Love Amongst the Stars (2022) - full transcript

- Because our telescopes

are only capable of viewing
the brightest stars,

there is still much debate over
the precise number of stars

in our galaxy.
Yes?

- What about comets?

Now, comets are
a very interesting case

because, yes, they typically
burn brighter than stars,

so one would assume they're
much easier to see and
quantify.

But even still, there are
comets whose existence is
disputed today.

I'll give y'all an example.

Aiden 54P,
or as you all probably know it,



the Lover's Comet,

is a comet from mythology.

Pops up in Greek myths, Egypt,
Aztec, all over the world.

Now, all the legends say that
anyone who can spot this comet

will be led to their soulmate.

But the Lover's Comet
hasn't reappeared

in the night sky
in close to 2,000 years.

In fact, the last time it was
seen

was when Vesuvius erupted
in Pompeii in 79 AD.

But even that's disputed

since we have
no physical record of it.

- Do you think it's real?

- As a matter of fact, I do.

And I think
it's coming back very soon.



Ah, we are out of time.

Everyone have
a wonderful spring break

and remember to check the night
sky for the Lover's Comet.

You never know.
You just might see it.

I sure hope I do.

Excuse me.
What are you two doing?

- Uh, hey, Professor Alphard.

It's a scavenger hunt for
Professor Finway's history
class.

First one to find a real
artifact gets to skip the
final.

- Okay, can you take
your little treasure hunt

somewhere other than
the middle of campus, please?

- Let's get out of here.

- Apparently, we've hired
Blackbeard as our newest
professor.

Wonderful.

Ah, it's only a few days away,
Olivia. I can feel it.

I just really hope the comet
shows up before I present to
the board.

- Do you do anything
besides look into a telescope?

- Okay, proving that
the Lover's Comet is real

could get my entire department
more funding,

maybe an observatory.

- Sweetheart, you need to break
up

this relentless mission you're
on with some fun.

Maybe go on a date.
- Order up.

- I don't need to go on a date.

I need to make a miraculous
astronomical discovery...

and I could easily date,
if I wanted to.

- Oh, really?

Okay, prove it.

Get a date right now.

- Fine.
Pick a guy.

- That guy.
Blue shirt.

- Hmm?
- Yeah.

- Okay.

- It could be.

Oh.

Hi.
- Hey.

- I'm Augie.

- Heidi.

- So, Heidi, do you always walk
up to strange men in bars?

- You're the first.

But I have some questions.

Favorite day of the week?

- Ooh, Friday.
Saturday's too obvious.

- Beyond Burgers
or golden retrievers?

- Tie.
Number?

- Seven.
It's lucky.

No, can I have your
phone number?

Oh, uh, yes.

Yeah.
- So, Heidi, what do you do?

- I teach at Longfield
University.

Astronomy.
You?

- Uh, let's continue this
sometime soon.

I'm really sorry.
I have to go.

- Yeah sure, no problem.
- I'll call you.

Later guys.

- Do I still got it,
or do I still got it?

- Amazing.
Flawless.

Ugh, stunning.
Total goddess.

- I think I could like him.

- Yeah, what's not to like?

The guy looks like Thor
in an Oxford.

Oh, apple pie for pops.

- Thanks very much.
Good night.

- Yes!
That's my best friend!

Whoo!

- Hey, Dad.
- I'm up! I'm up!

- Apple pie.
- Oh, goodie.

- And a fork.

- You're in a chipper mood.

- I had a good night.

- Oh, I haven't seen that face

since that boy on the soccer
team asked you to prom.

The one with the frosted tips.
- Don't remind me.

It's not a big deal,

but I did give a handsome
stranger my phone number.

- Ah, yes, the timeless start
to any romance.

Or murder mystery.
- Very funny.

- Hey, this pie is for me. - I
get a bite for bringing it
over.

Mm.

- Mm, not quite as good
as your mom used to make.

- Yeah.

I miss her.
- Me too.

Are you ready
for the meeting tomorrow?

- Hardly.

Every time I have
to present budget concerns

to the rest of the faculty,
it's like I'm speaking Latin.

- Hm, law school professors

should have no problem
understanding you then.

Get it?

Because legal terms
are mostly in Latin, so the--

- I understood the joke, Dad.

- You'll do great.

- Having to talk about budgets,
it's just so financial and
political.

It's not my cup of tea.

Anyway, I'm gonna head home.

I just wanted to stop by
with some dessert

because that's what the
president of a prestigious
university deserves.

- You are correct.
My job is hard.

I deserve sugar.

- Good night.
- Night.

Oh, and try not to break any
hearts on your way home.

- Now the Sicilian defense.

- I was hoping to discuss
budgetary concerns,

specifically in my department.

I've been noticing recently
that the science departments

are being neglected while other
departments are thriving

and given free reign.
For example...

Uh, Professor Finway has his
students running around campus

with digging equipment
ripping up the grounds.

Now, I can appreciate
that brand-new faculty

may not know all of the rules,
but imagine if I had my
students

build their own observatory
on the quad.

- All I'm saying is that maybe
it's time we reinvest in
science.

- History Department,
August Finway.

Care to defend yourself?

- Present.

Hi, everyone.

I'm the notorious
Professor August Finway.

Some people call me Augie.

I know I don't know most of
you.

I'm not really a fan
of staff meetings,

but look, I can't keep my
students cooped up

in a classroom, and sometimes
they learn better on their
feet.

I'll let them know not to dig
anywhere on campus. Okay?

- Okay.

Moving on.

It's time to draw names
for the two professors

who will run
our spring break program

for high school seniors

interested in applying
to Longfield.

- Hey, Finway.

- Hey, Heidi.
How's it going?

- How come I didn't know you're
also a professor here, Augie?

- Well, I thought I said we
would discuss it at length
later,

didn't I?
- Why haven't I met you yet?

- I just got here at the
beginning of the semester.

Plus, I'm in the history
building,

and you're all the way
on the other side of campus.

Big university.

I'm not exactly
the faculty mixer type.

I'm a professor.
You're a professor.

What's the big deal?

- Just seems like an important
detail to leave out, don't you
think?

- What did you want me to say?

Oh, how lovely
that we're colleagues.

Should we cease
flirting immediately

and discuss
lesson plans instead?

- Actually, yes.

- You really think I'd stop
a beautiful woman hitting on me

with a downer like that?

- August, how exciting
that you and Heidi

will be leading
our spring program together.

- Couldn't pass up an
opportunity to help out.

- Heidi and I are going to be
making dinner tonight at my
place.

How about you join us? - I'm
sure that's not necessary.

- I'd love to.
- Wonderful. 8:00 p.m.

- Dad, seriously?
- What?

You're going
to spend break together.

You might as well get to know
him.

- Running the spring program
is going to put a huge dent

in my research time.

- The fishbowl has spoken.
You'll just have to manage.

My rook appears to be stuck.

- And running the program
with August?

- His teaching style is
unorthodox, but that could be
good for you.

- Unorthodox?

He's an archaeologist
moonlighting as a professor.

I read some articles about him
after the meeting today.

The guy is practically Indiana
Jones. -

- What's he doing at Longfield
anyway?

On his last expedition,

he found a 10,000-year-old
completely intact trade ship.

Why would he give that up
to teach here?

Well, speak of the devil.

- Side gate was open,
so I just followed the noise.

- August, welcome.
Thanks for the wine.

- Intense game.
- Very.

I'm my most difficult opponent.

- Ah, rook to bishop four
ought to do it.

- Not bad.

This year, we have eight
seniors enrolled in the spring
program.

A remarkable group of kids.

- Actually, my nephew, Bryce,
is one of them.

- Hm?
- Really?

- Yeah, part of the reason
I took the job here

was to be closer to him,
help him get some direction.

That's also why
I left early last night,

to pick him up from karate.

- Ah, so you're the mysterious
man at the bar.

I've put together
some writing exercises

for the spring students
to work on.

Well, you two
will have your hands full.

Especially you Heidi,
balancing your research.

- What research?

- I'm looking
for the Lover's Comet.

If I can prove that it exists,

then maybe the board
will funnel some money

into the astronomy department

and we could finally
get an observatory.

- The Lover's Comet.

So you're trying
to prove the fairy tale.

- It's not a fairy tale.

- We have no record
of it physically existing,

so it kind of is.

- I don't need an artifact
to prove that it exists.

It's a theory.

- Last I checked, people don't
go to museums to hear theories.

Besides, your comet
hasn't been seen since--

- Pompeii, just before
Vesuvius erupted.

- And what
do you have to prove it?

- My calculations
and my mother's research.

She was working on this before
she passed away a few years
ago.

- I'm sorry to hear that.

- Thank you.

She was very close
to a breakthrough,

and I just picked up
where she left off.

If any of the comet made
landfall, it'd be in Pompeii.

- So you think the myth about
the lovers seeing the comet

and escaping together

just before the volcano erupted
is true?

- I'd be willing to bet that
there are fragments of that
comet

in Pompeii as we speak.
Maybe you could dig them up.

- Charles,
thank you so much for dinner.

I'm really sorry.

I have something urgent
I need to attend to.

- But we made bananas Foster.

I nearly
burned down the kitchen.

- Next time.
Thanks again.

- That was odd.
He just left.

- Yeah, he has a habit of doing
that.

- Anyway, I think I like him.

- You gotta be kidding.

- Heidi!
- Shh! It's a library.

- Literally no one here.
- Were you here all night?

- Actually, yes, I was.
- Why?

- Everything you said fits.
Lover's Comet, Pompeii.

- What about it?

- What if I told you
I might have a piece of it?

- How?

- One of my first expeditions
was a dig

with my mentors in Pompeii.

I found a rock that didn't
quite match everything else I
was finding.

I briefly thought it could be
something from space,

but I abandoned that theory

because my mentor, HP,
wouldn't hear it.

- Do you still have it?
- Actually, yes.

- Where?
- It's in my office, I think.

- We have a few hours before
the spring break session.

Show me.

- Recent office change?
- Nope.

This is the one they gave me at
the beginning of the semester.

- That was two months ago.

- Eh, I don't really see the
point in getting settled in

somewhere I might not stay.
- What do you mean?

Uh, look, teaching's more
of a temporary thing for me.

The position
was only for a semester.

Ideally, I get
a curating gig in New York.

I'm a tumbleweed.

I need adventure,
not cable knit and bookshelves.

- What about your nephew?

- Once he gets into college,
I'll go back to my old life.

Hold on.
I remember packing it.

Found it!

Well?

Is it?

- It is.
- I knew it!

- Do you know what this means?

It means I could finally
make my mark on astronomy.

This could be it.

- What if--
hear me out.

You need to bolster your
research with some historical
context,

and I need a big finding
to get the attention

of the antiquity archives
in New York City.

- Okay.

- Let me team up
with you on your research,

give it some historical
backing,

and then we send it to the
museums when we finish.

- Why?
- Come on.

How much more likely are you
going to get that observatory

with the flashy new
history professor on board?

- Okay,
why would I need your help?

- Because my guess is your
research is densely scientific.

- What's wrong
with focusing on the science?

- It needs a discovery, Heidi.
That's what I do.

- I'll think about it.

We're going to be late
for the spring session.

- Right.

Almost forgot about
those misguided teenagers.

- All right, guys.

I was thinking we could start
with an icebreaker.

Everyone tell us your name,
what you want to study at
Longfield,

and your favorite author.
-I have a better idea.

-Oh, do you?
- Don't just tell us, show us.

It's a library.

Go find your favorite book
in the stacks.

Get on your feet! Up!

- Where are you going?

- We do everything our students
do. Pick a book, Heidi.

- Need help finding anything?

- Yeah, I'm looking for the
book about that kid

who goes to the private school.

He's real confused
about what he wants.

I can't remember
what it's called.

- Um, that could be
most young adult novels.

He's got a real funny name.
Something like Hold, or--

- Holden Caulfield.
- Yeah, that's it!

- I think what you're looking
for is "Catcher In The Rye."

- Yes.
Thank you.

I'm Bryce by the way.
- Heidi.

- I see you met my nephew.
- Yeah.

- He's a good kid.

He's just missing
a compass at the moment.

How so?

- His mom works full-time,

and his dad passed away
when he was young.

Now that he's applying
to colleges,

I felt like he needed somebody
here to guide him, you know?

- Mm-hmm.

I figured
that would be your choice.

Homer's "Odyssey."
Timeless classic.

I was expecting
Einstein or Newton from you.

- Oh, I considered it,
but "A Wrinkle in Time"

always has a piece of my heart.

Okay, let's all get to know
one another

by explaining
why we chose our book.

Who wants to start?

- Bryce, you're up.

Uh, I'm Bryce.

I picked "Catcher in the Rye"
just cause it's the first book

I've read where the main
character didn't feel fake.

- How do you mean?
- I don't know.

He's just real upfront
about not being understood.

- Do you know what you'd like
to study at Longfield?

- No, I haven't really thought
about it that much.

- Well, let's use this next
week to really dig in

on why Longfield
is the right choice.

By the end of the session,
you should all have

a solid first draft
of your personal essay.

Think about these books.

They say a lot more
than you think.

- Between my research
and the spring session,

it's going to be tough
to get it all done.

- You've been so wrapped up
with this pursuit of the comet,

I can't help but wonder is
there something else going on?

- Like what?

- Well, I know how much
stargazing meant to you and
your mother.

It was always your special
thing.

All those nights out,

watching meteor showers
and wishing on stars.

Is this perhaps an attempt
to relive all that?

Are you psychoanalyzing me?

- No, I'm looking for the comet

because I want my students
to have an observatory.

It has nothing
to do with losing mom.

Actually, do you still have
mom's old files?

- Yes, why?

I just want to see if she had
something else on the Lover's
Comet.

Maybe she noticed something
I didn't.

Hi?

- Charles invited me over
for some chess.

- Come in, come in.

- What are you,
some kind of chess master?

- I never made grandmaster,

but I am technically
a candidate master.

- What does that mean?

- It means
your dad's going to lose.

- We'll see about that.

- Well, I'm going to leave the
two of you to your game of
wits.

Dad, mom's files?

- In the cabinet outside my
study. - Thanks.

- So are you interested in him?

I mean, I know working together
complicates things a little
bit,

but you guys had such good
chemistry at the restaurant.

- Absolutely not, he is just
helping me with my research.

- I thought you said
he was a history professor.

- He has a piece of the comet.

- What?
Of your comet?

- It's a long story.
- What?

- I actually have to go meet
with him right now.

- For a date?
- What, no! To work.

I'll see you later.
- Okay, bye.

- So my calculations are
currently sitting in the .02753
realm,

and in all my years of
observing, I would say

that this is the closest
I've ever been to accuracy,

or at least
what I can comfortably call

scientific accuracy.

And as you can see,

taking into account the
triangulation of the position
of mercury

and if you consider
the tilt of the earth's axis,

we should see the reemergence
of the comet--

- I'm bored.

- Excuse me?

- I said I'm bored.

Let's get outside.
It's stifling in here.

That's better.

Okay, so, as I was saying,
given the environmental
factors--

Ugh. Boo!
- Oh, come on.

- Why is it important?

- It's a massive
scientific breakthrough.

Okay, maybe to you
this all makes sense,

but you have to convince the
board on why this is all
important

and do it in a way they'll
understand.

Think of them as your students.
- They're not my students.

They're a bunch of older,
wealthy people with strong
opinions.

- Right, but talk to them
how you talk to your students.

- Fine, Aiden 54P is a cosmic
event so...

- The Lover's Comet.

- Aiden 54P
is the scientific name.

- But the myth is the draw.
It's the Lover's Comet.

No, the myth
is only a way to place it

in a certain time and place.
- Oh, come on.

Two lovers finding each other
in a hopeless situation,

escaping just in time?
It's beautiful.

- It's silly.

- Aiden 54P doesn't have the
same ring as the Lover's Comet.

- Has anyone
ever told you you're obnoxious?

- Has anyone
ever told you you're uptight?

- This isn't going anywhere.

- You need to sell the board
on this project,

and some random dead
scientist's name

followed by
a weird number combination

isn't going to do it.

Lean into the myth.
Trust me.

It's sexier.

The Lover's Comet.

A tale of love, loss,
adventure, and the stars.

Whew.

Ebert gives it
two thumbs down.

- Give me some time
to work out the details.

- August?

Finished wasting away in this
university system already?

- Not yet, HP.

I'm calling
because I wanted to talk to you

about a new endeavor.

- What kind of endeavor?
- A cosmic one.

- You have my attention.

- What if I told you
I might have a way to prove

that the Lover's Comet myth
is real?

- I'd wonder if you recently
had a hit on the head.

I'm serious, HP.

There's an astronomer here
who I'm working with.

I think
she's really onto something.

I mean, she's one of the most
stressed out people

I've ever met in my life,
but she's brilliant, HP.

Intimidatingly so.

- Enough about her.
What have you got?

- Too early to talk yet in
detail, but what do you think?

Is it worth a position
at the museum?

- Well, you prove something
like this,

there'll be plenty of openings
here for you in New York.

- Looks like I got work to do.

- I mean, my data is perfect.

Who is he to say that it's
boring?

- Shh.
I'm trying to Zen.

- When the comet shows up
in a few days...

- Heidi, please!
Shush.

If anyone needs yoga, it's you.

- Feel that?

Negative energy
is radiating from over here.

- Okay, okay, I'll clear my
chakras or whatever.

- Yes.
Release it.

Ow.

Eh.

- All I'm saying is there's
more important things

than the comet
and the presentation.

What's that supposed to mean?

Look around.
It's a beautiful day, enjoy it.

Like that guy.

- Oh, my gosh.
Is that August?

- What?

- Hey.
- Hi!

This is my friend.

- I'm Olivia.
- August.

Hatha flow yoga.

- Yep.

- You don't really strike me
as the yoga type.

- Trust me, she's not.

That lady snapped my spine
like a glow stick.

- Okay.
Hey, you know what?

You should come by
the restaurant tonight.

My boyfriend Mike is trying out
a new tasting menu,

and we could use
some new tastebuds.

- Definitely.
I'd love to.

- Great, well Heidi will give
you the details.

- See you then.

- What?
He seems like a nice guy.

And he looks really good
in that running gear.

-Don't remind me.
-I will remind you.

- Oh, Olivia,
it looks so great in here.

- I know, right?

- Wait, are you sitting us
together?

- Duh, look at him.
Go!

- Hi.
- Hi.

I hope you don't mind
I brought Bryce.

- Of course not.
Hey, Bryce.

- Hey, sorry for crashing your
date.

- Oh, it's not a date.
Did he say it was a date?

He wishes it was a date.

- Hi, everybody.

Thank you so much for coming.

First up,
we have a lobster ceviche

with a micro citrus salad.

Enjoy.
- Mmm.

- How does he get the sauce
to be foam?

- Oh, Mike is a magician
in the kitchen.

- It looks like something
from a cooking show.

It's so cool.

You know what? You should go
check out the kitchen.

Mike would love it.
- Really?

- Yeah.
- Go.

- So I was thinking that we
could open with the data

on cyclical astronomical--

Your insistence
about discussing business

is really affecting
the taste of my lobster.

- Okay.

What should we talk about then?

- Well, if we're going
to work together,

we should probably
get to know each other.

- What do you want to know?

- I don't know. Uh, what got
you into astrology?

- Astrology is signs.
Astronomy is stars.

- You're not into
that astrology stuff?

- I'm a Virgo.
- I don't know what that means.

- It means I'm practical, so
no.

My mom was an astronomer.

I guess I just wanted
to finish what she started.

- What about you?

How did you get into
archaeology?

- Well, I had a dog growing up,
Rex.

- Okay.

- And Rex loved digging holes
in our backyard.

And one day I go out,

and Rex is just going intensely
on this one hole.

I was like, "There must be
something in there."

- What was in there?

Well, I excavated
our entire backyard.

- Mm-hmm.

I'm sure
your parents were thrilled.

- They were ready
to tear their hair out,

but ironically
Rex discovered a dinosaur bone.

- Hmm.
- Shin bone.

Yeah, good old Rex
lived up to his name.

Ever since,
I've been hooked on it.

- Well, here's to Rex.

- Just hold the handle like
you're shaking someone's hand.

That way,
the knife doesn't go anywhere.

- That was nice of you to let
Bryce stay with Mike in the
kitchen.

Ah, he was so excited about all
the chopping and the fire.

How could I say no?

I just hope he comes home
with all his fingers.

Don't worry.

He's in good hands.

- Well, I guess
I'll see you tomorrow.

You know, an astronomer's day
begins when the sun goes down.

- Wait, wait, wait.

Why'd I drag that thing
all the way out here

when you plan on using that?

This little thing has helped me
find my way for a long time,

but we gotta bring
the big guns.

- See it?
- Not yet.

But it's on course.

- Why the Lover's Comet?

Out of all the things to study,
why that?

- My mom and I used
to watch every meteor shower

that we could together.

She thought space was a kind
of... magic.

She really thought that the
Lover's Comet was fated.

Maybe I do too.

- You don't really strike me

as someone
who believes in fated comets.

Something out of a fairy tale.

It's probably just a rock
made up of the same chemicals

and gases as every other comet,
but who knows?

- Yeah, who knows?

What?

- Nothing.
- Here, give it a try.

- Ah.
- There you go.

- Never saw stars like this
in New York.

I only ever got a good look at
the sky when I was on a dig.

- Well, it's good to look up
every now and then.

Remind yourself that we're all
just a small speck of stardust

in a vast stretch of space.

- I like that.

We're stardust.

I stole it
from Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

Don't tell anyone.

- No.
My lips are sealed.

What?
What happened?

- Sirius has moved.
So has Rigel Victoris.

- Is that not supposed to
happen? - Hold on.

- What? What's going on?
Is this an asteroid situation?

- If the sky is telling me
what I think it is,

then I'm fairly certain the
comet will cross the southern
sky

the night before
I present to the board.

- Wow.

I guess
we've got some work to do.

- We do.

Hey.
- It's locked.

What do you mean, it's locked.?
- Like I said, it's locked.

- No!
- Read the sign.

Ah!

- It's fine.
We'll just go somewhere else.

- No, I already offered my
office

to some of my students
to use today.

- Okay.
We'll use my office.

Just a small warning.
It's a teeny bit messy.

- A teeny bit messy?

It's practically
an episode of "Hoarders."

- Oh, come on, it's not that
bad. It's just a few boxes.

- How do you even focus in
here?

- Side blinders
and a lot of caffeine.

- Do me a favor
and empty those.

- Why?

- Because I can't work in here

until we get some kind of
control over the mess.

- Just become one with the
clutter. It works for me.

- I refuse to be one with
clutter.

Happy?
- Ecstatic.

Keep going.

Hey, hey!

Oh, you're my new heaven

There.
Don't you feel better?

- I never want
to see another box again.

Tomorrow,
we're doing things my way.

It still feels too unfocused.

- I don't know
how to make it more focused.

- You have to figure out what
you want and communicate that.

Longfield is tough to get into.
This essay will be make or
break.

You should narrow down a major.

Keep working on it.

- Yeah, I think that's a great
start.

So what exactly are we
looking for?

- I think there's something
down here that can help us.

I knew it!
- What's it say?

- It's a prophecy foretold by
Asteria,

goddess of fallen stars.

Once a millennia,
two fated lovers will be led

to one another by the light of
the goddess's hand.

- Goddess's hand?

That's probably
a reference to the comet.

Right,
but if it's once a millennia,

that means
it's a periodic comet.

And if it's cyclical, then it
would also have appeared

1,000 years after Pompeii.

1021.
What happened in 1021?

- You're the history buff.
You tell me.

What happened around then
that could be tied

to a celestial event?

- It wouldn't be far from
the Norman Conquest in England.

Maybe there's something there.

I vaguely remember
William the Conqueror

had experience with a comet,
but I'd have to research it
more.

- You know,
I couldn't help but notice

Bryce getting frustrated today.

- I just wish he'd pick
something and stick with it.

I put my career on hold
to move here and help him.

He's just wasting time.
- He's still a kid.

- He has potential.

The only thing stopping him
is a lack of focus.

- Not everyone is like us,
August.

- How do you mean?

- Not everyone knows what they
want to be their whole life.

We were lucky
that we both knew early on

what we wanted to do
with our lives.

Some people just take longer
figuring it out.

Have patience.

A big part of education
is figuring it all out.

I always saw university as a
place

to hone in on your craft,
start a career.

For you, yes,
but for some students

it's a time to meet themselves.

- I feel like people should
follow where their passion
leads them.

- There's nothing wrong
with staying in place

and just learning.

- Hey, you know, August's
nephew

came by the restaurant again
today. - Really?

Yeah, he said he wanted
to learn how to sous vide.

- Mm, I'm not sure August
is going to like that.

- Why not?

- I think he really wants Bryce
to just buckle down on
Longfield.

- Oh.

- Something for
you ladies to snack on.

- Ah!
- Michael!

Babe, that's so sweet.
Thank you.

- Of course, babe.
- Mmm.

- Well, I'll leave you ladies
to it.

What? No, stay.
Hang out with us.

- Uh, I can't.
I have something to work on.

Enjoy.

Well, see you later.

- What's with him?

- He's acting so weird.
- So weird.

- He said he's working on a
secret project,

but he won't tell me what it
is.

Since when does Mike
keep secrets?

What do you think he's doing? -
I don't know, but I don't like
it.

Olivia...

The guy slept in the hospital
for four days

when you got
your appendix out.

He just brought us an artfully
designed s'mores kit.

I don't think you have
anything to worry about.

He's probably just figuring out
a way to mix peanut butter

with expensive beef.

Yeah, I guess.

- I would love to have
the kind of relationship

you two have one day.

- Well, you know,
you can have that

if that's what you want.

- Yeah.

Work is just my focus right
now.

Hey, back off my mallow!

- So I've been going through
my Mom's PhD,

and so far, there's lots of
good stuff

on the nature
of these types of comets

but nothing specifically on our
comet.

- Was she focused
on the Lover's Comet?

- She researched it,
but it's so weird.

It's like she's avoiding it
completely in her PhD.

- I'm sure it's in there.

You'll find it.

- Wow.
You hung up art and everything.

- It's probably crooked or
something.

- No, it looks great.

- Thanks.
I mean, I had a little help.

Speaking of, now that we have a
solid first draft,

what would you think about me
sending our progress

to my mentor, HP?

He might be able
to give us some tips.

- Sure, if you think
it's the right move.

- Everything okay?

- Yeah.
It's just Olivia.

She and Mike finally set up
the new ping-pong tables

at the restaurant,
and she was just wondering

if we wanted to play around.

But we should probably keep
working.

I mean, I still have 250 pages
of my mom's research to go
through.

- We should go.
It'll be fun.

- Really?

- Yeah.
Just let me email HP.

Did I mention that I was
a ping-pong champion as a kid?

No way.

- You should see my backhand.

Try to keep up, stardust.

Shall we?

- You're on.

- This one is for the money.
Yes!

- How long have you guys
been together?

- Since we were kids.

Um, I'm, you know,
planning on proposing soon.

But, I mean, the idea of all
these people watching, it's...

- You're nervous
about giving a speech?

- Yeah.

My forte is pesto
and shucking oysters, you know?

Not writing soliloquies.

Actually,Heidi said that you
have a flair

for this sort of stuff.

Do you want
to give me some pointers?

She said that?
- Mm-hmm.

Her exact phrase was uh,

"The students hang on
to his every word."

Okay, let's see what you got,
champ.

- You ready?
- Game on.

- Here we go.
- Good shot.

- So?

Spill.
- What?

- Don't play dumb.

What is going on
between you and August?

- We just work together.
That's it.

- I'm serious?
There's nothing going on.

- Heidi, I've known you
since the third grade,

and the last time I saw you
look at a boy like that

was when we went
to the NSYNC concert

and Justin Timberlake
touched your hand

and you refused to wash it
for a week.

- Oh, it was five days tops,
not a week.

- Just admit it.
You like him.

- He's not as awful
as I thought, okay?

- I knew it!

- He is planning on getting a
job in New York City.

He's only here to help his
nephew and then back to his old
life.

And I need to focus on my work.

- Okay, so why don't you
just tell him that?

Just be honest.
- Olivia, he's my coworker.

- A lot of people
date their coworkers.

Mike and I work together.

I just--
I'm tired of watching you

let work cast such a big shadow
over everything else.

August is a friend and a
colleague and nothing more,
okay?

-Good shot.
-There you go.

It's left-handed, see?
Still got it.

- Okay, okay, I admit it.

- Sixth grade
regional table tennis champ.

Those were the days.
- Yeah, you peaked early.

Excuse you!

- I'm kidding.

That's me over there.

- Thanks again for letting me
crash your friend night.

And for freeing me
from my prison of boxes.

No problem.

I had fun.

- You know, this is the first
time I'm not living out of a
suitcase.

It's actually really nice.

Thank you.

- I should head in.

Good night.

- Good night.

First new message.

- August, read the work.
You are onto something big.

Listen, I'll be up near you
the day after tomorrow.

Let's meet up to discuss.

- "The Lover's Comet,
while an exciting fantasy,

"is just that.

"After years of exhaustive
study,

"I've concluded
that this elusive body

"is likely a solar flare
or large asteroid

mistaken for a comet and given
greater significance than
warranted."

Mom, no.

No, this can't be right.

- Twenty years of private
lessons,

and I still play like I've only
recently developed motor
skills.

Dad, did it ever complicate
things that you and Mom worked
together?

Did it ever slow you down?

- No, your mom and I always
agreed

that we wouldn't stand in the
way of each other's goals.

- I know, but when she got
sick.

- I wanted to be home.

She never pressured me.
It was my choice.

- What about fate?

I always thought
she believed in that stuff.

- She did.

- It certainly doesn't seem
like it.

- You finished her PhD, didn't
you?

- Why didn't you tell me
that she stopped believing

in the Lover's Comet?
- Because she didn't.

- What do you mean?

- Did I ever tell you that I
considered taking a job at
Yale?

- What? When?

- Early in my career.

Your mom was at Longfield
University doing her PhD,

and I was restless. I wanted to
get away from this place.

Yale came sniffing, offered me
dean.

- Really?
What happened?

- I turned them down.

I realized I had everything I
needed already.

- Your mom spent that whole
year not sleeping,

staying out all night
looking at the sky,

begging for that comet
to come out.

- So she just gave up?

- No.
She never stopped looking.

She just couldn't prove it, is
all.

And her research had to reflect
that.

She still believed in it
right up until the end.

You don't have to see something
to believe it, Heidi.

Ice cream?

- Yes, please.

- With an observatory,

the astronomy department could
begin to attract more majors.

And having been the institution
that fostered research

on the Lover's Comet,

we can expect
an influx of new students

interested in astronomy.

Is everything okay?

- How sure are you about the
comet?

- Why?

- If you had to put
a percentage on it,

how certain are you
that the comet will pass by

the night before
the board meeting?

- It's a comet.

They're reliable to a point,

but there's always a chance
I could be wrong.

Though this is what
my calculations have said

for close to a year now.

Still my mom never saw it,
so...

What's going on?

- Aren't you worried
that it won't show up?

What if everything that we're
doing doesn't work out?

- That's always a possibility.

My mom was a genius, and if she
couldn't find it, then...

Aw, jeez.

- Come on.
- Where are we going?

- We need to get out of our
heads. - How?

- Just come on.
I have an idea.

- But what about our work?

- What's that you always say?
On your feet, up.

- What are we doing?

There's a new temporary exhibit
at the library

I want to check out.

- That doesn't open
until after spring break.

- Remember you told me
to make it fun?

- Yeah?

Hey. This is insane.

Shh! Just stay down.

Still stressed?

- Not so much.

Thank you.

It's like looking back in time.

- Very much so.

That's Asteria.

Greek goddess of falling stars.

- That's our girl?

Yep.
Miss Stardust herself.

- Hey! You shouldn't be in
here!

- Run!

Okay, I think we lost him.

- It's not funny!

I can't believe we just did
that.

- Me neither.

Oh, I haven't done anything
like that in years.

- You are terrifying
when you're trying to be fun.

But thank you for using
my methods against me.

I needed that.
- Mm-hmm.

- Can I ask you something?
- Sure.

- What if it is fate, the
comet?

- Well, the idea of our fates
being written

in the cosmos isn't exactly
new.

We've just forgotten over time.

- What do you mean?

- We live in a world
full of light pollution.

We don't ever really see the
sky.

- So you think the stars
could spell out our lives?

- Not exactly,

but I do think
there's something to be said

for using the stars as a guide.
You're a historian.

How often did people
throughout history

look to the cosmos
for signs of their fates?

- What's that?

- It's Latin.

It means,
"They marvel at the star."

I dug around the other day
after our conversation in the
reserve.

It's from the Norman Conquest.

Halley's Comet
flew over the battlefield,

and William the Conqueror
believed it to be an omen

for the impending victory.

Remember how you said that the
comet would have to appear

early in the 11th century
for the prophecy to be true?

- So you're saying
William the Conqueror

didn't actually see Halley's
Comet.

It was our comet.

- It would give a scientific
explanation for fate.

Actually yes, it could be.

And it would also explain
why my mom missed it.

She was studying it
on the wrong cycle.

Heidi, this is why
your research is so special.

This comet could actually
mark significant events.

It could be a form of fate.

- You're right.

It's a risky angle,

but why shouldn't
my research be about fate?

- It's great to see you taking
risks.

- I just--I really feel like
I've finally been set free.

I've spent so long being
terrified of taking risks or
any wrong steps.

- Well, I think the board
will be very impressed.

I can see August has had quite
the effect on you.

He has.

I think maybe it's time for me
to start making my class

more fun for my students.

Just get them to be more active
in their studies.

A new observatory would be a
big help.

Just get them up on their feet.

- It's good to see you thinking
big.

And tell August it would be
great

if he would let me win a game,
you know, every now and then.

- I doubt that's going to
happen, Dad.

- Okay. Let's try this again.

- Okay, Olivia, babe, you're
awesome.

Ah.
- We can do better than that.

On your feet.

- Words just aren't my thing.

- Why don't we
try this a different way.

Okay, here.
I'll be Olivia.

- Seriously?
- Yeah, just--I'm Olivia.

Talk to me the way
you'd normally talk to her.

Come on.

Olivia, you're, uh...

- What?

- You're...

You're a guy, okay?

This is going to be a disaster.

Her party is tomorrow.
What was I thinking?

In front of all those people? I
should just ask her in private.

- Mike, breathe.

Okay, stop thinking
about the audience.

This isn't about them.
This is about you and Olivia.

- I know, but it's--
- No buts.

Why do you want to marry her?

- Because she's the best.

- Why?

- Because...

Because every day,
her hair is different

and she always smells like
fresh lavender and butter,

and she always sprays my pillow
with her perfume.

You know,
she does all this stuff that

I don't even think
I'm supposed to notice.

But she still does it.

- Now, we're getting somewhere.

- Thanks.

Uh, Bryce, I don't think
there's enough rosemary.

- Really?
I added three sprigs.

- Let's try.

Okay.

Wow.

Wow, uh, that's a perfect
amount of rosemary.

August, try it.

- Wow.
- Mm-hmm.

- Kid's got talent.
- He does.

- Really?

Hey, I know I don't say it
often,

but I'm really proud
of how hard you're working.

It's great to see your passion
coming through.

- Thanks, Uncle August.

Hey, it's not finished.

Hey, respect the chef.

- August, calling to confirm
our meeting tomorrow.

- Oh right, of course.

- Ah, you forgot.

- No, I didn't forget.

Sorry, it's been a busy few
days.

We're on.

- Great.
See you tomorrow morning.

- Morning everyone.

To start,
I want all of you to complete

this writing assignment,

and then you will turn in the
final drafts of your essays.

Hi.
Where are you?

- I'm so sorry.
I completely forgot.

My mentor, HP, is in town.

I'm meeting up
with him about our project.

Oh.

- And this could be big for us.

Published, the observatory,
maybe I'd get a job in New
York.

I'm really sorry to miss a
session.

- Totally.
It's okay.

- I'll see you tonight?
At Olivia's party?

- Definitely.

- Look, I'm really sorry again
for the last-minute cancel.

I'm just juggling a lot, and
this meeting skipped my mind.

- It's okay.
I'll handle the session.

See you tonight.

- August, my boy.

- HP, thanks so much for
coming.

- Professorship looks good on
you. This is your office?

Yep.

Perhaps academia has
domesticated you more than I
thought.

- Well, things change.

- Yeah.

- Do you remember that dig
we did in Pompeii?

The rock I found?
- Vaguely.

- You said it was a piece of
junk. - Eh, sometimes I'm
wrong.

- Often?
- Let's not go that far.

So about this comet of yours.

It's due to cross the southern
sky on the 15th, yes?

- Yeah, tomorrow night.

- Well, I have to tell you
my colleagues

at the Antiquity Archives
in New York City

are thrilled with the research.

We want to publish it.

- When?

- As soon as possible.

Preferably before
it whizzes across the sky.

- But it's not finished.

- August, let me make this
as plain as I can.

This project is your way in.

We can finance your next dig,
whatever you want.

August Finway,

discoverer of the Lover's
Comet.

- I'm not the sole discoverer.

In fact, Heidi, the astronomer
I've been working with,

has done the vast majority
of the work.

- But you're the main draw
here.

- I'm not going to take credit
for her work.

She's the visionary here, not
me.

In fact, if it wasn't for her,
that comet fragment

would still be buried
at the bottom of a box,

and I'd still think
it's a piece of junk.

- August, be serious.

You can't waste your best years
stuck in some dreary campus

surrounded by hack teachers

when you could be on the
cutting edge of New York City

or somewhere exotic digging
artifacts out of the earth.

- It's not dreary here.

The people aren't hacks,
they deserve our respect.

Just because people like you
and me

get to jet around the world
digging things up

doesn't make us any better
than the people here.

- Down boy, I meant no offense.

- I'm not publishing until
Heidi gets the credit she
deserves.

Got it?

- Clear as day.

- Good work everyone.
Have a great evening.

You deserve it.

Hey Bryce.

Do you have a moment
to talk about your essay?

- Sure.

- Maybe I'm overstepping,

but I get the sense
that you're writing

what you think people want to
hear, and not what you actually
want.

- We're supposed to pick a
major, so I just picked
history.

- It's not about the major.

Remember how you said
you liked Holden Caulfield

because he was honest
and didn't just pretend

in order to please everyone?

August loves you,

and he's only trying to help
when he pushes you to focus,

but you're allowed to chart
your own path.

- You know, I have really been
liking cooking with Mike.

- Great, let's start there.
Write about that.

- I can write about that?
- Yes.

- Cool.

- Thanks for the help.

I just assumed
you'd be working all day.

- Oh, August had to cancel.

He's meeting up with his old
mentor to talk about jobs in
New York.

- Oh.
And you're okay with that?

- Yeah, it's fine.
I expected this.

- Well, expecting it
doesn't make it suck any less.

- This was always the deal.

My students get an observatory.
He gets the job he actually
wants.

- So you're really okay
with him leaving?

- Our careers are more
important right now.

This has been my sole focus
for so long,

why would that change now?

- Because August is a great
guy, and you two are a good fit
together.

- Well, it's just not meant to
be.

What else do we need to get?

- Nothing, this is it.

Mike was very insistent
on me not doing

any unnecessary work today. He
barely let me get the flowers.

Keep it up, keep it up!

- Is that?

- Ah.
- Come on, keep up, champ.

- Yeah.

Ah.

- Since when does Mike run?

- The only time
I've ever seen him run

is to get a soufflé out of the
oven so it wouldn't burn.

- I once saw him chase after
Bobby Flay at a conference,

but even that was more
of a speed walk.

Ugh, he is acting so weird.
- Totally.

Hey, I have to head home
and do some work

before the party tonight.

- Okay. - Tomorrow night's the
big night.

- Ooh!
You go get that comet, girlie!

Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike.

- I wish that you would...

- Isn't it gorgeous?
- It's beautiful.

Have fun.

- About me

- Whoa, look at you.

- Not so bad yourself.
- Yeah?

- So I noticed some suspicious
activity earlier today.

- What kind of suspicious
activity?

- Eh, just a certain someone
running with Mike.

- Ah, he was stressed,
so we ran it off.

- Stressed about what?

Whew.

Hi, everybody.

Uh, first off,
I just want to wish Olivia

a very, very happy birthday.

Liv, would you join me up here?

Look at her.

Olivia, um...

I've loved you since we were
10.

I loved you
through your braces phase,

and she loved me
even when I had a bowl cut

and looked like a mushroom.

You're it, Olivia.

You've always been it.

I've known it since
kindergarten,

I knew it at junior prom...

and I knew it that year that we
stayed

in my parents' garage
to save up for our restaurant.

Olivia...

Will you marry me?

- Yes, of course!

- I don't know if you guys
heard that, uh, but she said
yes!

Whoo!
- Whoo.

- Did you...

- He needed some help,
so I helped him.

- Nice.

- So I've got some news.

HP wants to publish our work.

- Wow, that's amazing!

Does this mean that you're
going to go to New York?

- I mean, Longfield's growing
on me.

My department said
I could continue teaching.

- Hmm.

- I'm still deciding.

- And for so long, I've
fought for a life I've never
known

- No, you guys stop.

- No, it's my party.
I can clean up!

- Get out of here.
Go celebrate.

- Aww.
Thank you guys.

Come on, fiancée.

- Thank you.
Have fun.

- We may come to regret this.

- No kidding.

Ugh, It's locked.
- No way.

Should we call Olivia?

- It's 2:00 a.m.
Let them sleep.

We'll survive the night.

And tomorrow night's the big
night.

Aiden 59J.

- 54P.

The Lover's Comet
does sound better.

- Mm.
- Don't gloat.

- Have you figured out where
you're going to watch it from?

- I'm gonna go down
to the bird sanctuary.

No light pollution.

Unobstructed views
of the southern sky.

I hope it shows.
- It will.

- Oh, I have something to
show you.

- What's this?

- Something Bryce and I
worked on today.

- "Cooking Up My Future."

He wrote this?
- Yeah.

- Wow.

I never realized he had this in
him.

I think I was just so focused

on trying to steer him
that I was hindering him.

No, you just were doing
what you thought was best.

- You're a good teacher.
Thank you.

- It was nothing.

- No, it's everything,
actually.

You're really good at what you
do,

and you don't have to rely
on a bunch of gimmicks

to get through to people.
I should do that.

- No.
Gimmicks can be fun.

I think I was just so caught up
in doing everything by the book

that I forgot to make my work
fun.

You reminded me.

Shooting star.

Did you see it?
- I think I did.

- What's going on?
- I don't know.

- Why does the entire world
think my research belongs to
you, August?

- I don't know.

- "August Finway, noted
historian and archaeologist,

"may be hot on the trail
of the elusive Lover's Comet.

"He believes tonight may be
the night the ancient fireball

"will pass through the night
sky for the first time

in nearly a thousand years."
What is this August?

- HP must have...
- Was this your plan?

Was it?

Just use me for my work
and then steal it

so you can take off for some
better gig in New York?

No, Heidi, I swear. I didn't
mean to do any of this.

- I should've trusted my gut
about you.

I mean what else should I
expect from some guy who takes
a teaching job

he has absolutely
no intention of staying in?

- That's not fair.
- This is my work, August.

While you have been out there
jetting around,

I've been here toiling every
day.

You think you can just waltz in
here and take that from me?

Years.

Years of my life, August.
I have given years to this.

- I'm sorry.
- No.

No, no,
you don't get to be sorry.

How dare you?

Go to New York.

Keep running away, August.

Just keep on chasing
the next big thing,

the next big discovery.

- That's all I am to you, isn't
it? Just some transient guy
chasing clout.

You're right. I do have better
things in New York.

I don't know what I was
thinking,

languishing away
in some sad college town.

- What are you folks
doing up here?

- Hold that door, please.

- I'll call the Antiquities
Archives in New York City

and give them a piece of my
mind.

- No, I need to see the comet
tonight.

There's no point
until I see the comet.

I can't believe that August did
this.

- Me either.

I'll bet it was his mentor.

HP was always a scoundrel.

He and I have been up for the
same job a number of times.

I caught him trying
to toss out my résumé

after an interview we both were
at.

And it's not the first time
he's lifted research

that didn't belong to him.

His reputation is less than
stellar.

- Still, August let this
happen.

I'm sorry, Heidi.

I mean, who does he think he is
with his rooks

and his sneaky bishop moves?

Do you want to go hit
a few tennis balls?

- Oh, no, I need to pack
to get to the bird sanctuary

in time for the comet tonight.

I'm gonna look like
an even bigger fraud

in front of the board tomorrow
if I don't finish this.

- It takes strength to believe
in something others don't,

and even more to prove it.

Your mom would be proud.

Now go find that comet.

Thank you.

- Oh, it's you.
- Sir, hear me out, please?

- Why should I?
- Because I care about Heidi.

She deserves better,
and I want to make this right.

Please.

- Well, you better have an A+
explanation for yourself, kid.

- August, have you given
my offer any thought?

- I have.
- And?

I'll take the job,
but I have one condition.

I'll call you back.

Is it true?
Did you steal Heidi's research?

- Not exactly.

- She's a nice lady.
She deserves better.

- She absolutely does.

- All you do is think about
yourself and your stupid
career.

- Read your essay.
I'm sorry, Bryce.

I shouldn't have put
so much pressure on you.

- You read that?

- Me coming here trying
to wedge you into some college,

it's the wrong thing.
I'm sorry.

I just--
I want you to be successful.

I'm not meant to be here.

- I like having you here.

- You do?

- I never really got
why you were all obsessed

with this school stuff, but I
think I understand it more now.

- What about cooking?

- I want to do that,
but I want an education too.

I can do both.

- Yes, you absolutely can.

- So you're leaving.

- Yeah, they offered me
a position in New York.

- Bummer.

- I'll visit as much as I can.

- Promise?

- Yeah, I promise.
Come on.

- Come on.
Come on, come on.

- Come on.
Come on, come on.

- Wonder what the board
will think of this.

- Well, all set?

- Science is all about
trial and error, right?

- That's the spirit.
Go get em, kiddo.

- With an observatory,
of course, these calculations

would be much easier to
formulate.

I know you all came here today

thinking I was going to regale
you

with exciting news
about the Lover's Comet,

but I can't give you that.

I actually had hoped to prove
to you that fate exists.

I know that sounds
completely unrealistic.

I would love to actually one
day find this Lover's Comet,

but astronomy is about much
more than just flashy
discoveries.

I mean, humans have been
looking to the night sky

for answers about their own
lives for millennia,

and I think our university
needs more of that.

Because our students
come here to find themselves.

This comet helped me find
myself.

Please consider
funding an observatory,

not because you find me
impressive

but because you believe
in my students.

My favorite book,
"A Wrinkle in Time,"

taught me that you don't have
to understand something

in order for it to be real.

So just because I don't have
all the data and charts right
now

doesn't mean
I'll stop believing.

My mother never did,

so I won't either.

Thank you.

Not what I was expecting.

- I thought it was brilliant.

- I'm just disappointed.
- About the comet or August?

- The second one.

- There's more to this story
than you think.

Sometimes people do things
without realizing.

- What do you mean?

It's not my story to tell,
kiddo.

Hear him out.

What are you doing here?

I am... I'm off to New York.

I want to apologize again

and say goodbye.

- So you got the job you
wanted?

- Lead curator for the Ancient
Greek Department.

They're funding an expedition
too.

- Wow.
Congrats.

- I'm sorry about the comet.

- It's okay.

- I spoke to HP
and the scientific journals.

I told them I wouldn't take the
job

unless he got them
to print retractions.

- Thank you.

- I promise I never intended
to take anything from you.

- Oh, hey.

Here.

- Oh, you should keep it.

- No. It's yours.

- I really hope
you prove fate one day,

even if it didn't work out this
time.

Stardust.

- Me too, Augie.

So when's the new job start?

- It's the 18th.
- Tomorrow?

No, two days from now.
It's a leap year, remember?

- Leap year.
- Yeah.

- I have to go.
I'm really sorry.

Bye!

- To the airport, please.

What did she mean by "leap
year"?

It's tonight.
Hey, forget the airport.

You know where a bird sanctuary
is around here?

- Hey, Dad, what's up?

- I just heard from the board.
You're getting an observatory.

- You're joking.
How is that possible?

- Well, you may have had some
help from the history
department.

- August?

- I didn't want to tell you
earlier in case it didn't work
out.

- Wow.

- He cleared it up with the
board.

They know the research
was yours.

Congrats, honey.
Have a good night.

Thank you.

I'll see you tomorrow.

- Great plan, August.

Just run around
some random nature sanctuary

until you find her.
Brilliant.

Heidi!

Heidi!

Heidi, lost in the woods!
Little help here?

- August?

- Hi.

- Hi.
What are you doing out here?

- I don't want to leave, Heidi.
I want to stay with you.

You're my fate.

If we're all stardust,

then I'm made out of
the same star you are.

If you could just forgive me,
I think--

- No way.
- Okay.

Wow.
Harsh, but I deserve that.

I shouldn't be here. I just
thought I would try and--

- No, August.
- Heidi, I get it.

- No, August, look!

- Is that?
- The Lover's Comet.

- It's real.
It's real.

Heidi, you did it.
- No, August, we did it.

I know what you did for me
with the board.

I don't want you to leave
either.

I just--I thought New York
was where you wanted to be.

- You know you can't see stars
in New York.

So you think I can get
my old job back?

Just no more archeological digs
on campus, okay?

Deal.