No Chemistry Whatsoever

Connie and Penny enroll in an early-morning college chemistry course because Professor Sharp is known as an easy teacher. When heart surgery forces him to withdraw, Eugene becomes the substitute professor. His twelve-page syllabus, frequent quizzes, and demanding tests horrify Connie, who already considers chemistry boring. Penny, however, studies eagerly and performs well.

After receiving a D on the first quiz, Connie considers dropping the class. Whit reminds her that she once excelled in school and asks whether she simply resents the work. Penny offers to help her memorize the periodic table through a ridiculous song, but Connie insists that she can succeed without admitting what is truly bothering her.

At church, Whit challenges his Sunday-school students to memorize twenty-five Bible verses, promising a trip to Waterworld to those who finish. Barrett has barely begun, so he searches for the shortest verses he can find. He quickly memorizes fragments such as “He said,” “Remember Lot’s wife,” and “Jesus wept,” without learning their settings or meanings. Olivia warns that he is missing the point, but Barrett cares only about earning the prize.

Connie asks Eugene to reduce the number of quizzes. He cheerfully agrees to cancel the next one and replaces it with chemistry demonstrations that had already been listed in the syllabus. With no time for a better plan, Connie demonstrates the chemical reaction in hair coloring. Penny accidentally supplies blonde dye instead of chestnut brown, and Eugene has to stop the reaction before all of Connie’s hair changes color. Connie escapes with blonde highlights and a much clearer understanding that avoiding the course is creating more trouble than studying it.

When Whit asks the Sunday-school class to apply their memorized verses to real problems, the other students explain how Scripture provides courage and guides wise choices. Barrett can recite his tiny selections but cannot explain them. Whit supplies the context of Jesus’ warning about Lot’s wife, showing that even a short verse belongs to a larger truth and was not written merely to satisfy a contest rule.

Eugene privately suggests that Connie’s real difficulty is their changed relationship. Chemistry is his strength and her weakness, so failing would embarrass her in front of a friendly rival, while succeeding might give him reason to boast about his teaching. Her pride has created a situation in which neither outcome feels safe. Connie admits that he is right and decides that her only responsibility is to do her best.

Barrett confesses that he does not deserve the Waterworld trip because he took a lazy shortcut and learned none of the intended lessons. Whit says Barrett has mainly cheated himself, then offers another chance: if he studies the meaning and context of all twenty-five verses and shares what he learns, he may still go. Barrett gladly accepts.

Connie finally applies herself and earns a B-plus on her next chemistry exam. Eugene correctly gives her full credit for the work - then his phone rings with a recording of Connie admitting, “You’re right, Eugene.” He has saved the rare statement as his ringtone, and their friendly rivalry returns as Connie chases him for the phone.