Benson (1979–1986): Season 1, Episode 13 - One Strike, You're Out - full transcript

A dinner party at the governor's home is at risk of chaos when the domestic staff goes on strike.

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Are you all agreed? ALL: Yes.

Are you all together? ALL: Yes.

Are you all
determined? ALL: Yes.

Are you all crazy? ALL: Yes.

What are you doing here?

We've got a banquet to put on.

Where are the
parking attendants?

Come on, on the double.

Let's get this stuff out there.

Let's get moving.

No, you've got to
move faster than that.



Miss Kraus,

put the hors
d'oeuvres on this tray.

Raul, I want you...

I'm sorry, Miss Kraus.

Uh-huh.

Get the picture?

Okay, what's going on?

You want to tell him?

No, Gus, he is management
und cannot be trusted.

We should keep him in the dark.

And we should
keep you in the attic.

Tell me what, Gus?

The household staff has
elected us as the strike committee

and we are pulling them out.



That's right.

Now? You're gonna strike now?

We've got 80 people
coming here tonight.

There will never be
a better time to strike.

The Governor has time to meet
our demands before the guests arrive.

Now, you go and tell him.

I'll tell him as soon
as he's got a minute.

You know he's been
working around the clock

to try to avoid a
state police strike.

Benson, we've got to strike.

This inflation is killing us and
we ain't had a raise in three years.

Did you ask for one?

Not me.

We Cubans have too
much pride to beg for money.

So I asked Gus to do it.

Raul, why don't you take your
pride and go down to the market

and pick up the oysters?

Raul.

Raul, you'd better go down there

and get them oysters before
you're diving in the river for them.

One more step und you
will be floating in the river.

All right, all of you. Okay.

Now before all of you do
something that you're going to regret,

why don't you let me
talk to the Governor?

The last governor
talked about a raise, too,

and we got nothing.

That's true. Yeah.

But Governor
Gatling's a fair man.

He's a decent man.

Now, you'll get your raise.
I give you my word on that.

Your word, ha!

Now, wait a minute.
Benson ain't lied to us yet.

This is true. Why don't we
settle it tomorrow morning?

All right, Mr. Fix It.

We will soon see if you
are a man of your word.

We give you until noon tomorrow.

It's a deal. We've got
a banquet to put on.

You get the lead out
and you get the oysters.

You surprise me, Benson. You are management
und yet you agree with our position?

Of course.

Hardship makes
strange bedfellows.

Nobody's that strange.

Hi. Hi.

Is the Governor in?

What's the matter?

Are you crying because
you made a typo?

I'm not crying.

Then you've got
a very sad laugh.

Nothing serious, I hope.

No.

Well, listen, I'd love to
stay and have a cry with you,

but I've gotta see the Governor.

He yelled at me.

Who?

Governor Gatling.

Governor Gatling yelled at you?

What did you do?

Nothing really.

But he practically
bit my head off

and all I did was make a little
joke about getting a raise in my pay.

Uh-oh!

I know he's exhausted,
but I'm tired, too.

Listen, um, uh... Marcy. Marcy.

I owe you an apology
for raising my voice at you.

Oh, did you raise your voice?

It's all right. No, it isn't.

Yes, it's fine.
No, it really isn't.

Honestly, it's
okay. No, it is not!

I'm... I'm sorry, Marcy.

See, I've been so busy with
these police negotiations,

I haven't had any
sleep since Tuesday.

I know. I understand.

I just got to the point where I
didn't want to hear one more word

about money or raises.

You wanted to see me?

Uh, yes, sir. All
right, come on in.

Uh... Benson. Benson.

Well, what did you
want to talk to me about?

Well, sir, it's about...

Benson, that was a
wonderful banquet last night.

My compliments to the staff.

Right, that's exactly what I
want to talk about, the staff.

Sir, let me put it this way.

As you may be aware...

Governor Gatling...

Benson, will you
get to the point?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm tired, I'm angry with
the finance committee.

I'm taking it out on everybody.

Those jerks keep insisting

that the state police
get their raises

out of the existing
police budget.

To do that, I'd have to
lay off 25% of the force.

It's hard enough to find a
cop now when you need one.

Where would the
public look then?

I'd just like to
find five minutes

where I didn't have to
think about strikes or raises.

What's on your mind, Benson?

I'll see you in five minutes.

Oh, okay.

Governor.

Oh, you're back. I
didn't hear you come in.

I'll get right to the point.

Governor, you've
got working for you

a loyal, dedicated
and hard-working staff.

These people care, Governor,
and the last thing in the world

they would want
to do is hurt you,

but they've also got to
look out for themselves.

They haven't had a
raise in three years

and this inflation
is killing them.

Now, I know how
busy you are, sir,

but these people deserve your
help and I told them they'd get it.

I know you won't
let them down, sir.

Sir? Sir!

Benson, a raise for the staff
is out of the question right now.

I wasn't talking to you, Taylor.

I wish you were. I
could use the sleep.

Governor.

Don't disturb him, Benson.

He has been single-handedly
keeping these negotiations going.

The man has been brilliant.

He's been an
absolute powerhouse.

Well, it looks to me like
the powerhouse blew a fuse.

Governor!

Just resting my eyes.

You fell asleep, sir.

Oh, was I telling a story?

No, I was talking.
What were you saying?

He was saying that the staff

is demanding a raise.

They deserve one, sir.
I gave them my word.

I gave the police my word

that they would get their
raises without any cutbacks

and that has to take
top priority right now.

So just tell the staff to hold
on till I get this matter settled

and then I'll get them theirs.

That shouldn't be difficult.

Sir, they're gonna
go out on strike.

Then we will have no
choice but to fire them

and get a whole new staff.

The Governor wouldn't let
you do that, would you, sir?

I told the Governor you deserved
a raise and he agreed with me.

Oh, thank you, Benson. But?

He can't do anything
about it right now.

Hold it, Benson.

We know, it's the
same old story.

Ah, you heard it
all before, huh?

Does the moon shine over Miami?

Not the night I rode ashore.

Benson, you gave us your word.

You could fertilize the
garden with his word.

There is no sense
in talking any longer.

We strike!

Hey, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.

The police thing will be settled in a
couple of days and you'll get your raise.

It's too late, Benson.

Without us, the whole
mansion will collapse.

Und with any luck
you'll be in it at the time.

Well, Benson, how
did the help take it?

They took it on the
lam. I beg your pardon?

They're on strike, Taylor.

How could they run out on
the Governor at a time like this?

You're all fired!

Nobody's gonna get fired.

Benson, if the mansion
doesn't run properly

the Governor doesn't function.

Look, Taylor, this police
thing will be over in a few days

and I'll keep things
going in the meantime.

Sure, you're gonna do
the work of 20 people?

If I have to.

You're gonna cook, clean,
garden and chauffeur? If I have to.

You mean, you're gonna
do it all? If I have to.

Then you can start by
getting me a cup of coffee.

Get it yourself.

Are the rugs finished?

No, but the vacuum cleaner is.

You broke the vacuum
cleaner, too, huh?

It's not broken,
it just stopped.

Well, what could I have done?

Same thing you did to the
washing machine and the blender.

It's not my fault.
Machines hate me.

Benson, is this good enough?

I can see my face in it.

Let me see that.

That's not your
face, that's my face.

Here's your face.

Where?

Oh, Benson.

Oh, you know you can see them

picketing the back
gate from here.

Yeah, I saw them before.

Hey, they're waving at us.

Oh, yeah? Yeah.

They're not waving,
they're pointing.

Oh! Well, the
same to you, Kraus!

(TIMER BELL DINGS)

Meat's done. What meat?

When you were driving
Daddy to the capitol,

Marcy put the roast
beef in the oven.

Oh, Marcy, you shouldn't have.

Oh, that's okay, Benson. It's
just one less thing for you to do.

There's no roast
beef in the oven.

Yeah, I put it in
the other oven.

There is no other oven.

Yes, there is, the
one on the bottom.

That's the broiler.

Oven, broiler,
what's the difference?

Oh, Marcy!

You broiled the roast beef?

Well, it was too big to fry.

Those cookbooks are all alike.

Nothing ever looks as
good as it does in the picture.

It's too bad we
can't eat the picture.

What do we do now? Bury it.

Well, it's not my
fault I can't cook.

My mother never let
me near the kitchen.

Mother knows best.

(DOGS BARKING)

We forgot to feed the dogs.

I'll do it.

Are you sure, Benson?

I can handle it.

Hi, Katie, Miss Hill.

Hi, Gus. Hi, Gus.

Hi, Gus.

Kitchen don't look that bad.

Well, it could be worse.

Right, a lot worse.

And that's what we
were counting on.

Oh, well, it won't
be long now, Gus.

Tell me about it.

We've been out there for a week.

We're hurting, Benson.
What are you doing to us?

Well, I thought I
was saving jobs.

By doing all of them?

If Benson doesn't run the
house, you'll all get fired.

Well, maybe so,
Katie, but then at least

we'd know we should
start looking for another job.

We had a chance to win,
Benson, on the night of the banquet.

But you talked us out of it.

Now you're doing all our work.

We've got no leverage at all.

Well, that's not what
I set out to do, Gus.

Well, we figure we
might still have a chance

if you come out there
with us, right now.

Some of us have
kids to feed, Benson.

Think about it.

Benson, you said
you were helping them,

but you're not, are you?

Well, I guess not, Katie.

Well, I'm not doing any more.

You're a sore, Benson.

That's "scab," Katie.

Thank you, Marcy.

Now what?

If you quit, they'll be fired.

If you stay on, they'll
be forced to give in.

Well, it's a no-win proposition.

So what are you gonna do? Lose.

Well, Marcy, keep trying.

I have to talk to
him, it's urgent.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Governor? Yes?
Who am I speaking to?

I'll be with you in just
a second, Benson.

Hello?

Oh, I... I guess
they'll call back later.

Uh, Governor,

I don't know quite
how to say this,

but under the circumstances,

I think it would be best for
all concerned if I resigned.

Oh, whatever you
think is best, Benson.

Well, there's no
use arguing about it.

My mind's made up.

I'm resigning.

Resign? Oh, no, you can't.

I just did.

But why?

Well, I thought I
was saving jobs,

but I'm just hurting the staff.

But, you're management.

It's your responsibility
to fill in during a strike.

The thing is, telling
myself I'm management

doesn't change how I feel.

I've been a worker all my life.

I still am.

Well, everybody works for
somebody, Benson, even me.

Governor, I'm sorry to interrupt
you, but... Did you reach them yet?

Well, sir, what
happened was that...

Oh, darn it, I told
Keller and Barnett

that we had to get the
negotiations going again

before the deadline
tomorrow night.

Yes, sir, I understand that...

And now... They said,
"Yes, we'll talk later."

And now you can't reach 'em.

Well, there's a reason
for that, you see...

Oh, and Benson, you and
I have got to have a talk

just as soon as I
can think straight.

That could take forever.

They definitely said
we would talk later.

It is absolutely irresponsible
for public officials

to forget their commitments.

Sir, they're here.
With their wives.

They said you
invited them for dinner.

Oh, that's right. I forgot.

You invited them for
dinner and we have no staff?

I forgot that, too.

Well, what are we gonna do?

We can't just insult the two senior
members of the finance committee.

Who?

Finance committee.

I don't suppose we have
anything to serve them?

Well, we had roast beef.

I wouldn't eat it.

I'd bowl with it,
but I wouldn't eat it.

Maybe you could make
reservations somewhere.

It's too late for
that, Governor.

I mean, after all,
these are the two men

who hold the purse
strings to the state.

They have the power
to grant or deny raises.

They're expecting dinner
at the Governor's mansion

and I'm gonna stick around
to make sure they get it.

You will? Yeah.

But you said there
was nothing to eat.

I'll come up with
something. Go stall them.

How? Well, tell them the story

about your first
pair of galoshes.

Oh, yes. That's a good one.

Come on, you can
make the appetizer.

I can't cook.

I know. That's what
I'm counting on.

Governor, we've
been over all this

so many times before.

Randy, how can I convince you

that this strike situation
is an emergency?

Show him the kitchen.

Thank you, Benson.

The appetizer was unique.

Wasn't it though?

I've never seen
anything like it.

Didn't you make it? No, ma'am.

And even if I did,
I wouldn't admit it.

I made it, Mrs. Keller.

What was the appetizer, Marcy?

It's called Seafood Fantasy.

We're gonna rename it as
soon as we can identify it.

It's mussels, clams and
shrimp, pulverized in a blender.

I found the recipe
in a magazine.

Popular Mechanics.

May I have some
more wine, please?

Certainly.

Give the ladies a
refill while you're at it.

If we can get this thing
settled by midnight tomorrow,

why bring in the National Guard?

'Cause they can help
me do the windows.

Could I have some bread, please?

Certainly.

Heads up.

Good hands.

You want the butter?

Uh, no!

Thanks, anyway.

Have you cut down on your staff?

Not down, out.

They struck.

They left here whining and
muttering some nonsense

about needing more
money to feed their kids,

as if it's our problem
their kids are hungry.

They can share mine.

Oh, you are the
cutest little thing.

I'd like to wrap you up
and take you home with me.

That's kidnapping.

Oh, I'm so sorry,
I've dropped my fork.

Oh, no matter.

And what will I
do for a fork? Oh.

Try this one out.

But, sir, we can
meet their demands

simply by cutting back
on police personnel.

Yes, but at the risk
of the public safety.

There's such a thing as
cutting back too far, you know.

You may have a point there.

Of course he does.

What you see here
is what happens

when one man is forced to
do more than he can handle.

Excuse me, but, uh,

I believe there's a
piece of cork in my wine.

Two pieces.

When one man tries to
serve too many people,

some of the people
get bad service.

If a cop tries to do too much,

it's like me trying
to serve this dinner.

So if you get bad
service, it serves you right.

That's what the Governor's been
trying to tell you for the past two weeks.

So he brought you here
for a practical demonstration.

Now dessert and coffee
are out in the kitchen.

You'll find your hats and
coats on the Governor's bed.

You'll find your
automobiles parked out back.

Try not to step on the flowers.

I hate to run off like this,

but I gotta get back
to the laundromat.

If you want after-dinner brandy,

it's at the bar.

I'll give you your cigars now.

Here you go, Taylor,
just like grown-ups.

This has been wonderful.
Goodbye, good luck,

and come back and
see me when you can.

What did you do,
blitz my kitchen?

Your kitchen? Ja.

Well, the strike is over.
We took a vote und I lost.

The ones with families caved in.

Weaklings.

But you counted
on this, ja, Benson?

I hope you're proud of yourself.

Not very.

For what it's worth,
Kraus, I'm resigning.

Good, now I will
not have to kill you.

I know you won't
believe this, Gretchen,

but I am sorry.

Oh, the traitor is sorry.

The scab is sorry.

That's enough, Miss Kraus.

How can you say such
awful things about Benson?

With a smile on my lips
und a song in my heart.

Miss Kraus, thanks
to Benson, you've won.

Won? What won? What
are you talking about?

At dinner tonight, Benson...

I didn't know what
you were up to at first.

Well, anyway, at one point
Mr. Barnett got some cork in his wine

and Benson said,

"No, you have two pieces
of cork in your wine."

And then... then he
picked up his spoon,

he dipped it in the
wine and he went...

Did I tell it wrong?

You had to be there, sir.

I was.

Anyhow, Miss Krauss,

Benson found a
wonderful way to point out

just how essential
your services are.

And so the finance committee is going
to grant your raise effective immediately.

Wonderful! I will go and
tell the others the good news.

But you will still
resign, ja, Benson?

Oh, Miss Kraus,
Benson got you the raise.

Ja, I am being greedy.

Quite an evening, huh, Benson?

We did all right.
How about the police?

Well, Keller and Barnett
have reopened negotiations

and as long as they're
talking, there's hope.

Yes, sir.

Benson, I hope you know there were
enormous risks in what you did tonight.

Yes, sir.

Did you ever stop to consider
that the consequences

would have been disastrous
if your plan had backfired?

Yes, sir.

I mean, what you
did out there tonight

was outlandish,
even irresponsible.

Not to mention rude
and downright foolish.

Yes, sir.

That's why I told
them it was your idea.

Hi.

(SHUSHING)

(SOFTLY) Hi.

The Governor's asleep.

How can you tell?

Come on, he deserves some
sleep after all he went through

to get that police
strike settled.

Um, uh... Marcy. Marcy.

Did I finish dictating
that letter? No, sir.

How far did I get?

"Dear sir."

That's enough for one day.

Oh, did I tell you? The
police got their raise.

Yes, sir, and you'll
be happy to know

they're earning
every penny of it.

What does that mean?
I got a speeding ticket.

38 in a 35.

You got a ticket
for doing 38 in a 35?

I almost had him
talked out of it.

Oh, you should have told
him you worked for me.

I did. That's when
he gave me the ticket.

NARRATOR: Benson is videotaped

before a studio audience.