Shorts

I know. Let's play Who Blinks First. Loser has to do you-know-what. Ready, set, go. There are six steps. First we state the question. What's the matter with you two? Clean up this mess. Who won? Oh, man. This is my neighborhood. And these are some of my neighbors. Go 10 paces west. - One, two... - That's east, you lunkhead. Oh, okay. - One... - South. Boys? Come look after your sister. So much for our treasure hunt. That baby is always ruining our adventures. Some of my neighbors are weird. Okay, that'll do it. Give me your foot. Other foot. Okay, inside. The germs are coming. In fact, some of them are not very neighborly at all. And then there's my house... ...with its quaint, adorable, everyday, supportive and connected family. Mega power point damage. Super effective. Nano-blast. Major confusion. Still playing with your imaginary friends? No. Freak. I don't think I'm a freak. Do you think I'm a freak? Shut up. Who asked you? And we should be connected. After all, this is Black Box Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated... ...or Black, Inc. For short. You know them as the guys that make the Black Box all-in-one gadget... ...that's sweeping the nation. The whole operation is smack-dab in the middle of the Black Falls Community. Development to manufacturing to shipping... ...all in one centralized location. Hundreds and hundreds of employees both live and work here... ...including my parents. I've got a garage full of gadgets. Why do I need this one, Mr. Black? What does the Black Box do? Mike, the question is, what doesn't it do? It's not only the ultimate communication device... ...keeping us connected to each other and the world. That's not all. It's also a multimedia player, a can opener... ...a dog groomer... ...a vacuum cleaner... ...a baby monitor. It's a shredder. It calls the ambulance if you fall down in your bathroom and can't get up. It removes rust, paint, pet odors. Thousands of uses. It's just about everything you could ever possibly wish for. In super grande, grande y el nio. And this is the man who owns it all, Mr. Black. Mr. Carbon Black. I hope that applause was meant for you, my trusted partners... ...in our quest to put the Black Box... ...in every hand and home in the civilized world. That is our goal. Who can tell us how close we are to achieving it? That's right. Not even close. And why is that? Because the Black Box is facing fierce competition... ...from the Purple Pyramid, the Silver Cylinder and other such rip-offs. - They're nowhere near as good. - They're catching up. And I can't have them eating into our profits. We need to leave them all... ...in the dust! Let them eat soot. Sir? Focus groups have identified our multiple uses as a drawback instead of a positive. We're offering a toaster option. Nowadays, most people don't even eat bread. - She's right. - You're fired. - So are you. - But... Do your spouses also work for this company? - Yes. - Yes. They're fired as well. Move out of your homes, effective immediately. You think fear tactics and cutthroat competition yield better results? Well, it won't! The new Version X upgrade... ...has to shut down the competition once and for all. Have them playing catch-up for the next 10 years. - Team A leader? - Yes, sir? - Team B leader? - Right here. I expect results soon. Live up to this challenge, you make partner. Don't and you and your families are out. But we're married. I don't see how your social life is my concern. So if he loses, then I get fired even if I win? Well, no, that's preposterous. Heh, heh. But you just said if she doesn't make partner... ...then she and her family are out, and I'm her family. Then you better not lose. Clearly you two haven't figured out that delightful little paradox called marriage. Just get it done, whatever it takes. And the answer to Black's problem... Whatever it takes. It literally fell from the sky. No, no, no. Wait. Is that what happened next? See that wishing rock I'm holding? It made things so confusing, I can hardly remember the order of events. Go forward a bit. Yeah, that wasn't it either. I'm probably going to have to tell you the story completely out of order... ...in a series of shorts. Let's start here. Maybe we should go back to when I first came into possession... ...of the rainbow-colored rock. Oh, by the way... ...my name is Toby, Toby Thompson. I wanna give you an idea of how I start every morning. Maintaining a mouth like this is no small task. First I use a special toothbrush between the wires and my gums... ...to loosen any food particles that may have lodged in my braces. Upper teeth: Positioning the bristles at a 45-degree angle... ...brushing towards the gum in a circular motion. Inside, tops, then repeat for the lower set. Rinse, spit, mirror check. Is this the reason people think I'm a dork? Of course not. Braces are necessary when you have hillbilly teeth like mine. No, no. Not done yet. Now I floss... ...and use a special pick to get under the brackets. Rinse, spit, mirror check. That's it. Time to eat breakfast. Guess what. Toby's playing with his imaginary friends again. Am not. Shouldn't you be already moved out by now? I mean, you are, like, 19 or 20. Keep it down. I can't hear myself type. What about your friend Nose? Don't you play with him anymore? Toby, you need friends. Friends are very important. Look at your dad and I. We're the best of friends. Oh, he has plenty of friends at school, Mom. They can't wait to see him. In fact, I hear he has his own welcoming committee. That's just a nice way of saying "bullies at school." I know I'm not the only kid in the world to get picked on... ...but my situation is unique in a few ways. Hey, metal mouth. Got another date with the trash can. Hold on. This is Cole Black, son of Mr. Black. If you're thinking this is the worst kid in the whole school, wait. He's got a sister. Helvetica Black, the leader of the pack. Heh, heh. Wimp. Shall we do this? I just realized something. I know why you have them beat up on me every day. Because I hate you? Because you love me. Ooh... That's right, isn't it? We're both outsiders. - We're both ignored. - No. We both have railroad tracks for braces. We're Ionely and boring and always getting in trouble... ...because we have nothing else better to do. So you're head over heels in love with me and that makes you... ...furious. Am I right? How about... ...no? So I'm not a psychologist. My science report today is about... ...science. Oh, man, I just forgot it. Um... The scientific part of it, which would be, um... ...science. This fish is the only friend I have in this dump. How you doing? Don't get me wrong, it's a really good school. It's just the people in it that suck. In olden times, they burned scientists and they called them witches... ...because the townspeople didn't understand science... ...and they thought it was magic. Like using a magic rock to make wishes come true. - But I have a hypenothesis. - Hypothesis. Loogie, you didn't do your homework, did you? Yeah, I did, but a crocodile ate it. Really, I'm serious. Next presenter. Scientists who study wasps... ...have long observed aggressive behavior in stronger females... ...towards the weaker males of the colony... ...including threats of stinging and mauling. But recently, they have discovered that some females... ...will force the male headfirst into an empty cell in the nest. Behavior known as "male stuffing." I'd like to demonstrate this phenomenon using a trash can and a volunteer. Toe Thompson? - Hey, my name is Toby... - Shh. The Blinkers are going for the record. They've been in a stare-off since second period. What's the record? Longer than you have to live. Candy bars? Why do you let yourself get bullied like that? I don't really think I have a choice. Sure you do. Doesn't matter who their dad is. What matters is who you are, who you wanna be. And you live your life like that? Of course. Ow. Come on, Loogie, you dork. We gotta get home. We're gonna try to get the baby to give us lottery numbers. Good luck with the whole two-minutes-to-live thing. It shouldn't be this hard to make friends. I'm smart. I'm funny. Like funny, ha-ha. Not funny weird. So, what's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? Oh, buddy, where do I begin? Run, run, run. Chase, chase, chase. Ah. Get me a rock! Get me a rock! Where's my rock? Run! It's gonna be worse for you tomorrow, freak. Let's go! Huh? Make a wish. Who said that? Make a wish. Must be hearing things. Make a wish. Make a wish. Okay, okay. I wish I had friends... ...as interesting and as unique as I am. Friends. Come on, guys. Get in there. We sifted some flour. We talk about clarified butter, because people get concerned about butter. You can make clarified butter at home. Hi. Why didn't you take the bus? That's always our backup plan. It's okay. I just felt like walking. Sorry, son. I, uh, texted your mom to pick you up, because my meeting ran late. I texted your dad saying that I couldn't go, so he should leave early and pick you up. Your text messages must've gotten lost in a sea of my text messages. Same with yours. Mine. Whatever. Noodles? It's okay, I'll serve myself. Oh. You having problems with your Black Box too? Yeah. No. Ugh! I just broke up with my boyfriend. He thinks he's so mature, you know? He's not. He's a child. He is living with his parents and isn't he, like, 23? No. What was that? It's probably the ice maker... ...making ice? I'll go check on it. Humph. Whoa. Did you guys come from a gourmet planet? Thanks, guys. Team leaders! Progress report. Uh, I've implemented some new procedurals that should maximize our value potential. Well, I have highlighted our asset management and jump-started... ...our business paradigm. One moment, please. Sounds like a load to me. Initiate termination procedure? Mm. Not yet. I'll fire one of them at the company costume ball. That should be good for company morale. Very well, then. Keep up the good work, you two. We are gonna get fired. Nice. Very nice. Time to clean your room, sport. Well... ...someone's looking for a raise in their allowance. Do you guys also clean... ...teeth? Toby. Where are my keys? I know you're hiding them, you little alien. Maybe I do keep messing up... ...and maybe it is all my fault, but... No, no. I broke up with you... ...so why are you calling me, Mr. I'm-23-And-l-Still-Live-With-My-Mom? Hey, I wish you would just stop talking about my mom... Pretty. ...and just go out with me again, God. Oh. Okay, well, I wish you'd grow up. How about... Whoa, that's huge! My hand's huge! My hand's huger than my foot! I'm growing, I'm growing! - Relax. Jeez. I'm getting so big that... You fixed all my teeth. How strong are you guys? I mean, if you really had to be tough against a bully. Because I might have a job for you tomorrow at school. I was hoping for something a little more menacing. I will show no mercy. You're hired. I have no time for you, but now I'm having to chase you down? I don't feel so good. I'm in the hospital. - In the hospital? - And it's all your fault. Oh, my fault? How is it my fault? They're building me a bigger room as we speak. They're making a bigger room for you? What are... - You see what happens? - Hello? Oh, no! It's happening again! Hello? Dad says I have to give you a ride. It's okay. I just feel like walking. You look different. Did you bathe or something? No. Weirdo. I'll take it from here, guys. Can't have anybody seeing you... ...yet. There he is! Grab him! How would you like your braces up your nose? Your braces. Where are they? Up my nose. I put a few candy bars in the front pocket. My Black Box is set to music mode in case you get hungry or bored. Who are you talking to? Imaginary friends? Rock 'n' roll. Heavy metal. Not today. Now, class, we continue our experiments with combustible liquids... ...so everyone please take your seats and make sure to wear eye protection. Now that we've isolated our agents... ...we can make a hypothesis as to the outcome. Toby, can we stifle our inner High School Musical long enough... ...to observe this chemical reaction? I have to get it exactly right. Once we introduce the catalyst... - Give it back. - Mine, mine, mine. Mine, mine, mine. Mine. Ow! - Sorry. - You will be. Drop it! Very perceptive, Toby. We must be certain to use the proper amount of catalyst. In this case... ...one drop. - That's it. - Tsk, tsk, tsk. You asked for it. Say hello to my little friends. Mr. Thompson, perhaps a visit to the principal's office is in order... ...possibly followed by one to the school psychologist! Break! I think I broke... ...a nail. Me too. I'm gonna squash you for this. I know. So you don't know who those little dudes were? I thought they were my friends. He wished for friends. We should abduct him. He is not evolved enough for an autopsy. He has friends all around. He just doesn't know it yet. Well, my alien buddies didn't stick around. I guess friends can't be wished into existence. You gotta work for them. Ha. Ha. Let's see you try it. I was right. You do like me. You gotta have enemies... ...to know who your friends are. Mm, toe jam. And now that my space aliens have disappeared... ...I have at least one new friend: Loogie. In fact, he's really the one to blame for all this. So let's go all the way back to the real beginning... ...with Loogie, his brothers... ...and the storm that started it all. I'm tired of video games and I'm bored with TV. Let's do something. We've been through this before. There's nothing else to do. Come play video games with us. We need a third person. Let's go on an outdoor adventure. There's a huge thunderstorm. Look. The biggest rainstorm in Texas history. Well, folks, it looks like we're... That's strange. It's raining everywhere else. What the? Outside! Bring the treasure map! Wait a minute, guys. What are we gonna do about Baby? It's in baby monitor mode. If she wakes up, I'll hear it on my Black Box... ...and we'll come back and give her a bottle. Huh. I don't get it. What happened to the storm? Maybe it's global warming. This sucks. Even my brain feels hot. I read once that yawning cools the brain. Well, just keep talking and I'll start yawning for sure. Look at that! You know what's at the end of a rainbow, don't you? - Skittles? - No, a pot of gold! Treasure! - Awesome! - Let's go! - Guys, look. It's the end of the rainbow. - No way. Or the beginning of the rainbow. What? This rock wasn't here before. What if the rain dropped the rock from the sky... ...and the sun comes out, hits the rock... ...creating this prismatic separation of the light from the sun... ...thus causing a rainbow. Okay, Dr. Dumb Butt. Feels powerful. What do you think it is? I wish I knew. It's a wishing rock. How do you know? It just told me. Okay, then, wish for something. I wish for a never-ending supply of chocolate bars. Huh? Well, there's one. And another and another. And two more. And another. - Cool. A never-ending pocketful of candy. - Do you realize what we have here? - Lots of chocolate. - No. This is... - Hey. - This is mine. It was my idea to go on an adventure, so the wishing rock belongs to me. Don't make any wishes, Loogie. We don't even know the rules yet. I mean, that thing doesn't even come with any instructions. Yeah, no strategy guide, cheat codes, or nothing. I wish for the instructions. We can't read all that. I wish for the short version of the instructions. What's it say? Pfft. "Make a wish." Then I wish for a fortress. With a canyon around it filled with man-eating crocodiles... ...and venomous snakes to protect the Rainbow Rock from thieves. Whoa! How about putting an end to global warming? World hunger? - Wish for world peace. - Yeah. Let me finish my canyon of doom first. People would kill for this. Not if there's world peace! I was about to wish for superpowers. I think one of us has to go get it. Well, you wanted an adventure, didn't you? What'd you wish for again? Snakes? Crocodiles? I think that's all. You don't like my canyon? Does it need more doom? Hey, look. It's the rock. Finally. Loogie. - Almost got it. - No, it's almost got you. What? Aah! Run, Laser, run! Remind me to wish for something big! - What for? - So I can smack you with it! What do I do? If it was a video game, you'd go get the rock. - Good idea. - But it's not a video game. Loogie! I wish the snakes would disappear. Did he chew? No. But he ate my homework. And I think I felt him make a wish. What would a crocodile possibly wish for? He's already strong, fast... ...and he can run on all four legs. Guys, I think I know what he wished for. - Run! - Aah! - Oh, no! We'll never make it! - Yes, we will. Guys, keep running. Get us out of here. I wish something would take us away. A pterodactyl? Couldn't you have been more specific? Hey, I didn't know. You're always wishing for wrong stuff. Thanks a lot, Loogie. At least we're safe up here. I don't get it. How did they climb out of the canyon? Holy peanut-butter cups. - Great, now the baby's crying. - We gotta get back. Wish us home. If I wish for superpowers, I could get them to fall off. Hurry it up, whatever you do. I wish I had telephonesis. Telekinesis, you dummy! I wish I had telekinesis. Phew. Okay. We have a castle, telekinesis and a pterodactyl. Now what? I don't know. Wish for a hat? Gotta think about this more carefully. I wish we could just go back home and start over. It's too dangerous to have around. We gotta keep it out of the wrong hands. Your hands are the wrong hands. Change your head back, Loogie. - This has certain advantages. - What advantages? Hello? All right. I wish the phone was gone. Loogie, we need to be smart about this. Then that's the answer. - Ready? - Yeah. I wish one of us was super smart. It is I. My modes of transference are beyond yours now. I don't need words to communicate. Only thoughts. You're hearing me with your minds. You're right. I wish for a... ...catapult. - Think of all the things we could do. - Too risky. - We could... - Too dangerous. - How about... - Too ridiculous. Although we did have ourselves quite the adventure there, didn't we? We could take care of that world-peace problem. - Now you're talking. - Yeah. My calculations show you would've figured out a way to screw it up. Who, us? Yes. So maybe the baby was smart to get rid of it. But it didn't really matter... ...because the rock kept coming back. Get me a rock! - Where's my rock? - Here. I'm sorry. I'm still not getting the order of this story correctly... ...so I'm gonna jump on over to this short... ...with that weird kid I was telling you about... ...a kid everyone calls "Nose." Nose and I were in school together. We were almost friends... ...until his father, Dr. Noseworthy, the top scientist for Black, Inc... ...started his top-secret research involving... ...germs. Unfortunately, Dr. Noseworthy was terrified of germs... ...and one day, he simply flipped out. So much so that he and his son, Nose... ...wrapped their house in plastic and only came out wearing full bio suits. And that's just how things were: A little weird. But like everything else in Black Falls... ...about to get a little weirder. Welcome to the Noseworthy home. You will be subjected to decontamination... ...before entering our germ-free environment. You are now receiving a series of ion blasts... ...to remove any contaminants from the surface of your body. Germs invade our bodies to steal the energy we produce... ...leaving behind harmful toxins that can cause runny noses, fevers, headaches... ...chicken pox, measles, cavities, diarrhea, necrotizing fasciitis... ...and in some cases, death. The decontamination process is now complete. You may enter. And welcome. They do not pay me enough for this. Dad? Didn't I tell you, don't sneak up on me in here. Sorry, my tutor is here. I was just looking for your scientific calculator. Mine's broken. Just use your Black Box. Just choose the scientific calculator function in the menu. It's next to the cheese grater. Mine's dead. I just think there's too many features. The batteries won't hold a charge... ...for more than a few minutes. - Tell me something I don't know. But let me ask you something. Have you been keeping yourself clean? Huh? - Of course. - Oh, boy. If you could see what I can see. Oh, my goodness. Yeah. All right, I can't have any more interruptions today. I've got to readjust the cell regulator. I tried recalibrating the mitochondrial synthesizer... ...but I just can't get it to live in an extracellular environment. And on top of it all... What are you do... How many times do I have to tell you? Don't pick your nose. It is completely unsanitary. If your nose is full... ...you go into the bathroom and you clean it out with antiseptic wipes. But... Booger! Boogers are like fecal material. Your body is trying to get rid of it. It pushes it up, up, up, out, and then pop. But what do you do? You put it back in your mouth. Back into the system. And it has to start all over again. I'm sorry. Mankind has been evolving too many millennia for you to reingest... Okay! Go wash your hands with antibacterial soap. - And make sure you use the... - Antiseptic wipes? Yes, the wipes. And... ...I'm gonna go take a nap. Excuse you. How can you be late to school when it's in your own house? I was getting my calculator. - What's that? - It's just some kind of rock. You can have it if you want. It's been decontaminated. Okay, well, today we're gonna do fractional inconsistencies. - What's it like out there today? - Don't you look out the window? I have security video screens, but they don't really show the color of the sky. You know, you could just go outside. I mean, a little fresh air won't kill you. Are you crazy? So-called fresh air is loaded with pollutants. On top of that, you've got the ozone washed in UV... ...allergens and all kinds of impurities. At least that's what Dad says. And I agree. What's up with your dad? Stress. Something about a, uh, mitochondrial relay. I just wish that his inventions worked the way they were supposed to. What's he doing here? Nose! You haven't come to visit in almost a year. I should break your arms. But it looks like someone beat me to it. What do you want? Ah, I'm sorry about that, but I've lost something very important. - It looks like it came in your direction. - It's not a good time. It's a rock. It looks like a rainbow and it's this big. How would I have it? I never leave this place. Gotta go, bye. Ugh, he's a virus. Okay, back to work. I know he's your brother, but... Yeah, he's been my personal parasite since he wiggled out of the womb. What was that? Dad's breaking things in the lab again. Let me go check on him. Help me up. What are you doing? He said he didn't have it. - Well, he must've been lying. - How can you tell? - Because his lips were moving. - Are you crazy? We have to get that rock back or else nothing will ever be right again. No, no, no! You'll contaminate my house. Dad? - What... - Aah! Are contaminators doing in my ho... You? You gave me this headache. You and that rock almost ruined last night. Here. Wipe yourselves down right now. Immediately. Turn around. Give me your foot. Oh, look at that. Filthy. Toby, what are you doing here? You want me to lose my job? Well, hello. I'm Loogie. - There's something in there. - What is that rock doing in my house? Nose, give me that rock now. No, no, no, out of the house. Get it out of here. Get it out, out, out. Move it. That's the second time that rock's been eaten. What is that thing? My booger. - You pulled that out of your nose? - Uh... Ew. I've told you a million times not to pick your nose. See what happens? Your invention works. My wish came true. It does, doesn't it? But wait a minute. It must've tripped the chromosomal relay on the cell regulator, but that means... ...it's gotta keep feeding to stay intact. So basically... ...all those years you told me not to eat my boogers? Yes, now your booger is trying to eat you. - Aah! - Decontamination chamber! Run! Wait! We gotta go back for the rock! Forget it, we've lost this round. Son, you get them out of here. I've gotta go back for the cellular devolumizer. One at a time. One at a time. Ladies first. You are now leaving the safe, sterile environment of our home. Well, hello, again. You're next. L... I gotta get the rock! Nose, help him. Do something. He's gonna die. Help Toe. Think, think, think. Your booger's warm. If you eat my friend... ...I'll eat yours. Believe me, he will. Uh-huh. Come on. Come on! What are you waiting for? I haven't been outside in years. I'm afraid. Nose! I know, I know. But I'm just not ready. Okay, now I'm ready! Dad! Are you okay? - He's not breathing. - Breathe, Nose, breathe. If a giant booger monster couldn't kill you, what's a breath of fresh air gonna do? - Breathe! - Breathe! I can breathe! I did it! It was nice seeing you, Nose. I promise I'll call you! Dad, can you believe it? No, I can't. This is gonna make a great specimen. I mean us. We're outside. We're okay. You're right. I didn't explode. Huh. I'm gonna have to rethink my theory of instant exposure. But what do you have to say about this? Bad booger. Hey. I mean, no more picking and from now on... ...antiseptic wipes. - Antiseptic wipes. Good. I got ahead of myself again. But I just remembered... ...how the rock changed my mom and dad. Boy, did it ever. Your parents are coming to the costume party at my dad's house tonight. - I know. - You coming too? No. - Good. - Bye. Wait! - Have you told them about me? - What would I tell them? Mom, Dad, there's a girl at my school who stuffs me in a trash can every day. - You know, the one who broke my arms. - Heh, that's funny. Don't come over and don't say anything about me. I won't say anything about you. Oh, you're texting me hugs and kisses. Why don't you just kiss me? We're in the same room together. Why are you texting me? What happened to two people talking? Maybe this doesn't apply to Team B, but Team A lives in a fast-paced, 24/7 world. These gadgets, made by the company we work for, are to keep us connected. But we're disconnected. Don't you see? It needs to work better. Or we need to work better. We don't even know who our son's girlfriend is. So we just spy on him. That's a new feature I'm adding: Spy on your kids. I'll have an answer. That's not a relationship. - You want me to put it away? - No, I didn't say that. I like my phone, e-mail, text messages, movies, music, ham radio. It's the world at my fingertips. I just... It's just I've... ...got mail. - Don't open that. - Don't get that. - I really have to take this. - I really have to get this. See, you proved my point. I still think we ought to be closer. Mom? - What are you doing? - Um... I was just... I was just looking for my compact. What do you think? Miss Communication. Get it? It fits. We'll be home after bedtime. Take it easy on your sister. You look stupid. So do you. What did I tell you two? That's not how you treat people. Courtesy, consideration, respect. You know it. Now do it. - Yes, Dad. - Yes, Dad. Stop calling me! I never call you. Loogie? I figured out where your friends came from. It was a rock, a rainbow-colored rock. You make a wish and then it comes true. You must have found it. Where is it? - Mom. - Hello? I'm not your mom. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But you growing is not important, okay? I don't care how big your feet are now. Remember our honeymoon? I gotta take this call. If I can get this guy onboard, I can make all our wishes come true. - Tulum. - Right. We could go back there, you know. There's no phones, no emails, no text messaging, no Black Box. It's just the two of us. We did yoga together. We did yoga together. We had bala... Call dropped. Stupid phone feature. Meh, he'll call back. A little help up here, pal. I just wish we were closer. Right. - Really close. - Mm-hm. What just happened? - We can't go in there! - Of course we can't! How is Mr. Black gonna take me seriously wearing your dress? Someone's coming! Shh! Helvetica, someone rang the doorbell and ran off. Are you making enemies again? Well, you see, there's this boy... If they come back, let me handle it. Not you. Understood? - Change us back. - I didn't do this. You said you wanted us to be closer and then, zap, we were. Now change us back. I want us to be back the way we were too. You must have done something wrong. Typical B-Team work. - Somebody's trying to teach us a lesson. - About what, anatomy? - That's me. That's my guy. I can't... - Let it go to voicemail, for crying out loud. I've been waiting for this call all night. What you looking for? Ow! What did you do that one for? I warned you to stay away, Toe Thompson! - My name is Toby! - Helvetica. Why all the shouting? Oh. Dad, this is Toe. I mean, Toby. He was just coming by to bring me my math homework. Please accept my apologies, young man. My daughter has the habit of bringing unwanted attention upon herself. - Dad. - Hel. Take him inside, put some ice on his head. We'll talk about this later. Let's go, Hel. Now stay still. What are you doing here? Came here to get my mom's purse. - Thanks for the ice. Bye. - Wait. Don't go. Let go of the wishing rock. - Wishing rock? How does it work? - I said fishing rock. Heh, heh. Two points. You stupid excuse for a brother. I wish you were a stupid little dung beetle. Did you see that? Wow. - We have to go get that rock. - And how are we gonna do that? Mr. And Mrs. Thompson, excellent costume. Pity we aren't giving out prizes. Come in. Wait a minute. - Aren't you on opposing teams? - Yes. But I'm still his better half, so... "Miscommunication." Our theme for the night. If you would please join the others, I'll be addressing everyone shortly. So far, so good. Nobody's really noticed us. Just don't trip. I'm gonna change you back. Just stay here so you don't get squished and quit your whining. Give me my rock back. My brother's a bug. So, what's new? The rock's out there somewhere. Stay here while I go get it. Nope. We go together. Like Siamese twins. I'll need everyone's attention. The fate of Version X of the Black Box lies in the hands of two teams. I made a promise to myself and more importantly the world... ...that I would never release an upgrade... ...that didn't meet our highest standards of wow. The winning team will be showered with accolades... ...and the losers get a one-way ticket to Canned City. - I'll need the representatives... - That's us. ...from Team A and Team B to step up here now. Can you stand a little further apart? We can't very well fire just one of you if you're standing together as one. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, eh? Now that's the honest go-for-the-throat spirit I'm talking about. I wish each and every one of you had that same go-for-the-throat spirit. What are you doing? What's happening? Have you all gone mad? - Aah! My back is going out. - No, your back is not going out. Thompson! Do you know what's happening? I believe Team A has discovered the solution to the upgrade problem. That's the solution to our little problem, remember? We've got the rock now, Dad. We can have anything we want. Just wish for it. This is all your doing, isn't it, young lady? No, Dad, just listen. We're here to talk about a box! A Black Box, not a round colorful rock. This box needs to be able to do everything. That's what this does. That's the last straw. Helvetica, go to your room, don't ever come out! No! I wish you would just listen to me for a change. I wish these casts were off. Not his, just mine. Shh! I wish for a rocket bike. I know what it's like to feel that no one's listening. That no one's your friend. But Helvetica... ...I'm your friend. I don't need friends. See you, stooges. We're not riding that. See? Teamwork. Togetherness. We're connecting. Would you look at that? - Turn left. - My left or your left? It's the same thing, isn't it? We are so not connected. I wish you were all back to normal! Well, obviously someone spiked the Kool-Aid. You'll remember none of this in the morning. Give me that rock back. Or I'll break every other bone in your body. You wish. Where is that funny little stone of yours? That idiot threw it... ...clear over there somewhere. Did he? Guess we're back to our old separate selves. We don't have to be. - That rock could have gotten one of us... - We don't need the rock. We just have to go to Mr. Black and tell him no competing teams. We are not gonna work against each other anymore. Two heads are better than one. Strike a balance? Connected? Completely. Don't get that. I won't. All right, you get the idea. They learned their lesson and decided that from now on... ...they would truly stand together. They were gonna need it where they were headed. We all were. - Breathe! - Breathe! It was nice seeing you, Nose. I promise I'll call you! - Can't believe we got the rock. - I know. What should we wish for first? First I wish these casts were off. The rock's potential is bigger than us. We gotta be careful and start by... Aah! Handing it over to me. Cole. I think we're gonna need another trash can. It must be Christmas. - Hey, she has a rock just like ours. - That is ours, you dummy. - Hey, guys. - Look who it is. Everybody's favorite booger-eating germophobe. What are you doing outside, bubble boy? Yeah. What did you wish for, guts? No. He came out on his own. He didn't need the rock. Ew. That's right, I'm not afraid of anything anymore. Not even you, typeface. Put the rock on the ground and step away. Dad, what are you doing? - Grab the rock and make a wish. - It's all for the best, Helvetica. Uh-uh. My wishes keep backfiring. You do it. Get it! Helvetica! Do whatever it takes! - I thought you told me not to be a bully. - It's not bullying if you win. Oh, I hate being told what to do. Should we follow them, sir? I know where they're going. I wish... I wish... I wish I could fly! - I got it. - Where could he be? He'll be fine. I'm sure he's just out playing with his new friends. - You'll never get it. - It's my rock. - No, it's not. - Give it to me. I wish for really long arms. I wish to disappear. She's invisible. Get it. Run. Hurry up. Reverse invisibility and arms back to normal. You know, I always did like you, Laser. Really? Liked. Curbside delivery. Uh, gather round. You'll wanna hear this. You're all fired. This small stone is the ultimate Black Box... ...the only upgrade we'll ever need. Wait. Why even bother? I could just forget about the business altogether... ...and simply wish for a giant pile of money. You see, black becomes colorful... ...square becomes round and you become obsolete! I've got all I need right here. But what about me, Dad? Oh. Well, you, okay. You can come too. And you too, Cole. Come on, Dad. You must be joking. My girl, I wish I were. Wish me down. I'm rehiring you at double your salary. I don't need your money, Mr. Black. I've got the rock. The adults are gonna wreck this place for sure. We gotta stop them. - Right. - Right. Stay back! Stay back! I wish I were... An Oscar Mayer wiener! You! I'll give you $ 10 if you help me down. - All right. - Gingerly. John? Hey. You got your wish. I'm all grown up. Well, hello, I'm Loogie. Also known as: Enough. I wish that I were the most powerful thing... ...in the entire world. We have to take turns using the rock to stop him. - Cole, he's our dad, so you and me first. - What? He needs our help. He's become drunk with power. I wish I were a giant wasp. Male stuffing! I wish I was a giant... Stuff, stuff, stuff. Missed me. Missed me. I'll teach you to listen to your Helvetica. Dung beetle? All right, Dad, here I come. How dare you attack your father? You blinked! Thirty-five hours, 15 minutes and 20 seconds... ...and you blinked! You lose, loser. We need backup. I wish for my alien friends. I wish for my crocodile army. Bill. There's a baby out there. Stop. - You've made the rock angry. - What? It has given life to your petty desires, but you continue to break its laws. Why are we listening to a baby? In your greedy hands, it could mean the end of the world... ...even the end of the universe. - What's wrong? - The rock grows weary. It cannot sustain this strain on its powers. We have to get rid of the rock or it will destroy us all. - How? - I've got it. It's something I've been working on for the latest upgrade... ...to extend Black Box battery life. - Really? It's germs. Germs? Dip your hands in. - Oh, my gosh. - Ugh, it's warm. It collects and magnifies the energy from the mitochondria in every cell in your body. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Hold hands. Ew! Our combined energy will get rid of the rock... ...but we must stand together, as one. We know we have disrespected you. Leave us now and we shall pick up the pieces, learning from our mistakes. I need a new diaper. Over there. The rainbow's end. Not the end. The beginning. For someone else to find. Hopefully they'll use it wiser than we did. Mr. Black, we just wanna say both Team A and Team B will help rebuild. But not as separate entities. The power is in all of us. And if we work together, we can move mountains. Or really big rocks. Agreed. Sweet muscles. That's not what I had in mind. Is this your special friend? I'm Helvetica. Nice to meet you. So we're friends. Let's settle for no longer enemies. So that's pretty much how that week went. I made some new friends. Loogie and his brothers got the adventure of their young lives. And my parents finally came together. For the first time, really. Or at least that's how they put it. Nose and his dad teamed up and continued working on experiments... ...on personal hygiene. Which I'm indebted to you for. My dad didn't make partner, but he and Mr. Black became friends. Not best friends, but good friends. Seeing as how they might get to be family someday. Um, I didn't agree to that. Oh, you will. Just wait. The Black Box was never perfected. In fact, Mr. Black initiated a top-to-bottom redesign. He thought he should do something to change the world for the better... ...so he went green. But it could never do what the Rainbow Rock could do. And even if it could, would we really want it? Sometimes wishing does make it so. But be sure you're wishing for something worth wishing for. I wish we were in a Hollywood movie. Yeah. Like that's gonna happen. I wish I had telekinesis! Hey, this song that's playing right now is something I wrote. I got my wish.