The "A" Team/Transcript

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Break during the first All-Stars practice. Brain gets something to drink while Francine rests on the bleachers.

Brain: This cup feels like it's a hundred pounds.

Francine: I know. Who knew it was such a long way to the next level? When Rae joins them, Francine stands up.

Rae: Hey, guys! Pretty intense, huh?

Francine+Brain: You said it! Rae leaves. Brain and Francine's shoulders slump.

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Coach Raggett addresses the players.

Coach Raggett: Team! Jordan has decided to leave the team. He has... other commitments.

Team: (Other commitments. Yeah, right!)

Coach Raggett: There's nothing wrong with other commitments. Better to realize that now than later, 'cause I want this team to give a hundred an ten percent. Are you ready to give me that?

Team: Yes, sir!

Coach Raggett: Good. I've scheduled an extra pratice this thursday. Here are reminder notes for your parents. He passes them out. Brain and Francine exchange looks.

Francine+Brain: We're not quitters! They hook pinkies.

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Mr. Ratburn enters the classroom. The children stop chatting.

Mr. Ratburn: Let's settle down, people. There are a couple of announcements. Alan? Brain stands up looking sad.

Brain: I'm not going to be president of the computer club any more. I don't have the time.

Kids: Hh!

Buster: But who's going to head up the club?

Mr. Ratburn: Not to worry. I will be your new driver on the information super roadway. We won't gigabyte off more than we can hew! (laughs) Everybody looks worried.

Brain: I'm sorry.

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Mr. Frensky drives Francine to soccer practice in pouring rain.

Mr. Frensky: I'm a little surprised there's practice today.

Francine: Coach Raggett only cancels for lightening.

Mr. Frensky: Your old team cancelled for rain. What if someone slips and gets injured?

Francine: My old team wasn't going to take me to the next level.

Mr. Frensky: What happens at the next level? You play during blizzards?

Francine: Dad!

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Coach Raggett addresses the players.

Coach Raggett: Team! Little talk. Next game's a scrimmage, thank goodness. We've been invited by Coach Crosswire over in Lakewood to play his team!

Team: (laugh)

Rae: Oh no. We'd better schedule some extra practices.

Francine: They're not that bad.

Coach Raggett: Barrettes is right. Anyway it doesn't matter how bad they are, I still want you to give a hundred and ten percent. Is that clear?

Team: Yes, sir!

Coach Raggett: Good. Line up for sprint relay.

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Francine and Brain line up with the others.

Francine: We're gonna cream them.

Brain: This is one game I'm not looking forward to winning.

Francine: That's not all I'm not looking forward to.

Brain: But you're not thinking of quitting, are you?

Francine: No. Are you? They hook pinkies.

***

The Lakewood team stands on the field. Arthur gives Brain the thumbs-up. The referee whistles. The All-Stars kick off and easily get the ball to the Lakewood goal. Rae shoots but hits the goalpost.

Rae: Come on! Focus!

Buster shoots at the All-Stars goal but aims much too high.

Francine: Buster!

Muffy stands on the sidelines with a megaphone.

Muffy: Alright, Buster! You almost had it!

Rae dribbles past Francine. Francine runs after her, but she manages to score against Arthur.

Francine: Nice try!

Arthur: You too.

Binky is supposed to make a throw-in.

Coach Raggett: What are we waiting for?

Mr. Crosswire: Good eye, Binky! Just figure out your options!

Binky throws to Brain.

Francine: Give and go, Brain!

Brain and Francine do the “give and go”.

Muffy+Mr. Crosswire: Wow! Good move!

Brain kicks the ball against Buster’s chest and it bounces into the goal.

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After the game, the players gather around their coaches.

Coach Raggett: Okay, team. We'll debrief before we head back.

Mr. Crosswire: Terrific game, team. Just terrific!

Muffy: But we lost three-one, Daddy.

Mr. Crosswire: So? You actually scored on the Elwood City All-Stars. You played like a finely-tuned machine and that calls for a little high-octane fuel: Pizza and ice cream!

Team: Yeah! A whistle is heard. Coach Raggett is waving.

Mr. Crosswire: I think you two are wanted across the field. He puts a hand on Francine's and Brain's shoulders. It was really great having you two back for a game. Things just haven't been the same since you quit.

Francine and Brain run over to the All-Stars.

Francine: Wait a second. They stop. We made a pact never to quit, right?

Brain: Right.

Francine: Well, we already broke it. We broke it when we quit them, our real team.

Brain: So you're saying that quitting the All-Stars wouldn't be quitting at all. It would actually be renewing our dedication to a previous commitment.

Francine: Er, yeah. With pizza. They run back to the Lakewood team.

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The Lakewood team has a practise session. The players are gathered around Mr. Crosswire.

Mr. Crosswire: Pair up, everybody, this "give and go" drill is a beauty! So the coach didn't mind letting you go?

Francine: He said he loses three kids a season on average. So we were right in line with the numbers.

Brain: I also told him the computer club was going to dissolve unless I took it over again.

Mr. Crosswire: Well, kids, it just goes to show you, sometimes you quit when you win, and sometimes you win when you quit. Francine and Brain look confuses for a moment. Then they join the other players.