03x21 - The Statue

[bunniefuu]

[Birds chirping]

(john-boy) for as long
as I can remember,

i never wanted to be
anything but a writer.

nor can I remember ever
thinking of giving up writing.

although, at times, the
agonies of being rejected

were painful and frustrating.

i recall one saturday morning

when I had gone to pick up

my usual batch
of rejection slips.

it was a day which was
to mark the beginning

of a new plateau in my career.

[Door closing]

It's all right. You're married.

Well, I guess we're still on
our honeymoon, you might say.

How's your family, john-boy?

Fine, fine. Listen, how's
the mail situation?

We haven't quite figured
out the division of labor.

Excuse me.

Now let's see,
john-boy, you got, uh,

One back here from, uh,

liberty magazine. yeah.

And then you got another

(Ike) reject here
from collier's.

(john-boy) collier's? and, uh,

saturday evening post
sent you one back, too.

Corabeth? Wh-what...
What are you doing?

Mr. Godsey, if I am
to be your helpmate,

I must know the paperwork
which that requires.

Uh, please let
me have this, ike.

Well, this one's from
the appalachian journal.

I never heard of
that one. Yes, I know.

It is a very, very
fine publication.

It publishes only the best
in recent appalachian fiction.

And if you will notice, ike,

This is not a return envelope.

Oh, hey. So that means they
might have accepted it, huh?

Yes.

Did they buy it?

Not quite.

They like it.

And they would like
me to lengthen it.

But john-boy, for a young
man about to break in to print,

You don't seem terribly excited.

Cousin corabeth, I almost
broke in to print once before

And it was a disaster.

I always fancied I could write

Had I been given
the time and place.

Corabeth, would you go
fetch me a cup of coffee?

Mr. Godsey, if a
gentleman wanted a lady

To get him a cup of coffee,

I would think there would
be a more gracious way

Of requesting it.

Corabeth, would you

Please get me a cup of coffee?

Of course, mr. Godsey.

I will serve it on
that small tray

With the small flowers
that olivia gave us

For our wedding present.

John-boy? No, thank you,

I have to hit the trail.

John-boy, that story that
they're about to accept, uh,

It's not about me, is it?

No. Oh.

Who's it about?

Well, it's sort of about miss
mamie and miss emily baldwin.

Oh, come on.

What could be interesting
about the baldwin sisters?

Just add one ashley longworth,
and you've got a good story.

Well, you don't
believe that story

About miss emily and
ashley longworth.

Maybe, maybe not.

But you will when
you read the story.

If they buy it.

Ok, all right.

Oh, hey. You going to the
church raffle? I doubt it.

Oh, you're going to
miss that first big prize.

It's a doozy!

Well, I'll probably be working on
this, though. I'll see you later, ike.

Ok.

Bye.

Mama. (Olivia) john-boy.

Do you know where it mentions
anything in the bible about raffles?

[Laughing] no, why?

Well, according to grandma,
the bible says they're sinful

And I shouldn't
let the children go.

Why, I can't really
see the children

Going to hell for
a church raffle.

Anyway, they've been
selling tickets for weeks.

It's a pity to disappoint
them. Listen, mama.

I think I may have some
good news for you.

You've had a story accepted.

Maybe. Maybe.

It's a story I don't
think you've ever heard.

(John-boy) I sent it in to
the appalachian journal,

Which is a very,
very good magazine

And this is what they said:

"Dear mr. Walton.
This is a splendid story,

"And we would
like to publish it.

"Our requirements for
the short story form

"Necessitates stories
of , words or more.

"We would be most interested
in publishing your story

"If you can bring it up to
the appropriate length.

We suggest that you approach
lengthening it in the area of the..."

Etcetera, etcetera.

Well, what's the story about?

Well, uh,

It's about, uh, an...
An old lady who has

Built a fantasy about a
man that she fell in love with

When they were both very
young and she sort of tries

To keep him alive
in her imagination.

Sounds like miss emily to me.

Well, i... I sort of did get
the idea from miss emily.

Well, don't you think it might
upset miss emily to... To read a story

That says ashley longworth
was only real in her imagination?

Well, no.

Well, I never really
thought about it.

I mean, she'll probably never
recognize herself. People never do

When they read
something that they're in.

I mean, that's
what a writer does.

He... He takes the raw materials
of a character or something

And... And he molds
it in his own way

From his own imagination,
into a different form.

Something original
and... And different.

All the same, it'd be a shame
to hurt miss emily's feelings.

Mama, I would not do anything
to hurt miss emily's feelings.

And besides, she'll
never even read it.

There's not more than or
people subscribed to this magazine.

She'll never know.
(Olivia) I hope not.

Look, mama, I
would appreciate it

If you would not tell
anybody about this story.

You can... You can tell daddy,
but don't tell the children

Because after that
vanity press business

I don't want anyone to know
until I've sold it for sure, ok?

Not a word.

[Birds chirping] (john-boy)
even as a young woman,

she was always addressed
as miss charlotte.

and it was not so
much out of respect

but rather from a sense
of her obvious destiny.

her friends whispered
how unfortunate it was

that miss charlotte had
been born to be a spinster.

miss charlotte had no
such image of herself.

[Grandpa yelling] she dreamt of
a suitor who would love her

and whom she
would love in return.

(Grandpa) john-boy, where
are you? What? I'm here.

(Grandpa) I am in need of a
friend and companion, john-boy.

Wait, just a minute.

I'm coming.

(Grandpa) john-boy? Yes?

I want you to take a stroll with me
over to ike's for the church raffle.

Well, I'm a little
busy, grandpa.

I'm doin' something that's
kind of important here.

You're too busy to take a look

At the mysterious first prize?

They got it all covered
over with something

So you can't even
get a peek at it.

What's so mysterious about it?

As near as I can make out,

The baldwin ladies have
donated it and they don't want

To unveil it until
the last minute.

I wonder if it's, uh...

Well, come on, it won't take more
than a half-hour, minutes maybe.

The baldwin ladies, you say?

[Laughing] yeah.

Uh, come on.

Well, it's a funny thing. I'm... I'm
just, sort of, working on a story

That's, sort of, based
on the baldwin sisters.

What's that? I said I'm,

I'm, sort of, writing a story

That's loosely based
on the baldwin ladies.

Oh, what do you know?

Well, you want to be careful what
you write about them, you know,

[Laughing] if you
want to sell it.

They're delicate ladies,
if you know what I mean.

Oh, I know.

Come on.

Well, uh, sure. Ok,
I'll come with you.

Come on.

Let's go.

Ok, elizabeth, take out
the ticket for the big prize.

I know this is the one
you've all been waiting for.

You've been
wondering what it is.

And you're going to
find out in just a minute.

That prize, by the way,
was donated by miss emily

And miss mamie baldwin.

Oh, it's a doozy. Now.

That, uh, number is number .

(Ike) who's got lucky number ?

?

Come on, somebody
out there has got it.

(Ike) who's got ?

(Ike) look in your
pockets. Number ?

[Screaming]

Zeb walton.

[Laughing] come on up here, zeb.

It's me! It's me!

[All laughing]

(Ike) hey, zeb walton.

He's the winner.
Come on up here, zeb.

Come on over. Oh,
that's wonderful.

(Ben) congratulations, grandpa.

(Emily) congratulations
on your good fortune.

(Ike) ok, zeb, come on up here.

Come on up here, zeb,

And take the top
off of that thing

So we can see what you won, huh?

[Crowd laughing]

(Mamie) won't you say
something, mr. Walton?

I'm overwhelmed.

I just don't know what to say.

(Grandpa) her beauty
is extraordinary.

[Grandpa laughing]

Uh, uh, tell him
her history, sister.

Oh, you tell him, emily.

Well, as you know,
mr. Walton, in ,

Papa took us on the grand tour.

We traveled through the
stately homes of england.

The fjords of norway.

The cathedrals of paris.

The canals of venice.

[Breathing in]

Coming at last
to florence, italy.

(Mamie) well, you've
neglected to mention that papa

Was always enraptured

With mr. Edgar allan poe's poem

annabel lee.

Oh, yes. That's very important,

Because it was
in florence, italy

That we met a young
sculptor, quite talented

And papa commissioned
him to sculpt this statue

Based on the poem
composed by mr. Poe.

annabel lee.

Oh, it's a lovely statue, ladies

But I wouldn't
want to deprive you

Of such a beautiful
object d'art.

Well. Well,

Uh, we must confess, mr. Walton.

Our dear late mother
didn't care for her

And, uh, she has been
hidden away all these years.

And we just felt
that the time had come

For her to see the light of day.

[Both laughing]

In that case, I gladly accept.

[Cheering]

Congratulations, again.

Congratulations.
I hope you enjoy it.

Indeed. Indeed, yes.

(Emily) john-boy?

Miss emily, miss... Miss mamie.

That's a beautiful statue.

We are so pleased to
hear the news. What news?

Mr. Godsey told us all
about the story you're writing

About ashley longworth and me.

Indeed, yes, and we
are deeply moved

At the prospect... Of the
story finally being told.

Oh, well, um, good, I'm glad.

But... You...

Excuse me just a minute, ladies,
I have to speak to somebody.

Excuse me.

Ike godsey. Yeah?

You... What did you go... What did
you go and ruin everything for?

What did I ruin? You told
miss mamie and miss emily

About that story I was writin'.

Well, you didn't tell me you didn't
want to tell them. And you know...

Why, are they unhappy that
you are writin' about them?

That's not the point, ike. Of
course they love the idea. It's just...

Well, it's just that I don't
want the whole county knowing

That I might get published.
Suppose something happens again.

I'd just appreciate it
if you be more private

About my business in the future.

If you don't mind.

Well, I was just so happy for
you, I wanted to tell somebody.

Ok. Just...

Just try to contain
yourself next time, all right?

Ok.

John-boy. I need your help here.

What are you gonna
do with this thing?

This is the spitting image,

The very image of moselle lewis.

Who is moselle lewis?

She was a woman
that I was courtin'

Before your grandma
come down the track.

Really? W-what is grandma
gonna say about that?

Well, I hope she don't
remember moselle as well as I did.

Come on, give me a hand
here. Now wait a minute.

That's too heavy for you. Let
me get it. We need a wheelbarrow.

No, grandpa.
(Grandpa) let it go.

Steady, john-boy, here we go.

(John) a hand, pa?

(Erin) can I make her...

No, no, I want you
all to stand back

And be prepared to gaze
upon a thing of beauty.

(Grandma) I can't see what
all the mystery's about.

You'll like it, grandma.

Yeah, well, I'll make up
my own mind after I see it.

All right, folks,

Gaze upon this
glorious first prize.

(Children) ta-da!

My lord!

What's the matter, old woman?

Don't you recognize a work
of art when you see one?

[Birds chirping]

Well, if, uh,

That's the first prize,
how bad are the others?

Livie?

It's very interesting, grandpa.

John, you have not
expressed an opinion.

Congratulations, pa.

Now, she looks like somebody,

But for the life of
me I don't know who.

Where are you plannin'
on puttin' her, grandpa?

Why, she'll sit right here,

So I can be up there on
the porch in my rocker

And gaze at her to
my heart's content.

Wouldn't the meadow
be a little bit better?

(Olivia) then you
could enjoy her

While you're
workin' in the mill.

(Grandpa) oh, no, no.
I wouldn't think so.

That'd take my
mind from my work.

[Laughing] you know it's dangerous
workin' around a wood saw.

Well, there's something
about that face I don't like.

She reminds me of somebody.

This statue was
inspired by annabel lee.

Well, she's disgraceful with...

We'll put her in the
vegetable garden

And use her as a scarecrow.

[All chattering] I
think she's pretty.

She stays right here.

Well, wherever she stays,
supper's getting cold.

Come on inside, everybody.
Well, I think she's pretty.

Goodbye, annabel. I think
she's real pretty, grandpa.

[Sighing]

John-boy? (John-boy) hmm?

You going to stay up all night?

I may have to. It's
pretty slow going.

(Olivia) you running
out of inspiration?

Ah!

Ike blabbed to
the baldwin ladies

That I was writin'
this story about them.

And now knowing that they
know that I'm writing a story

Makes it impossible to write it.

Why don't you give it a rest
and start fresh in the morning?

Yeah, you're probably right.

Good night.

(John-boy) good night.

I know what I have to do. I
just have to write it my way.

I just have to put it
down as it comes to me.

Just something is
stopping the flow.

[Doorbell buzzing]

Company, mamie.

Were we expecting company?

No, but I'll see who
it is just the same.

(Mamie) what a treat!

Sister, it's john-boy.

Oh, john-boy.

Just in time for tea.

Do come in and sit down.

Thank you very much.

Will you have some tea,
john-boy? Uh, no, thank you.

No tea for me. I, uh,

I wanted to speak with
you about something.

I do hope you and
your grandfather

Got his prize home safely.

Yes, we did. It's sitting
in the front yard.

Did the rest of the family

Enjoy the... His good fortune?

Well, they had different
opinions about it. Uh,

I wanted to speak with you

About that story that
ike told you I was writing.

Oh, john-boy.

You can't know the
joy that the knowledge

That you've written
a story about us

And ashley longworth.

Has given to my sister and me.

Yes.

I want to be completely
honest in this story. So...

Now, we wouldn't
have it any other way.

[Clears throat] now, we will,
of course, supply you

(Emily) with any and all
information you may need.

You know, of course,
that ashley longworth

Was a student at the
university of virginia?

Well, of course he
knows that, sister.

And how would he know that?

Well, you've told the
story often enough.

Sister, I do believe
you're jealous.

Oh!

By what right
would I be jealous?

I had beaus of my own.

Name one.

Uh, uh, octavius fairweather.

(Emily) oh, papa could
never have allowed you

To marry a fairweather.

Why, the family have
only been in virginia

For about years.

Practically newcomers.

After all, as I recall, he
only came to see you once.

But he would have called again.

But papa intimidated him.

Yes, and I never
did understand why.

After all, octavius
never kissed you.

You see, john-boy,
ashley did kiss me.

Yes. Miss emily...

It was out there
under the maple tree.

And a shower of golden leaves

Was swirling about
in the autumn wind.

Yes.

Miss emily, um, hmm?

Every writer, uh, has

A different version,
his own version,

Of a... Of a familiar story

Which may or may not coincide

With the versions
of other people. Uh,

(John-boy) I wouldn't want
the story to offend you.

Offend me?

You see, uh, i,
as a... As a writer

Uh, when... When I transliterate

Or, um, or fictionalize an event

Which has actually taken place

(John-boy) um, well,

The way it appears on
the... On the printed page

Might not necessarily
coincide with...

With the way a...
A person who had

Actually experienced
the... The event

Would think about the event.

Do you see?

I don't understand.

What i... What I
mean is that... That

Uh, the story as I tell it may
not be the way y-you remember it.

It's my interpretation
of... Of a character.

In other words, you
might not even recognize

(John-boy) your own
character at all.

I'm disappointed.

I'd hoped ashley might read
the story wherever he is

And it might prompt him

To come this way in his travels.

For old times' sake,
don't you know?

Oh, he'll never see it.

And you'll probably
never even read it.

It's... It's gonna be
published in a very obscure

Literary magazine called
the appalachian journal,

And hardly anybody
ever subscribes to it.

(Together) we do.

You subscribe to the
appalachian journal?

Mmm-hmm. Papa
subscribed to it years ago

And we get our copy every month.

It's an excellent publication.

It certainly is.

John-boy,

(Mamie) perhaps we
could help in this way.

Hmm? Perhaps you could let us

Read it before it appears

(Mamie) and then if
there are any details

That are incorrect,
we could tell you.

Oh, no. No, no, i...

Oh, that's an
excellent idea, sister.

I think it is.

Hmm.

[Bell ringing]

Oh, john-boy. Ike.

I want you to know that I
am very calm at this moment.

I've thought this over
very carefully in my mind

And I am in complete control
over my own emotions.

John-boy, there are some people

Who could profit
by your example.

Corabeth, I would like to
speak with ike privately, please.

Oh, john-boy, whatever's
mr. Godsey's business is my business.

You were present
when we were joined

In the holy state of matrimony.

Corabeth. Please.

Ike,

I want you to know
that I have never been

As angry at anyone
in my whole life

As I am with you right now.

You do seem pretty upset. Upset!

Upset is not the word for it.

Ike, I told you the other
day that I was writing

A story about
the baldwin ladies.

This story is not... Is not

Literally a biography
about the baldwin ladies.

It's just I got the
idea from them.

And you blabbed to
them and now they think

That the story is
literally about them.

Well, it is, isn't
it? No, it's... Yes!

No, it's not
literally about them.

The story is my...
My interpretation

Of an event, which is suggested
by an event in their lives.

It does not necessarily coincide
with their own interpretation.

And because you cannot keep
your mouth shut about something

Which is not your business, I
can't get my story published.

I can't even write it correctly.

John-boy, I will not have you
hollering at me like that. What?

Look, first you were mad
because you were a-afraid

That everyone would find
out that you're being published.

Now you're mad because
the baldwin ladies

Think that you're going
to be writing about them.

John-boy, what's
really bothering you?

What is bothering me?

I don't know.

[Door closing]

(Grandpa) "I was a child
and she was a child

"In our kingdom by the sea

"But we loved with a love
that was more than love

"I and my annabel lee

"With a love that the
winged seraphs of heaven

"Coveted her and me

Oh, annabel,
annabel, annabel lee!"

Old man, you'll catch your death

Sittin' out here in the
chill of the evening.

Just takin' the
night air, esther.

And admiring that... That...

(Grandpa) contemplation is
a harmless sport, esther.

I know who she looks like.

Who is that, old darling?

That loose woman that you
were havin' such a fine time with

When you met me.

(Grandma) that's moselle lewis!

No. No, esther. You're mistaken.

Moselle lewis I
remember very well.

She's a fine high-stepping lady.

And I regarded her
very favorably, but no,

This isn't moselle,

This is poe's annabel lee.

Well, don't you come
complaining to me

(Grandma) when... When
the rheumatism hits you

For sittin' out here in the
night air with... With her.

[Door slamming]

[Groaning]

I best be gettin' in.

Esther's feathers
appear to be ruffled.

Yeah, pa, I guess
you could say that.

[Door closing]

It's ridiculous.

Do you think he's plannin' on
lettin' that thing sit there forever?

(John) I don't know, liv.

Maybe it'll start a trend.

People will start tryin'
to keep up with the waltons

And pretty soon everybody will
have a statue in their front yard.

That is no joke. We'll be the
laughingstock of the county.

I'll have him move
it if you want me to.

Oh, I'd hate to do that.

Seems to get such pleasure.

He just sat there all afternoon

Looking at that silly thing.

[Crickets chirping]

You're a cheerful
lookin' sight, son.

Oh, don't make fun
of me tonight, daddy.

You should see yourself, son.

I came pretty close
to hittin' ike godsey,

And I think I insulted corabeth.

Are you still mad at
ike for tellin' miss mamie

And miss emily about your story?

Ah, liv,

Remember what it
was like being young?

John, what an
awful thing to say.

It happens, liv.

It's not gonna happen to me.

How're you going to stop it?

Gettin' old?

Oh, I don't know.
But that's some place

I don't wanna go.

Ma and pa seem to manage.

You call that managing?

Her bickerin' at him
from day to night

And him sittin' there lookin'
at that silly statue all day?

I wonder what we're gonna
be like when we're their age.

Just don't you dare
call me "old woman."

You like "old
darling" any better?

You sleepy?

Oh.

I can hardly keep my eyes open.

Oh, I'll probably be asleep
by the time you come up.

Sweet dreams.

You, too.

[Door closing]

[Grandpa snoring]

Zeb. [Gasping]

What's the trouble?
What's the matter?

Somebody breakin' in?

Will you wake up?

I want to talk to you.

Oh.

Esther, sometimes you are
the most exasperating woman.

Why have you awakened me?

I want that statue
out of the front yard.

Why?

Why?

Well, well, I just
don't like where it is.

Oh, dear, I suppose,

I will not be able
to get any sleep

Until I promise to remove
annabel in the morning.

That's right.

[Mumbling] I promise,

But only under protest.

Night, zeb.

Ah, you're welcome, esther.

[Birds chirping]

John,

Did you hear strange
noises during the night?

I thought I heard
pa moving around.

John.

(Olivia) how did that
thing get in the house?

I don't know, it
sure didn't fly in.

(John-boy) good morning.

(John-boy) the hat's all right.

But grandma's apron
just doesn't work.

How did it get in here?

I don't know, but all I
know is it's not staying.

You two get that
thing out of here.

Who's your friend?

Don't be funny.

Come on over here and give
us a hand, will you, jason?

We can carry this thing
if you'll give us a hand.

Come on, son. Where
can I grab ahold of this?

Just take it near the
corner over there.

Grandpa is not gonna like you
putting his lady in the corner.

He's gonna have to
find some place for it.

[Mooing] your mother won't
let him keep it in the house.

[Laughing]

What's the matter
with you, chance?

(John-boy) ain't you ever seen
a thing of beauty before?

Careful, son, doesn't
look like he likes that thing.

(John-boy) watch out, watch out!

Chance, come back here.

Chance! Watch it!

Chance!

[Chance mooing]

Darn thing kicked over the milk.

Well, there's no
use cryin' over it.

[Laughing]

Grandpa, did you bring that
statue in here last night?

I did not.

Well, it was sitting in
the middle of the floor

First thing this morning.

Where is she now?

John and john-boy
took her off somewhere.

I don't know what
they did with her.

[Chuckling]

What have you fellows
done with annabel?

We put her in the barn, pa.

First, I am falsely accused

Of doing mischievous acts
in the middle of the night

Then I come out to find
you two making merry

With my own personal
and private property.

Now I am worked up over this
affair, make no bones about it.

Can you think of a
better place to put her?

Indeed I can, and I will.

[Exhaling]

Zeb, what did
you do with that...

That thing!

Esther, just what have
you got against annabel?

She doesn't belong here.

Not in the yard,
not in the barn,

(Grandma) and not in the house.

Just where do you think
she does belong then?

In a graveyard.
That is a tombstone.

[Door slamming]

Esther, you're right.

Zebulon.

[Sighs]

[Birds chirping]

John-boy,

Have you seen your
grandpa around?

John-boy, you answer me.

(John-boy) grandma,
please. I'm busy writing.

Well, why couldn't
you just tell me?

(John-boy) I did
just tell you that.

Oh, there's no respect
from young people anymore.

Grandma, I'm not being
disrespectful, I'm working.

You just said you were writin'.

Grandma, writing is work.

It's as backbreaking
as digging a ditch.

It... It's as exhausting as plowing
a field from sunup to sundown.

And if you don't get
your work published

Nobody in the world
cares about what you write

Except you yourself.

Well, then what did
you take it up for?

Because I love it.

[Children chattering]

[Erin screaming]
(elizabeth) here, here.

(Jason) come on,
erin. Come on, erin.

(Erin) oh, I can get you.

[Elizabeth screaming] oh,
he missed. Come on.

Any of you children
seen your grandpa?

[Children yelling]

Come on, get him.

Get him!

(Children) boo!

Now, have any of you
seen your grandpa?

No, grandma, we haven't.

Not since breakfast, grandma.

All right. Now I've got it,

So you better answer me.

Maybe he's lost, grandma.

Come on, throw it harder.

Get him, ben! Oh!

All right, now.
You give me that.

If you want to play ball,
you better answer me.

Grandma, he's probably
where he was yesterday

And the day before that.

And where was that?
Where was he yesterday?

At the graveyard.

(All) grandma, the ball.

Come on, I'm in the middle.

Ok, ben.

[Whistling]

Why, esther,

What on earth
are you doing here?

This was to be a
surprise for you.

It is.

Well, how do you like it?

This is for keeping things in

Or keeping things out?

Oh, it's just a little old picket
fence for our final resting place.

(Grandpa) you always did say
you liked white picket fences.

There's no gate.

What do you need a gate for?

Oh, I don't know.

But a gate would give it
more of a sense of freedom.

Why do you need a gate?

You step right over a little
old picket fence like this.

Well, couldn't you
put a gate right there?

No, I will not give you a gate.

Next thing you know, you'll
be wanting a padlock and a hasp

And heaven knows what else.

Besides, once we
are in here for keeps,

Where would you put the key?

Well, couldn't you put a
gate with a slide bolt on it?

No, I am not going
to put a gate here.

On a cold, windy night,

Why, the gate would be
flapping back and forth

Like a chicken
with one wing off.

Besides, there is something
much more important

That I want to talk
to you about, esther.

[Clearing throat] are you...
Are you listening to me?

I'm listening.

Esther, we've got to make a
decision right here and now.

Who is gonna be on
the left... On the right.

On the right. That is what I
want to talk to you about.

I want to tell you
right here now.

Esther, listen to me.

I'm listenin'.

I have never been
completely comfortable

Sleeping on the
left side of our bed.

(Grandpa) I only let you sleep
on the right side of the bed

Because you seem to prefer it.

You mean that all
these years you...

I have never spent

A completely restful
night. No, esther.

It's true.

Well, it's only
the christian way.

One good sacrifice
deserves another.

[Laughing] oh.

Then you don't mind?

You can be on the right.

[Grunting]

Then it's all settled.

And the little gate
can go right there.

And the tombstone
will sit right up there.

What tombstone is that?

That statue I won
at the church raffle.

You yourself said that

That'd be the most appropriate
place to make use of it.

If you put that statue
anywhere near me,

I am going to be
buried someplace else.

That's all right, moselle.

Don't you worry about a thing.

(john-boy) although it
was totally imaginary,

she could see his face clearly.

she knew the curve of his
lips, the slant of his nose,

each wave of his
corn-colored hair.

he had been more fantasy than
flesh from the very beginning.

[Knocking on door] and as the years
passed, the unreal became real.

Um, come in.

Didn't you hear me
calling you to supper?

Would it be all right
if I didn't eat now, mama?

No, it would not be all right.

(Olivia) but I can put
a plate in the oven.

It won't taste the
same, but I can do it.

Thank you.

Looks like you've got your
problem with the story solved.

I do.

The opportunity of being
published in this magazine

Is just too important
for me to pass up.

And I have to submit that story

The way i, as a writer, see it

Or else I don't deserve
to be published at all.

Well, I'm glad you got it
settled one way or another.

Then it's ok if I don't go
downstairs right now?

As long as you don't
make a habit of it.

Ok. Thank you.

You're welcome, john-boy.

Liv.

We're gonna start without you.

John-boy will be down later.

All right, pa, will you
say grace tonight, please?

Oh, no, thank you, john.

I do not feel like saying
grace this evening.

Ma?

Maybe one of the children.

Ben?

Gracious lord,

We thank thee for thy
blessings and for this food.

We pray that we may
live to see another day

And whatever's wrong
between grandma and grandpa

Gets cleared up so this house
can get back to normal. Amen.

Amen. Amen.

(Grandpa) amen.

What is wrong between
grandma and grandpa?

They aren't speaking
to each other.

Grandpa, why are you and
grandma not speaking to each other?

Pass the potatoes
please, jim-bob.

Why won't you let
the boy speak out?

Thought maybe you and ma would
like to settle your differences

Somewhere besides the table, pa.

I've haven't got any difference.
Your mother's the one

That's clammed up like
a cat that won't say boo,

If we had one.

John, I would
appreciate it very much

If you would give your
father a message for me.

All right, ma.

All right. You tell him for me

That I don't plan
to spend eternity

(Olivia) with that stone
likeness of that fancy woman

That he sowed his wild oats with

Looking down on my
final resting place.

And you tell him

That before I will
let that statue of his

Ruin my final resting place,

I will put it in my will

That I will be buried
out in the cow pasture.

Uh, pa.

Ma said that she's gonna...

Will you two settle this
between yourselves, please?

Esther, may I
speak to you alone?

[Sighing]

We'll settle this in private.

[Door slamming]

(Grandma) I am tired to death...

All right, everybody,
it's getting cold. Eat up.

I kind of like that
statue anyway.

You would.

Turn blue, mary ellen.

All right, that's enough.

(Grandpa) old woman, you're
simply jealous because you think...

I saw an oriole today.

[Grandpa and grandma fighting]

What's that, liv?

I said I saw an oriole today.

You did, huh?

(Grandma) I heard
plenty of talk...

What was the oriole doing?

(Grandpa) you got a
mind of your own.

It was eating a worm.

(Grandma) years
being married to you...

Where was this?

(Grandpa) I warn you, esther...

In the garden.

(Grandma) well, I didn't say I
would... Lot of worms this year.

Lots of orioles, too.

(Grandma) there's not room in
this house for the both of us.

(Grandpa) oh, sometimes,
esther, I don't think

You've got sense enough...

What in the name of
the lord is going on?

Well, we were
talking about orioles.

Mama saw one in the garden.

It was eating a worm.

There are lots of
worms this year.

Lots of orioles, too.

That's very good news.

I mean, what is that
going on in there?

Your grandparents are trying
to settle a difference of opinion.

Why doesn't he
just listen to her?

Why doesn't she listen to him?

(Grandpa) then you won't
have to any longer.

If anybody wants me,

I'll be in the barn
in the haymow.

John-boy, bring me a blanket.

That old fool will catch his
death out there in the barn.

Well, you men, do something.

Just as soon as
we finish eating, ma.

[Groaning]

Pa. I'm up here.

What are you doing up there?

Bleeding.

You hurt yourself, pa?

I skunked the skin off my leg

Climbing up the ladder.

Pa, hmm?

We got to talk to you.

Well, you better make
it quick before I pass out

From bleeding to death.

That's what we want
to talk to you about, pa.

John,

I know you'll indulge in
the whims of an old man.

I would like a
real nice funeral.

A big one with a lot of people.

And a homemade coffin

And wild flowers strewn
around everywhere.

That's fine with me, pa. When?

When what?

When are you planning
on passing over,

As they say down at the church?

Excuse me.

Well, you know, I've always
told you, john that i...

That I have every
intention of living to be .

How old are you? I
am years of age.

You know that.

What do you want to bring a
thing like that up at this time for?

That leaves you
over years, pa.

You mean I've got over a
quarter of a century left?

Years.

That's a long time to leave that
poor statue out there waiting on you.

Getting all worn out and
weather-beaten while you keep on living.

Tell you the truth, boys,
just between the of us

I have been looking for a way
to dispose of that first prize.

I've had nothing but hard luck

Ever since I first laid eyes
on that statue of annabel lee.

John-boy and me have
been talking about it, pa.

We've got an idea.
You wanna hear?

Yeah, I'll listen to
most anything now.

The old woman didn't
send you out here, did she?

Kind of.

Well, all right, start talking.

[Coughing]

[Birds chirping]

(Jason) right here where
you had in mind, grandpa?

I think this is the
appropriate spot.

Lift her up there now. Easy.

Easy does it.

There we go.

(Ben) ready,
grandpa? Oh, no, ben.

Give me a few more moments
to admire her beauty.

"Oh the moon never beams

"Without seeing her dreams

"Of the beautiful annabel lee

"And the stars never rise,

"But I feel the bright eyes

Of my beautiful annabel lee"

Well, ben, I think you
better get it over with.

Yeah. Let's go.

"In her sepulcher" by the sea

In her tomb by the sounding sea"

I'm here to read you the
story just as I promised I would.

(Emily) do read it, john-boy.

Oh, please do.

All right.

Now, you... You
remember that this is not

Meant to be a story
literally about you.

Ok.

[Clearing throat]

"Miss charlotte ransom's family

"Was an old and
respected one in the town.

(John-boy) "even as a young
woman, she was known

"And addressed
as miss charlotte.

"And it was not so
much out of respect,

"But rather out of
her obvious destiny.

"Her friends whispered
how sad it was

"That miss charlotte had
been born to be a spinster.

"She walked from quiet
room to quiet room

"And the only sounds
that came to her

"Were the ticking of clocks

"And the b*ating
of her own heart.

"The realization that
she was to be alone

"Loveless," for
the rest of her life

"Crowded into her mind.

"She felt the rise of panic

"As she stood
"trembling at the window,

"Which overlooked...

"She stood trembling
at the window,

"Which overlooked a maple tree.

"And there came to
her mind a memory

"Of a day when she
had met someone there.

"He was a young
university student

"Handsome and debonair.

"And he and miss charlotte
had loved one another

"From the moment they first met.

"And as she stood there
at the window in memory

"She was once more the
young girl that she had been

"Held in the arms
"of her one true love

"While he kissed her

"Amid the swirling gold
and russet autumn leaves.

"Cruel fate was to
stand between their union.

"But she knew that wherever
he traveled in the world,

"He cherished her memory,
as she cherished his

"And that some
day "in the future

They would be together again."

John-boy, you've...

You've touched me very deeply.

Miss emily?

[John-boy whispering]
miss emily.

I do not know why

You ever thought your story
would not please me, john-boy.

You have captured
the very essence

Of my feeling for
ashley and his for me.

I was always certain that
a person of your sensitivity

Would realize the
depths of our love.

I think of him often.

Sometimes,

I fancy him walking
along a bridge in venice

(Emily) with the sun setting
across the scarlet canal

And him remembering
a maple tree.

Oh.

(john-boy) my decision
not to submit my story

about miss emily
was difficult to make.

but later, I was glad I
didn't send it to the magazine.

i did send them a new
story called the statue.

it was published and
just about everybody

who read it
enjoyed it very much.

[Crickets chirping] (john-boy)
good night, grandma.

Good night, grandpa.

Mama.

Mama, good night.

Everybody asleep already?

(John) no, son, but no one
has much to say to you

Since they read that
story about the statue.

(Grandma) telling everyone I
was jealous over moselle lewis.

(Grandpa) it's nobody's
business but mine

What color my nightshirt is.

(Olivia) I have never said
a swear word in my life.

(Mary ellen) and I do not practice
kissing on the mirror over my dresser.

(Elizabeth) and you didn't
even mention me at all.

(John-boy) is there any
chance we can talk this over?

[John sighing] I think we
ought to sleep on it, son.

Good night.

(John-boy) good night.