It is Monday night is the Science Center's main Chemistry lab. Michael Harms is standing in front of a bench, chemicals clenched in both hands and goggles on. On the others side of the bench stand his friends Lori Fitzgerald and Charlie Prescott, also in goggles observing him.
"Alright, so the next step would obviously be to add this because it's the limiting reagent and can stop the reaction," Michael concludes after a moment of though as he glances down at a study sheet.
Charlie nods, scrawling a note on his own study guide. "Yeah. Got it."
Lori on the other hand just blinks blankly. "I'm lost." They both look at her, Michael giving his best patient smile.
"Alright, what can we explain?" he asks her. She looks through the study guide.
"Let's go about six steps back," she decides, her brain obviously trying to keep up with the other.
"Lori, that's the beginning," Charlie laughs. She gives a weak laugh, obviously feeling silly for having asked.
Michael catches this. "Charlie," he warns him sharply. "Alright, let's go over this for you. Breathe," he advises her kindly, setting stuff up to start over.
Lori nods, obviously working very hard to keep her typical test jitters under control. "I'm trying. I'm really stressing, but I'm really trying. I can do this. I'm not afraid. I need to get a grip on this or Organic Chemistry is going to be a nightmare."
"You'll have us. We've got your back," Michael assures her.
She gives him a smile but sighs under her breath, "I might need more than that." As if on cue, her phone starts buzzing in her pocket. She groans. "I didn't mean that kind of help."
"The book went off?" Charlie asks, clearly excited.
"I'm going to assume as much." She pulls out her phone and looks at it. "It's from Hannah. Strike one." She reads the message, and nods. "Yep. Well, as long as they don't try to run me over."
"I think it was worth it," Charlie offers, trying to cheer her up. "You get to meet the President for lunch Friday as a thank you for finding his car."
"Don't remind me. That's going to be so awkward. What am I supposed to say to him?" Lori asks them. They look at one another and shrug before turning to her.
"You're welcome," they say at the same time.
Lori puts her head in her hands. "Please, can we just get through this? We'll deal with everything else later- the President, the character, and- "
The door is thrown open and two figures enter. The group freezes and ducks under the bench on pure instinct.
"Just look at all this equipment," the first voices. "I'm sure we can construct a way back to the theater easily." Charlie looks at Lori confused as she is clearly trying to place the voice.
"Meep meep," the second adds. At this Lori's eyes widen as it hits her.
Charlie nudges her. "Who is it?" Lori is frozen. "Lori, what are those things?" he asks again. She rises and the other two follow. The two figures notice them.
"Why hello there," the first says with a wave. "Are you the scientists of this facility?" Lori walks up to them and just towers over them. "Excuse me-"
"You're Muppets," she breathes.
Dr. Honeydew straightens his glasses and Beaker nods. "We are indeed-"She hugs them both, laughing. Charlie and Michael's jaws drop.
"I'm actually meeting the Muppets," she smiles as she pulls away. "This is so cool!"
"Were you expecting that?" Charlie whispers to Michael.
He shakes his head. "I certainly wasn't."
XXX
So follow me down
(Lori stands with the book)
Where to?
Outta this town
(Charlie examines his map)
With you
Girl, you're movin way
(Hannah is typing away at her computer)
Too slow
So follow me down
(Michael grabs the first aid kit from a cabinet)
Which way?
Down, down, down
(Ben looks at his phone and sighs, adjusting his tie)
I'll show you around
Okay
There's a place we gotta go
(The Disney Encyclopedia begins to glow. Lori sighs)
Follow me, follow me
(Lori, Hannah, Ben, Michael, and Charlie are running through the preserve, freezing once on each of their faces)
Fa la la la la
Follow me, follow me
Fa la la la la
(Lori comes to a halt and the others crash into her, sending them all to the ground)
Lori Disney? (Not Likely!)
Episode 17: Muppet Labs
XXX
Hannah Frost and Ben Prescott enter the lab and walk over to Charlie and Michael. They are just leaning against the bench and watching Lori gushing to Honeydew and Beaker. Both Hannah and Ben look at the other two, baffled.
"What's… going on?" Hannah vocalizes.
"They're called Muppets apparently," Charlie informs her. She gives him a look. "I didn't know. I'm just passing the information on."
"Wow, I actually might not be much help here," Hannah informs the Companions. "I'm not really a big Muppet person."
Michael smirks. "Something tells me we won't have to worry about Muppet expertise." Lori approaches them, so at ease she's practically jumping up and down.
Lori claps her hands together. "Alright, so guess who's going to provide some Chemistry aid?!"
Michael smiles, mainly at how excited she is. "That's awesome!
"Who are those guys Lori?" Charlie asks.
Lori's jaw drops. "Wait, you've never seen the Muppets?" Charlie shakes his head. "Oh, we're going to have to educate you, buddy. This is Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker- scientists with the group known only as the Muppets," she says grandly as she gestures to where Honeydew and Beaker are playing with the test tubes. "The Muppets bring the third greatest gift… laughter!" Honeydew drops something on Beaker's head. Everyone laughs but Ben, which she notices. "Wait, you're not laughing? How are you not laughing?"
Ben shrugs. "I've never been a fan."
"I have nothing to say to you then," she sighs dramatically, putting an arm around Charlie. "Charlie, I'm so glad bad taste doesn't run in your family."
"Lori, I don't think I've ever seen you this excited," Michael notes.
"I had a childhood once, Doctor. And the Muppets were my childhood." She hops up on the bench smiling, more than happy to tell this personal story to this rapt audience. "Whenever I would go to my grandparents, my grandpa would sit down with me and we'd just watch the movies on repeat. We went to see the newest movie opening day. To this day I cry every time Rainbow Connection plays. I honestly love them. So yeah, I'm excited about this one."
Michael helps her down. "That's great. I can't wait to get started. I'll even house them overnight." She drags Charlie and Michael towards them and begins introducing everyone.
Hannah elbows Ben. "Savor this. We aren't going to see her like this too much."
Ben nods, clearly absorbing every second of her like this. "Yeah…"
XXX
Later that night, Hannah opens her dorm door in her pajamas to find an extra jumpy Kenny. "Kenny?!" she exclaims, closing the door so only her head sticks out and blushing profusely. "It's past visiting hours. You could get in-"
"Completely worth it to see you blush like that," he smiles, leaning against the doorframe. "What're you up to Friday?"
"I don't, but don't you have that reunion with some of your high school friends?" she reminds him.
He nods and switches sides of the doorframe. "I know. I want you to come with me so I can introduce you to them."
Hannah is taken aback by this. "Really?! You want me to meet your friends?" she smiles hopefully, clearly very smitten at this gesture.
"They're bound to notice the extra spring in my step and I might as well point to the reason why. What do you say, princess?" he whispers in her ear, sending a delightful shiver up her spine.
She nods, clearly having fallen even harder. "Just text me when you want to pick me up. I'd kiss you, but I'm in my pajamas."
"You're adorable," he smiles, touching her nose. He walks away and she closes the door, sighing against it. Lori is brushing her teeth and gives her a raised eyebrow through the open bathroom door.
"I don't want to hear it," she snaps, rising. "Yes, it was one class. But he really likes me. This year- just don't ruin this one for me. This is my Muppets." Lori takes a step back, clearly not wanting to upset her.
"I didn't say anything," she says, spitting out toothpaste. Hannah just gives her a nod before heading back into the bedroom.
XXX
The next day, Tuesday morning, Charlie opens his door to exit to class. Standing there waiting is Ben which causes Charlie to break out into a huge smile. "Hey, thanks for visiting. But I'm off to class right now."
Ben nods, a little awkward. "I know. I thought I'd walk with you." They head towards the end of the hall, Charlie clearly enjoying this but knowing something's up.
"I'm not questioning your motives. You're allowed to walk me to class with no reason. But is there possibly something you want to talk to me about? Just asking."
Ben clears his throat before turning to look at him. "I wanted to talk to you about Lori."
"What do you want to know? I'll tell you everything except the stuff she wouldn't want me telling anyone. Which is pretty much everything now that I think about it. Does that help at all?"
"I think you can answer this. It's about you and Lori."
Charlie nods as they enter the classroom building. "Okay… what can I do for you?"
Ben looks at him, clearly now tripping up on what he planned to say. "So… Lori… she's…"
Charlie raises his eyebrow, confused. "Lori… is my best friend?" he offers.
"Well, let's say she liked another guy…"
"Why would she?" Charlie cuts in, perhaps a little too defensively. "She hasn't told me anything and she would tell me. She always tells me."
Ben stumbles over his next sentence. "But what if she doesn't want to be with him because your feelings-"
"Well, that's pointless to talk about because this is all hypothetical," Charlie cuts in again, rolling his eyes.
They arrive in front of a classroom. "It's not-"
"This is my class. I've got to go. But thank you so much for this walk." He enters, leaving a frustrated Ben behind.
"Serves me right for trying to talk a fourteen year old out of marriage," he grumbles as he stalks away.
XXX
Lori, Michael, and Charlie are all gathered that evening after classes watching from across the bench as Honeydew pours two clear liquids together and it becomes bright pink. Beaker gives a ta-da motion.
Lori gasps in delight. "Wow. How did you do that?"
"That is a simple bromination," Honeydew informs her. "You continue to titrate the substance-"
"And when color returns you have your amount!" Lori cuts in, realizing what's happening.
Honeydew gives her a thumbs-up. "Correct!" Charlie and Michael high-five her as she hops and down excited.
"Are you positive this is the same stuff Dr. Luehr taught us?" Lori asks Michael as she scrawls notes on an already pretty full study guide.
Michael nods. "It is. You just apparently catch on better when it comes in the form of this."
"Well, this is fun," Lori defends. "I'm having fun. For the first time since I picked this major I'm having fun with Chemistry."
"Now you just need to keep that in mind when you take the practical. Lori, you're really smart," Charlie tells her. "You just let your mental stuff and stresses get in the way."
"He's right," Michael agrees. A test tube explodes in Beakers' face as he cleans it and everyone laughs.
Honeydew claps to gather attention again. "Now how about we do some fun group reactions? Everyone gather around. This is going to take all hands on deck." The group gathers and he distributes test tubes of various liquids to each of them. "Now, Lori will have to tell us what is happening with each addition."
Lori nods, confident and at ease. "I'm ready. Let's do this." The door opens. "Duck!" she shouts as she ducks under the bench with Charlie and the Muppets. This leaves only Michael standing there, desperately trying to balance everyone's test tubes as a girl enters. She is dressed in a short skirt and cardigan with short brunette hair.
"Hey," she says to him in her high voice. "Studying for practical too?"
Michael nods, trying to put the test tubes back. "Indeed I am."
She looks around, raising an eyebrow. "Where's you posse?" Beaker and Honeydew are obviously confused as Lori tries to keep them quiet- finger to her lips.
Michael leans on the bench. "My what?" He steps on Lori's hand and she bites her lip. "Sorry… I don't know what you mean," he covers.
The girl puts her goggles on and starts setting things up. "Michael, come on. Wherever you go Lori follows. And that usually means you get Charlie in the bargain as well," she says almost a little snottily.
Michael clearly doesn't care for her tone. "They're my friends. I'm allowed to hang out with them."
"Just be careful. If you spend too much time dragging someone along behind you, you might be held back yourself." Lori has had enough and pops up, causing the girl to pale.
"I found it!" She looks at the girl, both her and Michael smug. "Hey Spencer.
She gains her footing, forcing Beaker to back up into an electrical socket. He screams as the lights flicker before going out. Spencer looks around in shock as Lori sighs. "You forgot to mention that my trademark luck gets included as well," she mutters.
Spencer looks at them accusingly. "Who was that screaming?" Charlie sticks his head up.
"That would be me." She grumbles and leaves to call maintenance. They all break down in hysterical laughter as soon as she's gone.
Lori wipes a tear from her eye. "See: world's third greatest gift."
XXX
Wednesday afternoon, Lori takes a seat for lunch at their usual table by herself. She picks at her food as she examines her study guide. She doesn't notice Ben take the seat across from her until he clears his throat loudly after a minute. She gives him a quick smile before returning to studying.
He picks at his food before deciding to strike up a conversation. "Tomorrow's the big day?" She nods. "You three going to spend all night in the lab again? Apparently maintenance had to investigate a blown fuse last night."
Lori realizes she won't be getting any peace and tucks away her guide to look at him. "Apparently, Charlie and the Doctor have come up with an idea for studying tonight. I have no say or know in the matter. They are going to come over at five and we'll go from there. How's your week been?" she offers.
He shrugs. "It's been pretty boring." There is a really long pause as they both just stare at one another, uncomfortable. "You know I could have a girlfriend I could support and spend time with, but-"
Lori is instantly on her feet, annoyed and getting angry. "No. No. I'm not doing this. You don't get to make me feel bad," she warns him, gathering her tray. "I feel bad enough as it is. But this is the right thing to do."
"Are you sure? I talked to him-"
This officially sets her off. "What did you do?! I thought we had an accord."
He stands up as well, trying to reason with her. "Lori, he can't even fathom the idea of you liking another guy. He probably thinks that this approach is you waiting for him."
She glares at him. "Ben, when you find a way around this situation that is faster than mine and gets the least amount of people hurt you go ahead and let me know. Otherwise, this is what I'm sticking with." She starts to throw her stuff away, done with him for the moment.
"Doesn't it hurt yourself though?" he calls after her, forcing her to halt.
"I can live with that," she admits. "I couldn't live with hurting him."
Ben can see now he's not changing her mind. "Fine. Go have fun with those stupid Muppets of yours," he says almost like a child pouting. He sits again and picks at his food.
"Same to you sourpuss," she says with a roll of her eyes. "Who hates Muppets?!"
"People who have grown up!" he shouts back at her. "Which once again you're proving you haven't done!"
She glares down at him. "You don't know my life story. You have no idea."
"Maybe I'd like too. Or is this a story exclusive for Charlie."
"With that attitude… yes, it is. Have a great day." With that, she walks away.
"Sure. Good luck with your test." He groans in frustration.
XXX
Lori opens her door that evening to reveal Charlie and Michael. She smiles. "Alright, let me grab my coat-"
Charlie shakes his head. "That won't be necessary. Where's your book?" They walk in past her, Michael handing her a hot chocolate from the cafe. He opens his backpack and the scrunched puppets of Honeydew and Beaker climb out and stretch themselves.
"It's on my bed… what's going on?" Lori questions.
"My dear, we have decided to study by not studying tonight," Honeydew informs her. Charlie grabs her Chemistry book and slams it shut.
"Excuse me?!" Lori says, baffled and not liking this one bit.
Michael leads her into the bedroom. "I rented The Muppet Movie from the library." He tosses it to her as he climbs onto her bed. "I also called Hannah and she is going to spend the night in the library. We are going to relax and watch what you claim is a great movie."
Charlie hops up to join him. "I personally have been filled with very high expectations." Honeydew and Beaker follow, her catching Beaker as he almost falls off.
"I don't know," she says hesitant. "We should really go to the lab-"
Honeydew shakes his head. "Ms. Lori, you clearly know all the information. That is evident." Beaker nods in agreement. "I feel we were not sent here to help with the material, but with the nerves of such an undertaking. So please join us."
Lori turns her attention to Michael and Charlie. "Are the two of you sure about this? Maybe if I stay here with them, you two can-"
Michael shakes his head. "Didn't you hear Spencer? We're a package deal. Now put the movie in and get up here L-4-L." She looks at him and he sighs at another failed attempt. "Put in the movie Lori… please." She does and hops on the bed, taking a sip of her hot chocolate.
As the credits start rolling, Honey dew looks at Beaker. "This is certainly going to be a blast from the past."
"Meep meep!" The Rainbow Connection starts being strummed on banjo and Lori instantly tears up.
"I'm sorry. I just-"Michael takes her hand.
"It's fine." Charlie notes their hands stay like this so he puts a hand on her other arm. Kermit appears and the two smile as Lori's entire face light up.
XXX
The next morning, Lori exits the lab with only a few students left. Michael and Charlie are waiting and she lets out a huge breath. "Okay, I'm almost scared by how easy that was. I'm pretty sure I messed up the one reaction-"
"The third one?" Charlie asks. "Yeah, that one tripped me up a bit too."
"But other than that, I managed pretty well," she finishes with a relieved smile. She pulls the book from her bag and pats it. "Shall we?"
Charlie frowns. "I'm starting to get sad at having to send them back. I wish we could keep some of them."
Michael puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I don't think they'd all fit in our dorms," he jokes. They pull over into a closet and he opens his bag for Honeydew and Beaker to exit. "Though I do wish all of them were puppets so they could be so easily transported," he admits.
Lori watches as Honeydew straightens his glasses. "You had them in there that entire time?"
Michael puts his hands up. "Hey, they're the ones who insisted on being there for you. I just did it the best way I can."
"We're so glad to hear it went well! We knew you'd manage," Honeydew informs her with a proud smile.
"Meep meep," Beaker agrees.
Lori smiles at them. "Thank you for all the help. Yesterday especially. I just need to keep this going through finals. I think I'm getting well on my way to conquering my fear of exams- well at least keeping them in check. Hannah had to physically hide my book this morning." They chuckle at this. "Are you ready to head back to the theater?"
Honeydew looks at Beaker and they both nod. "We are indeed. You have to come see a show one evening. Just call ahead and we'll reserve seats in the front row for all of you." Lori falters, choking up.
Charlie sees this and steps in. "Thank you. We'd love that." She nods, lump still in her throat, and opens the book to a glowing poem. She gives them one last look before beginning.
"We played the music We lit the lights We met my Muppets and must send them home tonight" They vanish in the typical flash of light and she closes the book. "Now do you see it?" she asks Charlie.
He nods. "They are pretty great. Maybe for finals we can rent Muppets Take Manhattan?"
Lori gives him a hug. "We absolutely have a deal. You in Doctor?"
"I think I could spare some time for that," he admits.
XXX
That night at dinner with everyone, Michael rises and goes to refill his cup. Spencer spots him and rushes up to him. "How did you do it?" she questions.
He looks confused and takes a step back. "I'm sorry. I'm not sure what you're referring-"
She rolls her eyes. "Michael, it's all they're talking about in the Science Department! You got a perfect score on your Chemistry lab final!"
He smiles, surprised and pleased by this. "Really? Wow, I honestly wasn't expecting that."
He goes to leave but Spencer bars him. "You have to tell me. I put in over twenty hours this week."
"Honestly, it was them," he says with a nod to where everyone it sitting, Lori on her hands and knees looking for something before hitting her head on the table.
Spencer gives him a look. "Be serious."
His smile drops and he starts backing away. "Oh, I am. You see, Spencer, my friends didn't drag me down. They brought out the best in me… like they've been doing this entire semester. Have a great day. Hope it's full of laughter."
"Laughter?" she asks, lost.
"It's the third greatest gift," he explains.
"What are the first two?"
"I'm not sure yet," he admits. "We haven't got to that movie. When we do, you'll be the first to know." She watches him head back and sit with everyone, laughing as Lori clutches her head.
XXX
Friday night, Lori opens her door to find a girl standing there awkwardly. She is tall and slim with long, straight brown hair and eyes. She is dressed very trendy but modest with tight jeans, boots, and a turtleneck.
She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and bites her lip. "Hi, I'm looking for Hannah Frost. Is this the right dorm?"
Lori nods. "Yeah, it is. But tonight-"
"She's out with him, isn't she?" the girl inquires, voice almost worried. Lori catches onto this and starts paying better attention.
"If by him you mean Kenny, then yes she is."
She bites her lip again, twirling her thumbs. "That's why I came here. I heard she had become involved with him and I just had to- I'm his ex-girlfriend," she explain. "He's really bad news. I know. I also know she won't want to hear me out-"
Lori opens the door wider. "But I will. Come in…"
"I'm Rachel," she answers, stepping in.
Lori nods and shuts the door. "I'm Lori Fitzgerald, the roommate."
XXX
Kenny and Hannah are at his friend's house. She sits awkwardly on the couch as he laughs with about four other guys about an inside joke. The group of them is dressed very sloppily, especially compared to Hannah's outfit she spent so long selecting.
She sits another minute before rising. "Is there somewhere I can get something to drink?" she asks quietly, almost trying to keep herself from touching anyone or anything in the rundown house.
Kenny rises and pats her arm. "I'll get it, my princess. Stay comfortable."
She gives a forced smile. "Thank you. A water please." He nods and exits the room. She sits on the couch again with as little of her touching the couch as humanly possible. Everyone just stares at her. "So how do all of you know Kenny?"
"High school. We just moved out here and thought we'd catch up with him. He's the only one who went to college," one guy says simply. The door opens and another guy enters. "Did you get it?!"
The other smiles and sets a paper bag on the coffee table. "Of course I did. Now it'll really be just like old times." He digs in and pulls out an unlabeled bottle of pills. "Pass it around," he says tossing it to the first guy.
Hannah eyes the situation warily. "What… what are those?"
One claps her on the back, making her yelp. "It's ecstasy." He holds the bottle out to her; she shakes her head and rises abruptly.
"Oh boy. I think it's about time we head home." Kenny reenters and hands her the water. She takes his hand and e clearly sees her distress.
"What's the matter?" he whispers.
"They're taking drugs," she hisses, afraid. "Take me home… now," she orders.
"But we just got here." He takes a pill from the bottle, but she slaps it away from him.
Hannah is panicking. "Don't! Why did you-?!"
One of his friends elbows him. "Where'd you dig up the square Kenny?"
Another nods. "Yeah, we let her come tonight because you swore up and down about how cool she was."
"She is, guys," Kenny tells them. "She's the best part of my life." He pulls Hannah close, her obviously very tense, and whispers in her ear. "Hannah, be cool. Please."
She looks in his eyes. "But-"
"Hannah, come on," he whispers soothingly. "I love you. You love me. Just… be cool about this for me." Her eyes widen at his statement. "They're my old friends. Plus, I really want them to at least have the chance to talk to you. They deserve to know my girlfriend if she's going to be a permanent part of my life." This gets her even more, seeming to win over her hesitations.
"You love me?" she asks, breathing faster.
Kenny smiles his warmest smile, causing her to melt even more. "I'd think it was obvious. You're everything." She looks at him a long moment. "Princess…" She grabs the pill bottle and holds it out to him. He takes one with a smirk and pops it in his mouth. "You?"
"She shakes her head. "I draw the line-"He suddenly kisses her fiercely and she starts chocking after a moment. "I just- I- I swallowed it."
"I'm sorry," he apologizes, taking another one for himself. She is almost catatonic with fear. "That was an accident. I didn't mean- just relax. Sit down." He helps her into the chair as she just stares straight ahead. "It'll pass through real soon," he soothers her, taking her hands in his.
One of his friends rises suddenly. "Let's go out," he declares. They all head for the door, but Hannah stays put. "Come on Hannah. You're one of us now."
Another claps her on the back. "You're definitely cool." She shakily joins them, still very unnerved at what's about to happen.
"I love you," Kenny whispers as he helps her into the passenger's seat of her car. She just stares off as he climbs into the other side and starts following the other cars down the road. She looks down to see her hand in trembling.
XXX
Tune in next week as roommates need choosing, battles are waged, and a sword may face its true first battle