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Transcript: Fern's Flights of Fancy / Cereal
The show opens with a clip of Arthur and his dog walking down a street. Arthur is an 8-year-old aardvark. He has a round head with small round ears and short brown hair, and he wears glasses.
The scene continues when Arthur jumps into the cover of a book that a little girl reads on her bed. The book is called "Arthur." It makes the girl laugh.
A song plays on as all this takes place.
The lyrics say
EVERY DAY WHEN YOU'RE WALKING DOWN THE STREET EVERYBODY THAT YOU MEET HAS AN ORIGINAL POINT OF VIEW AND I SAY HEY!
Arthur opens the bedroom door and says HEY!
The song goes on, and a bunch of smiling animal faces sing WHAT A WONDERFUL KIND OF DAY IF WE COULD LEARN TO WORK AND PLAY AND GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER
Now Arthur takes a family picture as his parents, grandparents, sisters, and dog sit on the family couch.
The song keeps playing
YOU GOTTA LISTEN TO YOUR HEART LISTEN TO THE BEAT LISTEN TO THE RHYTHM THE RHYTHM OF THE STREET OPEN UP YOUR EYES OPEN UP YOUR EARS GET TOGETHER AND MAKE THINGS BETTER BY WORKING TOGETHER IT'S A SIMPLE MESSAGE AND IT COMES FROM THE HEART
Arthur looks at the family album. He hugs his mum and jumps out to the city. He sees bikes, cars, and shops. He high-fives a friend that cycles by.
The song goes on
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF FOR THAT'S THE PLACE TO START AND I SAY
Now Arthur falls into a swimming pool and plays with friends.
The song continues
HEY! HEY! WHAT A WONDERFUL KIND OF DAY IF WE COULD LEARN TO WORK AND PLAY AND GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER HEY! WHAT A WONDERFUL KIND OF DAY HEY! WHAT A WONDERFUL KIND OF DAY
Now Arthur's sister closes her "Arthur" book and sees Arthur on the living room TV.
Arthur says HEY, D.W.!
D.W. says HEY!
Arthur says WHOA!
OOF!
Arthur falls backwards and a caption reads "Based on the Arthur adventure books by Marc Brown."
The end credits roll as the theme song plays.
At the school cafeteria, Buster says FERN, OVER HERE!
(music plays)
HERE YOU GO.
YOU CAN THANK ME LATER, WHEN
YOU'RE PUBLISHED.
Fern says PUBLISHED?
Buster says MY MOM TOLD ME ABOUT
THIS SHORT STORY CONTEST FOR
YOUNG WRITERS.
THE WINNER GETS THEIR STORY
PUBLISHED IN THE SUNDAY ARTS
SECTION OF
THE ELWOOD CITY
TIMES.
Francine says THE SUNDAY ARTS
SECTION?
THAT'S A BIG DEAL!
HEY, YOU COULD BE FAMOUS.
(music plays)
At Fern’s book signing,
Marc says EVER SINCE THAT STORY
IN THE ARTS SECTION, I'VE BEEN
A HUGE FAN!
COULD YOU PLEASE MAKE IT OUT TO
MARC BROWN?
THAT'S MARC WITH A "C."
(music plays)
The name of the episode reads "Fern’s Flights of Fancy. Written by Peter K. Hirsch."
Fern says I'M SURE TONS OF KIDS
WILL ENTER THE CONTEST.
I PROBABLY DON'T STAND A
CHANCE.
Arthur says OH, COME ON, FERN!
EVERYONE KNOWS YOU'RE THE BEST
WRITER AROUND.
Fern says THERE'S NO SUCH THING
AS "THE BEST" WRITER.
IT'S JUST DIFFERENT PEOPLE'S
OPINIONS.
ANYWAY, I DON'T WRITE TO WIN
CONTESTS.
I WRITE BECAUSE I LOVE IT.
Buster says DOES THIS MEAN
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ENTER?
Fern says WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE MORE READERS.
AND I KNOW JUST THE STORY I'LL
USE!
Arthur says WHICH ONE?
Francine says NO, NO!
DON'T SPOIL IT!
I WANT TO BE SURPRISED WHEN I
READ IT IN THE PAPER.
(music plays)
[crunching]
(music plays)
Fern writes in her room.
[door opening]
George says MAKING CASE NOTES,
WATTEAU?
Fern says GEORGE!
I'M SORRY, I WAS SO WRAPPED UP
WRITING THIS STORY I COMPLETELY
FORGOT YOU WERE COMING OVER!
George says IS THIS FOR THAT
CONTEST?
CAN I HEAR IT?
Fern says I KIND OF PROMISED I'D
KEEP IT A SECRET.
WELL, OKAY!
ACTUALLY, I THINK IT MAY BE THE
BEST THING I'VE EVER WRITTEN!
NOW, IT'S NOT FINISHED YET, AND
I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE ENDING,
AND IT'S KINDA SHORT -
George says JUST READ IT
ALREADY!
[big breath]
Fern says OKAY, HERE IT GOES.
ONCE THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO
LIVED ALL ALONE.
PEOPLE FELT SORRY FOR HIM, BUT
THE TRUTH WAS THE OLD MAN
DIDN'T MIND LIVING ALONE.
HE HAD ENOUGH TO LIVE ON AND
PLENTY OF FRIENDS IN THE PARK.
BUT HIS FRIENDS WEREN'T PEOPLE;
THEY WERE BIRDS!
[whistling]
Bird number 1 says HEY, THERE HE IS!
Bird number 2 says LOOKING SHARP
TODAY, OL' BUDDY!
Bird number 3 says HOW'S IT GOING?
Fern says THE OLD MAN COULD
UNDERSTAND THE BIRDS, AND THEY
COULD UNDERSTAND HIM.
The old man says CAN'T COMPLAIN.
WHO WANTS PUMPERNICKEL?
Fern says THE LIVES OF THE BIRDS
WERE FASCINATING.
THERE WAS INTRIGUE, ADVENTURE,
ROMANCE, AND FIERCE
ARGUMENTS...
WHICH THE OLD MAN OFTEN TRIED
TO SETTLE FOR THEM.
(music plays)
SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THE
OLD MAN HAD LOST HIS MARBLES.
Two old ladies laugh at him.
Two birds drop food on them.
[laughter]
Fern says BUT HE DIDN'T CARE.
HE ONLY CARED WHAT THE BIRDS
THOUGHT OF HIM.
AND THE BIRDS THOUGHT HE WAS
THE MOST WONDERFUL PERSON THEY
HAD EVER MET.
ONE DAY, THE OLD MAN'S NIECE
SHOWED UP.
HE HAD NEVER LIKED HIS NIECE.
HER MOUTH LOOKED LIKE SHE HAD
JUST EATEN A LEMON.
(music plays)
AND SHE HAD VERY HEAVY
FOOTSTEPS.
[feet clomping]
SHE TOLD THE OLD MAN THAT SHE
WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HIM, LIVING
ALL ALONE, SO SHE WANTED HIM TO
MOVE IN WITH HER.
SHE JUST WANTED TO SELL HIS
HOUSE.
HE KNEW IT WAS ALL A LIE.
BUT SHE WAS INSISTENT.
THE OLD MAN'S NIECE WAS
ALLERGIC TO SUNLIGHT, SO SHE
HAD HAD HER HOUSE BUILT WITHOUT
WINDOWS.
[door opening]
SHE GAVE THE OLD MAN THINGS SHE
THOUGHT OLD PEOPLE LIKED.
APPLESAUCE, A BOOK OF WORD
JUMBLES, AND TV.
[chattering on TV]
(music plays)
THE OLD MAN DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE
WOULD DO.
HE HATED TV, HE HATED
APPLESAUCE, AND HE WASN'T VERY
GOOD AT THE WORD JUMBLES.
BUT MOST OF ALL, HE MISSED HIS
FRIENDS.
[letters chirping]
MANY MONTHS PASSED.
BUT HE HAD A PLAN TO SEE HIS
FRIENDS AGAIN.
ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS, THE OLD
MAN'S NIECE WOULD BRING HIM
SOME BREAD.
BUT HE DIDN'T EAT IT.
INSTEAD, HE PUT THE BREAD INTO
THE LINING OF HIS OLD COAT.
NOW, ALL HE NEEDED TO DO WAS
FIND AN EXCUSE TO GET HIS NIECE
TO TAKE HIM OUTSIDE.
HE DECIDED TO PRETEND HE WAS
SICK.
[bell clanging]
WHICH WASN'T THAT FAR FROM
THE TRUTH.
YOU TRY EATING APPLESAUCE FOR
AN ENTIRE YEAR!
[groaning]
THE NIECE DECIDED SHE WOULD
CALL A DOCTOR AND GET HIM TO
MAKE A HOUSE CALL.
[niece chattering]
THE OLD MAN'S PLAN WAS FOILED,
BUT NOW THAT HIS DOOR WAS OPEN,
HE DECIDED TO MAKE A RUN FOR
IT!
(music plays)
[whistling]
SINCE THE OLD MAN'S ROOM DIDN'T
HAVE ANY WINDOWS, HE NEVER KNEW
WHAT TIME OF DAY IT WAS.
AND NOW, IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF
THE NIGHT, AND THERE WERE NO
BIRDS ABOUT.
OR WERE THERE?
A bird says DON'T WORRY.
HELP IS ON THE WAY!
[whistling]
Hundreds of birds grab him by the coat and fly him away from the house.
[birds chirping]
[old man laughing]
Fern says HE WAS NEVER SEEN
AGAIN.
BUT IF YOU EVER HEAR A BIRD
SINGING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
NIGHT, SHE'S SINGING ABOUT THE
OLD MAN.
George says THAT WAS AMAZING!
Fern says REALLY?
YOU THINK SO?
DO YOU THINK I'LL WIN?
George says INDUBITABLY,
WATTEAU!
(music plays)
[deep breath]
The next day she searches the paper to see who won the contest.
Fern says BEULAH MCINNERNY?!
(music plays)
She throws her story away.
She says DEAR DIARY, FROM THIS DAY
FORWARD I HEREBY GIVE UP
WRITING - FOREVER!
At school, Arthur says I'M REALLY SORRY YOU
DIDN'T WIN.
Fern says WHATEVER.
Buster says HEY, WHAT DID YOU
THINK OF THE PIECE THAT DID
WIN?
I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY MOVING.
Fern says "NINE REASONS I LOVE
MY GRANDPA"?!
THAT'S NOT EVEN A STORY!
THAT'S A LIST!
ANYWAY, I DON'T CARE.
I'VE DECIDED TO GIVE UP
WRITING.
Buster says WHAT?!
Arthur says YOU'RE NOT SERIOUS!
Fern says IT'S NO BIG DEAL.
I JUST WANT TO EXPLORE OTHER
ACTIVITIES FOR A CHANGE.
LIKE...
SPORTS.
(music plays)
She keeps the goal at a soccer match.
A bird lands on the crossbar.
[bird tweeting]
Fern says WHAT DO YOU WANT?
GO AWAY!
STOP STARING AT ME!
SHOO, SHOO!
(music plays)
Francine says WHERE WERE YOU?!
THIS IS A SOCCER PRACTICE,
FERN, NOT THE DAYDREAMING CLUB!
[exasperated sigh]
ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE, TAKE FIVE!
[bird tweeting]
George says WAS THAT BIRD
TALKING TO YOU, LIKE THE OLD
MAN IN THE STORY?
Fern says DON'T EVER MENTION
THAT AWFUL STORY TO ME AGAIN.
George says I LOVED IT!
ACTUALLY, I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT
TRY TO SUBMIT IT SOMEWHERE
ELSE.
I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND ALL
THESE COOL MAGAZINES THAT
PUBLISH STORIES BY KIDS.
Fern says FORGET IT, I CAN'T
SEND IT OUT.
George says FERN!
DON'T GIVE UP BECAUSE OF ONE
SILLY REJECTION!
Fern says I CAN'T SEND IT OUT
BECAUSE... I DESTROYED IT.
[whistle blowing]
She says WHOOO!
LET'S PLAY BALL!
(music plays)
[car honking]
George visits Harry Mills’ office.
Harry is a rabbit in a brown suit.
Harry says YES, I WAS A
JUDGE.
I THOUGHT FERN'S STORY WAS THE
BEST.
George says SO, FERN ACTUALLY
WON?
Harry says NO, THERE WERE
TWO OTHER JUDGES AND THEY LIKED
BEULAH'S BETTER.
George says WELL, COULD YOU
MAYBE PUBLISH HER STORY ANYWAY?
SHE'S REALLY UPSET.
Harry says SORRY, KIDDO,
BUT YOU CAN TELL HER SHE HAS
LOADS OF TALENT.
AND IF SHE STICKS TO IT, I
THINK SHE'LL BECOME AN AMAZING
WRITER.
(music plays)
[books crashing]
In her room, Fern kicks the ball and says GOALLL.
George says AH, WATTEAU!
CLEANING YOUR STUDY, I SEE.
I SAY, I RAN INTO THE MOST
CURIOUS FELLOW - A CERTAIN
HARRY MILLS.
Fern says HEY, GEORGE.
I DON'T FEEL LIKE SOLVING A
CASE RIGHT NOW.
HOW 'BOUT WE JUST WATCH TV?
George says GADZOOKS, WATTEAU!
IT'S 1932 IN GREAT BRITAIN!
WE DON'T HAVE TV YET!
George takes the story out of the dustbin and puts the pieces the pieces together.
(music plays)
Fern says (thinking..) SHE
SEEMED LIKE AN AVERAGE THIRD
GRADER - SHY, BOOKISH - BUT
ALMOST OVERNIGHT, SHE HAD
BECOME THE BEST SOCCER PLAYER
THEY HAD EVER SEEN!
(music plays)
HOW WAS THIS POSSIBLE?
IT WAS ALMOST LIKE SHE WAS A
MACHINE!
(music plays)
THAT'S BECAUSE...
SHE WAS A MACHINE.
EVEN SHE DIDN'T KNOW IT UNTIL -
Francine says FERN, HELLO?
HELLO?
ARE YOU GOING TO SHOOT SOME
TIME THIS CENTURY?
PRACTICE IS ALMOST OVER!
Fern says SORRY!
(music plays)
She kicks the ball and the ball hits the crossbar and bounces back to hit her in the head.
[clunk]
She says OOF!
Francine says OH, BROTHER!
George says HEY, FRANCINE, COULD
I TALK TO YOU FOR A SEC?
Francine says WHY NOT?
I'M SURE IT'LL BE ANOTHER HOUR
BEFORE SHE SHOOTS AGAIN.
(music plays)
In bed, Fern writes on her diary and says FIVE DAYS WITH NO
CREATIVE WRITING.
IT HASN'T BEEN EASY.
AND I THINK I NEED TO CHANGE
HOBBIES.
(music plays)
He goes in the kitchen for breakfast.
She sees a paper next to her cereal bowl and says THE FRENSKY STAR?
SINCE WHEN DOES SHE DELIVER ON
A SATURDAY?
"THE MAN WHO SPOKE WITH BIRDS."
BY FERN WALTERS?!
BUT HOW?
(music plays)
She goes to her room and sees the story is no longer in the dustbin.
She says IT WAS GEORGE!
(music plays)
She walks past the Sugar Bowl and says HE'S GOT SOME NERVE, DOING THIS
BEHIND MY BACK!
Arthur says FERN!
THAT WAS AN INCREDIBLE STORY!
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT?
Buster says THE BIRDS TOLD HER!
I'VE BEEN SAYING BIRDS COULD
TALK FOR YEARS, BUT NO ONE
LISTENS TO ME!
(music plays)
Muffy comes by in her car and says GREAT STORY, FERN.
ONE WORD FOR YOU: MOVIE RIGHTS.
I'M THINKING MATT DAMON AS THE
OLD MAN.
Fern says UM, THANKS.
Arthur says CONGRATULATIONS!
Fern says THANKS.
Muffy says CALL ME!
(music plays)
[bird chirping]
[doorbell rings]
Fern says YOU SUBMITTED THIS
WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.
George says I'M SORRY, I JUST...
YOU'RE THE MOST TALENTED PERSON
I KNOW.
YOU CAN'T GIVE UP WRITING!
Fern says I'M NOT GOING TO.
NOT ANYMORE.
George says YOU'RE...
YOU'RE NOT ANGRY?
Fern says NO.
BUT YOU DID LEAVE OUT THE BEST
PART OF THE STORY.
George says I DID?
Fern says THE DEDICATION!
"TO GEORGE LUNDGREN - THE BEST
FRIEND A WRITER COULD HAVE."
MERCI, MON AMI.
(music plays)
[birds chirping]
Now a real life clip plays.
A caption reads "A word from us kids."
The Class says AND NOW, A WORD FROM
US KIDS.
A student says TODAY, WE'RE WRITING
LIMERICKS, BECAUSE JUST THE
SAME AS FERN DOES, WE ARE
HAVING A WRITING CHALLENGE.
"THERE ONCE WAS A BUNNY
CALLED FUNNY.
ALL THE WHILE SHE HOPED TO BE
SUNNY."
A boy says "SO SHE WENT TO THE SUN
AND HAD SO MUCH FUN."
Another girl says "THAT SILLY BUNNY FROM
BALLENY."
[applause]
The first girl says IT WAS REALLY HARD TO FIND A
PLACE THAT RHYMED WITH BUNNY.
The second girl says BALLENY WAS AS CLOSE AS WE
COULD FIND, AND IT'S NEAR
ANTARCTICA.
The first girl says A LIMERICK IS A FIVE-LINE
VERSE.
IT'S NAMED AFTER THE COUNTY OF
LIMERICK IN IRELAND.
IT HAS AN A-A-B-B-A PATTERN.
ALL THE "A" LINES END WITH A
RHYME, AND SO DO ALL THE "B."
LINES.
A boy with wavy brown hair says "THERE ONCE WAS A TULIP
CALLED HOLY.
ALL THE WHILE HE HOPED TO BE
MOLEY.
Another boy with wavy brown hair says SO HE ATE A BIRD AND TURNED
INTO A NERD."
A boy with light brown hair says "THAT SILLY TULIP FROM
ROMEY."
[applause]
WE TOOK THE WORD "ROME."
AND THEN CHANGED IT TO ROMEY
SO IT RHYMED.
A boy with red hair says I LIKE LIMERICKS BECAUSE
THEY'RE CREATIVE AND YOU CAN
MAKE UP YOUR OWN STUFF.
"THERE ONCE WAS A BEE CALLED
SMEE."
A boy with curly brown hair says "ALL THE WHILE, HE WANTED
TO SEE A TURKEY."
Another boy with curly brown hair says "GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE!
SO HE WENT FOR A WALK AND
PLAYED SOME LACROSSE."
The boy with red hair says "THAT BEE WENT ALL THE WAY
TO GERMANY."
[applause]
A girl with brown hair in a braid says "THERE ONCE WAS A BUNNY
CALLED SUNNY.
ALL THE WHILE SHE HOPED SHE'D
GET HONEY."
A girl with blond hair says "SO SHE WENT TO THE MARKET
AND LOOKED IN HER POCKET."
A girl with long hair in piggy braids says "THAT HONEY WAS BOUGHT
WITH MONEY."
[applause]
A blond girl with a white headband says "I ONCE WENT TO AN ARCADE
AND GOT SOME LEMONADE."
A girl with curly brown hair and a blue headband says "I CLIMBED UP A TREE AND GOT
STUNG BY A BEE."
BZZZZZ!
A girl with brown hair with bangs in a ponytail "OW!
AND NOW I NEED SOME FIRST AID."
(music plays)
The Class says AND NOW, BACK TO
ARTHUR!
(music plays)
Now a new episode plays
D.W. stands in the cereal aisle and says WHERE IS IT?
(music plays)
Mum says WHERE'S WHAT,
HONEY?
D.W. says THE PUFFY UNICORN
CRUNCH!
IT'S ALWAYS RIGHT HERE.
WHAT IF THEY FORGOT TO PUT IT
ON THE SHELVES?
CALL THE MANAGER!
Mum says D.W., YOU'RE
MAKING A MESS.
D.W. says BUT IT'S MY FAVOURITE
CEREAL!
IT'S PUFFY AND CRUNCHY AND
UNICORNY!
Mum says THEY PROBABLY
JUST RAN OUT.
HOW 'BOUT SOMETHING ELSE,
LIKE...
PRUNES 'N' MILLET HUSKS?
D.W. crosses her arms.
(music plays)
Mum says WELL, I'M SORRY, BUT YOU'LL
JUST HAVE TO CHOOSE A DIFFERENT
ONE.
D.W. says BREAKFAST IS RUINED!
[gasp]
(music plays)
She spots one box in a mini pack and says THERE'S ONE!
BUT IT'S REALLY SMALL.
I'LL HAVE TO SAVE IT FOR A
SPECIAL OCCASION.
(music plays)
Arthur eats cereal as he watches T.V. in the sitting room.
[superhero music]
D.W. says IS TODAY A HOLIDAY?
Arthur says NO, IT'S JUST A
REGULAR SATURDAY.
D.W. says IT MUST BE A HOLIDAY
SOMEWHERE!
LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET!
[typing]
Arthur says HUH!
IT'S NATIONAL LIBRARIAN'S DAY.
D.W. says YES, I LOVE
LIBRARIANS!!
IT IS A SPECIAL OCCASION!
(music plays)
She goes to the kitchen and sees the cereal box missing from the pack.
[dramatic music]
She gasps and says ARTHUR!!
(music plays)
The name of the episode reads "Cereal. Written by John Yearley."
Buster says I'M HOME!
(music plays)
MOM?
(music plays)
Bitzi eats popcorn and listens to a show on her tablet.
She says AHHHH!
I WAS SO CAUGHT UP IN THIS
PODCAST, I DIDN'T HEAR YOU COME
IN.
Buster says "PODCAST"?
WHAT'S THAT?
Bitzi says A SHOW ON THE
INTERNET WHERE PEOPLE TELL
STORIES.
I WAS LISTENING TO ONE CALLED
"REAL LIFE MYSTERIES."
IT'S SO GRIPPING!
Buster says CAN I HEAR IT?
Bitzi says SURE!
WE'LL LISTEN TO THE NEXT
EPISODE OVER DINNER.
[crunching]
(music plays)
Byron Hunt says WELCOME TO "REAL
LIFE MYSTERIES."
I'M YOUR HOST, BYRON HUNT.
TODAY'S EPISODE: ARE YOU BEING
WATCHED?
AND, IF SO, BY WHOM?
OR WHAT?
[suspenseful music]
Bob says HE WAS EVERYWHERE,
STARING AT ME!
WHAT DID HE WANT?
Byron Hunt says FINALLY, BOB
DECIDED TO CONFRONT THE OLD
MAN.
Buster says NO, DON'T DO IT,
BOB!
HE'S A BRAIN-SUCKING MUTANT!
Byron Hunt says BUT THE OLD MAN
SAID NOTHING.
INSTEAD, HE JUST SHOWED BOB A
PHOTOGRAPH.
IT WAS OF A LITTLE BOY...
WHO LOOKED JUST LIKE BOB.
[gasp]
Buster says BOB'S A
BRAIN-SUCKING MUTANT, TOO?
Bitzi says BUSTER, EAT.
(music plays)
Byron Hunt says AND THAT'S HOW
BOB LEARNED ABOUT ROB - THE
IDENTICAL TWIN HE HAD NEVER
MET.
Buster says WOW.
Byron Hunt says NEXT WEEK ON
"REAL LIFE MYSTERIES," CAN
PETS PREDICT THE FUTURE?
(music plays)
Buster says I THINK I'VE JUST
FOUND WHAT I WANT TO DO WHEN I
GROW UP.
Bitzi says CREATE PODCASTS?
Buster says YEAH!
Bitzi says YOU COULD DO THAT
NOW.
Buster says REALLY?
Bitzi says IT'S PRETTY EASY.
YOU JUST NEED A MICROPHONE,
SOME EDITING SOFTWARE...
THE HARD PART IS COMING UP WITH
A GREAT STORY.
Buster says RIGHT, IT'S GOT TO
BE SOMETHING EXCITING, STRANGE,
MYSTERIOUS!
(music plays)
TODAY, ON THE BAXTER FILES:
WHAT HAPPENS TO A TUNA FISH
SANDWICH LEFT IN A CABINET FOR
TWO MONTHS?
UGH, THAT SMELL!
IT'S LIKE A SICK WALRUS WITH
DIRTY TOES!
HERE, TAKE A WHIFF!
OH RIGHT, YOU CAN'T SMELL.
AH, WELL, THAT KIND OF RUINS
THAT STORY.
THE MYSTERIOUS SNAIL!
ONE MINUTE YOU SEE THEM INCHING
ALONG, THE NEXT, THEY VANISH!
BUT WHERE EXACTLY DO THEY GO?
(music plays)
OH, INSIDE THEIR SHELL!
HUH, NEVER KNEW THAT.
THE END.
(music plays)
[doorbell rings]
(music plays)
Arthur opens the door.
Buster shows Arthur a picture of himself and says DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS IS?
[dramatic music]
Arthur says UM, ME?
Buster says NO, IT'S CHESTER -
YOUR IDENTICAL TWIN!
HOW DO YOU FEEL, ARTHUR READ?
Arthur says CONFUSED!
BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE AN
IDENTICAL TWIN.
Buster says HOW DO YOU KNOW?
YOU MIGHT!
Arthur says BUSTER, I REMEMBER
WHEN THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN.
Buster sighs and says I'M TRYING
TO MAKE A PODCAST, BUT I DON'T
HAVE ANY IDEAS.
D.W. says I HAVE AN IDEA!
DO A STORY ABOUT THE BIGGEST
CEREAL THIEF IN THE WORLD!
Arthur says D.W., ONCE AND FOR
ALL, I DIDN'T TAKE YOUR CRUNCHY
UNICORN PUFFS.
D.W. says IT'S PUFFY UNICORN
CRUNCH!
AND YOU DID TOO!
I SAW YOU EATING THEM!
Arthur says I WAS EATING OATEY
RINGS!
D.W. says LIAR!
FIRST SNOWBALLS, NOW BREAKFAST
FOODS?
YOU'RE HEADING DOWN A BAD PATH,
ARTHUR READ.
Buster says WAIT, THIS IS
PERFECT!
THERE'S MYSTERY, SUSPENSE,
PLENTY OF WEIRD CHARACTERS.
D.W. says WHAT'S HE TALKING
ABOUT?
Arthur says BUSTER'S MAKING SOME
RADIO SHOW.
Buster says IT HAS ALL THE
ELEMENTS OF A GREAT STORY!
I'VE EVEN GOT THE PERFECT NAME
FOR IT: "CEREAL"!
TODAY ON "CEREAL," AN AVERAGE
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD AARDVARK
DESCENDS INTO A LIFE OF CRIME
AND DEPRAVITY.
PRETTY GREAT, HUH?
D.W. says I'LL SAY!
Arthur says NO!
NOT GREAT!
I DON'T WANT ANY PART OF THIS!
Buster says ARTHUR, IF YOU
DIDN'T DO IT, YOU HAVE NOTHING
TO FEAR.
I'LL PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE.
D.W. says HA!
GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!
Arthur says WELL, I WOULD LIKE
TO GET D.W. OFF MY BACK.
Buster says GREAT!
LET'S START WITH THE SCENE OF
THE CRIME.
Arthur says THERE WAS NO CRIME!
(music plays)
At night in his room, Buster says WHAT IF SOMEONE
YOU'VE KNOWN FOR YOUR ENTIRE
LIFE, SOMEONE YOU'VE ALWAYS
TRUSTED, TURNED OUT TO BE
DISHONEST?
WOULD YOU EVER BE ABLE TO
BELIEVE THEM AGAIN?
(music plays)
DO WE EVER REALLY KNOW SOMEONE?
THIS IS THE QUESTION I'LL TRY
TO ANSWER... ON "CEREAL."
[suspenseful music]
[satisfied sigh]
The next day in the park,
Binky says THERE'S NO PICTURES?
ALL YOU DO IS LISTEN TO SOME
GUY TALK?
Buster says JUST CLICK ON THE
LINK I SENT OUT LAST NIGHT AND
GIVE IT A TRY.
Binky says MAYBE IF I CAN'T
SLEEP, I WILL LISTEN TO YOUR...
WITTLE BEDTIME STOWIES!
[laughing]
Fern says HEY, GREAT PODCAST!
ONE QUESTION: THERE WAS NO
EMPTY BOX IN THE TRASH, RIGHT?
Buster says RIGHT.
Fern says SO, WHAT DID ARTHUR DO
WITH THE EVIDENCE?
Arthur says ARTHUR DIDN'T DO
ANYTHING WITH THE EVIDENCE
BECAUSE ARTHUR IS INNOCENT!
(music plays)
Buster says MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN
TOMORROW.
I'M GOING TO INTERVIEW THE
VICTIM.
D.W. says AFTER I SAW THE BOX
WAS GONE, I WENT INTO THE DEN.
HE'D FINISHED IT ALL.
THERE WAS...
[blowing nose]
MILK DRIPPING DOWN HIS CHIN!
MY OWN BROTHER!
[loud sobbing]
DID YOU GET THAT?
WANT ME TO DO IT AGAIN?
Buster says NO.
THAT WAS PERFECT.
Arthur says I DON'T EVEN LIKE
PUFFY UNICORN CRUNCH!
WHY WOULD I TAKE IT?
D.W. says REVENGE!
YOU WERE ANGRY BECAUSE I GAVE
YOUR BIONIC BUNNY DOLL A
MAKEOVER!
Buster says IS THIS TRUE?
Arthur says WELL, YES.
ACTUALLY, I'M STILL ANGRY ABOUT
THAT, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN
I...
Buster says OH, I GOTTA GO!
I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HOME AN
HOUR AGO!
WE'LL GET YOUR SIDE OF THE
STORY TOMORROW!
(music plays)
The next day at the school cafeteria, the kids approach Buster.
Fern says WHEN'S THE NEXT ONE?
Francine says I CAN'T STOP
LISTENING!
George says DID ARTHUR DO IT?
Buster says CALM DOWN, EVERYONE!
THERE'LL BE A NEW EPISODE
ONLINE TONIGHT!
IT'S AN INTERVIEW WITH THE
SUSPECT!
(music plays)
They all look at Arthur.
Buster says I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW POPULAR
THIS PODCAST IS!
I HAVE OVER 50 LISTENERS.
Arthur says YOU JUST BETTER MAKE
SURE YOU CLEAR MY NAME!
(music plays)
PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO TREAT
ME DIFFERENTLY.
Buster says DON'T WORRY, I'M
JUST INTERESTED IN TELLING THE
TRUTH.
He shows him some hand cuffs and says OH, WOULD YOU MIND PUTTING
THESE ON?
I JUST THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, FOR
THE POSTER.
Arthur takes Buster’s sandwich and puts it in his soup.
(music plays)
[knocking]
(music plays)
Buster enters Arthur’s house and says ARTHUR, I'M HERE FOR THE
INTERVIEW!
ARTHUR?
(music plays)
He picks up something from the floor, sniffs it and says A PUFFY UNICORN CRUNCH NUGGET!
OH NO, ARTHUR, YOU DIDN'T!
(music plays)
He looks under the bed and gasps. He sees the dog eating the cereal.
He says IT WAS YOU!!
(music plays)
[whimpers]
(music plays)
Arthur says BUSTER?
WHERE ARE YOU?
Buster walks down the stairs and says UH...
UH, BE RIGHT DOWN!
Arthur says I SAW YOUR BIKE OUT
THERE.
WHERE WERE YOU?
Buster says BATHROOM!
MY STOMACH IS GUILTY.
I MEAN, QUEASY!
GOTTA GO!
CALL YOU LATER!
(music plays)
[Pal whining]
[crickets chirping]
(music plays)
In Buster’s imagination, Fern says THE DOG DID IT?!
George says WHAT A TERRIBLE
ENDING!
Francine says I WANT MY MONEY
BACK!
Buster says BUT IT WAS FREE!
Francine says WELL, YOU SHOULD
PAY US FOR WASTING OUR TIME!
Fern says IT WAS AWFUL!
George says WORST THING I EVER
HEARD!
Francine says BINKY WAS RIGHT!
Buster says BUT THAT'S WHAT
HAPPENED!
WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO, LIE?
(music plays)
Buster says WELL, IT ISN'T REALLY A LIE IF
I JUST LEAVE OUT A FEW FACTS.
TODAY, I FOUND THE MISSING
CEREAL BOX RIGHT UNDER ARTHUR'S
BED!
YOU CAN DRAW YOUR OWN
CONCLUSIONS, BUT IT SEEMS AS IF
ARTHUR READ IS...
(music plays)
I CAN'T DO IT!
[tape rewinding]
THIS IS YOUR HOST, BUSTER
BAXTER.
SPOILER ALERT: THIS FINAL
EPISODE MIGHT BE A LETDOWN.
EVEN THOUGH ALL SIGNS POINTED
TO ARTHUR'S GUILT, TODAY I
FOUND OUT WHO THE REAL CULPRIT
WAS: HIS DOG, PAL.
THERE WAS NO CRIME, NO PLOT FOR
REVENGE.
JUST A HUNGRY CANINE WHO SAW AN
OPPORTUNITY AND SEIZED IT.
I STARTED THIS SERIES WONDERING
IF YOU CAN EVER REALLY KNOW
SOMEONE.
WELL, NOW I HAVE MY ANSWER.
IF THAT SOMEONE IS ARTHUR, THEN
YES.
BUT I WONDER ABOUT MYSELF.
AT SOME POINT, I STOPPED CARING
ABOUT ARTHUR'S INNOCENCE
BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO MAKE
A GOOD STORY.
I THINK PART OF ME EVEN WANTED
HIM TO BE GUILTY.
WHAT KIND OF FRIEND DOES THAT
MAKE ME?
DO WE EVER REALLY KNOW
OURSELVES?
(music plays)
The next day at school, Buster says AHH!
ARTHUR!
SO...
WHAT DID YOU THINK?
Arthur says WELL, ONCE MY NAME
WAS CLEARED, I ACTUALLY THOUGHT
IT WAS PRETTY INTERESTING.
ARE YOU GOING TO DO ANOTHER
ONE?
(music plays)
Binky says ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT
THE PODCAST?
I'M ON EPISODE TWO!
DON'T SAY ANOTHER WORD!
LA LA LA LA LA,
LA LA LA LA!
(music plays)
The end credits roll as the theme song plays.
The scene continues when Arthur jumps into the cover of a book that a little girl reads on her bed. The book is called "Arthur." It makes the girl laugh.
A song plays on as all this takes place.
The lyrics say
EVERY DAY WHEN YOU'RE WALKING DOWN THE STREET EVERYBODY THAT YOU MEET HAS AN ORIGINAL POINT OF VIEW AND I SAY HEY!
Arthur opens the bedroom door and says HEY!
The song goes on, and a bunch of smiling animal faces sing WHAT A WONDERFUL KIND OF DAY IF WE COULD LEARN TO WORK AND PLAY AND GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER
Now Arthur takes a family picture as his parents, grandparents, sisters, and dog sit on the family couch.
The song keeps playing
YOU GOTTA LISTEN TO YOUR HEART LISTEN TO THE BEAT LISTEN TO THE RHYTHM THE RHYTHM OF THE STREET OPEN UP YOUR EYES OPEN UP YOUR EARS GET TOGETHER AND MAKE THINGS BETTER BY WORKING TOGETHER IT'S A SIMPLE MESSAGE AND IT COMES FROM THE HEART
Arthur looks at the family album. He hugs his mum and jumps out to the city. He sees bikes, cars, and shops. He high-fives a friend that cycles by.
The song goes on
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF FOR THAT'S THE PLACE TO START AND I SAY
Now Arthur falls into a swimming pool and plays with friends.
The song continues
HEY! HEY! WHAT A WONDERFUL KIND OF DAY IF WE COULD LEARN TO WORK AND PLAY AND GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER HEY! WHAT A WONDERFUL KIND OF DAY HEY! WHAT A WONDERFUL KIND OF DAY
Now Arthur's sister closes her "Arthur" book and sees Arthur on the living room TV.
Arthur says HEY, D.W.!
D.W. says HEY!
Arthur says WHOA!
OOF!
Arthur falls backwards and a caption reads "Based on the Arthur adventure books by Marc Brown."
The end credits roll as the theme song plays.
At the school cafeteria, Buster says FERN, OVER HERE!
(music plays)
HERE YOU GO.
YOU CAN THANK ME LATER, WHEN
YOU'RE PUBLISHED.
Fern says PUBLISHED?
Buster says MY MOM TOLD ME ABOUT
THIS SHORT STORY CONTEST FOR
YOUNG WRITERS.
THE WINNER GETS THEIR STORY
PUBLISHED IN THE SUNDAY ARTS
SECTION OF
THE ELWOOD CITY
TIMES.
Francine says THE SUNDAY ARTS
SECTION?
THAT'S A BIG DEAL!
HEY, YOU COULD BE FAMOUS.
(music plays)
At Fern’s book signing,
Marc says EVER SINCE THAT STORY
IN THE ARTS SECTION, I'VE BEEN
A HUGE FAN!
COULD YOU PLEASE MAKE IT OUT TO
MARC BROWN?
THAT'S MARC WITH A "C."
(music plays)
The name of the episode reads "Fern’s Flights of Fancy. Written by Peter K. Hirsch."
Fern says I'M SURE TONS OF KIDS
WILL ENTER THE CONTEST.
I PROBABLY DON'T STAND A
CHANCE.
Arthur says OH, COME ON, FERN!
EVERYONE KNOWS YOU'RE THE BEST
WRITER AROUND.
Fern says THERE'S NO SUCH THING
AS "THE BEST" WRITER.
IT'S JUST DIFFERENT PEOPLE'S
OPINIONS.
ANYWAY, I DON'T WRITE TO WIN
CONTESTS.
I WRITE BECAUSE I LOVE IT.
Buster says DOES THIS MEAN
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ENTER?
Fern says WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE MORE READERS.
AND I KNOW JUST THE STORY I'LL
USE!
Arthur says WHICH ONE?
Francine says NO, NO!
DON'T SPOIL IT!
I WANT TO BE SURPRISED WHEN I
READ IT IN THE PAPER.
(music plays)
[crunching]
(music plays)
Fern writes in her room.
[door opening]
George says MAKING CASE NOTES,
WATTEAU?
Fern says GEORGE!
I'M SORRY, I WAS SO WRAPPED UP
WRITING THIS STORY I COMPLETELY
FORGOT YOU WERE COMING OVER!
George says IS THIS FOR THAT
CONTEST?
CAN I HEAR IT?
Fern says I KIND OF PROMISED I'D
KEEP IT A SECRET.
WELL, OKAY!
ACTUALLY, I THINK IT MAY BE THE
BEST THING I'VE EVER WRITTEN!
NOW, IT'S NOT FINISHED YET, AND
I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE ENDING,
AND IT'S KINDA SHORT -
George says JUST READ IT
ALREADY!
[big breath]
Fern says OKAY, HERE IT GOES.
ONCE THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO
LIVED ALL ALONE.
PEOPLE FELT SORRY FOR HIM, BUT
THE TRUTH WAS THE OLD MAN
DIDN'T MIND LIVING ALONE.
HE HAD ENOUGH TO LIVE ON AND
PLENTY OF FRIENDS IN THE PARK.
BUT HIS FRIENDS WEREN'T PEOPLE;
THEY WERE BIRDS!
[whistling]
Bird number 1 says HEY, THERE HE IS!
Bird number 2 says LOOKING SHARP
TODAY, OL' BUDDY!
Bird number 3 says HOW'S IT GOING?
Fern says THE OLD MAN COULD
UNDERSTAND THE BIRDS, AND THEY
COULD UNDERSTAND HIM.
The old man says CAN'T COMPLAIN.
WHO WANTS PUMPERNICKEL?
Fern says THE LIVES OF THE BIRDS
WERE FASCINATING.
THERE WAS INTRIGUE, ADVENTURE,
ROMANCE, AND FIERCE
ARGUMENTS...
WHICH THE OLD MAN OFTEN TRIED
TO SETTLE FOR THEM.
(music plays)
SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THE
OLD MAN HAD LOST HIS MARBLES.
Two old ladies laugh at him.
Two birds drop food on them.
[laughter]
Fern says BUT HE DIDN'T CARE.
HE ONLY CARED WHAT THE BIRDS
THOUGHT OF HIM.
AND THE BIRDS THOUGHT HE WAS
THE MOST WONDERFUL PERSON THEY
HAD EVER MET.
ONE DAY, THE OLD MAN'S NIECE
SHOWED UP.
HE HAD NEVER LIKED HIS NIECE.
HER MOUTH LOOKED LIKE SHE HAD
JUST EATEN A LEMON.
(music plays)
AND SHE HAD VERY HEAVY
FOOTSTEPS.
[feet clomping]
SHE TOLD THE OLD MAN THAT SHE
WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HIM, LIVING
ALL ALONE, SO SHE WANTED HIM TO
MOVE IN WITH HER.
SHE JUST WANTED TO SELL HIS
HOUSE.
HE KNEW IT WAS ALL A LIE.
BUT SHE WAS INSISTENT.
THE OLD MAN'S NIECE WAS
ALLERGIC TO SUNLIGHT, SO SHE
HAD HAD HER HOUSE BUILT WITHOUT
WINDOWS.
[door opening]
SHE GAVE THE OLD MAN THINGS SHE
THOUGHT OLD PEOPLE LIKED.
APPLESAUCE, A BOOK OF WORD
JUMBLES, AND TV.
[chattering on TV]
(music plays)
THE OLD MAN DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE
WOULD DO.
HE HATED TV, HE HATED
APPLESAUCE, AND HE WASN'T VERY
GOOD AT THE WORD JUMBLES.
BUT MOST OF ALL, HE MISSED HIS
FRIENDS.
[letters chirping]
MANY MONTHS PASSED.
BUT HE HAD A PLAN TO SEE HIS
FRIENDS AGAIN.
ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS, THE OLD
MAN'S NIECE WOULD BRING HIM
SOME BREAD.
BUT HE DIDN'T EAT IT.
INSTEAD, HE PUT THE BREAD INTO
THE LINING OF HIS OLD COAT.
NOW, ALL HE NEEDED TO DO WAS
FIND AN EXCUSE TO GET HIS NIECE
TO TAKE HIM OUTSIDE.
HE DECIDED TO PRETEND HE WAS
SICK.
[bell clanging]
WHICH WASN'T THAT FAR FROM
THE TRUTH.
YOU TRY EATING APPLESAUCE FOR
AN ENTIRE YEAR!
[groaning]
THE NIECE DECIDED SHE WOULD
CALL A DOCTOR AND GET HIM TO
MAKE A HOUSE CALL.
[niece chattering]
THE OLD MAN'S PLAN WAS FOILED,
BUT NOW THAT HIS DOOR WAS OPEN,
HE DECIDED TO MAKE A RUN FOR
IT!
(music plays)
[whistling]
SINCE THE OLD MAN'S ROOM DIDN'T
HAVE ANY WINDOWS, HE NEVER KNEW
WHAT TIME OF DAY IT WAS.
AND NOW, IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF
THE NIGHT, AND THERE WERE NO
BIRDS ABOUT.
OR WERE THERE?
A bird says DON'T WORRY.
HELP IS ON THE WAY!
[whistling]
Hundreds of birds grab him by the coat and fly him away from the house.
[birds chirping]
[old man laughing]
Fern says HE WAS NEVER SEEN
AGAIN.
BUT IF YOU EVER HEAR A BIRD
SINGING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
NIGHT, SHE'S SINGING ABOUT THE
OLD MAN.
George says THAT WAS AMAZING!
Fern says REALLY?
YOU THINK SO?
DO YOU THINK I'LL WIN?
George says INDUBITABLY,
WATTEAU!
(music plays)
[deep breath]
The next day she searches the paper to see who won the contest.
Fern says BEULAH MCINNERNY?!
(music plays)
She throws her story away.
She says DEAR DIARY, FROM THIS DAY
FORWARD I HEREBY GIVE UP
WRITING - FOREVER!
At school, Arthur says I'M REALLY SORRY YOU
DIDN'T WIN.
Fern says WHATEVER.
Buster says HEY, WHAT DID YOU
THINK OF THE PIECE THAT DID
WIN?
I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY MOVING.
Fern says "NINE REASONS I LOVE
MY GRANDPA"?!
THAT'S NOT EVEN A STORY!
THAT'S A LIST!
ANYWAY, I DON'T CARE.
I'VE DECIDED TO GIVE UP
WRITING.
Buster says WHAT?!
Arthur says YOU'RE NOT SERIOUS!
Fern says IT'S NO BIG DEAL.
I JUST WANT TO EXPLORE OTHER
ACTIVITIES FOR A CHANGE.
LIKE...
SPORTS.
(music plays)
She keeps the goal at a soccer match.
A bird lands on the crossbar.
[bird tweeting]
Fern says WHAT DO YOU WANT?
GO AWAY!
STOP STARING AT ME!
SHOO, SHOO!
(music plays)
Francine says WHERE WERE YOU?!
THIS IS A SOCCER PRACTICE,
FERN, NOT THE DAYDREAMING CLUB!
[exasperated sigh]
ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE, TAKE FIVE!
[bird tweeting]
George says WAS THAT BIRD
TALKING TO YOU, LIKE THE OLD
MAN IN THE STORY?
Fern says DON'T EVER MENTION
THAT AWFUL STORY TO ME AGAIN.
George says I LOVED IT!
ACTUALLY, I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT
TRY TO SUBMIT IT SOMEWHERE
ELSE.
I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND ALL
THESE COOL MAGAZINES THAT
PUBLISH STORIES BY KIDS.
Fern says FORGET IT, I CAN'T
SEND IT OUT.
George says FERN!
DON'T GIVE UP BECAUSE OF ONE
SILLY REJECTION!
Fern says I CAN'T SEND IT OUT
BECAUSE... I DESTROYED IT.
[whistle blowing]
She says WHOOO!
LET'S PLAY BALL!
(music plays)
[car honking]
George visits Harry Mills’ office.
Harry is a rabbit in a brown suit.
Harry says YES, I WAS A
JUDGE.
I THOUGHT FERN'S STORY WAS THE
BEST.
George says SO, FERN ACTUALLY
WON?
Harry says NO, THERE WERE
TWO OTHER JUDGES AND THEY LIKED
BEULAH'S BETTER.
George says WELL, COULD YOU
MAYBE PUBLISH HER STORY ANYWAY?
SHE'S REALLY UPSET.
Harry says SORRY, KIDDO,
BUT YOU CAN TELL HER SHE HAS
LOADS OF TALENT.
AND IF SHE STICKS TO IT, I
THINK SHE'LL BECOME AN AMAZING
WRITER.
(music plays)
[books crashing]
In her room, Fern kicks the ball and says GOALLL.
George says AH, WATTEAU!
CLEANING YOUR STUDY, I SEE.
I SAY, I RAN INTO THE MOST
CURIOUS FELLOW - A CERTAIN
HARRY MILLS.
Fern says HEY, GEORGE.
I DON'T FEEL LIKE SOLVING A
CASE RIGHT NOW.
HOW 'BOUT WE JUST WATCH TV?
George says GADZOOKS, WATTEAU!
IT'S 1932 IN GREAT BRITAIN!
WE DON'T HAVE TV YET!
George takes the story out of the dustbin and puts the pieces the pieces together.
(music plays)
Fern says (thinking..) SHE
SEEMED LIKE AN AVERAGE THIRD
GRADER - SHY, BOOKISH - BUT
ALMOST OVERNIGHT, SHE HAD
BECOME THE BEST SOCCER PLAYER
THEY HAD EVER SEEN!
(music plays)
HOW WAS THIS POSSIBLE?
IT WAS ALMOST LIKE SHE WAS A
MACHINE!
(music plays)
THAT'S BECAUSE...
SHE WAS A MACHINE.
EVEN SHE DIDN'T KNOW IT UNTIL -
Francine says FERN, HELLO?
HELLO?
ARE YOU GOING TO SHOOT SOME
TIME THIS CENTURY?
PRACTICE IS ALMOST OVER!
Fern says SORRY!
(music plays)
She kicks the ball and the ball hits the crossbar and bounces back to hit her in the head.
[clunk]
She says OOF!
Francine says OH, BROTHER!
George says HEY, FRANCINE, COULD
I TALK TO YOU FOR A SEC?
Francine says WHY NOT?
I'M SURE IT'LL BE ANOTHER HOUR
BEFORE SHE SHOOTS AGAIN.
(music plays)
In bed, Fern writes on her diary and says FIVE DAYS WITH NO
CREATIVE WRITING.
IT HASN'T BEEN EASY.
AND I THINK I NEED TO CHANGE
HOBBIES.
(music plays)
He goes in the kitchen for breakfast.
She sees a paper next to her cereal bowl and says THE FRENSKY STAR?
SINCE WHEN DOES SHE DELIVER ON
A SATURDAY?
"THE MAN WHO SPOKE WITH BIRDS."
BY FERN WALTERS?!
BUT HOW?
(music plays)
She goes to her room and sees the story is no longer in the dustbin.
She says IT WAS GEORGE!
(music plays)
She walks past the Sugar Bowl and says HE'S GOT SOME NERVE, DOING THIS
BEHIND MY BACK!
Arthur says FERN!
THAT WAS AN INCREDIBLE STORY!
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT?
Buster says THE BIRDS TOLD HER!
I'VE BEEN SAYING BIRDS COULD
TALK FOR YEARS, BUT NO ONE
LISTENS TO ME!
(music plays)
Muffy comes by in her car and says GREAT STORY, FERN.
ONE WORD FOR YOU: MOVIE RIGHTS.
I'M THINKING MATT DAMON AS THE
OLD MAN.
Fern says UM, THANKS.
Arthur says CONGRATULATIONS!
Fern says THANKS.
Muffy says CALL ME!
(music plays)
[bird chirping]
[doorbell rings]
Fern says YOU SUBMITTED THIS
WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.
George says I'M SORRY, I JUST...
YOU'RE THE MOST TALENTED PERSON
I KNOW.
YOU CAN'T GIVE UP WRITING!
Fern says I'M NOT GOING TO.
NOT ANYMORE.
George says YOU'RE...
YOU'RE NOT ANGRY?
Fern says NO.
BUT YOU DID LEAVE OUT THE BEST
PART OF THE STORY.
George says I DID?
Fern says THE DEDICATION!
"TO GEORGE LUNDGREN - THE BEST
FRIEND A WRITER COULD HAVE."
MERCI, MON AMI.
(music plays)
[birds chirping]
Now a real life clip plays.
A caption reads "A word from us kids."
The Class says AND NOW, A WORD FROM
US KIDS.
A student says TODAY, WE'RE WRITING
LIMERICKS, BECAUSE JUST THE
SAME AS FERN DOES, WE ARE
HAVING A WRITING CHALLENGE.
"THERE ONCE WAS A BUNNY
CALLED FUNNY.
ALL THE WHILE SHE HOPED TO BE
SUNNY."
A boy says "SO SHE WENT TO THE SUN
AND HAD SO MUCH FUN."
Another girl says "THAT SILLY BUNNY FROM
BALLENY."
[applause]
The first girl says IT WAS REALLY HARD TO FIND A
PLACE THAT RHYMED WITH BUNNY.
The second girl says BALLENY WAS AS CLOSE AS WE
COULD FIND, AND IT'S NEAR
ANTARCTICA.
The first girl says A LIMERICK IS A FIVE-LINE
VERSE.
IT'S NAMED AFTER THE COUNTY OF
LIMERICK IN IRELAND.
IT HAS AN A-A-B-B-A PATTERN.
ALL THE "A" LINES END WITH A
RHYME, AND SO DO ALL THE "B."
LINES.
A boy with wavy brown hair says "THERE ONCE WAS A TULIP
CALLED HOLY.
ALL THE WHILE HE HOPED TO BE
MOLEY.
Another boy with wavy brown hair says SO HE ATE A BIRD AND TURNED
INTO A NERD."
A boy with light brown hair says "THAT SILLY TULIP FROM
ROMEY."
[applause]
WE TOOK THE WORD "ROME."
AND THEN CHANGED IT TO ROMEY
SO IT RHYMED.
A boy with red hair says I LIKE LIMERICKS BECAUSE
THEY'RE CREATIVE AND YOU CAN
MAKE UP YOUR OWN STUFF.
"THERE ONCE WAS A BEE CALLED
SMEE."
A boy with curly brown hair says "ALL THE WHILE, HE WANTED
TO SEE A TURKEY."
Another boy with curly brown hair says "GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE!
SO HE WENT FOR A WALK AND
PLAYED SOME LACROSSE."
The boy with red hair says "THAT BEE WENT ALL THE WAY
TO GERMANY."
[applause]
A girl with brown hair in a braid says "THERE ONCE WAS A BUNNY
CALLED SUNNY.
ALL THE WHILE SHE HOPED SHE'D
GET HONEY."
A girl with blond hair says "SO SHE WENT TO THE MARKET
AND LOOKED IN HER POCKET."
A girl with long hair in piggy braids says "THAT HONEY WAS BOUGHT
WITH MONEY."
[applause]
A blond girl with a white headband says "I ONCE WENT TO AN ARCADE
AND GOT SOME LEMONADE."
A girl with curly brown hair and a blue headband says "I CLIMBED UP A TREE AND GOT
STUNG BY A BEE."
BZZZZZ!
A girl with brown hair with bangs in a ponytail "OW!
AND NOW I NEED SOME FIRST AID."
(music plays)
The Class says AND NOW, BACK TO
ARTHUR!
(music plays)
Now a new episode plays
D.W. stands in the cereal aisle and says WHERE IS IT?
(music plays)
Mum says WHERE'S WHAT,
HONEY?
D.W. says THE PUFFY UNICORN
CRUNCH!
IT'S ALWAYS RIGHT HERE.
WHAT IF THEY FORGOT TO PUT IT
ON THE SHELVES?
CALL THE MANAGER!
Mum says D.W., YOU'RE
MAKING A MESS.
D.W. says BUT IT'S MY FAVOURITE
CEREAL!
IT'S PUFFY AND CRUNCHY AND
UNICORNY!
Mum says THEY PROBABLY
JUST RAN OUT.
HOW 'BOUT SOMETHING ELSE,
LIKE...
PRUNES 'N' MILLET HUSKS?
D.W. crosses her arms.
(music plays)
Mum says WELL, I'M SORRY, BUT YOU'LL
JUST HAVE TO CHOOSE A DIFFERENT
ONE.
D.W. says BREAKFAST IS RUINED!
[gasp]
(music plays)
She spots one box in a mini pack and says THERE'S ONE!
BUT IT'S REALLY SMALL.
I'LL HAVE TO SAVE IT FOR A
SPECIAL OCCASION.
(music plays)
Arthur eats cereal as he watches T.V. in the sitting room.
[superhero music]
D.W. says IS TODAY A HOLIDAY?
Arthur says NO, IT'S JUST A
REGULAR SATURDAY.
D.W. says IT MUST BE A HOLIDAY
SOMEWHERE!
LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET!
[typing]
Arthur says HUH!
IT'S NATIONAL LIBRARIAN'S DAY.
D.W. says YES, I LOVE
LIBRARIANS!!
IT IS A SPECIAL OCCASION!
(music plays)
She goes to the kitchen and sees the cereal box missing from the pack.
[dramatic music]
She gasps and says ARTHUR!!
(music plays)
The name of the episode reads "Cereal. Written by John Yearley."
Buster says I'M HOME!
(music plays)
MOM?
(music plays)
Bitzi eats popcorn and listens to a show on her tablet.
She says AHHHH!
I WAS SO CAUGHT UP IN THIS
PODCAST, I DIDN'T HEAR YOU COME
IN.
Buster says "PODCAST"?
WHAT'S THAT?
Bitzi says A SHOW ON THE
INTERNET WHERE PEOPLE TELL
STORIES.
I WAS LISTENING TO ONE CALLED
"REAL LIFE MYSTERIES."
IT'S SO GRIPPING!
Buster says CAN I HEAR IT?
Bitzi says SURE!
WE'LL LISTEN TO THE NEXT
EPISODE OVER DINNER.
[crunching]
(music plays)
Byron Hunt says WELCOME TO "REAL
LIFE MYSTERIES."
I'M YOUR HOST, BYRON HUNT.
TODAY'S EPISODE: ARE YOU BEING
WATCHED?
AND, IF SO, BY WHOM?
OR WHAT?
[suspenseful music]
Bob says HE WAS EVERYWHERE,
STARING AT ME!
WHAT DID HE WANT?
Byron Hunt says FINALLY, BOB
DECIDED TO CONFRONT THE OLD
MAN.
Buster says NO, DON'T DO IT,
BOB!
HE'S A BRAIN-SUCKING MUTANT!
Byron Hunt says BUT THE OLD MAN
SAID NOTHING.
INSTEAD, HE JUST SHOWED BOB A
PHOTOGRAPH.
IT WAS OF A LITTLE BOY...
WHO LOOKED JUST LIKE BOB.
[gasp]
Buster says BOB'S A
BRAIN-SUCKING MUTANT, TOO?
Bitzi says BUSTER, EAT.
(music plays)
Byron Hunt says AND THAT'S HOW
BOB LEARNED ABOUT ROB - THE
IDENTICAL TWIN HE HAD NEVER
MET.
Buster says WOW.
Byron Hunt says NEXT WEEK ON
"REAL LIFE MYSTERIES," CAN
PETS PREDICT THE FUTURE?
(music plays)
Buster says I THINK I'VE JUST
FOUND WHAT I WANT TO DO WHEN I
GROW UP.
Bitzi says CREATE PODCASTS?
Buster says YEAH!
Bitzi says YOU COULD DO THAT
NOW.
Buster says REALLY?
Bitzi says IT'S PRETTY EASY.
YOU JUST NEED A MICROPHONE,
SOME EDITING SOFTWARE...
THE HARD PART IS COMING UP WITH
A GREAT STORY.
Buster says RIGHT, IT'S GOT TO
BE SOMETHING EXCITING, STRANGE,
MYSTERIOUS!
(music plays)
TODAY, ON THE BAXTER FILES:
WHAT HAPPENS TO A TUNA FISH
SANDWICH LEFT IN A CABINET FOR
TWO MONTHS?
UGH, THAT SMELL!
IT'S LIKE A SICK WALRUS WITH
DIRTY TOES!
HERE, TAKE A WHIFF!
OH RIGHT, YOU CAN'T SMELL.
AH, WELL, THAT KIND OF RUINS
THAT STORY.
THE MYSTERIOUS SNAIL!
ONE MINUTE YOU SEE THEM INCHING
ALONG, THE NEXT, THEY VANISH!
BUT WHERE EXACTLY DO THEY GO?
(music plays)
OH, INSIDE THEIR SHELL!
HUH, NEVER KNEW THAT.
THE END.
(music plays)
[doorbell rings]
(music plays)
Arthur opens the door.
Buster shows Arthur a picture of himself and says DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS IS?
[dramatic music]
Arthur says UM, ME?
Buster says NO, IT'S CHESTER -
YOUR IDENTICAL TWIN!
HOW DO YOU FEEL, ARTHUR READ?
Arthur says CONFUSED!
BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE AN
IDENTICAL TWIN.
Buster says HOW DO YOU KNOW?
YOU MIGHT!
Arthur says BUSTER, I REMEMBER
WHEN THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN.
Buster sighs and says I'M TRYING
TO MAKE A PODCAST, BUT I DON'T
HAVE ANY IDEAS.
D.W. says I HAVE AN IDEA!
DO A STORY ABOUT THE BIGGEST
CEREAL THIEF IN THE WORLD!
Arthur says D.W., ONCE AND FOR
ALL, I DIDN'T TAKE YOUR CRUNCHY
UNICORN PUFFS.
D.W. says IT'S PUFFY UNICORN
CRUNCH!
AND YOU DID TOO!
I SAW YOU EATING THEM!
Arthur says I WAS EATING OATEY
RINGS!
D.W. says LIAR!
FIRST SNOWBALLS, NOW BREAKFAST
FOODS?
YOU'RE HEADING DOWN A BAD PATH,
ARTHUR READ.
Buster says WAIT, THIS IS
PERFECT!
THERE'S MYSTERY, SUSPENSE,
PLENTY OF WEIRD CHARACTERS.
D.W. says WHAT'S HE TALKING
ABOUT?
Arthur says BUSTER'S MAKING SOME
RADIO SHOW.
Buster says IT HAS ALL THE
ELEMENTS OF A GREAT STORY!
I'VE EVEN GOT THE PERFECT NAME
FOR IT: "CEREAL"!
TODAY ON "CEREAL," AN AVERAGE
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD AARDVARK
DESCENDS INTO A LIFE OF CRIME
AND DEPRAVITY.
PRETTY GREAT, HUH?
D.W. says I'LL SAY!
Arthur says NO!
NOT GREAT!
I DON'T WANT ANY PART OF THIS!
Buster says ARTHUR, IF YOU
DIDN'T DO IT, YOU HAVE NOTHING
TO FEAR.
I'LL PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE.
D.W. says HA!
GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!
Arthur says WELL, I WOULD LIKE
TO GET D.W. OFF MY BACK.
Buster says GREAT!
LET'S START WITH THE SCENE OF
THE CRIME.
Arthur says THERE WAS NO CRIME!
(music plays)
At night in his room, Buster says WHAT IF SOMEONE
YOU'VE KNOWN FOR YOUR ENTIRE
LIFE, SOMEONE YOU'VE ALWAYS
TRUSTED, TURNED OUT TO BE
DISHONEST?
WOULD YOU EVER BE ABLE TO
BELIEVE THEM AGAIN?
(music plays)
DO WE EVER REALLY KNOW SOMEONE?
THIS IS THE QUESTION I'LL TRY
TO ANSWER... ON "CEREAL."
[suspenseful music]
[satisfied sigh]
The next day in the park,
Binky says THERE'S NO PICTURES?
ALL YOU DO IS LISTEN TO SOME
GUY TALK?
Buster says JUST CLICK ON THE
LINK I SENT OUT LAST NIGHT AND
GIVE IT A TRY.
Binky says MAYBE IF I CAN'T
SLEEP, I WILL LISTEN TO YOUR...
WITTLE BEDTIME STOWIES!
[laughing]
Fern says HEY, GREAT PODCAST!
ONE QUESTION: THERE WAS NO
EMPTY BOX IN THE TRASH, RIGHT?
Buster says RIGHT.
Fern says SO, WHAT DID ARTHUR DO
WITH THE EVIDENCE?
Arthur says ARTHUR DIDN'T DO
ANYTHING WITH THE EVIDENCE
BECAUSE ARTHUR IS INNOCENT!
(music plays)
Buster says MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN
TOMORROW.
I'M GOING TO INTERVIEW THE
VICTIM.
D.W. says AFTER I SAW THE BOX
WAS GONE, I WENT INTO THE DEN.
HE'D FINISHED IT ALL.
THERE WAS...
[blowing nose]
MILK DRIPPING DOWN HIS CHIN!
MY OWN BROTHER!
[loud sobbing]
DID YOU GET THAT?
WANT ME TO DO IT AGAIN?
Buster says NO.
THAT WAS PERFECT.
Arthur says I DON'T EVEN LIKE
PUFFY UNICORN CRUNCH!
WHY WOULD I TAKE IT?
D.W. says REVENGE!
YOU WERE ANGRY BECAUSE I GAVE
YOUR BIONIC BUNNY DOLL A
MAKEOVER!
Buster says IS THIS TRUE?
Arthur says WELL, YES.
ACTUALLY, I'M STILL ANGRY ABOUT
THAT, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN
I...
Buster says OH, I GOTTA GO!
I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HOME AN
HOUR AGO!
WE'LL GET YOUR SIDE OF THE
STORY TOMORROW!
(music plays)
The next day at the school cafeteria, the kids approach Buster.
Fern says WHEN'S THE NEXT ONE?
Francine says I CAN'T STOP
LISTENING!
George says DID ARTHUR DO IT?
Buster says CALM DOWN, EVERYONE!
THERE'LL BE A NEW EPISODE
ONLINE TONIGHT!
IT'S AN INTERVIEW WITH THE
SUSPECT!
(music plays)
They all look at Arthur.
Buster says I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW POPULAR
THIS PODCAST IS!
I HAVE OVER 50 LISTENERS.
Arthur says YOU JUST BETTER MAKE
SURE YOU CLEAR MY NAME!
(music plays)
PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO TREAT
ME DIFFERENTLY.
Buster says DON'T WORRY, I'M
JUST INTERESTED IN TELLING THE
TRUTH.
He shows him some hand cuffs and says OH, WOULD YOU MIND PUTTING
THESE ON?
I JUST THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, FOR
THE POSTER.
Arthur takes Buster’s sandwich and puts it in his soup.
(music plays)
[knocking]
(music plays)
Buster enters Arthur’s house and says ARTHUR, I'M HERE FOR THE
INTERVIEW!
ARTHUR?
(music plays)
He picks up something from the floor, sniffs it and says A PUFFY UNICORN CRUNCH NUGGET!
OH NO, ARTHUR, YOU DIDN'T!
(music plays)
He looks under the bed and gasps. He sees the dog eating the cereal.
He says IT WAS YOU!!
(music plays)
[whimpers]
(music plays)
Arthur says BUSTER?
WHERE ARE YOU?
Buster walks down the stairs and says UH...
UH, BE RIGHT DOWN!
Arthur says I SAW YOUR BIKE OUT
THERE.
WHERE WERE YOU?
Buster says BATHROOM!
MY STOMACH IS GUILTY.
I MEAN, QUEASY!
GOTTA GO!
CALL YOU LATER!
(music plays)
[Pal whining]
[crickets chirping]
(music plays)
In Buster’s imagination, Fern says THE DOG DID IT?!
George says WHAT A TERRIBLE
ENDING!
Francine says I WANT MY MONEY
BACK!
Buster says BUT IT WAS FREE!
Francine says WELL, YOU SHOULD
PAY US FOR WASTING OUR TIME!
Fern says IT WAS AWFUL!
George says WORST THING I EVER
HEARD!
Francine says BINKY WAS RIGHT!
Buster says BUT THAT'S WHAT
HAPPENED!
WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO, LIE?
(music plays)
Buster says WELL, IT ISN'T REALLY A LIE IF
I JUST LEAVE OUT A FEW FACTS.
TODAY, I FOUND THE MISSING
CEREAL BOX RIGHT UNDER ARTHUR'S
BED!
YOU CAN DRAW YOUR OWN
CONCLUSIONS, BUT IT SEEMS AS IF
ARTHUR READ IS...
(music plays)
I CAN'T DO IT!
[tape rewinding]
THIS IS YOUR HOST, BUSTER
BAXTER.
SPOILER ALERT: THIS FINAL
EPISODE MIGHT BE A LETDOWN.
EVEN THOUGH ALL SIGNS POINTED
TO ARTHUR'S GUILT, TODAY I
FOUND OUT WHO THE REAL CULPRIT
WAS: HIS DOG, PAL.
THERE WAS NO CRIME, NO PLOT FOR
REVENGE.
JUST A HUNGRY CANINE WHO SAW AN
OPPORTUNITY AND SEIZED IT.
I STARTED THIS SERIES WONDERING
IF YOU CAN EVER REALLY KNOW
SOMEONE.
WELL, NOW I HAVE MY ANSWER.
IF THAT SOMEONE IS ARTHUR, THEN
YES.
BUT I WONDER ABOUT MYSELF.
AT SOME POINT, I STOPPED CARING
ABOUT ARTHUR'S INNOCENCE
BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO MAKE
A GOOD STORY.
I THINK PART OF ME EVEN WANTED
HIM TO BE GUILTY.
WHAT KIND OF FRIEND DOES THAT
MAKE ME?
DO WE EVER REALLY KNOW
OURSELVES?
(music plays)
The next day at school, Buster says AHH!
ARTHUR!
SO...
WHAT DID YOU THINK?
Arthur says WELL, ONCE MY NAME
WAS CLEARED, I ACTUALLY THOUGHT
IT WAS PRETTY INTERESTING.
ARE YOU GOING TO DO ANOTHER
ONE?
(music plays)
Binky says ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT
THE PODCAST?
I'M ON EPISODE TWO!
DON'T SAY ANOTHER WORD!
LA LA LA LA LA,
LA LA LA LA!
(music plays)
The end credits roll as the theme song plays.
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