Desk Wars

"Desk Wars" is the 7th episode of Season 8. It aired on December 23, 2003, along with "Desperately Seeking Stanley."

Summary
On a hot day, Arthur and his classmates argue about sitting closest to the fan. Then Mr. Ratburn makes them switch desks. When they break into each others' desk, will it turn up the heat?

Plot Outline
Arthur starts off by looking (unsuccessfully) through his classmates' desks. They all debate why he is allowed to start the show - it's his show. They all want it to change, including the Biky Barnes Variety Hour. Ratburn clainms that the teachers don't blow things out of proportion, but in the teacher's lounge, we can see that they do!

It is a hot day and all are sweating in the classroom. Brain calculates that his seat is recieving the most cool air. However, arguing breaks out on his table, over Muffy's stickers and dust ruffle. meaning that he is sent to the secod hottest spot in the room (behind Binky's). Francine, Arthur and Buster have an argument which eventually leads to Athur being sent to Brian's desk - Binky siezes Arthur's desk. Arty messes with Brian's desk sorting pencil thing, which angers the Brain. Ratburn leaves to take a call. Brain plots ti try to get his desk back, after discovering the gum from George's (who is absent) dinosaur model. Muffy moves to the sharpener after her pencil breaks. This is Brain's chance to get back to a cooler spot! But Muffy sees this and scrambles back to her seat. George returns early to discover his seat is missing, and he can't sit anywhere. George is duped into sharpening Muffy's pencil. Then a lot of threats start off - if George doesn't give the pencil to Brain, then gummy dino is squahed, if this happens then; Sue Ellen will throw Binkys rubber band ball out the window, Brain's desk will get covered in judo kitten stickers by Muffy if she doesn't get the pencil, this isn't fair on Francine, who was promised these, so she'll cut the dust ruffle in half, Buster's comic book will be shredded by Fern if the ruffle is cut, then Buster'll eat Arthur's cookies. The pressure builds on George, The pencil keeps snapping, if these continues, then Sue Ellen's UN report is hisory, according to Brain. A book falls onto the dinosaur, so all threats are carried out, which leads to mass destruction of the classroom. Mr Haney comes in to warn them, but he'll let them off so long as they tidy up. All refuse to do the hard jobs as none of them believe they're at fault. George cleans - he doesnt mind. They all muck in and clean up and Brain rewrites Sue Eleen's UN report. Ratbuurn returns and gives the good news - he's an uncle. Everyone is invited back to Muffy's pool to cool off (Sharky can be seen, though there's no DW). They debate what started the fight, but no conlcusion is reached. Binky's band ball bounces through the pool, so it is chased. End Credits

Trivia

 * In this episode, Mr. Ratburn go a call from his sister Miss Ratburn, and he told the class that he became an uncle, which meant that she'd given birth to a kid; even though in her exclusive appearance in "Arthur's Substitute Teacher Trouble" from Season 1, she was single and she wasn't pregnant, nor did it reveal whether or not she had kids. This may be a continuity error - or Ratburn's siste was only just pregnant and it didn't show, or maybe he may have another sister.
 * "Desk Wars" breaks the 4th wall; the characters acknowledge that they're on a show.