Adventures in Odyssey

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

John Avery Whittaker: Hi there. I'm John Avery Whittaker, but you can call me Whit. I run a shop in Odyssey called Whit's End. It's a place of discovery, imagination, and excitement. But don't take my word for it. You can find out for yourself on today's Adventures in Odyssey.

Guest (Male): Remember class, for Monday, I want your papers on what you want to be when you grow up.

Erica: Oh, no.

Sam Johnson: What's wrong, Erica?

Erica: I forgot about the paper. I have a very busy schedule this weekend.

Sam Johnson: Schedule? You have a schedule?

Erica: Of course, silly. Everybody who does important things has to have a schedule. And this weekend I have plans to do some very important things. Adult things. Things you wouldn't understand.

Sam Johnson: Well, if your plans don't work out, Mr. Whittaker is going to help us with our papers this weekend.

Erica: Really?

Sam Johnson: Yeah, he's doing a career fair.

Erica: A what?

Sam Johnson: A career fair. You go and set up your own businesses or be president or a baseball player or something like that. Then you can find out what it's like and write about it.

Erica: Oh, Sam, Sam, Sam. That's just kid stuff. It's pretend. I want to quit pretending to be grown up and really be one.

Sam Johnson: Huh?

Erica: I want to be grown up. An adult. That way I'll get to do all the fun things they get to do, like drive a car, eat whatever I want, and buy whatever I want.

Sam Johnson: Is that what adults do?

Erica: Yep. They just don't let us kids do it. If I were a grown-up, I wouldn't have to wait.

Guest (Male): Erica, I have a quick question before you go. This absentee note you gave me for Wednesday, it wasn't signed by your parents.

Erica: No, Mr. Morris. I signed it.

Guest (Male): You know we can only take notes from your parents. Otherwise, you can't be excused.

Erica: Why do you need a note from my parents? I know why I was out. Don't you trust me?

Guest (Male): It's not a matter of trust, Erica. Your parents are the ones who are responsible for you.

Erica: But why do I need someone to be responsible?

Guest (Male): Just bring me a note from your parents on Monday or I'll call them myself.

Erica: Yes, sir.

Sam Johnson: You wrote your own note?

Erica: Don't you start on me too. Come on, we'll be late for the bus. I hate taking the bus. Adults have cars. Why can't I have a car?

Sam Johnson: My parents would kill me if I wrote my own note.

Erica: Mom?

Guest (Female): Hmm?

Erica: I'm going to make a phone call, okay?

Guest (Female): I guess.

Erica: Thanks. What's the area code for Detroit?

Guest (Female): Detroit? What are you calling Detroit for?

Erica: I want to talk to Grandma. Any messages?

Guest (Female): Erica, you're not making long-distance phone calls.

Erica: Why not? You and Dad make long-distance phone calls all the time.

Guest (Female): And we pay for long-distance phone calls.

Erica: Oh. Then can I have a cup of coffee?

Guest (Female): No.

Erica: Why not?

Guest (Female): Because you're too young. Besides, it's near bedtime.

Erica: I can't go to bed. There's a movie I want to watch.

Guest (Female): Not a chance.

Erica: Why not?

Guest (Female): Erica, what's wrong with you tonight?

Erica: It's just not fair. I want to be an adult.

Guest (Female): Erica, I don't know what your problem is, but I suggest you find something safe and simple to do for the next 35 minutes.

Erica: Or what?

Guest (Female): Or adulthood won't be an option for you.

John Avery Whittaker: Hello, Erica. It's good to see you.

Erica: Hi, Mr. Whittaker. Can I talk to you for a minute?

John Avery Whittaker: Sure. What's on your mind?

Erica: I want a job.

John Avery Whittaker: A job? Well, you've come to the right place today. We've got all kinds of businesses coming in here this afternoon. In just a few hours, you could be whatever you want to be.

Erica: No, I want a real job. And not raking up leaves or anything like that. I want an important job, a grown-up job.

John Avery Whittaker: A grown-up job, huh? All right. What kind of experience do you have?

Erica: I don't have any.

John Avery Whittaker: I see. Well, Erica, you just can't expect to jump into the job you want. You need experience and time to—

Erica: Time? How come everything I want to do takes time?

John Avery Whittaker: That's the way it works.

Erica: But why can't I do the fun things now? Why do I have to wait until I grow up to do all the things grown-ups get to do?

John Avery Whittaker: Don't you like doing the things kids get to do?

Erica: No, it's boring. I want to do the kind of things that Mom and Dad and all their friends get to do.

John Avery Whittaker: I see. I just wish age had nothing to do with growing up. Erica, I have something that might help you. Come on upstairs.

Erica: What is it? A new Imagination Station program?

John Avery Whittaker: Nope. It's the Room of Consequence. This program may be able to solve your dilemma.

Erica: Can it convince my parents to let me do the things they get to do?

John Avery Whittaker: Well, not exactly.

Erica: Will it help me get a good job?

John Avery Whittaker: You're getting closer. What it will do is give you a chance to see what it's really like to be an adult, job and all.

Erica: Well, I guess it can't hurt to try it.

John Avery Whittaker: All right, then step on in. It's dark in here. What do I do?

John Avery Whittaker: How old do you want to be?

Erica: How old? I get to be older?

John Avery Whittaker: Yep. Any age.

Erica: I want to be real old. Like 22.

John Avery Whittaker: Then 22 it is.

Guest (Male): Erica? Erica, what's wrong? Is the door stuck again?

Erica: What? Hello?

Guest (Male): You pull and I'll push. Ready?

Erica: Sure.

Guest (Male): One, two, pull! There. I keep telling the manager he needs to fix this thing. One day we'll need to use the bathroom and we won't be able to get in.

Erica: Yeah, but who are you?

Guest (Female): What? What's wrong with you? It's me, Sherry, your roommate. Are you all right?

Erica: My roommate? Cool!

Guest (Female): Cool? I don't get it.

Erica: And this is our apartment, huh? Erica, I guess Mr. Whittaker's invention worked. Funny, I don't feel older. What's that smell?

Guest (Female): It's your dinner. You left it in the oven. I think it's burning.

Erica: Dinner? I made myself dinner? What am I making? Brownies or cheesecake or what?

Guest (Female): Smells like it was a pot pie.

Erica: Pot pie? I have a choice of making anything I want and I'm making a pot pie? That's dumb. This is the oven, right?

Guest (Female): Uh-huh.

Erica: I think I'll go out for some ice cream after I try to eat this thing. Ouch!

Guest (Female): Be careful, that's hot.

Erica: No kidding. Mom!

Guest (Female): What?

Erica: Medicine. Do we have any medicine?

Guest (Female): Let me see it. Is that it? That little red spot?

Erica: Yeah.

Guest (Female): Doesn't look like much.

Erica: Maybe not to you.

Guest (Female): You want me to kiss it and make it better?

Erica: Never mind. Let's see how I did with dinner. Yuck, this stuff is awful. What are those little things?

Guest (Female): You mean the vegetables?

Erica: Vegetables? I must be out of my mind. Forget this dog food. I'll go out and get something later.

Guest (Female): Look, maybe you should sit down for a minute.

Erica: Nah, I want to look around. So this is my grown-up apartment, huh? Kitchen, living room... Hey, I wonder if I started shaving my legs.

Guest (Female): What's gotten into you?

Erica: Which one's my room?

Guest (Female): Erica! Whoa, is this the junk room? That's your bedroom. Erica, what in the world is wrong with you?

Erica: Do I have a bed in here?

Guest (Female): Yeah, under that pile of clothes.

Erica: What clothes?

Guest (Female): Next to the stack of dishes.

Erica: Oh, neat!

Guest (Female): Hardly. Now, are you going to tell me what's going on?

Erica: I'm just trying to get used to being a grown-up, that's all.

Guest (Female): What?

Erica: Forget about it. I'm here now, that's all that matters. What do you want to do?

Guest (Female): Do?

Erica: Yeah, you want to go eat and see a movie or something?

Guest (Female): It's a work night, you know that.

Erica: Work?

Guest (Female): Yeah, and I need to go in a little early tomorrow, so could you try to be ready by 7:15?

Erica: Work? Like a job? Hey, wait a minute. Does this mean I can drive?

Guest (Female): Why? Did you get your car fixed?

Erica: Fixed?

Guest (Female): The engine. You said it needs replacing, remember?

Erica: Really?

Guest (Female): Good grief, Erica. That jalopy's been in and out of the shop since the day you got it.

Erica: Oh. Then what am I supposed to do?

Guest (Female): Aside from riding with me, I don't know.

Erica: Too bad. Hey, I'm hungry. Let's go eat.

Guest (Female): I don't think so. It's getting late. I need to go to bed.

Erica: Okay, see you later.

Guest (Female): You're going to walk?

Erica: No, I thought I'd... Oh, my car isn't running. Hey Sherry, how about—

Guest (Female): No way. You're not insured to drive my car, you know that. I'll see you in the morning. I'm beat. Goodnight.

Erica: A broken-down car and icky food. Wonderful. Maybe I could paint my nails or put on mascara. Ooh, hey, a television. I wonder what's on tonight.

Focus on the Family: Now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club, Zoe wants to work for the school magazine. I have to submit my best articles to the Parliament Press editors, but another student's in the way. The Parliament only has one reporter spot left and Von Hartmann's after it. And when a hallway incident starts rumors, I heard Von's a total bully. He pushed a girl down in the hallway yesterday. That was me. If Von's banned from the middle school grounds, Zoe gets the position on the magazine. Will the truth come to light? Find out only on the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

Guest (Male): Erica. Erica, wake up!

Erica: What? Huh? Is something wrong?

Guest (Male): Oh, no, not at all. I just thought you might want to lay down on the receptionist couch where you'd be more comfortable. I wouldn't want your work to get in the way of your sleep.

Erica: Oh, sorry. I'm just so tired. Is there something else I could do that isn't so boring?

Guest (Male): Is this a joke? You're tired so you want something exciting to do? Look, this isn't a nursery. No nap times, you got that?

Erica: Yes, sir.

Guest (Male): Good. Now, I want you to go through the files for the last quarter and get them ready for Saturday.

Erica: Saturday? Is there a picnic or something?

Guest (Male): No, it's the board meeting, remember?

Erica: I have to work on Saturday?

Guest (Male): This is news to you? Wake up, Erica!

Erica: But I was going to do some fun stuff on Saturday.

Guest (Male): Not this Saturday you aren't. That's why you get an extra day off this week.

Erica: Oh, well, that's cool. When can I take a vacation?

Guest (Male): I think you've been licking too many envelopes. You've used every vacation day, every sick day, and as many days without pay that one boss can tolerate. I'm a patient man, Erica, but you're really pushing it, understand? I know plenty of girls out there who want to work for a living.

Erica: Yes, sir.

Guest (Female): Erica, are you all right?

Erica: Yeah.

Guest (Female): What'd you do, fall asleep again?

Erica: Just a little.

Guest (Female): I'm not surprised. You were watching TV all night.

Erica: That's not the problem. The problem is that it's so boring around here. Aren't you bored?

Guest (Female): Erica, this is our job. This is how we pay our bills. It doesn't matter if it's boring.

Erica: It does to me. I want to go to lunch. You want to go?

Guest (Female): It's only 10:00.

Erica: So? Let's go. My treat. We can get some chocolate chip cookies and some Coke.

Guest (Female): Oh, that's disgusting. You're going to make yourself sick.

Erica: No way. I've been waiting all my life to be able to do this.

Guest (Female): Well, I can't go, and I don't think you should either.

Erica: Thanks for the advice. I'll see you later.

Guest (Female): Erica! Okay, it's your life. Wait a second. Close your eyes. Why? What did you put on your eyelids?

Erica: Nothing.

Guest (Female): What is that?

Erica: Is it too much? I just put it on a little while ago.

Guest (Female): Well, most people who wear eyeshadow use the same color on both eyes.

Erica: It's just that I like the blue, but I only had a little bit. So I did one eye in blue and the other in—I can't remember.

Guest (Female): Green. Green, yes. You don't like it? Get a damp cloth.

Erica: Thanks for the ride home, Sherry.

Guest (Female): You're welcome. Are you feeling any better?

Erica: I'll be okay. Just a stomachache.

Guest (Female): I told you not to eat that banana cream pie.

Erica: That has nothing to do with how gross I feel. I just got a little carsick.

Guest (Female): Carsick?

Erica: Yeah, if I were you, I'd get a real fancy car, one that doesn't bounce all over the road.

Guest (Female): Oh, I'll make note of that. Erica, I'm worried about you. I think maybe you should go see a doctor tomorrow, since you have the day off.

Erica: I don't have to go to work tomorrow?

Guest (Female): No. Remember, since you're working Saturday—

Erica: Great! I think I'll go catch some rays and then go out to eat someplace nice. Do you want to come?

Guest (Female): You know I have to work. Look, Erica, seriously now, I'm really—

Erica: Maybe I'll go to the mall.

Guest (Female): Erica, are you listening to me?

Erica: Sorry, Sherry, I gotta go.

Guest (Female): Erica!

Focus on the Family: Hey parents, for almost 40 years, Adventures in Odyssey has been helping kids like yours form relationships with Christ. Now the animated Adventures in Odyssey film Journey Into the Impossible will reach a new generation of families. But we need your help to finish the film and launch it in theaters. Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar before May 1st. See the trailer and donate today at FocusOnTheFamily.com/Impossible. That's FocusOnTheFamily.com/Impossible.

Are you looking for stories that inspire, entertain, and ignite your imagination? Check out Adventures in Odyssey from Focus on the Family. Along the way, you'll meet our friends John Avery Whittaker, Connie Kendall, Eugene Meltsner, and Wooton Bassett in a world where faith, fun, and family are exciting pieces of every adventure. Whether you're solving mysteries, learning life lessons, or just having a great laugh, Adventures in Odyssey brings biblical values to every episode. Want to contact us about the episodes you're hearing? Visit our website at AdventuresInOdyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-FAMILY, with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.

Erica: How in the world does this thing work? Well, well, now you get up.

Guest (Female): Good morning, Sherry. Yeah, well, I tried waking you earlier this morning.

Erica: I kind of remember. I was pretty tired. Do you know what day it is today?

Guest (Female): No? Saturday.

Erica: Saturday, cool! Hey, do you know how this coffee maker works? I tried to figure it out, but—

Guest (Female): Here, I'll do it.

Erica: Thanks. Are these my pair of pants? I wore them on Monday, but now all of a sudden they're too tight.

Guest (Female): Well, what do you expect when you eat nothing but garbage day and night?

Erica: This never happened to me before.

Guest (Female): Well, it's happening to you now. By the way, you do know what time it is, don't you?

Erica: Uh-uh. Did I oversleep?

Guest (Female): It's 1:00 in the afternoon.

Erica: Wow. I don't think I've ever slept that late before.

Guest (Female): You were supposed to work today.

Erica: Oh, yeah. Well, I don't feel very good anyway.

Guest (Female): You don't?

Erica: No, I've worked three days in a row and I only had Tuesday off this whole week and I just don't feel like going. I'll call Mr. Butcher and tell him.

Guest (Female): Don't bother. He already called.

Erica: He did? What did he want?

Guest (Female): He said to tell you not to bother coming in at all.

Erica: Well, that's a relief.

Guest (Female): Erica, you've been fired.

Erica: Fired? Just for being late?

Guest (Female): If he wanted to fire you just for being late, you'd have been fired a long time ago.

Erica: Then what's his problem?

Guest (Female): What's *his*? I don't believe you, Erica!

Erica: What? What's wrong?

Guest (Female): I've just never known anyone as irresponsible as you are.

Erica: Irresponsible? But I'm a grown-up! I can be irresponsible if I want.

Guest (Female): Fine, suit yourself. But I can't afford it anymore.

Erica: What do you mean you can't afford it? Where are you going?

Guest (Female): To find a new apartment. I'm sorry, Erica, but I'm going broke trying to keep up with the bills. I can't afford to live here anymore.

Erica: Really? Where will *we* move to?

Guest (Female): We? *We* aren't moving anywhere. You're not getting it, are you? You stay up late watching TV, make tons of long-distance phone calls that neither of us can pay for, and you never clean up after yourself. I like you, Erica, but I can't do this anymore. I'm going to find another roommate.

Erica: Wait, you can't just leave me! What am I going to do?

Guest (Female): Try growing up.

Erica: What are you talking about? Look at me! I'm the same age my mom was when she was 22. I'm all grown up!

Guest (Female): Oh, okay, Miss Grown-up. How do you plan to solve your problems?

Erica: I'll call my parents.

Guest (Female): You can try, but the phone was disconnected today because we couldn't pay our bill.

Erica: Oh, great! Well, who can we call to get it reconnected?

Guest (Female): It takes money to get the phone reconnected. And where does that money come from? A job. And how do you keep a job? By working hard at it. And you can't expect to be able to work hard when you don't eat right and get enough sleep.

Look, I'm tired of having to tell you all these things. I'm tired of being your mom. Do you understand?

Erica: Yes.

Guest (Female): Look, I'm sorry, but I'm just fed up. We can talk more about it when I get back. I think your coffee is ready. I'll see you later. Bye.

Erica: Can't believe this. I thought being grown up would be so much fun. Instead, it's nothing but work, work, work. I don't know how Mom and Dad can make it look so easy. How do adults drink this stuff?

Sam Johnson: So, Erica, have you worked in an office before?

Erica: Yes, I have experience.

Sam Johnson: And you say you got fired for being late.

Erica: Why is everybody making a stupid deal over that?

Sam Johnson: No reason. Have you been looking for work long?

Erica: All afternoon.

Sam Johnson: Only this afternoon? So you're just getting started. It took me three months to find a job last time I was unemployed.

Erica: Three months? I'll die if it takes three months. I'll die if it takes one week. You don't look any older than I am. How did you get such a cushy job?

Sam Johnson: Well, it's not very cushy, but I got here through hard work, mostly.

Erica: Oh, yeah, hard work. Well, all I need is another chance.

Sam Johnson: Erica, I like you. You remind me a lot of myself when I was a... kid. Well, yeah. But the fact that you were fired for being repeatedly late is not good. We need someone who will be conscientious.

I have several other applicants to interview before I make my decision. In the meantime, I suggest that you keep looking and I'll call you in a few days to let you know what I decide. Maybe by then you'll have found another job.

Erica: Maybe.

Sam Johnson: I hope it goes well for you. Goodbye.

Erica: Bye.

Guest (Female): Oh, excuse me, Erica. You never wrote down your last name on this application. Could you just fill that in right here?

Erica: Sure. He sure seems like a nice guy.

Guest (Female): Oh, Mr. Johnson's great to work for.

Erica: I thought it was Mr. Jones.

Guest (Female): No, it's Johnson. Sam Johnson.

Erica: Sam?

Guest (Female): Yeah, Sam. Why?

Erica: But I know him! We go to school together.

Guest (Female): School?

Erica: I mean, never mind. Do I have to put my last name down here?

Guest (Female): Yes.

Erica: Okay. Of all people, I run into Sam Johnson. He must think I'm an idiot.

Guest (Female): Erica, where have you been? It's nearly dark out.

Erica: Looking for a job.

Guest (Female): Really? But how'd you get to town?

Erica: I took a bus.

Guest (Female): You took a bus? You are desperate.

Erica: Yeah, and it was weird. I got asked out on dates by old men. Can you believe that?

Guest (Female): Ugh, like how old?

Erica: I don't know. In their 20s, I guess. Did you have any luck finding a place to live or a new roommate?

Guest (Female): No.

Erica: Any prospects on a job?

Guest (Female): I start tomorrow.

Erica: I can't believe this. You went out and got a job that quickly? I'm impressed. Where are you going to work?

Guest (Female): I'm working at Quick Cuts.

Erica: Quick Cuts? They do hair. You don't know how to cut hair, do you?

Guest (Female): No, but I know how to sweep it up.

Erica: You're sweeping up hair?

Guest (Female): It's a start. I'll look for another job too. I'll take what I can get so I can start paying off all these bills.

Erica: Good for you.

Guest (Female): Oh, and I talked to the landlord about our rent. Well, my rent.

Erica: What do you mean?

Guest (Female): I agreed to get up every morning for the next month and pick up trash around the complex.

Erica: Wow. Sherry, I was thinking about what you said. And well, I guess you can say the fun's over for me for a while. No more late-night movies, no more chocolate for breakfast. I'm going to miss that the most.

It's all over. I need to get my bills paid, then get my car fixed, then... well, you know.

Guest (Female): Erica, I hope this is for real. I mean, you're taking responsibility for your life.

Erica: I guess it has to be. It's the grown-up thing to do, right? Hey, what's going on here?

John Avery Whittaker: Erica.

Erica: Mr. Whittaker!

John Avery Whittaker: Come on out.

Erica: I'm a kid again!

John Avery Whittaker: Well, of course you are. So, what did you think?

Erica: It was so bizarre. I didn't think being a grown-up could be so hard.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, it's quite an adjustment if you try to get there too fast. That's why we need to give ourselves time. As much time as it takes.

Erica: Yeah. Is it okay if I take back my job application?

John Avery Whittaker: Well, it's a loss for the company, but I think we'll do okay.

Erica: Thanks.

Sam Johnson: Mr. Whittaker, you know where... Oh, Erica, hi. You came!

Erica: Hi Mr. John—Hi, Sam.

Sam Johnson: Want to help me set up my store? I have a job for you if you want it.

Erica: Are you kidding? I have to go home.

Sam Johnson: Go home?

Erica: Yeah, I have a paper to write.

John Avery Whittaker: Good for you, Erica. What are you going to say?

Erica: Don't try to grow up too fast. I've been there and it's worth waiting for.

John Avery Whittaker: Well said, Erica. Well said.

Chris: Just like Erica, you might wish you could do all the things that grown-ups do. But it's always good to remember that grown-ups have a lot of responsibilities that you may not know about or understand. And it takes maturity and experience to learn how to handle those responsibilities.

So the next time you wish you could act like grown-ups do, just wait. It'll happen eventually. In the meantime, why not enjoy being who you are right now? Well, that's all from us.

Our address is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4G3. You may also want to ask how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It's called "Why Don't You Grow Up?"

That address again is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. "Why Don't You Grow Up?" was written by Charlie Richards and Paul McCusker, and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Bob Luttrell, and our executive producer, Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.