Ernie is watching a movie on TV as Bert walks in Bert: Ernie, what are you watching? Ernie: Oh, it's a great old movie Bert. B: What is it? E: It's called ... it's just uh Cowboys in Outerspace Bert. B: Ernie? Ernie? (E: Look at that!) Uh, can't you do something else besides watch TV? I mean, you've been watching TV all day long. E: Well gee, like what Bert? I mean, it's raining outside Bert. B: Well, I know it's raining, but Ernie there are other things to do inside besides watching TV. E: Oh yeah? Well, like what Bert? AH! B: What what? E: Look at that! Those are just actors Bert. B: I know, I'm trying to think what else you can do. E: Ooh! Did you see that one Bert? B: How 'bout reading? How bout reading? You can read, we have a lot of books here. E: Reading? Well, I don't know Bert, I really don't feel like reading right now, Bert. B: Oh. Well....um.. E: AH! B: How 'bout writing a story? Hey, that's good Ernie, writing a story. E: Writing a story? B: Wouldn't that be fun, you could write your very own story. E: Writing a story. That's a pretty good idea Bert. B: Yeah. (Bert laughs) E: Hey Bert, would you help me if I were to write a story, would you help me? B: Well, I suppose I could give you ideas. Yeah, I'll help you, sure. E: OK, Great. B: Great. E: Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm... B (Faces camera) Terrific. Wow, no TV set on all day long. Oh great. E: Hey Bert? B: Huh? E: C'mere Bert. B: Yeah, well what do you want? (Ernie and Bert are off camera) B: Ernie! What are you doing? E: Uh, we're writing a story Bert. B: This is not writing a story! (Ernie and Bert come in, Bert has a waste paper basket on his head) E: This is the first stage, planning to write a story. You see, you can't just sit down and write a story, you have to plan to write it, and that's what I'm doing. Now, we've got paper, I'll take that paper Bert. Let's see we have paper to write on. And I have pencils right here to write with Bert. B: *sigh* E: And then I have my handy dandy pencil sharpener. And I have my eraser here Bert for any mistakes I might make, see I can erase them. B: Uh-huh. E: And I have a waste paper basket to put in .. a waste paper basket ... Bert, have you seen my waste paper basket? B: Ask me that again and look into my eyes. E: Have you seen ... Have you seen .. Oh! This is my waste paper basket. B: Of course it's your waste basket!! You put it on my head! E: Oh, thank you Bert. B: Yeah, thank you. E: That's my waste paper basket for throwing stuff in when I make a mistake, you see? B: Ok, now Ernie, Ernie. You have planned your whole adventure in writing a story. E: That's true. B: All planned to the last detail ... all planned. E: Right. B: OK, now go to it. E: OK, I'll see you around. B: Ho, ho wait, well, where are you going? E: I'm going to go outside and play in the puddles. B: But why? E: Well, you see Bert, I can't think of anything to write right now, Bert. But, when I DO think of something, I have it all planned. And thanks to you Bert, I couldn't have done it without you. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm. (Bert rests his head on the basket and shakes it in disappointment)