Produced by Idaho Public Television
for the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare

PART I     PART II     CREDITS

PART I: DREAM CAR

TEEN GIRL: "Everybody has a dream, you know? Like singing in a band, or getting Homecoming Queen.... "

TEEN BOY: "Hitting a three-pointer at the buzzer in a championship game..."

TEEN GIRL: "My dream is to get a car. But not just any car; a brand new, amazingly fast, sports car."

TEEN BOY: "Yeah. A Benz drop top. And it's red."

TEEN GIRL: "This is just great. Cruising around with the top down,... music jamming..."

TEEN BOY: "It doesn't get any better than this. Can you believe them?"

TEEN GIRL: "There's just one thing to do... "

TEEN BOY: "You gotta pass 'em!"

TEEN GIRL: "This car's a dream. It has everything, right? CD player, computerized dashboard, leather seats...The baby buckled in the car seat in back."

MR. SUIT: "Two typical teenagers, dreaming of a life in the fast lane, struck by the realization that the dream doesn't include being a teen parent. No baby buckled into the back seat intruding on their carefree automotive fantasia. But the stark reality is this: if you become a teen parent, the road you travel will be changed forever."

SALESMAN: "So, you're thinking about life in the fast lane, huh? You've come to the right place, kids. I guarantee there's a world of excitement waiting for you, and it's right through that window. Take a look at those babies!"

TEEN BOY: "Whoa, wait a minute...!"

DOCTOR: "Congratulations. Sugar and spice and everything nice, huh?"

SALESMAN: "Or would you prefer a two-door? Come on, take a closer look."

SALESMAN: "First of all, have you figured out how you're going to finance things? 'Cause buying a car means signing a legal contract. And you're still teenagers, am I right?"

TEEN GIRL:" I've got a job, and some money saved up. "

TEEN BOY: "And my folks said they'll co-sign the contracts."

SALESMAN: "Perfect! Because you won't be able to do this without involving your parents. I have a contract right here. First of all, there's a down payment of a few thousand dollars. But you expected that. Then you'll be responsible for the payments for 60 months, or 5 years. After that the car's yours. Please sit down and read it over."

DOCTOR: "That's called a Support Order. You'll be making support payments for the baby for 216 months, or 18 years. Not to mention the hospital bill: it's a few thousand dollars."

TEEN BOY: "Sounds like a down payment."

DOCTOR: "Oh, it's just the beginning."

SALESMAN: "Now, you'll also need car insurance. You can't drive without it. You'll want to budget for that."

DOCTOR: "And the State requires medical insurance on your baby. It comes out of your own pocket."

SALESMAN: "Not to mention the cost of fuel. That's a pretty penny. I'm talking premium gas, oil, fluid...."

DOCTOR: "...Milk, juice, baby food, cereal. Diapers, powders. The list goes on."

SALESMAN: "Plus maintenance, too, 'cause breakdowns happen. You'll need a certified mechanic..."

DOCTOR: "And a pediatrician to give the baby a regular checkup..."

SALESMAN: "Every six months or 3,000 miles."

TEEN GIRL: "Wait a minute, wait a minute! I just wanted my dream car. I didn't know it would be so complicated."

SALESMAN: "Don't worry. If you lose your job or find you can't make the payments, I'll introduce you to a very influential buddy of mine: the Repo Man. He'll repossess your car, and take it off your hands. It's a little embarrassing, but your payments will end."

TEEN BOY: "And we'll be off the hook."

SALESMAN: "Absolutely!"

DOCTOR: "Of course, your financial obligations to the baby will remain with you until the child is 18."

TEEN GIRL: "But what if I lose my job. Or the father refuses to pay support. They can't repossess a baby?"

DOCTOR: "No, they can't. You'll always be financially responsible for the child. If the support isn't paid, you'll get to meet with a very influential person. He's called a judge. He won't repossess your baby, but he can take away your drivers license, your hunting license, your professional license. Once you become part of the Welfare system, you lose a lot of freedom. That's something you need to think about."

SALESMAN: "So, kids, are you ready for life in the fast lane? What'll it be?"

TEEN GIRL: "Uh... As much as we'd like our dream car, do you have anything a bit more... sensible?"