Air date: July 23, 1993
Thomas Stories: Wrong Road
It's the day before April Fools' Day. The kids are dreading it, knowing that Schemer will be insufferable. Then they get the idea to pull a prank of their own, ripping a date off of Stacy's calendar so that Schemer will believe that today is April Fools' Day. The kids laugh it up as Schemer hysterically misinterprets everyday interactions as would-be pranks, much to the annoyance and confusion of everyone else. He also attempts to pull his own pranks, most of which backfire on himself. But when Schemer loses his arcade, the kids start to think that maybe their joke has gone too far.
Tropes:
- An Aesop: Pranks are fun so long as they don't get out of hand.
- April Fools' Plot: Technically, it's set the day before April Fools' Day, but the holiday is still the driving force behind the plot.
- Bankruptcy Barrel: Schemer's attire after his clothes are ruined by one of his botched pranks.
- Comedic Underwear Exposure: Schemer before he starts wearing the barrel. He has Goofy Print Underwear, naturally.
- Double Take: Schemer's reaction when he finds out what day it really is.Schemer: And let me tell you why!
Kara: You think it's April Fools' Day, but it's not!
Schemer: Because I think it's April Fools' Day, but it's not! [double take] WHAT?! - Literal-Minded:Tito: That'll drive him crazy!
Didi: Where's "Crazy"? I never heard of that place before. - NOT!: The Jukebox Band considers Schemer's predicament:Rex: Maybe one of us ought to tell Schemer he's making a mistake, Tex.
Tex: Go right ahead, Rex.
All: NOT! - Paranoia Gambit: By making him think that it's April Fools' Day, the kids make Schemer paranoid that everyone else is trying to prank him when they're not.
