In the Stewarts' kitchen. Richard is holding a video camera. He is taping Ellen's campaign speech.
Ellen:	... my slogan is "I care." I care about people, not things. Vote for me, Ellen Stewart. I care. [to the family] How was it?
Richard:	You were terrific! [Everyone applauds.]
Ellen:	Can I see it?
Richard:	Sure. [He puts the tape in the VCR. We see and hear parts of the tape again.]
Ellen:	[on television] Hello. My name is Ellen Stewart, and I'm running for the open seat on the school board. My slogan is "I care." What does the word care mean? ... I care about people, not things. Vote for me, Ellen Stewart. I care.
Philip:	I like it, but now what? How can we possibly get it on so Riverdale will see it and hear it?
Richard:	Leave it to me.
In the window of a local appliance store. All the television sets are playing Ellen's message.
Ellen:	[on television] ... I mean that when I say "I care." I care about people, not things. Vote for me, Ellen Stewart. I care.
In the Stewarts' living room. It is nighttime. Richard enters from outside.
Marilyn:	What happened?
Richard:	Mom is now on television in every appliance store in Riverdale, except Hamlin's. He's a Boswell voter.
Philip:	That's a brilliant idea, Richard!
Grandpa:	You inherited your father's brains.
Philip:	We got our brains from you, Dad.
Richard:	And guess what? I called channel five. Their TV news is going to cover it. "Housewife campaigns in appliance stores." And I'll bet some magazine will pick up the story, too.
Robbie:	Mom. You're going to win! I know it!
Philip:	Hold it, Robbie! Just cool down. I know we're getting some attention now, but in the end the voters will have to decide.
Grandpa:	You're going to win. Trust me!
Election Night. The family is watching the news on television.
Reporter:	In the hotly contested race for the one seat on the Riverdale School Board, Mrs. Ellen Stewart has taken an early lead.
Robbie:	She's winning! Mom, you're winning!
Reporter:	Now returning to other local news ... Riverdale High School beat its rival Horace Mann in baseball today ...
Ellen:	It's too soon to know for certain.
Philip:	You're ahead. That's better than being behind.
Reporter:	More sports after this.
Ellen:	It's not over yet. Let's just all calm down, and wait for the final results.
Grandpa:	Ellen, why don't you go out to the backyard and get some fresh air?
Ellen:	Thank you, Grandpa. I need some.
In the Stewarts' living room later that evening. Ellen comes in from the patio.
Ellen:	What happened?
Philip:	You came very close, Ellen.
Grandpa:	You lost by only a hundred and twenty-one votes.
Ellen:	[She sits down.] I lost.
Richard:	You tried, Mom.
Marilyn:	You lost by a very small number of votes.
Robbie:	Only one hundred and twenty-one votes! I'm sorry, Mom.
Ellen:	There just wasn't enough time.
Philip:	[He sits down next to her.] Look, you've made a very strong impression on our community. You'll have another chance next election. [The phone rings. Philip answers it.]
Philip:	Hello. Oh, yes, yes, Mr. Maxwell. [He gives the telephone to Ellen.]
Ellen:	Hello, Mr. Maxwell.
Maxwell:	How are you? I just called to tell you that you are very impressive. You lost the election, but you won the attention of the residents of Riverdale, of Boswell, and of me.
Ellen:	Well, thank you, Mr. Maxwell. I appreciate your kind words. I needed that.
Maxwell:	I hear Boswell wants to appoint you to a special arts committee. I'm sending over a reporter in the morning to interview you.
Ellen:	You are?
Maxwell:	I'm going to do an article on "Ellen Stewart—she cares." Maybe we'll all care now. Goodbye.
Ellen:	Thank you—and goodbye.
Philip:	What was that about?
Ellen:	You were right, Philip. I did make a difference in town.
Robbie:	And in this family. [Ellen and Robbie hug.]