Elsbeth

You want what's best for your kids. Who doesn't?

Well, the best thing you can do for your child,

not to mention your own peace of mind-- and social status--

is to get them into the college of their choice.

That's where I come in.

We're talking Ivy League?

There are other schools, but not in this office.

So, how exactly does it work?

If you agree,

your son will be paired with a success trainer,

a recent Ivy League graduate who will get to know

your son's personality and interests,

to push him into the right pursuits,

to craft his story for applications.

Andy doesn't have any real interests.

He's just a kid.

Honey... Oh, that's not unusual.

But I've had great success with all sorts of students

who just needed a push in the right direction,

including one who just became director of admissions

at Baden University.

So...

our pricing schedule.

This is an obscene amount of money.

Schools are cracking down,

trying to be more "meritocratic."

Gone are the days when a simple ten-million-dollar donation

guaranteed you a spot freshman year.

In the current climate, Outmatch Educational Consulting

is a real bargain.

Maybe we should think about it.

Sure. But you don't want to start too late,

panic senior year,

end up sharing a prison cell with a Desperate Housewife.

You're hired.

Great. Great.

Let's go tell Andy.

Good news, Andy.

Your future is assured.

Okay, Jacob, you have to turn in your math homework

before you go to band practice.

Don't lie to me.

Uh, someone rake the sandbox.

- Make sure he didn't pee. - Copy.

Bob Shayne called twice,

and he didn't sound happy.

Rejected.

You said Bobby Jr.

would get into Baden no problem.

I am shocked.

Bobby's application and his proficiency in the oboe

were very impressive, but there are no guarantees.

I paid you over $600,000,

and you can't get my kid into my alma mater?

You'd better fix this, Grey, or I will make sure

nobody on Wall Street or Park Avenue ever falls

for your smug little spiel again.

It's not just him.

Baden early action has been a bloodbath.

It's like they know which students are ours

and they're rejecting them all.

I think I better pay a visit to their director of admissions.

Hello, Ethan.

Larry.

How'd you get through campus security?

I was helping a client get ready for the LSATs.

And I prefer "Lawrence."

I know.

Congratulations on your job.

Thanks.

I got your gift basket.

Oh, you still haven't opened it. I plan

to keep it there, as a reminder

of the corruption in this business.

There's perishables in there.

You know what else is perishable?

A young boy's dreams.

This again?

You and my parents pushed me into a life

I didn't want.

Mm, looks like you're doing okay.

I wanted to go to drama school.

That wouldn't have helped your application that year.

I could've gone to an inferior school and been happy.

Well, that's not what your parents were paying me for.

Fencing meant nothing to me.

Fencing got you into Baden,

and helped you tame your asthma.

How is your asthma, by the way? Don't change the subject.

Shoo. Shoo, shoo, shoo.

Get away, get away, get away.

Damn cat is everywhere.

You okay? I'm fine.

You shouldn't be here. It's unethical.

Tell your rich clients I don't talk to paid consultants.

Ethan, we have a history. Exactly.

So I know all your tricks.

I can spot an Outmatch application a mile away.

And I might as well tell you, now that I've got this job,

I will make sure that no student of yours is admitted

to Baden University ever again.

I will use this job to expose you once and for all

as the charlatan you are.

Now get out of my office, Larry.

How about we fence for it?

What?

Like old times. Uh, you win,

you never have to deal with me again.

I win, you give Bobby Shayne Jr. a second chance.

He's a good kid.

He doesn't deserve to be penalized

just because his dad is a billionaire.

You do know I'm also the fencing coach here, right?

Well, then, you should have no trouble humiliating me.

Come on. We'll keep it a secret,

so there's no ethical concerns.

What do you say?

Four sections,

35 minutes each. You got this.

I'm worried about my borderline ADD.

You just need to focus.

I'm gonna be in that chair over there,

and if I see you get distracted,

I'm gonna start the test again.

Here, these will help.

And...

start.

Sure you want to do this, old man?

I'll help you with that.

Get it over that big brain of yours.

Prêts? Allez.

Ah!

You're not as bad as I expected.

You're not the last kid I got into college this way.

Something wrong?

I can't breathe.

My inhaler.

It's in my bag.

Help! He--

We regret to inform you that your application for help

has been rejected.

Is that time already?

Well done.

The deceased is one

Ethan Brooks.

He was the new director of admissions and fencing coach.

So he was killed in a duel?

Wait, I don't see any blood anywhere.

Well, the manager found him alone.

He was probably practicing by himself.

And he just died?

He had, uh, a medical ID bracelet.

Severe allergic asthma.

Something must have triggered it.

He still had his mask on.

This mask?

Ooh. There's some kind of

thread in here, light blue.

Do you see that?

Don't get too close.

Oh, that was close.

Yes, it was. Sorry.

Are you allergic to anything? Uh,

just cats.

Although I love them.

Even if they are emotionally unavailable.

It's funny you should say that,

because there was a cat near the body when it was found,

but it jumped out the window and it got away.

Huh.

I don't understand.

Asthma attacks don't happen that fast.

If he saw the cat and felt an attack coming on,

why wouldn't he just pull off the mask

and then go get this inhaler?

And what was a cat doing

in a college fencing gym anyway?

Maybe it needed the credits.

Ha.

Ooh.

What's this?

Oregano?

Well, we'll get all of this tested.

So far, there's nothing to seriously suggest foul play.

Watch out.

This was attached to his fencing suit?

Ooh.

That's weird. What is?

Well, there are points on both sides.

So, was this score left over from an earlier match?

Or...

...was someone else here?

And if it was, why didn't that person do anything to help?

Right? Whoa.

What kind of person

would watch a man...

...die like that?

What's the word, Lawrence?

You saying my Bobby still has a chance?

I'm feeling really good about it.