Hard Redemption

I found you

in the gutters of the Tenderloin.

I took you in when no one else would.

I gave you a second chance.

You feel me?

And you want out?

This?

This is how you repay me?

You know the only way out is with a bullet in the head.

So, what's it gonna be?

I'd rather die.

So be it.

Back off!

Back off!

Back off!

Get him!

Go, go, go!

Let's die together, motherfucker.

Rico Suave.

Hey, Big J.

Oh, you brought me donuts.

Thank you very much.

Yeah, I'll leave you one in the break room.

Yeah.

You tried the tamales?

I did.

Oh my God, they were amazing.

My kids went crazy for them.

They won't eat anything.

You should open a restaurant.

That's the dream.

Was that one of the teachers?

I saw him a few weeks ago.

He interviewed for GED.

Hm.

I hope it's a quiet one today.

Listen, I had too many last night.

Ah, first day's always easy.

Don't jinx us, man.

All right, all right.

You just get a donut.

Come on.

Tie triangle knot like so.

Voila.

Now you know how to tie a tie.

Enjoy, and good luck.

Not bad.

Ah, shit.

May I help you, Sir?

Hi, I'm James Park.

Oh, hi, Mr. Park.

I'm Joyce Benson.

Nice to meet you, Joyce.

All right, welcome.

So, you are teaching the GED class.

I believe that's in room 212.

Let me make sure I have everything good for you here.

Great.

Is that the principal?

He's on a call right now,

but I'm sure you'll meet him later.

Okay, looks like everything is good.

Here is your class roll and class keys.

Good luck to you, Mr. Park.

Why don't you just karate chop it open?

Why don't you just smash it open?

Well, the key ain't working.

It wouldn't.

They just installed a new hard lockdown security system.

It locks all the classroom doors automatically

in case of a security breach.

Steel doors, shatter proof windows, the whole nine yards.

I take it there's no security breach right now?

Yeah, they're workin' out the bugs.

I have to override at the front desk

and reboot the system.

Just wait here.

I'm James Park, by the way.

Just wait here until you hear the buzz and the click.

Okay, thanks.

James?

Good morning.

Eva Alvarez.

Ready for your first day?

Yeah, I think so.

Was that you I saw running by the park this morning?

Yeah.

I was picking up some coffee and I thought I saw you.

Looks like you stay in shape.

I mean, it looks like you take care of yourself.

Thanks.

Yeah, I train.

Martial arts?

Wow, you're good.

My brother and I took TaeKwonDo when we were kids.

Nice.

You still train?

No, no (laughs).

I stopped after a few years.

But I was thinking we should have some self-defense training

for the female staff here.

Since you know martial arts...

I mean, if you're interested.

That'd be great.

I'd love to do it.

Great.

Maybe we can grab lunch next week and talk it over.

Sounds good.

I'll let you get ready for your class.

You have a challenging group of students here.

Good morning, everyone.

I'm Mr. Park.

Okay, let's start with attendance.

Javier Bacerra.

Javier?

I guess he couldn't make it.

Naya Carter.

Do we have Naya Carter?

She's hypnotized by her phone.

What?

Jeremy Edwards.

Jeremy?

Bryan Kim.

Edgar Lawson.

Over there.

All right?

Let me save you some time.

All right, this is Edgar.

This is Tariq, Montrese.

And you are?

Miguel.

Thanks, Miguel.

Okay.

I'm gonna put the lesson plan aside for a minute.

Miguel?

- What? - Why are you here?

I'm askin' myself the same thing (laughs).

Well?

What, is this a trick question?

I asked for this shit.

But why?

I work for a contractor spraying stucco on houses all day.

Breathing it in and beatin' the shit outta my body.

And I don't wanna be doin'

that shit for the rest of my life.

Montrese, what about you?

I got a little girl at home

and her father isn't in the picture anymore.

I don't want her to grow up like me,

so I'm gonna get my nursing degree

so I can make some decent money for a change.

Bryan?

Yeah, I got mixed up in some stupid ass shit

or I would have graduated with the rest of my class.

Guess I want to finish something for once.

Have a future, maybe?

Sounds like y'all want to improve your lives.

Sounds like passing this class is important.

Let's treat it that way.