Episode #412 "Chilly Scenes of Winter Golf"

It's thirty degrees outside and snowing - but Hilton and Darien are sitting at home by themselves, because their wives are playing golf. Ruth and Erica finally get back from the golf course, and Erica is beaming. She beat her mom by one stroke and she's only been playing for a month. Clearly, Ruth is unhappy and Erica is too proud of herself to shut up. Ruth asks for a re-match the next day and Erica agrees. Ruth tells Hilton that if there's one thing she can't stand it's a lucky gloater. Hilton urges her not to be a sore loser, but Erica won't stop rubbing it in. When she's practicing putting in the living room, she tells her mother it's like there's a magnet in the ball because she can't miss. Ruth putts, misses and continues to do so. Hilton starts to open his mouth, but she wants no advice. At dinner Erica makes a casserole that everyone raves about. Ruth points out that it's her recipe, but Erica informs her that she's made some improvements. Ruth is seething. She takes Hilton aside, instructs him to stop eating the casserole and to keep his mouth shut. Darien comes in late, unaware that there's a problem. He tells Ruth that she's outdone herself; her casserole is the best ever. He gets an icy stare from Ruth, and Erica happily informs him that she made the casserole. Late that night, Ruth is outside in the cold practicing her golf swing, while Hilton tries to convince her to come inside. Erica sees what her mother's doing and gloats some more, while Hilton tells her that she's too competitive. The next morning, Hilton asks Darien if he and Erica have started looking for a place to live. Darien concedes that they're just one victory away from homelessness. Hilton asks Erica if it's really that important that she beat her mother in this re-match. Erica goes outside where her mom's still practicing her swing and tells Ruth that Hilton asked her to throw the match. Erica assures her mom she wouldn't dream of losing on purpose. Ruth says that's good because she taught Erica to be competitive. Being competitive is what makes it fun. Erica says they'll just have to keep the fallout from landing on dad.