Kramer vs. Kramer Scene 4 Summary

  • Ted walks Billy to school. When they get there, he has to ask Billy what grade he's in. (It's first grade, BTW.)
  • He walks up to a young woman at the school and leaves Billy with her, literally running off to get a taxi. Um, we hope she works there. Billy looks sad and angry at the same time.
  • Ted arrives at work. His secretary briefs him on the day. He calls home; nobody answers.
  • In Jim's office, Ted tells Jim that Joanna left, and that he thinks it was her way of saying, "Hey, I'm just as important as your work."
  • Jim asks if there's another guy. Ted says that he doesn't think so, adding that there is a Margaret, and maybe Joanna and Margaret cooked this scheme up together because of "you know, women's lib." So 1979.
  • Then Ted and Jim share a hearty laugh because this scheme sure worked; Ted's going crazy without his wife to show him where the bowls are and know what grade their son is in.
  • Jim assures Ted that Joanna will be back, and then tells Ted that Ted does have a problem: Billy. Jim suggests that Ted send Billy away to stay with relatives for a while. Because Joanna may never come back.
  • Hey, what happened to the whole "Oh, she'll be back. Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle," part?
  • Ted's taken aback by Jim's suggestion. Jim explains that, with this big account, he needs Ted to be able to work 24/7. Ted assures Jim that he'll be able to work 25/8.