Written by Skip Webster
Produced by Larry Rosen
Directed by Bruce Bilson
Original Air Date: March 2, 1973

All havoc breaks loose when Shirley buys a cuckoo clock for $29 at Bartlet's Department Store. It seems Bartlet's has recently installed a computer to handle all their accounts. When Shirley receives her computerized bill for the clock, it reads $290 instead of $29. She goes down to the store to straighten things out with Mr. Atwater. Atwater apologizes and instructs the computer operator, Tom, to program the 1984-Z to move the decimal point and correct the bill to read $29. (Tom is quite impressed with Laurie.)

The decimal point is moved -- but the wrong way! Shirley's bill is now $2,900. The computer has sent bad risk notices to other companies, ruining the Partridge's credit rating. It has also had a collection agency pick up the check from the family's last engagement.

Shirley again goes to Bartlet's; things are quite out of hand. While she's seeing the manager, Laurie leads a picket line outside the store. When they arrive home, the collection agency has repossessed all their furniture!

More promises from Atwater don't satisfy the kids. They form a conspiracy. While Laurie flirts with Tom and gets him to desert his post at the computer, Danny distracts Atwater and Keith tinkers with the computer. Shirley soon receives a check for $50,000! When Atwater rushes over to get the check back, the Partridge's tease him a little but finally return it. When everything is straightened out, Shirley realizes that the cuckoo clock doesn't even work!

Song:
"Maybe Someday," music and lyrics by Austin Roberts and John Hill (on Notebook)

Guest Cast:
Mr. Byron Atwater ---------------------------------- Alan Oppenheimer
Tom Baker ------------------------------------------- John David Carson
Mr. Gordon ------------------------------------------ Robert F. Simon
George ----------------------------------------------- Lou Frizzel
Harlan Laws ----------------------------------------- Vic Tayback

Tube Trivia:
- Songwriter Austin Roberts had a hit record of his own ("Something's Wrong With Me"), penned with fellow Partridge Family songwriter Danny Jannsen. He also sung lead vocals for the music from "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?"
- Alan Oppenheimer portrayed Wink Burgess in Episode 16, and also appeared in episode 87. He portrayed Rudy Wells in "The Six Million Dollar Man."
- John David Carson was the other finalist for the role of Keith Partridge.
- Robert F. Simon was one of the actors who portrayed Darrin's father on "Bewitched."
- Vic Tayback is best remembered for the role of Mel on "Alice." He also appeared in Episodes 7 and 37.


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