03x07 - The Beat Goes On

[bunniefuu]

[MUSIC - SAILOR MOON, "BRACEFACE THEME SONG"]

SAILOR MOON: (SINGING) Something tells me I've been dreaming

of someone who was never real.

It seems I've changed 1,000 ways.

I wish I looked the way I feel.

Braceface.

My life gets complicated.

Boyfriends.

Don't want to talk about it.

Teenage.

I'll work it out in the end.

Braceface.

My life gets complicated.

Boyfriends Don't want to talk about it.

Teenage.

I'll work it out in the end.

Braceface.

SHARON: Sounds of sirens break the still of the night.

In the distance, there's trouble.

The sirens rang in my head long after their passing,

just as the memory of you did long after yours.

That's it.

[applause]

That was really good.

Thanks.

It just came to me.

Kind of wrote it about my grandmother.

You are so getting an A on this project.

I don't know.

Well, I do.

For those of you who didn't get to go today,

don't forget your poems for Monday.

Oh, sh**t.

I thought if I didn't go today, I wouldn't have to go at all.

Maria.

MARIA: What, Emily Dickinson?

Not everyone's as good as you.

Sharon, could I talk to you for just a minute?

I'll see you later.

Don't worry.

I'm sure it's about your A.

Sharon, I just wanted to tell you what

an excellent poem you wrote.

Thank you.

You have a strong sense of meter

and thoughtful word choices.

Oh, you're a natural.

Really?

Oh, yes.

Would you ever consider performing

at the Northwest poetry slam?

Slam?

Huh.

Sounds painful.

Ah no.

To the contrary.

Every year, local poets compete for

the prestigious golden beret.

I've been trying for years.

This year, the event is being held at Life Cycles.

I think you've got the talent to be in the running.

I'll definitely think about it.

Great.

It's tonight at 8:00.

Come a little early if you want to compete.

OK.

Oh, wow!

Got you.

HELEN SPITZ: Josh, I need your help in the kitchen.

OK.

Earth to Josh.

But I'm about to board the mothership.

This mothership needs you more.

I did it.

I've never gotten this far before.

Woo-hoo!

You mean you got that thing in that thing

while those things were sh**ting at you?

Yeah. Sit down.

Grab a controller.

Oh, Josh, I'm not good at this kind of thing.

It raises my blood pressure.

Come on.

I'll peel all the veggies including the onion.

OK, just for a minute.

Mom, I have to start the game first.

Our first reader, Miss Susan Clark.

The white cat.

Night cat.

Mid-air in-flight cat.

Purr, pal, growl, gal.

Night eyes shine bright cat.

Very nice.

Next, Miss Sharon Spitz.

Hi.

I hear them clamoring.

They wake me from sleep.

Sounds of sirens break the still of the night.

In the distance, there is trouble.

The sirens ring in my head long after their passing.

[applause]

SHARON (VOICEOVER): Was I really doing this?

Was it possible I had found my calling?

ADAM: Hannah!

But, Han, no!

I didn't mean--

I thought it was funny.

Listen, Hannah?

Hello?

She hung up on me.

This is the first time since we've been going

out that she hung up on me.

She says I'm not romantic enough.

Uh-oh.

Did you forget her birthday or something?

No, today's her birthday and I totally remembered.

I gave her a cake and burped happy birthday.

Happy birthday.

Ew!

Adam, that's disgusting.

I thought it was funny.

Now I've ruined everything.

I have an idea.

What?

Why don't you write her a poem?

Ha-ha.

I don't do poetry.

But it's a romantic thing to do,

which might make up for grossing her out.

OK.

I'll give it a shot.

What rhymes with wrestle?

Poetry's not just about rhyming, Adam.

It's about meter and word choices

and expressing your emotions.

How does Hannah make you feel?

I'd just like to tell everyone how

splendidly Sharon Spitz did at the Northwest poetry slam

this weekend.

I highly encourage everyone to come see her perform in round

two tonight at Life Cycles.

Why didn't you tell me?

I don't know.

I was embarrassed, I guess.

Sounds like you have nothing to be embarrassed about.

That's the weird thing.

It was really fun.

It could have gone the other way though.

I could have totally flopped.

But you didn't.

Maria, you're up.

Me?

Yes.

Are you ready to read your poem?

Ready as I'll ever be.

The net is the only barrier between my team and yours.

You read your poem in front of 100 strangers?

Not 100.

More like 60.

Did you take a brave pill or something?

You should have heard Miss Clark raving about her in class

today.

She wasn't raving.

Hey, good job last night.

You were awesome.

Thanks.

Your first groupie.

I'm actually looking forward to the slam tonight.

Are you guys coming? - Of course.

Yeah.

Sharon, can I talk to you for a sec?

Alone.

I wrote it last night.

Hannah, oh, Hannah, how can you forgive me?

A birthday burp is not a gift.

Hmm.

What?

Do you hate it?

It's a start.

Poems can be more than two lines, you know?

I mean, if it went something like this with that line here

and add a few adjectives here, you know?

You should read this at the slam tonight.

That would be the ultimate romantic gesture.

Really?

OK, I'll do it.

Hey, Hannah.

Come to Life Cycles tonight?

I have a surprise for you.

Does it involve noises coming out of your mouth?

Well, yeah, sort of.

But in a good way.

See you tonight.

I'll try to make it.

Um, is that a yes?

I think so.

I just read the poem again.

It's really great, Sharon.

Just trying to help.

Maybe you can perform it for me too.

Come on.

If I can do it, you can do it.

Just relax and be yourself.

I've never spoken in front of a crowd before.

But you've wrestled in front of a crowd.

That's kind of like performing.

I guess.

Mom, your patient's here.

HELEN SPITZ: Oh, oh, oh.

I made it to level two!

That's great Mom, but your patient is here.

OK, would you let her in?

I'll be there in a sec.

The audience usually has really good energy.

So just try to feed off their vibes.

She'll be right with you.

HELEN SPITZ: Coming.

Ready?

Our next slammer is Adam Spitz.

You bloom like night jasmine.

Radiant, I radiate in your presence.

That was mine.

ADAM: Eyes like diamonds sparkle.

You are the sun and the moon and the stars all wrapped into one.

Mine.

Shh!

I want to hear this.

And I, just a humble lucky guy.

Not mine.

GIRL: Bravo.

Bravo.

That's my guy.

WOMAN: Encore!

Encore!

Who is that genius?

MARIA: Your brother was so amazing last night.

Yeah.

It's kind of weird that he went and did the poetry thing too.

Wasn't it your idea?

But I didn't expect him to get bumped to the next round.

Well, I think it's great.

The Spitz family is full of hidden talents.

Speak of the devil.

Hey, Adam.

You were on fire last night.

Thanks.

It worked.

Hannah's not mad anymore.

Told you.

So what are you doing after school?

Going to the library to work on my next poem.

Great!

I'll meet you there at three.

I mean, if you're willing to help me on mine.

I guess.

You're the greatest, Sis.

Sis?

Sorry I'm late.

Coach wanted to see me.

It's OK.

I've been working on my poem.

How's it going.

Not so good.

Come on.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

But if you want a break, I'm ready when you are.

Ha, all right.

But I don't have tons of time.

In the ring.

That's your problem?

So far.

It's just a title.

I had to start somewhere.

Ah, OK.

What do you think, Moish?

Sorrow or melancholy?

Hello?

Hi, Mom.

What's that?

Got you a little something.

Skill board!

Mom, you the coolest.

What do you say we plug it in?

Next, Adam Spitz.

And when you are down, down, down, There.

Is nowhere to go but up, up, up.

And, in the end, it's me.

I see.

Really.

These are our seven wonderful slammers.

But, in the final round, we only have room for three.

As I read your name, please step forward.

Everyone else, thank you for participating,

and we hope to see you here next year.

Kate Reevie.

Bamburgh Prendergast.

And Adam Spitz.

What?

Me?

Really?

Congratulations.

Hey.

Mm-hmm.

Poetry slams sure work up an appetite.

I guess.

So I'm bulking up to write my poem for the finals tomorrow.

Right.

It's going to be a poem about wrestling and life

and love all in one.

Sounds ambitious.

Just want to make sure I can count on you for the old

Sharon once-over when I'm done?

Adam, can I tell you something?

Yeah.

Well, this has kind of been really weird for me.

I mean, I thought poetry was my thing, you know?

Like wrestling's your thing.

I've been working really, really hard at writing poems, and--

And you're really really good at it.

That's why I need you.

So what do you say?

Fine.

Great, I'm working on it now.

And, after you read it, could you slip it

into my locker tomorrow?

Oh, I've got a crazy day.

I'll look it over before I go on stage.

Whatever.

HELEN SPITZ: There you go! Over there.

Over there.

Oh, oh.

Oh, oh.

Hi, Mom.

One second, honey.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, there you go.

Over there.

Over there.

Yikes.

Uh, Mom, I wanted to talk to you about--

No, no, no.

Great I died.

Sorry.

I didn't mean to distract you.

That's OK.

It's just that I'm feeling really weird about Adam

and the poetry.

I'm alive?

I'm alive!

I'm alive.

Forget it.

This is my last spaceship, I promise.

One day I'm Emily Dickinson, the next time

the poetry fixer for someone who's never

written a poem in his life.

Hmm, I wonder if Adam can pronounce "septuagenarian."

Or how about "recrudescence?"

Tonight's going to be fun.

Oh, Sharon, will you save me a seat?

I might be a few minutes late.

Actually, I'm not going.

But your brother's up for the golden beret all thanks to you.

Yeah, but I have a lot of homework to catch up on.

I'm sure he'll do great though.

Ah!

Hey!

What are you doing?

HELEN SPITZ: Woo-hoo!

Waiting for mom to finish her game.

Then we're going to Adam's poetry thing.

You coming?

Can't-- too much homework.

HELEN SPITZ: Get him!

Get him!

Mom made it to the bonus level in Galaxy Race.

She got five extra spaceships and these bonus

powers that have only read about in "Skill Board" magazine.

HELEN SPITZ: Josh, I think I'm ready to go.

OK, Mom.

I totally know what you're going through.

Just like Adam and the poetry stuff.

Poetry is supposed to be my thing, you know?

Just like video games are supposed to be your thing.

Huh?

I think it's cool that moms into video games.

She's a quick learner, and now we have fun playing together.

Really?

HELEN SPITZ: Honey, I'll be in the car.

See you later.

Yeah.

SHARON (VOICEOVER): Maybe Josh was right.

Maybe I was supposed to celebrate

the fact that my brother succeeded in an unexpected way.

Wasn't that what family was for?

I had to get to Adam before he humiliated

himself in front of everyone with my brilliant idea

of a poem.

And in the end, all that was left was me.

[crowd cheers]

And now for our final poet, Adam Spitz.

I move around the ring the way I move around my life--

sort of cautious.

I am no "sep-tu-age--" "anti-dis-av-lish-mentarism".

The "reek-room--" the "recruiter?"

Come on, Adam.

Come on!

You can do it.

ADAM: I am no shrinking violet.

Shrink, I do not.

Too tall to shrink.

Though, my mom is a shrink.

Life is like that ring.

There are moves you practice and surprises along the way.

You can trick your opponent, or he can trick you.

Those are the rules in the ring.

SHARON (VOICEOVER): I couldn't believe it.

My jock brother was waxing poetic about love, life,

and wrestling, just like he said he would.

And he was doing it on his own.

And I'm pleased to announce the winner of this year's

golden beret trophy--

Mr. Adam Spitz.

That's my guy.

WOMAN: Well done Adam!

What can I get you?

A raspberry smoothie.

One raspberry smoothie for the guy with the golden beret.

Hey, half of this beret is for you, you know?

You totally helped me with everything.

Oh, not tonight's poem.

I threw in a few ten cent words.

I'm really sorry about that.

No problem.

We have totally different styles.

In my poems, I just go for a feeling, you know?

Yeah, I know.

Anyway, I should have been doing the work all on my own

from the start.

Is this the mother of the genius poets?

Guilty as charged.

Too many video games?

My, my, this is such a hip family.

[MUSIC - SAILOR MOON, "BRACEFACE THEME SONG"]