- Teenagers at a party received news that a car driven by one a friend hit a pedestrian, and that a bottle was found in the car. This provokes a debate on drinking, with opinions ranging from it always being bad for everyone to it being something you should do to avoid looking like a square.—arthurblock
- At a small party, teenagers are having a good time dancing and socializing when Susan gets a phone call: Their friends Bob and Ted were in an accident. Bob was driving and hit a pedestrian, and the police found a bottle in the car. "Now they're really in trouble," says one boy, prompting Sally to say that's as it should be, since "drinking is about the worst thing you can do." Jerry points out that nothing was said about Bob and Ted actually drinking, then Jack and Tom accuse Sally of being prejudiced. As she starts to reply angrily, Jerry and Susan step in to get everyone to cool off. Jack apologizes, and a debate on the pros and cons of drinking continues more politely.
Jack opposes Sally's blanket condemnation of drinking, suggesting that it's a matter of moderation. He points out that no one says that pickles per se are bad for you, but if you ate too many, you'd get sick. His speech segues into a flashback of Jack's father talking to him at home. Dad mentions that having alcohol around the house is a family tradition, and he doesn't object to Jack drinking. He does condemn drunkenness, and says that drinking and driving is criminal. However, he thinks "there's nothing like a drink before dinner to settle your nerves and give you an appetite. " The flashback ends and Jack says that his father would never have taken that position if drinking were as bad as Sally claimed. When asked how he knows he'd be able to avoid getting drunk, he replies that he's not a baby and knows his limits.
"Everyone says that", responds Sally. As she begins to explain the source of her own attitude, there's another flashback. Reverend Brewster addresses a young people's meeting at church. He claims that no one who knows all the facts could condone drinking. It makes people act irresponsibly and forget about human dignity and spiritual values. Back at the party, Susan counters that her church doesn't take a flat position on drinking and leaves it to the individual. She personally has no interest in drinking, but doesn't mind if others do, "as long as they behave themselves."
As the discussion continues, it comes out that Tom's father is an alcoholic. Tom is willing to discuss the issue, pointing out that the family tried to hide the fact at first, but long ago learned to acknowledge the fact. A third flashback takes us to Dr. Brune, who explains to Tom that alcoholism is an illness. He says there's no way to predict who will be unable to control their drinking, but most alcoholics can recover with proper treatment. The flashback ends and Tom points out that he's not afraid of becoming an alcoholic himself because Dr. Brune told him this wasn't something you inherit. He won't let his father's illness keep him from going along with the gang. Paul expands on this last point, claiming that you should drink so people won't "think you're a square."
By now, all those present have voiced an opinion except Jerry, and the others press him for his views. He replies that he was more interested in listening, and that it's a hard question to answer. The party discussion fades out, and Jerry addresses the viewer directly. He mentions that this was he first time the members of the group had expressed themselves on this topic. He introduces a brief review of the points made by Sally, Jack, and the others. Jerry asks us "What to you think? What about drinking?"
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