Okay, now the episode is going to be 'Harold Vs. Patty'... but that episode is going to be in the background, because the REAL story is within the game show! Well, anyway, enjoy!
On Sunday, we were on the game show set as I looked around.
"Wow... this set looks pretty good." I muttered as we took our seats.
Olga looked over as she noted the other family on the other side. "Hmmm... must be the competition."
"Yeah, I heard from one of my friends that the person they got from PS 119 is a 'perfect family', so we may have some competition." Arnold explained.
"Eh, they don't look so tough!" Grandpa said with a smirk.
"You guys up for this?" Arnold asked.
I nodded as Olga said, "It'll be just like old times, except I'm actually competing with people who care for me."
"Okay then. Just don't mess around, stick together as a team, and we should be fine!" Arnold instructed. "Grandma, you think you can handle that?"
"Aye-aye, Kimba!" Grandma saluted.
Arnold sighed. "I just hope I don't make a mistake here..."
"Relax. Our friends are out in the audience, watching, so is the people in the boarding house." I said. "What could possibly happen."
The lights then came on as we heard the announcer. "And welcome to "Fighting Families". It's the Shortman family taking on the Gershwin family! And now, here's your host... PATRICK... TREBEK!"
We all applauded as the host, known as Patrick Trebek appeared as Patrick nodded. "Thank you, Todd. Greetings, folks, and welcome to our next episode of "Fighting Families"! Let's begin by meeting the families shall we? Starting off with the Shortman family."
Everyone applauded as the camera turned to us. The host went over to us as he said, "Introduce us, please."
"Well, my name is Arnold... and this is my grandfather, Phil... my grandmother, Gertie... my sister-figure, Olga... and my gi- my other sister-figure, Rhonda." Arnold said.
I nodded as I heard my name called.
"Hmmm... quite an interesting family you got here." Patrick nodded as he turned to the other family. "And you?"
"Well... my name is Cindy Gershwin... and you'll note my perfect family... my mother, Chloe... my father, Lamarr... here's my lame brother, Chuck-meister Grand Poobah... and my step sister, Bronxen." Cindy Gershwin explained.
"Let's go, Gators!" Bronxen said randomly.
Patrick blinked as he turned off his mike, and I heard him mutter, "Where the hell do these people find these families?"
Patrick Trebek then turned his mike back on as he smiled. "Well, now that we've introduced the families, let's get right to it! Our first round will be a little survey round that everyone in the audience has done. Arnold, Cindy, come right over."
Everyone applauded as Arnold and Cindy walked right up to the table.
"All right, folks, we've got the top six answers on the board." Patrick Trebek said as he started to read from the card. "Name a character known for mystery solving."
Arnold and Cindy started to get to the buzzer, but Cindy beat Arnold to the buzzer. "Hank the Cowdog!"
"Show me, Hank the Cowdog!" Patrick Trebek said pointing to the board.
We then heard a negative buzzing sound as the audience went 'ooooo'.
"BULL CRAP!" Cindy yelled. "THIS IS BULL CRAP!"
"Arnold?" Patrick Trebek asked.
"Hmmmm... I'm going to go with Scooby-Doo." Arnold said.
"Show us Scooby!" Patrick Trebek said.
The number three answered flipped over on the board as we applauded.
"That is right! Pass or play?" Patrick Trebek asked Arnold.
"Play, play!" We all whispered as Arnold nodded.
"We're going to play." Arnold said as he went back.
Pretty soon, I watched as Arnold's grandparents gave their answers... which were both wrong. Fortunately, it came to Olga.
"I would have to say 'Sherlock Holmes', Pat." Olga said.
"Show us Sherlock Holmes!" Patrick said as the answer flipped over on the Number two answer. We all applauded as he came to me next. "Rhonda, same question. Name a character known for mystery solving."
"Character known for mystery solving..." I paused, smirking. I got this. "I'm going with Ja- Jessie James!"
What? That wasn't what I meant to say! The answer buzzed me as wrong as Patrick shook his head. "Sorry, we're going to the Gershwin family."
Arnold just face-palmed as I groaned. I don't know why I said 'Jessie James'! What was I thinking?
"It's okay, sweetheart, you're just a little nervous." Olga whispered to me as I took a deep breath.
"We're going for... James Bond." Cindy said.
"Show us James Bond!" Patrick said... as the number one for 'James Bond' showed.
I looked over to the audience, and noticed that Nadine, Phoebe and Lila were sitting next together, just staring at me in shock that I got an answer I knew WRONG. That was so embarrassing.
"Congratulations, Gershwin family! You get ten points... Shortman family... while you have your heads in the game, you'll have plenty of time to recover... because as the losers, you'll have to complete a challenge as a family! Complete the challenge, you'll get the same number of points!" Patrick Trebek explained. "Are you ready?"
We all nodded as something up on the stage came up, which looked like a limbo stick.
"This is the limbo contest! If you all can limbo under the stick, one at a time, before the minute mark passes, you get ten points." Patrick explained as we went up. "You all ready?"
We looked at each other, then nodded as Arnold turned. "Yes."
"Then the minute starts... now!"
Well, as proceeded, we managed to get through the limbo easily enough as we all cheered.
"Okay, we are now tied evenly! And we move onto the second round. For this, we'll need the parents of each family to step forward." Patrick said.
"Okay, go straight ahead, Grandpa, Grandma! Show us what you got!" Arnold said.
The two nodded as they went and sat down at a table, Cindy's parents followed suit.
"Now, before the show began, we each gave you a survey to fill out, privately, of course. Now, we're each going to ask you a question. If any of you get the answer wrong, the family you're associated with will suffer a penalty of our choosing." Patrick said. "Are you ready?"
Everyone nodded as we all watched.
"Now, this is for the husbands of the families... what is the nickname you give to your wife? Mr. Gershwin?" Patrick turned.
"Nickname, hm? Well, I always call her sugar." Mr. Gershwin explained.
"True, I do like that name." Mrs. Gershwin nodded.
"On the other hand, I also call her 'Chlo-icious'." Mr. Gershwin said as most of us, even the people in the audience, just looked at the family weirdly.
"Oh, Lamarr, not in here..." Mrs. Gershwin blushed furiously.
"But... for the most part, I always call her by the nickname I have always given her, which is my sweet apple dumpling with a side of cherry and whipped topping." Mr. Gershwin said.
Mrs. Gershwin smiled as she held up the answer, marked 'Sweet Apple Dumpling With a Side of Cherry and Whipped Topping'.
"That's correct! Mr. Shortman, what is the nickname you give to your wife?" Patrick asked.
"Oh, that's an easy one!" Arnold's grandfather smirked. "It's Pookie!"
A negative buzzer sound was heard as we just stared in shock. Arnold's grandmother then held her answer which read...
"Conquistador Lulubelle?" Arnold, Olga, Arnold's grandfather and I said in utter confusion.
"Oh-oh. Well, looks like your kids... grandkids will have to pay the penalty." Patrick Trebek said as he turned to us. "Okay, kids, your next challenge will be forming a human pyramid! If you can manage to get into position and hold it for ten seconds, you get five points. Go!"
Olga, Arnold and I nodded as me and Arnold held positions, with Olga going on top. I held my breath as we were careful. Everyone watched as the ten seconds have passed.
"And... time!" Patrick Trebek said as we dropped, sighing in relief. "Well, I think that's all the time for the second round, but... we will have to cut to commercial! We'll be right back after commercial break!"
Everybody applauded as the lights went off.
Arnold's grandfather and grandmother came back as we frowned, Arnold saying, "Grandma, Grandpa DOES call you 'Pookie'."
"Yeah, it's kind of a household name." Olga pointed out.
"That may be true... but Conquistador Lulubelle sounds way cooler." Arnold's grandmother laughed.
Arnold sighed. "Look guys, I know we love our jokes and all... but we seriously need to stay focused, all right?"
"Sorry." I looked down.
"Rhonda, I understand that maybe you're nervous, but don't be. I chose the team I did because I believe you all have the skills. We got the family team-up aspect down, but all we need now is the right boost." Arnold said. "Tell you what, guys, just focus a lot on the challenges ahead, okay? Remember, we're doing this for fun! And as a family!"
Olga smiled as she curled her hand to a fist and offered it to Arnold. "Family fist bump?"
Arnold smiled as he fist bumped Olga. "Family fist bump, sure."
As we were settling towards our seats, I noticed Sharlene coming over as Olga looked over.
"Hey, Olga, Rhonda!" Sharlene smiled.
"Oh, Sharlene. What are you doing up on the set?" Olga asked as we looked over.
"I know you're busy right now and I'm going to leave in a moment, but I just wanted to wish you all good luck." Sharlene said. "After all, what are friends for?"
"Aw, thanks Sharlene!" Olga said as she hugged Sharlene.
"No problem, Olga!" Sharlene said as she turned to me. "Oh, and Rhonda. I know it's been hard, but..."
"It's okay, Sharlene." I said as I looked up. "Olga's been taking good care of me as of lately."
"Oh, has she?" Sharlene asked, as if out of curiosity. "Interesting to know. Well, know that the loss of your parents hit me more than it hit you. They were really good people, you know. Shame they died..."
"Yeah... but what can you do?" I looked up at Sharlene's eyes.
"Listen kiddo, I'm sure they'll be cheering for you... in the afterlife." Sharlene said as she looked at her watch. "Oop, looks like they'll be back on any second. Got to go!"
"See you later, Sharlene!" Olga said as Sharlene went back out.
"You know, Sharlene is a great girl." I said, smiling.
"Yeah, she sure is..." Olga smiled as the lights turned on.
"And welcome back to "Fighting Families"!" Patrick Trebek said as everyone applauded. "On our scoreboard, Gershwin has about a five point lead... 20 to 15! On our next round, our teams will be answering a series of trivia questions!"
Everybody applauded as we all nodded confidently. We were ready for this!
And pretty soon, we were getting some good questions, and even Arnold's grandmother, as crazy as she was, even got some right! Pretty soon, we were getting close to winning.
"Hmm... interesting.. the Gershwins have forty-five to to the Shortmans' forty!" Patrick Trebek said. "If Arnold's family can answer this question, they win the game and the grand prize! Tell them what it is, Todd!"
"The first family to get this question right will win... a deluxe luxury cruise for three days and two nights! Fine dining, fun activities, and all for free!" Todd announced... strange... his voice sounded familiar...
"And what will the loser family get for a consolation prize!" Patrick Trebek said.
"They get school supplies and a screwdriver!" Todd said.
We all blinked as we all looked at each other. Patrick Trebek then asked, "Did I just hear you say they get a screwdriver?"
"Yes, Bob, you heard that correctly!" Todd said. "Hm? What was that? Oh, his name's Patrick? Should have told me... I mean, that's right Patrick, they'll win school supplies and a screwdriver!"
"Okay then..." Patrick blinked...then smiled. "Oh, right... Here is the question... and it's a hard one... who, mind you, WHO was the referee for the New Zealand heavyweight championship fight in 1726."
"What?" We all blinked as we looked at each other... as Cindy Gershwin buzzed in.
"Arbuckle Dreen." She answered.
Everyone, even the host looked shocked as he double checked the answer on the paper. The host then frowned. "No coaching, please."
The host then marched right over to Cindy as he said, "What was his second grade teacher's name, if you're so smart?"
"Abigail Twitch." Cindy shrugged.
The host, once again, looked shocked as he looked at the paper. "That's... that's right."
Patrick Trebek then turned as he smiled. "Well, folks, looks like we have our winners! Give it up for the Gershwin family! To the Shortman family, good shot, but no dice! Maybe next time."
I sighed as Arnold gave a smile to all of us. "It's all right, guys. So what if we didn't win this one? At least we participated as a family."
"Eh, I suppose that's true." Arnold's grandfather said. "Of course, the boarders will never let us hear the end of this..."
"Eh, the best we can do is ignore them." Olga shrugged. "We tried our best, and that's what counts."
"Pretty bold coming from a girl who likes to win." I said as we were walking out.
"Eh, what can I say?" Olga said. "I don't mind being a second placer... though I'll probably expect a call from my dad soon... he'll probably chew me out as per usual when he hears I entered a show and lost..."
"Are you going to take that?" Arnold asked.
"The Pataki pride has always been that 'A Pataki is always a winner'... well... screw THAT Pataki pride! I'm making my own Pataki pride from now on!" Olga said. "Dad may not see it now, but he'll come to terms that his little girl grew up!"
I smiled as I hugged her.
Sure enough, as soon as we got home, the expected barrage and rant from the boarders came when Olga managed to ease them down.
"Look guys, I get it. We lost. But that doesn't matter to us in the long run." Olga said. "What matters is that we managed to get a good teamwork ethic going. You three boys should learn a lot from us..."
Mr. Potts, Mr. Hyunh and Mr. Kokoshka looked down in shame as we all laughed. Olga then said, "Besides, if any of you DID get in Arnold's team... would you have agreed to Arnold's teamwork ethic?"
"Well... uh..." Mr. Potts paused.
"Maybe?" Mr. Kokoshka shrugged.
"Not quite at first, but if it means working together, then..." Mr. Hyunh said.
"Right!" Olga nodded. "I think I made my point."
As Olga, Arnold and I made our way upstairs, Arnold looked at the backpack he brought. "Well... at least we got new school supplies. That's pretty good..."
"Yeah." I smiled as Arnold handed me the screwdriver.
"I don't know why they want us to have a screwdriver, though. It doesn't make sense." Arnold frowned.
"It's nuts, buddy boyfriend. It's nuts." I shrugged.
Arnold laughed a bit as he kissed my cheek. "Well, there's still some time, maybe I can catch Harold at the arm wrestling championship! You want to go along?"
"You go on ahead. I'm just going to stay with Olga." I said as I walked towards Olga's room.
"All right. See you later, Rhonda!" Arnold said as he ran downstairs.
As I walked inside Olga's room, I heard Olga on the phone as she sighed, "Yes, Dad, I realize I lost. And I don't care. I'm glad I lost! This is part of the reason why I left! You always go on this stupid rant that-"
I decided to plug Olga's rant out of my mind as I took a look at the screwdriver. What the heck was this...
I noticed a small opening near the screwdriver. I opened up the compartment and noticed a note. I opened it up and read it.
'Rhonda...
Use this screwdriver on a certain object. The answer you seek will be revealed.
- Marcie'
Marcie... wasn't that the name of the strange person that Curly and Caroline always talked about... what did she know about...
I pocketed the screwdriver and the note as soon as I heard the slamming on the phone.
"GOD! Dad is so freaking hard to talk to!" Olga groaned in frustration. She took a deep breath and turned to me. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry you had to hear all that."
"It's okay, Olga. I know how hard it is for you and your family right now..." I looked up.
"Well, mostly Dad. But yeah." Olga sighed as she hugged me. "Well... you did a great job, Rhonda."
"You didn't do too bad yourself, Olga." I said, looking up.
Olga gave a warm smile as she sat next to me. "You want to get an ice cream, sweetheart? It'll be my treat."
"Can I invite my friends over?" I asked.
"Anything you want, sweetheart..." Olga said as she looked at the calendar. "Oh, is it almost April first already? Hm. Hard to believe..."
"I know..." I said as we laughed, heading out of the apartment. We were feeling more confident than ever before!
But the screwdriver mystery intrigued me... I don't know what this screwdriver goes to... but hopefully I'll find out soon...
And there's episode one hundred and forty-four! How was it? Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!