03x12 - The Departure

[bunniefuu]

(john-boy) by the fall of ,

people were beginning to hope that
the worst of the depression was over.

some jobs were opening up

and there was an
urgency in the country

to get up and get going again.

there was a restless
feeling to life.

we all felt it, and my
father was no exception.

the fall of that year brought
him the first real discontent

we ever knew him to have.

Here you are, john.

[Groans]

Your tooth bothering
you again, pa?

Tooth? What tooth?

Nothing wrong with my teeth.

Well, then what's paining you?

Oh, same as usual.
My rheumatism.

Rheumatism in your jaw, huh?

In my everywhere!

When a man gets to
be my age hey, grandma!

He even forgets where
his pains are supposed to be.

Couldn't be just a simple
toothache, could it, pa?

My teeth are as good as the day I
was born or shortly thereafter.

It's galloping gouts,
that's what it is.

It's a fine day, isn't it?

Rheumatism, that's what it is.

Why does he insist on calling
that toothache rheumatism?

'Cause rheumatism goes away,
a toothache means a dentist.

I'm gonna get out of these
clothes. I'll be right back.

Is there any particular way
you want this wood stacked?

John-boy, if college has taught
you a new way to stack wood,

I'd like to hear about it.

Otherwise, just put one on
top of the other, like always.

Esther, I'll thank you kindly not
to serve me any hot food tonight.

My rheumatism is cutting
up something terrible.

Rheumatism, my foot!

You'd be feeling better
if you'd just go see him.

See who?

[Grandpa groans] the dentist.

You could eat like a
normal person then.

Old lady, I'll eat cold
food the rest of my life

Before I'll allow that man
to mess around in my mouth.

You really would feel better
if you'd just go get it over with.

How old are you now, young man?

. Well, I'm
years of age now.

And I am going to
be the one to decide

When and if I see doc whipple.

Are you afraid of him, grandpa?

You got an answer
for that, old man?

[All snickering]

What day is today?

Uh, it's wednesday.

That means corn chowder
and apple fritters, huh?

That's exactly
what we're having.

How'd you know that, john?

Have you noticed, liv?

We always have corn chowder
and apples fritters on wednesday.

You can thank the good
lord we've got that.

A lot of folks are doing
with lot less these days.

Oh, will you put that
away? It's suppertime.

And I'll tell you
something else.

You always brush and
braid your hair the same way.

Always on the right,
always the same.

What's wrong?

Livie, why don't you just
let your hair hang all loose?

Just let it go wild?

Get a coat.

Let's go to charlottesville
to a picture show.

I'd like that, but the show
would be half over by now.

Let's go for a
walk in the woods.

[Giggles] in the
middle of the night?

Let's do something different.

Let's have an adventure.

Let's go make love
under the stars,

Like we used to
when we were kids.

John, I love you, and I would love
to have an adventure with you,

But I have been on my
feet for hours today

And tomorrow is almost here.

[Sighing]

All right, liv.

Some other time.

You remind me to get a washer
for the faucet for the kitchen sink.

I will.

Don't forget the bearing
for the sawmill motor now.

(Elizabeth) john-boy!
Yes, honey.

Don't forget the wire
for cindy's rabbit cage!

Ok, I won't.

Daddy, wait! Wait!

Would you drop this off
at mike timberlake's house?

He forgot them yesterday.

Sure, honey. Let me have them.

[Engine grinding]

John, would you stop at ike's

And bring me some baking
soda on the way home?

All right, liv.

Maybe this time we'll make it.

John! John, wait a minute!

Oh, shucks!

Now, you pick up something
for zeb's toothache, you hear?

All right, ma.

(John) oh, excuse me. Excuse me.

I'm sorry. (John-boy)
I'm sorry, too.

Let me get your package.

(Girl ) it wasn't your fault.

(Girl ) thank you.

Gee, you look familiar.

Do you work around here?

Um, no, I'm a student
at the university.

Oh, well, bye. Bye.

Uh, miss, uh, your package.

(Girl ) thank you, sir.

Don't take any wooden nickels.

I won't.

(Girl ) bye. Bye.

Bye.

Looks to me like you're gonna
turn out to be a lady's man, son.

You reckon?

They used to look at
me like that all the time.

All the time.

♪♪[music playing on radio]

(Ben) see that
gopher in the garden.

(Jason) that was no gopher,
that was a guinea pig.

How'd a guinea pig
get into the garden?

[Laughing] I don't know.

Just don't tell grandpa.

He wouldn't know a
gopher if he sat on one.

(Erin) ben, don't change it.

We're listening to guy lombardo.

Now we're gonna
listen to lone ranger.

That's not fair,
ben. We had it first.

Yeah, ben!

(Ben) but we've got it now.

Will you children please
turn that thing down?

I can't even hear myself think.

You've made some feeble
excuses in your time.

This time you've even
topped yourself!

Esther, you are barking
up the wrong old dog.

My tooth, my mouth.

I thank you to keep
your nose out of it.

(Grandma) what about my ears?

I can't sleep all night with all
that moaning and groaning going on.

Put some wax in them.

[Children shushing]

[men chattering on radio]

It's getting cooler.

Won't be able to
stay out here soon.

[Crickets chirping]

John?

What is it, liv?

You're not listening, and
you've been acting strange

Ever since you got
back from town.

A mood ever come
over me you don't feel?

No. What's the matter?

I don't know.

I guess it started
when john-boy and me

Bumped into a couple
of young ladies

Coming out of the
hardware store.

They were flirting with him

And they looked right past
me like I was old as grandpa.

[Both chuckling]

I know it's silly.

I was old enough
to be their father.

Made me feel like I was
already out to pasture.

If you're fishing for
compliments, you'll get one.

I just hate to think how many
women find you attractive.

Ah, it's not that, liv.
Wish it were that simple.

John.

You know, we passed
a pet store later

And there was a squirrel
in the window there,

In this wheel-like cage.

[Sighing]

The squirrel was...
Was just running

And running around
and around in circles.

Somehow I knew it knew it
was never gonna get anywhere,

And that's the way I feel.

I feel like I'm running
and running and running

And I'm never
gonna get anywhere.

We're getting someplace.

John-boy's going off to college,

And the other
children are growing.

I know, I know. It's...

It's just the same thing,
day after day after day.

I'm not getting any smarter.

I'm not getting any richer.

I'm just getting older.

It's hard to explain.

I just feel kind of...

Restless.

Truth is, I sometimes
feel that way myself.

Wish I had some kind
of answer to give you.

Something that would help.

But I don't.

We could take that
walk if you'd like.

No, liv, I don't
want to take a walk.

Do you know what you do want?

They're advertising for men
at the shipyards in norfolk.

Trained machinists.

You're not thinking of
moving us all there, are you?

It's only miles away.

I could be home every weekend.

They're paying cents an hour.

We've managed better
than most people

During the worst
of the depression.

We sure could use that
cash coming in every week, liv.

Not at the cost of
all of us sitting around

Waiting for the
weekends to come.

Don't you remember
what it was like

When you worked in waynesboro?

This is different.

This could be my chance.

Your chance for what?

I don't know.

I just got to find out.

I'm gonna take a drive
on down there tomorrow.

Is that your breakfast?

I've got to go. I've got a
biology test this morning.

Mama, maybe it won't
be so easy for him

To find a job there after all.

Maybe it will.

I got to go.

Run! Go! Like everybody else.

Bye, mama, see you after school.

You wait for your
brothers and sisters.

Mama, I'm in a hurry. You wait!

(Jim-bob) why did
daddy leave so early?

I told you, jim-bob.

He had to go to
norfolk on business.

What kind of business?

Looking for some
job possibilities.

We don't have to
move, do we? No.

Ben, elizabeth, get out here.

I'm coming.

You know, mama, it wouldn't
so bad moving to norfolk.

They've got all
the big ships there.

And that's were the beaches are.

I don't want to move.
Erin's got a boyfriend.

Elizabeth, come
on! I do not, ben.

You got a boyfriend. I do not.

Elizabeth! Don't have to yell.

Elizabeth, where are you
going with that rabbit?

I'm taking cindy to school.

Oh, no, you're not.

Will you children get moving?

I don't want to move.

Oh, forget it.

Mama, cindy likes it here.

Mama says we're not
moving. Come on, erin.

If we don't move, then
where is daddy gonna stay?

You go on to school,
elizabeth, and give me that rabbit.

Bye, cindy.

What's going on out here?

[Sighs]

Take these over to
the personnel office.

You start monday.

Thank you.

Mr. Walton?

Right here.

Master machinist, right?

That's right.

Go over to personnel
and give them these.

You start monday.

You mean I'm hired,
just like that?

You qualify, you got the job.

Mr. Wachinisky!

Pass the potatoes, jason.

Please.

Please.

Thank you.

I suppose you'll
be going on sunday.

No, ma'am. Tomorrow.

Thought I'd get settled down for a
couple days before I started work.

Did you find a place yet?

(John) uh-huh, a boarding
house. Real nice and clean.

Doesn't cost much.

Well, that sounds great, daddy.

Maybe we can all come visit you.

I'll be home every weekend.

Every single one?

Every single one.

Sure is gonna seem
funny your not being here.

Mary ellen, you're gonna be
so busy with school and friends

You won't even notice I'm gone.

I will. Me, too.

Now, look, this isn't
easy for me, either.

I don't like being
away from you all.

Something that's got to be done.

John, I sure envy you.

I wish I felt spry enough
to go right along with you.

Oh, hush, hush, old man, you're
just being more foolish than usual.

[Door closing]

Excuse me, you all finish up.

Now, you heard your daddy.

Go on, finish your dinner.

Oh, look at that waste of food.

What are you doing, liv?

I'm brushing my hair.

I can see that.

Why?

Because I couldn't think
of anything else to do.

I'm very angry with you, and
I'm trying not to lose my temper.

You want to talk?

Talk about what?

It seems to me to be
a little late for that.

You didn't need to talk to me
before you made your decision.

I told you that I needed to go,

And I told you I was going.

If that's not
talking, what is it?

That's talking about you.

Where do I come in?

Now, olivia, do you want me to
ask you for permission to go?

No. You're not a child.

But you'd made up your mind

Before you even
mentioned anything to me.

Well, that's the
truth, isn't it?

Yeah, that's the truth.

Livie, you understand
so much about me.

Don't you understand
that all this has to do

With my feelings
about myself as a man?

No.

All I understand is that you're
gonna be gone days a week.

Honey, I'm gonna be
home days a week,

And I'm gonna have a paycheck...

I don't want to hear
that feeble excuse again!

And that is all it is,

A silly, feeble excuse that
has nothing to do with anything.

Honey, what are
you so afraid of?

Now listen, you wanna
be honest, let's be honest.

What is this imagination
of yours conjuring up

About me being alone
in the big, wicked city?

Listen, I loved
you when I met you,

I loved you when I married you,

And I love you now
more than ever.

I'm not gonna let anything
come between us and all we got.

Just wanna know
you're on my side.

Son, I'm counting on you to
take over for me while I'm gone.

I will.

Keep an eye on, ben. He's
starting to feel his oats.

Erin's starting to act
like mary ellen used to.

It's a stage in life, I guess.

Daddy, you really
have to take this job?

Yes, son, I do.

[Car horn honking]

Forward.

Hurry along, john.

The train be pulling
to rockfish depot.

Come on, out of
the truck, you all.

Come on.

(Jason) we're going
with you, daddy.

Yeah, we're gonna
watch you go. All right.

(Erin) wait for me.
(Jason) come on, erin.

(Jim-bob) last one in is a
rotten egg. I'm not in yet.

(Ben) aren't you coming
with us, john-boy?

No, I'm gonna do some
chores for mama.

Where's elizabeth?

You go on, john.

Well, give her a kiss for me.

Tell her I'll be back next week.

[Car engine starting]

(Children) bye, mama.

Bye, john-boy.

Bye!

You seen elizabeth anywhere?

Honey, you've seen daddy
go away before. He'll be back.

No, he won't.

Now, what makes you say that?

He has a suitcase.

I've never saw him go
away with a suitcase before.

Guests read or listen
to the radio in here

When they don't feel
like being in their rooms.

That's nice.

At home we sit around
listening to the radio all the time.

Oh, do you? Uh-huh.

Uh, miss white,
this is mr. Walton.

He'll be staying
with us for a while.

Pleased to make your
acquaintance, mr. Walton.

Likewise, ma'am.

(Woman) miss white's our
high-school librarian.

Until the end of the year,
when they put me out to pasture.

Now, hester white, you know
you'll be looking forward

To that retirement.

I do suppose years of dusty
books should be enough for anyone.

Wouldn't you say, mr. Walton?

Seems like more than
enough to me, ma'am.

Laura sue. Yeah.

Laura sue, I must ask
you for a tiny favor.

Yes?

I tried to iron
this shirt, but...

I'll do it.

You are an angel.

You betcha. Stavros,
this is mr. Walton.

He is our new guest here.

This is stavros christopoulos.

He's been here a long time.

Welcome to our happy
family, mr. Walton.

Thank you.

Excuse me. Surely.

Have a seat, mr. Walton.

As I was saying, this parlor
is, uh, is a social center.

Where you're free to congregate,

Or entertain
visitors if you like.

Would you be
entertaining any visitors?

Not very likely. I'll be
going home on weekends

To my wife and children.

How many children do you have?

. Oh, my.

? For a young man like you?

Uh-huh.

Why, mrs. Champion,

You have created another
culinary feast for us.

Mr. Walton, if you
like truly fine cuisine,

You'll be very happy you
decided to board here.

That's true.

Laura sue is an
artist in the kitchen.

From the looks of
this meal, I believe you.

They're right, mrs.
Champion, you're a fine cook.

Almost as good as my wife.

[Laughing] mr. Walton, that
is a left-handed compliment.

But I will thank you, anyway.

Well, I didn't mean that. I guess
I'm so used to my wife's cooking

Everybody else is
automatically almost as good.

Your wife must be a lucky woman.

She certainly must be.

Well, laura, in my eyes
you are the world's finest.

Better than your
mom in saloniki?

[Chuckling] if you promise
not to tell her I said so, yes.

Well, to the chef.

If my kids could see me
now, they'd think I was crazy.

[All laughing]

(Elizabeth) what is daddy
having for supper?

(Grandma) whatever it is, it's not
as good as what you're having.

(Olivia) grandma.

(Elizabeth) is he eating
at a restaurant?

No, honey. He's probably
having supper where he's staying.

Do they have children there?

(Ben) there must be
millions of kids in norfolk.

It's not what she's
talking about, silly.

What she means is the
place where he's staying.

[Sighs]

Something wrong with
your food, grandpa?

No, livie, everything
is perfect as usual.

I'm just having a slight touch
of my galloping rheumatism.

I'll feel much better as soon
as this damp weather's over.

(Grandma) it hasn't
rained in a month.

Anyway, you'll feel
better come wednesday.

Wednesday? Mmm-hmm.

As soon as doc whipple
pulls that tooth of yours.

I made an appointment for you.

: , It's all set.

Livie, I think I'll just
go lie down for a spell.

(Grandma) for a man that can
hold off a herd of buffalo

With his own bare hands,

He can sure turn into a
quivering mass of jelly

Faster than anyone I ever knew.

Is your rheumatism
bothering you, too, john-boy?

Mmm? No.

I got my biology grade today.

[Sighing]

C-minus. That's the lowest
grade I ever got in my life.

That's a relief.

What's that supposed to mean?

Nothing. It's just it's hard having
a brother who always gets a's.

[Chuckling] well, I'm
sorry about that.

But it's not easy for me
to get a c-minus, though.

Especially when I thought
I was doing so well.

[Kids chattering]

Well, I've only got
one class today.

But then I got to meet
my counselor later.

Worried about seeing him?

Sort of.

I can't help but have
the feeling that someday

Someone's gonna say,
"mr. Walton, I'm sorry

But you're not college
material. We've made a mistake."

Now, you know that's not true.

I know, but it makes me feel
better to say it out loud.

You miss your daddy, don't you?

Yeah.

Don't worry, I'm fine.

I'll see you when I get home.

[Machines whirring]

Your aptitude tests are
exceptional, mr. Walton.

But we must face some
regrettable facts.

You're not as
well-prepared, academically,

As some of our other students.

I'm aware of that,

Sir, but I have been trying
very hard to catch up.

Too hard.

Your other work will suffer.

Drop biology now, before
any grades are recorded,

Take it next year, when
your workload isn't so heavy.

Well, see, I think my
workload always will be heavy.

Anyway, I really
don't want to give up

Before I've given
myself a fair chance.

Well, it's your decision.

But it must be made
before monday.

Why don't you talk to
your parents about it?

Yes, sir, I'll do that.

Thank you.

Hey, walton!

Hi, stavros.

I was just going to get a beer.

Will you join me?

Well, now, I don't mind if I do.

A poor place, but it's home.

[People chattering]

♪♪[music playing]

Hey, greek. Hey, max.

(Stavros) hey, joe. How are you?

A beer for my friend here
and one for me with the usual.

(Bartender) beers.

What are you thinking?

I'm thinking it's been a long
time since I've been in a place

I couldn't take my family to.

(Bartender) beers.

(Louie) hey, you clumsy
oaf! No harm done.

What do you mean, no harm done?

You spilled beer all over my...

(Stavros) hey, hey, louie.

My friend is sorry.

He didn't mean
anything. No big thing.

Clumsy.

Come on. Tempers
are short down here.

One must go to any
limits to avoid offending.

I'm not sure I like
the idea of you

Apologizing for
something I didn't do.

But from his point of view you
did do something, mr. Walton.

You got in his way.

This place where you
come from, is there land?

A few acres, sawmill, house.

And a large and loving family to
whom you are obviously devoted.

You are devoted to your
family, are you not, mr. Walton?

Yes, I am.

Then, why are you here?

Pay good money down here.

I couldn't seem to make
ends meet up in the mountain.

And one day, I got up
and looked in the mirror

And said, "that
fellow's getting old."

I felt locked in,

Restless.

Felt maybe I was
missing something in life.

So, here I am.

(Jason) what are
you so mad about?

You wrote his name
all over your notebook.

(Erin) that's different.

(Mary ellen) she's
right. Come on, erin.

[Door squeaking]

Mary ellen, erin.

lux radio theater
will be on soon.

Why don't you sit with me?

Oh, I promised erin I'd
wash her hair, mama.

There's time.

But if we don't do it now
I'll have to sleep with it wet.

Well, you go on, then.

That's a good way
to catch a cold.

Where are grandma and grandpa?

They retired.

What about john-boy?

He had some studying to do.

Go on now. I'm fine.

(Ben) jase, are you any
good at long division?

Come on.

(Jason) no, I'm not.

I know. I was just hoping.

I can't do my homework.

No? Why don't you ask john-boy?

He's in a bad mood.

Besides, he's got
an exam tomorrow.

Mama?

I hate to ask her.

She's real good
helping in composition,

But she's not so
hot in arithmetic.

I know what you mean.

If daddy was here,
it'd be real snap.

He gets those problems
figured out straight off.

Yeah, but he's not.

Well, tell you what,
we'll go upstairs.

Maybe we can figure it
out together, all right?

Ok. Let's go.

Good night, mama.

Good night, mama.

Good night, you . Sleep well.

(Jason) we will.

You are daring and bold,
but you're not very wise.

I capture your knight.

You are beautiful and
wise, but too daring.

Checkmate. Oh!

Mr. Walton, you have just
witnessed the story of my life.

[Telephone ringing]

Excuse me.

(Stavros) do you play
chess, mr. Walton?

No, I don't. Looks
interesting, though.

Hello. Yes, he is.
Just a moment, please.

Mr. Walton, telephone.

Hello.

John?

olivia, is everything all right?

Everything's fine. I just...

well, what is it, then?

I just... I just got so
lonely. I had to talk to you.

Well, uh, I am, too, honey.

you miss us?

Yeah, I miss you all.
How're the children?

They're fine.

John-boy misses
you a lot, but...

He's having some problems in
school he wants to discuss with you,

But I think it can
wait till saturday.

John,

Are you...

Is the food all right?

Well, it's... It's fine.

It's, uh, it's not home,
but it's fine. Truly.

Honey, I was gonna, um, I was
gonna write to you tonight.

You see, they, uh,

They want us to work
overtime this weekend.

there's a lot of work here.

they tell us if we don't work,
they'll find people who will.

You mean you're not
coming home saturday?

Honey, it's just for
this one weekend.

It's just that everybody
will be so disappointed.

I love you.

i love you, too, john.

Mr. Walton, I have dishes to do.

So maybe stavros
could give you a lesson.

I probably couldn't
concentrate right now.

Could you use some
help in the kitchen?

Did I hear you right?

After dinner at home, I'm
usually out doing chores.

I feel kind of guilty
just sitting around.

(Mrs. Champion) well, we wouldn't
want that. Sure, come on, help me.

Tell me about your family.

Well, I have boys and girls.

Oldest one, his name
is john, just like me.

He's going to college
now. He's got a scholarship.

Oh, terrific!

Wife tells me he's
having a bit of a problem.

But he'll work it
out, he's real smart.

Then there's mary ellen,
she's the oldest girl.

She's real pretty,
just like her mother.

She's gonna be a nurse
when she grows up.

You should see
your face right now.

It just glows when
you talk about them.

I guess I'm a little prejudiced,
but they're real special.

You know, my
husband jimmy and me,

We would of have
a bunch of kids.

But, you know, now
that I'm all alone

I'm glad I don't have a bunch to
raise up all by myself, you know?

Uh-huh.

He was such a wonderful man.

He used to help me with the
dishes, too, every now and again.

Laura?

There's a concert in the park.

Would you like to go?

Oh, not tonight, stavros.

I think I'd like to
turn in a bit early.

You know, I love music,

But I just feel a little bit too sad
tonight to hear anything beautiful.

Does that make any sense?

Yes, it does.

[Door banging]

You know, I think stavros
can live without me.

No, it's not you. He'll
be back. Don't worry.

(john-boy) the spirits of
each member of the family

were subdued by the
absence of the father.

the man had been
gone for days,

but the boy felt an
eternity had passed.

his anxiety was
deepened by the fact

that he was failing
one of his courses.

and he had convinced himself
that without his father's guidance

he might end his college
career altogether.

Come on, zeb. Come on.

Esther, I don't think I ought
to see doc whipple today.

I've got kind of a
ringing in my ears.

John-boy, I think I'd
better go home, lie down.

You'll be doing that
soon enough. Come on.

It's a losing battle, grandpa.

I guess maybe you're
right, john-boy.

Don't worry about it.

Jason'll be by in an
hour to pick you up.

I gotta get going.

Now, you drive
careful, you hear?

I will, I will.

Come on.

John-boy, just in case we
don't see one another again.

Grandpa.

Oh, stop it!

You should've been
on the stage, old man.

Come on, dr. Whipple's waiting.

Bye. Come on.

(Grandma) go on.

Good morning, mrs. Champion.

Oh, mr. Walton.

Mind if I have some coffee?

Of course not.
I'll get you a cup.

I'll get you a sandwich
for your lunch pail, too.

Thank you.

You are gonna be here
over the weekend, aren't you?

Yes, ma'am. They tell
me I have to work.

Oh, my. Well, I'm sure your
family will be really disappointed.

John?

John, are you just married,
or are you really married?

I'm really married, ma'am.

Well, your wife
must be one fine lady.

That she is.

You know, talking
to you reminds me

Of how much i... I
miss being married.

Of course, mr. Christopoulos
has proposed.

Doesn't surprise me.

He wants us to get married as
soon as he's saved enough money

To buy this little farm
that he keeps talking about.

Which will be never.

Why do you say that?

Because every payday he drinks
and gambles his money away.

How come you stay with him?

Because she loves me.

And because one day I may get
lucky, and we will have our farm.

But I won't hold my breath.

My darling, there
is always hope.

Take mr. Walton.

For years he lived
a certain way of life.

Then, poof!

One morning, he got up,

Packed his things and came
here to find a new way of life.

Right, mr. Walton?

Guess so.

Then, who is to say that I
will not do the same thing

And take you with me?

Excuse me.

You look tired, john-boy.
You sleep all right?

No, I tossed and
turned all night long.

Can I be of any help?

[Chuckles]

Well, you are a help.

You tell me that I can do
anything I put my mind to.

But dad...

You'd like a less
prejudiced opinion.

Or maybe a tougher one.

I can't wait for the weekend.

Your father won't
be home this weekend.

Oh, no!

I called him from
ike's last night.

He said he has to
work overtime...

But he said he'd be here!

I know.

But I've gotta
talk to him, mama!

Well, so do i!

I'm sorry.

(John-boy) this is beautiful.

I had no idea there were
so many islands to hawaii.

At least major ones.

I'm going to live on maui.

They have a rainforest there.

John-boy!

Daddy!

[Both laughing] what
are you doing here?

Is everyone all right at
home? Oh, everything's fine.

We just miss you, is all.

I miss you, too, son.

Guess you met
everyone. Yes, yes.

Indeed we did.

We've been having
a lovely visit.

He's a fine young man.

Thank you.

I talked to your mother
last night. Oh, she's fine.

I just wanted to
talk to you myself.

Well, your daddy
just got through

A hard day's work,
and it's suppertime.

Won't you join us? I got a hot apple
pie coming right out of the oven.

Me? Hot apple pie? Of
course, absolutely.

Ok.

I was raised on a
farm, much like you.

Only ours was
near the aegean sea.

The water is bluer than
anything you have ever seen.

It always beckoned to me.

Then one day, I hopped
on a tramp steamer,

And I worked my way to america.

I tell you, a writer
could get enough ideas

For a million
stories in this house.

Not a million, john-boy.

Each of us has only one.

We just tell it
over and over again.

To tell you the truth, I'm
getting tired of hearing mine

And everybody else's, too.

If you're talking to me,
laura, you don't need to worry.

I will not burden your ears
with my dreams anymore.

I'm sorry, mrs. Champion.

I have a feeling that me and my
family rub stavros the wrong way.

No, mr. Walton.

Stavros rubs himself
the wrong way.

Miss white, would you
like to give me a hand

So mr. Walton and his son could
have the parlor to themselves?

(John) oh, now, now, excuse
us. I think I'd like to show

John-boy where
I've been working.

Excuse us. All right.

Thank you for dinner.

You're quite welcome.

Bye-bye.

You really like working here?

It's hard to explain.

I've been lonely, I've missed you
all, but it's been exciting, too.

I've only been here days.

But it's been
different, I'll tell you.

I'll tell you something else,

It's taught me my place
in the scheme of things.

Well, I thought you
already knew what that was.

What's troubling you, son?

Same thing, I reckon.

My place in the
scheme of things.

Only with me, it's school.

My biology class.

I thought you were
doing pretty good in that.

I did, too, but I'm not.

I'm not doing anywhere near
as good as the other students.

If I drop it now and
pick it up next year,

Then it won't count against me.

You gonna drop it?

Oh, no. I don't want to.

I don't know. But my...
My counselor, mr. Gary,

He says that my other
work is gonna suffer.

He says I'm trying too
hard, and it'll do me

More harm than
good in the long run.

Are you trying too hard?

I don't think so. I don't
think I'm trying at all.

I just keep telling
myself how much

I didn't learn at
miss hunter's school

Instead of buckling down
and learning about it now.

Want me to tell you what to do?

No. No, I made the decision
yesterday, after I talked to mr. Gary.

I'm not gonna drop the class.

What'd you come all
the way down here for?

[Chuckling] well, I guess
I was scared to admit

I'd made a decision on my own.

Son, how would you like
to have a beer with me?

A beer? Yeah.

But don't you tell your mother.

No, I won't.

[Men chattering]

♪♪[music playing]

(John-boy) wow! This is
some place, very colorful.

That's one way of putting it.

Can we have beers, please?

(Bartender) beers.
Thank you, daddy.

(Sailor ) "thank you, daddy"?

How do you like that hillbilly?

Bringing his boy in here
to drink with the men.

He's got some pretty fancy
ideas about himself altogether.

You talking to me, stavros?

You are the one I am talking to.

I don't want you to
talk to laura sue again.

You got no cause to
talk to me like that.

You have upset laura sue with
your talk about your fine mountain

And your wonderful
children, your beautiful wife.

If you love them so much,
wouldn't you rather be with them

Than talking about
them to laura sue?

I love her, and you
made her not care for me.

I'm not capable
of that, stavros.

I'm a man, just like you.

I think I am the better man.

(Sailor ) what's going on?

[Glass breaking]

[Men screaming]

Let me go!

[Screaming]

John-boy, what
are we doing here?

I don't know. I don't know.

Well, let's get out! All right!

(John) come here.

[Glass shattering]

I tore, I don't know, a little skin
off my knuckles, and that's bad.

I'm gonna have a
shiner, it looks like.

I tell you, some old
sailor come at me

With a chair in his hand
and m*rder in his eye.

What'd you do? I ducked under
the table. What do you think I did?

You left me there
to fight him alone.

You were doing all right.
You're a pretty good fighter.

[Panting] oh, I'm
out of shape, son.

[Laughing]

Let's go home.

Home? Boarding house home?

Let's go home to
walton's mountain.

I don't understand you at all.

I don't, either.

Here's some pie
for your ride home.

Thank you.

Hope you and
mr. Stavros get that farm.

He won't.

But, anyway, the more I
stay around this place,

The more attached I get to it.

Bye, mrs. Champion.

Bye, mr. Walton.

Goodbye.

(Mrs. Champion) bye. Come again.

Thank you.

[Car horn honking]

John-boy's home!

(Mary ellen) there's
someone with him!

Hey, it's daddy!

(Erin) daddy's home!

(Mary ellen) daddy, I thought you
weren't coming home till the weekend!

(John) hello, liv.

Brought your suitcase? Uh-huh.

You all right? Oh, sure.

He's all right.

(Erin) daddy! Hiya.

(Jim-bob) daddy! How are you?

(Ben) boy, do I need
help with my homework!

(Erin) daddy, a boy
invited me to the dance!

Hey! Do I need help
with my homework!

Daddy, a boy invited
me to the dance!

Welcome home.

I always knew you'd be back.

Zeb, will you get back
into your room, please?

Esther, you're the bossiest
old girl I have ever known.

Doc whipple pulled his tooth
and gave him nitrous oxide.

That's laughing gas.

He's been laughing for hours,

And I thought I'd get
some sleep tonight.

Now, get into the room.

Go on, zeb. Go on.

Come on.

(Olivia) all right, everybody.

Upstairs. Daddy
will be up in a minute.

(Elizabeth) I want a piggyback!

See you soon, daddy.

(John-boy) go on. He's
not going anywhere.

He'll be here
tomorrow. Good night.

What happened?

I had me an adventure.

Got it out of your system now?

Not entirely.

Come on, you.

(john-boy) a house is
more than paint and walls

and ceilings and floors.

a house is a history of all
those people it has sheltered.

and when we move away,

we leave behind us the
persons we were then.

the prints of our
fingers on a door frame,

the marks on the
floor we walked,

the whisper of our voices,

and all those things
that were done and said.

(Olivia) john.

(John) what?

That woman you wrote me about?

Mrs. Champion?

Mmm-hmm.

What was she like?

I mean, how old was she?

I don't know. She
was... She wasn't young,

She wasn't old.
I mean she was...

(Mary ellen) good night, daddy!

Good night, mary ellen.

You mean what, john?

I mean, she was
kind of unusual. Oh.

(Erin) good night, daddy.

Good night, erin.

How was she unusual?

Well, she was...

(Elizabeth) I love you, daddy.

I love you, too, honey.

Good night. Where was i, livie?

No place that can't
wait till morning.

Liv, I love you.

I love you, too, john.