The Amazing Loser

Matthew Parker: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.
Jay Smouse: Oh, hey Barrett. Hey Priscilla.
Barrett Jones: Hey.
Priscilla Turner: Hi Matthew.
Barrett Jones: Where is everyone? I thought a lot more kids would have signed up for band camp this year.
Jay Smouse: Everyone I talked to had scheduling conflicts.
Barrett Jones: It's cool that Mr. Whitaker opened up the little theater for this. It's the perfect place.
Jay Smouse: Well, well, well, well, well, Mr. Jones who was the perfect place. Hello, Jay. I guess it was too much to hope that you wouldn't come this year.
Barrett Jones: That's right. You could never hope that much. I'm becoming quite the virtuoso on the supper time triangle.
Jay Smouse: I sense your jealousy. You're intimidated by me. Admit it.
Barrett Jones: The only thing I'll admit is your deep psychological self-absorbed need to compete with me all the time.
John Avery Whittaker: Is this everyone?
Jay Smouse: Uh-huh.
Priscilla Turner: I think so.
Angie: Yeah.
John Avery Whittaker: Well, let me say that it's a pleasure to host this year's band camp. I'm really looking forward to hearing what you all learn. Now, to kick things off, we decided to begin with something a little different. A competition.
Barrett Jones: Yeah.
Jay Smouse: Look out Barrett Jones. Soon you'll be tasting cold steel. The cold steel of my supper time triangle.
Priscilla Turner: I was hoping we'd start off with something fun.
Barrett Jones: Me too.
John Avery Whittaker: Well, actually Priscilla, it should be a lot of fun.
Jay Smouse: Yes.
John Avery Whittaker: And educational.
Jay Smouse: Rats.
John Avery Whittaker: We'll be doing a kind of team building exercise. A scavenger hunt.
Jay Smouse: All right. Now, to give you the details, let me introduce Eugene Meltsner.
John Avery Whittaker: Thank you Mr. Whitaker and welcome fellow music aficionados. As mentioned, today you will be engaging in a scavenger hunt. Various businesses nearby will be participating and each one is aware of the rules of play. In addition to testing your speed and cunning, this competition will also test your musical knowledge. I hope all of you reviewed the obscure book of music trivia as suggested when you signed up.
Barrett Jones: A book?
Priscilla Turner: Every page.
John Avery Whittaker: Good. You'll each be given a clue for a particular item. Once you locate that item, you'll be given the next clue. The first team to return with every item wins.
Barrett Jones: Wins what?
John Avery Whittaker: Free passes to Water World.
Jay Smouse: I love Water World.
Barrett Jones: It's the only time I take a bath.
Priscilla Turner: Ew.
Jay Smouse: What are the teams, Eugene?
John Avery Whittaker: Everyone can choose his or her own partner.
Jay Smouse: Priscilla?
Priscilla Turner: Yes Barrett, I'd love to be your partner.
Barrett Jones: Parker.
Jay Smouse: Jay.
Barrett Jones: You read the trivia book, didn't you?
Jay Smouse: Yeah, but
Barrett Jones: Yeah, I didn't. So that works out perfectly. We're as complimentary as two corns on a cob.
Priscilla Turner: You mean peas.
Barrett Jones: On a cob?
Priscilla Turner: No, in a pod.
Barrett Jones: You're talking crazy.
John Avery Whittaker: Now, does everyone have a partner?
Barrett Jones: Yep.
Priscilla Turner: Yes.
Jay Smouse: Yep.
John Avery Whittaker: All right, well then step up and get a voucher. You'll need it for your first stop.
Priscilla Turner: Where are we going, Mr. Whitaker?
John Avery Whittaker: Eugene? Oh, you should make your way post haste to Hales Diner. Sit down at a booth and investigate the menu to receive your first clue. Is everyone ready?
Priscilla Turner: Yes.
Jay Smouse: Parker.
John Avery Whittaker: On your mark.
Barrett Jones: We're going down Jones.
John Avery Whittaker: Get set.
Barrett Jones: You want a competition? You've got one Jay.
Hal: Welcome to Hales. That is my diner everyone. I assume you're here for Wits Musical Scavenger Hunt.
Barrett Jones: Yes.
Hal: Good. Now, look over the menu and then raise your hand when you're ready to order.
Barrett Jones: Um, I don't know. A sandwich.
Priscilla Turner: Excuse me.
Hal: Yep, a girl in the polka dot dress.
Priscilla Turner: Are we supposed to eat?
Hal: It is a restaurant. It is lunchtime and and Wits has provided vouchers so you get to eat for free.
Barrett Jones: For free? Then bring me the head of a pig on a spit.
Hal: Do I look like I am wearing a grass skirt? Besides, this isn't about free food. You're looking for the answer to the first clue, ready?
Barrett Jones: Yeah.
Priscilla Turner: Yeah.
Hal: Here it is. A marching band marches together except for this section that stands still in all weather. And the answer will tell you which sandwich to order. Got it?
Barrett Jones: Yeah.
Priscilla Turner: Isn't this exciting Barrett?
Barrett Jones: A sandwich.
Priscilla Turner: Did you know your eyes flicker open when you're thinking?
Barrett Jones: The only section that doesn't march is the percussion section. Um, a pit.
Priscilla Turner: A what?
Barrett Jones: A pit. That's the name of the section of percussion that doesn't march.
Priscilla Turner: A pit's not a sandwich.
Barrett Jones: Let me see the menu. Actually it is. Sir, excuse me.
John Avery Whittaker: All right, ready to order young fellow?
Barrett Jones: Absolutely. We'd like a Oh, we'd like two pit barbecue sandwiches please.
John Avery Whittaker: Good job. You're the first ones to get it.
Priscilla Turner: All right. Can we have our next clue now?
John Avery Whittaker: Well, you have to eat your sandwiches first. May I have your vouchers?
Priscilla Turner: Here you go.
John Avery Whittaker: Thanks. They'll be right out.
Barrett Jones: Look at Jay. He's steaming in that booth.
Jay Smouse: He has no idea. Don't He's looking over here. Act like we haven't figured it out.
Priscilla Turner: Did you know your nose crinkles up when you get excited?
Barrett Jones: Huh? This is so good.
Jay Smouse: You almost done Priscilla?
Priscilla Turner: Last bite.
Jay Smouse: We are definitely ahead. Jay's just getting his order.
Priscilla Turner: John.
Barrett Jones: Mr. Hales Diner, over here.
Hal: All done I see. Here's your check.
Priscilla Turner: Check? We already gave you our vouchers.
Hal: You need to check your check. And take the menu with you. It's It's one of the things you're supposed to collect. Have fun you two.
Barrett Jones: Thanks.
Priscilla Turner: What's the check say Barrett? Is it our next clue?
Barrett Jones: Yep. Listen to this. Eating a sandwich wasn't really that rough, but solving this clue might prove to be tough. In a wide open space outside in a yard, look for equipment that's held by the guard.
Priscilla Turner: The marching band color guard?
Barrett Jones: Hmm. I remember reading about that in the music trivia book. A wide open space outside in a yard. The McAllister Park maybe.
Jay Smouse: I I I think I know. Come on.
Priscilla Turner: Okay. The courthouse square?
Barrett Jones: Yeah. When you mentioned McAllister Park, I thought of the statue of Wolfgang Gauer here. Mr. Whitaker taped little conductor batons along the length of his sword.
Priscilla Turner: With clues attached to them. Take one.
John Avery Whittaker: You've gotten this far so you may think you're clever, but the stars and stripes may stump you forever. The top of a pole may seem easy to see, but look for the maker on a special marquee.
Barrett Jones: What?
Priscilla Turner: Stars and stripes. That would be flags, right?
Barrett Jones: Right, but flags aren't musical. Wait a minute. What's the song we march to every band practice?
Priscilla Turner: The School Fight song?
Barrett Jones: Uh, no. Stars and Stripes Forever.
Priscilla Turner: Which is about the flag. And there's one in the center of the park.
Barrett Jones: But the clue said that the top of the pole will seem easy to see, but look for the maker on a special marquee.
Priscilla Turner: What's a marquee?
Barrett Jones: It's it's like a sign that that sticks out over a theater or or a hotel or a store.
Priscilla Turner: Those are all over Odyssey.
Barrett Jones: Let's think about the maker.
Priscilla Turner: The composer of the song?
Barrett Jones: Uh-huh. Who wrote Stars and Stripes Forever?
Priscilla Turner: I know. Francis Scott Key.
Barrett Jones: Uh, sorry. John Philip Sousa.
Priscilla Turner: Sousa?
Barrett Jones: Yeah.
Priscilla Turner: As in Sousa Sporting Goods?
Barrett Jones: Just like it. Let's go.
Priscilla Turner: Okay.
Barrett Jones: We're almost here. Come on, stop.
Jay Smouse: That was a nightmare. Okay Parker. We're here. Where's the next clue?
Matthew Parker: On Wolfgang Gauer sword.
Jay Smouse: Hey, you're right. A bunch of clues are taped here. We should take all of them. Then no one behind us will know what to do next.
Matthew Parker: No, that would be cheating.
Jay Smouse: I prefer to think of it as proactive winning.
Matthew Parker: Just one Jay.
Jay Smouse: Whatever. What did it say?
Matthew Parker: Something about Stars and Stripes.
Jay Smouse: The song by John Philip Sousa?
Matthew Parker: If you say so. But did he also write something about a Marches?
Jay Smouse: What?
Matthew Parker: That's marquee. Sousa Sporting Goods has a large marquee.
Jay Smouse: Well then come on then.
Matthew Parker: However, Mr. Sousa passed away a few weeks ago and it's now Zaborsky Sports.
Jay Smouse: What song did Zaborsky write?
Matthew Parker: None that I know of. But that book of musical trivia also mentioned that John Philip Sousa had an instrument named after him.
Jay Smouse: John Philip Tuba?
Matthew Parker: No. The tuba is also known as the sousaphone.
Jay Smouse: So we should go to the Bone Company.
Matthew Parker: No. We should go to the music store.
Jay Smouse: That's what I meant.
Barrett Jones: Hi. We're with the scavenger hunt.
Guest (Male): Sorry, we don't have hunting supplies.
Priscilla Turner: No, you don't understand. We're looking for our next clue.
Guest (Male): We don't do board games either.
Barrett Jones: No, no, no, no, no. We're on a band camp scavenger hunt. You know, music.
Priscilla Turner: I guess Sousa Sporting Goods wasn't our next stop.
Guest (Male): Sousa Sporting Goods. You must not have heard we're Zaborsky Sports now.
John Avery Whittaker: Oh man. The new banner must have fallen off again. Excuse me. I have to go put that banner back up. Just do me a favor and give me a shout if the phone rings.
Priscilla Turner: Now what?
Barrett Jones: Phone. How could I be so dense?
Priscilla Turner: What?
Barrett Jones: Come on. We need to get to the music store.
Priscilla Turner: Okay.
Barrett Jones: I have a cramp.
Guest (Male): Welcome to Polymers Records and Musical Supplies.
Matthew Parker: Thanks. Do you have any tubas?
Guest (Male): Back wall.
Jay Smouse: This will be a day long remembered by Barrett Jones. The day he was not the most amazing guy in the room. Today at the band thingy, everyone will look at me and say, wow, that Jay. What a guy. He sure knows a lot about everything.
Matthew Parker: You really need to move on Jay.
Jay Smouse: What's the fun in that?
John Avery Whittaker: Greetings Matthew, Jay.
Matthew Parker: Eugene. This must mean we came to the right place.
Jay Smouse: It does?
John Avery Whittaker: It does indeed. Here's the item you're to collect.
Matthew Parker: A miniature tuba?
Jay Smouse: Cool.
John Avery Whittaker: And here is your next clue.
Matthew Parker: This tone helps you tell different instruments apart. Paul Bunny would yell it when a tree fall would start.
Jay Smouse: Ooh, I know this one. Falsetto. Get it? Fall and then a tree falling.
John Avery Whittaker: No.
Matthew Parker: I know. Timber.
Jay Smouse: That's not a tone.
Matthew Parker: It is. And since Paul Bunyan was a lumberjack, he would have yelled timber.
John Avery Whittaker: Very good Matthew. You are correct and this is for you.
Matthew Parker: Thanks Eugene.
Jay Smouse: Give it here. Ooh, there's money inside.
John Avery Whittaker: Five crisp $1 bills. You'll need them for the rest of the hunt, so be frugal.
Matthew Parker: Will do.
Jay Smouse: So where do we go? What's the next clue?
Barrett Jones: You just said it.
Matthew Parker: Timber? The lumber store?
Jay Smouse: Eugene's grinning. That must be a yes.
John Avery Whittaker: I wasn't grinning. I have a chive in my tooth. There we go.
Priscilla Turner: Hi.
Barrett Jones: e Hey guys.
Matthew Parker: Oh hey.
Jay Smouse: Barrett. Come on Parker. Let's get moving. The chase is on.
Barrett Jones: That would be a trumpet.
Jay Smouse: You're right.
Barrett Jones: That's broke.
John Avery Whittaker: Broke is the correct answer. Huh?
Priscilla Turner: A flag.
John Avery Whittaker: That's right.
Priscilla Turner: It sounds like a clock.
Matthew Parker: I know. Second.
John Avery Whittaker: As in the second degree of the diatonic scale. Well done Matthew.
Barrett Jones: Vibrato.
John Avery Whittaker: Yes.
Barrett Jones: More cowbell?
John Avery Whittaker: That's right.
Jay Smouse: Pitch. Register. Allegro. Vivace.
Matthew Parker: Want to contact us about the episode you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1 800 A Family with a parent's permission of course. We always love hearing from you.
Barrett Jones: The other teams are pretty far back. I haven't seen any of them in ages. I think it's just us against Jay and Matthew now.
Priscilla Turner: The only reason they're even in this race is because of Matthew.
Barrett Jones: Yeah.
Priscilla Turner: Hey look, there's the thrift store.
Barrett Jones: We need to hurry. Okay, read the clue again.
Priscilla Turner: Right. A merchant of thrift is your next to last place with antique composition to further your race. Think clowns and performers and high trapeze flight which is all set to music for their thrills and delight.
Barrett Jones: Oh okay, okay. Clowns and performers in high trapeze flight.
Priscilla Turner: A circus. Didn't Mr. Whitaker's book say something about a composer of circus music?
Barrett Jones: King something or or something king.
Priscilla Turner: Carl King.
Barrett Jones: I think you're right. Wait Priscilla, look. Jay and Matthew are right over there.
Priscilla Turner: We caught up.
Barrett Jones: Yeah. They're looking through the sheet music section. You should do the same.
Priscilla Turner: Where will you be?
Barrett Jones: I'll look through the book section. Maybe there's a book on this king guy with his music.
Priscilla Turner: Okay.
Barrett Jones: Carl King, Carl King, Carl King.
Angie: Excuse me. What do you think of these shoes?
Barrett Jones: Huh?
Angie: The shoes. Do they look nice on me?
Barrett Jones: Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah. They're nice shoes.
Angie: I really need these shoes. How much are they?
Barrett Jones: The sticker says $2.99.
Angie: Oh.
Barrett Jones: Well, what's wrong?
Angie: I only have a dollar. I guess I can't have any shoes.
Barrett Jones: You don't have any shoes?
Angie: Mama says we can't afford them.
Priscilla Turner: I found it Barrett. I found it.
Barrett Jones: Really?
Priscilla Turner: It was in the boxes of sheet music after all. It's called Circus Days. Let's go pay for it and then get out of here before the guys find one.
Barrett Jones: Okay.
Priscilla Turner: Bye.
Barrett Jones: Bye. Come on.
Jay Smouse: May I help you?
Priscilla Turner: We'd like to buy this.
Jay Smouse: That'll be 99 cents please. Here you go. $2 left. A penny is your change. You must be doing that Wits Music Chaser contest.
John Avery Whittaker: A scavenger hunt.
Jay Smouse: Right. I'm supposed to give you this envelope. I think it's a clue or something.
Priscilla Turner: Um, thanks.
Jay Smouse: Next in line.
Priscilla Turner: Here it is. The last clue.
Angie: Excuse me. Did you take a dollar for these shoes?
Jay Smouse: Sorry hon. They're $2.99.
Priscilla Turner: Shall I read it?
Jay Smouse: Barrett.
Barrett Jones: Oh, huh?
Jay Smouse: What's wrong?
Barrett Jones: That little girl. She doesn't have any shoes. I 'll be right back.
Priscilla Turner: Barrett.
Jay Smouse: Excuse me.
Barrett Jones: Yes.
Jay Smouse: Here, let me help her pay for those. You have $1, right?
Priscilla Turner: Uh-huh.
Jay Smouse: And I have two. And how much does that make?
Priscilla Turner: Three?
Jay Smouse: That's right.
Priscilla Turner: Thank you.
Jay Smouse: You're welcome. Now you have shoes.
Priscilla Turner: Yay.
Barrett Jones: That's really nice of you.
Jay Smouse: No big deal. Bye.
Priscilla Turner: Bye. Thanks for the shoes.
Jay Smouse: That was so sweet.
Barrett Jones: Yeah, well let me see the clue.
Jay Smouse: Thought you had us, didn't you Barrett? You'd have to wake up pretty early in the morning. Ta-da. And another piece of sheet music. See, the Walking Frog.
Barrett Jones: Appropriate. Come on Priscilla, let's go outside.
Priscilla Turner: What's the clue?
Barrett Jones: This president said I just feel like marching always when that tune is played. Bring a picture of this president back to the little theater with you with the money you were given.
Priscilla Turner: That doesn't rhyme.
Barrett Jones: Well, the song's pretty obvious.
Priscilla Turner: Really? What is it?
Barrett Jones: Hail to the Chief. It's a marching band tune that gets played for the president.
Priscilla Turner: But which president said the quote?
Barrett Jones: Think of the clue. Bring a picture of this president with the money you were given.
Priscilla Turner: The president's face is on the money.
Barrett Jones: Right. And which president's face is on the dollars we were given?
Priscilla Turner: George Washington.
Barrett Jones: Bing, bing, bing. If I remember what our music book said, the first time that song was played to honor a US president was to commemorate George Washington's birthday.
Priscilla Turner: Oh.
Barrett Jones: Oh no.
Priscilla Turner: What?
Barrett Jones: I gave our last $2 to that little girl for her shoes.
Matthew Parker: Hey guys. Sounds like you figured out the clue.
Barrett Jones: And that you're fresh out of these. Aw, that's so sad. I have $2. I suppose I could give you one.
Priscilla Turner: Really?
Barrett Jones: No, of course not really. Hail to Jay Smouse who wins the scavenger hunt. Barrett Jones loses cuz he's such a chump.
Priscilla Turner: Yay.
Barrett Jones: A gumball machine. Woohoo. All right, let's see. To the victor goes the victory gumball. Sorry Parker. I only have the one penny. Come on. Let's get back to Wits End and claim our prize. Ooh, that was a bubble. See you later losers.
Guest (Male): Sorry guys.
Barrett Jones: That's all right.
Guest (Male): See you back there.
Barrett Jones: Bye.
Priscilla Turner: See you Matthew.
Barrett Jones: Well I'm sorry Priscilla. I lost the race for us.
Priscilla Turner: That's all right. But it was for a good cause, right? That little girl has a pair of shoes.
Angie: Hi.
Barrett Jones: Oh, hi there. I see you're wearing your new shoes.
Angie: Yep, they're really comfy.
Matthew Parker: Eugene, come on honey. Let's go.
Angie: Mommy, this is the man who gave me the money for my shoes.
Matthew Parker: Really? Well that was nice of you. Though I wish you'd have asked me first. The last thing Angie needs is another pair of shoes.
Barrett Jones: Another pair?
Matthew Parker: She has a closet full already.
Barrett Jones: But but Angie, I I thought you said that you didn't have any shoes. That that you couldn't afford them.
Angie: I don't have any of these kind.
Matthew Parker: I told her we couldn't afford another pair. I'd be in the poor house if I bought her a pair of shoes every time she asked for one. Well we better go. Daddy's waiting for us at the mall.
Angie: Okay bye Mr. I like my shoes.
Barrett Jones: Bye. Wow. Do I feel foolish?
Matthew Parker: How are you supposed to know? We should probably get back.
Barrett Jones: Yeah. At least there's no hurry now. I really blew it Mr. Whitaker.
John Avery Whittaker: Oh, why?
Barrett Jones: We could have won. We could have been first.
Matthew Parker: It wouldn't be so bad if we actually helped that little girl. She wasn't poor at all.
John Avery Whittaker: I don't see what that has to do with anything.
Barrett Jones: Are you kidding me?
John Avery Whittaker: Well not at all. Barrett every now and then we get tested like this to see what our priorities are. Says a lot about our character. Who we are when we do the right thing regardless of how it turns out. Especially since only God alone ever knows what's going to happen with our good actions. So I don't know, but I'd say the two of you passed with flying colors. You put somebody else's needs ahead of winning the hunt. And yes you made a mistake about the girl being poor, but that doesn't mean you made a mistake. You made a choice and you chose well. I'm very proud of both of you.
Barrett Jones: Thanks. That makes me feel better. Uh, a little.
Jay Smouse: Barrett, Barrett, Barrett.
Barrett Jones: Until now.
Jay Smouse: Hi guys.
Barrett Jones: I guess congratulations are in order.
Jay Smouse: Yeah, because this time we got what we deserved more than you who deserved not to get what we deserve.
John Avery Whittaker: Jay. Mr. Whitaker.
Jay Smouse: Ah.
John Avery Whittaker: I have returned and I understand that we may have a winner.
Jay Smouse: Oh, there's no may about it. You're looking at him.
John Avery Whittaker: Oh.
Jay Smouse: Oh and Parker too.
John Avery Whittaker: Oh great. Now to make it official and present your prize, I need only make certain you have collected all of the necessary items.
Jay Smouse: They're here on the table.
John Avery Whittaker: Hmm. Uh-huh. Yes. Yes. Uh-huh. Oh. Well, you're missing the final item.
Matthew Parker: The picture of George Washington? Isn't the dollar there?
John Avery Whittaker: Yes, the dollar is here, but that's not the correct item.
Jay Smouse: It isn't? But I thought George Washington sang Hail to the Chief at his birthday.
Matthew Parker: Or something like that.
John Avery Whittaker: It wasn't George Washington who said I feel like marching always when that tune is played. Though it's true that Hail to the Chief was played to commemorate Washington's birthday after Washington died.
Matthew Parker: Oh no.
Barrett Jones: Who else would Hail to the Chief refer to? Especially when it comes to money.
Matthew Parker: Yeah.
John Avery Whittaker: A few people I suppose. If Hail to the Chief were the correct song.
Jay Smouse: What?
Matthew Parker: It's not.
John Avery Whittaker: That quote wasn't referring to Hail to the Chief. It was referring to the song Dixie.
Jay Smouse: Oh.
John Avery Whittaker: And the statement was made by
Matthew Parker: I remember now. Abraham Lincoln.
Barrett Jones: But Lincoln is on the $5 bill. And you gave us the $1 bills with Washington on them.
John Avery Whittaker: That's right. But Lincoln's image is found on another form of currency.
Matthew Parker: It is.
Barrett Jones: Oh, it's the penny. Like like this one I got at the thrift store.
John Avery Whittaker: Jay, you should have received a penny as change at the thrift store, didn't you?
Barrett Jones: Uh, well You see, I
Matthew Parker: He used it to buy a victory gumball instead.
John Avery Whittaker: Oh. Well then it appears, unless I'm mistaken, that Barrett and Priscilla here are our winners.
Barrett Jones: This is not possible. No.
John Avery Whittaker: Congratulations you two. You did the right thing and you won the game.
Matthew Parker: Thanks Mr. Whitaker.
John Avery Whittaker: But no one leaves a loser. Your consolation prize is the knowledge you'll acquire this weekend during camp. And since there's no time like the present, we should employ our post hunt time appropriately by reviewing the seven Greek modes. Everyone repeat after me. Ionian
Priscilla Turner: Ionian
John Avery Whittaker: Dorian
Priscilla Turner: Dorian
John Avery Whittaker: Phrygian
Priscilla Turner: Phrygian