About two hours later, after they had finished breakfast and Melody had arrived, Dipper and Mabel climbed into Soos' truck and headed to the Northwest Mansion.

"I guess we should be calling it the McGucket Mansion now, huh?" Mabel said as they went between the pillars where the gates used to swing.

"I guess so." Her brother agreed, immediately noting the absence of the gates that had once kept out the "commoners".

Soos went around the large fountain and parked in front of the mansion's front steps.

"Yeah, dudes, if there's one thing McGucket's not, it's 'all high-and-mighty'. One of the first things he did when he moved in was getting' rid of those gates. "

Mabel and Dipper both looked at each other. Last summer, when the Northwests had had their big soiree of the year there, people considered "commoners" were forced to stand on the outside of those gates…

"Thanks, Soos!"

"See you later!"

Dipper and Mabel hopped out of the truck and headed up the steps.

"Feels weird." Mabel said as she watched Soos' truck leave.

Dipper knocked on the door and looked down at himself. Last year, he would never have been allowed in in his usual short pants, t-shirt and vest.

Suddenly the door opened. "Hey, there, kids! Good to see ya! Come in, please!"

Mabel found herself smiling at McGucket's appearance. She now saw that he was clean shaven, had real spectacles, and wore a flannel shirt and jeans, along with actual shoes and socks.

"You're looking good, McGucket." She said aloud as the twins followed their host into the foyer.

"Thank you kindly, honey. I'm glad you came along with your brother. " McGucket said as he led them into the cavernous living space. Sitting in a chair that looked more like a throne, as it dwarfed McGucket's small body, he gestured toward the equally ornate couch across from him. "Sit, please. Can I get you kids anything?"

Dipper and Mabel both shook their heads.

"How's everything been since last year, McGucket-?"Mabel asked "I mean—Doctor McGucket?"

The older gentleman waved a hand. "Oh, pshaw—I never was one much for titles. Things've been great—I've been tinkerin' to my heart's content, I have a home that dosen't smell bad, an' best of all—" Dipper and Mabel both saw a tear come to their host's eye—"—I've got my son here with me."

"I'm really happy for you." Dipper said, and he meant it. Mabel nodded in agreement.

"Aw, thanks, kids. Say, would you like to see the addition I put on to the house? "

After looking at each other, the twins both looked back at McGucket.

"Addition?" Dipper said.

"And I thought this house was already huge." Mabel added.

"Eh, it's just a toy of sorts." McGucket said. "Come on, I'll show ya. "

The twins hopped off of the couch and followed him down a hall and to a flight of stairs. They went up the stairs and through a door.

"Whoa…"

"Sweet Sally…"

In the room the twins had been led to, there was a huge telescope. There was a moveable flight of steps to get to the lens one looked through.

"When did you have that put in?" Mabel asked.

McGucket chuckled. "Put in? Honey, I built it. "

Dipper reached his hand over and lifted his sister's jaw to close her mouth.

"Matter of fact, I was lookin' through this last night when…"

The twins looked at each other, then back at their host. "When what? "

"Well, kids, last night I was lookin' through the lens there, and I saw somethin' go streakin' through the sky. "

Dipper and Mabel looked at each other. "We saw something, too—but we were just getting ready to go to bed. " Dipper said.

McGucket went over to a small table on which a laptop sat. "I record everythin' this here telly-scope catches, an'…well, take a look yerselves. "

The twins came over, and the older man typed in a code on the computer. After a moment a photo came up, and then a video started. Something silver could be seen streaking over the trees, and Dipper's eyes widened at the shape of it. There was a bubble toward the front that could have been a windshield, and sharp triangular wings that could be seen when the object turned on its side.

"Th-that's no meteor." Dipper stuttered.

Mabel rolled her eyes. "Oh, boy, here we go. "

"I mapped out th' trajectory that there craft took, and I think I may have figgered out where it crashed. " McGucket told them.

"Are—I mean, do you plan to look for it? "Dipper asked, trying to hold back the excitement in his voice, but being largely unsuccessful.

McGucket looked back at him and smiled. "I did. You wouldn't want to come with me, would ya? "

"Yes, I'd love to! I mean, yes!"

Mabel could almost see her brother bouncing up and down with excitement. He kind of reminded her of what he said she did when she had too much Smile Dip…

"Oh, boy, here we go. I guess you won't be as bored as I thought you would be this summer, Dipping Sauce. "