Original subtitles

Nicholas, what's the problem?

Did you know a man landed on the moon?

I sure did.

I wish I knew that an hour ago. I just made a fool of myself in Mrs. Duffek's

class. How did you manage that?

Because this book, it's my history book. It says someday man will land on the

moon. Oh, you already did.

Why wasn't I told?

Well, it happened before your time. Let me see the book.

Oh, gosh.

You know that this is the same book that Mary used to use?

I hope it did her more good than it did me. What is this world coming to? A guy

can't even trust a home school book.

Oh, my gosh.

I wonder if Alaska will ever become a state.

Hello. I'd like six double cheeseburgers, two without pickles, four

one without onions, three fish fillets, two with extra sauce, seven orders of

French fries, four large and three regular, four oranges, three root beers,

a little glass of milk.

Four oranges and one milk.

Would there be anything else?

I didn't think you had anything else.

Hi. You guys sure picked the short line. Perfect timing. You're here just in

time for our food. Your food.

I can't stay. Why?

Oh, Tom, I'm really sorry, but the deadline for the proposal for the

reading project has been moved up again. Again? Yeah.

I'm really sorry. Will you call me later? Yes, yes, I'll call you. I'll get

beep and I'll leave the message.

Bye. Oh,

boy. I hope you guys are hungry.

No, no, it's not all for me. Maybe you would like to join us. I never eat here.

Take a number from one to six. Okay, start guessing.

Five.

We have a lucky winner here. He gets an extra hamburger.

I'm not that hungry.

Why did you bother to guess?

All right, we'll do it again. Take a number from one to five. Did you say

Three! Would you stay out of this, please? You don't want to win. Why

Hi.

You're on a date with Abby.

Yes. Can't you see I'm having a marvelous time, too?

Stood up again?

Oh, please, reserve that term for your brothers and sisters.

Abby is working overtime, so she had to break our date.

Well, then I don't suppose now's the time to break some big news to you. Oh,

hit me. It's all right. She's not home anyway.

All right.

Dad, I want you to know that I've thought a lot about this.

I want to run for a seat on the Board of Education in the upcoming election.

I thought you said you had thought a lot about this.

I have.

Dad, I've been going to those board meetings the last few Mondays.

Do you know what the board members do there?

Nothing. Well, they do a lot of talking, but nothing ever gets done.

And you think you can be the one to change all that?

I must have been out of town. I thought that you were planning on a career in

medicine. I feel I can do both.

Both? You think that you can have a full -time career in medicine and be a full

-time public servant?

Uh -uh, you'd have to compromise on both jobs. Okay, okay, look, Dad, I didn't

come here to be talked out of this.

Has it ever occurred to you that I just might do a good job?

Look, Mary, I'm only concerned with your future.

Well, I'm concerned about my present.

Listen, thanks for your support.

And who knows, you might even vote for me.

You know, just for old time's sake.

Ask not what your father can do for you.

Ask what you can do for yourself.

Okay, everybody up. Let's go.

Rise and shine. Up and at them. Reveille with Beverly.

Come on, let's go.

What time is it?

Come on, Mary. Let's go.

Move your bod.

Okay, okay.

Who's got the petitions? Right here. Well, let's go. I don't want to miss

hour. What are you wearing? Oh, yeah.

Clothes. Oh, oh, that's what you're wearing. Oh, you can't go like that,

We're going after voters, not spare change.

something nice on. Nancy, I want people to vote for me, not date me. Yeah, well,

the way you're dressed, you're not going to have to worry about either of those.

Look, I'm the campaign manager, and I say go change.

Hey, I'm sorry I can't get out of rehearsal today, you guys. I'd love to

you. Hey, don't worry about it. We have got a special job for you. You are a

media image communications consultant.

Speech writing, huh? You got it. All right, I can't wait.

Is that what you're wearing?

Look, I don't care what any of you guys say. I want to paint an honest picture

for the public.

Fine, then let's get the public's opinion. There's some public. Hey,

what do you think about what our candidate is wearing?

Looks fine to me. Should have my vote.

I'll be right back. Where are you going?

To change into my first compromise.

All right.

See ya.

Okay, Mary, get someone to sign the petition.

Yeah, Mary.

Okay.

You're not moving.

Susan, I don't think I ever thought it was going to be like this. Like what?

Weird. I mean, you know that these people are absolute strangers.

How do I get them to sign this?

Be direct.

Assertive. Tell them exactly what you want.

Exactly what I want. Exactly what you want. Go on, Mary. You can do it.

He never signs anything without his attorney.

I think I should stick to medicine, huh?

It's your body language.

It's my what? Your body. It's telling everyone that you're a Mary Bradford

scared political candidate.

Oh, is that right?

Well, Nancy, what is my body telling you now? Hey, come on, you guys.

Let's get a hold of our dignity here. We happen to be in the public eye.

You're so good, Nancy. Come on. It's all right. A piece of cake, Mary. A piece

of cake. A piece of cake.

Piece of cake. Piece of cake. Piece of cake.

Try it, Mary. It's fun.

Go and get them.

There's one right now. That's cute.

Hi there.

Hi.

How's it look?

Looks good. Real good.

Did you see David's campaign contribution?

How could I miss it? Oh, flashy, huh? Oh, boy, I can see us now driving

Sacramento. Mary Bradford for school, boys!

I'm sure you'll do it the first thing on Sunday morning.

That's a good idea. That way we'll catch everybody at home.

How fortunate for them. Dad, Dad, look at my sign.

Oh, hey, that's great, Nicholas.

Only, you know what? I think you would get more votes if it said, instead of

vote for Mary, if it says vote for Bradford.

Yeah, I know, but... That's four more letters.

And my sign wasn't big enough.

Hey, Nicholas, we'll get you another piece.

He's our director of advertising.

Fine choice.

All right.

Tommy!

Campaign Phil needs a business manager.

Good, I'll go find him.

Someone to keep the finances straight.

No. Someone to keep the donations official.

No.

Someone who owes me $10.

Okay, where do I sign?

See Mary.

Right outside.

Bye.

I think I've just seen the first bribe of the campaign.

Welcome to campaign headquarters, Daddy. I don't believe it. There used to be a

living room in here.

Hey, don't worry. You can use it any time.

What do I do? Break in in the middle of the night? Daddy, this isn't the water

game. Is this the Aaron residence?

Hi, there. I represent the Vofa Bradford Committee. Ah, the right job for the

right person.

Thank God it's a small school district.

Oh, Dad, I'm glad you're here. I need a ride home. Oh, I'd love to, but I can't

have to get my clothes changed. I have a date with Abby. Oh, not tonight. She

called earlier and left a message that she'd have to break the date.

Again? Said something about a project she had to work on.

She wants to have lunch with you tomorrow, though, if you can fit it in.

can fit it in?

Wait a minute. I don't understand.

I do not get this.

Mr. Bradford, the research folder was right here yesterday.

I'm going to retrace my steps.

Okay? Just a minute. Wait a minute.

Okay.

I came in the office, all right?

Put your coffee down right here.

And I used your private line to call my sister, Mr. Bradford, because I had a

twinge in the top of my shoulder. Did you ever get a twinge in the top of your

shoulder because you knew that you had to... Donna.

Look at my face.

Do I appear interested?

No.

You're mildly upset.

Yes, and I'm going to be very upset very shortly if you don't find this folder

for me right away. Now, I have to find it. All right, Mr. Bradford, look.

Mr.

Bradford's office.

Yes. Yeah, hold on one second.

Mr. Walter, sir, it's for you. Oh, hello.

Oh, yes, Abby, I was just about to... As I was

saying, I was just about to order lunch in instead of having a nice leisurely

lunch with a charming lady who's too busy to have a date with me.

Yes, I am mad. If you knew what I went through today to rearrange my work so

that I could do this, I'm going to be so far behind... All right, please, Abby,

don't apologize. It's all right, I understand. Yes, I'm not... Very nice.

Bye -bye.

Mr. Bradford, you're not going to go out to lunch?

No.

Could you do me a favor, please?

Look for the folder.

But I didn't lose it. You did.

I know that.

But I lost it after I promised Mary that I would do some neighborhood canvassing

on my lunch break.

Everybody gets a lunch break around here except me.

Thank you, Mr. Bradford. I knew you'd understand.

Thank you, Mr. Bradford. I knew you'd understand.

See you later.

I don't understand.

Yeah?

I'm Tom Bradford with the Bradford for the School Board Committee.

I'd give you a card except for I seem to be out at the moment.

Oh.

Well, uh, maybe you'd like to order some more.

No, I'll have my executive secretary take care of that for me later.

I came to pick up the campaign posters and stickers.

Oh, yes, yes. They're right over here. They're ready.

That'll be $55.

$55? You told us $25.

That's right.

$25 for the plate, $30 for the paper and the ink.

Very nice work.

Great. Oh, oh.

Oh, there seems to be some discrepancy here.

That's Brandford with an N.

We could use the... Brandford with an N.

Now, what am I supposed to do with them?

Beats me.

But, uh, since neither of us can use them, what do you say I take them off

hands for, let's say, uh, $30?

Wait a minute. Wait a second.

The purchase order here says Bradford with a D.

You see?

Signed by S. Bradford, campaign manager.

Look, I don't think you realize the overall importance you have in this

picture. You, sir, are a cog in a political machine. A machine that moves

forward with only one goal in mind. And that goal is to elect a candidate. A

candidate that will work for the good of the people. For the school board.

For our country. Wait a minute. Hold it there just a second, Uncle Sam.

Come here.

Just between us.

How much are you short?

25 bucks.

The campaign will pay you back as soon as the big money starts rolling in.

Or we could just, uh, do you a little favor?

If you catch my drift.

What are you going to do about the energy crisis?

Well, as I said before, I'm running for the Sacramento School Board, and I

really don't have much control over those. Well, if you did, what would you

Well, I think that energy conservation begins at home. And personally, I have

seven brothers and sisters. We can all conserve a little bit of energy.

Vote for Mary Bradford. School board election. School board election is

up very shortly. I hope you vote for Mary Bradford.

Mary Bradford. Vote for Mary Bradford. School board election. Hi, would you

to vote for Mary Bradford? for school board election.

Oh, all right. Hi, vote for Mary Bradford for school board election.

Hi, sir.

Vote for Mary Bradford. She's running for school board election.

Hi, vote for Mary Bradford. She's running for school board election.

Mary,

Mary, Mary.

That's Patrick Danvers. He wants an interview with a candidate.

Wait, I don't know if I'm ready for this. Oh, my sister's terrified. Yes,

sister's terrified. What happened to blood and guts Bradford? I don't know

happened to blood... Excuse me.

Hi. Which one of you is Mary Bradford? This one. She is.

Hi, Miss Bradford. What?

You can do it, Mary.

All right.

I'm Patrick Danvers, and I want you to talk to me, but look in the camera and

smile a lot. Smile a lot. Thousands of people will be watching everything you

do, so just try to relax.

We're ready to go, Patty.

Okay.

Why don't we try to get the whole family in this shot? Come on up here and

gather around us, kids. Rolling.

I'm here with Mary Bradford, low -key opponent to school board incumbent

Flanagan. Now, hers is a simple grassroots campaign.

Her sister is her campaign manager.

Her other brothers and sisters make up the campaign committee.

It's a unique setup, but one that appears to be working.

Right, Miss Bradford?

Right.

Um, well, I think that the enthusiasm that we've shown and our sincere desire

improve the education for all children, like my brothers and sisters here, has

definitely made some points with the voters of Sacramento.

Now, Ms. Bradford, how do you feel about the fact that your own father and the

paper he writes for, the Sacramento Register, will not endorse you in your

campaign?

How many sandwiches do you figure 35 campaign workers can devour?

Listen, I wouldn't be surprised if no one even has an appetite after last

night's fiasco.

If you're referring to Mary's interview, it was hardly her fault.

Oh, threes. You're saving threes, huh? Threes?

Listen, I never said I wasn't supporting Mary.

Patrick Danvers did.

And on television, yeah.

Yeah, well, they're being premature.

Our paper hasn't endorsed anybody yet. Miller is just speculating on the

register's previous track record. That's so typical of TV journalism.

Then you are endorsing her.

No, I said I haven't made a decision yet.

And that's typical of print journalism.

Noncommittal to the last minute.

Oh, Jax, thanks. That makes four of them.

Look, I said I'm not sure whether Mary is ready for the job yet. You know, last

night's interview is a perfect example.

She's a fighter.

She'll handle it.

I love Mary very much. I just don't want to see her get trampled by Flanagan's

people, who, believe me, pack a much bigger wallet than Nancy and Elizabeth.

Could we change the subject, please?

I'll tell you what. Why don't you and Abby have dinner with us Friday night?

Oh, thanks, Daisy.

I'd love that. Believe me, it's just that Abby is so busy lately, she can't

squeeze me into her schedule.

Boy, with Mary running for office and Abby working on her project, I really

left out.

And you are.

Gin. Oh, no.

A triple blitz.

Tom, you're in big trouble.

It's a big disaster.

Ten. You have got to learn to stop talking and start paying attention.

Ten.

Thirty.

Gulp. Keep counting.

Forty. I hate this game. It's so aggravating. It just kills time and

Good evening.

Good evening.

Well, would you like a pillow?

The meeting lasted from 1 o 'clock to just now. Do you believe that?

Ah, well, come on in and sit down.

Are you sure you want to go to a movie?

I don't want to break another day.

You know, I think that you might enjoy the film more when you have your eyes

open. No, I'll be all right, really. I just need a minute just to relax.

All right, you go sit down. Make yourself comfortable. I'll fix you up a

little drink. That sounds terrific.

So how's the campaign going, huh?

Fairly well, I suppose.

I see her posters all over town, you know. It looks like she has a lot of

supporters. Yeah, everybody that is except dear old Dad.

I'm the only Bradford now that doesn't have a campaign title.

You know, it's just that I don't want to see her do anything that's going to

hurt her.

After all, I've covered politics in this town for at least 20 years.

You'd think that they would want my advice.

You'd think that by now one of them would have come to me.

What do you think? I...

And

like it or not, split sessions are a major inconvenience to our children.

And I don't think we should give children a reason to resent school.

Tom Bradford, Sacramento Register.

Could you spell that, please?

Miss Bradford, are you for or against the proposition that would rezone the

school district?

Well, I really don't know.

Frankly, I haven't looked into it.

Mr. Flanagan?

Tom, currently there is a subcommittee looking into that very matter, and we

hope to publish some results in a few weeks.

James Wells, Sacramento Dispatch.

Exactly where do each of you stand on the proposed school budget hike?

Bill?

Well, Jim, as you know, I've supported a...

School budget hike each year for the past eight, and I intend to do so again.

Our children deserve education, and education costs money.

The American people have always been willing to pay for quality education.

Miss Bradford?

Well, as an American person, I am for raising the school budget.

Eventually.

Year after year, the board generously raises its budget, and yet my youngest

brother is using the very same textbook that I use.

I propose that instead of...

blindly raising the budget, we re -evaluate it, cut out the waste.

And we might just have an old budget that would be as effective as the

new budget.

You're here!

Yay!

Thank your daughter for me, Bradford. She just gave me tonight's headline.

I don't believe it. How can people be so simplistic?

Okay, okay, you're upset because your statement about the budget hike was

misunderstood.

And misquoted. Everything I said melted down to a headline.

You're just going to sit there and gloat?

No. Not if you'll allow me to make an honest, non -condescending opinion.

The voters can't be anything but simplistic. Don't you understand?

There are so many candidates, so many races, so many issues.

How do you expect the average voter to keep all of that in his head?

He can't.

That's a political reality.

So what are you saying?

What I'm saying boils down to this.

School budget increase.

Flanagan for, Bradford against.

But don't be upset.

I know at least one voter who was there and was very impressed with what he saw.

Thanks, Daddy.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and get ready for my nightly date

with the Phantom.

you a serious political question?

Only if you promise to listen carefully to what I have to say.

I promise.

Well, you know how much I've been helping you out with your campaign,

Couldn't have done it without you.

Yeah, well, that's what I thought, you know?

Well, I was thinking, when you become elected for the school board, you know,

I have to do all my homework?

You know I love you, right?

But if and when I decide to make my first political deal, it will not be

third grader.

Not even your own brother.

I guess I just don't understand politics.

Well, that makes two of us.

Well,

can't blame a guy for trying.

Are you sure she knew it was for tonight?

Oh, of course she knew.

Maybe I should phone and change the reservation.

Well, good evening. Where is she? What? Where is who?

Abby, we have a date tonight, don't you?

There she is.

In the past ten years, there have been four attempts to re -evaluate the school

budget, all unsuccessful.

I knew that. Fine, and are you also aware that if this year's school budget

not passed, that the schools will be short of funds and will have to go on

austerity budgets?

Yes, ma 'am. Do you have any idea of who will be affected by those budget cuts?

No. Children.

That's who?

Children.

There are children in this district who are in need of special programs.

See, they're handicapped children, they're retarded children, they're

children. I'm sorry, Abby, I wasn't aware. Aware?

Mary, it is your responsibility to be aware.

You are a political candidate now.

Listen, Abby, the quality of education stopped growing years ago.

Textbooks are old, facilities are deteriorating.

Well, how are we going to improve those problems without raising the budget?

Abby, we've raised the budget this year, last year, the year before.

Abby, tell me, where is that money going? Where is it going?

Am I to understand that you just don't think that special programs are that

important? No, that is not what I'm saying. If you would stop taking it so

personally... Personally?

How are the children who receive help supposed to take this? How personally

they supposed to get involved, Mary?

How are they supposed to feel when we tell them that they're just not going to

receive help anymore?

How do we explain to them that they've been traded off for some new textbooks?

I would like very much for you to reconsider your position.

Abby... I can't back down.

I want to help all the children.

Where are you going? Out of here. I have some campaigning of my own to do.

But, Abby, I...

Janice and Lowell, hi.

Hi. What are you guys doing here?

Hi.

Well, we ought to dig this with our own eyes.

Mary Bradford, scourge of the sit -ins, joining the establishment.

Well, you know, if you can't beat them, join them.

Hey, dig it. We're not putting you down.

We figure anyone who got arrested with us deserves our help.

Thanks.

We thought maybe we could knock on some doors or something.

Janice, that's a really nice idea, you know, but the school districts around

here, they're just not like Berkeley.

Oh. Oh, you mean like they might not dig our act in suburbia, huh?

Right. Well, that's cool. What if we hit the campuses?

Hit the campuses. That's it. That's a good idea, really. That would be

Yeah, for sure. You know, we got some friends around. We flunked out of three

schools.

That's nice. Okay.

Well, I appreciate that. Thanks.

All right. Okay.

Power.

Uh,

what are you guys waiting for?

Uh, energy, man.

Energy.

Right. Energy.

And lastly, I want to thank everyone who has supported me and made this

victory. A reality.

Yay! Woo!

Don't you think rehearsing a victory speech is a little premature?

Shh, Mary, this might be my only chance to hear this.

Yeah, really.

You know, Joanie's getting so good at this, I think we ran the wrong sister.

It was very encouraging coming from my campaign manager.

But you might be right.

Aw.

That's all right. I'll teach you, kid.

We're just kidding. Come on, let's go work on this. Okay.

Hey, okay, MV, now the smart money's running in.

Would you mind translating that for me, please? That translates into big bucks.

We're getting donations from every direction.

You're kidding.

I never kid about money.

Anyway, you're becoming very popular after that press conference.

Oh, yeah? With who?

Well, here's a donation from the Veterans of Distant Wars.

I knew you'd like that one.

And here's a donation from the Young Republicans. The Young Republicans?

Hey, you're the next Ronald Reagan.

Terrific. Now, this one really interests me. We're being endorsed by the zero

population group.

Are you Mary Bradford? Yes.

Oh, I'm Mrs. Pohl.

I'd like you to have a piece of my campaign contribution.

It's homemade.

Thank you. You're my kind of candidate.

And apparently, you're my kind of supporter.

Thank you.

She's so sweet.

Oh, boy. I think I should start getting involved in this campaign. Thank you.

Hi. How's it going?

Good, good.

Good. I came by to make a small campaign contribution.

Oh, no, no, no. My family does not accept handouts. But our campaign will.

Come on. He's only doing that because it's my daughter. Please.

This is strictly a political donation, period.

Now, stop being so oversensitive.

And stop grabbing for the check.

Here we are. And I should like two seats to the inauguration.

You got it. Two on the aisle.

Tom?

Can I speak to you for a minute?

Tom, I'm really sorry about the other day. Yeah, yeah, don't say it. Well, you

really shouldn't be so understanding, you know. I'm not.

Not after the lack of consideration that you showed me last night. Meaning what?

Meaning that you came in here, you picked a fight with my daughter.

The two of you have your battle, and I wind up the loser.

Tom, I don't understand.

You storm in here, and you make a complete fool out of me in front of my

the Maxwells. You upset everybody's evening, and you did it all without even

saying hello.

Tom, I've been working really hard lately. I mean, aren't I entitled to

bad mood?

It's not a mood.

It's a trend.

I've been breaking my back to accommodate you lately.

And last night was my thank you.

I say no thank you. You keep telling me that I have eight kids. I don't have

time for you. I think it's the other way around. You have a hundred kids.

And you don't have time for me.

Tom.

My cake?

No thanks, kid.

I think I'll just have a straight shot.

No chaser.

You don't look so happy.

I'm not.

This whole campaign is turning into a mess, and it's all my fault.

What did you do?

I wish I knew.

Are you still going to win?

Between you and me, Nicholas, I'd almost rather lose.

All the kids in my school like you, and even my teacher, Mrs. Devlin.

Mrs. Duffick? You have Mrs. Duffick?

Mrs. Duffick.

Maybe.

Hey, where are you going?

Back to school.

On purpose? Yep.

Duffin? Yes?

Hi.

I'm Mary Bradford.

Mary Bradford! Oh, for goodness sake. Well, I haven't seen you since my hair

jet black.

Sit down, my dear. Thank you.

Nicholas told me that he had you for a teacher.

Yes.

You know Nicholas is the eighth Bradford I have taught.

Don't worry, Mrs. Duffin. Nicholas is the last.

Well, I don't know. For seven years, Tommy was the last.

My dear, I was really very sorry to hear about your mother.

But let's talk about happier things.

I was tickled pink to learn that you're running for the school board.

That's why I'm here, Mrs. Duffek.

You see, I decided to run for the position because I thought some fresh

blood would be good.

And now... And now what?

Now I wonder if I've done the right thing.

I've interviewed more parents and children than I have teachers.

I was hoping you could clear some things up for me.

I'll try.

You see, I came out for holding the line on the school budget.

And I seem to have alienated some people.

Yes, I read about that press conference.

Well, frankly, I'm for tightening the purse strings myself.

Money alone can't buy a good education.

Mrs. Duffick, exactly who would be affected by an austerity budget?

Oh, that's hard to say.

There'd have to be priorities, of course.

And I suppose...

Certain people could lose their jobs.

Would teachers have to be let go?

Well, specialty teachers.

Music, dance, speech impairment.

What about traveling tutors?

Yes, I'm afraid their jobs might be in jeopardy.

Do you happen to know a Sandra Sue Abbott?

Yeah.

Well, could she, you know... Yes, Mary, she could.

Why, is she a friend of yours?

She was.

Thank you, Mrs.

Duffer.

It's going to help. You're very welcome, my dear. Good luck to you.

Some campaign strategy. The candidate didn't even show up. Hey, look, what do

need her here for, anyway?

I mean, we're the mechanics of this political machine.

Oh, Tommy, would you just stow it? I'll pull your plug.

All right, all right, that's it. I've had it with this campaign. I quit. Oh,

come on, Tommy. We're not in the mood for this, huh?

Sit down.

Now, look, you guys, this is a professional campaign, right? We start

internally. The people out there are going to know.

We're under pressure. You're under pressure. I'm under pressure. Mary's

pressure. So let's just keep it cool and calm.

If she doesn't show up in five minutes, we'll convene the first meeting of the

assassination committee.

Hey,

is your name Bradford?

Yes, it is.

That Bradford?

Yes. Yes, that's...

Only he's shorter on television.

Yeah, you're the guy that wants to close down Main Street for a year. No, no,

no. He's the one for lowering the school budget.

Oh, yeah, and for lowering our taxes.

Let me explain.

Now, what about this overcrowding in the junior high schools?

Build more schools.

That's a simple solution. Push for building more schools.

Construction is the answer.

What about busing?

Well, any form of transportation is fine as long as people build garages to put

the vehicles into.

Building garages is the answer. Hey, that's right.

I'm all for you, pal.

Well, if it isn't the candidate.

No, thanks.

Come on. It's almost over.

Don't be so gloomy.

Smile.

David.

It's still the same spot, don't you... Hey, come on.

Come on.

Okay,

stop. Truce.

Truce.

Hey, are you Mary Bradford?

Yes.

Mary Bradford the candidate?

Yes.

Well, I got a message from the people.

I, uh, wanted to call you last night.

I wanted you to.

I thought maybe you could drive me to work.

What happened to your car?

Well, David borrowed it. The kids needed his van.

So why didn't David drive you to work?

He had to do a friend a favor.

So how'd you get over here?

I'm a friend, and that was the favor.

I'll have to thank you.

You want to make up?

We talked into it over breakfast.

Care to drive?

Let's skip practice.

And don't forget, Mr. Zadak, the polls close at 8 o 'clock tonight. You don't

want to miss the opportunity to cast your vote for a stronger Sacramento

board.

Yes, she is a woman. What difference does that make?

Oh, well, I don't know if you know this or not, Mr. Zadak, but women got the

vote in this country in 1920.

You voted against it. Well, that's just terrific.

You know, I hate to tell you this, but some of us even drive cars.

Yeah, you'd be surprised at what women are capable of doing.

Elizabeth! Elizabeth!

Jerry Baldwin's outside in his new car! Jerry Baldwin's outside? Excuse me, Mr.

Zadak, I've got some knitting to do.

Hello, Michelle.

Yeah, this is Tommy Bradford.

I've been trying to talk to you for days, but our phone's been out of order.

Yeah, remember that homeroom teacher you didn't like?

Well, I think I'm in a position to do something about it.

Want some potato chips?

Oh, thank you. Thank you. Listen, would you pass my cards out for me? Would you

do that, please? Thank you.

What's going on?

Leave this.

Neighbors.

We're doing great. Hi.

Thanks a lot.

Hi. Hi.

You got a sec?

Yeah. Listen, I need your signature on my disability insurance claim.

Me? Why me?

Well, we were knocking on the dormitory doors for you, right?

Lowell had like an industrial accident.

Threw his thumb out of joint.

Uh,

listen, guys, I have a little bit of last -minute campaigning to do.

Why don't you help yourself to the food in the kitchen?

Oh, no, no, no, no, I gotta maintain. I just started that pre -digested protein

diet. Really healthy, you know what I mean?

Yeah, sure.

Oh, look, Mary!

Oh, Mary!

What would it be without you?

Have a drink?

Absolutely. You voted? Twice. Twice?

Hi. Oh, hello.

Dad? Yes?

I'm going to drop the tray.

Oh, no, no, no. Go inside and get one of your sisters. All right? Okay. Hi,

Abby. Hey, Nicholas.

It's great to have you here.

It's great to be had.

We laugh, but... but do you think Mary will ever speak to you again?

Not about politics, but there's always religion.

Why are we laughing?

I don't know.

Oh, she will.

Truly she will. Tom, are you all set for the big win?

Hi, how are you? It's going to be a great evening, isn't it?

Mary! I'll get it.

Hello.

Oh, hi, John.

Mary, you remember John Barry?

He was the first person that signed your petition.

Of course, how could I have forgotten? John, come on in, have a drink.

Mary!

Hi. How you doing? How about a movie?

I'd like you to meet Alice.

Alice doesn't know anything about politics, but she loves it.

You must be Mary Bradford. I'll admit to that.

I am so glad I could meet you.

Same here.

This is all so exciting. You must be so thrilled.

Doesn't have to be a good movie.

Excuse me?

Nothing.

Come on.

Well, why don't we all go into the living room, huh? Yeah, let's go and

drink. A lot of drinks out there.

I wonder what laundromat he found her in.

first personal phone call in weeks oh that's terrific come on it seems the

incumbent in district 10 is holding a substantial lead which is a surprise

all was expected to be a heavy favorite swinging over to the eighth school

district we find bradford has taken a slight lead five to two but that of

reflects only a partial tally of the write -in votes.

Oh, Miss Bradford.

Yes, I want to give you one of my cards.

Oh, and by the way, take it from me.

Flanagan doesn't stand a chance.

Not a chance.

I mean, did you see the quality of his posters?

Cheap. Really cheap.

I'm a printer. I know these things.

I'm sure you do, Mr... Kaminsky.

Kaminsky. And by the way, when you get ready to start printing those new school

books, come and see me.

I'll give you the best deal in town, all right?

Thank you, and good luck. Then you add a half a cup of Meldon's milk chocolate

to the frosting.

Tommy, excuse me, Mrs. Poe. That's all right.

You don't have to worry about expenses. The campaign's over.

The expenses? The heck with the expenses. I just want the recipe.

Hello. Oh, hello.

Hey, Mayor, how about that? You got five real people to vote for you. Yeah.

Yeah, well, we're running out of voting Bradford.

Mary, I think we should go upstairs now and rehearse your acceptance speech.

Not yet, Joanie. There's plenty of time for that.

Okay, but pretty soon.

Really.

It's going to be a long evening.

Proposition A, the urban rezoning project, heavily supported by the mayor,

on its way to victory.

Although only 5 % of the raw vote has been counted.

In the 15th congressional district, we're ready to project Todd Benson as

winner, with 53 % of the popular vote.

Moving over to the school board races.

Here it comes.

In that hotly contested battle between William Flanagan and Mary Bradford, with

now over 93 % of the votes in, KBEX projects the winner as William Flanagan.

Now let's take a look at some of the propositions on the ballot.

Proposition A, the controversial urban rezoning project, heavily supported by

the mayor, seems on its way to... Tom, let me.

No,

now's the time to see if she and I'll ever talk again.

It'll be okay, really.

You know what I think?

What? I think I'd like to be a doctor.

A miracle here, a miracle there.

Trying to be a politician.

I wind up spending most of my time trying to stay out of trouble.

Abby, why didn't you tell me that my stand on the budget could have cost you

your job?

Because we weren't dealing with my job.

We were dealing with, um, with principals.

I mean, there I was, so wrapped up in my so -called political career that I

didn't even see what was happening.

I didn't mean to hurt you or anybody else for that matter, especially not the

kids.

You know, Abby, you did have a point.

So did you.

But then that's what politics is all about, right?

So tell me, if you'd known, would you have changed your stand?

Well, I don't know, but I'm glad I didn't have to find out. So am I.

So, uh, what do you say we forget all this and just be, uh, old Abby and old

Mary again? Old Abby and old Mary.

Yeah, that sounds really nice. Friends?

Friends. Okay.

Now, what are we gonna do about them?

What do you mean?

Well, you saw what happened in there when I lost.

Everybody was on the verge of tears.

They all worked so hard and landed up with nothing. Oh, don't let them get you

depressed. Depress me? I'm not depressed.

Abby, I feel guilty.

They're upset because I lost and I couldn't be happier.

Maybe this will help you out.

I have a confession to make.

I didn't vote for you.

I have a confession to make.

I didn't vote for me either.

You know, it's funny how things work out.

After all's said and done, Dad's probably the only one that ended up

me.

Well, my constituents wait.

What did you say to him?

Nothing much. He just listened.

Oh.

Maybe I should try that sometime.

Maybe so.

Hello. He said hello to me six hours ago.

I guess I just can't believe that you're still here.

I'm not going anyplace.

I love you.

I love you.

I want to marry you.

I want to marry you.

Why do you laugh?

What do you mean, well?

Good night, huh, Dad?

Yeah, you must be exhausted.

Yeah, I am.

No, someday I think I want to be elected to something.

Yeah? What have you got in mind?

Well, something really, really important.

Oh, like the Board of Education?

Nah, something more fun.

More? Like the mayor?

Well, something more important.

More important than the mayor?

Oh, the president of the United States?

Well, maybe. But you know what I'd really like to be?

No, I haven't the slightest idea.

The boys' room monitor.

Well, now, there's power.

Yeah,

there's power.