Growing Around
Talula Heartly's Fluff-Out
[The episode begins at the Summerway Mall’s food court. We pan through the food court, seeing children eating food and conversing with friends. We end the panning shot when we reach a table that has Talula and Melissa sitting there. The shopping bags and boxes near their table suggest that they had recently finished doing some shopping. The two girls are sharing a pizza, but Melissa is the only one enjoying it. Talula seems to be thinking hard about something.]
Talula: (quietly) No, no, no, that won’t work.
[Melissa notices Talula’s behavior and looks curious.]
Melissa: Is everything ok, Ms. Heartly?
Talula: [She glances at Melissa.] Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m fine. I’m just thinking about my campaign.
Melissa: Coming up with new ideas for it?
Talula: [She sighs.] I’m trying. I need some new material to get more voters on my side.
Melissa: You could always do another ad. Those are pretty popular.
Talula: I could, but it’s too repetitive.
Melissa: Ah, right.
Talula: I need something new…something I’ve never done before. I need something that will get everyone’s interest.
[Melissa begins looking around.]
Melissa: Oh, ma’am! The kids here seem to be interested in that new pillow-fighting sport.
Talula: [She looks around.] Really?
Melissa: Really. Look at the TVs.
[We cut to the TVs that are playing in the food court. The only things being shown are pillow-fights, which look similar to wrestling or boxing fights in this world. The children fighters are dressed in their pajamas and beat each other with pillows in the middle of a ring. The children sitting at the nearby tables are watching intensely, even cheering on their favorite fighters. We cut back to Talula and Melissa’s table.]
Talula: Wow. I didn’t know pillow-fighting was a big thing.
Melissa: Oh, it is. It’s one of the most popular sports in Summerway right now.
[Talula looks thoughtful.]
Talula: Ok…so I guess I’m going to be pillow-fighting for votes then. The question now is…who do I fight?
[Talula and Melissa silently share a glance.]
Talula: You thinking who I’m thinking?
Melissa: Most likely, ma’am.
Talula and Melissa: Sally Dunn.
[We suddenly cut to the living room of the Dunn house. Sally and Gumdrops are there, watching pillow-fighting on TV. Sally is also eating from a bowl of popcorn, which Gumdrops is eyeing hungrily.]
Sally: (excitedly) Come on, Bailey Basher! You got this! There’s only 5 more seconds on the clock, but you can still win!
[We then hear a cartoony sounding “WHACK!” followed by a thud.]
Referee: (offscreen) One! Two! Three! He’s out! Bailey Basher is the winner!
[We hear cheering coming from the TV.]
Sally: (excitedly) YES!
[There’s a sudden knock on the front door that gets Sally and Gumdrops’ attention. Sally scratches her head in confusion.]
Sally: (confused) Huh? Who could be visiting at this time of the day?
[Sally leaves the living room. Gumdrops whinnies happily at the sight of the abandoned popcorn, and begins eating from the bowl. We cut to Sally as she approaches the front door. She opens it and sees Talula and Melissa standing there. Her eyes widen in shock.]
Talula: Hi--
[Sally slams the door in their faces. We focus on Talula and Melissa, who exchange glances.]
Melissa: I suppose she doesn’t want to be bothered right now.
Talula: [She glares.] Well, she’s going to get bothered. I need her.
[Talula knocks again. After a few seconds, Sally opens the door again, staring at Talula in disbelief.]
Sally: (in disbelief) Talula?
Talula: [She folds her arms and rolls her eyes.] (Slightly annoyed) Yes. Talula. The girl you so rudely slammed the door on.
Sally: Sorry, it’s just that…YOU’RE visiting ME? Of all people!? [She pokes her head outside and looks around.] Hold on, lemme check to see if the sky is green and the grass is blue.
Talula: [She pushes Sally’s head back inside.] Oh stop. I’m not here for some visit. [She then points dramatically at Sally and looks serious.] Sally Dunn, I challenge you to a political pillow-fight!
[Sally cocks a brow.]
Sally: Say what now?
Talula: You heard me. I want to have a pillow-fight with you in front of the citizens of Summerway.
Sally: Why?
Talula: Don’t you know how popular pillow-fighting is right now?
Sally: Of course I do. It’s all I’ve been watching all week.
Talula: Now what will get the citizens riled up and ready to vote? A fight between the two biggest rivals in Summerway. Think of all the publicity we’ll get from it, Sally.
Sally: [She thinks it over.] You know, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea… [She then narrows her eyes at Talula.] But why should I help you? Isn’t this supposed to be for YOUR campaign?
Talula: Well, sort of. But let’s say, by some miracle, you beat me. Everyone will want to vote for you, the winner, instead of me, the loser.
Sally: [She slowly smiles.] Well, when you put it that way…I’ll do it!
Talula: [She looks relieved] Good.
[Talula and Sally shake hands.]
Sally: (happily) I’m gonna pound you, Heartly.
Talula: [She smiles pleasantly.] (Happily) In your dreams, Dunn.
[We cut to a few days later--the words, “A Few Days Later” appear at the bottom of the screen--at a press conference being held by Sally and Talula. Attending the conference are child reporters from several news stations armed with crayons and notepads to write notes. Paparazzi children are also there, taking pictures. One reporter raises her hand.]
Talula: Yes, in the front.
News Reporter #1: This question is for both Mayor Talula and Sally Dunn. What are your experiences with the sport of pillow-fighting?
Sally: I play pillow-fighting all the time with my brother, Timmy. He used to beat me when I was younger, but now, [Here, she looks proud.] I’m a mean, lean pillow-fighting machine!
News Reporter #1: And you, Mayor Talula?
Talula: Well, to be honest, I’ve never really had a pillow-fight. I’m sort of an only child, you know? I don’t have anyone to play with. Plus, I’m too busy to play with my parents.
[The children in the audience begin whispering amongst themselves, and Talula looks a bit worried.]
Talula: (subtly worried) B-But I have been practicing for the last few days with my secretary in my spare time, so I have some experience.
[Another reporter raises his hand.]
News Reporter #2: Mayor Talula, do you think your poor experience will affect you badly in the fight?
Talula: (nervously) N-No, of course, not. I-I feel totally confident in myself that I can win.
[The news reporters whisper doubtfully amongst themselves. Talula is now looking very paranoid, while Sally looks at her in concern.]
Sally: (concerned) You ok, Talula?
Talula: (obviously lying) I-I’m fine! I just… [She stands up.] I just need a potty break. I’ll be right back.
[Talula hurriedly rushes out of the conference room. We cut to her in a restroom, pacing. She looks very distressed.]
Talula: Come on, Talula…what are you so worried about? A difference in experience is nothing. You can still beat Sally if you put your mind to it. You’ve got this. Your career as mayor depends on it…the fate of Summerway depends on it.
[Talula looks at herself in the mirror, attempting to look confident. But the confidence fades and Talula looks miserable once again. She shakes her head and sighs.]
Talula: (depressed) It’s no use…There’s no way I can win against Sally…
Melissa: (off-screen) Well, there is one way, ma’am…
[Talula looks behind her and sees Melissa standing behind her.]
Talula: …What exactly do you have in mind?
[Melissa pulls out some packets of powdered candy. Talula gasps.]
Talula: Powdered candy!? Melissa, where’d you get that stuff!?
Melissa: I have my ways, ma’am. But that’s not important. I think you should take a few of these before the fight. They’ll heighten your senses and put a spring in your step. You’ll win that fight in a matter of seconds.
Talula: Melissa, you know eating sweets this strong before a sport is against the rules.
Melissa: [She carelessly checks her nails.] Ms. Heartly, I’m sure you know as well as I do that sometimes, when you want to succeed, you have to play dirty.
Talula: Well, yeah...but…
Melissa: What’s more important to you, Ms. Heartly? Playing fair or being mayor?
[Talula thinks about it, before sighing and taking the powdered candy.]
Talula: Being mayor.
[We cut to the night of the fight (subtitles appear at the bottom of the screen saying this). We see a wrestling arena that’s full of Summerway citizens, all of them cheering excitedly for the fight. Some intense music is playing and searchlights circle the arena. We cut to the rest of the Dunns, who are sitting in the bleachers. Gumdrops is also there, sitting in the bleachers as if she were human. The kids in the bleachers behind her try to look around her, and look very upset. One kid taps Timmy’s shoulder.]
Kid: (annoyed) Did you have to bring your pony here?
Timmy: (apologetically) Sorry, but she didn’t want to stay home.
[Suddenly, we hear an announcer speaking.]
Announcer: Good evening, citizens of Summerway! In just a few minutes, you’ll be seeing Summerway’s biggest rivals go toe to toe in an attempt to win your votes!
[The searchlights point to one corner of the arena.]
Announcer: Coming in from the left is our current mayor, Talula Heartly!
[We see Talula, dressed in her pajamas and wielding a pillow, walk from that corner of the room as the searchlights follow her and the audience cheers. Talula also makes the occasional shake and jitter, most likely as an effect from the powdered candy. We cut to the Dunns. Linda leans close to Robert.]
Linda: Is it just me, or does Talula look a bit…jumpy?
Robert: She kind of does. I hope it’s nothing serious.
[We cut to Talula as she enters the ring and stands in her corner.]
Announcer: And coming in from the right, the girl fighting to take Talula’s place, Sally Dunn!
[We cut to the rest of the Dunns. Gumdrops begins “cheering” by neighing very loudly. Everyone around her covers their ears. We then cut to Sally, who approaches the ring, dressed in her own pajamas and holding her own pillow. She enters the ring, and the referee stands in-between the two girls.]
Referee: Ok, you two. I want a good, clean fight. No hitting, no hair-pulling, and [He glances at Sally.] NO biting.
[Sally blushes sheepishly.]
Referee: Now shake hands.
[Sally and Talula shake hands However, Talula is shivering a lot, which Sally notices.]
Sally: Talula? What’s wrong? You scared? [She then smiles.] Don’t worry; I’ll go easy on you.
Talula: [She pulls away.] (A subtle hint of guilt in her voice) I’m fine…
[The referee backs up as the bell announcing the start of the match rings. Sally slowly approaches Talula, but Talula suddenly lashes out, striking Sally with her pillow. Sally staggers back, looking surprised. Sally attempts to attack again, but Talula uses the speed given to her by the powdered candy to almost materialize behind Sally. Talula strikes Sally from behind, pushing her forward. Sally falls to her knees, and tries to recover, but Talula attacks her again, delivering blow after blow at ridiculous speed. Sally backs up until she’s far enough away to get up. She then lunges at Talula, and the two beat each other up with their pillows. Talula, however, gains the upperhand, and beats down on Sally once again. Talula knocks Sally’s pillow from her hands, leaving her unarmed. Sally rushes to get her pillow, but Talula pounces on her, pinning her to the ground. Talula beats Sally up with her pillow. We cut to the other Dunns, who watch in terror.]
Timmy: Oh no! Sally!
[Gumdrops begins neighing in distress. We cut back to the fight. The referee has gotten down onto his knees.]
Referee: [He pats the floor.] One! [He pats the floor again.] Two!
[Sally reaches for her pillow, and manages to grab it. She then fights back, and pushes Talula off her before the referee can get to three. The fight continues. Talula still has the upperhand, but Sally is really putting up a fight. Suddenly, Talula begins to look really tired; she’s crashing after the sugar rush.]
Talula: (Mentally) No, not yet! Not yet!
[Talula staggers back, breathing heavily. Tears start forming in her eyes. Sally pauses, looking concerned.]
Sally: (concerned) What’s wrong Talula?
Talula: [She bows her head as tears run down her cheeks.] (Quietly) I can’t lose…
[Sally gets closer.]
Sally: What was that?
[Talula grips her pillow and glares up at Sally.]
Talula: (angrily) I CAN’T LOSE!
[Talula then delivers a blow to Sally’s head, and sends her falling to the floor. Sally lies there are little birds signifying dizziness fly around her head. The referee gets down again.
Referee: [He pats the floor.] One! [He pats the floor again.] Two! [He pats the ground a third time.] Three! Sally’s out! Talula’s the winner!
[There is a loud cheering from the audience, and children begin chanting Talula’s name. Confetti drops down from the ceiling and onto Talula and she stands in the center of the ring, smiling in relief.]
Talula: (wearily, yet happily) I did it…I won…
[She then looks down at Sally, and her smile slowly fades. We cut to Sally as she slowly gets up from the ground.]
Sally: (sadly) Darn…I was really hoping to win…Oh well, enjoy all the votes, Talula. I’m done for.
[Sally slowly leaves the ring. Talula looks after her, guilt on her face.]
Talula: (in realization) Oh gosh…what have I done?
[Melissa enters the ring and pats Talula’s shoulder.]
Melissa: Great job, ma’am. I knew you could do it. Now you’re sure to win the--
Talula: No.
Melissa: [She looks confused.] Ma’am?
Talula: I’m not doing this.
[Talula rushes out of the ring after Sally. When Talula finds her, she sees Sally with her family as they try to comfort her. Timmy sees Talula and stands in front of Sally, glaring at Talula.]
Timmy: (bitterly) What do you want, Talula? Here to gloat?
Talula: No…I have a confession to make. [She takes a deep breath and swallows her pride.] I cheated.
Sally: [She sniffles.] You what?
Talula: [She bows her head shamefully.] I said, I cheated. I took some powdered candy before the fight so I could move faster. But that was wrong of me; I know that now. [She gulps.] I’m very sorry. I’ll tell the rest of Summerway the truth tomorrow. You’ll be declared the winner, and I won’t. It’s only fair.
Sally: [She wipes away her tears.] Y-You’d do that for me, Talula?
Talula: [She holds her hands up defensively.] Now, don’t take this personally. I just don’t want to play dirty anymore.
[Sally slowly smiles. She suddenly rushes to Talula and hugs her. Talula stiffens, clearly not expecting it.]
Sally: I guess you do have a heart…
Talula: [She scoffs.] (Sarcastically) Very funny.
[Talula pulls away.]
Talula: I have to go. I have to write my apology speech.
[Talula leaves, slowly heading to her car. She’s joined by Melissa. We get a shot of them from behind as they walk. Melissa turns to Talula.]
Melissa: That was brave of you, ma’am.
Talula: Thanks, Melissa.
Melissa: You do realize you’re going to lose all those votes to Sally, now, right?
Talula: [She laughs slightly.] It’s ok. I’ll think of something else to win them over. Something I hopefully won’t cheat at.
[The two laugh as we fade to black.]
[The End]
