GUEST: Actor Chris Ellis

Miss Riley says she knows the math “is too advanced for you. It is for me too. There’s calculus, differential equa–“

Homer interrupts her. “I’ll learn the math.” He contineus to spin through the text. “This is great, Miss Riley. I’ll learn everything. It’s the best present anyone’s ever given me. Thank you. I’m gonna show the guys.” He walks out of the classroom, not noticing the Principal, Mr. Turner, entering through the same door.

“Quentin will probably go cra–” Homer bumps into Mr. Turner.

“Sorry,” says Homer.

“Goodness gracious!” says Mr. Turner. “”Watch where you’re goin’-” Turner grabs the book out of Homer’s and and examines it.

“Where’d you get this?” asks Turner.

“I gave it to him,” says Miss Riley. Turner passes the book back to Homer, while glaring at Miss Riley.

“Bye, Miss Riley!” says Homer. He leaves.

“Miss Riley,” says Mr. Turner. “Our job is to give these kids an education, not false hopes.”

“False hopes?” asks Miss Riley, with chagrin. “Do you want me to sit quiet, let ’em breathe in coal dust the rest of their life?”

“Miss Riley,” says Mr. Turner, “Once in a while, a lucky one will get out on a football scholarship. The rest of ’em work in the mines.”

“How about I believe in the unlucky ones, hmm?” pleads Miss Riley. “I have to, Mr. Turner, or I’d go out of my mind.”

In This Episode

• Jake Gyllenhall as Homer Hickam
• Laura Dern as Miss Riley
• Chris Ellis as Principal Turner