Chapter 32: Medium Rare
Summary
- Mad is excused from school by Harriet, who forges an excuse note to bring Mad to a TV studio.
- Harriet and Mad plan to avoid Mad's mother at the studio by sitting at the back next to the emergency exit.
- At the studio parking lot, they are informed by an attendant, Seymour Browne, that they likely won't be able to get in due to the large crowd.
- Despite the potential unavailability, they are ushered inside by Walter Pine's secretary and are seated in the front row.
- Mad witnesses her mother, Elizabeth Zott, host her cooking show, "Supper at Six," with great presence and authority.
- Elizabeth educates her audience on the chemical composition of meat while Mad experiences pride and a tinge of jealousy.
- Elizabeth addresses a viewer's letter about vegetarianism and the ethical implications of eating meat, before returning to the topic of meat preparation.
- The secretary takes Harriet and Mad to meet Walter Pine. Pine questions why they are at the studio instead of school.
- Pine discusses the consequences of fame and how Elizabeth wants to protect Mad from negative aspects of celebrity life.
- Mad asks why her mother is so popular, and Pine attributes it to Elizabeth's frankness and everyone's unexpected interest in chemistry.
- In a live Q&A, Elizabeth, asked about her favorite grace, openly admits to being an atheist and expresses gratitude to those who make meals possible.
- Mad's mother ends the show with strong advice, and Walter's phone starts ringing incessantly, indicating potential fallout from Elizabeth's statement.