Original subtitles

Ernie? Is it really you?

It's me, all right. It's just like old times, huh? I mean, Jill's here, you're

here. My life's getting back to what it used to be. It's like the months since

high school didn't even happen. There's another guy.

I don't want you to blame him for this.

Anybody I know?

Ernie.

Ernie!

Tommy, please, it just happened.

The whole thing's very clear. The two people I counted on most just stabbed me

in the back.

There's a magic in the early morning we fall

When the sunrise smiles on everything

around It's a portrait of

the happiness that we feel and always will

Oh, wait, it's enough To fill our lives with love.

Oh, we spend our days like bright and shiny new dyes.

If we're ever puzzled by the changing times.

There's a plate of homemade wishes on the kitchen window.

And eight is enough to fill our lives with love.

All right, great. Now, you really look deprived.

I'd even give you the $8 .99.

I'll take it.

Are you kidding? I'm more deprived than you look. Come on, let's go.

No, Nicholas, what happened to your shirt?

Ma. Ma.

Giant one.

Yeah, they must have come from outer space.

Well, actually, it could have happened in a washing machine. The fact is, he

needs $8 .99 for a new shirt.

Yeah, that's at the washing machine.

I don't believe that.

Who could?

You tell me why you really need the money. Then maybe I'll give it to you.

Honesty is the best policy.

Well, I guess it's worth a shot.

I want a new soccer ball.

Oh, absolutely not.

So much for honesty.

A new soccer ball is something you have to pay for yourself, plus the

replacement for that shirt.

With my allowance, by the time I save up enough money, I'll be too old to play

soccer. Well, you could earn the money. Get a job.

You mean work?

Jeremy, I know that's one of the few four -letter words that you don't

of, but I do.

Now, look at this.

You could learn some real responsibility.

You owe me for a new shirt, and you want a soccer ball.

Okay? Why don't you find an honest way to earn the money?

More.

Ernie?

Is it really you? It's me, all right.

Well, what do you think?

I think when you decided to go to college, you really went college.

Don't tell me that's a fraternity pin.

I won't. Good.

It's just the pledge pin.

What kind of brainwashing do they use on you at Berklee? Well, you know me,

Bradford. If you're going to enjoy the music, you've got to play along with the

group. And the truth is, I really dig it.

Don't spread it around, but I even got a couple of A's.

No. You?

Older than himself.

Hey, I missed you. You were going to come spend some weekends.

Yeah, and you were going to come visit a lot.

Well, here I am.

Two whole weeks till next quarter. We can catch up on everything.

That'd be great.

But can you meet me someplace in a couple hours?

What's up?

Well, I've just got this open audition with BJ's.

BJ's? You really know how to impress a guy. Can I come?

It's really not that big a deal, Ernie.

Come on, Bradford. I've never been inside BJ's. And we can talk on the way.

Do you still ride in vans?

Only yours, Bradford.

Only yours.

David's living in Paradise?

Paradise Manor. It's a swinging, single apartment.

Well, David is single.

He's separated.

Same thing.

Well, maybe for some people.

I've seen the ads for that Paradise Manor place.

It's not for our David.

Why not?

It does.

Probably under a lot of emotional stress since he broke up with Janet.

I don't think he needs a fast lane.

He needs some love and understanding.

A good hot meal.

Maybe the Salvation Army was all booked.

You can be casual if you want. I'm concerned.

You know, I think I'm going to stop by there this afternoon, see if he wants to

come over for dinner.

That's a good idea.

I hate to think of him in the clutches of some swinging separated.

Yeah.

Where is everybody?

Oh, a little early yet.

The way nights go around here, people kind of like to sleep in.

Oh, really?

I got a different impression from the brochure.

Round -the -clock fun. Yeah, brochure.

Round -the -clock fun, yeah. Well, I tell you, just wait.

You know, fun can start any time now. I know you're going to love it here.

Well, as far as I'm paying, I better love it.

Oh, wait.

Oh, you're not going in, are you?

That was the plan.

Oh, well, could you wait a few hours?

Just until the chlorine level gets down.

We have a lot of trouble at the health department.

Sorry about that.

Me too.

So you miss making music? A little.

But what I don't miss is having my dad on my back.

These days he even brags about me at the Rotary Club.

Congratulations.

How are you coming on the songwriting?

Great.

Published anything?

Not that great.

Well, how's your new band?

They'll get it together in a few months.

Hey, listen, Bradford. I got this feeling your luck is changing.

You're going to be lead guitar BJs, and you're going to have to hire a small

army to fight off the women.

Women? What are women?

The last I remember, you were about to take off with one to San Francisco.

Yeah, Holly.

You ever hear from her?

Just that she married a bass player and moved to L .A. A bass player?

And I always had her figured for nothing less than a lead singer.

Yeah. What about Jill? Jill?

As I remember, the class prophecy practically guaranteed you two would be

married by now. Yeah, well, when I was seeing Holly, I quit writing her, and

when she found out about it, she quit writing me.

Too bad. Yeah.

You ever thought about calling her?

She's probably back in Sacramento.

UCLA has vacations, too.

Uh, she probably wouldn't even speak to me.

Hey, you're not talking about most girls. You're talking about Jill.

Relax, Bradford. I'm gonna bring you luck.

Oh, great.

What's wrong?

Well, you see the guy over there with the $2 ,000 Les Paul?

My name's Rick Solari. He's beat me out on every audition so far.

Say the word and I'll break his fingers.

He's a black belt.

So I'll clap so loud you'll have to win.

Ernie, you couldn't clap that loud.

David Bradford. Do you have plans for dinner?

Well, I hadn't really thought that far ahead yet.

Well, think about this.

My play, 7 o 'clock?

Well, I'm not exactly Julia Child, but no one's ever gone away hungry.

Sorry, I have another engagement.

Too bad.

Maybe next time?

Sure. You do very good laundry.

Oh, thank you.

It's just in the neighborhood. I thought I'd drop by and tell you this is your

lucky day.

You have just won a free meal at the Bradford Family Inn.

Special occasion.

What occasion?

Well, it's the... We hardly ever see David Bradford anymore, and we miss him

lot.

Well, thanks, but no thanks. I already had a dinner invitation.

Oh. Well, how about tomorrow night?

I'm busy tomorrow night.

Johnny, look, I know you're all concerned about me, but I'm a big boy

take care of myself.

I hope so, David.

I really want you to be happy.

I'm ecstatic.

You don't look very ecstatic.

Well, I was until my sister came around acting like I'm some kind of charity

case. I didn't mean it that way.

Johnny, just go home and tell everyone not to worry about me.

I've got a few days off.

I'm a parrot.

I love it.

Hey, guys, I want to thank you very much for coming and to tell you that it's

not going to be easy to make a choice.

As a matter of fact, we're going to have to do this with callbacks. So will the

following please come back tomorrow at 2 o 'clock?

Hardy, Cunningham, Johnson, Simon, Solari,

and Bradford.

Congratulations.

Thank you all again very much.

Don't get too excited, Ernie.

It always ends up like this. I get called back with the same five or six

and Solari always wins.

You can't expect to become Mick Jagger nine months out of high school.

And the important thing is, you're hanging in there. Can we just drop it,

Hey, look.

They still have the atomic anchovy experience. You remember the night you

seven of them? I remember them going down and coming up.

Let's eat one just for old time's sake.

You eat one. I don't even want to think about it.

Isn't that our old table over there?

No, it's over there. Let's grab it.

Come on, Ernie.

Tommy. Jill.

You're right, Bradford. That's our old table. Hi, Ernie.

Hi. Well, sit down, you guys.

Sure.

I figured this would be a great nostalgia trip, but this place has

changed. I mean, you guys are the first people I even recognize.

It's great to see you.

You're right, Ernie. You bring me good luck.

I think that part goes over the other part over there.

Maybe it'd be easier if you just did it instead of telling me.

There's no sense in both of us getting dirty.

Hello, boys.

Nicholas, I thought we agreed. No more ruined shirts.

Dad, I'm just doing what you told me to. Yeah, that's right. This time you took

your advice.

Go on, tell him, Nicholas.

I got a paper route.

Really? Oh, that's wonderful.

Imagine my own flesh and blood out there pounding the sidewalks.

Delivering the paper that carries my column. Yeah, well, cool your engines,

Bradford. Dad, I'm not going to be delivering for the register.

Not the Tribune.

But that's treason.

Jeremy, was this your idea?

Oh, it was your idea this morning, remember?

I remember.

If I don't, you'll never let me forget.

And when we got home, there was 400 people at the house and cops everywhere.

Don't you want any more of that?

No, thanks.

Doesn't taste the way I remember.

How about something else?

No, thanks, Tommy. I really got to run.

Listen, before you do, Ernie, would you mind paying the check?

It's good to see you, Joe. Good to see you.

He looks different.

Yeah, well, you look great.

Can I see it, Ernie?

I don't know, Tommy.

I mean, it's been great to see you, but I don't know if I want to rush back into

something. Okay, we won't rush into anything.

We'll just have a normal date like we used to.

I don't know.

Look, if it makes you feel any better, we'll have Ernie along and we'll double

date. Come on, for old time's sake, what do you say?

Okay, call me.

All right.

Goodbye. See ya.

Ernie, you're gonna need a date tonight.

Joe's going out with me.

Yeah? It's great. It's just like old times, huh? I mean, Jill's here, you're

here. My life's getting back to what it used to be. Like the months since high

school didn't even happen. It's great.

It happened, Tommy.

Did you guys ever think that maybe David just wanted to be left alone?

If David wanted to be alone, then why would he have moved into a swinging

singles building?

I don't know.

Maybe it's a cover.

I remember when I was alone, it seemed like every time I turned around,

was at the door.

Somebody who just happened to be in the neighborhood, you know?

Everybody wanted to mother me.

And the truth was, I really wanted to be alone to sort things out.

Well, Abby, I don't think we're trying to mother David.

We're just concerned.

Well, I know, but maybe you should just give him some breathing space.

I mean, he wants it. He knows that you're right.

She's got a point. Maybe we shouldn't butt in when we're not wanted.

Well, call Connie Barnes.

She moved to Red Bluff. Nancy Matlin. I don't think her husband would appreciate

me asking her out on such short notice.

Well, call somebody, Ernie. I've got to see Jill tonight.

Gorgeous, isn't she?

She always was.

How could I forget?

Well, this is more like it.

I'd just about given up on this place.

You had?

Yeah. I was beginning to think they'd switched Paradise Manor into a

home.

Retirement home?

Could they do that?

Not really. It was a joke.

Oh, right, a joke.

So where do you work, Ginger?

Where?

Right. Where?

She's on unemployment.

That's another thing I'd like to talk to you about, Ginger.

Oh, Gordon, you're so boring.

She thinks I'm boring.

Hi, I'm Gordon.

I'm David.

How you doing, Dave?

I like to keep tabs on all the men in my wife's life.

Your wife?

Only technically.

We're suing for a divorce.

We're separated.

Yeah, I just came down for a brief visit.

You live up north?

He lives upstairs, just above me.

You both live here? I didn't know she was moving here, and she didn't know I

living here.

And he won't move out.

Yeah. Now it's part of the divorce fight.

We can't settle on who gets stuck with custody of Paradise Manor.

Well, I hope it works out for you both.

See ya.

Watch it.

Wait, here he comes.

Keep throwing, okay?

Nicholas, what's going on?

I'm just practicing, Dad.

A paper boy is only as good as...

Wait a minute. Aren't you supposed to be delivering these things?

Yeah, but I figure, you know, it'll go faster once I get my pitch down.

Nicholas, I really do not enjoy having the whole front of my house infested

tribunes.

What about my new shirt?

Oh, wonderful.

Yeah, isn't it? You told me to get a new shirt, and they gave one to me free.

Nice people at the tribune.

Nicholas, please, don't rub it in.

Just throw.

I told you I needed practice.

Hi, David.

What are you doing here?

Well, I was just in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd say hello.

Hello.

Goodbye.

Is that a hint?

Yeah, something like that.

I have some friends waiting.

Oh, people you met here in Paradise?

Yeah. David, I was just thinking.

The other day I met your old girlfriend, Linda Stafford.

What about her?

Well, I thought in case you were lonely, maybe you'd like to call her up.

I just happen to have her phone number right here.

Thanks.

I think I can fill my own social calendar. So next time, don't call me.

call you.

That's the way you want it, huh, David?

Yeah. Thanks for finally getting the picture.

Okay, bye.

Don't worry about me.

Could have gotten you a date.

But I keep telling Tommy that I really don't want to tag along.

You won't be tagging. With no date, I'm really tagging. Hey, look, maybe we

could double tomorrow night. Come on, Ernie. I want to hear all about

I could mail you the catalog.

No, I want to hear about Berkeley tonight.

And this is great. We can all be together.

I hear you pledged a house. Which one?

Lambda. Lambda? I'm a little sister at Lambda.

Hi, sis.

Hi.

Come on, you guys.

Pre -law?

Well, actually, I'm taking kind of pre -everything. English, a little psych.

But if I say pre -law, it makes my dad feel great.

That's really impressive.

I had no idea you were even interested in anything like that.

Great?

Brought you some friends. This is Jill and this is Ernie. Hi, friends.

Tommy, you feel like sitting in with us?

No, no, I just came to listen. Oh, we'd really feel great if you'd play with us.

Go on, Tommy, we'd love to hear you. Yeah, Bradford, you ought to show Jill

great you sound.

Okay, just for the set. Great.

Hey, I hear you made callbacks at BJ's. Yeah, so far.

Way to go. Maybe you'll take Solaria this time.

I swear that guy's got a jinx on every lead guitar in Sacramento.

Can you see?

Not too well.

Is that better?

Much better.

Thanks, Mary.

You're welcome, Nicholas.

Isn't this past your bedtime, Nicholas?

I know, Dad. But if I'm going to pay for that window, I need to sell one more

subscription. You're selling those subscriptions here?

Yeah, I sold one to Mary, Joanie, Elizabeth, Nancy, and Susan.

Oh, and Abby promised.

And we'll be getting six copies of the Tribune every evening?

Yeah, until I can sell one to Tommy. Then we'll be getting seven.

Wonderful.

Like you said.

She's right, Bradley.

You're a star.

Thanks. Do you guys think you could handle a couple more hours of it?

Sure. Jeff told me that the manager of BJ's comes in every night after closing.

It would really help my chances if he heard me play with a full band.

Tommy, I'd really love to stay, but I can't.

Oh, you can't? No, I gotta get up early. My folks have plans.

Can I take a rain check?

You mean like lunch tomorrow?

Yeah, sure. Call me.

Do you have time to take me home?

Not really.

Ernie could do it. Do you mind, Ernie?

No. I'll be right back.

Thanks.

I'm really sorry, but there's a lot at stake.

Don't worry about it. I'll see you tomorrow.

I'll see you real quick, Tommy.

Okay.

Thanks, Ernie.

Tommy, your friend's out of leave?

Oh, yeah, my girlfriend had to.

She's your girl? Since when?

Oh, since the junior picnic years ago.

How come I haven't seen her?

Well, we broke up for a little while, and then she went away to school.

You know, I really didn't realize how much I missed her.

Thank you, Ernie, for making this a wonderful issue.

My pleasure.

Jill, you remember this?

Jill? I'm sorry, Tommy. What did you say?

I was asking you if you remember the tree.

Oh, this is the mistletoe tree.

That's right.

You told me this whole tree was mistletoe.

And you told me it didn't make any difference what kind of tree it was and

did I need an excuse.

Do I?

Do you what?

Need an excuse.

Tommy, please.

What's wrong?

I have a lot of things to figure out.

I know, I know. You're wondering about Holly.

It's over between her and me. She just made me realize how much I need you.

How can you say that?

You don't even know me.

Yes, I do.

No, Tommy.

See, last night... Hey, I'm sorry about last night. It was a mistake to stay.

The guy from BJ's never even showed.

Besides, now that you're here to inspire me, I'll knock him dead at the

audition.

Exciting, isn't it?

Oh, yeah.

I don't know how long I can keep up this mad pace.

You might try John Smith's.

Let me see.

Why does he need an alias?

Where have you been, Dave?

John Smith's is only the hottest singles bar in town.

I'm going there tonight. You ought to come with me.

We'll get there early. The prospects will be fresh.

Well... Oh, okay.

Unless you'd rather stay around here and watch the chlorine count come up.

Well, sounds like a pretty good idea.

Why don't you pick me up when you're ready?

You got it.

I'm afraid Nicholas isn't feeling very well this morning.

Oh, yeah, and he wants to stay in bed all day.

Yeah, as a matter of fact, he does.

Yeah, I know the problem.

David had it and Tommy had it. It's called the paper route syndrome.

Tom. It strikes during the first week, when the novelty wears off and the

boredom sets in. But he's not going to get away with it.

I'll bet Jeremy put him up to it. They figured if Nicholas took a Tribune route

that I would back down. But it isn't going to work. Nicholas took that job

he's going to keep it. He has a certain responsibility to his subscribers, and

you can tell him that.

What should I tell him about his fever?

His fever?

A hundred and two.

Oh, well, then you mean it isn't the paper route syndrome?

No, Joanie had it, Mary had it. I think it's called the flu.

Well, in that case, Jeremy will have to take over his paper route.

Gee, you know, Jeremy's fever's higher than Nicholas's.

Well, somebody has to show responsibility around here.

Well, I had to see this. Our free enterprise system at work. The Little

Merchant. Inspiring, Tom. Absolutely inspiring.

You don't have to enjoy it so much.

What are you doing here?

Oh, well, when you left the office early, I thought you might have that flu

that's been going about. So I called your house and they informed me that I

could find you strolling here on Sycamore Avenue.

Elliot. Does your contract permit you to do this work?

This is a family matter. I can explain.

I'm sure you can, Mr. Arnold.

Arnold. Benedict Arnold.

Well, how do we tell Tommy?

Hey, Bradford, old buddy.

I know things are going a little rough for you right now, but I've got some

great news.

I always thought I was in love with Joe, but now I'm positive.

Sounds worse when I try to say it.

Tommy, I think I'm falling in love with your best friend.

Well, what are friends for?

Right?

Right.

Thanks, Rick.

I'm going to need another call back before I can make a decision.

Same time tomorrow, I'd like to hear Solari, Cunningham, and Bradford.

Now, look, I know you would all like to settle as much as I would, but at least

we're down in the finals, huh?

Thanks again.

what I tell you. Is this place great or what?

I'll tell you what I want.

Later.

Not me.

Separated.

Divorced.

Welcome to the real world.

Yes.

It only looks like the Twilight Zone.

I'm Stephanie Rogers.

David Bradford.

You know, I live close by.

If we leave now, we could still get back in time through the late night action.

You mean, uh, no dinner or movie first?

Well, I prefer to skip the amenities.

It's cheaper.

After you.

Hey, Dave.

Leaving so soon?

Yeah. I'll meet you up front.

I see you met Steph.

You know her?

Yeah.

Hey, doll.

I was beginning to think you changed your mind.

Well... Yeah.

Deep down, you're just really an old -fashioned guy.

I guess so.

Maybe some other time.

That's right, Jill.

It's all up for grabs until tomorrow.

Yeah, well, I really want to see you tonight.

Great.

Yeah, I have a lot to tell you, too.

Okay, I'll see you tonight.

Love you.

Bye -bye.

Linda? It's David Bradford.

Fine.

How about you?

Yeah, it has been a few years.

Look, I was wondering, how would you like to get together sometime soon?

Is an hour from now too soon?

It got to the point where we couldn't agree on anything anymore.

Not on values or ambitions or lifestyles.

We became two strangers living under the same roof.

Well, I guess the split was for the best.

Now I'm living at Paradise Manor.

I don't think I could handle all that debauchery.

It grows on you.

Not that I don't miss Janet.

Back to Janet again, are we?

Well, she's a fine woman.

She's bright, attractive, fun.

Open.

A lot like you.

Thank you.

I think.

She's also stubborn and narrow -minded and uncompromising and determined to a

fault. I spoke too soon.

Linda. Look, David, there's no need to explain.

And there's no time to explain. I have to get up very early. I have a big

presentation to show our biggest client tomorrow at 9 a .m. sharp.

Just like Janet.

Well, it was nice seeing you after all these years.

Maybe we can do it again sometime soon?

Uh, look, David, I... Is a year from next Thursday too soon?

Make it a year from next Friday and we'll talk about it.

And not about Janet, I promise.

You're learning David my learning

Jill

there's obviously something bothering you. Would you just tell me about it?

Maybe you should just go home And get a lot of rest before your audition

tomorrow. I wouldn't sleep. I'd just be up all night wondering what's bugging

you. Tell me.

You sure?

Yes.

Well, you know how badly you wanted us to be like we were, and I keep pulling

back.

Well, there's a reason.

The usual reason?

Yeah.

There's another guy.

I'm sorry, Tommy.

We're just not who we used to be.

We really haven't tried. That wouldn't help.

You and I don't even speak the same language anymore.

The truth is that I have not been to a nightclub since I left Sacramento.

And your whole life revolves around them. That's where they make music.

I know.

I guess I've always expected your music, but I figured that one day you'd put it

in the proper perspective and become more like... Like the guy you're

in.

I'm beginning to think that maybe that's right.

Tommy, I don't want you to blame him for this.

Why should I care about some guy in LA?

He's not in LA.

He's here?

Yeah.

Great. Anybody I know?

Ernie.

Ernie?

Tommy, you don't understand.

It just happened.

Oh, I understand.

The whole thing's very clear. The two people I counted on most just stabbed me

in the back.

Poor... Oh, no.

Oh, Nicholas.

Your temperature is normal.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

Jeremy.

You're normal, too.

I'd like a second opinion.

How about Tom's?

Forget it.

We have to tell Dad we're adorable.

No, I'll tell him. And I'll tell Tommy that he can move back into his room,

okay?

I sure am glad y 'all are well.

Hiya, Tommy.

Hi, Dad.

Boy, I hope you're not getting Nicholas and Jeremy's bug. You seem a little

under the weather.

I feel okay.

Oh. Well, maybe you're just a little nervous about your big audition today,

right? There's not going to be any audition. I'm shining it on.

I don't understand. I thought that you really wanted that job.

Yeah, it's just another bad decision I made.

What decisions are we talking about?

Playing guitar, not going to college.

Ernie's life seems to be working and mine isn't. Everything I've done out of

high school has been a waste of time. Oh, I don't agree.

Yeah, you wouldn't.

After all, you're the one that didn't make me go to college.

I thought that's what you wanted.

I wasn't very smart.

Besides, you never told me it was going to get like this.

Like what?

Everything has changed.

Everybody's going on without me.

Why didn't you make me go to college like Ernie's father did?

Now, listen, Tommy. I am not going to take the blame for that decision. We

discussed it. I didn't agree with it. But I knew that you'd be more miserable

you didn't try to make it in music. You were wrong.

Well, it's not too late. You can go back to college now if that's what you want.

Okay.

Tell me to go.

Tommy, I can't. Why don't you be my father?

I am your father, and I'd like to protect you from whatever it is that's

you. But you're not 12 years old anymore. I can't decide your life for

If I did, then we'd wind up hating each other, and I can't handle that.

You may just have to.

Can you stand some company for a few days?

What's up?

Oh, nothing.

I just had a fight with Dad. Ernie's picked up on Jill, and I just realized

life's going down the tubes.

Hit bottom, huh?

Beyond bottom.

Well, then you've come to the right place.

If you think the outside world is depressing, you should try a few days at

Paradise Manor.

Oh, great.

I was hoping you could cheer me up.

Sorry. Big Brother is totally out of cheer.

Do you want me to leave?

You know the old depressing platitude.

Misery loves company.

You got it.

I don't understand.

You've got your freedom, and now you've got this place. What are you depressed

about? I was just going to ask you the same question.

Are you kidding? I've got no future, no friend, and no girl.

Now, wait a minute. What do you mean, no girl?

You haven't really been involved with Jill since high school.

I was hoping it would start over.

Look, I know it's tempting when things get a little shaky to go back to someone

you were once involved with, but it's like chasing an old dream.

I tried it last night and it was a disaster.

You tried it? With Linda Stafford.

Linda Stafford?

Jill Cassidy?

Sounds kind of dumb when you put it like that.

It sounds dumb when you put it the way you put it.

No fair, Tommy. You're ruining the gloom around here.

Well, you started ruining it first.

I apologize.

So, let's just forget the old sweetheart syndrome and, uh...

Just start from where we are. Now, that's depressing.

Yeah.

But it beats chasing old dreams.

Oh, uh, hold it, boys!

Nicholas, I had a very interesting conversation yesterday with my

happened to catch me while I was wearing this.

Oh, you out of a job?

No, but Nicholas is.

That's the break.

Gentlemen, I think that we can be perfectly frank with one another.

You know that I know that this entire situation is a conspiracy.

Conspiracy? What's that?

That's when you tell Nicholas that he doesn't have to keep the job that I

ordered him to get if that job is with my competitor.

Oh, that's a conspiracy.

And Jeremy's right.

Fool it, Nicholas.

Nicholas, guess what? You are now going to be a paper boy with a sacramental

register.

Beginning 5 a .m. tomorrow morning.

5 a .m.? Early rising makes good character.

Don't wake me at 5 a .m. I like my character.

You're going to like it even more. Since I cannot possibly allow Nicholas to

resign from his job with the Tribune until they have enough time for a

replacement, you are going to take over his paper route until further notice.

Congratulations to both of you.

Ernie.

Go ahead, Bradford.

Clobber me.

We both know you can do it.

I'm not going to clobber you, Ernie.

Wait a minute.

You're not mad?

I'm mad.

I don't blame you.

I'm mad at Tommy Bradford.

I don't get it.

It took me a long time to figure it out, too, but David finally pounded it into

me.

Ernie, I've been going through a real hard time.

When you and Jill came back, I could see how far you'd gone.

I hadn't gone anywhere. I felt left out.

Listen, Bradford. No, I really didn't take a good look at myself.

When you and Jill first went away to college, I wasn't even getting called to

the callbacks.

Which means I must have learned a little something since high school.

I'd say you learned a lot.

I meant music.

That, too.

Thanks.

You want to share an atomic anchovy experience?

No. Do you?

No.

How about we go to an audition?

About it.

down for teaspoon or tablespoon?

Why do we let her cook? We won't give up. Why do we let her cook? Because I

volunteered, now would you quit bugging me?

Us quit bugging you? Come on, we would never do that.

No, Elizabeth, it's all for your own good.

Ah, I can testify to that.

Oh, hi, David.

Hi, David.

Hi, uh, I was just in the neighborhood.

Well, we're gonna have dinner real soon.

Oh, I thought you'd never ask.

You mean you actually want to stay?

You're not afraid we'll butt into your life?

Yes, um, but, uh...

Tommy made me realize something, and I wanted to come over and tell you I

appreciate your trying to help me, even though it didn't seem like it when I

chased you away.

But I really want to thank you for worrying about me and tell you that I

you.

David.

Oh,

we love you, too.

Does that mean we're going to see more of you?

Yeah, and we get to mother you a little bit. Oh, yeah, you can mother me all you

want, starting with you, Elizabeth.

Me? Yeah, do you know any beautiful co -eds I could meet?

That's not mothering.

Well, how about you? What's the secretary situation with Channel 8?

I think he's getting better.

Does anybody want more spaghetti?

Phone Elizabeth.

you, Elizabeth.

Like there's enough for tomorrow night, too.

That was the manager from BJ.

It's bad news.

I'm going to have to miss all this fun. I got the job.

I start tonight.

Great.

Thanks, Dan.

And I apologize.

Oh, forget it.

Congratulations.

See you guys later.

Hey, Tommy, I'll save you some.

Does your horse eat spaghetti?

Jeremy, I couldn't do that.

Hi, Joe. You got a minute?

Well, um... I know Ernie's here. I saw his car out in front.

It's okay. I just want to talk to you both.

Okay. Come on in.

Hi, Tom.

I really can't stay too long. I've got to go to work.

I've got that job down at BJ's.

Hey, Tommy, that's great.

Listen, if you two aren't too busy tonight, and since it is my first night,

maybe you'd like to come down to BJ's? It'd be kind of nice to have the moral

support of my two best friends.

The kids are gone. Do you know what that means?

I'll dry the dishes and you'll wash them.

Fine. I'll wash them and you'll dry them.

No, it means that we don't have any responsibilities. We can leave the

We can go to the movies.

No, please, Abby, not tonight. I have to get to bed. I have a very busy day

tomorrow.

You really are working too hard.

I mean, you should cut back on some of those special assignments and those

meetings.

No, it has nothing to do with the office.

Nicholas has a field trip tomorrow. Jeremy has detention.

I'll have to carry both their paper routes.