03x10 - The Book

[bunniefuu]

(john-boy) in those gray and
grinding days of the depression,

we often found comfort
in the old familiar proverbs.

we knew that in unity
there was strength,

that blood was
thicker than water,

that to err was human
and to forgive divine.

usually, we never examined
these truths too closely,

but in the autumn of ,

i discovered, through
pain and remorse

just how profoundly
true they were.

Hey! What on earth you got here?

It's a boat! And it's all ours!

You know mr. Carmichael,
the one that owns

That big house on
rockfish river? Yeah.

Well, it was his.

How much did he pay
you to haul it away?

Let's go get jason and john-boy.

And mary ellen!

Then we can unload it right now.

Not now. We'll
unload it after supper.

In fact, it can wait till after the dishes
are done and the homework's finished.

Oh, daddy. Daddy's right.

There's nothing more could
possibly happen to this boat

That hasn't
happened to it before.

We're gonna fix it up
and sail it on the pond.

And we're gonna give it
a name and everything.

Why don't we call
it ile-de-france?

I think that name
has been taken, honey.

Might I suggest cork?

cork? why call it cork?

'Cause cork is the floatingest
material there is known to man

And you're gonna
need all the help

You can possibly get
for this sorry mess.

[Exclaiming] oh, grandpa.

You children ought to
get a boat more often.

Erin, I'm not through yet. Now.

Daddy, can we go
work on the boat now?

Do your homework? (Kids) yeah.

Pa, let's set it up with some
sawhorses, and they can work on it.

That's one way of
keeping her afloat.

There's nothing
to fixing that boat.

You just put some
bandages on it.

Come on, john-boy.

In a minute.

What's the matter, college man?

No time for us
kids and our boat?

What are you smiling at?

Well, I was gonna
ask you what's wrong,

But I knew you'd say, "nothing,
mama, nothing." So I'm not gonna ask.

[Snickering]

[Sighing] well, it's that
special writing class

I've been trying to
get into for a long time.

Is that it? They
won't accept you?

No, they did accept
me. That's the problem.

John-boy, you've been talking and
talking about that class for months.

Are you trying to tell me
you don't want to get in it?

I just don't think
I belong there.

Everyone else in the
class is a sophomore.

They've even got a senior who's
supposedly writing a novel in verse.

I'm the only freshman
in the entire class.

It's a feather in your cap.

[Sighing] that's true.

I just don't think I'm
gonna measure up to it.

Brooding about
it isn't gonna help.

What you need is to keep busy.

I'm sure the children can find
you something to do on that boat.

Ok.

Ok.

Maybe if we get
it into shipshape,

I can escape in it
before class tomorrow.

Miss barstow.

Mr. Tatlock. Here.

Miss webb. (Miss webb) here.

Mr. Carpenter.

And, of course, our
newcomer, mr. Walton.

Since you weren't
here for the first class

You missed my introductory
speech, mr. Walton.

[Students cheering]

However, so as not to
deprive you, I'll repeat it.

[Students booing]

In capsule form.

[Students cheering]

In a nutshell, I really can't
teach you how to write.

You're either a
writer, or you're not.

So, class, why don't you tell
mr. Walton about your projects?

Mr. Tatlock.

I'm writing a novella in
which all the action is mental.

Have you read proust? Some.

Then you know
what I'm going for.

It's very challenging.

It certainly is. Miss barstow.

I'm doing a fantasy about
the end of civilization

In which just a handful of people
are keeping knowledge alive,

But at the end, you realize it's
really about the fall of rome.

In other words, it's
prophetic literature.

What are you working on, walton?

Uh, short stories.

On what themes?

[Chuckles nervously]
well, uh, family life.

I'm not too sure but what
regionalism isn't dead.

Really, miss webb? Has
anyone told thomas wolfe?

[Students chuckling]

What approach are you taking?

Pretty realistic, I think.

Well, sinclair lewis did
some good reportage,

But, uh, these days, I think
you need a larger frame.

Exactly. You know, mr. Walton,

If you can do with your people

What proust did with
the french bourgeoisie...

You must have
sociopolitical overtones.

Without that, work is
meaningless in this day and age.

Well, I just, uh,

Write about my family
the way I see them,

The day-to-day
experiences and such.

Good enough, mr. Walton.

You're doing what every
beginning writer should do.

Write about what you know.

That's all very well and good,

But maybe he should know more.

(Parks) thank you, miss webb.

Miss barstow, why don't you
read for us from your new work?

(Miss barstow) "it
seemed to christina

"That the sound
of the train wheels

Would stay inside her
head as long as she lived."

(Elizabeth) , , . Pull!

[All yelling] pull!

Pull! (Jason) pull!

Erin, you're not pulling.

(Erin) I am pulling,
jason. Well, pull harder.

Pull, erin! Harder? I am, jason.

Ok, ok, ok, ok.

Didn't budge an inch.

That's all it has
to budge, is an inch.

(Jim-bob) I got an idea.

If we bend trees and tie
them, put the boat in the middle,

When we cut the trees, whammo!
It'd be back together again.

Oh, no.

I saw it in a movie.

I think you made it up.

And I also think we
should get daddy.

No, we promised
we'd do it ourselves.

So let's do it again. Come on.

Ok. Come on.

You gotta pull
as hard as you can,

And don't move it off the bench.

Ok. Ready?

Pull!

(Ben) come on, jason, go!

(Elizabeth) pull!

(Jason) just in time.

For what?

Oh, no, I've had a tough day.

(Mary ellen) gee, john-boy, you're
not the only one who goes to school.

(Jim-bob) yeah, I had a tough
time. I got a d in spelling.

You're trying to
close that seam?

Do I get to be captain if I
figure out a way to do it?

It's a deal.

Let me have the ends
of the rope, please.

Thank you.

Jim-bob, I need, uh...

Bring me that length
of pipe there, all right?

Ok.

Now...

It's working.

Ben,

Now you see the value of
one man with a little know-how.

You're a mechanical genius
and you're smart, too. Thank you.

Well, I don't know about that.

After all, we did get him to
do our work for us, didn't we?

Like tom sawyer getting his
friends to whitewash the fence.

Jason, you've been reading too
many books. That's bad for you.

It's bad for you, you mean.

Well, I better get in the house.

(Mary ellen) john-boy, you
gonna write about our boat?

I think it would
make a good story.

Mary ellen, last week
I'd have thought so, too.

Right now, I'm not sure at all.

Come on. Let's get
those sides hammered in.

Get that hammer.

Nails.

[Knocking on door]

(Olivia) john-boy.

Come in.

You didn't eat any supper. I
thought you might be hungry.

What's the matter?

Tomorrow I have to bring
in a sample of my work.

All the scads of
stories you've written,

You must be able to
find something good.

I think they're all good.

The question is, are
they good enough?

Good enough for what?

[Sighing]

Mama, the people
in this class are...

They're very sophisticated.
They're very discriminating.

It's not as easy to impress
them as it is to impress you.

Since when have you been
out to impress other people?

[Sighs] that's not what I mean.

It's just that they know so much
more than I do about these things.

They're interested in very
important themes for their work.

You feeling that your
stories aren't serious enough?

That's exactly what I'm feeling.

Tell you the
truth, I'm wondering

If I really have anything
at all to say as a writer.

John-boy, that is foolish.

No, mom, it's a terrible feeling

To suddenly wonder
if what you want to say

Is important or
meaningful to other people.

Your feelings are in an
uproar 'cause you're having to

Prove yourself to
strangers for the first time.

But that's gonna happen
all the time from now on.

You're just gonna
have to get used to it.

That's terrible.

I wish I could help.

When you were little
it was so much easier.

You fell down, I
could pick you up.

You were afraid of the dark,

I could show you that there
weren't any ghosts in the corner.

But now there's
truly nothing I can do.

Except to tell you when to eat,

And that is now. Here.

I admit it. I'm starving.

Mom. Thank you.

♪♪[Jason playing guitar]

Jason, your brother's
trying to work.

[Jason stops playing]

Oh, hi, olivia. Nice to see you.

Well, you know that material
you ordered? It's here.

Thanks, ike. Jason wanted me
to ask if his harmonica's here yet.

Oh, that jason. He orders
a harmonica yesterday

And he expects it today.

Here's something you
might be interested in.

Grogan's department store
is having a fall fashion show.

I never miss one of these.

(Ike) you going, huh?

I think I'll skip this one.

It's free.

I don't see any point in going
all the way to charlottesville

To look at a bunch of
dresses I can't afford to buy.

That dress catch your eye, huh?

Ike, have you
finished with this?

Oh, sure, yeah.

Do you mind if I
take it with me?

Oh, no, go ahead.

Thank you.

(Ike) uh, must be something
pretty interesting in there, huh?

Ah, no, it's nothing special.

Oh, come in, come in, miss...

Mrs. Walton. Mrs.
Walton. Have a seat, please.

Thank you.

And what have you brought us?

You've written a
novel, have you?

Oh, no.

This is my son's work.

He's and a very fine writer.

At least, I think so.

We want to believe
that as much as you do.

After all, without new writers,
what would publishers do?

Do you publish short stories?

Certainly. If they're good.

Do I leave these with you?

They're only a few samples.
John-boy's written a lot more.

You just leave
them, mrs. Walton,

And we'll be giving you
an opinion within the week.

Uh, the address is here.

And I'd appreciate it if you'd
send your reply addressed to me.

My son doesn't know I'm
here, and if you turn him down,

It might be better
if he never knew.

You should think
more positively.

We just may consider
your son's work good

And want to publish it.

Think of that.

I will.

But I would appreciate it if you'd
send the reply addressed to me.

Certainly.

I look forward to
reading your son's novel.

Short stories. Right.

And as I said,
we'll be in touch.

Thank you for choosing us.

Thank you. Bye-bye.

Goodbye.

Ike, ike, did my
harmonica come in yet?

Now stop it, will you?
I'm sick and tired of you

Coming in here and asking when
that harmonica's gonna come in!

Ok. You know why?

Why? 'Cause it came in.

[Laughing] hot dog! Thanks, ike.

Oh, look at that. Brand new.

Hold it. Cents.
Cash on delivery.

Got it right here.

Exact change. Cents.

Ok.

[Chuckling]

It's a catchy tune.

I wrote it myself.

Ike, you got any
wings cigarettes?

Yeah, sure.

I'll take a pack of them and,
uh, one of them chocolate bars.

Ok.

Here you go.

I, uh...

It's new. I couldn't
wait to try it out.

You play that thing
pretty good. You surely do.

Your change. Thank you.

What else you do?

Oh, I play a little guitar.

I sing.

Ever do it professional?

[Sighing] I won an
amateur contest once.

Gonna be professional
one of these days.

Maybe sooner than you think.

How's that?

[Clearing throat] well, that,
uh, that all depends.

Have you ever heard of bobby
bigelow and the haystack g*ng?

Oh, sure. They play all over
virginia. What about them?

I travel with them
and it just so happens

We need a new man
when we're in these parts.

You mean, maybe I could play with
the haystack g*ng. Starting when?

Wait a minute. Now
slow down, boy.

Now like I said, it all depends.

Bobby'd have to hear you.

When?

Well, now don't get your
hopes up too much, you see,

'Cause bobby's pretty picky.

But you show up at the
barn dance hall in scottsville

A week from friday at : .

If you don't see me, you tell
bobby that caspar tice sent you.

And then we'll see.

[Chuckles] I surely will.

Oh, uh, what's your name, so I
can tell bobby who to expect?

Walton. Jason walton.

All right now.

A week from friday, : .

I'll be there. Thank you.

Ike.

Weeks from now, I might be
a real professional musician.

Your mom and your
daddy are gonna have

The biggest surprise
of their lives.

You know, I don't think
I'm gonna tell anybody

About getting to
meet bobby bigelow

Until after it happens.

You'll take all
the joy out of it.

No, ike, really.

Promise me you won't mention it.

I'll say I met mr. Tice
and then later

If I do get a job, then that's
different. I'll tell the world.

So will i, and I'll keep
your promise, too.

Mum's the word. Thanks, ike.

[Laughing]

Such industry.

The boat's beginning
to look real good.

You all are really
doing a great job. Thanks.

How was your
writing class today?

Oh, not so good.

I read them that
story about benji.

You know, that terrier I
had when I was a little boy.

Oh, that one's
real good. I liked it.

I thought so, too.

But you know
what the class said?

They said it was
very nice. Nice.

Well, they could
have said it was lousy.

Well, that's true.

Of course, I wasn't
thinking about it that way.

I'm home.

Sorry I'm late. I
was at the library.

John-boy, I thought you'd
never get home. Here.

What's this? Read it.

"Majestic press. Mrs.
John walton." This is yours.

John-boy, please
open it and read it.

Ok. All right, I'll read it.

I'll read it.

"Dear mrs. Walton,
congratulations.

Your son is an exciting new
talent in the regional vein."

What is this? Go on, read it!

"We are most eager... [Laughing]

We are most eager to
publish his short stories."

What? Is this real?

They're going to
publish me? Oh, my lord!

Daddy! Daddy!

Mama! Uh, uh, grandma,
grandpa, come here!

Jason! Mary ellen!

(Olivia) john-boy, calm down!

Look at this. I'm
gonna be published.

Look at that. "Majestic press!"

I can't believe
it. Look at this.

I-i've been writing in
my diary every night

Since I learned how
to put words on paper.

And it's going to happen.

It's going to happen.

I'm going to be
published. Listen, listen.

"We are most eager to
publish your short stories.

"We will need at least more
stories for a full-length volume

"And if they are of the same
caliber as the ones we've read

A contract will be forthcoming."

They want stories!
I'll send them !

Hey. You wanna hear something?
Jason, where have you been?

You missed all the excitement.
John-boy's gonna have a book come out!

What? Majestic press,
charlottesville, virginia.

They're gonna
publish me! It's real!

Congratulations!

(Erin) and mama did
it all by herself.

They say that behind
every great man is a woman.

You just bear that in mind, zeb.

Get thee behind me, old woman.

Boy, has it been some
day for this family.

John-boy's gonna
get published and i...

Mama, I'm gonna
dedicate this book to you.

To olivia walton.
To the whole family.

Say, everybody,
I met this man...

(John-boy) listen
to what I'll do.

I'll dedicate it to zebulon
and esther and john and olivia

And elizabeth and
jason and mary ellen...

[All laughing]

(John) easy now, easy now.

(John-boy) I
couldn't believe it.

Easy.

[All laughing]

Have you heard anything
from your publishers yet?

No. I imagine it
takes a little while.

I've sent them the other
stories they requested, though.

And the contract,
has it arrived yet?

Maybe today.

Which ones did you
send them, john?

Well, I sent them some that
I haven't brought in here

And I sent them the
one about the dog.

You remember, I read
that in class last week?

Yes, I remember.

You think that
was a wise choice?

Oh, yes.

I think it has the right
sort of innocence

To put into a collection
of early work.

Possibly.

At any rate, I think people
will find it pleasant reading.

[Chuckles] I hope I get a
stronger response than that.

Then I hope so, too.

For the moment, let's get back
to the business of the class.

Miss barstow, are
you ready to read?

"When her mother started to cry,

Edna ran out into the street."

[Hammering]

♪♪[Bobby playing guitar]

Hello there. Mr. Tice.

Hey, bobby!

Come on.

Here's that boy I've
been telling you about.

What'd you say your name was?

Jason walton.

Bobby bigelow. How are you?

I know.

I've admired your playing
for a long time, sir.

Well, not too long, I hope. I'm
barely out of diapers myself.

Caspar here tells
me you play real good,

And, uh, he liked
the way you look.

How'd you like to play
with the haystack g*ng?

Well, let's, uh,
see what you do.

Now?

No time like the
present, I always say.

Uh, you said you could sing.

Yes, sir.

Well, do us a
chorus of something.

What do you like?

Would sweet betsy
from pike be all right?

You bet.

Let her rip.

♪♪[Playing guitar]

♪ Don't you remember
sweet betsy from pike ♪

♪ Who crossed the big
mountains with her lover ike ♪

♪ They had two yoke of
oxen and an old yeller dog ♪

♪ A tall shanghai rooster
and a big spotted hog ♪

♪ Saying farewell pike
county goodbye for a while ♪

♪ We'll come back again when
we've panned out our pile ♪

♪ On an evening quite early
they camped on the platte ♪

♪ Nearby the road on
a green shady flat ♪♪

Uh, jason. Jason.

Yes, sir?

Let me tell you,
son, uh, you're good.

Real good.

What did I tell you?

[Giggles] well, thank you.

You play real good. Doesn't he?

He's real good.

Thank you.

When I sign this, it means
I'm a professional writer.

Let me have a look at that, son.

No, it's just a standard
writer's contract. I checked it...

Hurry up and sign it. Another
minute won't make a difference.

I just wanna say one thing
before I do sign this, though.

This, this really is the
happiest day of my life

And none of it would have been
possible without every one of you all.

All right, son.
Now let me see this.

I'm gonna go get the pen.

I'll get the ink.

Well, now look here.

It says you have to
be over , or a parent

Or guardian has to
sign along with you.

Where?

Now let's just calm down a bit. Maybe
you missed some other things here.

Just a...

If it's all right with you, I'd
like mama to be the one to sign it

Since she started all of this.
Now, livie, just a second. Liv.

John-boy.

You write good and clear
now so they can read it.

Maybe you ought to
practice it a few times.

I'm just gonna sign my name.

Does it say anything there
about your picture on the cover?

Mama. I'm serious.

If it doesn't, you
ought to write it in.

Here goes.

[All cheering]

Maybe I ought to
see about a contract.

Oh, are you gonna be
a writer too, jason?

No. But, see, I might get to
play with bobby bigelow soon.

Do you know what happened
to me today on my way to class?

A girl stopped me and
asked me for my autograph.

She probably thought
you were real important.

Yeah, some movie star.

Can I mail it?

John-boy said I could.

You can both mail it.

Yeah. You both wash your hands.

It can't arrive all messy.

Please watch it! Watch it!

Just a minute, jason. Now will
you stop that? Or I'll mail it.

Now this is important.

Mama, if it's all the same
to you, I'd like to mail it.

I'd like to get a
little fresh air

And just sort of
think about all of this.

Can we go with you and
watch you put it in the box?

Thank you, jim-bob, but I'd like
to be by myself for a little while.

(Ben) why don't we
go work on the boat?

Come on, everyone.

(Grandma) it's bedtime, so
only take a couple of minutes.

You know what else
happened to me today?

A professor I'd never
even seen in my life

Came up to me in
the hallway and said,

"Mr. Walton,

You're getting to be a regular
literary lion around here, aren't you?"

Did you growl at him?

Liv, I know how important
this is to john-boy,

But, you know,
signing a contract

And having a book
published is a serious matter.

He's running off to mail it
so quick... It's just so exciting.

Imagine, our son
a literary lion.

Hmm.

[Laughing]

Good. I'm glad you're still up.

John-boy.

[Crickets chirping]

It's been quite a
day for you, son.

[Sighing] yes, it has.

I wanted to talk
to you about that.

Um, I was thinking
out there on the road.

I don't really know
how to say this.

Uh, well, it seems to
me that from now on

A lot more is gonna
be expected of me.

I mean, from my fellow
students and teachers and...

Everywhere.

And I think I'm gonna need a
little bit more time to myself.

Jason's already taken over a
big share of your chores, son.

I know that. That's true.

But that's not what I mean.
I'm talking about the children.

Now, I'm not going to be able
to jump every time they call me,

Like with this
boat business here.

I'd like you to tell them that for me
'cause I don't wanna hurt their feelings.

If you're needing more
time to yourself, son,

Maybe you ought
to explain it to them.

They'll understand. They know
how much all this means to you.

Well, sure, ok.

I guess I'd better go
upstairs and do some reading.

[Sighing]

I might have to come up with a
second collection before you know it.

Imagine that. A second book.

Mr. Parks. Yes.

Do you know the name of the
youngest writer ever published?

I don't believe I
do, mr. Walton,

But I could try and
find out for you,

Or you could avail
yourself of the library.

Yes, I think I'll do that.

John.

I belong to a literary society

That meets in
westham twice a month,

And I was telling them about you

And they would like you to
come and speak on the short story

As a literary form.

Me?

I guess I could give it a try.

Then I'll tell them you accept?

Sure. Ok.

(Parks) john?

There's been another
request for you to speak.

Yes, sir?

Are you familiar with a program
called the roving reporter?

Yes, my family listens
to it at home all the time.

Well, timothy collins,

That's the reporter's
actual name,

He's a next-door
neighbor of mine

And when he heard
about your good fortune

He expressed an interest in having
you interviewed on his program.

He's gonna put me on the radio?

If you're willing.

He wants to come right
in here, into the classroom

And cut what he calls an
electrical transcription.

That-that's one of those...
Those, uh, those record things

And then they replay it when
the program is broadcast.

That's right.

So you can be home
in your living room

Listening to the sound of
your own voice in comfort.

(Mr. Tatlock) progress sure
brings strange things with it.

Well, john, you don't have to
make up your mind just this minute,

But I presume you could
use a little publicity.

Be kind of good for book
sales, that sort of thing.

Oh, oh, yes, I'd like to.

Maybe I could read a story,
and we could discuss it after.

Well, it's only a
-minute interview.

Well, that's all
right, I'd love to do it.

Just tell him I'll do it
whenever it's convenient for him.

Good.

Well, now that
that's taken care of,

Let's get back to class.

You have last week's
assignments in front of you

And I think I have graded
them rather generously.

B-minus?

As I say, john, I think I have
graded them rather generously.

Mary ellen, what's the point
in putting that in right now?

Because they're ready, and
it makes the boat look nice.

Yeah, but when
you paint all around

It's gonna get all smeared up.

Ben, you're so logical.

And you act just like a girl.

(Erin) maybe that's
because she is one.

(Jim-bob) why do you girls
stick together anyway?

Well, we need to.

What for?

Because...

I don't know.
Mary ellen said so.

Heave ho, me hearties

And wet them all over,

And a bottle of the
recipe for the launching.

Oh, you've changed
your tune, old man,

But I've known all along
they'd get this boat in order.

Esther, for your faith in this
project, I will carve a figurehead

And use you as a model.

Oh, stop that.

You've got a
nasty mind, old man.

My intention was to carve you
with your dress and your apron on.

Look to your own mind.

(Ben) hey, daddy, what
time is jason coming home?

We need him to help us.

Early, I guess. He
had something to do.

Let's go ask john-boy.
He can help us. Ok.

Come on. Yeah.

(Elizabeth) I'm staying here.

(Ben) hey, john-boy! John-boy!

Hey, john-boy, are you deaf?

No, but I will be if you don't
stop hollering like a banshee.

Come on, we need
your help. What for?

(Jim-bob) there's still painting
on the boat to be done.

You're the captain, you know.

Sorry. (Erin) sorry about what?

I'm busy.

John-boy, you've been
saying that all week.

I'm sorry, but that's
the way it has to be.

I have a radio speech to get
ready, and I have galleys to read.

Listen, if you don't help us
finish, you're off the boat.

No more sailing privileges.

Ben, that is just
childish nonsense.

Now stop bothering me.

[Razzing]

[Birds chirping]

(Elizabeth) now who's
gonna be captain?

Me. Me.

How about my giving you a hand?

Sure, grandpa, here. Great.

Well, for the first time in
long years, I'd like to give a hand

On john-boy's bottom.

I know he's acting foolish,

But he's been
writing and writing,

Practically since he could
walk with no encouragement.

(Olivia) he's riding a little
high. He'll come down to earth.

He'll come down with a
thump if he doesn't watch out.

♪♪[Music playing]

♪ My wife and I
lived all alone ♪

♪ In a little log hut
we called our own ♪

♪ She loves gin and I love rum ♪

♪ I tell you we
had lots of fun ♪

(Chorus) ♪ ha, ha,
ha, you and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug
how I love thee ♪

♪ Ha, ha, ha, you and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug
how I love thee ♪

♪ Ha, ha, ha, you and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug
how I love thee ♪

(Chorus) ♪ ha, ha,
ha, you and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug
don't I love thee ♪♪

[People cheering]

Looks like you got
yourself a job, jason.

You mean it?

Do I look like a fellow that
says things he don't mean?

$ A night anytime
we play this area.

$ ?

Ok, ok, $ . , But don't haggle on
the bandstand. It's not professional.

i wish I was single again.

(Chorus) ♪ oh, I wish I
was single again ♪

♪ I wish I was single again ♪

♪ 'Cause when I was single ♪

♪ My pockets would jingle ♪

♪ I wish I was single again ♪♪

Ike?

Ike?

(Ike) yeah, it's here.
I got it right here.

Came in about a half hour ago.

(John-boy) oh, thank you.

It's blue.

Oh, mama, it's beautiful.

It's so beautiful.

Look at that.

(John-boy) "short stories a
collection by john walton jr."

This is for you, ike.

I'd be proud to accept it.

[Stuttering] would you
write your name inside it?

[Laughing] of course.

And... And uh, say something
special, uh, you know.

All right, um...

That's right nice, john-boy.

"To my friend, ike godsey,

"One of the people
who made it possible

"For me to write these stories.

Sincerely, john walton jr."

Well, it's the, uh, first
one out of the box

And the first one I autographed
and the first of the first edition.

Thank you, ike.

Bye-bye. Let's get these...
Let's get these home. Bye-bye.

Goodbye, ike. Bye, olivia.

[Birds chirping]

Thank you. Daddy, here they are!

Grandma, grandpa.

Look at this. Look at that.

Well, look at that.
Isn't that beautiful?

[Grandpa exclaiming]

Isn't it beautiful?

My own words in print.

It's such a strange thing.

Listen to this.

"At night, across virginia,
across the old fought-upon earth

"There comes a sweet darkness
that seeps down from the mountains

"And, laden with the
scent of dogwood

Flows across the hills
and into the valleys."

Oh.

Here's a letter. Must be a
covering letter of some sort.

Um...

Wait a minute. This can't be.

This can't be right.
This... What is it?

This is a bill.

This is a bill for $ .

Look, it says, "$ , cost of the
entire first printing. Please remit.

You may order more if you wish."

You mean they print them up, they send
them to you and they charge you for it?

It's a racket.

It's a racket,
that's what it is!

Yes, a very slick
contract, very slick.

Is it legal?

Couldn't be more so.

I hate to disappoint you, people,
but this document is ironclad,

And olivia's signature, as
parent here, settles that.

Didn't anybody read this?

Well, I thought I did.

I wish you would have brought
this in to me before you signed it.

I could have told
you there was a catch.

You mean they can just
get away with that racket?

It's no racket, john.

You see, the name for this
kind of publishing venture

Is called a vanity press,
and a good name it is, too.

You see, these printing
houses, they appeal to the vanity

Of anyone who is hankering to be
published and is willing to pay for it.

We didn't know we were
getting into that kind of a deal!

We thought it was a
legitimate publishing offer.

Did you get
books, bound and all?

Properly bound?

Yes.

So they lived up
to their contract.

You can't very well
call that a racket.

Guffy's right. There's
nothing we can do about it

Except figure out how to pay.

Oh, no, daddy, I'll
take care of that.

[Sighing]

I don't want the family
paying for my vanity.

Well, it was my fault.

Mama.

Once that letter came I
would have done anything

To get those books,

And I guess that's just
what those people count on.

You're so busy thinking about
your name on the spine of a book

That you don't
read the fine print.

Daddy was trying
to tell us that.

I guess we all went overboard
when we got that letter.

I just kept right
on going, didn't i?

Well, thank you, sam.

You're welcome. I guess I
better take this home with me.

It'll do good to look
at it from time to time.

The vanity press, they call it.

Well, the scriptures
said it. "All is vanity."

Vanity.

I don't know how many
times I've told this family

Never to sign anything unless
a lawyer reads the fine print

Upside down and inside out.

Lots of times, pa.

Except I didn't hear you
say anything the other day

When john-boy was signing
that contract right here. Uh, i...

Oh, stop it.

I wish he'd come out.

He hasn't budged from
his room since we got back.

Embarrassed about facing
all his friends at school.

I'll go fetch him.

No, leave him be. He needs
to be alone right now, pa.

Boat's almost painted.

How's she look?

Come on out and
see. Not now, jason.

Oh, ok.

Uh, daddy, can I use
the truck again tonight?

Well, well, now what
are you doing on the side?

Some sort of new romantic
business, like bootlegging?

Zeb, hush up.

No, just someplace I have to go.

This is the third time you
asked for it this week, son.

I gotta ask you
where you wanna go.

I have a job.

A job?

(John) what?

Mama, it's terrific.

I'm playing guitar and
harmonica and singing

With bobby bigelow
and the haystack g*ng.

You're what?

How long has this been going on?

Well, I met this man at ike's.

It was the day mama got the letter
about john-boy being published,

And, uh, well, there was all that
excitement about john-boy, so...

What about this man you met?

Well, he had me come and try out
for bobby bigelow, and he liked me.

(Jason) so I work for him
whenever they play around here.

I get $ . A night.

Got almost $ saved up.

Well, why did you keep
it such a secret, son?

Well, I tried to tell
you a couple of times,

But, well, everything was
happening so fast with john-boy

Didn't want to
steal his thunder.

Jason.

(Jason) it's ok.

Daddy, can I use the truck?

I gotta be in
scottsville by : .

Why don't we all go along?

Would you like to?

It might be just what
this family needs.

I'll get the kids
all scrubbed up.

They must be just
covered with paint.

They are.

I think I'd like to
ask john-boy myself.

I wish you would, jason.

[Crying]

[Sighing]

[Knocking on door]

(Jason) john-boy, it's me, jase.

Come in?

It's important.

Door's open.

John-boy,

The family is going into scottsville
to hear me where I'm working.

Where you're working?

Mmm-hmm.

I'm singing and playing
with bobby bigelow.

Would you like to come along?

That's wonderful.
When did that happen?

A couple of weeks ago.

Why didn't you tell me?

Well, I tried to.

Yeah, I was just too
busy thinking of myself

As the next pulitzer
prize winner, wasn't i?

[Laughs]

Come on with us.

I wouldn't miss it
for the world, jason.

Good. I'll meet you downstairs.

Ok, I'll be there in a minute.

Ok.

♪♪[Music playing]

That's my grandson up there.

The reddish-haired one.

His name's jason.

A walton.

[People applauding]

[People chattering]

Jason, been looking for you.

If i, uh...

I guess I kind of
overlooked you lately.

Not that I noticed.

I feel bad.

I was worried about john-boy.
He seemed so discouraged

And then, when all that
book business started

I guess I just didn't give
much thought to other people.

Well, you can't be
everywhere at once.

Jason.

I gotta get back to work now.

[Sighing]

John, you're late. Yes,
sir, I have to speak to you...

John, I want you to
meet timothy collins.

Tim's the roving reporter
and john walton here is, uh...

Well, I guess, a new star in the
literary firmament. Well, that's what i...

It's good to meet you, john.
We gotta get going here.

Excuse me, mr. Collins...
Shh. We're going, john.

Now don't worry about a
thing and don't be nervous.

Testing, , , , testing.

Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen,

This is timothy collins,
your roving reporter.

And our local luminary for
this evening is a young man

Who's destined for
fame as a writer.

His name is john walton jr.

He's a freshman at
boatwright university

And he's already begun his
career as a professional writer.

His first book, a
collection of short stories,

Is on its way to
being published and...

Excuse me, excuse me,
that... That isn't really true.

I mean, it's partly
true, but, uh...

Well, uh, there's... There's
a lot more to it than that.

And every-everybody doesn't
know the whole story about it.

Well, I've always... I've always
wanted to be published, but, uh...

I guess I've always dreamed
about being published.

(john-boy) but it wasn't
the publishing company

that deceived me.

i really deceived myself.

i just, uh, became
so self-important

that I really don't see how
my family ever lived with me

or how my classmates
could even put up with me.

and I'd be lying if I
said it didn't hurt.

uh,

my professor said once that it's
an arrogant thing to be a writer,

and to think that you can create
a world that's so interesting

that people will pay
money to buy your books

or read your short stories.

so maybe I just got a
little too arrogant.

um, I just...

i'd just like to say that it's
a fine thing to be a writer.

there's a very secret
and wonderful joy

when you put down a few words

that really say what you meant
to convey in the first place.

and I'm just gonna
keep on trying.

All right, everybody,
upstairs and do your homework.

Come on, elizabeth.

It was a nice talk, son.

You said some good things.

Thank you. I meant them.

I'm sure you did. These haven't
been my best days, daddy.

I know.

Guess they're about
over, though, huh?

Yes, they are.

The family's gonna be
mighty pleased to hear that.

(Jason) come on!
Come on, john-boy!

(All chattering)

(Jason) come on!

All right, I'm coming!

(john-boy) the scars of
that first disappointment

were a long time in healing,

but they did heal.

the best medicine, as always,

was the sympathy and
understanding of my family.

and a ridiculous little rowboat

that went a long way
in helping me to forget.

(Jason) john-boy, now
that I'm making money

I can help you out with
that bill for the books.

(John-boy) no, jason. I'm
gonna pay for that myself.

Sure now? Glad to help out.

No, really, jason.
But thank you.

John-boy? Uh-huh.

[Both laughing] I'm kind of glad
you didn't take me up on it.

Good night, jason.

Good night, john-boy.

[Crickets chirping]