"Treasure Hunt"

Airdate: October 5, 1968

Writer: Howard Leeds

Director: Hollingsworth Morse

Rating: 4 bells

Synopsis:

The gas is out of commission at Gull Cottage, meaning there is no hot water and no way to cook. Carolyn intercepts the complaints from the kids and Martha while on her way to work on an article. She has called Claymore three times and he has yet to fix the problem. An explosion from the attic, from the vicinity of the hot water heater, interrupts the discussion.

Carolyn struggles to repair the heater. Captain Gregg appears to protest the noise and her engaging in such unfeminine activity, but contends that such menial work is beneath HIS dignity. When Carolyn counters that he simply doesn't know how to fix the heater, he is compelled to take action. He is smug and she is impressed when, surprisingly, the problem seems to be fixed at his first adjustment. However, a moment later, Martha calls up that they now have no cold water, either. Without another word, Captain Gregg passes the wrench back to Carolyn, who tackles the job again.

In a ploy to trick Claymore into fixing the gas and making other much-needed repairs, Carolyn calls Claymore while Captain Gregg stands by. He doesn't feel she has a chance of convincing Claymore to part with any of his treasured funds to make repairs, and dares her to a five-dollar wager on the outcome. Carolyn tells Claymore that something fabulous and exciting has come up that is to his benefit, and he agrees to come out to discuss the matter. Carolyn explains to the Captain that she plans to appeal to Claymore's vanity. She makes a list of repairs.

Claymore arrives, toolbox in hand, intimidated by Scruffy and fearful of the Captain as usual. Carolyn proceeds to flatter him by proposing an article in a national magazine about Gull Cottage, featuring photographs of him, of course! He is enthusiastic until she points out that certain repairs will have to be made so that the house will be presentable for the photo layout. He then weasels and squirms his way out of every chore except fixing the gas, which he agrees to do only grudgingly.

Carolyn, frustrated and mad, slams into the living room. Captain Gregg appears to collect on their bet, chides her for her language, and teases her for being a poor loser. He apologizes quickly when he sees how upset she is, and she explains that things are "piling up" on her, with deadline pressure, repair expenses, and a trip she had promised the kids now out of reach. He lightens the mood and eases the tension, but when he tries to return the money, saying he wasn't serious about the bet, she refuses, declaring that he is sweet to offer it back. "If there is one thing I'm not, it's SWEET," he retorts, outraged at the notion. "You've really got to watch your language!"

With Scruffy as accomplice, Captain Gregg puts into motion his own scheme to take advantage of another of Claymore's traits: Greed! He makes a phony treasure map and tears it into pieces. While Claymore works on the hot water heater, with Jonathan watching, he tosses the first piece of map into their midst. After a bit of maneuvering, he gets Jonathan to discover the crumpled paper. Claymore pounces on the map and, after some negotiating, agrees to split the treasure fifty-fifty with Jonathan. They swear each other to secrecy. The spot marked for digging happens to be under the broken flagstones that were on Carolyn's repair list. So . . . Claymore decides to make the repairs to cover for the treasure hunt. He informs Carolyn that he has reconsidered and will repair the flagstones after all. Carolyn, thinking her ploy is working, tells the Captain that he may have collected on their bet too soon. Her five-dollar bill floats down to land on her typewriter.

Under the flagstones, the hunters discover a second piece of map. This one indicates that they are to dig under the back trellis which happens to need repairs. Martha interrupts Claymore's dreams of the trappings of fabulous wealth, and he tells her to inform Carolyn that he will be fixing the trellis. Under the trellis they find yet another portion of map, directing them to . . . the broken front gate!

Carolyn is getting nowhere with her article when Martha brings her a coffee break. They discuss Claymore's change of habit, and Carolyn smugly assumes that she has been successful in maneuvering Claymore and that "certain other people" were wrong. After a slamming window prompts Martha's quick exit, Captain Gregg appears and announces that HE has won the bet. Carolyn is skeptical of his explanation until he tells her to ask Jonathan about the treasure hunt. Jonathan doesn't break his oath of secrecy, but Carolyn can tell that the hunt is real.

While Jonathan is in the house, Claymore uncovers a (barely) buried sea chest. He tries to hide it when Jonathan returns, but Scruffy gives him away as everyone comes out to see what is causing all the commotion. Claymore quickly rearranges the deal, claiming the contents of the chest for himself. In the chest he finds . . . a peg leg!

Late that night Carolyn is working on her article when Captain Gregg appears to protest the racket of the typewriter. Carolyn tells him that she is writing the story of the treasure hunt.

Favorite quotes:

Captain: For the life of me, I cannot understand why a ship is always referred to in the female gender. A ship is responsive to command; a female is obstinate. A ship is reliable; a female is erratic and capricious. A ship has its own unique qualities; a female is just like any other female. Madame, I withdraw that. You are not like other females. You are unique.
Carolyn: Thank you. I think.
(Catch the looks she is throwing him!)

Captain: I'm a sea captain, not a plumber.
Carolyn: You don't know how to fix it.
Captain: What I meant was that as a sea captain there are certain tasks that are beneath my dignity to perform. Do I make myself clear?
Carolyn: Perfectly. You don't know how.
Captain: Stand off from that beaker!
Carolyn: Aye-aye, sir!

Carolyn: You've got yourself a bet, Captain. That's in American money, not rusted old sovereigns.

Claymore: Anything-uh-unusual going on?
Jonathan: Like strange noises?
Claymore: Yes!
Jonathan: Mysterious happenings?
Claymore: YES!
Jonathan: And chains clanking?
Claymore: YES!
Jonathan: No.

Carolyn: . . . and now I'll have to use the money for the repairs that your BLAST . . . your stingy nephew won't make.
Captain: For him you can use "blasted".

Carolyn: Well, it just goes to show how right I was about him, and how wrong certain other people can be.
Martha: Uh . . . what "certain other people" are you referring to?Carolyn: Oh, just certain other people who think they're so smart.
SLAM!
Carolyn: What was that?
Martha: You mean that noise that sounded like a window slamming?
Carolyn: Yes.
Martha: I didn't hear it! (beats a hasty retreat!)

Jonathan: How much do you think it's worth, Mom?
Carolyn: Oh, 'bout five dollars.

Captain: If you're trying to flatter your way out of our bet, that female trick won't work. You lost.
Carolyn: Well, that's a woman for you. Guess you can't change us.
Captain: I don't know that I want to. After all, you're still the best opposite sex available.

Favorite moments:

That money-exchanging scene is very sweet (sorry, Captain) and loaded with the subtle between-the-lines stuff we dote on. So is the tag, if you keep Carolyn's remark about women in the context of the show, the time, and the situation.

Sloppy production notes:

The condition of those flagstones certainly varied from one episode to another. To suit the purpose of this episode, they look like a herd of armadillos has been rooting around them.

The actual treasure chest was "buried" at ground level, making one wonder why Claymore didn't just open it without digging all around it.

Contributed by Rhonda Nichols