The Middle (2009–2018): Season 1, Episode 16 - The Middle - full transcript
The family takes a weekend trip to Chicago so that Brick can take part in a spelling bee, but Sue gets to call the shots because Mike and Frankie forgot her birthday.
Americans have had a
long love affair with their cars...
Road trips, tailgating,
family vacations...
But these days, not so much.
America is
treating its cars
Like an old wife
it's sick of sleeping with,
'cause maybe
she's gained a little weight
Or stopped taking care
of herself.
No offense, frances.
None taken?
America's bored
with their cars,
And we need a little p.R.
To fix that.
Everybody give a big hand
To our new
customer relations supervisor...
Frances heck.
Oh.
From now on, frances,
You're responsible
for writing birthday cards
To all the cars we've sold
over the last ten yes.
I'm writing birthday cards
to cars?
You have until next week
to do 5,000.
Congratulations
on your promotion.
Shall we toast
to your new promotion?
I know, right?
More busywork I don't need.
Which reminds me,
I got roped into volunteering
In brick's class tomorrow, so you're gonna
have to do it. No, I don't think I am.
Come on. You're always
saying you're looking
For more ways to get involved. No, I don't
think I've ever said that once in my entire life.
Hey, mom? Do you think
you could make me
My favorite dinner on Saturday?
I can hardly think to tomorrow.
How about you ask me Friday
About what we're having
for dinner on Saturday?
Okay. I will.
Okay.
I'll ask you Friday.
I'll do that.
Definitely.
Okay!
Friday then!
Th...
Th...
"the." the word's "the,"
just like last time.
Still "the."
I don't think so.
Well,
I'm pretty sure I'm right.
Ugh, this is a hard one.
Guys, we've been
on the same page for 20 minutes.
I'll tell you what.
Why doesn't ick read a page
to you guys,
Just to get
a little momentum going?
"and then, as if in a dream,
"a mysterious specter
"rose from... The darkness,
"a brilliant light
Emanating from its golden
and splendiferous orb."
Did he memorize that?
No. It's just what he does.
He's been reading like that nce he
was 2. Brick is really something.
He can't remember
to throw his lunch away
Or pull up his pants,
But then he has a victory
like last week,
And you almost forget
the other things.
He had a victory?
What kind of victory?
Oh, I thought you knew.
He won
the school-wide spelling bee.
School-wide.
"dear beige hatchback,
I can't believe
you're another year older."
Hey, mom. I was thinking
I might want to have,
Like, eight or nine friends
sleep over this Saturday.
I mean, unless you've got
something else planned.
I don't know.
It's kind of a crazy week.
A big sleepover
isn't really a good idea.
Yeah, you're right.
Crazy week.
Sure. I understand.
Crazy week.
Mom thinks a sleepover's
not a good idea,
So I'm gonna think
of something else.
Okay, you do that.
Frankie, do you have any idea
how smart this kid is?
He's light-years ahead
of the other kids.
They're idiots
next to him.
Tell her, brick. Tell her how stupid
they are. They're pretty stupid.
Mike.
Sorry. I'm excited.
Did you know our boy won
the school-wide spelling bee?
Brick, that's great!
Why didn't you say anything?
Did they give you a certificate
or something? ⪠da da da âª
It was no big deal.
You hear this kid? No big
deal? He beat fifth graders.
And he qualified
for the orson county bee
At the elks this Saturday,
and if he wins that,
Midwest regionals in chigo
next week, and if he wins that,
The scripps spelling bee
in washington, D.C.
We got a champ here!
Heck! Heck! Heck!
Yeah, I don't think I'm
gonna do it. What? Why not?
Well, it's Saturday.
Saturday's my day to decompress.
Look, brick,
The overlap between
things you're good at
And things people give out
trophies for... Is pretty small.
You gotta do this, son.
You have a gift!
Wow. I'd never seen
mike like this
About anything
not sports-related.
But it sort of makes sense.
See, when you're a parent
of brick,
You spend a lot of time with
your face looking like this...
So if mike had a chance
to look like this...
You can't blame him
for wanting to run with it.
For the next week,
mike coached him
Like he'd never been coached before.
Are you ready to spell?
I'm ready to spell.
I can't hear you!
I'm ready to spell!
"Perspicacious."
P-e-r-s-p-i-c-a-c-i-o-u-s.
"Perspicacious."
Is that right?
Attaboy!
"Onomatopoeia."
O-n-o-m-a-t...
O-p-o-e-i-a.
Onomatopoeia.
That's correct!
Yep, for all the crap
you go through being a parent,
There are some moments
You just know
you're doing something right...
He won.
Your brother won.
Brick heck, ture champ.
He's heading for regionals.
Which are inevitably
followed by other moments.
⪠happy birthday to me âª
That's why
you kept asking
About a slumber party
and your favorite dinner.
Why didn't you just say
it was for your birthday?
I didn't think I had to!
I thought mothers just
automatically remember
The day
their children are born.
I'm sorry. There's no excuse.
But I had a lot on my plate!
All you were doing all week
was writing birthday cards!
You remembered
a station wagon's birthday,
But not mine?
Honey, your mother and I
are sorry. We feel terrible.
We'll make it up to you.
Anything you want.
You name it,
and it's yours.
Can we celebrate my birthday
next weekend?
Sure!
If you don't mind
celebrating...
In Chicago.
Oh, my God!
We're going to chicago
for my birthday?
We sure are.
And for brick's spelling bee.
Oh, can we go
to water tower place
And the art institute? We can
drive by them on the way to the bee.
Oh, my God!
Are you guys trying to
pass off brick's spelling bee
As my birthday present?!
No! Sure, we'll go
to the bee while we're there,
But your present is
that you get to be in charge
Of the whole trip!
The whole trip?
I'm listening.
Every decision on the way
will be yours.
Where we eat,
where we stay...
It's all up to you,
my sweet girl
Because we love you
and it's your birthday
And we feel very, very guilty.
Oh! I want to stay mad,
But this is better than
a slumber party
Or chicken parmesan.
Road trip!
Road trip!
Chicken parmesan...
that's her favorite.
Oh, I was way off.
Well, why did we have
to get up so early?
You interrupted my R.E.M. Sleep.
My whole body clock's gonna be off. Only
clock that matters is mine and your brother's.
We're on a schedule here.
We need brick rested
and in the motel by 5:00.
He's got a big day tomorrow.
Big weekend for him. And me
My clock matters. And sue
because it's her birthday weekend.
Right. Sorry.
And sue.
My clock matters. And sue because
it'si'm gonna get postcards
From every fun thing we do
for my birthday weekend,
And mom's gonna help me make 'em into a
scrapbook. Awesome. I'm gonna take pictures
Of every lame thing we do
on ts lame weekend,
And then mom can look to them
for clues as to why I ran away.
Brick, you cool enough?
Crack the window.
Gotta keep that noggin
oxygenated.
Spell "oxygenated."
mike...
Actually, I think
I, the birthday girl,
Might enjoy a window, too.
Axl, switch with me. No way.
I'm not sitting on the hump.
Axl, you can call the shots
when we forget your birthday.
Get on the hump.
Hey, who's up for singing?
⪠the hecks went traveling âª
⪠to chicago one day âª
⪠when along came
an avalanche âª
⪠interrupting their way âª
I wish.
⪠oh, they went... âª
I'm not singing!
It's my birthday trip.
Now "this land is your land," in a round!
Dad, do you think you could pick up some speed
So that when I hurl myself
out of the car,
I actually kill myself instead
of just being injured? Sure.
I'm hungry.
Hungry.
Brick's hungry.
What snack did you pack?
I've got pretzels, candy corn,
cheese corn, kettle corn,
Girl scout cookies
and frosting for dipping.
It's all in the blue bag.
You forgot the blue bag?!
It's okay! Look,
"bicentennial diner, 30 miles."
We're not stopping.
I want to get to the hotel
Early tonight
so brick can get his rest.
We can drive through somewhere.
But it said they had candle dipping.
That would be an
awesome postcard.
And birthday girl does
get to pick the activities.
We did promise her, mike.
And besides, the sign said
their food is "revolutionary."
This is gross.
I think I'm eating
a potpie from 1776.
Well, I love
my "ye old cobb salad."
They don't have
candle dipping...
Or postcards.
Now I'll have nothing
to remember this place by.
Aw, cheer up.
Maybe you'll get hepatitis.
Oh, well.
You guys are so gonna love
The next place
on the birthday trip.
I read in the aaa trip-tik
that indiana is home
To the world's largest
oak tree stump!
Cool!
Lame.
It's the eighth wonder
of muncie!
I bet no one at home
has a postcard
From the world's
largest stump.
Why do you think
that is, sue? Why?
We have to get to the motel,
get brick a nice hot bath,
Go over the flash cards
and get him into bed.
No way we're gonna do that
if we drive an hour and a half
Out of our way to look
at some stump.
I had the lowest
of expectations,
And I'm still disappointed.
So Sue's little side trips
had landed us in Chicago
Smack in the middle
of rush hour.
But three cranky hours later,
we finally made it
To the motels we had picked.
Oh... My... God.
Sue should never be allowed
to decide anything again
In our entire lives! This place
makes our house look nice!
Axl.
Uh, well...
See, it's not so bad!
There's a tv.
And the bathroom is...
There's poop in the toilet!
Aw, man!
Ew!
Aw, gross! All right.
We'll just flush it.
It's not a big deal. My God!
Mike, I need help!
And towels!
Oh. Watch tv.
The tv doesn't work.
What did you say?
The tv doesn't work.
See? It's just static.
Well, thank you, sue,
For the worst vacation
we've ever had,
And I am including the ozarks
and the frog infestation.
I mean, come on, people!
You know we're all thinking it!
Hey, we could spend all night
Criticizing
sue's lousy decisions,
But we need some sleep,
so start sleeping now!
Sue, knock it off!
Go to sleep.
Okay.
You happy now?
Sue's crying,
and you're yelling at her.
I wasn't yelling.
I don't want her
to wake up brick.
Yeah, that's right.
It's all about brick.
That's why he gets the bed,
And I'm sleeping on this
disgusting, crunchy carpet.
No, we're sleeping on this
disgusting, crunchy carpet
Because you had to give
the other bed to sue.
We forgot her birthday.
I know. But this wasn't the
way to make it up to her.
This weekend is
about the spelling bee.
The spelling bee is a big deal. To who?
What's that supposed
to mean?
It's a big deal to you.
You're the one that
wants the trophy.
You're the one that wants
to win! That's ridiculous.
Don't you roll away from me!
It's true!
You've been out of control
this whole weekend.
I'm not the one agreeing
to every half-baked idea
My 13-year-old comes up
with. 14. She had a birthday.
I can hear you.
I can hear you.
I can hear you.
I can hear you!
Sue, come on!
It's me.
I just wanted
to make everybody happy.
Oh, man!
I read something
somewhere about...
"no matter how dark the night,
the sun comes up..."
And something, something...
Anyway, the sun came up,
And it sure didn't make
that room look any better.
But then...
Happy birthday.
Oh, doughnut holes?
I had to drive 10 miles
up the road to find 'em,
But, yeah, I know
they're your favorite. Aw!
Thanks, dad.
I'm sorry if I was short
with you last night.
I know this hasn't been
a great birthday,
And I'm sorry for that,
too.
How about,
when we get home,
We throw you
a nice, big party?
Really?
We okay?
Mm-hmm, we're okay.
But, dad?
Yeah, honey?
Doughnut holes
are brick's favorite.
I like waffles.
Really?
I like doughnut holes.
Remember, don't start spelling
the word unless you know it.
I wonder why I'm number 11.
And...and ask for the definition,
Even if you know the word.
Hey, look! When I look down,
My number looks the same to me as it
does to you. Brick, forget about the sign.
You should be focusing on
letters right now, not numbers.
Now over there,
that's your main competition...
Sanjit bawa.
Hey!
Brick,
don't befriend your enemy!
He's nothing to you.
You're gonna take him down,
Got it? Okay. When are we heading home?
Can we eat at der
pancake haus on the way?
Sue said that
they make the pancakes
Right at your table.
Brick...
Your ma said something
last night.
Do you even care
about winning this thing?
I don't know.
'cause, you know, you win,
You get a trophy
to put on your shelf.
I thought you'd think that was really cool.
Nah, I don't really care about the winning part.
I just like to spell.
And that's when
it finally sunk in for mike.
Brick really didn't care,
And that chang everything.
That's your edge! That's how
you're gonna win this thing...
By not caring.
You're the ice man!
You're my brick of ice!
You see, unlike brick,
Mike really does like
the winning part.
If we can, please have
All the contestants
take their places?
How is he?
He doesn't care at all.
I think we got a real shot.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to the 45th annual
midwest regionals.
The winner of this competition
will go on to compete
In the scripps national
spelling bee
In washington, D.C.
Let the spelling begin!
"Grammar."
G-r-a-m-m-a-r.
"Grammar."
That is correct.
"Privilege."
P-r-i-v-e-l-e-g-e.
I'm sorry. That's incorrect.
"Sebaceous."
S-e-b-a...
"Minutia."
M-i-n-u-t-i...
"Saboteur."
S... a-b...
O-u-s.
That is correct.
"Ecclesiastic."
That is correct.
That's incorrect.
"Ubiquitous."
that is correct.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we're down to the final two!
One of these contestants
will be our midwest champion.
Oh, my God! I can't look.
I'm too nervous.
Come on, brick.
Come on. You can do th.
The word is "prospicience."
"prospicience."
Can you give me
the definition, please?
It means foresight,
seeing ahead.
"Prospicience."
P-r-o-s-p-i-c-i-e-n-c-e.
"Prospicience."
That is correct.
The word is "guerdon."
"guerdon."
what is the origin?
Stall tactic.
Middle english,
from old french.
"guerdon."
G-u...
E-r...
D-o-n.
"guerdon."
That is correct.
The next word is
"chiaroscurist."
Oh, my God!
No, he knows this one.
What?
He studied this one.
He knows it.
Yeah. He knows it.
He knows it!
In that moment,
it all melted away...
All the stress
and the sore backs
And the complaining
and the fighting.
We were there for one reason
and one reason alone...
To cheer our littlest member
to his hard-won victory...
Our victory.
"Chiaroscurist."
C-h-i-a-r-o-s-c-u-r-i-s-t.
"T."
Oh, I'm sorry!
There's only one "t."
No, no, no. He knows there's only
one "t." you don't understand...
So, brick, I guess you cared
about the trophy after all.
Guess you're a little more like
your old man than you thought.
I wasn't mad about
not getting the trophy.
I just wanted too
to washington, d.C.
This trip has been so much fun,
And I really wanted
to go on another one.
You thought the trip was fun?
This trip?
Oh, yeah.
Sue makes the best decisions.
Where are we going on the
way home? Uh, I don't know.
I think I'm done deciding.
It's too much pressure.
Oh, come on, sue. It's
your birthday really?
Okay. Well, there's this place
That has the world's biggest
ball of paint,
And then a little further
down the road
Is this chinese restaurant
shaped like a biscuit! Awesome!
World's biggest ball
of paint, here we come.
I can't say we fell
back in love with our car
After that trip,
but brick was right...
It is all about the journey
and not the trophy,
Which he didn't get,
Or the postcards,
which sue didn't get.
But what we did get were
some pretty funny memories
I keep thinking
about axl squished up
In that ridiculous cot
all night.
After all, it's the bad trips
that you never forget.
That was
definitely pathetic,
But not more pathetic than
the world's stupidest stump.
Why did I think
that would be fun?
long love affair with their cars...
Road trips, tailgating,
family vacations...
But these days, not so much.
America is
treating its cars
Like an old wife
it's sick of sleeping with,
'cause maybe
she's gained a little weight
Or stopped taking care
of herself.
No offense, frances.
None taken?
America's bored
with their cars,
And we need a little p.R.
To fix that.
Everybody give a big hand
To our new
customer relations supervisor...
Frances heck.
Oh.
From now on, frances,
You're responsible
for writing birthday cards
To all the cars we've sold
over the last ten yes.
I'm writing birthday cards
to cars?
You have until next week
to do 5,000.
Congratulations
on your promotion.
Shall we toast
to your new promotion?
I know, right?
More busywork I don't need.
Which reminds me,
I got roped into volunteering
In brick's class tomorrow, so you're gonna
have to do it. No, I don't think I am.
Come on. You're always
saying you're looking
For more ways to get involved. No, I don't
think I've ever said that once in my entire life.
Hey, mom? Do you think
you could make me
My favorite dinner on Saturday?
I can hardly think to tomorrow.
How about you ask me Friday
About what we're having
for dinner on Saturday?
Okay. I will.
Okay.
I'll ask you Friday.
I'll do that.
Definitely.
Okay!
Friday then!
Th...
Th...
"the." the word's "the,"
just like last time.
Still "the."
I don't think so.
Well,
I'm pretty sure I'm right.
Ugh, this is a hard one.
Guys, we've been
on the same page for 20 minutes.
I'll tell you what.
Why doesn't ick read a page
to you guys,
Just to get
a little momentum going?
"and then, as if in a dream,
"a mysterious specter
"rose from... The darkness,
"a brilliant light
Emanating from its golden
and splendiferous orb."
Did he memorize that?
No. It's just what he does.
He's been reading like that nce he
was 2. Brick is really something.
He can't remember
to throw his lunch away
Or pull up his pants,
But then he has a victory
like last week,
And you almost forget
the other things.
He had a victory?
What kind of victory?
Oh, I thought you knew.
He won
the school-wide spelling bee.
School-wide.
"dear beige hatchback,
I can't believe
you're another year older."
Hey, mom. I was thinking
I might want to have,
Like, eight or nine friends
sleep over this Saturday.
I mean, unless you've got
something else planned.
I don't know.
It's kind of a crazy week.
A big sleepover
isn't really a good idea.
Yeah, you're right.
Crazy week.
Sure. I understand.
Crazy week.
Mom thinks a sleepover's
not a good idea,
So I'm gonna think
of something else.
Okay, you do that.
Frankie, do you have any idea
how smart this kid is?
He's light-years ahead
of the other kids.
They're idiots
next to him.
Tell her, brick. Tell her how stupid
they are. They're pretty stupid.
Mike.
Sorry. I'm excited.
Did you know our boy won
the school-wide spelling bee?
Brick, that's great!
Why didn't you say anything?
Did they give you a certificate
or something? ⪠da da da âª
It was no big deal.
You hear this kid? No big
deal? He beat fifth graders.
And he qualified
for the orson county bee
At the elks this Saturday,
and if he wins that,
Midwest regionals in chigo
next week, and if he wins that,
The scripps spelling bee
in washington, D.C.
We got a champ here!
Heck! Heck! Heck!
Yeah, I don't think I'm
gonna do it. What? Why not?
Well, it's Saturday.
Saturday's my day to decompress.
Look, brick,
The overlap between
things you're good at
And things people give out
trophies for... Is pretty small.
You gotta do this, son.
You have a gift!
Wow. I'd never seen
mike like this
About anything
not sports-related.
But it sort of makes sense.
See, when you're a parent
of brick,
You spend a lot of time with
your face looking like this...
So if mike had a chance
to look like this...
You can't blame him
for wanting to run with it.
For the next week,
mike coached him
Like he'd never been coached before.
Are you ready to spell?
I'm ready to spell.
I can't hear you!
I'm ready to spell!
"Perspicacious."
P-e-r-s-p-i-c-a-c-i-o-u-s.
"Perspicacious."
Is that right?
Attaboy!
"Onomatopoeia."
O-n-o-m-a-t...
O-p-o-e-i-a.
Onomatopoeia.
That's correct!
Yep, for all the crap
you go through being a parent,
There are some moments
You just know
you're doing something right...
He won.
Your brother won.
Brick heck, ture champ.
He's heading for regionals.
Which are inevitably
followed by other moments.
⪠happy birthday to me âª
That's why
you kept asking
About a slumber party
and your favorite dinner.
Why didn't you just say
it was for your birthday?
I didn't think I had to!
I thought mothers just
automatically remember
The day
their children are born.
I'm sorry. There's no excuse.
But I had a lot on my plate!
All you were doing all week
was writing birthday cards!
You remembered
a station wagon's birthday,
But not mine?
Honey, your mother and I
are sorry. We feel terrible.
We'll make it up to you.
Anything you want.
You name it,
and it's yours.
Can we celebrate my birthday
next weekend?
Sure!
If you don't mind
celebrating...
In Chicago.
Oh, my God!
We're going to chicago
for my birthday?
We sure are.
And for brick's spelling bee.
Oh, can we go
to water tower place
And the art institute? We can
drive by them on the way to the bee.
Oh, my God!
Are you guys trying to
pass off brick's spelling bee
As my birthday present?!
No! Sure, we'll go
to the bee while we're there,
But your present is
that you get to be in charge
Of the whole trip!
The whole trip?
I'm listening.
Every decision on the way
will be yours.
Where we eat,
where we stay...
It's all up to you,
my sweet girl
Because we love you
and it's your birthday
And we feel very, very guilty.
Oh! I want to stay mad,
But this is better than
a slumber party
Or chicken parmesan.
Road trip!
Road trip!
Chicken parmesan...
that's her favorite.
Oh, I was way off.
Well, why did we have
to get up so early?
You interrupted my R.E.M. Sleep.
My whole body clock's gonna be off. Only
clock that matters is mine and your brother's.
We're on a schedule here.
We need brick rested
and in the motel by 5:00.
He's got a big day tomorrow.
Big weekend for him. And me
My clock matters. And sue
because it's her birthday weekend.
Right. Sorry.
And sue.
My clock matters. And sue because
it'si'm gonna get postcards
From every fun thing we do
for my birthday weekend,
And mom's gonna help me make 'em into a
scrapbook. Awesome. I'm gonna take pictures
Of every lame thing we do
on ts lame weekend,
And then mom can look to them
for clues as to why I ran away.
Brick, you cool enough?
Crack the window.
Gotta keep that noggin
oxygenated.
Spell "oxygenated."
mike...
Actually, I think
I, the birthday girl,
Might enjoy a window, too.
Axl, switch with me. No way.
I'm not sitting on the hump.
Axl, you can call the shots
when we forget your birthday.
Get on the hump.
Hey, who's up for singing?
⪠the hecks went traveling âª
⪠to chicago one day âª
⪠when along came
an avalanche âª
⪠interrupting their way âª
I wish.
⪠oh, they went... âª
I'm not singing!
It's my birthday trip.
Now "this land is your land," in a round!
Dad, do you think you could pick up some speed
So that when I hurl myself
out of the car,
I actually kill myself instead
of just being injured? Sure.
I'm hungry.
Hungry.
Brick's hungry.
What snack did you pack?
I've got pretzels, candy corn,
cheese corn, kettle corn,
Girl scout cookies
and frosting for dipping.
It's all in the blue bag.
You forgot the blue bag?!
It's okay! Look,
"bicentennial diner, 30 miles."
We're not stopping.
I want to get to the hotel
Early tonight
so brick can get his rest.
We can drive through somewhere.
But it said they had candle dipping.
That would be an
awesome postcard.
And birthday girl does
get to pick the activities.
We did promise her, mike.
And besides, the sign said
their food is "revolutionary."
This is gross.
I think I'm eating
a potpie from 1776.
Well, I love
my "ye old cobb salad."
They don't have
candle dipping...
Or postcards.
Now I'll have nothing
to remember this place by.
Aw, cheer up.
Maybe you'll get hepatitis.
Oh, well.
You guys are so gonna love
The next place
on the birthday trip.
I read in the aaa trip-tik
that indiana is home
To the world's largest
oak tree stump!
Cool!
Lame.
It's the eighth wonder
of muncie!
I bet no one at home
has a postcard
From the world's
largest stump.
Why do you think
that is, sue? Why?
We have to get to the motel,
get brick a nice hot bath,
Go over the flash cards
and get him into bed.
No way we're gonna do that
if we drive an hour and a half
Out of our way to look
at some stump.
I had the lowest
of expectations,
And I'm still disappointed.
So Sue's little side trips
had landed us in Chicago
Smack in the middle
of rush hour.
But three cranky hours later,
we finally made it
To the motels we had picked.
Oh... My... God.
Sue should never be allowed
to decide anything again
In our entire lives! This place
makes our house look nice!
Axl.
Uh, well...
See, it's not so bad!
There's a tv.
And the bathroom is...
There's poop in the toilet!
Aw, man!
Ew!
Aw, gross! All right.
We'll just flush it.
It's not a big deal. My God!
Mike, I need help!
And towels!
Oh. Watch tv.
The tv doesn't work.
What did you say?
The tv doesn't work.
See? It's just static.
Well, thank you, sue,
For the worst vacation
we've ever had,
And I am including the ozarks
and the frog infestation.
I mean, come on, people!
You know we're all thinking it!
Hey, we could spend all night
Criticizing
sue's lousy decisions,
But we need some sleep,
so start sleeping now!
Sue, knock it off!
Go to sleep.
Okay.
You happy now?
Sue's crying,
and you're yelling at her.
I wasn't yelling.
I don't want her
to wake up brick.
Yeah, that's right.
It's all about brick.
That's why he gets the bed,
And I'm sleeping on this
disgusting, crunchy carpet.
No, we're sleeping on this
disgusting, crunchy carpet
Because you had to give
the other bed to sue.
We forgot her birthday.
I know. But this wasn't the
way to make it up to her.
This weekend is
about the spelling bee.
The spelling bee is a big deal. To who?
What's that supposed
to mean?
It's a big deal to you.
You're the one that
wants the trophy.
You're the one that wants
to win! That's ridiculous.
Don't you roll away from me!
It's true!
You've been out of control
this whole weekend.
I'm not the one agreeing
to every half-baked idea
My 13-year-old comes up
with. 14. She had a birthday.
I can hear you.
I can hear you.
I can hear you.
I can hear you!
Sue, come on!
It's me.
I just wanted
to make everybody happy.
Oh, man!
I read something
somewhere about...
"no matter how dark the night,
the sun comes up..."
And something, something...
Anyway, the sun came up,
And it sure didn't make
that room look any better.
But then...
Happy birthday.
Oh, doughnut holes?
I had to drive 10 miles
up the road to find 'em,
But, yeah, I know
they're your favorite. Aw!
Thanks, dad.
I'm sorry if I was short
with you last night.
I know this hasn't been
a great birthday,
And I'm sorry for that,
too.
How about,
when we get home,
We throw you
a nice, big party?
Really?
We okay?
Mm-hmm, we're okay.
But, dad?
Yeah, honey?
Doughnut holes
are brick's favorite.
I like waffles.
Really?
I like doughnut holes.
Remember, don't start spelling
the word unless you know it.
I wonder why I'm number 11.
And...and ask for the definition,
Even if you know the word.
Hey, look! When I look down,
My number looks the same to me as it
does to you. Brick, forget about the sign.
You should be focusing on
letters right now, not numbers.
Now over there,
that's your main competition...
Sanjit bawa.
Hey!
Brick,
don't befriend your enemy!
He's nothing to you.
You're gonna take him down,
Got it? Okay. When are we heading home?
Can we eat at der
pancake haus on the way?
Sue said that
they make the pancakes
Right at your table.
Brick...
Your ma said something
last night.
Do you even care
about winning this thing?
I don't know.
'cause, you know, you win,
You get a trophy
to put on your shelf.
I thought you'd think that was really cool.
Nah, I don't really care about the winning part.
I just like to spell.
And that's when
it finally sunk in for mike.
Brick really didn't care,
And that chang everything.
That's your edge! That's how
you're gonna win this thing...
By not caring.
You're the ice man!
You're my brick of ice!
You see, unlike brick,
Mike really does like
the winning part.
If we can, please have
All the contestants
take their places?
How is he?
He doesn't care at all.
I think we got a real shot.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to the 45th annual
midwest regionals.
The winner of this competition
will go on to compete
In the scripps national
spelling bee
In washington, D.C.
Let the spelling begin!
"Grammar."
G-r-a-m-m-a-r.
"Grammar."
That is correct.
"Privilege."
P-r-i-v-e-l-e-g-e.
I'm sorry. That's incorrect.
"Sebaceous."
S-e-b-a...
"Minutia."
M-i-n-u-t-i...
"Saboteur."
S... a-b...
O-u-s.
That is correct.
"Ecclesiastic."
That is correct.
That's incorrect.
"Ubiquitous."
that is correct.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we're down to the final two!
One of these contestants
will be our midwest champion.
Oh, my God! I can't look.
I'm too nervous.
Come on, brick.
Come on. You can do th.
The word is "prospicience."
"prospicience."
Can you give me
the definition, please?
It means foresight,
seeing ahead.
"Prospicience."
P-r-o-s-p-i-c-i-e-n-c-e.
"Prospicience."
That is correct.
The word is "guerdon."
"guerdon."
what is the origin?
Stall tactic.
Middle english,
from old french.
"guerdon."
G-u...
E-r...
D-o-n.
"guerdon."
That is correct.
The next word is
"chiaroscurist."
Oh, my God!
No, he knows this one.
What?
He studied this one.
He knows it.
Yeah. He knows it.
He knows it!
In that moment,
it all melted away...
All the stress
and the sore backs
And the complaining
and the fighting.
We were there for one reason
and one reason alone...
To cheer our littlest member
to his hard-won victory...
Our victory.
"Chiaroscurist."
C-h-i-a-r-o-s-c-u-r-i-s-t.
"T."
Oh, I'm sorry!
There's only one "t."
No, no, no. He knows there's only
one "t." you don't understand...
So, brick, I guess you cared
about the trophy after all.
Guess you're a little more like
your old man than you thought.
I wasn't mad about
not getting the trophy.
I just wanted too
to washington, d.C.
This trip has been so much fun,
And I really wanted
to go on another one.
You thought the trip was fun?
This trip?
Oh, yeah.
Sue makes the best decisions.
Where are we going on the
way home? Uh, I don't know.
I think I'm done deciding.
It's too much pressure.
Oh, come on, sue. It's
your birthday really?
Okay. Well, there's this place
That has the world's biggest
ball of paint,
And then a little further
down the road
Is this chinese restaurant
shaped like a biscuit! Awesome!
World's biggest ball
of paint, here we come.
I can't say we fell
back in love with our car
After that trip,
but brick was right...
It is all about the journey
and not the trophy,
Which he didn't get,
Or the postcards,
which sue didn't get.
But what we did get were
some pretty funny memories
I keep thinking
about axl squished up
In that ridiculous cot
all night.
After all, it's the bad trips
that you never forget.
That was
definitely pathetic,
But not more pathetic than
the world's stupidest stump.
Why did I think
that would be fun?