The gang and Ms. Eugenia sit in front of the chimney to listen her story. Artie finally wakes up and pays attention.
"Alright. Let me introduce myself to you. I'm Eugenia Cartwell. I was born in 1945 and I don't know when I'm gonna die. Maybe in ten minutes", she said.
"We met her after she hired Taffy and me for a party. When the party ended, she gently invited us for a coffee. And during that talk, she told us about the complications she's handling today", Giggles added.
"She's right. These recent days have been hard, and more exhausted for an old lady like me", Eugenia said. "I bought this building when I was 34 years old and it became one of the best apartment buildings of the decade. Everyone enjoyed to rest here. And it filled more during special days like Valentine, Thanksgiving and Christmas."
"What does that mean?" Clare asked, confused.
"It means this building was very popular during Ms. Eugenia's time", David said to her.
"Ohh!" Clare replied.
"Yes. But over the years the tenants began to move into other cities and cheaper places to live. The building was losing guests and when I least expected it, the place was empty", Eugenia said.
"I'm sorry for that, Ms. Eugenia", Carol said.
"Thanks, darling. As you can see, no one rent here. Giggles and Taffy are the only two guests. But with the money they earn is not enough. I have some debts to pay, and if I don't pay them, I will lose the building", she said, getting depressed. "Fifty years keeping this place with hard job can be thrown to the trash in just seconds. I don't know what to do."
"And have you not tried to find another job?" Chandler said.
"I did, but no one wants to hire a 73 old woman. Good moments were celebrated here. But it seems that those days are gone", Eugenia said.
The gang stay quiet, very moved after hearing this wonderful story of effort. In that moment, Artie stands up and makes a call.
"Although I'm just meeting you, I can honestly say that this story touched me. If something I have learned in my short life is that we should be proud of the success we gain, no matter how big or small it is. Ms. Eugenia, you did a great job and you will continue doing a great job", he said, smiling.
"Child, your words are precious", Eugenia said.
"If there's anything that I can do for help, I'll be pleased to do it", he said.
Chandler is delighted with Artie. This encourages him. Then, the red haired boy stands up as well.
"I'll support Artie. And I'll help Ms. Eugenia to pay your debts", he said.
"Me too", Carol said and stands up.
"Me too", Dana said.
And so the rest of them stand up, compromising at same time to help Ms. Eugenia. After hanging out so many times together, these friends develop a strong bond of love. Nowadays it's really hard to find friends so humble and friendly like them. The landlady is very flattered by this.
"I guess the question is: How are we going to get money?" Lindsey said.
"The only option is to getting a job", Sam said.
"It would be hard. We also have school", Chandler said.
"Did you forget that summer vacations will commence in five days?" David said.
"Seriously?!" Dana said.
"Yes", he replied, adjusting his glasses.
And indeed, June was about to finish. Summer vacations of July are just around the corner.
"Based on my calculus, we can take advantage of this. We can collect enough money after July ends and it will be enough to pay the debts. It only depends that the ones who are unemployed get a job", David said.
"That sounds mathematically impossible", Lindsey said.
"I hate to admit it, but Lindsey is right", Maggie added. "How are we supposed to find a job and gain money in just five days?"
And all of them begin to discuss. Thinking on a solution, Chandler only gets something to tell.
"Guys, listen up!" he said.
Everyone get silent.
"Look, it may seem impossible, but it's not. One day, I dreamed to have at least one friend to chat, play and even admire. I thought it will be impossible, because no one wanted to talk with me and I'm not so outgoing. I told to the Lord how I wished to meet someone to… share my feelings or any other issue. Today, I can see that… He listened me and gave me a friend. Well, not only one friend, but ten", he said.
The girls, David, Taffy, and Artie immediately know that he was referring to them. Carol is the first one, and smiles to this.
"I was alone, and I was sad. Until one person came to me… like an angel… and told me that my life can be better if the One who died for me on a cross enter to my heart and I have faith on Him. You don't know how grateful I am with that person…" Chandler said, glaring to Carol.
With only watching him, Carol can figure out that he was talking with truth and sincerity. A huge amount of happiness invades her heart, and a tear sprouts from her right eye and runs down her cheek. Those words coming out from the mouth of the boy whom she helped to feel happy days ago really touched her.
"So I encourage you, my friends, to believe on God. What for us looks impossible, for him it's possible. Guys, is time to believe. To have faith that we can do it. I have faith we're going to succeed", he said.
Carol then walks towards him and puts her arm around his shoulders. "I do believe we can do it", she said.
"I believe as well", Sam said.
"Me either", Clare said.
The rest of them agree and their faces are illuminated by a feeling of perseverance. The discussions and doubts were discarded by the faith.
"We can do it!" Maggie said.
"We can do it!" Giggles said.
Taffy says 'We can do it!' with signs. Watterson barks of joy.
"WE CAN DO IT!" they all said at unison.
And with new expectations, the gang start their mission. Those who are unemployed go outside to find a temporary job. Meanwhile, the others stay with Ms. Eugenia to check the whole building.
"Alright, lady. Show us this place, so we can see how much potential it has", David said.
"Fine. Let's go first to the rooftop. There you can see the pool", she said.
"The pool?!" Dana said.
Effectively, there's a swimming pool outside. But the water looks very dirty, and it appears that an alligator is living there.
"Uggh! This doesn't look like a pool", Clare said in disgust.
"What can I say? I haven't had enough time to clean it", Eugenia said.
"Don't worry. I handle this", David.
The smart boy then takes out from his lab coat a little test tube which contains a liquid.
"Fortunately, I always keep one of them", he said, and pours the liquid in the water.
In seconds, the dark and polluted water becomes transparent and clean. Even the alligator emerges out of the water and runs away.
"Wow! How did you do that?" Dana asked to David, very impressed. Watterson is also impressed.
"I poured a solution to disinfect the water. Is one of my greatest inventions", he said.
"And there's no problem if someone dive?" Eugenia said.
"I guess not. But to be sure we should check the water's status. That let us to my second greatest invention", he said.
After this, David presses a button of his watch. One minute later, a robot appears flying in the air, and lands in the backyard.
"Did you call me, master? Bip-bup-bip" the robot said.
"Ladies, behold this extraordinary machine called 'G.I.G.A.'", David said.
"Ohh!" the girls said.
"G.I.G.A. is one of the robots from a set of service robots I created to help disabled people", David explained.
"Affirmative. Bip-bup-bip! How may I help you?" G.I.G.A. said.
"Make a study to the water of this pool, please", David said.
The robot proceeds to put his telescopic arm under the water. Then, his face which is a monitor begins to analyze it. This process takes only fifteen seconds. After this, he shows up the results.
"Temperature: 38 grades. pH: 7, normal", G.I.G.A. said.
"We can stay in the water", David said after reading the results.
"Amazing…" the girls said.
"Thanks, G.I.G.A.", the smart boy said.
"No problemo. Bip-bup-bip!" the robot said, doing a digital smile on his monitor.
"What else does G.I.G.A. can do?" Clare asked.
"I can do mathematical calculations, analyze plants and animals, and survive under water or if I catch fire. I even have installed karaoke", G.I.G.A. said.
"Ohh! That sounds good for me. I love karaoke", Eugenia said.
"Yes. And in an act of courtesy. G.I.G.A., from now you will serve Ms. Eugenia with the shores of this house", David ordered him. "We trust you will do a great job, right?"
"Affirmative. Bib-bup-yeah!" the robot said with joy. "Lady, I'm here to help you."
"Oh, David! You're very gentle. Thanks!" Eugenia said and strokes his hair.
"Hahaha! Ok, let's check the rest of the place", David said.
Minutes later, they arrive to the sports bar located in the basement. The place is very disregarded, with dust on its tables and chairs and spider webs on the corners.
"Look at this basement", Dana said.
"This used to be a good room to share some nice moments with folks and family. But now is totally forgotten", Eugenia said.
"And did you sell alcohol here?" David asked.
"No! I never sold or consumed alcohol! Not after my brother died from cirrhosis…" she said.
"Ohh… I'm really sorry", David apologized.
"It's ok. By the way, what can we do here?" she said.
"Hmm… I guess I can do some fixes in this place. Working on a department store has taught me many tips about interior decoration", Dana said.
"So I guess you will take charge of this, isn't it?" David said.
"Yes. I'm just gonna need some wallpaper, a hammer, a saw…" she said.
And with the help of G.I.G.A., Dana begins the remodeling of the bar.
Meanwhile, the guys who go to find a job come back after being one and a half hour outside.
"Welcome back", Clare said.
"Hi. Guess what? Artie and I got a job!" Chandler exclaimed.
"Now we're workers at Good Sport Sporting Goods", Artie said.
"And I got it at Aloha Comrade restaurant as an amateur chef", Carol said.
"That's cool! My new job is on The Spin Cycle. They needed a new guitarist for the next concerts they will give this vacations", Sam said.
"I'll be a model on a new children clothing store at the mall", Lindsey said. "This is my time to shine!"
"And I will work as a stork worker at the supermarket", Maggie said. "I feel oddly comfortable between boxes."
"Well, it appears we get the jobs after all", Chandler said, smiling.
"You were right, dude. We only needed to believe on Him", Sam said, and points up with her finger.
"Indeed", Maggie said.
"Ok, it's getting late and you better go back to your houses. Tomorrow you can come back here if you want", Eugenia said.
"Speaking of that. Ms. Eugenia, is there any vacancy to stay here on July?" Chandler asked, with an eyebrow lifted.
"Are you trying to tell me that you want to stay here on your vacations?" she said, surprised.
"Seriously?!" Carol said.
"Yes. This place will have a new guest", he said.
"Well, if you insist. You can live here until your free days at school finish."
"Thanks, lady."
"You know, it is not a bad idea", Giggles said. "Ms. Eugenia, sign me as well. I want to stay here."
Taffy supports his cousin and says 'I want to be here, too' with sings.
Soon, all the gang decide to stay living for this vacations in the apartment building. Eugenia doesn't know how to give them thanks.
"You really are special kids", Eugenia said.
Suddenly, Dana and G.I.G.A. come from the basement.
"Hey guys! What are you talking about?" Dana said.
"We're going to live here for this vacations", Maggie said.
"Fun! Can I be included?" she asked.
"Me too? Bip-bup-please?" G.I.G.A. said.
"Of course. You two are included", Eugenia said with a grin.
"Yes! Oh! I almost forgot it. The sports bar is ready", Dana said.
"Sports bar?" Sam asked, intrigued.
And the whole bunch go to the basement. They get totally astonished after watching how beautiful and perfect it is after Dana's and G.I.G.A.'s remodeling. What was an old and messy place is now an entertained and fresh place to hang out with friends.
"You guys made this?! It's groovy!" Chandler said with joy.
"Thanks, Chandly!" Dana said, flattered.
"It's a pleasure to help you. Bip-bup-bop!", G.I.G.A. said.
Everyone celebrate this. A new chapter in the story of Ms. Eugenia's apartment building was being written. But then Artie notice something.
"Is it me or everyone just noticed the robot that is with us?" he said.
And they turn their look to G.I.G.A. The robot feels a little awkward.
"What?" he said.
To be continued…
