A Very Merry Toy Store Page #8

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a special today.

Everything in the store

is marked down

for customers named

after famous first ladies.

- Marked down?

- 100%.

- My gosh.

- Better hurry,

because there was a Mary Todd

in here looking at that

yesterday.

- Thank you.

- Merry Christmas.

And Roy Barnes would put an end

to that sense of community.

I mean, not overnight,

of course.

But it only starts

with toys.

And before you know it,

Donna,

your dress shop that

you've owned for 17 years

would be wiped out by

a 30,000-square-foot box store.

And Jim, your hardware store

would go head-to-head

with a Home World.

I mean, sure, it's got a bigger

selection,

but lower quality.

And terrible service.

And that kind of attitude

seeps into the groundwater.

Abby, by the time little Wendy

graduates high school,

this will hardly

be a town anymore.

You know, it'll just be

another giant retail wasteland

with a few houses

in between.

I mean, sure,

the maps and signs

will still say New Britain,

but it'll be a lie.

And we'll be the ones

telling it.

Thank you.

- Thank you, Connie.

Now the board

will take its vote.

Yay to approve Mr. Barnes'

motion to remain in town.

And nay to reject it.

Thank you, Shirley.

It's only three votes,

so it won't take too long

to tabulate.

The first vote is...

nay.

And the second vote is...

yay.

And the third

and final vote is...

yay.

Roy's gets to remain

in town.

Congratulations,

Mr. Barnes.

You ingrate.

I gave you a kidney.

- I support

the free market, Ben.

I had to vote

my conscience.

- Sis, the guy over there...

- Pete Griffin.

What about him?

- He's the one

that I saw with Barnes

at the gas station

the other night.

Neil Armstrong, remember?

- Are you sure?

- Yeah, I'm positive.

- Well, why would Barnes drive

all the way from Stanford

at that time of night

to meet with a councilman?

Ben, that vote

was tampered with.

- Tampered with?

By who?

- By you. You were spotted

a few nights back

at the gas station

with Pete Griffin.

- Filling my tank.

- That's when the money

changed hands.

- That's a serious charge

you're making, Connie.

- Randy will testify to it.

- Oh, I'm sure he will.

Doesn't mean it happened.

Besides, I just met

that man today.

- Pete?

- He's telling you

the truth, Ben.

- He said, she said.

What's the point in even

talking about it?

- I feel sorry for you.

- So do I.

You know why

I feel sorry for you, Roy?

Because you're nothing

but a no-good, two-face liar.

- What did you call me?

- You heard me.

- I guess you don't want

to be working for me then, huh?

- Yeah.

You got that right, Roy.

Guess I'll stick with humans

from now on.

Excuse me.

[somber music]

- Remember this guy?

- Dizzy.

- Yeah, his eyes glow

when he speaks.

- I know a boy like that.

I wanted to come over

and say thank you.

You didn't have

to do that.

- It was a lousy job

anyway.

Should have seen

the break room.

- Was it worth it?

- Almost.

Okay, now it was

worth it.

- Why is it so dark

in here?

- Yeah, they shut

my power off today.

I was going to pay

the bill, but...

- Why didn't you?

- Can't afford it.

- But you have $40,000.

- Had. Not anymore.

I spent it right before

I went to City Hall.

- Spent it on what?

Your house, of course.

- Not on the house.

On your store,

actually.

It's all yours again,

Connie.

Free and clear.

You deserve it.

A lot more than

I deserve you.

- But Barnes will just put me

out of business in a year.

- Then we'll just have

to fight him somehow.

- Where have you been

all this time?

- Just up the street.

- Hey.

- Hi, Joe.

- Is this a bad time?

- No, no, no.

Come on in, come on in.

Well, how about

some coffee?

- Oh, no, thanks.

- I was just getting

ready for church.

I guess I probably shouldn't

wear a tie with this shirt,

should I?

- No, you don't need it.

Listen, I just came by

to return this check.

It's too much money.

- Well, uh...

Christmas bonus.

- Well, that's very

generous of you,

but I don't think

I deserve it.

You're not making

much progress.

You're not making any progress.

Have you been practicing

two hours a day like I asked?

Because your niece Tilly's

wedding

is right around the corner.

- [sighs]

- Joe, where's your piano?

- [chuckles]

- You don't have a piano,

do you?

- I don't have

a niece Tilly either.

- But I've been

giving you lessons

every day for three weeks.

- And they were worth

every penny.

- Oh. Hey, Francine.

Connie's not here.

- Uh, no, I'm not

here for her.

Randy, do you have a minute?

There's something

I need you to see.

- Yeah.

- [sighs]

- You caught the shoplifter?

- Um, no, Randy.

I am the shoplifter.

But I'm returning

everything.

Unopened.

And I'll turn myself in,

if you like.

- But why did you...?

- I wanted you to notice me.

- What for?

- I'll set fire

to the sign tomorrow.

- Oh, careful there, kid.

Arson's a serious crime.

- [chuckles]

- Don't forget,

the gnome sees all.

- The Gnome in the Home.

It was facing

the wrong way.

- Your faces, your cars,

your license plates.

You're toast.

- Yeah. Just met this guy

today, huh, Roy?

- I gave you my kidney,

for crying out loud.

What did he ever give you?

- Eight grand.

- Eight gra--!

That's it.

I want my kidney back.

I want it now.

Hand it over!

Wait, you know what?

I'm just going to take it

from you!

Get over here!

- Field estimate.

What are my chances of winning

if that goes to trial?

I hate that number.

- [laughs]

- Hey!

- Good work.

- Thank you,

Pam and Joe Haggarty,

for that lovely

accompaniment.

Many of you were present at

their wedding this past spring.

Although tonight,

we are all gathered here

to celebrate the union

between Connie and Will.

[applause]

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