Mayberry R.F.D. (1968)
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Joel Swanson — Writer
Episodes 4
An Efficient Service Station
Ken Marshall, a district sales manager with the ACME Refining Company, is looking for Goober. Ken doesn't like the way Goober runs his station. Profits haven't increased and Goober's appearance doesn't fit with ACME's image. If things don't improve, ACME will take away Goober's franchise. Later, Emmett comes by the station and makes fun of Goober's white uniform and cap. Emmett is just there for a visit and gets annoyed when Goober starts checking things on his car. Goober tells Sam that he's not enjoying his work anymore with all the new rules. Howard tells Sam and Emmett that Goober shut down the station. Howard is worried that without a gas station the town will slowly fall apart. Sam can sense that Goober isn't doing well with this new job. While getting air at the gas station, Sam runs into G.B. Smith. Smith asks Sam why the station shut down and Sam tells him what happened. Turns out Smith is the president of ACME and he wants Goober to run the station the way he used to.
Read MoreThe Church Bell
Sam returns from Siler City and tells Howard that Rev. Bickford's church has a bell for sale. Mayberry's church doesn't have a bell. Howard is the church treasurer and wants to call a committee meeting to get their opinion. Millie, who is co-treasurer, says the church can only afford $150. Rev. Bickford would love to sell the bell, but tells his committee they should not seem too anxious. When the two parties get together, Rev. Bickford asks $200 for the bell. Sam offers $150 which Rev. Bickford quickly rejects. Rev. Bickford finally accepts the $150 offer. Sam has bad news for the committee. It seems that Lucius Fremont owned the land under the church. He donated the land to the church provided that a bell never be hung there in his lifetime. He tells Sam his reason for not wanting the bell. It seems many years ago he was stood up by his bride on their wedding day at that church. The bell ringing would remind him of that day. Lucius finds a way for the church to keep it's bell.
Read MoreThe New Well
J.P. Judson, a haggard old man, arrives at the farm. He tells Aunt Bea that he's a Dowser and can find water with a divining rod. She offers him a room in the barn until Sam comes home the next day. Sam comes home and tells Aunt Bea that he hired a company and their geologist will be there in the morning. She talks Sam into letting Judson stay to watch the geologist. Mr. Harris arrives and finds a spot were he'd like to start drilling. Judson checks the spot out and says they won't get any water there. Harris drills anyway, but comes up dry. Later, Judson claims to have found a spot and only wants $50 to show Sam where it's at. Sam says he's going to stick with Mr. Harris. The next day Sam tries using a diving rod and Aunt Bea sees him. But he's still going with Mr. Harris. Harris drills another hole and comes up dry again. Harris bets Judson that he can't find water and Judson tells Harris to keep drilling where they are. Harris drills another 20 feet and they hit water.
Read MoreThe Health Fund
At their lodge finance meeting, Sam discusses their new health insurance plan. It will only increase dues $8 a month and all bills will be paid by the lodge. Later, Howard tells Sam that his doctor suggests he have an operation to correct his deviated septum. Elmo finds the timing of this operation very suspicious. Emmett and Goober confront Howard and call him a crook. They go with to the hospital to make sure Howard doesn't pad the bill. Emmett and Goober then ask Dr. Wilson about some of the expenses of the operation. Emmett and Goober decide to go see Howard at checkout time to make sure he doesn't stay longer than he should. The lodge meets and learns the health fund is heavily depleted. Goober suggests if Howard doesn't have appendicitis the lodge shouldn't pay for the extra day. Howard is out of the hospital. Goober doesn't believe someone can develop symptoms just by talking about it. Then Sam mentions hives and Goober starts itching.
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