Chapter 3: What Do Ya Say?
All weekend long Helga and Arnold worked on a presentation for their class. The moment Arnold had said he was going to go to San Lorenzo this summer Helga had been on board. Ever since he was nine and had found the map in the back of his father's journal Arnold had talked about taking a trip out there one day and finding his parents airplane.
Helga of course thought it was crazy, but she understood and supported him whole heartedly. Now that he had another reason for going out there she knew there would be no stopping him, or her. So they had spent the weekend doing research and collecting facts and figures on what it would take to get the class out to San Lorenzo. Obviously it would be a big project, but it would certainly fit all of Mr. Simmons 'Special' desires.
Monday morning found Helga and Arnold going over the presentation one more time before getting to school. They were packing everything into the packer and going over the plan one more time. "We just have to sell it Arnoldo. Sell it like its Mr. Fudgei's from the Jolly Olly man. If we can get Rhonda, Gerald, and Phoebe to go along with it we'll have the rest easy." Helga said as Arnold backed the car out of the garage and they made their way to school.
"Yeah but if we can't get them to go along what will we do then? I mean we don't have a backup plan here. This is all or nothing Helga, I'm going either way but I'm hoping everyone else might want to help as well." Arnold said as they parked the car and began to unpack the things they needed. "Don't worry football head things are going to go great." Helga said kissing his cheek.
They waited till after lunch, that way Herald would focus and they wouldn't have to deal with him whining about food. Mr. Simmons was very excited to be announcing their 'special' project. Arnold set up the projector and got the slides ready as Helga set the stage for Arnold's idea.
"Alright guys Mr. Simmons really wants us to do something "Special" And we all know that this will be one of the last times we do anything together. So Arnold has this brilliant plan for us to get to see a little slice of the world and do a Global community service project at the same time. But since this project is really close to his heart I'll let him tell you more. I just want to say that no matter what Arnold and I are going." With that Helga crossed her arms and moved to lean against the wall.
There was a dull murmur of whispers going through the classroom as people talked about Helga's little talk. She'd be so vage, and the fact that she already knew that she and Arnold were going meant that this was happening with or without them. Rhonda was watching Arnold intently, she'd always kind of liked him so this was normal.
Herald was eating a package of nuts while Sid and Stinky were chuckling at as they looked at a dirty magazine. Gerald was leaning back in his chair waiting for Arnold's little slide show, and Phoebe had a note pad out and was poised to jot down any information she thought she might need.
Arnold flicked the light's off and a picture of a rainforest came up on the projector screen. "This is a scene from the distant and remote area of San Lorenzo. San Lorenzo is in South America and was once home to the ancient civilization of the Green Eyed people. The Green Eyed people were thought to be an exstinced race until two people rediscovered them; Nigel and Stella Shortman." Arnold paused and the picture on the screen changed to one of his parents with him as a baby. This was the one picture he had of them with him.
The class suddenly became very still, through the years all of them had heard about his parents and the Green Eyed people. They also knew that Arnold still didn't believe his parents were dead. Gerald sat forward and everyone stopped what they had been doing and gave Arnold their undivided attention.
"The Shortman lived in San Lorenzo and helped to get the locals medical attention. They ended up leaving once they had their first and only son. Right after their son turned one Edwardo, a leader for the town, came to ask for their help. A terrible sleeping sickness was plaguing the Green Eyed people. The Shortman had dealt with the disease once before but it returned and the antidote wasn't working this time around." Arnold tapped the keys and a slide with several pictures of sick and dying people.
"The Shortman's flew back to San Lorenzo to help, leaving their son behind. Their plane was never seen again. To this day no one knows what happen, but the sleeping sickness went away. Several ago a massive earthquake struck San Lorenzo and large portions of the village were destroyed. An organization went to help and now the same people who said they would help are tearing down the rainforest. The villagers of San Lorenzo are in desperate help to rebuild and reshape their lives." Arnold's final slide flashed and it his parents surrounded by smiling villagers.
Helga flipped the lights on and Mr. Simmons wiped a tear from his eye. "Well Arnold that was just wonderful!" The bell rang and Mr. Simmons shook his head and smiled. "arlight everyone I'd like you to all go home and think about Arnold's idea. We'll hold a vote tomorrow, see you all in the morning." With that the class dispersed.
"Well what do you think Helga? Think we got them?" Arnold asked as they walked out to his car. His arm was around her waist and her head was resting on his shoulder. "Arnold it doesn't matter if we got them, hopefully they'll come, but in the end they don't matter. The people of San Lorenzo needing help and the Green Eyed people asking for you is what matters in the end." Helga said as she leaned against the car.
Arnold wrapped both arms around her and leaned in putting his forehead against hers. "Your right Helga, when did you get so smart anyway? Good thing though because I'd be pretty screwed without you right now." He said kissing her nose. She smirked and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I've always been brilliant football head you just never noticed. And don't you forget it bucko, cause then I'd have to mess you up for leaving me." She said and then pulled in for a short make out session.