Role Model

During a botched high school presentation for Minotaur, Danny and Wheeler fail to land any real impact. Their Minotaur truck is towed from a no-parking zone, and Danny’s attempt to free it ends in a collision with a statue while nearly hitting a security guard. The disastrous sequence ends with the two men being arrested.

In court, a judge offers a deal: 150 hours of community service over 30 days in lieu of jail time. Danny and Wheeler accept the arrangement, hoping to avoid jail. The deal places them under strict supervision and establishes the road ahead for their redemption.

Their service is with Sturdy Wings, a big-brother/big-sister program led by Gayle Sweeny. Danny is paired with Augie Farks, a shy teen obsessed with LAIRE, while Wheeler takes Ronnie Shields, a vulgar youngster resistant to most mentors. The assignments force them to engage with kids they don’t initially understand.

Ronnie and Wheeler’s dynamic starts tense as Ronnie dislikes Wheeler’s blunt approach. Ronnie discovers Wheeler’s Kiss obsession and learns that Wheeler has been teaching him to control his impulses. Their bond slowly forms as trust begins to grow.

Danny and Augie gradually bond as they discover common ground in their reluctant volunteerism. Danny even joins Augie’s LAIRE circle to better understand him and his fantasy world. The unlikely duo starts seeing value in Augie’s passions and in their own role as mentors.

During a LAIRE gathering, Augie tests the line with Argotron, who lies about Augie’s death. The King’s false claim leads to Augie being ostracized from LAIRE. Danny defends Augie, shoves the King, and the group bans them from LAIRE permanently.

At a dinner with Augie’s mother and her boyfriend, Danny’s critique of their ridicule escalates. He is kicked out of the house, and he mutters, 'I’d be psyched if he was my kid,' signaling rising tension and personal estrangement.

Wheeler takes Ronnie to a party but leaves him unsupervised, causing Ronnie to walk home alone. The mishap intensifies concerns from Ronnie’s parents and prompts demands for new mentors. The incident underscores the fragile trust between mentors and their littles.

Gayle expels Danny and Wheeler from Sturdy Wings as their reliability falters. Beth agrees to defend them in court, but she warns that prison time remains a real possibility if they don’t turn things around. The stakes of their case rise dramatically.

Wheeler secures permission to spend time with Ronnie after his release, and Ronnie forgives him for past missteps. The renewed connection reinforces the possibility of positive change for both mentors. Their commitment to the kids remains a core part of their identity.

Danny convinces Argotron to allow him and Augie to compete in the LAIRE battle royale. The King secretly warns others that Augie is a liability, and Augie is kicked out of the LAIRE country. Tensions mount as loyalties shift within the game-world.

Danny and Augie form a new LAIRE country by inviting Wheeler and Ronnie to join them, arriving in Kiss costumes with a Minotaur truck. They name their new land Kiss-My-Anthia and prepare for a fresh, united stand. The kids’ passions become the catalyst for a bold reinvention of their role in LAIRE.

Augie defeats the King in a climactic moment, but Sarah Esplen attacks and defeats Augie, crowning Esplen as queen and naming Augie as her king-consort. The outcome reshapes LAIRE’s political landscape and trust among players. Augie’s parents begin showing him more support amid the upheaval.

Gayle’s intervention helps smooth over the legal troubles, underscoring that the kids’ welfare outweighed their past mistakes. Danny serenades Beth with a Kiss song to seal their reconciliation, bringing closure to their relationship and the day’s trials. The group looks to a more hopeful future guided by the kids they mentored.