09x22 - Hello and Goodbye

[bunniefuu]

Beautiful day.

Yes, I can see that.

I don't know
how you can read
in a stagecoach.

It doesn't
upset your stomach?

Only when strangers
interrupt me.

I made you some coffee.

Thanks, honey.

Why are you
so dressed up?

Mother insisted.

Help me with this tie,
would you?

Sure.

You look very
handsome, husband.

Oh, come on.

Well, it's true.

What time is
the stage due in?

In about an hour.

It's always late,
isn't it?

Well, usually.

Well, I guess
you don't have to
leave just yet then.

No, I guess I don't.

Nels, nels,
how do I look?

Fine, dear.

Nels! You don't have eyes
in the top of your head!

How do I look?!

Fine, really.

Ma?
Yes?

The stage is due
in 5 minutes.

Oh! I'm coming!

Oh, I'm so nervous!

Are you sure
I look all right?

Harriet, don't you think
you're overdoing
this a bit?

Nels, this is
sherwood montague.

He's a very
famous writer.

But not
visiting royalty.

And need I remind you

That he is going to rent
our very best room

For an indefinite stay.

Indefinite.
That's what the wire says.

Ma, we'd better go.

Yes, I'm coming.

Oh, willie, wait!

Oh, boy.

Oh, mr. Montague?

No, ma'am.

Mister?

I'll have your bags
sent over to
the hotel.

Oh!

Of course.

Why, you're
mr. Montague.

That is correct.

Oh! I'm harriet oleson,

Owner of the hotel
and restaurant.

Your bags, mister.

Oh, uh--willie,
willie, willie.

Are my accommodations
in order?

Oh, yes, of course.

Why, we have nothing
but the very best for you.

This is my son, willie.

Mr. Oleson.

Pleasure to
meet you, sir.

Uh, he and--and his wife

Help out
in the restaurant.

Hmm. How incredibly
interesting.

Oh, yes.
[Giggling]

Excuse me.
Yes?

I'm trying to locate
a matthew rogers.

He's around 13...

Oh, matthew. Yes.

You know him?

Yes. Check with
mr. Edwards.

Matthew stays
at his place.

Where can I find
this mr. Edwards?

Well, it's lunchtime.

You'll find him
up the street
at the restaurant.

Thank you.
Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

And we'll do
everything in our power

To make certain
that your stay is
absolutely comfortable.

My steamer trunk
arrived?

Ah, yes, yesterday.
It's at the hotel.

I got the bags.

Then let's
take a look

At my quarters,
shall we?

Ah, yes, yes,
of course.

Right this way,
mr. Montague.

O.k., That's
vegetable soup,

Salad, and noodles.

Would you like
some coffee?

Yes, please.

Excuse me, miss?

Yes?

I'm looking for
a mr. Edwards.

Oh, he's right
over there.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Hmm?

Excuse me, sir.
Are you mr. Edwards?

Yeah.

I'm looking
for matthew rogers.

What for?

Well, you see, uh...

I'm his father.

Would you say
that again?

I'm matthew's father.

Ah!

Here we are.

This is our
very best room.

Really?

Is something wrong?

Mrs.--
Mrs. Oleson,

When I request
a hotel's best
accommodations--

And I usually do--

It is generally
assumed that I'm
talking about a suite.

Oh!

Preferably one
with a modest
kitchen facility.

A kitchen?

For me,
the culinary arts
are a necessity,

Traveling as I do

Through
many backwaters
of the world

Where people
are content to eat

Whatever they can
manage to swallow.
Oh...

At any rate,
this simply
will not do.

Perhaps there's
a house for rent
in the area?

No...

There's wilder's
boardinghouse.

Yeah.
It's where we live.

Willie!
For heaven's sakes!

Ha ha ha!

Now, how could a man
of mr. Montague's stature

Stay in a musty...

Well, laura's
fixed it up real nice, ma.

You'd know that
if you ever came by
to visit.

There's 2 connecting
rooms upstairs.

One of 'em
needs some fixing,
but not much.

Well, they don't
have a kitchen,

But there's a nice
big one downstairs.

I know laura'd
let you use it.

Willie!

What's wrong
with mr. Montague
taking a look?

Nothing at all,
young man.

Lead the way.

Yes, sir, mr. Montague.

Oh, and, uh,
mrs. Oleson.

If the boardinghouse
is acceptable,

You may retain my deposit
for your inconvenience.

Mr. Edwards,
I can't tell you

How long I've been
searching for the boy.

Maybe not long enough.

What?

You abandoned that boy
11 years ago

When he was 2 years old.

I know.

I know, but...

It had to be.

I'll just have to
make him understand.

I reckon you're
gonna have to make

Both of us do that.

Look, I don't want
you saying anything

Until we make sure
it's the same boy.

There was a birthmark
on his neck

Behind his left ear.

What kind of birthmark?

A round blotch,
oblong shaped.

Am I right?

Yeah, I seen it.

When can I see him?

I'll drive you out.

Matthew.
Somebody here
to see you.

Hello, matthew.

This is mr. Rogers.

I don't understand.
Why is he...

That's called
sign language.

Can't talk
no other way.

But there was nothing
wrong when he was a child.

He was just
starting to talk.

Seems like somebody
at the workhouse

Wanted to teach
matthew a lesson,

So they forced lye
down his throat.

Oh, lord.

Matthew, I'm...

I am so, so sorry.

Says he's your pa.

I think he might be.

I know it's
a shock to you, son.

I don't know
where to begin.

There's so very much
to explain.

Yeah, I reckon
there is.

Why don't we
all sit down?

This room was used
as a guest bedroom,

Although mrs. Flannery
didn't have many guests
over the years.

Hmm...
We're still working
on it, I'm afraid.

I know,
the furniture's kinda
old and scratched up.

Yeah, I was figuring
to paint that.

Paint? This?

Well, yes, sir.

The furnishings are,
as you say, old.

But do you know
how old?

I don't think so.

Pricelessly old.

This piece
is authentic georgian,

Late 17th century.

The only other one
I've seen was in
a london museum.

My goodness.

And this over here.

My, my, my.

Mrs. Wilder.

If I should move in,

I will undertake
the restoration
of these antiques myself.

Let's have a look
at the connecting room.

Certainly.

I'm sorry
it's such a mess.

It's been used
as a storage room
for years.

The dimensions
are right.

When can you
have it ready?

We'll get
right to work.

In a couple of days,
you won't even know it.

I shall need a desk.

We don't have one.

No matter.
I need to purchase

A number of
odds and ends
anyway.

A desk can be
one of them.

Well, a neighbor of ours,
john carter,

Is making a delivery
in sleepy eye tomorrow.

I'm sure
he'd enjoy the company.

Fine. Would you mind
arranging that
for me?

My pleasure.

And if young
mr. Oleson there

Will kindly deliver
my steamer trunk,

I can get to
unpacking.

Yes, sir,
right away.

I'll give you a hand.

Mr. Montague,

I just want to tell you
how honored we are
to have you stay here.

Thank you,
mrs. Wilder.

So...

Just as soon as
your mother and I
could scrape out a living,

We sent out inquiries
to try and find you.

It seemed like...

Every time we got close,

You'd been sent
somewhere else.

I know some folks
adopted you once.

You mean
that fellow
mcqueen?

No.

We heard about him later.

This was a farmer
and his wife
somewhere in duluth.

Never heard
about them.

This boy
doesn't talk much
about his past.

That true, matthew?

You were adopted
once by those folks?

They're the ones
that forced that
lye down you?

All they wanted
him for was work.

Fed him no better
than pig slop
until he got sick,

Couldn't stand
on his feet.

Then they sent
him back to
the workhouse.

He couldn't
tell anybody
what happened

Because he didn't
have no voice.

Then mcqueen
come along

And put him in a cage
for his medicine show.

Matthew...

I know nobody
can make up for what
you've been through.

But let me try.

It'd just be
the 2 of us.

Your ma,
she passed on
a few months back.

It made me
all the more
determined

To finally find you.

Will you give me
a chance, son?

Will you?

He wants to know
why you deserted him
in the first place.

Because we were
starving!

It was the year
of the draught.

There was no food.

Not anything, anywhere.

Matthew, you were
dying before our eyes.

Don't you see, son?

The only way we could
save your life was...

Was to give you up.

Says you should
have let him die.

No.

Don't say that, boy.

Matthew, I love you.

Matthew, wait!

Ugh!

What was it he said to me
before he ran out?

That he hates you.

I think
you'd better go now.

Want me to drive
you back to town?

No.

I can walk.

He's gone.

I don't know
if he's coming back.

Now, come on,
hold on.

I can understand
you not wanting
to see him again,

But hating...

Hating's bad
for the soul.

He is your father.

No, I don't want you
to go with him.

I want you to do
what you want to do.

Then I want you
to stay with me.

[Door opening]

Ah, mr. Montague.

That is correct.

I'm doc baker.
Won't you have
a seat?

Thank you.

Now, I'd like you
to fill this card out.

Just the customary
medical history
questions.

That won't be necessary.

Well, it will
help me in treating
you effectively.

I did not come here
for treatment, doctor.

I'm quite capable
of diagnosing
and treating

Any problem
I might have.

Well, mr. Montague,
I've discovered
over the years,

It's a very
dangerous practice

For patients to
diagnose themselves.

It's much wiser
to leave that to
their physicians.

Exactly.

I received
my medical degree in london

And did my internship
at several major hospitals,

Including, for a while,
at your own mayo clinic.

I had no idea.

Obviously.

Well, uh...
If you didn't come
here for treatment,

May I ask
why you made
this appointment?

It's for a book.

I'm planning to
include a chapter
on frontier medicine.

Oh.

Oh, I see.

Well, I'd be very
happy to answer any
of your questions.

You're very kind.

Do you have a cold,
doctor?

Oh, no.
It's sinus trouble.

I've had it
my whole life.

Really?

Will you stick out
your tongue?

I beg your pardon?

Your tongue, doctor.

Will you stick it out?

Yes.

Ah.

Hands, please.

Ah, there it is.

There what is?

Do you see the slight
discoloration there?

Yes.

Powdered beet root.

Powdered beet root?

One teaspoon twice a day.

You will see an immediate
improvement in your sinuses.

Beet root will do that?

Yes. Herbal remedy.

I studied it for a while,

When I was in china.

China.

Amazing.

Yes.

Now, some questions.

Doctor,
if you don't mind...

Yes?

I've had this
recurring pain

Right here
in the shoulder.

Would you mind
looking at it?

Of course not.

Could we step into
your examining room?

Wonderful.

You don't know how much
I appreciate this.

Yes, I do.

Montague: tell me,
is there a chinese laundry

In sleepy eye?

I believe so.

Good, good.

But I thought
laura included
doing the laundry.

She does,
but when it comes
to my best shirts,

Only a proper
chinese laundry

Understands
the correct way
to do them.

I'm sure mrs. Wilder
won't be offended.

[Speaking chinese]

Ah! Good morning,
gentlemen.

May I help you?

[Speaking chinese]

[Speaking chinese]

Now, let's go and look
at some desks, shall we?

Here you go,
mr. Edwards.

Thank you, willie.
How's married life
treating you?

Fine. Just fine.

It must be.
You still got that
grin on your face.

Yeah. Oh, can I
get you some more coffee?

Maybe
right afterwards.

All right.

[Bell on door rings]

Afternoon.

Thought you'd be
gone by now.

The stage to minneapolis
doesn't leave till friday.

Shame you have
to hang around.

You're very fond
of the boy, aren't you?

More than that.

Matthew's like
a son to me.

Like a son is not the same
as being a son.

It is to me.

And it is to matthew.

He doesn't want
to go with you,
mr. Rogers.

Wants to stay with me.

Be better off
if you hadn't

Come around
here at all.

I had to try.

Well, you did.

Could I come by
your place tomorrow?

Mr. Rogers...

Please. It'll just be
for a few minutes.

There's something
I want to give matthew.

All right.

Thank you.

[Door opens
and closes]

I can't believe
how nice this looks.

Yeah,
I'm almost finished.

And a fine job it is,
mr. Wilder.

Wouldn't you say so,
mrs. Wilder?

Yes.

You know,
mr. Montague.

Yes?

We wouldn't mind at all
if you called us
laura and almanzo.

Very well.

However, there'll be
no reciprocity.

I'm simply
not comfortable

With anything other
than mr. Montague.

There...
That completes it.

Is that your wife
and son?

Ooh, heavens no.

Actually, I can't recall
the names of the woman
or her son.

The picture was taken
on the french riviera.

If you don't know
who they are,

Why'd you
frame the picture?

Because it was the only
picture taken of me

That did me justice.

Oh, I see.

Well, it is a wonderful
picture of you.

I know.

Isn't it time
you were serving
breakfast?

Yes. Um, it'll
just take a minute.

I'll call you.

Thank you.

Uh, mr. Montague,

Can I ask you
a question?

Certainly.

Well, I was just
wondering why...

[Humming]
ommmmmmm.

Ask me what?

Ommmmmm.

Why you were
never married.

I never had the desire.

Ommmmmm.

No fooling.
You never wanted
any children?

Mmmmm.

I don't like
other people's children.

I see no reason why
I would like my own
any better.

Ommmmmm.

Oh.

Well, I'm all
through here.

Mmmmmm.

Excellent! I couldn't do
much better myself!

Ommmmmm.

Thanks.

[Continues humming]

You know,
I'm not so sure
it was a good idea

To take mr. Montague
in as a boarder.

Why?

I don't know.
He's sort of
strange.

He's a writer.

So? You're a writer,
and you're not strange.

Almanzo, he seems
nice enough.

Besides,
I think he's funny.

Funny? I never met
such a know-it-all
in all my life.

No matter what it is,
he does it better.

I tell you, he acts
like he's perfect.

It is not an act,
almanzo.
I am perfect.

It is a cross
I must bear.

Bacon crisp,
eggs exactly
2 1/2 minutes.

Certainly.

[Baby cries]

[Talking baby talk]

A rudimentary form
of baby talk

I picked up
on the island
of cyprus.

I'll be
at the table.

Maybe he is perfect.

[Humming]

You want the rest?

There you go.

[Knock on door]

It's open.

I didn't mean
to interrupt breakfast.

I got some hot coffee.

No, thank you.
I ate at the restaurant.

I know you want
to stay here
with mr. Edwards.

And I respect
your decision.

I'll be leaving
at the end of the week.

If your mother and I
made a mistake
in giving you up...

And I won't say
that maybe we didn't...

We spent a lot of years
trying to find you,

Get you back.

We never stopped
loving you, matthew.

Never once.

And I love you now.

I--i don't expect you
to feel the same way,
but...

If I could only
leave here knowing
you didn't hate me,

It'd mean
a great deal to me.

He doesn't hate you.

Times were hard.
You did what
you had to do.

He can
understand that.

Thank you.

I want to leave you
something.

It's your mother's bible.

She'd had it since
she was a little girl.

Will you accept it?

Then I'll be going.

I won't try to see you
before I go.

If you're heading
into town, I'll give
you a ride.

Good-bye, matthew.

Ha ha ha.

Wait'll you see
what I got.

We're gonna have us
some steak,

We're gonna have us
some turnips here,

And fried taters.

What's wrong?

What do you mean
you ain't hungry?

What, are you
sick or something?

Well, guess we can
eat 'em later on.

Ain't no rush.
Still early.

It's your pa,
isn't it?

You sure you just
feel sorry for him?

Well, that's natural.

I mean, after all,
he is your pa.

Yeah, I know.
He did look sad.

Look, you want to
see him again?

You sure?

All right.

Sure you don't want
a steak?

Mighty good.

Good day, madame.

I have a list
of spices here.

I hope you carry
what I need.

[Choking]

Madame?
Is something wrong?

You can't speak?

Laryngitis?

First...

Word.

Ah, charades!

I used to play
for hours in burma.

I...

I flew.

I--bird?

A bird?
Some kind of bird.

Bird.
It must be a verb
following the "i."

Ah! Swallow.

I swallow...

I swallowed a...

Sour ball.

Certainly.
Turn a bit.

Ah! Argh!

Thank you very much.

How fortunate that
you happened by just now.

I could've
choked to death!

Very unlikely.

If it should
happen again,

A few sips of hot water
will do the trick.

Oh. Yes, certainly.
I'll remember that.

Now, if you will
get my order, please?

Oh! Oh, yes.

Yes, certainly,
mr. Montague.

Mother.

Oh, yes, precious?

That miss plumb.
She gave me a "c"
on my essay.

A "c"!

Yes.

She hates me.

Madame!

Yes?

Would you mind
filling my order

Before you move on
to this domestic matter?

Oh! Oh, yes, of course,
mr. Montague.

I'll look at it later,
precious.

You're mr. Montague,
the famous writer.

Correct.

Then you must know
how I feel.

You put your heart and soul
into your writing,

And then someone
tells you it's no good.

I have never had
that experience.

Oh.

Would you look at it,
please?

My dear girl!

Please. It would make me
feel so much better

If you told me
what you thought.

Well?

Drivel.

What?

It's drivel.

Your miss plumb
was very kind

In giving you
a passing grade.

You hate me, too!

Not yet.

But I'm sure
if I spend some
time with you,

It could develop
into that.

I'm gonna k*ll myself!

Ah, here we are.

[Door slams]

We had everything
that was on your list.

Thank you.
Put it on my bill.

Yes, certainly.
Where's nancy?

I believe she said
she was going upstairs
to commit su1c1de.

Oh.

Good day.

Good day.

su1c1de?

Nancy!

[Knock on door]

Come in.

I thought you were
the coach driver.

He said he'd get me
when it was time.

Think
we should talk.

Of course.

I, uh...

Didn't give you
much of a chance
when you came here.

I was angry.

Not because
of what happened.

Deep down,
I could understand that.

I was angry...

'Cause I didn't want
to lose the boy.
You know?

I love him.

I know that.

Something's happened to him
ever since you gave
him that bible

And said good-bye
to him.

He's hurting inside.

I thought maybe
he'd get over it.
You know?

I guess...

What I'm trying
to say is

That you're his pa,
you know.

And he feels that.

And he's scared.
He's confused.

I mean, he doesn't
want to hurt me.

But I know that
way down deep
inside of him,

He loves you.

He loves you.

And he wants to
get to know you.

So...

Why don't you, uh...

Come on out to my place
and, uh...

Talk to him?

I'll drive you.

The boy needs
a lot of love.

He'll get it.

I'll wait out here.

Laura, voice-over:
a week later,

Matthew left walnut grove
with his father.

Mr. Edwards smiled a lot
saying good-bye,

But I know inside
his heart was breaking.

Why don't you join us
for supper tonight?

Mr. Montague's
cooking again.

He's a wonderful cook.

I wouldn't want
to be intruding.

Since when would
you be intruding?

Not tonight, half-pint.

I just wouldn't
be good company.
Not tonight.

All right.

But if you
want to come by,

The offer still stands.

Thank you.

He forgot his shoe.

What am I gonna do
with that boy?

This sure is
delicious, mr. Montague.

Yes, I know.

I concocted this dish
at buckingham palace

As a surprise
for the queen.

You've met the queen?

Mm. We're
quite close.

She named it
chicken montague.

It is now served

In all the finest
restaurants
in london.

You don't care
for it, laura?

Oh, yes!
It's wonderful.

I just can't stop
thinking about mr. Edwards.

He tried so hard
not to cry today.

I wish he would've
come by tonight.

So do i.

I feel so bad every time
I think about him

All alone in that house.

[Door closing]

Mr. Edwards.

I'm sorry about
barging in like this.

We were hoping
you'd come for supper.

Well,
to tell you the truth,

I come for
more than supper.

What?

Listen, half-pint,

I've been doing
some thinking,

Sitting alone
over at my place.

What with matthew gone,
and...

Well, the fact is,

I don't want to
be alone again.

So if you got
a space here...

You want to live here?

If it's all right.

That's wonderful.

Come. Sit down
and have some supper.

Oh, great.
I tell you what.

I can eat a horse.

Jenny, would you
please get a plate
for mr. Edwards?

Never mind, never mind.

This right here
will do just fine.

Ah, a man after
my own heart.

Jenny:
mr. Montague
made this dish

For the queen.

Is that a fact?

What do you think,
mr. Edwards?

You got any ketchup?

I'll get it!

Ketchup?

Oh, and some of them
little sour pickles.

You know how I love them!

Ketchup and pickles.

Oh, you like 'em, too?

I'll tell you something,
mr. Mon-tay-goo...

Montague.

Oh, yeah.
Well, whatever.

You know, I think you and me
got a lot in common!

I hope not.