~*What's in store for our little Helga this time? Find out! –Risma*~
Love? What A Joke!
SATURDAY
That morning –
All is quiet at the Johansson household, until a car comes to a gut wrenching halt out in the street. Gerald and Arnold are sitting down in the lounge room exchanging "Purdy Boys" mysteries. Timberly, Gerald's young sister, is close by playing an imaginary game with her stuffed alligator, Wally.
Gerald: So do you mind if I borrow volume twelve and fifteen? You can have my volume five, just try to ignore Timberly's scribbles on the pages.
They both look over at her and she stares back innocently. Tears start to fall from her eyes.
Timberly: I was only making pictures. There were too many words and it looked boring. Please don't be mad.
Arnold: It's alright Timberly. You are a . . . lovely artist.
Gerald: When she's NOT drawing in my books.
They flick through the books exchanging opinions when Jamie O strides in, purposely standing on the volumes. Gerald glares up at his older brother.
Gerald: Don't you have something better to do, like give your face back to the gorilla in the zoo.
Jamie O: Why go to all that trouble when I can easily take yours and look even uglier? Plus I was going to watch a movie. Without you lot, so amscray!
Timberly runs upstairs to her room, while Arnold and Gerald slowly pick up their books and go outside.
Gerald: If only I was taller or richer. Yeah then I could pay him to leave the country.
Arnold: I know you really don't mean that about your only brother.
Gerald: Yeah you're right. Why waste money on him right?
Arnold just rolls his eyes towards heaven and starts to walk down the stoop.
Arnold: Want to go to the park?
Gerald: Nothing else to do, maybe we'll meet some of the gang there.
Arnold smirks and digs Gerald in the ribs.
Arnold: Like a certain young genius?
Gerald: Or a red headed baseball pro?
Arnold starts to turn red to the amusement of his best friend.
Arnold: Hey! I don't have a . . . thing . . .
Gerald: Crush.
Arnold folds his arms in frustration.
Arnold: . . . CRUSH on Risma.
Gerald: Uh huh. Whatever you say man.
That afternoon –
All the kids are in the park lying on the grass staring up at the sky. They start to plan the rest of their interesting and exhilarating fun day.
Sid: I dunno. What do you want to do Stinky?
Stinky: I dunno. What do you want to do Phoebe?
Phoebe: I dunno. What do you want to do Gerald?
Gerald: I dunno. What do you want to do Helga?
Helga: Anything other than this!
Just then Curly runs up to the group and collapses on the grass. He breathes deeply, coughing from the rush of air.
Curly: They're after me!
Arnold sits up and moves over to Curly, concerned about his fear.
Arnold: Who is?
Curly: All of them! And they'll be after you guys too!
Everyone sits up and pays attention to their loony friend. Helga stands up and shakes Curly by his shirt.
Helga: Who will be?!
Curly: Wolfgang and all the year fivers!
Gerald: Huh? Why?
Sid: What did you do to them this time Curly?
All the kids glare at him with suspicion. Curly stands up and starts to back away from them.
Curly: I didn't do anything! I swear!
Arnold: Alright. Just calm down, and tell us the whole thing.
Curly: I was just walking down the reject part of town . . .
~Fade~
Just doing my part of an agreement for someone, when I heard voices. I followed the sound until I came to a shabby house with the door falling off. Risma was there, peering around the windows. She motioned me over and we both crept inside. We found all the year fivers sitting around a turned over cargo box, talking about the fact that year fourers are polluting the city and that we need to be taught a lesson. Well I'm allergic to dust and the place was full of it, so I had a sneezing attack. I heard "Someone's here!" So I just bolted. They were after me and I heard Edmund yell; "There's one of them!" I just managed to escape with my life.
~Fade Out~
Curly: . . . And as far as I know they are still after me
Sheena: Then what are we waiting for let's get out of here!
Eugene: Yeah we'll head for Park's new hideout!
Harold: MMOOOOMMMMMYYYYYYY!!!!!!!
All the kids stand up and run off after Eugene. Arnold just stands there slowly soaking in the situation.
Arnold: WAIT! Hold it you guys! Curly, didn't you say Risma was with you?
He turns and shrugs his shoulders.
Curly: Yeah so?
Arnold: She could've been the one they were running after. I mean if they were following you wouldn't they be here by now?
Helga growls at the fact that Arnold is worried about Risma and not his own life.
Gerald: I'm positive she can look after herself.
Phoebe: Uh . . . I'd have to disagree with you Gerald. Risma is a new resident to these parts therefore she may not know the surrounding areas. She could be in a lot of trouble.
Helga: So let me get this straight. We are about to risk our lives for one girl who you have a crush on.
Arnold frowns at her and stiffens at the lack of help from his friends.
Arnold: I do not have a crush on her. She is a friend to all of us, yet we're going to leave her to defend herself against bigger, tougher and stronger kids. Bullies, who are likely to pulverise her into little bits.
Sitnky and Sid look at each other than at Arnold.
Sid: Was that supposed to persuade us to help?
Stinky: 'Cause you ain't doing a swell job at it Arnold.
Rhonda: Well I, for one, am running to the safety of my own home.
Most of kids agree to this and run off again without turning back. Only Helga and Gerald are left.
Arnold: Fine then. I'll do it myself!
He runs towards the bus stop. Gerald looks over at Helga and shrugs.
Gerald: Hey man, wait up!
Helga just stands there watching Arnold pace up and down the sidewalk impatiently waiting for the bus, while Gerald tries to talk some sense into him.
Helga: He always has to help everyone, Mr Morality. Unfortunately this time I don't want him to defend her. Hmmm . . . (I know I'll get there first and fight them off. Then Risma will look weak and Arnold will realise that I have defeated the bullies. A few cuts and bruises will win the respect of Arnold and maybe some sympathy too.) The bus will take too long; catching the subway will be a whole lot faster.
At the other end of the subway line –
Helga races over to the falling down old suburb, dodging screeching cats and flying debris. She checks every alley calling out for her own enemy.
Helga: (Great. The only person I'm trying to avoid and here I am looking for her.) Risma! Risma! Where the heck are you?! If you can hear me call out! If you're dead . . . don't bother!
She ducks down an eerie alley and opens a trash can as it jumps all over the place.
Helga: Risma! Quit moving so I can get the lid off. *eeeekkkk*
A huge black rat jumps on to her arm. She shakes it madly until the rat falls off and squeaks miserably. Slowly coming to her senses she breathes in deeply.
Helga: Blasted rat! The quicker I find her, the quicker I can get out of here. Risma! Risma!
Voice: Help! Somebody, ANYBODY HELP ME!
Helga: Hold on Risma I'm coming!
Helga flies around the corner to meet her oncoming attackers and halts. No one is there. She hunts around for signs of a fist fight, but sees no blood or fallen teeth. Nothing.
Helga: (But it was coming from here, no doubt about it.) Risma! Where are you?! Risma!
A door opens across the alley and a shadowy outline appears there. Helga turns to face the stranger with her fists held up in position.
Helga: C'mon I haven't had a good fight in years.
Person: I could beat you with both hands tied behind my back, Helga. You aren't worth it.
The person steps out into the dim light. Helga lowers her fists and growls.
Helga: Here I was thinking I would find you bashed senseless. But instead of fighting the year fivers, you did what I knew you'd always do. Run away and hide like a coward.
Risma: Suit yourself. But I need a hand come in here.
They walk inside and Risma turns the light on. Helga's mouth just drops open with shock.
Helga: How . . . did you . . . do this?
The wholes floor is covered with tied up and gagged year fivers. Risma picks up the feet of the nearest one while he struggles to get free.
Risma: Stop gawking and help, before the owners of this dump get here.
Helga grabs the shoulders and they both drag him outside. After a few minutes all the captured kids are outside. Risma sits down on an upturned trash can and wipes away the sweat from her forehead.
Helga: When I came looking for you, I heard someone calling for help I'm guessing it wasn't you right?
Risma: That would probably be him.
She points to a fire escape where Wolfgang, the year fiver's leader, is tied up left only in his boxer pants. Both girls laugh themselves silly, just as the sound of pounding feet come closer.
Risma: Quick you stand there. When I get their attention, hit them over the head with this.
Helga hides in the shadows with a trash can lid. Risma jumps out towards the invaders then halts and smiles.
Gerald: We could hear yelling and ran as fast as we could.
Arnold: Are you hurt? Where are the year fivers?
Risma: I'm fine and the gang is around there.
Both boys turn around the corner just as Helga swings down the lid. CLANG! Right on Gerald's head. He falls to the ground unconscious, while Arnold and Risma frown at Helga. She shrugs her shoulders and throws the lid away.
Helga: I didn't mean to. She didn't warn me that you were friendly people did she? If it'll stop the both of you from frowning at me, I'll say sorry when he comes around alright?
Arnold kneels down near his friend and rolls him over. He then stops and notices all the other kids there, all tied up with no where to go.
Arnold: Oh my . . . who did this?
Helga seeing her chance folded her arms and smirked at Risma.
Helga: (You did it now. He doesn't like violence but I guess you didn't know that.) Yeah I was about to ask Risma that same question.
Arnold stares up at Helga with his mouth open then looks over at Risma, who just smiles back. She points up towards the roof of the building. Arnold looks up and sees Wolfgang's predicament. He slowly stands to his feet while still looking up and he walks over to Risma.
Arnold: You? You did all this?
Risma: Yeah . . . well . . . sort of. . .
He looks straight into her eyes. He can tell she isn't lying, so he smiles and hugs her. Helga nearly falls down from shock.
Arnold: You're so amazing! You are so pretty, smart, funny, play stickball like a pro and can beat the entire fifth grade in a fight! Wow!
He steps back to see a smirk forming on his admired friend. Risma peers over his shoulder at Helga who keeps opening as closing her mouth like a fish out of water.
Risma: It was nothing, really.
Gerald starts to sit up slowly, groaning as he holds his head with one hand. Arnold leans over his friend and Helga walks closer too. As they are watching Gerald, Risma slips around the corner and runs away.
Gerald: Whoa . . . I feel like an army of soldiers ran over me.
Arnold: No that would be the ringing in your ears after Helga hit you with a trash can lid.
Gerald looks up suspiciously at Helga who in turn grins sheepishly down at him.
Helga: Uh . . . sorry. Heh.
Gerald: I might've known. How about a hand here?
Arnold heaves one of Gerald's arms across his shoulders and slowly lifts him to his feet. Helga on the other hand, is looking around for Risma. She stops and taps Arnold on the arm.
Helga: Where'd Risma go?
Arnold: I don't know. Perhaps she vanished.
He looks up towards where Wolfgang is gagged but he's not there. Instead there is the boy from across the road at the bus stop. He is leaning against the fire escape smiling down at Helga as she searches further along the alley for Risma. Arnold follows the boys stare towards the girl in amongst the trash cans.
Arnold: (Where did he come from? Why is he staring at Helga? Am I missing something here?)
He looks back up and the boy has vanished too.
Arnold: Weird!
