Written by Richard Bensfield and Perry Grant
Directed by Larry Rosen
Directed by Jerry London
Original Air Date: January 7, 1972
Chris and Tracy have left the kitchen a mess (again) and Shirley scolds them.
Chris suggests to Tracy that they ought to run away. Using "reverse
psychology", Shirley says they should wait till morning after a good
night's sleep.
After rehearsal the next day, Chris and Tracy pick up a few prized possessions
and announce they are going to run away. Shirley tells them they had better
pack a suitcase as they'll need a change of clothes and a jacket for the
night. She is convinced they will get only as far as half a block, stop into a
neighbor's house for brownies and come back.
However, the kids leave the neighbor's house and go to Reuben's apartment by
taxi. There is chaos as Chris lets in a sheepdog which gives Reuben an
allergic reaction and Tracy overflows the bubblebath.
As Reuben's luck would have it, Bonnie Kleinschmitt shows up that night with a
bottle of champagne and plans to stay with Reuben. It seems she switched
flights with another stewardess and is free. When she sees the kids, Reuben
tells her to give him an hour and they will be gone. She leaves and Reuben
starts to play blackjack with them -- saying that the losers would go home.
Meanwhile, Shirley can't wait any longer -- she packs a bag and goes over to
Reuben's, pretending that she has decided to run away. She says she is tired
of being the ogre and she has no one to take care of. After all, mothers need
to be loved too. Chris and Tracy feel very bad and tell her that they will
come home. (In fact, they would have gone home hours ago, but Mr. Kincaid made
them play blackjack!)
To add insult to injury, Bonnie Kleinschmitt calls to tell Reuben she is in
Seattle because she had to fill in for a stewardess who became ill, stifling
any plans Reuben had for a romantic evening.
Songs:
"I Would Have Loved You Anyway," music and lyrics by Tony Romeo
(on Sound Magazine)
"Summer Days," music and lyrics by Tony Romeo (on Sound
Magazine)
Guest Cast:
Bonnie Kleinschmitt --------------------------------- Elaine Giftos
Tube Trivia
- This episode marks the first appearance of Elaine Giftos as Bonnie
Kleinschmitt. She also appeared in Episodes 68, 79,
and 80. She was a regular on "The Interns".
- Reuben is allergic to sheep dogs, yet no mention was made of that fact in
previous episodes with the Partridge pooch, Simone.
- The song "Summer Days" also appeared in Episode # 32, with the
exact same footage seen in this episode. The song was originally planned as a
solo single for David Cassidy, who re-recorded it for his "Dreams Are
Nuthin' More Than Wishes" LP.
