Mr. Hooper's Death

(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.)