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September 23, 2025 19 mins

It’s Marie and JJ’s big day to create their own custom ice cream flavor at Amato’s, and they hope to ask some questions about their quest. Will Madame Amato finally give them the answers they’ve been looking for?


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Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Previously, on Adventures on AA Wei Island, another big
discovery was made when Sal revealed the title of the sequel
to The Secret Spot. But just as soon as Marie's
hopes were raised, they were abruptly dashed when she learned
the book was missing. Welcome to adventures on AA Wei

(00:28):
Island. Chapter 7 Digging for Treasure
Part 2 On Saturday morning Mariewas up and dressed early.
She stowed her detectives journal and a pen in her
backpack to bring along to the ice cream making session, just

(00:50):
in case Madam Amato revealed anymore information about the
riddles or where she had been. Marie ate her cereal quickly and
was rinsing her bowl in the kitchen sink when her mom came
into the room. I'll drop you off at Amato's on
my way to work. She said.
Thanks. Marie said, grabbing her
backpack. Come straight home when you're

(01:13):
done with the ice cream making session.
Her dad called after them. I will.
Marie agreed. The car ride was brief.
Just as Marie's mom pulled over to the curb, Marie spotted JJ
hopping out of her dad's car just ahead.
It was 9:00 AM time to see MadamAmato and make some ice cream

(01:34):
before the shop opened. Marie and JJ giggled in
camaraderie, hurrying up the sidewalk.
I brought my notebook. JJ whispered as they opened the
door to the shop. I brought mine too.
Marie whispered back immediatelyupon entering.
The sweet smell of vanilla swirled deliciously around them.

(01:58):
Being in the ice cream shop before it opened reminded Marie
of the last time they had been there to talk to Madame Amato.
Right after they found out that not only did she know Safos, but
she had known him for a long time.
She had been evasive that day, but maybe this time she'd have

(02:18):
more answers. Madam Amato was behind the
counter, her shiny Gray hair pinned in her usual perfect bun
at the nape of her necks. Good morning.
The old woman called out warmly.Good morning.
Marie and JJ replied together. I'm so glad you're here.
Thank you for supporting the animal shelter.

(02:40):
I hope you'll enjoy this very sweet reward, Madam Amato said.
She motioned for them to come around the counter.
Come back here, we'll be workingin the backroom, she said.
Marie and JJ exchanged excited looks and set their backpacks on
one of the cafe chairs in the shop.
Customers were never allowed behind the counter, let alone

(03:05):
the private backroom where all the ice cream was made.
As they entered the backroom, another friendly face greeted
them with a warm hello. It was the tall, willowy fellow
who had been tending the ice cream shop while Madame Amato
had been gone. Marie noticed his T-shirt right
away. It was midnight blue, printed

(03:28):
with an owl flying across a starfilled sky and a large white
moon. It looked like the same kind of
owl that had been on the lighterblue shirt he'd worn the first
time they met. Hi, I like your shirt.
Marie said cheerfully. The man smiled broadly.
Thanks girls, this is Alexander.Said Madame Amato.

(03:53):
He goes by Xander. Nice to meet you both again,
Xander said, turning back to thecounter where he was preparing
ingredients. Xander seemed friendly, but
Marie had to admit she was a little disappointed to see him
there. She and JJ had been hoping for
some time alone with Madame Amato to ask their questions

(04:15):
about the quest. Marie quickly glanced around the
backroom, making mental notes. It was medium sized and shaped
like 1/2 moon. The curved outer wall had an
exit door but no windows. A narrow ladder was bolted to
the outer wall, leading to a trap door in the low ceiling.

(04:37):
It seemed like there might be a second floor through that door.
The room also held 2 old fashioned ice cream charms, a
deep freezer, a refrigerator, and a commercial stove.
A stainless steel sink sparkled in one corner.
The entire room was painted bright white, and everything was

(04:59):
very clean and orderly. Both of the churns were rumbling
away slowly, stirring contents within.
Let's start over here, Madame Amato said, motioning them over
to the churns. I'd like to tell you how we make
our vanilla ice cream base first.
As they got close to the churns,they could see the ice cream

(05:22):
inside was swirling around the paddles.
As they rotated the mixture. Madame Amato explained that
their vanilla ice cream base wasmade with organic cream, real
vanilla beans, and unrefined sugar.
Once the base was gently warmed to melt the sugar and infuse the

(05:42):
vanilla, it went into the churn.It was mixed a little slower to
minimize the amount of air incorporated into the ice cream.
The result is a richer, more velvety texture that is quite
perfect if I do say so myself, Madame Amato said with a smile.
She took out tiny wooden tastingspatulas and scooped a bit of

(06:06):
the vanilla ice cream out of thechurn.
She handed one to Marie and one to JJ, who immediately popped
the ice cream end into their mouths.
MMM. Both girls said automatically.
Marie could feel the velvety vanilla melting across her
tongue. It was heavenly.

(06:27):
Madam Amato smiled. This space is ready.
Now is the best time to add mix insurance since the ice cream is
still at its softest from being churned.
She guided them over to the counter where two dozen
containers of ingredients were laid out, everything from

(06:47):
chocolate chips to fruit to marshmallows.
Xander placed a bowl with the scoop of the vanilla ice cream
base in it in front of the girls.
So you can experiment. He explained with a wink.
Yes, Madam. Amato agreed.
We're prepared to do 3 rounds oftaste tests in these small

(07:08):
bowls. That way you can try different
combinations and know exactly what you like before we make the
final batch. In the turn, Marie and JJ
surveyed the selection of ingredient options.
Let's try 3 completely differentcombinations.
JJ suggested. Marie nodded in agreement.

(07:30):
For the first Test ice cream flavor, JJ scooped in walnuts.
Marie sprinkled milk chocolate chips, and JJ added pretzel bits
and marshmallows. Then she stirred the
ingredients. Once they were incorporated,
Marie drizzled peanut butter on top.
Everyone took a tasting spatula and scooped a bit of the

(07:52):
concoction to sample. Marie liked all the flavors, but
there were so many it made it hard to distinguish exactly what
was what. Madame Amato seemed to have a
similar thought. What we found is that if you put
more than three ingredients intothe base, the flavors sometimes

(08:12):
compete with each other instead of enhancing each other.
Xander placed another bowl of ice cream base in front of them.
This time Marie scooped cinnamonstreusel into the base.
JJ added roasted apples and Marie sprinkled some toasted
almond slivers. Once again, they mixed
everything together and everyonetasted.

(08:36):
That's fantastic. Zander said.
Those are really complementary flavors.
I like it too. JJ noted.
I'd call it almond apple delight.
Marie nodded in agreement as Zander placed 1/3 bowl of ice
cream base in front of them. This was the 3rd and final round

(08:57):
of testing. Marie's gaze turned to the fruit
options. She saw cherries, strawberries,
blueberries, and blackberries, but no visi berries.
Madam Amato, She said. Do you have any more visi
berries? Madam Amato raised an eyebrow as

(09:18):
she gazed at Marie. Marie couldn't read the
expression on the old woman's face.
It looked somewhere between surprised and curious.
I do have a small supply left inthe freezer, she said.
After a pause, she made her way to one of the deep freezers,
opened the lid and took out a small container.

(09:40):
She placed a scoop of the berries on a plate.
They had already been chopped into, the ideal size to mix into
ice cream. These need a few moments to
defrost before you mix them in. She said.
Marie nodded, then looked over at JJ, who was pointing at the
toasted pecans. Yes.
Marie agreed, and JJ put a healthy scoop of pecans into the

(10:04):
bowl. Surveying the possible
ingredients again, Marie did notsee the one she and JJ had
talked about bits of brownie sheknew.
Madam Amato sold brownies from the local bakery.
They were usually in the displaycase in the front of the store.
She didn't know if Madam Amato would let them use the brownies

(10:26):
or the ice cream flavor, but shethought it couldn't hurt to ask
Madam Amato, Marie said. Is there any way we can try bits
of brownie in our custom flavor?Madam Amato smiled.
That's a very good idea. Let me see how many we have from
the bakery. She disappeared through the
doorway and soon came back with the brownie, and after washing

(10:50):
her hands, she broke it into chunks in a bowl.
She also looked at the visi berries and deemed them
sufficiently defrosted. Marie dumped the brownies and
visi berries into the ice cream base while JJ gently stirred.
Then they all gave it a taste, same as they'd done with the
other flavors. The soft visi berries burst with

(11:13):
tangy sweetness against the creamy vanilla.
The toasted pecans added a warmth and crunch, and the chewy
brownie chunks added just the right bursts of chocolate to
pull it all together. Yum, Marie said.
I like this one best. Me too, JJ agreed.

(11:36):
It's like an explosion of flavor.
It is quite a lovely flavor profile, Madame Amato said.
What would you call it? Volcanic visibly eruption.
JJ suggested. That's very catchy, Xander said.
Is that the custom flavor you want?

(11:56):
Madame Amato asked. Marie and JJ nodded, both
beaming. Excellent.
The final step is to make a small batch and see if you still
like it just as much after eating a scoop, Madame Amato.
Said Xander. Would you mind preparing it
while we go out into the front and chat a bit?

(12:18):
The young man nodded, gave a small wave to the girls and got
to work. Thanks.
Said Marie. She and JJ had questions for
Madam Amato that she didn't wantto ask in front of Xander, and
Madam Amato seemed to be making space for them to have the
privacy to do so. After they were seated at a cafe

(12:40):
table in the front of the shop, Marie and JJ took out their
notes. Marie blurted out her first
question quickly, sensing that this opportunity to talk would
be brief. Where did you go?
She asked. Madam Amato sighed.
I cannot tell you right now. I'm sorry, why can't you tell

(13:02):
us? JJ prodded, voice already
hinting at exasperation. It would only distract you from
your task. Right now, your goal is to solve
the riddles. Madame Amato said pointedly.
Marie looked up from her journalwhere she had been jotting down
the answer and stared at the oldwoman for a moment.

(13:23):
Madame Amato met her gaze. You're making progress and doing
a good job of taking things one step at a time.
Just keep going. JJ pressed on.
How do you know we're making progress though, since you've
been away? She asked, still not trying to
hide the disbelief in her tone. Madame Amato shook her head.

(13:45):
I cannot tell you that either. That information will also just
distract you right now. Marie let out a big sigh just as
Xander came through the doorway from the back with four servings
of ice cream. He placed one in front of each
of them, then joined the table and handed out napkins and
spoons. They all began to eat.

(14:08):
It was absolutely delicious, each bite just as tasty as their
first sample. I predict volcanic visibly
eruption will be a hit. Xander said enthusiastically.
We will make a full batch this afternoon and let it harden
overnight. Madame Amato said.

(14:29):
So starting tomorrow, be sure totell your family and friends to
come try your creation. All of the proceeds from the
sale of your flavor will be donated to the animal shelter.
That's wonderful, Marie said. We're going to be volunteering
there all summer, JJ added. That's how we got our parents to

(14:51):
bid on this prize. A most excellent trade off.
Madame Amato said with a smile. Xander asked Marie and JJ
questions about themselves and their interests as they ate
their ice cream. Marie answered politely, but her
mind kept drifting to the questions she wanted to ask
Madam Amato more about their quest.

(15:14):
She held off though, unsure if it was wise to ask them in front
of Xander as they conversed. She and JJ exchanged a few looks
and Marie knew JJ was feeling the same way she did when their
bowls were nearly empty. A glance at the clock on the
wall told Marie that the ice cream shop was opening soon and

(15:35):
time was of the essence. She decided to chance a
question, but instead of 1, it actually turned out to be 3.
She blurted out in rapid succession.
Madam Amato, when you were gone,were you with Safos?
Is he OK? Is he ever coming back?

(15:56):
Madam Amato sighed, her warm expression melted into worry and
her tone grew more serious. Yes, I was with Saphos, but only
briefly. He is safe for now, I don't have
any more information than that. She concluded.
She stood up and began to clear the table, Xander did the same.

(16:18):
Girls, I'm sorry, our time is up.
Xander and I have to prepare forthe opening of the shop.
Thank you so much for your generosity towards the animal
shelter. I hope you had fun today and
that everyone enjoys. Volcanic is a very eruption.
Thanks for coming. Zander said.
He waited for them to gather their things, then escorted them

(16:41):
to the shop's entrance and locked the door.
As they left, Marie and JJ started walking towards their
neighborhood, replaying the morning.
That was a lot of fun, Marie said.
I just wish we'd had more time alone with Madam Amato.
Me too, JJ agreed. It's frustrating that she won't

(17:02):
tell us much. Yeah, well, at least she told us
we're still on the right track. That's a relief, Marie said.
Yeah, but how does she know that?
JJ asked. Marie shrugged.
No idea. She proceeded to tell JJ about
trying to borrow the sequel to The Secret Spot from the

(17:24):
library. JJ raised her eyebrows when she
heard the title. The Chosen 3.
That can't be a coincidence. Marie nodded.
Except the book's been missing from the library for at least a
year. Of course it is, JJ said rather

(17:45):
sardonically. By now they were at Marie's
house. See you tomorrow.
Marie said. Don't forget to bring something
small to dig with. I'll bring a trowel and a tape
measure too. JJ nodded.
I'll bring a compass. She noted before setting off for
her own home, which was still a little further away.

(18:09):
As Marie walked up her driveway,her worry increased.
What if they were wrong about where they thought the next
buried treasure was? What then?
Marie didn't like the uncertainty, but for now, she
could only hope that they were right about the location and
that they would dig the treasureup tomorrow.

(18:29):
Only time would tell. With Christians still grounded,
it's up to Marie and Jay Jay to go to the Great Grandmother Oak
and see if they can find the second buried treasure.

(18:50):
Will it be where they hope it is?
Find out when the adventure continues in our next episode of
Adventures on Awe Island. Thanks for listening to
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