Scene 2: Acting Out Community

Annie has organized an anti-drug play for the group to perform for kids, but no one seems interested.

Pierce notices Annie collecting soda cans and follows her home to her apartment above a "marital aids" shop. Annie explains that she's collecting the cans for money because her parents cut her off. Pierce writes her blank check and then manipulates her into giving him more lines in the play.

Pierce watches an outtake of an old commercial for Hawthorne Wipes, which reveals the truth about his place in the commercial.

Pierce continues to use his blank check to bribe Annie into using his script changes. Chang tried to confront Shirley but she ignores him. Marcus turns out not to be Britta's boyfriend, but her young nephew. Jeff realizes his mistake when Marcus answers with a racy text of his own. Jeff tries to save the situation. Pierce steals the show to the delight of the kids, but sabotages the play's message in the process.

During intermission, Annie tries to fire Pierce from the show, but he tells everyone that she accepted his money. The group gets mad at her for selling out her ideals, but at the last minute Chang replaces Pierce and saves the show's message, at the expense of the children's rage. Everyone appreciates his sacrifice, even Shirley. Annie tells Pierce she'll get a job and doesn't need to depend on him. Marcus blackmails Jeff into stealing Britta's bra for him.

Annie is awakened by the voice of a salesman from the shop downstairs.