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.

( Birds chirping )

( Dog barking in distance )

Oh, no.

Yeah... Maybe you should get up.

Your alarm went off an hour ago.

Mom told Ray not to wait for you.

Sorry... I overslept.

I want to see you after school, Alex.

( Electrical zapping )

So, this is supposed to

stimulate his brain waves?

Exactly, but with Dave

I'm not sure how much there is to stimulate.

I'm just hoping one of these jolts

will shake something loose.

( Zapping )

This is worth a try, Vince

but we should stop before we do serious damage.

Aw, do I have to?

Yes, we may need him later.

Oh, David, you back with us?

Yeah.

I assume you have nothing for us.

You can go home now.

Wait, Vince, I think I got an idea.

Can't be sure, though.

It doesn't happen often.

Yeah, well, make it quick.

Miss Atron is very busy.

We know the kid goes to the Junior High

or high school, right?

That's good, Dave.

Major progress here.

So instead of us doing the surveillance on each kid

why don't we have the teachers do it for us?

Who gets closer to the kids

than the teachers?

Using the school system

could add legitimacy to our search.

It could help us enormously.

I like it.

The future of GC-161

depends on finding that student

and the future of this company depends on GC-161.

I want a full plan laid out

and I want to know how to approach it

without raising any questions.

Good work, don.

That's Dave.

Remember... when Spain was under attack

from Franco and the fascists

volunteers

from over 50 countries

organized international brigades

to help fight them.

Think about that, class.

Volunteers who weren't even Spanish

men and women courageously

risking their lives for a principle they believed in.

Have any of you ever had to stand up for something

that you believed so strongly in?

Yes, Ray?

I publicly protested in the cafeteria

about the soggy fries.

( Class laughing )

That's a start, Raymond.

In your own way, you're making this world

a better place to live. Alex?

Our lives aren't like that, Miss Clark.

We don't have a war going on

and there really isn't too much stuff to stand up for.

Is Alex right, class?

Maybe, but for homework this week

read more about the Spanish Civil War

and compare it with your own lives.

( Class bell ringing ) And see if sometimes you don't exhibit unusual courage.

I bet you do.

Oh, and, Alex?

Don't forget, after school.

Okay... so, uh...

Each of the teachers will fill out this form

telling us if they've seen anything unusual

in their students.

Would you shut up?

One good idea stimulated by a brain machine

and now you think

you're some kind of genius.

Thanks, Vince.

I hate you.

Alex: I can't believe she's the only teacher I like

and she's the only teacher

I get in trouble with.

If you can make history interesting

you know you're good.

She's a great track coach, too.

Think she'll call your parents?

( Sighs )

I guess I'll find out.

Miss Atron and P.V.C.P. Have decided to sponsor

the Paradise Valley child-of-the-year program.

Ah, sounds great.

Yes, at P.V. Chemical

we're very connected to our community

and feel that by finding exceptional children

and entering them in national competitions

we can raise the awareness of our great town.

And we assume

that you always have your eyes open

for any child exhibiting

any extraordinary abilities or talents.

I always do.

( Chuckles ) Good.

Well, all you have to do

is fill out a form for each child

and leave the rest to us.

Any problems with it?

Why would I have any problems?

It sounds wonderful.

Miss Atron greatly appreciates your participation.

Have a, uh, productive day

Miss Clark.

Hi, Miss Clark.

Alex.

I have something very serious

I need to talk to you about.

Miss Clark, let me explain.

You're my favorite teacher and I'm not just saying that.

But I promise I'll never be late again.

Well, I'm very happy to hear that.

But I wanted to talk to you about something else:

The track team.

The track team?

Do you have any idea

how fast you made it down that hallway?

Well, you were cooking.

Really?

( Chuckles )

( Blowing )

( Whispers ): Come on.

All right!

Good time, guys!

Yes, yes!

So, what do you think, Ray?

I think I had a pebble

in my shoe.

Alex, I'd like you to anchor

our shuttle relay team.

We could sure use you.

Well, I don't know.

I really don't like to join things too much.

Alex, we've had one of the state's best track teams.

But somehow, the past three years

we seem to have lost our edge.

Last year...

We didn't even win a meet.

You could help

put the school back on the map.

Not to mention

to be considered

one of the coolest kids in school.

Okay, why not?

All right, yes!

People never really think about

how they can affect history.

Miss Clark told us

all this fascinating stuff

about the Spanish Civil War.

Loyalists versus nationalists

prelude to World War II.

Tell us more about the track team.

Well, I never realized how fast I was.

Actually, I wouldn't have even noticed

if it weren't for Miss Clark.

You know, I haven't timed myself in the 100 in years.

I was known to get down the line pretty fast.

I'm a bit of a speed-burner myself.

Well... perhaps we'll race sometime.

I'll let the press know.

( Tapping glass )

With that in mind

I think it only fitting that I make a toast.

To Alex.

Mrs. Mack: To Alex.

To Alex.

Alex... that could

have just as easily been Mom or Dad.

No, it couldn't, they always knock.

Can I talk to you for a sec?

About what?

I hate to be miss know-it-all...

No, you don't.

Okay, I don't...

( Chuckles )

But your school is called

Danielle Atron Junior High.

I know.

Look, I'm not going to tell you again

what you can and can't do, Alex

but you don't want to do anything

that's going to draw attention to yourself.

I guess all I'm saying is

be careful.

I will, Annie.

Okay.

I'm always careful.

Almost always.

Yes!

What's the matter?

Be cool, you're glowing.

Oh, no.

It'll go away in a second.

It sometimes happens

when my heart beats really fast.

Better?

Yeah.

Okay, come on.

All right

nice work, you two.

Now, when you pass the baton

you have to trust each other.

How did it feel?

It felt great.

Yeah, fine.

Okay. Our first test

is against Peaceful View on Saturday.

Yeah, district champs.

We can still give them a fight, right?

Right.

All right, then.

( Exhales deeply )

Do you think we really have a chance

against peaceful?

Not in all the events

but I do like our chances in the shuttle relay.

Thanks.

All right.

Ray, this so cool.

And to be running anchor?

I can't believe it.

I thought you'd run anchor.

Yeah, so did I.

But hey, if it can't be me

I'm glad it's you, Alex.

Alex: What's that doing here?

No idea, but let's go.

Yeah.

Alex: What's Vince doing with Miss Clark?

Ray: Hey, what's going on?

Let's go.

Alex: Maybe Miss Clark and Vince

are old friends.

Or maybe they're dating.

I don't know, Alex.

It's hard picturing Vince dating anyone.

Yeah.

But why would Miss Clark

be handing him envelopes?

Handing who envelopes?

Nothing.

Oh, come on, you're covering up.

What?

No big deal, Annie.

We saw Miss Clark handing Vince this big envelope.

But so what?

What?! Ray!

Good old Ms. Clark

the world's greatest teacher.

Alex, forget about Ms. Clark, and forget

about the track team.

Annie, I respect you

but this is Miss Clark you're talking about.

You can't ditch her or the team.

We need you.

I'm not going to ditch the team.

Not yet, anyway.

( Sighs )

Mitch Gumpstein was seen making very unusual noises

in sixth period biology.

A gurgling sound.

When asked, Mitch, a seventh-grader, only replied

"Super Burrito."

That was from Mr. Krantz, the science teacher.

( Burps loudly )

Excuse me.

I don't know.

It sounds inconclusive to me.

You've read me 30 reports

and other than a few gurgling stomachs

and the kid with the double-jointed shoulder

I have nothing.

Is this what you're about-- nothing?

Give me some observable phenomenon.

Hang on, Miss Atron.

The best is yet to come.

Read it, Vinnie... I mean, Vince.

( Rats squeaking )

Okay, this is from the history teacher

who also serves as the track coach.

"No observable differences to report as yet.

"However, the big track meet should serve as an ideal test

"for unusual, physical characteristics.

Miss Clark."

See, the track meet.

Beautiful.

Um... I'm not convinced.

I mean, this isn't what I'd envisioned at all.

Involving civilians like this is highly dangerous.

I need results.

What was I thinking when I allowed myself

to be talked into this?

I never liked the idea.

( Rats squeaking )

( Door slams )

The forms say "P.V. Chemical student observation report."

Miss Clark is keeping tabs on us for the Plant.

I guess this means no more track for you.

No more relay team.

I don't know what to do.

I love being on the track team.

I've never been on a team before.

But what if Miss Clark sees me glowing?

Tomorrow's the meet.

I don't know if we can find somebody else.

It isn't fair, Ray.

I deserve to be on that team.

It's all because of them.

Alex: Mom?

Surprise, honey.

A special carbo-load dinner for that meet.

Now, remember, your body is a temple.

The meet's been canceled.

What did you say?

Canceled.

Why?

Well, the track...

It's too muddy.

It's a muddy track.

That's a good boy.

( Kissing )

What're you doing?

( Door closes )

Show me your stuff.

Show me your stuff.

( Rat squeaking )

What do you want?

Nothing.

Nothing?

Then what are you doing here?

My plan.

What if it doesn't work out?

You should have thought of that

before you opened your big mouth, David.

I know.

( Rat squeaking )

( Sighs )

Oh, come on, Dave, be a man.

She's going to fire me.

She could have fired you a long time ago

but she didn't.

( Rat squeaking )

I'm scared.

Look... it's not your fault.

If I hadn't sent those shock waves through your brain

you never would have thought about it.

Do you still hate me?

Yes.

But things could change

if we get results at the track meet tomorrow.

Ray, this is Ryan.

He's a pole vaulter.

He'll run third and you'll anchor

if Alex really doesn't show up.

She's not going to show up

so do what you're going to do.

Don't worry about running fast.

The hand-off is most important.

Just don't drop the thing and we have a chance.

Vince: Excuse me.

( Whistles )

I'll be right back, Ray.

Go loosen up.

When was the Spanish Civil War and how did it end?

1936 to 1939, when Madrid fell to Franco's army.

You know the subject matter pretty well.

I'm impressed.

It's Miss Clark's class.

She makes history seem so important.

It doesn't make sense.

Alex, you can't run in that race

so just forget about it.

My team is counting on me.

Is the team more important than your safety?

I can't live my whole life being afraid of the Plant, Annie.

One, two, three, four, five...

All: Break!

There you go!

Yes!

Man: The last event of the day, the shuttle relay.

And may the best team win?

I got a cousin in Peaceful View.

He can't stand that place.

Alex: Ray!

What are you doing?

Vince and Dave are here.

I don't care.

I want to run anyway.

Man: Runners to your marks.

Great, I'll take over for Ryan

and you are our anchor

against Mr. happiness over here.

You just lost the only chance you ever had.

( Gun fires )

( Crowd cheering )

( Cheering continues )

( Crowd cheering, applauding )

Vince: Excuse me.

Way to go, Al.

My career in track

is officially over.

I'm going to tell Miss Clark

and I'm going to enjoy it.

Nice running.

You creamed them.

Thanks.

Yeah.

Vince: You agreed to participate, Miss Clark.

I'm sorry, I'm withdrawing.

Look, I don't know

what you really want

but I did my own research.

You work for the Plant

as head of security.

What does head of security

have to do with this?

I do a lot of projects for Miss Atron.

Miss Clark: Well, that may be so

but I no longer buy

your "child athlete of the year" stuff.

If you would like me to speak

to Miss Atron personally

I'd be happy to.

Oh, please don't mention

my name if you do.

As I said...

I won't be filling out your forms.

Please leave.

Not until those forms are filled out.

Then you'll be here a long time.

You want to cha-cha with me?

We can get into it

right here.

You lay one finger on me, sir

I'll call the police so fast, your head will spin.

No, you listen to me, Miss...

( Knocking )

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Can I talk to you

for a second... Miss Clark?

Sure, Alex.

I'll be speaking again with you real soon, Miss Clark.

Nice race, Alex.

I heard a rumor

that you might not make it.

I'm glad I did.

I actually stood up for my beliefs.

In what way?

It's a long story

almost as interesting

as the Spanish Civil War, though.

Really? I'd love to hear it.

Maybe someday.

Things are looking bad for me, Vince.

Yes, they are, Dave.

Captioned by Grant Brown