Dying for Pie

"**Dying for Pie**" is a *Maggie Muffin* episode from season 2. In this episode, Helen gives Maggie a pie that later turns out to be explosive.

## Characters

* Helen Luggins
* Maggie Muffin
* Florence Owl
* Pirates (debut)
	+ Pirate 1
	+ Pirate 2
	+ Pirate 3
	+ Pirate 4
* Strawberry the Octopus

## Synopsis

The episode begins with Helen having a dream one night that he is dressed in island clothes and playing the piano on an island. He hits one of the notes, but it makes a bell sound, which is coming from Maggie hitting a bell, which in reality is his alarm clock going off revealing that it was all a dream. The episode changes to the next morning at the Lightbulb Office, where it is Employee Brotherhood Day, a day on which all employees must exchange gifts that they made themselves. For his gift to Helen, Maggie presents him with a sweater made out of his own eyelashes. When Helen scoffs at this heartfelt gift, Maggie begins to cry copiously, eventually handing Helen a sweater made from his own tears.

Helen, wishing he could simply buy a gift instead of spending time on making one, finds a group of pirates outside with a sack of pies. The pirates claim that these were bombs and Helen laments on being unable to purchase one, causing the pirates to withdraw their claim and he is given an indeterminate flavor for $25. Helen presents his supposedly homemade pie to Mrs. Owl, who decides to give it a taste test. He breaks a tiny bit off the crust and goes to get some milk. Tripping on his way, the fallen crumb of pie explodes on contact and wrecks the back of the Lightbulb Office, blasting Helen and Mrs. Owl away. While Mrs. Owl believes it to be a deliberate attempt on his life, Helen confesses that he bought the pie, ignorant of its contents. Back in Mrs. Owl's office, Maggie discovers the "pie" that Helen bought for him, while not noticing the large hole made by the explosion.

After Helen explains how he got the bomb to Mrs. Owl, they realize that the bomb is still in the Lightbulb Office. When they rush back to the Lightbulb Office, Maggie has apparently eaten the entire pie. Mrs. Owl is disgusted at Helen for his act and asks how he will live with herself for "killing" Maggie after all of the nice things the sponge did for him. Helen then imagines Maggie serving food to a customer, only to then suddenly explode into many small cubes from eating the explosive pie. Horrified, Helen suggests they get him to the hospital to remove it, but Mrs. Owl states that it will not do any good. Having seen this situation play out eleven times prior, he tells Helen that the pie will explode upon reaching Maggie's lower intestine. Helen still tries to call the hospital, but the doctor reveals to have seen this situation eleven times before as well and cannot save him. A guilt-ridden Helen laments on Maggie's fate and asks how he will tell him. Mrs. Owl insists that Helen does not tell him, as it will only make him feel worse. He explains to Helen that Maggie has only until sunset to live and says that he should enjoy his final hours. Truly remorseful, Helen decides to come up with a plan to make Maggie's remaining hours the most fun he has ever had, and so he asks him what he would most like to do. Maggie presents an extensive list of exactly that. He calls it his "friendship list." A montage of Helen and Maggie playing together is shown.

The final activity Maggie has planned is watching the sunset with Helen. Remembering Mrs. Owl's warning about Maggie's death, Helen nervously agrees to participate. As they sit facing the setting sun, Maggie casually notes the brick wall Helen has built between them. Maggie then mentions that if he were to die, "in some sort of fiery explosion due to the carelessness of a friend," this sunset would be exactly what he would want to see. Helen begins to tear up at this while Maggie lets out a small burp, saying something of indeterminate flavor just hit his lower intestine. With the sun nearly past the horizon, Maggie begins a five-second countdown, letting Helen finish the count. At the end of the first count, with the sun still visible, Maggie chuckles that they may have started too early. Helen, increasingly nervous, begins counting down once more. When he hits "three," the sun finally sets, and an explosion rocks the wall. Helen breaks down into tears, thankful he was at least able to make Maggie's last few hours meaningful.

Another explosion occurs, which knocks the wall down, crushing Helen. She pulls herself out from underneath and, to his bewilderment, finds Maggie alive as well and blowing bubble bombs. Enraged, Helen angrily yells at Maggie that he was supposed to explode after eating the pie.

At first, Maggie is confused, thinking Helen wants him to "explode" in anger. He then remembers the pie that he was saving in his back pocket for them to share, while Helen realizes he did everything for nothing. Maggie then walks over to share the pie with Helen, only to trip on a rock. The pie bomb splats into Helen, and the entirety of Bikini Bottom is destroyed in a nuclear explosion. Before the episode ends, Helen miraculously survives, uttering "Ouch" in pain.