32-07-12 Vic Gets the New Job

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN

• Sade has difficulty waking Vic. He hasn't slept much, worrying over his job, and he doesn't look well.  He insists he needs to go in because someone will get Frank Whitson's job. He berates himself because they're broke and he's a washout. Sade calls the office and baby's him. Mis' Fisher   phones and is nosy, wondering what Vic is doing home.
• Vic says the (proposed adopted) boy can't come; Sade won't hear of it.
• Mr. Ruebush calls to ask about Vic's health and says nothing about the job, which Vic assumes to mean Charley Kilgore got the job. Vic's very upset, having devoted five energetic years to the company and having taught Charley everything he knows about the business.
• There's a voice outside: "We want Vic Gook! We want the new boss!" Vic and Sade both cry. Vic goes out on the porch to address the gathering. Sade doesn't want him going out there wearing pajamas, but he's too thrilled to be  embarrassed. - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

________________________

This seems to be another dramatic episode, although it's hard to tell without hearing the audio, which I am afraid will never surface. (Although isn't it nice to go through these early episodes anyway?)

I'm not a fan of these maudlin Vic and Sade episodes, especially since they seem to have both Vic and Sade as very emotional. While Vic's nature is show his feelings readily (especially anger and happiness) Sade, as we know her post-series, isn't quite as open. It's interesting to see how these things changed.

It's also interesting how these episodes don't seem funny, either.

If Vic is 'broke', you wonder why he spent $34.00 on a new bicycle just days earlier?

The Mis' Fisher character seems like a Gladys Kravitz type (TV's Bewitched ) and I wonder where she disappeared to in the later years?

32-07-11 Vic's In Line for a New Position

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN

• Vic arrives home in high spirits, as he's in line to take over as Chief Accountant at Consolidated Kitchenware, Plant #14 from Frank Whitson, who's going to Plant #5.
• Sade wonders if Charley Kilgore, a college man, doesn't have the edge, but "Rubbish" (Mr. Ruebush) winked at Vic so he's sure he'll get the job.
• Vic calls to invite Fred & Ruthie Stembottom to play rummy.  This is their first mention.
• Vic admits today's good news overshadows yesterday's bad news –  their oil bonds defaulted, and they're broke. Now he talks of moving to a better home – the 1200 block of East Washington Street.
• Mr. Ruebush calls and asks Vic what he thinks of Kilgore; naturally Vic thinks Kilgore has the edge now.
• Vic and Sade are terrified. the bonds are gone, the boy's coming, and the new job ain't a sure thing; they cancel the rummy game.
• Sade says in no uncertain terms that they're still going to take the boy in.
• Kilgore phones to let Vic know Ruebush called him to ask   about Vic's character.  They wonder what the boss has up his sleeve.  Vic wishes him good luck.- compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

________________________

I can understand now why Vic and Sade was classified (at one time anyway) a soap opera. This script seems in no way funny; as a matter of fact, this seems like a totally serious script and in some ways down-heartening: the Gooks losing all of their bonds; an opening for Vic at the plant (the job was made for him) and him maybe not getting it; and the perils and worries of adopting the son at the same time!

As we know, the show did change a lot from these first few episodes. As a matter of fact, the addition of Rush will cause an almost immediate change. Paul Rhymer took the smart route of making the stories ridiculous - because I certainly wouldn't be following the people had they kept the same road.  Perhaps he had this in mind from the very beginning?

It also seems that Vic does not have a college degree - as a matter of fact, may not even be college educated at all.  I lean this way, since this seems to be inferred by the notes from Barbara Schwarz.