Introduction[]
Teddy Bear Stanley sits on a shelf in Arthur’s room next to a Woogle.
Woogle: (sneezes) Ah. If we were on a lower shelf, maybe someone would dust us once in a while.
Stanley: But there's such a lovely view from up here.
Woogle: Yeah? Well, enjoy it while it lasts. I give us two more months. Then, it's the trash can!
Stanley: The trash can? Don't be absurd! Arthur would never throw us away!
Woogle: Oh yeah? Have you seen yourself lately? You're falling apart!
Stanley: Really? Oh, dear!
Mrs. Read comes in with the laundry followed by Kate and Pal.
Woogle: Face it, Stanley... you're a has-been! Yesterday's toy! A moldy mass of mohair that's lost its...
Kate: Oh Pal, look! That wicked Woogle is being mean to Stanley again!
Woogle: ...and you smell. Why couldn't I have been put next to something rubber?
Pal: Nasty little fad! Stay here, Kate! Hang on, old man!
He jumps on the bed, pulls Stanley off the shelf and brings him to Kate.
Woogle: That's a laugh! Arthur couldn't give you away!
Kate: Are you all right, Stanley?
Stanley: Sure. Never better. Although I seem to be losing my leg.
Pal: You mustn’t listen to anything that Woogle says!
Stanley: Oh, I don't. Arthur and I have been through so much together. I'm not going anywhere. Oh...
Mrs. Read picks him up.
Mrs. Read: (sighs) If I have to sew this bear one more time!
She puts Stanley back on the shelf.
Woogle: Hehe! Well, at least the mutt still likes you. If you're lucky, maybe he'll use you as his chew toy!
Stanley looks horrified.
Title Card: Arthur Hides[]
Arthur and Brain are in Arthur’s room working on a presentation about clouds.
Brain: What can we use for our report that looks like a cumulus cloud? It should be something puffy which resembles a piece of cauliflower.
The wind blows a piece of Stanley’s stuffing in front of Arthur.
Arthur: How about this?
Brain: Hmm. Tightly spooled cotton, firm, but pliant. It's perfect! Where'd it come from?
Arthur: I think it came from Stanley. He picks up Stanley. I never noticed this rip before.
More stuffing falls out of Stanley’s leg.
Brain: This one looks just like a cirrus cloud. And this one could be a cirrostratus!
Arthur puts the stuffing back into Stanley.
Arthur: Um, actually... I don't wanna use this stuff.
Brain: Oh, I understand. You're still attached to Stanley.
Arthur: No, I'm not! I just think new cotton balls would make better clouds. We have a ton of them in the bathroom!
They go out.
***
Mrs. Read sews a patch on Stanley’s leg at the dinner table.
Mrs. Read: This is the best I can do. I'm patching patches now. He's getting old and needs special care.
Arthur: I know. Thanks, Mom.
He takes Stanley away.
***
When Arthur comes up the stairs with Stanley, D.W. approaches him with a mounted fake fish.
D.W.: Hey! How much is a singing fish worth?
Arthur: You're selling Thelma? You loved that thing!
D.W.: I did, but then she forgot the words to the only song she knew.
She turns on the fish.
Thelma: “Row, row, row your boat. Row, row, row your boat...”
D.W.: She is driving me crazy! She shakes Thelma violently. The singing stops. (sighs) Besides, I'm going to get rich at our garage sale tomorrow. You should see what else I'm selling! In her room, she puts toys in a box. I'm also gonna get rid of Bobo, Nancy the troll, and Larry the lemon. So long, guys! How much are you gonna ask for that mangy old bear?
Arthur: I'm not selling Stanley!
D.W.: Why not?
Arthur: Because I don't want to sell him.
D.W.: (laughs) It's because you love him! I bet you still sleep with him! Wait till I tell the Tibbles.
Arthur: D.W., I gave up sleeping with my stuffed animals when I was, er, three! Unlike some people! I don't wanna sell him because... he's an antique!
D.W.: Whatever you say!
Arthur walks out of D.W.’s room and meets his dad in the hallway with another box of stuff.
Mr. Read: Anything for the garage sale, Arthur?
Arthur: Um...
He looks at Stanley.
***
The next day, Arthur carries a box of toys outside. They include Stanley and the woogle.
Woogle: What did I tell you, cotton-brain?! We're garbage now!
Stanley: This isn't a garbage can. It's a very nice and cozy box! We're probably just going for a walk.
Arthur puts the box on a table beside D.W.’s old toys. He holds up Stanley.
Arthur: See? I told you I wasn't attached.
D.W.: Hmm... he looked like he was worth more yesterday. I think a penny is fair.
She puts a price tag on Stanley. When she is gone, Arthur takes off the tag and buries Stanley under other toys.
The garage sale has started. Vicita sees Thelma.
Vicita: Papa! I want this fish! Please can I have it? Please, please, please?
Mr. Molina: I'm afraid we don't have enough for it, Vicita. It seems to cost one thousand dollars.
D.W.: Oh, but it's worth every penny! It's a singing fish, Mr. Molina.
She turns it on.
Thelma: "Row, row, row your boat…"
Mr. Molina: Thank you, D.W., but I think we'll pass. Look, Vicky! The shiny garlic press!
Vicita: I want the fishy! (sobs)
She hugs Thelma tight.
D.W.: If you're looking for something cheaper, try Arthur's stuff. He has a bear he's practically giving away!
Vicita: A bear?
She drops Thelma.
D.W. leads Vicita to Arthur’s toys and picks up Stanley.
D.W.: Oh yeah, he's a real bargain! He's cute and furry and comes with free dust!
Vicita grabs Stanley.
Vicita: (gasps) I love him! I love you, bear! Oh, you're so cute! I love you!
Arthur: What's going on?
Mr. Molina: I think my daughter wants to buy your bear! How much is it?
Arthur: Er, I'm not sure... He sees Brain waving from the street. How's 5 dollars?
D.W.: 5 dollars?!
Arthur: Fair enough.
The Molinas leave with Stanley.
Vicita: Yay! Come with me, Chico! I can't wait to introduce you to all your new friends!
Arthur: His name is Stanley!
Vicita: Not anymore! Now, it's Chico!
D.W.: Wow! Some people have all the luck!
***
Arthur puts the Woogle back on the shelf and looks at the empty place beside it.
Arthur: (sighs)
Flashback: A three-year-old Arthur celebrates his birthday with Grandma Thora, Buster and Francine. Thora hands him Stanley in a box. Mrs. Read brings in the cake and puts it on the couch table. Arthur blows out the candle while hugging Stanley.
Flashback: Four-year-old Arthur walks into baby D.W.’s room dragging Stanley behind him.
Little Arthur: Come on, Stanley! I want you to meet my new little sister. Say hi to Stanley, Dora!
Baby D.W.: (sneezes)
Stanley is covered with spit.
Little Arthur: (gasps) Eww!
Flashback: Mrs. Read tucks six-year-old Arthur up in bed.
Mrs. Read: Are you sure you're all right without your night light?
Arthur: Mom, I'm six years old. I'll be fine.
Mrs. Read: Okay. Sleep tight.
She turns off the light and closes the door.
Arthur sees the shadows of branches moving on the wall.
Arthur: (gasps) He grabs Stanley and holds him tight. I'm not afraid of the dark! I'm not afraid of the dark! I'm not afraid of the dark!
He falls asleep.
The flashbacks end. Arthur pets Pal.
Arthur: He's better off with a little kid anyway.
***
Arthur plays with Pal in the yard. He throws a tennis ball.
Arthur: Here, Pal...catch!
The ball rolls into a bush. Pal looks at the fence instead.
Pal: (barks)
Arthur: It's over here, boy!
On the other side of the fence, Vicita is having breakfast with Stanley at the garden table.
Vicita: You want some cereal too, don't you? Eat up, Chico!
She dips his head in the cereal.
Arthur: Uh... Hey, you shouldn't do that!
Vicita: Why not? He's hungry! Look how thin he is!
Arthur: But if his fur gets wet, it gets all crusty and then it starts to fall out!
Vicita: I know what's best for Chico. And for your information, I was going to dry him off... in the clothes dryer.
She walks away with Stanley.
Arthur: You can't put him in there!
Arthur imagines Stanley spinning in the dryer while Vicita reads a magazine.
Stanley: Help me, Arthur! Help me!
The fantasy ends. Arthur looks horrified. Brain arrives on his bike.
Brain: Hey, Arthur, ready to finish our cloud project?
Arthur: Sure.
***
In Arthur’s room, Brain shows the diorama.
Brain: And this diorama will demonstrate the effects of wind on a cumulus cloud.
He starts a small propeller and a cloud is blown across a model sky.
Arthur: It's great. I'm sure we'll get an A. Hey, Brain... have you ever given something away and then really wanted it back again?
Brain: Was it your teddy bear?
Arthur: What?! Of course not.
Brain: It's okay, Arthur. I understand. I had a really hard time giving up my stuffed pig.
Arthur: You had a stuffed pig?
Brain: Yes. Plato. I never went anywhere without him. But then I found someone who appreciated him even more than I did. So I let him go.
Arthur: That's just it. I don't think the person I sold him to is taking good care of him.
Brain: So why don't you just buy him back?
***
Arthur stands at the Molinas’ door and offers Vicita money.
Arthur: Here, it's seven dollars. Two more dollars than you paid for. So, can I have Stanley back now?
Vicita: Who's Stanley?
Arthur: You know, my bear. The one I sold you. Chico.
Vicita: Oh, him? Uh... nope!
She tries to close the door. Arthur holds it open.
Arthur: Why not? Look, I'll throw in this eraser!
Vicita: I can't give him back to you because I don't have him.
Arthur: Well, where is he?
Vicita: I traded him for this.
She holds up an octopus sticker.
Arthur: (gasps) You traded my bear for a sticker?!
Vicita: It's not just any sticker. It glows in the dark. Ha, I sure got Timmy Tibble this time!
Arthur: D-d-did you say... Tibble?!
***
Arthur runs to the Tibble house.
Arthur: Don't worry, Stanley. I'll save you!
He imagines the Tibbles dressed as surgeons standing over Stanley while lightning flashes.
Timmy+Tommy: (evil laughter)
Timmy: Just one more snip... There! Stuffectomy is complete, Dr. Tommy!
Stanley lies on a tray without his stuffing. Tommy picks him up and uses him as a handkerchief.
Timmy+Tommy: (evil laughter)
The fantasy ends. Arthur reaches the Tibble house.
Arthur: I'm coming, Stanley! He bangs on the door. Open up! Open up! When Timmy opens, Arthur brushes past him. Where is he? What have you done with him?
Tommy is in the living room hitting something with a hammer.
Arthur: (gasps) Tommy is in fact playing whack-a-mole with a "Funny Farm" toy. (sighs)
Timmy: He didn't even ask if he could come in! Can I call the police, Grandma?
Mrs. Tibble: Not today, Timmy. Arthur, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?
Arthur: Um... Well, it's kind of a long story, but I think Tommy and Timmy may have this old teddy bear that was mine.
Mrs. Tibble: Oh, yes, I know exactly who you mean. Come with me.
***
Arthur follows Mrs. Tibble up a spiral staircase. They come to a door.
Mrs. Tibble: I keep this door locked. (chuckles) The boys are such angels, but why tempt them?
They go into an attic room with shelves full of stuffed toys. There is a sewing machine in the middle of the room.
Arthur: Whoa! This place is amazing!
He picks up a zebra in a suit.
Mrs. Tibble: Oh, careful with Zebby, dear. He's a bit long in the tooth to be handled. She brushes the zebra off and puts him back. 1915, I'd say. She goes to another shelf and gives Arthur a well-repaired Stanley. Here we are. Sorry for the mix-up, Arthur. You must've been worried sick.
Arthur: Wow! He looks almost new!
Mrs. Tibble: He was in pretty bad shape when Timmy gave him to me, but I managed to fix him up. Oh, I almost forgot. I made him this raincoat. You don't have to put him in it, but it does go with his fur.
Arthur puts the raincoat on Stanley.
Arthur: (sighs) Maybe he's better off here.
Mrs. Tibble puts Stanley next to a pig wearing a tunica.
Mrs. Tibble: Oho, I was hoping you'd say that. Oh, he's going to have such fun here! And you can visit him any time you like. Just come on over whenever you feel like it.
They leave the room. Stanley turns his head.
Stanley: Bye, Arthur.
The screen goes dark…
…and opens again showing Arthur taking Stanley back.
Arthur: Actually, I think I'll just keep him for this weekend.