Adventures in Odyssey

Focus on the Family: Last time on Adventures in Odyssey.

Whit: I'd like you all to meet Margaret Fay.

Margaret Fay: What brings you to Whit's End, Mrs. Fay? Well, to be honest, I'm here to meet you, Mr. Whitaker.

Katrina Meltsner: This woman isn't harmless.

Connie Kendall: You've been seeing this woman all summer and nothing's happening?

Whit: Oh, we enjoy a lot of the same things, that's all. Good morning.

Connie Kendall: So there's nothing romantic going on?

Whit: She's a sharp, intelligent woman, but I can't say anything beyond that.

Margaret Fay: Whit, I think you're fascinating. I'm asking you to marry me.

Jason Whittaker: What? Margaret asked my dad to marry her?

Connie Kendall: Yeah.

Jason Whittaker: Wait a minute. The wedding in two days is my father's?

Connie Kendall: Well, it wouldn't be fair to answer that question quite yet. You still haven't heard about Jack and Joanne.

Jason Whittaker: Jack and Joanne figure into all this?

Connie Kendall: Oh, yeah, so do Eugene and Katrina. But I'll tell you about Jack and Joanne first.

Jason Whittaker: Connie, you're driving me crazy.

Connie Kendall: Thank you. Okay, so I already told you that Jack was really interested in buying a business of his own, right? And Bernard had told him about an antique shop he'd heard was up for sale.

Jason Whittaker: Right, the Antique Emporium.

Connie Kendall: Well, Jack decided to follow Bernard's lead and check into the Antique Emporium. And since Bernard knew the manager personally, he agreed to meet Jack there.

Thaddeus Gumley: What can I do for you, gentlemen? Oh, hello, Mr. Walton. Is it window washing day?

Bernard Walton: No, hi, Mr. Gumley. I'd like you to meet Jack Allen. Jack, this is Thaddeus Gumley.

Thaddeus Gumley: Pleasure. To what do I owe the privilege of this introduction?

Bernard Walton: Well, Jack's been looking around town for a shop to buy, and I told him about our conversation the other day.

Thaddeus Gumley: I see. Are you knowledgeable about antiques, Mr. Allen?

Jack Allen: I know a little. I once worked for an auction house in Pasadena. That was a long time ago, though.

Thaddeus Gumley: Antiques are antiques, Mr. Allen, whether it's 1950 or 2001.

Jack Allen: True.

Thaddeus Gumley: Come in, then. Let's talk about it over some coffee. Though I must tell you that I'm not the owner of this establishment. I'm only the manager.

Jack Allen: Shouldn't I talk to the owner?

Thaddeus Gumley: Perhaps, once we get through a few preliminaries. The owner likes me to feel the office first. Okay. Would you gentlemen like some espresso or cappuccino?

Bernard Walton: Maybe. Is it new or antique?

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Bernard Walton: Jack, you've been awfully quiet since we left the shop. What do you think?

Jack Allen: It's a very nice shop.

Bernard Walton: If you like expensive junk.

Jack Allen: I do like expensive junk.

Bernard Walton: You want to buy it, don't you?

Jack Allen: Preserving and selling things from other times and places is like passing on a legacy, a tradition. When I stood in the middle of the shop, I kept thinking about the flow of time.

Bernard Walton: I asked a simple question.

Jack Allen: Antiques remind me that we're just one part of a bigger picture, of eternity. Our time is so short.

Bernard Walton: That's what you got from an 18th-century chamber pot?

Jack Allen: One of the things.

Bernard Walton: So you're going to buy it?

Jack Allen: I want to do a little homework first before I make an offer.

Bernard Walton: Jack, I don't want to be nosy, but buying a shop means you're committing to your future here in Odyssey. Well, unless I misread what's been happening between you and Joanne over the past few months, it's going to affect your relationship.

Jack Allen: That's true, too.

Bernard Walton: Well, what is she going to say about that?

Jack Allen: I guess I'll have to put the question to her and find out.

Jason Whittaker: Put what question to Joanne?

Connie Kendall: Are you hungry? I haven't had any lunch.

Jason Whittaker: Yeah, I could eat. They didn't feed me on the plane from New York.

Connie Kendall: Is Quentin's Quick Burger all right? They have a drive-thru.

Jason Whittaker: Sure, but don't try to use this as a diversion. I want the rest of the story, okay?

Connie Kendall: I want to tell it to you, but first, you have to know that Eugene got an award at the college.

Jason Whittaker: That's nice. For what?

Connie Kendall: He developed a computer program to help Holstein's Books with its inventory. It was part of the college's community outreach program.

Jason Whittaker: Yeah, he was working on it before I left.

Connie Kendall: Well, it was such a big success that Mr. Holstein decided to sponsor a yearly grant to the college computer department and give Eugene a cash gift at the college's summer awards banquet. Mr. Holstein did the presentation.

Guest (Male): As you know, Holstein's Books is a bookshop. We have new books and we have old books. We have big books and we have little books. We have paperbacks and we have hardbacks, and we have books for all kinds of people.

You ask yourself, why do I say all these things? Am I just long in my wind? Do I speak to hear myself speaking with my own voice? Well, yeah. But mostly I tell you about all my books as if to say, he has a lot of books in his Holstein bookshop. How in the world does he know what he has and where they all go?

The answer is Eugene Meltsner. Eugene created an amazing program on his computer thingy that tells me all about my books. And it is because of Eugene that I stand here today to give him this cash gift award. Eugene, come and say hello while you take my money.

Eugene Meltsner: Thank you, Mr. Holstein, for that inspiring speech.

Guest (Male): You're welcome, Eugene. And thank you for creating that computer program thingy that you did for me and my bookshop. Here is a small token of my esteem. Do you not understand English?

Eugene Meltsner: Oh, of course. Thank you. I mean, you're welcome. And I'd like to say on behalf of the students who will benefit from this scholarship in the future, that it is obviously...

Guest (Male): Thank you, Eugene Meltsner, for those moving words from the bottom of his heart. Now, smile for the picture box.

Whit: Congratulations, Eugene.

Connie Kendall: Yeah, congratulations.

Eugene Meltsner: Thank you, Mr. Whitaker, Miss Kendall. And thank you for coming to the reception. You really didn't have to.

Whit: Oh, we wouldn't have missed this. This is quite an honor for you.

Connie Kendall: Did Mr. Holstein make these sausages? They smell funny.

Eugene Meltsner: He said they come from an old family recipe.

Connie Kendall: I wonder how old.

Guest (Male): Eugene, Eugene! Oops, now don't look at me, look away. I have a big surprise for you. Come, come.

Eugene Meltsner: Mr. Holstein, you've already done more than enough.

Guest (Male): Anyone can make sausages. Not like this they can't.

Eugene Meltsner: No, I didn't mean the sausages. What I meant...

Guest (Male): Turn around now. Go ahead.

Eugene Meltsner: All right, I will, but I won't take any more...

Katrina Meltsner: Hello, Eugene.

Eugene Meltsner: Katrina. Hi.

Jason Whittaker: So Katrina came back for his award ceremony. That's nice.

Connie Kendall: Well, she came back for more than that.

Eugene Meltsner: What are you doing here?

Guest (Male): She has come to help this summer in my bookshop. I will be traveling much abroad, and as you know, she was an invaluable assistant to me once upon a smorgasbord. She will be my right-hand man, my girl Freitag.

Katrina Meltsner: I'm going to keep an eye on things when he's away.

Guest (Male): She will keep an eye out for more than my things. She will also be watching my grandson, little Hans Holstein. Hans, say hello to these good people. Hans? Hans, where are you?

Connie Kendall: He wouldn't be that large kid with his face in the punch bowl, would he?

Guest (Male): Hans, stop that! Do you think you are at home?

Katrina Meltsner: He's a cute child, really.

Eugene Meltsner: Katrina, I couldn't be more surprised.

Connie Kendall: A bookstore manager and a nanny? Well, it seems like a good way to spend the summer.

Whit: Oh, it sure is, especially if it gets you back to Odyssey. It's so good to see you again, Katrina.

Katrina Meltsner: And you, Mr. Whitaker.

Guest (Male): Hansie, say hello to these good people.

Connie Kendall: I don't think I want the rest of these sausages.

Jason Whittaker: Sounds like a charming little guy. Maybe I'll skip lunch.

Connie Kendall: Too late, we're here. Did you get that?

Jason Whittaker: No, I just wait for them to pause and then I tell them what I want. Hey, I want a cheeseburger, fries, and lemonade, please.

Connie Kendall: Jason?

Jason Whittaker: I'll have the Maxi Deluxe with fries and an iced tea, but hold the pickles. What's wrong?

Connie Kendall: Special request confused their system. Thank you. Well, this'll take a while.

Jason Whittaker: It will?

Connie Kendall: Yeah, even as we speak, they're inside trying to figure out how to make a Maxi Deluxe without pickles.

Jason Whittaker: Why is that so hard? Can't they just leave the pickles off?

Connie Kendall: Jason, you don't know these places like I do. Look, meanwhile, I'll tell you the next part with Eugene and Katrina.

Jason Whittaker: Do we have time before the food comes?

Connie Kendall: Plenty. So where was I? Oh yeah, Katrina was back for the summer. And of course, Eugene reacted in typical Eugene fashion.

Eugene Meltsner: She's back. What am I supposed to do?

Whit: What do you mean, Eugene? What are you supposed to do? Your friends, aren't you?

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, but I understood what that meant when she was too far away to confuse it with anything else.

Connie Kendall: What'd he say?

Whit: I'm not sure. Eugene, what do you mean?

Eugene Meltsner: I mean that while I was here and she was there, it was easy to act like friends. But now that we're both here, it's going to be awkward.

Connie Kendall: Because you still love her.

Whit: You do. You know you do. Everybody knows you do.

Eugene Meltsner: Yes. But we agreed not to pursue those feelings. For all I know, she's in a deep, heartfelt relationship with Brandon. We're supposed to be friends and only friends.

Whit: Well then be friends, Eugene. The worst thing you can do is second-guess yourself. Treat her as you would any other friend.

Eugene Meltsner: But I don't have any other friends. I mean, not like her. I mean, I have you and Connie, but I admire you, and all I do is argue with Connie.

Connie Kendall: That's not true.

Eugene Meltsner: See? So how do I integrate that pattern into a relationship with Katrina?

Whit: Eugene, this is one situation where you're simply going to have to deal with it as it happens. You're going to have to be spontaneous.

Eugene Meltsner: Spontaneous? Well, how do I plan for that?

Whit: Exactly.

Connie Kendall: Well, a few days later, Katrina asked Eugene to go up to Trickle Lake with her and little Hans. Turned out to be quite an interesting afternoon. He and little Hans threw a football around. That totally surprised me.

Jason Whittaker: What did?

Connie Kendall: That Eugene knew how to throw a football. Well, it turns out he would throw it to little Hans, who would miss it, and Eugene would have to chase after it. Little Hans isn't the most athletic kid in the world.

Jason Whittaker: Ah, got it.

Eugene Meltsner: There you are, Hans. A near-perfect spiral and trajectory. No, you chase it this time, Hans. Oh look, it landed next to the hot dog stand. You haven't eaten in 15 minutes, you must be starving. Use the money your grandfather gave you. Good child.

Katrina Meltsner: I had no idea you were so good with children, Eugene. I'm impressed.

Eugene Meltsner: Well, I was a child once myself, you know.

Katrina Meltsner: You were a child? I always suspected that you'd skipped past childhood because it wasn't academically challenging enough.

Eugene Meltsner: Well, that's true, but I endured.

Katrina Meltsner: I see. What a beautiful day. I've missed Trickle Lake, you know.

Eugene Meltsner: So have I.

Katrina Meltsner: You miss Trickle Lake?

Eugene Meltsner: No, I meant to say that I'm sure Trickle Lake misses you, too. No, I mean, if it had anthropomorphic qualities, then it would likely... I don't come here often.

Katrina Meltsner: Eugene, are you all right?

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, of course. All right. Of course, I'm all right. Yeah, certainly.

Katrina Meltsner: Good. So how's Brandon?

Eugene Meltsner: Brandon?

Katrina Meltsner: Oh, Brandon. I don't know how he is.

Eugene Meltsner: Oh, really? You're not in touch?

Katrina Meltsner: No. He went off to the Yale School of Divinity to study theology and I haven't heard from him. But my parents told me recently that he's dating a young lady quite seriously there.

Eugene Meltsner: Oh, that's too bad. You must be disappointed.

Katrina Meltsner: No, not at all. Look, Eugene, perhaps it's time I explained a couple of things.

Eugene Meltsner: About what?

Katrina Meltsner: About us and where we left off when we last saw each other.

Eugene Meltsner: There's nothing to explain. I was being self-centered and immature and you rightly put me in my place.

Katrina Meltsner: But Eugene, I could have been more mature as well. The truth is, I don't know exactly how to say it, but it's like...

Eugene Meltsner: No, Hans, don't throw the... Katrina!

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Connie Kendall: It was a good throw. Little Hans has quite an arm. The football hit Katrina right in the mouth. There was blood everywhere. Eugene had to rush her to the emergency room.

Eugene Meltsner: Is there a doctor in the house? Medic! Call 911! We have a serious sports-related injury!

Jason Whittaker: It was that serious?

Connie Kendall: Well, no, but they did have to put four stitches in her lip. She was fine. Eugene passed out. After he came to, he had to take her to a dentist.

Jason Whittaker: Quadruple ouch.

Connie Kendall: Yeah, she couldn't work for nearly a week. Well, the dentist wanted her to rest and not do anything that might cause an infection. Guess who her nurse was.

Jason Whittaker: Florence Nightingale?

Connie Kendall: Close. It was Eugene. He was there almost around the clock. He brought her soft food, drink, books, prescription, whatever she needed. I mean, he doted on her like we've never seen.

Guest (Male): Did you say you wanted that Maxi Deluxe without onions?

Jason Whittaker: No, no, pickles. No pickles.

Guest (Male): Oh, okay. Thanks.

Jason Whittaker: Look, just forget it. I'll take the whole thing. I'll be married by the time they fix that burger.

Connie Kendall: Told you. Okay, now back to Jack and Joanne.

Jason Whittaker: What about Eugene and Katrina? Or my dad and Margaret Fay?

Connie Kendall: I'll get to them. Boy, you're so impatient.

Jason Whittaker: I didn't use to be, but ever since you picked me up at the airport...

Connie Kendall: The airport! Nice cue. Because that's where we find Jack and Joanne.

Joanne Allen: Jack! Oh, you sweet thing! What beautiful flowers.

Jack Allen: I've missed you.

Joanne Allen: No more than I've missed you. Nobody in Chicago ever gives me flowers.

Jack Allen: The men there are fools. I've always said so. If they weren't, you wouldn't come all this way to see me.

Joanne Allen: Flattery will get you everywhere. Let's get your bag and get out of here. I have something I want you to see.

Joanne Allen: Oh? Does this have to do with that shop you've been so obsessed with?

Jack Allen: It might. Come on. I need a woman's perspective. Okay. Welcome to the Antique Emporium, Miss Woodston. It's so nice to meet you at long last.

Joanne Allen: Oh, the pleasure's all mine, Mr. Gumley.

Thaddeus Gumley: Mr. Allen has been haunting the place almost every day for the past couple of weeks. The owner is thinking of making him a partner even if he doesn't buy the place.

Jack Allen: They've been particularly patient while I've tried to make up my mind.

Thaddeus Gumley: The owner would kill me for saying so, but we're not overrun with potential buyers. But I have been told to step things up, get more aggressive about selling.

Joanne Allen: Have you met the owner yet, Jack?

Jack Allen: No, not yet.

Thaddeus Gumley: In due time, when things are more clearly settled. Shall I give her the grand tour?

Jack Allen: I'd be grateful.

Connie Kendall: Mr. Gumley showed her the shop and she fell head over heels in love with the place. Then, Jack took her to Chez Moi's for dinner.

Joanne Allen: Jack, I don't understand. I think the shop would be perfect for you. What are you waiting for?

Jack Allen: Do you really like it?

Joanne Allen: Yes! It has the perfect look, the perfect location, and I can certainly imagine you running it.

Jack Allen: Good. It means a lot to hear you say that.

Joanne Allen: But you didn't need me to see it. Why haven't you put in an offer?

Jack Allen: Because there's more at stake than just putting in an offer. I'll be committing myself to Odyssey for the foreseeable future.

Joanne Allen: Is that bad? I thought you liked it in Odyssey. I've had every impression that you want to settle down here.

Jack Allen: I do, I do. But I'm not interested in settling down here alone.

Joanne Allen: What do you mean?

Jack Allen: I mean it's not just a question of my settling down here. Do you like Odyssey?

Joanne Allen: I love Odyssey. You know that.

Jack Allen: Enough to live here, to settle down here?

Joanne Allen: Jack, what are you asking me?

Jack Allen: I want to do this right. I think bent knee is the tradition.

Joanne Allen: For heaven's sake, Jack, get up!

Jack Allen: Why? Are they?

Joanne Allen: Well, everyone's looking.

Jack Allen: Well, I'll get up if you care that much.

Joanne Allen: No, I don't.

Jack Allen: Joanne Woodston, I never thought I'd ever have the occasion to ask this question again, but over the past few months, I've come to love you as I love no other. So will you do me the honor of marrying me?

Joanne Allen: Oh, Jack! I'll have to ask my parents first.

Jack Allen: What?

Joanne Allen: Her parents? It was a joke! Wow, so he finally popped the question. I assume she said yes.

Connie Kendall: Well, sort of.

Jason Whittaker: Sort of?

Joanne Allen: There is one thing I need to tell you.

Jack Allen: Uh-oh. What is it? You're a spy, a smuggler?

Joanne Allen: No.

Jack Allen: Too bad. That would have helped with the shop.

Joanne Allen: Has Whit mentioned anything to you about our various missions in the Philippines?

Jack Allen: No. He doesn't generally talk about the Universal Press or his board meetings.

Joanne Allen: Well, I was going to tell you about it before, but we thought we had everything under control.

Jack Allen: And you don't?

Joanne Allen: Jack, they want me to go. For one, maybe two months.

Jack Allen: That's a long time. So you're saying our wedding will have to wait for later in the year.

Joanne Allen: Yes.

Jack Allen: Unless... unless we get married before you go. We could make it an extended honeymoon, a missions honeymoon.

Joanne Allen: Jack, I can't ask you to do that.

Jack Allen: Why not?

Joanne Allen: Because it's too much to ask.

Jack Allen: Too much to ask of your husband? I don't think so. I can't imagine anything better than a two-month honeymoon with you.

Joanne Allen: What about the shop?

Jack Allen: Well, I'll arrange everything with the owner when I make the offer.

Joanne Allen: I don't know what to say. Are you serious?

Jack Allen: I certainly am. When are you supposed to leave?

Joanne Allen: In two weeks. Oh, Jack, can we get everything arranged that fast?

Jack Allen: We won't know until we try. So is that a yes, you'll marry me?

Joanne Allen: Yes, I will marry you.

Jack Allen: Good, because my knee is starting to hurt.

Connie Kendall: Thank you. So at least we have one couple who are now definite candidates for this mysterious wedding.

Jason Whittaker: Maybe. Oh, here comes our food.

Guest (Male): Okay, here, cheeseburger, Maxi Deluxe, two fries, lemonade and an iced tea. Sorry about the delay. That'll be 6.50.

Jason Whittaker: Thank you. Here you go.

Guest (Male): Thank you.

Connie Kendall: You better check it before we leave.

Jason Whittaker: I'm sure it'll be okay. Just drive.

Connie Kendall: If you insist, but you really ought to check the bag.

Jason Whittaker: I'll check while you tell me the rest of the story. There has to be more to it than Jack and Joanne.

Connie Kendall: Oh, there is. Because meanwhile, that very night on the other side of town... at Katrina's apartment.

Eugene Meltsner: Okay, Katrina, now rinse. Is there anything else I can get for you? Just ask. Your wish is my command, if I may use the old cliché.

Katrina Meltsner: You're so sweet, Eugene. My parents never gave me this kind of attention when I was sick.

Eugene Meltsner: They didn't?

Katrina Meltsner: They always hired full-time nurses for me. I got great care, but somehow it wasn't the same as being babied by Mom or Dad. I liked the way you baby me.

Eugene Meltsner: I'm not trying to be condescending. You're a fully capable woman and I...

Katrina Meltsner: Relax, Eugene. It was a compliment.

Eugene Meltsner: Oh, thank you. You're welcome. That's right. But you shouldn't talk. You'll tear your stitches.

Katrina Meltsner: But I have to talk. You've been very kind.