- [Tommy]: Hey, Isaac, c'’mon.
You do all your work?
- Nat!
You left this on the table.
- Oh, thanks.
[ School bell ]
- Race ya!
- Hey!
- [Franz]: Emil, your story was very vivid this time.
"The cannonball smashed into the ship,"
"splintering the hull."
- Another sea battle.
What a surprise!
- Perhaps this can be your last tale of
"The Rough Journey West."
Tommy, I enjoyed these sentences immensely,
but your story was over before it began.
- I like to leave you wantin'’ more.
- I do. A full page, by tomorrow.
- A "C"?
But Franz, I checked my spelling twice!
- Your spelling was all correct, Nan, that wasn'’t the problem.
I'’ve tried to teach you proper grammar is important,
but these are creative writing assignments.
If you wish to write a story about dissecting worms--
- You wrote a story on worms?
- Dissecting worms.
- You'’ve given me a very scientific,
step-by-step account.
But I want your story to show me how you [span tts:fontStyle="italic"]feel[/span]
about dissecting worms.
Listen,
this story has a few spelling errors,
there'’s some punctuation problems,
but the author manages to create a mood.
He uses words that paint pictures in your head.
"The jungle air was sweltering hot,"
"yet the boy stood frozen,"
"chilled by the beast'’s raspy growl."
- Hey, that'’s your tiger story, Nat.
- "Slowly, the boy turned."
"Two yellow eyes peered at him from the brush."
Do you see how we'’re right there with the tiger?
- So when you'’re reading my story,
you wanna be right there, dissecting the worm--
- Exactly.
- Oh.
- Cufflinks?!
They'’re just beautiful.
- Aren'’t they?
- Bess chose them herself.
She insisted on paying for them.
Saved up weeks and weeks of her allowance.
- Well, then that really is a special birthday gift.
- Yes, it is.
- Oh, Aunt Jo,
Father'’s taking me to see a recital in Boston!
Just the two of us.
- Well, I needed some place to show off my cufflinks.
- The Cheshire String Quartet'’s giving a series of recitals.
And they'’re playing Mozart, who happens to be our favorite.
- We'’ll go one evening this week
... as long as you complete your assignments.
- Alright, I'’ll get to it just before dinner.
- Well, it sounds like you had a really nice birthday.
- Oh, it was just marvelous, Jo.
The ballet we attended--
- Oh, Giselle! rd row center!
- The lead dancer, she performed with such--
- Good news.
I looked at that back fireplace you couldn'’t use.
- Oh, you didn'’t lower yourself down the chimney, did you?
- No, I didn'’t have to.
All it needed was a new latch to hold open the flue.
- Oh, wonderful.
- You'’re so lucky, Jo,
always having someone so handy about.
- Amy, I do pay Nick
to do the repairs around the school.
In fact, that reminds me,
I believe it'’s that time.
- Thank you.
Excuse me folks, for interrupting.
- Oh, that'’s quite alright.
- I'’m sorry, Laurie, you were saying about the ballet...
- It'’s not important.
- Oh, well then maybe after dinner--
- Really, Jo, it'’s nothing.
Nick, uh, why don'’t you join us?
If that'’s alright.
- Oh, of course.
- It'’ll give me someone to talk to.
Once these sisters get started,
I can barely get a word in. - Laurie!!
- I'’d like to but, '’fraid I'’ve got plans.
- Hm, well, maybe next time then.
- Sure.
- Plans,
I suppose you can'’t expect a man like that
to sit around talking in a parlor with us all night.
- [Jo]: Hmm...
I suppose.
- I can do math just fine.
You can give me any science experiment.
Writing, I just go blank.
- That'’s because you'’re letting your imagination get blocked up.
- Well, how do I unblock it?
- Well, y'’know what I do?
As soon as I think of an idea,
I'’ll write it down on paper,
try not to worry if it'’s any good.
- Your stories are always good. - Not true.
I have a whole box of terrible stories under my bed.
- What'’re you keeping them for?
- One day I hope to rewrite '’em.
You know, make '’em better.
[ Scribbles across page ]
Well, I should let ya get back to your work.
- Nat?
Dan?
[ Whistling ]
- Well, you'’re up early.
- Yeah. Gettin'’ a head start on my chores.
- Mornin'’.
- Good morning.
- You'’re just gettin'’ home now?
- Aah, I musta lost track of time.
[ Whinnies ]
- Where ya been?
- Dan,
what Nick does when he'’s not working
is his own business. Hm?
- Sorry. - That'’s alright, Dan.
I better get to work.
Come on!
- Alright everyone, settle down.
I started reading your new stories at recess,
and I must say,
there was one that made quite an impression.
- So, what'’d ya write about this time, Nat?
- Nat'’s written a fine story,
but the author I'’m speaking of...
is Nan!
- [Several]: Nan? What?
- You'’ve made quite a breakthrough.
Your writing is suddenly filled with color and vitality.
- Yeah well, it wasn'’t much. - Nonsense.
It'’s a wonderful tale of--
- Don'’t!
I mean,
please don'’t read it out to the class, Franz.
It'’s private.
- It really is very good.
- Aw, c'’mon Nan.
You finally wrote somethin'’ decent.
- Please, Franz.
- Well, I'’ll respect your wishes, of course.
- I knew you could do it, Nan.
- Thanks again for dinner, Jo.
Delicious as usual.
- Oh, well I can'’t take credit for it.
But I'’ll tell Asia you said so.
- Well then, thanks for your company.
- I only wish Nick could'’ve been there.
I don'’t know how he'’s working today
after being out the whole night.
- The whole night? - Mm-hm.
He came home this morning and went straight to work.
- What do you think he was doing?
- I don'’t know. It'’s none of my business, Laurie.
- Well,
Nick'’s a sensible fellow.
I'’m sure he'’s not into any trouble.
- I don'’t imagine.
- Then again,
perhaps I should keep an eye out for him, I mean,
he might be in some sort of situation here in town.
- Laurie, he'’s a grown man!
- I know, but still, certain behavior
could reflect badly on the school.
- I suppose.
- I'’ll look out for him then.
- It'’s really not necessary.
- Please, Jo, I insist.
- Alright.
Hello, everyone.
- Hi, Mrs. Jo. - Hi.
- I have the most wonderful news.
I just came from town where I saw Mr. Abbott.
He'’s the editor of the [span tts:fontStyle="italic"]Concord Chronicle.[/span]
He'’s planning to do a special edition
to commemorate the history of Concord.
- Sounds great, Mrs. Jo.
- You haven'’t heard the important part.
He'’s accepting stories about Concord
from students at all the local schools.
The best one from each school
will be printed in the special edition.
- Printed? - Mm-hm.
- In, in the paper?
- I bet he picks the one you write, Nat.
- Maybe, but everyone'’s got a chance.
- That'’s right.
In fact, just today,
Franz introduced me to a fine new writing talent.
A young lady!
- Me?
- That'’s right. I read your story, Nan.
- I read it, too.
It was so exciting!
The part when the white stallion broke through the gate! Oh!
- And then he charged through the thunderstorm?
- And when he jumped the ravine!
He just knew he was gonna find his owner on the other side.
- And sure enough, there he was, trapped with a broken leg,
soaked to the skin.
You had me on the edge of my seat, Nan.
- Sounds like a good story, Nan.
- You stole my story?!
- Please, don'’t tell.
- And you went through my things.
- I was desperate!
It was getting really late
and I couldn'’t think of anything to write.
You had that whole box full of stories.
- So you took one. And, and you cheated.
- I feel terrible about it Nat, please.
Look, I'’ll go tell Franz and Mrs. Jo right now.
Course, it'’ll be really hard and embarrassing,
and I'’ll probably be in big trouble,
but if that'’s what you want me to do,
then fine.
- Just don'’t do it again, okay.
- I promise.
- Come on.
Come on...
Come on... come on.
- Hello there!
- Hey, Laurie.
- What brings you into town?
Running errands for Plumfield?
- Nah, work'’s done for the day.
I'’m here on my own time.
- I see.
Oh Nick, tell me, what does a town like Concord
offer a single young gentleman nowadays?
After all, it'’s not the most lively place.
Not much to, uh, offer in the way of entertainment.
- Well, depends on where you go.
- Really?
Wh-where do you go?
I, I mean, forgive me,
I'’ve been married for some time, I couldn'’t help wondering.
- Well, it ain'’t all that excitin'’.
I play poker at the tavern.
- Poker.
- Ah, you musta been picturin'’ somethin'’ a little more...
- Oh no, no, not at all.
Poker sounds real interesting.
Euh, do you win much?
Well, I, I mean, uh...
- Hah! I do alright.
- I see.
- I mean I like to win,
but I go more for the company.
Y'’know, a buncha fellas sittin'’ around,
havin'’ a few laughs, some beers.
Listen Laurie, I gotta go.
I'’ll see you around.
- Yes. Have a good night, Nick.
- Hello, Nick.
- How ya doin'’?
- Read '’em and weep, Johnny.
Y'’know, it pains me to do this to you boys.
- Yeah, you'’re hatin'’ every minute of it.
- Now, you know me, Riley.
You know I like more of a challenge.
- Mr. Laurence?
- Laurie? Is everything alright?
- Ah, certainly.
Ev-Everything'’s fine. I just, uh,
Well, I stopped by to, uh...
- Pull up a chair.
- Oh, no thank you. I'’m not here to play.
I mean, I'’m not too experienced,
I was, uh, wondering, perhaps I could watch.
- Watch?
- If you gentlemen don'’t mind.
- Hell, no. You can watch all ya like, Mr. Laurence.
- Well, thank you. But please,
everyone, call me Laurie.
Theodore. T-Teddy, Ted...
- [Burke]: Whatever suits ya. As long as ya sit down soon,
this, uh, this deck'’s gettin'’ cold.
- Here, Laurie, you can sit by me.
- [Burke]: The game, gentlemen,
is -card stud.
- [Nick]: Let'’s see some better cards this time!
- Working on your story about Concord?
For the contest in the [span tts:fontStyle="italic"]Chronicle...?[/span]
- Oh. No, I'’m studying a bug.
- A bug?
- Don'’t worry, it'’s dead.
- Nan,
I wanna let you know how delighted I am
about the progress in your writing.
It'’s really very exciting
and just the beginning.
Now, all you have to do is apply yourself
and the possibilities will be endless.
- I don'’t know, Mrs. Jo.
That might be the only good story in me.
- Oh, don'’t be silly.
I think the next one will be even better.
And I can'’t wait to read it.
- [Burke]: C'’mon Riley, whaddaya got?
- A pair of ladies.
- You won!
- [Player]: That'’s it for me.
- I told ya Riley wasn'’t bluffin'’.
- Ah, I'’ll see you boys tomorrow.
- Poor fella,
hasn'’t won a game all week. Ha, ha!!
- Got an empty space at the table.
- Uh, I, I, uh--
- [Nick]: You don'’t have to play if you don'’t wanna, Laurie.
- Of course not.
But you'’ve been watchin'’ us experts, Laurie.
It don'’t take much to play. - [Simon]: Come on, Laurie.
- [Burke]: Buy a few chips and we can get started.
- [Simon]: There'’s lots of room to play.
- Well, I suppose there'’s no harm in a hand or two.
- [Simon]: There you go.
- What'’s money?
- [Burke]: Let'’s play some cards.
- Nat?
- Yeah?
- Have you done your story yet?
- I was just getting started.
- I'’ve been working on mine for hours,
I can'’t think of anything to write.
Well, can you help me out a little bit?
You know, get me goin'’ in the right direction.
- I don'’t know, I should be starting my own.
- Alright,
um, so what do you got?
- Well, there'’s, there'’s this one idea...
- Well, it'’s gotta be about Concord, right?
So, what do you like about it?
Something special about the folks here?
Um, some place you like to go to,
or something special in Concord'’s history?
- History?
- Yeah, you know, um, something famous...
like, um...
like the Minutemen fighting the British,
in the Revolutionary w*r.
- Yeah, the w*r. The w*r'’s good.
I could write about the battle!
"Bang! The Redcoat fell,"
"blood gushing from the carotid artery."
- Yeah, th-that'’s a start. But, um,
try to imagine what it'’d be like if you were actually there.
Then explain it in a way folks won'’t expect.
- Wh-what do you mean?
- Um, like, I don'’t know...
Let'’s say you were a squirrel or something...
And you were just minding your own business, eating nuts,
when in storms these British soldiers,
and the Minutemen come to meet '’em... Yeah,
and there you are a squirrel caught in the middle of it.
- A squirrel? - Yeah, sure.
- I don'’t want to be a squirrel, Nat.
- Okay, then what do you wanna be?
- Um, something better. Like...
like a fox,
or, um...
or a bird.
- Yeah a bird! That'’s even better,
because then you can start off on the ground,
and fly up in the sky and see the whole battle,
from all over.
- Yeah! I like this.
- So, you could be nibbling seeds in the town square...
- Wait...
Alright, go on.
- Okay. - This is good.
- Jo,
I finished mendin'’ that fence today.
- Oh yeah, I noticed. Thank you.
- Alright, see ya then.
- Yeah, we'’ll see you.
- Oh, oh wait a minute. Read that one back to me.
- "As the men of Concord--"
- The [span tts:fontStyle="italic"]valiant[/span] men of Concord.
- "As the"
"valiant"
"men of Concord stood, smoke still blowing--"
- Swirling.
- "Swirling..."
"from their muskets, the bird spread its wings"
"and soared skyward."
"Proud. Triumphant. Free."
How can a bird be proud and triumphant?
It didn'’t do anything, it just watched.
- Well, the bird'’s a symbol, Nan.
- A symbol?
- Look Nan,
it'’s getting really late,
and I haven'’t started my own story yet.
Sorry.
- Symbol...
- [Laurie]: I said,
"Turn this boat around, Captain!"
"My wife'’s pearls have been stolen!"
"We must alert the authorities in Majorca."
He just stared...
coldly,
while I threatened him.
Until finally, he spoke,
[span tts:fontStyle="italic"]"No comprendo ingles."[/span]
Pah, haa, haa, haa...
[ Laughter spreads ]
- Hey!
Riley, where ya been?
- Hello, Nick.
- Laurie.
Thought you had your fill of this last night.
- Oh, I just stopped by for a few hands.
- [Burke]: He just won himself a big pot.
- Agh! After I lost the other ...
finally got lucky.
- Lucky?! Ha, ha, no sir,
luck had nothin'’ to do with it.
I was watchin'’ you, Laurie.
You knew Simon was bluffin'’.
You hung right in there with him, when the rest of us folded.
- Well, I did get a sense...
- The look on Simon'’s face when you put down your straight!
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...
You just gonna stand there, Riley?
- Uh, Nick...
excuse me, I'’m in your chair.
- Ah, that'’s alright.
- Whose deal?
- [Simon]: Mine. - [Burke]: Oh-oh!
- Let'’s go.
- Aahh...
- [Burke]: Make '’em good, Simon.
- [Simon]: Always... for me!
Yeah, I'’ll make '’em good.
- Well?
What did he say?
- He hasn'’t finished reading them.
But he promised he'’d come right out and tell us
once he'’s made his decision.
- [Emil]: There'’s no contest anyway.
We all know that Nat'’s story'’s gonna win.
- I don'’t know, I'’m not sure about this one.
- Your work did seem less polished, Nat.
- I know. I needed more time to go through it.
- Well, I think all of your stories were just marvelous.
- Hello everyone!
- Father. - [Jo]: Oh, hello!
- Jo, how are you?
Sweetheart.
- When are we going to Boston?
For the recital.
- Oh, yes, of course...
- Can we go tonight?
- Tonight... I'’m afraid I can'’t,
I'’ve suddenly gotten so busy. - [Jo]: Oh yes,
Amy told me you'’ve been working late a few nights.
- You know how things can pile up. We can go tomorrow, Bess.
Perhaps your Aunt Jo will bring you into town again.
- I'’d be glad to.
- Then you and I can ride into Boston together.
- Do you promise?
- I promise.
- Good.
- Laurie,
may I speak with you?
I, um,
I'’m just wondering, have you happened to see Nick in town?
- Oh yes, I should'’ve told you.
He'’s simply enjoying some time with his friends at the tavern.
- Oh, at the tavern.
- Oh well, I wouldn'’t worry about him.
- But Laurie, Nick can be so impulsive.
I mean, he'’s not responsible like you are.
- [Abbot]: May I have your attention, everyone?
Let me commend all your students, Mrs. Bhaer.
I enjoyed every story.
But one of them was so inventive, so stirring.
It'’s called
"Freedom Takes Flight in Concord"
written by Miss Anthea Harding.
- I won?!
- Oh, Nan!!
I'’m so proud of you.
- Such an accomplished young writer.
Perhaps you can come into town again.
I'’d like to arrange some time for an interview.
- You wanna interview me?
- Mm-hm.
- Raise.
- I'’m out.
- Me too.
- Laurie?
- I'’ll see your raise.
- Two pair.
- Three queens.
- Riley,
you'’re to blame for introducin'’ this guy.
- Yeah well,
we should call it a night, huh?
- What'’re ya talking about?
It'’s early.
I want a chance to win my money back.
- Another time, Burke.
- Maybe we oughta get goin'’. - Well, if he wants
to keep losing, gentlemen, who are we to stop him?
- Will ya listen to him?!
Ha, ha, alright mister, shuffle those cards!
- [Nick]: Can I talk to you for a second?
Laurie,
you should go home.
- I don'’t wanna go home, I'’m having a good time.
- Of course you are, you'’re winning... for now.
Burke and that other fella,
they'’ve been holdin'’ back, waitin'’,
but once they start playin'’ for real...
- For real? That'’s real money on the table, Nick!
- Laurie, I know how this works.
They draw ya in, all friendly-like...
Then as soon as ya get comfortable,
maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow,
they pull out all the stops and you end up losin'’ your shirt.
- I didn'’t realize you'’d have such a problem
with my playing here. - I don'’t have a problem, I just
don'’t wanna see you get taken.
- I appreciate that, but I can handle myself.
- I'’m not sayin-- - Perhaps you should concentrate
on your own game.
You haven'’t won a round all night.
- Hey, fellas...
Are you in?
- I'’m in.
- I'’m in too.
- Aunt Jo, may I have a moment?
- Of course.
- Something'’s been on my mind,
and I haven'’t mentioned it because I'’m not sure...
Here.
This is a story that Nan wrote a month ago
entitled, "Intestines."
"Food goes into your stomach"
"where it gets all churned up and att*cked by acid,"
"then it gets pushed into this long tube called intestines."
Now this,
is "Freedom Takes Flight in Concord"
her story for the [span tts:fontStyle="italic"]Chronicle.[/span]
"As the valiant men of Concord stood,"
"smoke still swirling from their muskets,"
"the bird spread its wings and soared skyward."
"Proud. Triumphant. Free."
- It'’s a big improvement.
- And I'’m always pleased when students make big strides,
Nan'’s made big strides!
Too big.
- You don'’t think she'’s done her own work.
I'’ll speak to her. Thank you, Franz.
- [Bess]: It'’s the Chesire String Quartet,
and they'’re playing Mozart.
I just love Mozart, Nan, don'’t you?
- Yeah, he'’s alright.
- "Alright"?!
He'’s only the most brilliant composer in the world,
and he'’s our favorite. Father'’s and mine.
- Oh my goodness, Bess!
Don'’t you look lovely!
- Thank you, Aunt Jo.
Father'’s always liked this color on me.
- Bess,
would you mind waiting for me downstairs?
I'’d like to speak to Nan before we head into town.
- Sure.
Bye, Nan.
- Have fun.
You want to speak to me, Mrs. Jo?
- Yes.
You know, I just finished reading your story again,
very carefully this time.
I couldn'’t help but notice
your choice of words,
your vocabulary, the imagery.
It was really quite sophisticated.
- Oh, well, y'’know I--
- You know, like the bird, for instance.
What a beautiful metaphor!
- Metaphor?
- You know, symbol.
- Oh right, I, I used the bird as a symbol.
- Mm-hm,
I just don'’t know how you thought of such things.
- Oh well, I guess the stuff kind of... came to me.
- She cheated, alright.
- She confessed?
- No. I can just tell.
- Did you accuse her?
- No.
I want her conscience to do the trick.
- Well I don'’t know, Aunt Jo. I mean,
this story'’s gonna be published in the newspaper.
Mr. Abbott is gonna interview her.
With all the attention she'’s getting, I don'’t think
Nan'’s conscience is gonna rise to the occasion.
- You'’re right,
maybe she needs a little push.
[ Footsteps ]
Nan?
- I was just gonna start my chores.
- Oh good.
Listen, Franz and I were just thinking...
Maybe we should invite Mr. Abbott
to come here to Plumfield.
That way he could conduct the interview
in front of the classroom, instead of at his office.
- Why would we wanna do that?
- Why?
Well, because then we could see journalism in progress.
And Nan, this is a very big deal!
It'’s not every day that one of our students is interviewed,
right, Franz.
- Yeah, it, it'’ll be qu-quite an event.
There you'’ll be, sitting in front of everyone,
answering his questions about you
and how you wrote your story.
- Everyone will be watching and listening.
It'’ll be very exciting.
- That'’s a great idea, Mrs. Jo.
Let'’s invite him.
- Oh, I, I'’ll speak to him when I'’m in town.
- Great.
- Raise.
- I'’ll see your raise. Raise ya more.
- Aaggghhh!
- Too rich for my blood.
You'’ve had a pretty good run today, Laurie.
Why don'’t you quit while you'’re ahead?
- I'’ll see it.
- Alright then, gentlemen...
- [Simon]: Pair of aces?
[ Sighs ]
Ugh! Not my day.
- Didn'’t think I was holdin'’ those aces, did ya?
- No I didn'’t.
- That'’s it for me.
- Hey, leavin'’ already?
- I know when to quit.
- So long, Simon.
- I'’ll see ya around, Si.
- Simon. - Boys.
- Well, I should be leaving as well.
- Ah, not you too.
- I'’m afraid I'’ve made other plans.
- Aah, don'’t leave me with these amateurs.
- [Nick]: Laurie, if ya gotta go--
- You'’re not like Simon, Laurie, you play smart like me.
You know how to pace yourself.
- Well, I suppose I could, uh, squeeze in a few more rounds.
- [Burke]: Alright gentlemen, ante up.
- Nat, I know you helped me out.
C'’mon, will ya just listen to me?
I know you made a few suggestions.
- Suggestions? That was my story.
- I was already writing about Concord.
- Everyone was writing about Concord!
That story you handed in, that was mine, my ideas.
- Your idea was to make me be a squirrel!
I came up with the bird. - Big deal.
- It is a big deal and that'’s why you'’re so mad.
- What? - You'’re just jealous.
It'’s always "Oh, what a wonderful story Nat wrote."
"Isn'’t he talented?"
Finally I wrote something good for a change
and you just can'’t stand it.
- Is that what you really think?
Well then, you'’re fooling yourself about that one too.
- [Jo]: Whoa!
- Mother,
what are you doing here?
- Don'’t worry, I'’m not coming along.
I only came to see you off.
- Bess is so excited, Amy.
- Is Father ready?
- He must'’ve stepped out.
- Oh, he'’s not here?
- I'’m sure he'’ll be back any minute.
- I wonder where is he? - Are you lookin for Laurie,
Mrs. Laurence? Well, he'’s at the tavern.
- The tavern?
- My husband? - Well, I just left him there.
Good day, ladies.
- Aah,
I'’m out.
- Well, that'’s just you and me now, Laurie.
What'’s it gonna be?
- I'’ll match your raise.
And raise you more.
- That just cleaned you out.
I'’ll see your raise.
Raise ya more.
- You can'’t do that.
- We didn'’t set any limits.
- [Laurie]: I, I don'’t have it.
- Oh wait, wait!
I'’ll, I'’ll write you an I.O.U.
- Don'’t believe in '’em.
- Well, there must be something...
- S'’pose those'’ll do.
- My cufflinks?
- Laurie, don'’t.
- I'’ll win them right back.
- A full house...
Whaddaya know?
Hey, hey, hey,
not so fast...
I got one too.
My lucky ladies b*at your jacks.
- Alright, Burke, fun'’s over.
Let'’s go.
- No, no, I'’ll win them back. - Laurie...
- Wait. Here.
I'’ll bet my watch.
- [Nick]: That'’s enough... - No, just one more game.
- It'’s over, Laurie. - Don'’t!
- Bess...
- Bess!
- Bess! Wait!
Sweetheart! Please, I want to talk to you.
- Let go of me!
I never want to see you again!
- Laurie, ya gotta go talk to '’em.
- I can'’t.
- Just explain--
- How do I explain gambling away my daughter'’s gift?
- Ahh, seems pretty clear to me.
You wanted to sit around, play some cards,
have a few laughs with the fellas.
You let things get away from ya.
- Yes,
I wanted to be one of the guys.
- Laurie, playin'’ cards at the tavern,
that might not be the right thing for you.
But y'’know what?
Goin'’ to the ballet is not the right thing for me.
But neither way makes you or me any more or less of a man.
- You make it sound so simple, Nick, but...
they won'’t understand.
- Yes, they will.
They love you, Laurie.
I never meant that much to anybody, but if I did,
I know there'’d be nothin'’ that we couldn'’t get over.
I spoke to Burke.
He'’s willing to sell you back your cufflinks.
- He is?
- You know him,
he'’ll probably charge ya times what Bess paid for '’em.
- I don'’t care...
I want them back.
Thanks, Nick.
- How could he do this?
How could he lie to me, Jo,
telling me he'’s been out working,
when he'’s been out gambling!
- Amy... - It'’s just so unlike him.
- I know.
Maybe Laurie was drawn into it.
Listen, Amy,
when Nick started spending so many evenings in town...
I encouraged Laurie to look after him.
Maybe it was Nick.
- No, Jo.
Neither you nor Nick are responsible.
It was my choice to join that game.
In fact, Nick made every effort
to keep me out of trouble.
If it weren'’t for him,
I'’d'’ve made an even bigger fool of myself,
and lost a great deal more money.
- Don'’t be so hard on yourself.
- I can'’t be hard enough.
Amy, I'’m sorry.
I'’ve behaved very poorly
and shown a remarkable lack of judgment and restraint.
I want to do whatever I can to make things right again.
I hope you can forgive me.
- I'’m not the one you should be asking for forgiveness.
- Bess?
Sweetheart,
I know I'’ve hurt you terribly.
I'’d do anything to take back what I'’ve done.
Betting on cards, losing your gift...
- It'’s not just the cufflinks,
it'’s you!
I never thought you could do something like that.
- I made a foolish and thoughtless mistake.
But I promise to try my best
never to disappoint you like that again.
You don'’t need to answer me now,
but there'’s another recital tomorrow, and...
I hope you'’ll do me the honor and let me escort you.
Alright, then.
Bess,
I love you more than anything in the world.
- Imagine! A whole story in the newspaper, just about you!
- I never knew anyone famous before.
- Nat?
Y'’know, you'’re gonna write a lot of great stories.
Probably have folks writin'’ about ya all the time...
This might be my only chance.
- I, uh, thought you'’d like to see this.
It'’s a test sheet I printed of your story.
That'’s how it will appear in the [span tts:fontStyle="italic"]Chronicle[/span]tomorrow.
You see your name there?
- Yes. Thank you.
- Nan, I think I was most taken
with your use of the bird in the story.
First, the way it allowed you to describe the battle
from several different perspectives...
... from different points of view.
- You mean how it looked from all over?
- Yes...
And then by the end, of course, you used the bird as a symbol.
- Yes, I did.
- Could you talk a little bit about that?
Tell me, what did you want the bird to represent?
- Oh,
y'’know,
the way it flies
with it, with its wings and everything.
Up and down in, in the sky.
It was kind of, um, it was sort of,
it was, um,
um...
- Y-you remember, Nan--
You told me when the bird spread its wings and flew up in the sky
it felt so free and powerful,
like nothing could stop it.
The future was wide open to him. Just like those Minutemen felt
when they were fighting for an independent country.
- That'’s what I meant.
Exactly.
- Mm-hm,
I see.
- Nat?
Why did ya help me like that?
- '’Cause you'’re my friend.
- Why don'’t you go on in and get washed up.
- Sure.
- Oh, Laurie.
- Hello, Jo. - It'’s nice to see you.
- I'’ve come to take Bess to the recital.
- I know,
but I'’m afraid she hasn'’t left her room all day.
- I'’m ready.
- Are you sure?
- Yes. After all, they'’re playing Mozart.
And he is our favorite, Father.
- Yes.
Yes, indeed he is.
Shall we?
- Your cufflinks...
- Well, I couldn'’t bear losing such a precious gift.
- Have a wonderful time!
Bye, bye.
I'’m sorry, Nick.
- For what?
- For asking Laurie to look after you.
- I can look after myself.
- I know.
But we care about you here.
You'’re very important to this school.
- It'’s not my story, Mrs. Jo.
Nat wrote it. He helped me when I couldn'’t.
- Well, I'’m glad you'’re finally telling me.
- I know I should'’ve told you sooner but
I was so caught up in all the fuss,
and you being so proud of me.
- Nan...
As long as you'’re trying your best,
I'’m always proud of you.
And you should be proud of yourself.
Do you understand?
- The newspaper.
The story'’s already being printed.
- Maybe we can still make it.
- Good morning, Mrs. Jo.
- Good morning, Nat.
I just picked up a couple of copies of the special edition.
I thought you might like to see it. It'’s on page .
- Oh sure, I guess.
- Great story.
Did you write it yourself?
- Well, actually, a friend gave a few suggestions.
- Really?
- Yeah. The bird? That was her idea.
- That'’s my favorite part. - Really?
Hey, race ya!
01x08 - Bluffing
Watch/Buy Amazon
Based on Louisa May Alcott's book "Little Men", the sequel to "Little Women", this show chronicles the heroic struggles of Jo Bhaer as she attempts to manage Plumfield, a boarding school for boys in Concord, Massachusetts.
Based on Louisa May Alcott's book "Little Men", the sequel to "Little Women", this show chronicles the heroic struggles of Jo Bhaer as she attempts to manage Plumfield, a boarding school for boys in Concord, Massachusetts.