Original subtitles

( Horn honking )

I'm Alex Mack.

I was just an average kid

until an accident changed my life.

And since then...

Nothing's been the same.

( Zapping )

My best friend Ray thinks it's cool.

My sister Annie thinks I'm a science project.

I can't let anyone else know.

Not even my parents.

I know the Chemical Plant wants to find me

and turn me into some experiment.

But you know something?

I guess I'm not so average anymore.

Miss French hates me.

Why do you say that?

She just suggested

that I join yearbook staff

for extra credit in English.

So, what's wrong with that?

The fact that she said

that I needed

the extra credit desperately.

I'm nailing English

but my math grades are so low

my dad's calling in

"special forces."

I've pulled straight bs.

Extra credit would bring those grades up

so I better be careful.

Careful of what?

I don't want to raise expectations.

Bs show you do your work, but also have a life.

Well, I don't have a choice.

If my grades stay the way they are

I run the risk of my parents

taking out Annie's eighth- grade report card

and comparing them to mine.

Louis, want to join yearbook staff with me?

No, my dad got me a math tutor

and I'm starting today.

Probably some dweeb.

How can I learn from someone I don't respect?

Sorry, did someone take away

your dweeb membership card?

( Laughing )

See you.

Woman: The only position still open

is photographer.

Do you have a camera?

I can get one.

And you have experience taking photos?

Um, no, but you don't have to be a genius, do you?

It wouldn't hurt to get a little practice in.

The editor's not here right now

but I'll let him know you're available.

Come back tomorrow after school

when I post the assignments.

Who's the editor?

Scott Greene. Do you know him?

Scott?

Yeah... you know, a little.

( Doorbell chimes )

Sorry, Louis, um...

Alex still isn't home yet.

I know that. I'm here to see you.

What do you mean?

What do you think?

You're my math tutor.

I just found out myself.

Pretty humiliating, but I'll get over it.

No... there must be some mistake.

Louis Driscoll doesn't make mistakes.

I've got to do this tutoring thing

or my dad won't speak to me again.

Not that that would be so terrible.

Hi, kids.

Mr. Mack, didn't you speak with my dad

about Annie tutoring me?

Oh, my gosh, it totally slipped my mind.

Annie, I'm sorry.

I told Big Lou you might be able to give Lou two

some help with Algebra.

Dad, you never told me anything about it, and I'm really busy.

You're lucky that I was even home.

Let's just call the whole thing off.

Just a second, Louis.

Could you please do me this one favor?

It'll only be a few sessions.

There's a new computer in it for you at wholesale.

When?

Sometime next week.

Louis, hey, let's go work in the kitchen.

Have fun, you two.

Yeah.

Right.

How do I compose a shot?

If it looks cool to you through the camera

the picture probably will too.

Say you want to take a picture of me.

You could stand in front of me

and just shoot it

or you could try something different.

Go back a couple feet, by that tree.

Over here?

Left or right?

To the left of it.

Cool.

Louis: Algebra's like most of the stuff

you learn in school.

Once you leave school

you'll never use it again.

That's not true.

Algebra is about solving equations

like the ones you'll need to solve for bio

and chemistry and geometry--

the classes you need to pass

to get through high school.

Which is looking doubtful right now.

Just relax, Louis.

Look, it'll make sense

once you follow it through.

Let's try it again.

So, XZ plus YZ equals what?

Right! That's the distributive law.

It took me 20 minutes to get that.

So? It's a start.

So this means: "X" plus "Y"

times "Z."

Exactly.

I think that's a good place

to stop for the day.

Algebra isn't so horrible after all, is it?

No way.

So, um...

When can we do this again?

Um, excuse me.

Who puts these assignments together?

Miss French.

Is she here?

Nope, gone for the day.

Hey, Scott.

Hey, Alex.

Looks like French

paired us up on sports stuff.

Yeah.

Looks that way.

I'm going to do the copy.

I need the team photos from you.

Some candid stuff, some action shots.

You can get them this afternoon.

I'll be there, too.

Okay, um, anything you want in particular?

No, you've seen the yearbook.

It's pretty simple.

You just, you know, keep it like that.

Okay, so I'll see you at practice later.

Yeah, see you later.

Bye.

( Shutter clicks )

Okay, um, why don't you act like you're dribbling?

( Shutter clicks )

Okay, um...

Pretend you're shooting a jump shot.

( Shutter clicks )

Good job, Alex.

Thanks.

This is really boring.

Um, why don't you guys just play for real?

I'll find something to shoot.

Yeah! All right!

Ray, can I talk to you?

Man to man?

I believe we both qualify.

I think I'm in love.

What?!

With who?

That's not important right now.

Come on, man, give me a hint.

Anybody I know?

Actually, yeah.

I know who it is, it's Robyn.

You both got the red hair thing going.

No.

It's not Robyn.

It's an older woman.

An older woman? How old?

She's just, like, I don't know, 16 or 17.

( Laughs )

Louis, let me give you a little advice.

Why waste your youth on an older woman?

When you're 18, she'll be 21

and when you're 59, she'll be 62!

( Groans with disgust )

Age is insignificant.

She's awesome.

Man, snap out of it.

Come on, tell me who it is.

You ready?

Yeah.

Don't go nuts.

Okay.

Annie Mack.

( Screaming )

No, no, please tell me you're kidding

I beg of you, man!

Nobody likes Annie Mack.

What do you mean? She's got a boyfriend

I've got to get rid of.

Louis, listen to me.

Stay away from her, she's evil.

I don't care what you say, Raymond.

The heart doesn't know from logic.

I can't believe it.

Annie Mack.

Robbing the cradle.

( Alex laughing )

Oh, my God!

Well, here you are, Scott.

I told Miss French that we wanted to work together

but she must have put her name up by mistake.

Accidents happen.

Well, if you're done

maybe we could go to the diner?

I'd like to, but we better develop these tonight.

We?

Yeah, I promised Alex I'd show her how.

In the darkroom?

Yeah, that's where it's done.

Do you want to come?

Is there room?

I'm sure we could squeeze in.

I don't think so.

It was fun watching you.

You looked like you had a great time out there.

I did.

I mean, once I started snapping

I wasn't even thinking anymore.

I was just kind of feeling it.

It was really exciting.

Listen, um, do you maybe

want to do something after school?

Say, uh... two days from tomorrow?

Do something?

You mean... like go out?

Yeah, like maybe

to a movie or something.

Okay, sure.

Yeah? That'd be great.

Hey, look, here comes the first one.

Alex: So, what do you think?

They're really, um, unusual.

Do you have any that are more standard?

Standard?

You mean like the team photo?

Yeah, the team photo's great.

Any others?

Nope, you've got all of them.

So, do you really like them?

Yeah, a lot.

It's just going to take me a little while

to go through them and pick out the best ones.

Are you sure? 'Cause you can tell me if you don't.

Oh, no, no. Great job, really.

Do you think that, uh, I could borrow

your camera overnight?

I just have to get a couple more shots.

Well, it's Ray's, but I guess so.

So, um, I'll probably see you tomorrow.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, see you.

( Chuckles weakly )

Alex, I saw the photos you did

for the yearbook.

I was extremely impressed.

Really?

She's right, Alex

they're amazing.

You show real talent.

I can't wait to see which Scott picks.

I left copies of them in my office for you

if you want to take them home.

Great.

Thanks a lot, you guys.

Annie: Tell me how many liters of water must be added

to two liters of 30% solution of acid

to obtain a 20% solution?

Louis?

Oh, I'm sorry, Annie.

Uh, what was the question, again?

Louis, don't you think being here

and not concentrating on the work

is a complete waste of time

for you and for me?

No, Annie.

You see... I have a slight problem.

Mm.

Well, that's why you're here...

Right?

Exactly.

I think I'm in love with you.

Excuse me?

I know you're probably a little shocked.

Nobody's more shocked than I am.

Alex told me all about your little practical jokes.

It's no joke, Annie.

I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but I know

that you're the one for me.

I know it.

Louis, don't be ridiculous.

I'm way too old for you.

Don't try to understand right away.

I'll be back tomorrow.

We'll have a lot to talk about then.

Louis!

Mrs. Mack: Alex! These are just wonderful.

Honey, congratulations!

Oh! They're so creative.

Thanks.

Ah! Oh, nice.

So long, everybody.

Bye.

Bye, Louis.

So, Mom, any chance of me

getting my own camera

so I can stop borrowing Ray's?

Well... I don't see why not.

We could kind of make it

an advance birthday present... George?

Aren't report cards coming up soon?

We'll see then.

Oh, look at Ray.

Something wrong, Annie?

Yeah, something's wrong.

Someone just declared their undying love for me.

Oh! Bryce!

Oh, he is so sweet, oh.

No, not Bryce.

Louis Driscoll.

( Both cracking up )

Yeah, it's very funny.

Yeah. Thanks.

( Laughing aloud )

( Doorbell rings )

( Laughter continues )

Hey, Alex.

Hey.

What's so funny?

Oh, um, I'll tell you later.

So, what's up?

Oh, I brought back the camera.

Thanks a lot.

You're welcome.

So, which pictures did you pick

for the yearbook?

Um... I don't know yet.

I mean, there's so many good ones.

I'm getting really good feedback from everyone.

Yeah?

S-so, um, I'll see you

after school tomorrow?

Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

Bye.

Louis: How can you tell if a girl likes you?

I'm a strong believer in opposites.

If a girl says she hates you

she definitely likes you.

If she says she's not ready for a relationship right now

then she's desperate.

Just follow that pattern.

That makes a lot of sense.

No, it doesn't, Louis.

Women say what they mean.

"No" means no; "I hate your guts" means that.

What if you tell her you love her and she laughs?

She's probably overcome by the overwhelming emotion.

Louis, don't listen to her.

Robyn may speak in some sort of code

but most people don't.

No, she's right.

That means you think I'm wrong.

No, I don't.

I think you're brilliant.

So, Louis...

Who's the lucky woman?

As my dad says, that info

will be doled out on a need-to-know basis.

Kelly, Alex and I were just working

that's all.

Then what's this?

Look, Kel, you don't know what's going on.

Obviously!

I just didn't want to hurt her feelings.

I mean, we--

we, uh...

( Doorbell rings )

Annie Mack.

Louis, we got to talk.

Excellent.

Look... I didn't want

to tutor you to begin with

so I think we should call it off completely.

Annie, you're fighting this.

I know I'm younger than you

but when two people love each other

they overcome these obstacles.

Didn't you hear?

I don't love you, Louis.

Can you hear me?

I love you deeply.

If I never saw you again I really

wouldn't care.

If you walked out of here right now

I don't know how I could live without you.

Annie, hold on.

I think we should start this off

a little more slowly, don't you?

Are you listening?

I can't stand you!

Louis, my love

are you listening?

I need you.

Wow.

I didn't realize how strongly you felt.

I know the Driscoll magic

can be a little overpowering.

What?!

Hey, Sara, is Scott around?

No, he has class.

Hey, what happened to the photos?

Scott gave me the shots of the teams for the yearbooks

and I didn't see any of yours.

Here, look.

There must be some mistake.

Where are mine?

You'd better talk to him.

Who took these?

Um... I think some are his

and some are Kelly's.

( Birds singing )

Scott!

What happened to my photos?

( Angrily ): I saw the layout.

None of them are mine.

Oh, that.

I meant to tell you--

I thought you'd be upset.

You looked so excited...

So you were going to wait

until the yearbook came out to

tell me the truth?!

You said you liked them!

Not really. I think I said

they were a little unusual.

What about "good job"

and "there's so many good ones I can't pick"?

I'm a big girl.

You could have told me the truth--

that you hated them.

Look, I'm sorry.

I hope it doesn't ruin the rest of the day.

Well, I'm sorry, too, 'cause it has.

It's really no big deal.

They're just yearbook pictures.

Why are you so attached to them?

There will be other yearbooks.

If you don't understand how I feel

I can't explain it to you.

I was just doing what Miss French wanted.

The yearbook, it always looks a certain way

and she didn't want to change it.

And your pictures

I mean, they were

just a little... weird.

I mean, they were cool, but... weird.

Miss French told me she loved them, Scott.

You just don't have the guts

to tell me the truth.

You even used my camera to take the pictures

that replaced mine, didn't you?

Look... I'm sorry.

You know something, Scott?

You don't know anything about me.

You're coming on a little strong.

I'm trying to be as nice as I can

but you're not my type

I already have a boyfriend

and I'm not even attracted to you.

Et cetera

et cetera, et cetera!

Louis, believe me.

I can't restrain myself.

I love you wildly, passionately.

Et cetera

et cetera

et cetera.

Whoa! This is way too intense for me.

Annie, I know you're lovestruck, but...

I'm just not ready for this.

Am I speaking a different language here?

Ray was right.

I'm too young to get tied down

with someone who worships me like this.

It's not healthy.

( Sighs )

Annie... I know it hurts

but it's over.

It'll be best for both of us.

( Sighs )

( Opens door )

( Closes )

Louis dumped you, huh?

Yeah. He's going to make some woman

so irritated one day.

So what about you and Scott?

I don't know.

( Clicks shutter )

I mean, for two years I thought he was so cool.

It's weird.

It's like you have this image of someone

and then one day

you realize the image wasn't really them at all--

just who you wanted them to be.

But it's not his fault, it's mine.

Don't blame yourself, though.

It happens.

( Sighs )

I just don't understand

how I could think he was so great

and then the next day...

I know you hate to hear it

but you are just growing up.

( Clicks shutter )

Boys are going to come... and go.

There's always those people

that care about you

and that will be there for you.

Robyn: Alex, here we are.

What are you waiting for?

Get in there.

( Winds camera )

Okay.

Say "Alex, you're awesome."

All: Alex, you're awesome!

( Clicks shutter )

( All laughing )

Captioned by Grant Brown