Appearing as Paul Krakauer

Broadcast 23 January 1982 on the ABC television network.

Synopsis by curator@jmdigitalscrapbook.com:

The Love Boat crew is delighted to have among its passengers one of the world's greatest concert pianists, Paul Krakauer (James MacArthur). Shortly after boarding, Paul is cornered by Gillian Stockwell (Pat McCormick) and his wife, Millie (Joyce Jameson). When Mr. Stockwell explains that his wife is Paul's biggest fan and wishes to shake his hand, Paul explains that he makes it a rule never to shake hands with anyone. Further, when asked if he's planning to give a concert during the cruise, Paul flatly informs them that he doesn't play any more. Before the astonished couple can respond, Paul heads off to his room.

There he finds Irene (Donna Pescow), a housekeeper, just finishing up getting his cabin ready. Going into the bathroom for a glass of water, Paul fumbles the tumbler and it shatters on the floor. Curtly refusing Irene's offer to clean it up, he tells her he can manage fine by himself. Confused by his rebuke, she quickly leaves the cabin.

Later, Stockwell attempts to persuade Paul to give a special concert performance to please his wife, offering him the astonishing sum of $5000 for a single song. No matter how much he tries to persuade him, however, Paul remains adamant in his declaration that he doesn't play any more.

Just as Paul finishes dressing for dinner, Irene comes in to turn down the bed. Paul apologizes for his earlier rudeness and eventually convinces her to meet him for a drink after her shift ends so he can make it up to her.

During dinner, Stockwell ups his offer to $10,000 for one tune, but Paul once again demurs.

Strolling on deck with Irene later that evening, Paul explains that he can't play any more because of severe arthritis in his hands. Noting Irene's limp, he learns that she was involved in a terrible car accident at a young age and has never had the courage -- or the money -- for the operation necessary to allow her to walk normally.

After spending the night together, Paul and Irene arrange to meet for a late afternoon picnic. While she is away at work, Stockwell tries one last time to convince Paul to play for Millie. This time he raises the ante to $25,000 -- a sum that just happens to be the same amount Irene needs for her surgery.

When Doc Bricker (Bernie Koppell) discovers Paul in the empty lounge trying to overcome his pain and play, he offers to examine Paul's hands. Commiserating with him over the severe inflammation caused by his arthritis, Doc offers him some medication which may at least temporarily reduce Paul's extreme pain.

In his zeal to seize any opportunity which will allow him to play for Stockwell's $25,000 prize, Paul inadvertently misses his picnic date with Irene. Hurt once again, she assumes he decided she wasn't good enough for him.

That night, hearing the unmistakable strains of Chopin's Polonaise emanating from the Acapulco Lounge, Irene hovers just inside the entrance and joins Paul's appreciative audience. She is moved to tears by the beauty of his playing, but hurries away before he realizes she's there.

When Paul returns to his cabin, Irene has just finished turning down the bed and tries to escape without talking to Paul. Begging her to just listen, he explains why he missed the picnic and then gives her the $25,000. When she says she can't accept it because she's still too fearful of the surgery, he promises he'll see her through.