ARCHIE BUNKER's PLACE
Archie Alone (Transcript)
Written by
Mark Fink & Stephen Miller "Part One"
Alan Rosen & Fred Rubin "Part Two"
Staring
Archie Bunker----------Carroll O'Connor
Murray Klein-----------Martin Balsam
Stephanie Mills--------Danielle Brisebois
Barney Hefner----------Allan Melvin
Harry Snowden----------Jason Wingreen
Mr. Van Ranseleer------Bill Quinn
Veronica Rooney--------Anne Meara
Guest Staring
Polly Swanson----------Janet MacLachlan
Kathy Wakefield--------Renne Jarrett
Jim Spencer------------John Welsh
Arlene Schiff----------Sandy Lipton
Bob the shop teacher---Wil Albert
Linda the waitress-----Heidi Hagman(Larry Hagman's daughter)
Directed by
Carroll O'Connor and Gary Shimokawa
Executive Producer
Alen Horn
Produced By
Joe Gannon
Story Editors
Patt Shea & Harriett Weiss
Mark Fink & Stephen Miller
Carroll O'Connor
Alan Rosen & Fred Rubin
Associate Producer
Ken Stump
Transcribed from videos of the WPSG UPN 57 and CBS airings by Dan Asnis
Archie Bunker’s Place Home Page
http://archiebunkersplace.netfirms.com/
Red indicates that dialogue or action from the original 1980 CBS version that was edited out of the syndicated version aired on WPSG UPN 57.
PART ONE
ACT ONE SCENE ONE
FADE IN:
INT.LIVINGROOM-MORNING
Close up of Alarm clock as it rings Archie's hand reaches down and stops the ringing switches to wide shot of Archie waking up on the couch. Archie gets up off the couch and picks up and winds the Alarm clock taking it with him as the camera follows him going up the steps. Once up stairs he opens up the door to Stephanie's bedroom and points the alarm clock at her as it goes off and wakes Stephanie up Archie closes the door and puts the Alarm clock down on the dresser in the hall as he walks into the bathroom. Stephanie goes into the Bunkers' bedroom gets a pair of Archie's pants out of the closet and a Shirt undershirt and boxers out of the dresser. She puts them down on the dresser in the hall as Archie flushes the toilet. Stephanie closed the Bunker's door and goes downstairs.
FADE TO:
ACT ONE SCENE TWO
INT.KITCHEN-MORNING
Stephanie walks into the kitchen and puts her coat and bookbag down on the counter as Archie pours himself a cup of coffee. Stephanie takes a frying pan out of the cabinet.
ARCHIE
What are you doing?
STEPHANIE
Going to make bacon and eggs.
ARCHIE
For who?
STEPHanie
For you.
ARCHIE
Oh no I don't want nothing like that. Forget it.
STEPHANIE
Aren't you ever going to let me cook breakfast?
ARCHIE
You can cook breakfast when you grow up and get married. If you are lucky enough to find some dope.
Archie see's cereal box on table.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Meantime look here we got your beautiful coco crunchies their.
close-up on sour look of Stephanie's face.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Don't give me that face.
Archie picks up box and starts reading label.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Did you ever read what's in this stuff here look at this You got your phosphorus there you got your vitamins there. You got your magnishia. All of that hey. And the best thing of all if that stuff if loaded with sugar. Keep you going all day long.
Archie opens refrigerator and smells spoiled food.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
God what stinks in here.
STEPHANIE
Everything! The stuffed cabbage from Mrs. Bloom the tuna casserole from ...
Archie interrupts Stephanie.
ARCHIE
Alright alright alright don't tell me no more.
Archie reaches into the refrigerator and pulls out the milk and rejoins Stephanie at the table.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
If the refrigerator's working why is everything stinking?
STEPHANIE
It's all been in there for three weeks.
ARCHIE
Oh didn't you think to clean some of it out?
STEPHANIE
You told me not to touch anything in the kitchen.
ARCHIE
Yah that's right I told you that.
Archie sits down. Stephanie looks into the cereal box.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Hay there was a terrific picture on the late show last night. You should of stooped downstairs and watched it with me for a little while you know. Godzilla the monster. You should of seen that guy killing Japs millions of them there. We sure could have used him in WW2 .
Stephanie pours cereal into her bowl and put the box back in the middle of the table.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
So how was school yesterday?
STEPHANIE
fine. How was work?
Archie drinks coffee
ARCHIE
um----terrific terrific. I got everything under control like usual.
Stephanie pours the last drop of milk onto her cereal.
STEPHANIE
We need milk.
ARCHIE
yah I see that. Well ill bring home some from work tonight.
STEPHANIE
I was thinking this weekend.
Archie interrupts Stephanie
ARCHIE
Hay hay hay hay. I got this weekend all planed for us look at this here. Two reserved seats. Tickets to the circus that's for Saturday afternoon isn't it. On Sunday we go to the movies again.
STEPHANIE
I like to go the cemetery. You said we would.
ARCHIE
Oh yah but I already bought the tickets.
STEPHANIE
You promised.
ARCHIE
I know i promised but I didn't say when.
They hear knock at the door.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
I'll get that
Archie goes to the door and opens it.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Oh hi you there Polly. Come on in Come on in. How you doing.
POLLY
Hi Arch I'm fine. You certainly sound chipper. How's it going?
ARCHIE
Oh with us fine. Were getting along swell. Here look at this were even having breakfast.
POLLY
Ah! How are you Stephanie?
STEPHANIE
OK
POLLY
Arch I came for my casserole dish.
ARCHIE
Oh yah yah. Well
Archie goes to the refrigerator and hesitantly opens the door.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Oh Polly its-its in here you know. Amongst allot of other odds and ends. Can you find it in there?
POLLY
I found it.
Polly reaches to the bottom shelf and pulls the dish out.
POLLY (cont'd)
You didn't eat it! Don't you like Lasagna?
ARCHIE
Lasagna is that what that used to be?
POLLY
Yah
ARCHIE
Oh gee we love Lasagna. We thought it was a tuna casserole. Well I'll get all of that out for you.
POLLY
Oh I'll get it out.
Polly looks down at the dish.
POLLY (cont'd)
Hay! It looks like it's trying to get out by it's self.
Archie looks at Stephanie and then looks at his watch.
ARCHIE
Oh well look at the time kid-o. Maybe you better be running off to school.
STEPHANIE
OK
STEPHANIE (cont'd)
What about this Saturday?
ARCHIE
Come on Saturday were going to the circus. I got the tickets Ha. And look we got to get there early so we get used to the smell of the elephants. So though when we have out Hot Dogs peanuts and cotton candy then we won't get nauserated.
Stephanie puts on her jacket.
STEPHANIE
Take somebody else to the circus.
Stephanie opens the kitchen door and enters the living room. Archie opens the door Stephanie stares at him before she opens the front door and leaves the house. Archie goes back into the kitchen.
POLLY
What's she got against the circus?
ARCHIE
Oh nothing nothing nothing. She goes to the circus alright. Just that she was thinking about making a visitation to the. Well you know Medowglen.
POLLY
Oh
ARCHIE
Yah . Ah I figure what's the rush it's only a little over a month. You might as well give the grass a chance to grow out there before you start looking all around. You know what I mean?
POLLY
I know what you mean. Well just yell over the fence if you need me ok.
ARCHIE
Yah I'll do that Polly.
POLLY
Bye Arch.
ARCHIE
Yah ya thanks a million.
Polly opens the kitchen door to the outside.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Hay give my regards to Ed.
POLLY
I will.
Polly closes the door and leaves the kitchen. Archie picks up the circus tickets looks at them and throws them down on the table.
fADE TO:
ACT ONE SCENE THREE
INT.BAR-Morning
VERONICA
Gees yous guys are always fighting about something that has no meaning to the rest of humanity.
BARNEY
I'm just trying to tell Harry that most of the traffic that comes into the city comes over the tri- borough bridge.
HARRY
Well I say it's the Queens borough.
BARNEY
Well are you trying to tell me my business? I've been a bridge inspector here for 28 years and I'm telling you her it's the Tri-borough.
VERONICA
Hay how do you inspect bridges when your always in here ha?
BARNEY
Easy! I simply consult my manifest find out today's the day for the
Brooklyn Bridge and I mark it unsafe.
Barney shows his clip board to Veronica. She looks away in disbelief.
HARRY
Hay Barney try some of these new cashews.
Harry hands the jar to Barney.
VAN RANSELEER
Yah there excellent I got them at a gourmet place in the village.
BARNEY
Gee thanks Mr. Van R I really love cashews.
Barney opens the bottle and a gag snake pops out. Everyone laughs.
MURRAY
Harry it never fails does it?
BARNEY
You guys is there no end to your merriment?
Barney give the gag snake to Harry.
VERONICA
Oh gees fellows I hate to interrupt important business, but whereas my oven cleaner ha?
MURRAY
Archie's bringing it over. He has a couple a errands to go on first.
HARRY
Were trying to keep him busy.
BARNEY
You know I can't help thinking of my cousin Eddie it was offal.
Veronica
What's with him?
BARNEY
Well he's allot like Arch. He relied on his wife for everything and she passed away in her sleep one night quietly. Just like Edith it was her heart you know. It was terrible.
Veronica, HARRY AND MURRAY
What happened?
BARNEY
He couldn't handle it. He went to pieces.
Veronica Harry and Murray look on with a stoned look on their faces.
BARNEY (cont'd)
But not old Arch he's doing fine.
MURRAY
And I hope it stays that way
VERONICA
Listen were all trying to keep him happy ant we. Were all keeping his spirits up.
MURRAY
You can do that by breathing on him.
VERONICA
Oh ha ha ha ha.
Everyone laughs!
MURRAY
Ah Veronica.
Archie comes through the front door carrying a loaded brown paper supermarket bag.
ARCHIE
Hi there everybody.
EVERYONE
Hi Arch.
Archie walks past Mr. Van Ranseleer.
ARCHIE
Hi Mr. Van R.
Veronica walks up to Archie.
VERONICA
Hi there boss did you get my oven cleaner?
Archie hands the spray can of oven cleaner from the bag over to Veronica.
ARCHIE
Yah here it is. Gee this stuff cost a fortune do you have to cook like a slob?
VERONICA
Look who's calling who a slob.
MURRAY
Don't argue.
VERONICA
Your right Arch I'll try to watch it.
ARCHIE
Hi Linda here
Linda comes to Archie. Archie gives her the bag.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Get that stuff back in the office for me ha.
Linda takes the bag off camera to the office.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
I have a latch to fix on the back door and I have to look at the leak in the ceiling there.
Archie hold up a toilet ballrod.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
And this here Murray is a job for you.
MURRAY
Glad to do it.
BARNEY
Is that for your toilet Arch?
ARCHIE
No Barney it's for my goldfish bowl.
Everyone but Archie laughs.
ARCHIE
What the hell was so funny?
MURRAY
It's not what you said it how you said it. It's all in the timing.
ARCHIE
Oh Yah, I was never that funny before.
HARRY
Oh Well can I say Arch. Like good scotch you get better with age.
ARCHIE
Like a good bartender pour me a beer.
HARRY
Coming right out.
MURRAY
Anything he wants.
Archie opens the gag cashew can. A the toy snake pops out. Only the blind Mr. Van Ranseleer laughs.
VAN RANSELEER
Ha ha who who got it this time?
ARCHIE
I got it this time Mr. Van R.
Archie pauses everyone looks on and stays silent.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
How come yous ant laughing at that ha. You said that was funny ain't that a joke?
MURRAY
That's too childish to be funny.
ARCHIE
Than why was Mr. Van R wetting his pants here?
Murray is speechless.
ARCHIE
Come on come on Murray I know what you are doing. I know what yous all are doing and don't do it no more ha. You don't have to tiptoe around me.
MURRAY
Your right Arch your right.
ARCHIE
And yous don't have to be always agreeing with me neither.
BARNEY
OK Arch anything you say.
ARCHIE
You done it again you dope.
BARNEY
Your right.
ARCHIE
And still again.
BARNEY
Yah I know.
HARRY
You be better off in Brooklyn Barney.
BARNEY
Yah I think I go inspect my bridge.
Barney leaves the bar and a man with a overcoat and brief case comes in as Barney is leaving. He walks over to the bar.
SPENCER
Hello Mr. Klein. Is Mr. Bunker in yet?
MURRAY
Oh yah you tracked him down. Hay Archie this man was her to see you yesterday. I told him to come around today.
Spencer walks to Archie on the other side of the room.
SPENCER
Mr. Bunker hi. Jim Spencer Fidelity Insurance. It's about your wive's policy.
ARCHIE
Oh yah yah yah.
SPENCER
You are a tough man to track down.
ARCHIE
Oh well I've been pretty busy lately. To tell you the truth I am very busy right now. Setting up for the lunch rush you know and I got to go back and fix a raging toilet.
Archie holds up the toilet rod that is still in his hand. Spencer puts his briefcase down on a table.
SPENCER
Well this won't take but a minute. OK if we sit here.
Spencer sits down at the same table he put his brief case down on. Archie reluctantly follows him and sits down. Spencer pulls a tan folder out of his brief case.
SPENCER
First off please accept condolences on behalf of myself and Fidelity Insurance on the death of your wife Judith.
ARCHIE
That was Edith.
SPENCER
Oh I'm terribly sorry please forgive me. I have trouble reading my own handwriting. Maybe I should have become a doctor.
Spencer laughs. Archie is not amused.
SPENCER (cont'd)
I have I have your beneficiary death claim. Which states that Edith Bunker died on the date indicated and if you just sign in right there I'll present you with a check for five thousand dollars.
ARCHIE
I ain't going to sign that.
SPENCER
what?
ARCHIE
I don't want to be no beneficiary. What do yous people think. That I can sign a person off the world like that. I don't want it. Just send it out to my daughter in California Gloria Stivic she lives in Santa Barbara.
SPENCER
Well why don't you do that Mr. Bunker? You can endorse the check right over to her. See as beneficiary I need your signature on the death claim.
ARCHIE
I ain't signing no death claim. Oh Your a big company can't you just leave me alone and do what I'm asking you to do. Send it out there to my daughter.
SPENCER
Oh maybe I better call the home office.
Spencer looks for change in his pocket at eyes the bar's pay phone.
ARCHIE
Use the Pay phone down in the subway this ones out of order.
Spencer looks at the pay phone again.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
It's out of order.
The pay phone rings. Archie picks it up. Spencer see's it's working.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Archie Bunker's Place A. Bunker here. Ah hol-hold on ha.
Archie turns to Spencer.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Down the subway alright.
Spencer packs up his brief case and leaves.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
I'm Back. Yes that's right Stephanie Mills. What do you mean she's fine. What?!!!! well No I didn't know. Ill handle it.
Harry, Murray and Linda look on.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Alright! Alright! Alright! Ill handle it bye.
Archie turns his head to the bar.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
Oh holy cow.
MURRAY
What happened?
ARCHIE
It's the kid. She ain't been in school for a week.
Camera zooms in on Archie
FADE TO BLACK.
-----------------COMMERCIAL BREAK-------------------------
ACT TWO SCENE ONE
Archie is bopping the toilet rod on the bar.
Veronica
Don't you hit her!
ARCHIE
I ain't going to hit her!
Archie waves the rod.
Veronica
What you going to do flush her?
MURRAY
Just stay calm.
ARCHIE
I am calm.
Stephanie enters through the front door of the bar.
STEPHANIE
Hi everybody.
EVERYONE
Hi Stephe.
Veronica
How you doing honey?
STEPHANIE
Hi
Stephanie sits down at the corner of the bar to the left of Archie.
ARCHIE
Well so how was school today?
STEPHANIE
(Softly) Fine.
Stephanie tries to think of something quickly.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
What did you learn there?
STEPHANIE
History! How Marco Polo opened trade with China.
ARCHIE
Richard E Nixon done that your lying. You wasn't in school today. If fact you haven't been in school all week.
Veronica takes to toilet rod away from in front of Archie.
Veronica
Don't use your hands!
ARCHIE
I'll use my hand on you if you don't get out of here.
Veronica goes to the kitchen and takes the rod.
MURRAY
Arch.
Murray gives a hand signal to Archie to stay under control.
ARCHIE
You and me are going to have a little talk in private back in the office.
Stephanie proceeds to the office. But Archie see's Harry and Mr. Van Ranseleer. Forgetting the fact that Mr. Van Ranseleer is blind.
ARCHIE (cont'd)
What are yous two looking at?
VAN RANSELEER
Who's looking?
Archie looks away a proceeds to the office.
ARCHIE
This ain't like you kid-o this ain't like you at all. What have you been doing? Where have you been going?
STEPHANIE
To the library.
ARCHIE
Everyday? Nobody can read everyday.
STEPHANIE
Once I went to a museum. Mostly I sit in the park and think.
ARCHIE
Your supposed to be doing your thinking in school.
STEPHANIE
I know but I can't go back there.
ARCHIE
Oh you got to go back there.
STEPHANIE
I just can't. Kids are treating me different now.
ARCHIE
What are they doing to you?
STEPHANIE
They don't want to talk to me. I had to recite a poem. It was one Aunt Edith helped me memorize and off of the sudden I was crying and ever since the other kids have been acting funny.
Archie sits down at the desk.
ARCHIE
Listen that should teach you a lesson. You had no go blooping in front of strangers.
STEPHANIE
But even at home I can't.
ARCHIE
You shouldn't be at home neither. It don't do no good . It don't change nothing kid. Listen I'm going through the same thing here you know. Murray, Barney all the guys their treating me differently.
STEPHANIE
They are!
ARCHIE
They think you and me are going to fall apart on our owns. But they don't know us. Were going to be OK ain't we? Ain't we?
STEPHANIE
Guess so.
ARCHIE
After you eat your lunch I'll walk you back to school.
STEPHANIE
You don't have to.
ARCHIE
I got to. I got to go up and see that truant officer. Ain't that ridicules. Your the guy that goes awol and I'm the guy that has to face the court's martial.
FADE TO SCHOOL OFFICE.
ACT TWO SCENE TWO
INT.SCHOOL OFFICE-AFTERNOON
Archie is sitting in the "truant officer's" waiting room between two young boys. Meanwhile in the truant officer's office.
MS.WAKEFIELD
Oh Bob throwing things in class. I understand how you feel school if full of frustrations failures disappointments.
Camera pans over to Bob and he is a middle aged man.
WAKEFIELD (cont'd)
It's OK to be angry about that, but you can't express that anger with violence.
BOB
It was self defense.
WAKEFIELD
That shouldn't be necessary.
Ms. Wakefield gets up and starts to walk to the door.
WAKEFIELD (cont'd)
Remember Bob when your trying to control 35 boys in shop class nothing is more important then calm.
Ms.Wakefield opens the door and Bob leaves the room.
WAKEFIELD (cont'd)
Mr. Bunker, please come in.
Archie gets up from between the two young boys and enters Wakefield's office.
WAKEFIELD (cont'd)
I'm Ms. Wakefield we spoke earlier on the phone.
ARCHIE
Ya ya I know, but I can't help saying I'm surprised you know. Seeing you a grown-up women and a good looking women too I might add doing this type of work.
WAKEFIELD
What?
ARCHIE
Being a truant officer torturing little kids.
WAKEFIELD
Oh Mr. Bunker I'm not a truant officer. I'm a councillor.
Wakefield shows Archie the her degree on her wall.
ARCHIE
What is that Barn Yard Collage.
WAKEFIELD
That's Barnard.
ARCHIE
Oh Barnard! Do yous have a football team?
WAKEFIELD
No there the state champions in debating.
ARCHIE
Debating oh biggie.
WAKEFIELD
Please sit down I like to talk to you about Stephanie.
Archie and Ms.Wakefield sit down.
WAKEFIELD (cont'd)
First of all I wasn't you to know how sorry I am to hear about your wife.
ARCHIE
Oh yah well thanks very much.
WAKEFIELD
And I realize this is a difficult time for Stephanie.
ARCHIE
Ya well we don't need to go into all of that you know. I had a nice little talk with her this noon. She ain't going to play hookey no more.
WAKEFIELD
That's good! Did you find out what the problem is.
ARCHIE
Ya all the kids was treating her funny, but that's normal the same thing is happening to me. You know the guys down at my bar ever since I lost my wife.
WAKEFIELD
Did Stephanie attend the funeral?
ARCHIE
Attend sure! Her and me were the first to the grave.
WAKEFIELD
well I'm glad she had a chance to mourn with the family.
ARCHIE
Oh we mourned first class let me tell you.
WAKEFIELD
Does Stephanie talk very much about her aunt?
ARCHIE
Oh well she tries to you know, but I get her right off of that.
WAKEFIELD
Well sometimes people want to talk about their sadness with somebody close to them.
ARCHIE
Yah I know I know they keep wanting to drag it out and drag it out you know,but they aut to be forgetting and getting on with life.
WAKEFIELD
I suppose you haven't given Stephanie anything that belonged to your wife.
ARCHIE
Oh no God. What do you think I am a dope? Gees I have not looked and any of that stuff my self. But I want to pack it away when I get a chance.
WAKEFIELD
Mr. Bunker I think your wrong. I think you should let Stephanie go through those things with you and pick out something that belonged to your wife. It is very helpful to have a special keepsake.
ARCHIE
Are you kidding?
WAKEFIELD
No I'm not kidding.
ARCHIE
Oh well I don't know what I'm doing here wasting my time. Gees you and me are talking two different languages.
Archie gets up to leave. Ms.Wakefield gets up.
WAKEFIELD
Afraid so!
ARCHIE
Oh listen I done what you want. I got the kid back in school. That's what you were worrying about. You don't have to worry about nothing no more goodbye.
Archie goes to the door.
WAKEFIELD
I'm not finished.
ARCHIE
Well I am!
WAKEFIELD
Mr. Bunker children just like adults need to deal with death it's part of life. Stephanie need to talk about this. If she doesn't it could have serious consequences.
ARCHIE
I know my job and I'm doing it.
You just do your job, case closed.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF PART ONE
PART TWO
ACT THREE SCENE ONE
FADE IN:
INT.BAR Kitchen-day
Veronica is filling two cups with coffee camera pans over to Archie and Murray.
ArCHIE
First thing she tells me she ain't a truant officer she's a councilor. Geese what the hell is the difference
Murray
Well truant officers get them back to school the councilors keep them there.
ARCHIE
Well I always thought a councilor was someone who changed wet sheets at a summer camp.
VERONICA
We didn't have no councilors when I was a kid. All I had was a Gym Coach and the only counseling she ever gave me was that all boys was dirty.
Two Coffees one with sugar one without.
MURRAY
Well which ones mine.
VERONICA
The one with.
MURRAY
Which one is it.
Veronica puts her finger in one of the cups and then puts her finger in her mouth. Digested Murray pushes that cup to Veronica.
MURRAY
You know something I think that councilor is right. Stephanie can't handle thing the way you can. So I think you should do whatever the councilor told you to do.
Veronica
That's what I say.
ARCHIE
But she said I ought to let Stephanie help me go through all of Edith's stuff. You know Pack and maybe let her keep something that belonged to her.
MURRAY
Well that's a good idea!
VERONICA
I kept my Aunt Josie's amides rosary beads.
MURRAY
It over a month it's time.
ARCHIE
Yah well I guess its got to be done.
MURRAY
Well who else is going to do it?
ARCHIE
Veronica!
VERONICA
What! No! No no! no! I know what you think. You want me to go over to your place tomorrow and help pack up all Edith's clothes and stuff.
ARCHIE
You wouldn't have to do it alone you know. I could get our neighbor Polly Swanson to come in and help you.
Veronica starts to cry.
VERONICA
Oh Archie! Archie!
Veronica cry's some more.
ARCHIE
Alright alright forget it forget it.
VERONICA
I'll do it I'll do it. I just got to do this first.
Veronica walks away crying. Murray gets up to follow her Archie tugs on his arm.
ARCHIE
No wait a Minute wait a Minute where-where are you going?
MURRAY