The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 5, Episode 18 - The Career Girl - full transcript

I usually know exactly
what gift to give,

but with this pretty thing,

well, as you said before, we just
don't know where she's headed.

This is all my fault!

It's getting to be a regular
nightclub around here.

Jason! Just a fight, Dad.

What does the
other fella look like?

I'm a failure at everything.

Self-pity is just like quicksand.
It'll swallow you up quick.

I think maybe you better start

thinking about somebody else
besides yourself for a little while.



It had been my father's
dream that each of his children

receive at least a
high school education.

And for a good many years, there
was a Walton in every graduating class

of the Walton's Mountain School.

So it was in 1937, when it
came time for my sister Erin

to leave behind the
security of high school

and to face an uncertain future.

Why don't we take this
row right here? All right

I've never seen
Erin look so happy.

I hope she'll always be
as happy as she is today.

She sure is pretty. Yeah.

Congratulations,
both of you. Thank you.

Oh, Zeb.

Flossie, you aiming to
graduate all over again?



Oh, I wish I could
be that young again.

Would that we could.

How's Esther, Zeb?

Well, she's getting
along pretty good.

Uh, her only regret is not
being here for Erin's graduation.

Well, I'm sure that Curt and Mary
Ellen are taking good care of her.

They are. They most surely are.

Oh, 'em doctors and nurses over
at the hospital seem to be just there

to help take care
of Esther Walton.

Good morning. Oh, good morning.

We're going to be a little
bit late, a little delayed.

Why so?

Good morning. Hello.

Don't worry. They'll all
get here. They always do.

I'm not worried about the
graduates. It's Superintendent Tolliver.

We can't start
until he gets here.

Well, he's probably giving the same
speech all over the county this morning.

I'm afraid he is. Good morning.

Good morning.
Good morning, Doctor.

Think you'll ever get
rid of all the Waltons?

I have a few more to go.

By the time they've all graduated,
there'll be grandchildren coming along.

Oh really? How many?

Where's your wife?

Mr. Tolliver is not going to
make it. Not going to make it?

His car's off the road, the
other side of Lovingston.

He called and
told me to tell you.

Is he all right?

Oh, he's all right. But
he's mad as a wet hen.

I gotta go get a
tow car for him.

At least he's not hurt.

Well, it doesn't matter. You probably know
that speech by heart anyway, don't you?

Oh, don't look at me.

We couldn't ask for
a better substitute.

The distinguished alumnus,
the local editor and publisher

and my good friend.

Oh, no, I can't do that. Rosemary,
I can't make up a speech.

You'll be happy to know that
Superintendent Tolliver is not hurt,

but his car is in a ditch
somewhere north of Lovingston.

And at this moment, I would
gladly trade places with his car.

Uh, well, it's graduation
day. I remember it well.

Um, it's a very important day, a day
that you should hold onto in your memory.

It's a day when we, sort of, uh,
mark our new beginning in the world,

when we begin to move towards
the goals we set for ourselves.

And I think there's a great
deal of pleasure in having goals

to move towards, and, uh,

an even greater pleasure in
trying to achieve those goals.

Well, you've been educated and you've
been supported by a very dedicated woman,

Rosemary Fordwick, so I know
you're all ready for what's ahead.

And I'm sure you won't forget
the support and the love you had

from your families, your
parents, your grandparents.

And I'd just like to wish you
all happy and productive lives.

It was terrible. You
were wonderful.

I'll push him in the ditch
every year. Thank you.

I'm going to have to ask you to
help me hand out the diplomas.

Um...

The names are up there.

I think we should
have him run for king.

He can't even clean spark plugs!

Shh! Well, he can't.

Jim-Bob, if he's a king, he can have
other people do his own spark-plugging.

Clara Bates.

Clara's aim is a college
education at Westhampton College.

Congratulations.

John Charles Ridings.

John Charles will be joining
the Civilian Conservation Corps.

And we all approve
of your work, John.

Congratulations.

Merle Towbridge.

Merle is bound for
trade school in Westham.

His ambition is to
learn to build anything.

Congratulations.
Congratulations, Merle.

And a special one.

Oh, Erin Walton,
yes. Congratulations.

Erin. Goodness,
I'm not exactly sure

what Erin is going to be doing.

I guess it's a secret.

Congratulations, Erin.

Molly Zimmerman.

Molly will be a secretary

at the Highway
Department next year.

Congratulations.

Congratulations. We
wish you good luck.

Thank you, Mrs. Bowers.

Erin? There you
are, alone at last.

Come on, now. Put a smile
on that pretty face of yours.

Here is something that your
Grandma was keeping especially

to give to you on
your graduation.

Thank you, Grandpa.

You needn't open it because
I can tell you what's in it.

It's that little gold locket that has
your great-grandma's picture in it.

Oh, Grandpa!

She knew that you'd
take special care of it.

Come on, now, say
hello to all your friends.

It's your graduation day.

Erin? Here, you
can open it later.

Oh, thank you, Mrs. Brimmer.

I usually know exactly what gift
to give, but with this pretty thing,

well, as you said before, we just
don't know where she's headed.

That's not exactly what I said.

Whatever Erin chooses
to do, we know she can do.

She just doesn't
know what it is yet.

It was simple enough with
John-Boy and Jason and Mary Ellen.

We always knew what
they were going to be.

But, uh... Good luck, dear.

Such a nice party.

Mmm-hmm.

I'll bet Olivia could use
some help about now.

Oh, I'll do that.

Not today, Erin.
This is your day.

A used typewriter?

New typewriters cost up
to $50. I can't afford that!

Well, I'd think the university would
have some typewriters you could use.

They do, they do.
But you gotta rent 'em.

The rate I type, by the time I
finished working on the manuscript,

I'd have been able
to afford a new one,

I don't know what
to do about it.

Erin.

Erin!

You haven't opened
any of your presents.

Oh, no.

Will you put these
with the others?

Do you really have a secret
ambition, like Mrs. Fordwick said?

With the others, all right?

Why would you want
to keep it a secret?

Erin?

Are you in there?

I'm all right, Mama.

I hope so.

Lot of excitement for one day.

I'll bet you're dead tired.

I don't think it's that.

High school graduation.
Not many days like that in life.

Days that you plan
for and look forward to,

and you can't imagine
what they're gonna be like,

and just when you think they're never
gonna get here, they've come and gone.

I don't see why.

Well, days have to end, honey.

And when they've
been lovely days,

you feel kind of hurt
and let down. It's natural.

It doesn't feel that way. I
feel so strange and different.

It's like I was something,
and now I'm not.

This won't last, Erin.

And after this little while, you'll
look forward to the next big day.

And what's that?

Well, that's up to you.

Are you coming downstairs?

As the truck pulled
out of the yard,

the young man looked for as
long as he could back at the house.

But then the house was
gone in a turning of the road,

and only the memory of the warmth and
happiness he had known there remained.

On the bus he found himself
seated beside an old farmer.

"Going far, son?" the old man
asked. "Right far," the boy replied,

and watched as the bus arrived
at the crest of the mountain.

And went on into
the beckoning world.

By the way, John-Boy, you
talked really good today. Thank you.

Have you ever thought
about going into politics?

No, never. Never.

Well, you should. You
sound real good at the time,

and then later on, no
one knows what you said.

Just read the proof, will you?

It's true! It's good for you.

You'll realize it
one of these days.

Well, this is a dumb ad.

Yeah? Well, you write the ads.

Not this one, look. "Wanted.
Typewriter in good condition.

"Urgent need. Contact John
Walton Jr., care of this newspaper."

What's wrong with that?

"Urgent need." You sound
desperate. Well, I am desperate!

I can't afford to pay
much for a typewriter,

and publishers demand
typed manuscripts.

John-Boy, you can be desperate.

You just can't sound desperate.

If you are, you lose all
your bargaining position.

Just print the ad.

Another graduation gift?

It's from G.W.

What did he give
you? A quart of oil?

It's cologne. It
really smells, too.

It's too bad G.W. was late.

Well, I guess I'd better
go take this dress off.

You look real
pretty in it, honey.

Thank you, Daddy. The
party was real nice, Mama.

We wanted you to have
something fine to remember.

Well, I guess it's all over now.

Her grandma not being here
must've been hard on her.

It was hard on all of us.

She hasn't smiled since
she got her diploma.

I keep thinking it's
just the let-down.

Well, Rosemary's right.

She's the first one of our children
who doesn't have a special ambition.

I never even thought of it.

She's a looker, though, like
her ma. She'll do just fine.

Hey, John-Boy, Ben, Jason.

Hello, Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen.

I just came from the hospital.
Grandma sends her love.

Oh. How's she feeling?

Oh, she's fretting and restless.

You know Grandma when she
can't be moving around. Yeah.

Caged bobcat.

But she seems to
be feeling better.

Well, I'm sure she is if
she's starting to get ornery.

If she was just sitting
around that hospital

not saying anything,
I'd get worried.

That's what Curt says.

Must bother her though,

not being able to know what
everyone's doing around here.

Well she's concerned that we're
upset, and she's the cause of it.

She wants us to go
on like she was here.

Well, I reckon that's
what we've been doing.

C'mon, Erin, we're
both gonna be late!

Since she graduated
from high school,

she doesn't hurry
to do anything.

That's not true.

She'll catch it from Miss
Fanny Tatum if she's ever late.

How much you want?

I'll just be here a minute. I
gotta get Erin to Miss Fanny's.

Don't block the gas pump.

Doesn't matter. Nobody's
coming around here anyway.

Darnedest thing. What?

Seems like just lately somebody's
been wearing banana oil.

Are you sure?

Well, I know banana oil.

That's what I paint my
model airplanes with.

Is it this?

That's it.

This is the cologne
G.W. gave me, Jim-Bob.

Hey! Somebody's got a
typewriter for sale in Rockfish!

Hey, John-Boy, you know
Erin's making model airplanes?

Let's go, John-Boy.

Jim-Bob.

I'm paying you good money to
watch that gas pump out there,

and not to come in here
and sample the cold pop.

Well, if anybody drove up and says,
"Fill 'er up," I'd fall dead from surprise.

Well, this post office
brings lots of people in here.

You know, like John-Boy.
Of course, not all of them buy,

but we in the grocery
business, we call that "traffic."

Why do you want traffic
if nobody buys anything?

Because sometimes they do. You know,
they remember things that they wanted.

Of course, John-Boy,
he's different.

Now, lots of times, when
he comes to the store,

and he says he's asking
for mail, it's just an excuse.

But what he really comes in
for is to get stories from me.

Well, he's always
looking for stories.

And I got that
figured out, though.

You know that book
he says he's writing?

I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts
that he's writing that book about me.

He says it's about the family.

Well, he says it's about
the family but, you know,

when he comes in here, I
notice the way he watches me,

and it's like he's
making notes in his mind.

And everybody knows that this
store here is the center of everything

that happens on Walton's
Mountain. Everybody knows that.

I guess so.

Oh no, that's for sure.

This general merchandise store is the...
is the crossroads of life around here.

If I were writing a
book about this area,

I'd come right in here
and come right up to me.

Do you... Did you ever
read John-Boy's book?

No.

Do you know who it's about?

No.

Mmm-hmm.

Well, I provided him with
the Godsey family tree,

and I gave him the
Godsey photo album

with pictures of me way
back to when I was a baby.

That book has gotta be
about me. Nobody else.

Like I said, Ike,
I just don't know.

Jim-Bob, would
you do me a favor?

Sure.

Next time you're around

where John-Boy is writing his
book, would you kinda take a look?

Well, there's nothing
wrong with that.

I mean, after all, we're all gonna to read
the book sooner or later anyway, right?

Well, I don't think he wants
anybody to read it till it's finished.

Well, wait a second. You
and I are just not "anybody."

You are his blood brother.

And I am... Well, I'm about as close to
an uncle as anybody could get, right?

And besides, I've
done you some favors.

Remember I gave you my bike and
you rode it in the motorcycle race?

And then I gave you the
job here, pumping gas.

I think the next time that
you got an opportunity

that, you know, maybe you could
just kinda take a look in his book

and kind of... kind of skim through
it, huh? Would you like some pop?

Well, I just don't know.

Well, I have to think about it.

Closest I ever got to a
typewriter was that old one

I used to borrow from
the Baldwin ladies.

And that one
burned up in the fire.

John-Boy, how long have
you wanted to be a writer?

Well, I can't ever remember
not wanting to be one.

Seems like I was
probably born that way.

Must be nice knowing
exactly what you want.

Oh, it is.

But what I want right
now is a typewriter.

Good luck with the typewriter.

All right, I'll pick
you up later. Okay.

Number, please? Thank you.

Number, please? Thank you.

Oh! That music is so stirring.

Why, it's no wonder we all march
straight away from graduation

to meet the
challenge of our world.

Number, please? Thank you.

Oh, how I wanted to
be at your graduation.

It was real nice.

Oh, thank you.

Could you guess what
it is? No, ma'am, I can't.

I can't bear it. I can't wait!

Sure is a pretty bow.

Can't remember when
I couldn't tie a bow.

I really fancy a nice bow.

Miss Fanny, I really
appreciate these.

Oh, my goodness, child.

They're yours to enjoy.

Would you like to try them on?

Oh, sure.

Number, please?
Thank you, Mr. Shelby.

Oh, they look real pretty.

The keys sure do
jam up, don't they?

If we do work this trade, how
long you gonna run my ad?

Paper's not free,
you know. Sorry.

Maybe a nice picture
in here, catch the eye.

Mr. Carr, I'm gonna need
a typewriter that works.

Some beauties there.

Thirty, thirty-five,
high as fifty dollars.

This one's as
smooth as a super-six.

Yeah, well, what's the chance
I could get this one fixed up?

Sure. New platen,
keyboard needs some help.

Those strikers are bent,
ribbon's worn through.

Rollers slip something awful.

Fix all that up, you're talking
fifteen, twenty more dollars.

I'm sorry, Mr. Carr, but I don't think
we're going to be able to do business.

Might be your need wasn't
as urgent as you thought.

Sorry.

Erin, what's wrong with
staying on with Miss Tatum?

You wouldn't understand.

You get to talk to
people all the time.

But I never see them.
But you know all of them.

And they never see me. It's as
if I haven't got a face or a name.

And besides, I've gone as far
as I can with that job, anyway.

I'd be going through the rest of
my life saying, "Number, please?"

It seems to me Miss
Tatum's pretty happy there.

Well, I believe she is.

Well, then what's the problem?

I told you you
wouldn't understand.

You're right.

Erin, I don't know what
Daddy's gonna think.

I won't be long.

Want me to go in with
you? No, just wait out here.

Well, wish me luck.

Good luck.

Just a minute.

Nine-five, eight, one...

Eight, two, eight, one,
and there, one makes 19.

Hello.

The sign says you're
looking a waitress.

Well, you're no waitress.

Oh, I could be. You see, I
come from a real big family.

I take plates to the
table and I clear it,

and I even wash and dry dishes.

I can do everything
a waitress does.

Everyone at your house so ugly?

I don't know.

Still in school?

No, I graduated
from high school.

Well, I don't run a tea room.

Your mother know you
come to ask for this job?

I'd want that.

You go ask your folks. If it's
right with them, it's right with me.

All right.

Well, Mama, what do you think?

I think if we don't sit down and
eat, supper's gonna get cold.

Mama, where's Jim-Bob?

He's having supper with
Patsy at Mrs. Brimmer's.

You really do have a secret
ambition, don't you, Erin?

Be a better time
to talk about this.

Oh, but Daddy, I've got to know.

You don't have to
know this second.

Oh, that truck stop's
not a bad place.

Well, you sure won't find
the King of England there.

Prince of Wales may be
looking for Mrs. Simpson,

but I doubt if you'll
find the King of

England hanging around
any of our truck stops.

Daddy?

As far as I'm concerned,
it's all right, honey.

Thank you.

Well, Mama, what do you think?

Well, it seems to me, I've been
saying "no" to you all most of your lives.

If your daddy says it's all
right, I respect his decision.

I can understand you wanting to be
independent and do something on your own.

Just remember
you're a young lady.

Make sure those people
you're working for know that.

I will, Mama.

Thank you, Mama.
Now, Pa, say some grace.

Dear Father, look down
upon us this evening,

remember those missing
from amongst our company.

Look down with favor
upon them also. Amen.

Ben?

Ben!

Ben... Oh, it's you, Jim-Bob.

Well, I was looking for Ben.

He's not here.

Where's John-Boy?

He's not here, either.

Just you?

What're you doin' in
here, anyway, young man?

'Cause you look like a cat
just got caught dippin' its paw

into the goldfish bowl.
What are you up to?

Nothing, Grandpa.

Oh, yes, you are.

I can tell by the
expression on your face.

Don't you fib to me. What
are you doin' in here anyway?

Well, I was looking in the
book John-Boy is writing.

That is an invasion of
privacy, James Robert.

Yes, sir. I'm sorry.

Invasion of privacy.

Of course, after all, he is
writing about the family, isn't he?

Let's just have a look and
see what he's been up to.

He won't mind.

Well, let's begin
at the beginning.

Here, uh, "It is Spring
on Walton's Mountain.

"The dogwood and
the trailing arbutus..."

Grandpa?

Oh, dear.

What are you two doin' out here?

Oh, well, I...

I just come in here... I
come in here... Pencil.

A pencil. That's... That's
right. Thank you, James Robert.

A pencil. I found it.

Oh dear, he's plumb
wore out his eraser.

Well, how do I look?

You just smile at the customers

and be the girl your
daddy said you were.

Now, you can start by cleaning
those dishes off that table over there.

All right.

Gimme a cup o' coffee
and a ham on rye, baby!

Oh, Jason.

Did mama and daddy send
you down here to watch me?

No, we just didn't know
what time you'd be through.

I'll be done at 10:00.

All right, I'll pick
you up. Okay.

Good luck. Oh, thank you.

You look real good. Thanks.

Bye-bye. Bye-bye.

I'm glad Grandma doesn't have
to know where Erin's working.

She'd have something
to say about it, all right.

I guess it's worth it if
the job lifts Erin's spirits.

She's been so downed by
everything, ever since the graduation.

That's why I let her do it.

I guess there comes a time
when parents have to do more

than be against
their children's ideas.

Mmm-hmm. And this
is one of those times.

Why don't you try
and get some sleep?

I'll stay awake
until she gets home.

Oh, hi, Jason. I'll be
through in a minute, all right?

Okay. Thank you.

There you go.

Little lady? Come here a minute.

Can I get you something, sir?

Yeah, uh, who's that skinny kid
over there, is that your boyfriend?

No, that's my brother.

Well, I'm sure he
wouldn't mind you

being a little bit
friendly, would he, now?

Would he, huh?

Um, can I get you
something, sir?

You sure can. Why don't
you come on over here...

Let go off my arm, please!

Come on over. I
wanna talk to you.

Please? Let go off my arm!

Please? Let go! Please, let go!

All right, mister, cut it out.

Oh, Jason, no! Cut it out.

Jason, no!

Jason!

All right, stop!

Jason, stop! Jason, no!

Stop it! Stop!

Stop it! Jason!

Sorry.

Sit down.

Erin, is that you?

Yes, Daddy.

Jason with you? Yes.

I can't believe all
of this happened.

Well, try.

I'm gonna go up to bed.

No, Jason, sit down.
You're bleeding.

I've got to wipe your face.

That's just fine.
Thanks. That's enough.

I've got to help you.

Milk. A glass of
milk would be great.

All right.

Everything all right?

Oh, no. This is all my fault!

It's getting to be a regular
nightclub around here. Jason!

Just a fight, Dad.

What does the
other fella look like?

I didn't hurt him much.

I hope it's not as bad as
it looks. You look awful.

It's not that bad, Mama.

What's the matter
with your hand?

It's all right. I just
want to go to bed.

Yeah, why do you hold
your wrist like that for?

Better have Curt look
at this in the morning.

What's goin' on?
Oh, it's Jason's fight.

Jason in a fight?

Jason, what happened to you?

Well, some big fella
down at the diner

took a fancy to Erin's arm
and didn't want to let go.

I told you this
was all my fault.

Erin, if it's anybody's
fault, it's ours.

We never should
have let you go there.

Are you all right?

Ever hear of a
one-handed guitar player?

Can you move those fingers?

Mrs. Brimmer, I just
don't know a think about it.

You have to ask what
got into John Walton.

Well, from what I heard,
he wasn't even there.

But he gave Erin leave to take
that waitress job and I ask "why"?

You'll just have to ask
John when you see him.

Well, I wouldn't pry!

Oh, here comes John-Boy
now. You can ask him.

John-Boy, we were just speaking
about Jason, the poor boy.

Yeah, how is he? Is he
as bad as we've heard?

Well, probably not.

Everyone's taking
pretty good care of him.

I think he's doing as
well as can be expected.

Well, that's wonderful
news. Yeah, that's good news.

And I suppose you're
here for mail, huh?

That's exactly
what I'm here for.

Sorry.

Wouldn't you think there'd
be somebody in the county

that'd have a
typewriter for sale?

John-Boy, I believe I have one.

It's in a nice case up
on the storage shelf.

You have a typewriter?

Well, at least he said
it was a typewriter.

Uh, Charley, Mr. Greenwood uh,
left that here, must be a year ago now.

Well, I don't know how
he could have forgotten it.

I... I think he meant to. He
was behind in his rent payments.

I think he drank some.

In fact, the night
before he left,

I heard this terrible crash like
he'd crashed down in the room.

There was this awful thud.

Awful thud.

You think that's why Mr. Greenwood
never came back for it?

Mary Ellen, what's
taking so long?

They're probably just talking.

They'll be out in a minute.

Jason isn't gonna die, you know.

Mary Ellen,
don't talk like that.

Well, don't act like that, Erin.

Jason's been in fights before.

He'll probably
be in fights again.

Yeah, but this one was my fault.

If I hadn't been there...

Well, you were there.

And I shouldn't have been.

Well, you can't change that now.

Besides, you didn't hit Jason.

The guy who tried
to maul you did.

What if he hadn't been there?

But he was.

That's what I mean.

Erin, you've got to take
things the way they are,

not the way you wish they were.

Jason?

It's not broken.

I don't believe you.

It's not.

He's got some bone-bruises

and the muscles and
ligaments need to mend.

The sling's mostly
to rest his hand.

And remind him not to use it.

Curt, how long do you
think it'll be before it heals?

About a month, maybe longer.

A month?

Oh, Jason, that means you're
gonna lose a whole month's pay,

all on account of me.

Oh, Erin.

It might not take that long.

You keep staring like that,
your eyes are gonna pop out.

Half your tongue's sticking out.

Get out, will you?

Can't you write with
your left hand? No, I can't.

Then how are you gonna
do your schoolwork?

I don't know.

Hey, short stuff, wait a minute.

You think if I dictated this to
you, you could copy it down?

Like a secretary? Sure.

Okay, just start here on the top
line and write down what I tell you.

I'm ready.

Well, say something.

I'm thinking.

Well, you think, and
I'll come back later.

No, here, here, write this down.

"In considering a characteristic
composition of Franz Liszt,

"it is necessary
to..." France who?

Liszt.

Like a grocery list?

Elizabeth, this is
not working out.

You use such dumb words.

Why don't you get
Erin to help you?

She's just in the
next room. Erin!

I'd hate to ask her. She
feels so bad already.

Well, she's the one
who should be doing it.

After all, it's all on account
of her that you can't write.

What do you want?

Will you write for me?

I have this paper, has
to be in by tomorrow.

Sure.

What do you want to say?

You'll find out.

France list!

I forgot about your schoolwork.

How are you gonna write?

That's what you're
doing for me right now.

I mean at school.

Well, I guess all but
the most important stuff

will just have to wait
until this heals up.

Well, go ahead.

All right. In considering

a characteristic
composition of Franz Liszt...

Oh, Jim-Bob.

Got a new key-making machine.

That's neat, Ike.

Come on over here and
I'll show you how it works.

I know how it works.

You can't see it from there.
Come on over here, closer!

Uh, John-Boy's
book, did you read it?

Yeah, I looked
through it real fast.

And, uh, who's it about?

Mostly about people
that live around here.

Uh-huh.

I'm in it? No.

What do you mean I'm not in it?

I couldn't find you.

Well, uh... I'll be
right with you, ma'am.

Oh, maybe he's using different
name. You know, writers do that.

What's the name of the man
who runs the grocery store?

Where?

In the book.

I didn't see anything
about a store.

Do you mean he wrote a whole
book about Walton's Mountain

and not once he mentioned
either me or my store?

Jim-Bob, that's impossible.

Don't blame me.
I didn't write it.

Here you go, honey.

Your mama fixed
everything you like.

Thank you, Daddy.

Are you feverish or anything?

You feelin' all right?

Now, Erin, I'm not very
good at guessing about you.

Is it Jason?

'Cause that's over
and done with now.

Everything I try to
do turns out wrong.

I couldn't marry Chad.

So now he's up on the mountain
all alone, building his cabin.

I'm a failure at everything.

If I were one of your brothers,
I'd know what to do about you.

I guess you just don't grab one
of your daughters by the neck

and yank her out of bed.

Honey, listen, there's
nothing you can't say to me.

Nothing that you can think or
hope or dream that I won't listen to.

You better not give in to it.

Feeling sorry for yourself,
you'll get you nowhere fast.

But I can't help it.

Well, uh, maybe some tough
things have happened to you,

and you think you got cause.

Self-pity is just like quicksand.
It'll swallow you up quick.

Please go.

Okay.

I think maybe you better start

thinking about somebody else
besides yourself for a little while.

Hey! Hey, where's
Ben taking Erin?

Over to Miss Tatum's. That
was supposed to be my job.

Somebody got out
of bed stirring around.

You know anything about that?

Oh. Well, we kind of
had a little discussion.

I sort of told her she
ought to start thinking

about somebody
else for a change.

I guess you have to
be an older brother

to get away with
something like that, huh?

Yeah, it's kind of like
grabbing somebody

by the back of the neck
and yanking 'em out of bed.

Ben, stop the car.
What's the matter?

Nothing, I just want
to get out now, okay?

You go on home and I'll go
to Miss Fanny's by myself.

Now, you're not gonna try
to get some fool job, are you?

No, nothing like that. Bye-bye.

Okay, bye-bye.

Hello? Yes, it is.

No, there's no one here at the
moment. May I take a message?

All right. Thank you.

Business School.

No, I'm just helping out.

If you'll give me your name,
I'll have someone call you.

Thank you.

Oh, it... it just kept buzzing.

Well, who on earth are you?

Oh, my name is Erin Walton.

I work part-time for Miss Tatum.

Well, this one's a lot simpler.

Well, let's talk about you.

Um, how much time
could you give me?

Beg your pardon?

Well, there's the switchboard

and just a few
clerical duties and...

Oh, I'm sorry, where
are my manners?

I'm Miss Jane Stevens. And
this is my business school.

Hello. Hi.

What I really came about
was this typewriter over here.

Oh.

I hoped you wanted a job.

My brother really
needs a typewriter.

Would you like to try it?

Sure. Thank you.

Thanks for the ride.

Hi, John-Boy. Hi.

You know, I stopped
by the telephone office,

but you weren't there.

Well, I'm sorry I missed you.

Hey, Erin, how you feeling?

Just wonderful, Ben.

Uh, Ben, what... what...
Didn't she just this morning...

I know, but I don't understand.

Hey, Ike. Got any mail for us?

Yeah, well, okay. Well,
I'll... I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Nothing for us, huh?

I got something for
you, John Walton, Jr.

What? Well, you're a newspaper
man. I got some news for you.

Oh, really?

I wouldn't be in your
book if you paid me!

Now, Fern, don't you think I have
every right to feel the way I do?

After all I have taught her,
everything I've done for her.

It's not my way to criticize,

but it's just that she's
spending much more time there

than she is here,
and I simply feel

that this is where
she ought to be.

Miss Fanny? I'm looking for
Erin. Do you know where she is?

Now, John-Boy, you
know how fond I am of her.

Do you know where she is?

She's at the business school.

The business school?

If you've been standing there
listening, you should know that!

Great. Thank you very much.

Now, Fern, where was I?

Erin.

What are you doing here?

John-Boy, you're not
supposed to know about this.

You're holding
down two jobs now?

Ben'll come and pick me
up. So you can leave now.

Erin, would you file
these for me, please?

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you.

May we help you with something?

I don't know. No, we can't.

Erin!

My name's John
Walton, Jr., ma'am.

Oh, Miss Jane Stevens.

How do you do? Hi.

John-Boy, I have a ride home.

Oh, you must be the
brother. The writer?

I am.

Erin, how come you
don't go to school here?

Because I'm too
busy working here.

I'll bet you like it, don't you?

What difference does it make?

A lot.

I'll bet she's good
at this kind of work.

Well, she's perfectly fine.

She'd probably be better at it if she
learned shorthand and typing though.

Well, yes.

Ma'am, I run a newspaper.

Now, it's not a big newspaper,

it's a small country newspaper.

But I'd be willing to give
you anything you want

in the way of advertising for your
school in exchange for her tuition.

What kind of a family are you?

I wish you hadn't come.

Erin, you don't see the
answer to your problem

when it's staring you
right in the face, do you?

This is too heavy for me.

Oh. Where would
you like me to take it?

Where would you like
to take it, Mr. Walton?

Hmm?

Erin's been working
here to buy that for you.

Well, don't drop it, John-Boy.

No, no. I won't, no.

Are you always this
thoughtful of each other?

No.

I mean, sometimes
he's just awful.

Yeah, it's true.

Excuse me.

Thank you, Erin. You're welcome.

The family was
grateful and pleased

that Erin found a
role for herself in life.

She did go to business school,

enjoyed it and
excelled in her work.

Later she married and
mothered a family of her own.

The typewriter?

Well, it typed my first novel,

and interrupted the quiet nights on
Walton's Mountain for years to come.

Hey, John-Boy, I can't sleep
when that typewriter's going!

No one can. I mean
it, Son, stop the typing!

John-Boy's not home yet.
I'm working on something.

Elizabeth?

I want to get an early
start on my career, Mama.

After all, I graduate from high
school in about eight years!

Good night, Elizabeth.

Good night, Mama,
Good night, Daddy.

Good night, everybody!