Open in a suburban home. A family gathers in the living room. Clarissa struggles through her homework while her parents and brother sit on the couch watching TV.
Clarissa: I hate math. Especially calculus.
Ta-Nehisi Coates walks through the front door. The audience applauds.
Ta-Nehisi: Oh, is that calculus? I learned about the
subject on the walk over.
He grabs Clarissa’s homework and scribbles on it.
Ta-Nehisi: It’s actually quite simple.
Applause and laughter as Clarissa tries to read his handwriting, but can’t. She shrugs.
Ta-Nehisi: Need anything else?
Dad: The TV’s not working.
Ta-Nehisi: Here, try this.
He hands each of them signed copies of his newest book.
Clarissa: Okay, smart guy. What’s the meaning of life?
Ta-Nehisi: It’s actually quite simple. It’s all about confidence. That’s why con men are confidence men. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else?. If you think you’re smart, you are smart. It’s that simple.
Clarissa: Oh, I see. That makes sense.
Ta-Nehisi: It’s actually quite simple.
He grins.
Clarissa: What if I want to be a successful celebrity
writer who doesn’t write that much but still manages to
avoid meaningful criticism?
Ta-Nehisi: It’s actually quite complicated.
He winks at the audience.
Fade out.
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