Playing for Keeps

Danny discovers they have inherited the Hotel Majestic in Bethany, Pennsylvania, along with $8,000 in unpaid taxes. He learns that his great-aunt Theresa once owned the place but died before settling the debt. The revelation sets the plan for saving the family fortune in motion.

Danny discusses the inheritance with his friends Silk Davis and Spikes McClanahan, outlining a way to raise money to keep the Majestic. They brainstorm schemes and chase opportunities, hoping to keep the building from being sold. The trio's optimism is tempered by the looming financial hurdle.

To fund their plan, Danny tries to open a bank account and establish a financial foothold. The effort underscores how he must generate capital quickly to secure the property. The scene shows his determination despite the odds.

Silk and Spikes take to the suburbs as would-be salespeople, hoping to turn a profit through door-to-door efforts. The venture proves slow, highlighting the challenges of funding such a risky venture. They keep at it despite early discouragement.

In a playful disguise, the trio pretends to be Boy Scouts and successfully sells mint cookies to office workers. The ruse yields some early cash and a taste of how they might fund the Majestic's revival. The moment also foreshadows the ambitious renovation plan.

Danny's earnings allow him to provide food supplies to several needy neighbors, earning him some goodwill in the community. The act of generosity bolsters his resolve to keep the Majestic afloat. The moment highlights the personal stakes involved in the project.

The friends travel to Hawley, Pennsylvania, in a decorated van to inspect the Majestic. They are stunned by the building's worn-down condition and the scale of the challenge ahead. The visit sets the tone for a rough, hopeful renovation effort.

Rockefeller G. Harding, a hermit resident, gives them a tour of the Majestic that leaves them appalled by its neglect. The tour reveals the extent of the work required and the town's skepticism about their plans. The encounter deepens the tension between ambition and reality.

The trio begins renovations and reimagines the place as The New Hotel Majestic…For Kids Only, promising MTV in every room. The bold concept aims to attract a younger crowd and investor interest. Locals react with mixed enthusiasm and concern about possible changes to Hawley's character.

Several townsfolk express displeasure at the plan and take measures to keep Danny and his friends out of their lives. The resistance foreshadows battles over control and community impact. The project faces social friction before a single nail is hammered.

Rockefeller proposes recruiting stockholders to manage the Majestic, shifting the burden from a single family to a broader group. The plan introduces new dynamics of ownership and responsibility. Danny begins to see the project as more than a personal gamble.

Danny scouts the New York streets to recruit stockholders, enlisting many of his friends for the venture. He travels back to the city to secure capital and support from his network. The move marks a strategic shift from local renovations to widened ownership.

The stockholders of Majestic Enterprises arrive in Hawley and are immediately dismayed by the absence of luxury and the real condition of the site. They learn they must commit to tough, hands-on fixes rather than a glamorous revival. The investors' reaction underscores the gap between dream and reality.

The investors and the team are given a one-month deadline to renovate the Majestic, after which an inspection will take place. The clock starts as they scramble to meet the ambitious timetable. Tensions rise as workers rush to deliver a functional, child-friendly hotel before the check.