Original subtitles

I've lived my whole life on Normal Street.

There's a lake at one end,

and a forest of shady trees at the other.

But what lies in between

is anything but normal.

They say that ignorance is bliss,

and they have a point.

If you don't know about bad stuff,

sadness, pain, loss,

then you probably would be pretty happy.

But would you really be yourself?

Would you?

I learned the answer once, and all I'll say is

the next time you see a 2 pencil with strange writing on it,

be very, very careful.

[sighs] One Arctic Sludgy.

Technically, two.

You don't know how to negotiate.

Okay, pretend I'm Mel.

Gortimer, I need you and Ranger to clean my telescope lenses,

because I can't because I'm allergic to the lens fluid,

so what if I pay you guys one Arctic Sludgy a piece?

Okay.

[sighs] For cranberry sake. Wrong!

Okay, you be Mel, I'll be you.

Hold on.

See, this gives me an advantage in the negotiation.

Go ahead, Mel.

So, Gortimer, two Arctic Sludgies sounds fair to me

since you guys are my best friends,

and I would do the same for you. Sound good?

We want 100 Arctic Sludgies. Each.

- And new bikes. - No deal.

No, no, no. You're supposed to counter-offer.

Like half. So you would say

50 Arctic Sludgies and one new bike for you to share.

We should get back to work.

[sighs] But we could have had a new bike.

Maybe I wasn't high up enough to be really intimidating.

Mel's diary.

Close it. Put it back.

Okay. We should think this over.

You've literally never said that before.

Come on, diaries are really private,

just put it back.

But, what if--

Yeah, you're right. We should.

- Uh-oh. - Ranger!

I didn't mean to. Oh, that was bad.

This is bad.

Just don't tell me.

Wait. Is it really bad?

Maybe you should tell me. Just tell me.

[sighs] Mel has a crush on you.

What?

- Sh-- she can't. - She does.

No, no, no, no. That-- that's what it says?

She's coming.

Don't say anything.

- Are you sure? - Yes!

You guys aren't done?

Uh-- yeah.

[stammers]

Almost.

You're really sweating.

Here, drink this.

Thanks.

Feel better?

- Why are you being so nice? - What?

I mean, why-- why the sudden interest in my body temperature?

I'm confused.

Never mind.

So, uh, Mel, you know how sometimes in life

you have a telescope that you're really close to,

and then something changes,

and you start to feel differently about that telescope,

but the telescope might not always feel exactly the same--

What?

Did you break my telescope?

Uh, yes, he did. That one.

Gortimer!

Actually, Mel, I did break it.

I guess that would make you really hate me,

which I completely understand.

It's fine.

You forgive me that fast?

You should really be tougher on people.

The telescope is fine.

You just forgot to take the dust cap off.

Oh. Wow. [chuckles]

That was dumb. I have to go. So does Ranger.

You're being weird.

Gortimer is weird. Trust me.

It takes one to know one. Let's go, weirdo.

But you guys aren't done.

We can't be trusted around this equipment.

Yeah, just keep the Arctic Sludgies.

Bye.

Maybe you read it wrong.

It's pretty clear.

Maybe I should just try to hypnotize myself,

and forget about the whole thing.

Can I borrow your watch?

[phone rings]

Union Bakery, Ranger speaking.

How can I help you?

Mm-hm.

Okay.

And what can we get you today?

Okay, great.

And your address?

Yes, sir. Thanks. Bye.

It didn't work. I remember everything.

Hey, Mom. This guy Fred just called and ordered--

A birthday cake.

Wow. Yeah.

Here's the order.

Wow. Thorough.

Good job.

Cookie cutters.

Uh, Mrs. Bowen.

How can a boy tell if a girl likes him, like for sure?

You know, hypothetically?

Mm, mm-hmm.

More talkative.

Change in outfit.

Maybe more makeup.

Makeup. More talkative. Different clothes.

Thanks, Mrs. Bowen. I'll be back soon.

[knocking]

I knew it. It's too bright, isn't it?

- What? - The lip gloss.

It's, uh-- uh-- fine.

You've been acting strange,

and your perspiration levels are seriously spiking.

I'm worried about you.

Of course, many factors may account for this.

Too much exercise, hot weather.

Have you been exerting yourself more than unusual?

Mrs. Bowen: More talkative.

Change in outfit.

Maybe more makeup.

Also, excessive zinc intake could--

No, we need to talk.

About why I've been acting so weird lately.

[sighs] Finally.

Well, the thing is...

you're one of my best friends.

And I just want you to know that.

I already know that.

And I want it to stay that way.

Why wouldn't it?

Oh, you're really sweating again.

Come here.

Yeah, yeah, I--

I-- I don't feel very good.

Sorry, I-- I gotta go.

[sighs]

Why is she doing this to me?

To us. This affects me, too.

Wait, do you like Mel?

No.

Yes.

Not that way.

I just always thought that, you know,

the three of us being friends was just--

Understood?

Exactly.

And if she likes me, it'll just mess everything up, and--

[sighs]

I wish I never knew anything about this stupid diary.

I'm sorry, did you want me to help?

No. I love mopping.

Hey, Ranger.

Delivery, please.

Oh. This is Fred.

I took his order earlier, he said it was a pick up.

Oh, yeah, he forgot. Again.

Keeps ordering birthday cakes,

keeps forgetting to pick 'em up.

I wish I could forget like that.

No, you don't.

Now, please?

Uh, can I come with you?

Sure, but you can't whine about Mel.

This is really worst case scenario.

There's no going back.

Remembering when life was simpler.

Just the three of us

hanging out in the observatory.

It feels like so long ago.

It was this morning.

We were so naive then.

Hello.

Delivery, sir. Four birthday cakes.

Oh, wow.

That looks pretty good.

But I didn't order any cakes.

Actually, maybe I did order them.

Or did I?

Bear with me, please.

I know I have a birthday coming up,

so it makes sense I would have ordered them.

But four? That's really bizarre.

Um--

Sorry, just looking for some money for you here.

Take your time, sir.

Call me Fred. Please.

Uh, maybe there?

Oh, perfect.

Sorry, I put up all these signs because, uh--

Why did I?

Plato.

For someone who forgets so much,

you really seem happy.

I guess I am. Lucky me.

Oh, you can put the cakes down right there.

Ah.

Strange I would have ordered cakes for myself.

I guess I didn't remember if anyone was throwing a party for me.

I got a big birthday coming up. Turning 30.

Oh.

No, it's okay.

I mean, there are a lot of things I hoped I would do by the time I turned 30.

Write a novel. Become fluent in Japanese.

Learn trombone.

Start a charity for forgetful kids.

Get married.

But, uh--

you know, none of that really, uh--

[sighs]

Time is a thief, boys.

Time is a thief.

Come on. 30 isn't that old.

It isn't?

Fred, are you okay?

Oh, don't worry about me.

I'll be just...

fine?

"Write down what you want to forget,

"then erase it all."

Wow.

My 30th birthday.

Gosh, I-- I'm sorry.

Remind me why you guys are here again?

Uh, we're delivering the cakes

from Union Bakery.

Cakes.

Right, but see, there was a misunderstanding,

and we accidentally made them birthday cakes,

but don't pay any attention to that,

because it's-- it's not your birthday.

Huh. Okay, wow.

Hey, they look great.

So, Fred, how did you end up here on Normal Street?

What's your story?

Hmm, well, let's see.

There's not really much to tell.

I grew up on Normal Street, just me and my parents,

and this really great dog.

I can't really remember what happened to the dog.

And I went to school and I really liked to pole vaunt.

And I had this big race once, but anyway,

then there was this really sweet girl,

and I remember going to a jeweler,

I bought this pretty ring.

Oh, yeah, then I started writing a novel,

which actually turned out to be pretty good,

but I can't really remember what happened there.

There was some other woman, that was going well.

Another dog, maybe.

[dog barks]

And...

well, that pretty much brings us up to date.

What a story.

Strange about this birthday thing.

I wonder when my birthday is?

Probably best not to think about it.

Hey, Fred, I was wondering.

Do you think I could borrow your pencil?

[laughs]

Oh, really?

Uh, gee, fellas, I think I'm gonna need this.

Please? It's important.

No, I'm sorry.

It could help somebody in a really big way.

I'll bring it back later today.

I promise.

It's okay. You can trust us.

Don't forget that.

I know you think this is a bad idea.

And-- and look, Fred may be strange,

but he's really nice and he's happy.

Plus, he uses the pencil all the time.

That's why he's so weird. We're only gonna use it once.

As long as we're really specific about what we want to erase,

it'll be fine, right?

And really, I can't talk to Mel about this.

It'd be crazy, right?

Why are you torturing me?

I didn't say anything.

Exactly.

Okay, I'll do it first, we'll see if it works,

and then you'll do it.

No way. Do what you want,

but I'm not touching that thing.

[sighs] I'll live with the knowledge and I'll keep my mouth shut.

Fine.

Okay.

Anything...

about...

Mel's...

diary.

How do you feel?

Fine.

Do you remember anything about us finding Mel's diary,

and the entry where she said she had a crush on you?

Well, now I do.

All right, lesson learned.

Do it again.

Gortimer.

Hi, Mom.

Hey. I'm gonna take Gardner to the park.

You boys want to come?

- Sure. - Great.

You can bring Mel, too.

Who's Mel?

I'm not sure I get the joke.

Uh, we'll grab Mel and meet you at the park.

Okay.

You don't know Mel? Mel Fuller?

Uh, never heard of him.

[sighs]

You only erased anything about Mel.

I don't get what the big deal is.

It's just somebody named Mel.

Oh, scallops.

Then you misspelled the word confidante, but Mel spelled it right,

so you got second place and she got first place in the spelling bee.

Then she went on to win the district and came in fourth at states.

You don't remember that?

No. Good for her, though.

She even made--

Anything?

No, but I'll always know how to spell confidante.

[sighs] This isn't funny.

I'm sorry. I don't see what the problem is here.

The only thing I learned from that story is that

I lost the spelling bee.

I'm kinda glad I don't remember that.

But it was so big for Mel. We were all cheering for her.

She's your blood sibling.

My only blood sibling is Gardner.

I'm your blood sibling.

What?

That time the three of us were chasing fireflies

in Mr. Rodriguez's backyard,

and we all tripped over that tree stump and skinned our knees.

And then I said we should all be blood siblings.

So we rubbed our bloody knees together?

Gross.

No. Mel said that wasn't sanitary,

so we just all said that we were gonna be blood siblings,

like, permanently.

Sorry. Sounds nice, but I don't remember it.

This is a disaster. We have to talk to Mel.

Well, the good news is I feel fine anyway.

It's all fine.

And you know what? Friends come and go.

That's just the way the world works.

Not in my world.

[knocking]

Come in.

Hey, guys.

Gortimer, look who it is.

Hi, uh, Mel. You're Mel, right?

I don't have time for this.

My mom's getting an award and we're all going to banquet now.

That's why I'm all dressed up and wearing these stupid heels.

Lock up behind you, please.

Have fun.

Congratulations to your mom.

[sighs]

You okay?

No, and neither are you.

[knocking]

Hey, guys.

Your mind eraser erased too much.

You need to help us.

I mean, I feel bad,

but I don't really know how to get the memories back.

I never really wanted 'em back.

As far as I know.

See? You know what you should do?

You should forget about Mel, too.

Then you won't have to worry.

See, now, that's a great idea.

No, no, no. That pencil's dangerous.

I can't let you use it again.

Whoa, be careful.

You-- you might break it.

If it brings my friends back.

Hey, you don't know that.

What if we break the pencil,

but then we never get back the memories we forgot?

Then at least you can't erase anything else.

I think this is a bad idea.

Please let go. Okay? I need it.

Fred, I know you've had some tough times,

and I'm a little worried about Plato,

but erasing every bad thing that crosses your mind?

It's not right. It's not human.

You think you're happy, but you're just empty.

And Gortimer didn't just erase his bad memories.

He erased our whole friendship.

We were best friends.

I can't remember my friends.

Please.

Okay.

Okay?

Okay.

One.

Two.

Three.

[snapping]

What?

I remember everything.

Oh, no, no, no, this was so dumb.

We have to tell Mel first thing in the morning.

Why? If we talk to her, then she'll know what we did.

That's the point.

Well, Fred?

Fred, are you okay?

Fred, I'm so sorry, I didn't know.

I, uh--

I think I'll be fine.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

You did what?!

We're really sorry.

That diary is really private.

All diaries are private. Everyone knows that.

[sighs] It's my fault. I'm the one who read it.

I'm just as guilty.

All right, what did you read?

You have to tell me, and promise never to bring it up again.

Deal.

It said that you...

had a crush on Gortimer.

What?!

It doesn't say that anywhere.

Sure it does.

It said all that stuff about how you can't stop looking at Gortimer,

and how hot he is.

[sighs]

"Lately, I can't stop looking at Gortimer.

"I tried to, but I can't.

"It's so distracting. He always looks so hot."

Gross. Please stop.

Keep reading.

"For instance, yesterday he was giving his book report,

"and his whole face was covered...

"in sweat.

"I felt terrible for him.

"Does it just happen when he gets nervous?

"Perhaps it's related to his glands.

"I must figure out a delicate way to tell him."

That wasn't very delicate.

What are you smiling at?

It was a dumb mistake. We can all stay friends.

This is perfect.

This is far from perfect.

You read my diary.

That's a terrible breach of privacy.

We're really sorry, Mel.

Can we make it up to you?

Oh, I know exactly how you'll make it up to me.

So we finally finished our job.

Part one of our job.

It wasn't any fun to see Mel so mad at us,

but let's face it,

we deserved it.

And even though it was tough, I can assure you,

because I've seen both sides now,

very angry Mel

is much better than no Mel at all.

We got those windows spotless.

It took a while, but things finally worked out.

And the apology cupcake didn't hurt, either.

[sighs] I forgive you both.

Let's just forget it all ever happened.

No, don't say that.

I'll tell you about it sometime.

You know, it's weird.

Now I kind of wish you did have a crush on me.

What? Why?

Because it's better than the sweating thing.

I mean, it really is embarrassing.

Do people know about it? Do people talk about it?

Oh, great, it's happening.

Gortimer, just calm down,

and get a stronger antiperspirant.

I wish I could forget this awkward conversation.

I don't. We're best friends.

Best friends have to be honest with each other.

I agree.

But can we never talk about this sweating thing again?

[bell rings]

Hey.

Hey, guys. How are ya?

Great, Fred. Uh, how are you?

Well, finishing up my novel. Got a new girlfriend.

I got a new dog. Ari.

Short for Aristotle.

Hey, Fred, here's your order.

Thanks, Vicki.

Oh, no. Did you order more cakes?

Is it happening again?

Not at all.

Turns out I forgot seven of my birthdays,

so I'm gonna celebrate 'em all at once.

You guys should come.

If you're lucky,

you have friends who'll be there for you

through all the times that you don't want to remember.

A little help, please.

And through all the times that you don't want to forget.