Family Matters (1989–1998): Season 1, Episode 2 - Two-Income Family - full transcript
Harriette loses her job as elevator operator at the Chicago Chronicle when she asks for a raise. The lack of a second income into the Winslow household puts additional strain on the budget, prompting Harriette to apply for an opening as head of security. Initially, she's turned down, but her impassioned speech about what skills she has makes quite the impression.
- Laura, what's seven times nine?
- Sixty-three.
Thanks.
Laura, what's eight times nine?
Seventy-two.
- Laura, what's nine...
- Eighty-one.
Hello, ladies. I thought we'd
all do our homework together.
Uh-oh. Dad's paying
bills. I'm out of here.
Me too.
I wouldn't go in there,
Grandma. Dad's paying bills.
I can take my
medication at any time.
It's time to put some food
in that little belly of yours.
Thanks, Rachel, but I just
had a couple of doughnuts.
I was talking to little Richie.
Carl, could you hold the
baby for me for a second?
- What...? Is he dry?
- Yeah.
Hello.
How about a big smile for your
Uncle Carl? Come on. Oh, there it is.
Oh, he's crazy about me, Rachel.
[CARL BABBLING]
Oh, excuse me, but are you,
by any chance, paying bills?
Yes. Why?
Come on, Richie.
We're out of here.
Just the man I wanted to see.
Dad, I got this really big problem and
you're the only one that can help me.
I gotta have new high-tops.
Edward, the ones that you
are wearing are practically new.
I can't wear these anymore.
See? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
- So?
- So it's embarrassing.
The guy's retired.
I think I'd look great in a
pair of Michael Jordans.
I think you'd look great
in a military academy.
Dad, I'm serious. I
gotta have new high-tops.
Besides, they're only 70 bucks.
Edward, I would not pay
$70 for a pair of shoes...
if Lola Falana was in them.
You are not getting
new high-tops.
Thanks a lot.
Freshmen year is shot.
Hi, honey. How was your day?
CARL: Harriette, our food bills
are getting higher every month.
Do we have any kids
you haven't told me about?
I guess this is not a good time to
tell you that the car needs a tune-up.
[SIGHS]
Well, I guess I'll dump in some
more of that tune-up-in-the-can stuff.
I tried that.
The car spit it back at me.
Carl, we must have the money.
The police department
just got a pay increase.
- When does it kick in?
- It already kicked in.
That's funny. I
didn't feel a thing.
Harriette, why don't
you ask for a raise?
If anyone deserves
one, it's you.
You are the best elevator
operator at the Chronicle.
Carl, I'm the only elevator
operator at the Chronicle.
What I mean to say is
everybody likes you down there...
and, well, honey, we
sure could use the money.
Well, you got that right.
I'll go see Mr. Seeger tomorrow
after work and ask for a raise.
That's my girl.
- You almost finished paying bills?
- I just started.
I'm out of here.
- Dad, is Mom home yet?
- No.
And why?
Well, because I figured maybe
she could take me to the mall.
[CHUCKLING]
Edward, you are not
getting those new high-tops.
Dad, I'm just going
to look at them.
Son, there is an old saying:
Once I was sad
because I had no shoes...
until I met a man
who had no feet.
Did I meet him?
You are not getting
those new high-tops, son.
HARRIETTE: Hi, honey.
- Hi, baby. How'd it go at work today?
Well, I walked into Mr. Seeger's
office and asked for a raise.
And what happened?
He gave me this.
Wha...
HARRIETTE: Hello, Mother Winslow.
- Hi, honey.
- Hi, Mom.
- Harriette...
please tell me that
I'm looking at a bonus.
No, Carl. You're
looking at severance pay.
As of tomorrow, the Chronicle
will have a new self-service elevator.
That's great, Mom.
It'll make your
job a lot easier.
Edward, your
mother was just fired.
- From her job?
- No, from a cannon.
Harriette, that's terrible.
I thought they liked you.
They do.
That's why they didn't
go self-service years ago.
They didn't have
the heart to fire me.
What changed their minds?
Well, I could be wrong, but I think
it was when I took Carl's advice...
and marched in there like
a fool and asked for a raise.
Way to go, Carl.
[LAUGHING]
What happened?
- You people look like you're at a funeral.
- We are.
Mom's job just dropped dead.
- What?
- I was fired today, Rachel.
Don't worry, Harriette.
Everything is gonna be fine.
If we need extra money,
I'll get some part-time work.
But if we need some quick
cash, we can sell Judy's toys.
Mom.
- Fold.
- Stuff.
Seal.
- Fold.
- Stuff.
- Seal.
- Fold.
- Stuff.
- Seal.
So this is the kind of job
that's gonna save the family?
Hey, don't break our rhythm.
We're a well-oiled machine. Fold.
- Stuff.
- Seal.
- Aunt Rachel?
- Yes, honey.
What are these?
That's the other half of what
we're supposed to be stuffing.
Unseal.
Unstuff.
Unfold.
Harriette, you are going to
get a job today. I can feel it.
That's what you said all
week, but I still don't have a job.
Well, today is your
day, honey. I just know it.
Nobody's hiring
elevator operators.
Well, then forget about
being an elevator operator.
Honey, there must be a thousand
jobs out there you'd be perfect for.
All you have to do
is find one of them.
But, come on, where's that Harriette
Winslow, I-can-do-anything smile?
There it is. Now, see?
Who can resist that smile?
Thanks, I feel better
already, and today is the day.
When I walk back through that
door, I'm gonna have me a job.
Go get them, tiger.
Well, we finished the first batch
and we are really rolling now.
Who's we?
I made the girls assistant
encasement interlay specialists.
- They're what?
- Envelope stuffers.
It's fun except for the gross
taste it leaves in your mouth.
- You're supposed to use a sponge.
- I did.
But I still didn't get all
that glue off my tongue.
Come on, girls. We have to get down to
correspondence-delivery headquarters.
That means post office.
Carl, would you
listen for the baby?
- All right. No problem.
- Okay.
Dad, I've been thinking.
No, Edward, you're not
getting those high-tops.
How'd you know that's
what I was thinking?
Because, son, I know that
you have a one-track mind...
and right now it is on shoes.
If you want high-tops, you're
gonna have to use your money.
Use my own money? For shoes?
By the time I save enough
for those high-tops, I'll be dead.
Well, now, don't
worry about that.
We'll bury you with feet sticking
out so people can see them.
Harriette, back so soon?
What's wrong?
The car broke down
at the end of the block.
You left the car in the
middle of the street?
No, it left me in the
middle of the street.
Come on, son, let's go
push the car back home.
Oh, don't worry, honey.
Things aren't that bad.
Did I mention that
the car was on fire?
- Hi, everybody.
- Hi, honey.
Any luck finding a job today?
Nothing. Not a nibble.
But tomorrow's another day.
Well, now, listen. You
just sit down and relax.
I already made dinner.
- Great, I'm starved.
- Everybody to the table.
EDWARD: Oh, that
corn bread looks good.
JUDY: I like the red Jell-O.
Harriette, you know if
you don't find a job soon...
you can always help
us stuff envelopes.
Thanks.
Carl, I'd like to say grace
tonight. Do you mind?
Oh, go right ahead, Mama.
Dear Lord, we thank you for
this food we have before us.
And we ask you
to watch over us...
and to give Harriette
the strength she needs...
to go out every
day looking for work.
Please bless her with
patience and understanding...
as she is turned away from
job after job after job after job...
Amen, Mama. Mama, amen. Amen.
Thanks for cooking
tonight, Mother Winslow.
Well, I'm only trying to help.
You know this entire
meal only cost $4.60.
[CARL CHUCKLES]
If it's one thing my mother knows, it's how
to feed a large family on a small budget.
Well, I lived through
the Depression.
What's a depression?
Oh, it was a long
time ago, honey.
The banks had failed.
People lost their jobs and had
to live on practically nothing.
Pass this to your father.
What is that?
That's mashed turnips and bacon.
I don't see no bacon.
I only used the drippings.
I can get another
meal out of that meat.
That's why they call it
the Depression Dinner.
Well, I'm depressed.
Carl, there could be
rough times ahead.
Mother, this is only temporary.
That's what they said about the
Depression, and it lasted 10 years.
Ten long years.
And then the war started.
I'm sorry, Mother Winslow.
I'm not hungry anymore.
- Me neither.
- Uh, sit down and eat your turnips.
I just don't know why everybody is
complaining. I always loved turnips.
Maybe it was parsnips.
Excuse me.
Do you mind if I join you?
Go ahead. But I'm not
gonna be good company.
Well, now, I don't
know about that.
Honey, I know how
frustrating it is for you...
going out there every day for a
job and coming back empty-handed.
But you just can't give
up hope, you know?
Carl, your mother's right.
It's gonna get a lot
worse before it gets better.
Let's face it. All I've ever
done is run an elevator.
Oh, now, Harriette,
you know that's not true.
You worked for the
police department.
But that was years ago.
And then it was only for a few
months before I got pregnant with Eddie.
Boy, do I remember that.
That was some wicked
morning sickness.
Yeah, but after the doctor
prescribed those pills, you were fine.
Well, we got through that together
and we can get through this together.
I don't know, Carl.
You know, I thought
I'd be able to find a job...
making as much as
I did on the old one.
I see I'm gonna have to
take whatever I can get.
No. Now, no.
Now, I don't want
you doing that.
Carl, we need the money, and
I'm not gonna let this family down.
Have you heard about any
jobs that you might find exciting?
Well, there was one, but
they're not gonna give it to me.
Well, what was it?
Well, the other day when
Mr. Seeger was firing me...
I noticed a posting for a
security job at the Chronicle.
Now, there you go.
Honey, you can do that.
Harriette, you graduated
from the police academy.
You know the Chronicle building.
You'd be perfect.
The job requires management
experience. They're gonna tell me no.
Honey, it's not
what they tell you.
It's what you tell them.
All you have to do is show
them who you really are...
and you know they're
gonna want you real bad.
You think so?
I did. You're the best
thing ever happened to me.
Carl, you should've
gone into sales.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Well, when you've got a
great product, it sells itself.
Thanks, honey.
[KNOCKING]
Come on in.
Hello, Mr. Seeger.
Harriette. What a surprise. It's
nice to see you back at the Chronicle.
- I like the new self-service elevator.
- It's a beaut, isn't it?
We should've put one in years ago.
Oh, I didn't mean that the way it sounded.
Well, then I didn't hear
it the way it sounded.
I'd love to sit and chat...
but I'm interviewing people
for assistant director of Security.
I know. I'm your next interview.
Harriette, that's a
management position.
Oh, I read the description
and I think I can handle the job.
Okay, do you have a résumé?
Oh, yeah.
I typed it myself.
That's nice.
Let me see.
Two jobs. The one
here at the Chronicle.
I see you worked at
the police department.
Yes.
Oh, but it was a clerical job.
But I did graduate
the police academy.
Harriette, I like
you, you know that.
But this job
isn't right for you.
When something comes along
that is right, I'll give you a call.
I know how tough
it is out there.
Would you mind asking Miss
Olson to send the next applicant in?
Mr. Seeger, I really believe
I can do that security job.
Harriette, I'm
trying to be nice.
But the fact is this job requires
management experience.
You'd have people
working under you.
You'd have to be a leader,
an organizer, a mediator.
Quite frankly, this job is
way out of your league.
Oh, really, Mr. Seeger?
For your information, I have management
experience coming out of my ears.
- That's not on your résumé.
- Yes, it is.
Right there, see?
It says, Mrs. Harriette Winslow.
I worked here full-time,
and I was a full-time mother.
You wanna talk management?
I managed a home, a
household budget and a family.
And, Mr. Seeger, I'm talking
about a job you can't call in sick for...
you never get a
raise or overtime.
And you can't take vacation.
Every day I'm a leader, an
organizer, and a mediator.
Those are my qualifications.
You want references? Call
Eddie, Laura and Judy Winslow...
and ask them about my
work. You know the number.
I'm home.
Harriette, you've been gone
five hours. What happened?
Well, I went to see Mr. Seeger.
I stared him straight in the eye,
and I told him I could do the job...
that I deserved the job...
and that he'd be a fool
not to give me the job.
And then he gave you the job.
No, he told me I was
unqualified, so I told him off.
- And that took five hours?
- No, it only took about a minute.
But it felt so good I treated
myself to a double feature.
Well, good for you, honey.
- Oh, hi, Mom.
- Hi, baby.
Dad, guess what.
Your son has saved $70 from
working overtime at the market.
Well, I'm proud of you, son.
So I guess the next time we see you,
you'll be wearing a new pair of high-tops.
Not really, Dad.
I finally figured out the thing
about the guy with no feet.
Here. I thought you could
use this to pay some bills.
Harriette, we should feed
this boy turnips five times a day.
Thank you, son.
Oh, Harriette. Honey,
congratulations. I am so happy for you.
You didn't get your first
paycheck for a while.
So I took my envelope money, and
bought this family a celebration dinner.
I got steak, I got potatoes, I got
salad, I got the works. Are you excited?
I know you must be. Honey,
you must feel fantastic.
I know I do. In fact, I'm so
happy, I could slap myself.
Girls, you can put those turnips
away. Tonight, this family is eating steak.
What happened? You
hit a cow on the highway?
No. Your mother got a
new job at the Chronicle.
[LAURA & JUDY SHRIEK AND GIGGLE]
Hey, hey, hey, hold on, hold on.
Now, Rachel, I appreciate your
enthusiasm, but I didn't get the job.
- You didn't?
- No.
Well, back to the turnips.
I can't believe Mr. Seeger
didn't give you that job.
Well, I did my best.
It just didn't work out.
But how could he
change his mind like that?
Especially after all the nice
things he said about you today.
Wait, wait, wait
a minute. Hold on.
You talked to Mr. Seeger today?
Yeah, he phoned
about an hour ago.
H... Hold it now.
What did he say?
He mentioned that he was very
impressed by some speech you made.
And that he hoped that
you could start on Monday.
I'll call Mr. Seeger.
How did the job interview go?
We don't know, Mama. She
either got the job or she didn't.
Those would be the choices.
Hello, Mr. Seeger?
This is Harriette Winslow.
Did you call my
house earlier today?
We got a little mix-up
in the message.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Fine. Thank you. Goodbye.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
[ALL CHATTERING AND LAUGHING]
Now, wait. Listen,
listen, listen.
I just wanna say thank you, and to
say how proud I am of everybody.
These last few
weeks weren't easy.
But we pitched in
there, we got through it.
Why don't you pitch in and
help me with this dinner?
ESTELLE: Okay.
- You, set the table.
You, peel a potato.
You, get the bread.
ESTELLE: Honey, get me a knife.
- I'll get you a knife.
You ain't said
nothing but a word.
What was that for?
That was for being you. Thanks
for believing in me, sweetheart.
[CARL CHUCKLES]
I was just returning the favor.
You believed in me when I was
afraid to take the sergeant's exam.
You told me I could do it.
I not only did it, I
aced that sucker.
And I was so proud of you.
And it only took me five tries.
[ENGLISH SDH]
- Sixty-three.
Thanks.
Laura, what's eight times nine?
Seventy-two.
- Laura, what's nine...
- Eighty-one.
Hello, ladies. I thought we'd
all do our homework together.
Uh-oh. Dad's paying
bills. I'm out of here.
Me too.
I wouldn't go in there,
Grandma. Dad's paying bills.
I can take my
medication at any time.
It's time to put some food
in that little belly of yours.
Thanks, Rachel, but I just
had a couple of doughnuts.
I was talking to little Richie.
Carl, could you hold the
baby for me for a second?
- What...? Is he dry?
- Yeah.
Hello.
How about a big smile for your
Uncle Carl? Come on. Oh, there it is.
Oh, he's crazy about me, Rachel.
[CARL BABBLING]
Oh, excuse me, but are you,
by any chance, paying bills?
Yes. Why?
Come on, Richie.
We're out of here.
Just the man I wanted to see.
Dad, I got this really big problem and
you're the only one that can help me.
I gotta have new high-tops.
Edward, the ones that you
are wearing are practically new.
I can't wear these anymore.
See? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
- So?
- So it's embarrassing.
The guy's retired.
I think I'd look great in a
pair of Michael Jordans.
I think you'd look great
in a military academy.
Dad, I'm serious. I
gotta have new high-tops.
Besides, they're only 70 bucks.
Edward, I would not pay
$70 for a pair of shoes...
if Lola Falana was in them.
You are not getting
new high-tops.
Thanks a lot.
Freshmen year is shot.
Hi, honey. How was your day?
CARL: Harriette, our food bills
are getting higher every month.
Do we have any kids
you haven't told me about?
I guess this is not a good time to
tell you that the car needs a tune-up.
[SIGHS]
Well, I guess I'll dump in some
more of that tune-up-in-the-can stuff.
I tried that.
The car spit it back at me.
Carl, we must have the money.
The police department
just got a pay increase.
- When does it kick in?
- It already kicked in.
That's funny. I
didn't feel a thing.
Harriette, why don't
you ask for a raise?
If anyone deserves
one, it's you.
You are the best elevator
operator at the Chronicle.
Carl, I'm the only elevator
operator at the Chronicle.
What I mean to say is
everybody likes you down there...
and, well, honey, we
sure could use the money.
Well, you got that right.
I'll go see Mr. Seeger tomorrow
after work and ask for a raise.
That's my girl.
- You almost finished paying bills?
- I just started.
I'm out of here.
- Dad, is Mom home yet?
- No.
And why?
Well, because I figured maybe
she could take me to the mall.
[CHUCKLING]
Edward, you are not
getting those new high-tops.
Dad, I'm just going
to look at them.
Son, there is an old saying:
Once I was sad
because I had no shoes...
until I met a man
who had no feet.
Did I meet him?
You are not getting
those new high-tops, son.
HARRIETTE: Hi, honey.
- Hi, baby. How'd it go at work today?
Well, I walked into Mr. Seeger's
office and asked for a raise.
And what happened?
He gave me this.
Wha...
HARRIETTE: Hello, Mother Winslow.
- Hi, honey.
- Hi, Mom.
- Harriette...
please tell me that
I'm looking at a bonus.
No, Carl. You're
looking at severance pay.
As of tomorrow, the Chronicle
will have a new self-service elevator.
That's great, Mom.
It'll make your
job a lot easier.
Edward, your
mother was just fired.
- From her job?
- No, from a cannon.
Harriette, that's terrible.
I thought they liked you.
They do.
That's why they didn't
go self-service years ago.
They didn't have
the heart to fire me.
What changed their minds?
Well, I could be wrong, but I think
it was when I took Carl's advice...
and marched in there like
a fool and asked for a raise.
Way to go, Carl.
[LAUGHING]
What happened?
- You people look like you're at a funeral.
- We are.
Mom's job just dropped dead.
- What?
- I was fired today, Rachel.
Don't worry, Harriette.
Everything is gonna be fine.
If we need extra money,
I'll get some part-time work.
But if we need some quick
cash, we can sell Judy's toys.
Mom.
- Fold.
- Stuff.
Seal.
- Fold.
- Stuff.
- Seal.
- Fold.
- Stuff.
- Seal.
So this is the kind of job
that's gonna save the family?
Hey, don't break our rhythm.
We're a well-oiled machine. Fold.
- Stuff.
- Seal.
- Aunt Rachel?
- Yes, honey.
What are these?
That's the other half of what
we're supposed to be stuffing.
Unseal.
Unstuff.
Unfold.
Harriette, you are going to
get a job today. I can feel it.
That's what you said all
week, but I still don't have a job.
Well, today is your
day, honey. I just know it.
Nobody's hiring
elevator operators.
Well, then forget about
being an elevator operator.
Honey, there must be a thousand
jobs out there you'd be perfect for.
All you have to do
is find one of them.
But, come on, where's that Harriette
Winslow, I-can-do-anything smile?
There it is. Now, see?
Who can resist that smile?
Thanks, I feel better
already, and today is the day.
When I walk back through that
door, I'm gonna have me a job.
Go get them, tiger.
Well, we finished the first batch
and we are really rolling now.
Who's we?
I made the girls assistant
encasement interlay specialists.
- They're what?
- Envelope stuffers.
It's fun except for the gross
taste it leaves in your mouth.
- You're supposed to use a sponge.
- I did.
But I still didn't get all
that glue off my tongue.
Come on, girls. We have to get down to
correspondence-delivery headquarters.
That means post office.
Carl, would you
listen for the baby?
- All right. No problem.
- Okay.
Dad, I've been thinking.
No, Edward, you're not
getting those high-tops.
How'd you know that's
what I was thinking?
Because, son, I know that
you have a one-track mind...
and right now it is on shoes.
If you want high-tops, you're
gonna have to use your money.
Use my own money? For shoes?
By the time I save enough
for those high-tops, I'll be dead.
Well, now, don't
worry about that.
We'll bury you with feet sticking
out so people can see them.
Harriette, back so soon?
What's wrong?
The car broke down
at the end of the block.
You left the car in the
middle of the street?
No, it left me in the
middle of the street.
Come on, son, let's go
push the car back home.
Oh, don't worry, honey.
Things aren't that bad.
Did I mention that
the car was on fire?
- Hi, everybody.
- Hi, honey.
Any luck finding a job today?
Nothing. Not a nibble.
But tomorrow's another day.
Well, now, listen. You
just sit down and relax.
I already made dinner.
- Great, I'm starved.
- Everybody to the table.
EDWARD: Oh, that
corn bread looks good.
JUDY: I like the red Jell-O.
Harriette, you know if
you don't find a job soon...
you can always help
us stuff envelopes.
Thanks.
Carl, I'd like to say grace
tonight. Do you mind?
Oh, go right ahead, Mama.
Dear Lord, we thank you for
this food we have before us.
And we ask you
to watch over us...
and to give Harriette
the strength she needs...
to go out every
day looking for work.
Please bless her with
patience and understanding...
as she is turned away from
job after job after job after job...
Amen, Mama. Mama, amen. Amen.
Thanks for cooking
tonight, Mother Winslow.
Well, I'm only trying to help.
You know this entire
meal only cost $4.60.
[CARL CHUCKLES]
If it's one thing my mother knows, it's how
to feed a large family on a small budget.
Well, I lived through
the Depression.
What's a depression?
Oh, it was a long
time ago, honey.
The banks had failed.
People lost their jobs and had
to live on practically nothing.
Pass this to your father.
What is that?
That's mashed turnips and bacon.
I don't see no bacon.
I only used the drippings.
I can get another
meal out of that meat.
That's why they call it
the Depression Dinner.
Well, I'm depressed.
Carl, there could be
rough times ahead.
Mother, this is only temporary.
That's what they said about the
Depression, and it lasted 10 years.
Ten long years.
And then the war started.
I'm sorry, Mother Winslow.
I'm not hungry anymore.
- Me neither.
- Uh, sit down and eat your turnips.
I just don't know why everybody is
complaining. I always loved turnips.
Maybe it was parsnips.
Excuse me.
Do you mind if I join you?
Go ahead. But I'm not
gonna be good company.
Well, now, I don't
know about that.
Honey, I know how
frustrating it is for you...
going out there every day for a
job and coming back empty-handed.
But you just can't give
up hope, you know?
Carl, your mother's right.
It's gonna get a lot
worse before it gets better.
Let's face it. All I've ever
done is run an elevator.
Oh, now, Harriette,
you know that's not true.
You worked for the
police department.
But that was years ago.
And then it was only for a few
months before I got pregnant with Eddie.
Boy, do I remember that.
That was some wicked
morning sickness.
Yeah, but after the doctor
prescribed those pills, you were fine.
Well, we got through that together
and we can get through this together.
I don't know, Carl.
You know, I thought
I'd be able to find a job...
making as much as
I did on the old one.
I see I'm gonna have to
take whatever I can get.
No. Now, no.
Now, I don't want
you doing that.
Carl, we need the money, and
I'm not gonna let this family down.
Have you heard about any
jobs that you might find exciting?
Well, there was one, but
they're not gonna give it to me.
Well, what was it?
Well, the other day when
Mr. Seeger was firing me...
I noticed a posting for a
security job at the Chronicle.
Now, there you go.
Honey, you can do that.
Harriette, you graduated
from the police academy.
You know the Chronicle building.
You'd be perfect.
The job requires management
experience. They're gonna tell me no.
Honey, it's not
what they tell you.
It's what you tell them.
All you have to do is show
them who you really are...
and you know they're
gonna want you real bad.
You think so?
I did. You're the best
thing ever happened to me.
Carl, you should've
gone into sales.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Well, when you've got a
great product, it sells itself.
Thanks, honey.
[KNOCKING]
Come on in.
Hello, Mr. Seeger.
Harriette. What a surprise. It's
nice to see you back at the Chronicle.
- I like the new self-service elevator.
- It's a beaut, isn't it?
We should've put one in years ago.
Oh, I didn't mean that the way it sounded.
Well, then I didn't hear
it the way it sounded.
I'd love to sit and chat...
but I'm interviewing people
for assistant director of Security.
I know. I'm your next interview.
Harriette, that's a
management position.
Oh, I read the description
and I think I can handle the job.
Okay, do you have a résumé?
Oh, yeah.
I typed it myself.
That's nice.
Let me see.
Two jobs. The one
here at the Chronicle.
I see you worked at
the police department.
Yes.
Oh, but it was a clerical job.
But I did graduate
the police academy.
Harriette, I like
you, you know that.
But this job
isn't right for you.
When something comes along
that is right, I'll give you a call.
I know how tough
it is out there.
Would you mind asking Miss
Olson to send the next applicant in?
Mr. Seeger, I really believe
I can do that security job.
Harriette, I'm
trying to be nice.
But the fact is this job requires
management experience.
You'd have people
working under you.
You'd have to be a leader,
an organizer, a mediator.
Quite frankly, this job is
way out of your league.
Oh, really, Mr. Seeger?
For your information, I have management
experience coming out of my ears.
- That's not on your résumé.
- Yes, it is.
Right there, see?
It says, Mrs. Harriette Winslow.
I worked here full-time,
and I was a full-time mother.
You wanna talk management?
I managed a home, a
household budget and a family.
And, Mr. Seeger, I'm talking
about a job you can't call in sick for...
you never get a
raise or overtime.
And you can't take vacation.
Every day I'm a leader, an
organizer, and a mediator.
Those are my qualifications.
You want references? Call
Eddie, Laura and Judy Winslow...
and ask them about my
work. You know the number.
I'm home.
Harriette, you've been gone
five hours. What happened?
Well, I went to see Mr. Seeger.
I stared him straight in the eye,
and I told him I could do the job...
that I deserved the job...
and that he'd be a fool
not to give me the job.
And then he gave you the job.
No, he told me I was
unqualified, so I told him off.
- And that took five hours?
- No, it only took about a minute.
But it felt so good I treated
myself to a double feature.
Well, good for you, honey.
- Oh, hi, Mom.
- Hi, baby.
Dad, guess what.
Your son has saved $70 from
working overtime at the market.
Well, I'm proud of you, son.
So I guess the next time we see you,
you'll be wearing a new pair of high-tops.
Not really, Dad.
I finally figured out the thing
about the guy with no feet.
Here. I thought you could
use this to pay some bills.
Harriette, we should feed
this boy turnips five times a day.
Thank you, son.
Oh, Harriette. Honey,
congratulations. I am so happy for you.
You didn't get your first
paycheck for a while.
So I took my envelope money, and
bought this family a celebration dinner.
I got steak, I got potatoes, I got
salad, I got the works. Are you excited?
I know you must be. Honey,
you must feel fantastic.
I know I do. In fact, I'm so
happy, I could slap myself.
Girls, you can put those turnips
away. Tonight, this family is eating steak.
What happened? You
hit a cow on the highway?
No. Your mother got a
new job at the Chronicle.
[LAURA & JUDY SHRIEK AND GIGGLE]
Hey, hey, hey, hold on, hold on.
Now, Rachel, I appreciate your
enthusiasm, but I didn't get the job.
- You didn't?
- No.
Well, back to the turnips.
I can't believe Mr. Seeger
didn't give you that job.
Well, I did my best.
It just didn't work out.
But how could he
change his mind like that?
Especially after all the nice
things he said about you today.
Wait, wait, wait
a minute. Hold on.
You talked to Mr. Seeger today?
Yeah, he phoned
about an hour ago.
H... Hold it now.
What did he say?
He mentioned that he was very
impressed by some speech you made.
And that he hoped that
you could start on Monday.
I'll call Mr. Seeger.
How did the job interview go?
We don't know, Mama. She
either got the job or she didn't.
Those would be the choices.
Hello, Mr. Seeger?
This is Harriette Winslow.
Did you call my
house earlier today?
We got a little mix-up
in the message.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Fine. Thank you. Goodbye.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
[ALL CHATTERING AND LAUGHING]
Now, wait. Listen,
listen, listen.
I just wanna say thank you, and to
say how proud I am of everybody.
These last few
weeks weren't easy.
But we pitched in
there, we got through it.
Why don't you pitch in and
help me with this dinner?
ESTELLE: Okay.
- You, set the table.
You, peel a potato.
You, get the bread.
ESTELLE: Honey, get me a knife.
- I'll get you a knife.
You ain't said
nothing but a word.
What was that for?
That was for being you. Thanks
for believing in me, sweetheart.
[CARL CHUCKLES]
I was just returning the favor.
You believed in me when I was
afraid to take the sergeant's exam.
You told me I could do it.
I not only did it, I
aced that sucker.
And I was so proud of you.
And it only took me five tries.
[ENGLISH SDH]