The Big City Blues

**The Big City Blues** is the first episode of The Limmies. Its featured song is Right Home In Limmalong.

## Synopsis

In the regional city of Limmalong, shaggy-furred 37-year-old dog and part-time saxophonist Frapfel is struggling to keep his music store open with competition from NuMu, a newer, bigger and seemingly better music store across the street. A roller girl named Mazella and a monster named Sparjy, two of Frapfel's loyal customers, join a band with him and enter a competition in Uvajed City, hoping to be able to move there for good.

## Transcript

[Opens on the front of Hounds Like Music]

[Cuts inside]

[Frapfel is attending the front desk]

Sparjy: \*skateboards in\* Hey, Frapfel!

Frapfel: Howdy, Sparjy!

Sparjy: So, you got that new Screamers album I've been hearin' about?

Frapfel: Sorry, Sparjy, I'm all out of those.

Sparjy: It's cool. I'll go check over the road.

Frapfel (angry): You mean at NuMu?

Sparjy: Yeah, but I promise I'll come to you next time.

Frapfel: Well, Sparjy, I fear there may not be a next time.

Sparjy: Huh? Why's that?

Frapfel: That place has only been open for a year, but each day of that time, it's been drivin' me further and further out of business.

Sparjy: I know what to do!

Frapfel: What?

Sparjy: I'm gonna stand out the front of NuMu and scare all the customers out!

Frapfel: Good luck with that.

Sparjy: \*crosses the road to NuMu\* Raaarrrh! RRRAAARRRHHHH!

Background character (teen male human): Hey, that must be where we can get that new Screamers album!

[A whole crowd of characters rush in]

Back at Hounds Like Music...

Frapfel: So, any luck back there?

Sparjy: You might have to find a new location.

Frapfel: I've looked all over Limmalong, partner, and everywhere's either too big, too small, or just too expensive!

Sparjy: Well, at least you can still throw a closing down party!

Mazella: \*roller skates in\* A party?

Sparjy: Yeah. \*points to Frapfel with his thumb\* His closing down party.

Mazella: Oh, you're not closing down, Frapfel!

Frapfel: ‘Fraid I might have to, Mazella.

Mazella: Not on my watch.

Frapfel: It's that place over the road. Been driving me near fresh out of business.

Mazella: Oh, how long do think you've got left?

Frapfel: Might have to start the clearance sale tomorrow, actually.

Mazella: Only do that if you know where in life you're going next. Have you ever had any other dreams?

Frapfel: Well, back when I was a pup, I did want to join some jazz band in Uvajed City, but I don't see that happenin' anytime soon...

Mazella: You could always be part of a band with Sparjy and I!

Frapfel: I could?

Mazella: As long as Sparjy's on board with it. What do you say, Sparjy?

Sparjy: A rock band, right?

Mazella: Well, you like rock, I like pop, and Frapfel likes jazz, so why don't we combine all that? Come on! How about we try a song? We've got all our instruments!

[Sparjy and Frapfel glance at her with doubt]

Mazella: We could be in the Limmalong Amateur Music Festival next month!

Frapfel: Really?

Sparjy: Who you callin' an amateur? I mean... awesome! Why don't we play Smells Like Monster Spirit?

Frapfel: I'm thinkin' Walk Me To The Kennel.

Mazella: Or something by Roller Swift! Just kidding - let's make our own song - a song about things we all love! I'll start. \*starts playing her keytar\*

Mazella (singing): I love wearing roller skates, and I like to drink milkshakes!

Frapfel (singing): I blow on... \*blows saxophone\* ...my big ol' sax,... \*blows saxophone\* ...and I love long hiking tracks!

Sparjy (singing): \*starts playing electric guitar\* I go skateboard down the street, coolest monster you could meet!

[Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy stop playing their instruments]

Mazella (singing): That was great, but we need space, who wants to choose a practice place?

Sparjy: How 'bout the park?

Frapfel: Sounds good to me. What do you think, Mazella?

Mazella: Well, first, we'll need to write more of the song, but after that, let's do it!

Frapfel (over the top of Sparjy): Okay.

Sparjy (in unison with Frapfel): Alright!

At the park...

[Opening shot of the park]

[Mazella, Sparjy and Frapfel are on the gazebo with their instruments]

Mazella: Alright, I think we've got this now.

[Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy start playing their instruments]

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): Oh, we're all so, so different, but we all get along,

We'd never find friends quite like these in all of Limmalong!

Mazella (singing, playing keytar): I love wearing roller skates, and I like...

[Cuts to the end of the song]

'Cause we're all so, so different, but we all get along,

We'd never find friends quite like these in all of Limmalong!

[The crowd cheers]

Sparjy: This is gonna be great!

At festival tryouts at the Limmalong Theatre...

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): 'Cause we're all so, so different, but we all get along,

We'd never find friends quite like these in all of Limmalong!

Talent scout (adult male gnu): Well, that was... cute. We'll keep in touch.

Mazella: Woohoo!

[Frapfel and Sparjy look at her doubtfully]

Mazella: What?

Sparjy: Anyway, we should get lunch.

At Froomsy's Café...

[Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy are sitting at a table, looking sad]

Froomsy: \*brings Mazella her strawberry milkshake\* Here's your strawberry milkshake, Mazella!

Mazella: Thanks, Froomsy! Sweet! \*sips it\*

Froomsy: That always cheers you up! But you looked so glum a second ago, why was that?

Sparjy: We didn't get into the amateur music festival!

Mazella: Well, we still might! The talent scout did say we'd keep in touch!

Sparjy: He said the exact same thing when I tried before, and I didn't get in then either!

Froomsy: Well, there are plenty more places in Limmalong you could try a public performance!

At Limmalong Park...

[Mazella, Sparjy and Frapfel are on the gazebo with their instruments]

[The crowd can be heard]

Sparjy: Too noisy.

At the South Limmalong Mall...

[Mazella, Sparjy and Frapfel are present with their instruments]

[The crowd can be heard]

Sparjy: Still too noisy.

At the North Limmalong Mall...

[Mazella, Sparjy and Frapfel are present with their instruments]

[The crowd can be heard]

Sparjy: Still too noisy.

At the airport...

[Mazella, Sparjy and Frapfel are present with their instruments]

[The crowd can be heard]

Sparjy: Still too noisy.

At the oval...

[Mazella, Sparjy and Frapfel are present with their instruments]

Mazella: This isn't so bad!

[A football lands on Sparjy's horns and deflates]

Brangle: You're gettin' me a new ball, Sparjy!

Sparjy: Uh-oh.

Back at Froomsy's Café...

Mazella: We've tried the park, both malls, the airport and the oval!

Frapfel: And they were ALL too noisy!

Froomsy: You could always play a tune in here! Now, let's just see where there's some space, and... Oh dear. I think it's all full in here. But Limmalong's quite large for a regional city, and there are plenty more places you could try!

Frapfel: Oh, I've been up Knockback Hill enough times to know that!

[Zooms into the view of Knockback Hill outside the window]

[Cuts to Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy with their instruments, on top of Knockback Hill]

Sparjy: How are we supposed to know where we can perform from up here?

Mazella: I mean, you can see the whole town, you just can't see what anything actually is.

Frapfel: Well, taking in the mountain air can do wonders for the mind, you know!

Sparjy: Mountain air? I thought this was just a hill!

Mazella: Anyway, so what if we can't read any signs from up here? I bet we could still see all the way to Uvajed City!

Sparjy: All I see's this magazine about Uvajed City somebody left on the ground.

Mazella: Litterbug.

Frapfel: Let me see... \*picks it up\* \*howls\* Look at all these music competitions happening in Uvajed City right now!

Sparjy: Well, that was convenient.

Mazella: Transmitting towers, Frapfel, are you serious?

Frapfel: Transmitting... towers?

Mazella: Yeah, heh. I thought that could be our catchphrase when be became a band since we practiced here, and this tower is a Limmalong landmark!

Frapfel: Well, why stay in Limmalong when we could make it big in Uvajed City, like I wanted in the first place?

[Mazella and Sparjy gasp in excitement]

Mazella: I'll film us on my mobile and send it in to all the competitions. \*puts her mobile in a tree facing them\* Ready?

Frapfel and Sparjy: READY!

Mazella: \*starts recording\* \*goes to Frapfel and Sparjy\*

[Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy start playing their instruments]

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): Oh, we're all so, so different, but we all get along,

We'd never find friends quite like these in all of Limmalong!

At Frapfel's house one week later...

[Frapfel is sitting in his armchair]

Frapfel: \*hums the first part of We All Get Along after the chorus\*

[His phone rings]

Frapfel: \*answers it\*

[Cuts to Mazella's house]

Mazella: We got in one of the Uvajed City music festivals!

[Cuts back to Frapfel's house]

Frapfel: \*howls as the hair over his eyes momentarily stands up\* We did?

[Cuts to Mazella's house]

Mazella: Yeah - it's called Urban Beats! We're playing on Friday and the award ceremony's on Monday!

[Cuts back to Frapfel's house]

Frapfel: Well, towerin'... What did you say should be our catchphrase again?

[Cuts to Mazella's house]

Mazella: Transmitting towers!

[Cuts back to Frapfel's house]

Frapfel: Well, transmitting towers, that's amazing! You'd better tell Sparjy!

[Cuts to Mazella's house]

Mazella: I will! And don't forget to meet me at the train station on Friday.

[Cuts to Mazella's house]

Mazella: Bye, Frapfel!

[Cuts back to Frapfel's house]

Frapfel: See ya later, Mazella!

[Cuts to Sparjy's house]

Sparjy: \*answers the phone\*

[Cuts to Mazella's house]

Mazella: We got the gig, Sparjy!

[Cuts back to Sparjy's house]

Sparjy: Gnarly!

[Cuts to Mazella's house]

Mazella: I hope you're ready for three nights in the Big U!

[Cuts back to Sparjy's house]

Sparjy: Three whole nights? Oh YEAH!

Sparjy's mother Pedjy: Three whole nights where, young monster?

Sparjy: In Uvajed City!

Pedjy: Uvajed City?

Sparjy: \*looks at her anxiously\*

Pedjy: Go ahead, just don't forget to bring back some Monsterella cheese, and make sure it's slimy, greasy, sticky and stinky!

Sparjy: Sure thing, mum!

[Cuts to Mazella's house]

Mazella: Okay, so meet me at the train station on Friday, please, and bring your guitar!

[Cuts back to Sparjy's house]

Sparjy: Got it!

[Cuts to Mazella's house]

Mazella: Sweet! Bye.

On Bluebell the train on Friday...

Bluebell: So, what's your new band called?

Mazella: The Limmies!

Bluebell: Splendid - what better way to show that you're proud to live in Limmalong?

Frapfel: Well, we're gonna move!

Bluebell: Eh?

Mazella: Except Sparjy, he's still in high school. But he'll come every summer!

Bluebell: Well, I'll miss you.

Sparjy: But what about all your other trips to Uvajed City?

Bluebell: Oh, Sparjy, we steam trains aren't as common as we used to be - I'm just filling in for the electric engine who usually pulls the Big U Express! Anyway, I suppose a change never hurt anyone - for example, switching from coal to torrefied biomass has made me so much better for the environment!

Sparjy: Anyway, Bluebell, how can you even hear us if we're all the way back in this carriage?

[Bluebell does not respond]

Sparjy: Bluebell?

Mazella: Anyway, look! \*points out the window\* TPB Tower! We're there!

Sparjy: No we're not!

Mazella: Not there as in the station, but there as in Uvajed City!

Sparjy: Oh. Right.

[Cuts to a high angle wide shot of Bluebell pulling the train further into the city]

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (offscreen, amazed): Aaaah...

[Cuts to Uvajed City Central Station]

Bluebell: \*chuffs in\* \*stops\*

[Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy get out]

Bluebell: Best of luck with the band! \*whistles\* I'll make sure I'll come back and visit if I ever get the chance!

Mazella: Thanks, Bluebell!

Sparjy: Alright, let's get to the hotel!

Mazella: Aren't we gonna do a tour of Uvajed City first? Come on!

Outside the station...

[Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy look up into the city before them]

Sparjy: Check it out!

[Cuts to a bus tour of Uvajed City]

Driver (adult male blue lizard): And over on your left, the world famous Statue of Liminality!

[The Statue of Liminality looks like a cross between the Statue of Liberty and Mazella]

Frapfel: I swear I've seen that woman before...

Sparjy: And I swear I've seen that statue before...

Mazella: Of course you have, it's a world famous landmark!

At Eleanor Square...

Driver (adult male blue lizard): And over on your left is Eleanor Square, outside the Big U Mall!

Passenger (adult female bear): I've lived here all my life. Since when was it Eleanor Square?

Driver (adult male blue lizard): Oh, I just named it after my girlfriend.

Passenger (adult female bear): Well, I guess there was no name before.

Sparjy: Hey, Mazella, remember when we met in Mazella Square?

Mazella: \*rolls eyes\* Totally. Hey, anyone got a map of Limmalong where I can find Mazella Square?

Frapfel: \*hands her a Limmalong brochure with a map\*

Mazella: \*looks at the map\* \*gasps\* There it is! Mazella Square! Never knew that! But Frapfel, you don't have pockets - where'd you get that brochure?

Frapfel: You know, Hammerspace.

Mazella: Where?

Driver (adult male blue lizard): And over on your right, it's TPB Tower! And over on your left - Town Hall!

Sparjy: \*presses the stop button\* Better get off!

Frapfel: \*looks at the clock on the front of the building\* You're right, Sparjy. We're on in five minutes!

In the town hall...

Stage announcer (adult male monster): Ladies and gentlemen, animals and monsters - presenting a bubbly band all the way from Limmalong - The Limmies!

[The crowd cheers]

[The curtains raise]

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): Oh, we're all so, so different, but we all get along,

We'd never find friends quite like these in all of Limmalong!

Mazella (singing, playing keytar): I love wearing roller skates, and I like to drink milkshakes!

Frapfel (singing): I blow on... \*blows saxophone\* ...my big ol' sax,... \*blows saxophone\* ...and I love long hiking tracks!

[Cuts to a continuation of the song on Thursday at Hounds Like Music]

Sparjy (singing, playing electric guitar): \*starts playing electric guitar\* I go skateboard down the street, coolest monster you could meet!

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): We're different, but please understand, we're all part of one music band,

'Cause we're all so, so different, but we all get along,

We'd never find friends quite like these in all of Limmalong!

Sparjy (singing): We haven't known each other long,

Mazella (singing): And we're fresh out of Limmalong,

Frapfel (singing): But, boy oh boy, our friendship's strong

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): So won't you join our friendship song?

'Cause we're all so, so different, but we all get along,

We'd never find friends quite like these in all of Limmalong!

Mazella (singing): Mazella,...

Frapfel (singing): Frapfel,...

Sparjy (singing): and Sparjy,...

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): We're here in Uvajed City!

We've left old Limmalong behind,

And none of us can wait to find

More friends!

Frapfel (singing): Right here in Uvajed City!

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): More friends!

Mazella (singing): The place where everything's pretty!

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): More friends!

Sparjy (singing): They could be anyone!

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): We're all ready for some fun!

[The crowd cheers]

In the theatre hall after the show...

Background character (adult male dog): Hey, you three! You know, music these days is all either noisy and terrible, or just plain nonsensical.

[The Limmies gasp]

Background character (adult male dog): But then there's you guys - you're the exception. Hey everybody, The Limmies are still here!

[A crowd of characters gather around them]

Background character (elderly female panda): I haven't heard music that genuinely wholesome and sweet in a long time!

Mazella: Oh my gosh, thanks so much!

Background character (teen male dragon): You rock, Sparjy!

Sparjy: Thanks, dude - gimme five.

[The dragon and Sparjy high five.]

Background character (teen male dragon): And Mazella, your rollerblades RULE!

Mazella: You like my roller skates? Thanks!

Frapfel: Been nice meetin' y'all, but we'd better go get some lunch.

Mazella: I've always wanted to go the Skate-Roll Perk! You guys wanna go there?

Sparjy: Sure.

Frapfel: \*nods\*

Mazella: Sweet!

At the Skate-Roll Perk...

[The Limmies are eating lunch and Mazella is sipping a strawberry milkshake]

[Laughter can be heard]

Sparjy: Somebody must have just told a GOOD joke.

Rooey: Oh, sorry. It's just that Phoebline over here won't shut up about this new band she just saw, called The Limies or something, and now she's trying to tell the rest of us they're here!

Phoebline: This is them, Rooey! The Limmies!

Mazella: That's right!

Rooey: Woah!

Chompler (sarcastic): Oh sure, like they're really here.

Phoebline: They've even got their instruments.

[Moonica, Roarss and Peachel join Rooey, Phoebline and Chompler to look at The Limmies]

Peachel: Play us a song!

Mazella: Okay! Frapfel, Sparjy, you ready?

Frapfel: Only if everybody else in the café's okay with it.

Sparjy: You okay with it, guys?

[Everyone in the Skate-Roll Perk cheers]

Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy (singing): Oh, we're all so, so different, but we all get along,

We'd never find friends quite like these in all of Limmalong!

[More and more characters start coming into the Skate-Roll Perk]

[The cheering gets louder and louder until it drowns out The Limmies]

Mazella (singing, playing keytar): I love wearing roller skates, and I like to drink milkshakes!

Frapfel (singing): I blow on... \*blows saxophone\* ...my big ol' sax,... \*blows saxophone\* ...and I love long hiking tracks!

In a subway station...

[The Limmies are on the platform]

[Frapfel is holding a real estate magazine and Mazella is holding a subway map]

Sparjy: This is gnarly, everybody loves us!

Mazella: And we've made so many new friends! I can't believe we've made it this far!

Frapfel: Heh, yeah...

Mazella: You okay, Frapfel?

Frapfel: Never better, Mazella.

[A train horn is heard]

Frapfel: That'll be the the train to our new apartment!

[The train stops]

[The passengers rush out]

Background character (adult female flower creature): I saw your concert on TV!

Frapfel: On TV?

Background character (adult female flower creature): Didn't you know that the Uvajed City Amateur Music Festival was always broadcast live?

Sparjy: I knew that!

Mazella: Me too!

Frapfel: Oh, uh, well, I'm glad to meet a fan.

[Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy get on the train]

[The train leaves]

[Cuts to the outside of the hotel]

[Cuts inside]

Hotel clerk (adult male human): So, how'd you guys go looking for somewhere to live in the Big U?

Mazella: Well, the first apartment had too much noise from the traffic,...

Frapfel: The second apartment was all run down,...

Sparjy: The third apartment was way too clean,...

[The others look at him with confusion]

Sparjy: What? I'm a monster!

Hotel clerk: Well, see how you go tomorrow.

In the hotel room…

Frapfel: I gotta be honest, y’all, those crowds were crazy!

Sparjy: That’s what we want!

Frapfel: Well, I don’t know about you two, but I could do with a rest! \*yawns\*

The next day…

[Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy are at Midpoint Park]

Frapfel: Midpoint Park, this is more like it.

Sparjy: So many more potential fans all around!

Mazella: Shall we play a little song?

[Mazella and Sparjy start playing their instruments]

[Background characters start crowding around them]

Frapfel: \*shakes his head\*

Blazza (stinky, muscular man in rollerblades): I love your roller skates!

Mazella: Oh,… thanks.

Blazza: You were in the amateur music festival, weren’t you? What’s your name again?

Mazella: Mazella.

Blazza: Well, they call me Bladin’ Blazza. You want a race?

Mazella: \*sniffs him\* Uhh… sure! Where to?

Blazza: Oh, just to that hot dog stand and back…

Mazella: You’re on!

[They start racing to the hot dog stand]

[Blazza looks determined while Mazella looks disgusted and scared]

Blazza: \*stops at the hot dog stand\*

Mazella: \*keeps going\* \*hides behind a tree\* Whew.

Blazza (offscreen): MAZELLA!

Mazella: \*jumps up with fear\* AAAUGH!

Blazza: Do you want anything from the hot dog stand?

Mazella: Uh,... sure!

Back at the hot dog stand...

Vendor (adult male monster): \*hands Mazella a hot dog and a drink\*

Mazella: Thanks!

Blazza: \*takes the hot dog and eats it\*

Mazella: Hey!

Blazza: \*laughs\*

Mazella: \*rolls eyes\*

Back in the hotel room that evening...

Mazella: I CAN'T believe that guy bought me a hot dog earlier, only to grab it out of my hand and eat it himself!

Sparjy: It's the big city now, girl. You just gotta deal with those kinds of people.

Frapfel: And here I thought I was the only one who was homesick.

Mazella: Hey. Two more nights before we go home, then we'll know for sure.

TBA

**The following comes significantly later into the episode**

[Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy are sitting on a bench]

Sparjy: \*points at a monkey\* Woah, guys, look!

[Cuts to a nearby monkey]

Sparjy (offscreen): A monkey!

[Cuts back to Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy]

Frapfel: A monkey in Uvajed City?

Mazella: They must be somebody's pet who escaped!

Frapfel: Well, we'd better catch them!

[Frapfel, Mazella and Sparjy chase the monkey up the fire stairs of a building and then up the ladder to the roof]

Sparjy: \*grabs the monkey\* Got him!

Mazella: How do YOU know if they're a male monkey?

Frapfel: Anyway, let's get back down and see if we can track down anybody who lost a monkey.

TBA