HEY ARNOLD!
FAN-FICTION STORY
By Megawacky Max

Original found at - http://megadimension.freeservers.com/fanficing_beatles10.htm

Part 10: Magical tunes

It's Saturday at the evening. The school is well illuminated with flashlights and a big sign: "Big School Party - Tonight!!". All the P.S.118 students are entering the dance room. All of them are dressed quite well. Phoebe and Helga enter the huge dance room. Phoebe wears a nice blue dress and a pearl necklace. Even her glasses are different (well ... they are the same, but with a little costume jewelry diamonds in each side). She still has the same hairstyle. Helga is dressed with the same clothes she wore at the Valentine's date and her hair is down.

Phoebe: Wow! All the P.S.118 students must be here tonight!

Helga: (Bored) yeah ... sure ... aha...

Phoebe: Too bad you and Arnold aren't together tonight ...

Helga: Once again, Phoebe, I don't want to ...

Phoebe: YES, you do! You told me all the truth. What I'm saying is that it's a pity you don't want to talk to Arnold.

Helga: It's my life.

Phoebe: Umm ...

Gerald shows up (alone). He's dressed with an awesome suit and a funny tie. He has a flower on the suit's lapel.

Gerald: Hey, girls! Glad you showed up! (takes the flower and offers it to Phoebe) And may Lady Heyerdahl be pleased to follow me to our table?

Phoebe blushes.

Phoebe: (Blushes) sure... Lord Johanssen.

Helga: (Confused) What's all that?

Phoebe: (Blushes) Well ... you know ... Gerald asked me if I wanted to be his dance partner and ... I agreed.

Helga: (A bit disappointed) Oh ... I see ...

Gerald: Let's go to our table. Follow me.

Gerald guides the girls through the crowd to a table. They sit down.

Phoebe: It's a nice place! Just in front of the stage!

Gerald: Yeah, I heard there's a band tonight!

Phoebe: Great!

Helga: And ... where's Arnold?

Gerald: Oh ... Arnold's not coming. He said ... er ... he couldn’t see you without suffering.

Helga: Bah ... tell him to take an aspirin. Must be just a football headache.

Phoebe: Please, Helga. He's very hurt!

Helga: Yeah, whatever ...

Gerald looks back and sees Eugene at the next table. He's dressed with the same cool clothes worn when he first invited Rhonda. He's alone.

Gerald: Eugene! What a surprise!

Eugene: Hello, Gerald!

Gerald: And where's Rhonda?

Eugene: She went to the ladies' toilet with Nadine. I'm just waiting for her.

Gerald: Oh, right.

Eugene: And where's Arnold?

Gerald: Sshhh! (Whispers) Come closer...

Eugene gets closer to Gerald.

Gerald: (Whispers to Eugene) He has a plan! You'll never believe it!

Eugene: I knew Arnold wouldn't give up!

The lights of the dance room turn off. A flashlight shines on the stage.

Gerald: (Whispers to Eugene) we'll talk later! The show is about to start!

Eugene: (Whispers to Gerald) OK.

Helga: Hey, the lights are off!

Phoebe: The band must be about to start!

Principal Wartz is on the stage and approaches to a microphone.

Wartz: Hello? ... One, two, three, four ... testing, testing ... (he taps the microphone and a bit of feedback is heard). All right, it's on and working perfectly ... Hello, students! I'm principal Wartz and I'm glad all of you could be here tonight! We have a very special program to make this night unique. First of all I'm proud of introduce a group of boys who will tune you into the magic of this event. Here's our Big Dance Party's band ... The Beaters!!

The curtain opens at the time Wartz gets off the stage. The Beaters are in the stage. All the girls yell happily.

Phoebe: Oh, my God! I can't believe it! The Beaters!

Helga: (Sarcastic) "Oh, The Beaters, The Beaters!" Yeah ... big thing ... by the way, who the heck are The Beaters?

Phoebe: Are you kidding? They are the best imitators of The Beatles, ever! They sound perfectly like them!

Helga: Oh, well.

Finally, the curtain is open wide. Johnny Lendon grabs the microphone.

Johnny: Hi, people!! Hi, nice girls!! Are you ready to hear some good music??

All in the room: YES!!

Johnny: What did you say?

All in the room: YES!!!

Johnny: C'mon, kids! A bit louder! I know you can!

All in the room: YEEESSSSS!!!!

Johnny: Good! That's what I want to hear!

Gerald: (Whispers to Phoebe) Psst! Hey, Pheebs!

Phoebe: Huh?

Gerald: (Whispers to Phoebe) Arnold has a plan! We must leave Helga alone! Follow me!

Phoebe: (Whispers to Gerald) got it!

Gerald and Phoebe leave Helga alone without letting her know.

Johnny: We would like to start with a nice song. One of the best ones.

Helga: Phoebe, I think this band is a bit... (looks at ... Phoebe?) ... Phoebe? ... Gerald? Hey, were did they go? (Helga gets up and keeps looking for her friends).

Johnny: And, for the first song, we have a special guest. Well, kids! Let's begin!

The band begins to play "I need you" by The Beatles.

(Then Arnold appears on the stage! And he walks to Johnny and takes the microphone)

Arnold: (singing)
You don't realize how much I need you (Helga turns her head slowly to the stage...)
Love you all the time and never leave you (... and is surprised!)
Please come on back to me
I'm lonely as can be
I need you

(another flashlight shines on Helga. She's amazed)

Said you had a thing or two to tell me
How was I to know you would upset me
I didn't realize as I looked in you eyes
You told me

(Arnold goes down the stairs of the stage and walks to Helga's table)

Oh, yes you told me
you don't want my lovin' anymore
That's when it hurt me (puts his hand on his heart)
And feeling like this
I just can't go on anymore

(Arnold takes Helga's hand. She is about to break down)

Please remember how I feel about you
I could never really live without you
So come on back and see
Just what you mean to me
I need you

(Arnold releases Helga's hand. Helga sniffs a couple of times)

Oh, yes you told me
you don't want my lovin' anymore
That's when it hurt me
And feeling like this
I just can't go on anymore

(Arnold takes Helga's hand again. They look in to each other's eyes)

Please remember how I feel about you
I could never really live without you
So come on back and see
Just what you mean to me (they get closer each other)
I need you (... and closer...)
I need you (... and closer...)
I need you ... (... and finally Arnold gives Helga a big kiss)

The song finishes. The whole dance room cheers while Arnold is kissing Helga! Then Arnold releases Helga. She's very happy and it's about to break down. Some tears roll down Helga's face.

Helga: (Happy) Oh, Arnold! I was so blind! Please, forgive me! It was all a stupid mistake!

Arnold: (Happy) It's OK, Helga! Happily all back to normal now!

Helga: (Breaks down) Oh, Arnold ... !
 
They hug each other. Everybody in the room clap to the happy couple.

Johnny: (Grabs another microphone) That was a beauty! Wasn't it? A thousand thanks to Arnold for giving us a magical moment! And now, to complete the scene, another love song! (to the band) Go ahead, people!

The band begins to play again. Arnold invites Helga to a slow dance. She agrees. The people around Arnold and Helga move away. The happy couple starts dancing slowly to the center of the dance floor. The band continues to play until the song finishes. Arnold and Helga stop dancing. The crowd clap again.

Johnny: This is one of the best things I ever done. Now we'll let you take a rest, but we will be back soon! Once again, thanks to Arnold!

The curtains start to close. The crowd clap to the band.

Helga: Arnold, you can't imagine how much happy I am. I thought you would never find out how I really feel about you.

Arnold: Well, so, thanks Phoebe. She told me you still loved me.

Helga: WHAT?!

Helga then walks to Phoebe near the table. Phoebe feels a bit scared seeing Helga coming with a kind of mad look. Finally Helga is in front of Phoebe.

Helga: (Sounds angry) you told Arnold what I said to you? Why? I begged you NOT TO tell?

Phoebe: (Flustered) Er ... huh? ... Well ... y - yes ...

Then Helga hugs Phoebe.

Helga: (Happy) Thank you, Pheebs!

Phoebe: (Calms down) Huh ... you're welcome, I think ...

Gerald: Let's sit at our table, friends. The food will be served soon.

Arnold: Yes, I am pretty hungry.

The four kids return to the table and sit down. Eugene calls Arnold to his table.

Eugene: Hey, Arnold! Great show!

Arnold: Thanks! I knew it would work! By the way ... where's Rhonda?

Eugene: She is ...

Nadine shows up and sits next to Eugene.

Eugene: (Confused) Nadine? Where's Rhonda? Wasn't she with you?

Nadine: Ah ... Eugene ... listen ... Rhonda says she felt a bit ill and ... she went back to her house.

Eugene: (Slowly) W- what?

Nadine: She ... she's not here. Sorry.

Eugene: (Sad) She ... she left me...

Eugene looks sad. Arnold looks at him and tries to make him talk.

Arnold: Eugene? Are you OK?

Eugene: (Sad) No, I'm not.

Arnold: What happened?

Eugene: (Sad) Rhonda left me. Nadine says she felt ill, so she went back to her home.

Arnold: (Serious) No that can't be true.

Eugene: (Sad) But it's! I knew it was too perfect. My little heart has become dust right now ...

Gerald: It couldn't be so bad ...

Arnold: Gerald, please! I know perfectly how Eugene feels. I had the same problems.

Helga: Yes. Even I feel the same. Which ... would be strange!

Eugene stands up.

Arnold: Hey! What are you doing?

Eugene: (Sad) I'm leaving. This is not the place for me.

Arnold: But, Eugene ...!

Eugene: (Interrupts) Arnold! Listen ...

Arnold: But, Eugene! You can't go! You'll miss the best event of the school!

Eugene: Sorry, but I can't. My heart suffers staying here.

Gerald: C'mon, man! There are plenty more fish in the sea! Rhonda is not the only girl in the world!

Eugene: (Sad) But she is, was ... the only girl in my life.

Arnold: Eugene, you can't leave feeling depressed! You can enjoy the party too!

Eugene: No, I can't. Sorry. (He drinks a couple of Ya-Hoo's) If somebody asks for me ... I'll be in the school's playground.

Eugene leaves the party. Arnold and the rest of the gang follow him with their gazes. Once Eugene has left Nadine sighs deeply.

Arnold: What's up, Nadine?

Nadine: Oh, nothing!

For some weird reason Arnold doesn't believe her.

Arnold: Why am I thinking you lied to Eugene?

Nadine: (Begins to sweat) Uhm ... er ... I don't know what you're talking about ...

Gerald: Say, Arnold ... did you see that?

Arnold: Sure!

Both of them start staring at Nadine.

Nadine: (Sweats) why are you two watching me like that?

Arnold: Nadine, you are sweating. Are you nervous?

Gerald: Is there something you'd like to tell us?

Helga: Something about ... ohh, I don't know ... Rhonda, maybe?

Nadine: (Sweats) Er ... No!

Phoebe: I don't know, guys ... but I don't believe a word.

Nadine: (Sweats) There's nothing to say! Rhonda was ill and ...!

Arnold: And she begged you for help. I bet she didn't want to be seen with Eugene and she asked you for help!

Nadine: (Sweats) No! I ... I ... (calms down) in fact ... there's something of truth in that. Actually she asked me for help.

Gerald: And ...
Nadine: ... and I helped her.

Arnold: Where is she?

Nadine: She's in the cafeteria. She told me I must convince Eugene to leave the school. She was very excited about the date, you know Rhonda? If she can be with a guy with cool clothes, she'll be fine. But tonight she was different.

Arnold: That's it! Wait for me here, I'll talk to her!

Helga: Wait! I'll go with you!

Phoebe: Helga!

Helga: Hey, just in case!

Arnold: Okay. Come on, Helga.

Arnold and Helga go to the cafeteria. There's Rhonda, sitting alone and waiting for Nadine's advice. She wears a long red dress and a flower-shaped hairstyle.

Helga: A-haa! There's Miss Fashion!

Rhonda: Huh?

Rhonda turns around and sees Arnold and Helga approaching.

Rhonda: Oh, oh!

Rhonda is about to stand up, but Helga puts a hand on her shoulder and forces her to sit down again. Arnold and Helga sit on either side of her.

Rhonda: (Afraid) Guys, I gotta go!

Helga: You're not going anywhere, little miss "ill"!

Arnold: What's the big idea?

Rhonda: What do you mean?

Arnold: Just one word ... Eugene.

Rhonda: (Sweats) W - what's up with him?

Helga: Arnold, I'm losing my temper. I'll make her confess?

Arnold: Good! Why did you leave Eugene?

Rhonda: I ... I don't know.

Arnold: I thought you'd be happy to be Eugene's dance partner!

Rhonda: It's just that ... er... I don't know ... you see, in the first instance, I think his clothes attracted me. I remember he wore a cool outfit and ... and I became speechless!

Arnold: What happened later?

Rhonda: He went to my house today to pick me up for the party. I was glad to see him because he was wearing the same cool outfit ... but, on the way to the party ... uhm ... I realized he is a total jinx.

Arnold: So?

Rhonda: Imagine this ... you are walking with Eugene, and he tells you how wonderful you are. That's not bad at all! But then he fell down a hole in the road, then a dog started chasing us and we had no option but to run. A bit later a car drove over a water puddle and almost soaked my dress. And then we finally arrived at school. We went to our table and then I thought ...

Rhonda stops talking.

Arnold: And then, you thought ...?

Rhonda: No, I'd better not tell you anything else.

Helga: Oh that’s it! My turn!

Helga grabs Rhonda from her shoulders.

Rhonda: (Scared) Alright! I'll tell you!

Arnold: Take it easy, Helga.

Rhonda: I wanted to leave Eugene because ... I thought people would thing I'm kind of a geek.

Arnold and Helga: WHAT?!

Rhonda: That's the truth.

Arnold: Rhonda, are you insane? You smashed the heart of a nice guy and you are ONLY worrying about yourself!

Rhonda: Well ... I ...

Arnold: Do you know how Eugene is feeling right now? He's demolished!

Rhonda: I don't ...

Helga: Ah! This girl is making me nuts! There's only one way she's gonna understand the situation! Come!

Helga grabs Rhonda's arm and forces her to follow her.

Rhonda: Hey!

Arnold: What are you doing?

Helga: Just follow me!

Arnold follows Helga. The three of them go to school's playground. Eugene is sitting down on a bench, sad. Arnold, Helga and Rhonda hide behind a wall and spy on Eugene.

Rhonda: Why did you bring me here? Eugene mustn't see me!

Helga: Sssht! Just look at him!

Rhonda looks at poor Eugene sitting down. He's sad.

Eugene: (to himself) Why? I just want ONE single answer! Why are all the things in my life a mess? Why I'm so unfortunate? (Sniffs a couple times) the best moment in my life, up until now, was when Rhonda said she would be my dance partner. For once I thought I had a small piece of luck. What a fool I was ... she left me ...

Arnold: You see? He's upset!

Rhonda: Man ... I did that?

Helga: You bet!

Rhonda: I didn't want to hurt him.

Arnold: There's still a chance! Talk to him!

Rhonda: I can't! What would people say?

Arnold: That doesn't matter. The only thing he needs right now ... is a bit of understanding. He just wants to have a nice night, and an awesome dance with you.

Rhonda: Well ... even without that cool outfit ... he has his charm. I mean ... he's not a bad guy ... a fool, of course, but not a bad guy. But I still don't know ...

Helga: Come on, Miss Hesitant! Go with him!

Rhonda: (Yells) I said I can't!

Eugene realizes there's someone behind the wall.

Eugene: Rhonda? Is that you?

Rhonda: Oh, no!

Arnold: There's no way back, Rhonda.

Rhonda: Quick! You gotta hide me!

Helga: Oh, please! Stop acting like an idiot! Go!

Helga pushes Rhonda out from behind the wall. Eugene sees her.

Eugene: Rhonda!

Rhonda: Er ... I ... well ... yes ... OK, hello, Eugene.

Eugene: (Stands up and walks to her) I thought you were ill.

Rhonda: That ... that wasn't true. I was lying.

Eugene: But ... why?

Rhonda: I ... I didn't want to be seen with you.
Eugene: Oh ... I think I understand. Your social life doesn't need someone like me. Well, I wish you luck to find the one for you.

Eugene starts to leave. Rhonda finally understands.

Rhonda: Hey, wait!

Eugene: (Stops walking) Hhmm?

Rhonda: I didn't reject you yet.

Eugene: (Smiles) you didn't?

Rhonda: No.

Eugene: (Smiles) So ... do I still have a chance?

Rhonda: Uhm ... why not? I mean ... dancing with you won't kill me, right?

Eugene: (Smiles) Oh, grateful!

Rhonda: So, let's go inside! I'm hungry and the food must be served right now!

Eugene: Yes, let's go!

Eugene and Rhonda enter the party again.

Arnold: Yikes, Helga! What a plan!

Helga: Thanks! And talking about dinner ... I'm hungry too.

Arnold: Me too!

Arnold and Helga enter the party too.

- End of part 10 -