This is the story of , titled " A Patch, a Modem, and a Zantac ," which follows nine-year-old Sheldon Cooper’s first major clash with the scientific establishment. The Insult (The Patch)
In a surprise flash-forward, the episode ends with sitting in his office. After successfully landing a SpaceX rocket, he pulls Sheldon’s old, handwritten notebook out of a drawer, implying that Sheldon’s childhood math was the secret all along.
He calls the First National Bank of Medford to try and take out a second mortgage on his parents' house to fund the purchase. A Patch, a Modem, and a ZantacYoung Sheldon : S...
The stress of being ignored causes Sheldon to develop a stomach pain, which a doctor diagnoses as an ulcer.
The story begins at Medford High School, where a guest speaker from NASA, Dr. Ronald Hodges, gives a lecture about the high costs of space travel. Sheldon suggests that NASA should land their rocket boosters vertically to reuse them and save money. Dr. Hodges dismisses Sheldon as just a precocious kid, handing him a as a patronizing "participation trophy". Sheldon is deeply offended and vows to prove the "nincompoop" wrong. The Pursuit (The Modem) This is the story of , titled "
Dr. Hodges is stunned to find that Sheldon's math is sound, though he claims the technology to actually perform the landing doesn't exist yet, telling Sheldon, "Call me when you catch up". Sheldon leaves with his head held high, having officially chosen his path as a theoretical physicist. The Epilogue
While taking for his ulcer, Sheldon grows depressed because NASA hasn't responded. In a rare moment of solidarity, George Sr. packs the whole family into the car and drives to Houston to confront Dr. Hodges. George threatens the scientist until he agrees to look at Sheldon’s notebook. He calls the First National Bank of Medford
While at the doctor’s office, he uses the facility's computer and a modem to connect to the Johnson Space Center FTP server, finally completing and sending his findings to NASA. The Vindication (The Zantac)