Original subtitles

(beep)

(dramatic music)

(TV buzzing)

(soft piano music)

(soft piano music)

♪ Good morning ♪

(door creaking)

♪ Good morning ♪

♪ I am looking for a pal ♪

♪ Will you pretty please be my pal ♪

♪ Pretty please, pretty please ♪

♪ Good morning, my good pal ♪

♪ I am so glad we're pals ♪

♪ Can we pretty please play a game ♪

♪ Pretty please ♪

♪ Pretty, pretty please ♪

♪ We will have so much fun ♪

♪ Just two pals, having fun ♪

♪ Will you stay a while with me here ♪

♪ Pretty please ♪

♪ Pretty please ♪

♪ Settle in everyone ♪

♪ Our day's just begun ♪

♪ Pretty please ♪

Thank you, pal.

(soft piano music)

Hello there, pal.

I've been thinking about you.

I've been thinking a whole lot, in fact.

It's very nice to finally meet you.

My name is Mr. Jensen,

but my pals call me James.

Oh, I almost forgot.

I found something I'd like to show you.

Our good pal, Marty Mailbox,

has been keeping it safe for us.

What do you have for us today, Marty?

Oh boy, I am fond of things that come in plastic bags.

Let's take a look.

(soft piano music)

All right, here we go.

Have you seen one of these before?

Well, I bet you have.

You've probably seen one every time

you step into Mommy and Daddy's house.

Do you know what this says?

W-E-L-C-O-M-E.

That spells, welcome.

Let's put this where it belongs.

Do you know where that is?

Well here, I'll show you.

It really is pretty out here today, isn't it?

(dog barking)

Well, here we are.

This is where the welcome mat goes.

(soft piano music)

Perfect.

Let's go inside.

(soft piano music)

Oh, dear.

It looks like I forgot the house keys again.

Silly me.

Have you ever forgotten something before?

Speaking of forgetting, I forgot the plastic bag over there.

Excuse me.

I wouldn't wanna be a litterbug.

I'm really glad I didn't forget this plastic bag here today.

Memory is interesting.

In fact, memory is our

concept of the day.

Memories can be anything.

They can be happy,

(light piano music)

sad, (dark piano music)

angry. (dramatic piano music)

- Or even gone.

- Look. It's my best pal, Monkey.

Let's go say hi.

(uptempo piano music)

Good morning, Mr. Monkey.

- Good morning, Jimbo.

- Mr. Monkey, what did you mean by memories being gone?

- Well, you've forgotten things, right?

Like, oh,

the plastic bag.

- That's right.

And it's okay to forget the little things from time to time.

We all do it. Even grownups, like me.

- But, Jimmy.

- Yes, Mr. Monkey?

- What if you forget important things?

What if you forget me?

- The warm moments we've shared together

are far too nice for me to forget you, my dear Monkey.

- Ah! (laughing)

I'll never forget you either, Jimbo.

- Oh, what's that?

Another delivery.

- I wonder what it is.

- Excuse me. - Hm.

Oh, darn.

It seems I miss the postlady again.

I can't seem to catch her.

She has such a busy schedule

delivering mail to the whole town.

I never even get a chance to say hello.

- What's Marty got for you, Jimbo?

- Well, it looks like we just got a letter.

That's odd.

Usually a return address goes here.

A return address tells you who sent it.

That way, you know where you can send a little thank you.

(soft piano music)

- What's it say?

(ominous piano music)

- Freak.

All right, who sent this?

Who wrote this?

Why would?

- I wouldn't worry about that if I were you.

Probably just a silly little joker. (laughing)

- You're right, Mr. Monkey.

Say, I think it might be time

for our pal here to visit the playground.

- What a wonderful idea.

I can introduce them to all the playground pals.

- Don't worry, pal. This isn't goodbye.

I'll see you real soon. Have fun with Mr. Monkey.

You can trust him.

- (laughing) This way, pal.

(bright piano music)

♪ Welcome to the playground ♪

♪ Won't you have a look around ♪

♪ Meet some pals, join the crowd ♪

♪ Strangers here cannot be found ♪

♪ Did somebody say stranger ♪

♪ I hope I'm not in danger ♪

♪ No need to fear while I'm around ♪

♪ So stick with us, you're safe and sound ♪

(uptempo piano music)

♪ Welcome friend, we're glad you came ♪

♪ You can ignore me, I'm pretty lame ♪

♪ Don't be glum, beaver dear ♪

♪ At least not when the friend is near ♪

(uptempo piano music)

♪ I concur, you seem nice ♪

♪ Now listen here for good advice ♪

♪ A stranger's trust must be earned ♪

♪ But with us, don't be concerned ♪

♪ All of us here at the playground ♪

♪ Want you to know that you can trust all of us now ♪

- Even Ferret!

♪ Because we're all best pals for life ♪

- I'm so glad you were able

to join all of us on the playground.

This here is my best puppet pal, Fausty Fox.

- Howdy!

- Second only to my best pal, you. (laughing)

And Jimmy, of course.

- Did I hear my name?

- Whoa whoa whoa whoa.

- What?

- How did you

get here?

- Well, I,

I just wanted to see my playground pals and-

- [Beaver] Adults aren't allowed on the playground.

- Yeah, it's a place for kids to have fun.

- But, Beaver, Bird, Monkey,

you're all my pals and I wanted to have fun, too.

- It's okay, Mr. Jensen.

You're our pal too.

- He can stay and play, can't he, Monkey?

- You're right, Fausty.

But that's not my call to make.

- What?

- Hmm,

I, Rory Lion,

king of the jungle gym,

(dramatic piano music)

will allow it.

(pals cheering)

- Thank you, King Rory.

Thanks.

Sometimes friends say mean things.

Sometimes friends might exclude you,

and sometimes you might even feel lonely.

But real friends don't mean to make you feel that way,

and it's not because they don't enjoy your company.

They often have reasons of their own.

I remember when I was a little boy, I-

- There are so many memories, it can be hard to keep track.

Would anyone like to share any special memories they have?

- I remember one time I saw a butterfly!

- I remember one time I lost my dam in a flood.

I was so, so sad.

- I remember last week, a tasty little snack I had.

Oh, juicy, tender, bloody.

- Oh, that sounds great, your highness.

What about you, Ferret?

I love it! (laughing)

- Do you have any happy memories Mr. Jensen?

- I,

I, I I don't

know that I,

I have any happy memories

or any,

sad memories or

any at all.

- Someone stole your memories?

- Oh, no.

- [Fausty] What are we gonna do, Mr. Jensen?

- Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Don't go.

It's okay.

We'll, we'll, we'll think of something, right?

We always do.

- Don't worry, Jimothee.

(dramatic piano music)

Detective Monkey is on the case.

- Woo, he always gets to the bottom of it.

- Elementary, my dear Fox.

- Well, lead the way, Mr., uh Detective Monkey.

- First thing is first, we need to examine the body.

I mean, Jim, (laughing)

have a seat.

- If you say so, Detective.

- Okay, let's have a look.

Hmm.

Open, please.

Ah, come on, wider Jimbo.

- Ah, ah.

(tense piano music)

- Taste buds looking normal.

Yes. Perfectly operational jaw.

- Hmm.

- Shh, I'm investigating.

I need to see those peepers, Jimbo.

Ah, (sniffing).

Irises, pupils, veins.

(tense piano music)

You get all this?

- Yeah, yeah, I got it. Uh huh.

- Okay, good.

- Well, that's good to hear.

- Ah, ah, ah, ah.

Hmm.

Legs long as ever.

- Long as ever.

- Have they had any trouble wiggling recently?

Just as I suspected, made of skin.

- Ah, skin.

- Raise your arms now.

Arms operational,

(tense piano music)

and.

(James and Monkey laughing)

(bright piano music)

(James and Monkey laughing)

- Wow.

That was fun.

Did you enjoy that as much as I did?

- All right, I've solved the case.

(dramatic piano music) - You have?

- The answer is,

Profoctopus might have the answers.

He knows a lot about a lot of things. (laughing)

(Ferret laughing)

- Who, me? (laughing)

What may I do for you fine gentlemen, today? (laughing)

- I have a problem.

I can't seem to recall, well much of anything.

- Well, you've come to the right place.

I do know a lot about a lot of things.

I even know a thing or two about missing memories,

how they may be lost and who may have taken them.

- Who? - The Freak.

(thunder rumbling)

- The Freak?

- Who is the Freak?

- Not a who, but a what.

A creature of the night.

A scourge on this playground.

It burns with hatred for all playground pals.

- I hear it has skin as thick as slime.

- I hear it has eyes that pierce your very soul.

- I hear it's insides are on the outside.

- Don't worry. I, King Rory am here to protect you.

All of you.

- Profoctopus, pals,

we don't like to call people,

freaks.

- Oh, but it is.

And it has your memory. I am sure of it.

- Hold the phone, bottom feeder.

Thank you for the input, but we gotta go.

- [James] That wasn't very nice.

- The freak is coming.

It will be here soon.

Don't say I didn't warn you. (laughing)

- Profoctopus doesn't know anything about anything.

- I thought you said-

- What you need is good spin on the merry-go-round.

That always gets my thoughts going and my juices pumping.

- Oh, I've always wanted a ride

the merry-go-round with pals.

- Yeah.

- Would you like to take a ride with me, too?

- Oh, go ahead.

- Oh, oh, okay.

- [Monkey] Let me help you with that.

(dramatic piano music)

- [James] Thank you.

- Ready?

- Yes. (uptempo piano music)

Oh, but not too fast, please.

- Here we go, Jimbo.

Woo.

(uptempo piano music)

- [Fausty] Wow. Look at it go.

- It's going, it's going pretty fast.

- [Fausty] Wow! Watch it, watch it! (laughing)

(uptempo piano music)

(James laughing)

Okay, that's really funny, guys. Now, now stop.

(Monkey laughing)

(uptempo piano music)

(pals laughing)

Gracious.

(pals laughing)

(dramatic band music)

(pals screaming and laughing)

I said stop it!

Stop this fucking thing now!

(pensive piano music)

Oh, dear God.

(dire piano music)

Oh God.

(dark piano music)

Stop!

(James screaming)

(pals screaming)

(ominous piano music)

(pals laughing)

(fire crackling)

(Monkey screaming)

(James screaming)

(Monkey screaming)

God, God, God, God.

(pensive piano music)

- Cut, cut,

cut, cut.

- What do you wanna cut?

- I don't have any scissors on me.

- Knives are dangerous.

- Cut, cut. Cut the cameras.

Cut it. Stop the show.

- [Fausty] Show?

What show?

- This show!

On television!

You know what I'm talking about, right?

- Look, Jimbo, I get it. You're a little dizzy.

We told you there's a reason why adults

don't come to the playground. (laughing)

And maybe you just need to retrace your steps.

- Where was the last place you saw your memories?

- I, I remember the plastic bag.

- Great.

Go back to that beautiful backyard of yours

and see if it jogs any memories.

We'll keep an eye out for them right here.

- Oh, and the freak, too.

- [Monkey] The show must go on.

- Wow, that was,

I suppose I should retrace my steps.

(soft piano music)

Look for my missing memories.

Couldn't have gone too far,

but how do I find my memories when I feel so-

(soft piano music)

Monkey is right.

The show must go on,

and I don't want to disappoint you either, pal.

(dramatic piano music)

Things got pretty hairy back there.

But this,

this is a happy place.

In the backyard everything always works out.

(inspirational piano music)

♪ When you are feeling blue ♪

♪ And the world seems bad and scary through and through ♪

♪ It is time to whistle to a different tune ♪

(James whistling)

♪ So when bad feelings come to you ♪

♪ There's one thing you must do ♪

♪ Just ♪

(dissonant piano music)

Sounds like Piano is having some memory problems of his own.

Nothing to worry about. It happens to all of us.

And remembering music is especially hard.

But what do we do when we make a mistake?

We say we're sorry and we try our best next time.

I know Piano is gonna try extra hard now.

(bright piano music)

Ready?

(Piano responds)

♪ So when bad feelings come to you ♪

♪ There's one thing you must do ♪

(dissonant piano music)

Piano,

I'm trying to help our pal here.

I think he's feeling a little blue

about the merry-go-round.

So, pretty please play the song again,

correctly.

♪ When you're feeling blue ♪

Well, if I can't sing a song-

(dissonant piano music)

What else can I do when I'm feeling blue?

Hmm.

Thinking about my pals always makes me feel happy.

The playground pals are sure great friends, aren't they?

It's too bad they can't be around all the time.

Do you know what I do when I miss them?

Arts and crafts.

But first, we need supplies.

Let's see what we have in here today.

Orange is my favorite color, always makes me happy.

Glue sticks.

- What is this?

It's a sewing kit.

We won't be needing this today.

Always be careful when using sharp objects.

Only use them when there's an adult around to help you.

Whoa.

There he is.

(soft bass music)

Before we play,

always remember to clean up your mess first.

Not everyone has playground pals,

so I'm going to show you how to create your own.

(soft piano music)

(soft piano music)

What is this?

(light piano music)

(James humming)

It's Kneeil.

(bright piano music)

Kneeil is the kind of friend who can never leave you.

Oh, oh, (laughing)

that's a wonderful dance.

Hey, what else can you do?

(knuckles cracking)

Kneeil, I didn't know you knew magic. (laughing)

Wow.

Kneeil always makes me feel happy.

Oh, you're welcome.

(fun organ music)

Another trick?

Okay.

Why me?

What do you mean, Kneeil?

Why am I

alive?

Well, to be my pal, of course.

(marker squeaking)

But why?

I guess,

I felt

lonely.

Is that how you feel when your pals aren't around, lonely?

Wait,

I remember.

I remember!

Yeah.

I remember feeling lonely.

(soft piano music)

I didn't have any playground pals,

no one to play with,

no one to laugh with,

(soft piano music)

no one to make me feel happy when I felt sad, just me.

But then you came along.

You kept me company when no one else could.

Thank you,

for being my pal.

What?

(odd organ music)

What? What's wrong?

What's wrong, pal?

Oh, oh oh oh oh.

(tense music)

What?

Kneeil, no.

No no no no. No!

(tense music)

(high-tension music)

(James gasping)

Kneeil, no no no no no.

(James screaming)

(high-tension music)

(James screaming)

(James screaming)

(James crying)

(soft piano music)

(James crying)

(soft piano music)

Remembering hurts.

It's not a nice feeling, hurting.

But the worst kind of hurt is hurting on the inside.

Others may not see it, but you can,

always.

Sometimes it's a feeling in your tummy.

Sometimes it's in the back of your throat.

Sometimes you just hurt all over.

But,

no one knows,

no one but you.

Adults may tell you it's nice to share those feelings, but

that's not fun television.

And that's how you heal yourself.

(James sighing)

I feel much better now.

What do you mean I'm still hurt?

Well, that's what the Band-Aid's for, silly head.

You're just worried about me. Don't fret.

Adults like me always know best.

(sucking on empty container)

I am here to keep things happy for you.

I have it all under control.

Did you just, no, that couldn't have been you.

Did you see that?

Marty?

Do you have something for us?

No?

Do you have an idea?

Well, tell us.

It's a surprise.

Well, I'm open to any ideas that might cheer me up.

Marty,

you found my music.

(rhythmic tapping)

(sucking on empty container)

(light instrumental music)

May I have this dance?

(light instrumental music)

- Come on Playhouse.

Yeah, you can do it.

(light instrumental music)

Now everybody.

(good time instrumental music)

(good time music continues)

(James laughing)

- Fellas?

Where'd you go?

Oh, did you say something?

I didn't realize, the post lady is here?

Oh no, did I miss her again?

Oh, Mrs. Post lady?

- [Post Lady] I'm sorry.

- Oh, I'm so glad I finally caught you.

- I have a busy schedule... - I wanted to send-

- ...delivering mail to the whole town.

- Huh?

- I'm sorry, sir. I really must be off.

(jazz piano music)

You smell the same.

I used to call it the smelly stuff.

- [Post Lady] I don't know what you're talking about.

- Mom.

I used to watch you put it on every morning

when you were getting ready for work.

Once, I found the bottle

and no one was around.

I put it on just to be like you.

(jazz piano music)

But,

I put on too much,

and it got in my eyes.

That shit really stung really bad.

And dad walked in.

Sir, if I don't leave now,

the next house will never get its mail on time.

- Oh, oh no. Don't go.

Come, come dance with us.

Come dance with us, mom.

- Have a good afternoon.

- What do I do?

Great idea.

Thank you, pal.

(light commotion in the playhouse)

(even breathing)

(Monkey giggling)

(soft piano music)

Do you build traps often?

People trap all sorts of things.

They trap mice to keep their homes clean.

They trap bigger animals for food

or to make nice clothes with their furs and skins.

People even trap parents.

(soft piano music)

Now,

the bait.

(ominous music)

(Monkey grunting)

What do you think, Marty?

Oh, you're right.

I did forget to see what mom sent me.

(eerie piano music)

(eerie music continues)

(dark music)

(dark rumblings)

I didn't see you there, pal.

I have bad news.

I'm remembering all kinds of things now.

Like,

how to cook,

or at least how I was taught to cook.

I don't

quite remember who,

but someone must have taught me.

I wonder if this cow had a mom.

I wonder

if they played in the pastures together.

It's not like they had much else to do.

Do you know what a cigarette is?

My mom loved cigarettes.

She went out to buy a pack once,

and when she came back home, the house was on fire.

(dark instrumental music)

I wonder if this cow's mom smokes cigarettes?

Does yours? I hope not.

(dark music)

I've made a mistake.

And what do we do when we make a mistake?

We say we're sorry and we try our best next time.

I'm sorry, hand.

This is gonna need a big bandaid.

Maybe I should take some of the food we made

to the playground pals.

Wrap my hand,

if I

get it.

True pals are never apart,

maybe in distance,

but never in heart.

- [Bird] Don't worry, that's why I'm here.

- Bird.

- That's right. I'm here to help.

- Oh, that's good.

I could really use some help getting cheered up.

- Oh, I see. A bad case of the blues got you down?

Well, there's only one place to go.

- Where's that bird?

- Six feet deep with maggots in your eyes.

- What? - A pile of flesh

to feed the worms.

♪ Early bird gets the worm ♪

- Bird, you're scaring me.

- Oh, don't be a downer.

That's Beaver's job. Bye.

- Well, it's a bad thing I'm here too.

After all, you're just so, so sad today.

- Any more tears and he might just snap.

Oh, poor Mr. Jensen.

- Poor Mr. Jensen.

He might even be happier as bird food.

- Early bird gets the worm.

- That's not funny.

- Come on, Mr. Jensen.

Where's your sense of humor?

(Bird laughing)

(Beaver laughing) - Why are you laughing?

Stop laughing.

(both laughing)

Shut up!

- You said a bad word.

♪ Shut up, shut up, shut up (laughing) ♪

(both laughing)

- Shut up! Shut up!

Shut up.

Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up,

shut up, shut up, shut up.

Shut up, shut up, shut up.

(pals laughing)

(Bird squealing)

(James screaming)

(James gasping)

What do I do?

(pals squealing)

No, no, no. I don't wanna do that.

Pals don't hurt pals.

But, but I don't want to.

(ominous music)

You're right.

Thanks pal.

(pals whimpering)

(opening door)

(ominous music)

Are you sure?

Okay.

(ominous music)

(door creaking)

- James, please don't.

- [Beaver] We're your pals.

(Bird whimpering)

- Pretty please James! - James!

Pretty please!

Pretty please!

- [Bird] Please!

(Beaver sobbing)

(tamping dirt)

(soft piano music)

- What you doing Jimbo?

(bright piano music)

Pal.

You look like you've lost your bananas. (laughing)

- No, no.

I'm doing swell.

- Oh, glad to hear it.

(eerie piano music)

- Monkey, how did you get over the fence?

- Ah, I have my way.

Hey,

what's that for?

- Just some cleaning.

Someone

took out a shovel out earlier.

- Ah, peculiar.

I don't seem to remember anyone else being here.

Do you?

- I thought I was the one

with the missing memory, silly Monkey.

It's just us,

me and my pal.

Gardening, we planted that flower.

(eerie piano music)

- You know, I've always loved the smell

of fresh dirt.

- Why are you here anyway, Monkey?

- Oh, that's right.

I originally came to give you some good news.

- Oh.

- We have a lead on your stolen memories. (laughing)

- Oh.

- That, that is good news.

- Oh, well, why don't you come back to the playground

and see all the pals?

You should come, too.

We miss you.

(eerie piano music)

This way. (laughing)

(ominous music)

(ominous rumbling)

- What happened?

What happened?

(someone screaming)

Oh, oh.

Fausty? Are you okay?

- Mr. Jensen? Who did this?

- [Profoctopus] Who do you think?

(dark music)

- I don't remember.

- Who else, but the Freak.

And it's not done yet.

It won't rest until we're all

as miserable as it is. (laughing)

- You were supposed to protect us.

Where were you?

- No.

No. It wasn't my job.

It isn't my job, it's King Rory's.

It's King Rory's.

King Rory.

King Rory, come quick.

The playground, it's-

- Oh, I am aware.

I, King Rory, protector of the playground

see all.

- Then why didn't you stop it?

- I know what you did.

- I didn't do this.

- Not the fire.

(chime ringing)

- Beaver, Bird, they're, they're, they're fine. They're-

- James!

I know everything. (chime ringing)

- Everything?

(Rory grunting)

I won't let you ruin this for me.

- Please, don't.

- You should've stopped the fire.

You should have stopped the fire!

(Rory whimpering)

(Rory grunting)

(James grunting)

(James yelling and crying)

- How's it hanging, Jungle Jimbo?

- Monkey, I'm so sorry.

- For what? (laughing)

- I,

I did it.

I killed Bird

and Beaver

and King Rory.

- Rory?

- Our pal, King Rory.

- [Monkey] That didn't ring a bell.

(chime ringing)

(wind blowing)

- King Rory, Rory Lion.

The protector of the playground.

- But Jimmy, that was supposed to be you.

(dark music)

Huh, your memory really is funky today. (laughing)

Over here.

I've got something to cheer you up.

(wind blowing)

- Who's is this?

- Go on,

take a sip.

(eerie music)

(TV static)

- Pals?

Do you see anybody?

Do you?

Hello?

Are you there?

Where'd you go, pal?

- Well, come on.

Say something.

Why aren't you saying anything?

You saw what happened to Rory.

You saw what I did to him, so say something.

This show is for you and you're ruining it.

I won't let you do that.

I won't let you take it away from me.

It's my purpose, and your purpose is to listen,

so say something.

Say something.

Say something.

Say something.

Say something!

Say something!

Say something, say something.

Say something, say something.

Say something, say something, say something, say something.

Say something, say something, say something!

Say something! Say something!

(James crying)

- Why can't I hear you?

(James crying)

(swing creaking)

(swing creaking)

Beaver?

Bird?

Are you doing okay?

- [Bird] I'm doing just dandy.

- [Beaver] For once, so am I.

- [Bird] Yes.

- You're not hurt?

- Why would we be? - Why would we be?

- I didn't bury you in the garden?

- You were there weren't you? - You were there weren't you?

- But, were you?

- [Beaver] We've been here.

- [Bird] Waiting for you.

(dire music)

- We all have been.

(pals laughing)

What?

- What's the matter, Mr. Jensen. (laughing)

- What happened to you?

- Whatever do you mean? (laughing)

(eerie music)

- Monkey?

Why do they look all wrong?

Shhhh....

- But isn't this what you wanted? Pals?

- [James] You are my pals.

- No, real friends.

People, with eyes and noses and mouths.

- And fingers

and toes.

- And veins and bones.

- And skin.

- And beating hearts! (laughing)

- A little flesh and blood to cheer ya up.

- You, you, you are my playground pals.

- What's the difference?

- We thought you'd be happy.

- And that's all we want, Jim, for you to be yourself again.

We miss you.

We need you.

- I need you, too.

- They need you.

Happy.

We tried replacing you, to give you a break.

It didn't work.

Ferret got stage fright.

(dark music)

(eerie music)

- Monkey? Question.

- Shoot.

- Where did you get all the parts?

- From that woman in the trap. (laughing)

That's why you set it, right?

To finally catch her, to give us the pieces we needed.

(dark music)

- That's not why-

- She was making you sad, Jimmy.

She hurt you.

We couldn't allow that.

Remember, we need you, Jimbo, just like you need us.

So,

what do you say?

Will you stay with us?

Pretty please?

Thank you, James.

Ahh...

(music box music)

- Oh. - Oh.

(pals cooing)

(soft music)

- I'm sorry.

(soft music)

I can't stay.

(soft music)

No I, I can't do this anymore.

(pals grunting)

(Monkey crying)

- Then you are the Freak, and you must be fixed!

(Fausty screaming)

(pals screaming and crying)

(ominous music)

(pals pounding on fence)

(pals yelling and crying)

(pounding continues)

(heart beating)

- Oh Jimbo,

you want to come back and play?

Why don't you do a pal favor, and let me through?

Look, you can trust me.

We both know you're gonna go bonkers over there, all alone.

You already have one foot madness.

How long have you been here in the backyard?

Who built this place?

Where do you sleep?

What do you eat?

Who have you been talking to?

Have you even ever set foot in that house?

Opened the back door?

You don't know,

do you?

And that not knowing,

oh,

that not caring?

It felt awfully nice,

didn't it?

But now you're just

full of questions.

Face it Jim, you have already gone completely bananas,

and it'll only get worse.

So, let me in, and good old Dr. Monkey

will fix ya right up.

It'll only tickle a little. (laughing)

Fine.

Have it your way.

We'll play one last game together.

See you soon, Jimmypoo. (laughing)

(dark music) (heart beating)

- Okay, okay. What do I do now?

Ah, okay. I wish mom were here.

She always knows what to do.

Mom?

Mom, are you, are you still there?

Oh.

Oh, thank God you're still there.

Ah, I knew they were lying.

(soft piano music)

Skootch over, Marty.

(tense music)

(soft piano music)

Mom, they're coming for me.

What do I do?

What do you mean you're still busy?

Mom, I need you.

(dark music) (James whimpering)

Okay.

Do you know what to do?

What do I do?

You need to get out of there.

Well, I know, but how? The door is locked.

If you can't leave, there's only one option, James.

What's that?

Stop the show.

I don't want to let you down too, pal.

You've already done that, James.

So why keep pretending?

(dissonant piano music)

(James exhaling)

You're right.

Thanks, pal.

(James hitting camera)

Okay, that didn't work.

Burn it all.

(tense music)

Are you sure?

Do it.

(tense music)

Okay.

(TV static) (James gasping)

(James groaning)

(James screaming)

(James grunting)

You couldn't even light a match without seeing things.

You couldn't even keep your own mom around.

You couldn't even stop the fire.

Do you even want to leave?

Of course I want to leave, of course.

Then why host the show?

For you.

(laughing) For me?

Whoa.

Monkey was right.

You really have lost it.

No!

No!

No!

(soft piano music) (James screaming)

(James smashing set)

Stop it, stop it. (screaming)

(soft piano music)

(James grunting)

(James grunting)

(soft piano music)

(James smashing set)

(James grunting)

(soft piano music)

It hasn't stopped.

The show hasn't stopped.

They're coming for you, James.

Where do I go?

Six feet deep with maggots in your eyes.

(soft piano music)

No,

no,

No.

There's a way out.

(soft piano music)

No,

no,

no!

(smashing lights)

Please.

Talk to me.

I need you.

(something banging)

Was that them?

(eerie piano music)

(faint laughter)

(eerie music)

Do you see them?

They're coming for us.

Do you see them?

What are you telling me? Tell me.

(eerie music)

Please.

(eerie music)

Do you think they're out there?

(faint growling)

Did you hear that too?

Do you think we're safe?

(high-tension music) (James gasping)

- Nighty-night, Jimbo. (laughing)

Symptoms?

- [Fausty] Melancholic tendencies, acute loneliness,

pyrophobia, refusal to forget, and Freakification.

- [Monkey] Understood.

(dark piano music)

- [James] Guys?

Pals?

- Freak.

- No. No no, I'm your friend.

- Freak.

- [James] Please, just let me go home.

- Freak, freak, freak, freak, freak, freak, freak, freak.

(tense piano music)

- Okay.

- I'm his pal.

The fact is, I'm doing much better.

I'm happy.

(eerie piano music)

I can host the show.

I can do it again. I can host the show.

- Sedative.

(tense piano music)

(James coughing)

(tense piano music)

- Measurements?

- Whenever you're ready, Dr. Monkey.

- Scalpel.

Proceeding.

(James screaming)

(tense rumbling)

(James screaming)

(dire music)

(eerie piano music)

It's a bad boo-boo.

Too far gone.

(eerie piano music)

(James screaming)

(James grunting)

Prosthetics?

- Ready, Doctor.

(Monkey laughing)

- [Monkey] Sutures.

(dark piano music)

(James screaming)

You know, the worst kind of hurt

is hurting inside.

(eerie piano music)

(Monkey laughing)

We have here.

Hello.

I think it's for you. (laughing)

- [Monkey] James, it is for you.

(James grunting)

(James screaming)

(heart beating)

- Broken.

This is high priority.

I must operate immediately.

(heart beating)

- Have a good afternoon. - Goodbye.

(heart beating)

(James grunting)

(heart beating)

(Monkey laughing)

(heart beating)

(door closing)

(heart beating)

(fire burning)

(James screaming)

(heart beating)

- [Monkey] Around inside.

(soft piano music)

♪ Good morning ♪

♪ Good morning ♪

♪ I'm looking for my pal ♪

♪ Will you pretty please be my pal ♪

♪ Pretty pretty pretty pretty please ♪

♪ We will have so much fun ♪

♪ Playgrounds pals having fun ♪

♪ Stay awhile with the here ♪

♪ Pretty pretty pretty pretty please ♪

♪ Settle in everyone ♪

♪ Our day has just begun ♪

♪ Pretty please ♪

♪ Welcome pal ♪

Hiya.

I've been thinking about you,

my special pal.

I've been thinking a whole lot,

in fact.

It's very nice to know you'll stay.

My name is Jimbo,

and I'll be staying here, too.

I found something I want to show you.

(light piano music)

This is a box of matches.

They're fun to play with.

Speaking of playing, that reminds me,

the day's

Thingy of the Day

is joy.

Some people will tell you joy

is a lot like a match.

It burns bright, but fast,

and then it's gone.

Well, I have good news, pal.

They're dead wrong.

Joy can actually last forever

if you let it.

(soft piano music)

That's right Jimbo.

Just focus on the good memory and bury the bad ones.

Then all you'll have left is joy!

And it's especially true when you stick

around your pals.

- Look.

(soft piano music)

It's my best pal,

Monkey.

Let's go say hi.

- I can say hello just fine from here, Jimmy boy!

- Good morning, Mr. Monkey.

- Good morning.

You mind keepin' your distance?

- Mr. Monkey, what do you mean

by memories being gone?

- I want you to be happy,

even if it means hollowing out your insides again and again,

till that head of yours is empty,

till that broken heart can't do anything but smile.

But James?

- Yes, Monkey.

- What if you leave me?

(soft piano music)

- The warm moments we've shared

are far too nice

for me to forget you, my dear Monkey.

(Monkey laughing)

But it's time to go.

- What?

(match striking)

(fire flares) (Monkey screaming)

Our pals need you!

Oh, I need you!

You need us! (screaming)

(laughing) You ain't getting rid of anything.

No.

No!

No! (screaming)

(pounding)

(James panting)

- I remember this welcome mat.

I remember

that

(light piano music)

Mom

walked over it

every day

on the way to the office.

Every single day.

(light piano music)

I remember

Dad

walking over it, bag full of groceries,

a bottle mixed in.

It never made him angry.

Just kept him numb.

I remember I snuck over it every night

I'd find myself with a playground.

I was quiet.

I was alone.

But it wasn't lonely.

Not there.

I remember

I wasn't home when the welcome mat burned.

I was at the playground.

Dad was home alone.

I know he was numb.

I know it was an accident.

Stray ember.

And when I got back home,

the house was still burning,

and I know now that it wasn't my fault.

But I couldn't shake the feeling

that if I'd only been there, that-

No,

it wasn't my fault.

(light music)

It wasn't my fault.

(light music)

I remember all these things now.

And now you do, too.

I never went back to the playground,

but I still had pals.

I watched them on TV, like you watched me.

And they taught me things, important things.

I wanted to teach you too.

But I got numb,

lost in the shows.

Now it's time to remember,

the good and the bad.

It's important that I remember this welcome mat,

remember that it got burned,

but also

remember

what was underneath.

(soft piano music)

♪ It is time ♪

♪ Time my friend ♪

♪ Time to say, say goodbye ♪

♪ Thank you so much, my friend ♪

♪ Till the next time we say hi ♪

♪ I will be okay ♪

♪ Even on my own ♪

♪ You will be okay ♪

♪ You will never be alone ♪

(door unlocking)

♪ You have me ♪

♪ In your memory ♪

(soft piano music)

♪ I have you ♪

♪ And that's a good thing, too ♪

(door opening)

(Monkey laughing)

- James,

you can't go.

- Thank you, pal.

(door creaking)

(door closing)

(dramatic piano music)

(uptempo piano music)

(upbeat jazz music)

(upbeat jazz music)

(soft piano music)

(soft piano music)

(sentimental orchestral music)

(sentimental orchestral music)

(Monkey laughing)

(beep)