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(John-Boy) IN THOSE GRAY AND GRINDING DAYS OF THE DEPRESSION,
WE OFTEN FOUND COMFORT IN THE OLD FAMILIAR PROVERBS.
WE KNEW THAT IN UNITY THERE WAS STRENGTH,
THAT BLOOD WAS THICKER THAN WATER,
THAT TO ERR WAS HUMAN AND TO FORGIVE DIVINE.
USUALLY, WE NEVER EXAMINED THESE TRUTHS TOO CLOSELY,
BUT IN THE AUTUMN OF 1934,
I DISCOVERED, THROUGH PAIN AND REMORSE
JUST HOW PROFOUNDLY TRUE THEY WERE.
HEY! WHAT ON EARTH YOU GOT HERE?
IT'S A BOAT! AND IT'S ALL OURS!
YOU KNOW MR. CARMICHAEL, THE ONE THAT OWNS
THAT BIG HOUSE ON ROCKFISH RIVER? YEAH.
WELL, IT WAS HIS.
HOW MUCH DID HE PAY YOU TO HAUL IT AWAY?
LET'S GO GET JASON AND JOHN-BOY.
AND MARY ELLEN!
THEN WE CAN UNLOAD IT RIGHT NOW.
NOT NOW. WE'LL UNLOAD IT AFTER SUPPER.
IN FACT, IT CAN WAIT TILL AFTER THE DISHES ARE DONE AND THE HOMEWORK'S FINISHED.
OH, DADDY. DADDY'S RIGHT.
THERE'S NOTHING MORE COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN TO THIS BOAT
THAT HASN'T HAPPENED TO IT BEFORE.
WE'RE GONNA FIX IT UP AND SAIL IT ON THE POND.
AND WE'RE GONNA GIVE IT A NAME AND EVERYTHING.
WHY DON'T WE CALL IT ILE-DE-FRANCE?
I THINK THAT NAME HAS BEEN TAKEN, HONEY.
MIGHT I SUGGEST CORK?
CORK? WHY CALL IT CORK?
'CAUSE CORK IS THE FLOATINGEST MATERIAL THERE IS KNOWN TO MAN
AND YOU'RE GONNA NEED ALL THE HELP
YOU CAN POSSIBLY GET FOR THIS SORRY MESS.
[exclaiming] OH, GRANDPA.
YOU CHILDREN OUGHT TO GET A BOAT MORE OFTEN.
ERIN, I'M NOT THROUGH YET. NOW.
DADDY, CAN WE GO WORK ON THE BOAT NOW?
DO YOUR HOMEWORK? (kids) YEAH.
PA, LET'S SET IT UP WITH SOME SAWHORSES, AND THEY CAN WORK ON IT.
THAT'S ONE WAY OF KEEPING HER AFLOAT.
THERE'S NOTHING TO FIXING THAT BOAT.
YOU JUST PUT SOME BANDAGES ON IT.
COME ON, JOHN-BOY.
IN A MINUTE.
WHAT'S THE MATTER, COLLEGE MAN?
NO TIME FOR US KIDS AND OUR BOAT?
WHAT ARE YOU SMILING AT?
WELL, I WAS GONNA ASK YOU WHAT'S WRONG,
BUT I KNEW YOU'D SAY, "NOTHING, MAMA, NOTHING." SO I'M NOT GONNA ASK.
[snickering]
[sighing] WELL, IT'S THAT SPECIAL WRITING CLASS
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET INTO FOR A LONG TIME.
IS THAT IT? THEY WON'T ACCEPT YOU?
NO, THEY DID ACCEPT ME. THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
JOHN-BOY, YOU'VE BEEN TALKING AND TALKING ABOUT THAT CLASS FOR MONTHS.
ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME YOU DON'T WANT TO GET IN IT?
I JUST DON'T THINK I BELONG THERE.
EVERYONE ELSE IN THE CLASS IS A SOPHOMORE.
THEY'VE EVEN GOT A SENIOR WHO'S SUPPOSEDLY WRITING A NOVEL IN VERSE.
I'M THE ONLY FRESHMAN IN THE ENTIRE CLASS.
IT'S A FEATHER IN YOUR CAP.
[sighing] THAT'S TRUE.
I JUST DON'T THINK I'M GONNA MEASURE UP TO IT.
BROODING ABOUT IT ISN'T GONNA HELP.
WHAT YOU NEED IS TO KEEP BUSY.
I'M SURE THE CHILDREN CAN FIND YOU SOMETHING TO DO ON THAT BOAT.
OK.
OK.
MAYBE IF WE GET IT INTO SHIPSHAPE,
I CAN ESCAPE IN IT BEFORE CLASS TOMORROW.
MISS BARSTOW.
MR. TATLOCK. HERE.
MISS WEBB. (Miss Webb) HERE.
MR. CARPENTER.
AND, OF COURSE, OUR NEWCOMER, MR. WALTON.
SINCE YOU WEREN'T HERE FOR THE FIRST CLASS
YOU MISSED MY INTRODUCTORY SPEECH, MR. WALTON.
[students cheering]
HOWEVER, SO AS NOT TO DEPRIVE YOU, I'LL REPEAT IT.
[students booing]
IN CAPSULE FORM.
[students cheering]
IN A NUTSHELL, I REALLY CAN'T TEACH YOU HOW TO WRITE.
YOU'RE EITHER A WRITER, OR YOU'RE NOT.
SO, CLASS, WHY DON'T YOU TELL MR. WALTON ABOUT YOUR PROJECTS?
MR. TATLOCK.
I'M WRITING A NOVELLA IN WHICH ALL THE ACTION IS MENTAL.
HAVE YOU READ PROUST? SOME.
THEN YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING FOR.
IT'S VERY CHALLENGING.
IT CERTAINLY IS. MISS BARSTOW.
I'M DOING A FANTASY ABOUT THE END OF CIVILIZATION
IN WHICH JUST A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE ARE KEEPING KNOWLEDGE ALIVE,
BUT AT THE END, YOU REALIZE IT'S REALLY ABOUT THE FALL OF ROME.
IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S PROPHETIC LITERATURE.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON, WALTON?
UH,
SHORT STORIES.
ON WHAT THEMES?
[chuckles nervously] WELL, UH, FAMILY LIFE.
I'M NOT TOO SURE BUT WHAT REGIONALISM ISN'T DEAD.
REALLY, MISS WEBB? HAS ANYONE TOLD THOMAS WOLFE?
[students chuckling]
WHAT APPROACH ARE YOU TAKING?
PRETTY REALISTIC, I THINK.
WELL, SINCLAIR LEWIS DID SOME GOOD REPORTAGE,
BUT, UH, THESE DAYS, I THINK YOU NEED A LARGER FRAME.
EXACTLY. YOU KNOW, MR. WALTON,
IF YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR PEOPLE
WHAT PROUST DID WITH THE FRENCH BOURGEOISIE...
YOU MUST HAVE SOCIOPOLITICAL OVERTONES.
WITHOUT THAT, WORK IS MEANINGLESS IN THIS DAY AND AGE.
WELL, I JUST, UH,
WRITE ABOUT MY FAMILY THE WAY I SEE THEM,
THE DAY-TO-DAY EXPERIENCES AND SUCH.
GOOD ENOUGH, MR. WALTON.
YOU'RE DOING WHAT EVERY BEGINNING WRITER SHOULD DO.
WRITE ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW.
THAT'S ALL VERY WELL AND GOOD,
BUT MAYBE HE SHOULD KNOW MORE.
(Parks) THANK YOU, MISS WEBB.
MISS BARSTOW, WHY DON'T YOU READ FOR US FROM YOUR NEW WORK?
(Miss Barstow) "IT SEEMED TO CHRISTINA
"THAT THE SOUND OF THE TRAIN WHEELS
WOULD STAY INSIDE HER HEAD AS LONG AS SHE LIVED."
(Elizabeth) 1, 2,
3. PULL!
[all yelling] PULL!
PULL! (Jason) PULL!
ERIN, YOU'RE NOT PULLING.
(Erin) I AM PULLING, JASON. WELL, PULL HARDER.
PULL, ERIN! HARDER? I AM, JASON.
OK, OK, OK, OK.
DIDN'T BUDGE AN INCH.
THAT'S ALL IT HAS TO BUDGE, IS AN INCH.
(Jim-Bob) I GOT AN IDEA.
IF WE BEND 2 TREES AND TIE THEM, PUT THE BOAT IN THE MIDDLE,
WHEN WE CUT THE TREES, WHAMMO! IT'D BE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.
OH, NO.
I SAW IT IN A MOVIE.
I THINK YOU MADE IT UP.
AND I ALSO THINK WE SHOULD GET DADDY.
NO, WE PROMISED WE'D DO IT OURSELVES.
SO LET'S DO IT AGAIN. COME ON.
OK. COME ON.
YOU GOTTA PULL AS HARD AS YOU CAN,
AND DON'T MOVE IT OFF THE BENCH.
OK. READY?
PULL!
(Ben) COME ON, JASON, GO!
(Elizabeth) PULL!
(Jason) JUST IN TIME.
FOR WHAT?
OH, NO, I'VE HAD A TOUGH DAY.
(Mary Ellen) GEE, JOHN-BOY, YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO GOES TO SCHOOL.
(Jim-Bob) YEAH, I HAD A TOUGH TIME. I GOT A D IN SPELLING.
YOU'RE TRYING TO CLOSE THAT SEAM?
DO I GET TO BE CAPTAIN IF I FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO IT?
IT'S A DEAL.
LET ME HAVE THE ENDS OF THE ROPE, PLEASE.
THANK YOU.
JIM-BOB, I NEED, UH...
BRING ME THAT LENGTH OF PIPE THERE, ALL RIGHT?
OK.
NOW...
IT'S WORKING.
BEN,
NOW YOU SEE THE VALUE OF ONE MAN WITH A LITTLE KNOW-HOW.
YOU'RE A MECHANICAL GENIUS AND YOU'RE SMART, TOO. THANK YOU.
WELL, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.
AFTER ALL, WE DID GET HIM TO DO OUR WORK FOR US, DIDN'T WE?
LIKE TOM SAWYER GETTING HIS FRIENDS TO WHITEWASH THE FENCE.
JASON, YOU'VE BEEN READING TOO MANY BOOKS. THAT'S BAD FOR YOU.
IT'S BAD FOR YOU, YOU MEAN.
WELL, I BETTER GET IN THE HOUSE.
(Mary Ellen) JOHN-BOY, YOU GONNA WRITE ABOUT OUR BOAT?
I THINK IT WOULD MAKE A GOOD STORY.
MARY ELLEN, LAST WEEK I'D HAVE THOUGHT SO, TOO.
RIGHT NOW, I'M NOT SURE AT ALL.
COME ON. LET'S GET THOSE SIDES HAMMERED IN.
GET THAT HAMMER.
NAILS.
[knocking on door]
(Olivia) JOHN-BOY.
COME IN.
YOU DIDN'T EAT ANY SUPPER. I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE HUNGRY.
WHAT'S THE MATTER?
TOMORROW I HAVE TO BRING IN A SAMPLE OF MY WORK.
ALL THE SCADS OF STORIES YOU'VE WRITTEN,
YOU MUST BE ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING GOOD.
I THINK THEY'RE ALL GOOD.
THE QUESTION IS, ARE THEY GOOD ENOUGH?
GOOD ENOUGH FOR WHAT?
[sighing]
MAMA, THE PEOPLE IN THIS CLASS ARE...
THEY'RE VERY SOPHISTICATED. THEY'RE VERY DISCRIMINATING.
IT'S NOT AS EASY TO IMPRESS THEM AS IT IS TO IMPRESS YOU.
SINCE WHEN HAVE YOU BEEN OUT TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE?
[sighs] THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEAN.
IT'S JUST THAT THEY KNOW SO MUCH MORE THAN I DO ABOUT THESE THINGS.
THEY'RE INTERESTED IN VERY IMPORTANT THEMES FOR THEIR WORK.
YOU FEELING THAT YOUR STORIES AREN'T SERIOUS ENOUGH?
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M FEELING.
TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I'M WONDERING
IF I REALLY HAVE ANYTHING AT ALL TO SAY AS A WRITER.
JOHN-BOY, THAT IS FOOLISH.
NO, MOM, IT'S A TERRIBLE FEELING
TO SUDDENLY WONDER IF WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY
IS IMPORTANT OR MEANINGFUL TO OTHER PEOPLE.
YOUR FEELINGS ARE IN AN UPROAR 'CAUSE YOU'RE HAVING TO
PROVE YOURSELF TO STRANGERS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
BUT THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN ALL THE TIME FROM NOW ON.
YOU'RE JUST GONNA HAVE TO GET USED TO IT.
THAT'S TERRIBLE.
I WISH I COULD HELP.
WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE IT WAS SO MUCH EASIER.
YOU FELL DOWN, I COULD PICK YOU UP.
YOU WERE AFRAID OF THE DARK,
I COULD SHOW YOU THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY GHOSTS IN THE CORNER.
BUT NOW THERE'S TRULY NOTHING I CAN DO.
EXCEPT TO TELL YOU WHEN TO EAT,
AND THAT IS NOW. HERE.
I ADMIT IT. I'M STARVING.
MOM. THANK YOU.
♪♪[Jason playing guitar]
JASON, YOUR BROTHER'S TRYING TO WORK.
[Jason stops playing]
OH, HI, OLIVIA. NICE TO SEE YOU.
WELL, YOU KNOW THAT MATERIAL YOU ORDERED? IT'S HERE.
THANKS, IKE. JASON WANTED ME TO ASK IF HIS HARMONICA'S HERE YET.
OH, THAT JASON. HE ORDERS A HARMONICA YESTERDAY
AND HE EXPECTS IT TODAY.
HERE'S SOMETHING YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN.
GROGAN'S DEPARTMENT STORE IS HAVING A FALL FASHION SHOW.
I NEVER MISS ONE OF THESE.
(Ike) YOU GOING, HUH?
I THINK I'LL SKIP THIS ONE.
IT'S FREE.
I DON'T SEE ANY POINT IN GOING ALL THE WAY TO CHARLOTTESVILLE
TO LOOK AT A BUNCH OF DRESSES I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY.
THAT DRESS CATCH YOUR EYE, HUH?
IKE, HAVE YOU FINISHED WITH THIS?
OH, SURE, YEAH.
DO YOU MIND IF I TAKE IT WITH ME?
OH, NO, GO AHEAD.
THANK YOU.
(Ike) UH, MUST BE SOMETHING PRETTY INTERESTING IN THERE, HUH?
AH, NO, IT'S NOTHING SPECIAL.
OH, COME IN, COME IN, MISS...
MRS. WALTON. MRS. WALTON. HAVE A SEAT, PLEASE.
THANK YOU.
AND WHAT HAVE YOU BROUGHT US?
YOU'VE WRITTEN A NOVEL, HAVE YOU?
OH, NO.
THIS IS MY SON'S WORK.
HE'S 18 AND A VERY FINE WRITER.
AT LEAST, I THINK SO.
WE WANT TO BELIEVE THAT AS MUCH AS YOU DO.
AFTER ALL, WITHOUT NEW WRITERS, WHAT WOULD PUBLISHERS DO?
DO YOU PUBLISH SHORT STORIES?
CERTAINLY. IF THEY'RE GOOD.
DO I LEAVE THESE WITH YOU?
THEY'RE ONLY A FEW SAMPLES. JOHN-BOY'S WRITTEN A LOT MORE.
YOU JUST LEAVE THEM, MRS. WALTON,
AND WE'LL BE GIVING YOU AN OPINION WITHIN THE WEEK.
UH, THE ADDRESS IS HERE.
AND I'D APPRECIATE IT IF YOU'D SEND YOUR REPLY ADDRESSED TO ME.
MY SON DOESN'T KNOW I'M HERE, AND IF YOU TURN HIM DOWN,
IT MIGHT BE BETTER IF HE NEVER KNEW.
YOU SHOULD THINK MORE POSITIVELY.
WE JUST MAY CONSIDER YOUR SON'S WORK GOOD
AND WANT TO PUBLISH IT.
THINK OF THAT.
I WILL.
BUT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU'D SEND THE REPLY ADDRESSED TO ME.
CERTAINLY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR SON'S NOVEL.
SHORT STORIES. RIGHT.
AND AS I SAID, WE'LL BE IN TOUCH.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING US.
THANK YOU. BYE-BYE.
GOODBYE.
IKE, IKE, DID MY HARMONICA COME IN YET?
NOW STOP IT, WILL YOU? I'M SICK AND TIRED OF YOU
COMING IN HERE AND ASKING WHEN THAT HARMONICA'S GONNA COME IN!
OK. YOU KNOW WHY?
WHY? 'CAUSE IT CAME IN.
[laughing] HOT DOG! THANKS, IKE.
OH, LOOK AT THAT. BRAND NEW.
HOLD IT. 94 CENTS. CASH ON DELIVERY.
GOT IT RIGHT HERE.
EXACT CHANGE. 94 CENTS.
OK.
[chuckling]
IT'S A CATCHY TUNE.
I WROTE IT MYSELF.
IKE, YOU GOT ANY WINGS CIGARETTES?
YEAH, SURE.
I'LL TAKE A PACK OF THEM AND, UH, ONE OF THEM CHOCOLATE BARS.
OK.
HERE YOU GO.
I, UH...
IT'S NEW. I COULDN'T WAIT TO TRY IT OUT.
YOU PLAY THAT THING PRETTY GOOD. YOU SURELY DO.
YOUR CHANGE. THANK YOU.
WHAT ELSE YOU DO?
OH, I PLAY A LITTLE GUITAR.
I SING.
EVER DO IT PROFESSIONAL?
[sighing] I WON AN AMATEUR CONTEST ONCE.
GONNA BE PROFESSIONAL ONE OF THESE DAYS.
MAYBE SOONER THAN YOU THINK.
HOW'S THAT?
[clearing throat] WELL, THAT, UH, THAT ALL DEPENDS.
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF BOBBY BIGELOW AND THE HAYSTACK GANG?
OH, SURE. THEY PLAY ALL OVER VIRGINIA. WHAT ABOUT THEM?
I TRAVEL WITH THEM AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS
WE NEED A NEW MAN WHEN WE'RE IN THESE PARTS.
YOU MEAN, MAYBE I COULD PLAY WITH THE HAYSTACK GANG. STARTING WHEN?
WAIT A MINUTE. NOW SLOW DOWN, BOY.
NOW LIKE I SAID, IT ALL DEPENDS.
BOBBY'D HAVE TO HEAR YOU.
WHEN?
WELL, NOW DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP TOO MUCH, YOU SEE,
'CAUSE BOBBY'S PRETTY PICKY.
BUT YOU SHOW UP AT THE BARN DANCE HALL IN SCOTTSVILLE
A WEEK FROM FRIDAY AT 5:00.
IF YOU DON'T SEE ME, YOU TELL BOBBY THAT CASPAR TICE SENT YOU.
AND THEN WE'LL SEE.
[chuckles] I SURELY WILL.
OH, UH, WHAT'S YOUR NAME, SO I CAN TELL BOBBY WHO TO EXPECT?
WALTON. JASON WALTON.
ALL RIGHT NOW.
A WEEK FROM FRIDAY, 5:00.
I'LL BE THERE. THANK YOU.
IKE.
2 WEEKS FROM NOW, I MIGHT BE A REAL PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN.
YOUR MOM AND YOUR DADDY ARE GONNA HAVE
THE BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THEIR LIVES.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK I'M GONNA TELL ANYBODY
ABOUT GETTING TO MEET BOBBY BIGELOW
UNTIL AFTER IT HAPPENS.
YOU'LL TAKE ALL THE JOY OUT OF IT.
NO, IKE, REALLY.
PROMISE ME YOU WON'T MENTION IT.
I'LL SAY I MET MR. TICE AND THEN LATER
IF I DO GET A JOB, THEN THAT'S DIFFERENT. I'LL TELL THE WORLD.
SO WILL I, AND I'LL KEEP YOUR PROMISE, TOO.
MUM'S THE WORD. THANKS, IKE.
[laughing]
SUCH INDUSTRY.
THE BOAT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK REAL GOOD.
YOU ALL ARE REALLY DOING A GREAT JOB. THANKS.
HOW WAS YOUR WRITING CLASS TODAY?
OH, NOT SO GOOD.
I READ THEM THAT STORY ABOUT BENJI.
YOU KNOW, THAT TERRIER I HAD WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY.
OH, THAT ONE'S REAL GOOD. I LIKED IT.
I THOUGHT SO, TOO.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THE CLASS SAID?
THEY SAID IT WAS VERY NICE. NICE.
WELL, THEY COULD HAVE SAID IT WAS LOUSY.
WELL, THAT'S TRUE.
OF COURSE, I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT IT THAT WAY.
I'M HOME.
SORRY I'M LATE. I WAS AT THE LIBRARY.
JOHN-BOY, I THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER GET HOME. HERE.
WHAT'S THIS? READ IT.
"MAJESTIC PRESS. MRS. JOHN WALTON." THIS IS YOURS.
JOHN-BOY, PLEASE OPEN IT AND READ IT.
OK. ALL RIGHT, I'LL READ IT.
I'LL READ IT.
"DEAR MRS. WALTON, CONGRATULATIONS.
YOUR SON IS AN EXCITING NEW TALENT IN THE REGIONAL VEIN."
WHAT IS THIS? GO ON, READ IT!
"WE ARE MOST EAGER...
[laughing]
WE ARE MOST EAGER TO PUBLISH HIS SHORT STORIES."
WHAT? IS THIS REAL?
THEY'RE GOING TO PUBLISH ME? OH, MY LORD!
DADDY! DADDY!
MAMA! UH, UH, GRANDMA, GRANDPA, COME HERE!
JASON! MARY ELLEN!
(Olivia) JOHN-BOY, CALM DOWN!
LOOK AT THIS. I'M GONNA BE PUBLISHED.
LOOK AT THAT. "MAJESTIC PRESS!"
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. LOOK AT THIS.
I-I'VE BEEN WRITING IN MY DIARY EVERY NIGHT
SINCE I LEARNED HOW TO PUT WORDS ON PAPER.
AND IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
I'M GOING TO BE PUBLISHED. LISTEN, LISTEN.
"WE ARE MOST EAGER TO PUBLISH YOUR SHORT STORIES.
"WE WILL NEED AT LEAST 6 MORE STORIES FOR A FULL-LENGTH VOLUME
"AND IF THEY ARE OF THE SAME CALIBER AS THE ONES WE'VE READ
A CONTRACT WILL BE FORTHCOMING."
THEY WANT 6 STORIES! I'LL SEND THEM 16!
HEY. YOU WANNA HEAR SOMETHING? JASON, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
YOU MISSED ALL THE EXCITEMENT. JOHN-BOY'S GONNA HAVE A BOOK COME OUT!
WHAT? MAJESTIC PRESS, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA.
THEY'RE GONNA PUBLISH ME! IT'S REAL!
CONGRATULATIONS!
(Erin) AND MAMA DID IT ALL BY HERSELF.
THEY SAY THAT BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN IS A WOMAN.
YOU JUST BEAR THAT IN MIND, ZEB.
GET THEE BEHIND ME, OLD WOMAN.
BOY, HAS IT BEEN SOME DAY FOR THIS FAMILY.
JOHN-BOY'S GONNA GET PUBLISHED AND I--
MAMA, I'M GONNA DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO YOU.
TO OLIVIA WALTON. TO THE WHOLE FAMILY.
SAY, EVERYBODY, I MET THIS MAN--
(John-Boy) LISTEN TO WHAT I'LL DO.
I'LL DEDICATE IT TO ZEBULON AND ESTHER AND JOHN AND OLIVIA
AND ELIZABETH AND JASON AND MARY ELLEN...
[all laughing]
(John) EASY NOW, EASY NOW.
(John-Boy) I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
EASY.
[all laughing]
HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING FROM YOUR PUBLISHERS YET?
NO. I IMAGINE IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE.
I'VE SENT THEM THE 6 OTHER STORIES THEY REQUESTED, THOUGH.
AND THE CONTRACT, HAS IT ARRIVED YET?
MAYBE TODAY.
WHICH ONES DID YOU SEND THEM, JOHN?
WELL, I SENT THEM SOME THAT I HAVEN'T BROUGHT IN HERE
AND I SENT THEM THE ONE ABOUT THE DOG.
YOU REMEMBER, I READ THAT IN CLASS LAST WEEK?
YES, I REMEMBER.
YOU THINK THAT WAS A WISE CHOICE?
OH, YES.
I THINK IT HAS THE RIGHT SORT OF INNOCENCE
TO PUT INTO A COLLECTION OF EARLY WORK.
POSSIBLY.
AT ANY RATE, I THINK PEOPLE WILL FIND IT PLEASANT READING.
[chuckles] I HOPE I GET A STRONGER RESPONSE THAN THAT.
THEN I HOPE SO, TOO.
FOR THE MOMENT, LET'S GET BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF THE CLASS.
MISS BARSTOW, ARE YOU READY TO READ?
"WHEN HER MOTHER STARTED TO CRY,
EDNA RAN OUT INTO THE STREET."
[hammering]
♪♪[Bobby playing guitar]
HELLO THERE. MR. TICE.
HEY, BOBBY!
COME ON.
HERE'S THAT BOY I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU ABOUT.
WHAT'D YOU SAY YOUR NAME WAS?
JASON WALTON.
BOBBY BIGELOW. HOW ARE YOU?
I KNOW.
I'VE ADMIRED YOUR PLAYING FOR A LONG TIME, SIR.
WELL, NOT TOO LONG, I HOPE. I'M BARELY OUT OF DIAPERS MYSELF.
CASPAR HERE TELLS ME YOU PLAY REAL GOOD,
AND, UH, HE LIKED THE WAY YOU LOOK.
HOW'D YOU LIKE TO PLAY WITH THE HAYSTACK GANG?
WELL, LET'S, UH, SEE WHAT YOU DO.
NOW?
NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT, I ALWAYS SAY.
UH, YOU SAID YOU COULD SING.
YES, SIR.
WELL, DO US A CHORUS OF SOMETHING.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE?
WOULD SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE BE ALL RIGHT?
YOU BET.
LET HER RIP.
♪♪[playing guitar]
♪ DON'T YOU REMEMBER SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE ♪
♪ WHO CROSSED THE BIG MOUNTAINS WITH HER LOVER IKE ♪
♪ THEY HAD TWO YOKE OF OXEN AND AN OLD YELLER DOG ♪
♪ A TALL SHANGHAI ROOSTER AND A BIG SPOTTED HOG ♪
♪ SAYING FAREWELL PIKE COUNTY GOODBYE FOR A WHILE ♪
♪ WE'LL COME BACK AGAIN WHEN WE'VE PANNED OUT OUR PILE ♪
♪♪ ON AN EVENING QUITE EARLY THEY CAMPED ON THE PLATTE ♪
♪ NEARBY THE ROAD ON A GREEN SHADY FLAT ♪♪
UH, JASON. JASON.
YES, SIR?
LET ME TELL YOU, SON, UH, YOU'RE GOOD.
REAL GOOD.
WHAT DID I TELL YOU?
[giggles] WELL, THANK YOU.
YOU PLAY REAL GOOD. DOESN'T HE?
HE'S REAL GOOD.
THANK YOU.
WHEN I SIGN THIS, IT MEANS I'M A PROFESSIONAL WRITER.
LET ME HAVE A LOOK AT THAT, SON.
NO, IT'S JUST A STANDARD WRITER'S CONTRACT. I CHECKED IT--
HURRY UP AND SIGN IT. ANOTHER MINUTE WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
I JUST WANNA SAY ONE THING BEFORE I DO SIGN THIS, THOUGH.
THIS, THIS REALLY IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE
AND NONE OF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT EVERY ONE OF YOU ALL.
ALL RIGHT, SON. NOW LET ME SEE THIS.
I'M GONNA GO GET THE PEN.
I'LL GET THE INK.
WELL, NOW LOOK HERE.
IT SAYS YOU HAVE TO BE OVER 21, OR A PARENT
OR GUARDIAN HAS TO SIGN ALONG WITH YOU.
WHERE?
NOW LET'S JUST CALM DOWN A BIT. MAYBE YOU MISSED SOME OTHER THINGS HERE.
JUST A--
IF IT'S ALL RIGHT WITH YOU, I'D LIKE MAMA TO BE THE ONE TO SIGN IT
SINCE SHE STARTED ALL OF THIS. NOW, LIVIE, JUST A SECOND. LIV.
JOHN-BOY.
YOU WRITE GOOD AND CLEAR NOW SO THEY CAN READ IT.
MAYBE YOU OUGHT TO PRACTICE IT A FEW TIMES.
I'M JUST GONNA SIGN MY NAME.
DOES IT SAY ANYTHING THERE ABOUT YOUR PICTURE ON THE COVER?
MAMA. I'M SERIOUS.
IF IT DOESN'T, YOU OUGHT TO WRITE IT IN.
HERE GOES.
[all cheering]
MAYBE I OUGHT TO SEE ABOUT A CONTRACT.
OH, ARE YOU GONNA BE A WRITER TOO, JASON?
NO. BUT, SEE, I MIGHT GET TO PLAY WITH BOBBY BIGELOW SOON.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ME TODAY ON MY WAY TO CLASS?
A GIRL STOPPED ME AND ASKED ME FOR MY AUTOGRAPH.
SHE PROBABLY THOUGHT YOU WERE REAL IMPORTANT.
YEAH, SOME MOVIE STAR.
CAN I MAIL IT?
JOHN-BOY SAID I COULD.
YOU CAN BOTH MAIL IT.
YEAH. YOU BOTH WASH YOUR HANDS.
IT CAN'T ARRIVE ALL MESSY.
PLEASE WATCH IT! WATCH IT!
JUST A MINUTE, JASON. NOW WILL YOU 2 STOP THAT? OR I'LL MAIL IT.
NOW THIS IS IMPORTANT.
MAMA, IF IT'S ALL THE SAME TO YOU, I'D LIKE TO MAIL IT.
I'D LIKE TO GET A LITTLE FRESH AIR
AND JUST SORT OF THINK ABOUT ALL OF THIS.
CAN WE GO WITH YOU AND WATCH YOU PUT IT IN THE BOX?
THANK YOU, JIM-BOB, BUT I'D LIKE TO BE BY MYSELF FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
(Ben) WHY DON'T WE GO WORK ON THE BOAT?
COME ON, EVERYONE.
(Grandma) IT'S BEDTIME, SO ONLY TAKE A COUPLE OF MINUTES.
YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE HAPPENED TO ME TODAY?
A PROFESSOR I'D NEVER EVEN SEEN IN MY LIFE
CAME UP TO ME IN THE HALLWAY AND SAID,
"MR. WALTON,
YOU'RE GETTING TO BE A REGULAR LITERARY LION AROUND HERE, AREN'T YOU?"
DID YOU GROWL AT HIM?
LIV, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO JOHN-BOY,
BUT, YOU KNOW, SIGNING A CONTRACT
AND HAVING A BOOK PUBLISHED IS A SERIOUS MATTER.
HE'S RUNNING OFF TO MAIL IT SO QUICK-- IT'S JUST SO EXCITING.
IMAGINE, OUR SON A LITERARY LION.
HMM.
[laughing]
GOOD. I'M GLAD YOU'RE STILL UP.
JOHN-BOY.
[crickets chirping]
IT'S BEEN QUITE A DAY FOR YOU, SON.
[sighing] YES, IT HAS.
I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT.
UM,
I WAS THINKING OUT THERE ON THE ROAD.
I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW TO SAY THIS.
UH,
WELL, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FROM NOW ON
A LOT MORE IS GONNA BE EXPECTED OF ME.
I MEAN, FROM MY FELLOW STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND...
EVERYWHERE.
AND I THINK I'M GONNA NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO MYSELF.
JASON'S ALREADY TAKEN OVER A BIG SHARE OF YOUR CHORES, SON.
I KNOW THAT. THAT'S TRUE.
BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEAN. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE CHILDREN.
NOW, I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO JUMP EVERY TIME THEY CALL ME,
LIKE WITH THIS BOAT BUSINESS HERE.
I'D LIKE YOU TO TELL THEM THAT FOR ME 'CAUSE I DON'T WANNA HURT THEIR FEELINGS.
IF YOU'RE NEEDING MORE TIME TO YOURSELF, SON,
MAYBE YOU OUGHT TO EXPLAIN IT TO THEM.
THEY'LL UNDERSTAND. THEY KNOW HOW MUCH ALL THIS MEANS TO YOU.
WELL,
SURE, OK.
I GUESS I'D BETTER GO UPSTAIRS AND DO SOME READING.
[sighing]
I MIGHT HAVE TO COME UP WITH A SECOND COLLECTION BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.
IMAGINE THAT. A SECOND BOOK.
MR. PARKS. YES.
DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THE YOUNGEST WRITER EVER PUBLISHED?
I DON'T BELIEVE I DO, MR. WALTON,
BUT I COULD TRY AND FIND OUT FOR YOU,
OR YOU COULD AVAIL YOURSELF OF THE LIBRARY.
YES, I THINK I'LL DO THAT.
JOHN.
I BELONG TO A LITERARY SOCIETY
THAT MEETS IN WESTHAM TWICE A MONTH,
AND I WAS TELLING THEM ABOUT YOU
AND THEY WOULD LIKE YOU TO COME AND SPEAK ON THE SHORT STORY
AS A LITERARY FORM.
ME?
I GUESS I COULD GIVE IT A TRY.
THEN I'LL TELL THEM YOU ACCEPT?
SURE. OK.
(Parks) JOHN?
THERE'S BEEN ANOTHER REQUEST FOR YOU TO SPEAK.
YES, SIR?
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH A PROGRAM CALLED THE ROVING REPORTER?
YES, MY FAMILY LISTENS TO IT AT HOME ALL THE TIME.
WELL, TIMOTHY COLLINS,
THAT'S THE REPORTER'S ACTUAL NAME,
HE'S A NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR OF MINE
AND WHEN HE HEARD ABOUT YOUR GOOD FORTUNE
HE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN HAVING YOU INTERVIEWED ON HIS PROGRAM.
HE'S GONNA PUT ME ON THE RADIO?
IF YOU'RE WILLING.
HE WANTS TO COME RIGHT IN HERE, INTO THE CLASSROOM
AND CUT WHAT HE CALLS AN ELECTRICAL TRANSCRIPTION.
THAT-THAT'S ONE OF THOSE-- THOSE, UH, THOSE RECORD THINGS
AND THEN THEY REPLAY IT WHEN THE PROGRAM IS BROADCAST.
THAT'S RIGHT.
SO YOU CAN BE HOME IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
LISTENING TO THE SOUND OF YOUR OWN VOICE IN COMFORT.
(Mr. Tatlock) PROGRESS SURE BRINGS STRANGE THINGS WITH IT.
WELL, JOHN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND JUST THIS MINUTE,
BUT I PRESUME YOU COULD USE A LITTLE PUBLICITY.
BE KIND OF GOOD FOR BOOK SALES, THAT SORT OF THING.
OH, OH, YES, I'D LIKE TO.
MAYBE I COULD READ A STORY, AND WE COULD DISCUSS IT AFTER.
WELL, IT'S ONLY A 3-MINUTE INTERVIEW.
WELL, THAT'S ALL RIGHT, I'D LOVE TO DO IT.
JUST TELL HIM I'LL DO IT WHENEVER IT'S CONVENIENT FOR HIM.
GOOD.
WELL, NOW THAT THAT'S TAKEN CARE OF,
LET'S GET BACK TO CLASS.
YOU HAVE LAST WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS IN FRONT OF YOU
AND I THINK I HAVE GRADED THEM RATHER GENEROUSLY.
B-MINUS?
AS I SAY, JOHN, I THINK I HAVE GRADED THEM RATHER GENEROUSLY.
MARY ELLEN, WHAT'S THE POINT IN PUTTING THAT IN RIGHT NOW?
BECAUSE THEY'RE READY, AND IT MAKES THE BOAT LOOK NICE.
YEAH, BUT WHEN YOU PAINT ALL AROUND
IT'S GONNA GET ALL SMEARED UP.
BEN, YOU'RE SO LOGICAL.
AND YOU ACT JUST LIKE A GIRL.
(Erin) MAYBE THAT'S BECAUSE SHE IS ONE.
(Jim-Bob) WHY DO YOU GIRLS STICK TOGETHER ANYWAY?
WELL, WE NEED TO.
WHAT FOR?
BECAUSE...
I DON'T KNOW. MARY ELLEN SAID SO.
HEAVE HO, ME HEARTIES
AND WET THEM ALL OVER,
AND A BOTTLE OF THE RECIPE FOR THE LAUNCHING.
OH, YOU'VE CHANGED YOUR TUNE, OLD MAN,
BUT I'VE KNOWN ALL ALONG THEY'D GET THIS BOAT IN ORDER.
ESTHER, FOR YOUR FAITH IN THIS PROJECT, I WILL CARVE A FIGUREHEAD
AND USE YOU AS A MODEL.
OH, STOP THAT.
YOU'VE GOT A NASTY MIND, OLD MAN.
MY INTENTION WAS TO CARVE YOU WITH YOUR DRESS AND YOUR APRON ON.
LOOK TO YOUR OWN MIND.
(Ben) HEY, DADDY, WHAT TIME IS JASON COMING HOME?
WE NEED HIM TO HELP US.
EARLY, I GUESS. HE HAD SOMETHING TO DO.
LET'S GO ASK JOHN-BOY. HE CAN HELP US. OK.
COME ON. YEAH.
(Elizabeth) I'M STAYING HERE.
(Ben) HEY, JOHN-BOY! JOHN-BOY!
HEY, JOHN-BOY, ARE YOU DEAF?
NO, BUT I WILL BE IF YOU DON'T STOP HOLLERING LIKE A BANSHEE.
COME ON, WE NEED YOUR HELP. WHAT FOR?
(Jim-Bob) THERE'S STILL PAINTING ON THE BOAT TO BE DONE.
YOU'RE THE CAPTAIN, YOU KNOW.
SORRY. (Erin) SORRY ABOUT WHAT?
I'M BUSY.
JOHN-BOY, YOU'VE BEEN SAYING THAT ALL WEEK.
I'M SORRY, BUT THAT'S THE WAY IT HAS TO BE.
I HAVE A RADIO SPEECH TO GET READY, AND I HAVE GALLEYS TO READ.
LISTEN, IF YOU DON'T HELP US FINISH, YOU'RE OFF THE BOAT.
NO MORE SAILING PRIVILEGES.
BEN, THAT IS JUST CHILDISH NONSENSE.
NOW STOP BOTHERING ME.
[razzing]
[birds chirping]
(Elizabeth) NOW WHO'S GONNA BE CAPTAIN?
ME. ME.
HOW ABOUT MY GIVING YOU A HAND?
SURE, GRANDPA, HERE. GREAT.
WELL, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LONG YEARS, I'D LIKE TO GIVE A HAND
ON JOHN-BOY'S BOTTOM.
I KNOW HE'S ACTING FOOLISH,
BUT HE'S BEEN WRITING AND WRITING,
PRACTICALLY SINCE HE COULD WALK WITH NO ENCOURAGEMENT.
(Olivia) HE'S RIDING A LITTLE HIGH. HE'LL COME DOWN TO EARTH.
HE'LL COME DOWN WITH A THUMP IF HE DOESN'T WATCH OUT.
♪♪[music playing]
♪ MY WIFE AND I LIVED ALL ALONE ♪
♪ IN A LITTLE LOG HUT WE CALLED OUR OWN ♪
♪ SHE LOVES GIN AND I LOVE RUM ♪
♪ I TELL YOU WE HAD LOTS OF FUN ♪
(chorus) ♪ HA, HA, HA, YOU AND ME ♪
♪ LITTLE BROWN JUG HOW I LOVE THEE ♪
♪ HA, HA, HA, YOU AND ME ♪♪
♪ LITTLE BROWN JUG HOW I LOVE THEE ♪
♪ HA, HA, HA, YOU AND ME ♪
♪ LITTLE BROWN JUG HOW I LOVE THEE ♪
(chorus) ♪ HA, HA, HA, YOU AND ME ♪♪
♪ LITTLE BROWN JUG DON'T I LOVE THEE ♪♪
[people cheering]
LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT YOURSELF A JOB, JASON.
YOU MEAN IT?
DO I LOOK LIKE A FELLOW THAT SAYS THINGS HE DON'T MEAN?
$3 A NIGHT ANYTIME WE PLAY THIS AREA.
$3?
OK, OK, $3.50, BUT DON'T HAGGLE ON THE BANDSTAND. IT'S NOT PROFESSIONAL.
I WISH I WAS SINGLE AGAIN.
(chorus) ♪ OH, I WISH I WAS SINGLE AGAIN ♪
♪ I WISH I WAS SINGLE AGAIN ♪
♪♪ 'CAUSE WHEN I WAS SINGLE ♪
♪ MY POCKETS WOULD JINGLE ♪
♪ I WISH I WAS SINGLE AGAIN ♪♪♪
IKE?
IKE?
(Ike) YEAH, IT'S HERE. I GOT IT RIGHT HERE.
CAME IN ABOUT A HALF HOUR AGO.
(John-Boy) OH, THANK YOU.
IT'S BLUE.
OH, MAMA, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL.
LOOK AT THAT.
(John-Boy) "SHORT STORIES A COLLECTION BY JOHN WALTON JR."
THIS IS FOR YOU, IKE.
I'D BE PROUD TO ACCEPT IT.
[stuttering] WOULD YOU WRITE YOUR NAME INSIDE IT?
[laughing] OF COURSE.
AND--AND UH, SAY SOMETHING SPECIAL, UH, YOU KNOW.
ALL RIGHT, UM...
THAT'S RIGHT NICE, JOHN-BOY.
"TO MY FRIEND, IKE GODSEY,
"ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE
"FOR ME TO WRITE THESE STORIES.
SINCERELY, JOHN WALTON JR."
WELL, IT'S THE, UH, FIRST ONE OUT OF THE BOX
AND THE FIRST ONE I AUTOGRAPHED AND THE FIRST OF THE FIRST EDITION.
THANK YOU, IKE.
BYE-BYE. LET'S GET THESE-- LET'S GET THESE HOME. BYE-BYE.
GOODBYE, IKE. BYE, OLIVIA.
[birds chirping]
THANK YOU. DADDY, HERE THEY ARE!
GRANDMA, GRANDPA.
LOOK AT THIS. LOOK AT THAT.
WELL, LOOK AT THAT. ISN'T THAT BEAUTIFUL?
[Grandpa exclaiming]
ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL?
MY OWN WORDS IN PRINT.
IT'S SUCH A STRANGE THING.
LISTEN TO THIS.
"AT NIGHT, ACROSS VIRGINIA, ACROSS THE OLD FOUGHT-UPON EARTH
"THERE COMES A SWEET DARKNESS THAT SEEPS DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS
"AND, LADEN WITH THE SCENT OF DOGWOOD
FLOWS ACROSS THE HILLS AND INTO THE VALLEYS."
OH.
HERE'S A LETTER. MUST BE A COVERING LETTER OF SOME SORT.
UM...
WAIT A MINUTE. THIS CAN'T BE.
THIS CAN'T BE RIGHT. THIS...
WHAT IS IT?
THIS IS A BILL.
THIS IS A BILL FOR $50.
LOOK, IT SAYS, "$50, COST OF THE ENTIRE FIRST PRINTING. PLEASE REMIT.
YOU MAY ORDER MORE IF YOU WISH."
YOU MEAN THEY PRINT THEM UP, THEY SEND THEM TO YOU AND THEY CHARGE YOU FOR IT?
IT'S A RACKET.
IT'S A RACKET, THAT'S WHAT IT IS!
YES, A VERY SLICK CONTRACT, VERY SLICK.
IS IT LEGAL?
COULDN'T BE MORE SO.
I HATE TO DISAPPOINT YOU, PEOPLE, BUT THIS DOCUMENT IS IRONCLAD,
AND OLIVIA'S SIGNATURE, AS PARENT HERE, SETTLES THAT.
DIDN'T ANYBODY READ THIS?
WELL, I THOUGHT I DID.
I WISH YOU WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS IN TO ME BEFORE YOU SIGNED IT.
I COULD HAVE TOLD YOU THERE WAS A CATCH.
YOU MEAN THEY CAN JUST GET AWAY WITH THAT RACKET?
IT'S NO RACKET, JOHN.
YOU SEE, THE NAME FOR THIS KIND OF PUBLISHING VENTURE
IS CALLED A VANITY PRESS, AND A GOOD NAME IT IS, TOO.
YOU SEE, THESE PRINTING HOUSES, THEY APPEAL TO THE VANITY
OF ANYONE WHO IS HANKERING TO BE PUBLISHED AND IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT.
WE DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE GETTING INTO THAT KIND OF A DEAL!
WE THOUGHT IT WAS A LEGITIMATE PUBLISHING OFFER.
DID YOU GET 50 BOOKS, BOUND AND ALL?
PROPERLY BOUND?
YES.
SO THEY LIVED UP TO THEIR CONTRACT.
YOU CAN'T VERY WELL CALL THAT A RACKET.
GUFFY'S RIGHT. THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT
EXCEPT FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY.
OH, NO, DADDY, I'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT.
[sighing]
I DON'T WANT THE FAMILY PAYING FOR MY VANITY.
WELL, IT WAS MY FAULT.
MAMA.
ONCE THAT LETTER CAME I WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING
TO GET THOSE BOOKS,
AND I GUESS THAT'S JUST WHAT THOSE PEOPLE COUNT ON.
YOU'RE SO BUSY THINKING ABOUT YOUR NAME ON THE SPINE OF A BOOK
THAT YOU DON'T READ THE FINE PRINT.
DADDY WAS TRYING TO TELL US THAT.
I GUESS WE ALL WENT OVERBOARD WHEN WE GOT THAT LETTER.
I JUST KEPT RIGHT ON GOING, DIDN'T I?
WELL, THANK YOU, SAM.
YOU'RE WELCOME. I GUESS I BETTER TAKE THIS HOME WITH ME.
IT'LL DO GOOD TO LOOK AT IT FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE VANITY PRESS, THEY CALL IT.
WELL, THE SCRIPTURES SAID IT. "ALL IS VANITY."
VANITY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I'VE TOLD THIS FAMILY
NEVER TO SIGN ANYTHING UNLESS A LAWYER READS THE FINE PRINT
UPSIDE DOWN AND INSIDE OUT.
LOTS OF TIMES, PA.
EXCEPT I DIDN'T HEAR YOU SAY ANYTHING THE OTHER DAY
WHEN JOHN-BOY WAS SIGNING THAT CONTRACT RIGHT HERE. UH, I--
OH, STOP IT.
I WISH HE'D COME OUT.
HE HASN'T BUDGED FROM HIS ROOM SINCE WE GOT BACK.
EMBARRASSED ABOUT FACING ALL HIS FRIENDS AT SCHOOL.
I'LL GO FETCH HIM.
NO, LEAVE HIM BE. HE NEEDS TO BE ALONE RIGHT NOW, PA.
BOAT'S ALMOST PAINTED.
HOW'S SHE LOOK?
COME ON OUT AND SEE. NOT NOW, JASON.
OH, OK.
UH, DADDY, CAN I USE THE TRUCK AGAIN TONIGHT?
WELL, WELL, NOW WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THE SIDE?
SOME SORT OF NEW ROMANTIC BUSINESS, LIKE BOOTLEGGING?
ZEB, HUSH UP.
NO, JUST SOMEPLACE I HAVE TO GO.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME YOU ASKED FOR IT THIS WEEK, SON.
I GOTTA ASK YOU WHERE YOU WANNA GO.
I HAVE A JOB.
A JOB?
(John) WHAT?
MAMA, IT'S TERRIFIC.
I'M PLAYING GUITAR AND HARMONICA AND SINGING
WITH BOBBY BIGELOW AND THE HAYSTACK GANG.
YOU'RE WHAT?
HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?
WELL, I MET THIS MAN AT IKE'S.
IT WAS THE DAY MAMA GOT THE LETTER ABOUT JOHN-BOY BEING PUBLISHED,
AND, UH, WELL, THERE WAS ALL THAT EXCITEMENT ABOUT JOHN-BOY, SO...
WHAT ABOUT THIS MAN YOU MET?
WELL, HE HAD ME COME AND TRY OUT FOR BOBBY BIGELOW, AND HE LIKED ME.
(Jason) SO I WORK FOR HIM WHENEVER THEY PLAY AROUND HERE.
I GET $3.50 A NIGHT.
GOT ALMOST $9 SAVED UP.
WELL, WHY DID YOU KEEP IT SUCH A SECRET, SON?
WELL, I TRIED TO TELL YOU A COUPLE OF TIMES,
BUT, WELL, EVERYTHING WAS HAPPENING SO FAST WITH JOHN-BOY
DIDN'T WANT TO STEAL HIS THUNDER.
JASON.
(Jason) IT'S OK.
DADDY, CAN I USE THE TRUCK?
I GOTTA BE IN SCOTTSVILLE BY 8:00.
WHY DON'T WE ALL GO ALONG?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO?
IT MIGHT BE JUST WHAT THIS FAMILY NEEDS.
I'LL GET THE KIDS ALL SCRUBBED UP.
THEY MUST BE JUST COVERED WITH PAINT.
THEY ARE.
I THINK I'D LIKE TO ASK JOHN-BOY MYSELF.
I WISH YOU WOULD, JASON.
[crying]
[sighing]
[knocking on door]
(Jason) JOHN-BOY, IT'S ME, JASE.
COME IN?
IT'S IMPORTANT.
DOOR'S OPEN.
JOHN-BOY,
THE FAMILY IS GOING INTO SCOTTSVILLE TO HEAR ME WHERE I'M WORKING.
WHERE YOU'RE WORKING?
MMM-HMM.
I'M SINGING AND PLAYING WITH BOBBY BIGELOW.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME ALONG?
THAT'S WONDERFUL. WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?
WELL, I TRIED TO.
YEAH, I WAS JUST TOO BUSY THINKING OF MYSELF
AS THE NEXT PULITZER PRIZE WINNER, WASN'T I?
[laughs]
COME ON WITH US.
I WOULDN'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD, JASON.
GOOD. I'LL MEET YOU DOWNSTAIRS.
OK, I'LL BE THERE IN A MINUTE.
OK.
♪♪[music playing]
THAT'S MY GRANDSON UP THERE.
THE REDDISH-HAIRED ONE.
HIS NAME'S JASON.
A WALTON.
[people applauding]
[people chattering]
JASON, BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU.
IF I, UH...
I GUESS I KIND OF OVERLOOKED YOU LATELY.
NOT THAT I NOTICED.
I FEEL BAD.
I WAS WORRIED ABOUT JOHN-BOY. HE SEEMED SO DISCOURAGED
AND THEN, WHEN ALL THAT BOOK BUSINESS STARTED
I GUESS I JUST DIDN'T GIVE MUCH THOUGHT TO OTHER PEOPLE.
WELL,
YOU CAN'T BE EVERYWHERE AT ONCE.
JASON.
I GOTTA GET BACK TO WORK NOW.
[sighing]
JOHN, YOU'RE LATE. YES, SIR, I HAVE TO SPEAK TO YOU--
JOHN, I WANT YOU TO MEET TIMOTHY COLLINS.
TIM'S THE ROVING REPORTER AND JOHN WALTON HERE IS, UH...
WELL, I GUESS, A NEW STAR IN THE LITERARY FIRMAMENT. WELL, THAT'S WHAT I--
IT'S GOOD TO MEET YOU, JOHN. WE GOTTA GET GOING HERE.
EXCUSE ME, MR. COLLINS-- SHH. WE'RE GOING, JOHN.
NOW DON'T WORRY ABOUT A THING AND DON'T BE NERVOUS.
TESTING, 1, 2, 3, TESTING.
GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THIS IS TIMOTHY COLLINS, YOUR ROVING REPORTER.
AND OUR LOCAL LUMINARY FOR THIS EVENING IS A YOUNG MAN
WHO'S DESTINED FOR FAME AS A WRITER.
HIS NAME IS JOHN WALTON JR.
HE'S A FRESHMAN AT BOATWRIGHT UNIVERSITY
AND HE'S ALREADY BEGUN HIS CAREER AS A PROFESSIONAL WRITER.
HIS FIRST BOOK, A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES,
IS ON ITS WAY TO BEING PUBLISHED AND--
EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME, THAT--THAT ISN'T REALLY TRUE.
I MEAN, IT'S PARTLY TRUE, BUT, UH...
WELL, UH, THERE'S-- THERE'S A LOT MORE TO IT THAN THAT.
AND EVERY-EVERYBODY DOESN'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY ABOUT IT.
WELL, I'VE ALWAYS-- I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE PUBLISHED, BUT, UH...
I GUESS I'VE ALWAYS DREAMED ABOUT BEING PUBLISHED.
(John-Boy) BUT IT WASN'T THE PUBLISHING COMPANY
THAT DECEIVED ME.
I REALLY DECEIVED MYSELF.
I JUST, UH, BECAME SO SELF-IMPORTANT
THAT I REALLY DON'T SEE HOW MY FAMILY EVER LIVED WITH ME
OR HOW MY CLASSMATES COULD EVEN PUT UP WITH ME.
AND I'D BE LYING IF I SAID IT DIDN'T HURT.
UH,
MY PROFESSOR SAID ONCE THAT IT'S AN ARROGANT THING TO BE A WRITER,
AND TO THINK THAT YOU CAN CREATE A WORLD THAT'S SO INTERESTING
THAT PEOPLE WILL PAY MONEY TO BUY YOUR BOOKS
OR READ YOUR SHORT STORIES.
SO MAYBE I JUST GOT A LITTLE TOO ARROGANT.
UM, I JUST...
I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT IT'S A FINE THING TO BE A WRITER.
THERE'S A VERY SECRET AND WONDERFUL JOY
WHEN YOU PUT DOWN A FEW WORDS
THAT REALLY SAY WHAT YOU MEANT TO CONVEY IN THE FIRST PLACE.
AND I'M JUST GONNA KEEP ON TRYING.
ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY, UPSTAIRS AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
COME ON, ELIZABETH.
IT WAS A NICE TALK, SON.
YOU SAID SOME GOOD THINGS.
THANK YOU. I MEANT THEM.
I'M SURE YOU DID. THESE HAVEN'T BEEN MY BEST DAYS, DADDY.
I KNOW.
GUESS THEY'RE ABOUT OVER, THOUGH, HUH?
YES, THEY ARE.
THE FAMILY'S GONNA BE MIGHTY PLEASED TO HEAR THAT.
(Jason) COME ON! COME ON, JOHN-BOY!
(all chattering)
(Jason) COME ON!
ALL RIGHT, I'M COMING!
(John-Boy) THE SCARS OF THAT FIRST DISAPPOINTMENT
WERE A LONG TIME IN HEALING,
BUT THEY DID HEAL.
THE BEST MEDICINE, AS ALWAYS,
WAS THE SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING OF MY FAMILY.
AND A RIDICULOUS LITTLE ROWBOAT
THAT WENT A LONG WAY IN HELPING ME TO FORGET.
(Jason) JOHN-BOY, NOW THAT I'M MAKING MONEY
I CAN HELP YOU OUT WITH THAT BILL FOR THE BOOKS.
(John-Boy) NO, JASON. I'M GONNA PAY FOR THAT MYSELF.
SURE NOW? GLAD TO HELP OUT.
NO, REALLY, JASON. BUT THANK YOU.
JOHN-BOY? UH-HUH.
[both laughing] I'M KIND OF GLAD YOU DIDN'T TAKE ME UP ON IT.
GOOD NIGHT, JASON.
GOOD NIGHT, JOHN-BOY.
[crickets chirping]