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The Thought That Counts

‘The Thought That Counts’

Season 7, Episode 11 -  Aired December 9, 2002

After Ray gets Marie a thoughtful gift for her birthday, the pressure is on to get Debra an equally meaningful gift for Christmas.

Quote from Ray

Ray: Okay, Deb. Here you go. Hope you like it.
Debra: "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Ray: Yeah, it's one of those first editions.
Debra: Yeah, I know. This is this is so great. Oh, I love this. Thank you so much. How did you... Oh, I love you.
Ray: I'm glad you like it.
Frank: I killed a bird once.
Debra: I have to tell you, Ray, when you told me you bought something thoughtful for me, I didn't totally believe you. I'm so sorry.
Ray: It's okay. Seeing your face now, that's like your gift to me.
Debra: Oh! [hugs Ray]
Ray: [clears throat] So... Um, Harper Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for that, didn't she, Deb?
Debra: Yeah. Oh God, this is so wonderful, Ray.

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Quote from Robert

Robert: So, uh, you did your thesis on "To Kill a Mockingbird," didn't you, Deb?
Debra: [to Ray] Need some more coffee, sweetie?
Robert: Deb?
Ray: Yeah, okay. Sure. Two sugars, sugar. No, you know what, I'll get it.
Debra: I'll come with you.
Robert: Did your thesis of the- "Mock"
Debra: Hey. You know what? I can't wait to put the kids to bed tonight so I can start reading.

Quote from Ray

Debra: Did you see what my handsome husband gave me? First edition, "To Kill a Mockingbird." My absolute favorite book!
Amy: Hey, great gift.
Debra: I know. I love this. Oh, it was so nice.
Ray: Hey, look, I'm your husband. That's what I do.
Debra: Don't be modest. You gave me the perfect present.
Ray: You know, I almost went with another idea something from Lake Saugatuck.
Debra: Lake Saugatuck? I don't think I've even mentioned that in 10 years.
Ray: Well, you know, I guess I remembered it 'cause I knew how important it was to you.
Debra: Oh! Isn't he too much, huh?

Quote from Amy

Amy: You know, Robert, I gotta say, that book seems a little more thoughtful than what you got me.
Ray: What did he get you?
Amy: Tickets to the Ice Capades.
Robert: What's wrong with that? The Ice Capades is 21/2 hours of frozen fun.
Ray: Ice Capades? That's what Mom said I should get Debra.
Amy: That was your mother's idea? For me, you had to go to your mother?
Ray: Man, that is lame. I mean, right?
Debra: Don't even, Ray.

Quote from Robert

Debra: All you care about is, "What should I get for my mom?" "You think my mom will like this?" "Why don't we ask my mom?" Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom!
Robert: [to Ray] How do we get out of here?
Ray: Come on, Debra. You got your book. I gave it to you. You should be happy. Isn't it the thought that counts?
Debra: Yeah, but it wasn't your thought. It was his.
Amy: Yeah! Why do you care so much about her gift?
Robert: I don't care about her gift. I was just trying to make him look bad. Sorry, man.
Ray: It's okay. I understand.

Quote from Robert

Robert: How 'bout something like, she spent all her summers as a kid up at Lake, uh... Saugatuck, right? Up in Connecticut?
Ray: Lake who?
Robert: Lake Saugatuck. So you get her a painting or a nice photograph of Lake Saugatuck. Or she likes Craftsman furniture, or she's always mentioning how she wished she had more time to spend in the garden. So you get her the things with... Wait, wait, wait. I got it. I got it. Okay, this is it. This is it. A first edition of "To Kill a Mockingbird." She did her college thesis on it. It's her favorite book. I'm telling you, she's gonna love it.
Ray: So not a space heater?
Robert: No! "To Kill a Mockingbird," First Edition.

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