SpongeBob Meets the Strangler

"SpongeBob Meets the Strangler" is a SpongeBob SquarePants episode from season three. In this episode, a criminal attempts to get revenge on SpongeBob.

Plot
SpongeBob has a man arrested for littering. After calling the police on him and having him arrested, Squidward reveals that the stranger is, in fact, the Tattle-Tale Strangler, an extremely dangerous criminal who murders anyone who reports him to the cops by strangling them. Seconds later, the Strangler escapes, and begins planning to kill SpongeBob. SpongeBob looks for a bodyguard for protection, but no one would take the job knowing that they would have to face the Strangler. SpongeBob decides to go into hiding until the Strangler gives up on him, until a man who is obviously the Strangler using a fake mustache as a disguise offers to take the job, intending to lead SpongeBob to a place where he can kill him with no other witnesses. SpongeBob, oblivious to his identity, hires him.

However, SpongeBob needs to run some errands first. They are faced by every possible delay, and when they finally get to SpongeBob's house, SpongeBob realizes he lost his key and looks for it in his pockets for 20 minutes. The Strangler suggests entering through the window. The window is too high for him to reach, so the

Strangler asks SpongeBob to climb on his shoulders. SpongeBob, now with sharp cleats on his shoes, does so, his shoes going directly inside of the Strangler's eyeholes. He runs around for 6 hours before finally pulling the shoes out.

SpongeBob eventually remembers that the key was under his doormat. The Strangler then locks the doors and starts to choke SpongeBob. The lights then turn on, revealing a "100% on-time average" surprise party. SpongeBob acts surprised, asking how they knew, with Patrick saying that they just did what the invitations told them to do. The party goes on for a considerable length of time. The Strangler then attempts to choke him again, but the guests come back for a birthday party for SpongeBob. Finally alone, he tries again, but then Patrick shows up for some odd reason. The Strangler tries to get rid of him, saying "He could be the Strangler in disguise". Patrick then runs off thinking that he is the strangler, breaking through the wall and running off to turn himself in.

SpongeBob is confused upon realizing that Patrick is the Strangler. The real Strangler, enraged, reveals his true identity and intentions by removing his disguise. However, SpongeBob still fails to understand, and is amazed at the Strangler being able to tear off his mustache without shaving cream. The Strangler says "Oh, it's a fake, you idiot! I bought it at the party store!" The Guests return overhearing the word "party." The Strangler runs away, but SpongeBob goes after him, saying he still needs protection from the "strangler". He attempts to escape in a series of vehicles, but SpongeBob catches up every time. Eventually, he lands in the police department in a jail cell and SpongeBob learns the truth. The Strangler says "At least I'm safe from that yellow idiot!" Immediately, the Strangler finds Patrick in his cell, who asks, "Hey, Mac, what're ya in for?"

Characters

 * SpongeBob
 * Patrick
 * Squidward
 * [|Tattletale Strangler] (debut)
 * [|Sandy] (does not speak)
 * [|Plankton] (does not speak)
 * [|Mrs. Puff] (does not speak)
 * [|Pearl] (does not speak)
 * [|Larry] (does not speak)

Cultural References

 * The spiked cleats that get stuck in the Strangler's eyes is similar with the climbing spike gag in 1942 Three Stooges short, "They Stooge to Conga".

Errors

 * In Indonesia, instead of saying paper towel, he is saying pepper.
 * When SpongeBob checks in for work, below the clock are more than 3 slips, despite there being only 3 employees.
 * When SpongeBob goes out of the Krusty Krab to clean up litter, for a couple of seconds his pants are black in color. In the next scene, they were back to normal.
 * When SpongeBob enters the Krusty Krab, he goes directly into Mr. Krabs office without going through the main cafe. This may be because it just fit the "flow" of the scene better.
 * When SpongeBob arrives with the Strangler at his house, bamboo wallpaper is up. But when the party is revealed, the wallpaper changes to green with flowers. When the party members leave, it changes back to the old wallpaper, then back to the flower wallpaper when the party members arrive again.
 * When SpongeBob is in front of his house looking for his key, he doesn't have a mat, but when he gets the key the mat was there.
 * When the Strangler says that the maniac could be anywhere, there is a $5 tag hanging from his faux mustache, in other scenes, the tag was gone.
 * After SpongeBob says he has to run some errands and the Strangler gets mad, the Strangler's white undershirt disappears.
 * When the Strangler said "Sorry, tubby, you gotta go.", Patrick isn't mad.  In the episode  " No Weenies Allowed ", when SpongeBob says "You're going down, tubby", he was mad at him.
 * After the Strangler takes off his disguise, the returning party guests didn't realize he was the Strangler, including Squidward who had seen him at the beginning.
 * When SpongeBob and Strangler enter SpongeBob's house and Strangler closes the door, the light on SpongeBob's face makes it appear as though two doors were closing.
 * In most episodes, SpongeBob and Patrick manage to get into each other's houses, or in Squidward's house without a key, but in this episode, a key was needed to enter SpongeBob's house.
 * Squidward hates SpongeBob, but he attends the party without forcement (or pressure).
 * If SpongeBob sent out invitations, it wouldn't be a surprise party.
 * When Squidward shows SpongeBob the picture with the Strangler on it, the number he is holding says "122068". But when SpongeBob shows Mr. Krabs the picture of the Strangler, the number is "021066".
 * It's unknown how the Strangler could get through the Airport and into the airplane without being noticed.
 * After SpongeBob puts in his slip, the clock's arms stop moving.
 * Squidward should've gotten 100% on time because the clock stopped moving.
 * Patrick is seen at both parties, but after the first party, Patrick isn't seen in the line or said good-bye to by SpongeBob. It is possible that he was in the second line and said good-bye to by SpongeBob.
 * The Strangler has 10 fully functional separate fingers, similar to Dr. Gill Gilliam, who has 8, as well as SpongeBob himself. However in later scenes his fingers are replaced by a fin. He was also one of the few characters who wears a pair of shoes.
 * When SpongeBob shows Mr. Krabs the picture of the Strangler, The name "TattleTale Strangler" was covered in censor bars. This error continues when SpongeBob shows the people the Wanted sign.

Transcript

 * SpongeBob: Wait for it... [clock changes to 8:00. SpongeBob punches in then jumps in the air. The scene pauses him in mid-air]
 * Lady: On Time Percentage: 100%. [the scene starts again. Squidward walks up to the time clock]
 * Squidward: Another day, another migraine. Heh, heh, mi... [scene pauses again]
 * Lady: On Time Percentage: 12%. [the screen un-pauses]
 * Squidward: ...graine. Heh, heh, heh.
 * SpongeBob: Ahh, isn't it great working at the Krusty Krab, Squidward? Huh? Isn't it? Working here?
 * Squidward: Yeah, great.
 * SpongeBob: Yeah.
 * Squidward: Yeah.
 * SpongeBob: Aww, yeah.
 * Squidward: [getting annoyed] Yes...
 * SpongeBob: Hold that thought, Squidward. I'm doing the parking lot for early morning litter patrol. May Neptune shine brightly on my harvest. [laughs. SpongeBob walks out with a bag and a long, pointy tool] Litter. [picks up trash] Looks like someone missed the trash basket, huh, Mr. Candy Wrapper? [laughs] Kids these days. [another piece of trash falls to the ground next to him] I've never seen such an epidemic! Well, at least it's all over now. [more trash keeps falling to the ground around him and he picks them up quickly. He breathes, exhausted, as one more piece of litter falls down attached to a parachute.] WHERE IS ALL THIS LITTER COMING FROM?! [SpongeBob notices someone tossing trash out of a car] Not on my watch. [walks up to the car] Sir, I will have you know it's against the law to litter.
 * Strangler: Heh, what're you gonna do, call the police? [police arrive]
 * SpongeBob: Yes. [police begin to handcuff the Strangler. They walk past him in single-file and continue cuffing him]
 * Squidward: How's it going, Lieutenant?
 * SpongeBob: Well, let's just say I hope our litterbug there saved room for his just desserts. [laughs] Yeah, just desserts.
 * Squidward: Whatever. Huh? [notices the Strangler in the police car] SpongeBob, don't you know who that is?
 * SpongeBob: Who?
 * Squidward: That's the Tattletale Strangler.
 * SpongeBob: Who?
 * Squidward: The Tattletale Strangler! [shows SpongeBob a 'WANTED' poster of the Strangler] He's promised to strangle anyone who turns him in. [Strangler growls]
 * SpongeBob: He seems kind of angry with us, eh, Squidward? [SpongeBob notices Squidward is gone] Squidward? Squidward?
 * Officer Malley: You're gonna do time, Strangler. Hard time. [SpongeBob walks up to the police]
 * SpongeBob: Hi, officers. So, he's going to jail, right?
 * Officer Nancy: Who, Strangler?
 * SpongeBob: Yeah, Strangler.
 * Officer Nancy: Oh, yeah, he's going to jail for a long time. [Strangler draws SpongeBob on the headrest of the driver seat]
 * SpongeBob: Hey, that looks like me! [Strangler uses his hands to damage the headrest, then laughs. SpongeBob screams]
 * Officer Nancy: Don't worry, SpongeBob. He won't be able to strangle you.
 * Officer Malley: Yeah. We got him chained up real good. He'll never get away.
 * Officer Nancy: Oops, not again. [Strangler is gone, with his handcuffs in his place in the car]
 * Officer Malley: Yep, he got away. [SpongeBob screams then walks up to the police]
 * SpongeBob: You nice officers will protect me, right?
 * Officer Nancy: We ain't bodyguards, kid.
 * Officer Malley: Yeah, give us a call if you see him again...tattletale. [they drive off]
 * SpongeBob: Those officers are right. I need a bodyguard! [runs into the Krusty Krab] Mr. Krabs! There's a maniac after me! I need a bodyguard.
 * Mr. Krabs: [laughs] I wasn't five-time 'Golden Claws' in the navy for nothin'! When he sees me moves, he'll be running scared. So, where is this little bully? Down at the park? The sodey shop? What does he look like, eh, boy?
 * SpongeBob: This would be him, Mr. Krabs. [takes out the wanted poster of The Strangler]
 * Mr. Krabs: [screams] The Tattletale Strangler? [his eyes go into his body] Go away, SpongeBob! Take your death cloud with you! [scene cuts to SpongeBob showing the wanted poster to people. Shows it to Larry, who turns into a real lobster on a plate, then a construction worker who pogos off on his jackhammer, and some guys at the Tough Tavern who run off, some screaming "HOLD ME! HOLD ME!", leaving Spongebob distraught]
 * SpongeBob: [at the bus stop] Ugh, that's it. I gotta get out of town 'til I can find a bodyguard. [Strangler sits on a bench reading a newspaper]
 * Strangler: Bodyguard, huh? I might be able to help you out. [SpongeBob walks over]
 * SpongeBob: You don't understand, mister. I need protection from the scariest guy in town. Here's his picture. [holds up the wanted poster. The Strangler reveals himself wearing a fake mustache]
 * Strangler: Heh heh, he doesn't look so tough.
 * SpongeBob: I tattled on him, and now he wants to strangle me with his diabolical hands! I hope they're not dirty. [Strangler shows his filthy hands and laughs. Before the Strangler starts to strangle SpongeBob, a bus stops next to them and the Strangler puts his hands behind his back and smiles, as the bus drives off]
 * Strangler: Huh? Uh-oh. Uhh, there's too many witnesses around here. [walks up to SpongeBob] Listen, kid. I could be your bodyguard. Here's my card.
 * SpongeBob: Hmm, looks good to me. You're hired! I feel safer already. What's next? [a five cent sticker is hanging from the Strangler's fake mustache]
 * Strangler: Well, the maniac could be anywhere, wearing a disguise. He could be that old man. [he points to an old man with a walker] Or that baby. [points to a baby in a stroller]
 * SpongeBob: Or that pebble. [points to a small rock on the ground] Or that stick. [points to a stick on the ground] Or that receipt for the Phony Baloney Mustache Emporium! [points to a white piece of paper]
 * Strangler: Huh? Uhh, that's mine. [picks it up and puts it in his pocket]
 * SpongeBob: Oh, bodyguard, my body is in your guarding hands. What do we do first?
 * Strangler: Well, I suggest we go to a nice, quiet, secluded location, uh, like behind an old dumpster or a dark alley...
 * SpongeBob: We could go to my house and turn off all the lights!
 * Strangler: Perfect. That way no one can hear you being strangled...err, I mean, uhh, protected. [laughs as the lights grow dim] Perfect. [SpongeBob laughs until he turns the lights on again]
 * SpongeBob: Ah, but first I gotta do a few errands.
 * Strangler: Uhh, okay, but let's make it quick.
 * SpongeBob: Quick is my middle name! [scene cuts to the grocery store] Let's see...paper towels. This one says 'best paper towel around' this one says 'best paper towel in town'. Hmm...in town...around...in town...around...what do you think, bodyguard?
 * Strangler: Whatever gets us to your house quicker.
 * SpongeBob: I'll take both! [scene cuts to 'Dry Cleaning While-U-Wait']
 * Dry Cleaner: Here you go, Mr. SquarePants. [he hands him his clothes]
 * SpongeBob: Hmmm.
 * Dry Cleaner: Is there something wrong?
 * SpongeBob: I'm not sure if these are my pants. [scene cuts to the perfume store where SpongeBob sprays some perfume on his wrist and holds it up to the Strangler] How about this one, bodyguard? Too overbearing?
 * Strangler: Can we just go to your house?! [scene cuts to SpongeBob's house]
 * SpongeBob: Here we are. SquarePants Manor! Bodyguard, let me just take this opportunity to say you're the best bodyguard a fella could hope to have.
 * Strangler: All right, enough of the sappy talk! Open the door so I can strangle you...I mean, uhh, choke you...I mean, uhh, crush your windpipe...gah, I mean...
 * SpongeBob: Protect me?
 * Strangler: Thanks.
 * SpongeBob: Don't mention it, Strangler. [gasps] I mean, bodyguard. Now where'd I put my key?
 * Narrator: Twenty minutes later... [SpongeBob is still searching for his key]
 * SpongeBob: Well, I can't find 'em. You wanna take a look?
 * Strangler: Forget the key! Let's climb through this window. [struggles reaching for the window] I can't reach it. Do you think you could hop up on my shoulders, kid? [SpongeBob is wearing cleats]
 * SpongeBob: Sure! With these spiky cleats, anything is possible! [jumps onto the Strangler] Ya!
 * Strangler: Cleats? [SpongeBob's feet land on the Strangler's eyeballs. The Strangler screams] Get your feet out of my eye sockets! [SpongeBob starts tugging at his legs]
 * SpongeBob: I'm trying, but my cleats are stuck in your corneas! [Strangler runs around in pain]
 * Narrator: Six hours later... [Strangler is still running around until he pulls SpongeBob's feet out of his eyes. Scene cuts to the Strangler with bandages on his eyes]
 * SpongeBob: Don't be mad, bodyguard. Let me just grab the key I keep under the mat and we can get inside. [The Strangler growls in anger and an explosion comes out of his head] There you are, you little rascal. Now, to put the key in the lock, which should activate the tumblers, thus opening the door. [Strangler sneaks up behind SpongeBob ready to strangle him. SpongeBob opens the door and walks in] Step inside...
 * Strangler: [closes the door] Close the door...
 * SpongeBob:  Well, here we are!
 * Strangler: I've finally got you all alone! [laughs evilly]
 * SpongeBob: I know, Isn't it great? [laughs. Strangler picks up SpongeBob] Ooh.
 * Strangler: Now you're gonna get yours...tattletale! [lights turn on]
 * All: Surprise! [all of SpongeBob's friends are in his house cheering. They drop a sign that says 'Congratulations, SpongeBob! 100% On Time!']
 * SpongeBob: A surprise party to celebrate my perfect on-time percentage at work? Oh, how'd you guys know?
 * Patrick: It's on the invitations you sent us. [holds an invitation up] Let's boogie! [everyone parties. The Strangler sits down in SpongeBob's chair. Scene cuts to the end of the party]
 * SpongeBob: Bye, everybody, thanks for coming! Bye Mr. Krabs, bye Plankton, bye Sandy, bye Larry, bye Pearl, bye Mrs. Puff, bye Squidward, bye eh the rest [everyone else leaves and he walks back into the house and laughs] Ahh, alone at last.
 * Strangler: What? Huh? Huh? What? Huh? [SpongeBob closes the door] So, we're all alone now?
 * SpongeBob: Just you, me, and the floorboards. [Strangler and SpongeBob begin laughing again] Yeah. [there's a knock on the door. SpongeBob opens it]
 * All: Happy birthday, SpongeBob!
 * SpongeBob: How did you guys know today is my birthday?
 * Patrick: We just do what the invitations say. Let's boogie some more! [everyone parties again. Scene cuts to end of party]
 * SpongeBob: Thanks for coming! [closes the door] [laughs] Alone again.
 * Strangler: Is it true? Everybody's gone?
 * SpongeBob: Uh-huh.
 * Strangler: No more parties today? You got everything you need now? Everybody's left? We're completely alone?
 * SpongeBob: Oh yeah.
 * Strangler: In that case... [laughs evilly until Patrick appears out of nowhere]
 * Patrick: Great parties, huh?
 * Strangler: Oh...sorry, Tubby, you've gotta go.
 * SpongeBob: Wait! We can trust Patrick. He's my best friend.
 * Strangler: Well, I can't take any chances. For all we know, he could be the Strangler.
 * Patrick: I'm the Strangler? Oh, I should've known! I gotta turn myself in! [runs and breaks through the wall]
 * SpongeBob: So, Patrick's the Strangler. Gee, you think you know a guy.
 * Strangler: [growls] HE'S NOT THE STRANGLER!
 * SpongeBob: He's not?
 * Strangler: [rips off his mustache] I AM!!!!!!!
 * SpongeBob: Hey, how'd you do that without shaving cream?
 * Strangler: Oh, it's a fake, you idiot! I bought it at the party store! [everyone comes back inside]
 * Squidward: Did someone say 'party'? [Strangler screams and runs out through the wall]
 * Strangler: I can't take it!
 * SpongeBob: [runs after him] Wait, bodyguard, I need protection! [Strangler gets into a taxi]
 * Strangler: Step on it! I'm being chased by a maniac! [SpongeBob chases after the taxi]
 * SpongeBob: I'm not safe! Come back! [taxi goes to the Bikini Bottom Airport and an airplane takes off]
 * Strangler: Finally, away from that guy.
 * SpongeBob: [on the airplane a row behind Strangler] Good idea, bodyguard. He'll never find us up here. [Strangler jumps out of the plane screaming, he opens his parachute, but it is actually SpongeBob] Good thinking, bodyguard. The Strangler could have been on that plane. [Strangler takes out a giant pair of scissors and cuts the strings off the Spongebob parachute and plummets right into the Bikini Bottom Police Station jail. SpongeBob comes running up to him] Bodyguard, bodyguard!
 * Strangler: Look, kid. I'M NOT YOUR BODYGUARD! [cries] I'm the Strangler. See? [looks toward his 'WANTED' poster on the wall] 
 * SpongeBob: [gasps] The Strangler! [police officers walk up]
 * Officer Nancy: Good work, SpongeBob. You put the Strangler behind bars.
 * Strangler: Well, at least I'm safe from that yellow idiot.
 * Patrick: Hey, Mac, [Strangler turns and sees Patrick in the cell with him] what're you in for?