Editing Postcards from Buster (episode)/Transcript



''It is snowing on the Read house. Arthur sits at the top of the stairs in his pajamas and listens while his mom talks on the phone.''

'''Mrs. Read:''' Well, let's see. I'm looking at my calendar now, Bitzi. The week of the thirteenth is clear for me. Of course I'd have to check with David. I know he has a catering job on the Tuesday, but he...

''Arthur uses his Bionic Bunny walkie talkie.''

'''Arthur''': Buster! Buster, do you read me?

''A split screen shows Buster. Listening at the door.''

'''Buster:''' Roger, Arthur, but this walkie talkie is giving me trouble.

''He hits it and his part of the screen is temporarily replaced with static.''

'''Arthur''': Did you find anything out?

'''Buster:''' Not yet. Wait, I hear something.

'''Mrs. Baxter''': Are you sure you don't mind? It would really...

'''Buster:''' I think your mom said...

''He is replaced with static again.''

'''Mrs. Read:''' ...and Buster will be so excited...

'''Arthur''': What? What'd she say? Are we...? Buster? Buster, do you read me?

''D.W. comes from behind.''

'''D.W.:''' Hey, keep it down! Some of us are trying to sleep, and eardropping is a bad habit. 

'''Arthur''': Shh! This is important! I could affect the whole family.

''D.W. looks wide-eyed and goes to fetch an empty toilet roll.''

'''D.W.:''' Here, use this!

''Arthur holds the roll to his ear.''

'''Mrs. Read:''' I think this sounds like a great idea. Well, I'll talk to you later, Bitzi. Bye-bye. ''She hangs up and looks up at her children.'' Ahem! Well, as long as you're up, you might as well hear the big news. ''Arthur and D.W. exchange excited looks.'' We're going to New York City.

'''D.W.:''' New York City? You mean ''the'' New York City? Not just some old York City that's called New York City?

''She runs down the stairs and Mrs. Read sits her on her knee.''

'''Mrs. Read:''' Yes, ''the'' New York City, D.W. We're going to take Buster to see his father. 

'''Buster (on walkie talkie):''' Arthur! Arthur, did you hear?

''The screen splits again. Buster is standing next to his mom.''

'''Arthur+Buster:''' We're going on a trip!



''Arthur goes through his belongings in his room. Buster sits on Arthur's bed playing with a paddle ball and looking depressed.''

'''Arthur''': Should I bring a flashlight to New York? What about a face mask and snorkel? Maybe the hotel will have a pool. How about my Grebes hat? It's my favorite hat, but maybe it'll offend people if I wear a baseball hat from another city. Buster, are you listening?

'''Buster:''' I think my mom is really going to miss me. 

'''Arthur''': Why do you say that?

''He sits down beside Buster.''

'''Buster:''' Well, because she said 'I'm really going to miss you'?

'''Arthur''': Did she really miss you the last time you went away with your dad?

'''Buster:''' Yeah, she did. Oh, maybe I just won't go.

'''Arthur''': What? You can't do that!

'''Buster:''' Sure I can. I'll just say I don't want to.

'''Arthur''': But... this was gonna be our first trip together. Don't you wanna go?

''Buster looks out of the window.''

'''Buster:''' Of course I do. We'll have the best time in New York. And my dad is planning on taking me on a trip from there. It'd be so amazing.

'''Arthur''': Exactly!

'''Buster:''' Huh. When you put it that way. Aw, I don't know what to do.

'''Arthur''': Why don't you just be really nice to your mom while you're still here, then she won't miss you so much.

'''Buster:''' Okay. Oh, here is what you should do with your hat. ''He punches it inside out, so the G is no longer visible, then he puts it on Arthur's head.'' There! Now no one will know you're an Elwood City Grebes fan. See ya!

''He walks out. Arthur looks at himself in a mirror.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''The next morning, Mr. Read makes scrambled eggs in the kitchen. D.W., Mrs. Read, Grandma Thora with Kate on her lap, and Arthur sit at the table. Arthur plays with Kate.''

'''Arthur:''' Goo goo gaboo.

'''Kate:''' (giggles)

''D.W. lifts the milk carton and sees a newspaper underneath.''

'''D.W.:''' (gasps) Unicornucopia. A musical extravaganza.

'''Arthur:''' You read that?

'''D.W.''': No, but I recognize him from the commercial. ''She points at the actor in the ad.'' That's Connor, the unicorniking. He flies over the audience and sprinkles magic dust over everyone.

'''Arthur:''' Hey, it's playing in New York.

''D.W. takes the paper to her dad.''

'''D.W.''': Dad, can we see it? Look, it even got a star. That means it's good.

'''Mr. Read''': One star from the Saskatoon Daily isn't so good, honey. 

'''D.W.''': But I've never seen a real Broadway musical. Please.

'''Grandma Thora:''' You should see something while you're there.

'''Mr. Read''': Mom, tickets are 85 dollars apiece.

'''D.W.''': We'll cut back. There's a lot of ways to save money around here. We can put Arthur on a diet.

'''Arthur:''' Hey!

''He pours himself cereal.''

'''D.W.''': Okay, but eat slowly, 'cause that's your lunch and dinner too.

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Meanwhile, the Baxters have finished breakfast. Buster jumps up and takes the plates.''

'''Buster:''' Relax, Mom, I'll do it.

''Baxter fills the sink with water.''

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' You're going to wash the dishes too? To what do I owe this surprise?

'''Buster:''' I just thought it'd be nice.

''He starts washing the dishes.''

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' (sighs) You're such an angel. What am I going to do without you?

''She kisses him and goes out.''

''Buster smiles, but then he looks worried.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Buster runs to the Sugar Bowl and sits at a table with Arthur.''

'''Buster:''' Your plan isn't working.

'''Arthur:''' What plan?

'''Buster:''' The one where I'm supposed to be extra nice to my mom. Oh, it's just making her miss me more. And I haven't even left yet. What's gonna happen when I do leave.

''In his imagination, Mrs. Baxter stands at Katzenellenbogan Airport and watches a plane take off.''

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' There he goes. He's gone. My baby! (sobs  hysterically)

''Other passengers looks shocked.'' 

''The terminal is flooded in Mrs. Baxter's tears. Two airport attendants come by on a pedal boat and take her away.''

''The fantasy ends.''

'''Buster:''' (sighs) I'd better try another approach.

''Arthur is about to eat a spoonful of his sundae.''

'''D.W.:''' Stop! Arthur, that ice-cream has sprinkles on it. You know we have to save every penny. ''She scrapes them off and takes them to Mr. Menino on a saucer.'' I'd like a refund, please.

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Arthur fills Pal's bowl with chicken feast. When he has gone, D.W. pours half of the food back into the bag.''

'''Pal:''' (whines)

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Arthur throws an empty toothpaste tube in the trash. D.W. puts it on the floor and jumps on it. A bit of paste with a hair on it comes out, which she puts on Arthur's brush.'' 

''Mrs. Read tries to feed Kate peas. Kate brushes the spoon away. D.W. picks the peas off the floor.''

'''Mrs. Read:''' (gasps) 

''She shakes her head. D.W. feeds the peas to Pal.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''D.W. rings Mr. Molina's doorbell.'' 

'''D.W.''': Mr. Molina. Can you give me your old newspapers?

''Mr. Molina gives her a stack of papers.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''In her room, D.W. cuts out coupons.''

''D.W. puts the coupons on the table where Mrs. Read is writing cheques.''

'''D.W.''': Here, coupons. I don't know what they're for, but they'll save us money.

''Mrs. Read smiles.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''D.W. and Nadine stand by the living room couch.''

'''D.W.''': I bet this couch is full of loose change. You take that end and I'll take this end.

''They both put their hands under the cushions and search. Nadine pulls out a winged pig.''

'''Nadine''': Hey, look, it's Snooter, that imaginary pig you used to have.

''Snooter flies squeaking through the room.''

'''D.W.''': Oh yeah. Um, you can have him. I don't need him anymore.

''Snooter flies in Nadine's arms.''

'''Nadine''': Thanks.

''D.W. finds two coins.''

'''D.W.''': Ten cents? Oh. At this this rate I’m never gonna get to see Unicornucopia.

''The sit side by side on the floor.''

'''Nadine:''' Maybe it would be cheaper if I didn’t come with you to New York.

'''D.W.''': But you’re imaginary. You don’t cost anything.

'''Nadine:''' You never know, D.W. This is New York we’re talking about.

'''D.W.''': That’s true. But what would you do without me? Would you even exist?

'''Nadine:''' Snooter was still in the couch.

'''Snooter:''' (squeaks)

'''D.W.''': Okay, it’s settled. You stay here. You’re the best imaginary friend a girl could have.

'''Nadine:''' And you’re the best real friend an imaginary girl could have.

''They hug.''

'''Snooter:''' (squeaks)

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Mrs. Baxter comes home, hangs up her coat and walks into the living room. It is a mess. Buster sits an armchair watching TV.''

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' (gasps)

'''Buster:''' Hey.

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' What happened here?! Did you make this mess?

'''Buster:''' Yup. What can I say? I'm a slob. Atchoo! ''He wipes his hand on the armchair.'' Well, at least the place will always be clean and tidy when I'm gone. Bet you can't wait to get rid of me now.

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Get rid of you?? I never want to get rid of you.

'''Buster:''' Really? But... you-you haven't seen the kitchen yet. You think this is bad? I dumped leftover ziti in the vegetable crisper.

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Buster, what's gotten into you?

'''Buster:''' I don't know. I thought, maybe if I misbehaved, you wouldn't miss me so much.

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' I'm gonna miss you no matter what.

'''Buster:''' Then I'm not going.

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Sweetie, I want you to go. It's going to be a terrific experience. You don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine.

'''Buster:''' You promise?

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Cross my heart. But I am worried about all you have to do to get ready.

'''Buster:''' Why?

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' It's going to take you hours to clean this place. Then you have to pack. You'll probably be up all night. ''They hug.'' I suggest you get started.

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''On the day of the journey, Mr. Read packs the car. Inside the house, Arthur pulls his bag while D.W. shows him cards.''

'''Arthur:''' D.W., I don’t have any room for your index cards.

'''D.W.''': They’re not index cards. They’re postcards, so we don’t have to buy them in New York. See, I’ve already drawn all the famous sights. Here’s the Vampire State Building... ''She holds up a drawing of a skyscraper with fangs.'' ...and Rocks-a-Falling Center, and the Statue of Liver Trees…

''Grandma Thora comes in.''

'''Grandma Thora''': Great news, D.W. You don't have to worry about saving money anymore. I got lucky at Bingo last night.

'''D.W.''': You did?

'''Grandma Thora''': Yes, and I bought all of you tickets to Unicornicopia.

'''D.W.''': Thank you, Grandma.

''She hugs Thora. Arthur looks worried.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Buster and his mom stand in their hallway. Mrs. Baxter holds a list.''

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Ticket?

'''Buster:''' Check.

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Asthma inhaler?

'''Buster:''' Check.

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Gum for the plane?

'''Buster:''' And check.

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Okay, we're all set then.

''She takes the suitcase and goes out. Buster sees a box of tissues.''

'''Buster:''' Hm. I bet she's gonna need these.

''He takes them.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Mrs. Baxter drives through town. She rubs her eye and Buster hands her a tissue.''

'''Buster:''' Tissue?

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' It's just a bit of dust, Sweetie.

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''The Reads, including Thora, arrive at the airport.''

'''Mr. Read:''' Well, that's all the bags.

''Mrs. Read holds Kate.''

'''Mrs. Read:''' Take good care of Grandma and Pal, Pumpkin.

''She kisses Kate and hands her to Thora.''

'''Kate:''' (laughs)

''Arthur says goodbye to Pal.''

'''Arthur:''' Take good care of Kate and Grandma, boy.

'''Pal:''' (barks)

''He licks Arthur's face. Nadine appears beside D.W. Nadine is holding Snooter.''

'''D.W.''': Take good care of Grandma, Kate, and Snooter, Nadine.

'''Nadine''': I will. Are you going to write to me?

'''D.W.''': I would if I knew how.

'''Nadine''': Oh, okay. Just bring me back a souvenir.

'''Snooter:''' (squeaks)

''Nadine and Snooter disappear.''

''A horn blows and the Baxters arrive. Everyone waves.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''The Reads stand at the baggage check-in. Buster stands with his mom. Buster is holding the tissues.''

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' We have to say goodbye here.

'''Buster:''' Okay.

''His mom hugs him.''

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Oh, you're going to have such a wonderful time.

'''Buster:''' Yeah, I know.

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Would you like to leave those with me?

'''Buster:''' No. (sniffs) I think I'll need them.

''He takes a tissue and wipes his eye. His mom takes a tissue and blows her nose.''

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' Oh, I almost forgot. This is for you.

''She hands him a bag. He takes out a camera.''

'''Buster:''' A video camera.

'''Mrs. Baxter:''' You can send me back the tapes. That way I can see all the adventures you're having.

'''Buster:''' Whoa! I can't wait to use it!

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Arthur and Buster sit side by side in a plane.''

'''Buster:''' I wonder what happens when I push this red button. ''Live action footage of the inside of a plane is shown.'' Hey! Hey, I'm seeing something.

'''Arthur:''' Buster, look out the window!

'''Buster:''' (gasps) We're gaining speed.

''The outside of the plane is shown as a cartoon.''

'''Arthur:''' Are you getting this? Is it recording?

'''Buster:''' I hope so, because we're about to ''take off''!











Clouds form the letter U 








U: Hai Han Hoo She! (Ocean Shores Presents)
























The Chinese words “Hai Han Hoo She”





Hai Han Hoo She 





Ocean Shores Film Studio 









''The plane lands in New York. Bo Baxter waits outside the Airport when Buster and the Reads come out.''

'''Buster:''' Dad!

'''Bo Baxter:''' Buster! ''They hug.'' How was the flight?

'''Buster:''' Great! It was really smooth, and I got four bags of free pretzels.

''Bo opens the trunk using a remote control.''

'''Arthur:''' Cool car, Mr. Baxter.

'''Bo Baxter:''' I tried to get a minivan so I could drive everyone into the city, but they were all reserved.

'''Mr. Read:''' Oh, that's alright, Bo. D.W.'s been practicing hailing a taxi all week.

'''D.W.:''' (sharp whistle) Taxi!

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Bo drives Buster from the airport.''

'''Bo Baxter:''' Nice camera, sport.

'''Buster:''' Mom gave it to me. I'm gonna film my trip and send it back to her.

'''Bo Baxter:''' You might want to point it out the window. The Empire State Building's coming up.

''Footage of Manhattan from a bridge is shown.''

'''Buster:''' Look, Mom, there it is, the Empire State Building.

''Footage of a subway train and skyscrapers seen from street level.''

'''Buster:''' Wow, these buildings are so tall.

'''Bo Baxter:''' Look, Buster, our hotel.

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''A cartoon view of Central Park.''

''The next day, Buster and his dad are having breakfast in the breakfast room when the Reads come in.''

'''Buster:''' How’d you sleep.

'''Arthur:''' (yawns) D.W. wouldn’t go to sleep for hours. She wanted to find all the free things in the room.

'''D.W.''': So far, I’ve got soap, shampoo, conditioner, a shower cap… oh yeah, and ice.

''She holds up a dripping backpack.''

'''Buster:''' You wanna come with my dad and me to meet this Latin rock band called Los Viajeros? My dad's gonna be flying them around the country. They're at this place called "The Point".

'''Arthur:''' Yeah! Can I?

'''Mrs. Read:''' Sure. We'll just arrange to meet at the musical.

'''Arthur+Buster:''' Yeah!

''They high-five.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Bo drives the boys through New York. Buster films the street outside.''

'''Buster:''' Guess what, Mom. Dad's taking us to this restaurant called "The Jade Elephant". It's supposed to have the best dim sum in New York.

'''Bo Baxter:''' I can't believe it. Finally, a parking spot. Everyone ready to eat?

'''Arthur+Buster:''' Yeah!

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Bo Baxter has parked the car. Arthur looks at a map.''

'''Arthur:''' We started up there in Times Square and now we're here in Chinatown.

'''Bo Baxter:''' I think the restaurant is down one of these side streets.

''Buster films Chinatown as they walk along.''

'''Buster:''' Ah. Pretty cards.

'''Bo Baxter:''' They're Chinese New Year cards.

'''Arthur:''' Hey, Buster, look! It's your street!

'''Buster:''' Where? Where? ''He films a sign saying "Baxter Street" in English and Chinese.'' (gasps) You're right!

'''Bo Baxter:''' That's our name in Chinese characters.

'''Buster:''' Cool. ''He films a shop sign.'' "May May. Chinese Gourmet Bakery".

''He films the inside of the bakery.''

'''Buster:''' Hm. Maybe someone in there knows where the restaurant is. Excuse me, do you know a place called “The Jade Elephant“?

'''Baker:''' I have not heard about it.

'''Buster:''' Do you sell donuts?

'''Baker:''' No, nothing like that. This is a very typical Chinese bakery. Let me show you where the kitchen is.

''They walk through a door and the man uncovers a large pot.''

'''Arthur:''' So that's where the smell was coming from.

'''Baker:''' This is how we cook these Chinese tamales and it's cooked in water for about five hours and they are so good.

''He unwraps a tamale.'' 

'''Baker:''' It's filled with the peanut, the mung bean...

'''Buster:''' Mmm. Mung bean. Sounds good.

'''Baker:''' …the pork and mushrooms. Buster, you eat this?

'''Buster:''' You bet I'll eat that.

'''Baker:''' Alright.

'''Arthur:''' Buster, we have to go. Your dad forgot his cell phone in the car.

'''Buster:''' Aw...

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''The Read parents and D.W. leave their hotel room.''

'''Mr. Read:''' Phew. I was beginning to think we were never gonna get out of that room. Okay, D.W., this is the last time I’m gonna ask. Are you sure you have everything you need?

'''D.W.''': Bag, water, purse, lollipop. Yup! And right after I go to the bathroom, I’ll be all set.

'''Mr. Read:''' (sighs)

''He opens the door again.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Bo Baxter and the boys walk along a street and find an empty space where they left the car.''

'''Bo Baxter:''' Hey, where's our car?! We parked it right here!

'''Passer-By 1:''' Oh, the car was towed. You can't park there.

''Buster films a sign.''

'''Passer-By 2:''' The sign says: "Don't even think about parking here."

'''Buster:''' What do we do now?

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Bo Baxter and the boys ride the subway.''

'''Bo Baxter:''' Sorry about the car, boys.

'''Arthur:''' I don't mind. I like seeing the subway.

'''Buster:''' Me too. But I'd like it better, if I'd eaten that hot Chinese tamale. I'm starving.

'''Arthur:''' Why don't you eat the one he gave you?

'''Buster:''' You have to cook them for five hours. Besides, this is for my food collection at home.

'''Bo Baxter:''' Don't worry. We'll have a big lunch with Los Viajeros at “The Point”.

'''Arthur:''' Is “The Point” a restaurant?

'''Bo Baxter:''' Actually, I'm not sure. But we have to change trains here at Grand Central. 

''Buster films people getting off the train and onto the platform.''

'''Arthur:''' What are all those people doing?

'''Buster:''' Dad? Can we see?

'''Bo Baxter:''' Sure. Just stick together.

'''Break Dancer:''' We are the New York City Transformers Break Dance Club.

''Some people are break-dancing.''

'''Arthur:''' Wow, these guys are amazing.

''One dancer picks up two others and spins around.''

'''Buster:''' Hey, it's a human helicopter.

''Buster interviews one of the dancers.''

'''Buster:''' Could you show us some of your moves?

'''Break Dancer:''' What I'm about to show you is called a basic wave. See if you can imagine water going through my whole body. Okay, I'm gonna start with the fingers. ''He holds out his arm and slowly waves first the arm, then his body, then the other arm.'' Get that?

''He goes back to dancing.''

'''Buster:''' Uh, I think so. Can you do it again?

'''Break Dancer:''' That took many years to do, you understand that?

'''Buster:''' Yeah, I can imagine.

'''Bo Baxter:''' Hurry up, boys! The uptown train is pulling in!

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''D.W. and her parents sit in a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park.''

'''D.W:''' Can we go again?

''The parents get off and Mr. Read pays the coachman.''

'''Mrs. Read:''' Not now, honey. We're going to the Museum of Natural History.

'''Mr. Read:''' Thanks.

''D.W. hands the coachman a half-eaten pretzel with cheese.''

'''D.W:''' Here, a tip for the horse.

'''Mr. Read:''' Come on, D.W.

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Bo Baxter and the boys ride another subway train.''

''Buster films while they walk along the platform and out of the station.''

'''Arthur:''' I can't believe our train was taken out of service.

'''Buster:''' I know. It feels like we're never going to have lunch.

''Buster films a sign saying "El Barrio".''

'''Buster:''' Dad, where are we?

'''Bo Baxter:''' El Barrio. This is New York's biggest Puerto Rican neighborhood.

'''Buster:''' Cool. Chalk drawings.

'''Arthur:''' Look, Buster, there's the guy who's doing them.

'''Buster:''' Excuse me, do you know a place called "The Point"?

'''Dr. De La Vega:''' I think I've heard of “The Point“, but I don't know where it is. I wouldn't know how to get there. I think it's somewhere in the Bronx.

'''Buster:''' What are you doing?

'''Dr. De La Vega:''' I'm drawing a picture of my mom. I'm the neighborhood doctor.

''He signs his drawing.''

'''Buster:''' “Dr. De La Vega“.

'''Dr. De La Vega:''' I try to make people feel better. I try to make them smile. I try to make them think about themselves and the world.

'''Buster:''' Oh, if you're a doctor, shouldn't you have an office or something.

'''Dr. De La Vega:''' I just like drawing on the sidewalks. I like surprising people with these drawings.

''Buster reads a drawing's title.''

'''Buster:''' "Become your dream." (gasps) Dr. De La Vega, I dreamt that I was a giant squid being chased by a wheel of cheese.

'''Dr. De La Vega:''' (chuckles) That's a funny dream you got there, Buster. That's a funny dream.

'''Buster:''' Yeah, it is kind of funny when you think about it.

'''Dr. De La Vega:''' Come close to me. I'll draw a little portrait of you. 

'''Buster:''' Okay, but don't make my ears too big.

'''Dr. De La Vega:''' Pretty face you got there, Buster.

''He draws Buster's face.''

'''Buster:''' Hey, that's not bad.

'''Dr. De La Vega:''' Now, Buster, I'll give you some chalk. ''He draws Buster, Arthur, Mrs. Baxter and Jayme.'' Here you go, Buster, a little drawing for you.

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Bo Baxter and the boys stand among the chalk drawings. Arthur checks his map.''

'''Arthur:''' According to this map, the Bronx looks really far from here.

'''Bo Baxter:''' I don't see too many cabs around. Maybe there's a bus we could take.

'''Buster:''' Let's go ask in there.

''Buster films as they walk towards a restaurant.''

'''Bo Baxter:''' "La Fonda Boricua." That's a Puerto Rican restaurant.

''Buster films inside.''

'''Buster:''' (gasps) Look at all that food! Mm. Onions.

''Buster asks a boy behind the counter.''

'''Buster:''' Excuse me, do you know how to get to "The Point"?

'''Boy:''' Sorry?

'''Buster:''' "The Point". It's some place in the Bronx. Have you heard of it?

'''Boy:''' No.

'''Arthur:''' Boy, that looks good.

'''Buster:''' Chicken, rice, stew... Oh, I think I'm gonna cry. (gasps) It's a Chinese tamale.

''The boy unwraps a pastel.''

'''Boy:''' No, this is pastel. It's kind of like the tamale.

'''Buster:''' What's inside of it?

'''Boy:''' It's filled with pork, plantain, sometimes we make it with chicken, sometimes we have it with vegetables...

'''Buster:''' Ha, no mung beans!

'''Boy:''' Sorry?

'''Buster:''' How long does it take to cook?

'''Boy:''' We boil it like, let's say, half an hour or an hour.

'''Buster:''' No way. My Chinese tamale takes five hours to cook. I wish we could trade.

'''Boy:''' You're welcome to taste some of our food.

'''Buster:''' Really? Okay.

'''Boy:''' Here you go.

'''Bo Baxter:''' Buster, let's go! I've got a cab outside!

'''Buster:''' Aw...

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''D.W. and her parents arrive at the Hotel Metropole.''

'''Mr. Read:''' I don't know about you two, but I could use a cup of tea and a snack.

''They have tea in the hotel's dining room.''

'''D.W.:''' Wow, is this a palace?

'''Mrs. Read:''' It's the Metropole, a famous old hotel.

'''D.W.:''' I wish I lived here.

''In her imagination, she rings the tiller at the reception desk and receives her mail. She throws the clerk a coin and gets into a lift. She tips the lift boy and runs along a corridor ringing all the doorbells. She goes into her hotel room while other guests look out of their doors. In her room, she and a blue alligator are served cake and fish, respectively. They eat and lie back on the bed.''

'''D.W.+Alligator:''' (burp, snore)

''The fantasy ends.''

'''Mr. Read:''' Where to next? We've got two hours before we have to get ready for the musical.

'''D.W.:''' A pet store. I know I can't live here, but can I at least get an alligator?

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Bo Baxter checks a map in a street in the Bronx.''

'''Bo Baxter:''' The cab driver said "The Point" was just a few blocks away. Must be around here somewhere.

'''Buster:''' Just admit it, Dad. We're lost. Some adventure this is turning out to be. I'm tired and starving. Oh, I wish I hadn't left my Chinese tamale at the back of the cab. I'd eat it raw now.

'''Arthur:''' We could ask for direction in that place.

''Buster films as they walk up to the Valencia Bakery.''

'''Buster:''' (gasps) Another bakery! Maybe this one has something I don't have to boil.

''Buster films inside.''

'''Buster:''' Look at this place! Candy, cakes, piñatas everywhere.

''He sees a shelf with cake.''

'''Buster:''' Oh, Buster wants.

''Buster films a machine stirring icing.''

'''Buster:''' Icing...

'''Baker:''' Don't get too close!

''Buster films men decorating cakes.''

'''Arthur:''' Wow, it's like a piece of art!

'''Buster:''' Yeah, art you can eat.

'''Arthur:''' Hey, Buster, maybe those two girls over there can help us find "The Point".

''Two girls are eating cupcakes at the counter.''

'''Sharay:''' They really did a great job on these cupcakes.

'''Jasmine:''' Hm-mm.

'''Buster:''' Excuse me. Do you know the place called "The Point"?

'''Jasmine:''' Yeah.

'''Buster:''' Is it near here?

'''Sharay:''' Yeah.

'''Buster:''' How far?

'''Sharay:''' Four blocks.

'''Buster:''' My name is Buster, by the way.

'''Sharay:''' My name is Sharay.

'''Jasmine:''' And my name is Jasmine.

'''Buster:''' Er, I don't suppose you have an extra cupcake lying around.

'''Girls:''' No.

'''Jasmine:''' Sorry.

'''Sharay:''' We had six and we ate them all.

'''Jasmine:''' Yup.

'''Buster:''' Six? That's impressive. My record is twelve. Hey, could you ask your moms if you can take us to "The Point"?

'''Sharay:''' Sure. Come on.

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Buster films the girls who walk beside him.''

'''Jasmine:''' “The Point” is only a few blocks away, so you follow us.

'''Sharay:''' Don't get lost.

'''Buster:''' We were lucky to find you.

'''Arthur:''' Yeah. We've been lost all day.

'''Buster:''' Are we there yet?

'''Girls:''' No.

'''Sharay:''' I sure wish we had a car.

'''Buster:''' Yeah, me too. How about now? Are we there yet now?

'''Girls:''' No.

'''Jasmine:''' We're almost there. Right there is "The Point". ''A graffiti says “The Point, entrance on Manida Street".'' Welcome to "The Point". Let's go inside.

''"The Point" is a youth center. Inside, a man is juggling plates. Kids juggle balls and handkerchiefs.''

'''Buster:''' So this is it.

'''Sharay:''' We come to "The Point" to learn every day after school.

'''Buster:''' What are you good at?

'''Boy:''' Juggling, Chinese yo-yo, stilts...

'''Buster:''' Whoa! This place is amazing! How many kids come here?

'''Sharay:''' Er, I think almost up to thirty.

'''Jasmine:''' No, not thirty. It's, like, more like a hundred.

'''Buster:''' Well, which is it, thirty or a hundred?

'''Jasmine:''' A hundred.

'''Sharay:''' A hundred.

'''Jasmine:''' It's like a hundred, yeah. 

''Kids are shown doing homework.''

'''Jasmine:''' They come here to learn. They come here to do homework. They come here to study, and they come here to do art. And I also think they come here so they can enjoy their lives while they are little kids.

'''Sharay:''' Yes, they're just growing up too fast.

''Kids work in a photo lab.''

'''Buster:''' Hey, I wonder if these guys have any tips for me on how to film.

'''Instructor:''' Right here. And what have you decided to go with?

'''Arthur:''' Buster, turn your camera off! Your dad got us some food!

'''Buster:''' Finally!

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''Buster and Arthur sit in a restaurant eating hotdogs.''

'''Buster:''' Mm. This is the best hot dog I've ever had.

'''Arthur:''' Me too.

''Bo Baxter brings a box.''

'''Bo Baxter:''' And wait till you see what's for dessert. ''He uncovers a cake.'' I picked it up at the Valencia bakery while you were looking around.

'''Buster:''' This is turning into a great day. 

'''Bo Baxter:''' Well, there is some bad news. Los Viajeros are late. We might have to wait here a while.

'''Arthur:''' That's okay. I love this place. I could stay here till... ''He checks his watch.'' (gasps) Oh no, the musical starts in fifteen minutes.

'''Bo Baxter:''' Maybe we can get you there by the second act.

''He gets up.''

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''At the musical, a dancer in a princess dress falls into the arms of a dancer in a unicorn costume and accidentally knocks his horn off. A unicorn doll flies over the audience and drops glitter on them. Nadine sits next to D.W., since Arthur has not arrived yet.''

'''D.W.''': That's it? That's the flying unicorn? I can barely see it!

''The curtain closes.''

'''D.W.''': What a rip-off! Sorry I dragged you all the way from home, Nadine, but we had an extra seat.

'''Nadine:''' That’s okay. It’s boring living with people who don’t believe in you.

<nowiki>***</nowiki>

''The Baxters and Reads stand outside the Rider Theater.''

'''Buster:''' Sorry you missed the show, Arthur. I guess we ruined things for you. We got lost in Chinatown, lost in El Barrio, and lost in the Bronx. I bet you never want to go on another trip with me again.

''They all start to leave.''

'''Arthur:''' Are you kidding? If we hadn't gotten lost, I wouldn't have seen so much of New York. I really feel like I'm starting to get to know this place.

'''Buster:''' Me too. The next time we go on a trip together, I think she should bring better directions.



[[Category:Season 8 transcripts]]
[[Category:Transcripts]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:2003]]