FOREWARN: Remember in Series 1's opening episode of my Masked Toon Singer series on Deviantart that Arthur Read said he once presented Skatoony? Well, this is the story of how he did it. Hope you enjoy it.
Skatoony & Arthur: Arthur Read Takes Charge
When Chudd, Earl and Tony have to attend a very important meeting out of town, they need a replacement host to take over the show for the day. Arthur Read is quickly chosen for the role, but can he actually do it? Or will he suffer a meltdown with the stress of managing a game show? You'll just have to read the fanfic to find out!
This is my 250TH Fanfic on this site!
[I own nothing]
[In the Quizblock, there was 3 children, and 3 toon contestants. In the green square was a brown-haired girl in a light pink top [Mara], in the red square was a yellow-faced monkey with brown hair in pigtails wearing a purple puffy sleeveless knee-length dress with a lavender fabric belt over a long-sleeved white blouse [Muffy], in the pink square was a red-haired boy with glasses in a brown top [Arnie], in the purple square, there was a white rabbit wearing a blue top [Buster], in the blue square was a brown haired dark skinned boy wearing a orange top [Cal], and in the yellow square, there was a female monkey with dark brown hair wearing a red sweater [Francine].]
The announcer's voice went out: "Welcome to Skatoony, the show where kids and toons compete for prizes! Now, without further ado, here's the top quizzing crew; Chudd Chudders!"
Using a Super Drill from Super Mario Galaxy 2, Chudd drilled in through the floor, appearing on the stage.
"Hey, folks! Has anyone seen my glasses?" Chudd said.
"And The Earl!" The announcer said, as Earl rose up from his platform.
"Whadda ya say, Earl?" Chudd asked, throwing the Super Drill away.
"I say we meet the contestants!" Earl said. "Say hello to… Arnie, Francine Frensky, Mara, Buster Baxter, Cal, and Muffy Crosswire!"
The audience cheered.
Arthur Read and his parents, Jane & David Read, were in the audience too, clapping and cheering. D.W., Arthur's little sister, was whistling as well.
"Hey there, contestants!" Chudd said. "Welcome to Skatoony! Now Listen up while I-"
"STOP! Stop the show, Chubbers!" shouted Tony Eagle-Eyes, as he marched onto the stage.
The audience and contestants gasped, and chattered amongst themselves anxiously. Arthur, D.W., Jane & David looked at one another, all confused.
"Is this part of the show?" David asked Jane.
"What's going on?" D.W. asked Arthur. "Beats me." Arthur said to his sister.
"Why do we need to stop the show, Tony?" Chudd said. "I haven't even run through the rules of the game yet!"
"Oh, uh, alright. You do that, Chubbers." Tony said.
"OK, contestants," said Chudd to the contestants, "Let me run through the rules of the game."
[RULES OF THE GAME]
"All you gotta do is stay in the game through 3 rapid-fire rounds. We're gonna knock 2 of you out at the end of Round 1, then drop the second pair of losers at the end of Round 2, that'll leave two contestants battling it out to see who goes through to the Skatoony Quiz Champ Challenge! What do they win, Earl?"
"A Nintendo Switch!"
"OK, now that that's outta the way," Chudd said, "What is it that was so important that you wanted us to stop the show, Tony?"
"I'd like to hear about this too." Earl said, coming over to Chudd's platform.
"Chubbers," Tony said, "you know that very important meeting out of town that we have to go to?"
"You mean the one we planned to go to this weekend?" Chudd said.
"Yes, Chubbers; Well, that meeting's been moved to today!" Tony said.
"WHAT!?" Chudd exclaimed. "TODAY?! But we can't do the meeting today! We've got a quiz to do!"
"Don't worry, Tony," Earl said. "I'll stay here and take over the quiz!"
"Sorry, Earl," Tony said, "but we've all got to attend the meeting - that includes me, you, and Chubbers."
The audience and contestants gasped, for the second time in this fanfic.
"Oh, this is terrible!" Chudd said. "Yeah!" Earl agreed. "Without hosts, we can't do Skatoony!"
"And that means we'll have to offer refunds to the audience!" Tony said. "And that means no money for me, and no quiz show for you and Earl, Chubbers!"
The audience and contestants gasped, for the third time in this fanfic.
"We need someone to take over the hosting duties till we come back from the meeting." Chudd said. "But who could do that? Who can we possibly get to fill in as a temporary quiz show host on such short notice?!"
"I know!" Buster said, "Maybe Arthur Read can do it."
"Arthur?" Chudd, Earl, Tony, Francine and Muffy all said at once.
They all looked at Arthur and his family, in the audience.
"You're looking at me?" Arthur said anxiously.
"Yes, yes we are." said Buster. "Arthur's very smart, he knows lots of things, and he's very good at talking to people. I'm sure he can host Skatoony."
"Sounds Good to me!" Tony Eagle-Eyes said excitedly. "Arthur Read, come on up!"
"Well, OK." Arthur said, as he got up outta his seat, and came onto the stage, followed by D.W., and his parents.
"This is not what we bought the audience tickets for." David said to Jane. "Shhh!" Jane shushed her husband, as they headed over.
"Uh, Tony," Chudd began anxiously, "I'm not 100% sure that's-"
"A wonderful idea?" Tony interrupted. "I agree, Chubbers; it's not a wonderful idea." HE said.
"Really?" Chudd said.
"It's a BRILLIANT idea!" Tony said. "Why didn't we think of this before?"
"Um, because when you did it with all those other hosts, it didn't go so well, especially with a lion, a bear, and a shark." D.W. said.
"That was a rhetorical question, D.W." David said sternly. "You weren't supposed to answer it."
"Sorry, Dad." D.W. said.
"Well, I guess I can give it a try." Arthur said. "I mean, how hard can it be?"
"Um, very hard?" D.W. asked. Thankfully, nobody heard her.
"Arthur Timothy Read," said Tony, "I hereby proclaim you as 'Skatoony's Temporary Fill-in Quiz Host For Today'. You will make sure that the show goes smoothly in my, Chubbers, and Earl's absences."
"As smoothly as it gets, anyway." Chudd muttered to the viewers under his breath.
"I don't think I like where this is going." David said anxiously to Jane. "I mean, managing a whole quiz show is a big responsibility; almost as much as being a big brother or sister."
"I'll do my best, Mr Eagle-Eyes, sir." Arthur said. "I won't let you down, and everything will run smoothly. I promise."
"You'd better." Tony said firmly. "And Chubbers," he added sternly, turning to Chudd, "if Arthur doesn't do well and the whole show snowballs, then you're fired!"
The audience and contestants gasped for the 4th time in this fanfic.
Arthur gulped, as did Chudd.
"Now, Tony," Jane said, "If Arthur says he can do it, he can do it, and we, as his parents, believe in him."
"That's good to hear, Mom." Arthur said, feeling a bit better.
"So go on, Arthur," D.W. said, "Break a leg!"
"D.W., that's a horrible thing to say!" Jane scolded. "Mom, it means 'good luck'." Arthur said.
"Oh." Jane said. "Right."
"That makes sense." David said.
"What does it mean when you say 'I hope you get hit by a bus'?" Buster asked Cal.
"Alright." Arthur said, ignoring the comment. "Well," he said to Tony, Chudd and Earl, "have fun at your meeting."
"We will. Good luck, Arthur." Chudd said. "[You're gonna need it.]" he added under his breath.
With that, Chudd, Earl, and Tony left.
"Right." Arthur said, "Let's begin the quiz. And the first round of the show is…"
Bang On! or Bogus?
"How do we play 'Bang On! or Bogus?' anyway?" Muffy asked.
"It's very simple, Muffy," Jane said to the contestants, "Arthur is gonna read some statements out to you all. Some are true, some are false, and you have to guess which is which."
"Yes." Arthur said, "'Bang on' means 'true', and 'bogus' means 'false'. Think of it like 'True or False', but with different words. First to buzz in gets to answer, got it?"
"Got it!" the contestants said.
"Good." said Arthur. "And, uh, one more thing;" he added, trying to sound positive without upsetting anyone, "At the end of the round, the 2 contestants with the lowest scores will be… ummm… knocked out."
"Knocked out?" Muffy said.
"Yes, Muffy." Arthur said. "That's the rules of the show that Chudd mentioned earlier."
"But you will make sure me, Muffy, or Buster get through, right, Arthur?" Francine asked.
"Sorry, Francine," David said, "But Arthur's in charge of the show today, so that means he has to be fair and above board."
"I suppose there's a first time for everything." D.W. said to no one in particular.
"Yes." Arthur nodded, "Sorry, Francine, Dad speaks the truth. Anyway, just do your best, everyone. You all have as long as it takes Chudd, Earl, and Tony to arrive at the meeting place."
A map similar to the Dad Nav from the episode 'It Could Be You!' appeared, and a car with Chudd, Earl and Tony in it appeared, and set off toward the meeting place, marked by a big brown conference hall. Then the Map disappeared.
"And we're off." Arthur said. He read the first statement out. "Cocoa beans are actually spelt as 'Cacao'.
Arnie buzzed in. "Yes, Arnie?"
"Bogus!" Arnie called.
[Raspberry]
"No, it's bang on, actually." said Arthur. "Only 25 species of scorpion have venom that is deadly to humans."
Cal buzzed in. "Cal?"
"Bang on!" Cal called.
[Ding]
"Correct!" Arthur said. "Sushi is made with raw fish, seaweed, and rice."
Muffy buzzed in. "Muffy?"
"Bang on, Arthur!" Muffy called.
[ding]
"Correct, Muffy." Arthur said. "Phobophobia is known as a fear of phobias."
Mara buzzed in "Mara?"
"Um, bogus?" Mara said.
[Raspberry]
"Incorrect, it's bang on. It actually is a fear of phobias." Arthur said.
"I never knew that!" D.W. said.
"Well, you do now, D.W." Arthur said. "Black widow spiders actually eat their mates."
Cal buzzed in. "Cal?"
"Bang on." Cal said.
[DING]
"Correct." Arthur said.
"That's disgusting!" D.W. said.
"Yes, D.W., it is, but it's true." Arthur said. "In 2007, the Wii videogame Mario Party 8 was recalled in the UK due to a highly offensive word called 'spastic' used in it."
Muffy buzzed in. "Muffy?"
"Bang on!" Muffy called.
[ding]
"Correct, Muffy!" Arthur said.
"At least it wasn't a swear word." D.W. said to no one in particular.
"Bananas start off green, and turn yellow when they ripen." said Arthur.
Francine Buzzed in. "Francine?"
"That's Bang on, Arthur!" she said.
[ding]
"Correct, Francine." Arthur said. "James Henry Trotter, the boy from Roald Dahl's book James and the Giant Peach, lived on a farm."
Buster buzzed in. "Yes, Buster?"
"Bogus." he said.
[DING]
"Right!" Arthur said. "In 2022, Beijing became the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics in the same country."
Francine buzzed in. "Francine?"
"That's bang on, Arthur." Francine said.
[DING]
"Correct." Arthur said. "Venus Fly Traps grow on the planet Venus."
Buster buzzed in. "Buster?"
"Bang on!" said Buster.
[RASPBERRY]
"Uh, no they don't, Buster." Arthur said. "It's bogus." He read the next statement. "Chazz Palminteri once witnessed the murder of a mobster in front of his apartment building."
Arnie buzzed in. "Bogus."
[RASPBERRY]
"No, it's bang on, Arnie." Arthur said. "Peanuts grow underground."
Mara buzzed in. "Mara?"
"Bang on." Mara said.
[DING]
"Correct." Arthur said.
The nav came on screen again. the car with Chudd, Earl and Tony in it was almost close to the meeting place.
"And it seems we're nearly outta time." Arthur said, "So let's keep going. Dennis the Menace has a US Counterpart done by Hank Ketcham."
Cal Buzzed in. "Cal?"
"Um, false?" he asked.
[RASPBERRY]
"No, It's true, aka, Bang on." Arthur said. "Now here's another one: Jason Scott Lee and Tia Carrere, the voice actors of David and Nani in the 2002 Disney film Lilo & Stitch, were actually born in Hawaii."
Mara buzzed in. "Mara?"
"Bang on." Mara said.
[DING]
"Correct, Mara." Arthur said. "The Blue Sky Studios film Robots was made in 2001."
Francine buzzed in. "Francine?"
"That, Arthur, is Bogus." Francine said.
[Ding]
"Correct." Arthur said. "it was 2005." he got out another statement card. "The colour blue is always seen on traffic lights in France." he said.
Muffy buzzed in. "Muffy?"
"Bogus." Muffy said. "All traffic lights in the world have red, yellow and green."
[DING]
"Correct, Muffy." Arthur said. "And I think…"
The map came on again, showing Tony, Chudd and Earl arriving at the meeting place.
"Tony, Chudd and Earl have arrived at the meeting!" Jane said.
"Thanks, Mom; And that's the end of the round!" Arthur said.
The audience cheered.
"Not bad for a first go." D.W. said.
Final Scores:
Arnie: 0
Mara: 2
Cal: 2
Buster: 1
Francine: 3
Muffy: 3
"Well, wasn't that fun, Arthur?" Buster said, feeling pleased with himself.
"Yeah, but, uh, Buster," Arthur said, trying to be positive without upsetting his friend, "it gives me great regret to tell you, that you were, unfortunately, one of the lowest scorers, as well as Arnie."
"Oh, well," Buster said as he got outta his square, "It was still fun, though."
"OK." Arthur said, "so now we gotta get rid of Arnie."
"Earl always sings a song to get rid of the contestants." Francine said, "but he's not here, so how's the exit sequence gonna go?"
"Not to worry!" said D.W., coming on stage with her CD player. "Dudley the props guy gave me a CD recording of Earl's 'You're Outta Here' song."
"Good save, D.W." Jane said. "Let's play it."
D.W. activated her CD player, and played the Crazy Bus song by mistake.
"D.W!" Arthur shouted, "That's the wrong song!"
"Oops, Sorry!" D.W. called. "I forgot I had that in." She took out the Crazy Bus CD, and put in the 'You're Outta Here' CD, then pressed play, and the Song played out.
Everyone joined in with the song.
'Thanks for playing, but YOU'RE OUTTA HERE!
You gave it a go, but YOU'RE OUTTA HERE!
Don't hang around town, 'cause YOU'RE OUTTA HERE!
It's time to go, 'cause that's the show, and YOU'RE OUTTA HERE!'
Arnie was ejected, and he flew into the Spikey Spike Factory [from the Series 2* ep 'I Spy, You Quiz'].
[*-Yup, it's a recycled factory, since that one wasn't used much in the episode.]
"Right." said Arthur, "We've got through the first round. So far so good."
"Arthur," called D.W., "can I do the questions for the second round?"
"No, D.W." Arthur said firmly. "Tony entrusted me to run the show, so that means I have to do it."
"Verry well then." D.W. said in a way that meant she was gonna be naughty. "I'll turn my Crazy Bus Song on, and play it full volume for the whole episode."
"NO!" Arthur yelled.
"Well," said D.W., "if you let me host the second round..."
"Alright!" Arthur sighed. "Anything to stop you playing that awful CD."
"Thank you." D.W. said.
"She's such a bossy pig-face sometimes." Arthur muttered under his breath.
Thankfully, nobody heard him.
"OK," David said, "Let's do the second round game."
"And Arthur," he added, reading the sheet he was given, "the second round game is…."
Throw If You Know!
All the contestants were wearing hats, all patterned like colourful jigsaw pieces, and stuck to said hats were 3 types of foam shapes - pink hearts, yellow stars [from the Season 3 episode Rollercoaster/Amusement Park], and blue circles.
"OK." Arthur said, "You know those hats you're wearing? The answers to the questions that D.W. will ask you will correspond to one of the shapes on your hat - heart, star, or circle. All you have to do is listen to the question, then grab the shape that you think matches, buzz in, and throw it to us, but not too hard in case it hurts someone. Your answer is what you throw, not what you say. Got it?"
"Got it!" the 4 contestants said.
"OK." Arthur said. "It's 1 point for a right answer, and again, the 2 lowest scorers will be outta here. you have as long as it takes Sven Strudel to eat his giant chocolate cake."
Sven Strudel got out his knife and fork, and started munching on the gigantic chocolate cake.
"Let's begin." Arthur said. "D.W., over to you." he thrust the question cards into her hands.
{Music: Throw if You Know [Sports Academy & Rollercoaster/Amusement Park]}
"OK." D.W. began. She read the first question card. "Which shape is usually seen on Valentine's Day?"
Francine buzzed in. "Yes, Francine?" Arthur asked.
"Heart!" she said, throwing a heart that she plucked from her hat. It flew over D.W., and Bradzilla ate it. "Mmm, strawberry!" he said.
[DING]
"Correct, Francine!" Arthur said. "Next question, D.W."
"OK," D.W. said. She read out the next question; "What shape are the wheels on cars and trains?"
Cal buzzed in.
"Circle!" Cal called, and threw a circle toward her. It sailed over her head, and hit T-bone, knocking his head off.
[DING]
"Correct! It's a circle!" D.W. said. "Now," SHE SAID, "if you squash this shape, it becomes an oval. What is the shape I'm talking about?"
Cal buzzed in again. "Star!" he said, throwing a star toward her. it sailed over her head, and was swallowed by Bradzilla.
[Raspberry]
"No," D.W. said, "it was a circle."
"Never mind." said Arthur. "Next one, D.W."
"Which shape is NOT a playing card suit?" D.W. asked.
Mara buzzed in. "Mara?"
"Circle!" she said, and threw a circle over D.W. It landed in Sven's chocolate cake, and Sven ate it. "Hmmm, nice candy." he said.
[DING]
"Correct!" D.W. said. "And I would've accepted star, too." she added. She read the next question out. "Which shape can be seen in the sky at night?"
Muffy buzzed in. "Star!" she said, and threw a star, which accidentally hit T-Bone, knocking his head off.
[DING]
"Too easy!" said D.W. "Complete the name of this nursery rhyme - Twinkle Twinkle Little…."
Mara buzzed in. "Mara?"
"Star!" she said, and threw a star. It landed in Sven's chocolate cake. Again, Sven ate it.
[DING]
"Even I knew that one!" D.W said. "Now, which shape is also a part of your internal organs?" she asked.
Muffy buzzed in. "Muffy?" Arthur called.
"Heart!" said Muffy. "Catch!"
[DING]
"Right!" Arthur said, as he caught the heart.
"That was another too easy one, in my opinion." David said to Jane, who nodded.
"What shape has the most letters in it's name?" D.W. asked.
Mara Buzzed in. "Mara?" Arthur called.
"Circle!" Mara said, and threw it.
It sailed over D.W, and into the audience, where it got stuck on Captain Quills' quills.
[DING]
"Correct!" said Arthur.
"What shape do some people put on the top of a Christmas Tree?" D.W. asked.
Mara buzzed in. "Mara?" Arthur called.
"Star!" Mara said, throwing a star.
[DING]
"Correct!" D.W. said. "What shape rhymes with tar, bar, and car?" SHE asked.
Francine buzzed in. "Francine?" Arthur said.
"Star!" said Francine, throwing a star, which landed in Sven's chocolate cake, which was now half-eaten.
[DING]
"Correct." Arthur said. "It seems we're halfway now."
"What shape can be drawn with a protractor or a compass?" D.W. asked.
Francine buzzed in. "Francine?" Arthur said.
"Circle!" said Francine, throwing a triangle. It soared over D.W. and knocked over Ricky Crunch.
[DING]
"Correct." said Arthur.
"What shape are pies and pizzas?" D.W. asked.
"Cal Buzzed in. "Cal?" Arthur called.
"Star!" he said, and threw it.
It sailed over D.W, and went straight to Cliff Tennisball [from the Series 1 episode 'Knights & Daze'], who hit it with his tennis racket. It smashed a window offscreen, and a cat's yowl was heard.
[Raspberry]
"That shot was out, I'm afraid," said Arthur. "The answer was star." then, he added; "And I think..."
Sven ate the last mouthful of his chocolate cake, and soon, it was all gone. "Uhhh, I'm full now." Sven groaned. He let out a loud belch. "Excuse me." he added.
"That's the end of the round!" Arthur said. "You did very well, D.W." he added.
The audience cheered.
Final Scores:
Mara: 4
Cal: 1
Francine: 3
Muffy: 2
"OK, Arthur, who's in and who's out?" D.W. asked.
"Well," Arthur said, "It's goodbye to Muffy, and goodbye to…. Cal!"
"OK." said Muffy. "I know when I'm eliminated." she got outta her square, and Cal was ejected into the Spikey Spike Factory.
"So far so good, in my opinion." said Buster.
"You should thank D.W., REALLY." Arthur said. "She answered the questions of the second round."
"OH, thanks isn't really necessary," D.W. said modestly.
"So... Arthur," said Buster, "what happens now?"
"Now," said Arthur, "we take a break."
"Thank goodness." Said Muffy.
"So," Arthur said to the viewers* [*-In the show, he's talking to the camera], "That's the end of Part 1, everyone, but make sure you're back when we see Francine & Mara compete in the final round to make it to the Quiz Champ Challenge to attempt to win a Nintendo Switch. So get yourself a drink, but be very quick, cause soon, we'll be back with the second half of a very impressive episode of..."
"Skatoony!" Arthur, Buster, Muffy, D.W., David, Jane, and Francine all said at once.
[PART 2; Mara had moved to the blue square.]
"Welcome Back to Skatoony, everyone." Arthur said to the viewers. "Francine and Mara are gonna quiz off for the chance to win a fabulous Nintendo Switch, and being a Quiz Champ Challenge Champion."
The audience cheered.
"Arthur," Jane said, "are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Well," Arthur said, "Buster was the one who started all this, so I think it's only right that he finishes it."
"OK." Buster said.
"So" Arthur Read said, "the last round of the day will be..."
Egg Noggin!
Mara & Francine had 9 eggs in front of them.
"Now, Mara, Francine, here's what gonna happen - Buster will ask you some general knowledge questions, and you just have to buzz in when you know the answer." Arthur said.
"What about the eggs, here?" Francine asked.
"That," said Arthur, "is part of the game. Every time you answer, be it right or wrong, you get the chance to get an extra point. You have to pick up an egg, and bash it against your head."
"Are you sure that's safe, Arthur?" David asked.
"It is, Dad, but it is also messy." Arthur said. "Only the highest scorer goes through to the Skatoony Quiz Champ Challenge to try and win that Nintendo Switch." he added.
"Good luck, Francine, and Mara!" D.W. called.
Jane got a call on her mobile. "Hello?" she said. "Yes, he's here. Right. I'll tell him." he hung up, and turned to her son. "Arthur," she said, "Tony called. He, Chudd & Earl are on their way back from the meeting."
"OK." Arthur said. "Francine, Mara, you've got until Chudd, Earl, and Tony get back to the studio."
"Go for it!" D.W. said.
"OK." Arthur said. "it's in you hands, Buster."
Buster read out the question. "Complete the name of the 2000 Christmas movie of Arthur's tv show: 'Arthur's Perfect…"
"Christmas?" Mara guessed.
[Ding]
"Correct, yet too easy," Buster said. "Now pick up and bash an egg."
Mara picked up her first egg, and bashed it on her head. It was hard boiled.
"That's a hard boiled egg!" said Arthur. "And on the first go, too!"
"Lucky her." said D.W.
"What green amphibian comes after 'Leap', and before 'Prince'?" Buster asked.
Mara buzzed in. "Mara?"
"Frog." Mara said.
[ding]
"Correct." Jane said.
Mara picked up another egg, but this one was raw, and it splattered over her face.
"Bad luck!" said Buster. "No bonus point!"
"Ewwww." said Muffy.
"What colour is the cross on the England Flag?" Buster asked.
"Blue." Mara said.
[Raspberry]
"No, it's red." Buster said. "Bash an egg, and try to get an extra point!"
Mara picked up another egg, and bashed it on her head. Again, it was raw, so the egg splattered over her.
"Raw egg!" Buster said. "What year was the Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo released?" he asked.
Francine buzzed in. "Francine?"
"2003." Francine said.
[ding]
"Correct!" said Buster. "Francine, can you-"
"I heard the rules, Buster," Francine said firmly, "so I know what to do."
She picked up her first egg, and bashed it on her head. it was raw.
"No bonus, Francine." Arthur said.
"Now, what language does Tilly speak in Tots TV's UK dub?" Buster asked.
Mara buzzed in. "Mara?"
"Spanish?" Mara asked.
[RASPBERRY]
"Nope!" Buster said. "It's French! But you can still crack an egg!"
Mara picked up another egg, and bashed it on her head. It was hard boiled.
"You got a hard boiled egg!" Arthur said, "so you get an extra point."
"Now," Buster said, "What food isn't part of a BLT Sandwich - bacon, cheese, or lettuce?"
Francine buzzed in. "It's cheese." she said, "BLT sandwiches have bacon, lettuce, and tomato in them."
[ding]
"We didn't need all that, Francine, but you're right." Arthur said. "So pick your egg."
Francine picked up another egg, and bashed it on her head. It was hard boiled.
"Ow!" Francine said, rubbing her head. "I think that egg was hard boiled for too long!"
"That was also what got you an extra point." Arthur pointed out.
"Now," said Buster, "what number is 8th in the 4 times table?"
Mara buzzed in. "Mara?"
"32?" Mara asked.
[ding]
"Correct!" said Buster. "I learnt that in Mr Ratburn's math class once. Now, crack an egg."
Mara did so. she picked up another egg, and bashed it on her head. It was hard boiled.
"You got a hard boiled egg again!" Arthur said, "so you get another extra point."
"We have time for one more question." said Buster. "What Jewish holiday has a candle holder called a menorah?"
Francine buzzed in. "Francine?"
"Hannukah!" said Francine.
[ding]
"That was too easy." Arthur said, "but you're right!"
"Now break an egg!" Buster said.
Francine picked an egg, and bashed it on her head. it was raw.
"No bonus, Francine." Arthur said.
At that moment, Chudd, Earl, and Tony's limo pulled up outside.
"Chudd's back!" D.W. called.
"Oh, good!" Arthur said. "That's the end of the round!"
FINAL SCORES:
Mara: 6
Francine: 4
"So," Arthur said, "after that round, the one that's going through to the final round is... Mara!"
Francine got outta her square. "Good work, Mara. You deserve it." she said.
At that moment, Chudd, Earl, and Tony entered the studio.
"Welcome back, Chudd, Earl, and Tony." Jane said.
"How was the meeting?" David asked.
"It was... very great." Chudd said. "Now, how did Arthur do in the-"
"All taken care of." Jane said. "Arthur kept everything in the show going.
"I told you I had everything under control." Arthur said.
Tony Grinned. "I knew everything would work out." he said proudly. Then he shouted, "OK, Chubbers, go do what's left of the show!" he marched off.
"Honestly," sighed Arthur under his breath, "There's no pleasing some people these days."
"Now," Chudd added, "without further ado, it's time to play..."
THE SKATOONY QUIZ CHAMP CHALLENGE!
"Mara," Chudd said, "You did well with our temporary host, but now it's time for you to face the Skatoony Quiz Champ Challenge. If you can get 10 questions right in 90 seconds, you'll win a fabulous Nintendo Switch, and everlasting quiz glory."
"Go for it, Mara!" cheered D.W. loudly.
"OK!" cheered Mara.
"That's the spirit, Mara." said Chudd.
"Let's get going!" said Earl.
Wiht that, the lights dimmed, save for the spotlight on Chudd and the light on Mara's Square.
ANd the Quiz Champ Challenge began.
"what colour do you get if you mix red & yellow?" Chudd asked.
"Orange." said Mara.
[DING]
"Correct." said Chudd. "The Tempest was written by which poet?"
"Shakespeare." Mara said.
[DING]
"I'll accept." Chudd said. "What comes before 'of London', and after 'Eiffel'?"
"Tower." Mara said.
[Ding]
"Right!" Chudd said. "what colour is dark chocolate?"
"Black?" asked Mara.
[raspberry]
"No, brown!" Chudd said. "in the book 'Matilda', what was Mr Wormwood's job?"
Mara hesitated for a bit. "Pass." she said.
[Raspberry]
"He sold cars!" CHudd said. "Now, how many legs do 5 chickens have between them?"
"10." Mara said.
[ding]
"Correct!" Chudd said. "in maths, what is 7 x 7?"
"49." said mara.
[Ding]
"Correct." Chudd said.
[Half-way timer siren]
"Stop the clock!" Chudd yelled.
[QCC SCORE: 5/10]
"Well, Mara," Chudd said, "we're half way through the Quiz Champ Challenge."
The audience cheered, as did David, Jane, D.W., Buster, Francine, and Muffy.
"in 45 seconds," Chudd continued, "you scored 5 points."
"That's good so far." Arthur said. "Yes," agreed Chudd. "But hang in there, Mara, cause Earl could just save your bacon with... Earl's HalfWay Deal!"
EARL'S HALFWAY DEAL
"Mara," Earl said, "You've done well so far!"
"I know." said Mara.
"Right." Earl said. "So far, you got 5 points; one half of the 10 points you need to win that Nintendo Switch. Now, here's what I'm gonna offer - I'm gonna offer you 2 extra points, sending you to 7, in exchange for 15 seconds of your time! That'll leave you 30 seconds to get 3 more points to win that Nintendo Switch! So whaddaya say, Mara? Do you want it or not?"
"I'll take that deal, Earl!" Mara said.
"Great!" Earl said.
[QCC SCORE: 7/10; Time: 30 Seconds Remaining]
"OK." Chudd said. "SO Mara, you've now got 30 seconds to score 3 points. Let's get going."
As he said this, the lights went dim again, save for the spotlight, and Mara's square on the quizblock.
"In 'James & the Giant Peach', what animal ate James' parents?" he asked.
"A hippo?" Mara asked.
[RASPBERRY]
"No, a rhino!" Chudd said. "What colour is strawberry ice cream?"
"Pink?" Mara asked.
[DING]
"Right!" Chudd said. "How many faces on a cube?"
"6." Mara said.
[ding]
"Correct!" Chudd said. "Which of these sports does NOT require you to wear a helmet - football, rugby, or ice hockey?"
"Football." Mara said.
[DING]
"Correct," Chudd said, "and guess what, Mara!? With 10 questions in 90 seconds, you are a winner! You've won the Nintendo Switch!"
"YAY!" Mara cheered.
The audience cheered loudly.
D.W. whistled loudly for Mara.
"You did brilliantly today, Mara!" said Francine.
"Hooray!" cheered Buster.
"Oh well," Chudd shrugged, and said to the viewers, "that's the end for now, buzzy wuzzies, but tune in next time for another wacky kids vs toons quiz caper, made on the only show fit to hold it all, and that is..."
"SKATOONY!" Everyone [minus Tony] said at once.
"Bye bye!" D.W. called to no one in particular.
A/N: REVIEWS ARE APPRECIATED.