The Hard Times of RJ Berger – Episode 1.04 – Here's to You, Mrs. Robbins – Recap

RJ and Miles walk the hallways of Pinkerton High. Jenny Swanson appears, passing out invitations. When she reaches RJ, surprisingly, she hands an envelope to him. Miles snatches the invite reading out loud: it’s for Jenny’s Sweet 16 party. But he’s dismayed to find there’s no “plus one.” Miles knows that RJ wouldn’t go without him right? RJ’s silence and far-off stare says it all and Miles unleashes a torrent of insults on him.

Outside on a bench, RJ draws a picture of Jenny in a cheerleading uniform; a present for her birthday. Miles show up, wanting to make sure that they are still on for a big screen showing of Raiders of the Lost Ark. RJ says he would never miss it. Miles doesn't think the sketch will cut it for a girl like Jenny. As he puts it: "You gotta spend that coin if you want to get that loin!” He leaves RJ to ponder this.

Back at home, RJ asks his mom for $300 for a gift. His mother recommends that he talk to Bill and Linda Robbins; they're always hiring people for odd jobs.

At the Robbins’ house RJ finds Mr. and Mrs. Robbins lounging in the pool. They agree to hire him and tell him to come by after school tomorrow.

RJ shows up at school dressed as René Belloq from “Raiders.” Miles loves it and they are both psyched for the movie later.

After school, at the Robbins’ home RJ works up a sweat as he cleans gutters, plants, washes windows and paints all under the approving eye of the alluring Mrs. Robbins. Later, she pays him and asks if he can work tomorrow, she’ll pick him up after school.

That night, RJ lies in bed dead to the world. He doesn’t hear his cell phone vibrate on the table next to him. The caller ID says it's Miles and when the call goes to voice-mail the screen indicates 20 missed calls.
At the movie theater, Miles waits anxiously for RJ in full Indiana Jones costume.

The next day at school, Miles confronts RJ, pissed that he never showed up for the movie. RJ apologizes but Miles is still upset and tells RJ he'll never get Jenny while insulting her. He grabs RJ’s Jenny sketch and trashes it as he ends their friendship.

RJ’s about to get picked up by Mrs. Robbins when Miles comes by with Kevin, who's apparently his new best bud. They're all chummy for RJ’s benefit, Miles rubbing it in his face. RJ gets in and drives off with Mrs. Robbins.

At the Pinkerton Tennis Club, RJ sits with Mrs. Robbins as she enjoys a cocktail. She lets him know that she’s aware of his endowment and tries to play footsie under the table. RJ shows Mrs. Robbins a picture of the pendent he plans on buying Jenny. Mrs. Robbins suggests something a little more tasteful; her own necklace, which she displays along with an ample amount of cleavage. RJ says he could never afford that, but Mrs. Robbins assures him they'll think of “some way” he can work it off.

At school, Lily confronts Miles trying to convince him to make up with RJ. But Miles stands firm: “Me and RJ are done.”

At the Robbins’, RJ fishes out a frying pan that somehow wound up in the bottom of the pool along with all of the other cookware. An appreciative Mrs. Robbins invites RJ in to warm up.
RJ waits in the bedroom in his underwear. He calls out asking where his clothes are. Mrs. Robbins enters and un-straps her leopard print bathrobe.

Mrs. Robbins closes in on RJ who quickly ducks into the bathroom and calls Miles for help. But Miles refuses and hangs up.
RJ returns to the bedroom, where Mrs. Robbins awaits him on the bed. In an animated flashback, she recounts losing her virginity to the family gardener, Jorge. She wants to school RJ in the ways of love. Suddenly, Mr. Robbins bursts in the door.

To RJ’s shock Mr. Robbins isn't mad at all; he's into it. He begins to strip off his clothes.
RJ bolts out the front door in his socks and underwear, the Robbins’ close behind. RJ escapes the sex crazed couple, running down the street. When, Miles speeds up in a van and picks him up.

Back at his house, RJ dresses for Jenny's party with a little help from Miles. Until he realizes that he never got the necklace from Mrs. Robbins. He has no gift. Miles takes out RJ’s sketch; he saved it from the trash after all. They make nice, friends once again.

RJ arrives at Jenny's Sweet 16. Jenny is glad to see him. He hands her his drawing. She smiles wide, tells him she “loves it” and gives him a big hug as Miles looks on proudly.