The Cuphead Show: Adventures in Inkwell Isles Vol. 3

Tallulah the Tuba

Mugman was walking home from a music store to get some valve oil for his tuba and suddenly spotted a young tuba girl sitting on a bench crying. Feeling bad for her, he came up to her and sat down beside her to say, "Something wrong?" The tuba girl turned to him and asked him, "Um, who are you?" in her natural but beautiful southern belle voice. "I'm Mugman," said Mugman. "I'm Tallulah," the tuba girl named Tallulah said with a sniffle, "My friends call me Lulu sometimes." "Tell me, what seems to be the matter?" Mugman asked her kindly. "It's a long story," Tallulah said, "I was in band practice with my band mates..." 

Then a flashback went to 30 minutes ago with her and her friends practicing for the concert next month. After practice, Tallulah went up to the director of Inkwell City Band named Anabel "Anna" Pachelbel to ask her a question. "Ms. Anna, I'm not sure if it's a little weird, but is it okay if I get a solo sometime?" she asked. However, after hearing the question, most of the band members laughed at her. "What's so funny?" Tallulah asked. "You silly oompah, everyone knows a tuba doesn't get solos!" a flute girl named Fleur. "Yeah, it's meant as a background instrument!" agreed a French horn boy named Franz. "Now you guys quit being ugly!" Tallulah said with a glare, "Tubas can get solos too." "Nobody says that where we come from," said a clarinet named Clara with a smug, "Instruments that are known to play melodies are only allowed to play solos whenever they get a chance, such as a violin or a flute or even a clarinet like me for example." "Looks like someone's too big for her britches," said Tallulah with a smirk. "Don't you dare talk back to me that way, fatso!" Clara snapped. Then more of most of the band members were getting onto Tallulah about the solo request until that point she couldn't handle it anymore. When Tallulah started crying, Ms. Anna stepped in because she finally had enough. "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Ms. Anna shouted to stop the argument, "Tallulah has the right point here. Stop living in the past and start living in the present! Not just the higher voices get the melody, but lower voices can get the melody too! It's not fair to try to take a melody away from poor Tallulah! If I hear any prejudices against her solo request again, then you are not allowed back in the band for two weeks! Everybody, except Tallulah, go on home!" Everyone then went home except Tallulah who was still crying. "You don't have to cry now sweetheart," said Ms. Anna with her gentle voice, "I took care of those who bullied you. Now tell me your request again." Tallulah sniffled a bit before asking about getting a solo sometime. "To be honest, we never had a tuba solo before," said Ms. Anna, "Tell you what, I'll see what I can do. However, it will be featured in the next concert if I can't fit it in the current concert plan." "Yes ma'am," said Tallulah, "I understand." "Okay then, run along home now. I will see you and the rest of the band next week," said Ms. Anna. Tallulah went out the door when Ms. Anna was packing her stuff. 

Then a flashback went to the present. "Gosh, that's awful," said Mugman who felt sad after hearing the story, "If it makes you feel any better, maybe I can play music with you." "Wait, you can play instruments?" Tallulah asked him with curiosity. "Yes ma'am, I can play a few of them, including a trombone and a tuba," Mugman said with a smile. "Wow, I didn't know you're a musician too," said Tallulah with a smile. "My instruments are at the cottage though," said Mugman. "Maybe I can come with you?" Tallulah asked, "I could use some company." "Well, you're welcome to come and visit us Tallulah. We're happy to have you over," Mugman says with a smile. "Thanks," said Tallulah. "You're welcome," Mugman said.

Then the two of them arrived at the cottage. Mugman knocked on the door twice. "Elder Kettle! Cuphead! We're home!" he shouted. "Come on in," Elder Kettle's voice said. Mugman opened the door with him and Tallulah walking into the cottage. "Well well well, who's this lovely tuba lady here?" Elder Kettle asked. "This is Tallulah the Tuba. She's had a long day at her band practice which was a little rough and I figured I'd bring her over for some time to practice for her solo," Mugman said with a smile. "That's nice," said Elder Kettle. "Hello there Elder Kettle," Tallulah said with a smile. "Hello sweet girl," Elder Kettle said with a smile. "It's nice to meet you," Tallulah said before blowing a cheerful note. Mugman looked around and noticed that Cuphead was nowhere in sight. "Where's Cuphead?" he asked Elder Kettle. "He's in your room reading some comics," Elder Kettle said. "Okay, thanks for telling me Elder Kettle," Mugman said before turning to Tallulah, "Come on, it's time for you to meet my brother." Then they began going upstairs. "So what's your brother like Mugman?" Tallulah asked him with some interest. "Well, he's adventurous, brave... And mostly worry free and mischievous," said Mugman. "Oh, that's pretty interesting," Tallulah said with a giggle. "Yeah," said Mugman, "Pretty interesting." As the two of them arrived at the bedroom, they heard Cuphead giggling from the inside. "Wow, it sounds like your brother is really enjoying his comic," the tuba girl said with a smile. "Yep, he loves reading any comic," Mugman said. "Really? Does he have any favorites?" Tallulah asked him. "He mostly reads Dirk Dangerous comics," Mugman said before opening the door to the bedroom. As he did so, he found out Cuphead wasn't in there. "Huh?" Where did he go?" he asked. Mugman and Tallulah walked into the room before hearing some chuckling. "Is that Cuphead laughing at us?" Tallulah asked nervously. "Come out Cuphead, I know you're here somewhere," Mugman said with an unimpressed tone. "You're going to have to find me first Mugsy," Cuphead said with a chuckle. "We have a visitor," said Mugman. "Is it Chalice?" Cuphead asked him. "Nope, it's someone new," said Mugman. "Well, she'll have to find me too," Cuphead said with a giggle. Tallulah smirked before blowing a loud note which made everything in the room shake with Cuphead tumbling within a pile of blankets. "Hehehe, you don't mess with a tuba girl," said Tallulah. Cuphead poked his head out of the pile of blankets before struggling to free himself from the pile. "You need help getting out of there?" Mugman asked. "No way! I can get myself out of this!" Cuphead said while struggling to get out from the pile of blankets wrapped around him. "Are you sure? Because you seem to be stuck," said Mugman. "I have it all under control Mugsy!" Cuphead said before trying to free his arms from the blankets but to no avail before landing on his back. "Really? Looks like the blankets have you under control," Mugman said. "I'm perfectly fine!" Cuphead said before trying to tug his arms free again only for the blankets to wrap around his mouth making it almost look like he was trapped in a cocoon. "We're getting you out," said Mugman. Cuphead glared at him while struggling to free himself. "Okay, so what's the best way to do this Mugman?" Tallulah asked Mugman in a cautious voice. "Hmm, I'm open to suggestions," Mugman replied while scratching his head. The tuba girl then smirked before getting an idea and whispering it to Mugman with a mischievous smile appearing on his face. "Oh, great idea Lulu," Mugman said with a smile before he and Tallulah walked over to Cuphead before carefully placing up in a standing up position. The two of them then tugged at the blankets causing Cuphead to spin out of them before spinning around the room like a top before landing on his bed face first. "Hehehe, are you okay Cuphead?" Mugman asked. "I'm just fine Mugsy," Cuphead said in a dizzy voice with his eyes still spinning. "Well anyway, this is my friend, Tallulah. She's here to visit since she had a rough day today," said Mugman. "Oh, well it's nice to meet you Tallulah." Cuphead said with a smile while shaking her hand. "It's nice to meet y'all," said Tallulah. "So, what brings you here?" Cuphead asked her with a smile while trying to stand up. "It's a long story," said Tallulah. "Okay then. I understand that," Cuphead said while leaning against the side of his bed for support. Then Tallulah told him her unfortunate story. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear about that Tallulah. I can't believe that those jerks bullied you like that just because you wanted to play a solo," Cuphead said while crossing his arms in anger. "I know," Tallulah said sadly. "I just wish I could teach those jerks a lesson," Cuphead said in anger. "Just let them be for now. We don't wanna make matters worse," Tallulah said. Cuphead groaned before lying down on his bed. "I know you want to help me deal with them, but we need to have our director help us with that. Taking matters into our own hands will not make things better," said Tallulah. "Yeah I get it but what if they bug you again when the instructor isn't looking?" Cuphead asked her. "I'll still have to get her when that happens. Plus she gave a clear warning to them before we were dismissed," said Tallulah. "I guess that's fair." Cuphead said with a groan. "You see, I'm not a vengeful person, so I'm not usually the one who seeks revenge," said Tallulah. "I guess your parents taught you very well," said Mugman. "They sure did," said Tallulah. Mugman then spotted his tuba resting against his bed before smiling. "Hey Tallulah, would you mind if we practiced together?" he asked her while adjusting his tuba. "I'd love to," said Tallulah. Mugman smiled before playing a downbeat tune on his tuba while Tallulah played an upbeat melody with the two sounds mixing together in perfect harmony. Cuphead looked at his little brother and Tallulah with a smile on his face. As the two of them continued to play their tune, Cuphead grabbed his trumpet and began playing a jazzy melody to accompany it. Elder Kettle heard the music coming from upstairs and began to dance to it. Cuphead, Mugman and Tallulah finished their song before smiling at each other. "Wow, you're pretty good on that tuba Lulu," Mugman said with a smile. "I am a tuba. I have the ability to play myself," said Tallulah. "Nice. So, what's your home like Tallulah?" Cuphead asked her with a smile. "Yeah, I bet your home's pretty nice." Mugman says with the same smile. "Well, I live in a southern home not too far from here. I think it's about 30 minutes away," said Tallulah. "Well, I think it sounds nice. Maybe we can go and visit your house right now if it's okay with you," Mugman said while twiddling his thumbs. "Sure thing," said Tallulah with a smile. "Great! Then lead the way tuba girl!" Cuphead exclaimed in excitement. "Follow me," said Tallulah. Cuphead and Mugman nodded their heads before following her out of the cottage and to her house. "So, Tallulah, what's your home like? Do you have any pets?" Cuphead asked her. "Well, I don't have any pets. I just have my parents and no siblings. Some of my relatives are euphoniums, including my closest cousin Eunice,"said Tallulah. "Euphoniums? What does that mean?" Cuphead asked her. "A euphonium is what you may call a smaller version of a tuba, but has a higher octave. It sounds like a trombone but has a mellower sound," said Tallulah. "Oh, that's pretty cool," Cuphead said with a smile. "Yeah, I hope I get a chance to meet one of your cousins," Mugman said with the same smile. "Well you're in luck because one of my cousins is visiting me soon," said Tallulah. "Wow! That's incredible!" Mugman exclaimed with stars in his eyes. "Yep. This cousin is gonna be Eunice. She has a recital involving a duet, so she's wanting me to help her with the duet," said Tallulah. "Wow, that's amazing!" Mugman said with a smile. "Yep. She's as sweet as honey. You'll like her," said Tallulah. "I'm sure I will," Mugman said with a chuckle while Cuphead walked slowly behind them.