Original subtitles

( Horn honking )

I'm Alex Mack.

I was just an average kid

until an accident changed my life.

And since then...

Nothing's been the same.

( Zapping )

My best friend Ray thinks it's cool.

My sister Annie thinks I'm a science project.

I can't let anyone else know.

Not even my parents.

I know the Chemical Plant wants to find me

and turn me into some experiment.

But you know something?

I guess I'm not so average anymore.

Mrs. Mack: Alex?

Did you remember to make breakfast this morning?

It's your turn.

Alex!

Morning.

This smells great.

It's very responsible of you

to get up so early

and get all of this done.

( Yawning )

Oh, Alex, Bryce is on his way over.

You and Ray want to ride to school with us?

I'm driving.

You are?

Annie: Uh-huh.

He borrowed a used car from a friend

that I can practice on this week.

Um... no, wait, I think Raymond told Louis

that we'd pick him up and walk with him.

That's okay, the car fits five.

I think I'll pass today.

How come you never want to ride with me?

No reason.

Great day for a drive to school.

Make sure she doesn't go too fast, Bryce.

No problem.

Annie... be really careful.

( Laughing nervously )

Come on, you guys, you sound like parents.

Oh, gee, I'm so sorry.

I have no idea how that could have happened.

( Sighs )

Everything will be fine, I'm a great driver.

( Starts engine )

( Tires screech )

Louis: Where's Robyn?

She's still walking the dogs.

Oh, yeah.

So Annie's got this cool new used car to drive.

And you won't let her drive us? Why?

( Tires screech )

Bryce: Apply steady, even pressure!

I know what I'm doing.

I get it.

You want us to continue living.

It's always satisfying for me

when Annie finds something she's not good at.

Hey, you guys want to check out

that new video store near our school today?

And put off doing my homework?

Definitely.

Yes!

( Both laughing )

( School bell rings )

As we discussed in our last class

creative writing is about using your imagination

often taking an ordinary event and writing about it

in an interesting and exciting manner.

So, who would like to be the first victim?

Robyn Russo.

Present.

That's good, because I'm calling on you

to read your essay aloud.

Okay.

Um, well, would you believe my dogs ate it?

( All laughing )

And would you believe

I've never heard that excuse before?

No, no, really, I had it.

( Dogs barking )

Then the dogs had it, as a snack.

I have this before-school dog-walking service

and these three vicious beasts just...

Like it wasn't enough for them to chew up my paper

and then they went after this cat

dragging me along.

We went across three lawns

on skylark road alone

ending up in old man Stefan's rose garden.

Mm-hmm.

They were crazy.

They were like mad dogs

you know, the dogs were.

Anyway

old man Stefan didn't like it too much either

when he found out that they ate all his American beauty roses

and now I have to pay $180 in damage and...

Oh, there's a moral to this story

and I don't know what it is.

( All applauding )

Miss Russo

that was fairly interesting.

Some run-on sentences, but... B-plus nonetheless.

But this is not...

Don't argue.

Well, who can top that one?

Why are you so down?

You still got a B-plus.

Grades are fleeting, Alex

debts are eternal.

I can't believe you have to come up with $180.

That or move to South America.

I wish I could help you out

but I don't even have 180 cents.

Some of us were just never meant to have money.

Ray: Hey, ladies, you know what time it is?

Who can afford a watch?

No, time to check out that new video store.

Yeah, three videos for a buck!

Yep.

Can you believe that price

is still over my head?

Ray: Don't worry, I have cash.

I'll rent the movies

you come watch at my place.

That I can afford. Okay.

Today is the day, Dave.

Uh, Tuesday?

Dave.

Today is the day that we find the kid.

And it's Monday.

Where are they all going, Vince?

I'm not a mind reader, David.

Follow them.

Hey, kids, what do you think?

This is how I'd want our living room to be.

So you like it?

Like it?

No, this is true love.

Thanks. I'm Mrs. Hardwick, the owner.

You understand the needs

of teenagers perfectly.

Can you adopt me?

My daughters might not appreciate that.

I can offer you some popcorn.

Yeah?

Good enough.

Yeah.

How about you?

Would you like some popcorn?

Sure. How much is it?

It's free.

I make my money on the butter and salt.

I'm kidding, help yourself.

Excuse me.

Thanks.

I am so depressed.

How unusual.

Why? The popcorn's free.

Yeah, but everything else here isn't.

I have a job and I'm still broke.

I have to get some money.

At least you have a job.

Ray: That lady

is so lucky to own this place.

Wouldn't it be cool to work here?

Yeah.

Yeah.

( Tires screeching )

Uh, you missed one.

Hi, um, I-I'm here for my job interview?

You're here, too?

You're right.

If you're interviewing I don't stand a chance.

I'll just leave now.

What, are you trying to guilt me into leaving?

Will that work?

We'll both interview.

I'm sure it'll be fine.

Well, I hope there are

a few live bodies out here today.

Hi, we're here for the job interview?

Well, two of you.

Who's first?

Let's not all speak at once.

Okay. Okay.

All right.

Uh, Alex, why don't you come on in first?

Well, there's no point in me sticking around

because you know she'll get the job.

Oh, total insecurity.

I love that in a potential employee.

So, what kind of work experience have you had?

I've done some baby-sitting.

I started my job as a dog Walker

but it turned into a fiasco.

I know I can do better.

If I was ever to baby-sit again.

I don't even like dogs.

I mean, I don't think anyone in town

will ever hire me to baby-sit again.

But if they did, I'd try it again.

Probably.

I don't even like dog owners.

I hope you won't be needing references.

So, you're making a career change.

Why should I hire you?

I love movies, especially action movies, but all kinds of movies.

Do you think you could handle a cash register

and stock the shelves and help the customers?

I doubt it, but maybe.

That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Look, I really want this job.

I really, really want it.

Usually, whenever I want something

I don't end up getting it.

But this I really, really want.

Your enthusiasm scares me.

Please, wait out front.

Okay, you got it.

I did? She did?

You both did.

I like you girls.

You're hard-working, honest, enthusiastic.

And, besides, I couldn't get anyone else

who'd take the job

for minimum wage.

What if I were to tell you

that that is the most wonderful thing

that has ever happened to me?

You ought to get out of the house a little more.

Can you two start

tomorrow?

Yes! Yes!

We'll clean it up, no charge.

Yeah, that, that's okay.

You can start cleaning up tomorrow.

Thank you! Thank you!

( Chuckling ): Oh, Dave.

This place is perfect.

Every kid in town

will eventually pass through those doors.

What about the ones who don't have V.C.R.S?

I'll run a check on them tomorrow.

But here is where the buck will stop.

Here we will find the kid.

I will not fail.

Can I help you two find something?

Mrs. Hardwick, allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Vincent Carter

and this is my colleague, David Watt

and we have devised the perfect plan for you.

David, the brochure.

And, uh, this?

Well, this is the PVCP-4000 video surveillance system

with a full and complex range of monitors and alarms.

It is the one foolproof security system

you can't afford to be without in this vile and wicked town.

Oh, I'm so glad I bought my shop in this town.

Besides, I can't afford your system.

Oh, but, Mrs. Hardwick, our system is free.

Kind of a welcome- to-the-neighborhood thing.

What's the catch?

There is no catch.

Okay, then bring it in tomorrow.

But don't you try to bill me later.

So, we're hoping that the kid will steal a video?

Dave, the PVCP-4000 is not designed to prevent stealing.

It's designed to detect GC-161.

I will not fail.

What's this?

This wasn't here yesterday.

Oh, that? That's the new security system.

You see? Already she doesn't trust us.

Dave: Vince, this is for handicapped.

Shut up, Dave.

Can I put the top down?

No.

Get the case, Dave.

Power it up.

Power on.

Do we have a picture?

We have picture.

The old black-and-white classics are in the back, section 9.

Oh, I found that science fiction video you were looking for.

It came from New Jersey.

Oh, Mrs. Hardwick?

We need some more change.

Sure.

Robyn: This movie is

perfect for your daughter.

Wolverines ate my face.

What? Children love animal stories.

Are you sure you want to rent that?

Last time I saw it, I was so depressed

that I could barely get out of bed for two days.

Hey, you know, you really should lay off the popcorn.

Do you know how many fat grams are in a single serving?

( Sighs )

You recognize her?

No.

How about this?

Uh-uh.

Pretty pictures, though.

( Growls )

Why didn't you warn me I'd hit the tree?

It seemed obvious.

You were going forward, the tree was right in front.

No sarcasm, what will I do?

Be glad you didn't kill us and pay to fix the car.

How will I get that kind of money?

Ask your parents?

Maybe I could just fix it myself.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa

whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Vince.

Uh-uh-oh, uh-uh-oh.

Uh-uh-uh-oh.

( Sighs )

Uh, Robyn, can I see you

in the back for a minute, please?

Alex, watch the register.

If I know Robyn's history

this is going to get ugly fast.

Ring me up, so I can get out of here.

( Grunts )

It's your first day

but I've never seen anybody as miserable at their job.

This is the way I always am.

I realize that

and in a way it's quite charming, but...

But I am being fired, so I don't have to quit?

What?

No offense, but I hate this job.

All the people, all those movies

the pressure is just way too much.

All right, I'm out of here.

Louis said I could watch on his 52-inch.

Wait, Ray! Don't forget your videos.

Oh.

And be kind

rewind.

( Siren whistling )

Come on, Dave, let's move now.

( Siren continuing )

What's that?

( Vince laughs )

Gotcha.

( Laughs )

( Siren whistling )

Wait here.

( Siren continues )

Ahh!

What's going on here?

Alex: I don't know.

He paid for his video.

Son, do you mind if I take a look in your bag?

Uh...

There's nothing inside here, gentlemen.

Can you explain why your system went off like that?

Kid, would you mind walking through

the system again?

Why?

Just do it.

All right.

( Humming )

Vince: Again.

( Humming )

It seems a mistake has been made.

Possibly.

Mrs. Hardwick: Alex, you can go home.

I'm going to finish my talk with Robyn.

Actually, I think I'll just stay here

and clean up a bit.

All right.

Ray, you don't have to wait for me.

Actually, why don't you go home and ask Annie

what video she wanted?

Annie?

Better yet, why don't you have her come here

to pick out the videos herself?

Okay, have Annie come here

for the videos, right?

Yeah.

All right.

Don't feel bad, Vince.

We've checked that kid out.

Nothing came up.

Maybe.

But if it wasn't him...

One of those two girls must have set the alarm off.

I think we tried them before, too.

I don't care what happened in the past, David.

Fool me once, shame on you.

Fool me twice, shame on me.

There's no way that they can leave this store

without passing through that machine

so we'll soon find out what's what here.

Mrs. Hardwick: My security system is a disaster.

Are you sure you need it?

I don't know, but it's free

and I could never afford one on my own.

In fact it's funny, I seem to be doing really well

but I'm always in debt.

I think I have to learn how to keep these books.

It looks like you subtracted there

instead of adding, didn't you?

Oh, so I did.

Well, would you look at that?

May I?

Oh, please, be my guest.

There's Annie.

Hey.

Sit!

Hi!

Thanks for coming, Annie.

Anything to distract me from my own problems.

You have problems?

We'll discuss those later.

We have to figure out

a way to get you out of here.

If we unplug the machine

Vince and Dave will know something's up.

Hmm.

What?

Come on.

Hi, Annie.

Hi.

Annie, where's Alex?

Um, she's outside.

Bye.

Bye, Mrs. Hardwick, see you tomorrow.

Yep! Thanks again, Robyn.

You're welcome.

Oh, don't bother with that

I'll get it.

Oh.

( Siren whistling )

What did I tell you, Dave?

Won't fail, huh?

I will not fail, I will not fail.

( Siren whistling )

Gotcha this time.

( Siren wailing )

Dave: Hey, kid, get back here.

Hey, kid, get back here.

Get back here.

Get back here.

( Siren continues )

Mrs. Hardwick! But...

( Whimpers )

I want that system out of my store

immediately and forever!

Do you understand?

Yes, ma'am.

Everybody fails sometimes, Vince.

Sorry for the trouble, ma'am.

I'll just take this out for you.

I sort of hit the brake late.

So, in other words

you totally plowed into the tree.

( Sigh )

Exactly.

Well, we know what you have to go do.

This turned out great.

And can you believe Robyn's the assistant bookkeeper?

I can't believe I'm working for you.

Well...

Here's your first customer.

Hi!

Hey!

You want to rent this?

I don't know.

What's it about?

It looks like espionage...

Some good guys, some bad guys...

Well, who wins?

Bryce, everyone knows--

the good guys always win.

Captioned by Grant Brown

Repair and Synchronization by Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0