[narrator] Every being enjoys singing in the shower or alone in their roll machine.
-[metal music playing through stereo] -♪ I'm a dangerous being ♪
[narrator] But performing in front of a big audience
-can stir up other sensations… -[audience cheering]
…usually a delirious cycle of courage…
I can do this.
[narrator] …extreme overconfidence…
Only I can do this.
[narrator] …and self-consciousness.
I can't do this.
[narrator] The thrill of going on stage
is in knowing the performance could be a spectacular success.
They love me! They're standing and smacking their hands.
[narrator] Or a spectacular failure.
-[audience gasps] -This feels like perishing.
[narrator] Performing for an audience is an emotional risk
-that can end in disaster. -[sighs]
But for those who are willing to cast risk aside
and showcase their vulnerability on stage,
the possibility for transcendent joy awaits.
-[sighs] -[audience cheering]
[singer] ♪ Here's our orb It's slightly leaning ♪
♪ Orbiting a star ♪
-♪ We find ways to give life meaning ♪ -[cheering, shouting]
♪ Some might seem bizarre ♪
-♪ All we know is that we exist ♪ -[harmonizing]
♪ And it won't be for long So it helps to put some foot tubes on ♪
♪ Joy and sadness, courage and fear ♪
♪ Curiosity and anger On a planet full of danger ♪
♪ And it's only getting stranger From here ♪
-[humming] -[playing tranquil music]
-Wow! That's a melody. -[screams]
Are you a professional musician?
No. Were you just waiting to terrify me?
Sometimes I come here during the day
and let the young beings bury me in the sand.
I find the weight of the sand soothing.
Why are you playing music on the beach?
It is one of the few places I feel comfortable playing
because I'm unable to perform in front of other beings.
Well, we both just learned that isn't true. You're talented.
Why don't you show off those chops at my restaurant's annual talent show?
If I consider it, will you promise to stop lurking?
Yes. But if you do see anyone lurking, it's just a lurk-alike. [chuckles]
Oh.
[patrons chattering]
Here's your order. I think.
[chuckles] Love it. Cool to see you doing new things.
Are you gonna show off any hidden talents tonight?
I'm a structural engineer.
My talent is preventing your restaurant from falling off the cliff.
[chuckles] Tell jokes like that.
[chuckles] It's my goal every revolution
to get a new being to share their gifts with us.
I'm only helping set up because you give me free breakfast.
You'll come around some day.
How come I don't get free breakfast?
Mmm.
Why are they so adamant about beings sharing their talents?
They've been that way since I met them.
They're incessantly trying to prove I'm a juggler.
-You are. [straining] -[grunting]
-See? -So close. [chuckles]
Maybe some beings don't have a talent to share.
Maybe. [chuckles] If you do have a talent, it clearly isn't making banners.
I think it's cute. Hmm.
[chattering]
Hey. There's my favorite lifegiver.
[grunts] Well, I'm your only lifegiver.
Sorry. That came out way darker than intended.
I think they would've laughed at that were they here.
And as you pointed out, they're not because they perished.
Yikes. I am sorry to hear that.
[chuckles] It has been many revolutions. This is how we cope.
No judgment here.
I have been thinking about them a lot recently and… [inhales sharply]
…I feel like I-- I owe it to them
and-- and to you to try to perform for other beings.
They always wanted you to. I know they'd want you to try it again.
They thought it would make beings happy.
I wouldn't want to let you both down again.
I-- I did get this invitation to perform at a talent show though.
Do you think it's a sign?
Where exactly did this invitation come from?
A sand creeper emerged out of the beach and handed it to me.
[chuckles] That's probably as much of a sign as you're ever gonna get.
[sighs]
You're going to overload the whole system if you do it that way.
Don't tell me how to manage my own restaurant's stage lights.
[lights crackling]
Don't worry. I'll fix the mess you made.
-I wasn't worried. -Mm-hmm.
Put that there. That's wrong. Now correct it and that's, uh, also wrong.
And, there. This is how you do it.
That looks precarious.
I hope that free breakfast was worth ruining the show.
If you hadn't averted the power wrong, this would've never happened.
It looks like your lack of teamwork plunged our talent show in the darkness.
I'll need you both to fix this immediately.
-I was fixing the mistake. -They redid my wiring.
Either you work together or you work somewhere else.
You're both talented beings.
You'll figure it out.
Management is my identity.
I don't work here.
Ah, that's true. I can always have you reassigned.
No. The mystery of the crevasse gives me purpose.
[sighs] Lots to unpack.
-[groans] Always a struggle. -My Lorb. I can't work like this.
Um, how are we gonna do the talent show if we don't have power?
No problem. We can turn on the backup generator in my house.
There's a backup generator? Why'd you send them off to fix the main circuit?
Well, it has to get fixed eventually.
And it's a great opportunity for them to learn to work together.
Are they the right beings for that?
We'll find out.
Oh! [pants]
Hmm. [whimpers]
[sighs]
-You took my advice! -[yelps] Please, stop doing that.
I'm so glad you'll be sharing your talent. What's the name of your act?
Uh, I'm not sure yet.
Interesting name, but I like its relatability.
No, [stammers] I mean, I'm--
[wind whistles]
You know, some beings around here refer to me as the guide.
I know I come on a little strong, but given the opportunity,
I do like to push a being in the right direction.
Hopefully, it's not off this cliff.
I do need a push, don't I?
We all do from time to time. Let's get started.
[grunts]
I didn't even know this room existed.
I've seen it on some blueprints before.
[sighs] Of course you have.
Apologies. I know much more about this place than you do.
Unhelpful, but technically true.
This seems promising.
Good. I look forward to accomplishing this task.
Oh, it's mutual. This device seems to be in working order.
We must follow the line to its source.
Gratitude for finally helping.
Must I remind you it was your help that landed us in this situation?
[echoes] Whoa.
What's with this place and dark crevasses?
-Let's get this over with. -This wasn't on the blueprints.
-You coming? -I'm intrigued.
[chuckles] I'm calling deception. You're scared.
Deception called. My job is to help avoid danger, not embrace it.
If I can venture into this abyss, you can too.
[breathes deeply] All right.
[blowing]
[grunts] Okay, I can do this.
[scoffs] Dingus.
What are we doing here?
I'm giving you the needed push to perform on stage tonight
by sharpening some necessary skills.
The tasks that follow will teach you those skills required
to perform for a crowd.
First, you must spray all of these plates perfectly clean. No residue whatsoever.
What-- What does this have to do with performing?
Everything! Mmm. [chuckles]
Less talk, more washing.
I gotta plate this meal before it overcooks.
Uh, um. [stammers] Oh!
Wow. Free food.
[yelps] Whoa. Whoo.
-Focus on the food scraps. Be the sprayer. -[groans, yelps, groans]
I don't understand.
I don't either.
[breathes deeply]
Focus. Focus.
Whew.
Uh, a little too much spraying.
Oh. [chuckles]
Your second task is calling out the customers' orders to the chef
when the server drops them off.
Impossible to mess this one up.
Uh, I need a starch bowl with cocoa slab on top-- Gross.
Hey, we don't judge beings for their strange… [strains] …consumption choices.
Also, speak up.
[sighs] This is embarrassing.
Embarrassment is a building block of success.
[clears throat] Leaf bucket. Hold the sauce.
Really project.
Make it sound like this being could perish without their leaf bucket.
Heat-blasted spud. Extra heat?
Okay, that one is confusing to me too. But nice job.
♪ Noodle stack with layered stuff ♪
Well, that descent was as perilous as I expected.
Whoa. Stunning.
They are, but admiring rocks isn't going to get us back to Careful Now sooner.
[strains] Strangely difficult to lift off the ground.
So small, yet so heavy. Curious.
[rumbling]
-Watch out! [grunts] -[groans]
-[grunts, groans] -[grunts] Whoa.
I was right. I was right. I almost just perished.
[sighs] My blood pump is racing.
That was terrifying!
And it remains so as it appears we can't go back that way.
Then we must follow this power line into the unknown.
Or we will perish.
[both sigh]
I have never been more afraid, and yet I feel more alive than I ever have.
This is sad, but I agree.
I-- I would hope beings could feel they're most alive without brushes with perishing.
Does this mean we are unhappy?
Maybe it's because we were almost squashed,
but I can admit that sometimes I deceive myself about my feelings.
Sometimes I feel as unstable as the structures I study.
Sometimes I feel like I'm running through automated motions
and not making decisions for myself.
I always put the restaurant and work before my own wants and needs.
[sighs] It's funny how we are raised for candor with other beings
but have difficulty being honest with ourselves.
It is. Beings evolved over generations to prioritize honesty with other beings
to the detriment of their own self-honesty.
[chuckles] What are your wants and needs?
I'm not sure anymore, but I know I don't feel fulfilled. [sighs]
[stammers]
It seems we've both hit a wall in our lives.
Walls are just floors you have yet to learn to walk on.
Your third task is to serve the orders you took on the plates you just cleaned.
However, I won't be telling you who ordered what,
so you'll have to sing the order to them to find out. A performance of sorts.
That's-- That seems like a stretch. But-- But I'll try.
[patrons chattering]
[sighs]
I have an order for… Uh. [clears throat]
♪ Did someone get a starch bowl topped With a cocoa slab? ♪
-That one's not mine. -I ordered that.
♪ It's pretty gross ♪
Don't slap it till you attempt it.
♪ Okay, I've got some heat-blasted spuds With extra heat ♪
Now how does that work?
♪ Not sure, beats me ♪
That one was mine! Anybody wanna try?
♪ Well, now I'm kinda tempted Anybody order a-- ♪
Yummy leaf bucket?
♪ Well, here you go, I hope you love it ♪
Does this have sauce?
♪ I double-checked, there's none ♪
Oh, thank you. I'm allergic.
♪ And a noodle stack with layered stuff ♪
Anybody? Please, speak up.
That one's for me.
It is? Oh, thank Lorb.
♪ Now I'm finally done! ♪ [sighs]
You're ready.
You really think I can perform at the show?
All I feel ready for is working at Careful Now.
Okay, look, I'd be deceiving you if I didn't say we were short-staffed
and needed the help today,
but I do think this training also prepared you for your performance.
I guess I do feel a bit more confident singing under pressure.
You also aren't half bad at cleaning plates.
Could be half better.
My Lorb, they're beautiful.
You really have a thing for rocks, huh?
Another dark crevasse.
I'd hypothesize this is the work of an intellectually superior being.
Like outer-void beings?
There's no proof that outer-void beings exist.
I like to think they do.
This being-made machine must convert energy from this gorgeous monolith
and divert it to Careful Now.
Okay, so how do we power it back on?
It seems some of the wires have been disconnected
from their ports on the monolith.
We should find a way to reattach them.
[gasps] This squiggly one goes here.
[whirs, beeps]
[whirring, beeping]
How do we connect the last few?
I can try to climb up there,
but I don't think I can do it holding the wires.
Give me your foot tubes.
I only take my foot tubes off for the special beings in my life.
Do you want to accomplish this task or not?
Here.
And it's a safety harness?
No.
I thought your job is to help avoid danger.
I'm learning some danger is required in my line of work.
-[strains] -[whirs, beeps]
[breathes heavily]
-[strains, sighs] Oh. -[whirs, beeps]
-Whoo-hoo! You're doing great. -[chuckles]
[grunting, yelps]
[screaming, breathes heavily]
Huh? [sighs]
I got you. You've got this.
[grunts]
[machine beeps, whirring]
-You did it! -[pants] You saved me. Gratitude.
I owed you one.
[animal roaring]
That wasn't a machine, was it?
[imitating flatulence]
[audience cheering]
I have a talent for tasting anything. Give me something to taste.
My foot tubes!
I'll taste it.
-Mmm. -[being] Really? Uh-uh.
-[gasping, murmuring] -Mmm, mmm.
-Mmm? Salty. -[audience cheering, whistling]
[chuckles] Tough act to follow.
But you'll get through it.
And if you don't, it's not like there's anyone here to let down.
You're on, friend.
[audience cheering, murmuring]
[sighs]
[clears throat]
[guitar music playing]
-[microphone feedback] -[gasps]
-[groans] -Oh, no.
-[feedback intensifies] -Oh, no.
-Oh, my ears! -[audience screaming]
I-- I can't do this. [sobs]
Oh. Uh…
-[panting] -It's okay.
You want me to taste your guitar?
-[animal roars] -Let's get out of here.
[both panting]
That's ominous.
Okay, you were right. This is terrifying.
It is. But we're discovering so much. Like this map.
Are you in shock?
Maybe. But I think I found a way out. Follow me.
This map says there is another tunnel, but I'm not seeing it.
[animal roaring]
Oh, I guess walls truly are just floors we have yet to learn to walk on.
Oh, Lorb, this is wild.
We'll have to be each other's support
in order to properly scale down that shaft.
[roaring]
-I'm listening. -Go back-to-back with me
and interlock your arms with mine.
We'll straddle the hole then walk backwards one foot at a time
using our backs for support as we walk down the hole.
-[roaring continues] -[yelps]
[screams]
-[screams, gasps] -[grunts] Step harder. [shouts]
-[laughing] Whoo! [chuckles] -I've never felt more alive. [chuckles]
-Step. -[animals groaning]
[audience murmuring]
[guitar playing]
Apologies for pushing you to perform.
My failure is not a reflection of your kind and unorthodox teachings.
I do like to nudge beings,
but occasionally I may push a little too hard.
No, no. It is exactly what my partner would have done.
They wanted me to share my talent with other beings.
-Thought I could make them happy. -That sounds like a wise partner.
Well, they were. After they perished,
I tried honoring their wish by performing for my offspring's class.
My offspring was so excited
they told all their friends how amazing I was going to be.
I take it you weren't amazing?
I made all the young beings cry.
How?
I sang the "creatures eating other creatures eating other creatures" song.
I was trying to be educational.
You choosing that song makes you unique.
I doubt another being would have chosen it.
It may have been slightly inappropriate for the audience,
but it did move them to tears.
Look, I'm an old, scrappy, gorgeous being.
I've seen a lot in my lifetime,
and there is always one thing that continues to surprise me.
[Guide] How different each of us is from one another.
I put on this show every rotation to celebrate the beauty in those differences.
Every year I witness something I've never seen before.
And when I was buried in the sand listening to your song,
I felt like a leaf on the wind, slowly dancing in the night.
Can't say I've ever felt that before.
I wanted to catch that feeling in a bottle
and share it with our friends here at Careful Now.
I hope you understand.
I do. You helped me get closer to having that ability to share.
I want to try again. [stammers] It gets harder with each failed attempt.
I let my partner and my offspring down, and now I let you down.
I just can't perform in front of other beings.
You've been performing for me this whole time.
Huh. I guess I have been.
[being] And-- And for me too, buddy.
Would you mind taking this pep talk outside?
My apologies.
Uh, one second.
It seems you're comfortable performing around me.
Perhaps I can assist you onstage,
help you perform something that transports the crowd to the outer void.
What do you have in mind?
-We're going to have to fall. -Is it gonna hurt?
Most likely, but we just have to do it.
-Okay, one, two, three, go! -Wait. I didn't agree to this!
[both scream, grunt]
It is improbable that we haven't perished yet.
I don't know how much more I can take.
Don't listen to that voice in your head.
We've accomplished our task and are going to get out of here.
You and I. We've got this.
Gratitude. I believe this unhelpful map might show the exit this way.
Whoa. [gasps]
Have you ever seen anything like this before?
Not many beings have. These could be some of the earliest being drawings.
I'll study these later.
Amazing how far we've come.
It is. We're almost home. Let's keep moving.
We made it.
Today was terrifying but also fulfilling.
[chuckles] It was, wasn't it?
There is so much to discover out there. Even about ourselves.
Like proving you are more in control of your life than you might think.
Maybe only when faced with perishing.
-[audience laughing] -Shall we?
Yeah. Let's go enjoy the success of our adventure
by watching beings do strange things onstage.
[panting, grunting]
[audience gasping]
-[being] Amazing! -[gasping, cheering]
-Thank you. -That was awesome!
Stunning performance, dear.
You ready?
[breathes deeply] I am.
I know you are.
Oh! What?
Just follow my lead.
It is my great pleasure to introduce your ears
and your blood pumps to my new friend's musical talent.
Please welcome to the stage, uh, I'm Not Sure Yet.
-[audience applauding] -When you're ready.
[guitar music playing]
♪ I never feel that good When I perform in front of beings ♪
♪ I work best for an audience of one ♪
♪ The pressure makes My blood pump flutter ♪
♪ Ever since I lost my other half I thought my music days were done ♪
[audience clapping]
♪ Just because you're not here Doesn't mean that you aren't with me ♪
♪ Your voice Will always be my guiding tone ♪
♪ I'm playing loud so you can hear Before the crowds I feel no fear ♪
♪ 'Cause I know I'm not doing it alone ♪
-[being 1] Whoo! We love you! -[being 2] Oh, that was marvelous.
-[being 3] It was brilliant. -[being 4] Beautiful!
[strains] I'm so proud of you.
Thank you for believing in me.
Other lifegiver would be proud of you too. If they hadn't perished, of course.
Okay. There are two more things you need to do in order to complete your journey.
You need to bus all the tables and then clean the toilets.
-I'm not doing that. -Well, I had to try.
-[both] Mmm. -[audience cheering]
So, did you fix the problem?
What do you mean? Of course we did.
[chuckles] How else would this show be going on?
Oh, we flipped on the backup generator.
[both] What?