Episode 29: Piano Lessons

Mugman's Fantasy:

Mugman is playing the piano as he is dressed in a black suit and has a wig on his head. He is playing the song called 'Chopin's "Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2'. He plays the piano elegantly and with his eyes closed. When he finishes, everyone applauds and cheers. Mugman climbs off his seat and takes a bow as roses are thrown on stage. Mugman takes a rose and gives it a good sniff. Mugman is about to shed tears of joy, until he receives a lick. And everyone begins laughing. Mugman turns to see the piano is panting as its tongue is sticking out. Then continues to lick Mugnan as the audience laughs, much to Mugman's dismay.

End Fantasy:

Mugman wakes up from his fantasy to see the goat is licking him as he lies on the hammock.

He says in disgust, "Blech! Ugh! Get off of me, you stupid goat!" And tosses the plate of his leftover meal away.

The goat bleats and chases after the leftovers. Cuphead is holding a bucket of crustacean.

He jumps on the "You were having that piano dream again, weren't you?" Then he places a piece of wheat in his mouth.

"Yeah," Mugman answers, "Probably just excited for my next lesson with the great Ludwig!"

"Oh, that guy? Mr. Snooty Face," Cuphead says, and sounds annoyed.

"No. Ludwig is a brilliant musical mind, and he's inspiring me to appreciate the finer things, like music, culture, and lobster," Mugman says.

And falls off the hammock with a yelp, "Whoa!"

"Eh, who needs lobster when there's free crawdads down at the crick?" Cuphead says, and takes his leave with the bucket of crawdad.

Mugman stands up and says, "You can keep your crawdads, and your crick!"

"And you can keep your snooty piano instructor. You know he doesn't even say your name right," Cuphead says.

Suddenly, they hear honking sounds of 'Beethoven's "5th Symphony'

Mugman gasps and grows excited. Then, a large limo drives over, and it is very long. Then stepping out of the car is a tall man wearing a suit, has a gramophone for a head, and it's playing classical music. He then taps his nose to turn off the music and brings out his opera glasses.

"Eh, I got crawdads to catch. Have fun tickling the ivories, you weirdos," Cuphead says and walks away to catch more Crawdads at the crick.

Mugman then turns to his teacher, "Good morning, Ludwig!"

"Yes, good morning, Moog Maan. What a lovely day is any day I get to see my favorite student, Moog Maan," Ludwig says, and walks towards the house.

"Yep. That's my name!" Mugman says.

Cuphead calls out from a distance, "No, it's not!"

"Shh!" Mugman shushes.

Then Mugman rushes to the cottage as he calls out, "Uh, Ludwig, I was wondering-"

But Ludwig interrupts him, ""A moment, Moog Maan! I must remove my driving gloves." And removes his gloves, "You were saying?" and walks away,

"Oh! I just remembered-" Mugman says.

But Ludwig interrupts him again, "A moment, Moog Maan! I must put on my non-driving gloves."

He then puts on his other gloves.

And says, "There. Now, you were saying?"

"Oh, eh... Uh... I was wondering, uh…" Mugman says, but realizes, "I forgot."

"Such is the power of watching a man remove and then put on various pairs of gloves," Ludwig says.

Then grabs his shoulders, ""Now, Moog Maan, there is something I must say, and it is this: I loathe you."

"What? Ludwig, no!" Mugman cries out.

Then Ludwig says, "Yes, my dear boy, I loathe you, because I am jealous. Jealous that your musical adventure is at its dawn, while mine barely holds on to dusk. Why go on, you ask? Because I choose to nurture the next wave of talent, you! Moog Maan!"

"Ah!" Mugman happily replies.

Then Cuphead calls out from a distance, "His name is Mugman!"

Mugman frowns in reply.

A little while later, Mugman is playing the piano, but the piano playing isn't good. And ends up messing up.

Mugman then grows frustrated, "Rats! There I go again messing up."

"Do not fret, young master. Just release the tension in your hands. Try to relax," Ludwig advises and walks away

"Oh right! Thanks, Ludwig," Mugman replies.

Then Ludwig turns around and says, "Well, when I've got you as a student, it's…" Suddenly, he exclaims, "Godfrey Daniel!"

Mugman screams, "What is it?"

"Your posture. It is exquisite!" Ludwig says, with a big smile, and says, "I see quite the improvement. "

"Oh! Why, thank you, Ludwig," Mugman says, feeling flattered.

"Now, I would like for you to grace the ivories with... 'Chopsticks.' Ludwig says.

"Rudimentary, but I'll go with it," Mugman says.

And begin to play 'Chopsticks,' but it's kind of out of tune.

Ludwig says in a singing tone, "One-two-three, one-two-three. Going the same rhythm. And it's sounding so lovely. One-two-three. And you're going a bit faster. One-two-three, one-two-three. "But soon stops to smell a strong odor, "Ugh!"

He pinches his nose and says, "Crawdads?"

Mugman turns to see Cuphead holding the bucket of Crawdad.

"Hey Mugsy," Cuphead says.

"Hi Mugman," Red Rose says.

"Hi Red Rose, I didn't know you were here," Mugman says.

"Well I ran into Cuphead while coming over," Red Rose says.

Then asks, "What are you doing?"

"I'm kind of in the middle of my piano lesson. I'm kind of having trouble with it," Mugman says.

"Oh. I kind of see what you're doing there," Red Rose says.

She walks over, "Maybe you should try it like this…?"

And with that, Red Rose begins to play the piano, the 'Chopsticks. Red Rose is able to play the piano perfectly. Then begins to play it more upbeat ragtime. Mugman and Cuphead move back as Red Rose takes a seat and plays the piano more. Cuphead and Mugman are taken by surprise to see Red Rose is playing so well. Even Ludwig and Elder Kettle are surprised to see Red Rose playing the music. Even the little fish dances to the beat. Red Rose continues to play the song with a smile on her face. And soon, she finishes it off. Once she's done playing, Red Rose notices that everyone is staring at her in shock.

Red Rose looks around and asks, "What are you guys starting at? Are you all okay?"

Cuhead then says, "Yeah. We'll be outside if you need us."

Cuphead then takes Red Rose's hand and they walk out of the living room and outside of the cottage.

Astonished, Ludwig asks, "Who was that brilliant girl?"

Mugman sighs in reply.

Outside of the cottage, Red Rose brings out her penny flute and begins to play some music. A song called, the 'Song of the Sea.'

Just then Ludwig comes up to her and says, "Friend of Moog Maan, what you just did, how did you do it?"

"I don't exactly sure. I just played what I felt. It's the first time I played the piano, but I just played how I felt or what I heard," Red Rose says.

"You made that up? And it's your first time playing the piano?" Ludwig says in shock.

He then says dramatically, "Your talent, it's so raw and alive!"

Cuphead and Red Rose are a bit skeptical.

"Mister, you're starting to creep us out," Cuphead says.

However, Ludwig turns to Red Rose and says, "Listen my dear, there's a piano competition… Tomorrow at the Inkwell Theater! You will enter as my pupil and dazzle all of the Inkwell Isles with your song."

"You want me to…?" Red Rose asks, shocked.

Then says, "Uh this is so sudden. I mean, I just like to play music, especially with my penny flute. It would sound fun, but that's kind of out of the blue."

Then Ludwig says, "Did I mention the grand prize is $10,000?"

"Well… I'm still not sure… I've never been on stage with a live audience before," Red Rose says, still a little uneasy.

Then Cuphead says, "Come on Rose, you should give it a try. I mean, you sing, dance, and play a couple of instruments, I'm sure you'll do great. Besides, you might actually win the grand prize."

"Well… I suppose I could give it a try," Red Rose says.

Then worriedly says in thought, "But, what about Mugman?"

However, Mugman comes between them in shock, "Recital? But that was my dream and my grand prize."

He then takes Ludwigs hands and walks to the living room, "You can't pick someone for the recital till you hear us both play."

He then takes a seat in front of the piano, "You think he's so great, just wait till you hear Moog Maan. Prepare to be dazzled."

Soon, Mugman begins to play a note.

But Ludwig stops Mugman, "Stop! Dear boy, piano isn't for everyone.

He chuckles and says, "Perhaps, you should try, um... watercolors."

Mugman deflates in reply.

"Anyway! Let us go, my girl. The high life awaits!" Ludwig says, and walks Red Rose out the door.

Then the doors slam shut.

Soon, Mugman expresses his hurt feelings, "But that was supposed to be my dream, and my $10,000, and my lobster!" He wails in sadness and mashes the keyboard.

Suddenly, Elder Kettle says, "Well, there's always crawdads."

Mugman looks and sees Elder Kettle eating Crawdad.

"Yeah. you can never go wrong with Crawdad," Cuphead says, and eats one as well.

"I don't want crawdads!" Mugman cries and slams his head on the keys again.

Kettle says, "Stop that. You love crawdads."

"I said no!" Mugman cries and slams his head on the keys again.

Then Elder Kettle asks, "Is this some kind of jealousy thing involving Cuphead?"

Mugman sniffles and says, "Probably."

"Well, if it's so important to you, just put in the time. You know the old saying. 'Practice all day and you might get better, but don't practice and you certainly won't.'" Kettle says.

"Nobody says that," Cuphead says.

And soon, Mugman begins to play Chopsticks, but it's still out of tune. Soon, its notes sound discordant. Mugman has tried to play the piano for hours and he hasn't improved. Now Mugman is banging his head against the piano keys.

Elder Kettle walks in holding clippers and says, "Ugh. Ah... You know what? Maybe try watercolors?"

Mugman slowly turns his head to Kettle and questions "Maybe try watercolors?" and mashes his fingers on the keys.

Then Elder Kettle says, "Well, hey, you may not have gotten better, but that doesn't mean Cuphead won't get worse."

Mugman gasps and says, "Elder Kettle, you're a genius. Red Rose can't play in the recital if she doesn't have any hands!" and takes the clippers from Elder Kettle.

He maniacally laughs as he charges with the clippers.

Then Cuphead is able to grab him by the handle.

"Mugnan, you can't do that! Red Rose is our friend!" Cuphead says.

Elder Kettle then comes and takes the clippers away, "What have I told you about using my hedge trimmers to mutilate your brother…? I mean, friend…" then points his finger to the stairs, "Now, go to your room!"

Mugman then walks to the stairs as he is grounded.

Later in the night, Mugman sniffles as he lies in bed.

Suddenly, he hears Ludwig's voice, "Oh, yes!"

Then hears Red Rose's voice, "Shh! Keep it down, Ludwig. Everyone might be asleep."

"Oh, and don't forget, the recital is tomorrow. I'll be over in the morning to pick you up. Oh, and Red Roose, I utterly loathe you!"

"Uh, I loathe you too, Lud-" Red Rose says, sounding skeptical.

Mugman gets so irritated that he hits his head on the ceiling.

Soon, Red Rose enters the cottage to see Mugman and Elder Kettle. She is also holding a bag.

"Hi Red Rose, how are you doing?" Cuphead asks.

"I'm doing good. I brought you this while you're out. Is Mugman okay?" Red Rose says.

"Uh, he's okay. Just a bit you know…" Cuphead says.

Red Rose sadly sighs, "I was afraid of this. I never meant for this to happen."

"It's not your fault. You just like to play music. It's not your fault you have musical talent," Cuphead says.

Then Elder Kettle says, "It's good that you all head to bed, you have a special day tomorrow, Rose."

"I suppose," Red Rose says.

Soon, everyone heads to bed, and Red Rose is sleeping over for the night.

Cuphead walks into the room, "Hi Mugman. How are you doing? Red Rose was a little worried about you and…"

However, Cuphead notices the upset look on Mugman's face.

Cuphead asks, ""Hey, are you mad or something?"

Mugman glares at Cuphead and angrily says, "Of course I'm mad at Red Rose! How could she do this to me? You knew I was excited about the piano, and now Ludwig loathes her!"

Then begins sobbing, "I wanted Ludwig to loathe me!"

"Mugsy, Rose don't care that much about the piano. She just enjoys playing music. You want her to give it up? Just say the word and she'll give it up," Cuphead says.

"I'll tell her to give it up," Mugman says.

"What?" Cuphead exclaims in shock.

Then angrily says, "I knew it! You're just jealous because Red Rose is better than you. Tomorrow is the recital. I'm sure she's gonna win that $10,000, and I'm going to be there for her."

Then remembers, "Oh right. Red Rose told me that she got lobster for us in the fridge for lunch tomorrow. She already ate while she's out with Ludwig."

This made Mugman upset even more, "She ate lobster?!"

Mugman wails and runs out of the room as she slams the door.

He then walks into the room again and says, "You're gonna see what happens when you mess with Moog Maan!" and slams the door again.

Later that night in the Inkwell Theater, Mugman has decided to get some revenge. He laughs as he paints an 'X' on the stage. He grunts and laughs as he pulls the piano up above the ceiling where the 'X' is with a rope, and has it tied so it will fall on cue. Mugman continues laughing maniacally. He continues his plan late in the night and until the next day. Finally, Mugman walks back home with a tired look in his eyes.

Mugman chuckles as he walks to the front door and says, "Enjoy your recital, Red Roose."

Then Mugman walks inside, and smells something delicious.

"Hmm, something smells good," Mugman says.

Mugman walks in the kitchen to see Cuphead sitting at the table, but to his shock, he sees Red Rose cooking in the kitchen.

"Red Rose?!" Mugman says, shocked.

Cuphead turns his head, "Morning Mugsy."

"Morning Mugman," Red Rose says.

Then hold out three plates of food, "I made breakfast."

Red Rose walks over and places the breakfast on the table.

Mugman walks to Red Rose and asks, "What are you guys doing here? You're supposed to be at the recital,"

"Eh, Ludwig was a no-show," Cuphead answers.

"Really?" Mugman asks, shocked.

"Yeah. Ludwig never showed up," Red Rose says.

"Yeah. But it's fine. I was going to tell him that I won't be taking part in the recital anyway," Red Rose says.

Feeling bad for Red Rose, Mugman says, "Oh gosh, that's awful. I know what it's like to be abandoned."

"It's alright. I'm over it," Red Rose says.

Suddenly, they begin to hear piano music. They walk inside to see the radio is playing a familiar song.

Cuphead recognizes it, "Hey! That's your song, Red Rose!"

And soon hear applauds when the song ends.

Then the announcer says, "And the winner of this year's piano competition is Ludwig!"

The audience cheers.

But the three friends exclaim in shock, "Ludwig?"

Then the announcer says, "Tell us, Ludwig, how did you come up with this fantastic new piece? "

"Oh, I'm so glad you asked that. I just play what feels right," Ludwig answers

Cuphead is shocked and angrily says, "What a phony! Someone ought to teach that jerk a lesson."

"Yeah!" Mugman agrees.

"And that's just what I'm going to do," Red Rose says, and walks towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Cuphead asks.

Red Rose is about to step out and says, "I'm going to that recital, where else! I'm going to get my hands on that phony and pummel him into bits!"

Suddenly, they hear the sound of a rope snap on the radio, and a piano crashing. Then hear multiple people screaming.

The announcer screams, "Oh dear! Ludwig has been crushed by a falling piano! Who would do such a-"

Mugman nervously turns the dial and turns off the radio.

Cuphead questions Mugman, "So you were going to crush Red Rose with a piano, huh?"

"Just a little," Mugman nervously says.

Then Red Rose says, "Eh, don't sweat it. I would've done the same thing if I were you. And at least you saved me the trouble of going over there and teaching him a lesson myself."

"I think you might actually throw the piano at him," Cuphead says with a grin.

"Oh ha ha," Red Rose replies and rolls her eyes.

Cuphead then brings out a Crawdad and offers, "Crawdad?"

"Hmm, don't mind if I do," Mugman says.

"Sure," Red Rose says.

Soon, the three begin to eat the crawdad from the bucket.

As Cuphead eats, he says, "Hey, when you think about it… these things are actually just tiny lobsters."

"Hey! I guess you're right," Mugman says and giggles

Suddenly, they hear someone say in a deep voice, "Hey!"

The group turn their heads to see a giant sized Crawdad.

And he questions with a frown, "Who you calling 'tiny,' punk?"

The three stare at him with confused looks on their faces.