Phony Fern

Phony Fern is the first half of the 4th episode of Season 11. It first aired on June 28, 2007 with Brain's Shocking Secret.

Summary
Fern receives the latest phone for simple communication, but becomes addicted to the appliance.

Plot Outline
Muffy shows Fern her new phone, the Portilex 360. Despite initially voicing contempt for the phone, the consumerism it generates and the fact that seemingly everyone has one, thus limiting social prowess, Fern receives a Portilex from her parents, a happenstance that she initially bemoans.

In light of this, Fern eventually becomes glued to the phone after being lulled by its extensive panoply of features. She uses the Portilex almost constantly, and even lands herself in trouble with Mr. Ratburn when she uses the phone in class.

When the battery begins to run low during a heated talk with Muffy, Fern frantically attempts to recharge it, but the phone is destroyed when she trips and loses it under the drum of a road roller. Fern's parents are disappointed that Fern did not stick to the phone's bare mandatory purpose, and so Fern decides upon a simple, no-frills model, deciding that she would be happier.

Quotes
Fern: (upon receiving the Portilex and injuring herself on its flip-top cover) Ow!

Home Video
DVD:
 * Arthur: Season 11
 * Big Brother Binky (DVD)
 * Germophobia (DVD)