The Great MacGrady (Season 24 episode)/Transcript

Cold Open

Mr. Ratburn: And that, in short, is the difference between liverworts and mosses.

(The bell rings.)

Mr. Ratburn: Class dismissed.

(Francine, Buster, and Arthur walk out of the classroom.)

Francine: Ugh, I thought class would never end. I'm starving.

Arthur: Me too, I wonder what's for lunch.

Buster: Hold on, I'll tell you.

(Buster reaches in his pocket and pulls out a notebook.)

Buster: Let's see, two days past the full moon... it should be baked ziti.

Francine: What's that?

Arthur: Buster's school lunch almanac. He's been keeping a record of everything we've eaten since 1st grade.

Buster: Yep, she's 99% accurate.

(Buster suddenly smells something and is confused.)

Buster: Huh? That's odd. It doesn't smell like baked ziti.

(A brown gross lunch with flies buzzing around is seen.)

(A worker and smells can be seen. Flies are in the cafeteria.)

(Buster, Francine, and Arthur walk in. Buster sniffs and Arthur covers his nose with his hand.)

Francine: Ugh! It smells more like (weird music plays) baked gym shoes.

Arthur: With a side order of sweaty socks.

(Arthur, Buster, and Francine gather around the cook with all the smells.)

Buster: Who are you?

Skip Bitterman: Skip Bitterman, substitute chef. (wipes nose with hand)

(Skip Bitterman gets a ladle and scoops a mysterious substance and pours it on a plate.)

Arthur, Buster, and Francine: Ugh! (closes eyes)

Part One

(Arthur is chewing something and swallows it.)

Arthur: Ugh! How can someone ruin a cracker?

Buster: Look at the color of this pudding. I'd save it in my food cabinet, but I'm afraid to touch it.

(Francine tries to bite into a hard bread.)

Francine: (sighs) I give up. This stale old bun won.

Arthur: I wonder when Mrs. MacGrady is?

Francine: She probably just has a cold.

Buster: (sighs) I hope she's back soon. I think this goulash just moved on its own.

(The goulash is shown bubbling, and some of it splatters onto Buster.)

Buster: Ah!

(A calendar that goes from May 2nd to May 4th, crossing out the day before it until May 3rd is crossed off.)

(Mr. Ratburn is in the classroom, about to tell the class something.)

Mr. Ratburn: Good morning, class. I have an important announcement to make. I'm sure you've all been wondering where Mrs. MacGrady is.

(Binky gets up from his chair.)

Binky: Did she quit?

Muffy: If it's about money, Crosswire motors would be happy to-

Buster: The aliens took her! They're making her teach Earth cooking!

Mr. Ratburn: Everyone, sit down, please.

(Binky and Muffy sit down.)

Mr. Ratburn: Mrs. MacGrady is sick. She has cancer. Her sister is coming to stay with her to help her out.

Binky: Cancer?

(The class begins to murmur.)

Mr. Ratburn: The good news is that they caught it early and her doctors are trying very hard to make her better.

(Francine raises her hand and gets up.)

Mr. Ratburn: Yes, Francine?

(Francine sits down.)

Francine: When is she coming back to school?

Mr. Ratburn: We don't know that yet. But it probably won't be for several weeks, perhaps longer.

(Francine looks sad, and Buster and Arthur are looking at each other in wonder.)

(Francine and Muffy are now shopping. A man holding two ties is there. Muffy is in front of him deciding on which one.)

Muffy: Hmm... the one on the left says, "I wanna rule the world!" The one on the right says, "I'm artistic and refined." They're both so Daddy. Which do you like better? (pointing with her hand to Francine)

Francine: I think it's a tie. Get it? The tie.

Muffy: I'll take them both, Sebastian, (Sebastian nods) and please have them gift wrapped.

(Sebastian takes the ties and walks away. Muffy looks at Francine in a way that she is not very positive.)

Muffy: You could try to be a tiny bit interested. It is for my father's birthday, after all.

Francine: Mrs. MacGrady has cancer, excuse me if I don't feel like going shopping.

(Muffy gets a yellow headband.)

Muffy: Francine, she'll be fine.

Francine: How do you know that?

Muffy: I just do. This is Mrs. MacGrady we're talking about. She never gets sick.

Francine: Well, she's sick now. You know, some people don't get better. My grandfather died from cancer.

Muffy: Ugh, you're being so negative. (gasps) Look, a money clip shaped like a halp cap. Should I get that instead.

(Muffy's happy expression disappears as she sees Francine grumble, cross her arms, and walk away.)

(D.W. is carrying a bag that says Nurse D.W. on it and is dressed up like a nurse.)

D.W.: Are you sure we brought enough?

(Arthur is struggling to carry a bag with a blue box in it.)

Arthur: There are four giant jars of homemade chicken soup in here. I can barely lift it.

D.W.: What about honey? And stuffed animals? And Mary Moo Cow DVDs?

(Arthur and D.W. are now on the sidewalk to Mrs. MacGrady's house.)

Arthur: Mrs. MacGrady does not want Mary Moo Cow DVDs.

D.W.: How do you know? Did you ask?

(Arthur rings the doorbell.)

D.W.: Wait! I have to get ready.

(D.W. is shown getting something.)

Mrs. MacGrady is seen walking to the door and opens it.

Mrs. MacGrady: Well hello, Arthur, what a pleasant surprise. Good to see you too, Nurse Read. Come on in.

(Arthur, D.W., and Mrs. MacGrady walk in.)

Arthur: Would you take that mask off?

D.W.: (whispering) I don't want to catch the cancer.

(Mrs. MacGrady sits down on her couch.)

Mrs. MacGrady: Don't worry sweetie, you can't catch it. I promise.

D.W.: Really?

Mrs. MacGrady: (nodding) I absolutely positively promise.

(D.W. takes off her mask.)

Mrs. MacGrady: But you two can wash your hands so I don't catch anything from you.

(Arthur and D.W. walk away.)

Mrs. MacGrady: Now I can catch things really easily.

(Mrs. MacGrady tries some of the chicken soup and wipes her mouth with a napkin.)

Mrs. MacGrady: Mmm, delicious. Tell your father I'd like that recipe.

Arthur: Aren't you going to have anymore?

Mrs. MacGrady: I'll have some later, but would you two mind if I put my feet up?

(Mrs. MacGrady puts her feet up to lie down.)

D.W.: (puts her toy stethoscope on) I should probably examine you.

Mrs. MacGrady: Whatever you say, nurse.

D.W.: Hmm, (puts toy stethoscope on Mrs. MacGrady's leg) your knees sound normal. Say... Havana bananas.

(D.W. looks through her magnifying glass at Mrs. MacGrady's mouth.)

Mrs. MacGrady: Havana bananas.

D.W.: No problem with tongue twisters. Are you sure you're sick? You don't even have the sniffles.

Mrs. MacGrady: Well, cancer isn't exactly like a cold. (grabs notepad and pencil) There are many different types of cancer. Let me try to show you. See, (draws cells) we're all made up of teeny tiny things called cells. You can think of them as flowers in a garden. (starts drawing petals on the circles to make them look like flowers) Your body makes them everyday. Unfortunately, my body is also making a few weeds. (starts drawing a weed) Right now, my body is trying hard to get rid of them. (erases the weed that was drawn) And it takes a lot of work.

Arthur: We'll let you rest.

(Arthur and D.W. are now outside, about to leave.)

D.W.: And we'll bring oranges next time, and honey, (Arthur starts to drag D.W., but she still keeps telling her what to bring) and videos and (Mrs. MacGrady waves and closes the door) more Mary Moo Cow DVDs.

(A soccer game is now taking place. A student from Mighty Mountain is kicking the ball, with Binky and Buster struggling to keep up. The kid kicks it and Francine just turns and does nothing to block it and he scores.)

Mighty Mountain Kid: Woo-hoo! (starts to celebrate)

(Binky runs over to Francine.)

Binky: How could you let them get seven goals?

Francine: The sun was in my eyes. (starts to rub eyes) Anyway, who cares. It's just a game.

Binky: Yeah, but that was embarrassing.

Francine: What's the point if we win or lose? It's not like it's going to make Mrs. MacGrady better. Am I the only one who understands that?

(Francine starts to walk away and gives the ball to Binky. Muffy rushes to her side.)

Muffy: Oh Francine, I just wanted to remind you Daddy's birthday dinner starts-

Francine: I'm not going!

(Ed Crosswire is holding a book called Endgame that has been unwrapped.)

Ed: Endgame, by Samuel Beckett. Sounds like a gripping thriller. Thank you, Bailey. What great presents! This was a terrific birthday.

Muffy: My gifts weren't very original.

Ed: Nonsense. I loved your ties! Look at these colors!

Muffy: Chip gave you that one.

Ed: Oh well...

Muffy: Oh, it's all Francine's fault! She was supposed to help me shop, but she's been so gloomy lately.

Ed: I can understand why, what would Mrs.Macgrady being sick. How you feeling about that?

Muffy: Fine.

Ed: Maybe you'd like to visit her. I've been meaning to send over a care package.

(Muffy gets up and yawns.)

Muffy: I'm exhausted. Here's the receipt for the ties. (gives her dad a receipt) It's ok if you want to return them, good night.

(Muffy leaves the room.)

(Francine is now sleeping in her room, tossing and turning.)

(Francine is now having a dream, she is walking in the cafeteria, seeing no one there.)

(Francine then sees a note on a big pot.)

Francine: Cream of Bunion Soup. I wonder what it looks like.

(Francine then lifts the lid of the soup. Steam and smells come out.)

Francine: Ugh!

(Mrs.MacGrady suddenly appears waving.)

Mrs.MacGrady: Hiya Francine.

Francine: Ahh!

Mrs.MacGrady: Sorry to have startled you dear, I was just looking for something.

Mrs.MacGrady: (muttering)... egg slicer... Ah, here we go. Meet flip, my lucky spatula.

(Mrs.MacGrady is holding a spatula that looks like a face.)

Mrs.MacGrady: Flip and I have been through a lot together, have we flip?

Flip: (nodding) You're darn tootin!

Francine: So you're back now? You're all better?

Mrs.MacGrady: Nope, I just came to get my stuff. Because of the cancer, I need an easier job. From now on I'll be spinning the bingo wheel at the community center.

(Mrs.MacGrady is holding a box of supplies and is walking away. Francine is following her.)

Francine: But, but you can't leave. This place won't be the same without you.

Mrs.MacGrady: Sorry kiddo, that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

(Flip is now waving to Francine.)

Francine: (still running) Wait! Don't go! Come back! (echoing)

Francine: (wakes up and gasps)

(Francine looks over to see Catherine fast asleep. She then walks in Oliver and Larvernes room. Both of them were asleep but then wake up, looking tired.)

Oliver: What's wrong Frankie, bad dream?

Francine: (nods) Uh huh. Can I stay home from school today?

(Oliver nods.)

(It is now day time. Nemo is playing with a pink ball of yarn outside their apartment building. Francine is sitting on the steps looking glum.)

Binky: Hey you're not sick. Why weren't you in school today?

(Buster and Binky are walking towards Francine, with Binky holding a bag of food.)

Francine: (shaking her head) I don't know, just didn't feel like it I guess.

Buster: Wanna visit Mrs.Macgrady with us? We're bringing her some vegetables, and (reaching into his pocket) this.

(Buster is holding a rock.)

Francine: (negatively) A rock?

Buster: Not just any rock, this one's special. Look at it (gives rock to Francine) it's shaped like Iowa. I think it has healing properties.

Francine: Buster, a rock isn't going to cure Mrs.MacGrady's cancer. (throws the rock into the bushes)

Buster: (Goes to retrieve the rock from the bushes) How can you be sure? Hey, (holding another rock from the bushes) this one looks like Texas.

(Binky then gives Francine a piece of paper. Francine gets it.)

Francine: What's this?

Binky: That's the email address of Sydney Lemar Jr., better known as Uncle Slam! (starts flexing and growls)

Francine: Uncle Slam the professional wrestler? How'd you get this?

Binky: I'm the president of the Elwood City Uncle Slam fan club. He's really nice. You should write him.

Francine: Why? So he'll send me a bobble head? Thanks but-

Binky: You know he had cancer right?

Francine: (surprised) No.

Binky: Yeah, it was 2 years ago. He was really sick.(shows Uncle Slam grabbing boots and putting them on in imagination) A lot of people thought that he would never wrestle again. But they were wrong! Uncle Slam bounced back. (Uncle Slam then puts his hat on) Nothing could stop him.

(Uncle Slam does a growl.)

(A large stadium is shown. People are cheering and Uncle Slam is about to fight a wrestler holding a big log.)

Binky: And he went on to wrestle Svan Logger, aka "The Stump Grinder" who was undefeated.

(Uncle Slam grabs the log over his head, chops the log in half with his leg and spins him up in the air and pins him down. The ref slams his hand on the floor 3 times for the amount of seconds.)

Binky: And Slam beat him! And then he went on to win the Ultimate smackdown belt 7 times! That had never been done before.

(Francine smiles.)

Binky: Anyway, I'd thought he'd be a good person for him to talk to.

(Binky then walks away. Francine is still holding the note.)

Francine: Like he'd ever right back. (crumbles the paper and throws it in the trash can.)

(Nemo then swipes the paper away toward Francine. Francine then retrieves it.)

Francine: Alright alright,(picking up Nemo) I'll give it a shot.

(Francine then walks away toward her building.)

(Francine is typing on her computer, with Nemo right next to her. She is saying aloud of what she's typing.)

Francine: Dear Mr.Lamar, I never thought I'd be writing to a professional wrestler. But I would appreciate your advice.

(Francine then presses delete and starts over. We see her computer and her reflection.)

Francine: (typing and saying what she's typing) Hi Uncle Slam. My name's Francine. How are you? Hope this isn't a bad subject but I heard you had cancer.

Francine grabs her head, closes her eyes, and deletes it.

Francine: I'm afraid. Really afraid. ( A flashback of fun memories with Mrs. MacGrady is seen such as being at school, playing the piano, playing with Francine in the band U Stink with Francine. Now she's dancing to a record track, and she is now knitting) I have this friend, she's the cook at our school.But she's so much more than that. She's Mrs. Macgrady, Once, she even played in a rock band with me. She's one of the most cool and amazing people I know. She's really wise, but fun too. And now, she has cancer. So this is what I wanna know. (It is now night time, Nemo is asleep and Francine is typing) Will she be alright? Could you please let me know that? Thanks, Francine.

Part 2

(Buster is looking at his gross lunch. He has his almanac with him to write down. Arthur is looking at the lunch too.)

Arthur: What' are the orange things? Carrots?(while eating a sandwich) Cheese?

Buster: (writing in his notebook) I'm just calling it mystery stew #8.

Arthur: Hey Francine! What's wrong? (Francine is walking in holding a paper looking nervous) You look like you've seen a ghost.

Francine sits down with them.

Buster: (concerned) Did you eat the stew?

Francine: I'm fine. I just got some weird news this morning.

Francine passes the paper to Arthur, and he reads it.

Arthur: Dear Francine, thank you so much for your email. Maybe we could meet and talk about your friend. I'll be in Elwood City next week. (amazed) Uncle Slam?

Buster: (impressed) Uncle Slam wrote to you?

Binky: (celebrating) Yes I knew he would. I put them in touch. He's a close personal friend.

Arthur: Really?

Binky: Ok I met him once. But he was really nice.

Francine: (puts paper on table) I told him how worried I was about Mrs.MacGrady. I kinda spilt my guts.

(Muffy walks over to Francine.)

Muffy: Hello Francine. I forgive you for not coming to Daddy's birthday. Oh, and the tie you picked out was a disaster.

(Muffy walks away.)

Francine: Muffy wait!

(Francine gets out of her seat in the Cafeteria to catch up to Muffy.)

Francine: I'm sorry I forgot about your dad's birthday. I've just been really upset about Mrs.MacGrady.

Muffy: (sigh) There you go again being doomy gloomy. She'll be fine.

Francine: You don't know that, but I do feel a little better. Guess what? I'm gonna meet Uncle Slam!f

Muffy: Wow no way! (peels an orange) Who's that?

Francine: He's like the most famous professional wrestler alive! And he had cancer, and he beat it.

Muffy: Oh.The only sport that I follow is polo. Hey, do you wanna visit Mrs.MacGrady after school?

(Francine looks concerned.)

Francine: Today? I uh promised my dad I'd rake the yard.

(Francine walks away.)

Muffy: But it's Spring!

(George and Brain are walking away from Mrs. MacGrady's house. Mrs.MacGrady is doing dishes, wearing a pink polka dot bandana. The doorbell then rings.

Mrs. MacGrady: Be right there!

(She walks to the door.)

Mrs.MacGrady: (sigh) The party never ends.

(Mrs. MacGrady opens the door only to find a big stuffed polar bear.)

Mrs. MacGrady: Ah!

(D.W. pushes the stuffed animal through the door.)

D.W.: (grunt) He's stuck.

Arthur: Push harder!

(Mrs.Macgrady walks back as Arthur and D.W. push the stuffed animal through the door.)

D.W.: Hi! This is Chilly Billy. Grandma gave him to me when I had an operation. I thought you might like him.

Arthur: And here are 4 more jars of soup from my dad.

Mrs. MacGrady: (shaking her head) Oh dear, I haven't finished the first batch yet. But please, given my thanks.

Muffy: Is this a bad time?

(Muffy is at the door holding a basket of food.)

Muffy: I can come back later.

Mrs. MacGrady: No no come on in. The more the merrier.

(Muffy then walks in her house.)

(Muffy grabs a chocolate from a box of chocolates.)

Muffy: Mmm. Cashew Cluster, my favorite. Sure you don't want any? Daddy said they were imported.

Mrs. Macgrady, Arthur, D.W, and Muffy are seen in her living room. D.W then grabs a chocolate.

Mrs.Macgrady: (holding up her hand) Not right now dear.

D.W. takes a bite out of a chocolate. She gags. A chocolate with red goo is shown coming out.

D.W: Ew! This tastes like cough syrup. How come I keep getting the gooey ones.

Arthur then notices that some of the goo is dripping on the floor.

Arthur: D.W watch out!

A big drop of goo splatters on the rug.

D.W then looks surprised.

Mrs. Macgrady: That's all right dear I'll just get some paper towels.

Muffy: I'll do it!

Muffy then walks to the kitchen to get the paper towels. She gets it and then wipes it off.

Muffy: Oh by the way, I love your bandana. It's so retro sheek!

Mrs.Macgrady: Thank you, I thought about getting a wig but this will do until my hair grows back.

Muffy: (getting up from the floor) Your hair is... You mean, you're bald under there?

Mrs.Macgrady: Smooth as a honeydew melon.

Arthur: It's a side effect of the medicine. But her hair will grow back.

D.W: See, the weeds keep popping up in Mrs. Macgrady's garden. But the medicine is getting rid of them. Right?

Mrs. Macgrady: (yawning) Something like that.

Arthur: We'll let you rest now. Come on D.W.

Arthur and D.W leave and Muffy sits down.

Muffy: I thought the bandana was just a style choice. I had no idea you were so-

Mrs. Macgrady: Sick? Well, cancer is no walk in the park. But if it makes you feel any better, I intend to get better.

Muffy nods.

A bike that belongs to Uncle Slam next to Francine's apartment is seen. The doorbell rings and Oliver answers the door. Uncle Slam is there.

Uncle Slam: (waving) Hi there! Uncle Slams the name. (walks in the apartment) But you can just call be Slam.

Oliver: (astonished) Wow (shakes hand) hello Slam! It is an honor! That's quite a grip! I can see how you squeezed Benny the boakin stricter into submission.

Uncle Slam: ( chuckles) I'm just a big old softie in real life.

Francine walks over to Uncle Slam.

Francine: Whoa. I can't believe you're actually here.

Oliver: This is Francine:

Uncle Slam: Your letter really moved me Francine. Took my heart, tossed it around the ring and pinned it.

Francine: Oh thanks.

Oliver: Can I get you something slam? I uh got some proteins shakes in the fridge.

Uncle Slam: No thanks. I just had a fruitatom. Mr.Frensky, I'm on my way to my fan club meeting at the community center and I hear there's a nice park near by. Would you mind if Francine and I took a walk over there?

Oliver: Sure, I'll get my coat.

Uncle Slam and Francine look at each other and then he realizes it's just them.

Oliver: Oh uh right. I'm I'm busy anyway. I got some furniture to move.

Uncle Slam and Francine laugh. Uncle Slam and Francine are now walking in the park.

Francine: You don't seem like someone who's had cancer.

Uncle Slam: Why's that?

Francine: You're so... strong and healthy.

Uncle Slam: I wasn't always this healthy. When I had cancer, some of my doctors didn't even think I would survive, let alone wrestle again.

Francine: How'd you get better?

Uncle Slam: Lot's of medicine, a few operations, and I learned a lot about my disease. And I never gave up hope that I would be healthy again. And you shouldn't give up hope on your friend.

Francine: I just wish I could do something. Like fly to the amazon and find a cure.

Uncle Slam: You might be a little young to explore the forest. But you can do something?

Francine: Like what?

Uncle Slam: After I got better, I had a wrestling tournament for cancer research. Maybe there's something you can do to help raise money or awareness. Something you love.

Francine smiles.

A paper shows a biker, it turns out to be a flyer for a cancer bike riding thing. Buster reads on what it's called.

Buster: Pedal for a cure. Oh! It's to help fight cancer.

Francine: All the money we raise goes to help people with cancer.

Binky: Yeah we're all doing something.

Francine: Prunella is knitting Mrs.Macgrady a scarf, George is helping her out with her gardening.

Binky: So I expect all these to be handed out by the end of the day.

(Buster then gives Mr.Haney a paper. Binky then gives Mr. Ratburn one, and Francine giving it to Skip. Buster then sticks a lot of papers in all the lockers in the hallway. He then sticks another one in a locker.)

(Francine is then reading a list of how much people have signed up.)

Francine: Over 7 people have signed up already. And it's just been 3 days.

Muffy: Hey what if you got a celebrity to support the race?

Francine: I have one, Uncle Slam! He was the one who gave me the idea to do something I love to raise money.

Muffy: Oh. Speaking of great ideas, I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to Mrs. Macgrady's. And we can-

Francine: (putting helmet on) I can't today. I-I still have tons of flyers to pass out.

Muffy: But-

Francine: Tell her I'll visit her really soon. Gotta ride!

(Muffy is holding bags and is walking to Mrs. MacGrady's. Mrs. MacGrady is seen holding hands with her sister.)

Mrs. MacGrady: Oh, hello, dear! This is my sister Martha. She just flew in to help me out.

Martha: We're off to a doctor's appointment.

Mrs. MacGrady: (points to Muffy's bag) Are those for me?

Muffy: Yes but I can come back later.

Mrs. MacGrady: Don't be silly. Just leave it inside and lock the door when you leave. And while you're in there, help yourself to some food. I cut enough for an army.

(Muffy then walks in and empties out the stuff in her bag. Martha then comes back in.)

Martha: Just forgot the car keys.

Muffy: Do you think Mrs. MacGrady would mind if I did a little cleaning?

Martha: I think she'd love that. I was just gonna do some when I got back. You can be a part of our support team.

(Martha then walks away. Muffy then gets a smile and tries to do the dishes. Muffy then reads a dish shampoo.)

Muffy: Cleans dirty dishes in no time. (squirts it on dishes.)

(After a while, without putting them in water, the dishes are still dirty, and she calls Bailey.)

Muffy: Bailey, this dishwashing lotion doesn't work. What do I do?

(The doorbell rings.)

Muffy: Oh!, that's the door.

(She hangs up.)

(Arthur and D.W. are standing outside the door, Arthur is holding a crate of oranges and D.W. is holding a stuffed monkey.)

Arthur: Hey Muffy, where's Mrs.MacGrady?

Muffy: She had to go to a doctor's appointment. Are those all for her?

Arthur: There was a special at the supermarket. I figured you can't have too much vitamin C, right?

D.W.: And they came with a free doll.

(Arthur and D.W. walk in the room.)

Muffy: Have you ever thought that you might be bringing Mrs.MacGrady too much stuff? She's running out of room!

D.W.: Chilly Billy, meet Bono Bonobo. We just wanna help?

Arthur: Yeah, what else can we do?

Muffy: I'm so glad you asked.

(Arthur is doing the dishes and he hands a dish to D.W. Arthur then puts a garbage bag in a trash can with D.W. putting the lid over it. Muffy puts a milk jug in a recycling bin. Muffy then dusts a record player. Arthur is vacuuming, and Muffy puts a vase next to the record player.)

***

(Mrs.MacGrady is walking in the room to find a bowl with oranges and a note. She picks up the note and reads it.)

Muffy: (in head voice) We tidied up a few things. Love Muffy, Arthur and D.W. Your support team.

(Mrs.MacGrady smiles.)

***

(Francine's bike race is about to begin. Every person riding has a pink shirt that has a picture of Mrs.MacGrady on it.)

Uncle Slam: Amazing turnout Francine! I'm so impressed. Now Uncle Slam wants to know... you ready to ride? (growls)

Francine: I'm ready to ride! (growls)

(A horn is heard, and people start riding. Francine pedals ahead of many people. A fantasy begins.)

(There is a sign with a path behind that says "RAiN FOREST" and below it, it says "8499 KM". Francine pedals to the path.)

Binky: Hey, the finish line is this way. Where are you going?

Francine: (is still pedaling) To find a cure for Mrs.MacGrady.

(A map is shown going from east America to South America. Francine is now pedaling in the rainforest.)

Francine: (panting) There it is, (a pink plant is there with light shining on it.) Plantus Curem Allcancerus. Just... a... little... bit... further.

(Back in real life Francine crosses the finish line. She is proud)

(Francine has a sip of water.)

Mrs. MacGrady: Wow! That was some performance. (she walks to Francine) We should have this ride every year, and call it the Tour de Francine.

Francine: You're back! Does-does that mean you're all better?

Mrs. MacGrady: Not quite, but I'm feeling pretty good today.

Francine: I'm sorry I haven't come to see you. I just- I was afraid that

Mrs. MacGrady: You don't have to explain, it can be pretty frightening to see someone you care for when they're sick.

(Francine closes her eyes and lowers her head in glum.)

Mrs. MacGrady: There is something you can do to make it up to me, though.

Francine: Just name it.

(Mrs. MacGrady is holding sanitizer.)

Mrs. MacGrady: First put some of this hand sanitizer on.

(She squirts some on Francine's hand and she rubs her hands.)

Francine: Now what?

Mrs. MacGrady: Now give me a big hug!

(Francine hugs her.)

Francine: I've really missed you.

Mrs. MacGrady: I've missed you too, Franky.

***

(Buster is investigating his lunch.)

Buster: June 2nd, today's lunch is... a gray rectangle. (sighs) possibly... a sponge. That's it! I can't take this anymore! (Buster shows his lunch to Skip.) What is this?

Skip: (stuttering) A little of this a little of that. I call it Whatchamacooking.

Buster: Well, I call it terrible. It smells like feet, and I'm not gonna eat it.

Francine: Neither am I.

(Many kids start clamoring, Skip is looking nervous.)

Mrs. MacGrady: Settle down, Spartakids. There'll be no revolts in my lunch room.

Skip: Aunt Leah, you're back.

Mrs. MacGrady: Thanks for filling in Skip.

(Skip takes off his apron.)

Skip: Cooking's not for me. I'll stick to banking.

(Mrs.MacGrady puts on Skip's apron.)

Mrs. MacGrady: Now, who's hungry!

(Many kids are excited, Buster is now writing in his almanac.)

Buster: Correction: Lunch is unknown, but will taste delicious.