A few times a year, there was a dedicated day
where my school was closed.
This allowed the teachers to catch up
on their administrative duties.
While I was normally against a break from learning,
I did applaud the Medford faculty's commitment
- to our education. - Oh, man.
- How great is this place without kids in it? - I heard that.
On one of those days, I got to spend time
with my mom at her job.
Did you write that?
- You betcha. - Instead of puns,
have you considered composing a humorous palindrome?
It's a phrase that reads the same backwards as forwards.
For example, "Do geese see God?"
Trust me. Both ways.
Come inside.
Some other good ones are radar, level, kayak.
That's a funny word. Kayak.
Never get me in one.
So what's the plan?
How will I be entertained all day?
I thought you could be my little helper.
I prefer executive assistant. Carries more weight.
Fine. You stay here, I'm gonna go talk to Pastor Jeff.
Mom.
What?
"Mom" is also a palindrome. M-O-M.
Good morning, Peg.
Any morning you wake up is a good morning.
Okay.
Come in.
Good morn... oh, it's dark in here.
Uh-huh.
Everything okay?
Mm-hmm.
I need you to use your words.
My marriage is over.
Mm-hmm...
- Synced and corrected by VitoSilans - ... www.Addic7ed.com ...
We don't even sleep in the same bed anymore.
In the '50s, people had separate beds.
Lucy and Ricky did it. Their marriage worked.
I-I'm sure it's just a rough patch.
Boy, I hope so.
Well, if there's any way I can make your life easier,
you let me know.
Thank you, Mary. I really appreciate it.
Oh, I almost forgot, um, Sheldon's here with me today.
Great.
Hey, little man. How you doing?
You smell like cigarettes.
You're fun.
Do you know what this binder is?
It's a record of donations people make to the church.
This data could easily be transferred
into a computerized spreadsheet.
Why isn't it?
No idea.
You also smell like mothballs and Ben-Gay.
Bye.
I hope you don't mind, I invited Pastor Jeff for dinner.
That's fine.
I was talking to your father.
What's the occasion?
No occasion, just thought it'd be nice.
His wife coming, too?
No. Just him.
They having problems?
He's just coming to dinner. That's all.
You two having problems?
Are we?
No.
Pastor Jeff's wife
is so much prettier than him.
It's like Barbie married a turtle.
Hey. Here's a fun idea:
how about you and Sheldon have dinner
- at Meemaw's tonight? - All right.
They area weird-looking couple.
You want to eat at my mom's, too?
Oh, come on. You got eyes.
Pastor, would you like to lead us in grace?
I'd be honored.
Heavenly Father, thank you for this food.
I pray that it nourishes and strengthens us,
and bless Mary for preparing it.
And thank you for the Coopers
who have invited me into their loving home.
They are a shining example
of what a marriage can be.
One that I hope to have again someday.
Amen. And please give me the strength...
Sorry.
The strength to walk this road
with unconditional love and joy in my heart.
Amen.
- Amen. - Amen.
Well, let's eat!
- Cheers. - Cheers.
Dang, this place is nice.
That's because it was supposed to be a date.
Cool. My first date.
Meemaw, I've been going through the church records,
and I noticed you haven't made a donation in quite a long time.
Why are you going through the records?
I'm an executive assistant.
- Good for you. - You see,
God and I have a deal. And when he helps me win big
at the casino, I give him a cut.
And lately, he has not been holding up
his part of the bargain.
"Steak aw poyverwith fritties"?
- It's French. - Oh.
What's a crock monster?
It's croque monsieur,
and it's really just a grilled cheese sandwich with ham.
I want that.
There's lemon in this water.
So, uh, who do you think the Oilers
are gonna take in the draft?
Oh, I don't really follow sports.
I'm just gonna eat.
What's he doing here? Y'all getting a divorce?
No. No, he's just here for dinner.
Oh. Welcome, Your Holiness.
I thought you were hanging out with Veronica tonight.
We were supposed to, but then she invited a bunch
of her choir friends over,
and it turned into a stupid Bible study.
- No offense. - None taken.
- Hmm. - Honestly,
I do not understand the female mind.
Do something.
Georgie, why don't you go eat dinner in front of the TV?
No, it's all right. Sounds like Georgie's having trouble
navigating the perilous waters
of a relationship.
Believe me, I can understand.
You having problems with your hot wife?
Maybe I'll go eat by the TV.
I'm liking my crock monster.
Mmm. Me, too.
I can't taste anything after the lemon water.
I'm glad y'all are having a good time.
You're welcome.
Where we having dinner tomorrow?
Nowhere.
Dr. Sturgis and I are going to Louisiana, do a little gambling.
So a donation could be forth coming?
Don't jinx me.
It's my first time going to a casino.
It's amazing. There's bright lights and bells and buzzers
and people yelling.
Ugh.
Veronica says I'm the nicest guy she knows.
She also says she only wants to date nice guys.
- Does that mean she wants to date me? - I bet she doesn't.
No, she does not. Doesn't make any sense.
Nothing they do makes any sense.
- I know... - At least he's not crying anymore.
Devil's got something to do with it.
Mary, George, I can't thank you enough for this.
It was our pleasure.
So, Pastor, are you gonna try
and talk things out with Selena?
Well, we're really not on speaking terms,
so I'll just be heading back to my office, sleep on the couch.
That's ridiculous. He can stay with us, can't he?
Uh, I guess that'd be okay.
- Of course it would. - Oh.
I couldn't possibly impose.
Sure you could.
In fact, you can take my room.
Well, y'all are too kind.
- Hello. - Oh.
Did y'all have a good time?
- Yes. - It was great.
Oh, Mom, Pastor Jeff is gonna be spending the night.
If the kids could sleep at your place?
No. Bye.
George.
What? What's wrong?
The pastor's up making tea.
What, you want me to blow on it?
Go talk to him.
About what?
I don't know.
Maybe you could give him a male perspective
on relationship issues.
How about this?
What if I close my eyes and pray on it?
Hey.
Oh, hi. I hope I didn't wake you.
Uh, no, no. Just... get-getting some water.
Can I fix you some chamomile?
No, thanks.
So...
Tough times, huh?
Yeah.
Hey, uh, does the Bible say anything
about heartache and such?
Psalm 147, verse three: "The Lord healeth
the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
Well, there you go-eth.
Except I'm feeling kicked in the nethers right now,
and he sure is taking his sweet time with the healing.
He takes his sweet time about a lot of things.
Uh, not that I'm complaining.
You know, his will, not mine, et cetera.
You know, one thing I can say is that
having a happy marriage is... it's hard work.
Oh, I know. As the pastor, people come to me
with relationship problems all the time.
Bet you hear some juicy ones, huh?
"Juicy" doesn't begin to describe it.
- Oh... give me a sample. - I can't.
There's strict pastor-flock confidentiality.
Sure. Sure.
Mm.
Mary doesn't tell you things about us, does she?
I'm... not at liberty to say.
But she does, doesn't she?
- Yeah. - Yeah.
These people clearly don't know what ten percent means.
What are you talking about?
This is the list of all the people who belong
to the church and how much money they donate.
Dorothy and Fred Nelson gave a dollar last week.
- So? - They own the Piggly Wiggly.
They can afford to give much more.
Weird.
You say "Piggly Wiggly" and suddenly I'm hungry.
Really?
You're drinking in the morning now?
What? Oh, look at that.
Felt later.
Hey, I haven't seen the pastor. He go home?
He hasn't come out of Georgie's room.
Maybe he found Georgie's magazines.
He's a man of God.
You're adorable.
I have stories. Come back here.
- It's my favorite table. - Oh, hey, Connie.
Hi, Felicia.
Chip me for a deuce.
How's your daughter doing?
Oh, surgery went great.
Thanks for asking.
Her daughter got kicked by a horse.
- They had to pin a couple of bones together. - Oh, my.
She won't be stealing any more horses
for a little while.
- Your usual, Connie? - Yeah.
John, you want something?
I would like a Fresca, please.
- Got it, hon. - Connie.
Duke-North Carolina's about to start. Want a piece?
Yeah, baby. Give me the points on Duke for a nickel.
- All right. - A nickel.
That's a silly bet.
It's 50 bucks.
A thousand nickels. Less silly.
I must say, uh...
this is a side of you I've never... seen before.
You're all right with it, aren't you?
Oh, sure.
When are you gonna give that man your $50?
Don't worry about it. Hit me.
I'm a little worried.
Pastor Jeff?
Everything all right in there?
Oh, yeah.
I've just been praying, napping, crying.
I like to mix it up.
Well, how's it going?
Good, actually.
I have this feeling inside that I should head home.
Well, then you got to honor that feeling, that's God.
You're right. You want to come with?
Do you really want me there
while you patch things up with your wife?
She's less likely to throw any steak knives if we have company.
Um... if you think it'll help, I suppose...
Great, let's hit it.
Oh...
Hello, is this the Nelson residence?
Oh, good. I'm Sheldon Cooper,
the executive assistant secretary
at the First Baptist Church of Medford.
I'm looking through our donation records,
and I've noticed that you've tapered off a bit.
Well, yes, your children's education is expensive,
but so is running a church.
Oh, boy!
I'll be sure to tell the pastor. Goodbye.
That earned a sip of Yoo-hoo.
Okay. Who's next?
Wendy and Bill Mackenzie.
Of Mackenzie Chevrolet?
Now those are what we call "deep pockets."
Pat here, double the ten, and split the aces.
Connie...
I found an old-fashioned malt shop where we can
have milkshakes and listen to the jukebox,
like I never did in high school.
Yeah, great. Not now, John.
Okay, well, I was just hoping we could do something together.
For God's sake, John. I'm getting my ass kicked here!
I'm sorry.
Oh, Felicia, you're killing me.
Chip me another deuce.
Hello?
Selena?
Ooh. Big TV, fancy.
"Con amor, Selena."
Which means?
"Life is too short to be married to a loser.
I'm leaving you.
Love, Selena."
"Love, Selena"?
Well, that's kind of a mixed message.
Yeah.
Oh, I couldn't tell you how much to give.
But I can tell you the Stuckeys stepped up
for a thousand dollars.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Well, you need to give what's comfortable for you.
And of course, I don't need to remind you,
it's entirely tax deductible.
And at the next pancake breakfast,
you can hold your head high.
Thank you. That's very generous.
Goodbye.
The pancake line closed it.
We are so going to heaven.
I don't understand why God would tell me to go home
just to find out my wife left me.
Not that he needs me to defend him,
but in God's defense, he didn't say she'd be there.
Mary, I hate to say this, but I think it's time
for me to move on.
I thought even as a teenager, I'd been called
to preach the word of God, but maybe that was just my ego.
Maybe I'm not meant to do this.
Don't say that. You're a great preacher.
Thank you. But it's clear. I need to trod a new path.
Well, what would you do? Trodding wise.
I don't know.
Maybe work with my hands amongst men, on an oil rig,
or a fishing trawler.
I also know how to blow glass.
I could turn a pretty penny at swap meets.
- Those all sound like solid options. - Mm-hmm.
Oh, red light, red light!
Oh, phooey.
Tell you what, Jody.
Why don't you go upstairs to your daddy's bedroom,
and see how much is in his wallet?
Don't worry, it's not stealing if it's for God.
What are y'all up to?
Just helping Mom with some church work.
Well, aren't you two great kids.
We like to think so.
Really? That much?
I think I need to apologize.
- I know you do. - I'm very sorry.
Sometimes when things aren't going my way,
I just get a little cranky.
- May I ask you a personal question? - Sure.
Does your gambling constitute a problem?
Not today. Bam!
Come on. Let me take you out to dinner.
Don't forget that you promised Sheldon
if you won, you'd donate to the church.
You want to see me get cranky again?
No, I don't.
Well, let's go strap on some bibs and eat lobster.
Whoa!
So you're over at First Baptist Church, huh?
Yes, Officer.
I'm new in this area.
I've been looking for a church.
Well, you're in luck. It's a wonderful congregation,
and this man right here is our beloved pastor.
Oh. Are you his wife?
Oh, no, I'm church secretary. He's actually single.
- Well, technically... - He's single.
Well, I'll try to come by sometime.
Tomorrow's Sunday. He'll be speaking.
All right. Maybe I'll see y'all tomorrow.
You have a nice day.
Aren't you gonna give me a ticket?
Do you wanta ticket?
He does not. Thank you, Officer.
- Pastor? - Yeah?
You were saying you don't understand
why God told you to go home. You get it now?
Think I do.
Welcome, church.
I pray you all had a blessed and prosperous week.
I'm excited to share with you
what the Lord put on my heart for today.
I'm surprised you're here this morning.
Hey. I got to support my pal.
The renewal of faith is something that happens
over and over.
- When you have faith... - You need to move fast, Officer.
He's not gonna be on the market for long.
- Roger that. - For so many months,
our little parish has been struggling financially.
But by the grace of God and his provision,
we have received the most donations in church history!
Praise Jesus!
So it's all Jesus, we don't get any credit?
- We need to start our own church. - They don't pay taxes.
It's a very sound business model.
Say amen when you get there, huh?
- Synced and corrected by VitoSilans - ... www.Addic7ed.com ...