ADULT SHELDON: Not all science is created equal.
There's physics, the undisputed king of science.
There's chemistry. It's no physics,
but it's not a bad way to pass a rainy afternoon.
And then there's biology,
the squishiest of the sciences.
Ugh!
Once you have deposited enough saliva
in the blue Benedict's solution,
we'll mix it
in the centrifuge.
After that, we'll pass it through the spectrometer
to measure how much glucose is present.
And won't that be a party?
Sheldon.
[whirring]
[hissing, clanging]
Oh, dear. Oh, dear.
It's warm. Oh, dear.
â™ª Nobody else is stronger than I am â™ª
â™ª Yesterday I moved a mountain
â™ª I bet I could be your hero
â™ª I am a mighty little man
â™ª I am a mighty little man.â™ª
And then there was some extra money in the budget,
so I was able to order those tackling dummies
I had my eye on.
I don't understand why the football program gets
so much money, while the equipment in the science lab
is outdated and falling apart.
Oh, I can explain that.
This is Texas.
Pass the ribs.
Well, it's not fair.
It's a school.
Education should be their priority.
All right, I'll explain it again...
MEEMAW: I think Shelly's got a point.
The school is supposed to prepare these kids
for the future. How many of 'em
are gonna be professional football players?
No one at this table.
But how many of 'em are gonna be scientists?
I know.
George, isn't there a way they can take some
of the football money and spend it on science?
Really? I need to explain it again?
You know, Moon Pie, in the '60s, when the hippies wanted
to change things, they would just protest.
You were a hippie?Oh, no.
But I wrote a letter complaining about the hippies,
and the police chased 'em right out of that park.
So my point is...
maybe you could write a letter.
Ooh! Maybe I can lodge a formal complaint
with the school board about the sports budget infringing
on the other departments.
Okay, last time:
Canada,
the other states,
us.
[indistinct chatter]
[shouts][shouts]
What are you doing, standing there?
I wrote a formal complaint letter to the school board
on how much money is spent on football.
I was hoping you could deliver it to them.
You do realize your father's a coach here.
Yes, sir, I do.
Maybe you ought to talk to him about this first.
I did.
He didn't care for the idea at all.
Well, there you go.
There I go what?
Let me see that.
[sighs]
"Barbaric sport... encourages bloodlust similar
"to Roman gladiator games...
"Christians, lions...
money better spent on science and learning."
You're joking, right?
Did you see the word "bazinga" anywhere in that letter?
Out.
I'll just have to go over his head.
President Cooper.
That's serendipitous.
Hello.
[gasps][shouts]
What?
I understand that you're in charge of student elections.
[exhales]
I am.
I'd like to run for class president.
Really?
Really.
Okay.
You can sign up, but I have to warn you--
you'll be running against Nell Cavanaugh.
So?
She's well-liked by the student body.
So?
These elections tend to be a bit of a popularity contest.
So? You're gonna make me say it, huh?
Say what?
People don't like you.
Well, as my meemaw likes to say, water off a duck's back.
Elections shouldn't be about popularity.
They should be about who has the best ideas.
And what's your idea?
Less money on football,
more on science.
Really.
Guess what. I'm running for class president.
Good for you.
You're encouraging him?
He's gonna get destroyed.
You don't know that.
I feel like I do.
Well, whether you win or not,
I think it's great that you're trying.
But you think I'll win, right?
God's listening, Mom.
I think it's certainly possible.
Do you have a campaign strategy?
No.
Do you have a catchy slogan?
No.
Does he have a shot at winning?
No.
Hello, I'd like to speak to the mayor, please.
My name is Sheldon Cooper.
I'm running for class president
and was hoping he could give me some advice.
I'm ten years old.
But if it helps get him on the phone,
I'm well-behaved, a straight-A student,
and have impeccable hygiene.
[beep]Hello.
This is Mayor Harrison.
I understand you are running for office.
Class president.
Do you have any advice on how to win?
The most important thing is to get out there
and connect with people.
That's tricky.
I'm not terribly fond of people.
Well, you might need to get over that.
Assuming I can,
how do I connect with them?
A friendly handshake is a great start.
Oh, boy.
Now I have to touch them?
ADULT SHELDON: Over the next few days,
I mounted my campaign.
My name is Sheldon Cooper, and I'm running for class president.
Okay.
Put her there.
Greetings, fellow students.
I'm running for class president.
Here's a button.
Have a grown-up put them on you.
They're sharp.
Hello.
I'm Sheldon Cooper,
and I'm running for class president.
Yeah?I understand
you had a baby last year.
If you bring it in, I'll try to kiss it.
Vote Sheldon for class president.
Don't worry-- it's a number two.
You can use it on standardized tests.
Okay.
And, of course, homework.
I love homework.
Well, it's so nice to finally meet you.
I'm Nell Cavanaugh.
My opponent.
I would shake your hand, but my mom is washing my mittens.
Okay.
[chuckles]
She was really nice.
She even said, "May the best student win."
That's sweet.
This was a great idea.
Children like cupcakes, and, by giving them cupcakes,
they'll transfer that affinity to me.
That's another way of looking at it.
By that reasoning, a rich person could simply buy people's votes.
It's been known to happen.
Until my ship comes in,
I guess it's cupcakes.
Georgie, check it out.
Oh, man, I hate that he's doing this.
What? It's cute.
It's embarrassing.
I would think you'd be proud of him.
That's 'cause you're a better person than me.
Maybe you ought to ask God to take away your anger
and replace it with love.
Can I ask him to take away my brother instead?
Georgie.
Not kill him--
just strand him on an island somewhere.
A nice island,
with coconuts and stuff.
[indistinct chatter]
[chuckling]
Nell Cavanaugh,
it appears we're taking the mittens off.
Well, that's unfortunate.
Oh, this goes well beyond unfortunate.
It's flat-out unfair.
Did you not say that you love homework?
Of course I said it. I say it all the time.
But she took it out of context and is using it against me.
Well, that is what happens in politics.
People stretch the truth.
Well, those people are dirty dogs.
They certainly are.
Now, let me ask you something.
How bad do you want to win this election?
Bad enough to let 105 kids shake my mitten.
Okay, then you need to toughen up.
Politics is not for the weak-kneed.
Are you suggesting that I fight fire with fire?
I am.
So going to my room and crying in my pillow is not an option?
It is not.
Then I have some thinking to do.
MISSY: Oh, yeah.
You're screwed.
Which is why I need your help.
Why me?
You're ruthless.
I've seen you cheat at Candy Land.
Thanks. Go on.
Well, I'd like to retaliate,
but I don't know anything about her.
Make something up.
Ooh, tell people she has head lice.
I won't resort to lying.
There's a Denise Cavanaugh in my class.
Could be her little sister.
So?
I'll see if I can dig up something about Nell
you can use against her.
Thank you.
Georgie, I hate to have to ask this,
but are you going to vote for me?
No. Go away.
Are you sure?
If I win, I can make you a hall monitor.
Imagine the respect you'll get then.
Get lost.
GEORGE JR.: Lord, please take away my anger toward my stupid brother.
My life is hard enough.
Don't let him be president.
And while we're talking,
Veronica-- help me out.
Encourage her to do something with me she'll regret.
Amen.
[school bell rings]
Remember,
tomorrow we'll be dissecting worms!
[groaning]
Ah, your sadness makes me happy.
Mr. Givens, I just wanted you to know
that I'm still working hard on my campaign
to get more funding for the science department.
Oh, great, 'cause I've got to dig up tomorrow's worms myself.
Anything you can do to help me win a decisive victory
come Election Day would be much appreciated.
Oh, well, I'm sorry, Sheldon,
the faculty doesn't get involved in student elections.
Oh, I understand.
You have to remain neutral. Wink, wink.
I'm sorry, wink, wink?
You want new science equipment and I want that for you.
One hand washes the other. Wink, wink.
Oh, sure, wink, wink.
Now you're getting it. Wink, wink.
[sighs] That kid creeps me out.
ADULT SHELDON: Another hurdle in my political career was glossophobia:
fear of public speaking.
I've been known to experience dry mouth, perspiration,
heart palpitations, and fainting.
A similar response to what I experience
around unleashed dogs. [line ringing]
Hello, this is Sheldon Cooper.
Can I please speak with Pastor Jeff?
PEG [over phone]: Hold on. [coughing]
Hey, Sheldon, what can I do for you?
I need to give a speech at school,
but I have a fear of public speaking.
Since you give a sermon every Sunday,
I was hoping you'd have some words of advice.
As a matter of fact, I do.
When I look down on my congregation and I feel nervous,
I just ask the Lord to speak through me.
Like a ventriloquist?
Not exactly.
I think of it more as a...
Like one of the Muppets?
No, not that either.
'Cause you do look a little like Kermit.
Uh, okay, good luck to you, Sheldon.
Hello.
Dr. Sturgis. Can you give me any advice
on how to overcome a fear of public speaking?
Ah, you know, when I was a young man
I had a terrible fear of speaking to an audience.
What did you do?
Actually, it kinda took care of itself.
One day I was, uh, playing miniature golf
with some colleagues and I got struck by lightning.
Oh, dear.No, it was fine.
When I came to, I found myself with the gift of gab.
Big crowds,
small crowds, you couldn't shut me up.
I don't see how that can benefit me.
Not unless you'd like me to take you miniature golfing
next time there are clouds on the horizon.
Everything okay? No.
I have to give a speech in front of the entire assembly.
Oh. Got a little stage fright?
Unfortunately so.
Just thinking about it causes my bladder to misbehave.
[chuckles] Yeah, I been there.
You have?
Sure.
When I first started coaching,
I was real nervous to talk to the team,
you know, give a locker room speech.
Then, one day it dawned on me,
I'm not just talking to football players,
I'm talking to teenage football players.
Most of them aren't listening to a word I'm saying.
That's an interesting perspective.
I'll tell you something else.
You don't give yourself enough credit for how brave you are.
I don't? No.
Sheldon, you are ten years old, going to high school.
Everyone's older than you, everyone's bigger than you,
but you keep at it, day after day.
That's brave.
Any kid who can do that could give a speech
to the United Nations if he had to.
Thanks, Dad.
I heard what you said in there.
That was very beautiful. Thanks.
I gave a similar speech to my team last week.
Boy, did we get our asses kicked.
ADULT SHELDON: Emboldened by my father's pep talk,
I began working on my speech.
I aspired to walk in the footsteps
of history's greatest orators:
Socrates, Winston Churchill,
and, last but not least, Professor Proton.
Hey, I spoke to Nell's sister.
Found out some interesting stuff.
Thanks, but I've decided I don't want to stoop to her level.
If I can't win on the quality of my ideas,
then I'd rather lose with my head held high.
That's really stupid,
but in case you change your mind...
All right, y'all have heard
from your secretary candidates, your treasurer candidates,
your vice presidents...
It's time for the big finale,
the closing event, the headliners...
Nell Cavanaugh and Sheldon Cooper.
One of these two will be president of your class,
so listen to what they've got to say and choose wisely,
which will be a whole new experience for most of you.
Remember, heckling will get you detention.
STUDENT: Bite me!
[laughter]
Bryan Larkin, two days!
You want to try for a week?
I didn't think so.
Nell, floor is yours.
[cheering and applause]
STUDENTS: Nell!
[whooping]
Thank you, Ms. MacElroy,
Principal Petersen, our hard-working teachers,
and my fellow students.
I'm blessed to call so many of you friends.
Y'all probably know everything about me already.
Lord knows I love to talk. [laughs]
[laughter]
So instead of going on about myself,
I'd like to talk to you about my opponent.
Sheldon Cooper has been lobbying
for new science equipment here at Medford High,
and while that sounds wonderful, the truth is,
he thinks our school wastes its money on football.
[students booing]
Do we really want a class president
who doesn't care about football?
STUDENTS: No!
I know I am proud to be a Medford High cheerleader,
and I love football!
[cheering and applause]
But you know the one thing
I love more than football?
God.
[students affirming]
[applause]
Let me tell you another interesting fact
about my opponent.
Did you know that Sheldon Cooper is an atheist?
[students gasping]That's right.
He doesn't believe in God.
Just keep that in mind
when you cast your vote today.
I'm Nell Cavanaugh. Go Wolves!
[cheering and applause]
And now, please welcome Sheldon Cooper.
â™ª
[whispering]: No one would fault you if you ran out the back door.
â™ª
[quietly]: Nell Cavanaugh is... a Yankee.
[gasping]
She may love football and she may love God,
but she was born in Scarsdale.
That's in New York.
[gasping, booing]
There's more.
My opponent didn't move to Texas until she was seven years old.
In fact, in her bedroom
there's a pennant for the New York Yankees.
[students jeering]
While I may not be a fan
of organized religion or sports,
I promise, if you vote for me, I'll do my best
to get new science equipment for our school.
Uh...
Don't mess with Texas!
[cheering and applause]
[chanting]: Sheldon! Sheldon! Sheldon!
Sheldon!
Sheldon! Sheldon! Sheldon!
Sheldon! Sheldon!
[whooping, whistling]
[musical notes playing]
ADULT SHELDON: Before I became Dr. Sheldon Cooper,
I was President Sheldon Cooper.
And I don't mind telling you,
they both look pretty darn good on business cards.
One of my first responsibilities
as class president
was delivering the morning announcements.
Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag...
SHELDON AND CLASS: Of the United States of America...
SHELDON AND GEORGE SR.: And to the Republic for which it stands...
One Nation...
Here's a fun fact about the next two words:
"Under God" wasn't added to the Pledge of Allegiance
until 1954.
My first act as your president
is to remove the words "under God" from the Pledge
in order to honor
the separation of church and state
in this public high school.
PETERSEN: Okay, that's enough.
SHELDON: You can't take my microphone.
I'm the president.[whispering]: Thank you.
PETERSEN: All right, let's try this again.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag...
PETERSEN AND CLASS: Of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands...
One Nation
under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
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