Arthur's First Day[]
Arthur wakes up in his bedroom. His alarm clock reads 6:59.
Arthur: Do you ever wake up right before your alarm clock goes off? (He wakes up, and Pal jumps on him, causing him to chuckle happily.) I'm up, boy, I'm up.
The door opens and the light turns off, revealing his dad behind the door.
David: Arthur, are you...?
Arthur: Yep, I'm awake.
David gives Arthur a thumbs up, and then leaves.
Arthur: It's like you body just knows it has to get up.
He then gets out of bed. After the clock transition, Arthur is in the bathroom brushing his teeth.
Arthur: Maybe it's because I'm nervous about today. What if I get a big wart right on my nose?
A wart then pops up on Arthur's nose, and he gasps. The mirror then cracks. Suddenly, the Tough Customers appear behind him.
Tough Customers: (laughing)
Binky: Points at Arthur Look at warty-wart face!
Molly: It's bigger than his nose!
Rattles: It's like he's growing another head.
(The Tough Costumers then disappear, causing Arthur to look in the mirror to check for any warts on his nose.)
Arthur: Whew! At least I don't have to worry about that.
(He then continues brushing his teeth. After the toothbrush transition, he is putting his new school supplies in his backpack. He's wearing a green sweater with a big yellow horizontal stripe across the middle of the sweater)
Arthur: Or maybe I'm just excited. (He smells his new notebook and sighs.) Does anything smell better than a brand-new notebook? (He puts the notebook in his backpack.) And check it out, my new pencil case. Dark Bunny vs. Trashasaurus. (He puts his pen inside his pencil case and puts it in his backpack.) Maybe I'm a little bit of both - nervous and excited. (He walks out of his bedroom.) But there's one thing I know I am... Ready. Fourth grade, here I come! (He then walks down the stairs.)
Title Card: Arthur waits for D.W. to come down the stairs.[]
Arthur is in the kitchen eating some Crunch Cereal. Pal is barking, and Kate is babbling while Jane feeds her some food. D.W. then comes in, and she's pretending to call the principal on the phone.
D.W.: What's that? Are you sure? Okay, I'll tell her. Bye-bye. (She pretends to hang up.) Mom, kindergarten's been canceled!
Jane: (She knows what D.W.'s up to.) Oh, really?
D.W.: Uh-huh. That was the principaltator of the school. (She actually means principal.) He's calling everyone!
Jane: And why is it canceled?
(D.W. struggles to come up with a good lie.)
D.W.: Um, because... there's an outbreak of turkey pox! It's even worse than chicken pox. (She fake coughs.) Oh no, I think I got it from the phone.
(Jane takes the phone from D.W.)
Jane: Nice try, D.W., but you're still going to school.
(D.W. walks over to the table for some breakfast. She sits down angrily and pushes her cereal away from her.)
D.W.: (confused) Why can't I stay in pre-K? There's so much more to learn about the color green.
(Jane then sits down to feed Kate her breakfast.)
Jane: Because you're too old for pre-K.
D.W.: I'm only five! Next thing you know, you'll want me to get a job.
David: Here, I made your favorite lunch: a bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich, hold the bacon.
D.W.: (excited) With extra pickles?
David: Six of them. Now, will you please eat up and get dressed?
D.W.: Okay. But I want ARTHUR to take me to school!
Arthur: (coughs on his cereal) Me? Why?
D.W.: Because only babies get taken to school by their moms and dads, and I'm a big girl now. So, YOU have to take me.
Jane: Will you, Arthur?
Arthur: (sighs) Okay. But no talking about Mary Moo Cow, or Nadine, or unicorns.
David: There, it's settled. Now, will you please eat up?
D.W.: I am. I just have to butter this toast.
(She hums while she takes her time buttering the toast in order for her to not go to school. David looks at his watch. Knowing what D.W. is up to, Jane takes the toast and quickly butters it. D.W. groans and takes a bite out of the toast. After the toast transition, Arthur is tapping his foot and is annoyed at D.W. for taking so long.)
Arthur: D.W., come on! We're gonna be late!
D.W.: Coming, coming.
(She is walking down the stairs, but it is taking her a long time to drag the backpack down. She is also wearing a full blue outfit consisting of a dark blue dress, light blue shirt dress, blue leggings, and blue shoes.)
Arthur: You're bringing all that?
D.W.: It's my first day of kindergarten. Who knows what I'll need? What if they don't have glue? Or pillows? (worried) Or CRAYONS?
Arthur: D.W., they have all those things at school.
D.W.: What about the lemon-yellow crayon? That one's REALLY rare.
Arthur: Yes, yes, they even have that one. Can we go now?
(D.W. then struggles to drag the backpack across the floor.)
D.W.: Okay, but if you're wrong, there's going to be trouble.
(She still struggles to get the backpack out the door.)
Arthur: (sighs) Do you want some help?
D.W.: Oh, thanks for asking. Here you go.
(He grunts hard and puts D.W.'s ginormous backpack on his back. He also notices that it is strangely heavy.)
Arthur: Wow, what do you have in here, rocks?
D.W.: Just a few. Well? What are you waiting for? Let's go, you're making me late!
Arthur: (groans)
(He then closes the door, and he and D.W. walk to school together.)
D.W.: Okay, give me the lowdown.
Arthur: On what?
D.W.: (slightly bugged) School, of course. You have to tell me all the big-brother stuff you know. Why do you think I asked you to walk me?
Arthur: Oh. Well... just have fun.
D.W.: That's it? That's your advice? I know how to have fun. I've been doing it for five years. You're supposed to tell me important things, like how to spell cauliflower and do yo-yo tricks.
Arthur: Okay, okay, um... (wondering how to spell cauliflower) C-A-U-L...
(Someone then appears behind Arthur. It turns out to be Buster, who's vest and undershirt are the same colors as D.W.'s clothes: blue.)
Arthur: Buster, phew! Just in time.
Buster: (excited) Did you bring it?
Arthur: (confused) Hmm? Bring what?
D.W.: Um, in case you didn't notice, I'm down here.
Buster: Oh. Hey, D.W. (gives D.W. a thumbs up) Good luck on your first day.
D.W.: (surprised) Luck? I don't need luck, I need advice. You two are about as helpful as a broken shoelace.
(The boys look at D.W. for a brief moment before they continue their conversation.)
Buster: (still excited) Your lucky pencil, did you bring it?
Arthur: (gasps) Um, sorry, I forgot.
Buster: That's okay. (He then takes off his backpack.) I think I have enough charms for both of us.
(One at a time, he shows the lucky charms to Arthur and D.W.)
Buster: My horseshoe, my lucky yam yamlet, this rock shaped like Iowa...
(We then hear bells jingling. Buster takes out a hat and gasps.)
Buster: My lucky hat! I should be wearing this!
(He then puts on the lucky jester hat.)
D.W.: (wondering) What's all that stuff for?
Arthur: Today we find out if we're in the same class.
Buster: And we need all the good luck we can get.
D.W.: (laughing)
(She plays with the lucky jester hat for a little second.)
D.W. (thinks that they're not serious) You think all that mumbo-jumbo is going to help you?
Buster: (slightly mad) It's not mumbo-jumbo. I prefer to think of it as hocus-pocus.
D.W.: Well, whatever it is, it probably won't work. There's only one lucky charm that never fails.
(She takes out a miniature version of her unicorn, Uni.)
D.W.: Mini-Uni. She has the power of all the love in the entire world, and she uses it to grant a child a single wish.
Arthur: (angry) Hey, you said you weren't going to talk about unicorns.
D.W.: (angry) You said I wasn't going to talk about unicorns. I never agreed to that.
Buster: (desperate) Can I have it? Name your price!
D.W.: No way! Anyway, you two should probably be split up. You're a bad influence on each other.
Arthur and Buster: (gasp)
Arthur: What? No, we're not.
(Buster then offers Arthur a lollipop.)
Buster: Lucky-First-Day lollipop?
Arthur: (gets a lollipop) Sure.
(They then eat their lollipops. It then shows someone walking. It turns out to be Francine walking out of her apartment. Oliver and Laverne are saying goodbye to their daughter. Alex's bike bell rings. Francine is wearing red barrettes, an orange shirt, and red pants for her first day.)
Francine: (waves to her parents)
(Suddenly, Muffy's limo arrives right in front of Francine's road to take her to school. The brakes then squeak.)
Muffy: (excited) Yoo-hoo, Francine! Hop in.
Francine: Uh, school is right there. I was just going to walk.
Muffy: It's the first day of fourth grade. Let's arrive in STYLE.
(Francine thinks for a moment. But her train of thought is interrupted.)
Muffy: Look, Bailey made mini-quiches, one for you, one for me.
(Francine sighs, and happily gets into the limo and buckles up. The limo then heads for school. For her first day, Muffy is wearing purple bows in her hair, and her dress is still its original purple on top with a pink skirt. She is also wearing pink socks. Muffy has a conversation with Francine while they eat their mini-quiches.)
Muffy: (sighs) Can you believe summer is over? Camp Elysium was the best. We rode horses, swam every day...
Francine: I know, we shared a blog, remember? I read all your posts.
Muffy: (puts down her mini-quiche) Yeah, but I like saying it out loud.
(Francine looks out the window, and then turns around.)
Francine: Hey, do you think fourth grade will feel different?
Muffy: Of course. All the fun and games are over. Now we have to be responsible.
Francine: Responsible? It's just fourth grade.
Muffy: Which is practically middle school. (She leans over to Francine.) It's okay, Francine. We all grow at our own pace.
Francine: Huh? (offended) What's that supposed to mean?
Muffy: Well, you might not be mature enough to take on the responsibilities of fourth grade, but I certainly am.
Francine: Oh, really?
Muffy: Really.
(She then accidentally presses a button with her elbow that makes disco music start to play and laser lights appear.)
Muffy: Whoa! Cool, I didn't even know that button was there. Woo-hoo! Party!
Francine: Oh, yeah. (sarcastically) Can't imagine a more responsible person than you.
(While Francine watches Muffy unimpressed, Muffy keeps dancing in her seat to the music.)
Muffy: Hey!
(Then, the scene changes to Lakewood Elementary. The limo has dropped off Francine and Muffy, the three kids have arrived at school, and Emily and Marie-Helene are also there. Emily is wearing an orange dress on her first day.)
Emily: D.W.!
D.W.: Hi, Emily.
Arthur: Come on, I'll take you to your class.
D.W.: You can go now. I'll go with Emily and Marie-Helene.
(The bag then thuds on the ground, while Arthur and Buster head inside the school. Emily goes over to talk to D.W.)
Emily: Our very first day of kindergarten. Aren't you excited?
D.W.: No. I miss pre-K. It's better than K, because it has a "pre" in front of it.
(D.W. grabs the bag, and the bag rattles while she grunts. Emily and D.W. go up the stairs.)
Emily: Well, I think we're going to have a great time. What'd you pack for lunch?
D.W.: My favorite. BLT without the B.
(She grunts, and then stops dragging her backpack up the stairs.)
D.W.: (gasps) Wait a minute.
(She quickly looks through her backpack, gasps, and realizes she left her lunch.)
D.W.: (gasps) I forgot my lunch!
Emily: Oh. Well, you can have some of mine. Do you like pate?
D.W.: What's that?
Emily: Liver, but not really.
D.W.: (moaning) Liver. Can this day get any worse?
(The scene changes to the hallway, where the students are looking at the 4th grade class list.)
Sue Ellen: I got Mrs. Grimslid.
Binky: Where am I?
Sue Ellen: Who else has Mrs. Grimslid?
(The screen zooms in on Mr. Ratburn's class list to reveal Binky's name in the middle of Jenna and Alex's name.)
Binky: Oh, there I am. Woo-hoo! I got Mr. Ratburn! Third time's the charm.
(He then walks away.)
Sue Ellen: Anybody have Mrs. Grimslid?
Francine: Yes! Muffy, we both have Mr. Ratburn again. This is going to be so great.
Muffy: Yay, we're in the same class! Not that I ever doubted it. After all, Daddy has contributed so much to this school.
Arthur: 'Scuse me!
Buster: Coming through!
(They look very nervous while they look through the 4th grade class list.)
Arthur+Buster: Come on, come on.
(When they find the 4th grade list, they both gasp, and looked upset and shocked. They stand there paralyzed while everyone else walks away. Buster drops his horseshoe on his foot.)
Buster: (without emotion) Ow.
(The reason why Arthur and Buster are shocked is revealed when the camera turns to both of the 4th grade class lists. It turns out that Arthur is in Mr. Ratburn's class and Buster is in Mrs. Grimslid's class. Only George, Sue Ellen, and Maria are in Buster's class, while most of their friends are in Arthur's class.)
Buster: I can't believe it.
Arthur: We've been together since... KINDERGARTEN. We won't be far from each other.
Buster: Right across the hall.
Arthur: I bet Mrs. Grimslid is nice.
Buster: Yep. The name says it all.
Arthur: I guess I should've brought my lucky pencil.
Buster: It's not your fault.
Arthur: Well, we should probably...
Buster: Oh, right, class.
(Arthur walks over to Mr. Ratburn's classroom, while Buster follows him.)
Arthur: Um, Buster?
Buster: Yeah?
Arthur: You're over there.
Buster: Huh?
(He realizes the fact that he is in Mrs. Grimslid's class.)
Buster: Oh. (chuckles and points to his feet) Bad feet.
Arthur: See you at lunch!
Buster: Right, lunch.
(They wave to each other, and they head into their classrooms. He sees the kids laughing and talking inside the classroom. He looks at the chalkboard which says, Mrs. Grimslid 4th Grade. Sue Ellen waves at Buster.)
Buster: Sue Ellen!
(Buster runs over to Sue Ellen. But, Mrs. Grimslid steps in front of him with a clipboard in her hand.)
Mrs. Grimslid: Are you Jacobs-comma-P-period?
Buster: No. I'm Baxter-comma-B-period.
(She checks his name off of her list.)
Mrs. Grimslid: You're over there. It's assigned seating. Helps me remember the names.
Buster: Oh.
(He and Sue Ellen sadly wave at each other.)
Buster: Okay.
Mrs. Grimslid: Aha, I guess you must be the class clown.
Buster: Huh? Me? No. Why...?
Mrs. Grimslid: The hat.
Buster: Oh, right. (chuckles nervously) Sorry.
(He heads over to a table with a Sikh boy looking at cards, a girl putting away her backpack, and another boy wearing a red cap.)
Buster: Hey. (They're confused.) I'm Buster.
Kevin: Hey-- Kevin.
(Buster takes off his hat, and the Sikh kid introduces himself.)
Samir: I'm Samir.
Buster: (handshakes Samir) Hi.
Samir: Want to see a magic trick?
Buster: Okay.
(Samir moves his cards around a little, and shows Buster all the cards.)
Samir: Pick any card. (chuckles) But don't tell me what it is.
(He picks the Jack of Diamonds.)
Samir: Now put it back in the deck.
(Buster does just that. Samir shuffles them, and pulls out the Eight of Hearts.)
Samir: Your card was the eight of hearts.
(He looks happy.)
Buster: No, it was...
Samir: No, no, no, no, no, don't tell me. I'll get it.
(He shuffles the card again.)
Cressida: (exhales) He didn't guess my card, either. I'm Cressida Billings-Thorpe. I skipped a grade. I can speak Italian. Non prendermi in giro. That means "You'd better not cheat off me."
Buster: (slightly scared of Cressida) Uh, okay. I won't.
(Samir then unexpectedly takes out another card.)
Samir: Six of clubs. (excited) I knew I'd get it.
Buster: (shakes his head) Sorry.
Samir: Aw, man.
(Buster opens his desk to put a book inside. But, it turns out there is a piece of paper inside with a key taped on it.)
Buster: Huh?
(He takes out the note.)
Buster: (reads the note) "This is half of a clue. The second is right beside you..."
(He looks around and surreptitiously puts the note in his pocket.)
Mrs. Grimslid: Okay, take out a sheet of paper. Let's see how many of you did the summer reading.
(The scene changes to D.W.'s kindergarten class, and they are sitting around.)
Ms. Dotty: Who here knows how to read their name?
(All the students raise their hands and exclaim that they can read their names.)
Ms. Dotty: That's wonderful. (She takes a name tag out of her pocket.) On your seats are your name tags. Go find them now.
(They all look around, and Ben and Cheikh find their name tags. Emily then finds her name tag.)
Emily: Here I am. (happily) Yay!
(D.W. finds her name tag, but finds out that her's says Dora. She gasps, and becomes VERY ANGRY. She walks over to her teacher, both bugged and really mad.)
D.W.: (angrily) DOES THIS SAY "DORA" ON IT?
Ms. Dotty: That's you, right?
D.W.: NO! That's NOT me! My name is D.W. I HATE the name Dora! It's almost as bad as WINIFRED!
Ms. Dotty: It's okay, we can change it. But I was really looking forward to meeting you.
D.W.: (suspicious) Why?
Ms. Dotty: Because my name is Dora, too.
D.W.: (surprised) Really? I've never met another Dora.
Ms. Dotty: Me, neither. And I don't like it myself. That's why my friends call me Dotty. But you can call me Ms. Velez.
D.W.: Okay, Ms. Velez.
Ms. Dotty: See? I knew we would have a lot in common.
(She pokes D.W.'s nose.)
Ms. Dotty and D.W.: (both chuckling)
Emily: (struggling) I can't peel this off.
Ms. Dotty: (takes Emily's name tag and peels it) No problem, I've got it. There we go.
(Emily puts the name tag on, but it appears to not work on her type of clothes.)
Emily: (confused) Huh?
Ms. Dotty: (pulls another name tag out of her pocket) Let's try a different one.
(She writes Emily's name on it, peels off the sticker, and puts it on Emily's orange dress. But, it slips off again.)
Ms. Dotty: (confused) Huh, weird. That's okay. We all know who you are. Don't we, D.W.?
(D.W. then laughs at Emily. She looks down at her name tag, sighs, and it begins the start of her bad first day.)
(The scene then changes to Mr. Ratburn's classroom. Francine is talking to Muffy, Binky is playing with his paper airplane, and Arthur is at a table with Jenna, Brain, and Alex, whom Arthur sits next to.)
Arthur: (happily) Hey, Alex, I guess we're pod-mates.
Alex: (also happily) Yep.
(He then opens his desk and finds a sandwich inside with fungus on it.)
Alex: Ugh. What is this? (He takes out the sandwich.) A science experiment?
Arthur: (takes the sandwich from Alex) Oh, that must have been Buster's. I think he was saving it for his food cabinet. I'll give it back to him.
(He thinks for a moment.)
Arthur: Actually, I don't think he'll miss it.
(He quickly puts it in the trashcan. He then notices something.)
Arthur: Wow!
(Alex pulls out a big blue book.)
Arthur: That's a really big book.
(The camera shows the cover of a book called The Dimension of Darkness: The Multiverse Series: Book 2.)
Arthur: (curious) "The Dimension of Darkness"?
Alex: Yeah, it's book two in the Multiverse Series.
Arthur: (still curious) The Multi-wha?
Alex: (explains it to Arthur) Multiverse. It's a series about these parallel universes.
Arthur: (impressed) Whoa.
Alex: Yeah, it's really good.
(Arthur leans to the side a little bit to see the pages better.)
Alex: (points to two boys) It's about these twin brothers, Caleb and Sam, who are kids, but geniuses, and they do this experiment that opens up a portal to another dimension.
Arthur: (impressed) Cool.
Alex: (keeps explaining) They go through the portal, but they wind up in different universes.
(It shows Caleb underwater surrounded by whales and unfinished buildings.)
Alex: Like in this book, Caleb lands in a world where whales have cities.
Arthur: I like the drawings. They're so detailed.
Alex: (turns the page) Yeah. Check this one out.
(The page reveals Sam in Mirropolis. He is surrounded by a baby, adult, and grandpa version of himself.)
Alex: This is Mirropolis, where every single person on the planet is a different version of yourself, but at a different time in your life.
Arthur: (spooked) Ah! Looks kind of scary.
Alex: That one is. Sam's stuck there now. The brothers are always trying to get back to each other, but they keep getting trapped in different places.
(He closes the book and puts it in his desk.)
Arthur: (happy) Wow. I wonder why I've never heard of this series.
Alex: A lot of people haven't. I just found it cause I'm a really big reader.
Arthur: (surprised) Oh, me, too.
Alex: I can lend you book one if you want. It's in my locker.
Arthur: Sure.
(He and Alex realize something.)
Arthur: It's weird. You and I have been in the same class for years, but we've never really had a conversation.
Alex: I know.
(The door opens, revealing Mr. Ratburn behind it.)
Mr. Ratburn: Before we get started, is there anybody who'd like to sign up for the Big Buddy program?
Binky: (curious) What's that?
Mr. Ratburn: (explains to the class) It's when a fourth grader volunteers to help a kindergartener get accustomed to the school.
Muffy: (Raises hand) Ooh! Ooh! See, I told you Francine. 4th grade is all about responsibility.
Francine: (worrying) Are you sure you want to do this?
Muffy: Of course, I'm sure. Who's more responsible than me?
(Worried about what Muffy is getting into, Francine raises her hand.)
Mr. Ratburn: Excellent. See me after class, and I'll give you information on your Little Buddies.
Muffy: (excited) Yay! We are going to be so good at this.
(However, Francine has her doubts. The setting then changes to Ms. Dotty's classroom, where D.W. is building a block tower and two kids named Ryan and Fatima are watching, while Emily is drawing a picture.)
Ryan: Wow, that's the biggest tower ever.
D.W.: This thing? (scoffs) I built towers TWICE this tall in pre-K.
Fatima: You're so cool. Will you be my friend?
(D.W. wants to figure out if Fatima would be a great friend.)
D.W.: (unsure) What are your feelings about Mary Moo Cow?
Fatima: I love Mary Moo Cow!
D.W.: And how about Bionic Bunny?
(Fatima is in disgust at this concept.)
D.W.: You passed!
(This means D.W. and Fatima are now friends. Fatima is happy.)
D.W.: Okay, we can be friends.
(D.W. then turns around to find Emily mad at something. The latter gasps and is trying to use a green marker. D.W. then walks over to her friend.)
D.W.: Hey, Emily. This kindergarten business isn't too bad, right?
Emily: Yeah, I guess. Except I can't find a green marker that works. I need one for the trees.
D.W.: Why don't you use those paints?
Emily: Huh?
(The camera then turns to two cans of paint, one green and one red.)
Emily: Oh, okay.
(She then takes the green can of paint. She tries to open it, but the lid is stuck. She groans. She then opens it, but it spills all over her, Ryan, Timmy, and Fatima, who are very mad at Emily.)
Fatima: Hey!
Timmy: She got paint on me!
Ryan: Not nice!
(Ms. Dotty is helping Liam, and she realizes something is wrong.)
Emily: Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Uh... uh...
(Ms. Dotty then quickly gets a paper towel.)
Ms. Dotty: It's okay, Emma!
Emily: It's Emily!
Ms. Dotty: EMILY, oh, sorry! Don't worry, I'll take you to the bathroom to clean you up just as soon as the bell rings.
(Someone then comes in. It's revealed to be David.)
David: Oh, hi. I'm D.W.'s father. She forgot her lunch.
D.W.: Daddy!
David: Hey there. Here's your lunch. It was on the kitchen table.
D.W.: Oh, goody. I don't think I could've eaten Emily's liver sandwich. Blech!
(Ms. Dotty cleans Emily up.)
Ryan: (disgusted) You brought a LIVER SANDWICH? Eew.
Emily: It's pate. My nanny makes it for me. It's really good.
D.W.: What's in there? Is that for me, too?
David: Oh, since it's the first day of school, I thought everyone might like a treat. Mini cupcakes.
(The students then cheered. Ms. Dotty then looks at David and wants to know if the cupcakes are healthy.)
David: They're gluten-free, very low sugar.
Fatima: (happily) I like your daddy. D.W.'s the best.
Kids: Hooray for D.W.! D.W.'s the best.
(While everybody else cheers for D.W., Emily stares down at the ground, crosses her arms, and appears to be very sad. The bell then rings, and kids head out of Ms. Grimslid's class. Some kids are holding books. Samir is still trying to figure out Buster's card.)
Samir: Was this it?
(He pulls out the Three of Hearts, which isn't Buster's card.)
Buster: (shakes his head) Sorry. Do you want me to just tell you?
Samir: No, no, I'll get it someday. Only 49 cards to go.
(Buster then pulls the key out of his pocket.)
Buster: Hey, Samir, do you know anything about this key?
(Samir then inspects the key.)
Samir: No, why?
(Buster then pulls out the note.)
Buster: I found it in my desk along with this note.
Samir: (reads the note) "This is half of a clue. The second is right beside you..."
Buster: (explaining) You were sitting right beside me, so I thought, maybe...
Samir: Actually, I don't think I'd even looked inside my desk yet. Let's check it out.
(They both run to Ms. Grimslid's classroom to look inside Samir's desk. They open it to find a note inside with the number 39 on it.)
Samir: (gasps) Look!
(He finds the 39 note and flips it around.)
Samir: (reads the note) "Together you can unlock the mystery." What does it mean?
Buster: (confused) I don't have a clue.
(Samir looks at the clue for a minute and thinks.)
Samir: Well, you do have a clue--or half of one. That's what your note said.
Buster: You're right.
(He then takes out the key again.)
Buster: We have a key.
Samir: And a number. The key must unlock something.
Buster: Right, something with a number.
(They both think and then realize...)
Buster and Samir: (gasping) A LOCKER!
(They both then run out of the classroom, and try to find the right locker. The camera changes to show them in the locker hall, and one locker has a strange lock on it.)
Samir: (counting) 36, 37... Here it is.
(They stop at Locker 39, which looks kinda strange, as it is the only locker with a lock on it.)
Buster: And there's a lock on it! And it's not a combination lock!
(Buster attempts to open the lock with the key which was found in his desk, which is a success)
(Buster opens the locker, revealing a single sticker attached to the back of the locker and nothing else)
Buster and Samir: Awww!
(Buster closes the locker, disappointed)
Samir: Wait! Its kinda strange that it was locked, and there was nothing inside except for one sticker!
Buster: You're right! None of these other lockers even have a lock on them.
(Buster re-opens the locker)
Samir: Maybe we're missing something.
(Buster lightly touches the sticker, revealing something 'squishy' behind it)
Buster: Hmm. Hey! I think there's something behind here.
(Buster removes the sticker, revealing a folded piece of paper, which he reads)
Buster: "Congratulations. You have passed the first test"
Samir: Wait! There's more on the back!
(Samir takes the paper from Buster, and flips it over to read the back)
Samir, reading from the note: "No man is an island"
Samir: I don't get it, is that a clue?
Buster: Something tells me it must be!
(Transition to Muffy and Francine going to meet their kindergarten buddies)
Muffy (to Francine): Who'd you get?
Francine: Tommy Tibble!
Muffy: That's not a little buddy! That's a little 'beastie'!
Muffy: Well, I got Emily, D.W.'s friend. Doesn't she look adorable? And she speaks French, just like me!
Francine: You don't speak French!
Muffy: Yes I do! I know tons of words! "croissant", "escargot", "haute couture". We're going to have the best time!
Francine: What are you planning to do with her?
Muffy: Take her shopping, of course!
Francine: Muffy, she's in kindergarten and you can't leave the school. Maybe you should start with something simple, like a tour of the school.
(Francine & Muffy arrive at the kindergarten classroom)
Francine: Anyway, we only have 20 minutes with them before lunch.
Muffy: That's plenty of time! Oooh, I know! I'll show her the computers in the new library that daddy donated to the school. She'll love that!
Francine: Hi Tommy! I'm Francine, your big buddy.
Tommy Tibble: I know who you are! You're Arthur's bossy friend!
Francine: What?! Where'd you hear that?! I'm not bossy.
Tommy: Oh good! Then I can be the boss!
(Tommy takes Francine's hand and begins to play 'cowboy' by hopping on her back. Muffy giggles.)
Tommy: Come on! I'll show you how to play cowboy. You can be the cow!
Francine: Uh, I'm not sure! Wait! (grunts) Help!
(Transition to Emily, who is sitting at a table drawing a picture)
Muffy (slowly): Hi, are you Emily?
Emily (confused): Yeah.
Muffy: That is a very bold statement. I like it!
Emily: It was an accident! I spilled it everywhere! And my nametag wouldn't stick!
(A quick shot of Emily's nametag, which is still on the table)
Muffy: Nothing like a fashion disaster to start your day off, right? Well, your day is about to get much better. Because I, Muffy Alice Crosswire, am your big buddy!
Muffy (whispering): Don't tell anyone, but, I'm pretty much the coolest person at this school.
Emily: Laughs
Muffy: Wanna go on a tour?
Emily: Okay!
(Transition to cafeteria, as it is lunchtime. Buster, Arthur, Sue Ellen, Fern, and Cindy Charlebois are in line getting their lunches)
Buster: And then Samir and I found this note, which said we passed the first test. And then it said, 'no man is an island'!
Arthur: What does that mean?
Buster: I have no idea! I thought you might!
Sue Ellen: Oh, I love that poem!
Buster: It's a poem?
Sue Ellen: Yeah, by the English writer, John Donne
(Sue Ellen recites a portion of the poem)
Sue Ellen: "No man is an island, Entire of itself; Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main."
Sue Ellen (nervously): Something like that, I forget the rest.
(Sue Ellen gets her lunch and goes to another table)
Buster: (Gasps) I have to tell Samir!
Arthur: That reminds me! Have you ever heard of a book series called the multiverse?
Buster: Nuh-uh.
Arthur: Alex was telling me about it. Its all about these two brothers who get lost in another dimension!
Buster: Oh! Sounds good!
Arthur: I know! He's lending me the first book later. You know, he's really cool!
Alex (in the distance, off screen): Arthur!
(Arthur waves over to Alex's table, as Alex whistles over to him)
Arthur: Oh!
(Buster sees Samir waving to him, at a different table, and waves back)
Buster: Huh. You know, if you wanna sit with Alex, its okay!
Arthur: No, no, we said we'd have lunch.
Buster: Its just that I really have to tell Samir about this poem.
Arthur (disappointed): Oh.
Buster: But it can wait!
Arthur: No, no, you should tell him anyway. Its not like we can't see each other after school.
Buster: Right, of course!
Buster: So...
Arthur: See you after school!
Arthur walks away to another table
Buster: Yeah, after school.
The camera zooms out to show more of the cafeteria, while Buster walks over to Samir's table. Samir, Kevin, and Cressida are already sitting there.
The camera zooms back in on Buster's table, he sits down.
The camera cuts to Arthur's table, where Alex, Cindy, and another student are already sitting.
The scene switches to the library/computer lab, where Muffy is drawing with Emily. We see the drawing on the computer screen
Emily: See? That's you, and this is me!
The scene shows the rest of the computers now, where Emily, George, and another student are sitting at their own computers, while Muffy is standing behind Emily's chair, looking at her screen.
Muffy: That's really good! Here, lets give each other some nice pearl necklaces!
The camera zooms in on the time on the screen, which shows the time 12:50
Muffy: (gasps) Its 12:50 already?! I've gotta go, or I'm gonna miss lunch! Uh, come on!
Muffy runs away.
Emily: Oh, can I print this picture?
Muffy: Uh, I'll do it for you later.
Emily hops down from her chair, and the scene cuts to the hallway, where Muffy and Emily are speedwalking, while Muffy shows her other things in the school, such as the teachers lounge, science room, etc.
Muffy: That's the teachers' lounge, and that's the 'science-y' room.
Muffy turns to her left (viewer's right) and continues to speedwalk (and stops at the trophy case), while Emily stops and pauses at the girl's bathroom door.
Emily: I'm going to go to the bathroom, okay?
Transition to Muffy looking in the trophy case. She is unaware Emily is in the bathroom.
Muffy: There's my 2nd grade class photo! Oh, wait, don't look at that, bad hair!
Muffy walks (to the viewer's right), away from the trophy case.
Muffy is walking in front of the principal's office.
Muffy: That's the principal's office, you don't wanna end up there!
Scene cuts back to the trophy case/bathroom area. Emily exits the girl's bathroom, looking lost and confused.
Emily: Muffy?
Emily is walking the halls, alone. She looks confused and is looking for Muffy, who is unaware Emily is not with her.
Emily: Hello? Muffy?
Scene cuts back to Muffy, who arrives at Emily's classroom, still unaware Emily is not with her.
Muffy: And here we are, back where we started at your- (turns around, and gasps) Uh oh!
Scene cuts to another hallway in the school, where Prunella, Slink, Rattles, Molly, and Fletcher are standing near their lockers. Emily is still walking in the hallway, and is nervous seeing all the older children.
Molly: That quiz was killer!
Emily (nervously): Muffy?
Rattles (laughing): Hey, who has gum?
Fletcher: Wrong locker, doofus!
Emily (nervously): Muffy? Muffy? Muffy? Muff-
Emily turns around, suddenly seeing all the older 5th grade students (Rattles, Molly, Fletcher, and Slink) looking at her, confused.
Emily (screaming): Help!
Emily runs away. The scene then shows the 5th grade students looking confused. The 5th grade students walk away.
Slink opens his locker, where the camera is.
Molly: Status report: how's project icebreaker progressing?
The camera zooms out to show Rattles, Molly, and Slink. Fletcher is walking away.
The camera now shows only Rattles.
Rattles: Like a charm! Those two neophytes have no idea what's going on! (laughs)
Slink: (laughs) Yeah, bunch of neophytes!
Rattles: You don't know what that word means, don't you?
Slink: Sure I do! Its like a...kind of worm?! Right?!
Rattles: Oh brother!
We hear crying in the distance, who is revealed to be Emily.
Molly: Zip it! We've got a situation!
The tough customers walk towards Emily. Molly lifts up her bangs a little so Emily can see her eyes, showing she is not a threat.
Molly: Hey, I know you! You're Emily, right?
Emily: Uh-huh.
Molly: Are you lost?
Emily (crying): Yea
Molly: Come on, I'll take you back to kindergarten. (She extends out her hand to Emily, helping her up.)
Molly, Emily, and the other tough customers begin walking in the halls, towards the kindergarten classroom.
Molly: The first day of kindergarten can be rough.
Rattles (laughing): Yeah, I remember my first day! I got glue in my hair!
Slink: That's nothing! I lost my backpack, and then I ripped my pants!
Emily: I spilled paint and got it all over me!
Molly: Oh, thats what that is! I just thought you were rocking a punk look!
Emily (confused): Huh?
Rattles (whispering): Its a compliment.
Molly: Lets take you back to the bathroom and get you cleaned up.
Molly takes Emily's hand, while they and the other tough customers walk towards the girl's bathroom. Slink and Rattles stay outside in the hall while Molly helps Emily clean herself up.
We transition back to the kindergarten room, where Muffy is talking to Ms. Velez (the kindergarten teacher).
Muffy: I don't know what happened! One minute she was right there, and the next minute, she was gone!
Camera shows the tough customers and Emily at the kindergarten doorway.
Molly: Ms. Velez? I think I found one of your students.
Muffy: Emily! I'm so, so sorry. I thought you were behind me, and you weren't. Ooh! I guess I just wasn't paying attention
Emily grunts at Muffy, and walks away toward her table.
Ms. Velez: Thanks, Molly.
Muffy (to Emily): I'll make it up to you! I can take you shopping later. (She turns towards the tough customers) I'm her big buddy.
Molly (to Muffy): Really?! Wow, lucky Emily! Bet she's really looking forward to being abandoned at the mall!
Muffy: (gasps) I would never do that! That was just an accident.
Rattles: An accident that might have ruined someone's very first day of school!
Molly (to Muffy): Maybe you should stick to being taken care of. You're not 'big buddy' material.
Muffy gasps, and the tough customers walk away.
Muffy looks towards Emily. The camera then shows Emily sitting at her seat, with Ms. Velez sitting by her. Emily looks at Muffy and frowns. Muffy then gulps.
Transition to the library, where Samir and Buster are looking for their poem.
Buster: James Carrol, E.E. Cummings, Emily Dickinson... ooh, Ode to the Doughnut by Donnie Dobmeir!
Camera zooms out, revealing Samir, Brain, and Buster looking at books in the library.
Buster: Hey! This looks really good
Samir: Buster, we don't have time! We have to be back in class in 5 minutes!
Buster: Right. I'll check it out later.
Buster: Aah! Here we go! The Collected Poems of John Donne. What am I looking for?
Samir: Some sign or clue. Try going through that poem your friend was talking about.
Buster: Good idea! No Man is an Island. Here we go! Bingo!
Buster flips pages to the poem, revealing a piece of paper stuck in the book. Buster picks up the piece of paper.
Buster: "Congratulations! You have passed the second test."
Samir: Yes!
Buster: I had no idea tests could be so much fun!
Buster puts the book back on the shelf
Samir: (reading from the poem). This old work earns respect! Only few prosper after its 'nowledge'.
Buster: What does that mean?
Samir: I have no idea! But we do know one thing.
Buster: What's that?
Samir: Whoever wrote this isn't a very good speller. Look, they wrote 'knowledge' without the 'k'.
Buster: Hmm... so we're looking for a bad speller.
Buster: I know who it is!
Samir: Who?
Buster: Me! I'm awful at spelling. Wait, it can't be me. If it was, i'd understand this clue.
Samir: Unless someone is controlling your mind, making you do things and then erasing your memory!
Buster: I like the way you think, Samir.
Samir: Oh, we better hurry, we only have 2 more minutes!
The boys run out the library, back to their classroom. We transition to the locker hall, where Arthur and Alex are talking to each other. Alex gives Arthur a book from the 'Multiverse' series.
Alex: Here's book one.
Arthur: The Dizzying Dimension.
Alex: Its where Caleb and Sam first jump through the portal together.
Arthur: Thanks! I can't wait to start it.
Arthur (reading from the book): Twisting and turning, head over feet. No matter how they tried to hold onto one another, it was just no use..
Alex: See you inside!
Alex closes his locker, and runs towards his classroom.
Arthur: Huh?! Yeah, I'm coming.
Buster and Samir come running through the hallway, 'flying'.
Buster: Activating thrusters! (he makes spaceship noises)
Arthur: Hey Buster! Check it out! I got a---
Samir: Engaging warp drive!
The boys run into their classroom.
Mr. Ratburn: Ahem! Arthur, care to join us?
Arthur: Oh, sorry.
Arthur runs into his own classroom.
We transition to the playground, where the kindergarten class is having recess.
D.W.: First, you put in sand. Then you add in rocks, but they have to be shiny. Then you add more sand, then some leaves, a little more sand, water, give it a shake, turn it upside down, and voila! Triple layer mud cake!
Ryan: D.W. made triple layer mud cake!
Fatima: It's never been done before!
D.W. stands and bows.
D.W.: Thank you, thank you! Now, Emily usually makes a mud frosting. Hey, where is Emily?
Fatima: Who's Emily?
D.W. (pointing towards Emily): Her!
Emily is sitting on a merry-go-round, trying to put a straw in a juice box.
Ryan: Oh, you mean Liver girl?! (laughs)
D.W.: Hey! Don't call her that! She's my friend!
Ryan: Sorry!
D.W.: And it isn't liver, its 'paté', and I love it!
Ryan: I love it too!
Fatima: Can you get us some?
We go back to Emily, who got her straw in her juice box, but accidentally splashed some onto her face.
Emily (sarcastically): Perfect!
D.W.: Here. (she hands Emily a napkin)
Emily: Thanks.
D.W.: I was just showing these kids how to make a triple layer mud cake. You want to come over and do the frosting?
Emily: Not now. D.W., I don't think I'm ready for kindergarten.
D.W.: Sure you are.
Emily: But everything's gone wrong. If this is what the first day's like, what will tomorrow be like?
Emily fantasizes about the next day, anticipating many embarrassing events happening to her again. We see Emily in the classroom, coloring. She drops her crayon into a wood car, causing a chain reaction of mess in the classroom.
Emily and other kindergarteners: Aaah!
Other children begin screaming, as the rabbits are also loose in the room. Ms. Velez goes to comfort and assist Emily.
Ms. Velez: Its okay, its okay! It's not your fault, Esme!
Emily (angry): Its Emily!
We then see an overhead shot of the school, where the wall to the kindergarten classroom falls over.
Emily: Oh no!
The Kindergarteners all gather and look out the giant hole in their room.
D.W.: She didn't mean to do that!
We exit Emily's dream sequence.
Emily: Kindergarten is too hard for me! Maybe I should just stay home!
D.W.: How would you learn anything?
Emily: I don't need to learn anything! I know most of the alphabet and all the numbers up to 7, thats plenty!
D.W.: Emily, kindergarten will get easier. If Arthur made it through, you can!
Emily: How can you be sure?
D.W.: I just.. am!
D.W. pulls her miniature unicorn toy ("Mini Uni") out of her pocket, and gives it to Emily.
D.W.: Here!
Emily: (gasps). You're giving me mini uni? She who has the power of all the love in the entire world and can use it to grant a child a single wish?
D.W. Nods
Emily: D.W., I can't.
D.W.: Take it. Choose your wish wisely.
We transition to Mr. Ratburn's room, where Muffy walks in late and sits in her seat.
Francine (whispering): Why weren't you at lunch?
Muffy: Oh, Emily and I were having so much fun! I just lost track of time. Did you get a tattoo?
The camera briefly shows a red 'T' painted on Francine's hand
Francine: Huh! Tommy Tibble drew it on me when we were playing 'cow'. Now it won't come off! You sure lucked out with the little buddy you got!
Muffy takes a big bite of her banana, and swallows it while looking shocked.
Muffy: Could you throw this out for me?
We see the inside of the garbage can, where Francine drops in Muffy's banana and rolls her eyes, then walks back to her desk.
Francine: What'd you two end up doing?
Muffy: Oh, it was great! I showed her the school library, and the new computers, and we made a picture, then I lost her, then we made a date to go shopping.
Francine: Wait, you lost her?!
Muffy: Just for a tiny bit, like 15 minutes! I'm going to make it up to her!
Francine: Wow, if 4th grade is all about responsibility, then I think you just flunked.
Mr. Ratburn: Okay class, lets hear your reports on the summer reading. Binky?
Binky walks to the front of the room to read his book report.
Binky: "Peter pan by J.M. Berry". Peter Pan is a story about a boy who doesn't want to grow up, and he tries to get other kids to follow him to Neverland so they can never grow up either.
The camera pans to Muffy, who begins dreaming about the story, however, she is cast as Peter Pan, and Emily as one of the small children.
Muffy (as 'Muffy Pan'): Emily! Awake! It is I, Muffy Pan, you're big buddy!
Emily: Wow! You can fly!
Muffy: Yes! And I am here to take you to Neverland! A place where you never, ever have to grow up!
Emily jumps on her bed
Emily: Yay! Wait, but don't I want to grow up? If I never grow up, then I'll never be able to drive a car.
Muffy: Who wants to drive a car when you can do this? (she flies around Emily's room, which makes Emily laugh) Plus, growing up means being 'responsible', and trust me, its too hard! Being dependable, caring for other people, ugh! Who has the time?
Emily: Okay, you've convinced me. Teach me how to fly!
Muffy: Its easy! All you have to do is think good thoughts!
Emily: (closes her eyes) Chocolate cake, chocolate cake, chocolate cake.
Muffy: And then, we just sprinkle you with a little pixie dust. Oh, Tinkerbailey?!
A tiny Bailey (modeled after Tinkerbelle) appears, sprinkling Emily with fairy dust.
Muffy: Perfect! Now you're ready!
Emily is lifted off the bed, and she appears to fly.
Emily: This is amazing!
Muffy: Off we go! To Neverland!
The pair fly over Elwood City
Emily: Where is Neverland?
Muffy: Beats me, learning directions is very grown-up. I just use an app!
Muffy pulls out her phone
Muffy: Find Neverland! (to her phone)
Muffy's phone: Turn right here.
Muffy and Emily then fly above the clouds.
Muffy: There it is!
Emily: Wow!
Muffy: And the best part is, you'll remain the same age you are, forever. I've been in the 4th grade for over 500 years! That's even longer than Binky!
Muffy-pan turns around, and sees Emily is not there.
Muffy: Emily? Where'd you go?
We hear voices in the distance, which are revealed to be coming from a pirate ship.
Muffy: Oh no! The pirates have her!
Muffy flies down to the ship, where the pirates are revealed to be Slink, Rattles, and Molly from the Tough Customers.
Muffy: Turn her over!
Rattles: Hand who over?!
Muffy: Emily, my little buddy!
Molly: Hey Em, someone here to see you!
Emily walks out of a room in the pirate ship, holding a box of sandwiches.
Muffy: Emily, don't be afraid. I am here to rescue you!
Emily: Oh! Um, that's okay. I'm good.
Muffy: What?!
Emily: Its just that, I feel safer with the pirates.
Muffy: B-B-But, they're pirates!
Rattles: We prefer the term 'buccaneers'!
Emily: At least they don't lose me like you do!
Muffy: That was an accident!
Emily: I'm sorry Muffy but, you're just too irresponsible for me.
Muffy: (gasps)
Emily: Sandwich?
Rattles: Thanks, Em! Normally, I make the sandwiches, but the crocodile took my condiment-spreading hand!
Slink: Mmmm, Paté!
Muffy: But, I can be responsible! I can! (she begins to cry, and Molly throws her a tissue)
Molly: Oh, grow up, Muffy Pan!
The pirates leave, ending the dream sequence.
Binky: And he returns to the real world. And they all lived happily ever after. The end.
Muffy: That's the saddest story ever.
Binky: Really?! I thought it was a comedy.
The students, except Muffy, exit Mr.Ratburn's classroom
Muffy: Mr. Ratburn, I-I have to resign from being a big buddy.
Mr. Ratburn: Really? Why?
Muffy: I took Emily on a tour earlier, and, I lost her.
Mr. Ratburn: Oh, dear.
Muffy: I don't think I'm ready for this responsibility. (sniffles) Maybe I'm not ready for any responsibilities.
Mr. Ratburn: I disagree, I think you could be an excellent big buddy. (he hands her a tissue)
Muffy: But, (blows her nose) why?
Mr. Ratburn: Because what you're doing right now is responsible. You've come to me for help. No one gets everything right the first time. The important thing is to keep trying.
Muffy: Okay
Mr. Ratburn: Maybe there's a way to show Emily that you can be there for her when she needs you.
Muffy: Hmm... I wonder... Thanks Mr. Ratburn, I'll give it another shot. (she hands him the handkerchief)
Mr. Ratburn: You can keep that. Now hurry, you don't want to be late for art class.
Muffy exits the classroom. We now see 2 lines corssing each other (one is going into a class, the other going outside the class). The 2 lines are revealed to be Grimslid's class and Ratburn's class. The latter is going into the classroom, with the former going outside the class.
Buster: Arthur!
Arthur: Buster! How's it going?
Buster: Great! I know we said we'd meet after school, but I might be a little late.
Arthur: Oh.
Buster: Samir and I passed the 2nd test and found another clue!
Arthur: Umm, great.
Arthur enters a classroom, which is revealed to be the art classroom.
The scene changes to the art class. Arthur's class is preparing to learn how to use the pottery wheel, with Arthur taking his turn. We look down into the piece of clay he is molding (it seems to be in a bowl shape), and we see Arthur going into a dream sequence.
We enter Arthur's dream sequence. Himself and Buster are in an underground laboratory, with a large 'black hole' like structure in front of them.
Arthur: Buster! We did it! We created a portal into another dimension!
Buster: Who knows where it might take us!
Arthur: Are you ready?!
Buster: I was born ready!
The two hold hands as they prepare to enter the portal, then quickly stop holding hands.
Buster: Wait! Did you bring your lucky pencil?
Arthur (while showing his empty pockets): I forgot it again!
Buster: I told you, just tie a string to it and wear it around your neck!
Arthur: I will! I will!
Buster: Its okay! I brought this! (Buster reveals his horseshoe around his neck)
The two once again hold hands to prepare to enter the portal.
Arthur & Buster: 1....2....3!
The two are sucked into the portal.
Arthur: We've got to hold on!
Buster (struggling): I'm trying!
We then see Arthur and Buster sucked into their own separate portals. Arthur then lands in a park/forest area. It is depicted to be at sunset. Buster's horseshoe then drops down next to him.
Arthur: Buster?
Arthur picks up the horseshoe, and then sees a man sitting at a park bench, alone. The man looks as though he is Arthur, but at a later point in his life (between 70s-80s). Adult Arthur is eating a sandwich by the river.
Present-Day Arthur: Hi, um, could you tell me where I am?
Senior Citizen Arthur: Mirroropolis, a place where you can meet yourself at different ages. I'm the 86-year-old you!
Present-Day Arthur: Oh, nice to meet you.
Senior Citizen Arthur: Yes, I'd say 'nice to meet you' too, but I've already met you. 77 years ago. Huh! Seems like yesterday. (He motions for present-day Arthur to sit with him on the bench). Sit, sit.
Present-day Arthur sits on the bench.
Senior Citizen Arthur: Do you want half of my tuna fish sandwich?
Present-Day Arthur: I don't like tuna fish.
Senior Citizen Arthur: You will one day!
Present-Day Arthur: Have you seen Buster anywhere?
Senior Citizen Arthur: Who?
Present-Day Arthur: Buster. You know, our best friend? The bunny!
Senior Citizen Arthur: Oh, there is one bunny here. There he is now!
The camera moves to a figure who has the fur color and classic sweater color of Buster, but the body shape and form of Alex.
Present-Day Arthur: Buster! There you are! I was worried because I just found your horseshoe and...
The figure turns around, and is revealed to likely be Alex, as he has the same facial features.
Present-Day Arthur: Oh, you're not Buster!
Older Alex: Buster? Who's that?
Senior Citizen Arthur walks over to the boys
Senior Citizen Arthur: Oh, I remember Buster. He was that kid who was always going on about aliens. (laughs)
Present-Day Arthur: Where is he?
Senior Citizen Arthur: No idea, you two lose touch after third grade.
Present-Day Arthur: What? No we don't! I wouldn't let that happen!
Senior Citizen Arthur: Its okay. You'll have lots of other best friends, like Alex here.
Present-Day Arthur: But I don't want other best friends! I want Buster!
We hear birds in the distance, which sound like geese or swans. Senior citizen Arthur walks towards the pond.
Senior Citizen Arthur: Oh look! Here come the swans!
The swans appear, but they have the head of Arthur on the body of a swan.
Present-Day Arthur: Aaah! Get me out of here! Aaah!
We exit Arthur's dream sequence and see him looking dazed at the pottery wheel. His clay pot now looks a little deformed.
Francine: Um, Arthur? Can I take my turn now?
We transition to the hall, where we see some kindergarten students, and later some older students. Arthur runs past them, and into Mrs. Grimslid's room.
Arthur: Excuse me, Mrs. Grimslid? Do you know where Buster is?
Mrs. Grimslid: Which one is buster? She picks up her clipboard
Arthur: He has really long ears, he's always smiling...
Mrs. Grimslid gives Arthur an annoyed look. She still has no idea who he is talking about.
Arthur: He might have been wearing a really silly hat this morning?
Mrs. Grimslid: Oh, the class clown, Baxter comma B Period. He's with Patel comma S Period. Its a study break, so try the library.
Arthur: Thanks!
Arthur runs out into the hallway. There is only one other person in the hall: George. George is taking something out of his locker.
Arthur then turns a corner, near the auditorium. We see Brain taking something out of his locker. We then see Buster and Samir turn the corner, the former of whom is holding a piece of paper.
Arthur: Buster!
Buster: Arthur! There you are! We were looking all over for you!
Arthur: You were?
Buster: I told Samir, if there's anyone who could help us figure this out, its Arthur!
Samir: I'm Samir. Hi.
Arthur: Hi.
Samir: Do you like magic?
Arthur: Umm, sure!
Buster: Later, Samir. This is more important!
Samir: Right!
Buster hands Arthur the piece of paper, which contains the unknown message.
Arthur (reading from the paper): "This old work earns respect! Only few prosper after its nowledge"
Arthur: Huh.
Buster: All we know is, that whoever wrote this is a bad speller.
Arthur: I'll say! Unless they did that on purpose.
The boys examine the note again, while making observations.
Arthur: And I wonder why the words are written this way, and not across?
Samir: Yeah, look! The first letter of every word lines up!
Buster: Maybe it spells something?
Arthur: T,O,W
Buster: E,R,O,F,P,A.. (gasps).. Tower of Pain!
Samir: What's that?
Buster: Its what we call the top of the jungle gym! See! I told you Arthur would help us! Come on, lets check it out! (Buster and Samir run away, and we see Alex approach Arthur, who is standing by himself in the hall)
Alex: Arthur? Wanna go to recess with me?
Arthur: Uhhh, (He sees Buster and Samir running towards the door. They likely don't see him.)
(Arthur then looks at Buster & Samir, then back at Alex, deciding what to do)
Buster: Hey! You're coming with us, right?
Arthur: Yes! (He turns towards Alex). Wanna come with us to investigate a really cool mystery?
Alex: Sure!
Arthur: I'll explain along the way.
All 4 boys (Samir, Buster, Arthur, Alex) run outside. We then transition to the kindergarten classroom, where Emily is still sitting at a table holding 'mini uni'. D.W. walks up to her.
D.W.: Well? Did you make your wish yet?
Emily: Not yet.
D.W.: You better do it soon, I'm gonna need that back at some point.
Emily: OK, I'm wishing. I wish for....
D.W. (whispering): Shhhh! Not out loud. It has to be a secret.
Emily: OK!
Emily looks towards a group of kindergarteners in their classroom, they are laughing (likely not at her).
Emily looks at another group of kindergarteners, who are at the 'reading station'. She then holds 'mini uni' tightly, closes her eyes, and takes a breath.
Emily: Okay! Done! Thanks.
Emily hands 'mini uni' back to D.W.
D.W.: What did you wish for?
Emily: Just that I-
D.W.: Wait! You can't tell me. You have to keep it a secret until it comes true.
Emily: Then why'd you ask me?
D.W.: Sorry, I forgot. Shhhh
D.W.: May the power of Uni be with you.
The girls walk away, in separate directions. Emily walks to the play dough table, where Timmy and Lisa are sitting.
Emily: Hi, I'm Emily.
Lisa: Hi.
(Timmy and Lisa giggle, likely not at Emily)
Emily walks to another table (the block table), where Cheikh and Ben are playing.
Emily: Hi, can I join in?
A firetruck can be seen outside, with its siren on, driving by the school.
Ben: Look! A fire engine!
Emily looks disappointed and sighs.
We transition to the hallway, where Sue Ellen is closing her locker and Muffy is running towards her.
Muffy: Sue Ellen! Do you know what time Kindergarten gets out?
Sue Ellen: Uh, 2:30, in 15 minutes.
Muffy: Aaah! Oh!
Muffy Runs away.
We transition to the library, where Muffy is hoping to use one of the 3 computers, which are all taken.
Muffy (to an older student, likely a 5th grader): Do you mind if I just print something real quick?
Older student: I'll be through in a few minutes.
Muffy: Pretty please?
The older student, looking annoyed, shakes his head.
Muffy: Oh!
We transition to the tower of pain, where Binky is playing with a yo-yo at the top. We then see various students around the playground, including Buster, Arthur, Samir, and Alex walking toward the tower of pain.
Binky: Uh, uh, uh. What's the password?
Arthur: Please?
Binky: Nope.
Buster: Sauerkraut?
Alex: Abra-cadabra?
Arthur: Popsicle?
Binky: No, no, and no.
Buster: Boola-boola-wikki-tikki-wow!
Binky: Wikki-tikki-what? Where'd you get that from?
Samir: Jack of diamonds?
Buster: That's my card!
Samir: No way! I just guessed!
Buster: Hey, you're a better magician than you know!
Binky: Actually there is no password, I was just pulling your chain. Come on up.
The boys begin looking around for another clue. Binky then holds up an envelope.
Binky: Looking for this? I found it on the ground, even though I put up this 'no littering' sign. Make sure you take it [the envelope] with you. Binky goes down the slide.
Arthur opens the envelope, revealing another message.
Arthur, reading from the envelope: 'Congratulations! You have passed the third test. Here is your final clue.
On the paper, a crude map of the school is drawn, with an 'x' on the west side (when viewing from the front side of the building)
Samir: Its a map! But to what?
Alex: Wait, this looks like a playground! I think this is a map of the school.
Arthur, pointing to the map: And the 'x' is right here. That looks like its near the cafeteria.
Buster: Come on, lets go!
The boys all slide down the slide.
We transition back to the computer lab.
Muffy: Please, please, please! Just let me print one thing! I have to prove to Emily that I can be a good big buddy!
Older Student: (sighs)
The older student turns off the computer and exits.
Muffy: Thank you! And here, thats good for one free oil change at Crosswire Motors! (She hands him a coupon, and he leaves)
Muffy quickly logs into the computer and prints her drawing. Unfortunately, the printer announces there is a paper jam.
Muffy: Printer jam?! Aaaah!
We transition back to Arthur and his group of friends, who are following the map to their next clue.
Buster: Its over this way!
The boys run down the hall, and stop at the janitor's closet.
Alex: I think this is it.
Arthur puts his hand on the door handle
Arthur: Ready?
Buster: I was born ready!
Arthur opens the door, revealing 3 unknown figures in hooded outfits standing around a lava lamp.. Arthur and his friends walk in the room.
Arthur/Samir/Buster/Alex: (gasp)
Rattles (sneakily): Congratulations! You have completed the trial!
Slink (sneakily): Here is your reward.
Slink hands Buster a yellow apple.
Buster: Thats it? An apple?
Samir: Maybe there's something inside the apple!
Molly (sneakily): No, there's nothing inside the apple. Its just an apple.
Slink (in his normal voice): Its a golden delicious. They're very sweet!
Rattles: Hey, you're not using your voice!
Slink (sneakily): Oh, right! Sorry!
Arthur: Wait a minute, I know that voice!
Arthur reaches for Rattles' hood, pulling it off.
Rattles: The jig is up!
Molly and Slink also remove their hoods. Samir turns on the closet light.
Buster: What?! I don't understand! What was this all about?
Rattles: When I got to 4th, I didn't have any friends at first. It actually took a long time to meet people I liked.
Molly: Me too.
Rattles: So I decided to send whoever sat at my desk and the person beside them on a little adventure!
Molly: Thus began, project icebreaker!
Rattles: It was just a way for a couple of neofights to get to know each other better.
Slink: (laughs) Yeah, bunch of slimy neophytes!
Rattles: Ugh! Its not a worm, Slink! Neophyte just means someone who is new at something.
Slink: Oh
Buster: You know, I think project icebreaker actually worked!
Samir: Yeah
Alex: It did!
Arthur (to the tough customers): Thanks!
We transition back to the now empty kindergarten classroom. Muffy is running there, seemingly out of breath.
Muffy enters the kindergarten classroom. Ms. Velez looks confused.
Muffy: Huh? Where is everybody?
Ms. Velez: They all just left.
Muffy: Oh no!
Muffy looks out the window, seeing that Emily is already getting into her car.
Muffy runs outside, hoping to flag down Emily's car.
Muffy: Wait, Emily, Wait! Emily! Emily!
The mirror in Emily's car reveals Muffy chasing after them. The car then slows down and pulls over.
Emily: Muffy?
Muffy (out of breath): I just- i wanted to give you this.
Muffy hands Emily the drawing they made together. Unfortunately, it is in black and white, and part of it is misshapen, as Muffy pulled it out of the printer too quickly.
Emily: What is it?
Muffy: Its the drawing you made earlier. Remember? I said I'd print it for you.
Emily: Oh. Yeah.
Muffy: I couldn't figure out how to print it in color, and then it got jammed in the printer so I had to pull it out. Thats it!
Emily: Thanks.
Muffy: Emily, I'm so sorry about what happened today. It'll never happen again, I promise. Can I still be your big buddy?
Emily looks at the drawing, first thinking about how to answer, then looking up, smiling.
Emily: Okay. Hey! My wish came true!
Muffy: Your wish?
Emily: Yeah, I wished on Mini Uni that I would make 1 new friend today, and I did!
We see D.W. and her mom walk past the car.
D.W.: See, I told you it'd work.
Emily laughs.
Emily (to Muffy): Will you teach me how to braid my hair like yours? It looks 'tres chic'.
Muffy: You bet! I put my number on the back, you can call me anytime!
Emily: (laughs) Okay, see you tomorrow!
Emily's car leaves, with Muffy still standing on the sidewalk, waving back to Emily.
We transition to Arthur and his friends (Buster, Samir, and Alex) leaving school.
Arthur: Wow, what a first day! Right?
Buster: I know, to be honest, I was kind of dreading it.
Samir: Me too, but it turned out pretty good.
Arthur: Yeah, I'd even say it turned out great!
Samir: Hey Alex, do you like magic?
Alex: Sure, who doesn't?
Arthur: Samir, don't you think you should practice a little first?
Buster: Hey! He got my card, eventually. (he eats his apple)
Samir: No, no, no, This time, I've got it. Really. Pick a card, any card.
Alex picks a card
Samir: Look at it.
The card is revealed to be a jack of spades.
Samir: Now put it back in the deck.
Alex places his card back in the deck.
Samir shuffles the cards around, and then picks one out.
Samir: Ta-daa! The 8 of hearts!
Alex: Nope!
Samir, disappointed: The 4 of clubs?
Alex: Sorry!
Samir, disappointed: 2 of clubs?
Alex: Keep trying!
Samir: Oh man!
The 4 boys walk away, ending the show.