "Remember when Ms. Hendricks said not to be afraid to tell someone, if we saw someone with a gun?" Lauren asks if he saw someone with a gun, and he says no. I guess he really just wanted to see if she remembered. Oh, wait, no: he did find a notebook of some kind. He gives it to her. Lauren looks at it, and asks where he found it. "About a block and a half from here. An abandoned house. Outside. I've seen kids hanging out there. It could be nothing, but" She says she'll give it to Steven and Scott, and Austin can go.
“ 'It looks like the plan is to set off the explosives. Then, when the kids run down these stairs, they get caught in the crossfire.' Yes, Steven, that is what it 'looks like.' That's precisely what the drawing depicts. It's not in code. ”
Marla's classroom. Something kind of weird happens. A bunch of cutesy girls get the attention of some boy, and tell him that it's never too early to pick a date for the prom. Then they bring in some other girl with hideous make-up on. Then everybody laughs. Who are they making fun of -- the boy? The girl? I guess the girl, 'cause the worst actors in history, playing guys in the class, say, "Hey, take a look at the working girl." "Yeah, work it baby. Work it." The girl is really upset. I guess they told her they'd put nice make-up on her, and put ugly make-up on her instead. Marla comes in and attempts to start teaching, then has to try to determine why everyone is laughing. Then she spots the Working Girl.
Sanctum. Steven, Lauren, and Big Boy are looking at the notebook. Specifically, they are looking at a diagram that shows students running down the stairs, and into a hail of bullets. "It looks like the plan is to set off the explosives. Then, when the kids run down these stairs, they get caught in the crossfire." Yes, Steven, that is what it "looks like." That's precisely what the drawing depicts. It's not in code. Scott comes in and says he's contacted the police, who are sending a detective. The only clue as to who made the notebook is the fact that they identify themselves as "Freaks" and say they want revenge "on all the preppies, jocks, and teachers who have picked on them." Scott asks if they should evacuate. Steven's all, "No, let's wait, see what the police advise."
Teachie's room. Teachie is telling Hunter and the Head Hunters that he can get started at Winslow. Most of his classes will be on the first floor, and Talk Time has volunteered to be his guide. "You know Debbie, right?" Hunter's all, "Yeah, she's hot." "Yeah, too hot, but you take your shot." Oh, way to shoot him down, Teachie. Then Hunter puns, "I'm ready. Let's roll." Oh ho ho ho ho, Hunter, you incorrigible wit! "Welcome to Winslow High.
The bathroom. Marla comes upon Working Girl, cleaning the whore make-up off her face. Marla asks how it got there in the first place, and she's all, "They said people made fun of me 'cause of the way I looked. They said they could help. Don't know why I believed them. Stupid." My question is, how could she not tell that they were covering her face in layers of make-up six inches thick?
The Un-geon. Marla strides in and pulls the three Cutesy Girls ("Chrissie. Karen. Paula.") out of class. Umwait. Why does Ronnie have students that Marla also has? Aren't the students in Ronnie's class special students who are in there all day, like the students in the Dungeon? I'm confused. But it's too late, because we're already
in the hallway, with Marla and the Cutesy Triplets. "I don't like little two-faced bullies, who are kiss-ups to teachers, and vicious to others when nobody's looking. Roll your eyes again, and I'll tape 'em down, don't think I won't." Heh. Chrissie, the leader, is all, "Wouldn't that make you a bully? Look, if this is about Melissa, we were trying to help." The other two laugh, and Marla turns on them. "You're even worse than she is, you snickering little sheep. You just go along, like little sheep, trying to fit in. Baaa. Baaa. Baaa. Go on, say it: 'Baaa. Baaa. Baaaa.'" They demur, but Marla threatens them with detention, and they start to baaa.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Sanctum. Steven sighs at Marla. "Is that your idea of leading by example? Threatening to tape eyelids shut? Ordering them to baaa like sheep?" Oh MY GOD. We KNOW WHAT SHE DID IT JUST HAPPENED! Anyway, Steven tells her that there are better ways for her to reach the kids, and she's all, "Those girls need to be taken out to the parking lot so I can reach 'em with a big stick." Steven explains that he gave her the gun lecture because she has a talent for connecting with kids that exceeds that of any other teacher in the school. Nice of him to say, but what the hell is he talking about? Marla's all, "Don't butter me up. I look like a bagel to you?" Butter? Dude, what about lox, or scallion cream cheese? Steven says he just wants her to do her best work.
Lauren and Scott escort Austin to meethey, it's Irish Cop! He's flanked by two of his men. He says he needs Austin to take him to where he found the notebook. Austin's all, "Okay." They leave. Scott stands alone in the entrance hall. I guess this shot is supposed to be chilling because he's standing exactly where the bullets were flying in the diagram. Why would anybody draw a stick figure diagram of their school shooting plan?
At some abandoned house, Irish Cop and his dog sniff around. He asks Austin where he found the notebook, and Austin says nearby, on the ground. Why would people planning a school shooting leave their planning notebook on the ground outside?
Talk Time leads Hunter through the hallways. "It's big. I hope I don't get lost." She assures him he'll adjust, and that the only problem might be Chemistry, which is on the third floor. "Mr. Hanson said he'd carry me." Then Big Boy appears, and tells Hunter that he's the man to see in case of any problems. They pass by Ronnie and Harvey. Harvey's suspicious of Hunter's condition. "Did they check it out? Sometimes these kids fake it, to get the good parking spots." Heh. Anyway, Harvey tells Ronnie that while, ordinarily, he stops the show with "If I Were A Rich Man," this year he wants to sing a romantic ballad. "I thought you and I could sing: 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers.'" Ronnie is at a loss for a moment, then explains that she's "coming off a painful break-up, and not really up for any duets." Oh, right, Billy Zane. But, she adds, "I overheard Marilyn talking, and she'd love to sing with you. She was actually hoping you'd ask." Ronnie escapes, and Harvey nods to himself. "Me. And Marilyn."