🎧: ✅
🕶️: ✅
💭: I-Larry & I-Mario
😰: 0%

Cody is standing in the doorway, slightly pushing the elevator doors open, waiting for Zack and Xander to enter. But Zack only wants to play with his yo-yo, while Xander stares at it.

Cody: Hey, come on, man. We have to go work on our science project.

Zack: I am doing science. Look, centrifugal force.

Xander: ... Centri what?

I-Mario: I'm-a surprised that Zack even knows that-a word.

Xander: Me too. Isn't Cody supposed to be the smart one?

I-Larry: Remember, Xander, God made us all special.

Xander: And he loves us very much. I know.

Mr. Moseby: Fortunately for all of us, my hotel is always in tiptop Tipton shape. And nothing has changed since the last inspection.

Zack smiles with his mouth open as he swings the yo-yo in a circular motion, Xander shaking his head with it. But Zack accidentally lets it go; it arches high in the air and strikes the bullseye in Mr. Moseby's coffee mug while he is speaking with Esteban. He turns around to look at Zack while Esteban wipes coffee from his chin.

Mr. Moseby: Except for that.

I-Larry: Ooh, that's not good.

Zack chuckles uncomfortably as he races towards the stairs near the game room.

Cody: *Sigh* Come on, Xander, he's more than likely going back to the suite.

I-Mario: I would-a chase after him. But I guess the elevator is-a faster.

Cody, Xander, I-Larry and I-Mario return to the suite using the elevator, arriving before Zack, sitting in each of the four dining room chairs. Xander removes his headphones and places them on the table.

Zack: Hide me!

Carey: Whoa, whoa, whoa. What happened? *Squats down to his level*

Zack: Mr. Moseby's after me just 'cause I was playing yo-yo in the lobby, and it might've... landed in his mug.

Carey: *Gradually stands back up, crossing her arms* And then?

Zack: I ran after that. He scares me.

Xander: ... Cody and I saw the whole thing. It was an accident.

Carey looks at Cody, and he nods back at her. I-Larry and I-Mario copy him.

Carey: Accident or not, Mr. Moseby's just doing his job. *Readjusts Zack's hair* He needs to keep this hotel running smoothly, and you tend to be... unsmooth.

Carey turns around, and Zack moves to stand near the other two boys.

Cody: Yeah, unsmooth like when Mom doesn't shave her legs for 2 weeks.

Carey turns around shocked with her mouth wide open, and Zack lets his arm out around the chair that Cody's sitting in, smirking at her.

Carey: Aren't you two supposed to be working on your science experiment?

Cody: *Smiling* We've already started. Look!

Under the kitchen sink, reveal two small cages with large rats in them. One having a purple cover, and the other having a green cover on top. Cody grabs the purple one, and Zack grabs the other. Both rats audibly squeak while Carey screams and hops on one of the living room chairs, anxious. Xander quickly covers his ears and hides under the table, briefly hyperventilating, with I-Larry and I-Mario getting underneath with him.

😰: ⬆ 55%

Carey: Aah! No, no, no, no! *Points at them* W- What are you doing with those rats?

Zack: *Whips his head, smiling* Science!

Cody: We got them from our school. This is Bonnie, and that's Clyde. They're our experiment.

Bonnie is in the purple cage, with Clyde being in the other one. Bonnie has more dark hair on her with a white circle in the middle, and Clyde is the inverse of her. Both twins place the cages on the table.

Carey: Which is what? Giving your mother a heart attack?

Zack: No, actually, rap music for Bonnie and heavy metal for Clyde, and then Cody writes down a whole bunch of scientific stuff.

Cody: *Smiles* You know, behavioral changes, like eating habits, mood swings, urination patterns-

Carey wipes herself down in disgust.

Carey: Eww! Why does it have to be rats?!

Zack: Too late now. We've bonded.

Both twins pick up a cage and hold it close to their torsos.

I-Mario: I think it's-a kinda strange for-a Carey to consider-a rats urination patterns to be-a strange, but not-a Xander's.

I-Larry: Perhaps it's because rats are generally considered to be unclean. Xander at least attempts to clean himself during each change. And with shower time at home.

Carey: Oh no.

Carey looks under the table and sees the back of Xander, slightly shaking his body back and forth. She gets off the chair and walks around the couch to get to him. The twins both set down the cages, and all three of them sit on the floor with him, trying to calm him down.

Cody: Xander?

Zack: You good, dude?

Xander scoots his butt around to face them, his breathing getting slower.

Carey: *Gradually looking at the twins* Xander, I'm sorry for screaming like that. I was just startled that there were "rats" in my home. *Back at Xander* Ok, just try and breathe in and out with me.

😰: ⬇ 10%

After Xander calms down, everyone stands up, with Xander nearly accidentally bonking his head from under the table.

Carey: Xander, please tell me your science project won't involve wild animals, right?

Xander: ... Um... well...

I-Mario: Should we tell-a her? I don't-a want her to unintentionally scream at-a Xander again.

I-Larry: I think it will be fine; Xander doesn't have an actual one.

Carey's eyes widen as she prepares to stand back up on the chair.

Xander: ... I... don't have a live one... if that's what you're asking.

Carey puts her hand on her chest, relieved.

Carey: What is yours about, Xander?

Xander: ... Bats. Just some facts about them. And a colorful picture of one.

Zack: *To Cody* Bats would be difficult to capture and put in a cage-

Carey: *Points a finger up, quickly* Don't even think about it unless you want to be grounded.

A moment passes for everyone to take in the events that just happened.

Carey: Swell. Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to take Bonnie and Clyde away from where we eat.

Carey leans in and grabs both cages with her fingertips, holding them away from her at arm's length, and brings them to the twin's bedroom. Then the doorbell rings. Xander jumps at this, putting his hand on his chest.

😰: ⬆ 40%

Cody: I'll get it.

Zack lightly grabs Cody's arm.

Zack: No. Wait. What if it's Mr. Moseby? I'm toast.

Cody: *Smiles at the door* Come in.

Mr. Moseby walks in smiling so big you can see all his white teeth, looking directly at Zack.

Zack: Look, Mr. Moseby, if this is about the yo-yo, then I'm-

Mr. Moseby: Waves his hands around, walking in Oh, pish posh! Boys will be boys. You were just having fun, and that's what boys do, isn't it? They have fun. Ha ha ha!

Zack: Did that yo-yo bounce off your head?

I-Mario: I'm-a wondering the same-a thing.

Xander: No, it didn't, and you know it.

Mr. Moseby: No. I'm fine. I came up here to offer you... *Ruffles Cody's head* scamps, tickets to today's Red Sox game. Brings tickets out of his suit It's a matinee.

Cody: *Shows Zack the tickets* The Sox game? All right!

Mr. Moseby: And your seats are just above that little hut wherein the players spit and scratch themselves.

When Mr. Moseby attempts to escape the suite, Zack puts his hands on his hips, suspicious about what's happening.

Zack: Hold on. There's something wrong here.

Mr. Moseby: Why do you question my generosity?

Cody: Yeah. Why do you question his generosity? *Shows Zack the tickets again*

Zack: I'll tell you what. You go. I think I'll just stay here and hang out in the old lobby... Show Xander my model rocket-

Mr. Moseby: No!

He loses his smile and decides to come clean, fidgeting with his hands.

Mr. Moseby: All right, fine. The hotel inspector will be arriving soon, and it would be marvelous if you weren't around.

I-Larry: Cody's not so bad; it's Zack that we need to worry about.

Zack: I knew it! We'll be... not around longer if you throw in a little money for dinner. *Gives a small smile*

Cody: I like lobster.

Mr. Moseby: Uh-huh. Ok, fine.

Mr. Moseby gives each twin some money, and Carey walks out of the twins' bedroom.

Cody: Wait, what about Xander?

Mr. Moseby: What about him?

Cody: He's not very fond of loud and bright places.

Xander: ... I could finish my project while you guys are there.

Carey: Smiling I think that's a good idea. You should take some notes, Zack.

Cody: Please, the only things he takes notes of are girls and whatever other things he's scheming.

Mr. Moseby: *Points his hand at Xander* Hold on, you trust him to stay here?

Carey: Of course.

Mr. Moseby: Alone? Don't you think he'll oh, I don't know... destroy the suite?

Carey puts her hands on her hips and gets slightly closer to Mr. Moseby.

Carey: Hey, I work for this suite; I think I should say who's allowed here or not.

I-Mario: Kind of-a strange to see someone defending-a Xander instead of us.

Mr. Moseby: *Sighs* I guess there's no use arguing with you.

Mr. Moseby leaves, and the boys enter the twins' bedroom as the twins get ready for the game.

Cody: What are you doing?

Zack: *Opens Clyde's cage* I'm taking Clyde to the game.

Clyde squeaks a few times, and Cody points at Zack after he grabs a baseball mitt.

Cody: You can't do that! It'll contaminate the experiment. Who knows what Take Me Out to the Ballgame will do to his urinary pattern?

Xander: ... Just don't give him anything to drink before leaving. No guarantees that it will work, though.

Both twins look at Xander for a moment, slightly disgusted. Zack holds Clyde in both arms, as if he's his child, but then returns him back in the cage.

Zack: Fine, but this is why they like me more than they like you.

Carey: Outside the room Come on, guys! If we make batting practice, I might meet a player!

Xander: But baseball games have a lot of players, at least 10.

Cody leaves the room, and Clyde audibly squeaks.

Zack: Ok, I'll take you, but don't tell Cody.

Xander: ... Are you sure that's a good idea?

Zack: *Smiling, waving one of his hands at Xander* Relax, there are going to be, like, 1000 people there; I'm sure that no one will notice.

As Zack hides Clyde in the pocket of his jacket and walks out of the room, Bonnie squeaks as well, almost escaping from opening the purple lid with her head. Zack decides to bring her along as well.

Zack: Oh, sorry, Bonnie. I didn't know you'd want to go, too. How sexist of me.

Xander: Those coat pockets don't look very secure.

I-Larry: Yep, they're definitely falling out.

I-Mario: Rats don't belong in people's pockets.

😰: ⬇ 10%

Before doing anything else, Xander followed through on what he had promised. He walked outside the twin's room and got to work on drawing a bat. He pulled out his trapper keeper, with a blank white sheet of paper and a pencil. Next, he chose yellow, dark blue, and black crayons from his small Crayola box. I-Larry & I-Mario sit back down on two of the other chairs next to Xander.

Xander: Huh, the yellow one's a bit short. It should be enough, though.

For the next few hours, Xander meticulously traced the outlines with the pencil before scribbling in the colors of a bat flying in the dark blue night sky surrounding some trees, complete with the moon and some stars. He had to stop several times since his fingers stung and turned slightly pink after a short time, despite the numerous warnings from I-Larry and I-Mario.

I-Mario: *Crossing his arms* See? What did we-a tell you?

Xander: I know, I just wanted to get this done. I'm just not sure when they'll be back.

I-Larry: That's ok, Xander, but you probably shouldn't rush through things. You'll just hurt yourself and your performance in the end. Even if they do return and you aren't done, I'm sure that they'll give you all the time you need. Remember, Zack and Cody need to do their projects too.

Xander looks at his hands again, uncertain if they're pulsating or not. Then he lifts up his picture off of the table.

Xander: It's no masterpiece, but it may be enough to get an A-.

I-Mario: I sure-a hope so! You worked-a really hard on-a it!

I-Larry: *Inspects the picture* Well, regardless, it's a pretty picture, Xander.

Xander folds the picture into quarters and puts his belongings away, then his stomach grumbles. He glances at the clock on his tablet for a moment, and it reads 4:45pm.

Xander: I wonder if they still have some leftover mac & cheese from last week. It's nearly dinnertime, and it's Monday.

I-Mario stands up and rubs his hands together.

I-Mario: Eh, it's an-a Italian dish. Even though it's not-a spaghetti, you know I approve.

I-Larry rolls his eyes, smiling. Xander looks inside the crowded fridge and brings out a fancy bowl from the back.

Xander: Aha! Here it is.

He takes off the paper towel from the top of it and microwaves it for around two minutes. When it's finished, Xander carries it to the table, nearly burning his hands from the heat of the bowl.

I-Larry: Careful! It's hot.

I-Mario: A bit late for that.

I-Larry: *Shakes his head* By the way, how's your diaper doing, Xander? You haven't changed it at all today.

After Xander waves his hands for a moment, he pulls down his shorts and shows them that the wetness indicator (a light blue heart) is completely gone. Not to mention the diaper itself being so bulky that he's more obviously waddling compared to its dry state.

I-Larry: Xander, a change is long overdue. You don't want to leak on the seat, do you? How would you explain that to Carey?

I-Mario: Oh, you are-a no fun! Could we just have the-a mac & cheese-a first?

I-Larry: I'm just trying to think of any future consequences Xander may be setting up for himself.

I-Mario almost throws his hands in the air, and he counts ways with his fingers.

I-Mario: We've delt with it-a before. Just get some-a cleaning supplies and-a clean it or put any clothes in the-a washing machine and hope that-a no one notices.

Xander: Guys, the mac & cheese needs to cool down anyway; I believe 8 minutes is enough. That's usually how long I need to change.

I-Larry and I-Mario look at Xander and realize he's correct. I-Mario puts one hand behind his head and smiles, embarrassed.

I-Mario: R-right! Heh heh.

After the diaper change is completed, with it barely fitting in the pail, Xander spends some time with his mac & cheese, with I-Mario practically salivating over it, despite knowing he can't eat any. I-Larry, if he had hands, would try to cover his face.

I-Larry: Why did you have to have him as one of your special interests, Xander?

I-Mario: Come on, you know he can't-a help it when a new one comes.

Xander wipes a little cheese off of his chin and sips a little bit of water.

Xander: It's true. It just... happens. And it's bound to happen more in the future.

I-Larry: *Nods, giving a faint smile* I know, I've seen everything. I was the first one that you formed. Back when you were an infant. Back when you were with your mom. She brought in a gift from God that day.

I-Mario: *Smiles, raising his hand* I believe I was the-a third. I came to-a you when you-a visited Dinosaur Land in-a Super Mario World on your-a SpongeBob-themed Game Boy Advance when you we're-a six.

A few more moments pass as Xander finishes and places all of the dishes in the tiny sink while trying to listen, agreeing with them.

Xander: Ok, now I should probably print out my bat facts. I know there's a printer to the right of Cody's bed.

Xander takes out his tablet and connects to the printer via Bluetooth to print it out.

Xander: Wow, Cody really keeps the ink cartridges full, doesn't he?

I-Mario: *Makes a peace sign* Lucky!

I-Larry: Yes, it's probably not wise to go search for one around the hotel right now. I'm not sure what'll happen to you if you go down there during the inspection.

During the printing process, Xander covers his ears due to the harsh noises it would bring.

I-Mario: I really hate that he has to-a deal with stuff like-a that every-a day.

I-Larry: Me too, it's just not fair. But God made him this way for a reason.

Xander grabs the warm piece of paper and places it in his backpack, satisfied that it's finally done. Right after that, he hears footsteps approaching the front door, which gives him a hint of unease.

😰: ⬆ 20%

Only the twins and Carey return, with a moderate-sized bandage on her head. Carey and Cody walk in with slightly disgruntled expressions, while Zack has a slightly somber one.

I-Larry: Oh, what happened to Carey's head?

Xander: ... What happened to you?

Carey: Hello to you too, Xander.

Xander: Strange... I didn't say hello to her. Why is she saying that?

Carey: Xander, could you come sit with us in the living room, please?

She pats down on the seat next to her on the couch, with Xander sitting beside her, and the twins sitting on the two living room chairs. I-Larry stands near Xander, and I-Mario sits down crisscross applesauce in front of the coffee table away from the sofa.

😰: ⬆ 40%

Xander: ... Am I in trouble?

Carey: No, you aren't, honey, but Zack is.

Cody: And Mr. Moseby too.

Xander, I-Larry and I-Mario turn to look at Zack. Xander tilts his head to the right.

😰: ⬇ 30%

Xander: ... Zack?

Zack: Ok, so after we returned from the game, we saw this really ugly lady with a big black dot on her chin in the lobby-

Carey: *Crosses her arms* Zack.

Zack: *Sigh* Anyway, Bonnie and Clyde must've left my pockets just before that happened, because they stayed with me the entire game.

He remains silent for a moment, staring slightly downward.

Cody: And?

Zack: Now they're scurrying around the hotel.

I-Mario facepalms himself and shakes his head.

I-Larry: Of course you would, Zack.

Xander: ... I do remember telling you that bringing them along would be a bad idea.

Zack: I didn't know that they would fall out of my pocket!

A small moment passes.

Xander: ... You say that Mr. Moseby's also in trouble as well?

Carey: Because of what happened in the lobby during the inspection, she's now watching over the hotel until other people from a review board make a final decision.

Xander: ... How long will that be?

Carey: We're not sure.

Cody: We have to think of a way to get Bonnie and Clyde back. My perfect science grade depends on it.

Zack: Yeah, and this project may even help me get into the next grade.

Zack smiles and crosses his arms, then stops when Cody and Carey return their attention to him.

Cody: So, will you help us find them, Xander?

Xander: ... Sure, I just finished my science project.

Carey: Well, at least there's some good news.

Zack: *Sniffs around* Does anyone smell mac & cheese?

Cody and Carey try to sniff around, and Xander responds.

Xander: ... Yeah, it was dinner time, and I had some. It's Monday, mac & cheese night for me.

Cody snaps his fingers and smiles.

Cody: That gives me an idea!

Zack: What is it?