The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 7, Episode 14 - The Obstacle - full transcript

Mike, I don't get a
day off very often.

I don't want to spend it
sitting around with you sulking!

No one asked you to.

Are you going to spend the
rest of your life in that chair?

Looks like it, doesn't it?

It wasn't my idea
to wind up like this.

But it's your
idea to stay there.

Mike, you can do
better, I know you can!

Why don't you get off my back?

In the spring of 1942,

the war that engulfed the
world beyond Walton's Mountain,



touched our family in many ways.

It was a time of farewells and
reunions, shortages and news of battles

in places with exotic
names like Bataan,

Corregidor, Wake
Island and Midway.

It was a time when my family was to
come face to face with the cruelty of war,

as well as the courage it
inspired to overcome its aftermath.

It was also a time when
Americans everywhere united

to contribute to the war
effort in any way they could.

Winter, autumn and spring

And were there more
than 24 hours a day

They'd be spent in sweet
content dreaming away

When skies are gray, when skies are
blue Morning, noon and night time, too

All we do the whole day through

Is dream of, scheme
of, dream of you!



What, no applause?

Wait till we put our bags down.

It's getting better, Jason.

Getting better? Why,
that was just about perfect!

Yeah, Corabeth's working
with us on the dance part.

She's also running the store by herself
and wants you back there in a hurry.

Well, you can't go right now,
Ike, we still got to practice some.

Oh, what for, Ben? It's perfect.

Well, how about it, Jase, we
ready for that USO audition?

Well, I think we ought to learn
a couple more numbers first.

Then next time they come to Kleinberg
looking for talent, we'll be ready.

Is the USO that desperate?

Gee, thanks, Mary Ellen.

There's a lot of demand right now
for musicians and specialty acts.

That's why the USO
comes to the Conservatory.

If they like us, we'll
be doing camp shows,

war bond rallies, we
might even get on the radio.

See, working defense contracts
isn't the only way we can do our part.

I mean, keeping up
morale is very important.

Well, I think it's a good
idea, Ben. I really do.

Just make sure you're ready to
perform in front of an audience.

It's a little bit different than
working in your own living room.

Don't worry about that.

My grandfather was
"Snake Oil" Johnnie McMann.

He toured all over the country.
And my mom as in the act, too.

I mean, I've got show biz
in my blood. Watch this.

Tell Corabeth
that I'm on my way!

Okay.

He's on his way. Bye-bye, Ike.

Ben, that could've been for me.

Then he'll call back.

Any mail for me, Mary Ellen?

No.

There's a letter from John-Boy.

Isn't that nice?

"Dear family,

"we are getting organized
as fast as possible.

"A weekly edition of Stars
and Stripes will soon appear.

"We operate out of
three rented rooms

"in the London Times building
off the Thames Embankment.

"If you don't hear from me
for a while, please don't worry.

"I may be sent to other
locales on assignments."

I'm used to thinking of him in
London, now I'll never know where he is.

Probably can't let you know
'cause of censorship regulations.

"But please continue to write. I
eagerly look for letters from home.

"All my love to all
of you. John-Boy."

Wait a minute,
there's a PS here.

"I am worried about Mike Paxton.

"We were very close when he
was my roommate at college.

"Six months ago he wrote me
that he was in the Merchant Marines,

"and that his ship had been
torpedoed in the North Atlantic.

"He had been
wounded in the action

"and was being treated at the
naval hospital near Richmond.

"I have not heard
from him since,

"though I have written
him several times.

"Will somebody
please go to see him

"or check with the hospital
concerning his whereabouts?

"I would appreciate
this very much.

"Mike was a good friend
and he loved you all. Thanks."

That's funny, him being so
close and not getting in touch.

I hope he's all right.

We ought to go see him.

He sure was a neat guy.

Handsome, too.

I couldn't take my eyes off of him when
John-Boy brought him home for weekends.

I'd like to see him again.

Do you have a crush on him? Is
he really tall, with broad shoulders?

No, you were just
short and skinny.

Why don't we all go see him?

I think that's a good idea.

No, no, hold on, now. We
all can't go rushing in on him.

Well, I know a doctor who's
stationed at that hospital.

I could find out about Mike.

That's a good idea, Mary Ellen.

Mary Ellen! That you?

Well, J.D., what
are you doing here?

Oh, I come by every week or so

to bring the boys cigarettes,
books, radios and the like.

You know what they say, nothing's
too good for our boys in the service.

Well, that's very
generous of you.

Oh, it's good public relations
for Pickett Metal Products.

Besides, the whole thing's
what they call a write-off.

Good for the war effort
and good for business, too!

Well, Erin says you manage to
combine business and patriotism very well.

You nursing here now?

No, I came to visit a
friend of John-Boy's.

Oh, well, just let
me know his name,

I'll see that he gets anything
he needs next time I come.

I'll do that.

Nothing too good for our boys!

See you later, Mary Ellen.

Bye-bye.

Thanks for filling me in,
Doctor. I'll see what I can do.

Mike?

Mike, it's Mary Ellen.

John-Boy wrote us you were here.

Mary Ellen?

It's been a long time.

I asked John-Boy not to tell
your family that I was here.

Well, he got worried because
he hasn't heard from you.

I wish you hadn't come.

Dr. Sanders is an old friend
of mine. I know all about you.

Oh, is that right?

He says you're ready to leave.

He says you've responded very
well to therapy over the last six months,

and you ought
to get out of here.

Well, I like it fine
just where I am.

I was sorry to hear that
your mother died, Mike.

Yeah, it's been a great year.

Do you hear from your father?

From time to time.

He's on a destroyer out in the
Pacific. Career Navy, you know?

I'm sure he'd like
to hear from you.

No point distracting him,
he's got a war to fight.

So do you.

Go home to your
husband, Mary Ellen.

Curt was killed at Pearl Harbor.

Damn it!

Stupid war!

It just isn't fair!

At least you came back, Mike.

All right, Mary Ellen, what
do you want me to do?

I want you to try it
on the outside again.

I go to pieces out there.

I feel like they're all staring at me,
and I know what they're thinking.

So you'd rather sit around
here and be a vegetable?

I don't like being
on exhibition.

I know a place
where you wouldn't be.

Try it for two weeks.

Just don't give up.

If that's an assignment, it doesn't
look like you're studying Mr. Beethoven.

It's a new arrangement.

I hope you're not taking too much
time off from your regular studies.

Well, I don't think so.

As a matter of fact, Professor Collier
wants me to do as much of this as I can.

Popular music?

He's trying to get me into a band unit
when I go into the Army after graduation.

You'll be using your special
talents, just like John-Boy.

Right.

They're trying to organize
units to play for ceremonies,

and even entertain
troops in the battle zones.

We'd also be trained as stretcher bearers
and medics in case of combat action.

I see.

If I can just shape Ben and
Ike into an act the USO can use,

it might make a good impression.

That will be quite a challenge.

Mary Ellen's back.

There's somebody
out there with her.

I can't face them right now, Mary
Ellen. I'm tired out from the trip.

Well, you're going to
be staying in the shed,

so you'll have all the
rest and privacy you need.

Are you sure your family's
gonna want me around?

Well, we'll soon find out.

Got a surprise for
you. Old friend of ours.

Is that Mike in there?

- Mike!
- Hey, Mike.

Good to see you, Son!

Set another place for supper,
Mama, we've got company.

Is it Mike?

Mike, it's so nice
to see you again.

- Hey, Mike.
- Come on out of there, son.

I'm glad Mary Ellen found you.

Clear the way, folks. Here
comes the Paxton Special.

Here you go, Mike.

I can't do it, Mary Ellen.

I've tired Mike out with all the
talking I've been doing on the way out,

so I promised that I'd let him
rest before you all did the same.

So why don't you let me
get him settled in the shed,

and we can all do
our visiting later?

Can we help?

No.

You just come on in when
you feel like it, all right?

Good to have you here, Son.

See you later, Mike.

You get some rest now.

Well, according to the doctor,
when Mike's ship was torpedoed,

he caught some metal
fragments in the lumbar region.

At first they weren't
sure how serious it was.

That's when he
wrote to John-Boy.

Well, it sure is serious now.

Well, the doctors say there's
some abdominal and pelvic function.

But he'll never walk again.

Except with the help
of braces and crutches.

Too bad he's given up.

Well, he didn't at first.

He took a lot of therapy
and worked his upper body,

then he just gave up and sat
around and stared out the window.

I'm surprised the doctor
let you bring him here.

Well, it was his idea.

I know I should
have called first,

but I was afraid if I took the
time, he'd change his mind.

It's a heavy responsibility.

We'd feel terrible if something
else happened to him.

There was no place for
him to go to start over again.

He and John-Boy were real close.

Stay!

Stay!

Well, I just hope we
can convince him of that.

Come in.

Might as well make
yourself comfortable.

Want me to unpack this for you?

No. I mean, no, thanks.

There's no point bringing
all that stuff in, Mary Ellen.

I'm not going to be staying.

Well, you're staying at least tonight
'cause I'm not driving back to Richmond.

Coming in for supper?

No. No, I'm not hungry.

I'll get the rest of
his bags, Mary Ellen.

Thanks, Ben.

You have everything you need
here to make yourself comfortable.

You might as well use it.

The towels are over here.

How's it going?

Well, he doesn't want to stay,
but Mary Ellen's working on him.

I just wish he wasn't stuck in
that shed, so far away from us.

Well, maybe he
likes his privacy.

And there are a lot of steps.

Maybe I could build some ramps.

That's a good idea, but I
thought he didn't want to stay.

You know how Mary Ellen is.

- Why don't you give me a hand?
- Sure.

Well, hey, Joe,
what do you know?

Hey, I just got back
from a Broadway show.

Mr. Godsey, if you would
concentrate on store business

instead of show business,

perhaps our cash register
would balance for a change.

Corabeth, I wish you wouldn't bring
up anything as mundane as money.

Isn't that what you said when
you opened your dancing school?

No need to remind me
of that painful endeavor.

I just brought over Jason's arrangements
on this new song for our act, Ike.

In The Mood.

Hey, that's a good one!

Yeah, it shouldn't be too hard
to make some simple steps

out of this one,
Corabeth, like...

Sister What-ya-call-'em
What you doin' tonight?

My dear Ben, the dance
should not be so obvious.

We must find more subtle
ways to put across our song.

Although, I doubt that Mr. Godsey
would be able to execute much more

than a slow time step.

Well, why don't you two look this one over,
and we'll get some rehearsing tomorrow?

I gotta get home
for some supper.

Hey!

In the mood, that's
it, I got it In the mood

Everybody, in the mood

I can't believe it.

Erin and Elizabeth,
you were just...

Well, go on and say
it. We were just kids.

It was several years ago.

You'd hardly give me
the time of day then.

Yeah, now it's the
other way around.

Erin's working in the
personnel department

at the J.D. Pickett Plant.

J.D. Pickett? I know him.

Yeah, he comes to
the Navy Hospital.

Yeah, and makes
a big show of it.

Guess he means well, though.

Well, you ought to hit him up for a job.
He really needs people he can depend on.

Who's going to hire me,
Erin? Didn't they tell you?

Well, the government keeps
trying to get defense plants

to hire handicapped
workers. It wouldn't hurt to try.

I'm tired, Mary Ellen.

We're glad you're here, Mike.

See you later.

Aren't you getting a little tired
of feeling sorry for yourself?

You sure this is
gonna work, Ben?

Absolutely.

It's just the thing he needs.

Of course, it won't get
done if you keep on talking.

Mama's not going to like that.

What do you mean?

She told me to come out here
and tell you supper's ready,

but Ben keeps
telling me to shut up.

He hardly touched his food.

I think it's a losing battle.

Maybe we should go out there,

and let him know we
really want him to stay.

Well, Jim-Bob's out there now.

Jim-Bob gets talking about the
Air Corps, he'll be there all night.

He took Mike his car horn,
in case he wants to call us.

We'll be able to hear
him, that's for sure.

I took it off my car.

Well, thanks, Jim-Bob, but I
don't think I'm gonna need it.

You think the war will last
till next year, when I'm 18?

You gonna enlist?

I'm gonna join the Air Corps.

I'd be in right now, if it
weren't for Mama and Daddy.

Yeah.

Yeah, I felt the same way
about the Merchant Marine.

I was even prepared
to die at sea, I think.

But I never considered the possibility,
though, that I'd come home a cripple.

I mean, you either lived or died

or you got a flesh
wound, like in the movies.

Come in.

Mike was just telling me how
he always wanted to go to sea.

How did you get wounded, Mike?

Jim-Bob, I think it's
time for you to go to bed.

No, that's all right, I
don't mind talking about it.

I was on a freighter in the North
Atlantic, we were headed for Iceland.

We had naval forces there even before
Pearl Harbor was attacked, you know.

And a German sub put
two torpedoes amidships.

I was wounded in the explosions.

Next thing I knew
I was in the water.

I thought my legs were
numb from the cold.

They weren't.

Only eight of us were saved.

And you were one of them,
Mike. There must be a reason.

You've got a lot
to live for, son.

That's what everyone
keeps telling me.

We really hope
you'll stay with us.

Come on, Jim-Bob.

Good night, Mike.
See you tomorrow.

Anything we can do for
you before we turn in, son?

Oh, no, but thanks.

Mary Ellen's got me fixed up with
everything I need and then some.

And now I've got this.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Sir.

You've all been
really wonderful.

It's not your fault
that I can't make it.

Mike, you up yet?

Yes, Mary Ellen,
all ready to go.

- Would you like a little breakfast?
- I guess so.

Bring it on in.

Why don't you come and get it?

What?

I said, come and get it!

- Somebody should help him.
- Oh, no.

You made it look easy.

You're ready for
your breakfast now.

Mrs. Walton...

Grandma, that's the best breakfast
I've had since the last time I was here.

I think you're really special.

I mean, well, you know...

No, I know.

That's what's kept me
going all these years, Mike.

Two best cooks in the world.

I'm glad you're here, Mike, I might
never have heard that otherwise.

Thanks to Ben,
I'm here to say it.

Well, then I don't have to
worry about you wheeling off

down the road while I'm at work.

No, not today, Mary Ellen.

I couldn't leave now, after
you've all been so thoughtful.

I'm not saying I could stay
a two whole weeks, though.

We'll be disappointed
if you don't.

I'll think about it, okay?

You plan on writing John-Boy?

That's a good idea.

Here.

That's an order,
fella! Get to work!

Looks like I've got a job.

Don't go too fast for
me now, Grandma.

That needs a wipe, son.

You through over there Mike, we got
plenty of work for you out in the mill.

What about me?

I've got a list of things you and Ben
keep forgetting to do around the house.

Daddy's got dibs on him, Mama.

Looks like you're gonna
have to stay two weeks, Mike,

just to get all
your chores done.

Looks like it, doesn't it?

Don't you guys
have anything to do?

Well, I was going to help you,
but I don't think I can work that fast.

Ben and me are gonna have
to deliver this when it's loaded.

You better get a good rest.

I can help Olivia inside then.

You seem to be
pretty handy with tools.

You learn to do a
lot of things at sea.

Most of our boys are
pretty good at fixing things.

During the hard times, they
had to help Grandpa and John

repair almost everything we had.

And then repair the repairs.

They'll make good
husbands for some lucky girls.

I hope so.

I guess this war is going to
postpone their settling down for a while.

Is there a girl, Mike?

There was.

She doesn't know where I am.

I'll never forget what Mary Ellen
went through waiting for news of Curt.

If you love this girl,
you should let her know.

No.

The man she loves doesn't exist
anymore. He went down with his ship.

Don't you think she's
the one to decide that?

What can I offer her?

What's my life going
to be like from now on?

What you make of it.

I can't give her a child.

You can give her you.

That seems like
a pretty fine gift.

She just might feel the same.

Maybe I'll write her.

I hope so.

But not before you
finish doing this,

and a few other little things that
Grandma and I have got lined up for you.

If I had a motor now, I
could go cross country!

Maybe I could put one
on the undercarriage.

Not now, Jim-Bob, I want
to take John Curtis for a ride.

Elizabeth, you think he'll go?

There's only one
way to find out.

Hi, you want to
go for a nice ride?

Here we go!

Whee!

Your own bicycle, John Curtis.

Our heavenly Father, we thank
you for this food on the table,

and for the labor of those who
provided it, and for those who prepared it.

I thank you for a week
spent with good friends.

Bless them all. Always. Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, Mike.

You're not having second thoughts
about staying another week?

Stay.

Stay.

Looks like I don't
have any choice.

Well, you can't leave yet,

Ike and me haven't even
done the new song for you.

Come on, Ben, you
want to chase him away?

Well, John Curtis
would be very upset

if Uncle Mike weren't
around to give him his rides.

And I still want you to take an
application over to Mr. Pickett.

We're losing a supervisor
in the shipping department.

You could do that
job easily, Mike.

You did awful well
at the mill, Mike.

I'm not sure I want you
to go work at Pickett's.

Wouldn't get anything
done around here.

Mama hasn't asked me to fix
anything for two or three days now.

I appreciate what
you're all trying to do.

You've been very kind to find
things that I can do, in my own way,

at my own pace.

Well, I can tell you right now,

it's faster than the
pace at the Pickett plant.

That's why they need you.

You've had to make a lot of
hard decisions this week, Mike.

We don't want to push you
into something you're not sure of.

Up to him.

That's right, Ma.

Why don't we all do a lot less talking
around here, and a lot more eating?

- Pass down that cheese.
- This is good, Mama.

Ben is so nervous
tonight for rehearsal,

I hate to think what he'll
be like for the USO audition.

I get stage fright if I have to
recite a poem in front of my class.

Don't worry, Ike will
get him through it.

He said he was born
backstage in a trunk.

Yeah, but sometimes I
think the lid fell on his head.

Ladies and gentlemen,
for their next number,

Godsey and Walton will do
a song and dance number.

A quaint little ditty
called In The Mood.

Sister What-ya-call-'em
What you doin' tonight?

Hope you're in the mood
because I'm feeling just right

How about a corner
with a table for two?

Where the music's mellow
in some gay rendezvous

There's no chance
romancin' with a blue attitude

You've got to do some
dancin' to get in the mood

In the mood, that's it, I've got it
In the mood, your ear will spot it

In the mood, oh, what a hot hit

Be alive and get the jive
You've got to learn now

Sister What-ya-call-'em
That's a timely idea

Something swing-a-dilla
would be good to my ear

Everybody must agree
the dancin' has charms

When you got the certain
one you love in your arms

Steppin' out with you
will be a sweet interlude

A builder-up with that
will put me in the mood

You all right, Mike?

I'm sorry, Erin.

I didn't mean to walk out
on Ike and Ben like that.

I didn't mean that
either. "Walk out."

They'll understand.

You know, when John-Boy
and I were in college

we did a routine just like
that for a student talent show.

We didn't win first prize
either, I can tell you.

Mike, you were doing a job for
them, for all of us, when you got hurt.

So, now maybe you should
let them dance for you.

Let others who couldn't do what
you did help you out in other ways.

You don't mind
touching me, Erin?

Should I?

Darned if I know.

Come on, let's get me
back inside before they finish.

In the mood

In the mood

In the mood

We're muggin'

We're huggin'

We're muggin' and we're
huggin' And we're in the mood now

It sure doesn't look to me like this place
is fixed up for people in wheelchairs.

No reason it can't be.

Come on, men, let's
get this truck loaded.

You're wasting time here!
Don't you know there's a war on?

Why, howdy, Jason!

Hi, J.D.

How you doing?

You finally decided to
come work for me, huh?

Oh, not yet, J.D.

I'd like you to meet a friend of
mine. J.D., this is Mike Paxton.

Pleased to meet you.

We already met at the
Naval Hospital in Richmond.

I just got out of there.

I believe I do remember, yes.

Of course I'm proud
of all our service men,

but especially you boys who've
suffered in this terrible war.

I remember you saying that if
any of us ever needed anything,

we should just come to you.

Well, just name it, son.

We're waiting for Erin.

She's processing my
application through personnel.

I'm applying for
a job, Mr. Pickett.

Oh, I'm afraid there's
been some mistake.

We don't have any
positions open just now.

J.D., I've been looking for you. I
have Mike's approved application here.

I was just telling Mr. Paxton

that we, unfortunately, have
no positions available just now.

But we're losing a supervisor
in the shipping department, J.D.

Mike has all the necessary qualifications,
and he's a good, steady man.

Our whole family
will vouch for that.

Well, it just wouldn't work,
that's all! Not in a wheelchair.

Why, you couldn't
even get in the place.

There's a ramp out in back.

Well, my insurance wouldn't
cover it, Erin, you should know that.

I couldn't guarantee your safety
in an accident or fire, Mr. Paxton.

There are stairs
all over the building.

Not in the shipping room.

I thought you were interested
in helping wounded veterans.

Well, I am, I am.

But as they say,
business is business.

Now, look, son,
you've done your part.

Why don't you go on
home and let us do ours?

We're all proud
of you for trying.

You're not even giving
me a chance to try.

At least let me show you.

All right, son, then you listen.

On the day you can drive
up here in a car, get out of it,

and walk up here to these steps,

go on up to the
office door here,

turn and walk up these steps,

well, then I'll be ready
to talk to you about a job.

I'm a busy man. Bye, Jason.

Erin, we've got work to do.

Come on, now, let's
get it moving here!

I'm sorry, Mike, I had no idea.

It's about what I expected.

I've got to go.

Thanks anyway, Erin.

Leave it to J.D. to
do something like this.

I think when he sees "USA,"
the middle letter is a dollar sign.

Didn't eat much dinner, Mike.

I guess I lost my appetite.

I wish I could tell you what
happened at Pickett's this morning

didn't mean much, but I
know it hit you awful hard.

I just don't know if all
the struggle is worth it.

I could just go on to
some veterans hospital

and let them take care of me.

You know, during the Depression,

we had some pretty
hard times around here.

I didn't know if I could
keep the family together.

But we kept working at it
and somehow we got through.

Point is, you have
to keep working at it.

Yeah, but you had
a family to work for.

What makes you
think you haven't?

Sure could use a good
hand at the mill this afternoon.

Hey, Mike, guess what?

Jason just called to tell me

the USO officers are going to be
coming to audition Ike and me tonight!

Hey, that's great. You
guys will do just fine.

I don't know, I'm already
getting the butterflies.

I'd really like you there for luck
tonight. We can really use you.

How about coming?

Oh, well, no, you don't need me.

The heck I don't.

John-Boy, he'd always
be there if I needed him,

whether it was for school
or any other problems I had.

I mean, a big brother is...

It would mean a lot to
me if you're there tonight.

Okay, Ben, if you say so.

Thanks, Mike, I appreciate it.

Where's my cane?
Oh, no, I forgot my cane.

Take it easy, Ben, it's
right there on the pool table.

Oh, boy, Ike, I
don't think I can do it.

Sure you will.

As soon as you see those bright
lights, you'll come on like gangbusters!

Oh, Mr. Godsey, you
really are a trouper!

Those officers from the USO are out
there, and they're ready for the audition.

You all set?

When you say the word,
we'll knock them dead!

Okay, Corabeth,
you do the intro.

Break a leg, guys.

Break a leg? What's
he talking about?

That's show business
talk for good luck.

Let's go, partner.

Yeah.

Forget it, Ben.
Corabeth, lead on!

Oh, dear, I do hope
everything goes all right.

Now, Benjamin, breathe deeply.

And follow me.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Walton's Mountain, the
garden spot of Virginia,

is pleased to present the new
team of Godsey and Walton.

Or otherwise known
as Ike and Ben!

Gentlemen, we...

We seem to have some slight
technical difficulty backstage.

I'm sure it will be soon
corrected if you'll just relax.

We'll have it fixed
in just a moment.

In the meantime,
vamp till ready, maestro!

Ike.

Ike, you've got to listen to me.

Those guys out there,
they're just like any of us.

One of them is from Centerville,
the other one's from Big Springs.

Population of both is under 100.

Yeah?

Yeah, they're small-town
guys, just like us.

All right, you guys get out
there and knock 'em dead.

Hit it, Jason.

I'll never say
"never again" again

'Cause here I am in love again

Head over heels in
love again with you

I'll never say "never
kiss you" again

'Cause here I'm
kissing you again

That's just the thing
I said I'd never do

I walked away and said goodbye

I was hasty, wasn't I?

I missed you so,
I thought I'd die

But it's all over now
Throw my hat in the sky

Never say "never again" again

'Cause here I am in love again

Head over heels in
love again with the same

sweet you

Come in.

You know that second piece of
cake Grandma said you couldn't have?

Well, she found out what
you did for Ben and Ike tonight,

and now she
wants you to have it.

Oh, great!

Grandma's something
special, isn't she?

Grandpa always said she had
an eye for handsome men like him.

Speaking of something
special, I haven't seen this before.

Just a girl I used to know.

She doesn't know where
I am, so I decided to write.

Well, I'm sure she'll be
very glad to hear from you.

We'll see.

At least now I'm
not afraid to find out.

Mike, I still don't believe you can
climb the stairs over at Pickett's.

Come on, show me!

What if I could climb 'em?

I still could never
drive a car there.

You're doing just fine.
How do the braces feel?

Heavy as the dickens!

Well, you seem to be doing
pretty good on those crutches.

Yeah, they're not bad for hitting
loudmouth nurses with, too.

You've got to catch me first.

Ike and Jim-Bob have been
up to something. Come on.

Hi, Mary Ellen. Hello, Mike!

Hey, Mike, Jim-Bob has
got a great surprise for you.

Show him.

Well, I just got the idea.

Ike's the one who got all the
materials to help me make it work.

Well, I mean, I can't thank you
enough for what you did last night.

Oh, come on, Ike,
you could've done it.

I don't know, not without you, I
don't think. Go on, Jim-Bob, show him!

You ever seen pictures of that convertible
that President Roosevelt drives?

He can operate
everything by hand.

Now my car works that way.

It's already got a
handbrake on it.

Pull this lever here to
push down the clutch,

put her into gear,

use the hand throttle here on
the steering post, let the clutch out,

and away you go.

I told you, he's a
bona fide genius.

I didn't believe him when he told
me about the idea, but here it is.

Now all you gotta do is drive
it over to the Pickett plant,

and then you can get
yourself a store-bought rig.

Come on, Mike, give it a try.

Grandma says, "Try,

"and do."

Now, son, I never dreamed
you'd take me up on this.

I came for that job we
talked about, Mr. Pickett.

I told you, I can't hire you.

But he drove here in a car.

All right, he did that, but climbing
up a few steps don't prove nothing.

It did the other day, J.D.,

and I understand
you're the one that said it.

Well, nobody's gonna
force me to hire an invalid.

I think Mike came to see just
how good your word is, J.D.

And I think folks around here
might be interested in that, too.

It wouldn't cost much to put
a few ramps around here, J.D.

Mike's a good, steady, dependable
worker. He's proven it to us.

Ah, look, son, I'll give you
a letter of recommendation,

the best I know how to write.

I don't want a letter,
I came for a job.

Come on, Mike, you can do it.

We're with you, Mike.

Congratulations, Mike.

We're real proud of you.

When does he begin?

Mike Paxton, and thousands of
other handicapped Americans,

proved their skill and reliability in
defense industries throughout the nation

during those war years.

For my family, the
reunion with Mike

was an inspiration in a
time of doubt and fear.

For Godsey and Walton, it was the
first of many appearances at hospitals,

camp shows and war bond rallies,

until Ben eventually
went into the service.

It seems funny not
to have Mike here.

It's easier for him to
live closer to the plant.

Did he get jobs for his
friends from the ward?

Best workers we've got,
and they're all living with Mike.

I don't care. I still miss him
and that crazy horn he had.

I just happen to
be polishing it.

Turn out the lights, will you?

Good night, Jim-Bob!