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The Trouble With Girls

Album: Gold Audio: The Lost Episodes

Episode: 117

Lesson/Theme: Crushes; puppy love.

Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 13

Characters: George, Jimmy, Connie, Eugene, Whit

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: June 30, 1990

Last Air Date: June 12, 2008

Description:
"The Trouble With Girls" is a remake of "Bobby's Valentine," OUSA episode #13. Jimmy Barclay replaces Bobby, Jessie replaces Amy, and Eugene replaces Officer Harley. It's Valentine's Day in Odyssey, and Bobby is flustered. There is a note in the mailbox addressed to him. The note is from Amy, who thinks Bobby is the cutest boy in school. She wants to go steady with him. Bobby, however, wants to stay as far from Amy as possible. Later, in the cafeteria, Bobby tells his friend Jeff about the problem. Jeff thinks Bobby should tell Amy to get lost, then throw mud on her. Fortunately, Bobby knows there are better ways to handle this. He resolves to talk to Amy, but the bell rings before he can do it. After school, Amy sits at the counter in Whit's End, waiting for her true love. Connie walks over, and the two talk about Bobby. Amy says she's written Bobby several notes and poems, but he hasn't responded to her. Connie suggests a trick that once worked for her: ignoring him. Meanwhile, Bobby and Jeff run into Officer Harley, who is on a stakeout in the middle of the sidewalk. Bobby explains his problem to the well-meaning officer, who suggests that Bobby should tell Amy he's madly in love with her. Harley says that if Amy thinks she can have Bobby's affection, she won't want him. Both youngsters put their plans into action. Unfortunately, once Bobby professes his "like" for Amy, she vows to be his forever and to never leave him-then rushes off to record her feelings in her diary. The following week, Amy dotes on Bobby, writing him more notes and poems. She even gives him flowers while he's playing softball. Finally, Bobby seeks out Whit. Whit suggests that Bobby just wait until the crush passes, but Bobby doesn't want to wait. So Whit says the best thing to do is be direct and honest with Amy. Tell her the truth. Bobby screws up his courage and starts to confront Amy-but before he can say anything, she breaks up with him. Much to Bobby's relief, Amy has a new crush: Officer Harley! Bobby is amused by Amy's crush on Officer Harley but is generally bewildered by the whole experience. Isn't love grand?

Questions:
Why is it a bad idea to "play games" with someone's emotions? What's the difference between acting friendly and being a pest? List some ways that you can best deal with people who make you uncomfortable.