that?
Okay, my math homework, one semester.
A whole semester? Forget it, then.
Fine. See you, Beethoven.
Fine! One semester.
Jerk.
Oh, great.
That's fabulous. All right.
I'll let you know. Okay.
-They gonna take him?
-Well, if we want to.
They're really gonna miss him.
He was never gonna be able
to stay with us forever.
-Sooner or later, they'll have to miss him.
-I guess.
Oh, Richard.
They're a really nice family.
They live on a huge farm.
I mean,
Beethoven will have chickens to chase...
...barns to burn and cows to stampede.
He'll be in heaven.
You're right, as usual.
So, that settles it.
You tell the kids
we're getting rid of Beethoven.
Thanks, honey. Gotta work.
Speaking of chickens....
[Doorbell rings]
Get rid of him!
-Hello, Bill.
-Beth!
Good to see you.
So, I suppose you're looking for Richard.
Well, I think I might be able to find him...
...for you around here somewhere.
So, I'll do that.
Why don't you sit down?
Richard! Bill's here!
Richard? Richard!
RICHARD: [Whispering] Over here.
BETH: What are you doing?
He's here for the painting,
the one Beethoven ruined.
BETH: So?
-I haven't fixed it yet.
-What?
Why? Richard!
Because I thought
he was coming next week.
Who's this?
"I don't need to write things down
in a notebook...
"...because I have a photographic memory."
You were right. I was wrong.
Can we discuss this later, please?
Honey, go stall him.
-This is not my responsibility.
-What?
You said, "I want to go back to work,
spread my wings, challenge myself."
Did I say no? No, I said, "Okay, honey.
"I'll stay home, convert the garage
into a studio, be a freelancer.
"I'll cook, I'll clean, I'll handle the kids."
And all I ask in return...
...is if I'm ever late for a deadline,
and the client shows up unexpectedly...
...that you stall him
while I try to figure out what to do.
Remember?
I remember the first part. I don't
remember the stall-your-boss part.
Okay, fine. I'll beg.
Is that what you want me to do? I'll beg.
-Richard, please.
-Please!
You stunning, sexy,
gorgeous, perfect woman!
Stall him for me!
Please.
Bill, do you want some coffee?
BILL: Yeah, cream and sugar. Thanks!
BETH: What are you gonna do?
I don't know. Stall him.
MRS. RUTLEDGE: Melinda.
Your dog's gonna do fine.
MELINDA: Thanks. Come on, boy.
Why me?
Come on, girl.
[Light-hearted instrumental music]
[Sara straining and panting]
BRENNAN: Beethoven!
Hold on to him, Sara.
Hi!
What's his name?
-Beethoven.
-Stay, stay!
BRENNAN: Down.
MRS. RUTLEDGE: Good dog.
MRS. RUTLEDGE: Sit, sit, sit. Good dog.
SARA: Beethoven!
We have our work cut out for us, don't we?
-Do you think you could teach him to obey?
-Me?
Oh, no, my dear.
That's my husband's department.
Sgt. Rutledge.
He's a genius with dogs.
He was with the canine corps for years.
Why, during the war, he was--
That'll do, Mrs. Rutledge.
Dear, this is Beethoven.
Children would like you
to teach him to obey.
It will be a pleasure.
More coffee, Bill?
No, thanks.
I was so sorry to hear
about you and Susan.
We had our problems.
[Clock chimes]
When's the big day for you and Sharon?
Next month. Small ceremony.
I guess you'll be hiring
a new secretary, then.
You know, this is ridiculous.
I've got a meeting with
the art director at 1:00.
And I need to have that painting.
Is Richard out there?
Richard? Richard. Buddy?
Bill, wait!
What in the hell is that?
Well, Bill, I was thinking.
All our cards are for people, right?
From people and to people.
Well, they're the ones who buy them.
But what about the people who...
...don't have anyone to send a card to?
I'm listening.
You're missing
a whole segment of the public.
People who don't have anyone
to send a card to...
...and people who don't have
anyone to get a card from.
Right!
So, Richard was thinking....
I was thinking...
...those people don't have people.