- Hi, Nicholas.
I'm kind of worried what's gonna
happen when the ERA passes.
The Equal Rights Amendment?
Why?
Well, it's kind of hard
to explain.
Oh, well, are you worried
about women
being drafted into the army?
Because a lot of women feel
it's as much their duty
as a man's
to defend their country.
No, that's not
what my problem is.
Oh. Well,
is it women in sports?
Competition between the sexes
isn't all that bad, you know?
I mean, they're gonna have their
separate but equal locker rooms.
No, sport isn't what bothers me.
Oh. Well, then, what is it
about the ERA that bothers you?
Well, Kenny P. Landers said
that he heard his father
talking to his mother
and that his father said
when the ERA passes
the women are gonna
probably start making
men have the babies.
'That couldn't happen,
could it?'
Oh, no, no, no,
absolutely not, Nicholas.
Why?
Why?
Well, uh..
I-I'm, I'm glad that you,
uh, asked that, Nicholas
uh, because, uh, we men
we, uh, we're not equipped
to have babies.
Uh, what do you mean?
We-we, we don't have
the facilities.
Uh, you're not too sure
of yourself, are you?
Yes, I am. I-i-it's just the..
Listen, I have a great idea.
Why don't we bring this ERA
into practice right now
and see how it works?
How are we gonna do that?
By sharing this discussion
with a woman.
Abby!
[theme song]
♪ There's a magic in the
early morning we found ♪
♪ When the sunrise smiles
on everything around ♪
♪ It's a portrait
of the happiness ♪
♪ That we feel and always will ♪
♪ For eight is enough
to fill our lives with love ♪
♪ Oh 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 windowsill ♪
♪ And eight is enough
to fill our lives with love ♪♪
[knock on door]
Come in.
- I'm in a lot of trouble.
- Well, what's the matter?
Well, I've got one heavy coat
on my tongue. Look.
Nicholas, that's toothpaste.
O, yeah.
Well, uh, check this out.
This reads over a .
Now if this was your temperature
well, we could heat the house.
Well, I guess I better
not go to school today.
Nicholas, you're faking.
Mary, I am not faking.
Well, in that case, I guess
we better get
a second opinion from dad.
O-okay, I'm faking, I'm faking.
- You're faking?
- Yeah.
But couldn't you just
cover for me this once?
- I can't go to school today.
- Why?
Well, I can't tell you.
Well, if you can't tell me,
I can't cover for you.
You know something, Mary,
you're beginning to act
more and more like a grown-up
and I don't like it.
[laughs]
- I don't know. This looks fine.
- Are you kidding?
This is practically a child's
toy and it sounds even worse.
As far as I'm concerned,
they all sound terrible.
Oh, come on, dad, I'm as good
as I'm gonna be on this.
I guess that pretty much
puts an end to my musical dream.
Oh, wait a minute, Tommy.
There-there must be
an alternative.
Oh, yeah.
We could trade this one in
on a new guitar.
Of course, that means that you
would need a few extra dollars.
- No, just a hundred.
- A hundred?
[guitar music]
- That doesn't sound that bad.
- Oh, come on dad.
Uh, it's just a loan, and-and
as soon as I get a new guitar
I'll-I'll pay you right back.
Uh, not now, Tommy.
Things are too tight this month.
But, dad, this is important.
I can't grow as a musician
unless I have better equipment.
I'd like to loan you the money,
Tommy, I really would
'but at the current rate
of inflation'
I need every penny
to keep this family going.
- I'll cut back.
- No, I-I can't.
Maybe next month.
Yeah, sure, next month.
(Joannie)
'Are you sure you don't know'
'why Mr. Hayes
wants to see me, huh?'
Bradford, I have an arrangement
with Mr. Hayes.
He runs the news department
I don't attempt
to read his mind.
Now can we get back
to your research on Judge Evans?
- Yes, back to work.
- Alright.
Now we know that if the governor
does appoint Emilia Evans
to the state appellate court,
it would be quite a coup.
We also know that she won't
get the appointment at all
if the right people
politic against it.
- Are you getting all this?
- Jeffrey, do I look alright?
I-I mean, I, you don't think
Mr. Hayes will think
I look too flashy, huh?
- You don't look too flashy.
- Oh, good. Too conservative?
I'll talk to you
after the meeting.
- What's wrong?
- I'm a newsman.
I'm not a fashion expert.
Boy.
(Mary)
'Nicholas?'
Hold it.
Nicholas, Nicholas, hold.
Why are you holding
your notebook like that?
I always hold my notebook
like this.
- Let me see your face.
- Why?
It hasn't changed much
since this morning.
I wanna have a look.
- What happened?
- Ah, I kinda got hit.
- By what?
- A fist.
- Whose fist?
- Just a kid at school.
Can I go upstairs now?
No, not until you tell me
what happened?
Now did you hit this kid first?
I didn't hit Joey at all.
Well, is this Joey
bigger than you?
Oh, yeah, I think so. Yeah.
Is that why you got clobbered?
No. I got clobbered
'cause I couldn't hit back.
Why?
I just couldn't, that's all.
You turned the other cheek.
I tried to,
but it got hit too.
Has this got anything to do with
why you didn't wanna
go to school today?
Yeah, and the way
I feel right now
I don't think I'll have to fake
being sick tomorrow.
No. No, I can't make it Tuesday.
How about Wednesday?
Okay.
Well, that sounds great.
Uh-huh.
[chuckles]
You tell the governor
I'm looking forward to it.
Yeah, thanks. Right.
Yeah, goodbye.
So, Ms. Bradford, I'm glad
we finally have a chance
to see one another outside
those boring staff meetings.
I apologize
for not keeping in touch.
Well, I know
how busy you are, Mr. Hayes.
Not so busy that I haven't been
watching your progress.
I just wanna tell you I'm very
pleased with your work so far.
Well, thank you.
You have a very nice
on-camera quality, very genuine.
Well, I'm sure
I can do a lot better.
Of course, you can.
You're working on that, uh,
Evans story now, aren't you?
'Yes.'
How do you think
the station should cover it?
Um..
[chuckles]
Uh, well, uh..
Well, feminists
throughout the state believe
that Judge Evans
has a firm commitment
to the rights
of minorities and women.
Then you suggest
the feminist angle?
No, because most of the
opposition to her appointment
is expected from
the more conservative corners
of the state legislature
and I think
we have to show both angles.
Right.
It seems your father's taught
you something about journalism.
[chuckles]
Well, a little, yes.
Mostly it's been
Jeffery Trout though.
Jeffrey, you'll never guess
what happened.
- What?
- Jeff.
Since this Evan's thing
might drag on for months
and you have your hands full
with the foreign policy issues
I thought it'd be a good idea
to let Joannie keep an eye
on the Evans' appointment.
Mike, I've been covering
Emilia Evans' career
practically from the time
she passed her bar exams.
I know, and that should be
a big help to Joannie.
- Well, I-I don't--
- 'Jeff.'
We've to look at this
from a rating standpoint.
It can attract
a much larger female audience
with a woman on the story.
If you say so. You're the boss.
Right.
Now you do a good job, Joannie.
I'm counting on you.
(Joannie)
'Oh, I'll do my best.'
Don't hesitate to stop
at the office any time you want.
Thank you, Mr. Hayes. Bye.
What is the matter with you?
I thought you'd be happy for me.
If it was up to me,
you wouldn't have this story.
Oh, don't you think
I can handle it?
- You have any gum?
- No.
Experience, uh,
you're not experienced enough
for a story like this.
Enthusiasm is not
gonna mean much
if this story starts
to break fast.
Jeffrey, Mr. Hayes thinks
I've got enough experience.
Yeah, well, Mr. Hayes and I
don't share a lot of views.
I don't understand
why you're acting like this.
You don't understand
a lot of things.
Ah.
Now I know I'm not
suppose to notice
by the way you're acting,
but you're depressed, right?
Yeah, dad won't loan me
the money
for a new guitar I really need.
'Hmm.'
He gave me the old
it's-a-tight-month routine.
Yeah, he told me
the same thing yesterday.
'Uh, you needed
some extra bucks too, huh?'
Mm-hmm. bucks
for a dance seminar.
[scoffs]
Sixty five dollars? What?
- What, you believe in miracles?
- Tommy, he gave it to me.
You're kidding?
Mnh-mnh. Maybe you didn't
use the right approach.
Yeah, you're right.
I'm not daddy's little girl.
- Hiya, Tommy.
- I don't believe it.
Oh, believe what?
You showing favoritism
towards Elizabeth.
What favoritism?
You loan her the money
she needed and I get nothing.
For one thing,
she asked yesterday.
For another thing,
she needed the money for school.
She's a dancer.
What does she need
besides an empty room
and a transistor radio?
Tommy, it was important.
- 'My music is important.'
- I know that.
The money I gave her was all
I could spare for the month.
'I wasn't trying
to show favoritism.'
Well, that's exactly
what it was.
Yeah.
Jeffrey, I was just
gonna go, but
I didn't want to leave without
talking to you about this, okay?
Nothing to talk about.
Hey, you taught me
everything I know.
You ought to be proud
I got this assignment.
Well, I would have been proud
if you hadn't accepted it.
Listen, um..
Are you mad 'cause Hayes took
the assignment away from you?
Oh, come on, Joannie, grow up.
You're a bright lady.
Very hard for me to believe
you don't know
why you got the story.
I got the story, Jeffrey
because Mr. Hayes
wants a woman's view.
Mm-hmm. Then why didn't
he give it
to one of the experienced
female reporter?
Because Mr. Hayes thinks
I've got potential, alright?
Alright, potential is one thing
but it doesn't mean anything
as far as the story
is concerned.
'You don't know Michael Hayes
like I do.'
Mr. Hayes is doing you a favor.
And Mr. Hayes expects
favors to be returned.
What's left?
Forty three dollars
and eighty seven cents
for electricity.
That's not bad.
Hmm. This is for insurance.
Oh, yeah, right.
Well, I'm afraid to ask,
but, uh, what's the balance?
It's about the same
as last month.
Well, actually,
it's a little less.
There's enough
for Elizabeth's workshop.
But not enough
for Tommy's guitar.
Tom, you can't always
be the great provider.
There's a limit
to your resources.
I know. I know.
It's not your fault
that's food more expensive
and the price of gasoline
has gone out of sight.
Yeah.
I guess I just hate
saying no to my children.
You didn't say no.
Inflation did.
Hmm.
Look, dad, it's not
the size of the pie
that we're talking about.
It's the way
that you're cutting it.
That's what's not fair.
Life is not always fair, Tommy
especially when you're
one of eight children.
[scoffs]
That's not my point.
There really aren't
eight children anymore.
We still eat
as though there are.
Dad, think about it.
I mean, who are you
really supporting?
Mary, that's one.
Nancy and Joannie pay
for all their own expenses.
So who's left?
Me, Elizabeth and Nicholas.
So?
(Tommy)
'So there should be more money'
'around here instead of less.'
This month, there isn't.
Maybe next month,
you'll get the money.
Unless Mary gets to you first.
I don't wanna argue
about this anymore, Tommy.
Dad, there wouldn't be
any arguments
if you just use a fair system.
Oh, and I suppose you are
the expert on what's fair.
- I know that your system isn't.
- 'Oh, really?'
I should, maybe, put you in
control of the purse strings.
(Tommy)
'That would suit me just fine.'
'I think I'd probably
do a better job anyway.'
You know something, young man,
I should take you up on that.
Tom, you don't really mean that?
Oh, don't I?
I'm tired of being criticized.
This job is hard enough
without everybody
second guessing every penny.
Oh, I don't think Tommy
means that. Do you, Tommy?
I know what Tommy means
and now it's time
he puts up or shuts up.
I wanna see you
in the study, young man.
What for?
I wanna give you a check
for all of the money
available to the children
of this family
for the rest of the month.
Then you can take
the responsibility
of giving it out.
And the headache.
Fantastic.
- Business-like?
- Very business-like.
Good.
In fact, it almost goes
all the way to intimidating.
Are you sure you want
that image on camera?
It's not for a camera.
It's for the office.
Jeffrey Trout thinks I got
the Judge Evans story
for something besides ability.
- Why would he think that?
- I don't know.
But I'm not gonna let
his insecurities affect
how I do my job.
It's his ego problem, not mine.
I was under the impression
that you and Jeffrey Trout
worked really well together.
I know.
[sighs]
That's why it really
bothers me, Abby.
I mean, Jeffrey was my mentor.
He showed me the ropes.
He taught me the basics.
I thought he was gonna be
really happy and proud
that I got this assignment.
That just goes to show you
what can happen
when you let males bring
their unpredictable emotions
into a place of business?
[projector whirring]
(Hayes)
'Where did you dig up
this whole footage?'
The film library.
Does it work for you?
Oh, yes.
Well, see, I thought
I'd mix it in
with some other more
recent interviews
and kind of trace
the career of a woman
in state government.
Uh..
This is a reel
of her campaigning
for the State Assembly
back in .
Joannie, you're putting together
a very thorough profile.
I find it difficult to believe
that this is your first
political reporting.
Well, up to now, mostly I've
done research for Jeffrey Trout.
That's the best kind of trade
that you can get
in this business.
You seem to have
all the instincts
of a first-rate reporter.
Thank you.
Mr. Hayes, it's really nice
to get a chance to prove myself.
I appreciate the opportunity.
It's only an opportunity
if you take advantage of it.
Right.
Well, I have a few more clips
to look at
but I should have a final cut
by this afternoon.
Fine, I'll set up a screening
for this afternoon.
Great. See you then.
Oh.
- Merle.
- Hiya, slugger.
- Whoa.
- Hey, what are you doing here?
I thought
you were in spring training.
Well, now I've got me
a furlough to visit Susan.
- Hey, how have you been?
- Not too good.
Yeah. Yeah, I can see that.
- Who are you fighting with?
- A kid named Joey.
- What about?
- Before I can ask, I get hit.
Nicholas, let me
show you something.
- What are you doing?
- Uh, you get right here, okay?
I'm gonna show you a little
psychological self-defense.
- Huh?
- This will really scare him.
Kai!
Hey-hiya!
Yah! Yah!
And now you're gonna
really clean him up.
- Whoa! How about it?
- Forget it.
What, don't you wanna
learn how to do it
in case that bully
keeps bothering you?
It wouldn't make any difference.
I still couldn't do it.
Sure, you could. It works and
it doesn't matter how big he is.
Yes, it does,
because he is a she.
You're being picked on
by a girl?
Yep, Josephine McDougall
and dad says I can't hit girls.
Well, that's the beauty of it.
You-you don't really hit,
you just scare.
Now let's try.
One more time. Real slow.
And kai!
- How's it going, Bradford?
- Oh. Uh, so far so good.
Mr. Hayes likes
my biographical stuff.
Isn't that to be expected?
How long are we gonna
keep going through this?
Through what?
Jeffrey, is it impossible
for you to believe
that I might actually be
qualified to cover this story?
Joannie, you don't get me wrong.
I'm all for you getting a sh*t
at the political b*at
as long as that's all
Hayes has got in mind.
Well, if he has
any other intentions
he hasn't made me
aware of them, alright?
Okay. Maybe I'm wrong.
Alright.
Joannie, listen,
it, uh, looks like
I'm gonna be tied up
for the rest of the afternoon.
Oh, that's okay, I can
show you the clip tomorrow.
Yeah, but I'd really
like to see it today.
Do you mind
if we set up a screening
after work hours,
say around
-
- 'Is that too late for you?'
Uh, no.
Um, no, uh, give me a chance
to finish the copy.
Good.
Why don't you just meet me
in my office
when things quiet down
around here?
- Sure.
- Okay.
But, dad,
I still don't understand
why we have to go to Tommy
for money.
I'm through listening
to complaints.
Tommy thinks he could do
a better job
than me spending the money
so I have put him in charge
of miscellaneous cash.
Sounds to me
like you're teaching him
a lesson at our expense.
No, my expense.
Fortunately, it's limited
to the few dollars
that are leftover
after our bills are paid.
Yeah, but asking Tommy for
our share is so humiliating.
Please, can't you
change your mind?
I'm sorry. I'm committed.
And, boy, am I sorry?
Well, guess we'll just
have to adjust.
Oh, here he is now,
our wonderful, generous brother.
Whoopee.
Would you girls
please fill these out?
What is this?
I wanna get an itemized list
of your monthly expenses.
Sort of a projection of how much
money you'll need this month.
It'll be the basis
for determining your allowances.
- What?
- Come on.
We're gonna start running this
on a business basis.
Now just fill those out.
- I'm warning you, Joey.
- You're warning me?
You won't come any closer
if you know what's good for you.
Yah!
Yah!
Yah!
Yah!
Yah!
Yah!
- Are you kidding?
- Watch it, Joey.
You're gonna get in trouble
with that karate junk.
What?
I hate people who don't stand
and fight fair.
Makes me really mad.
- It does?
- It's chicken.
There's only one thing worse.
- What's that?
- People who run.
Well, as long as
you're gonna be mad about it.
'Nicholas!'
Joannie, I don't consider myself
prone to idle flattery
but that was a highly
commendable effort.
Thank you, Mr. Hayes.
I usually end the day
with a drink.
You, uh, care to join me?
Oh, no, thank you.
Probably put me to sleep.
Okay. I'm used to
drinking alone.
You know, I've been
meaning to ask you.
Did you study journalism
or communication in college?
No. Actually, acting.
Well, you seem to be adjusting
quite nicely to a new field.
Well, you know, Mr. Hayes,
I really love the news, I..
Well, you still got
a good deal to learn
about broadcast journalism.
Oh, yes.
But what intrigued me
about you..
...is your style.
You seem to be able to project
a sincere kind of enthusiasm.
I think viewers will find
that very appealing.
I know I do.
Um, Mr. Hayes,
could I ask you a question?
Sure.
This is, uh..
[chuckles]
Um, look.
I, I believe
I deserve this assignment
and I believe
I can do the work.
But did I get this job because..
...y-you thought
I would do more?
Well, let me put it this way.
I went out of my way to be..
...friendly.
And..
...now you want me
to return the friendship?
That's usually the way it works.
(Elizabeth)
'Nancy's right, Nicholas.'
'About the fourth grade, I used
to b*at up lots of guys.'
You did?
Yeah, that's when I had
to start wearing braces.
They called me metal mouth.
So I b*at 'em up.
I bet they didn't like you
too much when you did.
The guys hated me, but the girls
thought I was great
and I got elected
blackboard monitor.
Well, maybe you can help me out.
Uh, no, I'm sorry, Nicholas
I'm not gonna b*at
anyone up for you.
I'm trying very hard
to live down my violent past.
Now I didn't mean that way.
I was just wondering
how the boys made you stop.
- Uh, they didn't.
- Never?
No, uh, I guess
I just sort of grew out of it
'in a couple of years.'
Couple of years?
I don't think
I can last that long.
[chuckles]
Hey, there you are. I've been
looking all over for you.
I think I finally solved
the budget problem.
- Terrific.
- And here's your share in cash.
- Here you go, sport.
- Tommy, I'm impressed.
Dad was never able to be
this official.
Well, before you open that,
I want you to know
that it doesn't completely cover
everything you asked for
in your budget request.
You call that
solving the budget?
But you'll be happy to know
that it's completely fair
and equitable.
H-how could it be fair
if it doesn't cover
everything I need this month?
Elizabeth, there was no way,
I tried my plan
and if all four of us were
to get everything we asked for
we need six times
the available money.
You're beginning
to sound like dad.
Wrong. My system's completely
different from dad's.
There's no emotional bias,
no favoritism.
It's % fair and democratic.
As a matter of fact,
it's so simple and obvious
I can't figure out
why dad didn't think of it
himself years ago.
Think of what?
Well, what I did was take the
total amount of money available
and split it
four different ways.
Does that mean I still get
my $ weekly allowance?
- Oh, sure, and a lot more.
- But I don't want more.
I just got used to five
instead of two.
- Are you sure?
- Sure.
You saw my budget request,
$ even.
I'll have to recompute.
That means more
for the rest of us.
- Of course.
- Great, recompute.
- Thanks, Nicholas.
- Forget it.
With all the problems I got,
$ is enough responsibility.
- Did you tell Tom about this?
- No.
You know how dad feels
about the whole newsroom.
He'll probably run down there
challenge Mr. Hayes to a duel
to protect my honor.
It'll make a great segment
on the o'clock news.
Yeah, unforgettable.
[chuckles]
Well, there are other jobs.
I mean, Mike Hayes behaves that
way, he doesn't deserve you.
- But I want this job, Abby.
- Are you sure?
No, I'm sure.
I'm more sure every day.
I'm learning so much
at Channel .
It's an incredible opportunity.
It is perfect for me right now.
In every way but this.
Well, you just have to make
the situation work for you
'under the right conditions.'
[sighs]
How?
You make Mikes Hayes
play the game your way.
I've seen it
work at school before.
Look, his job is important
to him too.
He knows he can't afford
to risk it with fun and games.
So you just be..
You be professional
and efficient.
You treat him
like a business person.
What if it doesn't stop him?
Then you know you're not
supposed to be there.
Oh.
Then goes another
Joannie Bradford dream.
It doesn't have to be that way.
Joannie, you do your job,
your dream will still be there.
Yeah.
Tommy, just what
are you trying to pull?
What do you mean?
Well, I just counted my new
share of the expense money.
Oh! Ain't it great?
With Nicholas
taking his allowances
the three of us get $ each.
But my dance seminar
is bucks.
- So?
- Tommy.
Dad already committed it to me!
Oh, I'm sorry, Elizabeth
but that wouldn't be fair
to Mary and me.
Uh, Tommy, is it fair for me
to lose the advance deposit?
Is it fair to back out
on a previous obligation
made by our mutual father?
Is it fair to disgrace me
in front
of the whole dance club?
Now, Elizabeth,
let's not get emotional.
Emotional? Tommy,
I'm about to get physical.
Because I just remembered,
little brother
that one of those boys I used
to b*at up in the fourth grade
was you!
Whoa. Okay, okay.
We'll recompute.
Okay. You better.
- Morning.
- Good morning.
- Well?
- Well, what?
Are you still
on the Judge Evans story?
Can I talk to you
about it later, Jeffrey?
- Why?
- Well..
Um, I was just gonna go
talk to Mr. Hayes about it.
I see.
No, I don't think you do.
You saw some of it,
but you don't see all of it.
Joannie, what is that
supposed to mean?
Well, when I find out,
I'll let you know, okay?
'Hey.'
- Can I do anything?
- No.
Thanks.
Could we do this
some other time?
I would really like to do it
right now, Mr. Hayes.
It's taken me minutes
to get up the courage.
Sounds ominous.
I was hoping you'd suggest
we could meet for lunch.
Please.
Just my talent for fantasy.
'I was pleasantly imagining
you would've'
'changed your mind
since last night.'
- No.
- I was afraid you'd say that.
Well, what would you like?
An apology.
I just wanted us to have
an understanding, alright?
I wanna be your best reporter
and I want you as my boss.
- Sounds very boring.
- No, not to me.
Mr. Hayes, I,
I respect your work
and I would like you
to respect mine.
That's a very unique brush-off.
'And at the circumstances,
very gutsy.'
- I'm sorry, it sounds that way.
- No, don't be.
On the other hand,
I need gutsy reporters.
Does that mean that I'm still
on the Evans story?
That means I would be
very self-defeating
if I allow
the personal disappointment
to interfere with
a professional relationship.
[chuckles]
Thank you, Mr. Hayes.
Thank you,
you are very understanding.
I really appreciate it.
Don't appreciate it too much.
- I'm also human.
- I beg your pardon.
You want
a professional relationship
- 'You've got one.'
- Thanks.
Just don't disappoint me twice.
(David)
'Well, let me
get this straight.'
Does Joey b*at you up
at both recesses?
Yeah, kinda takes
the fun out of it.
Well, did you tell the teacher?
Are you kidding?
I'm no fink.
Yeah, of course not.
But Marvin told
the vice principal.
Well, what happened?
Well, she didn't believe it
and she made me stay after
school for picking on Joey.
- Figures.
- Oh. It does, does it?
Well, what do you think, David?
Should I forget what everybody
says and hit Joey back?
Wait a minute,
before you answer that
I think you ought to
know something.
What?
Well, when people hit Joey back
she gets really mean
and bites fingers.
[laughs]
(David)
'I-I think I see your problem.'
'I think you ought to do
what I did.'
What do you mean?
You see I had the same problem.
There was this girl
named Carol Bardolino
and she used to hit me in
the stomach till I couldn't eat
and then she'd steal my lunch.
- What did you do?
- Yes, David, what did you do?
Uh, sorry, counselor,
this is top secret
between Nicholas and me.
[whispers]
Why not? I'll try anything.
[laughs]
Tommy!
- This is ridiculous.
- Mary, get off my case.
You took back some of my money.
I had to. Elizabeth
needed more than her share.
What does Elizabeth
have to do with my money?
Lookit, Tommy,
I took the $ figure
that you gave me this morning
and I committed it.
I am now $ short
and I want my money back.
Then talk to Elizabeth.
You're the treasurer.
Why should I talk to Elizabeth?
Because the only money
I have left is mine.
Fine, I'll take it.
- My money?
- Yes!
Tommy, I gotta talk to you fast.
- I need another extra $.
- 'Eight dollars?'
Yeah, it's a matter
of life and death. Mine.
Hi.
Oh.
Ooh.
Joannie, where have you
been all afternoon?
Oh, at the bar association
ploughing through bios
of Emilia Evans.
You better forget that
and get in there fast.
- Hayes wants to see you.
- Alright.
The investigation
will reportedly
substantiate allegations
that Judge Emilia Evans
rumored appointee
to the appellate court
spend time in a sanatorium
for mental illness.
'According to Channel
source of the capital'
'admission documents
were found.'
(woman on TV)
'Aides close
to the minority leader'
'leak charges brought to them
by a former orderly'
'at the as yet
unnamed institution.'
Neither the governor
nor Judge Evans
could be reached for comment
this afternoon.
More developments as they happen
from the Channel
mobile news team.
Evans' appointment delayed
by startling revelation.
Film at : on .
Film on every station
but this one.
The biggest headline in weeks
and we have nothing.
Get a crew
over there fast, Jeff.
We'll have to pick up
the pieces with a live remote.
But, Jeff..
Mr. Hayes, that's my job.
Not anymore.
But I know I can do it.
Please let me try.
You did try
and you didn't make it.
That was a costly mistake,
Bradford.
Not keeping an eye
on the capital.
The station can't afford to have
that kind of mistake repeated.
'Give your notes to Jeff.
You're off the Evans story.'
I'm sure you can understand that
as a professional.
Joannie.
My notes are your notes
as ordered.
Forget the Evans story.
Are you okay?
- Jeffrey, I owe you an apology.
- What for?
This one I should have
given you this morning.
You were right about our boss.
He wasn't just
being my fatherly mentor.
That's great.
I think I'll have
a talk with Mr. Hayes
and the station manager.
No, Jeffrey,
you haven't heard it all.
I didn't tell you this before
because I was going into
straightening it out.
How?
Well, I put my relationship
with Mr. Hayes
on a strictly business basis
and he was big enough
to agree to it.
- Are you kidding me?
- No.
Well, than why did he just
take you off the story?
He took me off the story
because I'm not good enough
to handle it.
'Simple.'
[scoffs]
You were right about that too.
Eh, come on, Bradford,
check your facts.
What facts?
I mean, it's definitely strange
if I'm right twice in a row.
[chuckles]
- Well, you were.
- No, I wasn't.
I wasn't even that right
about Hayes.
'You say he promised
to give you a fair chance'
after you backed him down.
Look.
You can handle Michael Hayes.
You can handle the story.
Jeffrey, Mr. Hayes
took me off the story.
I'm putting you back on
as my partner, okay?
Okay.
(Nancy)
'No, Tommy. Absolutely not.'
You can't raise my rent.
I think it's a disgusting idea
and it's probably
unconstitutional.
Well, I'm willing
to put it to family vote.
Oh, that's really
generous of you.
You know, Joannie and I
are gonna lose out
'to the non-working majority.'
Look, Nancy,
there was no other way.
Do you realize that inflation
was and a half percent
last year?
Believe me, Tommy,
I realize it.
That's why I can't afford
to pay more for room and board.
Well, if Joannie agrees with it,
you'll have to go along too.
Well, what does
dad say about this?
I'm in charge
of discretionary finances.
You mean, you haven't
talked to dad about this?
What's the point? I mean,
after he sees the figures
he's just gonna realize
there's no other way to go.
Not after I talk to him.
Alright,
now let's get organized.
Did Emily Evans really have
the alleged nervous breakdown?
And if she did,
when did she have it?
Well, there's nothing about it
in her school records.
That, uh, means
she's clear up through?
when she graduated
from Bolton.
Alright, what about afterwards?
Oh, well, practically,
every weeks accounted for
since she started her law firm.
That leaves a gap there
of about eight months.
What do you mean,
a gap of about eight months?
- Where was she?
- I don't know.
- Come on, Bradford.
- 'No, no.'
That's the whole mystery.
See, nobody's talking about it.
And she won't get specific.
All I can find out
is that she was supposedly
unhappily married
during that time
and she doesn't
wanna talk about it.
Yeah, that could be a cover
story for a standard sanatorium.
- 'Yeah, that's the accepted--'
- Or..
- Maybe it's true.
- You think so?
'I think
it's the only lead we've got.'
Alright, now what do we know?
If Emily Evans was married
during those missing months,
what would she need?
[scoffs]
Number one, a husband.
Number two..
(both)
'A marriage license!'
- Right, I'll go right--
- Check it out.
Now if that-that
far back is probably--
- A microfilm.
- Microfilm?
I don't get to do
anything anymore.
- Jobs?
- 'Us?'
Dad never told us to get jobs.
Well, dad never faced
financial reality.
Here's reality, Tommy.
Medical school
is all I can handle.
Now every penny that dad gives
me, he knows he'll get back.
Well, what good
is that gonna do him
when we're in the poorhouse?
Now, Tommy,
you're just mad
because you can't get
your guitar this month.
No, Elizabeth,
this goes way beyond me
getting a new guitar.
This is family survival.
I've got to prove to dad
that I can handle this.
Okay, now, look,
I've worked it out.
Elizabeth, you need a job
that pays $ and cents
an hour for hours a week.
And, Mary, you need a job
that pays $ dollars an hour
hours a week.
You know what we need
is a new money manager.
Just forget it, scrooge.
I'm just trying to help.
Tom, wait, you don't
wanna go out there.
- I don't.
- No.
Because the girls are furious
about their finances.
Well, at least they're not
bothering me about it.
Well, they will
if you go out there.
No problem.
I'll refer them to Tommy.
No, they won't let you.
Don't you think it's time you
admitted this was a mistake?
- It wasn't.
- Tom.
The best money move
I ever made in my whole life
is when I let Tommy
talk me into this.
- Joey.
- Yeah?
- We gotta talk.
- About what?
- We gotta settle this.
- You think you're big enough?
No, but we still
got to settle this.
Wait right here.
- Here.
- What's this?
- It's a present.
- Why?
Well, because I think you're the
most interesting girl I know.
- Really?
- 'Really.'
I never had rosses before.
That's what David figured.
- What?
- Uh, um, never mind.
- Do you like 'em?
- Well..
I do like 'em.
Thanks, Nicholas.
You're welcome, Josephine.
You wanna walk
to school with me?
Sure.
Anyone you want me to punch out?
- Hm, not really.
- Okay, just let me know.
Now let's not be
that hasty, alright?
If you're not exactly
all that pleased with, uh
Tommy's financial policies,
may I make a suggestion?
Well, sure, as long as
it's getting rid of Tommy now.
No, but actually
what I had, uh
in mind was to have
a revolving treasureship.
I thought that each of you could
take the job for one month.
No way.
Yeah, who needs all the hassles?
Well, how can you be so quick
to criticize Tommy?
Well, at least
he's trying to do the job.
Very easily.
Dad, compared to you,
he is a disaster.
Dad, please take back
the purse strings.
Now wait a minute,
I think we should give him
at least another chance,
after all, he's got
a lot of enthusiasm,
a lot of good ideas.
Can we give him one more chance?
Dad, please.
Listen to them.
I blew my chance, I surrender.
- Here.
- Good for you.
- Thanks, little brother.
- Thanks, dad.
Good, better.
Now we need to film.
Find it, anything, alright?
That's your pencil.
- Decker, Robert P.
- What about it?
He and Emilia Evans were
married June th, .
And?
And I'm waiting
for the standing ovation.
Not yet.
Oh, you need, uh,
Decker's current address--
If we're gonna lick
this story, yeah, I do.
You got it.
- You got it.
- Ah.
First of all,
fellow stockholders
I wanna thank
our immediate past treasurer
Tommy Bradford
for all he has done.
- Yeah, goof everything up.
- Hey, exactly.
No, no, no, I wouldn't say that.
I mean,
Tommy's financial challenge
has been very educational
to all of us.
- Especially to me.
- You?
Yes, it made me realize
that there's a lot more
going on around here
besides inflation.
In the past year,
each and everyone of you
has grown at least
and a half percent.
'What I'm trying to say
is that all of your brothers'
'and sisters
are now responsible adults.'
I can't keep doling at the
pennies and hiding the problems.
The time has come for me
to let you know exactly
where each one of you stands.
Then your plans and expectations
can be reasonably arrived at.
You mean we get to see exactly
what comes in and
out of the house.
I'll give you a list
of the fixed expenses
and all the available cash
for each month.
That would be great.
I'd like to learn your secrets.
Beats me how you kept
this family going.
Tommy, sometimes it beats me.
That's why I'm glad that you're
around here to make me realize
that I don't have to do
it all by myself.
Oh, I guess we have been pretty
selfish for a lot of years.
Yeah, maybe Joannie and I
can take another look
at what we pay for rent.
Dad, can we really
afford my seminar?
(Tommy)
'Dad.'
I guess with a lot of practice
I can make that old guitar
sound good.
Thanks.
I think this is delicious.
Do you think this is delicious?
Yeah, I agree, Joey.
It's great.
- Can I buy you another one?
- Oh, no, thanks.
Can I buy you some French fries?
Or chili dog?
No, that's okay,
I'm kind of full.
Okay, I'll buy you French fries
and chili dogs tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
Yeah, after we play
some pinball.
You mean,
we're gonna play pinball?
Then you can help me
with my homework at my house.
Uh, Joey, I don't think
I'll be able to go
to your house tomorrow.
Then we'll do it at your house.
My house?
I'll walk you there
after school.
Well, maybe we can
just meet there.
You mean,
you won't walk with me?
It's not that, it's just
that I gotta stop at David's.
Who's David?
A guy who owes me $
and some better advice.
Mr. Decker, to your knowledge
has Emilia Evans ever undergone
psychiatric treatment?
(Decker on TV)
'Emilia? Never.'
'She's the sanest person
I know.'
Well, then why is she being
accused to spending time
at Lake Vale Sanitarium
during the time
you were married to her?
Because I was a patient there
and as part of my treatment,
she lived there with me.
(Joannie on TV)
'And is that why she refuses
to discuss the allegation'
'to protect your career?'
(Decker on TV)
'Exactly.'
'But she stood by me
when I needed her'
and I'll stand by her.
Our governor's getting himself
one fine judge.
Thank you, Mr. Decker.
Mr. Decker's statements
have been verified
by the officials
at Lake Vale Sanitarium.
This is Joannie Bradford,
Channel News.
Alright, alright,
now before you chew us out
I want you to know that
I put Bradford on camera
because it was her scoop
and she deserved it--
Sharon, tell Sullivan
I want this tape
on the air as soon as possible.
Tell him to interrupt
regular programming
and run it
as a special news bulletin
before we lose our exclusive.
- Yes, sir.
- Alright, now look.
I know I went
against your orders
but I kept Bradford on this
story because I need her.
- She's a good reporter.
- You're rubbing it in?
Just clearing the air.
Okay, consider it cleared.
Bradford, the interview
was very professional.
Sorry, I don't have time
to buy you a drink.
[laughs]
Alright, we did it.
- Oh, Jeffrey, thanks.
- Forget it.
Forget it?
You saved my job.
I'm just being selfish.
It'd take me months
to train somebody new.
And you warned me about Hayes.
Now don't you brush that off.
You were really
looking out for me.
Yeah, well, don't make me
sound too noble.
My motive was pure jealousy.
Well, you wanted that story,
I can understand that.
- Not the story.
- Well, then what?
- You don't know. Forget it.
- Jeffrey?
Oh, wait a minute.
Oh, Jeffrey,
you didn't mean that.
- I mean, you..
- Hold it, Bradford.
We work together.
Any personal thing
could be very risky.
Since when did that worry you?
You missed your job for me.
It's alright with me.
I don't wanna be
another Michael Hayes.
Oh, you're not.
You're not.
You're, uh..
- I'm what?
- I'm not sure.
I have to look at you
in a whole different way now.
- Well..
- I'm looking.
Watch it, Bradford.
Yes, Mr. Trout.
Oh, I think
we got a big problem.
[laughs]
I think I don't mind.
You wanna talk about it?
I'll buy you dinner.
Business expense?
Strictly personal.
[device beeping]
I did it, I did it.
- Nancy?
- Did what, dad, did what?
I b*at this noisy,
little computer.
Come on, the two of us
will take it on.
Oh, I'm sorry, dad,
but I promised the office
I'd work overtime.
I need the extra rent money.
- Sorry.
- Oh, yeah, right.
Oh, Elizabeth, ha-have you seen
this little computer game?
It is the most
challenging thing.
Uh, well, listen, dad,
can it wait?
I've got to babysit at
the Carlsons in three minutes.
- Bye-bye.
- Oh, yeah, goodbye, Elizabeth.
Tommy, ah-ha, just the man
I'm looking for.
Would you care to match wits
against Baron von Brain?
I'd like to, dad, but the band's
got an audition right now.
Gotta keep the bucks
rolling in, you know.
Oh, I know, I know.
- Is something wrong?
- Oh, no, it's just that..
The kids are sure anxious
to balance the budget.
That should make you happy,
You taught them
to be very responsible.
Yeah, but they aren't
any fun anymore.
- That's what you have me for.
- Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
[theme music]