First mate's log:
May 12, 1973
Cindy got chosen for the quiz show! She's very excited.
I congratulated her and asked, "How did Bobby do?"
"I don't know, I left as soon as I found out about me. But he was pretty sure he'd win, and he is one of the smartest kids in his class."
Bobby showed up about five minutes after she left, right before the ferry was about to head out, so we couldn't talk too long. He didn't get chosen and he was very disappointed, even though I didn't think he cared that much. He said it was a really hard test. I knew better than to tell him about Cindy, since he didn't seem to know yet.
I'll be sure to tune in, whenever the episode is, as long as I'm not on the ferry of course.
Carol Brady's diary:
May 13, 1973
Cindy is going to be on the quiz show, but Bobby is not. I'm very proud of her, especially since she studied so hard, even when Grandma Connie was here. As for Bobby, he acted like it wasn't a big deal, but he's clearly disappointed that he didn't just ace the exam without trying.
And guess when the episode will air live? That's right, this Saturday evening. I'm afraid to even reschedule the party again at this point, at least until a week goes by without dramatic events.
May 15, 1973
Peter and Marcia complained to me about Cindy yesterday.
He said, "She's got a real swollen head about being a 'TV star,' even though we were all on that talent show months ago."
Marcia added, "Yeah, and she's worrying about how she's going to fix her hair and what outfit she'll wear. Even though Jan and I told her that it's a brain quiz, not a beauty contest."
I offered them sympathy and didn't mention the times when their heads swelled up, Peter's when he was a "hero" for rescuing a little girl at a toy store, and Marcia's when she was cast as "noble and beautiful" Juliet. I figure, like them, she'll get a dose of reality at some point, maybe on the quiz show, and go back to being a nice, normal kid.
May 17, 1973
Not for the first time, one of my children has let praise and success go to his or her head. It's Cindy's turn now. It's not just that she thinks wining the qualifying exam makes her smarter than Bobby, and most of the students at their school. She also thinks she'll be a "TV star," from one appearance on a local-access program with seven other children.
When she called Bobby a sore loser, I warned her not to be a sore winner. And I told her that she might find she's a loser someday herself. I don't know if she got the point, but I'm not looking forward to the quiz show on Saturday, whether her team loses or wins. I considered pulling her off the team, but this is a different situation than when Marcia was a prima donna as Juliet, and Cindy doesn't have an understudy or alternate.
May 19, 1973
The quiz show was a disaster! Well, not for the Blenford team, who won and will go up against another Blenford grammar school next month. And most of Cindy's team tried their hardest. As for Cindy, well.
It wasn't that she was lazy or anything, like Bobby not bothering to study for the exam. And it wasn't that she was overconfident and conceited. She actually lost all her confidence and didn't say anything. I guess it was sort of like stage fright, except she was fine as the Fairy Princess years ago. And she's even been on television before. But maybe it felt different this time.
It was painful to watch, but I kept watching, like a train accident. Plus, I knew that her brothers and sisters would want to discuss it with me later. (She'll probably be too embarrassed, at least at first.)
I just remembered that "the Silver Platters" didn't win either. But at least Cindy was able to open her mouth and sing.
May 21, 1973
Poor Cindy froze up on television on Saturday. As soon as the red light went on, she looked like a deer frozen in the headlights. Mike and I watched helplessly backstage. It was a very quiet boat ride home afterwards.
I worried that her siblings would mock her and gloat, but i was pleasantly surprised. They didn't say a word about her performance but instead complimented her hair and outfit. Not that I want my girls to just focus on their looks, but in this case it was allowable.
And Bobby impressed me the most with unexpected maturity. He told Cindy that he was the real "dum-dum" for not trying his best to get on the show. Not that I want my children calling themselves or each other stupid, but I understood the intention.
And, yes, I wish we had just gone ahead with the party instead. I talked it over with Alice and we agreed that it would be nice to have a barbecue after all, with just family and a few guests, since many people will be at Gilligan and Mary Ann's wedding, and Grandma and Grandpa can meet some of them there.
I wanted to have the party next weekend, which is Memorial Day Weekend. Yes, some people would already have plans, but others would be able to make it. Unfortunately, Mike would not be one of them.
He told me last night that Mr. Howell wants him to fly out to Honolulu to check on the construction project again. He leaves on Friday. But he might be able to talk Mr. Howell into paying for my airfare. Yes, it'd be funny to spend a weekend in the same place our grandparents just spent their honeymoon, but it's been an odd month.