Thu, Jan 8, 1953
Riley receives a letter from the president of the airplane plant in which he works, Cyrus P. Cunningham, announcing that the company will honor Riley's ten years of service with a luncheon in the boardroom the following day. Excited, Riley dragoons his pal Gillis into checking out the boardroom during their lunch hour, and Riley comes across a piece of paper that says "Riley -- Gift -- CAR." The entire Riley family rejoices at the prospect of receiving a car from the boss. The next day, Riley is deflated when he learns that his gift is considerably less grand than an automobile. He spends the rest of the week trying without success to bring himself to tell Peg and the kids that they will be riding the bus for some time to come. (The Paley Center for Media)