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"Oskar Gets a Job" is an episode of Hey Arnold!.
Synopsis[]
A financial predicament forces Oskar to get a job delivering newspapers, but he makes excuses so that Arnold can do the work for him.
Plot[]
At the boarding house, Arnold and Gerald are trying once again to fly a kite. Gerald doubts that the kite will fly based off of what happened last time, but Arnold says to have faith that things change. They are interrupted by the sounds of things smashing and Oskar speaking. He says that he doesn't have the money his "guest" wants. The "guest," an intimidating looking man, warns Oskar that if he doesn't get his money by the end of the week, there will be consequences. The man leaves Oskar and Suzie's apartment, passing Arnold and Gerald. Gerald wonders why Oskar never seems to have any money, and Arnold points out that Oskar has never held down a job.
Oskar goes to several residents of the boarding house, asking to borrow money. Suzie has nothing more to lend for that week, and the other men in the house refuse outright. Arnold catches Oskar in the laundry room, trying to steal quarters from the machines. Oskar breaks down and begs Arnold for help, since Arnold helps so many people as is. Arnold suggests that Oskar get a job, but Oskar isn't sure, since he never had a job before. Arnold says that anyone can find a job, and the next morning, they will go over the Help Wanted ads in the paper together.
The next day, the job hunt begins. Oskar interviews at a few different places, but no one is willing to hire a 38-year old with a middle school education. Arnold gets another idea looking at the newspaper, and brings Oskar to a newsstand. The owner is unsure, but since he needs delivery boys, he agrees to hire Oskar. The owner explains that Oskar must get up at 4 a.m. each morning and deliver all the papers on the route by 6 a.m. Oskar insists that he can handle this job and promises to do well.
The following morning, Oskar's alarm goes off at 4, but he doesn't get out of bed. Arnold's alarm goes off as well, since he wanted to make sure Oskar started his first day off right. But, he looks out the window and notices the pile of undelivered newspapers. Arnold knocks on Oskar's door, and says Oskar will be late with his paper route. Oskar lies saying that he caught a "Chinese stomach flu" the previous night and can't work that morning. Arnold believes him and offers to do the paper route for Oskar that morning. After two hours of biking, throwing papers, and being chased by dogs, Arnold returns to the boarding house to see Oskar gorging himself on pancakes. Arnold questions this and Oskar says that he started feeling better after Arnold left. The following morning, Arnold again tries getting Oskar up and ready for his paper route. But Oskar lies again, saying that he threw out his back. Arnold believes him again, and does the paper route for Oskar. But, when he comes back, he and Grandma are dancing in the living room, with plenty of dips and spinning. Arnold gets angry and pulls Oskar aside to talk. Arnold asks Oskar if he plans to actually work tomorrow, or if he will have another excuse. Oskar says that he will work, but not tomorrow, since it is a national holiday celebrated in his old country. Arnold has had enough, and refuses to help Oskar anymore, calling him a "huge loser" before leaving. Oskar is stunned by this. Later in the day, news of this has spread to the boarding house residents, and everyone is talking about how much of a loser and a bum Oskar is. Oskar gets mad and is determined to prove to everyone that he can do a day's work.
The next day, Oskar gets up promptly at 4, gets on his bike, and starts delivering the papers. There are several mishaps, like breaking windows and getting bitten by a dog, but Oskar makes it back to the boarding house with an empty bike basket. He collapses on the front steps just as Arnold comes outside with his kite. Arnold realizes that Oskar finished his paper route and is happy. While Oskar is complaining about the dog bite, Ernie and Mr. Hyunh approach, asking what happened. Arnold explains, but the two men don't believe Oskar worked that day. Oskar insists that he did, proving that he can hold down a job like anyone else. Ernie bets that Oskar won't do it tomorrow, and Oskar says that he not only will work tomorrow, he'll do it for days afterward. The men go inside to figure out the stakes of the bet, while Arnold proudly smiles and flies his kite.