01x07 - Hello Stranger

[bunniefuu]

♪ Someone once told me the grass is much greener ♪

♪ On the other side

♪ Well, I paid a visit

♪ While it's possible I missed it ♪

♪ It seemed different yet exactly the same ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

♪Till further notice♪

♪ Till further notice

♪I'm in between♪

♪ I'm in between

♪From where I'm standing♪

♪ From where I'm standing

♪ My grass is green

♪ Someone once told me the grass is much greener ♪

♪ On the other side.

Woman: Hey, girls.

Dodie: Hi, Mrs. Z.

Macie: Hello, Mrs. Z.

Ginger.

Hi, Mrs. Zorski.

So? Did you decide between poems yet?

Will it be "Girl " or "Sibling from Mars"?

The Arts Fair is rapidly approaching

and I promised a Foutley original in the flyer.

I know, but I was kind of thinking

about writing a new piece.

Really? You been feeling inspired lately?

Uh, not exactly.

But I may be on the brink

of some creative breakthrough.

I know just what you mean.

I was thinking that I should probably be featured

in the Arts Fair, too.

No question about that.

No question.

Did I mention that the school

is still desperately in need of ushers?

You get to carry a flashlight.

Think about it.

And work on that poem, Ginger.

See you tomorrow.

Friday of freedom, from fish sticks, fried food.

Friday of freedom, repair my foul mood.

Junk.

k*ller Sea Snake...

save a buck on cola...

[gasps]

Carl: Tell me it's here!

Tell me it's here, tell me it's here!

Hey!

Carl, watch what you're doing.

Be forewarned: You are standing

between an extremely anxious boy

and his dehydrated k*ller sea snake product.

Ooh... [grunts]

The boy cannot be held responsible for his actions

if you fail to turn his parcel over

in the next three, two, one.

Here...

You are so young.

Whoo-hoo! Yes!

All right! Wow!

Ha, ha!

Dad...

[gasps]

Hey, Darren.

Hey. What's happening?

Uh, got a letter from Dad.

Seriously? What did he say?

I didn't open it.

For the best. Want me to trash it?

I didn't open ityet, Darren.

But I am going to open it.

He's my dad, okay?

Okay. Yeah. So what do you think he wants?

I don't know, but... we're about to find out.

Cool... when?

Now.

Right now.

[laughing]

[walkie-talkie crackles]

"Stir briskly and refrigerate anywhere from four to six hours.

This ensures proper incubation."

Hoodsey: Let's go for six hours, Carl.

Just to play it safe.

[laughing]

Soon, Hoodsey, our snake will be mature.

And then we can teach it to k*ll!

[laughs]

Hoodsey: This is the best day of my life.

Our snake is going to rule School Pet Day tomorrow!

But, Carl, Brandon Higsby is bringing in his older brother's pet monkey.

Believe you me, Hoodsey, our snake will devour that hand-me-down monkey!

[laughs]

Carl, come in!

I do not read you!

"Dear Ginger, congratulations on your graduation."

[scoffs] Yeah!

Graduation was only, like, last June.

But that's cool.

Go on.

"I'm sorry that I haven't been around a whole lot in the past

but I would like to be in the future."

Great. But you have to admit

the man's got a funny way of showing it.

Darren...

I'm serious.

Remember when you begged your mom

to invite him to Thanksgiving

'cause he said he wanted to come?

Then she finally caved in and said yes, and then...

Both: He had to cancel because something came up.

So what's your point?

My point is... is that it's great.

Really great.

I just hope, you know...

nothing comes up.

[sighs]

This time he left a number.

And the card is pretty cute.

Kids? I'm home.

Whoa, I'm parched.

Got to lay off those salt bagels.

Hey, I thought we were out of lemonade?

[sniffs]

[gulping]

Ah...

Do you want me to stay?

For moral support?

Mmm, nah.

I think I better do this alone.

If you chicken out and hang up

and then the phone rings again right away

make sure you don't answer it.

In case he uses that instant call-back thing on you.

Okay, thanks.

But if it rings twice, then stops

and then starts ringing again, it's me calling.

So pick up.

Okay, Darren.

Thanks.

Wish me luck.

Luck.

Hi, Dad.

This is Ginger.

Hi, Dad.

I'm calling because I got your letter.

Hi, Dad, I was just looking at a picture of your... leg

and so I thought I'd call.

Oh...

[phone ringing]

Jonas on answering machine: Oh. Are we recording?

Is it on? Whoops.

Okay, hi! It's Jonas.

[dog barking]

Speak at the beep

and I'll get back to you.

No, not you, Ben.

Maybe this is a bad idea.

Carl: No...!

What's going on?

Did something bad happen?

That may be the understatement of the century.

My plans for Pet Day tomorrow are completely ruined!

I got nothing!

Oh, no? Why not bring in your Mutant Snake Mother?

That'll amuse the crowd.

It will not!

Thanks for your concern, Carl.

I'm the one who's incubating

an invertebrate over here.

What are you two talking about?

Mom drank my snake!

He left it in the fridge.

In a lemonade pitcher of all things.

But... Mom...

Didn't it taste bad?

Actually, it was a lot better

than the stuff we usually have from concentrate.

Oh, great!

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Mom, maybe we should call their number just in case.

[stomach gurgles, groaning]

Probably not a bad idea.

Can youpleaseask them to overnight me a replacement?

The answer is no, and from this point on

all animals requiring incubation of any kind

are officially banned from this household.

Oh...!

[dialing]

[ringing]

It's ringing.

Oh, hi, my name is Lois Foutley?

I accidentally ingested your snake product

which my son stupidly left

in a lemonade pitcher in our fridge

thinking no one would drink it.

Now, I have a very delicate constitution

and I'm already starting to feel a little queasy

so my question to you is this...

Sure, I'll hold.

Poem for the Arts Fair, poem for the Arts Fair.

Lights out, Ging.

It's really late.

I got a letter from Dad today.

Oh?

For my graduation.

Oh.

Well, better late than never, right?

I think he has a dog named Ben.

Makes sense.

He always related to animals.

When we first started dating, he had a pet...

Ferret, I know.

So what do you think I should do?

I mean, should I call him?

Well, kiddo, this may be the snake talking

but I think you should follow your heart.

He may be a little flaky, but he's your father.

And he's not a bad guy.

At some point, you kids are going to have to decide

what role he plays in your lives.

Yeah and just because he wasn't

all that reliable in the past

well, that doesn't mean

he's always going to be that way, right?

I mean, people change.

Well... sometimes they do.

Now get some shut-eye.

'Night, Ma.

Sweet dreams.

See you in the a.m.

Poem for the Arts Fair.

[sighs]

"Hello, Stranger."

[stomach gurgling]

Sheesh! Must be hungrier than I realized.

Huh?

Lois, maybe we should lay off the creme caramel, hmm?

[gurgling]

[hissing]

[people screaming...]

Lois, it's :.

Wake up.

What?

[hissing]: It's :!

Time to wake up!

[hissing]

Announcer: It's :, all you sleepy heads.

Time to wake up!

[gasps]

[panting]

[stomach gurgling]

Oh, another night of lost sleep, courtesy of Carl.

[barking, chirping and tweeting...]

What an adorable little monkey!

He likes to swing, and jump, and play "got your nose"

and his most favorite food in the whole wide world is...

Let me guess, Brandon-- bananas!

Correct!

Both: No! Duh!

Some people think he's the smartest monkey

in the whole wide world, but me...

I think he's the cutest.

[blows kiss]

He blew a kiss!

The monkey blew a kiss!

Did you see that, boys and girls?

[kids muttering]

Well, this has been an exciting day indeed.

All the ballots are in

so I'll just scootle out into the hall and tally them up.

Back in a flash with the winner.

Though it hardly seems necessary...

[kids muttering]

[imitating monkey]: Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh.

[chattering]

He wants to share.

Ha!

[chattering]

You can't break him, Carl.

He's just a good, good monkey boy.

[growls]

[whimpers]

You did what?!

I called and invited my dad to the Arts Fair...

to hear my poem.

I can't believe it.

So what did he say?

Shh!

[whispers]: Well, I didn't exactly speak to him.

I left the details on his voice mail.

But he'll be there.

Mom and Carl will be really surprised.

I was thinking the whole family

could go out for ice cream afterwards!

Librarian: Shh!

[whispers]: Who know what that ice cream could lead to?

I mean, the family might get back together one day

like on that TV show.

[yells]: I won't tell you girls again!

So did you finish your poem?

That's it!

The three noisemakers! Out!

[girls laugh]

Let's get out of here.

[laughing]

[monkey screeching]

Ow! I'm down!

He, he bit me!

What happened here? What happened?

The monkey bit Carl!

He broke the skin!

I saw everything!

Brandon? Is this true?

I-I... I've never seen him act like that before.

He was provoked!

Oh, it burns!

It burns!

Somebody! Call an ambulance!

Hang in there, Carl.

Help is on the way.

Aah...!

[hooting and chattering]

[screeching]

He's turning into a monkey! Look!

Higsby! You're staring at a lawsuit

the size of Texas, cowboy!

[screeching]

[soap opera music playing on TV]

I'm sorry.

I feel so silly.

Please, Lois, not at all.

So... let's get this straight.

After you drank the...

Dehydrated Sea Snake.

Right, the Dehydrated Sea Snake

you called the manufacturer right away, correct?

Maybe an hour passed, tops.

But I told you, they said it was no different

than going out for a shrimp dinner.

Ah, it's silly, I should just...

Now, hold on, hold on.

Let's just take a peek at that tummy of yours.

Simple ultrasound okay?

Okay.

Hmm...

What hmm?

Well, I see a little motion in there.

Might just be gas.

Probably.

We had burritos last night.

Mine was Grande.

Grande, hmm?

You don't say.

Still, Lois, I think it's best you stay overnight

for... observation.

Oh, I can't.

My kid's in a production at school.

Look, Mom, it's probably nothing.

But we going to have to keep you, just to be sure.

Doctor's orders, okay?

Case closed.

[sighs]

Dr. Dave? We need you in emergency.

A little boy got bit by a monkey

and is exhibiting some really strange behavior.

Let's go.

He wouldn't...

It couldn't be...

Nah...

Hmm...

Ginger? Sweetie?

Your mom called.

She's staying over at the hospital tonight.

She said nothing to worry about.

She's going to call you later.

Don't freak. My mom said

they just want to keep her for one night

to watch for sea snake growth.

So I guess me and Carl are staying alone tonight.

Nope, they're keeping Carl, too.

What?!

Something about being bit by a monkey at school.

Oh, give me a break.

Start me off?

So you're going to crash at our house tonight.

My mom made up the guest bed.

Great.

Well, I know I'm not

Courtney Gripling but...

I'm sorry, Darren.

It's just that... my dad is coming to the show tonight

and I wanted Mom and Carl to be there.

Kind of like a surprise reunion or something.

Your dad's coming?

I mean, he's, he's actually coming?

Yes, Darren.

He is, okay?

I really can't work

with you looking over my shoulder, Darren.

[irritated]: Sorry...

I mean, sorry.

Want the rest of my apple?

No, thank you.

Okay.

Uh, I guess I'll see you at the Arts Fair tonight.

Bye.

Bye.

[hooting, chattering and growling]

[hooting]

Do you think he's rabid?

Not clinically.

That's the kind of beha...

Eww.

Sorry about this, uh, monkey business.

[stomach gurgles]

Oh, pardon...

I got to go see a man about a snake!

[groaning]

Carl!

JoAnn: Now, don't get too close.

He looks diseased.

That's how he always looks.

I know you can't hear me, Carl

but you're my best friend in the whole wide world.

And if anything ever happened to you

I'd spaz really hard, and I'm not just saying that.

Brandon feels really bad.

Everyone does.

He sent these bananas for you

but I'm sure you don't want them.

[chattering]

Look, Mom, he wants them!

Now, let a nurse bring them in.

You cannot afford another sick day, Robert Joseph.

No, no, it has to be sunflowers.

They're her favorite.

Two dozen, if you can.

Okay, are you sure they can be there in time?

Lois? Sorry to interrupt

but Monkey Boy wants to know

if you're going to finish your banana bread.

Yeah, sure, he can have it.

Now, would you mind reading that card back to me?

Oh, sure thing.

It says "Ginger, I'm proud of who you are.

All my love..."

"Dad."

Yeah, that's perfect.

Thank you.

Oh, Ging.

I wish this one were as simple

as giving you my leftover banana bread.

Girl: I'm so nervous...

[kids talking]

Psst... I don't think he's here yet.

He'll be here.

He doesn't have a giant silver Afro, does he?

He kind of looks like me.

You'll see him after the show.

Courtney: And I used the edge of my brush

to make a pattern that looks like the bark of a tree. See?

Thank you all very much.

This canvas is priced to sell at $,.

A Gripling original.

[applause]

Oh, we better go.

Break a leg, Ginger.

See you after the show.

I'm a tough act to follow, Ginger.

But good luck trying.

[whimpers]

Thank you so much for coming.

I'm sure you all agree

we have some incredibly talented students

here at Lucky Junior High.

We'd like to close the night out with an original poetry reading

from a very gifted seventh grader-- Ginger Foutley.

[applause]

[whooping and cheering]

This is a poem for someone special.

It's called "Hello, Stranger."

"Hello, Stranger, you came just in time.

"I look for your face in a crowd or in line.

"Hello, Stranger, not a moment too soon.

"See, that old picture's fading in the drawer of my room.

"Now, toys have gone lost, baby teeth have come loose

"There were accidents involving stitches, spilt juice.

"Report cards were shown, and one time I got sick

"but it's nothing I couldn't catch you up on real quick.

"Hello, Stranger, I saved you a place

"and it hardly seems strange...

Now that I've seen your face."

Thank you.

[cheering and applause]

Thank you.

Well done, Ginger.

Bravo!

Oh, I have got the permanent chills

and I don't think they're ever going to go away.

I know someone you can see about that.

You were terrific, Ginger. Just great.

Thanks, everyone.

You k*lled them out there, Tiger!

Who's a fighter?

Who's a fighter, who's a fighter?

Dad, let go.

Ow... that hurts.

[laughs nervously]

Let go, Dad.

Great poem, Ging.

I mean, I think he really would have liked it.

Look, it was really short notice.

And it's not like he officially accepted

so he didn't exactly break a promise.

Thanks, Darren.

Man: Ginger Foutley?

I have a delivery for Ginger Foutley?

Wow! Thanks!

Who are they from, Ginger?

Who sent them?

If this turns out to be

one of those "secret admirer" situations

I will positively scream.

Well? Who sent them?

They're from my dad!

Would you just buy a vowel already?

Sheesh!

[footsteps approach]

Okay, you two Foutleys

we've got all the lab work back

and everything is just fine.

Both of you can go home in the morning.

[grunting]

You are tireless, Carl.

Truly.

[phone rings]

[screeching and hooting]

You hold the patent on weird, Carl.

Seriously.

Put Mom on.

Lois: Hey.

I heard you were dynamite!

Standing ovation and everything.

Yeah, it was all right.

How's your baby sea snake?

[laughs] I'm happy to say

there will be no new additions to the Foutley family.

I've been pronounced snake-less.

But enough about me.

I want all the details from Arts Night

and don't skip any of the good parts.

Okay, but, Ma...?

Yeah?

I just want to...

I mean...

Thanks for the flowers.

[crickets chirping, wind blowing]

[crickets chirping, wind blowing]