Arthur Wiki
Water and the Brain

Introduction[]

Lots of kids play on the playground. Binky and George play tag.

Binky: Haha! You're it!

He bumps into Prunella, causing her to spill juice on her dress.

Prunella: Oh, no!

Francine and Muffy both tug at a frisbee.

Francine+Muffy: (strain)

Arthur: Sometimes I wonder what the world would be like if everyone was just like me.

In his fantasy, one Arthur meets another Arthur by his locker.

Arthur (narrator): No one would call anyone Four Eyes.

Arthur 1: Hey, nice glasses!

Arthur 2: Thanks. Yours are pretty cool too.

An Arthur is given a parade while a crowd of Arthur’s cheer.

Arthurs: Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

Arthur (narrator): My birthday would be a national holiday.

Several Arthur’s are seen in a bank.

Arthur (narrator): And all the people would be super nice - even the bank robbers.

Another Arthur comes in with a woolen cap and a bag.

Arthur the Robber: Good morning, everyone. Would you be so kind as to give me all your money?

The other Arthurs put money in his bag.

Arthur 1: Certainly, sir.

Arthur 2: My pleasure.

When leaving, the robber holds the door open for an Arthur with a baby stroller.

Arthur the Dad: Thanks.

Arthur the Baby: (coos)

The fantasy ends.

Arthur: Yep, it'd be great if there were a million me's. But wait, if there were a million me's...

A million D.W.s walk towards him.

D.W.s: Come play with us, Arthur. Come play with us, Arthur...

Arthur: ... there'd be a million D.W.s!

Title Card: Arthur with Umbrella[]

Arthur, Francine and Binky play with a frisbee in the street. The Crosswire limousine stops beside them and Muffy looks out of the roof window with a megaphone.

Muffy: Attention! Mary Alice Crosswire, also known as me, will have a party this weekend at Waterworld. You're all invited.

Arthur: Waterworld? Great!

Binky: Yeah. Especially since they added that new ride - the Slam Dunk. I just saw the commercial for it.

He imagines a huge waterslide.

Binky (narrator): 25 miles of the fastest water ride ever.

A group of kids ride by in a cart.

Kids: (scream)

The cart drops into a cold pool and breaks into pieces.

Binky (narrator): Ending with a straight drop into icy water.

Kids: (laugh)

The fantasy ends.

Arthur: Cool.

Muffy comes out of the limo and hands out invitations. The first goes to Binky.

Muffy: One for you. Thank you for coming. Arthur is next. One for you. Thank you for coming. She tries to give one to Brain. And one for you...

Brain: Um, sorry, Muffy, but I can't go.

Muffy: Can't go?? Why?

Brain: Because amusement parks are puerile diversions only befitting unfledged tots.

Muffy+Binky+Arthur: Huh?

Brain: Water World is for little kids.

He walks away.

Binky: He's wrong, you know. You gotta be this tall to ride.

***

Muffy, Arthur, Francine and Binky walk down a street. Muffy kicks a soccer ball along.

Muffy: It's me. The Brain hates me.

Arthur: Oh, Muffy, come on. You know that's not true.

Muffy: Yes, it is. I remember this one time when the Brain went sailing with us. He wouldn't even stand on deck with me.

Flashback: Muffy and her dad stand on the deck of a sailboat on the sea. There is a dolphin nearby.

Muffy: (gasps) Wow!

Brain has ties himself to a couch below deck.

Muffy: Brain, you've got to see this! There's a dolphin swimming next to the boat!

Brain: Um. No, thanks. I've seen plenty of them at the zoo. Anyway, they're just mammals like you and me.

The flashback ends.

Francine: Cheer up, Muffy. It's not just you he doesn't like. It's all girls.

Arthur: What?! That's crazy!

Francine: Oh yeah? Remember my Halloween party?

Flashback: The Frenskys’ apartment is decorated for Halloween. Francine bobs for apples.

Francine (narrator): I was the first one to bob for apples.

Arthur: Hey, Brain, why don't you go next?

Brain: Francine, do you know how many parasites and bacteria are probably swimming in that bucket? I think I'll pass.

The flashback ends.

Francine: Parasites and bacteria, my foot! I know what he was really afraid of: cooties.

Binky: You're wrong, Francine. He doesn't just hate girls. He hates all of us.

Arthur: Now that is ridiculous.

Binky: Oh, really? Well, listen to this.

Flashback: Binky and Brain search the bank beside the pond in the park.

Binky (narrator): Once the Brain and I were trying to catch frogs near the pond.

Binky: I got one! I got one! It jumps out of his hand. Whoa! Quick, get it! Get it!

Brain half-heartedly runs after the frog, but stops before the pond.

Brain: (gasps)

Binky: You had him! Why'd you let him get away?

Brain: Because... because chasing frogs is a cruel and inhumane sport. I won't be a part of it.

He walks away. The flashback ends.

Binky: Then he said that he didn't like us because he was smarter than all of us.

Arthur: He said that??

Binky: Yup. At least... I think that's what he said. He used bigger words.

Francine: He really thinks he's better than us.

Muffy: What a snob.

Arthur: I can't believe you guys, the Brain is one of our best friends.

Muffy: Then why won't he come to my party?

Arthur: I... I don't know.

***

Muffy and Francine pass Brain in the library who is reading a book on fluid mechanics.

Muffy: Thanks for coming to my party, even though it's just at a silly amusement park that my daddy has rented at great expense.

Francine: Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world, Muffy. I'm not a snob like some people.

Brain: Er... er... Oh.

***

Outside the library, Brain meets Binky on his bike.

Brain: Hi, Binky.

Binky: (gasps) The Brain is saying hello to me. I'm so honored. Thank you, Mr. Brain. Thank you.

He rides away.

***

Arthur walks into the Sugar Bowl and sees Brain alone at a table looking sad. He smiles when Arthur tries to join him, but Francine, Muffy and Binky at the next table interrupt him.

Muffy: Ahem!

Francine: Doesn't that table look a little crowded to you, Arthur?

Binky: Or do you think you're better than us too?

Arthur: (quietly:) I need to talk to you later.

He pats Brain on the shoulder and joins the others.

Brain: (sighs)

***

Arthur ties his shoes on his bed when D.W. runs in.

Mr. Read: D.W.!

D.W.: No! Arthur, you've got to hide me! You can't let them get me!

She crawls under Arthur’s bed.

Arthur: D.W., it's just a bath. Nobody ever died from taking a bath.

Mr. Read comes in and Arthur points to where D.W. is hiding. Mr. Read picks up D.W. and carries her away.

D.W.: Aw... Thanks, Eggs Benedict Arnold!

Arthur: Haha! Some people get upset over the craziest things. Hey, I wonder if the Brain... (gasps) Wait. That's it!

He runs out.

***

Later, Arthur rings the Powers’ doorbell. Brain opens looking delighted.

Brain: Arthur. Boy am I glad to see you. Come in.

Arthur: Thanks.

***

A short while later, Arthur and Brain sit in the kitchen. Brain pours milk.

Arthur: And that's why they all think you're a snob.

Brain: But it's not true. They're my friends. I don't think I'm better than they are.

He gets popcorn.

Arthur: I know you didn't. But, Brain, why won't you go to Muffy's party?

Brain: I can't tell you. You wouldn't understand.

Arthur: Is it because you're afraid of something?

Brain: No. I mean... I think I'm being called for dinner. I'd better get home.

He runs out of the kitchen.

Arthur: But this is your house!

***

The next day, Arthur sees Binky hiding in bushes by the roadside with two water balloons.

Arthur: Binky, guess what! I know what's wrong with the Brain. He's... Hey, what are you doing behind there, anyway?

Brain waves from the other side of the bushes where he cannot see Binky.

Binky: Ssshh.

Arthur: Binky, no! Don't do it. Stop!

Binky: Hey! What are you doing? I had a perfect shot at the snob.

Arthur: But the Brain's not a snob, Binky. He's just afraid to go swimming.

Binky: What? Is that true?

Brain nods sadly.

Binky: (makes odd noises)

Brain: You see? I knew no one would understand. Now I'm gonna be the laughing stock of the class.

Binky drops his water balloons.

Binky: (sobs) I can't believe I was so... insensitive. All this time you were just afraid of swimming. (sniffs) (gruffly:) What a dumb thing to be afraid of!

Brain: Yes, my hydrophobia has prevented me from engaging in a multitude of pure related activities.

Binky: In English please.

Brain: It really stinks, Binky.

Binky: Brain, we’re going to cure you.

Arthur: We are?

Binky: Yep, come on, I know just the thing for it.

***

Binky, Brain and Arthur stand on the jetty at the lake wearing swimming trunks.

Binky: Jump!

Brain: But I'm afraid I'll sink.

Binky: This is the only way to learn how to swim. Besides, we'll save you if you sink.

Brain: I don't want to learn to swim. I want to go home.

Binky: You are going to learn to swim, and then you are going to have fun at Waterworld!

Arthur: Er, Binky, I think we need to start off with something a little easier.

***

Binky, Brain and Arthur stand at the edge of the public pool. Brain is wearing swimming trunks, water wings and a swim ring and holding on to a rope which Arthur is holding.

Arthur: Okay, Brain. Now just step onto that top step. Brain does. Good. Now take another step. Brain does. Great! Now another one.

Binky: Arthur, Muffy's party will be over by the time he gets up to his neck.

Brain is up to his thighs in water.

Brain: Up to my neck?! No way am I going that far! In fact, I'm outta here!

He runs out of the pool.

Arthur: (sighs)

***

Brain looks at the model of a whale outside of the city aquarium. Arthur and Binky stand by the entrance.

Binky: What good is an aquarium gonna do? It's just filled with fish and dumb facts.

Arthur: If we can make the Brain feel like he's in water without getting him wet, then I think we can cure him.

Brain: Did you know that sperm whales eat 60 tons of plankton a year?

Binky: Oh, come on, let's get this over with.

He pushes the other two inside.

***

Arthur, Binky and Brain stand in front of a fish tank.

Arthur: Now, Brain, I want you to look into that fish tank and imagine you're in there. Underwater. Are you imagining it?

Brain nods, looking uncomfortable.

Arthur: Are you scared?

Brain shakes his head.

Arthur: Hey, I think we've done it! I think we’ve cured him!

Brain starts shaking. Suddenly he runs away and out of the building.

Brain: (deep breathing)

Arthur and Binky follow.

Arthur: What went wrong?

Brain: I couldn't hold my breath any longer.

Arthur: You weren't supposed to hold your breath.

Brain: I can't breathe underwater, Arthur. I don't have gills.

Binky: I told you this was a dumb idea.

Arthur: Yeah, well, it was better than making him jump in the lake!

Binky: Was not.

Arthur: Was too.

Binky: Was not.

Arthur: Was too.

Binky: Was not.

Brain: Stop it! I really appreciate you trying to help me, but it's just not working. You know, there are worse things a kid could be afraid of, like... air.

He walks backwards towards a fountain.

Arthur: Er, Brain, you should look where you're...

Brain: Or school.

Binky: Hey, Brain, watch out, you're gonna...

Brain: Or... Whoa! Whoa! Whoaaa! Aah! Oh no, somebody help me!

Arthur and Binky pull him back before he falls.

Brain: Oh, thank you. You guys just saved my life. I was really scared.

There are tears in his eyes.

Arthur: You know something, Brain? So was I.

Binky: Me too.

Arthur+Binky+Brain: (laugh)

***

On the day of the party, Francine, Muffy, Binky and Arthur ride the waterslide.

Kids: (yell)

Francine: Whoa, that was fun. It's too bad the Brain couldn't come with us.

Binky: Just because the Brain doesn't like to swim doesn't mean he's not our friend, Francine.

Francine: Oh yeah, well I wasn't the one who tried to make him like swimming, Binky.

Arthur: You're both right. And anyway, it would be boring if everybody was exactly the same. You guys wouldn't have anything to fight about.

Muffy: Well, I'm just glad, Brain's not a snob. I don't like snobby people. By the way, Arthur, who picked out your bathing suit? It's so tacky.

Arthur+Binky+Francine: (sigh)

Binky: I'm really glad the Brain's just the way he is, because if he wasn't, the towels would be as wet as we are.

Brain is in a deck chair guarding the towels.

Brain: Hi, guys.

He hands them the towels.