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.

[Woman] And so, 1776

marks the success

of the first anti-colonial movement in modern history.

Thomas Jefferson spoke for all his countrymen

when he said that the independent spirit

of the American people would inspire all.

The United States might never have come into existence

but the colonists felt the unjust

and restraining stranglehold of the British

could no longer be tolerated.

And so, we see the first steps towards freedom

( voice slows downs ): And independence were taken

( distorted echoes ): And when the war of independence started...

( Clock ticking loudly )

( Voice very distorted ): ...The colonists understood what they were working for...

( Loud clang )

( Creaking )

( Teacher's voice distorted and echoing )

Yes, Alex?

I'm sorry, Miss Clark

but this class is just way too boring.

Come on, everyone, we're out of here.

Everyone: Yeah!

Excuse me, excuse me, Alex

but class isn't over yet.

( Bell ringing )

Now it is.

Later, Miss Clark.

Let the revolution begin!

( Cheering and whistling )

Class, please!

Please, please, class.

Oh, please, class is not over yet.

Please!

( Cheering )

( Whistling and cheering )

Are you still with us, Miss Mack?

Or have you just completely left the building?

( All laughing )

Oh.

I assume you have a question.

Um...

Can I go to the bathroom?

( All laughing )

( Bell ringing )

Dismissed.

Alex, perhaps you should try concentrating.

Yes, Miss Clark.

( Giggling )

Wait a minute, wait.

She said, "Can I go to the bathroom?"

I don't know what happened.

I must have been daydreaming.

Probably thinking about yours truly again.

I have that effect on women.

Please, Louis, that's not a dream

that's a nightmare.

I was thinking about the quest

for independence-- sort of.

You're supposed to daydream

about things other than school.

Like what?

Like food.

Chili fries at the half-life diner.

Well, I just have to ask

you know, permission first.

You have to ask permission

to eat French fries?

I don't have to, just...

We're not stealing.

Or robbing banks.

You don't ask to do stuff after school?

To hang out at the diner?

No way.

So, go ahead and ask.

What will they say?

No, I'm serious, Alex.

You can't leave now.

That's the way it is.

It's just French fries.

It isn't like we're out robbing banks.

Your mother's making duck tarragon.

She will want you here.

Aren't you supposed to set the table

and clean your room?

Well, is Annie busy?

Annie's not home.

Are you busy, Dad?

I came home to get some work done

and not to take care of your responsibilities.

All my friends are waiting.

Why don't I set the table now

and clean my room when I get back?

I'll be home by 7:00.

Be home by 5:00.

6:30.

5:30.

6:00.

5:47 P.M., not a minute later.

I can live with that.

Thanks, Dad, pleasure doing business with you.

I'm not going to college right away.

I'm going to travel

although my parents aren't going to be happy.

I read about this kid

who makes Annie look like a slacker.

He's 14, and he's a lawyer.

Does he have to get permission

to go for chili fries?

Yeah, "Please, Mom?

I already finished with the D.N.A. Evidence."

Let's do this again tomorrow.

Oh, wait a second.

Tomorrow's Saturday, no can do.

Oh, yeah, that's right.

Right, yeah.

What's going on?

Uh, Raymond and I can't meet up.

We got this, uh...

[Both] Thing.

You can't hang out because you have this thing?

That's right.

What exactly is this thing?

If we told, it wouldn't be a thing anymore, would it?

It would be a something

and lose what's special about it.

Exactly.

Sounds like a lame thing to me.

Oh, man, I got to go, see you.

Wait a minute.

Just wait till we finish the fries

then we can all go together.

What's another few minutes?

Okay.

All right, one...

Two...

Three!

Well, George

how specific were you?

"5:47 P.M., and not a minute later."

That's specific.

But I've got to tell you

you're not exactly authoritative sometimes.

I was firm, and now that I think about it, too generous.

I mean, she knew when she was supposed to be back

and she's 43 minutes late.

I'm sure your father was very clear.

Whatever's keeping your sister better be important.

It's very important.

If you don't tell me what the thing is, I'll go nuts.

Sorry, Alex, I can't.

If I tell, you'll want to go, and you can't.

I promise I won't.

Okay, you know the place by the old warehouse?

They've laid a perfect slab for roller hockey.

Tomorrow we're going for it.

That's on the other side of town

in a creepy area.

Louis says the gangs there can get rough.

Sounds dangerous.

That's what makes it a thing.

Alex, don't give me that look.

You've promised.

What look?

That I'm not going to say anything

I'll just give him that look.

I hate that look.

I don't know what you're talking about.

I guess tomorrow I'll just stay home

and watch TV or something.

Alex, stop working on me.

You can't go, all right?

How come you and Louis can go and I can't?

Because you can't, you just can't.

Alex, I'm not looking, so don't even try it.

Hey.

( Door shuts )

I know, I'm a little late, sorry.

Um, I'm just going to go upstairs.

Alex, you're an hour late.

If you're late, you should call.

It only takes a quarter.

I didn't have a quarter, only a five.

You have to do a lot better than that, young lady.

I lost track of time. I'm really sorry, okay?

No, it's not okay.

I said I was sorry.

Do you have to make such a big deal?

When you say you'll be home, we expect you.

If not, we're going to start to worry.

I'm 14! I can take care of myself.

That's not the point.

You don't have to worry.

Alex, go to your room.

We'll be up to speak to you in a minute.

We're going to have to impose a little discipline here.

I agree-- 100%.

This is more than just being late.

It's... it's the principle of the thing.

When you talk to her, I suggest being very firm.

Uh-uh, no way, George, I'm always the bad guy.

This time, the sentencing is going to come from you.

From me?

Mm-hmm, and I suggest being very firm.

What is Mom and Dad's problem, anyway?

( Sighs )

Nothing, just you completely

ignoring Dad's order.

I didn't realize

it was that important to him.

( Phone rings )

Hello?

Hey, it's me.

I pulled strings, and you're in.

For roller hockey? You're kidding.

Louis told me to make sure

you can handle this.

We don't want to worry about you.

Tell him not to worry.

I can handle it.

We'll meet and go together.

Thanks, Ray.

Do you think

Mom and Dad will let you play roller hockey?

Why not? I'm a free woman.

( Knocking )

Come in.

Alex, your mother and I have decided

that because of your actions

you're grounded for the weekend.

Grounded? Just because I was late?

Dad, please.

We have to talk.

I have this thing...

Uh, no, Alex, this time it's non-negotiable.

Dad!

What were you saying about being a free woman?

I was just eating French fries with my friends.

I mean, when is that a reason to ground someone?

I guess you just pushed Dad over the edge, and you know

that's not easy to do.

So, you think he was right to ground me?

I think it's harsh.

It was, it was very harsh.

He's out of line.

Completely out of line.

And, unfortunately

there's nothing you can do about it-- sorry.

( Sighs )

( Door closes )

Um, so, how's your sister doing?

To tell the truth, she's not a happy camper.

Well, she violated the rules.

So she messed up.

Why don't you give her extra chores or something?

Was it really necessary to ground her?

Uh, uh, uh... I told her 5:47, Annie.

First I'm too soft, now I'm too hard.

How's a parent catch a break around here?

George, it's all right.

We are doing the right thing, really.

Right.

I know.

( Grunting )

( Grunting )

Get him, get him!

( Clank )

( Cheering )

( Mimics guitar )

Yeah!

Whoa!

Hey! That's a penalty.

Tell someone who cares.

[Louis] Hey, man, you okay?

Yeah, man.

Hey, man, you get the feeling

we're in over our heads?

I get the feeling

we're lucky to still have our heads.

Maybe we should just leave.

Yeah. Hey, yo!

We're just going to cut out, all right?

Hey. We're playing a game here.

You guys leave now...

And you're dead.

Yeah!

We were just kidding.

Yeah!

[Both] Yeah.

( Chuckling nervously )

Whew!

Hey, Alex?

Just so you know, I think that the guilt

is finally setting in on Mom and Dad.

Hmm.

Hey... Alex!

( Sighs )

( Dispatcher talking on car radio )

[Boy] Hey, you!

712, possible 211 in progress.

Suspects appear to be armed...

With hockey sticks, over.

( Dispatcher replies )

10-4.

Ah!

Hey, Raymond!

Alex!

What are you doing here?

You got to leave now, I'm telling you.

Just leave!

What are you talking about?

Welcome to your nightmare, girl.

Ah!

What's going on, Louis?

I could barely find this place.

I thought you were grounded.

I'm 14, I have a life.

Well, then leave now

while you can still live it.

Just go home!

What are you talking about?

I thought you said I could play.

I'm serious, Alex...

Let's go! Back in the game.

You, too.

Face-off, you and me.

( Knock on door )

Come in.

Hey, Annie?

Hi!

What's up?

Where's, uh...

Alex?

Taking a bath.

Can I tell her something for you?

Oh, maybe I'll just wait.

I think she's going to be in there a while, actually.

Oh.

Well, then...

( Knocking )

Alex?

It's Dad.

Listen, hon, I know this is hard

but you got to know it's hard on us, too.

We're doing this because we love you.

We just wanted you to know that.

Got it?

( Raps lightly )

She heard you, Dad.

Good.

Boy, am I glad

you never give us trouble like this.

( Kissing )

No.

I just... study.

16 years old and I spend every weekend at home

with my parents, studying.

Let the rest of the world

go out and have fun, not me.

I'm no trouble.

I want to be grounded

I mean, my entire life is being grounded!

Think I'll, uh, go back downstairs now.

( Door closes )

[Girl] Face-off, everyone!

( Tires squealing )

( Siren wailing )

( Siren stops )

( Radio chatter )

All right, freeze!

Nobody's moving, guy.

Listen up

you are trespassing.

You have the right

to remain silent.

Anything you say or do

can and will be used against you...

You can't arrest us!

No. But I can call your parents.

All right, so I'll need names

starting with you.

Run for it!

Something wrong?

Oh, the strangest thing just happened.

I complimented Annie for being so well-behaved

and she snapped at me.

I know. Well, she's a goody two-shoes

and probably doesn't like it.

What's wrong with that?

I was a goody two-shoes at that age.

Exactly. Think about how the other kids

used to treat you.

Think about all the fun you missed out on

while studying chemistry.

Did I?

( Crickets chirping )

( Glass shatters )

( Dog barking in distance )

( Radio chatter )

Raymond?

Louis?

Anybody?

( Low rumble in distance )

( Crashing )

( Horn honking )

( Horn wailing )

( Screams )

( Yelling )

Hey, where do you think you're going?

Nowhere, just home.

You led that stupid guard right to us.

( Barely audibly ): No, I didn't.

You did, too!

As soon as you showed up he shut us down.

See you.

Hey! don't skate away from me

when I'm talking to you.

Hey!

Come here!

Where is she?

Where'd she go?

I saw her come over here.

[Mr Mack] Here, honey, let me pick this up.

Thanks.

[Mr Mack] You know, this grounding thing

has been harder on me than on Alex.

How is it harder on you?

Well, maybe it's just watching her

push the boundaries and realizing

she's taking steps towards independence.

I know. Pretty soon

she'll be hanging out with her friends more often

dating guys...

And, and doing lots of other things

besides being here with us.

Don't you just wish

she could stay our little girl?

Well, I hope you had fun.

Don't start, Annie.

I had a miserable time

and just when I thought it couldn't get worse

I got home.

You have no idea

how much I covered for you.

Did you really think

that pillow-in-the-bed gag would work?

What happened?

Let's just say you owe me big.

All right, where are you going?!

There are a couple of people

that I owe even bigger than you.

What?

( Conversing )

I saw it

the other day.

Oh, there it is!

Oh, very nice!

Do you like that?

Can we get the tree

coming out from the bottom?

[Mr Mack] Yeah, we'll have to buy a tree.

Mom? Dad?

Alex? There's something

I have to tell you.

I-I know you grounded me and everything.

But I was really upset

and there was this hockey game that I wanted to play in.

So, I kind of snuck out anyway.

[Both] What?!

Well... let me explain.

I mean, I just didn't think it was fair

that... I got grounded for such a little thing.

( Birds singing )

Third weekend in a row, huh?

I hate it.

I'm going crazy.

Yeah, well, sneaking out--

that was pretty serious.

Yeah, I guess.

I have to admit, though

I was a little jealous.

Of me, really?

Yeah, I've never done anything like that.

You made me feel like I was

wasting my youth a little bit.

So should we pick up on that backgammon game?

Nope. I got plans.

You do?

16 years of behaving myself, Alex...

Things are going to change a little bit now.

Captioned by Grant Brown