Chapter 3: Baba O'Riley (Arnold's Persistence)

"Oh Helga! I've got some delightful news!" Phoebe wildly said to Helga the next day at Philosophy class "It's about Arnold!" Helga covered Phoebe's mouth "I mean, you know who" she whispered.

Helga's eyes sprung out "Really? Tell me, tell me!" she grabbed Phoebe's shoulders pressing hard. Phoebe nodded and told every single detail of what had happened the day before.

"To the what? The jungle of San Lorupitenco what? What the hell?" she seemed concerned.

"Well, yeah, that's what he said, I have no idea why he would want to go there, with Mr. Wartz…." Phoebe confessed.

"Well whatever the reason is, I'm gonna find out and you Phoebe, you will ask Gerald if he knows" Helga's bossy voice commanded.

"But Helga, I don't think that's…"

"Not know Pheebs, I've got a lot of things to do, call me later will ya"

"Ok" Phoebe muttered to herself for Helga was already out the door.

Just like Arnold promised, he headed to Principal Wartz's home after school only that this time he went alone. The same embarrassing thing happened, Wartz denied and dumped water on him. But Arnold decided to go the next day, going through the same drill but he wouldn't give up.

On a nice windy but sunny day, Phoebe and Gerald were strolling down the park.

"Do you know why Arnold wants to do to the jungle with Principal Wartz?"

Gerald's eyes opened wide.

"Why do you wanna know that babe?"

"Well I was just wondering since it's quite odd a 16 year old would want to venture into an unknown jungle" she was hoping he'd fall for the lie.

"A…well.. I..I don't know… I mean.." Gerald said looking in another direction "I know why, but.. well.. it's personal you know, best friend secrets… I can't tell you… sorry babe.." he scratched his head.

"Oh, ok… I understand" she looked at the ground and suddenly said "I don't want to be your girlfriend anymore! "

"What!? Are you serious?" he looked puzzled and scared.

"I'm just kidding!" Phoebe laughed.

Helga was watching her Tv program when she received a phone call.

"Hello,….hey Pheebs, what up?" and slipped the straw on her soda.

"I am sorry Helga, I could not find out anything with Gerald, he said it was too personal..."

Helga sighed "I knew that would happen, oh well, don't worry I'll have to find out the hard way".

Arnold did not give up, he insisted every day after school and Wartz kept bathing him until he got tired of him.

"Alright kid! What is it you want? Can't I live a peaceful evening without you disturbing it?" Wartz groaned "Fine! Come in!" Arnold entered Wartz house.

"Tell me what's on your mind boy, I haven't got all day you know…"

So Arnold went straight to the point.

"I want to go to San Lorenzo with you" he firmly said.

"Are you insane?" as he stared at Arnold's serious look "Why do you want to go? Why me?"

Arnold's thoughts fired up at the speed of light to come up with a lie for he had not thought up a lie till that precise moment.

"Well" he coughed "because I like the jungle, ever since I was I little boy. I always dreamed of going but my grandparents are to old to do such a trip, and well… you are a public figure in the city" Arnold sounded opportunist "an important, responsible working man"

Wartz felt the prestige "Well Shortman, I would like to take you but I can't afford to take you"

"I've got my own money!" he rushed that in.

"You do…mmm… well I still can't take you, I am not your legal tutor, you need a permission from your parents or whoever is in your custody"

"That ain't no obstacle, I can get it!"

"Well…" Wartz looked unsure of what to say next "If you get the permission I'll be happy to take you"

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Arnold's enthusiasm and hug made Wartz smile.

The next day in Art class, Arnold jumped in and out of his seat, like a little boy full of caffeine in his blood.

"Gerald! Gerald! I'm going! I'm going!"

"Jeez, Arnold, where?" Gerald desperately shoved Arnold's face off him.

"The jungle! With Mr. Wartz!" He did not notice he was almost shouting to the whole class.

"You're going to the jungle?" Stinky suddenly crept behind them.

"Arnold is going to the jungle?" Sid appeared curiously on the scene.

"Arnold is going to the jungle everyone!" Harold's noisy voice caught everyone's attention.

"Shut up stupid!" Arnold said.

A great silence filled the room but soon every ran to Arnold's desk asking all sorts of questions.
"Really?" "When?" "Who's taking you?"

"Tell us Arnold!" a goofy Eugene face startled Gerald.

"Ok, ok!" Arnold snapped "Yes I'm going…. Happy?"

"We're going" Gerald coughed that in.

"Is it like a fieldtrip?" Nadine asked.

"Can I go too?" Sheena smiled.

"Me too!" someone said.

"Yeah me too!" another said at the end of the crowd.

"Can we all go? It will be fun! Like the good old days!" Stinky suggested which caused a riot in the classroom.

Arnold could not concentrate with so much noise flying around in the air, soon he got stressed out and cried "Ok ok! You can all come! Just get the money and permission, I'll talk to Wartz, just leave me alone!" and everyone sat back on their seats joyfully chatting.

Oh great, how am I going to convince Principal Wartz to take us all, I barely convinced him to take my sorry ass, here is another mess I got myself into Arnold's worried mind sang.