Brain Sees Stars Arthur

# Every day when you're walkin' down the street

# Everybody that you meet

# Has an original point of view

-# And I say, hey!

-Hey!

# What a wonderful kind of day If we can learn to work and play

# And get along with each other

# You gotta listen to your heart Listen to the beat

# Listen to the rhythm The rhythm of the street

# Open up your eyes! Open up your ears!

# Get together and make things better By working together

# It's a simple message And it comes from the heart

# Oh, believe in yourself For that's the place to start

-# And I say, hey!

-Hey!

-What a wonderful kind of day

# If we can learn to work and play And get along with each other

# What a wonderful kind of day, hey! What a wonderful kind of day, HEY! #

Hey, DW!

-Hey!

-Whoooooa! Oof!

Three... Two... One...

Zero. Ignition. Lift off.

Do you know what I love about astrophysics -

the study of how planets and stuff move through space?

Hey! What's this button for?

You can predict exactly what they'll do.

Earth and Mars circle the sun in predictable patterns called orbits,

so even though they're travelling at about 50,000 miles an hour

and are millions of miles apart,

our rocket won't get lost.

Hey! Come back, peas!

All we have to do is aim for where Mars will be when we get there,

eight months from now.

Eight months?!

What are we going to do on this tiny ship for eight months?

Chess.

You see? It's eight months later and we're right on target.

And...checkmate.

-That's 3,100 games to 3,099.

-You cheated.

You moved your king while I was out spacewalking.

Oh, yeah?

When I get this seatbelt off, I'm going to spacewalk all over you.

Don't you love how you can rely on science?

ALARMS BLARE

If only people were the same way.

And that was Bach's Violin Concerto No.1 in A minor.

For all you amateur astronomers out there,

you can watch the Carlsaganids meteor shower tonight

at approximately 8:14pm.

This time, nothing will stop me.

Don't forget, Alan.

I need your help tonight with that big ice cream order

for Crosswire Motors.

Way ahead of you, Mom.

Tonight's the big meteor shower, so I asked Arthur if he'd sub for me.

The curse won't get me this time!

That's fine, dear.

The curse?! What curse?

Every time I try to see a meteor shower, something happens

and I miss it.

I missed the Perseids...

DOOR BELL RINGS

Alan, look who showed up for a surprise visit - Grandma!

HE SIGHS

'..I missed the Draconids...'

Thanks for helping me clean up.

Now go see your meteor shower. Everything here is under control.

HE SIGHS

'..and I missed the Quadrantids.'

This is kind of embarrassing,

but...would you know how to change a tyre?

HE SIGHS

Wow. You really are cursed.

Want my lucky corn muffin?

CLUNK!

Thanks, but I'm prepared this year.

I spent weeks mapping out solutions to everything that could go wrong.

I did all my homework ahead of time,

I finished up all my chores for the school band and the computer club,

and I got Arthur to agree to help out in my mom's ice cream shop,

out of the kindness of his heart.

This time, my plans are foolproof.

COUGHING

Is it me, or is it really hot in here?

HE COUGHS

No, you're sick!

Don't worry, Brain.

-I can definitely still sub for you toni...

-HE COUGHS

-BOTH:

-The curse!

Your sub is going to need a sub.

Oh...

Where can I find someone who loves ice cream enough

to spend a whole evening in my mom's shop?

I'm available.

-Where can I find someone RESPONSIBLE who loves...?

-Aw, come on, Brain.

I already have a list of innovations in my head.

What do you think your mom would say to a hot fudge sloppy joe?

I'd say that I'm probably going to regret this, but you're hired.

And don't worry! It's not like I'm going to catch what Arthur has.

Ooh, beans.

BELL RINGS

Alan, about the paper you handed in early...

Is there something wrong with it?

Oh, no. It's excellent.

I was wondering if you'd read it aloud

at the open house for incoming students tonight.

Tonight?! But tonight is...

I really think it will inspire the next generation.

I really appreciate that, but...

Fern's the real author in our class!

I'll bet she's written something even better.

Could you let her read at tonight's open house instead?

The open house for incoming students?

Tonight? But I'm only on my sixth draft.

-Well, I'd have to see her paper.

-We'll get it to you soon.

But I have a process! Writing is like preparing a stew.

You have to stir the ingredients and let them marinade in the juices.

What's more important, Fern?

Cooking a meal or inspiring the next generation?

What if I take a look at it before you hand it in?

Every writer needs a good editor.

OK. It's a deal.

I saw it all, you genius.

-Brain, I think you're finally going to beat...

-Oh, hey!

Coach just posted the new schedule,

and guess whose turn it is to clean the equipment after soccer practice?

BOTH: The curse!

Heads up!

I know it's just practice, but could you focus?

I am focusing. What's another word for "cat-like"?

I've got it! Feline.

Can't you help out on the field?

Can't you take over washing the equipment for me after practice?

Told you... Muffy's dad... hosting a drive-in movie.

Promised Muffy I'd help sell treats.

Argh!

-WHISTLE BLOWS

-And time!

Great practice, everyone!

Practice is over already? I'm only on page two!

Hmm, I'm quite impressed. OK, Fern, you're on. Alan, you can go.

Thanks, Fern. I don't know where I'd be without your lyrical style.

Lyrical? What do you mean, lyrical?

Just that it's very, um, descriptive.

You're saying I use too many adjectives, aren't you?

-I knew it! I'm starting over.

-What? No, it's perfect.

HE SIGHS

And so the first astronauts on the moon learned

that craters are formed by the impact of meteorites,

stones drawn to us by gravity from the far reaches of space

and our imagination.

APPLAUSE

So, er, what's a meteorite again?

HE SIGHS

Buster, perfect timing.

I'll run in and get my gear and you can put on an apron and help my mom.

-Hey...

-HE COUGHS

Is it hot out here, or is it just me?

I don't know why you're still here, Brain.

-HE COUGHS

-I'm fine. I have this...covered.

Covered in germs!

-It's the curse.

-It's not a curse, Alan.

You're just delayed because you're being so nice and helpful. Now run.

I can handle the rest myself.

You want me to put these strawberries in the freezer, Mrs P?

HE SNEEZES

Out!

Would you help me cross the street?

Really, it's fine. You don't have to tip me.

Oh, I insist.

HE SIGHS

The best time to see most meteor showers is late at night

when it's dark.

But the Carlsaganids happen early in the evening,

and this year, there's only a thin crescent moon

so we'll get a great view much earlier.

8:10pm. I can't believe I made it!

I'm away from the city lights for better viewing, with my camera,

green tea and...

What in the name of Copernicus?!

Hey, Brain. Welcome to Muffy's dad's drive-in movie.

I told you I'd get better soon.

-Me too. I'm...

-HE COUGHS

..the picture of health.

How come you're not watching the meteor shower?

It's too bright.

Want some ice cream?

How about some popcorn?

No! That's it. I give up.

The only thing I can count on in this world

is that I'm cursed to never, ever see a meteor shower in person.

Welcome to Crosswire Motors' temporary drive-in theatre.

Enjoy the film, Douglas The Talking Dunebuggy.

Boy, Brain looks so sad.

He tried so hard, but the curse got him.

I wish there was something we could do.

Maybe there is.

HE WHISPERS

-Hey!

-Where'd the movie go?!

Er, technical difficulties, everyone.

But in the meantime, look up!

-Ooh!

-Wow!

The Carlsaganids!

-Wow...

-Wow!

See, Brain, there is something else you can count on...

us.