(Ru and Fozzie are sitting at the kitchen table. Tears are streaming down Fozzie's face, and Ru shoots him a look of sympathy.)
Ru: I'm sorry, Sweetie. It'll be over soon.
Fozzie: (wiping his streaming eyes) I know. I know. It's just...hard...right now.
Ru: (eyes tearing up) C'mon--you're going to be fine. Just keep a grip on, okay? (She reaches out and grasps his arm in an encouraging manner and he nods resignedly. They are quiet for a few moments, but look up when Kermit comes in the kitchen. he pauses uncertainly in the doorway, looking from one tear-stained face to another.)
Kermit: Is...is everything, um, okay?
Fozzie: Oh sure, Kermit.
Kermit: (not convinced) I...I could go out and leave you guys alone.... (He starts to turn away.)
Ru: (cheerily) Stop right there! Just because you aren't helping me cut up onions for homemade onion rings doesn't mean you get a free ride for dinner. Check the rice pudding, won't you?
Kermit: (grinning) Sure thing. (He lifts the lid and lets out a happy exclamation.) Ooh! Are those...are those--
Ru: Dates, sweetie.
Kermit: (disappointed but trying to cover) Oh. Dates.
Ru: (Taking the bowl of onions to the sink, to Fozzie's great relief.) Sorry, Kermit. I thought I'd better stick with the more traditional embellishment. I could whip you up a batch with brown beetles later....
Kermit: No. No. Dates are nice, too.
Piggy: (coming into the kitchen) Sometimes they're nice. (She kisses Kermit on the cheek when he smiles at her and breezes over to the fridge to get out a chilled water.) Ugh--what's that smell?
Ru: Onions, Honey. Better stay back or your mascara will run.
Piggy: (batting her eyes coquettishly) Moi is not wearing mascara. (Her own lashes are thick and dark.) What on earth do you need that many onions for?
Fozzie: Homemade onion rings!
Piggy: Ooh! Moi loves homemade onion rings. But still.... (She looks at the two large bowls of raw onions.)
Ru: (wiping her hands on her apron) Oh, well, I thought I'd make a few extra, you know, in case, um, someone drops by, um, unexpectedly....
(Piggy rolls her eyes but Kermit laughs and walks over to give Ru a hug.)
Kermit: Still cooking for Big Mean Carl?
Ru: Er, maybe....
Fozzie: I don't think he's planning to eat any of us any more.
Ru: I know. I just...well, he always seems sortof, um, I don't know--
Kermit: Hungry?
Fozzie: Scary?
Piggy: Disgusting?
Ru: (quietly, sighing) Yes.
(They grin at her, then Fozzie brightens.)
Fozzie: Well, good thing you're making a lot, right?
Ru: Right! Here--somebody hand me the batter from the second shelf in the fridge....