Little 2019

Here’s my rephrased version of the section:

Flashback to 1993: We find young Jordan Sanders (Marsai Martin) at Windsor Middle School, eagerly preparing to showcase her science experiment before her classmates. However, her attempt is swiftly sabotaged by a group of taunting peers who mercilessly mock her as she takes the stage. Undeterred, Jordan’s determination to prove herself is crushed when a cruel classmate knocks her off balance with a misdirected pendulum swing, leaving her injured and humiliated. Back at the hospital, her parents offer words of encouragement, reassuring Jordan that one day she’ll rise through the ranks to become the boss. Seething with resentment, Jordan vows to turn the tables on her tormentors.

Fast-forward to present day: Jordan (now portrayed by Regina Hall) has transformed into a powerhouse CEO, ruling over her own tech empire, JSI. Her life is filled with the latest innovations, including her AI-powered virtual assistant, Homegirl (voiced by Tracee Ellis Ross), which always keeps her informed and alert, thanks to its ability to wake her up promptly. At home, Jordan’s daily routine is supervised by April Williams (Issa Rae), a beleaguered human assistant who struggles to keep pace with the demanding CEO’s every whim. Meanwhile, Jordan’s personal life is marked by a physical affair with Trevor (Luke James), but she remains emotionally unavailable, preferring to maintain a safe distance from genuine connection.

When April arrives at JSI to prepare for an important day ahead, she runs into Preston (Tone Bell), her mutual crush. As she sets the stage for Jordan’s arrival, April is left to manage the fallout as the CEO descends upon the office, berating everyone in her path. A tense confrontation ensues when Connor (Mikey Day), their most high-profile client, announces his intention to switch firms unless JSI can deliver a compelling pitch within 48 hours. Undeterred by the challenge, Jordan assembles her team and subjects them to a brutal display of bullying and ridicule, further solidifying her reputation as a ruthless leader.

Later, April alerts everyone to hide as Jordan descends upon the office once more, this time bearing down on Connor with an intensity that borders on desperation. As the clock ticks away, Jordan’s grip on reality begins to slip, setting the stage for a series of events that will forever alter her perspective on life and leadership.

As the sun rises on a new day, Jordan’s transformation into her 13-year-old self is complete. Initially oblivious to the change, it takes her a while to grasp the reality as everyone around her treats her like a child, failing to recognize the woman she once was. Panicked and disbelieving, she rushes back to her apartment, where a shocking glimpse of her reflection in the mirror leaves her stunned and horrified by the drastic transformation. Seizing the moment, Jordan calls April for assistance, hoping her friend can help unravel this baffling situation. April’s arrival at the apartment finds her equally perplexed by Jordan’s youthful visage, as the two women scramble to devise a plan to rectify this bizarre predicament.

Meanwhile, their neighbor has misinterpreted Kid-Jordan’s appearance and mistakenly believes she is Adult-Jordan’s daughter, prompting Child Services to dispatch Agent Bea (Rachel Dratch) to investigate. Jordan and April concoct an elaborate ruse to explain Jordan’s father being out of town and her mother being a substance abuser, all while convincingly portraying April as Jordan’s aunt. However, their web of deception is further complicated when Jordan inadvertently reveals she hasn’t attended school in years, prompting Agent Bea to threaten April with legal action if Jordan isn’t enrolled immediately.

Reluctantly, Jordan agrees to accompany April back to Windsor Middle School, a prospect that fills her with dread and dismay. As they arrive on campus, April borrows Jordan’s wardrobe, preparing to assume her friend’s responsibilities at work while Jordan navigates the unfamiliar terrain of middle school. The tension between them simmers just below the surface as Jordan insults April in the parking lot, prompting a swift and firm reprimand in the form of a stern lecture followed by a disciplinary spanking.

Their arrival at school sets the stage for a series of humiliations as they encounter Jordan’s teacher, the charismatic Mr. Gary Marshall (Justin Hartley). In class, Jordan attempts to assert her dominance but is quickly taken down by the resident mean girl, Jasmine (Eva Carlton), marking the beginning of a challenging day filled with setbacks and struggles.

Lunchtime brings its own set of woes as students mercilessly tease Kid-Jordan, forcing her to sit among the outcasts – Isaac (JD McCrary), Raina (Thalia Tran), and Devon (Tucker Meek) – who have become an unlikely support system for this fish-out-of-water protagonist. Back at work, April faces a crisis when she loses focus amidst the chaos of their office’s looming deadline, while Jordan tries to guide her friend from afar, offering advice that ultimately backfires, leaving April looking foolish and flustered.

As night falls, April’s hands deftly weave a intricate braid through Jordan’s hair outside their apartment, a gesture that transcends mere grooming and speaks to a deeper bond between them. The conversation that follows reveals the weight of the day’s events still fresh on Jordan’s mind, as she admits that with age came a growing sense of self-preservation, leading her to strike first against those who would seek to harm her. The soundtrack kicks in, and Trevor appears on the scene, his intentions clearly romantic, but his gaze lingers on Kid-Jordan, sparking a train of thought that has him interpreting Jordan’s secrecy as a sign of fear and concern - a notion that only serves to heighten his ardor for her.

The following day, Jordan emerges from her apartment building looking revitalized, her style elevated by a fresh wardrobe and a haircut that hints at newfound confidence. Her appearance is met with admiring glances from the kids, who seem to sense a shift in their friend’s demeanor. Later, April witnesses Isaac, Raina, and Devon undergo a disastrous audition for the school’s pep rally, their stilted dance moves and off-key singing eliciting more groans than cheers. Despite Jasmine’s less-than-enthusiastic reception of their performance, the trio is granted a spot in the lineup - much to Jordan’s dismay, who suspects her colleague’s true motives are far from benevolent. In a private meeting with Trevor, Jordan finds herself drawn to a side of him she never knew existed, one that speaks to a deeper vulnerability and sense of introspection. As their conversation draws to a close, a gentle hug is followed by an awkward linger on Jordan’s part, leaving Trevor squirming in discomfort.

Meanwhile, at the office, April’s attempts to rally her team around her latest idea - an app called Discoverize - are initially thwarted by Connor’s early arrival. Undeterred, she pitches her concept to him, and his interest is piqued by the prospect of exploring a new market. Jordan arrives at JSI to find that April has already shared her vision with their colleague, sparking a mixture of emotions within her: resentment at what she perceives as April’s attempt to upstage her, but also a growing sense of frustration with Jordan’s own perceived lack of ambition. As the tension between them comes to a head, April finds herself at a breaking point and makes the bold decision to quit on the spot. The aftermath sees Jordan departing the scene, unaware that her employees are secretly hoping she will never return.

As Jordan returns to her humble abode, she’s overcome with regret. The rooftop becomes her sanctuary, where she’s bombarded by a video from Raina - a visual representation of the trio’s underwhelming experience at the pep rally, opting out of their performance instead. Feeling an inexplicable sense of responsibility, Jordan decides to take matters into her own hands and makes the arduous journey to the school, determined to convince her friends to seize the moment.

Upon arriving, she bursts onto the stage, only to be met with a sudden and unexpected gust of wind courtesy of Jasmine, courtesy of a fan, which sends paper flying into Jordan’s face. The unfortunate incident culminates in Jordan’s untimely fall. Though initially rattled, she shakes off the mishap as her friends take the stage. Isaac takes center stage, his soulful voice soaring as he beautifully serenades the crowd with a rendition of “Dreamgirls”. Raina and Devon join him, their rhythmic movements captivating the audience. Jordan, no longer able to resist, joins in on the fun, as does April, who arrives alongside Stevie - a surprise discovery made through some last-minute calls.

As the performance reaches its crescendo, even Jasmine is left stunned by the group’s harmonious synergy. After the show, Jordan bids her newfound friends farewell before sharing a heartfelt conversation with Stevie. Though she has learned her lesson, it becomes apparent that time is not on her side, as Stevie attempts to reverse the effects, but to no avail.

As the dust settles, Jordan and April return to their apartment, where Jordan apologizes for her past behavior towards her friend. Vowing to support April’s entrepreneurial endeavors, she acknowledges that April has become her first true confidant.

The morning brings a welcome change as Jordan reverts back to her adult form, filled with an unbridled sense of excitement. She returns to work, standing proudly behind April as she pitches Discoverize to Connor. Despite initial reservations, Connor ultimately decides to pass on the proposal. The office is left in disarray, with coworkers fearing for their jobs. Undeterred, April reveals her determination to continue pitching the idea.

Fast-forward three months, and Jordan finds herself in a fulfilling relationship with Trevor. She returns to work, calling her employees outside to share some long-overdue news. After countless rejections, Discoverize has finally found an advocate, and the company is thriving. Jordan announces plans to rebrand her company as “JSI & Associates”, accompanied by a subtle logo alteration. As a gesture of goodwill, she treats everyone to doughnuts.

April’s personal life also flourishes, as she finds herself in a romantic partnership with Preston. Meanwhile, Jordan receives an unexpected visit from Isaac, Raina, and Devon - individuals oblivious to her past identity. The group reunites, their shared passion for music prompting an impromptu dance party that brings them all together once more.