- Diane arrives home and sees the police cars at the Thompson's house. She decides to call the cops, too.
- The Thompsons are talking with the police officers, who strongly believe that the kids ran away, especially after interacting with the ever-cantankerous Big Russ.
- Diane tells her husband that she called the police, so he finally reveals the whole shrinking situation. She's excited at first that his invention worked, until she fully grasps the whole our-kids-are-less-than-a-centimeter-in-size thing.
- Meanwhile, the kids take a break for a quick ant feeding. The ant and Ron seem to have really bonded, so he convinces the group to let it free so it can go back to his family.
- As they walk away, however, Antie (that's the ant's name, if you couldn't tell) keeps following them.
- At this point, both of the Szalinski parents are suspended above the lawn looking for their children. The madness is spreading.
- As they do, Big Russ heads outside for an illicit smoke and watches them in confusion. He tosses his cigarette on the ground near the kids, which is like a meteor strike.
- The kids check it out and Ron suddenly gets an idea. He sticks a branch in the still smoldering butt and uses it as a torch, as it's getting dark outside.
- Fed up with their fruitless search, Diane decides that it's time to come clean to the Thompsons. The Thompsons are disbelieving until Mr. Szalinski shows them the shrunken couch.
- Meanwhile, the kids have found one of Nick's Legos, so they climb inside its divots to sleep. Russ makes some subtle moves on Amy, and though she turns him down, she gives him a very suggestive smile.