Here's part 2 of my Brainy saga. I think it & the title & summary are
pretty much
self-explanatory.
Thanks for reviewing, yeah.
Thanks again, Starry Nights.
And rocko, the reason I arrived at the timeline I did is as I said because of the Grandpa's Sister episode. Phil & Mitzi hadn't spoken for 70 years, 71, since November 13 1927. So I figure it takes place in '98. shrugs
Anyway, I welcome more reviews; that goes without saying but I say it anyway.
Hey Arnold! is created and / or owned by Craig Bartlett, Snee-Oosh (what is that anyway? CB's company?), and / or Nickelodeon; which in turn is owned by Viacom.
It was a typical day, late spring of P.S.118's school year. By now our favorite class was mostly 12, & finishing the sixth grade.
On this particular day, one of the class was missing: one Helga G. Pataki. Her absence was keenly felt by the rest of the class, with differing reactions.
"Class, before we begin, I have a note from Helga's... well, I'm not sure who it's from, but it seems that Helga won't be able to be here today due to personal reasons. Could I have a volunteer to take her homework to her after school?"
"I'll do it, Mr. Simmons."
Of course, Phoebe would volunteer. Her best friend's absence was cause for concern on her part. Not so elsewhere in the class.
"Enjoying the vacation, Arnold?" whispered Gerald to his best friend.
"What are you talking about? We're still in school." Arnold responded.
"Without Helga Pataki, and that's almost as good as a vacation."
"Whatever you say, Gerald."
Arnold noticed that Phoebe was a bit uneasy, whether from the absence of her best friend or from the unkind words about the aforesaid best friend, he was not certain.
"Um, Phoebe, do you know why Helga's not here?"
Phoebe was quick to respond. "Well, I surmise from what she has told me that it has to do with her sister Olga's arrival today."
"Oh", Arnold thought he understood. "She's taking the day off so she can be there when Olga gets in, right?"
"Not exactly," a quietly frustrated Phoebe mumbled.
"I'm ever so certain Olga will be there today, because I've received word from the Big Sis Little Sis organization that I should go to the Pataki residence to meet her tonight." was Lila's contribution to the conversation. "In fact, Phoebe, I'm oh so sure I could give Helga her homework if you want me to."
"Uh, no thanks, Lila. I really need to see Helga myself. Best friends and all."
"Oh, of course."
But now the class turned their attention to the front. Mr. Simmons was a great teacher & one of the nicest people they knew, but his patience had its limits; and over the years (this would be their third with him; don't ask me how) they had found --- through trial & error --- where those limits were.
As the day progressed, Arnold found himself almost missing the usual spitball barrage, followed by wondering when Dr. Bliss would show up again.
I must need help, missing Helga's abuse he thought.
Fast forward to 30 seconds before final bell.
"Okkay class, remember tomorrow we'll be watching a film and I have something very special in mind for us to do based on it. I'm sure all of you will like it."
RRRRRRIIIIINNNNGGG!!!!!
And the daily avalanche of students issued out the front door of P.S.118. The bus came, & everyone got on it. As usual, Arnold & Gerald were in the same seat.
"So Arnold. Saturday, the boarding house roof, your birthday, party of the year, am I leaving anything out?"
"I suppose not, Gerald."
"Hey, no kidding buddy, this will be the party of the year. Everyone's going to be there; it was the only topic of conversation I heard all day. It's going to be bigger than your geek party, & you know how big that was."
"Please, don't remind me." Rhonda, overhearing, moaned with the memory.
"I don't know if it will be that big of a deal, Gerald."
"Are you kidding, Arnold? After all you've done for everyone? Try to find someone you know who you haven't helped! Take me: you got me through problems with Timberly AND Jamie O. Not to mention that little bicycle problem." Gerald added the last sentence under his breath.
"Willikers," added Stinky from the next seat, "I reckon if it weren't for you, Arnold, I wouldn't be here on account of I'd still be pinin' away over Helga or depressed over my being a failure on account of I wouldn't have been encouraged to try my hand at farming & listenin' to my crazy prophetic dreams. Or I might have gotten a stake through the heart on account of Sid would have stabbed me on account of him thinkin' I was a vampire."
"Boy howdy, don't remind me of that." put in Sid. "I might still be holed up in my room scared of germs, or so far into Big Gino's organization I'd never be able to get out."
"I guess you helped me with my weight, & with Cupcake, & with my bar mitzvah." was Harold's contribution to the conversation, before adding "There's gonna be cake, right?"
"Yes, Harold," Arnold sighed. "There's going to be cake. And before you ask, Stinky, there will be some lemon pudding too."
"Well, thanks Arnold. Gawrsh, I sure do love lemon puddin', why I reckon it's my fa-vo-rite puddin'."
"We know, Stinky, we know." came a chorus of everyone in earshot.
"There's also going to be pumpkin pie, and mince pie, and cranberry sauce, and candied sweet potatoes, as well as mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and turkey with all the trimmings." Arnold continued.
"Well, now I'm confused," muttered Stinky as he scratched his head. "I could have sworn up and down on a stack of phone books that that's what people have for Thanksgiving."
"It is, Stinky." said Arnold. "Just like Grandma celebrates Fourth of July on Thanksgiving, she celebrates Thanksgiving on my birthday."
"Man!" said Gerald. "So when does she celebrate your birthday, Labor Day?"
Arnold just looked at his best friend.
"You're kidding."
More silence.
"Okkay, so you're not kidding."
"It's not so bad, Gerald. Everyone else knows what holiday it really is. We'll have a regular birthday party with some Thanksgiving touches; it's just a matter of humoring her."
"Man, sometimes I wonder about your grandma."
"I don't. But she'll be sane when she has to be. Other than that it will just be your normal run-of-the-mill party of the year."
"Whatever you say, Arnold. Whatever you say."
Just then Gerald noticed Phoebe, in the seat she usually shared with Helga. But with Helga out today she had the seat to herself; by now the other kids were used to the seats they usually sat in & no one was especially inclined to take someone else's usual spot.
As Gerald continued to look at Phoebe, he fell into uncharacteristic silence, turning things over in his mind.
With the onset of puberty comes a phenomenon known as noticing the opposite sex. Oh, he'd had a crush on her for some years, & she on him, but lately he had really started to notice her. He would have asked her out on a date by now, but every time he saw her she was always with Helga. But not now. Hmm.
He decided to act on it. Excusing himself from the seat he shared with Arnold, he lurched back in the aisle, finally flopping down in Helga's usual seat, next to Phoebe.
"Hey, Phoebe, are you doing anything this afternoon?"
"Well, other than taking Helga's homework to her, no. Why, what did you have in mind, Gerald?"
"Well, I'm feeling a bit hungry. I was thinking maybe we could split a banana at Slaussen's?" His way of having fun with the language as a means of suggesting banana splits.
Phoebe considered. "I suppose I could eat a little something, although I can't spare any more than an hour. Helga usually waits until the evening to do her homework anyway."
Gerald smiled.
So did Phoebe.
And the bus rolls on.
Meanwhile, in a downtown office, someone is talking. We don't see him; we just hear him & see things from his point of view.
"I've decided to do it."
"Are you sure this is what you want?" a woman's voice asked.
"It's not about what I want. This is something that must be done. The happiness of too many people depend on it. And maybe I can finally make peace with my own feelings for her."
"She might have feelings for you; have you considered that?"
"She doesn't. She's indifferent at best; she doesn't know I exist unless I announce myself. Anyway, I've already sent out the notes. They should be getting them this evening. At her house; isn't that ironic?"
"You knew they were going to be there, both of them?"
"Earlier this week I found out. Put that together with Simmons' next assignment, and it's a sign. I have to do this, now."
"You've been going through the class assignments before they're handed out again?
"I know we've talked about it --- trespassing, breaking and entering, not to mention the possibility of cheating --- but if I hadn't done that this time I wouldn't even know about this assignment, and who knows when another such opportunity will come up."
A pause.
"And I know that doesn't excuse it. This will be the last time, I promise." 'This time' referring to tonight the person thought.
"Good; I'm glad to hear that."
Another pause.
"Well, our time for this week is up. Same time next week?"
"Have I ever missed yet?"
"Never."
"Until next week, then."
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye, & thank you, doc."
I know it's a cliffhanger, but the next part's coming soon. Maybe I'll get more reviews this way. I almost have the next part ready to go; just have to do a little research into certain Pataki eps. You'll see. So, as always, please r&r. And I'm still Nftnat.
Thanks for reviewing, yeah.
Thanks again, Starry Nights.
And rocko, the reason I arrived at the timeline I did is as I said because of the Grandpa's Sister episode. Phil & Mitzi hadn't spoken for 70 years, 71, since November 13 1927. So I figure it takes place in '98. shrugs
Anyway, I welcome more reviews; that goes without saying but I say it anyway.
Hey Arnold! is created and / or owned by Craig Bartlett, Snee-Oosh (what is that anyway? CB's company?), and / or Nickelodeon; which in turn is owned by Viacom.
It was a typical day, late spring of P.S.118's school year. By now our favorite class was mostly 12, & finishing the sixth grade.
On this particular day, one of the class was missing: one Helga G. Pataki. Her absence was keenly felt by the rest of the class, with differing reactions.
"Class, before we begin, I have a note from Helga's... well, I'm not sure who it's from, but it seems that Helga won't be able to be here today due to personal reasons. Could I have a volunteer to take her homework to her after school?"
"I'll do it, Mr. Simmons."
Of course, Phoebe would volunteer. Her best friend's absence was cause for concern on her part. Not so elsewhere in the class.
"Enjoying the vacation, Arnold?" whispered Gerald to his best friend.
"What are you talking about? We're still in school." Arnold responded.
"Without Helga Pataki, and that's almost as good as a vacation."
"Whatever you say, Gerald."
Arnold noticed that Phoebe was a bit uneasy, whether from the absence of her best friend or from the unkind words about the aforesaid best friend, he was not certain.
"Um, Phoebe, do you know why Helga's not here?"
Phoebe was quick to respond. "Well, I surmise from what she has told me that it has to do with her sister Olga's arrival today."
"Oh", Arnold thought he understood. "She's taking the day off so she can be there when Olga gets in, right?"
"Not exactly," a quietly frustrated Phoebe mumbled.
"I'm ever so certain Olga will be there today, because I've received word from the Big Sis Little Sis organization that I should go to the Pataki residence to meet her tonight." was Lila's contribution to the conversation. "In fact, Phoebe, I'm oh so sure I could give Helga her homework if you want me to."
"Uh, no thanks, Lila. I really need to see Helga myself. Best friends and all."
"Oh, of course."
But now the class turned their attention to the front. Mr. Simmons was a great teacher & one of the nicest people they knew, but his patience had its limits; and over the years (this would be their third with him; don't ask me how) they had found --- through trial & error --- where those limits were.
As the day progressed, Arnold found himself almost missing the usual spitball barrage, followed by wondering when Dr. Bliss would show up again.
I must need help, missing Helga's abuse he thought.
Fast forward to 30 seconds before final bell.
"Okkay class, remember tomorrow we'll be watching a film and I have something very special in mind for us to do based on it. I'm sure all of you will like it."
RRRRRRIIIIINNNNGGG!!!!!
And the daily avalanche of students issued out the front door of P.S.118. The bus came, & everyone got on it. As usual, Arnold & Gerald were in the same seat.
"So Arnold. Saturday, the boarding house roof, your birthday, party of the year, am I leaving anything out?"
"I suppose not, Gerald."
"Hey, no kidding buddy, this will be the party of the year. Everyone's going to be there; it was the only topic of conversation I heard all day. It's going to be bigger than your geek party, & you know how big that was."
"Please, don't remind me." Rhonda, overhearing, moaned with the memory.
"I don't know if it will be that big of a deal, Gerald."
"Are you kidding, Arnold? After all you've done for everyone? Try to find someone you know who you haven't helped! Take me: you got me through problems with Timberly AND Jamie O. Not to mention that little bicycle problem." Gerald added the last sentence under his breath.
"Willikers," added Stinky from the next seat, "I reckon if it weren't for you, Arnold, I wouldn't be here on account of I'd still be pinin' away over Helga or depressed over my being a failure on account of I wouldn't have been encouraged to try my hand at farming & listenin' to my crazy prophetic dreams. Or I might have gotten a stake through the heart on account of Sid would have stabbed me on account of him thinkin' I was a vampire."
"Boy howdy, don't remind me of that." put in Sid. "I might still be holed up in my room scared of germs, or so far into Big Gino's organization I'd never be able to get out."
"I guess you helped me with my weight, & with Cupcake, & with my bar mitzvah." was Harold's contribution to the conversation, before adding "There's gonna be cake, right?"
"Yes, Harold," Arnold sighed. "There's going to be cake. And before you ask, Stinky, there will be some lemon pudding too."
"Well, thanks Arnold. Gawrsh, I sure do love lemon puddin', why I reckon it's my fa-vo-rite puddin'."
"We know, Stinky, we know." came a chorus of everyone in earshot.
"There's also going to be pumpkin pie, and mince pie, and cranberry sauce, and candied sweet potatoes, as well as mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and turkey with all the trimmings." Arnold continued.
"Well, now I'm confused," muttered Stinky as he scratched his head. "I could have sworn up and down on a stack of phone books that that's what people have for Thanksgiving."
"It is, Stinky." said Arnold. "Just like Grandma celebrates Fourth of July on Thanksgiving, she celebrates Thanksgiving on my birthday."
"Man!" said Gerald. "So when does she celebrate your birthday, Labor Day?"
Arnold just looked at his best friend.
"You're kidding."
More silence.
"Okkay, so you're not kidding."
"It's not so bad, Gerald. Everyone else knows what holiday it really is. We'll have a regular birthday party with some Thanksgiving touches; it's just a matter of humoring her."
"Man, sometimes I wonder about your grandma."
"I don't. But she'll be sane when she has to be. Other than that it will just be your normal run-of-the-mill party of the year."
"Whatever you say, Arnold. Whatever you say."
Just then Gerald noticed Phoebe, in the seat she usually shared with Helga. But with Helga out today she had the seat to herself; by now the other kids were used to the seats they usually sat in & no one was especially inclined to take someone else's usual spot.
As Gerald continued to look at Phoebe, he fell into uncharacteristic silence, turning things over in his mind.
With the onset of puberty comes a phenomenon known as noticing the opposite sex. Oh, he'd had a crush on her for some years, & she on him, but lately he had really started to notice her. He would have asked her out on a date by now, but every time he saw her she was always with Helga. But not now. Hmm.
He decided to act on it. Excusing himself from the seat he shared with Arnold, he lurched back in the aisle, finally flopping down in Helga's usual seat, next to Phoebe.
"Hey, Phoebe, are you doing anything this afternoon?"
"Well, other than taking Helga's homework to her, no. Why, what did you have in mind, Gerald?"
"Well, I'm feeling a bit hungry. I was thinking maybe we could split a banana at Slaussen's?" His way of having fun with the language as a means of suggesting banana splits.
Phoebe considered. "I suppose I could eat a little something, although I can't spare any more than an hour. Helga usually waits until the evening to do her homework anyway."
Gerald smiled.
So did Phoebe.
And the bus rolls on.
Meanwhile, in a downtown office, someone is talking. We don't see him; we just hear him & see things from his point of view.
"I've decided to do it."
"Are you sure this is what you want?" a woman's voice asked.
"It's not about what I want. This is something that must be done. The happiness of too many people depend on it. And maybe I can finally make peace with my own feelings for her."
"She might have feelings for you; have you considered that?"
"She doesn't. She's indifferent at best; she doesn't know I exist unless I announce myself. Anyway, I've already sent out the notes. They should be getting them this evening. At her house; isn't that ironic?"
"You knew they were going to be there, both of them?"
"Earlier this week I found out. Put that together with Simmons' next assignment, and it's a sign. I have to do this, now."
"You've been going through the class assignments before they're handed out again?
"I know we've talked about it --- trespassing, breaking and entering, not to mention the possibility of cheating --- but if I hadn't done that this time I wouldn't even know about this assignment, and who knows when another such opportunity will come up."
A pause.
"And I know that doesn't excuse it. This will be the last time, I promise." 'This time' referring to tonight the person thought.
"Good; I'm glad to hear that."
Another pause.
"Well, our time for this week is up. Same time next week?"
"Have I ever missed yet?"
"Never."
"Until next week, then."
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye, & thank you, doc."
I know it's a cliffhanger, but the next part's coming soon. Maybe I'll get more reviews this way. I almost have the next part ready to go; just have to do a little research into certain Pataki eps. You'll see. So, as always, please r&r. And I'm still Nftnat.