When Bad Isn't So Good

At Whit’s End, Rusty Gordon receives a free triple-decker sundae for earning an unusually good test grade. Sam Johnson is frustrated because his own good behavior and strong grades are treated as ordinary. Rusty explains that a person with a bad reputation gets far more attention for doing one good thing. If Sam wants praise, Rusty says, he must first become known for doing wrong.

Sam deliberately answers only one question on a history test, intending to fail. The plan collapses because the teacher has accidentally distributed pages from two different tests. Sam’s one answer is the only valid one, and no one’s grade counts. Rusty laughs that Sam lacks the art of being bad, but Sam becomes determined to prove him wrong.

At the Harlequin Dinner Theater, Edwin Blackgaard resents the success of his scheming twin Regis while Edwin struggles to keep the theater open. A city inspector discovers thirty-two health and safety violations and orders him to install a sprinkler system within a month. Edwin cannot afford the work, and his anger spills out during a promotional appearance on the popular shock-radio program hosted by Cryin’ Bryan Dern.

Instead of discussing his upcoming play, Edwin attacks the city’s rules and employees. Callers eagerly share their grievances, the ratings rise, and Bryan offers Edwin a paid daily segment devoted to everything he hates about Odyssey. Edwin accepts because the attention may sell theater tickets. He soon insults department after department, turning his bitterness into profitable entertainment.

Rusty takes these broadcasts personally because his father works for the city. He decides to retaliate against Edwin and, at the same time, help Sam commit something bad enough to be noticed. First, he gives Sam a brick and points him toward a large pane of glass behind Bernard Walton’s workshop. Sam throws the brick repeatedly, but the pane will not break.

Bernard catches him and explains that the glass is an unbreakable bank window he has just replaced. Sam despairingly confesses that he has been trying to get into trouble so people will finally notice him when he behaves well. Bernard is astonished. Doing what is right should not depend on praise or ice cream, he explains. Goodness is its own reward and always matters, even when the result cannot be seen, because it pleases God. Sam recognizes how foolish his plan has become and goes to stop Rusty’s next scheme.

Edwin’s latest radio target is Odyssey’s volunteer fire department. He calls its members amateurs playing dress-up and jokes about their failures. An angry volunteer calls the show and announces that firefighters will protest outside the theater. Edwin worries until Bryan assures him that controversy is excellent publicity. Encouraged by the ratings, Edwin continues provoking the town.

At the protest, Rusty leads Sam through a backstage entrance. He plans to toss cherry bombs during rehearsal to frighten Edwin and avenge the insult to his father. Sam warns that the explosives are dangerous and says he no longer wants any part of wrongdoing. Rusty refuses to stop and lights them anyway.

The blasts terrify Edwin and Shakespeare, but sparks ignite the stage curtain. Rusty runs away, leaving Sam behind. The newly required sprinkler system has not been installed, and the fire spreads while Edwin struggles to abandon his theater. Sam remembers that the protesting firefighters are just outside and races to summon them.

The volunteers enter through the smoke and order everyone out. Edwin asks why they would help after everything he said about them. Their answer is simple: saving the building is their job. The people Edwin mocked risk themselves and preserve his theater.

On his final appearance with Bryan, Edwin publicly apologizes, especially to the volunteer firefighters. He thanks them for their courage and thanks Sam by name for bringing help. Rather than continuing to profit from anger, Edwin acknowledges the compassionate citizens he had unfairly attacked.

Rusty is noticed by the police for starting the fire, while Sam is honored for doing the right thing. Eugene and Bernard give Sam a triple-decker sundae of his own. Sam reminds Bernard that goodness is supposed to be its own reward. Bernard agrees, but decides that an occasional sundae does no harm.