Summary
Highlights
Neil is hit by a car and wishes the driver would 'frick himself,' which immediately comes true, signaling he has received the power. At his school, a casual wish to have a spaceship destroy Tennessee leads to an explosion. Neil initially thinks it's a dream until his dog, Dennis, cleans up its own mess on command. He tests his powers with a spilled drink and soon realizes the extent of his abilities. After accidentally causing dead people to rise and then clarifying his wish for only his class to be alive, he becomes more careful with his words. He uses his power to improve his class's behavior and change his Headmaster's attitude, then comically makes his friend Ray's crush worship him.
Neil wishes to become the President of the United States, briefly experiencing the chaos before wishing to be his old self. He repeatedly attempts to use his powers to impress Catherine, often with disastrous results, including appearing in her apartment and then accidentally making her forget the incident. He tries to explain his powers to Ray, who is skeptical until a skeleton comes to life and jumps out a window. Catherine's stalker ex, Grant, becomes a recurring problem, and a temporary galactic power failure makes Neil lose his abilities, leading Catherine to fall for him naturally. Once his powers return, he wishes for his dog, Dennis, to talk, which leads to embarrassing romantic advice from Dennis to Catherine.
Catherine is disgusted by Dennis's explicit comments and Neil's apparent strangeness. She leaves, and Neil, in a panic, turns Ray into a duck and then a sausage to avoid him. Grant breaks into Catherine's apartment, forcing her to seek refuge with Neil. Grant then catches Neil and forces him to grant a list of ridiculous wishes, threatening Dennis. Catherine and Ray intervene, and Neil, under duress, wishes Catherine would be madly in love with Grant. He then reverses the wish, turns Grant into a Corgi, and undoes all of Grant's wishes. The aliens observe Neil's actions, concluding he has no concept of good or evil.
Catherine expresses her distrust of Neil's powers. Feeling misunderstood, Neil attempts to use his powers for good, wishing for an end to world hunger, dream homes for everyone, and an end to war and global warming. However, these wishes lead to unintended catastrophic consequences: obesity epidemics, Earth covered in real estate, and more wars. The planet rapidly freezes, pushing Earth towards an ice age. Horrified, Neil undoes all his wishes. Realizing the immense responsibility and danger of his power, Neil decides to end it all by jumping off a bridge.
Dennis, who has been restored to his talking state, suggests Neil transfer his powers to him. Neil agrees, and Dennis, wishing to prevent such misery for his master again, wishes for the source of his power to be destroyed forever. This saves Earth from the aliens, who were about to vaporize the planet. The destructive ray, instead of hitting Earth, eliminates the entire Intergalactic Council. Neil wakes up to find his powers gone and makes amends with Catherine, asking her out. Grant, still a Corgi, asks Dennis to turn him back, but Dennis humorously rebuffs him, concluding the chaotic adventure.
In 1972, a probe aimed at finding intelligent life was launched from Earth. In the present, this probe is found by the Intergalactic Council. They discover images of humans and debate destroying Earth due to perceived barbarism. However, galactic law dictates they must test a random Earthling to determine humanity's worthiness by granting them the power to do 'absolutely anything.' Meanwhile, Neil Clark is introduced as a writer, and his mundane life is contrasted with the cosmic decision. Neil dreams of receiving an award from his neighbor, Catherine. The Council ultimately selects Neil as their test subject.