One of the most common things noticed over the previous 3 and a half seasons is the close friendship Kid and Stacy have forged, and it seems nothing could strain said friendship. Would you believe said friendship would be tested and even threatened over…a chocolate malt?
Things start off with the two pals opening with “Flames of Paradise”; after which the kids arrive at the counter during their break, with Stacy wanting a chocolate malt. As it happens, she’s broke, though Kid comes to the rescue to buy his BFF the malt (much to Renee’s surprise, as she’s never seen Kid pay for anything someone else ordered). As it happens, this is no ordinary chocolate malt but the 1,000th malt sold at the P*lace; complete with a prize of $100. The big issue, however, becomes who gets the money: Stacy for ordering the malt or Kid for paying for it. Riley decides he’ll hold the Benjamin pending a decision as the others head back to the stage (“You Keep Me Hangin’ On”).
However, during that songnote ; Kid and Stacy are still squabbling over who gets the prize, and by the end the two have agreed…not to talk to each other (with Richie having been drafted as a go-between for the feuding former friends by the time they arrive in the break room). Connie, meanwhile, tries taking a diplomatic approach by asking for a recount, only for the count to be accurate and that indeed being chocolate malt 1,000) while Richie jokingly suggests he take the money - which doesn’t help matters and with no further progress made, rehearsal abruptly adjourns (“Don’t Dream It’s Over”). Later, Ryan, Renee and Riley discuss the situation, noting that Kid hadn’t had an ice cream in three days, the band hadn't learned a new song all week, Stacy was moping around at home and that both of the former friends had a point over who should get the prize money, leading to Ryan suggesting the money be split between the two of them (“Two Sides to Every Story”); only for the suggestion to fall on deaf ears…until Kid and Stacy return to the P*lace later, having settled their differences, they then buy a trophy for Riley with “World’s Greatest Soda Jerk” engraved on it, with Kid buying for everyone and - to celebrate their restored friendship - Kid and Stacy’s malted being served in the trophynote before closing song “Love Will Save the Day”.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Flames of Paradise” (Jennifer Rush and Elton John cover; lead vocals by Kid and Stacy)note
- “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” (The Supremes cover; also recorded by Vanilla Fudge and Kim Wilde; lead vocals by Renee)note
- “Don’t Dream It’s Over” (Crowded House cover; lead vocals by Kid and Stacy)
- “Two Sides to Every Story” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Kid and Stacy)
- “Love Will Save the Day” (Whitney Houston cover; lead vocals by Connie, Stacy, Richie, Renee, Kid and Ryan)note
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Imagine Spot: “Two Sides to Every Story”; allowing for the cast to wear 1950s-themed costumes.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: It’s noted that Kid had not eaten an ice cream in three days during his and Stacy’s dispute over the prize money.
- Earlier, it's mentioned Kid had never been seen paying for anyone else's malts.
- Take a Third Option: Ryan’s suggestion of splitting the $100, which Kid and Stacy eventually go with.
- Umpteenth Customer: Specifically, a variant involving the 1000th malt; with a dispute over who gets the prize providing the plot.
