- [voiceover] robert young and jane wyatt (children laughing) with elinor donahue, billy gray, and lauren chapin in father knows best. (soft music) (restless movement) - [margaret] jim? - did that wake you up? - no, i haven't been asleep. i've been thinking about betty, how quickly time has passed. seemed like only yesterday she was a college freshman. - yea, now she's about to graduate (laughs).

- i'd give anything to have her win that scholastic achievement award. - wouldn't that be a fine topper for four years of college? - it would certainly make up for a few disappointments she's had. like being nosed out for senior class president. - well, she can't win all the time. besides, betty's had plenty of honors. student council, associate editor of the annual. she'll finish in the first 10 in her class. no, she's not losing any sleep over this. (loud noise) - [betty] help! - what's that? (dramatic music) - [betty] help! (dramatic music) help! (dramatic music) - [jim] betty! (dramatic music) (switches light on) (commotion and dramatic music) hey, come on.

- [margaret] here. - here, here, you're alright. come on (laughs). - [margaret] oh. - hey, hey, come on, here (jim laughs). you're getting too big to fall out of bed, come on. (betty wakes up) - wake up. you alright? - [margaret] what happened, dear? - oh, i had a nightmare. - [margaret] oh. - oh, it was awful. i was just about to get the award, and, somebody beat me to it, and they pushed me off the edge of the platform. - it certainly must've been a nightmare, considering they don't give the award until tomorrow. - you're alright dear, you just fell out of bed. -[jim] sure, come on, that's it, honey. you go back to sleep now, and you can tell us about the whole thing in the morning. (jim laughs) - [betty] you see in my dream, this huge marble staircase i was climbing was just hung in the middle of this big black emptiness. and as i was about to accept this glittering star for being vice president of my sophomore class,

roaring up the steps behind me and grabbed it. i was so taken by surprise that he was halfway up the next flight headed for a golden gavel marked president, senior class, before i even got started. well, i would've beaten him to the scholastic achievement award though, which was at the very top, except just as i was reaching for it, he pushed me over the edge of the steps. i could see him smiling and bowing out there, as i was falling and falling down into nowhere. - [margaret] oh. - boy, that certainly was a wild dream (chuckles). - yea. - well, don't worry, dear. often the things we dream happen in reverse. - how did a soldier get into it? - [kathy] do you know any soldiers? what did he look like? - well, everything was so distorted. but he looked an awful lot like cliff bowman. - oh, your arch rival for college honors. - hey, i can interpret betty's dream. it's a cinch.

wasn't he? - say, that's right. - ever since then, he's been big man on campus. - that's funny, jim, you know last night, i was thinking of the times that cliff won over betty. - sure, didn't he beat her out for vice president of the sophomore class? don't you get it? the soldier in betty's dream was cliff bowman. - alright. - bud, it's just a coincidence, it doesn't mean a thing. - [bud] now, wait a minute, dad. just this year, he beat her out, for president of the senior class. and now, he's going to run up those dream stairs of hers, and grab the scholastic achievement award. it's prophetic. (pounds table) (audience laughs) - thank, you, dear, brother. (audience laughs) - don't get sore. i'm pulling for you, kid. after all, it'd be a shame if you didn't at least win the award. especially seeing he jilted you after your one and only date with him. (audience laughs) - you don't know anything about it! - bud, that was two years ago. - [bud] ok, ok. as long as you can't get the guy, i thought you ought to get the award.

- for your information, little man, my only interest is in winning that award. and, letting mr. bowman find out how it feels to be a loser.

(applause) - you will all recognize this most coveted plaque.

to win it, a student must maintain the highest academic standards, and possess qualities of leadership, which make for outstanding citizens of the future. we are extremely proud of our two students, most nearly meeting these requirements, but unfortunately, only one can win. now, on behalf of the faculty and the board of regents, i present the scholastic achievement award to clifford bowman. (applause) congratulations, cliff. - thank you very much. - i just wish there was something i could do better than he does. he's giving me an inferiority complex. - oh, now, betty. two weeks after you've graduated, you won't even remember that cliff bowman ever existed. - [bud] hey, cliff bowman is coming right up the steps. - [betty] you're kidding!

if he isn't just outside. (audience laughs) - [betty] why would he be coming here? - oh, maybe he feels so sorry for you, he wants to split the award in two and give you half. (audience laughs) - look, will everybody please clear out, so i can see what this is all about? - sure, princess, we're going. in fact, we're gone. (audience laughs) (doorbell rings) (door shuts) (opens door) - hi, betty. - [betty] what a surprise, won't you come in? - i can only stay a minute. (closes door) - well, let's go in and sit down. - thank you. - what brings you out our way? or to use a well worn cliche, to what am i indebted for this visit? - [cliff] well, i, wanted to come over and straighten out a few things. look, i've got the feeling that maybe you don't like me. - well, what ever gave you such an idea? - well, what i mean is, if our competition had come out more even,

and i know it's been tough on you. - well, if you've come over here to tell me you're sorry you beat me-- - no, no reason to be sorry for you. but i suddenly realized that this award is the third time it's happened, and do you know i actually owe it all to you? - me, why? - because you've been pretty sharp. you've been a tough competitor, and you've kept me on my toes. you see, i have to be a frontrunner. - well you could hardly lose, cliff. (shuffling things on table) after all, you've got your nose buried in a textbook. except when you were out electioneering for some office. - like i said, either i run first, or i run last. there's no in between for me, so i didn't dare let anybody beat me out. and you kept me out there. and that's why i feel indebted to you. (throwing things on desk) look, how about going out for dinner with me? - you don't owe me a thing.

- look, betty, let's not argue. we had a date once, and we got along fine. - oh, great, one date. that was in our sophomore year, wasn't it? i must've made a terrific impression. (audience laughs) (betty sighs) - [cliff] maybe you did. (gets up from chair) sure, i kept my nose buried in textbooks, i had to. i'm not as smart as you are, i had to dig. the only reason i didn't go in for the social stuff is because i figured a girl, well it'd get to be a problem, get in the way of more important things. (audience laughs) - just, hold that thought. - now the pressure's eased up, and i'd really like to take you out. make it up to you for everything. do you understand? - oh, i understand only too well. now let me tell you for the last time, cliff bowman, you don't have to feel sorry for me.

now you get back to your books, or whatever interests you most. - look, i only wanted-- - [betty] giving me a testimonial dinner, no thanks. now i have some important things to do, if you don't mind. (shuts door) (audience laughs) (opens door) - what did i do wrong? (slams door) (audience laughs) - hooray, we have met the enemy, and he is ours! (audience laughs) (pillow thumps) and on hatches, dad, storming with the (audience laughs). - i won't ask you what happened, betty. as i can hear everything in there. - [betty] can you imagine such colossal male stupidity? wanting to make up for everything, by taking me out to dinner! "a girl could get to be a problem, "and might interfere with the more important things." (audience laughs) oh! - oh, now, betty, maybe you're misjudging cliff. maybe you ought to give him the benefit of the doubt,

- i wouldn't go out with him, if he were the last man on earth! (audience laughs) (betty runs up stairs) - well, that's the end of cliff bowman. - hm, i wonder. (audience laughs) (telephone rings) (picks up phone) hello. betty anderson? could i take the message? mr. kimbrough at gorman's department store.

- i'm betty anderson. i had an appointment with mr. kimbrough, about the job as assistant merchandise buyer. - oh yes, won't you sit down? mr. kimbrough will see you in a few minutes. - thank you. (audience laughs) - hello again. - what are you doing here? - can i help you?

i came to see mr. kimbrough, about the job as assistant merchandise buyer. (audience laughs) (dramatic music) - [secretary] will you have a seat? i'll tell mr. kimbrough you're here. (closes door) - don't tell me we're in competition again! (audience laughs) - i'm sorry you can't get me out of your hair. - i might've known you'd show up, the minute i had a chance at something. - lookbetty, i don't know how much this job means to you, but it means a lot to me, i plan to make it a career. - what am i supposed tdo, run up the white flag or something? - no, of course not, but i just want you to know that i'm dead serious about getting this job. (playful music) (betty takes things out of her purse) i guess they made our appointments for the same time. (playful music)

if you'd like to go in ahead of me, be my guest. - no favors, thank you. (betty drops something) (playful music) (audience laughs) (audience laughs) - i wouldn't primp too much for this interview. some outfits don't like to hire pretty girls for career jobs. - since when does that penalize anybody? - well, they know from experience, that pretty girls usually get married, chuck the job. - i assure you, i have nothing like that in mind. - well, you see it's hardly fair to the company, after they've gone to all that expense of training. - oh i'm sure you know all about it. - ok, only don't blame me for losing out if he tells you you're much too beautiful. (door opens) at least that's what i would tell you if i were mr. kimbrough. - suppose this is your oily way of trying to persuade me not to even go in. - now, just a minute-- (knocks plant over) - keeping to win, as usual.

- no, that's not what i-- - you'll probably end up with mr. kimbrough, one day you may even climb over everybody and own the store. - just a moment. (audience laughs) (dramatic music) (drops purse) - mr. kimbrough. - will both of you please step into my office? (shameful music) (audience laughs) - frankly, at the moment i can't promise either of you, that you can get the position that you've applied for. what i heard outside raises some doubts that, perhaps shouldn't have come up. mr. bowman, it's still some weeks before your graduation. how about part-time work, saturdays? so, we can get a line on you. that is, how well you adjust to the retail business. - mr. kimbrough, unless it could lead to something permanent, with a good future-- - that depends on you.

i can start you weekends in the stockroom. - the stockroom? (audience laughs) - it's a good place to learn something about merchandising. you don't get practical experience in college, you know. - alright, i'll take it. (audience laughs) - good. - miss anderson, i don't know what to say to you. we've found that training pretty girls for career jobs doesn't pay off. (audience laughs) - well, if you mean me, thank you. but i'm dead serious about getting this job. - but you beautiful girls usually end up at the altar, about the time we're ready to put you behind a desk. (audience laughs) - i assure you, mr. kimbrough, i have no such intentions. - you understand miss anderson, there's nothing personal on this.

- thank you for your time. - [mr. kimbrough] now, wait. we have a fashion show here every saturday. and we need some college girls as models. would you be interested in that? - me, a model? - why not? you have a good figure. i know you aren't getting your college degree just to become a clothes horse. but it's a good way for a smart girl to break into merchandising. - i don't know, mr. kimbrough, i'd never thought about modeling. - well, after all, like mr. bowman's stockroom job, it'll just be temporary. maybe after we get to know you better, we may make an exception, and keep you in the running for that assistant buyer's job. (audience laughs) well, what do you say? - well, as long as i'd still have a chance for that, i'd be glad to try modeling. (audience laughs) - [mr. kimbrough] they'll give you instructions

(playful music) (audience laughs) (playful music) (audience laughs) - boy, boy! (runs over) you forgot to leave a dress for me! (audience laughs) - i might've known it was you. yes, i've been promoted. i was so brilliant down in the stockroom, they kicked me upstairs, so i could flunky for you models. (shifting things on rack) (audience laughs) - congratulations. - why don't you get dressed? you look ridiculous, running around with cheesecloth over your head. (audience laughs) - what do you care what i look like? we're not going anywhere. - you are so right, that's exactly where we're going, nowhere. (audience laughs) - well that's certainly not my fault. will you please. - if you would just stop arguing with me, for two consecutive minutes, i might get a chance to tell you how much i like you! more than any girl i've ever known, i don't know, maybe i'm even in love with you!

you can't be serious. - [cliff] well, i am. i guess i should know by now how i feel about you. - watch out, falling in love might get to be a problem, and interfere with more important things, like, assistant buyer's job. - i don't care about that! (audience laughs) the only thing that interests me right now is-- mr. kimbrough. - that's all very interesting, mr. bowman. this is neither the time nor the place for a lovers' quarrel. we have a fashion show to get started. - [cliff] i'm sorry. - [betty] it's all my fault. - never mind that now, get back to work everyone! i'll talk to you about this later. (audience laughs) (dramatic music)

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- when is betty coming on? - i've begin to wonder myself. - do you know what kind of clothes she's modeling? - she had no idea when she left home this morning. (wedding music) - oh. (claps) (applause) (wedding music) (applause) - wow. (wedding music) - oh, dear, i think weddings are such fun. (audience laughs)

(audience laughs) (crowd cheers and claps) - jim, isn't she the most beautiful bride you've ever seen? - the second most beautiful bride. - oh. (crowd claps) (wedding music) - why it's like a real wedding! i almost expect the groom to show up any minute. (everyone laughs) look, there he is! (everyone laughs) (crowd applauds) (audience laughs) - cliff bowman, how did he get in there? - that's a good question, kathy. - this isn't my idea.

(audience laughs) - you look so pained, you're supposed to enjoy your wedding. - what did mr. kimbrough say after i left? - plenty. - i'd certainly like to know what's going on up there. - me too, that's the friendliest looking war i ever saw. (audience laughs) - you may make a good assistant buyer, but you're a sloppy bridegroom, get in step. (audience laughs) - i am in step. assistant buyer! - that's right, after taking inventory, the competition threw in the sponge. - you did? (trips over feet) (audience laughs) - steady going. - my shoelaces, i forgot to tie them. (audience laughs) why did you quit? - i found something you can never do better than i can. - what's that? - be a bride. (audience laughs) (crowd applauds) - i've never seen betty look so happy.

- or the man. (audience laughs) (crowd applauds) - [betty] don't act so happy. least you've become a problem to you. - uh oh, what now? - [betty] you're supposed to kiss the bride. (audience laughs) - in front of all these people. (audience laughs) - that's what the program says. (wedding music) - it will be a pleasure. (wedding music erupts) (crowd applauds) - oh my, they almost look like they're really in love! - they are, have been for years. (audience laughs) - really, do you know them? - [margaret] know them, he's the father of the bride!

(father knows best theme music) robert young and jane wyatt with elinor donahue, billy gray, and lauren chapin in father knows best (romantic orchestral music) - this has been the most wonderful two weeks of my whole life. - well, it's meant a great deal to me. - and to think i didn't even want to come! visiting my aunt in springfield, it sounded so dreary. (laughs) - springfield must have seemed like a pretty small town to you after chicago. (chuckles) - oh! well, that's what i thought before i got here! but somehow you've made it seem like a big city to me. - yeah. (giggles nervously) it's nothing like chicago, though.

a day or two longer i would have run out of money -- i mean, places to take you! - well, it isn't where you are, it's who you're with that counts. - yeah. yeah, but chicago's the big time! - if i'd met you in chicago, i just naturally would have assumed you were a chicagoan. - when you're in that plane tomorrow, looking down on springfield, i'll be in my english lit. class, waving to you. and they'd better not call on me. - (sighs wistfully) the plane leaves awfully early. i think i'd better... (car doors slamming) - goodbye, bud. - oh! it's arr rivoor. - au revoir? - yeah, it means til we meet again.

- i expect so. (laughs nervously) of course, i don't know just when just yet. - oh! well, that's just wonderful! you will call me, won't you? - yeah! well, you can count on that! (door handle sticking) - [nancy] you will write when you know when you're coming to chicago? - i will. - (giggles nervously) well, i guess i'd better go in now. goodbye, bud. - it's arr rivoor, til we meet in chicago. (romantic orchestral music) (door slamming)

for twelve weeks, that'll give me one way fare to chicago. - i'm afraid that isn't a very practical idea, bud. - even if it were practical, it wouldn't work. - why not? - well, how long do you think you'll go without eating lunches? - anyway, skipping lunches only finances you to chicago. what are you going to do about your expenses in chicago? how would you get back from chicago? you'd be too weak from skipping all those lunches to walk back. shall i go on? - no. no, i'll eat lunch. - [jim] (laughs) - but i won't enjoy it! - oh! you're early, betty. - yeah, ed newell should be here any minute. he's captain of the debating team. - maybe i could sell myself into bondage. - what school are we debating tonight? - midwest college. it'll be a push-over. you really should hear ed in action. he's the most dynamic speaker i've ever heard. i mean -- - [bud] i've got to get to chicago! - [betty] why don't you apply your boundless energies to something constructive, like the debating team?

and instead of getting help or even sympathy i get sourcasm! - sarcasm. - yeah! - [margaret] i think the debating team might be a very nice activity for you, bud. - [betty] ed newell said they're holding their tryouts starting next week. - [bud] ed newell! that stuffed shirt! - your father was on the college debating team. - as a matter of fact, that's how i got to chicago the first time. - do you suppose... do you suppose the debating team still makes a trip to chicago? - sure! ed said that chicago's on the schedule every year. - well if there's one person on campus i've always admired it's that ed newell. -really? what is there about stuffed shirts you admire so? - here, allow me! you wouldn't let something i said in a moment of desperation hurt my chances of getting on the debating team, would you? - i can tell you right now, bud, unless you're willing to buckle down to the kind of work debaters have to do:

practice your delivery night after night, you'll never make the debating team. the closest you'll come to chicago will be on the map. - you're right! from now on, you're going to see a new man, and i'm going to really buckle down and hit the books. from now on, it's going be nothing but work, work, work! - the following men have been selected for the debating team by captain ed newell: frank benson, george allison, and james anderson, jr.! three weeks ago i never would have believed this could have happened! - with the way he's been working, anything could have happened! it's almost as if he were inspired! - well, if it's inspiration you're talking about, don't sell nancy millbrook short. - nancy millbrook? (energetic orchestral music) attention people with hearing loss. what i'm about to tell you could change your life. does your hearing loss have you feeling left out? are you finding it harder to hear the tv or telephone?

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(knocking at door) - come in! - ah! mr. anderson! the management has asked me to apologize for not having the presidential suite ready for you. - oh, tell them to forget it! i don't want them making a big fuss over me, anyway. it gets so boring, ya know? - everthing all right? - [bud] yeah, fine! - we're scheduled for two debates, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. - hey! and we're invited to a dance at the university tonight after the evening debate! - solid! - have your lunch sent up here. that'll give you more time to look over your notes and get some rest before the debate.

- you just pick up the phone and order it from room service! - but without a menu, how am i going to know how much things cost and all? - don't worry about that. you just sign the check. - you sign for everything and it goes on the hotel bill. the university here picks up the tab. - i've got a pretty big appetite. - oh, live a little! anything in this whole gigantic hotel is yours just for the asking. - anything within reason. i mean, don't skimp but don't overdo it, either. come on, you guys, we've got some work to do. let's go, george, come on. - you can even add your tips to the check and sign for them, too. - say, ed, i might not be able to get to that dance tonight. - you're going to deprive those big city chicks of your country boy charm? - well, i promised to drop in on some friends, the millbrooks. you know, one of those family things. - if you shake them early enough, maybe you can join us later. - maybe. - see ya! - look your notes over carefully before the debate.

(restful orchestral music) (phone ringing) - hello? bud anderson! where are you? - right here in little old chicago. i told you it was just arr rivoor. - that's wonderful, bud! tonight... oh, gee, but i already have a date tonight. if you'd only let me know. what about tomorrow night? - well, we're only going to be here for the one night. couldn't you break your date? - oh, well, i really don't -- - i've got a terrific evening all set. - oh, bud, i'm awfully sorry you're only going -- - i've got reservations for a luxurious dinner in our main dining room,

dancing, midnight suppers. (lively orchestral music) - and here, sir, is the pipe you ordered from the smoke shop. - thank you, thank you. - would you like to sign the check, sir? - yes, and would have the florist's shop send a corsage of orchids to nancy millbrook at this address, please? - oh, yes sir, yes sir! thank you very much, mr. anderson. (lively orchestral music) - i think for dessert, we'll have the crepes suzetty. - after those wonderful oysters, and that marvelous soup, and that enormous steak,

- would you prefer something else? - oh, no! no! - do you mind? - oh! not a bit! i love pipes! - i like the look of a pipe. they make a man look so... manly. - i'm not interested in a pipe for looks. i find that a pipe relaxes me. - i've never been taken out like this before, even by chicago boys. - oh, and it's not over! don't forget the starlight roof for afterwards. - oh, but bud, the starlight room is so expensive. there's a coffee shop uptown that might be just as much fun, and i know it would be a lot less expensive.

you don't object to the starlight roof, do you? - [nancy] oh, no! of course not! - what's the matter? - i don't think you have any tobacco in your pipe. - well, yeah, it's a new pipe, and i kind of like to break them in by smoking them empty for awhile.

(lively orchestral music) - [margaret] kathy, did you tell bud breakfast is ready? - ten minutes ago! he said to tell room service to send it up. - (laughs) i'm afraid hotel comforts have spoiled our son to the simple life. - well, he's been home for two days now, and that's plenty of time to -- - good morning, mother! - hi, dad! - hello, bud. - good morning, kathy! - i know you're used to better service, but we do the best we can.

i'm very fond of this place. i intend to stop here whenever i'm in springfield. - well, good! glad to hear that! - good morning, everyone. - hello, princess! what time did you get in last night, young lady? - well, it wasn't late. i was out with ed newell, and dates with ed are never late. you know, he told me one of the debaters behaved disgracefully in chicago, ran up a huge hotel bill! - well! boys will be boys! a big appetite is a sign of healthy growth! - well, this kid was way out of the heart appetite class. he ran up a bill of over 180 dollars! - [jim] (whistles) - well, how could anyone possibl eat that much in that short a time? - i'd say that's really taking advantage of the university's hospitality. who was the boy? - did ed say who it was? - no, he wouldn't tell me.

- i just figured out who it was. it's so obvious. - hey! i don't want to hear any of your guesses. why don't you just drop the whole thing? - i know! it must have been -- - it's going to do you no good to -- - frank benson! - why are you -- - what makes you so sure? - well, i happen to know frank comes from a large family of very modest means. don't you see? a boy who's never had any luxuries in his life finds himself in a hotel where things he's only dreamed of are made available to him. so he went wild. - well, that's a reasonable theory. you may be right. - well, if you are right i think the boy deserves more sympathy than indignation. it would be much worse if he came from a comfortable home and took advantage of hospitality that way. there would be no excuse. - [betty] of course! poor frank! instead of condemning him, i really should think about doing something for him. maybe i could help by inviting -- - betty, you don't just jump into something.

- well, then, it must have been george allison. - [bud] betty, will you please stop playing guessing games? - well, there were only four of you on the trip! eliminate ed, (chuckles) we know it couldn't be ed. that leaves three. eliminate you, that leaves only frank and george. it had to be one or the other -- - everyone is talking so much, nobody's eating breakfast! especially you! (toaster pops) (lively orchestral music) (peaceful orchestral music) - hi, fellas! i wanted to apologize. and thanks, ed, for not telling betty that i -- - keeping it from betty is the least of your problem.

their captain of the university debating team. "i have no choice, ed. "i have to turn the anderson bill "over to the dean on friday "and let two schools work it out." - what does that mean? - it means that the debating team won't ever be invited to chicago again. - [george] and i know something that'll make you feel worse. when this becomes a matter between the two schools, james anderson, jr. will probably be expelled. - expelled? he's kidding, isn't he? i mean, they wouldn't expel me, would they? - you might get off with a year of suspension, but i doubt it. - there's one chance of beating this thing. the letter said he was going to deliver the bill to the dean on friday. now, if you paid the bill before friday yourself,

- where would i get 185 bus? - couldn't you promote it from your father? - you don't have much choice. - well, if you don't want your father to know, how about norm miller? - what has norm miller got to do with this? - he's always had big eyes for that car of yours. maybe you could sell it to him and get the money that way. - sell my car? - (melancholy orchestral music) you guys don't understand. selling my car would be like selling my leg. you know how it is! it's the only car i've had outside an old rattletrap. it was a gift! my dad gave it to me...

(peaceful orchestral music) (engine humming) - sounds ok! looks good, too! - be careful! don't scratch the finish! - i'll give you 175 for it. - 185, norm, that's it. - ok! it's a deal! (melancholy orchestral music) - give it plenty of time to warm up, especially on cold mornings. - [norm] i'll take good care of it. i'll talk to my father about the money. - it has to be today. - [norm] i'll be over tonight. so long!

- [bud] oh, hi, dad. you're home a little early. - a little. i ran into bill miller tonight. he tells me his son, norm, is buying your car. - yeah, we've been talking a deal. i figure i've had about all this old heap has to give. - i don't understand. - well, it can only go downhill from here. (chuckles)

- i thought you enjoyed working on your car, keeping it in shape? - [bud] yeah, but it's been taking too much of my time lately. it's expensive. you know, oil, gas. all that adds up. who needs it? - well, what do you plan to do with the money? - spend it! live it up! have a good time! - i see. - that's not it at all, dad. i'm in a jam. if i don't come up with

- bud -- - i was the guy who went wild in chicago, and i have to pay the hotel bill. - yes, you certainly do. - [bud] dad, i got in a spot with nancy millbrook, we had -- - bud, nothing in the world would justify such childish and irresponsible behavior. it would be one thing if you were the only one affected, but you embarrassed your whole school. - i know. why do you think i'm selling my car? - well, i'm afraid that's about the only good thing i can find in this whole mess. at least you're facing up to it. - yeah.

- there's nothing else i can do. - well, you could borrow the money. from me. - no, dad. - bud, you wouldn't be getting off without punishment. you'd have to repay the loan, with interest. for the next three months you couldn't use the car for anything but transportation to and from school. - it's a deal. - [jim] but don't get the idea i'm doing this for you. it just happens that i've grown rather attached to this old pile of nuts and bolts.

(lively orchestral music) [ ] here comes gus again. [chuckling] - who's gus? - a friend of mine. he's going around to the back door. - would you let him in, sport? - oh, sure, hazel. tell him i'll be right out just as soon as i finish hanging the drapes. he's been here every day this week. hmm. some kind of a romance?

he and millie are very good friends of hazel's. the best. boy, is he giving his wife a terrific surprise for their silver anniversary. oh? what's he gonna give her? just what she's always wanted-- furniture for the house. wait a minute. you mean, they lived for 25 years without furniture? new furniture. they had some old stuff that relatives loaned them, but now he's got some money. i cosigned his loan. uh-oh. what's the matter? every time i hear that word "cosigner," i get the shivers. what is a cosigner, george? well, in financial and banking circles, a cosigner is described as a "patsy with a pen." it means that if gus doesn't pay back the loan, hazel will have to pay it. and if she doesn't have the money-- well, if i don't have the money, i'll just find somebody that does. hi, gus. oh, hello, hazel. our drapes just got back from the cleaners, and i had to hang 'em 'cause they get creased

hazel, i just came from the bank. oh, good. tomorrow's my day off. i'll meet you at the store, and we'll pick out millie's furniture. i know just the kind she wants 'cause her and me have got the same good taste. i didn't get the money. why not? i signed the note. uh, that's why i didn't get the money. ain't my signature good enough for that bank? oh, no. they said it's good. it's just you can't use it so often. you cosigned somebody else's note, and you can't use the same collateral twice. oh, what are they talking about? i pay my bills, and i got some cash in my savings account. and i got some stocks and a few bonds and a good job. they also said-- now, mind you, i'm not saying it. they said it. said what? well, they said they prefer a different signature. they said they're just a little bank with only a couple hundred million dollars. they're not a big international bank. they don't feel they're big enough to deal with a brilliant financier like you.

yeah. that's him. yeah. that's him. he's real sarcastic. yeah, he objects to the way you try to tell him how to run the bank. oh, i knew he'd never forgive me for that. boy, one day i told him i ought to have my interest compounded daily, and one thing led to another, and i told him how he ought to reorganize the bank, and i think i mentioned something about his bald head, too. well, the point is, i don't have the money. poor millie. yeah. when we were married, we decided to wait a few months before buying living room furniture. the relatives let us have things they didn't want. it was only temporary, we said. that was 25 years ago. [doorbell rings] - [doorbell rings] - isn't that the doorbell? yeah, but mr. b's in the living room. he's a sweetheart. he always yells out, "i'll get it, hazel." [doorbell rings] darling, please sit down. i pay hazel to answer that door, and i expect her to answer it.

i got to take it on the double. coming! oh, i'm sorry, mr. egan, to keep you waiting. hazel, george. mr. egan, i was going to drop by your office later on in the day-- it will not be necessary to keep that appointment. i am here. mrs. baxter. hello, mr. egan. how are you? how am i? don't ask. oh, hazel, i did want to thank you for that delicious dinner you served the other night. oh, the pleasure is all mine. oh, excuse me, mr. egan. i don't mean to be rude, but i got company in the kitchen. it's perfectly all right, hazel. if you feel it's absolutely necessary to tear yourself away, we'll excuse you. thanks. george. george. george. do you know what this is? well, offhand, no. what is it? do you know what this is? no. what is it?

well, of course. those are earphones. this is a microphone. a miniature broadcasting station. i was straightening a picture in my office this morning, and i found this planted behind it. you mean, uh, your office was bugged? oh, i got out of there as fast i as could. i don't blame you. i got ahold of an electronics expert, and he said that this thing couldn't broadcast very far. so we searched the building. we found this receiving equipment in the basement. you found the person that did it? no. he got away. well, do you know who might possibly bug your office? of course i have an idea. i was just about to begin some extremely confidential negotiations, and that's what i want to talk to you about, george. well, if you're gonna discuss things that are confidential, i think i'll just run along upstairs.

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whole new light. liberty mutual insurance. there you are. thank you. george, in the last ten years, i built ten new department stores in this state dedicated to our expanding population. and every time, those cut-rate, cutthroat mohawk people have built a store right across the street from me. yes, but, mr. egan, nobody knows better than you that competition is the heart of the american economy. i don't call that competition. that's downright piracy. i've spent a fortune, george, a fortune giving my customers every conceivable convenience-- spacious parking lots, gracious restaurants and coffee shops, baby-minding services, and artistically- appointed restrooms. well, mr. egan-- mohawk stores don't give them anything like that, so their customers use my conveniences but buy across the street. mohawk can sell cheaper because they don't have the overhead.

and i'm furnishing the customer conveniences. don't leave them things lying around the living room. i want you to see this, george. i just received it from the architect. there you are. the architect's drawing of the new store i'm going to build. beautiful. - isn't it magnificent? - just beautiful. what's that? what's that, harold? oh. it's a radio, i think. with earphones? radios haven't had earphones since guy lombardo in the '20s. well, the scouts use earphones, but i can't get anything on it. well, here. let me try. sure. here's the blueprint of the lot plan. where do you plan on building it? that's what mohawk would like to find out. that's why they've been bugging my office.

through third parties. ah, i see. now i have all the properties i need except this one big lot across the street. if i can buy that, mohawk won't be able to get anywhere near me. maybe the battery's dead. no. i'm still getting a hum. i'm getting close to something. and that's why i have to keep it a secret because if mohawk finds out the property i want-- you don't have to tell me. i know. all they have to do is tell the owner they'll top any offer you make. they'll have me trapped. i think i'm getting something. what? a couple of men talking. well, maybe they were ham radio operators. maybe. on this crazy thing, i wouldn't be surprised if it was marconi and edison. george, i need your advice. very well. i don't think you have a moment to lose. you can't be surehow much of this have leaked out. i think you have to act fast. i don't think that mohawk-- - who's handing the property you want? - national real estate.

now, look. never mind all that third-party secrecy stuff. i think we'd better open negotiations right away. me? well, if they know i want it, the price will dou-- if they find out, they'll be asking more, but it's better to pay it than lose the lot to mohawk. i know you're right. now, i can assure you the price will be fair. i'll tell you what. i'll have my own real estate agent open negotiations. i'll call him right now. you just sit down and relax. i could use a cup of coffee. just as soon as i make this call. never mind. i'll get it. what's the matter? one of the hams just signed off. went to get some coffee. - oh. - see if we can get some music. hazel! hazel's upstairs, mr. egan. would you ask her if she'd serve some of that wonderful coffee of hers in the den? - yes, sir. - thank you, harold.

george baxter. fine. how's everything in the real estate business? i'll tell you why i'm calling. do you know that lot down on the corner of spring and fairmont? that's right. it's being handled by national real estate. well, my client, mr. egan, has to buy it before mohawk department stores get their hands on it. uh, price is no object. speed is the important thing. how soon do you think you can open negotiations? good, because mohawk could wreck mr. egan if they found out. what-- - mr. egan, what-- - shh. your house is bugged, too. what? you must be out of your mind--

a man? he heard every word. a man in the kitchen. you must mean what's-his-name. oh, he's all right. he's only-- hazel, your friend. who did you say that was out in the kitchen? you mean gus? gus. that's it. forgive me for saying this, mr. egan, but i think you have bugs on the brain. - he's a friend of hazel's. - oh, sure. he's a great guy. he works at the mohawk department store. mohawk? mohawk department stores? yeah, at the information booth.

i better massage his neck some more. i think the blood all went down to his feet. - what happened? - i don't know. i ain't figured it out myself yet. george, what's the matter? this house is bugged, that's what's the matter. what? i gave george some confidential information, and there's a mohawk man in the kitchen listening.

is it honest to plant a microphone on somebody? he didn't plant it on you, mr. egan. it was your own mike. you were carrying it around broadcasting. then i ask you, is it honest to eavesdrop on me with my own equipment? look, mr. egan, if he'd come here to eavesdrop, wouldn't he have brought his own equipment? that's mohawk for you. they take advantage of every facility i have to offer. well, i don't know what secrets you and mr. b was talking about, but i'd certainly vouch for gus. - and so will i. - he ain't no super spy. well, the first thing to do is to find out how much he's heard. he heard everything. we didn't miss a point. well, if he's heard too much, we'll just have to keep him here incommunicado until we close that deal. then we'd better find out before he gets to a phone. i never thought of that. [phone rings] that may be my real estate man. harold. huh? i can't wait any longer for hazel. i'm late already, and i don't wanna lose my information job. i need that money.

take the message. hazel: yes? harold, where's what's-his-name? who? what's-his-name. i never could remember it. it's gus. gus anderson. he just went out the back door. he was sure in a hurry. he said he had to get down to the mohawk department store right away. he said he needed the money from his information job. where's your dad? oh. everybody went that a way. where they going? they're trying to catch gus. that was mr. b's real estate agent on the phone. he says that mr. b and mr. egan come right down to his office, that they can close the deal today. hazel, you'd better go after them. i'll go get the car keys. i'll get my coat. i'm sorry, mr. wilson. and since when do we take an hour and 25 minutes for lunch?

i'm not supposed to handle your information desk while you have a siesta. tomorrow's my wife's silver wedding anniversary, and i wanted to-- those 25 minutes are not an anniversary present from the store. - oh, no, sir. - you'll be docked. - yes, sir, i know, but-- - i don't want excuses. i want you here at the information desk where you belong. yes, sir. uh, you're, uh, what's his name? gus anderson. yes, i am. and you're mr. baxter. - i don't like it. he looks too happy. - yes, i am. we've never met, but i recognize you from pictures i saw of you at your house. i'm a friend of hazel's. yes, i know. as a matter of fact, you've been to my house many times, haven't you? oh, yes. i've been there lots of times when you didn't know it. [laughing] many's the time i heard you talking in the other room. uh, this is mr. egan, the owner of the egan department stores.

it's an honor to have you visit us here at mohawk. hand me the phone. get me the boss' office quick. many's the time i have heard you... mr. rowland? wilson. the floor walker around the first floor. something's going on down here i thought you ought to know. what do you mean? mr. egan is here. egan? the mr. egan. egan department stores. and he has his attorney with him. george baxter. what are they doing? they're shaking hands with our man at the information desk. why? that's what i thought you might want to find out. get to the point, george. get to the point. mr. anderson, suppose you tell us what you heard today. heard? oh. you mean the bad news. well, the bank wouldn't give me the loan i needed.

and i needed quite a bit of money. he's setting us up for blackmail. i'm talking about out in the kitchen of my house when you had the earphones on. just what did you hear? oh. well, i heard of couple of hams talking about a lot on the corner of spring and fairmont. - oh. mr. b. - egan: hazel. hazel, what are you doing here? - hi, hazel. - hi. it's getting to be a regular family reunion. where's mrs. baxter? excuse me just a minute, gus. i got to tell mr. b something very important. mr. b, your real estate agent called, and he says if you get down to his office right away, maybe you can close that deal today. well, at least that's good news. come on. wait a minute. what about him? he knows about the corner of spring and fairmont. hazel, i want you to stick right here with gus. - huh? - don't let him talk to anybody. oh, i can't do that, mr. b. this is an information booth. he's got to answer questions. when you do all the talking around our house, i can't get a word in edgeways. so would you please do as much for gus, and don't let him out of your sight.

i mean, suppose he wants to wash his hands? well, bring him some water from the drinking fountain. now, keep him in sight and don't let him talk to anybody. come on. - gus. - yes, hazel. for your sakes, i hope your hands ain't dirty. oh, anderson. yes, sir? uh, what were mr. egan and his attorney doing here? excuse me. could you tell me where the ladies kimonos are? yes. three aisles over. - anderson-- - oh, just a minute. i haven't told him what kind of a kimono i'm interested in. we carry only one kind, madam. i know, but if he describes it, then he could save me a trip there. anderson, what were they doing here? and you had better speak up, if you want to hold on to your job here. they didn't come in here just to ask you where they could find men's underwear. where is the men's underwear? what type did you have in mind? have you been feeding him any information about our operation here? men's silk underwear. oh, no, mr. rowland. well, then what were mr. egan and his attorney doing here?

wilson here says that you were smiling, smiling and shaking hands with mr. egan. don't you realize they're competitors? they're rivals. they would do anything to put us out of business. men's boxer shorts with the stripe down the side. they weren't here for nothing. what are you trying to pull behind my back? with the reinforced back. i'm not pulling anything, mr. rowland. i'll admit i was out to mr. baxter's house quite a few times this week-- with the reinforced back. i was there today at lunch when mr. egan was there, but-- lunch. he had lunch with mr. egan and mr. baxter. well, i don't know what you're trying to pull, anderson, but you are fired. f-r-i-e-d. fired. pardon me, mr. rowland, but f-r-i-e-d is fried.

wewe did it! - mr. egan got the property.

now mohawk can't touch me. now i can give my customers the best of everything and still make a profit. and look what he brought to celebrate with. champagne. oh. well, smile, hazel. smile. mr. egan, you will stay for dinner, won't you? hazel will cook the finest dinner-- george, i don't think hazel feels like cooking dinner tonight. what's the matter? it's gus. who? oh, you mean who's-it, what's-his-name. - gus anderson. - he got fired. he's out in the kitchen, george. he hasn't the nerve to go home and tell his wife. and tomorrow's their silver anniversary. a fine present he's gonna give her. his boss saw him with you and mr. egan. when he found out he'd been coming here to the house. so he suspected the worse-- that gus had been giving you business secrets. well, i have to lose my dinner on account of a little thing like that? little? gus has lost his job, and it's all my fault 'cause i was the one that put the bee in his bonnet

well, don't worry. i'll see to it that he gets another job. just what it'll be, i don't know, but i give you my word. oh, mr. b, i love you. [chuckling] what can i do to get a reward like that? i'm glad you asked. i was thinking maybe it'll be nice if your store was to give gus some new furniture for his silver anniversary. hazel, the way i feel right now, he can have anything he wants at cost. oh, well, i wasn't figuring that way. i was figuring maybe for free. now, wait a minute. i don't mind not making a profit, but as a matter of principle, i cannot take a loss. well, remember, gus saved your new store for you. if he told mohawk what you was up to-- but you just said he didn't know what i was up to. no, but he's real fast. he'd have figured it out in no time. in ten minutes, he would've had you right in the palm of his hand. but he's too nice a guy to take advantage of a wonderful man like you.

i'm speaking from experience. you'd better give hazel what she wants before she talks you out of the whole store. one for you... and one for me. i don't know how to thank you, hazel. oh, that's all right. mr. egan said we could have whatever was left over. egan: the way i feel right now, he can have anything he wants. george just talked to a friend of his downtown. he has a new job for gus, and it pays half again as much as he's been making. that isn't all. tell him, mr. egan. i called our best interior decorator, and i arranged for mrs. anderson to have any household furnishing she desires free of cost. george, you'd better figure out some way for me to take this off our income tax. i'm so happy for you, gus. all week you and hazel have worked so hard to give millie this present, and...well, look how it turned out.

all: to hazel. [ ] i wouldn't have bothered you, but with the elections coming up so soon-- thank you, mr. mayor. i can assure you the voters of my precinct will be very grateful.

[phone rings] hello. hi, george. good news, honey. you'll have your crosswalk painted in by monday at the latest. well, that's marvelous. how did you do it? called the mayor. i thought you told hazel that wasn't such a good idea. i did, but on thinking it over, i decided it wouldn't do any harm. well, she'll be glad to know it's finally taken care of. see you soon? bye. hazel! hazel! where's hazel? i don't know. oh. i wonder where she could be. hazel! [horns honking] [ ] but officer, you know, sooner or later somebody was going to get hurt at this crossing. that's right. for almost three months now, we've been trying to get the traffic commissioner to do something about it-- okay, lady, in the car.

we're just getting to the end of our patience. in the car, lady, in the car. - dorothy: hazel! - harold: hazel? what's he gonna do with you? it's all right, sport. your dad'll bail me out. he will, won't he? he most certainly will. i will not. - george. - dad. maybe a night in jail will teach her a lesson. i don't care what her intentions were. she had no right to do it. and as far as i'm concerned-- okay, stop looking at me as if i'd suddenly grown horns. i'll bail her out.

dorothy: hazel, are you all right? well, it was kind of interesting. let's not dilly-dally, now. they put me in a cell with this confidence woman. her and her partner had this paper bag full of money. only it was all phony. miss burke? excuse me, i'm donald burton of the evening press. oh, pleased to meet you. sorry, mr. burton. my client has nothing to say. well, anything that happens to our champion lady bowler is news, mr. baxter. that will be all, mr. burton. but he's just doing his job, mr. b. and mr. baxter's just doing his. but on advice of counsel mr. baxter, i ain't sayin' nothing. but tomorrow if those two old fogies on the traffic commission don't do something about it, i'm going to be right there painting that line again. hazel, didn't george tell you? why, it's all settled. we get our crosswalk by monday morning. you mean i went to all that trouble for nothing? that's right. the mayor has issued an order.

paul? burton. look, i think i'm on to something that might help embarrass the mayor. yeah, it might even help to put our man in the mayor's office. well, did you ever hear of hazel burke, women's bowling champ? yeah. that's the one. well, despite the fact that her boss george baxter is friendly with the administration, she's threatening to start a one-woman fight against city hall. yeah. and hazel, i want one thing understood. when we go into court tomorrow morning, you let me do all the talking. is that clear? ain't you gonna put me on the stand? heaven forbid. but mr. b. - you just listen, and carefully. - yes, sir. now, i'll explain the whole procedure

yes, sir. your name will be called, the charges against you read aloud, and the judge will ask you how you plead. yeah, i know, and then i'll say-- you'll say absolutely nothing. - is that clear? - yes, sir. good. i'll identify myself as your lawyer and plead you guilty. - but, mr.-- - hazel, you are guilty, aren't you? you did paint that crosswalk on the city street. - yeah, but-- - all right, you're guilty, no buts about it. okay, but-- i mean, okay. she isn't going to say anything, george. she promised. now, if we're lucky, you'll get off with a $20 fine, at which point i'll say, "thank you, your honor." you'll pay the fine, and we'll leave. oh, yes, there's one other thing. if--by the time we get into that courtroom until we get back home, if you so much as sneeze, you can get yourself another lawyer.

eleven dollars. pay the clerk. who's next? the people against hazel burke.

your honor... yes, mr. baxter. i'm representing the defendant in the matter before the court. she is present and ready to plead. read the charges. the defendant hazel burke is charged with violation of city ordinance 36a-- inasmuch as she did on or about the hour of 3:15 pm on the 17th instant, willfully and maliciously defaced public property, specifically that section of marshall road between cowan and orange drive. how do you plead, guilty or not guilty? - guilty, your honor. - wait a minute. hazel, i warned you. well, but mr. b, i'm not going to plead guilty to a thing like that. mr. baxter? sorry, your honor. yes, your honor, no offence, but mr. b, you didn't tell me they was going to say anything like that about me. does your client wish to change her plea, mr. baxter? if i may ask the court's indulgence... hazel, i'll give you one more chance to sit down and be quiet. not guilty. [people murmur] did you hear what he said?

hazel, i mean it. mr. b., i'd no more think of defacing public property than i'd skin a whale. mr. baxter, will you please restrain your client, or i shall find you both in contempt. [sighs] your honor... i wish to resign from the case. miss burke is no longer my client. oh, golly, mr. b. - miss burke? - yes, your honor. do you wish time to secure other counsel? no, i just want to have time to tell the truth. very well, you will appear before this court at 2:00 tomorrow afternoon. court will take 15 minutes recess. - miss burke. - oh, hi. i can't tell you how much i admire a woman of courage and principle. - thanks. - it wasn't easy to stand up to the court and your employer. boy, he sure was mad. i can see his side, but he wouldn't even listen to mine.

my paper will see that you don't suffer any financial hardship from your brave action. - oh, i ain't afraid of losing my job. - you aren't? no, but things ain't gonna be very pleasant around the house until mr. b. cools off. you know, i've been a fan of yours for a long time. i never miss one of your matches at the blowing center. you don't remember seeing me? i'll have to wear a red necktie the next time. how come your paper don't give our team better right-ups, then? well, unfortunately i'm not the sports editor, but i'll talk to them about it. say, look, why don't you and i have a cup of coffee? oh, no, i gotta get home. oh, it's just around the corner. please, just 15 minutes. that's all i ask. and i'll drive you home afterwards. oh, well, coffee might be a good idea. mr... burton, donald burton. my friends call me don.

my pleasure. well, i just hope i'm doing the right thing. i can't imagine you ever doing anything but the right thing, hazel. but, look, there are times when one can pay too high a price for a principle. if you think it's more important to keep peace in the family, well...i'll understand. oh, no. no, i'm going through with it. i ain't changing my mind. you're a wonderful woman, hazel burke, [irish accent] with just enough of the devil in ya... to make ya interestin'. and hazel? i'll meet you in grantson's office at 12:00 sharp, and i'll take the two of you to lunch. fine. hazel burke, i am so angry at you after you promised george-- what's the matter with you? why are you smiling? oh, that don burton, he thinks he's falling in love with me. that newspaper man? oh, well, you don't have to worry, missy. he's probably married. the handsome ones usually are

did mr. b. call you and tell you what happened in court? he is simply furious, and i don't blame him. well, i'm sorry, missy. you know how i feel about mr. b., but after all-- i don't like to go against him, but if you'd been in court today, you'd know why i didn't plead guilty. tell me. well, they accused me of being malicious and defacing public property and stuff like that. hazel, those words are just a formality. it doesn't really matter what they said.

guy: hey, sara. oh my gosh. he's so cute. how do you know him? c'mon donovan, do it like i taught ya. love the new tattoo, sara. let's go! dude. what? dude, that's sara. who's sara? the girl in the pink shirt. that's the girl i was telling you about. oh, that's sara.

hey sara, what color underwear today? hey sara. so, when you gonna post something new? announcer: anything you post online, anyone can see. family, friends... see ya later, sara. even not-so-friendly people. don't mix the pages up, harold. your father likes to read his paper in one piece. i just want to look at the funnies. hey! what is it? look, it's hazel! hazel! hazel! come quick. look, it's her picture! - hazel! - hazel: i'm coming, i'm coming.

what's the matter? look, it's your picture on the front page! oh, he shouldn't have done that. i ain't that important. what's it say, huh? what's it say? dorothy: "hazel burke vs. traffic commission by donald burton." that's the man that brought me home. he's a reporter, sport. is he a really good friend of yours, hazel? yeah, sort of. of course i just met him. go on, missy. "hazel burke, well-known bowler "and resident of this community for many years, "was arrested yesterday afternoon on a charge of willful and malicious defacement of public property." he doesn't sound like a good friend, hazel. well, he's gotta report the news. that's his job, sport. go on, missy. "the alleged offense occurred when miss burke, "concerned about the safety of children in her neighborhood, "single-handedly painted a crosswalk "on marshal road between cowan and orange drive. "according to jonathan t. lloyd, reform candidate for mayor... "miss burke's action was triggered "by public indignation

well, i didn't say that. that was jonathan lloyd. this is a free country. he's got a right to his own opinion. paul? burton. did you see the paper? yeah, i thought it was pretty good myself. well, listen, what i called you about was i've got everything all set. phil grantson will handle her case. he knows what to do. it doesn't matter. if she wins, we build her up as a heroine. if she looses, we make her a martyr. we get good publicity for jonathan lloyd either way. oh, don't worry. i'll keep her in line. oh, that reminds me. i sent her an orchid corsage. don't scream when you get the bill. hello, darling. i suppose you've seen the evening paper. george, before you say anything to hazel, i want to talk to you. how could she let that reporter make such a fool out of her?

she must know his paper's backing jonathan lloyd. she's not thinking about politics. she's concerned with the principle. - principle? - now, don't argue with me, darling. i agree with you, but try to see hazel's side. she thinks she's doing the right thing, george, and it's no wonder that phone has been ringing all afternoon with people calling her up and congratulating her, some of them perfect strangers. i bet they're not strangers to that reporter. oh, i don't trust him either, but he has hazel absolutely mesmerized. he's merely using her to give mayor dixon a black eye and build up support for jonathan lloyd. darling. well, it's true. george, you might just ask yourself if that shoe doesn't fit your own foot. do you want hazel to do what she thinks is right or what's best for your candidate? evening, mr. b. oh, uh... hello, hazel. you mad at me?

i think you're being taken advantage of by mayor dixon's political foes, and i would prefer, therefore, that you drop the case. but, uh... i'm not angry with you. well, mr. b., i wouldn't do anything to hurt the mayor's campaign. i'm even voting for him myself. i know you are, hazel, and since you've evidently made your decision to go ahead, i, uh... i wish you luck. well, that's very understanding of you, mr. b. [phone rings] baxter residence. there was over a hundred names on the list i gave him, and i called him i don't know how many times. and every time the traffic commission would have a meeting, a whole bunch of us would go down there. and the traffic commission each time refused to correct the dangerous situation about which you were complaining? well, they didn't exactly refuse. they just didn't do nothing. [people laugh] is this a copy of the petition which you presented to the commission? yes, sir.

are those of yourself and george and dorothy baxter. yes, sir. you're presently employed by the baxters as their housekeeper. - is that correct? - oh, sure. i've been working for them ever since they got married-- thank you, miss burke. just answer yes or no if you will, please. yes, sir. this is the same george baxter who is a member of the firm of butterworth, hatch, noel, and baxter of this city, is he not? - yes, sir. - the same george baxter who is a member of the mayor's advisory council? oh, yeah. he belongs to a lot of things-- that is quite enough to identify him, miss burke. thank you. everybody in town knows mr. baxter. and he acted as your attorney when you first appeared before this court yesterday morning. yes, sir. at which time he entered a plea of guilty on your behalf. yes, sir. now, miss burke... is it not true that when you first heard the nature of the charges against you and wished to change your plea, mr. baxter refused to further represent you? yes, sir. but i don't hold that against him. you see-- of course you don't, miss burke. you worked for the baxters a good many years,

for wishing this case hushed up as quickly as possible. mr. grantson, you know as well as i do that the witness's interpretation of mr. baxter's advice is not admissible evidence. i'm sorry, your honor. i must ask that you confine yourself to proper examination. certainly, your honor. i'm sorry. is it true that mr. baxter asked you to plead guilty to the charge against you? yes, sir. and did he give as a reason for this plea his desire not to embarrass mayor dixon and his administration in the coming campaign? well, he... he gave lots of reasons. answer the question, miss burke. but your honor, it's hard to answer yes and no to every question if you want to tell the whole truth. and that's what i swore to do-- tell the whole truth. i'll withdraw the question, your honor. miss burke, is it true that yesterday morning mr. baxter entered a plea of guilty on your behalf?

and is it not equally true that when you wished to change your plea, mr. baxter withdrew as your counsel? yes, sir. thank you, miss burke. you may step down. but i don't wanna. i have no further questions, your honor. the defense rests. that will be all, miss burke. thank you. but, your honor, the only reason i pleaded not guilty was because i wanted to have a chance to explain why i did what i did. i'm sorry, your honor. step down, miss burke. that young fella ain't interested in getting the truth. all he wants to do is blacken mr. b.'s name and the mayor's name, and i ain't gonna let him get away with it. [people murmuring] is it okay if i fire him, your honor? he ain't working for me. he's working for jonathan lloyd.

now, maybe i can tell the truth in my own words. we've already spent considerable time on this case, however if you think you can wind it up in five minutes, go ahead. oh... i won't take that long.

no, what i was trying to say was that i ain't denying that i painted the crosswalk in without legal permission. the only things i pleaded not guilty to was them words "malicious" and "defacing public property." let me see if i understand.

but you're asking mercy because of the extenuating circumstances. oh, no. i ain't asking for no mercy. then i'm afraid i don't understand. but you see, your honor, i just don't want people to think that i'm malicious. i see. and i don't want them to think that i'm defacing public property because i didn't even splatter one little bit of paint. anything else, miss burke? and i would've cleaned up if the policeman hadn't got there first because if there's one thing i hate, it's a litterbug. is that all, miss burke? yes, your honor. i just wanna say that mayor dixon is the best mayor this town ever had. and you can say that in the evening press. miss burke, this is not the place for a campaign speech. no, i'm sorry, your honor. miss burke, before you took the law into your own hands, did you stop to think what might happen if every citizen followed your example? oh... you mean, if everybody painted in a crosswalk

well, yeah. i guess traffic would be pretty much of a mess, huh? [chuckles] it would indeed. you got a good point there, your honor. i'm sorry. i just--i didn't think. those who disobey the rules of society as a means of protest must be prepared to pay the penalty. oh, i am, your honor. i'm just-- i'm willing to take [hesitating] whatever comes along. your honor, may i-- you may not. thanks anyway, mr. b. i find the defendant guilty as charged. the sentence will be three days in the county jail-- [people groan] your honor-- [people murmuring] oh, that's all right, mr. b. rosie will pitch in and help out with the housekeeping and the cooking. and a $50 fine. [people groan] is it all right, your honor, if i pay a little at a time?

would everybody please be quiet until i have finished? [people quiet down] the jail sentence is suspended. [cheering] and so is the fine. court adjourned. oh, thanks, your honor. thanks so much. mr. burton. i wish you'd take this back. it's still fresh. maybe you can get a refund. i meant what i said to you, hazel... some of it anyway, at least the personal part. you got a terrific gift of gab, mr. burton, but i think it's kind of sad when a man uses his talents to do something evil. i'm not laughing either, hazel.

martha, helen's here. helen. oh, it's been so long. my, it's good to see you again, martha. come on in the living room. i'll take your bags on upstairs, sis. [doorbell rings] hi, mr. wilson. what do you want, dennis? i wanna know who that lady is that just came in to your house. that doesn't concern you. are the her suitcases? never mind, tommy. hi!