Howard Lipton is an ambassador with a reputation as a playboy. He pays San Pueblo a visit, researches Shirley Partridge's likes and dislikes by reading fan magazines, and then has Roger Harper ask Shirley if she would like to go on a date with him. Shirley accepts. Howard is late for his date with Shirley because he was on the phone with the president. Then, once they get to the restaurant, he spends the whole dinner ignoring her while he talks on the phone with various dignitaries. The next night, Roger asks Shirley if she would like to go on another date with Howard. Shirley says no. When Howard finds out, he's shocked because no woman has ever turned him down since he became an ambassador. Before long the press has found out about "the girl who broke Lipton's heart," and people are blaming Shirley for unrelated things like the rise in food prices. Howard sends large numbers of gifts to the Partridge house, hoping to win Shirley over, and becomes so preoccupied that he doodles her name on trade agreements. Finally, Shirley agrees to give him another try, but only if they eat at her house and leave the phone off the hook. Howard can't resist putting the phone back on the hook when Shirley isn't looking. Luckily, the only phone call they get is from Skizzy for Tracy Partridge. Howard attends the Partridge Family's next performance. Then he and Shirley go out together again, and this time she takes him to Muldoon's Point. The next day, Howard visits the Partridge house one last time to thank Shirley for a wonderful evening before he leaves for Brazil.