Wndyri Plus subscribers can binge all 10 episodes of Academy ad-free. Find WNDYRI Plus in the WNDYRI app or on Apple podcasts. Warning. This episode includes some seriously risky behavior, including sexual situations, drug use, and some bad decisions. Previously on Academy. I heard you were getting hot and heavy with Jesse Van Doren. I didn't know he was with Amber. I wanted an invitation to the Headmaster's symposium. Look, I'll see what I can do. That was the fastest anyone's ever completed initiation. How? This is our Grand counselor, August. Hi, Ava. A spot just opened up in my symposium. It's everyone against Amber. Ava, what stance do you take? I think Amber is on the right track. Ava, hey. Thanks for the support. Here's my number. Text me. Let's hang out. I'd like that. Ava, this is your last chance to ride the Gravity Bong Express. What do you say? Are you seriously smoking in here again, Leela? After you just almost got caught? Dude, I won't get caught. Promise. Just blow it out the window, okay? I don't want my clothes to smell like the Slate basement. We're all good. That's what this cardboard tube stuff full of dryer sheets is for.

I'm a genius. Oh, shit. You coughed it right into the room. Fuck, fuck, fuck. No. Oh, my God. Leila, what is that? Hi. Welcome. It's a... Art project. Seriously? An art project? I was thinking on my feet, okay? From WNDRI and At Will Media, this is Academy. Episode 3, Campus Politics. Dude, please. I just need to pass this one midterm. Just give me the number to contact them. That's not my problem. You can't even afford them anyway. I'll put in a good word for you in my mom's internship program. Please, I need the Night of the Wolf. Come on. Fine, fine. But you didn't get this number from me. I'm just saying Raul has an A+ in AP bio after nearly flunking chem honors last year. He has to be paying the Night of the Wolf. Dude, his dad teaches bio at Princeton. But Airhead Alexi becoming a National Merit scholar? She's paying the Night of the Wolf for sure. (rael) Wait in the place where the water meets the underworld. (rael) Jesus Christ, again? With the rose? Hi, Noah. (rael) To join our brotherhood of sacred secrecy, (Rael) you must first join the pact.

You're the Night of the Wolf, and you call yourself the Pact? Are you serious? Pact, with a T. The Night of the Wolf's pact of secrecy and anonymity is our most sacred rule. You will see and learn things as part of the Night of the Wolf, and you may never disclose this sensitive information to anyone else, most especially our identities. And to expose yourself or any other member of the Night of the Wolf means death. Do you understand? Okay, come on. You guys don't kill people. It means death, okay? Fine. Follow me. You wanted to see me, Headmaster Burrows? Leila Zadeh. I've given you detention, drug counseling, and other helpful resources, and nothing seems to make a difference. Yeah, turns out online rehab isn't really effective. But this is much worse, Leila. A freshman was caught with marijuana. He said he bought it from you. Is that true? What? Me? That's crazy. This isn't a joke. Leila, I have no choice but to expel you. Whoa, Bell? No, please. Listen, just take a second. Think about everything that my father provides. Our endowment is substantial. Your father's donations will be missed but quickly replaced. Please Don't expel me.

My parents will ship me off to Iran to live with my grandparents. I'll do anything, seriously. Are you familiar with sad? Like the emotion? Students Against Harmful Decisions. They're a club on campus that helps students who struggle with drugs and alcohol. You think those nerds have the professional knowledge to fix me? You're not going to get help, Leila. You're going to help other people to see how drugs affect our student body. I want you to attend bi weekly meetings for two months. That means twice a week. Twice a week? That's like two sevenths of my week. With 40 service hours outside of that. If you don't come back with a glowing review, your time at Bishop gray will be over. Understood. And Leila, if you're caught dealing drugs in any capacity, I will get the local authorities involved. Eew, Noah, that cave looks so dirty, and the opening is tiny. Where are we even... Noah, wait. I am so tired of you taking me to this disgusting... Whoa. Welcome to the Den, beloved headquarters of the Night of the Wolf for generations. Whoa. This is like restoration hardware built into the side of a hill.

These chairs are gorgeous. And the rugs and chandelier and pool table. This is the world's bougiest hobbit hole. It's cozy. Let me I'll introduce you to your peers. This is Clem, clandestine specialist. She's trying to break into the APGov TA's iPad for test keys. A thrilling and exciting endeavor. Hi. And over here is Julio, our resident mathematician and hacker. Can't talk. Wired in. Julio is currently working on making Winter Break a week longer. And last, we have HyoJung. Where is she? Bathroom. Yeah, she spends a lot of time there. You mean doing drugs? She snorts Vivance for the focus boost. And she'll sell you some if you want it. But first, we need to talk about Symposium last week. It was amazing. How did you convince Dr. Wells to recommend me? Not of your concern, but you attracted a little (Yolandi) Don't go around protecting Amber Holmes. I heard about that, too. Amber's a good ally to have. (yolandi) And so am I. So listen to me. (yolandi) Are you? Because I heard something about this girl, Olivia Lopez. Something about her being blackmailed by some asshole secret society. Sounds a lot like you. (yolandi) No, it does not.

I mean, yes, okay. She was in the Night of the Wolf, (Yolandi) But I had nothing to do with that. (yolandi) That's disgusting. You're disgusting. (yolandi) And you can tell your little boss that I'm out. (yolandi) Ava, A You're going to win it was more complicated than it sounds. (yolandi) We didn't blackmail her. (yolandi) There was one bad apple, (Yolandi) and ever since, I've been working to make sure nothing like that ever happens again. (yolandi) Trust me. (yolandi) Fine. (yolandi) But if she I'm not you, but your writing will. Your whole big secret society is just cheating for rich kids? I don't cheat. I've never cheated on anything. The Night of the Wolf provides many services besides academic assistance. But for your first major assignment, I'm giving you something easy. Just write an essay. For who? The client wants to remain anonymous. How am I supposed to anonymously write an essay posing as (Yolandi) I'm someone I've never met. (yolandi) I'm sending you a link. (yolandi) That's an invitation to a secure anonymous messaging platform. (yolandi) You'll communicate with the client there. (yolandi) So I'm basically renting out my brain for some rich moron? (yolandi) And according to you, that will (Yolandi) Can you get me to the list?

(yolandi) Ava, she sounds like bullshit. (yolandi) You need to keep your ambitions quiet. (yolandi) If you have patience, you'll see that I will get you where you want to be. (yolandi) But there are larger forces at play here. (yolandi) I don't have time to be patient. (yolandi) Well, looks like you don't have much choice. Kaden and I have been texting each other all weekend. We send memes and selfies. Well, I send selfies, but it's going really, really great. Look at you. That's awesome, Charlotte. Who are you texting with? Oh, a nobody. Just a friend from back home. Well, Kaden is so funny. Sometimes he calls me Scarlett instead of Charlotte. It's hilarious. Oh, here he comes. Hey, Caden. Hey, Scarlett. Ava. Come to the secret pool this Friday night. I've thrown a mad one. That's a party for the uninitiated. We have a secret pool? Yeah, it's the auxiliary pool underneath the student center from back in your olden times, and it was a hotel for the student parents. I'll probably get shut down, but you know what they say. I'm here for a good time, not a long time. See you Friday. Bye, Caden.

We'll be there. Oh, my God. He winked at us. Caden is like 16, going on 60-year-old convicted predator. He winked at us. The bar is in hell. Class, what is the value of F of C on the interval 6 comma negative 4? This anonymous messaging app is glitchy as hell. At least my client isn't so bad. Hey, thanks for helping out. Sure. So tell me about yourself. It'll help me figure out the tone of the essay. You should know I'm not a structured type of guy. I just let my writing flow out of me. Stream of consciousness. Copy that. Copy that? What are we, secret agents? We can be more casual. I I think we should keep this professional. Yeah, got it. I just mean like... (felicity) How about L-O-L or something? Lol. There it is. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Casablanca. So you like old movies? Maybe. But movies have nothing to do with the Hyde essay. Philadelphia's Story or Hyde Society? They're essentially the same. It was a trick question, but Philadelphia's Story. Good morning, anybody. Ms. Richards. Can you please define the mean value theorem, or are you two entranced by your phone?

The mean value theorem states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval and differentiable on the open interval, then there exists a point C in the interval such that the derivative of C is equal to the function's average rate of change. Very well. Class dismissed. Hey, Ava, what do you think of the homework? Jesse, we're not supposed to be talking, remember? Who are you texting? Nobody. None of your business. Jeez. Sorry I asked. Excuse Excuse me, I'm looking for sad, like S-A-D with an H. Hi, yeah, yeah, that's us. We're the students against harmful decisions. Would you like a school-provided NutriGrain bar? I'm okay, but thank you. So is this like a Jesus thing? Oh, no, no. We're not religiously affiliated, though many of our members are people of faith. Okay, great. So are you in charge here? I need some hours signed off. Me? Oh, my God. Oh, my gosh. I mean, no, no. You're looking for Talia Martinez. Hi, everyone. Let's jump small talk to a two-minute action item at the end of the meeting, and we need to deliver those blueberry scones to Ruby Carcasson by 4:30 3:00 PM or she will relapse on the weed.

Hi. New member? Not quite. Talia Martinez. Why are you here? I'm Leila. I'm here because the headmaster mandated it along with 40 service hours. Why were you given service hours? Prefect caught me smoking weed six times. What? This isn't a rehab. We don't have time for this. Marcus, go get the scones. Okay. You, the weed head. Okay. My name is Leila. Whatever. I need this banner for National End Vaping Week, finished by tonight. Dude, this is like 20 feet long. This is going to take all night. Then you better get started. You can't just boss me around like this. Watch me. Ava, how am I supposed to defend F Scott Fitzgerald? Didn't he steal his wife's ideas and put her in a mental hospital? Just pretend you're a lawyer. Amber Holmes, Esquire, and your client F Scott is on trial for his literary nd the pressure cooker. Everyone just buys into the ivy-covered walls and the history and wanting to be exactly like my mother. Hey, why don't we take a break? No phones. Um, okay. And do you (Felicity) Follow me. (felicity) Are we allowed to do this? I am. Come on. (felicity) Whoa, some of this graffiti on the ledge?

(felicity) This must be from way back. (felicity) Since the '70s, (Felicity) when they first started admitting girls. (felicity) Here, take one. (felicity) You smoke cigarettes? (felicity) Vapes don't hit

maybe Chad Loomis three times? People just say that to sound richer. Chad Loomis is definitely not a third. Did you know it's Jessie and I's two-year anniversary on Friday? That's so exciting. Yeah. What are you going to do? Well, Jesse always sets up some cute surprise date somewhere on campus. Then, he destroys me. I mean, like, destroys me. I'm sore for four days after. It's amazing. Oh, that's cool. Nd, so, have you lost your Bishop Grave virginity yet? I mean, I haven't lost any (Yolandi) I'm not Ms. Morality. I'm not opposed to hooking up. I just haven't had the opportunity. (yolandi) Well, I'm sure the opportunity will present itself soon. Even the freaks get late here. Steven Godblack got suspended for blowing Chris Methodson in the computer lab during a wow raid. Lucky Chris. Oh, shit. It's getting late. Let's go back down to my room. Oh, Jessie. Hey. What are you doing here? I let myself in. I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was interrupting. Yeah, we're actually in the middle of a brutal Dr. Welles assignment. So maybe you can come back. Great. It's my mom. I'll be back. What do you want, Helen?

God, no. So. So, what's up? Oh, you're talking to me now. I mean, we could stand here in silence if you want. I'd rather talk. I was I'm really coming over here to get a break from thinking about this hide essay. You heard of it? Wait, you're writing the hide essay? Yeah, and I suck at it. I usually just let essays flow out of me, and it's always complete trash. What did you say? Well, I'm not really a structure guy. Just let the essay flow out of me. Do you like the Philadelphia story? Kind of random, but yeah, that's my favorite. Do you like old movies, too? Oh, my God, no. Wait a second. Are you the person on the app? I don't know what you're talking about. Liar. It's totally you. You're in the Night of the Wolf? Shut up. Ava, even after I warned you about what happened to Olivia, you still chose a life of crime. Tisk, tisk, tisk. Says the entitled Cheater. Don't get mad at me for taking advantage of a service that you willingly provide. You told me to survive my first week. This is how I did it.

Meanwhile, you're too lazy to write an essay? I'm He's using the Night of the Wolf for the first time ever. It's more complicated, okay, than me being lazy. I'm sure you've really suffered. Well, now we need to work together, so let's figure it out. No, no way. I'm going back to Noah and telling him that I can't do this. Noah Chambers? No, never mind. He can't find out that we talked at all. Well, if you don't want this discovery to get back to the Night of the Wolf, then let's just write this thing together. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Amber She would literally scalp me if she finds out that we're doing whatever this is. Nobody's going to find out. Come on, this essay will really help me with college. I need you. Fine. But if we do this, we need to keep it very private. Yeah. How about we meet in the screening room tomorrow? Say 9:00 PM? 9:00 PM? Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you had a bedtime. No, it's fine. But Jessie, this is strictly professional. Got it? Wow. How little you think of me. She wanted to make sure that I've had at least five conversations with the headmaster this year.

They're range. What were you two talking about? Just... Old movies. Oh, my God. Are you into those, too? Jessie's obsessed, and I would honestly rather be lobotomized and sit through something black and white again. Well, it's getting late. I don't want to keep Jessie waiting any longer. Let's call it a night, Ava. I'll see you in Dr. Well's class. For sure. Bye, Amber. Jessie. Talk to you later.

Punctual as ever. Down to the minute. I'd like to get this done as quickly as possible, so let's just get into it, okay? All business. I like it. Okay. So the prompt this year is to propose one policy change to the state of New Hampshire and discuss why it matters to you personally. Have you thought about anything? I guess shortening the hunting season? I had a pet duck growing up. His name was Barfi. You want to see a pic? No, that's not... Okay. Okay, that's a very cute duck, but we're not using that story. We're looking for something a little more vulnerable or personal. What if I don't want to be vulnerable? Then your audience I don't trust you. Let's start with, what was the highlight of your childhood? My baseball team went to the Little League World Series. That's the most significant event in your childhood? Did you win? No. We lost the first day. So what was so good about it? Damn, Oprah. What's with all the questions? I'm helping you. Personal experiences help readers instantly connect to your material. Well, after we lost, we still had the hotel room booked in Florida for the weekend, and we were staying in a holiday inn, not my family's usual style.

My brother was back home with us again for the first time in a few years, and everybody was tense seeing what was going to happen. I thought the whole thing was going to be a disaster, but it was amazing. We had no schedule, no plans. I just ran around the hotel with my brother while my parents sat around the pool like a normal family. We even got yelled at by the hotel manager for dumping buckets of water on people off the balcony. It was awesome. For three days when we were just another family on I was on vacation. You said your brother had come back home? Where was he? Oh, a... Rehab. Oh. Okay. (sighs) Sorry, I... Yeah, I don't really want to talk about this anymore. Really? I think we're getting somewhere. Why do I have to share all of this while you're just sitting there judging me? Hey, what about you? Anything deeply dramatic you want to share? This isn't about me. Whoa, whoa, whoa. I remember a wise woman saying that if you can't be vulnerable, your audience won't trust you. And I'm feeling pretty distressful right now. You saw me be vulnerable in my Hallowel essay.

That's enough. So I should do something Something like that? Like use my pain as a big metaphor or something? Yeah. Sorry. Touchy subject? No. Nothing. What? No. It's just My Hallowell essay was different than this. I was playing a part. The poor, underprivileged student who would be so lucky to go to Bishop gray. What does that mean? It means I had to present a specific version of who I am. You mean, lying? No, it's more complicated than... You know what? I don't really want to talk about this anymore. This is Amber, but I'll justTake it. But we have to continue this conversation. Tomorrow? Sure. Bye, Ava. Thanks. Hey. Mom, the theater here looks exactly like where we saw the tour of Wicked in Pittsburgh for your birthday. Do you remember that? No, I I remember that? That theater was huge. Every time I clapped and cheered, I could swear it echoed right back to my ears. So that school's just as fancy as I imagined. Yeah, it is. On the first day, everyone was talking about vacationing in Majorca on their catch. Like, really? Oh, is Mallorca that place where Gail and Oprah go? I just saw them in a magazine.

So are you making any friends at these brunches and whatnot? Yeah, I think I am. My roommate is cool, and there's this girl Charlotte that I do work study with in a cafe. But I'm really getting along with this girl, Amber. Oh, I'm so glad to hear that. What's Amber like? Well, I mean, she's really rich. Her mom went to school here and she was a big deal. Well, that's not a reason to befriend someone, Ava. No, I know, Mom. I just mean she's way different than I thought she'd She gets me. Well, you just make sure you stay around people who understand you. That's the most important thing. Don't get too wrapped up in fine China and caviar. Hey, we just finished our harvest. You would not believe how many sweet Stella cherries we picked. Save me some. When are you going to get back here to try them? I'll be back soon. What's that sound? Sorry, someone keeps messaging me. I got to go, Mom. Love you. Love you too, Ava. I wish I had the answer. Jessie, I'm here. You can stop texting me a million messages. Hey. What's wrong? Wait, what is this?

Why is there a blanket on the floor? And popcorn? We can turn the projector to face the wall here. See? Our own private screening room. Jessie. And look, I found this old 32 millimeter projector. We can watch the Philadelphia story. Jesse, you said this was an emergency. Yeah, I knew you wouldn't come otherwise. Isn't it your anniversary tomorrow? Like, with your girlfriend? Yeah. Okay. Sorry, I now realize this may have been a lot, but I just wanted to thank you for yesterday. You're welcome. But I'm not your secret fling. Amber's my friend, and this is wrong. I... I think it's best if we don't talk anymore. I'll finish the essay on my own. (felicity) Ava? (felicity) Wait. Ava? (felicity) All right, dickheads. You, the proud few, have been invited to secret pool party, made possible through a key passed down from an old slayed swim captain. Once we're inside, we usually have about 40 minutes before security shows up. So make good use of your time here. Oh, my God. This is so cool and I dig in. Look at this, God says. Charlotte, did you bring a bathing suit? No, but I am wearing my Soledias His bra.

Oh, Caden. Hey, Caden! (yolandi) This place is so cool, Caden. Are we allowed to jump off the high dive? No life gas to say no. Did you come with Ava? Of course I did. She's my bestie. Just don't tell where I said that. Right. So you probably talk about everything, eh? She's more of a close look, if you know what I mean, but she knows everything about me. Do you think Gaby's into me? Huh? She's so fair. Could you set me up? Like, be my win-win? My favorite bird. Caden, I... It's true. Yeah, I can do that. Wow, legend. Thank you so much. Anytime. All right, already done. Everyone, into the pool. I don't want to do a thing. And we're going in together. Wait, wait, wait. You stuck. Everybody out of the pool, now. Everybody, scatter. Let go of me. (rael) You, you, you, and you. (rael) Coming with me to the headmaster's office. (rael) Now. (rael) You. Get in here. Yes, sir. Shit. I'm the last one to be called into the office. I'm freezing. My hair is dripping onto the head I'm on my master's porch. I can't believe I got my hair wet for a Kate and Cardozo party.

Hey, Ava Ridgeard, right? Yeah, that's me. And you're Olivia Lopez, right? So you've heard of me? Just Olivia Lopez, that girl who sent her nudes to half the school? No, she's back on campus with all of her hair chopped off, wearing all black. I heard she's sleeping with like six guys, too. I don't really like to slut shame, but that slut should be a shame. I really haven't heard much. Well, whatever you heard, none of it's true. You're a scholarship kid, right? Yeah. Then they have their eye on you. Has anyone reached out to you? What? What do you mean? You know what I mean. The Night of the Wolf will fuck up your life if you let them. They're not telling you the truth about anything. What is the truth? What happened to you? Get out now while you can. I'll see you around. Wait, Olivia. Ava Richards. Yes, Headmaster Burrows? I'm very sad to see you here, but as it Got a feeling that can't replace. It doesn't mean I would turn on campus, I'll let you off with a warning. You have a bright future ahead of you. Don't fall in with this crowd.

Get back to your dorm. Yes, Headmaster Burrows. Good night.

Binge all 10 episodes of Academy early and ad-free on WNDRI Plus. Join WNDRI Plus in the WNDRI app or on Apple podcasts. Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short survey at wondry. Com/survey. From WNDRI and Atwill Media, this is Academy. This episode was written by Anderson Cooke and Sydney Butler, produced by Ashley Taylor, Brigham Snow, and Imanee Leonard. Editing and sound design by Brandon Grügel, with support from our director of postproduction, Seth Richardson. Original theme song by Winsor. Producers for WNDYR are Stephanie Wachneen and Brian Taylor-White. The senior producer is Eliza Mills, and the senior managing producer for WNDRI is Candice Menriquez-Rent. Our executive producer for Atwil Media is Will Malnani, and our executive executive our executive producers for WNDRI are Aaron O'Flaherty and Marshall Louis.