The door to apartment 5 opens slowly and three heads peep in--one fuzzy, one curly and one lime green.
Ru: Coast is clear! Let's get everything set up!
Kermit: (dashing in with bags and boxes) Great--let's get this party going.
Fozzie: (nervously) You're--you're sure she's not here.
Ru: I'm sure. That coupon for a free facial and banana split did the trick. (holding up crepe paper) Polka dots or paint splashes?
Kermit: Paint splashes.
Fozzie: Polka dots.
Ru: Both it is. (There is a knock on the door. Ru goes to answer it, twirling crepe paper all the way.) Oh--Hi guys! Come to help?
Gina: Oh, we came with help all right. (She holds out a paper bag that clinks and Ru peers inside.)
Ru: That should help.
Gina: You guys are seriously deficient in the wine department.
Fozzie: Not really. We having plenty of whining in this apartment--whining about homework, whining about dry-cleaning bills, whining about the lack of anything to wear.... (Gina and Ru look at him, not certain what to say, and he sighs.) Joking! I was making a pun! Sheesh--don't you guys ever watch the news? (He sulks off.)
Newsie: (Helping Kermit off a ladder) Er--what was that about news?
Ru: (whispering) Fozzie's been upset ever since he found out he missed National Pun Day, so he's spent the whole day trying to make up lost time.
Gina: Yikes.
Ru: (ruefully) Yeah--sort of. Um, where's Rhonda?
Gina: Riding herd on the Yip yips. They insisted on bringing a present.
Kermit: (walking over, interested) Really? A present for Piggy? What kind of present?
Newsie: (obviously steamed) We don't know. Rhonda wouldn't say. (Takes a deep breath preparatory to launching into a complaint.)
Gina: (interrupting hastily) But she promised it wasn't flammable or dangerous.
Newsie: (still not happy) I've heard that one before! I told Rhonda--
Rhonda: (from the doorway) Told me what?
(Everyone in the room startles, and the Yip Yips race into the room, up, down and around the crepe paper, the big bakery box on the coffee table. Fozzie cowers behind Kermit and Ru.)
Fozzie: (nervously) Are those--are those guys safe? In here I mean?
Rhonda: As safe as Golden Boy over there.
Ru: Not quite the answer I was hoping for. Hey--c'mon guys, we've got to get everything ready. Everyone will be here, soon, and then Piggy will be back before you know it.
Gina: When are people arriving?
(There is a knock at the door.)
Kermit: Right about now!