04x01 - Merle the Pearl

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

Oh, hi, Nicholas.

How do you like your new glove?

Oh, it's great, dad. I love it.

Oh, Nicholas, love is a word

that should be

taken very seriously.

You should only say it

if you really mean it.

But I do mean it.

Well, you can be proud of it.

You could admire it.

But you can't love

a baseball glove.

Why?

Because it's inanimate.

It, i-it, it's not alive.

I don't care I still love it.

No, you, you don't understand

the point I'm trying to make.

It's very simple.

Love is an emotion

that should be reserved

only for people.

I don't know, dad.

This glove is pretty neat.

Let me see if I can, uh..

...give you an example.

Uh, yes.

Uh, now you, uh

you, you love me

and you love Abby, don't you?

Yeah.

And you love your brothers

and you love your sisters.

- Sometimes.

- Sometimes?

Well, that's good enough.

Uh, the point is you

don't feel the same way

about that baseball glove

as you do about us, now do you?

I guess not.

You see? That's my point.

So you mean it's dumb

to love my new glove?

- Exactly.

- Okay, dad.

I don't love my new glove.

Oh! Wonderful, wonderful!

I finally got through.

I just like my new glove

but I love my old hat.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]

♪ The a magic

in the early morning ♪

♪ We've found ♪

♪ When the sunrise smiles ♪

♪ On everything around ♪

♪ It's a portrait

of the happiness ♪

♪ That we feel

and always will ♪

♪ Eight is enough ♪

♪ To fill our lives with love ♪

♪ We spend our days

like bright ♪

♪ And shiny new dimes ♪

♪ If we're ever puzzled ♪

♪ By the changing times ♪

♪ There's a plate

of homemade wishes ♪

♪ On the kitchen window sill ♪

♪ And eight is enough ♪

♪ To fill our lives ♪

♪ With love ♪♪

[instrumental music]

Oh, Elizabeth, do you know

where I might find my car keys?

- Yeah, Susan took 'em.

- Susan?

- When?

- When she took the car.

How could she?

I made it clear this morning

that I needed the car.

When she gets home

I'm going to--

- k*ller?

- Oh, no, no!

I wouldn't do..

Why do you say that?

How could I do that?

Oh, this shirt, no! Ha, ha, ha!

No, no, no. This is not mine.

This-this belongs to our

self-esteem dramatic critic.

His name is Harvey k*ller Cob.

He can't make the tournament

so I'm taking his place.

That is, if I ever get

to the bowling alley.

Well, no sweat, dad. She said

she'd be back in five minutes.

Oh! When did she say that?

About an hour ago.

Oh..

Oh!

[door opens]

[door closes]

Susan..

Look, that's Merle The Pearl.

(Susan)

'Who?'

Merle The Pearl Stockwell.

He's the pitcher

for the Cyclones.

Oh.

Come on! Let's go

get his autograph.

Nicholas, he's only

a minor league pitcher

and not even a very good one.

A lot you know.

He's the greatest.

He is practically a superstar.

Whatever, but, Nicholas,

we don't have time.

Dad's waiting for the car.

Um, excuse me, but aren't

you Merle The Pearl?

Uh, well, some folks

like to call me that.

Well, I call you that

and I think you're the best

pitcher in baseball.

- Well, thanks, sir, uh..

- Nicholas.

Nicholas Bradford.

'Uh, can I have your autograph?'

Sure, Nicholas.

Um, okay, I've got a pen

now let's see where I can write.

Ah..

This ought to work just fine.

- But, uh..

- Don't worry, Slugger.

I got a charge account.

- There you go!

- Wow! Thanks.

Come on, Nicholas, we gotta go!

Uh, friend of yours, Nicholas?

Nah, she's just my sister.

- Nice to meet you.

- Her name's Susan.

Well, Susan, would you

like an autograph, too?

No, thank you.

Well, then, I'll be looking

for you at the ballpark.

You will?

Come on, Nicholas. We gotta go.

Uh-uh-uh, next time you're there

uh, stand by the dugout

and say hi.

Okay.

Nicholas.

Uh, just tell 'em you're

a personal friend of mine.

Wow!

Hey, uh, see you at the stadium.

Right, Slugger. Hey-hey, Susan.

I hope I'll be seeing you, too.

[chuckles]

Sure thing.

[laughs]

Phew!

Hey, Lou! Lou!

You'll never guess

what happened.

I just met Merle The Pearl.

No foolin'?

I was at the store

with my sister

and there he was.

Check this out.

(Lou)

'"To my good buddy Nicholas.'

Best wishes, Merle The Pearl."

Holy cow!

And that's not even

the best part.

He said that I can come down

and visit him in the dugout.

Lucky stiff.

I wish I could do that.

Well, maybe next time we go

I'll ask if you can come.

That'd be great.

Come on, let's get going.

Well, nice of you to return.

Dad, I'm really sorry, but I had

to drop Nicholas off at the--

Oh, now, don't switch

the blame to your brother.

You knew I needed the car

this afternoon.

- But, dad--

- We'll discuss it later.

[door opens]

[sighs]

[door closes]

- Ann Macy?

- Yeah.

She goes to Roosevelt High.

Well, Tommy I don't know

too many people from Roosevelt.

Who is she, anyway?

Well, she's my match up

for a swap dance

at the teen center this weekend.

See, Ernie and I both

picked girls from Roosevelt.

Oh, I see you're trying

to eliminate

the element of surprise.

- Check.

- Tommy.

I-I thought you were mature

enough to accept people

for what they are.

'Not what they look like.'

What are you talking about?

(Mary)

'I-I'm talking

about your attitude.'

It's so superficial.

Now what difference does it make

if, if she's a prom queen

or just a nice normal girl.

'I think it's a chance

to meet somebody new.'

You know something, Mary?

You're absolutely right.

I mean, there is more to a girl

than just her

physical appearance.

She could be

very interesting, thanks.

Yeah, Ernie, look we gotta find

out what these chicks look like

'cause I'm not

getting stuck with a dog.

Thanks for

catching me, Nicholas.

Sorry, if I was a little wild.

Nah, I just missed them.

You had good stuff today.

Thanks.

Well, see you later.

Hey, uh, Lou.

What are you doing after dinner?

I don't know. Listenin'

to Cyclones' game I guess.

Well, we can listen together

if you like?

That'd be neat.

I'll have to ask my dad.

'But I think it'll be okay.'

Okay, so come over right

after you finish dinner.

Okay, see you then.

Bye, Nicholas.

Bye.

[car honk blaring]

- Clark Gable film festival--

- Yeah.

Tonight they're showing

"Boom Town" and you'll love it.

Oh, what a way to spend

a Saturday night.

I don't know I can think

of worse things

than spending two hours

with Clark Gable.

Yeah, right.

Not to mention Spencer Tracy..

Oh, they're on TV,

I need somebody real.

- What channel's it on?

- Just a minute.

- I'm finding out.

- Hi, Nicholas.

- Do you wanna watch a movie?

- Do you have to watch in here?

(Abby)

'Why?'

Well, I was gonna listen

to the game, that's all.

Okay, you listen upstairs

in your room, Nick.

Well, not really, see.

I kinda have this friend

coming over.

You know it's alright

to have a friend in your room.

Well, not this one,

dad wouldn't like that.

Uh-oh! Must be Kenny P. Landers.

- Uh-oh!

- It's not Kenny, It's...Lou.

- Who?

- Lou.

Louie Schroeder,

that cute little pitcher

from your little league team?

Nicholas and a girl?

- Ooh!

- She must be pretty special.

Oh, I'll say she has Nicholas

right in the web of her glove.

Oh, and they said it wouldn't

last through spring training.

Come on, come on, you guys.

Leave him alone.

Nicholas, you can have this room

to entertain your guest.

'We'll watch Clark upstairs.'

(Joannie)

'Sure.'

Well, at least

somebody has a date.

Oh, poor Miss Little Heart.

I will share Spencer with you.

Oh, thanks a lot.

Would you like for me to fix

a snack for me and your guest?

- No, thanks.

- Okay.

Abby, can I talk

to you for a minute?

Oh, sure, Nicholas.

[clears throat]

Pull up a step.

You shouldn't let your sisters'

teasing bother you so much.

It doesn't bother me,

it's just that

I don't know why they did it.

Oh, well, because

they've never seen you

have a friendship

with a girl before.

- And they think it's cute.

- It's not cute.

Yeah, I know. Sometimes things

can be pretty serious.

It's not serious either.

- It's weird.

- Weird?

(Nicholas)

'Yeah.'

See, whenever I think about Lou

or I know I'm going to see her

I get this funny feeling

inside of my stomach.

You know, like the night

before Christmas.

I know the feeling.

It means two things.

(Nicholas)

'Yeah, what?'

One, that you like Lou a lot

'and two, you're growing up.'

- Really?

- Yeah.

Really.

Abby, did it feel

like Christmas eve

when you met dad?

It sure did.

He was the best

Christmas present I ever got.

[chuckles]

Oh! Hi, boy,

am I glad to find you.

Do you know you're

the only gas station

that's open for miles.

So, what do you expect

on weekend, Mac?

Oh, uh, no, no,

but I-I just need one gallon

uh, to go.

Sure, pal. You'll get your gas,

when you get in line.

Oh, no, no, no but my car

ran out of gas.

I-I walked,

I don't know how far.

This is ridiculous!

Hey, ain't you ever been

in a gas line before?

It starts back there, k*ller.

[instrumental music]

[tires screeching]

[music continues]

(man on the radio)

'Before the game gets under way'

'let me remind you,

Cyclone fans'

'that Merle The Pearl

Stockwell's going'

'for his tenth win

on a row tomorrow afternoon'

'and there are still

limited seats available.'

'After that the Cyclones

will take you to the road..'

[doorbell rings]

'...before their return

to Sacramento.'

'They'll open up with

a four game series..'

Hurry up, come in.

The game's about to start.

Wait a minute, Nicholas.

- I can't stay.

- Why not?

I have to go out with my father.

Oh..

Since I only have

a few days left with him

he wants to spend as much time

as he can with me.

Well, is he going somewhere?

Yeah, to New York on business.

'Which means I have to go back'

with my mother

a whole month early.

Well, where does

your mother live?

- In Los Angeles.

- Los Angeles?

You mean you're moving away?

Tuesday morning.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

Hey, champ, what's going on?

Nothing.

You know, you've been acting

pretty weird lately.

What gives?

'Not talkin', huh?'

Okay, suit yourself.

Tommy, you know

a lot about girls.

Oh, do I? Nicholas, your brother

here is the master.

Well, do they forget easy?

Well, Nicholas, the first thing

that you have to remember

is that no two girls are alike.

Some forget, some don't.

That doesn't help much.

Ah! But it will someday.

Well, I don't have someday.

I need help right now.

Hey, this sounds pretty serious.

Who's the girl?

- Lou.

- Lou?

The cute little pitcher

you've been hanging out

with all summer?

- Yeah.

- So, you kinda like her, huh?

Yeah. She's not like

other girls.

She's just like a guy.

Yep. That's the same kind

of girl I liked when I was ten.

So what's the problem?

Well..

...she's movin' away.

Oh, I get it.

You know that happened

to me once.

It did?

(Tommy)

'Yep. Her name was Judie.'

'Boy, did I like her.'

'See, I knew what she

wanted most in the world'

was to have a picture

of two of us together.

Neither of us had a camera.

So what did you do?

(Tommy)

'Well, the day

before she moved away'

I asked her to meet me down

at the old Five And Ten

and we'd have her picture

taken in one of those booths.

'You know,

a three for a quarter.'

Still have one of those

around here somewhere.

Ol' Judie still writes

now and then.

- She does?

- 'Yeah.'

(Tommy)

'See, Nicholas

the thing to remember'

is that when you like someone

and they are going away

you should do something

really special

so they never forget you.

- Thanks, Tommy.

- 'Don't mention it.'

[knock on door]

It's open.

Susan, I would like

to have a word with you.

A word? Looks more like you

are ready to declare w*r.

That may be due

to the fact that I spent

a perfectly delightful afternoon

scouring the streets

of Sacramento

in search of a gallon of gas.

Don't look at me, dad.

Were you not the last person

to have the car?

Didn't I take the keys

right out of your hand?

Dad, I only took the car

to the shopping center

if you want to find

the guilty party talk to..

Nancy!

Hey, I'm not the only one

that uses the car around here.

Yes, but you use

the sedan last night?

Yeah, but so..

Two days ago that car

had a full t*nk of gas.

I know, because

I pumped it myself.

Today it ran dry.

Well, what do you expect

from an old car

that only gets eight miles

with a gallon.

I expect the car to have gas,

you know, when I use it.

Daddy, I was gonna put

some gas in the car

but I didn't had any money.

[sighs]

Do you know how much gas

costs these days?

Yes, I do know.

Because I'm the only one

in this family

filling up the t*nk!

[sighs]

You wanna find some kids

and get up a game?

No.

Or you want me

to throw you some pop flies?

That's alright.

Nicholas, I'm moving

in a couple of days.

I know, but we can still

write to each other.

Yeah, but I don't wanna go yet.

I don't want you

to leave yet either.

Nicholas, you're the first boy

I've ever met who knows

anything about baseball.

'And I thought we were gonna go

to that Cyclone game'

'and meet Merle The Pearl

and everything.'

Boy, that would have been

a dream come true.

But your dream

is gonna come true.

I'm taking you

to the game today.

What?

And you're gonna get to meet

Merle The Pearl in person.

[indistinct chatter]

Leave some for me.

You need one more coffee

or anything?

No thanks, Joannie.

Oh, hi! May I have

your attention please.

Uh, thank you.

I am about to present

the new conservation guidelines

for the use of, uh..

And the operation

of family wheels.

Tom, look, I know what happened

last night, but--

No, no, no. Abby, please.

I'm not upset about last night.

In fact it makes me realize

even more that we are taking

ever so lightly

this whole gasoline shortage.

Now I've take the liberty

to draw up some new proposals

which I want implemented

at once.

- Daddy!

- Please, Nancy.

I will entertain questions

when I'm through.

[clears throat]

Now..

...first of all

we have to completely..

...re-evaluate

our car pooling system.

I expect to get

one week's transportation

'out of every t*nk full of gas.'

That's impossible.

Not with those old

gas guzzlers, dad.

Dad, can I ask you something?

In a, in a moment, Nicholas,

this is very important

what I'm talking about.

Now I want all unnecessary trips

downtown, cross-town

or any trips without

my approval to be out.

Does that mean the stadium, too?

Of course.

'Now, Uh-uh-uh, trips

to the market'

cleaners, uh, the-the bank

uh-uh, that can all be

accomplished in just one outing.

And I estimate

if we do this we will save

twenty five percent

of our gasoline.

Dad, if you're really serious

about cutting consumption

you gotta go to the source

of the problem.

Yeah, dad, the reason

there's never any gas

in the cars is because both

of them only get about ten

and a half miles to the gallon.

Yeah, combined.

That's not true.

Oh, Tom, the girls have a point.

I mean, these old cars

are really inefficient

with today's gas prices.

What we need is a new car, dad.

Yeah, one with a decent,

uh, EPA and MPG ratings.

Please, uh, uh, wait a.. You--

Yeah, Mary's right, dad. I mean,

you can't att*ck these symptoms.

You gotta go right

to the cause of the problem.

Our cars are obsolete.

Now wait a minute..

You haven't heard all

my proposals.

No, I can't ask anyone

from my family.

My dad's got the cars

on restriction.

What about your dad?

Oh, yeah.

But it's really important

that we do this today..

...together.

Well, I was thinking

that may be we can take

this stadium express.

So, you know the bus

that goes right to the stadium.

Okay. Alright,

it stops on Hill street.

Meet you there. Bye!

[sighs]

Ernie, I don't believe you.

How did you get ahold

of their yearbook?

Connections, Bradford.

I get around.

Come on, suspense is k*lling me.

What do they look like?

I was too nervous to look.

What are we waiting for?

Let's see. Ann Macy. Ann Macy..

Now remember they were juniors

when these pictures were taken.

They've had

a whole summer to mature.

Yeah.

- Ann Macy.

- Oh, there she is.

Second to the last.

Oh, well, this is not that bad.

It's just one night, huh?

Hey, she's not bad at all.

Hey, really, I hope

I'm that lucky.

Yeah, come on. Let's check out

your little number.

Rayna Hollander.

Come on, baby, be there.

Rayna Hollander..

Psst! Aah-ha-ha!

Oh, boy, did you get stuck.

What a dog?

[Tommy laughs]

Hey, wait a minute, Bradford,

that's not Rayna Hollander.

She's the next one down.

Look at those eyes.

Wow!

(Tommy)

'I don't believe it,

she's beautiful.'

Bradford, I hit the jackpot!

[Ernie laughs]

[laughs]

I sure hope the bus

gets here on time.

I wanna go down and see

Merle before the game starts.

Do you think he'll give me

an autograph?

Sure. He does that kind

of stuff for all his friends.

I'm not gonna ask any other

players for their autograph.

Just Merle's.

Here come the bus. Let's go.

Cleaner, doesn't mean

it's gonna get better mileage.

Oh, no, but cleaning means

a better price on the trading.

I don't believe it,

you're giving in that easy?

I'm not giving in,

I'm simply listening to reason.

You and the girls

had a good point this morning.

I did some calculating

in what with the price of gas

I think it might be

more economical

not to mention more practical

to buy a new small car.

I admire your decisive action

but why are you trading

in the old sedan?

I mean, doesn't

the station wagon use more gas?

Oh, yes, but we need

the station wagon

for the famous Bradford

family outings.

Family outings?

When was the last time

we had one of those?

That's not the point,

there's always hope.

Hope being the station wagon?

Yes, and when it comes to hope

Tom Bradford

doesn't think small.

[brakes squealing]

I hope we get tickets right

next to the dugout.

I sat there once with my dad.

Well, maybe if I can talk

to Merle we can sit

in the dugout.

You think so?

Yeah, just leave it to me.

Wow! I can't believe

this is happening.

It's like a miracle

or something.

Nicholas, do you think

if you ask them

that Merle might show me

how he throws the curve?

Sure.

I'm so happy you

took me here today.

I'm happy, too.

- Hey, what's going on?

- 'What do you mean?'

- You got to be kidding.

- 'Let's go, honey.'

I came all the way

from Vegas to you.

(female #)

'I'm sorry, sir.'

(male #)

'She's got to be kidding.'

(male #)

'They can't do this to us.'

[Nicholas gasps]

(male #)

'Oh, no! No more tickets.'

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

Uh, tickets please.

(Lou)

'We don't have any.

The game's sold out.'

Well, then I guess

you're out of luck.

Yeah, but Merle The Pearl

said we can come down

and see him in the dugout.

Well, that's fine,

but first you need a ticket

to get into the grand stand.

- But--

- 'I'm sorry.'

But you'll have to step aside

so these other folks can get in.

What do we do now?

I don't know, let me think.

What rotten luck.

My big chance

to meet Merle The Pearl

and we can't even get

in the game.

Wait a minute.

I know how we can get in.

- How?

- Just follow me.

[instrumental music]

You sure this will work?

It's how Kenny P. Landers

gets into all the games.

Kenny P. Landers?

The coot who stole the flag

from the little league field?

Yeah. Hurry up.

[instrumental music]

Way to go.

Come on, let's go to

the dugout and find The Pearl.

[clears throat]

May I see your tickets please?

Uh, little more syrup?

No, I got plenty,

really. Really.

Ernie, how you gettin' to

the dance Friday night?

I don't know.

Double with somebody, I guess.

Oh, that's a drag.

Well, I don't have

my own wheels.

I know.

And, that's why I was thinking.

How would you like

to use my van Friday night?

- You kidding?

- No.

Now, wait a minute, Bradford,

how come you are so generous

all of a sudden?

Eh, friends do favors

for friends.

Okay.

Friend?

What do you want?

Just a simple trade.

My van and Ann Macy

for Rayna Hollander.

Bradford, I have to be crazy

to give up a date

with a fox like that.

Oh, now, Ernie,

Ernie, picture this.

It's after the dance

and you're in my van

Ann Macy at your side

high atop the gallop point.

Moonlight falls through

the windshield like a prism..

...and you turn to Ann--

And wish she looked like Rayna.

Oh, come on, Ernie,

what can you tell from

a yearbook photo,

I mean, they're always

'touched up anyway.'

Besides, you can't even see

who you are with

at the Gallop Point.

That's true.

And one thing is for sure.

You can't double

at lookout point.

Believe me, come Friday night

you'll be thanking me for this.

Yeah, yeah, just make sure

there's a full t*nk of gas.

I'll line up

at the cr*ck of dawn.

Tommy, have you seen Nicholas?

Oh, yeah, dad, he said something

about going over to Lou's.

Oh, he's gonna miss

the big surprise.

Are you ready to go?

Oh, yeah.

I'm all set.

I like it.

- I think it's kinda cute.

- I think it's kinda small.

Um, just so it's big

on mileage.

Well, one things for sure,

Nicholas is gonna like it.

It's the only car we've had were

he could see over the dashboard.

[chuckling]

We'll need a day for prep.

- Can you pick it up tomorrow?

- Oh, yeah, that's no problem.

You're certainly making

a wise move, Mr. Bradford.

With the price of gas

going out of sight today

a family man needs fuel economy.

I know, I learned, the hard way.

Did you see

the EPA estimates on that model?

You can drive for weeks

on one t*nk full.

Oh, well, I'll settle

for three days.

[chuckling]

Now we come to the business

of the trade-in.

Oh, yes. Well, I have

a nice clean trade-in.

- It's outside if you--

- Oh, won't be necessary.

- Oh!

- We go strictly by the book.

Oh, isn't that nice.

Let's see, that was an older

four door sedan.

Uh-hm.

Hmm, I can see

why you're getting rid of it.

Oh, no, no, no, I-I paid three

times this amount for it.

I'm sure you did.

But, we'll be lucky

to unload it at any price.

Nobody wants a gas guzzler

these days, Mr. Bradford.

Remember.

- ERA is my MPG.

- Exactly.

Well, listen, eh, could I ask

you one more question?

And then I won't bother

you anymore.

Uh, how many people can the car

seat comfortably, I mean..

Oh, that depends,

I'd say four, or uh..

- Are all these yours?

- Oh, yes.

So, uh, who needs comfort

when you're saving gas.

(man on radio)

'So it will be up to Turner

big allowing Thompson to put'

'a pair of runs

across the plate.'

'One of the most impressive

winning streaks'

'in the annals

of minor league--'

- Come on, Cyclones.

- Yeah, get some runs.

(man on Radio)

'Eugene Turner

steps in and looks'

at a curve ball

for call strike one'

What are you doing?

Yeah, it's the bottom

of the nine.

Alright, thanks, yeah.

Alright, you two.

No parents have called in

to claim a pair of lost kids.

So tell me who you are

and how to get in touch

with your folks.

Not until we get

to see The Pearl.

Yeah, he's a personal friend

of Merle The Pearl's.

I know, I know.

He's not gonna like this

when I tell him

that you held us prisoners.

I'm only holding you prisoner

until your folks come.

Now, tell me your name.

We're not talking.

Yeah, our lips are zipped.

(man on radio)

'That's number two

for the Cyclones.'

'And the last hope for

preserving Merle The Pearl's'

'streak lies with second

baseman Chicko Esqueda.'

- Come on, Chicko.

- Yeah, get a hit.

'Thompson takes his lid of

third, here's the wind up'

'and the pitch to Esqueda,

he swings and hits a high drive'

'to deep left, it's sending

the left fielder back'

'way back to the wall,

he jumps, he's got it.'

'Oh my, what a catch!'

Rats!

There goes Pearl's streak.

Okay, you guys, that games over.

Now lets end this one.

What do you say?

Nicholas, look!

It's Merle The Pearl.

You're right! Merle!

What do you think

you're doin'?

It's The Pearl,

you gotta stop him.

- Merle.

- Hey, Merle.

Can you do me a favor?

Come here for a minute.

What is it?

These kids here say

they know you.

Know me? I never seen

these kids before.

Nicholas Bradford,

that's the worst lie

anyone ever told me.

All this,

and he doesn't even know you.

My name is Louie Schroeder

and my father lives at

', South Clarington Avenue.'

[instrumental music]

(Tommy)

'Hello, may I speak

to Rayna Hollander please?'

Rayna?

Hi, this is Tommy Bradford.

Right, I'm your date

for the swap dance.

Yeah, I'm looking

forward to it too.

Hey, I was thinking, um,

why wait until Friday night

maybe we can get together

a little sooner.

Well, how about this afternoon?

Great!

Alright, I'll meet you at

Frankie's Fish and Chips

in a half hour.

Alright, bye-bye.

I don't believe it.

[sighs]

He said he didn't even know you?

[sighs]

Nick, at the other day

at the store

he was just showing off.

Yeah, but Lou wanted to meet

Merle before she moved.

And Tommy said that if you like

someone and they are moving away

you should do something

special for them.

So they'll never forget you.

Hmm, Tommy said that?

Yeah, now that Merle said that

he didn't even know me..

Lou thought you made up

the whole story.

Yeah, now she won't even talk

to me so I can explain.

Oh, that no talent glory hound.

He can't treat kids like that.

Tell that to Merle The Pearl.

That's exactly

what I intend to do.

- Doesn't it look great?

- Oh, I love that color!

- They waxed it.

- 'Yeah, it looks great.'

- Yeah, hey.

- Hey.

Come on.

[indistinct chatter]

Hold it! Hold it! Hold it!

Now, listen to me.

We bought this car

to save gas and money.

Joy rides accomplishes

neither, now.

This car can only be used for

essential trips and that's all.

Yeah, well, I think

you're right, dad.

And, uh, my appointment

is essential.

Oh, hold it, hold it,

not so fast.

What happened

to priorities, huh?

Hey, where do you have to go

that's so important?

What do you mean

where do I have to go?

We're all intelligent people,

we can discuss it.

[indistinct chatter]

Where do you think

you are going?

To find Merle the Squirrel.

(Tom)

'What do you call

that essential?'

Yes, I have one very

swell head to deflate.

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, you.

- Me?

- Yes you, Mr. Stockwell.

Hey, I know you.

Girl at the sporting good store.

Oh, so you remember me, huh?

I make it a point

to never forget a pretty face.

Oh, but you make it

a point to forget your fans?

I'm afraid I don't

catch your drift.

Yeah, well, yesterday my brother

Nicholas came all the way

out here to introduce you

to his little girlfriend

and you totally ignored him.

Yesterday?

You mean those kids

in the office?

- That was your brother?

- Um-hm.

Oh, hey, I'm sorry about that.

But, you know how it is.

My streak got snapped, and--

Is that all you care about

is your winning streak?

Well, honey, I'm a ball player.

I know what you are

and don't call me honey.

Yeah, back where I come from

it's nice to call someone honey.

Yeah, well, you're here now

and what I'm trying to tell you

is that there are a couple

of kids who used to think

of you as their hero and all you

did was break their hearts.

Hey, I said I was sorry.

'What you don't seem

to understand is that streak'

was my ticket

to the big leagues.

When I lost that game I was so

out of it I could hardly see

two feet in front of me,

let alone recognize

your little brother.

Still no excuse

for what you did.

I mean, how many times

do I have to say I'm sorry?

Till you really mean it.

Hey, wait a minute, girl.

Uh, come back here.

Okay, Pearl, save that

for off the field.

But coach, you don't understand.

Well, of course not, I've only

been around for years.

You can explain it all

to me right after

you finish your workout.

[indistinct chatter]

Hi, Rayna,

I'm Tommy Bradford.

Tommy, how'd you know who I was?

Never even seen me before.

Oh, well, uh, ESP's

kind of a hobby of mine.

- Really?

- Oh, yeah.

I-I perceive a lot of things,

uh, extra sensory, of course.

Wow, that's radical.

Yeah, like, right now

I'm picking up some

very strong vibrations.

What? What, tell me.

Well, I get this flash

that there is something

very special between us.

- You do?

- Oh, yeah.

Like our relationship is going

way beyond Friday night stands.

You know something?

I had the same feeling.

You do?

Alright!

What do you say we got out

of this place

'and go for a ride somewhere?'

I love it.

Come on, let's buck.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Uh, finally I, hey, hey,

hold on there, will you?

Come on, give the guy a break.

You're not welcome here.

Huh, do you, do you know

how many Bradford's

there are in Sacramento?

Oh, if you came all the way

to ask me that

the answer is .

Ho-hold on a minute.

Brother, it must be true

what they say about redheads

'cause you are as ordinary

as an Arkansas mule.

I am not!

Now just what do you want?

I want to apologize.

Well, I accept, goodbye.

You're a misery, you know that?

I mean, look, I came here

to see your brother, okay?

I wanna tell him I'm sorry.

Oh!

Oh!

Well, can I see him?

I guess so.

He's upstairs in his room.

Erasing your name

off of his baseball.

- How's it going, Slugger?

- What are you doing here?

I, uh..

...I came over to

do right by a friend.

I'm not your friend.

You didn't even

know me yesterday.

I know, Slugger.

You see, yesterday I was..

...lower than a snake's belly.

What with my streak

snapping and all.

I was so caught up in my own

troubles I didn't give two licks

about anybody else.

Oh!

Hey, Nicholas, I never would

have done it if I knew how much

it meant to you

and your girl.

Now, if there's anything

I can do to patch things up

between you and..

Lou.

Lou. Anything at all

I'd be glad to oblige.

Hey, Nicholas,

why don't you call up Lou

and tell her Merle's here.

'He'll sign her

baseball now.'

Yeah, you could tell her

I'll sign her baseball

or bat or glove.

I'll even sign home plate

and give it to her

if it'll do any good.

Na, it wouldn't do any good.

She'll just think

I'm lyin' again.

[sighs]

Yeah.

In that case we'll just gonna

have to find the little lady

and prove you're not.

You mean,

you'd do that for me?

You bet!

[instrumental music]

We, uh,

we friends again?

Uh-huh.

Uh, are you sure it's okay?

I mean, that's your

pitching arm.

Oh, Slugger, the day I have

to give up shakin' hands

with a pal, it's the day

I give up pitching.

[instrumental music]

Oh, come on, Slugger,

give it a rap.

Hi, Lou.

Nicholas, I said

I didn't wanna see you.

And I mean it.

Wait, uh, I want you

to meet a friend of mine.

Oh, sure,

who is it this time?

Just come out and see.

[dramatic music]

I don't believe this,

do you have any idea

where the keys

to the new car are?

- Yeah, Joannie's got 'em.

- 'Where is she?'

At rehearsal.

Oh, shucks,

it was my turn.

Why didn't she use

the station wagon?

The station wagon?

Dad, I thought you

wanted us to conserve energy.

That dinosaur

eats gas like crazy.

The only chance I ever got

to drive the new car was on

the way from the showroom.

Sorry, dad.

By the time

I get behind the wheel

the new car smell

will be gone.

Uh!

Oh, Joannie, wait a minute,

the keys to the car?

Oh, the new car, daddy.

It is great,

it drives like a charm.

And you know what,

I went to rehearsal

I did all my errands

and it still reads

a full t*nk of gas, great, huh?

That's nice to hear

but I'm dying

to find out for myself.

Now's your chance.

Joannie, it's about time

you got back

I'm a half hour late already.

- Abby, uh, the keys.

- I'll see you later.

The car, car, uh, the, she

doesn't understand, oh, shucks!

[instrumental music]

You know, uh, it was really

nice of you to sign those balls.

She was so excited.

Heck, it was

the least I could do

after what happened, you know.

Oh, it was still

very sweet.

I have my moments.

Yeah, so do I,

like my moment at the stadium.

Well, I'm really sorry I had

to give you such a hard time.

Nothing to be sorry about,

I had it coming.

No, I didn't take your feelings

into consideration.

I guess, I was kinda acting

like an Arkansas mule.

Yeah, maybe a little.

I was not.

Oh, I was just

agreeing with you.

Oh, you are such a..

[instrumental music]

Uh, do you have a girlfriend

back in Arkansas?

Nope.

Do you have one here?

Well, if you'd asked me

that two days ago

I would have said, no,

but now, I'm not too sure.

You met somebody?

Yep.

Oh..

She's real cute.

In an ordinary

sort of a way.

Yeah?

Yeah.

And she's real smart.

'Kind of girl I need

to keep me in line.'

And she is the prettiest girl

I have ever seen.

[instrumental music]

I'm never gonna play

with this ball.

I'm gonna keep it

just the way it is.

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Meeting Merle The Pearl

was the neatest thing

that ever happened to me.

I'm sorry I didn't believe

he was your friend, Nicholas.

That's okay.

Yesterday I didn't

believe it myself.

Nicholas, will you

do me a favor?

Sure, what?

Will you sign

my ball too?

Yeah.

[instrumental music]

I like it

even better than Merle's.

Really?

Nicholas, you are the nicest

boy I have ever known.

'I'll never forget you,

Nicholas.'

Ever.

[music continues]

Well, Bradford, I'm here to pick

up my wheels for tonight.

Uh, yeah, Ernie, listen,

I was thinkin'

I was kind of a jerk

the other day.

That's cool.

I don't care.

Oh, no, no, I mean,

you really should go out

with Rayna Hollander, I mean,

after all she was your date.

I had no right--

- Forget it.

- Oh, but.

I got together with

Anne Macy last night.

[chuckling]

Bradford, you don't know

what you're missing.

'She is a fox.'

Oh, you, wait a minute, that was

no fox that was in the yearbook.

I guess she matured

over the summer.

Yeah.

So did Rayna.

[car honking]

Hey, new set of wheels.

[cheering]

- Look at this.

- Oh, wow!

Nice, is this ours?

I decided to get rid of the old

family gas guzzlers

once and for all.

What about the infamous

Bradford family outing?

Oh, well, from now on

we'll form a caravan.

Hey, this is really nice.

Oh, no, no, no,

hands off.

This is mine

for the next hours.

Then it's up for grabs.

Dad, aren't you forgetting

no joy riding?

Oh, that's right,

uh, essential trips only.

Oh, of course,

oh, wait, that's right.

Uh, Abby, would you like to go

and watch some submarine races?

[cheering]

[theme music]

[music continues]