Tom has written a story for his magazine entitled "Whatever Happened to Neighborliness?: A lot of People Still Remember When a Neighbor Was Someone You Could Count On". To his surprise, it has gotten a lot of feedback with calls at the office. Tom: "Apparently we hit a nerve." At home, Tom answers the door to find a cheerful Paul Sterling (Jerry Stiller, "Seinfeld") and his wife Bunny (Stiller's real-life wife and successful comedy partner Anne Meara). They read Tom's story and come bearing gifts, but try to follow the cautious advice within the article and don't overstay their welcome at the start. Tom explains to Eddie how neighbors were once more friendly and ready to help at any time, but today are more cautious. Mrs. Livingston puts it more succinct in saying now neighbors don't take the time to be friends. In the apartment hall, Tom and Eddie are friendly to another neighbor Mr. Prescott (Allan Drake) who appears perturbed by it and gives an obligatory nod. Paul and Bunny come over to Tom's to get better aquatinted. They are retail clothing store owners, which requires them being out of town a lot. Tom's kindness leaves Bunny in happy tears. Tom begins feeling a bit overwhelmed by them and tells Tina that Paul and Bunny "are constantly there". But, he remembers the things he has written in the article, "if I was able to write it, I should be able to live it." Tom endures and is struggling to write a follow-up article, "How to Be a Good Neighbor", especially with a continually overbearing Paul and Bunny. Through his frustrations Tom begins to see the dynamics of how to be a good neighbor.
Moral theme: How to be a good neighbor
Moral theme: How to be a good neighbor