[opening theme playing]
[twinkling chimes]
♪
[whooshes]
♪
[wire twangs]
♪
[birds singing]
♪
[giggling]
♪
[dog barking]
♪
[music fades slowly]
My name is Cece Bell.
When I was a kid,
I lived right here in this big, old house in a small town in Virginia.
[Young Cece] ♪ Twinkle, twinkle little star ♪
- [Cece Bell] I was a goofy little kid. - [singing continues]
I remember playing with my mom's things…
[giggles]
- Drop the lipstick, Missy! - [giggles]
…and teasing my dad…
- ♪ La la la ♪ - [xylophone tones]
- ♪ La la la ♪ [laughs] - Oh, Cece. You little pest.
…and watching lots of TV with my sister, Sarah, and my brother, Ashley.
- [upbeat music playing on TV] - [superhero sound effects]
[male singer, Cece] ♪ Mightybolt saves the city ♪
♪ With the power of electricity ♪
[Cece Bell] I also remember that scary day
- when everything changed. - [groans] Ow! Ow.
- [Cece groans] My head hurts! Ow! Ow! - [Sarah] Cece, are you okay?
- [groaning] - [Sarah] Cece? Cece!
- [Ashley] Huh? - [Sarah] Mom, something's wrong with Cece!
[groaning continues]
Oh.
Oh, Cece.
- [Cece vomits, groans] - [Ashley] Ugh! Ew!
- [Mom] Oh, my! - [Sarah] Oh!
Cece?
- [Cece crying] - [Mom] You're burning up.
- [Dad gasps] - [Mom] George!
- What? What's happening? - We have to do something! - What? What's happening? - We have to do something!
- [Cece] Ow! - Right. Let's get her to the hospital.
[Cece whimpering]
I'm here. Cece, stay with me.
[sirens wailing in distance]
[Cece breathes rapidly]
[doctor] It's a very bad infection.
Oh, my goodness.
We'll give her medicine, keep a close eye on things.
We'll take very good care of her, but it's going to take some time.
[melancholy music playing]
[music continues]
Don't worry, Cece. Everything will be okay.
[music ends]
[doctor, muffled speech, low volume]
[muffled speech, low volume]
[faint rubbing]
[muffled speech, low volume]
[no audio]
[Cece Bell] Everything was so quiet.
[no audio]
[Cece Bell] It wasn't all bad. I got to draw a lot.
[muffled speech, low volume] …beautiful!
[Cece sighs]
[muffled speech, low volume]
[Cece Bell] And I got some great gifts!
[muffled speech, low volume]
[Cece Bell] I was feeling so much better.
[muffled speech, low volume]
[happy music playing]
[Cece Bell] It was finally time to go home.
Welcome back, Cece.
[muffled speech, low volume]
[Cece Bell] I remember being so scared
that I would somehow end up back in the hospital.
[Cece Bell] So I stayed close to Mom, no matter where she was.
- [no audio] - [Cece Bell] But one day, I lost her.
[faint cries]
- [no audio] - [faint cries]
[faint cries] [faint cries]
[no audio]
[muffled whimpering]
[Cece Bell] That's when I figured it out, and I think Mom did too.
I couldn't hear anymore.
[low, muffled traffic sounds]
[muffled speech, low volume]
[Cece, muffled] Huh?
[muffled speech, low volume]
- [Cece, muffled, low volume] Huh? - [audiologist, muffled speech, low volume]
[audiologist, muffled speech, low volume]
[muffled speech, low volume]
[muffled] Hmm?
- [door closes, full volume] - [footsteps, full volume]
[beeping, full volume]
[rising tone, full volume]
[audiologist, full volume] Mm-hmm.
[full volume] Let's just move this here.
[no audio]
- [electronic beeping, full volume] - [muffled giggles]
[falling tone, full volume]
[full volume] How did she do?
[full volume] It looks like she's lost a lot of hearing.
[beeping, full volume]
[Cece Bell] The man said I needed a hearing aid,
and one week later, I got one.
[audiologist, muffled speech, low volume]
[clicks]
[muffled speech, growing louder]
[audiologist, muffled] Perfect!
[no audio]
[faint rustle]
[muffled] Can you hear anything?
- [muffled] Cece? Can you hear me? - [muffled] Yeah. [gasps]
[muffled] Oh! Yes, I can,
but everybody sounds so weird, even me.
[muffled] Don't worry. She'll get used to it in no time at all. [muffled] Don't worry. She'll get used to it in no time at all.
[muffled] Would you like a lollipop, Cece?
[muffled crunch, gasp, giggle]
- [upbeat music plays] - [muffled crunch, gasp, giggle]
[muffled] Oh, no.
[muffled] Eep! Boop!
[muffled] Hello? Hello?
Huh, so weird.
[faint rustling]
[muffled sipping]
[Ashley, muffled] I can't believe Mom got soda!
[Sarah, muffled] I know, right? We're so lucky.
[muffled slurping, sighs]
[muffled] Um, do you think my hearing aids make me look funny?
[muffled] No way! I think you look good.
[muffled] You sound a little funny though.
I mean, like, different from how you used to sound.
[muffled] What? I sound funny? You guys are the ones that sound funny!
[slams]
[downbeat music playing]
[angry sigh]
[Cece Bell] Whenever I got upset back then,
- I'd listen to the TV. - [muffled tone]
[imitating tone]
[Cece Bell] It was the only sound that made any sense to me.
[Cece imitating tone]
[imitating tone, echoing]
[Cece Bell] When it was time for me to start kindergarten, I was really nervous.
- [giggles] - [humming]
[Cece Bell] Would I understand anybody?
[Mom, muffled] Here we are!
[Cece whimpers, muffled]
[muffled] Oh. Look, Cece. Isn't this nice? [muffled] Oh. Look, Cece. Isn't this nice?
[Cece Bell] Would anybody understand me?
[student, muffled] Who's that?
[muffled] Hi, I'm Wendy.
[muffled] Um, hi.
She has one too.
[giggles]
[muffled] Welcome!
Why don't you come sit down over here?
Um, okay.
Bye, Mama.
[muffled] Come sit next to me!
[muffled] Hello, everyone. My name is Dorn, and I'm your new teacher.
We're going to be learning a lot this year,
but today we're going to talk about lip-reading.
Lip-reading is watching people's mouths move when they talk,
so that you can understand them better.
Hmm. I think we need a little demonstration.
Cece, can you help?
Mm-hmm. Okay. Mm-hmm. Okay.
Okay, Cece. What do you think you need to see in order to lip-read?
- Um, lips? - Yes! Exactly.
Now, can you tell me what I'm saying when I do this?
[muffled speech]
Um, I don't know.
That's okay. Try it now.
[clearer] Hello, Cece.
Hello, Cece?
Yes! You listened and watched my lips
and figured out what I said.
[clearer] That's lip-reading.
[Cece Bell] In case you're wondering
if we also learned sign language, we didn't.
Back then, a lot of us deaf kids
were only shown how to lip-read.
It gets easier when you also watch how people act when they talk.
I am sad.
I am sad!
Good! Now try this one.
I am happy! I am happy!
- I am happy! - Yes. That's it!
[clearer] And I am happy because you are lip-reading.
Okay, everyone.
When you get home today,
practice lip-reading with your family and friends.
[muffled] Tonight's supper is…
[clearer] …meat loaf and mashed potatoes.
- Meat loaf and mashed potatoes! - Yes! You got it!
- [giggles] - [Cece Bell] But what Dorn didn't tell us
was that a lot of the time, lip-reading is really hard.
- Like when people shout… - [muffled speech]
What?
[muffled speech]
…or have mustaches…
Mmm! [muffled speech]
- …or talk with a mouth full of food. - Mmm. Yum!
[muffled speech]
Ew!
[Cece Bell] Sometimes,
- you can't see people's lips at all! - Mmm.
[muffled speech]
What?
Mm-hmm.
"Ice cream." That's what you said!
- Oh, I actually said "dessert." - [Cece] Mmm.
Same thing!
Yum!
Oh, yeah! [chuckles]
[Cece Bell] But the worst is when everybody talks at once.
- [muffled speech] - Good luck with that.
[muffled speech]
- [muffled speech] - What?
[muffled speech]
Huh?
[muffled speech]
Mmm?
[muffled speech]
[sighs] This is impossible.
[muffled] Did you practice lip-reading last night?
How did it go?
[Cece Bell] Trying to lip-read, trying to understand,
it was all so complicated.
And it was so hard to explain any of this to anybody,
except at school. except at school.
- [inspiring music playing] - [twinkling]
[Cece Bell] My classmates and me, we understood.
Everything was new and different.
And we were lost, drifting along on our own planets,
but we were together in the same universe at least.
- [space sounds] - [soothing music playing]
[twinkling]
[lilting music playing]
[Cece Bell] Little did I know how much that universe would change as I got older.
♪
[music ends]
[muffled] Will I be in a class like my old one?
[muffled] No, I'm sorry.
Your new school doesn't have a class like that.
So, there won't be anybody there like me?
What if everybody thinks I'm weird?
They won't! You're such a good lip-reader. They won't! You're such a good lip-reader.
Plus, your dad and I bought this brand-new, superpowerful hearing aid
for you to use at school.
See?
Mom! That's huge.
Well, um, it'll sound a lot like your regular hearing aids,
but there is one big difference.
You'll use it with this. This microphone.
Your teacher will wear it,
and her voice will go right to your ears.
You'll be able to hear everything she says.
I-- I don't know.
Oh, Cece. Why don't you try it on?
See what it feels like.
- [sighs] - [kisses]
[footsteps departing]
[sighs]
Hmm. Hmm.
[muffled music from TV plays]
[muffled speech]
Wait. What did he say?
[Cece Bell] You might be wondering,
"Why not use subtitles to see the words on the screen?"
[muffled speech]
[Cece Bell] Well, they didn't have those when I was a kid.
So I tried my best to lip-read the TV.
Sometimes I could.
[muffled] It's lunchtime, Mightybolt.
I hope you like bologna! [grunts]
[muffled] Thanks, Lunchmeat,
but I prefer fried bologna.
- [Cece Bell] Most of the time, I couldn't. - [chuckles]
[muffled speech]
[Mightybolt, muffled speech]
Huh? Aw, forget it.
[Cece] I can't lip-read a butt!
[muffled sounds from TV]
Hey! I was watching that. Hey! I was watching that.
[muffled] Two against one.
[muffled giggling]
Look! She's got a hearing aid.
[muffled] Hey, Deafo!
[muffled speech]
Wait. What did she just say?
Well…
Uh…
The one kid called the other kid-- um, "Deafo."
"Deafo"? That's mean.
Deafo! [laughs]
Um, why are you laughing?
It just sounds so funny! [laughs]
Deafo! [laughs]
[chuckles]
Deafo. [laughs]
[Cece Bell] What was wrong with me?
The word "Deafo" might sound funny,
but it really wasn't funny at all.
[faint rustling]
[melancholy music playing]
[music continues]
[faint rustling]
[clicks]
[faint rustling]
[music ends]
Hmm. I guess that's a little better.
Oh, no.
- [grunting] - [rustling]
Hmm!
Um. Hey, "Deafo."
[gasps] Are they gonna call me "Deafo" too?
♪
[faint rustling]
[school bell rings, muffled]
[parent, muffled speech]
[muffled] Bye, Cece.
And don't worry.
You're gonna have a great day.
Mmm. [kisses]
- Bye-bye. - Bye, Mama.
[sighs]
[muffled voices]
[muffled voices continue]
[wires rubbing]
[muffled] Hey, Johnnie, what's that?
[muffled] It's my radio.
[muffled] Turn it on, turn it on!
[muffled, music playing]
- [muffled] Oh, my gosh! I love this song! - [muffled] Me too. - [muffled] Oh, my gosh! I love this song! - [muffled] Me too.
[muffled] Me too!
[muffled, classmates singing]
[muffled singing grows louder]
[muffled DJ on radio]
[muffled laughing]
[Cece chuckles]
- [girl, muffled] Huh? - [Johnnie, muffled] Hey!
- [all gasp] - [classmate, muffled] Quick, she's coming!
[muffled ukulele playing]
[muffled singing]
[muffled singing continues]
Um, hi, Mrs. Sinklemann.
This is my microphone. You can--
You can just put it around your neck.
[muffled] Wonderful. Thank you, Cece.
[muffled] Let's start again.
[muffled ukulele playing resumes]
[muffled singing resumes] [muffled singing resumes]
[gasps] Oh, yeah.
[muffled] Oh, is everything okay?
[clicks]
- [clearly, on microphone] Is it working? - [gasps]
[ukulele playing, clear]
[clearly, on microphone] ♪ Welcome, welcome, everyone ♪
♪ My name's Mrs. Sinklemann ♪
[Cece Bell] I couldn't believe how loud and clear
the microphone made Mrs. Sinklemann sound.
And even when she wasn't facing me,
I could understand every word.
[clearly, on microphone] ♪ Remember to get your homework done ♪
♪ Soon the day will be gone away ♪
- ♪ So let's have a ton of fun ♪ - [song ends]
[dull tapping]
[muffled] Are you deaf?
Maybe.
Can you hear this?
[muffled, heavy rock music playing]
[clearly, on microphone] Johnnie Wilson!
Turn that off this instant and come with me. Now! Turn that off this instant and come with me. Now!
The rest of you open your notebooks and draw something that makes you happy.
I'll be back shortly.
- Hmm. - Ugh.
[on microphone] Johnnie, your behavior is making me madder than a--
[brightly] Hello, Mrs. Jones! [chuckles]
You're going to the principal's office, young man.
[Johnnie, on microphone] Argh.
[footsteps on microphone]
Principal Eckhart, there's someone here who needs to talk to you.
Isn't that right, Johnnie?
- [radio] Feeling blue? - [gasps] Oh, my gosh!
- Wishing you were somewhere else? - [clicks]
- [chuckles] - [Cece Bell] It was absolutely amazing.
I could hear Mrs. Sinklemann and understand her
- anywhere in the whole school. - [door opens, closes on microphone]
[footsteps on microphone]
[door opens, closes on microphone]
[door creaks on microphone]
[unzips]
- [Cece Bell] Even when she used… - [water tinkling]
…the bathroom! …the bathroom!
- [Mrs. Sinklemann sighs] - [Cece giggles]
[muffled] What are you laughing about?
Um, nothing.
[Cece Bell] But that wasn't nothing.
That was something.
- [heroic music playing] - Something incredible!
Just like Mightybolt used all that equipment
- to fight for what's right… - [electronic humming]
…I could use my own equipment, the Phonic Ear,
- to be a superhero too. - [whooshes]
- [heroic music continues] - [clearly] Others might call me "Deafo"…
[superhero sound effects]
[whooshes]
- …but you can call me "El Deafo." - [heroic music ends]
- [toilet flushes on microphone] - Yow!
[muffled] What happened?
Um, nothing.
Want a chip?
Um, thanks.
My name is Laura, and that's a prettier name than your name.
You're kinda funny.
Wanna come to my house after school sometime?
Okay.
Great. Here's what we're gonna do.
- [cheerful music playing] - [dog barks]
[muffled] We're having homemade brownies for snacks,
and we're gonna make a cushion fort.
And then we're gonna draw and play with my dog, Fluff.
[Fluff barks]
[cheerful music continues]
- [music fades] - Aw, that's so nice.
Thanks.
Mine's prettier though, don't you think?
Um, okay.
Hey. Let's play the dining room game.
Um, all right. What's that?
Just march around the table. It's fun!
[playful music begins]
- [music ends] - Is that it?
It'll get better. Just keep marching.
[playful music resumes]
[muffled] Now, Fluff.
Now!
- [Fluff barks] - [Cece gasps, yells] - [Fluff barks] - [Cece gasps, yells]
- Ah! Ow! - [Laura laughs]
You should have seen how funny you looked. [laughs]
[sobbing]
- [sonic bubbling] - [clear audio through scene]
[laughs] How do you like being my friend, El Deafo?
[Fluff growls]
- [Dr. Not Nice] My magic mind meld… - [Cece grunting]
…puts you right where I want you,
totally under my control!
- [Dr. Not Nice laughs] - [Cece grunting]
- Huh! [echoes] - [heroic music playing]
- [whooshes] - [Dr. Not Nice screams]
[clearly] You can't control me, Dr. Not Nice!
- Get her, Fluff! - [barks]
- [El Deafo] Not so fast, puppy.
[high-pitched tone]
- [Fluff whimpers] - [dramatic music playing]
Yeehaw!
How do y'all like my moves, Dr. Not Nice?
You're not so great, El Deafo!
Oh, yes, I am. Check this out!
- [Dr. Not Nice screams] Help! Oh! Help! - [monster growling]
- [Dr. Not Nice] Oh! Oh! - [El Deafo] The best way to deal
- with "friends" like Dr. Not Nice? - [Dr. Not Nice screams]
Ignore 'em.
- [Dr. Not Nice] Help! - [clicks]
- [music ends] - [no audio]
[no audio]
- [clicks, clear audio stops] - [muffled] Oh, sorry.
[muffled] Yeah. So don't forget,
I wanna dress like twins at school this week.
So wear a blue shirt and some white pants tomorrow, okay?
Um, okay.
[school bell ringing]
[Mandy, muffled] Aw, I forgot to do today's homework.
[sighs]
[Johnnie, muffled] Don't worry. I've forgotten mine for years.
[grunts] Hmm.
[muffled] You're wearing the wrong blue.
Good grief. Now we don't match.
[Mrs. Sinklemann, on microphone] Everyone, this is our new student, Ginny.
Ginny, you can sit there, next to Cece.
[over-enunciating] Is that a hearing aid?
[sighs] I guess.
[over-enunciating] I thought so.
[school bell rings, muffled]
[muffled conversations]
[muffled] Mightybolt is dumb.
Nobody likes him or his lunch box.
[Ginny, over-enunciating] Mightybolt is cool.
No way. That show is for babies.
Excuse me, Laura, but I wasn't talking to you.
- [Ginny] ♪ Mightybolt saves the city ♪ - [Cece] ♪ …the city ♪
- ♪ With the power of electrici-pee! ♪ - ♪ With the power of electrici-- ♪
- [both giggle] - That's not how the song goes.
[both giggle]
[over-enunciating] It is my birthday soon.
[over-enunciating] Can you come to my sleepover?
You're not going to that dumb thing, are you?
I guess I'd better not.
- I'm sorry. - Yeah, she's not coming.
She's my best friend, not yours. She's my best friend, not yours.
- [bubbling] - [clear audio through scene]
You can't control me, Dr. Not Nice.
- Huh! - [heroic music plays]
- [music ends] - [clear audio stops]
Ginny, wait. I think I might come after all.
Uh-- You're going?
Fine then. Have fun.
[over-enunciating] We will.
- [inspiring music playing] - [Cece Bell] And just like that,
it was "Goodbye, Laura," and "Hello, Ginny."
I crossed my fingers
and hoped she was the one who would be my best friend forever.
♪ I think I'm better off Than I was yesterday ♪
♪ When you came and swooped in ♪
♪ Pulling me the other way ♪
♪ If we stick together ♪
♪ We might be well on our way To something great ♪
♪ A good idea that's taking shape ♪ ♪ A good idea that's taking shape ♪
♪ I don't wanna fall behind ♪
♪ Yeah, I am not afraid When you're nearby ♪
♪ I think together we could Fly up in the sky ♪
♪ I don't wanna fall behind ♪
♪ Yeah, I am not afraid When you're nearby ♪
♪ I think together we could Fly up in the sky ♪