Welcome to the next episode, 'Coach Wittenberg'! By the way, expect a lot of changes coming into this episode! Anyway, enjoy!
I sighed as I looked over to my team, with Nadine and Phoebe playing. I was sighing in jealousy as I saw Nadine score yet another strike, everyone was cheering. I don't know how Nadine does it, she just simply does it!
"Okay, so Nadine has a good score, Phoebe, Gerald and I have moderate scores, Rhonda and Harold have good scores that can be improved upon, and Eugene..." Arnold said as he looked at all of us, even Eugene, who looked up. "Keep trying. You'll get it in time."
Eugene just smiled as Arnold said, "Okay fellas, take ten. We'll regroup again for another game."
As soon as Arnold, Gerald, Harold and Eugene went their separate ways, I turned to Nadine and Phoebe as I said, "Girls, we need to have a serious talk!"
In the girls' bathroom, me, Nadine and Phoebe were standing around as Nadine and Phoebe stared at me with a frowning expression. I paused. "Um, I'm waiting."
"For what?" Nadine asked.
"Your apology." I said.
"What?" Phoebe frowned. "Rhonda, YOU lied to US! Why should we apologize to you?"
"Look, you don't understand." I sighed. "Besides the bowling thing, which is true..."
"Rhonda, we know you. Not only do you like to participate in sports, you are a good football player." Nadine pointed out.
"Wait..." Phoebe paused. "Is this another plot to get closer to Arnold?"
I blushed as the girls squealed a bit, as Nadine said, "It is!"
"Why didn't you say?" Phoebe said. "We could have helped you with it!"
"Girls, listen, as much as I love your help, there are times that, well, I like to do these things alone." I said. "I love your help sometimes, I do. Sometimes you help, sometimes it isn't needed. This is just one of those situations where it's not needed, and you're blowing it for me! I'm part of a group of friends that consider me the female chick that has the secret love for sports, and you two being here will just ruin the status quo!"
"Ah, I get it." Phoebe said. "You're trying to invoke a 'female sports player loves sports, so she joins in a team that consists of mostly boys, to help win the tournament AND win the captain's heart in the progress'."
"Exactly." I smiled. "No offense guys, you're good friends, but this is just one of those situations I want to set up on my own. Impress Arnold a bit, maybe have him help me when I need it the most..."
"Ah..." Nadine smiled. "The perfect romantic set-up."
"If it means that much to you, we won't interfere with it." Phoebe said. "We'll tell the others we have to go to a karate class or something, so we don't interfere with your moment."
"Thanks, girls. I really appreciate the trouble." I smiled, hugging my two friends.
Phoebe and Nadine got me in a big group hug as Nadine said, "Good luck out there!"
Nadine and Phoebe left the bathroom as I smiled. They really were good friends. I figured since I was in the bathroom, I may as well dolly myself up a bit.
"...You're kidding, right?"
That was my first question I asked to Arnold and Gerald after I reunited with the team, who had got the message that Nadine and Phoebe left for a "modern dance" class.
"He's not." Gerald sighed.
"I don't see why you're doubtful. Coach Wittenberg is a suitable coach!" Arnold smiled. "He's what we need for our team!"
"Arnold, no offense, but the guy yells a lot. He orders people to either 'pass the ball to Tucker' or 'drop and give me ten'." I pointed out. "Surely you remember your time in basketball!"
"I will admit that in the past, Coach Wittenberg and we had issues." Arnold said. "But we've got it cleared up since then, and he's learned his lesson. Just give him a chance. I already signed him up."
"Why not?" Harold smiled as Eugene beamed.
"...All right... but don't say I didn't warn you." I said as I decided to sit down. While I have heard that Coach Wittenberg was relieved that his son was all right, it depends on his mood. Maybe he'll go easy on me.
I heard a whistle blowing as our faces turned to see Coach Wittenberg coming down. Then again, maybe he won't.
"Listen up, kids! As your new coach, and as the personage, who upon be teaching the basics of the game of bowling, the first and primary order of business, is the sign of the individual team level of your skills! All right, crazy legs, let's see what you can do!"
Coach Wittenberg handed the ball to me as I frowned. Crazy legs? Just because I'm a little taller than some of the others didn't mean my legs were crazy. Well, nevertheless, I decided to demonstrate what I could do. I did my best bowling I did... but got a gutterball. Hmm, my game must have been off today. I shrugged as I decided to go back.
"What kind of a motion is that? You've got to put your FINGERS in the holes!" Coach Wittenberg pointed out.
I rolled my eyes, getting that same 'put your fingers in the hole' speech a few times. "That's just one of my techniques. I can put the fingers in the holes when I can."
"None of your backsass, young lady! Drop and give me ten!" Coach Wittenberg ordered. "NOW!"
I yelped as I went down and started doing push-ups. He may be well-meaning, but he sure had a temper... and you had to do what he said as I did the push-ups. I didn't mind breaking a nail if I had to bowl... but push-ups? They hurt my pride.
Pretty much the same thing happened to Eugene when he demonstrated his skill... except he let go of the ball and it hit a wall. After Coach Wittenberg berated Eugene and told him to give him ten push-ups, he had Arnold go up. Arnold decided to demonstrate his skill as he used the ball to knock off one pin.
"I got one!" Arnold said in excitement.
Everyone, including myself, cheered, but Coach Wittenberg didn't seem to happy.
"KNOCK IT OFF! One pin is nothing to cheer about! One pin is pathetic! You're all pathetic! Now drop and give me ten!" Coach Wittenberg ordered.
We yelped as we were all doing push-ups.
"Arnold, we need to talk to you." Eugene said as soon as we had a break and sat aside, talking to Arnold.
"Yeah, buddy, it's about our 'coach'." I frowned. "At first we thought this tournament was going to be fun, and I'm looking forward to it, I am... but all we had so far is being yelled at..."
"And doing push-ups!" Harold said.
"Maybe occasionally breaking a nail or two, but that's just from the push-ups." I explained.
"What are you saying?" Arnold asked.
"Let me spell it out for you, buddy." I took a deep breath. "Either make Coach Wittenberg a better coach, or replace him with a better one!"
"Or we're dropping off the team!" Harold frowned.
"Whoa, whoa, I wouldn't go THAT far, Harold." I said.
"Let me talk to Coach Wittenberg. If I can get him to be a better coach, will you stay on the team?" Arnold said.
"Arnold, even if he isn't a better coach, I'd still be on your team... but okay. Just make this work, okay?" I said.
Arnold nodded. "I promise."
After a while, we waited a little bit as Arnold and Coach Wittenberg were talking a bit. Afterwards, they came back as Coach Wittenberg took a deep breath. There was a bit of the element of the old Wittenberg in there, but... the minute he started calmly talking to Eugene, I was basically surprised as I whispered to Arnold, "What did you do to the coach?"
Before Arnold could say anything, Eugene managed a strike for the first time in his life. We all cheered as I just stared, speechless. The next thing I knew, Coach Wittenberg went up to me and showed me this fashion magazine... he started talking about how movie stars loved to bowl and how many popular people think that bowling is a good fashion. Well, that got me pretty inspired, so I decided to do my best as I picked up the bowling ball and did a good strike. Okay, my game is picking up now! We all cheered positively as we kept going and going.
As I was done with my latest bowling adventure, I walked up towards my team as I heard Coach Wittenberg whisper to Arnold something about 'psycho-ology'. Ah, so that's it. Coach Wittenberg is using the psychology trick... I have to say, it's motivating us.
"Coach?"
Coach Wittenberg yelped as we looked up to see a blonde haired woman coming in with a team of a few girls, and some boys, I noticed Tucker was amongst the team. "Tish..."
"I think that's his wife." Arnold whispered, as if we didn't get the message already.
"Well, well, seems you did get yourself a new coaching job after all." Tish smirked. "I'm impressed... though can they manage to beat MY bowling team? Tucker? Show your father what you're worth, and make mommy proud."
Tucker nodded a bit as he took a bowling ball and threw it hard as he made a strike, causing these pins to shatter. My mouth just dropped open, wide.
"Tucker is good." Harold said in shock.
"Well... that's great, son! Proud of you." Coach Wittenberg said nervously as he looked up to Tish Wittenberg.
"Well, seems I've improved myself... and so has your son." Tish smirked a bit. "Can your team manage to beat my team? Answer yourself THAT, Coach!"
Coach Wittenberg looked nervous as we all looked at each other. Tish smiled. "Anyway, we've stopped to practice a little bit. We'll see you at the tournament on Saturday, Coach!"
Coach Wittenberg nodded as Tish Wittenberg gave a smirk. Coach Wittenberg then gulped a bit as he turned to Arnold. "Arnie? Get me a cream soda..."
We were walking out of the bowling alley worried as I said, "I have never seen bowling pins shatter that fast."
"I never even knew Tucker Wittenberg could be a very good bowling player." Eugene said.
"How are we going to win the tournament now?" Harold said in worry.
Arnold and Gerald looked at each other in concern... before we all stopped, hearing a whistle blow. We all turned to see Coach Wittenberg, smirking.
"Okay, listen up, guys and gal!" Coach Wittenberg said. "I've trained you through the hard way, and I've trained you on the psycho-cology level! This time, we're going to go back to fundamentals! I am your coach, and we want to win this tournament, right?"
"Right!" We nodded.
"Well, I got a strategy of how we can win! We're going to keep training as hard as we can! We're going to train harder than we have never trained before!" Coach Wittenberg said. "Kids, come to the parking lot of this bowling alley tomorrow morning at seven AM!"
We all nodded, determined.
The next morning, at eleven-thirty AM, I frowned as I glanced at the sun. The parking lot was empty, and me, Arnold, Gerald, Eugene and Harold were waiting around. I frowned as I looked at my watch... until I saw a car coming in the parking lot. The car stopped and the engine was turned off as Coach Wittenberg came out.
"It is eleven thirty AM. I thought you said the training begins at seven AM." I said.
"The training BEGAN at seven AM!" Coach Wittenberg smiled. "The first test I just put you through was the test of patience! Boys, good job! Crazy legs, you've got some catching up to do."
I just facepalmed as Arnold, Gerald, Harold and Eugene beamed a little bit.
"Anyway, the bowling alley doesn't open until noon. So, I'll see you guys in a half-hour." Coach Wittenberg smiled as he went back in his car and drove off.
I just started banging my head against a pole as the boys waved to the departing car.
About forty-five minutes later, we were inside the bowling alley as we were getting ourselves comfortable in our seats as Coach Wittenberg turned to us and showed us a bowling ball. "Now, this, kids, is a bowling ball. The modern definition of a bowling ball is a ball that is used for bowling. Personally, you should forget the modern definition! Because, to truly understand the fundamentals of the bowling ball, one must think like the ball, one must see like the ball... one must be... the ball."
Coach Wittenberg then gave an eye to Harold as he smirked. Harold frowned, not liking the look on Coach Wittenberg's eye. "Why are you giving me that look?"
"I'm beginning to question your coaching. Can we go back to your psychology one?" Harold asked as we were lifting him up and aiming him towards a target that Coach Wittenberg put on the side of the wall.
"Relax. I know what I'm doing." Coach Wittenberg smiled. "Three, two, one, GO!"
We let go of Harold as we threw him as he belly-flopped to the floor, we heard a bone breaking from inside.
"Owie..." Harold groaned.
"I think we twisted his ankle." I said in concerned.
"I think my arm got twisted..." Eugene groaned as he felt his arm.
"Oh, you always have a problem." I sighed. "We're concerned for Harold, right now."
"No, no, no, it's fine! It's perfectly normal. He can walk it off." Coach Wittenberg smiled.
Harold got up and moved, but he groaned in pain as he fell.
"...or maybe we can call a hospital." Coach Wittenberg said in concern.
Arnold, Gerald and I just groaned.
Later on, in the hospital, after being treated, Harold and Eugene (well, mostly Harold because Eugene always injures himself, yeah, he injured his arm while we were lifting Harold to do the exercise) were in a hospital bed as we were visiting him, concerned.
"So, they'll be fine?" Arnold asked the doctors.
"Yes, they'll be okay... they just won't be able to participate in walking and running sports for a while." A doctor said. "It'll be about a week."
"Red, Fat boy, if you can hear me, just know that I've never asked anything of anyone in my life!" Coach Wittenberg said.
"We can hear you." Harold frowned.
"Yeah, it's not that hard." Eugene said.
"But if we need five players on the team in order to compete in this tournament!" Coach Wittenberg frowned.
"I said we can hear you." Eugene frowned.
"Yeah, everybody can hear you." Gerald rolled his eyes.
"Look... just do me this one favor kids... just this... one favor..." Coach Wittenberg took a deep breath. "Get out of those beds, take the casts off your leg and arm respectively, and bowl! That's all I ask."
We all looked at Coach Wittenberg as if to say, "What are you, nuts?"
Gerald snapped his fingers, getting an idea. "Wait a minute, Coach. We can get replacements."
"You can? Oh, well, that's different." Coach Wittenberg smiled, turning to me, Gerald and Arnold. "Who can you get?"
"Well, Rhonda's two friends are great bowlers." Arnold smiled as he turned to me.
I yelped. Should I really call Nadine and Phoebe for help? I mean, I wanted this to be my moment with Arnold... but I want to help my team win... My love... or teamwork? My love... or teamwork.
I paused as I thought about it... then smiled. Teamwork. That was easier than I thought.
"That's a great idea!" I smiled. "I can give Nadine and Phoebe a call, I'm sure they'd love to help us! Let's do this for FIG and Suk!"
"Yeah!" Arnold and Gerald smiled as Coach Wittenberg blinked.
"I don't really get the lingo, but if you can get those friends of yours to help out, that'll be great!" Coach Wittenberg smiled as I pulled out my phone and started to dial Nadine's number.
"Hello, Nadine?" I smiled.
"Hey, Rhonda. How's training?" Nadine's voice asked.
"Not so good, I'm afraid. Harold and Eugene are... in a little bit of a situation where they can't bowl. We need you and Phoebe to help us. Can you help our team?" I asked.
"But what about your pla-" Nadine started.
"I know, I know I said I have a plan, but desperate times call for desperate measures." I whispered. "Besides, I'd rather have our team get a win. And you guys are great players!"
"Aw, thanks, Rhonda." Nadine smiled. "Sure, I'll help you! I'm sure Phoebe will be glad to help too!"
"Great! Thanks, Nadine!" I smiled. "Call Phoebe and let her know! See you at the bowling alley!"
I hung up the phone as I turned to the others. "They're in."
"Great!" Coach Wittenberg smiled. "Let's do this!"
We all cheered.
And thus, training pretty much resumed as Nadine and Phoebe joined us. Coach Wittenberg had to admit he was pretty impressed with Nadine's bowling, and he motivated Phoebe a bit to help out with bowling as well. He was aggressive, but at the same time, really helpful. And it pumped us up for tomorrow's game.
We smiled as we were all in our blue uniforms, ready to play as Coach Wittenberg gave a smile to us. "All right guys, we've made thus far. I just want to say that irregardless whether this game has an outcome or not, you are the finest bunch of bowlers this individual has ever had the prerogative to supervise! Ready? Three, two, one..."
We joined our hands with the coach as we chanted, "Zephyrs are go!"
Pretty soon, Tish Wittenberg's team came in as the coach came in a bit nervous. Tucker Wittenberg then got his eye on Arnold as he did the stare thing with the fingers. Arnold got himself prepped up as I nodded to the girls... but I couldn't help but notice that Nadine was giving a small smile. "Nadine?"
"Hey, have you noticed Tucker looks pretty cute?" Nadine whispered.
"Aw, look who has a crush." I smiled, then frowned. "Focus Nadine. We need to win, no matter what!"
"Right!" Nadine said, focusing her time on the game of bowling.
And so, our game started. We did pretty well at first, but we were slowly starting to fall behind as we were managing eight to seven pins. Nadine was the only one managing to get strikes thus far, so that is putting us up. But how I could tell that we were falling behind was because of the scoreboard... and because of Coach Wittenberg's moment of panic.
"What is the matter with you guys, we're falling behind!" Coach Wittenberg yelled at us worried. "What's wrong with you guys, do you want to LOSE this thing?"
"Oh, Jack..." Tish smirked as she pointed towards her watch. "Time's running out. Looks like once again you'll have to be recounciled to the fact in the coaching framework, winning is beyond the capabilities."
"Yeah, well, it ain't over until it's over!" Coach Wittenberg glared at his ex-wife.
"Oh, it's over, Jack. It's over." Tish said as she walked towards her team.
Coach Wittenberg frowned as he took a deep breath and blew his whistle. "All right then, no more mister nice guy! You, crazy legs! Bowl a strike out, and don't give me guff about breaking a nail! Any backsass, and you can drop and give me ten!"
I yelped as I picked up the bowling ball and quickly ran... getting a gutterball. I groaned as Arnold pulled Coach Wittenberg aside and tried to talk him out of it. But it proved to be pretty useless. Looks like with the presence of his wife here, Coach Wittenberg was going back to his old ways. Nadine was pretty much the only one who got off scot free, mostly because she got every strike. Pretty soon, Arnold did succeed in calming Coach Wittenberg down as we were 582 to 581. It looked like Coach Wittenberg was getting himself calm and back on track. All we needed were two more pins to win. If Nadine could get this, we'll be good as golden.
I overheard Arnold and Gerald smiling as Gerald said, "Man, Nadine and Phoebe are like our best players, man!"
"Yeah! We should invite them more often!" Arnold said.
I sighed, a little heartbroken. My eyes then turned towards Nadine, who was looking away... she was about to run when she... oh my God, she slipped and fell!
We all turned as I ran over to Nadine. "Are you okay?"
"I... I think I twisted my ankle..." Nadine groaned. "I don't think I'll be able to take my turn..."
"Then how are we going to win the tournament?" I said in worry.
"You'll have to bowl for me, Rhonda!" Nadine smiled. "After all, you're the original girl of the team. You need to do this!"
She then gave a wink at me.
I gasped as I whispered, "You're faking this, aren't you? You're doing this so that Arnold'll pay attention to me when I score the final points?"
"Yes, I'm faking." Nadine whispered. "Now go out there and win! Remember, just two pins. That's all we need."
I nodded as I took the bowling ball and started going up there as Coach Wittenberg whispered in my ear, "Remember the movie stars loved it."
I nodded, determined as everyone watched. I was ready.
I wound up the ball... I threw it... I let go of the ball... it rolled down...
...into a gutterball? What?
Everyone's eyes just widened as my eyes widened too as Tish's team was cheering. I heard Coach Wittenberg just sighing as Tish came over.
"Ha!" Tish's team laughed. "Looks like I win this one!"
Coach Wittenberg sighed. "Good job, I gu-"
"Hold on, hold on!" A side official that has been keeping an eye on our tournament came out. "Excuse me a minute, but I just got word from the officials that there's been a technical error. Apparently, The pins were not fully set before the player released the ball."
"Huh?" Both of the teams said in shock, even the coaches looked in confusion.
"Now, according to the official tournament rules, any technical error results in an automatic re-do." The official said. "So, Zephyrs, that means you get another chance."
Coach Wittenberg smiled. "Yes! Hear that, Tish?"
Tish rolled her eyes. "Fine, so you got lucky."
I sighed in relief. Another chance to impress Arnold! "Don't worry guys, I won't blow it."
"Uh, Rhonda? No offense, but why don't we just let somebody else bowl?" Arnold said in concern. "I'm not sure you're ready for this?"
"Actually, Rhonda, my ankle isn't as bad as I thought. I can probably bowl." Nadine said.
I sighed as I said, "Guys, look, I know I can do this. What happened was a bit of bad luck. Besides, I need to be the one to do this! For my team... and to redeem myself."
"Are you sure?" Nadine asked.
"You really think you can do this?" Arnold asked me in concern.
"It's only two pins! I usually hit about five to seven pins!" I said.
"Then go out there, Rhonda, and hit five to seven pins!" Arnold smiled. "Or at least two."
"You go, girl!" Nadine smiled.
"Good luck, Rhonda." Phoebe said as Gerald just watched.
I nodded as I took the bowling ball in my hand and put my fingers in the hole. No more messing around. This time, I was truly ready.
Once again, I ran up to the bowling area. I wound up the ball... I threw it... I let go of the ball... and it rolled down...
...right into a gutterball... again? Wha-what?
My eyes just went wide as I just stared in horror. We... lost? I... lost? Arnold saw the whole thing, didn't he? I still stood in that position, just horrified. How can I live with myself after this...
"Looks like I still win after all, Coach!" I heard Tish say.
I heard Coach Wittenberg sighed. "Fine... okay... Tish, you did win this one... and to be honest, I don't really care who wins and loses this time."
"Huh?" I heard Tish utter in shock.
"Because I've trained my team really hard. As somebody once told me, it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game." I heard the coach say.
A little moment of silence as I heard Tish say, "Wow... a little deep..."
Tish then gave a soft giggle. "I like it. And even if I don't like to admit it, you actually did put up a fight. That's good for me."
"Aw, thanks, Tish." I heard Coach Wittenberg say. "Kids, you did great out there, even if you blew our chances of winning twice, crazy legs, you really did great out there. Great job."
I said nothing as I continued holding this position, staring wide-eyed in horror. I couldn't even join the team as they were congratulating the coach.
A few minutes later, I noticed a hand was put on me. "Rhonda? Rhonda? It's time to go."
"Huh?" I said as I turned to Phoebe, looking at me in concern.
"Are you feeling okay?" Phoebe asked.
"Besides the fact that my chance to impress Arnold just got crushed?" I asked. "Not really. How could I fail at this... twice?"
"Hey, it's not all that bad." Phoebe said as she took me. "Arnold just told me that even if you did fail, you were a really good player."
"Really?" I asked Phoebe. "He really thinks that of me?"
"Sure." Phoebe smiled. "He said even though you screwed up majorly, not his exact words, he still thinks it was noble of you to try and help us win."
"Wow..." I smiled to Phoebe. "Where are Arnold and Gerald now?"
"They left to check up on Harold and Eugene." Phoebe said.
"And Nadine?" I asked, noticing Nadine was not here.
"Last I saw, she was talking a little bit to Tucker." Phoebe said as we were going out. "She, him and Tucker's parents decided to go out somewhere for a bit, so that just leaves you and me for the rest of the day."
"Wow..." I smiled. "So, Nadine is slowly starting to form a friendship with the boy known as Tucker Wittenberg, huh?" I giggled as we went out. "I must say, Nadine has a good eye for boys like him..."
"Well, who knows?" Phoebe shrugged. "So, what do you want to do for the rest of the day?"
"How about we go back to your house and play some Monopoly?" I asked Phoebe as we went on the bus, paying the fare. "I'll play by the rules this time."
"How about we play chess. We both are good at it equally." Phoebe smiled.
"Oh, that's even better!" I smiled as me and Phoebe decided to hang out for the day.
Oh well, even if we lost the game, I'm glad I managed to impress Arnold.
There's the fortieth episode! How do you like it? Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!