One day, as Charlie Brown and his friends had entered their homeroom, Mr. Othmar made an important announcement.
"Your attention please." He said. "As you may or may not know, a talent show will be thrown soon, as a way to celebrate the end of the first semester."
Everyone heard this and cheered.
"Hence," continued Mr. Othmar. "I advise you all to find a talent show partner. Not to worry, the talent show is in 2 weeks time."
Charlie Brown was excited. He could well remember the talent show he was in back in Birchwood Elementary, when his sister Sally was failing her act, and he ditched his own act to pitch in to help, and the later talent show where he wanted Heather to be part of his act, but because she was doing hers with Schroeder, Charlie Brown decided on Frieda instead.
"This might be my chance." Charlie Brown thought.
Just before the next class that day, Charlie Brown went around to find an ideal person to do his talent show act with.
"So, what are you doing, Charlie Brown?" asked Linus.
"As you know, Linus," said Charlie Brown. "an end of semester talent show is coming up, and I'm looking to see if Heather, my one and only Little Red-Haired Girl, would like to team up with me."
"What's stopping you, Charlie Brown?" asked Linus.
"A few years ago," Charlie Brown began. "when we had a talent show, I wanted to do mine with Heather, but she revealed she was doing her act with Schroeder, so I had no choice but to do my act with Frieda."
"Don't worry about this too much, Charlie Brown." said Linus. "Why not ask her in your next class?"
"Well, I have drama next, but she's not taking my class." said Charlie Brown. "Maybe at the end of the day."
"Suit yourself, Charlie Brown." said Linus.
When it was home time, Charlie Brown made his way home, not only thinking about whether or not to ask Heather to share his talent, but also wondering what special talent he could do.
"Well, what am I good at?" Charlie Brown pondered.
Charlie Brown had arrived at home, and as he went inside, there was Sally, walking in along with him.
"What are you thinking about, Big Brother?" asked Sally.
"What to do for the talent show." said Charlie Brown. "And whether to ask Heather whether or not she'd like to be my partner for my act."
"You still have that wishy-washiness in you, Big Brother." Sally chuckled.
Charlie Brown looked in the backyard to see Snoopy performing his magic act with Woodstock. Snoopy tapped his top hat, and out came Woodstock with bunny ears.
"You know what? Maybe I could try… No. Not this year." Charlie Brown said to himself. "I'll try something different."
Charlie Brown thought back to all the dance lessons he took when Emily was his instructor, and when Heather Wold first moved in, the latter of which, where he slipped on some punch, making a mess of the dance.
"Maybe not dancing." said Charlie Brown. "I know, maybe I'll see what acts everyone else will be doing."
So Charlie Brown went around town to see what acts everyone else was doing. He found Lucy with Linus and Janice. Linus and Janice had decided to do yo-yo tricks.
"Charlie Brown?" Lucy said as she saw him.
"Just seeing what talents everyone else is planning to do for the talent show." said Charlie Brown.
"I, for one, am seeing how well Linus and Janice can do yo-yo tricks." said Lucy.
"After all, Charlie Brown, " said Linus. "Janice agreed on this sort of talent."
"Well, best of luck, Linus, Janice." Charlie Brown said.
"Anyway, what are you doing for this year's talent show, Charlie Brown?" asked Janice.
"I was going to do a magic show," said Charlie Brown. "but I then decided to try something different."
"Well, best of luck, Charlie Brown." said Lucy. "You'll need it."
Charlie Brown carried on with finding the different talents everyone was trying out for. Soon, he heard music.
"What's that lovely music?" Charlie Brown asked.
Charlie Brown followed the music, only to end up in Schroeder's house.
"So beautiful!" Charlie Brown said.
And there, in the house, was Schroeder, playing his grand piano, with Mary Stewart resting on the other side.
"That's lovely music." said Charlie Brown.
"Oh. Hi, Charlie Brown." said Schroeder. "What brings you here?"
"Just seeing what talents everyone else is trying for." said Charlie Brown. "Say, is Heather partnering with you?"
"Not this time." said Schroeder. "Mary's my partner."
"That's good." said Charlie Brown.
"Say, Charlie Brown." said Mary. "What talent have you decided on?"
"Nothing yet." said Charlie Brown.
"Well, best of lucky, anyway, Charlie Brown." Finished Mary as Charlie Brown walked out of the house.
"Good. Heather hasn't chosen Schroeder as her partner this year." Charlie Brown said as he carried on his way.
Charlie Brown thought and thought about all the different talents everyone could do.
"Hmm….. maybe I could do my magic trick after all." Charlie Brown thought to himself.
Charlie Brown decided to go to the Wold place. He was about to ring the bell, but hesitated, thinking that maybe someone else had chosen Heather for their talent. Charlie Brown went back home, where Sally was doing her homework.
"Decided on what to do, Big Brother?" asked Sally.
"I decided to go with talent show after all, Sally." Charlie Brown said.
"Asked Heather to volunteer?" Sally asked.
"No." said Charlie Brown. "She's probably doing it with someone else."
"You're still wishy-washy, Big Brother."
The next day, Charlie Brown had gotten to school, and went over to the principal's office. The principal was none other than Mr. Robbins.
"Ah, Charlie Brown." said Mr. Robbins. "What brings you here? Asking someone to volunteer for the talent show?"
"Yes, but that's not the reason for my presence, Sir." said Charlie Brown. "Do you allow children in the auditorium? You see, I have a little sister and a little brother….."
"Of course we allow children, but only for shows." said Mr. Robbins.
"Thanks, Sir." said Charlie Brown.
As Charlie Brown had exited the principal's office, there, watching, was Heather Wold. She looked concerned for Charlie Brown.
"What is he up to?" she wondered.
Charlie Brown thought and thought all morning. He thought about who could do his magic show with him.
"Well, Frieda did the magic show with me when Heather did hers with Schroeder." Charlie Brown thought.
As Charlie Brown ate his sandwich at lunch, sitting right with him was Polly.
"Oh. Hey, Charlie Brown." said Polly.
"Polly?" said Charlie Brown. "Are you looking to volunteer for my magic show?"
"No." said Polly. "I've already decided on using my poodles for my act."
"Have you chosen someone to help you?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Not yet." said Polly. "But….."
Polly was soon interrupted by Floyd.
"Hey, Lambcake!" called Floyd.
"Floyd!" said Polly. "Wanna help me with my act?"
"Anything for my lambcake!" Floyd said, blushing with excitement.
"Then let's get to work!" Polly said excitedly.
So Floyd helped Polly out of the chair, and they both went to practice.
"Good grief." sighed Charlie Brown.
"Heya, Chuck!" Peppermint Patty cried as she came to sit with him.
"Oh, Hi, Patty." said Charlie Brown.
"Are you thinking about what to do for the talent show, Chuck?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"I've decided on doing a magic show again," said Charlie Brown. "But…."
"I'd volunteer." said Peppermint Patty. "but I've already decided on karate with Marcie."
"I see." said Charlie Brown.
"Well, good luck finding someone, Chuck." said Peppermint Patty.
After school that day, Charlie Brown decided to practice his changing act with Snoopy.
"Change-o, Presto, Hocus Pocus, Turn this beagle into a bird!"
Snoopy, who was in the box, popped out and was wearing an assistant's outfit.
"Good grief! Better work on that one." said Charlie Brown. "Get back in the box, Snoopy."
Snoopy did so, and Charlie Brown uttered the same words, and out popped Woodstock.
"Perfect!" said Charlie Brown.
Sally walked out to see what her brother was doing.
"What are you doing, Big Brother?" asked Sally.
"I'm practicing my magic act." said Charlie Brown.
"Decided to do magic after all, Big Brother." Sally smirked.
"I got an idea for this act!" said Charlie Brown. "Go get Wally."
Sally later came back out with Wally.
"What's Big Bwothaw doing?" asked Wally.
"Here is what you're going to do." Charlie Brown said, and he whispered into his siblings' ears.
At last, Charlie Brown was ready to practice again. Snoopy and the Woodstocks were in the audience, ready to see Charlie Brown's act.
"Sally, you step into the box." Charlie Brown said, as Sally walked in.
"Oh?" Snoopy said as Charlie Brown closed the box.
"We're sons and daughters of a father and a mother, turn this sister to a brother!"
Charlie Brown tapped the box, and out popped Wally.
"Ooooooh!" Snoopy and Woodstock cooed.
"Did I do well, Snoopy?" asked Charlie Brown.
Snoopy nodded.
"Now, for my next act."
"Aaugh!" Sally groaned.
"Now, I'll saw Sally in half!" Charlie Brown announced.
Sally didn't like the sound of this.
"Are you sure this is safe, Big Brother?" asked Sally.
"Relax, Sally!" said Charlie Brown. "It'll be alright in the end."
Sally got into a cardboard box with some holes in it, and Sally got in. Charlie Brown cut the box in half, and….
"Oooooh, aaaah!" Snoopy cooed.
"Well, that wasn't so bad." Sally sighed.
As she said this, Wally got up.
"What's happening?" Wally asked. "Where am I?"
"Nah!" Snoopy said.
Woodstock and Tammy shook their heads, not liking what they had just seen.
"Wally!" Charlie Brown called. "You weren't supposed to get up!"
"I think we've had enough magic for today, Big Brother." Sally said as she picked up Wally.
It was the day before the talent show was to take place, and Charlie Brown still hadn't found a volunteer. As Charlie Brown went into his homeroom, being the last one there, he was making his decision.
"Charles Brown." Mr. Othmar said. "What's on your mind?"
"I've decided on the talent I'd like to do for this year's talent show." said Charlie Brown.
"Not a talent show again!" Violet teased.
"Yes, a talent show again." Charlie Brown sighed. "But I'm trying to find who'd like to volunteer for me."
For a long time, there was silence. Until…
"I will." came a sweet voice.
"Huh?!" Charlie Brown said.
And up walked a certain red-haired girl.
"I'll do your talent with you, Charlie Brown." said Heather.
Charlie Brown, upon hearing this, blushed bright red.
"The Little Red-Haired Girl's volunteering for my magic act!" Charlie Brown thought.
"Oooooh!" Everyone else cooed.
"Okay, save the romance for later!" demanded Lucy. "We've got classes to go to now!"
Charlie Brown had gym for first class. He was delighted that Heather would be volunteering for his magic act. He was so delighted, he focused on what the class were focusing on that day; Baseball.
"Hope I do my pitches and bats better this time." thought Charlie Brown.
Charlie Brown was up for bat, while Thibault was up for pitching. Charlie Brown did think about the magic act he'd be doing, until…..
"Eyes on the game, Kid!" demanded Thibault.
"Oh, sorry." said Charlie Brown.
Thibault pitched, and much to everyone's surprise, Charlie Brown hit the bat, and it went flying. Everyone watched.
"Wow!" cooed Peppermint Patty.
"Way to go, Charlie Brown!" said Polly.
"Great work, Charlie!" said Tommy.
Charlie Brown ran around the diamond, and was just about to hit home until… Emerald caught the ball with her mouth.
"You're out!" Emerald teased.
"Hey, no fair!" Charlie Brown said angrily.
"I don't think I wanna play anymore." Heather wretched.
After school that day, Charlie Brown brought Heather with him to his house to show her what they were going to do.
"I don't believe it!" smiled Charlie Brown. "She's partnering up with me for my magic act."
They went into the backyard, and there was Snoopy playing cards with Woodstock and Tammy.
"Snoopy!" called Charlie Brown.
"Oh?" Snoopy said.
"Here are the things I have for my magic act." said Charlie Brown.
"Our magic act." smiled Heather.
"Sorry. Our magic act."
"So this was what you planned on doing at that talent show those years ago?" asked Heather.
"Yeah." said Charlie Brown.
"And was that why you were wearing black clothes?" added Heather.
"Yeah." said Charlie Brown. "Wanted to be a great magician."
"Surely we'll win tomorrow night's talent show." said Heather.
"Only one way to find out." said Charlie Brown. "And my name is Charlie, not Shirley."
"Oh." giggled Heather. "So let's get to practicing while we still have time."
Soon, Charlie Brown and Heather tried out all kinds of magic tricks.
The night of the Talent Show had finally arrived. Every student at Sparkyville Middle School was there, as well as some students from Birchwood Elementary, like Rerun, Katie the Little Pigtailed Girl, Sally, Wally, Henry, Harold Angel, and Mimi.
"I can't wait to see my big brother up on stage!" said Rerun.
"I hope my cousin is taking part in this show." Katie said excitedly. "I hope he's the winner tonight!"
"This should also make up for the talent show I cancelled those years ago." said Sally.
"We'll have to wait until it's his turn, my sweet butterfly." said Harold Angel.
"What's Sawy doing with Hawold?" asked Wally.
"Getting a bit mushy there." said Henry.
"Your attention please!" said Mr. Robbins the principal. "Welcome to Sparkyville Middle School's Annual Talent Show. I hope you enjoy all the different talents performed by our nippy young teens and tweens tonight. Judges tonight, Pig-Pen, Mary Jo and Violette, will be giving their scores. Make sure you all turn off your cell phones."
"Nippy? They're cold?" quizzed Sally.
"Not that kind of nippy!" giggled Mimi. "Nippy means high-spirited and fast."
Emerald heard the last rule, and decided….
"Nah. Can't be bothered turning off my mobile."
"First up," said Mr. Robbins. "The talented miming between Shermy, Patty and Violet!"
The curtains opened, and there were Shermy, Patty and Violet, both dressed as mimes. They were doing different acts without breaking silence. Shermy pretended he was making an invisible wall, while Patty Swanson and Violet pretended they had their own little house. Among the audience, there were Eugene and Jasmine, Emerald's little brother and sister, and they were both chuckling.
"This isn't supposed to be funny." said Evie. "They're trying their best to do stuff without breaking silence."
Shermy, Patty Swanson and Violet continued to mime until a phone among the audience was heard. Little did they realise it was Emerald Green's phone ringing. Shermy, Patty Swanson and Violet tried their best not to break silence, until…
"Good grief! WHO'S MAKING THAT RACKET?! We're trying to perform!" Shermy shouted at the top of his voice. "Oops!"
This caused everyone to laugh.
At last, Shermy, Patty Swanson and Violet were finished.
"Thank you, Shermy, Violet and Patty." said Mr. Robbins. "Our next performance is…Linus van Pelt and Janice Emmons."
"Yay! My big brother's on!" cheered Rerun.
"You can do it, Little Brother." Lucy said backstage.
Another member of the audience was Ian, a gunzel like Tommy.
"Go for it, Janice!" Ian called out.
As Linus and Janice came out with their yo-yos, Emerald's phone rang again. Emerald answered it immediately.
"Stop calling me! I'm trying to watch the talent show!" Emerald said angrily.
And Emerald quickly hung up, as everyone glared at her. Lucy went along the audience to see who was making that racket.
"Miss Green!" Lucy said. "So you're making that racket, I hear!"
"It's my mum!" Emerald said. "She keeps telling me to turn off my phone! I'm waiting for my dad to call me!"
"Emerald," said Lucy. "You let your phone ring one more time, and you are out of here!"
"Fine!" Emerald sighed.
At last, Linus and Janice performed their yo-yo trick, and everyone watched in amazement. Linus tried the one in his shirt, while Janice tried the one around her hair.
Once they were finished, everyone was cheering, and they took their bow.
"Well done, Linus!" cheered Rerun.
"Way to go, Big Sister!" cheered Britney.
"You go, Little Sister!" added Lindsey.
Up next, it was Tommy Halverson and Frieda Rich. Tommy was going to tell jokes, and Frieda pretend to not know the answer and use her xylophone to make music after each punchline.
"You can do this, Cuz!" Katie called.
"Your attention please, everyone!" said Tommy. "My Little Naturally Curly Haired Girl and I are here to tell some jokes."
"Who could go wrong with a xylophone player with naturally curly hair?" Frieda smirked.
"Okay," Tommy started. "What's the difference between a night watchman and a butcher?"
"I don't know, Tommy." said Frieda.
"One stays awake, and the other weighs a steak!"
Everyone laughed, right after Frieda played her xylophone.
"The next question," Tommy said. "What do you get when you cross a bell with a skunk?"
"I don't know, Tommy." said Frieda.
As Tommy was about to answer, Emerald's phone rang again, and Emerald answered it.
"Emerald!" Tommy glared.
"Emerald?!" quizzed Frieda.
"Emerald?" Katie quizzed.
Sally laughed at the last thing Tommy had said until…..
"I don't get it."
"No! Emerald!" Tommy said sternly.
Lucy came up to Emerald after seeing what her phone had done.
"Alright, Green!" Lucy said. "I warned you! Mr. Robbins has asked you to leave!"
"Leave?! Oh, good grief!" groaned Emerald as she got out of her seat.
"You really outdone yourself, haven't you?" Scarlet smirked.
"Oh, put a cork in it!" Emerald retorted.
"Anyway," continued Tommy. "The answer is…. Stinker Bell!"
Everyone did laugh this time.
But after that, Tommy did something he would later regret.
"What's the difference between Emerald Green and Gruntilda Winkybunion?"
"I don't know, Tommy!" Frieda answered.
"Gruntilda Winkybunion is more beautiful!" Tommy laughed.
Emerald had overheard this, and, knowing who Gruntilda was, growled.
"I have never been this insulted in all my life!" she muttered.
"Good joke!" Ian laughed.
At last, Tommy's act was over, and it was time for Schroeder and Mary Stewart to go on stage.
"Tonight," Schroeder announced. "I will be playing Piano Sonata Number 4, and Mary here will be dancing along to it."
Mary curtsied, and was ready to dance. Schroeder played the piano, and while he did so, Mary Stewart danced along to it. Lucy, who was backstage, looked on, and started to tear up.
"He plays the piano so beautifully." Lucy said to herself.
At last, Schroeder and Mary Stewart were finished. Up next were Peppermint Patty and Marcie.
"Tonight, I will be doing karate!" Peppermint Patty said. "Marcie here will be holding the planks, ice, bricks and metal sheets for me."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Sir." said Marcie.
Marcie set up the bricks, ice, wooden planks and metal sheets, and Peppermint Patty did her best. She karate chopped the planks in half, shattered the ice with her fist, smashed the bricks with her feet, and all she could do was dent the metal sheets with her elbows.
"Wow!" Everyone said in amazement.
At last, Peppermint Patty and Marcie were finished, and it was time for Charlie Brown and Heather to go on.
"Break a leg, Chuck!" said Peppermint Patty.
"Treat Heather kindly, Charles." added Marcie.
"Right! I'm ready and raring to go!" said Charlie Brown.
"I'm coming, Charlie Brown." said Heather.
The first act Charlie Brown was going to perform was sawing Heather in half. He pulled Heather out, who was in a cardboard box and seemed to be far taller than Charlie Brown.
"Alright! For my first trick tonight," Charlie Brown announced. "I shall be sawing this lovely Little Red-Haired Girl in half!"
Charlie Brown got out a saw, and started to saw Heather right to the bottom, and at last…..
"Voila!"
The box was split in half.
"Wow!" Henry exclaimed.
"Amazing!" Ian said.
"And now," Charlie Brown said. "To get her back together!"
Charlie Brown put the halves of the box back together, and Heather was back together.
"Tada!" cried Heather as she jumped out of the box.
"Ooooh! Aaaah!"
"Now for the next trick tonight," Charlie Brown said. "I shall be turning this Little Red-Haired Girl into a bunch of birds!"
Heather got into the box, and Charlie Brown covered it up, twinkling his fingers. And then, he removed the blanket, and out flew multiple Woodstocks.
"Wow!" Everyone called.
Then, the Woodstocks flew back in place, and Charlie Brown put the blanket back on, and pulled it off again to show Heather. Everyone gave thunderous applause.
"Thank you! Thank you!" Charlie Brown said as he and Heather got off the stage.
Later, Floyd and Polly were doing their poodle taming. And as they finished, they bowed, and they both walked off the stage.
"Attention, Everyone." said Mr. Robbins. "That's tonight's talent show in a nutshell. Would Franklin Armstrong come up and read the winners of tonight's talent show, judging by votes?"
Franklin walked out, and was ready to announce the winners.
"Thank you all for attending the talent show." said Franklin. "All the talent shows that were performed at Birchwood were pretty hard, however, at this middle school, choosing the winners was easier.
"Oh, I hope my Schroeder wins tonight." Lucy smirked.
"I hope my cousin wins!" said Katie.
"I want Janice and Linus to win." Ian said.
"Anyway," Franklin announced. "The winners of tonight's talent show are…."
Frieda played her xylophone, hoping she and Tommy would be the winners.
"The winners are…." Franklin continued as he opened the envelope.
Everyone watched in amazement.
"Charlie Brown and Heather Wold!"
Charlie Brown and Heather were speechless. They could not believe they had won. They both walked out on stage to receive their prizes.
"Thank you all." said Charlie Brown.
"Yes, Thank you." said Heather.
"Congratulations, Charlie and Heather." said Franklin. "And enjoy your prize; A gift certificate for 5 free haircuts!"
What?!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"Haircuts?!" quizzed Heather.
"Well, it's still better than nothing." said Charlie Brown.
After that, the talent show was over, and everyone was walking home. Charlie Brown and Heather caught Tommy and Frieda.
"Tommy, Frieda." said Charlie Brown. "Since I don't have much hair to cut,"
"And I like my hair the way it is," said Heather. "We want you to have our prize."
"Thanks, Charlie." said Tommy.
"Thanks, Heather." said Frieda. "I could use it if I ever tire of my naturally curly hair."
"Congratulations, by the way." said Tommy.
"Thanks, Tommy." said Charlie Brown. "Come on, Heather. Let's go home."
"Okay, Charlie Brown." said Heather.
And then Charlie Brown lifted Heather, and carried her bridal-style, on their way home.
Meanwhile, Lucy was sulking.
"I can't believe my Schroeder didn't win!" she pouted.
"There's always next time, Lucy." said Mary. "If there ever is a next time."
"Sorry." said Lucy. "I just wanted you and my Schroeder to win." Lucy admitted.
"Lucy, tell me. Is Schroeder really your Schroeder?" asked Mary.
That question will be answered next time.