One Stayed Clean

The episode starts with an American flag hanging out the Rimple household. C.J. is reading aloud a note he wrote off-screen.

Dear Sir,

''I'm writing you in hopes of maybe that'll help you understand. It was a hard day, for all of us kids it was, but especially, I think, for your son.''

Russ' father wakes him up, saying it is 0600. He then tells Russ that it's Picture Day. Russ then salutes his father, then goes to take a shower, iron his clothes, polishes his shoes, then goes to put on fancy clothes. Russ' father comes to do an inspection on him, asking if his shoes are shined, his belt buckle is polished, his shirt is on and tucked into his pants, etc.

Russ's dad tells him that it's a historic day for the Rimple family, and to make his mom and his dad proud. Russ's mom then laughs. Gus says he will do the best he can.

Meanwhile, at 98th Street School, The Recess Gang are upset. C.J. then says that Picture Day Whomps, and that even if he's an adult, he will never give his kids Picture Day. The whole gang agrees. Russ then shows up. Russ is happy that he will be taking his very first class picture today, but much to the gang's surprise, they're going last. They are upset because that means they have to stay clean for the whole day. C.J. asks Miss Ropey if there is a misunderstanding, but Miss Ropey says there is not. The gang freaks out. Russ then explains to the gang that he's been moving around too many times, and that "he never got the chance to take a class picture", which was exactly why he was so excited, because he wanted to make his parents proud. C.J. then explains to the gang that he can MAYBE prove that this day isn't so meaningless. He then tells Russ that he is with him. The whole gang agrees with C.J., and helps Russ stay clean for the whole day.

Later, someone is setting up a camera, and Mr Boyd is holding a megaphone. It is 10:00 AM, and the students walk outside instead of running. Swinger Boy just sits down on the swing, and Upright Girl's dress goes above her, revealing her legs. Rachel, somehow looking like he graduated, is doing something near the tetherball court. Mr Boyd tells the kindergartners to report to the photographer at once, and C.J. tells the gang how to surround Russ so he will not get dirty in order to make his parents proud. While the photographer is trying to make the kindergartners smile at Clowny McClown and say, "Happy". But the kindergartners just mumble to one another. The photographer thinks it is good enough. When the camera makes its' sound, one of the kindergartners think that they are free, and all the other kindergartners flee the bleachers. Mr Boyd then calls the first graders to take their pictures. Some of the first graders think that it is over. Rigalli thinks that the first graders are lucky. Vance senses trouble that the kindergartners are coming at their 6:00.

The other people run from the kindergartners, and then they are wreaking havoc throughout the playground. Rigalli says that "there might be twenty or thirty of the kindergartners, and that they are heading the gang's way". Chubby then jumps on some mud, while other people including the Sesame Boy, run away, because Harold is coming their way with mud on himself. Four of the kindergartners work together to make the ball bin collapse. While the gang walks away, a muddy ball lands on Aubree R.'s dress. Aubree E. suggests they go to the dry cleaner. When the first graders have taken their pictures, Mr Boyd calls the second graders to take their pictures. While the first graders are being chaotic. C.J. and the gang then sit on the round-about. Russ is then thirsty after roaming around the playground. He also says that after his pictures have been taken, he is going to go to Morrison's, and ordering himself an extra large glass of root beer. The gang agrees with that being said. Russ then asks Rigalli what she will be doing when Picture Day is over. Rigalli then says that "she is dreaming of a big, fat, and messy game of, 'British Bulldog'. But first, she claims that she's gonna beat up anyone who makes fun of her hair."

Rigalli then asks Mickey what he will be doing after the picture, and he says he's gonna play some mall ball. The gang then tells Mickey to get rid of it. But then the kindergartners and/or the first graders want to tackle Mickey, as they charge towards him. Then the gang runs away, but Mickey falls down. Vance goes to save him, but Greta says no. Vance says that he will be okay. The little children also want to tackle Vance. The rest of the gang hides behind Old Crusty. Russ says that either Vance or Mickey would wear one of their suits to church. C.J. suggests that they get moving. When the second graders have taken their pictures, Mr Boyd calls the third graders to take their pictures. When the third graders have taken their pictures, Mr Boyd calls the fifth graders to take their pictures. Then the third graders run amok. Rigalli then goes around, counting to see the first graders, second graders, and third graders. But then C.J. asks where the kindergartners are. It reveals they are above them, hanging on Old Crusty. Chubby wants to get them, then the kindergartners pounce on them, and the gang runs away. Greta gets her bow stuck on the fence, but then Rigalli gets Greta out of it, but then they are attacked by the kindergartners

C.J. and Russ go into a hole dug by The Diggers, who are revealed to be on a carpet, so their clothes won't get dirty. C.J. then tells Russ to duck because of an incoming doll. Russ then freaks out about Mickey, Vance, Greta, and Rigalli all getting attacked by either kindergartners, first graders, second graders, or third graders. C.J. tells Russ to calm down, while Rachel reveals that he stole a harmonica from a messy kid, then starts playing, "Red River Valley" on the harmonica he stole. Russ then recognizes the sacrifice the gang made for him, but is afraid that the gang's parents will be disappointed in them. C.J. knows that, but convinces Russ that it's for him. Suddenly, Mr Boyd calls the fourth graders to take their photos, which implies that the fifth graders are finished taking their pictures. C.J. and Russ peek out of the hole, which reveals that people are getting very messy, because they had already taken their pictures. C.J. then tells Russ that they made it here all the way without getting dirty, and that they survived mall ball and the kindergartners, so he convinces Russ that they can get to the photographer without getting dirty. Which to that, Russ agrees, and then they go. Rachel and The Diggers come out, but they get muddy.

Russ then tries to go to the photographer without getting dirty, to which he has to face many obstacles. Same with C.J.. Russ successfully makes it to the photo. It reveals that everyone, including the gang, and excluding Russ and C.J., got dirty. As Russ and C.J. make their way over, Dawson steps in with a cheesy mess. C.J. pushes Russ to go and that he will be okay. Russ is in between the stands and C.J. Dawson stalls getting C.J. dirty with several cheese puns as the rest of the gang call Russ over. Russ looks to them, then back to C.J.

C.J.'s voice comes over off-screen again, and Russ's father is looking at a photo.

...And so whatever you think about all the junk that happened on Picture Day, I just figure I should let you know: I'm proud of him anyway, and I'm honored to be his friend.

Respectfully yours,

Carolyn J. Rotweiler

Someone knocks on the door, and Russ' father tells that person to enter. His colleague tells him something about satellite photos. Russ' father tells him to look at the photo he was just looking at. The person then says that he doesn't have really sufficient training to analyze photographs. Russ' father then tells him to take a closer look. It reveals that it was the class picture, and everyone, except C.J. was muddy In front are Russ and C.J. with their arm around each other's shoulder smiling. Russ' father then explains that his son was in his very first class picture ever. Russ' father adds that he has never looked better, which implies that "he doesn't care about the mess--he is proud of his son for defending his friend in a time of need, even if that meant Russ was a cheesy mess for his class photo".