Robert Ellenstein: Exclamation Point

Quotes 

• [the kids are getting ready to leave Telezonia as they shake hands with Telly and his friends. Suddenly, as Exclamation Point rushes in to say goodbye to the kids, he falls and hurts himself. Everyone else commiserates. Telly turns to Joe] 

  Telly : We better call for help!

  [Holding hands, Telly and Joe rush to the nearest pay phone] 

  Exclamation Point : [weeping]  I hurt myself.

  [Joe picks up a pay phone's handset and Telly hands him some coins] 

  Telly : Here. Here's some coins. Put 'em in.

  [Joe inserts the coins] 

  Telly : Dial 0 for Operator and report an emergency.

  [With the handset to his ear, Joe dials 0] 

  Joe : We have an emergency. There's been an accident. Exclamation has fallen and hurt himself. Send help, please!

  Telly : Now tell them who you are and WHERE you are.

  Joe : This is Joe Armstrong. And we're in the Main Square of Telezonia.

  [Joe lowers the handset and covers the mouthpiece] 

  Joe : The operator wants to know our number.

  Telly : It's right in the center of the round dial, or if you're calling from a touch-tone dial, it's right at the bottom of the keyboard.

  Joe : [back on the phone]  555-2368. Well, bye.

  [Joe hangs up the handset] 

  Telly : Now stay by the phone in case they call back for more information or better directions.

  [Exclamation point continues to cry in pain. Just then, a siren wails from nearby. RX arrives to help Exclamation Point] 

  Telly : Here comes help. Come on.

  [Telly and Joe return to where they were. RX helps Exclamation Point up] 

  RX : Stick out your tongue.

  Exclamation Point : Ahhhh...

  RX : How do you feel?

  Exclamation Point : I'm much better, Doc.

  RX : He's all right now!

  [Everyone else cheers] 

  Exclamation Point : Thank you, Doc!

  [Exclamation Point shakes hands with RX, who leaves afterwards] 

  Exclamation Point : Bye!

  Telly : [turning to the kids]  Good going, group! Public phones should never be played with or damaged, because you never know when someone might want to make a call to help you someday.

  [Z hands some cards to Telly] 

  Telly : Oh, I almost forgot.

  [Telly clears his throat] 

  Telly : As a reward for your service, I hereby make you all honorary citizens of Telezonia!

  [Everyone cheers] 

  Telly : And issue you each a passport good for any time for proper use of a telephone.

  [One at a time, Telly hands the passports to Paul, Larry, Joe and Lisa] 

  Telly : Now you better be going or you'll miss your picnic.

  [Telly opens the door to the way out and the kids all say goodbye to everyone as they leave Telezonia]