At the Pies in a Pod place, Joyce was putting away some pies when she came across the Cinderheights Pie recipe. "I'm glad that Mrs. Mitter gave me this job," she said to herself, "'cause I really love pie." She thought about making the pie for her cousin, but then somebody knocked her out and took the recipe.

XxoxX

After school the next day, the girls were going over a few things before their Friendly Scout recital for "Cinderella" tonight. Lorraine McBruce came in with some lemonade for the girls. "Are you girls excited for the Friendly Scout Cinderella recital tonight?" she asked.

"Yes, Mom," replied Leah. "I get to narrate the story, Kaylin is doing wardrobe, Tania is helping with special effects, and Paige is playing the Fairy Godmother."

"Theater experts say that you have to sometimes get a grownup figure to cast the grownup figures," explained Tania.

"And I'm glad that both Leelanee and Kristi get to play the horses and the heralds for the prince's ball," smiled Kaylin.

"We had to cast them like that," explained Paige. "They're too cute to be ugly stepsisters."

"Hey," said Mr. Hayato from he buffet. "You don't work here."

"I know," Grover replied. "You're just so super busy, I thought you needed help with the buffet."

"Buffets are suppose to be for the customer to chose," explained Mr. Hayato. "Stop before I call Chief Hess."

"The government warned me about his visit, Mr. Hayato," interrupted Lorraine. "Grover is a waiter at Charlie's Restaurant and Watkins Ice Cream as security. Wherever else he works, he ends up getting fired due to his antics, especially to a man named Mr. Johnson. Which is why the unemployment offices ban him permanently from working anywhere else."

By the door, numerous monsters and happy creatures came in and started looking around the place. "Those must be the visitors from 'Sesame Street' in New York City," suggested Rylie. "They're here to see the performance for 'Cinderella'."

"It's a good thing we bought our tickets early so we won't miss out on our amigos," replied Estrella.

Swinger came up to Elmo and was curious. "Look at the monkey," he said. "Elmo thinks he's cute."

While Swinger was delighted by Elmo's compliment, he spotted Judson and the Bugaloos comforting Joyce. Curious, he decided to give her some hot cocoa with bananas in them.

By the door, Billie could see the popstar, his backup band, his cousin, and the little monkey calming down. "What is this?" she asked. "A banana infestation?"

"No," corrected Judson. "My little cousin here has been laid off due to a crime she didn't commit."

"Hey," Billie replied. "Aren't you that hunky heartthrob Judson Soul?"

"Yeah," Judson replied. "And these are the Bugaloos."

"Then stop bugging me," insulted Billie. "I don't want my family's restaurant having any more monkey business."

They were so annoyed by Billie's insult, they decided to go inside Roadhouse Fantasia. Looking down, Billie could see I.Q. and Courage and Harmony and Joy holding each other's hand. "Love bugs," she groaned to herself.

"Believe me, guys," whispered Courage, "that Billie girl looks like a younger version of Benita Bizzare."

"You can say that again," whispered I.Q.

XxoxX

A few minutes later, Judson explained to the Klue Queens about Joyce getting laid off from Pies in a Pod for losing a famous pie recipe. "Usually you would get the pink slip," recalled Rylie, "'cause finding a new job ain't easy."

"I know right," replied Joyce. "She thinks I did it and I really need this job."

"If they don't find it," Leah said, "the catering order for the show will be ruined."

XxoxX

Suspect

Rowan Mitter (Manager of Pies In a Pod) - Too stubborn and former Friendly Scout.

Joyce Guevara (Judson's cousin and worker) - The only one there when the recipe was stolen.

Monroe Gould (Strange flamboyant worker) - Wants the place to close.

XxoxX

Worried that Grover would make things worse for Roadhouse Fantasia, the Bugaloos decided to stay behind to check them. They decided to bring a few Sesame Streeters along.

"Leah and I will take the orange monster in a pink tutu and chuckling red monster, Estrella and Kaylin will take the teal Spanish-speaking monster and the purple worrywart monster, and Rylie and Paige will take the big yellow bird and the pink fairy with the fuzzy wand," Tania suggested.

XxoxX

Leah, Tania, Elmo, and Zoe arrived at Pies in a Pod where they saw an elderly lady going around in a panic mood. It was Mrs. Mitter, owner of the shop.

"Mrs. Mitter," interrupted Leah, "we're the McBruce Sisters, Kirby, and Elmo and Zoey, we're here to talk about your stolen pie recipe."

"You mean the Cinderheights Pie recipe?" asked Mrs. Mitter. "It was made when Pies in a Pod was first founded in the 1920s. Its original founder created it after she read 'Cinderella' too many times."

"Poyo (She?)" asked Kirby.

"She's talking about Story Sagese," explained Leah. "She helped out with the Women's Rights of Lititz Heights and was the first female founder of a shop in Lititz Heights."

"Zowie!" shouted Zoey. "I never thought that a lady could open a pie shop at the time."

"A lot of ladies have been doing a lot thanks to leaders like Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, and Eleanor Roosevelt," Mrs. Mitter explained.

"And weren't you a Friendly Scout?" asked Elmo.

"That's right," answered Mrs. Mitter. "I got badges for pie and baking themes and made Friendly Scout cookie pies around Thanksgiving. My late husband Sidney had a high pumpkin allergy, and I decided to do a pumpkin substitute."

Both Leah and Tania knew that Rowan was a true Friendly Scout, so they decided to let her go. As they were leaving the place, Zoe found a locket with a handsome man and a younger Mrs. Mitter. After she gave the locket to Tania, she could tell that this wasn't her husband, but someone else.

XxoxX

Meanwhile Estrella, Swinger, Kaylin, Rosita, and Telly were going around the local supermarket to find Monroe Gould, where most Pies in a Pod workers went occasionally for a little help. After explaining it to the head of the bakery department, he lead them to a flamboyant man. "I got to warn you," whispered the head of the bakery department, "he has been weirding out customers since he came here."

While Monroe was observing a pumpkin, he, the two girls, and monsters gulped. "Hola," greeted Estrella and Rosita. "Como estas."

"Are you measuring a pumpkin?" Telly asked. "It should be already measured."

"It is," replied Monroe, "unlike the way Rowan carves a pumpkin on Halloween."

Estrella and Kaylin found it a little weird that Monroe is swooning over Mrs. Mitter, even though that she'd been widowed for fifteen years and he looked a little younger.

XxoxX

At the library, Rylie, Paige, Big Bird, and Abby found Celia and Ell-Berry looking an article about a pie scam in Gettysburg. Big Bird and Abby were confused on who he was. "His name is Bartram Von Garson," explained Ell-Berry, "ex-boyfriend of Mrs. Mitter. They broke up after she found out that he deceives people for money."

Wondering why they weren't at work, they explained that Mrs. Mitter emailed them not to come into work due to the recipe theft. "Mrs. Mitter can be really keen when it come to pie recipes," explained Celia. "That Sheila needs to lighten up."

"You know something," Big Bird replied, "Rowan needs some cheering up. How about you two bring her to the 'Cinderella' recital tonight for free?"

Celia and Ell-Berry decided to do it, hoping that it'll calm her down.

XxoxX

Back at Roadhouse Fantasia, I.Q. was reading a story of "Goldiefly and the the Three Bugs," Courage was showing a few monsters how to limbo, and Harmony and Joy were playing "Ring Around the Rosie" with a few monsters. "Looks like your Judson's new backup band is really getting the hang of things," Estrella said with a surprised voice.

"I know," Tania cooed. "Judson is such a soul mate."

While Joyce and the Klue Queens were squealing for Tania and Judson, Kirby took a pumpkin pie from the buffet and ate it in one gulp. Then he started measuring pumpkins, which made Estrella and Rosita remember Monroe and his strange matter.

"Rylie?" asked Estrella. "What types were Bartnam were using to scam those bakeries?"

"Pumpkin," answered Rylie. "Girls, you don't think Monroe is just a persona?"

"Maybe," replied Kaylin. "He also had the movements that are from the early '60s. Nobody else in town moves like that."

"I'm with you," agreed Estrella. "And he did got all Romeo on Rowan, even though hear heart is staying true to Mr. Mitter."

Realizing the clues, they figured that Monroe Gould was actually Bartram Von Garson.

"I remember checking the employment archives," Joyce explained. "And I don't think she hired the weirdo. During our first few days, he has been scaring customers away."

"That's right," recalled Paige. "Having a father who's a responsible manager is important. They have to keep track of who works here, tell disturbers to leave, and balance books."

Leah told Judson to get the Sesame Street gang to the recital at the park stage, because the Klue Queens, Elmo, Zoe, Rosita, Telly, Abby, and Big Bird got a score to settle with Monroe.

XxoxX

Meanwhile at Pies in a Pod, Monroe was going around the place taking some pies. In reality, he was Bartram Von Garson. "Soon, my Rowan," he cooed, "we'll be together again."

"Try becoming a prisoner of love," suggested Apple Pop as she levitated down. "Our mate Banana Cream Pop informed us of your cons."

"Yeah," replied Blueberry Pop as she used her super speed. "And go back to Gettysburg where your last con was."

"I don't know what your talking about," lied Monroe.

Abby and Kirby popped out with a magic kit. While Monroe was laughing at them for getting out a magic kit, Abby looked at Kirby and shouted, "Kirby, suck it up!"

With one gulp, Kirby turned into Magic Kirby. He got out a bunch of cards and tossed them at Monroe. From his jacket, Blueberry Pop could see the Cinderheights recipe. Using her super speed she grabbed the recipe and returned it to the recipe cabinet. After Monroe fell down, he saw that his jacket hole was empty. "Where did the pie recipe go?" he asked as he covered his mouth in nervousness.

"Back in the recipe cabinet," explained Leah as she and the other Klue Queens came out. "There were some clues to figure out that you stole the pie recipe."

"There was your expertise in all things pumpkin," recalled Kaylin. "And there's a news article of Bartram Von Garson scamming a bakery in Gettysburg. Then there's the way you got lovesick for Mrs. Mitter. Finally, there was that little locket with her in it."

"But they have different faces," interrupted Abby.

"It's amazing when your old college roommate is a plastic surgeon," explained Bartram. "This face is new, and I don't want you messing with it."

"Like the old Friendly Scouts said," Paige replied, "you can fool the outside, but you can't fool the inside."

By the door, Mrs. Mitter was petrified by the shenanigans going on in her shop. Though she was glad that Abby cleaned up the place, she recognized Bartram's eyes through the surgery. "Bartram?" she asked. "When did you started working here?"

"Never," answered Apple Pop. "This phoney has been pulling your leg by taking your Cinderheights pie recipe in order to win your heart again."

"And everything would've been perfect as pie if it weren't for you Friendly Freaks!" shouted Bartram.

Horrified by his insult, Mrs. Mitter ordered him to make a catering order for a bowling party at the Ramen Noodle bowling alley all by himself and mixing the recipes the old-fashioned way. After Bartram started working on the catering order, Mrs. Mitter showed the others so they could see how long the punishment was.

"This is as big as Uncle Wayne's kilt," admitted Leah. "A friend of my mom gave it to him a long time ago."

"Now that my ex is taking up the order," replied Mrs. Mitter, "I don't have time to create the catering order for the recital."

"Not for long," replied Elmo. "Kirby, Abby."

With a wave of their wand, Abby and Kirby made a new catering order for the Friendly Scout recital. Mrs. Mitter was happy because of a new catering order, "Since Kirby and Abby did the order," Telly said, "Can we give them out to the patrons."

"And I can give them a free hug." replied Big Bird.

With a big smile, Mrs. Miter nodded her head.

XxoxX

At the recital, Luella was playing "Cinderella" and was getting her foot into the shoe and kissing her prince. During the curtain call, everyone cheered and begged for an encore. When they told Judson the news, he was shocked. "Encore?" asked Judson. "But I didn't prepare anything."

While the Bugaloos were trying to come up with a last minute idea, Ernie got a suggestion. "You see, guys," he replied, "I've been thinking about performing a little song that was on Skinnamarink TV in the late '90s. They had a contest for the best song about the moon and I won."

"Congrats, Ernie," replied I.Q. "And I hope you don't mind if we get in on the act."

"Sure," Ernie answered. "The more the merrier."

"Good thing I brought my bongos," replied Courage.

Onstage, fireflies glew around, Judson, Tania, I.Q., Harmony, Joy, Courage and Ernie came onstage, I.Q., Courage, and Joy played their instruments, and they began to sing. Abby made a fake campfire so they wouldn't start a real fire.

"Well, I like to visit the moon, On a rocket ship high in the air," sang Judson.

"Yes, I like to visit the moon, though I don't think I like to live there," sang Tania.

Recognizing this tune, Bert knew that this was one of Ernie's songs, "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon." Bert started to remember the contest and was proud of Ernie for doing the song again.

"I like to visit the jungle, hear dandelions roar," sang I.Q.

"Go back in time, see a lost dinosaur," sang Harmony.

"There's so strange forests I like to see," sang Joy.

"But none of them pepperminty," sang Courage.

"Those aren't the words," Bert recalled.

"There having fun," whispered Paige. "And this is Ernie's song."

When Judson, Tania, Ernie, and the Bugaloos sang "I will make a wish on a star," Kirby came out feeling sleepy.

As soon as Kirby's cue was over, Leah grabbed the sleepy puffball, placed him on the sofa, got him under a Friendly Scoutquilt, and kissed him. Peacefully, Kirby drifted into a sleep.

When Judson, Tania, Ernie, and the Bugaloos were finished, every clapped quietly, so they wouldn't have to worry about waking Kirby.

The End.

Author's Note: As a child, I use to hear it on Skinnamarink TV where Sharon, Lois, and Bram sang the song.