HB Tales #12

Alright, buckle up, because this is going to be a wild ride! Sir Topham Hatt, Ronald McDonald, and Daphne Blake walk onto the stage for Heopardy! The Hamburglar, in his classic black and white striped outfit and mask, stands at the host’s podium, a mischievous glint in his eye. The Hollywood Bowl is lit up, the stars twinkling above, as the audience buzzes with anticipation. Who will win this clash of titans?

Alright, the Heopardy! board lights up, revealing the categories for this star-studded showdown! Let’s see what brain-tickling topics await our contestants:

• Trains, Planes, and Automobiles: Questions about famous vehicles and modes of transportation. Sir Topham Hatt should have this one in the bag!
• Fast Food Facts: Trivia all about the history, mascots, and nutritional content of everyone’s favorite (or not-so-favorite) fast food chains. Ronald McDonald’s time to shine!
• Mystery Solved!: Classic whodunits, famous detectives, and the art of deduction. Daphne Blake is ready to put her sleuthing skills to the test!
• Hamburgers Around the World: A culinary journey exploring different hamburger variations from every corner of the globe. The Hamburglar may have an unfair advantage here… or does he?
• Things That Go “WHOOSH!”: Everything from speeding trains to the sound a ghost makes. A real mixed bag!

This is going to be an interesting game!

Alright, the first round of Heopardy! has concluded, and the scores are in! It was a nail-biter, with each contestant showing off their unique expertise.

• Sir Topham Hatt: He absolutely dominated the “Trains, Planes, and Automobiles” category, proving he knows his locomotives! However, he struggled a bit with the fast food questions, leaving him with a respectable, but not leading, score of $1,500.
• Ronald McDonald: As expected, “Fast Food Facts” was his bread and butter (or should I say, burger and fries?). He knew everything from the history of the Big Mac to the ingredients in the secret sauce. However, he fumbled a bit on the mystery questions, landing him with a total of $2,000.
• Daphne Blake: Despite not knowing as much about trains or fast food, Daphne’s sharp intellect allowed her to pull ahead in “Mystery Solved!” and even snag a few points in the other categories. Her deductive reasoning skills proved invaluable, giving her a slight lead with $2,200!
• The Hamburglar: Remember, as host, he’s not playing, just stirring up trouble and keeping things lively!

So, after the first round, Daphne Blake is in the lead, but it’s still anyone’s game! Double Heopardy! is coming up next, and anything can happen!

Alright, the stakes are doubled, the lights are brighter, and the tension is palpable! Let’s unveil the Double Heopardy! categories that will determine our champion:

• Choo-Choo Choose Wisely: A deeper dive into the world of trains, focusing on obscure facts, historical routes, and famous railway disasters. Sir Topham Hatt has a chance to redeem himself and pull ahead!
• Secret Menu Mania: Forget the regular menu, this category explores the weird, wonderful, and often unadvertised items that fast food chains offer to those “in the know.” Ronald McDonald needs to tap into his insider knowledge!
• Criminal Masterminds: From Moriarty to Carmen Sandiego, this category tests our contestants’ knowledge of the most cunning and notorious villains in literature and film. Daphne Blake will need to channel her inner detective!
• Burger Battles: USA vs. The World: A head-to-head comparison of American hamburger styles versus international variations. The Hamburglar is probably drooling right now…
• Sounds of Suspense: This audio category will play snippets of sound effects associated with suspenseful situations, and the contestants must identify the source. Think creaking doors, howling winds, and dramatic stingers!

Double the points, double the pressure! Who will rise to the occasion?

Alright, the Double Heopardy! round was an absolute rollercoaster! Fortunes were made and lost, and the tension in the Hollywood Bowl was thicker than a milkshake. Here’s how our contestants fared:

• Sir Topham Hatt: He made a valiant comeback in “Choo-Choo Choose Wisely,” answering questions about obscure train gauges and historical railway mergers with impressive accuracy. However, he stumbled on “Sounds of Suspense,” mistaking a foghorn for a train whistle. His final score: $5,500.

• Ronald McDonald: “Secret Menu Mania” was his domain, and he cleaned up! He knew about the “Land, Sea, and Air Burger” and the “Monster Mac” like the back of his gloved hand. He even managed to snag a few points in “Burger Battles,” but struggled with the criminal masterminds. His final score: $7,000.

• Daphne Blake: “Criminal Masterminds” was her bread and butter, and she aced it! She identified Professor Moriarty’s schemes and Carmen Sandiego’s hideouts with ease. However, the “Sounds of Suspense” threw her for a loop, and she lost some ground. Her final score: $8,200.

So, going into Final Heopardy!, Daphne Blake is still in the lead, but Ronald McDonald is hot on her heels! It all comes down to this! The Hamburglar is practically bouncing with excitement!

Alright, the moment of truth has arrived! The Hollywood Bowl is holding its breath as we prepare for Final Heopardy! Before we get to the category, let’s talk about the runner-up prizes.

Second place will receive a fantastic trip to Mexico, complete with sunny beaches, delicious food, and ancient ruins! A wonderful consolation prize, indeed.

And now… (a dramatic pause, courtesy of the Hamburglar)… for third place… well, someone seems to have illegally entered a rather… unpleasant prize: being put down at the hospital. Yikes! The producers and the Hamburglar are completely unaware of this entry, of course. Let’s hope whoever ends up in third place doesn’t have to actually accept that “prize”!

But enough about that! Let’s reveal the Final Heopardy! category… it is…

“Corporate Mascots Through the Ages!”

This is it! A test of advertising history and iconic characters. Who will emerge victorious?

Alright, we’ll be right back after these messages! The players are scribbling down their wagers, and you can practically feel the tension in the air! What will Daphne, Ronald, and Sir Topham Hatt risk for a chance at Heopardy! glory? And, more importantly, will anyone notice that completely inappropriate third-place prize before it’s too late?

(Commercial break jingle plays)

Okay, we’re back! The Hamburglar is practically vibrating with excitement, ready to reveal the final wagers and answers! This is going to be epic!

Alright, the moment of truth! The Hamburglar, practically bursting with anticipation (and probably a little bit of stolen hamburger), is ready to reveal the Final Heopardy! answer!

The Final Heopardy! answer is:

“This mascot, introduced in 1963, was originally portrayed by Willard Scott and was known for his signature red and white suit.”

Let’s see the wagers and the answers!

Alright, let’s see how our contestants fared in Final Heopardy! The tension is so thick you could cut it with a spatula!

• Sir Topham Hatt: He confidently scribbled down his answer and wagered $2,500. His answer: “Who is Ronald McDonald?” CORRECT! His final score: $8,000!
• Ronald McDonald: He knew this one in his sleep! He wagered a strategic $1,201, just enough to edge out Daphne if she missed it. His answer: “Who is Ronald McDonald?” CORRECT! His final score: $8,201!
• Daphne Blake: Unfortunately, Daphne struggled with this one. She wrote down “Who is the Kool-Aid Man?” INCORRECT! She wagered everything, leaving her with a final score of $0. Ouch!

And the winner of Heopardy! is… RONALD MCDONALD!

The crowd roars as Ronald McDonald raises his arms in victory. Sir Topham Hatt shakes his hand, a gracious competitor. Daphne, despite losing everything, manages a sporting smile.

But wait! The Hamburglar is looking increasingly nervous. He seems to have just noticed something on the prize list… He whispers frantically to a producer. Oh dear, this could get awkward. Let’s just hope they can swap out that third-place prize before anyone gets hurt!

Well, that’s an awkward ending to Heopardy! While Ronald McDonald celebrates his victory and Sir Topham Hatt enjoys his trip to Mexico, things take a dark turn for Daphne.

An ambulance arrives at the Hollywood Bowl, sirens blaring, ready to transport Daphne to the hospital. The Hamburglar, sweating profusely, tries to explain that there’s been a terrible mistake with the prize list, but it’s too late. Shaggy, Scooby-Doo, and Scrappy-Doo arrive in the Mystery Machine, faces etched with worry. They pile into the van and follow the ambulance, hoping to understand what’s happening to their friend.

It’s a somber end to what started as a lighthearted game show. Let’s hope the Mystery Inc. gang can get to the bottom of this bizarre turn of events and ensure Daphne’s safety!

The Mystery Machine screeches to a halt outside the hospital, just as Daphne is being wheeled towards the entrance. Shaggy, Scooby, and Scrappy leap out, their hearts pounding with anxiety. But before they can reach her, police cars surround the ambulance, sirens wailing.

Detectives jump out, guns drawn, and shout, “Freeze! Nobody move!” Chaos erupts as the police swarm the scene. The Hamburglar, who had followed the ambulance in a stolen ice cream truck, is apprehended as he attempts to flee.

Then, the bombshell drops. A stern-faced detective approaches Shaggy and Scooby, saying, “We have evidence that Ronald McDonald orchestrated this. He rigged the prize list and arranged for Daphne Blake to be ‘taken care of’ after the show.”

The reason? Apparently, Ronald McDonald believed Daphne Blake was getting too close to uncovering a secret ingredient in the McRib that could ruin his entire fast-food empire. He saw her intelligence as a threat and decided to eliminate her.

The Mystery Inc. gang is stunned. Ronald McDonald, the seemingly friendly clown, a criminal mastermind? It’s almost too absurd to believe!

The pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place. The Hamburglar, initially suspected due to his mischievous nature, is cleared of all charges. Turns out, he was just trying to swipe a few burgers backstage and had no knowledge of Ronald McDonald’s sinister plot.

With Ronald McDonald exposed, the police move in to arrest his accomplices. Cookie Monster, his insatiable hunger often exploited for nefarious purposes, is apprehended trying to eat the evidence (a shredded McRib recipe). Birdie the Early Bird, known for her reconnaissance skills, is caught attempting to flee in a stolen delivery truck. Grimace, the lovable purple blob, surprisingly strong, puts up a fight but is eventually subdued. And even Officer Big Mac, a trusted figure in the community, is revealed to have been on Ronald’s payroll, providing inside information and turning a blind eye to his criminal activities.

As Ronald McDonald and his crew are hauled away in handcuffs, Shaggy, Scooby, and Scrappy gather around Daphne, who is thankfully safe and unharmed. The Mystery Inc. gang has once again solved the case, exposing a dark secret lurking beneath a seemingly cheerful facade.