10x10 - After You, Alphonse

[bunniefuu]

You know, I think Uncle Charley did a
pretty good job with this room.

Well, that's okay.

I'm sure glad I talked Uncle Charley out of
sticking that old dresser of Dad's in here, though.

You don't sound too enthused.

What's wrong with the way you fixed this room?

Well, if I were doing it, I'd put the bed over there and that
chest over there and that chest under that picture and...

What difference does it make?

As long as they're as happy as we were in
this room, that's all that matters.

I'll buy that.

Oh, sorry, but Uncle Charley said dinner's ready.

And if everybody doesn't come right now,
he's gonna throw it all on the floor.

Okay, we'll be right there.

Okay.

Honey, why don't we... Hey,
you wanna eat dinner off the floor?

Come on.

Oh!

Another thing.

Don't forget that little talk you were
gonna have with Uncle Charley.

I won't.

Hey, Katie, aren't you gonna eat the rest of your dessert?

No, I can't eat another bite.

That was a good dinner, Uncle Charley.

Sure was.

Just a little something I picked up from a
peg-legged sea cook from Sumatra.

Chip, don't you and Ernie have some last-minute homework?

Oh, yeah.

Almost forgot.

Yeah, I think I'll, uh, I'll call home and
check about the babies.

Oh, boy, talk about rats deserting a sinking ship.

Whoa.

No, Uncle Charley, Rob will help with the dishes.

Okay.

What's the deal?

Uh, what deal?

Now, look, I've been around long enough to
know a setup when I see one.

Now, what does Katie want you to tell me
now that we just happen to be alone?

Well, uh, Dad and Barbara are coming home tomorrow.

I know that.

Well, uh, Katie wants you to sort of,
uh, take it easy with Barbara.

Take it easy?

Well, you do come on a little strong
sometimes, Uncle Charley, and,

uh, now Barbara's going to be a part of the family.

Me?

I come on strong?

Oh, we know you don't mean anything.

We don't mean anything by it, but,
uh, well, Katie just wants you to sort of

tone it down a little bit till Barbara can
get used to all of us.

Look, you can tell Katie she's got nothing to worry about.

I'm going to be so refined that
Barbara will think she moved in with Mr.

Emily Post.

Well, I combed my hair.

I changed my shirt.

We look alike.

All right, now?

Well, you'll do.

But you guys just remember what I told you.

No horsing around.

We don't want Barbara to think that she
married into a family of hooligans.

Hey, they're here.

Come on.

Good to see you.

Good to see you.

Good to see you.

Hey, you want to help me get the luggage out?

Well, yeah, yeah.

There's plenty to go around.

We got all of Dodie's things when we
picked her up at her grandmother's.

Good deal.

Welcome aboard, Barbara.

Well, thank you, Charley.

How was the trip?

I mean, is Mexico still there?

Oh, it was perfect, Charley.

It couldn't have been better.

How does your doll feel about living here with us, Dodie?

She's not a doll.

She's a puppet.

Can she talk?

Sure, but I'm the only one that can hear her.

How was the weather?

Oh, it was beautiful the whole time.

That's nice.

That's real nice, Barbara.

Well, I hope you like the room.

Oh, it's lovely, Charley.

I can see you've gone to a lot of trouble.

Oh, but you're the one that picked out the furniture.

All I did was stash the stuff in here.

It's lovely, don't you think, Steve?

Yes, very nice, Charley, very nice.

Well, of course, you can rearrange it if you want to.

Oh, no, no, I like it just the way it is.

It's very nice, Charley.

Okay.

Okay, but if you want to change it,
you won't be hurting my feelings a bit.

Now, if you will excuse me.

What's in here?

A rock collection?

No, it's kind of heavy, huh?

Yeah.

Thanks, Douglas.

These three go into my room.

You ready, Ernie?

No, but let's go.

Isn't this a nice room, Dodie?

Yeah, Mama.

I like it.

What side of the bed is yours, Mama?

Steve, does it make any difference?

Not to me, no.

Oh, that one over there, I guess.

Then this side is mine.

Well, Dodie, you see, Steve is going to stay here, too.

Okay, well, will you sleep, Mr. Douglas?

Well, Dodie...

You don't understand, Dodie.

You see, Steve and I are going to share this room, and
you're going to have your own room right across the hall.

How come?

Well, Mr. Douglas...

Well, Steve and I are married now.

Dodie, your mother and I will be right in
here if you need us for anything.

You can have a room all to yourself.

Won't that be fun?

I don't think so.

Well, um, why don't we unpack and get set?

It's an awful pretty room.

Hey, you see, honey?

This is your very own room.

And your own little bed.

And is that my dark closet?

Well, that's not so dark.

We'll hang your clothes in there later.

And is that my window looking out where
it's so dark and spooky?

Dodie, there's nothing to be scared about.

Then how come Myrtle's shaken?

Because Myrtle's very little.

And she doesn't understand that Mommy and
Daddy are right in the next room.

With the door closed and the big hall in
between, if Myrtle yelled, nobody would hear her.

I'll hear.

And I'll have you in my arms before you
can say, Jack Robinson.

Jack Robinson.

Honey,

I've taken over a couple of drawers in this chest.

Is that okay?

Fine.

Dodie all right?

Well, it was touch and go for a while, but Myrtle
seems to like the room, so Dodie went along with it.

Good.

You're not going to worry about it, are you?

No, she'll be all right.

Well, this is a big adjustment for her.

Now, if you think she should be with you
for a couple of days, well...

I knew you'd say that.

That's one of the reasons I love you.

One of these days, we'll have to go down the list.

Do you think Charley meant that?

Meant what?

About changing the room around.

Well, sure he meant it.

Oh, good.

Well, now, I think that the bed should go there.

And that chest over there.

And then that chest should go underneath the picture.

That was delicious tea, Charley.

Thank you.

You're quite welcome, Barbara.

I went ahead and bought the stuff for dinner.

Good.

Now, if you don't like it, why, just merely say so.

Oh, I'm sure I'll like it, no matter what it is.

It's chicken.

Fine.

Would you rather fix it yourself?

Well, I do have a lot of things to put away.

If you don't mind doing it tonight.

Oh, I don't mind a bit.

Oh, thank you.

You're welcome, Barbara.

I, uh, I guess I'll finish my packing.

Good idea, Barbara.

What kind of talk was that?

Thank you.

You're quite welcome.

That's just plain, ordinary, everyday politeness.

Weird.

Come on.

Holy.

You did it, Alice.

You've had your quota.

What happened to plain, ordinary, everyday politeness?

I'm not wasting it on a cookie addict.

Hi, Mr. Douglas.

Oh, hi, Dodie.

Come on in.

Mama?

Mama's asleep, Dodie.

What seems to be the problem?

Myrtle can't sleep, Mr. Douglas.

Oh?

I can't either.

Uh, you know, I'm kind of wide awake myself.

Would you like to go down to the kitchen
and get some hot milk?

No, thank you.

Would you like me to tell you a story?

No, thank you.

Uh, what do you think might help?

I want to talk to Bobby.

She was kind of tired, Dodie.

Do you think you ought to wake her up?

No, that's okay.

Do you want to tell me about it?

I guess so.

I'm listening.

What if we don't like to sleep alone?

Oh, I, uh, kind of thought that might be it.

But, uh, are you afraid?

Not?

You, of course.

I mean, Myrtle.

I guess a little bit.

Do you think, uh, Myrtle could sleep if,
uh, you climbed up here in bed with us?

Okay.

Come on, climb up here.

Now, let's get the slippers off.

And get your feet under the covers, huh?

There.

You know, Dodie, uh, this has been quite a
change for Myrtle.

And, uh, changes aren't always easy.

But, uh, she shouldn't be worried because
your mommy and daddy are always right here

to see that you're safe and happy and have
everything you need.

Myrtle and me don't have a daddy.

Well, I'll tell you, uh, Chip and Ernie
will probably call your mother Mom,

so, uh, why don't you let me be your daddy?

Why don't you check it out with Myrtle?

Is that okay?

Okay, Myrtle.

Uh, what's she saying?

Myrtle says okay.

Okay.

Now, here, let me see.

Slide down, baby.

That a girl.

Daddy.

Now, remember, I'll meet you after school
and walk home with you, and after that,

you'll know the way by yourself, okay?

I'd be glad to pick her up after school.

I'd be glad to pick her up after school,
Barbara, but she gets out before I do.

Oh, yeah, I understand.

It's all right, Chip.

Thanks, David.

Come on, Ernie.

We're gonna be late for school.

I can't find my algebra book.

It's holding up the window in our room.

Chip called Mama Barbara.

He did, huh?

Well, I guess that's because he's as big as she is.

Come on, Ernie.

I'm coming.

I'm coming.

You fellas go ahead.

I'll take Dodie to school.

Okay.

See you later.

Yeah.

Well, I guess I've got everything.

Come on, Dodie.

Come on.

Bye.

Bye.

Oh, Steve.

What'd I forget?

You forgot to kiss me goodbye.

Oh.

Well, that hasn't been part of my routine.

I must say, it's a much better way to start the day.

Bye.

Goodbye.

Oh, we could use a couple of cans of
tomatoes and some more rice.

Hey, tomatoes and rice.

Anything else?

That's about it.

Well, that does it for the staples.

Now, what about dinner?

We'd get anything you desire.

Well, I haven't any ideas.

I have no idea what everybody likes.

Oh, you're thinking for me that this
group, I mean, this family will eat anything.

Well, I could use some suggestions.

Just get anything that you require, Barbara.

Do you enjoy doing the shopping?

Well, I ain't hung up on it, but I have
nothing against it either.

Well, I just thought maybe you'd like to
get out of the house.

Oh, very well, Barbara.

Very well.

I will get out of the house for a while,
if that will please you.

Thank you, Barbara.

I.

Don't understand it, Katie.

I thought that Charley liked me.

Well, he does.

What's he done?

Well, he hasn't done anything, actually, but
his whole attitude seems to have changed.

You don't think that he resents Steve marrying?

Oh, no.

Uncle Charley's just a little hard to get
used to, that's all.

I suppose that's it.

Well, of course it is.

Katie, what's wrong?

Oh, nothing.

I'm sorry to call you like this when
you're working, but... Are the boys all right?

Oh, they're fine.

Rob, you promised me you'd speak with
Uncle Charley about Barbara.

I did.

You must not have been specific enough.

Barbara's upset.

You'll just have to speak to him again.

Me?

Are you out of your skull?

All I know is what Katie told me.

Robbie, have you ever known me to make waves?

Yes.

Look, Uncle Charley, all I'm asking is
that you try a little harder.

Beginning right now, I'll give it a whole works.

I'm gonna make Sir Walter Raleigh look like a truck driver.

Oh, here.

Let me take that.

It's not heavy.

I'm not so weak I can't carry it.

You're not carrying a bag of groceries, Charley.

Oh, not around here you don't.

What do you expect me to do?

Anything you want to.

Like sit on a silk pillow and sew a fine seam?

Sure, if that's your hang-up.

Here, take a load off your feet.

No, thank you, Charley.

You're welcome, Barbara.

Oh, here, let me do that.

Oh, why shouldn't I do it?

Because I know where everything goes.

Thank you, Charley.

You're welcome, Barbara.

Well, I guess there are a few letters I could write.

Good idea.

Oh.

Thank you, Charley.

You're welcome, Barbara.

You don't mean Charley.

Honey, you've got to be imagining things.

No.

No, I'm not.

Well, what has he said?

Well, he hasn't said anything.

Well, then what has he done?

Well, he hasn't done anything either.

Well, if he hasn't done anything or said anything...

Well, it isn't anything you can put your finger on.

It's just there somehow.

Well, you know what?

Just what has he done to make you think he
doesn't like you?

Well, he... he's so polite.

Charley?

That's the first time I've heard that complaint about him.

That's just it.

It isn't a complaint.

It's just that he... well, he is so formal
that he makes me feel stiff and formal, too.

Barb, do you want to know what I think about this?

I want to know what you think about everything.

Well, maybe it isn't Charley.

Maybe it's you.

Me?

Do you remember how it feels the first few
days when you're the new kid at school?

And you think everybody's looking at you
and judging you and...

You're the new kid here.

I think you're right.

I know I'm right.

So you just be yourself and Uncle Charley will come around.

Bye.

Well, hold it.

Where are you headed?

Oh, I thought I'd go over to the house and
get a little air.

It's, uh, budding in time again, right?

Well, somebody has to go over and straighten them out.

Barbara's all upset.

Uncle Charley told me today he's about to blow a fuse.

He says he's allergic to courtesy.

And Dad can't handle it.

Well, I guess he can.

Without you?

Don't be so smart, Rob Douglas.

Katie, you know what you're going to do, don't you?

Yeah.

Say it.

Tell me in so many words.

I'm going to stay here.

With you.

And I'm going to let them work it out for themselves.

Thank you.

That's a good girl.

Well, that's the end.

Come on.

It's bedtime.

Give Daddy a kiss.

Okay.

Oh, time for bed, huh?

And now stay tuned to this station for the
Welterweight Championship of the World.

Good night, sweetheart.

Good night, Daddy.

Uh, Barbara?

Hmm?

Why don't you let me put her to bed, huh?

Okay.

It's about time for your favorite show, isn't it?

Boy, this ought to be a slugfest.

Where's this sports page?

Brought to you live and in color by
satellite from Chandley Stabins.

My favorite program.

Don't you just love it?

Love it?

There.

I'm crazy about it.

Why can't Merle and me sleep in your bed again tonight?

Well, you can, Dodie, but I don't think you want to.

I don't?

No.

Now that you know you're really part of
our family and how much we all love you,

there's no reason for you not to sleep in your own bed.

You know how much we do love you.

Do you love Merle, too?

Oh, sure.

Sure.

Sure.

Sure.

I think I can truthfully say I've never
loved a puppet more.

I guess we can sleep in here.

Okay.

Lie down.

I'll tuck you in.

Good night, sweetheart.

Night, Daddy.

Myrtle says good night, too.

Oh.

Good night, Myrtle.

Hey, what happened to the fight?

What fight?

On TV.

Uncle Charlie said there were a couple of
the top welterweights.

Oh, I must have shut it off.

I wanted to watch the woman's hour.

Didn't Uncle Charlie blow his top?

No.

He never even mentioned it.

A man can take just so much.

Turns off the fights practically in front of my nose.

Well, you did want to see the fights.

Yeah.

I guess I'm just not cut out for that Sir
Walter Raleigh jazz.

Thank goodness.

This one's on me.

It's plastic.

Let's go.

I don't want to see the fights.

You'd think that I got out of control completely.

I made sure it was a chip plate.

Well, she's all tucked in.

Come on, darling.

We're all going to watch the fights.

The fights?

But I thought you were...

This ought to be a slugfest.