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Warning. This episode includes some seriously risky behavior, including sexual situations, drug use, and some bad decisions.

Wonder you.

Previously on Academy.

Bishop Gray Academy, the most prestigious boarding school in the country. Everything at Bishop Gray revolves around the list. I'm not supposed to be here. I'm Amber.

Amber Holmes.

She's a second generation legacy. Number six on the list.

Congrats. First break of the year.

I can clean it up.

I'm Jesse. Welcome to Bishop Gray.

The student activities fee is a $2,600 charge separate from tuition.

Ava Richards, go to the top of the bell tower at midnight.

Tell Noah I'm a representative of an organization that wants you.

Wait, dude. Who are you?

I'm Noah, and if you tell anyone about any of this, I'm gonna gaslight the shit out of you.

God, you're really pretty. Hey, Amber.

What are you guys doing?

Amber, that was not what it looked like.

You took the money.

Yeah, but I didn't agree to anything.

The deadline for your student activity fee is tomorrow, and all you have to.

Do is say yes.

I want to take the next step.

Ava Richards. Welcome to the night of the race.

If my dad takes me to one more polo game, I swear I am gouging my eyes out. Oh, man. Hey, I got to go grab something for my locker. Catch up later?

See you later.

See how to stop

something you hope you could erase another fall? Until you pray like a real mirror, you wish you could take it all back now. You alone? Yeah. You belong. Happy.

From Wondry and at will media this is academy. Episode two, the secret society.

First week of classes. Welcome to the Thunderdome, where every student at Bishop Gray fights the death for the last spots in the most exciting courses. It's supposed to be a lottery, but all the legacies got their first pick, leaving the rest of us scrambling for the scraps.

In Dr. Yell's physics class, we visit Euro Disney, design a roller coaster, and then pitch our ideas to the imagineers. Mine is called the bad bitionator. I was one of five students selected for pop culture in the age of the Internet. We end the semester with a backstage trip to SNL, where three Bishop gray alumni are writers.

I heard in Mr. Pacali's AP biology, you dissect a rare squid. It's technically endangered, but that's the price of educating the next generation of ecoleaders.

Thank God I got my first choice. AP English, with Dr. Wells. He's a third year teacher who studied under Joyce Carroll Oates at Princeton. I die, I was automatically enrolled as the Hallowell winner.

Finally, some justice for our first form of the semester.

Consider Faulkner's short story a rose for Emily, still pining for the antebell himself.

Left behind decades ago.

A rose for Emily, one of Faulkner's creepiest short stories about an old lady obsessed with the Confederacy who sleeps next to her dead lover's body for years like some crazy sore loser. Southern gothic lit is my specialty.

Headmaster Burroughs.

Dr. Wells. Don't mind me.

The headmaster showed up to watch us battle. He has the final word on the list, and he strongly considers performance in classroom discussions. It's my time to shine.

So the question posed today, is Emily Greerson responsible for her crimes?

Yes, Ava, when Emily murders Homer Baron, the town council sprinkles lime around her house because it's easier to cover up the stink of evil rather than address it. Emily's absolutely responsible for her crimes.

Yeah, but isn't it interesting that she poisons Homer because he's a homosexual Yankee? Well, clearly they're both outsiders and victims.

He's not a victim. Maybe she was born and raised in unpleasant circumstances, but absolute hard determinism is complicated by the realities of responsibility. Each of us, including Emily Greerson, lives believing and feeling that we make free choices, even as we intellectually understand that there may be no ghost in the machine. To quote Descartes by way of Ryle, wouldn't you agree?

Well, thanks, everyone, for your participation today, and I look forward to continuing this riveting discussion tomorrow.

Excuse me, headmaster Burroughs.

Ava.

Is it true that you're hosting a talk on southern gothic lit this Friday?

I see you've heard of my monthly symposium. Yes, but I am afraid it's invite only.

Well, I'd love to be considered.

Maybe after you've had a little more time here at Bishop Gray. I'm sure this is a big leap from the curriculum at your prior school. Now, if you'll excuse me.

But.

Hey, Amber. So great that we have Dr. Wells class together, right? I thought maybe you didn't see me in the beginning.

I saved you a seat. Oh, no, I saw you. I think everyone saw you.

Are you still mad about last Friday?

Why would I be mad?

I swear I didn't even know that you and Jesse were dating.

Look, I'm late to my next class.

Maestro Midzak just posted the orchestra list.

Oh, my God. This is it. The moment I've been preparing for a seat in the bishop Gray orchestra, and I'm third chair, viola. Lower than low, guaranteed to never get a solo. Fuck the bishop gray dining hall, where I'm faced with the terrifying question of cafeteria's rich and poor. Where am I going to sit?

Oh, my God, that's her. The new girl who tried to break.

Up Amber and Jessie.

Hell on scholarships. Who does she think she is?

Slut. What did you say to me? Oh, I called you a slut.

Ava. Hey, Ava, over here. It's me, Charlote, from work study. Come sit.

Hey, Charlote. I remember you, obviously.

Oh, good. I just thought you might have forgotten, you know, after you left the suicide party without me last week.

I'm sorry. It was crazy with security. Nothing personal, obviously.

No, totally. Totally. So are you still standing up? Right.

No, I'll just.

Ava, look, I know that I'm no Amber Holmes, and maybe you're hesitant about being friends with me, or you're still trying to figure out my vibe.

No, it's nothing like that.

But the thing is, I'm actually a really great friend. I remember everyone's birthdays, and I'm insanely loyal. Like, if somebody messes with you, I'll get some piano wire and I'll have them gurgling in minutes. To be honest with you, so intense, but kind of hot.

Charlote, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left the party without you. Since we're friends.

No, don't even worry about it, Bestie. I'm gonna call you that. So I heard you were getting hot and heavy with Jesse Van Doran.

Who did you hear that from? God, nothing even happened. I didn't know he was with Amber.

Really? They're only, like, the most powerful couple of our time. Amber's our princess Diana, which means you're Camilla. Oh, my God. Regardless, you should steer clear of both of them. Rumors spread around here like gonorrhea, which is also an ongoing problem.

Great first week of school, and everyone thinks I'm a homeworker.

Personally, I heard slut and horror more often than homeworker. Also, did you hear about that girl Mallory on the field hockey team?

I don't know who that is. Blonde. Her dad is. Big at Pfizer, kind of a bitch.

But also really nice. Anyways, she found a dead bird in her locker.

Ew. Why?

I heard she had some powerful enemies. One of the secret societies.

Come on. Really?

Oh, really? She flew back to Connecticut today so she could get tested for avian flu, but I think she just wanted to get out of her first precalc test.

Ava noah, get ready.

Why are you hiding in the british literature stacks? I'm trying to write a research paper.

I'm stalking you. Kidding? Or am I? Something big is coming.

I didn't agree to join your weird little organization. That money was a gift to me from the name of the wolf or whatever.

Shh.

Knight. The knight of the wolf. We're not worried about the money. But if you want to get ahead here, and I mean permanently, then you got to do exactly what I tell you. Trust me.

Look, I appreciated the money for my student activities fee, but I need more than money for this to be worth it.

Well, more benefits will come in time.

I want an invitation to the headmaster symposium.

Without your parents donating a building first? Not likely.

You said you can help me get ahead. This is a great first step.

Look, I'll see what I can do if you survive. Initiation.

What's initiation?

I've already said too much.

I'll see you sooner.

Sorry. Just looking for a study room.

Hello?

Anyone studying or otherwise busy in here? No one, thank God.

Hello, Jesse.

Do you need something?

Just my study room.

Your study room?

I mean, at least that's what it said when I reserved it in the online student portal.

Wow. I didn't even know you could do that. Sorry. I'll leave.

You're welcome to stay if you want. Your choice. Pretty crowded out.

There's.

Sorry. Can you.

No music, if you don't mind. Sure.

I'm sorry. I just have to ask. Why would you try to kiss me if you, like, famously have a girlfriend?

Who said I was trying to kiss you?

Are you kidding me? You used every move you have.

First off, you haven't seen even a quarter of my moves.

You leaned in after calling me a really special writer.

You said, look at me, which is code for stick your tongue down my throat.

What? No.

I shouldn't even be in here with you. The room is all yours.

Look, I'm sorry that it seemed like I was coming on to you, but you kind of threw me for a loop with the brick of cash in your pocket.

Don't change the subject. And it wasn't a brick. You're exaggerating.

And you're like El Chapo or something. Seriously, like, where did that come from?

You are an asshole, and I don't have to answer your questions. Goodbye forever.

Look, before you go, just listen to me. I'm trying to warn you. Has anyone told you about Olivia Lopez?

No.

She came to Bishop Gray late. A transfer, just like you. She was doing really well for a transfer. Rumors that she'd even make it onto the list soon. Then she sent her nudes to the entire crew team, totally unprompted.

What the hell? Why would she do that?

Everyone assumed it was, like, a mental health crisis or something, but I'm pretty sure she was in some kind of secret society. And they hacked her phone and sent those out as revenge.

Oh, my God.

These secret society people, they prey on scholarship kids. And if that's where the money came from, you have to be careful.

You talk about scholarship kids like we're some dumb helpless species. God, you're so condescending.

I'm just trying to help. Olivia wound up in this psych.

Well, I am nothing like Olivia Lopez. Just because your great grandfather founded this school doesn't mean I need your unsolicited advice.

He didn't found the school. That was his best friend, right?

You don't take anything seriously. Because you don't have to. Well, thanks for the cautionary tale, but please, just leave me alone.

Your wish is my command. Hey.

Why'd you close?

I checked the schedule. Classroom is empty for the rest of the day.

What? Nice. But I have stats in ten. Oh, I could do ten.

You like that?

It's definitely a surprise.

I know. I've been so busy. We haven't gotten our alone time. I miss this. Remember all last year? The chapel?

Take this off.

No, I'm taking care of you. Sit. We can do this anytime. Wherever and whenever you want.

Oh, my God.

Amber.

You can have me in the boathouse or the locker room or a study room in the library.

Amber. Oh, I wasn't doing anything in there.

Who told you?

Did you really think I wouldn't hear about you and the new girl in a study room?

We weren't doing anything.

She didn't understand how to use the portal.

I was just being nice.

Oh, that's good.

I'm glad you were nice to her. Maybe next time you can be nice to me.

Wait, Amber. Amber, come on.

Don't.

You'll have to finish yourself off. Jesse, try not to get anything on Dr. Alvarado's desk.

Come on, Amber.

Hey, Leila, can you get that? Can't move. Stoned and watching british reality tv. Fine, I got it. Prefect on duty room check. We're busy having sex or something. Nice try, Layla.

Smells like weed.

I assume this contraption is the source. Dude, this thing doesn't even smell. What are you talking about? Come on. We're going to go to the headmaster's office to call your parent or guardian. Not a big deal. That's a huge deal. You don't understand. You can't call my dad. Please. Wait. Are you talking about this thing?

Yeah.

Oh, this isn't Layla's. This is my CPAP machine for sleep apnea. It's labeled the mega vape cloud burst. Come on. It's because your breathing is so smooth. That's like vapor. I don't even snore anymore. Right, Leila? Yeah, totally. I sleep like a baby now, thanks to this thing. Technically, I can't discriminate on health conditions, but if I find out you're lying, won't.

Good night, Gretchen. I can't believe that worked.

Okay, that was an Oscar worthy performance. Seriously, thank you for helping me out. No problem. She seemed gullible. I'm glad you didn't call your dad. My mom would be so mad. Yeah, my dad's kind of a public figure in Iran. If word of my lifestyle got out, some people would probably try to take him down. Know. Right. It's already a huge deal that I'm going to school over here at all. You saved my ass. I owe you. Don't worry about it. I'm going to go to bed. It's only 1030. You want to finish this episode with me? Look, if you squint, all these british people look like Bratz dolls. Even the guys. I forgot about those. Did that guy just jump in the pool fully clothed with the corn dog? Oh, Ava. Buckle up. Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Ava Richards, you are called to prove your worth. To descend to the deepest underworld and return reborn as one of the true Noah.

What are you doing?

Who pulled me out of my bed? Where are we?

You're in the steam tunnels underneath Bishop Gray. This hatch above me is the only way in or out. These tunnels carried heat to every building at Bishop Gray. But now they contain the Minotaur, a ferocious beast with the head of a bull and the body of a man.

I know what a minotaur is.

He devours any student foolish enough to descend into his domain. Your task is to retrieve the talisman from the altar in the deepest part of the tunnels.

What is the talisman? How literal is all of this? I can't tell.

You will know the talisman when you find it. We will be watching.

Hey, where's my phone? What if I get lost or something?

We'll hold your phone until the task is completed. And if I were you, I would follow the example of Theseus and leave a trail. Take care not to get lost, or the Minotaur will find you. And if you return without the talisman, the hatch will remain closed. Go. Delay no longer.

But.

I can do this for symposium or southern gothic literature. Fake minotaur sounds, guys, very spooky. Great job.

Ow.

Fuck. My hand. If I bleed out down here, I am haunting the shit out of you. Wait. Blood. Theseus. Okay, hand on the wall. As I descend deeper and deeper. End of the tunnel. Nothing here except. Wait.

Is that.

A wolf skin? Perfect.

All right.

I found the talisman. You guys can come out now. I passed the test. Hello? Scary omniscient voice. Noah. Guys, just stay calm. Breathe. Breathe. Remember what they taught in the dark at laurel Caverns. Orient yourself, find a contact point, hand on the wall, and wait it. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. On the wall. There's something sticky just like Theseus. I can find my way out. Thanks, Noah. Got your stupid talisman.

That's unbelievable. That took me, like, 5 hours.

Well, sorry your attempt to murder me didn't go as planned. Seriously, where do you get initiate?

This is our grand counselor, August.

That was the fastest anyone's ever completed initiation.

How?

Come on. This is basic greek mythology. You said I was running from a minotaur, so I just remembered how Theseus got out. And to find my way back, I left a trail in blood.

Did anyone give you any outside help or counsel?

No. Noah.

What? She's a freak. I don't know.

Well, aren't you the clever one?

I told you, she's the best.

We'll see about that, Ava. You'll hear more soon.

Thrilled to have you in our ranks.

Truly thrilled to be here.

Hey, Ava. Over here. Man, you look tired. Did you get lucky last night?

No, I was just studying. Are the tater tots good?

I don't know. I haven't eaten. I can't stop looking over there at Kaden and picturing what our beautiful kids would look like.

Is the seat free?

You want to sit here? With me? I mean, us?

Yeah, if that's cool with mean.

We're not looking to purchase any weed or pills or oxy or anything.

Charlote, this is my roommate Layla.

Oh, my God. Layla's your roommate?

Sure am. And oxy? I'm not evil.

I don't mean to be rude, but you do drugs and have a septum piercing and clothes from, like, Eritzia. Don't you have other people to sit with?

First of all, I would never be caught dead at Eritia. And. Nah, it turns out most of my friends are just clients.

Except Ava and me, too. I mean, I don't know if you want to be friends. But I'm definitely not a client. Weed makes me sleepy. Anyways, welcome to our table. Oh, look, Kaden's getting dessert. Oh, he's so cute.

Charlote's kinda got a thing for Kaden Cardoso. Yeah, I can tell. Have you crossed the touch barrier with him yet?

Sorry, the what?

You gotta touch him to show that you're a potential mate. It's a whole subconscious monkey brain thing.

Are you sure?

Trust me. I went down a very long YouTube hole. Just try to touch his forearm or bump into him or something.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

She's coming over here. Just break the touch barrier, Charlote. You got this.

I can do. Hey, Kaden.

Hey there. Hey, Ava. I've been looking around for you.

Hi, Kaden. Charlote. Had a quick question for you.

Yes, I did. I just wanted to know if you could crack my back.

What?

Really? Why me?

You seem so strong and tall and my back is like super fucked up.

Well, I'm five nine, but sure.

Cool. So I'll just cross my arms and then you could kind of pick me up.

Okay.

You are strong.

Fucking hell.

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm great, actually.

I mean, that sounded like when my grandma broke her hip because she like, tumbled down the stairs at 40 miles an hour and bowed into my granddad.

My grandparents are dead.

You're funny, Charlote. Ava. Here's my business card, by the way, if you need to text me.

Your boy, Kaden Cardhoso, prince of party's, lover of ladies. Brits of the cliff. Ew.

Look, I didn't come up with the nickname.

Bruno Mars gave it to me at.

My dad's business conference. I'll see you ladies around later.

Bye, Kaden.

Eva, give me that card or soul. Help me, God.

Here. I think I lost five IQ points from touching it.

I have Kaden's number.

Sorry, guys. Hello, Ava? Yes, this is she.

Hi, Ava, this is Headmaster Burroughs. I just had the most pleasant conversation with Dr. Wells. A spot just opened up in my symposium and he recommended you. Quite a testament to the impact you've made in your short time here. I look forward to seeing you Friday night, 08:00 p.m.

Thank you so much, headmaster Burroughs. I'll see you then.

Bye.

Fuck, yeah.

Girls, boys and the nuts. We beat to them. Marvelous. We beat to them. Marvelous.

Miss Richards, welcome to symposium.

May I take your coat? Will you give it back? Give it back. Getting here.

So, Headmaster's mansion? Everything you imagined?

Jesse? Of course. You're here. You're everywhere.

You know, this place is over 200 years old. Apparently, it's full of secret hiding places and trick cabinets.

Fascinating. But I don't remember asking for a tour guide.

Wow, you're really trying to avoid, huh?

To the best of my ability, yeah.

Then why are you still talking to me?

I'm not.

I'm looking away.

And Amber's heading over here, which is my cue to find a seat around the fire.

Hey, Ava.

Hi, Amber.

What were you and Jesse talking about?

Nothing. Look, Amber, I'm sorry. I said it already, but I mean it. All of this is so new to me, and I really, really hope we can be friends.

We should probably head over to the fire for the discussion.

Okay, whatever.

Actually, Ava, just a pro tip. If you can bring up Flannery O'Connor, the headmaster will love you forever. He's a sucker for all that sad girl shit.

Duly noted. Thanks, Amber.

Welcome, my bishop Gray literati, to the first headmaster's symposium of the semester. Help yourselves to the buffet or our mocktail bar, and let's get right to it. Now, the southern Gothic is frequently defined by scholars as fundamentally grotesque. What does that mean to you? Yes, Amber, start us off strong.

Well, I believe the Grotesque in Faulkner's writing is a fundamental transgression.

She's got it all wrong.

And even time itself. Faulkner's novels usually feature characters who are mentally wrong.

So wrong, beyond their control.

Interesting, Amber. But we must consider that Faulkner writes.

About societies as much as individuals.

Agreed. When you look at everyone against Amber, they know she's in with the headmaster and they want her torn down.

Well, I think we need to consider the horrific events of sanctuary.

Yeah, Amber's right.

Sanctuary.

Now Jesse's trying to defend her. It's just making it worse. Sanctuary. All I need to do is cite Faulkner's interviews, and Amber looks like a complete moron. It would be so easy, and I'd get in with everyone else here.

Ava, now you've been awfully quiet. What stance do you.

I actually. I think Amber's on the right track. I can see what she means. Faulkner uses the grotesque to show us how every respectable member of society is one trait away from horrible. He incorporates the grotesque into the beautiful, the cowardly into the brave, and the depraved into poetry, which can also be said of the most talented of the southern gothic writers.

Flannery O'Connor brilliantly said, ava. What a terrific segue to the architects of the catholic novel, Madame Flannery O'Connor. Well, thank you all for a robust discussion tonight. Please eat the rest of the crudes before you leave, or else I will.

Ava. Hey. Uh, thanks for the support.

I just wanted to make sure everyone heard you.

I'm sorry that I've been competitive. I guess I got a little intimidated.

You were intimidated by me? I mean, I also really fucked up our introduction, so I'm down to start over if you are.

Yeah, let's do that. Here's my number. Text me. Let's hang out.

I'd like that.

Clem. Well done. We just received payment from Mallory. Funny how one dead bird changes things.

Just doing my job, Noah.

Your latin is horrible.

Sorry. I was on shrooms while doing Duolingo last week, and now I can't look at that owl. Anyways, August, what's this about Ava Richards.

You didn't tell me how hot she is. I'm impressed.

Okay?

Fuck off, August.

Somebody getting jealous or nostalgic?

Why am I here? What's your problem with Ava? She aced initiation, sure, but she was.

Recommended for the headmaster symposium late this week by Dr. Wells. Why would he do that?

I couldn't tell you.

Our clients are not happy about the attention that this transfer student stole at symposium. Attention that should have been theirs. Have you found her collateral yet?

Oh, yeah, and it's a doozy. It turns out Ava's award winning essay is a lie.

Oh, excellent. Tell me more.

You floor for let this go pass? You have one more chance? Give it the spirit, don't fear it this is your last dance? Floor for let this go pass? You have one more chance.

Give it the spirit, don't fear it?

This is your last dance? All cold, your heart is when my eyes are broken.

Binge all ten episodes of Academy early and ad free on Wondery plus. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple podcasts. Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short survey@wondry.com.

Survey from Wondery and at will media. This is Academy. This episode was written by Anderson Cook and Sidney Butler. Directed by Anderson Cook. Produced by Ashley Taylor, Brigand Snow and Imani Leonard. Editing and sound design by Brandon Grugel with support from our director of post production, Seth Richardson. Original theme song by Windsor. Producers for Wondry are Stephanie Walknin and Brian Taylor White. The senior producer is Eliza Mills. And the senior managing producer for Wondry is Candice Menriquez. Our executive producer for at Will Media is Will Malnati. And our executive producers for Wondry are Aaron O'Flaherty and Marshall Lewis.