The Cunning

We do this in remembrance of my father and mother,

and all those who were chosen to strengthen the fold

and destroy the weak.

We offer you a great and living sacrifice.

Great King, please accept our offering,

grant us power and wealth, and knowledge of those things

past, present, and future.

They just left her at my front door.

Name's Eva.

Someone from another foster home left a teenager

at your front door unannounced?

According to the girl, yes.

I've called foster homes all over the state.

No record of her.

So we have no information

on who this little girl might be.

I'm afraid not.

Well, you know perfectly well why.

African American children are practically $0

at every adoption agency in the country.

On the bright side, you called us.

I (coughing and gagging).

The doctors don't have the slightest clue.

It just came on so suddenly.

We appreciate everything you've done for our community.

Your hard work and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Oh, my sweet Kate.

There is no success without sacrifice.

You're both so lucky you landed at Margaret's.

We've been working with her for years.

Our house was just too big and we had the extra room,

so we decided to foster.

Anyway, I can't wait 'til you meet our son, Jackson.

It takes him a minute to warm up.

Welcome home.

Eva, Malachi, I'd like you to meet Jackson.

Jackson is our biological son.

Will you show Eva and Malachi around?

I have a phone call with the university club in a few.

Sure, the kitchen's that way.

Upstairs is that way.

The front is that way, and the backyard is that way.

Jackson.

I'm in the middle of something.

In the middle of what?

The Tale of the Chameleons.

The what?

Don't mind Jackson.

He could be a bit... - Are You Afraid of the Dark?

No, I'm not.

Why do you ask?

No, it's a TV show.

Oh, okay.

Well, that leaves.

Don't look over here.

I have to take an important call right about now.

I hate to do this,

but as soon as I finish my call,

I'll give you a proper tour.

Your rooms are just up the stairs

and off in either direction.

Feel free to look around.

This must be my room.

This is the best thing that could ever happen to us, Eva.

These clothes don't have the tags on them.

Brand new clothes, nice car, and a nice house.

It's hard for a kid my age to find us a permanent home.

You're overthinking it.

I'd do anything to stay here.

Anything.

Don't do it, don't you do it.

I wouldn't do that.

Wouldn't do what?

Jackson,

wouldn't do what?

Jackson.

Jackson.

Jim, these campaigns don't pay for themselves.

We're doing our part, you just do yours.

Oh.

Who are they?

Kate's family.

Over here, we have Kate's great, great, great grandfather.

Next to him is his wife, Katie.

Katie?

Like Kate. - Just like Kate.

There you are, Eva.

How do you like your new room?

It's really nice.

I was just showing her some of your family.

My family.

It's funny because my parents thought I was spoiled rotten.

A result of their own doing, no less.

But that all changed

when I met another little girl who had nothing.

Kate's a true humanitarian.

I'm sorry, I just,

I always wanted a girl.

Kate, Kate (sighs).

I'll grab you when it's time for dinner, okay?

Sure.

I vowed never to cut my hair again and so I grew it out.

But it was so puffy that when I looked

in my shadow on the wall,

I couldn't see the outline of my head.

And so when I was in third grade, my mom bobbed my hair,

but I was in an awkward phase,

and so I was promptly named the baboon.

But if you think that's bad,

he wanted big, curly hair like all those guys in New York.

It was the '80s, everyone was doing it.

You practically begged me for a perm.

A perm?

Mm, a perm.

Kids, these allegations are false.

I simply asked, I never begged.

You practically forced me.

Look at me, don't listen to her.

Wait 'til I tell them

about your flowing golden locks in the '70s.

All right, that is enough wine for you.

Hmm.

Jackson, have you had a chance

to talk to Eva and Malachi yet?

No, not yet.

What?

You know- I'm fine mom.

Well, you're missing out.

Eva is a talented painter.

And Malachi, I caught you running

around out back with a football.

You could go to the league with that speed, Malachi.

- You think so? - I know so.

You see, Jackson, there is more to life than video games.

You should get out, run around,

play football, right? - I said not yet.

They'll be around long enough, right?

Well, everything came out just delicious.

Thank you, Eva, for all your help.

You're welcome.

Now, who wants to help with the dishes?

Hmm, I can't blame him.

He reminds me of me at his age,

but you can't just wake up one day

and decide to have no part of this.

He barely comes up for a breath of air.

He's a kid.

Kids play games.

Someone has to continue when we're gone.

It's our legacy.

I just wish.

You wish What?

I wish we didn't stop trying.

It can still happen.

Mm.

I don't know, Joe.

Let's just focus on your campaign.

Kate,

it can still happen.

What?

Wanna get out of here?

And go where?

- Cemetery. - Cemetery?

How do you know?

Jackson told me.

Fine, come on.

I lived with Margaret for almost a year.

No one wanted me.

Starting to think I deserved it.

That's not true.

You know you're good luck, right?

Good luck, how?

You showed up to Margaret's.

Now look at us.

I wouldn't call that luck.

Sometimes, life just isn't fair.

Yeah, it's a little weird living here.

- Yeah. - Oh, did you get a chance

to play football with Jackson?

No, I don't think he likes me.

I don't think he likes anybody.

That boy's such an introvert.

Who are these people?

Slaves.

Slaves?

How do you know?

Jackson.

Why would he say that?

Yeah, that kid is definitely strange.

Esther.

- Esther. - My children stay with me.