Speech & Debate Page #2

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- Okay,

you're just trying to

cause a stir,

and that's not

what real journalism is.

You taught me

that real journalism

involves writing

about the truth.

Look at my last article.

I can't submit clips like these

to a top-tier

journalism school.

Solomon, this isn't a debate,

and you can't be in here.

I'm sorry, but

it's hypocritical...

Hey, Ms. Nish.

If you won't print my stories,

then maybe I'll write a new one

about freedom of speech

in high schools.

The Oregonian

might be interested.

[electronic beeping]

Are you recording me?

Just so I don't misquote you.

Oh, my God.

You know what?

Then on the record, I say,

"Why don't you ask your stepfather

about our school's policies?"

Because he's on the school board

that actually makes them.

I'm sorry, but I can't help you.

I can help you.

Not easy being new.

Takes time to make friends.

Have you thought about a sport?

Lacrosse?

No. I want to start...

We don't have

a Gay-Straight Alliance here,

and when I was in Portland...

You ever played lacrosse?

But do you know why North Salem

doesn't already have a GSA?

If you want to start a new club,

you have to petition

through the school board.

I can't help with that.

For I know that I'll never

Live happily ever after

'Til after I'm a bride

Too forte at the end?

"Forte" means loud,

in musical terms.

I'll teach you all the terms.

Don't worry.

Just wish me luck.

Luck.

Did you have fun last night?

...Happily ever after

'Til after I'm a bride

Then I'll be happily happy

Yes, happily happy...

Hey, Arnett.

How well did you

sweep the stage?

I'm dancing barefoot.

It's clean.

FYI, Mr. Healy,

I'll be performing

all songs as written.

That means that this Lady Larken

will still be pregnant,

as per the author's

original intent.

Diwata, honey, I have to manage

complaints from parents.

This is a high school.

We don't want to make it seem like

we're glorifying a pregnant woman

who isn't in

a stable relationship.

It's just a little trashy.

Sorry, Candace.

Marty, if I start to riff,

you gotta hang with me, bud.

Don't get thrown

like last year, okay?

No, Diwata, last year,

we talked about bringing

your own material

in to my auditions.

Chill, Mr. Healy.

It's a medley.

A med... How is that different?

[exhales deeply]

Oh, here we go.

[piano music playing]

The actress hasn't

Learned the lines

You'd like to hear

She won't join your clubs

She won't dance

In your halls

She won't help

The hungry once a month

At your tombolas

She'll simply take control

As you disappear

And I am not

Throwin' away my shot

I am not

Throwin' away my shot

Yo, I'm just like my country

I'm young, scrappy

And hungry

No, I'm not

Throwin' away my shot

We're gonna rise up

Time to take a shot

We're gonna rise up

Time to take a shot

We're gonna rise up

Rise up

Rise up, rise up

How would you like it

If you were a man

Playing the part of a toad?

Crawling around on your

Elbows and knees

Eating the dust in the road

Toads, toads

All of your people

Are toads

Then I'll be happily happy

Yes, happily happy

And thoroughly satisfied

Satisfied

Satisfied

Whoa, yeah

Thank you.

[indistinct chatter]

[school bell rings]

[student 1]

Just pick one, Solomon.

[student 2]

Yeah, man. Hurry up.

I can't choose

any of these topics.

Then follow the rules,

or you can leave.

I'm sorry, but I don't

have time for this every week.

Great choice.

Hey. I was wondering

if I could interview you

for an article I'm writing

about the auditions...

for the school paper.

I'm Solomon.

We're friends on Facebook.

I've liked a lot

of your Instagram posts.

Hey.

[phone vibrating]

Seriously, Mark?

You know, I was once

upon your mattress.

Okay, everyone, just remember,

in the words of Stanislavski,

"there are no small parts,

only small actors."

- I got it.

- I knew it.

Yay!

I knew you would.

[girls] Yeah.

[Solomon] Hey.

I was wondering if I could

interview you

about these auditions.

For the school paper?

[Howie] It's time for North

Salem to have a GSA.

My old school had one,

and most schools in Oregon do,

so don't think I'm asking

for some kind of

fringe thing or whatever.

Well, look, I-I'm proud

of you...

uh, that you have spoken

your mind.

Good for you. Your mom has

raised a fine young man.

But we've considered

a GSA in the past,

and the board's

unanimous decision

has always been that

it's more of a social hour

and not a formal club...

that the district should fund.

Well, then, we need to vote again.

I was never part of that.

I was with Howie

when he did the research

on how many schools

actually have it,

- and the overwhelming majority do.

- Mom, Mom, just...

It's very true. Let's at least

have a discussion about it.

No, we'll just put it to a vote.

Well, it's yes from me.

Uh... Nope for me.

Of course, yes.

No.

Uh...

James.

Where are you on the...

On this issue?

I'm a no on the GSA for me.

I agree it's more

of a social hour.

Jesus Christ, James, really?

Okay, noes have it.

Look, Howard, there are

existing clubs

that are lacking

in student interest.

There's... Portuguese Club,

which is hungry for members,

and Recycling Club.

- It's not called "Recycling." - He means

the Environmental Action Committee.

Speech and Debate.

But for the record,

the district

fully supports gays,

lesbians, and...

Latinos?

Okay. Thank you.

[message sent tone playing]

[message received tone playing]

When I was in high school,

I felt like I had

so much to say,

but nobody was listening.

A lot of movie stars

and politicians

got their start

in Speech and Debate,

because on

the debate side of things,

you have all

kinds of competitions

where you have to make

your point of view

clear and convincing,

and on the speech side

of things,

you have acting competitions.

Through dramatic interpretation,

you get the opportunity

to play all the roles

in a scene yourself,

so that means you're

playing Romeo and Juliet.

So just grab a couple friends.

It only takes, like,

three people minimum

to start a team,

and join Speech and Debate.

It's the only club

designed for you to find

and strengthen your voice.

I want to open myself.

I want the light of God.

I want the sweet love of Jesus.

I danced for the Devil.

I saw him.

I went back to Jesus,

and I kissed his hand.

I saw Sarah Good with the Devil.

I saw Goody Osborne

with the Devil.

I saw Bridget Bishop

with the Devil.

No more time for

"My Country, 'Tis of Thee"

From now on,

"It's my country 'tis of me"

I don't need friends.

I don't need to be

in the school musical

that the school board

has frauded.

I have music in my body.

I am music.

Mr. Healy thinks

an unwed mother

is too racy for us.

Are we in Salem, Oregon,

or Salem, Massachusetts,

circa 16... whenever the heck

those witches were being hunted?

Can't burn me

This witch is fireproof

So try and hang me

And see how strong my neck is

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