The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 5, Episode 10 - The Great Motorcycle Race - full transcript

Never cook the leaves of
rhubarb. It's deadly poison.

Jason, will you go
get Jim-Bob, please?

Jim-Bob's not around, Mama.

He went out riding
Ike's motorcycle.

Well, I'd like to know
who gave him permission

to go joy-riding on a motorcycle

after what happened to
John-Boy on one of those things.

Ike did.

Mama, Ike's motorcycle's
got a sidecar on it.

It's nothing like
the one I was riding.

With each passing
year of the 1930s,



we reached out for the hope

that times were getting better

and that the Depression,
which had marked our lives,

was fading,

but, in hard truth, things
remained much the same.

There were changes,
though, in our family.

We didn't seem much
different to each other

until something would happen
that made us look and see

that time was
surely changing us.

Esther!

Esther! Down here!

Esther, where have you
hidden my seed catalogs?

I can't keep track
of everything.

Just look the last
place you read it.



Hey, everybody!

Hello, Ike. I got some big news.

Oh, oh, what's the trouble?

Oh, this fool thing broke
down down the road a piece.

Oh, yeah? We ought to
be able to get a ride for you

if you want to go somewhere.
Oh, no, thanks, Zeb.

I'll tell you what, though.

I'd like to borrow some
of John's tools, maybe.

And maybe I can get it started.

Well, you just help
yourself in the barn there.

Hi, Ike. What's the news?

Uh, well...

Corabeth and I are
going to adopt a baby.

Congratulations. A baby?

Well, congratulations.
That's great, Ike.

Yep, Corabeth finally
made up her mind.

Boy or girl?

Oh, we don't care.
Either one is just fine.

So when's this going to happen?

Well, as soon as the
adoption agency gets a baby.

They promised us
the very first one.

That means any time now.

Corabeth is standing
by the phone.

Well, you let us know
as soon as you hear, huh?

Oh, and you tell Corabeth
not to buy any baby clothes.

We have everything you'll need.

Oh, much obliged, Esther.

Oh, Ike, why don't you
get yourself a mule?

It might balk on you, but
it'll only drop dead once.

I'll tell you what. I'll trade
you Blue for this bike.

No!

Hey, Ike, maybe you're not
getting any gas in the engine.

Well, I don't know.
The tank is full.

Well, then I don't know.

Where's John-Boy?
Maybe we ought to get him.

Maybe he could help me.

You don't want to ask John-Boy.

He and motorcycles
don't get along too well.

You know, you should
ask Jim-Bob. He'd know.

Hey, Jim-Bob!

Come here!

Yeah?

What's the trouble?

Bike quit on you again?

Yeah, she quit on me
down by the bridge.

See what you can do.

How'd you get it up here?

Hey, Jim-Bob, you
didn't hear the news.

Ike and Corabeth are
going to adopt a baby.

That's good. How'd
you get it up here, Ike?

He pushed it. Well,
think you can fix it?

Well, the ignition wire's off.

Well, he did it. I
told you he'd do it.

Well, you want to
take it for a spin?

Are you sure it's all right?

Well, I want to make
sure that it keeps running.

I best go inside.

Don't you want to
see me ride, Grandpa?

Oh, I'd love to, but I better
keep your Grandma occupied.

Anything with an engine and
wheels on it is duck soup to him.

If he had an airplane,
he could fly that, too.

Hey, Jim-Bob, you ride
that thing better than I do.

Boy, I love the way
you handle that machine!

It's a lot of fun. Well,
how much I owe you?

No charge, Ike.

You're kidding.
Well, it's my pleasure.

Well, I'll tell you what.
You come down to the store,

and you can ride it
any time you want to.

Really? Any time!

Thanks, Ike. Now,
I got to get going.

Okay. See you later, Ike.

Bye-bye! Bye!

Ike's going to have his
hands full with that baby.

Mmm-hmm. Well, as long
as he keeps the sidecar on.

When did you get so smart?

I've always been smart.

Oh, no, you don't. Ike!

Hello, Elizabeth. How
are you this fine day?

Okay. Uh, is the baby here yet?

No, the baby's not here yet.

Might be here tomorrow.
Might be here the next day.

Might even be here
yet today sometime.

Ike Godsey's Store,
Ike Godsey speaking.

Oh, hello, Erin.

Yes, as a matter of fact,
she's standing right here.

Is that the adoption agency?

No, it's just Erin.

Yeah, Erin, what
can I do for you?

Mmm-hmm.

Okay. You're welcome.

Elizabeth, you're to tell your
family that Erin has a ride home.

Nobody has to pick her up. Okay?

Okay.

Elizabeth, would you
like to come and see

the preparations I've
made for the baby's room?

Sure. Would you like a licorice?

Okay.

And this will be our little
one's very own room.

All this for one baby?

Well, I suppose it may
seem a bit extravagant,

but it means so much
to Mr. Godsey and me.

Well, are you going
to sleep here, too?

Oh, no, we will
occupy our same room.

You mean the baby
has to sleep by itself?

Oh, of course. The
Ladies' Home Journal says

that privacy is important
even for an infant.

Well, I hope it
doesn't get lonesome.

I miss Erin if she isn't there,

and I still miss Mary Ellen.

Elizabeth,

you have had the
blessings of a large family,

but fate has decreed that Mr. Godsey
and I are to have no offspring.

Therefore,

we must lavish our affection
on the progeny of others.

Is that good or bad?

Oh, well, I...

I assure you we
shall make every effort

to see that it's good.

Yes, I can hear you, Maude.

It's Maude Gormley.

Okay, Maude, if I see
anybody, I'll tell them.

Uh-huh. Bye.

It's Maude. She's
stranded over in Rockfish.

She needs a ride home if
anybody's over that way.

Hey, Jim-Bob. How are you?

Hi, Ike, I was wondering if
I could ride the motorcycle.

Well, sure you
can, if you're careful.

Okay, here's for the gas.

Boy, with that much gas, you'll be
able to go all the way to Washington, D.C.

I'm just going to be
riding around here.

You have a good
ride. Okay. Thanks, Ike.

And be careful!

Well, look at that
kid get on that bike.

Boy, he rides that like he's
been riding it all of his life.

Well, he always wanted to.

Cars, motorcycles and airplanes.

He says Charles
Lindbergh rides motorcycles.

He does.

Well, he always does things
that Charles Lindbergh does.

Hey, Patsy!

Jim-Bob! Did Ike say
you could ride that?

Sure. Come on, get in.

I can't be gone long.

I have to help Aunt
Flossie with the wash.

This is nifty.

You bring those benches.

All this going back and forth...

One pitcher of milk's
going to be enough? Erin...

Well, if it's not,
I'll get some more.

Okay?

Grandpa, you're always
the first at the table.

I'm just staking
out my territory.

I'm a great believer in
"First come, first served."

Rabbits and pussycats. Hmm?

Everywhere!

And where are all these
rabbits and pussycats?

All at Ike and Corabeth's.

Rabbits and pussycats,
pictures of them everywhere!

She's been working on that room

for heaven knows how long.

Corabeth showed it to me
the other day. It's beautiful.

I never knew anyone
to hunger so for a child.

I sure hope that baby
likes rabbits and pussycats.

Where is everybody?

Boys, would you please
bring the rest of the benches,

so I can sit down?

Got room for two more?

Come on!

If you'd say no to
her once in a while,

she'd pay more
attention to her cooking.

Well, if you didn't eat so much,

you could pay more
attention to your doctoring.

What you got there
under cover, hon?

Oh, I got rhubarb
pie. I made it.

You made rhubarb pie?

I'm very domestic,
aren't I, Curt?

Oh, yeah, when
she takes a mind to.

Grandma, bring a
couple more plates!

Careful! Now, don't rush me!

You see what
happens if you rush me?

I'm gonna spill
everything. Grandma!

Got the tomatoes in my hand!

Don't drop those
tomatoes! Look who's here!

Would you help me with that? Put
that over there. Hello, Mary-Ellen.

Take that. Yeah, I'll
put it down right there.

Take your plates.

I don't think I'm ever
going to get to sit down.

What have we got here?
What's under the, uh...

Mary Ellen made rhubarb pie.

Rhubarb pie!

Say goodbye, everybody. We're
all going to be dead tomorrow.

You don't have to eat it.

Did you put strawberries in it?

Wild honey and strawberries

are the makings
of a rhubarb pie.

Grandma, we'll just be
lucky to have rhubarb in it.

Just for that,
you don't get any.

I'm just trying to
taste the pie and see

if there's rhubarb
in it. That's all.

Never cook the leaves of
rhubarb. It's deadly poison.

- You know that.
- Hey, brother.

Where's John?

He's up in the hills
at the Kramer place,

fixing up the pipe to get the
spring water down to flat lands.

Jason, will you go
get Jim-Bob, please?

Jim-Bob's not around, Mama.

He went out riding
Ike's motorcycle.

Well, I'd like to know
who gave him permission

to go joy-riding on a motorcycle

after what happened to
John-Boy on one of those things.

Ike did.

Well, Ike is not his
father. He had no right.

Jim-Bob's big enough, Mama.

It's not a question of size.
John-Boy was big enough.

Those things are
foolish and dangerous.

They shouldn't be
allowed on the road.

Oh, Esther, if you had your way,

we'd all be riding lazy mules
wearing bedroom slippers.

Oh, Zeb, I just wish you'd
take my side, just once.

Mama, Ike's motorcycle's
got a sidecar on it.

It's nothing like
the one I was riding.

No way you can tip
over with a sidecar on it.

It's just like an
overgrown tricycle.

There's no way
you can get hurt...

Well, what did
you think of that?

Jim-Bob, were you trying
to give me a heart attack?

Now, you get off that thing and go
wash your hands. You're late for supper.

Sorry, Mama.

Jim-Bob, you just
ruined my argument.

I was telling them all how
easy that thing is with a sidecar,

and then you come
wheeling in like an acrobat!

Where'd you learn that trick?

I saw it in a movie.
There's nothing to it.

James Robert, you'll
wind up in a circus.

More likely a hospital.

You watch your
Ps and Qs, all right?

I didn't do anything.

I don't know why you're
so mad at Jim-Bob.

Daddy rode a
motorcycle in the war.

That was in the
service of his country.

Your daddy did a lot of things

when he was young
that he shouldn't have.

How do you think I
got these white hairs?

You remember that bull we had,

great big ornery critter

with long horns,
blood in his eye?

Your daddy took a notion,
one time, to ride him.

Sounds like John.

How long did he
stay on him, Grandpa?

Oh, just a couple of seconds,

till the bull figured out
what he was going to do.

Then he threw him off,
broke a couple of his ribs

and kicked him
clear across the yard.

What's so funny?

Well, I was just thinking about
Jim-Bob riding in a bull race.

Let's eat. Sorry I'm late.

Look at him, washes his
hands and wipes it on his pants!

I couldn't find a towel.

Curt, will you say
the blessing, please?

Father of us all,

thank you for this
day and this gathering.

I hope you'll join us for this good
food and good company. Amen.

Amen.

You're getting mighty
familiar with the Lord.

I consider Him a good friend.

Let's not start in
on religion again.

Hey, Jim-Bob, I've been
promising the Baldwin sisters

I'm gonna fix the
spring in their back door.

Would you give
me a ride over there

on your motorbike after supper?

Sure, Grandpa.

Grandpa, you won't
fit in the sidecar.

Well, if I won't
fit sitting down,

I'll ride standing up!

Mr. Stoker, if you want a
real turnout for your race, now,

I suggest you put an
ad in the Chronicle.

Do a great job for you, bring
people from all over the county.

Well, I was thinking of
putting out some posters.

Well, we can print
them up for you.

In fact, there's some
different kinds of type...

It's all right.

Ben.

I have a great idea.

If you could put an
ad in the Chronicle

and tie it in with the poster,

see, that'd attract
a lot of attention.

Really would. Lot of attention.

For a slight extra charge, we
could even deliver them for you.

Hmm? BEN: Yeah.

Jim-Bob will help us. See, we got
a brother who rides a motorcycle,

and he can cover most of the
county in just a couple days.

Yeah, sure could. That's right.

Well, this gonna
cost me very much?

No, not much. BEN: Minimum.

All right. How
soon can you do it?

This afternoon.

You work pretty fast. Go ahead.

This afternoon. We
can do it. This afternoon.

Thank you. Let's go, Ben.

Hey, Ike.

Hey, Jason. I'll be with
you in just a minute.

No hurry.

Ike, is there any mail for us?

No, honey. Nothing for us today.

Corabeth is nervous. When
she's nervous, she bakes.

Expecting mother, huh?

Yeah. What can I do for you?

Mama needs some cornstarch, bluing
and a package of washing powder.

Excuse me.

Ike Godsey's General
Merchandise. Ike Godsey speaking.

Ike, is that the baby?

No, honey, it's not the baby.

No, we got plenty of gasoline.
I don't need any of that.

But I'll tell you what,

how about a half a dozen
fan belts, assorted sizes,

and some lubricating
oil, that heavy stuff.

Right-o. All right.
That'll be it. Thanks a lot.

Now, you sure your mama wants
cornstarch and not laundry starch?

No, Grandma's making
chocolate pudding.

Oh. Well, then it
is cornstarch. Yeah.

Now, Erin, how's she doing on her
job over there at the telephone office?

Oh, I reckon she
likes it just fine, thanks.

Gets to keep track of what
everybody's doing, you know.

Yeah, I'll bet. Haven't seen your daddy
in a couple of days. Where has he been?

Well, he's, uh...

He's working up at
the Kramers' place,

putting in some new water pipes.

I got a gas customer.

Corabeth? Would
you take care of Jason?

That's 24 cents and...
Right with you, John-Boy.

Jason, I have just baked
a superb pineapple cake.

Would you join me for a sample?

John-Boy, need some
gas? How you doing?

Uh... Well, I'd
love to, Corabeth,

but John-Boy's here, and I
have to hitch a ride home.

Congratulations.
Thank you very much.

We sold it to Eddie
Stoker over at Rockfish.

He's having a motorcycle race.

We printed these
posters up for him, too.

How do you like that?

"Overland Motorcycle
Races." Yeah.

We're putting them up for him.

I was just wondering if I could
put one up in front of your store.

Oh, sure. No problem.

Yeah? Where do you
think we ought to put it?

Well, that's a good spot. Why
don't you put it right up there?

Well, what about this here?

Oh, that's all right,
put it right over the top.

Well, it'll just be up
till Saturday. Okay.

Corabeth, would you
get the phone, please?

Right here? You sure? Yeah.

Godsey's General
Merchandise Store.

Yes. Yes, this is
Corabeth Godsey speaking.

Hey, what's going
on? Hey, Jim-Bob.

Motorcycle races.

Yeah, Eddie Stoker's giving
motorcycle races over in Rockfish.

How do you like
the way it looks?

It just kind of jumps
right out at you.

I think so, too. I like the
picture of the motorcycle.

Ike! Ike! The adoption
agency called! What?

The adoption agency
called! They have our baby.

What time do we go get her?

The child is a male. It's a boy!

What time do we go get him?

Right now. Get your coat on.

Come on! Come on!
Move, Ike! Go right now!

I'm going to be a daddy! I know!

Is there anything
we can do for you?

No. I'll tell you what.

I'll bring the baby by your
house on our way home.

Okay, you be sure to do that.

Can I get a ride home?

You sure can. You
need a ride, Jim-Bob?

No, I'll be home later.

Okay, we'll see you
later. Congratulations!

Talk to you later!

Bye, Mama! Bye-bye!

It just came off!

Don't worry. It's
going to be okay.

I'm worried about the paint.

Ike, that's great about
the baby. Oh, big day, huh?

There you go, honey. Ready?
You take my sweater. All right.

Oh, Ike, Ike, Ike, Ike, Ike.

Oh, Jim-Bob, I forgot
to lock the store.

Here, take my keys,
and you lock the store.

Ike, can I ride the motorcycle?

You can do anything you
want with the motorcycle!

Goodbye. Okay.

Bye!

Ah-ah. Who's your
new boyfriend, Esther?

Well, I had to do something.

The crows are getting more
food out of this garden than we are.

Last year, when you
made a scarecrow,

the blue jays made
a nest in the hat.

Yeah, well, it was that
old hat of yours that did it.

Now what?

Oh, John-Boy, I guess.

Hey, hey!

What's all the hooping-and-hollering
commotion about?

Ike and Corabeth got their
call from the adoption agency.

They're getting a
baby boy. Baby boy.

A baby boy? Livie!

It's the quickest way over. Come
on, Grandma. Let's go. We got you.

Come on, one foot up.
Now wait. You ready?

Jump! Up! There she goes.
- Livie!

Whoever said good
news don't travel fast?

Oh, because it's a baby. Give
a woman news about a baby,

and it travels faster
than a flash of lightning.

What're you doing?

I took the sidecar off.

Did Ike say you could?

He said I could do
anything I want with it.

Can you ride it
without the sidecar?

It's a lot easier.

Can I go with you?

Okay, but you have
to hop on the back.

That's okay. This
is going to be fun!

Did you see the sign
about the motorcycle races?

Yep, I'm going to win one.

Jim Walton!
Everybody! Zeb! Esther!

Have I got a surprise for you!

Zeb! Hey, Zeb, wait till you see
what I got. Esther, are you in there?

Where's the baby?

Oh, come on out.
Oh, wait till you see...

I would like you to meet our
new little daughter, Aimee Louise.

It is spelled A-I-M-E-E,
as in the French language.

Aimee Louise, these
are the Waltons.

This is Mr. and Mrs.
Walton Sr. and Elizabeth,

just a few members
of a vast clan.

Aimee is 10 years old.

Elizabeth, you'll have
a new little playmate.

Want to see my goat?

All right.

Come on!

Well, she's a dear child,

but I thought you
were getting a baby.

All our plans simply
vanished into thin air.

The baby's mother changed
her mind at the last minute.

Yes, she was a very young
mother, and out of the clear, blue sky,

she decided to keep
that little baby boy.

Well, of course,
it was a terrible

disappointment to
Mr. Godsey, and to me, too.

We couldn't blame her.

He sure was a cute little fella.

Well, we were
completely shattered,

and then we chanced
to observe Aimee

sitting there on the
bed, so alone and forlorn.

Why, it just wrung our hearts.

We just couldn't walk out of that
home and leave that adorable child

just sitting there.

It was just love at
first sight, wasn't it?

Two years she had been
languishing in that institution,

ever since her mom and daddy
perished in a nautical disaster.

Well, I...

I do pray we done
the right thing.

Well, that little girl
sure needs mothering.

It's written all over her.

Yes. Yes, I believe
you're right about that.

Well, there's no shortage of people
who want to adopt cute little babies,

but girls Aimee's age and older,

well, they need a home
and a family, too, don't they?

Well...

She and Elizabeth ought to get along
like a couple of bears in a honey-bee tree.

Here. Right here.

Chicken feed.

Come on. There.
There you go, girl.

Cow wants some.

Oh!

Go on, get out of here, Mama.

You'll like Ike and Corabeth.

Who are they?

You don't know who adopted you?

Oh, you mean
Mr. and Mrs. Godsey.

Oh. That's Ike and Corabeth.

I've known them all my life.

They're real nice people.

You're going to be living
in the back of a store

with all kinds
of neat stuff in it.

Where did you live before?

Hampton Roads.

Daddy was a fisherman.

What happened to him?

He and Mama drowned.

That's too bad.

But Ike and
Corabeth will love you.

She talks funny.

I know.

It's in better shape
than it looks, Mr. Stoker.

That's what you tell me, son,

but I've seen a lot better.

Yes, sir.

Sure have.

Well, can I get in a race?

Son, you ever ride
in competition before?

No, sir.

You haven't got a chance on
this old junker. You know that?

Oh, we'll see.

We'll see, huh?

I don't want you
getting run over.

I'll be way out in front.

You'll be way out in front, huh?

Okay, you be here in
the shop on Saturday.

What did you say your name was?

James Robert Walton.

James Robert Walton.
James Robert Walton.

Okay, you're number 8.

Good luck.

Cut it out, Patsy.

Try it now, son.

And all of this will
be yours one day.

Well, it's all hers now. She
can have anything she wants.

You want some candy?

Oh, too much penny candy
is not good for the system,

but perhaps a raspberry
pop would be refreshing?

It makes me belch.

Oh, well, perhaps
milk would be best.

Mr. Godsey, we must
make some arrangements

with the Waltons
or purchase a cow.

A growing child needs milk.

If you want a
cow, I'll buy a cow.

If you'll milk it, I definitely
think we should have a cow.

We want you to enjoy yourself.

You can play right
here in the store.

How would you like to
punch the cash register, huh?

Wanna try that?

Where am I going to sleep?

Oh, well, you have
your own darling room.

I'll show it to you as soon
as we complete the tour.

You want to see the
pool table? Come on.

Mr. Godsey, this child
shall be raised as a lady.

I hardly think that playing pool
should be one of her accomplishments.

And we have our
own fabric department.

I shall fashion dresses for
you for church and for school.

And we got all sorts of toys.

Come on over here and
take any one you want.

Would you like a doll?

Oh! Hey, hey! Take
the big one. Here.

Come. I'll show you
to your own room.

I'll get it, honey.

Ike Godsey's General
Merchandise. Ike Godsey speaking.

Hey! John Walton!

How're things up there?

Good. Hey, I got some
good news for you.

Yeah, Corabeth and I
have adopted a child.

A lovely little girl.

Oh, yeah, we're just
as happy as can be.

Oh, your family? Oh, yeah,
everything is going along just fine.

Oh, uh, Jim-Bob is
riding my motorcycle.

That's right. Yeah. He's
in a race this Saturday.

A race.

What does Olivia think of it?

Well, I don't know. I... I
hadn't even thought of that.

You want to know what I
think? I think it's just plain crazy.

I think it's foolhardy
and dangerous,

and I don't know where you
ever got such a harebrained idea.

It is not a harebrained idea.
Lots of boys race motorcycles.

If they have experience, yes.

Well, they all
started somewhere.

They all had a first time.

As far as I'm concerned,
you can break your neck.

I just think it's very
unfair to do this to Mama,

especially when Daddy's away.

Well, maybe I
just won't tell her.

You're doing what?

Sit down, Mama.

I'm going to ride Ike's
motorcycle in the race Saturday.

Jim-Bob, do you remember
what we went through here

when John-Boy got hurt
on one of those machines?

This is different.

John-Boy's a writer, and he doesn't
know a thing about motorcycles.

So you just went right ahead

and made the decision
without asking anybody?

I didn't want to get
you worried. Ah!

Mama, this is something I want to
do more than you can understand.

I knew there'd
just be a big fight.

Jim-Bob, I have put too
much love and care raising...

Mama, we take chances every
day, around animals and machinery.

Lots of boys my age
drive cars and motorcycles.

Well, I know that,
and I can understand it

if you have to do
it to earn a living,

but for me to stand by and watch
you risk your neck for... For what?

Mama, I'm different.

I'm going to do things different
from Ben, Jason and John-Boy.

I'm going to drive motorcycles

and someday airplanes, too.

It's just the way
I am. Jim-Bob...

Mama, you have to
understand. I'm growing up.

Jim-Bob, I love you very
much. You know that.

And I don't want to stand in
the way of your becoming a man.

If I've learned anything at all

it's that I can't tie you
boys to my apron strings,

as much as I might like to.

I just...

I just wish that when you'd
set out to prove yourself,

you wouldn't pick
something so dangerous.

I won't get hurt, Mama.

Well, you'd better not.

Will I see you at the race?

You just keep your
eyes on the road.

Well, of all things! Hello, Liv.

I didn't hear you drive up.

I parked down the road.
I wanted to surprise you.

Well, you sure did that. I didn't
expect you back till Sunday.

I talked to Ike on the
phone this morning.

He told me about Jim-Bob.

I thought I'd better
come on down.

If there ever was a time I
needed you, it was today.

Well, I know that. Now, listen.

I know how you feel
about these things,

but we got to
remember that Jim-Bob

is a very special
kind of boy, you know.

He's different.

That's right.

So there's no need to get all
rattled and stirred up, is there?

I'm not stirred up.

You're not? I was.

Well, what did you tell
Jim-Bob about riding in the race?

I didn't say he couldn't.

Huh! You do all right when
I'm not around, don't you?

Are you home to stay?

I gotta go, but I can maybe,
with some encouragement,

be talked into
spending the night.

I gotta be going
early in the morning.

I don't care. Come to bed.

Liv, where's my football
helmet I used in high school?

I beg your pardon?

That football helmet I used
in high school, where is it?

Somewhere in the attic, I think.

You stay right there.

Hey, Jim-Bob.

Jim-Bob.

Hi, son.

You home?

I gotta go back. I
won't be here Saturday.

Did you hear about the race?

Your mama told me about
it. Now, you be careful.

I will.

No showing off for the girls.

No, sir.

I want you to wear this. It's
my high school football helmet.

Do I have to?

Yes, you have to. Good luck.

Esther.

Aimee's in the barn.

Esther, I just had to get away

from that general merchandise
store for a little while.

You know, I'd like to give
Ike a piece of my mind,

him and that fool motorcycle.

You know Jim-Bob talked Livie
into letting him ride in that race?

Well, at least he
can talk to his mother.

Esther, I wish I knew
what I was doing wrong.

Aimee just isn't happy with us.

Well, she seemed happy
enough when she came here

a little while ago
with Elizabeth.

Well, she treats Mr. Godsey and
me as if we were perfect strangers.

Well, you are, aren't you?

She's just a little girl.

Can you imagine how
Elizabeth would feel

if she... she were uprooted like
that and everybody was new to her

and everything was different?

Well, I never thought
of it quite like that,

but she does not
respond to us in any way.

Mr. Godsey and I are
nearly at our wits end

trying to please her, and
yet we just can't seem to.

I just don't
understand the child

at all.

I bet you're having fun,
the whole store to play in.

Well, why not?

They don't like me.

What do you mean,
they don't like you?

They went clear over to
Charlottesville to get you.

Have you seen
the room I sleep in?

You mean the one with all the
bunny rabbits and pussycats?

It looks like it's for a baby.

It is for a baby.

But something happened, so they
got you instead, but I'm glad they did.

You're a lot better than a baby.

Oh, Aimee, are you
really going to leave us?

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, but that would make Mr...

Your father and me very unhappy.

You're just saying that.

Oh, would I say it
if I didn't mean it?

Nobody ever wanted me.

They'd come in and
make over the babies

and walk right past me.

Aimee, it's true
we wanted a baby.

We yearned for
one, prayed for one,

and the orphanage
promised us a baby,

and when the mother decided
to keep hers, we felt terrible,

but then we saw you,

and it didn't make any
difference that you weren't a baby.

You were what we wanted,

and you were what we chose.

Why do you act so funny with me?

Why, I was not aware
that I acted funny.

He's kind of nervous,
and you're a little prissy.

Me?

Prissy?

Yes, ma'am.

You put on airs.

Well, what's putting on
airs to some and being prissy

is being cultivated to others.

It's very difficult to keep
gentility and grace alive

under very trying circumstances.

You're doing it right now.

Doing what?

Being some kind of a grand lady.

Oh, Aimee,

do you think that's
what I really want?

I don't know, ma'am.

What do you really want?

I come from people who were
not demonstrative with one another.

My folks believed

that affection
should be expressed

only within the confines
of their own chambers,

so if you have felt that I have
shown you not enough love,

perhaps it is because

I have found it difficult

to express all the love I feel.

Please don't cry.

It's all right,

Mama.

All right?

Please don't cry.

Well, Jim-Bob,

remember you're
riding a Godsey bike.

I won't let you down. Okay.

He's gonna do okay.
He'll do just fine.

Now, Jim-Bob, don't you forget
to wear that helmet, you hear?

I cannot believe that my mother
would let him ride in that race,

after all that carrying on she did
about him even being on the bike.

One thing you can always
count on with a woman, John-Boy,

what you least expect
is what they'll do.

Oh, you think you
know everything.

Well, I do, just about.

You just keep it up, Curt.

How you doin', Grandpa?

Keep your eye on
eight. Eight is great.

Eight is great. Go
get 'em, Jim-Bob.

"Eight is great." What're
you looking at me like that for?

Well, I know what's going
on in that head of yours.

Oh, you're a mind reader now?

You'd like to be right down there
in the middle of that foolishness.

Well, you're right
about that, Esther,

but you're wrong
about the foolishness.

You are about to witness one of
the great moments in a boy's life.

Which boy?

Ladies and gentlemen,

the first race of the afternoon!

Will the contestants
please come up to the line?

This is a free-for-all event,
two laps around the course.

Winner receives a $5 gift order

from the Rockfish
Garage and Motor Supply.

Second prize is
a beautiful shirt

from the Scottsville
Department Store.

Third prize is a
box of chocolates

from the Roberts Soda Shop.

Gentlemen, start your motors!

Contestant number one,

Clay Jones of Rockfish!

Number two, Linden
Fumia of Westham!

Number three, Mike
Adair of Shipman!

Number four, Carl
Hansen of Charlottesville!

Number five, Ray
Parsons of Scottsville!

Number six, Rod
Peterson of Rockfish!

Number seven, Neil
Thompson, Shipman!

And riding his first race is James
Robert Walton of Walton's Mountain!

You be careful!

Walton, you gonna
get that thing started?

Now, you all know the rules.
Twice around the course.

When I say ready.

Ready, Freddie, go!

Here they come,
folks. One lap to go!

James Robert! They're
coming round this way.

Come on! Come on! Come on!

Jim-Bob!

Jim-Bob!

Jim-Bob!

Are you all right? I'm okay.
I'm okay. Get back over there.

I'm okay. I'm okay.
You're sure, now?

He's okay. You
stay off that thing!

I know, but they'll be
around in a little while.

Do you think he might have hurt
himself when he fell down here?

No, he didn't hurt himself. He's fine.
I'm sure he's all right. He got up okay.

Shh! Quiet!

I hear 'em!

Here they come, folks.

They're coming!
Look! Here they come!

Here they come!
They're coming around.

Yeah, they're coming!

I don't see him. There he is.
There he is. He's number four.

Fourth place. Keep
right with them!

- There he is!
- He's number four!

Come on, win it! Come
on, James Robert!

Eight!

Jim-Bob!

I never thought you'd do it!

Well, he did it.

Congratulations, James Robert!

Jim will do, Mama.

Jim-Bob won a box of candy
from the soda shop in Rockfish,

and for the rest of us, it was
an unforgettable memory,

the day our youngest brother
took his giant step into the world.

- Jim-Bob?
- Yeah?

What happened to that
box of candy? I gave it away.

Who'd you give it
to? Patsy Brimmer.

You stinker!

Well, maybe one
day you'll grow up

and meet some good-looking guy,

and he'll fall in love with you,
and win a motorcycle race.

Jim-Bob, go to sleep.

Then he'll give you a
10-pound box of candy,

and he'll look at
you all gooey-eyed...

Jim-Bob! JASON: Quiet!

And you'll marry him and
go off to South America...

One more word, Jim-Bob,
and you're going to get it.

Good night. GRANDMA: Good Lord!