04x32 - A Matter of Pride

[bunniefuu]

[Announcer] Here are...

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray,

and Lauren Chapin in...

Ohh!

Hey, Dad, guess what!

Your little old E-flat
son has done it again.

Uh-oh. What have you done now?

Well, our junior class shindig

is coming off this Saturday
at Cedar Grove Park,

and it will culminate...

How do you like that word, huh?

It will culminate
with the shelling out

of the year's awards

for scholarship
and various jazz.

And your son was
voted the boy most.

- The most what?
- Just most. I'm the most.

No, it's, uh, Most Popular.

I'm the most popular boy.

- You?
- Yeah. How do you like that?

Well, boy.

What a job of ballot box
stuffing you must have done.

I didn't stuff it. I was
too busy bribing voters.

- Hi, Daddy.
- Aah!

Bud, what do you
get for doing that?

Oh, I get to get
up on a platform

and have somebody tell

what a fine,
popular fellow I am.

That won't take long.

And then they'll give me
a solid gold tin loving cup,

and you'll have
a famous brother.

Hey!

It's going to be
quite an affair.

The Gay Nineties Picnic.

That's what the
committee decided to call it.

I suppose you'll have to
grow a handlebar mustache.

No, but we're going to
rent Gay Nineties costumes.

You know, high hats,
parasols, bustles.

Oh, you'll look
cute in a bustle.

Sure, I will, especially when
I'm out there dancing the waltz!

- Oh!
- ♪ Dum dee dum ♪

I don't know how girls
can dance with bustles on.

It's kind of like fighting
a rear guard action.

Oh, if you ask me,

I think the junior class
has lost its collective mind.

Oh! Oh, Bud! For goodness' sake.

We're going to have a
midway and game booths

and a brass band, pink lemonade.

Beer for the men...
Root beer, that is.

And the whole thing is going
to be decorated in bunting.

Well, it sounds very fancy.

Yeah.

By the way, what's bunting?

Don't you know?

No. I just voted for it

because I didn't want
to admit I was stupid.

It's an inexpensive
cloth used for decorating.

Oh. Well, anyway, I
need $., plus tax.

$?

For goodness' sake, how
much bunting do you need?

That's not for bunting. I need
a pair of white buck shoes.

White buck shoes?

Well, that's not Gay -ish.

Well, I don't care.

That's what all the
guys are wearing.

Bud, we can't throw $
away on every whim of yours.

Besides, how long do
you think they'd stay white?

Oh, Mom, I'd wash
them every day.

Mm. I've heard that before.

- But...
- Well,

what do you think of
our popularity winner?

Our what?

Didn't he tell you?

Through some nefarious
juggling of the ballot box,

Bud was voted Most
Popular Boy in his class.

Oh, how wonderful.
Bud, that's wonderful.

So there's another reason I
need the white buck shoes.

You want me to look decent

when I get my award, don't you?

White buck shoes?

How long do you think
they're going to stay...

Dad, we've been through that.

You don't seem to realize
how important this is.

All the guys will have them,

and without them,
I'm just not in it.

I want to look nice
when I get my award.

This may be the only
time in my life I'm popular.

Well, your popularity's
fading fast around here,

I can tell you that. How
much are the shoes?

., plus tax.

...

My gosh, when I was a boy,

a pair of shoes only cost...

Dad, times have changed.

I'll give up my allowance
for three months.

I'll do anything. I just
got to have these shoes.

Well...

he's not only the most
popular boy in the junior class,

he's the most expensive, too.

Thanks, Dad.

White bucks, huh?

We've really had a run on those.

Very popular with
the boys this season.

[imitating machine g*nf*re]

Now, here's a very
popular shoe with the boys.

Smart, comfortable...

Oh, no. I didn't
want black and white.

I want the all-white bucks.

Yes, well, these are
much easier to keep clean.

Oh, I don't care if they are.

I want white bucks, like
you have in the window.

Oh, those.

Well, they're hard
to keep clean,

and they're on their way out.

And besides, I
don't have your size.

You don't?

Well, I've got to have them.
What sizes do you have?

Well, the biggest I
have left is an A,

and you take an
/B or even a C.

Well, let me try them.

Oh, no. You couldn't wear those.

They'd give you
nothing but trouble.

Let me try them anyway.

I have very flexible feet.

Now here's a good-wearing shoe.

- Very popular with the...
- No.

Get the white bucks.

My goodness, these
are awfully snug.

Why did you let the salesman
talk you into buying these?

He didn't talk me into it.

These are exactly what I wanted.

Besides, they... they feel good.

I like them just this way.

I don't like to slop
around in my shoes.

Well, you take those
back and get a larger size.

They don't have a larger size.

Oh. So that explains it.

Well, here. You take them back.

You can't wear those.
They'll ruin your feet.

No, they won't.
They feel real good.

Very comfortable.

Then why are you walking

like you're stepping
on hot coals?

Any pair of shoes has
to be broken in a little.

Bud, wait.

Let me see where
your toes come to.

You know where my toes
come... Right at the end of my feet.

And inches beyond
the edge of those shoes.

Well, I insist you
take them back.

So take them off before
you scuff them all up.

I got to write my acceptance
speech for my award.

Acceptance speech?

Well, it's not really a speech.

You see, I want it to sound
like I'm just making it up

on the spur of the moment.

I want it to sound
like I'm so overcome,

I can hardly think
of anything to say.

For you, that shouldn't be hard.

And then I kind of mumble
off some pretty stirring stuff.

You know, kind of
humble but brilliant.

Uh-huh.

Maybe you could
help me write it.

You're pretty good on speeches.

Oh, no. I'm afraid

I'd be so overcome
by your brilliant humility

that I just couldn't
think of a thing to write.

All shoes are bound
to be a little tight.

At first.

Speech.

Thank you.

I am overcome.

No.

This great honor you
have bestowed onto me

overcomes me.

I am... ahem...

Speechless.

I had no idea I
was this popular.

I am emotionally choked up.

Ooh!

Hi, Mom.

Boy, am I hot.

We... We've been
decorating the park out there,

and it must be in the shade.

I hope it cools down
for the picnic tomorrow.

How are your feet today?

Feet?

Why, fine.

I still think you should have
taken those shoes back.

You'd better not
wear them tomorrow.

They'll spoil all your fun.

Not wear them tomorrow?

Mom, that's the main
reason I got them.

I can't stand to see you suffer.

I think your father has some
white shoes up in his closet.

Why don't you go
and try them on?

Wear Dad's shoes?
Are you kidding?

Besides, there's
nothing wrong with these.

Well, if you need
any adhesive tape,

there's some in the
medicine cabinet.

What would I need
adhesive tape for?

Hey, Bud...

What's the matter,
your feet sore?

No, my feet aren't sore.

- You got blisters?
- No, I haven't got blisters.

Then why are you
putting all that tape on?

Well...

Haven't you got
anything better to do

than stand around asking a
lot of bonehead questions?

I'm just interested in
your welfare, that's all.

That's why I asked Betty
to work on your speech.

Oh. Well, thanks.

Now you can go take care
of somebody else's welfare.

What they should
have elected you

was most popular grouch.

Oh, I forgot. Your
costume's here.

Oh, yeah? Well,
I got to see that.

How's it look? Pretty cool, huh?

Well, the coat's a
little large, isn't it?

- Huh?
- Oh, I think it's all right.

If this hot weather keeps up,

you'll probably have it off

after the first five
minutes anyway.

You smell like moth balls. Ooh!

Hey, yeah. Is there anything
you can do about that, Mom?

We could hang the
suit out to air. Slip it off.

- Hello, dear.
- Hi, Daddy.

Hey, maybe I could sprinkle
some of Betty's cologne on it

to counteract the moth balls.

You cannot.

Bring the vest, will you, Kathy?

Okay, here's the
new speech for you.

I hope it'll make you
sound a little more human.

Oh, great. That's...
It's kind of short, isn't it?

That's what a speech should be.

- Isn't that right, Father?
- She's right.

Say as little as
possible and get off fast,

especially if you want
to keep on being popular.

I don't know about that.

This is my big moment,

and I want to
make the most of it.

What's it say?

"I feel very honored

that you have selected
me for this award."

Good.

"But I definitely
do not deserve it."

Do we have to
put that so strong?

"However, even though
I am so undeserving,

so inadequate, falling so
short of those qualities..."

Oh, wait, wait. You've
got me so undeserving,

they'll want to take
their votes back.

You said you wanted to
sound modest and humble.

Well, yeah, but you
make it sound like it's true.

I don't want them
to believe this stuff.

This is my big moment,

and it has to be
handled just right.

Well, it's the best I can do.

Dad, could you
help me with this?

Okay.

But, uh, later on.
Not right now, huh?

I ought to have it right away

so I can learn it by tonight.

I want this to go real
good tomorrow, Dad,

real good.

Well, all right.

You get the idea,
don't you, Dad?

Humble, yes, but
brilliant and captivating.

Psst. Come here.

Most Popular Boy.

I wonder what the
voters would say

if they could see him now.

Oh, I'll say one thing.

They couldn't get anyone
else to fill his shoes.

Because he's bound
and determined

to fill these shoes himself,

no matter how much they hurt.

[Bud moans]

A winner. There you are.

There you go.

Isn't this fun?

This is the best
celebration we've ever had.

Yeah. Let's sit down
and not walk so much.

Look. Pop the balloons.

Oh, come on. Win
me a kewpie doll.

Okay.

Come on, Bud. Only
one more. Don't miss now.

You did it! You did it!

Hey, a winner, a winner.

Oh, isn't it cute!

Hey! We need some more guys

for the three-legged men's race!

Oh, come on. I want
you to win a race for me.

Well, I don't feel
like running today.

Oh, come on. Don't be
an old stick in the mud.

- [Boy] Hurry.
- Let's go. Come on.

They need you.

[Boy] Go!

What's wrong with you today?

I thought you
were a fast runner.

Too much root beer, I guess.

Hurry up, Bud, and get loose.

They're going to
start the dance.

We don't want to miss that.

Dance? Well, I don't
really care for dancing.

Oh, don't be a wet blanket.

Come on. I want
to dance every day.

♪♪ [waltz]

Glide your feet more.

Do you have to take
such crunchy little steps?

Let yourself go!

Joyce, don't you think

we ought to sit out
the rest of this dance?

It's kind of hot.

Oh, no. I love this song.

Oh, look. They're auctioning
off the box lunches.

Come on. I want to
make sure you get mine.

[Joyce] Bud? Where are you?

Bud! They're getting ready
to give out the awards!

Oh. My gosh.

[chatter]

I hope this program
doesn't last too long,

or we'll be broiled
by this heat.

Oh, I know, but
it is very funny.

Oh, there's Bud. See him?
He's with his girl Joyce.

He doesn't look very happy.

He looks like he's been in
a wrestling match and lost.

Come and sit with us, Bud.

No, I can't.

Here. But you
can have this stuff.

I don't want to lug
it up on the platform

when I get my award.

Come on, Bud. Let's hurry.

No, you go ahead, Joyce.

I've got to sit in
back of the stage.

Can I have this piece of cake?

Sure.

Bud, you don't look very happy.

- Do your feet hurt?
- No.

Of course not. They feel great.

I'll see you.

He can hardly walk anymore.

Girl's Scholarship
Award. That's you, Jennie.

You sit right over there.

Boy's Scholarship next, George.

Right over here.

Activities Winner,
Ray, you sit over here.

And most popular
girl, Carol, right there.

Bud? Bud? Where's Bud?

Oh. Here he comes.

Now remember, when
you hear your name called,

come out on the platform
as quickly as possible.

Good luck.

You sit over there, Bud.

You'll be the last
one called up.

Oh. Good.

Oh, I'm nervous.

I hope I can think
of something to say

and not just stand
up there like a dummy.

Have you thought of
anything to say, Bud?

Uh... Oh, well, I'll just
try and ad lib something.

Oh, cut it out.

I'll bet you guys
sat up half the night

memorizing a long speech.

[Jennie] Is that what you did?

Me? No. I'll... I'll say
whatever pops into my mind.

- Shh. He's starting.
- So it's with much pleasure
and heart

that we climax this
day of festivities

with the awarding of prizes

to those students who have
made outstanding achievements

during their junior
year at Springfield High.

Now, our first award...

our first award

goes to the student

who has attained the
highest scholastic record

as well as demonstrated

the most scholarly
attitude during the year.

Miss Jennie Novacek.

Uh, I'm... I'm very thrilled
to have won this award,

and I consider it
a very great honor,

and I'll try very hard
to be worthy of it.

And this honor has come as
such an overwhelming surprise

that... [chuckle]...
I'm at a loss for words.

Uh...

I'm reminded

of those immortal words

by William Cullen Bryant.

Both boys so far
have had on coats.

I think Bud better
have his, too.

Here, Kathy, take it to him.

- Oh.
- And his tie and collar, too.

He can stand the heat that long.

Although my words
are all too easy,

my feelings of gratitude
run very deep within me.

In fact, uh, I feel like
the little boy who had to...

Listen to that windbag Ray.

"I'm just going to say
whatever pops into my mind."

- What a phony.
- Bud,

Mommy says you
should put these on

- so you'll look decent.
- Oh.

What's the matter,
your feet hurt?

No, my feet don't hurt.
Go back and sit down.

But, uh, seriously,

I... I am very
appreciative of this honor,

and I... I thank you
all very, very much.

Thank you, Ray.

Old windbag is finally through.

Wish me luck.

That brings us to the
last of our awards...

The popularity winners.

Here, according to the
vote of the junior class...

Is our Most Popular
Boy, Bud Anderson.

- Boy? But I'm not ready.
- Well, hurry, Bud.

He was supposed to
call you up before me.

- Oh, your shoes.
- Oh, no!

Bud?

Bud Anderson?

What's the matter
with the little dope?

- Why doesn't he come out?
- Shh.

Bud Anderson?

He had his shoes off,

and he can't get them back on.

- Oh, no.
- Oh, dear.

I knew those shoes
would come to no good.

I can't get it on.

Your shoes are too small.

No, they aren't.
My feet are swollen.

[audience murmuring]

Bud Anderson?

Push harder, Bud. Oh!

Oh, it's no use. They...
They won't go on.

I'm whipped.

Well, I...

I guess he's gone.

That's too bad.

You see, Bud's a very
fine, deserving boy,

and we're sorry
that he's not here

- to receive his trophy.
- [thump]

That brings us to
our last award...

The Most Popular
Girl in the junior class...

Carol Bostick.

- Carol?
- [applause]

Thank you very, very much.

I really feel I don't
deserve this honor, but...

We can't let him
miss out on this.

He's worked too
hard for this moment.

He's not going out
there in his stocking feet.

That would be a
fate worse than death.

The poor boy's back
there feeling just awful.

Wait. Empty that lunch
box. I have an idea.

Here. Put these in there.

That's it.

Kathy, I want you to
take these around to Bud.

[grunt]

Put the top on. That's it.

Now hurry. Run.

- Hurry.
- Hurry.

Remind me of the many friends

I have in the junior class.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We rejoice with you.

And now that brings to a
close our awards for this year.

I'm sure that we all feel...

Oh, no, no, wait!
There's one more!

I mean, uh, he'll...
He'll be here in a...

See, there he is now!

[applause]

You know, we had just
about given you up, Bud.

Ladies and gentlemen,

our slightly late but
Most Popular Boy...

Bud Anderson.

Kathy...

Thank you.

I had a big, long
speech all written out,

but I can't even remember
how it starts out now.

I don't know why
anybody voted for me,

but there are some
people in the audience

I'd sure vote for.

They're the kind of people

who are always there
when you need them

and who go on liking you,

no matter what
stupid things you do.

I just hope that someday I
can be that kind of person.

Thank you.

Folks, I think that you can see

why this boy is popular.

He's direct, he's
honest, and he's modest.

And these are things
not found in textbooks.

They're learned in the home.

I know Bud's father,

and those same
adjectives apply to him.

Bud is quite obviously

following in his
father's footsteps.

I would like Mr. Anderson,

who's sitting right over there,

to come up here and
take this bow with his son.

Come on, Jim. Jim, come on.

Come on up, Jim.

Well, I, uh...

I can't very well go
on on the platform

because... well, I...

- I haven't got my shoes on.
- [laughter]

Uh, being such a hot day,

I... I slipped them
off, as a fellow will,

and I, uh...

I can't get them back on.

Besides,

this is Bud's day, not mine.