EXT. TOWNSVILLE SKYLINE - EARLY SATURDAY MORNING

NARRATOR: The city of Townsville -- home to the Powerpuff Girls, the most crime-fightingest sisters we know.

The exterior of the girls’ house is shown.

NARRATOR: Even on a Saturday morning, the girls are usually hard at work planning their next offensive against the seedy underbelly of Townsville. Why, I bet they’re concocting some type of top secret strategy this very instant. Let’s take a peek inside and listen.

The girls are seen seated at the kitchen table. Blossom and Buttercup are finishing off an extra helping of bacon and eggs. Bubbles is holding an orange up to the light.

BUBBLES: I wonder why they call an orange an orange? Is it because it’s orange? Or maybe the color orange got it’s name because an orange is orange? You know, it could be that an orange….

BUTTERCUP: Shut up already, Bubbles! Nobody cares about your stupid colors!

BLOSSOM: There’s no need to yell, Buttercup. She’s just excited because the Professor is taking her to the Craynola crayon factory for a tour. You know how she gets about these things.

BUBBLES: You guys ought to come along. It’ll be fun!

BLOSSOM: No thanks. I’m going to Mega-Books. It’s Saturday, after all.

BUBBLES: I don’t see how you can spend every Saturday at a boring bookstore. Buttercup, do you want to go with us?

BUTTERCUP: I don’t want to go on some baby tour. I’m headed to the gym for a little action.

BLOSSOM: Why do you keep going to that run-down gym? It needs to be condemned. You can get a much better workout downstairs.

BUTTERCUP: You wouldn’t understand. Hank’s has atmosphere. After I leave there I feel like I’ve had a real workout.

BLOSSOM: How come?

BUTTERCUP: The floor’s dirty and it squeaks as you walk across it. The heavy bag is all stitched up. The showers don’t work. (She nudges Blossom and winks.) The weights are rusty. And best of all, the whole place reeks of sweat. I love it!

BLOSSOM: That’s not the only thing that reeks. You really should have taken a bath this morning.

BUTTERCUP: Are you kidding?! I’ll stick out like a sore thumb down there if I don’t stink! The guys will think I’m some kind of wimp!

BLOSSOM (rolling her eyes): Whatever.

BUBBLES (holding up a lemon): I have a crayon that’s called lemon. It looks just like yellow though. Why didn’t they name this yellow then? If an orange is orange and they named it an orange, a lemon that’s yellow should be called a yellow.

BLOSSOM (slowly backing away): I think I’ll go to the bookstore a bit early today. So long, Bubbles.

BUTTERCUP: Oh no, you’re not going to leave me alone with miss crazy colors! I’m outta here! (She quickly flies off.)

BUBBLES: Wait a minute, bananas are yellow!

CUT TO:

EXT. MEGA-BOOKS - EARLY SATURDAY MORNING

The stairs leading to the bookstore are packed with a throng of people. Blossom lands behind the crowd. She tugs on the sleeve of a man standing in front of her.

BLOSSOM: Hey mister, what’s going on?

MAN: Where’ve you been hiding? The store’s closed until the sale starts. The owner of Mega-Books, Dr. John Guttenburg, is getting rid of his excess inventory for next-to-nothing. There’s literally going to be thousands of books up for grabs.

BLOSSOM (now very excited): What a stroke of luck! The Professor gave me my allowance this morning. Now I can buy all the books I want! (tugging the man’s sleeve again) When does the sale start?

MAN: Sunday at noon.

BLOSSOM: That’s tomorrow! Why are all of you here now?

MAN: The sale is first come first serve. I’m not moving or I’ll lose my place in line. If you want any of those books I suggest you do the same.

Blossom starts to fly away, but as she turns she notices that a long line has formed behind her that stretches around the block. She looks back at the bookstore. She turns again and checks the line. She looks once more at the bookstore. Letting out a huge sigh, Blossom stoically stands her ground and stares ahead.

Across town, Buttercup lands in front of Hank’s Gym. It’s a small building constructed of faded brick. Surrounding it on all sides are modern skyscrapers, making it seem very out of place. On the front door is a sign that proclaims in bold letters "Property Condemned." Parked along the curb is a large moving truck. Movers are constantly coming and going from the building, loading the truck with the gym’s equipment. Buttercup flies over to two muscular men, gym regulars, who are leaning against the wall.

BUTTERCUP: Lou, Arnold, what’s going on?

LOU: Search me, Buttercup. Me an Arnie came down here a while ago and this is goin’ on.

ARNOLD: Yeah, Hank took off cryin’ bout an hour ago and never came back.

BUTTERCUP: I can’t believe Hank’s is being closed. I’ll really miss this place.

LOU: Me too. How ‘bout you Arnie?

ARNOLD (sadly): Ya.

Buttercup flies to the mover’s truck and peers inside. She notices a laundry bag sitting within arm’s reach. Opening it, she sees that it is filled with unwashed socks and gym shorts.

BUTTERCUP: One more whiff for old time’s sake.

She sticks her face into the opening and inhales deeply.

BUTTERCUP: Ahhhhh. I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.

Not wanting her friends to see her depressed, Buttercup heads home.

At the same moment, Bubbles and the Professor are pulling up to the front gate of the Craynola crayon factory. They find a giant chain wrapped around the gate and a guard standing out front.

PROFESSOR: Excuse me, my good man, but we have an appointment to take a tour of the factory today. Is there some sort of problem?

GUARD: Sorry, plant’s being remodeled. Have a nice day.

PROFESSOR: Remodeled? I should have been notified.

GUARD: Listen, I was told to stand out here and not let anyone in. That’s all I’m being paid for. Have a nice day.

PROFESSOR: But….

GUARD: I don’t want to have to repeat myself. (sternly) Have a nice day!

The Professor slumps down into his seat and speeds backwards.

BUBBLES: What about the tour? I have a question for Mr. Craynola that I’m dying to ask.

PROFESSOR: Sorry, honey. Maybe next week.

Bubbles mouth starts quivering.

PROFESSOR: Please don’t cry. It’s not like you haven’t been before. This would have made, let’s see, your sixth tour, and that’s just this year.

BUBBLES: I want to see Mr. Craynola!

Bubbles lets loose with a torrent of tears.

PROFESSOR (puts his hand to his forehead): Here we go again.

CUT TO:

INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE - EARLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Mayor Mayor is sitting at his desk with Ms. Bellum standing by his side. In front of them are three people hidden by shadows. The one in the middle speaks for the group.

MIDDLE FIGURE: So, do you accept our proposal?

MAYOR (blushing): Proposal? This is so sudden. I didn’t know you cared.

MS. BELLUM: What they mean is, do you agree to their demands.

MAYOR: Oh, that proposal. Ms. Bellum?

MS. BELLUM: It’s a small price to pay considering what they plan on doing to Townsville. We have no choice but to give in.

MAYOR: OK, I accept, but I’m not moving in ‘til after the big day.

MIDDLE FIGURE: (to Ms. Bellum): You have made a wise choice. If you had refused we would have brought Townsville to its knees. Now make the call.

CUT TO:

INT. POWERPUFF BEDROOM - EARLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON

BUBBLES: I can’t believe the crayon factory was closed today. I miss the free samples they always gave out.

BUTTERCUP: At least the factory’s still open. Hank’s is gone for good. Nobody could beat his place. I’ve checked out every other gym in town and they’re all nice and clean with shiny machines. No personality at all.

BUBBLES: At least Blossom is enjoying herself at the bookstore.

Cut to Blossom, who is still standing in line. Dark clouds are starting to form overhead. Looking in front and behind her, she sees that everyone else had brought tents, food, and portable heaters. A bolt of lightening flashes in the background.

Back at the house:

BUTTERCUP: Yeah, she’s the only one having any fun.

HOTLINE: Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

BUTTERCUP: Buttercup here. Yes, Mayor? (pause) Huh, take the day off? What do you mean there’s no crime? Criminals never rest. (pause) OK, whatever you say.

BUBBLES: What was that all about?

BUTTERCUP: The Mayor said to take the day off. I don’t know about you, but I could go for a rampaging monster. This sitting around the house is boring. I wonder what’s on TV?

Buttercup, entering the living room, takes a seat on the sofa and grabs the remote. We see the back of the TV in the foreground.

BUTTERCUP (flipping through the channels): Geez! Is there anything on besides commercials?

CHANNEL 5: "Ancient Chinese secret."

CHANNEL 8: "Time to make the doughnuts."

CHANNEL 11: "Less filling…."

BUTTERCUP: "….tastes great" for the millionth time. (changing channels) Oh brother, a news break. Might as well leave it here, wrestling is on next.

After watching for a moment, she gets a puzzled look on her face.

BUTTERCUP: Man, what’s with all those people?

The TV shows the bookstore line going through downtown Townsville.

NEWSCASTER (in progress): ….stretching out into the city for three miles. Most seem well prepared, but there are a few who remain exposed to the elements.

BUBBLES (floating behind Buttercup): Have you seen Octi anywhere? I can’t find him.

BUTTERCUP (turning to Bubbles behind her): No, I haven’t seen your stupid doll. Leave me alone.

BUBBLES: You hid him again, didn’t you?

BUTTERCUP: No, I didn’t hide him….today.

BUBBLES (looking under a chair): Octiiiii! Where are youuuu!

Meanwhile onscreen, Blossom is holding up a large, cardboard sign with "Buttercup, bring the tent" painted in bright, red letters. By the time Buttercup turns back to the TV, two kids start mugging for the camera, blocking Blossom and her sign.

BUTTERCUP: Can it get any more boring than this?

A loud crack peals through the air as a lightning bolt strikes the power lines just outside the window. The lights flicker on and off until the electricity goes out for good.

BUTTERCUP: This is great. We have the day off. So what happens? The gym closes, it starts raining, and then the power goes out. Being with Blossom doesn’t sound so bad anymore.

Cut to the line where Blossom, surrounded by tents, is the only one standing in the storm. She tries to cover herself with the sign, but is still drenched by the wind driven rain.

Back at the house:

BUBBLES (running in circles): Where’s the flashlight! Where’s the candles! Where’s the Professor!

The Professor enters the living room carrying candles and an oversized flashlight.

BUBBLES: Gimme, gimme, gimme!

She grabs the flashlight.

BUTTERCUP: It’s not even dark yet, for crying out loud.

BUBBLES: It never hurts to be prepared. (She sticks her tongue out at Buttercup.)

PROFESSOR: She’s right, Buttercup. You should always be ready for any situation that might come along. We often take our creature comforts for granted until we actually need them.

At the line, it is now the dead of night. Sounds of snoring can be heard coming from the tents. Blossom is sitting on the sidewalk with icicles hanging from her hair. She’s rubbing her arms trying to keep warm.

BLOSSOM: Cold. So very cold.

Back at the house, dawn is breaking . Bubbles and Buttercup are beginning to stir in their bed. Blossom is still missing.

BUBBLES (stretching): Where’s Blossom? Didn’t she ever come home?

BUTTERCUP (yawning): You know her. She probably stayed until closing time and then went back early this morning. She must be some kind of fanatic.

PROFESSOR (calling from downstairs): Girls, come here, quick!

Bubbles and Buttercup, still in their nightgowns, fly to the Professor. He is sitting in an arm chair reading the newspaper.

PROFESSOR: Look at this!

He turns the paper around and shows the headlines: "Crayon Factory Struck by Lightening, Catches Fire. To Close Three Weeks for Repairs."

BUTTERCUP: I can’t believe it! We were sitting around here all day doing nothing while the factory was fried! The Mayor has some explaining to do, right Bubbles? Bubbles?

Buttercup turns to her left only to see Bubbles lying flat on her back.

PROFESSOR: I guess I should have broken it to her gently.

BUTTERCUP: You take care of Bubbles. I’m going to have a chat with the Mayor.

CUT TO:

INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE - EARLY SUNDAY MORNING

The Mayor is sitting at his desk doodling on a notepad. Suddenly, the door bursts open and Buttercup enters.

BUTTERCUP: You tell us to take the day off and there’s a big fire. What’s going on?!

MAYOR: I’ve been proposed to!

MS. BELLUM (from behind): A-hem! I’ll handle this if you don’t mind. Let’s leave the Mayor alone so I can explain.

They go into an adjoining room and close the door.

MS. BELLUM (whispering): You’ve got to trust me on this. It was for your own good. Things are happening behind the scenes that you don’t need to get involved in.

BUTTERCUP: Tell me what it is. Maybe I can help.

MS. BELLUM: I’ll say this much. Things are not what they seem.

BUTTERCUP: Like the crayon factory?

MS. BELLUM: That’s one for starters.

MAYOR (over the intercom): Ms. Bellum, I just received a call from my suitor. He’ll be here any minute.

MS. BELLUM: That’s them. Go quickly before they see you here.

Buttercup, leaving via the window, decides to detour by the bookstore to fill Blossom in on the details. About four miles from Mega-Books, she notices a line of people weaving through the streets. She spies Blossom about thirty yards from the store entrance. Landing, she is quickly embraced by her sister.

BLOSSOM: Buttercup! Boy, are you a sight for sore eyes!

BUTTERCUP: What are you doing out here? We all thought you were reading books.

BLOSSOM: I haven’t even been inside!

NARRATOR: After a quick exchange of each other’s predicaments, the girls plan their next move.

BLOSSOM: You mean Ms. Bellum wouldn’t tell you anything? That’s odd. She never keeps secrets from us. Something definitely stinks, and this time it’s not just you.

BUTTERCUP: Ha ha, very funny. You don’t smell so good yourself, you know. So, what are we going to do?

BLOSSOM: If this whole thing is such a big secret we’ll have to fight fire with fire. You said that "they" were coming to the Mayor’s office, right? Let’s get Bubbles and put an end to this.

BUTTERCUP: Check!

BOOSSOM: No, wait, I can’t! I’ll lose my place in line!

Blossom stares nervously at the bookstore.

BUTTERCUP (throwing her arms into the air): You can buy a few books or save all of Townsville! It’s your call. What’s it going to be?

Blossom starts shaking. Her face contorts as her brain strives to make a final decision.

BLOSSOM (shouting): All right! Let’s go see the Mayor! But whoever’s making me miss this sale is going to pay!

BUTTERCUP: Now your talkin’!

Back in the Powerpuff Girls’ bedroom, the Professor is sitting bedside next to a resting Bubbles, who is still in a daze. Her sisters enter the room. Blossom has a small knapsack slung over her shoulder.

BUTTERCUP: How’s she doing, Professor?

PROFESSOR: She’ll be OK. She’s more confused than anything.

BLOSSOM (gently shaking Bubbles): C’mon Bubbles. We have to go to City Hall. Something strange is going on.

BUBBLES (sadly): I can’t. The colors. They’re gone. All gone.

BLOSSOM: We think that what’s going down at the Mayor’s office has something to do with the crayon factory. We don’t think is was an accident. Don’t you want to find out what really happened?

BUBBLES (jumping out of bed): It was on purpose?! Somebody’s going to pay!

BUTTERCUP: I’m glad to see you two are finally coming around to my way of thinking!

The girls fly at warp speed to the Mayor’s office.

CUT TO:

INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE - EARLY SUNDAY MORNING

Once again, we see the Mayor at his desk along with Ms. Bellum. The shadowy figures are in the background.

MIDDLE FIGURE: Everything is going according to plan. You have done well.

The Powerpuff Girls come crashing through the door. They land between the Mayor’s desk and the shadows.

BLOSSOM: Not so fast, bad guys.

MIDDLE FIGURE: What’s the meaning of this!

BUTTERCUP: We don’t know what you’re up to, but it stops now!

BUBBLES: What happened to the crayon factory?!

LEFT FIGURE: That is none of your concern!

BLOSSOM: All that matters now is that you surrender peacefully.

RIGHT FIGURE: Never! Because of your interference we’ll make Townsville suffer like never before!

BUTTERCUP (rubbing her chin): You sound mighty familiar.

BUBBLES: And I recognize the voice of the guy on the left.

BLOSSOM (pointing to the middle) I’ve heard you on TV several times. I just can’t get a face to match the voice.

The girls start walking towards the shadows.

MIDDLE FIGURE (menacingly): Don’t come any closer! This is your last warning!

BUBBLES: Let me handle this.

From out of nowhere, Bubbles whips out an oversized flashlight.

BUBBLES: Always be prepared.

She points the flashlight towards the shadows and turns it on. The sheer brightness of the beam paralyzes the three villains in their tracks. The girls are stunned to see the faces of the mystery men.

The man in the middle has flaming red hair that trails down the side of his face forming a well manicured beard. Wire-rimmed spectacles and a thin face frame a pair of piercing brown eyes.

BLOSSOM: Dr. John Guttenburg!

The second man appears to be somewhere in his forties. He wears a fedora hat that hides a slightly balding head. A musty, pinstripe suit gives him the look of a depression era gangster.

BUTTERCUP: Hank!

The last of the trio, aged with gray hair, has on an expensive three-piece suit with a gold pocket watch tucked inside. He speaks with an articulate accent reminiscent of old America.

BUBBLES: Mr. Craynola!

MR. CRAYNOLA: That’s Samuel Craynola the XII , thank you very much. Now turn off that blasted light!

Bubbles switches the flashlight off.

BLOSSOM: Why are you doing this?!

JOHN (rubbing his eyes): Just a second. I can’t see. Darn spots won’t go away.

After an awkward pause to allow the villains time to regain their vision, Blossom tries again.

BLOSSOM: Now can you tell us why?

JOHN (blinking rapidly): Tell you what? Why we’re blackmailing Townsville?

BUTTERCUP: Blackmailing Townsville? You don’t have any super powers. What can you three possibly do?

SAMUEL: Surely you jest? My factory has more employees than the rest of Townsville’s businesses combined. If I don’t repair my plant, 22,000 people on my payroll will be out of a job. Towsnville’s going to shell out every last dime for a new factory or I’m relocating overseas because of "unsafe working conditions" at my old place. Those poor slobs will head straight for the unemployment line.

BLOSSOM: What about you, Dr. Guttenburg?

JOHN: Mega-Books is the largest retail book chain in the world, and in my business, money talks. I have so many politicians in my back pocket I can see to it that this city doesn’t receive one more dollar from the federal government. Townsville will be bankrupt in days! I’ll do it too if I don’t get a tax exempt status for my store. It’s the only one in my empire that’s losing money and that’s one store too many. I demand perfection!

HANK: You don’t know me as well as you think, Buttercup. My full name is Henry Luciano Giancana Costallano Anastasia Gambino Smith.

BUTTERCUP: You’re with the Mafia?

HANK: I prefer the term "Head of Hijacking, Extortion, and Money Laundering for Organized Crime in the Greater Tri-State Area." The word Mafia has such a bad reputation. If Townsville doesn’t build me a new state of the art gym to front my operations I’ll call in my friends from Citysville. We’ll wreak havoc all over this town.

SAMUEL: By the way, it wasn’t lightening that caused my factory to catch fire. A couple of Hank’s boys took care of it for me. They do excellent work. No one suspected a thing.

HANK: Thanks.

SAMUEL: The kicker is that I get to pocket all of the insurance money for myself. Isn’t capitalism grand!

BLOSSOM: But why would you want Townsville to suffer? What’s this city ever done to you?

JOHN: We don’t necessarily have a grudge against Townsville. It’s only a pawn in the game. Let’s just say that we have a mutual interest that brought us together for a singular purpose.

SAMUEL: Too bad you’ll never know what it is. It’s most intriguing.

HANK: I wouldn’t try to stop us either, because if our associates don’t hear back from us in one hour, they’ll put our plans into action. So if you’ll excuse us, we’ll be taking our leave.

MS. BELLUM: He’s not bluffing. It’s best to do as he says. Our hands are tied.

HANK (pointing at Buttercup): You’re getting a bit flabby around the middle, sweet cheeks. You need to work out more.

JOHN: The sale starts in an hour, Blossom. I could use more petty cash. See you there.

SAMUEL: When my factory is rebuilt come take a tour anytime, Bubbles. Oh, wait, I forgot, the new plant isn’t being designed to handle public tours. Too bad. Maybe you can look at it through the front gate. That’s as close as you’re going to get! Ta-ta!

They laugh while strolling out of City Hall free men. The Powerpuff Girls look on helplessly as the three men round the corner.

NARRATOR: Oh no! Can these three ne’er do wells get away with their evil scheme? Will Townsville give in to their demands? Do the Powerpuff Girls have a plan to stop these dastardly villains?

A close-up of the girls shows a small smirk crossing their lips.

NARRATOR: What do you think?

CUT TO:

INT. MEGA-BOOKS - EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Dr. John Guttenburg is in an office at the back of the store. He is looking through a two-way mirror at the buying frenzy that is taking place. The aisles are jam-packed with people grabbing armfuls of books.

JOHN (sneering): Why don’t those fools save some time and give their money directly to me? That’s where it’s going to end up eventually.

A smiling Blossom suddenly appears in front of the mirror. John swings open the door in a huff.

JOHN: I thought our conversation was over?!

BLOSSOM: I don’t think so.

She proceeds to hold up a small tape recorder.

JOHN: It’s a tape recorder. So what?

She presses the play button.

JOHN’S VOICE: "I have so many politicians in my back pocket I can see to it that this city doesn’t receive one more dollar from the federal government." (click)

BLOSSOM: Why are you doing this? And I want the whole story this time.

JOHN (frustrated, pointing to the crowd): Haven’t you taken the time to see which books are on sale? They’re all the ones you’ve read! Week after week, you thumb through hundreds of books with that super reading power of yours. Almost everything out there is dog-eared, creased, or smudged with ink. People come in here looking for quality and all they see is second hand junk. This store’s losing money hand over fist. I can’t take it anymore!

BLOSSOM: You should have told me. I would have stopped.

JOHN: It’s because….well….you know.…uhhh….Say, isn’t that Hillary Clinton?!

BLOSSOM (turning around): Really! Where!

Seeing his chance to escape, John bolts out his office door and blends in with the bargain hunters. Blossom, keeping her cool, scans the crowd. She sees that the good doctor is about to make it to the exit. Finding herself next to the best seller section, she grabs the largest hardback she can find, POFFL - The Consolidated Works, vol. iv.

BLOSSOM: This is for making me lose my place in line!

She flings the book across the length of the store with pinpoint accuracy and smacks Dr. Guttenburg in the back of the head. He is instantly rendered unconscious.

BLOSSOM: You’ll have plenty of time to read that where you’re going!

CUT TO:

INT. SAMUEL CRAYNOLA MANSION - EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Samuel Craynola is seated at the end of a long, mahogany dining table. Reading the Wall Street Journal, he mumbles to himself.

SAMUEL: Silly Putty - up two and three eighths. Etch-a -Sketch - up one and a quarter. Slinky - up two. This new factory better turn things around. The competition is killing me.

Looking up from the paper, he sees Bubbles sitting at the other end of the table. She is holding a small tape recorder in her hand. She hits the play button.

SAMUEL CRAYNOLA’S VOICE: "If I don’t repair my plant, 22,000 people on my payroll will be out of a job. Townsville’s going to shell out every last dime for a new factory or I’m relocating overseas because of "unsafe working conditions" in my old place." (click)

SAMUEL (nervous): Please! I’m rich! I’ll give you anything!

BUBBLES: All I want to know is the real reason you shut down your factory. I love your colors. They’re the bestest.

SAMUEL (pulling at his hair): Stop it with the colors! It’s bad enough that I have to listen to that shrill voice of yours during the tours. You’re driving me crazy!

BUBBLES: What did I do?

SAMUEL: What didn’t you do?! Every time you take the tour you start randomly pressing buttons and pulling levers. Nothing works properly anymore. We lose hundreds of man hours due to mechanical failure every time you set foot inside. Haven’t you ever noticed all those alarms and flashing lights that go off? You’ve cost me millions!

BUBBLES: That’s still no reason to blackmail Townsville.

SAMUEL: Wait, there’s more! You keep asking all those ridiculous questions. (He impersonates Bubbles’ voice.) "Aren’t violet and purple the same color? What’s the difference between red-orange and orange-red? How come pea green isn’t a shade of yellow?" (his own voice) No jury in the world would convict me!

BUBBLES: Hey, here’s a good one I thought of yesterday. Did they name the color orange after an orange or did they name the orange after the color orange?

SAMUEL: AAHHHHH!

Samuel collapses to the floor. Curling into the fetal position, he starts crying and sucking his thumb.

BUBBLES: I wonder what color jail cells are?

CUT TO:

INT. MARIO’S PIZZERIA - EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Hank is seated at a small booth in the back corner of the pizzeria. A large plate of pasta sits on the table. On either side of him is Arnold and Lou.

HANK: Waiter! More bread over here.

Instead of the waiter, Buttercup flies over. She is holding a tray with a small tape recorder placed on top.

HANK: How did you know where I was?

BUTTERCUP: You’re not the only one with connections in this town. Now shut up and listen to this.

She pushes the play button on the recorder.

BUTTERCUP’S VOICE: "You’re with the Mafia?"

HANK’S VOICE: "I prefer the term ‘Head of Hijacking, Extortion, and Money Laundering for Organized Crime in the Greater Tri-State Area’." (click)

BUTTERCUP: I want some answers, and I want them now!

HANK: Look in a mirror, why don’t you? You’ll find your answer there.

BUTTERCUP: Say what?!

HANK: Let me tell you a story. Hank’s Gym had been in my family for eighty years. It’s served us well. That is until five years ago. That’s when you started showing up. I found myself replacing the heavy bag once a week. Those things are expensive you know. Then the shower faucets started mysteriously disappearing. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the flying through the roof thing. Every time you put a hole in the ceiling it rained. Why do you think the floor is all warped and the equipment is rusty? You became a liability I couldn’t afford. Once I got a new gym with a new name I could start over without you pestering me all the time.

BUTTERCUP: You can blame your mommy for all I care. You’re still going down!

HANK (calmly): All business transactions have to go through my associates first. Lou, would you please take care of this little situation.

LOU: My pleasure.

Lou pulls out a large knife from his boot and approaches Buttercup.

BUTTERCUP: Oooh! Is the girly man going to stick me with his big, bad knife?

LOU: Don’t make me angry. You won’t like it when I get angry.

BUTTERCUP: Bring it on!

Lou lunges at Buttercup, who easily dodges her assailant. She grabs him by his arm and hurls him out the front window and onto the street.

BUTTERCUP: Next!

Arnold, still seated, begins to stand.

ARNOLD: I’ll be back.

He exits to the kitchen and re-emerges with an old-fashioned tommy gun, which he quickly begins firing. The bullets ricochet off Buttercup and proceed to shred the pizzeria. Buttercup then uses her laser vision to melt the gun to slag. Arnold breaks out into a huge "please don’t hurt me" grin, but to no avail. Seconds later, he’s eating pavement alongside Lou.

HANK (checking out the destruction): Look what you’ve done to this place! Do you know who owns this? Mama Mia, I’m in for it now!

BUTTERCUP: Scared, huh? Not the big man you made yourself out to be.

HANK: This restaurant belongs to the Boyardee family. If they find out I was responsible for this, I’m a goner. You gotta hide me, Buttercup! You just gotta!

BUTTERCUP: First you need a disguise.

She grabs the pasta off the table and cracks the plate over his noggin. The spaghetti piled on his head gives him the appearance of a middle-age Raggedy Andy.

BUTTERCUP: Don’t worry, I know a place where you’ll be nice and safe

FADE TO BLACK

Over at Townsville Prison, the three villains are shown being locked in a jail cell.

NARRATOR: Way to go girls. Townsville can sleep safely tonight.

CUT TO:

INT. POWERPUFF KITCHEN - NEXT SATURDAY MORNING

The girls are once again seated at the kitchen table. They’re discussing their plans for the day.

BUBBLES (to Blossom): What are you doing now that Mega-Books is closed?

BLOSSOM: I’m going to check out Mini-Books across town. It’s a lot smaller but a whole lot cheaper. I’ll stick to buying from now on.

BUBBLES: How about you, Buttercup.

BUTTERCUP: I found a new gym down at the Teamster’s Hall. I’ve been having a blast there! Those guys tear up their own stuff more than I do! It’s a lot better than Hank’s.

BUBBLES: I’m glad you two found new places to hang out. But the crayon factory will be closed for two more weeks.

BUTTERCUP: But Samuel Craynola the XIII is going to rebuild the plant bigger and better than before. The technology is supposed to be cutting edge. If I were you, I would be excited to see all the latest crayon-making techniques.

BUBBLES: You’re right. I should be happy, not sad. Thanks for cheering me up.

BUTTERCUP: I wasn’t trying to cheer you up. I was trying to shut you up.

BUBBLES: I love you anyway, Buttercup.

Bubbles gives her sister a big hug and flies out of the room.

BLOSSOM: You can’t fool me with that mad routine. I know that you were trying to cheer her up. It made her feel a lot better.

BUTTERCUP: She can be a real pain sometimes. But Bubbles is my sister and I love her, although I’d never say it to her face.

Bubbles sticks her head from around the corner and shows that she is holding a small tape recorder. She pushes play.

BUTTERCUP’S VOICE: "Bubbles is my sister and I love her." (rewinding noise) "Bubbles is my sister and I love her." (rewinding noise)

BUBBLES: Wait until Mitch hears this.

BUTTERCUP’S VOICE: "Bubbles is my sister and I love her."

BUTTERCUP: Give me that or you’ll be sorry!

Buttercup chases after a laughing Bubbles.

NARRATOR: You better fast forward out of there, Bubbles, before Buttercup records some of her greatest hits!

The hearts logo appears as do the girls in their usual closing pose.

NARRATOR: So once again the day is saved….thanks to….the Powerpuff Girls!

(rewinding noise)

NARRATOR: So once again the day is saved….thanks to….the Powerpuff Girls!