06x10 - Bud, the Willing Worker

[bunniefuu]

- [Announcer] Here are Robert Young,

and Jane Wyatt

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin

in Father Knows Best.

- Well, it's not like Iwant it just for myself.

This would mean a lot toKathy, to Betty, to mom.

An investment is what it really is,

an investment I family togetherness.

Why, everybody's buyinga boat these days.

- Well, I'll tell you, Bud,

I have a very simpleanswer to your problem.

You wanna buy a boat?

Get yourself a part-timejob, earn the money,

and buy it.

- Oh, well, now, it's not that easy, dad.

I've looked for a job.

- Where?

- Everywhere.

- (chuckles) That covers quite an area.

Give me a for instance.

- Well, I tried a coupleof service stations,

Crossroad Service out on Main Street,

Bill Sheppard's over on Fourth.

(door closing)

- Oh, sorry, Bud.

Bud, Bud!

- It's tough for a guy going to school

to find a job, dad.

- Hi, Father.

Do me a favor will you?

Where do you buy yourgas, and oil, and tires

and things like that?

- Where do you think we buy 'em?

At the shoe store.

- Well, wherever you buy them,

don't buy them there anymore.

Buy them at Bill Sheppard's Service Station.

- I wonder if that was paid commercial announcement.

- Mother, oh, I've hada simply wonderful day.

How are you?

- Well, I'm fine.

What's his name?- Who?

Oh, let me do that for you.

- The boy who's responsible

for this being a simply wonderful day.

- Does it show that much, really?

- Well it couldn't be more obvious

if you'd printed his name across your forehead.

- Well, he's hardly aboy, Bill's at least .

- Bill who?

- Bill Sheppard.

He owns that real nice service station

over on Fourth Street.

Honestly, Mother, he's one of the most

thoroughly charming men I've ever met.

- Well, I got news for you, he wasn't so charming

to me when I asked him for a job yesterday.

- [Elinor] Did he know who you were?

- Well, I didn't run up to him and say,

"Hire me quick I'm BettyAnderson's brother."

I just, first time I'd seen the guy.

- Oh, he was probably busy or something.

- Make some for us, will you dear?

- Yes, ma'am.

Would you like a job in a service station?

- Sure, I'd like a job in anybody's service station.

- [Elinor] Well, I'll talk to him tomorrow.

- Well, not wait, let'sback up a little here.

I don't go along with this.

- Well, why shouldn't I ask him?

The station's always crawling with cars.

Bill needs someone to help him, I know he does.

- I think what your father's trying to say

is that it might be better for Bud

if he got the job on his own.

Is that the message, dear?

- That's the message.

(audience laughing)

I'll make a deal with you, Bud.

- Yeah?

- If you get a job at Bill Sheppard's gas station

on your own hook,

and not let him knowyou're Betty's brother,

I'll match what you make dollar for dollar

toward buying the boat.

How's that?

- Well, that's great dad.

- It's so silly, why can't I just--

- Look would you mind pulling out of this gas station?

You're interfering with business.

- I'll never understand the workings of the male mind.

- Now, I assume from what Betty said

that Bill Sheppard needs some help in his station.

- Oh, sure he does.

He's got twice as much business as he can handle.

- All right, the thing for you to do then

is to prove to him that he needs you around the place.

- How?

- Very simple.

Go over there after school,

if he's busy just ask him if you can give him a hand.

Don't talk about money right away.

Just pitch in and do whatever needs to be done.

I guarantee you'll get a job.

- Well, okay, if you say so.

- But remember, ifanybody spills the beans

that you and Betty are brother and sister

then our dollar for dollar deal is off.

- Whatever you say, dad.

I'll drop by the station tomorrow.

- Bud can't go into the station,

a perfect stranger, and start working

just like that.

Bill'll think he's being invaded.

He'll call the police won't he?

- I don't know.

It's been a long time since I managed a gas station.

(audience laughing)

- Thank you, Mother.

(upbeat music)

- I'll be with you in sec.

- Hi. - Hello there.

What can I do for you?

- Oh, nothing.

I noticed you're kinda busy.

(audience laughs)

I see you're kinda busy.

- Yeah, yeah it happensthis way sometimes.

They all come in at once.

- Well, I got nothing else to do.

Do you mind if I, sort of, help out?

- I wouldn't be workingfor you or anything.

I'd just do it for kicksto have something to do.

(horn blowing)

- Well, sure, sure if you wannawork just to have something

to do, it's all right with me, go ahead.

- Great!

(chipper music)

(jack clatters)

(dramatic music)

- Must say, you'redoing a fine job there.

- Well, thank you.

- I'll take over now.

Much obliged for giving me a hand.

- Oh that's okay, I'll do it.

Once I start something,I like to finish it.

- Well, whatever you say.

But, look, just so there's no misunderstanding later on,

you're doing this on your own.

I mean, I didn't ask you to work, that's clear, isn't it?

- Oh, no, I just like to work.

- You're not runnin' a fever are you?

(audience laughing)

(horn blowing)

Well, there she is.

How's my prettiest customer?

- That's a sneaky way to sell gasoline.

- You just had the t*nk filled yesterday.

You can't be outta gas already.

- No, the fact of the matter is I don't need a thing.

Except perhaps the windshield wiped off.

- Well, there you go again, taking advantage of my kind

and generous nature.

And not many people I'd do this for.

- Not more than four or five hundred.

(tire clattering)

I see you hired a helper.

- Huh?

Oh, him, no, no, I didn't hire him.

He uh, he just appeared,said he wanted to work

for the fun of it, so I let him.

He's, he's been workin'like a dog ever since.

(jack clatters)

- He must be a very energetic young man.

- Well, he's either very energetic,

or he's going through afraternity initiation,

or he's very sick.

(audience laughing)

Betty, by the way, there's a play opening up

at the StockwellTheater tonight.

The Green Hills?

It's got most of the original New York cast in it,

and uh,

well, would you like to go?

- Uh, here, the fellow paid for the tire job.

- Oh, thanks.

(phone ringing)

Uh, 'scuse me a minute there.

- I heard him ask youthe date, stall him off.

- Stall him off?

- Yeah, you got to, look if he comes over to the house,

he's bound to find out you're my sister.

- Well, let him find out.

- No, if he does my deal with dad is off,

give me a chance, will ya?

Restrain yourself.

(audience laughing)

- Well, Betty, what do you say,

would you like to go tonight?

- I'd love to go, Bill.

(audience laughing)

But, um, midterm exams are coming up pretty soon,

and I've just gotta stay home and study.

Maybe another time?

- Definitely.

- Thanks for asking me.

(horn blowing)

- Look, I'll see ya.

(melancholy music) - And thank you.

- Well, Betty, if Bud feels that way--

- There are probably service stations in town,

only one of them is run by Bill Sheppard.

Did ya have to make Bud go to work at that particular one?

- I didn't make him go to work.

I simply told him if he got a job there on his own merit,

I'd match what he earneddollar for dollar.

Now what's wrong with that?

- I just saw Bud drive in the driveway.

He's wearing a gas stationuniform, must've gotten the job!

- Well, how'd it go, Bud?

- Did you get the job, Bud?

- Sort of. - Oh, good!

- Congratulations, that's fine son,

you made it the first day.

- What do you mean you sort of got the job?

- Well, uh, Bill said I could start work on kind of a,

a part-time, temporary,try-out basis.

- So's the raggedy old suit he gave you.

- Well, this is the part-time, temporary, try-out uniform.

I guess if you get on steady,

you can wear one of thewhite ones like Bill's.

- What did Bill say when you told him you were my brother?

- Well, I uh, I haven't told him yet.

- Why not?

- Well if Bill hired you on your own,

you've completed your agreement with me,

and there's no reason why you shouldn't tell him.

Besides, it um, seems quite important to Betty.

- Well the uh, trouble is,

I haven't actually got the job yet.

Officially.

This is just a try-out.

(hood clanks)

I can tell from the way Bill looked at Betty that,

if he found out I was her brother,

he'd give me the place.

(audience laughing)

I'd kinda like to seeif I can't get this job

permanent, for real, on my own.

- You're absolutely right, Bud, you do it that way.

- Yes, but what about me?

How long do I have to go on refusing dates with Bill?

- Oh, it won't takelong, that I guarantee.

Besides, I may goof something up and get fired,

before I'm hired.

- Don't you dare.

If Bill found out he'd fired my brother,

he'd be embarrassed to even look at me again!

- Hold this.

- Oh!

Bud, take this, it's gonna get all over me!

(audience laughing)

(water gurgling)

- So far you're doing fine, son.

You've got a foot in the door.

Now here's uh, here's another suggestion.

- Oh, no.

- What do you mean, oh no?

First idea I gave you worked out all right, didn't it?

Alright.

Now, here's step two. (audience laughing)

This is the clincher.

This is the key to making the grade at any job at any time.

Now here's the secret.

Always give a little more than you're asked to give.

Work a little harder than you're expected to work.

It's as simple as that.

It's true, Bud, take my word for it.

Work a little harder than the boss expects you to work

and you'll succeed, it never fails.

- Well, if you say so dad, I'll try it.

- Good. (chuckles)

- Whatever you're gonna do, do it quick.

There's a man at stake and I'm not getting any younger.

- Right.

(audience laughing) (cheery music)

- Say, you're doin' a good job, there, Bud.

What gave the idea of washing the windows?

- Well, I wasn't busy and they looked like they could

use a little cleaning, and I'm just about through now.

(audience laughing)

- Uh, say, Bud, come over here a minute, will you?

I tell you what you do.

When you get throughover there, if you want,

you can come in hereand clean everything out

of the lube rack.

You know, stack upthese grease drums here.

Stack up these oil drums here,

and clean the grease g*ns.

Get rid of all this trash.

Throw out the tires,

put the lube equipment in the boxes.

And you gotta clean up that work bench a little bit too,

and uh, get rid of all these cans here.

And uh, put awayall these tools.

You know, strip the place bare and uh,

scrub it down.

You'll find a mop and a brush back in the store room.

(horn blowing)

Okay?

(chipper music) (audience laughing)

- I, uh, grease rack's all clean.

Anything else?

- No, go on home, I'll see ya tomorrow.

Hello, Betty?

Betty, this is Bill.

- How are you?

- Well, I'm fine, Betty.

Listen, I'm trying again for that date.

You know the play that opened up at the Stockwell Theater

last night?

Well, it's supposed to be a smash, and uh,

well, would you like to go tonight?

- Oh, I'd love to go, Bill!

- You can't, what about Bud?

- Mother, will you please call Kathy?

- Kathy!

- Sorry, small family problem.

Well, about tonight, Bill, Ihonestly do wanna see the play,

and it's very sweet of you to ask me.

I do have to wait--

(dramatic music) (audience laughing)

- Oh no!- What happened to you?

- Hello, Betty, Betty, you still there?

- What in the world have you been doing?

- Working.

- Well take those things off, Bud.

- Did Bill hire you,are you on regular yet?

- No, not yet.

- Hello, operator?

- Why is he making you work so hard

if he hasn't even hired you?

- Well, he isn't making me.

- Well, he's letting you.

- I don't think it's one bit fair.

Hello, Bill?

I'm awfully sorry, I can't go with you tonight.

Well, something's come up, a family matter.

Thank you very much for asking me,

maybe another evening, goodbye.

(audience laughing)

- Oh, no, wait a minute, Betty.

Hello, Betty?

- The carpet, Bud.

Poor guy.

Oh, there.

- One minute, I'm doing great,

and the next minute she's like ice!

Like a switch!

- One more day of this and I'm gonna put my foot down.

- I don't know whether to be angry at Bill or at Father.

- Well, my two beautiful dolls.

(audience laughing)

- Some way to run this world without men.

- Here's your paper, dear.

(audience laughing) (cheery music)

(tires clatter)

(audience laughing)

- What's all this Bud, are you movin' me out?

- No, but I,

I figured as long as we got the lube rack all cleaned up

yesterday I might as well do the same thing in here.

- Oh, all right, it's fine with me if you wanna do it.

Oh, Bud, by the way.

Since you have the tires out here,

you can put 'em in the rack there inside the station.

(horn blowing)

Well.

Wasn't sure if I'd eversee you again or not.

- Well, the car won't run without gasoline.

Can you fill it up?

- Okay.

(clattering) (audience laughing)

Betty, I've been trying to figure out what happened

yesterday on the phone.

Why the sudden change?

- Well, I...

It was nothing.

- Well, great.

Now, about that play atthe Stockwell Theater.

Saturday night would be a good night for you to go.

With me, that is.

- Well, perhaps I might make it by Saturday night.

- Well, good.

(metal clattering) (upbeat music)

- By the way, how's thatyoung man getting along?

- Well, there's the greatest mystery of all time.

Human perpetual motion,he never stops workin'!

(clattering)

- You were lucky to be able to hire him.

- Oh, I haven't hired him yet, he's just on temporary.

You see, it's turnedinto a game with me now.

(chuckles) I just wanna see how much work that kid'll do,

you know.

- I can't go with you Saturday night.

(audience laughing)

- Hey, look out, the nozzle's still in the t*nk!

Betty, wait, wait!

She did it again!

- Father, it's a lovely idea.

Work a little harderthan you're expected to,

give a little more than is asked,

but it just doesn't work anymore.

- I think it does.

In fact, I know it does.

(door closing) (sad music)

Well, Bud.

What's the report?

- Nothin'.

I work like a dog.

I scrubbed out the wholetire and battery room.

I scrubbed out the grease rack.

I was killin' myself to do more work than he asked me to.

He didn't even say thanks.

- Oh, I'd like to hit him, just hit him!

- You know what's even worse?

When I was leavin' just now,

he said he wanted me to comein at o'clock in the morning.

(laughs)

He wants me to paint the repair shop.

What do you think I should do, dad?

You think I should go down thereat o'clock in the morning

or just forget the whole thing, huh?

- Well, I,

I hate to see you give up, Bud.

Maybe you'd better decide for yourself.

(footsteps shuffling)

- (sighs) Father, it's too bad,

but people aren't as nice as you think they are.

You know what you are?

You're a dreamer.

(sad music)

- Now fellas, that's the wall I want painted back there,

as you can see I'm takin' most of the equipment

off the place so you shouldn't have any problems.

There is some hose in the corner,

and that gets you away if you like,

feel free to put it out here on the rack.

Try to put down a cloth of some kind,

'cause we'd kinda like to keep the place clean, you know.

Shouldn't have any problems, I'll be workin' out here

most of the day, there won't be any work goin' on

in the garage.

Well, good morning, Bud.

- Hi, uh, what are they doing?

- They're painting the repair shop.

- I thought you wanted me to do that.

- Oh, no, no, Bud, I changed my mind.

These fellas are professionals,

they'll do a better job.

- Well, I supposed I can find something else to do.

- I don't think so.

Windows have all been washed,

everything in the station has been wiped and dusted,

scrubbed, sorted.

Just worked yourself right outta your temporary job, Bud.

(dramatic music)

- You mean I'm through?

- Well, Bud, that's the way it shapes up.

Better go in and take off your uniform.

(tires screeching)

(melancholy music)

(horn beeping)

- Father, I don't know why you let Bud come down here

this morning in the first place.

- This was his own idea.

- Morning.

Oh, uh, hello, Betty.

- Hello.

- We stopped by to see Bud Anderson, is he here?

- Oh, Bud, yeah, yeah, he's here, he's...

Did you say Bud Anderson?

Are you and he related?

- Sort of, he's my brother.

(audience laughing) - What?

- Too bad you didn't find that out sooner, isn't it?

What do you have him doing now, breaking rocks?

(audience laughing)

- No!

He's in there, he's changing his clothes.

Look, Betty, it wasn't like you think at all,

I was just, uh,

oh, look, here he comes.

(cheerful music)

- Ta-Da!

How you like my new outfit, huh?

- Well, it's, it's beautiful and,

and white!

(audience laughing)

- Allow me to introduce my,

my new assistant manager.

- Assistant manager!

- Well, congratulations, son.

- I'm sorry I made it so tough on you, Bud.

But when I'm lining a man up to be my assistant,

he has to prove himself.

And he certainly did, Mr. Anderson.

I had to hire him, the way he was working around here,

I couldn't afford not to.

And never once did he mention he had

an influential relative.(audience laughing)

- Is that play still running at the Stockwell Theater?

- Well, it uh, it better be.

I uh,

I've got two tickets for Saturday night.

And Bud'll be here to run the store.

- All right, assistant manager.

Give us a sampleof your service.

Check the oil and water,check the battery,

check the tires, fill up the t*nk, clean up the windshield.

(audience laughing)

- Are you kidding?

Get my new uniform dirty, I wouldn't think of it!

(laughing)

(audience applauds)

(cheerful music)