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Season 2 Episode 4: Sock Opera Part 1
Chapter 103: Puppets
Later, Dipper had asked Mabel to take him to the library so that they could have some mystery twins time, and also to make sure that she didn't feel neglected from him spending too much time with Wendy. Soos had finally gotten the old laptop to working and they were just a few keystrokes from learning all about the author and the other mysteries of Gravity Falls. Unfortunately, after a brief loading screen, there was a request for an 8 figure password.
Dipper clenched his fists in frustration. "Of course, there'd be a password. Why didn't I see that coming?"
"Good question. Everything about this author guy has been one mystery after another. A simple password seems pretty tame to what we usually deal with."
Dipper sighed his acceptance as Mabel petted his back.
"Don't worry, bro-bro. With us working together, there's nothing we can't-do you hear that?" Mabel looked around until she zeroed in on a blond kid in a ponytail singing and putting on a puppet show for extra little kids. "Hellooo."
"Oh boy," Dipper grumbled. "Wait, I thought you settled on only liking girls. Why are you giving goo-goo eyes to that guy?"
"It's not him, it's the puppets," Mabel whispered. "I was talking with you-know-who this morning and she mentioned that she likes puppets."
Dipper blinked. "That's kinda random."
"Hey, we like what we like," said Mabel with an accepting shrug. "Anyway, she's really not allowed out of the house that much, but I think this might be a way to do something nice for her. You know, so she doesn't have to feel all lonely. Pleaaase."
Twisting his face in anger as Mabel bore down on him with those irresistible puppy dog eyes, Dipper finally had to look away. "You know I can't say no to that face."
"I do. And thanks." She kissed the side of his head before venturing over to the puppeteer.
While Dipper tried researching alone, his attention would invariably be drawn over to what Mabel was up to. The guy's name was Gabe and he seemed extra into his puppets, talking to them even after the show had ended. Mabel introduced herself as an aspiring puppeteer who wanted to put on a show for a friend. The two traded numbers and Gabe agreed to make himself available to answer any and all of Mabel's questions, happy to lend his assistance to the benefit of someone who appreciated his craft. He wouldn't actually be helping, however. For what Mabel had planned, he could offer tips and pointers, but a true show had to come from the heart. With a line that sappy, of course, Mabel fell for it.
"So let me get this straight," Dipper said, practically interrogating his nervously approaching sister. "Did you just agree to write and compose a sock opera with lights, original music, and pyrotechnics by Friday?"
Mabel shrunk her neck into her shoulders and smiled guiltily. "Kinda."
"Mabel, what about cracking this password? We were going to do the whole mystery twins thing."
Mabel dropped down to Dipper's level. "If you help me with this for just a few days, I promise I'll help you with the password. Pleaaase! Pretty please." Then, when he still looked hesitant, she brought out the puppy dog eyes and whispered, "It's for friendship."
"Oh, alri-"
"Yes, thank you! This guy, everyone," Mabel shouted to the library. "He's number one!"
The pair was asked to leave on account of the noise, not noticing a triangular shadow following them out the door.
With less than a week to get ready, the first stop for the twins was to buy all needed materials. That included socks, cardboard, string, googly eyes, and various things that made the hobby shop guy very happy. It didn't take much for Mabel's enthusiasm to spread through the rest of the Shack, and even Grenda and Candy were all too pleased to finally have the free time to join in. Now in the living room, everyone was hard at work. Wendy was blow-drying some painted socks, Soos and Grenda were assembling the set, Candy was editing the script, Dipper was cutting fabric, Mabel wouldn't shut up about how great all this was going to be, and Waddles was there to do the important job of wearing socks on his ears. It was a grand old time for all involved, except for Stan who chose to keep his distance, and Dipper whose frustration was building from his prior failures with the password.
"C'mon, Dipper," Wendy encouraged after noticing how bummed the little guy looked. "You just gotta roll with Mabel's craziness. It's what makes life worth living."
"I feel like I should be the one saying that."
"You should, but you didn't, so now it's my turn."
"Mabel, I am loving this script," informed Candy. "The drama. The passion." She sniffled. "And the dialogue is very you. Cute and lovable."
"Thanks. That's exactly what I was going for," tittered Mabel as she played with the electric piano.
"And I really like the love interest, Atlanta. Tell me, is she based on anyone?"
Now on full alert, Dipper and Wendy shared a suspicious look while the rest seemed oblivious.
"Heh-heh," Mabel laughed nervously. "Oh, she's just a character I made up for the story. A lonely princess locked away in a tower, just waiting for her gallant prince – who is also a princess – to swoop in and save her from the evil ogre, succubus, and the tragically brainwashed elf. You know, just a little twist on a classic fable. No need to read any deeper into it, heh-heh."
Looking at Dipper, Wendy gave him a coy smile and bounced her eyebrows.
"I have to, uh, use the bathroom," Dipper said, suspiciously dismissing himself.
"And I gotta go check on this one thing," Wendy said coolly. "Be right back, ya'll." Once they were out of sight, Wendy invited Dipper onto her hand so that she could carry him out of earshot. "Okay, I get that there's this secret you gotta keep, but what all happened at that golf course?" she whispered, needing to hear the story.
"We, uh, saw another side of Pacifica. Like I said, she's not so bad. Though I guess Mabel's taking this more seriously than I thought."
"What was your first clue?" deadpanned Wendy. "Was it the big make out scene in the finale?" She started laughing. "Though I guess this does explain how she was able to rent the theatre for her show."
"Not to mention the professional camera crew," Dipper added. "Though I'm not too sure where the advertising is coming from."
"Dude, Mabel getting excited about something is pretty contagious. She's a people person and kinda the new town darling. Also, the folks of this town will flock to anything that breaks up the humdrum of their boring lives."
"Humdrum. Boy, I wish I knew what that was like," Dipper chuckled before giving a yawn.
"You been getting enough sleep, little man? Those bags under your eyes look big enough to carry you in."
"I'm fine," he yawned again. "I've just working all night on the password for the laptop."
"Dude, you better not just be putting in random words. Isn't there, like, some kind of clue or code you can go off of?"
"If there is, I haven't found it. Mabel was supposed to help, but now she's all wrapped up in this puppet show, and now I don't know what to do!" Dipper dug his fingers into his hair, the stress of the last few nights catching up with him.
"Whoa. Chill, little man. No offense to Mabel, but solving codes doesn't really sound like her strong suit."
Dipper rested his forehead on his palm. "I don't know. We usually do this sort of thing together. Just having a partner kind of makes it easier for me."
"Then how about me? I'll be your partner."
Dipper blinked. "Y-you will?"
"Sure thing. I've got the time. So, what is it that Mabel would usually do that's such a big help?"
Dipper laughed and rubbed the back of his neck apprehensively. "Well, she uh… Whenever I'd get stuck with a problem like this, she'd, uh… stick me in her underwear." He shrank sheepishly. "Don't know why, but that helps me focus."
"Dude, I'm so very disappointed in you right now."
Pursing his lips, Dipper looked away.
"Do you have any idea how much time you've wasted out here when you could have been living it up inside my panties?" Wendy tsked her disapproval. "You know what comes next, right?"
Dipper just smiled, both in arousal and gratitude.
Chapter 104: A Deal Offered
The official story was that Dipper had bailed on puppet making and had retreated up to the attic to work on the laptop. Somehow that was all the information Mabel needed to shoot Wendy a lascivious smirk. For the next few hours, the redhead kept fidgeting like she had to pee really badly. Dipper, mercifully, wasn't even really doing anything. He just sat there, in her panties, with his back against her pussy while he worked on the laptop. Wendy imagined what it must've been like in there. Hot and smelly seemed like fitting answers. Was she jostling him around too much? If she did, he'd probably have to slap her to get her attention. That seemed like his default for communicating with the bigger sort. However, the redhead bit her lip when she started wondering where exactly he'd slap her down there, and whether things would be better or worse if he were between her ass cheeks instead.
However, although Dipper found this setting paradoxically relaxing, he still hadn't made any progress. He thanked Wendy when it was time for her to leave, but his frustration returned with a vengeance the moment she was gone. Not helping were all of Mabel's finished puppets that she insisted on sleeping with. The things looked creepy in the night. Rubbing his tired eyes, Dipper ignored his sister's advice on getting some sleep and instead headed for the roof for some fresh night air. The change of setting did nothing to help and the error sound was driving him mad.
"There has to be some shortcut or clue," Dipper muttered, rubbing his heavy eyelids. "Who would know about secret codes?"
An ominous wind began to blow, waking Dipper up. It felt like eyes were upon him, so he grabbed the laptop and prepared to make a run for it. That's when the moon shined a spotlight down on him as shapes converged all around it, forming a familiar face as the world was zapped of all color.
"I think I know a guy," Bill cheered, twirling his cane. "Well, well, well, you're awfully persistent, Pine Tree. Hat's off to you." Bill tipped his hat, somehow changing the pull of gravity.
"You again!"
"Did you miss me? Admit it. You missed me."
"Hardly. You worked with Gideon and tried to destroy my uncle's mind."
"It was just a job kid," dismissed Bill as he floated around. "No hard feelings. I've been keeping an {b}eye on you{/b} since then," he said in what could only be taken as a threat. "And I must say, I'm impressed. You deserve a prize. Here, have a head that's always screaming." Bill manifested a head that kind of looked like George Lucas but with braids. It screamed in horrific agony for only a second before the skin, muscle, and bone disintegrated. It was a cheap scare, but an effective one. "The point is I like you. How's about you let me give you a hint, huh? I'd only ask for a small {b}favor{/b} in return." The fire around his hand, and his eye both flashed blue.
"I'd never do a favor for you. Don't forget who defeated you last time," Dipper challenged.
"Right. You 'defeated' me," Bill laughed, making air quotes. "Well, if you ever change your mind, I'll be here for you, ready to make a deal. Hey, wanna hear my impression of you in a few seconds? Waaa!"
"Waaa!" Dipper snapped awake after nodding off on the roof. He'd been lucky not to have been carried off by an owl in the night. He found Mabel in the kitchen and urged her to take him someplace private. "Mabel, last night I had a dream with Bill in it."
Her eyes went wide. "That freaky triangle guy?"
"Yeah. He said he'd give me the code to the laptop if I gave him something. Ha." Dipper folded his arms smugly. "As if I'd actually trust him."
"Yeah, you're too smart for that dummy. Besides, today's the day, bro-bro. As soon as the puppet show's done, you've got me 100%. I'll help you crack that code in no time," she boasted, patting her groin. "We just gotta do a little rehearsal to make sure everything's good for the show."
Outside, most of the set pieces had been arranged. Mabel and company didn't bother arranging for the music and special effects. Candy and Grenda were very confident in their work. This performance was just a proof on the story and practical effects. Gabe rolled up on his roller blades, still wearing his puppets on his hands, and flipping his ponytail as if a commercial was shooting. While Candy plotted deeds most foul, Mabel got on with the show. Gabe, although initially impressed with Mabel's passion, soon fell out of love with the show. He demanded nothing less than total perfection, asserting that if Mabel didn't give her very best, then the magic of the show would be lost. Then he left.
"Ugh! We gotta up our game, girls. Did you hear that thing he said about the stitches? I'm back on fabrication," Mabel announced, throwing all her puppets into a box and running back inside for a full last-minute overhaul.
"Mabel," Dipper called. "You just said you'd help me."
"Sorry Dipper, but this sock crisis just bumped up to a code argyle. The laptop can wait."
"Mabel, do you really think this silly crush is more important than uncovering the secrets of this town? You're obsessing over someone you were ready to curb-stomp a week ago."
"I'm obsessed?" Mabel challenged indignantly. "Just look at you. You look like a vampire, and not the hot kind."
"But you said you were gonna help me today."
"After. I said after the show, and that's still not for a few hours."
"Okay fine!" Dipper snapped and marched off. "I'll do it on my own."
Up in the attic, Dipper was having about as much luck as he'd had all week. The error beep was morphing into mocking laughter to his sleep deprived brain. Then the worst case happened. "Too many failed entries," said the computer. "Initiating data erasure in 5 minutes." A ticking clock appeared.
"No, no, no! I'm gonna lose everything? I've only got one more try!?" exclaimed Dipper in a panic.
Then the world went black and white once more as a golden triangle appeared in a flash of blue light. "Well, well, well. Someone's looking desperate," taunted Bill as he idly floated around.
"I thought I told you to *yawn* leave me alone."
"I can help ya, kid. Ya just have to hear my demands."
Sleep addled, Dipper made the foolish decision of indulging the demon. "What do you want anyway? To eat my soul, to rip out my teeth, are you going to replace my eyes with millions of baby hands or something?"
"Yeesh kid. Relax. Though that last one's not a bad idea. Reminds me of this llama I used to hang out with. All I want is a puppet."
"What are you playing at?" asked Dipper, glancing at the ever ticking clock.
"Everyone loves puppets. And it looks like you've got a surplus," Bill cheered.
"I don't know, man. Mabel worked really hard on those."
Dipper tried to hold onto what was right, but Bill was a smooth talker. He took advantage of Dipper's weakened state, showing selective images over the summer of him helping Mabel while painting a picture of her doing nothing for him. It was a lie fit for news and Dipper fell for it. He offered his hand and shook, agreeing to give up just one puppet to Bill.
"Now which puppet should I pick?" asked Bill as he surveyed the room. "Eenie, meanie, miney, {b}you{/b}!"
Before Dipper knew what was happening, his soul had been ripped out of his body. Now floating in the air, Dipper was helpless to watch as his body rose with Bill's eyes and a twisted version of his voice. Bill stomped the laptop without a second thought, laughing hysterically the entire time.
Chapter 105: Puppet Show
Bill was having a grand time wearing Dipper like a suit. It took him a second to get the hang of walking. He then decided to start slapping himself simply because he found pain hilarious. It was less hilarious when he hit himself in the balls, but still pretty funny. At Dipper's insistence, Bill finally answered. "Look kid. You've been getting way too close to figuring out some major answers. I've got big plans comin' and I don't need you getting in my way. Destroying that laptop was a cinch. Now I just need to destroy your journal. Race ya to the bottom of the stairs." Stiffening up like a board, Bill threw his stolen body downwards, laughing the whole way.
Dipper followed as best he could in his ghostly state, flying through the air and solid objects. Luckily Bill was easily distracted by the novelty of his body, pausing every now and then to drink something, exercise some masochism, or even start touching himself. That last one was especially hard for Dipper to watch. At his wit's end, who should show up but Mabel, quickly saying that she'd borrowed the journal as a prop for the show and running off before 'Dipper' could say no.
Bill beamed sadistically. "Sure thing, sister. I'll see you at the show."
Dipper tried to go after her, but his ghostly form was ignored. Stan even drove right through him, none the wiser. As Bill explained, they were in the mindscape and that Dipper basically didn't exist without a vessel. He said this all very creepily before getting into Soos' truck and riding in Wendy's lap.
It took Dipper almost an hour to get to the theater with just ghost flight. Inside he found his possessed body getting way too touchy-feely with Wendy while offering to tell Soos the exact time of his death. It was almost a relief when Bill offered to join Mabel's play as the reverend, even if it was a thinly veiled excuse to search for the journal.
Poking her head out from behind the curtain, Mabel looked out of the audience. All seemed interested, but her big concern were the guys with the cameras. This show was important. As Gabe had said, it was an expression of her inner feelings. She could afford to let nothing mess it up.
When the show finally got under way, things were actually going pretty well. It was like if a grade school play was put on by professionals. Mabel did all the voices while Candy and Grenda helped with puppetting the characters and props. The story was a straightforward adventure about Princess Mabel journeying across the land and fighting monsters, all to save the beautiful blonde Princess Atlanta. The audience seemed into it and Gabe was nodding his approval, which hopefully reflected the opinion of the true target.
While Bill schemed and slunk about, Dipper's spirit flew all across the backstage, trying to get Mabel's attention. Had he spent more time with the audience, he might've been spotted by someone who could help. However, recalling Bill's words, the ghost came up with a plan.
During the intermission, Mabel went back to her dressing room to get some refreshments, only for a puppet shaped like Dipper to start floating. "Waaa! It's come to life! The puppet books didn't warn me about this." She threw a fork in its eye.
"Mabel, it's me, Dipper. You have to help me!"
"What? Dipper? But you're… so much more of a sock than usual."
"Mabel. It's Bill," Dipper explained. It was awkward, considering the sock was bigger than himself, but moving the mouth was the only way to make sound. The rules of the mindscape were weird. "He tricked me, stole my body, and now he's after the journal. You have to get it before he destroys it. It's the only hope to get me back in my body!"
For a while, Mabel just stared at the sock without expression. Then her eye started twitching. "He… stole your body? S-since when?"
"I don't know. Like, a few hours ago."
Mabel exhaled her relief. "Good. I'd hate if it were this morning or earlier."
"Mabel, that doesn't matter right now. You have to stop Bill."
"What do you want me to do? Step on him? I can't do that to you, even if you are him. Ugh! This is too confusing."
"Well, you have to do something. Do you want me to be a sock puppet forever?"
Mabel started laughing. "I'm sorry, but your sock face looks funny when you're mad."
"MMMMMHH!"
"Okay, okay," she giggled. "I'll get the book. Just cover for me with the show." She handed him the Mabel puppet. "I'll let the crew know what's up."
Candy and Grenda took the news surprisingly well, apparently having taken bets on how long before things got supernatural. For the record, Wendy won. While everyone kept an eye out for Bill, Mabel ascended the catwalk and climbed into the suspended wooden cake where the book was stashed. She started skimming and muttering to herself. "There's got to be a way to get Dipper's body back."
"And why would you want to do that?" asked the minizora who was not Dipper and working the wench that controlled the rope.
Now that she had a closer look, Mabel felt her insides twist in revulsion at this thing wearing her brother's skin. Most would have taken the faintly slit eyes as the big giveaway, but for Mabel it was everything else. Bill's body language and expressions were all so distinctly not Dipper that it created an uncanny valley effect. Had he looked any less like Dipper, Mabel might have started strangling him then and there. "Bill Dipper. Bipper," she seethed hatefully.
Bill shushed her and motioned to the camera crew. "Careful. You wouldn't' want to ruin the show. Just hand over that book before something bad happens."
"Okay, sure," Mabel agreed evenly.
"Don't be so-did you just say yes?" asked Bill, taken aback.
Mabel laughed. "Well, obviously. After all the work I've put into this play, you think I'd sacrifice it for one measly book? As if. Just pull me up a bit more so I can get out of this thing." She gestured between the rope and wooden cake. "I don't want you dropping me as soon as I give you this dumb thing."
Bill blinked. "Wow. You sure are being agreeable, kid. Almost suspiciously so." After a moment's consideration, his grin grew toothy and sadistic. "Do I really look stupid enough to fall for such a cheap trick?"
"Well, you're wearing my brother's face, so…" She trailed off, setting the both of them into a brief giggle fit. "Yeah, we have fun here. Anyways… Die!"
Chapter 106: The Big Finish
Mabel lunged for Bill and grabbed him, only to dislodge the wench and send them both plummeting to the stage below. Candy and Grenda only barely got out of the way in time before the crash. Mabel emerged with Bill crawling over her body like the world's most irritating wingless mosquito. Her attempts to swat him proved futile and it was all she could do to keep him away from the journal.
"Get out of my brother's body, you evil triangle!"
Sheela, who had been happily nuzzling her husband in the second row, suddenly went on full alert. "Da fuck did she say?" And when she saw a tiny ghost flying around the stage, her worst fears were confirmed. "Oh, that's not good." She tensed in her seat, ready to spring forward the moment things got harry. She put a hand on her daughter's shoulder, however. Wendy had heard the same, but stepping in now might only make things worse.
Mabel was trying to roll around and crush Bill, but he was just too fast with Dipper's prowess. "You can't defeat me! I'm a being of pure energy with no weaknesses!" declare the triangle, only to yawn. "What was that?"
Mabel beamed wickedly. "Fun fact about the human body. My brother hasn't slept in 24 hours." Finally zeroing in on him, Mabel dropped her butt down and pinned the false minizora to the stage.
"Ugh! You stupid brat. Wh-why can't I move these stupid noodle legs?"
Mabel pulled the little Bill up and tightly held him to her face. "Sorry Dipper," she said to wherever his spirit was, "but I can't let this jerk hurt you anymore." Her mind made up, Mabel opened her mouth wide and tossed the sweaty tux wearing boy inside, rolled him around to moisten him up, and swallowed.
In the mindscape, Bill beat a hasty retreat before he could reach Mabel's belly. Even a monster like him had standards. In the confusion, Dipper rushed in to reclaim his body. Unfortunately, deep in Mabel's stomach, the smell was rancid and the humidity was terrible. Dipper started stripping just so things would be bearable, but his body was still in pain from all Bill had put it through. Worse, his usual signals wouldn't work this deep. He was trapped until she saw fit to let him out.
Outside, Bill had taken the Dipper puppet as a consolation prize and laughed maniacally. "You haven't seen the last of me. Big things are comin'. You can't stop-"
"Sorry Pacifica," Mabel muttered before activating the big finish before it was ready. Errant fireworks were sent off in random directions, including the audience and the boxes of puppets. Bill had no vessels left to take, and burning sock people were sent flying through the air. Gabe was transfixed with horror. By the time the explosions stopped, the stage was an absolute wreck and Mabel was left standing alone in the disaster zone. "So, I hope you liked the show, heh-heh," she laughed uneasily.
Almost all of the audience booed. As they marched out, some muttered how they had almost died while others were disgusted with Mabel for what she'd done to her brother. That was {i}not{/i} acceptable public behavior. When all had left, the only ones remaining were a few friends and the camera crew. Feeling an uncomfortably pleasant tickle in her gut, Mabel's cheeks swelled as though she were about to hurl, and then she ran off to the bathroom.
Wendy turned around and fixed a stern look on her mother. "What was that?"
"That, baby girl, was Bill Cypher. He's-"
"Yeah, I know who he is. I fought him before," said Wendy curtly. "I'm asking why you stopped me from fighting this time. Better yet, if you knew, why didn't {i}you{/i} do something?"
Sheela stared flatly at her daughter. "'N' what would ya have me do, huh? Eat 'im mahself? Cuz the way it looked ta me, that was the only way ta keep yer li'l boyfriend out 'f harm's way."
"Then… then I should've done it," Wendy asserted, feeling helpless.
"Sorry, baby girl, but Ah don't think ya could. It took that li'l girl's full commitment ta do what she did. Now she's pukin' her guts out, knowin' she'll only feel worse once he's out. Even if it was fer 'is own good, she still betrayed her brother's trust. Could {i}you{/i} have done that?"
Wendy had no answer.
"We'll talk when we get home, baby girl. There's some things ya should probably know."
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, liquid sick dribbled from Mabel's lips as she coughed and sputtered. In the sink was the former contents of her stomach, including food chunks, juice, plastic dinosaurs that had once been in the juice, and a tiny boy. Sniffling, she cradled his pained and exhausted form in her hands and gently ran the tap over him. Cleaning him was the very least she could do. "Th-this wasn't me. Please tell me this wasn't me," she begged, surveying Dipper's many injuries.
"No," Dipper groaned. "Bill took my body for a spin. Slammed my hand in a drawer just cuz he could." He winced and grabbed the sore hand. "I deserve it."
"What are you saying?"
"I made the deal with Bill. He said he just wanted a puppet, but I wasn't thinking straight. I should've guessed he meant me."
"You weren't thinking straight cuz you've spent every night on that dumb laptop," assessed Mabel. "And you only did that cuz I had you spending every day on my dumb puppet show." She sniffled and wiped the tears away. "None of this would've happened if I'd just helped you from the start. And then I… I… Dipper, I'm so sorry-y-y!" she bawled.
Dipper chuckled weakly. "Honestly, that part was probably the least bad thing I endured today."
"Wh-what?"
"Yeah. Maybe next time, just watch what you eat so it doesn't smell so bad."
Mabel sniffled and wiped her nose on her sleeve. "S-so you're not mad?"
"Mabel, you saved me from Bill. How could I not be grateful?"
The taller twin snorted loudly. "Do we need to have another talk about the bunny and the car?" They shared a quiet laugh and decided to just rest for a few minutes.
When the twins were finally ready to leave, Mabel protectively held the mostly naked Dipper in her hands. Wendy was the only one allowed to get close enough to check on the both of them. The car ride back to the Shack was relatively quiet, with the music only occasionally interrupted by Mabel's sniffling. Wendy, needing to do something to feel useful, pulled the taller twin to her side and stroked her hair. It was nice the way the kid relaxed in the redhead's touch.
The only other noteworthy event happened just after they reached the Shack and everyone split up to go home. Mabel's phone buzzed, signaling that she'd gotten a text. When she opened it up, a curious Dipper decided to take a peek as well.
'Great show. Loved every minute. Really loved finale. You do that with him often? What's that like? Please call soon. Can't wait to talk more. P.'
"Well gee, you think she liked it?" Dipper asked with tired facetiousness.
Mabel just smiled, glad that at least something good came from this.