Episode 24

Ronnie Cooke is hired to teach at Boston Public on a provisional emergency certification with the understanding that she will pursue a degree in Education. She tells her boyfriend of the situation at supper in a restaurant, after which they return to the law office to collect her things, toying with the idea of a little extra-curricular activity. Ronnie declines, but as she packs up her office she changes her mind and strips down and steps out into the hallway in nothing but a pair of heels and an unbuttoned dress shirt. She enters the darkened main office in search of her (ex) boyfriend, when the lights suddenly switch on and the whole office staff jumps out and yells "surprise!" Included in the group of well-wishers is Scott Guber, friend of one of the firm partners. He is obviously lost for words as he stares at the well-developed woman.

Ronnie feels some awkwardness when she encounters Scott Scott the next morning as she enters the school to begin her first day in her new career. She apologizes to him for the situation; Guber accepts but asks

her to keep her clothes on during the school day. Ronnie is assigned to room 36, a room of underachieving students with little motivation. She starts off tough, laying down the law and keeping the bar high for achievement. Just to get them thinking she asks about where man came from. There is little interest at first, but as the discussion continues she begins to see a spark. Through their discussion they cover "Life, The Universe, and Everything" (thank you Douglas Adams). Unfortunately she continues on to creationism and eventually reincarnation, both of which raise the eyebrow of Steven Harper. She presents the discussion through a book called "Many Lives, Many Masters" which she bought for each student, raising the eyebrows of other faculty members. Obviously, there are many things Ronnie has to learn.

Other teachers hold a secret meeting to discuss Ronnie. They are concerned at the direction

the school has taken as the administration has allowed first Lisa Grier and now Ronnie Cooke to teach, neither of whom being certified teachers. As the group discusses the problems Ronnie gets word of the "secret" gathering and crashes in

on it, saying how honored she is to be working with them all. Her honeyed words silence the critics. The shoe lady from previous episodes comes in and complains about Ronnie's practices, but overall, we can see a little bit of Harry Senate in her. I think the kid's gonna be okay.

Guber has been making a lot of visits to the "dentist" lately, but in fact he has been spending his time at a psychiatrist's office. The doctor asks him if he has any friends, to which he replies "no, except for Steven Harper" with whom he has nothing in common. His psychiatrist tells him he's lonely and may need to "make things happen" if he ever wants to find a true friendship. In an attempt to "bond" with Harper, Guber makes a rather cliche male statement about Ronnie's body. Harper questions his statement and Guber comes clean, telling Harper about his visits to the therapist and the two of them agree to go out for a pizza and "bonding" later in the week.

Back at school the next day Guber is informed that Mrs. Peters, the Hook Lady, is teaching a class. He is obviously concerned but as it turns out she is just helping out in a classroom and doing a good job as she used to be a certified teacher. Guber allows her to stay as long as she is always with another teacher. He is still concerned about her questionable practices at home, as well as her missing hand. Mrs. Peters comes to see Guber that evening and tells him the whole story about Jeremy. She agrees that she was very hard on him and did lock him in the basement from time-to-time.

She blames her self that Jeremy snapped over her treatment of him, consequently locking her in the basement for three weeks. Scott is shocked to hear her confession that her hand was actually severed when she tried use a chainsaw to cut off her handcuffs. She defends Jeremy though, pointing out that he brought her to the hospital. They are now in therapy and doing well. Somehow, some way, there seems to be a spark between the two lonely individuals.

Lauren is coaching one of her senior students in the art of the interview for her meeting with an interviewer from Princeton. Although she is a straight A student, Denise presents as a street kid and doesn't speak well. At the interview she collapses and has to be carted out. When Lauren has a chance to speak with her the next day Denise tells her that she passed out because she's pregnant. She informs Lauren that she can't go to Princeton because she plans on having the baby. Although Lauren encourages her not to give up on Princeton, Denise sees no way out of it.

Denise visits Harper to tell him of the situation. He in turn tells her that policy dictates that she must leave school as soon as she begins to show. She is upset because that will ruin her chance at being valedictorian.

She pleads with Harper, but he sticks by policy. The distraught young girl looks to Lauren for help and the two of them return to Harper's office. Lauren also tries to talk the Principal into letting her stay in school, but he still says no.

The following day Denise comes back to speak with Lauren and Harper and informs them

that the problem is solved. She has had an abortion. (Being 18 she didn't need parental consent.) Even though Harper and Lauren suggest seeing a counselor, she refuses. Lauren does manage to speak with her privately and Denise shows her true feelings about the experience. She is upset and was not prepared for the reality of aborting a 3 month old fetus.

In response to the "Fat Girl" club from the last episode Marla goes for a physical. She learns that her cholesterol is too high and she needs to take a prescription for it or she will be at risk for a heart attack. She refuses to take more medication and decides to exercise instead. She meets Lauren in the locker room after working out and learns that Lauren also takes "Fat People" medication for cholesterol and doesn't feel so bad after all.