The Kids Are Alright (2018) s01e21 Episode Script
Mike's Award
1 Peg, it happened again.
We got a winner.
The post office forgot to cancel another stamp? Eight cents more toward our cemetery plot.
- Oh, take me there now.
- [Doorbell rings.]
I'm gonna start the tea kettle and steam it off.
[Vacuum stops.]
Oh, good, you're home.
I thought you might be out of town because your lawn looks so poorly maintained.
Oh, Helen.
Is this an intentional visit? 'Cause I know it's not uncommon for people your age to get lost wandering around the neighborhood.
Let me have one of my boys guide you home, hmm? You know, as scary as this part of town is, that won't be necessary.
- Hi, Helen.
- Hello, Michael.
ADULT TIMMY: Neither of my parents much liked Helen Portollo.
She was my mom's best friend.
Have you seen the article about my husband in the Press-Tribune? I wonder if we could have your copy when you're done clipping coupons and swatting your bugs.
- Oh, Steven looks so distinguished.
- Yeah.
And they saved ink by not having to print hair.
[Laughing.]
Something funny on the news.
He got an award at work Salesman of the Month.
They were gonna give it to him in June, but we held out for one with thirty-one days.
It's right here next to the article - about Pioneer Days festivities.
- Mm.
Of course, Mike and I were invited to the banquet again this year.
We're so looking forward to going.
Ugh, that's this weekend? Last year, they served chicken stuffed with crab.
Oh, that's what that was.
Thought the chicken had gone bad.
Steven and I will be there as well, - at the Mayor's table.
- Hm.
Come by and say hi, although it might be roped off.
I'll be sure to wave.
Well, I won't blame you if you forget.
I know how you get with an open bar.
Well, anyway, so great to see you, Helen.
You too, Peggy.
Thank you.
Criminy.
I mean, if Steven's such a bigwig, you'd think he could afford to buy his own newspapers.
- And a big wig.
- They give out meaningless prizes at my work all the time.
I'm getting one on Wednesday.
You're getting an award, and you didn't say anything while Helen was here bumpin' her gums about Steven? I don't get all giddy over some dumb trophy.
Not even a trophy They gave him a paper certificate.
I mean, babies get those just for being born.
The only certificate a real man wants - is a weekly paycheck.
- [Kettle whistling.]
- Oh, Mike.
- Ah! The siren song of a free stamp.
- [Laughing.]
- [Sighs.]
You could've bragged to your friend Helen that I just earned my Scout badge for making fire without a match.
They give badges now for doing easy things - the hardest way possible? - I also earned my climbing-up-a-ladder- with-no-hands badge.
Oh, well, now, that actually sounds like a useful skill.
Tell me all about it.
Well, the angle of the ladder is critical [Vacuum runs.]
You You going on rides at the fair tonight? I'll cut you a deal on the tickets.
Where'd you get those? Carnival supply company.
I can also fix you up with a four-foot Tweety Bird and all the baggies full of goldfish you want.
Where's the fun in a carnival prize if you don't win it? I've been practicing that milk-bottle toss all year.
I'm gonna win a visor, which is basically the coolest parts of a hat.
You know what's fun for me? Not having fun.
Self-denial That is the real fun.
- Plus it costs nothing.
- And it's not fun.
I'm gonna do my magic act at the carnival.
Having seen your act, your most impressive trick - was getting hired.
- [Laughter.]
I haven't sealed the deal, but I already rented a tuxedo - so I know it's gonna happen.
- A lot of guys go to prom with that same naive optimism.
They do magic at the prom? Oh, I can't wait for high school.
Yeah, let's just jump ahead and say there was no magic at any of my proms.
Although one year my date did disappear.
If you want this gig, you'll need a manager me.
Why should clean-shaven P.
T.
Barnum get all the credit when the bearded lady has all the talent? You're kind of arguing against the need for a manager, - but I'm in! - I love Pioneer Days.
I wish I was a pioneer.
Oh, Pat.
You would've died in childbirth and probably taken me with you.
- I'm sorry, Mommy.
- Me too.
We could be in Heaven right now instead of eating this garbage.
And I can say that 'cause I made it.
Ah, everything looks delicious, Peg.
[Chuckles.]
You see a spread like this, you appreciate the sacrifices made by our pioneer forefathers.
And the sacrifices they forced the Native Americans to make.
Everyone had a role to play.
Native peoples were living in this area for 5,000 years with a peaceful, communal culture.
Exactly, communism, and we brought them the American way of life, plus the religious freedom to pursue any form of Christianity.
They had their own spiritual practices.
Yeah, well, whoever they were praying to, it didn't work.
Lawrence does make a good case.
Maybe we should boycott this pioneer banquet out of respect to the Native Americans and their gibberish.
Nice try.
We're going, and we're gonna shine.
I just found out that Helen and Steven are not only at the Mayor's table, they are seated right next to the guest of honor, Dan Blocker from "Bonanza.
" Can you slip him my head shot and résumé? I just need to add "bronco busting" to my special skills.
It's that newspaper article, Mike.
If you were more willing to toot your own horn, we'd be up there with Hoss instead of Helen and Steven.
I would very much enjoy picking Hoss Cartwright's brain discussing ranching conditions on the Ponderosa.
But spending an awkward meal with some Hollywood dandy? No, thank you.
The name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Pioneer Days wasn't just an annual banquet my father dreaded.
It was a week-long celebration of the frontier settlers whose perseverance, sacrifice, and rumored cannibalism founded our town.
Whoa, look at her! FRANK: In a more civilized time, she would've been stoned by the town elders.
Saturday in the park How does any of this gaudy hoopla honor the pioneers? Are you kidding? My friend Dino got arrested here last night by a real-live deputy sheriff.
In memory of the pioneers, I'm gonna win a hat that keeps the sun out of my eyes and still lets me tan my scalp.
A quarter gets you one toss.
Three tosses for a dollar.
- That's a deal! - No, it's not.
It's actually a rip-off! I'm only gonna need one.
Thank you.
[Grunts.]
Let's go.
This whole event is a festival of duplicity.
I know.
Give me the three-ball deal my brother talked me out of.
- Can I throw two balls at once? - Suit yourself.
CARNIVAL BARKER: Fifty cents, four-bits, - Ah! So much harder.
- one shiny half-dollar to see freaks and psychos and a collection of things in jars that you'll wish were in cans! And, for an extra quarter, you can feed shrimp to anything with a mouth! Excuse me, sir.
We have an act here you may be interested in.
Two arms, two legs, and a head.
Unless he's hiding a tail under there, nobody's paying to see that.
They might pay to see this! And it's not even that cold.
He's got a solid five minutes of material he can easily stretch into an hour.
Kids, these days, I can't swing a dead dwarf without hitting a magician.
In fact, I'm not even allowed to swing a dead dwarf anymore.
Thanks, Nixon.
[Whispering.]
Offer the man a bite of your drumstick.
Sorry, kid.
I only showcase the kind of human monsters that give people nightmares.
Like that bendy little freak.
Well, you're in luck.
I also represent him.
Ooh.
- [Whispering.]
What about me? - [Clicks tongue.]
I feel like I've taken you as far as I can.
Let's go to my tent and talk some business.
Unlike Helen's husband, my dad tried to keep a low profile at his work.
He didn't go in for a lot of showing off - [Bell ringing.]
- which Dad saw as a good way to lose a limb or, worse, the respect of his coworkers.
Honey, I specifically asked for a banana in my lunch today, and I can't find it anywhere! [Terry laughs.]
Good afternoon, feel free to keep eating your lunches.
I already had mine - fish.
- Mm.
Now, to this month's productivity award.
Uh, I'll call you back.
Well, it seems we have a delightful surprise which, unfortunately, cannot be avoided.
We have guests for today's award.
Mike Cleary, apparently you have a family, and they are here.
PEGGY: Surprise! - What is this? - Well, I rallied all the boys to show how proud they are of their dad.
Since when do I care what they think? Congratulations, Dad.
[Laughter, indistinct muttering.]
[Whispers.]
I'll need those back.
Honey, I told you, this award was nothing.
Well, I think that's for the newspaper to decide.
Right? Yeah, we're gonna do a quick photo.
Come on.
Let's all line up.
Just let me get his name on the plaque and peel off last month's winner.
How long is this going to take? My client's due back at the side show.
- I'm a curiosity.
- Oh.
MIKE: This is just you showboating for Helen - and her stupid, bald husband.
- Oh, poppycock.
Make sure you get the whole family and all of Mike's hair in the shot.
[Whispering.]
Stand up straight.
[Camera shutter clicks.]
Stand up straight.
I don't want to accidentally sew your hump into my dress.
I am happy to contribute in any small way to you dazzling at that banquet.
- [Door opens.]
- MIKE: Peg? - In here! - In here! [Door closes.]
That stunt today was embarrassing.
A man simply doing his job does not belong in the newspaper unless that job is president or the Boston Strangler.
Quiet dignity.
That's what makes the man.
Ouch! You accidentally stabbed me.
Yeah, accidentally.
Look, Mike, what's done is done.
But according to William, your picture's on the front page.
Oh, no, you're bleeding.
Take off my dress before you ruin it.
Why are we competing with Helen and Steven? I have no interest in trying to be some fancy big shot hobnobbing with glitterati like Hoss.
I'm not gonna apologize for being proud of my husband or the hard work he does being better than Steven.
- [Dog barking.]
- [Sighs.]
The dogs are fiery out there today.
Let's see the damage.
- [Gasps.]
- Heavens to Murgatroyd.
This is a hair better than Steven's picture.
Let me just say what everyone's thinking I look great in evening-wear.
From the mysterious depths of the Marianas Trench and brought here in chains at no small expense, I offer you The Crab Boy! - [Applause.]
- I pinch people and I'm crabby! I hear fancy seafood restaurants have offered millions for him.
WILLIAM: Does it bother anybody else that Crab Boy is wearing a lobster costume? [Laughing.]
Oh.
The lobster's the king of the crabs.
The king crab is the king of the crabs.
Well, keep it to yourself, Jerk Cousteau.
- Fear me! - CARNIVAL BARKER: Watch out! Those snapping claws are razor sharp! Back! Back into your tank, Crab Boy! Just a taste of the gruesome wonders awaiting you inside the tent.
I'll admit it.
You've sucked me in.
I'd like to feed him some shrimp, please.
This undermines the dignity of the role I play contributing to our nation's defenses.
The only indignity here is them giving you all the credit as if these kids fed off of your insides for nine months.
Ten and a half in Frank's case.
The guys at work are gonna have all kinds of smarmy fun.
"Eight kids.
Mr.
Productivity.
" And I sure don't see us going to that Pioneer dinner now everyone staring at me like I'm one of those freaks in a carnival sideshow.
By the way, I hear they have an excellent Crab Boy.
Michael Cleary, I will not let you use this as an excuse to not go to that banquet, like two years ago, when you suddenly came down with polio.
My foot fell asleep.
It was an honest mistake.
So you're getting a little unwanted attention boo-hoo it'll pass.
This article might actually do you some good at work.
Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
No, the squeaky wheel gets replaced! That's just basic wheel maintenance.
TIMMY: Dad! Dad, get in here! Now! If he asks me to pick a card, honest to God, I'm going to prison tonight.
JOHNNY CARSON ON TV: through the newspapers and, well, it's an article about a local man who works at Logan Aerospace right here in beautiful downtown Burbank.
Holy moly.
I know! It's my first appearance on "Carson"! I just wish the other guests were stronger.
Here he is, Mr.
Mike Cleary, with his eight children, who was named "Mr.
Productivity.
" - [Chuckles.]
I should say so.
- [Exhales sharply.]
And it says he's a machinist.
- One could say he's also a machine.
- [Laughter.]
Oh.
[Chuckles.]
"It'll pass," Peg? - I'm a laughingstock! - Oh, come on.
I hear his wife also won a prize "Mrs.
Re-Productivity.
" - [Laughter, applause.]
- Thank you, Johnny.
Finally, Mom gets a crumb.
MARYBETH: Mike Cleary, please report to Mr.
Crane's office.
[Switch clicks.]
You'll be alright, Cleary.
Just don't get [laughing.]
Mr.
Crane pregnant.
[Laughter.]
Mr.
Crane, I want to apologize for the embarrassment I've caused the company.
Believe me, having eight children was entirely unintentional.
No need, Cleary.
I didn't see the Carson program, but people who enjoy humor told me it was humorous.
You're not angry? On the contrary, we're always looking to put a human face on what we do here to balance out the menacing shark faces we sometimes put on the missiles.
I should apologize to you.
After all these years, I didn't even know you had children.
In fairness, when I'm here, I'm trying my best to forget them.
Considering the comedically large size of your family, I've decided to give you a raise, effective immediately.
I thought there was a wage freeze.
That's just something companies say.
I'll eliminate the raises for the unmarried guys and for men with three to four kids.
Mr.
Crane, I can't thank you enough.
[Chuckles.]
The amount you just did was entirely adequate.
Ta-da! JOEY: What's with the lavish breakfast spread? The refrigerator broken again? Please don't make me eat another tub of margarine.
We're celebrating.
Sausage, bacon, ham.
That's a party in my book.
- For everyone except the pig.
- How about these cute, little eggs Pat brought home from the park? I found a nest.
Congratulations on your raise, Dad.
Well, credit where credit's due.
It's thanks to your mother.
Your father's being too humble.
Although in this case, he's right.
You boys need to learn there is no sin in pride.
Actually, it's one of the Seven Deadly ones, right there between sloth and gluttony.
Fine, it's a sin.
But it's a necessary one if you want to go places in life.
Do not be shy about tooting your own horn.
Okay.
Well, I just taught myself - a very difficult magic trick - Mom talking.
Anyway, I'm done.
Well, however my horn got tooted, you kids showing up paid off.
Mr.
Crane saw this brood and gave me a raise.
So, at your job, people get paid more if they have more children? Well, a breadwinner with responsibilities naturally gets a bit more than some footloose single guy.
Yeah, or some gal just working for pin money - till she lands a husband.
- [Chuckles.]
I'm gonna have a hundred kids so I can be a millionaire! Making babies instead of working hard? - I could get into that.
- Nobody said I don't work hard.
You said it yourself.
We got you this raise.
Now, back to this trick I learned Nobody got me anything that I didn't 100% deserve.
- Well, in my opinion - Oh, here we go.
you absolutely deserve the raise.
Oh.
Thank you, son.
Don't fall for it, Mike.
He's gonna keep talking.
The fact that Dad has so many kids should be a factor.
His boss obviously believes in needs-based compensation.
That's it exactly.
Listen to your brother.
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.
" - Well said.
- Well, I can't take credit.
That's Karl Marx.
Wait.
What? [Quietly.]
I tried to warn you, Mike.
So you're saying somehow my raise is Marxism? It's a good thing.
It's compassion.
Crane isn't just treating you like a cog in a machine.
He doesn't want your family to suffer.
Compassion? I don't need Crane sticking his compassion in my business.
This family will suffer exactly as much as I want us to.
- And more if the Church requires it.
- Congratulations, Lawrence.
You've taken something beautiful and American like more money and ruined it with compassion and Karl Marx! The celebration's over.
[Door opens.]
[Quietly.]
You're not really upset, right? This was just a scam to make off with the meat.
I knew there was something about that raise I didn't like.
It's forty-six more dollars a week.
The only thing not to like is that they didn't round up to fifty.
You heard Lawrence.
It's a socialist hand-out.
Like I'm in Red Square standing in line for toilet paper.
But you earned this toilet paper with your service to the company, from which you have no problem bringing home - toilet paper all the time.
- Oh, it's not a hand-out when they don't know you're taking it.
I'm a self-made man, Peg.
I like to think that the things we have in our life, we deserve.
You really think we deserve this? If our life were merit-based, I'd like to believe we'd be doing a little better than stealing toilet paper and eating park eggs! - I can't accept the raise, honey.
- I can! It's for the kids, anyway, and that's my area.
So while you're off at work being all "self-made," I am cooking and cleaning and in the backyard yanking a lizard out of Baby Andy's mouth.
- He's got a new tooth.
- Is he okay? [Groans.]
Like you care about some lizard.
Look, that 46 bucks will make things better in my life.
So call it communism or Marxism or botulism, I don't want to hear any more about your pride.
It's a sin.
Did you know that? They just added it to the list.
If I compromise my principles, I'm not the man you married.
[Door slams shut.]
Pretty sure I'd be just as happy with the higher-paid guy.
[Telephone rings.]
Mr.
Crane's office.
Is Mr.
Crane there? Not yet.
May I help you? Uh, yeah.
My husband works in his department, and he thinks Mr.
Crane gave him a Marxist raise.
A Marxist raise? Mr.
Crane? Marxist, communist I don't know.
My husband thinks he's in Red Square - waiting for Charmin.
- And who's this Charmin? Focus, please.
Look, Mr.
Crane has to convince my husband his raise is on the up-and-up, even if the orders come straight from the Kremlin himself.
Do you understand? I think I do.
Yes.
Thank you for this information.
God bless America.
Whatever.
[Receiver hangs up.]
An apple? How'd this get in here? Is the school nurse coming to do a home check again? That's from the carnival.
You can have it.
Huh.
[Crunches.]
That was very nice of you.
I already licked off all the caramel anyway.
The Midwest farmers' You finally won your stupid visor? I love it.
It's like having an extra arm to do this all the time.
And how many dollars did you recklessly squander winning a 50-cent visor? It's not about the money, Frank.
I had a blast winning it.
Ah, the song of the gullible.
You're exactly the type of turnip-truck rube that keeps those carnies living like kings.
Like kings? The guy in the goldfish booth told me he gets to eat the ones that die.
And I'm not sure he waits all the way.
I wish they Pat? What are you doing here? Crab Boy's supposed to be onstage in two minutes ago! Oh, I'm done with that.
Oh, let me guess.
You want to direct.
You can't bail on me now, kid.
Tonight's the Sea Freak Extravaganza.
You're doing "Who's On First?" with Squid Boy.
- No, thank you.
- Don't push him, Joey.
It's wrong to force a child into the cutthroat world of entertainment a dog-eat-dog hellscape which chews you up and spits you out.
Unless your talent is Undeniable [Humming, tap-dancing.]
[Scoffs.]
You really feel that way, kid? You're putting me in sort of a tough spot.
I signed a contract.
What if I got you more snacks, huh? - Snacks for my star? - It's not the snacks.
I've had some of the best shrimp of my life this week.
I'm just done.
Don't say that.
You're my Crab Boy.
I am not a crab! I am a human being with crab-like qualities! You don't know these carnie-folk.
If I don't find someone to replace you, I'll end up in one of those jars.
Hello? Mr.
Crane? FLEMING: Could you come in here, please? Mr.
Crane is currently under investigation.
The dark shadow of Soviet aggression has crept its way into Logan Aerospace.
These Tootsie Rolls for anybody? - Hi there, Cleary.
- That would be Cleary as in "Michael Cleary"? Our security chief here got a phone tip that I was a communist.
Which, if I was, I think I'd know.
On the other hand, they are sneaky.
How are you mixed up in all this, and do you know somebody named Charmin? Listen, it's true that Mr.
Crane gave me a raise for reasons which possibly fly in the face of free-market values.
But I wouldn't call him a communist.
He drives a brand-new Eldorado.
But if I was a communist, isn't that exactly what I would do? Goodness.
It's all adding up.
I'm humorless, I thrive in an anonymous bureaucracy, and I once wrote an effusive fan letter to Olympic gymnast Olga Korbut "The Sparrow from Minsk.
" Look, I'm not sure what's going on with Mr.
Crane Oh, have no doubt.
I'm in big trouble here.
You really should distance yourself.
I'm a patriotic American.
I eat meat at every meal and often as a snack.
So if I've been offered a salary raise under orders from Leonid Brezhnev, I cannot, in good conscience, accept that money.
According to what I see here, your raise was entirely merit-based, and, frankly, you should've gotten it two years ago.
Seriously, Crane? Two years? There was a wage freeze.
You said that was just something companies say.
Well, I obviously can't be trusted.
Look at this jam I'm in right now.
I'm never gonna see my kids again, am I? [Chuckles.]
Turns out they've been stiffing me for two years, Peg.
[Laughing.]
Maybe more.
Then we've got cause to celebrate.
Forty-six bucks.
We should get to the banquet early and tip the valet to ding Helen's car.
Well, what's the point of being rich if we don't do good things with our money? [Laughs.]
You're still doing this? You already won your dumb hat.
Yeah, but it's fun, man.
Plus, with the visor, I'm so much better at it.
Turns out the sun was in my eyes for the first forty bucks.
- [Chuckles.]
- [Bottles clatter.]
Sammy, my friend, another visor, s'il-vous please.
Here you go, pal.
Visor con Dios.
You're not even keeping them?! It It makes no sense.
You're wasting money and visors.
It's not a waste.
I practiced all year, - and I'm really good at this.
- But it's pointless.
The pointlessness is the point.
You want to be happy, Frank, find something stupid that you can do better than anybody else and do it a whole bunch.
[Bottles clatter.]
From the farthest reaches of the Swiss Alps, spawn of man and beast, brought in chains at tremendous expense Mountain Goat Boy! ["Entry of the Gladiators" playing.]
A miracle of balance and nimbleness, there is nothing he cannot ascend using only his hind hooves! [Applause.]
[Imitates goat.]
Hey, Frank! Catch! [Crowd gasps.]
We got a winner.
The post office forgot to cancel another stamp? Eight cents more toward our cemetery plot.
- Oh, take me there now.
- [Doorbell rings.]
I'm gonna start the tea kettle and steam it off.
[Vacuum stops.]
Oh, good, you're home.
I thought you might be out of town because your lawn looks so poorly maintained.
Oh, Helen.
Is this an intentional visit? 'Cause I know it's not uncommon for people your age to get lost wandering around the neighborhood.
Let me have one of my boys guide you home, hmm? You know, as scary as this part of town is, that won't be necessary.
- Hi, Helen.
- Hello, Michael.
ADULT TIMMY: Neither of my parents much liked Helen Portollo.
She was my mom's best friend.
Have you seen the article about my husband in the Press-Tribune? I wonder if we could have your copy when you're done clipping coupons and swatting your bugs.
- Oh, Steven looks so distinguished.
- Yeah.
And they saved ink by not having to print hair.
[Laughing.]
Something funny on the news.
He got an award at work Salesman of the Month.
They were gonna give it to him in June, but we held out for one with thirty-one days.
It's right here next to the article - about Pioneer Days festivities.
- Mm.
Of course, Mike and I were invited to the banquet again this year.
We're so looking forward to going.
Ugh, that's this weekend? Last year, they served chicken stuffed with crab.
Oh, that's what that was.
Thought the chicken had gone bad.
Steven and I will be there as well, - at the Mayor's table.
- Hm.
Come by and say hi, although it might be roped off.
I'll be sure to wave.
Well, I won't blame you if you forget.
I know how you get with an open bar.
Well, anyway, so great to see you, Helen.
You too, Peggy.
Thank you.
Criminy.
I mean, if Steven's such a bigwig, you'd think he could afford to buy his own newspapers.
- And a big wig.
- They give out meaningless prizes at my work all the time.
I'm getting one on Wednesday.
You're getting an award, and you didn't say anything while Helen was here bumpin' her gums about Steven? I don't get all giddy over some dumb trophy.
Not even a trophy They gave him a paper certificate.
I mean, babies get those just for being born.
The only certificate a real man wants - is a weekly paycheck.
- [Kettle whistling.]
- Oh, Mike.
- Ah! The siren song of a free stamp.
- [Laughing.]
- [Sighs.]
You could've bragged to your friend Helen that I just earned my Scout badge for making fire without a match.
They give badges now for doing easy things - the hardest way possible? - I also earned my climbing-up-a-ladder- with-no-hands badge.
Oh, well, now, that actually sounds like a useful skill.
Tell me all about it.
Well, the angle of the ladder is critical [Vacuum runs.]
You You going on rides at the fair tonight? I'll cut you a deal on the tickets.
Where'd you get those? Carnival supply company.
I can also fix you up with a four-foot Tweety Bird and all the baggies full of goldfish you want.
Where's the fun in a carnival prize if you don't win it? I've been practicing that milk-bottle toss all year.
I'm gonna win a visor, which is basically the coolest parts of a hat.
You know what's fun for me? Not having fun.
Self-denial That is the real fun.
- Plus it costs nothing.
- And it's not fun.
I'm gonna do my magic act at the carnival.
Having seen your act, your most impressive trick - was getting hired.
- [Laughter.]
I haven't sealed the deal, but I already rented a tuxedo - so I know it's gonna happen.
- A lot of guys go to prom with that same naive optimism.
They do magic at the prom? Oh, I can't wait for high school.
Yeah, let's just jump ahead and say there was no magic at any of my proms.
Although one year my date did disappear.
If you want this gig, you'll need a manager me.
Why should clean-shaven P.
T.
Barnum get all the credit when the bearded lady has all the talent? You're kind of arguing against the need for a manager, - but I'm in! - I love Pioneer Days.
I wish I was a pioneer.
Oh, Pat.
You would've died in childbirth and probably taken me with you.
- I'm sorry, Mommy.
- Me too.
We could be in Heaven right now instead of eating this garbage.
And I can say that 'cause I made it.
Ah, everything looks delicious, Peg.
[Chuckles.]
You see a spread like this, you appreciate the sacrifices made by our pioneer forefathers.
And the sacrifices they forced the Native Americans to make.
Everyone had a role to play.
Native peoples were living in this area for 5,000 years with a peaceful, communal culture.
Exactly, communism, and we brought them the American way of life, plus the religious freedom to pursue any form of Christianity.
They had their own spiritual practices.
Yeah, well, whoever they were praying to, it didn't work.
Lawrence does make a good case.
Maybe we should boycott this pioneer banquet out of respect to the Native Americans and their gibberish.
Nice try.
We're going, and we're gonna shine.
I just found out that Helen and Steven are not only at the Mayor's table, they are seated right next to the guest of honor, Dan Blocker from "Bonanza.
" Can you slip him my head shot and résumé? I just need to add "bronco busting" to my special skills.
It's that newspaper article, Mike.
If you were more willing to toot your own horn, we'd be up there with Hoss instead of Helen and Steven.
I would very much enjoy picking Hoss Cartwright's brain discussing ranching conditions on the Ponderosa.
But spending an awkward meal with some Hollywood dandy? No, thank you.
The name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Pioneer Days wasn't just an annual banquet my father dreaded.
It was a week-long celebration of the frontier settlers whose perseverance, sacrifice, and rumored cannibalism founded our town.
Whoa, look at her! FRANK: In a more civilized time, she would've been stoned by the town elders.
Saturday in the park How does any of this gaudy hoopla honor the pioneers? Are you kidding? My friend Dino got arrested here last night by a real-live deputy sheriff.
In memory of the pioneers, I'm gonna win a hat that keeps the sun out of my eyes and still lets me tan my scalp.
A quarter gets you one toss.
Three tosses for a dollar.
- That's a deal! - No, it's not.
It's actually a rip-off! I'm only gonna need one.
Thank you.
[Grunts.]
Let's go.
This whole event is a festival of duplicity.
I know.
Give me the three-ball deal my brother talked me out of.
- Can I throw two balls at once? - Suit yourself.
CARNIVAL BARKER: Fifty cents, four-bits, - Ah! So much harder.
- one shiny half-dollar to see freaks and psychos and a collection of things in jars that you'll wish were in cans! And, for an extra quarter, you can feed shrimp to anything with a mouth! Excuse me, sir.
We have an act here you may be interested in.
Two arms, two legs, and a head.
Unless he's hiding a tail under there, nobody's paying to see that.
They might pay to see this! And it's not even that cold.
He's got a solid five minutes of material he can easily stretch into an hour.
Kids, these days, I can't swing a dead dwarf without hitting a magician.
In fact, I'm not even allowed to swing a dead dwarf anymore.
Thanks, Nixon.
[Whispering.]
Offer the man a bite of your drumstick.
Sorry, kid.
I only showcase the kind of human monsters that give people nightmares.
Like that bendy little freak.
Well, you're in luck.
I also represent him.
Ooh.
- [Whispering.]
What about me? - [Clicks tongue.]
I feel like I've taken you as far as I can.
Let's go to my tent and talk some business.
Unlike Helen's husband, my dad tried to keep a low profile at his work.
He didn't go in for a lot of showing off - [Bell ringing.]
- which Dad saw as a good way to lose a limb or, worse, the respect of his coworkers.
Honey, I specifically asked for a banana in my lunch today, and I can't find it anywhere! [Terry laughs.]
Good afternoon, feel free to keep eating your lunches.
I already had mine - fish.
- Mm.
Now, to this month's productivity award.
Uh, I'll call you back.
Well, it seems we have a delightful surprise which, unfortunately, cannot be avoided.
We have guests for today's award.
Mike Cleary, apparently you have a family, and they are here.
PEGGY: Surprise! - What is this? - Well, I rallied all the boys to show how proud they are of their dad.
Since when do I care what they think? Congratulations, Dad.
[Laughter, indistinct muttering.]
[Whispers.]
I'll need those back.
Honey, I told you, this award was nothing.
Well, I think that's for the newspaper to decide.
Right? Yeah, we're gonna do a quick photo.
Come on.
Let's all line up.
Just let me get his name on the plaque and peel off last month's winner.
How long is this going to take? My client's due back at the side show.
- I'm a curiosity.
- Oh.
MIKE: This is just you showboating for Helen - and her stupid, bald husband.
- Oh, poppycock.
Make sure you get the whole family and all of Mike's hair in the shot.
[Whispering.]
Stand up straight.
[Camera shutter clicks.]
Stand up straight.
I don't want to accidentally sew your hump into my dress.
I am happy to contribute in any small way to you dazzling at that banquet.
- [Door opens.]
- MIKE: Peg? - In here! - In here! [Door closes.]
That stunt today was embarrassing.
A man simply doing his job does not belong in the newspaper unless that job is president or the Boston Strangler.
Quiet dignity.
That's what makes the man.
Ouch! You accidentally stabbed me.
Yeah, accidentally.
Look, Mike, what's done is done.
But according to William, your picture's on the front page.
Oh, no, you're bleeding.
Take off my dress before you ruin it.
Why are we competing with Helen and Steven? I have no interest in trying to be some fancy big shot hobnobbing with glitterati like Hoss.
I'm not gonna apologize for being proud of my husband or the hard work he does being better than Steven.
- [Dog barking.]
- [Sighs.]
The dogs are fiery out there today.
Let's see the damage.
- [Gasps.]
- Heavens to Murgatroyd.
This is a hair better than Steven's picture.
Let me just say what everyone's thinking I look great in evening-wear.
From the mysterious depths of the Marianas Trench and brought here in chains at no small expense, I offer you The Crab Boy! - [Applause.]
- I pinch people and I'm crabby! I hear fancy seafood restaurants have offered millions for him.
WILLIAM: Does it bother anybody else that Crab Boy is wearing a lobster costume? [Laughing.]
Oh.
The lobster's the king of the crabs.
The king crab is the king of the crabs.
Well, keep it to yourself, Jerk Cousteau.
- Fear me! - CARNIVAL BARKER: Watch out! Those snapping claws are razor sharp! Back! Back into your tank, Crab Boy! Just a taste of the gruesome wonders awaiting you inside the tent.
I'll admit it.
You've sucked me in.
I'd like to feed him some shrimp, please.
This undermines the dignity of the role I play contributing to our nation's defenses.
The only indignity here is them giving you all the credit as if these kids fed off of your insides for nine months.
Ten and a half in Frank's case.
The guys at work are gonna have all kinds of smarmy fun.
"Eight kids.
Mr.
Productivity.
" And I sure don't see us going to that Pioneer dinner now everyone staring at me like I'm one of those freaks in a carnival sideshow.
By the way, I hear they have an excellent Crab Boy.
Michael Cleary, I will not let you use this as an excuse to not go to that banquet, like two years ago, when you suddenly came down with polio.
My foot fell asleep.
It was an honest mistake.
So you're getting a little unwanted attention boo-hoo it'll pass.
This article might actually do you some good at work.
Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
No, the squeaky wheel gets replaced! That's just basic wheel maintenance.
TIMMY: Dad! Dad, get in here! Now! If he asks me to pick a card, honest to God, I'm going to prison tonight.
JOHNNY CARSON ON TV: through the newspapers and, well, it's an article about a local man who works at Logan Aerospace right here in beautiful downtown Burbank.
Holy moly.
I know! It's my first appearance on "Carson"! I just wish the other guests were stronger.
Here he is, Mr.
Mike Cleary, with his eight children, who was named "Mr.
Productivity.
" - [Chuckles.]
I should say so.
- [Exhales sharply.]
And it says he's a machinist.
- One could say he's also a machine.
- [Laughter.]
Oh.
[Chuckles.]
"It'll pass," Peg? - I'm a laughingstock! - Oh, come on.
I hear his wife also won a prize "Mrs.
Re-Productivity.
" - [Laughter, applause.]
- Thank you, Johnny.
Finally, Mom gets a crumb.
MARYBETH: Mike Cleary, please report to Mr.
Crane's office.
[Switch clicks.]
You'll be alright, Cleary.
Just don't get [laughing.]
Mr.
Crane pregnant.
[Laughter.]
Mr.
Crane, I want to apologize for the embarrassment I've caused the company.
Believe me, having eight children was entirely unintentional.
No need, Cleary.
I didn't see the Carson program, but people who enjoy humor told me it was humorous.
You're not angry? On the contrary, we're always looking to put a human face on what we do here to balance out the menacing shark faces we sometimes put on the missiles.
I should apologize to you.
After all these years, I didn't even know you had children.
In fairness, when I'm here, I'm trying my best to forget them.
Considering the comedically large size of your family, I've decided to give you a raise, effective immediately.
I thought there was a wage freeze.
That's just something companies say.
I'll eliminate the raises for the unmarried guys and for men with three to four kids.
Mr.
Crane, I can't thank you enough.
[Chuckles.]
The amount you just did was entirely adequate.
Ta-da! JOEY: What's with the lavish breakfast spread? The refrigerator broken again? Please don't make me eat another tub of margarine.
We're celebrating.
Sausage, bacon, ham.
That's a party in my book.
- For everyone except the pig.
- How about these cute, little eggs Pat brought home from the park? I found a nest.
Congratulations on your raise, Dad.
Well, credit where credit's due.
It's thanks to your mother.
Your father's being too humble.
Although in this case, he's right.
You boys need to learn there is no sin in pride.
Actually, it's one of the Seven Deadly ones, right there between sloth and gluttony.
Fine, it's a sin.
But it's a necessary one if you want to go places in life.
Do not be shy about tooting your own horn.
Okay.
Well, I just taught myself - a very difficult magic trick - Mom talking.
Anyway, I'm done.
Well, however my horn got tooted, you kids showing up paid off.
Mr.
Crane saw this brood and gave me a raise.
So, at your job, people get paid more if they have more children? Well, a breadwinner with responsibilities naturally gets a bit more than some footloose single guy.
Yeah, or some gal just working for pin money - till she lands a husband.
- [Chuckles.]
I'm gonna have a hundred kids so I can be a millionaire! Making babies instead of working hard? - I could get into that.
- Nobody said I don't work hard.
You said it yourself.
We got you this raise.
Now, back to this trick I learned Nobody got me anything that I didn't 100% deserve.
- Well, in my opinion - Oh, here we go.
you absolutely deserve the raise.
Oh.
Thank you, son.
Don't fall for it, Mike.
He's gonna keep talking.
The fact that Dad has so many kids should be a factor.
His boss obviously believes in needs-based compensation.
That's it exactly.
Listen to your brother.
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.
" - Well said.
- Well, I can't take credit.
That's Karl Marx.
Wait.
What? [Quietly.]
I tried to warn you, Mike.
So you're saying somehow my raise is Marxism? It's a good thing.
It's compassion.
Crane isn't just treating you like a cog in a machine.
He doesn't want your family to suffer.
Compassion? I don't need Crane sticking his compassion in my business.
This family will suffer exactly as much as I want us to.
- And more if the Church requires it.
- Congratulations, Lawrence.
You've taken something beautiful and American like more money and ruined it with compassion and Karl Marx! The celebration's over.
[Door opens.]
[Quietly.]
You're not really upset, right? This was just a scam to make off with the meat.
I knew there was something about that raise I didn't like.
It's forty-six more dollars a week.
The only thing not to like is that they didn't round up to fifty.
You heard Lawrence.
It's a socialist hand-out.
Like I'm in Red Square standing in line for toilet paper.
But you earned this toilet paper with your service to the company, from which you have no problem bringing home - toilet paper all the time.
- Oh, it's not a hand-out when they don't know you're taking it.
I'm a self-made man, Peg.
I like to think that the things we have in our life, we deserve.
You really think we deserve this? If our life were merit-based, I'd like to believe we'd be doing a little better than stealing toilet paper and eating park eggs! - I can't accept the raise, honey.
- I can! It's for the kids, anyway, and that's my area.
So while you're off at work being all "self-made," I am cooking and cleaning and in the backyard yanking a lizard out of Baby Andy's mouth.
- He's got a new tooth.
- Is he okay? [Groans.]
Like you care about some lizard.
Look, that 46 bucks will make things better in my life.
So call it communism or Marxism or botulism, I don't want to hear any more about your pride.
It's a sin.
Did you know that? They just added it to the list.
If I compromise my principles, I'm not the man you married.
[Door slams shut.]
Pretty sure I'd be just as happy with the higher-paid guy.
[Telephone rings.]
Mr.
Crane's office.
Is Mr.
Crane there? Not yet.
May I help you? Uh, yeah.
My husband works in his department, and he thinks Mr.
Crane gave him a Marxist raise.
A Marxist raise? Mr.
Crane? Marxist, communist I don't know.
My husband thinks he's in Red Square - waiting for Charmin.
- And who's this Charmin? Focus, please.
Look, Mr.
Crane has to convince my husband his raise is on the up-and-up, even if the orders come straight from the Kremlin himself.
Do you understand? I think I do.
Yes.
Thank you for this information.
God bless America.
Whatever.
[Receiver hangs up.]
An apple? How'd this get in here? Is the school nurse coming to do a home check again? That's from the carnival.
You can have it.
Huh.
[Crunches.]
That was very nice of you.
I already licked off all the caramel anyway.
The Midwest farmers' You finally won your stupid visor? I love it.
It's like having an extra arm to do this all the time.
And how many dollars did you recklessly squander winning a 50-cent visor? It's not about the money, Frank.
I had a blast winning it.
Ah, the song of the gullible.
You're exactly the type of turnip-truck rube that keeps those carnies living like kings.
Like kings? The guy in the goldfish booth told me he gets to eat the ones that die.
And I'm not sure he waits all the way.
I wish they Pat? What are you doing here? Crab Boy's supposed to be onstage in two minutes ago! Oh, I'm done with that.
Oh, let me guess.
You want to direct.
You can't bail on me now, kid.
Tonight's the Sea Freak Extravaganza.
You're doing "Who's On First?" with Squid Boy.
- No, thank you.
- Don't push him, Joey.
It's wrong to force a child into the cutthroat world of entertainment a dog-eat-dog hellscape which chews you up and spits you out.
Unless your talent is Undeniable [Humming, tap-dancing.]
[Scoffs.]
You really feel that way, kid? You're putting me in sort of a tough spot.
I signed a contract.
What if I got you more snacks, huh? - Snacks for my star? - It's not the snacks.
I've had some of the best shrimp of my life this week.
I'm just done.
Don't say that.
You're my Crab Boy.
I am not a crab! I am a human being with crab-like qualities! You don't know these carnie-folk.
If I don't find someone to replace you, I'll end up in one of those jars.
Hello? Mr.
Crane? FLEMING: Could you come in here, please? Mr.
Crane is currently under investigation.
The dark shadow of Soviet aggression has crept its way into Logan Aerospace.
These Tootsie Rolls for anybody? - Hi there, Cleary.
- That would be Cleary as in "Michael Cleary"? Our security chief here got a phone tip that I was a communist.
Which, if I was, I think I'd know.
On the other hand, they are sneaky.
How are you mixed up in all this, and do you know somebody named Charmin? Listen, it's true that Mr.
Crane gave me a raise for reasons which possibly fly in the face of free-market values.
But I wouldn't call him a communist.
He drives a brand-new Eldorado.
But if I was a communist, isn't that exactly what I would do? Goodness.
It's all adding up.
I'm humorless, I thrive in an anonymous bureaucracy, and I once wrote an effusive fan letter to Olympic gymnast Olga Korbut "The Sparrow from Minsk.
" Look, I'm not sure what's going on with Mr.
Crane Oh, have no doubt.
I'm in big trouble here.
You really should distance yourself.
I'm a patriotic American.
I eat meat at every meal and often as a snack.
So if I've been offered a salary raise under orders from Leonid Brezhnev, I cannot, in good conscience, accept that money.
According to what I see here, your raise was entirely merit-based, and, frankly, you should've gotten it two years ago.
Seriously, Crane? Two years? There was a wage freeze.
You said that was just something companies say.
Well, I obviously can't be trusted.
Look at this jam I'm in right now.
I'm never gonna see my kids again, am I? [Chuckles.]
Turns out they've been stiffing me for two years, Peg.
[Laughing.]
Maybe more.
Then we've got cause to celebrate.
Forty-six bucks.
We should get to the banquet early and tip the valet to ding Helen's car.
Well, what's the point of being rich if we don't do good things with our money? [Laughs.]
You're still doing this? You already won your dumb hat.
Yeah, but it's fun, man.
Plus, with the visor, I'm so much better at it.
Turns out the sun was in my eyes for the first forty bucks.
- [Chuckles.]
- [Bottles clatter.]
Sammy, my friend, another visor, s'il-vous please.
Here you go, pal.
Visor con Dios.
You're not even keeping them?! It It makes no sense.
You're wasting money and visors.
It's not a waste.
I practiced all year, - and I'm really good at this.
- But it's pointless.
The pointlessness is the point.
You want to be happy, Frank, find something stupid that you can do better than anybody else and do it a whole bunch.
[Bottles clatter.]
From the farthest reaches of the Swiss Alps, spawn of man and beast, brought in chains at tremendous expense Mountain Goat Boy! ["Entry of the Gladiators" playing.]
A miracle of balance and nimbleness, there is nothing he cannot ascend using only his hind hooves! [Applause.]
[Imitates goat.]
Hey, Frank! Catch! [Crowd gasps.]