Plot

All Dobie wants is six dollars so he can take Thalia to the junior prom, but Dobie's Dad won't give it to him until Dobie admits he hates his father. A gentle satire on psychiatric trends of the day.

Dobie is in his continuing struggle on the issue of money between Thalia and his father: Thalia wants him to get some while Herbert won't give him any. It is especially important now as the junior prom is approaching. Although Thalia has not yet got another date, she proves to Dobie that she can get a date if she so chooses, and she will if he can't come up with the money, $6, in two days. Because of the special circumstance of the prom, Winnie, who just had a talk with Herbert about showing greater affection toward Dobie, believes that Herbert might soften this time and lend Dobie the money. Although Thalia gave Dobie a list of possible jobs to earn the money, Herbert does offer to pay Dobie to work around the grocery store. The new-found affection between father and son may hit a deep freeze with Dobie being sidetracked with thoughts of Thalia over his focus on work. Because of this hot and cold situation between Herbert and Dobie, Winnie thinks that some "free" medical advice from a psychiatrist customer may cure the Gillis father-son situation. Dr. Cligger's unusual suggestion may end up putting some emotional blackmail of a different kind into the matter.—Huggo