01x06 - Key Change

[bunniefuu]

Every being enjoys singing in the
shower or alone in their roll machine.

I'm a dangerous being

But performing in front of a big
audience can stir up other sensations,

usually a delirious cycle of courage…

I can do this.

…extreme overconfidence…

Only I can do this.

…and self-consciousness.

I can't do this.

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.

Or a spectacular failure.

This feels like perishing.

Performing for an audience is an
emotional risk that can end in disaster.

But for those who are
willing to cast risk aside

and showcase their vulnerability on stage,

the possibility for transcendent joy awaits.

Here's our orb It's slightly leaning

Orbiting a star

We find ways to give life meaning

Some might seem bizarre

All we know is that we exist

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

Wow! That's a melody.

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.

Here's your order. I think.

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.

Tell jokes like that.

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?

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.

-See?
-So close.

Maybe some beings don't
have a talent to share.

Maybe. If you do have a talent,
it clearly isn't making banners.

I think it's cute.

Hey. There's my favorite lifegiver.

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.

It has been many revolutions.
This is how we cope.

No judgment here.

I have been thinking
about them a lot recently

and I feel like I owe it to them

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 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.

That's probably as much of a
sign as you're ever gonna get.

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.

Don't worry. I'll fix the mess you made.

I wasn't worried.

Put that there. That's wrong.
Now correct it and that's 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.

That's true.
I can always have you reassigned.

No. The mystery of the
crevasse gives me purpose.

Lots to unpack.

-My Lorb. I can't work like this.
-Always a struggle.

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.

-You took my advice!
-Please, stop doing that.

I'm so glad you'll be sharing your talent.
What's the name of your act?

I'm not sure yet.

Interesting name,
but I like its relatability.

No, I mean, I'm--

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.

I didn't even know this room existed.

I've seen it on some blueprints before.

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.

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?

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.

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.

All right.

Okay, I can do this.

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 does this have to do with performing?

Everything!

Less talk, more washing.

I gotta plate this meal before it overcooks.

Wow. Free food.

Focus on the food scraps. Be the sprayer.

I don't understand.

I don't either.

Focus. Focus.

A little too much spraying.

Your second task is calling out
the customers' orders to the chef

when the server drops them off.

Impossible to mess this one up.

I need a starch bowl with cocoa slab on top--
Gross.

Hey, we don't judge beings for
their strange consumption choices.

Also, speak up.

This is embarrassing.

Embarrassment is a
building block of success.

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.

Stunning.

They are, but admiring rocks isn't going
to get us back to Careful Now sooner.

Strangely difficult to lift off the ground.

So small, yet so heavy. Curious.

Watch out!

I was right. I almost just perished.

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.

I have never been more afraid,
and yet I feel more alive than I ever have.

This is sad, but I agree.

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.

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.

What are your wants and needs?

I'm not sure anymore,
but I know I don't feel fulfilled.

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 I'll try.

I have an order for…

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

Thank you. I'm allergic.

And a noodle stack with layered stuff

Anybody? Please, speak up.

That one's for me.

It is? Thank Lorb.

Now I'm finally done!

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.

This squiggly one goes here.

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.

You're doing great.

I got you. You've got this.

-You did it!
-You saved me. Gratitude.

I owed you one.

That wasn't a machine, was it?

I have a talent for tasting anything.
Give me something to taste.

My foot tubes!

I'll taste it.

Really? Uh-uh.

Salty.

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.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

My ears!

I can't do this.

It's okay.

You want me to taste your guitar?

Let's get out of here.

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.

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.

-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.

Step harder.

I've never felt more alive.

Step.

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. 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.

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.
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.

I guess I have been.

And for me too, buddy.

Would you mind taking this pep talk outside?

My apologies.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Shall we?

Yeah.
Let's go enjoy the success of our adventure

by watching beings do
strange things onstage.

Amazing!

-Thank you.
-That was awesome!

Stunning performance, dear.

You ready?

I am.

I know you are.

-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 I'm Not Sure Yet.

When you're ready.

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

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

-We love you!
-That was marvelous.

-It was brilliant.
-Beautiful!

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.

So, did you fix the problem?

What do you mean? Of course we did.
How else would this show be going on?

We flipped on the backup generator.

What?