I Love Ya

Based on How to Beat a Superman

(Season 2 Episode 12 of I Dream of Jeannie Originally Aired November 28, 1966.)

Available on YouTube and/or DVD

I own nothing...

R.I.P. Larry Hagman

General Peterson and Tony have a rare heart to heart conversation that gives a little insight of how he really feels about Jeannie.

General Peterson: Tony, if you're having a problem with a girl, maybe I can give you a little advice.

Tony: It maybe a little too late for advice sir. I think I've lost her.

General Peterson: Do you love her?

Tony: I'm crazy about her…

General Peterson: Have you told her that?

Tony: Well, I think she knows.

General Peterson: Then you haven't told her?

Tony: Well, no… not exactly.

General Peterson: Son, when you're after an objective, the first rule in love or war is an all out frontal attack.

Tony: Eh?

General Peterson: If you really want her; go get her…..

It's after three o'clock in the morning…where IS she?

Tony paced up and down his small foyer, incensed and full of nervous energy. He had not gone to sleep since Jeannie left to go on her date.

I shouldn't have ignored her. All of this started because of that darn football game. It all seemed quite trivial now. What was I thinking? How could I have been so stupid? She's clearly the best thing that has happened to me and now she's out with him… that Tony Millionaire or whatever his name is.

It makes my blood boil when I think of what they may be doing. I know that creep has his paws all over her. ...hands circled around her waist, lips planted in the crook of her neck… whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

I wanted to be her first.

What does he have that I don't? Who cares if he was a full-back for Notre Dame, a Rhodes Scholar from Oxford, or had a black belt in karate? I could take him on anytime, anywhere.

I blame myself. I began to work late nights, leave early in the mornings—sometimes while she still slept in her bottle.

I grew complacent, started taking her for granted. It had been ages since I've taken her out for dinner, dancing or a walk out on the beach.

She loved the beach. It was reminiscent of the place where we first met. She'd blink up a basket and we would trek down there for a moonlit picnic. Most of the time, she'd end up in my arms as we gazed up at the starry sky.

Not anymore.

What can I do to get her back? Darn it, I wish Rog would have been able to give me Jeannie's birthday. I could have whisked her away for a night of dinner and dancing. Who am I kidding? By this time, he's made her forget all about me.

Suddenly he heard a car pull up. Tony opened the door slightly and peeked out.

It's them!

He rushed to his room, turned out the lights and hopped into bed before Jeannie could catch him by the door.

Jeannie walked in. "Master…are you awake?" She tapped the bed.

Feigning sleep, he stirred briefly beneath the covers. "Ummmm. Is that you, Jeannie?"

Onto his game, she smiled inwardly, "Oh, I'm sorry to have awakened you, Master. I thought you might have been waiting up for me."

"Why should I wait up for you? I've been asleep for hours. What time is it?"

"1:00."

Tony jumped out of the bed, furious. "It's 3:17 in the morning and what do you mean by staying out half the night with a man you don't even know!"

Jeannie is startled, but amused by her master's jealousy.

Soon he is ranting and raving around the room, something about con artists and heiresses. His bright red robe becoming undone in the process. She tries to sneak a peek, but he reties it before she can get a good look. Darn his modesty.

Now he stood right before her. "I betcha he didn't even pay for dinner!" His eyes bore down on her, breath hot in her face.

She kept her cool. "You are right; I did not see him pay."

"Yeah, yeah see there…"Sensing a small victory, he straightens his back and begins to interrogate her further. "Where did you eat?" He barked.

"On his yacht," she said nonchalantly.

Visibly shaken, he replies, "On his yacht?"

"Yes, it is a HUNDRED feet long!" She boasts. "He owns diamond mines."

She decides to up the game. A huge diamond appears on her left ring finger.

"See what he gave me?" She dangles it in front of his face.

Still unwilling to surrender, he inspects the ring. "What is this? Some kind of sample?"

"An engagement ring… Good night, Master." She kisses his nose and bounces happily from the room.

"Yacht…" he mumbles.

The gears began to turn in his head.

I've got to figure out a way to win her back.