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Top Banana

‘Top Banana’

Season 1, Episode 2 -  Aired November 9, 2003

Michael tries to get to the bottom of the Bluth empire's finances with no help from his family. George Michael works more hours at the frozen banana stand to get away from his new roommate, cousin Maeby. Meanwhile, Tobias and Lindsay search for jobs.

Quote from Maeby

George Sr.: George Michael is running the frozen banana stand now?
Michael: That's right. Yeah. You sit with that. You think about that for a while.
Narrator: George Sr. did think about that.
[cut to George Michael and Maeby with T-Bone at the banana stand:]
Maeby: Well, now that we've got an employee, we can go have dinner. We throw away a banana for every buck we take so no one finds out.
T-Bone: Wait a minute. I think you should do that math again.
George Michael: Why? Is it wrong?
Maeby: It's fine. He's an arsonist, not an embezzler.

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Quote from Michael

Maeby: [on the phone] Hey, Uncle Michael, it's me, Maeby.
Michael: Where's George Michael?
Maeby: At the banana stand. He's about to do something really irresponsible.
Michael: You think it's irresponsible? I'll be right there.

Quote from George Sr.

Michael: Burned it right down to the ground.
George Sr.: Are you crazy? There was money in that banana stand.
Michael: Well, it's all gone now, Dad, and it was my decision. So the next time you wanna have a little power struggle just remember that you're playing with fire.
George Sr.: There was $250,000 lining the walls of the banana stand.
Narrator: What?
George Sr.: Cash, Michael.
Michael: Why didn't you tell me that?
George Sr.: How much clearer can I say, "There's always money in the banana stand"?
Prison Guard: No touching!
George Sr.: No touching!

Quote from Tobias

Tobias: Okay, we are just about ass to ankles back here, Maeby. Do you wanna hop on your cousin's lap there, please?
Michael: [o.s.] Whoa, bumpy road ahead.

Quote from Gob

Michael: What's going on? This is exactly where the two of you were when I left this morning. Is nobody gonna even try to get a job?
Lindsay: I have a job, Michael.
Michael: Yeah?
Lindsay: It's called supporting my husband.
Michael: Well, you certainly haven't been shopping. The only thing I found in the freezer was a dead dove in a bag.
Gob: You didn't eat that, did you? 'Cause I've only got a couple days left to return it. Died right in the middle of a show.
[flashback to security camera footage of Gob at a pet store:]
Pet Store Owner: Do you want a cage for that?
Gob: No. [puts dove in breast pocket] I'm a magician. [walks into the door] What is your return policy, by the way?

Quote from Lucille

Lucille: [on the phone] Then why don't you marry an ice cream sandwich? I gotta go. [hangs up]
Michael: Who was that? Was that Dad?
Lucille: That was Gob.
Michael: Uh-huh. So, Mom, I'm trying to find-
Lucille: I don't know where they are.
Michael: ...these flight records. You know, it's really more believable if you let me finish.

Quote from Lucille

Michael: Why am I the only one that seems to get how much trouble this family is in?
Lucille: Oh, I get it, Michael. I get it. But how should I know where the records are kept? Your father's in charge of all that.
Michael: No, I'm in charge of all of that. And I think that you do know where they are.
Lucille: Oh, it's probably all in a storage unit somewhere.
Michael: Where is the storage unit?
Lucille: I don't remember.
Michael: Try.
Lucille: Something with "Dale." I don't know. Brookfeather. Raintree. It's hot. It's very hot there. I've never been. Get a warrant!

Quote from Lucille

Michael: Don't think I won't. Mother. Mother, I care about this family.
Lucille: And I do, too, my darling. That's why I'm worried about Gob. I was on the phone with him this morning.
Michael: You mean just now, right? When I came in?
Lucille: Yes, just now, when you came in. And he's upset. He's very upset. You haven't included him in the business at all. He's your older brother. You could find a little job for him. Make him feel special.
Michael: But he's not special, Mother.
Lucille: No. But he loves you. We all love you.
Michael: Where's the storage unit?
Lucille: It's with your warrant.

Quote from Gob

Michael: So, I'm gonna go see Dad, because this is my business to run now.
Gob: Your business?
Michael: Hey, there you are, Gob. I have been looking all over for you. I could really use some help.
Gob: Well, I was gonna return this dove. What are you- You want me to run a meeting for you or something?
Michael: Or, even better, could you mail this letter for me?
Gob: You can't just give that to a mailman?
Michael: I can't trust a mailman with this. This is important.
Narrator: Gob was intrigued. He also suspected he couldn't return a completely frozen dove to a pet store and get the full refund he felt he was entitled to.
Gob: I'll mail that letter.

Quote from Tobias

Lucille: Am I the only one who works in this family?
Tobias: [chuckles] Yes, that's my gal. Who would have imagined two actors in one family? We're like the Lunts! You see... Excuse me.

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