Gortimer, narrating: 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.
Galileo, Marie Curie, Edison.
We would be in the proverbial dark
if these amazing thinkers
hadn't challenged themselves to think bigger,
to think brighter.
It's the kind of thinking
that landed a human being on the moon.
But overthinking
can land you in a wagon covered in bubble wrap.
Mel, it's 11:00. You're still studying
for the Normal University test?
It's not just a test. It's a placement exam.
If I pass, I can start taking classes there.
What is the rush, huh?
They're offering a really cool course
in celestial mechanics, and it's a one-time-only.
Wow. Is that high school calculus?
All right, look.
Do you know what this is?
Yeah. It's your Life To-do List.
Exactly. And look.
None of the things on this list
have anything to do
with sitting in a room and studying.
I do that on purpose because it keeps me balanced.
You're forgetting you can do all these things
precisely because you studied hard
when you were my age.
Mm, well argued.
My point remains.
Where's the Incan Trail?
Peru.
Duh. I should have known that.
I'll make a flash card.
Sweetie, I don't want you
to lose sight of your priorities, okay?
Mom, this is my priority.
Well, you wouldn't be my daughter
if you weren't stubborn.
I want you in bed in the next 15 minutes.
- Mwah. - Okay.
Can I get my flash cards back?
Wow, you're good.
[sigh]
It's all going in.
It'll never fit.
It can always fit.
Hey.
So you know how you talked me
into signing up for drama class
against my better judgment?Yeah.
Well, now we have to do scenes
in front of the whole class,
and guess who's going to be my partner.
Um... Wayne?
Nope. You.
Me?
I can't believe you got us into this.
Hey. So I just had an interesting interaction.
Great. Hold that thought. I'd love to talk,
but I've got to sign up for my Normal U Placement Exam.
Nice spatial reasoning, Ranger.
How?
[sigh] I'm a man of many talents.
Thank you.
Hi.
Excuse me. Is this the line
to sign up for the NU Placement Exam?
Yeah.
How many years?
What?
How many years have you been studying for this?
A month.
A month? I learned Latin in a month.
I've been prepping for this test
for three and a half years.
isn't that a little excessive?
Sure.
If you enjoy failure.
When was the Monroe Doctrine issued?
- 1823. - Correct.
What is the volume of a cylinder?
V equals H pi R squared.
- No. - Yeah, it is.
Correct. Extra points
for not doubting yourself.
Where was Marie Antoinette born?
France.
Um, it says here she was born in Austria.
Uhh. Of course she was.
Let me make a note of that.
Hand me the, uh--
the, uh-- the-- the thing--
the...inky write-y tool?
You mean a pen?
Pen?
This is a pen, right?
Okay, good.
I thought I was calling it something wrong
all these years.
Mel, are you okay?
I don't know why I couldn't remember what a pen was called.
[sigh] I do. I worried this day would come.
This is Mel's brain.
These are all the crazy facts
that she's been learning for this test.
And this is Marie Antoinette.
Wait. What was the cup again?
[sigh] Mel's brain.
And this is Marie Antoinette.
And that is the word "pen."
So that means--
[sigh] Mel's brain is full.
I hope you like Shakespeare.
Hi.
Your lines are highlighted.
You need to have them memorized for Monday.
Please.
Much Ado About Nothing.
Great.
Let's, uh, do it.
I regret saying that.
What? What is it?
Oh. A kiss. Huh.
Well, it's probably easier than sword fighting.
Just not as much fun.
[sigh]
Botticelli.
Yes.
Pythagorean Theorem.
Yes.
Roentgenium.
Yes.
See? You're fine.
Hey.
You okay?
You mean because of Ranger's ridiculous theory
that my brain is over capacity?
Yeah. I'm fine.
I can't seem to remember how to open my, uh...
metal book-holding box.
You mean your locker.
Breathe.
What if I forget how to breathe?
Let's think about this.
The brain grows. That's how it works.
That's why we're constantly able to learn new stuff.
So why is it different now?
Well...
all I've been doing is cramming day and night
- for over a month. - That's it.
You've been learning at such an accelerated rate,
your brain hasn't been able to catch up.
But it will.
You just need to give it time.
Time is the one thing I don't have.
The test is tomorrow.
What am I going to do?
You need to relax.
Ohh.
What about meditation?
I read that it can free the mind
of unnecessary clutter
so the brain can work more efficiently.
That sounds crazy.
I couldn't be more interested.
What are you doing in here?
Avoiding Abigail.
Oh. Oh, I get it.
- Do you? - I do not.
We have to perform this Shakespeare scene
on Monday, and we have to--
They have to kiss.
Kiss? Interesting. Go on.
It's at the end of the scene,
so we could technically just skip it,
and it wouldn't change anything.
So skip it.
No. No, you don't just mess with Shakespeare.
But what if I go in for the kiss but she doesn't?
Of course. The old pull-back.
Yep.
But what if she goes in for the kiss
and I don't
and then she thinks I don't want to kiss her?
Do you want to kiss her?
I--
I mean--
I think so.
I-- I don't know.
I'm just confused.
[sigh] I say go with it. It's just drama class.
It's not like you're kissing her for real.
No. No. No.
Listen, if there's any possibility
that you could like this girl in the future,
you should avoid this kiss at all costs.
Why?
Like Ranger said, it's not for real.
If you kiss her, Abigail will never see you
as anything more than, well, a scene partner.
And I think you both know
I speak from complete inexperience.
I think I need a girl's perspective.
I'm going to try to talk to Mel
if I can get her attention for two minutes.
Thanks, though.
I thought we were giving him great advice.
Well, one of us was.
Yeah.
Thanks.
I really need your advice on something.
Oh, I'd love to help you,
but I was just on my way out.
I got to get to the Wellness Center before it closes.
Talk to you later.
All right, well,
here are all our books on meditation.
I will be available if you need anything else,
like a Celtic knot pendant.
We're running a 2-for-1 special.
I'm good, but thanks, Fred.
Guided Meditation.
Secret Paths To Clear The Mind.
Doesn't seem to be in our system.
Well, what do you think would be a fair price?
Consider the tapes a gift from the universe.
Thanks, Fred.
We make most of our money
from the mark-up on crystals anyway.
You want a bag?
A bag?
Oh. A bag.
Uh, yes, thank you.
Namaste.
Sure.
- Hi. - Hi.
Hi.
Full stop.
You look nervous.
Well, I was just thinking about our scene
and was wondering if--
You're not going to bail, are you?
No, no, no. No, no. I was just wondering
if you wanted to perform this scene.
I don't want you to feel uncomfortable.
Do I want to get up in front of a class full of people?
No, but I'm going to, and so are you.
Of course, but, I mean,
do you want to perform the whole scene?
Oh. You, uh, you mean the kiss?
Yeah.
You cool with that?
I-- I'm-- I mean, I guess I am.
If you are.
Uh, yeah, yeah, sure, great.
I mean, you know, you're cool with it.
Stop stressing me out.
Stressing you out?
[bell rings]
Well, you got over here quick.
Uh, yeah.
Actually, I was hoping I could get your advice on something
- before we-- - You call, I come. What's the plan?
Hi, Ranger. I'm sorry, but can it wait?
It's just this test.
Yeah. Sure. No problem.
Okay. I asked you guys to come over
because after listening to my new meditation tapes,
I realized I could really use your help.
So get comfortable.
These tapes are supposed to unclutter my mind,
and if there's one person whose organizational skills
can help find more room,
it's you, Ranger.
Through sophisticated kind of meditation,
you're going to enter my brain.
Once inside, you'll work your spatial magic
so I can get through the flash cards
I need to memorize for the exam,
which is in...
eight hours.
Ready?
♪♪
Female voice: Welcome to your guided meditation.
Please find a comfortable position.
Ahem.
Now close your eyes.
See the mind's door
I invite you to open that door
and go inside.
[bell chimes]
We're in.
I honestly didn't think it was going to work.
You never get rid of anything, do you?
Mel: I didn't think I needed to.
Can I start sending some new stuff in?
Wait. We have to make some room first.
Okay, I need you to take that box
of international capital cities over there
and this box of cool dance moves--
- [rattling] - ...which is empty,
can go over here.
Romance.
There's no time.
Plus, you're invading Mel's privacy.
Mel: What's going on in there? Please hurry.
Just a second.
Move that box of airport abbreviations over here.
All right. We're ready for more.
Here it comes.
Quick, put this over there.
Mel, you've got to stop.
We're out of room.
You guys get out of there.
You're taking up space. When you're out,
I can get through these last few flash cards.
And when you hear the chime again,
you will awake refreshed.
[chime]
[birds chirping]
Morning already?
You guys did an amazing job.
I was able to get through the rest of the test prep material.
There's absolutely no way
I'm not going to ace this exam.
Which is in 20 minutes.
We have to hurry before I forget--
anything like how to walk.
Are you okay?
Some stuff must have fallen out of her brain.
We have to go back in.
No. There's no time.
We'll come back afterwards to fix it.
Help?
Thanks. I'm going to need you
- to be my legs. - Sure thing.
And I can't learn anything new before the test.
What happens if you learn something new?
- Her brain could explode. - Oh.
Grab the earmuffs out of the top drawer.
And I'll make a blindfold out of this.
Your brain is not going to explode on our watch.
[loudly] Thank you!
Well, this should be interesting.
Uh, we're just working out a new pre-test ritual.
- Oh. - Mel read about it somewhere.
Yeah. Wish us luck.
Hold it. Hold it right there.
Uh, what are you doing?
I'm going to tell Mel that I love her
and I'm proud of her.
Not new information.
Okay. Approved.
I love you, honey,
and I'm so proud of you.
Thanks, Mom! I love you, too!
Hmm.
Hey, guys. Did you know in South America
that guinea pigs are good luck?
You can't throw facts like that around.
Brains are endangered.
Here you go.
Oh, hey, guys, great news.
Keep it to yourself, Fred!
Just write it down for later.
I did.
I made flyers.
So one girl looks like she's going to cry,
and one guy looks like he's going to puke.
Mel's not looking that bad all of a sudden.
[loudly] Are we there yet?
You ready?
Thanks to you guys.
The test is about to start.
No wagons in the testing room.
It's a service wagon.
Really?
Look at her. She can't walk.
Okay.
Abigail.
Why would Abigail be here?
[stammering]
I'm just going crazy. Never mind.
No. Not never mind. What's wrong?
The test is the priority here.
So go in there and ace it.
[hyperventilating]
Ohh.
I've changed my mind.
What?
In or out?
Out.
Tell me what's going on.
Are you crazy? What about the test?
You said it's the priority here,
but that's not true. You are my priority.
You've been trying to tell me something,
and I've been ignoring you.
It can wait.
No. It can't.
Not anymore.
But your brain. It could explode.
I'll risk it. Tell me.
Are you sure?
Gortimer.
Okay.
It's Abigail.
It all started with me convincing her
to take a drama class.
We have to perform
this Shakespeare scene on Monday,
and we have to kiss. But what if I--
Mel?
Whoa.
That was intense.
When was the Monroe Doctrine issued?
No idea.
- What is this? - A pen.
She's back.
I shouldn't have laid all that on you.
You okay?
Yeah. I'm going to be just fine.
Still, I'm sorry about the test.
It's for the best.
I was pushing myself way too hard.
There'll be plenty of time for it in a couple of years.
So what should Gortimer do?
Well, do you want to kiss her?
I mean, I don't not want to kiss her.
Then go for it.
But how will I know if she's kissing me
just because it's part of the scene?
Gortimer, you'll be able
to tell right away if she means it.
But w-what if I--
Stop. Don't overthink it.
I know a thing or two about overthinking.
Gortimer: The brain is a strange and mysterious place.
It's where everything we know
and everything we feel live side by side.
There are times you feel like you want to know everything.
But some things you won't know...
until you feel them.
Free frozen yogurt in the parking lot.
Plus jimmies.
[students whooping]
There was no frozen yogurt.
You owe me one. zen yogurt.