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.
The spotlight is a funny thing.
From the dark, the light seems like it would be a comfort.
But once you're under the glare,
you realize there's no place to hide.
Want me to put in my last name?
You're the only Stanley I know.
Really? Because I know, like, three other Gortimers.
You've got to get out more.
Casts are the best.
You're practically invincible.
There's nothing you can't do.
Except shower.
Or swim,
do pushups, play tennis,
or do magic tricks.
The talent show. I'm-- I'm sorry.
This is my sleight of hand hand.
My great-great uncle knew Houdini.
Without Gortimer there is no act.
All we did was hand him stuff.
I have a pair of his old handcuffs.
Now what are we supposed to do?
There's only two types of people in the world:
people in the audience and people on stage.
Guys, I know magic.
We could always do an act of our own.
I mean, it's just magic.
How hard can it be?
It's really hard.
Not if you're good at it.
[grunt]
I'm going to starve.
Try doing it while you're holding a 4-year-old.
Thanks.
Don't worry. The doctor says
it'll be off in time for your big birthday.
And Dad's visit?
Yep.
You excited to see him?
Oh, yeah. I've got lots of fun stuff planned.
Mm-hmm.
But not as much fun as I have
with my wonderful mother who is a saint.
Everyone knows it.
You are an incredibly smart child.
And popular, too.
Oh, looks like the whole class signed.
Abigail? Uh, I don't know an Abigail.
Maybe she's new.
We don't have anyone new.
[scratching]
[sigh]
Huh.
Abigail, Abigail, Abigail.
Abigail Arroyo.
You haven't heard of her, either?
She's supposedly in our grade.
Are you sure she didn't move away?
She didn't move. She's just not here.
She signed my cast yesterday.
Why didn't you talk to her then?
Because I didn't see her sign it.
We're talking about this cast, right?
The one that's attached to your arm?
That's the mystery.
Sorry. Wish I could help.
Good luck, though.
Catherine, me, Stanley, Ranger...
Sineal, Mel, Justin, Cody...
Erik F., Erik S., Eric with a C...
and...no one.
Or...
Abigail.
[slam]
[sigh]
Well, neither of us know sleight of hand,
so we're obviously not doing any of Gortimer's tricks.
Yeah, these are useless.
If we can't do the tricks,
how are we supposed to do a whole act?
Well, all we need is one amazing trick
that leaves them wanting more.
The Mayan Mystery Box.
But we can't just walk on stage and jump right in the box.
If we're only doing one trick,
we're going to have to really sell it.
I'm listening.
A magic show is 10% magic
and 90% show. And what makes for a great show?
Trained hamsters.
Costumes.
And costumes.
Picture this. The curtain's open.
The Mystery Box is center stage.
Presenting Majestic Mel
and her lovely assistant Ranger.
Why am I the lovely assistant?
Because I'm not lovely assistant material.
- But I am? - Hey, guys.
I have to ask you s--
What are you guys wearing?
Our magic costumes.
These are just stand-ins
until we can get tuxedos.
Whoa. With tails?
Obviously. We're professionals.
So, um, I wanted to talk to you guys about Abigail.
I already told you everything I know, which is nothing.
I looked around after everyone left,
and I found a drawing on a desk.
Hey, that was there before they assigned the seat.
I would never draw something like that.
Not your desk. On hers.
At least I think it's hers.
It's in the same green marker,
but I asked everyone, and no one's seen her.
Maybe she's a mentalist. They use psychology
to hide things that are right in front of your eyes.
A mentalist? Obviously she's a ninja.
Do you know how many ninjas are in this room right now?
- None. - Zero.
Or a dozen. But you can't tell.
You know why? Because they're ninjas.
She signed your cast. That's your best clue so far.
I need to consult an expert.
This is it: the full collection.
Gee, Stanley, is there anything you haven't broken?
Hey, you try spending five years with bad luck.
You're going to visit a few hospitals.
These are my souvenirs.
Let's see what we have.
Oh. Here's one.
When was this?
Right leg.
Petting zoo.
Two years ago.
Ducks are not your friends.
She's been here for two years.
Four. Look.
Recliner accident.
That was rough.
Four years, and no one remembers her.
How am I going to find this girl?
We set a trap.
We know she signs casts,
so we just break your other arm, and she'll come to us.
I think maybe I'll just keep looking.
Thanks, though.
Your loss.
Oh. Heh heh.
Abigail.
Hello?
Anyone here?
All right, Abigail the artist...
what else have you created?
Hello, Abigail.
Hi.
When-- When did you get in here?
I've been here the whole time.
But I-- I didn't see you.
Are you a ghost?
No. I'm a girl.
Just as scary.
Oh, you-- you signed my cast.
Everyone signed your cast.
But I didn't see you sign it.
Also, I've been asking around,
and no one else remembers you from class.
Just because they don't remember
doesn't mean they didn't see me.
You have Mr. Henwick for history, right?
What color were his pants today?
I-- I'm not sure.
But he was wearing pants, right?
I hope.
You saw them, but you didn't see them.
You weren't paying attention.
I-- I can see you now, though.
Now you're paying attention.
You've been hiding in the back of the class?
What about homework, book reports,
the science fair?
I did the one on pollination.
The giant bee.
B plus, actually.
So now that you've found me, what do you want?
I didn't think that far ahead.
Great.
Well, this has been a thrilling encounter.
Uh, I'm going to go.
Wait.
I really like your art.
Go on.
I call this the fast-slow.
How about you save those moves
for when you're inside the box?
I'm not going in the box.
You're going in the box.
Ranger, you want to be in the box.
That's the magic part.
The one outside just points at it.
You know what? Forget it. I'm in the box.
You stay out and point.
No, no. No, no.
You said I get to be in the box.
I'm in the box.
Let's just stick with something
we can both agree with:
the music.
Oh. I've got that all figured out.
Are you just going to sit there and watch me?
Sorry.
You're so talented.
I draw what I see.
Here. Take some paper. Give it a try.
I doubt I'm much good.
It's art.
It doesn't matter if you're good or not.
Really?
No. It matters, totally matters.
The last thing the world needs is more bad art.
Gortimer, kidding.
You know, humor?
[chuckle]
I find you very confusing.
I prefer inscrutable.
Come on, draw something.
Express yourself.
Uh, I'm pretty good at robots.
Great. As long as they have death rays.
A robot without a death ray
is like a space marine without--
Graviton boots.
You're such a nerd.
Hey, you brought it up.
Don't change the subject.
Ranger: Gortimer!
Gortimer, you have to bring a tie.
It's super-important.
Whoa, whoa. Slow down. First things first.
I want you to meet--
Mel: Meet who?
Meet--
up with me tomorrow.
The talent show's tomorrow.
Hey, which is better, awesome guitar solo
like whah, whah, wow!
Or a big, brassy fanfare like bwamp-bwa-bwa,
bwa-bwa-bwa,
bwa-bwa-bwa!
Come on.
You're no help at all.
Hey, first one back to the observatory picks.
Whoa. Look, a dinosaur.
Hey! No fair.
Are they always like that?
What happened? Where'd you go?
Uh, just not that into crowds.
I wouldn't call them a crowd.
This is why I like drawing.
The picture speaks for itself
and doesn't have to shout to be heard.
I think you've got the wrong impression of Mel and Ranger.
I'm sure you'd like them if you got to know them.
Uh, I'd better go.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Yeah.
And I'll see you.
[door closes]
Chopstick or plastic ruler?
Chopstick is perfect.
You got it.
Oh, it's so good.
[chuckling] Oh, it's the worst.
So did you, uh, find this Abigail girl?
I did.
You did? What's she like?
She's shy.
I mean really shy,
like doesn't ever say anything
and no one ever notices shy.
You ever know anyone like that?
Well, that's pretty extreme,
but I do remember this one girl.
She was really shy, too. She felt teeny-tiny,
and the rest of the world just seemed so big.
She was only really happy when she was alone
because when she danced,
she forgot everything and everyone else.
But then an amazing thing happened.
People finally took notice.
At first she was embarrassed,
but then she realized she wasn't so tiny after all.
And from then on,
things got a lot better.
Whatever happened to that girl?
Mayan Mystery Box, huh?
Good luck.
Hey, guys, ready for the big show?
We're going to knock their socks off.
Without taking off their shoes.
You want to know why? Magic.
I can't wait.
Just, uh, be careful of the secret latch.
It sticks.
Oh. Trust me. We know.
Secret latch?
I have no idea.
You made it.
Don't tell me they roped you back into the magic show.
Oh, I can't even button my own shirt,
let alone do a card trick.
I've got something else planned.
Trust me, you're going to love it.
Let me guess: juggling bagpipes?
On a pogo stick.
A flaming pogo stick?
Which is why I need you here
to work the fire extinguisher.
I'm honored that you put your life in my hands.
♪♪
Thank you!
[applause, cheers, whistling]
Let's hear it for Stanley "Boom-boom" Zielinsky.
He made me say that.
Now, before we get to Erik K
and his amazing cat Buckles,
we have a last-minute addition:
Gortimer Gibbon with a surprise presentation.
Gortimer?
Hi.
We've seen a lot of talented people here tonight.
But there are other people out there
just as talented who go unnoticed
because no one sees them.
I met someone like that just the other day.
Well, "met" is wrong. I guess I just...
noticed her for the first time.
She's an artist,
and, though you've all probably seen her work,
you've never seen her.
Well, today that's going to change.
This is Abigail Arroyo.
She's backstage right now,
but I think, with a little help,
we can all get her out here.
[applause]
What do you say, Abigail?
Abigail?
Abigail, wait.
And next up is Erik K.
Abigail!
Abigail, I was just trying to help!
What made you think I wanted that?
I can't see you.
I'm not sure you ever really saw me.
I thought if people knew about you,
it would-- it would make things better.
Better than what?
I'm not like you.
I don't like being the center of attention.
But don't you want everyone to see your art?
They do see my art. I'm not hiding it.
I put it all over the place.
But there's a difference
between what I do and who I am.
I get it. You're shy.
No, I'm not shy.
Yes, I sit at the back of class.
Yes, I'm quiet. Most people don't even know I'm there
because that's what I'm comfortable with.
It doesn't mean I'm broken. It's just who I am.
Why can't you be okay with that?
I am.
It's just I've ever known anyone like that before...
like you.
I'm sorry.
Are you okay?
It's just...
that's, like, my fifth favorite photo.
You couldn't have blown up a better one?
I was in a bit of a rush.
Maybe you can help me pick out a different one
for next time.
Kidding.
You know, humor.
So do you want to come watch the rest of the show?
I don't know. Will I be humiliated?
Not at all.
But I can't say the same for Mel and Ranger.
Ranger: Ladies and gentlemen,
presenting the greatest magic act
in the history of Normal Street.
The Amazing Melanger!
[applause, cheering]
[clatter]
Oh, no.
I can't watch.
Ooh.
This is bad.
Ranger: Gortimer, are you out there?
Mel: The magic isn't working yet.
I got to do something.
Hi, I'm their lovely assistant.
Uh...
it's a little, uh...
Whoa.
Stanley!
[applause]
Told you I knew magic.
Too bad you didn't have an encore.
That's the problem with only having one trick.
I still think we should have done
something that no one's ever seen before,
like pulling a hat out of a rabbit.
Do you own a rabbit?
Technically, no.
Hi. You must be Abigail.
Gortimer talks about you all the time.
Um...
I really liked your act.
Well, then just wait until next year.
We've got some pretty epic stuff planned.
Some people are drawn to the spotlight.
Others run from it.
I guess the trick is figuring out
how much light you really need to make yourself happy. ="italic"> it would be a comfort.