Easy Money

From AIOWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
#338: “Easy Money”
26front.jpg
Paired with
[[{{{split}}}|“{{{split}}}”]]
Last aired
Original Release Date
{{{rel_date}}}
Date Recorded
{{{rec_date}}}
Recorded at
[[{{{rec_location}}}]]
Album
Album
Cassette No.
{{{cassette}}}
Intro
Intros
Click to show or hide ↓
Wraps
Wraps
Click to show or hide ↓
Theme
Genre
[[:Category:{{{genre}}} Episodes| {{{genre}}}]]
Scripture

1 Timothy 6:10

10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Songs Included
[[{{{song}}}]]
Inventions Used
[[{{{invention}}}]]
Featured Charity
[[{{{charity}}}]]
[[{{{short}}}]]
Spanish Name
{{{spanish_name}}}
Spanish Airdate
Error: Invalid time.
Soundtrack length
{{{soundtrack}}}
Previous title
“{{{name2}}}”
Host
Written by
Directed by
Produced by
Executive Producer
Post-Production by
Production Assistant
[[{{{production_assistant}}}]]
Engineered by
Music by
Songs by
Purchase episode
Other websites
Promo
Sample
Easy Money

“Easy Money” is episode #338 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Marshal Younger, and originally aired on November 18, 1995.

Summary

To buy new hockey equipment, Sam Johnson and Butch need money. Sam gets a job and nearly works himself to death while Butch resorts to gambling.

Plot

Sam is talking to Butch about Hockey, and he doesn't understand why he needs sophisticated equipment. Butch explains this to him. They both wonder how they will get the money, and Sam suggests odd jobs. Butch agrees, and they set off to find some jobs.

They end up working together, cleaning up an auto parts store. The owner offers them a steady job every morning before school. Butch declines, but Sam states he will think about it. The man pays them six dollars, then leaves. Butch complains about not getting a high pay, and leaves to find an "easy job".

Butch is still muttering about the low pay, and he encounters his "friend" Mac, who asks him to play 1 on 1 basketball. Butch declines, and Mac asks why he's been so down lately, and Butch explains about the equipment. Mac then offers gambling, and uses a hard shot as an example. Mac talks to Butch about gambling some more.

Sam returns home, and finds his dad fixing the garage door, with unsuccessful results. Sam asks his dad about the job, and his parents think it will be okay, but they are concerned about the early time.

Sam fell asleep while watching a football game with Butch, and Sam wakes up after Butch shrieks with excitement after a touchdown for a team he bet on. Sam questions him about this, because Butch doesn't usually root for this team, and Butch answers very vaguely,

Sam talks to his dad, once again trying to fix the garage door. His father notices Sam's tiredness, but Sam brushes it off. He then tells Sam that Connie called, inquiring about a carnival booth. Sam gets to work on it right away, but falls asleep.

Later, Sam is talking to Butch, and Butch shows Sam his Hockey equipment, and Sam demands to know how Butch got the money to get it, and Butch reveals he has been gambling. Butch also tells Sam that he is still gambling. Sam believes gambling is bad, but Butch brushes it off, and then Sam reveals that, unbeknownst to his parents, he is getting to the shop an hour earlier.

Sam is asleep during his homework, and his father comes and wakes him up, and talks to Sam about falling asleep during different activities, even Church. Sam begs his father to let him keep his job, and his father reluctantly agrees.

Sam is at the Carnival, and George Barclay comes to his booth, which is a "Garbage Can Game."

Butch is complaining about losing in gambling to Mac, but he encourages Butch to keep gambling. He tells Butch about the "big game" tomorrow. Butch finds out the minimum bet is $150 dollars, and he is reluctant, but is eventually convinced.

Sam just woke up, and heads out to the job, but his father is up also, working on the garage door opener. His father inquires why Sam is up so early, and Sam tells his dad about his getting up earlier. Sam states that it is only an hour, but his father reminds him about his decreasing ability to do things, and his tells him to quit his job after the day is over.

Butch is at the game, gambling again. But he is $50 short, so he borrows money from Mac. The team Butch bet on lost, so he is deep in debt. Butch is suspicious of Mac, but then realizes he messed up.

Sam is over at Butch's house, asking him if he wants to work with him. But Butch is confronted by Mac outside his house, so he demands Butch's Hockey equipment. Butch declines, but Mac threatens him with a bully, so Butch gives it up. Mac leaves, and Butch finally agrees to work with Sam.

Discussion Questions

  1. Where did Sam go wrong?
  2. Why did Butch feel he had to bet on the big game?
  3. Is gambling wrong?
    • Why or why not?
    • What are the dangers of gambling?

Cast

Heard in episode

Role Voice Actor
Brian Evans John Burdick
Employee Steve Bridges
George Barclay Chuck Bolte
John Madden Steve Bridges
Keith Jackson Steve Bridges
Mac McCorby Chad Reisser
Marv Albert Steve Bridges
Mechanic Steve Bridges
Pete Johnson Steve Bridges
Sam Johnson Kyle Ellison
Vin Scully Steve Bridges

Mentioned in episode

Character Mentioned By
Connie Kendall Pete Johnson
Nancy Johnson Pete Johnson
Kathy Evans Brian Evans


Notes

Trivia
  • Butch makes his final appearance in this episode (not counting retrospective shows).
  • Interestingly, the Chicago Bears did play against the Philadelphia Eagles in real life during the 1995 NFL season, although on Christmas Eve (incidentally the Bears won that game 20-14).
Allusions
  • Butch initially bets on the Chicago Bears against the Philadelphia Eagles. He later bets on the Oakland Raiders. During the Raiders game, the announcer can be heard referencing names shared by then-current Raiders players: Smith (as pulling out a tooth), and [Calvin or Mike] Jones (the rookie making the catch and touchdown that so excited Butch). In real life, the only Raider offensive player with the last name of Jones was a second year running back who didn't catch a pass that season (the other Jones on that season's Oakland roster was a linebacker).
  • Though the announcer also mentions a player with the last name "Murdock", there was no NFL player with that name in the decade this episode aired, and no previous players with that name who had a career of any particular significance. The announcer also references Virginia Tech as being the alma mater of one of the players, though it's unclear if the announcer was referring to the Raiders or the opposing team (no players on the 1995 Raiders played for Virginia Tech).

Quotes

Mac McCorby: Some days you get your soul puréed and served to you in a melancholy milkshake.

Brian Evans: "Mac McCorby: I can get you whatever you want, whenever you want it, whatever the cost and whatever the reason — whoever you are." That's quite a slogan.
Mac McCorby: Yeah, I had to shorten it for the bumper stickers.

Retrieved from "https://www.aiowiki.com/w/index.php?title=Easy_Money&oldid=283235"