The Last Tough Customer

Summary

 * The Tough Customers realize that it is time to quit bullying, but can Molly ever truly change her ways?

Plot
A little red-haired girl is playing in the sandbox at the playground when two big kids come up to her and call her “Muffin Head” because she ties her hair in a bun right on top of her head. After a little more name-calling, the older boy stomps on the girl's sand castle and the bullies walk away. Another kid runs to the girl and asks if she is okay, but she yells for him to get lost. She unties her hair, climbs up the jungle gym, and begins to cry. The girl turns out to be Molly.

The Last Tough Customer

Binky tries to swipe Fern's pudding, but Mrs. MacGrady tells Binky to get his own (since they're free). Rattles calls Arthur names like “Four-Eyes” but he and Buster said that insult is old. Then Rattles tries to come up with a new insult like “Big Glasses Molasses Kid” but Arthur said that insult doesn’t make any sense at all, and adds, “Come back when you have some new material.” Rattles, Slink and Binky look surprised. Slink threatens to throw a water balloon at George, but he uses reverse psychology and tricks Slink into hitting himself with the water balloon.

At the Ice Cream Shop, the Tough Customers eat frozen treats while they discuss their plans. Binky tells him that ever since their school became “bully-proof” kids are no longer afraid of them and decide to quit bullying. This shocked Molly because saying how they are the Tough Customers for a reason: to show how tough they are (with Slink adding and they are also customers to places). Binky tells her that bullying isn’t working anymore; as an example, Binky threatens to twist Brain into a pretzel if he doesn’t get a free scoop of ice cream, but Brain just laughs, saying that it’s physically impossible. Realizing that Binky is right about bullying not working anymore, Rattles agree to re-brand and make a new image for themselves. Then Slink asked what should be their new images.

They start exercising at the park, calling themselves the “Buff Customers.” After George laughs at Rattles for being unable to break a stick, Molly tells him he looks like a coat rack and that he can't read. George runs away, sobbing, and even Binky admits Molly was a bit harsh.

Realizing they need professional help, they seek Muffy, who immediately requires that she receive 75% of any profits the new, re-branded Tough Customers will make. Failing to find the right outfits at Care to Ware, Muffy has Bailey custom tailor them at home. They have a photo-shoot in the Crosswire Mansion's library, and use the picture on a poster.

Outside the Ice Cream Shop, “MCTC” (“Muffy Crosswire's Tough Customers”) perform a song, except for Molly. Afterwards, Molly throws her costume on the ground and tells Muffy that she wants the old club back. Pushing Muffy out of her way, Molly walks off with James as Slink thinks of a new idea.

At the library, the "Shush Customers” demonstrate for Ms. Turner what they plan to do: shush anyone who makes too much noise in the library. However, they go overboard and shush anyone who even turns a page too loudly. They even do this in the story area, where talking is allowed. Molly tells them their idea was even worse than Muffy's. Binky said that at least they are trying to change and ask Molly why is she stuck on bullying when it is not working or just hurting people’s feelings. Molly tells Binky the reason she is so stuck on bullying is because she wants respect. Molly then leaves with James, calling the other Tough Customers “losers” on her way out.

In the playground once again, James tells Molly he wants a drink of water. He pushes Amanda out of the way and calls her a loser. Shocked at James’ behaviour, Molly demands he explain himself. He says he’s just doing what he sees her do, leaving Molly even more shocked. Molly tries to apologize to Amanda, but she angrily looks back, climbs the jungle gym, and begins to cry, just like Molly did all those years ago. Molly tells James to apologize, and he agrees, so long as she apologizes to all of the kids she had bullied.

Molly writes letters to George (and Wally), Muffy, and Binky explaining that she now wants to not just be respected, but liked. The Tough Customers reunite outside a Chickin Lickin'. Calling themselves the “Tough Consumers", they inform a customer about how unhealthy and overpriced the food is, and how the fast food restaurant underpays its workers.

Major

 * Molly MacDonald
 * Binky Barnes
 * Rattles
 * Slink

Minor

 * D.W. Read
 * Arthur Read
 * The Brain
 * Buster Baxter
 * George Lundgren
 * Wally
 * James MacDonald
 * Muffy Crosswire
 * Leah MacGrady
 * Little Boy (flashback)
 * Big Kid #1 (flashback)
 * Big Kid #2 (flashback)
 * Fern Walters
 * Amanda Hulser

Cameo

 * Maryann (flashback)
 * Jenna Morgan
 * Alex
 * Mrs. Bickles
 * Nancy
 * Jack Weasel
 * Rattles' father (mentioned)
 * Bailey
 * Francine Frensky
 * Sue Ellen Armstrong
 * Paige Turner
 * Maria Pappas
 * Ms. Morgan
 * Sara
 * Liam
 * Kyle
 * Emily

Songs

 * "Muffy Crosswire's 4 Open Hearts Tough Customers"

Trivia

 * In the Four Open Hearts song, they sing, "...a preteen's dream!" Though a preteen can be anyone below the age 13, it especially refers to one between the ages of 9 and 12.
 * It is revealed that Molly ultimately became a bully because she herself got bullied a lot when she was little.
 * When Molly was little and got picked on by very mean bullies, she went to the same preschool D.W. goes to.

Cultural references

 * Muffy dresses the Tough Customers in costumes like The Beatles from their album . Binky dressed in sky blue as Paul McCartney, Rattles dressed in rose red as George Harrison, Slink dressed in hot pink as Ringo Starr, and Molly dressed in light green as John Lennon.
 * One pose during the photo shoot resembles the album cover  by The Beatles.
 * Another pose during the photo shoot resembles the album cover Queen II by .

Episode connections

 * The bullies tease Molly about her hair. This is also what the Tibbles do to D.W. in "D.W., Queen of the Comeback."
 * Muffy dresses the Tough Customers in Sgt. Pepper outfits like she imagined with the Backstreet Boys in Arthur - It's Only Rock 'n' Roll.
 * The Tough Customers meet somewhere other than the Tower of Pain to hold a meeting for change, like they did in "The Law of the Jungle Gym."
 * Like at the end of "Arthur's Big Hit," Binky decides to rebuild the club with a new goal. Instead of merely not hitting anyone like last time, Binky plans to stop their bullying altogether.

Errors

 * Maryann can be seen in Molly's flashback.
 * Muffy's gasping sound clip is used when Molly gasps as her sand castle is being destroyed.
 * Buster says the "Four Eyes" insult was old in first grade, but Arthur didn't get glasses until 2nd Grade when Mr. Marco was his teacher.

Production notes

 * The song in this episode was recorded on January 25, 2012.
 * This is Mrs. MacGrady's first 9 Story Entertainment appearance.
 * A special preview broadcast of this episode and "So Funny I Forgot to Laugh" was aired for North America on May 3, 2013 on Ovee.

Storyline analysis

 * The hat Ladonna buys from Care to Ware in "Based on a True Story" is still in the store's window, so this episode takes place before "Based on a True Story."