Everyone in Berry Bitty City is responsible for their own business. Plum Pudding is the town’s dance instructor, Blueberry Muffin runs her own bookstore, Lemon Meringue is in charge of her trendy hair and nail salon, and even Cherry Jam is Berry Bitty City’s music teacher along wih Princess Peach. Over at the Berry Bitty Cafe, Strawberry Shortcake is hard at work in the kitchen making to-go meals for deliveries to customers in other towns nearby. She stirs in pots and mixes in bowls while talking on her cellphone.
Strawberry: “Okay. So that’s two boomberry pies, four corn muffins, and one pineapple sideways cake. I’ll have it baked and delivered this afternoon. Thank you, and have a berry nice day.” *hangs up* “Phew. This has to be the berry busiest delivery day I’ve ever had.”
As Strawberry continues cooking, Mario and Luigi walk in the cafe With Cherry and Princess Peach.
Cherry and Princess Peach: *smiles* “Hi Strawberry.”
Strawberry: *smiles* “Hi Cherry. Hi Princess Peach. How are you two?”
Mario: “We’re doing good.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: *looks around* “Wow Strawberry. You have so many pots and pans here.”
Strawberry: *stirring a bowl* “Yeah. I’m berry berry busy right now. Is there something I can do for you two?”
Mario: “Well, you could let us help you out.”
Strawberry: “It’s okay Mario. I can do this on my own.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: “Please Strawberry? We can help you get the orders ready.”
Strawberry: “I’m fine Cherry and Princess Peach, but thank you for the offer.” *cellphone rings* “Oh. Hold on.” *answers* “Hello. Strawberry’s cafe. Hope you’re having a berry nice day. Srawberry speaking… Uh-huh… Alright. So one Nana Num-Num… Okay. I’ll deliver it soon. Thank you.” *hangs up* “Sorry girls. I have too much to do.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: *frowns* “Are you sure we can’t help you cook Strawberry?”
Mario: “Or make deliveries?”
Strawberry: *puts food in the oven* “I’m sorry girls, but I’m too busy right now and I don’t have enough time. I need to get going.”
Mario: *frowns* “Alright Strawberry. Let us know if you need help.”
Mario & Luigi and Cherry and Princess Peach leave the cafe as Strawberry continues cooking for about two more hours. Finally, her delivery wagon is fully-loaded with the food boxes and Strawberry hooks up her berry scooter to the wagon. She puts her helmet on and starts to ride down the road. For the next four hours, Strawberry rides all around the Berrygrove, delivering boxes of baked goods to customers. Along the way, Strawberry’s scooter suddenly gets a flat tire and Strawberry is forced to pull over to the side of the road.
Strawberry: *frowns* “Aw muffin crumbs. I have a flat tire.”
Luckily for Strawberry, her berry scooter has a spare tire. Strawberry gets to work changing the flat tire. Thirty minutes later, Strawberry finishes fixing the flat tire and gets back on the scooter. Her face and hands have a few grease spots and Strawberry does her best to clean herself up.
Strawberry: “I’ll have to clean up later. I’m already running berry late.”
Strawberry hurries as fast as she can down the road to catch up on the deliveries. Sadly for her, the rest of the deliveries are very late and some of the customers are a little upset. At the end of the day, Strawberry arrives back at the cafe and trudges inside. The poor girl is really exhausted and tired from a very hard day of work. Her hair is a tangled mess with food stains in it, her body is sweaty from running around, and she’s covered with grease spots and dirt from changing the flat tire on her scooter. Strawberry notices the disaster of a kitchen with messy pots, pans, and bowls scattered everywhere, and bits of unmade food staining the floor, counters, and walls.
Strawberry: *moans* “Well, I guess it’s time to clean up for tomorrow.”
Trudging over to the kitchen, Strawberry grabs the mop and starts cleaning up the kitchen. Bit by bit, Strawberry slowly cleans the kitchen. She mops the floor, wipes the counters, and washes all of the pots, pans, and bowls in the sink. As nighttime falls, Strawberry finishes drying the last pan with a dish towel and hangs up her apron.
Strawberry: *looks at the time and yawns* “Gasping gooseberries. It’s berry berry late. I’d better get to bed.”
Strawberry trudges her aching body out of the cafe and up to her bedroom above the Marketplace. Minutes later, Mario arrives back at the cafe from a last-minute mail delivery and goes inside. he locks the door, turns off the lights, and walks upstairs to his bedroom, which is Strawberry’s old bedroom. Mario gets in his pjs and crawls into bed with his puppy Oreo. Oreo licks Mario’s cheek and Mario pets his cute puppy.
Mario: *smiles* “Hehe. You cutie puppy.” *kisses Oreo’s head and looks out the window* “I sure hope Strawberry will be okay tomorrow. She was so busy today.”
Mario soon lets out a big yawn and falls asleep with his puppy for the night. The next day, Mario wakes up to the sound of something crashing downstairs.
Mario: *wakes up* “Huh? What was-a that?”
Mario gets dressed in his usual clothes and goes downstairs. he gasps in shock at the sight of Strawberry Shortcake busily working in the kitchen again. She’s cooking and baking lots and lots of food not only for the customers in the cafe, but also for the customers ordering meals on the phone. Strawberry: *flipping pancakes* “Yes sir. Three rainbow shakes, a dozen muffins, and a quart of chamomile tea. I’ll have it delivered soon. Okay. Bye.” *presses a button* “Strawberry’s cafe. Hope you’re having a berry nice day… Okay ma’am. Two dozen sandwiches, two gallons of lemonade, and five cherry turnovers for a lunch party later today… I’ll be there as soon as possible.” *hangs up* “Okay. Who had three plates of pancakes?”
Three Berrykins raise their hands and Strawberry serves them their breakfast. Mario watches in horror as Strawberry constantly cooks breakfast and delivery meals at the same time.
Mario: *frowns* “Strawberry? Do you need help?”
Strawberry: *shakes her head* “No no. It’s okay Mario. I got this under control.” *flips some pancakes* “Everything’s all good.
Strawberry flips a pancake into the air, but she isn’t paying attention and the pancake lands right on her head. Mario walks over to Strawberry and takes the pancake off her head.
Mario: *frowns* “Strawberry. Please. Let me help you. You’re doing too much on you’re own.”
Strawberry: “I’m okay Mario. I’m just busy is all.”
Mario: “Strawberry. Why won’t you let me help you? You taught me how to cook most of your meals.”
Strawberry: “I just… I just have to get through this day and everything will be fine.”
Before Mario can say another word, Strawberry goes back to cooking both breakfast and delivery food for the customers. Later in the day, Mario is over at Cerry Jam And Princess Peaach’s tour bus having a saxophone lesson.
Cherry and Princess Peach: *smiles* “Great job Mario. You’re really mastering that saxophone.”
Mario: *frowns* “Thanks.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: *frowns* “Is something wrong Mario? You don’t sound like yourself.”
Mario: *sighs* “I’m-a worried about Strawberry. She’s been so busy cooking food for both her deliveries and the customers at the cafe, I’m afraid that she’s doing too much on her own.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: “we know how you feel. we saw her at lunch about an hour ago and she was literally running around the kitchen. we think we saw her cellphone taped to her ear.”
Mario: “Taped to his ear?” *stands up* “Okay. This has gone on long enough.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: “What do you mean?”
Mario: “I mean Strawberry has pushed herself too far. I’m afraid she’s going to hurt herself really bad.”
Mario walks away from Cherry & Princess Peach and goes back to the cafe. When he enters, Mario sees Strawberry washing dishes in the sink.
Mario: “Strawberry?”
Strawberry turns around and Mario gasps in shock. Strawberry looks horrible with messy hair, stained clothes, and a exhausted look on her face.
Mario: “Strawberry? What happened to you?”
Strawberry: “Oh. I was just cooking Mario. It’s okay.”
Mario: “Strawberry. I’m getting worried about you. I think you need to take a break and rest.”
Strawberry: “I wish I could Mario, but I have deliveries to make.”
Mario: “Then let me deliver them for you. I know the way to the other towns.”
Strawberry: “It’s okay Mario. I’ll be fine. You should get ready for your mail route.”
Mario: “I’ll make the deliveries during my mail route.”
Strawberry: “Mario. I don’t want you to be late with the mail. I need to go now.”
Strawberry finishes drying the last bowl and grabs her helmet. She walks outside and hooks up her delivery wagon to the back of her berry scooter and rides away from the cafe.
Mario: *sighs and shakes hes head* “Oh Strawberry. I wish you would let us help you.”
Mario walks out of the cafe and rollerblades down to the Orange Mart to pick up his mail. Later that night, Mario is gently brushing Strawberry’s cat, Custard. Custard purrs happily as she has her fur brushed.
Mario: *smiles* “Awww. Yes. You like your fur brushed. Don’t you Custard? Yes you do.”
The front door opens and an exhausted Strawberry Shortcake trudges inside.
Strawberry: *yawns* “Hi Mario What are you doing here this late?”
Mario: “I was waiting for you to come back from your deliveries. How come you’re so late?”
Strawberry: “One of the wheels on my wagon broke off, so I had to stop and fix it, which really put me behind schedule. Then I hit a pothole and a few baked goods fell on the ground and got ruined.”
Mario: “Strawberry. Maybe you should take the day off tomorrow. You look really tired and exhausted.”
Strawberry: “I’m can’t. Tomorrow I have to deliver food for a kids birthday party in Acorn Acres.”
Mario: “Strawberry. I can help you make the food for that party. That’s too big to handle on your own.”
Strawberry: “I’ve cooked for parties before Mario. I can do it. It’s no big deal.”
Mario: “Strawberry. Please. You’re working way too hard. I’m worried about you.”
Strawberry: “I said I’m okay Mario. It’s just a really busy time for me.” *yawns* “Anyway. I’m going to bed. Good night.”
Strawberry walks out of the cafe and her two pets, Pupcake and Custard, follow behind her. Melody watches Strawberry slowly walk to the Marketplace and she goes up the flower elevator to her bedroom. Melody sighs and locks up the cafe before going upstairs to his bedroom. The next day, Mario finishes up delivering the mail and meets with the rest of the girls at the gazebo.
Mario: “Girls. I’m sure all of you know why I wanted to meet together.”
Orange Blossom and Dazzle: “This is about Strawberry isn’t it?”
Mario: *nods* “I’m worried that something bad will happen to her because she’s doing all of this work by herself. I’ve been asking her to let me help, but she keeps saying that she has it under control.”
Lemon and Cricket: we'er worried too. She hasn’t come in for a hair appointment since two weeks ago.”
Raspberry: “And I have a dress that she’s supposed to try on, but she hasn’t shown up at the boutique.”
Plum: “What are we going to do about her?”
Mario: “I think the only way to help Strawberry now is to make her take a break.”
Blueberry: “But she won’t take a break. She keeps saying she’s too busy cooking.”
Mario: “Which is why we need to make her take a break, wether she likes it or not.”
Orange Blossom and Dazzle: “That sounds a little mean Mario.”
Mario: “Well, what else can we do?”
Cherry and Princess Peach: “Maybe we can all talk to Strawberry together. As a group.”
Blueberry: “Yeah. Maybe with all of us, she’ll probably listen.”
Mario: *sighs* “Alright. I’m just really worried about her though. She taught me how to be nice and I really appreciate her for that.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: *puts their hands on Mario’s shoulder* “We understand Mario. We’re worried about Strawberry too.”
Mario and the girls leave the gazebo and walk over to Strawberry’s cafe. When they walk inside, all of the girls with Mario gasp in shock. The kitchen is a huge mess with food splattered everywhere, messy pots and pans and bowls, and there’s a bad smell of burning food from the oven with the sight of black smoke. The girls look and see a messy and exhausted Strawberry Shortcake running around and talking on her cellphone while trying to cook at the same time.
Strawberry: “Yes ma’am. I’m making the food for your son’s birthday party right now as we speak… Yes I understand that it’s this afternoon, but I’m working as fast as I can… Okay okay. I’ll see you later.” *hits a button* “Hello?… Okay, that’s 10 cherry turnovers, 15 cranberry cookies, and two mucho mocha mango mousses. I’ll have those ready soon.”
Strawberry runs around mixing ingredients in bowls and putting pans in the oven. Her clothes are covered all over with food splatters, her hair is tangled and messy, and her body is a little dirty from not showering for three days.
Mario: *shocked* “Strawberry?”
Strawberry: *looks at the girls* “Sorry girls. I’m berry berry berry busy right now.” *talks on her cellphone* “Sorry sir, I accidentally messed up your order. I’ll remake your mulberry pie again and have it delivered as soon as possible.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: “Strawberry. There’s something we need to tell you and it’s really important.”
Strawberry: *ignores Cherry and Princess Peach* “Okay. So one Strawberry’s fabulous fig frappé, three pineapple sideways cakes, and a great grape grandy. Coming right up sir.”
As Strawberry cooks, her exhausted body gets worse and worse. She can barely keep her eyes open, her speed is starting to slow down, and her vision is starting to go blurry from barely having anything to eat and drink for a few days. The girls try to talk to Strawberry, but due to constantly being on the phone, Strawberry doesn’t listen to her friends. Slowly, Strawberry starts getting more and more weak from not having enough energy and over-working. Her vision gets more blurry and she starts wobbling.
Strawberry: “Yes sir… I’ll have your gooseberry… have your goose… berry.”
Suddenly, Strawberry collapses on the ground and passes out on the floor. A bowl of mixture that she was holding falls and breaks, spilling the mixture on the floor.
Girls and Mario Gang: *shocked* “STRAWBERRY!”
All of the girls run over to their unconscious friend and Mario gently shakes Strawberry, trying to wake her up.
Mario: *worried* “Strawberry? Strawberry? Please wake up! Strawberry!” *looks up at the girls* “Someone call an ambulance! Hurry!”
Blueberry and Plum pull out their cellphones and call the paramedics. About 7 minutes later, an ambulance comes and the paramedics put Strawberry on a gurney and push her into the back of the ambulance. Mario jumps in with the paramedics as the ambulance speeds away from the cafe. The rest of the girls watch in worry as Strawberry is rushed to the hospital. 8 hours later, Strawberry regains consciousness and slowly opens her eyes. Her vision soon returns to normal as she slowly turns her head to look around.
Strawberry: *really weak* “Huh? Wha?”
Dr. Nutby: *smiles softly* “Hi Strawberry. Glad to see you’re awake. How do you feel?”
Strawberry: “I feel really dizzy and weak. Like I have no energy.”
Dr. Nutby: “You should be since you’ve barely eaten any food for a few days and are badly dehydrated.”
Strawberry: “I was dehydrated?”
Dr. Nutby: *nods* “That’s why you have that water bag next to you. It’s feeding water into your body to help rehydrate you.”
Strawberry looks to her left and sees the water bag and the hose feeding water into her body.
Strawberry: “Oh. Dr. Nutby? What time is it?”
Dr. Nutby: “It’s almost midnight. You were passed out for 8 hours.”
Strawberry: “8 hours?”
Dr. Nutby: “Yep. Two of your friends called an ambulance at around 4:00pm the second you passed out. One of them rode in the ambulance with you.”
Strawberry: “Who?”
Dr. Nutby: “I don’t know. I never saw. I just heard this from one of the paramedics.”
Dr. Nutby brings over a small bowl of sliced up fruit and a small glass of water.
Dr. Nutby: “Here you go Strawberry. I want you to eat this fruit and then rest up for the night.”
Strawberry: “How long am I going to be here?”
Dr. Nutby: “Probably a few days, just until your energy is back to normal.”
Strawberry: “Will I be able to see my friends?”
Dr. Nutby: *smiles* “Of course you can. They can visit you anytime tomorrow.”
Strawberry smiles softly and eats the bowl of fruit and drinks the water. Dr. Nutby helps Strawberry lay back down on the hospital bed and puts a cozy blanket on her.
Dr. Nutby: *smiles* “Now get lots of rest Strawberry. I’ll check on you tomorrow morning. And if you need anything, just hit the call button and a nurse will come in. Okay?”
Strawberry: *smiles* “Okay. Thank you Dr. Nutby. Good night.”
Dr. Nutby: “Good night Strawberry.”
Dr. Nutby turns off the lights and leaves the room. At first, Strawberry has trouble falling asleep since it’s not her room, but the exhaustion soon catches up to her and she soon falls asleep. The next morning, Strawberry is still peacefully asleep as her door opens. Mario and the girls are all smiling and quietly tiptoe into the room, carrying balloons and colorful presents for Strawberry. The girls quietly setup the balloons and sit around Strawberry’s bed. Mario gently rocks Strawberry to help wake her up.
Mario: *smiles and talks quietly* “Strawberry. Strawberry. Time to wake up.”
Strawberry slowly wakes up and opens her eyes. She sees all of her best friends smiling happily at her.
Mario: *smiles* “Good morning sleepyhead.”
Strawberry: *smiles softly* “Hehe. Morning Mario.” *looks at the girls* “Morning girls.”
Girls and Mario Gang: *smiles* “Morning Strawberry.”
Mario: “How are you feeling?”
Strawberry: “Still feeling weak, but it’s less than yesterday.”
Lemon: *smiles* “That’s great.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: *smiles* “Oh. We got you a few gifts to help you feel better.”
Strawberry: *smiles* “Awwww girls. You didn’t have to do that for me.”
Blueberry: *gives Strawberry her present* “This is from me.”
Strawberry: *opens the present* “Oh wow. Activity books.”
Blueberry: *smiles* “Just in case you get bored. You have something to do.”
Plum: *smiles and gives Strawberry her present* “Here you go.”
Strawberry: *opens the present* “A little stereo and my bPod.”
Plum: “For listening to your favorite songs” inclued a ARMS soundtrack.
Lemon: *smiles* “my turn.” *gives Strawberry her present*
Strawberry: *opens the present* Awwwww. It’s a little stuffed animal bunny.
Lemon: *smiles* “And she’s dressed like a doctor too.”
Cricket: and i also have a gift for you Strawberry
Strawberry: what is it Cricket
Cricket: Come on in bean team
Suddenly Cricket's Friends comes in strawberry's hospital room
Butterbean and her friends: hi strawberry
Strawberry: gaspes in surprised to see Butterbean
Butterbean: Fluttered over to strawberry to give her a hug
Strawberry: what are you and your friends doing here
Butterbean: well we've came by to say would you like for us to help you around your cafe when you get out
Strawberry: Yeah y'all can help me at my cafe
Dazzle: Thanks Strawberry
Poppy: we love to help you strawberry
Strawberry opens up each present from her best friends & Mario With The Bean Team and smiles happily. Raspberry gives a special heart-shaped pillow that she made herself. Orange gives a cozy blanket for Strawberry to keep warm in. Cherry and Princess Peach gives Strawberry their present and Strawberry opens it, having Pupcake and Custard surprise her by jumping out of the box and licking her cheeks.
Strawberry: *smiles and giggles* “Hehehehe. Pupcake. Custard. That tickles. Hehehe.”
Strawberry cuddles her two pets as Mario gives his present. Strawberry opens it and it’s a framed picture of her all of the girls smiling
Strawberry: *smiles* “Awwwww. Thank you Mario. I love it.”
Mario: *smiles* “So you’re never alone. And we’ll try to visit you as much as possible.”
Strawberry: *hugs Mario* “Thank you Mario.” *hugs the girls* “And thank you everyone. These are berry great gifts.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: *smiles* “Oh. We have one more surprise for you Strawberry.”
Strawberry: “What’s that?”
Blueberry: *smiles* “Well, Dr. Hazel Nutby said that you need to eat some food to regain your energy. So…”
Mario: *smiles and holds up a breakfast tray* “Ta-da.”
Strawberry is surprised when Mario holds up a breakfast tray that has warm waffles with syrup on them, a bowl of sliced fruit, and a glass of strawberry juice to drink.
Strawberry: *smiles* “Mmmmm. That looks berry delicious.”
Plum: *smiles* “We all made it for you Strawberry.”
Mario gently sets the breakfast tray down on Strawberry’s lap and Strawberry starts to eat. As she eats, she smiles happily and fills her tummy up with the delicious food.
Strawberry: *smiles* “Mmmmmmmm. That was a berry yummy breakfast girls. Thank you berry much.”
Girls and Mario Gang: *smiles* “You’re welcome Strawberry.”
Over the next few hours, Strawberry and the girls inclued The Mario Gang all chat and spend time together in the hospital room. After eating a lunch sent in by one of the nurses, Strawberry yawns and starts feeling tired again.
Mario: *smiles* “You getting sleepy Strawberry?”
Strawberry: *smiles and nods* “Yeah. I’m getting a little sleepy.”
Cherry and Princess Peach: “You want to take a nap? We can come back later.”
Strawberry: “You know. Dr. Nutby said I need to rest up a lot. I could use a nap now.”
Mario: *nods* “Alright. We’ll let you get some sleep.”
The girls a help Strawberry lay down on the hospital bed and also help make her cozy and comfortable. Strawberry snuggles under Orange’s blanket, lays her head on Raspberry’s pillow, and cuddles Lemon’s stuffed animal. Plum plugs in the mini stereo and puts on a relaxing song for Strawberry.
Strawberry: *yawns and smiles* “See you later girls. Thank you for visiting me.”
Girls and Mario Gang and The Bean Team: *smiles* “Sweet dreams Strawberry.”
The girls and Mario Gang With Bean Team quietly leave the room and Strawberry peacefully falls asleep with her two pets, Custard and Pupcake. As she sleeps, Dr. Hazel Nutby comes in the room a few times to check on the sleeping girl and see how she’s doing. Later that night, Strawberry is awake again and the girls are back in her room for their second visit of the day.
Strawberry: “Hey girls and The Bean Team. Um… I just wanted to say I’m berry sorry for not asking you all for help. I just didn’t want to bother all of you with your own businesses.”
Mario: *smiles* “It’s okay Strawberry. We’ll always have time to help you.”
Lemon: *smiles* “Yeah. You’re our best friend Strawberry. We love to give you a helping hand.”
Blueberry: *smiles* “After all, you always give us a helping hand when we need it.”
Strawberry: *smiles and blushes* “Awwww. Thank you girls and Bean Team.”
Butterbean: okey Bean Team ready to help strawberry then let's get cooking
Everyone gathers together for a loving group hug. A few days later, Strawberry is feeling much better and she goes back home with her berry best friends and The Bean Team. From then on, Strawberry asks her friends and the bean team to help her around the cafe when things get too busy for her to handle alone. Mario and Butterbean helps Strawberry cook in the kitchen. Cherry & Princess Peach and Poppy Raspberry act as either waitresses or dish washers, depending on the situation. Blueberry, Plum, Orange & Dazzle, and Lemon & Cricket are Strawberry’s delivery helpers who ride their berry scooters and karts to other towns and deliver baked goods to other customers. Strawberry really appreciates having her best friends help her and she now knows what her body’s limits are and not to push herself so hard.