03x14 - Cricket

[bunniefuu]

I swear, Val...you look younger and prettier than ever.

It's been more than 12 years.

Damn you, Rusty!

I know you miss your mama and Rusty, too.

I hate Rusty.

You can either have a nice visit here

or you can spend the time waiting for Rusty

down in juvenile hall.

[tense music]

Are you looking for something, Cricket?

We have got to call the authorities.

[Gary] 'She's a disturbed kid'

'and we've got to make some kind of arrangements'

'before she does something really destructive.'

[theme music]

[music ends]

[scatting]

[soft music]

Why are you turning in here?

Just lighten up.

[music continues]

You stay here.

[door closes]

[dog barking in distance]

What a dump.

Well, you're just writing your little heart out today.

- Aren't you, sugar? - Mm-hm.

Can I get you something?

Cup of tea? Soft drink?

- It's no trouble. - Uh-huh. Thanks, mom.

Mama, please. It's a little bit hard to concentrate.

- If you're going to be-- - Oh, sorry.

Mustn't disturb the artist at work.

[telephone ringing]

Well, at least I can answer the telephone for you.

- Hello. - 'Uh, Mrs. Ewing?'

No, this is Lilimae Clements.

I'm Mrs. Ewing's mother.

Is this the residence of Valene Ewing?

- From Dallas? - Well, yes, it is. Would you--

[dial tone]

Isn't that something?

People go all that trouble to call on the telephone

then they hang up.

- Well, he asked for you. - What do you mean?

There was a man on the telephone.

He said, "Can I speak to Mrs. Ewing.."

- It was probably-- - "...of Dallas."

That's what he said, "Of Dallas."

Okay, mama. It's probably just a crank call.

Okay.

[Lilimae] I'm going to make some tea.

I got you some comic books, honey.

Where are you going?

Oh, I also got you some grape soda.

How long are you going to be gone?

Well, now, don't you have a suspicious mind? Huh?

At least I got a mind.

Was that a direct insult?

Yeah.

[quirky music]

Get ready to draw, kid.

[mysterious music]

- Ka-pow! - Ah! Ah!

Oh, tough, pal.

[grumbling]

Oh, I got you, little angel.

Are you ticklish or what?

[laughing]

Muah! Okay.

Now you stay put here and drink your soda.

Whew!

This is a crummy motel.

They don't have a pool.

The TV only gets one lousy channel.

Huh! Tough.

Why did we stop anyway?

Isn't even dark.

Well, I got some business here.

[Cricket] 'What kind of business?'

I got to see some people.

An old friend.

[Rusty] 'Read your comic books.'

'Watch your one lousy channel.'

Hey...you behave yourself?

[Cricket] 'Rusty..'

You're coming back?

What kind of a dumb question is that?

[mellow music]

[vehicle door closes]

[engine starts]

[engine revs]

Oh, you've got to get on this right away.

- Alright, alright. - Abby..

Did you see Karen?

Uh, she went to pick up her brother at the airport.

I thought the plane was late.

What's he like?

- Joe? - Yeah.

I don't know I only met him once but he's..

- A lot like Karen. - Well, I figured.

Smart but stubborn and opinionated.

[chuckles]

You know, a typical professor patches on the elbows.

I think he even smokes a pipe.

Mm. Well, they must be pretty close.

She's sure excited about his visit.

Yeah.

Yeah. It's too bad he couldn't have been here when Sid..

Ptch! Yeah.

Well, look, I gotta get that inventory. I'll see you later.

[country music]

[doorbell ringing]

[door unlocks]

[chuckles]

Rusty..

Hi, there, Val.

I-I don't believe it.

It's been a long time.

What in the world are you..

Wait a minute, are you the one that called and hung up?

[chuckles] Well, I wanted to surprise you.

Oh, well..

You sure as heck did.

Uh, come on in.

God!

Um, here, here, let me take your hat.

- Oh, thanks. - Uh!

Oh!

This is real nice, Val.

Oh, thanks. Um..

Go on in. Sit down.

Okay.

Um..

Can I-can I get you something to drink?

A-a coffee or something?

Ah. No, thanks.

I thought we'd visit a while.

Oh, okay.

[sighs]

[chuckling] Well..

I swear, Val..

...you look younger and prettier than ever.

Oh, come on.

It's been more than 12 years.

Don't seem that long.

Well, I know a lot's happened since then.

Phew! Yeah.

My-my marriage is back together again.

Uh, Gary..

Well, things are going real well for Gary and me.

Oh, good, Val. That's real good.

In fact, I'm-I'm a completely different person

than I was back then.

[laughs] There was nothing wrong with you then, kid.

[laughs] Oh! Stop it.

[chuckles]

[Rusty] 'We had some good times, didn't we, Val?'

Yeah, I guess.

When you weren't drinking or..

...off acting wild and crazy

with those rodeo buddies of yours.

Well, my rodeo days are long gone, Val.

We've got a lot of catching up to do.

I've changed too.

- Yeah? - Oh, yeah.

I was embarrassed, that's all.

I mean, she corners me in the cafeteria

and does ten minutes

on the fact that you are going to fail

if you don't get your act together.

Well, I'm dropping that class.

You can't drop that class and expect to go to college.

I don't.

Anyway, you need another year of math.

And..

...what did you say?

I don't plan to go to college.

Oh, sure.

No, I mean it. It's a waste of time.

Come on, they're here.

- Okay, oh! - Oh, Michael!

Boy, it's good to see you.

- Come here. - Oh! Excuse me.

Hey, Michael, let your uncle out for air.

- Oh! - Come here.

Mm.

It's good to see you, Uncle Joe.

Has this child become a woman?

A beautiful woman, too.

- What can I tell you? - I can't believe it.

- Eric.. - How you doing, Uncle Joe?

What is this handshake stuff? Come here.

That's because you're six inches taller, £20 heavier? Come on.

Hey, thanks a lot for that letter you sent me--

Did you have dinner on the plane?

You know our basketball team is doing great.

Remember what they are in the play offs.

I've been in the play offs last time.

- Hey. - It's been a long two weeks.

Hey, hey, you got dibs on-on your uncle, and I'll get dinner.

- Put it on the table. - Right.

As long as you talk just one at a time.

- Okay, me first. - Well, you should see this guy?

[all talking together]

[Joe laughs]

I just wanna know why you never

told me about him, that's all.

"Rusty" sounds like a ball player.

He's a rodeo performer.

[laughs] You went to rodeos?

Gary, he was a friend at a time when I needed friends.

Yeah, just how friendly were you and Rusty?

Well, what has that got to do with anything?

I just want to know, okay.

Well, Gary, I don't like butting in

but I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill.

- Now look, Lilimae. - I'm sure.

Valene had no idea

this Rusty fella was dropping by.

Yeah, well then why did she invite him back to dinner?

Well, I don't know.

Uh-huh? Okay, look, he just dropped in.

Why'd you invite him back to dinner?

Well, I-I don't know.

We-we were talking, and, uh..

...well, in Texas, it's common decency to be hospitable.

Besides, I want to meet his stepdaughter.

Why?

Gary..

...Rusty is an old friend who's had a very rough year.

His wife died, he lost his job

and now he's on his way up north to look for work.

He's just passing through town

and he stopped by to say hello.

- He said hello. - Oh, Gary.

Okay, okay. Forget it, Val.

[sighs]

Don't worry, sweet pea.

It's good to make husbands jealous every now and then.

Mama, just keep out of this, okay?

Ptch! Mm.

Oh! Mm.

- Come on, let me help you. - No.

Okay, alright.

They won't let me help with the dishes.

Good. Now it's my turn to talk to you.

Can I get you anything?

No, I don't need anything.

- Good, sit. - Alright.

- Huh! - I'm sitting.

So..

So, you wanted to talk.

No, you wanted to talk.

Oh!

[sighs]

Karen..

...you got terrific kids.

[chuckles] I do.

[Joe] 'Sid would have really been proud of them'

the way they've come through.

I'm sorry I wasn't here.

Mm-mm.

You were 10,000 miles away.

- You could've cabled me. - 'Uh-huh!'

No.

Just..

...happened so fast.

[Karen] 'There was nothing you could do for Sid.'

There was no point in getting you back

from Europe for the funeral.

What about for you?

Come on.

How about now?

Hey, I'm hanging in.

I am.

Some days are better than others.

Good, in fact.

Sometimes.

Okay. I'm okay. I am. Stop it!

Tell me about this job.

What about the job you're considering?

You are something else.

Alright.

It's the Nieman Lectures at USC.

It's a visiting professorship. They like me, I like them.

[Joe] 'I'll stay around for the rest of the semester.'

'A couple of trips back to New York.'

Oh, Joe, that would be so wonderful.

I really do want to spend some time with you and the kids.

Well, only if you want that Neiman thing.

We don't need looking after.

You are just as stubborn as ever.

What are you talking about? Stubborn? I'm not stubborn.

- I've always been a pushover. - Yes, you are.

I'm-I'm the peacemaker in the family.

"Peacemaker?" You're more like a pace setter.

Hey, I'm talking flexible, reasonable.

- 'Reasonable, maybe.' - 'Yeah.'

- 'Rational. I mean--' - 'Easy. Open minded.'

- Yeah, stubborn! - Hm, that too.

[laughing]

[Joe] 'Stubborn.'

Ha! Yeah, she just took over right after her mama passed on.

Cooking and cleaning.

She's a real little homemaker.

I don't know what I would have done without Cricket.

[chuckles]

Well, it must be especially hard on a little one

you know, to lose your mama.

Smart. Oh, she's always at the top of her class.

She's got music talent, too.

Is that a fact?

Plays the guitar like a pro.

So, uh, where are you and your daughter headed?

Uh, stepdaughter.

Oh, Cricket, she's, uh, only my stepdaughter.

We're heading up north.

Hi, honey.

Did you, uh, wash your hands?

- Let me go back to the motel. - Yeah, in a minute.

Now, come on and sit down. Come on.

Hey, I got a great idea.

Why don't you play a song for these nice folks?

Oh, yeah. Come on, Cricket.

[Rusty] I got the guitar in the truck. I'll go get it.

I don't want it.

Oh, honey, one little song.

Wait for me.

Cricket, you stay here.

I'll be right back.

Darling, why don't you come on over here and sit down, okay?

How about another piece of cake?

I don't want any more.

I'll tell you what. Why don't I get my autoharp?

We can play a duet.

[engine revving]

[intense music]

Cricket?

Darling?

Damn you, Rusty!

[mellow music]

I'm sure he'll be back.

He probably just had something he had to do tonight.

Yeah, like robbing a bank.

Gary, this is no time for jokes.

That little girl is up there scared to death.

She's probably got Lilimae locked in the bathroom.

Gary! Stop it.

Look, the kid's been deserted.

I'm going to call the police.

But we're not sure that he's not coming back.

- Well. I'm sure. - Oh, no. No, wait a minute.

Even if they believe you

it's going to take them a while to find Rusty.

Well, the sooner they start, quicker they can.

Okay, but then what about Cricket?

- They can take care of her. - They?

Yeah, look, you can't get involved in this.

Gary. I am involved.

I mean..

...they will probably put her

into some horrible place, like

I don't know, juvenile hall.

- Now, wait a minute. - Gary, look.

You can't just turn her out.

I mean, you know, we got the room.

Yeah, I know that but--

Alright, then just until they find Rusty

or until he comes back.

Come on.

It's the least that we can do.

Alright.

Beats me why you ever took up with a guy like that.

[mellow music]

Police.

[birds chirping]

[Joe] 'Uh, nobody can match Earl the Pearl.'

- Earl the who? - Earl the Pearl Monroe.

He was terrific.

So was Clyde Frazier.

Averaged 26 points a game.

They still don't match Kareem and Magic.

No. Wait a minute, pal.



Come on. You're dreaming, Uncle Joe.

No, I'm not.

- Hi, mom. - Good morning.

Good morning.

So, are you going to be here when I get home from school?

Sure I am. We'll do that science project.

Alright. Great.

- See you later, mom. - Have a good day.

[Michael] See you later, Uncle Joe.

You ever tell him about the Knickerbockers?

Hey.

What?

Do you know how good it is to have you here?

No, but if you hum a couple of poems.

[both chuckling]

- I love you. - Me too.

Oh!

[sighs]

I just can't wait for you to try these things on.

Forget it.

Well, darling, you can't keep wearing

'those same old jeans and shirts.'

I told you not to waste your money.

I'm not staying here.

Where do you think you're going by yourself?

I'm going to find Rusty and punch him out.

Wait, oh, no, you're not, Cricket.

- Stop that! - He's a no good rat.

He said we were going to live

on a ranch and raise horses and vegetables.

Only he's a big, fat liar.

- Now, you cut it out! - Get out of my way!

Stop it! You listen to me.

You are not going anywhere, young lady.

Now you and I are going to sit right down over here

and we're going to have a nice little chat.

Sit down there.

I'm not afraid of you.

Now, look.

I don't blame you for being angry.

I know you miss your mama and Rusty, too.

I hate Rusty.

Oh, is that why you're so all fired anxious to find him?

Yeah, and when I do--

[Val] 'Oh, when you do'

'maybe he had a good reason'

'for going off the way he did.'

In the meantime, you can either have a nice visit here

or you can spend the time

waiting for Rusty down in juvenile hall.

Now, which one is it going to be, huh?

- Huh? - 'Yoo-hoo!'

- Oh, hi. - Hi, cutie pie.

How are you? Huh?

- Cricket. - Good.

Cricket, I brought someone to meet you.

[Lilimae] 'Cricket, this is Olivia Cunningham.'

'She lives across the street.'

Hi, Cricket.

- Come on. - Well, go ahead.

You two, get acquainted.

Mama, I really don't think this is a good idea.

Goodness. What are all these packages?

They're mine. Want to see what Val bought me?

Sure.

[Cricket] Come on, you get the other one

and we'll go upstairs and I'll show you.

[Olivia] Okay.

[instrumental music]

They're going to hit it off just fine.

- Okay, I call. - Okay.

Two pair. I win again.

- Na-ah! - Ah!

At least, we're not playing for money.

- Who says? - I said.

Well, yeah, these chips are worth five cents each.

- 'Nah-uh!' - Are you crazy?

We never said that.

[girl #1] Yeah, we're not going to play for money.

I'm not going to.

♪ Fairgates are chicken ♪

♪ Fairgates are chicken ♪♪

Okay. Alright. You want to play for money?

We'll play one time and just you and me.

Okay.

We'll cut, high card wins ten bucks.

- Wow, that's a lot of money. - That's for sure.

[music intensifies]

[kid gasps]

Pay up, sucker.

I don't think we should be doing this.

Why not?

Because my mother has this obsession with clothes.

What?

Well, they're very important to her.

I can't wait till I grow up.

Then you don't have to depend on anybody for anything.

I think I understand how you feel.

You get a job and make money.

- If I had money.. - What?

I sure wouldn't stick around here, that's for sure.

- Oh, no. - Oh, no!

I better get something to clean that up.

[dramatic music]

Yeah, operator, in Bishop.

"Bronco Bobby's rodeo."

Well, could it be listed some other way?

I don't know, look, under, uh..

...carnivals or Wild West shows.

Yeah, but I don't have the Yellow Pages.

[sighs] Okay. Thanks a lot.

Rodeo?

[thuds] Hi.

Look, I know things get dull around here

but, uh, don't you think you're a little old

to run away to the rodeo?

Well, that's step two if I can't find Cricket's father.

That bad, huh?

You should know.

That bad. Well, how-how can these help?

Well, they list the rodeos.

I figure if that cowboy is looking for a job..

It's a long shot, but..

Well, good luck.

Are you finished with this one?

Sure.

Can I look at it?

- You got it. - Thanks.

[woman on PA] 'Pre-sales customer on line two.'

[sighs]

[birds chirping]

[intriguing music]

Are you looking for something, Cricket?

Oh, no. Miss Avery, I saw your bag on the seat

and I was just going to bring it in for you.

Well, that's uh, very thoughtful of you

but it won't be necessary.

Can I help you with some of your other packages?

That's okay, I can manage. Excuse me.

[music intensifies]

- Val, she's a little thief. - Oh!

If Laura hadn't caught her when she did--

Cricket said that she was taking the bag inside to Laura.

And I suppose she was going to give Abbie's jewelry back too.

Gary, the kids were just playing dress up.

She forgot that she was wearing it.

You believe that?

Well, more than I believe in accusing her

of all sorts of horrible things

just because you want to get rid of her.

Look, you talked me into letting her stay

for a couple of days on the wild chance

that the police would find Rusty.

Well, they haven't, and he sure as hell

isn't coming back on his own.

Gary, I don't see what's wrong in letting her stay

for just a little while longer.

[sighs] Valene, you know as well as I do

that's no solution.

Alright, Gary, then what is?

We have got to call the authorities.

[Gary] 'They handle this kind of problem all the time.'

'They've got, uh, facilities professionals.'

'I don't know, but the point is, she's a disturbed kid'

'and we've got to make some kind of arrangements'

'before she does something really destructive.'

[mellow music]

[Val] 'Now don't forget, darling.'

'You're going to Olivia's after school, okay? Bye bye.'

She really is trying very hard.

You got any more toast?

Here, take mine.

[Lilimae] 'Cricket!'

- Where is that little hellion? - What's the matter, mama?

Well, just look at this.

- Where is it? - Well, Cricket stole it.

- Well, did you see her? - Oh, she stole it, alright.

It's worth a lot of money, you know.

What is wrong with you people?

Why do you keep picking on this poor little girl

who doesn't have anybody in the world to defend her?

I mean, for all I know, she did steal your autoharp

'and Abby's jewelry'

and I don't know what else, but I'm not sure.

See, and I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Valene, she's troubled.

Devious, bad tempered every kid in the neighborhood--

But, Gary, don't you understand?

She's hurting inside, and she is angry.

[Val] 'I mean, wouldn't you be angry'

if everybody you ever loved deserted you?

[sighs]

Her mama didn't desert her.

The poor woman died!

It's the same thing to a child.

[Gary] 'Valene, she needs help.'

Professional help that you can't give her.

Well, she is not going to get it in an institution.

I'm sorry, Gary, but I can't desert her

like everybody else.

I will not let that child be hurt anymore.

Well, what should we do?

Play hide and seek?

Monopoly.

That takes too long.

We could play cards.

Mom won't let us.

Not with you anyway.

Well, you could teach us some more folk songs, Lilimae.

Well, that's kind of hard to do

sweet pea, without my autoharp.

Too bad you lost it.

Oh, I didn't lose it.

[Lilimae] 'I couldn't lose anything that precious.'

You see, granny gave it to me..

...the day she died.

And I've had that old autoharp with me ever since

'through good times and bad.'

Well, I guess I feel about..

...music the way Shakespeare did.

You know what he said?

"If music be the food of love, play on."

Only trouble is, now I don't have anything

to play my music with.

You could go get your guitar, Cricket

and then we could sing.

- It's a good idea. - 'No, no, Cricket.'

You're supposed to stay here with me.

- I'll be right back. - Oh.

There's no one home.

Don't worry, Lilimae.

- She'll be back. - Oh.

[Olivia] 'Cricket.'

'Cricket?'

Lilimae sent me over to..

Hey, there's her autoharp.

Yeah, she left it in the closet.

She must have forgotten.

How come you changed clothes?

I'm splitting.

Really? Where?

Up north.

Don't worry. I didn't steal it.

It's the money I won from Mike.

Oh, Cricket, you can't just take off.

I mean, where are you going? What are you going to do?

What do you care?

I thought we were friends.

I don't need friends.

Wait, if you only have ten bucks

I mean, it's not going to last that long.

So?

Well, I've got some money at the house if you want it.

Wait here and I'll go over and get it.

No. You want to go over to your house and rat on me.

Well, forget it.

Cricket, wait.

[instrumental music]

Cricket.

Cricket, please don't go.

[thuds]

[dramatic music]

[Olivia] 'Oh!'

Olivia, what happened?

- My arm. Oh, it's hurt again. - Oh, baby.

[Olivia groaning]

Okay, okay, let's see how you're doing now, Olivia.

I'm gonna take a look at it.

Mm-hm. Solid as a rock.

- Ha-ha. How are you feeling? - Okay.

Olivia, oh, sweetheart.

- Hi, mom. - God! Hi.

Oh, Abby, this is Dr. Reynolds.

- How are you? - Is she gonna be alright?

- Yeah, except for the fracture. - Oh, baby.

It's the same arm as the last time.

- 'Does it hurt?' - 'It doesn't hurt that much.'

[Dr. Reynolds] 'It's a simple fracture of the ulna.'

It should heal in four to six weeks

just like the last one.

Everything else seems to check out okay.

'We took some skull x-rays just to make sure.'

Skull x-rays?

[Dr. Reynolds] 'They were negative.'

Look, uh..

...I'll give you some medication

in case Olivia has any pain tonight.

I'll be right back.

Thank you.

- Are you satisfied now, Val? - What do you mean?

[sighs] Don't you realize yet what a menace that child is?

Abby, Olivia said that she tripped.

- I did, mom. - Honey, honey.

You don't have to defend her.

Mom, honest.

Look, I think what happened is

'she pushed Olivia down the stairs.'

- Abby.. - Face it, Val.

You've jeopardized the whole neighborhood with that kid.

- She's sick. - She is not sick.

She is. She's sick.

Everybody knows it.

[Abby] 'Now, who else is going to have to get hurt'

'before you face it?'

Nobody else does.

I've already decided what I have to do.

[female #1] 'Alright, Mrs. Ewing.'

'I think I have everything I need.'

[chuckles]

Uh, will I be able to visit?

[female #1] Well, there will be a two week period of evaluation

during which no visitors will be allowed.

And after that, it will be up to the supervisor.

Okay.

I guess I'll-I'll just say goodbye to Cricket.

I have to go now, Cricket.

They're going to take real good care of you here.

I'm sorry that you won't tell me what happened.

I wanted to be your friend.

I tried to trust you

but that's something that has to work both ways.

And I guess you're just not ready to trust anybody yet.

Huh?

[mellow music]

I'll try to visit you in a couple of weeks

if I'm allowed, okay?

Goodbye.

Bye-bye, Cricket.

Alright, Cricket.

Let's get you settled.

- No. No, wait. - No.

No, no, no! Come back!

No, wait! Please don't go.

I only did those things so you'd find Rusty

and make him take me back.

[crying] But I swear I didn't touch Olivia.

I know, darling.

- Please don't leave me here. - I won't.

I won't.

I won't, darling.

[Eric] College isn't everything.

There's lots of jobs that don't require a college degree.

Sure. Ditch digging, garbage collecting.

[Joe] 'That's good, honest work.'

Well, you can't blame a mother

for having slightly higher aspirations.

Well, dad didn't go to college.

Oh, Eric.

[Joe] Well, Sid had a special talent.

He knew more about engines than most engineers.

[Eric] 'Yeah, but--'

[Karen] 'It sounds to me like'

'you're in trouble in school.'

[Eric] 'Well, I'm just thinking about'

'changing some of my courses'

'dropping my academics classes, and--'

- 'Absolutely not.' - Why not?

[Karen] 'Because you won't be prepared for anything.'

Well, I can still get my high school diploma.

The subject is closed.

You could at least listen.

- I've heard enough. - Eric..

- Would ya drive me to the mall? - Joe..

I got to pick up some necessities.

- Necessities? Wait a minute. - Yeah.

[Joe] You can fight when we get back.

Alright? Come on, let's go.

Uh-huh.

Uh-huh. Yeah, I got it.

Uh, look, I'd really appreciate it

if you keep this to yourself.

Fine. Thanks a lot.

Are you sure you wouldn't like something to eat?

No, I'll just wait for Val.

Well, she won't have an appetite either.

Ptch! She blames me for what's happened.

Hm?

Oh, all that talk about..

...Cricket being unwanted and deserted.

Huh! That was aimed at me.

Well, I may have left Val from time to time

but she was always with her daddy, who loved her.

Lilimae..

[sighs] ...could we just drop it?

Well, for what it's worth

I think you did the right thing sending the child away.

Just put the things down there, darling.

I want you to go on upstairs and get into bed.

I'll bring your tray up in a little while, okay?

Oh.

Ptch! For heaven's sake, Val.

Why'd you bring her back?

Mama, I think that this is between Gary and me.

Well..

[clicks tongue] ...I guess I can take a hint.

Gary, I..

[sighs] ...I thought that you were right

about Cricket being too much to handle

especially after Olivia's accident.

But I am sure that she didn't push Olivia

'cause Olivia doesn't lie.

And those other things that Cricket did

she was just trying to force us to look for Rusty.

And that explains everything?

Well, she opened up to me, Gary.

I-I think she trusts me now.

- And you believe her? - Yeah.

I think the shock of that place

and-and my leaving her..

At least she wants to stay with us now until Rusty turns up.

[sighs] Uh..

...he has turned up.

What?

I've been checking out every Wild West show

and carnival from San Diego to Seattle.

See Colonel Bill's Wild West show in Mojave.

Well, that's just great then, isn't it?

Oh, Val..

Well..

I knew she was going to hit the ceiling.

Just 'cause she dropped out

she thinks college is a big deal.

Yeah.

Well, I guess you've been thinking

about changing courses for a long time.

Not really.

Just decided yesterday.

Well, you got a couple of more years left

in high school, right?

Yeah.

And you know pretty much what you want to do with your life.

Sure.

Well..

No, I don't.

You know, you know what I mean?

Hey Eric, that's alright.

Only why you're deciding..

...you know, you could save your mother

a lot of t*rture.

Look..

...you're going to change your mind a lot.

So why not keep open all your options?

Cover all the bases.

See me stick with college prep?

Oh, you don't have to go to college

but you could take a lot of pressure

off of your mother if she knew that you could.

You know what I mean?

If you change your mind.

[knocking]

[mellow music]

Chocolate ice cream is a necessity, huh?

So I got a sweet tooth.

I got some stuff to do.

so I'll take mine up, too.

What about our fight?

- What fight? - What fight.

- G'night - G'night.

- So.. - 'We talked.'

Yeah, and?

You know, this has got to be 6000 calories.

Joe..

Eric is testing you, Karen.

You're putting down some pretty rigid rules.

He wants to challenge your authority.

Well, I don't want him to do anything foolish.

So lighten up a little bit, Karen.

You know, the kid's going to change his mind

every other week for a year or so.

Suggest all you want, you start pressuring him.

He's going to give you a really bad time.

Well, I want him to go to college.

Sid wanted him to go to college.

So he is going to stick with a college prep course for now.

- He is? He is? - Yeah. Yeah.

Oh you're one terrific brother.

- I know. - Are you going to stay?

Say you going to stay.

You're going to stay.

I got the job if I want it.

- But? - I want it.

- You want it? - Yes.

You want. He wants it.

Oh, Joe. That's terrific. Here, have some ice cream.

Have an egg roll, if I had an egg roll

I'd give you an egg roll.

Oh, Joe..

Oh, you are something else you are.

Eat.

[instrumental music]

[horse neighs]

[car honks]

[horse neighs]

[dog barks]

You forgot this, Rusty.

Hi, there, Val.

How's Cricket?

How can you dare ask me that?

What you..

...bring her back with you or something?

Of course not. She doesn't know where you are.

Neither do the police yet but I intend to tell them

once we've had our talk.

- I see that Val. - How could you do it, Rusty?

[Val] 'Desert, a poor, scared little girl.'

Just run off and leave her with complete strangers.

What are you talking about, Cricket?

Who do you think I'm talking about?

Cricket's scared?

She's tougher than buffalo steak.

[Rusty] 'She can take care of herself, that kid.'

She is only 11 years old.

Going on forty.

Oh, I don't believe this.

[Val] 'You are her father.'

No, I'm not.

Alright.

You're the only father she's ever known.

[Val] 'She loves you, Rusty.'

You got to be kidding.

Kid hates me.

And frankly, I can't stand the kid myself.

You know, there used to be a time

when we never lied to each other.

[instrumental music]

[Rusty] Val..

Dropping..

...Cricket off at your house..

...hardest thing I ever had to do.

I love Cricket.

'More than anything in this whole world.'

She's just like her mama, Linda.

[sniffles]

Same color hair.

Same eyes.

That same stubborn streak.

Well, then why?

Look at me, Val.

I'm a bum.

Ever since Linda died..

...I just can't seem to get it back together.

I tried. Anyway..

It's the only job I could find.

What kind of a life can I give her doing this?

But there are other jobs.

I remember..

...how crazy you were about kids.

[Rusty] 'That's why I looked you up.'

'I figured you..'

...had a real nice home..

...nice neighbors, friends..

I figured you could..

...give her all the things that I couldn't

if she stayed with me.

Yeah, but do you honestly think

that Cricket cares about things?

[Val] 'I mean, nice houses aren't where it's at.'

'You're her father.'

'You are family there.'

'There are moments and..'

'...all kinds of memories ahead..'

...that only you two can share.

She's a terrific little girl, Rusty.

And she is so full of love for you

'that she is willing to do almost anything'

'to get you back.'

You love her too, don't you?

You bet I do.

[Val] 'And I'd take her away from you in a minute'

if I wasn't so sure that she'd rather be with you.

[sighs]

[Rusty] I'm sorry.

No, don't be.

I'm sorry.

Cricket.

[Lilimae] 'Cricket.'

- 'Cricket.' - What?

You're supposed to be doing your homework now.

Now, come on in.

[sighs] I'm gonna try.

[Lilimae] 'Now, I'm in charge while Val's away.'

'And if you don't do as you're told'

'there'll be no TV, young lady.'

- Now come on. - Ten minutes.

- No. When I say no-- - Hey, no, wait a minute.

- What is going on? - Lilimae won't let me--

She won't mind she won't listen--

You told me that I could--

Will you be quiet, please?

Please? Mama?

[sighs]

Now, listen, Cricket.

I didn't tell you where I was going today

because I wasn't sure how it was going to work out.

But I drove up to Mojave and I--

[vehicle approaches]

Get ready to draw, partner.

[indistinct]

Cricket..

No, no, no, no, mama, just let 'em be.

[cries]

I love you, honey, I love you.

[music fades]

[theme music]

[outro music]