An Arthur Thanksgiving/Transcript

''It is the evening of Thanksgiving. A goat is eating grass on the Reads’ lawn while various people are sitting around a long table under fairy lights.''

Arthur: This year is kind of a weird Thanksgiving. We’ve never had this many people before. Look at all these new faces. I don’t half these people. Nothing at all like past Thanksgivings.

Arthur takes out a photo album and shows a picture of the Reads sitting around the dining room table.

Arthur: Last year, our only guests were Grandma Thora and Grandpa Dave. We didn’t even have Pal.

''Pal and another dog chase each other around a chair. ''

Arthur: And the year before that, Kate hadn’t been born.

''Arthur shows another picture of the dining table. Arthur is not wearing glasses, D.W. is sitting in a high-chair and Mrs. Read is pregnant.''

Arthur: I sort of remember the year Aunt Minnie visited us. That was the year when the Turkey fell onto the table.

''He shows a picture on which the turkey slides off the plate. Thora’s hair is still brown and Arthur is not in the picture. ''

Arthur: Haha. We called it table turkey. It was still really good.

He closes the album.

Arthur: Thanksgiving has never been like this. I mean, a fireman… and a goat… But I’m happy they’re all here. Today, they all feel like family.

Title Card: Large balloons at the parade

''Arthur’s alarm clock beeps at 7:30. Arthur wants to get up, but Pal is asleep on his feet.''

Arthur: Pal, let me up! I can’t feel my feet!

Pal: (gives a cute yawn)

Arthur: Aw…

Mr. Read is very busy, cooking in the kitchen

Mr. Read: Now, let’s see: turkey, sweet potatoes, grits and corn pudding, cheesy bacon brussels sprouts…

Arthur and Pal come in.

Arthur: Smells good. What’s for breakfast.

Mr. Read: Leftover spaghetti from last night.

Arthur: Leftovers?

Mr. Read: If Thanksgiving dinner is going to come together, I need full use of the kitchen. Wait! Where are the cranberries?

''He runs out. Mrs. Read, D.W. and Kate are at the table.''

Mrs. Read: We have to stay out of Dad’s way. You know how he gets when he’s cooking on Thanksgiving.

Arthur: Can I have cereal?

Mrs. Read: Sorry, we’re not allowed to use any bowls or spoons. I think he’s lifted the ban on using the sink, but I don’t wanna risk it.

Pal reaches up D.W.’s chair.

Pal: (barks)

D.W.: Hey, no begging!

Arthur: He’s not begging, he’s just saying hello.

D.W.: He’s saying hello to my meatball.

Kate drops her rattle and Pal sniffs it.

Mrs. Read: Pal has been getting a little grabby lately. Yesterday he took D.W.’s sandwich.

Arthur: Her plate was on the floor.

Mrs. Read: And he ate one of Kate’s teething biscuits. He shouldn’t take food from Kate.

Kate is playing with her spaghetti.

Arthur: He’s not taking it. She’s giving it to him.

Mr. Read brings in a plate.

Mrs. Read: Ooh, is that the cheesy bacon brussels sprouts?

D.W.: Bleugh!

Mr. Read: I made a double batch this year.

D.W.: Bleh! Bleh!

Pal jumps on an empty chair to look at the sprouts.

Mr. Read: Pal, no!

He takes the plate away.

Arthur: Down, boy!

Pal: (whines)

D.W.: That dog is out of control.

Arthur: He is not. He just loves bacon.

''He shoos Pal off the chair. The phone rings.''

Mr. Read: Hello. Minnie! How was the flight? Okay, tell the cab driver it’s 562 Main Street. Great. See you soon.

He hangs up.

D.W.: Who’s Minnie?

Mrs. Read: She’s your aunt. She’s coming for Thanksgiving.

Mr. Read: All the way from France.

D.W.: I don’t have an Aunt Minnie.

Arthur: Yes, you do. You just forgot.

Mr. Read: She’s my sister. You were very little, the last time she was here.

Are there any other secret relatives you’re hiding for me.

Mr. Read: No.

Arthur: What about Cousin Octo-Paul.

D.W.: Who?

Arthur: He has eight tentacles instead of hands.

D.W.: Hh!

Mrs. Read: He’s just teasing you. Arthur, stop teasing D.W.!

Kate: (coos)

''She holds a meatball for Pal. Mr. Read notices.''

Mr. Read: I think we’re gonna have to keep Pal in your room during dinner, so he doesn’t bother people while they’re eating.

Arthur: No! He has to have Thanksgiving with us! I’ll run him around and tire him out after the parade. He won’t bother anyone.

Mr. Read: We’ll see.

Mrs. Read takes a plate off the counter.

Mrs. Read: I'll get you some spaghetti.

Mr. Read: Wait! I need these plates.

Mrs. Read: But all the other plates are in the dishwasher.

Mr. Read: Sorry.

''He takes all the plates and leaves. Mrs. Read pours the sprouts into a tupper box to free a plate..''

Mrs. Read: Fine. I'll just put the brussels sprouts in here and use this.

Kate: (coos)

Pal jumps and grabs a meatball Kate was holding out for him.

D.W.: Hh! Pal just stole Kate's meatball!

Mrs. Read: Arthur, this is exactly what I was talking about.

Arthur: Pal, drop it!

Arthur makes Pal drop the half-eaten meatball.

Arthur: Here's, uh, half of your meatball, Kate.

Mrs. Read: No, sweetie, you can't have that after it was in Pal's mouth.

She takes the meatball away.

Kate: (cries)

Mrs. Read gives Arthur a disapproving look.

Arthur: Maybe we'll run around outside now.

He leaves with Pal.

Shortly afterwards, Pal fetches a frisbee for Arthur.

Arthur: You're not going to eat off the table anymore, right, Pal?

Pal: (barks)

Arthur: Good.

''Arthur throws the frisbee so that flies around a corner and lands under a tree. When Pal is about to retrieve it, an acorn hits him on the head.''

Pal: Ouch! Ah.

He looks around and sees Nemo walking on the garden fence.

Nemo: Hello, old friend.

Pal: Nemo! I'm not interested in your foolery today.

Nemo disappears behind the fence.

Pal: Where did he go?

He picks up the frisbee, when another acorn hits him on the head.

Pal: Ah!

Nemo sits in the tree above Pal.

Nemo: Oops! How bumbling of me. I keep dropping these acorns.

He drops another one on Pal.

Pal: You're doing it on purpose!

He tries to run up the tree.

Pal: (strains)

Nemo: Hahaha! Good show. Almost.

He climbs higher.

Pal: Grr!

Arthur comes around the house, whistling for Pal.

Arthur: (whistles)  Here, boy! Let's go!

Pal wags his tail, then he looks back at the tree.

Pal: One day, Nemo, I will catch you.

He runs to join Arthur.

''Arthur and Pal return to the kitchen, where his mother, D.W. and Kate are still sitting at the table. Arthur boops Kate’s nose on the way to his seat.''

Arthur: Beep!

Kate: (laughs)

Mrs. Read: What time do you have to be at the Thanksgiving parade?

Arthur: It starts at eleven, but Mr. Ratburn wants us to meet at ten to rehearse.

Mrs. Read: Okay. Eat up, we leave in five minutes.

D.W.: Am I coming, too?

Mrs. Read: No, you'll stay here and watch the parade when it comes down our street. Maybe Aunt Minnie would enjoy watching it with you.

''She leaves with Kate. Arthur eats his spaghetti.''

D.W.: Is Aunt Minnie the one who sang all those songs that time?

Arthur: No, Aunt Minnie is the one who sent us those coloring books for Christmas. Of the stained glass, remember?

D.W.: No.

Arthur: And the wooden puzzle of the old French cars?

D.W.: Oh, yeah! Wait. Then who sang that song about the caterpillar?

Arthur: Did she have a pink hat?

D.W.: Yes.

Arthur: That was someone at the mall selling yogurt.

D.W.: Oh. I liked her.

''D.W. takes a drink of milk and leaves the kitchen. Arthur eats the last spaghetti while Pal looks expectantly.''

Arthur: Sorry, Pal. no more people food. But you can rinse the sauce off my plate. Pal, sit!

''Pal sits. Arthur pats him and puts his plate on the floor.''

Arthur: Good boy! Totally trained.

''He leaves the kitchen, while Pal licks the plate, which originally had brussels sprouts on it. Mr. Read comes in.''

Mr. Read: Ah!! My cheesy bacon brussels sprouts!

Mr. Read walks into the hallway holding Pal.

Mr. Read: Arthur!!

D.W. comes running.

D.W.: What did Pal do now?

Mr. Read: Arthur, come down!

''Arthur comes out of the living room. ''

Mr. Read: Pal ate an entire plate of my cheesy bacon brussels sprouts.

The doorbell rings.

Arthur: What??

Mr. Read: Licked the plate clean.

''D.W. opens the door. Bud is outside carrying a bowl.''

D.W.: That dog is a menace.

Pal: (licks lips)

Arthur: I left him one second ago.

Mr. Read: It only took one second for him to eat three pounds of organic brussels sprouts.

Arthur: He didn't mean to.

Mr. Read: Please take him out.

''Arthur takes Pal and leaves. Bud notices the tension in the room.''

Bud: Happy Thanksgiving?

D.W.: Pal just ate all the yucky brussels sprouts, and my dad is gonna send him to the pound.

Bud: Whoa.

Mr. Read: I'm not sending him to the pound.

Bud comes in.

D.W.: Are you having Thanksgiving with us?

Bud: No, we're going to my Aunt Mabel's, but we're not leaving yet. I'm here to stay out of their way while they pack the car. Oh, and to give you this cornbread from my Ma.

Mr. Read: Thank you.

D.W.: Keep it away from Pal. He's eating everything in sight!

Outside, Arthur scolds Pal while putting a leash on him which is attached to the dog house.

Arthur: Blah blee bloo bad dog! Bleep blop! Blip bleep bloop! Bacon blip bloop!

A car horn sounds and Arthur runs around the house.

Pal: (whines)

''Aunt Minnie is standing at the gate while her taxi drives off. Arthur smiles and walks over.''

Aunt Minnie: Who are you?

Arthur: I'm Arthur.

Aunt Minnie: Ah, I'm your Aunt Minnie.

Arthur: Hi, happy Thanksgiving.

He wants to hug Minnie.

Aunt Minnie: I won't force a hug on you. There's nothing worse than hugging a stranger.

''Arthur and Minnie shake hands. Minnie notices that her hand is now covered with spaghetti sauce.''

Aunt Minnie: Except for shaking a hand that's covered with tomato sauce.

Arthur looks embarrassed.

Arthur: Sorry.

Minnie wipes her hand on Arthur’s head.

Aunt Minnie: Huh, you've grown taller since I last saw you. And you're no longer wearing diapers... I presume.

Arthur: Yeah. Nah.

Aunt Minnie: So, shall we take all this fun inside?

Arthur: Okay.

He pulls Minnie’s suitcase.

''Pal lies in front of the dog house looking sad. Nemo walks on the house and drops an acorn on Pal’s head.''

Nemo: Oops, I dropped it.

Pal: Nemo, I am not in the mood for shenanigans.

Nemo: You are chained up, aren't you? What did you do?

Pal: Nothing. With no provocation at all, Arthur's dad started yelling at me! And then Arthur was yelling. I'm mystified.

''He goes into the house. Nemo stands a short distance from the house.''

Nemo: I think Arthur is one of those mean boys.

Pal: He is not.

Nemo: I think he has a cruel streak.

Pal tries to charge at Nemo, but the cat is standing just outside the reach of Pal’s leash.

Pal: Arthur is the kindest boy …ah… in the world! (strains)

Nemo: He's inside, gorging on Thanksgiving dinner, while you're out here, chained up in the cold.

Pal: You're wrong! But not only is it unseasonably warm out, but…

''He manages to slip out of his collar. He approaches Nemo who suddenly looks worried.''

Pal: I'm not chained up anymore.

Nemo: Oh.

Pal chases Nemo around the yard.

Pal: (pants)  Oh!

Pal chases Nemo through a hole created by a loose fence slat.

''Shortly afterwards, Minnie sits in the living room with a cup of coffee. The rest of the family sits around her. D.W. and Bud are hiding behind the couch.''

Aunt Minnie: And then two days in the city. Then it's back to Paris.

Mr. Read: It's so great to see you.

Aunt Minnie: Oh, it's been too long.

D.W.: That's the mystery aunt who came out of nowhere.

Bud: Whoa.

Mr. Read: Arthur, tell Aunt Minnie about the Thanksgiving parade.

Arthur: At my school, we made a float for the parade. Do you know the nursery rhyme "Hickory dickory dock"?

Aunt Minnie: Yes, about “Hickory Dick” Cromwell, who was the king of England for only one year.

Arthur: Uh, maybe that's a different one. The one we're doing is about a mouse who goes up a clock and then he runs down again.

Aunt Minnie: Okay.

Mr. Read: And Arthur was chosen to be the clock.

D.W. looks at Bud and giggles behind her hand.

Arthur: I get to ring the bell.

Aunt Minnie: Well, that is an honor. Congratulations.

Mrs. Read: The parade comes down our street, so you can watch it right out front.

Aunt Minnie: Uh, I'd like to rest before that. There's nothing worse for jet lag than a marching band.

Mr. Read: Of course. I have plenty to do in the kitchen. Our dog just ate all the cheesy bacon brussels sprouts.

Mrs. Read: He did? I put them in a container with a lid.

Mr. Read: Uh, wait. What container?

''The parents go into the kitchen with Kate. Arthur follows. Minnie waits until he has left the room.''

Aunt Minnie: Well, are you two going to come out and say hello to me?

D.W.: She knows we're here!

''The kids come out of hiding. Minnnie walks over to them.''

Aunt Minnie: You may call me Aunt Minnie.

D.W.: Well, you may call me Niece D.W.

Bud: And, uh… you may call me... uh... Bud?

Minnie shakes hands with D.W. and Bud.

Aunt Minnie: Hello, Niece D.W…. and Bud. It's nice to meet you.

The kids look awkward.

Bud: (whispers to D.W.:)  Go! They run away.

In the kitchen, Arthur’s father holds the plate the sprouts used to be on.

Mr. Read: He was licking the plate clean.

Mrs. Read: No, I put your brussels sprouts in this container.

Mr. Read: What?

Arthur: That was my spaghetti plate.

Mr. Read: Oh, phew! I thought I was going to have to make the whole batch again.

Arthur: Poor Pal. I chained him up for nothing. Can I bring him back inside?

Mr. Read: Yes.

Arthur runs to the backyard.

Arthur: Pal, you can come back in!

He finds the empty leash.

Arthur: Hh! Pal?

Pal is chasing Nemo on a sidewalk.

Pal: (barks)

Nemo: Whoo-hoo! Almost.

''Nemo runs around a red mailbox a few times and then runs away. Pal runs around the mailbox one more time, then he leans against it to catch his breath.''

Nemo: Close one!

Pal continues the chase.

Nemo: Too slow.

Nemo runs up the Tibbles’ entrance steps and jumps on the railing.

Nemo: Catch me if you can!

''He jumps down on the other side. Pal jumps up and hangs over the railing.''

Pal: Ah! (struggles)

Nemo: Ha! Can’t catch me.

Pal falls off the railing into a bush.

Pal: Ow!

Nemo almost runs into the Tibbles who are blocking his path.

Timmy+Tommy: (laugh)

''Pal bursts out of the bush. The Tibbles fall over each other while Nemo runs away.''

Timmy+Tommy: Oof!

Pal: (pants)

''Nemo slips through the Tibbles’ fence. Pal follows with difficulty. ''

Pal: (strains)

Nemo runs halfway up to the treehouse.

Pal: Hold up for a moment!

Nemo: And let you bite me? No.

Pal: Oh, I'm not going to bite you. I want to pet your fur in the wrong direction.

''He jumps at Nemo. Nemo drops down and the chase continues.''

''Mrs. Prendergast, an elderly lady is raking leaves in her garden. Nemo knocks over a row of garden gnome statues, breaking the heads off.''

Mrs. Prendergast: Hh! Oh!

''Nemo and Pal scatter the lady’s leaf pile. She shakes her rake at them.''

''Nemo runs across the road and into a bush. Pal tries to follow but cannot get between the branches.''

Pal: (strains)

''Nemo hides under a car and Pal runs past. Pal sniffs around and Nemo goes on running.''

 

Eventually, Nemo runs up the tree in the Walters’ front yard and onto the Walters’ roof.

Pal: (pants)

Nemo: Haha! Keep trying, Pal! You'll catch me one day. Hahaha!

Pal tries to run up the tree.

Pal: (strains)  Oh. If only the vet hadn't trimmed my nails! (pants)

He looks up and sees that Nemo is gone.

Pal: Good riddance, you horrible creature. Oh, I better head home for Thanksgiving dinner. Arthur will be wondering where I am. Ah. Which way was it? Hmm…

He sets out.

Meanwhile, Arthur and his parents are searching near the Read house.

Arthur: Pal! Where are you? Pal!

Mrs. Read: I didn't see him.

Mr. Read: No sign of him that way, either.

Arthur: What do we do?

Mrs. Read: We'll keep looking. He's probably close by. Dave, will you call Mr. Ratburn and tell him we'll be a little late?

Mr. Read: I'm on it.

Arthur’s mom puts Kate in a stroller.

Mrs. Read: Arthur?

Mr. Read: Good luck!

Mrs. Read leaves with Arthur and Kate while Mr. Read goes back to the house.

''Floats are being prepared on an intersection downtown. Pal walks among them.''

Pal: Ah, the bustling modern city. (sniffs)   Ah.

A farmer with a goat walks by.

Pal: So many smells, so little time.

Pal walks on with his nose to the ground

Pal: (sniffs)

He bumps into a woman’s ankles.

Pal: Ah.

Sharina: Huh?

The young woman, Sharina, has an empanada stand.

Sharina: Oh, hello! Oh, you little perrito!

She picks up Pal who struggles.

Sharina: Oh, where's your collar? Will you come home with me? Oh, you're very fluffy.

Pal: (whines)

The woman puts him down.

Sharina: Would you like an empanada?

Pal runs away.

Sharina: Huh? Okay, rain cheque it is!

''Meanwhile, Minnie has put her suitcase on D.W.’s bed. Bud and D.W. stand next to her as she starts unpacking.''

D.W.: So, this is my room. That's my Mary Moo Cow Oven. That's my Princess Ladybug puppet. That's my dollhouse.

Aunt Minnie: Ah, I see you have all the essentials.

D.W.: You can play with my toys, as long as you don't break them.

Aunt Minnie: That's a good rule.

D.W.: How long are you staying here?

Aunt Minnie: Oh, just for one night. Then I'm going to Grandma Thora's.

D.W.: I have to sleep on a cot.

Aunt Minnie: I know. I appreciate the sacrifice you're making for me. Now, you two leave me alone, please. Uh, it was a long flight, and I would like to rest up a little bit before I start... breaking some toys.

Bud+D.W.: Hh!

Bud and D.W. leave the room.

D.W.: Was she joking?

Minnie closes the door behind them.

D.W.: I think she was joking.

Bud: I don't know. I can never figure out grown-ups.

''At the intersection, a goat is eating the banner off a float. The banner says, “The Pioneers.” Brain, Binky, Francine, Buster and Sue Ellen are standing around waiting, all wearing grey. Mr. Ratburn comes with a box.''

Mr. Ratburn: All you mice, gather round over here.

Francine: Ladonna's not here, or George.

Mr. Ratburn: They have Thanksgiving plans with family and won't be joining us. Muffy and Mr. Crosswire are on their way. They'll be towing our float behind a very special vehicle from his car dealership.

Francine: Where's Arthur?

Mr. Ratburn: Arthur will be a little late. Now, first, costumes. I'm glad to see all you mice are wearing grey.

Kids: Yes!

Binky: This was all I had.

Muffy arrives wearing a dress and a tiara.

Muffy: Oh, hi, everyone. Sorry I'm late.

Kids: (Wow. Amazing.)

Francine: That's your mouse costume?

Muffy: Oh, I'm not a mouse. I'm riding in the car that's towing the float. I'm the official Crosswire Motors Thanksgiving queen.

Mr. Ratburn takes pieces of rope out of his box and passes them around.

Mr. Ratburn: Now, I have mouse tails here for everyone. Clip them to your shirts. Get a friend to help.

Binky: Aw, mine has a knot.

''Francine attaches a tail to Buster. Buster wiggles his rear, swinging his rope tail.''

Buster: (laughs)  I can wag my tail.

Francine: (laughs)  Mine doesn't work. Oh, I got it.

All the kids wag their tails.

Sue Ellen: I'm wagging, too.

A fancy car horn sounds.

Muffy: Here's my ride!

Buster: Whoa!

''Mr. Crosswire drives a long red convertible with steer horns on the front hood. It is pulling a float. Mr. Crosswire himself is wearing a cowboy hat.''

Mr. Crosswire: Here it is, my Cherry Bomb Red Drillmaster Five.

Buster: Wow.

Binky: Sweet ride.

Francine: Cool.

Brain: Cool.

Mr. Ratburn: Thank you for driving the tow vehicle, Mr. Crosswire.

Mr. Crosswire: What better way to spend Thanksgiving than behind the wheel of this beautiful old car? Muffykins, hop in.

Muffy: Most of the time, I'll do the one-handed wave. But for special occasions, I do the two-handed wave.

''She demonstrates. The other kids run to the float, which has a U-shaped bench and grandfather’s clock on a podium.''

Binky: Cool! Is that our float? Wow.

Francine: This is it?

Buster: Whoa.

Mr. Ratburn: Listen up, you mice. You will be sitting here, on these benches. One at a time, you will run up to the clock, where Arthur, who'll be inside, will chime the bell.

He rings a small bell.

Mr. Ratburn: And then down you run, back to your seat.

Binky: That's not a very loud bell.

Mr. Ratburn rings it again.

Mr. Ratburn: Mm, you're right. I'll need to find a better one.

Meanwhile, Arthur and his mom are talking to Mrs. Prendergast who is holding a broken gnome.

Mrs. Prendergast: …and then they ran off that way.

Mrs. Read: That's the direction of the parade. We might as well go meet your class. Maybe we'll see Pal over there.

Mrs. Prendergast: I can help look. I don't have any plans.

Arthur: Sure!

Mrs. Read: Thank you.

Pal walks past houses with his nose high in the air.

Pal: (sniffs)  Those people have a guinea pig. (sniffs)   Those people cook with curry. (sniffs)  Wait a moment. Bacon… diapers… lavender hand soap. Is that my family? (sniffs)    No. Oh, that house uses a different laundry detergent. (sniffs)   And moustache wax? It is so tricky finding people in this big town.

As he passes another house, a St. Bernard runs up to him.

Petunia: Back! You stay back! Don't try anything! Just keep moving!

Pal: I won't! I will!

''He runs away frightened. The St. Bernard runs after him.''

Petunia: Hey, hey. No hard feelings, 'kay? I'm just keeping my family safe.

Pal: I won't bother them.

Petunia: You know, it's actually quiet around here, so I'm glad you came by. Keeps me in shape. You hungry?

Pal: Well...

Petunia: Come on, come on. I'll show you something.

''A table full of food has been set up beside the house. There is also a dog house with the name Petunia.''

Pal: Look at all this food.

Petunia: Ah. It's my Thanksgiving meal. My family gives me all the leftovers, because they need room in the fridge.

Pal: Is this… a whole turkey?

Petunia: Mm-mm. That's my special Thanksgiving treat. It's a turkey for vegetarians. There are no bones inside.

Pal: What will they think of next?

Petunia: Help yourself to anything you want. Ooh, I'm stuffed.

Pal: Arthur doesn't want me to eat people food, but I am feeling a bit peckish. (sniffs)

Petunia: Go on, go on.

Pal: Maybe something small. One or two of these, uh... tortellini.

He starts eating his way through a tray of tortellini, walking through the pesto sauce.

Pal: (eats noisily)   Oh... oh... (burps)   Oh, that should help with the hunger pangs. Thank you again.

Petunia: Any time.

Pal walks off, leaving pesto prints on the ground.

Pal: Well, I must be off. Oh, dear. I'm leaving pesto footprints everywhere.

Petunia: Oh… well… I'll take care of them for you.

Pal: Thank you.

''Petunia licks the pesto off the ground. Pal walks on down the road.''

Mr. Ratburn climbs up the float where Francine and Sue Ellen are painting whiskers on their faces while holding hand mirrors.

Mr. Ratburn: How's the face painting coming? Have you children turned into mice yet?

Sue Ellen: Squeak squeak.

Francine: Eek eek eek eek eek eek eek.

Mr. Ratburn: Very mousy, you two.

Buster: I did mine without a mirror.

His makeup is very messy.

Mr. Ratburn: You don't say.

Binky: Is a vampire mouse okay?

He is wearing fangs.

Mr. Ratburn: A little late for Halloween, but maybe we can get away with it. Just no biting. Alan, what's this?

Brain is wearing a mouse mask.

Brain: I thought I could draw a mouse more accurately on paper than on my face.

Mr. Ratburn: True, but I don't want you falling off the float. Give yourself some eye holes.

Mrs. Prendergast and the Reads are talking to the goat farmer nearby.

Mrs. Read: There's your class, Arthur. You should go join them.

Arthur: I feel like I should keep looking for Pal.

Mrs. Read: I'll keep looking on Main Street, and Mrs. Prendergast can ask around in stores.

Arthur: Promise you'll come and tell me if you find him.

Mrs. Read: I promise.

Arthur runs to the float.

Arthur: Sorry I'm late. Pal was missing, and we've been looking all over for him. My mom and neighbor are looking for him, so...

Mr. Ratburn: Well, we're glad you're with us. Now that we have our clock, we can run through this. Arthur, this will be your position here, inside the clock.

Arthur gets into the bottom part of the grandfather clock and Mr. Ratburn puts the top part on him.

Bud and D.W. peek into D.W.’s room.

Aunt Minnie: (snores)

D.W.: Is she sleeping?

''Minnie is asleep on the bed. A doll’s feet stick out from under her leg.''

Aunt Minnie: (mumbles, snores)

Bud+D.W.: (giggle)

D.W.: Hey! Her foot is on Trolly!

Bud: Wait! We shouldn't go in.

D.W.: I just want to move him!

She tries to pull the doll from under Minnie’s feet.

D.W.: (strains) Aunt Minnie has heavy feet.

Bud: Just leave it.

D.W.: I can't. How would you like to be crushed by a big foot? Oof!

''She pulls her doll free and falls backwards against a chair. The Ladybug doll falls off the table. Minnie jerks upright.''

Aunt Minnie: Who's there?

Bud: Run!

D.W.: Ah!

''The kids run out of the room. Minnie smiles.''

Binky lies on the floor beside Mr. Crosswire’s car and admires his reflection in a hubcap.

Binky: This car is amazing. Even the tires are clean.

Mr. Ratburn: Binky, you have to stay on the float for safety reasons, especially when we start moving.

Binky: Alright.

He climbs up the float and notices a bowl full of candy.

Binky:Hey, what's this candy?

Mr. Ratburn: That candy is for tossing to the parade watchers. But everyone may take one piece. Let's practice this.

The kids help themselves to candy.

Mr. Ratburn: Ready in there, Arthur?

Arthur’s clock top only has a small eyehole in the middle of the clockface.

Arthur: I can't see. Am I facing the right way?

Mr. Ratburn: Yes, and we will cut you some eye holes before the parade starts. Fortunately, Alan has become an expert.

Brain gives the thumbs-up.

Mr. Ratburn: Alright. Francine, you're the first mouse. “Hickory dickory dock...”

Francine runs up to the clock.

Mr. Ratburn: Don't flap your arms. You're not a buzzard. “The mouse ran up the clock. The clock struck one.”  That's your cue, Arthur. Arthur, you ready?!

Arthur: Sorry. Now?

Mr. Ratburn: Yes. “The clock struck one.”

Arthur blows into a kazoo.

Binky: What was that?

Sue Ellen: Was that a duck?

Brain: The clock sounds weird.

Mr. Ratburn: It does sound weird. I'll have to get something better than a kazoo. “And down she runs.” That's when you scurry back to your seat, Francine.

Francine runs to the bench.

Mr. Ratburn: “Hickory dickory dock.”   That's all there is to it.

Arthur hears barking and removes the clock top.

Arthur: Hh! Pal!

He sees that it is a grey dog being walked by his owner.

Arthur: Oh. Mr. Ratburn, I want to do this, but I'm too worried about Pal. I can't have fun with him lost out there. I need to keep looking.

Mr. Ratburn: Of course, Arthur. You know, Patrick's shop is very close by. I know a way he can help. Come with me.

Arthur follows him.

Mr. Ratburn: We'll be right back! Take five, everybody!

Binky: Five! He said we could take five!

Kids: (Yay! Hooray!)

They help themselves to more candy.

''The outside of ‘Patrick’s Chocolates’ is seen. Inside, Pal’s head appears on a computer screen under the title “Lost Dog”. Patrick is sitting at the computer, while Arthur, his mom, Kate, Mrs. Prendergast and Mr. Ratburn stand around them.''

Mr. Ratburn: Patrick is a wizard on this machine.

A picture of Pal appears on a computer screen, under the words “lost dog.”

Mrs. Read: I'll say. Thank you for helping us.

Patrick: Of course. Now, how would you describe Pal?

Arthur: He's loyal. He's afraid of thunder. He sleeps with his nose in my shoe.

Mr. Ratburn: He means, does he have any identifying characteristics?

Arthur: Oh. He's fluffy, has golden hair, and he has a spot on his belly that looks like a pumpkin.

Patrick types.

Mr. Ratburn: Good. Now, print fifty copies.

Mrs. Read: We'll hang them up all over.

Mrs. Prendergast: I can take some.

Patrick: Me, too.

Mr. Ratburn: If anyone sees Pal, they'll know how to contact you.

Patrick starts printing.

Pal walks on a sidewalk across the street from a parked fire truck.

Pal: (sniffs)  I don't like the smell of this place.

Pal crosses the street to the fire truck.

Pal: Yikes! A monster!

A silhouette with tentacles walks towards him.

Pal: Stay away!

''He runs and hides in a bush. The silhouette is revealed to be one of two firemen carrying fire hoses.''

Fireman 1: Hey, did you see that cute little puppy?

Pal: (pants) That was close. At least now, I am perfectly safe.

Pal backs through the bush and bounces down a grassy hill.

Pal: (screams)

''A white goat stands on Farmer Garvin’s float and bleats. Muffy films it with her cellphone.''

Muffy: (clears throat)  I'm vlogging to you from the ninth annual Thanksgiving day parade, from the best seat in the house - a Cherry Bomb Red Drillmaster Five from Crosswire Motors, where car prices will never be inflated.

''Mr. Crosswire gives the thumbs-up. Between the Crosswire car and the goat float, Farmer Garvin is inflating a large turkey.''

Muffy: But something that is being inflated is Gobbler - the floating turkey from Garvin's goat farm. Gobbler is one of the most beloved stars of this year's Thanksgiving parade. And I'm the other. I'm Muffy Crosswire, and I'll be back soon with more parade excitement.

She gives a sparkling smile and turns off the phone.

Muffy: Now, I want to get a shot of you and the car from the outside.

Mr. Crosswire: You're the boss.

''Muffy gets out of the car. Mr. Ratburn brings a box to the mouse float.''

Mr. Ratburn: All right, children, I'm back. The rest of your costumes have arrived.

Francine: Are those the mouse ears?

Mr. Ratburn: Yes.

''Mr. Ratburn opens the box and looks taken aback. ''

Mr. Ratburn: Actually, no.

He takes out a headband with moose antlers.

Binky: Antlers?

Mr. Ratburn checks a note that came with the antlers.

Mr. Ratburn: Oh, dear. Instead of mouse hats, they sent moose hats. This is no good. And there is no time for a replacement.

Binky: Can I wear it, anyway?

Buster: And me!

Francine: Me too!

Mr. Ratburn: "Hickory dickory dock, the moose ran up the clock"?

Buster: (please)

Binky: Please?

The kids put on antlers.

Mr. Ratburn: Fine, but not when you need to look like mice. Now, there's been a change. One of you will need to be the clock.

Brain: I'll do it.

Mr. Ratburn: Thank you, Alan.

Francine: How come Arthur's not gonna be the clock?

Arthur, his mom, Kate and Mrs. Prendergast stand by Sharina’s empanada stand.

Arthur: Can I put my poster on your cart?

Sharina: Oh, this is my little perrito. I saw him.

Arthur: When?!

Sharina: It was a little while ago. Er… He was going that way.

Arthur: Thanks! (sighs) I hope he's okay.

Pal tumbles down a grassy slope.

Pal: Whoa-a-a-a! Ouch! Ow! Ow! Whoa! Ouch! Oo!

He eventually hits a fence behind which several dogs are lying.

Pal: Phew! Not as graceful as usual, but… I seem to be in one piece.

A grey dog walks up to the fence from the inside.

Nicky: Oh, you're a dog. I thought someone lost a hubcap.

Pal: Where am I?

Nicky: This is a dog shelter.

Pal: A shelter?? Oh, no. I don't want to get stuck in there.

Nicky: Oh, as long as you're on that side of the fence, you have nothing to worry about.

Pal: I'm trying to find my house. Perhaps you know it. It smells of roast turkey, bacon brussels sprouts, and reheated spaghetti.

Nicky: Oh, hêhê, gee, that sounds pretty nice, but I can't help you. It's been a while since I've sniffed around the neighborhood.

''A woman places a bowl of dog treats in the pen. The other dogs run up to it.''

Nicky: Hey! My Thanksgiving treat!

Nicky joins the other dogs.

Pal: Oh, a biscuit! Can I have some?

Nicky: Ah. Sure, kid.

He drops half a biscuit through the fence.

Nicky: Happy Thanksgiving.

Pal eats one half and Nicky eats the other.

Pal: Mm. Yum! Lamb jalapeño. Thank you.

Nicky: Mm-mm. Now, that hit the spot.

A garage door slides up.

Nicky: Oh! Hold it. She's coming out. Hide!

Pal: Oh!

''Pal hides behind some junk next to the pen. A red car pulls out of the garage and drives away from the dog shelter.''

Nicky: Phew. Okay. You're safe. She's gone.

Pal: (licks lips)  I would love another biscuit. What else is on your Thanksgiving menu?

Nicky: Well… um… we had kibble this morning.

Pal: But... that's all you're getting for Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is when you get table scraps and plates to lick and your belly bulges out for rubbing!

Nicky: Not around here.

Pal: But... that's not fair.

Nicky: Meh, you get used to it.

Pal: I gobbled down your treat. I didn't realize you weren't getting a proper Thanksgiving dinner.

Nicky: Don't worry about it, kid.

Pal: I do worry about it. I'm going to fix it. I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere!

He runs back up the road.

Nicky: Hêhê. Where would I go?

''Mr. Read closes the lid on a pie box. Minnie, D.W. and Bud are sitting at the dining room table.''

Mr. Read: I'm dropping these pies off at the retirement home, and then I'll be right back.

Aunt Minnie: We'll be fine. I'll put these two to work.

Bud and D.W. look anxiously at each other.

Mr. Read: (chuckles)  Good idea. Thanks, Minnie. See you guys later.

He leaves with the pies.

Bud: Can we have a snack?

Aunt Minnie: I'm sure you can. What you mean to ask is, "May we have a snack?"

Bud: Oh. Okay. May we have a snack?

Aunt Minnie: No, it'll spoil your appetites for Thanksgiving dinner.

She leaves the room.

D.W.: There are laws against not giving kids snacks.

Bud: Yeah, especially on Thanksgiving.

D.W.: As soon as Aunt Meanie leaves the room, we should run in and grab the box of crackers.

Bud and D.W. peek out from under the tablecloth.

Bud: Okay. Meanie? Is it Minnie or Meanie?

D.W.: It's Aunt Minnie. But she's a meanie, so I call her Aunt Meanie.

Bud: Oh.

D.W.: There she goes.

''Minnie leaves the house with a bowl. Bud and D.W. run into the kitchen. Bud watches Minnie through the window while D.W. searches a cupboard.''

D.W.: They're not here.

Bud: Hurry!

D.W.: Got it!

Bud sees Minnie coming back.

Bud: She's coming back.

D.W. drops some crackers into Bud’s hands.

D.W.: Here!

''Minnie tries to open the door, but Bud has pushed a chair against it. Minnie manages to get in and sees the open cupboard and a trail of crackers and crumbs.''

Aunt Minnie: Hm…

''Bud and D.W. are eating crackers under the dining room table. Minnie stands beside the table.''

Aunt Minnie: “Nibble, nibble, strong and able. Who's that nibbling under my table?”

''D.W. and Bud stand up. Minnie holds out her hands and they give her the crackers.''

Aunt Minnie: All right, then. Two crackers each. You will need your strength. When you're finished, you have chores to do.

''She walks off. D.W. and Bud exchange looks.''

''Petunia is asleep in her family’s driveway. She moves her paws in her sleep as if she was running.''

Petunia: (snores, mumbles, whines)

Pal: Hey. Hey, wake up!

Petunia: Huh? Oh, oh, oh, you came back.

Pal: I didn't get very far. Listen, about all your leftover Thanksgiving food...

Petunia: Oh, yeah, yeah. Help yourself. You know, I just had a meatloaf sandwich.

Pal: Oh, it's not for me. I just learned that there are dogs at the shelter who only get kibble and one measly biscuit for Thanksgiving.

Petunia: Hh! No!

Pal: Yes.

Petunia: But… but that's not fair!

Pal: That's just what I said. Will you help me?

Petunia: Oh, oh, I'll get the carriage.

Shortly afterwards, Pal places food inside a baby carriage.

Petunia: should we bring the turkey too?

Pal: Oh, yes. That's perfect for Thanksgiving. Put it in the basket.

Petunia tries to throw the turkey in the carriage, but it lands on her head, obscuring her view.

Petunia: (mumbles)   Haha. I can't see where I'm going.

Pal: That's okay. Just hop up into the carriage and I'll push it.

Petunia: What? Wait, what did you say?

Pal: Hop up into the carriage! (strains)

Pal pushes the Petunia towards the carriage and she gets in.

Petunia: Whoa! Oh!

Pal starts pushing the carriage out of the driveway.

Petunia: We're moving!

''Pal pushes the carriage down the sidewalk. When they reach a hill, it rolls down, out of control.''

Pal: Hey! come back!

Petunia: Come back from where? Where am I going? Whoa!

Pal: Hold on! I'm right behind you!

Pal jumps into the carriage beside Petunia.

Petunia: Pal, is that you? Where are we going?

Pal: Quick! Lean to the left!

''The carriage takes a sharp left turn at an intersection. It rolls past two boys who are tossing a football to each other.''

Boy 1: Huh?

Boy 2: Hh!

Muffy stands in front of the Crosswire’s convertible and wants to film her dad.

Muffy: I can't get the whole car in the picture.

Mr. Crosswire: Back up a little.

Muffy takes a few steps backwards and bumps against the goat float.

Mr. Crosswire: Be careful, Muffin.

Muffy: I need to get up higher.

Muffy climbs a ladder on to the goat float.

Muffy: Okay, this works. Daddy, put your brake on! You're rolling backwards!

Mr. Crosswire: I'm not rolling backwards, you're rolling forwards. The float is leaving.

Muffy: Oh! I have to get off.

Mr. Crosswire: No! It's not safe to climb down while the float is moving.

Muffy: But-but I'm Miss Crosswire Motors. I have to be in the car. I can't be... on Garvin's goat float!

Mr. Crosswire: Sit tight, Muffykins. I'll be right behind you the whole time.

Muffy: But… but... I'm the star of this parade.

Francine: Muffy gets to go on the goat float?

Buster: Aw, she's so lucky.

Binky: Well, then I call the convertible!

Binky jumps into the back of the convertible.

Binky: Hi, Mr. Crosswire. Can I sit here?

Mr. Crosswire: Sure, Binky.

Mr. Ratburn: Binky! You should be here with us.

The float starts moving.

Binky: I can't jump off now, Mr. Ratburn. We're moving!

He sits down on the backrest and waves to the crowd.

Mr. Ratburn: All right, places, everyone. The parade is starting.

One of the firefighters buys an empanada from Sharina’s stand, which has a lost dog flyer posted to it.

Firefighter 2: I just saw this dog.

Sharina: You did?

Firefighter 2: He was loose on Chestnut Street, by-by the shelter.

Sharina talks to Mrs. Prendergast as she is taping flyer poster to a mailbox.

Sharina: He said on Chestnut Street, by the shelter.

Mrs. Prendergast: I'll go find Arthur.

''Mrs. Prendergast tells Arthur. Arthur’s mom is taping a flyer to a tree.''

Arthur: Chestnut Street, by the shelter? I bet that's where he is. Let's go!

''He runs ahead. Mrs. Read, Kate and Mrs. Prendergast follow.''

Minnie has set a stack of plates on the dining room table.

D.W.: We have to set the table??

Aunt Minnie: Yes. Take these, spread out.

D.W.: Oh. They're so heavy.

She and Bud start putting plates down.

Aunt Minnie: Each setting needs a plate in the center. No. We don't throw them down. This is not a barbecue. We place them... with care.

She demonstrates.

Bud: How many places are there?

Aunt Minnie: Eight. We also need napkins, cutlery, glassware, candles, and condiments.

D.W.: (groans) It's gonna take until Christmas to set up for Thanksgiving.

Mr. Read comes in.

Mr. Read: Hi, guys, I'm back. Bud, your mom's in the driveway. It's time to go.

Bud: Okay.

D.W.: You're leaving me with all this work?

Bud: Sorry, got to go. Happy Thanksgiving.

Bud hugs D.W.

D.W.: Happy Thanksgiving.

Bud: Thanks for having me.

He hugs Mr. Read’s legs.

Mr. Read: Anytime, Bud. Happy Thanksgiving.

Bud wants to hug Minnie.

Aunt Minnie: I'm not a hugger. Let's keep it civil.

They shake hands.

Bud: Okay. Happy Thanksgiving, Aunt Meanie.

Aunt Minnie: Aunt... Meanie?

D.W.: Minnie! He meant Minnie! Didn't you, Bud?

Bud: Yeah, yeah. Didn't I say Minnie?

Mr. Read: Time to go, Bud.

He leaves the room with Bud.

Aunt Minnie: All right, Niece D.W., back to work. This table isn't going to set itself.

''Arthur knocks at the shelter door. Meanwhile, his mom, Kate and Mrs. Prendergast look into the dog pen.''

Arthur: I don't think anyone is here.

Mrs. Read: I'm sure the people who work here are spending Thanksgiving with their families.

Kate drops her rattle while talking to Nicky.

Kate: We're looking for our dog.

Nicky: I-I'm a great family dog. I'm easygoing. I'm a good protector. I can catch any tennis ball.

Kate: You're not as fluffy as Pal, but... okay. You can be my other dog.

Nicky: Oh-oh, great!

Kate: I don't actually make the decisions in the family, but I'll try.

Her speech turns to cooing as her mom picks up her rattle.

Mrs. Read: You like this dog, don't you, Kate? He does seem nice.

Arthur: Mom, we should keep looking. I just want to hang up a flyer first. Oops.

''Arthur drops his roll of tape. He notices a spaghetti on his shoe and pushes it off.''

''Pal and Petunia roll down the street in the carriage. The turkey now lies beside Petunia.''

Petunia: Wow, I can see much better without that turkey on my head.

Pal: (sniffs)  Mmm. You're wearing turkey perfume.

Petunia: Why, thank you.

Pal: There's the shelter.

The carriage rolls down one side of the street while Arthur and his family come up the other side.

Arthur: Let's look down this street.

Mrs. Read: Okay.

The carriage stops next to the dog pen.

Pal: I told you I'd be back.

The dogs come to the fence.

Nicky: Sausages? Sweet potato? What is this?

Pal: My friend Petunia and I brought you dinner.

Petunia: Happy Thanksgiving!

She hands a string of sausages through the fence.

Pal: It's for all of you.

Nicky: How? Where? (licks lips)  You got me slobbering.

Petunia: I had so much food this year. When I heard you guys only had kibble, well, I… I just wanted to share it.

Nicky: Oh. Thanks! This looks delicious.

Pal passes out sausages.

Pal: Here! Sausage for you. Sausage for you.

Petunia: We even have a turkey.

Pal: Oh no. That will never fit through the fence.

Petunia: Ah. The sweet potatoes are too big too.

Nicky: Oh, you could squish them through. We won't mind.

Pal: No. I have a better idea.

Shortly afterwards, Pal drops the potatoes on a makeshift seesaw, made of a plank and empty cable reel.

Pal: Sweet potatoes, ready for launch!

Petunia: Okay. Stand back. Hgn!

''She jumps onto the seesaw and catapults the potatoes into the pen. The dogs inside catch them.''

Nicky: Nice shot.

Petunia: Good catch. Now, what about the turkey?

Pal: I'm going to pull it into pieces. Hrr…

Pal pulls the turkey backwards and rips pieces off of it.

Nicky: Oh, I can't eat turkey. I could choke on the bones.

Petunia: Well, this turkey has no bones.

Nicky: No bones? How did it stand up?

Petunia: Actually, I think it's made of tofu. Ready?

Pal: Ready.

Nicky: I'm ready.

Petunia: Hgn!

She catapults the turkey pieces into the pen, where the dogs eat it.

Nicky: Delicious! Ah... Is there anything better than eating a huge meal in one minute?

Petunia: Eating it in thirty seconds?

Pal: (sniffs) Hang on! I know that smell. (sniffs)   Grapes. Teething biscuit. Lavender soap. (sniffs)   That's Kate's monkey rattle.

Nicky: Oh yeah, that's where the cute baby dropped that thing.

Pal: What cute baby?

Nicky: She was looking for a lost dog - a baby and a mom and a white-haired lady.

Pal: A lost dog? That's me! Was there a boy with them?

Nicky: Oh, yeah. He had glasses.

Pal: Hh! (sniffs) Rubber... the soccer ball... a kale smoothie! It's Arthur! I'd recognize his sneakers anywhere.

He finds the spaghetti which Arthur dropped.

Pal: There's even a spaghetti noodle here from breakfast.

Pal eats the spaghetti.

Pal: Mmm. Not bad. Which way did they go?

Nicky: Um… that way.

Pal: I've got to go!

He runs back up the hill.

Nicky: Good luck, kid!

Pal: Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Petunia: Happy Thanksgiving! Wow, what a sweet little dog.

Nicky: Aww. For such a little fella, he's got a big heart.

Petunia: Yeah, he does.

Pal walks along a street and sees three people who look like Arthur and his parents.

Pal: There they are! Arthur! Wait for me!

''He runs and catches up with them. However, seen from the front, they look nothing like the Reads.''

Pal: Oops. Sorry! Wrong family.

Wrong Mrs. Read: Hmm?

Pal run son and sees legs disappearing around a corner.

Pal: There he is! Arthur! Arthur!

He turns around the corner and sees the silhouette of the firefighter standing in front of his firetruck.

Pal: Oh, no! Another monster!

The firefighter picks Pal up.

Pal: Whoa!

Firefighter 2: Hey! I've been looking for you.

Pal: (whimpers)

''The parade passes through the town. There are balloons of a turkey, a love duck, and Mary Moo Cow. Muffy sits on the goat float and waves at the crowd.''

Muffy: Wahoo!

Mr. Garvin: Yay!

''Mr. Crosswire blows the horn. The mouse kids wave. Brain now uses a clown horn as the clock.''

Buster: Yay!

Sue Ellen: Wow.

Francine: Whoo-hoo!

Buster: Wow.

Binky: Whoo!

Muffy films herself.

Muffy: As the star of this Thanksgiving extravaganza, I'd like to wish you an elegant and glamorous Thanksgiving.

''A white goat sticks its head in the picture. Muffy pushes it away.''

Muffy: Go away, Bluebell. I'm coming to you from the float by Garvin's goat farm…

''Mr. Garvin waves to the camera. ''

Muffy: …which is home of the most important member of the parade – Gobbler, the giant turkey balloon, Elwood City's number-one symbol of Thanksgiving.

Mr. Crosswire blows the horn.

Muffy: And that's the sound of the number two symbol of Thanksgiving—Crosswire Motors! You'll be thankful for our great deals. Ed Crosswire himself behind the wheel of a Cherry Bomb Red Drillmaster Five, and behind him is, uh-oh...

Binky falls over trying to catch a flower bouquet.

Muffy: …someone who clearly does not know proper parade waving. More vlog posts coming up soon, from this special Thanksgiving Day parade.

Muffy turns off her cellphone and sits down on the float.

Muffy: It's not fair, Mr. Garvin. I'm supposed to be the star of this parade, and instead I'm being attacked by a goat.

Farmer Garvin: Naw, Bluebell's as friendly as a puppy dog.

The goat starts eating Muffy’s sash.

Muffy: Hey! stop that! I think your puppy dog missed breakfast.

''The firetruck is parked in a side street. The firefighter unpacks his lunch while Pal sits on the passenger seat.''

Pal: Oh, I have to find a way to escape this scoundrel.

The firefighter unpacks a sandwich and notices Pal watching him.

Pal: (whimpers)

The firefighter pulls a piece of bacon out of the sandwich and gives it to Pal.

Pal: (sniffs)  Oh.

He eats the bacon.

Pal: Bacon! I guess he's a nice fellow after all''. ''

''He puts his forelegs on the dashboard. ''

Pal: Wow, a real firetruck. look how high up we are. Look at all these buttons. Oh!

''He accidentally activates the siren and tumbles back into the seat. The firefighter quickly turns the siren off.''

Pal: Whew.

At the Read house, Minnie teaches D.W. to fold napkins.

D.W.: Fold it once... and over twice, and... flop it! Like that?

Aunt Minnie: Good, you're an expert.

D.W.: Are your kids coming?

Aunt Minnie: I don't have children.

D.W.: Who do you live with?

Aunt Minnie: I live by myself. In France.

D.W.: All alone?

Aunt Minnie: Yes.

D.W.: Aren't you lonely?

Aunt Minnie: Oh, no, never. Well, maybe sometimes.

D.W.: Don't you even have a dog?

Aunt Minnie: I used to travel a lot for work. it didn't make sense for me to have a pet. Maybe I'll get one someday.

D.W.: I wouldn't want to live alone.

Aunt Minnie: You get used to it.

Minnie and D.W. put cutlery in place.

D.W.: Is France near Antarctica?

Aunt Minnie: No, but it is across an ocean. I won't be living there much longer. I'm moving back to Elwood City.

D.W.: You are?

Aunt Minnie: Yes.

D.W.: Are you gonna live with us?

Aunt Minnie: Oh, the last thing you need is for some old stranger to move in with you.

D.W.: You're not a stranger. You're Aunt Minnie.

Aunt Minnie: Aunt Meanie?

D.W.: Yes. My Aunt Meanie. You can live with us, if you want to.

D.W. hugs Minnie.

Aunt Minnie: You are a very sweet girl. Your hands are sticky in a way that concerns me, but you're very sweet.

Noise is heard outside.

D.W.: The parade! come on!

D.W. grabs Minnie’s hand and pulls her away.

 

''The parade approaches the Read house. Brain takes off the clock top.''

Brain: Whew.

Francine: Put your head back on!

Brain: It's too hot in there.

Francine: You don't look like a clock anymore.

Brain: I don't care. My nose was getting smushed. it's more fun to wear the antlers.

''Brain puts on an antler hat. The float reaches the Read house where D.W. and Minnie are sitting in lawn chairs in the driveway. Mr. Read comes out and stands behind them.''

D.W.: Yay! It's Gobbler the turkey! Hi, Gobbler.

Aunt Minnie: (unconvincing:)  Yay.

Muffy holds her cellphone up as she stands on the top of the goat mountain.

D.W.: Hi, Statue of Liberty! Why does she have a goat?

Aunt Minnie: That is a good question.

The mouse float drives by.

D.W.: Yay! Hi, cool car! Hi, Binky! That's Arthur's friend Binky. He's the Thanksgiving vampire. Yay! It's Arthur's float. It's... what is it?

Buster the moose-mouse runs up to moose Brain who honks his clown horn.

D.W.: Why did that tree honk at the rat?

Aunt Minnie: I don't think we should ask why. We should just enjoy the spectacle.

D.W. walks to the side of the road.

D.W.: Hey, where's Arthur?

Francine: He's looking for Pal.

D.W.: Still? Pal's been gone all day!

Buster: Wow. Poor Arthur.

D.W.: Are you gonna throw candy?

Buster holds out an empty bowl.

Buster: We ate it all.

D.W.: It's supposed to be Thanksgiving, not thanks-taking.

Muffy is filming the turkey balloon above her.

Muffy: So, when you see Gobbler the turkey coming down the street, you'll know…

She notices that the goat is chewing on the rope holding Gobbler.

Muffy: Oh! No, Bluebell, don't! Oh, no!

''The rope snaps and the turkey balloon floats away. Muffy tries to catch it.''

Muffy: Hh! Farmer Garvin, the balloon!

Farmer Garvin: Hh! Gobbler! He's flying away!

D.W.: They let the turkey loose!

Aunt Minnie: I had my doubts about this parade, but they do put on a good show.

D.W.: Woo-hoo! Fly away, turkey! Fly away!

The third-graders see the turkey flying away.

Buster: And they say turkeys aren't graceful.

''The float stops in front of the Tibbles’ house. Grandma and the twins are standing outside.''

Francine: Why did we stop?

Brain: Is the parade over?

Sue Ellen: It's over for that turkey.

Francine: It's safe to jump off now, right? Let's go help Arthur.

Mr. Ratburn: Good idea. We'll all go help.

The kids take off their antler hats.

Arthur sticks a flyer to a wall while his mom and Kate wait.

Kate : (cries)

Arthur: Now, let's try the streets on the other side of town.

Mrs. Read: Arthur, I need to get Kate home for her nap.

Arthur: But we still have all these flyers.

Mrs. Read: I know, but I don't want you out here alone.

Arthur: But Pal is alone!

Mrs. Read: I know, but…

Sharina comes pushing a bike.

Sharina: I can help find that little perrito.

Mrs. Prendergast comes with more supplies.

Mrs. Prendergast: Here's more tape and a big box of thumbtacks.

The “mice” come with Mr. Ratburn.

Francine: Arthur! We came to help too.

Arthur: Wow, thanks, guys.

Mr. Ratburn: I think we should divide into search teams.

 

Brain, Buster and Arthur put flyers under car windshield wipers.

Mrs. Prendergast and Sue Ellen have puts flyers on both sides of a pole.

Francine’s cellphone rings.

Francine: Hello? Oh, hi, Muffy.

Mr. Crosswire drives his convertible with Muffy, Binky and Farmer Garvin in the back and Bluebell riding shotgun.

Muffy: Francine, look up in the sky. Do you see Gobbler anywhere?

Francine: Yes, I see it.

Muffy: She sees it! Daddy, head south on Point Road!

Mr. Crosswire: Got it.

Bluebell takes a bite out of Mr. Crosswire’s cowboy hat.

Mr. Crosswire: Somebody buckle up this goat.

''Patrick and Mr. Ratburn pass out flyers in front of Patrick’s chocolates. Mr. Ratburn’s phone rings.''

Mr. Ratburn: Hello, Muffy. Yes, I can see it now. It seems to be heading toward...

Muffy: Okay, thanks. He said it's heading toward the soccer field.

Mr. Crosswire: Roger!

''Mr. Crosswire has parked the car on the soccer field. The balloon flies over the scoreboard.''

Mr. Crosswire: There it is. The turkey balloon rope is tangled on a scoreboard.

Binky: How are we going to get it down?

Muffy: We need a big ladder. I'm calling the fire department.

She takes out her phone.

Arthur, Buster and Brain show a flyer to a man.

Buster: He's kind of a cross between a bedroom slipper and a dust mop.

Arthur: But with a cute face and a really positive attitude.

Man: You mean like that dog there?

''A firetruck drives past them. Pal looks out of the window wearing a fire helmet.''

Buster: Hh! Yes!

Arthur: Pal!

''They run after the firetruck. They catch up with Sharina and stop to catch their breath.''

Sharina: Did you find him?

Buster: (pants)  He’s on the...

Brain: (pants)  …the firetruck!

Sharina: Here, take my bike.

Arthur: (pants) Thank…    She puts her bike helmet on Arthur’s head.

Sharina: "You," yes, I know. Go!

''Arthur drives off. He has to stand on the pedals, because the bike is too big to sit.''

''The firetruck is on the soccer field. Muffy films first them, then herself.''

Muffy: Gobbler, the runaway Thanksgiving turkey balloon, has been found tangled up in the scoreboard here at the Elwood City soccer field, and the fire department is on the scene. Let's watch as our lost and beloved holiday symbol is returned to its owner.

Arthur arrives on Sharina’s bike, just as the fireman on the ladder reaches Gobbler’s rope.

Arthur: (pants)  Pal?

Pal is standing on the fire truck’s roof.

Pal: Huh?

Arthur: Pal!

Pal: Arthur?

''Pal jumps into Arthur’s arms in slow motion. Arthur falls backwards, holding Pal.''

Arthur: Haha. Good boy. There you are!

Muffy: This is all very touching, but you're in the shot. Get out of the way!

Arthur: Oh, sorry.

He moves to the side.

Muffy: Hmph.

The firefighter gives Farmer Garvin the rope holding the turkey balloon.

Firefighter 2: Here you go.

Farmer Garvin: Thanks.

''Mr. Garvin pulls the plug from the turkey’s rear and looks disgusted as the helium blows into his face. He holds Gobbler, while it deflates.''

Muffy: Isn't that sweet? He's giving it a hug! This is Muffy Crosswire, wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving.

Mr. Crosswire: Muffin, you saved Gobbler. You're a Thanksgiving hero. Hohoho.

He hugs her.

Arthur is holding Pal, surrounded by his friends and helpers.

Arthur: Pal, I'm so thankful I found you. And I'm really thankful to everyone who helped me. Hey, do you know what would be really fun?

''Arthur stands by the front door of his house. His mom, holding Kate, and his dad stand in the hallway.''

Arthur: Is it okay that I asked a few friends over for Thanksgiving?

Mrs. Read: Of course. Everyone is welcome.

Mr. Read: There's always room for an extra plate or two.

The parents look past Arthur and their mouths drop open: Outside are Mr. Crosswire, Muffy, Sharina, the fireman, Mr. Ratburn, Patrick, Mrs. Prendergast and Farmer Garvin with Bluebell.

Mr. Read: Or... ten.

Minnie and D.W. come to the door.

Mrs. Read: I don't think our dining room is big enough.

D.W.: That goat better not be coming inside.

Mr. Read: We need to set up tables in the backyard.

Arthur: I'll get chairs from the garage.

Aunt Minnie: D.W., you'll need to fold ten more napkins.

D.W.: Me? Why am I the only one doing work around here?

''D.W. walks away sulking. Minnie smiles and shakes her head.''

The last scene continues where the introduction left off.

Arthur: So, that's how all these new people came to Thanksgiving this year. I'm still not sure why there's a goat here, but I guess I won't need to mow the lawn for a while.

D.W.: Tell them the best part.

Arthur: Oh, yeah. There were two kinds of pie: apple and pumpkin.

D.W.: No! I'm talking about Aunt Minnie. Mom talked Aunt Minnie into adopting some dog she saw at the shelter.

''Flashback: Minnie walks out of the shelter with Nicky on a leash. Mrs. Read and D.W. are waiting by the car.''

D.W. (narrator): She said she was used to living alone, but I knew she wanted some company.

Minnie squats and pats Nicky, who licks her face.

Aunt Minnie: Uh, oh. Easy now. Oh, oh, okay. Maybe just one hug.

She hugs Nicky.

The flashback ends.

D.W.: So, when she moves here, she's not only gonna have a niece to keep her company; she's also going to have her own dog. And we get to take care of him until she moves back.

Arthur: I guess the best part of Thanksgiving is different for everybody. But the main thing is, we're all here together. Oh, looks like it's time for dinner. happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

''Arthur’s father puts a turkey on the table and everybody claps. Pal and Nicky run through the yard.''