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.
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Category:Season 20 transcripts