04x15 - Danny Drops Out

[bunniefuu]

♪ Hello, world, hear
the song that we're singin'

♪ Come on, get happy

♪ A whole lot of lovin'
is what we'll be bringin'

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We had a dream
we'd go travelin' together

♪ And spread a little lovin'
then we'd keep movin' on

♪ Somethin' always happens
whenever we're together

♪ We get a happy feelin'
when we're singin' a song

♪ Travelin' along there's
a song that we're singin'

♪ Come on, get happy

♪ A whole lot of lovin'
is what we'll be bringin'

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We'll make you happy ♪

I never realized there
were so many colleges.

How do you make up
your mind where to go?

Depends on what you want.

Right.

If you wanna catch a rich
guy, you go to Harvard.

If you wanna catch a
tall guy, you go to UCLA.

If you wanna catch a guy
who doesn't smoke or drink,

go to Brigham Young.

You're a big help.

Look, what's the
big rush, anyway?

Well, it's either this or,

or help Mom with dinner.

I'm just glad you realize
the value of an education.

That you wanna go to school.

Oh, Mom, I don't know anybody
who doesn't wanna go to school.

No one's that dumb.

Hi. Guess what?

I decided to drop out of school.

Well, maybe one.

Okay, honey, what's
this about dropping out?

Did you flunk a test?

No. I've been thinking
about it for a long time.

I just don't see a need
to go to school anymore.

Why not? It's a
big waste of time.

Danny, I'm trying to have
an open mind about this,

but you're going to have
to be a little more explicit.

Okay. I was sitting in History
and the teacher told us,

"In , England and France
fought the w*r of Jenkins' Ear."

w*r of Jenkin's Ear?

Yeah. And for that
you're paying taxes.

I suddenly realized, "Who
needs it?" I had to get out.

So, you're dropping out
because you don't like History?

That's not all I don't like.

I don't like Spanish,
I don't like Algebra

and I hate woodshop.

Mom, I wanna be a songwriter.

I've got talent. I'm
wasting my time in school.

You're not wasting your time.

Look, Mom, I already
know how to read and write.

And I'm up to Jenkin's
Ear with history.

You think that'll
make me any money?

Danny, I'm not going to sit here
all afternoon and argue with you.

You're going back to
school and that's that.

You can lead a horse to water
but you can't make him drink.

No. But you can take away
the horse's television set

and his record player and
just about everything else

and he may decide
to think it over.

Miss Farrow?

Huh? May I help you?

Yes.

I'd like to talk to you for a
moment about my son Danny.

Danny Partridge.

How did you know?

Certain student's
names keep popping up.

I'll get his file.

Hmm, looks like he's been busy.

Well, let's just say
he has an active mind.

Hmm, last fall, he led the
cafeteria strike to reinstate tacos.

In November, he put a tape
recorder in the girls' locker room.

And in December, he ran Herby
Twichill's shorts up the flagpole.

No, Carl Bender's shorts.

And Herby got the
king snake in his locker.

Miss Farrow, I'm afraid it's
a little more serious this time.

Oh?

He wants to drop out of school.

Really?

Well, I wouldn't
worry about that.

I mean, he can't drop
out at his age. It's illegal.

Well, I know that, but the
problem is he wants to drop out.

And he won't be trying in his
classes if he isn't motivated.

"Why do I need
History and Algebra

"when I can already
read and write?"

You've heard all of this before.

All the time.

At this age, they
think they know it all.

Amen. What do we do?

Well, Mrs. Partridge,

Danny is bright and imaginative,

and kids like that need
to be handled with care.

I agree. What do we do?

Let him drop out. What?

We can't really
let him drop out,

but we can let him think he has.

Well, how will that help?

By keeping him away from it for a
short time, he'll soon become bored,

and he'll start
to feel left out.

And then he'll want to
come back on his own?

Especially if you make
him set a goal for his life.

He'll soon find out he can't realize
that goal without an education.

It might be a good idea.

It works nine times out of ten.

That's the problem. What?

Danny is always the th.

♪ Oh, no, not my baby ♪ Oh, no

♪ Oh, no, not my sweet baby ♪

Well, that was very good.

Kids, I have a little
announcement to make.

As you all know,

Danny feels it best that
he drops out of school.

Best for who, him or school?

And after careful consideration,
I've decided to let him do it.

You have? You're kidding.

You're gonna let him
get away with that?

Danny, there's one
important condition.

You have to set a
goal and work toward it.

Mom, I already have a goal.

I want to be a songwriter.

Tomorrow morning,
you start writing songs.

You guys get cracking
with your homework.

I've got songs to write.

Take out the trash.

Me? Touch trash with
these talented fingers?

If you can write
it, you can touch it.

Mom, do you know
what you're doing?

Do you realize what you've
turned loose on the world?

Look, Danny has to
want to go back to school.

It will only be a matter of time

before he realizes how
much he misses and needs it,

and then he'll go
back on his own.

Mom. Yes?

Are we talking about the
same Danny Partridge?

Well, that's it for today.

That's it?

Yeah, I'm bushed.

After minutes of
work, you're bushed?

Well, I'm in a dry period.

I'm waiting for an inspiration.

You want to play
some backgammon?

I'm going shopping.

Well, maybe it's just as good.

It's hard to concentrate with
your mom hanging around.

You know, I've got the feeling
something's gonna hit me any second.

Did you say anything?

Not me. See you later.

Hi, guys. How was school today?

Oh, weren't you there?

No, I don't go to
school anymore.

I'm working for a living now.

Oh, tough. Boy, you sure
missed something today.

Coach showed some
sex-education movies.

Hi, slaves.

Hi, Danny. Hey, where were
you today, in the principal's office?

No, I've decided not to
go to school anymore.

You dropped out?

Let's just say, I've finished my
education and started my career.

They kicked you out?

No, of course not. I'm
a working man now.

No kidding? Hey,
can I have your locker?

Can I have your
seat next to Trudy?

Take anything you want.

I'm out in the world
where the action is.

I'll take that. Hey, thanks.

You know, I was just
thinking the other day.

You know, the other
day... Where you going?

We've got basketball practice.

Hey, there's Trudy. See you.

Thanks for picking up the tab.

Reuben, why is it you always manage
to drop by when I bake an apple pie?

He gives me a dime to phone him.

Tattletale.

Danny, you haven't said
much about your day.

Yes, uh, how is the budding
Paul McCartney doing?

Moving right along.

Oh? Well, tell us about it.

I wouldn't want you
to eat your heart out.

What did you do all day?

I spent some time on the
phone getting some information.

And on my coffee break,

I went down to the taco stand
to see some of the old g*ng.

Have they aged much?

Very funny.

What did they think about
your not being in school?

Talk about jealous.

What did they say?
It's not what they said.

You could just tell they
were green with envy.

Anybody want to play cribbage?

How many songs
did you write, Danny?

It's not the quantity.
It's the quality.

Both of which add up to zero.

All right, that's enough.

Reuben, why don't we have
our coffee in the kitchen?

Sure. Excuse me.

Chess, anyone?

I've got homework.

Gin rummy?

Some of us still have
a few things to learn.

How long is this dropout
nonsense gonna go on?

As far as I'm concerned,
not much longer.

But I agreed with his
psychologist to try it,

so I'm trying it.

Well, I think I would be tempted

to try a little
old-fashioned persuasion.

I know.

But the idea is for
him to want to go back,

to realize he
needs an education.

Wait a minute. You're
coming into my office tomorrow

to sign contracts with
Claude Tubbles, aren't you?

Yes. Why?

You know who he is?

Yes, he owns the hotel
where we're gonna sing.

More than that. He owns
three or four of them.

The guy is a millionaire,
a financial wizard.

He's got a doctorate in
business administration.

Now, if we could sort of
introduce Danny to him,

and they should
get to talking...

Danny would realize the
value of finishing his education.

Right, if anyone
can impress Danny,

it's a guy with
a million dollars.

Okay, Shirley, I think
you'll find these all in order.

Unless, of course,
you don't trust me

after all these years
of faithful service.

In which case, you
may read the fine print.

Well, I wasn't going
to. Now, maybe, I will.

Yeah?

Oh, good. Send him
right in. He's here.

How long is this gonna take?

Sitting in your
office is a bore.

Hello, Reuben.

Mr. Tubbles, nice to see you.

Same to you.

Claude Tubbles, this
is Shirley Partridge.

How do you do?
Pleased to meet you.

Thank you, Mrs. Partridge.
Pleasure to meet you.

And her son Danny.

Hi, there, Danny. How you doing?

Fine, sir. Good.

Mr. Tubbles owns the hotel
you're gonna be singing in, Danny.

Really?

Mmm-hmm. Plus three
others, a couple of theaters,

a TV station and a
chain of restaurants.

Wow.

You make it sound like
some kind of a testimonial.

You should be very proud.
That's quite a success story.

Well, it just goes to show
what a good education can do.

Well, that lets me out. I never
got beyond the sixth grade.

You didn't? No.

No, I quit school.

I guess I was maybe a little
younger than you are now.

But you do have
a doctor's degree.

Oh, that. Yeah, well, that
was an honorary degree.

The university gave it to
me when I built them a library.

Mr. Tubbles, it is a pleasure to
meet you. You're my kind of people.

You know what my problem
was? I set my sights too low.

I had the wrong goal in mind.

I've been thinking songwriter

when I should have
been thinking millionaire.

That's my goal,
riches, fame, power.

If you don't mind, I
have my own goal.

I just want to pass my
psych test tomorrow.

You just don't grasp
the magnitude of it.

I'm trying,

but I guess you're just too
much of a genius for me, Danny.

I'll understand next year
when I take Abnormal Psych.

Let's not bite the hand
that may be feeding you.

I think I'll become
a stockbroker.

Hey, that's a good idea.
I got a hot tip for you.

Get out.

Get out.

I want you to
remember something.

When I'm up there at the top and you're
still struggling down here at the bottom,

there will be a hand
reaching down to guide you.

Hi. How many words
can you type a minute?

I don't know. Why?

I was just thinking.

One of these days, I'm
gonna need a secretary,

and I thought I might as
well keep it in the family.

Secretary for what,
a paper route?

Here are your shoes.

You made him shine your shoes?

No, I'm paying him for it.

Two shares of stock
in my first company.

Danny says I have
a piece of the rock.

Okay, what's this all about?

We just want to have
a little talk with you.

About one of your children.

I wonder which one.

The big typhoon.

You mean, "Tycoon."

Typhoon is a big wind.

I know what I said.

Mom, he's getting on our nerves.

To put it mildly. He woke
me up at : in the morning.

He was worried about the
income tax on his first million.

I know.

I've talked to the psychologist,

and we've decided it's time
we brought him down to earth.

If he wants to be
a big businessman,

he's gonna have to go to work.

But what can he do
besides odd jobs?

Nothing. That's what
he has to find out.

Work?

From what I can surmise, that's
how most millionaires get started.

Yeah, but I am working.

Up here, I'm
compiling my portfolio.

Danny, playtime is over.

It's either school or work.

All right, let me
see the want ads.

Here's one, $ , a
year. Nuclear physicist.

"Submit resume. years
experience. PhDs only need apply."

Well, that's not my bag anyway.

Speaking of bags,
here's one you might like.

"Box boy, $ an hour."

Box boy? Mom, I
want to own the store.

Danny, I've had
about enough of this.

You either go to
school or go to work.

Get it? Got it.

Box boy.

"Is your company
ready for success?

"Energetic, top-management,
executive-type available.

"Blue-chip concerns only.
Contact Daniel R. Partridge."

Can you believe that?

I'm beginning to
believe anything.

What are you gonna do about it?

This is one time I'm
gonna let him hang himself.

Well, hi.

Hi.

Any calls today?

Yeah, well, I had one offer.

In the product-packaging field.

Box boy.

Hi, Mom. Guess what.

I've decided to drop out of
college and join the Navy.

Be sure to write.

It looks like your little
plan's working, huh?

He did get two replies.

You're kidding.
What did they say?

Plenty. When they
found out he was .

He even mentioned
school once or twice today.

Why didn't I think
of him before?

Who?

Claude Tubbles, the
self-made millionaire.

He would understand
what I was trying to do.

We're kindred spirits.

So what?

I called his office and made an
appointment to see him tomorrow.

He said he would be
glad to discuss my career.

Boy, I'm on my way
to fame and fortune.

Mom, will you lend me
bus fare to get there?

Oh, I should say about
a half a million barrels.

All right. Yes, and,
uh... Come in, Danny.

I understand.

Call the airport and get
me a reservation for London

and cancel my appointment
with the governor.

Thank you, Miss Gilligan.

Sit down.

Good morning, Danny.

How do you do, sir?

What can I do for you, sir?

Well, ever since I met you,
you've been sort of my idol.

Oh, you don't say.

As a matter of fact, I've been
thinking of following in your footsteps.

Thank you. That's a
very nice compliment.

We already have a lot in common.

Huh?

We both dropped out of school.

You dropped out of school?

Yes, sir. Of course, I went
three more years than you did,

but don't hold that against me.

I just didn't wise up
as fast as you did.

I see.

Well, I know you're very busy,

so I just came here
to discuss a job.

Wherever you think I
might fit in your organization.

Oh?

Uh, Danny... Oh, don't worry.

I don't expect to get to the
top for two or three years.

But I'm a good worker.

Danny, I...

I don't quite know
how to tell you this,

but the way you're going,
you're never gonna get to the top.

Why not?

You just don't
have the education.

But neither do you.

Huh? Oh.

Oh, I see what you mean.

And do you know if I
had to come in here today,

to my own firm
and apply for a job,

they would throw me
right out on my ear?

But why? You're a
very intelligent man.

Yes, intelligent enough
to surround myself

with well-educated,
well-informed personnel.

People who know
their jobs, not dropouts.

But I'd work hard.

All right. Work hard
at going to school.

Then come back and see me.

Maybe you'll have
something I can use.

Yes, sir. It's just that I
had all these dreams.

There's nothing wrong
with dreams, Danny.

Hang on to your dreams.

They'll be worth more
when you're worth more.

Mr. Tubbles?

Yes?

Did my mom call you?

No. No, she didn't.

But I wouldn't need
your mother to tell me

a lot of the things that I
had to learn the hard way.

Hi.

Hi.

Did you see Mr. Tubbles?

Yeah.

Well, do you mind if I
ask what happened?

He offered me a job.

After I finish school.

Oh.

He said if you don't go
to school, you're nothing.

And he's right. I'm nothing.

Danny Partridge, nothing.

Danny, that isn't true.

You're a fine young man
who had a lesson to learn.

That's all. It
happens to all of us.

Yeah, but I made such
a fool out of myself.

All the kids at school
will be laughing at me.

If they do, I'll run their
shorts up the flagpole.

♪ I was lookin' for a good time

♪ I was down so low
Thought I'd never get up

♪ Then a midnight
lady with eyes of green

♪ She looked much older than

♪ Said, I'll take you to a
place that you've never seen

♪ If you're lookin'
for a good time

♪ Lookin' for a good
time Lookin' for a good time

♪ She took me away downtown

♪ To a smoky cafe
called Barefoot George

♪ A little window opened
And she knocked three times

♪ She whispered to a
guy He's a friend of mine

♪ Said, take off your
shoes and come on inside

♪ If you're lookin'
for a good time

♪ Lookin' for a good
time Lookin' for a good time

♪ Well, the lights were
low And the lights went off

♪ And the music stopped

♪ And a man
grabbed me from behind

♪ And said you just got caught

♪ Well, you're underage
And this here's a raid

♪ I should take you in

♪ Well, I'm gonna do
you a favor and let you go

♪ But don't you let me
catch you 'round here no more

♪ Lookin' for a good
time Lookin' for a good time

♪ Lookin' for a good time

♪ When I got
home in my bare feet

♪ Daddy said he should
have put me over his knee

♪ And asked me where
I've been till a quarter to three

♪ Said, lookin' for a good
time, lookin' for a good time

♪ Lookin' for a good time

♪ I'm gonna do you
a favor And let you go

♪ But don't you let me
catch you 'round here no more

♪ Lookin' for a good time

♪ Lookin' for a good
time Lookin' for a good time

♪ Lookin' for a good time ♪

No eggs for me, Mom.
I'm in too much of a rush.

Where are you going?

School. Where else?

I got to get there early and
talk to some of my teachers.

You guys better hurry.

We're not going to school.

You're not? Uh-huh.

Don't fall into the
same trap I did.

You need an education.
You got to go to school.

No way. Why not?

It's Saturday.