When the school experiences a severe budget crisis, Emerson announces a carnival to earn revenue. While everyone is planning the event, Jordan begins arriving late to school and failing to do his homework. Nick meets with Jordan's parents and discovers that Jordan may be unhappy because they constantly bicker. Nick thinks he has helped Jordan's parents' relationship, but Jordan later blames Nick for their upcoming divorce. Even worse, Jordan ignores his friends and drinks alcohol during school. Meanwhile, the budget problems seem to have no effect on Mezz, who easily acquires all the supplies he requests from Emerson. But Mezz soon realizes that Emerson is overcompensating because he is black and she is afraid of treating him differently.