Remembering Jim Henson

So do I!

Glad we have that in common!

Anything could happen I always say! My friend.

Me too!

I have some ideas I'n mind!
More love scenes, Beth, Amy, Colleen and Dominic teach Boober about voicabalerry, Gobo tells Red about his feelings and love for her, Maybe some Traveling Matt scenes and have Kermit the Frog to said some words.

Love scenes - check

Beth, Amy, Colleen, and Dominic teach Boober vocabulary?
Huh? How do I do that?
Gobo & Red parts - yes
Traveling Matt scenes at FR - I'll try!
KTF - say some words? Okay!
(You might hear Steve's Kermit when he finally took over the Frog after Jim passed away)

Today, the voice of Kermit is now getting close to Jim's Kermit.

Thumbs up for the rest of the ideas!
All you have to do is think of a word the charater would say when a fraggle ask a human what it means.
like inecpetion or a saying!

Gotcha! BTW; I was surprised that I have more than 1,000 views and I am on the post #109. Holy Mokey! I don't believe it! They love my story! Not only do I get everyone in character, I choose some really good songs. Whoopie! To be honest, if you encourage me to write more, that's what I will do then. The chapter will not be done today or tommorrow, but it will be done by next week.

Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy!
WEMBLEY!!
Oh yeah! I forgot that we got a new chapter now.

Wow! This chapter took forever! Ugh! I was so busy that I forgot to get it done right away. I am slow at typing! I got everyone’s ideas and now here is the next chapter all of you have been waiting for. And please comment! Thanks!

Chapter 12

Boober wanted to talk to Bernie, but then the memory snapped back at him. It was the day circa 1987 before they were finally asked again for a Christmas special and the Fraggles were looking for jobs this time at the Jim Henson Company after they were welcomed to be part of the company. It turned to be a “disaster”, because not only did he ask to be in a Meryl Streep’s film for an acting gig, the agent hung him up. Maybe he forgot that Bernie was Jim’s agent.

“You talk to Bernie,” Boober suggested.

Trish thought maybe he would not hang up on a person who is a fan of the Muppets including the Fraggle Rock characters.

She picked up the phone and said, “Hello?….Hi, Bernie!….No, this is Trish Johnson…..Trish Johnson, got it?…..Yes, I am a fan of the Muppets….Okay, my question is what did Jim Henson have?…….Pneumonia?……Why?……It’s not your fault and I…..Hello?…Hello?…..Can you hear me, Bernie?”

There was no answer and she hung up the phone. What was she going to say that would to be harder to explain to the blue Fraggle?

“Well, that was a disaster. Even he hangs up on me, just because I am a fan of Muppets and Fraggles. No offense, Boober, but…..I finally know what really got him down into illness.

“Well, um…what did he say?” Boober said.

“Jim got pneumonia and now…people…do they care whether they are brothers, sisters, and have perfect harmony? I don’t know what to do…but I do know that friendship is very important, and……we started becoming friends I guess. Then, there is going to be a time that maybe…I go back someday and meet him plus probably say hi or shakes hands….like he’s my friend.

(Trish)
This looks familiar, vaguely familiar,
Almost unreal, yet, it's too soon to feel yet.
Close to my soul, and yet so far away.
I'm going to go back there someday.

(Boober)
(“I know what you mean, Trish!”)
Sun rises, night falls, sometimes the sky calls.
Is that a song there, and do I belong there?
I've never been there, but I know the way.
I'm going to go back there someday.

(Trish & Boober)
Come and go with me, it's more fun to share,
We'll both be completely at home in midair.
We're flyin', not walkin', on featherless wings.
We can hold onto love like invisible strings.

(Trish)
There's not a word yet for old friends who've just met.

(Boober)
Part heaven, part space, or have I found my place?

(Trish)
You can just visit, but I plan to stay.

(Boober)
I'm going to go back there someday.

(Trish & Boober)
I'm going to go back there someday.

“I heard you guys, singing, but I was wondering if I could sing that song tomorrow to pay a tribute to Jim.”

“I would love that, Dave, and so would your old buddy, Boober.” Trish said with a smile. Now, she knew what songs that were meaningful and heartfelt would pay a tribute to Jim.

+++++

Red, Gobo, Dominic, and Colleen were walking down the hallway after finally making up to the second floor, Colleen bumped into a young teen girl (an OC from the fanfic “For Richard and for Poorer & other fan-fics she appears in), and the notes scattered all over the floor.

“I’m sorry,” Colleen said, embarrassed. “Can you guys pick those cards? [To Dominic] Oh, why did I look at you, Dominic?”

“It’s my fault,” said the girl. “I didn’t watch where I was going. Do you have a boyfriend?”

“I guess so,” Colleen said blushing. “Are you a Muppet fan?”

“Duh,” Sara said sighing. “I am looking for Scooter Grosse. He is supposed to help me with the rehearsals tonight.”

“Okay,” Colleen said with a confused look. “Do you have a crush on Scooter?”

“Yeah,” Sara said smiling. “Like I said, he is Kermit’s assistant and a go-fer.”

“You smart too, right,” Dominic said surprisingly.

“Well, duh,” Sara said. “Where’s Scooter anyway?”

“Hi, Sara,” Scooter said appearing out of the doorway filled with music and sometimes chaos.

“Hey, Scooter,” Sara said waving to the go-fer. “How’s the night so far,”

“It’s fine,” Scooter said. “There was a fraggle named Gobo earlier and he wants a meeting before we start rehearsing. [To Gobo] Jerry, Richard, Frank, Kevin, Steve, and Dave will watch you guys. That way they know what songs to do to pay a tribute to their friend, Jim the next day.”

“Gobo, is this a joke,” Red asked.

“No Red,” Gobo said with a serious tone. “I did tell this silly creature to have a meeting in a room where there are instruments.”

“Gobo,” Red said with guilt. “I’m sorry we had a fight, but remember when you and I were in an argument of who’s the leader and we placed Boober in the middle.

“I was a jerk back then,” Gobo said. “I blamed Boober for warning us, but later when we got back to the Fraggle hole, well…Boober was not pleased, but he was right. We should have been quieter and we would have been to the trash heap right away for advice and not be thumped by gorgs, but if it weren’t for us with our argument; those “tall mountains” wouldn’t trap us around. Ugh!”

(The conversation you hear is a reference from the season one episode, “The Challenge.”)

“Then, just imagine when we were young Fragglets and we started making new friends. Little Red and Gobo,” said Red with a sigh.

*Flashback* - at Fraggle Rock, young Fraggles ages 7-12 I think (Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober) and Gobo’s Uncle Matt before the show started in 1983

(Young Red)
Give me one and give me two,
Cover me with muck and goo.

(Uncle Matt & Young Gobo)
Give me three and give me four,
Cover me with guck and gore.

(Young Red, Gobo, & Uncle Matt
One, two, muck and goo,
Down my sock and in my shoe
Three, four, guck and gore,
Spin me 'round and sing some more.

(Uncle Matt & Young Gobo)
Give me five and give me six,
Cover me with big, fat sticks.
Give me seven give me eight
Cover me with slime and slate.

(Young Mokey, Red, Uncle Matt, & Gobo)
Five, six and big, fat sticks,
An ice cream cone for me to lick.
Seven, eight, slime and slate,
Sing it now and don't be late.

(Young Boober & Wembley)
Give me; give me number nine
A bag of bones and a ball of twine.
Give me; give me number ten,
Run back home and start again.

(All)
Nine, nine, a ball of twine,
First it's yours and then it's mine.
Ten, ten, that's the end,
So run back home and start again.

Run back home and start again.

*Back to Present*
“Well,” Sara said. “I guess it’s time for a meeting before we start rehearsing in that music room.”

“Is that where the music’s coming from?” Gobo asked.

“Yes, Gobo,” Colleen said. “Come on, we got a meeting to attend, I believe they’re ready.”

+++++

The music room was filled with Muppets, Muppet fans, and fans, which just enjoy entertainment even if it involves with puppets. They do know now that the puppeteers are behind them. The Muppets and their 18 to 22 inch Fraggles keep that a secret. So, Scooter started the show no matter how funny or chaotic it will get.

“Hello,” Scooter started. “And welcome to our Muppet show, but since we are not performing at a theatre, we wanted to perform right here at a hotel. Without further ado…um..”

“Psst, Scooter,” Red interrupted. “Can I introduce Fozzie Bear?”

“Red, get back here,” Gobo whispered.

“Well Red, you’re not the boss,” Scooter whispered to Red.

“Well, I am not replacing Kermit and I am well…just play along kid.” Red said to Scooter.

“All right,” Scooter said. “Don’t get too carried away.”

Once Scooter exited the stage, some people started laughing, but it didn’t matter to any of them. All they want is to put on a good show.

“Okay, for me to introduce for the first time is the only fun, funny, and freewheeling’ and fasting frantic, Fozzie Bear. Whoooo-hoo-hoo!” Red said.

“Hey, hey, hey! Oh wait, wait, wait friend not so fast. Tonight I am going to use your assistance.” Fozzie said after pulling her to be beside him.

“Oh yeah,” Red said, ready with this act.

“Yes, ma’am,” Fozzie started. “You and I are going to tell the world’s old funniest joke. This is all spontaneous and unrehearsed. Right, Red?”

“It’s unrehearsed,” Red said, but she couldn’t understand why she was repeating what the bear said.

“Okay, okay! Now, friend of my heart!” Fozzie said.

“Yes?” Red said quietly.

“You just wait until I say the word, “hear.” When you hear me say the word, “here” you will rush up to me and say, “Good grief, the comedian’s a bear!”

“Good grief, the comedian’s a bear,” Red repeated with such energy.

“Check,”

“When you say the word “here.” Red insisted.

“Right!”

“Gotcha!” Red said, knowing she better get this right.

“Okay, now then! Hiya, hiya, hiya! You’re a wonderful looking audience. It’s a pleasure to be here-"

“Good grief, the comedian’s a bear,” Red interrupted.

“Not yet!”

“You just said, here.”

“That was the wrong “here.”

“Which is the right here.”

“The other “here.”

The audience was laughing! Sure Red did like to get the attention from the audience, but that “Fozzie Bear” was about to drive her nuts.

Fozzie sighed and said, “Go, go, go! Okay! Hey, hey, folks! This is a story you guys love to “hear”-"

“Good grief, the comedian’s a bear!” Red interrupted again right away.

“Will you stop that,” Fozzie said out loud.

“But you just said, hear,”

“Not that “hear!”

“OH Which Here!”

“Another “here.”

“HOW AM I GOING TO KNOW?”

“You know when you’re “hear.”

“Good grief, the comedian’s a bear!”

Fozzie now got frustrated and Red said, “Dohhhh!”

Then, they both panted. She couldn’t believe this. Now this bear was driving her crazy. Maybe even crazier than Gobo! He was laughing so much that she must have learned the routine from Kermit after all.

“All right, all right!”

“Yes,” Red said quietly in her low tone.

“You will know when I point to you.”

“Never gonna work with a silly creature,” Red grumbled through those words.

“Don’t grumble,” Fozzie said out loud.

Red then stopped! Being Fozzie assistance was more difficult and she thought. She believe that if she did this routine one last time, she will get it right and the act is over.

Fozzie clears his throat and said, “Say, a funny thing happens to me on the way to the theater. At the stage door, I pass a bunch of Muppet fans and suddenly I hear,” Fozzie to himself, before pointing to Red.

Red sighed and said, “Good grief, the comedian’s a bear!”

“No, he’s a not, he’s wearin’ a neck-a-tie.”

Fozzie started saying, “Ahhh!” while Red blurted out, “You call that a joke? You’re despicable, bear! Come back here! Come backkk!”

“Okay, everyone,” Scooter said as he came back to the center stage. “That must have been a good act,”

“I didn’t get that joke,” Starler said.

“Well, I don’t speak French you know,” the old Muppet fan, which was a senior male acting like Waldolf, before they said, “Do! Ho! Ho! Ho!”

Scooter clears his throat and said, “Moving right along, we have our next act and now I will introduce Gobo Fraggle playing the song, “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green.”

The curtains come up with Gobo Fraggle sitting on a stool playing his chords on his gourd.

“Hiya everyone,” Gobo said. “I am going to do a song that might cheer you up since there are times where it’s not easy liking your color or even yourself.”

It's not that easy being green
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow, or gold
Or something much more colorful like that

It's not easy being green
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things
And people tend to pass you over
'Cause you're not standing out
Like flashy sparkles in the water
Or stars in the sky

But green's the color of spring
And green can be cool and friendly-like
And green can be big like a mountain
Or important like a river
Or tall like a tree

When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why
But why wonder why wonder
I am green, and it'll do fine
It's beautiful, and I think it's what I want to be

The audience applauded with tears in their eyes.

“I’m going to sing that song for Kermit and his friend Jim,” Big Bird said quietly to Elmo.

“Elmo would love that,” Elmo whispered to Big Bird.

“Thanks, Elmo,”

Scooter sniffed believing that maybe Kermit wasn’t gone, but Jim definitely wouldn’t come back.

“I’m sorry, folks,” Scooter said. “That song does make cry, but thank you Gobo for your song. Now that I am dressed for the next act except the mustache, Fozzie and I will do a rendition of the number….uh..Where’s Fozzie?”

“Come back, here,” Red said out loud while still chasing Fozzie.

“Stop it, this is really embarrassing,” Fozzie said.

“Okay! You win this round, Next time, I will tell a funny joke.”

“Just go away,” Fozzie said, embarrassed with his hand over his eyes.

Red sighed and said, “Okay, I will apologize to you right away after the show.”

“Okay, I will..um….accept an apology to you, Red.” Fozzie said.

“You got it!” Red said with a grin before going back behind the curtain.

“And now Fozzie and I will do a rendition of “Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear.”

The pianist starts the piano and the duo were going to do the song with no trouble at all.

I may go out tomorrow
If I can borrow a coat to wear
Oh, I'd step out in style
With my sincere smile
And my dancing bear
Outrageous, alarming
Courageous, charming
Oh, who would think a boy and bear
Could be well accepted everywhere
It's just amazing how fair people can be

Seen at the nicest places
Where well-fed faces all stop to stare
Making the grandest entrance
Is Simon Smith and his dancing bear
They'll love us
Fozzie: Won't they?
They feed us
Fozzie: Don't they?
Oh, who would think a boy and bear
Could be well accepted everywhere
It's just amazing
How fair people can be

Oh who needs money
Fozzie: When we're funny!
The great attraction everywhere
Will be Simon Smith and his amazing dancing bear
Fozzie: Together! Yes! Oh yes!

After the silly number was over, Scooter came into the center stage again, “Well, before we go, I have some news to tell you and …oh yes Sara has giving me right now note cards that tell us which songs we are doing, but I will call the names first. Grundgetta?”

“Here,” she called with a growling sigh.

“Meryl Sheep?”

“Baaaa!”

“Okay, she’s here! Prairie Dawn?”

“?Here,” Prairie called with a shy smile.

“Uh..Elmo?”

“Elmo’s here!”

Some people laughed at his response to Scooter.

“Gonzo?”

“Right here!”

The chuckles filled the room before everyone was silent again.

“Annie Sue Pig?”

“Here!”

“Right! And I’m here with Richard Hunt, but I believe he’s in the back, so don’t tell him I said that. Sorry, back to the list! Mokey Fraggle?”

“Present!”

“Gobo Fraggle?”

“Linoleum!”

Everybody laughed while Red felt embarrassed feeling her cheeks going dark red than her bright red hair.

“Gobo,” Red said. “This is not the secret society of the Poohbahs.”

“Oh sorry, Red.” Gobo said, realizing he said the wrong word. “Okay, present!”

“Fozzie Bear?”

“Here!”

“Red Fraggle?”

“Present!”

“Um…penguin?”

The penguin made some noises that made everybody laugh.

“So, he’s here and Mike is somewhere around this hotel. Telly Monster?”

“Here!”

“Boo Monster?”

“Here everyone and BOO!”

That boo scared some of the Muppets, but it scared Red the most even though Gobo, Wembley and Mokey were being calm. She couldn’t believe that silly monster tried to scare her to death.

“Oh…sorry..miss……”

“It’s Red Fraggle and don’t ever do that again.” Red said with a serious look since her baloobius fringed from that scare she had.

“Sorry, Red….I am a big fan of yours….sort of…”

“You are,” Red asked interested.

“Well..yeah…I didn’t mean to scare you…sorry.”

“Okay, Boo /Monster your apology’s accepted.” Scooter said. “Oscar…..Oscar?”

“I’m here!” said a white beard guy.

“Oh hi, Carol!” Scooter said, feeling shy. “I wasn’t talking about you. I want to know if Oscar is here.”

“Well..as usual,….he’s in the trash can..a grouch is always a grouch. I did have a serious talk with him and he finally changed his mind and he’s going to the memorial for Jim.”

“That’s great, Carol!” Scooter said with a grin. “Finally, Wembley Fraggle?”

“Present!”

“I guess that’s everybody! Tomorrow is a long day! The memorial is at noon. See ya tomorrow, guys?”

Since the show and the checklist part was over, not everybody was out of the music room. Wembley was so glad he did not wemble for a while. So, Jerry then wanted to have a talk with Gobo Fraggle.

“Gobo Fraggle, I want to have a talk with you, because you should know why I met you in the first place.”

“Okay,” Gobo said in his low tone.

“Before I met you….well..I lost my daughter Christine and it was much worse than Jim’s illness. So, when I saw you for the first time, I wanted a friend…so I would not be so lonely anymore. Then, my young friend Steve…..he wanted to be friends with Wembley. I knew that once your Uncle Matt left for “Outer Space”, which is our world, I thought you and Wembley would make great friends. You two were roommates just like Steve and I became closer friends than ever even though he was sometimes like a brother to me.” And do you wanna a haircut, eh?”

“Not today, Jerry.” Gobo said. “But I did get one right after Mokey was a ruler since she had a hard time being the leader. Like her song said, “it was time for all of us to live as one.” All of my friends wanted me to have a haircut since it was long and growing. After I got a haircut, well…Boober was no longer afraid thinking I have “bacterial suffrois”…and Red…even though she didn’t realize that my hair was being cut this short…she said I was the same old me.”

“That you are,” Jerry said. “Well, it’s time to turn in for the night.”

“Yeah,” Gob said with a grin. “It was great talking to you.”

“You too, Gobo,” Jerry said. “Good night! See you tomorrow!”

Jerry was now out of sight. How did he know that Jerry was sad when he first met the Fraggle with lots of purple hair? He also knew a memory came back to him that he started wearing hats right after getting his haircut from the smart “silly creatures.” Now, that he still had his hair short, it didn’t matter much anymore. All he cared was friendship before love. Not about how good Gobo looked or how smart he can be. He was pompous at times according to Jerry Juhl, but he didn’t know what that word even meant. Sometimes, it was better being a Fraggle than as a silly creature. Since, he was an explorer, in the future, he was going to be Traveling Gobo. Right now, he was called an explorer of Fraggle Rock, for the time being. He wondered what Matt was doing.

Maybe he was talking a talk with the Storyteller. Besides, he promised his uncle that once he gets back to Fraggle Rock, Matt would go back to Outer Space. Gobo shook those thoughts from his head that it was time to think about his friends and….Jim. He was their silly creature with his bushy beard, and a good-looking grin on his face. Then, he remembered the day he found the letters and they did say the date was, “May 16th”.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Song Credits:
· I’m Going To Go Back There Someday – from “The Muppet Movie”
· Muck and Goo – from the Fraggle Rock episode, “The Garden Plot”
NOTE – This song was on the Fraggle Rock LP record album and is now in the CD set of “Fraggle Rockin’: A Collection”
· (It’s Not Easy) Bein’ Green – Kermit’s theme song I guess
NOTE: This was Jim’s favorite song to sing in his voice of the frog, because he felt that everyone has to know that no matter what color you like, sometime it’s not easy being your color or as a frog.
· Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear – from the TMS episode with Juliet Prowse

Other:
Fozzie's Monologue (Good Grief, the Comedian's a Bear) - written by Derek Scott (one of the writers of the TMS); Note that I wanted Red since she get some quotes from Kermit sort of, which then finds out that this bear drives her crazy

Wow that was really great!
It was a little confusing but the rest was tarrfic.
I a specialey like the Gobo and Jerry scene!
Got any more chapters coming up!

What was the part on chapter 12 that confused you?

The OC sign and the meeting with Muppets!

It's just that there are some things I'll tell you about.

A Fraggle hearing Fozzie's joke : Fraggle don't what bears are.

When did a person named Kevin is in the story?
But Mostly!
What dose OC stands for?

Oops! I made a mistake! Sorry! I will edit and put in someone else. I will see what I can do. Thanks!

Don't sorry about it besides It's too late to change it and I really like it.
I'm sorry!

That's okay, but I am now posting chapter 12 again but it is less confusing.

Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy!
WEMBLEY!!
Oh yeah! I forgot that we got a new chapter now.

Wow! This chapter took forever! Ugh! I was so busy that I forgot to get it done right away. I am slow at typing! I got everyone’s ideas and now here is the next chapter all of you have been waiting for. And please comment! Thanks!

Chapter 12

Boober wanted to talk to Bernie, but then the memory snapped back at him. It was the day circa 1987 before they were finally asked again for a Christmas special and the Fraggles were looking for jobs this time at the Jim Henson Company after they were welcomed to be part of the company. It turned to be a “disaster”, because not only did he ask to be in a Meryl Streep’s film for an acting gig, the agent hung him up. Maybe he forgot that Bernie was Jim’s agent.

“You talk to Bernie,” Boober suggested.

Trish thought maybe he would not hang up on a person who is a fan of the Muppets including the Fraggle Rock characters.

She picked up the phone and said, “Hello?….Hi, Bernie!….No, this is Trish Johnson…..Trish Johnson, got it?…..Yes, I am a fan of the Muppets….Okay, my question is what did Jim Henson have?…….Pneumonia?……Why?……It’s not your fault and I…..Hello?…Hello?…..Can you hear me, Bernie?”

There was no answer and she hung up the phone. What was she going to say that would to be harder to explain to the blue Fraggle?

“Well, that was a disaster. Even he hangs up on me, just because I am a fan of Muppets and Fraggles. No offense, Boober, but…..I finally know what really got him down into illness.

“Well, um…what did he say?” Boober said.

“Jim got pneumonia and now…people…do they care whether they are brothers, sisters, and have perfect harmony? I don’t know what to do…but I do know that friendship is very important, and……we started becoming friends I guess. Then, there is going to be a time that maybe…I go back someday and meet him plus probably say hi or shakes hands….like he’s my friend.

(Trish)
This looks familiar, vaguely familiar,
Almost unreal, yet, it's too soon to feel yet.
Close to my soul, and yet so far away.
I'm going to go back there someday.

(Boober)
(“I know what you mean, Trish!”)
Sun rises, night falls, sometimes the sky calls.
Is that a song there, and do I belong there?
I've never been there, but I know the way.
I'm going to go back there someday.

(Trish & Boober)
Come and go with me, it's more fun to share,
We'll both be completely at home in midair.
We're flyin', not walkin', on featherless wings.
We can hold onto love like invisible strings.

(Trish)
There's not a word yet for old friends who've just met.

(Boober)
Part heaven, part space, or have I found my place?

(Trish)
You can just visit, but I plan to stay.

(Boober)
I'm going to go back there someday.

(Trish & Boober)
I'm going to go back there someday.

“I heard you guys, singing, but I was wondering if I could sing that song tomorrow to pay a tribute to Jim.”

“I would love that, Dave, and so would your old buddy, Boober.” Trish said with a smile. Now, she knew what songs that were meaningful and heartfelt would pay a tribute to Jim.

+++++

Red, Gobo, Dominic, and Colleen were walking down the hallway after finally making up to the second floor, Colleen bumped into a young teen girl (an OC from the fanfic “For Richard and for Poorer & other fan-fics she appears in), and the notes scattered all over the floor.

“I’m sorry,” Colleen said, embarrassed. “Can you guys pick those cards? [To Dominic] Oh, why did I look at you, Dominic?”

“It’s my fault,” said the girl. “I didn’t watch where I was going. Do you have a boyfriend?”

“I guess so,” Colleen said blushing. “Are you a Muppet fan?”

“Duh,” Sara said sighing. “I am looking for Scooter Grosse. He is supposed to help me with the rehearsals tonight.”

“Okay,” Colleen said with a confused look. “Do you have a crush on Scooter?”

“Yeah,” Sara said smiling. “Like I said, he is Kermit’s assistant and a go-fer.”

“You smart too, right,” Dominic said surprisingly.

“Well, duh,” Sara said. “Where’s Scooter anyway?”

“Hi, Sara,” Scooter said appearing out of the doorway filled with music and sometimes chaos.

“Hey, Scooter,” Sara said waving to the go-fer. “How’s the night so far,”

“It’s fine,” Scooter said. “There was a fraggle named Gobo earlier and he wants a meeting before we start rehearsing. [To Gobo] Jerry, Richard, Frank, Kevin, Steve, and Dave will watch you guys. That way they know what songs to do to pay a tribute to their friend, Jim the next day.”

“Gobo, is this a joke,” Red asked.

“No Red,” Gobo said with a serious tone. “I did tell this silly creature to have a meeting in a room where there are instruments.”

“Gobo,” Red said with guilt. “I’m sorry we had a fight, but remember when you and I were in an argument of who’s the leader and we placed Boober in the middle.

“I was a jerk back then,” Gobo said. “I blamed Boober for warning us, but later when we got back to our hole, well…Boober was not pleased, but he was right. We should have been quieter and we would have been to the trash heap right away for advice and not be thumped by gorgs, but if it weren’t for us with our argument; those “tall mountains” wouldn’t trap us around. Ugh!”

(The conversation you hear is a reference from the season one episode, “The Challenge.”)

“Then, just imagine when we were young Fragglets and we started making new friends. Little Red and Gobo,” said Red with a sigh.

*Flashback* - at Fraggle Rock, young Fraggles ages 7-12 I think (Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober) and Gobo’s Uncle Matt before the show started in 1983

(Young Red)
Give me one and give me two,
Cover me with muck and goo.

(Uncle Matt & Young Gobo)
Give me three and give me four,
Cover me with guck and gore.

(Young Red, Gobo, & Uncle Matt
One, two, muck and goo,
Down my sock and in my shoe
Three, four, guck and gore,
Spin me 'round and sing some more.

(Uncle Matt & Young Gobo)
Give me five and give me six,
Cover me with big, fat sticks.
Give me seven give me eight
Cover me with slime and slate.

(Young Mokey, Red, Uncle Matt, & Gobo)
Five, six and big, fat sticks,
An ice cream cone for me to lick.
Seven, eight, slime and slate,
Sing it now and don't be late.

(Young Boober & Wembley)
Give me; give me number nine
A bag of bones and a ball of twine.
Give me; give me number ten,
Run back home and start again.

(All)
Nine, nine, a ball of twine,
First it's yours and then it's mine.
Ten, ten, that's the end,
So run back home and start again.

Run back home and start again.

*Back to Present*
“Well,” Sara said. “I guess it’s time for a meeting before we start rehearsing in that music room.”

“Is that where the music’s coming from?” Gobo asked.

“Yes, Gobo,” Colleen said. “Come on, we got a meeting to attend, I believe they’re ready.”

+++++

The music room was filled with Muppets, Muppet fans, and fans, which just enjoy entertainment even if it involves with puppets. They do know now that the puppeteers are behind them. The Muppets and their 18 to 22 inch Fraggles keep that a secret. So, Scooter started the show no matter how funny or chaotic it will get.

“Hello,” Scooter started. “And welcome to our Muppet show, but since we are not performing at a theatre, we wanted to perform right here at a hotel. Without further ado…um..”

“Psst, Scooter,” Red interrupted. “Can you get someone to introduce an act?”

“Okay,” Scooter to Red.

“Well, we need a volunteer to come to the stage. Anyone?”

“I would love to introduce an act,” the girl with red hair said.

“What’s your name, ma’am?”

“Hannah!”

“Well Hannah, you’re not the boss,” Scooter whispered to Red.

“Well, I am not replacing Kermit and I am well….I know a bear for years” Hannah said to Scooter.

“All right,” Scooter said. “Don’t get too carried away.”

Once Scooter exited the stage, some people started laughing, but it didn’t matter to any of them. All they want is to put on a good show.

“Okay, for me to introduce for the first time is the only fun, funny, and freewheeling’ and fasting frantic, Fozzie Bear. Yayyyyyy!” Hannah said waving her arms.

“Hey, hey, hey! Oh wait, wait, wait friend not so fast. Tonight I am going to use your assistance.” Fozzie said after pulling her to be beside him.

“Oh yeah,” Hannah said, ready with this act.

“Yes, ma’am,” Fozzie started. “You and I are going to tell the world’s old funniest joke. This is all spontaneous and unrehearsed. Right, Hannah?”

“It’s unrehearsed, Fozzie,” Hannah said, but she couldn’t understand why she was repeating what the bear said.

“Okay, okay! Now, friend of my heart!” Fozzie said.

“Yes?” Hannah said quietly.

“You just wait until I say the word, “hear.” When you hear me say the word, “here” you will rush up to me and say, “Good grief, the comedian’s a bear!”

“Good grief, the comedian’s a bear,” Hannah repeated with such energy.

“Check,”

“When you say the word “here.” Hannah insisted.

“Right!”

“Gotcha, bear!” Hannah said, knowing she better get this right.

“Okay, now then! Hiya, hiya, hiya! You’re a wonderful looking audience. It’s a pleasure to be here-"

“Good grief, the comedian’s a bear,” Hannah interrupted.

“Not yet!”

“You just said, here.”

“That was the wrong “here.”

“Which is the right here.”

“The other “here.”

The audience was laughing! Hannah sometimes liked to get the attention from the audience, but that “Fozzie Bear” was about to drive her nuts.

Fozzie sighed and said, “Go, go, go! Okay! Hey, hey, folks! This is a story you guys love to “hear”-"

“Good grief, the comedian’s a bear!” Hannah interrupted again right away.

“Will you stop that,” Fozzie said out loud.

“But you just said, hear,”

“Not that “hear!”

“OH, WHICH HERE, FOZZIE!”

“Another “here.”

“HOW AM I GOING TO KNOW?”

“You know when you’re “hear.”

“Good grief, the comedian’s a bear!”

Fozzie now got frustrated and Hannah said, “GRRRRRR!”

Then, they both panted. She couldn’t believe this. Now this bear was driving her crazy. Maybe even crazier than Gobo! He was laughing so much that she must have learned the routine from Kermit after all.

“All right, all right!”

“Yes, Fozzie” Hannah said quietly in her low tone.

“You will know when I point to you.”

“Never gonna work with a bear,” Hanna grumbled through those words.

“Don’t grumble,” Fozzie said out loud.

Hannah then stopped! Being Fozzie’s assistance was more difficult and she thought. She believed that if she did this routine one last time, she will get it right and the act is over. Done!

Fozzie clears his throat and said, “Say, a funny thing happens to me on the way to the theater. At the stage door, I pass a bunch of Muppet fans and suddenly I hear,” Fozzie to himself, before pointing to Hannah, the red-haired girl.

She sighed and said, “Good grief, the comedian’s a bear!”

“No, he’s a not, he’s wearin’ a neck-a-tie.”

Fozzie started saying, “Ahhh!” while Hannah blurted out, “You call that a joke? You’re despicable, bear! Come back here! Come back, bear!”

“Okay, everyone,” Scooter said as he came back to the center stage. “That must have been a good act,”

“I didn’t get that joke,” Starler said.

“Well, I don’t speak French you know,” the old Muppet fan, which was a senior male acting like Waldolf, before they said, “Do! Ho! Ho! Ho!”

Scooter clears his throat and said, “Moving right along, we have our next act and now I will introduce Gobo Fraggle playing the song, “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green.”

The curtains come up with Gobo Fraggle sitting on a stool playing his chords on his gourd.

“Hiya everyone,” Gobo said. “I am going to do a song that might cheer you up since there are times where it’s not easy liking your color or even yourself.”

It's not that easy being green
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow, or gold
Or something much more colorful like that

It's not easy being green
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things
And people tend to pass you over
'Cause you're not standing out
Like flashy sparkles in the water
Or stars in the sky

But green's the color of spring
And green can be cool and friendly-like
And green can be big like a mountain
Or important like a river
Or tall like a tree

When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why
But why wonder why wonder
I am green, and it'll do fine
It's beautiful, and I think it's what I want to be

The audience applauded with tears in their eyes.

“I’m going to sing that song for Kermit and his friend Jim,” Big Bird said quietly to Elmo.

“Elmo would love that,” Elmo whispered to Big Bird.

“Thanks, Elmo,”

Scooter sniffed believing that maybe Kermit wasn’t gone, but Jim definitely wouldn’t come back.

“I’m sorry, folks,” Scooter said. “That song does make cry, but thank you Gobo for your song. Now that I am dressed for the next act except the mustache, Fozzie and I will do a rendition of the number….uh..where’s Fozzie?”

“Come back, here, bear,” Hannah said out loud while still chasing Fozzie.

“Stop it, this is really embarrassing,” Fozzie said.

“Okay! Next time, I will tell you a funny joke. Either that or stop making such awful jokes.”

“Just go away,” Fozzie said, embarrassed with his hand over his eyes.

Hannah made out a heavy sigh and said, “Okay, I will apologize to you right away after the show.”

“Okay, I will..um….accept an apology to you, …Hannah.” Fozzie said.

“Right!” Hannah said with a smile before going back to her designated seat.

“And now me and Fozzie will do a rendition of “Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear.”

The pianist starts the piano and the duo were going to do the song with no trouble at all.

I may go out tomorrow
If I can borrow a coat to wear
Oh, I'd step out in style
With my sincere smile
And my dancing bear
Outrageous, alarming
Courageous, charming
Oh, who would think a boy and bear
Could be well accepted everywhere
It's just amazing how fair people can be

Seen at the nicest places
Where well-fed faces all stop to stare
Making the grandest entrance
Is Simon Smith and his dancing bear
They'll love us
Fozzie: Won't they?
They feed us
Fozzie: Don't they?
Oh, who would think a boy and bear
Could be well accepted everywhere
It's just amazing
How fair people can be

Oh who needs money
Fozzie: When we're funny!
The great attraction everywhere
Will be Simon Smith and his amazing dancing bear
Fozzie: Together! Yes! Oh yes!

After the silly number was over, Scooter came into the center stage again, “Well, before we go, I have some news to tell you and …oh yes Sara has giving me right now note cards that tell us which songs we are doing, but I will call the names first. Grundgetta?”

“Here,” she called with a growling sigh.

“Meryl Sheep?”

“Baaaa!”

“Okay, she’s here! Prairie Dawn?”

“?Here,” Prairie called with a shy smile.

“Uh..Elmo?”

“Elmo’s here!”

Some people laughed at his response to Scooter.

“Gonzo?”

“Right here!”

The chuckles filled the room before everyone was silent again.

“Annie Sue Pig?”

“Here!”

“Right! And I’m here with Richard Hunt, but I believe he’s in the back, so don’t tell him I said that. Sorry, back to the list! Mokey Fraggle?”

“Present!”

“Gobo Fraggle?”

“Linoleum!”

Everybody laughed while Red felt embarrassed feeling her cheeks going dark red than her bright red hair.

“Gobo,” Red said. “This is not the secret society of the Poohbahs.”

“Oh sorry, Red.” Gobo said, realizing he said the wrong word. “Okay, present!”

“Fozzie Bear?”

“Here!”

“Red Fraggle?”

“Present!”

“Um…penguin?”

The penguin made some noises that made everybody laugh.

“So, he’s here and Mike is somewhere around this hotel. Telly Monster?”

“Here!”

“Boo Monster?”

“Here everyone and BOO!”

That boo scared some of the Muppets, but it scared Red the most even though Gobo, Wembley and Mokey were being calm. She couldn’t believe that silly monster tried to scare her to death.

“Oh…sorry..miss……”

“It’s Red Fraggle and don’t ever do that again.” Red said with a serious look since her baloobius fringed from that scare she had.

“Sorry, Red….I am a big fan of yours….sort of…”

“You are,” Red asked interested.

“Well..yeah…I didn’t mean to scare you…sorry.”

“Okay, Boo /Monster your apology’s accepted.” Scooter said. “Oscar…..Oscar?”

“I’m here!” said a white beard guy.

“Oh hi, Carol!” Scooter said, feeling shy. “I wasn’t talking about you. I want to know if Oscar is here.”

“Well..as usual,….he’s in the trash can..a grouch is always a grouch. I did have a serious talk with him and he finally changed his mind and he’s going to the memorial for Jim.”

“That’s great, Carol!” Scooter said with a grin. “Finally, Wembley Fraggle?”

“Present!”

“I guess that’s everybody! Tomorrow is a long day! The memorial is at noon. See ya tomorrow, guys?”

Since the show and the checklist part was over, not everybody was out of the music room. Wembley was so glad he did not wemble for a while. So, Jerry then wanted to have a talk with Gobo Fraggle.

“Gobo Fraggle, I want to have a talk with you, because you should know why I met you in the first place.”

“Okay,” Gobo said in his low tone.

“Before I met you….well..I lost my daughter Christine and it was much worse than Jim’s illness. So, when I saw you for the first time, I wanted a friend…so I would not be so lonely anymore. Then, my young friend Steve…..he wanted to be friends with Wembley. I knew that once your Uncle Matt left for “Outer Space”, which is our world, I thought you and Wembley would make great friends. You two were roommates just like Steve and I became closer friends than ever even though he was sometimes like a brother to me.” And do you wanna a haircut, eh?”

“Not today, Jerry.” Gobo said. “But I did get one right after Mokey was a ruler since she had a hard time being the leader. Like her song said, “it was time for all of us to live as one.” All of my friends wanted me to have a haircut since it was long and growing. After I got a haircut, well…Boober was no longer afraid thinking I have “bacterial suffrois”…and Red…even though she didn’t realize that my hair was being cut this short…she said I was the same old me.”

“That you are,” Jerry said. “Well, it’s time to turn in for the night.”

“Yeah,” Gob said with a grin. “It was great talking to you.”

“You too, Gobo,” Jerry said. “Good night! See you tomorrow!”

Jerry was now out of sight. How did he know that Jerry was sad when he first met the Fraggle with lots of purple hair? He also knew a memory came back to him that he started wearing hats right after getting his haircut from the smart “silly creatures.” Now, that he still had his hair short, it didn’t matter much anymore. All he cared was friendship before love. Not about how good Gobo looked or how smart he can be. He was pompous at times according to Jerry Juhl, but he didn’t know what that word even meant. Sometimes, it was better being a Fraggle than as a silly creature. Since, he was an explorer, in the future, he was going to be Traveling Gobo. Right now, he was called an explorer of Fraggle Rock, for the time being. He wondered what Matt was doing.

Maybe he was talking a talk with the Storyteller. Besides, he promised his uncle that once he gets back to Fraggle Rock, Matt would go back to Outer Space. Gobo shook those thoughts from his head that it was time to think about his friends and….Jim. He was their silly creature with his bushy beard, and a good-looking grin on his face. Then, he remembered the day he found the letters and they did say the date was, “May 16th”.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Song Credits:
·I’m Going To Go Back There Someday – from “The Muppet Movie”
·Muck and Goo – from the Fraggle Rock episode, “The Garden Plot”
oNOTE – This song was on the Fraggle Rock LP record album and is now in the CD set of “Fraggle Rockin’: A Collection”
·(It’s Not Easy) Bein’ Green – Kermit’s theme song I guess
oNOTE: This was Jim’s favorite song to sing in his voice of the frog, because he felt that everyone has to know that no matter what color you like, sometime it’s not easy being your color or as a frog.
·Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear – from the TMS episode with Juliet Prowse

Other:
Fozzie's Monologue (Good Grief, the Comedian's a Bear) - written by Derek Scott (one of the writers of the TMS); Note that I wanted a new OC named Hannah that watched the Muppet show and their movies in her life, which then finds out that this bear drives her crazy
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So, what do you think of this chapter now even though now it is not as confusing.

Well that's nice but I have one question.
How will the read tell which chapter is the 12th?

Working on Chapter 13 and maybe will get it posted this weekend, but ugh! to be truthful, I am a slow typer. Promise me you will not use the nagging stick unless I don't post more by this weekend.

Sure thing because I don't nag!

I won't use it!

Me nearther!