The Benefit of the Doubt
Jeremiah 1:17
“The Benefit of the Doubt” is episode #507 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Marshal Younger, and originally aired on February 8, 2003.
Summary
Robert Mitchell searches for a job in Odyssey, but his work at Novacom scares away potential employers.
Plot
Mitch is having trouble finding a job in Odyssey. Connie is worried that Mitch will take the job with the FBI if he can’t find anything local. Mitch, however, vows to continue the job search. Whit notices an article in the paper that says Novacom is announcing massive layoffs. Connie thinks the whole company should shut down, while Whit cautions her about lumping all the employees into one group.
Colby Cabrera is having similar problems. His dad used to work for Novacom, too, and Rodney Rathbone keeps telling Colby that his dad is a crook. Steven Cabrera feels bad that his son has to go through this pain, too. He tells him not to listen to what others say.
Soon after, Colby happens to be at Whit’s End when Connie criticizes Novacom again, saying she thinks that Novacom employees must have known what was going on. Colby runs out, prompting Whit to tell Connie about Colby’s dad. Connie feels awful.
Meanwhile, Mitch gets an interview with FactsBuffet.com. Everything seems to be going well until the owner asks him about his past work experience. When Mitch mentions Novacom, the owner quickly ends the interview.
Mitch tells Whit and Connie that no one wants to hire him when they find out that he used to work for Novacom. Connie can’t believe it, but Whit points out that she acted the same way. Connie says she’ll go apologize to Colby. Colby, however, is still having trust issues. He wonders if his dad really might have been involved in the sinister goings - on at Novacom. When Rodney Rathbone shows him a purchase order for electronic parts signed by Mr. Cabrera himself, Colby decides he must know the truth. He plants a walkie-talkie in a meeting Mr. Cabrera is having with a number of other Novacom employees.
Unfortunately for Colby, the walkie-talkie makes a noise and is discovered. Mr. Cabrera confronts Colby for spying, but admits that he did know that Novacom had cheated on some government testing. But now, he and some fellow co-workers are going to go public with all they know. Colby tells his dad that he’s proud of him.
Back at Whit’s End, Whit announces that he’s hiring Mr. Cabrera at Whit’s End Connellsville, and Mitch says that he found a job, too. He’ll be helping people with their computer problems. Connie is happy that Mitch is staying in Odyssey...for now.
Discussion Questions
- Why didn’t anybody want to hire Mitch?
- Were they wrong for not wanting to hire him?
- Why or why not?
- Were they wrong for not wanting to hire him?
- Connie realized that she was lumping all Novacom employees together. Have you ever done that in your life?
- How can you avoid it?
- Colby had a friend in Alex, who trusted him even when things looked dark for his family. How can you be a friend like that to people around you?
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
Character | Mentioned By |
---|---|
Bart Rathbone | Alex Jefferson |
Notes
- Trivia
- Connie's sarcastic joke in this episode about Novacom employees mishearing "mind control" as "mime control" would be used again in #565: “A Most Surprising Answer”.
- The technique of holding down the talk button on a walkie-talkie to spy on a meeting was also used in #400: “The Spy Who Bugged Me”.
- Goofs
- When Alex and Colby enter the Electric Palace to talk to Rodney in this episode, he says, "Oh, hey, Jefferson. (Alex's nickname from #466: “Snow Day”) Hey, Crook's kid. (Referring to Colby) I'm still working out a name for you." He had already given Colby a nickname in #480: “The Popsicle Kid”: "Popsicle."
- Reviews
Quotes
Connie Kendall: Right there—the perfect job for you! I circled it.
Robert Mitchell: You want me to be a flight attendant?
Rodney Rathbone: Colby's old man has been lying through his teeth to the press!
Colby Cabrera: He has not! He's telling the truth! He didn't know anything about what was going on with Novacom!
Rodney Rathbone: Oh yeah, and Kennedy didn't know anything about the plot to kill John Wilkes Booth, Jr., either!
Alex Jefferson: There was absolutely nothing historically accurate about that sentence.
Colby Cabrera: You're just a—
Rodney Rathbone: <grabbing him> You sure you wanna finish that sentence?
Alex Jefferson: Don't bother, Colby; it's not worth it.
Colby Cabrera: I'm finishing the sentence!
Rodney Rathbone: I'd love to hear the end!
Alex Jefferson: Let it go!
Colby Cabrera: <shouting> I'll tell you what you are, Rodney!! You're nothin' but a—! <scene change>
Alex Jefferson: You shouldn't have finished the sentence.
Colby Cabrera: <pained> I know that, Alex. <coughs>
Alex Jefferson: A sentence fragment would have been in order.
Connie Kendall: Yeah, right. "I was so shocked! When my boss talked about mind control, I thought he said 'mime control', and he just wanted to limit the number of street performers!" Give me a break.
Connie Kendall: I dunno, Mitch. I mean, after your experience working with Novacom, aren't you just a little worried about corruption in the workplace?
Robert Mitchell: Oh, no, I've done a thorough background check on myself, and I'm clean!
Connie Kendall: Aren't you worried about you snitching on yourself? Word has it, you are quite a whistle-blower!
Robert Mitchell: Oh, I welcome whistle-blowing! If I start doing anything illegal behind my back I'll be the first person to tell myself, I promise!
Connie Kendall: So, the interview went well?
Robert Mitchell: Oh, I dazzled myself. I'm really a sharp guy, and I should be a great addition to my company.
Connie Kendall: Well, you probably wouldn't even have a company without you!
Robert Mitchell: Exactly.
Rodney Rathbone: I'm still workin' out a nickname for you.
Colby Cabrera: You don't have to bother.
Rodney Rathbone: No, I take my job as a bully very seriously. A lot of people don't realize how much paperwork's involved. So are you here today as a customer, or as a punching bag?
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