The One About Trust

Connie learns that one missing government class may delay her high-school graduation by an entire semester. Because the class is not currently offered, her counselor gives her another option: work through the coming mayoral election on a candidate’s campaign and write a report about the experience. Connie eagerly agrees before discovering who the candidates are.

Bart Rathbone announces another campaign for mayor, promising a kinder Odyssey while promoting the Electric Palace as his headquarters. His opponent, businesswoman Margaret Faye, presents herself as a fresh alternative to the men and business interests she says have controlled the town for years. Unable to imagine working for Bart, Connie volunteers for Margaret.

Whit tells Connie that Margaret holds political views he cannot support, although he still considers her a decent person. He urges Connie to listen carefully and use discernment. Bart and Eugene both question whether she belongs in politics, but Whit defends her right to decide for herself because she is a high-school senior capable of making her own choice.

Margaret is initially suspicious that Whit has sent Connie to spy on her. Once Connie explains the graduation requirement, Margaret challenges her to think independently. She suggests that Whit may not always be fair to women, pointing out that he often leaves Eugene in charge and gives him technical work while Connie waits on tables and washes dishes.

Connie defends Whit, but the questions remain with her. She has always assumed that Eugene’s training explains their different assignments. Now she begins watching Whit’s decisions for evidence that Margaret might be right.

When Eugene carries Whit’s daily receipts to the bank, Connie learns that Whit has never trusted her with the same responsibility. Eugene carelessly explains that Whit probably considers the task more dangerous for a girl. Connie confronts Whit, who admits that he has made that assumption because he believes a young woman carrying money may be a greater target.

Whit denies that Connie’s gender has influenced the other differences in their work. Eugene has a more flexible schedule and possesses the technical training needed for computers and machines. When Connie says she does not want to serve food and clean tables forever, however, Whit recognizes that he has assumed she lacks interest without asking. He apologizes and offers to teach her the basics of computers.

At the bank, Eugene accidentally collides with Doris Rathbone and scatters her campaign flyers. As he helps gather them, the stub from his paycheck becomes mixed into the pile. Bart notices how much Eugene earns and immediately sees a possible weapon for his campaign.

Remembering that Connie routinely throws away her own pay stub, Bart sends Doris into the Whit’s End trash after dark. She finds it, and the amount appears far smaller than Eugene’s. Bart believes the difference can force Whit to endorse him or create a public scandal that will damage both Whit and Margaret.

At Margaret’s headquarters, Connie is pleased when the candidate gives her a special assignment. Margaret has received troubling information about a respected person in Odyssey and wants Connie to determine whether it is true. Only after Connie expresses interest does Margaret reveal the catch: the person she wants investigated is Whit.