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Transcript: The Case with No Questions
A child says, WEE!
TVO Kids and Sinking Ship Entertainment Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, pop]
Sly stands in front of his desk. He has short, curly black hair and wears an olive green jacket. Bright orange letters spell his name down the left side of his jacket.
[Upbeat music plays]
Sly says, DID A WORD THAT'S IMPORTANT
TO YOU GO MISSING?
Gabby stands beside her desk. Her long black hair is braided. She wears a black bowler hat, a blue-green cardigan, and a white blouse. On the left side of her cardigan, Gabby wears a name tag with her name in green.
Gabby says, AND NOW ALL YOU CAN FEEL,
DO, OR THINK IS THE OPPOSITE OF THAT WORD?
Sly says, THEN CALL US!
I'M SLY.
Gabby says, AND I'M GABBY.
WE'RE WORD DETECTIVES,
AND WE SOLVE...
Both say, WORD MYSTERIES!
Sly sits at his desk, a lime green laptop computer in front of him. On the top of the computer, a drawing of Sly holding a magnifying glass is displayed.
Sly says, TOGETHER, WE RUN THE WORDSVILLE
ONLINE DETECTIVE AGENCY.
Gabby says, WE'LL FIND YOUR MISSING
WORD, FAST.
Gabby sits at her desk behind a laptop computer. The top of Gabby’s computer has a drawing of a cat looking through a magnifying glass.
Sly says, NOT TO MENTION, BRISKLY.
Gabby says, AND SWIFTLY.
YEAH, WE'RE REALLY GOOD
WITH WORDS.
Children shout, WORDSVILLE!
Colourful letters spell Wordsville. A black magnifying glass lies over the letter 'W'. Text reads, Created by Christin Simms.
The menu at the top of Artist Clay’s website reads, What’s on, Online shop, Studio, About Me, Search and Log in.
The word, Search, is beside a magnifying glass icon. Beneath the menu, a colourful screen with a smiling green ice cream cone and blobs of paint has two options. White text on a red bar reads, Click on this link for new updates! White text on an orange bar reads, No new updates! Check again soon!
The red bar disappears and reappears as someone clicks on it.
[Clicking, upbeat music plays]
Gabby and Sly are on a video call.
In his office, Sly says, HEY, GABBY.
THAT'S WEIRD.
I WANTED TO ASK YOU
SOMETHING, BUT I CAN'T.
[Clicking]
In her office, Gabby says, JUST A SEC, I'M CHECKING
TO SEE IF ARTIST CLAY POSTED
ABOUT HIS TOP SECRET
MASTERPIECE YET.
NO ONE EVEN KNOWS
HE'S WORKING ON IT.
OOPS, I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT.
Sly says, DON'T WORRY,
HE TOLD ME ABOUT IT TOO.
I GUESS, HE'S NOT THAT GOOD
AT KEEPING THINGS TOP SECRET.
[Gabby chuckles]
Gabby says, NO, HE IS NOT.
Reporter Read’s photograph appears. Text above a green telephone receiver icon reads, Reporter Read Calling.
[Ringing]
Sly says, REPORTER READ'S CALLING.
NORMALLY,
I WOULD ASK ABOUT THE REASON,
BUT I GUESS, I'LL JUST ANSWER.
On the video call from her newsroom, Reporter Read wears a pink sweater and dark grey blazer. Her long, straight, dark brown hair is parted in the centre.
On the video call, Reporter Read says,
WORD DETECTIVES, I NEED YOUR HELP.
Gabby says, SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG.
HUH, I MEANT TO ASK THAT AS A QUESTION.
Reporter Read says, THAT'S WHY I'M CALLING!
SOMETHING IS MISSING. THIS PHOTO
IS FROM THE NEWSROOM PARTY.
Sly says, BUT YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE
WHO WORKS IN THE NEWSROOM.
A photograph shows Reporter Read standing in front of a bulletin board. Text on a banner pinned to the board reads, How to Investigate a News Story.
Text on slips of paper beneath the banner read, Inquire, Research, Observe, Examine, and Report.
Reporter Read says, THAT'S NOT THE POINT.
[Click, upbeat music continues]
Reporter Read says, THIS BOARD SHOWS HOW
I INVESTIGATE A NEWS STORY.
FIRST STEP I TAKE IS TO INQUIRE
BY ASKING QUESTIONS
ABOUT WHAT I'M INVESTIGATING.
LOOK!
[Ominous music plays]
Reporter Read turns her camera towards the board, and the word “Inquire” is gone.
Sly exclaims, THE WORD "INQUIRE" IS GONE.
I THINK IT'S A GOOD JOB FOR LATER.
[Camera shutter snaps]
Gabby says, NOW I UNDERSTAND
WHY WE CAN'T ASK QUESTIONS.
A dictionary definition appears beside Gabby. Above the definition are a lowercase and an uppercase letter I, a speaker icon, and text that reads, Inquire. Verb.
Gabby reads the definition aloud.
Gabby says, INQUIRE MEANS TO ASK
SOMEONE FOR INFORMATION.
AS IN, "I WOULD INQUIRE
HOW THIS HAPPENED,
BUT I CAN'T!"
Sly says, IF WE CAN'T
ASK FOR INFORMATION,
WE CAN'T SOLVE
THIS WORD MYSTERY.
Gabby says, WE CAN STILL INVESTIGATE,
WE JUST NEED TO DO IT
WITHOUT INQUIRING
OR ASKING QUESTIONS.
Sly says, WAIT, ON REPORTER READ'S
BOARD, IT SAYS "OBSERVE."
[Clicking]
Gabby says, OBSERVATIONS ARE WHAT
WE MAKE WHEN WE WATCH AND
NOTICE THINGS.
A yellow heading on a piece of paper beside Sly reads, Case Notes. A subheading reads, The Case With No Questions.
A paintbrush, a camera and a text icon are under the headings. Beneath the icons is the photograph of the bulletin board with green slime on the upper right corner.
Sly says, AND I OBSERVE
A BIG GLOB OF SLIME
IN THE SCENE
OF THE MYSTERY, THERE!
[Chiming]
Reporter Read says, THE SLIME IS
SCIENTIST COSMO'S INVENTION.
HE WAS HERE EARLIER.
Gabby says, TELL US WHAT HAPPENED,
SO SLY CAN ANIMATE IT FOR US.
Sly says, RECAP TIME!
Sly animates Reporter Read’s recap as she speaks. In the animation, Reporter Read sits at a desk. Scientist Cosmo enters the room. He wears a white laboratory coat, grey slacks, and an orange shirt with his name and a red and white robot on the front. He wears safety goggles pulled up over his short, straight black hair. He holds green slime in his left hand.
The computer-animated people have cut-out photographs of their heads on top of animated bodies.
[Clicking]
Reporter Read narrates, SCIENTIST COSMO
ASKED ME TO TAKE BACK A STORY
I WROTE YESTERDAY ABOUT HIS
INVENTION, STICKY SLIME.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO STICK STUFF TOGETHER,
BUT IT DIDN'T WORK.
SO I WROTE AN ARTICLE ABOUT IT.
[Squelching]
Reporter Read narrates, HE SAID
HE FIXED THE FORMULA,
BUT WHEN HE SHOWED IT TO ME,
IT EXPLODED AND SLIME WENT
EVERYWHERE.
Slime explodes and lands on the bulletin board, a filing cabinet, and the floor.
[Splattering]
Reporter Read narrates, THERE WAS
NO WAY I COULD TAKE BACK MY STORY
AFTER THAT.
AS I CLEANED UP, ARTIST CLAY
CAME TO TAKE SOME OLD NEWSPAPERS.
Computer animated Artist Clay wears a navy blue beret, a blue shirt and a blue smock. He picks up a stack of newspapers off the floor in front of the bulletin board.
Reporter Read narrates, I WAS
GOING TO INTERVIEW HIM
ABOUT HIS NEW MASTERPIECE,
BUT BY THE TIME I
SET UP MY VOICE RECORDER,
BOTH OF THEM
AND THE WORD "INQUIRE"
WERE GONE.
Sly’s animation ends.
[Dramatic music plays softly]
On the video call from her office, Gabby says, THAT MUST
HAVE BEEN UPSETTING.
Reporter Read says, YES, IT WAS.
Gabby says, THAT GIVES ME AN IDEA.
WE CAN USE STATEMENTS
TO GET INFORMATION.
Sly says, BUT QUESTIONS ASK SOMETHING,
AND STATEMENTS TELL SOMETHING.
Gabby says, EXACTLY, SLY, MAKE
A STATEMENT THAT TELLS US SOMETHING
THAT REPORTER READ
CAN AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH.
Sly says, OKAY, BAKER GRAHAM
AND FIREFIGHTER EMBER
CAME TO THE NEWSROOM TODAY.
Reporter Read says, NO, ARTIST CLAY
AND SCIENTIST COSMO CAME TO THE
NEWSROOM TODAY.
Sly says, I GET IT,
IF I TELL REPORTER READ
THE WORD "INQUIRE"
WENT MISSING--
Reporter Read says, YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.
AH, I SEE HOW THIS WORKS.
Gabby says, AND WE'LL WORK OUT
THIS WORD MYSTERY.
The phone call ends.
[Beep]
Sly says, CASE NOTES,
BUT WITH NO QUESTIONS.
The case notes appear beside Gabby. A bullet point beneath the photograph of the bulletin board reads, What: Someone took the word inquire.
Inquire is in red text.
Gabby says, ON IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED?
[Clicking]
Gabby says, SOMEONE TOOK
THE WORD "INQUIRE,"
AND NOW NO ONE CAN ASK QUESTIONS.
THIS IS WHERE IT HAPPENED, THE NEWSROOM.
THIS IS WHEN IT HAPPENED,
AS REPORTER READ
SET UP HER RECORDER.
Bullet points on the case note page read, Where: The Newsroom. When: Reporter Read set up recorder. Suspects:
Sly says, OUR SUSPECTS ARE
SCIENTIST COSMO AND ARTIST CLAY.
Photographs of Scientist Cosmo and Artist Clay appear, both with their names beneath them.
Sly says, NOW, TO FIND OUT WHO DID IT,
HOW AND WHY.
Gabby says, LET'S START
WITH SCIENTIST COSMO.
Scientist Cosmo’s photograph appears. Text above a green telephone receiver icon reads, Calling Scientist Cosmo.
[Ringing, serious music plays]
On the video call from his laboratory, Scientist Cosmo says,
WORD DETECTIVES, SOMETHING HAPPENED.
SOMETHING BAD, I CAN'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS,
AND ASKING WHY AND HOW THINGS HAPPEN
IS THE POINT OF BEING A SCIENTIST.
Sly says, THAT'S BECAUSE
THE WORD "INQUIRE" IS MISSING.
Gabby says, PLEASE RESPOND TO SOME
STATEMENTS, SO WE CAN
FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED.
Scientist Cosmo says, CERTAINLY.
Gabby says, TODAY
YOU WENT TO THE NEWSROOM.
Scientist Cosmo says, YES, I WANTED
REPORTER READ TO TAKE BACK
THAT INSENSITIVE STORY
SHE PRINTED ABOUT MY STICKY SLIME.
SHE WOULDN'T EVEN
ASK ME ONE QUESTION
ABOUT MY NEW FORMULA.
In the Case Notes, bullet points beneath Scientist Cosmo’s photograph read, Loves asking questions! Wanted Reporter Read to take back story. She wouldn’t ask him questions.
[Typing]
Scientist Cosmo says, SHE WAS TOO BUSY
INQUIRING ABOUT ARTIST CLAY'S
TOP SECRET MASTERPIECE,
WHICH WE ALL KNOW ABOUT.
Scientist Cosmo waves his slime-covered hands in front of him.
[Squelching]
Sly says, THERE'S SOMETHING WEIRD
GOING ON WITH YOUR HANDS.
Scientist Cosmo holds up his hands. A pen sticks to the slime on his right hand, and a cup sticks to the slime on his left hand.
Scientist Cosmo says, MY STICKY SLIME KIND OF
EXPLODED IN THE NEWSROOM.
I CLEANED IT UP, AND I GOT
STICKY SLIME ON MY HANDS
AND NOW EVERYTHING
I TOUCH STICKS TO ME.
Sly says, THAT'S AMAZING.
WE'LL BE IN TOUCH.
[Slime squelches]
Gabby says, UH-OH,
YOU'RE STUCK ON THE CALL.
Sly says, MAYBE TRY USING YOUR NOSE.
Scientist Cosmo leans forward and ends the call with his nose.
[Beep]
Gabby says, SCIENTIST COSMO
WAS UPSET REPORTER READ
WOULDN'T TAKE BACK HER STORY
OR INQUIRE ABOUT HIS NEW FORMULA.
A drawing of a splatter of green slime appears on top off Scientist Cosmo’s photograph in the case notes.
Sly says, LET'S SEE
WHAT ARTIST CLAY HAS TO SAY.
Artist Clay’s photograph appears. Text above a green telephone receiver icon reads, Calling Artist Clay.
[Ringing, serious music plays softly]
On the video call from his art studio, Artist Clay says, HELLO,
WE'RE WORD DETECTIVES.
YOU HAVE CALLED
FOR A REASON, I ASSUME.
Sly says, ARTIST CLAY,
WE NEED YOU TO RESPOND
TO SOME STATEMENTS LIKE...
Gabby says, THE TOP SECRET
MASTERPIECE IS READY,
AND YOU WANT TO SHOW US.
Artist Clay says, I DON'T KNOW
WHAT YOU MEAN.
Sly says, OKAY, HERE'S
OUR NEXT STATEMENT.
YOU WENT TO THE NEWSROOM TODAY.
Artist Clay says, YES, I NEEDED
OLD NEWSPAPERS FOR, UM, NO REASON.
In the Case Notes, a drawing of a stack of newspapers appears on top of Artist Clay’s photograph. Bullet points beneath the photograph read, Didn’t want to talk about secret masterpiece with us! Needed newspapers for?
Artist Clay says, I WAS ABOUT
TO TAKE THEM, AND GO
WHEN REPORTER READ
STOPPED ME TO DO AN INTERVIEW.
Gabby says, YOU MEAN
YOU ASKED REPORTER READ
IF YOU COULD TAKE
THE OLD NEWSPAPERS.
[Artist Clay laughs]
In the Case Notes, a bullet point beneath the photograph reads, Didn’t ask for newspapers.
Artist Clay says, NO, ASKING QUESTIONS
WOULD HAVE WASTED TIME.
NOW, I MUST GET BACK
TO WHAT I WAS DOING BEFORE.
Artist Clay ends the call.
[Beep]
Sly says, CASE NOTES THE TIME.
The case notes for Scientist Cosmo and Artist Clay appear side by side.
[Clicking]
Gabby says, SCIENTIST COSMO
WANTED REPORTER READ
TO TAKE BACK
HER STICKY SLIME STORY,
BUT WE KNOW
HE LOVES QUESTIONS.
Sly says, AND ARTIST CLAY DOES NOT.
HE TOOK THE OLD NEWSPAPER
WITHOUT ASKING.
In the bullet points, the words “questions”, “story”, “secret masterpiece”, and “didn’t ask” appear in red text.
Gabby says, HE ALSO DIDN'T WANT TO TALK
ABOUT HIS NEW TOP SECRET MASTERPIECE
WITH US OR REPORTER READ.
[Sly gasps]
Sly says, NOW WE KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED.
LET'S SHOW EVERYBODY ELSE.
Photographs of Gabby, Reporter Read, Sly, Scientist Cosmo, and Artist Clay appear. Text above a green telephone receiver icon reads, Multiple people are connecting to call.
[Ringing]
Sly says, NOW PRESENTING
THE WORD MYSTERY ANIMATED
RE-ENACTMENT OF...
[Drum roll]
Sly says, THE CASE WITH NO QUESTIONS.
Sly makes a computer animation of the Wordsville News building. Inside, computer animated Reporter Read sits at her desk. Scientist Cosmo approaches her, holding green slime. Both computer-animated people have cut-out photographs of their heads on top of their animated bodies.
Sly as Scientist Cosmo says,
REPORTER READ, PLEASE
TAKE BACK THAT STORY
ABOUT MY STICKY SLIME.
Gabby as Reporter Read says, NO.
Sly as Scientist Cosmo says, OKAY.
THEN DO A REPORT
ON MY NEW FORMULA.
IT'S SUPER STICKY NOW.
The slime explodes.
[Squelching]
Gabby as Reporter Read says,
DEFINITELY NO.
ARTIST CLAY!
Sly as Artist Clay says, I'M
TAKING THESE OLD NEWSPAPERS.
Gabby as Reporter Read says,
I WANT TO INQUIRE
ABOUT YOUR
RUMORED ART PROJECT.
I'LL GET MY VOICE RECORDER,
AND INTERVIEW YOU.
Sly as Artist Clay says,
I'D RATHER YOU DIDN'T INQUIRE.
Computer animated Artist Clay takes the word “inquire” off the bulletin board.
The animation ends.
Sly says, ARTIST CLAY
IS WHO DID IT!
[Reporter Read gasps]
Scientist Cosmo says, I KNEW IT!
Gabby explains, HE TOOK THE WORD
"INQUIRE" WHEN REPORTER READ
WASN'T LOOKING, THAT'S HOW.
Sly explains, AND HE DIDN'T WANT
REPORTER READ TO ASK HIM ANY QUESTIONS.
Gabby says, THAT'S WHY HE DID IT.
Artist Clay says, YOU'RE RIGHT,
THE ARTICLE IS GOING TO REVEAL
THAT I AM WORKING
ON A TOP SECRET MASTERPIECE.
Reporter Read says, I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS A SECRET.
EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT.
Artist Clay says, TELL ME WHO.
Gabby and Sly say, ME.
Scientist Cosmo says, ME TOO.
Artist Clay says, OH, SORRY
IF I'VE BEEN CRANKY.
MY MASTERPIECE
STILL NEEDS SOMETHING.
NORMALLY,
I'D ASK MYSELF WHAT'S MISSING.
BUT I CAN'T.
BECAUSE I TOOK "INQUIRE."
I MUST RETURN IT RIGHT AWAY,
SO I CAN FINISH MY ART.
Photographs of Gabby, Reporter Read, Sly, Scientist Cosmo, and Artist Clay appear. Text above a green telephone receiver icon reads, Multiple people are connecting to call.
[Ringing]
In the newsroom, the word “Inquire” is back on the bulletin board.
On the video call from the newsroom, Reporter Read says, THE WORD "INQUIRE" IS BACK!
On the video call from her office, Gabby nods.
On the video call from his laboratory, Scientist Cosmo says, FEELS GOOD TO ASK
QUESTIONS AGAIN, RIGHT?
On the video call from his art studio, Artist Clay says, IT DOES,
I'M SORRY FOR TAKING
THE WORD "INQUIRE"
FROM WORDSVILLE.
Reporter Read asks, MAY I PUT
A PICTURE OF YOUR MASTERPIECE
IN THE NEWSPAPER?
Artist Clay says, GREAT QUESTION.
YOU MAY. AND MY NEW
MASTERPIECE IS READY.
HERE IT IS!
Artist Clay pulls a cloth off a canvas. Pieces of newspapers spread fan-like in a circle around a question mark.
[Applause, cheering]
Scientist Cosmo says, NICE JOB, ARTIST CLAY.
Reporter Read says, IT'S BEAUTIFUL!
Artist Clay asks, ISN'T IT MAGNIFICENT?
THE QUESTION MARK
IS WHAT WAS MISSING.
Reporter Read, Scientist Cosmo, and Artist Clay say, THANKS, WORD DETECTIVES!
Each ends the call.
[Beeping]
Sly asks, BUT GABBY, I HAVE TO ASK,
WHAT DOES ARTIST CLAY'S
MASTERPIECE MEAN?
Gabby says, I THINK WE'RE SUPPOSED
TO FIND OUR OWN ANSWERS
TO THAT QUESTION.
[Both laugh]
[Upbeat music plays]
Voices sing, IT'S WORDSVILLE.
YEAH. WOO.
WITH GABBY. SLY.
IT'S WORDSVILLE.
End Credits.
Directed by: Tiffany Hsiung, Faran Moradi, Christin Simms. Written by: Amy Brown. Featuring: Word Detective Sly: Baeyen Hoffman. Word Detective Gabby: Mia Swaminathan. Scientist Cosmo: Rizal Candido. Reporter Read: Zahara Kerner. Artist Clay: Desmond Sivan. Executive Producers: J.J. Johnson, Blair Powers, Christin Simms. Produced in association with The WNET Group. Wordsville is made possible in part by Let’s Learn, funding by the J.P.B. Foundation. Produced in association with Knowledge:kids. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Logo: Sinking Ship Entertainment.
TVO Kids and Sinking Ship Entertainment Original.
[Child giggles, upbeat music plays, pop]
Sly stands in front of his desk. He has short, curly black hair and wears an olive green jacket. Bright orange letters spell his name down the left side of his jacket.
[Upbeat music plays]
Sly says, DID A WORD THAT'S IMPORTANT
TO YOU GO MISSING?
Gabby stands beside her desk. Her long black hair is braided. She wears a black bowler hat, a blue-green cardigan, and a white blouse. On the left side of her cardigan, Gabby wears a name tag with her name in green.
Gabby says, AND NOW ALL YOU CAN FEEL,
DO, OR THINK IS THE OPPOSITE OF THAT WORD?
Sly says, THEN CALL US!
I'M SLY.
Gabby says, AND I'M GABBY.
WE'RE WORD DETECTIVES,
AND WE SOLVE...
Both say, WORD MYSTERIES!
Sly sits at his desk, a lime green laptop computer in front of him. On the top of the computer, a drawing of Sly holding a magnifying glass is displayed.
Sly says, TOGETHER, WE RUN THE WORDSVILLE
ONLINE DETECTIVE AGENCY.
Gabby says, WE'LL FIND YOUR MISSING
WORD, FAST.
Gabby sits at her desk behind a laptop computer. The top of Gabby’s computer has a drawing of a cat looking through a magnifying glass.
Sly says, NOT TO MENTION, BRISKLY.
Gabby says, AND SWIFTLY.
YEAH, WE'RE REALLY GOOD
WITH WORDS.
Children shout, WORDSVILLE!
Colourful letters spell Wordsville. A black magnifying glass lies over the letter 'W'. Text reads, Created by Christin Simms.
The menu at the top of Artist Clay’s website reads, What’s on, Online shop, Studio, About Me, Search and Log in.
The word, Search, is beside a magnifying glass icon. Beneath the menu, a colourful screen with a smiling green ice cream cone and blobs of paint has two options. White text on a red bar reads, Click on this link for new updates! White text on an orange bar reads, No new updates! Check again soon!
The red bar disappears and reappears as someone clicks on it.
[Clicking, upbeat music plays]
Gabby and Sly are on a video call.
In his office, Sly says, HEY, GABBY.
THAT'S WEIRD.
I WANTED TO ASK YOU
SOMETHING, BUT I CAN'T.
[Clicking]
In her office, Gabby says, JUST A SEC, I'M CHECKING
TO SEE IF ARTIST CLAY POSTED
ABOUT HIS TOP SECRET
MASTERPIECE YET.
NO ONE EVEN KNOWS
HE'S WORKING ON IT.
OOPS, I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT.
Sly says, DON'T WORRY,
HE TOLD ME ABOUT IT TOO.
I GUESS, HE'S NOT THAT GOOD
AT KEEPING THINGS TOP SECRET.
[Gabby chuckles]
Gabby says, NO, HE IS NOT.
Reporter Read’s photograph appears. Text above a green telephone receiver icon reads, Reporter Read Calling.
[Ringing]
Sly says, REPORTER READ'S CALLING.
NORMALLY,
I WOULD ASK ABOUT THE REASON,
BUT I GUESS, I'LL JUST ANSWER.
On the video call from her newsroom, Reporter Read wears a pink sweater and dark grey blazer. Her long, straight, dark brown hair is parted in the centre.
On the video call, Reporter Read says,
WORD DETECTIVES, I NEED YOUR HELP.
Gabby says, SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG.
HUH, I MEANT TO ASK THAT AS A QUESTION.
Reporter Read says, THAT'S WHY I'M CALLING!
SOMETHING IS MISSING. THIS PHOTO
IS FROM THE NEWSROOM PARTY.
Sly says, BUT YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE
WHO WORKS IN THE NEWSROOM.
A photograph shows Reporter Read standing in front of a bulletin board. Text on a banner pinned to the board reads, How to Investigate a News Story.
Text on slips of paper beneath the banner read, Inquire, Research, Observe, Examine, and Report.
Reporter Read says, THAT'S NOT THE POINT.
[Click, upbeat music continues]
Reporter Read says, THIS BOARD SHOWS HOW
I INVESTIGATE A NEWS STORY.
FIRST STEP I TAKE IS TO INQUIRE
BY ASKING QUESTIONS
ABOUT WHAT I'M INVESTIGATING.
LOOK!
[Ominous music plays]
Reporter Read turns her camera towards the board, and the word “Inquire” is gone.
Sly exclaims, THE WORD "INQUIRE" IS GONE.
I THINK IT'S A GOOD JOB FOR LATER.
[Camera shutter snaps]
Gabby says, NOW I UNDERSTAND
WHY WE CAN'T ASK QUESTIONS.
A dictionary definition appears beside Gabby. Above the definition are a lowercase and an uppercase letter I, a speaker icon, and text that reads, Inquire. Verb.
Gabby reads the definition aloud.
Gabby says, INQUIRE MEANS TO ASK
SOMEONE FOR INFORMATION.
AS IN, "I WOULD INQUIRE
HOW THIS HAPPENED,
BUT I CAN'T!"
Sly says, IF WE CAN'T
ASK FOR INFORMATION,
WE CAN'T SOLVE
THIS WORD MYSTERY.
Gabby says, WE CAN STILL INVESTIGATE,
WE JUST NEED TO DO IT
WITHOUT INQUIRING
OR ASKING QUESTIONS.
Sly says, WAIT, ON REPORTER READ'S
BOARD, IT SAYS "OBSERVE."
[Clicking]
Gabby says, OBSERVATIONS ARE WHAT
WE MAKE WHEN WE WATCH AND
NOTICE THINGS.
A yellow heading on a piece of paper beside Sly reads, Case Notes. A subheading reads, The Case With No Questions.
A paintbrush, a camera and a text icon are under the headings. Beneath the icons is the photograph of the bulletin board with green slime on the upper right corner.
Sly says, AND I OBSERVE
A BIG GLOB OF SLIME
IN THE SCENE
OF THE MYSTERY, THERE!
[Chiming]
Reporter Read says, THE SLIME IS
SCIENTIST COSMO'S INVENTION.
HE WAS HERE EARLIER.
Gabby says, TELL US WHAT HAPPENED,
SO SLY CAN ANIMATE IT FOR US.
Sly says, RECAP TIME!
Sly animates Reporter Read’s recap as she speaks. In the animation, Reporter Read sits at a desk. Scientist Cosmo enters the room. He wears a white laboratory coat, grey slacks, and an orange shirt with his name and a red and white robot on the front. He wears safety goggles pulled up over his short, straight black hair. He holds green slime in his left hand.
The computer-animated people have cut-out photographs of their heads on top of animated bodies.
[Clicking]
Reporter Read narrates, SCIENTIST COSMO
ASKED ME TO TAKE BACK A STORY
I WROTE YESTERDAY ABOUT HIS
INVENTION, STICKY SLIME.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO STICK STUFF TOGETHER,
BUT IT DIDN'T WORK.
SO I WROTE AN ARTICLE ABOUT IT.
[Squelching]
Reporter Read narrates, HE SAID
HE FIXED THE FORMULA,
BUT WHEN HE SHOWED IT TO ME,
IT EXPLODED AND SLIME WENT
EVERYWHERE.
Slime explodes and lands on the bulletin board, a filing cabinet, and the floor.
[Splattering]
Reporter Read narrates, THERE WAS
NO WAY I COULD TAKE BACK MY STORY
AFTER THAT.
AS I CLEANED UP, ARTIST CLAY
CAME TO TAKE SOME OLD NEWSPAPERS.
Computer animated Artist Clay wears a navy blue beret, a blue shirt and a blue smock. He picks up a stack of newspapers off the floor in front of the bulletin board.
Reporter Read narrates, I WAS
GOING TO INTERVIEW HIM
ABOUT HIS NEW MASTERPIECE,
BUT BY THE TIME I
SET UP MY VOICE RECORDER,
BOTH OF THEM
AND THE WORD "INQUIRE"
WERE GONE.
Sly’s animation ends.
[Dramatic music plays softly]
On the video call from her office, Gabby says, THAT MUST
HAVE BEEN UPSETTING.
Reporter Read says, YES, IT WAS.
Gabby says, THAT GIVES ME AN IDEA.
WE CAN USE STATEMENTS
TO GET INFORMATION.
Sly says, BUT QUESTIONS ASK SOMETHING,
AND STATEMENTS TELL SOMETHING.
Gabby says, EXACTLY, SLY, MAKE
A STATEMENT THAT TELLS US SOMETHING
THAT REPORTER READ
CAN AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH.
Sly says, OKAY, BAKER GRAHAM
AND FIREFIGHTER EMBER
CAME TO THE NEWSROOM TODAY.
Reporter Read says, NO, ARTIST CLAY
AND SCIENTIST COSMO CAME TO THE
NEWSROOM TODAY.
Sly says, I GET IT,
IF I TELL REPORTER READ
THE WORD "INQUIRE"
WENT MISSING--
Reporter Read says, YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.
AH, I SEE HOW THIS WORKS.
Gabby says, AND WE'LL WORK OUT
THIS WORD MYSTERY.
The phone call ends.
[Beep]
Sly says, CASE NOTES,
BUT WITH NO QUESTIONS.
The case notes appear beside Gabby. A bullet point beneath the photograph of the bulletin board reads, What: Someone took the word inquire.
Inquire is in red text.
Gabby says, ON IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED?
[Clicking]
Gabby says, SOMEONE TOOK
THE WORD "INQUIRE,"
AND NOW NO ONE CAN ASK QUESTIONS.
THIS IS WHERE IT HAPPENED, THE NEWSROOM.
THIS IS WHEN IT HAPPENED,
AS REPORTER READ
SET UP HER RECORDER.
Bullet points on the case note page read, Where: The Newsroom. When: Reporter Read set up recorder. Suspects:
Sly says, OUR SUSPECTS ARE
SCIENTIST COSMO AND ARTIST CLAY.
Photographs of Scientist Cosmo and Artist Clay appear, both with their names beneath them.
Sly says, NOW, TO FIND OUT WHO DID IT,
HOW AND WHY.
Gabby says, LET'S START
WITH SCIENTIST COSMO.
Scientist Cosmo’s photograph appears. Text above a green telephone receiver icon reads, Calling Scientist Cosmo.
[Ringing, serious music plays]
On the video call from his laboratory, Scientist Cosmo says,
WORD DETECTIVES, SOMETHING HAPPENED.
SOMETHING BAD, I CAN'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS,
AND ASKING WHY AND HOW THINGS HAPPEN
IS THE POINT OF BEING A SCIENTIST.
Sly says, THAT'S BECAUSE
THE WORD "INQUIRE" IS MISSING.
Gabby says, PLEASE RESPOND TO SOME
STATEMENTS, SO WE CAN
FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED.
Scientist Cosmo says, CERTAINLY.
Gabby says, TODAY
YOU WENT TO THE NEWSROOM.
Scientist Cosmo says, YES, I WANTED
REPORTER READ TO TAKE BACK
THAT INSENSITIVE STORY
SHE PRINTED ABOUT MY STICKY SLIME.
SHE WOULDN'T EVEN
ASK ME ONE QUESTION
ABOUT MY NEW FORMULA.
In the Case Notes, bullet points beneath Scientist Cosmo’s photograph read, Loves asking questions! Wanted Reporter Read to take back story. She wouldn’t ask him questions.
[Typing]
Scientist Cosmo says, SHE WAS TOO BUSY
INQUIRING ABOUT ARTIST CLAY'S
TOP SECRET MASTERPIECE,
WHICH WE ALL KNOW ABOUT.
Scientist Cosmo waves his slime-covered hands in front of him.
[Squelching]
Sly says, THERE'S SOMETHING WEIRD
GOING ON WITH YOUR HANDS.
Scientist Cosmo holds up his hands. A pen sticks to the slime on his right hand, and a cup sticks to the slime on his left hand.
Scientist Cosmo says, MY STICKY SLIME KIND OF
EXPLODED IN THE NEWSROOM.
I CLEANED IT UP, AND I GOT
STICKY SLIME ON MY HANDS
AND NOW EVERYTHING
I TOUCH STICKS TO ME.
Sly says, THAT'S AMAZING.
WE'LL BE IN TOUCH.
[Slime squelches]
Gabby says, UH-OH,
YOU'RE STUCK ON THE CALL.
Sly says, MAYBE TRY USING YOUR NOSE.
Scientist Cosmo leans forward and ends the call with his nose.
[Beep]
Gabby says, SCIENTIST COSMO
WAS UPSET REPORTER READ
WOULDN'T TAKE BACK HER STORY
OR INQUIRE ABOUT HIS NEW FORMULA.
A drawing of a splatter of green slime appears on top off Scientist Cosmo’s photograph in the case notes.
Sly says, LET'S SEE
WHAT ARTIST CLAY HAS TO SAY.
Artist Clay’s photograph appears. Text above a green telephone receiver icon reads, Calling Artist Clay.
[Ringing, serious music plays softly]
On the video call from his art studio, Artist Clay says, HELLO,
WE'RE WORD DETECTIVES.
YOU HAVE CALLED
FOR A REASON, I ASSUME.
Sly says, ARTIST CLAY,
WE NEED YOU TO RESPOND
TO SOME STATEMENTS LIKE...
Gabby says, THE TOP SECRET
MASTERPIECE IS READY,
AND YOU WANT TO SHOW US.
Artist Clay says, I DON'T KNOW
WHAT YOU MEAN.
Sly says, OKAY, HERE'S
OUR NEXT STATEMENT.
YOU WENT TO THE NEWSROOM TODAY.
Artist Clay says, YES, I NEEDED
OLD NEWSPAPERS FOR, UM, NO REASON.
In the Case Notes, a drawing of a stack of newspapers appears on top of Artist Clay’s photograph. Bullet points beneath the photograph read, Didn’t want to talk about secret masterpiece with us! Needed newspapers for?
Artist Clay says, I WAS ABOUT
TO TAKE THEM, AND GO
WHEN REPORTER READ
STOPPED ME TO DO AN INTERVIEW.
Gabby says, YOU MEAN
YOU ASKED REPORTER READ
IF YOU COULD TAKE
THE OLD NEWSPAPERS.
[Artist Clay laughs]
In the Case Notes, a bullet point beneath the photograph reads, Didn’t ask for newspapers.
Artist Clay says, NO, ASKING QUESTIONS
WOULD HAVE WASTED TIME.
NOW, I MUST GET BACK
TO WHAT I WAS DOING BEFORE.
Artist Clay ends the call.
[Beep]
Sly says, CASE NOTES THE TIME.
The case notes for Scientist Cosmo and Artist Clay appear side by side.
[Clicking]
Gabby says, SCIENTIST COSMO
WANTED REPORTER READ
TO TAKE BACK
HER STICKY SLIME STORY,
BUT WE KNOW
HE LOVES QUESTIONS.
Sly says, AND ARTIST CLAY DOES NOT.
HE TOOK THE OLD NEWSPAPER
WITHOUT ASKING.
In the bullet points, the words “questions”, “story”, “secret masterpiece”, and “didn’t ask” appear in red text.
Gabby says, HE ALSO DIDN'T WANT TO TALK
ABOUT HIS NEW TOP SECRET MASTERPIECE
WITH US OR REPORTER READ.
[Sly gasps]
Sly says, NOW WE KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED.
LET'S SHOW EVERYBODY ELSE.
Photographs of Gabby, Reporter Read, Sly, Scientist Cosmo, and Artist Clay appear. Text above a green telephone receiver icon reads, Multiple people are connecting to call.
[Ringing]
Sly says, NOW PRESENTING
THE WORD MYSTERY ANIMATED
RE-ENACTMENT OF...
[Drum roll]
Sly says, THE CASE WITH NO QUESTIONS.
Sly makes a computer animation of the Wordsville News building. Inside, computer animated Reporter Read sits at her desk. Scientist Cosmo approaches her, holding green slime. Both computer-animated people have cut-out photographs of their heads on top of their animated bodies.
Sly as Scientist Cosmo says,
REPORTER READ, PLEASE
TAKE BACK THAT STORY
ABOUT MY STICKY SLIME.
Gabby as Reporter Read says, NO.
Sly as Scientist Cosmo says, OKAY.
THEN DO A REPORT
ON MY NEW FORMULA.
IT'S SUPER STICKY NOW.
The slime explodes.
[Squelching]
Gabby as Reporter Read says,
DEFINITELY NO.
ARTIST CLAY!
Sly as Artist Clay says, I'M
TAKING THESE OLD NEWSPAPERS.
Gabby as Reporter Read says,
I WANT TO INQUIRE
ABOUT YOUR
RUMORED ART PROJECT.
I'LL GET MY VOICE RECORDER,
AND INTERVIEW YOU.
Sly as Artist Clay says,
I'D RATHER YOU DIDN'T INQUIRE.
Computer animated Artist Clay takes the word “inquire” off the bulletin board.
The animation ends.
Sly says, ARTIST CLAY
IS WHO DID IT!
[Reporter Read gasps]
Scientist Cosmo says, I KNEW IT!
Gabby explains, HE TOOK THE WORD
"INQUIRE" WHEN REPORTER READ
WASN'T LOOKING, THAT'S HOW.
Sly explains, AND HE DIDN'T WANT
REPORTER READ TO ASK HIM ANY QUESTIONS.
Gabby says, THAT'S WHY HE DID IT.
Artist Clay says, YOU'RE RIGHT,
THE ARTICLE IS GOING TO REVEAL
THAT I AM WORKING
ON A TOP SECRET MASTERPIECE.
Reporter Read says, I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS A SECRET.
EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT.
Artist Clay says, TELL ME WHO.
Gabby and Sly say, ME.
Scientist Cosmo says, ME TOO.
Artist Clay says, OH, SORRY
IF I'VE BEEN CRANKY.
MY MASTERPIECE
STILL NEEDS SOMETHING.
NORMALLY,
I'D ASK MYSELF WHAT'S MISSING.
BUT I CAN'T.
BECAUSE I TOOK "INQUIRE."
I MUST RETURN IT RIGHT AWAY,
SO I CAN FINISH MY ART.
Photographs of Gabby, Reporter Read, Sly, Scientist Cosmo, and Artist Clay appear. Text above a green telephone receiver icon reads, Multiple people are connecting to call.
[Ringing]
In the newsroom, the word “Inquire” is back on the bulletin board.
On the video call from the newsroom, Reporter Read says, THE WORD "INQUIRE" IS BACK!
On the video call from her office, Gabby nods.
On the video call from his laboratory, Scientist Cosmo says, FEELS GOOD TO ASK
QUESTIONS AGAIN, RIGHT?
On the video call from his art studio, Artist Clay says, IT DOES,
I'M SORRY FOR TAKING
THE WORD "INQUIRE"
FROM WORDSVILLE.
Reporter Read asks, MAY I PUT
A PICTURE OF YOUR MASTERPIECE
IN THE NEWSPAPER?
Artist Clay says, GREAT QUESTION.
YOU MAY. AND MY NEW
MASTERPIECE IS READY.
HERE IT IS!
Artist Clay pulls a cloth off a canvas. Pieces of newspapers spread fan-like in a circle around a question mark.
[Applause, cheering]
Scientist Cosmo says, NICE JOB, ARTIST CLAY.
Reporter Read says, IT'S BEAUTIFUL!
Artist Clay asks, ISN'T IT MAGNIFICENT?
THE QUESTION MARK
IS WHAT WAS MISSING.
Reporter Read, Scientist Cosmo, and Artist Clay say, THANKS, WORD DETECTIVES!
Each ends the call.
[Beeping]
Sly asks, BUT GABBY, I HAVE TO ASK,
WHAT DOES ARTIST CLAY'S
MASTERPIECE MEAN?
Gabby says, I THINK WE'RE SUPPOSED
TO FIND OUR OWN ANSWERS
TO THAT QUESTION.
[Both laugh]
[Upbeat music plays]
Voices sing, IT'S WORDSVILLE.
YEAH. WOO.
WITH GABBY. SLY.
IT'S WORDSVILLE.
End Credits.
Directed by: Tiffany Hsiung, Faran Moradi, Christin Simms. Written by: Amy Brown. Featuring: Word Detective Sly: Baeyen Hoffman. Word Detective Gabby: Mia Swaminathan. Scientist Cosmo: Rizal Candido. Reporter Read: Zahara Kerner. Artist Clay: Desmond Sivan. Executive Producers: J.J. Johnson, Blair Powers, Christin Simms. Produced in association with The WNET Group. Wordsville is made possible in part by Let’s Learn, funding by the J.P.B. Foundation. Produced in association with Knowledge:kids. Produced in association with T.V.O. Kids. Logo: Sinking Ship Entertainment.
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