| This is a transcript of a film, episode or soundtrack. Please note that not all content in all transcripts may be verbatim from the source material. Also, because filming (and editing) sometimes departs from the written script or lyrics, transcript content may not identically match the actual script used during filming or recording. If you see any errors, please feel free to correct them. |
SCENE: Avonlea, Lawson’s store
Perry: [off-screen] I can hardly wait to read it.
Diana Barry: Finally, E.J. Lark’s latest book!
Anne Shirley: And I’m the first to own a copy. The Great North chronicles Martin Frobisher’s heroic adventures as he valiantly strives to find the Northwest Passage. How thrilling!
Perry: Yeah. How treacherous.
Diana: How cold.
Anne: [sighs] You two lack heroic spirit.
Diana: Oh, I loved his book where John Cabot landed in Newfoundland.
Perry: [off-screen] My favourite was the story of Captain Cook, discovering New Zealand.
Anne: What about Magellan sailing around the world? Or Cartier charting the Saint Lawrence River? Or Columbus landing in The Bahamas. [grunts] Or Dr. Livingston exploring Africa. [sighs] I suppose all E.J. Lark’s books are my favourite. His latest will be the best yet.
Perry: I wonder what he’s like.
Anne: Like his heroes, of course. Couragoues and gallant and oh so debonair.
Gilbert Blythe: Aaaa. Ugh.
Anne: Unlike some people.
Diana: Don’t you wish you could meet him?
Gilbert: We can… [panting]
Anne, Diana and Perry: We can?
Gilbert: E… E.J. Lark…
Anne, Diana and Perry: What?
Gilbert: [panting] Is co– Is coming.
Anne, Diana and Perry: Where?
Gilbert: [panting] To Avonlea.
Anne, Diana and Perry: Here?
Gilbert: [panting] Tomorrow.
Diana: [off-screen] Why would the gallant and debonair E.J. Lark come to little old Avonlea?
Gilbert: Well, he’s on a whistle stop tour to promote his new book. [panting]
Diana: You mean we can meet the author?
Perry: And get our books signed?
Anne: Except that’s my book, Perry.
Perry: Come on, Gilbert. Let’s get our own.
Anne: We’ll show E.J. Lark around Avonlea and become bosom friends. He’ll probably dedicate his next book to me. “For Anne Shirley, who follows in my footsteps.”
Diana: Anne, Mr. Lark will be back on his train as soon as the conductor blows his whistle. He won’t even leave the platform.
Anne: Then Diana, we have to come up with a plan to keep Mr. Lark in Avonlea longer.
SCENE: Green Gables yard, later
Anne: Ahoy, we could hide his luggage.
Diana: Argh. He won’t bring it off the train. How about we put a boulder on the tracks?
Anne: Ahoy!
Too dangerous. I know! We could entice him with Marilla’s baking.
Diana: Then he’ll just take a slice of pie on the train with him.
Anne: [sighs] How can we keep our treasured novelist in Avonlea?
Diana: If we only had experience with heroes.
Anne: If there were heroes in Avonlea, then I’d know who to talk about at Heritage Night.
Diana: Oh, that’s soon. Who are you honouring?
Anne: Oh, Diana, I’m a desert of inspiration. If I could just talk with the heroic E.J. Lark, I’m sure he’d give me an idea.
Matthew Cuthbert: [off-screen] Ahoy, mates!
Anne: Matthew. We are in the most hopeless of quandaries.
Matthew: Well now, if this fella’s books are about explorers, he might enjoy a trip to the cliffs of Avonlea.
Anne: What’s interesting about the cliffs of Avonlea?
Matthew: The black rocks of Avonlea Bay. Well, that’s where the good ship Antonio was dashed to pieces in a storm many years ago.
Diana: Now, that would interest him.
Anne: Interest him? It’s just the thing to inspire his new book! Think of it. Avonlea… immortalized forever in a work of enduring literature.
Matthew: You think so?
Diana: We’re going to need your help tomorrow, Mr. Cuthbert.
Matthew: Me?
SCENE: Train station, the following day
Anne: So, you know the plan?
Matthew: Yeah, I drive past the station when I come back from the horse auction.
Anne: And Matthew, I implore you, don’t be late.
[off-screen] We need you there if he agrees to go sight-seeing.
Matthew: I’ll be on time.
[off-screen] Good luck, girls.
Anne: You too.
Come on.
SCENE: Train station, later
Perry: Oh, he’s coming. He’s coming!
Gilbert: A photo with my swashbuckling hero.
Anne: E.J. Lark is hardly a common swashbuckler. He’s gallant and debonair.
Perry: Say… does anybody know what E.J. Lark looks like?
Diana: I guess not.
Gilbert: Who cares? He’s here.
Anne: Oh, the anticipation is killing me.
E.J. Lark: Oh, oh.
Perry: Well, they aren’t E.J. Lark.
Anne: Where is he?
Excuse me, Ma’am. [coughs] Could you tell me if the gallant and debonair E.J. Lark is travelling on this train?
E.J. Lark: I should think so… oh. Oh, oh.
Anne: What a relief. I was afraid he’d overlooked our little town. Well, where is he?
E.J. Lark: Actually, I am E.J. Lark.
Anne: [gasps]
Children: You?
SCENE: Train station, later
Gilbert: Nobody wants their picture with her.
Anne: She’s nothing like the hero she writes about.
Diana: Oh, she signed all my books!
Anne: [sighs]
Diana: She was telling me about the most amazing challenges she’s overcome and–
Anne: I’m not interested. She’s a far cry from the gallant and debonair author I expected.
Diana: Uh oh.
Matthew: Right on time. A sight-seeing ride for the gentle– Woman?
Diana: I told Miss Lark about the Avonlea cliffs. She’d love to come.
Matthew: Oh, well now, you see… I-I didn’t know I’d be drivin’ a woman around.
Diana: Oh, but she’s very nice.
E.J. Lark: Here’s my luggage. I’ve decided to spend some extra time in this charming town. E.J. Lark.
Matthew: Uh, um…
Diana: Hm, this is Anne and her guardian, Matthew Cuthbert.
E.J. Lark: Pleased to meet you.
Matthew: [chuckles]
Diana: Well, shall we?
Anne: [off-screen, giggles]
Matthew: Here you go, Mister… or… Ma’am. [mutters]
E.J. Lark: Uh.
Matthew: [gasps] Get up, man, uh, Miss, oh!
E.J. Lark: Oh, dear.
Matthew: Oh, this is terrible.
E.J. Lark: I certainly can’t see the Avonlea cliffs now.
Anne: [off-screen] Take your glasses to Dr. Sung. He can make new lenses by tomorrow.
Diana: Miss Lark, you’ll have to stay in Avonlea! Overnight.
E.J. Lark: I suppose I will.
Mr. Cuthbert, would you show me to a guest house?
Matthew: Uh. Eh. Sure.
Diana: [off-screen] Oh, Anne, isn’t this the best of luck? [laughs]
SCENE: Green Gables kitchen, later
Anne: [off-screen] My heart is heavy with disappointment, Marilla.
I had thought I’d find a hero in E.J. Lark, but I was sorely mistaken.
Matthew: [whistles]
Marilla Cuthbert: She’s certainly entranced my brother.
Matthew Cuthbert, I dare say this is the first time you’ve ever been late for the milking.
Matthew: Well now, Marilla, she needed an escort through town. Her glasses were broken.
Marilla: You never say peep to a woman.
Matthew: Say, Anne, would you lend me one of Miss Lark’s novels?
Marilla: [off-screen] Matthew!
If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you were smitten.
Matthew: Oh, oh, no, it-it’s purely a… a…
Anne: A literary interest!
Matthew: Exactly.
Anne: Matthew, as far as I’m concerned, you can have your pick.
Matthew: A literary interest, Marilla.
SCENE: Anne’s bedroom, later
Anne: Oh, I have nothing to read. I suppose there is E.J. Lark’s latest book. The writer may not be especially heroic, but I might be able to force my eyes to read this.
“Martin Frobisher was on his first voyage through the harsh Arctic water surrounding the North Pole. He was in search of the impossible, a route through the Asia.”
Hm.
SCENE: Anne’s imagination, ship on the sea, captain’s cabin
Anne: [off-screen] “It seemed all hope was lost for crew and ship, when Frobisher’s trusty first mate brought even worse news.”
Diana/First Mate: Mutiny, Sir!
[off-screen] Gallway’s turning the crew against you.
Anne/Martin Frobisher: Against me, the great Martin Frobisher?
Diana/First Mate: Afraid so, Sir. He says you don’t have what it takes to find the Northwest Passage.
Anne/Frobisher: The insubordinate rogue! He’ll walk the plank for that.
Matthew/Navigator: Captain, as your navigator I’d advise against it.
Anne/Frobisher: Then I’ll confront him myself.
SCENE: Anne’s imagination, On the deck, later
Gilbert/Gallway: I say we dump the Cap’n.
Anne/Frobisher: Say that to my face you lily-livered jellyfish.
Gilbert/Gallway: Me? You’re the most unheroic sailor I know! You think you’ll lead us through these waters?
Anne/Frobisher: I will.
Gilbert/Gallway: [laughs] Look at him, a spindly stick of a sailor, nothin’ more.
Anne/Frobisher: Being a hero takes more than looks, Gallway.
Gilbert/Gallway: Does it? Oh, yeah? Well, what does it take? [groans]
Perry/Barrelman: Arg, we be struck on an iceberg.
Matthew/Navigator: Now, you tell us.
Gilbert/Gallway: Abandon ship, abandon ship, we’re sinkin’. [groans]
Felicity: [gasps]
Anne/Frobisher: No need to panic, this takes some creative thinking.
First mate?
Diana/First Mate: Aye aye, Sir.
Anne/Frobisher: Were we going a safe speed?
Diana/First Mate: Yes, Captain.
Marilla: All’s well down below, Sir.
Gilbert/Gallway: Do not believe her. We’re sinkin’!
Matthew/Navigator: The problem, Captain, is that the wind is pushin’ us against the iceberg. We’re stuck to it.
Gilbert/Gallway: Jump. It’s your last chance.
Anne/Frobisher: Drop the sails.
Gilbert/Gallway: Drop the sails? You crazy?
Anne/Frobisher: I know the winds at this latitude. We drop sail and when the winds shift, I’ll give the call.
Diana/First Mate: And we sail backwards?
Anne/Frobisher: Precisely.
Diana/First Mate: You heard your captain. Drop sail.
SCENE: Anne’s imagination, Ship, later
Perry/Barrelman: Arg. Ahoy! Not a breath of air.
Gilbert/Gallway: That’ll never work.
Anne/Frobisher: Now!
Perry/Barrelman: Ha! It worked!
Gilbert/Gallway: Do not believe it. Jump, jump now!
Polar Bear: [growls]
Gilbert/Gallway: [yells]
Bear: [growls]
SCENE: Anne’s imagination, ship, later
Gilbert/Gallway: Forgive me, Cap’n. I-I misjudged ya. Are we at capacity?
Diana/First Mate: Appearances aren’t everything, Gallway.
Matthew/Navigator: I’ll say. A cool head and a good dose of ingenuity makes a hero more than broad shoulders everyday.
Anne/Frobisher: [off-screen] You’re forgiven, Gallway, this time.
We have a much more important mission ahead of us.
SCENE: Anne’s bedroom, present day, later
Anne: “Find the Northwest Passage.”
What an enthralling first chapter. Poor Captain Frobisher was sorely misjudged all because he didn’t look the part of a heroic explorer. Hm. Miss Lark may not look like my idea of a dashing novelist, but she has the imagination to write great books. I guess I jumped ship on her. Tomorrow I will uncover the heroism of Miss Lark.
SCENE: Anne’s bedroom, following morning
Anne: There, that ought to do the trick. Now that I look like Miss Lark, I can show her my own heroic capacity. [grunts]
SCENE: Green Gables, later
Anne: I’m heading out to find Miss Lark. I’ll be back later. [yells]
Marilla: What was that?
Anne: Eh. Nothing. I’m fine. [grunts]
Marilla: Well, of all things.
Matthew: Huh?
Anne: [grunts]
Marilla: What’s that girl up to now?
SCENE: Avonlea main street, later
Anne: I’m certainly turning heads. Now I only have to get the attention and admiration of… Huh? [grunts]
E.J. Lark: Thank you, Dr. Sung.
Anne: [grunts]
E.J. Lark: [gasps] Oh, my glasses!
Anne: Got them!
E.J. Lark: Oh, what a place.
Anne: Oh, Miss Lark. I had hoped to make a good impression and I’ve only created a tragedy.
E.J. Lark: Oh, I’ve written many a tragedy and this is far from one.
Anne: Oh, I wasted my golden opportunity yesterday and so wanted to show you my own heroic capabilities.
E.J. Lark: A scarf doesn’t make me a writer, Anne.
Anne: [chuckles] You’re right. What was I thinking? I’m such a fool.
E.J. Lark: I do have some time before my train comes. Do you wanna show me the cliffs of Avonlea?
Anne: Do I? Miss Lark, I’m about to inspire your next novel.
SCENE: Avonlea cliffs, later
Anne: Tell me everything about your childhood.
E.J. Lark: My childhood?
Anne: Mm hm, so I can follow in your footsteps.
E.J. Lark: Why would you want to do that?
Anne: That way, when I grow up, I’ll be a writer too.
E.J. Lark: [laughs] It was hardly an auspicious upbringing. I was an orphan.
Anne: Orphan?
E.J. Lark: Never knew my mother and father. And what’s worse, I didn’t learn how to read until I was 12.
Anne: I don’t believe it.
E.J. Lark: It may not sound like much, but–
Anne: Oh, Miss Lark, it does. You see, I too am an orphan.
E.J. Lark: That’s a story we have in common.
SCENE: Avonlea cliffs, later
Anne: Here is where the defenceless galleon was dashed to pieces against the merciless rocks.
E.J. Lark: Hm. Nicely put.
Anne: Imagine the sailors’ terror as they plunged into the frigid waters. [screams]
E.J. Lark: [gasps] Did they perish?
Anne: Alas, nothing quite so exciting. The fishermen of Avonlea rode out to rescue them before they drowned.
E.J. Lark: That’s an even better story.
Anne: You think so?
E.J. Lark: Sure. Those fishermen were the real heroes.
Anne: I guess they were. So, will you write the story?
E.J. Lark: Perhaps someone else should tell it.
Anne: But who else could capture the excitement, the drama, the tragical outcome so narrowly averted?
Me?
E.J. Lark: Why not?
Anne: I wouldn’t know how to start.
E.J. Lark: You could start by honouring those heroes at your heritage presentation tonight.
Matthew: [off-screen] Miss Lark, may I see you to the station?
E.J. Lark: Why Mr. Cuthbert, how gallant and debonair of you.
Anne: Matthew? Gallant? Debonair?
Matthew: [chuckles] Hop on, ladies.
Anne: I’m staying to soak up some inspiration.
Matthew: So, I’ve been reading your books.
E.J. Lark: Oh.
Anne: Hm.
Now, how do I tell the story? Hm. It must have been horrible.
SCENE: Anne’s imagination, Avonlea cliffs
Anne: [off-screen] The sails torn and knocked into the water.
SCENE: Avonlea cliffs, present day, later
Anne: [off-screen] Sails, the water.
That’s it!
SCENE: Lawson’s store, later
Anne: Thanks for loaning me this fabric, Mr. Lawson. I’ll have it back tomorrow as good as new.
SCENE: Train station, later
E.J. Lark: Thanks so much for showing me around Avonlea.
Matthew: The pleasure was mine, Miss Lark.
Gilbert: Picture for the newspaper, Miss Lark?
Matthew: Huh?
Oh, dear.
Anne: [off-screen] Hold that train! [gasps] Whew. I’m glad I made it in time.
E.J. Lark: The cliffs were lovely, Anne.
Anne: Thanks to you, I saw that place with new eyes.
I made it for you. A token of my eternal gratitude for changing my life forever.
E.J. Lark: Oh, thank you, Anne.
Conductor: [off-screen] All aboard!
E.J. Lark: Goodbye!
Anne: And now I’ve got work to do. Meet you at the barn.
SCENE: Green Gables kitchen, later
Marilla: Anne?
Matthew: Nope.
Marilla: Well, for the love of Pete, what are you barging it here for?
Matthew: Oh. I’m getting pails, it’s milking time.
Marilla: Tsk tsk. It’s past milking time. I’m glad our visiting authoress is onto the next town. [off-screen] This farm can’t handle anymore distractions.
Anne: [breathing heavily] I have to go practice in the barn.
Marilla: Anne, careful. You’re going to ruin Mr. Lawson’s fabric.
Anne: Marilla, I’m racing like the wind. The fabric will never touch the ground. Ta ta!
Matthew: [chuckles] I think I better give her a hand.
Marilla: [gasps] Matthew, I need to fix this cake for tonight.
Matthew: Mm. What’s to fix?
Marilla: Hm.
SCENE: Green Gables barn, later
Matthew: [off-screen] Here it comes. [grunts]
Anne: Wonderful! Now, if you shake it and I cinch it in like so…
Matthew: It looks like a billowing sail.
Anne: Here it goes. [clears throat] “On that dreadful day, the ill-fated Antonia battled a fierce storm. The sails rattled, the mast quaked, and the exes of each sailor were on the most awful sight ahead of them.”
SCENE: Avonlea hall, later
Anne: “The black rocks of Avonlea Bay. The ship was heading straight for them.”
Gilbert/Rock: Rock-rock, rock, rock. Rock, rock, rock.
Audience: [gasps]
Anne: [off-screen] “Each man said his prayers and prepared to plunge into the icy ocean depths.”
“And their prayers were answered.” [off-screen] “The watchful Avonlea citizens determined to save those wretched sailors, rode their boats out through the merciless waters.”
SCENE: Train, night, later
Anne: [voice-over] “Though the waves nearly capsized those small boats, our forefathers and foremothers too, kept rowing. With only little boats and courage, they saved each and every sailor.”
SCENE: Avonlea hall, later
Anne: [grunts] “So on that dark and desperate night, the settlers of Avonlea used their ingenuity and imagination. They were just like you and me, but they were also true heroes.”
Audience: [cheers] Bravo!
Anne: Matthew, Matthew?
Matthew: What’s that?
Anne: You are my hero, Matthew.
Matthew: [clears throat]
SCENE: Avonlea hall, later
Avonlea Man: An excellent opening to Heritage Night, Anne.
Avonlea Woman: I had no idea what heroic stock Avonlea comes from.
Anne: Neither did I, until E.J. Lark showed me that heroes are heroes because of their bravery and imagination, not because of what they look like.
Gilbert: My grandfather was one of those heroic rescuers.
Perry: So was my grandmother.
Diana: Look at old Mr. Crookshank telling everyone how he rescued the sailors.
Matthew: [off-screen] It’s like he’s a young man again.
Marilla: Would you like more punch, Anne?
Anne: No, thank you. I hate to leave a party, but Matthew and I have urgent business back at Green Gables.
Marilla: Why? Whatever’s the matter?
Anne: I don’t know about Matthew, but I’ve left Captain Frobisher in the middle of the Arctic.
Everyone: [laughs]
A WORD FROM THE KIDS
Firefighter: A half of our runs that we have in the year are false alarms. And about half of those are kids fooling around. And when we have to go to a false alarm, we have to go at top speed. We don’t know what it is and if we have to get there quick to help somebody or to put out a fire. The faster we do that, the faster we put the fire out, the less damage there is and less danger to people. Now, if you’re fooling around and you’re going to put in false alarms, we get our trucks wrecked sometimes going to a call ‘cause you’re going very fast and we have to be quick. Whether it’s a false alarm or not, we gotta be there fast.
Haleigh Sheehan: What is a hero? Sure.
Girl in Purple T-Shirt: A hero is someone who helps people that they don’t even know and tries to save them.
Girl in Beige Sweater: A hero is a good role model for kids.
Girl in Purple T-Shirt: A hero will do anything to help someone.
Haleigh: Why do you think it’s important to have a hero?
Boy in Orange Jumper: It’s important to have a hero because they set a goal for yourself when you’re grown up.
Boy in Green T-Shirt: And heroes encourage you to do things that you should do.
Haleigh: Who is your hero and why?
Girl in Beige Sweater: My hero is a doctor. When I was in the hospital with an asthma attack, he helped me get through it and he helped me… like, to not be afraid of anything in the hospital.
Haleigh: Why was Anne disappointed when she saw E.J. Lark get off the train?
Boy in Shirt: Anne was disappointed ‘cause she thought E.J. Lark was a muscular man.
Boy in Green T-Shirt: Anne expected he was a guy.
Boy in Shirt: But it was a small woman, librarian type, that was kinda clumsy.