Chapter 5

Finale

Location: Mr. Krabs' Office

Mr. Krabs sits at his desk and Plankton, given his tiny stature, sits on a miniature table on the desk.

"What's the meaning of this, Plankton?" an enraged krab asks about the loss in summer customers.

"Fine, I'll explain" the plankton agrees until their interrupted by speech outside the room.

"Where's Mr. Krabs?" Squidward asks from the main entrance, surprised from the lack of traffic in the restaurant. "Also, where are the customers?"

Pro: Getting rest of the day off; Con: Less pay and still having to live near SpongeBob.

SpongeBob points towards the office door and concludes: "I think...THE CUSTOMERS WERE UNFAIR, MR. KRABS IS IN THERE, THINKING LIKE A FRESHMAN, PLOTTING HIS SUGGESTION!"

Squidward opens the door and comments: "I set your stupid card reader on the register"

"Forget the card reader, boys. We don't need it today" Mr. Krabs admits, sadly.

"Where are the customers, Mr. K?" SpongeBob asks.

"This little pipsqueak drove 'em away" Mr. Krabs explains.

"I had good merit!" Plankton defends himself. "We were pandering to those children and paranoid parents. At that rate, you were bound to run yourself out of business!"

"What do you mean?" the krab asks.

"We spent so much money on Krabby Universe, the VR headset, and those CORAL SALADS!"

"Dude, nobody says coral anymore" Squidward corrects him.

"Whatever" Plankton sighs.

"I guess you're right" Krabs replies. "We need something that appeals to kids, but doesn't pander to them"

"So, we need something with universal appeal?" SpongeBob suggests.

"What about a swimming pool?" Squidward suggests before explaining the philosophy of adult life. "Life's a bummer. We all need time to swim, relax, and get a tan"

"Mr. Squidward, we're not promoting tanning for children" Mr. Krabs corrects him. "Those tanning bed companies are already in deep trouble"

"Fine, but we should include a swimming pool!" he agrees and then corrects himself. "No, wait. Wouldn't parents be scared about their kids drowning?"

"We live underwater!" Plankton clarifies. "SpongeBoob drowned while lifeguarding. But any intelligence life forms can swim!"

"Huh" Squidward sighs. "I've just been neighbors with this nitwit for so long that I forgot about other sea critters"

"Alright, men. I think we have a plan" Mr. Krabs agrees.

One Week Later

Location: Back of the Krusty Krab

"Eugene, this was a great idea!" Plankton admits as they relax in the large swimming pool in the backlot of The Krusty Krab. The kids and parents swim and splash around the pool.

"Agreed. Also, swimming and splashing refrains them from those screen things" Mr. Krabs admits as they both lie in floating pool chairs.

"Kids, what do you think about Krabby Universe 2.0?" Mr. Krabs surveys the non-legal customers. Krabby Universe 2.0 is codename for "Krusty Krab Swimming Pool"; adding the 2.0 makes it sound like an upgrade.

"We love it, Mr. Krabs!" the crowd of kid replies.

"And, what about you parents?"

"It's good enough" the mother admits.

"Excellent" Mr. Krabs comments and then announces. "You're up, SpongeBob"

"I'm ready!" SpongeBob agrees with excitement and dresses up in a "terrifying" costume.

"Kids, it's time to chase the clown!" Mr. Krabs announces and soon the kids chase after SpongeBob. Regardless, the energetic sponge actually enjoys being chased and hunted by the traumatized children:

"Yes, unleash your anger onto the clown!" he provokes them.

"Eugene, you seem to have everything under control. Can I get the day off?"

"No, Mr. Squidward" Mr. Krabs denies him peace or happiness from the mundane 9-5 work cycle.

"Ugh!"

"Who wants a Krabby Patty?"

"Hey, that's unhealthy!" the father admits.

"Oh, come on. They're burning off those calories in me swimming pool and by chasing the clown" Mr. Krabs explains the counterbalance theory.

"Fair enough" he concedes. "Alright, kids. Let's go inside and eat some expensive Krabby Patties!"

"Yay!" the kids cheer and dash inside the restaurant.

A grouchy Squidward scampers and an eccentric sponge dashes into the restaurant; Mr. Krabs admits:

"Mission Krabby Universe: Accomplished"

The end