"Charlie

This is the third and final part of "Charlie," but the end of this just marks the end of the first "episode" of "The Charlie Arc."

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Kyle, Stan, Ike, and Charlie are sitting on the floor in Kyle's room when Mrs. Broflovski (Sheila) knocks on the door and peeks in.

SHEILA: Kyle, sweetie, can I talk to আপনি for a minute?

KYLE: Mo-om!

SHEILA: Now, Kyle!

They walk into the hall. Stan shrugs at Charlie. Ike crawls into her lap.

IKE: Kyle.

SHEILA: Kyle, I don't think I'm comfortable with আপনি playing with your new friend.

KYLE: Why not?

SHEILA: Well, he's dirty and bruised… Did he get in a fight today?

KYLE: No. She came to school like that. And she's a girl, Mom.

SHEILA: Kyle, how many times have I told আপনি to talk with me before আপনি have a girl come to our house?

KYLE: Never. I don't think it's ever come up before.

SHEILA: Well, if that girl starts a fight অথবা hurts any of আপনি boys, আপনি just come get me, all right, Kyle?

KYLE: But—

SHEILA: Kyle.

KYLE: …All right. Sure, Mom.

Sheila kisses him on his forehead.

SHEILA: That's my good little boy.

Kyle walks back into the room.

SHEILA: Keep the door open with a girl in your room, Kyle.

KYLE: Mo-om!

SHEILA: And watch Ike, all right sweetie?

KYLE: Stupid baby.

Charlie is bouncing Ike on her knees and he's giggling. He's saying "Kyle" with every bounce.

KYLE: Shut up, Ike!

CHARLIE: Your little brother's so cute, Kyle.

KYLE: আপনি just think that 'cause you're a girl. And he's not my brother. He's adopted.

CHARLIE: I still think he's cute.

Ike crawls up to Kyle.

IKE: Brother.

KYLE: Shut up, Ike!

IKE: Don't kick the baby.

KYLE: Shut up!

CHARLIE: You're mean, Kyle. I প্রণয় my little siblings.

KYLE: I bet yours aren't so goddamn annoying, then.

STAN: I hate my sister.

KYLE: EVERYONE hates your sister, Stan. She's such a b—

STAN: Shut up, Kyle!

KYLE (to the tune of "Kyle's Mom is a Bitch"): "Stan's sister is a bitch, she's a big fat bitch, she's the biggest দুশ্চরিত্রা in the whole wide world…"

STAN: Don't use that against me, আপনি asshole!

CHARLIE: Jesus, shut up, আপনি guys!

Sheila rushes into the room.

SHEILA: Did I just hear someone say the J word?

All stare at her.

IKE: Kyle.

SHEILA: This is a JEWISH household, young lady, and we NEVER say the J word. Kyle, I think it's about time for your new "friend" to go home. [She leaves the room, mumbling.] And in front of Ike too; what a terrible influence.

CHARLIE: … I'm sorry for saying the J word.

STAN: Don't worry. There's no such thing. Kyle's mom just doesn't like you.

CHARLIE: Oh.

KYLE: Sorry about that.

Charlie looks at the clock. It's 3:56.

CHARLIE: Oh no! I'm going to be late! My mom's gonna kill me!

KYLE (thinking): Kill you?

CHARLIE: I'll see আপনি at school tomorrow, I guess. Bye!

She grabs her backpack and runs from the room.

KYLE: I think something's up.

STAN: So?

KYLE: So… do আপনি want to play undercover spies?

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Kyle and Stan are crouching in some bushes, wearing sunglasses, and carrying fake walkie-talkies. Kyle has binoculars.

KYLE: Chht, Agent Blue, this is Agent Green. Do আপনি read me? Over. Chht.

STAN: Chht. Agent Green, this is Agent Blue. Roger that, I read আপনি loud and clear. Over. Chht.

KYLE: Chht. Ten-four. The target is in visibility at nine-o'clock. Over. Chht.

Charlie is walking as fast as she can in her condition away from the Broflovski house. She looks nervous. The boys are about a block behind her.

KYLE: Deploying jet-packs. Over. Chht.

The two follow her across town and across the train tracks.

STAN: Chht. Agent Green, I think it's about my turn to use the binoculars. Over. Chht.

KYLE: Chht. Negative, Agent Blue. This is my mission, so I get the binoculars. Over. Chht.

STAN [angry]: Chht. Well আপনি look stupid, Agent Green. Over. Chht.

KYLE: Chht. Mission control, this is Agent Green, not giving a shit. Over. Chht.

STAN: Look, do আপনি wanna fight about this?

KYLE: Fine! Whatever. Take the stupid binoculars.

STAN: Wait… Dude, where'd she go?

They scan the sidewalk, but she's gone. Suddenly they hear yelling from the front step of a house. It's the house পরবর্তি to Kenny's. Charlie is at the doorstep, looking down submissively before her angry mother.

Ms. PIERZYNSKI: When I say four o'clock, I mean four-fucking-o'clock. Get in here!

She grabs Charlie দ্বারা the front of her জ্যাকেট and pulls her inside, slamming the door behind her. Stan and Kyle stare open-mouthed.

STAN: …Dude!

They run up to Kenny's door and ring the doorbell. Kenny opens the door and hiccups.

KYLE: Uh, নমস্কার Kenny. Can we use your backyard?

Kenny shrugs, and then hiccups and nods okay. They hear a toilet flush. Cartman comes up laughing.

CARTMAN: Dude, আপনি should've seen the log I just laid. Your crappy plumbing will be backed up for weeks!

Cartman sees Stan and Kyle and frowns.

CARTMAN: Um, Kenny? Do আপনি remember when I explicitly asked আপনি not to invite over these assholes?

KENNY: (I didn't. They just came to the door.)

STAN: Yeah dude, we just need to do something really quick.

CARTMAN (sighing and rolling his eyes): Whatever.

Kyle and Stan, followed দ্বারা Kenny and Cartman (who stays further back than the others and entertains himself with a Megaman toy), head into Kenny's backyard and crouch in the bushes between the McCormick's and the Pierzynski's. They can here shouting and slamming inside. Suddenly the back door opens up. They হাঁস down. Ms. Pierzynski pushes Charlie outside. Charlie's nose is bleeding.

Ms. PIERZYNSKI: And I swear, if that goddamned school has a reason to call me again in the middle of the day, আপনি will live to regret it! আপনি stay out here until I come get you, আপনি understand?

The door slams. Charlie takes a few steps out of the view of the door, then sits down and starts to cry. Then Kenny hiccups. Charlie looks up and is horrified to see the boys. She tries to wipe off the blood onto her sleeve and hide her tears. She looks extremely nervous.

KYLE: Dude, are আপনি okay?

Charlie looks anxiously at the door and then back at the boys. She apprehensively crawls toward them.

CHARLIE (whispering throughout this scene): What are আপনি doing here?

KENNY: (I live here.)

CHARLIE: I know that, I meant those two.

STAN: Who cares, your mom is a psycho! Do আপনি want us to call the police অথবা something?

CHARLIE: No! No. Don't do that. I'm fine.

There's a pause.

STAN: You're joking, right?

CHARLIE: Listen, my mom just has a bad temper. She's really stressed out. It was my fault for being late anyway. I was supposed to be here to watch my little brother and sister.

Stan and Kyle look uneasy. Kenny hiccups.

STAN: Alright dude.

He gets up with his hands in his pockets and walks over to where Cartman is.

KYLE: …Is this where আপনি got all the bruises and stuff?

Charlie looks down, then shrugs.

KYLE: We need to tell somebody.

CHARLIE: No! Please don't tell, Kyle! It's okay. I'm fine.

KYLE: I don't know.

CHARLIE: Promise আপনি won't tell anyone.

Kyle doesn't say anything. Charlie punches him in the arm.

CHARLIE: Promise!

KYLE: Ow, fine! I promise.

CHARLIE: আপনি swear? আপনি really mean it?

KYLE: …I promise not to tell anyone.

Charlie looks calmer.

CHARLIE: Thanks, Kyle.

Kenny hiccups. Ms. Pierzynski's voice can be heard from inside.

Ms. PIERZYNSKI: Charlie? Charlie!

CHARLIE [to Kyle and Kenny]: Get away quick.

She crawls back over to where she was before. Kyle and Kenny হাঁস down as the door opens.

Ms. PIERZYNSKI: Charlie, I'm sorry, sweetheart. I just wish আপনি wouldn't be late all the time.

CHARLIE: I'm sorry, Mom.

Ms. PIERZYNSKI: আপনি know I প্রণয় you, sweetheart.

CHARLIE: I প্রণয় আপনি too, Mom.

Ms. PIERZYNSKI: Now come on inside. I have work and আপনি have to watch Beck and Davy.

The two disappear into the house. Kenny hiccups. Then they go back into Kenny's yard. Kyle naturally looks troubled. Stan walks up to him.

STAN: This is pretty fucked up right here.

KYLE: Yep.

STAN: Chht. So… what now, Agent Green? Over. Chht.

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The পরবর্তি দিন at the bus stop, Cartman is once again গান গাওয়া "The Long and Winding Road." This goes on for a bit, and Kenny (who's looking a little pale and sickly) occasionally hiccups.

KYLE: Dammit, would আপনি shut up, fat-ass?

Cartman starts গান গাওয়া louder. The other three groan and cover their ears. Charlie walks up. She looks the same as yesterday but with a swollen nose.

CHARLIE: Hi, guys.

STAN: Hi Charlie. Did your দুশ্চরিত্রা mom beat আপনি up again?

CHARLIE: Shut up! She's not a bitch! This is the bloody nose from yesterday, dumbass.

CARTMAN: I have an idea. Let's play the "bitchy moms" game. I'll go first. Kyle's mom.

KYLE: Hey, shut up, fat-ass!

CARTMAN: What was that? আপনি want to go next? Well okay Kyle. Can আপনি think of a bitchy mom?

Kyle and Charlie glare at him.

CARTMAN: Like, do আপনি know any moms who force their kids to be vegetarians, অথবা beat the living shit out of them, অথবা anything like that?

They keep glaring. Kenny and Stan start laughing. The bus pulls up.

MS. CRABTREE: C'mon! We're runnin' late!

STAN: Hey, shut up, আপনি fucking skank!

MS. CRABTREE: WHAT DID আপনি SAY?

STAN: I said, "What's up, আপনি lucky… tank."

MS. CRABTREE: …Oh. Not much, thanks for asking.

The kids get on the bus.

CHARLIE: Hey, did আপনি guys see Terrance and Philip yesterday?

KENNY: (No, we were all too busy not being beaten up দ্বারা our parents.) Hic.

Stan, Kenny, and Cartman laugh.

CHARLIE: Hey, shut up, আপনি fucking… fuck face অথবা I'm going to… I swear, I…

Her nose starts bleeding again. They continue laughing. Charlie glares and crosses her arms. Kyle, who is sitting across from her, glances around.

KYLE: Uh, Charlie?

CHARLIE: Yeah?

KYLE: আপনি know how আপনি ব্যক্ত আপনি didn't want me to talk about—

CHARLIE (in an edgier tone): Yeah?

KYLE: I was wondering if আপনি still were sure—

CHARLIE: I'm sure, Kyle. I'm absolutely sure. Remember: আপনি promised.

KYLE: [Sigh.] Yeah.

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In the classroom…

MR. GARRISON: Okay, children, take your seats now.

CARTMAN (whispering): Hey, Charlie… Guess who I am.

He punches Pip in the stomach, knocking him off his seat.

CHARLIE: Shut up, fat-ass!

MR. GARRISON: That's enough, now, children. It's time to start our oral presentations. Who wants to go first? Alright, Bebe, you're up.

Bebe walks to the front of the class.

BEBE: Ahem. This is a story of trust, of love, of betrayal… But mostly, it's the story of how I was tricked into believing that a girl was a boy, and my inner struggle throughout this experience, and after.

Charlie covers her face with her hands.

MR. GARRISON: Um, you're supposed to talk about a famous scientist from hist—

BEBE: It was a crisp fall afternoon when I entered the elementary school with a dear friend. I had just had my hair done, and it flowed to my waist in curly golden locks. When I entered the room, all of the boys gasped in astonishment at my beauty. Except for Stan, because he's Wendy's boyfriend. He gasped at astonishment at Wendy's beauty.

MR. GARRISON: Bebe, can we—

BEBE: One boy, new, whose countenance I had never before looked upon, remained unmoved দ্বারা my beauty. I was intrigued, taken aback দ্বারা his sullen demeanor. But all was not as it seemed.

MR. GARRISON: Okay, C minus. Take your আসন Bebe.

BEBE: What? I didn't even get to finish!

MR. GARRISON: We all know what happens. Charlie is a little girl. How embarrassing. Take your seat, Bebe.

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Lunchtime: the boys and Charlie stand in line in front of Chef.

CHEF: Hello, children!

KIDS: Hey, Chef.

CHEF: It's Thursday! And আপনি all know what that means!

BOYS: Salisbury steak!

CHEF: Ha ha, that's right! [He looks at Charlie. Charlie stares back.] Hmm, I don't think I've seen আপনি children in my cafeteria before.

KYLE: Oh, Chef, this is Charlie. She's a girl, but she's not gross.

Charlie smiles, obviously flattered.

CHEF: Nice to see আপনি here, children. Try my delicious Salisbury steak. It's best hot.

CHARLIE: Thanks, Chef.

All of them leave but Kyle.

CHEF: Is something wrong, children?

KYLE: Chef, what would be the best thing to do if I knew someone's mom was hitting them, and hurting them really badly, but I promised that person I wouldn't tell anyone?

CHEF: Children, the best thing to do is always to talk to an adult. আপনি should talk to Mr. Mackey, the বিস্কুট counselor. It's never a good idea to keep that kind of thing a secret.

KYLE: Thanks, Chef.

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Meanwhile, at the table…

CARTMAN to Charlie: Um… What do আপনি think you're doing?

CHARLIE: I was going to eat some Salisbury steak, if that's okay with you.

CARTMAN: Oh, yeah, yeah, sure, that's fine… Why don't আপনি go eat that… somewhere else…?

CHARLIE: Why?

CARTMAN: Because I want আপনি to go the fuck away from here. Sheesh. Stupid man-girl.

CHARLIE: I don't care what আপনি want, fatso. Kyle would let me sit here.

CARTMAN: Well Kyle isn't here right now, is he?

CHARLIE: I can sit here, right Stan?

STAN: I don't wanna get in the middle of this.

CHARLIE: …Kenny?

KENNY: Hic.

CHARLIE: Fine. I don't need to sit here. I can go sit with… [She stares blankly at the rest of the student body.] (Incoherent mumbling.)

Charlie walks up to the girls' table. Wendy and Bebe glare at her and look away. Charlie sighs, then goes to sit with Butters.

BUTTERS: Uh, নমস্কার there.

CHARLIE: Hi.

BUTTERS: আপনি wanna see my super-cool comic book I made? It's called, "Butter-Man and the Invasion of the Bad Guys."

Charlie doesn't say anything.

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Meanwhile, Kyle returns to the boys' table.

KYLE: Dude, where'd Charlie go?

STAN: Cartman told her to take her shit somewhere else.

KYLE: What? Why the hell'd আপনি do that, আপনি jerk?

CARTMAN: Because, I hate her almost as much as I hate your people, Kyle.

KYLE: আপনি suck.

CARTMAN: "Kyle and Charlie sittin' in a tree. K-I-S-"

KYLE: Shut up! Shut up, Cartman!

CARTMAN (singing): I've waited all my life for you, and now you're here…

KYLE: Damn it! Shut up!

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Back to Butters and Charlie…

BUTTERS: Okay, see, I drew all the pictures and everything. I didn't staple it, 'cause my mom says I'm going to staple my fingers instead of the paper. So I just taped it together instead.

Charlie looks at the comic book. There are stick figures and illegible dialogue bubbles.

CHARLIE: It's… nice, Butters.

Butters looks thrilled.

BUTTERS: আপনি really think so?

CHARLIE: Sure. I mean, it's got… pictures, and characters, and… those look like words, and a story… All the necessary elements for a decent comic book. All right there.

BUTTERS: Aw, shucks, you're the nicest, Charlie. Eric ব্যক্ত it was a stupid pile of baby turds.

CHARLIE: He was probably just jealous of all that raw talent. I mean, who wouldn't be?

BUTTERS (tearing up): Charlie… you… that's the nicest thing anybody has ever ব্যক্ত to me.

Kyle comes up and sits with them. He looks pissed.

KYLE: Cartman's a smelly pig-ass.

CHARLIE: Yeah, I know.

BUTTERS: নমস্কার Kyle, wanna see my comic book? Charlie says it's "nice," and that I have "raw talent."

Kyle flips through the book. He looks up at Butters, who is smiling eagerly. He looks at Charlie. She smiles and shrugs.

KYLE: Yep, it's definitely nice, all right.

BUTTERS: Whoopee! This is the best দিন of my life.

Charlie keeps smiling at Kyle. Kyle smiles back nervously.

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Kyle sits with Mr. Mackey in the counseling office.

MR. MACKEY: So, what exactly is it that আপনি wanted to talk about, Kyle? Is everything okay?

KYLE: Yeah… Well, with me, I mean. I kind of wanted to talk with আপনি about someone else.

MR. MACKEY: Well আপনি can tell me anything, m'kay?

KYLE: Yeah. It's about Charlie Pierzynski.

MR. MACKEY: Oh, the new girl in your class?

KYLE: Yeah. Um, I saw her yesterday after school, and… well, I saw her mom hitting her and yelling at her. I'm pretty sure it's her mom who gave her all her bruises.

MR. MACKEY: Thank goodness আপনি told me, Kyle. Telling an adult is always the right thing to do, m'kay? I promise, I'll do everything I can to deal with this issue and help little Charlie.

KYLE: Um, Mr. Mackey?

MR. MACKEY: Yes, Kyle?

KYLE: Could আপনি promise not to tell Charlie that I told you?

MR. MACKEY: Of course, Kyle. Confidentiality is our only policy, m'kay?

KYLE: …M'kay.

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On the bus on the way home, Kenny looks pale and tired. He's hiccupping almost constantly now. Kyle and Stan sit with each other and Charlie sits with Kenny behind them. Cartman is sitting nearby দ্বারা himself.

CHARLIE: Wow, Kenny, আপনি don't look so good.

Kenny, completely detached from reality, just hiccups.

CHARLIE: Guys, I think Kenny's real sick.

STAN: Yeah. He's probably gonna die soon.

CHARLIE: What?

STAN: Yeah, he does it all the time. No one really cares anymore.

KENNY (angrily): (You guys are assholes!) Hic.

CARTMAN: Hey, guys… Guess who I am. [He punches Kenny from across the aisle.] "Hey, আপনি dumb-ass kid! I'm gonna beat the shit out of you! Go… play with a doll, আপনি stupid girl!"

This time, all four of the others glare at him. The bus stops, and the five get off. Kenny hiccups.

CARTMAN: Well, screw আপনি guys, I'm going home.

He walks away. Kenny hiccups, then vomits and collapses.

CHARLIE: Jeez! Are আপনি okay?

Kenny slowly gets back to his feet. He nods, then hiccups. Then the bus pulls back.

MS. CRABTREE: Hey, আপনি forgot your medieval armaments on the bus again!

She throws a heap of chains, swords, maces, etc. on শীর্ষ of Kenny and drives away. Blood seeps out from under the pile.

STAN: Oh my God, they killed Kenny!

KYLE: আপনি bastard!

There's a pause as Stan and Kyle look at the bloody heap. Charlie does too, but open-mouthed and horrified.

CHARLIE: Oh my God! He's dead!

STAN: Yep. Told you.

CHARLIE: …Oh my God!

Kyle approaches Charlie.

KYLE: Um, Charlie? Do আপনি want to come over to my house?

CHARLIE: I think I'd better get প্রথমপাতা early today. I don't want to get in trouble again.

KYLE: Oh… yeah, okay.

CHARLIE: But Kyle?

KYLE: Yeah?

CHARLIE: Thanks for keeping my secret. I know আপনি just wanted to help, but telling would have probably just caused problems.

KYLE: Oh. Uh… you're welcome.

Charlie walks away. Kyle looks worried.

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Outside of the McCormick and Pierzynski houses, Charlie walks up to her front door. Before she can open it, her mother does.

Ms. PIERZYNSKI: আপনি had better have an answer for me!

CHARLIE: W-What?

Ms. PIERZYNSKI: Don't get smart with me, আপনি little skank! Who were আপনি complaining about my parenting to, huh? Your little friend the school guidance counselor? আপনি are going to live to regret this, আপনি mark my words.

She grabs Charlie drags her into the house. The sounds of shouting and muffled cries are heard. Then screaming, then silence.

Ms. PIERZYNSKI: …Charlie? …Get up, honey. Charlie? …Charlotte, আপনি get up. Stop pretending. …Oh God.

Ms. Pierzynski runs out of her front door. Mrs. McCormick comes out of her house at the same time.

Mrs. McCORMICK: আপনি keep that little demon of yours quiet, আপনি hear me? One আরো screamin' fit and I'm calling the police!

Ms. Pierzynski just runs away from the houses.

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Kyle walks up to the Pierzynski house. He knocks on the door once, and it opens দ্বারা itself. Kyle looks around nervously, then walks in.

KYLE: Uh… Um, hello? Is anybody here?

Kyle walks further into the house. The lights are all of. It's a mess.

KYLE: …Charlie?

BECCA: She's sleeping.

Kyle yelps, startled. A little girl, about four অথবা five, comes out of the shadows.

KYLE: …Who are you?

BECCA: I'm Becca Rezinski. Charlie is sleeping.

Kyle stares at her, then walks further into the house. A baby is crying in a ডাবা in the main room.

KYLE: Charlie?

He reaches the bathroom and sees Charlie lying unconscious on the floor. She's covered in blood and vomit. Kyle covers his mouth, horrified.

BECCA: Do we get পিজা tonight?

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That's the end of "Charlie." The পরবর্তি episode of "The Charlie Arc" is "Brainwashing." Check it out if you're interested!