Title : Blackout in Yucaipa
Disclaimer, Rugrats belong to their original owners and no infringement is intended. Zoey belongs to Martian-Daisy, Zack and Celeste belongs to Celrock, Savannah, Alan and Ebony belongs to NoizyBunny, Peter belongs to TCKing12 and Jesse belongs to Jesse-Barrow-Stories. Dora the Explorer belongs to it's original owner.
Summary: When a blackout occurs in Yucaipa on account of a heat wave, the Green Family shows their friends ways to deal with it and even have a blackout fiesta.
It was a sweltering late afternoon in Yucaipa, California at the Pickles residence as Tommy and Dil were cooling off indoors with the air conditioning running wide open.
"Man bro, it sure is a hot day today" said Dil.
"I knows Dilly, buts at least we're nice and cool inside while it's real hot outside" replied Tommy.
At that moment, Stu and Peter walked in with essential supplies for heat waves.
"Hey Deed, we're back" said Stu.
"Oh good" replied Didi.
As Didi helped Stu with the supplies, Peter headed toward Tommy and Dil.
"Hey Peter" greeted Tommy and Dil in unison.
"Hey guys" replied Peter.
"That sure is a lots of stuff you and my daddy brought back here" said Tommy.
"Yeah" agreed Dil. "Aside from me needing a diapie change and everyone having food to eats, how come you and daddy brought so much stuff" he asked.
"Very simple guys, during the summer month's there is no doubt that it can get so hot that everyone in town has their air conditioners all running at once. And in the event that the power is to go out because the air conditioners use up so much electricity, it's important to be prepared for it" explained Peter.
"Oh" went Tommy and Dil in unison.
Before Peter could elaborate on the subject any further, the town's power system failed at that very moment with so many air conditioners running that everything went black in a heartbeat.
"Ahhhhhh" screamed Tommy and Dil in unison as Peter saw to calming them down.
"It's okay you guys" soothed Peter.
At that moment, Stu and Didi hurried into the living room.
"It's okay boys, everything is going to be okay, I hope" said Didi.
"Good thing we got some supplies as I'm sure the stores are going to close now" added Stu.
Didi and Peter nodded in agreement. Then Peter pulled out of his Confederate uniform a small battery powered radio and tuned into the local news radio channel.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is Celeste Wehrenberg reporting for KLPO Radio 95.5 FM with breaking news. It appears that Yucaipa is experiencing a blackout. No word yet on when the power will be restored. However, it is advised that everyone should have their emergency plans in place for an event like this. And please take care of yourselves and checkup on loved ones when you can. For KLPO Radio 95.5 FM this is Celeste Wehrenberg with breaking news signing off" finished Celeste.
Peter then turned off his battery powered radio and turned to the Pickles Family.
"Well everyone, since all our friends are caught in the same situation as we are, I believe that if we put our heads together, we can survive this crisis" said Peter.
The Pickles Family nodded in agreement. At that moment, the doorbell rang and Didi answered it and saw Alan and Ebony with their baby girl Savannah waiting there.
"Ah hello Alan, Hello Ebony" greeted Didi. "In a pickle like we are huh" she said.
"Pretty much, but my wife and I are prepared for this emergency" replied Alan.
"Yeah, we were just discussing that before we came over and we'd be glad to show you and all our friends ways on dealing with this crisis" added Ebony.
"That is very neighborly of you, please come in" said Didi.
And the Greens were led inside. Alan and Ebony placed Savannah in the playpen with Tommy and Dil as they headed toward the kitchen where Stu and Peter were.
"Hi Tommy, Hi Dil" greeted Savannah.
"Hi" replied Tommy and Dil in unison.
"It looks likes everybody's lights are out all around here" said Dil.
"I knows" replied Savannah. "I was cooling off around the hair (air) conditioner and watching Dora the Explorer on TV when all the sudden, the lights went off" she said.
"I'm sure all our friends gots a lot to say about this blackout" said Tommy.
Dil and Savannah nodded in agreement. And it wasn't too much longer before Drew, The Carmichaels, The Devilles, The Barrows, The Watanabe-Finsters and the Wehrenbergs showed up at the Pickles household with Susie, Zoey, Angelica and the other Rugrats. As the grown ups headed to the kitchen to be brought up to speed on what the Greens had in mind for dealing with the crisis, Tommy and Dil brought their friends up to speed on what Peter explained to them about a blackout.
"And so we won't be ables to watch TV or do things that need power you guys" said Tommy.
"Well this rots that we can't watch our favoritest TV shows" replied Phil.
"Yeah, it's not fair" added Lil.
"Cmon now guys, there are other ways to have fun, do some of you remember that we had fun during the blizzard" asked Chuckie.
"I think that's different Chuckie" replied Angelica. "There was snow and snow is fun" she said.
"That sounds about right Angelica" replied Jesse. "And even the rain would be a lot more fun than this heat" he added.
"True, and even though there isn't any rain right now and that it's too hot for the beach, we can always get wet with the sprinkler and the paddling pool" suggested Zack.
"Uh-huh, even I would settle for that" Kimi chimed in.
"Yeah, I believe that if we put our heads together, we can beat this" added Zoey.
"You're singing my song Zoey" replied Susie.
"Yeah, and aside from getting wet with the sprinkler and the paddling pool, how else can we beats this heat" asked Dil.
"I over heared My mommy and Daddy talking about preparing ways with dealing with this blackout and they said that they would show the other growed ups the things they do to beat this" said Savannah.
"Really" asked Phil and Lil in unison.
Savannah nodded. Meanwhile, Peter and the grownups had finished discussing on what the Greens had in mind for dealing with the blackout crisis.
"That sounds like a plan to me" said Lucy.
"Couldn't agree more" agreed Randy.
"Are you sure the pups won't be too much to handle for one night while we have time and space to get things ready to bring over to your place tomorrow to beat this blackout" asked Betty.
"Not to worry Betty, we are prepared" replied Ebony.
Alan nodded in agreement as the meeting concluded. As the grown ups headed off to put their emergency blackout plan into motion, Peter, Stu and Drew agreed to use Drew's car to drive for one night to the retirement center to check up on Lou and Lulu while Didi used the family car to drive and check up on Boris and Minka. Meanwhile, Alan and Ebony headed towards the playpen to tell the kids the good news.
"Good news kids, you all get to have a sleepover at our house tonight" said Alan.
"Yay" cheered all the kids in unison.
Soon, night fell and all the kids were in their pajamas and were up in Savannah's bedroom around a battery powered campfire having marshmallows. And there was a cool breeze blowing, so it cooled things down some for everyone.
"Ahhhh" sighed Chuckie. "This is a cool way to stay cool" he said.
"Uh-huh, and we're all in this together" replied Kimi.
"The cool breeze is sure making this blackout a little easy to manage" said Angelica.
"Yeah, I knew things would be looking up for us all" replied Zoey.
"Every cloud has a silver lining" added Susie.
"At least no one is losing their heads over this heat, not when a cool breeze is blowing" said Jesse.
"Oh yeah" agreed Phil and Lil in unison.
"Yeah, I knows we've been through worstest before and yet everything turns out okay in the end" said Tommy.
"I couldn't agree more" replied Zack.
"Yeah, but I wonder what will we do next if the lights aren't back on tomorrow" pondered Dil.
Savannah smiled and said...
"Wait and see you guys" replied Savannah.
Meanwhile, Stu, Drew and Peter arrived at the retirement center to check up on Lou and Lulu.
"Well hello boys" greeted Lou. "How is everyone faring out with this blackout" he asked.
"We're hanging in there pop" replied Stu.
"We came to see if you and Lulu are doing okay during this blackout crisis" added Drew.
"We're doing our best to stay cool" replied Lulu.
Peter then brought Lou and Lulu up to speed on the emergency blackout plan that was well underway with help from the Greens and the other adults.
"Sure I aims to try anything to beat this. Why back in my day when I was a lad when we had heat waves like this, all we had was an open window and a handheld fan to stay cool" said Lou.
The others chuckled to themselves as they got in the car and headed toward the Pickles residence. Meanwhile, Didi had just arrived at Boris and Minka's house to check up on her parents.
"Hello, Mom" said Didi.
"Ah Didi, how's my little girl today" asked Minka.
"Good, I just wanted to check up on you and Dad during this blackout" replied Didi.
"Oy Didi, I see you are in the same boat as we are with this blackout eh" said Boris.
Didi nodded. Then she brought them up to speed on the emergency blackout plan that was well underway with help from the Greens and the other adults.
"It would make things easier for this old man here" agreed Boris.
"Sure thing Dear" replied Minka.
Soon, they were in the car and headed toward the Pickles residence. Meanwhile, over at the Green residence, the children were tucking themselves in for the night.
"Night night everyone" said Savannah.
"Night night" replied everyone else in unison.
Despite the ongoing blackout, the remainder of the night was more or less uneventful, thanks to a cool breeze blowing that kept every household that had their windows open cool. The following morning, Alan and Ebony saw to getting Dil, Savannah and Zack a diaper change while everyone else went to use the bathroom. Afterwards, instead of having breakfast in the kitchen, Alan and Ebony led all the kids out to the backyard and saw that all the grownups and Peter already made breakfast for them. There was Reptar cereal for the babies, and Chocolate chip pancakes for Angelica, Susie and Zoey. Then there was the usual breakfast the grownups had via Stu's barbecue grill.
"Mmmm, I love chocolate chip pancakes " said Zoey.
"Yeah, me too " replied Angelica.
"Same here" said Susie.
"I loves Reptar cereal " said Tommy.
"So do we " replied Phil and Lil in unison.
"I guess there are some good parts to blackouts " said Chuckie.
"Uh-huh " agreed Kimi.
"There is indeed a bright side with some situations " Zack chimed in.
"Yeah, I guess that is true " agreed Jesse.
"Can things get any betterer than this " asked Dil.
"They could when we least expect it" replied Savannah.
After the kids finished their breakfast, the grown ups saw to getting the kids in their bathing suits and getting the paddling pools, the sprinkler and bubble soap liquids ready.
"Wow" exclaimed the kids in unison.
"This ought to keep you kids cool and busy" said Ebony.
Soon, all the kids wasted no time in getting soaking wet.
"Let's get wet and wild " shouted all the kids as they dove into the paddling pools, ran around in the sprinkler and played in the bubble pool.
"Hey Angelica, trap me and Chuckie in a giant bubble" said Kimi.
"Yeah, even I know we wouldn't get stucked in it foreber" added Chuckie.
"Sure thing you guys" said Angelica as she carefully pulled up the hula hoop making a big bubble as Chuckie and Kimi held on to each other in excitement.
"Hey Phil and Lil, wanna see who can hold their breath underwater" asked Zoey.
"Sure" replied Phil and Lil in unison as the trio dove into one of the paddling pools and held their breath.
"Cannon Ball" shouted Jesse, Susie, Tommy and Zack in unison as they splashed into one of the paddling pools.
"Ha-ha-ha, It's fun playing in the sprinkler" said Savannah.
"Oh yeah, this is fun" replied Dil.
Meanwhile, inside Alan and Ebony where getting two large plastic bowls filled with cold water.
"Okay Boris and Minka, you put your feet in this bowl" said Ebony.
"And Lou and Lulu, you put your feet in this other bowl" said Alan.
They complied as they put their feet in and breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"And if you keep the curtains closed, the house will indeed stay cooler" said Alan.
"Thanks again Alan" said Stu.
"You Greens really know how to cope with blackouts" agreed Betty.
Alan and Ebony Chuckled.
"Thanks, but all the same, even we miss having no electricity. However, half the world away people in some places would seize an opportunity to host a blackout fiesta. People would either bring fresh food or leftovers and there would be music, dancing and everyone would party into the night" explained Alan. "So there really is some good parts to the blackouts as well" he added.
"You know, that's not a bad idea" said Chaz.
"I'm sure we all have food that can be cooked over the grill again before it spoils" agreed Kira.
The others nodded in agreement. As the grown ups started to get things ready for a blackout fiesta, Ebony came out to the backyard to give the kids good news.
"Good news kids, we are going to have a blackout party tonight" said Ebony.
"Yay" cheered all the kids in unison as Peter came out to the backyard.
"Ah hello Peter, can you watch the kids while we get the blackout fiesta set up for us all" asked Ebony.
"Sure thing" replied Peter.
As Ebony joined the other grown ups in getting things ready, the children approached Peter.
"Hello everyone" said Peter.
"Hi" replied all the kids in unison.
"So tell me, how are you guys getting along during this blackout crisis" said Peter.
"Oh, we have been getting along great without needing power to have fun " replied Tommy.
"Yeah, I actually wish this happened a whole bunch of yesterdays ago " added Dil.
"Now now, while this power failure is temporary and you are seeing some good parts to it, we need it to do important grown up stuff in addition to fun stuff " replied Peter.
"Ahhhh" went all the kids in unison.
It took quite some time, but all the grown ups got all things they needed for their blackout fiesta from party hats, the main course, refreshments and Peter's old crank gramophone. By nightfall, everything was all set for the blackout fiesta to begin as Lou and Lulu shared a dance with each other, while Peter and the other grown ups either chatted with one another or were getting the main course ready on the grill. Meanwhile, the children were having fun doing random stuff.
"It's all in the wrist like this" said Kimi as she was showing Angelica and Zoey how to use a hand-held fan.
Angelica and Zoey imitated what Kimi showed them.
"That's great, now try it out" said Kimi.
Angelica and Zoey approached the other kids as they fanned them as they played their games.
"Ahhhh" sighed the other children. "That feels good" they said.
"I likes blackout parties" said Savannah.
At that moment, the electric lights flipped back on as the crowd looked up and took notice.
"Looks like the power is back on folks" said Peter
Then Peter got his radio battery powered radio and flipped onto the local news radio channel.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is Celeste Wehrenberg reporting for KLPO Radio 95.5 FM with breaking news. It appears that the power system has been restored to all of Yucaipa. The power company that supplies the electricity wishes to thank everyone for being patient and hanging in there during the crisis. For KLPO Radio 95.5 FM this is Celeste Wehrenberg with breaking news signing off" finished Celeste.
Peter then turned off his battery powered radio.
"Does this mean the fiesta is over" asked Angelica.
"Well, at least you can watch TV again" replied Drew.
"Yeah, but I'd rather have a fiesta with my friends right now" said Angelica.
"Hmmm, don't worry everyone, I'm prepared for this emergency as well" replied Alan.
Alan then turned off all the electric lights.
"Now we can continue our party" said Alan.
"Yeah" cheered the crowd as they continued with their blackout fiesta.
Elsewhere, the town's lights all flipped back on. At the conclusion of the blackout fiesta, everyone had a great time and learned a lesson that it pays to be prepared for emergencies, saw that there is indeed a cloud with a silver lining whenever crisis strikes and were relieved to do things that requires electricity again.
The end