In Act Three, Richard and Robbie make a video tape of Ellen as she gives her campaign speech. And Richard figures out a way for people to see the video tape. Later, the family listens to the election news. Will Ellen win the election?
[ Inside the house, Richard is playing back a videotape of Ellen's TV campaign message on a small screen. ]
Ellen: ...my slogan is "I care". I care about people, not things. Vote for me, Ellen Stewart. I care. How was it?
Richard: You were terrific!
Ellen: Can I see it?
Richard: Sure.
[ Richard rewinds and plays back the recorded message. ]
Ellen: Hello. My name is Ellen Stewart, and I'm running for the open seat on the school board. My slogan is "I care". What does the word care mean?... I care about people, not things. Vote for me, Ellen Stewart. I care.
Philip: I like it, but now what? How can we possibly get it on so Riverdale will see it and hear it?
Richard: Leave it to me.
[ Cut to various electronics stores across town. Every TV display is playing Ellen's speech simultaneously. Later, back in the living room. ]
Ellen: ...I mean that when I say "I care". I care about people, not things. Vote for me, Ellen Stewart. I care.
Marilyn: What happened?
Richard: Mom is now on television in every appliance store in Riverdale, except Hamlin's. He's a Boswell voter.
Philip: That's a brilliant idea, Richard!
Grandpa: You inherited your father's brains.
Philip: We got our brains from you, Dad.
Richard: And guess what? I called Channel 5. Their TV news is going to cover it. "Housewife campaigns in appliance stores." And I'll bet some magazine will pick up the story, too.
Robbie: Mom, you're going to win! I know it!
Philip: Hold it, Robbie! Just cool down. I know we're getting some attention now, but in the end the voters will have to decide.
Grandpa: You're going to win. Trust me!
[ Election night. The family gathers around the TV to watch the election broadcast. ]
Reporter: In the hotly contested race for the one seat on the Riverdale School Board, Mrs. Ellen Stewart has taken an early lead.
Robbie: She's winning! Mom, you're winning!
Reporter: Now returning to other local news... Riverdale High School beat its rival Horace Mann in baseball today...
Ellen: It's too soon to know for certain.
Philip: You're ahead. That's better than being behind.
Reporter: More sports after this.
Ellen: It's not over yet. Let's just all calm down, and wait for the final results.
Grandpa: Ellen, why don't you go out to the backyard and get some fresh air?
Ellen: Thank you, Grandpa. I need some.
[ Later. Ellen returns from the backyard to hear the final results. ]
Ellen: What happened?
Philip: You came very close, Ellen.
Grandpa: You lost by only a hundred and twenty-one votes.
Ellen: I lost.
Richard: You tried, Mom.
Marilyn: You lost by a very small number of votes.
Robbie: Only one hundred and twenty-one votes! I'm sorry, Mom.
Ellen: There just wasn't enough time.
Philip: Look, you've made a very strong impression on our community. You'll have another chance next election.
[ The phone rings. Philip answers it. ]
Philip: Hello. Oh, yes, yes, Mr. Maxwell.
[ Philip hands the phone to Ellen. ]
Ellen: Hello, Mr. Maxwell.
Maxwell: How are you? I just called to tell you that you are very impressive. You lost the election, but you won the attention of the residents of Riverdale, of Boswell, and of me.
Ellen: Well, thank you, Mr. Maxwell. I appreciate your kind words. I needed that.
Maxwell: I hear Boswell wants to appoint you to a special arts committee. I'm sending over a reporter in the morning to interview you.
Ellen: You are?
Maxwell: I'm going to do an article on "Ellen Stewart—she cares." Maybe we'll all care now. Good-bye.
Ellen: Thank you—and good-bye.
[ Ellen hangs up the phone. ]
Philip: What was that about?
Ellen: You were right, Philip. I did make a difference in town.
Robbie: And in this family.