- When his school orchestra needs to raise money for a trip to Washington, D.C., Ricky commits Edward to buying 1000 bags of popcorn, without his approval or knowledge - but when Edward declines, Ricky has to sell the popcorn at the mall.
- Ricky, Derek, Lisa, and Freddy are meeting to find out how the fundraising for an upcoming orchestra trip to Washington, D.C. is going. Lisa says they need to sell 2,500 bags of popcorn at $1 apiece. The previous week, they've sold almost 1,500 bags, so they only have 1,000 left to sell this week. Unfortunately, they've only managed to sell 4 so far. Ricky reminds Derek that he was supposed to have sold popcorn at the basketball game. Derek admits that he forgot, blaming it on puberty.
As the group is talking, Kate walks in wearing an attractive nightgown. Ricky asks Kate why she's so dressed up, and Kate says she and Edward are going to a fundraising dinner at the county art museum, which costs $1,000 a plate. Edward comes downstairs dressed as a walrus, saying they're going to the masquerade ball for the protection of endangered species. Confused, Kate asks about the art museum dinner. Edward says that the dinner is the following month, not that night. He takes her upstairs to find her an appropriate costume.
Ricky gets an idea, but is reluctant to share it until Derek prompts him. He says he was thinking he could get his dad to buy the rest of the popcorn, but backs off the idea. Derek says it's a great idea and convinces Ricky to sign up for 1,000 bags.
The next day, as Edward is working in his den, Ricky enters. Edward asks Ricky about the fundraiser, and he says they've nearly met their goal. Edward congratulates him, then remembers he promised to buy 10 bags. Ricky showers his dad with flattery, leading Edward to ask how many more bags Ricky wanted him to buy. Ricky leads his dad to the living room, where he shows him the 1,000 bags. He apologizes for not asking first, but adds that if Edward was willing to spend $1,000 on a fundraising dinner, he could certainly spend $1,000 on his own son.
Edward tells Ricky he's wrong, refusing to pay for the popcorn. Ricky calls him a cheapskate, and he responds by saying they'll talk when Ricky wants to have a civilized conversation. Ricky apologizes, saying he doesn't know what to do. Edward tells his son that since he committed to selling 1,000 bags of popcorn, he'll do it at the mall the next day.
At the mall, Edward says Ricky has eight hours to sell 1,000 bags, although Ricky doubts he can sell that many. Edward says that salesmanship is just a matter of technique, and to demonstrate it sells two bags to a shopper. Ricky asks his dad to help, and Edward reluctantly says he'll sell, but he wants Ricky to be selling too. Just then, Ricky makes his first sale.
The rest of the day continues with varying results. As the day draws to a close, Ricky makes an impassioned speech to the shoppers about supporting his orchestra. The shoppers applaud, but when Ricky asks if anyone wants to buy a bag, they all leave and the mall closes.
Back at the mansion, Kate asks Edward how the day went, and Edward says he feels bad for Ricky -- he worked hard, but didn't succeed, and went straight upstairs when they got home. Edward says he's tempted to buy Ricky's last 200 bags so the kids can meet their fundraising goal, but he won't do it, otherwise Ricky won't learn his lesson. He decides to go upstairs and tell Ricky that he can't depend on him and his wallet to bail him out every time he gets in trouble. Kate wishes him luck and exits toward the den.
As Edward heads toward the stairs, Ricky enters, saying he sold the rest of the popcorn, most of it by going door to door. He adds that Derek's father bought his last 88 bags when he saw him at the Shangri-La Motel. Ricky says he's exhausted, but he feels he really accomplished something and thanks his dad for the encouragement. Edward congratulates his son, and they hug and head upstairs.
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