Mood swing

Following Holo-Rick's advice, Morty decided to tell his mother and sister about his new hobby when he got home. Their reactions were quite opposite. Beth praised him for starting to take care of his physique, while Summer questioned his decision as if he were on ****.

"You at a gym? What a stupid idea, Morty. You've never been interested in that stuff... and suddenly you want to go every day," Summer said accusingly, pointing at him.

"Oh, come on, it's not a bad thing, Summer," Morty said defensively.

"Your brother's right, there's nothing wrong with exercising a little. Besides, Morty needs it," Beth said, stepping between her children to calm things down.

Summer grunted, looking at her brother suspiciously and angrily, a feeling that didn't fade for the rest of the day, as she brought it up again at dinner for no reason.

“It’s pretty funny that you decided to go to the gym so soon after Tricia became your girlfriend,” she blurted out, like a dart, while eating.

“Uh…it’s…that’s why, you know, to look better for her…So, how was your day, Mom?”

“Oh, nothing out of the ordinary, just a few appointments and…”

“Did Tricia ask you to work out?” interrupted his mother, Summer, studying the young man closely.

“Hmm…no, it was my idea, and that’s it…uh…Mom, after…”

“So you wanted to make this change all on your own? That’s strange for you; usually, these things come from someone else,” Summer interrupted again, this time with more intensity.

Morty gripped his fork tightly. He could tell that his sister’s words were telling him that SOMEONE was giving him orders. That irritated him to no end. He was starting to get tired of almost everyone seeing him as a useless, inactive kid.

“I’m tired of you treating me like a baby, Summer.”

“That’s exactly what you are, a poor baby incapable of taking care of your own business…”

Morty slammed his hand on the table, cutting his sister.

“Enough! You’re always so eager for everyone to notice you, and when I get some attention, you get jealous.”

Summer’s eyes rolled back as she stood up.

“Jealous? Me? Do you think… you know what? Do whatever you want, but listen to me… if I find out anything strange about all this, I’ll knock your arrogance out of you.”

With that, she walked away from the table, leaving Morty with a feeling of triumph. He had rarely won an argument, let alone one with his sister, and yet he had managed it.

Back in his room, he began to process what had happened at dinner.

“Good heavens… Was I the one who argued with Summer? For a second, something took hold of me.”

“It’s the new changes that....Burp… are starting to show up, kid.”

Holo-Rick appeared, sitting on the bed next to young Smith.

“Honestly, I thought it would only change my appearance.”

“You’re still not paying attention. The compound isn’t just improving your physique....Burp… it’s also altering you at a neuronal level, strengthening certain areas of your brain that you hardly ever use. In short, it’s making you braver and less of a coward.”

A certain fear arose in the boy when he heard this.

“You’re brainwashing me!”

“Calm down, calm down, the compound won’t affect any vital areas...Burp… just the emotional area to get rid of that absurd attitude of yours, although it will be gradual.”

“Oh, crap.”

Morty collapsed onto the bed, crushed by the revelation of his grandfather’s hologram. Now he had to face the fact that when this was over, he would be a very different person than he was today.