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Okay, math fans, in case you're just joining us.
This season, Molly and I have been promoted within the Problem Solvers.
We've also changed schools but, most importantly, we're trying to stop a new group of bad guys called the Power Hungry Pogs, who are even more devious than the Troublemaking Trolls.
So far we've discovered.
The pogs use moles to infiltrate different groups, so they can take over from the inside.
And while we haven't been able to uncover any moles just yet, we've got a growing list of suspects.
Hopefully it's just a matter of time until we figure out who the moles are and what the pogs are up to.
On Mysteries About True Histories.
That's it.
Everybody get back on D. Use the wedge.
Use the wedge.
Yes.
Big win, boys.
Way to keep the winning streak alive.
Hey, hey, great game, Mr. Max.
Oh, hey, Ma.
I didn't know you were here.
I always try to make it to your games, but I have to admit I made a special effort to get here today because we're back on official problem solver business.
Ugh, right now, I'm all sweaty and dirty.
Don't forget, smelly.
Thanks.
I'm just playing with you.
I'm sure I smell pretty ripe too after a band rehearsal.
So why don't we take 20 minutes to each go home, shower, and change?
We can literally teleport to any point in time.
I know, I know.
But while the past runs on schedule, the pogs are unpredictable.
I got a hot tip on where to find them.
I think we should try to intercept them.
A hot tip.
Did Aunt Em send us something?
Nope.
Charlene.
Charlene?
But she's working for them.
How can we trust her?
Obviously we can't.
But I overheard her bragging about how she's got the best after-school job and that only the coolest students get hired for it.
Jeez, rub it in that we didn't get the job, why don't ya?
She was also saying that even though it's a little tedious, the perks are amazing and she'll have enough money to buy a used car soon.
Wow.
I can't believe it.
That she made that much money?
That she has that big a mouth.
I can't believe the Pogs or the Moles would hire someone who's just going around telling everyone about it.
True, but...
Who's going to believe that her job is time travel?
It sounds crazy when we say it.
It is crazy.
Still, you'd think they'd want someone a little more discreet.
Speaking of, I also overheard the Pogs hired a new delivery person.
What?
We were supposed to get that job.
Our application was very professional.
We did everything they asked us to do.
They should have hired us.
I don't think the Pogs are looking for professionalism, Max.
I think they're looking for anyone who will do their little delivery jobs without asking questions or worrying about ethics.
You know, stooges.
Like Charlene.
Exactly.
Oh, and get this.
She also said that she and a few other delivery people are meeting up to see the Beatles in Liverpool.
Apparently, the Pogs don't mind if their workers use their time radios to have fun when they're not working.
What?
Are you kidding me?
Man, I wish we could get away with that.
I'd love to go back in time and see the Beatles live.
I know.
Of course, Charlene said she didn't care about going to concerts.
She's been using her time radio to help her finish her homework or skip classes altogether.
Not for nothing, Molly.
But I feel like we could have had this whole conversation over the phone while we were getting cleaned up and changed for problem solving.
You're right.
Oh well.
Too late now.
Great.
So where are we going?
To Liverpool, 1960, to see the Beatles.
Wait, what?
We're going to see the Beatles?
Yeah.
Weren't you paying attention?
I said all the delivery people working for the moles are meeting up to see the Beatles.
This way we can see who else is working for the Pogs and maybe get some useful information.
Unless you want to go home and change first.
Are you kidding?
Let's go!
Oh, wow.
We're really here.
I can't believe it.
Did you know this 1960 Liverpool concert is credited with rocketing the Beatles towards international fame.
I do now.
Molly, you're the best.
You do know I'm a huge classic rock fan and I love the Beatles.
Yes, Max, I've seen the poster on the back of your door.
Also as a drummer.
I too am a fan of the Beatles and their quirky, highly underrated drummer, Ringo Starr.
He rarely pops up in conversations about best drummers ever, but they say he's like a human metronome.
Wow, I can't believe we've never had this conversation before.
The crazy thing is, while the Beatles cranked out a ton of hit songs, they were only active for about 10 years, from 1960 to 1970.
That's not that long.
Any idea how many songs they made?
They sure do.
They recorded and released 213 songs, and 25 of them were covers, which means doing a version of a song made by somebody else.
Okay, so if they had 213 songs and 25 were covers, how many original songs did they make?
That's easy.
213 minus 25 equals, um, uh, yes.
188 original songs.
188 original songs in a 10-year span.
So that averages out to... 188 divided by 10, move the decimal point over one spot.
18.8 original songs a year.
Not so fast, Smarty Pants.
The Beatles' first single record, Love Me Do, didn't come out until 1962.
So, that means 188 original songs in only 8 years.
188 divided by 8 gives you an average of... 23.5 songs per year.
Whoa, that's nearly two new songs a month.
What a run.
That, my friend, is an understatement.
Did you know?
To this day, the Beatles are still the best-selling music act worldwide, selling over 600 million albums.
Just in the U.S., their sales are estimated at 177 million.
That leaves about another 423 million albums sold in other countries.
They are from England, after all.
Not to mention their sound is timeless, as is their tremendous influence on pop music and even pop culture.
Of course, as much as I'd love for us to just hang and enjoy the concert, we do have a job to do.
Official problem solver business.
I'd say more unofficial official business.
After all, Aunt Em didn't send us here.
Do any of the problem solvers even know we're here?
Probably not.
I'd say definitely not.
In fact, I'm starting to wonder.
Wonder what?
How much the problem solvers even know what's going on.
That's funny.
I've been having the same thought.
All these assignments they give us seem important, but I'm not convinced they're really getting us anywhere in terms of finding out who the Pogs are and what exactly they're plotting.
I agree.
I'm starting to think the Pogs have something going on that's much bigger than we or Aunt Em and the Problem Solvers can fathom.
And the only way to find out what it is, is to find and question one of their inside people.
Whoever that is.
Introducing the Beatles!
OMG!
The Beatles are taking the stage!
This is crazy!
Nothing could make this more surreal.
Max?
Molly?
Is that you?
Katrina?
Hey, I should have known you'd be here.
I know what a big Beatles fan you are, Max.
And Molly, you probably love Ringo, the drummer.
Uh, yeah.
But what are you doing here?
You're a Beatles fan?
Molly, everyone is a Beatles fan.
Oh boy, the crowd is going crazy.
Oh my gosh, did that girl just faint?
Quick, let's head to the back of the room.
It's safer.
That's better.
Where were we?
I'm so happy to see you, Max.
And you too, Molly.
Thanks.
Good to see you too, Katrina.
There's just one problem.
Are you a mole?
Ew, no.
What's a mole?
Are you working for the Pogs?
No.
What's a Pog?
Is that like an acronym?
Party on, guys.
Get it?
P-O-G?
Oh, boy.
Katrina, why are you here?
I told you.
I love the Beatles.
Right, but not every Beatles fan can time travel to see them.
How are you here?
Oh, that's easy.
I applied for a cool new delivery job.
It said light time travel.
So you work for the moles?
No, I work for someone named Andrea.
Do you know her?
Is she sus?
This Andrea who hired you...
Where did you meet her?
I've never met her.
It was all done through text.
And the job assignments?
They all come through the app.
Katrina, this is important.
What app?
Spoon.
Spoon?
Spoon.
Can I see it?
Sure.
Spoon.
I gotta say, the Pogs do seem to have a sense of humor.
They created their own proprietary app to distribute dubious assignments, and the logo for that app is a big pot on the stove with a spoon sticking out of it.
I don't get it.
Because their mission seems to be stirring the pot.
Oh, yeah.
Anyway, can we get back to the concert?
Katrina, I'm sorry to tell you this, but you're working for the bad guys.
I am?
You are.
But, but, I just, I missed you guys.
And I also miss time travel, and I miss time traveling with you guys.
And then I saw this gig posted, and I really want to switch too, but my parents won't get it for me.
And this job pays well, so I thought, why not?
I could deliver stuff to different places in time.
What's the harm when it's not even dangerous?
Mm-hmm.
How did I know you'd say that?
Aw, we miss you too, Katrina.
You do?
We do?
Yeah, you know, we were kind of a team last year, all three of us.
Right.
All three of us.
And now we need to team up again to beat the pogs.
We do.
I mean, sure.
But wait, I thought the trolls were the enemy.
They were, but now we've got a bigger fish to fry.
Long story short, the pogs make the trolls look like Smurfs.
And don't forget the moles.
Ew.
I don't like the sound of any of them, but especially the moles.
Too bad you're working for them.
I should have known a job offer over text was too good to be true.
If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Great, I was working for the bad guys.
Yuck.
Katrina, you're so sweet.
But you've been causing so much trouble and you didn't even know it.
Whoops.
Even though I could really use the money and it's fun to be able to time travel, I don't want to cause bad things to happen.
And I certainly don't want to be a mole.
You i'll get on the app right now and quit.
No, what do you mean?
No, i thought you said the pogs and moles are bad.
They are, but we need someone on the inside.
We tried to get this job, but they hired you instead.
So now you get to be our mole, hidden among the moles.
Ew!
What does that even mean?
A mole is someone who acts like part of a group so they can relay information to another group.
All you have to do is keep working and keep making money.
Only as soon as you do one of these sus assignments, you tell us and we can show up and stop it.
And at the same time you relay any information you gather on the moles or pogs back to us, the problem solvers.
AKA the good guys.
So wait, does that mean I'm back on the team?
Back?
Katrina, you never left.
Yay!
Yay, Katrina's back.
I'm on it.
I promise I so won't let you down.
Oh, I'm getting a text.
The other Spoonapsters are here and looking for me.
There's one.
I think her name is Charlene.
Should I call her over?
No, no.
Shh.
Don't wave.
Max, we'd better split before she sees us.
Do we have to leave the concert?
Yes, Max.
Come on.
See you soon.
I'm so excited.
We're getting the band back together.
Can we go, please? on it.
Hey, Rufus.
Am I glad to see you in my shower.
Yeah, it's definitely time.
Hey, you're the one who insisted on going on the mission right away.
I know, I know.
And look what happened.
We now have a mole inside the moles.
Even if it is... Katrina.
Yep, what could possibly go wrong?
This episode of Mysteries About True Histories was written by Libby Ward and voiced by Dexter Danger, Mayo Molly Smith, Caitlin Gard and Adam Tex Davis.
Original music by Brian Suarez.
Our associate producer is Max Kamaski.
Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn.
Mysteries About True Histories was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Kolber, and is an Atomic Audio production.
