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.
Gortimer: Yeah. Egg gave us a really good deal on supplies.
We all got matching life preservers, for Gardener, too.
Dad says you can never be too safe in a canoe.
He's right.
Oh, um, I picked up some muffins from Ranger's bakery.
[sniffs]
Blueberry. How thoughtful.
Just to say thanks for letting my dad stay with you.
Your father is intelligent company.
I really miss him when he leaves.
I'm sure you will, too, Gortimer.
Yeah, it's our last day.
I'm really gonna make the day count.
It's the same thing I saw with the ON5787 cases in Mongolia.
Right. The cattle drank from the same river downstream
from the factory, and it went south very quickly after that.
We can not let that happen again.
Oh, be sure to CC Javier and me with the lab reports.
What?
They can only do it this morning?
No, it's okay. It's fine. I can do it.
Uh, okay. Thanks, Carol.
Great work. Bye.
It's fine.
- If you will excuse me. - May I help?
Oh, stop acting like a boy scout.
I can find my way round my own home.
Jeez, what does she have against boy scouts?
- [both chuckle] - Look, Gortimer.
You know I wouldn't do this if it wasn't very important, right?
You're on vacation. Can't someone else do it?
I'm sorry.
But the last time we went to the lake, it was so much fun.
Actually, that was one of the best days of my entire life.
It even ended with a rainbow. Do you remember that?
Yeah, I think it was the first rainbow I ever saw.
I will never forget you looking at it and smiling.
it's funny how a rainbow,
just a little trick of the light,
can make all the difference in the world.
It was awesome.
That was really a simpler time, wasn't it, Gortimer?
You know, before the divorce,
before my job became insane.
[phone buzzes]
Oh, no.
I'm sorry. This is bad.
Do you ever think about quitting?
Listen, son.
Guys like you and me, we help people who need help.
That is who we are. Hi, Claire, it's me.
Uh, listen, I have to cancel the plans for the lake today,
uh, but I can keep Gardener with me while I work.
I'm not happy about it either, but there's nothing I can do.
Catherine: And on a personal note, it has been an honor for me
to share my findings with you today here at the Capitol.
I'd like to thank all of our visitors from the United Nations.
I've admired your work for my whole life,
particularly your commitment to advancing climatology research.
And I'm truly humbled to be here.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
- Catherine, that was great. - Really?
I was so nervous. I'm getting dizzy just thinking about tonight.
So nervous Catherine is pretty much the same as non-nervous Catherine.
Mel: You're going to be incredible.
Your research already speaks for itself.
This is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Catherine: You're right. Thanks, Mel.
[chuckles]
- Good luck. - Thanks.
Bye, guys.
I thought you were going to the lake.
Dad had to cancel.
- Do you wanna ride bikes? - Or hit the comic book store?
Ranger: Or maybe have a lizard race.
Mel: They don't race so much as flee.
Ranger: Snails then? How about rocks?
What's making that?
The crystal. It's refracting sunlight.
This is perfect. This could actually work.
What could?
Mel, can we make this bigger, like actual rainbow sized?
Gentlemen, it is time to science.
Mel: Ranger, we need you on batteries.
Big or small, we just need quantity.
I'll tackle the lenses, of course.
And Gortimer, you're on miscellany.
If you think we can use it, we can.
Just confirming we're on target
to bounce the beam off Lake Normal.
All right, here we go.
Rainbow in three,
two, one.
- [switch clicks] - [machinery whirring]
[loud whirring]
[groans]
[power decreases]
What happened?
Light leak caused by excess photons.
Wait. I think I might have x-ray vision.
[sighs] Nope.
There it is.
Wow.
Look at that.
Could you believe that? We were just--
Yeah. It's amazing.
- You like it? - Do I like it?
It's a rainbow.
- Have you ever seen a rainbow? - No.
No? So this is a very special day.
- [ringtone plays] - That's gotta be Carol.
Hi, Carol.
Um, yeah, listen, about that conference call,
I'm gonna wanna postpone that.
Uh, let's say 11:30 my time.
Uh, yeah, something just--
Something just came up.
Okay, great. Thanks. Bye.
- Are you sure? - Am I sure?
We're going to the park. We can't pass this up.
[both laugh]
- Two for two. - Yeah!
- Good shot. - Good one.
Come hold my hand.
This way.
Okay, all right, I'm up again.
You seem really happy.
Well, you know, at this moment,
I have absolutely nothing to complain about.
I'm back on Normal Street, my favorite place in the world.
And I'm with you guys, my favorite people in the world.
And we are standing under an actual rainbow.
- Pretty nice. - Yeah.
I wish it could always be like this.
Me, too.
[both laugh]
Well, maybe it can.
Really?
Oh, that's too bad.
The conference call.
Oh, no, that's not good.
If I don't talk to those toxicologists--
Actually, no, that's not gonna work.
Uh, Gortimer, we need to get your brother back to your mom.
Like now. Come on, let's go.
It was all so weird.
One minute, he was really relaxed and happy.
And then the rainbow started fading,
and it was all about work again.
Sorry, Gortimer.
Isn't there any way we can keep the rainbow going?
Just for a little bit longer? I hardly ever see this side of him.
So you're saying that the rainbow
makes him artificially content?
- That seems-- - Wrong?
No, don't think of it like that.
Think of it like, uh,
like more of, um,
like we're trying to give him a vacation,
which is what he's trying to do anyway
if work didn't keep getting in the way.
I have reservations.
You always have reservations.
Ranger, what do you think?
I have reservations.
Come on.
But what if there's side effects?
This was only supposed to be a nice gesture.
That made my dad incredibly happy?
Isn't that what everyone wants, anyway?
Please, Mel, it's the last day my dad's here.
[machinery clattering]
You know, I'm not gonna work today.
I'm on vacation, for Pete's sake.
- I'd love a vacation. - You should take one, Claire.
You work so hard around here, you deserve a vacation.
Gortimer, true or false?
Your mother should take a vacation.
True.
- Yep. - You know what?
- I'm gonna do it. - Fantastic.
Hey, how about that rainbow? It's still going.
Yeah, pretty incredible.
Are you done with that conference call?
Huh?
Oh.
Yeah, uh, you know what, Gortimer?
I think I overreacted before about that lab report.
It's really not that big a deal.
You know, I just made the call short and sweet.
Hey, speaking of sweet, you wanna get some ice cream?
Yeah.
Everyone does seem happy.
I still have reservations.
Hey, guys.
- Where are you going? - The park.
- But what about your speech? - It just hit me.
They don't need to listen to me.
It's like you said, my research speaks for itself.
I'm just gonna sit under this rainbow and relax with some Dostoevsky.
But it's the United Nations.
Wait. Why is my mom's car at Gortimer's house?
And that's my mom's car.
Well, you didn't have to eat the whole sundae in a bucket.
[chuckles] Mom usually stops me.
I wanted to see how far I could actually go.
Well, do what makes you happy.
Hey, you guys ready for my next inspiration?
- No more food. - No.
A Normal Street block party.
When are we ever gonna have a rainbow like that again?
We should be celebrating together.
Here.
Start calling everyone you know.
Go! And tell them we're having a party.
[both chuckle]
Oh! Hey, guys! Your moms are here.
- Here you go. - Thanks so much. You won't be sorry.
[chuckling]
Hey, amigos. We were just out collecting an investment
for our new startup.
It's an app that helps you find your keys
if you forget where they are.
It's called the--
I forgot where I left my keys app.
[chuckles] Oh, hey, Mel.
You should call us about employment opportunities,
'cause we're generally unclear about how to make an app.
- [snaps fingers] - See ya.
So we're gonna stay in a nice little B&B near the main park,
and then we'll take mules down in the canyon.
Okay, how cute is Gardener gonna be on a mule? Right?
I know. I'm so excited.
The Grand Canyon is so classic.
- Oh, I know. - Hey, kids!
Mom, why aren't you at the bakery?
Oh, I had to close it for the day.
But it's never been closed a day in my life.
I needed some time to rethink the menu.
See, I had an idea.
What do you think?
Vicki, it's genius.
There's no good sushi on Normal Street.
- Right? - But we're bakers.
No, I run a bakery. That doesn't mean I can't also make good sushi.
Although you bring up a good point.
It wouldn't hurt to brush up on my knife skills.
[gasps] That's it. We'll do it.
- Do what? - We're going to Tokyo for research.
- Ah! - All of Claire's travel conversation's contagious.
Okay, wait. I have never climbed Mt. Fuji.
- We're going, too. - Mom!
- That is if it's okay with you. - Yes! The more, the merrier.
Okay, Mel, you're gonna love this.
- But what about your job? - Oh, honey...
I've been wanting to take a sabbatical for so long,
I can't even tell you.
This is perfect.
I am gonna go call work right now.
Good for you, Laura. Yes.
[overlapping chatter]
Right. Normal Street Park, in the back.
And bring whatever makes you happy.
Sweetie, great news.
Next month, you me, and Gardener
- are going to-- - [snaps fingers]
Drumroll, please.
- The Grand Canyon. - No way!
- What? - Yes!
Gortimer: Mom, that's incredible!
What a fantastic idea!
Um, I wanna hear all about it,
- but I'll be right back. - Okay.
- How did this come up? - Oh, my gosh.
[overlapping chatter]
The Grand Canyon. Can you guys believe it?
- No. - What's wrong with him?
He's going to Japan.
So am I, apparently.
And you're not excited?
Ranger, you're literally going to the land of the ninjas.
Grow up, Gortimer.
What's going on with you guys?
Gortimer, doesn't this all seem a little sudden to you?
Has your mom ever wanted to go to the Grand Canyon?
Um, she's mentioned it.
I don't know what you've been doing all day,
but it's pretty clear that nothing is normal.
Your mom invested in Egg and Fred's mobile app startup, by the way.
- She what? - Yep. Wrote them a big, fat check.
Huh.
Maybe.
Maybe you guys are overreacting.
- What? - Come on, it'll be fine.
Just trust me.
Oh, sorry. I gotta go make some more calls.
We're having a block party, and you're both invited.
Someone needs a reality check.
Everyone needs a reality check.
But not you, not me. Why is that?
It must have something to do with the flash.
Our eyes were overstimulated.
They responded by lowering their sensitivity to light.
Right, I'm still seeing the spots,
but why is Gortimer acting so weird?
He's just in denial.
So besides you and me,
there are no other rational people left on Normal Street.
We see the rainbow differently than everyone else,
so we're the only ones not affected by it.
Not the only ones.
Something is afoot on Normal Street.
Afoot.
It's an old-timey saying. I thought you'd relate to it.
Perhaps you are referring to the fact
that all of Normal Street seems to have gone quite mad.
- Now, what is this really about? - Well...
We made a rainbow machine that made everyone happy.
And now, everyone's doing whatever they want
instead of doing the things they're supposed to be doing,
like baking or not reading Dostoevsky.
There were unintended consequences.
So this is why I didn't get any mail today,
and why there was nobody at the mini-market,
and the bus isn't running.
We just wanted to help Gortimer's dad enjoy his time off.
Happiness isn't as simple as a switch
that you can turn on and off.
But it means so much to Gortimer.
Nobody is happy all the time.
Shut down this machine immediately.
You cannot have a rainbow without the rain.
All right, see you there.
Okay, everyone's spreading the word.
No, you keep that.
You want me to hold on to it for you?
Uh, yeah, yeah, you keep that.
I-- I don't need that anymore.
Well, what about work?
How are you gonna get your lab reports
and talk to the toxicologists?
This phone is-- it's, like, your life.
I've missed so much.
And it's all gone by in a blink.
Every time I come home, your brother is a different person.
And you, you're, I mean,
you're a teenager.
I'm the father of a teenager.
But today--
I don't know, today...
it just seems so obvious to me.
I don't want to miss any more.
[both chuckle]
My dad's moving back! He's buying a house!
What about his job?
He's super-smart, he'll figure it out.
Gortimer, we have to say something,
and you're not gonna like it.
Please try to understand.
It's the rainbow. It's not just your dad.
- It's affecting everyone. - What's so bad about that?
Deep down, you know exactly what's so bad about that.
You're just not thinking clearly.
This is pointless, just turn it off.
Whoa! But if you turn it off,
then my dad will change his mind about the house.
That's just it, it's something he would never do.
You can't trick him into moving back here.
He's happy!
All I do is try and help other people.
I've never wanted anything except this,
except for to have my dad here like both of you do.
You don't know what it's like. You don't get to decide.
I want you to unplug the machine.
No.
Okay.
Thank you.
We'll just have to do it for you.
Wait!
You guys are my best friends.
Don't do this to me.
I'm sorry.
- [machine powering down] - No!
What is wrong with you?
You knew what that meant to me, and you did it anyway!
You ruined my life!
We're not friends anymore!
Ranger? Ranger, come look at this.
What happened? We pulled the plug.
How can it still be there?
This is bad.
Really bad.
This isn't enough. We need more collateral.
How much can you get if you sell the store?
- Plenty. - Yeah!
Gortimer, Stanley the One-Man Drum Band is going on tour.
Every school in the county. All killer, no filler.
Tell my mom where I am.
Catherine?
Hey! What a day, right?
What about your United Nations thing?
What? Oh! I didn't go.
I don't do that kind of thing anymore.
[horn honking]
Gortimer! We moved up the trip! We're leaving tomorrow!
Gregory, you've been an epidemiologist for 15 years.
Are you really going to throw all of that away?
People depend upon you.
Well, I think I've given more than my share.
It's time for me to put myself first for once.
But you've saved countless lives.
- Your job is vital. - I'm tired of my job!
It's not who I am!
It's not who I am.
Dad?
Hey, there you are. I was looking for you.
So, listen, I've been thinking.
After we close on the new house,
we put in a swimming pool.
It'll be just like old times.
You and your brother can come hang out with me whenever you want.
Gortimer, you'll have two houses on Normal Street.
Who can say that?
And bring your friends over at any time.
What do you say?
Dad?
I love you.
I love you, too. What--
You do all this crazy incredible work.
[thunder rumbles]
And it's important. And I know that, I do.
I'm proud of you.
And it would be really, really great if you lived here--
I mean, really great, but...
you don't.
You don't live here.
You live all over, and that's-- that's just how it is.
It's not up to me to change that.
[thunder rumbles]
Gortimer, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I've been gone so much.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
You know, when I think about all I do have in my life,
I'm a pretty lucky guy.
I have you, and I have Mom and Gardener...
and Normal Street.
Don't forget your two best friends.
What is it?
I said something I wish I could take back.
It's gonna be okay.
No, you don't understand.
Gortimer, look.
I'm sorry.
Sorry about that.
If we leave now, can we get there in time?
Great. Thanks, Mom. Sorry.
So are you keeping the RV?
No, I'm returning it tonight.
[chuckles] What were you thinking?
[chuckles] I have no idea.
- There you go. - Come here, bud.
[sighs] Gortimer.
Yesterday you said that you were proud of me.
That means a lot.
But you should know, son, that I am prouder of you
than anything in the world.
So you have a little piece of rainbow wherever you go.
You're such an amazing kid, I can hardly believe it.
[engine starts]
I want to take care of Gardener tonight.
You take the night off. Have a vacation to do whatever.
- You don't have to-- - I want to.
I want to be here for Gardener and for you.
You are.
Of course, I'm still taking you up on that offer.
I feel older.
You're growing up.
I guess I am.
♪ When the night has come ♪
♪ And the land is dark ♪
♪ And the moon... ♪
Hey, I have this great idea.
I was thinking maybe I could train a dolphin to be a ninja.
Where are you gonna get a dolphin?
The ocean.
- [chuckles] - No?
Okay, so here's what I'm thinking.
So, we get a dolphin, right?
♪ I won't be afraid ♪
♪ Just as long ♪
♪ As you stand ♪
♪ Stand by me ♪
♪ So darling, darling ♪
♪ Stand by me ♪
♪ Oh, stand by me ♪
♪ Won't you stand ♪
♪ Stand by me ♪
♪ If the sky ♪
♪ That we look upon ♪
♪ Should tumble and fall ♪
♪ All the mountains ♪
♪ Should crumble ♪
♪ To the sea ♪
♪ I won't cry ♪
♪ Oh, I won't cry ♪
♪ No, I won't shed a tear ♪
♪ Just as long ♪
♪ As you stand ♪
♪ Stand by me ♪
♪ So darling, darling ♪
♪ Stand by me ♪ ♪