Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, hi there. I'm John Avery Whittaker, but you can call me Whit. We were just getting ready for a time of wonder, excitement, and discovery. Care to join us? You never know what'll happen next when you have an adventure in Odyssey.

Bart Rathbone: I'm looking for contestants for my new game show.

Connie Kendall: So you think I'm of lesser intelligence?

John Avery Whittaker: Yes, indeed.

Eugene Meltsner: Indeed. Eugene and a girl? No, couldn't be.

Connie Kendall: Wait a minute, Eugene, you come back here.

Eugene Meltsner: Miss Kendall, I believe we have work to do.

Connie Kendall: Oh, no you don't. You can't just say what you said and then just walk away.

Eugene Meltsner: And what, pray tell, did I say?

Connie Kendall: I don't have to repeat it. You know exactly what you said.

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, what I said exactly was, "Oh, Miss Kendall." I'm unclear as to the reason that those three words would upset you.

Connie Kendall: Oh, you're clear and you know it. Your exact words were, "Oh, Miss Kendall," but that knowing little chuckle you gave before you said, "Oh, Miss Kendall" really meant, "Oh, Miss Kendall, you're really an idiot." That's exactly what you said.

Eugene Meltsner: Was it?

Connie Kendall: Yes. Why do you always try to make me feel like I'm stupid or something? I'm not stupid.

Eugene Meltsner: I happen to think that "stupid" is a very rude word, in fact, and would not use it whether I thought a person was of lesser intelligence or not.

Connie Kendall: Oh, so you think I'm of lesser intelligence.

Eugene Meltsner: Connie, your intellectual skills are without question.

Connie Kendall: What does that mean?

Eugene Meltsner: Oh, Miss Kendall.

Connie Kendall: There you go again.

Bart Rathbone: Well, well, it's nice to see Whit's employees getting along so well.

Eugene Meltsner: Greetings, Mr. Rathbone.

Connie Kendall: Hello, Bart.

Bart Rathbone: What's the problem here?

Connie Kendall: Eugene thinks I'm stupid.

Eugene Meltsner: That word did not slip from my lips.

Connie Kendall: You don't have to say it.

Bart Rathbone: Now, hold your horses. You're arguing over who's got more smarts? No problem. I just happen to know how to solve the question.

Connie Kendall: You do?

Bart Rathbone: Yeah. That's why I dropped in. I'm looking for contestants for my new game show.

Eugene Meltsner: A game show, Mr. Rathbone?

Bart Rathbone: Yeah, and it's for television. Television. It'll be on Channel 3. I'm calling it "Truth and Trivia," brought to you by Rathbone's Palace. I figured, hey, television's great exposure for the store, maybe bring in some new customers. I'm going to host it myself.

Eugene Meltsner: Somehow I always pictured you as a game show host.

Bart Rathbone: Thank you. So, what do you say? I would like you two to come on as the very first two of my three contestants.

Connie Kendall: No, I couldn't.

Eugene Meltsner: To be quite honest, Mr. Rathbone, I must decline as well.

Bart Rathbone: What? But this is your big chance to win some prizes, show off your stuff.

Eugene Meltsner: Frankly, I think I would be taking unfair advantage, particularly if my opponent is Miss Kendall here. I would be grieved to see her embarrassed on local television.

Connie Kendall: What? I don't believe you. You are so conceited. I could give you a run for your money, Eugene. I could win.

Eugene Meltsner: Oh, Miss Kendall.

Connie Kendall: That does it. Bart, I'll be on your show if Eugene thinks he can handle the competition.

Bart Rathbone: Well, Eugene?

Eugene Meltsner: Having laid down the gauntlet, I feel I have no choice but to agree to participate.

Bart Rathbone: Is that a yes?

Eugene Meltsner: Yes.

Bart Rathbone: Good, good. Congratulations, you two, and welcome to "Truth and Trivia."

John Avery Whittaker: Well, here you go, Connie. That about does it for my books on general knowledge.

Connie Kendall: Thanks, Whit.

John Avery Whittaker: I still can't believe you let Bart talk you into doing this.

Connie Kendall: He didn't talk me into it. I wanted to do it.

John Avery Whittaker: But why?

Connie Kendall: Just because.

John Avery Whittaker: Because?

Connie Kendall: Because of Eugene, that's why. I want to put him in his place. He doesn't know everything.

John Avery Whittaker: You're doing this to beat Eugene? Is that a good reason?

Connie Kendall: He thinks I'm stupid and I want to prove him wrong.

John Avery Whittaker: He doesn't think you're stupid.

Connie Kendall: He acts like he does.

John Avery Whittaker: He's just teasing you.

Connie Kendall: Doesn't matter. Even if he is teasing, it means that somewhere deep inside he really thinks I'm dumb.

John Avery Whittaker: I don't believe it.

Connie Kendall: I do. Maybe I just want to prove this to myself. I'm not stupid.

Eugene Meltsner: Pardon me, miss.

Katrina Shanks: Yes, may I help you?

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, I'm in search of reference books related to fields within the creative arts.

Katrina Shanks: All creative arts, or do you want something specific, like classical Greek theater, or great painters from the expressionist era?

Eugene Meltsner: For this particular event, probably popular culture in this century.

Katrina Shanks: We have a few books on that. Follow me, please. This is a small college library, so we're limited with what we have.

Eugene Meltsner: I know, I come here often. I don't believe I've seen you here before. Are you new to the college?

Katrina Shanks: Yes, I just transferred in this semester. I'm Katrina Shanks, by the way.

Eugene Meltsner: A pleasure to meet you, Miss Shanks. I am Eugene Meltsner.

Katrina Shanks: I've heard of you. You're assistant to Professor Wolcott in the computer science department.

Eugene Meltsner: I am indeed. Are you studying computer science?

Katrina Shanks: Not as my major, but I am interested in it. I'm getting my degree in English.

Eugene Meltsner: Is that why you're working here in the library?

Katrina Shanks: No, I only work here because I need the money for tuition. Well, here we are. This is our reference section on popular culture. I'm a little embarrassed that we don't have more.

Eugene Meltsner: No need to be embarrassed, Miss Shanks.

Katrina Shanks: Katrina. My friends call me 'Trina. You see, I transferred here from Chicago, and I'm used to a better selection of books. For example, "Allison's Guide to Popular Culture" is excellent, but we don't have it.

Eugene Meltsner: You're familiar with Allison? He's one of my favorite authors.

Katrina Shanks: Really? He was a guest lecturer in one of my classes in Chicago. He autographed one of my books.

Eugene Meltsner: You must have been fascinating to hear.

Katrina Shanks: Yes, indeed.

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, indeed. I don't wish to be presumptuous, but I would enjoy seeing your autographed book one day.

Katrina Shanks: I could bring it here, or we could have a meal together and discuss it further.

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, perhaps we could.

Katrina Shanks: Perhaps.

Connie Kendall: So anyway, the original Uncle Sam was a man named Samuel Wilson, who was friends with Johnny Appleseed and later became a meat packer in New York.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, that's very interesting, Connie. I take it you're pouring through the history books now?

Connie Kendall: Yeah. You see, I realized that I'll never get anywhere trying to beat Eugene on the math and science questions. But I have a fighting chance with people questions, like history and arts and entertainment, stuff like that.

John Avery Whittaker: Sounds like a good strategy.

Connie Kendall: I'll be in the little library if you want me.

John Avery Whittaker: Okay. Something good really might come out of all this. What's that?

Eugene Meltsner: Mr. Whittaker.

John Avery Whittaker: Eugene? Is she gone?

Eugene Meltsner: You mean Connie? She went back to the library. What's wrong?

John Avery Whittaker: I wanted to have a private conversation and ask a small favor, actually.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh? You want to get some last-minute studying in before Bart's contest tomorrow, huh?

Eugene Meltsner: Partly, yes. I have an appointment to meet someone. She's assisting me, in a manner of speaking.

John Avery Whittaker: You've taken on an assistant to help you prepare for the contest? This is more serious than I thought.

Eugene Meltsner: Well, that's not it precisely, but it's the only time in our respective schedules that— you see, I met her the other day at the college library and it was Allison.

John Avery Whittaker: Eugene, you're not finishing any of your sentences.

Eugene Meltsner: No, I'm not. Her name is Katrina, and to be quite honest, I've never met anyone like her. And now that we've had two complete meals together, I find myself curiously captivated by her company in a strictly intellectual manner of speaking, and we had hoped to meet today.

John Avery Whittaker: Eugene, drop in a punctuation mark, please.

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, sir.

John Avery Whittaker: You can leave early if you need to.

Eugene Meltsner: Thank you, Mr. Whittaker. Farewell.

John Avery Whittaker: You're welcome and farewell. Eugene and a girl. Is it possible? No, couldn't be.

Eugene Meltsner: And this statue is of Josiah Campbell, the founder of the college.

Katrina Shanks: I know, Eugene. I pass by the statue every day on the way to the library.

Eugene Meltsner: He was quite a remarkable ornithologist. In fact, it was in his biography that I learned about the Senegal Finnfoot. It barks like a dog, you know.

Katrina Shanks: I didn't know that, but this statue is interesting because they utilized a new process while casting the bronze.

Eugene Meltsner: I know. I read about it in the college history. I actually helped prepare that history of the college, you know.

Katrina Shanks: Eugene?

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, Katrina?

Katrina Shanks: You don't have to impress me.

Eugene Meltsner: I beg your pardon?

Katrina Shanks: You don't have to impress me. That's it, isn't it? Every spare moment you either pass on a bit of information or tell me something you accomplished. You don't have to.

Eugene Meltsner: Well, I thought you would find it interesting.

Katrina Shanks: I do, but I like you without needing to know everything you've ever learned.

Eugene Meltsner: Really?

Katrina Shanks: Yes, really.

Eugene Meltsner: It's how I am. Rather, it's who I am. I suppose I've always felt that without the knowledge, the facts, the statistics, the information, I'm a nobody.

Katrina Shanks: I think that's so sad. Though my guess is that the people who care about you the most care about you in spite of what you know.

Eugene Meltsner: I've never considered it before. Perhaps that's one reason I've been so determined to win the game show. To be in front of all those people and lose would be terrible.

Katrina Shanks: Game show? What game show?

Eugene Meltsner: Oh, didn't I tell you? I've been so distracted I must have forgotten. It's called "Truth and Trivia." We're videotaping it tomorrow. Would you care to come and watch?

Katrina Shanks: Yes, I'll be there.

Eugene Meltsner: Excellent.

Bart Rathbone: Whittaker, Connie.

John Avery Whittaker: Hi, Bart.

Connie Kendall: Hi.

Bart Rathbone: Big day, huh? Guess you're pretty excited.

Connie Kendall: Yeah. This is the studio? It's kind of small.

Bart Rathbone: Channel 3's not a big station. I wanted a studio audience, but they could only fit in four more folding chairs. We'll just use a tape of applause. It's okay.

John Avery Whittaker: Hey, that's a nice sign, Bart. "Rathbone's Palace presents Truth and Trivia."

Bart Rathbone: Yeah, Rodney and I were up all night cutting out the cardboard, gluing the red sparkles on.

Eugene Meltsner: Greetings, one and all.

John Avery Whittaker: Hi, Eugene.

Connie Kendall: Hi.

Bart Rathbone: How about it, Eugene? Ready for a great battle of intelligence?

Eugene Meltsner: Is it really a battle if your opponent is unarmed?

Connie Kendall: Ha, ha. Just wait and see, Mr. Brainiac.

Bart Rathbone: Well, why don't we take our places? Whittaker, you have some experience working television cameras and stuff, right?

John Avery Whittaker: A little, but—

Bart Rathbone: Good, good. Then you can be the cameraman. The guy who was supposed to do it had a dentist appointment.

John Avery Whittaker: But I—

Bart Rathbone: Do us a favor, huh? Good guy. And just kind of wave your arms when you're ready to start. There's a guy up there in the sound booth, but I can never hear what he says.

John Avery Whittaker: I'll do my best.

Bart Rathbone: Great, great. Eugene, if you just step behind that first podium there. Connie, you go behind the second podium, and our third contestant will go behind the next one.

Connie Kendall: Who is our third contestant anyway? You never said.

Bart Rathbone: Well, oh, here she comes. Everybody, I want you to meet our third contestant, Katrina Shanks. Say hi, Katrina.

Katrina Shanks: Greetings.

Eugene Meltsner: Katrina? You're the third contestant?

Katrina Shanks: Yes, I am. What a surprise. I didn't know you were a contestant either until you mentioned it last night.

Connie Kendall: Last night? You two know each other?

Bart Rathbone: Look, we've got to get going here. Ready, Whittaker?

John Avery Whittaker: I guess.

Bart Rathbone: Hey, are you up there in the booth? Start the music, will you?

Eugene Meltsner: Katrina, I don't want to do this.

Katrina Shanks: Why not? It'll be fun.

Eugene Meltsner: But I don't want to beat you.

Katrina Shanks: What makes you so sure you will?

Connie Kendall: Look, you two, don't worry because I'm going to win.

Bart Rathbone: Hey, quiet over there. Bart Rathbone here and welcome to "Truth and Trivia," the game of knowledge and skill sponsored by Rathbone's Palace, home of everything you need for your home and anywhere else. The game is simple: just six rounds filled with fascinating questions worth one point. The one who answers the most questions correctly wins a whopping $1,000 in cash.

Okay, let's meet our contestants. Our first contestant is a long-time student assistant at Campbell College and is known by everybody who goes to Whit's End. Meet Eugene Meltsner.

Eugene Meltsner: Greetings.

Bart Rathbone: And our next contestant also works at Whit's End. She is a full-time student and known for her outspoken nature.

Connie Kendall: That's not true.

Bart Rathbone: Connie Kendall.

Connie Kendall: Hi.

Bart Rathbone: And our third contestant also attends Campbell College and I don't know much about her except her name is Katrina Shanks.

Katrina Shanks: Hi.

Bart Rathbone: And now, on with our contest with our first question to Eugene. Eugene, which country is credited with discovering ice cream?

Eugene Meltsner: That answer would be China, approximately 2000 BC.

Bart Rathbone: You're absolutely right. One point for Eugene. On to you, Connie.

Bart Rathbone: That's right, Katrina. Your answer was correct. Back to you, Eugene. The best way to keep from sinking in quicksand is to what?

Eugene Meltsner: You should stay calm and lie flat on your back with your arms outstretched as if you're floating on water.

Bart Rathbone: You are right. Sorry, Connie. 1847 was the correct answer. Now on to you, Katrina. The word "pencil" comes from the Latin "penicillus."

Katrina Shanks: You mean penicillus, or penicillus if you prefer.

Bart Rathbone: Whatever. What does the Latin word mean?

Katrina Shanks: It means "little tail."

Bart Rathbone: "Little tail" is right. Connie, construction on the beautiful Taj Mahal began in 1630. But can you tell me what its name means?

Connie Kendall: It means— I know this one. It means—

Bart Rathbone: The clock is ticking.

Eugene Meltsner: She doesn't know.

Connie Kendall: Quiet, Eugene. It means the Crown of the Palace.

Bart Rathbone: You are right.

Eugene Meltsner: I'm astounded. She got it right.

Bart Rathbone: At the end of the fifth round, the tension is more than I can stand. Look at me, I'm perspiring here. We've got Eugene Meltsner with 15 points, Katrina Shanks with 15 points, and Connie Kendall with 13 points. And our next question goes to Connie. Connie, how many spores can one expect to find in a common meadow mushroom?

Eugene Meltsner: She'll never get this one.

Connie Kendall: As a matter of fact, the common meadow mushroom can have as many as 16 billion spores.

Bart Rathbone: You are absolutely correct. And we'll go to our do-or-die round, round 6, right after this commercial break featuring yours truly.

John Avery Whittaker: Keeping up with everything, Whittaker?

John Avery Whittaker: I guess so. It's hard to tell, but you contestants are doing wonderfully.

Connie Kendall: Thank you, Mr. Whittaker.

Eugene Meltsner: I must reluctantly confess, Miss Kendall, that I am truly impressed with your performance today.

Connie Kendall: Well, thank you, Eugene.

Eugene Meltsner: You're playing well, Katrina.

Katrina Shanks: You're not so bad yourself.

Bart Rathbone: Katrina, you and Eugene have stayed neck-and-neck. You know you're going to have to work a little harder if you want that $1,000 prize for your college tuition.

Katrina Shanks: Mr. Rathbone.

Bart Rathbone: What? Didn't you tell me you needed the money for—

Katrina Shanks: I think it's time to start again, Mr. Rathbone.

Bart Rathbone: Huh? Oh, right. I got you.

Eugene Meltsner: Katrina.

Katrina Shanks: Shh. The game's starting.

Bart Rathbone: Okay, quiet everybody. The guy in the booth is waving his arms again.

All right, Katrina. You need one point to tie with Eugene. Can you tell us how many carats the Hope Diamond weighs?

Katrina Shanks: 44 carats.

Bart Rathbone: You were absolutely right. And that bell tells us we've reached the end of round 6. The scores are Eugene with 22 points, Connie with 18 points, and Katrina with 22 points. I'm sorry, Connie, in spite of your hard effort in this game, you slipped too far behind to compete. We're going to have to say goodbye to you now.

Connie Kendall: Oh, well.

Bart Rathbone: Let's give the girl some warm applause. Thanks for joining us. As a consolation prize, you'll get a coupon for free merchandise at Rathbone's Palace with a $10 purchase.

Connie Kendall: Thanks.

Bart Rathbone: Okay, Eugene, Katrina. The tension is so great you could comb your hair with it. Let's break for a commercial and come back for our last tie-breaking question on "Truth and Trivia."

Nice try, Connie.

Katrina Shanks: Yes, good game, Connie.

Connie Kendall: Thank you.

Eugene Meltsner: Well done, Miss Kendall. You are, shall we say, smarter than I ever gave you credit for.

Connie Kendall: Well, thanks, Eugene. So how's our cameraman doing?

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, I'm fine. Congratulations. You did well.

Connie Kendall: Yeah, I wasn't so bad, was I? It was fun.

John Avery Whittaker: So you're not upset that you lost?

Connie Kendall: Me? Nah.

John Avery Whittaker: Why not?

Connie Kendall: Because Eugene said I'm smart.

Eugene Meltsner: Katrina?

Katrina Shanks: Yes, Eugene?

Eugene Meltsner: I've been thinking about the prize money.

Katrina Shanks: Forget it, Eugene. We have a game to play.

Bart Rathbone: Welcome back to "Truth and Trivia." I'm Bart Rathbone, and we're down to our tie-breaking question for Eugene and Katrina, both at 22 points. Katrina, you're first up. Here's your chance to blow Eugene away. Can you tell me the real name of a car known in 1907 as the Flying Teapot?

Katrina Shanks: I'm sorry, I don't know.

Bart Rathbone: Too bad. Eugene, the ball's in your racket. Do you know the name?

Eugene Meltsner: The Stanford Streamline?

Bart Rathbone: What was that?

Eugene Meltsner: The Stanford Streamline.

Bart Rathbone: I'm sorry, wrong answer. It is the Stanley Steamer. But we're staying with you, Eugene, with a final chance to break the tie. Name one international bird that is known to bark like a dog.

Eugene Meltsner: A bird that barks like a dog? Yeah. Well, I'm sure there are some—

Bart Rathbone: Time is ticking away, Eugene.

Eugene Meltsner: The South American hummingbird?

Bart Rathbone: Too bad. Wrong answer. Katrina, do you know the name of an international bird that barks like a dog?

Katrina Shanks: I'm sorry, I don't remember.

Bart Rathbone: The Senegal Finnfoot or the New Caledonian Kagu would have been good answers.

Eugene Meltsner: Oh, yes, now I remember.

Katrina Shanks: Wait a minute, you knew that answer, Eugene.

Eugene Meltsner: Please, Miss Shanks, we're on the air.

Katrina Shanks: You mentioned it the other day. What are you up to?

Eugene Meltsner: Nothing, I simply thought—

Katrina Shanks: Don't throw this game for me, Eugene.

Bart Rathbone: Kids.

Katrina Shanks: Look, I know what you're thinking and it's very sweet, but you throwing this game means that you don't really believe I can win it on my own, and I can. Now you better play right or I'll never speak to you again.

Eugene Meltsner: But the prize money—

Katrina Shanks: I mean it. If you truly respect me, then you'll respect my abilities. Play right.

Eugene Meltsner: If you say so.

Katrina Shanks: I say so.

Bart Rathbone: Excuse me, can we get on with this? I got one more question.

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, sir. Fire away and I will answer to the best of my ability.

Bart Rathbone: We have a tie here and this time I'm going to ask a question that'll test your powers of observation. Eugene, without looking at your opponent, tell me what color her eyes are.

Eugene Meltsner: Her eyes?

Bart Rathbone: Yes, no peeking.

Eugene Meltsner: No, of course not. Her eyes.

Bart Rathbone: The clock is—

Eugene Meltsner: I know what the clock is doing. Her eyes. It's not possible that I couldn't— they're brown.

Bart Rathbone: Are you sure?

Eugene Meltsner: Yes, I think.

Bart Rathbone: Well, you are wrong. They're gray. Okie-dokie, Katrina, this could clinch it for you and the prize money. Tell me, what color are Eugene's eyes?

Katrina Shanks: Eugene's eyes are blue.

Bart Rathbone: Are you sure?

Katrina Shanks: Yes, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt. They're periwinkle blue.

Bart Rathbone: Well, you happen to be absolutely correct. Katrina Shanks, you are the first big winner of "Truth and Trivia." Congratulations. Bet you got that prize money already spent, huh?

Katrina Shanks: Well—

Bart Rathbone: Of course you do. Well, that's it for now. This is Bart Rathbone on behalf of Rathbone's Palace asking you to remember that truth is trivia at Rathbone's Palace and we'll see you next time. Boy, I got to get out of here. These lights are at my makeup and then my hairpiece is coming loose. I got to get out of here.

Eugene Meltsner: Congratulations, Katrina. You won fair and square and I have been put properly in my proverbial place, though I confess I cannot think of a better person to put me there.

Katrina Shanks: Thank you, Eugene. So does this mean you won't try so hard to impress everybody with everything you know?

Eugene Meltsner: Well, I'll certainly try.

Connie Kendall: Congratulations.

John Avery Whittaker: Yes, you played an excellent game.

Katrina Shanks: Thank you.

Eugene Meltsner: Miss Kendall, may I say that I will be ever more thoughtful before teasing you about your intelligence in the future.

Connie Kendall: Well, I appreciate that, Eugene.

Eugene Meltsner: Though I would like to have a word with Mr. Rathbone. He said that construction on the Taj Mahal began in 1630. Construction actually began in 1631. I'm not sure your answer should have counted.

Katrina Shanks: Well, now that you mention it, construction actually began in 1632.

Connie Kendall: Does it really matter? That wasn't the question.

Chris: So maybe some things will take Eugene time to learn. Meanwhile, we'll see what happens with his new friendship with Katrina. That's it for today's adventure.

You know, if you ever want to write to us, our address is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3.

You may also want to ask how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It's called "Truth, Trivia and 'Trina." The address again is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. "Truth, Trivia and 'Trina" was written and directed by Paul McCusker. Our production engineer was Dave Arnold and our executive producer, Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.