The episode begins with a title card emblazoned on a billboard. Sweepy Steve is seen adding a poster for Fresh n' Hot is What We Got on the left side. An announcer is heard saying, "Brought to you by Fresh n' Hot is What We Got, where you can order anything you want, from soup, salad or a cinnamon croissant!"
Inside Table Town Middle School, Miss Deer Teacher is shown educating her students, instructing them about gold and how it works on the whiteboard. She finishes her lesson with, "And that's how the Gold Rush was profitable, at the expense of using up Earth's natural resources."
The school bell rings. Most of Miss Deer Teacher's students rush out, with the notable exceptions of Kiff and Barry. Miss Deer Teacher approaches the two, who are near both the trash and recycle bins.
"I just want to thank you two again. Volunteering for cleanup duty may not be glamorous, but it's rewarding seeing young minds take an interest in conservation."
Barry proceeds to fold origami using paper on the ground. "I wonder if I can make this fly."
Meanwhile, Kiff is shown putting water bottles in the recycle bin. "Of course! It's like my Dad always says, 'one man's trash is another man's treasure.'"
"I'm glad to hear it. In a moment, I'm leaving for the library to get research materials for class. Try not to waste too much time, as the bus is waiting outside." cautions Miss Deer Teacher.
"Are you kidding? Fast is my middle name." Kiff replies.
Barry is confused by Kiff's statement. "I thought it was Rose after your Grandma."
Miss Deer Teacher checks her watch, which beeps seconds later. This indicates she is free to leave the school.
"Well, I'll see you two tomorrow. It's always nice seeing mature young minds in this world. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Miss Deer Teacher waves to her students as she leaves.
After leaving the classroom, she heads straight for the school entryway. All the other teachers and personnel are ahead of her as they exit.
Miss Deer Teacher swoons, "Can't wait to rent the newest movie starring Brett Buck at the library. What a stud muffin!"
As Miss Deer Teacher leaves, she locks the school door from the inside as a force of habit. She closes the door and walks outside. The camera zooms in on the locked doorknob. Then, the bus is seen driving away, assuming all students are accounted for.
Back inside Miss Deer Teacher's classroom, Kiff and Barry talk to each other as they dispose of recyclables inside the recycling bin and put other waste in the trash can.
"Did you hear what she said?" asks a giddy Kiff.
"You mean how oil and pollution are poisoning us?"
"No! She called us mature!" replied Kiff.
"You don't hear that a lot from adults." says Barry.
"Tell me about it! Always being told I'm too young to watch teen movies, everyone saying you're cute all the time, and don't even get me started on grandmas pinching your cheek!"
Barry asks, "What's wrong with being called cute?"
"Bare, don't you see? We're not taken seriously. It'd just be nice to prove we can be mature so adults will trust us." Kiff states in a serious tone.
Barry thinks about it, putting a finger under his lip. "You know what? You're right, especially about the pinching cheek thing. I hate that!"
"Now you're speaking my language!" replies an enthusiastic Kiff.
"Or when they tell you you're too young to understand a conversation, that stinks!" says Barry, lightly kicking the ground in exasperation.
Kiff encouragingly says "Keep going!"
"But the worst is when they say you're being too loud." Barry pauses for a moment, before yelling his lungs out. "I have a perfect indoor voice!"
"Oh, Barry, if only we could get adults to understand."
"Hey, Kiff, we got one more piece of trash left to go." says Barry.
"Reusable or garbage?" inquires Kiff.
"Reusable. Go long!"
Barry tries passing the paper "ball" to Kiff, and she catches it with her mouth!
"And just like that after the shot clock, Kiff Chatterley wins the game for her team with a Hail Mary Pass! And the crowd goes wild!"
Barry tries imitating crowd like yelling and screaming as Kiff disposes of the paper in the recycle bin.
"Thank you, thank you." Kiff bows as she says this.
With all the trash and recyclables taken care of, Barry and Kiff proceed to exit the classroom, heading for the school's entryway. Barry tries opening the door, but can't get it to budge.
"I can't open it!"
"Let me try. Sometimes you just need a little elbow grease." Kiff spits saliva into her hands as she prepares to open the door herself.
Try as she might, Kiff too fails to open the door. She tries ramming her shoulder into it and even gnaws on the doorknob a la a squirrel and acorn, but to no avail.
"Time to bring out the big guns. Barry, tail me." orders Kiff.
Barry proceeds to pull on Kiff's tail as she keeps her hands on the doorknob. As before, the door won't open, and Barry and Kiff are sent flying several feet away, landing on the school linoleum.
Realizing the two have no way of exiting the school, their eyes shrink for comedic effect. The two proceed to panic, screaming while running around the school and flailing about. Eventually they get exhausted from doing so and head to the school water fountain to re-hydrate.
"What are we gonna do?" a worried Barry asks.
"Okay, okay, let's try to remain calm."
Barry is in disbelief by Kiff's suggestion. "Calm? We're trapped in the school!"
"Alright, alright. Maybe we can dig a hole and then get out that way." Kiff surmises.
"No way! The teachers would kill us!" Barry replies.
"Or we could try the old escape through the window trick."
"Won't work. They lock them after school." Barry lets out a sigh, as his ears flop down. "Might as well call me Barry Bunned because I'm toast."
Kiff thinks for a moment, and her frown turns to a smile. "Bare, this is what we've been dreaming of!"
Barry raises an eyebrow at Kiff's statement. "Uh, what? I don't know about your dreams, but I was dreaming the moon was made of brie this morning."
"C'mon, this is our chance to prove we're mature!" Kiff says excitedly.
Barry's confused look turns into a knowing glance. "Oh, I getcha. Now we can be responsible."
Kiff is shown inexplicably wearing a leather jacket before saying, "Cool."
Barry, now wearing sunglasses, replies "In control."
"Yeah..." Barry and Kiff say in unison.
Barry and Kiff return to their classroom, seeing as they have nothing else to do.
"Hey, Kiff!" says an alerting Barry.
"Yeah, Barry?"
"I know one way we can be mature. We'll be the adults!" states Barry.
Barry rummages through the recycle bin, and uses two pieces of wood and puts them over his ears, giving him the appearance of a jackalope. It's clear he's impersonating Miss Deer Teacher. He proceeds to open a map on the whiteboard containing the periodic elements.
Barry does his best Miss Deer Teacher impression, speaking in a soft voice. "Now class, let's reiterate. What's AU on the periodic table?"
Kiff raises her hand. "Ooh, ooh, I know!"
Barry looks around the room. "Hmm. I don't see any hands up."
"Barry..." Kiff says as she rolls her eyes.
"My name is not Barry, it's Miss Deer Teacher."
Kiff sighs. "Miss Deer Teacher, I know what it is."
Barry gasps in mock surprise. "Oh, Kiff, I didn't see you there. Would you mind showing the class what AU is?"
Kiff approaches the whiteboard. "Well, Miss Deer Teacher, thanks to you I know it stands for (writes on the whiteboard) gold!"
Barry nods in approval. "Very good. In recognition of your intellect, I declare it to be snack time."
Barry takes off the pieces of wood and grabs an apple from his backpack. Kiff retrieves fruit juice and a sandwich for herself.
"That was pretty good, Barry!" states a complimenting Kiff.
"Thanks! I've been practicing."
"But I can do you one better." Kiff smirks as she says this.
"Oh, really? Show me." Barry replies.
Kiff proceeds to walk up to the teacher's desk. She plays with her non-existent long hair and walks around like Helen does. Barry eats his apple while Kiff performs.
Kiff does her best Helen impression. "Take it from the top, kids! Helen has graced your presence. Remember: there are no small roles, only small actors. And I'm the star!"
After Kiff's impression of Helen, Barry starts chuckling, which turns into laughing and hysterical guffawing, in a similar way to when Kiff tickles him in the theme song. He slams his hands on his desk while doing so.
Between breaths, Barry states, "Okay, you win!"
Kiff, still impersonating Helen, replies "Naturally."
Kiff, now speaking normally, notices Barry rhythmically touching the desk with his hands.
"Barry, you're a genius!"
"Big compliment from a master impressionist!" replies Barry.
"No, I mean, the way you're banging on the desk." Kiff points to Barry's desk as she says this.
"Yeah?" asks Barry.
"It sounds like the drums." points out Kiff.
Barry is amazed upon this realization. "You're right. Follow my lead."
Barry starts by tapping once each per hand. Kiff follows, as Barry ups it to three, five and so on as Kiff repeats. It eventually leads to the two vigorously drumming on their desks with reckless abandon, to a punk-like beat. The kids follow it up by improvising musical sounds a cappella. Barry continues "drumming" as Kiff gets up out of her seat.
Kiff gestures towards the open door. "There's a whole school out there!"
Barry's drumming is heard in the background as a song sequence begins. A montage set to the song is played. The song is titled "We're Free."
Barry and Kiff start singing together, and then take turns.
We're free!
K: (running) We can run around in glee!
B: Can't you see?
K: We can go on a school store shopping spree!
Barry is shown purchasing red clip-on earrings and a calculator; he puts the earrings on and wears them for the remainder of the episode. Kiff, on the other hand, buys a school jacket and earbuds.
B: No teachers telling us, 'you can't do that!'
K: No adults to stop us from having fun!
We're on our own!
B: Reading all the books known!
Barry is seen gasping at a book he's reading, while Kiff laughs at her own book.
K: We can have the paint fight of the year!
Barry and Kiff playfully throw buckets worth of paint at each other while wearing smocks.
B: Explore the teacher's lounge without fear!
We can do what we want!
K: Go on our very own musical jaunt!
Kiff plays the saxophone while Barry uses the violin. These are heard in the background for the remainder of the song.
B: We can get physical at the gym!
K: Maybe even go for a swim!
Barry balances on the balance beam while Kiff is swimming in the school pool.
We can do what we please!
K: Like let out a sneeze! (sneezes)
B: Or even eating this brie of cheese! (Barry dips one finger and eats a sample)
We're free!
After the song sequence ends, Kiff's home is shown from the outside. Beryl is parking her car near the Chatterley garage. She is carrying a baked good before opening the front door.
"I know Kiff is just gonna love these peanut butter clusters!" Beryl smiles as she heads into the kitchen.
"Now I know how much you wanted these, and to celebrate you getting an A on your math test I got you-" Beryl stops herself, as she realizes Kiff is nowhere to be seen in the kitchen.
"Hmm." says a curious Beryl.
Beryl enters the living room, and finds Martin sleeping on the couch.
"Martin? Martin?" asks Beryl, trying to wake her husband up.
Beryl lightly taps Martin's shoulder, waking him up.
"Oh, cream cheese! I must have dozed off after watching The Donut Channel!" exclaims Martin.
"Sorry to wake you, but it is important. Have you seen Kiff?" asks Beryl.
"I know she wasn't home yet when I took a nap at 3:00. But maybe she came home while I was asleep?" posits Martin.
Beryl nods. "That's true. This isn't like Kiff, she'd never come home late without telling us ahead of time. Let's take a look into her bedroom."
Beryl and Martin both go upstairs heading towards Kiff's room.
"Kiff, if you're in there, you're gonna really love these!" shouts Beryl lovingly.
"Where are you, acorn of my eye?" asks Martin.
As Beryl and Martin enter her room, they see it's unattended.
Beryl examines Kiff's bed. "The blanket lacks any creases, and I see no Kiff imprint. Martin, I think something is very wrong."
Martin thinks for a few seconds before saying, "Let's call her cell!"
Beryl calls her daughter on her own cell phone. As they hear the ringtone in Kiff's room, it means Kiff does not have her phone right now.
"Martin, get me my car keys." Beryl states this in a worried tone of voice.
Martin rushes to get Beryl's keys, which she had placed inside her purse when coming inside. Afterwards, husband and wife enter Beryl's car.
"I'm gonna call Mary. I can't remember her number, though." says Martin, scratching his head trying to remember.
"I got this, sweetheart. Maybe Barry and Kiff are off playing somewhere." says a hopeful Beryl.
Beryl inputs Mary's phone number and calls her.
"Mary? Are you home?"
Inside the Buns household, Mary is shown feeding Kristophe baby food. A split screen effect is used while Beryl and Mary talk to each other.
"Beryl! I have a question." Mary says, in a song-songy voice.
"Can it wait?" replies a serious Beryl.
"I'm afraid not, dear. it's nearly 5:00 PM and I don't know where Barry is." Mary says with a frown.
"We have the same problem; Kiff isn't here either."
Mary jiggles her earring out of nervousness. "This is not good. Beryl, give me a sec. (shouting) Harry!"
The screen now transitions solely to the Buns house.
Harry gets off the couch, where Terri is using her cell phone.
"Ooh, someone's in trouble!" teases Terri.
"At least I didn't clog the sink with my fur." Harry replies haughtily.
Harry approaches his mother before asking, "Yeah, Mom?"
"I'm gonna need you to take over feeding duties." Mary says firmly.
"Why? You're here right now." asks a confused Harry.
"It's an emergency. I'll explain later, okay? While I'm gone, you're in charge!" Mary bolts outside the door as she says the last half of the sentence.
Harry ruffles his mustache in thought. "In charge... I like the sound of that."
Harry picks up Kristophe, and prepares to feed him. "Alright, Kris, here comes your daily dose of vitamin C!"
Kristophe eats the food... before spitting it up on Harry's shirt. Terri, who just so happened to be walking by, notices the two.
"See, those are the benefits of not being the oldest." Terri says, happy to have no responsibility.
Harry simply rolls his eyes as he carries Kristophe with him to get a new shirt.
Outside, Mary heads for her car and is still talking to Beryl on her phone. "I'm on my way!"
To Mary's surprise, Beryl and Martin are already parked near her house.
Mary says as she enters the car, "I get the backseat all to myself."
"Let's floor this sucker for all its worth!" Beryl shouts.
"I love when you say that!" Martin responds excitedly.
Beryl drives very quickly as the Chatterleys and Mary leave the area.
Back at Table Town Middle School, Barry and Kiff prepare to enter a room.
"There's still one more place we haven't explored yet, Bare." says Kiff. She proceeds to open the doors. "The cafeteria."
"Saved the best for last, huh? After all that running around, I could use some dinner." Barry rubs his stomach as he says this.
"Let's take a look at what they've got in the kitchen!" says a zealous Kiff.
Barry and Kiff enter the kitchen, and they see the template for tomorrow's lunch: a pizza, with bread and cheese visible, but no toppings.
"This pizza's lookin' a little plain..." states Kiff.
"Time to give it some life!" replies Barry.
Barry and Kiff each put ample amounts of pepperoni and burger.
Kiff admires her and Barry's handiwork. "It's looking a lot better, but it's missing something."
"I know! Anchovies!"
Kiff looks at Barry in confusion. "Anchovies?"
"What? It's an acquired taste!" defends Barry.
"It's just that, I was thinking pineapple." replies Kiff.
Barry looks at Kiff with a judgmental expression. "You're gonna put that abomination on 'za?"
"Don't even start with me, anchovy enjoyer! Also, 'za?"
"Pineapple's a fruit, not a 'za topping!" opines Barry.
"You could say the same thing about anchovies being fish. And stop calling it 'za!" insists Kiff.
"Okay, how's this: we split them so you can have your pineapple, and I can have my anchovies." offers Barry.
After thinking about it, Kiff replies "Deal."
Barry and Kiff shake hands. With their pizza toppings all set, Kiff puts the pizza in the oven. Barry sets the temperature to 450 degrees. After waiting 15 minutes, the pizza is finished cooking. It is a congealed mess. As promised, Barry cuts the pineapple slices and anchovy ones separately.
"Ready to dig in?" Barry asks.
"I thought you'd never ask!" replies Kiff.
The two indeed enjoy their pizza, in spite of its flaws.
"You know, Barry?"
"Yeah, Kiff?" Barry replies.
"We've done a really good job at being mature." states Kiff.
"Heck yeah! We've been having nothing but fun and even cooked dinner for ourselves!" agrees Barry.
"Yep. No one to boss us around anymore." acknowledges Kiff.
After Kiff says this, thought bubbles appear. The first is Martin hugging her and the second has Beryl fixing Kiff's scraped knee with a bandage. Kiff begins to frown as "No one to boss us around anymore" echoes in her mind.
Barry is deep in thought himself. His thought bubbles include Mary kissing him good night, he and Harry having their own secret handshake, taking selfies with Terri and playing peekaboo with Kristophe. Barry is deeply upset, with "Nothing but fun" echoing in his head.
Barry and Kiff look at each other in sadness. The kids can't keep the facade up anymore; they both begin to cry, being emotionally overwhelmed as the reality of them being separated from their families has set in. They hug in an attempt to console each other.
On the Table Town Highway, Beryl, Martin and Mary are all closer than before to arriving at the school.
"Only a few miles away from the school!" Beryl says, both happily and with a tinge of fear.
"The school board is going to have a piece of my mind if they did something to our kids!" states an angry Martin.
"I'm with ya, Marty. No one messes with my family." Mary thinks for a moment, and then corrects herself. "Our family."
Beryl and Martin smile at Mary's acceptance of them as family.
Back at the school, Kiff and Barry are still hugging each other for emotional support.
"I'm scared, Kiff! I want my Mommy!" states an upset Barry.
"You and me both, Bare. But at least I'm not alone."
Barry lets out a light smile. Just then, someone opens the cafeteria door.
"Hey! What are you kids doing here?" asks Sweepy Steve, the school janitor.
"Finally, a fresh face!" says a relieved Barry.
"Sight for sore eyes!" replies an agreeing Kiff.
Sweepy Steve feels his face. "That mud mask really is working."
Barry and Kiff speak in unison, forming incoherent sentences and rambling while jumping around everywhere, overwhelmed by the adventure they had today. Nonetheless, Sweepy Steve manages to figure out what happened.
"So let me guess: you two got stuck in here, eh? Well, you kids sure are lucky I work into the night." says Sweepy Steve.
"So wait! If you've been here the whole time, how didn't you hear us?" inquires Kiff.
Sweepy Steve explains. "I always take naps in the closet after hours so I can have energy for the night shift. Must have been really tired if I couldn't hear you two at all."
Sweepy Steve notices the eaten pizza.
"Hey, did you two cook that pizza?" asks Sweepy Steve.
"Yeah! Pretty good, huh?" asks a proud Kiff.
"We're not in trouble, are we?" Barry asks nervously.
"Nah, don't worry about it. I do it too after hours." admits Sweepy Steve.
"Well, I guess we flopped at being mature, huh Kiff?" Barry says, with a frown.
"You got that right, Bare. I guess we were never meant to be responsible." Kiff sadly states.
"You kids kept each other company for hours on end and managed to cook that pizza without burning down the school. You'd be surprised how many people your age don't know how to make their own food." states Sweepy Steve.
"That's nothing; I also babysit for an awesome kid named Kristophe. And my best buddy just so happens to be his big brother." brags Kiff, as she wraps her hand around Barry, who smiles.
"This isn't even my best work! I cook desserts all the time at home." Barry says ecstatically.
"And you two kids say you're not mature. I beg to differ." says a complimenting Sweepy Steve.
Barry and Kiff smile at each other.
"Let me just fish through these keys and I'll drive you kids home." Sweepy Steve pulls out a gigantic key ring. "This may take a while."
Beryl, Martin and Mary park near the school and rush towards the front door.
"Kiffie! Daddy's coming to break you out!" shouts Martin.
Martin tries opening the door, but it's also locked from the outside.
"So you're the reason my daughter's stuck inside! If only I had my giant toothpick I patented! Otherwise you'd be begging for mercy!"
"I'm the jar opener of the house, let me give it a shot." Beryl declares.
Beryl tries her best, but she too has trouble opening the door. She proceeds to bang the front doors of the school as she yells, "Let my daughter out right now or so help me!"
Mary jiggles her earring, at first out of nervousness. However, she gets an idea. "Hmm. Maybe this'll work."
Mary removes her right earring and places it inside the lock. Fortunately, it is just the right size and manages to break open the door. The Chatterleys and Mary see Sweepy Steve, Kiff and Barry on the other side.
Sweepy Steve, who was still looking through his key ring, proclaims "Dang, beat me to it!"
"Mom!" Barry says happily.
"Shnookie wookums!" Mary responds, with tears in her eyes.
Barry and Mary each run towards each other, giving themselves a bear hug.
"Kiff, we were so worried about you!" Beryl says, in both relief and sadness.
Martin proceeds to give Kiff a warm hug.
"I missed that hug." says Kiff.
Beryl jokes, "What, no love for your mom?"
Kiff then hugs Beryl.
"Thank you for keeping our kids company." Mary says to Sweepy Steve.
"Actually, they were alone almost the whole time, thick as thieves. I gotta say, you've got some good kids on your hands."
"Don't I know it." acknowledges Beryl.
Martin adds, "I'd say that's how we raised them, but that'd be giving us too much credit."
"Thick as thieves?" asks Barry.
"Is that a good thing?" replies Kiff, herself confused.
Martin shakes Sweepy Steve's hand in appreciation. Now reunited, the Chatterleys and Bunses head back into the car.
"So, considering it's been a strange day, I think we should all get some takeout." states Mary.
"Pizza's always a winner and never a loser! You kids want some, right?" asks Martin.
Kiff and Barry look at each other, nauseated as they just ate some earlier.
"No 'za." replies Barry.
Kiff gives Barry the stink eye for saying the shortened form of pizza. Barry notices, and gives Kiff a smirk in response.
"Hey, there's this new place where you can get anything you want! Maybe we can give that a try!" offers Beryl.
"Mm. I've heard good things about that place." says Mary.
"Fresh n' Hot is What We Got, right?" asks Martin.
Beryl nods. "That's the exact one I was thinking of!"
Mary, who is sitting in the back along with Kiff and Barry, asks "What do you say, kids? Should we give it a shot?"
"You know it, Mom! They've got these macaroons I've been wanting to try!" Barry's irises momentarily turn into macaroons as he thinks about them.
"Ooh, get me a cinnamon croissant!" replies an enthusiastic Kiff.
Barry and Kiff each imagine their chosen desserts, and simultaneously state "Mmm."
Martin proclaims, "Then it's settled. Mary, how's about we have the other kids over?"
"I like the way you think, Marty. Besides, it lets me off the hook for dinner tonight." Mary chuckles to herself.
Kiff and Barry simply smile, happy their families are so close.
The families park in the lane of Fresh n' Hot is What We Got. Inside the restaurant, it is shown Harry, Terri and Kristophe have joined the others, as discussed in the previous scene. They converse with each other.
"I gotta say, I'm proud of you, Barry." Harry states.
"Aw, thanks, big bro!" Barry replies.
"Yeah, I mean that takes guts. I can't imagine being stranded anywhere without my phone or magazines!" adds Terri.
Just then, a bat waitress is seen approaching the Chatterleys and Bunses.
"So, just to be clear: you guys each individually want soup, salad, pizza, macaroons, cinnamon croissants, smashed pumpkin, chicken parmesan and (takes deep breath) a BLT?"
Beryl responds affirmatively with, "That's right."
"Alright!" The waitress turns her head and shouts, "We need eight meals for two families, one of three and the other five!"
Kiff corrects her by stating, "You mean a family of eight."
The waitress simply writes down Kiff's correction. Martin puts his arm around Kiff's shoulder while Beryl smiles at her daughter's statement. The Chatterleys and Bunses each discuss and enjoy each other's company as the episode ends.