Original subtitles

Ruby: Read it to me?

Daniel: Come on.

Scooch in.

Ruby: When you lose someone important to you,

you don't lose them completely.

- Then you would always say...

- "Go, Clayton, you can do it!"

Daniel: "This mouse has advice...

always think twice."

Ruby: They are always around, somehow.

"To Ruby and Dan because they know they can."

My mom was an amazing person.

She wrote about how beautiful life is,

about everything.

Stories that make you notice things

you just stopped noticing.

My mom is gone,

but, she still helps me and my dad live.

♪

And that's why she's my...

my personal hero.

But some days, they're around a little more than others,

like today.

Every year, on Mom's birthday,

I made her a funny card.

A birthday theme

on whatever was happening in our lives at that time.

♪

Inside jokes.

It was a tradition.

♪

It's a tradition I plan to keep.

♪

The trick now is finding the funny part.

Luckily, I have plenty of raw material.

Sam.

[sniffs]

Sam: Give me a chance.

I can explain.

- Can you though, Sam?

- It's not what you think.

You know--

Woman 1: What I think is you've created

a serious health and safety issue for the school.

- They're so cute and so hungry!

- [scoffs]

[expectant music]

♪

- [sighs]

- Premium blend.

Very thoughtful.

- Twelve essential nutrients.

Can't blame me, can you?

Woman 1: Samuel, the number of feral cats

on school property's growing exponentially.

Can you please stop feeding them?

- Yes.

- Well, I've been doing this long enough

to know when a yes that fast means no.

You're incorrigibly kind, Samuel!

Ruby: Typical Sam move.

Totally sweet, totally not thought out.

[laughs]

I wish you could've met him, and Mina,

and Ms. Amani and Ms. Price, and...

You would've loved them, Mom.

[tender guitar music]

♪

Dad?

- Hey, Ruby.

- Uh, were you...

- Oh, I, uh, yeah,

I was just bringin' in the, um...

uh...

- Laundry!

Yeah, thank you.

I was down to my last...

[ethereal shimmer]

[mystical music]

♪

- Oh.

- Listen, I gotta, uh...

- Oh, yeah, yeah.

- Yeah.

- Okay, bye.

Ruby: Bye!

♪

[whimsical waltz]

♪

- [gasps]

[loud rushing sound]

[echoey thud]

[shimmer]

Female Singer: ♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ Heyyy ♪

[shimmer]

[dramatic string music]

♪ La-la, la-la, la-la ♪

[lound rushing sound]

[shimmer]

♪ La, la, la, la, la-la, la-la, la ♪

Woman 2: I wish I had some space.

[loud rushing sound]

- [gasps]

[ethereal shimmer]

[anticipatory music]

[loud rushing sound]

Ruby: [exhales]

Female Singer: [forebodingly] ♪ Hey-eyyy ♪

[deep, rhythmic thudding]

♪ Hey-eyyy ♪

- [rapid breathing]

Who was that?

[panting nervously]

[theme music]

♪

♪

Sam: Was it a ghost?

Don't tell me; I don't wanna know.

I do wanna know.

- I don't think she was a ghost.

- So why did you see her?

- And is she part of the wish or no?

- And what does it mean?

Sam: Oh!

If you stood by the well and said, I wish I knew,

do you think it would tell you?

Ruby: I don't know, I...

she didn't just look at me.

She saw me, Ruby.

I mean, no one's done that in a vision before.

Mina: Weird.

Sam: Creepy.

Both: Weir-py.

- And what was the wish?

- Um, I wish I had some space.

Uh, there was a leather briefcase,

a plastic credit card,

a tiny keyhole,

for the KJ Murphy Podcast.

- The KJ Murphy Podcast?

Ruby: Yeah.

- That's gotta be Kevin Murphy from our school.

- Yep.

- He helps out at the library.

- Oh, and the, uh, keyhole that I saw

had the numbers 1-0-9.

Sam: Okay.

Speaking of the library,

that small keyhole clue

reminds me of something I've seen in there.

- Yeah?

Sam: That.

You see?

Tiny keyholes,

and they even have numbers, like you said.

- But we're looking for 109;

that only goes to 8.

Mina: Yeah.

What's in there, anyway?

it was a link to our wisher,

but it la dead--e it's just

Boy 1: Tarantula?

Sam, Ruby, and Mina: Ah!

Boy 1: Oh, didn't mean to scare ya.

Sam: Kevin!

- Kevin.

- Kevin Murphy.

Kevin: Cool, huh?

It's called the cabinet of curiosities.

We're gonna fill it with everything

from weird stuff to really weird stuff.

- Interesting.

Uh, anything you'd, say, talk about on your podcast?

- Podcast?

I don't have a podcast.

- You don't?

- Nope.

I mean, I thought about it.

I even made a title graphic once,

but, uh...

Never actually made one, no.

- Oh.

Kevin: So, uh,

what are you looking for, anyway?

A... hackled orb weaver,

a southern black widow?

Boy 2: Spiderrrrr!

Kevin: Xavier, this, this isn't a toy.

Okay, this is a carnivorous Brachypelma klaasi.

- Can I pet it?

- Totally.

Xavier: Fuzzy!

Woman 3: Sorry, sorry, sorry.

Uh, um, let's leave the nice boy and his creepy crawlies alone,

okay, Xav?

Come on, time to go.

Xavier: Catch me first!

Woman 3: [sighs]

Come on, Xavier, please!

Xavier!

- Well, it's not a great start, two dead ends.

- Yeah, but when one clue door closes,

another one opens!

Look, the kid's mom dropped this.

The card from my vision.

[loud rushing sound]

Mina: Only, it's not a credit card,

it's her library card.

Ruby: J Donovan, 17 Victoria Street.

Sam: Well, that must be her.

She could be our wisher.

Uh, Mom and her pint-sized destructo bomb have vaporized.

- Maybe, but at least we know where to find them.

- Whoa, somebody has plans!

- Yep.

I think best when I'm cleanin',

so those faucets are gonna sparkle!

Ava: Everything okay, Dan?

- Yeah.

- Dan.

- It's just that...

this Saturday would've been Summer's birthday.

- I'm so sorry.

How you holdin' up?

- Yeah.

Right now, I just wanna make sure

I'm worried about what Ruby needs.

- Yeah, it's hard.

- Just wish I could, you know,

take that hurt she's got inside and...

you know.

- Different order of magnitude,

but when Farad and I separated, Mina struggled, too.

- So what did you do?

Ava: Tried to fill up the empty space

with new adventures.

Made the tough conversations more bearable for both of us.

- New adventures.

Okay.

Ava: Why not?

- Thank you.

Ava: Always.

[register beeping]

♪

- The card, a woman's voice,

"I wish I had some space."

With a kid like that, no kidding.

- Maybe she's our wisher!

Mina: Huh.

♪

Sam: [sighs]

♪

[doorbell rings]

- Hi!

- Uh, hi, uh, Xavier's mom?

- Uh.

Ruby: Uh, you dropped this at the library.

- Oh, thank you.

You didn't have to.

Ruby: [breathy chuckle]

- Oh, wow.

More chocolate milk.

- Principal Donovan?

- Samuel.

Kids, why are you on my porch?

- Uh...

uh, we're not.

Sorry, um...

Ruby: Sorry.

Principal Donovan: Where's my little sweetheart?

[giggles]

Xavier?

Honey?

Nana's home!

Woman 3: He's napping.

- Oh, sorry, shh.

- Wow, she's like a whole other person

when she's in grandma mode.

- I've got groceries.

Woman 3: Oh, thanks for grabbing the groceries, Mom,

but chocolate milk?

Please.

- You know, it's calcium.

- And sugar.

- A natural source of food energy.

- And cavities.

- [inhales]

Uh, you know what, do what you like, love,

but I'm late for Council, so could you hand me my bag?

Woman 3: Yeah.

Here.

Principal Donovan: Oh, thanks.

[loud rushing sound]

Ruby: [exhales]

- The attaché case.

Woman 3: Oh, uh, we borrowed your card.

- Oh, right.

[laughs]

Mina: So, whose card is it?

Principal Donovan: Oh.

Mmm.

- It's not Xavier's mom's after all;

it's Principal Donovan's.

- Principal Donovan's library card,

Principal Donovan's briefcase...

Xavier's mom isn't our wisher, our principal is!

[piano music climaxes]

[determined music]

♪

Principal Donovan is our wisher.

Question is, why does she want some space?

- Well, it's not the house.

That thing is huge.

- O-okay, so, if it's not physical space,

then maybe she wants space from a person?

- Like a certain toddler and his mother?

Mina: Our principal isn't married anymore.

I heard her mention that her husband passed.

Ruby: Yeah, maybe she wants to go on dates,

but, you know, wants more privacy.

Or...

or, maybe she's trying to get away

from a long-lost ancestor or a past life!

Mina: Let's skip past lives.

I'll pry into Principal Donovan's

private life.

- Go for it.

Sam and I will pry into her public life.

♪

Mina: Gentle Repose?

Homespun Charm?

Violet Dusk?

Who comes up with these color names?

- Not sure,

but I just mixed two cans of Easter Bunny.

Mina: So...

I met Principal Donovan's grandson today.

I didn't know she was a grandma.

Ava: Yeah.

Xavier's a ball of energy.

He takes after her.

- Why?

Because she's so busy as principal,

town councilor, and dating a new boyfriend?

- Boyfriend?

I've only ever seen her with Charlotte and Xavier

since they moved in.

- Wait, they all live together?

Ava: Yeah.

Charlotte struggled a bit,

and Jane invited them to stay with her

so she could help.

- Do they get along?

- Let's just say

they have the occasional difference of opinion.

Everything from education standards to--

- Chocolate milk.

I get it.

Moms and daughters.

It happens.

Meanwhile, I'm wondering who on earth

would pick the color Easter Bunny.

[phone ringing]

- Amani's.

Charlotte: [on phone] Hi, Ava.

- Hey, Charlotte.

Your paint's ready.

Charlotte: Oh, Easter Bunny!

Thanks so much for the recommendation.

Ava: No problem.

I love it, too.

Charlotte: I'm on my way.

- [whispering] Mother and daughter.

It happens.

- [chuckles]

Ava: I'll see you later.

Charlotte: Bye.

- 'Kay, bye.

♪

Principal Donovan: Now,

a roundabout is efficient and safe,

and we deserve it,

because this place is more than just where we live,

it's what we are.

- If she's so passionate about making the town better,

maybe she needs more space in her schedule?

Principal Donovan: All to have a look at.

Everybody got a pen?

- We really need some face time with her.

- How?

Unless she's in grandma mode, she's not exactly approachable.

- I know it's odd, but I want to start--

Ruby: So, we need to talk to her

in grandma mode, in her own house,

with her guard down.

- And with a reason that interests her

to want to talk to us.

[mischievous music]

♪

Principal Donovan: Okay, come and sit down.

You're doing a survey on what?

Ruby: Our babysitting services.

Uh, we're--

Principal Donovan: I know who you are.

Miss O'Reilly always has her hand up.

Ruby: [breathy chuckle]

Principal Donovan: Miss Amani.

Always talking.

Samuel "Fancyface" Price.

Well, I'm always happy to chat with resourceful kids.

Xavier: Granny, can I have some orange fishies?

- Oh, you sure can, my boy.

Have them all.

Go on, quick!

Xavier: Do you like crackers and dinosaurs and puddles?

- Uh, separate and together.

Mina: Oh, okay.

Bye, Sam.

Principal Donovan: [laughs]

Oh.

[laughs]

- Maybe she's tired of raising another kid

for the second time.

- So space from Xavier, maybe?

Sam: 'Kay, well, let's play!

Xavier: Catch me!

Sam: Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait!

Slow down!

Ruby: Okay!

Um, first question.

Kids can be rambunctious, uh,

so we offer babysitting at your house or ours.

Mina: Everything here looks... spendy.

Maybe you wish Xavier had more space to run around?

Someplace less smash-able?

- Yeah.

- Oh, please,

anything that's breakable can be replaced.

As long as he's having fun...

- Cool!

Cool, cool, cool.

Okay, um, second question.

Our service creates valuable space for me time.

Uh, on a scale of one to ten--

Mina: One being occasionally, ten being always.

- Uh, how often would you say you wish you could have a break

for grown-up TV or a meal without baby care?

- Is there a zero for never?

I treasure every moment with that boy.

He is my me time!

Mina: So, you're happy with your home space,

it sounds like.

Uh...

- Uh, okay, uh, next question.

Uh, regarding your personal space, um...

[distant thumping]

Sam: Smile!

- Ever date someone clingy?

- Wh-what has that got to do with babysitting?

Ruby: Oh, u-uh, uh,

what are your views on outer space?

- What?!

Xavier: [yelling]

- Oh, Xavier!

Are we done here?

See yourselves out.

Mina: Yep, yep, thanks for your time.

Go, come on, go!

Ruby, come on.

Ruby: Sam, we're leaving!

Mina.

[sighs]

Sam: [sighs]

How long was I in there?

- Twelve minutes.

- Okay, new question, how much have I aged?

- The key.

With 109 on it,

I'm pretty sure I know what it is.

I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner.

- I feel left out of some big big discovery, wh--

- Tomorrow, my mom's hardware store.

Just you wait.

[piano music climaxes]

Ruby: An adventure.

Really?

Daniel: Yeah.

- Um.

- There's tons of cool stuff to do around here.

I bet you've never spelunked.

- I bet I haven't either.

[chuckles]

Uh, and it's three hours away.

- Treetop trekking, then.

[paper rustles]

Um, four hours.

- Ziplining?

- Six hours!

Uh, cool, fine.

Yeah, uh, when did you wanna go?

- How 'bout this weekend?

- This weekend?

- Maybe Saturday?

- Saturday.

But that's...

Uh, any reason you wanted to do it on that particular day?

- Why not?

Unless you have any plans?

- No!

No, no, no, no.

Um, uh, it's just...

Okay.

Great, yeah.

Uh, zip lining, this Saturday.

♪

Daniel: Great.

♪

- [exhales incredulously]

I don't know what to say; it's just weird.

- Do you think maybe he forgot your mom's birthday?

- No, there's no way he'd forget.

Or... if he did...

No, I can't even go there.

- She's here.

[urgent string music]

Principal Donovan: Yes.

Yes, I know.

Uh-huh.

Charlotte: [on phone] I can only wait so long.

- No I understand, and, um, I will, okay?

- Someone doesn't seem happy.

- I said I'll get it done.

- What do you think she needs to get done?

Ruby: Whatever it is, she's really stressing about it.

Sam: Is that the keyhole from your vision?

109?

- [sighs wearily]

Ruby: Not sure.

Hang on.

[sighs]

♪

[loud rushing sound]

- [shrieks]

Ruby: Whoa!

Principal Donovan: Oh, oh.

[heavy exhale]

Ruby: Sorry, sorry!

- No, no, it's okay, thank you very much.

Ms. O'Reilly?

You again.

- Heh.

- Thank you.

Ruby: Yeah.

- It's fine.

- [breathy chuckle]

[heels clacking]

Okay.

Those letters weren't addressed to her.

They were addressed to M. B. Fraser.

- Who's M. B. Fraser?

Ruby: And why is Principal Donovan picking up their mail?

[fountain gurgling]

[sighs]

When I search M. B. Fraser,

I get a seamstress, a dance teacher,

an author, and a veterinary histologist,

but none of them live in Emerald.

- Maybe they moved

and Principal Donovan's picking up their mail?

- But you can forward your mail.

- Yeah, and plus,

there's something she needs to get done.

- What do adults have to get done?

Mina: Taxes, hair, oil change?

Ruby: [chuckles]

- Oh, Charlotte came by to pick up some paint.

Maybe a home reno?

- Oh, she'd need some space for that.

Xavier should not be near open paint cans.

- And she'd also need plenty of supplies.

I'll check back at the store purchase database.

Ruby: [happily] Hmm.

[water rushing]

[crow cawing]

Daniel: [sighs]

[phone ringtone]

Oh, great.

Let me guess,

Dad calling to hound me out of Emerald again.

Hey, Dad, is this you?

Woman 4: [on phone] Sorry, no.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

Hello.

Woman 4: Hi, who am I speaking with?

- Daniel O'Reilly.

Woman 4: Hello, Daniel, my name is Alex,

and I'm calling on behalf of Saint Mary's College.

I'm looking for Summer O'Reilly?

- Oh.

[sighs]

She's, um...

not here.

This is her husband.

Alex: Well, as a valued alumna,

we were hoping we could count on Summer

for a donation?

It can be any size.

Nothing's too small.

Every dollar counts.

- You know what?

Um, not this year, but thank you for calling.

Alex: Oh, no problem on the donation, then, but, um--

Daniel: Actually, you know what,

I, I really have to get goin', here.

Alex: As a graduate

who's gone on to become a writer and illustrator,

it'd be great if we could arrange a time

to interview Summer?

Daniel: Um...

Alex: It wouldn't take long,

but we'd love to do an article on her

for our quarterly alumni magazine.

- That's not gonna be possible.

Alex: Okay, well, if I could get some information,

we could--

Daniel: She passed away.

Last year.

Alex: Uh, I'm...

so sorry, I didn't know.

I guess the college didn't receive that information.

Daniel: It's okay.

Don't worry.

Alex: My condolences, Mr. O'Reilly.

- Thank you.

Alex: Thank you.

[sad string music]

♪

♪

- Hey, what you got?

Mina: Hey, okay, forget the reno.

Check out this old order

of stuff Principal Donovan bought.

Sam: Metal detector, safety orange duct tape,

and a headless mannequin?

Ruby: Weird.

- That's what I thought.

But when it all comes together, uh, mwah.

So tasty.

I knew it was the shy weirdo who did it.

It's always the shy weirdo.

- Sorry, what?

Kevin: The Secret of the Vanishing Stranger.

What did you guys think of it?

- Um, I don't know.

What did we think of it?

Kevin: Well, it was the Mystery Club

selection of the month for a reason.

4.8 average on Bestreads.

- Kevin, slow down.

You're talking about a book?

- Yes, and if you haven't read it,

oh, totes recommend.

What happens with the mannequin will rock your world.

I think we just got a copy back into circulation.

Yeah, let, lemme check.

Fran, Franz...

Ah, here we go.

And, uh, just FYI,

it actually wasn't the shy weirdo.

Trust me.

Shocking.

Mina: M. B. Fraser.

Same name as on the mail

Principal Donovan was picking up.

Maybe it is the author.

- Why would she be picking up the mystery writer's mail?

Ruby: Well, what if she's not?

What if it is actually her mail?

- What do you mean?

- Well, my mom used to know a ton of writers,

and half of them use pen names.

What if M. B. Fraser is actually Principal Donovan's

and she buys all of this weird stuff

as research?

- So you're saying she's a principal,

town councilor,

a grandma--

- Check, check, and check.

Ruby: And maybe, just maybe,

a murder mystery writer.

♪

[exhales]

The author lives in a quiet town

with her daughter.

Emerald, the town and Charlotte, her daughter!

Sam: But no Xavier?

- Um...

Xavier didn't exist then.

Look, this was published six years ago.

- Okay.

But why would a principal write mystery novels?

- Maybe it was a hobby that took off?

Sam: Okay, why use a pen name, then?

Ruby: Yeah, these books are fun,

but, you know, very murder-y.

- Yeah, not something

that an upstanding principal and town councilor

would wanna be associated with.

- Meanwhile, I kinda wanna know what's up

with this, uh, Vanishing Stranger.

- I kinda wanna know how to solve this wish.

- Why don't we just go up and ask her?

- After the babysitting disaster?

Fat chance.

But we could ask a fan.

[scheming music]

[beep]

Kevin: Test, one, two.

Sam: Oh!

Kevin: Testing.

Ruby: Oh.

Sam: Hey.

Kevin: Oh!

Ruby: Hey, Kevin.

What you doin'?

- Oh, that was the best idea, you guys.

I'm totally doing it.

- Doing what?

- A podcast.

- Here?

- Yeah, they, uh,

they kicked me out of the library,

so I figured I'd go to a place that was already noisy.

- Classic Kevin Murphy logic.

- And guess who I'm doing the first podcast on?

Ruby, Mina, and Sam: M. B. Fraser.

- M. B. Fraser, yeah.

Ruby: Um, you read a lot of her books?

- Totally, she's amazing.

- And you do know

that M. B. Fraser's a pseudonym, right?

- Yeah, no way, that's my whole podcast topic!

- Yeah?

So, do you know who it is?

- I have theories.

[distant music and muffled conversations]

Actually have a range of theories.

- Range of theories.

- Yeah, yeah.

Just a matter of, uh, narrowing it down.

- So you have no idea, do you?

- Uh, not really, no.

- [inhales]

- Okay, then.

- Thanks.

Ruby: Have a nice podcast.

Sam: See ya, Kev.

Kevin: Okay, bye, yeah.

♪

Sam: Yeah, even though he didn't know it.

Mina: Wait up, guys.

♪

Why would Kevin Murphy's podcast be in your vision

if he doesn't even have one yet?

Ruby: The well is getting trickier and trickier.

Kevin: Guys!

There you are, okay.

I gotta show you something.

Uh, right after you guys left, Principal Donovan came in.

Uh, Halona gave her a quiet table,

apparently she had work to do, or something.

So, started recording my podcast.

Was going great,

my whole, uh, M. B. Fraser secret identity thing.

Well, apparently,

Principal Donovan found it really annoying,

no idea why.

Then, when I went to the bathroom,

my mic was still on.

'Kay, listen.

Halona: [on recording] Here's your tea, Jane.

Remember, I need the table back at 4:00 as usual.

Evening rush.

Principal Donovan: [on recording] Ah, yeah,

understood.

Halona: You look stressed.

Is it Charlotte?

Principal Donovan: No, not entirely.

I can't get the extension.

I, I need 14 more days.

Halona: Since when do you need extensions?

Principal Donovan: [chuckles]

Since Xavier decided that I build the best forts!

Halona: Well, good luck.

Four o'clock, okay?

Principal Donovan: I know.

- You know what that means?

[beep]

- Uh, do we?

- She wants to extend the school year by two weeks.

Mina: [slow gasp]

Kevin: What kind of monster of a principal

do we have?

Mina: Wow.

- Really.

- Now I know

what my next podcast is gonna be about.

[footsteps thudding]

- So she's our mystery writer, all right,

and she wants a deadline extension.

- She can't get one, but in order to write...

Both: She needs some space.

- And then peace and quiet.

And just like that, the well comes through again.

- [chuckles]

- So, all we have to do

is tell Charlotte what the problem is

so that she can give her mom some space to write.

Easy peasy!

Sam!

Come on, we're gonna go tell Charlotte

how to help her mom.

Mina: Sam.

Both: Sam!

Library patrons: Shh!

- Yeah, you're gonna make it all good

with Charlotte and her mom.

I got it.

Good luck.

Ruby: [sighs]

♪

Xavier: Nyooom!

Bizooom.

Ruby: Uh, hi, Mrs. Donovan.

Mina: Oh!

Xavier: Zoooom.

Ruby: Oh, uh... Mina: Oh boy!

- Uh, can we talk to you for a second?

Uh--

Xavier: Mom, look at this!

- One second, baby, I'm talking.

Mina: Uh, what we were just trying to say--

- Xavier: Nyooooom.

Charlotte: Sorry, it can be hard to finish conversations

with him around.

- Heh heh.

- Or, get anything done, I bet.

- What do you mean?

Mina: Uh...

- Well, you know, your mom, uh...

- Go on.

Ruby: Oh man, maybe, maybe I shouldn't have.

Mina: We'll talk later, maybe.

- No, let's talk now.

Sam: Hey, guys!

Hey, Xav!

- Sam!

Sam: Hey, buddy!

Ruby: Ah!

Sam: How are ya?

Hey, Miss Donovan?

You've gotta tell your mom that she's got a new fan.

Ruby: Uh.

Charlotte: Uh?

Ruby: Sam, maybe not now.

- Um, okay.

Sam: Man, I just love

The Case of the One-Eyed Falcon,

I mean, it's epic.

Charlotte: Uh...

Ruby: Sam!

- You've gotta tell her I can't wait for a new one.

- Uh, Sam, please stop,

uh, we gotta go.

- Her new one?

What are you talking about?

- Well, I--

- Uh, nothing, nothing.

- My mom's writing again?

What do you know about this?

- No, we just--

Uh, your mom-- I--

Ruby: Uh, well, she wanted some space, and--

- Some space.

[scoffs]

Really.

I should have known.

I'm done.

Ruby: No, please!

Charlotte: C'mon, Xavier!

Xavier: Aww.

Ruby: No, I didn't--

No, please, uh, Mrs. Donovan, I--

That's not what we meant!

- What just happened?

- [sighs]

Oh, you know, just another wish...

granted.

♪

Ugh!

[sighs]

We're not wish granters, we're relationship wreckers!

Hey, wild idea.

Maybe we should try to fix this?

Mina: Sure!

Once you come up with a plan that won't backfire.

- But first, we need Sam's brain back.

I mean, where is he?

Mina: Downstairs,

with his nose stuck in Death in the Parlor.

He's hooked.

- Huh.

I mean, I get why Principal Donovan writes

under a pseudonym,

but why keep your writing secret from your own daughter?

- Maybe Charlotte's a failed writer

or she doesn't like her mother's books?

- [sighs]

There's only one way to find out,

and it involves me smoothing things over

with Charlotte.

[puffs out air with a whoosh]

Charlotte: A coupon for free babysitting?

- But it's conditional.

- Valid only if you agree to discuss something first.

- Is this about my mom?

- I feel terrible about what happened.

- I-it's not your fault.

It's mine.

- What do you mean?

- [sighs]

Growing up with a mother who writes

means I learned some things.

Ruby: Like giving her space?

Charlotte: Yep.

And with me and Xavier here, she has none.

I should have known, but now I can fix it.

Ruby: By finding her some space?

Charlotte: By finding my own.

I'm moving out.

Moving supplies.

Problem solved.

- Uh, moving out?

But your mom loves having you here!

I mean, she even told me!

- For sure, but, this was only supposed to be temporary.

Took everything in me to even ask.

I hate asking for help,

and then when I do, I'm in the way.

- Well, I'm sure if you just talk to her--

- She'd deny it.

- Okay, but--

- But, hey.

Thanks for the coupon.

[bag rustles]

Xavier, c'mon, sweetie!

Time to go inside.

Xavier: Okay.

[regretful music]

♪

- [sighs]

♪

Daniel: Ouch.

And she left it at that?

- Yeah.

I mean, at least she thanked me for the coupon,

but, still, denied.

Daniel: Ooo, this wish.

- Is kicking my royal behind.

Parents, kids,

will they ever understand each other?

- Mmmmm-hm.

- I mean, just when I thought

I solved Principal Donovan's wish,

I found out that Charlotte and her son are moving out,

but I don't think

that's what she or Principal Donovan want!

[sighs]

Charlotte made her choice,

and I made a mess of their family.

- They need to talk.

- They do.

- No more dancing around it.

- Yeah, get to the point!

- Say what you mean.

- Say what you feel.

- Yes.

- Yes.

I mean, when something's bugging you,

that's what you do, right?

Daniel: Mm-hm.

Ruby: What, are you supposed to be able

to read each other's minds

just because you're family?

- No.

Ruby: No!

Ugh.

[poignant music]

[exhales]

- Yeah.

♪

- [sighs]

♪

Ruby: Okay, there's a hard conversation

that Principal Donovan and Charlotte need to have,

and we solve this wish

by making it easy for them to have it.

- Easy to say, hard to do.

- Sam, a little help?

Sam?

Sam!

- Sorry!

I'm at such a good part.

- You've been reading that all day!

Sam: Yeah, you wanna know why?

The suspects are all locked in the parlor,

and the detective is about to reveal all.

Everybody's hanging on to her every word.

- Hanging on to her every word.

- AKA, really listening.

- So, that's what we do!

- That's exactly what we do!

- Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?

- We solve this wish like one of her mysteries!

Xavier: Let's play!

Sam: Okay.

Just, anything but smash.

Xavier: How about crash?

Sam: No.

Xavier: Boom.

Sam: No!

Xavier: Aww!

- Ah.

Sam: I got an idea.

[indistinct] park?

Charlotte: Sounds like Sam has his hands full up there,

heh.

Thanks again to all three of you

for coming over to help.

- That's what babysitters are for.

Um, there were some boxes in the dining room

that we weren't sure about.

- Oh, 'kay.

Ruby: Uh, Principal Donovan,

uh, we might have packed some of your stuff on accident.

Did you wanna go check?

- Yeah.

♪

- Initiate operation trap 'em in a room

and make them be honest about their feelings

so that we can finally solve this wish.

- Catchy.

- I thought this old radio bit the dust years ago.

Ruby: I'll tell you what bit the dust.

Your relationship.

[anticipatory music]

♪

You know what that means?

- I think I've read this one.

- I think I wrote this one.

- So?

- Nobody leaves this room until this crime is solved?

- Let the sleuthing begin!

♪

Charlotte: Can't believe they're doing this.

Principal Donovan: Wow.

It is kinda cute, and...

I do like resourceful kids, so...

- [breathy chuckle]

- Based on the clothing, the position,

and the glass,

I would say that this is Reginald Fenwick,

the victim in Death in the Parlor.

Poisoned lemonade.

Charlotte: Hmm, so should we look for some clues?

- Don't have to.

The detective found the first clue

hidden in the victim's collar.

Charlotte: Right.

Okay.

"Why did you keep your writing a secret from your daughter?"

Excellent question.

Principal Donovan: Well,

because I didn't want you to respond

in the way that you are responding.

- Look, sure, we're a total delight,

but admit it.

We're a nuisance.

Principal Donovan: No, you're not.

I mean, you are a bit too thoughtful.

I want you here.

[silence]

That wasn't the reason why I was hiding it.

[silence]

You know, when you were young, I felt guilty about writing.

I knew it, it took away from our time.

Charlotte: It did, but--

Principal Donovan: Yes, and I didn't want you to think

the same thing was going to happen

with Xavier.

- Now who's being too thoughtful?

[chuckles]

Mom, your writing was part of our life.

I loved falling asleep

to the sound of you on your typewriter

because I knew you were there.

[clock chimes on recording]

- Ah.

The chiming of the hour.

The murderer's confession was found

hidden in the grandfather clock.

Charlotte: There isn't a grandfather clock in here.

- No.

- Uh, but there is a picture of Granddad.

♪

[chuckles]

Confession time.

What are your hopes for the future?

Simple.

I want you to have writing time.

Principal Donovan: And I wanna help put Xavier through school.

A little bit of writing on the side really helps.

♪

[paper scuffs]

[revelatory piano arpeggio]

Oh!

[laughs]

Ah.

The final clue in Death in the Parlor.

A secret message written in invisible ink.

Ha!

♪

Lampshade.

Heat from the light will reveal the message.

"How about one hour of writing time each day?

And three hours on the weekend?"

- What do you think, Mom?

- I think it's perfect.

- [breathy chuckle]

Charlotte: Are you sure it's enough?

I, we could get out of your hair for longer.

- I won't stand for that.

[inhales]

This house is alive with you two in it.

- Do you really mean that?

- Yes.

Hmm.

You know I like writing, I do,

but, I love you two kids.

My heart just flips every time I see you.

I feel so full.

Full.

[laughs]

I couldn't think of a better word than full.

Some kinda writer I am.

[laughs]

- Yeah, well, then, I feel full, too.

♪

- [whispering] Come here.

I love you.

♪

[sniffs]

Charlotte: And, uh, we do have some pretty crafty babysitters.

[laughs]

- We do.

Charlotte: [laughs]

♪

[insects chirping in distance]

[soft ethereal music]

♪

- She wasn't a part of the wish.

♪

Daniel: Which one?

What do you think?

You always picked the one that you thought nobody went to.

And then we'd end up feeling sorry for it,

and then we'd pack up

and go to Macramé World or something.

♪

You made anything fun.

♪

- Dad?

- Hi.

I just, um...

Were you...?

- I do it, too.

- I know.

[tender music]

- Macramé World was a blast.

- [laughs]

Yeah.

Hey, you remember the dog-frog hat?

- Or was it a frog-dog hat?

Either way, an impressive piece of work.

- Yeah.

- Um...

I-I wanna talk to you about something.

- Hmm?

- Um...

[anticipatory music]

I don't wanna go zip lining.

Or tree trekking, or spelunking.

At least not this Saturday.

- Oh.

I just thought that--

Ruby: I-I, and I know.

But, this Saturday, I just...

Female Singer: ♪ Ah-ah-ay, ayyy-ah ♪

- I just wanna remember.

Female Singer: ♪ Ah-ah-ah ♪

♪ Ah-ay, ah-ay ♪

- Me, too.

Female Singer: ♪ Ah-ay-ah, ay-ay-ah ♪

♪ Ahhh, ah-ah-ah ♪

♪ Ahhh, ah ♪

- I got a better idea.

Ruby: Yeah?

Daniel: Yeah.

Ruby: When you care about someone,

you can tie yourself into knots dancing around their feelings,

and when you do that,

you spend all your time dancing

and none of your time actually feeling.

But saying what you need, hearing what someone else needs?

♪

And finding a way for both of you

to have what you need.

Do that, and suddenly, you're untangled.

Free to feel it all, together.

[tender music]

♪

- Happy birthday, my love.

- Happy birthday, Mom.

♪

[whooshing breath]

Female Singer: ♪ Ah-ah-ah, ay, ah ♪

♪ Ay-ah, ah-ahhh, ay-ay ♪

♪ Ah-ah-ay, ya, ya ♪

♪ Ahh, ay, ah-ah-ay ♪

♪ Ay, ay, ah-ah ♪

♪ Ay, ay, ay, a-ay ♪

♪