Ladonna's Like List/Transcript

Arthur stands at his locker.

Arthur: Do you ever wonder if people are thinking about you? Like, right now. I wonder if Francine is thinking about me.

Francine stands nearby at her locker.

Francine: (thinks:)  That Arthur. What a great friend. If only everyone were like him.

Arthur: Hey, what were you just thinking?

Francine: Huh? I was just wondering if we were having meatloaf for lunch.  (sniffs)  Or maybe it's... chili?   

She walks away. Buster approaches.

Arthur: What about Buster? I bet he's thinking about me.

Buster: (thinks:)  Arthur's the best. Such a great guy.   (loud:)  Hey, Arthur, guess what.

Arthur: What?

Buster: It's meatloaf day. My school lunch almanac never lies.   

He walks away.

Arthur: Oh, well. Maybe we think too much about what people think about us anyway.   

Ladonna comes up.

Ladonna: Hey, I was just thinking about you.

Arthur: You were?

Ladonna: Yeah, I was thinking: What does Arthur think of me? Am I a good friend? Do I talk too much and don't listen enough? Do you think that's true? You can be honest.

Arthur: I think... we’re having meatloaf for lunch.    

He walks away. Ladonna looks confused.

~~~

Title Card: Ladonna checks her list on the first day

~~~

Ladonna and Bud say goodbye to Arthur and D.W. at the garden gate.

Bud: Bye, D.W.!

Ladonna: Bye, Arthur!    

They walk back to the house.

Bud: Lucky they're our four-houses-down neighbors, huh?

Ladonna: Yup. It's nice living in a place where everyone likes me.

Bud: Well, not everyone.

Ladonna: What do you mean, not everyone?!

Bud: Nobody's liked by everyone. Not even me, and I'm adorable.

Ladonna: Well, every in my class likes me. I'll prove it to you.

~~~

Ladonna puts a sheet of paper on the dining table.

Ladonna: This is Ladonna Compson's Like List.

Bud: What's a Like List?

Ladonna: Whenever someone on the list does something that proves they like me, I'll check off their names.   

She shows him the list with all her classmate’ names.

Bud: Is my name on there?

Ladonna: You're family. You have to like me.

Bud: That's true. Even though your feet stink.      

She pulls his cap down.

Ladonna: Do not!   You'll see. This list will be all checks in no time.

~~~

The next morning before school, Ladonna walks up to Fern who is reading on the school steps.

Ladonna: Is that ‘Loki Benediktssen and the Teenage Aesir’? I love that book.

Fern: Me too. This is my second time reading it. What did you think of the sequel?

Ladonna: There's a sequel?

Fern: Uh-huh, and it's even better than this one. I'll lend it to you.    

The bell rings. Ladonna takes out her list.

Ladonna: Fern Walters: check.

She walks inside and lets the door fall in George’s face.

George: (sighs)     

He puts down the ferris wheel model he was carrying and opens the door.

~~~

Mr. Ratburn has drawn a butterfly on the blackbird.

Mr. Ratburn: We'll be doing group presentations about the life cycle of butterflies. Everyone please find a partner.

George is about to ask Ladonna who is sitting next to him.

George: Hey, dou you...

Francine: Hey, Ladonna, partners?

Ladonna: Sure.       Francine Frensky: check.   

She checks her list and walks over to Francine while George looks disappointed. Buster comes over to him.

George: Wanna be partners?   

George smiles.

~~~

At recess, George sees that seat at an outdoor table is free. Before he gets there, Ladonna sits down with Arthur, Buster and Francine without noticing George.

George: (sighs)    

He walks away looking annoyed.

Buster: Whoa, that smells incredible.

Ladonna: My mom made Thai curry last night. Want some? Carful, though, it's really spicy.    

Buster takes a spoonful.

Buster: This stomach is made of steel. Here, have some of my homegrown tomatoes.

Ladonna: I like you, Buster Baxter. You're an adventurous eater.

Buster: Thanks. I like you too.    

He eats the spoonful. 

Buster: (swallows) Hh!   

His face turns red.   

Buster: Delicious.    

He grabs a water bottle and quickly drains it.     

Buster: More water!  (gasps)    

He runs to and fro. Ladonna checks his name.

~~~

Shortly afterwards, Ladonna armwrestles Binky.

Binky+Ladonna: (strain)        

Ladonna wins.

Buster: Wow!    

They shake hands.

~~~

In karate class, Ladonna and Sue Ellen have a sparring match. Ladonna grabs Ladonna and throws her on the mat.

Ladonna: Oof.       

She and Sue Ellen smile and Sue Ellen helps her up.

~~~

Ladonna plays chess against Brain at school. Eventually she smiles and tips lays down her king. Brain hands her a book called ‘Chess 101’.

~~~

That afternoon, Ladonna comes into the living room where Bud is playing with Rapty.

Ladonna: Phew.  Being this likable is exhausting.     

She sits on the couch.

Bud: Check off any names today?

Ladonna: I’ve got ‘em all. Told ya everybody likes me.

Bud: No check mark there.

Ladonna: Oh. George. Guess I forgot about him. But George likes everybody.

Bud: Are you sure?

Ladonna: Puh-lease. He’ll be checked off before lunch tomorrow.

~~~

The next morning, Ladonna runs after George as he enters the school.

Ladonna: Hey George!        

She lets the door fall in her face without noticing him.

Ladonna: Huh?    

Buster walks up to George at his locker and taps him on the shoulder.

Buster: George!     

George takes headphones out of his ears.

George: Oh. Hi, Buster.

Buster: I had a dream last night about a mutant butterfly. And it gave me some ideas for our project. Let’s plan it out at lunch, okay?

George: Sure.

~~~

During recess, Ladonna waves to George who is walking with Buster.

Ladonna: George! Over here! I saved you a seat!

George: Buster and I are gonna work on our project while we eat. But… um… thanks.

Ladonna: Okay. No problem. Maybe later.

George: Sure.    Hey, what if we make a butterfly model in woodshop.

Ladonna: Cool. Mr. Ratburn will love it.          

Ladonna looks at her list with a disappointed expression.

~~~

After school, Ladonna hides by the door and waits for George to come out.

Ladonna: Hey!

George: Ah!

Ladonna: Didn’t mean to startle you. Wanna go to the movies?

George: Um. Now?

Ladonna: Yeah. They have ‘Pirate Kittens versus Werewolf Puppies’ in 3D. My treat.

George: Thanks, that's really nice, but I kinda have a lot of homework.

Ladonna: Oh, okay.

George: Some other time.    

He leaves.

Ladonna: Sure, some other time.     

She looks annoyed.    

Ladonna: George Lundgren, you will like me.

~~~

Ladonna comes home. Bud meets her in the hallway.

Bud: You get that last name checked off?

Ladonna: I don't wanna talk about it.    

Bud talks to Rapty.

Bud: That sounds like a “no”.

In the kitchen, Ladonna pours orange juice for herself and Bud.

Ladonna: It doesn't make any sense. Why wouldn't George like me.

Bud: It could be because you're bossy. Or because you talk to much. Or because of your stinky feet.

Ladonna: Nobody asked you.     

She hands Bud his glass.

Bud: You just did a second ago. Maybe you and George just don't have anything in common. What does he like?      

He fills some juice into a bowl for Rapty.

Ladonna: I don't really know... Wait! There is one thing I know he likes.

~~~

In woodshop, George and Buster are working on a butterfly model.

Buster: How about we add a jetpack so it's a bionic butterfly?

George: That’d be cool, but I think we'd better stick to the picture. You know, because... science.

Ladonna comes in.

Ladonna: Wanna see what I made?         

She presents an alligator dummy.     

Ladonna: (as dummy:)  Hi, George.

George: Whoa. Cool dummy.

Ladonna: Thanks. I just love dummies. And ventillicism.

George: You mean ventriloquism?

Ladonna: Yeah, that too. Watch.       (as dummy:)  (mumbles)

George: Huh? I don't understand.

Buster: I think she said “I’m a panda stuck in an elevator”.

Ladonna: No, that was “My name’s Wallinda and I’m an alligator." Maybe you could give me some lessons.

George: I don't know. I'm not that good.

Ladonna: Are you kidding? You're the best. Isn't George the greatest puppeteer ever?!    

She speaks so loudly that Arthur, Buster, Binky, Sue Ellen and Mr. Bevel start looking at them.

Buster: Hh!

George: I... I have to go to the bathroom.      

He runs out.

~~~

That afternoon, Ladonna comes into Bud’s room where Bud is playing on the bed.

Ladonna: Bud! I need your help!

Bud: Let me guess. Is it for George?

Ladonna: No.     Okay, maybe.

Bud: Why does it even matter? Lot's of people like you. Who cares if everyone does?

Ladonna: I care.

Bud: Why?

Ladonna: Because I just do, okay! Now come on, you're gonna help me with my dance routine!

Bud slides off the bed

Bud: Agh!

~~~

The next morning, the kids are sitting in class with their insect projects. Ladonna is missing.

George: Ladonna never even noticed me before, and now it's like she wants to be my best friend.

Arthur: I don't know, George. She's just friendly to everybody.

Buster: Where did she go, anyway?

Francine: She went for a drink of water ten minutes ago. I'm starting to wonder if she's ever coming back.

At that moment, Ladonna comes in wearing a boater, a white shirt and black pants with red suspenders.

Ladonna: George Lundgren. Today is your lucky day.    

George covers his eyes.

George: Oh no.

Ladonna: I, Ladonna Compson, have written this poem and choreographed this dance for you. “Oh, George, I really like you, I think you are so great / so here’s a little poem to help us celebrate.”

George: Celebrate what?

Ladonna: “His family is from Norway. I think that’s pretty cool. / It always makes me smile when I see you round our school.”      

Mr. Ratburn looks disapprovingly.    

Ladonna: “George, I think you’re super and I hope you think I’m fun. This poem is from your pal, Ladonna Comp-son.”

Mr. Ratburn: Miss Compson, may I remind you that this is Biology class, not poetry. Please, take a seat.

Buster: Is it your birthday?

George: No!

Buster: Then why...?

George: I don't know!   

He runs out of the room. Ladonna goes to sit beside Francine.

Francine: Not cool, Ladonna! George hates being the center of attention.

Arthur: Yeah, why would you do that to him?

Ladonna takes out her list and erases the checkmarks behind Arthur and Francine.

Ladonna: Now I'm going in the wrong direction.

~~~

Later, Ladonna takes her lunch out of her locker and the Like List falls out. She walks away without noticing. George picks it up and looks angry.

~~~

George runs up to Ladonna who is eating alone by a tree. He holds up the list.

George: Is this why you've been paying so much attention to me?! Because you're trying to check my name of your Like List?!!

Ladonna: Um...

George: Fine! Here's a check by my name! In fact, have two!    

He makes two check marks on the list and throws it at Ladonna’s feet.       

George: There! Now you can go to ignoring me like you usually do!   

He walks away.

Ladonna: George! I'm... I'm really sorry.      

She looks sad.

~~~

That afternoon, Ladonna is slumped over the kitchen table holding the list. Bud comes in.

Bud: How's it going with the list?        

Ladonna: I'm done with it. I have to see George.        

She crumples up the list and walks to the door.

Bud: What? But I thought you were done trying to get people to like you.

Ladonna: That's not what I'm going to do.

~~~

Ladonna rings the Lundgrens’ doorbell and George answers.

George: Oh no. You don't have a mariachi band with you, do you?!

Ladonna: No, I just came to apologize. I think if I had been treated the way I’ve been treating you, well... I wouldn't like me either. Anyway, I'm really sorry. That's it.    

She walks away. George looks thoughtful.

~~~

The next morning, Ladonna walks to the school entrance, still looking sad. Someone holds the door open for her and she sees that it is George.

Ladonna: Huh?   Oh, um... Thanks.

George: Sure, no problem.

Ladonna and George walk down a hallway.

Ladonna: Are you still angry with me? Because I actually do want you to like me, even without that silly list.

George: I do like you. Especially when you're not reading a poem you wrote for me.

Ladonna: Yeah, that was kind of over the top.

George: So... how’d you get the tail to move on Wallinda?

Ladonna: I tied a little string to it and moved it with my other hand.

George: Oo, nice touch. I can help teach you to talk without moving your lips, if you want.

Ladonna: I could sure use it. I sounded like I was speaking under water with a mouth full of marbles, cross my heart.

They turn around a corner.