The Trial of Donald Duck

Donald Duck attempts to eat lunch on park grass with the pigeons, but a heavy rain begins. As the downpour intensifies, he says goodbye to the pigeons and seeks shelter. He spots the canopy near a fancy restaurant and decides to wait there.

Inside the shelter, he imagines a hot cup of coffee and uses a nickel to buy one. He walks into the restaurant and a waiter seats him.

The waiter suggests on the menu 'pomme de terre à la somme de la Louis' as a dish, but Donald insists on coffee instead. The waiter then asks in French if he wants it small; Donald replies yes and asks for a regular Java.

Due to the miscommunication, Donald is served an espresso the size of a thimble. He flies into a rage and refuses to pay for the coffee.

The waiter spots Donald unpacking his lunch from a lunch box inside the restaurant. He decides to charge him for the food he brought into the restaurant. Donald is billed for $35.99.

The dispute over the bill escalates until it reaches the courtroom. The case is presented, with the restaurant asserting its right to charge the guest for external food.

Donald's lawyer portrays him as a victim in the entire mess, but the judge ultimately rules in favor of the restaurant.

The judge offers three choices: pay ten dollars, wash dishes for ten days, or face time in prison. The waiter watches, satisfied as the options are outlined.

Donald selects the dishwashing option and is assigned to the restaurant's kitchen sink. He spends ten days washing dishes, but since the judge did not specify how to wash them, he also destroys several dishes after cleaning them as a way to retaliate.

The waiter pleads with Donald to stop, promising to let the matter go if he ends the destructive activity. Donald remains determined and continues, ignoring the plea.

Donald's ongoing destruction of dishes inflicts ongoing distress on the waiter and the restaurant staff. The business faces mounting financial losses and reputational trouble as a result of the stubborn act.

With Donald's punishment ongoing, the conflict remains unresolved and the restaurant is left to deal with the consequences. The scene ends with Donald continuing his chore and the waiter hoping for a pause in hostilities.