The Saturdays

One Saturday, the four Melendy children sit around in their playroom, which they call “the Office,” and complain about the rainy weather. Only six-year-old Oliver is content to draw at his little table. Mona Melendy is the eldest child and aspires to be an actress, while Miranda (“Randy”) wants to be an artist and dancer. Rush wants to be an engineer and a pianist, and Oliver wants to be a train engineer. The children live with their father and their beloved housekeeper and friend, Cuffy.

As they debate what to do, Randy suddenly has an idea: They could start a club and pool their allowances. This would mean that one child could afford to do something interesting each week. For instance, Mona could go see a play, or Rush could go to Carnegie Hall to listen to music. The kids think about the potential of their idea, made even better by the possibility of breaking their piggy bank and collecting its coins. They decide to call it The Independent Saturday Afternoon Adventure Club, or ISAAC for short. Even though Oliver only gets 10 cents per week, he is allowed to join the club and contribute his money.