The Brady Bunch (1969–1974): Season 4, Episode 19 - How to Succeed in Business? - full transcript

An elated Peter has just been offered his first job, working for Mr. Martinelli at the bike shop on weekends. As it's his first job, Mike advises him to be prompt, hard working and loyal. Peter ends up selling his parents on the idea of getting bikes for themselves, and he is a diligent worker. However, he is not a "business" oriented worker, as he is slow in getting the jobs done, and does maintenance that doesn't need to be done nor was requested. And Peter doesn't pick up on Mr. Martinelli's hints to get the job done quicker. As such, Mr. Martinelli has no choice but to fire him. Mr. Martinelli tells Peter that he'd like to have a chat with him at the end of the working day. Peter interprets the want for a chat as a probable promotion, which he tells Carol and Alice. So when the news is the exact opposite, Peter is crushed. But when the family throws him a surprise "congratulations on the promotion" party, Peter has to decide how to give them the news while saving face. This may be difficult in light of the family's want to frequent the store more and more because of Peter.

♪ Here's the story ♪

♪ Of a lovely lady ♪

♪ Who was bringing up ♪

♪ Three very lovely girls ♪

♪ All of them had hair of gold ♪

♪ Like their mother ♪

♪ The youngest one in curls ♪

♪ It's the story of a
man named Brady ♪

♪ Who was busy with
three boys of his own ♪

♪ They were four
men living all together ♪

♪ Yet they were all alone ♪



♪ Till the one day when
the lady met this fellow ♪

♪ And they knew that it was
much more than a hunch ♪

♪ That this group must
somehow form a family ♪

♪ That's the way we all
became the Brady Bunch ♪

♪ The Brady Bunch ♪

♪ The Brady Bunch ♪

♪ That's the way we
became the Brady Bunch. ♪

PETER: Mom, Dad! Mom, Dad!

Oh! You all right?
You all right?

Fine. What's all the excitement?

Alice, the greatest
thing in the world

just happened to me.

Yeah? What?

First, have there been



any phone calls for me? Nope.

You sure? Positive.

Maybe it didn't happen.

What didn't happen?

But maybe it will anyway.

Peter, what happened
that didn't happen

that maybe will anyway?

Alice, I don't want
to get your hopes up.

I promise.

I just want to know
what's going on.

( phone rings)

Maybe that's it.

Hello. This is Peter.

Yes, Mr. Martinelli?

What? Oh, wow, that's great!

Sorry, Mr. Martinelli.

I hurt his ear.

Sorry I yelled, but
I'm real happy, sir.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir!

It did happen!

Mom, Dad, it happened!

( screams): What happened?!

PETER: Mom, Dad! Mom, Dad!

It happened, it happened!

Dad, it happened.

Well, that's great.

What happened?

I got my first job.

Terrific!

Well, that's wonderful.

Thanks.

Who are you working for?

Mr. Martinelli at the
bike shop. Yeah?

I'm gonna work for him on
Saturdays and after school.

I'm going to fix bikes.

Well, put her there.

My son, the bike doctor.

Oh, we're proud of you, Peter.

From now on, I won't be a
financial burden to you anymore.

Oh, well, that's a
load off my wallet.

And I won't be needing
an allowance anymore.

No allowance? Nope.

You're sure?

Well, maybe just one
more for old times' sake.

Yeah.

I got to go tell the guys.

Oh, listen, Peter.

Now that you're taking on a job,

you're taking on
responsibility, you know.

Sure, Dad.

Be prompt,
hardworking and loyal.

Got it.

Peter, one more thing:

Don't be clumsy.

Bye-bye.

Well, Peter, how's
it coming, eh?

Fine, Mr. Martinelli,
and don't you worry...

I'm going to be prompt,
hardworking, loyal, neat

and I'm not going
to watch the clock.

I'm sure, I'm sure, Peter.

Uh, Peter, Mr. Williams
is in a hurry for this bike.

Yes, sir, I know.

Hey, listen to this.

( gear clicking smoothly)

Sounds perfect.

Only nine more gears to go.

Nine more?

But it's almost
quitting time, Peter.

Oh. Thanks for reminding me.

I would have kept
right on working.

( whistling tune)

Oh, hi, Pete.

Hi.

Hi. How come all the bikes?

Well, all the guys at
school happened to hear

that you were working
for Mr. Martinelli.

How'd they happen to hear that?

Bobby called them
up and he told them.

How come they didn't
bring their bikes to the shop?

Well, that way,
Mr. Martinelli makes money.

This way, we do.

What do you mean, "we"?

Well, um, you...
and me and Cindy.

You do the work and
we get the commission.

Forget it.

I wouldn't do a thing
like that to Mr. Martinelli.

You and your bright ideas.

Well, how am I supposed to know

Peter wouldn't moonlight?

How... how's everything, Peter?

Coming along just
fine, Mr. Martinelli.

Peter, you're working
on the same bicycle

you was working on yesterday.

Yes, sir.

But Mr. Williams
wants the bicycle.

I'm just trying to get
it in tip-top condition

so he'll be a real
satisfied customer.

That's what we want, isn't it?

Yes, but we want both...

Satisfied and customers, Peter.

Hmm.

Uh-uh! Caught you.

Well, have mercy, ma'am.

You know how I love olives.

I'm an olive freak.

Hi.

Hi.

Hi, Peter.

Well, how's the big
businessman today?

Mr. Martinelli couldn't
have been nicer.

No, I meant you.

Oh, I'm doing great.

You know, while I
was working today

I got to thinking about you two.

About us?

Yeah, I got to thinking

that maybe you and Mom
ought to take up bike riding.

It's very healthy.

Oh, my gosh.

I haven't been
on a bike in years.

It's not too late.

I mean, you're
not in bad condition

considering your
age and everything.

Thank you.

You, too, Mom.

You could get yourself
back in shape again.

I thought I was in shape.

( chuckles)

Pete, are you trying to sell
us a couple of bikes? Is that it?

Well, there's nothing wrong

with a businessman drumming
up a little business, is there?

No, not at all.

As a matter of fact, I think
it's a very good idea, Peter.

Great!

Mike, you know that
isn't a bad idea at all.

Huh? It might tighten
up all those olives.

Oh, honey, I get
plenty of exercise.

I play golf almost
every weekend.

I don't.

I also play tennis
with the guys.

I don't.

I also swim at
the club. I don't.

Well, maybe I'll buy you a bike.

MARTINELLI: Well,
how's it coming, Peter?

Just fine, Mr. Martinelli.

You're still working
on Mr. Williams' bicycle.

I sure am.

You've been working
on it for three days now.

I took the brakes apart today.

But Mr. Williams didn't
ask to have the brakes fixed.

There's nothing wrong with them.

I found that out.

Three days.

How could you possibly work on
the same bicycle for three days?

I guess I got a lot of patience.

I wish I could say the
same thing for Mr. Williams.

( phone ringing)

Peter, please finish it.

( voice quavering): I want good
work, and I want it... finished!

( phone continues ringing)

Martinelli's Bike Shop.

Oh, hello, Mr. Williams. I...

Nice day for a bike ride?

Well, yes and no.

I'm afraid, Mr. Williams,
it's not ready yet.

Yes, I... I know I
promised it to you by noon,

but I'm having
trouble with the help

and I'm afraid I need a new boy.

Yes. Later today, definitely.

I'll finish it myself,
Mr. Williams.

Good-bye.

Um, Peter, why don't
you go to lunch now

and I'll finish the bike.

Lunch already? Yeah.

Time really goes fast

when you're doing
something you like.

Peter... Yes, Mr. Martinelli?

After work today, I
would like to have

a little talk with
you, all right?

Yes, sir.

You think I'm doing okay?

Well...

You think someday I can
even become a bike salesman?

Well, to tell the truth

I think maybe you'll
be better selling bikes

than fixing them.

Really?

Oh, thanks, Mr. Martinelli.

( whistling tune)

PETER: Mom, Alice!

Oh, Peter, we were
just fixing your lunch.

You know what happened?

I got promoted!

Promoted? After just three days?

Look out, Howard Hughes.

Here comes Peter Brady.

Peter, are you sure?

Well, I'm not really positive

but I told you how pleased
Mr. Martinelli is with my work.

Whenever he watches me, he
has a surprised look on his face

like he can't believe it.

What did Mr. Martinelli say?

He told me I'd even be
better as a bike salesman.

He wants to talk to me
about it right after work today.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Fantastic. You think
maybe that that might call

for an extra slice of bologna?

Peter, you're a nice boy.

You're neat, you're
prompt, you're considerate.

You never goof off, and
you always look busy.

But you don't have
the talent for this job.

I'm sorry, Peter, but I have
customers who need their bikes

and I just can't
keep them waiting.

I'll try harder, Mr. Martinelli.

You try hard enough,

but you're just not
mechanically inclined.

You know what to do,
but somehow it gets lost

between here and here.

Good luck, Peter.

I got fired.

Ah!

Oh, wow!

That looks great, Alice!

Oh, just call me the
Picasso of the pastry tube.

I wish I could learn to do that.

All it takes is
a little practice.

How'd you learn?

I started with mud pies

and worked my way up.

Boy, will Peter be surprised

when he sees this.

Well, he deserves it.

There.

After only three days on the job

to get a promotion...

If anything calls
for a celebration

that does.

Mm-hmm.

Hey, I heard you were promoted.

Uh-uh. Just the opposite.

Demoted?

Outmoded.

What?

I got fired.

Fired?

How come?

Mr. Martinelli says I'm
not mechanically inclined.

I guess I'm too slow.

That's too bad, Pete.

I don't know what to do.

What did Mom and Dad say?

I haven't told them yet.

I didn't want to spoil
anybody's dinner...

especially mine.

Tell them right after dinner.

Yeah, I guess so.

I sure wasn't a business
tycoon for very long.

( indistinct talking)

Oh, well... anyway...

Mom, Dad, can I talk
to you about something?

Sure.

I have a feeling

it's going to be about bicycles.

Well, sort of.

Yes?

ALICE: Surprise!

( all talking at once)

MIKE: Oh, look at that.

What's the cake for?

JAN: To celebrate
your promotion.

Aren't you surprised?

( flatly): Boy, am I ever.

All the girls helped me make it.

ALICE: Look at that.

CAROL: Isn't it beautiful?

MIKE: Bet it tastes even better.

Speech! Speech!

I... I don't know what to say.

I mean, so much has
happened to me today.

I... I guess I should
say something,

but I can't... not right now.

Give him a sparkler.

BOBBY: Here, Peter. A large one.

I want a big piece!

All right.

( everyone talking excitedly)

( whispering): Greg?

Yeah?

I know I should tell Mom and Dad

but I'd hate to wake them up.

I don't think
they're asleep yet.

Well, if I wait any
longer, they might be.

You should have
told them after dinner.

How could I, with the
cake and the speech?

Greg, I really need some advice.

( sighs)

Ask Mr. Martinelli
for one more chance.

Then, if he takes you back,

you won't have to say
anything to anybody.

Yeah... yeah.

I knew you'd help me.

Thanks, Greg.

Yeah. One more chance.

Yeah... yeah.

Peter...

Like I said before, Peter,

you're a nice boy...
A very nice boy...

And I'm sorry, really sorry,
but I have to get a new boy.

I just thought I'd
ask, but maybe we...

Nothing personal.

It's just simply

that you're not
mechanically inclined.

Well, maybe I can learn
to be mechanically inclined.

Peter, Peter...

Some people make picture frames

and some other people
paint the pictures.

Who knows? Maybe
you're an artist.

Good-bye.

Thanks, Mr. Martinelli.

What's the matter, Peter?

My sisters are coming to see me.

They don't know I've been fired.

You didn't tell your family?!

Not yet. Please, Mr. Martinelli,
don't say anything.

But... uh... Thanks,
Mr. Martinelli.

I'll tell them later.

Well, can I help
you young ladies?

Well, we'd rather wait

and let the other
salesman help us.

Other salesman?

We're Peter Brady's sisters.

Are you the nice man
who promoted him?

Promoted him?

Made him a salesman.

Oh. Oh, I see.

We wanted Peter to wait on us.

I need a horn for my bike.

( horn beeping)

Why don't you let me
help you with the horns?

We got loud horns, soft horns...

Now, remember, Peter
gets the credit for this sale.

Yes, ma'am.

( horn beeping)

That's it... that's all I
have to feed you guys.

Mr. Martinelli should be
closing up shop about now

so I guess I'd better
be going home...

from my job.

Hey, congratulations, Peter.

Huh?

The girls told me
you're a salesman now.

Doing great, huh?

Yep. Got them eating
right out of my hands.

How did you get
Mr. Martinelli to take you back?

I didn't.

You're kidding.

Yeah, I'm kidding everybody.

I asked Mr. Martinelli
to cover for me

so I could break
the news myself.

Well, where were
you all afternoon?

In the park.

Doing what?

Feeding the
pigeons, and thinking.

Pete, you're going to
have to tell the folks.

I know.

That's what I was
thinking about.

It's nice having someone
you can tell your troubles to.

I wish I could tell my
mom and dad, but I can't.

I'm a failure at 14.

But who am I to tell
them a thing like that

about their own son?

Mom, Dad?

I didn't mean to interrupt.

I was just looking for my books.

There they are.

Sorry to bother you.

Uh... Peter, your father
and I have been thinking

about what you said.

What did I say?

About bike riding.

Oh.

We've decided we'd
like to get bicycles.

And we're going to buy them

from Mr. Martinelli's
star salesman.

I... I wouldn't do that.

Why?

Well, all that exertion

on a man as old as
you are could be bad.

Just the other day, you
said it wasn't too late.

Well, that was the other day.

And, besides, some
people get excited

and go out and buy bikes

and they never even use them.

Well, we'd use them.

Sure, we would.

Well, I'd give it some
more consideration...

Like maybe a week,
or two, or even a month.

I mean, what's the hurry?

Excuse me.

Well, that's a switch.

I've heard of
low-pressure salesmen,

but never no-pressure salesmen.

Wonder why the big change.

Listen, maybe Mr. Martinelli

could give us a clue.

Well, I would sure love to know

what let the air
out of Peter's tires.

You guys just don't know how
lucky you are to be pigeons.

Nobody can fire you,
and you get free food.

But I can't keep
this up forever.

Sooner or later, I'll have
to tell my mom and dad.

No wonder you guys
like me so much...

You're pigeons...
and I'm chicken.

( bicycle bell rings)

Oh, my gosh!

Ah!

Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.

Oh, that's pretty good
for an old man, huh?

Hey, you got some
room on that bench

for a woman of my age?

I... I was just
feeding the pigeons.

Peter, Mr. Martinelli
told us what happened.

Yeah, and Greg
filled us in on the rest.

Oh. I... I wanted to tell
you, but I was too ashamed.

Peter, there's nothing
to be ashamed of.

Of course not. There's
no shame in being fired.

I've lost jobs.

You have?

Practically everybody has

at one time or another.

But this is my first
job, and I bombed out...

only after three days.

Peter, Mr. Martinelli
said you really tried.

It's just that he didn't
think you were cut out

for this particular job.

He thinks you're a
very bright young man.

Is that what he said? Honest?

Honest.

Peter, you should
have told us, you know.

Hiding out in the park
hasn't helped anyone.

Hah! Except maybe the pigeons.

Yeah, they kind of liked it.

Oh, by the way,

this is for you
from Mr. Martinelli.

What for?

That's your commission
for those two bikes

you talked us into buying.

But I tried to talk you
out of buying them.

You can't help it
if we're stubborn.

You know something? I
feel a lot better right now.

Good. So do we.

Listen, now that the
whole family has bicycles,

I know a great way to keep them

from rusting away in the garage.

( groans)

BOBBY: Mom! Dad!

In here, Bob.

Dad, guess what!

What?

I got my own job, all by myself.

I got my own job!

Hey, you did?

Well, that's great.

What are you doing?

I'm delivering
newspapers before school.

Oh, Bobby, you have to get up

at 5:00 in the
morning to do that.

Well, I don't mind.

You're going to have to go

all over the neighborhood,
you know. That's miles.

I don't mind.

Besides, you can't
do it on a bike.

You'll have to have a car.

I know.

Well, now you're being silly.

You can't drive.

No, but you can.

( groans)