04x31 - Bud Quits School

[bunniefuu]

[Announcer] Here are...

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray,

and Lauren Chapin in...

Hey, Mom, where's
my clean shirt?

It's hanging right
in front of you!

Well, it isn't here.

Did you find it?

Yeah. Why'd you have to hide it?

Hide it?

I hope you have better luck
finding Mr. Bernard's office

than you do finding
your own clothes.

Oh, me and Kippy will
find his office, all right.

We wouldn't be lucky
enough to miss it.

Now, Bud, that's
not the right spirit.

No kidding, Mom.
Makes a guy sore.

You go to school all
day, work your head off.

That's not enough.

Now they want to
take our afternoons

away from us, too.

One afternoon is
not going to k*ll you.

I'd just like to know

with an interview
with a business leader

has to do with English class.

This teacher calls it a
homework assignment.

Stop grumbling. And...

- [door closes]
- Hold still.

[Betty] Mother!

I'm upstairs,
betty, in your room!

You know, this new
English teacher we have,

he's got a grudge
against the whole class.

Hates people, especially me.

Oh, Bud, for goodness'
sakes, stop complaining.

Oh, Mother, you could
never guess what's happened!

You've met a new boy,
and he's handsome...

I've been nominated to run

for president of the
sophomore class.

President? Oh,
Betty, that's marvelous.

See who gets all the
breaks in this family.

I thought the nominations
had already been made.

They were, way last month,

and then Shirley
Dennis had to drop out,

and about people
put my name in,

so, all of a sudden, here I
am running for Class President.

Well, you might show a
little enthusiasm, brother dear.

Oh, I'm involved
in big things, too.

Kippy and I have
to rush downtown

to interview the president

of the Springfield Truck Lines,

Mr. Herman W. Bernard.

Sounds interesting.

I'd rather run a
hundred-yard dash

through a cactus patch barefoot.

Come on downstairs, Mother.

I want to show you

the campaign posters
they're putting up for me.

Along with that clean shirt,

I think a smiling face
would go very nicely.

Good luck on the interview.

Smiling face.

Did you hear about Betty?

Yeah, I heard.

I bet she's elected
Class President.

Well, boola boola for her.

You never get elected
to anything at school.

How come, Bud?

Simple.

I hate school.

[Kippy] How many
trucks do you have

in your company, Mr. Bernard?

Well, let's see, Kippy,

I've got operating
between here and the coast.

Some -odd pieces
of heavy equipment

on all the lines.

What did you have
when you started?

I had one little b*at-up truck

when I got into this game.

That's all. Just one truck.

And an idea.

Do you have branches
anyplace else?

Oh, sure.

Offices in Chicago,
San Francisco,

and Sydney, Australia.

You run trucks to Australia?

No. I own a couple of ships...

- Freighters.
- Really?

I mean real ocean freighters?

Sure. There's a model
of one right there.

That's the Island Chief.

The other one's the Sea Queen.

What course did
you take in college

to learn the business?

Well...

there's no real course
you can take to learn it.

What college did you go to?

College?

I didn't go to college.

The fact is I didn't
even finish high school.

No kidding?

I'm not proud of it,

but you asked me, so I told you.

Well, when you quit high school,

did you go right into
the trucking business?

No. I hitchhiked
to San Francisco.

Then I got a job as a cabin boy

on a freighter headed
for the South Seas.

[intercom buzzes]

Yes?

[Woman] Mr. Bernard,

your : appointment is here.

Okay. Thanks.

Oh, well, we'd better be going.

Thanks a lot for the
interview, Mr. Bernard.

I hope we didn't bother you.

Always glad to help when
it's an assignment for school.

You drop in and see me again.

Any time.

How do you like
this one, Father?

I think it's fine.

But you don't have too
much time for electioneering.

Practically none.
The voting's tomorrow.

Wouldn't it be the
most fabulous thing

if I should be elected?

It could happen.
There's a chance.

I may be prejudiced,

but I'd say you have
a very good chance.

There isn't much
we can do to help,

but we'll be pulling for you.

Oh, I love you both.

Can I talk to you a minute, Dad?

How much will it cost me?

In fact, it could even
save you money.

Hold on to your wallet, Father.

Why don't you walk
into outer space?

Put yourself in orbit.

You didn't tell us how you
came out with Mr. Bernard.

- How was the interview?
- It was pretty good.

I learned a lot about success.

Do you know what he did
when he was in the th grade?

He quit school and
went to the South Seas.

And you think that's the
secret of his success?

There's a lot more
to it than that, Bud.

I know, but the
important thing is

he got out of the
rut. He had courage.

And a guy could do
the same thing today.

He could get a
job on a freighter,

- sailing from San Francisco.
- What freighter?

Well, Mr. Bernard
owns two of them.

You could take your choice.

Work your way to Tahiti,

live in the South Seas
for a couple of years.

That's what I call education.

Oh, sure. You could get a
Bachelor of Arts in beachcombing.

How do you make a living

while you're floating
around down there

in the South Seas?

- You don't have to work.
- Oh?

No. All the food you want's
right there on the trees.

All you have to do is pick it.

What kind of food?

Breadfruit.

White or whole wheat?

What?

Now you see?

Y-You never take
anything seriously.

You always think I'm kidding.

Well, you are kidding.

No, I'm not. I've
got it all figured out.

You leave school
after you're ,

and you get a head start
on all those other guys.

Bud, have you completely
lost your senses?

No, Mom.

By the time those
stupid characters

graduate from college,

you'll be ahead of them

by five or six
years' experience.

Experience in what?

Well, in life,

living, traveling.

And you think that experience
in living and traveling

is all you need to
be a big success?

- Sure.
- If that were true,

a wild goose could be
President of the United States.

Dad, you're getting
the idea all mixed up.

I think you're the one
who's mixed up, son.

- If you'd let me explain...
- Bud, do me a favor.

Go up and do your homework.

All I have to do is
write up the interview.

Well, please do it.

And no more talk
about leaving school.

Well, the law says you
can quit when you're .

- It's legal.
- Bud...

Yes, sir.

I would have sworn
Bud had outgrown

the "run away and
go to sea" period.

You just never know.

"Paradise in the South Pacific"?

It doesn't concern you.

Is that what you wanted
to talk to Father about?

Making a trip to the South Seas?

Go paint your
nails or something.

"Tahiti... Island of Dreams."

Gertrude, this is my
room, private property.

Well, I... I'm just curious.

How do you plan on making
this junket and go to school?

You going to whip down to
Tahiti during lunch period?

It may interest you to
know, Miss Gabby-face,

that if I want to, I can
quit school right now.

- Oh, you can't, either.
- Yes, I can.

years old is all you
have to be in this state.

You may be years
old, but you're still a child.

Talk about going
to the South Seas.

You couldn't find your
way to the city limit.

Is that so?

Well, I got news for you.

I just happen to have a friend

who owns two freighters
sailing from San Francisco,

and I can get a job on
them any time I want.

How do you like that?

You think it's a big joke, huh?

A real big joke.

You shipping out
for the South Seas

is like... like Kathy
leaving home

to join the Foreign Legion!

You're a mad, mad child.

[knock]

Come in.

You think I'm a child, huh?

Well, get this, Penelope.

As of tomorrow morning,

Springfield High and
me are parting company.

It's going to be toodle-oo,
ta-ta, and goodbye.

What do you think of that?

I think you should go to bed

and put a cold
towel on your head.

Your brain is overheated.

Dad.

Yeah?

Can I ask you something?

Certainly. Ask me
anything you want to.

I won't guarantee
an answer, but I'll try.

Well, I want to quit school.

Now, this isn't some crazy
idea I just dreamed up.

I've been giving
it a lot of thought.

You getting sore?

No.

Well, you see, Dad,

the time comes
when a guy can't stand

to be cooped up in
school any longer.

I've outgrown
all that kid stuff.

You and Mom still think
of me as if I was a little boy.

Well, I'm not.

I'm... I'm grown up.

I feel like a bird

whose folks have kept
him in the nest too long.

I got to fly.

I got to exercise my wings.

If I don't, when I do
get out years from now,

well, I'll just fall to
the ground, ker-plop.

What do you say, Dad?

[chuckling]

What is there to say?

Naturally, I don't
want you to quit school

and go out into the world

without even a high
school education.

It would be the greatest
mistake of your life.

Well...

I don't mean to be fresh, Dad,

but that's your opinion.

It's not just my opinion.

Look, son,

have I ever deliberately
steered you wrong?

Won't you just
take my word for it

that leaving high school
in your junior year...

There's no need for it...

Is just asking for trouble?

Well...

you just say that because
you think I'm too young.

You don't trust me.

Yes, I do trust you.

You know something, Bud?

I trust you so much

that I'm going to
leave the decision

of whether or not you stay
in school entirely up to you.

You mean I can
decide for myself?

But think it over
very carefully.

You're taking on not
only the responsibility

for your own future,

but you also have
my faith in your hands.

Well...

I'll... I'll think it over, Dad.

- A lot.
- [Drum b*ating outside]

Hey! There's a parade coming!

Who can be b*ating a
drum at this time of night?

- [doorbell rings]
- It's the kids from school.

[cheering]

We like Betty, the
people's choice!

- Oh, no!
- Yes.

[chatter]

We're going to
the rally. Come on.

- We sure are.
- [Boy] Win with Betty!

Boy, seems like Betty's

getting more
popular all the time.

Who wants to be popular

with a bunch of
juveniles like that?

And this is higher education.

For this you go to college

and give up four
years of your life.

Bunch of hysterical children.

I don't know.

I couldn't help overhearing
your conversation with Bud.

I hope this doesn't
give him the idea

that he's free to walk
out on his education.

Well, I think I
made it pretty clear

that it's not the case.

I just felt I'd accomplish more

by showing him
that we have faith

in his judgment and good sense.

I want him to decide that
he wants to stay in school.

Well, that's fine, but
what if he decides

that he doesn't want
to stay in school?

Then we'll meet
that problem firmly

if and when it comes up.

♪♪

[Betty laughing]

You going to the South Seas

is like Kathy leaving home
to join the Foreign Legion!

Ohh!

Bud.

We're going down
to the malt shop

for a soda with Daddy.

You want to go?

I'm going.

You bet I'm going.

[laughing]

Oh, by : this afternoon,
the votes will be counted,

and we'll know the answer.

I'm being called to
breakfast. Thanks, Judy.

Oh, and if I'm elected
President of the Class,

I'll appoint you secretary
of something or other, okay?

Bye, Judy.

Oh, honestly.

The mad whirl of this election.

I feel like I was running

for President of
the United States.

Bud's gone.

- Gone? Where?
- What?

I found this note on his bed.

"Dear family,

"You left it up to me,

and I decided I am
through with school."

"I have left early so as not
to get into any arguments.

Yours truly, Bud."

Well, don't just sit
there, Jim. Go after him!

If he insists on
jumping out of the nest,

let him fly around for a while.

In a town the
size of Springfield,

he can't go very far.

And believe me, I'll know
where he is every minute.

He hasn't taken
anything with him

or his school books,
his key, and his money.

Jim, what will he
do with no money?

He won't do much.

Our Bud leaving home.

Quitting school, and...

And he hasn't even
had his breakfast.

Well, Mr. Bernard has a meeting

this afternoon at ,

and he's leaving
for Chicago at :.

I'll tell him you called.

Hello, there.

You're one of the boys
who was here yesterday.

That's right.

You're Bud Anderson.

That's right.

I wonder if I could
see Mr. Bernard.

Well, I'm sure you can,
but he's not in right now.

It'll have to be
sometime after lunch.

Oh, well, that's okay.

It's almost now.

Why don't you go out
and have some lunch

and plan to be back
here about :?

Well, uh...

if it's all right, I'd just
as soon stay here.

Well, of course, if you want to.

But there's a lunch counter
right down at the corner.

Well, thanks, but I had a
good breakfast at home,

so I'm not very hungry.

Well, will you excuse
me if I have my lunch?

We're expecting a
long-distance call,

and I can't leave the desk.

You go right ahead.

Baked ham.

Oh.

We have quite a few boys

coming up here
to see Mr. Bernard.

Oh?

I guess they read
about how he quit school

and shipped out
for the South Seas.

Yeah, I suppose.

Some of the boys,
the younger ones,

actually ditch school

and come up here
asking Mr. Bernard

for a job on one
of his freighters.

I've told Mr. Bernard

that he shouldn't
tell the younger boys

that he left high school
before he graduated.

Makes an impression on the mind

of a... an immature
boy, don't you think?

Well, it could.

True. Yeah.

Mmm.

Actually, Mr. Bernard
would never hire a boy

who had quit school.

He wouldn't?

I mean...

I'm sure, Bud, that
you, being older,

can understand how
Mr. Bernard feels.

It's the greatest
sorrow of his life

that he doesn't
have an education.

All of his money and
success can't make up for it.

Now, you, Bud.

I knew the minute
you walked in here

that you weren't
just another little boy

who wanted to run
away from school.

Miss Ellis, would you get
George Newman on the phone

and... Say, aren't you...

Oh, uh, this is Bud Anderson,

one of the boys who was
in to see you yesterday.

Sure. How are you, Bud?

Waiting to see me?

Yes, but, uh, you're busy.

I'll see you later.

Be glad to talk to you.

Well, it's not important.

I found out what I want to know.

Whatever you say.

Get Newman for me.

Well, I'll be seeing you.

Bud.

Would you like an orange?

Well...

thank you.

You got to go home
sometime, Bud.

How can I face my mom and dad?

They've never done
one mean thing.

They've never been anything
but fair and honest with me.

So this is the way
I pay them back.

Okay, you're a skunk.

Look, they'd rather
have a son who's a skunk

than no son at all.

I'm in trouble with everybody...

My folks, the school.

Wait till Betty
finds out about it.

I'll never hear the end of it.

Say, how'd Betty come
out in the election today?

I don't know.

She won, probably.
She always does.

I just can't understand
what happened.

I was so sure you
were going to win.

Hey, Ralph!

So was I.

Too sure, probably.

Well, it wasn't
your fault you lost.

I mean, what does
Claire have to crow about?

So she got a few more
votes than you did.

What's a few votes?

Look, Judy, you're not helping,

but thanks for trying.

I have to get home now.

Almost President Betty.

Pride of the Anderson family.

Well, thank you, Judy.

If she left you ten minutes ago,

she'll be here before long.

Bye.

Well, Betty's on her way.

Here comes poor old Bud.

The Prodigal Son returns

from the world's fastest
trip to the South Seas.

Well, okay. You can
b*at me to a pulp.

Do anything you want to.

But I can't take it right now.

A little bit later. Okay?

Did you ever see a
sadder-looking boy?

When I talked to
Bernard's secretary,

she said she'd never seen

a more unhappy boy in her life.

- Almost had her in tears.
- [door opens]

Oh, Betty, I'm glad you're home.

Sorry about the
election, princess.

I'm really a big fool,
crying because I didn't win,

but I can't help it.

It doesn't make any
difference to us that you lost.

We love you just as much.

I know I'm just
feeling sorry for myself,

and it's ridiculous.

I feel awful.

Well, there's someone
else in this family

who's feeling pretty
awful right now.

Bud's upstairs in his room.

His dreams of
paradise are shattered.

He needs comforting
pretty badly.

Mother and I can't do
it, but maybe you could.

Would you go and see if
you could cheer him up?

Well, I guess I owe it to Bud.

It wasn't all his fault
that he ditched school.

It was as much my fault as his.

If I hadn't needled
him last night,

practically dared him into
going to the South Seas,

he wouldn't have ditched.

I'll bet anything
he wouldn't have.

I guess I'm not in
very good condition

to bring cheer to
anyone, but I'll try.

[knocking]

Yeah?

What do you want?

Well, I just came up to tell you

that all is not lost,

even though it may look
that way for both of us.

We both took a b*ating today.

You lost?

I was massacred.

That's too bad.

Well, the opposition
probably rigged the election.

No.

No, I just plain lost.

But why worry?

Tomorrow's another
day and another chance.

Boy, I sure made
an idiot out of myself.

Big-sh*t Bud acted
like a -year-old.

All right, but...

Maybe we've both
grown up a little

because of the experience.

I hate to say this,

but losing an election

sure made a big
improvement in you.

Well, your day in the
School of Hard Knocks

hasn't hurt you any, either.

If we, uh, had a mutual
admiration society going,

that would be the
day, wouldn't it?

Maybe this is the day.

[Margaret] Now, that's better.

Best way in the world
to shake the blues...

Find someone else
who's feeling low

and cheer him up.

Right, princess?

You're right, Father.

I feel okay except for, well,

the way I double-crossed
you and Mom.

I... I feel like I ought to...

Well, maybe you ought to...

You feel there's
something missing, huh?

All right, I'll tell
you something, son.

If you ever ditch school again

before you graduate
from college,

I'll tan your backside

till you can't sit
down for a week.

And don't you forget it.

Yes, sir.