Benson

As a favor to his employer Jessica Tate, Benson the butler agrees to help her cousin, the newly elected Governor Gatling, settle into the governor's mansion. When Benson arrives at the mansion, he is roughly searched by guards, set upon by vicious Dobermans, caught in the lawn sprinklers and insulted by Gretchen Kraus the belligerent head housekeeper. Finally, he makes his way to Gatling's office, where secretary Marcy Hill welcomes him. She asks that Benson make himself at home and then try to organize the confusion. Benson meets Gatling's precocious ten-year-old daughter, Katie, who informs him that her father is a murderer. It seems that beaver dams have flooded a highway that is vital to a new industrial development, and the governor sees no alternative but to ship the beavers to another state. Katie is upset because many will not survive this ordeal. During the course of getting acquainted, Benson learns from Taylor, the governor's aide, that part of his job is not to bother the governor. Benson fights with Gretchen about leftovers, and she threatens his life. And the governor, over midnight milk and cookies, tells Benson the story of his "accidental" election, confiding his feelings of inadequacy and fear. When Katie decides to run away to Oregon with the beavers, Benson takes action. He researches the beaver situation and bluffs his way into a press conference to present the "governor's" solution -- an ingenious plan that will allow the beavers and the industrial plant to peacefully co-exist. Gratefully, the governor asks Benson to stay with them, and Benson agrees to try. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Governor Gatling is off for Washington to testify before a committee and has neither patience nor time for his daughter Katie, who begs futilely to go to a rock concert. The governor's departing shot is to ground her. Meanwhile, Marcy, his secretary, has had a phone call from a high school flame, Robert, who asks her for a date. Katie manipulates her and Benson into letting her visit her sick friend Monica. Marcy pleads for the child, and Benson gives in against his better judgment. But when Katie is alone, she calls another friend and arranges to go to the concert. Later, when Benson sends Raul, the chauffeur, to fetch Katie home from Monica's, Katie isn't there. It's panic time. Marcy stalls Robert on the telephone, then goes with Raul to the concert to look for Katie. Taylor, the governor's self-serving aide, forces Benson to bring Bates, the security chief, into the matter. This is risky because Bates is suspected of leaking things to the press. Presently Marcy returns, ruffled by Raul's romantic attentions, and without Katie. Then there's a call from the airport; the governor is back early. He is feeling guilty and wants to make it up to Katie, who fortunately turns up home just before the governor arrives. Benson lectures Katie on trust, and lets her know how he feels about being used and deceived. Her father doesn't suspect, and plans to take her to see Kiss the next afternoon. But the next morning, Katie confesses to the governor, who cancels their concert plans. As for Marcy's date, her high school dreamboat is not only bald, but also dull. It seems Marcy has outgrown him. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

On the eve of a state visit by African President Ukase, Benson, the butler, is summoned by Governor Gatling. Benson is scrutinized by Ukase's foreign minister Loromo, secret service man Crawford, the governor and his aide Taylor. All agree that, with minor disguise, Benson can easily pass for Ukase, who is in a hospital after an unsuccessful assassination attempt. Benson is asked to pose as Ukase at the reception, since none of the guests have seen the real president before. Benson has no wish to be the target of assassins, and is scarcely reassured to be told that Crawford will protect him. Crawford was present during the attempt on Ukase's life, and is obviously no guarantee of safety. However, three conspirators have been arrested and the plot thwarted. An appeal is made to Benson's patriotism. If the truth gets out, there will be serious disorders in Ukase's homeland, and a critical trade pact will be in jeopardy. At length, Benson agrees -- reluctantly. Marcy, Gatling's secretary, and Taylor coach Benson, and a false beard is glued to his face. Katie, Gatling's young daughter, sees through the disguise at once and is bundled off to a movie for the afternoon. At the reception, Benson bluffs his way nicely around a question in his supposedly native tongue and then improvises an informal speech, having forgotten the notes prepared for him. It turns out that there was a fourth assassin, the infamous Yates, who is among the guests in disguise. When Yates, dressed as an old lady, makes his move, Kraus, the housekeeper, subdues him, saving Benson's life. Grateful, Benson gives her the ivory carving that Ukase has sent to him. She accepts it, saying only that her deed is worth so much more&and the Benson-Kraus feud goes on. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

When Benson, a butler, sees pretty Francine waiting in the governor's reception room, he introduces himself smoothly, then asks her for a date. Before she can answer, she is summoned in to see Gov. Gatling. Then, Benson learns from Gatling's secretary, Marcy, that Francine is state Senator Wade. Benson is embarrassed, but when Francine returns, she agrees to have dinner with him. Obviously their difference in status means nothing to her. As Benson falls in love, the governor loses his midnight confidante; Kraus, the housekeeper, finds Benson too mellow for their customary fighting; and Taylor, the governor's advisor, offers a snobbish opinion that an affair with a butler will damage Francine's political career. Benson is enraged, and the latter apologizes. Benson, who worked on an assembly line to put his brothers and sisters through school, had to quit school himself. He's never had time for love before, but he does know how to cook, and Francine doesn't. Benson is hurt and angry when Francine turns down his proposal of marriage. He thinks it's because he's beneath her, but she does love him. As Francine explains it, she's afraid that her ambition and commitment would wreck a marriage. Benson is the best thing that's ever happened to her, but marriage just doesn't fit into her present plans. She begs him to keep things as they are for now. Later, when Katie, the governor's daughter, asks him to describe a broken heart, Benson tells her that it is one of life's little disappointments that comes close to killing you. Benson and Francine will remain friends. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

With state elections pending, Governor Gatling is busy campaigning. This means considerable travel, and his relationship with his daughter Katie is suffering as a consequence. As Benson, the butler, explains, the child's behavior in school is causing concern, and it is important that the governor show up on the 22nd for the school play. The governor promises to be there. Katie also asks her father to help with the scenery. This is out of the question, so Benson will fill in for the governor. Kraus, the housekeeper, coaches Katie in her role as a witch, and Kraus and Benson wind up back stage running lights and effects. Kraus, who claims to come from a theatrical family, creates chaos at the control board and the dress rehearsal is a disaster. To make matters worse, Gatling has been invited to the White House on the 24th for a conference, but on the eve of Katie's performance the date is changed to the 22nd. Benson talks to the governor about a father's responsibilities, but the governor's cold-hearted aide, Taylor, discourses on the duties of office and political priorities. The governor decides to go to Washington because he feels that the Administration is not sufficiently aware of his state's special needs. He follows Benson's advice and talks the situation over with Katie, who admits she doesn't understand, but says she loves her father anyway. The school play goes on and Katie is a hit. Afterward, there is a telephone call for her from the President, who apologizes for dragging her daddy away on her big night. Later, having returned, the governor reads Katie to sleep. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

The Governor made a campaign promise to cut spending, and Benson, the butler, tries to do his part. He has a staff meeting in the kitchen aimed at eliminating overtime, but no one takes him very seriously, particularly sweet Miss Ellie, 75, pastry chef and cookie purveyor to Katie, the Governor's daughter. But this is only a small beginning. Taylor, the Governor's aide, seems to relish the meeting where Benson is told that he must fire 20% of the mansion's staff. Benson squirms as he goes over the list. There's Thelma Nagle, the seamstress, but she's supporting three kids and an invalid sister. Then there's Hap Haggarty, whose sole duties are turning the sprinklers on and off, but he is also the state's most decorated war veteran. And there's Walter Whidley who is paid for doing nothing at all. Finally, there is Miss Ellie. How would it look for a supposedly economy minded chief executive to retain his pastry chef? Benson gets rid of Whidley and finds jobs for Nagle and Haggarty, but he cannot bring himself to fire Miss Ellie. However, the Governor has set a painful example by firing some 6,000 public employees, so Benson has to break the news to the old lady, who regards the mansion folks as her family. Even Taylor considers Benson heartless, but the last straw is when Katie calls him a "mean person." The Governor lectures Katie for being cruel to Benson, her friend. Benson somehow finds a job for Miss Ellie, but her boyfriend makes her quit. Still she has taken on volunteer work with old people and finds time to hand?make gifts for her friends at the mansion. Katie forgives Benson, but the feud between Benson and Kraus has new fuel. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Gov. Gatling decides to take his daughter Katie, and his official family, consisting of Marcy, his secretary, Taylor, his aide, and Benson, the butler, to the mountains. Benson, who doesn't ski and hates the cold, declines at first. But when he learns that he would be stuck at the gubernatorial mansion with only Kraus the cook, his mortal enemy, he agrees to go. Only the governor and Katie are happy about the trip. Taylor is miserable, and Marcy screams when she finds what she calls a bear in the bathroom. Benson evicts the animal, which turns out to be a raccoon. It's very cold, and, due to an error, there are no supplies or food. Then Kraus arrives, her other plans have fallen through. A blizzard buries the governor's little band of not-so-hardy adventurers. The trip has been kept secret, so no one knows where they are. Benson tunnels for a while and then tries to climb up the chimney, both to no avail. Katie's illicit stash of candy bars, supplemented by a bag of chips, two cupcakes and some soda, make up the only rations. Matters get even worse when a stranded couple, trying to make their way on foot, fall into Benson's tunnel. The pregnant woman goes into labor, and the husband panics. The governor rises magnificently to the occasion, having delivered litters of pigs when he was a boy. Soon there is a baby to share the general plight. Taylor announces that he is going for help. While the governor accepts the promise of a vote from the ecstatic new father, two rangers find Taylor sitting on the roof crying. And the ordeal is over. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

When Gov. Gatling's standing date suddenly elopes, his cousin and Benson's former employer, Jessica Tate, steps in to escort him to a banquet honoring 87-year-old Baron Jacques D'Arvenaux. As is usually the case where Jessica is concerned, the simple situation takes a sharp turn toward complication when the Baron prevails upon her to remain at the governor's mansion for a few more days. The local newspaper quickly prints a poisonous gossip column, which refers to the governor's mansion as a convenient "love nest" paid for by taxpayers. Although Jessica is amused by the statement linking her romantically with the cultured octogenarian, the governor is alarmed by the story's implications. Arrangements are made immediately for Jessica to move into a hotel. That evening, the deteriorating situation becomes disastrous. Arriving at Jessica's suite to escort her to the opera, the Baron clutches his heart and falls to the floor dead. Jessica quickly telephones her friend and confidant, Benson. They decide that they cannot possibly allow the Baron's body to be found in Jessica's room. Together they concoct a plan: The Baron's remains are to be strapped upright to a luggage cart, pushed into the corridor, transported in an elevator, wheeled through a crowded hotel lobby, maneuvered out a revolving door and down the street into Benson's car. And, hopefully, no one will notice two people wheeling a dead man. The daring duo somehow manages to carry off this incredible plot, and the Baron is soon resting peacefully in his bed at the governor's mansion. The next morning, when the body is found, no one suspects anything extraordinary. As the time for Jessica's departure draws near, it is obvious that the relationship shared by her and Benson transcends camaraderie. The man that Jessica believes capable of anything finds himself unable to do only one thing -- stop missing the sweet, innocent Jessica Tate. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Benson, Governor Gatling's butler and general factotum, is busy on all fronts when the great "news leak" mystery breaks. Benson is tutoring Katie, the governor's charming if academically hopeless daughter, in American history. He's battling with grouchy housekeeper Gretchen Kraus, who threatens his life if he touches her thermostat setting. Then the governor's secretary, Marcy, and his assistant, Taylor, appear in the kitchen to wring their hands over the newest crisis. There's no way that they can conceal from the governor that his remarks made privately about Senator Englehart have been published in the lead story of the day. The governor is quoted as saying that a bird with Englehart's brain would fly backwards, and this jeopardizes the governor's pending insurance reform bill because the senator's vote is crucial. Taylor behaves officiously, while the governor is saddened at the thought of having to fire the person responsible for the leak. Suspicion falls at first on Marcy, who has dated a reporter, then on Benson as the most recent employee. Then Kraus is under fire because someone phones her from the newspaper. She claims she's advertising for stud service for her dogs, but when Taylor goads her, she quits. Benson mollifies her by promising to get at the truth. Next it looks as though Taylor is the culprit, but an anonymous note proclaims him innocent. With that note as a clue, Benson unmasks the real source of the leak - Katie -- who was boasting to her schoolmates about her father's wit. She gets a spanking. Taylor wants to castigate the child publicly, but the governor will not allow it. It turns out that Englehart just laughs the incident off. Kraus is grateful to Benson. But, as she points out, this does not mean that they are friends. Benson agrees. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

When his old Korean War buddy, Eddie, comes to town, Benson the governor's butler, is overjoyed and the two celebrate immoderately. Marcy, the governor's secretary, is also delighted because Eddie, who's charming, asks her for a date. Benson, whose life was saved by Eddie, encourages the course of what he hopes will be true love. But Kraus, the cook, mutters darkly about the ways of GIs, one of whom left her sister in the lurch years ago in Germany. Marcy is smitten with Eddie, and apparently he with her. She tells Benson that Eddie plans to transfer to the local office of his company to be closer to Marcy. Eddie makes a good impression on Governor Gatling, and sells insurance to his aide, Taylor. Benson is proud of his friend until later, when Eddie reveals that he is already married. Benson is furious with him for not telling Marcy. Eddie asks Benson to forgive him, and promises to tell Marcy. But, Eddie leaves town quietly. It is now up to Benson to tell Marcy the truth, but first he goes to Governor Gatling for advice. As usual the governor counters with a pointless story, and Taylor is now uneasy about his new insurance policy. Benson finally breaks through Marcy's euphoric state and makes her listen. She is sure, at first, that it's a lie. Later, while Marcy makes herself a huge consolation salad to cure her broken heart, Eddie suddenly returns. He tells her that, if things work out between them, he will divorce his wife. Marcy's answer is to dump the salad on his head. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

After three nights of power failures at the governor's mansion, Benson the butler is short of patience. Then, he learns that Gov. Gatling's speech for the dedication of Delaney Park disappeared during the night. Also, Kraus the cook reports her teapot missing. Both are soon found, but the last page of the speech has vanished. A new closing is written, but disappears from the paper. In its place, Edgar Allen Poe's poem, "The Raven," appears. Kraus suspects that the culprit is the ghost of Gov. Hartwick, one of Gatling's predecessors, who was murdered in the mansion long ago. Since calling in a spiritualist might cause bad publicity for the governor, it is decided to hold a seance with Kraus as Medium. After many false starts and sarcastic comments from the disbelievers present, Kraus falls into a trance. However, she is rudely awakened before any messages from beyond can be received. It is discovered that the late Gov. Delaney married Hartwick's wife after Hartwick was poisoned. Benson then realizes that the mysterious happenings began only after a decision was made to dedicate a park to Delaney. That night, startled by another scary incident, Benson decides to have a man-to-ghost talk. When Gov. Gatling surprises him in the process, Benson suggests that the park be named Governor's Park in honor of all the state's governors and their contributions, rather than after the murderous Delaney. The solution seems to appease the ghost, and peace and quiet return to the governor's mansion for the time being. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

At the governor's mansion, Benson the butler, Miss Kraus the housekeeper and secretary Marcy are suspicious of the nice treatment they are receiving from Gov. Gatling's aide, Taylor. Taylor's strange behavior is explained when the governor announces that Taylor has resigned his position to run for a state office. After Taylor's departure, the governor takes over his aide's responsibilities in addition to his own. He works himself too hard and has Marcy and Benson running themselves ragged trying to help. Taylor asks Benson to speak for him, hoping to gain the black people's vote. But Benson graciously declines, claiming that he doesn't have any influence and that Taylor should do his own campaigning. The results of the election show that Taylor has come in dead last. The governor asks Taylor to return to his old job. But Taylor refuses to come back as long as Benson works there. He attributes his defeat to Benson for not supporting him. After several more hectic and harried weeks without Taylor, Benson hands in his resignation, hoping that Taylor will return. The governor refuses to accept the resignation, despite the urgent coaxing of Benson's nemesis, Kraus. The governor feels that a stable home life is more valuable to him that a stable political career. Benson arranges a meeting with an unsuspecting Taylor and manages to convince Taylor to return to his old fob. Kraus, in the meantime, makes one last attempt to get Benson to leave when she tapes together the torn pieces of Benson's resignation, which the governor had thrown in the trash. She places it on the governor's desk once again, but the governor still refuses to accept Benson's resignation. So, the Kraus v. Benson feuding continues. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

With Kraus, the cook, as leader, the domestic staff at Gov. Gatling's mansion take a strike vote. Just then, Benson, the butler, arrives in the kitchen to organize last-minute details of a banquet for 80. The staff hasn't had a raise in three years, so it takes all of Benson's powers of persuasion to get them to agree to a 24-hour grace period. Benson promises to intercede on their behalf, certain that fair-minded Gatling will yield to their demands. However, the governor is in the middle of non-stop negotiations to avert a police strike. He's exhausted and has no time for any further problems. So, when Benson has to report back without results, the staff walks out. Gatling's aide, Taylor, says grimly that they will all be fired. To keep this from happening, Benson undertakes to do all the work of the twenty people now on strike. Marcy, the governor's secretary, pitches in to help, but it might be better if she didn't. She has a knack for destroying appliances and can't cook at all. The strikers misinterpret Benson's labors to protect their jobs and call him a "scab" (strikebreaker). The crisis intensifies when Gov. Gatling invites two powerful members of the state finance committee to dinner, having forgotten that he has no staff. Benson, stricken because his attempt to help has backfired, resigns. But, in a last desperate gamble, he agrees to handle this one last social event. And handle it he does, making sure that the two guests are thoroughly aware of the plight at the mansion. The food and service are wretched. Later, the governor announces that the tactic worked and the staff will get raises at once. Benson deserves all the credit, but Kraus wishes he would resign anyway. © 1979 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Powerful businessman Howard Walker is considering moving his factories into Gov. Gatling's state. When he and his wife, Carol, visits the very interested governor at his mansion, Carol rushes into the open arms of Benson, Gatling's director of household affairs. It seems Benson and Carol had dated before Carol met Howard. Bored with her husband's business plans, Carol suggests that she meet Benson for lunch the next day. At the restaurant, Benson learns that Carol is unhappy with her marriage. She is certain that her husband's business is more important to him than she is. The next morning, Benson is shocked when Gatling's aide, Taylor, announces that the industrial deal has fallen through because Mr. Walker's wife is leaving him for Benson. The accused man vehemently denies the charges, but the common knowledge of his earlier involvement with Carol adds to his credibility problem. In an attempt to settle the matter, Benson goes to the Walker's hotel suite. He learns that in order to make her husband jealous, Carol told him that she and Benson had rekindled their affair. When Walker arrives unexpectedly, Benson hides on the window ledge. Walker is planning on leaving immediately...without Carol. Then Gatling and Taylor arrive. They hope to settle the matter and free Benson of suspicion, but Benson's presence on the ledge complicates their task. They do manage to sneak Benson back into the room before departing. Benson hides in a closet, awaiting Walker's departure. However, not one to stand by idly as two lives fall apart, Benson reveals himself to explain the situation to Walker. He says he cannot bear to see two people who obviously love each other separate after 20 years because they could not talk for five short minutes. Once Walker learns why Carol concocted the story about her and Benson, a tragic separation is prevented and the couple reunited. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Powerful interests are behind a state highway appropriation bill, which Governor Gatling plans to veto as a gross waste of taxpayers' money. To do this may be political suicide. The governor has the misfortune to get a middle ear infection, which disorients him so that he staggers like a drunk. Benson, his butler, manipulates him into seeing a doctor, who doses his patient into a medicated state of inebriety. Unscrupulous and ambitious Lt. Gov. Ed Sherman seizes control under a constitutional provision and begins to seek support to replace the governor in the next election. His first move will be to sign the highway bill -- if he can find it, for Benson has hidden it. With the governor confined to quarters lest he collide with the furniture, Sherman begins to act like a tyrant. He's dumb and insensitive, and gentle Marcy, the governor's secretary, has to be talked out of quitting. Even Taylor, whose only concern would appear to be politics and who has been in favor of the highway bill, wants no part of Sherman. Sherman is addicted to polls, so Benson organizes a conspiracy among the staff, even enlisting the aid of Kraus, the cook. The object is to gather a sampling of opinion on the controversial bill. The job must be done overnight, since Sherman plans to make news by a public signing the next day. Due to mishaps, Kraus winds up in a paddy wagon, polling a haul of hookers, and Taylor is attacked by hostile truckers. But Benson's ploy works, and Sherman vetoes the bill. Now he, and not the governor, must suffer the political consequences. The governor is still dizzy, but getting better. His daughter, Katie, makes a lethal health drink in the blender, and a single glassful immobilizes Kraus. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Taylor, the governor's aide, may be cold?hearted in his politics, but he's as vulnerable as any man when dumped by a woman he loves. Recently, a lady named Betty Green has romped through Taylor's life, leaving devastation in her wake -- and possibly something even worse. Benson is the first to discover electronic microphones hidden all over the gubernatorial mansion. He quickly realizes the danger to Gatling, who is outspoken and feels that he has nothing to hide. Benson, nominally the butler, but in fact the brains of the household, points out that a clever blackmailer will record everything that's said, then edit the tape selectively so that it sounds incriminating. Benson's wily scheme to expose the culprits begins with a script detailing an episode of blatant corruption, with huge payoffs openly discussed as if this was an everyday affair for the governor and his official family. Meanwhile, Katie, the governor's precocious daughter has a secret of her own. A boy has a crush on her and is writing her love notes in crayon. Later, while Katie writes a "Dear John" letter of renunciation to her admirer, Benson, Taylor, the Governor and Kraus, the cook, read from Benson's script into one of the hidden microphones. The blackmailer, Harwell, quickly surfaces and is nabbed. A copy of the script has already been sent to the Attorney General, so the evidence is air?tight. Taylor is rueful as Sgt. Gordon says that Betty Green will also go to jail. As for Katie, her romance also ends on a sour note. It seems her admirer sent love notes to all the girls in school. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Benson, director of household affairs at the governor's mansion, is having a heated discussion with the butcher, Larry Watkins, when Gretchen Kraus, the cook, enters. Delighted to see Watkins, she tries to capture his interest, in her clumsy, not so subtle way. Marcy, the governor's secretary, decides that Benson is just the person to help improve Kraus' conversational technique -- much to Benson's displeasure. Several days later, Larry returns to the mansion. Kraus again joins the conversation, but this time the butcher notices her sweet, demure style and is impressed. Larry likes the "new" Kraus and makes a date with her for his annual Rotarian dinner dance on Saturday. As Saturday draws near, Kraus is outfitted with lovely party clothes, but she is worried because she can't dance. Again, Marcy comes to the rescue, pushing an unwilling Benson into Gretchen's arms. And again Benson works his magic. On Saturday night when Larry calls for the lovely new Miss Kraus, her new-found self-confidence collapses and she bursts into tears. It seems that as a tall, prematurely-developed youngster, Kraus had been called a "misfit" by the other children. Although years have passed, the woman still feels self-conscious. In a moment of compassion, Benson tells Kraus that she has become a "good-lookin' woman," and Gretchen slowly raises her head and approaches her date with newfound determination. In the wee hours of the morning, Kraus returns to find that the Governor, Benson and Marcy have all waited up to hear about her date. They learn that Larry was a drunken fool, but this didn't spoil Gretchen's evening, for she met a sincere gentleman who brought her home. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

At the governor's mansion, an 11-year-old Russian chess genius, Alexei, simultaneously plays four opponents in a tournament. Tension builds between the governor's staff and the Russian guards posted at each door. Tired of being searched each time she passes, Miss Kraus, the housekeeper, loses her temper. When the fracas subsides, Alexei's guardian, Petrov, discovers that the boy is missing and a search begins immediately. As the governor's daughter, Katie, studies in her room, Alexei shocks her by scooting out from under her bed. The lad's deep homesickness has prompted his withdrawal from the games, and the sympathetic Katie agrees to hide him. As the search continues, Gatling and his Director of Household Affairs, Benson, are angered when Petrov accuses them of kidnapping the boy. They feel that Petrov is more interested in the political aspects of the disappearance than the fact that a vulnerable boy is presumed to be lost and alone. Later, when Benson finds Katie hoarding food under her shirt, he confronts her with his suspicion that she is aiding the runaway. When Alexei reveals himself and describes his plight to the kindly Benson, a plan to shorten the chess tour is concocted. After a clandestine meeting in a park, Benson and Petrov come away with the seeds of trust between them, both seeking to send Alexei back to his parents. They return to the mansion, where Benson tells a Soviet Attaché that the boy was hidden to protect him from a kidnapping attempt on the part of the Chinese. Alexei is turned over to the authorities to be sent home for a long rest. He takes along his favorite sources of solace, Oreo cookies and Katie's friendship. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Benson, Gov. Gatling's director of household affairs, is doggedly searching for a set of irreplaceable wooden bowls that are to play an important role in a banquet/ceremony honoring the visiting Emperor of Karasia. Benson questions Kraus, the cook, on their disappearance and tells her to get rid of 200 chickens cooked for the dinner and replace them with a meat that the Karasians do not hold sacred. Kraus angrily stalks off into the deep recesses of the mansion's cellar to search for the illusive bowls and some peace and quiet. When Kraus does not return from her cellar safari, Benson too, descends into the mansion's far-reaching subterranean network and with a push of a little used massive door, discovers a thoroughly chilled Gretchen Kraus. Her ecstasy quickly fades when Benson allows the door to swing shut behind him, trapping them both in a freezing storage room. A few hours later, Marcy, the governor's secretary, and Taylor, his aide, are in a panic. Not only is there no dinner for the eminent guests, but Benson and Kraus have disappeared. Meanwhile, the two freezing prisoners walk the floor trying to stave off sleep, which could spell out their demise. Benson forces Kraus to stay on her feet with a gruesome tale of death by cold, its symptoms being weakness, delirium and then the end. The long period of walking tires them, and they huddle together in an attempt to cheat the grim reaper. Kraus is lost in memories of a boy named Hans. In her hallucinations she confuses the reluctant Benson with her childhood love. Benson decides that Kraus is in worse shape than he had previously thought. He lights a fire under an old air vent, hoping that the smoke will draw attention to their plight. The copious billows bring the fire department into the mansion and drive and 200 guests and the Emperor of Karasia out onto the lawn. When the fire fighters do find the source, they also discover a relieved Benson and a starry-eyed Kraus. All ends well: the Emperor is happy to have an opportunity to wear a yellow slicker and ring the fire engine's bell, while the governor is made an honorary fireman. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

A conference of the nation's governors is about to converge on Gov. Gatling's mansion when Gatling brings what he considers great news to the staff. His father is also coming for a visit. For Benson, the director of household affairs, one more guest added to the three hundred already expected is no major inconvenience. That picture changes when Gibson Gatling arrives. Gatling Senior is irascible and domineering. The Governor admires his father and ignores the old man's faults, but Benson tangles with Gibson at once. The conference is less than perfect. Registration reveals more governors than there are states, obviously there are some imposters to track down. And the logistics of seating and feeding this mob are straining the already tenuous relationship between Benson and Kraus, the cook. Kraus flares with indignation when old Gatling chases her through the halls in his motorized wheelchair. Indeed, the Governor's father pays lecherous attention to any lady unfortunate enough to cross his path and is openly contemptuous toward his son, even though the Governor respects and cares for his father. The relationship between the Governor's daughter, Katie, and her grandpa is quite a different story. She adores the oldster and he indulges her shamelessly. Gibson insults everyone on the staff without exception. Benson tries to talk to the Governor about all this, but Gatling just laughs and asks his father to stay on indefinitely. The conflict peaks when Gibson wheels in on a press conference. His disrespect for the Governor threatens to turn the press meet into a political disaster, so Benson forcibly wheels the old man out again. Then, Benson gives Gibson a good scolding. In a touching scene, Gibson confesses to his son that he is proud of him and loves him. And afterward, Gibson even apologizes to Benson. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Gov. Gatling is being urged by his aide, Taylor, to favor the passage of a bill authorizing a power project that may destroy a river and its ecological system. However, the Governor has some serious doubts about the matter. He will give his approval only because the state needs the energy source and there appears to be no alternative. During the night, a pile of dead fish mysteriously appears in the gubernatorial mansion. A note says that these fish were killed by a power project, and if the new dam is built, the results will be the same. The note is signed "El Gato" -- The Cat. The Governor cancels a press conference and decides to reconsider the situation. Security chief Ackerman investigates, but El Gato strikes again, this time with a truckload of river bottom sludge. Taylor is furious, but Marcy, the Governor's secretary, sympathizes with the romantic environmentalist. Ackerman suspects everyone, and the staffers are outraged to learn that he has them under surveillance. El Gato strikes once again, filling the Governor's office with soap suds to simulate industrial pollution. Late at night, Benson catches El Gato, taped and masked, in the kitchen. He easily subdues the man, but is moved by his sincerity and harmlessness. El Gato is very persuasive, particularly when he kisses Marcy. The masked man has an alternative energy plan, which he is eager to present to the governor. Benson hides El Gato from Ackerman and agrees to set up a meeting with the governor. Over Taylor's objections, the governor agrees to hear El Gato's plan, which is to be presented by a "well qualified spokesman." This turns out to be Katie's science teacher, a clumsy, bookish individual whom Benson recognizes as El Gato unmasked. His plan is a good one and the governor is relieved to find a way to save the river. Marcy is, still fascinated by her memory of the masked man, and Benson is relieved to know that there will be no more unpleasant messes. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Gov. Gatling's daughter, Katie, wants to have a slumber party at the gubernatorial mansion, but her father is preoccupied with concern for his constituents. He wants to establish grass roots communication and is dissatisfied with the conventional ways that politicians find out what the voters are thinking. So, Katie enlists the help of the butler, Benson, who is also wary of the project. Gatling tries telephoning people at random out of the phone book to ask their opinions, but he's mistaken for a kook or a prankster. That night, Benson encounters the governor, clad in old clothes and on his way out of the relative safety of the mansion. Gatling dismissed his security staff and is on his way to talk to the people. Benson tries to stop him, and they have their first real quarrel -- ending when the governor consents to let Benson accompany him. Gatling and Benson go to a neighborhood bar and the atmosphere is tense for a while. A hooker, a barroom brawler, and assorted night people resent Gatling's intrusion at first, but when they realize who he is and what a decent man he is, they open up and talk about their problems freely. When the other members in the official family discover Gatling missing, there is considerable consternation. They are greatly relieved when the two delinquents return intact. To Benson's dismay, the governor announces that he intends to do it again. The next day, with Benson's reluctant help, Katie persuades her father to allow a slumber party. Fourteen little girls will invade the mansion on Saturday night -- Benson's night off. This leaves Kraus, the surly cook, to deal with all the juvenile turmoil. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

A flu epidemic hits Gov. Gatling, his secretary Marcy and his aide Taylor. So far, it has missed Benson, the butler. But his bad news arrives in the form of a letter marked "official business." He is instructed to report to the U.S. Army to have his "case evaluated." Benson, who served in the Korean War, has no idea what this is about. When Benson tries to report to Army headquarters, no one is there. The next time Benson reports in, he sees to it that someone is there; he fakes an official call announcing an inspection. When Benson arrives, a Maj. Burlson gives him the usual bureaucratic run-around. Benson makes it clear that he doesn't intend to play games and the true story finally comes out. Years ago, Benson was unknowingly exposed to germ warfare experiments. Recently, some of the GIs involved have been suffering ill effects from the experience. Although he has none of the symptoms described, Benson gladly consents to a physical examination. Told to call back in a few days for the test results, Benson returns to the gubernatorial mansion. His colleagues have already found out about his problem, and Marcy is sure that Benson is going to die any minute. She finds proof for her theory when it is discovered that Benson is running a fever. When Benson returns to headquarters, he gets a clean bill of health, and Gen. Beatty apologizes for the "inconvenience." Then Benson leaves, expressing his hope that the soldiers present contract the flu -- for that is what is causing Benson's fever, not germ warfare. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Everyone in Gov. Gatling's official family counts on Marcy, the governor's secretary. In addition to being efficient, she's there when anyone needs a friend. Now, Marcy is about to take a vacation, a Caribbean cruise. She trains a temporary replacement, Lorraine, who makes a hit with the boss by listening to one of his long, pointless stories. Marcy is pleased at first when Lorraine anticipates the governor's needs and makes friends with the staff. But as her departure approaches, Marcy becomes uneasy. Maybe Lorraine is too good at her work. She doesn't take coffee breaks. Kraus, the cook, fixes lunch treats for her, and Gatling's daughter, Katie, is now sharing her personal confidences with Lorraine. Marcy's insecurity rapidly escalates into paranoia and she tries to cancel her cruise reservations. She has convinced herself that Lorraine is trying to take over her job permanently. Benson, the butler, tries to reassure Marcy, but she remembers how her younger sister took over her boy friend and made a husband out of him. She feels threatened in the same way now. After Marcy makes an awkward scene in the governor's office, Benson tells her that no one is indispensable. They can get along without Marcy, but they love her, and nobody in the world can take her place. Since her cruise fare is not refundable, Marcy decides to take the trip. She returns with some blurred snapshots of her adventures, which included sunburn, a twisted ankle, and enough fun to entice her back again next year. Her earlier insecurity has been totally forgotten. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.

The staff at the governor's mansion is burning the midnight oil in a last minute attempt to balance the budget. Everyone is hungry, but there isn't any food until Kraus goes shopping in the morning, so Benson and Kraus are sent out to Stan's Speedymart for sandwiches. Before they can get their orders filled and return, two stickup men, Kurt and Willard, take them hostage. The alarm has been triggered and the place is surrounded. Benson tries to play it cool, but Kraus is all mouth and indignation. Then the governor phones to change his food order, and the hoods realize that they have a good thing. Their demands escalate. During the next eight hours of negotiations, the governor's security chief argues for a shootout. His hero is John Wayne. As the deadline approaches, the governor stalls. He doesn't want to risk lives. Then Benson works out a little ploy. Kraus comes on to Kurt, Benson disarms him, and just at that moment the police burst in and subdue Willard. The crisis is over and nobody's been hurt. So it's back to the budget, and the old battle in the kitchen between Kraus and Benson. © 1980 Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. All Rights Reserved.