[Sam] Fear is as common in the animal kingdom
as it is among us humans.
-So what do I do now? -[Casey] You just dip it in.
[Sam] When they're flipped over some toads will go limp and cross their little arms.
-It's amazing, right? -Yeah.
It tastes like cheese dipped in apple juice.
Exactly!
[imitates explosion]
You miss your friends, don't you? Huh?
-Lonely girl. -No. Shut up.
-[Evan chuckles] -Izzie would've loved this, though.
Attention, everybody!
[pants] It's finally finished.
What's this?
My portfolio for art school.
Hey!
No eating around the portfolio. Especially not cheese dipped
in apple juice. That's just asking for trouble.
-Hey, Sam... this is amazing. -I know.
ANTARCTIC PENGUINS
ANTARCTICA SOUTH POLE
[Casey] It really is.
[Casey] I thought it was weird when you said you wanted to pursue art
instead of something science-y, like penguin studies or whatever,
but... this is really good.
It's late in the application process, so I really need to knock their socks off.
-That's a phrase. -[Evan] Indeed.
I'm applying to a place called the Rhode Island School of Design,
also called RISD, in Providence, Rhode Island.
-It's a very good school. -That's really cool.
I've never been to Rhode Island. Actually...
I've never been anywhere.
Me neither.
Yeah, I figure why travel?
Beth wakes me up with fresh morning pastries every day.
So, that's a routine that I'm just not willing to give up.
I like my routines too.
A lot.
Yeah, but it's going to be great. I mean, you'll make new routines.
Yeah, and you're gonna make new friends, you're gonna go to new classes.
You'll get a pair of new New Balances.
You can go check out your new hood...
-Dude. -What?
That's a lot of new stuff.
[Sam] In humans, fear may look different, but it's caused by the same things.
No, Sam. It's gonna be fine. Really.
[Sam] A predator, a loud noise, a change in your environment.
I mean, look at me.
I didn't want to go to Clayton and now, well...
I hate it, but that's a bad example.
Yeah, well, it's perfectly... normal to be a little bit nervous.
You just... You need to just take your mind off stuff, you know?
-Maybe blow off a little bit of steam. -Yeah.
Well, the wisest man I know did tell me the perfect way to blow off steam.
-Awesome, dude. Do that. -Yeah.
-[tennis ball machine thumps] -[gasps]
You were right.
This does take my mind off things. My mind is on nothing.
[grunts] One word. Three letters.
Duh.
[both yell]
CLAYTON IS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP
[coach] An alumna painted that. Actually, someone I went to school with.
Ironically, she was a real asshole.
[chuckles]
So how you doing?
I haven't seen you with the team much lately, you girls okay?
Yep.
You sure?
I'm fine.
Well, we need to talk biology.
Mr. Kawahara says you're failing.
And if you can't get your grade up, you'll lose your scholarship.
What? No, I...
I can't afford this place without it.
I know, but there's still time to fix this.
Not as much time as if you'd come to me weeks ago when I'd asked.
Sorry. I... I just had, like, a lot going on, so--
Now it's time to buckle down.
Kawahara says that you'll be fine if you ace the midterm.
So that's your mission, beat biology class.
I promise I will eat, sleep, and breathe biology.
Biology, it's what's for breakfast!
[sighs] Okay, bye.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
Who?
[singing]
Wow.
Thank you, Sabrina, for singing your answer to "How was your day?"
And quite beautifully, I might add.
Oh! Hi, Sam. We're about to get started, why don't you take a seat.
I got an interview with RISD.
Really? Sam, that is great news.
RISD is a fantastic school.
I know. I worked so hard on my art portfolio.
I'm very proud. Do you want to see it? It's in my backpack.
Well, we will all look at it after group. But until then, yay, Sam!
Yay, Sam. Are you excited?
I'm mostly excited.
However, in my initial research, I discovered some alarming details.
The campus is on a hill and I don't like the idea of living at an angle.
I couldn't find chicken fingers on the cafeteria menu.
I'm hoping the online menu is incomplete or seasonal.
And according to my research,
a large number of artists die penniless and alone,
but I'm trying to stay optimistic 'cause my mom and Paige told me to.
No chicken fingers? Dying alone?
That sounds awful. You shouldn't go.
[Ms. Whitaker] There will definitely be some things to get used to,
but this is a huge accomplishment, Sam.
You guys, sometimes I feel like we focus so much on what's difficult
that we forget to celebrate our accomplishments.
[Ms. Whitaker] Who else had an accomplishment this week?
I went to a new dentist.
-She was okay. -Really? How cool, Lily.
-And I have two cavities. -That's less cool.
[Julia] This is gonna be difficult, but worth it.
So, here are some resources to help you get started.
I might've gone a little overboard. I'm really excited. [chuckles]
-So are we. -Elsa has a stack like this at home.
-Kindred nerd spirits. -[both chuckle]
Well, I think this first responders training is such a great idea.
I mean, law enforcement, the medical community,
they can't always recognize the signs of autism.
No, I get it. I would probably be the same way if it wasn't for Sam.
-He's been dealing with so much. -Yeah. We've had a lot going on.
-Been a tough time in our family. -Yeah, really tough.
Yeah. Anyways, that website is for a group that does similar training,
-so if you want to take a look-- -Okay. I'm going to come out and say it.
[slaps hand]
I cheated on Doug with a bartender.
I'm just, I'm trying to be more honest.
Okay. Well, like I was saying, that nonprofit focuses on groups--
But things are getting better. Don't you think?
Getting there. It's good to be doing things together.
You know, on the same team.
I agree.
I mean, I know I have a long way to go before I'm forgiven.
But I do feel like there's more intimacy. I mean, not that kind of intimacy.
It's not-- Not sex stuff.
-No. -But...
I do want to be special to him in that way.
And I feel like we...
I feel like we deserve that.
Well, I have another client waiting. So...
-Sorry. -We could go on and on.
-I bet. -Yeah, it's a bunch to discuss.
-Yeah. -Okay. Um...
J. SASAKI, Ph.D.
All right, off you go.
-Good to see ya. -You too.
Yeah, this was great. Thank you.
Hey. There's no one here yet.
-There will be. -Okay. Thanks...
So I'll see you at home.
I'm gonna make a cake. I just feel like making a cake, so...
I'm actually... I'm gonna meet a friend from Sam's peer group.
She's a social worker, we're discussing doing something similar at the hospital.
Oh, wow, that's great.
It's nice to see you so passionate about this.
It's nice to feel passionate about something.
T/F? THE FROG IS A VERTEBRATE
TRUE
EVAN TUBA HEY WASSUP?
-[text alert whooshes] -[typing]
STOP PROCRASTINATING. STUDY FOR YOUR TEST.
STOP YELLING AT ME!
[sighs]
So talk to me about your interview outfit.
I don't know, pants and a shirt.
What I always wear when I'm not wearing this.
Gag me with a spoon, brother.
Yo, artists are supposed to be eccentric lunatics.
You've seen that 'stache on Salvador Dalí.
You have to have flair.
You gotta convey your oddness through a dapper ensemble.
How do you feel about a cloak?
I wouldn't want them to mistake me for a wizard.
I don't see how that would be a bad thing, but...
I just want them to look at my portfolio,
and then make their decision based on that.
When am I gonna see this bad boy?
If you're referring to my portfolio, right now.
[massage chair trembling]
Oh, no.
Oh, no. Oh, no!
[shouts] My portfolio, it's not in here.
-It's not in here! -Okay, deep breath.
Deep breath. Where was the last place you saw it?
-I don't know! I don't know! -Don't worry, homie.
Give me your phone.
Oh, you really should password protect this.
I'm gonna have to mess with you later. You leave me no choice, but not now.
Now, I am in hero mode.
Zahid saves the day.
[mobile phone buzzes] Yes.
SAM
-Hey, what's up? -[Zahid] Hold for Samuel.
Sam, hello? Are you there?
I lost my portfolio and it's gone forever. I'm such an idiot. Goodbye.
Wait, Sam.
Don't worry. We'll find it.
[books clatter]
Okay.
[grunts]
[pants]
[grunts]
Edison, where's the portfolio?
Useless animal.
Why have one washing machine when you can have two?
Double the clean clothes, double the fresh looks.
Don't mind her, she's with maintenance, she's going to fix stuff.
Let me show you something over here.
Hey. Are you okay?
Okay. You want me to read you Ernest Shackleton's Wikipedia page?
Ready?
"Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton...
was a polar explorer
who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic
and one of the principal figures of the period known as...
the heroic age of Antarctic exploration.
He was born on February 15th, 1874,
in Kilkea, near Athy, County Kildare, Ireland,
about 46 miles, 74 kilometers, from Dublin."
He's buried on the island of South Georgia.
In a cemetery next to a wool factory.
Oh! Wool.
Sam, look, we can still fix this.
We just have to find your portfolio.
And we will scour the entire town if we have to,
starting with Techtropolis.
Okay?
TECHTROPOLIS
You're all good here.
Thing's connected to the thing.
'Kay.
-[people chattering] -[music playing]
-Hi. -Hi.
-Corner table, I like it. -Yeah.
-How are you? -Good, good.
Thanks for meeting me. I'm really excited about this training.
Yeah, me too. It's such a good idea.
So many people are wrapped up in their own stuff, they don't get involved.
So... I'm impressed with you. [chuckles]
You look nice, where are you headed?
Just meeting a man.
He's tall, reddish hair...
You seen him? [chuckles]
Can I get you two something to drink?
I will have the Pinot Noir.
I'll just have coffee, please.
Thank you.
You might have to cut me off at two coffees. Sometimes I get crazy.
I might have to use my defibrillator on myself.
[laughs]
[chuckles and sighs]
-It's not in the girls' bathroom. -Not in the break room.
Or the stock room.
-Damn. -I know.
-But... shit. -I know.
We've searched this whole place, it's not here.
[mobile phone buzzes]
Who's that? Someone find my portfolio?
No, it's Evan.
I'm supposed to be studying for my biology test, he's busting my balls.
That's it.
I know where my portfolio is.
I mean, this place is really just a big box.
Are you sure this is the last place you saw it?
Yes. I made a decision to carry it with me everywhere,
so I wouldn't lose it and I lost it.
No dice. Lost and found doesn't have it either.
But, I did come up on this sweet amulet.
-Is there anywhere else it could be? -Here. It has to be here.
I bet somebody found it while they were blowing off steam and they stole it.
A lot of artists get their work stolen.
It's a common problem. I watched a documentary about it.
Relax, chipmunk. It's going to be okay.
No, it's not! And why would you even bring me to this loud place,
with these hurtful balls, and men in bike shorts?
-What a dumb idea! -Sam, don't blame Zahid.
He's just trying to help.
Well, maybe I should blame you too.
Because if you and Evan hadn't got me all worried,
then I wouldn't have needed to blow off steam in the first place.
Well, maybe you lost your portfolio on purpose,
because deep down you're afraid of going to college.
So don't blame everybody else for your own self-defeating behavior.
It's not self-defeating behavior.
Someone stole my portfolio,
you promised to get it back and you didn't!
Okay, maybe we should leave.
I think Bike Shorts over there is eyeing my amulet.
-[yells] Fine! -Fine! [grunts]
Okay, you know I'm your ride, right?
Just move!
[stammers] What's the matter? Why slam the door?
You mean, did we spend all day looking for Sam's dumb portfolio,
even though he lost it on purpose?
-What? -And I should be studying.
-You lost your portfolio? -No, it was stolen.
You lost it.
Guys, calm down. Maybe it's at school, I'll call and see if they can find it.
Let's get in the truck, retrace your steps.
Not helping. It's gone forever.
-Honey. Sweetheart. -It's not gone forever.
-We will find it. -It's gonna be found.
[knocking at door]
-Hey. -Hi, Doug.
How are you, Megan? What are you-- What are you doing here?
I have something for you. We have something for you.
Hi. I'm Elsa.
I'm Megan. And this is Amber.
She's in Sam's peer group.
Come in, come in.
Oh. Megan is the social worker [stammers] I was talking about.
Oh, hi. [chuckles]
I sit next to Sam even though I don't know what he's talking about half the time.
Yeah, he's a pretty deep thinker, that's for sure.
Yeah.
Anyway, we have something... for you.
[rustling]
[gasps] You found it!
-Sam, your portfolio! -They found it.
My portfolio.
Hi, Amber. You look different than you do in peer group.
-I'm wearing a vest. -Where'd you find it?
-The vest? -The portfolio.
After Sam told the peer group about all the challenges of art school,
Amber got afraid for him
and decided to steal his portfolio, so that he couldn't go.
[deep breath] Amber has a lot of empathy. A lot.
You said artists die penniless and alone.
I don't want you to die penniless and alone.
She realizes now what she did was wrong.
Right, Amber?
-I told you someone stole it. -Yeah, you were right.
-Why don't you stay and have some cake? -Yes.
We really should be going.
Okay, then.
But, Mom... cake.
Hey, Sam.
I'm sorry I didn't believe you. I guess you weren't being self-defeating.
I think I just thought that you were doing what I was doing.
But you don't even have a portfolio.
No, I mean, like...
Clayton is really hard, and I don't love it.
So I think that I've been slacking off
because I want to fail, so I don't have to go there anymore.
Well, that's dumb.
I know.
Do you want me to help you study for biology?
Really?
Yeah, that'd be great.
Okay, after dinner.
-How are you with the Krebs cycle? -Is that a joke?
Ha. I love it.
STUDYING WITH SAM 2NITE. THX FOR BUGGING ME.
DON'T DO IT AGAIN
[text alerts whoosh]
[Sam shouts] What the heck happened to my room?
[phone ringing]
[Myles] Hey.
-Myles? -Yo.
Oh, hi. So I've been thinking about this a lot and...
I know it's what people do, get married to have kids, but...
I just don't think I want to settle.
I think we both deserve something...
[sighs] ...special.
-Cool, cool. I'm in Africa. -[Julia] What?
I took a job with Doctors without Borders. I'm gonna be here for two years.
Were you going to tell me?
I'm telling you now.
Okay. Well, I definitely made the right decision.
Oh, broken clavicle. Nice. Gotta motor. Text me when the kid's born.
Yep. Daddy's a douchebag.
Can you believe we're sitting here?
College is a big deal.
QUIET INTERVIEWS IN PROGRESS
It's not college. It's an interview. It's very different.
I am so proud of you, Sam.
When I get up and talk about you in group...
Well, it gives parents with younger children hope
for their future. You're...
You're a real role model. And RISD!
RISD is huge.
Sam, honey, how you feeling?
Sam?
EXIT
I know you know this, but it's normal to be nervous around transitions.
I think maybe the idea of moving far away from home is a little...
-scary. -You know what?
There's no rule that says that you have to move far away.
I mean, I did and it massively sucked.
There are plenty of great schools around here.
In fact...
Denton University,
very close to home and it has a scientific illustration program.
-Science and art, together? -Yeah.
And you wouldn't have to move far away.
FUTURE JOB INFORMATION
Ms. Whitaker?
They have a marine life illustration class. Did you know?
I didn't.
One thing I've learned in this job, sometimes you find the perfect school...
and sometimes it finds you.
-[keys jangling] -[sighs]
What are you doing?
Nothing. It's silly.
Fine. I'm making a website.
-You can't even turn on the TV. -Yes, I can.
If somebody hands me the correct remote.
Anyway, it's just...
It's been inspiring for me to see you so excited about these trainings,
and I know we're doing it together, but it still feels more like your thing. So...
I was thinking maybe I could find something that was more...
me.
That's cool. So, what you got?
Okay, so a while ago, a mom came into the autism center
and asked me if I would cut her son's hair.
And I did. And I loved it.
I was just thinking, maybe I could make it more of a regular thing.
So I'm... I'm building a website. I know it's dumb.
No, I think that's good. I think you'll be great at that.
-Yeah? -I think it's a good idea.
I haven't chopped any child's ear off yet.
Well, that's a start.
Yeah. Now, I'm trying to come up with a name for my business.
Okay, so... [clears throat]
What do you think of...
"Hair Today...
Gone Tomorrow."
-That's terrible. -Okay.
I don't think that's very good. I think, uh...
I got it.
What about something like, "Don't Get Snippy"?
-Yeah, that's not good. -[both laugh]
-It's awful. -That's worse than yours.
-What else? You have other choices? -How about "Hair... Spec-trim"?
That's not bad, actually.
-Yes, it is bad. -It's very bad.
-What about... "Hair You Go"? -[Elsa laughs]
-Instead of "here you go," it's... -No!
-No? I thought that was good. -No, you did not.
No, I didn't. I'm sure you're gonna come up with a good name.
I think it's a good idea.
Hey, you know...
your friend who came by, Megan...
she seemed really nice.
Yeah.
Ahh! Her daughter is cute as a button.
Yeah, she... is obsessed with ambulances,
so I gave her a tour and... she loved it.
-Anyway, I... -Wow, that's really sweet.
[clears throat] I'm going to take a shower.
You know, if you want... you know, maybe we could...
do couples therapy or something like that?
-Yeah. -Maybe.
Okay.
[jazzy electronic music plays]
[shower running]
♪ And drank all night ♪
♪ Acted all alright ♪
♪ Had no need to fight ♪
♪ Tonight, tonight ♪
♪ And drank all night ♪
♪ Acted all alright ♪
♪ Had no need to fight ♪
-Hi. -Oh, hi.