01x27 - Independence — Gidget Style

[bunniefuu]

Hi. What are you doing?

Nothing. I... I was just
looking for something to read.

I happened to come across this
discount catalog. Very interesting.

It's not exactly w*r and
Peace, but it has its points.

I see you underlined this... this
"triple-photogenic, self-loading camera."

. .

Are you getting it?
Oh, absolutely.

Of course, it'll have
to wait in line...

behind the three new tires
and the new upstairs sink...

and the final payment on
the carpeting in your room.

But I'll get it...
someday.

Right.

Someday.

"Someday" is gonna be
sooner than he thinks.

The fact that I only have $ .
to my name doesn't bug me a bit.

After all, I only need more to
buy him that camera for his birthday,

and I have a whole week
to get it in.

♪ If you're in doubt
about angels ♪

♪ Being real

♪ I can arrange to change

♪ Any doubts you feel

♪ Wait till you see my Gidget ♪

♪ You'll want her
for your valentine ♪

♪ You're gonna say
she's all that you adore ♪

♪ But stay away
Gidget is spoken for ♪

♪ You're gonna find
that Gidget is ♪

♪ Mine ♪

Zap-o! Here it is.

Glenning's department store has
a great big "Help Wanted" ad.

Yeah, but you're not
an experienced saleslady.

Oh, I see
what you're looking at.

They also need billing
and coding machine operators.

That's your field. Right?

Wrong.

There's always your fantastic
knowledge of electric comptometers...

with auxiliary
multiplication attachment.

As your best friend, Larue,
I feel I ought to tell you...

No one likes a smart mouth.

However, all is not lost.

You can finally utilize your
training as a repro-varitypist,

providing, of course, you remember
how to work with Multilith masters...

and photoreroducible copy.

Larue! Not there.
Over here.

"Demonstrator trainees needed.

Various departments.
Part-time work."

No experience needed.
So that means they're hiring kids.

But are they paying
in American dollars?

Well, it must pay more
than babysitting.

Hey. I can start work
day after tomorrow.

'Cause that's Saturday,
and Daddy'll think I'm going to the beach.

Wouldn't it be easier
if you just told him?

Of course not.
The surprise part of the present...

is that his little girl paid for it by
going out and earning it on her own.

This may come as a surprise,

but Glenning's department
store did not look upon me...

as the bright new hope
of retail merchandising.

And a few more fast days on the
job-hunt trail proved one thing sure...

It's a long, rocky road.

Face it, Gidge. The world doesn't
want a kid to make a buck.

I went through the whole
Sunday paper this morning.

"Experienced."
"Experienced." "Experienced."

How am I supposed to get
experience if no one will hire me?

- Hey, you're really steamed.
- You bet I am.

Okay. Nobody'll give me a job?
I'll make my own job.

Our country was built
on free enterprise, right?

The history books are filled
with people who went out...

and found a way to build a better
mousetrap... and made their fortunes.

Well, move over, world.
Gidget is in business.

Step right up!
Get your board cleaned and rewaxed.

Hello, young lady.
Clean your board?

No. Okay. Here comes
two handsome young gents...

who desperately look like they
need their boards cleaned.

Same to you, fella.

Don't look now, Gidge,
but your mousetrap isn't working.

Maybe I'm not using
the right bait.

Hi there.
Hi.

Has anyone ever told you you have
something absolutely unforgettable?

No. What?
The cruddiest board on the beach.

Now, for a small cents, I can strip
it, rewax it... No, thanks, sweetie.

My kid brother does it
for a quarter.

Man, what a burn.

You wanna shine this up for me, honey?
Sure. You bet.

So you really think you're
gonna order it? I sure am.

I'm gonna order it in bright red
with... with wire chrome wheels...

and a*t*matic windows...
The whole scene.

Wow. And all this
from a part-time job?

It is so out of sight, honey,
I can't believe it myself.

Last night, I made $ in tips.

And all you have to do is be
young and have a good figure?

- That's where it's at.
- Where? Where?

I want in.
Do they need any more girls?

Oh, sure. They're
interviewing tomorrow.

The address is ,
Sunset Boulevard.

Just ask for Miss Conway.
And bring a bathing suit or a leotard.

Check. Uh...
Uh, check. Check.

Board's all checked out.
We're done. Here it is.

Ah! Here you go.

There you go, honey.
Keep the change.

There you go, honey.

Keep the change.

Larue, does she have
anything that I haven't got?

Or won't have pretty soon...
or something?

Well, that sounds fine.
I'm sure you'll make an excellent kitty.

Now, will you fill out
the application, please?

Read the rules and
regulations for a kitty.

Then change into your bating
suit and come back here.

- Next.
- Did you ever have the feeling...

that you were a scroungy little anchovy
in a can of great big, beautiful sardines?

How do I get out of here
without looking conspicuous?

- Next.
- Well, fake it, Gidget.

Fill out the application, please.
Read the rules and regulations for a kitty.

Change into your
bathing suit and then...

How old are you, dear?

- Twenty-one.
- I beg your pardon?

Almost .

Would you go for ?

Birth date.

- May , ...
- ?

We'll leave that for a while.

Now, uh, what about
your experience?

Oh, I've had plenty of that.

But I try not to let it show.

Okay, so I'm in the wrong place.

I'm sorry to take up your time.
Listen, dear.

Try It's Kicks.
Three doors down the street.

It's brand new,
and they're hiring now.

Teenagers only.

Oh, thanks.
Thanks a lot.

Now, why do I feel so relieved?

I've just been put down.

Come to think of it, they never even
asked me to put on my bathing suit.

What a break.

Delicious pie, Anne.
Thanks, Dad. More coffee?

Yeah, a spot.
Thank you.

Say, where's Gidget?
Upstairs getting ready to go out.

Again? She has a big
babysitting clientele.

Hi, family.
Bye, family.

Hey. You're going
babysitting?

- Yeah. At the Wallaces.
- All gussied up like that?

Well, uh, they're
a very formal family. Bye.

Uh-uh.
I smell a rat.

I smell a boy.
Babysitting without a baby.

The oldest excuse in
"teendom." Hold it, you two.

If she says she's going
babysitting at the Wallaces,

she's going babysitting
at the Wallaces.

It's a gas. All I have to do is wear
this absolutely switched-on costume...

and serve soft drinks
to the kids and stuff.

It's a gas.
Then how come you're so miserable?

"Guilty" is the word. It's very weird
to look in your dad's honest old eyes...

and tell him you're going babysitting
at the Wallaces when you're not.

Oh, what a tangled web
we weave...

when first we practice
to deceive.

Very good. You oughta write that
down, keep it in your wallet.

Anyway, what about the camera?
You still won't have enough money in time.

Yeah, but with the job
as a reference,

I can make a down payment
and then pay the rest later.

Oh, don't worry about it.
I've got the details all squared away.

Take my word for it. Dad's gonna be very
proud of me when he finds out the truth.

Yeah, if anyone remembers
what it is by that time.

- Here's your order, kid.
- Oh. Thanks.

Let's see.
Uh, two lemonades. Right.

Three double-scoop sundaes... peach,
vanilla and tutti-frutti. Right.

Uh, orange, coconut
and chocolate almond. Right.

Uh, raspberry sherbet
and pineapple pecan. Right.

Or, wait, is that tutti-frutti
and chocolate almond...

with peach, vanilla
and orange coconut?

It's hard to make out.
Again, kid?

I thought I got it
straight this time.

I told 'em not to have so many flavors.
Gets you in trouble every time.

Yeah, well, I'll go back and check on it.
Do that, kid.

Dad, I do wish
you'd listen to us.

There is definitely something
funny going on around here.

You could've fooled me.
I haven't had a laugh all evening.

Hello.
Oh, hi, Miss Wallace.

Gidget?
Well, isn't she...

Uh-huh.

No, well, uh... No,
she won't be able to sit for you tonight.

She's out for the evening...
somewhere.

Yes, I'll tell her
you called. Thank you.

All right. All right,
so she's not where she said she'd be.

I suppose there's a
reasonable explanation.

Look, don't you two have some
sleeping to do or something?

Okay. We're going home.

I mean, after all,
this is your department.

I'm glad you finally
realized that.

Don't let your feelings
get out of hand, Dad.

And try not to be
too upset about it.

My feelings are well in
hand, and I am not upset.

There's nothing to look
so tragic about.

Something has happened that I suppose
happens sooner or later in any family.

My daughter has...

lied to me.

Thank you.

- What's the matter?
- I beg your pardon?

- You're staring at me.
- Was I? I wasn't aware of it.

- Is something wrong, Dad?
- I don't know. Is there?

Not as far as I'm concerned.

Everything's cool.
Good. Good.

- How's the babysitting coming along?
- Oh, I...

I won't be able to do
much of that anymore.

Too much homework.
I see.

I'll have to be going
to the library a lot at night.

Gidget, you and I have always been pretty
honest with each other, haven't we?

Uh-huh.

Whenever we had anything to
say, we said it, right?

Right. Okay, Dad,
say what you wanna say.

I don't want to say anything.
I was hoping perhaps you might.

Oops. There's my ride.

Gidget. Isn't there anything
you want to tell me?

Gotta run, Dad. Bye.

Check.
Hmm?

I just took your queen.

Oh. That's the way it goes. You're not
paying attention to the game, Russ.

Something bothering you?
No, no. Not at all.

Well, something's bothering me.

Wait until you see what I found.
Found where?

Isn't that Gidget's carryall?
It certainly is.

Does that poor child have
to put a lock on her door...

to get some privacy around here?

Dad, this is the third
night in a row...

that Gidget has waltzed
out of here all gussied up.

It wasn't very long ago that
you snooped in her diary...

and wound up with a very
red face, remember?

Well, if my face
turns red this time,

just chalk it up
to family humiliation.

My little sister
has herself a job.

That's what I've been thinking.

So, what's the big disaster?
Well, she had to wear this to get it.

She's a lifeguard at night?

Work application and rules
and regulations for a kitty.

What's a kitty? Oh, come on, Dad.
You're putting me on.

Gidget is working
at the Tomcat Club.

That's ridiculous.
Couldn't possibly be.

- She's only and a half years old.
- Lolita was only .

So that's what you've been slipping
inside those big textbooks of yours.

Daddy, this is no time
for small talk.

Gidget is being exposed to heaven
knows what at a wild key club.

Come on now, Anne.
We don't know she's really there.

The evidence is purely
circumstantial.

Anyway, what's so wild about it?

The girls, man.
They're gorgeous.

They wear these costumes that
are cut down to about here.

How do you know?

Well, Anne, before
we were married, I...

We've been married three years,

and the place has only
been open two, John.

I was only kidding. I've
never been near the place.

Then how come you're such an
expert on the girls, darling?

Well, they're
in magazines, dear.

You read those magazines?

You're sitting in a barber
shop, and they're right there.

What are you gonna do?
The center... Russ, where you goin'?

I am going to the Tomcat Club...

to take a look and make sure
she's not there.

Smart move.
What are you gonna do if she is?

I'll calmly bring her home,
and I will calmly spank her.

Then I'll calmly phone
the police department...

and have that joint
that hires minors closed down.

I'll go with you.
Not without me you won't.

Wait here.
This shouldn't take long.

Anne, why can't I
go in with him?

He said to wait here, dear.

Thank you.

Oh, thank you very much.

Oh.

Thank you.

Do you have anything
you'd like to check, sir?

No. Uh...
Hey, maybe you can help me.

Is there a new girl
working here...

About so tall, very young,
brown hair... name of Lawrence?

You got me.
Oh.

Thanks anyway.

Thank you. Oh.

Thank you.
Thank you.

Gidget. Okay, honey.
Let's go home.

I'm sorry, sir, but it's against
kitty rules and regulations...

for us to date
the customers, ever.

No. I... I'm sorry.
You see, I thought you were my daughter.

From the back.
Sure.

Do you have change for a five?

Certainly, sir.

One, two, three, four, five.

Thank you, sir.

Your key, sir.
My key?

Oh.

I... I don't suppose
you'd accept this?

No. We don't accept
Phi Beta Kappa.

Just Tomcat.

Oh.

No!

I beg your pardon?

Oh. Here we go.

Uh... Uh...

Uh, an orange fizz
for you. Here.

And a sundae for you.

Hey, this is goofed up. I asked for
a peach-vanilla and a tutti-frutti.

You gave me chocolate sundae
and an orange something.

No wonder.
Same chick as last night.

Well... Hang in there, kids.
I'll give it another try.

Hi, Gidge.
Oh, hi.

Hey, Gidge,
what the heck are you doin'?

I've asked myself
the same question.

Answer is I'm working here.
Working.

Answer is I was working here.

Uh, bye, g*ng.

All right, John. Let's go.
Gidget's not in there.

Did you get inside?
Not exactly.

But somehow I managed to spend a small
fortune anyway... getting my pipe lit.

But did you find out anything?
I talked to everyone...

From the hatcheck girl
to the maître d'...

And they all assure me that there
are no underage girls working there.

Daddy, what did you expect
the maître d' to say?

For all he knows, you could be
from the vice squad or something.

I happen to believe the man, okay?
Now let's go home.

I certainly admire your attitude,
Russ... cool and objective.

How else should
a reasonable man behave?

If my daughter was working in that
place, I'd go in and tear it apart.

Your daughter is not working in that
place, and neither is mine.

You don't know that.

I am not going to sit here
and stake out my daughter.

Now let's go.

- Okay, but don't say I didn't warn...
- I won't.

Oh.
What is it?

Oh.

Well, feel a little foolish?

I feel a little sick.
Come on, Daddy.

Let's pick her up before
somebody we know sees her.

Not on your life.
What are you talking about?

I'm talking about a relationship that's
built on mutual trust and respect.

I have violated both of them.

If you don't mind,
I'd rather she didn't know.

Come on. Let's go.

Dad, how can you not believe
what is in front of your nose?

Because she was outside the
club, not in it.

Relax, Russ. Projecting
your paternal anxieties...

will just trigger her defenses.

I wish you'd married a plumber.

Look, here's the point.
Gidget must be approached nondirectively,

which happens to be
my specialty.

Let me handle it. Okay?

Hi. What are you guys
doing up so late?

Oh, we just thought we'd
stick around and say hi.

What's happenin'?
Same old thing.

How's school?
Still there.

Do much surfin' lately?

You guys waited up
till : ...

to ask me if I've done
much surfing lately.

No. We were just wondering
where you've been...

from : until midnight
this evening.

Oh, great. That's some
nondirective approach.

Okay, g*ng.
What's going on?

Are you familiar with the block of
Sunset Boulevard? Yes. How did you know?

Have you ever sought
employment in that area?

I guess you know I did.

What'd you do, follow me?

Is it not true that you told your
father you were going to the library,

when, in fact, you were actually going
to work at a club at that address?

Oh! From Sigmund Freud to Clarence
Darrow in one easy lesson.

Dad, you didn't have
to follow me.

I was gonna tell you
all about it in the morning.

I don't keep secrets from you.
You've been doing a pretty good job.

- But it was a surprise.
- I'll say.

Gidget. How could you?

I needed the money.

Gidget, we are going
to discuss this,

but, first, I want you
to go upstairs,

take off that disgraceful
outfit and burn it,

return it or bury it.

Has everybody flipped out?
What disgraceful outfit?

This is what all the girls
at the club wear.

- What club, Gidget?
- It's Kicks.

The new teenage nightclub.
I thought you knew.

You've been working
at a teenage club?

Well, we thought...

But you had the application
from the Tomcat Club.

Oh, that place. I just walked in and
dug I was years away from that action.

They thought so too.

How did you know
about the application?

Oh. Well, that's
beside the point.

Anyway, why is money
suddenly so important...

that you'd lie
and sneak around to get it?

Ha! Miss Anteater Nose of the Year
is talking to me about sneaky.

Touché.

Nevertheless, we'd still like
to know what it's all about.

Well, I... I wanted
to wait till tomorrow, but...

I guess it's tomorrow now.

It's about the greatest dad
any girl ever had.

Happy birthday.

- My birthday. I'd completely forgotten.
- Me too.

I wanted to earn enough money to
buy you that camera, but I blew it.

This is the best I could do.

It's the most expensive
pipe lighter they had.

- I hope it's okay.
- Oh, pumpkin.

You'll never know how okay.

You still awake?
Mm-hmm.

I was just
sitting here thinking.

I really don't blame you
for following me.

Considering how it looked,
I guess I would have done the same.

You know something though?
Down deep in my heart,

I never really believed you
were working in that place.

That's because we know
each other so well.

Uh. Forgot
to put fluid in it.

Those matches...
They're from the Tomcat Club.

Well, I...

You actually went into
that place looking for me.

- Well, yes, I...
- Never believed I was there, huh?

Well, I had to be...
I had to be sure.

Suppose someone had seen you.
Do you really think the Tomcat Club...

is an appropriate place for a distinguished
English professor to be found?

You are beginning
to talk like your sister.

We'll discuss this
in the morning.

The truth is, I'm really surprised at you.
At breakfast.

You're supposed to be the one
to set an example.

I'll set one right now by going to bed.
Good night, dear.

That should keep him in line
for a while.

You have to know
how to handle parents.

It's a real art. Yeah.

Good night.