Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street

Gortimer, narrating: I've lived my whole life on Normal Street.

There's a lake at one end

and a forest of shady trees at the other.

But what lies in between

is anything but normal.

The first day of school is a fresh start,

a chance to redefine yourself.

Do you try a different look?

Start a new trend?

Or just follow one?

Do you try to stand out...

or look for ways to blend in?

Or just stick with what works,

or at least what used to work?

Eighth grade.

Eighth grade.

Last year you were just a bunch of kids.

If you behaved immaturely, teachers would say,

"Oh, what do you expect from a seventh grader?"

Things are different this year.

Most of you are teenagers.

We expect more from you.

I expect more from you.

I'm Mr. Renshaw.

And welcome to eighth grade honors social studies.

Man, I'm going to miss seventh grade.

Seems like your hoodie misses fifth grade.

My lucky hoodie. This is a classic.

Gortimer Gibbons.

- Here. -

Renshaw: Erica Finley.

It's the end of an era.

Don't worry. You'll be able to fix it.

You only have had this locker

for an hour and a half.

You know my motto.

Ninjas are everywhere?

When in doubt, tacos?

Be ready for anything.

For example, I have 500 water balloons

- just for Waterloo. - Hmm.

I can't wait. This water balloon fight

is going to go down in history.

I'm going to be like wh...

Come on.

Well, if we want this water balloon fight

to be truly historic,

we're going to need a force multiplier.

Something that makes the other kids wet themselves

with their own balloons.

Then we need bigger splashes,

longer range, uh, catapult...

you know, the one with the swingy thingy thing at the bottom.

That's a trebuchet, which would be perfect.

We could lob balloons all the way across the field.

Medieval. I like it.

But wouldn't we run out of ammo too fast?

One problem at a time.

First we need to figure out

if we can actually build it.

My place after school. We'll talk blueprints.

Looks like I've got other plans.

Mm. What about this? It's cute.

Mom, I can pick out my own clothes.

I'm practically an adult.

Oh. Well, pardon me, Mr. Gibbon.

I should respect your age and wisdom.

Well, come get me

when you need my credit card.

I'd recognize Best Hair in the senior class anywhere.

Adam?

Claire.

Adam Hernandez?

Wow. I can't believe this.

I thought you moved back to the city.

I did, but I'm back.

My mom needed a little bit of help,

so I told my firm I was taking a hiatus.

How about you? Work, husband, kids?

Well, two out of three.

- I'm a book editor... - Uh-huh.

...and that's one of my kids over there.

Well, hello, there.

Wow. This escalated quickly.

I thought we were going casual.

Well, I'm expanding my comfort zone.

Can we get it?

It's dry clean only.

Is it worth the hassle?

Definitely.

Girl: Hi, Gortimer.

So you look different.

Thanks.

Not what I was expecting,

but it's very...

- impressive. - You think so?

Hey. Whoa. Whoa. Slow down.

Sorry, sir.

You look like a weatherman.

He looks important.

I don't know.

Sophisticated?

Okay. Yeah, sure.

I can live with that.

- - Good morning, citizens.

I hope you've all done the reading

because we're starting right in...

I swear if Miss Hendricks has taken my chalk again,

I'm going to...

I'll be right back.

I need someone to take attendance.

Gortimer, you're in charge.

Uh, me?

Yeah.

You have a certain air of authority.

Use it.

Ahem.

Whoa.

I like where this is going.

Who wants to get rich?

I just won $2.00.

Well, I think the responsible thing to do

is invest it.

In more lottery tickets.

Whoa.

Mayor Lee, welcome to Union Bakery. What can I get you?

I woke with one word on my mind: blueberries.

Uh, we have blueberry scones, blueberry muffins,

blueberry-colored coffee mugs.

One of each. I'll decide on the road.

I've never seen the mayor in person before.

She's so mayoral.

What's next on the agenda?

Planning the 37th annual Normal Harvest Festival.

Uh, so boring, so predictable.

What did we do last year?

36th annual.

We need to come up with something different,

something unexpected.

38th annual?

Okay. You're killing me, Casey.

You know that, right?

What about a historical theme?

Honor Normal Street's founders.

Hmm. Pirates and pumpkins don't mix.

Except on Halloween.

How about an Abnormal Harvest Festival?

Well, you could get the farmers

to bring all the weird-looking pumpkins.

We can bob for potatoes and have carnival games

where you win a prize if you miss the target.

Not bad.

See, that's what I need:

out-of-the-box thinking.

Check out this guy, Casey. Look at that jacket.

First rule of politics: Always dress the part.

Henrietta Lee, mayor.

Gortimer Gibbon, citizen.

Gortimer Gibbon?

I love that.

Solid name recognition.

Vote Gortimer.

No mistaking that for anyone else.

Always use your name to your advantage.

How did the mayor handle the recent crisis?

Competent-lee, efficient-lee.

With great Lee-dership?

Eh.

Hmm.

You know, I could always use a sharp mind on my team.

How'd you like to come work for me

as an intern in my office?

An intern?

Uh, I... I don't know.

I'm not really sure politics is my thing.

Your thing? Okay, listen to me, Gortimer.

Some people are born great.

Some people achieve greatness.

Some people have greatness thrust upon them.

Do you want greatness thrust upon you?

Well, does that hurt?

Tomorrow in my office after school

if you're ready.

Well, that was weird.

Weirdly awesome.

Our ammo problems, they're solved.

- Hmm? - Waterloo.

If you do this, you'll have an in with the mayor.

And?

And you could get us our own fire hydrant.

Forget R-rated movies and lottery tickets.

That's kid stuff.

You'll have the keys to the kingdom.

I will, won't I?

The mayor asked that you wait here.

Whatever you do, don't touch the desk.

Nobody touches the desk.

Ah. Gibbon.

You made it. Good.

Have a seat.