Licensed to Drive
[The scene fades into a shot of the early morning sun peeking over the mountains as it transitions to the town of Amber, which is only just waking up as the orange sky clears away the darkness from last night. We transition to an aerial shot that is located near the town, but set in a more isolated area, focusing on three houses sitting next to one another]
[Panning from right to left, the first house is a large brown rock with an arrow-tipped wind vane at the top]
[The second house is a tall two-story building made out of navy blue stone, the most notable feature is how the front looks like a face, with a large stone in the middle, two windows, a brown door, two columns on either end of the top floor, and a large slab above the windows]
[The third and final house is a pineapple with a silver door at the front, a metal chimney sticking out on the right end, next to a window which is presumably the bedroom]
[At that moment, the door flings open as an anthropomorphic sponge comes out of the house, donning a pair of brown and white pants, long white socks, and shiny black shoes, with a tall white cap atop his head]
Spongebob: IIIIIIII'm ready!
[Just like any other day, Spongebob Squarepants is shown skipping down the path from his house, chanting to himself "I'm ready" as he cheerfully makes his way to work]
[At that moment, the rock flips up, revealing a starfish meshed on the bottom as he looks over to his left]
Patrick: Morning, Spongebob! WhoooooOH-AWH!
[Patrick suddenly flops onto the floor as clattering can be heard from below]
[A rendition of Spongebob's theme plays in the background as he makes his way down the road. Along the way, he hears a sound coming from above. Spongebob turns back to catch a glimpse of a brown squirrel with a pink flower atop her ear riding a rocket]
Spongebob: Good morning, San-!
Sandy: Howdy, Spongebob, can't stop now, science awaits!
[The rocket whooshes over the sponge and off into the distance]
Spongebob: -dy…ah, well, she's prolly off searching for some new space rocks. Beheheh!
[Spongebob continues on his path as the scene transitions to the Krusty Krab. The sponge is busy in the kitchen as he prepares a fresh order; he flips the patty on the grill three times before launching it back onto a plate that has a bottom bun already set. Once the fresh grilled patty is on the bun, Spongebob works at a break-neck speed arranging the cheese, ketchup, mustard, pickles, tomato, lettuce, onions, and special sauce before finishing with the top bun. Upon flipping a set of French fries into a container and putting on the tray next to the Krabby Patty, Spongebob places it in the window in front of the cashier register]
Spongebob: Order up, Squidward!
[A turquoise squid with an olive brown shirt and a hat similar to Spongebob's takes the tray with an unamused expression on his face]
Squidward: I'm right here, there's no need to shout.
Spongebob: I know, it's just the joys of work that bring out the flight in me.
Squidward: Funny, all I feel is pain.
Spongebob: That's the spirit, Squidward!
Squidward: Hrrrrrrrrmmmmm…
[Squidward rolls his eyes as he sets off to take the tray to the customer. Spongebob just smiles and goes back to his work. If there's one thing to know about the sponge, it's that he's a sterling worker in what he does, but that's not his only aspiration]
[Transition to a driving school located near the South end of Amber, resembling a great deal from the one in the show. Spongebob is shown walking down the path that leads to the main building]
Spongebob: I'm ready, I'm ready! To get! My driver's license! And it's only gonna take one more time! One more time! One more super duper time…
[If there's one thing Spongebob has tried to accomplish time and time again, it's acquiring his license to drive a car, or a boat per se. Now, not everyone gets their license on the first try, or the next several tries, but in the case of Spongebob Squarepants, well…]
[The scene transitions to the open road as the only sound in the background is the occasional breeze, everything is calm and peaceful…]
?: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!
[A streak of red and white suddenly zooms past, showing a car, or in this case, a boat, speeding down the road, way over the speed limit, with Spongebob and his instructor, Mrs. Puff, at the front. The blonde blowfish continues to scream as her pupil feverishly jerks the steering wheel back and forth. A freelance rendition of the Green Skirt Chase plays in the background]
Mrs. Puff: Ooooooh, Spongebob! Slow down, this is the main road!
Spongebob: [panicky] I can do it, I can do it!
[Unsurprisingly, Spongebob further presses on the gas pedal which only causes the vehicle to go faster, barely just making a sharp curve with a screech]
[Cut to Noddy driving in his little yellow car, humming a tune to himself]
Noddy: Not a bad day for a drive, is it, Car?
[The car gives a 'barp-barp' in agreement when Noddy suddenly gasps at Spongebob veering towards him]
Noddy: Oh no, look out!
[The little toy swerves to the right to avoid getting hit as Spongebob races past. Noddy's car ends up on the side of the road right onto the grass]
Noddy: Well, did you ever see someone so reckless, car?
[The car gives a weary 'honk']
[But Noddy isn't the only one to have a near miss with the sponge. Cut to Postman Pat making his way down the lane as Jess sits in the passenger seat atop a mail bag]
Pat: Aaaaah, a nice and quiet day, just the way I like it.
[Pat looks into his mirror and then notices someone rapidly approaching him from behind]
Pat: What the…OH!
[Pat veers to the left as Spongebob whooshes past, Jess yowls from the sudden jerk]
Jess: MEROW!
Pat: Doh, I say, what on Earth was all about?!
[Finally, the Magic School Bus is shown coming into view as the show's motif plays in the background. It then mixes with the Green Skirt Chase as Spongebob rapidly approaches in the opposite direction]
Mrs. Puff: Oooooooooooooooh!
[Mrs. Puff covers her eyes]
Children: Look out, Ms. Frizzle!
[Arnold Perlman puts his hands in a praying gesture]
Arnold: Please let us survive this ordeal.
Ms. Frizzle: Time for a little evasive maneuver. Seatbelts, everyone!
[Ms. Frizzle presses a button on the dashboard and the bus suddenly leaps into the air, right over the boat]
Ms. Frizzle: WA-HO-HO!
[The bus makes a perfect landing back onto the road]
Ms. Frizzle: Hooooo, what a ride that was!
[Arnold flops onto his seat, looking pale as a ghost]
[Cut to Police Chief Arthur Selby keeping watch by the side of the road outside of his car. He then hears the sound of another car rapidly approaching him. He turns to see Spongebob and Mrs. Puff on the horizon]
PC Selby: [blows his whistle] Halt! In the name of the law! Oi, slow down! STOOOOOP!
Spongebob: CAAAAAN'T!
[Spongebob speeds past the officer as he's knocked to the ground]
PC Selby: OH!
Mrs. Puff: Spongebob, STOOOOOP!
[Spongebob slams on the brakes and the boat skids across the road, spinning around like a top until the sound of a crash is heard off-screen]
[Cut to the vehicle's front end partially submerged into a pond as the tire tracks have dug into the grass]
Mrs. Puff: Uuuuuuugh…thank goodness for seat belts…
[At that moment, PC Selby arrives on the scene. He stops the car, comes out of the door and slams it shut as he huffs his way over to the wreck]
Selby: It's time for a few tickets!
Mrs. Puff: And here we go again.
[Mrs. Puff raises her arms up after she hops out of the car]
Mrs. Puff: Let's just get this over with-
[The officer walks past Mrs. Puff and towards Spongebob, writing down in his notebook]
Selby: I'm issuing you several citations; reckless driving, exceeding the speed limit, endangering pedestrians.
[The police chief hands Spongebob the tickets in succession before turning to Mrs. Puff]
Selby: As for you, this wouldn't happen to be a teaching exercise, would it?
Mrs. Puff: Unfortunately…
Selby: In that case, unless your student is able to properly follow the rules of the road, I won't hesitate to order a suspension!
Spongebob: A suspension?!
Selby: I will not have inexperienced drivers disturbing the public road. So you'd better keep that in mind unless you wanna be booked. And this is for you, ma'am.
[Selby hands a note to Mrs. Puff. The blowfish gives an exasperated sigh as the officer gets back into his car and drives away. Spongebob cautiously approaches his teacher]
Spongebob: Weeeeell, hehe, better luck next time, eh, Mrs. Puff?
[Mrs. Puff sharply turns around, trying to conceal the hate in her eyes as she glares down at her pupil]
Mrs. Puff: Spongebob Squarepants, this is the last straw…
[Spongebob gulps]
Mrs. Puff: Once again, you have systematically proven that you are incapable of operating a vehicle without causing a huge mess! I have tried, time and time again, to sate you in this never-ending process, but you have pushed me past my limits!
Spongebob: Uhhh…M-Mrs. Puff, I'm very sorry about the-
Mrs. Puff: "SORRY" isn't going to cut it, Mr. Squarepants! Not after repeatedly driving me to the brink of insanity and getting me in trouble with the law, all because you cannot drive to save your life! Why do you insist on constantly failing and making my life all the more miserable?!
Spongebob: B-But…please, give me another chance-
Mrs. Puff: Spongebob, I am through giving you chances, unless you can actually learn to drive, I do not want to see you anywhere near my school! Do you understand?!
[There is a long pause that follows…Spongebob tries not to look as hurt as he does. Mrs. Puff slightly softens her expression, but still looks stern]
Mrs. Puff: I'm sorry, Spongebob…but I just can't deal with you anymore…
Spongebob: …I understand, Mrs. Puff.
Mrs. Puff: Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to arrange a clean-up of this mess…
[With his head hanging down, Spongebob sadly walks away from the scene as Mrs. Puff leans against the boat with an exhausted sigh]
Mrs. Puff: It needed to be said…if only you could drive, Squarepants, then it would benefit both of us…
[Spongebob is too far away to hear this, he just slowly makes his way home]
[A sad tune plays in the background as the sky transitions to evening, with a lone sponge walking on the side of the road. He looks up to see two cars passing in opposite directions…Sandy is shown coming in the opposite direction with a pair of gemstones in her hands when she spots the sponge coming her way]
Sandy: Hey, Sponge, found these red beryl and black opal gemstones while I was…Spongebob?
[Spongebob doesn't notice Sandy as he carries on with his head down]
Sandy: …Well, shoot, what's got him lookin' sadder than rice puddin'?
[Cut to Patrick's rock, the starfish in question waiting outside as he waves to his best friend]
Patrick: Hey, Spongebob! Ready for the new episode of…Mermaid…Man…and Barnacle…Boy?
[Spongebob doesn't seem to hear Patrick as he just continues to his pineapple without a word. Patrick looks on in confusion as Spongebob goes indoors with a solemn shut of his door]
Patrick: That's strange…whatever's wrong with him?
[Cut to the inside of Spongebob's house as his pet snail Gary slithers up to him, giving a "meow" while the sponge eats a few pieces of warm coral on a plate, still looking miserable]
[Transition to the bedroom as Spongebob has changed into his pajamas and makes his way to the bed. Upon finally jumping onto the mattress, the sponge's cries are muffled through the pillow as the camera pans out from the window]
[Cut to Squidward practicing his clarinet when he suddenly stops and hears something from outside. He cautiously goes up to the window and listens, hearing the muffled sound of Spongebob sobbing from inside his house]
Squidward: …Hmm, now he knows how I feel.
[The scene transitions to the next morning as a few birds fly over the pineapple home…Spongebob slowly opens the door with a sullen look on his face]
Spongebob: [deflated] Goodbye, Gary, I'll be home later tonight…
[Spongebob walks down the path with his shoulders hunched and his head down]
[Transition to the kitchen of the Krusty Krab where Spongebob is hunched over the grill as the patties simmer on it]
?: …bob? …Spongebob? SPONGEBOB!
Spongebob: GEH! W-What?!
Squidward: What are you doing?! Slacking off is my job! I've got a whole group of impatient customers behind me!
[Squidward stretches his arm out as the camera pans over to the line where Jimmy, Timmy, Cosmo, Wanda, Arnold, Gerald, Helga, Phoebe, Rocko, Norbert, Daggett, Cat, Dog, Jenny, Snap, Charlotte, Mr. Blik, Gordon Quid, Waffle, Ginger, Eliza, Danny, Zim, and even Ren and Stimpy at the back are shown in line, looking rather tense and murmuring to one another, although the four at the back try to distance themselves from the duo at the tail end]
Spongebob: Deeeeeh, sorry, Squidward, I'm right on it!
[Spongebob hastily kicks it into high gear as he flips three patties all at once and then throws three plates on the prep battle]
[Cut to the sponge running out of the kitchen to place the orders on CatDog's, Rocko's, and Ginger's tables. Squidward watches all of this with a raised brow]
Squidward: Strange…he's never usually this flustered…ah well, it'll serve as a wakeup call.
[Transition to later in the evening as Squidward finally clocks out for his shift. This is followed by Spongebob making his way to the entrance looking filthy and exhausted. He's just about to put his hand on the door when someone calls him]
?: Spongebob!
[Spongebob jolts and looks back as the camera cuts back to his manager, Mr. Krabs, standing by the exterior of his office]
Spongebob: Duuuuh, yes, Mr. Krabs?
Mr. Krabs: Come over here, boy, I need ta' have a word with ya'.
[Spongebob gulps and makes his way over to the office]
Mr. Krabs: What was goin' on with ye' today? I've never known ya' to be so…out of yer element.
Spongebob: I'm sorry, Mr. Krabs, I was just a bit…distracted by current events.
Mr. Krabs: Distracted? Ya' know we've got a tight ship to run here, we can't have any loose boards. Cuz if we fall behind, that means unhappy customers, and no customers means no money, and no money means, hssssssssssss…I don't even wanna think about it.
Spongebob: I understand, Mr. Krabs…
Mr. Krabs: [sighs] Just go on and get some rest, boyo, ya've got a long day ahead a' ya'...
[On that note, Spongebob exits the Krusty Krab and begins to make his way home…transition to him halfway on his journey when a rush of wind suddenly blows past him, causing the sponge to shiver]
Spongebob: Vrrrrrrr…a bit chilly…hmm?
[The sound of whispering slowly builds in the air. Spongebob pauses, looks to his left, then to his right]
Spongebob: Um…hello? Is someone there?
[The only response is the continued whispering as Spongebob appears rather anxious]
Spongebob: Uhhhh, I should really be getting home now…
[Spongebob tries to hurry up down the road, but the whispering grows louder and louder as he clenches his eyes shut before he trips and lands on the ground]
Spongebob: DAH-OOF!
[Spongebob groans and tries to pick himself up]
Spongebob: Duuuuuuuuh…huh? Where did…this road come from?
[Spongebob looks ahead to see a path leading into the forest]
Spongebob: I…don't remember this being here…
?: …Come.
Spongebob: …What?
?: Come…
Spongebob: Uhhh…I don't know if I should…yet, I can't help it…
[Spongebob cautiously continues down the path as he walks into the forest. Looking from left to right, he suddenly hears a clank as he looks down to see a set of railway tracks]
Spongebob: Huh…didn't know this place had…
[Spongebob trails off as he sees the entrance to a tunnel in the distance]
Spongebob: …And I didn't know it had that either.
[Spongebob cautiously approaches the tunnel before a voice can be heard around him]
?: So, you come to relieve a personal struggle?
Spongebob: Huh?! Who said that?!
?: Identities aren't important, what is important is your plight.
Spongebob: Uh…my plight?
?: Yes…it appears you suffer from a few…skills on the road.
Spongebob: Uh…
?: Is that true…?
Spongebob: Uh, well…I…I do wish I could drive, I just wish I could finally get my license…
?: Are you certain of this wish?
Spongebob: Uh…y-yes, I am, I just wonder how I can do it…
?: Come closer…
Spongebob: Ehhhhhhh…okay…
[Cautiously, Spongebob takes a few steps towards the mouth of the tunnel]
?: If you are truly confident, I will grant your wish…but at a price…
Spongebob: [gulps] What kind of price…?
?: Once you reach the peak of your success…it will only be downhill from there…so…consider my words carefully…
Spongebob: I…I…[clenches his eyes and balls his fists]...I wish, I wish, I wish! I wish to be good at driving!
[Spongebob opens his eyes and gasps as a pair of eyes stare at him through the darkness]
?: Very well…it…is…done.
[A shrill whistle echoes around the area as the camera zooms into Spongebob's eye]
[Cut to Spongebob laying upright in his bed as it is now morning. The sponge blinks twice to get his bearings before looking over at the clock]
Spongebob: H-Huh? Hooooooo, that was a strange dream…haaaaaaa, guess I'd better get ready…
[With a heavy heart, Spongebob hops out of bed to start the day's activities. Transition to the Krusty Krab, busy as per usual with the same guests as before before it cuts to Spongebob in the kitchen, a little more attentive than the previous day, but still can't shake what happened last night off his mind]
Spongebob: Did that actually happen…or was it just a dream…I think it was a dream…I think…hmmmmm…maybe I'm just thinking too much…
[Spongebob decides to carry on with his work as the scene transitions to evening. The sponge departs from the Krusty Krab and makes a right at the entrance]
[The sponge is lost in thought as the sound of a car can be heard approaching him. Spongebob looks up to see Penelope Pitshop coming down the road in her stylish pink car. The glamor gal of the gas pedal looks to her left and smiles at the sponge]
Penelope: Hi there, Spongebob!
Spongebob: Heeeey…
[Spongebob gives a weak wave at the Cajun girl as she drives past. However, much to his surprise, she slowly reverses till she reaches him]
Penelope: Why I do declare, what's gotten you looking so down, Spongey?
Spongebob: Oh…it's nothing, it's a silly thing, really…
Penelope: Come on, you can tell little ole me…
Spongebob: …I failed my driver's test again, and I've been feeling a little down in the dumps because of it.
Penelope: I see…well, what if I offered to help you with that predicament?
Spongebob: Huh? You'd do that?
Penelope: Why, of course I would. No use in seein' a cheery lil thang like yourself all blue. Besides, I know you've been wantin' that license of yours for a long time. Why not try with a new instructor?
Spongebob: Well…thank you, Penelope! I'd like that very much.
Penelope: Hmmhmm, I knew ya' would. Hop in and we'll go for a lil test drive.
[Penelope gets out from the driver's seat and goes to the other end on the passenger side. Spongebob cautiously steps inside the driver's side and looks over the dashboard]
Spongebob: You sure you're alright with me driving your car?
Penelope: So long as you're careful. Now, just start it off slow…
[Spongebob looks ahead at the road…and presses the pedal rather hastily as the car jerks forward]
Penelope: Oh!
[Spongebob quickly slams on the brakes and the car skids to a stop on the side of the road]
Spongebob: Oh, gosh! Sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-!
Penelope: No, no, it's alright…it's alright…take a deep breath.
[Spongebob takes a mighty inhale…and then lets out a large exhale]
Penelope: Good…now, ya' can't be stressed out when drivin'. You have to be really careful when you're out on the road. Otherwise, you're practically steerin' a coffin on wheels.
Spongebob: That's a…morbid way to look at it.
Penelope: It's the truth, though. You need to be cautious while driving, not just for your own sake, but for everyone else on the road. Do you understand?
Spongebob: I…I understand, it's just…I'm so…anxious about the road, it's so…intimidating…
Penelope: It can be sometimes, but even so, you need to take control of the road before it takes control of you…
Spongebob: I guess…
Penelope: …Wanna try again?
Spongebob: …Okay.
[Spongebob slowly pulls back from parking mode into driving mode and then gently presses his foot on the gas pedal and the car comes back onto the road]
[Spongebob is now driving the car much slower than before…so slow in fact that George the Steamroller strolls past without hesitation]
Spongebob: Is this too slow for you?
Penelope: Um…a little bit. But perhaps that's for the better…
[By the time the duo gets to the sponge's house, the sky has turned to night. Spongebob stops the car just before the path to his home]
Spongebob: Uh…thanks for letting me drive, Penelope.
Penelope: No problem, Bob. I reckon you'll get the hang of it after a bit of practice. What do you say to meetin' up tomorrow?
Spongebob: Oh! I'd like that very much!
Penelope: Then it's settled, tomorrow at noon, meet me in the shoppin' center and we'll take off from there.
[Spongebob and Penelope exit out of the car as the latter goes towards the driver's seat and shuts the door]
Penelope: Have a good evenin', Spongy.
[Penelope waves as she leaves, Spongebob mirroring the gesture as he goes inside of his pineapple to rest]
[Transition to Spongebob entering his bedroom and getting ready to go to sleep. He hops onto his bed and pulls the covers over him, pulling down on the light switch above him]
Spongebob: [yawns] Goodnight, Gary.
Gary: Meow…
[Spongebob lays down on his pillow and closes his eyes]
[Transition to Spongebob and Mrs. Puff driving down the open road, both of them appear quite content]
Mrs. Puff: I must say, Mr. Squarepants, you've improved a lot recently.
Spongebob: Thanks, Mrs. Puff, I do aim to please.
Mrs. Puff: Hmmhmm, with any luck, you might finally get your driver's license.
[Spongebob smiles with glee as the car goes up a hill. From the angle shown, it appears a lot taller than usual. As soon as they reach the top, Spongebob tries to put on the brakes as he presses the pedal. However, the only sound is the brake pads giving an awful grinding and the car begins to rush down the hill at a dangerous speed]
Mrs. Puff: OOOOOOOH! Spongebob, you need to put on the brakes!
[Spongebob tries several times to apply the brakes, but they only produce the same grinding and weak press]
Spongebob: I think the brakes are broken!
[As the danger theme increases, Spongebob makes a hard right turn to avoid skidding off the road. However, his troubles are far from over as a red barrier has been placed dead ahead]
Mrs. Puff: Spongebob! Please! Stop the boat!
Spongebob: I'm trying! I'm trying!
[No matter how hard Spongebob presses on the brake pedal, the car doesn't slow down. They come nearer and nearer to the barrier until they burst through it]
[Worse still as the camera pans out, it reveals that the bridge is out, and Spongebob still can't stop]
Spongebob: Oh no! Stop, stop, STOP!
[In pure desperation, Spongebob tries to slam on the brake pedal to no avail as the boat goes right over the ledge and plummets into the ravine, Spongebob and Mrs. Puff screaming all the way until…]
Spongebob: GAH!
[Spongebob's eyes shoot open as he leans up. His eyes dart around…he's back in his room. Gary is still sound asleep on the floor]
Spongebob: Hooooo, thank Neptune…it was just a dream…
[Spongebob settles back down on his pillow and lets out a sigh, closing his eyes once more]
[Transition to the next day as we are shown a pan-out view of the shopping center. Spongebob is waiting by a bench as Wile, Foghorn, Carmen, Sly, Callie, and Sally walk by in the background. At that moment, Penelope pulls up in her car with a honk of her horn]
Penelope: So you ready for the next lesson, sug?
[Spongebob proudly stands up from the bench]
Spongebob: I'm ready!
Penelope: Well, in that case, hop in!
[Spongebob goes over to the driver's seat while Penelope goes over to the passenger side]
Penelope: Now, remember what I said about startin' off.
Spongebob: Got it; take it slow…
[Spongebob sets the car into drive mode and slowly pulls away from the curb]
[Cue a montage over the next few days to the instrumental of "A World Around You"]
[Spongebob pulls up to an intersection that has four stop signs to indicate the right of way as Brisby pulls up to the one on the left. Penelope nods as Spongebob is the first one to drive off, followed by Brisby in the other direction]
[Transition to Spongebob approaching a level crossing as the gates begin to close. He slows down and stops before the closed gates. Thomas passes by with Annie and Clarabel in tow before the gates open once more. Spongebob goes through the crossing without incident, much to the surprise of Rocko in his own car]
[Transition to Spongebob approaching a traffic light as the light changes from green to yellow to red. He stops accordingly as several cars from the right pass by to the left. Once the light turns green ahead, he carefully pulls away]
[Transition to a pan-out shot of a speed limit scene that reads "40 Miles Per Hour". As the duo pass by the scene, Spongebob slows the speed down from 50 to 40. Penelope smiles and nods at this]
[Transition to a street as Spongebob pulls up alongside two cars with a space in the middle. He looks into his mirrors, puts the car into reverse, looks back, and carefully backs the car in between the other two. The sponge turns to Penelope who gives him a thumbs-up. Spongebob smiles in return]
[The scene transitions to the end of the week as the instrumental fades out, Spongebob and Penelope are standing outside of the driving school as the former appears rather anxious]
Spongebob: …Are you sure I can do this?
Penelope: Don't worry, sug. I'm sure you'll be fine, just don't stress about it.
Spongebob: [sighs] Okay…here I go…
[Spongebob bravely walks down the path till he reaches the door and knocks on it. The door opens after a few seconds and Mrs. Puff steps out. Her expression sours when she sees Spongebob]
Mrs. Puff: Oh…hello, Spongebob…what brings you here?
Spongebob: Mrs. Puff, I think I'm ready to take the test again!
Mrs. Puff: Is that so? What's giving me the impression you won't cause another accident?
Spongebob: I've been training all week, and I have a voucher.
[Mrs. Puff looks behind Spongebob to see Penelope waving at her from the entrance. The blowfish sighs in response]
Mrs. Puff: [sighs] Okay, Spongebob…I will let you take the test once more.
Spongebob: YEEEAA-!
Mrs. Puff: BUT! If this goes wrong again, I'm filing a restraining order.
Spongebob: [clears throat] Of course, Mrs. Puff. Shall we proceed to the test car?
Mrs. Puff: [nods] I'll just get my clipboard.
[Mrs. Puff goes back into the building as Spongebob turns back to Penelope and gives her a big grin with two thumbs up. Penelope smiles in return]
[Cut to Spongebob closing the driver's door, applying his seatbelt, and turning the boat's ignition on. Mrs. Puff is seated next to him on the passenger side, the clipboard in hand]
Spongebob: [sighs] Okay…here we go…
[Spongebob sets the vehicle into reverse as he slowly backs out of the lot, then puts it in drive as he pulls onto the main course. The sponge's eyes are set firmly on the road as he manages the key points without fail. Mrs. Puff blinks before writing down on her clipboard, surprised at her pupil's attentiveness]
Mrs. Puff: …I must say, Mr. Squarepants, so far, you're doing a wonderful job.
Spongebob: Beheh! Thanks, Mrs. Puff.
Mrs. Puff: Now…time to parallel park.
[Spongebob comes across two cars parked on the side of the road with a gap for himself. The sponge stops the vehicle beside the front car, puts the gear into R, checks his mirrors, looks back, and then slowly reverses into the spot, keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel]
[Cut to a semi-truck coming down the road, a load of oil drums tied down on its trailer. However, the barrels have not been fully secured as one of the straps finally comes loose. Three drums fumble on the trailer, tumble down, and burst open, spilling oil all over the road. Some of it leaks through the gates of the driving school, slathering the lot to a degree, but no one seems to notice]
[Cut back to Spongebob as he turns a corner]
Spongebob: [thinking] "This is it…this is actually it…I'm finally going to get my driver's license…"
Mrs. Puff: Hmmmmm…very nice…very impressive, actually…[thinking]..."finally, no more losing my mind…"
[Spongebob grins broadly, but then he notices something up ahead]
Spongebob: Um, Mrs. Puff?
Mrs. Puff: Yes, Spongebob?
Spongebob: That's not part of the test, is it?
Mrs. Puff: Huh?
[Mrs. Puff looks ahead and notices the oil on the road]
Mrs. Puff: Oh no, I think you'll need to stop and go around that.
[Spongebob presses his foot on the brake pedal…nothing happens. He tries again…still nothing]
Spongebob: Um, Mrs. Puff…I can't slow down?
Mrs. Puff: Why not?
Spongebob: The brakes…they're not working.
Mrs. Puff: …Oh no.
[The boat rolls over the oil patch and starts to slip on the road. Spongebob tries to maintain control of the vehicle, but without working brakes, the car continues to skid. Spongebob veers the steering wheel to the right, but it only ends up sending the car off-road, straight towards the fence]
Spongebob: Daaaah, look out!
[Penelope overhears the commotion and turns just in time to see Spongebob and Mrs. Puff bursting through the fence, and onto the field before rolling onto the road]
Penelope: Spongebob!
[Cut to Spongebob and Mrs. Puff rolling along the road as the former tries to think of any way to stop]
Spongebob: Uhhhh, don't worry, Mrs. Puff, I'll stop us! I mean, at least it's a level road, right?
[The sponge speaks too soon as the pan-out shot reveals the two about to go down a hill. Mrs. Puff gulps as the vehicle begins to careen down the slope, picking up speed as the danger theme picks up]
Mrs. Puff: OOOOOOOOH, not this again!
[Cut to Penelope as she is shown rushing out of the parking lot and turns in the direction of the runaway car]
[Cut back to Spongebob feverishly pressing his foot on the brake pedal, the only sound emitting is a weak grinding. It's at that moment when a memory comes back to him…]
[Flash back to the night of the wish]
"Once you reach the peak of your success…it will only be downhill from there…"
[Another flash shows the nightmare sequence of Spongebob and Mrs. Puff out of control heading towards the bridge before it flashes back to reality with Spongebob having a shell-shocked expression on his face]
Spongebob: It can't be…
[The scene suddenly zooms out as far ahead, workman are repairing a bridge, with red barriers in front to protect it]
Mrs. Puff: Spongebob, I hope you've got a backup plan that doesn't involve anything risky!
Spongebob: Um-I-uh, deeeeeeeeh…
[For a moment, Spongebob feels helpless, struggling to figure out his options without risking injury to himself or his teacher]
[At that moment, Penelope roars up from behind Spongebob and honks her horn]
Penelope: Spongebob!
Spongebob: Penelope! What do I do?!
Penelope: Look down to your right, you'll see it!
Mrs. Puff: Ooooooh, whatever you've planned, make it quick!
[Spongebob swiftly looks down to his right and then notices the rod sat in between the gear lever and the driver's seat]
Spongebob: [gasps] The emergency brake!
[Thinking quickly, Spongebob pulls back the lever and the car's rear brake pads screech as they try to slow the vehicle down]
[Cut to the workmen consisting of versions of a green Yogi, red Huck, purple Tom, orange Jerry, and blue Pepe. They hear the vehicles speeding towards the bridge, causing them to shout and wave for them to stop]
[Penelope pulls back from Spongebob as the boat screeches along the road…until finally coming to rest just before the barrier…the men all give a sigh of relief as the green bear collapses on the ground. Spongebob and Mrs. Puff all give deep sighs of relief before Penelope pulls up behind them]
Spongebob: AHEM, well…I guess this means I don't get my license after all…
Mrs. Puff: …Up until the little spill on the road, I would say you were doing quite well, in fact, better than I've ever seen before. And this time, it's for real, especially since you prevented a nasty accident. I would say, after all the work you've put in, you deserve a reward.
Spongebob: Hold on…does this mean…?
[Mrs. Puff gives a broad smile as she reaches into her pocket. Spongebob and Penelope wait with bated breath]
Mrs. Puff: Spongebob Squarepants, it gives me great honor to finally present you with…your driver's license.
[Mrs. Puff produces a license with Spongebob's picture in the right corner with all the details layed out. She hands it over to the starstruck sponge]
Spongebob: My…license…my…driver's license…
[Spongebob's eyes roll back and faints to the ground, much to the surprise of Mrs. Puff]
Mrs. Puff: Oh my…
Penelope: Oh dear…haha, I guess the excitement got to him.
Mrs. Puff: Well, at the very least, that means one less student to teach…hmmmm, on the one hand, it won't be the same not coming back to my school…on the other hand, no more lawsuits for me to go through. Haaaaaaaaa…relief at long last…
Penelope: Hmmhmm…[looks down]...ya' did good, Spongey, ya' did good…
[A shot of an unconscious Spongebob transitions to evening as triumphant rendition of the Spongebob theme plays. The titular sponge drives Penelope's car down the road. Along the way, Patrick and Sandy are shown walking on the side when Spongebob passes by]
Spongebob: Hi, Patrick! Hi, Sandy! Guess who got their driver's license!
Patrick: Hey, Spongebob!
Sandy: Howdy, Spongebob!
[The starfish and squirrel suddenly stop in their tracks, look at each other, and blink]
Sandy: Hold on…did he say?
Patrick: He got his license…?
[At that moment, Patrick jumps for joy]
Patrick: WHOO-HOOOO! Right on, Spongebob!
Sandy: Well, I'll be ding-dong-danged, the lil' guy actually did it!
[Cut to Squidward playing his clarinet as a car's horn can be heard outside. He peers out the window to see Spongebob pulling into the side of the house]
Spongebob: Hi, Squidward! Guess who got their driver's license!
[Squidward takes no notice at first…until he blinks with a shrill note from his clarinet, almost cracking the windows]
[Cut to Spongebob putting the car into park mode, hopping of the driver's seat, and looking over at Penelope]
Spongebob: Haaaaa…I did it…I finally did it…after so long…[sniffles]...I can't believe it's actually happening…I'm a licensed driver…
Penelope: I'm real proud a' you, Spongebob. You did what you thought was impossible and achieved it.
Spongebob: [waves a hand] Dawwwwwww, thanks. I did have a good tutor.
Penelope: Well, I'm glad everythin' worked out in the end.
Spongebob: All I know is that this is the start of a new chapter…good night, Penelope.
Penelope: G'night, Spongebob…
[Spongebob sighs happily and walks off into his home while Penelope takes the driver's seat of her car and drives away from the Squarepants residence as the scene pans up to the full moon]
[Transition to the Birch Grove Tunnel as the scene holds on it for a few moments before cutting to black]
Character Guide:
Spongebob Squarepants, Squidward Tentacles, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Mr. Krabs, Mrs. Puff, Gary the Snail - Spongebob Squarepants
Penelope Pitstop - Wacky Races/The Perils of Penelope Pitstop
Ms. Frizzle, Arnold Perlman - The Magic School Bus
Postman Pat, Jess the Cat, PC Selby - Postman Pat
Noddy - Noddy
Arnold Shortman, Gerald Johanssen, Helga Pataki, Phoebe Heyerdahl - Hey Arnold!
Foghorn Leghorn, Wile E. Coyote - Looney Tunes
Callie Briggs - SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron
Carmen Sandiego - Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?
Cat, Dog - CatDog
Charlotte - Making Fiends
Danny Fenton - Danny Phantom
Eliza Thornberry - The Wild Thornberrys
Elizabeth Brisby - The Secret of NIMH (1982)
Ginger Foutley - As Told By Ginger
Jenny Wakeman - My Life as a Teenage Robot
Jimmy Neutron - The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron
Mr. Blik, Gordon Quid, Waffle - Catscratch
Norbert, Daggett - The Angry Beavers
Ren, Stimpy - Ren and Stimpy
Rocko - Rocko's Modern Life
Sally Acorn - Sonic the Hedgehog
Sly Cooper - Sly Cooper
Snap - Chalkzone
Timmy Turner, Cosmo, Wanda - Fairly Oddparents
Zim - Invader Zim
Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, George - Thomas and Friends
