All right, here we are with the penultimate chapter! Let's see what goes down! Anyway, enjoy!
The next day, Arnold and Rhonda were having the most wonderful time of their lives. After a hearty breakfast, which Arnold had grown accustomed to with Brooke's homemade breakfast meals, he and Rhonda went off to the beach once more as they met up with the cast of Babewatch. And meeting the camera crew and the actors that were in Babewatch was just a dream come true in Rhonda's eyes. Rhonda even got herself an autograph from Dennis Musclemoff himself, that was more than enough of a good day in her eyes.
But of course, after meeting up with the lifeguards and stars of the show, it was time to start shooting the episode as the director had the two kids sat down.
"All right, kids, for this scene, you'll be playing two different roles. Little boy, you'll be playing the role of the drowning victim, and little miss, you'll be one of the lifeguards in training. We'll shoot a couple scenes with you in them a little later, but we'll be starting on the drowning scene first, just to get this bit out of the way first." The director explained to them.
"Is there a script we need to memorize or…" Rhonda started.
"Oh, don't worry. Our actors get the complicated scripts. Just follow through the motions, little miss. As for you, just pretend you're drowning in the knee-deep water, we'll have you on focus so that it looks like you're FAR into the water, and our group, along with your little friend here, will come and save you. Just be unconscious, and be ready for CPR. Don't worry, you will be perfectly safe." The director explained to the two kids as he patted both of them on the heads. "You're both good kids from the looks of ya, I'm sure you'll do great."
Arnold and Rhonda looked at each other as they gave a nod to each other, before giving each other small smiles. However, if it seem clear-cut to them, outside the shoot, nobody was going to make it easy for them…
Because, under the set-up lifeguard chair, Curly was peeking out and giving a sadistic grin as he overheard the instructions the director gave Arnold and Rhonda. "Ho oh oh… so that's the instructions they have to do, huh? Well, normally, I would hate to ruin good cinema, BUT… I don't consider Baywatc- er, BABEwatch good cinema. That show's ratings have been going down the tubes."
With that, Curly slinked away out from under the lifeguard chair and tried to blend into the crowd with surprisingly moderate success. All the while, from a distance, Helga was stationed near the dock as she used binoculars to keep a sharp eye on Curly, as she had been all morning. She took that moment to look over towards Arnold and Rhonda, who seemed to be talking to each other right now, then she watched them hug, as if to wish good luck in the shoot.
Helga gave a slight growl at this, before pausing as she shut her eyes. "Just swallow your pride, Helga. You said to yourself you'd try to support Arnold and Rhonda together, especially after seeing what Curly could potentially do."
Nevertheless, she put down her binoculars and gave a sigh. "I will admit, those two certainly do look good together… I just wish it was ME with Arnold, but…" She closed her eyes and felt her heart. "Maybe… just maybe…" She groaned. "Curly's a complete psycho, but maybe he's right. All I'm doing is hurting Arnold and just pushing him away, when I should have been friendly from the start, show a good hand. Sure, they are more accepting of me now, but I want to show I do care for this… and if it means sacrificing my love for Arnold for what's right, I will!"
Giving an affirmed nod, she put the binoculars back on her eyes as she tried to look around for Curly. "Now, where did that psychopath run off to…? Ugh, I need a closer look…"
As Helga decided to get out of the dock and right on the sandy beach for a closer look, Arnold had already set himself up for the shoot as he was standing on the knee-deep water. He looked over and saw Rhonda standing with the two female actors that were the main female stars of Babewatch as the girls were easily making Rhonda comfortable and easing her into the role as best as possible. He gave a small smile towards her as he patiently waited for the director to point to him.
"All right, we're all set?" The director called out as everyone looked over and gave a nod. "Okay, everybody in position, and we are ready for a take. Camera… action!"
And with that, Arnold watched as the scene started to go through on the beach side as he bent down in the water, trying to get into his position as he took a deep breath as he tried to wave his arms a bit, as if he was actually swimming.
However, little did Arnold know that not too far away, a small stick-like snorkel had found itself bobbing in the water, slowly approaching Arnold from behind as it swam around him. Said snorkel was part of a goggles set worn by Curly, who had managed to put them on and dive into the water to try to get close to the set, most particularly… to Arnold. And sure enough, he was within grabbing distance. Under the water, he gave a smirk.
However, as he noted the director pointing right at him, Arnold was about ready to drown, when all of a sudden, he got grabbed and was sent down, much to the director's surprise.
"Huh, that's weird…" The director blinked. "But the kid must really be…" Then, he noticed the boy trying to bob his head up in the water, looking a little freaked out as he tried to signal for help. "Ah, commitment! That is what I like!"
The lifeguard, played by Dennis Musclemoff then noted the kid as he pointed over and motioned for the girls (including Rhonda) to go. Rhonda looked over as she looked concerned as she thought to herself, "Wait, if I didn't know any better, it looked like he's actually drowning… but in knee-deep water? How coul-"
It was then Rhonda squinted as she noted another hand trying to drag Arnold down as her eyes widened. "Wait, what is that in the water…"
For a brief moment, a head popped out. It was for a brief second, but Rhonda immediately recognized the head as she gasped. "It's Curly! He's trying to drown Arnold for real… and nobody is NOTICING THIS?!"
"Come, young protege, we have to save this young man from drowning!" The new female lead for Babewatch said (Rhonda didn't bother memorizing the actress's name, as they often changed actresses every season) as she pointed to Arnold's direction.
Rhonda seemed to have no choice but to improvise, as she didn't want to interrupt the flow of the scene. Hopefully, she would be able to fight off Curly to save Arnold.
Fortunately for Helga, she wasn't too far as she used her binoculars on the water and saw Curly trying to attack Arnold and drown him. She gave a growl. "Oh hell no!"
Having no time to improvise, she immediately dove straight into the water as she quickly went under, held her breath, and swam off and towards the shoot as Arnold was still struggling against Curly.
Everything was going too fast for Arnold as he wasn't sure what was happening, all he knew was that something had grabbed him and was attempting to drown the boy. He couldn't even get a good look at his attacker, but he knew it wasn't something good. All he could hear was demented laughter as the football headed kid successfully knocked off the goggles from his head.
That caught the attention of the director as his eyes widened. "Wait, he's not drowning, he's being attacked!" The director adjusted his hat as he looked closer and gave a gasp. "No wonder, somebody snuck on set and is attacking an extra!"
"Should we cut?" The cameraman asked as he heard the director in concern.
"No, no, keep rolling! I want to see where this goes…" The director whispered back to the cameraman.
The young cameraman just blinked in confusion, before shrugging as he turned back to the action.
It was at this moment Helga arrived and jumped right at Curly and Arnold, surprising the both of them as she jumped down.
"Wait, what th-" The female lifeguard asked in shock upon swimming in and noticing the mess ahead. "Who are those two?"
"Just go with it!" The director whispered.
The lifeguard blinked twice, before looking towards Rhonda as she gave an apologetic shrug. It was right then and there that the female lifeguard and Rhonda managed to separate the three as Rhonda and the female lifeguard managed to grab Arnold, with Helga holding tight to Curly as all three of them were dragged out of the water and onto the dry land as all three of them laid the two boys on the land.
"What is going on?" The female lifeguard asked as she tried to lean in.
Helga, knowing she got too deep into this and had to improvise, coughed as she said, "Forgive my… acquaintance, he and my football headed friend here were playing too rough in the water, and… uh… I tried to stop them… but I'm worried for my friends!"
Rhonda gave a frown as she said, "Well, maybe you should have kept a better eye on them."
"I will admit… it wasn't easy to do… but the guy with glasses… he's not mentally well…" Helga said as he noted both of them just laying down. "I guess they took it way too far…"
"Well… I hope you kids at least learned your lesson." The female lifeguard frowned as she turned to see the young boys. "But I better save them… this one, especially… oh, he looks bad…"
Rhonda yelped as she noted Arnold looked a bit sickly, as if the effects of drowning had taken effect on him. Helga looked back to Curly, who, with his glasses off to the side, was laying down, as if prone and unconscious. In fact, it did look very believable, had it not been for him opening one eye and quickly smirking before closing it back up. Thankfully, Helga caught it right away.
"He's waterlogged!" Rhonda gasped as the female lifeguard looked to Arnold, then to her as the rich girl coughed. "In fact, they seem to be both waterlogged…"
"Indeed, they are…" The female lifeguard said as she took Arnold's pulse and looked worried. "Oh shoot. He needs his life saved now!"
"Oh, this is good, this is good!" The director whispered as the cameraman continued to roll the film. "Keep recording for posterity! Reruns are going to eat this up!"
Helga frowned as the female lifeguard tried to move to Arnold, before giving a cough. "Wait! She's a new rookie, right? I think this could be a good lesson for her!"
"Uh… sure?" The female lifeguard said as she turned to Curly. "But what about your other friend?"
"Oh, don't worry, I also know the methods of CPR." Helga smirked as she gave a nod, being thankful for the lessons on tape she received for Christmas from Olga (probably the only thing she had to thank her older sister for, in that regard), before turning to Rhonda. "Go ahead, R- rookie. Show to your teacher what you've learned!"
"Wh-what?" Rhonda asked in shock before noting the female lifeguard looking at her in anticipation, before pausing as she remembered her good lungs of air and how she blew into that large ball earlier… perhaps, that could…
She knelt down towards Arnold as she put her hands into his chest, pumping it up to get rid of any excess water, before putting her lips towards Arnold's to give him air. And in no time at all, it seemed to be working as Rhonda repeated the process at least several times, breathing into Arnold's lips. All the while, Helga turned towards the 'unconscious' Curly and took a deep breath as she opened her mouth and brought her lips towards his.
Of course, as Curly opened his eyes, they widened in horror to see Helga right on his lips. As soon as Helga let go, Curly gave out a loud scream and ran off, presumably to find some water to wash it out in disgust. At around the same time, Arnold's eyes opened up and gasped for air as he got up, coughed a bit and shook his head.
"Ugh… my head… I think somebody just drowned me…" Arnold groaned as Rhonda held him close. "Rhonda?"
"Oh, thank goodness you're okay… citizen!" Rhonda sighed in relief. "We saw your friend trying to drown you, and thankfully, we saved your life…"
"I-is that what-" Arnold groaned as he looked over to see Helga. At first, Arnold's eyes widened in shock, before he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see Rhonda, who just gave him a trusting smile.
Helga chuckled nervously as she said, "I should probably check on my other friend and… see if he's doing… okay! And making sure he doesn't do a stupid attempt like offing a friend's life… thank you, fellow lifeguards!"
With that, Helga ran off as the director gave a smile. "And… cut! Not a bad scene, if I do say so myself…"
"Uh, sir, I don't think that was acting. This kid really did almost drown by some other kid that snuck on the set." The female lifeguard pointed out as she turned to Rhonda trying to comfort Arnold by hugging him. "Were those kids friends of yours?"
"One of them is… and thankfully, she was very helpful." Rhonda smiled as she held Arnold close, trying to comfort him.
"What exactly happened?" Arnold asked. "I remember getting attacked before I was about to pretend-drown…"
Rhonda gave a small sigh as she patted him on the head. "I'll tell you about it after this shoot… just know that Helga's keeping a close eye on everything…"
The director paused in interest as he seemed curious as he put a hand on his chin. "Hmmm…"
"Anyway, I am SOOOOO sorry about my friends… I didn't expect them to ruin the scene, I swear." Rhonda frowned. "Do you want us to try another take?"
"Should we do another one?" Dennis Musclemoff called out.
"Well… we'll do at least one more take of the same scene and we'll see how it plays properly… but I do like the idea of the young girl here saving the young man's life. Young lady, how would you like to film at least a couple more scenes, no lines, just a couple of scenes after this one?" the director asked as he turned to Rhonda.
"Really?" Rhonda asked in curiosity. "Why?"
"Let's just say that blonde friend of yours, and the way you helped out your friend… it inspired me just a bit." The director smiled. "Yes, yes, that could make for a good B-plot for our next episode… our beautiful lifeguard is teaching a school of kids how to do CPR, one of them excelling a lot more… then we take you to the beach, and this final scene will play out… you saving this young man's life and the two of you starting a small, cute romance?"
"R-romance? Us?" Arnold asked.
"Well, why not? Seems that your kiss was very convincing." The director smiled. "Tell you what, we'll film just one more take, then we'll see what we can do for filming other scenes… we'll use the lifeguard classroom set in town to film there… best part is, you can improvise those parts."
"Uh… I'm not very good at improvisation…" The female lifeguard tried to protest.
"Terrific! Okay, let's go from the top!" The director smiled. "You, young boy, back in the water, and we'll run the scene again!"
And so, Arnold and Rhonda took their positions and they ran over the scene once more, this time, with no interruptions, and Arnold doing the whole fake drowning thing as planned. However, though the director had THAT take, he had a lot of plans to use the first take, as it did seem to fit the story nicely… of course, all he needed was those two kids' permission to sign some forms for their services…
"Well, you're sure a killjoy…" Curly groaned as he came out of the bathroom, having washed his mouth out by now before glaring at a smirking Helga. "And here I thought you wanted to have those two separated."
"And I did, at first… but then I realized that maybe, having the two of them together, may not be so bad…" Helga groaned. "Look, Curly, I know you're upset about all this, but you really got to consider that maybe you shouldn't be treating Rhonda like an object. You should be treating her as a person, and what you're doing isn't good or healthy!"
"Please, like that football head could-" Curly started to say, before being held up by the neck courtesy of Helga.
"He COULD, and he WILL. If you don't like Arnold and Rhonda being together, then suck it up! I don't like it either, but I'm willing to suck it up and still be a friend to them, even if I have to sacrifice my dignity to do so!" Helga frowned. "And if you can't accept it and try to ruin something special between these two, I will make sure you suffer something worse than what I would have done!"
Curly raised an eyebrow in confusion, before frowning. "Wow, that is so-"
"Pardon me, but can I have a word with you kids?"
Helga and Curly stopped arguing as they turned to see the director approaching the two with smiles on their faces. Helga gave a groan, expecting something like this. "Look, sorry for ruining your shot, big fan of your show, by the way, but this kid here was attempting to-"
"Yes, I know what he tried to do, and… that's why I've decided to ask if you two could sign something as being part of the show? I'd be willing to pay you and your folks for being in the show… albeit for playing extras, but we'll pay ya." The director smiled as he offered some documents.
Both kids looked surprised at this offer as Curly looked over the contract. "Hmmmm… well, that would really depend on what my agent says. I'll have them talk with you…"
Helga raised an eyebrow as she looked up before stammering a bit, before smiling. "R-really? I don't know what to say, I mean… I wouldn't mind being on Babewatch for- well, I wouldn't mind doing so, but you'll have to talk to my folks. Believe me, Big Bob… er, my father, would be over the roof if you just offered money for this…"
"Ah, then can you take me to see your folks, then?" The director smiled as Helga and Curly nodded.
A little while later, Bob, still angry about his sunburn, and Miriam, who seemed to be over the roof and happier than she was, was sitting in front of the director as Bob didn't seem to be listening to half of what the director said, and Miriam was off in her own little world, giving the slightest giggle at a little in-joke. Helga was sitting nearby, just watching as she looked over to her parents. She wondered how her father got that bad sunburn, but she decided it was better not to ask.
"Ugh, well, look, my family and I are leaving the beach as soon as humanly possible, so as soon as I get the feeling of movement, and unless you have a very good reason for me to stay, we'll be leaving for home tonight!" Bob complained.
"Don't worry, my mission will be brief. You see, your daughter happened to get a cameo in a little TV show I'm filming called Babewatch…" The director smiled.
"What? Olga, on a TV show?" Bob said, seemingly not paying attention.
"Yes, and we just need you to sign an agreement that will allow her appearance to be in reruns. All checks will be forwarded to your address, of course, and this is what you'll be paid for at least the first year or so of reruns." The director said as he whispered in Bob's ear.
Big Bob grumbled a bit, before his eyes widened. "How much?"
The director whispered in his ear once more as his eyes widened. "Why… that's enough money to not only cover my return fee, but it'll be like I never spent my vacation money at all! Sure, let the girl cameo all she want!"
Helga rolled her eyes, not surprised that Bob didn't quite understand exactly what was going on, but as long as money was mentioned, he wasn't going to complain, before Bob paused. "Hey, while I got you, maybe you can sponsor my business. Big Bob's Beeper Emporium! We're selling these beepers like hot plates!"
The director paused for a brief moment as he raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm, well, I'll have to call my sponsors, but we'll see if we can fit in a promo for your business…"
Bob laughed. "Okay, maybe being sunburnt and not getting to enjoy the activities I want was worth it in the end… boy…"
Helga just rolled her eyes as she watched Bob sign it immediately, followed by Miriam, who didn't seem to be paying attention to the conversation, signing as well. Helga gave a small sigh of relief as she looked out the window, noting Arnold and Rhonda were sitting outside the duplex, having just came back from the shoot.
She paused as she gave a small sigh, wondering how she could thank the two… however, as she thought back to everything that had happened, an idea occurred to her. With a huge smile on her face, she immediately started to run out, all the while Bob was busy holding the director hostage, with the former trying to get him to promote hsi beeper empire (all the while the director just wanted to leave as soon as possible to talk with Curly's folks…).
Okay, this chapter is done and done! How did you guys like it? Next time, in the final chapter, we'll have one more round of Arnda goodness, before one last look with Curly and Helga! Final chapter is coming soon, folks! Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, everyone!