What's Up with Alex?

What's Up with Alex?
Season 2, Episode 59, 60, 61, 62
Air date	Pt. 1, April 10, 1994 Pt. 2, April 17, 1994 Pt. 3, April 24, 1994 Pt. 4, May 1, 1994
Written by	Fracaswell Hyman & Candido Tirado
Directed by	Maureen Thorp
Episode guide
Previous Don't Stop the Music	Next A Crime of Two Cities

Missed deadlines...shirked responsibilities...easily irritable...one has to ask, "What's up with Alex?"

It seems that he has become irritated with everyone who cares for him. Could it be because he's just been accepted as a member of a street basketball team that participates in more, well, dubious, activities on their off-time?

Whatever the case, there are far more serious things going on at Hurston: somebody is breaking into students' lockers and stealing whatever they can find inside that is of value, including Tina's sheepskin jacket.

Who is stealing from students' lockers? How are these incidents connected to the basketball team that Alex is a member of? Only the Ghostwriter Team can get to the heart of the case.

Cast

Ghostwriter Team

• David López as Alejandro 'Alex' Fernandez
• Sheldon Turnipseed as Jamal Jenkins
• Blaze Berdahl as Lenni Frazier
• Mayteana Morales as Gabriella 'Gaby' Fernandez
• Tram-Anh Tran as Tina Nguyen
• William Hernandez as Hector Carrero

Co-Stars

• Dennis Staroselsky as Kevin Michaels
• Oren Sofer as Spencer
• Victor Sierra as Victor Torres
• Shawn Elliott as Mr. Fernandez
• Iliana Guibert as Mrs. Fernandez
• Jonathan Hershfield as Jeffrey Baxter
• Julia Jordan as Delilah
• Kelly Kristjanson as Mary Jo
• Jesse Tendler as Arnie
• Z Wright as Jason
• Elan Rivera as Maria
• Damien Leake as Mr. Oliver
• Patricia Mauceri as Mrs. Michaels
• Jesse Moore as Mr. Johnston
• Mike Starr as Big Ralph

Plot

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4

Announcement
Right before this episode is introduced, Mayteana Morales and Shawn Elliot make an announcement. They warn the viewers that the story arc they are about to watch is about drugs. So if they have any questions or concerns, then they advise them to watch it with either their families, or someone they know they can talk to and ask questions.

Intro
It is another day at Hurston. We see Tina and Jamal socializing in the hallway. She asks him to just admit, that now that she has gone back home, he misses his little cousin Casey. He jokingly admits now that Casey is hundreds of miles away. And not invading his room and touching his stuff anymore. Or leaving trails of peanut butter and jelly everywhere. That now he sort of misses her.

Just as Jamal notices another student throwing something into the wastebasket, he also notices that Ghostwriter is checking something. So he brings it to Tina's attention. Tina is shocked to find her student ID card in the wastebasket (an out of date picture taken before she grew her bangs out). Jamal curiously asks her what it was doing in the trash. Tina is very puzzled and confused. Now she tells him that she left in the pocket of her new Sheepskin jacket. The one she left locked inside of her locker. Then she is horrified to see her locker is wide open and her new sheepskin jacket is gone. Jamal points out that her lock was broken. So someone must have broken in!

Story
The arc begins with Jamal standing next to Tina. He is giving her comfort and morale support. She is devastated, explaining that she had to beg her parents for the sheepskin jacket and promised them that nothing would happen to it. Now it's been stolen. So now she is so upset and doesn't know what to say to her parents. Now Lenni and Alex arrive overhearing her. Lenni asks them what the problem is. So Jamal explains to them that someone broke into Tina's locker and stole her new sheepskin jacket. They are both shocked to hear this. Then Jamal, Lenni and Alex all promise her that they will help her get it back. Then as a good gesture, Alex lends her his jacket to go home in. He tells her not to worry about him. Although it is cold outside, he has enough muscle to keep him warm. Tina now feels reassured, knowing she can always count on having good friends like them.

Then suddenly, Kevin Michaels shows up. He has a reputation for being a cool kid in school. Also, as the leader of the Dragons basketball team. The team is known to be the best three man team in Brooklyn. He addresses Alex as Alejandro and asks to speak with him privately. Alex feels honored and privileged and happily agrees. Before they leaves, Kevin says hello to Lenni and compliments her hat. She thinks he is cute and has a slight crush on him. So she almost blushes and thanks him, also that it is one of her favorites. Then as Alex and Kevin leave, Jamal teases her about it and they all laugh.

Then suddenly, we overhear another upset girl complaining. Her name is Maria, and she reveals to them that someone broke into her locker, and they stole her camera! They are shocked to her that another robbery has happened!

Then inside an empty classroom, we see why Kevin has asked to speak with him privately. Kevin wants him to join his selective basketball team. Alex is speechless and asks him if he really means it. Kevin tells him he was great the other day (in the second part of the previous story arc), he feels that Alex is a natural and was very impressed by him. And he thinks he has nice moves. Alex thanks him and shakes his hand. He tells Kevin that he can call him Alex, because everyone does. Kevin tells him that he would prefer to call him Alejandro. Since he feels a man deserves the right to be called by his proper name. Alex greatly takes it into considerations and agrees. So they agree to meet at the basketball court at 4 O'clock for his team tryout.

Then after Kevin leaves, Jamal enters the classroom. They are both eager to tell them something. So Jamal goes first explaining that someone broke into Maria's locker and stole her camera. So this upcoming period. Lenni and Tina have their lunch. So they are going to get the casebook started. Then Jamal tells him they are all going to meet at his place after school. Alex tells him that he cannot come. He excitingly explains that the Dragons need an alternate player, and Kevin wants him to tryout. Hearing this, Jamal is really happy and excited for him. Since the team is the best three man team in the neighborhood. So Jamal wishes him the best of luck. Then they sit down as the bell rings and class begins.

Lenni and Tina meet by their lockers. Then they begin a casebook. So far they have two victims.

1. Tina, her sheepskin Jacket was stolen.
2. Maria, her Supershots camera was stolen.

Lenni tells Tina that she spoke to Maria. She told Lenni that there wasn't anything distinctive written on it. Therefore, Ghostwriter may have difficulty finding it. However, Maria did put a daisy sticker on the back of it. So they will be able to at least identify. Granting that is, if they DO find it.

Then Lenni and Tina are off to go and report the thefts to Principal Kelly. Then just as they leave, they walk by another upset person expressing concern. It is a girl named Delilah. She is on the floor rummaging through every nook and cranny of her locker. Lenni asks her what the problem is. So Delilah explains to them that somebody broke into her locker and stole her tape player. Now they realize this makes three people. Delilah is shocked to hear that she and two other people have been robbed, and cannot believe it. So Lenni asks Delilah if there were any distinctive words written on her tape player. So they can possibly identify it. Delilah is skeptical and just stares at them. She confusingly asks them how they even expect to find it. She mockingly asks them if they have a special radar that helps that find words. For a moment, Lenni and Tina just stare at her. Almost like she figured out Ghostwriter. Then they shake it off and carry on.

Then in Eighth grade Urban Studies, Mr. Johnston is writing down examples of city problems on the blackboard. So far he has written down: "Crime", "Not enough jobs" and "Violence in the schools". Then he asks his class for more examples. Jamal says "Homelessness", and Mr. Johnston writes it down. Next Jeffrey Baxter says "drugs". Mr. Johnston agrees, since it is a big problem everywhere and writes it down. Now Mr. Johnston assigns his class to join into teams of two. And to do a project on a city problem. Kevin immediately passes a note to Alex. The note says: "Alejandro, Let's work on the project together, okay?". Alex happily agrees and nods at him to say yes. Then after class is dismissed, Alex is about catch up with Kevin, who is hanging out with a crowd. Among them are some pretty girls and a blonde one named Mary Jo blushes and waves at Alex. Then Jamal meets with Alex. Since they're best friends, he assumes he will work with him. So he asks Alex what topic he wants to do for their project. Alex apologizes to him, explaining that Kevin already asked him to work with him. Jamal is very disappointed to hear this, and he understands. Then after Alex and the others leave, Jeffrey nervously speaks to Jamal. He asks Jamal if he found a partner yet. Since he still needs one too. Jamal, very reluctantly agrees as a last resort to work with him. He isn't too crazy about the idea of working with Jeffrey Baxter. Since he is or at least he was friends with Calvin Ferguson.

Then over at the bodega, Alex's parents are very proud of him. Alex doesn't think it is that big of a deal. But his father Eduardo thinks it was so nice to lend his jacket to a woman in need. Which are the traits of a true gentleman. So now he can see their son is growing up right before their eyes, and becoming a man. Alex's mother reminds him that he still has a long way to go. Then Alex hints to his dad that since he's becoming a man, he should have his own room. Eduardo isn't sure he is ready to get him one yet. Then Alex reminds him that he said he would consider using the spare storage room. Also that he's getting too old to share a room with Gaby. Eduardo says he is still thinking about it. Then Alex realizes it's almost time for his tryout, so he leaves. His mom and sister both wish him luck, hoping he will make the team. Before he leaves, Eduardo reminds him that at 5 O'clock a big delivery is coming. So he is will need his help. Alex promises to remember to be on time and leaves. Then just after he leaves, Gaby notices the letters on some jam jars rearranging. It is a rally message from Ghostwriter telling her: "Rally J". So she heads over to Jamal's house.

Then over at Jamal's house, Lenni speaks. She says that Ms. Kelly was really mad about the locker thefts. So she is contacting the school board, to look into getting more security in the halls. Hector asks her if they have any suspects yet. As Jamal is working on his arms pumping dumbbells, he says not yet. They only have a list of the stuff that was already stolen. Then Tina reviews the list and reads it out loud. Her Sheepskin jacket, Maria's supershots camera with a daisy sticker on it. And Delilah's audio tape player with the brand name Tronic written on it.

Then Gaby asks Tina if there was any writing on it. Tina says no, then suddenly she remembers she had a grocery list in the pocket. Then Jamal suggests asking Ghostwriter to find the grocery list and everyone agrees. Then Tina remembers her mom wrote it. So it is in Vietnamese. Now she's worried that Ghostwriter may not understand it. Then Lenni says that he might. Then she reminds Tina that he helped her find those Portuguese words, to help her write her note to Safira Simango. Then she realizes she is right. Even if Ghostwriter doesn't understand the words, he can still find them. So Tina begins writing out the grocery list.

Then over at the basketball court, Alex arrives just as an argument is taking place. The argument is between Kevin and Victor. Victor is furious. He recently lent Kevin $50.00. But Kevin is behind on paying him back. So Kevin is trying to put it off, saying he will pay him back tomorrow. Victor is still angry telling him not to lie to him. He has done this to him before. So he feels he was a fool to lend him the money. Also he is getting tired off doing all of the work and playing the most in the games. Also it is all in his professional playbook. So he can see it for himself, if he doesn't believe him. Then Victor gets fed up with Kevin and abruptly quits the team. So Spencer asks Kevin what they will do now. Kevin says they don't need Victor, if he wants to act like a baby and quit then it's up to him. So they pass Alex the ball and begin his tryout for the team.

Then back at Jamal's house, Tina reads out loud what she written to Ghostwriter. It says: "Someone stole my jacket. A grocery list is in the pocket, but it's in Vietnamese. The list has three items:

1. Gao (pronounced Gow) which is rice.
2. Nuoc Mam (pronounced Nuke mom) which is a fish sauce.
3. Bun (pronounced boon) which are rice noodles.

Then she asks Ghostwriter: "Can you find this list and read what's near it?". So Ghostwriter skims the message. Then he answers. He responds saying: "Yes! Stealing makes me angry! Then Ghostwriter flies off to find the words.

Then back at the basketball court, the tryout has finished up and Alex has done a really good job. When it is over, Kevin invites him to the team to take Victor's spot. Then Spencer welcomes him to the team. Then Kevin and Spencer tells him he will need $50.00 to buy a "Red riding hood". He is confused, so they explain that a red riding hood is the code name for their Dragons jackets. Then Kevin invites Alex over to his house. He needs to immediately teach Alex their key plays. Since tomorrow, they are playing against a really good team called the Knights. Spencer claims they are really good, but they are better. Then Spencer tells Alex if they win the next two games, they'll play for the Fort Greene championships.

Then back at Jamal's house, the team is playing around to pass time. Then Jamal brings it to their attention that Ghostwriter has returned. Ghostwriter floats in the airs and spins multicolored letters everywhere. Then he tells the team: "I Love Alabama!". They are all confused. Tina is frustrated thinking it means her jacket is now over 2000 miles away in Alabama. Jamal suggests it may have just been words Ghostwriter read near it. Then Ghostwriter enters Jamal's computer. He also tells them: "For Sale" and RALPH'S. Then he tells them "Body Work", "Used Batteries" and "Alarms". Tina carefully writes everything done. Gaby and Jamal promise her that they'll help her get her jacket back. But first they need to figure out what these clues mean.

Then over at Kevin Micheals' house, Alex is amazed to find out that Kevin's grandfather was Sky Michaels. And he was a professional basketball player. Alex is at Kevin's grandfather's trophy that he won in 1949 for being most valuable player. Kevin sadly informs Alex that he died the previous year. Alex asks Kevin if he can hold it, but Spencer says nobody else touches "Aladdin's lamp". Kevin explains it is the code name he uses for the trophy. Also he rubs it before every game for good luck. Then when he starts playing professionally, he is going to take the trophy with him everywhere he goes. Then Spencer tells Alex, that he got to meet Sky Michaels one time. He felt it was such an honor to meet a professional player. Also, he gave Spencer pointers.

Then Kevin shows Alex his professional playbook. He explains his grandfather taught him how to keep track of their games. So the book contains records of all the games they've played and who they played against. Also there are comments for how each player did during the game. Also how many points each of them scored. As well as what they need to improve on.

Then back at Jamal's house, the team is trying hard to figure the clues out. So they can figure out where Tina's jacket is. Gaby Suggests that RALPH'S must be either a business or a store. Since it is a name and it is all in capitol letters. Also "For sale" could be a sign on the store. So Jamal checks his phone book for listings under the name of Ralph. Jamal comes across five listing with the name Ralph.

1. Ralph's All-Star Gym.
2. Ralph's Discount Store.
3. Ralph's Florist.
4. Ralph's Garage.
5. Ralph's Sneakerama.

Jamal thinks it might be "Ralph's All-Star Gym", because one of the clues is Bodywork. So a gym is a place where you work your body. But Hector are Lenni are confused about why a gym would sell used batteries and alarms. Then he realizes they are right, the gym only fits one of the clues. Then Gaby suggests it may be Ralph's Discount Store". Since a discount store would have a for sale sign on it. Lenni's agrees saying that store also would sell alarms and batteries. Then Hector questions why it would sell used batteries. Then they realize he is right, and the bodywork clue doesn't fit either. Jamal then says they can forget about "Ralph's Florist" too. Since a for sale sign would be the only clue to fit it.

Then Gaby is onto something, she suggests it may be "Ralph's Garage". Since Garage's do body work on vehicles. Also vehicles have alarms and batteries. But Hector is confused about the used batteries, and why someone would be a used one. Gaby explains that her dad bought a used battery for their truck. He bought a used battery because it was cheaper than buying a new one. Then everyone realizes all the clues except for "I Love Alabama!" fit. So they agree to go and check "Ralph's Garage" the next day after school.

Then back at Kevin Michaels' house, Alex is learning about the teams plays. He is amused by the nursery rhyme title "Three blind mice". Kevin says it is a the code name for one of their coolest plays. Alex can't believe he is serious at first. Then Kevin explains that they use the names of fairy tales and nursery rhymes, as code names for their plays. That way the other team will not know what they are talking about. Alex says it sounds kind of babyish to him. But Kevin says it isn't at all. In fact, in World War II his grandfather (possibly his maternal) was a fighter pilot, and his code was Rumpelstiltskin.

Then Kevin and Spencer show Alex how to do the "Three Blind Mice" play. Kevin explains that during it, he is player one. So Alex will be player two, and Spencer will be player three. So Spencer will pass the ball to Alex. Then Spencer will run all the way to the corner on the left side. Then Alex will dribble towards Spencer like he is going to pass him the ball. Then Alex will count to three and fake passing him the ball. Then Kevin will sneak past the guy in front of him, and quickly run to the basket. Then without looking, Alex will quickly pass Kevin the ball. So the guys on the other team are the three blind mice. Since they are so busy checking out Alex and Spencer, they won't even see Kevin sneaking up to the basket.

Then there is a knock on Kevin's door. It is Kevin's mom Mrs. Michaels. She is introduced to Alex and she happily makes his acquaintance. She tells him she is off to work and reminds him to do his homework. After she leaves, Alex asks Kevin why she works at night. He explains that the bank she works at pays more, if you work the night shift. So, he gets the house all to himself after she leaves. Then suddenly, Alex realizes how late it is. So he asks Spencer what time it is. Spencer says it is 5:30 pm. Hearing this, Alex explains to them he was supposed to help his dad in the store at 5:00 pm; but he forgot. Hearing this, Kevin and Spencer believe that since he has a job, he should be able to pay for his Dragons jacket in no time. Then he tells them that he doesn't get pay. Then hearing this, they tease him. They say he is Cinderella. So he'd better get home before he turns into a pumpkin.

When Alex gets back to the Bodega, his dad is very disappointed in him. Alex is apologizing profusely. Then Eduardo tells him that he guesses he was wrong about him growing up. Since a grownup doesn't forget about his job. Alex complains that he doesn't even get paid. Eduardo asks why, and Alex says he needs $50.00 to buy a Dragons Jacket. Eduardo says that they cannot afford it. So Alex asks if he can get a real job elsewhere to earn it himself. Then Eduardo reminds him that his job is working in their store. To help support their family and put food on the table. Ergo, he gets paid a whole lot better than he realizes. Alex is about to complain, but Eduardo doesn't want to hear it, and orders him to start mopping the floor. Alex reluctantly starts mopping. He realizes that Kevin and Spencer are right; he is Cinderella.

The next day at Hurston Middle School, we see it's time for Mr. Johnston's Urban studies class. Jeffrey explains to Mr. Johnston they are doing they're project on drugs. He tells them it is a very powerful topic, and asks them how will they approach it. Then before Jamal has a chance to speak, Jeffrey interrupts and suggests they do a musical. A big one about drugs and how they ruin peoples lives. And they will have a big cast of thousands. Then Jamal interrupts Jeffrey to get him to quiet down. He is annoyed and tells Mr. Johnston he is sure they will come up with another idea. Mr. Johnston reminds them that they need to figure out what part of the problem, they want to focus on. Then he tells Jamal and Jeffrey that Mr. Oliver the drug counselor is in this week. He knows a lot and is a good source of information. Jamal thanks him saying they may go see him later that day.

Then Mr. Johnston walks over to Kevin and Alex. They are more busy and preoccupied reviewing his professional playbook. He asks them how their project is coming along. Kevin is honest and straight forward. Then he apologizes saying that they don't have a topic yet. The Dragons are playing an important game that day and Alejandro just made the team. So he was showing him the plays. Then he promises to put his playbook away. Mr. Johnston appreciates his honesty. Then he reminds them to get a topic by tomorrow, so they will not fall behind. Alex sighs relief. He was worried they would get into trouble. But Kevin tells him that he knows how to handle teachers.

Then after school, Jamal, Hector and Tina head over to "Ralph's Garage". Tina confirms it is the right place. It has a for sale sign on it. Also a sign with a list that says, Body Work, Used Batteries and Alarms. These were all of the signs Ghostwriter said, but still no "I Love Alabama!".

Tina is positive that it must be the right place. So since the door is open, they decide to go in. They head in the back and hide behind some junk and tires. Then a big intimidating man in greasy coveralls walks by. They realize he must be Ralph, or in his case Big Ralph! Then he opens a car trunk and Delilah shows up. Tina is confused why she is there. Then inside the trunk, they see him opening a suitcase. It has the "I Love Alabama!" sticker in it. So they bet her sheepskin jacket is in there too. Then they can see that Delilah is buying her tape player back from him. Tina thinks he is the thief, but Hector determines that he must Ralph must be a fence. A fence is a person who buys stuff from the thieves. Then they sell it to other people. For their own profit, or sometimes cheaper prices.

So whoever stole the stuff from the lockers, must have sold it to Big Ralph. Then after Delilah leaves, Big Ralph walks away. Tina writes him down as their first suspect. Hector suggests adding Delilah as a suspect too. But Jamal isn't so sure, because why would a thief buy there stuff back? So Jamal suggests adding her to their other clues section. She may have information that can lead them to the thief. So they should ask her how she knew, Big Ralph had her tape player.

Then Hector can see that the trunk is still open. So he thinks he might be able to sneak over and take the jacket back. Against Tina and Jamal's better judgement, Hector runs out into the open. Then he tries to get the jacket back. Then before he can, big Ralph catches him. He stares an angry glare at Hector and screams at him saying "Hey what are you doing in there?" Hector is frozen in fear..

Rewind
The show's narrator explains to the viewers, in case they have forgotten what has previously happened in the arc. The facts are:

First- Some really bad things have been happening at Hurston Middle School. Tina's new sheepskin jacket was stolen from her locker. So was Maria's camera and Delilah's tape player.

So far- the team knows that Maria's camera has a daisy sticker, and Supershots written on it. Also, Delilah's tape player has Tronic written on it. Tina had a grocery list in her jacket pocket. So she asks Ghostwriter to look for it, and read what is around it. That way, maybe the team can find the jacket, and the other stolen stuff.

Meanwhile- Alex is given an opportunity of a lifetime: Trying out for the Dragons basketball team. He passes his tryout and joins the team. Then Alex begins hanging out with Kevin Michaels a lot. Kevin is one of the best basketball players around, and Alex thinks he is really cool. Alex learns that Kevin uses the names of fairy tales and nursery rhymes for code names. Kevin uses them mostly for his teams plays. So the opposing teams won't know what his team is talking about. He lends Alex his playbook and Alex needs to learn about all of them soon. Then Alex gets so busy with the basketball team, that he falls behind on his chores at the Bodega. Ergo he gets into trouble with his dad.

And- Ghostwriter sends the team some clues. Then they figure out that Tina's jacket is at "Ralph's Garage". Jamal, Tina and Hector go to "Ralph's Garage" and hide from view. Then they watch Delilah buy her own tape player back from Big Ralph. But why would she do that? Hector determines that Big Ralph must be a fence. A fence is a person who buys things from thieves and sells them to other people for their own profit, or sometimes cheaper prices. So Big Ralph is now a suspect.

Then- Hector saw that When Delilah left, Big Ralph walked away to. Then he noticed the trunk was still open, so he decided to try and sneak over and get the jacket back. Tina and Jamal tried to stop him, but it was too late- Big Ralph came back and caught him. And boy does Big Ralph look mad!

Will Hector be okay?

Story
The arc resumes with Big Ralph catching Hector, who is about to snoop in the trunk. He is furious glaring at him and shouting. He demands to know what he thinks he is doing. So a terrified Hector plays dumb and begins repeating himself saying: "Mi Bola!" (Spanish for my ball). Big Ralph snaps at him, demanding him to speak English. Then Tina and Jamal run over. They are terrified too. So they play dumb as well. They say that he means his ball. And they think his ball is in the trunk. Big Ralph gets impatient and rude, asking how it got there and who they are. Tina and Jamal say they are Hector's babysitters. Big Ralph threatens Hector. He tells him that if he ever catches him near his cars again, he will lock BOTH him and his ball in the trunk!

Then Jamal lies to Big Ralph, he tells him they actually came to buy something. He says they're looking to help Tina (not saying her name) find a sheepskin jacket. First Big Ralph is suspicious wanting to know what they mean. They tell him they've heard that he sells all sorts of things. So they wondered if he may have a sheepskin jacket that they can buy. Then Big Ralph gets impatient and annoyed, and asks who sent them. They are not sure what to say. Then spur of the moment, Hector said the person who sent them was Juan Bond. Hearing this, Big Ralph is confused not knowing anyone by that name. Then he realizes Hector is just messing with him. So he gets furious again. Then he shouts at them to get out and never come back. So the three of them run off terrified.

Now over at the basketball court, the Dragons are playing against the Knights. The Dragons are doing really well as Kevin scores another basket. Then Kevin calls for them to do the three little pigs play, and confuse the Knights. It works as Alex scores the winning basket, and the Dragons have won the game! The three of them all cheer and high five. Then Kevin suggests they go over to his house and celebrate. Alex is all for it. But Spencer says he cannot right now; he has work to do. Alex thinks it can be a good time for them to get started on their Urban Studies project. Kevin agrees to it, but first he insists they celebrate their victory.

Then over at Lenni's loft, Lenni and the rest of the team are having a rally. They are discussing, what Tina, Jamal and Hector recently saw at Ralph's Garage and their frightening experience with Big Ralph. Lenni is confused on why Big Ralph wouldn't sell Tina her jacket, when he sold Delilah her tape player back. Jamal figures that Delilah must have known what to say to Big Ralph, to get him to do business with her. Gaby suggests that Delilah may know the secret password. Then Hector asks them how will they ever know what it is.

So Lenni writes in the casebook under the other clues section: "Delilah bought back tape player from Big Ralph". "How did she know?". "What did she say?". Then Tina suggests they go back to "Ralph's Garage" the next day after school. But Hector reminds her that Big Ralph threatened them to never come back. Then Tina says they just need to find a good enough hiding place. Next Tina says she will borrow a video camera from school. She explains that whoever is robbing things from the lockers, is selling them to Big Ralph. So if they videotape the thief selling things to Big Ralph, they can show it to the police. They all agree with her idea, thinking it's great.

They over at Kevin Michaels' house, they are reflecting on the game. Kevin has already updated his playbook and made a record of the game. The Dragons beat Knights 32 to 28. Alex scored 18 points, Spencer scored 8 and Kevin only scored 6. In the comments, Kevin wrote: Alex saved the day! Kevin feels bad that he didn't so well. But Alex reassures him that everyone has bad days now and then. Then Kevin tells him that he sure did well, and since he is the MVP, he gets to light up. So Kevin hands Alex a marijuana joint. Alex is shocked and almost speechless. He explains that he has never done any drugs before. Kevin thinks it will be wonderful, to help Alex experience his first time doing it. Then Alex says perhaps some other time. He says he has to go home, and he has a lot of stuff he needs to do there. On his way out, Alex tells Kevin that tomorrow he hopes they can finally get started on their project. Or at least pick a topic to get started.

Then back at the Bodega, The Fernandez family is quiet. Then Alex is about to go outside and sweep, when Eduardo speaks to him. He isn't too happy with him. He tells his son that it is a little too late for him to sweep the sidewalk. Since his sister already did it. That is, AFTER they were given a $50.00 ticket for having a dirty sidewalk. Alex feels terrible and apologizes. Then Eduardo tells his son that he gets no more allowance until it is paid off. Alex complains saying he needs to save the money for his Dragons jacket. Then Eduardo is mad suggesting he wears the ticket instead.

Then Alex gets frustrated saying he hates their stupid store. Estella tells her son that he doesn't mean it. But he says he does. Since everything he cares about including basketball isn't important enough for his dad. Since their stupid store always comes first. Eduardo is offended and gets furious hearing him say this. Then he reminds his son that when they first opened, he loved their store. He always wanted to help out and they were almost always tripping over him. Then Alex tells his dad that he isn't a little boy anymore. Then Eduardo gets furious. So he shouts at him, telling him to stop acting like one. Also, as long as he is a part of their family, he will take care of his responsibilities as well. Then he asks his son if he understands him. Under duress, Alex says he does.

Then Alex is ticked off, he takes a pile of receipts to work on and enters the bedroom. Gaby comes in, asking how the game went and if his team won. He is annoyed telling her to leave him alone. She gets annoyed reminding him that she didn't do anything to him. So he shouldn't take his mood out on her, then she leaves. Then over on the world map, Ghostwriter rearranges letters to ask him: "What's wrong?". When Alex doesn't answer, Ghostwriter goes over to the pegboard on the wall. He borrows letters and once again asks Alex: "What's wrong?". On sheet of paper, Alex replies. He writes: "I hate being treated like a kid!". Then Alex goes over and lies down on his bed to pout. Then Ghostwriter answers him in the air. He tells Alex "Growing up hurts". He agrees with Ghostwriter, feeling that it sure does.

Then over at Hurston, Lenni meets up with Delilah. They are discussing Delilah's business with Big Ralph. Delilah doesn't deny it and she willing admits everything. Lenni asks her if she thinks it was unfair to have to buy her tape player back. Delilah says yes, but doesn't seem to care very much. Then she asks Delilah how she knew Big Ralph had it. Delilah tells her she cannot, because she promised not to. Lenni reminds Delilah that she is protecting someone who is ripping off her and her friends. Also, Maria had her camera stolen too. Delilah says there is nothing she can do about it. Then Lenni tells Delilah that it is no longer safe for them to keep things in their lockers. So they have to do something. So if she doesn't help, it is like telling the thief that it's okay to rip them off. Delilah realizes she is right. So she quietly tells Lenni it was Spencer. He told her Big Ralph had her tape player. So to buy it back, she had to say to Big Ralph: "Spencer sent me!". She begs Lenni not to tell Spencer she said anything. She promises and writes these answers in her casebook. Then she adds Spencer as their second suspect.

Then we see Alex meeting up with Kevin in the hallway. He informs him that he had to spent the other day adding up receipts for the bodega and has to do them all evening. Kevin tells him that is a shame, since he is having a big party and all his friends will be there. Also Mary Jo will be there and Kevin tells him she has her eye on him and thinks he is hot. Alex is intrigued and excited to hear this.

That evening, as Alex is adding up more receipts, he stops and begins to daydream about Mary Jo. He is smitten and really happy fantasizing. Then Eduardo comes in and he is annoyed to see him daydreaming. He tells his son to stop daydreaming and to start doing some work and leaves. Then we hear Kevin calling to Alex's window to let him in. Kevin climbs in through the open window. He explains that the party ended early. Also he didn't want him to feel left out. So he brought him something to cheer him up. So once again Kevin offers Alex a joint. He tells Alex he deserves a break from all of the hard work. Alex agrees with him, so he looks at it and for a moment he considers it. Then he can hear his mom coming to speak to him. So he asks Kevin to quickly take the joint and leave before she catches them. So Kevin escapes climbing out the window, but drops the joint leaving it behind.

Then Estella asks to come on, but complains the door is locked. So Alex unlocks the door and lets her in. He complains that he needs some privacy. Since their dad just barges in all of the time. Estella reminds him that they're his family and not his enemies. Also that their family all needs to work to gather to help keep the store going. So he cannot always have an attitude and complain when it's his turn to do his fair share. Estella reminds him that both she and Eduardo love him very much. But they demand he be responsible. Then she asks him if he understands, and he says he does.

Then over at "Ralph's Garage", Tina and Hector are hiding by the trash cans outside the front. They realize they won't be seen from there. They can also see Ghostwriter is on the stakeout with them. They think it's great, because he can find more clues for them. Then they see Spencer walking by carrying a bag. So Tina gets out the video camera hidden in a grocery bag with a hole in it. This is so Big Ralph cannot tell from the distance that it is a video camera. Then as Spencer and Big Ralph start exchanging the bag for money, Tina starts videotaping. Then as she is filming, Ghostwriter flies into the bag. Tina explains to Hector that Spencer is the one who told Delilah about Big Ralph. Then Hector thinks that perhaps Spencer is selling him more stolen stuff.

Then Tina updates the casebook. She adds the fact that Spencer was seen selling stuff to Big Ralph. Then they can see that Ghostwriter is read something in the bag. Ghostwriter rearranges letters to tell them: "Luck will knock on your door". They don't know what it means yet. So Tina writes it down in the other clues section. So the team can all work together, and figure it out later. Then Tina informs Hector, they now have Spencer on videotape selling stuff to Big Ralph. So now this makes him a major suspect. Then Tina suggests they contact Lt. Mcquade at the police department, and tell him what they already know.

They over at the Fernandez's children's bedroom; Gaby enters. She says hi to Alex, but he is still in a mood saying he is busy. Then Gaby complains because it's freezing. So she goes to close the window. Then she is shocked to find the joint that Kevin dropped earlier. She is both shocked and furious. She knows what it is: a marijuana joint. Then she asks him where it come from and if he smokes it too. Alex get angry and defensive and forcibly takes it back from her. They begin to argue, when she asks where it came from. He tells her it none of her business. But she say it is when drugs are being brought into her bedroom. He tells her it's his room too. So she should mind her own business. Then Eduardo comes in asking them to keep it down and stop fighting. Then after Eduardo leaves, Alex thanks her for not saying anything. Gaby says she didn't say anything, because she doesn't know what to say. Then she tells her brother, that she doesn't know what is happening to him. And she is really scared.

The next at school, Tina tells Jamal that Lt. McQuade says he will check out Big Ralph. Jamal feels good to hear this. Then he asks her if she has questioned Spencer yet. She says no, because she hasn't been able to find him. Then the bells rings and Jamal says he has to hurry to class.

Then Tina bumps into a boy with glasses named Arnie. She notices Arnie has a very familiar camera. She asks him where he got it. He nervously asks her why. She says that Maria had one just like it, and it was stolen. Still nervous, he says that it isn't Maria's camera. Then Tina points out that Maria's camera had a daisy stick on it; just like his. Then he nervously say that doesn't prove anything, and bought it with his own money. Tina asks him if he bought it from Big Ralph. Hearing this, he gets really nervous and runs away. Then Tina writes in the casebook, adding Arnie as their third suspect.

Then in Urban Studies, we see that Mr. Johnston is fed up with Alex and Kevin falling behind. He tells Alex that he wants a topic on his desk by tomorrow; no excuses! Then Alex complains asking what if Kevin is absent again. But Mr. Johnston repeats himself sternly saying no excuses! Then after Mr. Johnston leaves, Alex is really upset and fed up with Kevin's slack. Jamal asks him if he is all right, he doesn't answer. Then Jamal tells him that he is sure that Mr. Johnston will let him work together with him and Jeffrey. Alex hesitatingly tells Jamal he doesn't need his pity. Jamal says he doesn't pity him, he just wants to help him. Alex snaps at him, telling to just leave him alone. Then when he leaves, Jamal look worried and upset about him.

Then over at the lockers, a boy named Jason is furious. He is pounding on the lockers, shouting in protest. Lenni and Tina just happen to be nearby. So they ask him what the problem is. Jason says somebody broke into his locker. Then they get out the casebook and ask him what was stolen. He says the golden bracelet his girlfriend gave him was. Then they ask him if anything was written on it. He says: "Luv U 4 Ever" is written on it. So they write it down.

Then Alex catches up with Kevin. Alex is worried, explaining that Gaby found the joint. So he asks him why he didn't come back to get it, when he realized it was missing. Kevin (who seems out of it) says it was a while later, and he thought he smoked it and forgot about it. Then he asks Alex if he brought it with him. Alex says no, he isn't crazy enough to bring drugs to school. Then Kevin asks him to bring it with him to his house after school. Then Kevin says he is going home, because he isn't feeling well. Then before he can leave, Alex grabs him. He reminds Kevin that they need to work on their Urban Studies project, and their teacher was really mad at him earlier about it. Kevin says they will work on it later. Alex in a fed up tone, tells Kevin he is serious. And Mr. Johnston wants a topic by tomorrow. Kevin promises they will work on it that night. Then he asks him to bring his books over to his house. Also not to forget the joint.

Then upstairs in Lenni's loft, Gaby if visiting Lenni. She is trusted alone, while Lenni quickly does an errand. Sensing she is sad, Ghostwriter borrows letters from items nearby. Then in her casebook he asks her: "Why are you so sad, Gaby?". Then Gaby goes over to converse with Ghostwriter on Lenni's computer. She tells Ghostwriter: "I think Alex is using drugs". Ghostwriter is shocked answering with: "Alex? Drugs? Why?". She doesn't know why. So she responds by telling him: "I have to find a way to help Alex". So Ghostwriter tells her: "Why don't you talk to him?". She feels it used to work, but now it seems that Alex is fighting with the whole world. So she tells Ghostwriter: "We always end up fighting". Ghostwriter is concerned and asks her: "Why would Alex use drugs?". She tells Ghostwriter: "Some people take drugs to copy off friends who they think are cool". But drugs aren't cool, they hurt people and make them sick. So she tells Ghostwriter: "I don't want my brother to be a drug user, "I look up to him" and "I Love him". Ghostwriter tells her: "Me too".

Then she tells Ghostwriter: I wish I could talk to Alex, the way I talk to you". Ghostwriter tells her: "You write to me". Then she realizes that things do come out more clearly when she writes them down. So with Ghostwriter inspiration, she writes Alex a detailed letter. Then she prints it out, just as Lenni comes back. Ghostwriter comments that she wrote from her heart. Lenni thinks this is sweet. So she asks her, but Gaby says just a note she wrote for Alex and goes home.

Then back at "Ralph's Garage" Tina and Hector have the hidden video camera set up in their same hiding place as before. Hector gets impatient asking how much longer it will be. Tina tells him he needs to be patient during a stakeout. Hector wishes Alex was with them. Then Tina reminds him that Alex is never around anymore. Since he always so busy with the basketball team. So he is not even interested in the case. Then Hector point out Ghostwriter. They seen in the casebook, Ghostwriter is telling them the words: "Luv U 4 Ever". So she looks into the camera and can see someone is conversing with Big Ralph. It appears the person is handing him a bracelet. Tina cannot make out who the person is. She can only see an arm. Tina realizes that thief is over there right now, and selling Big Ralph Jason's stolen bracelet.

Then just before they can make their move, an undercover police car puts his siren on and sets it off. The car quickly drives up. It turns out undercover police officers were on a real stake out. Now two officers run over and arrest Big Ralph. But the thief got away. Then Tina realizes the camera was still running. So they most likely got it all on videotape.

Then over in the Fernandez children's bedroom, Alex is nervously searching the whole room top to bottom. He is eagerly trying to find the joint, before their parents find it. He asks Gaby if he has seen the pants he wore yesterday and she says no. Gaby informs her brother that she has written a letter for him. He says he doesn't have time, he's in a hurry. But she insists he hears it. So she reads her letter to him out loud. Then she hands him the letter and tells him that Ghostwriter is worried about him too. He says he can take care of himself. Then after she leaves, he takes her note with him on his way to Kevin's house.

When Alex arrives at Kevin's house, Kevin isn't home alone. In fact, he is having another party. There is music blaring and people dancing all over his room. Alex is annoyed, saying they were supposed to work on their project. Kevin is baked on marijuana. So he says he forgot, and as a joke their topic can be: "Urban Parties" and begins laughing. Alex gets mad and asks him to be serious. Kevin tells him to chill and he was just joking. Alex then tells him he cannot find the joint that was left in his room. So if his parents find it, he will be in a lot of trouble. Then Kevin gets a bit silly and tells him there are no parents here and he can even look under the bed. Then Kevin tells Alex that it's time for him to get loose, and time for him to take the next step. So once again he hand Alex a joint and now a lighter, and pressures him to light up. Alex says he can't. Then Kevin asks him if he going to wimp out on him again. And in front of all his friends, and especially Mary Jo. She just happens to be right close by. Then she comes closer smiling at Alex. Then Kevin tells him to be a man and light up. Alex seems very pressured and not sure what to do.

Rewind
The show's narrator explains to the viewers, in case they have forgotten what has previously happened in the arc. The facts are:

First-Someone has been breaking into kids' lockers at Hurston Middle School, and stealing things. Things such as Tina's sheepskin jacket. Also a camera, tape player and a golden bracelet. The team figured out that the stolen stuff is at a garage, owned by a guy called Big Ralph. Also that Big Ralph buys the stolen stuff from the thief, and sells it to other people.

And- While Tina and Hector were videotaping what goes on at Big Ralph's garage, they saw someone "sell" a golden bracelet to Big Ralph. Also, Ghostwriter found an Important clue: "Luv U 4 Ever" which was written on the victim/owner Jason's bracelet was also on that bracelet. Then Big Ralph got caught and arrested by the police. But the thief got away, and Tina and Hector didn't get the chance to see who it was. But they may have it on videotape.

So far- the team has three suspects:

1. Big Ralph, because he's been buying the stolen stuff. Then selling it to other people.
2. Spencer, one of the team members of the Dragons' basketball team. He also attends Hurston. Also, he sent Delilah to Big Ralph to buy her tape player back. He also told her, all she had to say was: "Spencer sent me". And he sold something to Big Ralph himself.
3. Arnie, he also attends Hurston. And he has a camera that has a daisy sticker on. Just like the same one that was stolen from Maria!

Meanwhile-Alex is the new player on the Dragons' team. They are the best three man basketball team in the neighborhood. So now he hangs a lot with his teammates Kevin & Spencer. Kevin is one of the best basketball players around. Also, Alex thinks he's really cool. Then Alex finds out something about Kevin, he does drugs, and smokes marijuana! Also he tries to to get Alex to try and smoke it with him. And Alex turns him down.

But- Kevin offers him a joint again later on. Then Alex panics when he hears his mom coming. So he quickly asked Kevin to leave. So he climbed out the bedroom window. But he dropped the joint. Then Gaby found it later on. The she got really worried, thinking her brother may be doing drugs.

So- with Ghostwriter's help, she wrote a letter to Alex saying how she feels. Then Alex goes to Kevin's house to work on their project together, but there was a party going on instead. And this time Kevin really wants Alex to light up and smoke pot!

Will Alex smoke pot? Also, will the Ghostwriter team find out who the thief is?

Story
The arc resumes, with Kevin trying to convince Alex, to just be a man and light up. Kevin tells him Mary Jo may think he is a wimp if he doesn't, and she just happens to come by. Mary Jo flirtatiously says hi to Alex, and she asks them what is going on. Kevin tells her that Alex is just about to smoke his first joint, and he asks Alex if he is right.

Then Alex starts thinking, and flashbacks begin to appear. A flashback from the letter Gaby just wrote for him really hits home to him. Also, recent flashbacks of how proud his parents were of him growing up appear. Then a flashback, of the part of Gaby's letter where she was telling him how worried and concerned she is about him. And how she doesn't want him to be a drug user appear. Then flashbacks of when he and his friends met Ghostwriter and formed the team. Also, how much they've accomplished appear. Then flashbacks appear of when his mom told him that she and Eduardo love him very much. Also a flashback of Gaby telling him she loves him appears.

Then back to reality, Kevin keeps asking Alex if he is right. Then not wanting to lose it all, Alex does the right thing; he says no. He tells Kevin it's not for him and he cannot do it. So now Mary Jo thinks he's a wimp. So she walks away disgusted. So a stoned Kevin asks him if he is saying, he is too good for him and his friends. Alex tells him he isn't saying that. What is he saying, is that drugs can hurt you. So he doesn't want to do it. Then Kevin snaps at him, he tells him to grow up, because everybody gets high. Alex tells him that he doesn't and neither do his friends. Then he tells Kevin he needs to leave. Then on his way out, Kevin reminds him not to forgot their game the next day and Alex promises.

Then over in a classroom at Hurston, we see an African American teacher. He is Mr. Oliver the drug counselor. He is taking the time to speak to Jamal and Jeffrey. With a lot of enthusiasm, he speaks out loud to the two of them. He tells that that he has been around, and grew up on the streets. So he has seen drugs destroy families, friends and neighborhoods. Therefore, he isn't too old to know what kids go through. Also, he informs them that he hangs out in the neighborhoods, and travels from school to school. So he will do anything he can do, to keep his students away from drugs.

Then Jamal tells Mr. Oliver, that he and Jeffrey definitely appreciate him taking the time, to help them with their project. Mr. Oliver tells him he's more than happy to do it. Then Mr. Oliver asks them if the know what the best weapon to fight drugs is. Jeffrey's guess is: guns. And Jamal's guess is: the police. Then Mr. Oliver says the best weapon to use is knowledge. The knowledge of how drugs destroy your body and your brain. Also the knowledge of one's own self, and how you can take care of yourself. Also the knowledge on how to get help when you need it.

Then Mr. Oliver explains to them, that he uses knowledge to prevent students from using drugs to begin with. Then Jamal asks Mr. Oliver, about what to do for the kids who are already using drugs. Jeffrey agrees, and asks Mr. Oliver how he helps them. Mr. Oliver explains that he isn't afraid to speak his mind, and he has a very big mouth. So he uses it to let people know he is here to help. So sometimes, when people are worried about someone they know doing drug, they come speak to him. Mr. Oliver explains they aren't finking on their friends. Instead, they've come to him to help their friends. He also explains that it is his job to help people; not punish people. He talks to these people, to help them find out why they are using drugs. And how they are ruining their lives. Also try and find the way to make them stop. Most of all, it is his job to show the kids using drugs, that there is still hope. So it is never too late to change. Then after Mr. Oliver is finished, he is more than happy to share some information with them. He gives them a bunch of fliers and pamphlets on drugs and drug awareness, along with places to get information. He also gives them a list of books that they can check out of the library.

Then when Alex gets back to the bedroom, he can see that Gaby and both of their parents are waiting for him. His parents sure don't look too happy. Estella is ticked off, explaining that she found the joint. It was in his pants and, she found it when she getting them ready for the laundry. Then Eduardo steps in and he is furious. He demands to know if it's his. Alex says it isn't his, it is his friends. Then Eduardo asks him if the only reason he wants his own room, is so he and his friends can hang out and smoke marijuana together. Alex tells his parents the truth. He tells them he doesn't smoke Marijuana. But a friend of his, tried to get him to smoke a joint, but he turned him down and he just couldn't do it. Gaby asked him what stopped him. He tells his family that he doesn't want copy off of people who do things to hurt them or make them sick. Eduardo says it's a very nice thing, but still he wants to know how it got into their house. Alex explains that his friend was the one who dropped it, but he is all right. Then Eduardo snaps at him saying he cannot be all right, if he uses drug. Also what kind of friend would ask him to do it.

Then Estella asks him why he won't tell them who he is. Perhaps she can talk to the boys parents, and try to get him help. Alex says he doesn't want to get him in trouble. Then they remind him his friend is already in trouble for doing drugs. So Eduardo forbids him to be Kevin's friend anymore. Alex says that he old enough to decide whom he can and cannot be friends with. Also, just because his friend does drug, it doesn't mean he well too. Also, he already turned him down. Then Eduardo reminds him that there will be a next time. So the friend is just going to keep on convincing him to do wrong things. Then Estella agrees with her husband. So until Alex stops being friends with Kevin; he is grounded. So when he comes home, he can either work in the store or stay in the bedroom. She asks him if understands. He says that he understands that he is a slave. One with no freedom or choices of his own. Estella tells him he isn't a slave. He just isn't free to make wrong choices. Then she destroys the joint and she and Eduardo leave the bedroom.

Then after their parents leave their room, Gaby speaks to him in a disappointed tone. She asks him what is so great about his new friend. And what makes him better than the Ghostwriter Team? Hearing this, Alex really begins to take things into consideration.

The next at Hurston, Tina meets with Jamal at the lockers. They review what happened the other day: Big Ralph was arrested. So he isn't a suspect anymore. Since he was buying the stuff from the thief. Then Jamal asks her if they saw who the thief was. She says no, they only saw the thief's arm. But they might have captured something on video. So they can check it out later. Then Jamal asks her if she got her coat back yet. She says not yet, the police still need to use it as evidence against Big Ralph. So she will get it back in a couple of weeks. Then once again Arnie passes by. Tina asks to speak to him, but he gets nervous and runs off. She explains to Jamal that he has been acting this way, ever since she asked him about Big Ralph. Jamal says he will talk to him later and see what he can find out.

Then Alex comes by, and he says hi to the both of them. Jamal just sneers at him. Alex asks them if they've seen Kevin. Tina says no and Jamal gets mouthy and says he isn't his keeper. Then Alex asks his what his problem is. Jamal is taken back and asks him what his problem is. Then before Alex can answer, he sees Spencer and calls out and goes over to him. When he leaves they cannot get over Alex's new negative attitude. So they wonder, what is up with Alex? Jamal tells Tina that he has been acting like a jerk lately. And he wonders if Alex even wants to be on the team anymore. Since now, he only hangs out with Kevin and Spencer. Also, Spencer happens to be their major suspect.

Now over at the park, Alex is sitting down hanging out with Spencer. Spencer is really excited about their upcoming game. He reminds Alex that if they win the game, they will go to the citywide playoffs. Then Alex tells Spencer he cannot make it, because he's grounded. So he has to go straight home after school. Hearing this, Spencer gets concerned. He tells him he cannot miss this game. Alex says that he is already in enough trouble. Then he asks Spencer where Kevin is. Spencer is positive that Kevin will show up. Then he tells Alex not to let them down. So Alex says he will think about it.

Then back at Hurston middle school, Jamal meets with Arnie in the hallway. He asks him what he knows about Big Ralph. Arnie gets very nervous. So he tells Jamal, he doesn't have to tell him anything. Jamal tells him he's right. But since Big Ralph has been arrested, the police can surely get the answers from him. Feeling a little assured that Big Ralph is in jail, but very nervous about what the police will find out; Arnie reluctantly begins answering. He tells Jamal that his mother told him Big Ralph was a fence. Jamal is shocked to hear this, and asks how she knew. Arnie explains that his mom briefly dated Big Ralph. Then she broke up with him, when she found out he was a fence and sold stolen property.

Then Arnie explains to Jamal, that he wanted a camera. But he couldn't afford a new one. So he figured that he could buy a stolen one much cheaper. So he went to Big Ralph. Now Arnie regrets his decision. He just knows that when his mom finds out, he will be grounded for a very long time. Then Jamal reminds him, he will have to give it back to Maria. Arnie understands. So now he he will only not have a camera, he is also broke too. After Arnie leaves, Jamal updates the casebook.

Finally, Tina meets up with Spencer in the hallway. Spencer is in a hurry and very impatient. She asks him over and over again if he knows Big Ralph. He says no he does not. She tells his he must, because they saw him with him. He asks her what the problem with it was. She reminds him that Big Ralph has been selling stolen stuff from their school. Then Spencer impatiently say he has a game to play and begins walking. Then Tina tells him they have him on camera. Then he gets exasperated, telling her he doesn't want to get involved. So he turns around and walks away. Tina repeatedly asks him to wait and come back, but he does not.

Then Lenni comes by, and asks Tina what's going on. She tells Lenni that she just tried to question Spencer. But she didn't get anywhere. Then Lenni says they need to call a rally. So they carefully look at the videotape. Lenni thinks Ghostwriter can help them find out, who was trying to sell Jason's gold bracelet to Big Ralph. So Lenni calls a rally. On a sheet of paper, she writes down: Rally L. So Ghostwriter skims the message and flies off to deliver it to the team.

Then over at the bodega, Gaby is watching the till. Then Hector comes in, asking her where Alex is. She says he isn't home yet. But he needs to hurry, because he is grounded. Hearing this, Hector gets worried. He was hoping Alex would help him with his homework. Then letters from Hector's books start flying. Then on top of a Henry Huggins book by Beverly Cleary, they rearrange. They spell: "Rally L". Then in Jamal's bedroom, he organizes the drugs information. He places magazines on one side, and brochures on the other. Then flying letters appear on the pile. They tell him: "Rally L". So he goes over to Lenni's loft.

Then over at the basketball court, Kevin never showed up. So the unnamed rival team has won been default and forfeit. Alex is really mad that Kevin never showed up. Spencer is mad too, he says they can forget all about the championships now. Then Alex begins seeing letters rearrange on the basketball hop. It tells him: "Rally L". Not thinking, he says cannot. Spencer is confused asking him he can't what? Alex says to never mind. Instead he says they go over and speak to Kevin. So they can find out why he let them down.

Then over at Lenni's loft, the rally is on. They review what Tina and Hector videotaped. Tina points out in the shot where the thief is trying to sell something to Big Ralph, they can see a slight patch on the jacket. But it is really hard to make out. So Tina cannot make out the words. Then Jamal suggests asking Ghostwriter to enter the screen, and read what it says. So on a piece of paper, Jamal asks Ghostwriter: "Please read the letters on the jacket in the videotape". So Ghostwriter enters the screen. Then instantly he responds. He tells them it says: "D-R-A-G-O-N-S". Gaby and Hector panic because that is the name of Alex's basketball team.

Tina mentions that Spencer is part of the team, and he is their major suspect. Then Jamal says that until they can prove Spencer is the one, all of the Dragons are suspects. Well all of them except Alex, since he doesn't have a Dragons jacket yet. So even though Victor quit the team, he still has a jacket. Jamal doesn't think Victor is guilty, but he puts him on the list just to make sure. So now Kevin and Victor are also suspects. Also Jamal announces that Arnie is no longer a suspect. Since he doesn't have a Dragons jacket. Also, he was buying stolen property, and not selling stolen property. So Jamal crosses him off the list.

Then Alex and Spencer arrive at Kevin's house and meet in his bedroom. Kevin is groggy and really out of it. He whines to them that he didn't feel good. Then snaps at them to just get over it. Then Spencer madly snaps at Kevin, saying that he made them forfeit the game. Then Alex snaps at him. He tells Kevin that he went against his parents and went to the game. Even though he was grounded. Hearing this, Kevin scoffs him. He tells Alex that his parents still treat like a little kid. So he should stand up to them and grow up.

Then Alex complains to Kevin. He tells him he used to think he was the coolest person around. And he was so excited when he asked him to work on the Urban Studies project with him. But now he is going to fail. Since they didn't get any work done. Kevin asks him if he is blaming it all on him. Alex says he isn't blaming him. What he is saying to Kevin, is that he has a drug problem. Kevin snaps saying "says you". Spencer backs Alex up saying: "Says me too". Kevin snaps at Spencer saying "nobody asked you".

Then Alex informs Kevin that right now he is smoking pot. So soon Kevin will find himself doing different types of drugs. Kevin tells him that he already is, and to get with it already. Then Alex tells Kevin that he cannot stay on the team and be his friend anymore, if he keeps using drugs. So he is quitting their team. Kevin snaps at him. He tells Alex that is just mad. Since he looked like a dork the other night, in front of Mary Jo. Then he asks Alex, how he can knock smoking pot, when he's never had the guts to try it. Alex says it is because, he can see what it is doing to him. Then both Alex and Spencer leaving feeling disappointed in Kevin. Then Kevin has a tantrum, saying he doesn't need them anyways.

Then back at the basketball court, Alex is really worried. He tells Spencer that he can't go home. If he does his parents will be furious with him. So he asks Spencer what he should do. Spencer doesn't seem to care very much. He tells him he doesn't know. Also he has to leave, so they say goodbye. Then over on a sign, Ghostwriter can sense he is trouble. So he rearranges the letters to tell him: "Your friends can help". So he takes Ghostwriter's word for it and heads over to Lenni's loft.

Then over at Lenni's loft, Lenni tells the team that the next day, she will question Spencer. Since they need to find out what he was selling to Big Ralph. Tina says she will speak to Victor. So she can find out what he was doing, the day Big Ralph got arrested. So it could still be either Victor or Kevin who was trying to sell Jason's gold bracelet to Big Ralph. Then Gaby suggests asking Alex if can question Kevin about Big Ralph. Tina thinks that Alex doesn't want to be on the team anymore. He isn't interested in this case, and doesn't come to rallies anymore. Also he was rude and dissed her and Jamal at school. Gaby is upset to hear this, she mentions that Alex never said he was quitting. Hector agrees saying he is still their friend so far. Lenni slightly agrees, but says he spends all his time with his new friends. And all of them are suspects. Then Lenni says they shouldn't involve Alex in on the case. Gaby thinks this isn't fair. She feels that they can still trust him. Then there is a knock on the door. Lenni asks who it is and Alex announces himself. She reluctantly opens the door, and he asks if he can come in. He says he needs to speak with them.

Then over in Jamal's bedroom, Jeffrey is thinking up various ideas, while Jamal is just sitting down lifting weights. Jeffrey is air guitaring. He suggests coming up with doing a rock video. Jamal thinks he is a crazy, feeling there is no way they can do it. Jeffrey mentions to Jamal that he was in one with Lenni. Jamal reminds him that they need a, song, time, money, cameras and a director. Jeffrey realizes he is right. So next Jeffrey suggests they write a book. One about drugs and drug awareness, written by kids and for kids. Jamal snaps at him saying that writing a book takes a very long time. Also their project is due the next week. Then Jamal feeling disgusted says it was a very dumb idea. Then Jeffrey tells him he is at least thinking of ideas. Since all Jamal is doing is pumping iron, and saying no to everything. Now they get mad and begin shouting at each other. He tells Jeffrey is trying to think up ideas. But it is hard when Jeffrey is jumping around his room like a lunatic. Hearing this, they get fed up with each other. So Jeffrey thinks he should just go home and work by himself. Jamal agrees with him.

Then back at Lenni's loft, Alex has explained everything about Kevin to them. He also explains that Kevin doesn't seem to want to do anything but smoke pot. Also that he may be doing other drugs as well. So he tells them he quit the Dragons. They are surprised to hear this. Tina apologizes on everyone's behalf, for not knowing he was going through so much. He apologizes too, he says it was his fault too. He tells them they're his best friends. So he shouldn't have shut them out like he did. They accept his apology and say they all understand.

Then Gaby asks him what their mom and dad said when he came home. He reveals that he hasn't gone home yet. Gaby is shocked to hear this. And Alex says if does, they'll yell at home as soon as he enters. Tina tells him they longer he stays away, the madder they will get. And Lenni reminds him that he's going to have to face them sooner or later. So Lenni suggests he just go downstairs and apologize. But he is concerned that they will just yell at him and send him to his room. Then Gaby suggests doing for them, what she did for him: write a letter. He agrees, so he begins with apologizing to his parents for not coming home when he was supposed to. Also for neglecting his responsibilities and saying nasty things about the bodega. But it isn't finished yet, Gaby and Lenni reminds he has to mention apologizing for the marijuana and being friends with Kevin. Tina reminds him his parents were mad at him, because he was associating with someone doing drugs. Alex realizes they were right. He was wrong to be friends with him. Also now he has decided on his own to stop being friends with Kevin, if he continues to use drugs. So Alex continues his letter, with support from his friends.

Then back at Jamal's bedroom, Jamal and Jeffrey are still mad and arguing. As Jeffrey is packing up to go home, Jamal snap at him for taking all of the stuff. Jeffrey says it's because, he checked out all of the library books. Then Jamal snaps at him, saying that Mr. Oliver gave the pamphlets to the both of them. Then Jeffrey gets fed up, and dumps all the books and pamphlets on Jamel's bed. He says fine just take it all. Then Jeffrey expresses his feelings. He tells Jamal that he thought working with him, would be great. Jamal asks him what he means. Jeffrey tells Jamal he used to think he was such a cool guy. Jamal is surprised to hear this. Jeffrey explains that Jamal is always doing things to help his friends and other people out. So he thought he Jamal the coolest guy in school. Now Jeffrey is greatly reconsidering his feelings about him. Jamal tells him that working with him, hasn't been too much fun either. Then he snaps at Jamal saying he is at least trying. Also, just because you don't like the people you work with, it doesn't mean you cannot do good work together.

Then hearing this, Jamal realizes he is right so he apologizes to Jeffrey. He says he wasn't too excited about working with him. Since he thought he would be working with Alex, and he felt bad when Alex chose another partner. He doesn't tell Jeffrey the real possible reasons, to not hurt his feelings. Now he apologizes to Jeffrey. He assures him he means it and they shake hands. Then they agree to start their project all over. This time they will work together as friends. Jeffrey humbly accepts, and they start working.

Now back at Lenni's loft, Alex has finished his letter. He kindly thanks his friends, saying he couldn't have done it without their help. So he prepares to go downstairs, and give it to his parents. Then before he leaves, Tina has something to tell him. She tells Alex they have three suspects. They are Kevin, Victor and Spencer: the Dragons. Alex is shocked to hear this. Tina explains they videotaped someone trying to sell Jason's gold bracelet to Big Ralph. They couldn't make it out. So Ghostwriter helped them. He revealed the person trying to sell to Big Ralph was wearing a Dragons jacket. Also they inform him that Spencer is their main suspect. Also, since Kevin and Victor have Dragons jackets too; they're also suspects. Alex is very annoyed and disappointed to hear this. Then they ask Alex if he noticed Kevin and Spencer doing anything suspicious. He says he didn't see anything, but he will let them know if he does. They thank him and Alex and Gaby leave to go downstairs and speak to their parents.

Downstairs in the Bodega, Estella is proudly reading out loud Alex's letter. Then both Estella and Eduardo think it was a wonderful letter. So they accept his apology. Eduardo tells his son that admitting your mistakes is a real sign of maturity. Estella is glad he realized he had to stop hanging out with Kevin. She just wishes he had spoken to them sooner. Alex says he thought he could take care of it himself. And he wanted to be his own man. Then Eduardo tells him that even he can't even handle all of his problems alone. So a real man is wise enough to admit when he needs help. Estella reminds Gaby that it applies for a real woman too. Gaby laughs saying she didn't do anything. Alex reminds her that she sure did. He wrote that letter for him. It really helped make an important decision, and not a bad one. He thanks her and they hug. Then Estella tells them both how proud she is of the both of them. The next at school, Alex meets with Jamal at his locker. He apologizes to Jamal, for acting like a jerk the last week. He tells Jamal that he's been through a lot lately. Jamal forgives him and he is completely understanding. He tells him that he spoke to Lenni and Tina. So they've filled him in on everything, and told him what happened. He tells Alex it's too bad about Kevin. Alex says hanging out with him, wasn't as cool as he thought. Then he asks Alex what he will do about his project. Alex is really worried, saying they got nothing done. So Mr. Johnston is surely going to fail him now. Then Jamal tells him that he and Jeffrey can always use his help, if wants to team up with them. Hearing this, Alex feels reassured. So he says he will ask Mr. Johnston, if he can join their group.

Then Jamal asks Alex, if he thinks Kevin will show up today. Alex says he isn't sure. Jamal says he is supposed to question Kevin about the case. To see if he knows Big Ralph, but he hasn't seen him around. Alex says that Kevin has been missing lots of school lately. Then Jamal asks Alex, if Kevin doesn't show up today, if he can go over to Kevin's house and question him. Alex agrees too because it's very important. But since he isn't hanging out with him anymore, he isn't sure Kevin will still talk to him.

Then after school, Alex is just about to go to Kevin's house. Then he sees Kevin leaving in a hurry with his television. Alex calls out to him, but gets no answer. So he is curious of what is going on, so he follows Kevin. Then from a distant in an alley, he sees Kevin trying to pay off a drug dealer. Kevin tells him that was all he had and now he has no more money. So the drug dealer grabs him and pins him against the wall. Then the drug dealer steals Kevin's fancy Dragons jacket. Then the drug dealer swiftly trips Kevin onto the ground and runs off. Alex is greatly concerned and yells out Kevin's name and runs after him.

Rewind
The show's narrator explains to the viewers, in case they have forgotten what has previously happened in the arc. The facts are: Someone is breaking into students' lockers at Hurston and stealing things like Tina's sheepskin jacket, along with an camera, tape player, and a gold bracelet. Tina and Hector secretly videotape things that are happening at Ralph's garage. They see someone selling a gold bracelet to Big Ralph. But Big Ralph got arrested and the locker thief got away.

Elsewhere, Alex made new friends with Kevin and Spencer. They ask Alex to play for the Dragons, the best three-man basketball team in their neighborhood. Alex has been hanging out with them a lot and thinks that Kevin is pretty cool. Alex learn that Kevin uses code names based on fairy tales for different things. He called his TV "magic mirror" and his grandfather's basketball trophy "Aladdin's Lamp". However, Alex learns that Kevin uses drugs and he's trying to get Alex to smoke pot. Alex has never smoked pot before and doesn't want to use drugs. He turns Kevin down and decides to stop hanging out with Kevin until stops doing drugs and Alex quits the Dragons.

Back to the case, the team ask Ghostwriter to looks for clues in the videotape of the thief who is selling to Big Ralph. They find out that the thief wears a Dragons' jacket. Now the suspects are Spencer, Kevin, and Victor. Spencer is the number one suspect because Tina and Hector saw him selling something to Big Ralph and when Tina questioned him about knowing Big Ralph, he got suspicious.

The team then ask Alex to talk to Kevin about the locker thefts. Later Alex sees Kevin carry out his TV from his place and follows him to an alley with a taller guy. It looks like Kevin is in big trouble.

Will Kevin be okay and can the team find out who is stealing from the lockers?

Story
The arc resumes, with Alex seeing Kevin in trouble. So he runs over to help him. But Kevin isn't thrilled to see him, and he demands to know why he was following him. Alex tells him that he should be lucky that he came to help. But Kevin snaps back that he doesn't need anyone's help, especially Alex's help. Then Alex reminds him that the guy took Kevin's TV and Dragons jacket. So he asks him if he is going to call the police and report it. But Kevin asks if Alex is crazy. Then Kevin reveals that the guy didn't steal from him, he was paying the guy back. Alex realizes that the guy who took Kevin's TV and jacket was a drug dealer. So Kevin was giving his stuff to pay him off. Alex tells Kevin that he needs to get help for his problem, but Kevin tells him to stay out of his business and walks away. After that, Alex rallies the team at his place.

At his and Gaby's bedroom, Alex explains to the team about Kevin's behavior. Gaby questions if Kevin knew Big Ralph, but Alex says that he didn't get a chance to ask him. Alex tells the team that Kevin isn't a suspect, and was only selling his things to pay back a drug dealer. But Lenni believes that Kevin may also be desperate to steal from others, if he was desperate enough to sell his own things. Tina writes that all down in the casebook as more evidence on Kevin. That he sold his TV and jacket to pay for drugs. Also, Alex told the team that he is unable to find out more about Kevin. Since he told Alex to stay out of his business.

Hearing Kevin's problem with drugs, Jamal gives Alex a card belonging to their teacher Mr. Oliver, who works at Hurston as a drug counselor. Jamal tells Alex to talk to him, since things are starting to get serious. But Alex is hesitant to talk to him, as he fears Mr. Oliver will talk to Kevin or may think Alex has his own drug problem, or Kevin will find out that Alex told Mr. Oliver about his drug problem. Jamal assures Alex that Mr. Oliver is both trustworthy and cool. Alex says that he'll think about it. But then, Lenni checks her watch and realizes that it is time to go home. Tina agrees and Jamal has to get home as Jeffrey is coming over to his place to work on their project. Gaby offers to walk the team out as Alex remains behind in his room, thinking about Jamal's offer to call Mr. Oliver. Then Ghostwriter appears on Alex's textbook with the words: DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP, which meant that ghost overheard the conversation about going to Mr. Oliver for help.

The next day, Alex is in a classroom with Mr. Oliver and he explains his problem. That he has a friend who is using drugs, though he doesn't say Kevin's name. Alex also says it isn't him, and he doesn't do drugs. Just the friend offered him some pot, but he turned him down.

Hearing this, Mr. Oliver tells him it must have been hard. Alex says it was very hard to say no to his friend. Then Mr. Oliver tells Alex, that he did the right thing. Alex thanks him. Next he tells Mr. Oliver, that he hasn't seen him lately. So now he is worried about him. Mr. Oliver asks Alex if he thinks his friend is in danger. Alex says yes, and that his friend won't admit he has a drug problem.

Then Mr. Oliver tells Alex, that if he knew who his friend was, he would sit down and talk with him. Then find a way to deal with his drug problem. Then Alex says his friend will be so mad for telling on him. Then Mr. Oliver says he won't tell him. Also he promises Alex that whatever they talk about, will stay between them. Since privacy is a big part of his job. Then Alex says he doesn't know if he can tell him who his friend is. Then Mr. Oliver says it's okay, and he isn't trying to rush him. So Alex promises to tell him when he's ready to. Then Mr. Oliver tells Alex before he leaves, that he did the right thing coming to him.

Then it turns out, Mr. Johnston has approved with Alex joining Jamal and Jeffrey's group. So he meets with them over at Jamal's bedroom. Jeffrey asks him if Mr. Oliver gave him any information. Jamal chuckles saying they already have more than enough. Alex comments that they sure found a lot. Then Jamal says he wishes that someone could write a brochure, to help kids come up with ideas for projects.

Then suddenly, Jeffrey suggests they make a drug brochure for kids. Hearing this, Jamal agrees. He tells Jeffrey it was like his idea of writing a book: one written by kids, for kids. Then Jamal and Jeffrey shake hands, since one of Jeffrey's crazy ideas finally worked. Then Alex says they need to find a way to make their brochure different. So kids will want to read it, as soon as they see it. At first, Jeffrey thinks it's back to the drawing board. Then finally it hits Jamal. They can draw a comic book, since kids love comic books. Jeffrey says they can show a kid fighting against a gang, who is trying to make him use drugs. Then Alex suggest showing a kid fighting against a friend. Since it isn't always easy to say no to a friend and just walk away. Often kids will give into peer pressure from one. Also when they think it will make their friend think, they aren't as cool as them. So they all agree and they decide to title their comic brochure: "How to say "No" to a friend".

Then over at Hurston, Lenni has found Spencer in the hallway. She has been interrogating him for what seems to be a long time now. Now Spencer is getting very impatient and exasperated. He rudely tells Lenni he already told Tina, that he never heard of Big Ralph. Lenni tells him he must. Since they have him on videotape, selling him something, and accepting money in exchange. Then Spencer finally gives up and begins to answer. He tells Lenni he was delivering food to Big Ralph. It was two egg rolls and moo shu pork. He explains that he works part-time, doing deliveries for Wong Lee's restaurant. He does this on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday. And everyday, Big Ralph orders that same thing for lunch. Spencer claims that all he knows about Big Ralph. Then Lenni reminds him he must have known that Big Ralph sold stolen things. Spencer gets nervous saying he didn't know. Then Lenni asks him what it meant when somebody told Big Ralph: "Spencer sent me". Hearing this, he gets very angry and defensive. So he snaps at Lenni saying he doesn't know what she is talking about. She tells him, she thinks he does. Then he snaps at her telling her to come back when she has real proof. Then he slams his locker shut and leaves.

Then over at the Fernandez house, Gaby welcomes Alex and Hector as they enter the bedroom. Hector says today he has no homework, since his teacher was absent. Then Hector is impressed by the big black box Alex has. He explains to Hector, that it is the Dragons' playbook. Alex tells his sister he didn't have the chance to return it to Kevin yet. Then Hector is interested and asks him to teach him how to use it. Alex explains that Kevin's grandfather was a professional basketball player. So he taught Kevin how to keep a playbook. Also he tells Hector that Kevin even has his grandfather's MVP trophy in his bedroom. He explains it means" Most valuable player". Also the trophy says: Sky Michaels Most Valuable Player, 1949". Gaby likes the name, she thinks it sounds really cool. Then Gaby leaves going to Lenni's upstairs to work on the case.

Then over at the basketball court, Tina finds Victor shooting baskets. He isn't rude, or impatient at all. He is in fact, polite and very co-operative. She asks him if he knows Big Ralph, he says he never heard of him. Next, she asks him where he was the last Thursday afternoon. Victor tells her he and his track team were a meet at Sheepshead Bay. There he and his team won the relay races. So about 300 people in the bleachers saw he and his team win. Then Tina apologizes to him. She says they never suspected him in the first place. But a good detective follows every lead. Victor isn't mad at all. He says it's all right.

Then over in Lenni's loft, Lenni is hanging out with Jamal, Gaby and Tina. They are reviewing Tina's video. They examine the part where Spencer is approaching Big Ralph. Jamal hates to admit it, but to him, it does like like Spencer is delivering Chinese food. They Gaby remembers Ghostwriter read something familiar in the food bag. So they review the other clues section in the casebook. Ghostwriter read these words in the bag: "Luck will knock on your door". Now they all realize Ghostwriter must have read it off of a fortune cookie.

Then Gaby wants to watch the part where Big Ralph gets busted again. She finds it to be amusing and her favorite part. They all agree and watch it again. When getting to the part, Jamal still cannot tell if the thief trying to sell to Big Ralph was Kevin or Spencer. Then Lenni points out the date it was filmed on. It was filmed on a Thursday, the day Big Ralph got arrested. She informs them all that Spencer delivers food for Wong Lee's Restaurant on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. So it might be Spencer after all. Then Gaby says if they could show Spencer the tape, the look of guilt on his face would tell them if it was him or not. Lenni agrees, especially if they make him think they're going to give the tape to Lt. McQuade. Then Lenni thinks this is hopeless, since Spencer has no reason to come over. Then Jamal suggests he could, if they order Chinese food. And since today is Tuesday, Spencer should be working. Lenni agrees. So she goes to ask her dad if he wants to order it.

Then over in Alex and Gaby's bedroom, Alex and Hector are looking through the Dragons' playbook. Hector is impressed thinking lots of the plays were really cool. Then Alex shows Hector the section where Kevin kept records of every game. Along with comments on how they did and what they needed to work on. In much earlier times, they can see that Kevin was doing great. He was leading the team in the games, winning the most points. Also Kevin would comment about how well he mainly did. Then as time went on, they can see that Kevin did progressively worse. Also Kevin would give nasty comments when Victor and Spencer did better than him. He would say nasty things like He is the captain and Victor isn't, and what a stinking team! The comments keep getting more and nasty as time goes on. So Kevin and Hector figure that Kevin's drug problem has been bad badly affecting the way he plays basketball. So they look for more evidence to support this theory.

Then back at Lenni's loft, the four of them patiently wait all prepared for Spencer to make the delivery. When Lenni hears knocking at the door, she tells them to start playing the tape as soon as he enters. Lenni asks who it is, and sure enough it is Spencer with the delivery. She answers the door, and Spencer is surprised to see Lenni. He tells her it will cost $19.28 USD. He just hopes he gets a big tip.

Then as the tape is playing, Jamal, Tina and Gaby all make taunting comments out loud. Tina says it's the moment where Big Ralph was busted. Jamal says he wonders what Lt. McQuade will say, when they show him the tape. Then Gaby points out someone is wearing a Dragons jacket. Hearing this, Spencer gets quite nervous. So the three of them approach Spencer, and Jamal asks him if he can recognize himself. Hearing this, Spencer reacts almost feeling offended.

Then Tina asks him to admit, it was him who tried to sell Jason's gold bracelet to Big Ralph. Spencer says no. Then Jamal reminds him, he was working last Thursday when Big Ralph got busted. Lenni says he was wearing his Dragons jacket. So she tells him they've caught him, so he might as well confess. Spencer says it wasn't him. The Wong Lee's owner doesn't let them wear their Dragons jackets when they're working. Tina is stumped asking what he means by "they". Spencer reveals Kevin worked there for little while too. Then he was fired for showing up late and not showing up for shifts. Then after Lenni pays him, they ask him if Kevin delivered food to Big Ralph also; and he says yes he did. Then they ask him if Kevin is the thief in the video. Spencer gets very nervous and leaves in a hurry. On his way out, he says he doesn't want to get involved.

After Spencer leaves, they believe Spencer knows more than he is telling them about Kevin. So they add to the casebook that Kevin also knows Big Ralph. Tina questions on how the team was going to get more information about Kevin. Since he hardly goes to school anymore, and he won't talk to Alex anymore.

Then back in the bedroom, Alex and Hector are still reviewing the playbook. Alex learns that Kevin's scores and skills have been going down all season. Now he realizes Victor was right, when he complained to Kevin that he was doing all the work for him. Hector comes to the conclusion, that Kevin doesn't even care about basketball anymore. Alex points out that it's really affecting his performance. Also Kevin used to dream about playing for the NBA. Hector says that he loves playing handball. So if he was doing something that made him play bad, he would stop doing it. So Hector wonders why Kevin doesn't realize this too. Then Alex thinks if he brings the playbook to Kevin, it will make him realize what is happening to him. Hector panics and warns Alex not to go near him. Alex says Kevin won't hurt him. Then Hector says that some of Kevin's "friends" might. Then Alex says he needs to go, so he can work on his project with Jamal and Jeffrey. Hector is concerned asking him why he is taking the playbook with him. He says he might bring it to Kevin, but he needs to think about it. He leaves worrying Hector.

Then back at Lenni's loft, Lenni, Tina and Gaby are still hanging out. Tina wishes they could find out more about Kevin. Then Gaby suggests that perhaps Ghostwriter can help them find evidence against Kevin. She tells them she remembers that Alex told her that Kevin's grandfather was named Sky Michael. And he was a professional basketball. Also Kevin has his grandfather's trophy for being an MVP in 1949. So on a piece of paper, Lenni asks Ghostwriter: "Please find Sky Michaels MOST VALUABLE PLAYER 1949" and read what is near it. Then Ghostwriter skims the message and instantly flies off to find it. Then we hear a knock on the door; it's Hector. He comes in looking really worried.

Then over at Jamal's room, they review their brochure. They all agree they are calling it "How to say "No" to a friend". So as their example, they use what happened between Alex and Kevin. So Jamal asks him how Kevin tried to get him to smoke a joint. Alex says Kevin didn't force him, he offered it to him. It was like he was offering Alex something secret and special. Then Kevin said if he didn't did it, he would look like a wimp, in front of Kevin and all of his friends. So this was what it made so hard for him to say no to Kevin. Then Jamal gets an idea, so he sits down at his desk and prepares to draw.

Then back at Lenni's loft, Hector expresses his concern of Alex to the girls. He recalls in his old neighborhood, so many he knew got in trouble for associating with people who used drugs. So he feels that Alex should stay away from Kevin. Then feeling worried, Gaby asks him if Alex went to visit Kevin. Hector say no, he went to Jamal's but he took the Dragons' playbook with him without saying why. Hearing this, Lenni tells him not to worry. She is sure Alex is smart enough, not to do anything stupid.

Then Gaby points out that Ghostwriter is back. He tells them five things:

1. Bo Peep's Sheep $10
2. Music Box $5
3. Magic Mirror $15
4. Red Riding Hood $5

____________________
Total: $35

They all think it is strange then a little more appears: now it says: $125-35=$90= Aladdin's Lamp??? Then Hector remembers that Alex told him that Kevin uses the names from fairy tales and nursery rhymes as codes names in his game plays. So these could be code names for items. They aren't sure what any of them mean. So they ask Alex for his help. So Lenni rallies him to come over. She writes on a piece of paper: Rally L.

Back in Jamal's room, he has drawn some pictures. The first one is of two teenage boys at a party. A new boy tells the other boy, that his friends are really cool. So the other boy answers back saying that he can be cool too, if he tries some of their stuff.

The second picture shows the new boy expressing concern, because his friend offers him pot. So the other boy tries to convince him to not be afraid, and to just light up.

Then two more pictures are drawn, showing what the new boy would be losing and missing if gets into drugs: his education and his love of baseball.

Then a fifth picture is drawn where the new boy tells the other boy that it just isn't for him and cannot do it. Then Jeffrey suggests they add a final panel. This one will include a blank word bubble, and a sentence asking the reader what they would do. Since it will be a different situation and choice for every reader. So they can each fill in their own answer. Then they cheer, for getting their project done. Then suddenly, letters appear telling Jamal: Rally L. He signals to Alex that they need to go.

Alex and Jamal arrive at Lenni's loft. They come in and sit down. Lenni and Gaby ask Alex if recognizes and of the words. Gaby explains Ghostwriter read them around Kevin's trophy. Alex says that Kevin calls the Dragons jackets red riding hoods. Also that Kevin called his television the "magic mirror". Which Kevin ended up giving to the drug dealer to pay him off. Tina figures out that "Bo Peep's Sheep" must be a code name for her jacket. Also that "Music Box" must have been Delilah's tape player. Gaby believes that Kevin is the thief since he wears a Dragons jacket, knew Big Ralph, and Jamal interrupts her by saying that Kevin sold Tina's jacket and Delilah's tape player to pay off the drug dealer. Confirming that Kevin is definitely the thief. Finally, Alex reveals that "Aladdin's Lamp" is the code name for Kevin's grandfather's trophy. This valuable trophy means everything to Kevin. But now Alex realizes that Kevin is thinking of giving it to pay off the drug dealer.

So Alex tries to phone Kevin to get him to stop. But he gets no answer. So he bets that Kevin is outside giving away the trophy right as they speak. Then they see Ghostwriter enter Lenni's computer. He tells them: "Hoop it! Fort Greene Crew. Dizzy Joe and ¡Pa'lante!. Leni questions what's Pa'lante! mean. Hector tells her that Pa'lante! mean to go forward. Alex knows these words are familiar, but cannot remember where he has seen them. Then Ghostwriter tells them he can read that the trophy is nearby those words. Then they realize he must be paying off the drug dealer at the basketball court. So he has to get there as soon as he can to help Kevin.

On his way, he realizes it's only 5:30. So Mr. Oliver may still be at school. So Alex asks Lenni to phone him, and Jamal goes with Alex. Alex and Jamal run over as fast as they can. But it is too late! Kevin has been beaten up! They find Kevin lying on the ground by a tree. He is moaning and in a lot of pain. Also his face is all bruised and he has a bleeding nose. Jamal runs into the school, to see if he can get Mr. Oliver. Kevin tells him the drug dealer assaulted him. Then Alex tells him everything will be all right. Kevin says the trophy is gone. So now he feels so bad, he wants to die. Alex tells him not to say that. He tells him he knows he will get through all of this. Then soon he will get back to school and back to basketball. Alex tells him to never give up.

Then Jamal comes running by with Mr. Oliver. Mr. Oliver carefully picks Kevin up and makes sure he is all right. Then Jamal informs them that the school secretary has already phoned both Kevin's mom and an ambulance.

Then a short time later, Alex is seen hanging up the phone, and you can tell it's good news. Eduardo is glad to finally see him happy for the first time in days. He tells his dad that Kevin is recovering. So they will decide what to do about the locker thefts, after Kevin is released from the hospital. Also, Alex reveals that everyone got their stuff back and the police managed to catch the drug dealer. Then Alex says the doctor told him that Kevin will be in the hospital for two weeks. And he will be able to play basketball again. So Kevin isn't feeling so bad anymore. However, he tells his dad that it will take some time for Kevin's drug problem to go away. But Kevin will be going to a counseling program to get the help he needs. Mr. Fernandez comments that it won't be easy. Which Alex agrees since nothing that really matters is easy.

Then Eduardo tells his son that he is really proud of him. Now he is really starting to become a man. Then Alex hints that a man should have his own room. Eduardo agrees and reveals he's reading a book on home improvement. Since Alex will be moving into a storage room, they will need to make him some windows, so he can breathe. It will take a while, but he believes they can do it. Hearing this, Alex is so happy he thanks his dad and they hug.

• Notes
• Gallery
• Full Story Arc

• On the old network called Noggin, this Arc was only ever shown once because the network didn't approve of the drug content.
• Julia Jordan who portrayed Delilah is often mistaken for another child actress with the same name. This other Julia Jordan played a young Katherine Hillard in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 3/ Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers. However it is clear to see that they are NOT the same person.
• This arc was Jeffrey Baxter's first and only appearances without Calvin Ferguson.
• This arc was the last appearance of Jeffrey Baxter and Victor Torres.
• This story arc was highlighted in a 1994 report about the Ghostwriter show and how interviews with children affected what was written in the show. Some of the children's concerns were incorporated in both Gaby's letter to Alex, as well as the decision to include a counselor as a support for Alex.
  • (Marsha E Williams and Eve R Hall. "Creating Educational Television Programs That Are Relevant to the Lives of Children." Vol. 26, No. 2, Dec. 1994: pgs. 243-55)
• Z Wright (who guest started in this arc) is best known for his appearance on "3-2-1 Contact".

Ghostwriter What's Up With Alex? Episode 1

Ghostwriter What's Up With Alex? Episode 2

Ghostwriter What's Up With Alex? Episode 3

Ghostwriter What's Up With Alex? Episode 4