Tonight on The Real World: the roommates start a new job, which Kyle thinks will "really shake things up." Aneesa is upset that she has to work with Tonya. Theo thinks it's "a wack job." At first, I thought that he meant a wack job, like a crazy person. But I believe he was saying that it's a job that is wack. Theo and Kyle get in a big fight in the van.
Kyle, Chris, and Keri wake up and laugh and have a gay old time because it's their last day of lifeguarding. Well, Chris has a gay old time. I'm sure that Kyle would want you all to know that while he fully supports the homosexual lifestyle, and even has friends who are gay, he is nothing but straight. He loves the ladies. And Keri probably wouldn't care what you thought. In an interview, Kyle explains that they are about to start a new job, and that they will be working with "the park people," meaning Aneesa, Tonya, CJP, and Theo. Chris runs up and does a raspberry on CJP's belly, so I guess she is over her body issues and all is forgiven. Chris is really cute, by the way.
At the beach, Chris, Kyle, and Keri walk around in their bathing suits with whistles around their necks. You know, lifeguarding. I would like to vote for Chris as "Looks Best in a Bathing Suit," largely because he keeps his shirt on. While I'm sure he has a great body, why advertise? Yes, I'm talking to you, Kyle. In an interview, Keri says that lifeguarding was a great job, but that she's looking forward to finding out what they will be doing . Chris yells at someone, who doesn't appear to be listening. In an interview, Kyle says that Chris had a "big confrontation with someone who was pissing him off and flicking him off." Kyle is jealous that Chris got to have that big confrontation. In an interview, Chris says that he'll miss his job because he had a lot of time to walk around and think. Keri says that she'll miss the people with whom they worked. We see the roommates taking pictures with their co-workers, who we have never, ever seen before and thus don't care about at all. In an interview, Kyle says that he'll miss "walking on the beach and just thinking for an hour, two hours, about what's going on in [his] life." While they were walking and thinking, shouldn't they have been paying attention and looking out for potential drowning victims? Anyway, Kyle doesn't think their new job will afford him that opportunity.
CJP drives the van and tells Theo that they did the best work that they could with the kids and the mural, although they probably could have done a better job. Theo thinks they did well. CJP say that they'll find out tonight, at the closing ceremony. Theo hopes that Nelson and Ronnie come. We see flashback footage of Theo talking to Nelson and trying to convince him to stay in the program. CJP voice-overs that Nelson has been in some trouble with the police, and that she hopes things turn out all right for him. Theo voice-overs that he's concerned about whether his time with Nelson has had any effect. As much as Theo annoys me at times, I do have to give him props for the fact that he seems genuinely concerned about these kids -- Nelson especially. Yes, I'm talking to you, Tonya.
The park workers arrive at the ceremony and bring in some food for the unveiling reception. CJP continues her streak of quoting movie lines and emulating stars of stage and screen when she walks into the place while juggling two watermelons, à la Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing. But alas, she finds no Patrick Swayze inside, grinding with Richard Marx's wife. Or perhaps that should be, "Thank God, she finds no Patrick Swayze inside." Because while I had a crush on the dude in, like, eighth grade? He is fugly. In an interview, Aneesa says that today is their last day of work, and that they are going to do a presentation with the kids to show off their work to their parents. CJP asks whether all of the kids are arrived, and seems concerned about the low attendance. In an interview, Theo says that he didn't see Nelson there, and that he was feeling like he didn't do enough to get Nelson to attend.
Kyle and Keri take a bus home while Chris rides his bike somewhere. Kyle says that he's the least close to Chris, out of all of the roommates. Keri thinks that Chris is the most distant of all of the roommates. Can you blame him? Would you hang out with those people? In an interview, Keri says that it would be nice to reconnect with Chris, because he does his own thing all the time. Keri mentions that Chris might not want to go out with them, since he's a recovering alcoholic, and they often go out to drink. However, Keri thinks it's a lame excuse, because he works in a bar. Can she honestly not see the difference between going to a social situation where everyone is drinking, and working in a place that serves drinks? When Chris is working, he's not drinking. It's just like any other service job, really. Kyle feels the same way as Keri. In an interview, Kyle puzzles over how Chris can pour drinks for people for hours on end when he doesn't drink himself. Kyle tells Keri that he thinks the new job will mean a big change in all of their lives. Kyle points out that they haven't really spent a lot of time together, all seven of them, and this job will force that to happen. Which is exactly why BMP set this job up. Kyle says that the job will "make so much controversy." Are the editors paying him to say these things, or what?
More kids start showing up at the mural-unveiling reception. Tonya is wearing a really tight blue dress that somehow doesn't seem appropriate to me. Maybe it's because Aneesa is wearing, like, black cotton pants and flip-flops. And the kids are all dressed very casually. Kyle, Keri, and Chris show up for moral support or something. ["More like mural support. HA HA!" -- Wing Chun] As the kids arrive, they paint their names on the mural. Aneesa gives one of the girls encouragement for her upcoming speech. In an interview, Theo says again that he's disappointed that Nelson and Robbie haven't shown up. The kids practice their speeches. Aneesa and CJP encourage them.
Nelson walks in and CJP claps. What about Ronnie? No one cares about Ronnie. In an interview, Aneesa says that she was surprised that Nelson cares. CJP hands Nelson a note card and asks him to read the words aloud during the ceremony. Nelson doesn't want to. CJP tries to guilt him into it. In a confessional, Theo says that Nelson will really only listen to him. Theo whispers to Nelson over in the corner, saying that Nelson needs to represent, and asks him to "do a brother a favor." Nelson agrees to do it. CJP asks if it's on, and Theo says that it is. In a confessional, Theo says that he knows how to communicate with Nelson. Theo pulls Nelson aside and asks him if there has ever been a time when his friends asked him to go out, and Nelson got a bad feeling in his stomach, and knew that he shouldn't go, but did it anyway. Nelson knows what Theo means. Theo asks Nelson not to go, the time he gets that feeling. Theo explains that jail is not fun, and it's hard, and you can't get any girls there. Well, you get "girls," but they're not technically female, if you know what I mean. Although Nelson might be on the other end of that equation, given how young he is. If I were ever tempted to do any illegal activity, I would just watch Oz. That show is enough to keep me on the straight and narrow. Theo tells Nelson that he shouldn't learn his lesson from getting locked up; he should stop now before that happens. Nelson just nods. It's all very Laurence Fishburne/Cuba Gooding Jr. in Boyz in the Hood. I don't mean to downplay Theo's concern or the very real danger and temptations that face Nelson. It's just kind of silly to think that showing us three minutes of their interactions can give us any kind of insight into what Nelson's life is like.
Just before the kids go up to give their speeches, CJP tries to calm them down in the hallway. She's not very calming, mostly because she's so manic herself. They do a group cheer. Suddenly, out of the blue, CJP and Aneesa are singing "The Power of Two" by the Indigo Girls. It's very lovely, but who knew that they could sing? Theo welcomes everyone to the unveiling and explains the point of the mural. Given how much time and planning went into this thing, it's kind of...small. Various kids get up and talk about the mural. In an interview, Tonya says that the kids really seem to appreciate life more than someone who has been given anything would. I'm sure they cut the part where Tonya then launched into a speech to the effect of, "Just like me, because did I mention that I'm a foster kid? And I have kidney problems? But now I have been redeemed by my perfect love with Justin?" Aneesa also has a problem praising the kids without talking about herself instead. In an interview, she says that she wants to be the person that the kids remember in ten years as someone who helped them.
Nelson gets up and speaks his few words. In an interview, Theo also focuses on himself when he says, "It feels like, kind of like a parenting thing." Theo adds that he's helped Nelson to grow and take a step up in maturity. I'm sure they cut out the part where Theo talked about the courage it took for Nelson to come to the program when all of his friends were probably encouraging him to stay out, or possibly even making fun of him for going.
The roommates leave the ceremony. Keri's driving, and she asks whether they are going out for margaritas, and who will be the designated driver. Chris quickly says that he's going home. Kyle asks why he's not going, and Chris defensively says that he doesn't want to go out for a drink. In an interview, Chris says that his roommates are pressuring him to go out for drinks, and that's not how he celebrates anymore. In an interview, Kyle says that he's never dealt with alcoholism, nor had a friend who was an alcoholic, so he doesn't know the rules. How about just letting Chris do what he wants, and trusting that he's doing what he has to in order to stay sober? Also, I can't believe that Kyle has never dealt with alcoholism. I mean, off the top of my head, I can think of numerous people I know who are alcoholics -- some recovering, and some not. I don't think I'm unusual in that manner. Kyle adds that he'd like to talk to Chris about it. In the van, CJP sits on Chris's lap and jokes that she'll be sober, when really she means that she's going to get really drunk. In an interview, CJP says that sometimes she feels insensitive about Chris's not drinking.
Theo, Kyle, Tonya, CJP, and Keri sit in a restaurant and eat and drink. Why was it a big deal that Chris didn't go, but no one gave Aneesa a hard time? They all talk at once, so it's kind of hard to hear. Eventually, CJP says that Laura and Kim, the bosses from the park, are going to also be their bosses in their new job. CJP says that she's happy they will all be working together, but that it's also going to be difficult. In an interview, Theo says that "heads is going to bump" no matter what the job is. Kyle starts babbling again about how much their lives are going to change. He's really annoying. Shut up, Kyle.
I hope City High got paid a great deal of money for those weekly promos. Because that's just sad.
Chris and Kyle lie in bed (separate beds, of course) and discuss Chris's alcoholism. Kyle wonders why Chris doesn't want to go and have drinks when he's a bartender. In an interview, Kyle says that every time he starts to develop an understanding of Chris's problem, something throws it off and he has a long way to go before he understands it. I still don't understand why he can't just let it be Chris's problem and accept however Chris chooses to deal with it. Especially since Chris is dealing with it. Chris explains that he hasn't been to a meeting in a while, so he's not in the right frame of mind to go and sit in a bar, because it might make him feel left out. And if he starts to feel that way, having not been to a meeting in a while, it makes him uncomfortable. He just doesn't want to put himself in a situation where he's going to feel angry or bitter. Kyle sort of understands.
Kyle and Chris get into a cab. In an interview, Kyle explains that Chris said he was going to a meeting, and Kyle had nothing better to do, so he tagged along. Kyle says that Chris got really happy about that. In the cab, Chris tells Kyle not to feel nervous. Kyle voice-overs that he doesn't want to feel unwelcome at the meeting. Chris tells Kyle that none of his friends have ever volunteered to attend a meeting, and Chris is really happy that Kyle did. Kyle asks whether Chris's friends are intimidated. Chris doesn't know, but he's happy that Kyle wants to go. So, do you think Chris is happy that Kyle wants to go to a meeting? In an interview, Chris says that Kyle got to see an amazing speaker talk about his experiences. Walking home, Kyle says that he would love to talk to the people at the meeting and find out what their lives are like. In an interview, Kyle says that the people were fascinating. Kyle tells Chris that, last spring, he was doing keg stands with his fraternity brothers, and having the time of his life, and similar experiences have ruined people's lives. In an interview, Kyle says that he drank in high school and college, and never felt out of control. Kyle tells Chris that, in some ways, he felt guilty about not having a drinking problem. I hate to make fun of him when he's being so honest but...what a gomer. He feels guilty for not being an alcoholic? Kyle says that he wasn't nervous going to the meeting, and he didn't feel uncomfortable when he got there. As they get home, Kyle tells Chris that if he hadn't gone to the meeting, he probably would have gone out and gotten drunk. What an idiot. I'm surprised Chris doesn't smack him.
The roommates are getting ready in the morning when CJP's watch starts beeping. Apparently, their watches double as pagers. Tonya is, for some unknown reason, wearing a piece of gauzy fabric on her head in the manner of a beekeeper. Are they playing dress-up? CJP reads the message, which tells them to meet someone at the Waveland Clock Tower at 6:30 PM to find out their assignment. Tonya laughs that she feels like a spy or something.
The roommates go to the Clock Tower that night. Tonya was doing a goofy walk, I hope, because she looked very funny. I hope that's not her normal walk. Keri and Kyle start running over to an amphitheater, where Kim and Laura are standing in front of seven orange things. CJP thinks the orange things are basketballs. The roommates get close enough to find that the orange things are jack-o-lanterns filled with candy. Mmm, candy.
Laura explains to the roommates that Halloween is a big deal in Chicago, and that it's the mayor's favorite holiday, so they have a month-long celebration called "Chicagoween." Most of the Chicago residents on the forums were like, "It is? We do?" Laura explains that the roommates will be performers on the plaza, and that they will be acting out an original scary story. Tonya clarifies that they won't just be reading stories; they'll be acting out a story with costumes and sets. Laura says that they'll also make sets and such. In an interview, CJP says that they will be putting on three plays. In an interview, Kyle explains that he and Keri are in charge of the script. In an interview, Keri says that she loves ghosts and Dracula and stuff. In an interview, Tonya says that she and Aneesa have been assigned to do costumes and makeup. Let's hope one of the characters in the play is a beekeeper! Tonya's got that one down. In an interview, Aneesa says that Tonya can't even do her own makeup, so she can't do someone else's. In an interview, Chris says that he and Theo will be working on the sets. What is CJP going to do?
Theo mumbles that he doesn't like Halloween. In a confessional, Theo says that it's "the devil's holiday." Theo tells the others that he doesn't believe in "glorifying demons." He thinks that the Mayor should glorify "the birth of Jesus Christ" instead. Theo has obviously never heard of the separation of church and state, but whatever. Theo tells everyone that he thinks "it's a wack job."
In the van, Kyle asks what Theo's problem is with Halloween. Theo says that he knows it's mostly about kids and candy, but he doesn't get into it. Keri offers to tell them all the story she was thinking of using for their script to see if Theo approves. Keri tells a tale about an Irish woman who comes to America to work with a rich man. The rich man rapes her and she gets pregnant. She kills the rich man. She's imprisoned, but they won't kill her until she has the baby. She has the baby and they hang her. Wuh? I hope they left parts of that story on the editing room floor, because I don't see what that has to do with Halloween. Does the woman come back and haunt someone? I don't know.
In an interview, Theo says that Keri came up with a good story, but that he doesn't like that "the woman gets hung." Throughout the rest of the scene, Theo keeps saying "hung" instead of "hanged," and it's very annoying. Because he says it a lot. Theo says that he doesn't like the hanging aspect of the story because it's all too reminiscent of lynchings. I can see his point, but he doesn't explain himself very well. He keeps referring to his ancestors and slavery. I think if he had just said the word "lynching," it would have cleared things up a bit. Theo gets increasingly upset. Aneesa tries to explain that the story took place before slavery. Keri says that it was probably in the 1300s. I'm not sure how the Irish woman came to America in the 1300s, but whatever. Theo says that's not the point. Everyone jumps all over Theo. In an interview, Kyle says he thinks there are no racial overtones to the story. Everyone is yelling. Kyle tells Theo to be quiet. Theo gets all upset about that and starts yelling at Kyle. In an interview, Theo says that this is a sensitive issue for him, and that his roommates' inability to understand makes him more upset. In an interview, Tonya says that, with Theo, everything goes back to racism. Aneesa says that she can see his point. In an interview, Aneesa says that Theo's point is understandable. Theo asks why they can't just have the Irish woman's head get cut off, or use some other method of killing her. Kyle says something about Jewish people that makes no sense, but I think he was trying to make the point that every method could potentially offend someone. Theo calls Kyle a bitch. Heh. Kyle wonders why they can't have a reasonable discussion. Theo and Kyle keep fighting, and Aneesa keeps yelling at them to stop. Theo tells Kyle to make his point. Kyle says that he doesn't know how any of them could write a story that Theo wouldn't hate. Theo says he's just not comfortable with the hanging. In an interview, Theo says that he'll still do his job, just as he would if he agreed with everything. CJP tries to make peace by pointing out that they all have to work together, and that it won't always be easy. In an interview, Kyle says he hopes that every car ride with all seven of them won't be like this.