Narrator: Listen for the words stranded and puzzled.
(Scene: The city streets. A giant robot is rampaging in the background as Mrs. McCallister takes Tobey away by the ear.)
Claire: Theodore McCallister III, you promised me you would stop with this robot nonsense!
(WordGirl punches the robot's head off.)
Narrator: Good work, WordGirl!
WordGirl: What can I say? I'm pretty good at what I do. Heh.
(There is a crash in the background.)
Narrator: You sure you found all of Tobey's robots, every last one? (Another robot walks by in the background. Captain Huggy Face spots it and taps WordGirl's shoulder.) There were a lot of them around.
(WordGirl sees the robot. The robot notices her looking at it and flees. WordGirl quickly flies to break it to pieces, then returns.)
WordGirl: Positive. And now, if you'll excuse me, the sun is out for the first time in a week! I have a beach to get to! (flies away)
Narrator: And so, with all of Tobey's robots vanquished-- (A robot looks out from behind a building, then walks away when it sees that the coast is clear.) Uh-oh. Looks like she missed one. This can't be good.
(Scene: The National National Bank.)
Narrator: Meanwhile, across town, the bank is about to be robbed by, uh... (Ms. Question is trying to menace the mildly confused bank teller. The sound of shuffling papers can be heard.) I have it here somewhere... Boy, this is puzzling.
Ms. Question: (looks up pleadingly, then slaps her forehead) You don't remember my name?!
Narrator: Ah, here it is! Ms. Question. Hard to keep track of the less famous villains.
Ms. Question: Less famous? (to Stubble Guy) You there, you know my name, right? (Stubble Guy thinks it over. Ms. Question turns to Pointing Lady.) You've never heard of Ms. Question? (Pointing Lady shrugs.) Gah! Do any of you who I am? (The bank customers look at each other in confusion. Ms. Question facepalms.) Gah! Hmm... What kind of crime do I have to commit so everyone will know me and fear me? (leaves the bank) Hmm... Why am I so puzzled about what it should be?
(Behind Ms. Question, Electricity Bill Guy is listening to a DJ on a radio broadcast.)
DJ: Hey, listeners, it's a sunny day and everybody is heading to the beach! That means they'll all be crossing the City Beach Bridge! (Ms. Question backs up to listen more closely.) I hope some villain doesn't decide to block the bridge and stop people from crossing, but boy, if I were a villain, that's the first thing I do. But hey, I'm not a villain! I'm a DJ! Now here's the Bridge Crossers with "Going to the Beach"!
Ms. Question: Well, what do you know? Isn't that an amazing way to make everyone know who I am? But what can I use to block people's path? (Tobey's robot cautiously looks up from behind a building. Ms. Question flies closer to it.) A giant metal robot?! Well, aren't you just the most perfect obstacle ever? (The robot prepares to smash her.) Hmm... Think this question mark will make you mine? (zaps the robot with her question mark, putting a large question mark on its forehead) What's the matter? Feeling puzzled? (The robot tilts its head quizzically.) What do you say we head down to the City Beach Bridge? (laughs evilly)
(Scene: The city streets. The Botsford family is driving down the road with beach toys attached to their car.)
Mr. Botsford: Going to the beach!
Becky and TJ: To the beach, to the beach!
Mrs. Botsford: Let's make sure we've got everything we need. (looking through a bag) Sunscreen, beach towels, beach ball, TJ's floaty wings...
(Becky chuckles.)
TJ: I don't need them, Becky. I just like how they look. They make my arms look pumped. (grunts and flexes)
Mrs. Botsford: Uh, healthy snacks, pail and bucket, (takes out a large book) The Big Book of Brain Teasers and Puzzling Puzzles?
Mr. Botsford: That's mine! Give one a read, hon.
Sally: Okay, let's see. (reading from a page of the book) "What kind of room has no walls?"
(The family thinks it over.)
Mr. Botsford: Hmm... What kind of a room... No walls...
Becky: (gasps) I got it! A mushroom!
Mr. Botsford: Hey, Sally, flip to the back of the book and see if Becky is right.
Mrs. Botsford: (does so) Let's see here. (reading) "What kind of room has no walls?" A mushroom! You're right! Good work, Becky!
TJ: I wanna get one right, too!
Mrs. Botsford: (looks at the road) What is that traffic?
Mr. Botsford: Don't worry, gang, it's probably just beach traffic. Everyone's heading to the water today. Nothing unusual.
TJ: Yeah, except for that giant robot. (The family's eyes widen and Becky gasps.) Whoa, a giant robot!
(Ms. Question's robot hunkers down in front of the bridge.)
Becky: (whispering to Bob) That's one of Tobey's robots. We must have missed it!
Mr. Botsford: Would you look at that?
Mrs. Botsford: But the bridge is the only way to get to the beach!
TJ: Wow... Giant robots.
Becky: Um, hey gang, since it looks like we'll be stranded for a few minutes, Bob and I are going to go... see if we can't find another book of puzzles! (She and Bob leave their seats.) Be right back!
Mrs. Botsford: Okay, but hurry back, you two! Once traffic gets moving, we'll want to be on our way.
Becky: Word up! (flies past the car)
(WordGirl flies up to the robot.)
WordGirl: That's strange. (flies to the back of the robot and inspects its head) This robot can't be acting on its own.
(Captain Huggy Face shoves WordGirl out of the way of some question marks flying at them.)
Ms. Question: Looking for me, WordGirl?
WordGirl: Ms. Question?
Ms. Question: Expecting someone else?
WordGirl: Well, yes, actually. Tobey. You know, the kid who makes these robots?
Ms. Question: Do you think Tobey is the only villain who can control his robots?
(Ms. Question tries to bombard WordGirl and Captain Huggy Face with question marks, but they fly out of the way.)
WordGirl: What are you up to, Ms. Question?
Ms. Question: Isn't it obvious? People wanna cross the bridge, don't they? To get to the beach? And isn't this the perfect place to play a devious game I call "Riddle or Stranded"?
WordGirl: "Riddle or Stranded"?
Ms. Question: I'll ask each driver a riddle, and if they answer it correctly, they can go to the beach, but if they get wrong, they'll be stranded here on the bridge! (laughs evilly, then flies down to address a driver) Say there, citizen, wanna cross the bridge?
Citizen: Yes, please. I want to go to the beach.
Ms. Question: Well then, let's play "Riddle or Stranded". (WordGirl moves to stop her, but the robot grabs her cape.) What has rings but no fingers?
Citizen: (thinks about it) I have no idea. What has rings but no fingers?
Ms. Question: A telephone! It rings, but has no fingers! Now guess who doesn't get to cross the bridge?
Citizen: (thinks about it) Me? (Ms. Question nods.) But I'll be stranded here.
Ms. Question: Hmm, and won't that be annoying? (to the robot) Hey, metal face, what do we do to people who don't know the answer? (The robot takes the citizen's car and tosses it into the air. WordGirl catches it.) Brilliant, isn't it? Won't this make me famous? Won't everyone remember the day they were stranded on this bridge? (laughs evilly)
WordGirl: (lowers the car to the ground) Yeah, I gotta say, I'm not sure this plan will make you famous. (flies back up to face Ms. Question)
Ms. Question: Are you trying to insult me?!
(Ms. Question shoots more question marks at WordGirl, who dodges them.)
WordGirl: That's all you've got?
Ms. Question: Care to help, big guy?
(The robot grabs WordGirl and tosses her into the ocean. Captain Huggy Face tries to attack Ms. Question, but is blasted by question marks. He is disoriented and falls on Ms. Question.)
Ms. Question: Say, you don't happen to have a built-in, I dunno, cage or something?
(The robot grabs Captain Huggy Face. In the ocean, WordGirl is grabbed by a friendly octopus and sent back to the surface. She flies up to the robot, which is keeping Captain Huggy Face in a cage.)
Ms. Question: What's the matter, WordGirl? Is your sidekick stranded? (Captain Huggy Face glares at her and tries to bite her hand.)
WordGirl: You're right, he's stuck and can't get to where he wants to be, but he won't be stranded for very long!
(WordGirl flies up to the cage and starts shaking the bars. Ms. Question blasts her with question marks from behind, disorienting her.)
Ms. Question: Hmm, what should I do with my new pet monkey? Maybe put him in the zoo?
WordGirl: (shakes her head) Let him go, Ms. Question!
Ms. Question: Don't you think you should admit defeat first?
(WordGirl tries to grab Ms. Question, but the robot smacks her over the head. Dazed, she falls to the ground and lands on a car belonging to Exposition Guy's Wife.)
Exposition Guy's Wife: (sighs in exasperation) WordGirl, I wanna get to the beach! I'm sick of being stranded on this bridge!
Tobey's Fan: Yeah, what's the hold-up? Why can't you help us get out of here?
WordGirl: I know you're probably puzzled as to why I'm having trouble defeating Ms. Question since she's usually so easy to defeat.
Exposition Guy's Wife: (sighs again) We're not puzzled. We're confused, baffled, and perplexed.
Tobey's Fan: We don't understand what's going on, even though we're trying hard to figure it out.
WordGirl: Actually, that's exactly what "puzzled" means. If you can't figure something out, you might say you're puzzled. And now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to figure out a way to get my sidekick back and defeat Ms. Question.
Tobey's Fan: Are you puzzled about how to do that?
WordGirl: Yes, and good use of the word.
Tobey's Fan: Thanks.
WordGirl: Wait! I've got it!
(WordGirl flies back up to Ms. Question.)
WordGirl: Okay. I admit it. My super strength is no match for your robot.
Ms. Question: (A delivery man gives her a bag of takeout.) So does that mean I'm the greatest villain in the city?
WordGirl: Not quite. Because I challenge you to... a riddle contest! You can ask me any riddle, and if I can't answer it, I'll admit defeat and you can keep Huggy in that cage forever. (Captain Huggy Face squeaks in protest.)
Ms. Question: And what if you do the impossible and guess the correct answer?
WordGirl: Then you agree to let Huggy go, and we take you to jail.
Ms. Question: Why would I want to risk my brilliant scheme just to win some little game?
WordGirl: Because you want people to remember your name, and nobody would ever forget the villain who was smarter than WordGirl.
Ms. Question: Hmm... Okay, you want to try and guess my impossible riddle?
WordGirl: Bring it on!
Ms. Question: Ever heard of the riddle of the Sphinx, the toughest riddle in the history of the world? What goes on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs at night?
WordGirl: Ha! That's easy. Um... Wow. Okay, that's really hard.
(Ms. Question laughs and hovers up to Captain Huggy Face. He squeaks angrily at her.)
Ms. Question: What's the matter? Puzzled? Is WordGirl finally out of answers?
(WordGirl's super hearing picks up Mr. Botsford's voice.)
Mr. Botsford: Okay, gang. Here's the riddle of the Sphinx.
WordGirl: Riddle of the Sphinx?! I'll be right back!
(WordGirl flies away. Ms. Question eats a fortune cookie from her takeout. She offers half of it to Captain Huggy Face, only to pull it away when he reaches for it, to his disappointment.)
(Scene: The city streets. In the Botsfords' car, TJ is doodling on a notepad, trying to figure out the riddle.)
TJ: Phew. That's a tough riddle, dad.
(Mr. Botsford nods. Suddenly, WordGirl flies into the car.)
TJ: WordGirl!
WordGirl: Family of citizens, do any of you know the answer?
Mrs. Botsford: WordGirl? Shouldn't you be fighting that robot?
WordGirl: Long story, Huggy's in danger. What's the answer?!
Mr. Botsford: Well, I don't know. I mean, it's a really hard riddle.
WordGirl: Wait, aren't the answers in the back of the book? Flip to the back and tell me the answer! Hurry!
Mr. Botsford: But WordGirl, TJ's working so hard. I don't wanna just read the answer before he's had his chance to figure it out. Feels like cheating. You see, his sister is very good... (WordGirl screams in frustration.)
TJ: WordGirl needs me. Come on, TJ, think! (looks out the car window and sees a man, a baby, and an old woman having a barbeque) Ooh, ooh! Oh, I've got it! I got it! I got it!
WordGirl and Mr. and Mrs. Botsford: You do?!
WordGirl: What's the answer?!
TJ: The answer is... (whispers to WordGirl)
WordGirl: (gasps) That's gotta be it! (hugs TJ) Thanks, TJ! (flies away)
TJ: Anytime! (falls over from happiness)
(Scene: The rooftops. WordGirl comes to confront Ms. Question.)
WordGirl: Okay, Ms. Question. I've got the answer to your riddle!
Ms. Question: Huh, you do? Care to lay it on me? (laughs, then addresses Captain Huggy Face) How much you wanna be she's wrong?
WordGirl: Okay, what goes on four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three at night? The answer is... a person! (Ms. Question looks shocked, and WordGirl fetches the man, baby, and old woman to demonstrate.) A baby crawls on four legs when they're small, and a person walks on two legs when they're grown up. But when people get older, sometimes they use a cane, or third leg!
Ms. Question: How could you have figured out the most difficult riddle?! What is this world coming to?!
WordGirl: (puts back the people she is holding on the ground, then comes back) A deal's a deal, Ms. Question. You've been defeated. Now give me my sidekick back!
Ms. Question: Did you really think I would hold up my end of the bargain? Aren't I a villain? Isn't being devious and untrustworthy part of my job description?! So see you next time? (flies away)
WordGirl: I don't think so!
(WordGirl flies through the robot's eye and rips a few wires inside its head, deactivating it and opening Captain Huggy Face's cage. After this, she flies in front of the escaping Ms. Question. She kicks Ms. Question's floating question mark, sending her flying into the cage Captain Huggy Face was trapped in earlier.)
Ms. Question: Whoa! What is this?
WordGirl: Come here, you! (Captain Huggy Face hugs her.)
Ms. Question: Can you put me down?!
(WordGirl and Captain Huggy Face look at each other, and WordGirl moves the robot into the ocean.)
WordGirl: Now who's stranded? Have fun waiting for the police! Come on, Huggy! We've got a beach to get to!
(Down on the streets, traffic resumes. The Botsfords look concerned before Becky and Bob return to the car. Once everyone is strapped in, they continue their drive to the beach.)
Narrator: And so, WordGirl has saved the day once again, and only one riddle remains unanswered: What has tons of adventure, superb superheroes, and a narrator who'll never leave you stranded wondering what's going on?
(At the beach, Becky and Bob are sunbathing while TJ is burying himself in the sand. Mr. Botsford playfully chases his wife.)
Narrator: Baffled? Puzzled? Give up? The next exciting episode of... WordGirl?