04x20 - Morning Becomes Electric

[bunniefuu]

♪ Hello, world, hear
the song that we're singin'

♪ Come on, get happy

♪ A whole lot of lovin'
is what we'll be bringin'

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We had a dream
we'd go travelin' together

♪ And spread a little lovin'
then we'd keep movin' on

♪ Somethin' always happens
whenever we're together

♪ We get a happy feelin'
when we're singin' a song

♪ Travelin' along there's
a song that we're singin'

♪ Come on, get happy

♪ A whole lot of lovin'
is what we'll be bringin'

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We'll make you happy

♪ We'll make you happy ♪

I'm sorry about the
delay, Mayor Towbin.

Oh, that's all right,
Mrs. Partridge.

I appreciate you and
your family helping out.

We'll wait a few minutes more.

Thanks. I'll try and hurry them.

All right.

Where's Danny? The rally should
have started minutes ago.

Punky Lazar's mother
is dropping him off,

and she's never
been on time in her life.

Except when she had Punky.

For that she should
have been late.

Sorry, Mom. Punky
was rewiring my amp.

I'd like to rewire your brain.

Hurry up, Danny.

I'm going as fast as I can.

Let me know when you're ready.

Come on, step on it.

Don't yell at me.

You know I don't work
well under pressure.

It should only be a
few minutes more.

I can't tell you how
embarrassed I am.

Relax, Mrs. Partridge,

we can stall a bit longer.

We politicians are good at that.

Thank you for being
so understanding.

Besides it gives us a chance
to get better acquainted.

I think by the time we're ready,

we're going to be old friends.

Mom. Mom.

Okay, ready.

Finally! I'll introduce you now.

Thank you.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

I'd like to start this
energy-conservation rally

by introducing a gentleman
whose fine work has helped

all the residents of San Pueblo.

Ladies and gentlemen,

His Honor, Mayor Robert Towbin.

Thank you, Mrs. Partridge.

And thank you,
ladies and gentlemen.

My, isn't this a
wonderful turnout?

Now, the purpose of this
rally is to conserve energy.

So I shall do my part by
making my speech very short.

And then we'll hear
from the Partridge Family.

Hey, what's the
matter with this thing?

Psst.

It might work a little better
if you plug it into your amp.

Now, as to the energy crisis,

I have one thing to say,

and it's a very important thing.

And that is...

Hello? Hello?

One, two. One, two.

What happened?

I guess the energy crisis
is worse than we thought.

Well, that certainly
was an evening

impressed in my album of
show-business memories.

I told you it wasn't my fault.

Punky rewired my amp.

Remind me to send
him a thank-you note.

He said it would
give us a big sound.

It gave us a big
sound, all right.

Only, it came from the audience.

Boo!

Well, I'm glad
the lights went out.

Maybe nobody saw me.

Boy, we had a chance to help
a good cause, and we blew it.

Not we. He.

I said I was sorry.

Look, it wasn't your fault.

It's just that...

Well, when you're well known, it's
an opportunity to set a good example.

In fact, an obligation.

You know something?
That might not be a bad idea.

What?

Why don't we volunteer
to be a model family?

I don't get it.

Well, that makes two of us.

Well, everyone has to
try and save percent

on their electricity.
Right? Mmm-hmm.

Some families are
finding it hard to do.

So?

Why don't we show
them how easy it is?

I get it. The model family!

Didn't I hear that
somewhere before?

You know, the more I think
about it, the more I like it.

We'll make the Partridge
family the ideal family

who can cut down percent.

Yeah. A big house
with a lot of kids...

If we can cut down, anybody can.

Yeah, that's a
great idea, Shirley.

I'll talk to the mayor
first thing in the morning.

This will be a chance
to really help the crisis.

Energy-wise.

I have a sneaking
suspicion it wouldn't hurt us...

Publicity-wise.

Well, the thought
did cross my mind.

It didn't cross mine.

Hey, I know a sure way
we can save percent.

How?

Fire our manager.

I think it's a
marvelous suggestion.

Marvelous.

Then you approve.

Oh, wholeheartedly.

And I'm sure I can get
the city council behind me.

Oh, that's great. It'll
be a terrific campaign.

And you can depend
on the Partridge family.

Well, most of the time.

Oh, I want to apologize for my
little goof last night, Mr. Mayor.

Think nothing of it.

We politicians believe that if
anything can possibly go wrong,

it will.

Now, I'll set up a meeting
with the publicity people,

and they'll see that you
get complete coverage.

Radio, television,
newspapers. Everything.

I've got another idea that'll really
put some teeth into this campaign.

At school, if you're late, they
put your name on the blackboard

for everyone to see.

Well, we can do the same
thing with energy hogs.

People that don't
cut down percent.

Put their names
on the blackboard?

No, in the newspaper.

An energy hog list.

I think that's
going a little far.

No, I like it.

Good thinking, Danny.

Well, thank you, sir.

Yes, I like it a lot.

I think the good
people of San Pueblo

have a right to know
who the energy hogs are.

All right now. Big smiles,
big smiles. sh**t it.

Now, let's take a picture with the
whole family watching one television set.

Good idea.

You mean we'll only be
able to turn on one TV set?

That's right. You'll each be
entitled to choose one program.

And if anybody else
wants to watch television,

they'll have to watch that show.

Unless Punky rewires the TV set.

Then we can all sit around
and watch the dishwasher.

sh**t it.

And a watt bulb,
burning for hours,

uses up one kilowatt-hour.

By replacing that
with a watt bulb,

it would take hours to use
the same amount of electricity.

That's enough
energy to... Danny.

This isn't a movie.
It's just a still.

That's great, Keith. Now,
for the movies, remember,

speak up and look right
into the camera. Okay?

Action.

And here's... I'll
do it one more time.

And here's a tip that's easy
for everyone to remember.

Always turn out the light
before you leave the room.

And don't forget the
garbage disposal too. Either.

Also.

Cut it.

I can't believe it.

You know, you can't buy
better publicity than this.

Not only local radio
and TV coverage,

but now the wire services
have picked up the story.

The thing that pleases me is that
our campaign has done some good.

It sure has.

And turning this freezer
off will help plenty too.

According to this article, San
Pueblo has cut down about percent.

Well, that's the end of it.
Let's get it into the refrigerator.

Right. My hands are freezing.

You know, this thing uses
up kilowatt-hours a month.

How do you know that?

Because I'm the only one who
bothered to read the pamphlet

from the power company.

Speaking of that, how you people
doing with your own energy cutback?

According to Danny,
we're doing great.

Yeah. We have
kilowatt-hours left in this month.

See, I learned to
read the electric meter.

They have those
four little clocks,

and you'll read the highest
number, and the arrow points down...

That's very interesting, Danny.

Well, we got everything
in except for two pizzas,

a submarine sandwich, and a
half a gallon of rocky road ice cream.

Guess what we're
having for dinner.

Don't worry, Mom. You
can count on me in this crisis.

When it comes to food, you
ought to cut back percent.

Well, if you'll excuse me, I
have to go read the meter again.

You know, that kid
plays his cards right,

he could become a meter maid.

What?

Four, nine, nine, .

We can go to , this month.

So, let me see... That's...

, minus , .

That equals .

Twenty-seven! Oh, no!

Can't be.

It's ,

minus , ... Please be .

Twenty-seven.

I misread it last time.

And you see, Your Honor,
I just got to thinking it over,

and I figured it
would be a little cruel

to print the names of
those poor energy hogs

in the newspaper.

Well, I realize that you
don't want to hurt anyone,

but I think your first
instincts were correct, Dennis.

Danny.

Right. We've got to make an
example of these energy hogs.

Yes, that will have
a tremendous effect.

You can say that again.

The town council and I are
really taken with your suggestion.

In fact, I think
we've improved on it.

Improved on it?

Uh-huh.

We've erected a giant billboard

right in the middle of the
town, where everyone can see it.

And you're gonna
put the names...

In big red letters.

Danny, would you like a waffle?

No thanks. This
cold cereal's fine.

That's weird. I thought I
heard Danny turn down a waffle.

I thought I heard
the same thing.

No waffle? That's five
below your average.

Aren't you hungry?

Well, a little bit.

But the less electricity
we use, the better.

I think I'll have a carrot.

Wouldn't want to
be an energy hog.

How come you're so
gung ho all of a sudden?

Yeah, we're doing okay with
our energy cutback, aren't we?

Sure.

You don't sound convinced.

You did read the
meter, didn't you?

Yeah, sure. I read it.

Laurie, don't forget to put that
laundry in the washing machine

before you leave for school.

Oh, that's right, Mom.

Relax. I'm not doing anything.

I'll put the laundry in for you.

Danny... What are you doing?

Would you believe I'm doing this

out of the goodness of my heart?

Would you believe the
washing machine's broken?

Would you believe I
misread the meter?

You did what?

You mean we don't have
kilowatt-hours left?

Not quite.

Not quite?

How many do we have left?

As of yesterday, .

Twenty-seven? For two days?

Danny, that means
we'll be energy hogs.

The model family.

Okay. From now on,
you read the meter.

There's nothing left to read.

Well, if you...

Okay, okay. We can't
settle this by arguing.

We can still make it if
no one uses electricity,

unless it's
absolutely necessary.

Right. We'll be on
the honor system.

Wrong. We'll be on
the vigilante system.

Come back here,
you little... Vigilante.

Keith?

Hi, there.

Hi, there.

Well?

Well, I just washed my hair,
and I can't do a thing with it.

Get a crew cut.

I guess the vigilante
system didn't work.

What's the latest meter reading?

We have three
kilowatt-hours left.

Three?

Oh, great.

Well, let's listen to
the radio for one minute

and then turn ourselves
in to the mayor.

We're sunk.

Not yet. We have
one last chance.

No electricity, period.

They just don't write
songs like that anymore.

I don't know why
they wrote it then.

Well, it isn't much, but at
least it doesn't use energy.

That's easy for you to say.

It's not only
scratching, it's knocking.

That's the door, dummy.

Hi, Reuben.

Hi, Shirley. I rang the
bell, but nobody answered.

Danny disconnected
it. It uses electricity.

Oh, that's ridicul...

What is going on around
here? It's as dark as a coal mine.

That's the way it's going
to stay until tomorrow.

Well, what's tomorrow?

The end of the billing period.

We've already used up
our electricity for the month.

But nobody can live
without electricity.

You can, if you're
a model family.

With a brother who's
a model meter reader.

A cup of coffee
would be perfect now.

You don't like coffee.

I know, but it would be hot.

Mom, it's freezing in here.

You're right. The
cold dinner didn't help.

Especially that soup.
I hate cold soup.

That was gazpacho, dummy.

It's supposed to be cold.

Well, it sure is dull eating
nothing but tuna fish,

sliced tomatoes, and cold peas.

Yeah. The only thing
warm is the dessert.

Be quiet and drink
your ice cream.

I sure am glad dinner's over.

Me too.

Now what do we do? Sit around
and watch each other get frostbite?

No. We go into the living room

and watch you build
a fire in the fireplace.

Me?

There. That didn't
take too long.

If you're planning on
being an arsonist for a living,

forget it.

Well, I guess that's why my
scouting career ended at Tenderfoot.

It ended when you found out
they didn't allow girls on the hikes.

Oh.

Keith, that fire
really looks good.

It makes me think of
toasting marshmallows.

Mmm.

I think we're out.

No, we're not.

How do you know?

Because I hid some
away for a rainy day.

Oh, well, believe me, it's
a rainy day. Go get them.

Danny, be careful.
It's dark in there.

Don't worry, Mom.
I've got eyes like a cat.

Danny!

I told you, I'm perfectly
at home in the dark.

Danny, are you all right?

Well, that depends

on how fond of this
cookie jar you were.

Thanks, Mom.

Well, it's almost over. Tomorrow
we can get back to normal.

Right. The first
thing I'm gonna do

is wash my hair and
use an electric dryer.

Yeah, me too.

Mom?

Uh-huh?

Can we do this
again tomorrow night?

Why?

'Cause it's fun.

Yeah, but get somebody
else to start the fire, okay?

She's right, though.

I can't remember the last time
the family got together like this

for a whole evening.

Yeah, and no fights.

Too bad it took an energy
crisis for us to realize

how much fun it is just
to sit around together.

Well, how about
a little sunshine?

Good idea.

Hey, that sounds great.

Let's do it!

♪ I've got the
sunshine in my hands

♪ You've got the
sunshine in your hands

♪ We've got the
sunshine in our hands

♪ Now let it shine
all over this land

♪ You've got to
love, love one another

♪ Whoa, shine,
shine on your brother

♪ And the whole
world will discover

♪ In the arms of
every woman and man

♪ We've got the
sunshine in our hands

♪ I've got the
sunshine in my hands

♪ You've got the
sunshine in your hands

♪ Now let it shine
all over this land

♪ Holy, holy, glory, glory

♪ Hallelujah, I believe it now

♪ Holy, holy, glory, glory

♪ You can give without receiving

♪ You've got the sunshine

♪ We've got the sunshine

♪ I've got the sunshine
so you've got the sunshine

♪ Holy, holy, glory, glory

♪ I've got the sunshine
so you've got the sunshine

♪ Sunshine in my hands

♪ You've got the
sunshine in your hands

♪ We've got the
sunshine in our hands

♪ Now let it shine
all over this land

♪ You've got to
love, love one another

♪ Whoa, shine,
shine on your brother

♪ And the whole
world will discover

♪ In the arms of
every woman and man

♪ You've got the sunshine

♪ We've got the sunshine

♪ I've got the
sunshine in my hands

♪ You've got the
sunshine in your hands

♪ We've got the
sunshine in our hands

♪ Now let it shine
♪ All over this land ♪

You know, I have to confess,
I didn't think we'd make it.

Me neither. We almost didn't.

If I'd opened that refrigerator
door one more time...

And if I hadn't
unplugged that night-light.

Anyhow, we made it.

That means we can
make it again this month.

Of course we can. It's easy if
we don't wait till the last minute.

Mom, can I have
another piece of toast?

No.

I forgot. The
toaster's electric.

That isn't it.
We're out of bread.

Good morning, everybody.

Good morning, Reuben.

What brings you here so early?

Actually, I came
over for two reasons.

One is to get a
real cup of coffee.

The other is to tell you that
I'm really very proud of all of you.

Well, we're very proud
of you, too, Reuben.

Oh? What for?

You made all the papers.

You're kidding?

Read it yourself. Page five.

I'll bet this is because the whole
campaign was my idea, right?

"Energy hog"?

Me?

They even spelled
your name right.

How could you let a thing
like that happen, Reuben?

Yeah. You're only one
person. We're a family of six.

And we made it easy.