Oh. Sure is spooky out there.
Oh, hey! Is that Mrs. Croaker?
Ah, false alarm. It's just some kind of…
What the…?
Whew. Man, look at how far we are from home.
It's a big, scary world out there.
Kind of makes a little tadpole like me feel small and scared.
Well, hey!
Maybe some story time will help me take my mind off it.
- Hmm. This one. Hop Pop! - Oh!
What's wrong? We driving off a cliff? I knew I shouldn't have let Anne drive.
No, Hop Pop. Everything's fine.
I was just thinking it's a perfect time for story time!
Sorry, Polly, but no.
I was up all night driving and I really need to sleep.
Please, Hop Pop?
I guess one story couldn't hurt.
- Hop on up, little camper. - Aw.
Here we go.
"Fergus Frog finds a…"
Hop Pop!
Man, this road is treacherous.
Thank goodness I got you, Sprig.
Hey, don't mention it.
Now, let's see here… Looks like there's a sharp turn
- coming up on… - Sprig!
Guess what time it is?
Story time!
Not now, Polly.
- This stretch of road is dangerous and… - But it's a pop-up book!
Whoa!
- Hey! - Sprig, which way?
- Left or right? - Uh… Uh…
Right! No left!
What in tarnation?
This is what I get for letting you kids drive!
Wait, no! This wasn't our fault.
Yeah, yeah, whatever.
You three, inventory duty.
I'm driving from now on.
So much for story time.
Well, there's always bath time.
Hugs and scrubs at the same time!
Whoo!
Now, remember, kids, safety first.
How many mushroom bars do we got left?
Uh, 28, 29…
Boom! I'm filthy!
- What the heck, dude? - I was counting those!
Who wants to give me a bath?
No, not inside!
Aw, criminy! All our mushroom bars are mush.
What's all the ruckus?
It's Polly. She made a huge mess!
Come on, kids.
I'm too tired for this.
If you're tired, Hop Pop,
I know what'll wake you up.
Zap-tag! Just got to build up a charge, and…
- Polly, no! It's wet in here! - You're it!
Polly!
But you guys loved zap-tag back home.
Yeah, but we're not at home.
Don't have to tell me twice.
Look, there's a truck stop ahead.
We'll pull in and clean this mess up.
Also, I'm gonna need about 30 cups of coffee.
Sprig, Anne.
You two start cleaning out the fwagon.
Polly, go get some paper towels.
Okay, Hop Pop.
Whoa! A new friend!
Twinsies!
And I'm talking to a rock.
Order up.
All right, fam, got your paper towels right here!
- Man, what's with Polly today? - Huh?
Is it just me or is she being extra annoying?
I know. Zap-tag?
More like zap-pest.
- They can't all be winners. - Maybe she's just not cut out for this.
It's times like these when I wonder whether I should've left her
with Mrs. Croaker back home in Wartwood.
You don't mean that.
- You're just a little frustrated. - I'm sure she's got her reasons.
You're right. You're right.
I'm just so hoppin' tired!
Here, Hop Pop. Have some coffee.
Whoa, nelly!
Whoo-hoo! Now, let's get this show on the road!
Should've left me back in Wartwood, huh?
Well, if they don't want me on the trip,
maybe I won't go on the trip anymore!
Hey, Polly, we just wanted to say we understand…
Shh. She's napping. You never bother Polly while she's napping.
Oh, well. We'll just talk to her when she wakes up, then.
Never.
Ha-ha! When they see that's not me, they're gonna freak out
and then they're gonna come crawling back.
Serves them right.
All right, gang.
Let's get going!
Did they just leave without me?
Okay, got that out of my system.
I guess I live here now.
Starting over from scratch.
I don't know no one, and no one knows me!
- How's it hanging, Polly? - Sup, Soggy Joe?
Now where was I? Oh, yeah. So, I just wanted to have some fun,
like we did back home,
but they were all like, "Cut it out, Polly!"
So frustrating, right?
Mmm. Sounds to me like you were homesick
and trying to compensate by recreating a homelike environment
through familiar activities.
Without taking into consideration the inability of your family
to provide comfort at this juncture.
Also sounds like you have a problem revealing vulnerability,
even to those closest to you.
- Oh, yeah. Totally. - Mm-hm.
What the hey hey? I thought you truckers would be all grumpy and agree with me.
What's with all this maturity and biz?
When you spend a lot of time on the road alone,
there's not much to do but better yourself.
I just got my PhD.
Up top, sister.
Hey! Did any of y'all take the big, purple stone that was by the door here?
Uh, maybe. Why?
Because it weren't no stone.
It was the egg of a Roc, a giant, flesh-eating, ravenous bird.
Was about to sell the bugger to the circus.
Someone must've pinched it.
Too bad for them, though,
because that bird's gonna devour the first frog it sees once it hatches.
Which should be in about five minutes now.
Oh, no!
Who cares if they left me behind.
I gotta do something or the family's toast!
Soggy Joe, how fast can that thing go?
From now on, call me Speedy Joe.
- Do I have to? - It'll help, yeah.
Psst! Polly. I know Sprig said not to wake you.
But I thought you might like a little story time.
Polly?
What the…? Sprig!
Hop Pop! Code purple!
What?
She must be at the truck stop. We gotta go back!
Well, that's mildly concerning.
- Anything? - Not yet.
Wait up! I think I see them.
Looks like they're totally fine.
And not only that, they came back for me.
Hey, fam!
I'm right here!
Oh, no, you don't!
Hands off our snail!
Eat suds!
Joe, what is this? Wool?
Bee wool, actually. Thanks for noticing.
Hey! Those were expensive.
- Shut up and go faster! - Yes, ma'am!
Now hit the brakes!
- Wha… - Just do it!
Zap-tag, anyone?
That's right! You better run!
Nobody terrorizes my family but me!
You're all okay!
Oh, and you're welcome.
I'd also like to thank Speedy Joe for his help and…
Polly Petunia Plantar!
Uh-oh, full name.
- Could you give us a minute, Speedy Joe? - You got it!
Boop, boop, boop.
So.
Sorry about the killer bird.
Forget the killer bird!
Don't you ever run away from us again!
You hear me? We were worried sick!
What if something happened to you?
What if you'd gotten hurt or lost or worse?
I really am just trouble, aren't I?
You were right.
Maybe you should've left me back in Wartwood.
Heard all that, did you?
Polly, I'd never leave you behind.
- Not ever. - We shouldn't have been so harsh.
You're such a tough, little tadpole,
we forget you need a little loving occasionally.
Thanks, guys. Aw.
Sorry to interrupt, but do you guys need a tow to the next stop?
Betcha they'll have everything you need to fix up your wagon.
- Fwagon. - Is that a word?
Well, now that we got a breather, who's ready for story time?
- Yeah! - I'm 13, but okay.
All right, now where were we?
"Rain poured from the sky
as Fergus Frog faced his wife's killer in the deserted alleyway.
'Taking me out won't bring her back, ' growled the assassin.
'Ain't that a shame, ' said Fergus as he drew his knife!"
Ho, ho! Get 'em, Fergus!
Man, this book is dark.
All right, kids. We're about to hit the Dry Swamp.
Here, Anne. You're gonna wanna hydrate.
That's okay, dude. It's still a swamp. How dry could it be…?
- Give me that stuff. - Whee!
Welcome to the Dry Swamp, Anne.
Home to giant, frog-eating sand worms.
Bandits. Vagabonds.
You'd know of course if you'd ever read the classic play.
Fear the Dry Swamp.
- Oh, brother. - He's gonna act.
Hark. For I am homeless.
I am friendless.
I am the Dry Swamp.
You know, I was this close to getting the lead part once.
- You don't say. - Yep.
Before I was a farm frog, your Hop Pop had dreams.
Next life, I suppose.
Hey, you! Head towards that dune! We got a caravan on the other side.
- And this thing's spooked by numbers. - What?
Hey. Thanks for your help out there.
Don't mention it.
You folks really shouldn't be out here on your own.
Haven't you ever read Fear the Dry Swamp?
You know that play?
Know it? Ha! I directed it! Renee Frodgers is the name
and managing this acting troupe is my game.
An acting troupe?
- Here? - Wow. What are the chances?
Say, why don't you folks join our caravan?
We could use extra stagehands, and you know what they say:
"Safety in numbers."
We're in!
Welcome to our humble operation.
To be or not to be.
Ooh. Oh.
Hey, Francis! Show these youngsters to the kids' wagon.
As you wish, madame.
- I am Francois, heir to House D'arncool. - He's method.
- Uh… He's what…? What? - It means he embodies a character
on and off set.
- Duh! - Ha-ha!
Sharp as a tack, HP. Care to join me in my trailer?
- I'd love to pitch our latest production. - Would I?
You three are free to join me if you wish. Ha-ha!
Wow.
That guy is the coolest kid I've ever met!
- Let's go with him. - I'm in.
- Yeah! - Absolutely not.
I was in a school play once. It was awful. And this place is bringing back memories.
D I'm a tooth That's the truth d.
Four out of five dentists agree, I was traumatized.
Anyways, see you dudes later.
I've got a complicated jigsaw puzzle with my name on it.
Yes, my babies. Yes.
Okay. Bye.
Here we are. We're in the middle of casting our lead.
- But none of the candidates are popping. - What are you looking for?
Eh. Older gent. Rough around the edges, but still has a good heart.
Someone like you. Too bad you're not an actor.
Actually, I am an actor.
That so? Huh. You wanna audition?
Hark! For I am homeless.
I am friendless.
- I am… - Stop! You're hitting me.
But you're not knocking me out. Know what I mean?
- No. - You're not right for the part.
Oh.
Super. Guess we're all done here, then.
That was your cue to leave.
These kids are so cool.
If only I could be one of them.
Eh, can't be that hard. Here!
- Hey! Watch it! - Heh.
Sorry. I'm Sprig, by the way.
We don't use our real names here.
For we must become our characters.
Well, then I'm Spruueg Plantoir.
Your nemesis.
En garde!
I don't believe you.
Come on Polly, let's get out of here. Huh?
Who's Polly, governor? I'm Lydia Davenport.
The black widow!
Ignore him, Lydia.
He clearly doesn't have enough character.
Character.
I'm gonna get in with this group if it's the last thing I do.
Okay, this is starting to get a little sad.
Sad?
Sad!
I'll tell you what's sad.
Sad is having a dream that will never come true!
Sad is knowing you'll never be more than a vegetable farmer.
But you know what?
I'd still rather be sad and have a dream
than live life without one.
Huh?
Now that's what I've been looking for.
Theater is truth,
and, baby, you just served up a heaping spoonful.
You got the lead part, Hopediah.
Now let's get this show on the road.
Literally.
Oh, come on!
Thank you.
Oh, yeah!
Say, Renee, I got a dialogue suggestion for page nine that could…
Huh? Renee?
The next town's bank has two guards unarmed.
We wait till Hopediah's big death scene, then take 'em out!
Excuse me.
Is this a bad time?
Aw, nuts.
Boys, will you give us a moment?
Renee, what? What's going on?
Hop Pop, since you're the lead, I'll level with you.
We're trying to find the best way to rob this next town blind.
- Care for a drink? - Oh, no, thank you.
Wait, what? Why?
Truth be told, there's not much coin in theater these days.
We're barely scraping by as is.
So, we travel from town to town
and while people are transfixed by our amazing plays…
Blamo! We take what we deserve.
But this is wrong!
What's wrong is how under appreciated the arts are.
Besides, we only take what we need.
And just think about what this play means to you.
You're the lead.
- Every dream has its price, am I right? - Well…
That's the spirit. We'll see you tomorrow for the big night.
Anne! The play's a distraction for a bank robbery.
On one hand, that's awful.
But on the other hand, we need to support the arts, right?
What? No!
They're using you to commit crimes.
You can't pretend you don't know that.
Hm. I probably could.
I'm a very good actor, you know.
Thanks for the advice, Anne.
Anne!
The theater kids don't like me!
Seriously? It doesn't matter what those theater dorks think.
You're right.
It matters what they feel.
I just have to speak to their hearts.
Thanks, Anne. Bye!
Anne! I love you, girl!
I love you, too, dude!
I hear these guys are good.
I'm excited.
I am a common frog.
Yet my soul burns with the spirit of
revolution!
Francois! Francois!
Francois, just hear me out.
I've always wanted to be a part of a gang of friends.
And if you give me a chance,
we can become more than just a group of friends.
We can become a family.
Ugh. What are you talking about?
You know what, Francois. I'm sick of this.
Keep your snotty attitude and your dumb accent.
I'm out!
That intensity.
That hatred.
Now, this I believe!
You're in!
Yay!
All right, boys. That's our cue.
Cease this nonsense, Archibald Hopperdink.
Join us and we'll make all your dreams come true.
Never!
Only a selfish frog would put his own dreams
against the needs of others.
Against justice, against righteousness.
Goodbye, my dream.
Didn't know you long, but you were a swell fella.
I… I don't remember this part.
Everyone, this is a sham!
They're robbing you blind!
The jig is up, boys!
Every frog for themselves!
Finally.
Dah! You idiot!
What about your big break?
Your dream?
That's the thing about dreams, Renee.
Sooner or later, you gotta wake up!
Renee!
Ha-ha!
Now that's dramatic.
I got you! I got you!
Oops. Kind of misjudged that arc.
Philistines!
Barbarians.
Hey, thanks a lot for helping us out, actor guy.
Aw, don't mention it.
And you're sure you didn't know nothing about this robbery beforehand?
Scout's honor.
Dude! I told you not to help them rob a bank!
Uh, she's joking.
Good one, Anne.
Hey, Hop Pop.
We joined the theater gang!
Just like you!
Silly, kids, making jokes.
Well, gotta go. Bye!
Movies are better!