At his conference, Wayne is dismissed for failing to provide proof of his shrinking machine and leaves in frustration, although he is given credit by Dr. Brainard, the only scientist at the conference who took Wayne and his idea seriously without wanting proof. Wayne appreciates Brainard's support and thanks him as they walk out together. Amy and Russ Jr. are shrunken when they go to check on Ron and Nick. When Wayne returns home, they try to get his attention, but their voices are too small and he is unable to hear them. Frustrated by his day, his thinking couch disappearing, and the broken window he discovers, he snaps and starts smashing the machine. He then sweeps the debris and the kids into a dust pan and takes them out in a trash bag. They escape from it, but are forced to cross the unmowed yard's wilderness to get back to the house.