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Sade gets the latest gossip from Mrs Harris about a weird crashing noise coming from the Donahue’s attic. Should they do something about it? Before they can decide, uncle Fletcher arrives to tell about a snake he encountered while riding on Gumpox’s garbage wagon.
Fletcher is covered in potato skins and other debris after his excursion.
A deeper problem with Fletcher is afoot, and Sade actually stands up for not taking his interuptions. She and Mrs Harris try to berate him, but he thinks they’re comoplimenting him. It has to do with his treatment of Mr Sprawol, who is Mrs Harris father.
Vic enters the scene of the arguement that has burst out. He learns how Fletcher’s unwanted good deeds have frightened Mr Sprawl. Though his doctor has prescribed outdoor exercise for the timid man, Mr Sprawl is so frightened by Fletcher that he cowers in his home and fears going outside. Will Fletcher get the point and leave the man alone? Will the upset ladies get to the point of acknowledging Vic has entered the room?
Mr Sprawl enters for a visit, but passes out at the sight of his nemesis, uncle Fletcher.
PS: Uncle Fletcher comes off in the episode as the bad guy. He’s oblivious to the line he crossed, and though Sade and Mrs Harris open up with both guns blazing, he really did mean well. Fletcher is the kind of guy who will go out of his way to bend over backwards to lend a hand. Often his help is appreciated, as in helping Gumpox on his wagon. Often his help is a tolerated annoyance, like when he invites himself over on an important matter that’s only important to him. Then there’s the situation today. He see’s the opportunity to help, but he does it in a way where he extends the depth of help that he deems fit. What he should do is ask what level of help his target actually needs.
I’m reminded of the classic 1st aid scenario where you’re in the park, and you spot a man sprawled on the ground under a shade tree. Snapping into hero mode, you rush over to the unconscious man and begin life saving measures. The problem is that the man ens up suing you for yioyur efforts at
CPR, and nearly killing him. The key bit of life saving measure you forgot is to first ask loudly, “Hello! Can you hear me? Do you need any help?” It turns out the man was only napping, and in no need of any saving.
Fletcher’s only real flaw is that he is too caught up in being a hero, that he forgot the first rule of helping. Ask first, and respect, “No,” as the answer. But aren’t we all guilty of this to some degree?
