Recess (TV Series)

A Genius Among Us (1999)

John Astin: Hank the Janitor

Quotes 

• [last lines] 

  Gretchen Grundler : Well Hank, if you're happy I'm happy. I say we celebrate. Let's take a crack at the linear independence of exponential functions.

  Hank the Janitor : Gretchen, that's the best offer I've had all day.

• Gretchen Grundler : Gee Hank, I guess word somehow got out about your abilities.

  Hank the Janitor : Yeah. Supercomputers, intergalactic travel, blowing stuff up... These are the things us number guys dream about. But what to choose? What?

  Gretchen Grundler : Wanna know my opinion?

  Hank the Janitor : Heck, yours is the only one I'm interested in.

  Gretchen Grundler : Well, it occurs to me that in the equation of happiness, there's only one choice: Follow your heart.

  Hank the Janitor : Follow my heart?

  Gretchen Grundler : That's what I think. Anyway, I just want to say well, whatever your decision Hank, good luck.

  [Gretchen leaves and closes the door, teary-eyed] 

  Gretchen Grundler : And goodbye.

• Gretchen Grundler : Hank, you solved the generalized Fermat-Wiles equation in five seconds flat!

  Theodore J. 'T.J.' Detweiler : Yeah, a janitor who knows math? What's up with that?

  Vince LaSalle : Are you a spy?

  Mikey Blumberg : Or an alien?

  Gus Griswald : Out with it, man!

  Hank the Janitor : A spy? An alien? Naw, I just like math is all. Sometimes teachers leave these problems on the boards, and I solve 'em. You know, for fun.

  Spinelli : You mean fun like in... FUN?

  Hank the Janitor : Yep. Nothing more fun than a good hard math problem.

  [leaving] 

  Hank the Janitor : Well, you kids take 'er easy.

• Gretchen Grundler : [Gretchen and Hank are working on a math problem on the blackboard]  So, you're saying the formula for 'A' is based on the definition of area in terms of a Riemann integral, ie unlimited Riemann sums?

  Hank the Janitor : Bingo! And the formula for 'C' uses the definition of arc length, given a continuously differentiable curve.

  Gretchen Grundler : Guys, is this great or what?

  [the rest of the gang is fast asleep]