Arthur Accused! (episode)/Transcript

(We see Buster's apartment, then we see a sign that says "Buster Baxter Private Eye" with an eyeball on the bottom. The door slowly opens and we see Buster in his room wearing a trenchcoat and a hat drinking a soda.)

Buster (to the viewers): Buster Baxter, Private Eye. I'm going to tell you about my very first case. It involved my Pal Arthur, some missing quarters, and a WHOLE lot of trouble.

(We now see Arthur sitting in detention in Mr. Ratburn's classroom all by himself feeling very disappointed)

Arthur: (sighs) Detention......

(Shortly after, we hear loud chatter from the kids outside the hallway)

Arthur: (gasps) Sounds like a mob!

Kids: Arthur? (chants): Arthur! Arthur! Arthur! Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!

Arthur: OH NO! (hides behind his desk)

(The doorknob slowly turns)

Buster: But I'm getting ahead of myself! Let's go back to the beginning.

(INTERTITLE)

Buster: It all started two days ago. It was a Wednesday, just like any other. 

(Arthur is volunteering at a fundraising booth in the school hallway so the Elwood City Fire Department can get a new puppy)

Binky: What's with the dopey table, Arthur?!

Arthur: I'm collecting quarters for Mrs. MacGrady's fundraising drive. We're going to buy a puppy for the fire department. Can you give a quarter?

Binky: Ummm....... well....... (thinks about it for a moment and finally gives him the quarter). Here!

Buster: Hey Arthur, my Mom's taking me to the arcade! You wanna come?

Arthur: Sure!

Buster: My mom's waiting in the car! Hurry!

Arthur: Just let me take these quarters to Mrs. MacGrady. (puts the quarters in a paper bag, then notices his private eye costume) What's with the goofy hat?

Buster: It's part of my new detective kit! I've been snooping, looking for crimes!

Arthur: Did you find one?

Buster: No, but I did pick up some secret information. (looks around) Third grade picnic this Friday!

Arthur: (sighs) I know that, Buster. There have been signs up for two weeks!

Buster: Oh well, I'm not giving up. I'll find a crime! Hurry up, I'll tell my Mom that I'll wait for you!

(In the cafeteria kitchen, Mrs. MacGrady is talking on the phone with the fire chief)

Mrs. MacGrady: What's that, chief? Yes, Smokey is a nice name for a dog! But how about Edgar or Winston? 

Arthur: Mrs. MacGrady?

Mrs. MacGrady: Yes, it does have a nice kind of ring now that you mentioned it. And it certainly is appropriate! 

Arthur: Excuse me, Mrs. MacGrady?!

Mrs. MacGrady: Smoke is pretty much your business, isn't it? Where there's Smokey, there's a fireman you might say.

Arthur: I gotta get going!

Mrs. MacGrady:  But I don't want to see the dog getting some kind of complex, Chief. Dogs are sensitive, you know, and if you name a fire dog Smokey, well, who's he gonna root for?

Arthur: (tries to grab Mrs. MacGrady's attention)

Mrs. MacGrady:  Now Chester, there's a fine name for a dog, don't you think?

Arthur: (puts the bag of quarters on the table and leaves)

Mrs. MacGrady: It's a real canine name for a dog! My first husband was named Chester.

(At the arcade....)

Buster: That afternoon, I still hadn't found a mystery. But there are always shifty characters at the arcade. I thought it'd be a good place to look.