01x04 - Tough Choices

[bunniefuu]

- Whoa-oah!

- What's that?

- Aah! Dear Lord.

- Now take it easy old man, and nobody gets hurt.

- What do you want?

- Whadaya think I want? Your money.

- Give it to him, Henry.

- Yeah, give it to me Henry.

Hand it over.

Go on.

That broach. Is it gold?

- My grandmother gave this to me.

- And now you're givin' it to me.

Hand it over.

- If you weren't holding that g*n I'd--

- But I am holding the g*n, Henry.

Ha, ha...

You folks have a pleasant day, now.

- Ohh...

- I'm done.

- Good.

Now the students won't have to spend time

copying down the problems,

which will make up for the time wasted by your disruption today.

- Emil started it.

- But instead of ignoring him,

you had to shove him to the floor.

You can't just walk away from trouble, can you?

You always have to go looking for it.

- Can I go now?

Thanks for gettin' me in trouble.

What's your uncle doing here?

- I don't know.

And I don't want to find out.

- I can assure you Captain Hoffmann,

we will have a permanent teacher very soon--

- You've been telling me this for months now, Mrs. Bhaer,

and frankly, I'm tired of waiting.

Which is why I went ahead and found a teacher for you.

- Perhaps you should consider it, Jo.

I've met Lionel Dandridge.

He's a teacher with an excellent reputation.

- He's taught at some of the finest schools

in the commonwealth. And he's a personal friend of mine.

I value his judgment without exception.

Now, I've spoken with several of the other parents,

and they all agree. He's the best teacher for this school.

- I don't know, I--

- If you decline,

you'll leave me no alternative

but to remove Emil from the school.

- How about a trial period?

Say... weeks?

- Fine.

That should give us all plenty of time

to realize he's the best man for the job.

- Jo?

Who knows? It may just work out.

Then Franz can go to Harvard as planned.

- Two weeks.

- He'll be here first thing in the morning.

- Aunt Jo, what was that all about?

- Well, it looks like we may have a new teacher.

If all goes well,

it looks like Franz may be on his way to Harvard.

Who's that?

- Afternoon.

- I don't believe it.

It's Jasper!

Hey, Jasper!

- Hey, Dan!

- Jasper, how you doing buddy?

I haven't seen you for ages.

How you doing? - Been a long time.

- A friend?

- Yeah.

- Mrs. Jo, everybody,

Meet Jasper, one of my best friends from Boston.

- It's an honor, Ma'am. Hey, Nat.

- Jasper.

- So what're you doin' out here?

- Ah, I came to see my old friends.

Hopefully make some new ones. - Well then,

it looks like you came to the right place.

- Hey c'mon, I'll introduce you to the rest of the guys.

- All right.

- My husband and I founded Plumfield

as a school for children from all walks of life.

His passing has left a void in our lives.

But in the children, I see the promise of a new day,

and find the strength to keep our dream alive.

No matter how hard the struggle.

- That is delicious bread, Miss Jo.

Even better than Wallman's, huh.

- Yeah, Mr. Wallman was a baker in Boston.

We used to get bread from him.

- Yeah, he used to have this big oven,

warm up the room nice.

Once we got in, we'd warm our hands on the bricks.

- Yeah, 'til he'd kick us out.

- Yeah, Boston winters can get awfully cold.

- Yeah,

especially on the streets.

- That's why I'm done with all that. I mean...

after you an Nat left, I really got to thinkin,

I don't wanna live my life like that anymore.

I... I wanna make somethin' of myself.

Like you guys.

Um, me an' Nat didn't always see eye to eye.

Not like me an' Dan.

Right, Dan?

- Yeah.

So can uh, Jasper stay, Mrs. Jo?

- Well, he's a little old for the school.

- Oh, I'm not lookin' for schoolin', ma'am.

I'm lookin' for work.

I don't know exactly

what I'm gonna be doing as of yet, but...

I really could use a place,

just 'til I get feet under me.

A week or two at most.

- I suppose that'd be all right.

- I don't accept charity, ma'am. I'll work for my keep.

- We'd appreciate that.

- It's the least I can do.

- We don't have any spare beds in the boys' room,

and we're expecting a new teacher tomorrow.

He'll be in the guest room.

- Well, the barn'll suit me just fine.

A pile a hay and a blanket, I've d*ed and gone to heaven.

- [Whisphers]: He's a friend of Dan and Nat's from Boston.

He'll be staying with us for a few weeks.

I was hoping you had some chores he could help you with.

- Well, is he a good worker?

- Well, I don't know.

But he seems eager enough.

Dan's really fond of him.

He's like a brother to him.

- What's Nat think of him?

- You know, Nat doesn't seem very curious to see him again.

- Well, I'm ready to work.

Whadaya need me to do?

- There's some floorboards loose in the other barn.

You can help me nail 'em down.

- Yes, sir. Lead the way.

- He was one of the first people I met in Boston.

He always looked out for us.

- Feels good to return the favor, doesn't it?

- Yeah.

- Autumn is so beautiful here.

- It's my favorite season.

- I hope the new teacher works out.

- Yes well, he comes highly recommended.

- That's good.

- We'll see.

It's only a -week trial period.

- I should prepare a report of the curriculum,

just to help him with the transition.

- I'm sure he'd appreciate that.

- You must be looking forward to finally going off to Harvard.

- Yes.

It's what Uncle Fritz always wanted.

- Franz,

I want to thank you,

for all that you've done here at Plumfield.

Delaying going to college, putting your life on hold.

It means so much to me.

- I-I didn't put my life on hold, Aunt Jo.

I wanted to teach here.

I uh...

I should go prepare that report.

- That Nick really put me to work.

My feet are killin' me.

- [Nat]: He's a good guy though.

Does a lot of fun things with us...

not just chores.

- [Dan]: Yeah, he used to be a merchant marine.

Sailed all over the world. - That a fact?

Those for me?

- Yeah, it's gonna get cold tonight.

Mrs. Jo said to bring you some more blankets.

- Pillow.

Haven't slept on a pillow in years.

That Mrs. Jo sure is nice.

- Yes. She is.

- Easy, Nat.

I'm not lookin' for trouble here, all right.

Besides, I won't be stickin' around too much longer, anyway.

- You won't?

- Only reason I came out here was to get you.

- Me?

For what?

- To head out west like we always talked about.

You can come too, Nat.

- No thanks.

- You goin' west?

Where...?

- Oh California,

Arizona territory, maybe.

Maybe Colorado, see the Rocky Mountains.

I met this guy who was working on the railroad line.

He just come back from California.

Said he saw trees out there feet tall.

- There's no such thing.

- Sure there is!

He said when he was down in the Arizona territory,

he saw this canyon,

red as fire, a mile deep,

... ! miles wide.

Ahhh! He was talkin' about all kinds of stuff.

'Bout this place called um, Yellowstone.

You guys hear of it?

This place, there's this water,

this boilin', steamin' hot water

sh**t' straight up from the ground,

, feet into the air!!

- It sounds incredible.

- It is.

That's why me and you, we gotta go.

Dan,

you just say the word, we're outta here.

- What? You mean like, leave right now?

- Well... why not?

You guys got somethin' keepin' you here?

- I don't have any money.

- Well uh,

I already took care of that. Got enough here...

for train tickets to California.

- Where'd you get that?

- I worked for it.

- Sure you did.

- Look Nat,

you don't wanna be a part of this, that's fine.

But me and Dan, we go way back.

An' I know Dan's been dreamin' about this his whole life.

- I don't know, Jasper--

- Oh hey, hey...

Don't worry 'bout it. Think about it.

Take your time...

while you're sittin' there

in your stuffy classroom,

at your little old desk there,

just think about the world out there,

just waitin',

waitin' to be explored.

- This is the dining room.

- Would you please ask the cook

not to prepare anything with eggs in it for me?

Eggs give me a rash.

- Of course. Franz,

I'd like you to meet our new teacher, Lionel Dandridge.

- An honor to meet you, sir. - The pleasure's mine.

- Franz has been teaching the children

since my husband's death.

- I see.

- The students have just assembled for class.

- They've just assembled?

Why it's o'clock!

- My husband experimented

with different starting times with the children.

He found that they were more attentive at o'clock.

- Well, perhaps you'd better show me to the classroom.

- Yes, it's in the barn. I'll show you the way.

- It's in the barn?

- Yes.

- Captain Hoffmann didn't tell me

the school was in the barn.

- Oh...?

Well, it is.

- Will there be animals present?

- Oh no, no. They're down below.

Will they give you a rash, too?

- Mm-hmm...

- He's coming.

- My name is Mr. Dandridge.

And I am your new teacher.

Before we begin, a few rules:

You will raise your hand before speaking,

and you will speak only when I acknowledge.

Young man!

What is your name?

- Dan.

- Dan...

Splendid.

I will expect your full attention.

An undivided mind

is a focused mind.

Nothing must distract us

from the joy of learning.

[ Bawk-bawk ]

[ Bawk]

- Um, I'm sorry.

Must've snuck in.

- Splendid.

- What are you doin'?

- Takin' a breather.

- You been takin' a breather for a half-hour now.

- What, you been watchin' me?

Spyin' on me from the bushes or somethin'?

- Mrs. Jo also has a rule about no smokin' on the grounds.

- Well I'm not on the grounds, am I.

I'm on the road.

- You're inside the gate!

- All right, all right.

Don't want Mrs. Jo gettin' all mad.

Hey um,

Dan says you sailed around the world.

Uh, merchant marine.

Oh, it's a tough job.

- Can be.

- So is that why you uh, quit and came here?

Couldn't handle it?

- I want those ruts filled before lunch.

- Yes, sir. Right away.

Good mornin', Miss Jo!

- Good morning. How'd you sleep?

- Oh, like a babe, ma'am.

I haven't been that cozy in years.

Thank you.

Thank you again for your kindness.

- You're welcome.

How's he doing?

- He's trouble.

Sooner he leaves, the better.

- That's the same thing Fritz said

about Dan when he first arrived.

You know, at least he's trying to fit in.

Unlike Mr. Dandridge,

who's exactly like I pictured him...

fussy, narrow-minded, arrogant.

The children are miserable already.

It's gonna be a long weeks.

- Yep...

It is.

- The children have finished breakfast.

They're on their way.

- Ah.

Did you write this?

- Yes, sir.

- Very well done.

Intriguing... the curriculum here.

But, I must confess,

I find the amount of extra-curricular activity

somewhat excessive.

Walk in the woods,

garden cultivation.

- Aunt, Aunt Jo believes a large part of one's education

occurs outside the classroom.

[ Footsteps ]

- Hmmm.

This morning we will continue

our study on fractions.

As we discussed yesterday,

in order to solve an equation involving fractions,

one must first reduce the fractions to... what?

- Uh, sorry I'm late.

- [Franz]: That's the rd time in weeks, Dan.

- I know. I got talkin' with Jasper after breakfast,

and I lost track of time.

It won't happen again.

- Dan, perhaps you'd like to solve

this equation for the class.

- Uh, no thanks.

I'm not too good at math.

- Well, that's why you're at school, isn't it. To learn.

Go ahead.

Well, what must you do first?

- Uh...

- Find the least common denominator.

Go ahead, Dan.

- Least common denominator?

- Well,

take your time.

We have all day.

- I heard about your difficulties in school today.

- Shouldn'ta been late.

- No, you shouldn't have.

I know that it's difficult

adjusting to a new teacher.

But even though it's a trial period,

you should still give it your best effort.

And then if it doesn't work--

- Then what?

Everything'll be back to normal?

Captain Hoffmann and the other parents aren't gonna let Franz

be the permanent teacher. You know that.

- I will find a suitable teacher, it--

- No,

you won't.

You keep thinkin' you can find someone

as good as Mr. Bhaer was.

But you can't.

- Hey guys.

Well?

Give any more thought to comin' with me?

- I don't know, Jasper, I mean,

Mrs. Jo would be pretty disappointed.

- Mrs. Jo's got you doin' laundry, Dan, I mean uh,

look at yourself.

Hey,

hey, come with me. I gotta show you somethin'.

- Dan we've a lotta things to hang up.

- Yeah, it won't take long. C'mon, c'mon.

- [Dandridge]: I'll be fine, Mrs. Bhaer.

A little recalcitrance from the students

is to be expected when a new teacher takes over.

I've dealt with this kind of behavior before.

- Still I'd...

I'd completely understand if you wanted to leave.

- I've said nothing about leaving.

Unless that is what you are suggesting.

- I'm not sure this is working out.

- But it's only been days.

- I'll speak to Captain Hoffmann, try to explain.

- Yes, he won't be happy about this at all.

- I realize that.

But the children aren't responding well

to your instruction,

I-I'm not sure they ever will.

- I see.

- I'm terribly sorry.

- Oh, as am I.

But I shouldn't really be surprised,

seeing as how you'd made up your mind that it wouldn't work

before I even arrived here.

- Oh,

how could you say that?

- Because it's true.

I have yet to feel welcome here,

though I'm making every effort to comply with your rules.

- Effort?

By alienating the children

from the moment you walked into the classroom?

- Alienating them?

- Yes.

You didn't smile at them,

or try and make them feel comfortable.

You just barged right in here with all your rules.

Respect for the children may not be high priority

at other schools, Mr. Dandridge,

but here it is top of the list.

- Duly noted.

- Yeah, I remember that night.

I was workin' the lock, you went and broke the front window.

- I was hungry. You were takin' too long.

- Remember those cops, they were blowin' their whistles,

chasin' us down the street.

- I could hardly run with that big ole goose in my arms.

- Yeah. I remember you threw me the goose

and drew the cops away, so I wouldn't get caught.

- Yeah, I'd been in jail before though, remember?

You hadn't, so...

- Yeah... I felt too guilty with you sittin' in jail.

I couldn't even eat the goose.

Snuck it back to Clancy's, left it on his doorstep.

- Ah, I can remember when they finally let me outta that place.

Was just before dawn, coldest mornin' I ever remember.

Not a soul in the street.

Except for you,

standin' out there, waitin' for me.

Yeah, we're far enough away from Plumfield now. This'll do.

- For what?

- A little target practice.

- Target practice?

- Take a look.

- Where'd you get that?

- Bought it in Boston. It's a beauty, ain't it?

We're gonna need these when we go out west, right.

You know, huntin' food and stuff.

Watch this.

Ha, ha!! All right!

All right, go ahead, take a sh*t.

- Never fired a g*n before.

- It's a bad idea, Dan.

- Shouldn't you be uh, ironing Nat?

- Ah come on Nat,

we're just sh**t' at windows.

- Sure beats doin' laundry, huh.

Got quite a kick, don't it?

It's all right, little bit of practice, don't worry about it,

we'll get you a g*n of your own.

Yeah, nice sh*t! You're a natural.

[ Bang ]

Ha! Way to go.

- We gotta tell Mrs. Jo.

- Tell her what?

- About the g*n.

- Why?

He's not gonna hurt anybody with it.

- I don't know. Wouldn't put it past him.

- Hey guys,

the Sheriff's here.

He's with some folks.

They're lookin' for a man

who robbed them out on the road a few days ago.

- He's short, kind of stocky.

They couldn't see his face

because he was wearing a mask. And he wore a hat.

- Could you tell how old he was?

- Um,

seemed young but...

I don't know. I really couldn't tell.

- Where's Jasper?

- I'm right here.

What can I do for ya?

- This him?

- Him?

- These people were held up

at g*n point a few days ago.

- Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

- Would you mind putting this on?

And this.

- I can't be sure.

- Oh, I sure do hope you find the guy.

- Oh, I will. Don't you worry.

- Well, I still got a lot to do.

Can I get back to work?

- Sorry to trouble you folks.

- Come to give me a hand, Nat?

- You did it, didn't you?

You robbed those people.

- No, I didn't, I told you--

- You got the g*n, you got the money...

- Nat, I worked for that money,

I told you that.

I didn't rob those people, I swear.

- I think you should leave.

- I will. As soon as Dan comes to his senses.

- Cause if you don't, I'm tellin' Miss Jo about the g*n.

- You don't have to tell Miss Jo anything, Nat.

- I mean it, Jasper. You should leave right now.

- You don't know when to stop, do you?

So I'm gonna help you along.

You're gonna keep

your mouth

shut,

you understand?

Cause you don't want nothin' to happen to um,

Miss Jo,

or anybody else, do you...

Huh?

Good.

Now get outta here before I get angry.

- How are we all today...?

Good morning, class.

Isn't it a splendid morning!

Good morning... children?

Children... yeah.

Good morning, children.

Oh dear me, no.

Good morning, children.

It is a splendid day, isn't it!?

Splendid day, yes...

- Breakfast is ready.

Where's Jasper?

- Said he was goin' for a walk.

Left pretty early.

- You think he robbed those people, don't you?

- Whether he did or not, that kid's still trouble.

He don't belong here.

- If I had that attitude, Dan would still be on the streets.

- Dan's different.

With him you know where you stand.

Guy like Jasper... you don't turn your back on.

- Well, he asked for my help.

I couldn't turn him away.

- Jo,

you can't save 'em all.

- Better hurry up and eat, Dan. You don't want to be late again.

- Why not?

Dandridge is just gonna make me do those stupid fractions.

- The equation was / minus /, right?

Watch carefully.

This is a whole.

Now, it's halves.

Two more cuts...

And how many pieces do you have?

- Six.

- Right... six sixths.

How many sixth's...

in half the pancake?

- Three.

- And how many... in a third of the pancake?

- Two.

- Congratulations, Dan,

you've just reduced the fractions

to the least common denominator.

So / minus / leave how many?

- One sixth.

- And there's your answer.

/ minus / equals /.

- Hey thanks, Franz.

- Now hurry up and eat your fractions.

You don't wanna be late again.

- Very well done, Franz.

- Thank you.

- Dan...

Just got back in from town.

Guess what I bought us?

Boston to St. Louis to San Francisco.

We leave tomorrow.

- Tomorrow?

- Yeah, we can't stick around here forever.

Comin' with me?

Good mornin', Miss Jo.

- Good morning, Jasper.

Dan.

Mr. Dandridge has his pocketwatch out again.

You're late for school.

- Oh I'm sorry Miss Jo, that's my fault.

I uh, I stopped to talk to him.

- I-I'll be right there.

I promise.

- All right.

Jasper...

I'm not as concerned with what you've done in the past

as I am with what you do in the future.

If you truly want to change your life,

I want you to know that we'll be here for you

with whatever you need.

- That's uh,

that's mighty generous of you.

- Now back to school.

- Are you comin' with me?

- I can't.

- Hey boy, how are you today?

- You want me to leave?

You got it.

But I'm not leavin' empty handed.

- Mr. Dandridge...

I was in town today.

I saw Captain Hoffmann.

He'd like to come by tomorrow

and see how you're coming along.

I told him that you're coming along fine.

And he's very pleased.

But he still wants to come by and see for himself.

- Splendid.

- I owe you an apology.

You were right.

I did judge you before I met you.

I'm deeply sorry.

- There you go. It's worth a lotta money.

- Sure is.

Thanks, Nat.

- You're gonna leave now, right? Like you promised?

- A deal's a deal.

Say good-bye to Dan for me, will ya?

- Sure.

- Ain't gonna be the same without you guys.

- You'll do all right.

- I know I will.

- I wondered who was out here.

I saw a light on.

- I was just...

I was thinking about Harvard

and what an incredible opportunity it is for me.

- Yes, it is.

[ Sighs ]

- Then how come I'm not excited about it?

- Well, it's always unsettling when you make a big change.

- That's not it.

[ Sighs ]

I remember the first time

Uncle Fritz asked me to help him teach the class.

He was very ill that day.

He had a terrible catarrh, remember?

- Yes I do.

He couldn't get a word out without sneezing.

- I was so nervous.

I didn't think I'd be able to do it.

And he said to me:

That is precisely why you'll make a fine teacher.

[ Animal grunt ]

- Ah! A barn.

What kind of school is located in a barn?

- The best school.

- It's getting late. Let's go in.

- California, here we come!

is it true my uncle's coming here this afternoon?

- Yes, it is. But don't worry.

I'm not gonna let him take you from Plumfield.

- Mrs. Bhaer!

My pocketwatch has been stolen!

- Stolen?

- I put on my coat this morning and it was missing.

- Oh, did you misplace it?

- Oh, I never misplace my pocketwatch.

One of the students must've taken it.

- Oh...

I doubt that that's the case, the boys are very--

- Maybe Jasper took it.

- Could you find him, please? - Don't know where he is.

He wasn't in the barn this mornin.

- I know, because I saw him leavin' last night.

He had his knapsack with him.

- I'll tell the Sheriff,

have him start searchin' the roads outta town.

- Take your seats.

Bring out your pencils.

Let's begin the lesson.

- There's the watch!

- I didn't take it!

- What's going on?

- There's your thief, Mrs. Bhaer.

My watch was in his desk.

- I didn't take it, Mrs. Jo.

- There must be a mistake.

- There is no mistake. This boy has been at odds with me

from the beginning, and I want him expelled.

- What?! - Expelled?

- I have been very patient with this school.

I've done my best to fit in.

But at every other school,

stealing is grounds for expulsion.

- We don't condone stealing at this school either, but--

- I took it.

- You took it?! - For Jasper.

He said he would leave Plumfield if I took it.

He had a g*n

and I was afraid he was gonna use it.

- He had a g*n? Why didn't you tell me that?

- He said he'd hurt people if I told on him.

I just wanted him to leave us alone.

And he said he would if I took Mr. Dandridge's watch.

And I guess he put it in Dan's desk.

- Why would he do that?

- Probably to get you expelled, so you could join him.

- I was just tryin' to help you, Dan.

You been dreamin' about goin' out west your whole life.

You can't give up on it now. I couldn't let you do that!

- So that's how you help me?

By gettin' me in trouble?

- I had to.

I'm gonna save you from a life of...

schoolwork and... laundry.

C'mon, you don't belong here, Dan.

- I do.

- Fine.

Whatever you've been teachin' him here, Miss Jo,

he's not the same guy I knew in Boston.

- No.

I'm not the same guy.

We help our friends here,

'stead of stabbin' them in the back.

- Well...

guess I'll be on my way, then.

but uh, first,

I think I'll uh, take whatever money you got.

- Jasper, no.

Aah, aah...

- Get me the money,

NOW!!

- My money's in the house.

- Then send someone to go get it.

- Nat, Nat. My coin purse

is in the parlor. Go and get it.

Quickly!

- I do appreciate your cooperation there, Miss Jo.

But I am afraid

I'm gonna have to take one of you with me for protection.

Keep the Sheriff off my back 'til I'm good an' clear.

Now, since good ole Danny boy here don't wanna come along,

maybe uh...

I'll take your little boy there.

- No!

- Nick! Watch the g*n! - Nick, be careful!

- Dan, watch out!

- Get the wagon hitched.

We're going to see the Sheriff.

- I'm really sorry for takin' your pocketwatch, sir.

And I'm ready to accept any punishment,

including expulsion.

- Clearly Nat did it

to protect Plumfield.

He- should be punished, but... not expelled.

- Whoa--

- Good morning, Lionel.

- Good morning, Captain Hoffmann.

- Everything in order?

[ Sighs ]

- I'm afraid not.

I am tendering my resignation.

- I knew it!

It's because of the lack of discipline, isn't it?

These boys are unruly-- - That's not why I'm resigning.

- Why then?

- My asthma.

It's a fine school,

I heartily endorse it,

but my constitution is not suited to living on a farm.

But I don't see why you need look any further

for another teacher...

When the school already has a fine one.

- Franz?

Why, he's still a boy.

- He's a gifted instructor

whose skills are both unique and refreshing.

I wish I'd had an instructor like him when I was a boy.

I endorse him without reservation.

And Captain, I think you should do the same.

Would you like me to speak to the other parents?

- No.

If you feel this strongly about the boy...

then let him teach.

- Would you like that Franz?

- Very much, Aunt Jo.

- Splendid.

- Thank you, sir.

- The pleasure...

is mine.

- Jasper's in jail.

The Sheriff found money in his knapsack,

along with Mrs. Albright's broach.

- Well, you were right.

I can't save them all.

- Don't mean you stop tryin.

You're always seein' the best in folks,

'stead of the worst.

Maybe one day I'll learn how to do that as well.

- I don't always see the best in people.

I didn't see it in Mr. Dandridge.

[ Sighs ]

It's a beautiful spot.

- Yeah.

I still can't believe that Jasper did that.

I can't believe I was actually thinkin' of goin' with him.

- Well, I can't blame you.

The idea of going out west is very exciting.

- Yeah.

- I'm sure you'll go one day.

Well, you can't stay at Plumfield forever.

You'll finish your schooling,

and you'll be on that first train headed west.

And all those wonders that you've dreamed about

will be right at your fingertips.

Just waiting to be explored.