01x07 - Down Under

[bunniefuu]

When has the
world ever been fair?

Choose your battles, Lin.

The world is already
too complicated.

Don’t make things
harder for yourself.

I want you, Grace, to go with
Pat to study at Boston University.

Why did you accept Boston?

Are you that selfish?

You’ll do everything
just to get what you want?

If you want to
end this right now,

then admit to your
dad that we're over.

I have a client who
needs a stand-in for the

Standard Test for
International Colleges Exam.

So tell me, what should I do?

Full name?

Grace Anne L. Dizon

And date of birth?

February 21, 2007.

In what we’re going to do,

the whole Philippines can benefit
from the answers to STIC.

I can’t do this alone.

Someone has to help me.

Mom,

my decision is final.

Please don’t stop me.

Aren’t you earning money
from leaking the exam answers?

Teach me.

Thief! Help!

Help!

Hey!

Let’s go, hurry!

Let’s go, hurry!

Mom!

- Ouch!
- Mom!

- Mom!
- Ouch, Tristan!

My God, I think I’m dying.

Help me, son!

Mom!

It hurts!

It really hurts!

Thoracic Laminectomy
is a major operation.

That’s why there are a lot of
requirements for the patient.

Imaging studies.

Bone density scan.

Coagulation panels.

And anesthesia.

Consultation.

Since you don’t have insurance,

all of this will cost—

Four hundred fifty thousand.

I’m sorry, son.

Stay strong, okay?

I’ll go ahead.

I still have other patients.

Bank?

What are you doing here?

Aren’t you earning money
from leaking the exam answers?

Teach me.

I need money.

I need money to get
my mom operated on.

Lin.

Bank.

Come in.

What’s this place?

This was my family’s
printing press but

we moved, so now
it’s just a warehouse.

So...

What’s the plan?
Why are we here?

So many questions!

Pat.

What?

Lin, do you still
trust this guy?

He's a f*cking snitch.

He’ll just cry and break,
he can’t handle this.

Hon.

What?

Might as well
bring Tony back in.

Isn’t there anyone
else to help us?

What?

You gonna fight me?

Go for it, dude.

Pat, that’s enough.

If Bank isn’t part of our plan,

then our plan won’t push
through. You know that.

Pat.

Let’s forget what happened
between us at school.

That’s a different story now.

You don’t have to be my friend.

But you can trust me.

Lin,

I’ll help you guys.

You can count on
me, whatever it takes.

We’re going to Australia,

and we’ll take the STIC exam.

So, how much are
we going to earn?

One million.

One million divided
by four so 250k each?

Right?

No, Bank.

Oh.

Sorry, sorry.

Is there anyone else in our group?

You know, honestly, any
amount is fine with me.


a big help for me.

That’s just for you.

We each get one million.

Game.

Okay.

The time difference between
Sydney and Manila is three hours.

One, two, three.

After uploading the photo
and filling out the form

for the application,

we’ll take the exam there.

Then we’ll send
the answers here.

So we’re going to Sydney?

We need to go there.

One, two, three.

Only limited items are
allowed in the exam room.

Pencil, eraser, passport,
and registration form.

So how do we give the answers?

Memory.

The STIC has four sections.

You mean we have
to memorize all of that?

Three, two, one, go.

Split it up.

So Bank, you memorize
the second half.

And then Lin
gets the first half.

Section one,

answer half of the
questions in just 30 minutes.

And time!

But how do we send
out the answers?

We’ll bring spare phones.

We’ll hide the spare phones
in the CR inside the toilet tank.

There’s a 10-minute
break every exam section.

In between those breaks,

we’ll send the answers
using the phone.

A.

A.

C.

B.

C.

For the examinees
or just for us?

Nope.

Uh, just through me.

I am in charge of getting
all the answers to the clients.

B.

Look at the barcode.

So every bar
represents an answer.

From A being the thickest
to D being the thinnest.

All clients will get three
pencils and each pencil

represents every
section of the STIC exam.

Okay.

Then what about
the essay portion?

The only thing we can do
is to provide the essay topic.

They’ll handle the research.

And the clients
are fine with that?

Small thing, Banky.

They won’t complain.

I’ll take care of them.

Nice to meet you.

I’m Pat Tioseco.

We have contract signing here
and all meetings are recorded.

No one will snitch because
you’re already accomplices.

Cheating?

Nah.

I like the word,

investment.

Investment for your future.

One test result is all it
takes to change your life.

I’m risking.

As they say,

education is a right.

So let’s work smart

and let’s work together.

But hey,

this stays between us, okay?

Cash only, bro.

Of course we don’t
want a paper trail.

Alright, just make sure to send the
full payment within the week, okay?

No refunds.

Aight.

Business is booming, guys.

Let’s go.

We’re close to the finish line.

Good job, team.

Well, me and Grace
are about to head out.

Are you ready, hon?

Yeah.

Are you guys
gonna hitch or what?

Uhm.

I just have one request.

What is it, Bank?

Maybe I can get my

first 500,000.

What?

Are you serious?

I’m sorry.

It’s just that I really need

money for my mom’s
surgery and private room.

Well, we had an agreement.

I won’t pay you until
the STIC is finished.

But what if you ghost us?

I wouldn’t do that to you guys.

Eh, even Lin hasn’t
received her share yet.

- How much more to you?
- Pat.

That’s so unfair for her.

Pat,

it’s okay with me to wait.

But Bank,

he needs money for his mom.

Okay?

Can we trust you?

Fine.

But if you run away,

you're f*cking dead.

And Lin,

that’s your responsibility
if he doesn’t come back.

You need to memorize
and send all the answers.

Can you do that?

I trust Bank.

Oh,

why are you home just now?

Have you eaten?

Dad?

Something happened to you again.

I spoke to Mom.

She said she wants to see me.

I’m going to Sydney.

She already bought a ticket.

She bought you a ticket?

Since when?

I contacted her last week.

I’m leaving in three days.

Three days?

Good thing you even thought
of telling your dad, huh?

I’m sorry, dad.

I’ve been meaning to tell you.

It’s just,

I couldn’t find the right timing.

But you contacted her.

You decided without telling me.

Come on, son.

There’s no problem if I talk
to Mom whenever I want.

No problem, talk to your mom.

But if you’re leaving the
country alone, do you think

I wouldn’t worry something
might happen to you?

I can take care of myself,
Dad, and I’ll be with Mom.

I trust you, but not your mom.

But Dad...

I’ll come back.

I won’t be like mom who left you here.

Dad.

I just miss Mom.

I hope you won’t be angry
if I want to see her too.

Why would I be angry?

She’s your mom.

It’s your right to see her.

But next time,

before making a decision,

tell me first.

Bank,

have you been there a while?

Yes, Ma.

But you were
sleeping so soundly.

So, it’s really nice here, huh?

So this is what private is like.

It’s so quiet.

And so cold.

Can you turn off the aircon first?

There, Ma.

All good now.

Where did you get the money?

Don’t worry about that, Ma.

I don’t want to
stay here anymore.

I want to go home.

Ma!

Oh dear,

I don’t want to spend more.

Life is so hard now.

My child.

Ma.

Please don’t think about the money.

I’ll take care of you.

Do you remember my friend Pat?

He’s rich.

He lends me money.

So you two are close, huh?

And also,

I have a part-time job.

I tutor kids every MWF.

I’m really so lucky to have you.

Maybe if your
dad didn’t leave us,

Life wouldn’t be this
hard now, my child.

Come on, Ma.

We’ve come a long way.

And Dad never really
abandoned us either.

Just remember, son, if,

if your problems become
too heavy, ask for help, okay?

Oh,

we need to wrap up.

I have to go home early.

Curfew?

I need to get on dad's good side.

He was upset when I told
him I was leaving for Australia.

How about you?

I can’t tell mom
that I’m leaving.

It’ll just make her worry.

Anyway, it’s only a few days.

Just think,

in just a few days
our lives will change.

Then you’ll finally fulfill your
dream of studying abroad.

You’ll be able to go
to med school too.

More importantly, we won’t need to
compete for the scholarship anymore.

So now,

maybe we can
finally be real friends?

Lin?

Bank?

Wow,

you two look so happy there!

Right, hon?

I wonder what we missed.

Oh.

Here are your application forms.

And here are your boarding passes.

Direct flight Manila to
Sydney, that’s 8 hours.

So you leave at night, then when
you wake up, it’ll be morning in Sydney.

Wait, hon.

Um...

We forgot about their rooms.

Oh, right.

What’s our favorite
hotel again, hon?

But I think it’s fully booked.

No, hon.

But the resort is too far.

They should stay at a
place near the site instead.

Okay, just book the hotel, hon.

But,

let’s keep it budget-friendly.

You two can share a room,

so you’ll be closer.

Hon?

What?

It’s twin beds.

And you won’t even be side by side.

Wait,

we shouldn’t be in the same hotel.

That would look suspicious.

Even in flights, why
are we seated together?

Right, right.

Ah yeah, it’s true.

You’re right, as always.

We’ll figure something out.

Who’s that, Grace?

I don’t know.

There shouldn’t be anyone here.

Yo, chill.

I just sent someone.

Bank, I hope

your mom doesn’t have allergies.

I got her flowers.

I’ll be back.

Pat, do you need help?

You took so long.

Sorry, boss.

We almost got into trouble.

Thief!

Help!

Hey!

Alright.

I’ll just send the
payment to the number.

Thank you, boss Pat.

By the way, what about the
money from the laundry shop

that you told us to steal?

That’s yours now.

Go on, leave.

Bank, are you okay?

Bank,

here’s the bouquet for your mom.

- Bank!
- Guys!

Guys, stop it!

Why did you do this to us, Pat?

Why did you do this to us?

What are you talking about!

Stop lying to us, boss Pat!

I caught you.

I heard everything outside.

The guys who
gave you the flowers.

They’re the same guys
you ordered to rob our shop.

I saw the plate number.

I saw the helmet.

And I heard that the
money we worked hard for…

You just gave it away!

No, come on guys!

You’ll believe him?

He’s just stressed out!

Bank, stop it!

He’s just imagining things!

f*ck you, Pat!

Because of you, my
mom’s in the hospital!

Bank, why are you doing this?

Pat, tell the truth, please!

Come on!

Okay, fine.

Okay, Bank. Listen to me.

I didn’t mean it.

Yes, I paid them to
mess up your shop.

But I didn’t tell them
to hurt your mom.

I just want you to help us!

Well, it already
happened, right?

But she’s fine!

You already got your 500k!

If you want, I’ll give
you half of my share.

Stupid!

Not everything can be
solved with money, okay?

Bank, we’re desperate!

If all this didn’t happen,
you wouldn’t have said yes.

You, Lin.

You’re involved
in this too, right?

Bank, I don’t know
anything about that,

and if I knew that
was Pat’s plan,

I would never have
allowed him to do it.

It’s just me, Bank.

Grace has nothing to do with this.

Just remember this, Pat.

I’m telling you,

I’ll return all of this to you.

Fine.

I deserve it.

But,

it’s so cool though, right?

The…

plan we had with STIC?

Damn it, are you serious, Pat?

Bank, this is not
about you and me.

We need to finish the plan.

There are so many clients
waiting, Bank, please.

That’s no longer my problem.

Go find someone else
to help you instead,

because I'm done here.

Bank!

Stop it, Lin!

You're all liars!

Bank, can we
please talk properly?

Hon, I'm sorry this happened.

How...

how could you do that?

Hon, I did that for us!

Isn't that what you wanted
for us to be together?

Yes!

Yes, but not like this!

Not like this, Pat.

Grace...

At last, you're awake, Mom.

I thought maybe later
you won’t be able to sleep.

The medicine makes me sleepy.

Oh, Mom,

here.

You still need to
take this medicine,

please get up first.

Thank you, Doc.

It feels so good to hear, right?

Doctor...

Bangkat.

Someday.

Wait.

I'm not pressuring you, okay.

If ever you change your mind

and you don’t want Medicine
anymore, that’s okay with me.

I'm still your doctor, Ma.

For you and Papa.

I promised that already.

Even before, right?

So how are your clients?

Huh? Clients?

Didn’t you say

you’re tutoring?

Tell me about it.

Do the kids listen to you?

Ah.

Yes, of course.

And also,

it’s lucky too because when
there’s overtime, there’s a bonus,

and there are also
many incentives.

Tristan,

I know

that there’s a lot you don’t tell me.

You’re grown up now.

You’re smart.

You know what’s right and wrong.

As long as if it gets hard and you need

help with problems

or even just someone to talk
to, I’m right here, son, okay?

I’m fine, Ma.

Come in.

Oh.

Good evening, tita.

Uh, I brought
some fruits for you.

Oh, thank you.

You visited and even
brought something.

How are you feeling now?

I’m okay.

Just fighting off

the body pain.

But I can handle this.

I’ll endure it.

I’m used to this.

That’s just how life is, right?

Good thing Bank is here.

Alright.

Chat with Ma for now.

I’ll just go to the
pharmacy before it closes.

Oh no, take Lin with you.

It’s okay.

I’ll go with you.

No, no.

It’s fine.

Go with him.

Later the nurses will be
making their rounds anyway.

I’ll have company.

Go ahead, you two.

Get well soon.

I just want to apologize
for what happened earlier.

You did nothing wrong, Lin.

I should be the one to apologize

because I left you hanging.

What Pat did was really wrong.

And there’s no excuse
that can justify it.

Bank,

just focus on your mom.

I’ll handle STIC.

You’ll still get your share.

Thanks, Lin.

But you and I both know you can’t
memorize the entire STIC exam.

I already got my 500,000.

I still have some left.

I can return that to you so you
can find someone to replace me.

No need.

We already split the money,

fair and square.

I don’t need assistance, Lin.

Wait.

I’m not belittling you.

But it’s still the same, right?

Even if you don’t admit
it, you see me differently

because our lives are different.

You pity us because no
matter how fair we try to fight,

we never win.

Right?

Don’t separate yourself from me.

We’re both just finding ways

to change our situations, right?

Life is just really hard in the
Philippines if you’re not born rich.

But are we just
going to give up?

Of course, we’ll just
do our best, right?

That’s the only fight we have.

But for people like Pat,

they don’t fight fair

even if they already have
the advantage of wealth.

If you,

stand up to him,

we’ll understand you.

No, Lin.

I’ve changed my mind.

We’ll go to Sydney
and take the STIC.

I won’t leave you in the fight.

You’re right.

We’re not competitors,

we’re friends,

and friends

don’t abandon each other.

Thank you.

Lin, let me take you home.

I’ll just change
then I’ll book a ride.

It’s fine, Dad.

You might be late for class.

Are you sure?

This is the first time
this is happening.

This is the first time my
baby Linlin will be far from me.

Dad, come on!

I’ll only be gone
for a few days.

I’m sorry.

I thought that

as long as I did
everything I could,

even alone...

that was enough.

Sorry if I fell short.

No, you’re not lacking, Dad.

You’ve given more
than enough and

I’m lucky to have you.

Thank you.

But I also understand that
you need to see your mom.

It’s good that you two can talk

at least even for a while.

That’s it, I get it.

I want you to know
that I love you.

So whatever it is you need,

I’ll accept it.
It just hurts my pride.

But I do get it.

And also,

I hope...

I hope nothing changes.

This is just for a
short while, Dad.

It'll be back to
normal when I return.

That's what's important.

That you'll come back.

- Promise.
- Promise.

- Promise.
- Oh, here.

What is this?

Oh, don’t open it.

It’s nothing.

Music box.

It plays your favorite piece.

So you can remember me.

I know no matter how beautiful
your mom’s house is in Australia.

It doesn’t have a piano.

Thank you, Dad.

Thank you so much!

You're welcome.

Wow!

I'll take this.

I'll take you there.

Really?

Thank you, Dad.

What is this?

It’s too heavy.

Oh, are you ready?

Let’s go.

Okay, wait a minute.

Grace, Pat.

This is it.

We’re already in Australia.

Thanks, sis.

Okay.

Good luck, guys.

Later, sis.

Roaming is expensive.

Take care there.

Okay.

Bye, sis.

You guys take care.

Okay.

There.

This is it.

Wow. We've come a long way, huh?

I'm Lin.

Also Grade 11, Section A.

- Lin Estrella?
- Yeah.

- Why?
- I'm Bank!

I’m the one you stole
the scholarship from.

Possenti has been chosen
to host the Teen Genius Quiz.

And I want the
two of you to join.

What is the value of Pi,

to twelve decimal places?

Relax.

We can win this.

For what?

So you can be the first to answer?

No, thanks.

Tristan wasn’t able to
take the exam earlier,

so he’ll be taking
it with your section.

What the heck?

I can’t concentrate
with what you’re doing.

Can we talk?

Oh, here.

So that wound of yours can heal.

Hey, is the wound on
your hand better now?

Yeah.

My doctor’s really good.

You know what?

I’d forgotten the feeling.

It’s really awful
when you lie, right?

I never thought that

the reason for my
first trip abroad is

because I’m an accomplice in
an international cheating scheme.

Hey!

What did you tell your mom?

I said I’m going to coach
junior high school students

who will compete in
the Math Olympiad.

You?

My mom lives here now.

She has a new family.

We haven’t talked for years.

But what my dad knows
is that I’ll just visit them.

Is that true?

Shall we go?

What?

Our test taker backed out?

Of course not!

Where did that come from?

We’re not amateurs.

Trust us, okay?

Come on.

I hope Lin and Bank are okay.

They’ll be fine, hon.

They know what’s at stake.

Okay?

I just hope that all of our
sacrifices pay off, you know?

We worked too hard for
this and the risk is too high.

Of course.

Don't be too negative, hon.

Professionals siya tayo.

Hey, don't say that.

I mean,

we won't be doing
this forever, right?

It's just this one time.

Of course.

Just one time.

But us,

forever.

Okay?

Wait.

You

ask me this again
with a ring, okay?

And

maybe after college?

Of course.

But,

as if for a second I thought
I was gonna lose you.

Especially when Bank
found out about what I did.

I almost did.

That was really foul.

But,

we all make mistakes
and wrong decisions

and you're sorry for it
naman and I'm good with that.

I believe that you're
a good person, Pat.

Okay?

And I won't give up on you.

On us.

And I promise you

that I won't
disappoint you, hon.

Good morning everyone.

Welcome to the STIC exam.

You may begin the
registration process.

Please leave all your belongings
before entering the exam hall.

And yes, that includes
your mobile phone.

If you sneak them inside,

we will know.

Please observe the rules
and don't try to outsmart us.

Excuse me.

Do you still have
your cellphone?

Please, surrender
it with your bag.

Thank you.

Every incident of
cheating in the STIC,

has been dealt with accordingly.

So how are the
answers going to get out?

We'll bring spare phones.

We'll hide the spare phones
inside the CR, in the toilet tank.

Nona,

can I speak with Lin?

What are you talking about?

How would Lin even get here?

Vin, there's exactly an exam
right now at Sydney Center.

You have 45
minutes allotted for it.

And your time, now.

Today is a good day.

Come in.

So, anytime soon we're
gonna get the answers, okay?

At this point, they should
be done with the exam.

D.

B.

A.

A.

There was a slight delay.

It's almost done.

Always a delay!

Promise!

You're definitely getting into
some serious trouble here.