Step by Step (1991–1998): Season 6, Episode 7 - Independence Day - full transcript
When Frank forbids him to have a girl in his room or stay out after midnight, rules the 20 year-old screw-up finds no longer applicable, J.T. 'threatens' to move out- pa says he'll help pack, the girls do so in a jiffy. So J.T invites himself to move in with reluctant Jean-Luc, who finds he even invites Rich, who not only wears the Frenchman's expensive clothes but gets him furious by bagging on his caviar, not to mention the scummy scamps scare off his classier date. So he makes sure the home-invaders are pretty uncomfortable, till they run for their hides, back to the easier parental regime. Only J.T. still wants to move out, but lands in a freezing rat-hole, unfit to receive Sam in. Frank reconsiders... Carol is hell-bent on spending quality time with her girls, who shun that like the plague, but expertly tricks them and makes it even worse by dragging them to a karaoke bar of all places, and actually on stage...
Ruler of the universe.
Now you're a hunk
of space cheese.
Hi, guys.
Where's everybody else?
Dana's studying.
Al's in her room.
Karen's doing her nails.
And,
J.T.'s upstairs
in his bedroom
with his girlfriend.
J.T.'s upstairs with Sam?
Yeah, and we're not
supposed to bug him.
I think they're playing
the Quiet Game.
Well, honey,
the Quiet Game is over.
J.T., can I speak to you
for a minute?
I'm kinda busy right now.
Get your butt down here!
Daddy said "butt."
He's gotta put a quarter
in the cussing jar.
That'll take care of the rest
of my conversation with him.
Now go.
What's the problem, Dad?
But we weren't
doing anything.
where there weren't a bunch
of rug rats running around.
J.T., you know
the rules here.
Dad, I'm too old
for that rule.
Well, now, the way
I look at it, son,
I mean, when you're five,
it's okay to have a girl
up in your room.
When you're 12,
it's kind of a gray area.
When you're your age,
if you have a girl
up in your bedroom,
you better be wearing
a wedding ring.
Fine, then Sam and I
will just go somewhere else
to be alone.
Okay, just be home
by midnight.
A curfew?
Son, do you have a problem
with the curfew,
or are you
hacking up a furball?
Dad, I'm 20 years old.
When can I stop following
these stupid rules?
When you move out
of the house.
Fine.
Maybe I will move out.
Okay.
Really, I'm not kidding.
And you can't stop me.
I wasn't gonna stop you.
I was gonna help you pack.
Hey, everybody,
J.T. is moving out!
Bye, J.T.
Nice knowing you.
We're really
gonna miss you, son.
Hi, girls.
I am so glad
you're all here.
I've been thinking,
you know,
and I had a great idea.
Doesn't that sound like fun?
You mean, it's not
like Mother's Day
or your birthday,
Yeah.
Are we being punished?
No, you're not
being punished.
while we still have
the chance to do that.
My God.
You're dying, aren't you?
No, I'm not dying.
It's okay, Mom,
we can take it.
How long have you got?
I just want to spend
some time with you.
I'm not dying.
Good,
then there's no hurry on
this girls' night out thing.
But, hey, good idea.
We'll spend some time
with you real soon.
Yeah, yeah.
Real soon.
And,
by the way, Carol,
I'm really glad
you're not dying.
That would kinda suck.
Hi, J.T.
Hey, Jean-Luc.
I'm glad you're here.
I really need to talk to you.
Well,
I was just, you know,
I was just out the door,
but it's okay.
I can talk to you.
What's on your mind?
Man, Jean-Luc,
I am going crazy
living at home.
I mean, I'm 20 years old,
and my parents still
treat me like I'm a kid.
Well, that's, you see,
part of the problem.
If you still live
with your parents, then you
have to play by their rules.
Exactly.
And that's why I think
it's time to move out.
What do you think?
Well, it's a big
responsibility.
then maybe
you should move out.
Yeah.
I am 20.
And I am a man.
I should be on my own.
I'm moving in with you!
Thanks for helping me
find the guts to move out,
Jean-Luc.
J.T., J.T.
That is
a bitchin' stereo!
Man, we got
a great place here!J.T., no.
Come on, Jean-Luc.
Please, please?
I know it's a lot to ask,
but after the big deal
I made with my dad,
I can't go
crawling back there.
Yeah, but...
Come on, Jean-Luc.
Okay, okay.
All right.
Yes!
But I have to warn you,
J.T., I've got
a date tonight,
and, you know, I may want
to bring the lady back here.
You know,
she's my lady friend.
Lady friend?
Message received,
you tiger you.
You scuzzbucket.
Coming up next on
the Playboy channel,
an interview
with Hugh Hefner.
Enough of that.
If I wanted to see
an old guy in his bathrobe,
I'd go home
and watch my father.
You didn't tell me
you have roommates.
I don't have roommates.
They were just leaving.
Don't go away.
J.T., I thought you were
going to the movies.
I got to thinking, man.
Why spend all that money
on one movie
when I can get us
the Playboy channel?
Yeah, man,
tomorrow night,
nude volleyball.
Ba-da bounce, score!
Rich!
Why are you wearing
my clothes?
I was cold.
And I wanted to look cool.
Rich, despite my objection
to your butt
in my plastic pants,
this is an Armani original,
which Giorgio made
especially for moi
out of Tunisian velour.
Does grape jelly
come out of Tunisian velour?
Jean-Luc,
I think I should go.
No! No, no, no, no, no.
I have carry-out.
I have champagne.
I have this...
Jean-Luc,
we don't have
any more champagne.
I kinda broke the champagne
bottle when we were rummaging
around for the beef jerky.
Yeah, and...
I think your jelly
went bad.
'Cause it's all black,
and it tastes like fish.
Of course it tastes like fish,
you mealy-mouthed munchkin.
I had a wonderful evening.
No, please!
Really, Jean-Luc, thank you.
Please, no.
What's going on?
I'm sorry, did I wake you up?
Didn't mean to.
What time is it?
Well, it's only 5:00 a.m.
Go right back to sleep.
I'm just doing
my morning workout.
Let's see now,
where do I want
to workout?
Why don't we start
with a few curls?
Really short, then...
Never throw the weights.
And then we do a few little
lower backies here.
Up and down.
And up and down.
And up, pause, release.
I think I need a little bit
of room here 'cause...
Okay.
Better right there.
I'm overheating.
Overheating.
Cool down there.
Man, this bites.
I'm going...
No, no, no!
I made you
a protein shake.
Here, drink it.
It's good for you.
What is it?
Well, there's raw egg yolk,
and a nice big cod liver.
Now, that's not very nice.
And look, you can put it
in your hair.
It's a beautiful thing
to do for the protein.
You get the protein going,
and then you just
style as you please.
Style it right up there.
Okay.
Maybe my little friend
will help me
with the abdominal workout.
Abdominals.
What are you doing?
I can't hear you.
Jean-Luc!
Yeah?
I'm sorry.
Why don't we just go
right to your chores?
Man, this is worse
than living at home.
I'm sorry, Jean-Luc,
but I don't think
this is working out.
I'm so terribly
disappointed.
I was so hoping
we could be roomies,
Going home? No,
I don't think so.
I said I was gonna
make it on my own,
and that's what
I'm gonna do.
But...
But where will you live?
I don't know.
Maybe I'll become a mooch
like Kato Kaelin.
He sponged off
people for years,
and he's as dumb
as a brick.
You look really
great tonight.
I wasn't
talking to you.
Hi, guys.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Gee, Carol, sorry,
but, I'm going
to the movies,
and Karen's going
to a Red Hot Chili
Peppers concert.
Yeah.
and said I won
a free concert ticket
and a backstage pass.
They're even
sending a limo.
sound something
like this?
Hello, this is Dolly
from WWOW.
You have just won
a free ticket to see
the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
No way!
You won a free ticket, too?
No, Karen.
Don't you get it?
so you'd be forced to spend
the entire evening with her.
Well, you two
have a great time
on your girls' night out.
Yes, and you
have a good time
with your friend Cindy
at the new Antonio Banderas
film tonight.
Wait, how did you know
I was going to see that?
Did the note that Cindy
left in your locker today
say something like this?
"You're gonna, like,
totally freak.
"I have two free tickets to
the new Antonio Banderas film.
"And, my God,
I think you get
to see his butt."
You did that?
You put that note
in my locker?
I'm so good.
Hello, ladies.
I would love to
stay and chat,
but I'm off to meet
the governor.
Apparently, he wants me
to interview him for
the school paper.
Yeah, well,
before you go,
I think there's something
you oughta hear.
Carol?
Hello, this is Darlene
from the governor's office.
Let's go, girls!
Let's go!
Come on, come on.
I'm in a karaoke bar
on a Saturday night
with my mother.
My life's officially over.
Come on.
getting up on stage
and singing together?
How about cutting my heart out
with an emery board?
You keep up this attitude,
and I just may try.
Okay, now here's
a complete list
of all the songs
that we could sing.
One of you choose one.
Okay,
I'll choose one myself.
Got one.
Okay.
Hi, everybody,
I'm Carol Lambert.
What a babe!
Aren't you sweet?
Um, anyway,
I'm here tonight
with my three
beautiful daughters,
Karen, Al, and Dana.
Now, who would like to see
me and my three beautiful
daughters sing?
Could you put on
number 26?
Come on, you guys
come up and join me, okay?
It'll be really
a lot of fun.
Come up.
Come up here.
I'm not going home.
Besides, this place will
be fine once the landlord
gets out of prison
and fixes the furnace.
But you don't have
a bathroom or a kitchen.
Sam, there's a bathroom
two flights up.
And I don't need a kitchen
And once they turn on
the hot water,
these things will go down
a lot easier.
It's getting late.
I should be going.
Yeah, it's probably
a good idea to go
before somebody tries
to steal your tow truck.
Are you sure
you're gonna be all right?
Yeah.
I'll call you tomorrow.
MAN
Coming up next,
a special report.
Are you eating
poisonous Noodle Whiz?
But first, the weather.
- Kristy?
- Thanks, Jim.
So be sure your windows
are shut real tight...
Who is it?
J.T., it's me, your dad.
So, if you're in
the northern Wisconsin area,
break out your skis...
So, this is,
where you live?
Yep.
This is my pad.
Well, it's...
It's a dump.
Yeah, but it's my dump.
Dad, listen.
With all due respect,
I can't live
like a kid anymore.
I mean,
sleeping in a bunkbed,
having to obey the same rules
as when I was 13.
I know, J.T.
You're not a kid anymore.
and pay for
a decent apartment.
But you are 20 years old,
and you need
some independence.
Well, you can't live here.
Why not?
Because the city just hired me
to tear this place down.
So, why don't I convert
Carol's old beauty parlor
into an apartment for you?
Really?
I mean, it has everything.
Electrical, plumbing,
a door to the outside.
You can come and go
as you want.
And it's next to the house,
so I'll be able to see you.
And I'd like that.
No, we're gonna
do it together.
I'm gonna take out
a construction loan.
You're can pay for
half of it every month.
Hey, no problem.
Be worth it
'cause it's my place.
Dad?
Yeah.
Would you hold me?
I missed you, too, son.
No, it's not that, Dad.
I'm cold.
Now you're a hunk
of space cheese.
Hi, guys.
Where's everybody else?
Dana's studying.
Al's in her room.
Karen's doing her nails.
And,
J.T.'s upstairs
in his bedroom
with his girlfriend.
J.T.'s upstairs with Sam?
Yeah, and we're not
supposed to bug him.
I think they're playing
the Quiet Game.
Well, honey,
the Quiet Game is over.
J.T., can I speak to you
for a minute?
I'm kinda busy right now.
Get your butt down here!
Daddy said "butt."
He's gotta put a quarter
in the cussing jar.
That'll take care of the rest
of my conversation with him.
Now go.
What's the problem, Dad?
But we weren't
doing anything.
where there weren't a bunch
of rug rats running around.
J.T., you know
the rules here.
Dad, I'm too old
for that rule.
Well, now, the way
I look at it, son,
I mean, when you're five,
it's okay to have a girl
up in your room.
When you're 12,
it's kind of a gray area.
When you're your age,
if you have a girl
up in your bedroom,
you better be wearing
a wedding ring.
Fine, then Sam and I
will just go somewhere else
to be alone.
Okay, just be home
by midnight.
A curfew?
Son, do you have a problem
with the curfew,
or are you
hacking up a furball?
Dad, I'm 20 years old.
When can I stop following
these stupid rules?
When you move out
of the house.
Fine.
Maybe I will move out.
Okay.
Really, I'm not kidding.
And you can't stop me.
I wasn't gonna stop you.
I was gonna help you pack.
Hey, everybody,
J.T. is moving out!
Bye, J.T.
Nice knowing you.
We're really
gonna miss you, son.
Hi, girls.
I am so glad
you're all here.
I've been thinking,
you know,
and I had a great idea.
Doesn't that sound like fun?
You mean, it's not
like Mother's Day
or your birthday,
Yeah.
Are we being punished?
No, you're not
being punished.
while we still have
the chance to do that.
My God.
You're dying, aren't you?
No, I'm not dying.
It's okay, Mom,
we can take it.
How long have you got?
I just want to spend
some time with you.
I'm not dying.
Good,
then there's no hurry on
this girls' night out thing.
But, hey, good idea.
We'll spend some time
with you real soon.
Yeah, yeah.
Real soon.
And,
by the way, Carol,
I'm really glad
you're not dying.
That would kinda suck.
Hi, J.T.
Hey, Jean-Luc.
I'm glad you're here.
I really need to talk to you.
Well,
I was just, you know,
I was just out the door,
but it's okay.
I can talk to you.
What's on your mind?
Man, Jean-Luc,
I am going crazy
living at home.
I mean, I'm 20 years old,
and my parents still
treat me like I'm a kid.
Well, that's, you see,
part of the problem.
If you still live
with your parents, then you
have to play by their rules.
Exactly.
And that's why I think
it's time to move out.
What do you think?
Well, it's a big
responsibility.
then maybe
you should move out.
Yeah.
I am 20.
And I am a man.
I should be on my own.
I'm moving in with you!
Thanks for helping me
find the guts to move out,
Jean-Luc.
J.T., J.T.
That is
a bitchin' stereo!
Man, we got
a great place here!J.T., no.
Come on, Jean-Luc.
Please, please?
I know it's a lot to ask,
but after the big deal
I made with my dad,
I can't go
crawling back there.
Yeah, but...
Come on, Jean-Luc.
Okay, okay.
All right.
Yes!
But I have to warn you,
J.T., I've got
a date tonight,
and, you know, I may want
to bring the lady back here.
You know,
she's my lady friend.
Lady friend?
Message received,
you tiger you.
You scuzzbucket.
Coming up next on
the Playboy channel,
an interview
with Hugh Hefner.
Enough of that.
If I wanted to see
an old guy in his bathrobe,
I'd go home
and watch my father.
You didn't tell me
you have roommates.
I don't have roommates.
They were just leaving.
Don't go away.
J.T., I thought you were
going to the movies.
I got to thinking, man.
Why spend all that money
on one movie
when I can get us
the Playboy channel?
Yeah, man,
tomorrow night,
nude volleyball.
Ba-da bounce, score!
Rich!
Why are you wearing
my clothes?
I was cold.
And I wanted to look cool.
Rich, despite my objection
to your butt
in my plastic pants,
this is an Armani original,
which Giorgio made
especially for moi
out of Tunisian velour.
Does grape jelly
come out of Tunisian velour?
Jean-Luc,
I think I should go.
No! No, no, no, no, no.
I have carry-out.
I have champagne.
I have this...
Jean-Luc,
we don't have
any more champagne.
I kinda broke the champagne
bottle when we were rummaging
around for the beef jerky.
Yeah, and...
I think your jelly
went bad.
'Cause it's all black,
and it tastes like fish.
Of course it tastes like fish,
you mealy-mouthed munchkin.
I had a wonderful evening.
No, please!
Really, Jean-Luc, thank you.
Please, no.
What's going on?
I'm sorry, did I wake you up?
Didn't mean to.
What time is it?
Well, it's only 5:00 a.m.
Go right back to sleep.
I'm just doing
my morning workout.
Let's see now,
where do I want
to workout?
Why don't we start
with a few curls?
Really short, then...
Never throw the weights.
And then we do a few little
lower backies here.
Up and down.
And up and down.
And up, pause, release.
I think I need a little bit
of room here 'cause...
Okay.
Better right there.
I'm overheating.
Overheating.
Cool down there.
Man, this bites.
I'm going...
No, no, no!
I made you
a protein shake.
Here, drink it.
It's good for you.
What is it?
Well, there's raw egg yolk,
and a nice big cod liver.
Now, that's not very nice.
And look, you can put it
in your hair.
It's a beautiful thing
to do for the protein.
You get the protein going,
and then you just
style as you please.
Style it right up there.
Okay.
Maybe my little friend
will help me
with the abdominal workout.
Abdominals.
What are you doing?
I can't hear you.
Jean-Luc!
Yeah?
I'm sorry.
Why don't we just go
right to your chores?
Man, this is worse
than living at home.
I'm sorry, Jean-Luc,
but I don't think
this is working out.
I'm so terribly
disappointed.
I was so hoping
we could be roomies,
Going home? No,
I don't think so.
I said I was gonna
make it on my own,
and that's what
I'm gonna do.
But...
But where will you live?
I don't know.
Maybe I'll become a mooch
like Kato Kaelin.
He sponged off
people for years,
and he's as dumb
as a brick.
You look really
great tonight.
I wasn't
talking to you.
Hi, guys.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Gee, Carol, sorry,
but, I'm going
to the movies,
and Karen's going
to a Red Hot Chili
Peppers concert.
Yeah.
and said I won
a free concert ticket
and a backstage pass.
They're even
sending a limo.
sound something
like this?
Hello, this is Dolly
from WWOW.
You have just won
a free ticket to see
the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
No way!
You won a free ticket, too?
No, Karen.
Don't you get it?
so you'd be forced to spend
the entire evening with her.
Well, you two
have a great time
on your girls' night out.
Yes, and you
have a good time
with your friend Cindy
at the new Antonio Banderas
film tonight.
Wait, how did you know
I was going to see that?
Did the note that Cindy
left in your locker today
say something like this?
"You're gonna, like,
totally freak.
"I have two free tickets to
the new Antonio Banderas film.
"And, my God,
I think you get
to see his butt."
You did that?
You put that note
in my locker?
I'm so good.
Hello, ladies.
I would love to
stay and chat,
but I'm off to meet
the governor.
Apparently, he wants me
to interview him for
the school paper.
Yeah, well,
before you go,
I think there's something
you oughta hear.
Carol?
Hello, this is Darlene
from the governor's office.
Let's go, girls!
Let's go!
Come on, come on.
I'm in a karaoke bar
on a Saturday night
with my mother.
My life's officially over.
Come on.
getting up on stage
and singing together?
How about cutting my heart out
with an emery board?
You keep up this attitude,
and I just may try.
Okay, now here's
a complete list
of all the songs
that we could sing.
One of you choose one.
Okay,
I'll choose one myself.
Got one.
Okay.
Hi, everybody,
I'm Carol Lambert.
What a babe!
Aren't you sweet?
Um, anyway,
I'm here tonight
with my three
beautiful daughters,
Karen, Al, and Dana.
Now, who would like to see
me and my three beautiful
daughters sing?
Could you put on
number 26?
Come on, you guys
come up and join me, okay?
It'll be really
a lot of fun.
Come up.
Come up here.
I'm not going home.
Besides, this place will
be fine once the landlord
gets out of prison
and fixes the furnace.
But you don't have
a bathroom or a kitchen.
Sam, there's a bathroom
two flights up.
And I don't need a kitchen
And once they turn on
the hot water,
these things will go down
a lot easier.
It's getting late.
I should be going.
Yeah, it's probably
a good idea to go
before somebody tries
to steal your tow truck.
Are you sure
you're gonna be all right?
Yeah.
I'll call you tomorrow.
MAN
Coming up next,
a special report.
Are you eating
poisonous Noodle Whiz?
But first, the weather.
- Kristy?
- Thanks, Jim.
So be sure your windows
are shut real tight...
Who is it?
J.T., it's me, your dad.
So, if you're in
the northern Wisconsin area,
break out your skis...
So, this is,
where you live?
Yep.
This is my pad.
Well, it's...
It's a dump.
Yeah, but it's my dump.
Dad, listen.
With all due respect,
I can't live
like a kid anymore.
I mean,
sleeping in a bunkbed,
having to obey the same rules
as when I was 13.
I know, J.T.
You're not a kid anymore.
and pay for
a decent apartment.
But you are 20 years old,
and you need
some independence.
Well, you can't live here.
Why not?
Because the city just hired me
to tear this place down.
So, why don't I convert
Carol's old beauty parlor
into an apartment for you?
Really?
I mean, it has everything.
Electrical, plumbing,
a door to the outside.
You can come and go
as you want.
And it's next to the house,
so I'll be able to see you.
And I'd like that.
No, we're gonna
do it together.
I'm gonna take out
a construction loan.
You're can pay for
half of it every month.
Hey, no problem.
Be worth it
'cause it's my place.
Dad?
Yeah.
Would you hold me?
I missed you, too, son.
No, it's not that, Dad.
I'm cold.