Ruby is disgusted when Fred sits next to her and Marcus at lunch and proceeds to eat a number of gross, smelly foods. Marcus fixes the problem by sticking carrots up Ruby’s nostrils. But Ruby is still irritated—with carrots up her nose, she can’t taste her sandwich! Marcus explains that the reason she can’t taste is because of the relation between the sense of taste and the sense of smell. He then goes on to describe how the nose works, and how it interacts with the brain to help us to experience these senses. Ruby leaves in a huff, revolted by the discussion of bodily functions. Fred and Marcus proceed to gleefully eat her lunch. Key Words: Kids, cartoon, nose, smell, educational Ruby and Marcus are sitting at a table in the cafeteria enjoying lunch. They both are partially hidden by lunch boxes. They slowly pull out the contents and set up for lunch. Fred Smertz wanders up and pushes his way in between the two siblings. Fred grunts and groans and eventually drops his tray in between the two scattering peas and Jello all over the table. Fred finally settles in and looks about. Fred: Hi Ruby. Hi Marcus. Whatcha doin’? (pause) Eatin’ lunch? Ruby: Another mystery solved Sherlock. Fred laughs obnoxiously at Ruby’s joke not realizing that it is aimed at him. The three eat for awhile in silence until Ruby stops in mid bite. Her eyes get big and she slowly sniffs about. Fred empties his lunch box revealing some really disgusting food items. A fish sandwich and some cheese are two of the items. Ruby: What is that smell? Fred looks about guiltily. Fred: (accusingly) Yeah! What is that smell? Who did that? Ruby: (heavy sigh of disgust) I can’t finish my lunch with this stink in the air. Marcus: (without stopping his eating) Just pinch your nose with one hand Ruby. Ruby: Oh man. The things I have to do around here just to choke down lunch. Ruby pinches her nose and scowls at Fred. Fred smiles. He has green stuff stuck in his teeth. Ruby tries to take a few bites of her sandwich but has no luck using one hand. Ruby: This isn’t working. Marcus: Here try this. Lean back Ruby. Ruby leans behind Fred and Marcus leans back too. When Ruby’s face is revealed she has a baby carrot stick stuck up each nostril. She is not a happy camper. Fred: Ruby is a trained professional cartoon character! Those of you at home should NEVER EVER stick anything up your nose. It's dangerous and really gross. Ruby: Marcus, this makes me look really silly. Marcus: Can you smell Fred anymore? Marcus: No. Marcus: Then quit complaining and eat your lunch. Ruby takes a few bites and then stops. She thinks for a moment. Ruby: Marcus, now I can’t taste my food. Fred is amused. Marcus: That’s because your nose is plugged. Ruby: What does tasting my food have to do with my nose being plugged? Marcus: Your nose plays a big part in taste. Fred: I thought your nose was for breathing. Marcus: That’s right Fred. Your nose is a passage way for air to get into your lungs. The air enters the nostrils where it is warmed and moistened and then it travels through the nasal cavities to the pharynx. Fred: (proudly) I have hair in my nose! Marcus: Everyone has hair in their nose Fred. The hair and mucus in your nose filter out dust and foreign objects that are in the air. Ruby looks slightly sickened by this description. Ruby: Ugghhhh! This lunch just keeps getting better and better. Marcus: The nose also allows us to smell things. There are olfactory cells in your nose that send nerve impulses through the olfactory nerve to the brain informing it of different smells. Fred: Like the smell of sweet sweet chocolate chunky chunk chunks. Marcus: I was thinking more along the lines of healthy snacks like oranges, apples and strawberries . The sense of smell actually plays a major role in being able to taste. Most of what we think of as the sense of taste is actually how something smells. Fred: So… I should stick my lunch up my nose? Ruby: All right! That’s it! The final straw! I can’t finish my lunch with gross out Fred and his sidekick Captain Brainiac discussing bodily functions. I’m outta here! Marcus and Fred watch in silence as Ruby gets up and storms off. They pause for a few moments and then smile and give each other high fives. Marcus: That was easy. Fred: Yup. Marcus leans over and raids Ruby’s left behind lunch. Marcus: You want her strawberries or apples? Fred: Anything but those carrots. Fade to black