 What begins as a humorous escapade with a motorcycle turns into a tragic vigil for the Cunninghams and their friends. Richie purchases a motorcycle from Fonzie, but Howard angrily refuses to let him keep it, leading to a deliberately petulant tantrum from Richie to embarrass his father. Fonzie, however, convinces Howard that the bike is safe and that Richie wears proper safety gear, so Howard reluctantly relents. Richie takes Lori Beth with him one day while Fonzie out out and Chachi is repairing a truck rented by Postie, Ralph, and Al. Chachi gets the truck running and the gang is ecstatic, but their happiness disintegrates when an injured Lori Beth runs into the garage begging for help because of a savage crash that has caught her and Richie. Later at the hospital the doctor can only tell Howard and Marion that Richie was fortunate he was wearing his helmet, but that he may never regain consciousness. While the family go home and are greeted by their friends, Fonzie goes to the hospital late that night and sees the unconscious Richie, a sight that so horrifies him that he utters a rambling prayer to the Lord......and finally breaks down in tears at the possible death of his friend.