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First-Hand Experience

Album: 21: Wish You Were Here

Episode: 274

Lesson/Theme: Friendship; doing good things for God's glory.

Bible Verse: Colossians 3:17

Characters: Bernard, Eugene

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: July 23, 1994

Last Air Date: February 10, 2009

Description:
Bernard Walton is off to San Diego, California, to buy a new truck. As he heads out of town, he comes across Eugene. Eugene is also heading out of town for his summer break. He has bought an open-ended bus ticket, and Bernard agrees to take him to the station. Once there, Eugene randomly picks out his destination. It turns out to be Bakersfield, California. Eugene comments that he and Bernard may see each other on the road. They part to head off on their respective journeys. But a few hours down the road, Bernard's truck starts giving him trouble. He pulls over to see what the problem is. A little while later, Eugene's bus speeds past Bernard. Eugene sees Bernard stranded. Eugene pulls the emergency cord, grabs his knapsack, and bolts from the bus. The two manage to make it to a truck-stop diner. Bernard gets his truck fixed. He takes off, leaving Eugene to wait for the next bus. While Eugene is waiting, a policeman walks up with a woman from the previous bus. The woman accuses Eugene of stealing her knapsack. Things are confusing for a few moments until the policeman deduces that Eugene grabbed the wrong knapsack when he got off the bus. Unfortunately, the lady's ticket was non-refundable and non-transferable. She's stuck. The police officer suggests that Eugene buy her a new ticket. After all, it was his fault she had to retrieve her knapsack and get off the bus. But Eugene doesn't have the money for that. So he gives up his open-ended ticket to make everyone happy. Now Eugene is stranded. Hours later, a waitress at the truck stop tells Eugene he can't stay there forever. The waitress suggests that Eugene mingle with the plumbers at their annual convention. It's convening at the hotel across the street. Eugene agrees, and runs into Bernard. Bernard offers to take Eugene along with him to California. Eugene accepts. He has found that sometimes you don't know who your friends really are . . . until you need them.

Questions:
What do you think about Eugene's decision to buy an open-ended ticket, one without a clear destination? Was that brave or foolish? Explain. If someone like Eugene sat down next to you on a bus, how would you treat him? Why? Why didn't Bernard want to admit that he had done something nice for Eugene?