Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (TV Series)

1461: Mr. Rogers Goes to School (1979)

Fred Rogers: Mr. Rogers, King Friday XIII, Queen Sara Saturday, X the Owl, Henrietta Pussycat, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, Daniel Striped Tiger, Cornflake S. Pecially, Donkey Hodie

Photos 

Quotes 

• Lady Elaine Fairchilde : Well, this museum is certainly the best place for a school. After all, look at all the displays I have inside. I've got dinosaurs and bones and antique telephones and bells and head rests and radiator covers. I mean, what more could ask? I even have a television studio in here.

  Handyman Negri : Well, I'm just concerned about the space for the playground.

  Lady Elaine Fairchilde : Nonsense. Who needs a playground anymore at school? There are too many important things to learn. Phooey with play!

  Handyman Negri : Well, that may be YOUR idea, Lady Elaine.

  Lady Elaine Fairchilde : I've got the best ideas of all.

  Handyman Negri : Okay, well, we'll let you know where we decide to put it.

  Lady Elaine Fairchilde : Okay, but this is it, I mean I think this is...

• Donkey Hodie : Boy, that's a lot to do in three days.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Hey, listen, anything is possible in Someplace Else, Donkey.

  Donkey Hodie : That's for sure.

• King Friday XIII : [Pacing back and forth in the castle garden]  Oh, where are those workers? The king needs a report.

  [Lady Aberlin and Handyman Negri arrive at the castle where they curtsy and bow to King Friday respectively] 

  King Friday XIII : Oh, so there you are.

  Lady Aberlin : [excitedly]  Yes, Uncle Friday. We have some very good news for you.

  King Friday XIII : [flattered]  Oh, you've decided to build the school right here at the castle.

  Handyman Negri : No, Sire. As a matter of fact, I think you're going to be in for quite a surprise, King Friday.

  King Friday XIII : Uh, will it be at the factory, or the museum, or the clock, or the tree?

  Lady Aberlin : None of those, Uncle Friday.

  King Friday XIII : [under his breath]  None?

  Lady Aberlin : We've decided to build the school at Someplace Else.

  King Friday XIII : Someplace Else?

  Handyman Negri : Yes, Sire.

  King Friday XIII : You mean my son will have to go Someplace Else to school?

  Handyman Negri : Well, you said we can build it anyplace, King Friday.

  Lady Aberlin : And Someplace Else seemed like the very best place. In fact, Harriet Elizabeth Cow is a real teacher.

  King Friday XIII : Oh.

  Lady Aberlin : And she was going to build a school there anyway. And now we can just all do it together.

  King Friday XIII : Well, this will have to take some getting used to. Uh... all this because Trolley got dressed up as a school bus.

  [Trolley School Bus passes by the castle and Handyman Negri waves to it] 

  Lady Aberlin : Yes. Let's get to work!

  Handyman Negri : I'll say.

  King Friday XIII : Someplace Else. Well... well... well.

  [Trolley School Bus goes through the tunnel on the left side of the castle and comes out in Mr. Rogers' television house. It stops momentarily, and Mr. Rogers talks to us] 

  Mr. Rogers : I think we'll just leave this school bus cover on this week. Yeah. I like there to be a school bus in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. It'd be fun to have a school, too.

  [Trolley School Bus rolls past Mr. Rogers and out of sight] 

• Mr. Rogers : If there's a school bus in the Neighborhood of Make Believe, what do you think the people there will want to build?

• King Friday XIII : Are you ready for a commission, Lady Aberlin and Handyman Negri?

  Lady Aberlin , Handyman Negri : [both standing tall]  Of course, Your Majesty.

  King Friday XIII : I hereby commission you both to build an appropriate school for the children of this vicinity.

  Lady Aberlin , Handyman Negri : [both smiling]  That's a great idea, King Friday.

  King Friday XIII : In three days.

  [Lady Aberlin and Handyman Negri look worried] 

  Lady Aberlin : In three days?

  Handyman Negri : Build a whole school in three days?

  King Friday XIII : That's the commission.

  Handyman Negri : But we don't even know where to build it.

  King Friday XIII : You may build it any place, just so long as it's the BEST place.

  Lady Aberlin : Well, we better get moving!

  King Friday XIII : My part is over. I shall look for the results, then. Farewell.

  Prince Tuesday : Thanks, Dad.

  King Friday XIII : You're welcome, Son. I trust that you will be a credit to your line.

  [Prince Tuesday bows] 

  King Friday XIII : Oh, yes. Farewell.

  [King Friday goes inside the castle] 

• King Friday XIII : [upon arriving with Queen Sara and Prince Tuesday]  Uh, ladies and gentlemen, Trolley, uh... School Bus?

  Prince Tuesday : Uh, see what I mean, Dad?

  King Friday XIII : Oh, you're absolutely right, Son. Who authorized this to run on the trolley track?

  Lady Aberlin : Oh, Uncle Friday, it's just the Trolley with a school bus costume on it.

  King Friday XIII : Oh. But if there's a school bus, there needs to be a school!

  Prince Tuesday : Oh, oh, could we have a school, Daddy? Could we please?

  Handyman Negri : That would be a great idea.

  Queen Sara Saturday : And all the children could go to it.

  Lady Aberlin : You can learn to read books for yourself, Tuesday.

  Prince Tuesday : Oh, I'd like that.

  Queen Sara Saturday : I remember my school in Westwood. We learned so many wonderful things.

• Lady Aberlin : Let's check out sites right around here first.

  Handyman Negri : Why don't we just interview anyone we can find at home?

  Lady Aberlin : Good. I'll go first to Corney at the factory.

  Handyman Negri : And I'll go over see Lady Elaine.

  Lady Aberlin : And suppose we'll meet later by the tree.

  Handyman Negri : Good idea.

  [Handyman Negri leaves and Lady Aberlin walks over to the factory] 

  Lady Aberlin : Corney? Cornflake S. Pecially?

  [Corney appears] 

  Cornflake S. Pecially : Why, Lady Aberlin! You're looking mighty fit.

  Lady Aberlin : Oh, I hope so, Corney. Handyman Negri and I have to build a school in three days.

  Cornflake S. Pecially : You want to build it here?

  Lady Aberlin : Well, we don't know where the best place would be.

  Cornflake S. Pecially : Well, there's lots to learn in the factory. I can teach the people how to make rocking chairs and that would always come in handy.

  Lady Aberlin : That's true. My only concern about having the school here all the time is... is that I... I just don't see enough space for a playground.

  Cornflake S. Pecially : Well, you're right. A school needs a playground. I remember my days at school. I loved playing in the playground. 'Course, I loved the rocking chairs too. Always have.

  Lady Aberlin : Well, wherever we have the school, I'm sure that the teacher will want you to come sometime and talk about making rocking chairs.

  Cornflake S. Pecially : Oh, that'll be just fine. I'm always glad to pass the rocking chair word along.

• Daniel Striped Tiger : I think I would like to go to school if I'm not too shy.

  Handyman Negri : Where do you think would be a good place to build it?

  Daniel Striped Tiger : Oh, I guess you need a lot of space, don't you?

  Handyman Negri : I think so.

  Daniel Striped Tiger : I'll give it some thought.

  Handyman Negri : Thanks, Daniel.

• X the Owl : Did you hear about the plans for building a school?

  Henrietta Pussycat : Meow. Meow-meow-meow-meow-meow build it? Meow?

  X the Owl : Oh, I don't know. I'm just not sure.

  Lady Aberlin : [arriving]  Hi.

  X the Owl : Hi.

  Lady Aberlin : Did you hear about the plans for the new school?

  X the Owl : Oh, yeah. But where's it going to be?

  Lady Aberlin : We're trying to decide that right now.

  Henrietta Pussycat : Meow welcome meow-meow-meow-meow MEOW house.

  Lady Aberlin : Why, Henrietta, that's awfully kind of you.

  X the Owl : It sure is.

  [Handyman Negri arrives] 

  X the Owl : Oh, hi, Handy.

  Handyman Negri : Hi, how are you doing? Any good ideas?

  Lady Aberlin : Lots of them, but... I think we ought to try Someplace Else.

  Handyman Negri : Perfect. There's plenty of room out there, if Harriett Elizabeth Cow and Donkey Hodie aren't using it all for the farm.

  X the Owl : Uh, you just let us know if we can help. I mean, I'll be glad to teach about Benjamin Franklin. I know lots of things.

  Henrietta Pussycat : Meow-meow, too.

  Lady Aberlin : Oh, you two are so helpful. We'll keep you posted.

  X the Owl : Good idea.

  Lady Aberlin : Off to Someplace Else.

• Lady Aberlin : [arriving in Someplace Else with Handyman Negri]  Hi, Harriet!

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : [surprised]  Ohhh, hello!

  Donkey Hodie : Look who's here.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Pleasant surprise.

  Donkey Hodie : I'll say.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : I'm really glad you two are here, 'cause I need your help.

  Handyman Negri : What for?

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Well, you've seen the Trolley all decked out as a school bus, haven't you?

  Donkey Hodie : Oh, we certainly have.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Mm-hmm. Well, I thought if there's a school bus around here, we ought to have a school.

  Handyman Negri : Guess what, Harriet.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : What, dear?

  Lady Aberlin : King Friday has already commissioned Lady Aberlin and me to build a school anywhere we choose.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : [happily]  Are you being serious?

  Handyman Negri : Very serious.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : And... and I think this would be the best place to have the school. I mean, plenty of place for a playground...

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Mm-hmm.

  Lady Aberlin : Well, if you think it's all right, we'll just go tell the king.

  Donkey Hodie : What about that. Well, it's certainly fine with me.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Yes! Well, uh, uh...

  [Harriet clears her throat] 

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : I'm a teacher, you know.

  Lady Aberlin : A REAL teacher?

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Certified.

  Lady Aberlin : Oh, what a great day! Let's go tell the others, Handy.

  Handyman Negri : Okay. Oh...

  [turning to Harriet and Donkey Hodie] 

  Handyman Negri : ... incidentally, we only have three days to build it.

  [Handyman Negri and Lady Aberlin leave] 

• Queen Sara Saturday : Oh, my! There's lots to be done!

  Handyman Negri : In... in three days.

  Lady Aberlin : Well, the first thing is to find a place for the school.

  Queen Sara Saturday : Yes, well, you can call us if we can be of help to you.

  Lady Aberlin : Oh, we will, Aunt Sara. We will.

  Prince Tuesday : And I'll get ready for school now.

  Queen Sara Saturday : Yes. I want to tell you more about my school days, Son.

  Prince Tuesday : Oh, good! Good! Uh, bye, Lady Aberlin.

  Lady Aberlin : Bye-bye, Tuesday.

  Prince Tuesday : Bye, Handyman Negri.

  Handyman Negri : Goodbye, Prince Tuesday.

  Lady Aberlin : [handing her book to Queen Sara]  Bye, Aunt Sara.

  Queen Sara Saturday : Thank you, my dear. Come along, Prince Tuesday.

  [With Lady Aberlin's book in hand, Queen Sara goes into the castle and Prince Tuesday goes in with her. Lady Aberlin turns to Trolley School Bus] 

  Lady Aberlin : Well, Trolley... we started something.

  Handyman Negri : Something good... in three days.

  [Trolley School Bus rolls away and goes through the tunnel on the right side of the castle] 

• King Friday XIII : All this because Trolley got dressed up as a school bus.

• Lady Aberlin : [arriving in Someplace Else with Handyman Negri]  Hi, Harriet!

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : [surprised]  Ohhh, hello!

  Donkey Hodie : Look who's here.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Pleasant surprise.

  Donkey Hodie : I'll say.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : I'm really glad you two are here, 'cause I need your help.

  Handyman Negri : What for?

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Well, you've seen the Trolley all decked out as a school bus, haven't you?

  Lady Aberlin : Oh, we certainly have.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Mm-hmm. Well, I thought if there's a school bus around here, we ought to have a school.

  Handyman Negri : Guess what, Harriet.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : What, dear?

  Handyman Negri : King Friday has already commissioned Lady Aberlin and me to build a school anywhere we choose.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : [happily]  Are you being serious?

  Handyman Negri : Very serious.

  Lady Aberlin : And... and I think this would be the best place to have the school. I mean, plenty of place for a playground...

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Mm-hmm.

  Lady Aberlin : Well, if you think it's all right, we'll just go tell the king.

  Donkey Hodie : What about that. Well, it's certainly fine with me.

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Yes! Well, uh, uh...

  [Harriet clears her throat] 

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : I'm a teacher, you know.

  Lady Aberlin : A REAL teacher?

  Harriet Elizabeth Cow : Certified.

  Lady Aberlin : Oh, what a great day! Let's go tell the others, Handy.

  Handyman Negri : Okay. Oh...

  [turning to Harriet and Donkey Hodie] 

  Handyman Negri : ... incidentally, we only have three days to build it.

  [Handyman Negri and Lady Aberlin leave] 

• Mr. Rogers : You know, going to school is like discovering a whole new place. In fact, each time you go back, you have the chance of discovering something else - some thing you didn't know before.