The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 1, Episode 37 - Operation Deadbeat - full transcript

Gee, Mom, you're a great cook.

These eggs are just sensational.

Thank you, dear.

But I think you should give
the chicken some credit.

Oh, by the way, Mom.

Yes, dear?

A fellow ought to go to his
mother with his problems,

now, wouldn't you say?

This problem, is it financial?

Only 35 cents.

I'm sorry, Jeff.



You'll have to learn to
live within your allowance.

And while we're
on the subject, Jeff,

when are you going to pay me
back that money you owe me?

Well, off to school.

Just a second, young man.

Have you been borrowing
money from your sister?

Blabbermouth.

I like that, Jeff.

All you had to do was keep
your promise and pay me back.

Pay back what?

We're having a math
exam, and I think...

$6.70.

Oh, Jeff, what possible
reason could you have

for borrowing so much money?



A fella's got expenses.

A dime here, a quarter
there. It all adds up.

Your weekly allowance

is supposed to cover
all your expenses.

But it never seems to do it.

Maybe if I had a
bigger allowance.

Hold on. You'll have to
think of another solution.

Well, how about giving me
my allowance more often?

Jeff, let's get
one thing straight.

I don't like the idea of
your borrowing money.

How long has this been going on?

He's owed me for months.

Oh, Jeff.

If you have to borrow money,

the least you could do
is pay it back promptly.

I think so, too.

And you're as much to blame
for letting him get away with it.

- I think so, too.
- Never mind, Jeff.

I did ask him for
the money, Daddy.

And he just promised
and kept putting it off.

Well, let's see.

I think you said $6.70.

It was something like that.

It was exactly that.

There you are. $6.70.

Thanks, Dad. That's
a load off my mind.

Yeah? Well, I'm afraid I've
got another load for your mind.

Sir?

You now owe me $6.70.

And you'd better figure out
some way of paying it back.

If there's anything
I don't like,

it's people who
don't pay their debts.

Good morning, darling.
How about some coffee?

- Hi, Mom.
- Hi, dear.

How as school today?

It was all right.

Mom, can't you talk to Dad
about the money I owe him?

I certainly cannot.

Your father and I both
feel that borrowing money

is a very bad habit for
a young man to get into.

I don't get it.

Do you know that the
United States government

has a debt of over $270 billion?

I wonder what they'd
be if they couldn't borrow.

Darling, you're
not a government.

Although I'll admit
you are expanding.

You know, the debt isn't legal.

After all, I'm a minor.

Your father doesn't intend
to haul you into court on this.

Well, I suppose I
could sell something...

My bicycle or my chemistry set.

You'll do nothing of the kind.

Well, gee, Mom,
I've been figuring.

If I pay Dad out
of my allowance,

it'll take me past Christmas.

Then I won't be able to
buy you a Christmas present.

Well, all right.

I'll speak to Daddy, and
we'll see what can be done.

Thanks, Mom. I knew
I could depend on you.

No, Mrs. Axelrod. There's
nothing to worry about.

All right.

I'll mail your prescription.

Not at all. Goodbye.

Are you busy?

As you can see, I'm swamped,
but I'll squeeze you in.

Well, it's about Jeff.

What's he gotten into?

Well, it's what he wants to get
out of... the money he owes you.

Couldn't you make
it easier for him?

Of course I could, but
what would that accomplish?

I'm trying to impress Jeff

with the importance
of paying his debts.

But, Alex, don't you
expect more of Jeff

than you would anyone else?

Are you trying to tell
me I'm not being fair?

Well, I'm sure other
people owe you money

and you don't
make an issue of it.

Darling, it's
entirely different.

Jeff's my son.

Besides, there really isn't
much that patients owe me.

I'll show you. Excuse me.

There you are. Just a few.

A few?

I had no idea there
were that many.

They've really piled up.

I'll bet you haven't looked
in this folder for over a year.

At least.

You know, I just
don't understand it.

Why is it a doctor is
the first to be called

and the last to be paid?

I don't know.

The Chinese have
solved the whole thing

by only paying the
doctor when they're well.

Alex, what are you
gonna do about this?

Nothing. I'm a doctor,
not a bill collector.

But you have to do something.

All right. You collect them.

Well, I'm a doctor's
wife, not a bill collector.

Just as I thought... You're all
afire for something to be done,

but you want
someone else to do it.

But somebody has to do it.

But who?

Well, if you won't, I will.

Mom, is it all taken care of?

Is what taken care of?

Well, you know, the
money I owe Dad.

Is it all okay?

Jeff, you are going to have
to learn the value of money,

so you'd better start
thinking about paying it back.

Well, golly.

- Hi, Mommy.
- Hi, sweetheart.

Mother, I have something
I want to ask you.

Wait. I want to ask
you something first.

Isn't Mr. McDonnell the
man who runs the gas station?

His daughter
Anne is in my class.

Doesn't he have seven children?

- Eight.
- But I thought...

Yesterday, another girl.

How nice.

Now, what was it you
wanted to ask me, dear?

Well, you know that
$6.70 I got from Jeff?

Is it all right if I
get a plaid skirt

I saw down at the Smart Shop?

- Plaid skirt?
- It's beautiful.

It has red and green checks,

and, well, I've been
admiring it for weeks.

Is it all right?

Well, honey, I'm
sure it's lovely on you.

It's your money. Why don't
you go ahead and get it?

Thank you, Mother.

I've already ordered it.
They have to get it in my size.

Excuse me. I'm
gonna go tell Patty.

Excuse me, Daddy.

Is she out for the
four-minute mile?

I think it has something to do

with a red-and-green
plaid skirt.

Well, how's my beautiful
bill collector doing?

Not very well.

It seemed like such a lot, but
then when I went through them,

I could tell they were all
people who will pay someday.

But, well, they must be
having some trouble now.

I could have told
you that yesterday.

But here's a bill
that ought to be paid.

Our TV repairman.

Jesse Finsterwald?

His daughter had
chicken pox last year.

I made a couple of house calls.

He's owed you $14 for
11 months and 6 days.

And if we don't pay
our TV-repair bill

by the 10th of the month,
he sends out a second notice.

And this being the
10th of the month,

here's the second notice
from Mr. Finsterwald.

Haven't you paid him?

I mailed him a check yesterday.

He never forgets
a second notice.

But it's all right for him
to owe $14 for 11 months.

It probably slipped his mind.

It's a pretty big slip.

You know what I'm going to do?

I think I'll call him up

and have him come
over and check our TV set.

There's nothing wrong with it.
We just had it fixed last month.

It can always stand
a little adjustment.

Now, darling, you're not going
to ask him for money, are you?

Oh, no.

I'll be very
friendly. I promise.

I won't even mention the bill.

Hello, Mr. Finsterwald.

Afternoon, Mrs. Stone.

Thank you for
coming so promptly.

Finsterwald service, ma'am.

Always happy to be of good
service to our customers.

And how's Mrs. Finsterwald?

Fine.

And how is little Gretchen?

She's just wonderful.

Sorry we can't give the
doctor any more business,

but Gretchen just
refuses to get sick.

Well, aren't you
forgetting the chicken pox?

That was ages ago.

Yes.

11 months and 7
days, to be exact.

Say, that's right.

Oh, there aren't
many doctors' wives

who take such an interest
in their husbands' patients.

Really?

You dropped something. Here.

By the way, did you get our
check for this month's bill?

Yes, ma'am. That
came right on time.

You folks are pretty dependable.

- Really?
- Excuse me.

Is there some show you
want to catch this afternoon?

No. I'm too busy.

I'm making out reminders to mail

to some of my
husband's delinquent bills.

You get them, too.

Murder, isn't it?

Yes, it certainly is.

Well, I think I know
what the trouble is.

Oh?

Well, why don't you
give us an estimate?

You can write it on
this sheet of paper.

It's only one item.

Oh?

- Well, that's wonderful.
- Not so wonderful.

You need a new picture tube.

$42.

$42! But...

Well, this was
working just fine.

Wouldn't have
lasted another week.

They go just like
that, you know?

I'm surprised this one
stood up as long as it did.

I'll have to take it with me.

What's so funny?

Wouldn't it be great if the
doc could work like this?

Take out the insides and then
take them home and work on them?

- Good morning, Mother.
- Good morning, sweetheart.

- Good morning, darling.
- Good morning, dear.

Breakfast will be
ready in a minute.

Thank you.

Daddy, is there a letter there
for me from the Smart Shop?

Well, let's see.

A couple of circulars
for new miracle drugs.

An ad for a
telephone-answering service.

The Pediatric Journal.

And a letter from
Jesse Finsterwald.

Oh!

Well, I guess he
took the hint after all.

I hope I didn't
embarrass him too much.

I hope not, too.

Oh, no!

What is it?

Listen to this...
"Dear Dr. Stone,

I am very sorry I quoted you the
wrong price on the picture tube.

I checked the catalog,
and it will cost you $51.

Sincerely, Jesse Finsterwald."

And that's all he says?

No. Down at the bottom it says,

"All charges are due by
the 10th of the month."

I give up!

Well, I would say that
the irresistible force

has met the immovable object.

You mean Mother's
an irresistible force?

Well, I find her irresistible.

Say, where's Jeff?

Well, that's right.

He's usually the
last one out of bed

and the first one
down to breakfast.

Jeff!

Breakfast, Jeff!

You calling me, Mom?

Well, I thought
you were still in bed.

Bed? I've been up
for hours working.

Working? You
mean you have a job?

I've taken over Chris
DeMieux's paper route

for a couple of weeks.

I know it's hard work.

And I suppose
getting up early and all,

I'm missing some
sleep that I should have.

But the important thing is

that I'm paying back the
money I borrowed, I guess.

It sure is.

You mean you don't
want me to quit?

Not for a minute.
I'm proud of you, son.

Well, honey, go wash your hands
and then have some breakfast.

Okay.

Alex, I'm worried.

I don't think Jeff looks well.

Nonsense. He's strong as an ox.

There's no harm in getting
up early to deliver papers.

It'll make a man of him.

An 11-year-old man?

Would you rather he grow up
to be another Jesse Finsterwald

and not pay his
doctor bills, either?

Well, no.

I don't want him to overdo.

Hey, Dad, you want a paper?

Oh, yes, Jeff, thank you.

That'll be a dime. I'm
in business, you know?

Hello.

Hello, Mrs. Stone.
Is the doctor in?

No, he isn't.

- It's Mr. McDonnell, isn't it?
- Yes.

Well, how's the new baby?

Oh, she's a
beautiful little girl.

Naturally, she doesn't
look a bit like me.

I wouldn't say that.

- Come on in.
- Well, no, thanks.

I just wanted to talk to
the doctor about my bill.

It's quite a bit overdue.

Oh, please, don't
even think about it.

You're very kind, Mrs. Stone,
but I've got an extra job now,

and I wanted to
pay $5 on account.

I'll keep paying more
as often as I can.

Please, Mr. McDonnell,
there's no rush.

My husband is
perfectly willing to wait

until, well, things are
a little easier for you.

I think I'd rather pay now.

It'll make me
feel a little better.

Well, thank you.

Thank you very much.

Funny thing.

I guess I would have kept on

forgetting about the
doctor's bill and putting it off,

you know, the way you do.

But I ran into your boy Jeff.

You did?

It's the first I
knew he had a job.

He told me that he was
working to pay off a debt.

I thought if a
little fella like that

can take his
responsibilities so to heart,

a grown man like me
shouldn't do any less.

I guess you saw him on
his paper route this morning.

No, I saw him at the
supermarket this afternoon.

You knew he was
working there, didn't you?

Yes, I knew he was working.

I won't take any more
of your time, Mrs. Stone.

Well, thank you very much.

And give my best
to Mrs. McDonnell.

I will. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Thank you.

Remember what I told you, Jeff.

Make sure the
tomatoes are on the top.

Sure thing. Tomatoes on top.

Young man?

Just a second,
lady. I'll be with you...

Mom!

Excuse me.

May I speak to my
son for a moment?

Go right ahead, ma'am.

All right, Jeff.
Explain yourself.

I was just trying to
make some money.

I've got a debt to pay.

Don't you think you're
overdoing it a bit with two jobs...

Before school and after school?

I was told I should
work it out by myself.

Well, why didn't
you tell us about it?

I thought you were staying
late at the playground.

Playground?

That's for kids who don't
have to work for a living.

Honey, I admit I'm
very proud of you.

But are you sure this
isn't too much for you?

Jeff, would you carry
those out, please?

Yes, sir.

Don't worry, Mom.
This job's a cinch.

Let go.

I'll see you at home.

Hello, Mrs. Stone.
Can I help you?

Yes, Mr. Folger.

Some brisket. About
three pounds, please.

I'll give you a real nice piece.

That boy of yours is all right.

Yes, he is, isn't he?

The way he pitches in
and works around here,

you'd think he owns the place.

Well, to tell you the truth,

I didn't even know
he was working here.

Is that so?

I found out quite by accident.
Mr. McDonnell told me.

Well, how about that?

McDonnell.

Oh, you mean Ray
McDonnell from the gas station?

They used to trade
here all the time,

but they haven't been to
this counter in a long time.

I'd hate to think it's on
account of the bill they owe.

Do you think it might be that?

Well, you never know.

Some people run up a bill,
they're too ashamed to come in.

Of course, I'd hate to
think that was the reason.

I know he's honest. His
credit's good with me.

Mr. Folger, this isn't
any of my business.

But why don't you call
him and tell him that?

- Call him?
- Yes.

It might make him feel better.

All right.

I'll be glad to.

I'll call him today.

Good.

Oh, just a minute.

Here's some money against
the McDonnell account.

No, Mrs. Stone, you
don't have to do that.

You just keep your money.

But it isn't my money.

Mr. McDonnell gave it to me.

Jeff is going to be soaked.

He forgot to take his raincoat.

Shouldn't he be home by now?

The man at the market said he
had one more delivery to make

and then he was
coming home from there.

Our fun-loving, debt-ridden
son with two jobs.

I don't know what's
come over him.

Oh, there he...

Oh, he's absolutely drenched.

Oh, Jeff, honey,
are you all right?

I'm fine.

You don't sound very well to me.

I'll have to get you out of
these wet clothes and into bed.

I'm...

Your mother's right. Up you go.

Come on. I'll get
your bed ready.

What is everybody
so worried about?

So I'm a little wet.

Honey, I'll get you into bed

and give you a nice,
hot bowl of soup.

I better get you something
for that cold. I'll be right up.

Jeff, I should have taken
you home from the market

when I saw you there.

And go on being hounded
for debts the rest of my life?

Mary, will you get a
bath towel, please?

Yes, Mother.

Mother, can't I lend Jeff the
$6.70 so he won't have to work?

What about that plaid
skirt you wanted to buy?

I can cancel that.

I really didn't think it
was that pretty, anyway.

You go on and get the skirt.

Lending Jeff the money

was what started all
this in the first place.

If I can't lend it to
him, I'll give it to him.

Daddy didn't say anything
about an outright gift.

Well, that's very sweet of
you, Mary, but, no, I think not.

Thanks anyway, Mary.

All right. You go get
into your pajamas.

Okay.

Oh, Mother, we can't let
Jeff go on working at two jobs.

It's just inhuman.

Can't something be done?

Something is being done.

Did you see your father's face
when he saw Jeff soaking wet?

The forces of nature
are beginning to work.

- Jeff!
- Coming, Dad.

Come on. Hop in.

There you are.

Take one of these.

All right.

Now, about your working.

Yes, Dad?

As your father, I think
you ought to pay your debt

so that you can grow up
to be a man of character.

But as your doctor, I insist
that you give up working.

- Now, what do you think?
- Dad, you're the doctor.

Well, we're certainly
proud of you,

holding down two jobs to
pay your debt to your father.

Well, I wasn't working
on both jobs for that.

Just the paper route.

What were you working
at the market for?

Well, that was to
pay Mrs. Tucker $8.

$8? For what?

For the window I broke when I
threw her paper on her porch.

Why didn't you come
and tell us you needed $8?

After the talking-to you and
Mom gave me about borrowing?

Well, that's all over now,
so just forget about it.

He'll do nothing of the
kind. A debt is still a debt.

Only now with
the $8, it's $14.70.

So I'm gonna raise your
allowance 10 cents a week,

which I will keep until you
can pay me back what you owe.

Now, that ought to
take about three years.

Thanks, Dad.

Yeah.

Yes, Mr. McDonnell.

You're thanking me for what?

For sending your wife flowers?

Well, I was very happy to do it.

You're welcome.

Goodbye.

Sending another woman flowers?

You caught me fair and square.

I don't suppose
any jury in the world

would believe I don't
know anything about it.

I believe you because
I sent them for you.

That was very nice
of you, but why?

- Mrs. McDonnell had a baby.
- I see.

And Mr. McDonnell paid
me $5 toward your bill.

And then I gave
the $5 to Mr. Folger

against Mr. McDonnell's bill.

And then Mr. Folger remembered
that he owed you $5. You see?

Frankly, no.

The thing that's so nice is that
everyone's paying off his bills

and Mrs. McDonnell
gets flowers besides.

- Darling...
- Excuse me.

Evening, folks.

Finsterwald service.

You know, Doc,
I've been thinking.

You done me a lot of favors.

And I have never
been able to do you any.

That's all right,
Mr. Finsterwald.

No, it isn't.

So I decided that I'm
gonna let you have this tube

for what it cost me.

Well, you're in business.

You can't work for nothing.

Oh, at the end of the year,
I do okay with you folks.

You're very good customers.

Thank you, Mr. Finsterwald.

You know, you're
a lucky man, Doc.

Well, I think so,
too, but tell me why.

Well, being a doctor,
your wife don't mix in

and try to tell you how
to run your business.

I got nothing against Edna.
She's a wonderful woman.

But she keeps my books.

She's always worrying about
people not paying their bills.

Well, somebody
has to worry about it.

Why?

Those who can pay.

Those who can't will.

That's why I hate for her
to send out those reminders

on the 10th of the month...
A lot of people get offended.

Well, maybe
they're just sensitive.

Hey, what's this?

Oh, that!

It looks like a bill to
me from the doctor.

No, really.

What's the bill doing
in the television set?

Looks to me like this
was a gentle reminder

for me to pay my bill,
except I already paid it.

Well, then...

You did?

You see, the reason I remember

is it got lost for a few
weeks in Edna's filing system.

I just found it the other
day, and I sent you a check.

It was the 9th.

Yeah, I remember
'cause it went out

with a lot of those
10-day reminders.

There we go.

Alex, please don't say it.

All I know is, you owe me $14.

All right.

I'll go out and get a job
delivering papers tomorrow.

Don't worry about it. You'll
find me quite reasonable.

I'll think of some
way to settle it.