In class it's not so bad, but when schools out and the others go off to enjoy
themselves, well, if you're what they call a shy guy, that's when you really feel
the loneliness of being new in town.
You don't know how to make people like you, and you find yourself
holding a grudge against them.
You're standing on the outside looking in. You might have something to contribute
to their conversation, but nobody cares whether you do or not. There's a barrier,
and you don't know how to begin breaking it down.
You imagine they keep watching the way you look, the way you act.
They think you're different.
So you head for home. What else? But still you can't forget that you're
alone, an outsider.
Hello, Phil. How's everything?
Oh, okay, I guess, Dad.
Your record transmitter and microphone coming.
Oh, all right, I guess. I know it isn't either.
I can't figure out where to connect in the oscillator. I know I have to connect
it into the amplifier, but where? It just doesn't fit in.
Why not store and get more information? And by the
way, how are things going in school?
Oh, okay, Dad. But school here isn't like it was back in Morristown.
Well, you know, son, maybe school is like your radio. This
oscillator will do its work well.
But as you said, you still have to fit it in so
it can work with all the other parts.
I know what you're driving at, Dad, but I don't think I ever will fit in, not
here. I'm different from the guys in this town.
Well, as far as that goes, Phil, everybody's
different. That's what makes people interesting.
Maybe.
You know, when we moved here this summer, I had quite a time making friends in a
new office where everybody else knew each other.
What'd you do, Dad?
Well, that's beside the point, son. What works for one
doesn't necessarily work for another.
But I bet the other men didn't look at your clothes all the time.
Well, what makes you think they look at your clothes?
Oh, because the other fellas wear sweaters or just shirts.
Not a regular suit like mine.
Well, wear a sweater, then. The clothes alone won't...
Phil, what about the other fellas? What do they do? What do they like?
Gosh, Dad, I don't know. I never noticed. Only I know it's not radios.
Perhaps that's the reason you don't know. You don't notice what the others are
interested in. Why not try to find out?
How, Dad?
Well, you might try watching, listening. Pick out the most popular boys and girls
in school and keep an eye on them.
Try to figure out why people like them. Not that you'll ever be just like any of
them, but you might learn something.
Well, see you there.
Now, there's an idea. Maybe a good idea. Worth a try, anyway. And
tomorrow's not too soon this start.
Pick out the most popular boys and girls in school and keep an eye on
them. Who are they now?
Some of them are right here in this class.
Andy McIntyre, for instance. People like him all right.
Chick Gallagher rates high in popularity, too.
There's Jane Davenport. She's popular with boys and girls.
And Jack Gilbert. What's he got that makes people like him so much?
Andy's got something to say in Jack's listening. He really seems interested.
Come to think of it, Jack's always interested in what people are talking about.
Maybe that's why he hits it off so well with everybody.
Anyhow, Andy thinks he's a great guy.
No, that's too easy. Just listening.
But what's this?
Sounds like Jane's caught onto the same thing. She's listening.
Hearing about Helen's collection of menus and liking it.
That makes her kingpin with Helen.
Maybe there is something in this business of being a good listener.
But still, there must be more to getting along with people than just wearing a
sweater and listening.
What's the matter, Bob? Handle stuck?
Yeah, I can't get it open.
Here, let me try. It's a trick to some of these. There.
Geez, thanks a lot, Chick.
Now, why didn't you think of that? Chick's always doing things for
people. And it pays off in friends.
Well, that sure is one tough history it's only after Friday. Wish I
could find some good outside reading material.
I found a swell book that covers everything Miss Carson wants us to know. It's
called The Last Days of Monarchism by Henry
Darrow. You can get it at the library.
I'm sure glad you told me about it.
I'll get it this afternoon. Thanks a lot, Bob.
It's okay, Chick.
You dope. You knew about that book.
You could have been the guy that helped the guy.
There it is again. Even when you bump into people, they hardly know you're alive.
You know, it's a big cold day.
You're alone, bud. Alone in
the crowd. But keep looking around. Try to find out what the score
is. Look at Jack and Beazey over there.
Girls seem to like them. Why? What's the angle?
They do act kind of polite. At least they seat the girls and give their ownership
of the waiter. They aren't allowed like some of the guys.
Cherry coke, chocolate coke, milkshake and
mallet. Double chocolate mallet. Okay, I got it.
It's too hard, please. I've got the orders from my
table. Just helping out during rush hour, Bob.
Gee, thanks a lot, Chick. That's swelling.
Hey, girl.
There's Chick being helpful again.
I can't quite decide. I love the way she's carrying on.
Hey, don't tell me you two are still talking clothes. Was this a
plot that's Welch all-males present?
[...] we didn't.
Don't
sit
down. Make yourself at home.
Hey, where you are here?
Pretty good. Come on, sir.
Hello, everybody. Okay.
We men need some support to run down this girlie's chatter.
Hey, you want a walk, don't you? Yo, Bob.
The topic of our discussion is the mixer next Friday
night at school. You're going, aren't you?
I don't know, Chick. I haven't got a date yet.
Well, grab yourself a girl and come along. It's not going to be a real party.
Just a class game together for some fun.
So I'd like to, Chick. Yeah, I sure would.
Yeah, I sure would be something to take Mary Lou to the mixer.
I wonder if she already has a date.
Well, how's the oscillator coming along?
Hi, Dad. Oh, I haven't quite got it working yet.
But you know that other business we were talking about?
Oh, I've been following your advice.
How about it? Find out anything?
Yeah, Dad, I think I did. It looks like people who get along best with other
people are, well, the people who think about the other guy.
They make a point of listening to what others have to say and watching for ways
to do things for them, being polite toward them.
Do you suppose it's sort of a case of thinking so much about
other people that you don't have much time to tell?
Well, perhaps that's right. Maybe the best way to find out is to
try it the next chance you get.
You know, Dad, there's a mixer Friday night.
I wasn't going to go, but in the drugstore
the other day, Chick said I ought to come.
Good idea, Phil.
Well, Dad, there is a girl I'd like to take. Mary Lou Wright.
But I'm not sure she'd go with me. Never even talked to her. I'd
probably fall all over myself.
Besides, she's popular. She's probably got a date by now.
Well, it is pretty late to ask a girl.
Why don't you just go stag? You needn't worry about doing anything wrong,
Phil. You act all right.
Just do and say whatever seems most natural.
Well, Dad, maybe it will be easier after
I've had a chance to talk to her at the mixer.
You know what? I kind of think this is going to fit in after all.
Well, this is it. Sink or swim.
Oh, oh, there's Mary Lou. She did come with another guy.
Beasy Barnes. What now?
[...] oh, there's Mary Lou. She did come with another guy.
[...]
They're breaking the piano game.
Look at Beasy, listening first to one boy and another.
It's not even the way people flock around a good listener.
But what's this? They're talking about radios.
It's right down your alley. They're asking Beasy about...
And he's stuck.
You know the answer to that one. You could tell him.
But she just abut in.
Beasy's still stuck. He really needs help.
Help?
That's it.
An offer of help. That's welcome anywhere.
It's not hard to fit yourself into a conversation.
A mention of a similar problem in connection with the record player.
They are interested in that record player.
They are interested in that shy guy.
They know he's alive now.
And strangely enough, he's just discovered that they're alive.
Of course they'd like to see the record player.
Of course they'll come over.
Tomorrow afternoon.
I just have to do a little more soldering and connect the oscillator and the
amplifier and everything will fit in.
Oh, Phil, could you have it ready by next week and bring it over to my house?
I guess so.
Some of the gang's coming over Thursday night
and we could have a lot of fun with it.
You will come, won't you?
Well, one shy guy is on his way.
Not that his worries are over.
He'll still have his moments of doubt, of hesitation, of fear that
he might do something wrong.
But he can face these problems now because he knows that
he's not really different.
And while he's discovered only a few of many ways to overcome shyness, he's
discovered that it can be done.
And that's the main thing, isn't it?