(Big Bird gives everyone pictures that he drew of them.)
Big Bird: And last but not least, ta-da!
(Shows picture of Mr. Hooper.)
Big Bird: Well, I can`t wait till he sees it!
(silence)
Big Bird: Say, where is he? I wanna give it to him. I know! He`s in the store.
Bob: Uh, Big Bird. He`s ... he`s not in there.
Big Bird: Oh. Then where is he?
Maria: Big Bird, uh, don`t you remember we told you? Mr. Hooper died. He ... he`s dead.
Big Bird: Oh yeah. I remember. Well, I`ll give it to him when he comes back.
Susan: Big Bird, Mr Hooper`s not coming back.
Big Bird: Why not?
Susan: Big Bird, when ... when people die, they don`t *come* back.
Big Bird: Ever?
Susan: No, never.
Big Bird: Well, why not?
Luis: Well, Bird Bird, they`re dead. They ... they can`t come back.
Big Bird: Well, he`s *gonna* come back. Why, who`s gonna take care of the store? And who`s gonna make my birdseed milkshakes and ... and tell me stories?
David: Big Bird, I`m gonna take care of the store. Mr. Hooper, he left it to me. And I`ll make you your milkshakes and ... and we`ll all tell you stories, and we`ll make sure you`re okay.
Susan: We`ll look after you.
Big Bird: Hmmm.
(silence)
Big Bird: Well, it won`t be the same.
Bob: You`re right, Bird Bird. It`s ... it`s ... it`ll never be the same without him.
Big Bird: Mmm.
Bob (crying): But you know something? We can all be very happy that we had a chance to be with him and ... and to know him. And to love him a lot when he was here.
Big Bird: Yeah.
Olivia: And Bird Bird, we`ll still have our *memories* of him.
Big Bird: Well, yeah ... yeah ... our memories. Right. Why, memories, that`s how I drew this picture. From memory. And we can remember him and remember him and remember him, as much as we want to! But I don`t like it. It makes me sad.
David: We all feel sad, Big Bird.
Big Bird: He`s *never* coming back?
David: Never.
Olivia: No.
Big Bird: Well, I don`t understand! You know, everything was just fine! I mean, why does it have to be this way? Give me one good reason!
Gordon: Big Bird, it has to be this way ... *because*.
Big Bird: Just because?
Gordon: Just because.
Big Bird: Oh.
(Looks at Mr. Hooper`s picture.)
Big Bird: You know, I`m gonna miss you, Mr. Looper.
Maria (crying): That`s *Hooper,* Big Bird, *Hooper.*
Big Bird: You`re right.
(Everyone gathers around Big Bird for a hug.)
