Hugh “Mr. J” Murphy clocks into his high school janitorial job. After cleaning up students’ messes, he notices Chemistry teacher, Mr. McCurdy reprimanding Ella Porter, a student who’s sitting in detention. Mr. J makes small talk with Ella while he cleans the classroom. They both reveal to each other a secret they’ve been keeping from others. Mr. J having cancer, and Ella not wanting to go home after school.  After Mr. McCurdy interrupts, Mr. J follows Ella out to the student parking lot. They talk more over a cigarette and Ella confirms she is abused at home. She leaves for the night and Mr. J reflects on her life and his. He goes back to the school to finish cleaning up the girls’ bathroom. After the weekend passes, Mr. McCurdy tells Mr. J that Ella wasn’t in school today. Later that night, Mr. J leaves a resignation letter on his desk with a helpline phone number taped to it.