The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 2, Episode 11 - The Substitute - full transcript

(John-Boy) WHEN I WAS GROWING
UP ON WALTON'S MOUNTAIN

IN THOSE YEARS OF
THE GREAT DEPRESSION,

FOR ME AND MY
BROTHERS AND SISTERS

IT WAS A TIME OF MAKING DO
WITH THE LITTLE THERE WAS.

A TIME OF STRETCHING A NICKEL
TILL IT BOUGHT A DIME'S WORTH.

OFTEN, A TIME OF DOING WITHOUT.

BYE!

IN SUCH TIMES, KEEPING
CHILDREN IN SCHOOL

WAS JUST TOO MUCH OF A
STRAIN FOR MANY FAMILIES

BUT FOR MY FATHER,
EDUCATING HIS CHILDREN

HAD ALMOST THE SAME IMPORTANCE



AS FEEDING AND CLOTHING US.

I REMEMBER ONE DAY

WHEN THE REGULAR
ROUTINE OF OUR SCHOOL LIFE

WAS THREATENED.

[footsteps approaching]

JOHN-BOY,

UH, I'VE JUST HAD
S-SOME NEWS FROM HOME

AND MY SISTER IN NORFOLK,

THERE'S BEEN AN ACCIDENT.

I'M SORRY.

UM, I'VE GOT TO
TRY TO GET IN TOUCH

WITH MY BROTHER-IN-LAW
BY TELEPHONE

AND I'D APPRECIATE IT

IF YOU'D TAKE CHARGE
OF THE CLASSROOM.



WELL, I'LL TRY TO.

JUST TRY TO KEEP
THE STUDENTS QUIET.

YOU CAN LET THEM
DO THEIR HOMEWORK,

OR YOU CAN READ TO THEM.

UH, HERE'S A COPY OF TOM SAWYER.

OK.

I JUST HAD A LONG LETTER
FROM HER ONLY YESTERDAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JOHN-BOY.

[children chattering]

JOHN-BOY, WHAT ARE
YOU DOING UP THERE?

IT WAS MISS HUNTER'S IDEA.

YOU DON'T THINK I'D BE UP
HERE IF IT WAS UP TO ME, DO YOU?

YOU'RE GONNA TEACH THE CLASS?

COME ON, JASON,
PLEASE... [all giggling]

WHY DON'T WE JUST HAVE RECESS

UNTIL MISS HUNTER GETS BACK?

DIDN'T YOU HEAR JOHN-BOY?

RECESS IS OVER!

THANK YOU, BEN.
SIT DOWN. COME ON.

THANK YOU, BEN.

COME ON, SIT DOWN.

MAY BE WE JUST OUGHT
TO DO OUR HOMEWORK.

[garbage bin crashing]

QUIET!

LET'S JUST... LET'S
JUST DO HOMEWORK.

[children sighing] AW!

COME ON, NOW. I
DON'T LIKE THIS, EITHER.

JOHN-BOY, WHERE
DID MISS HUNTER GO?

WELL, THERE WAS AN
EMERGENCY IN HER FAMILY.

LOOK, FROM NOW ON IF YOU
WANT TO ASK A QUESTION,

WHY DON'T YOU JUST RAISE
YOUR HAND, ALL RIGHT?

BUT JOHN-BOY, I'M YOUR
SISTER. I KNOW THAT.

I'M... I'M JUST TRYING TO
BE THE TEACHER, THAT'S ALL.

[students exclaiming]

COME ON.

LUCILLA, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

TO SHARPEN MY PENCIL.

ALL RIGHT.

HEY, COME ON. THAT'S NOT FAIR.

LOOK, JUST SIT DOWN,
I'LL READ TO YOU.

[feet shuffling]

TOM SAWYER, ALL RIGHT?

SIT DOWN.

UH, CHAPTER 29.

"THE PICNIC.

"HUCK ON INJUN JOE'S TRACK,

"THE REVENGE JOB,
"AID FOR THE WIDOW.

"THE FIRST THING THAT TOM
HEARD ON FRIDAY MORNING

"WAS A GLAD PIECE OF NEWS.

(John-Boy) "JUDGE
THATCHER'S FAMILY

"HAD COME BACK TO
TOWN THE NIGHT BEFORE.

"BOTH INJUN JOE AND THE TREASURE

SANK INTO SECONDARY
IMPORTANCE FOR A MOMENT..."

(John) I SURE WISH

I COULD'VE SEEN YOU TEACH
THE SCHOOL, JOHN-BOY.

HE WAS JUST THE SAME
AS AT HOME: BOSSY.

IT WAS LIKE BEING BIG
BROTHER TO 20, INSTEAD OF 6.

I DON'T KNOW HOW
MISS HUNTER DOES IT.

IT'S HER TRAINING
AND EXPERIENCE.

SHE'S HAD PLENTY OF BOTH,

AND THAT IS WHY SHE IS SO GOOD.

OLD MAN, YOU KNOW
EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING.

THAT'S WHY I AM SO GOOD

AFTER SPENDING 50-ODD YEARS

OF MARRIED LIFE WITH YOU.

NOT 50 YET.

UH, SEEMS MORE LIKE IT.

OH, HUSH.

WHAT DID YOU TEACH
THEM, JOHN-BOY?

I DIDN'T TRY TO
TEACH THEM ANYTHING.

MISS HUNTER JUST TOLD
ME TO KEEP THEM QUIET.

(John-Boy) I READ TO THEM.

TOM SAWYER.

HE STOPPED AT THE
MOST EXCITING PART,

WHERE TOM AND BECKY
ARE LOST IN THE CAVE.

WELL, I GUESS, YOU'LL
JUST HAVE TO LEARN TO READ

IN ORDER TO FIND OUT
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

[door opens]

WILL MISS HUNTER BE BACK?

I DON'T KNOW.

ELIZABETH, WHAT ARE YOU DOIN'?

JOHN-BOY SAID WHENEVER I
WANT TO ASK HIM A QUESTION,

I HAVE TO RAISE MY HAND.

WELL, SCHOOL'S OUT.

(John-Boy) WHAT IS IT YOU WANT?

MAY I PLEASE GO TO THE BATHROOM?

(John-Boy) YES, YOU MAY.

WAY I UNDERSTAND
IT, MISS HUNTER'S

SISTER HAD A BAD CAR
ACCIDENT IN NORFOLK.

SHE'S GONNA PULL
THROUGH ALL RIGHT,

BUT SHE'S GONNA NEED
NURSING FOR A SPELL.

YEAH, MACHINES WILL
BE THE DEATH OF US ALL.

OH, PEOPLE HAD ACCIDENTS

LONG BEFORE THEY HAD MOTORCARS.

OLD MAN, WILL THERE
EVER COME A TIME

WHEN I SAY SOMETHIN'

AND YOU DON'T CONTRADICT ME?

DON'T ABANDON HOPE.

STOP IT.

MISS HUNTER FEELS SHE
HAS TO GO TO NORFOLK

TO TAKE CARE OF HER SISTER?

IT'S NOT JUST MISS
HUNTER'S SISTER, IT'S, UH...

SHE'S GOT 4 NIECES AND NEPHEWS,

AND THE OLDEST IS 9.

MISS HUNTER IS THE
CLOSEST KIN THEY HAVE.

WHO'S GONNA TAKE
CARE OF HER CLASS?

JOHN-BOY, LOOKS LIKE
YOU GOT A FULL-TIME JOB.

OH, I JUST FILLED
IN THIS AFTERNOON.

I'M GOING TO A SPECIAL
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT.

IT WON'T BE EASY

TO FIND A SUBSTITUTE
TEACHER MIDTERM.

WE CAN'T PAY MUCH.

WE'LL HAVE TO KEEP MISS
HUNTER ON SALARY IF WE CAN.

OR WE COULD GO ON VACATION

TILL MISS HUNTER GETS
BACK IF WE HAVE TO.

BEN, I THINK WE CAN COME UP

WITH A BETTER ANSWER THAN THAT.

JOHN-BOY,

YOU OUGHT TO BE ASLEEP.

I'M SCARED.

SCARED?

YOU GOT NOTHING TO BE SCARED OF.

I'M SCARED FOR TOM
SAWYER AND BECKY THATCHER.

I KEEP THINKING OF
THEM LOST IN THAT CAVE.

DO THEY GET OUT?

OH, I SHOULDN'T TELL YOU THIS,

BUT YES, THEY DO GET OUT.

I WON'T TELL ANYONE ELSE.

OK.

GOOD NIGHT, HONEY.

GOOD NIGHT.

LIVIE, I DIDN'T
EXPECT YOU TO BE UP.

THAT MUST'VE BEEN SOME MEETIN'.

SURE WAS.

AT ONE POINT, WE
WERE READY TO GIVE UP.

TAKE BEN'S SUGGESTION

AND GIVE THE KIDS A VACATION.

NO SUBSTITUTE
TEACHERS AROUND HERE?

NOT ONE IN THE COUNTY.

NOT FOR THE MONEY WE CAN PAY.

WELL, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?

WE WERE JUST ABOUT TO GIVE UP,

THEN MRS. RICHARDSON

THOUGHT OF THIS
WOMAN SHE HEARD ABOUT

IN NEW YORK FROM
THE SCHOOL BOARD.

THE DAUGHTER OF SOME
FAMOUS PROFESSOR.

WE TOOK A CHANCE,

MADE A LONG DISTANCE CALL.

MRS. RICHARDSON EXPLAINED
THE SITUATION TO HER,

AND WE GOT OURSELVES
A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER.

FROM NEW YORK CITY?

A MISS POLLARD.

COMIN' IN ON THE BUS
DAY AFTER TOMORROW.

MISS POLLARD.

UH-HUH, MEGAN
POLLARD. PRETTY NAME.

(John) SMART AS A WHIP.

MRS. RICHARDSON SAYS SHE
GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE

WITH ALL KINDS OF HONORS.

SO HOW COME SHE'S NOT TEACHIN'?

SHE'S BEEN DOIN' SOME
KIND OF RESEARCH WORK.

SHE'S YOUNG, INEXPERIENCED,

BUT I'M SURE SHE'LL FILL
IN WELL FOR MISS HUNTER.

I'M GLAD YOU WERE
ABLE TO WORK IT OUT.

AND THERE IS ONE MORE THING.

SINCE WE CAN PAY SO LITTLE,

WE DECIDED WE OUGHT TO
OFFER A FREE ROOM AND BOARD.

JOHN.

NOW, LIVIE, WE GOT MORE KIDS
IN SCHOOL THAN ANYONE ELSE.

(John) SEEMED ONLY FAIR.

(both) JOHN-BOY WOULDN'T MIND

SLEEPIN' OUT IN THE
BARN TEMPORARILY.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS GONNA SAY.

[both chuckle]

AH, BEN, WHAT'S
GOIN' ON IN HERE?

I'M GOIN' TO BUILD
A KITE, GRANDPA.

A KITE. MMM.

THERE'S GOING TO BE
A KITE-FLYING CONTEST.

I WANT TO WIN.

NOW, THAT IS AN
AMBITIOUS PROJECT.

YOU KNOW ANYTHIN'
ABOUT BUILDIN' A KITE?

WELL, I'VE GOT SORT OF AN IDEA.

UH-HUH.

WELL, NOW. THAT'S GREAT.

YOU KNOW, I USED TO BUILD KITES

THAT WOULD PUT BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN TO SHAME.

ONCE, WHEN I WAS NO
MORE THAN YOUR AGE,

I BUILT ME A KITE
THAT WAS SO STRONG,

IT BROKE ITS STRING AND
JUST WENT WINGIN' AWAY.

THAT'S TOO BAD, GRANDPA.

THEY FOUND HER A
WEEK OR SO LATER,

CLEAN OVER IN THE
SHENANDOAH VALLEY.

THIS CONTEST IS FOR THE KIDS

IN OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS.

TELL YOU WHAT, BEN.

I WILL HELP BUILD YOU A KITE

THAT WILL BE THE FINEST KITE

THAT MAN HAS EVER MADE.

HOW ABOUT IT, HUH?

MMM?

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

[sighs] OK, GRANDPA.

ALL RIGHT, BEN, NOW
LET'S GET TO WORK.

UH, UH, WHERE'S YOUR PAPER?

HEY, GRANDMA.

THERE'S SOME MAIL COME FOR YOU.

BIG OR SMALL?

BIG.

WHERE? RIGHT THERE.

[envelope rustling]

"WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU

"THAT THE MATERIAL
YOU SO KINDLY SUBMITTED

"FOR OUR CONSIDERATION

FAILS TO MEET OUR
NEEDS AT THIS TIME."

THAT'S THE BEST STORY
I'VE EVER WRITTEN.

NOW TELL ME WHAT'S
WRONG WITH IT?

WELL, THEY DIDN'T SAY
ANYTHING WAS WRONG.

THEY JUST SAID IT
WASN'T WHAT THEY NEED.

GRANDMA, THEY NEVER TELL
YOU WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT.

LOOK, SILK IS BEAUTIFUL.

BUT NOBODY COULD SELL ME SILK

IF I WAS SHOPPING FOR GINGHAM.

GRANDMA, THIS IS
A REJECTION SLIP.

YOU KNOW HOW MANY
OF THESE THINGS I'VE GOT?

I COULD PAPER THE
WALLS WITH THEM.

GOOD.

IT'LL... IT'LL HELP AGAINST
THE COLD WHEN WINTER COMES.

[footsteps approaching]

JOHN-BOY, YOUR FATHER HAD TO
HELP OUT AT THE YOUNGER PLACE

SO HE WANTS YOU TO
GO TO THE BUS STOP

AND PICK UP MISS POLLARD.

JOHN BOY, IT'S GETTING LATE.

YES, MA'AM. PICK UP MISS
POLLARD AT THE BUS STOP.

I GUESS I'LL KNOW
HER WHEN I SEE HER.

SHE'S PROBABLY
THE ONLY PASSENGER

GETTIN' OFF THE BUS.
SHOULDN'T BE DIFFICULT.

TRY TO WORK UP A
SMILE. I AM SMILING.

THEN YOU'D BETTER
TELL YOUR FACE.

FIRST THING SHE
SEES THAT GLUM LOOK,

SHE'LL GET RIGHT BACK ON
THAT BUS AND HEAD NORTH.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH HIM?

GOT REJECTED AGAIN.

OH, BIG ENVELOPE.

[birds twittering]

EXCUSE ME, BY ANY CHANCE,
WOULD YOU BE MISS POLLARD?

NOT ONLY WOULD BE, I AM.

BUT NOT BY CHANCE. BY DESIGN.

[engine stops]

I'M JOHN-BOY WALTON.

I'M SORRY I'M LATE,

I GUESS OUR CLOCK
AT HOME MUST BE SLOW.

THE BUS WAS EARLY.

OH, WELL, I'LL JUST PUT YOUR
THINGS IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK.

THAT'S HEAVY.

THAT'S MY LIBRARY.

I'LL GET IT.

I'M SORRY.

I BELIEVE YOU.
DON'T KEEP SAYING IT.

NO, YOU'RE SITTIN'
ON... AH, EXCUSE ME.

DO I SEE A REJECTION SLIP?

YEAH, IT'S A HOBBY OF MINE.

I COLLECT 'EM.

YOU KNOW WHY THIS WAS REJECTED?

WELL, THE SLIP SAYS THAT I
DIDN'T HAVE WHAT THEY WANTED.

THAT'S EDITORIAL JABBERWOCKY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I DON'T
KNOW. I LIKE IT. I THINK IT'S GOOD.

(Megan) WELL, IF
YOU LIKE, I'LL READ IT

AND TRY AND TELL
YOU WHY IT MISSED.

HAVE YOU EVER DONE
EDITORIAL WORK?

YES, EVERY SINCE COLLEGE,

I'VE BEEN DEVOTING MY
TIME TO EDITORIAL WORK.

REALLY?

YOU MEAN SHORT STORIES
AND NOVELS AND SUCH?

NO. MY FATHER WAS AN
EDUCATOR OF SOME RENOWN.

WE WERE PREPARIN' A COLLECTION
OF HIS WORKS WHEN HE...

WHEN HE DIED.

I'M SORRY.

DO YOU THINK MAYBE WE COULD...

SHOULDN'T WE BE GETTING ON?

CERTAINLY. OF COURSE.

[engine starts]

I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THIS
OPPORTUNITY, MR. WALTON.

(John) OH, WE FEEL
REAL LUCKY HAVIN' YOU.

I WAS LOOKING FOR A TEACHING
POSITION THAT'D BE A CHALLENGE.

YOU GOT ONE.

[all chuckling]

COME ON, I'LL SHOW
YOU TO YOUR ROOM.

I ALREADY TOOK YOUR LUGGAGE UP.

THANK YOU.

SHE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A TEACHER.

WHAT'S A TEACHER
SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE?

MISS HUNTER?

(Grandma) NO, I CAN'T
MAKE UP MY MIND

WHETHER SHE'S OLDER
TRYIN' TO LOOK YOUNGER

YOUNG TRYIN' TO LOOK OLDER.

SHE'S YOUNG.

THAT'S NO CRIME.

SHE'S ALREADY GOT HER MASTER'S.

WHATEVER THAT IS.

SHE SEEMS STUCK-UP TO ME.

I THINK SHE'S SHY.

I DON'T THINK SHE EVEN LIKES US.

WHOA! WHOA, NOW,

YOU'RE JUMPIN' TO
CONCLUSIONS SO FAST,

YOU'LL BE OUT OF BREATH.

SHE'S HELPIN' US
OUT IN AN EMERGENCY.

SHE'S NEW TO US,
WE'RE NEW TO HER.

GIVE IT TIME.

[giggles]

SHE REMINDS ME OF MY
FIRST GRADE TEACHER.

EVERYTHING REMINDS
YOU OF SOMETHIN'.

HMM, I EXERCISE MY
MEMORY, OLD WOMAN.

THAT'S WHAT KEEPS IT SO HEALTHY.

YOUR MEMORY AND YOUR MOUTH.

ALL THE BETTER TO...

[lips smacking] STOP IT.

[laughs]

I HOPE YOU'LL BE
COMFORTABLE HERE.

LOOKS JUST FINE.

IT GETS A LITTLE
NOISY SOMETIMES.

IS THAT YOUR FATHER?

MY LATE FATHER. HE
WAS AN EDUCATOR.

AND THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY?

I'M ALONE.

IT MAKES FOR AN
UNCLUTTERED LIFE.

HE TRAVELS LIGHT
WHO TRAVELS ALONE.

YOU KNOW THE SAYING.

WE USUALLY SIT DOWN
TO SUPPER ABOUT 6:00.

IF IT WOULDN'T BE
TOO MUCH BOTHER,

I'D PREFER TO HAVE
SOMETHING SIMPLE HERE.

OF COURSE. YOU MUST BE
TIRED AFTER YOUR LONG BUS RIDE.

I DON'T WANT TO
INTRUDE ON YOUR FAMILY.

YOU WOULDN'T BE INTRUDIN'.

AND I'M A LIGHT EATER.

I'LL HAVE A TRAY SENT UP.

THANK YOU.

AND PLEASE, MAKE
YOURSELF AT HOME.

MISS POLLARD?

YES.

I'M ETHEL RICHARDSON,

MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.

MISS HUNTER ASKED
ME TO STOP IN HERE

ON YOUR FIRST MORNIN'
AND MAKE YOU WELCOME.

THANK YOU.

SHE ALSO SAID TO TELL YOU HER
GRADE BOOKS AND ASSIGNMENT SHEETS

WERE IN THE TOP DESK DRAWER.

UH, THANK YOU, I FOUND THEM.

I UNDERSTAND YOUR FATHER
WAS A VERY FAMOUS PROFESSOR.

HE WAS A PIONEER IN
THE FIELD OF EDUCATION.

MISS HUNTER WENT
ON AND ON ABOUT HIM.

SHE CALLED HIM "THE
TEACHER'S TEACHER."

AND HERE YOU ARE

CARRYIN' ON THE
FAMILY TRADITION.

I'M TRYING.

OH, I KNOW IT ISN'T EASY
COMIN' INTO A STRANGE SCHOOL

AND TAKING OVER
FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.

BUT A LITTLE SCHOOL
LIKE OURS IS EASYGOIN',

FRIENDLY.

WELL, IF THERE'S ANYTHIN'
AT ALL I CAN DO TO HELP.

THANK YOU.

IT'S VERY NICE
HAVIN' YOU WITH US.

[birds chirping]

(Jason) COME ON,
ELIZABETH. WE'LL BE LATE.

(Elizabeth) I'M COMING.

[children chattering]

WHAT DO YOU WANT
WITH THOSE WEEDS?

THEY'RE NOT WEEDS.
THEY'RE WILDFLOWERS.

I'M GOING TO GIVE 'EM
TO OUR NEW TEACHER.

[children chattering]

TAKE YOUR SEATS, PLEASE.

GOOD MORNING,
CLASS. I'M MISS POLLARD.

CLASS!

I'M TO BE YOUR TEACHER
WHILE MISS HUNTER IS AWAY.

IT ISN'T EASY TO CHANGE TEACHERS

IN THE MIDDLE OF A TERM

BUT IF WE DO OUR JOBS EVERY DAY,

WE SHOULD MANAGE VERY WELL.

[children laughing]

CLASS!

YOU'RE LATE.

I'M SORRY.

TARDINESS IS SOMETHING
I CAN'T TOLERATE.

IT SHOWS A SELF-CENTERED
LACK OF CONSIDERATION

FOR YOUR FELLOW
STUDENTS AND YOUR TEACHER.

PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEAT.

WELL, M-MA'AM, THE
REASON WE'RE LATE IS...

WE CAN ALWAYS FIND EXCUSES.

BUT THEY ARE USUALLY JUST
A FURTHER WASTE OF TIME.

SIT DOWN, PLEASE.

MISS POLLARD, IF MAYBE YOU'D LET
ELIZABETH SHOW YOU WHY THEY'RE LATE...

I'VE DEALT WITH THAT MATTER.

TAKE YOUR SEAT, ELIZABETH.

(Megan) NOW, WHEN
WE WERE INTERRUPTED,

I WAS INTRODUCING MYSELF TO YOU.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT
IF WE'RE TO WORK TOGETHER

THAT WE GET TO KNOW EACH
OTHER. I HOPE YOU AGREE?

ERIN?

ONCE WHEN A NEW BOY
CAME TO OUR SCHOOL,

MISS HUNTER HAD EACH ONE OF US

INTRODUCE THE PERSON
BEHIND US TO HIM.

WELL, THAT'S MISS HUNTER'S WAY

AND I'M SURE IT WORKED
VERY WELL FOR HER.

BUT I HAVE TO KNOW
EACH OF YOU IN DEPTH,

SO I HAVE SOME SPECIAL TESTS.

[children sighing]

CLASS.

NOW, TIME IS VERY
IMPORTANT IN THESE TESTS,

SO WE'LL HAVE TO GET
STARTED IMMEDIATELY.

ERIN AND JOHN WALTON, WILL YOU
PASS THESE OUT FOR ME, PLEASE?

[Jason muttering]

[children laughing]

[children murmuring]

[cane tapping]

CLASS, PLEASE TRY
TO BE A LITTLE QUIET

AND CONCENTRATE ON THE TEST.

EXCUSE ME, MISS POLLARD,

BUT THIS IS WHEN WE
HAVE OUR MORNING RECESS.

I KNOW THE SCHEDULE,
BUT TIME IS ESSENTIAL

IN MY EVALUATION OF THIS TEST.

THERE WILL BE OTHER RECESSES.

IN THE SCIENCE SECTION,

I DON'T UNDERSTAND
WHAT'S WANTED.

THE POINT OF THIS TEST

IS TO GAUGE YOUR
COMPREHENSION LEVELS.

SO IF THERE'S A QUESTION
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND,

JUST SKIP AND GO
ON TO THE NEXT ONE.

EXCUSE ME, MAYBE
I CAN HELP HIM...

JUST DO YOUR OWN WORK.

I THINK MY HAND IS SWOLLEN.

AFTER ALL THOSE
TESTS, IT SHOULD BE.

SHE SAYS THERE'LL
BE MORE TOMORROW.

I THINK TRUE-FALSE AND
MULTIPLE-CHOICE TESTS ARE SO UNFAIR.

THE NEW TEACHER IS A:
COLDER THAN AN ICICLE,

B: TALKS LIKE A DICTIONARY,

C: ACTS LIKE A SMILE
WOULD CRACK HER FACE,

D: ALL OF THESE.

ALL OF THESE. D.

PROBABLY ALL SHE KNOWS
HOW TO DO IS GIVE TESTS.

I WISH MISS HUNTER
WOULD COME BACK.

I DON'T KNOW WHY
I'M SAYIN' THAT FOR.

WE'RE NOT BEING
FAIR TO MISS POLLARD.

DO YOU THINK SHE'S
BEING FAIR TO US?

[children playing]

(John-Boy) HI.

WE'RE JUST STARTIN' FOR HOME.

I'D ONLY HOLD YOU BACK.

I LIKE TO SET MY OWN PACE.

ALL RIGHT, WE'LL SEE YOU LATER.

BYE-BYE.

SEE YOU LATER.

(Jason) ONE, HUT, 3.

[all chattering]

(Erin) GIVE IT BACK HERE.

[Jason grunting]

READY. MARCH.

HUT, 2, 3, 4. HUT...

[John-Boy and Jason laughing]

(Jason) HEY, WAIT. HOLD ON!

[all laughing]

(Mary-Ellen) COME ON.

(Ben) COME ON, ERIN.

(Mary-Ellen) HEY, THERE THEY GO.

[girls squealing]

(Jason) COME ON,
GIRLS. HURRY UP.

[chattering continues]

(Jason) THIS WAY. WATCH
OUT FOR THE ENEMY.

[Elizabeth giggling]

(Mary-Ellen) WHO'S GOT THE GUN?

(Jason) I GOT IT.

(Elizabeth) WHOA!

[all screaming] WHOA!

GOOD GOING.

[Erin giggles]

(Jason) ONE, HUT, 3...

(Erin) READY? MARCH.

HUT, 2, 3, 4!

[children laughing]

[water flowing]

(Megan) LOOK AT ME,
FATHER. LOOK AT ME.

SEE ME. SEE ME.

[birds chirping]

I HAVE A FEELIN' WE'RE
WASTIN' OUR TIME.

JUST KEEP IT REAL PLAIN.

[door slamming]

HELLO?

HELLO.

HOW DID IT GO?

QUITE WELL.

GOOD. THE FIRST DAY ON ANY
NEW JOB IS USUALLY THE HARDEST.

WILL YOU HAVE SOME TEA WITH US?

UH, WELL, THANK YOU,

BUT I HAVE SOME TESTS TO SCORE.

OH, ABOUT DINNER.

UH, WE'RE HAVIN'
A TREAT TONIGHT.

GRANDMA IS MAKIN'

SOME OF HER SPECIAL
PORK CHOP GRAVY.

OH, WELL, IF YOU DON'T MIND,

I... I PREFER TO HAVE A SANDWICH
AND A GLASS OF MILK IN MY ROOM.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

WELL, YOU CAN'T
COMPLAIN SHE'S UNDERFOOT.

WHAT YOU'RE DOIN'?

WILL YOU HOLD THIS
WHILE I PUT THE PASTE ON?

SURE, WHAT IS IT? A KITE.

A KITE, HUH?

LET'S SEE.

OH, THIS IS A PRETTY
FUNNY-LOOKIN' KITE, BEN.

WELL, GRANDPA
SAYS IT'S THE BEST.

UH, I DOUBT YOU'LL EVER
GET THIS OFF THE GROUND.

WELL, I HAD AN IDEA OF
WHAT I WANTED TO DO.

BUT GRANDPA WANTED
ME TO DO IT HIS WAY.

HEY, LISTEN. YOU WANT A KITE

THAT WILL REALLY
OUTCLASS EVERYBODY'S?

I'LL SHOW YOU HOW
TO BUILD IT, ALL RIGHT?

GET SOME BROWN PAPER. I'LL LOOK
UP SOME WOOD, THEN I'LL SHOW YOU

HOW TO MAKE A KITE
THAT CAN GO TO THE MOON.

BUT JASON, I KNOW WHAT
I'M DOING. GET THE PAPER.

[knocking on door]

YES?

IT'S JOHN-BOY, MISS POLLARD.

HOPE I'M NOT
INTERRUPTING YOUR WORK.

OH, NO. I COULD USE A BREAK.

IS SOMETHING WRONG?

OH, NO, SORRY.

IT'S JUST THAT YOU
LOOK SO MUCH, UH,

DIFFERENT WITH
YOUR HAIR LIKE THAT.

HMM.

I WAS WONDERING IF
YOU H-HAD A CHANCE

TO READ MY STORY.

YES, I'VE READ IT.

WELL?

YOUR WRITING IS
COMPLETELY UNDISCIPLINED.

I DON'T THINK I KNOW
WHAT YOU MEAN.

LITERATURE, UH,

DOESN'T COME FROM A
JUMBLE OF RAW EMOTIONS.

GOOD WRITING HAS TO BE
DETACHED AND OBJECTIVE.

ONE HAS TO FEEL THAT
THE AUTHOR IS IN CONTROL.

WELL, YOU SEE, THIS STORY
COMES FROM SOMETHING

THAT REALLY ACTUALLY DID
HAPPEN BETWEEN MY FATHER AND ME.

AND I THOUGHT MAYBE I
COULD SHARE THE FEELINGS

I HAD IN THE STORY.

LISTEN, THERE'S A TRAP THERE.

WHEN YOU'RE WRITING ABOUT SUCH
AN INTENSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP,

YOU HAVE TO BE ALL
THE MORE OBJECTIVE.

IT'S SO EASY TO FALL
INTO MAWKISHNESS

OR SENTIMENTALITY.

THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK I DID?

YOU WANT MY HONEST REACTION?

SURE.

I WAS EMBARRASSED.

IF YOU MUST PUT DOWN
YOUR FEELINGS, USE A DIARY.

BUT IF YOU'RE WRITING
FOR PUBLICATION,

YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR BALANCE.

STYLE.

DO YOU KNOW THE ESSAYS
OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON?

SOMEWHAT.

STUDY HIS ESSAY ON INTELLECT.

PARAGRAPH BY
PARAGRAPH, WORD BY WORD.

ASK YOURSELF

WHY EMERSON USED ONE
PHRASE INSTEAD OF ANOTHER.

ANALYZE HIS RHYTHMS,
DIAGRAM HIS SENTENCES,

LIST THE FIGURES OF SPEECH.

WHEN YOU THINK YOU FINALLY
UNDERSTAND THE TECHNIQUES HE USED,

TRY AND WRITE AN
ESSAY JUST LIKE HIS.

WELL, I DON'T KNOW
IF I CAN DO THAT.

YOU ASKED FOR HELP.

TRUE.

WELL, I DO THANK YOU.

[door closing]

(Megan) MARY-ELLEN WALTON. HERE.

ADDIE WILSON. ABSENT.

LUCILLA YOUNGER.

HERE.

THERE SEEM TO BE AN UNUSUAL
NUMBER OF ABSENTEES TODAY.

TO SAVE TIME IN THE FUTURE,

I'VE MADE AN ALPHABETICAL
SEATING CHART.

WE DON'T NEED TOO MANY CHANGES.

SO AT RECESS,

MARTHA BRONSON, TRADE
WITH GEORGE TALBOT,

ARTHUR HAPGOOD WITH JANE PORTER,

AND BETTY ANDREWS TRADE
WITH LUCILLA YOUNGER.

MRS. POLLARD.

YES, LUCY?

MISS POLLARD, MAY I
PLEASE KEEP THAT DESK?

LUCILLA, I'VE EXPLAINED THAT I
WANT ALPHABETICAL SEATING.

(Megan) SINCE YOUR
NAME BEGINS WITH A "Y,"

YOU SIT AT THE END OF THE ROW.

YEAH, BUT MISS HUNTER SAID...

LUCILLA, MISS HUNTER ISN'T
TEACHING THIS CLASS NOW. I AM.

SO DURING RECESS,

YOU WILL CHANGE YOUR SEAT.

YES, JOHN?

EXCUSE ME, MA'AM.

YOU SEE, THE... THE
REASON THAT LUCILLA...

I'M NOT INTERESTED.

I HAVE MY OWN REASONS FOR
ASKING HER TO CHANGE HER SEAT.

OH, I DON'T THINK
YOU UNDERSTAND...

I'VE HEARD ENOUGH.

SORRY.

AND BEFORE WE START WORK,

BEN WALTON, WILL YOU
COME UP HERE, PLEASE?

YES, MISS POLLARD?

ON THE BASIS OF YOUR TESTS,

I DON'T THINK YOU'RE QUITE READY

FOR SIXTH-GRADE WORK.

YOUR SCIENCE TEST
WAS PARTICULARLY BAD.

WELL, YOU SEE, I'M NEVER
GOOD ON WRITTEN TESTS

WHEN I CAN JUST TALK.

WE HAVE TO RELY
ON WRITTEN TESTS.

AND UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES,

I DON'T THINK IT'D BE FAIR
TO KEEP YOU IN 6TH GRADE.

YOU MEAN, I HAVE TO BE IN
5TH GRADE ALL OVER AGAIN?

I'M AFRAID SO.

YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR
DESK DURING RECESS.

(Megan) NOW, FIRST GRADE

GET OUT YOUR PENMANSHIP
BOOKS AND WORK ON LETTER "Q."

2ND GRADE,

TURN TO THE STORY ON
PAGE 32 OF YOUR READERS.

(Megan) YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF

WHERE BEN'S TEST SCORES LIE

IN RELATIONSHIP TO
THE OTHER 6TH GRADERS.

WELL, I KNOW WRITTEN
TESTS ARE IMPORTANT,

BUT SURELY CLASS
PARTICIPATION COUNTS, TOO.

WELL, MY FATHER PIONEERED
THESE TESTING PROCEDURES.

AND I WORKED VERY CLOSELY
WITH HIM IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

AND I KNOW

THAT THESE APTITUDE PROFILES
ARE REMARKABLY ACCURATE.

AND UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES,
I DON'T THINK IT'LL BE FAIR

TO KEEP BEN IN THE 6TH GRADE.

WH-WHAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND

IS HOW BEN SEEMED
TO BE DOING SO WELL.

(Olivia) ON HIS LAST REPORT
CARD, HE GOT MOSTLY B'S.

WELL, MISS HUNTER HAS
HER METHODS. I HAVE MINE.

UNDERSTAND WE'RE NOT TELLING
YOU HOW TO TEACH SCHOOL.

JUST WE WANT
WHAT'S BEST FOR BEN.

I DO UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT IN THE CLASSROOM,

THAT DECISION HAS TO BE MINE.

COULD... COULD YOU GIVE
HIM AN ORAL EXAMINATION

OVER THE SAME MATERIAL?

IT'LL GIVE HIM A CHANCE

TO SHOW WHAT HE
KNOWS IN HIS OWN WAY.

I DON'T SEE HOW THAT
WILL DO ANY GOOD.

I'M SURE BEN WILL DO VERY WELL

WHEN HE APPLIES HIMSELF.

WILL YOU EXCUSE ME, PLEASE?

WHO'S THAT?

IT'S ME, ELIZABETH.

I'M PLAYING "I'M A GROWNUP."

THAT CAN BE FUN SOMETIMES.

IT'LL MAKE DADDY LAUGH.

HE'LL PRETEND HE
DOESN'T RECOGNIZE ME.

[laughs]

(Megan) NOW, WHAT WAS
THE NAME OF THE QUEEN

WHO HELPED COLUMBUS?

LUCILLA?

LUCILLA?

I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T
HEAR THE QUESTION.

YOU DIDN'T HEAR THE QUESTION

BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T
PAYING ATTENTION.

NO, MISS POLLARD, THE REASON...

I'M NOT INTERESTED IN EXCUSES.

YOU'LL STAY AFTER SCHOOL,
AND WRITE A 100-WORD THEME

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF
PAYING ATTENTION IN CLASS.

(Megan) NOW, WHO KNOWS
THE ANSWER TO MY QUESTION?

BEN?

QUEEN ISABELLA.

LUCILLA!

JOHN WALTON.

[children chattering]

CLASS!

WE'LL GO ON WITH
OUR HISTORY LESSON.

NOW, WHO CAN NAME
COLUMBUS' SHIPS?

[bird chirping]

WELL, NOW, WHAT
HAVE WE GOT HERE?

THOUGHT YOU'D BE
WORKING ON YOUR KITE.

I'M NOT EVEN GONNA
BOTHER WITH IT.

I'LL JUST MESS IT UP ANYWAY.

BEN, THAT DOESN'T
SOUND LIKE YOU.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN
DO ANYTHING RIGHT.

BUILT THIS KITE, DIDN'T YOU?

YEAH, BUT JASON
SHOWED ME HOW TO DO IT.

I HAD AN IDEA OF MY
OWN, BUT... DADDY?

DO YOU THINK I'M DUMB?

LISTEN, SON, I KNOW YOU'VE
BEEN FEELIN' KIND OF LOW LATELY,

AND I DON'T BLAME YOU, BUT, UH.

I DON'T ALLOW DUMB
PEOPLE IN THIS FAMILY,

YOU UNDERSTAND?

YES, SIR.

NOW LISTEN, HERE,

WHY NOT YOU JUST BUILD
THE KITE YOU GOT IN MIND?

YOUR OWN WAY.

YOU TAKE NO ADVICE FROM ANYBODY.

YOU UNDERSTAND?

THANK YOU, DADDY.

[footsteps approaching]

HOW'S IT GOING?

FINE.

THERE'S EVIDENCE
TO THE CONTRARY.

WELL, I'LL WORK IT OUT.

YOU KNOW, I MAY
BE ABLE TO HELP YOU,

IF YOU CAN GET OVER
BEING ANGRY AT ME.

YOU'RE SURRENDERING
TO YOUR EMOTIONS AGAIN.

LIKE RUNNING OUT OF CLASS
WITHOUT AN EXPLANATION.

WELL, I HAD A REASON.

WOULD YOU CARE TO
TELL ME WHAT IT IS?

NO.

[sighs]

THERE'S A THEORY

THAT WE CAN ONLY UNDERSTAND
HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

WHEN WE VIEW THEM OBJECTIVELY.

NOW, MY FATHER'S
THEORY... MISS POLLARD!

LUCILLA YOUNGER IS NOT A THEORY.

SHE'S A LITTLE GIRL
WHO'S HARD OF HEARING

(John-Boy) AND THAT'S
WHY MISS HUNTER

ALWAYS LETS HER SIT UP
AT THE FRONT OF THE CLASS.

SHE'S DEAF?

NO, SHE'S NOT DEAF.

SHE JUST DOESN'T HEAR VERY WELL.

WHY DIDN'T SHE TELL ME?

SHE TRIED TO.

SO DID I.

I SEE.

OH, GOOD MORNIN'.

I JUST HEARD ABOUT THE MEETIN'.

AND I WAS WONDERIN'
IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK

OVER THE PROBLEMS
WITH ME BEFOREHAND.

WHAT MEETING?

WHY? THE SPECIAL MEETIN'
OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.

I JUST ASSUMED YOU'D
BE INVITED BECAUSE...

SINCE I'M THE REASON THE
MEETING'S BEING CALLED?

OH, I'M... I'M SO SORRY.

I... I... I KNOW

EVERYTHIN' IS GOING
TO WORK OUT JUST FINE.

[door closing]

MISS POLLARD GET
BACK FROM SCHOOL YET?

NOT YET.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE MEETIN'?

AH, WHAT A MESS.

THE PARENTS ARE ALL REAL UPSET.

(John) HALF THE CHILDREN
ARE REFUSING TO GO TO SCHOOL

AND THE OTHER HALF
ARE THREATENIN' TO QUIT.

LITTLE LUCILLA YOUNGER
HAS TAKEN TO HER BED.

WAS SHE SET BACK LIKE BEN?

NOT IN THE SAME WAY.

WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN?

I DON'T KNOW.

ALL THE PARENTS ARE
SAYIN' IT WAS A MISTAKE

TO BRING MISS POLLARD
HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THEY WANT ME TO TALK TO HER.

THEY WANT ME TO BRING
ABOUT SOME CHANGES.

MR. WALTON, MAY I SPEAK
TO YOU FOR A MINUTE?

I WAS HOPIN'

I WOULD TALK TO YOU,
TOO, MISS POLLARD.

I'M SUBMITTING MY RESIGNATION.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE
SUBMITTING YOUR RESIGNATION?

EFFECTIVE AT ONCE.

I ADMIT WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE,

BUT NOTHIN' WE CAN'T TALK OUT.

I DON'T THINK IT WOULD DO
ANY GOOD TO TALK ABOUT IT.

MY RESIGNATION SETTLES IT.

NO, IT DOESN'T.

YOUR RESIGNATION UNSETTLES
EVERYTHING, MISS POLLARD.

WE NEED A TEACHER HERE.

WE NEED YOU.

HALF THE CLASS DOESN'T NEED ME.

LUCILLA YOUNGER DOESN'T NEED ME.

YOUR OWN CHILDREN DON'T NEED ME.

I HAVE TRIED TO DO MY BEST,

IT, UH, JUST WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH.

A LADY WITH YOUR EDUCATION
HAS A LOT TO GIVE US HERE.

MAYBE IT'S A QUESTION

OF YOU LEARNIN' HOW TO GIVE IT.

MR. WALTON, I DIDN'T
WANT THIS DISCUSSION,

BUT SINCE YOU STARTED
IT, LET'S SPEAK PLAINLY.

THEY JUST DON'T LIKE ME.

NOW I HAVE, SOMETIMES,

BEEN ABLE TO FORCE
PEOPLE TO RESPECT ME

I CAN SOMETIMES MAKE
THEM A LITTLE AFRAID OF ME,

BUT I CAN'T MAKE THEM LIKE ME.

YOU CAN GIVE THEM A CHANCE.

MR. WALTON, IF I
CAN'T BE A TEACHER

WITHOUT WINNING A
POPULARITY CONTEST,

I CAN'T TEACH.

NO ONE IS ASKIN' YOU TO WIN...

I'LL LEAVE IN THE MORNING.

(Megan) YES?

IT'S JOHN-BOY.

I JUST CAME TO SAY THANK YOU.

FOR WHAT?

OH, LOTS OF THINGS.

FOR READIN' MY STORY,
TRYING TO HELP ME OUT,

FOR LENDING ME THIS BOOK.

I SEE IT BELONGED
TO YOUR FATHER.

YES. HE WAS ALWAYS
QUOTING EMERSON,

AND RUSKIN, AND MONTAIGNE.

I'M GLAD TO KNOW

THAT I WAS ABLE TO BE OF
SOME HELP TO SOMEBODY.

I THINK YOU TAUGHT ME
SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT.

EMERSON AND I.

YOU SEE, FOR ME,

THE FEELINGS HAVE TO BE
THERE FIRST OR I JUST CAN'T WRITE.

THE WHOLE POINT OF MY
CRITICISM WAS TO GUIDE YOU AWAY

FROM THAT RELIANCE ON FEELING.

I KNOW.

I TRIED TO DO WHAT
YOU TOLD ME TO DO.

CONCENTRATE ON WORDS AND
RHYTHMS AND FIGURES OF SPEECH,

AND NEVER MIND WHETHER THERE
WAS ANYTHING I HAD REALLY TO SAY.

FOR ME, THAT JUST DOESN'T WORK.

I HARDLY THINK YOU'VE
GIVEN IT A FAIR TRIAL.

NO?

I READ MY STORY OVER AGAIN

AND I ADMIT THERE'S
THINGS WRONG WITH IT.

IT'S CLUMSY AND
AWKWARD IN PLACES

BUT I THINK IT SAYS
SOMETHING TRUE

ABOUT THE FEELINGS
BETWEEN ME AND MY FAMILY.

AND I KNOW NOW THAT

THAT'S WHAT I WANT
MY WRITING TO DO.

I SEE.

I DON'T EXPECT
EVERYONE'S GOING TO LIKE IT,

BECAUSE THEY WON'T.

SOME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LIKE IT

AND SOME PEOPLE
ARE JUST GOING TO BE

UNCOMFORTABLE AND
EMBARRASSED BY IT.

LIKE ME.

FIRST, YOU THANK
ME FOR HELPING YOU

AND THEN YOU TELL ME EVERYTHING
I SAID AND DID WAS WRONG.

I JUST THINK MAYBE YOU HELPED
ME IN A WAY THAT YOU DIDN'T INTEND.

IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER.

WELL, ANYWAY, I DID READ ALL
THESE ESSAYS AND I CONFESS

THAT THE ONE I LIKED THE BEST

IS THE ONE ON SELF-RELIANCE.

THIS MAY BE A GOOD TIME
FOR ME TO REREAD THAT ONE.

WELL, I JUST LIKE THAT
ONE BECAUSE HE SAYS,

YOU HAVE TO TRUST YOUR EMOTIONS.

THANK YOU, LORD, FOR KEEPING
THIS FAMILY IN GOOD HEALTH.

AND FOR GIVIN' US THE STRENGTH

TO HANDLE THE
BURDENS OF EACH DAY.

AND FOR THE BLESSING
OF THIS BOUNTIFUL FOOD.

AMEN.

(all) AMEN.

IT'S QUIET TONIGHT.

IS MISS POLLARD REALLY LEAVING?

(John) SHE IS, HONEY.
TOMORROW MORNING.

WHO'LL BE OUR TEACHER NOW?

NOW, DON'T LOOK AT ME.

(Olivia) SHE SHOULDN'T GO.

(Erin) CAN'T YOU
TALK TO HER, DADDY?

(John) I TRIED TO. SHE JUST
WON'T LISTEN TO REASON.

(Olivia) REASON
HAS NOTHIN' TO DO

WITH WHAT'S HAPPENIN' TO HER.

SHE'S UP IN HER ROOM, CRYING.

I HEARD HER.

(Olivia) MISS POLLARD?

MISS POLLARD?

I'M RESTING.

MISS POLLARD, I'D
LIKE TO TALK TO YOU.

MEGAN, OPEN THIS DOOR AT ONCE.

I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO SEE ME.

BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN CRYIN'?

IT'S SO CHILDISH, WEAK.

WE ALL FEEL CHILDISH
AND WEAK SOMETIMES.

BUT ADULTS MUSTN'T SHOW IT.

WHY NOT?

WHY NOT?

BECAUSE INTELLIGENT PEOPLE
ARE STRONG AND SELF-RELIANT.

AND NEVER DEPEND ON
ANYONE FOR SUPPORT,

COMFORT?

LOVE?

WELL, IF YOU DON'T
DEPEND ON ANYONE...

YOU NEVER GET HURT.

MEGAN, HOW OLD ARE YOU?

I'M 24.

[sniffling]

AND TONIGHT, I FEEL
YOUNGER THAN ELIZABETH.

YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT
DEAL FOR SOMEONE SO YOUNG.

I WORKED VERY HARD

TO GET THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY.

I ALWAYS MANAGED
TO GET GOOD MARKS.

YOUR FATHER MUST HAVE
BEEN VERY PROUD OF YOU.

[inhales]

I THINK I DID IT ALL FOR HIM.

I WANTED TO PLEASE
HIM MORE THAN ANYTHING,

AND WE NEVER REALLY TALKED.

HE COULDN'T

COMMUNICATE. HE...

HE COULDN'T EXPRESS EMOTION.

I THINK I NEEDED...

I THINK IF HE JUST ONCE...

MEGAN, LISTEN.

I LIKE YOU.

WE ALL LIKE YOU.

OR WE COULD, IF
YOU'D RISK LETTIN' US.

WHEN THE LORD GAVE
HUMAN BEINGS 2 ARMS,

IT WASN'T TO KEEP OTHER
HUMAN BEINGS AT A SAFE DISTANCE.

TRUST YOUR FEELINGS, MEGAN.

TRY.

TRY.

COME ON.

MEGAN.

COME ON.

[both laughing]

(John) WELL?

ERIN, SCOOCH DOWN.

MARY ELLEN, GET A PLATE
AND SOME SILVERWARE.

[all discussing]

(John) GET A GLASS, TOO.

(Olivia) HURRY UP.

ARE YOU SURE THERE'S ROOM?

(Ben) MAKE A LITTLE MORE ROOM.

PLENTY OF ROOM. COME ON DOWN.

RIGHT OVER HERE.

(Erin) RIGHT HERE.

(Grandpa) TASTE THE CHICKEN.

(Elizabeth) HERE ARE SOME PEAS.

(Grandpa) GOT SOME FRESH GREEN
ONIONS RIGHT OUT OF THE GARDEN.

[all chattering]

[all talking]

GOOD MORNING, CLASS.

(all) GOOD MORNING.

[exhales]

WHEN YOU START IN A RACE

AND YOU FALL DOWN
THE FIRST STEP YOU TAKE.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

YOU CAN EITHER LIE THERE
AND FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF

OR CRAWL AWAY AND QUIT

OR JUMP UP AND START OVER AGAIN.

(Megan) WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

BEN?

I'D START OVER.

WELL, THAT'S WHAT I
WANT TO DO WITH YOU.

BUT I NEED YOUR HELP.

WE HAVE TO PRETEND
THAT THIS IS THE FIRST DAY.

CAN WE DO THAT?

ALL RIGHT.

(Megan) THAT MEANS LUCILLA,
YOU'RE IN THE FRONT ROW.

BEN, YOU'RE IN 6TH GRADE.

EVERYONE TRADE BACK
THE WAY YOU WERE.

[all chuckling]

NOW,

LET'S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER,
AND I DON'T MEAN MORE TESTS.

(Megan) WHO'D LIKE TO
INTRODUCE SOMEONE?

ELIZABETH.

THIS IS MISS POLLARD.

SHE'S OUR TEACHER
WHILE MISS HUNTER IS AWAY.

SHE COMES FROM NEW YORK.

SHE DOESN'T SMILE AS
MUCH AS MISS HUNTER

BUT MAYBE, AFTER SHE
GETS TO KNOW US, SHE WILL.

(Mary-Ellen) HURRY
UP, EVERYBODY.

ALL THE KITES ARE GOING TO
BE UP BEFORE WE GET THERE.

(John-Boy) WHERE'S BEN?

I EXPECT HE'S GONE TO
FETCH THE CHAMPIONSHIP KITE

I SHOWED HIM HOW TO BUILD.

[Reckless barking]

I GAVE HIM THE SPECIAL
BENEFIT OF MY KNOWHOW.

HEY, GRANDPA.

AND THERE IT IS NOW.

SAY, WHAT DO YOU
KNOW? ISN'T IT A BEAUTY?

WHERE YOU GOIN', BEN?

I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

WHAT'S HE DOIN'?

HE'S GOT ANOTHER KITE.

(Ben) HERE'S YOUR KITE, JASON.

[exclaims]

(Grandpa) AH, LOOKS
LIKE HE'S HAD THE BENEFIT

OF MORE THAN ONE EXPERT ADVICE.

YEAH. HE JUST DIDN'T WANT
TO HURT ANYBODY'S FEELINGS.

DON'T TELL ME THERE'S MORE.

I MADE THIS ONE ALL BY MYSELF.

WELL, WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

I'M TELLIN' YOU,
SKILL IS IN THE BLOOD.

WELL, WHAT ARE WE
WAITIN' FOR? LET'S GO.

(John) ALL ABOARD!

[car engine starting]

[all chattering]

(John-Boy) BEN'S OWN PERSONAL
KITE WON SECOND PRIZE THAT DAY.

THE OTHER 3 WALTONS FINISHED,

AS THEY SAY, "OUT OF THE MONEY"

BUT NOBODY CARED.

IN DUE TIME, MISS
HUNTER CAME BACK.

AND ALTHOUGH EVERYBODY
WAS GLAD TO SEE HER,

THERE WERE TEARS SHED AT THE
THOUGHT OF LOSING MISS POLLARD.

WE HAD LEARNED TO
KNOW AND TO LOVE HER.

WE WERE ALL THE RICHER FOR
THE TIME SHE HAD SPENT WITH US.

[car engine starting]

I STILL HAVE THAT COLLECTION5

OF EMERSON'S ESSAYS ON MY DESK.

WHENEVER I OPEN ITS PAGES,

I'M CARRIED BACK AGAIN TO THOSE
DEPRESSION YEARS ON WALTON'S MOUNTAIN

AND THE SOUND OF
THOSE VOICES OF THE PAST.

[crickets chirping]

(Elizabeth) MAMA?
YES, ELIZABETH.

DO I HAVE TO WAIT TO BE
21 BEFORE I'M GROWN-UP?

WELL, THAT DEPENDS.

SOME GIRLS GROW UP
SOONER, SOME LATER.

WILL YOU TELL ME
WHEN I'M A GROWNUP?

I WON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU, HONEY.

WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU'LL KNOW.

GOOD NIGHT, MAMA.

GOOD NIGHT, ELIZABETH.