It was the night before the opening night of "Socs," and the Klue Queens were volunteering as supervisors. Leah placed on a tam o'shanter hat, Kaylin placed on a lovely bonnet, Estrella placed on a sombrero, Rylie placed on a baseball cap and put it on backwards, Tania placed on a teacher's cap, and Paige placed on a straw hat with flowers and paisleys.
"Why do we have to wear these hats?" asked Tania. "We're not even in the show."
"According to the Friendly Scouts of the '60s," replied Leah, "it's good luck to wear a hat besides a Friendly Scout one to wear to shows. I'm glad that the school lend us these hats."
"Oh, please," growled a blue figure. "Those hats are lame."
Remembering from watching the Viewtube channel for "FTV," Rylie recalled him as Bloo, the morinic imaginary friend who causes trouble at the home. "Why don't you toss those hats and wear pizza boxes instead?" insulted Bloo. "Speaking of which, where's the pizza?"
"Sir!" shouted Kaylin. "That's for the theater troupe only, and you're not one of them."
After they kicked him out, they saw the play's supervisor, Mrs. Hess, panicking pointlessly.
"What's wrong, Mrs. Hess?" asked Leah. "Did you get any word from Casey? We haven't seen her since last night to work on the vocals for the finale."
"She's missing," explained Mrs. Hess. "She hasn't answered her texts or calls in a long time. Good actors always show up for rehearsal."
"Oh, great!" shouted a nerdy Native-American girl. "She deserves to go missing!"
"Blair?" asked Mrs. Hess. "Shouldn't you check on the lights so not a single one falls off and cause a fire?"
Angry and bitter, Blair left.
Inside, they saw Helen with a Latino boy and a caucasian boy in a wheelchair rehearsing the final dance for the musical. Remembering the saying "the show must go on," Estrella got an idea. "Helen!" she shouted to her girlfriend. "Casey has gone missing and we need you to be her understudy. You've mastered all the lines in 'Socs,' and you're a talented singer."
"Of course, baby," Helen answered her girlfriend. "I didn't just choreographed for Eli for nothing. Plus, Ollie and Brodie are catching up on their dancing."
Remembering from her childcare classes, Paige could remember Casey having a rush on Brodie, but she too shy to tell him. Brodie, on the other hand, was aware of her crush on him, but he didn't believe that she disappeared.
Also, Paige remembered Ollie from gym class and, usually, he bragged to his gym mates about getting a theater roll and planning to sign to a talent agency.
Suspects
Blooregard Q. "Bloo" Kazoo (Patron at Fosters) - Rude behavior and warnings on "FTV" about his behavior.
Ollie Santos (Leading Man) - Constantly bragging and wants to sign to a talent agency.
Blair Blackwell (Special Effects Girl) - Angry at Casey Vance.
Brodie Johns (Principal Character) - Didn't believe that she disappeared.
XxoxX
Outside the school, a tall red friend, a big purple friend, and a bird-like friend came up to Bloo.
"I'm sorry, Bloo," the red friend shouted, "but running from the hotel like isn't a good thing!"
"Coco, coco, coco, coco, coco! (You can say that again!)" shouted the bird friend.
Exiting the door, the Klue Queens were going out when they spotted Bloo being scolded by his shenanigans. After explaining about their friend Casey's disappearance, Bloo was confused on why the production of "Socs" was important.
"This is Casey's last performance before going off to college," explained Leah. "She usually plays a minor character within the four years of theater productions."
"Are you here for the production?" Tania asked.
"Si," answered the purple friend. "I heard the numero de musicas are fantasticos."
"Coco, coco, coco, coco, coco coco, coco, coco, coco!" the bird shouted.
"Anyone have an idea of what that bird is saying?"
"Coco's saying, 'If you want any help, we can join you. Forgive us for not introducing ourselves, I'm Coco, the red guy is, Wilt, the purple beast is Eduardo, and I see you already met Bloo."
Usually, the Klue Queens got by with a little help from their friends, so they decided to let their new imaginary friends tag along.
"Since none of us can speak Coco," said Tania, "she can go with Rylie and I. Ed can go with Estrella, Bloo can go with Leah, and Wilt can go with Kaylin and Paige."
XxoxX
Inside the auditorium, Ollie was up to his bragging again. Bloo tried to attack, but Leah told him that a good detective never jumps to a conclusion.
"Hey look, Dudes!" shouted Ollie. "It's the little blue friend who wanted pizza!"
"Back off, Ollie," snarled Issac. "Leah is with him."
After Issac peck-cheeked Leah, they talked to a corner privately whiel Leah held Bloo. "How's the man playing the lead's best friend?" greeted Leah.
"Going great," answered Issac.
"Does Ollie have any grudges against Casey?" Leah asked. "And you were the last person to see her before her rehearsal, weren't you?"
"Only once two years ago, Ollie had a grudge against Casey for playing the love interest in the drama club," Issac recalled. "Ollie isn't part of our decathlon team for nothing. He wanted to remind people that men played all the roles in the days of Shakespeare, but this was a winter production of 'Singing in the Rain.' He was just as angry as last week when his parents cut his license."
"Wait," cut in Leah. "Ollie had his license cut?"
"Yeah," replied Issac. "Got a speeding ticket while on the way home from that Spell Belles concert in Philly."
"And what about Casey?" asked Leah. "Wasn't she driving to school so she can return some library books and drop off her dad's dry cleaning?"
"She did," answered Issac.
"This doesn't make any sense!" shouted Bloo. "Where's the candy?"
"Bloo," replied Leah, "if Ollie just got his license cut, that means he didn't kidnap Casey."
"I didn't," Ollie replied. "I don't harm chicks, but maybe after rehearsal, you and I could grab a chocolate shake."
"Ollie," growled Issac, "you know she's my girlfriend. You're worse than Peter."
"Speaking of Peter..." Leah said as she pointed the stage.
Peter and his gang were onstage doing their skateboarding stunts. "Yo, Blair!" he shouted. "Could you do the trapdoor effect? It's RAD!"
Annoyed by Peter's antics, she activated the trap door and Peter and his friends fell in.
"That was awesome!" Bloo shouted that he ran and jumped into the trap door, much to Leah's annoyance.
XxoxX
By the parking lot, Coco, Rylie, and Tania found Brodie observing Casey's red sedan. Carefully, the trio walked up to the wheel-chair bounded boy.
"I found her car," Brodie explained. "Plus I found these gizmos in her car."
Oberving carefully, Tania could tell that that their hot-wiring car. "This must mean one thing," said Rylie. "Someone hot-wired her car."
"Doesn't your mom work as an administration assistant?" asked Tania.
"He does," replied Brodie. "Someone on the phone told her on Casey's phone that she's out sick, but she barely gets sick. I'm worried."
Seeing the face carefully, they could tell that Bodie isn't responsible for Casey's disappearance.
XxoxX
At the Bouncing Drape dry cleaner, the workers there said that they saw Casey's car going off like crazy. Then they saw a mysterious figure take her care, but they left behind a menu.
"Foudre d'été," asked Estrella, "it's a menu from the local French restaurant - down on Penny Lane?'
"It is," answered the worker. "By the way, I found these two playing around in the back room."
From the workers' hands, Kirby and Swinger were dazzled up in '50s suits.
"Kirby, Little Mono!" smiled Estrella. "Were you two trying to polish up for the show?"
They nodded up. "Un extraterrestre y un mono," smiled Eduardo.
"Poyo! (Hello!)" shouted Kirby.
"Come on, Kirby," replied Estrella. "We gotta get going. I'll explain everything on the way."
XxoxX
When they got to Foudre d'été, they needed to find a way to get in. The owners were out of town and they don't want anyone breaking in. Remembering Swinger's key-tail trick, he used his monkey tail to open the door and they were in.
"Estrella," Eduardo whispered, "this is Muy Muy illegal."
"Lo sé (I know)," whispered Estrella replied. "But this is important."
XxoxX
While going around the place, they heard some strange noises that scared Eduardo. "Estrella!" he shouted. "Monster outside!"
Worried that Eduardo would get hurt, Estrella barged out, only to find Wilt, Kaylin, and Paige.
"I'm sorry," replied Wilt, "but your way too hyperactive."
"Kaylin, Paige," smiled Estrella, "¿Alguna pista? (Any clues?)"
"Not yet," replied Kaylin. "But we heard Blair saying that she has been laid off and was desperate for that college fund at Harvard."
"Coincidentally," replied Paige, "it's the same college that Casey is getting into, gonna major theater there."
"I've heard of numerous colleges," replied Wilt. "Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Julliard, Yale, Rutgers, Georgia Tech, and Cambridge."
Smelling something, Kirby followed the smell inside, much to the others' confusion. Following the little puffball, he lead them straight to the kitchen, towards a freezer and to a red-haired girl tied up and blindfolded. It was, 'Casey' she has been locked in the freezer and the coldness made her unconscious.
After they got her out of the freezer, untied her hands and removed her blindfold. They needed a way to wake her up. Quickly, Kirby rolled into the kitchen, grabbed a microwavible soup bowl, heated it up, and gushed it down's Casey's mouth. In five seconds, Casey woke up. "French onion, my favorite," she smiled as she spotted the Klue Queens. "What are you guys doing here, and how did I get to Foudre d'été? I thought the owners were out of town for that French Food convention in New York City."
"They are," answered Kaylin. "You've been kidnapped and placed in there. Luckily, Kirby's strong sense of smell and love for food found you. I'm so proud of you for using your instincts."
While Kirby was blushing, he found a pamphlet for Harvard. Looking at it, they could see raging words against Casey. Realizing this, Kaylin, Paige, and Estrella figured out who's reponsible for Casey's kidnapping.
XxoxX
The next night was the premiere of "Socs," everyone in town was coming to see it, including the visiting Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. Principal Hopkins invited them so she can donate money to their organization. "Headmistress Hopkins," said a bunny butler, "It was nice of you to invite us to your little sock play."
"It's 'Socs,' Mr. Herriman, " corrected Principal Hopkins. "As in 'social class.' You're always acting like it's the 1930s."
Annoyed, he decided to go in.
Backstage, Blair was getting ready for the special effect when Bloo came up. "Hey!" she shouted. "I thought we told you to beat it!"
In a mean look, Bloo stuck out his tongue and ran off. Annoyed, Blair chased after him. Behind her, Kaylin and Kirby popped up. Kaylin saw some prop festival food and got an idea. "Kirby, suck it up!" she shouted.
With one gulp, Kirby turned into Festival Kirby.
He played songs from "Socs," causing everyone dance like it was 1959. During her dancing, Blair danced to a trap door and fell onto the ground. Out of her pocket, a pamphlet fell out and on it were raging words against Casey.
"I knew it," Leah said. "Blair is responsible for Casey's kidnapping."
"All I wanted is to be onstage," explained Blair from below. "Usually I'm in the backroom doing special effects. I wanted to play the leading lady, but Blair got it because she's beautiful."
"No," corrected Mrs. Hess. "Blair got it because she's a talented singer and actor. You lack the experience in theater and mostly do computer and hot-wiring. You should be ashamed of yourself, Ms. Blackwell."
"Luckily," replied Kaylin, "Blair's Foudre d'été menu, your hotwiring equipment, and the Harvard pamphlet with your hatred of Casey on it blew her cover."
"Please don't expel me," begged Blair as Wilt helped her up with an emergency rope. "I need to get into Harvard."
"No worries, Ms. Blackwell," replied Mrs. Hess. "Cleaning up after the patrons by yourself is a suitable punishment for ruining the dramatic arts."
XxoxX
After the performance and Casey's surprise return, everyone cheered for her surprise. While giving out autographs, Mr. Herriman bounced up to Kaylin, hoping she could do a favor for him. "Ms. Kaylin," he said, "an elementary school wants to take a tour of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends this weekend, to see how foster care works."
"Which school is it?" Kaylin asked.
"Some Lakewood Elementary in the cartoon world of Elmwood, PA," Mr. Herriman recalled. "Master Marc Brown emailed me about it and suggested a tour led by Kaylin Hester."
Knowing this, Kaylin knew that he was talking about Arthur and friends. Gladly she accepted Mr. Herriman's offer.
XxoxX
When the weekend came, Kaylin, Fayth, and Lelannee, Kristi and Kirby travelled by star. To celebrate, Kaylin wore her Sgt. Pepper outfit that Muffy gave her. "It's cool that Foster's Home gets to do weekend field trips so kids can have a weekend activity," she said. "Plus I get to take my little sisters to see their favorite cartoon characters."
"We awe gowing to meet Arty," Kristi said to Lelannee.
"I know," replied Lelannee. "And I cant waity to let Uncew Wusty about this."
Once they landed in the unicorn ranch, they spotted Arthur, Buster, Francine, Muffy, the Brain, Binky, and Fern playing blind man's buff. Muffy was blindfolded and was chasing Fern when Kaylin told her to come here. Hearing her voice, Muffy rushed over and hugged Kaylin. When Muffy removed her blindfold, she could see Kaylin. "I miss you, Kaylin," she said.
"Looks like they're the only ones interested in the Foster's Home Trip," suggested Fayth. "We don't want to overdue it at Foster's."
Fayth and Leelannee were thrilled to finally meet Arthur and friends in person. While they were getting along, Kaylin saw two familiar gay faces by the back. Kaylin was pleased to see Mr. Ratburn and Patrick fine as could be. "I see you two got over the whole Kirby-sitting incident," she said.
"It's amazing what watching reruns of 'Spooky Poo' and hot cocoa can do," Mr. Ratburn said.
"And the kind I made," continued Patrick.
"But I have to ask," Kaylin said as she turned her head, "how did you guys get to the human world?"
"Ask our friend Marc Brown," answered Buster. "He's been NSA material since 1996."
"That's the year you guys came out to television," recalled Kaylin. "And it's my guess that those interactions with live-action humans were real, but you used the fake behind-the-scenes bit to cover the operation."
Instead of saying yes, Arthur and friends nodded their heads.
XxoxX
Inside, Kaylin was giving a tour of the home when a small ball appeared by her food. With one press of the button, cheese popped out and everything was gooey. Buster licked his arms, but everyone was disgusted.
"BLOO!" shouted Kaylin.
"Bloo likey the candy!" shouted Bloo as he barged through the cheese.
Bloo jumped onto Patrick, got into his shoulder bag and got out a candy box. Partick tried to tell him that he has to pay for the candy, but Bloo gobbled all the candy down and rudely tossed the box at Patrick. Mr. Ratburn came up to his husband to comfort him.
"Someone's got to teach that blue clown a lesson," Buster growled.
Hearing the word "teach," and glimpsing at Mr. Ratburn, who was getting cheese off him, Kaylin got an idea.
XxoxX
Bloo was watching "I Was a Teenage Blowfly" on TV when Kaylin came in.
"Hey, Bloo, whatcha watchin'?" she asked.
'"I Was A Teenage Blowfly'," Bloo answered.
"If you think that's cool," Kaylin replied, "you should check out "It Came from the Haunted Volcano."
"That lame-o cheap movie with terrible special and lousy acting?" Bloo rudely asked.
"Uh-huh," Kaylin answered. "And it's better in 3-D."
After getting "It Came from the Haunted Volcano" free on demand, Bloo started to think it was lame. To make the movie fun, Kaylin told him to wear 3D glasses for it. Unfortunately, Bloo didn't like it either. "Kaylin," he growled, "this movie is totally lame."
Kaylin turned her head with Mr. Ratburn's face and asked, "Are you sure about that?"
Bloo got so scared of the Ratburn face, he ran away. "RATFACE!" shouted Bloo at the top of his lungs.
In reality, Kaylin was normal. Wilt, Eduardo, and Coco came in looking confused. She got out a Rainbow Monkey walkie-talkie and whispered inside, "Okay, everyone. When Bloo comes your way, do the best Mr. Ratburn impressions as you can."
Everywhere Bloo went, he could see Mr. Ratburn faces. When he reached Fayth, Leelannee, and Arthur and friends, they all started acting a lot like Mr. Ratburn.
"Alright now," asked Ratburn Buster. "Can you solve this problem?"
He showed a written knot of a hard equation, only for Bloo to tear it up and bump into Ratburn Muffy. "I need heads!" shouted Muffy. "I can wait for girls' heads, but I must have boys' heads immediately!"
"Tomorrow you'll be quizzed on everything!" shouted Ratburn Binky "I don't any wrong answers now!"
"Being late is one thing," shouted Ratburn Arthur, "but not having a brain - that is quite another!"
Bloo started to realize that it was the 3D glasses that were making him scared.
XxoxX
In the dining room, Bloo saw Kirby with costume rat ears and a nose, picked up some chocolate cake and ate it in one gulp. Bloo thought that he was still wearing the glasses. He barged through the kitchen door, only to bump into the real Mr. Ratburn. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Bloo didn't answer, so instead he screamed and ran away. Patrick came in with glass of chocolate milk looking confused. Seeing his face, they could one think of one thing. "Kaylin," they both suggested.
XxoxX
Back in the living room, everyone laughed as Kirby rolled in with the rat accessories. He and Buster were curious about Kaylin's plan, "Isn't it obvious?" Fayth said. "She tricks Bloo into watching 'It Came From The Haunted Volcano: 3D Edition,' only to see Mr. Ratburn's face on everyone he sees, get real scared, and start going crazy."
"That's correct, sis," Kaylin replied. "Remind me to get your Bully Stopper badge."
"I'm sorry," Wilt replied, "but that was one crazy stunt you pulled, Kaylin."
"Si," replied Eduardo. "Azul is always crédulo."
"Coco, coco, coco, coco, coco, coco (You must really know a lot about tricking enemies)," Coco suggested.
"To bad we never got to see your Mr. Ratburn impressions." Binky replied.
Kaylin placed on the fake rat ears and nose Kirby wore, got a green jacket from a coat rack and placed it on. "What are you students doing goofing off like that?" she said in the best Mr. Ratburn imitation. "Stop fooling around and get to work."
Fayth, Leelanne, Kristi, Wilt, Eduardo, Coco, and Arthur and friends laughed at the impressions Kaylin did. "Since you're not listening to what I'm saying," Kaylin continued, "You're all getting Fs for class participating."
"Sorry, Mr. Ratburn," joked Buster, "but we were enjoying some of your husband's cakes."
"I was told there was cake," Kaylin continued, "but my hubby didn't tell me that it was my students eating it. If you eat too much. You could get big butts."
While they were laughing, they spotted Patrick and the real Mr. Ratburn and gulped. Kaylin was confused by their worried faces. "Urn-tay your ead-hay," whispered Arthur as Kaylin turned her head to see them.
"Ooh," Kaylin nervously said as she took off the green jacket. "I didn't see you two there."
"Do I really sound like that?" Mr. Ratburn asked.
"Yes you do, dear," Patrick answered.
"Here's the money to cover Bloo's candy chaos," Kaylin said. "Muffy took it from his piggy bank while getting into character. We wanted to give Bloo a taste of his own medicine for stealing candy."
XxoxX
In his room, Bloo was traumatized by what Kaylin and Arthur and friends did. Mr. Herriman came into the room to see if he was alright.
"Ratface!" Bloo traumatically shouted.
Mr. Herriman didn't want Bloo to get any worse, so he decided to leave him alone.
The End.
Note: The bonus ending is a homage to the Arthur episode 'The Rat Who Came To Dinner. As a child, I use to be scared of Arthur's family having Mr. Ratburn's face.
