Meet Merton #1

Merton Muddle and his friends build a makeshift helicopter in Calories Casey’s garage, leading to a chaotic flight that ends with the vehicle crashing into the ceiling. As Marcia Thorndike and Jo Ann Sweet each claim Merton as theirs, they race to prove their ownership by pointing to the jeep’s name—only to find the names mysteriously vanished.

Merton Muddle is overwhelmed by a series of increasingly absurd gifts—candy, flowers, and a singing telegram—from Marcia Thorndike, who’s trying to win his affection. As Merton’s father, suffering from a bizarre allergy to roses, lies comatose from the floral bouquet, Merton struggles to keep the chaos from escalating, all while his own attempts to decode Marcia’s intentions only deepen the confusion.

Merton Muddle tries to pass a note to Jo Ann Sweet by launching a paper helicopter, only for it to be carried away by the school’s air conditioning ducts—leading to a frantic chase when it’s mistaken for a spider and sets off a chain of chaos involving Miss Tiddlewink, Mr. Billingsly, and the school janitor. As the note’s journey spirals out of control, Merton ends up trapped in the vents, prompting a rescue that leaves the school’s cooling system destroyed and the day’s plans up in the air.