[opening theme playing]
[twinkling chimes]
♪
[whooshes]
♪
[wire twangs]
[birds singing]
♪
[giggling]
♪
[dog barking]
♪
[music fades slowly]
[Cece Bell] It had been a week since my accident.
My eye was okay, but guess what?
It turned out I needed glasses.
[Cece] Blurry. Sharp. Blurry. Sharp. [Cece] Blurry. Sharp. Blurry. Sharp.
[Cece Bell] But things with Martha were the opposite of okay.
I kept hoping to see her, to talk to her,
but she was totally avoiding me.
[Cece] Martha.
- [sonic whoop] - [clear audio through scene]
- [whooshes] - Zowie!
These spellbinding spectacles can spot my sidekick, Marvygirl,
far across the universe.
Just wait until she yields to their hypnotic charms.
[hypnotic whistling]
- [whooshes] - [heroic music playing]
- [Marvygirl] Oh! - [El Deafo] Marvygirl, wait.
Check out my new hypno-glasses.
Sorry, I gotta go.
- [hypnotic whistling] - Whoa.
You are my sidekick and my true friend.
I am your sidekick and your true friend.
For all of eternity.
And now you will pinkie swear it.
And now I will pinkie swear it.
I knew this would work. I knew this would work.
She knew this would work.
- [heroic music ends] - [clear audio stops]
Hey, Martha. Check out my new glasses.
Pretty cool, huh?
[gasps, sobs]
Martha, wait.
Martha!
My eye is fine.
The eye doctor did this test, and it turns out I needed glasses.
So really, it's a good thing that the branch hit me in the eye.
I'm so sorry.
It wasn't your fault. Honest.
[door slams]
[melancholy music playing]
[sighs]
[muffled] Hey, Cece.
Huh?
Did you get new glasses?
They look cool. Kinda like John Lennon.
- [swoony music] - [heartbeat thumps]
See ya.
- [swoony music continues] - [heartbeat thumps]
- [birds twittering] - [bubbles popping]
[gasps]
[sighs]
- [sonic whoop] - [clear audio through scene]
Oh, El Deafo, I can't be your sidekick anymore.
But you said you'd be my sidekick and my true friend forever.
You pinkie swore it.
I undid my pinkie swear when I hurt your eye, El Deafo.
And I can't deal with the guilt.
- [door chirps] - I'm-- I'm sorry.
[whooshes]
It's not your fault.
[echoing] It was nobody's fault.
- [echoing] Then I'm nobody. - [whooshes]
[whooshes]
[bright, clear chime]
Without you, Marvygirl, I'm nobody. Without you, Marvygirl, I'm nobody.
[clear audio stops]
[school bell rings]
[muffled, whistle blowing]
[blowing]
[muffled] All right, kids, you know the drill.
[muffled] Let's break into two teams for some major kickball action.
[muffled] That means you, Bell.
Uh, don't forget the microphone, Mr. Potts.
[muffled] Oh, yeah. Thanks.
[microphone clicks on]
[Ellen, muffled] Here!
[student, muffled] Go, Ginny!
- [Ginny, muffled grunt] - [Cece] Oh. Huh?
[Mr. Potts, clearly on microphone] Hey! When they kick it, catch it.
- Oh, no. - [Johnnie, muffled] Oh, no.
[Mr. Potts, on microphone] See the ball, pick it up and throw it.
[Johnnie, muffled] Throw it now! Go! Go! Go!
- [Carrie, muffled] To me, Cece! - [Johnnie, muffled] To me! I'm open!
- [Mike, muffled] Pass, pass, pass! - [Johnnie] Throw it to me. I'm open.
- [girl, muffled] Just throw it. - [boy, muffled] Yeah.
- Huh? - Ugh!
[grunts] Come on!
[clearly, on microphone] Come on, Bell.
This is kickball, not stand-around- with-a-confused-look-on-your-face ball!
[rustling on microphone]
Dang microphone's always getting tangled up with my whistle.
[stammers] I'll just-- Oh!
[slow-motion guitar riff]
[gasps]
[echoing] No!
- [thud, feedback squeals] - [distorted] Ow!
[pants]
[distorted] Hello? Hello?
You broke it.
[muffled] Whoopsies.
"Whoopsies"?
[muffled] Yeah, whatever. You'll be all right.
[sniffles, whimpers]
- [whimpering continues] - [muffled speech]
[muffled] Listen up, class. I have… [continues, indistinct]
[Cece Bell] But Mr. Potts was wrong.
Without my Phonic Ear, no way would I be "all right."
[muffled] While I'm gone, I want you to do something called quiet math. [muffled] While I'm gone, I want you to do something called quiet math.
White maps?
[Mrs. Sinklemann, muffled] That means doing your math quietly at your desks
until I get back.
[muffled] If you misbehave while I'm gone,
I will write your name inside… [continues, indistinct]
[muffled] Understood?
[over-enunciating] Mrs. Sinklemann said it is time for quiet math.
So, work quietly or your name goes in that tomato.
[annoyed] Got it. Thanks.
[chuckles]
[muffled] ♪ On top of spaghetti-- ♪
[students chuckling]
[students, muffled] ♪ All covered with cheese ♪
[muffled] ♪ I lost my poor meatball ♪
- ♪ When somebody sneezed ♪ - [heartbeat thumps]
[muffled] ♪ It rolled off the table And onto the floor ♪
- [heartbeat thumps] - [muffled] ♪ And then my poor meatball ♪ - [heartbeat thumps] - [muffled] ♪ And then my poor meatball ♪
♪ Rolled under the door ♪
[gasps]
[muffled] ♪ It rolled in the garden-- ♪
- [Mike] Oh. - [Mrs. Sinklemann] Children!
[muffled] Just what is going on here?
Get back to your seats right now!
[muffled] I am so disappointed.
[continues, indistinct]
[muffled] …you all go in the tomato.
[muffled] It only takes one bad spot
to turn our tomato into a rotten tomato.
So now… Hmph! It's extra rotten.
[groans] Goodness.
Right, let's put our things away and get ready for lunch.
[melancholy music playing]
[sighs]
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Silver Spring, Maryland?
[Cece sighs]
[chomps] Mmm.
Really? Uh-huh.
Oh, that's great.
Ugh, you're kidding.
Thank you.
Here's the deal.
We can send the Phonic Ear to Maryland to get it fixed.
But it's gonna take six weeks.
Six weeks?
I'm so sorry.
I won't be able to understand anything at school.
What am I gonna do?
- [sonic whoop] - [clear audio through scene]
Alone without my superpowers?
- [heroic music playing] - I gotta stay strong.
- [heroic music ends] - [clear audio stops]
[chomping]
[muffled] All right, class. Let's finish up this exercise
and then… [continues, indistinct]
[Mrs. Sinklemann, muffled] Everyone should listen carefully…
[continues, indistinct]
[sighs]
[Cece, hopeful] Mom, is it here yet?
[muffled] As you can see, we have 206 bones… [continues, indistinct] [muffled] As you can see, we have 206 bones… [continues, indistinct]
[continues, indistinct]
- [Mrs. Sinklemann continues, indistinct] - [sighs]
[Cece] Mom, is it here yet?
[muffled] …and as we know from our story last week…
[Mrs. Sinklemann continues, indistinct]
Ugh.
[Cece, sadly] Is it here yet?
[muffled] All right, class. It's time for P.E.
[over-enunciating] Mrs. Sinklemann says we've got P.E. next.
Ugh.
[muffled strains]
[muffled, over-enunciating] Mr. Potts says girls have to do flexed arm hangs.
[muffled straining, groaning]
[muffled] Ow! Cramps! [muffled] Ow! Cramps!
- [thud] - [muffled click]
[muffled groan]
- [muffled strains, groans] - [thud]
[muffled] Am I doing it?
[muffled] Mm-mmm.
[muffled] All right. Bell.
Show us what you got.
[grunts, groans]
- [muffled beep] - [chuckles]
[groans]
- [P. Evil cackling] - [clear audio through scene]
- [heavy rock music playing] - I've got you now, El Deafo.
You're nothing since I destroyed your superpowers.
- [chuckles] - [stomps]
That's what you think, P. Evil.
Is that the best you've got? [chuckles]
I'm stronger than you think.
[mocking] Ooh, you're so strong, El Deafo.
Look at me, everybody.
I'm so scared. Whatever shall I do?
[heroic music playing]
What? [stammers]
- Whoa, whoa! - [loud thud]
[P. Evil groans]
[P. Evil] You hurted me, El Deafo.
Whoopsies.
- [music ends] - [clear audio stops]
[groans]
- [grunts] - [muffled beep]
[sighs] How was that?
[muffled] Wow. Sixty-four seconds.
That's a record, Bell.
[joyful music playing]
[Cece breathing heavily] You should've seen it, Mom.
We had to do this flexed arm thing and--
Oh, hi. Something came in the mail today.
[gasps]
Is it…
It is!
[gasps]
Oh, my precious.
How could I have ever been ashamed of you?
[Cece Bell] The next day at school, for the first time ever,
I didn't care what anyone thought of the microphone. I didn't care what anyone thought of the microphone.
[muffled] It's back. How lovely.
- [microphone clicks on] - [on microphone] Testing. One, two, three.
- Can you hear me a little better now? - A lot better.
[Mrs. Sinklemann, clearly on microphone] Now, I've got an announcement.
Two students have been selected to be bookends
in a special play called The Wonderful World of Books.
The first bookend I've chosen is Mike Miller.
Huh?
[Mrs. Sinklemann] And our other bookend is…
[softly] Please.
- [Mrs. Sinklemann] …Cece Bell. - [sighs] Thank you.
Cece and Mike, tell your moms
that they need to get you matching pajamas for your costume.
Matching pajamas? In front of the whole school?
- Mike Miller in pajamas. - [heartbeat thumps]
♪
This is nuts.
- Yeah. Totally nuts. - [piano music starts in background]
[muffled] ♪ There are books on every subject ♪
♪ Turn the page and take a look ♪
[muffled] ♪ Fantasies and mysteries ♪
♪ And fairy tales too ♪
♪ And stories about People going to the moon ♪
- ♪ You'll find books on every subject ♪ - [water tinkling on microphone]
- [further tinkling on microphone] - Ah, sweet relief.
[chuckling]
- ♪ Find them in the library ♪ - [squeaky sounds on microphone]
[chuckles]
- [toilet flushes on microphone] - Ow!
[muffled] ♪ And right there at your school ♪
[chuckles]
- ♪ Just be sure to bring them back ♪ - Oh!
♪ When they are due ♪
[muffled audience applauding] [muffled audience applauding]
[chuckles]
[muffled applause continues]
What were you giggling about up there?
Um, um…
- [sonic whoop] - [clear audio through scene]
Good grief, Cece. Talk to him already.
Tell him what you can do.
I might be the one with superpowers, but you don't need superpowers to speak.
[heroic music playing]
Come on. Tell him what you can do.
Uh, Cece? Are you okay?
- [heroic music ends] - [clear audio stops]
Um, do you really want to know what I was giggling about?
Yeah.
Well, you know that microphone Mrs. Sinklemann wears
that helps me hear what she's saying in class?
Yeah.
Well, whenever she forgets to take it off,
I can hear her no matter where she is in the whole school.
No way! No way!
So, during the play,
I could hear Mrs. Sinklemann peeing in the bathroom. [chuckles]
What? For real? That is so cool.
It's like you have superpowers or something.
[chuckles] Yeah, kinda.
Um, we'd better get back to class. [sighs]
Can you come over to my house after school? I wanna try something.
Yeah! I mean, sure. Okay.
Great.
[heartbeat thumps]
- [sonic whoop] - [clear audio through scene]
- [whooshes] - [dreamy music playing]
- [heartbeat thumping] - For you, my darling.
Sweet chocolates for my sweetie.
And a single rose,
though its beauty shall never surpass that of the all-powerful rosette.
[twinkling chimes]
- [heartbeat thumping] - [twinkling chimes]
[dreamy music continues]
- [whooshes] - [twinkling chimes] - [whooshes] - [twinkling chimes]
May I kiss your hand, my sweet?
[kisses]
Oh, and don't forget to bring… [muffled] …the microphone to my house,
so we can test it out and all.
Microphone? Hmm.
[gentle music playing]
Hey, Cece. Let's do an experiment.
I'm gonna wear the mic and walk downtown.
You stay here and listen to me talking.
Then when you can't hear me anymore,
we'll know just how powerful this thing is. Ready?
Um, I guess so.
- [microphone clicks on] - [clearly on microphone] Great. Here I go.
[Mike, on microphone] Testing. One, two, three.
- [gasps] - Mike to Cece, can you hear me?
Yes!
[on microphone] Check.
[Mike] I just passed Johnnie's house. I'm gonna head downtown.
I just passed Broad Street School.
Hey, I can see the drugstore up ahead.
Think I'll get a limeade.
[static crackling]
I'm in the drugstore now.
[distorted] Hey, it's someone we know.
[static crackles]
Darn. I can't hear him anymore.
Maybe if I get closer.
- [Martha, on microphone] Hey, Mike. - [Mike] Hi. Whatcha doing?
I'm just getting some stuff for my mom.
Is that Martha?
What's going on? Is that Cece's microphone?
Yeah. We're trying to figure out how far it can go.
Wanna say something to her?
I wouldn't know what to say. [sighs]
How come? How come?
I hurt her eye, and it totally freaked me out.
- I thought I had made her blind. - But you didn't.
I felt so awful about it that I totally avoided her,
and now I don't think she likes me anymore.
What? No!
- Hey, Cece. - Martha,
I heard everything you said.
Of course I still like you.
You heard all that?
[louder] Wow. This thing is more powerful than I thought.
Please, Martha, I just want us to be like before.
I think-- I think I better get back home.
My mom needs her stuff.
I'm glad you're not mad. Bye.
Wait!
[Cece] Don't go.
That was really fun.
Maybe we can have more fun with it at school.
What kind of fun? What kind of fun?
I don't wanna end up in Mrs. Sinklemann's tomato.
Nothing like that.
I'll think of something.
Thanks for letting me use it.
[muffled] See ya.
[heartbeat thumping]
[whispering] Psst! She's leaving for quiet math soon.
We wanna have a little fun while she's gone.
Can you tell us when she's coming back so we don't get in trouble?
You'll be a hero.
Um, sure. I think so.
Awesome.
[on microphone] Ahem.
All right, class. It's time for quiet math.
Remember, it only takes one bad spot to make the tomato rotten.
So, be good.
[footsteps departing on microphone]
[suspenseful ping]
Okay, everybody. Let's party.
No way. I don't wanna be in the tomato again.
Me neither.
Don't worry. Cece's listening in with her hearing aid.
She can hear Mrs. Sinklemann all over the school.
So, you can tell us when she's coming back?
Uh-huh, definitely.
Wow, that's impressive.
This plan is totally gonna work.
It's party time!
[clamoring]
- [Cece Bell] I wanted to join in the fun… - [distorted music on radio]
…but the Phonic Ear and I had an important job to do.
[muffled voices]
[clamoring continues]
[suspenseful ping]
[Mr. Potts, on microphone] Good morning, Mrs. S.
Why, hello, Francis.
Mr. Potts's name is Francis? [chuckles] Mr. Potts's name is Francis? [chuckles]
[unzips]
- [tinkling sounds] - [sigh of relief]
[chuckling]
- Check this out. - So cool.
Um, where is Mrs. Sinklemann now?
She's in the bathroom.
No way.
Hey, everybody. Cece can hear Mrs. Sinklemann using the can.
- [girl, muffled] Wow! You can hear that? - [boy, muffled] Cool!
- [Johnnie chuckles] - Wow.
- [girl] I wish I had a hearing aid. - [boy] Me too.
[over-enunciating] Cece, that is so amazi--
[regular speed] I mean, that's so amazing how you can do that.
Your hearing aids are really cool.
Yeah, maybe they kinda are.
[toilet flushing on microphone]
Guess what? She just flushed it.
Wow!
Hey, guys! Cece said Mrs. Sinklemann just flushed it.
[muffled] Oh, my gosh.
[muffled] That's awesome. [laughs] [muffled] That's awesome. [laughs]
[door closing on microphone]
[Cece Bell] Oh, no! Mrs. Sinklemann was coming back.
[footsteps echo on microphone]
I had to warn my classmates, but what if I got in trouble?
[distorted music on radio]
[girl gasps, muffled] It's my favorite song.
[students chuckling]
[muffled] Over here.
[muffled] Let's look in here.
Whoo-hoo!
- [sonic whoop] - [clear audio through scene]
- Don't be afraid, Cece. - [heroic music playing]
Your classmates need your help.
They need you to be a hero.
[heroic music continues]
Stand up, shout it out. Tell them.
[whooshes]
[sighs] I can't do it.
[sad music playing]
You can do it. You'll amaze everyone.
[heroic music resumes]
[music continues]
Hey, everybody. Mrs. Sinklemann is coming. Hey, everybody. Mrs. Sinklemann is coming.
Go back to your seats.
- Oh, no! - [gasps]
I really don't… [continues, indistinct]
[muffled] Turn it off, turn it off!
[Cece] Come on, everybody! Hurry up!
[music ends]
[clearly on microphone] How lovely.
I see that there are no bad spots in the tomato today.
That was awesome.
You're a hero.
- [sci-fi swirling sounds] - Of course I'm a hero.
- I am El Deafo. - [clear audio through scene]
- [twinkling chimes] - [joyful music playing]
[music fades]
[faint rustle]
[no audio]
[upbeat music playing] [upbeat music playing]
- Hey, Cece. - [music ends]
Wanna come over and jump on the trampoline?
Um…
Sorry, Mike. There's something I gotta do.
[gasps]
Hi, Martha.
Hi, Cece.
Can we talk?
Well, um…
are you sure you're not mad at me anymore?
Martha, I've never been mad at you.
It's just, I felt so bad about your eye.
What if I made you blind?
But you didn't.
I think we should start over.
But what if I do something stupid and hurt you all over again? But what if I do something stupid and hurt you all over again?
Don't worry, you won't.
And anyway, I'm tough.
Check out these giant muscles.
[chuckles]
[sniffles, sighs]
It's okay, Martha. Really and truly.
Friends?
[sniffles, sighs]
Friends.
Pinkie swear?
Pinkie swear.
- [bells chiming] - [Cece Bell] It was time for me
to finally tell Martha all about…
- El Deafo! - [clear audio through scene]
Who?
- [closing theme begins] - El Deafo and her true friend, you.
♪ I don't see a problem ♪
♪ I'll draw you a map Meet you when I can ♪
♪ I gotta follow my own path ♪
♪ And welcome what finds me Right where I am ♪
♪ And if you're gonna love me tomorrow ♪ ♪ And if you're gonna love me tomorrow ♪
♪ Maybe you can love me today ♪
[El Deafo, Marvygirl] Whoo-hoo!
♪ The love songs, poetry you borrow ♪
♪ Picks me up, carries me away ♪
♪ But I like to look farther Than the sun on Saturday ♪
♪ And if I hold on tight I might not fall and float away ♪
♪ And I don't wanna lose my place ♪
♪ You're gonna let me in ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm catching a break now ♪
♪ I'm catching a break now ♪
[music ends]
- [Cece chuckles] - [hearing aids click off]