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.

Ray, what are you doing?

Training for the Rooney Runabout.

The what?

The Rooney Runabout.

Every kid's worst nightmare.

You have to run a mile

with, like, 50 pounds strapped to your back

pole vault over a fence, everything.

Alex: Is the Rooney Runabout that thing

where Mitch Gumpstein tripped over a hurdle

and lost his front tooth?

Yeah, and Rooney gave him an "F."

Um, when do you have to do this?

Ray: In two weeks

but you have to take yours in one.

I do?

I'm glad I don't have Rooney until next semester.

I hear every year a kid gets taken to the hospital.

The hospital?

Ray: Yeah, but it's not going to be me.

This year I'm going to break the Runabout record.

In fact, I'm going to shatter it.

Alex: Don't worry.

It's not such a big deal.

I mean, if Annie can pass it, so can you.

( Blowing whistle )

All right, cupcakes, you've had it easy all semester.

That ends today.

Like it or not, you will all come face to face

with your inner champion.

I'm sure you've all heard stories from your little friends

about how hard it is.

Well, that's 'cause it's supposed to be hard.

True tests of character are always hard.

The Runabout starts with one lap around the track.

Then you will run the obstacle course

you'll throw the javelin

and head inside to the gym for the rope climb.

Any questions?

Anybody who fails to master even one of these skills

will join me this spring in remedial P.E.

Let's line up for practice.

( Blows whistle )

Let's go!

Let's go, let's go!

( Whistles each to start )

Robyn, why aren't you out there?

This body was not made

for running around in the hot sun.

My skin burns easily

and if I perspire, my sun block won't work.

You have to do the Runabout to pass.

You'll have to take P.E. Again.

Alex, there are two kinds of people in this world:

Those who accept their fate

and those who foolishly try to change it.

I bet you'll be as good as anyone else.

You just have to try.

Didn't Mr. Rooney say

you were supposed to release your inner champion?

I have no choice.

I'll have to reason with Mr. Rooney.

I'll explain my physical limitations

and we can come to some understanding.

With Mr. Rooney? And you say I'm an optimist.

What do you want, Alex?

I'm desperate.

Rooney: 12 years, nobody has ever been excused

from the Rooney Runabout.

Oh, students have tried, but I am too smart for 'em.

You think I can't tell a phony note from your doctor

when I see one? Huh!

You'll thank me for this, Smith.

Next week you'll be walking around school

with your head held high

knowing you had the grit and determination to make it.

The Runabout will make a man out of you.

Now, get going.

What is it, Russo?

Well?

Um, ah...

I had a question about, uh...

...athlete's foot?

Russo, athlete's foot has

nothing to do with athletics.

It is a contagional fungus infection

characterized by itching

cracking and scaling.

Between the toes

after every workout.

Oh, I see.

Um, thank you, thank you very much.

Bye.

Hey, Coach.

What can I do for you, Alvarado?

You know I take the Runabout next week.

What's the record for the fastest time?

So I'll know how bad I crushed it.

That record is held by Laphonso Ellis

who currently plays for the Denver Nuggets.

We will never see the likes of an athlete like that

around here again

so if I were you

I wouldn't worry about breaking any records.

Well, you never know, Coach.

Sometimes you do, Ray.

You ought to worry about finishing the Runabout.

Trying to live up to Laphonso's legacy

is a losing proposition.

We'll just see about that.

( Chuckles )

( Both giggling )

Alex, wait up.

I'll see you.

Alex, I cannot get out of doing the Runabout.

I need your help.

No problem, we'll train for it together.

It'll give me a head start.

Train? You mean, like practice?

Well, I was thinking

maybe you can show me what to do on Friday?

No, we've got to get you in shape, Robyn.

We've got to get out the inner champion.

Well, I have news for Mr. Rooney.

I have an inner ear, I have an inner child...

But I have no inner champion.

We have to show him what you're made of.

Alex, I know what I'm made of--

bones that break, joints that sprain...

Let's get started.

Let's start with a brisk walk to the mall

for a frozen yogurt.

It'll be fun, trust me.

No... Alex!

Running out of time, coach.

Tomorrow's your last chance to get Robo-Robyn ready.

I know, I know.

But she's getting there.

Robyn's a good athlete.

She just doesn't know it yet.

It's not clear to me, either.

Alex: Maybe she just needs

a little confidence boost to get her started.

( Zapping )

Alex: Okay, Robyn...

This is the last part of the Rooney Runabout.

And the hardest.

But we love challenges, don't we, Robyn?

Right.

Um, okay, well, here goes nothing.

You can't rescue her during the test.

She'll have to do it herself.

I won't have to. I'm not helping her now.

Alex: All right!

You're doing great, almost there.

Way to go, Robyn!

Look at her!

Alex: Come on, Robyn, you're doing great.

You're almost there!

( Rings bell )

( Applauding )

Alex: Good job!

Ray: I can't believe that!

Way to go!

Alex: You made it!

Good job.

That was fresh.

I'm so tired.

But you made it. Feels good, doesn't it?

Yeah. Yeah, I guess it does.

By this time tomorrow

Rooney will be out of your life forever.

You really think so?

Definitely.

Yeah.

Come on.

( Blowing whistle )

Okay, marshmallows.

The moment of truth has arrived.

If you dig down deep, you'll all come out winners.

I will be closely monitoring the test

so don't even bother trying to cheat.

Once you throw the javelin

you will come inside for the rope.

Come on, Robyn, you can do it.

Any questions?

( Blowing whistle )

Come on, Robyn!

Come on, Robyn! Whoo!

Come on, Robyn...

Don't give up!

Come on, don't give up!

Whoo!

All right, hustle up.

I want to see a straight line. Let's go!

I told my wife I'd be home for dinner tonight.

( Blowing whistle )

( Bell ringing )

Rooney: Nickerson, my arches are falling.

I can't stand around here all day.

( Bell ringing )

That's it, Miller.

You only have to ring the bell once, Miller.

I'm going deaf down here.

( Bell ringing )

Congratulations, Michaels, not bad.

( Blows whistle for each )

Nice job, Harris.

All right, who's left?

Russo... you're up.

( Blows whistle )

Let's go-- step on it, Russo!

Hurry up, Russo.

There's a snail climbing up the rope

faster than you.

Don't look down here.

Up, Russo, up!

Step on it!

Alex: Can you believe Robyn?

I mean, I did everything I can to help her

and she still blames me for failing.

Ray, either take something out or close the door.

You did get her hopes up.

So I should have told her

to give up without trying?

It might have been less painful for her.

Rooney's cold.

What makes you say that?

No other kid matters to him except Laphonso.

He'll do everything to keep me

from breaking that record.

Why would he do that?

Like, I said, the man's heartless.

I have to get him

to give Robyn another chance at the Runabout.

Even if he did, and he won't

she'd never try it again.

You have ruined Robyn's athletic career forever.

( Whirring )

Thanks a lot.

Rooney: Alexandra Mack.

This must be about Russo.

Well, um, I was hoping

that you could, you know

maybe give her another chance?

Because she doesn't deserve

to be in remedial P.E.

Well, the test says she does.

The test is wrong.

We practiced for the Runabout together.

She climbed that rope on Thursday, I saw her.

You made her nervous.

Oh, I did, did I? ( Cackles )

The Rooney Runabout

isn't just a test for gym class, it's a test for life.

And part of passing the test

includes meeting the challenge

regardless of who is in attendance.

Please, Mr. Rooney

Don't make her take P.E. Again.

Please give her one more chance.

I don't give

second chances, Mack.

But if all she cares about

is staying out of remedial P.E.

There is another way.

There is?

She can help me out

as my equipment manager.

It's a lot of responsibility

which will help her in building character.

Well, I'll tell her about it.

I'm sure she'd rather do P.E. Again.

If she agrees to work for me

I don't want to hear any complaints

or it will be springtime with Rooney!

Now, get out of here.

( Cackling )

( Crowd cheering )

( Cheering echoes )

Oh, hey, Coach!

What are you doing?

It's 5:00, you should be home.

I'm psyching myself up for the Rooney Runabout.

I know, it's Laphonso Ellis's field

but do you think they might name

the cafeteria after me

if I break his record?

Alvarado, you need an attitude check.

What do you mean?

You're bragging about something

you haven't done yet.

It's still a week before the Runabout

and we're naming buildings after you.

I'll make you forget about Laphonso Ellis.

I don't think so.

You just don't want a guy to win.

I didn't say that.

Hey, Robyn!

Hey, how's it going?

Are you sure this is okay?

Who minds doing a few chores

if my inner champion can take it easy.

Besides, it's only for the rest of the semester.

Man: Got that sport quench, Russo?

Mack, don't bother my assistant.

Well, back to work.

Thanks again, Alex.

Did you mix it like I told you?

Yes, Mr. Rooney.

Hmm, it's too sweet, Russo.

Ray: Hey, Alex...

Next time I need your help?

Don't help.

Ray, this isn't funny.

Robyn's being tortured.

I can't let her go on like this.

I got to get her back on that rope.

You're in over your head as it is.

I know, but I can't quit now.

Ray: Alex, what are you doing?

Don't worry about it, Ray.

I told you I'd get her back on that rope.

Rooney: You got five minutes to finish that floor, Russo.

Rooney: Russo!

Practice starts

in ten minutes.

I want you to get

these mats laid out

before the team gets here.

Unfold them yourself.

What was that?

Robyn: Yes, Mr. Rooney.

What?

Alex!

Shh.

Rooney: Russo

what's going on in here?

Mr. Rooney, they won't unfold...

There's always an excuse, Russo.

I don't understand, a minute ago...

How do you expect

to succeed in life

when you always take the easy way out?

Now you can't lay out the mats

you can't even climb the rope.

( Zapping )

Hey!

Mr. Rooney.

Rooney: Forget it

you can't do it.

Don't even bother.

Both: Come on.

You can do it.

Rooney: Forget it.

Come springtime, you're mine.

Alex: Don't look down, a little bit more.

Ray: Yeah, come on, Robyn.

Forget it, Russo

Don't even bother

just give up.

That's what you really want isn't it?

That's what you always do.

Alex: Come on, Robyn.

Just give her a little push.

No, she'll do it herself.

Tired? Just let go!

Alex: He's worried, Robyn.

Russo, there's a snail climbing the rope faster than you.

Almost there!

Don't look down.

Ray: Don't look down. Come on, don't.

Rooney: Give up--

you always do.

( Rings bell )

( Alex and Ray cheering )

Ray: Way to go!

I did it, you guys.

I didn't do that for you, Mr. Rooney.

I did that for me.

Come on, guys.

( Robyn chuckling )

Hey, Russo.

( Snaps fingers )

You really showed me something up there.

You showed character.

You found that something extra inside

that separates the men from the boys.

Now, don't forget what happened here today, okay?

I won't, sir.

Now get out.

I never want to see you again.

You mean...

Don't make me explain it again.

Ray: All right, Robyn!

Alex: Great!

Robyn: Whoo!

Nice follow-through, Alvarado.

Hey, Coach.

Take a break for a second, Ray.

I'm up to 58 feet.

Yeah, I notice you out here.

Lots of free time for an eighth-grader.

I checked with records

and saw where you're getting a "C" in English.

It's not official yet.

Well, Ray, I believe we have to work hard

on the skills we need most in life.

You know how many jobs require the javelin?

Not many.

None.

The Rooney Runabout is

a character test

and you're going at it all wrong.

Well, what's wrong to want to break the record?

Nothing, Ray.

Look, how far can you broad-jump right now?

About 13 feet.

Laphonso could do 21 feet

on a bad day with the wind against him.

See, that's what I'm trying to say.

I know you think

I don't want you to break the record

but the fact is, Laphonso was

totally dedicated.

He worked hard, every day for years.

Now, how long have you been training?

About eight days.

And that is fine.

'Cause all I want you to do is the best

that Raymond Alvarado can do.

And I want to give you this.

That was Laphonso's. He sweated on it.

Maybe that will remind you what a privilege it is

just to go to the same school he did.

Thanks, Coach.

All right.

You know what I want you to do.

Go home and do my English homework?

That's correct.

You're a fine athlete.

Laphonso may have set the record

but you are one of my top ten students, all-time.

Last class coming up.

Longest 40 minutes of the day.

You want to come over to my house after

and study for our big history test?

Why?

Do you need help getting ready?

Come on, seventh period awaits.

( Whistle blowing )

Rooney: Okay, Marshmallows

vacation ends today.

By the end of this week, you will all come face to face

with your inner champion.

Nobody passes eighth grade P.E.

Without doing the Rooney Runabout.

Captioned by Grant Brown