[Video starts]
[Dipper looks at the camera.]
Dipper: Hello, everyone. Dipper Pines here and back with the Guide to the Unexplained. It's been awhile since the last one and…so much has happened.
[He waves a dismissive hand.]
Dipper: That's a story for another day. Because today I will be investigating the anomalies known here in my home state, California. Thanks to my experiences in Gravity Falls, I will use what I learned to find, document, and prove the existence of these anomalies.
[He holds up some photos towards the camera]
Dipper: Be it the Tahoe Tessie,the Snake-Headed Dog, the Hog Bear, the Lone Pine Mountain Devil, the Fresno Nightcrawlers, and of course, the Sasquatch.
[Dipper puts down the photos.]
Dipper: Now, unlike Gravity Falls, these creatures aren't tethered to one area and are all around California. So, I've decided to at least focus here, in my hometown of Piedmont.
[Video cuts off]
[Video cuts back]
[Dipper is walking down the halls of his family's house.]
Dipper: And since I've already spent my library quota for the week, according to the librarian, I've resorted to asking the only people I know who know about the oddities that may reside here…
[He enters the living room and aims his camera at his parents, Morgan and Caroline Pines, seated on the couch.]
Dipper: (offscreen) …my parents, Morgan and Caroline Pines.
Caroline: (sassy playfulness) So sorry that you have to resort to us.
Morgan: But, we are happy to help. Though I am a little surprised that you came to us. What about your great uncle? Between his research and that shack of his, he's probably the better person to ask on this.
Dipper: (offscreen) Y-Yeah, well, um…he's out of town. On vacation.
Morgan: Really?
Dipper: (offscreen) Yep. He felt it was time for a different scenery and left for the ocean some time after Mabel and I came back here.
Caroline: At least he finally decided to step out of those woods for a change. I was starting to worry about him.
Dipper: (offscreen) *Achem* So, Mr. Pines, are there any anomalies here?
Morgan: In Piedmont? Can't say for sure, but there is at least one in Oakland. The Lake Merritt Mermaid.
Dipper: (offscreen) Have you tried looking for this anomaly in your youth?
[Morgan pushes back his glasses that slipped down a little.]
Morgan: For a bit, I think. Uncle Stan told me all kinds of tall tales. Made me wanna go out looking for those things too.
Caroline: (to Dipper) That's actually how your father and I met. I dragged him out of the lake after he got bit by a snake.
[Morgan chuckled.]
Morgan: And I thought she was the mermaid.
Dipper: (offscreen) Riveting. And do you think the creature exists?
[Both mother and father look at each other before looking back at their son with a skeptical look.]
Morgan: Well…I have some doubts, honestly.
Caroline: And even if she did, she's probably not there anymore because of how the lake was treated back in the day. However, there are some accounts of occasional reports of a large tail, or a large fish with green hair and big, blue eyes!
Morgan: Really? Heh. Sounds like I've got a lake to visit.
[Caroline halfheartedly smacks her husband's arm.]
Caroline: (smiling) Oh, Morgan!
[Morgan chuckled]
Dipper: (offscreen) In that case, I'll be heading for Lake Merritt to find the mermaid.
Morgan: Lake Merritt is a big lake, son. Do you need any help? What about Mabel?
Dipper: (offscreen) No, it's fine. I got this.
Caroline: Want me to pack you a lunch for when you go?
Dipper: (offscreen) …Sure.
[Video cuts off]
[Video cuts back]
[Dipper heads out the door.]
Dipper: Okay…got my bag with my lunch, a few waterproof disposable cameras plus a polaroid, swimgear, and money for boat rent. I am ready to hunt for the Lake Merritt Mermaid.
Unknown: Hey, Dipstick!
[Dipper glowered with a groan. He turns his camera to a small group of boys around his age. The supposed leader of the group was tanned with blonde hair and a smug look on his face. Dipper doesn't stop walking to chat, ignoring the group.]
Blonde Kid: Where're you heading? Going on another monster hunt?
Another Boy: Think he's gonna go find a bridge troll?
[Some snickers and chortles were heard as Dipper briskly kept his pace.]
Dipper: (muttering to himself) Just keep walking, just keep walking…(takes a deep breath)...just keep walking…
[Video cuts off]
[Video cuts back]
[Dipper is at Lake Merritt, purchasing a small row boat to take out into the lake with his gear, earning a few looks of confusion at his way. It was slightly uneventful except for some false sights and occasionally taking a few pictures of the wildlife, above and below the water surface.]
[It was lunch time when Dipper spotted a movement in the water and he quickly took out his polaroid to snap a photo. The photo develops and Dipper sees what looks like long blue with a water lily attached to it.]
Dipper: (grinning) Yes!
[He shows the camcorder the photo.]
[Video cuts off]
[Video cuts back]
[It's getting dark and Dipper is standing at the shore of the lake.]
Dipper: No sign of her yet, but I think I'm getting closer. I'll just have a look around the shore a little longer before I – *gasp*!
[Dipper quickly pans the camera to the lake, showing large ripples in the water.]
Dipper: (offscreen) Oh, my gosh…
[He hurries to the shore as the ripples get closer.]
Dipper: (offscreen; excitedly) Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!
[Long blue hair with a water lily can be seen rising from the water.]
Dipper: (offscreen; excitedly) This is it! This is actually happening!
[Suddenly, the 'mermaid' ripped off 'her' hair to reveal blonde hair and a familiar face.]
Bullard: (laughing) I can't believe you fell for that!
Dipper: (offscreen) Argh! Bullard, really?!
[Bullard gets out of the water and laughs.]
[Dipper backs up.]
Bullard: You should've seen the look on your face, Dipstick! Priceless! I hope you guys got that!
[There was a sudden flash and a snap.]
Dipper: (offscreen) Huh?
[He pans to more of Bullard's cronies as one of them holds a camera towards Dipper. They all join Bullard in laughter at Dipper's expense.]
Cronie #1: This is so going into the school papers.
Cronie #2: School Crypt Kid Tries to Find Fishy Love!
[The bullies laughed harder. Anxious breathing can be heard coming from Dipper.]
Bullard: It's good to have you back, Dipstick. It was dull not having anyone to push around all summer. (in mocking curiosity) How was it, by the way? Found the mothman? Found Bigfoot?
[Dipper backs up again. Anxious breathing is still present.]
Bullard: And look at what you are doing now! Looking for some mermaid because you don't have a girlfriend? You wanna feel special?
[Dipper backs up some more.]
Dipper: (offscreen) Just…just leave me alone!
Bullard: Face it, Dipstick. You don't belong here. You're better off staying at some backwater town with a loon for an uncle because you're just as crazy as he is!
[The bullies approach Dipper, pointing and laughing at him.]
[Video cuts off]
[Video cuts back]
[A disheartened Dipper looks at the camera.]
Dipper: (frowning) With a heavy heart, I have to say that there is absolutely nothing weird or extraordinary about Piedmont, California…(sighs)...surprise, surprise…
[Video cuts off]
[Video cuts back]
[Dipper has his head in his arms on his desk, his eyes bloodshot and solemnly staring at the laptop screen.]
Lee: Yeah. Let's leave it to Dipper and his family. They're more experts on this than we are.
Wendy: You hear that, dude? It's just not the same without you. Can't wait to see you again!
[Dipper closes the laptop. He then takes out the note Wendy gave him before he left for home.]
Dipper: (quietly) …It's funny. Despite everything that happened…how things turned out…I…Did I do the right thing?
[He looks over at the camera. He reaches for it, taking it in his hands. He looks into the lens with that solemn look before going to turn the camera off.]
[Video ends]
Notes:
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