01x35 - Alma's Cat-tastrophe/Stickball!
Posted: 12/31/23 12:00
♪ Waahoooa yay! [♪♪♪]
♪ Vamonos!
♪Lo le lo lai, lo lai lai lo le, ♪
♪ it's Alma's Way!
♪ Here she comes,
♪beaming with pride and something to say! ♪
♪ Hear those drums?
♪ Playing Alma's Way.
♪ From the Bronx,
♪ singing a le lo lai, lai lo lei! ♪
♪ Our island songs,
♪ saying Alma's Way!
♪So many questions, so much to explain. ♪
♪ Hoh! ♪ Figure it out as you hop on the train. ♪
♪Hoo!♪ ♪With Mami, Papi, Junior and Abuelo, mi gente.
♪ I'll think it through and share it with you, ♪
♪ come on vente!
♪ There she goes!
♪Learning about her world every day. ♪
♪ The whole world knows,
♪ it's Alma's Way...
♪ Alma's Way!
♪i¡Wepa! ♪
ALMA: "“Alma's Cat-tastrophe"”
[subway rumbles by] ♪♪♪
[traffic] [birds chirping]
PAPI: After you!
ALMA: i¡Gracias!
ALMA: Hi, Mr. Ramirez!
MR. RAMIREZ: i¡Hola, Riveras!
PAPI: i¡Buenas!
[cat meows]
PAPI: [gasp] Whoa! You got a cat customer!!
ALMA: Aww, when did you get a cat?
MR. RAMIREZ: Oh, this guy? He's not mine.
He just comes in on cold days.
[cat purrs]
ALMA/PAPI: Awwww!
MR. RAMIREZ: He's been great company while I work...
And I've been thinking about becoming...
a Cat Guy. [chuckles] Whaddaya think?
ALMA: Yeah! You should keep him!
Just look at that cute face! [cat meows]
PAPI: Well, if he doesn't belong to anyone,
have you gotten him checked out?
MR. RAMIREZ: Not yet. I'm pretty sure he's a stray.
He's always hanging outside my shop.
ALMA: What are you gonna name him?
[meow]
[happy music]
MR. RAMIREZ: Hmm, he loves to watch me practice checkers,
So, uh... how about...
Checkers!? What do you think? Checkers?
[meow]
ALMA: He likes it. i¡Hola, Checkers!
PAPI: One sec, Alma.
Let's take Checkers to my clinic first so we can make sure he's healthy.
ALMA: Okay, Papi.
MR. RAMIREZ: Ay, muchas gracias, Rubén.
PAPI: De nada.
[meow]
PAPI: Oop... These are not safe for you, eh?
If he swallowed them, he could get sick.
MR. RAMIREZ: Gracias, Rubén.
MR. RAMIREZ: Here, have a sock instead, Checkers!
[meow]
ALMA/PAPI: [laughs]
PAPI: You should come on my Animal Show, Checkers. My viewers love cats!
[Checkers meows and purrs]
ALMA: He's SO cuuute!
PAPI: Almost done, Checkers...
[suspenseful music]
PAPI: Fur looks good.
[meow]
PAPI: Teeth are good too.
[loud meow]
ALMA: And he has a really strong meow!
[beep from machine]
SAFINA: The test results are ready, Dr. Rivera.
[tablet pings]
PAPI: Thank you, I got them.
[distant phone rings]
SAFINA: I'll get that!
PAPI: Your blood work is great! You're a healthy cat, Checkers.
Mr.Ramirez takes REALLY good care of you, huh?
[purrs]
ALMA: [giggles] I think that's a yes.
[purrs]
PAPI: Well, he doesn't have a chip, so it seems like he's a stray.
A few sh*ts, then he'll be good to go.
ALMA: So does that mean Mr. Ramirez can keep him?
PAPI: Looks like it.
ALMA: Yes!
I can't wait to tell him the good news!
[busy street traffic]
[kittens mewing]
ALMA: Aww! Where'd you come from?
[silly music]
[meows]
ALMA: I want to pet you, but if you're strays, I can't.
ALMA: Sorry, kittens. Con permiso. Uh... excuse me?
[meows]
ALMA: Awww! Too cute!!!
But, I've gotta get them out of my way. Hmmm...
ALMA: You don't mind sharing a little of your food, do you, Checkers?
[Checkers purrs loudly]
ALMA: I think Checkers is happy to share.
[lid snaps off can of cat food]
[kittens meow]
ALMA: Here, kitty kitties...
[purring]
ALMA: Phew! That worked.
[doorbell rings] [sounds of cars passing]
MR. RAMIREZ: Hey, Alma! What's the news? Can I keep him?
ALMA: Yup!
ALMA: Here you go, Checkers.
[Checkers meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: Whooaaa!!!
Check me out! I'm a Cat Guy!
i¡Bienvenido, Checkers!
This is your new forever home.
[muffled meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: Huh?
ALMA: Oh, that's just the kittens.
MR. RAMIREZ: ¿Qué qué? ¿Gatitos?
[meow]
MR. RAMIREZ: Two kittens?! [chuckles]
Where'd they come from?
ALMA: They were there when I got here.
MR. RAMIREZ: THREE kittens?!
[gray kitten meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: FOUR KITTENS?!!
MR. RAMIREZ: i¡Qué bellos! They're so tiny...
ALMA: And sooo fluffy!
MR. RAMIREZ: I wouldn't want them to get cold...
Do you think they look cold?
MR. RAMIREZ: Yeah, yeah. They look cold.
ALMA: And hungry!
We should call Papi, and ask him what to do with them, yeah?
MR. RAMIREZ: Agreed!
[telephone dialing]
ALMA: Hola, Papi, there are some kittens outside Mr. Ramirez's shop,
but we don't know what to do.
PAPI: Okay, don't touch them '‘til I get there.
PAPI: i¡Rubén al Rescate!
PAPI: They all seem pretty healthy to me. Just a little hungry.
There you go, gatitos. [kittens meow]
MR. RAMIREZ: I should bring them inside my shop, no?
I-is that okay, Rubén?
PAPI: Sure, if that's okay with you.
SAFINA: Here you go, Mr. Ramirez.
MR. RAMIREZ: Thanks!
SAFINA: Bye, everyone!
PAPI/MR. RAMIREZ: Thank you, Safina. ALMA:See ya!
MR. RAMIREZ: Checkers!
I've got some furry friends for you.
[grouchy meow]
MR. RAMIREZ: [chuckles]
This is going to be their forever home too!
ALMA: I think you mean purrrrrrr-ever home.
MR. RAMIREZ: Ah-ha-ha, i¡sí!
PAPI: Are you sure you want to keep ALL of them?
Four kittens and a cat can be a lot of work.
MR. RAMIREZ: Absolutely. Just look at them.
They love it here. And besides... I'm a Cat Guy!
PAPI: Well then... felicidades, Cat Guy!
Time for me to get back to work.
ALMA: Can I stay and play with the kittens, Papi?
PAPI: As long as it's okay with Mr. Ramirez, eh?
MR. RAMIREZ: i¡Claro que sí! I need all the help I can get.
ALMA: Sa-weet! I always wanted to be a kitty -sitter.
PAPI: i¡Hasta pronto!
ALMA: Bye! MR. RAMIREZ:Bye-bye, Rubén!
[kitten meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: Okay, gatito.
[meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: I've gotta get back to work...
[meowing]
ALMA: You're right, kitty! It's time for a tour!
ALMA: That's the front of the store.
And that's the back of the store.
Any questions?
[playful music]
[meows and purring]
ALMA: All right, kittens! You can go back to being cute!
ALMA: Wow, you're great climbers...
ALMA: [gasp]
[shoes tumble onto the floor] [meowing]
MR. RAMIREZ: Ay! [chuckles] And very sneaky.
MR. RAMIREZ: Con permiso. I've got a shoe to fix.
[purrs]
[loud kitten meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: Whoa! How'd you do that?
ALMA: I gotcha...
ALMA: [gasp] Heyyy! Come back here, kittens!
ALMA: Phew! Kitty-sitting is tiring!
[meows]
[meowing]
ALMA: Oof... I can't believe I'm saying this but...
I think this is way, way, waaaay too many cats.
MR. RAMIREZ: Ohh my...
[loud kitten meows]
ALMA: Are you sure you want to take care of ALL them?
MR. RAMIREZ: Hmmm...
I said I would... And they're so adorable.
[more shoes drop to the floor]
MR. RAMIREZ: [gasp]
MR. RAMIREZ: But... it's hard to work with them here.
I don't think I can keep them all.
[meow]
[more shoes hit the floor]
MR. RAMIREZ: i¡Ayyy... gatitos!
ALMA: I wonder if there's something I can do
to help Mr. Ramirez and the cats?
I gotta think about this...
MR. RAMIREZ: He's been great company while I work...
ALMA: Hmmm... Mr. Ramirez loves having Checkers in his shop...
ALMA: But Checkers and four kittens...
Eesh. That's too many for this small shop.
PAPI: [laughing] You should come on my Animal Show, Checkers.
My viewers love cats!
ALMA: Ah-ha! That's it! I know what to do!
[kitten meows]
ALMA: Mr. Ramirez, I think I know what we can do with the kittens!
MR. RAMIREZ: What do you have in mind, Alma?
ALMA: We're gonna find purrr-ever homes for these kittens!
MR. RAMIREZ: i¡Buena idea, Alma!...
But how are we going to find homes for all these kittens?
ALMA: Can you call my Papi again?
MR. RAMIREZ: Ahh, sí... I think I know where you're going with this.
[telephone dialing]
ALMA: ¿Papi? How'd you like to have the cutest kittens in the Bronx
on your Animal Show?
[traffic]
PAPI: --! [beep] And we're LIVE!
ALMA: Hello Bronx! We've got four adorable kittens
looking for their forever homes!
MR. RAMIREZ: This one's a little shy, but he's a BIG cuddler.
[purrs]
[Women giggle]
ALMA: This one's got tons of energy and could play ALL day!
ALMA: This kitty loves playing tag - and hiding in sneakers!
MR. RAMIREZ: And this little guy loves company,
and would do well in a house with other cats.
[kitten meows]
ALMA: They're so tiny.
MR. RAMIREZ: And sooo fluffy...
ALMA/MR. RAMIREZ: And way way way ADORABLE!!
PAPI: And each kitten comes with their sh*ts
and a clean health report.
ALMA: So call the Animal Clinic if you want a kitty!
MR. RAMIREZ: And help us give these cute kittens new forever homes!
[beep]
PAPI: That's a wrap!
[phones start to ring]
[loud knock on window]
ALMA/MR. RAMIREZ: [gasp]
ALMA: I think they're all here for the kittens!
PAPI: I guess they're cat people, just like you.
MR. RAMIREZ: That's me!
I love being a Cat Guy! [chuckles]
[phones keep ringing]
ALMA: These little guys are gonna get great purrr-ever homes!
But I think we're gonna need more kittens!
[crowd commotion]
[♪♪♪]
[♪♪♪]
ALMA: "“Stickball"”
PAPI: It's a good day for a game, eh?
MAMI: Mm-hmm.
PAPI: Ahh. Que día tan chévere.
ABUELO: [stretching]
ALMA: A stick, and a ball. That's all the grown-ups need to play...
MAMI: STICKBALL!!!
Who's ready to play some stickball?!
[cheering]
MAMI: You know, Alma, when I was your age,
I was the only kid who could hit the ball past two manhole covers.
ALMA: Wow!
Mami is the best stickball player in the Bronx.
MAMI: I don't mean to brag,
but I'm the best stickball player in the Bronx.
[car honks]
PAPI: Gracias, Almita... This old broom will make a great bat!
[Scraping]
PAPI: Time to decide on the rules, Lulú.
ALMA: Wait, aren't there rules already?
MAMI: Well, since we're playing on a new street today,
we've got to decide where the bases will be.
PAPI: And since every street is different, the rules change every time.
ALMA: Ohh, that makes sense!
PAPI: Almita, will you mark the bases for us?
ALMA: i¡Lista!
PAPI: Let's say home base is right here.
ALMA: One home base -- coming up!
PAPI: First base can be.. that hydrant.
MAMI: Nope. The lamp post is first base.
PAPI: No. Hydrant.
MAMI: Lamp post.
PAPI: Hydrant.
MAMI: Lamp post.
PAPI: Hydrant.
MAMI: Lamp post.
PAPI: Fine.
MAMI: Mwah.
ALMA: [breath] Whew!
MAMI: Second base is the manhole.
PAPI: Mm-hmm.
MAMI: And third, is that bucket.
PAPI: Mm-hmm, okay!
MAMI: Okay, now for the home run rules...
PAPI: Okay. It's a home run if you can hit the ball
past that street sign for the boulevard.
MAMI: Sounds good. Let's keep it interesting and say:
You have to hit the ball in the air?
PAPI: Nah. On a bounce.
MAMI: Air?
PAPI: Bounce.
MAMI: Air!
PAPI: Bounce.
MAMI: Air?!
PAPI: Bounce!
MAMI: Okay, okay, está bien. Bounce.
MAMI/PAPI: [giggle]
PAPI: Gracias, amorcito.
MAMI: I love arguing over the rules!
[blows kiss] Te quiero, Rubén.
But my team is gonna win!!
PAPI: [laughs] May the best team win.
And, that's US. Woot, woot!
NEA and MR. RAMIREZ: Woot, woot!
NEA: You know who it is!
[claps]
MAMI: PLAAY BALL!
GLORIA: Let's go! ABUELO: i¡Vamos!
ALMA: Vamos, Mami's team! Go, go, go!
PAPI: [chuckles] ¿Y yo qué? What about my team? Huh?
ALMA: Oh! Uh, whoops! Go Papi's team too!
GLORIA: Show us what you got, sis!
MAMI: I'm dedicating this home run to you, baby!
MAMI: [grunt]
GLORIA: Woohoo! ABUELO: i¡Wepa!
ALMA: [gasp]
ALMA: It went past the street sign! That's a...
MAMI: HOME RUN!
[stick clatters on the ground]
GLORIA: Go! That's ma, sis! You better go, sis, go!
ABUELO: i¡Corre! Bravo! ALMA: Go, Mami!!!
[crowd clapping]
MAMI: [blows kiss] i¡Hola, Rubén!
PAPI: [chuckles] Hi, Lulú.
[Crowd clapping] ALMA: Oh yeah!
Mami you were ah-may-zing!
You were all Mami, you were like--
[Imitates hitting ball and crowd cheers]
MAMI: '‘Ey, [chuckles] Nice swing, Almita!
Maybe you should get your friends together and play with us?
ALMA: [gasp] For real, Mami?!
MAMI: For real-real! Go round '‘em up!
ALMA: Okay!
ALMA: My friends are gonna love playing stickball.
HOWARD: [stretching] Ahh... Yes, let's go.
RAFIA: Whenever you're ready, Howard.
HOWARD: Hmm... mmm.
[grunts]
I'm still stretching, Rafia.
ALMA: I've got news!
RAFIA: Hi ,Alma! ANDREÉ:What's up!?
HOWARD: Hold on, Alma. Howard's at bat!
HOWARD: Hm-mm. [humming]
[effort]
ANDREÉ: Swing, batta -batta -battah...
sa-wing battah!
HOWARD: [effort] Yes!
ALMA/ANDREÉ: Woo!
ALMA: Go, Howard! Go!
[Andre claps]
HOWARD: Safe! Let me hear ya yell; 'How-ard!'
HOWARD: I SAID, let me hear ya, yell:
'HOW-ARD!!'
ALMA/RAFIA/ANDREÉ: How-ard!
HOWARD: A little louder for the fans in the up-high seats!
ALMA/RAFIA/ANDREÉ: HOOOOW-AAAARD!
HOWARD: Ah, there's nothing like playing outside,
running the bases and hearing the fans cheer.
[All laugh]
ALMA: THAT'S Howard!
HOWARD: Man, I really love baseball.
ANDREÉ: So what's the news, Alma?
ALMA: My Mami asked US to play stickball with the grown-ups. Who's in?
RAFIA: Sure! I'm the WORLD'S GREATEST STICKBALL PLAYER...
I mean, I've never played. But I'm usually great at everything.
ANDREÉ: I haven't played either. But, I'll give it a sh*t.
ALMA: So, whaddya say, Howard?
HOWARD: Hmm...
What kind of stick are we talking about? A branch? A twig?
Will the stick give me splinters? I don't like splinters.
ALMA: [shivers] NOBODY likes splinters.
ALMA: This is it. See, no splinters!
HOWARD: That looks like an old broom.
ALMA: It is! I mean, it WAS.
HOWARD: Can't we play with my baseball bat?
It's made just for hitting balls.
ALMA: But, Howard, in stickball, the stick IS the bat.
ANDREÉ: I'm good with trying it.
RAFIA: Yeah me too. C'mon, Howard!
HOWARD: I'm still thinking.
ANDREÉ: What are the rules, Alma?
ALMA: We make them up.
HOWARD: Whoa, whoa, whoa, and WHOA! There are NO rules?!
How can you play a game when the rules are different all the time?
RAFIA: Actually, that sounds fun.
ANDREÉ: Where do you play stickball?
ALMA: Well, we can practice here. But you play it in the street.
HOWARD: Seriously?! In the street?!!!
Alma, you know my mom doesn't let me play in the street.
HOWARD: Okay, let me get this straight...
You play with a broom. There are no real rules.
And you play in the street?!
ALMA: Exactly! Are you in?!
HOWARD: No thank you!!! Howard is out!
[ball bounces]
ALMA: I don't get it. Howard would love stickball!
But, why doesn't he want to play?
I gotta think about this...
HOWARD: Man, I really love baseball.
ALMA: He really does! So I was sure Howard would love stickball too.
MAMI: [effort]
GLORIA: Woohoo! ABUELO: i¡Wepa!
MAMI: HOME RUN!
GLORIA: Go! That's ma, sis! You better go, sis, go!
ALMA: I mean, stickball is a lot like baseball,
so why wouldn't he want to play?
HOWARD: You play with a broom. There are no real rules.
And you play in the STREET?!
ALMA: Ohhh! I didn't tell him
everything he might like about stickball.
[gasp] I know what to do.
[bounces ball]
ALMA: Hey, Howard, I didn't explain the game very well to you.
Can I try again?
HOWARD: [hesitating] Okaaaay.
ALMA: Stickball is a lot like baseball.
HOWARD: Uh, no it's not. In baseball you have rules and a bat and bases!
ALMA: Stickball has all of that.
Some of the rules can change, like where the bases are.
'‘Cause every street's a little different.
HOWARD: But my mom says playing in the street is not safe.
ALMA: She's right. But with stickball, the street is closed.
There are no cars and lots of adults are watching.
HOWARD: But what about my bat? Why can't I play with that?
ALMA: In stickball, the stick IS the bat.
ALMA: There's nothing like playing stickball outside, running the bases
and hearing the fans cheer, right?!
HOWARD: That does sound like fun.
ALMA: So, will you play?
HOWARD: Hmm... Well.... Umm...
I'm in!
ALMA: [gasps] Great!!!
RAFIA: Yayyy! ANDREÉ: Yess!
ALMA: Let's do a practice game before we play against the grown -ups.
ALMA: Let's make things interesting
and decide whether we hit on a bounce or in the air.
HOWARD: Okay.
ALMA: You gotta argue with me to make the rules.
Soo, bounce?
HOWARD: Sounds good to me.
RAFIA/ANDREÉ: How-ard!
ALMA: We gotta ARGUE. For fun!
HOWARD: I don't feel like arguing.
Actually, I'm feeling very agreeable today.
ANDREÉ/RAFIA: [laughs] HOW -ARD!
HOWARD: Fine fine... In the air!
RAFIA: On the bounce!
HOWARD: In the air!
RAFIA: Bounce!
HOWARD: Air!
RAFIA: Bounce!
HOWARD: AIR!
RAFIA: BOUNCE!
HOWARD: Bounce it is!
ALMA: That's what I'm talking about!
ALMA: Play ball!
[crowd murmur]
ALMA: Yeah!! ANDREÉ: Oh yeah!! Woohoo! RAFIA: Go, Howard!
[crowd clapping]
MAMI: Show us what ya got, Howard!
HOWARD: [effort]
[Everyone cheering and clapping]
GLORIA: [effort]
PAPI/ABUELO: [effort] /Howard, Howard, Howard!!
ALMA: Safe!
HOWARD: Let me hear ya yell, '‘How-aaaard!'
ALMA/ANDREÉ/RAFIA: How -aaaarrrd!
MAMI/PAPI/ABUELO/GLORIA: How -aaaarrrd!
ANDREÉ/RAFIA: Swing battah -battah-bbattah! Sa-wing battah!
HOWARD: Bring me hoooome, Alma!
ANDREÉ/RAFIA: Yeahh!
ALMA/RAFIA: [gasp]
ALMA: It's a home run!
EVERYONE: [chanting] ALMA! ALMA! ALMA!
[Everyone chanting] ALMA! ALMA! ALMA!
[Whole crowd cheering]
MAMI: That's my girl!
[Crowd Cheers] Yeah, yeah! Go, Ho -warddd!!!
ALMA: I don't mean to brag...
but I might be the best stickball player in the Bronx...
Well... after my Mami.
ALMA: Go, Rafia! NEA: i¡Wepa! ANDREÉ : Yeah!!
PAPI: Very good!
[Crowd cheering]
[subway rumbles by overhead]
[♪♪♪]
♪ Vamonos!
♪Lo le lo lai, lo lai lai lo le, ♪
♪ it's Alma's Way!
♪ Here she comes,
♪beaming with pride and something to say! ♪
♪ Hear those drums?
♪ Playing Alma's Way.
♪ From the Bronx,
♪ singing a le lo lai, lai lo lei! ♪
♪ Our island songs,
♪ saying Alma's Way!
♪So many questions, so much to explain. ♪
♪ Hoh! ♪ Figure it out as you hop on the train. ♪
♪Hoo!♪ ♪With Mami, Papi, Junior and Abuelo, mi gente.
♪ I'll think it through and share it with you, ♪
♪ come on vente!
♪ There she goes!
♪Learning about her world every day. ♪
♪ The whole world knows,
♪ it's Alma's Way...
♪ Alma's Way!
♪i¡Wepa! ♪
ALMA: "“Alma's Cat-tastrophe"”
[subway rumbles by] ♪♪♪
[traffic] [birds chirping]
PAPI: After you!
ALMA: i¡Gracias!
ALMA: Hi, Mr. Ramirez!
MR. RAMIREZ: i¡Hola, Riveras!
PAPI: i¡Buenas!
[cat meows]
PAPI: [gasp] Whoa! You got a cat customer!!
ALMA: Aww, when did you get a cat?
MR. RAMIREZ: Oh, this guy? He's not mine.
He just comes in on cold days.
[cat purrs]
ALMA/PAPI: Awwww!
MR. RAMIREZ: He's been great company while I work...
And I've been thinking about becoming...
a Cat Guy. [chuckles] Whaddaya think?
ALMA: Yeah! You should keep him!
Just look at that cute face! [cat meows]
PAPI: Well, if he doesn't belong to anyone,
have you gotten him checked out?
MR. RAMIREZ: Not yet. I'm pretty sure he's a stray.
He's always hanging outside my shop.
ALMA: What are you gonna name him?
[meow]
[happy music]
MR. RAMIREZ: Hmm, he loves to watch me practice checkers,
So, uh... how about...
Checkers!? What do you think? Checkers?
[meow]
ALMA: He likes it. i¡Hola, Checkers!
PAPI: One sec, Alma.
Let's take Checkers to my clinic first so we can make sure he's healthy.
ALMA: Okay, Papi.
MR. RAMIREZ: Ay, muchas gracias, Rubén.
PAPI: De nada.
[meow]
PAPI: Oop... These are not safe for you, eh?
If he swallowed them, he could get sick.
MR. RAMIREZ: Gracias, Rubén.
MR. RAMIREZ: Here, have a sock instead, Checkers!
[meow]
ALMA/PAPI: [laughs]
PAPI: You should come on my Animal Show, Checkers. My viewers love cats!
[Checkers meows and purrs]
ALMA: He's SO cuuute!
PAPI: Almost done, Checkers...
[suspenseful music]
PAPI: Fur looks good.
[meow]
PAPI: Teeth are good too.
[loud meow]
ALMA: And he has a really strong meow!
[beep from machine]
SAFINA: The test results are ready, Dr. Rivera.
[tablet pings]
PAPI: Thank you, I got them.
[distant phone rings]
SAFINA: I'll get that!
PAPI: Your blood work is great! You're a healthy cat, Checkers.
Mr.Ramirez takes REALLY good care of you, huh?
[purrs]
ALMA: [giggles] I think that's a yes.
[purrs]
PAPI: Well, he doesn't have a chip, so it seems like he's a stray.
A few sh*ts, then he'll be good to go.
ALMA: So does that mean Mr. Ramirez can keep him?
PAPI: Looks like it.
ALMA: Yes!
I can't wait to tell him the good news!
[busy street traffic]
[kittens mewing]
ALMA: Aww! Where'd you come from?
[silly music]
[meows]
ALMA: I want to pet you, but if you're strays, I can't.
ALMA: Sorry, kittens. Con permiso. Uh... excuse me?
[meows]
ALMA: Awww! Too cute!!!
But, I've gotta get them out of my way. Hmmm...
ALMA: You don't mind sharing a little of your food, do you, Checkers?
[Checkers purrs loudly]
ALMA: I think Checkers is happy to share.
[lid snaps off can of cat food]
[kittens meow]
ALMA: Here, kitty kitties...
[purring]
ALMA: Phew! That worked.
[doorbell rings] [sounds of cars passing]
MR. RAMIREZ: Hey, Alma! What's the news? Can I keep him?
ALMA: Yup!
ALMA: Here you go, Checkers.
[Checkers meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: Whooaaa!!!
Check me out! I'm a Cat Guy!
i¡Bienvenido, Checkers!
This is your new forever home.
[muffled meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: Huh?
ALMA: Oh, that's just the kittens.
MR. RAMIREZ: ¿Qué qué? ¿Gatitos?
[meow]
MR. RAMIREZ: Two kittens?! [chuckles]
Where'd they come from?
ALMA: They were there when I got here.
MR. RAMIREZ: THREE kittens?!
[gray kitten meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: FOUR KITTENS?!!
MR. RAMIREZ: i¡Qué bellos! They're so tiny...
ALMA: And sooo fluffy!
MR. RAMIREZ: I wouldn't want them to get cold...
Do you think they look cold?
MR. RAMIREZ: Yeah, yeah. They look cold.
ALMA: And hungry!
We should call Papi, and ask him what to do with them, yeah?
MR. RAMIREZ: Agreed!
[telephone dialing]
ALMA: Hola, Papi, there are some kittens outside Mr. Ramirez's shop,
but we don't know what to do.
PAPI: Okay, don't touch them '‘til I get there.
PAPI: i¡Rubén al Rescate!
PAPI: They all seem pretty healthy to me. Just a little hungry.
There you go, gatitos. [kittens meow]
MR. RAMIREZ: I should bring them inside my shop, no?
I-is that okay, Rubén?
PAPI: Sure, if that's okay with you.
SAFINA: Here you go, Mr. Ramirez.
MR. RAMIREZ: Thanks!
SAFINA: Bye, everyone!
PAPI/MR. RAMIREZ: Thank you, Safina. ALMA:See ya!
MR. RAMIREZ: Checkers!
I've got some furry friends for you.
[grouchy meow]
MR. RAMIREZ: [chuckles]
This is going to be their forever home too!
ALMA: I think you mean purrrrrrr-ever home.
MR. RAMIREZ: Ah-ha-ha, i¡sí!
PAPI: Are you sure you want to keep ALL of them?
Four kittens and a cat can be a lot of work.
MR. RAMIREZ: Absolutely. Just look at them.
They love it here. And besides... I'm a Cat Guy!
PAPI: Well then... felicidades, Cat Guy!
Time for me to get back to work.
ALMA: Can I stay and play with the kittens, Papi?
PAPI: As long as it's okay with Mr. Ramirez, eh?
MR. RAMIREZ: i¡Claro que sí! I need all the help I can get.
ALMA: Sa-weet! I always wanted to be a kitty -sitter.
PAPI: i¡Hasta pronto!
ALMA: Bye! MR. RAMIREZ:Bye-bye, Rubén!
[kitten meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: Okay, gatito.
[meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: I've gotta get back to work...
[meowing]
ALMA: You're right, kitty! It's time for a tour!
ALMA: That's the front of the store.
And that's the back of the store.
Any questions?
[playful music]
[meows and purring]
ALMA: All right, kittens! You can go back to being cute!
ALMA: Wow, you're great climbers...
ALMA: [gasp]
[shoes tumble onto the floor] [meowing]
MR. RAMIREZ: Ay! [chuckles] And very sneaky.
MR. RAMIREZ: Con permiso. I've got a shoe to fix.
[purrs]
[loud kitten meows]
MR. RAMIREZ: Whoa! How'd you do that?
ALMA: I gotcha...
ALMA: [gasp] Heyyy! Come back here, kittens!
ALMA: Phew! Kitty-sitting is tiring!
[meows]
[meowing]
ALMA: Oof... I can't believe I'm saying this but...
I think this is way, way, waaaay too many cats.
MR. RAMIREZ: Ohh my...
[loud kitten meows]
ALMA: Are you sure you want to take care of ALL them?
MR. RAMIREZ: Hmmm...
I said I would... And they're so adorable.
[more shoes drop to the floor]
MR. RAMIREZ: [gasp]
MR. RAMIREZ: But... it's hard to work with them here.
I don't think I can keep them all.
[meow]
[more shoes hit the floor]
MR. RAMIREZ: i¡Ayyy... gatitos!
ALMA: I wonder if there's something I can do
to help Mr. Ramirez and the cats?
I gotta think about this...
MR. RAMIREZ: He's been great company while I work...
ALMA: Hmmm... Mr. Ramirez loves having Checkers in his shop...
ALMA: But Checkers and four kittens...
Eesh. That's too many for this small shop.
PAPI: [laughing] You should come on my Animal Show, Checkers.
My viewers love cats!
ALMA: Ah-ha! That's it! I know what to do!
[kitten meows]
ALMA: Mr. Ramirez, I think I know what we can do with the kittens!
MR. RAMIREZ: What do you have in mind, Alma?
ALMA: We're gonna find purrr-ever homes for these kittens!
MR. RAMIREZ: i¡Buena idea, Alma!...
But how are we going to find homes for all these kittens?
ALMA: Can you call my Papi again?
MR. RAMIREZ: Ahh, sí... I think I know where you're going with this.
[telephone dialing]
ALMA: ¿Papi? How'd you like to have the cutest kittens in the Bronx
on your Animal Show?
[traffic]
PAPI: --! [beep] And we're LIVE!
ALMA: Hello Bronx! We've got four adorable kittens
looking for their forever homes!
MR. RAMIREZ: This one's a little shy, but he's a BIG cuddler.
[purrs]
[Women giggle]
ALMA: This one's got tons of energy and could play ALL day!
ALMA: This kitty loves playing tag - and hiding in sneakers!
MR. RAMIREZ: And this little guy loves company,
and would do well in a house with other cats.
[kitten meows]
ALMA: They're so tiny.
MR. RAMIREZ: And sooo fluffy...
ALMA/MR. RAMIREZ: And way way way ADORABLE!!
PAPI: And each kitten comes with their sh*ts
and a clean health report.
ALMA: So call the Animal Clinic if you want a kitty!
MR. RAMIREZ: And help us give these cute kittens new forever homes!
[beep]
PAPI: That's a wrap!
[phones start to ring]
[loud knock on window]
ALMA/MR. RAMIREZ: [gasp]
ALMA: I think they're all here for the kittens!
PAPI: I guess they're cat people, just like you.
MR. RAMIREZ: That's me!
I love being a Cat Guy! [chuckles]
[phones keep ringing]
ALMA: These little guys are gonna get great purrr-ever homes!
But I think we're gonna need more kittens!
[crowd commotion]
[♪♪♪]
[♪♪♪]
ALMA: "“Stickball"”
PAPI: It's a good day for a game, eh?
MAMI: Mm-hmm.
PAPI: Ahh. Que día tan chévere.
ABUELO: [stretching]
ALMA: A stick, and a ball. That's all the grown-ups need to play...
MAMI: STICKBALL!!!
Who's ready to play some stickball?!
[cheering]
MAMI: You know, Alma, when I was your age,
I was the only kid who could hit the ball past two manhole covers.
ALMA: Wow!
Mami is the best stickball player in the Bronx.
MAMI: I don't mean to brag,
but I'm the best stickball player in the Bronx.
[car honks]
PAPI: Gracias, Almita... This old broom will make a great bat!
[Scraping]
PAPI: Time to decide on the rules, Lulú.
ALMA: Wait, aren't there rules already?
MAMI: Well, since we're playing on a new street today,
we've got to decide where the bases will be.
PAPI: And since every street is different, the rules change every time.
ALMA: Ohh, that makes sense!
PAPI: Almita, will you mark the bases for us?
ALMA: i¡Lista!
PAPI: Let's say home base is right here.
ALMA: One home base -- coming up!
PAPI: First base can be.. that hydrant.
MAMI: Nope. The lamp post is first base.
PAPI: No. Hydrant.
MAMI: Lamp post.
PAPI: Hydrant.
MAMI: Lamp post.
PAPI: Hydrant.
MAMI: Lamp post.
PAPI: Fine.
MAMI: Mwah.
ALMA: [breath] Whew!
MAMI: Second base is the manhole.
PAPI: Mm-hmm.
MAMI: And third, is that bucket.
PAPI: Mm-hmm, okay!
MAMI: Okay, now for the home run rules...
PAPI: Okay. It's a home run if you can hit the ball
past that street sign for the boulevard.
MAMI: Sounds good. Let's keep it interesting and say:
You have to hit the ball in the air?
PAPI: Nah. On a bounce.
MAMI: Air?
PAPI: Bounce.
MAMI: Air!
PAPI: Bounce.
MAMI: Air?!
PAPI: Bounce!
MAMI: Okay, okay, está bien. Bounce.
MAMI/PAPI: [giggle]
PAPI: Gracias, amorcito.
MAMI: I love arguing over the rules!
[blows kiss] Te quiero, Rubén.
But my team is gonna win!!
PAPI: [laughs] May the best team win.
And, that's US. Woot, woot!
NEA and MR. RAMIREZ: Woot, woot!
NEA: You know who it is!
[claps]
MAMI: PLAAY BALL!
GLORIA: Let's go! ABUELO: i¡Vamos!
ALMA: Vamos, Mami's team! Go, go, go!
PAPI: [chuckles] ¿Y yo qué? What about my team? Huh?
ALMA: Oh! Uh, whoops! Go Papi's team too!
GLORIA: Show us what you got, sis!
MAMI: I'm dedicating this home run to you, baby!
MAMI: [grunt]
GLORIA: Woohoo! ABUELO: i¡Wepa!
ALMA: [gasp]
ALMA: It went past the street sign! That's a...
MAMI: HOME RUN!
[stick clatters on the ground]
GLORIA: Go! That's ma, sis! You better go, sis, go!
ABUELO: i¡Corre! Bravo! ALMA: Go, Mami!!!
[crowd clapping]
MAMI: [blows kiss] i¡Hola, Rubén!
PAPI: [chuckles] Hi, Lulú.
[Crowd clapping] ALMA: Oh yeah!
Mami you were ah-may-zing!
You were all Mami, you were like--
[Imitates hitting ball and crowd cheers]
MAMI: '‘Ey, [chuckles] Nice swing, Almita!
Maybe you should get your friends together and play with us?
ALMA: [gasp] For real, Mami?!
MAMI: For real-real! Go round '‘em up!
ALMA: Okay!
ALMA: My friends are gonna love playing stickball.
HOWARD: [stretching] Ahh... Yes, let's go.
RAFIA: Whenever you're ready, Howard.
HOWARD: Hmm... mmm.
[grunts]
I'm still stretching, Rafia.
ALMA: I've got news!
RAFIA: Hi ,Alma! ANDREÉ:What's up!?
HOWARD: Hold on, Alma. Howard's at bat!
HOWARD: Hm-mm. [humming]
[effort]
ANDREÉ: Swing, batta -batta -battah...
sa-wing battah!
HOWARD: [effort] Yes!
ALMA/ANDREÉ: Woo!
ALMA: Go, Howard! Go!
[Andre claps]
HOWARD: Safe! Let me hear ya yell; 'How-ard!'
HOWARD: I SAID, let me hear ya, yell:
'HOW-ARD!!'
ALMA/RAFIA/ANDREÉ: How-ard!
HOWARD: A little louder for the fans in the up-high seats!
ALMA/RAFIA/ANDREÉ: HOOOOW-AAAARD!
HOWARD: Ah, there's nothing like playing outside,
running the bases and hearing the fans cheer.
[All laugh]
ALMA: THAT'S Howard!
HOWARD: Man, I really love baseball.
ANDREÉ: So what's the news, Alma?
ALMA: My Mami asked US to play stickball with the grown-ups. Who's in?
RAFIA: Sure! I'm the WORLD'S GREATEST STICKBALL PLAYER...
I mean, I've never played. But I'm usually great at everything.
ANDREÉ: I haven't played either. But, I'll give it a sh*t.
ALMA: So, whaddya say, Howard?
HOWARD: Hmm...
What kind of stick are we talking about? A branch? A twig?
Will the stick give me splinters? I don't like splinters.
ALMA: [shivers] NOBODY likes splinters.
ALMA: This is it. See, no splinters!
HOWARD: That looks like an old broom.
ALMA: It is! I mean, it WAS.
HOWARD: Can't we play with my baseball bat?
It's made just for hitting balls.
ALMA: But, Howard, in stickball, the stick IS the bat.
ANDREÉ: I'm good with trying it.
RAFIA: Yeah me too. C'mon, Howard!
HOWARD: I'm still thinking.
ANDREÉ: What are the rules, Alma?
ALMA: We make them up.
HOWARD: Whoa, whoa, whoa, and WHOA! There are NO rules?!
How can you play a game when the rules are different all the time?
RAFIA: Actually, that sounds fun.
ANDREÉ: Where do you play stickball?
ALMA: Well, we can practice here. But you play it in the street.
HOWARD: Seriously?! In the street?!!!
Alma, you know my mom doesn't let me play in the street.
HOWARD: Okay, let me get this straight...
You play with a broom. There are no real rules.
And you play in the street?!
ALMA: Exactly! Are you in?!
HOWARD: No thank you!!! Howard is out!
[ball bounces]
ALMA: I don't get it. Howard would love stickball!
But, why doesn't he want to play?
I gotta think about this...
HOWARD: Man, I really love baseball.
ALMA: He really does! So I was sure Howard would love stickball too.
MAMI: [effort]
GLORIA: Woohoo! ABUELO: i¡Wepa!
MAMI: HOME RUN!
GLORIA: Go! That's ma, sis! You better go, sis, go!
ALMA: I mean, stickball is a lot like baseball,
so why wouldn't he want to play?
HOWARD: You play with a broom. There are no real rules.
And you play in the STREET?!
ALMA: Ohhh! I didn't tell him
everything he might like about stickball.
[gasp] I know what to do.
[bounces ball]
ALMA: Hey, Howard, I didn't explain the game very well to you.
Can I try again?
HOWARD: [hesitating] Okaaaay.
ALMA: Stickball is a lot like baseball.
HOWARD: Uh, no it's not. In baseball you have rules and a bat and bases!
ALMA: Stickball has all of that.
Some of the rules can change, like where the bases are.
'‘Cause every street's a little different.
HOWARD: But my mom says playing in the street is not safe.
ALMA: She's right. But with stickball, the street is closed.
There are no cars and lots of adults are watching.
HOWARD: But what about my bat? Why can't I play with that?
ALMA: In stickball, the stick IS the bat.
ALMA: There's nothing like playing stickball outside, running the bases
and hearing the fans cheer, right?!
HOWARD: That does sound like fun.
ALMA: So, will you play?
HOWARD: Hmm... Well.... Umm...
I'm in!
ALMA: [gasps] Great!!!
RAFIA: Yayyy! ANDREÉ: Yess!
ALMA: Let's do a practice game before we play against the grown -ups.
ALMA: Let's make things interesting
and decide whether we hit on a bounce or in the air.
HOWARD: Okay.
ALMA: You gotta argue with me to make the rules.
Soo, bounce?
HOWARD: Sounds good to me.
RAFIA/ANDREÉ: How-ard!
ALMA: We gotta ARGUE. For fun!
HOWARD: I don't feel like arguing.
Actually, I'm feeling very agreeable today.
ANDREÉ/RAFIA: [laughs] HOW -ARD!
HOWARD: Fine fine... In the air!
RAFIA: On the bounce!
HOWARD: In the air!
RAFIA: Bounce!
HOWARD: Air!
RAFIA: Bounce!
HOWARD: AIR!
RAFIA: BOUNCE!
HOWARD: Bounce it is!
ALMA: That's what I'm talking about!
ALMA: Play ball!
[crowd murmur]
ALMA: Yeah!! ANDREÉ: Oh yeah!! Woohoo! RAFIA: Go, Howard!
[crowd clapping]
MAMI: Show us what ya got, Howard!
HOWARD: [effort]
[Everyone cheering and clapping]
GLORIA: [effort]
PAPI/ABUELO: [effort] /Howard, Howard, Howard!!
ALMA: Safe!
HOWARD: Let me hear ya yell, '‘How-aaaard!'
ALMA/ANDREÉ/RAFIA: How -aaaarrrd!
MAMI/PAPI/ABUELO/GLORIA: How -aaaarrrd!
ANDREÉ/RAFIA: Swing battah -battah-bbattah! Sa-wing battah!
HOWARD: Bring me hoooome, Alma!
ANDREÉ/RAFIA: Yeahh!
ALMA/RAFIA: [gasp]
ALMA: It's a home run!
EVERYONE: [chanting] ALMA! ALMA! ALMA!
[Everyone chanting] ALMA! ALMA! ALMA!
[Whole crowd cheering]
MAMI: That's my girl!
[Crowd Cheers] Yeah, yeah! Go, Ho -warddd!!!
ALMA: I don't mean to brag...
but I might be the best stickball player in the Bronx...
Well... after my Mami.
ALMA: Go, Rafia! NEA: i¡Wepa! ANDREÉ : Yeah!!
PAPI: Very good!
[Crowd cheering]
[subway rumbles by overhead]
[♪♪♪]