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The Taming of the Two

Album: 41: In Hot Pursuit

Episode: 528

Lesson/Theme: Teamwork

Bible Verse: Ecclesiastes 4

Characters: Bart, Edwin, Whit

Writer: Nathan Hoobler

Sound Designer: Jonathan Crowe

Original Air Date: October 11, 2003

Last Air Date: May 23, 2005

Description:
Bart Rathbone needs a classier image for the Electric Palace, but Edwin Blackgaard says it’s out of the question for him to do commercials. Bart goes searching for another Shakespearean actor and finds Malcolm Lear. Malcolm thinks Bart should do more than advertising: why not a Shakespeare festival at the Harlequin Theatre? However, Edwin unexpectedly shows up as Malcolm is taking over his theatre for the show, Edwin isn't thrilled about the idea, especially when he learns his old rival Malcolm is in charge of it. Yet rather than give Malcolm a stage to himself, Edwin opts to let the show go on..featuring him as a star, naturally. The festival’s grand prize--a choice of any item at the Electric Palace--motivates Nick and Xavier to work up a Shakespearean act. Whit encourages them to take Shakespeare and adapt it, i.e. perform a Romeo and Juliet scene as if it were a sports movie or detective story. The boys love the idea. Though they pass auditions, Xavier gets tired of Nick changing the script. They argue, and the duo splits. On the night of the festival, both Malcolm and Edwin have severe colds. Thus Bart must host the event, introducing Nick’s solo act to a very cold reception. Until, that is, Xavier calls from the crowd and the two friends perform an impromptu act. Still trying to upstage each other, Malcolm and Edwin end up performing a soliloquy together. Their coughing and sneezing turn Shakespeare into a comedy! Nick and Xavier win the prize, and Bart hires the two of them to do his commercials.

Questions:
Why were Edwin and Malcolm always trying to look better than the other? How could Nick and Xavier have tried harder to work out their problem? The two boys won the prize when they came back together. Can you think of anyone with whom you need to reconcile?