Original subtitles

Arthur, we just assigned

science fair partners yesterday.

He can join me

and Madeline.

Madeline: I'd just

like to state up front

that I'd like to be

project leader.

Both my parents

are scientists,

and it's been my strongest

subject since kindergarten.

I told her about how my

brother Jeff built a volcano.

We're not doing one of

those dumb volcanos.

I told you.

I'd like to do something

with ionization.

[sigh]

Regina, something very

strange is going on.

Have you ever looked

at Frank's file?

He's completely

mentally sound.

Mrs. Peterman's bird bath,

the movie theater,

the one that hit the

sheep, and now this one!

It's all on the

trajectory of the comet!

We'll talk about

this at home.

John, time to let this go.

We have our man.

There's no investigating

left to do.

I'm so sorry to have

bothered you gentlemen.

Persistant man.

Do we need to

tighten the screws?

Madeline: It occurs whenever

sufficiently charged particles

travel through gases, solids,

or in this case, liquids.

It's clear neither one

of you are listening.

We're listening.

If you're listening,

what am I saying?

That ionization is wonderful.

[snickering]

Sorry.

May I remind you that just

a few short weeks ago,

you practically begged me

to be your partner.

Well, that was before

Arthur got here.

I mean, it was before Arthur got

here and everything happened.

I mean, before we knew

about the comet.

It's not your

fault, Madeline.

Comets are just

too exciting,

coming from outer

space and all.

We haven't determined

it was a comet.

Because we're forbidden

from investigating

because someone ratted

us out to his dad.

I thought he'd be happy.

I told him we were

just trying to help.

The weird thing is he

hasn't punished me yet,

like he said he

was going to.

I've been waiting and

waiting all week,

but he hasn't said

anything to me.

He barely talks to me.

I'd almost rather

he punished me.

Maybe he's

forgotten about it.

You think so?

No.

Did your parents

punish you?

My parents don't believe

in punishment.

They'd rather I learned

something, so they asked me

what I thought would be

appropriate disciplinary action.

I informed them

that since I was pursuing

a scientific inquiry

I didn't feel any

discipline was needed.

That seemed to

satisfy them.

Your parents sure are...

unusual.

No punishment?

I saved them the trouble.

They've been preoccupied

with a big project at work.

What's your punishment?

We already have the worst

punishment of all.

We can't investigate.

Madeline: Which is precisely

why we should return

to more earthbound issues.

Specifically ionization.

You'll be pleased to know I've

come up with the perfect idea

for our presentation.

If we're doing it

on ionization.

Which we are.

Then maybe we should do

it on the ionosphere.

That sounds keen.

I have no idea

what that is.

It's the part of

the atmosphere

where the sun's ultraviolet

radiation creates ions.

Madeline: But, we're not

doing it on the ionosphere.

Why not?

How do you suggest

we get to it?

It's 50 miles from

earth's surface.

If we had a balloon?

You agreed to me

as team leader.

The proper thing for you

to do is follow my lead.

♪

Madeline: What if I told you

I've designed an experiment

in which we'll utilize ions

to power a light bulb

through a glass of water?

This is going to

be exceptional.

♪ How long till the sun sets? ♪

♪ How long can we hold today? ♪

♪ I don't ever wanna say, ♪

♪ "Good night, my love." ♪

♪

Wallace: Volcanoes are made over

millions and millions of years.

Where two tec-tec-tectonic

plates come together.

When one plate goes

under the other one

it's called the

seduction zone.

[snort]

I'm sorry but, I don't think

that's what you meant to say.

Subduction zone.

Under the ground the

pressure keeps building

and the magma goes

up the main vent,

and then ash and lava

and gas come out.

It sounds so stupid.

Okay, let's try something.

Why don't you look up

once in a while.

Make some eye contact.

Then how am I

supposed to read?

You'll get it.

When I need a patient to do

something they'd rather not,

it makes it easier if I look

them right in the eye.

Trust me.

Volcanoes aren't just

mountains with a hole

in the middle.

It's not fair I have

to do this by myself.

Honestly,

couldn't Cindy Wellington

pick a more convenient time

to get mono?

Back to it.

There can be lots of

different kinds of volcanoes.

Look up!

Let 'em see those beautiful

baby brown eyes.

You made me

lose my place.

There can be lots of

different kinds of volcanoes...

There they are.

The girls are gonna

love those.

Keep going.

There are also volcanoes

under the sea.

Some mountain volcanoes have

peaks made of lava domes...

that can look like

normal mountains.

[sigh]

I can't do this.

A smart kid like you?

Of course you can.

Maybe you need something

other than those silly cards

to focus on,

something to juice up

your presentation...

Hold that thought.

Perfect!

The tomatoes will just have

to fend for themselves.

This is for science.

We don't have to

do anything big.

It's not even the final.

Just practice.

Well then, you are definitely

gonna blow the other kids away.

Your brothers and sisters are

already brushing their teeth.

Are you done?

Yes sir.

I mean--

now I am.

Maybe later...

we could--

Then clear your

plate, Tim.

Yes sir.

I tried talking to him.

I don't know what to say

to him, all right?

He made a mistake.

He lied to Rick, a police

officer, one of my officers.

It was wrong, no

doubt about that.

With John Jr. and Jeff, I

yell at 'em and they shape up,

end of story.

I yell at Tim and...

things get...

Half the time I can't figure

out what he's thinkin'

in the first place,

and just when I think I'm

startin' to understand him,

kid starts talking all around.

I try and listen but, before

I know it I got no idea

what he's goin' on about.

And then he lies to Rick!

All 'cause he got

himself so wrapped up

in his little investigation.

Hm.

Sound like anyone

you know?

I wouldn't be doin' my job

if I didn't get wrapped up

in my investigations.

Of course.

Of course that's what makes

you so good at your job.

He never should have

lied, that I grant you,

but from what you told

me, in his mind,

he thought he had

good reason,

that his " little investigation

wasn't so little, was it?

Got to get to work.

[door opening and closing]

[car door opening and closing]

[engine starting]

[engine idling]

♪

Madeline: Hold it there.

Perfect.

So I'm just supposed

to stand here?

If you look on the

back of the board,

you'll see I've prepared

detailed index cards for you

with everything you

need to say.

Oh.

And for you.

Timmy: What's wrong

with this word?

It's all broken up.

Madeline: I've written out some

of the more difficult words

phonetically.

It means--

Arthur: It means she

thinks we're stupid.

I don't think anything

of the sort.

It's merely a failsafe so

you can keep on reading

even if you don't

understand something.

I don't think I should

talk about something

I don't understand.

You do it all the time.

Now, I'll speak first.

Starting with a

explanation--

We should open

with a joke.

Humor has no place

in science.

How do you get down

from an elephant?

Everyone knows that

one, Timmy.

Why would we bring

up elephants?

It's the start

of the joke.

How do you get down

from an elephant?

You don't get down

from an elephant;

you get down from a duck.

[chuckling]

Get it?

A duck's feathers

are called--

Down.

I know.

But you didn't laugh.

Because it's a

terrible joke.

Oh.

That's okay.

I've got a million of them.

Madeline: I don't doubt it.

To power a light bulb

through a glass of water,

I'll prepare several

different solutions

of sodium chloride

dissolved in water.

You mean salt water?

Yes, technically.

Shouldn't we power something

a little more exciting?

Like a blender, or

maybe a toaster?

How is watching

toast exciting?

Maybe if the

toast burns?

No, I guess that's not

exciting to watch either.

The point isn't

what we power;

the point is that the

solution is conductive.

Timmy, hold it up.

Why is the solution

conductive?

Because salt is an

ionic substance,

so mixing it in the water

makes it an electrolyte.

It's because--

Madeline: Ionic compounds

consist of two or more ions

that are held together, bonded

by electrical attraction.

The attraction of opposites.

The water dissolves the ions

of sodium and chlorine

and since they're

charged particles,

they allow the electricity

to move through it.

It was growing

increasingly obvious

that I was better

equipped to explain.

It's growing

increasingly obvious

that you're better

equipped at everything.

It's like an

invisible wire?

Yes, but don't

call it that.

I don't see what

the problem is.

No problem, I just think I

should mix the solution.

But we need precise saturation

levels for the demonstration.

You don't think I

can handle it?

I didn't say that.

Madeline, if you let Arthur

worry about mixing it up

that means you can do

more of the talking.

Fine with me.

Agreed.

Good.

So we'll start off

with a joke.

Madeline and Arthur: No jokes!

Frank: Well,

hello there!

Long time no see.

Hi.

So you're out of the

special ward now.

Um, not yet.

Doc Whittison gave

me a hall pass.

Oh, well, when you

have the time,

there's a few things I've

been meaning to ask you

about your background.

Ask away.

I'm an open book,

you know me.

Not here.

You're awfully

cryptic today.

I'm cryptic?

I have to get these

pills upstairs.

Why don't you meet me later

in the records room?

I've got a powwow with

the warden first.

How about I come find

you after that?

Say, three o'clock?

That's fine.

Thank you.

[school bell]

Wallace: [in a monotone voice]

Volcanoes are made

over millions and

millions of years

where two tectonic

plates meet.

Volcanoes aren't just mountains

with a hole in the middle.

There can be lots of

different kinds of...

[with conviction]

There can be lots

of different kinds of

volcanoes like under the sea.

And some land volcanoes have

peaks made of lava domes

because the lava's

coming out really slow.

And sometimes the lava

makes big giant plateaus,

but the volcanoes that

blow up are the best ones.

Under the ground the

pressure keeps building

and the magma goes up

the main vent.

It's only called magma

when it's underground.

When it comes blasting

out of the volcano,

that's when it's called lava.

When there's too much

magma in the chamber,

that's when the volcano erupts.

The lava goes

flying everywhere,

except it's not just lava.

It's lava, poison gas,

and ash.

Like this.

[gasps]

[sounds of amazement]

Kaboom.

Holy smokes.

[applause]

Excellent job, Wallace.

I am pleasantly surprised.

[whispering]

I'd sure hate to follow that.

Teacher: Timmy?

Arthur?

Madeline?

Your turn.

Should have seen

that one coming.

Madeline: The first thing that

we intend to demonstrate is...

[classmates snickering]

Timmy...

Sorry.

[snickering]

...that ions are

charged particles.

First, pure water.

Nothing happens.

But add ordinary table salt...

[snapping]

Salt.

Madeline: No need

to snap at me.

[snickering]

Not too much at

first, remember?

[yelling]

I've got it!

[class gasping]

Uh-oh.

Arthur.

Arthur: Let me just...

I've got it!

Say...

How do you get down

from an elephant?

Just ignore him.

He does not know what

he's talking about.

Timmy: Sure I do.

I think that's quite enough.

If we could please just--

That's enough Madeline.

Please sit down.

Why don't we hear from

someone else?

Eileen?

Adam?

24, 2, 48, 13, 6, 18, 5.

Did I miss any?

You got 'em all.

Now the words.

Cat, table, surf, fox, ice.

How'd I do, Dr. Andrews?

Impressive as always,

Lieutenant Quincy.

I was actually asking

the other Dr. Andrews.

Oh.

[laughter]

Ronald, he asked

you a question.

Hm?

Oh, Susan can answer

that for you.

Dr. Whittison:

Shall we move on?

First I need you to

take this pill,

then go down to

the lobby.

In a short while the

alarm clock will go off,

and you go back

to your room.

That's all.

Alarm clock?

You didn't give him

the alarm clock.

Clock?

Yes, of course.

I mean, no.

No, I have it--

Oh, I have it

here somewhere.

I have it...

Right here.

Oh, yeah, right.

You hang on to her,

Doctor Andrews.

I intend to.

Dr. Whittison:

Now, Frank,

if you would repeat back

the instructions.

Pill, lobby, alarm clock goes

off, head back to my room.

Another day, another pill.

Bottoms up.

See you in the

funny papers.

Thanks Frank.

He's a good man.

Dr. Susan Andrews: The side

effects have been minimal,

for the most part.

And so have results.

We're already up to

variant sigma five.

Each variant has allowed

us to refine the compound.

What does that matter

if we ultimately fail?

Susan: Now,

remember Edison?

"I have not failed.

"I've successfully

identified 1,200 materials

that don't work."

And that quote's attribution

is dubious at best.

Wallace: So, Madeline, I had

some follow-up questions

about your presentation.

Should I mix the salt in

the water before I spill it

or is it okay to wait until

after it's all over my notes

and then pour the salt on?

Hey, I think for a team of

all girls you did okay.

Science is about more than

bubbling presentations.

Well, maybe I

should thank you.

You did make me look

good today.

Timmy: Actually, I really

liked your presentation.

Like I care.

C'mon.

But I did!

As if today wasn't

bad enough already.

I can never seem to

get up this thing.

Timmy, we talked

about this.

It's simply a matter

of leverage.

Just grab the rope

the way I explained.

Yeah, always do

what Madeline says.

Maybe if you had

done what I said,

our presentation wouldn't

have been such a disaster.

It wasn't so bad.

If you had just let

me finish my joke.

We were such a good team when

we were tracking the comet,

or whatever it was.

Maybe if you hadn't bragged

all about it to your dad

we'd still be

tracking it.

Why do you have to

keep bringing that up?

It's bad enough you made me lie

to Rick in the first place.

I did not

make you lie.

Was I supposed to

lie to my dad too?

Enough with your dad.

Forget it.

You should probably just

focus on climbing the rope.

Quit telling me

what to do.

None of this would

have happened

if you'd just let

us do a volcano.

Kaboom.

♪

♪

♪

[rustling]

[clank]

♪

♪

[running water]

[bird calls]

[startled birds flying away]

♪

♪

[car starting]

Regina: They actually

applauded?

That's more than I

could have hoped for.

Guess that'll teach

you to heed my advice.

Though clearly I am not

the talented showman

that you are.

It was just

the practice.

[laughing]

Listen to you!

"It was just

the practice."

Arthur!

We were just talking

about class.

Wallace knocked

them dead.

How'd yours go,

did you have fun?

Tell her all about your

presentation, Arthur.

Actually, I just stopped

by to say hi to my mom.

Will you tell her

I was here?

Beth: Hi!

How was the big

presentation?

Fine.

C'mon, don't be

embarrassed.

It wasn't your fault.

They all did their best,

but they had a few

slip-ups and a spill.

Slip-ups?

Wallace: I thought it

was totally unfair

Miss Grable made you sit down

before you were finished.

Arthur, what happened?

It was a disaster.

Well, I'm sure it

wasn't that bad.

These things always feel

worse than they actually are.

Are you talking about

your presentation,

or the big blowout between

you and Timmy and Madeline--

Shut your mouth, Wallace!

Arthur!

Honey, that's no

way to talk.

I'm sure you're gonna

get another chance

to do your presentation.

Do you want me to talk

to your teacher?

With everything that's

been going on, it's--

I don't need

your help, Mom.

I can handle a stupid

science fair project.

Well, do you wanna

tell me what happened

with your friends

in the gym?

I know they're really

important to you.

I've only known them for

a couple of weeks.

Dr. Whittison:

Nurse Milligan?

Do you have that

file I asked for?

Right here.

Stay here, I'll

be right back.

Regina: Bye, Arthur!

At Thanksgiving at our house,

the most important thing,

even more important

than Mr. Tom Turkey,

was the after-dinner football

game on the front lawn.

Four brothers,

no surprise there.

It didn't matter how

cold it was outside.

After we ate, they would

all march outside and play.

No girls allowed,

of course.

Until, one year I just went

outside and I joined them,

or I tried to, anyway.

They refused to

play with me.

No discussion.

So, I went back inside

and I cried.

Afterwards, the older boys

were pretty decent about it,

but my brother Kenny wouldn't

stop going on and on

about how dumb I was

for even trying.

"Girls can't play football,

especially you,"

and I thought, he already

got what he wanted.

He got to play, but he

had to rub my face in it.

Can you believe that?

Just missed him, he went

out the front door.

I'll be right back.

If Dr. Whittison--

Regina: I'll tell him

you're in the lady's room.

Go find your son.

So tell me.

Exactly what sound did the

volcano make when it went off?

At first it was

mostly a hiss,

and then it just went "Boom!"

All this stuff

exploded everywhere.

It was really awesome.

I'm so proud.

Did you see Arthur?

Arthur...

My son.

I'm afraid not.

Guess I'll talk

to him at dinner.

Frank Quincy.

Is this you being

an open book?

Okay, well, are you

free to talk now?

Absolutely.

What would you like

to talk about?

No, not here.

Let's go to the

records room.

The records room?

Right, like I

said before.

Before?

Before when we said we were

gonna meet in the records room?

A pretty lady asks me

to meet privately?

That sounds like

something I'd remember.

Frank, please.

You, you just

started here, yes?

Is this some kind

of a joke to you?

[alarm clock ringing]

How did that get in there?

I don't know, I don't

know how to...

Did you-- did you put

that in my robe?

[alarm stops]

[muttering]

It's okay, Frank.

Let me just get you

back to your ward.

It's this way.

Let's stir-fry tonight.

Where'd you say

you found this?

I didn't.

My boy found it.

My youngest.

And Tim being Tim,

he has to know

where it came from.

For his class I suppose.

I figured maybe you'd have

some brilliant insight.

And this is the only thing

that brings you here?

Well, nothing else

comes to mind.

You're not trying to

somehow pry your way back

into the Jenkins'

investigation?

No, I'm done with that.

Deferring to your

judgment on that one.

I'm back to what I do best,

gettin' cats out of trees

and doin' favors for my kid.

Glad to hear it.

To be honest, I'm startin'

to worry about you,

Johnny boy.

Afraid I might have to

call in the reserve

to get you off that bone.

Or if all else failed, take

you down to the psych ward.

[laughter]

It's funny.

So, about this.

Looks like a

piece of metal.

And there's the insight

I was looking for.

Now Tim was thinking maybe

it fell off an army vehicle.

Could have...

It is unusual.

Tell you what, how about

I get the lab boys

to run some of their

fancy tests on it,

make it look all

official and what not

for your boy's class?

I appreciate that, Slim.

Say John...

This is all he found?

Far as I know.

Beth: You didn't see him.

He wasn't his normal self.

And in your short time here

you feel you're qualified

to judge exactly what

constitutes normal

for Lieutenant Quincy?

But if you'd've

been there, sir.

He had this little

alarm clock.

He had that when he was

admitted over the summer.

But it was as if he'd

never seen it before.

Need I remind you, Frank

Quincy is a mental patient.

But his file.

There is nothing suggesting

diminished faculties.

You've never seen a

government file with errors?

I suppose.

But then why would he lie

to me about his postings?

Although if he is suffering

memory lapses...

Miss Milligan, when it comes

to the patients in my care

at this facility, I need my

nurses to be able to deal

with the unexpected.

I understand that sir,

but this feels off.

Like there's more to it.

From what I understand,

the situation could have

gotten out of hand,

but you calmed him

down considerably.

I need assurances that you

can continue to do the job

in this fashion.

The men here count on you.

I count on you.

Yes sir.

Of course.

You can.

Good.

Slim: I hear you're

turning up your nose

at our fine

cuisine, Jenkins.

Had a visit today from

your biggest fan.

Is the part where I'm

supposed to ask you

who you're talking about?

You know who I mean.

The only guy in town who

thinks you're innocent?

Except he says he's

throwing in the towel.

Guess you're on your own.

Hey, did you

bring a hanky?

'Cause I might start bawlin'.

[metal tray scraping]

Well, we'll leave it there.

Until you've licked it clean.

♪

♪

June: John?

Dinner.

Be right in.

When you're done.

Hun?

Have you seen that extra

padlock we had kickin' around?

Boys know to stay

out of your stuff.

Well, it's not the boys

I'm worried about.

Just humor me.

♪

♪

Ready for the carrots.

You added the garlic?

Of course.

Okay.

Broccoli?

Hm?

Oh no, not till the

carrots are tender.

Is it chopped yet?

So Madeline, anything exciting

happen at school today?

She had her

presentation today.

Ronald: Presentation?

Oh, ionization!

Right!

Well?

It didn't work

out as planned.

Experiments have a way

of doing that sometimes.

I'm afraid it was

worse than that.

It was a failure, if a

rather spectacular one.

Madeline, it's not

like you to fail.

Ronald: Uh-uh.

Let's not use

this word "fail."

She successfully identified

something that does not work.

Madeline: I'm not sure

what's to be identified

in this case.

It was a rather

simple experiment.

I laid out the

procedures carefully,

but my team refused

to follow them.

You know,

it's frustrating when people

can't keep up with you.

You should find a new team.

Ron, can you

take over?

Of course.

Three minutes tops.

I know, I know!

You know, sometimes the proper

place to make modifications

is not in the

experiment itself,

but in your dealings

with the team.

You've indicated this team

has worked in the past.

So apparently they have

something to offer.

They both possess highly

inquisitive minds,

though Timmy's is unwieldy.

In my time as a scientist

I've had some experience

with an unwieldy mind.

But I've come to realize

valuable insights often come

from unexpected sources.

A good team is hard to find.

When you do, it's worth the

effort to keep it together.

[yelling]

I'll take over.

Yeah.

Timmy: And then I

said something

I probably shouldn't

have said.

I was just so mad.

June: Careful.

I guess I was

pretty humiliated

that our presentation

got cut short.

Not that that's

an excuse.

We really

messed that up.

And after Wallace did such

a terrific job on his.

He had a volcano.

I mean, it wasn't a

full volcano yet,

just the chicken wire

and lava, but still.

It exploded.

You should've seen it.

The lava bubbled up

and spilled over.

You were talking

about Arthur.

Right.

He probably would have gone

along with doing volcano,

which is what I wanted

to do all along,

but Madeline--

Sometimes Madeline can

be a real know-it-all.

Then again, she does

know an awful lot.

Not that Arthur

doesn't know a lot.

He's smart in a

different way.

I guess I never realized

there were so many ways

to be smart.

Maybe that's what

made us a good team.

Like Dr. Lazron and Davy

and Lady Starburst.

Except, all three

of them were smart.

Maybe that's why they're

more than a team.

They're friends.

Madeline and Arthur

are your friends.

But, what if they're

not anymore?

Just give them time.

Like with Dad?

You're smart too.

You can figure this out.

But how do I

figure this out?

Well, when your father

has to figure things out,

he goes out to the garage

and putters around.

Helps him clear

his head.

I should go out

to the garage?

No, that's your

father's space.

You have a room.

A room that the John

and Jeff share too.

Well then, you'll just

have to figure out

where you can figure

things out.

♪

The project you and I did

was so much better, Dad.

Who cares about some stupid

salt-water circuit?

Maybe I should've done the

presentation by myself.

Probably would've been

a whole lot easier.

But, I guess it wouldn't've

been as much fun.

Not that this was any fun.

They make me so mad.

So, how come it feels so

bad to be mad at them?

I didn't even know

them two weeks ago.

Television: Now it

happened that one day

a handsome prince passed

through their little town.

Now that's right, Wilbur.

Have a nice sleep.

Happy happy dreams.

♪ Rock-a-bye Wilbur

in the treetop. ♪

[laughing]

Congratulations,

Mr. Ed.

You are the first horse to

ever receive a sheep skin.

Mr. Ed: [chuckling]

It was nothing.

Kids, breakfast

is almost ready!

No time for

breakfast!

Where are you off to?

Someplace I can

figure things out.

♪

♪

[ominous sounds and music]

♪

♪

♪

[creaking]

Timmy: Ahh!

Hiya!

I didn't think anyone

would be here.

I can leave

if you want.

Hi.

Hi.

Hey.

I was hoping I'd

find you both here.

You were?

In reviewing my actions,

it occurred to me

that, perhaps, as your

team leader, I failed you.

Not failed, but perhaps I could

have done things differently.

Slightly.

Perhaps.

And, inasmuch as I

was responsible

for a disastrous

presentation, I...

apologize.

Well, I guess I could have

given your plan half a chance.

I tried to dry

off your cards.

They're actually

pretty helpful.

A true scientist

recognizes

that there are often

multiple methods

for achieving a

desired outcome.

Timmy!

You could

hurt someone.

I'm just so glad

we're back together.

I'm sorry for all that

stupid stuff I said.

Even the

elephant joke?

I guess it was a

pretty dumb joke.

It wasn't so bad.

Then again, jokes aren't

really my area of expertise.

Hey, what about

a riddle?

Man: Chief Sanders,

we need to talk.

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

If I'm not under

arrest, I'm leavin'.

Of course, then

you'll never know

where all that

metal came from.

I propose we find and

solve a mystery.

I'm game.

We've determined that your

cat was taken by aliens.

[door opening]

Where's that story

you promised me?

Yeesh.

Remind me which one of

us is on deadline.

Arthur: What are we

supposed to be looking for?

Timmy: I don't know,

exactly.

G-men!