03x01 - Tearin' Up My Room

[bunniefuu]

Here we are, Syd, home sweet home!

Olive, music camp was so amazing.

I had guitar,

and then songwriting, and this
great jazz teacher from Ghana,

Dr. Opongi.

She had us play
instruments made of fruit.

Later, I'll show you how
to tune a cantaloupe.

And all this time, I thought
food was just for eating.

I've got so much to learn.

-That is so cool, Syd. So,
about camp... -Hey, Dad, please.

Olive and I haven't seen
each other in a month.

We haven't seen
each other in a month.

Then you know how
much I missed Olive.

I'm gonna take your bag
upstairs and think of a comeback.

-I can't get over it.
-You seem so different. B-T-dubs,

-love the bass case.
-Oh, my bunkmate made it.

She's this amazing
oboe player from Holland.

Did you know that they put mayonnaise

on French fries over there?

They're so sophisticated.

I know, right?

I met all these cool,
creative kids who

really opened up my way of thinking.

You know, my family road
trip was equally eye-opening.

-Really?
-Yeah!

I learned that if you drive miles

without hearing armpit farts,

it means you left your
brother at a gas station.

Did I just hear mon petit frite?

Grandma, you're back! How was France?

Life-changing.

The art, the fashion,
the joie de vivre.

Americans live to
work. We work to live.

"We"? You were born in Indiana.

Which is the Paris of the Midwest.

I missed you, mon frappe.

I know it's only been a
month, but you look older.

I feel older, Grandma.

It was camp. It changed me.

Come on, Olive. I wanna hear more

about your brother
and his armpit farts.

Unfortunately, they
weren't all armpit.

You missed a lot while
you were gone, Syd.

A lot.

Emmy plucked her eyebrows,

and now she always seems surprised.

But don't say anything. She gets mad.

Or surprised. You really can't tell.

Does something
seem different in here?

Looks the same as when you left.

I know, but...

it just doesn't feel like me anymore.

I've grown. There were kids at camp

dipping their French
fries in mayonnaise.

This is the room of someone
who uses boring old ketchup.

Say what you want about
the room, but I can't have you

throwing shade at ketchup.

Don't get me wrong.
It's a great room,

but it's old Syd.

And I'm new Syd. New Syd is...

bold, a risk-taker.

I don't wanna start th grade
living in someone else's room.

So, what are you thinking?

New drapes? Couple
of new throw pillows?

Nope.

Everything in here's gotta go.

♪ Do, do, do, do

♪ Like father, like daughter,
we don't always agree ♪

♪ But looking at you
is like looking at me ♪

♪ The more things change,
the more they stay the same ♪

♪ Like father, like daughter,
from different times ♪

♪ Taking all the best from
your decade and mine ♪

♪ The more things change ♪

♪ The more they stay the same ♪

♪ Do, do, do-do, do, do

♪ Do, do

♪ The more they stay the same

Hey, Grandma! What you reading?

A book of French poetry.

Really? Is it good?

I don't know. It's in French.

Hey, where's Dad? I wanna
ask him if I can redo my room.

Ooh, that's a tough one. You
know how sentimental he is.

-Yeah, but I changed over summer.
-Maybe he did, too.

Syd, I can't believe you threw out

your empty sunblock from camp!

This baby's going
right in the scrapbook.

-Oh boy.
-Oh boy.

Well, I'm off to le
parcwith my baguette.

You know, it's the only bread
that's also a back-scratcher.

Dad, I need to talk to you
about something important.

sh**t.

I wanna redo my room.

And I know what you're gonna say.

"But, Syd, that room
has so many memories."

Yes, but changing it
won't take them away.

"Sounds kinda pricey."

It won't be 'cause I'm selling
my old furniture to pay for it.

"But I don't have time
for a big project right now."

I promise you won't lift a finger.

Am I done?

You are.

Fine, you can redo your room.

Seriously?

Yeah! You grew up a lot this summer.

It's your room, Syd. Make it yours.

-Thanks, Dad! Well, -I
better go start on my redo!

Now? I thought you might
finally tell me about camp.

Trees, music, bonfires. Gotta go!

Wow. It's like I was there.

Can you believe it, Leo?

-Our first day as th graders.
-I was so excited,

I barely slept last night.

But when you look this
good, it's hard to tell.

-Now we're the
big men on
campus. -Yep.

-Walking tall.
-Everyone looking up to us.

Am I imagining it,

or did everyone have a growth
spurt this summer except me?

So what? Who cares?

Hey, Leo. Hey, Shortstack.

Okay, Pete cares.

Leo, I think I must be the
shortest kid in th grade.

Dude, don't sweat it.

If you're worried about anything,

it should be your grades.

Hoo-doggy.

Forget about your height, man.

You're right. I will.

Right after I find a way to
grow three inches by tomorrow.

Dang. And it looked like you
were listening and everything.

Oh my gosh.

I've never seen your
room naked before.

Stop staring. You're
making her blush.

I can't believe we're doing this!

Oh! But, no worries.
I'm all prepared.

I have sketch pads, pencils,
and even masks for painting.

These days, I've got plenty.

Cloth, disposable,

Schnauzer.

So what's the plan?

The plan is...

there is no plan.

Ooh! The no-plan
plan. What a great plan.

No. The no-plan plan isn't a plan.

Still sounds like a plan to me.

Olive, it's like they
taught us at camp.

The key to creating great music

is to follow your instincts.

So, I'm gonna go with my gut.

Now, can you help me put
up these last few samples?

So, what's your gut saying?

It says...

I like all of them!

Sorry, Syd's scary gut,
but you can't do all of them.

-Who says? Art is
all about taking risks.

Like this.

Now your turn!

Me? Oh, no, I couldn't...

Do it.

What a rush!

-Oh no! I got paint on your
floor. I'll get a rag. Don't!

I just got an idea.

We'll paint the floors.

Who says paint is only for walls?

Painters?

Olive, I want this room

to look different than
anything I've ever seen before.

So throw out the rulebook

and let your creative
tiger out of its cage.

More tiger, less kitten.

-Now we're talking!

Syd, you just stepped in fresh paint.

No. I just stepped in a fresh idea.

What are you doing?

Writing all my song
lyrics on the walls.

"I'm leaving all of my fears...

beh"?

Yeah, I ran out of space.

Olive, I am so sorry!

About what?

Hey, you missed a spot.

Is it ready yet, Syd?

I've run out of excuses
to walk by your door.

Even I don't believe me anymore.

Okay, Dad, you've
been patient. Come on in.

Oh, goodie. I can't wait
to see what you've done!

What have you done?

I don't think he likes
it as much as we do.

No, I don't!

It's a mess! I can't even
tell the walls from the floor!

Oh my gosh, you painted the floor.

-And where's your desk?
-There.

Oh, so you haven't gotten one yet.

No, that is the desk.

It's called deconstructivism.

It's a kind of design
where you superimpose...

Yeah, I didn't get it either.

Well, I've got a new
kind of design for you.

It's called reconstructivism.

It means you're redoing this room.

What? No!

This room is new Syd.

But how are you gonnahang
out in here? Do homework?

Not have nightmares?

Well, I'm not changing it.

Besides, I spent all my money.

Then I'll pay for it.

Wow, he must really hate it.

But you said it was my room.

Yes, but it's my house.

I can't believe you!

You know what? I am
staying at Olive's tonight.

Weren't you going to do that anyway

because of the paint fumes?

Yes.

But now I have a better reason.

And I'm going to Olive's, too,

because I'm supporting
my best friend.

And also 'cause I live there.

Hey, what's taking so long?

-I wanna see tall Max. He's coming!

What do you think? Do I look taller?

Taller? Run! It's a giant!

How many of your sneakers
did you have to rip up

to make those things?

All of 'em. The great part is...

you can't tell!

But it's the hair
that really sells tall.

And I was afraid it
wouldn't look natural.

Between the hair and the shoes,

no one's gonna make fun of me now.

Hoo, look at you!

You do know Halloween's
not for another six months?

Mom, this is serious.
I'm trying to look taller.

I'm the shortest kid in my grade.

Pete called him Shortstack.

Oh. I'm sorry.

But, going to school like
that isn't going to help.

Your hair looks ridiculous.

Ridiculous?

It took me three hours
to get it to look like that!

And two hours to get my
hand unstuck from Max's head.

Max, please sit down.

Listen, there's always
gonna be some doofus

who's gonna say
something mean to you.

But who cares? They
don't really know you.

You don't get it. Every
class picture is gonna be,

"Short kids in front."

It makes me feel like a loser.

How am I supposed to
survive school like this?

Well, if you wear
those shoes to school,

you won't have to worry about it.

You'll be in the
hospital before lunch.

I'll be fine.

Gah! Don't worry!

My hair broke my fall!

Are you ready

for our first official
hang in new Syd's room?

I have never been
more excited for anything.

And I don't care what
my dad says. I love it.

Huh.

What's wrong? Why'd you say...

Huh.

Is it me, or does this place look

different than it did last night?

No...

Well, maybe just a hair.

Not that different's a bad thing.

No. Of course not.

I said I wanted something different.

And I think we've hit
that one out of the park.

You know, maybe this
room is just so different

that it's a little uncomfortable
when you first see it.

-Exactly.
-I hate it!

I hate it, too!

So how come we loved
it so much last night?

I don't know.

I guess it's like when I
write a new song I love,

and the next morning, I get up,

take a fresh look at it,
and it sounds like doo-doo.

Are you saying you think
your new room is doo-doo?

I do... do.

I guess I was just

trying so hard to
make my room different

that I got carried away.

I should've never listened to my gut.

We trusted you.

Sorry, Olive.

It knows my name!

So have you seen Syd's room?

Why am I asking you? You'll
probably say something like,

"It's totally on point."

Not after hearing you say it.

Between us, I think it's a hot mess.

Wait, we're actually
on the same page?

So then you agree
she should change it?

-No. What are you, nuts?
-And she's back.

Max, kids make tons of
decisions their parents don't like.

-You gotta pick your battles.
-You picked every battle.

Oh really? Did you
know I was dead set

against you getting a skateboard?

Really? You never told me.

Yeah. I thought
you'd break your neck.

But I kept it to myself,
and I'm glad I did.

You only chipped three
teeth and cracked a rib.

Yeah. I was good.

Imagine what life would've
been like without your skateboard.

I can't.

So maybe you should think about it

before you make Syd change something

she really has her heart set on.

Seriously, dude? You're
standing on a milk crate?

Doesn't feel so good,
does it, little man?

Max, what are you gonna do at
school? Carry that thing around?

'Cause I'd rather be
Shortstack than Crate Boy.

Well, it doesn't matter 'cause
I'm not going back to school.

No way am I gonna
be the shortest kid.

Hey, Benny. How's it going?

Yeah, Benny? How's it going?

Never better, my man.

One fake vomit, please.

Sometimes, you gotta treat yourself.

Ooh, sorry. You're a little short.

Oh wait! I-I didn't mean
it in that way. I just...

It's all good. I'll just
get some more tickets.

I saw a bunch under
the foosball table.

When you're low to the
ground, you notice those things.

-You know what I'm thinking?
-Never.

I should hang out with Benny more.

We were buds in nd grade.

This wouldn't have anything to do

with Benny being
shorter than you, would it?

Of course it does!

Try to keep up, Leo.

As long as I'm
standing next to Benny,

I won't be the shortest kid in class.

I don't know, Max. I'm not
sure this is the best idea.

On the other hand,
next to your other ideas,

it's genius.

What am I gonna do?

I can't live in here.

Maybe my dad was... was...

-Right? -Thanks. My
mouth was never gonna
allow me to say that.

Then redo it. He offered to pay.

No 'cause then every time
he disagrees with me, he'll say,

"Remember how I was
right about your room?"

Wait!

Why does he ever
have to know you hate it?

He's gonna make you
redo the place anyway.

What are you saying?

Pretend he's making me do it?

I know, it's pretty devious...

That's why I love it.

I mean, how hard is it to
act like an angry teenager?

Please. It's the role
I was born to play.

Syd, I think we should
discuss your room.

Why? So you can tell
me to change it back?

You're ruining my life.

Actually, I was going to
say that you can keep it.

Why can't you be like
other... What's what?

You were right. Doesn't
matter what I think.

The important thing
is that you love it.

But Dad, it's like you
said. It's your house.

But it's your room. Look, Syd,

all I know is if you're
happy, then I'm happy.

Happy?

Oh, you have no idea.

Hey, Syd, I heard the good news.

Your dad's gonna let you keep
your room the way you want it.

Yeah. How can he be so mean?

Okay, now I'm officially confused.

I thought you loved this room?

Well, I thought I did, too,

but in the light of day... yikes.

So then, why don't you just
tell your dad how you feel?

And let him know he was right?

-You mean the "I-told-you-so's"?
-And don't forget the,

"Are you sure? Haven't
we been here before?"

Ah, that sounds like old Syd.

What do you mean?

Well, part of growing up

is being able to admit
when you're wrong.

Like this ridiculous outfit.

I mean, what have I been thinking?

My shoes are k*lling me.

French women must
have a thing for bunions.

Well then, why are you
doing this whole French thing?

Well, your dad was
right. I was just trying

to keep my vacation going.

I should've just bought
a Mona Lisa bobblehead

like everyone else.

So I guess new Syd is gonna
have to tell her dad he was right.

That is what a mature woman would do.

Oh, but don't tell your dad why I
dumped the whole French thing.

We can't let him be right twice.

It's been a blast hanging
out with you again, Max.

Right back at you, Benny.

Hey. There's Tamira.

Wait here. I'm gonna go ask her out.

Wait.

You're gonna ask out Tamira?

Don't you think she's a little...

how do I put this...
out of your reach?

Only one way to find out.

Okay, good news. Tamira
said she'd get back to me.

She needs to see if she
can get out of babysitting.

Right.

Babysitting.

Hey, Benny. I got
someone else to babysit.

Cool. I'll meet you there at : .

Can't wait to mini-golf.

Yup. Mm-hmm.

I can't believe it.

She said yes?

And you invited her to do
something that involves the word

"mini"?

Max, why are you so surprised?

Because I'm short?

You are? I never noticed.

Max, it's not about altitude.

It's about attitude.

I don't even think
about how tall I am.

I just think of myself as Benny.

That's the way the world sees me.

Wow. I never thought of it that way.

Thanks, Benny. B-ball Tuesday?

Well, let's see how
things go with Tamira.

I have a feeling I might
be busy for a while.

Whoa, Max! Did you
have a growth spurt?

You're taller than me!

Yeah, we're done with that.

Good, 'cause even I wasn't buying it.

Why the big change?

Leo. Height is about attitude,

not altitude. It's how I see myself.

And I gotta be honest,
I like what I see.

Wow! I don't know if you're taller,

but you definitely have grown.

Hey. After school, let's
go get some pancakes.

I'm suddenly craving a short stack.

Dad, I need to talk
to you about my room.

Okay.

You were right.
-I'm sorry, can't hear you.

You were right.

Syd, I'm sorry. You're
gonna have to speak...

-You were right! I hate it!
-I heard that.

I wanna redo my redo.

And I know what you're gonna say.

"But you said you liked
it." Yeah, but now I don't.

"Then I was right?" Yes, so if
you wanna say, "I told you so,"

go ahead.

So when do you wanna get started?

Wait, that's it?

No "I told you so"?

The dad in my head is
doing a victory dance.

Why would I do that?

Must've been really hard to
come down here and tell me this,

especially after how hard
you fought for that room.

Honestly, I'm proud of you.

Seriously?

Seriously.

So, you wanna go
see if your old furniture

is at the thrift store?

Nah. I'm just not that girl anymore.

But I'm not new Syd either.

It's scary. I don't know who I am.

Who says you have to?

You're still growing into
who you're gonna be,

and you can take it
as slow as you want.

Why don't you move into
the girl cave in the basement

until you put together
the room that you love?

You're kidding. That
would be amazing.

Maybe I could move
in there forever...

I'll take this one.
"Syd, let's not push it."

Dad, thanks for understanding.

You're quite welcome.

So, do you still wanna
hear about camp?

Nah. I mean, I've pretty
much put together...

Yes, please! Tell me everything.

It took me a while
to get it right, but...

Voilà!

Oh, Noodle, it's perfect!

The colors, the texture, the...

-je ne sais quoi.
-Mom!

What? She said voilà.

I love the Esperanza Spalding poster!

Yep. She's just the coolest.

And my own personal hero.

Not that I'm gushing.

Dad, what do you think about it?

What do I think?

I think it's fantastic.

Aw, and I love this old
picture of you and your mom.

Are these your old ballet slippers?

-Yep.
-I love it all, Syd.

Really? There's gotta
be something in this room

that isn't Dad-approved.

Well, honestly, I don't get

that thing over there.

Oh, thank goodness.

Noodle, why don't we leave you alone

so you can enjoy your room?

Thanks, Grandma.

Oh really? I was hoping
Syd and I could hang,

maybe spill some tea.

Okay. There's another
phrase I'll never use again.

Well, gut, I think we
did a pretty good job.

Thanks. When's dinner?

♪ Doot doot do do doot do

♪ Doot doot

♪ Doot doot do do doot do

♪ Doot doot

♪ Doot doot do do doot do

♪ Doot doot

♪ Doot doot do do doot do

♪ Doot doot

Oh yeah.