Would you want to grow up here? I have to.
I'm alex mack.
I was just an average kid
Until my first day of junior high.
One minute I'm walking home, the next, there's a crash
And I'm drenched in some weird chemical.
And since then...
Nothing's been the same.
My best friend ray thinks it's cool.
And my sister annie thinks I'm a science project.
I can't let anyone else find out.
Not even my parents.
I know the chemical plant wants to find me
And turn me into some experiment.
But you know something?
I guess I'm not so average anymore.
What's keeping mom and dad?
They're never late on barbecue night.
Ouch!
Hey, mom, hey, dad.
This is a very exciting day.
We have great news for alex.
It's true.
Alexandra louise mack
You have been chosen
Paradise valley chemical plant's
Kid of the month!
What's that?
Annie: It's where they pick
Some unsuspecting child's name out of a fishbowl
And give them a cheapo complementary beach towel.
Actually, this year, it's a windbreaker.
Annie, don't put it down, it's very special.
They do a story on the winner
For the company newspaper.
A reporter's coming here Friday.
Here?
A reporter's coming here to interview alex?
Wow, like a celebrity.
Not quite.
Come on, annie, can't you be happy for me?
I'm sorry, alex, congratulations.
Vince: Flack, you've been given a job to do
And up to this point, miss atron remains unimpressed.
Vince, you can't expect me
To go to every family in town.
Of course not.
We have other plans if you fail.
It might help if you let me know
Exactly what to look for.
I told you
You're looking for a child
With very unique abilities or talents.
I believe you'll know it when you see it
If you're as good as you used to be.
Well, I'm better than this assignment, vince.
Not lately, you're not.
Oh, you did some great things in the past-- so what?
That's ancient history.
If I find this kid, I expect assurances
That I'll get my old job as investigative reporter back.
You know, looking into rival plants' projects
Finding dirt on miss atron's prominent political enemies.
Flack, you find this kid, and I got a feeling
You'll be able to write yourself a ticket to any job you want.
Alex: Ooh, mom, can we get some fresh-cut flowers
For when the reporter comes?
Mrs. Mack: Whatever you want, honey.
Are you insane or just hallucinating?
What's the matter?
Gee, I don't know, alex, why don't you tell me?
A reporter... From the plant... Here?
What's the big deal?
They picked my name at random.
How do you know?
Sometimes you just have to trust people, annie.
You're just desperate for attention.
You'd better call this off.
No way that's going to happen.
Alex, listen to me.
This is really dangerous.
What do you care about some article
From the plant paper, anyway?
It's not like you did anything to earn it.
That's easy for you to say.
Nobody even knows I exist.
Once people read this, they'll notice me for a change.
Okay, fine.
But if this thing backfires
Don't come running to me for help.
Believe me, I won't.
alex, you got to help me.
I don't know how much longer I can take this.
Ray, it's a cold.
I think you'll pull through.
Can't you do something?
You know, zap it out of me.
Sorry, that's the best I can do.
You'll have to take two aspirin like everyone else.
Hey, raymond, I'd have that taken care of.
Really? You think it's that serious?
Robyn, it's just a cold.
My uncle larry had just a cold.
One day he was here, and the next... Gone.
His company transferred him.
That's what they want you to believe.
Well, I've got some good news.
The paradise valley chemical plant
Chose me as this month's kid.
Nicole was the kid a couple of months ago.
She said a reporter came to her house
And asked a lot of obnoxious questions.
Are you sure that's not just nicole?
She complains about everyone.
I don't think so.
She made it seem
Like he was trying to dig up secrets
About her entire family.
I've been considering being a reporter.
Alex invited me over to watch this guy in action.
Alex, don't tell them anything.
They don't care about you.
They're just out to sell newspapers.
By the time they're through with you
You'll have no secrets.
Really?
Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all.
Relax, just be your charming self, alex.
That never works.
I'd rather be someone else.
Like who?
Raymond!
Excuse me.
Mr. Mack: Are you sure I look all right?
I think I'm more
Of a double-knit-polyester type guy.
There's nothing wrong
With looking good for the article, george
And, dear, you could use a little positive p.R. Yourself.
Alex, he's here!
Oh... Raymond.
Big night, huh?
Um, alex, ray's here.
Alex? Alex?
Wow!
Honey, don't you think you should change
Into those adorable little culottes I bought you?
And that big, bulky sweater?
Come on, you guys.
This is an important night for me.
I want to look special.
Well, if that's what makes you happy... George...
George, help me in the kitchen.
I'm sorry, little girl, we're all out of candy
But come back next Halloween.
I'm disappointed.
I thought you'd be over this jealousy thing.
Yeah, I'm real jealous of this little disaster
In the making.
If that's the way you feel about it
Why don't you just stay upstairs the whole night?
Mrs. Mack: Annie, honey, go up and get changed.
I really thought I'd be able to join you
But I've got that big essay due tomorrow
And I'm not halfway done.
I think it would mean a lot to alex...
Oh, that's okay, daddy.
I understand.
Let her go.
Well, all right
I guess your schoolwork comes first, annie.
I'm sure everything's going to be just fine.
I'll order you some more fresh-cut flowers
For your funeral.
Another night, another family, eh, mr. Flack?
This night will be different, david.
I'll rip the lid off every house I visit
From here on in.
If there's something to find out I'm going to find it out.
Keep alert.
I may need you to tape for me.
You know me, always ready for action when called.
Good, let's hope things get that interesting.
Are you kids ready? He'll be here any minute.
I wish she would calm down.
She's more excited about this than I am.
Give her a break, alex.
She just wants to make this nice for you.
I'm just so nervous about tonight.
I hope this reporter likes me.
I hope he recognizes you.
Personally, I miss the old alex.
Don't start with me, raymond.
Not a chance.
I don't want to be sent to my room
Like your sister.
Ooh, annie! She makes me so furious.
Always predicting some big disaster.
That's him!
The evening began routinely around 6:15
When the doorbell rang.
Oh, hello, mr. Flack, I'm barbara mack.
Please come in.
Barb.
Mr. Mack-- good to meet you.
Mack.
Mrs. Mack: Alex, come meet gordon flack.
Gordon flack? The gordon flack?
So?
Alex, he's the down dirtiest reporter in the town.
You've got to be really careful around him.
Everything is going to be just fi...
What the...
Finally, an interesting evening.
Ray: That flack guy is going to bust you
If you sneeze like that again.
So I just won't sneeze.
What if you caught my...
I did not catch your cold.
How do you know?
Because tonight is too important.
Sorry the house is such a mess.
I'm sure you did your best.
Ah... Here she is.
Alex...
This is gordon flack.
How do you do?
Ray alvarado, budding journalist.
Mind if I ask you a few questions?
I assume he's not one of yours.
Mrs. Mack: Raymond...
Maybe mr. Flack doesn't want you
To ask any questions.
Nice guess, barb.
Barbara--
I prefer barbara.
Wienie?
So, gordon... What brings you here?
I thought you only handled the big stories.
Every career has its lows.
I'm sure yours will have many of them.
You must be on some juicy story.
The juiciest-- but I'm not allowed
To discuss it.
Let's just say it's a secret
That will rip this town apart.
A... Secret?
In boring old paradise valley?
That's a laugh.
I've just got to be in the right place
At the right time.
Can someone explain this to me?
Mr. Mack: Maybe...
Static electricity from the carpet.
Right.
Ah.
Mini-egg roll, gordon?
Mrs. Mack: Oh, I'm sorry! Oh...
I just have got to get
Something from the car.
Uh... Wait here.
I'll be right back.
Um...
I need something
From upstairs.
I think it's going very well.
David! Wake up!
Uh... All done?
No. I want you to take the camera
And start shooting.
Weird things are going on in there
And I want them on tape.
You got it.
Uh, mr. Flack?
Uh... Which button did you say was record?
I've told her, I told her.
Annie, I know you told her.
But she needs your help.
She's caught my cold
And now her powers have gone haywire!
What's going on with the reporter?
He went to the car to get something.
Oh, great.
Now he's having that dave guy film her.
Should we tell your parents?
No! They'll put two and two together.
I'll go down and keep an eye on her.
You go out and take care of dave.
Please... There must be something special about you.
Nope! Not really.
Mr. Mack: Here she is.
Meet annie, our oldest.
Annie mack, child prodigy.
I've heard all about you.
Now I'm trying to find out a little something
About your sister, too.
Mr. Flack, uh...
Why don't I show you the rest of the house?
Wherever you go, I'm following.
This is great.
Now, this is the...
Let me guess-- the garage.
Over here's my sister's chemistry set.
She's kind of a genius.
Oh, I'm sure you have your own special... Talents.
How did that happen?
Uh...
Remote control.
Cool, huh?
If that's a remote control
I assume you can also stop the train with it.
Oh.
Enough with the train.
What do you think you're doing?
Uh, nothing.
I'm, uh, I'm making home videos.
Oh, this is your home.
Um... Not exactly.
Then I think I'll go in and tell them.
No, wait!
Look, kid, this is official plant security business.
I didn't want to involve you.
Really? What did they do?
Nothing... Yet.
Give me that.
You don't even have the record button on.
Let me see what I can get.
I've decided to join the fun.
Flack: Tell me some more
About yourself, alex.
There's not much to tell.
Really.
Gee. I guess I should be
Writing all this down.
More lemonade, gordon?
Flack: Why not?
Flack: So, tell me
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Mr. Mack: Must be some
Power outage in the neighborhood.
How we doing?
We're doing great.
Where did alex go?
Maybe to check the fuses.
She's the electrical wizard
So I'm sure she went to straighten everything out.
Something very strange is going on around here.
Excuse me.
Hold this.
Here, see what you can get.
Excuse me.
Mr. Mack: Excuse me.
Where are you going?
I want to see
Where the "kid of the month" lays her head.
They're heading upstairs.
I've got to get up there.
There's a ladder on the side of the house.
Alex: What am I going to do?
I've got to get back down.
Maybe this will help.
Cold medicine?
Think of something more scientific.
I'm not just a normal person
With a bad case of sniffles.
Flack: May I come in?
Just a minute!
It'll control your symptoms
Until I think of something better.
But with your unique chemical makeup
You might have some weird side effects.
Um, thanks for the warning.
Flack: Girls!
Stay here.
Ah...
...Choo!
Girls? What are you hiding in there?
Coming!
Go! Just, go under there.
You got me covered, right?
You'll be fine.
See you later!
Hey! Where you going?
Flack: Well, let's go!
What are you hiding in there?
What's up?
Well, I thought alex
Was fixing the circuit breaker.
But since she is
Shall we say, a mediocre student
And you are a chemistry genius
It made me wonder.
Where is she?
Not in here.
So, gordo...
How's the interview going?
Where is alex?
I thought she was with you.
It's getting awfully chilly in here.
I must be getting a fever.
Mrs. Mack: Alex!
I think you're coming down with something.
Let's all have dinner
And then mr. Flack can be on his way.
Alex, please make sure
Mr. Flack gets everything he needs.
Come, everybody
Sit.
Not you, george.
Water, please.
Sure.
Ah...
What is going on here?
Mrs. Mack: Alex!
Your father and I remember the cutest story...
Alex?
She... Went to get some tissue.
Oh, well, while we're waiting
You could interview annie, mr. Flack.
She's quite the genius, you know.
Hello?
Tell me, dear...
Does the soup talk back?
Annie?
Are you getting sick, too?
No, I'm fine, mom.
I need to get some water
In the kitchen.
Not so fast.
I never got my water.
I'll get you some fresh.
Nonsense! You'll run off like the other one.
Give me the pitcher.
No.
Let mr. Flack
Have the water, honey.
We have more.
What sort of institution is this?
No. Get away!
Annie, are you all right?
Gordon, get up.
Get off me!
You are completely out of your minds!
Do you realize that?
Wait a second, pal.
You can't talk to my family like that.
Yeah, he's right.
You apologize right now.
Yeah! Before somebody gets hurt.
I'm sorry I ever
Crossed your prefabricated threshold.
Satisfied?
Almost.
Now go.
Now, leave!
Oh, we got some great stuff, mr. Flack.
Forget it, david.
I can't take this town anymore.
It's time for me to give up this game
And go write my memoirs.
Alex: Raymond, come on.
I can hardly see the board.
I'm not taking
Any chances on those germs revisiting me.
I'll move your men.
Don't worry, I won't cheat.
Ray, I'm sick, not stupid.
Wow!
Your move.
Did you guys see the paper?
Can you believe it?
"due to an error in the selection process
"there will be no 'kid of the month'
"in this issue.
"the chronicle also says good-bye to gordon flack
"who has left to pursue
Other interests."
Annie: Whatever gave him the idea
That there was a secret in paradise valley?