08x09 - Opie's Group

[bunniefuu]

Hi.

Oh, hello, Andy.

Boiled beef.

I know, I know.
It's not one of your favorites,

but Mr. Bronson
had a special on them.

Well, I'll eat it
with the thought in mind

we're putting money in the bank.

Opie home?

Yes, he is.

You're going to be
very proud of him.

Why?

He and three of his friends
came home,

and they're cleaning out
the garage.

How many times
you have to ask him, ?

Never even mentioned it.
I'll bet.

No, did it all on their own.

I think Opie
wanted to surprise us.

So I left them alone.

There's got to be
an angle somewhere.

Oh, Andy.

No, he's buttering us up
for something.

Why do you have to be
so skeptical?

No -year-old boy

will do hard labor
on a Saturday afternoon

unless he's buttering up
his folks.

It's an unwritten law.

Come on, I'll show you.

Well...

Looks like

they are doing the job.

Well, if you just
had a little faith

in your fellow human beings...

Well...

Hi.

Hi.

I'm playing with this group.

I gather.

This is Clifford Johnson.

He's in high school.

No kidding.

And this is Wilson brown

and Jesse Clayton.

Hi.
Hi.

I believe I know
Wilson and Jesse.

And this is my aunt bee.

Hi.
Hi.

When did all this happen?

Today. Their number
three guitar player

is failing in three subjects

and his folks won't
let him play anymore.

So I'm stepping in.

He had the garage
where we used to practice.

Oh, I see.

Did you hear us play?

Uh, yeah, I believe
you could say that.

How did it sound?

Fine.

You have to play so loud?

Well, aunt bee,
we're all amplified.

This is my regular guitar.

Emmett hooked up
an old amplifier to it.

Well, it seems

Emmett might have
consulted you first, Andy.

Aunt bee, you have
to be amplified these days.

Sure. Otherwise,
we wouldn't get

any gigs.

Huh?

Gigs.

Dates, you know,
play for parties...

Oh. Oh, yes.

Well, we won't, uh,
keep you any longer.

I'll see you fellas.

Bye.

Opie, watch that amplifier.

All the music in the world

isn't worth getting
electrocuted for.

I'll be careful.

Is it supposed
to sound like that?

Don't ask me.

You know,

I hope Opie doesn't devote
too much time to this.

Why, forming their own
group and practicing,

I think that's great.

Yes, but they seem
so serious about it.

Supposing Opie decided
to be a musician?

Did you ever think of that?

Well...

Well, what would happen

to the idea of his becoming
a supreme court judge?

Well, he could still be
the first supreme court judge

that knows how to swing.

You know,
somehow I don't feel inclined

to apologize
for the boiled beef anymore.

Feel like goin' out
and sh**t' some crows?

I'd like to, goober,
but Opie called me.

He's bringing over his guitar
and amplifier.

Needs an adjustment.

Yeah, I heard about that group
them kids have made up.

Yeah, and they're workin'
real hard at it, too.

No reason
you couldn't fix it tomorrow

and sh**t crows today.

Goober, I happen to be
a devotee of music.

I like to encourage it.

Are you saying
I don't like music?

I didn't say that.
Well, you better not.

You may like music as much as I do.
Watch your step.

Oh, yeah? Did you ever hear
the Raleigh philharmonic?

I been busy.
There's great music.

But it ain't the only kind.

This new stuff with the guitars
and the tambourines, it's...

It's plaintive.

Huh. You think
I didn't know that.

Hi, Emmett. Hi, goober.

Hi.
Hey, ope.

I brought in the whole thing.

I think it's just
the connection.

You're probably right, Opie.

I know you're getting
plenty of volume.

I've heard complaints
from neighbors

eight houses away.

We're getting volume, all right.

Mrs. Perkins isn't even
speaking to aunt bee anymore.

Well, just let me
run over the circuits...

I'll run over the circuits.

So you gonna be
a real musician, huh, ope?

Well, I don't know.

When you get to be like
one of them beagles

you still gonna speak to me?

Beatles, goob.

Well, just remember

when you got
all your clothes monogrammed

and a limousine
with a bathtub in it

don't forget us simple folks
here in Mayberry.

Gee, goob, I don't mean

to be disrespectful or anything

but I never made fun

of your career
at the gas station.

I just wish you wouldn't
joke about mine.

You were right, Opie.

Just a simple connection
right here.

It's good as new.

Gee, thanks.

I'll pay you back as soon
as we get our first gig.

Forget it.

Let this be my contribution

to the world of music.

Gee, thanks.

See you, goober.

Wonderful, isn't it?

A kid like that going off
into the world of music.

Kind of gets you, don't it?

Yeah. How about
sh**ting some crows?

Thank you, Opie.

Did you guys practice today?

Yeah, we're getting real sharp.

Good. Any sign
of a job?

Nah, but we haven't
been pushing that

up until yesterday.

Now we think we're ready.

You got a whole repertoire, huh?

Yeah, we got some great charts.

Songs.

Oh.

There's one thing
we're still missing...

A name for the group.

Oh. How about, um...

How about the young swingers?

Well, um...

We'll come up with something.

Can you think of anything?

I'll get it.

Hello.

Hello, Mrs. Roach.

Yes, ma'am.

Yes, ma'am.

This Saturday?

Yes, ma'am, we're available.

Seven o'clock?

Great!

Thank you very much, Mrs. Roach.

We got a gig.

You have?

Brenda roach's mother
wants us to play

at Brenda's birthday party
Saturday night.

$ . a man.

Congratulations.

I got to tell Clifford.

But, Opie...

Well, just look at that.

He's left practically
his whole dinner.

Well, it's his first gig.

Musicians have to
keep up their strength

as well as anybody else.

Oh, stop worrying.

The boys did
something on their own

and I think it's great.

I suppose
you'll think it's great

when he gets sick
from lack of proper nutrition.

Oh, aunt bee.

Up all hours of the night.

Who knows how long
those gig things last?

Opie's a teenager now.

Alongside of those amplifiers?

I know what a loud
radio does to me.

Opie isn't
that...That delicate.

You've certainly grown
very hard.

Oh, I know
just how you feel, bee.

Then I'm not crazy?

I think I've told you
about my brother many times?

Yes.

Well, as children

we took piano lessons for years.

However, I kept music
in its proper perspective.

Claude, on the other hand,
decided to make music his life.

Yes, I know.

Played with small orchestras

traveling all around.

No roots,
no place to call his home.

The last time I heard

and that goes back ten years

he was playing with a gentleman
called hippy Harrison.

Hippy Harrison?

We certainly have every reason

to suspect that he is not living
a well-rounded life.

Well, hardly.

Now, all I'm saying

is that it's fine for Opie
to be pursuing his music

as long as he keeps it
in the proper perspective.

Hi, miss Edwards.

Oh, hello, Opie.

Sit down.

Opie.

I can't.
I got to run.

We're dressing
over at Clifford's

and then we're going to the gig.

Well, what about supper?

I'll grab something
at the party.

You see what I mean?

Just like Claude.

What does Andy say?

Andy? He's sticking his head
in the sand like an ostrich.

He hears no evil, speaks no evil

and sees no evil.

Oh, bee, if there's anything
at all I can do to help you...

Oh, Clara, you'd be
the first person I'd run to.

Opie, you did great.

Consider yourself a regular
member of the group.

Oh, boy!

Wherever we play.

Neat.

Uh, look, ope,
now that you're in the group

I'd better tell you
a few things about your image.

Oh?

First of all,
you talk too much like a kid.

I didn't mean to, Clifford.

That "oh, boy" stuff and "neat,"
forget that.

You got to talk groovy, cool.

Well, I don't know
too many of those words.

Listen to the rest of us.

You're
a professional musician now.

Yeah.

You got to remember,
you're not a kid anymore.

You got to make the scene.

I feel kind
of different already.

Groovy.

I think I'll split over there

and get some of those
cool-looking potato chips.

Groovy.

Gee, ope, you guys
sure play good.

Glad you dug us, Arnold.

Oh, Opie.

You were just wonderful.

Groovy.

I had no idea
you played so well.

Cool.

I was really impressed.

Groovy.

To think that I know
a real rock-'n'-roll musician.

Personally.

Cool.

See you, Phoebe.

Well, ope,
let's get ready for the next set.

I was just making the scene.

Andy, why don't you go to bed

and get some sleep?

I'll wait up for Opie.

No. I'm staying right here
until he comes home.

You said when you
called the party

that he'd left a full hour ago?

Yes, and that makes it
two hours later

than he's ever been
out in his life.

Hi, pa. Hi, aunt bee.

Where have you been?

At the gig, pa.

I called there over an hour ago

and you were gone.

We got another gig

and we all went over
to Clifford's house

to decide what
we're going to play.

Did it ever occur to you

that we might be worried
about where you were?

Well, pa, I'm not
a little kid anymore.

Even Clifford says so.

Clifford?

That's right.

I see.

You can probably tell
how I'm a little older

by the way I'm not arguing.

Opie, the fact remains
that you did come in late.

Aunt bee, late for a kid
and late for an older person

comes at two different times.

Opie!

Go to bed.

Okay.

He leaves here
at : a kid

and comes back seven hours later

and he's grown-up.

I don't understand that.

I hate making excuses
to the reverend

for Opie not being in church.

Did he say something?

No. He's very subtle
about these things.

He just said it was nice
to see most of us.

Hmm.

Hi, aunt bee, hi, pa.

Sorry about church.

Well, anybody that stayed up

as late as you did last night...

It's to be expected.

Opie, you better
start getting dressed.

You know today's Mrs.
Pritchard's backyard brunch.

I can't go.

You can't go?

We all got to go
hang around the drugstore...

Keep up our image with the kids.

Why do you have to
keep up an image?

You just don't understand, pa.

I got to call Clifford.

Hmm.

Andy, well, as you probably know

Clara is very familiar
with the whole field of music.

Hmm.

She plays the piano herself.

She has a brother
who's a musician...

She's even a member of
the album of the month club.

So?

She has a brother who's always
been a sore spot with her.

Apparently he didn't know

how to keep music in
its proper perspective.

Just like Opie?

Exactly. And I thought
if Clara spoke...

No.

I'll handle it in my own way.

Well, it's just a suggestion.

Say, I might be a little late
for dinner, too.

We got to go over
some new charts.

Don't you have a
history test tomorrow?

I'll study when I get home.

There's no problem.

It's that boy Clifford,
you know.

No.
He might've sparked it,

but Opie's got a mind
of his own.

He should know better.

Well, he doesn't seem to.

I think you
should discipline him.

I don't think that's the
way to handle it, either.

He'd just think
I was keeping him

from doing something that
was important to him.

Remember I said
he's a teenager now?

I'll just let him go

till he gets in
just enough trouble

and then he'll
find out something.

Why, I never heard
of such a thing!

You studying?!

Yeah, pa!

Don't you think
that's a little noisy?

Well, it's a funny thing
about music, pa:

It helps you study!

I hadn't heard that.

Yeah! The b*at keeps you
from gettin' tired!

I see.

You can tell
I'm not tired at all.

I can tell that.

My mind's just movin'
over this history like crazy!

We'll see how well it moved

when you get your grade
on that test tomorrow.

I'll be cool.

I'll try and do better
next time, pa.

You can't help
but do better next time.

An "f" in history!

That-that's hittin' rock bottom.

You used to get good grades!

Well, I just got
a little hung up this time.

Hung up? You're not gonna
be prepared for college.

I said I'd try
and do better, pa.

Then, this is yours?

It's a new turtleneck sweater.

We got another gig comin' up.

We want to change threads.

Why'd you have it
sent c.O.D.?

Well, when I bought it,
I didn't have any money

but I thought I'd
have some when it came.

I'll pay you back, pa.

What happened to the five
dollars you earned on Saturday?

You know how it is
in the music business, pa.

You've been a musician four days

and you're already in debt.

Guitar strings, music,
having cards printed up...

That all costs money.

And you have to have that stuff!

You always told me, if
I was gonna do something

I should do it right,
go all out.

You said that a lot,
didn't you, pa?

Well, yeah...

Well, that's just what
I'm doing, isn't it?

Uh, yeah...

See you, pa.

Oh, hello, bee.

Oh, hello, Clara.

Why, anything wrong, bee?

Well, still Opie.

F's in all of his schoolwork.

Oh, no.

Squandering his money

and the other night,
he came in at midnight.

My offer still stands, bee.

I'll be very happy
to talk to him.

Well, I don't know, Clara.

Well, now, very often,
coming from an outsider

it can be more effective.

Yes...yes!

You know, I want you to do it.

I think he's home now.

I have the rest of
the shopping to do

and I'll take my time

and that'll give you a couple
of hours alone with him.

I'll go right over.

Oh, Clara, you are
a good friend.

Oh, hi, miss Edwards.

Hello, Opie.

We were just going
over some music

before we start practicing.

Oh.

This is Clifford,
Wilson and Jesse.

Hello, boys.

Opie, I did want to have
a little chat with you

but maybe it's just as well

that the other boys
are here, too.

Oh.

It's about the overemphasis

you boys are putting
on your music.

Uh, well, we got
to practice now.

We have some gigs.

Opie?

Wait a minute, guys.

Thank you.

Now, through my brother

I do have some knowledge
of the music business

and there are many things
that have to be considered...

Oh! Uh...

Hello, Andy!

Hi!

You're back
from mt. Pilot early.

Yeah! I see you've
been to the store!

Uh, yes...

Andy, I'd like to discuss
with you a decision I made.

What's that?

I asked Clara to have
a talk with Opie.

Is she over there now?

I think, maybe.

Get in the car.

You seem to forget

Clara's experience
with her brother.

She knows every pitfall.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Just one more chorus!

Hi, pa.

Clara, would you like to
come in the kitchen with me

and have a cup of coffee?

In one second, bee.

I just want
to check this arrangement

with our lead guitar.

Oh, I'm so sorry, Andy.

I didn't mean to interfere.

I knew she'd only
make matters worse.

Oh, I had no idea...

She goes right
over to the enemy.

That's going to make it just
that much more difficult

for me to make
my point with Opie.

Hey, pa, guess what?

I don't have to guess.

Miss Edwards is gonna be

our manager!

What?

She knows a lot about
the music business.

She straightened us out
on a lot of things.

Now I know what you
were drivin' at, pa.

You do?

Yeah! And you
know what else?

She's gonna be our treasurer

and make sure we save our money!

And we're only gonna practice

when it doesn't
interfere with homework!

Well...good. Good.

Good, ope, good.

I gotta get back out there.

What do you know?

It's wonderful!

Well

I think it's wonderful!

Clara, sometimes a, a parent
can't see what he should do

and sometimes it takes a person
from the outside to show him.

And I'd like to thank you.

Groovy.

Mm-hmm.

You know, miss Edwards really
knows how to play the piano.

Yeah, she was really beatin' it
out with you guys, wasn't she?

Yeah.

It's funny... I didn't think

she could play anything
like that.

When I was taking piano lessons
from her,

the only thing
I ever heard her play

was "the dance
of the little bunnies."

Oh, well, that's probably
the other side of her.

Mm.

I think I got the right angle
on music now, pa.

Oh, music's fun.
I'm all for it.

Music of all kinds...
Orchestras, groups...

It can mean a lot of pleasure
to a lot of people.

Yeah.

As long as it doesn't interfere,

you know, with other things.

I know.
Get in the way.

It was just a phase
I was going through.

Oh.

Good. Good.