The Toy Man
Philippians 3:8
“The Toy Man” is episode #505 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Marshal Younger, and originally aired on January 25, 2003.
Summary
Ed Washington thinks about quitting his high-paying job to work at Whit's End. His family considers the sacrifices they'll have to make.
Plot
Whit has desperately been trying to find someone to run Whit's End Connellsville, but capable people are hard to come by. Ed Washington (whom everyone calls "The Toy Man") visits Whit’s End with a chest of toys from his company. As the kids crowd around, Whit jokingly offers him the job. Ed laughs it off.
At home, Ed brings more toys home to his family...his wife Elaine, son Marvin, daughter Tamika, and teenage nephew Xavier. Playing with the toys gives Ed an idea. The next day he presents an idea to the company board about toys that parents and kids can use together. The board turns the ideas down and Ed’s boss (Mr. Green) wants to see him in his office in a few days.
Ed talks to his family and Whit. He wonders if it’s time for a lifestyle change...maybe even taking over Whit's End Connellsville. Whit thinks he’s the perfect man for the job. Elaine is concerned for the family, but supportive. Xavier doesn’t like the idea because he thinks that is giving up a dream job.
Ed meets with Mr. Green who promotes him, much to Ed's surprise. Elaine tells Ed that he should do what he feels is God's will. Ed decides to do a trial run at Whit's End Connellsville. He runs the shop by himself for an afternoon and sets off a frenzy by accidentally advertising free ice cream. It looks like total a catastrophe until he gets a chance to have some time playing with a few of the kids there. Xavier tells Ed that he still doesn't like the idea, but he thinks Ed would be great.
Ed shows Whit how he would make Whit's End Connellsville into his own place. Whit tells Ed that the job is his, if he wants it. Ed pauses for a moment...and then accepts.
Discussion Questions
- Ed said, "My life is not a political statement. It's a statement about the faithfulness of God." What did he mean?
- Why was Ed’s decision so tough?
- Do you think he made the right decision?
- What’s an important decision you’ve had to make recently?
- How did you consider God’s will while making it?
- Do you think toys sometimes keep kids away from time with their families?
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
Character | Mentioned By |
---|---|
Tom Riley | Ed Washington |
Antoine Washington | John Whittaker |
Notes
- Trivia
- This show introduces the Washington family.
- While this is the introductory episode of the Washington family, Whit mentions that he's "known Ed for six years", meaning that while they haven't been in any episode up to this point, the Washingtons have been in the Odyssey area since around 1997, assuming that the airdate coincided with the real world, which was 2003.
- Kyle Massey makes his only acting credit as Marvin Washington (or any other character) in this episode. The character of Marvin would be voiced by Jordan Calloway (who plays Steven in this episode) in Marvin's next appearance.
- This episode takes place away from Odyssey: Episodes That Take Place Away from Odyssey
- The voice of Colby Cabrera's actor Aaron Fors has begun to change by this episode.
- Reviews
- The Odyssey Scoop: Read
- The working title of this episode was "Toying With the Future".
Quotes
Tamika Washington: I think it'd be fun for you to work at Whit's End.
Marvin Washington: Me, too. We could get free ice cream instead of free toys!
Xavier Washington: What's the deal? Is the ice cream that good?
Ed Washington: I don't know, but you can't really go wrong when it's free!
Xavier Washington: Free?! Mr. Whittaker said you could give away the ice cream for free?
Ed Washington: No! It was sort of my idea!
Xavier Washington: Are you sure it was a good one?
Ed Washington: No, I'm pretty sure it wasn't! I'm gonna bankrupt the shop, and I don't even work here!
Mr. Green: You're a dinosaur.
Ed Washington: I'm not a dinosaur. I'm a dad!
Ed Washington: My life is not a political statement. It's a statement about the faithfulness of God.
Ed Washington: C'mon, tell me. Deep down. You do think I'm crazy, don't you?
Elaine Washington: Deep down? No.
Ed Washington: Really?
Elaine Washington: That's because deep down, I know you. You need people. So do I. [...] You wanted a get your hands dirty kind of ministry. Maybe this is your chance. You get to be with people and minister, face to face.
Ed Washington: Ok, but there's something else too.
Elaine Washington: What?
Ed Washington: God may have nudged me in the opposite direction today. I got promoted.
Elaine Washington: To what?
Ed Washington: Vice President of Acquisitions. It's supervisory, I wouldn't make my trips to Whit's End anymore. But it's a 20% raise!
Elaine Washington: Tw-tw-twenty percent?
Ed Washington: So you wanna take back what you just said?
Elaine Washington: Kind of. ... But I guess I can't, huh?
Ed Washington: Sure you can.
Elaine Washington: No, no. I won't. Because I know no matter what, God will take care of us.
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