Smoke 'Em Out Struggle/Transcript

Pre-Headache
(One peaceful night, Keith is going for a walk down the street with Cherry, who seems to have calmed down after her previous demonic meltdown at the end of the Tankman episode. As the two of them walk, Keith doesn’t understand why his girlfriend’s father is constantly after him even though the blue-haired rapper is trying his best to treat his daughter well.)

Keith: *sighs* I just don’t get it, Cherry. I’m responsible, I’m respectful, I’ve got a really solid career building up...Why does your dad want me dead so much?

Cherry: Oh, he’s probably just going through one of his moods again. He should calm down in...I don’t know, a few years, I guess.

Keith: (horrified) Years?! I can’t keep outwitting his deathtraps for that long!

Cherry: Of course you can! Don’t worry, I’ll be right beside you every time, cheering you on like I always do!

Keith: (feeling comforted by Cherry’s words) Yeah...I know you will...But only for a little while longer!

(Keith pulls something out of his pocket. It’s a piece of paper containing an address)

Keith: If the rumors are true, there’s a church here in this part of town that specializes in freeing people from their demons! And...they give out free ice cream, apparently. All I gotta do is drop off Cherry at her home, drop by the church and get my sins forgiven, and Daddy Dearest will have to stalk someone else for once! We can finally date in peace!

(Keith stuffs the address back into his pocket and continues his walk with Cherry)

Keith: At least today was uneventful. We’re almost home, and this time, there’s nothing to keep us from…

(Suddenly, they notice a strange, mint green colored smoke appear in front of them)

Keith: Ooh, pretty colors!

(Keith and Cherry notice that the smoke is coming from a back alley)

Cherry: What? Is that glowing smoke coming from the alleyway?

Keith: (hypnotized by the colors) Yeah...Don’t you wanna check it out?

Cherry: (feeling unsure) I dunno, it feels like this might be another one of Dad’s traps. And besides, the last time we went into the alley, things didn’t go very well…

Keith: Ooh, look, it’s blue now, though!

Cherry: (getting annoyed) Do you really wanna risk everything just because the smoke is…

(Suddenly, she starts to get hypnotized by the colors as well)

Cherry: Bluuue...Let’s get a closer look…

Keith: Yeah…

(Keith and Cherry go into the alley to follow the smoke, where they see a strange man with teal hair and a brown hat covering up his eyes. He appears to be smoking a magic cigarette, which might be where the smoke is coming from. Once Keith and Cherry come face to face with this strange man, they immediately snap out of their trance.)

Cherry: Whoa, who is this guy? I’ve never seen anyone like him before...

Garcello: What’s up, little man? Did the smoke catch your attention?

Keith: ...Huh? Where am I? I saw this glowing blue smoke and everything got all...funky...Dude, how do you even MAKE blue smoke? Cook a Smurf or something?

Garcello: Why don’t you try one of these cool cigarettes and find out? Here, have a puff and see what nice colors you can make.

Keith: Ehh...I think I’ll pass. I’ve watched enough creepy drug PSAs to fear smoking, and...respect whatever you’re doing from a safe distance.

Garcello: Are you sure? Come on…

Keith: (getting nervous) Look, that snake guy that jumpscares addicts might be real and I do NOT wanna find out. I honestly think you should lay off the smoke. It’s not good for you.

Garcello: Hmm...Tell you what. If you beat me in a friendly little rap battle, I’ll get off your case. Sound cool, little man?

(Keith gasps, getting excited at this mention. If this situation involves a rap battle, he’s all in for it)

Keith: THAT IS THE COOLEST A RAP BATTLE CHALLENGE HAS EVER SOUNDED!

Garcello: *chuckles* That got you hyped up. It’s settled, then. As long as you don’t mind me smoking a bit. Helps calm the nerves and puts my mind at ease, y’know?

Keith: Alright! Let’s do it! Er...the rap battle, I mean. By the way, what’s your name?

Garcello: Oh, uh, my name’s Garcello.

Keith: Well, Mr. Garcello, I’m ready as I’ll ever be! Hit it!

(And so, the rap battle begins. Cherry summons her speakers and sits on them to start the first song)

Garcello: Now let me see if I can unseat some of those...misconceptions about smoking you’ve got cloudin’ up that brain of yours.

(With that, he and Keith begin to sing. Surprisingly, even though Garcello is a heavy smoker, his voice doesn’t sound weak or scratchy like you’d expect from one. Instead, it sounds very pleasant and soothing. It has a very smooth and calm tone and sounds like a cross between tenor and baritone in pitch)

Headache
Garcello: Take a puff of this, man Have fun, life is fleetin’...

Keith: Don’t know how your lungs can Take that kinda beatin’...

Garcello: Who cares how your lungs feel When you’re breathin’ rainbows in the air Don’t just stare Try it!

Keith: (overlapping) I can see the appeal But I’d rather watch what you emit!

Garcello: Can’t do this forever Why not take the chance to learn the skill?

Keith: ‘Fraid I ain’t that clever, I’d just cough up white and feel ill! Take a breath

Garcello: (overlapping) It ain’t hard, not one bit! Sing and let the smokes handle the rest And just like magic, plumes of...

Both: Color/colors blossom out of your chest

Garcello: Bet the girl in the center would enjoy your newfound powers!

Keith: Man, with you as my mentor, I could entertain for hours!

Garcello: Plus, it fends off attackers! Lose ‘em quick with a big smokescreen!

Keith: Could avoid any rappers if I had that, see what you mean!

Garcello: Seems like you’re onboard Take this and start a new chapter in your career!

Keith: But when I record, Won’t smoking make everything sound weak and unclear?

Garcello: Just listen to my voice! Smoked for years, does this sound weak or unclear to you? Get a clue You’re fine!

Keith: (overlapping) Guess this is the right choice… Never thought a smoker would change my point of view But...

Garcello: Here, I’ll hand you the lighter You can keep it, now you’ll smoke free!

Keith: Isn’t smoking addictive, Damaging long-term and costly?

Garcello: While most might end up tragic Smoke all you want, these don’t leave New ones grow back! That’s a fact! All true!

Keith: (overlapping) Hold on, those things are magic? That brings a whole lotta questions in view!

Where’d they come from? Why don’t you try to sell ‘em?

Garcello: All the local merchants don’t wanna smell ‘em!

Keith: Won’t you miss ‘em? Doubt you’re gonna find more!

Garcello: Gifting these is all I’ve ever asked for!

Keith: Just don’t get it! Why give up that cool trick?

Garcello: Got a headache, smoke so much I get sick!

Both: But you’d use ‘em wisely, better than I could, take ‘em from me for good!/Doubt I’d use ‘em any better than you could, take ‘em back, they’re no good!

(The song finishes. Keith still isn’t convinced that smoking is a good thing, and refuses to give it a try)

Keith: Sorry, pal. I just don’t think smoking is right for me…

(Suddenly, he gets distracted by the colorful smoke that Garcello is puffing out again)

Keith: (gasps) OMIGOD, WAS THAT A RED ONE?!

Garcello: Ehhh...yeah?

Keith: I TAKE BACK EVERYTHING. LET ME AT ‘EM!

Cherry: Keith, get a hold of yourself!

Garcello: Is, uh, the smoke gettin’ to ya again? Didn’t think that could happen twice…

Keith: YOU SEEM NOT TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH I LIKE RED. IT’S, LIKE, MY FAVORITE COLOR, MAN!

Cherry: Keith, try to resist...

Garcello: (shocked) That’s...really all it took?

Keith: Yup! Gosh, I can’t wait to look as cool as you!

Garcello: Allright. I’ll let you try one.

(Suddenly, before Garcello can hand one of his magic cigarettes to Keith, he gets a tight feeling in his chest)

Garcello: GRRK!

Keith: Whoa, dude! You okay? You don’t look so well...

Garcello: Mm...Hhh...Hey, uh...little man...m-maybe you should think a little more on this before you decide? I...I mean, I didn’t REALLY win that first rap battle, did I?

Keith: (confused) Huh? Sure, I guess.

Cherry: Well, why don’t you guys keep going, then? You sounded pretty good during that last song. How about another round?

Garcello: Oh? You want me to keep going? F-fine by me. I’m enjoying this, actually. I gotta admit, m-my chest is starting to feel funny, but...I-I’m not giving up just yet. One more song couldn’t hurt...right?

Keith: Dude, I think you should just quit while you’re at it.

Garcello: Look, I know smoking looks cool, but just...hear me out on this one, okay?

(With that, the second song starts)

Nerves
Garcello: *cough* Little man, don’t think you know just What you’re in for if you take up my old vice!

Keith: Gosh, that cough’s sure hard to ignore Must have smoked those for decades and paid the price!

Garcello: Not at all, I’m barely twenty-six now! These things made my health slowly descend!

Keith: Why haven’t you quit yet? Clearly somehow, Those weird smokes are gonna be your end!

Garcello: Tried everything, just can’t stop!

Keith: You’d better, before you drop!

Garcello: How should I explain,

Both: Let me start from the top.../Just start from the top!

Garcello: *starts coughing in time to the beat*

Keith: (in time to Garcello’s coughs) Deep breaths! Keep chill! Hang on! Now spill!

Garcello: It was just a couple years ago, I was passing through a Daddy Dearest concert and ran into my fate…

Keith: Just bein’ around that guy’s bad for your health I’ve had lots of close shaves myself, don’t feel too great…

Garcello: Wasn’t even him, just an old, gray dancer Pretty colored smoke puffs entranced me and drew me to his pad…

Keith: So the smoke’s enchanting after the cig’s lit! That’s why we popped in once we saw it, thought I was goin’ mad!

Garcello: He taught me how to blow... *cough*

Keith: Learned everything you know From his show…

Garcello: Wasn’t just a smoker, man, That demon’s voice was really smooth Timed his puffs between his notes The world glowed when he grooved How could I...

Keith: (overlapping) Bet it was a neat performance, but he was a demon Why would you ever hesitate to…

Both: Say no to that guy?

Garcello: Back then, I was nothing, a dumb, depressive teen Singin’ like that guy would boost up my self-esteem Once I got it down pat, he held his right hand out, told me… “Take these, kid, and you’ll stand out and look as cool as me”

Keith: And you almost passed on the cycle, didn’t you? Never woulda wanted to try ‘em if I knew! Still, it’s gotta hurt when your mentor leads you wrong Giving you a boost with a nice song, then crushing all your glee

Garcello: Once I smoked them... He smiled a devilish smile Cackling as his gray hair turned to black

Keith: He toyed with you for awhile And cursed you when he passed on the pack!

(Garcello gives one more cough, finishing the song)

Cherry: So that’s what happened? One of my dad’s henchmen disguised himself and cursed you into smoking those magic cigarettes?

Garcello: Y-yeah...I could never forget how…(coughs)...used I felt that day. And every day after, I felt even worse every time I gave in to the urge to smoke one more.

Keith: (concerned) And when you fought that urge?

Garcello: I threw them away. I…(coughs)...burned them to pieces. I buried ‘em deep in the earth. But they just kept coming back.

(Garcello coughs some more)

Garcello: And I just kept smoking ‘em.

Keith: And kept trying to stick someone else with them?

Garcello: Nah, I stopped trying to pawn ‘em off a long…(coughs twice)...Time ago. You...were a special case. The big man himself appeared outta nowhere and told me to hook ya or I’d get the hook for…(coughs twice)...costin’ him his best roadie.

Cherry: (shocked) “Big Man”? You don’t mean my dad, do you?!

Keith: You...defied Daddy Dearest for a teenager you just met?

Garcello: (chuckles) Yep. I’m probably an idiot. But you got some tight bars, little man. You should take those to the top of the charts, not…(coughs twice)...the bottom of a grave. Haha, man, I don’t even wanna think about what he’s gonna do to me once he finds out I couldn’t…(coughs twice)...finish the job. Maybe just one more…(coughs)...smoke to calm my nerves…

Keith: Wait, Garcello, don’t you think you’ve had enough now?

Garcello: It’s just one more. Nothing bad is gonna happen to me, right?

Cherry: I don’t know about that...

(Garcello lights up another cigarette and begins to smoke it. Suddenly, he drops it and clutches his chest. He begins to cough uncontrollably, puffing out smoke from his lungs. And then, something incredible happens. A huge gust of smoke pours right out of Garcello’s mouth, much to the amazement of Keith and Cherry. Garcello drops dead, and his ghost appears in the form of the green smoke. Garcello realizes that he died and became a ghost, but isn’t too surprised about it)

Garcello: Oh. Huh...Would ya look at that. I guess I overdid it on the smoke, huh? Can’t believe my body’s really back there. Crazy...

Keith: (gasps) Dude...you...you died…

Cherry: And now you’re a ghost.

Garcello: It’s alright. I’d rather it be me than you. That hurt like hell, but it’s probably still better than what Daddy Dearest was going to do to me. At least I don’t have to worry about him anymore.

Keith: (concerned) Do you...know how long you’ll stay here like this?

Garcello: Sorry, kiddo, I can’t stay for long. But maybe...just long enough to wrap up some unfinished business. Even if our time was short, let’s end things off with a bang, little man.

Keith: Uh...okay.

(With that, the next song starts)

Garcello: Now, what business did I have to finish, anyway? I guess bills and work don’t matter anymore...Oh! That’s right! Annie!

Keith: Annie?

Cherry: Who’s that?

Release
Garcello: When you’re puffin’ out smoke like a train Not too many folks wanna hang around…

Keith: So those cigarettes caused extra pain Isolating you from the folks in town…

Garcello: Prob’ly didn’t help me in the least Tryin’ to make ‘em all smoke my pack

Keith: No time for regrets, man, you’re deceased! Who’s “Annie”? Do you two go far back?

Garcello: Met her in the same way I met you Puffin’ clouds of smoke out real sadly

Keith: She got drawn in by pretty smoke, too? Bet she wanted ‘em really badly!

Garcello: That’s the funny part, didn’t want ‘em! Said her Liquid was all she cared for!

Keith: Even tryin’ your best to flaunt ‘em Her addiction helped even the score!

Garcello: (That’s true…) (And more!) Usually folks snap out of it and run She sat and talked, I told her the whole dang spiel

Keith: Guess it’s pretty rare for anyone To meet a fellow addict with the same deal

Garcello: Once she heard my story, started thinkin’ Chugged her Liquid, hulked up and brought me home!

Keith: She becomes a monster when she’s drinkin’? Shoulda bolted, but...

Garcello: (Yup…)

Both: Hey, who would’ve known?

Garcello: Put me down on the floor Got some flasks out and started to mix them into a cup Told me she’d fix my curse

Keith: That’s wild! What did you say? Sure ain’t every day you meet somebody trying to play nurse

Garcello: Took a swig of it Things couldn’t get worse

Keith: So she thought her drugs would counteract yours? Lookin’ at ya now, guess it kinda failed

Garcello: You could say that, but she tried a bunch more Made me visit her until she prevailed

Keith: She prevailed in one thing Got you off the streets and stopped you pushin’ drugs onto folks like me

Garcello: Even if her work was incomplete I still enjoyed havin’ her as company

Keith: (She was good company)

Garcello: Last week, she left for new components Swore this would finally break me of my need to smoke from that pack

Keith: I see now, as your last opponent, Promise I’ll tell her about all the stuff that happened here once she’s back

Garcello: (Tight bars, little man.) Even though it ended rough, glad I got to meet you!

Keith: Don’t go, haven’t had enough, I still gotta defeat you

Garcello: Don’t worry, you won this one, and finished up my business

Keith: C’mon, man, we’ve just begun, she could come back and fix this!

Garcello: Don’t want her to worry now, she’s been working so hard Now that I’m past curing, this can be her big release

Keith: Guess there’s nothin’ we can do to save you from the graveyard Hope it’s reassuring she helped you pass on in peace

Garcello: Now let’s fill the stars With some vocals from those tight bars!

Both: Don’t know what Your story holds/My story holds Pages runnin’ out on mine/yours Sure, you’ll/I’ll be spinnin’ out gold If you/I don’t back down! So after we’ve parted ways/Gonna try my best once we part ways Promise me that you’ll keep your head up on rainy days/Live through every test, fight through sad days, come what may Keep on singin’ and you’ll/I’ll be world renowned!

(The song finishes, and now the sun is starting to rise. Garcello sees this and smiles.)

Garcello: Man...would you look at that - the sun’s rising and I won’t be awake for once.

Keith: It’s funny...When we were singing, I felt like everything was gonna be okay, even though I knew it wasn’t...

Garcello: That’s the power of music, little man. It lifts the spirits. Well, uh, literally, in my case. (chuckles) Sorry for dying on you, by the way. I would’ve loved to funk with ya more, but this is my fault.

Keith: But...if I had just listened to Cherry when she told me it was one of Daddy Dearest’s traps...I wouldn’t have walked back here and you’d still be alive…

Garcello: Nah, Daddy Dearest would’ve killed me for failing, took the pack and tricked you himself. I would’ve died for nothing.

Keith: But what if…

Garcello: (chuckles) It's alright, little dude. I didn’t want that thing killing ya. You’re actually really cool. One way or another, I knew that soon it would be my time to go. I’m just glad it wasn’t yours. I don’t think it’s gonna be yours for a long time, either. You and your girlfriend have a lot going on, and I don’t want to add to it. I’m sure you’ll win her dad over eventually.

Cherry: Mhm...Yeah, I agree.

Garcello: But until you do, you’ve got someone by your side that cares enough to keep you from making the same mistakes I did...Haha...Man, if only I had met Annie sooner…

Keith: (sighs) I really hope she takes all this okay…

Garcello: Yeah...Hey, I’ve got enough time for one last send-off, little man. Wanna sing one more song with me?

Keith: To...lift your spirits?

Garcello: To lift yours. You two stay safe, alright?

Keith: (perking up a little) ...Okay, I’m ready.

Garcello: Cool. I think I am, too.

(With that, Garcello and Keith sing one last little song together before Garcello leaves for the afterlife)

Fading
Garcello: Time’s movin’ slowly My vision is fading But until I go, we can keep serenading, friend

Keith: I’m gonna miss ya Even though we just met This night has been blissful

Both: Your smile’s one I won’t ever forget I know you’re sad, but please don’t fret/A little sad but I won’t fret Once I’m faded and gone/Do my best to move on Take the final step…

Garcello: So sing me to sleep And fill me up with dreams Just let the sun come up, and set my spirit free now

Keith: This is your release We’ll let you rest in peace And I really hope that

Both: I’ll/You’ll have a good time in the afterlife And even after I/you fade away I hope I can see you again someday...

(As Keith and Garcello hold the last note of the song, the deceased smoker-turned-ghost smiles and fades away to go spend the afterlife in heaven or who-knows-where. Keith and Cherry are disappointed and quite sad when they see that Garcello is gone.)

Keith: So...that’s it, huh?

Cherry: I...couldn’t find the right words to say to him when he was here...And now that he’s gone, I...All I can think of is...How I’m going to miss him even though we just met him.

Keith: Yeah...Me too...He was such a cool guy. How are we going to tell Annie about this?

Cherry: I don’t know. I guess the best thing we can do is say goodbye to him.

(Keith and Cherry look at Garcello’s dead body and hang their heads in sorrow. Keith looks like he’s trying not to cry)

Cherry: Goodbye, Garcello.

Keith: Goodbye, Garcello. We’ll miss you.

(Suddenly, they hear a voice cry out…)

Voice: Hellooo, Garcello!

(They turn their heads and see a girl with long black hair and wearing a black beanie with cat ears rushing into the alley with a shopping bag from the liquor store. Even though she’s a girl, she has quite a deep, masculine-sounding voice. This girl is Annie, whom Garcello was talking about)

Annie: I’m back! Let’s pour these liquids in you and kick that curse in its stupid curse face!

(Suddenly, she stops and sees Keith and Cherry standing in front of Garcello’s dead body)

Annie: ...Huh? Who are you? And where’s Garcy?

(Keith and Cherry look at each other, knowing they will have to tell Annie the sad truth about her friend’s demise)

Keith: I’m sorry to tell you this, Annie...but…I’m afraid you’re too late.

(Keith steps aside to reveal Garcello’s body to Annie)

Keith: He’s...dead and gone…

Annie: (gasps) WHAT?!

(Annie drops the bag she was carrying, shattering the bottles...and her hopes of curing Garcello from his smoking addiction. She bursts into tears and runs over to her deceased friend’s corpse)

Annie: Oh, no, no, no...Not now...not this...I was so close!

Keith: I’m sorry, Annie.

Annie: He...he told you about me, huh?

Cherry: He sure did. He told us a lot.

Keith: And he wanted me to tell you that...you helped him be at peace before the cigarettes took him.

Annie: (coldly) Oh, okay. That makes me feel a lot better.

Keith: Really?

Annie: (out of both sadness and anger) NO! Of course it doesn’t! He was my best friend! I don’t want him to be at peace! I want him to be at my house, eating all the Cheez-Its like he always does! And laughing too loud, and speaking too soft, and...and making me feel like I’m good enough…

Keith: I...I think you’re good enough.

Annie: Then why couldn’t I save him?! He tried to get you to take the cigarettes, didn’t he?

Keith: Uh, not exactly…

Annie: DIDN’T HE?!

Keith: He...did, because…

Annie: Because he didn’t think I was good enough to save him.

Cherry: No. My dad forced him to do it. But he fought back and refused.

Keith: He never stopped believing in you.

Annie: ...Never?

Keith: Never.

Annie: (feeling comforted by Keith and Cherry’s words) Huh...I didn’t know he cared about me so much.

Cherry: I don’t think we can save him anymore, but...I think there’s one thing we can do.

(Cherry walks over to Garcello’s pack of cursed cigarettes and raises her high heel above it, preparing to crush the whole thing.)

Cherry: We can honor his last wish and take the final step.

Annie: What are you talking about?

Keith: Wait, I think I know what you mean, Cherry...The final step...That’s it! Those cigarettes aren’t stuck to anyone right now. If we stomp out the pack, nobody else will pick it up and get cursed!

Annie: (feeling better) Yeah. That...would be good. It would probably make him happy if no more innocent people suffered because of Daddy Dearest.

Keith: Ughh...Yeah…

(Keith takes the paper containing the address for the church he was planning on going to out of his pocket as Annie raises her shoe to stomp on the pack)

Annie: Okay, I’m ready.

Keith: Hmmm…

(Keith decides to crumple the paper up and throw it to the ground)

Keith: I guess I’m better off being Daddy Dearest’s target than getting help from that church. I don’t want others to suffer his wrath. The only person who has to suffer it is me, and I’m okay with that.

Annie: Well, what are you waiting for? Are you going to crush this thing with us or not?

(Keith raises up his sneaker and prepares to stomp on the pack with Annie and Cherry)

Keith: Yeah, I think I am ready.

Annie: All right. Let’s do this. For Garcello.

Keith and Cherry: For Garcello.

Annie: Ready...set...stomp!

(All three of them begin to stomp on the pack, destroying the curse of the magic cigarettes. Somewhere in the afterlife, Garcello is watching this spectacle and smiles because the three good friends he made are honoring his final wish)

Garcello: I can’t believe it. The curse is finally lifted. You really crushed it, Annie. I’m so grateful that you’re doing this for me. Thank you.

(Garcello then turns to the audience and talks to them)

Garcello: That was an interesting story, huh? Well, kids, I hope you learned something today. No matter how cool or tempting it looks, smoking ain’t a good idea. You’ll never know what kind of damage it can do to your body. It’s also super addictive, and once you start, it’s really hard to stop. So, for the sake of your health and safety, please don’t smoke or do drugs, or you’ll very much end up like me. All right, I’m gonna go to Ghost McDonald’s. And, uh...hopefully, I’ll get to see Annie and that blue-haired boy again very soon. Stay cool, kids. See ya.

(Garcello tilts his hat up, revealing his eyes. He then smiles, winks, and gives a peace sign before flying away to go eat at the nearest Ghost McDonald’s. Who knows when he might see Annie, Keith, and Cherry again? Only time will tell.)