02x18 - Dennis and the Saxophone

[bunniefuu]

-George.
George.

George.
-Huh?

-Do you realize how long
you've been sleeping?

-Oh.

Well, I just dropped
off a moment ago.

-You've been asleep since lunch.

It's almost : .

-Oh.

Really?

Well, I feel like
a million dollars.

Ha, with Dennis in
school this year,

I can at least get my
nap in the afternoon.

-I thought I better wake you or
you won't sleep tonight.

[horn sound]

-Oh, Great Scott.

It's : , all right.

And Tommy's home from school and
started his practicing.

-It's only for half an hour.

-Only?

Martha, a half hour of
Tommy's practicing on

that saxophone is
the equivalent of

hours of that Chinese
water t*rture.

-George, it is not.

-Well, Martha, you don't
realize how that

sounds bothers me.

-Oh, it could be worse.

-Yes, you're right.

Tommy could live next door.

-Boy, Tommy.

You're sure lucky to have
that swell saxophone.

-I'm sick of it.

Every day I have to practice
for half an hour.

-If I had it, I'd practice
on it for a whole hour.

I love saxophones.

How about letting me do
your practicing for you?

-Sure.

That'd be swell.

[SAXOPHONE SQUEAKING IN THE
DISTANCE]

-Oh, Great Scott.

-Tommy's playing
louder, isn't he?

-Louder and worse.

Oh, this is unendurable.

-Now, George.

You've had peace
and quiet all day.

-Then school lets out.

In five minutes, my
nerves are shattered.

-You'd better enjoy the school
term while it lasts.

In June, the boys will
be out for the summer.

-Then Dennis will be
hanging around all day.

Martha, we haven't picked out our
vacation spot yet.

Let's go in and look
at all those brochures.

-But summer's months off.

-With Dennis out of
school this summer,

I don't want to
be stuck here just

because we didn't
make a reservation.

Now, come on, dear.

-So I told him I'd do it
for him, Mrs. Anderson.

-Momma, I told you and told you.

I hate this saxophone.

-And two months
ago, you couldn't

wait until you got one.

-Sure.

But I didn't know I'd have to do
all this practicing.

-Well, what did you expect?

-I figured they'd
show me how to play it

and then I could go on TV.

-Boy, I'd practice.

I'd practice all the time.

I'd practice before breakfast.

I'd practice during recess.
I'd--

-And you'd get sick of it.

-No, I wouldn't.

Saxophones run in my family.

My dad played one in college.

-Well, I'm sick of it.

So can I please stop
taking lessons, Mom?

-Well, Tommy I have talk edit
over with your father.

And we've decided that if
you're sure you're

not interested,

there's no point in
wasting the money.

-Oh, boy.

Thanks, Mom.

Come on, Dennis.

Let's go play football.

DENNIS (OFFSCREEN):
Wait a minute, Tommy.

Mrs. Anderson?

-Mm-hm?

-What're you gonna do with
this swell saxophone?

-I don't know, Dennis.

I suppose we'll sell it.

-How much you gonna sell it for?

-We paid for it secondhand.

I'd like to get at least .

-You mean dollars or cents?

-Dollars.
-Jeepers.

If it's dollars I'll have to have
a talk with good old Dad.

-How about Mt.

Pinewood?

-Oh, Mt.

Pinewood's always
so crowded in July.

[horn]
Great Scott.

He's started again.

-That was an automobile horn.

Can't you forget about
Tommy's saxophone?

-No, I can't.

I hate saxophones.

You know that.

-George, you're being silly.

-I am not.

And I hate saxophone players.

-George.

That was years ago.

-Yes, but I haven't forgotten.

That smart aleck with
his saxophone, his raccoon coat,

and his Hupmobile.

-Well, he meant nothing to me.

-Well, you went out with him!

-I did not.

-Well, you did, too.

I followed you on my bicycle.

-He gave me a lift
to the drugstore.

-And bought you a soda.

-Well, that was
no excuse for you

to let the air out of his tires.

DENNIS (OFFSCREEN):(SHOUTING)
Hello, Mr.

Wilson!

-Oh, Great Scott.

I think I'd rather
hear the saxophone.

-I'm waiting for my dad,
but he isn't home yet.

Can I come in?

-You better wait
outside, Dennis.

You'll miss your father
when he drives up.

-No, I won't.

I'll hear his car.

So is it OK if I
come in for a minute?

-No, it isn't.

Dennis, what you want?

-George.

-Did you know Tommy was taking
saxophone lessons?

-Did we know Tommy was taking
saxophone lessons?

-Yes, Dennis.

We know.

-When is he going to
finish his practicing?

-Oh, he's all through.

He isn't gonna take
lessons anymore.

-Oh, well!

Come in, Dennis.

This is good news.

-And you know something else?

He's gonna sell his saxophone.

-Hallelujah!

This gets better and better.

-That's not all.

-Martha, can't we offer
this dear boy a cookie?

-The best part of all--
Guess who's gonna buy

his saxophone?

-Who?
-Me!

-Oh, no, no.

It can't happen.

It just can't happen.

-Sure it can!

Are you gonna get me
a cookie, Mr. Wilson?

-Of course, dear--

-You will not!

-But you just said--

-It'll spoil his supper.

Now, let me get this
straight, Dennis.

Have you asked your parents about
this saxophone yet?

-Not yet.

Tommy wanted me to stay at his
house and play football.

But I said, Nope.

I'm going home and ask
Dad about the saxophone

soon as he gets there.

That's why I'm waiting for him.

-Oh.

Well, Martha, bring
this dear boy a cookie.

-But George, you just said--

-Martha, the boy is starving.

Dennis, I'm going to
do you a great favor.

-Are you, Mr. Wilson?

What are you gonna do?

-I'm going to make it possible
for you to go back over

to Tommy's house
and play football.

-Jeepers, I can't.

I'm waiting for my
dad to come home.

-If I acted as your
lookout, you could.

And called you when I saw him.

-Would you do that, Mr. Wilson?

-Oh, believe me, Dennis.

I won't take my eyes
off your driveway.

-Boy, that's swell, Mr. Wilson.

-What's swell, Dennis?

Here's your cookie, dear.

-Thank you.

Mr. Wilson's gonna phoneme
when my dad gets home.

Now I can go back to Tommy's
and play football.

Bye.

-Bye, dear boy.

-Bye, Dennis.

That was nice of you, dear.

-Oh, I'll-- I'll watch for his
father, all right.

And I'll phone Dennis
when I see him.

But by the time
Dennis gets home,

I will have talked Mitchell out
of buying that saxophone.

-Well, if Henry decides to
buy it, there's

nothing you can do.

-Martha, you don't
give me enough credit.

I'll talk came out
of it, all right.

And never mention
the word saxophone.

-Hi, honey.

-Oh, hello, dear.

Hello, Mr. Wilson.

-Hello, Alice.

I happened to see
Mitchell drive up

and I thought I'd ask you
both for some advice.

-Some advice?

-Well, a friend of his is
having a problem with

his little boy.

-You two have done such a fine
job of raising Dennis

that I know your advice
would be most helpful.

-Just what seems to be
the problem, Mr. Wilson?

-Well, I guess it
all started when

the little boy wanted
a radio for his room.

-Well, that sounds
perfectly normal.

-Oh, of course.

So they gave him one
for his birthday.

-Well, I'll bet
that made him happy.

-No.

After that first day,
he never listened to it.

Said what he wanted was his own
private television set.

-That boy's asking for too much.

I don't blame his parents
for turning him down.

-Oh, they didn't turn him down.

-They didn't?

-Well, what could they do?

How could they?

They want the boy to love them.

-Oh, fine, so they
try to buy his love?

-Oh, now, Alice.
Wait a minute.

That isn't quite fair.

These are very nice people.

Just an average couple,
like you and Mitchell.

-Well, what's the matter now?

He has his own private TV.

Isn't he happy?

-He wants a color set.

-Oh, that's ridiculous.

-Well, what are parents to do?

They love their little boy
justas much as you love Dennis.

And they want the
boy to know it.

-Mr. Wilson, spoiling a child
is not showing him love.

It's showing him weakness.

Why, he'll grow up thinking the
world owe him a living.

-Yes, and he'll be in for quite a
shock when he finds out

that he has to earn his own way.

-You know, I think
you may be right.

-It's just common sense.

-Then you think they ought to
take a firm stand, huh?

-Oh, absolutely.
-Hm.

Well, by golly,
I'm going to tell

my friends just what you said.

You're both intelligent parents.

And you're raising a fine boy.

-Well, Dennis may
have some falls, but--

-What falls?

-But he's not spoiled.

-No, and he's not going to be.

-Boy, Dad.

Am I glad you're home!

Thanks for calling
me, Mr. Wilson.

-Oh, you're very
welcome, Dennis.

-Dad--

-I guess I'll just
call my friends.

Well, thank you again
for your advice.

-Boy, Dad.

Do I want to ask you something--

-Dennis.

Anytime, Mr. Wilson.

And now, Dennis,
what did you want?

-A saxophone.

-Well, you can't have one.

-Jeepers.

Tommy has one.

-Certainly not.

You only think you want one
because Tommy has one.

-Dennis, I don't want to hear
another word about it.

-Besides, you have
to pick up your room.

You forgot again.

-Well, jeepers.

-Dennis.

-All I was going to say is
that was about the

fastest turn down

I ever had in my whole life.

-Martha, that was a fine Saturday
morning breakfast.

-Thank you.

-Mm, and this is
excellent coffee.

-Thanks.

-Tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle.

-Oh, you're not still angry this
morning, are you, Martha?

-Yes, I am.

I'm furious.

-But the Mitchells made their own
decision, my dear.

Why, Alice expressed
it beautifully.

She said if a boy
gets a saxophone,

he'll grow up to think the
world owes him a living.

-I don't believe it.

You made that up.

-Well, what if I did?

It's the truth.

You don't want to
see Dennis running

around the neighborhood in a
raccoon coat, do you?

That's what follows a saxophone.

-Oh, for Heaven's sake, George.

Dennis isn't
getting a saxophone.

By now he's probably
forgotten about it.

Why can't we?

-Aren't you coming out at all?

-Oh, sure.

In a little while.

I'm gonna have another
talk with good old Dad

about the saxophone.

-I thought he turned you down.

-That was yesterday.

You know what Mr.
Wilson always says.

If at first you don't
succeed, try, try again.

-OK.

I'll be over in the vacant lot.

-Hi, Dad.

You're reading
the morning paper?

-That's right.

-I'll bet you're reading
the sports page, huh?

-Mm-hm.

-All kinds of college
sports, huh Dad?

-That's right.

-Did you turn out for sports when
you were in college?

-Well, I turned out for track.

You know that.

-I bet skinny legs are a big help
in track, huh, Dad?

-Dennis!

-Jeepers, don't get mad.

Your skinny legs
are plenty strong.

Did you turn out
for football, too?

-No, I didn't.

I played in the band.

-What did you play, Dad?

-Oh, I played the--
you know what I played.

-I kinda forget.

Was it the drum?

-No, it wasn't.

-Was it the tr--

-It was the saxophone,
and you know it.

-Oh, yeah.

Boy, you were sure lucky to have
that good old saxophone.

I guess Grandpa thought you were
a pretty swell kid when

he got it for you.

-I saved the money and bought
the saxophone myself.

-Oh.

Then I guess you had a
pretty big allowance--

-I earned the money.

-Oh.

Hey, whatever happened to
that good old saxophone?

-Oh, I gave it away when
I went into the navy.

-Oh.

Say, instead of
buying me a saxophone,

why don't you buy
you a saxophone?

I'd like to hear
you play something.

-Dennis.

-And I could take
care of it for you

while you were at the office.

-Come up here, son.

Dennis, I'm not refusing to buy
the saxophone for you

just to be mean.

I'm actually refusing
for your own good.

-Oh, are you afraid I'll
pop something by

blowing too hard?

-No, not at all.

I just don't want
you to get spoiled.

-I wouldn't get spoiled.

-Well, maybe not.

But Mr. Wilson gave
your mother and me

a very good example
of what can happen

to a little boy who gets
everything he wants.

-Mr. Wilson talked you out of
getting me a saxophone?

-Of course not.

The subject didn't even come up.

-Ah, how about Lake Wanan in--
Lake Waninoo-- Oh,

well that's out.

I'm not going anywhere
I can't pronounce.

-Camp Tomahawk.

Oh, well we're not going there.

Lake Serenity.

Oh, this looks lovely.

Look, dear.

A swimming pool, hot
springs, game room.

-Yes, but look at their rates.

They're too expensive, Martha.

Of course, no matter where
we go on our vacation

I always spend a fortune.

-I know, George.

-Maybe I'm too big a tipper.

-I don't think so.

-And the beds are always terrible
no matter where we go.

No hotel bed in the world is
as comfortable as

that old hammock

in our backyard.

-Well, if you'd be
more comfortable,

why don't we just stay home?

-Martha.

Dennis is going to be out of
school all summer.

And if I'm to survive, I
must first build up my strength

by getting away
from it for a while.

DENNIS (OFFSCREEN):(SHOUTING)
Hello Mr.

Wilson!

-And speak of the--
Well, I'm just

going to lock the front door.

-Hello, Mr. Wilson!

Hello, Mr. Wilson!

Are you taking your nap?

-Well.

For once I got rid of him.

-Hi, Mr. Wilson.

Did you hear me calling?

-Great Scott.

-Now George.

-Maybe you were having some
more of that trouble

like when you had
wax in your ears.

-Oh, good gravy.

Dennis, what do you want?

-I want a job.

-Oh, Martha.

Do something.

-Dennis, dear.

Why do you want a job?

-So I won't be spoiled like
that little kid Mr.

Wilson knows.

I'm gonna save my money and buy
my own saxophone.

-Good grief.

Haven't you forgotten
about that yet?

-Nope.

You know what I am?

-Yes, I know what you are.
You're--

-George!

-I'm single minded.

So do you have a job for me?

-No, I don't.

Now Dennis, run along.

Mrs. Wilson and I are very busy.

And we haven't time
to talk to you.

-But I--
-Out, out, out!

Now.

We are going to settle
this vacation once and for all.

The first brochure we pick up.

That's it.

No ifs, ands, or buts.

That's it.

-Lake Serenity.

-Oh, I told you, Martha.

That's too expensive.

Now.

We are spending our vacation
at Camp Tomahawk.

"The helpful and exciting
summer camp for boys."

Oh, for Pete's sake.

-That's why I put it aside.

Pick up another.

-Hey, wait a minute.

Camp Tomahawk.

Dennis Mitchell.

-What do you mean?

-Martha, if I can talk
Dennis into spending

two weeks in summer
camp, we can say home.

-Now George.

You know how I feel
about your meddling.

-Meddling?
Oh, Martha.

This is going to be one of the
nicest things I've ever

done for that boy.

Where are you, little friend?

Dennis?

-Don't worry, Mr. Wilson.

I'm going!

-Oh, now wait.

Don't be in such a hurry.

Let's have some fun together.

-You wanna play
with me, Mr. Wilson?

-Well of course I do.

That and have a
little talk with you.

-Let's go over to my yard.

We can teeter-totter.

-Teeter-totter?

-Sure, come on.

-Let's go through the gate.

-Heck, no.

Cause you're one
of my best friends,

I'm gonna show you the shortcut.

Isn't this swell?

Come on!

-Great Scott.

-How come you stopped?

-Because I'm stuck, that's why.

-Give me your arm.

Whoops.

-Oh, for Pete's sake
Dennis Mitchell.

Can't you ever do
anything right?

-Excuse me, Mr. Wilson.

I-- I guess I better
go in the house.

Here's your sleeve.

-Oh no, no, wait
a minute, Dennis.

Don't go.

When I stop to think it over, it
was really very funny.

-Was it, Mr. Wilson?

-Of course it was.

You see I'm laughing.

-I guess it was pretty funny.

-Ah, certainly.

-Can we pull off
the other sleeve?

-No, no, no.

I Just take a hold of my hand and
pull me through here now.

Pull hard.
That's it.

Martha!

Turn off those sprinklers!

I said, Turn off
those-- Oh, never mind.

Never mind.

-Do you know the back of
your pants is all wet?

-Of course I know
they're all wet.

-Do you wanna teeter-totter?

-No!

-What do you wanna do?

-I wanna talk.

I want to talk to you, Dennis.

I want to talk to
you about something

you're going to like very much.

-Are you gonna do me
another favor like when

you watched for my dad for me?

-Uh, well, it's not quite
the same thing, Dennis.

-But just as nice?

-Oh, yes.

Of course.

I want to tell you
about a summer camp.

Camp Tomahawk for boys.

-Is that where you
finally decided

to go for your vacation?

-Well, no, of course not.

It's for boys, Dennis.

Not for grown-ups.

But it's where I
think you'd enjoy

spending a two week
vacation this summer.

-You mean without Mom and Dad?

-Well, certainly.

-Who'd make me change my socks?

-Well, never mind
about your socks.

-Even if they got holes in them?

-Well, just forget them.

Look, this brochure.

Now, you see?
Oh.

They got a swimming pool
and a volleyball court--

-And horses!

Wow, they got horses.

-Yeah.

And you see this picture here?

At night you sit
around a campfire?

-Do you get to
ride those horses?

-Well, of course you do.

And here's a
baseball field here.

-How many horses do
you think they have?

-Well, how should I know?

And here are ping
pong tables here--

-I wonder if you get to ride
those horses bareback.

Do you think they do that?

-Of course, of course, Dennis.

Don't you think
you'd like to spend

two weeks at Camp Tomahawk?

-Boy, would I.

-Good.

Good.

Then let's go in and
ask your parents.

-I don't think I'd better.

-Well why not?

-Cause they won't let me go.

They're afraid I might
get spoiled after what you told

them about that
other little kid.

-Great Scott.

TOMMY (OFFSCREEN): Dennis?

-Back here, Tommy.

-Uh-- Dennis.

Come here.

I'm going to do
you another favor.

-Boy, you're doing the mall the
time, aren't you?

-Well, I-- I try to, Dennis.

You see, in my opinion, you are
not a spoiled boy.

-Really?

-You are full of life
and joy and curiosity.

And sometimes you drive
me right out of my m--

But you are not a spoiled child.

So I'll tell you
what I'm gonna do.

I'm going in your house
and have a little talk

with your parents.

I think I can make
them see it my way.

You wait a few minutes.

And then you come
in and ask them

if you can go to Camp Tomahawk.

-You think they'll let me?

-Dennis, I think I
can practically guarantee it.

-Boy, thanks a lot, Mr. Wilson.

-Hey, Mr. Wilson.

Your pants are all--

-I know it, I know it.

-Don't get him mad, Tommy.

Mr. Wilson's doing
me a big favor.

-What's he doing?

-He's gonna talk my
folks into letting

me go to Camp
Tomahawk next summer.

-Are you sure you won't
sit down, Mr. Wilson?

-Oh, no.

Thank you, Alice.

Besides, what I have to say
will only take a moment.

-You sound very
serious, Mr. Wilson.

-I feel serious, Mitchell.

Now was you know, I never meddle
in the affairs of others.

But, well, this is something
I cannot overlook.

-Well, what is it?

-It's Dennis.

Now there's a very
sad little boy.

-Sad?

Why is he sad?

-He's afraid to
talk to his parents.

-Afraid to talk to us?

-He wants to ask you
something but doesn't

dare for fear

you'll think he's spoiled.

-That's terrible.

I-- I always want Dennis tofeel
free to ask me anything.

-I know you mean well.

And I also know that a certain
amount of discipline

is necessary at times.

But Dennis feels
so sure that you're

going to turn down
his request, he

sees no point in even asking.

-Henry, have we
been that strict?

-I don't think so.

I hope not.

Uh, Dennis.

Come in here a minute, please.

-Yes, Dad?

-Son, did you want
to ask me something?

-Well--

-Well, go ahead, Dennis.

I'm sure you wouldn't ask for
anything unreasonable.

-What is it, dear?

-Well, if I ask for
something, I don't

want you to think I'm spoiled.

-Oh, no no no.

Of course they won't.

-But it costs money.

-I'll pay half.

-Boy, you've been doing
favors for me all day.

-That's because I'm
fond of you, Dennis.

Now go ahead.

Tell them what you want.

-Well, I want Tommy's saxophone.

-What?

-His mom's cutting
the price to $ .

So, can I have it?

-Henry.

-Now wait a minute.

-Son, if you want it that bad--

-No, you don't
want to spoil him.

-We'll get it for you.

-Gee, thanks Mom, thanks Dad!