"Mean Gene," a crude comedian, delivers the late chemist Billy Grainger's posthumous induction speech into the Humor Hall of Fame. Between bouts of foul language, he vents his frustration about inducting a dead chemistry nerd. Doctor Mary Evans speaks next, awarding Grainger the Centenary Prize from the Royal Society of Chemistry. Evans, a graduate of Cambridge University with a doctorate in chemistry, brings a much different—and courteous—tone to her commendation, praising Grainger's contributions to science. She reflects on the fact that Grainger used chemistry as a vehicle for social change, as controversial as his work might have been. Evans summarizes the history of the prestigious award and addresses why Grainger deserves it: because he changed the world. Professor Terrence Jefferson's speech honors the unveiling of a statue dedicated to Grainger. Jefferson, a historian from the University of Pennsylvania, opens his speech with proverbs and allusions to historical events. He admits to his pride in being a historian, frequently inserting facts about himself in a speech about someone else. We return to comedian "Mean Gene's" speech: he responds to being booed for referring to Grainger as a "chemistry nerd" by pointing out that Grainger, himself, "pissed people off." He recalls Grainger's first piece, the president "doing" a member of congress "doggy-style" on the side of the Washington monument. Back to Mary Evans' speech: she celebrates the powerful political messages Grainger communicated through graffiti (without getting into the specifics of what they were), as well as Grainger's genius invention of "nanopaint," a spray-paint that binds so strongly with the underlying structure that it is permanent. She discusses the permanent paint as a symbol of American freedom. Jefferson continues his speech with historical allusions galore, including references to slavery and the United States' independence from Britain. He brings Grainger into the picture by explaining that he dismantled tyranny not only with mockery, but also with permanence. "Mean Gene" reveals that the egotistical president responded to Grainger's graffiti by tearing down the entire Washington Monument. Evans discusses Grainger's legacy as one of creative expression. Jefferson reveals that after Grainger spray-painted his opposition to the president on the Lincoln Memorial, the president tore down the entire Lincoln Memorial. He also blew up the Arlington Memorial Bridge and closed the Brooklyn Bridge, actions narcissistic and irrational enough to fuel a revolution. "Mean Gene" concludes that Grainger created the largest comedian stage of all time for himself. Even his memorial is a middle finger to fascism.