The Petries were asked by Ritchie's 7th grade English teacher Miss Johnson to have a meeting with her to talk about his grades. They agreed to meet her at 4:00pm.
When they arrived, they were treated to a most unusual sight:
Piano music was playing from a record player in the classroom. And Miss Johnson was dancing to it—barefooted!
Rob and Laura stood at the classroom entrance and watched her with fascination. Finally, the music ended, and she turned the record player off. It was at this point that they walked in and greeted her.
"Forgive my appearance; I was just practicing my dancing. I do that as a sideline to my teaching."
"We know; we were watching you," said Rob.
"You're really good!" added Laura.
"You really think so?" Miss Johnson asked.
"Yes, I do! And I'm a former dancer, myself!"
She smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. Petrie. Excuse me, a moment." She walked over to her desk and put her shoes back on. "There. We can get started, now."
"Do you usually dance barefooted?" Laura asked.
"Almost always! You see, I dance the modern dance style, which is usually barefooted."
"Oh, yes!"
They spent the next 15 minutes talking about Ritchie and his grades. Afterwards, they were about to leave.
"Miss Johnson, I've just come up with a great idea: How would you like to be a guest on the Alan Brady Show?"
This shocked her. "You want me to appear on his show?"
"Yes, I do; I think you are really good!"
"I agree," said Laura. "I think you are a very talented dancer, and you'll make a great guest on the show."
"Well, if he'll have me, I'd be willing to do it," said Miss Johnson. "How do we go about this?"
"Tell you what: Here's my card." He pulled out his wallet and gave Miss Johnson one of his business cards. "You call me at my office, and we'll arrange a time to meet. I'll introduce you to Mel Cooley; he's the show's program director. If he likes you—and I'm sure he will! —you're as good as being a guest on the show!"
"Sounds great! Perhaps my career will change from teacher to dancer!"
"Yes, I think it will!"
They said their goodbyes, and the Petries left.
They arranged a 3:30pm meeting that Wednesday, and Rob agreed to pick her up from the school. He picked her up, and they went to the office. Buddy, Sally, and Mel were there.
"Hi, everyone," said Rob. "This is Miss Ellen Johnson."
They said hi.
She said hi, then she looked around. "I think I'll need a little space, please."
The guys moved the table to the side.
"Thanks. Do you have a record player?"
"Right here," said Sally.
"Good, thanks."
Rob put the record on. Miss Johnson took her shoes off by the couch.
"I like to go barefooted, too," said Sally.
Miss Johnson smiled. "It's a part of my dancing."
"Oh, I see!"
The music began, and so did her dance. It was pretty much the same as the one Rob and Laura saw, except that she had less space to use. The others watched in awe, and at the end they applauded.
Mel walked over to her. "Miss Johnson, how would you like to be a guest on the Alan Brady Show?"
"It would be an honor, Mr. Cooley!"
Everyone cheered. She hugged and kissed Mel, then she hugged the Petries and Buddy and Sally.
Ellen Johnson premiered on the Alan Brady Show on October 7, 1965, She was very well received and came back for three more appearances. Sadly, her dancing career didn't really take off, so she went back to teaching.
