Cutting It Close

[Opening teaser: in the living room, Joey holds Michelle, hoping she understands the "We all fall down" line of "Ring Around the Rosie" after practicing it with her all day long.] Joey: Trust me, Michelle, you are ready. OK, come on down, guys! Everybody come on out to the living room! Hurry up! We're gonna do this right now! Hurry up! We're gonna do this right now! [Danny and Jesse come downstairs, while D.J. and Stephanie emerge from the kitchen.] Stephanie: What? D.J.: What? Danny: What is it? OK, what? Joey: Michelle is ready for another try. [They all groan at this and walk away, but Joey's not gonna have any of it.] Freeze! [They do.] Stephanie: She's gonna do it to us again. Joey: No, she won't. I've been working with her all day. Believe me, the kid is psyched. Jesse: OK, let's give the little ankle-biter one more try. Come on everybody, hold hands. [They do, and get in the usual circle formation, per the game's rules.] Joey: Here we go. Come on, Michelle! All: [singing] Ring around the Rosie/A pocket full of posies/Ashes, ashes/We all fall down! [They're all sitting down on the floor....except Michelle, who sticks her tongue out.] Stephanie: She did it again. D.J.: The kid's got a real mean streak.

Danny: Am I interrupting something?

Jesse: I don’t wanna talk about it right now. I’d leave, but I can’t reach the gate hook.

Danny: Jesse, there is nothing you can do about your arms. But there is something you can do about Stephanie.

Jesse: What are you talking about?

Danny: Steph is scared to death to go near you. She’s afraid she’s gonna hurt you again.

Jesse: Well, tell the little rug rat she’s wacko.

Danny: [a little angry] I think you should tell the little rug rat she’s wacko. [Jesse looks at him, while Danny changes his tone to sound more calm] In maybe a... nicer way.

Jesse: You’re right.