To earn some money, Martin decides to tutor, his first student being precocious 12-year old Eddie Prescott, the son of a seemingly tough-as-nails air force captain who wants his son to enter into the prestigious air force academy. Eddie's tough exterior masks insecurities of stupidity. During Martin and Eddie's first lesson, disaster strikes because of Eddie's silver braces; Martians are rendered brain dysfunctional when exposed to pure silver. As Eddie begins to learn, Martin begins to forget.