White People and Other Fragile Things
Producer
Three scenes from an episode pilot
On a blind first date, Becky and Brock share an uncomfortable and boring dinner at an upscale Scarsdale 1950s restaurant. After Brock triggers Becky by telling her that everyone is “on her side,” she unexpectedly tells him she wants them to have sex and for him to tell everyone about it.
A 1950s public service announcement video “How Much Affection” plays. It is a scripted mother-daughter conversation about appropriate displays of affection. The mother warns her receptive teen daughter that pre-marital sex can result in negative consequences.
The afternoon after Becky and Brock’s date, and Becky is still passed out in bed. She wakes up to see a dark figure staring menacingly at her in her bedroom, only to find that he’s not there when she turns on the lights.
CJ wakes up to her old ex Kevin after a night together. She shares her anxieties for her interview later that morning for the Harvard Psych graduate program. CJ realizes she remembered the wrong time for her interview and is now late. After being accused by Dr. Landis’ secretary of not having an interview with him, CJ is brought into his office. She is surprised to find that Dr. Landis, an idol of hers, is a white man who studies race-based trauma and white fragility. CJ explains that she works at Jahuji Research Lab, reluctant to explain how she examines the ways anal sex is perceived and exercised amongst different racial communities.
Finally getting out her house, Becky walks through Scarsdale. She goes to the home baby shower of Sandra, queen bee of Scarsdale. Becky’s arrival interrupts the women’s gossip centered around her sex life. Their backhanded conversation forces Becky to find solace in the bathroom.
At Jahuji Labs, CJ asks a series of questions about sexual activity to a middle-aged white woman, black woman and Cuban woman. Following the uncomfortable research, fellow research assistant Alexis talks to her about their going-out plans in the breakroom. Alexis presses CJ for more details about getting back with Kevin, warning her that Kevin will still want to get married even though CJ doesn’t. They’re interrupted by the news of a young, overly-excited fellow researcher’s new engagement.
In Becky’s therapy session, Dr. Goodmann probes Becky to talk about her feelings. Becky shares her interaction with the dark figure, now a regular occurrence. Dr. Goodmann tries to warn her against her self-sabotaging sexual activity, reassuring her that she’s doing fine.
CJ avoids a clingy Kevin for a girl’s night out at a college bar with Alexis. CJ catches the eye of Jordan, an attractive doctor who believes they’ve met before. His charm persuades her to let him buy her a drink. Drunk and on the dance floor, Jordan asks to see her again. CJ admits she’s confused as to whether that’s something she really wants. She leaves him in search of Alexis.
Becky goes on a date with Kent, which seems to start out successful. When Becky wants to take it slow and not sleep with Kent, he attacks her in public for being the town slut yet too stuck-up for him.
Dr. Goodmann follows an underground tunnel to leave his 1950s office and enter a modern, 2019-looking building. He is well-admired by the young, attractive staff who gaze after him as he walks through. He arrives on a presentation stage for a large crowd of adoring people to explain Scarsdale and how the town works. It is revealed that Scarsdale is only a recreation of the 1950s, a town with a cut-throat selection process for its citizens. He answers questions from enthralled guests.
Dr. Landis sits in the back, catching the gaze of Dr. Goodmann. A wave of Dr. Goodmann’s hands prevent large security guard from forcing Landis out of the room, but Landis leaves anyway.
Back in Becky’s messy living room, Becky eats a microwave dinner in front of the TV. The doorbell rings, followed by a knock and the sound of mail being pushed through the mail slot. Becky picks up the package sitting on the stack of mail and opens to find a first edition copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Inside the book is an envelope addressed to “BBQ Becky.” The note inside the envelope anonymously reads, “I know where you are. We aren’t finished.”