Chapter Text
[BEGIN]
[EXT. - CRITTER TREEHOUSE - MIDNIGHT]
Fade in on a shot of the Critters' treehouse, where snoring can be heard from inside. Suddenly, a figure emerges from behind the tree, pulls out a knife, and begins to make cuts along the tree. The figure chuckles.
???: (singsong voice) "Stop number one..."
With that, the figure darts off.
[INT. - CRITTER TREEHOUSE - CATNAP'S BED]
We see CatNap, dozing off peacefully, when suddenly, the figure emerges through the window nearby. Careful not to wake him up, the figure makes scratch marks near him, and quietly chuckles before zooming off, causing CatNap to stir in his sleep.
CATNAP: (tiredly) "...I said I don't like tuna fish..."
[EXT. - GIGGLE GROVE - SUNRISE]
We see the sun start to rise, casting a warm glow on the colorful buildings and trees. One by one, the residents all walk out of their buildings, only to stop and see strange scratches all around the area.
One resident finds scratches across his mailbox.
RESIDENT #1: "Huh?"
Another resident finds scratch marks on her garden fence.
RESIDENT #2: "Huh??"
Yet another resident - the Bakery owner - finds scratch marks on the Bakery window.
BAKERY OWNER: "Huh???"
All across the Grove, people start muttering confusedly to themselves, as though wondering who's responsible for these scratches.
[INT. - CRITTER TREEHOUSE - MAIN ROOM]
The Smiling Critters gather in the main room of their treehouse, looking concerned as they hear the commotion outside.
Bobby scratches her head, confused.
BOBBY BEARHUG: "What's all the ruckus going on outside? Is something the matter?"
Bubba nods.
BUBBA BUBBAPHANT: "You're telling me. It looks like everyone's confused about all these scratches showing up around town."
Kickin peers in.
KICKINCHICKEN: "But who coulda done this?"
DogDay follows suit.
DOGDAY: "And why?"
Everyone then looks over to CatNap, who's investigating the scratches by his bedside window. CatNap turns to look back at them.
CATNAP: "Well, it couldn't have been ME. I was taught NOT to stick my claws where they don't belong."
DogDay shakes his head.
DOGDAY: "I know it couldn't have been you, CatNap; you're too nice. But the question remains: who's responsible for these sudden scratches?"
Hoppy hops into frame.
HOPPY HOPSCOTCH: "Don't worry, DogDay, we'll find the perp; NOTHING stumps the Smiling Critters!"
The Critters all cheer at that. DogDay nods.
DOGDAY: "Alright, Critters, let's all spread out and find some clues. Maybe this sneaky prankster left some evidence behind."
[EXT. - CRITTER TREEHOUSE]
The Critters all climb down, only to be stopped by the residents, who look on in fury.
RESIDENT #1: "There he is! There's CatNap!"
Everyone yells in anger, causing the Critters to flinch.
RESIDENT #2: "You would DARE defile our sacred town!?"
RESIDENT #3: "How could you DO such a thing?!"
RESIDENT #4: "We help you Critters out, and THIS is how you repay us?!"
DogDay throws his hands into the air.
DOGDAY: "Wait, wait, WAIT!!! CatNap COULDN'T have done this! Give us a chance and we'll PROVE he's not the culprit!"
All the residents look at each-other and mutter to themselves before looking back to the Critters.
RESIDENT #2: "Alright, but you've got until sundown to prove his innocence. Understood?"
The Critters nod.
CRITTERS: "Understood."
[EXT. - GIGGLE GROVE - VARIOUS LOCATIONS]
The Smiling Critters then split up, each determined to uncover clues that will lead them to the culprit behind the mysterious scratches.
CraftyCorn and KickinChicken venture towards the town square, scanning the walls of buildings for any signs of the prankster's handiwork. Meanwhile, PickyPiggy and Hoppy Hopscotch investigate the outskirts of Giggle Grove, checking trees and bushes for any hidden clues. While that's going on, DogDay and Bobby BearHug examine the scratches on various buildings.
One by one, they all find various clues.
Kickin uncovers a small little blue pin in the shape of a frowning face.
Hoppy finds a knife next to a bush sprinkled with Forget-Me-Nots.
And DogDay uncovers a note taped to one of the buildings.
[INT. - CRITTER TREEHOUSE - MAIN ROOM]
The Smiling Critters gather back at their treehouse, each one holding up the various clues they found on their journey.
KICKINCHICKEN: "I found this pin!"
HOPPY HOPSCOTCH: "I found a knife!"
DOGDAY: "And I found this note! It reads: 'You'll never catch me - F'."
The Critters all look at each-other, nodding.
DOGDAY: "We all know who's mean enough to pull off a scheme like THIS, don't we, Critters?"
The Critters nod.
CRITTERS: "FrownyFace..."
Crafty speaks up.
CRAFTYCORN: "B-But what are we gonna do? We don't know where FrownyFace could be! What if he tries to come back?"
Bubba smiles as he raises a hoof into the air.
BUBBA BUBBAPHANT: "Don't worry, Crafty; I've got a plan!"
[INT. - FROWNYFACE'S HUT - LIVING ROOM]
FrownyFace can be seen lounging on the couch, chuckling to himself.
FROWNYFACE: "Oh, those Critters are so stupid; they're probably baffled beyond belief by the mysterious scratches. And everyone probably thinks CatNap is to blame!"
He laughs menacingly.
FROWNYFACE: "Spreading dissent and doubt amongst the Grove... my favorite thing to do!"
[EXT. - FROWNYFACE'S HUT - BACKYARD]
The Smiling Critters, led by DogDay, quietly approach FrownyFace's hut, ready to put their plan into action.
DOGDAY: (whispering) "Alright, everyone remember the plan. Crafty, you and Kickin will create a distraction. Bobby and Piggy, you try to take him down! Bubba and Hoppy, you'll keep watch outside in case he tries to escape. Any questions?"
The Critters nod in understanding, and everyone moves to their respective positions, DogDay and CatNap still staying in the backyard.
[INT. - FROWNYFACE'S HUT - LIVING ROOM]
FrownyFace can be seen dozing off, when suddenly, a knock is heard on the door.
FROWNYFACE: "...I wonder who THAT could be."
FrownyFace grumbles as he walks over to the door and opens it to see Kickin and Crafty, both disguised as door-to-door salespeople.
KICKINCHICKEN: "Good afternoon, sir! Would you be interested in buying some... er... super-crystal skin cream?"
Crafty nods, opening a suitcase full of containers.
CRAFTYCORN: "That's right! Guaranteed to make your skin look as good as new, or your money back!"
FrownyFace holds a hand up to his chin. He then takes a moment to look at his very, VERY blue skin in contemplation, before looking back to the two.
FROWNYFACE: "Hmmm... How much for two bottles?"
Kickin smirks.
KICKINCHICKEN: "It's your lucky day, friend! We're having a special sale: two bottles for only 5 Chuckle Coins!"
FrownyFace looks bewildered.
FROWNYFACE: "5 CHUCKLE COINS?!"
Crafty pulls a package of gum out of the suitcase.
CRAFTYCORN: "Give us 10, and you'll get THREE bottles, AND this free pack of minty gum! I hear it helps fight off stinky breath!"
FrownyFace grumbles as he reaches into his pockets.
FROWNYFACE: "Fine... You two drive a hard bargain..."
He pulls out some coins, handing them over.
FROWNYFACE: "Here, this is all I've got. Take it and gimme the goods already."
As FrownyFace hands over the Chuckle Coins, Crafty and Kickin exchange a glance, knowing their distraction has worked perfectly. Crafty hands the stuff over to Kickin, who in turn, hands it over to FrownyFace.
KICKINCHICKEN: "Here you are, sir! Enjoy your purchase!"
Crafty winks at FrownyFace.
CRAFTYCORN: "And remember: if you're not smiling, we're not doing our job!"
FrownyFace nods absentmindedly, already applying the "super-crystal skin cream" to his face.
FROWNYFACE: "Whatever..."
FrownyFace then shuts the door on the two Critters, who motion to the other Critters outside.
DogDay looks over and nods.
DOGDAY: (whispering) "Now's our chance. Let's move..."
Meanwhile, FrownyFace is still applying the "skin cream" to his body.
FROWNYFACE: "Just wait until they see me tomorrow. My beauty will be unmatched..."
Just then, there's another knock on the door, causing FrownyFace to groan.
FROWNYFACE: "Ugh... What NOW?!"
FrownyFace opens the door again, only to suddenly be rushed by Bobby and Piggy, who tackle him to the ground.
BOBBY BEARHUG: "Gotcha, FrownyFace!"
PICKYPIGGY: "You're not going ANYWHERE! You've caused enough trouble for one day!"
FrownyFace struggles as Bobby BearHug and PickyPiggy wrestle him to the ground, determined to apprehend the troublemaker.
FROWNYFACE: "Agh! Let me go, you bothersome Critters! You can't pin anything on ME!"
Just then, DogDay arrives.
DOGDAY: "That's where you're wrong, FrownyFace..."
DogDay steps forward, his expression firm as he faces FrownyFace.
DOGDAY: "We've got all the evidence we need to prove you're the one behind the mysterious scratches in Giggle Grove."
FrownyFace's eyes dart around, his confidence faltering as he realizes he's been caught.
FROWNYFACE: "You... Y-You can't prove anything! It's all... circ*mstantial at best!"
Bobby BearHug and PickyPiggy maintain their grip on FrownyFace, refusing to let him escape.
BOBBY BEARHUG: "We found your note, FrownyFace. And that knife is just the right thickness to make those scratches."
PICKYPIGGY: "You're not fooling anyone with your tricks anymore."
Bobby and Piggy start dragging FrownyFace outside as he groans.
FROWNYFACE: "Ugh... Mark my words, Critters: I'll be back soon! I still need to get my money's worth!"
The door is slammed shut as Kickin and Crafty start to chuckle.
KICKINCHICKEN: "He really thought it was skin cream?! Ha!"
Crafty peels a label off one of the containers, revealing another label underneath: "FACE PAINT".
CRAFTYCORN: "Oh, he'll definitely get his money's worth, alright. When he gets out of jail!"
The remaining Critters all share a laugh at that.
[EXT. - GIGGLE GROVE - TOWN SQUARE]
We fade to a shot of the Critters at the town square. The Mayor of Giggle Grove is there, smiling at them. Various residents can be seen around them, cheering with glee.
MAYOR: "Thanks to your brave efforts and incredible teamwork, FrownyFace is once again safely behind bars. We won't be dealing with HIS tricks for a while!"
He then walks over to CatNap, looking solemnly.
MAYOR: "And we are ever so sorry for assuming that YOU were to blame for the scratches. How can we ever repay you?"
CatNap chuckles and shakes his head.
CATNAP: "No need for apologies, Mayor. All that matters to me is that everyone is once again safe and happy!"
The Mayor nods appreciatively, then turns to address the gathered residents.
MAYOR: "Let's give a round of applause to our brave Smiling Critters for their heroism and dedication to our community!"
The residents erupt into cheers and applause, showering the Smiling Critters with gratitude and admiration. The Critters smile proudly at that, knowing deep down that they've once again helped their beloved town.
A Chuckle Coin slides in from the right to finish the episode off with a joke.
CHUCKLE COIN: "What's the difference between a prisoner and a job applicant? One's trying to get out, and the other's trying to get in!"
[END]
