The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 8, Episode 20 - The Last Straw - full transcript

Carl, I'm doing the best I...

Well, you should see the
kind of help I got around here.

Carl, I'm on my
way with it right now.

Easy, what the hell are you doing? I
told you to load this truck an hour ago.

Well, Rose fixed me
a sandwich, and then...

Are you working for me
or are you making racers?

Now, get this loaded now!

Oh, no. Oh, no.

Oh, no.

I might be able to fix it,
Daddy, but it'll take a while.

With your broken arm?
This motor is ruined.



I don't believe this.

I don't believe this.

I think a vacation would
do you a lot of good.

I'm not talking about
a vacation, honey.

I've cut my last
piece of lumber.

I'm through.

As the Second World War
raged on in Europe and the Pacific,

those of us on Walton's Mountain

were adjusting to the
quickened pace of wartime living.

Our family was enjoying a degree
of prosperity previously unknown,

but our changing fortunes
were bringing changing values.

And so it was to my father,

whose strength had always been
an unquestioned source of assurance,

that the pain of doubt and
uncertainty would come.



Easy, get off your butt.

Just taking a rock out of my
shoe, John. I think I got a blister.

- Come on, let's go here.
- It's all set, Daddy.

Good, Son. Get to that Army
order. We're already a day behind.

Let's go.

- Sure thing, Mr. Walton.
- Come on, Easy, we've gotta get started.

- It's a hot one, eh?
- Come on.

Cindy, what did
you hear from Ben?

I got a letter from
him this morning.

He sends everybody his love.

How does he like
life in the Seabees?

Well, he misses
the home cooking.

I hope they don't give him
one of those funny haircuts.

- He might even get a tattoo.
- Don't say that.

- Oh, a big red rose would be lovely.
- Or maybe even a battleship.

- I won't live with a tattooed man.
- Jim-Bob has a tattoo.

Blabbermouth.

- You have a tattoo?
- I don't want to talk about it.

- Oh, show it to us, Jim-Bob.
- Show us, Jim-Bob.

Hold it down. Let's have some
peace and quiet around here, please.

John, put some more food on your plate.
That's not enough to keep a bird alive.

This is plenty for me, Rose.

I'm sure glad you were
able to stop that truck, Daddy.

It took me forever to reload it.

It could have been a lot worse.

I don't know how, we
keep getting further behind.

I might be able to fix the clutch,
at least till we get a new one.

Mmm, I don't know, Son.
It'll probably take you forever.

Most parts aren't available.

Well, I'll start on it
tomorrow, anyway.

Daddy, aren't you gonna
have a piece of peach pie?

- I just made it this afternoon.
- No, thank you, honey.

John, why don't you call
it a day and get some rest.

Wish I could, Rose, but I've
still got a lot of paperwork to do.

I've never seen him pass
up a piece of pie before.

He looks tired.

I know how he feels.
I got a problem, too.

It can't be that bad.

I have to build something
for a dumb school project,

and I don't know what to make.

Why don't you build a flower box?
You can put some geraniums in it.

It would be really easy.

- Or a dollhouse?
- You've got to be kidding.

Hey, what about a racing car?

A racer? Now, you're talking.

Yeah. You could build
one for the Soap Box Derby.

What's that?

That's a big race they
have every year in Ohio.

If you win in your hometown,
you get to go to the finals.

You think I could do that?

You could try. I was
gonna do it one year,

except I had the mumps and
Mama made me stay in bed.

Well, you wouldn't have wanted to be
seen in public then, anyway, Jim-Bob.

He looked like he was
storing nuts for winter.

I think I got the plans
around here somewhere.

Hey, great.

- Well, that's one problem solved.
- Now, if we could just solve Daddy's.

Hi. How's it going?

This isn't gonna
be too easy, Jeffrey.

- Nobody ever said it was.
- Jim-Bob?

Oh, hi...

Look, my bathroom drain's all
plugged up, and I want to take a bath.

Can you help me?

Okay. I'll be right there.
Just let me finish this.

I'll just be a minute.

We got all the wood
we need, that's for sure.

You know, you're not gonna be
able to build all these parts yourself,

so we'll have to get some
of them second-hand.

So, we'll need four
wheels, two turnbuckles,

some cables and some pulleys.

How about the steering wheel?

We could use the wheel
of the tricycle in the barn.

Might be kind of rusty, though.

Well, can I use it?

Well, maybe we should look
at it, make sure we can use it.

Okay. I'll get it.

I thought you were
gonna take a bath.

I'm waiting for
Jim-Bob to fix the drain.

Yeah, well, that don't make
me no never mind, John Walton.

Maybe I ought to take my business
somewhere else, where they can handle it.

That's a good idea. Why don't you
do that? I can't stand the aggravation!

Sorry you had to hear that, Mary
Ellen, but business is business.

This late order is slowing
down my whole operation.

Well, Daddy's working night
and day to try and keep up.

Yeah, well, night and
day isn't good enough,

not if he can't
keep me supplied.

How do you feel, Daddy?

I'd feel a lot better if I'd get some
of these orders out of the way.

I brought you something to eat.

Thank you, honey. I'll
get to it in a little while.

You really should put
something in your stomach.

You seen Jim-Bob?

He's supposed to put a new
belt on that joiner of mine.

I'll get him. I'll leave this here
in case you change your mind.

Okay.

- I got the steering wheel.
- Good.

- What do I do now?
- Jim-Bob, I'm not gonna wait all day.

What did I do with
that frame design?

Jim-Bob, Daddy's
waiting for you in the mill,

- and he's not in a very good mood.
- I better hurry up.

Come on, I have as much experience
unplugging drains as most plumbers.

- How's it going?
- Okay, I guess.

Let old Easy Jackson
take a look at them plans.

Maybe I can help you out.

Then again, maybe I can't.

I'll see you later, Jeffrey.

Jim-Bob, as soon as
you've finished that,

help Easy with that
delivery to Pickett's, all right?

Hey, I worked on the clutch,
but now the accelerator's sticking.

Daddy, we need a new truck.

We need a new everything,
but there's a war on, remember?

I'm going over to Murdock's.

What the... Where's
Easy, Jim-Bob?

Easy, what the hell are you doing? I
told you to load this truck an hour ago.

Well, Rose fixed me a sandwich,
and then Jeffrey, there, needed my help.

Are you working for me
or are you making racers?

Now, get this loaded now!

Jim-Bob, give him a
hand and don't hold him up!

What happened? Jim-Bob.
Where's Jim-Bob? Jim-Bob?

Jim-Bob, are you all right, Son?

How bad is it, Doc?

Well, except for a simple fracture
and a mild concussion, he's fine.

Looks like I have to give
up arm-wrestling for a while.

Well, that arm will
take time to mend.

Mrs. Willard, I expect you
can keep an eye on him.

- Do you want to see him again?
- When the cast is ready to come off.

You just take it easy for a couple
of days, don't try to do too much.

- Okay.
- Thank you, Doc.

- Come on, Son, let's go home.
- Bye-bye.

Jim-Bob, look at your arm.

Well, there's no need
to make a fuss over me.

I'm okay.

You should have gotten
the Purple Heart, Jim-Bob.

I'm sorry, Jim-Bob. I feel
really terrible about this.

- Come on, you've got to get some rest.
- I still got one good arm.

Don't bother to argue.
Nurse's orders. To bed.

I'm sorry, John.

Easy, you're fired.

Yes, sir.

I don't know if you ought
to have done that, Daddy.

You need all the help
you can get right now.

I don't need that kind of
help. Let's go look at the mill.

What a disaster.

My joiner, my best
power saw, ruined.

Can they be fixed?

It's gonna need new parts.
I'll never get them these days.

You got a lot of orders?

Yeah, and I can't
even fill them.

What are you gonna do?

Clean up this mess and go to the co-op,
see if we can borrow some machinery.

That sounds good.
Let's get busy.

Well, I'm sorry
to hear that, John.

I'd like to let you have the
equipment if I could spare it,

but, well, I can't.
Not just yet.

Yeah, I was afraid of that.

Everybody we've talked
to has said the same thing.

Listen, why don't you try
with the Army supply depot?

They might be able
to give you some help.

Already been over there.

By the time they get through the
paperwork, it'd be too late anyway.

I got a big order to get out, and
I don't have much time to do it.

Thanks anyway, Joe.

Listen, I'd love to help you
out if I could, but, well, I can't.

All right, Joe.

Good afternoon, ladies.

- Hi, Corabeth.
- Hi.

I have just heard of
Jim-Bob's misfortune.

Please extend to him
my heartfelt condolences.

He doesn't want to be
fussed over, Corabeth.

Men are such silly stoics.
Being ill or injured is no fun at all,

unless you can complain
and get a little attention.

Well, little boys are taught not to
cry. I guess that's where it all starts.

What's going on over there?

Mr. Godsey and Jeffrey are
having a business conference,

to which I have been
happily excluded.

Soap Box Derby? Well, that's fine,
but what has it got to do with me?

I'm getting to that. See, to be
in the race, I need a sponsor.

- Yeah, but does that cost money?
- Maybe a little.

But the sponsor gets to
put his name on the racer.

- Oh, yeah?
- And if I make it to the finals,

then people from all over will
know about Godsey's store.

Hey, that's not a half-bad idea.

I can see myself
in the newsreels.

- Will that be all, ladies?
- That's it.

Mary Ellen, as a close relative,

I feel it my duty
to point out to you

that John has not been
looking at all well lately.

He's been working too hard.

Oh, well, the pressures of the
world at war is too much with all of us.

I'm hoping I can get him to
slow down. Come on, Serena.

- You want me to get Jeffrey?
- Oh, no, I wouldn't interrupt the meeting.

Big business, you know,
for Mr. Godsey, that is.

- Bye-bye, Corabeth.
- Bye.

- I thought you'd like the idea.
- So, when's the local race?

There isn't one, but there
could be if you started it.

Now, wait a minute.

You expect me to promote a
race, here on Walton's Mountain?

Why not? It would
be good for business.

See, all you have to do is write the
All-American Soap Box Derby at Akron.

You know what? You're a
pretty shrewd young man.

I knew you'd know a good
deal when you saw one.

I know that, John, but that kind
of equipment's hard to come by,

- especially now.
- Can't you use Sarver's influence?

He's a big shot. Just ask him.

New equipment's frozen.
The government gets it all.

John, I think you just
have to face the facts.

You can't fill all the orders
we've placed with you.

I'll find a way.

Finish this job you're
on now, if you can,

but I'm gonna pull the rest of your orders
and redistribute them to the other mills.

Now, wait a minute.
You can't do that.

It's not my decision, it's
Matt's. He told me this morning.

Just until you get your
mill back in operation.

What good's that gonna do
me if I don't have any work?

Thank Sarver a lot for
his support, all right?

This sure beats barracks life.

Too bad Daddy's
in trouble, though.

I'm just glad you were
able to get a furlough.

I wonder how Ben's doing.

I hear those Seabees
are a pretty tough outfit.

Ben will do all right.
He's pretty tough himself.

This is the time of day
where I miss him the most,

when Virginia's asleep and
everybody's just sitting around.

Absence makes the
heart grow fonder.

I know, but it can hurt, too.

Hey, Jeffrey, you decided
what color you're gonna paint it?

- I thought maybe white.
- How about blue?

No, not blue. Pink.

Pink? For a boy's race car?
I think it should be yellow.

- I still say blue.
- Not blue. Green.

- Green? Green is too ordinary.
- Yellow's not ordinary?

Tell you what, Jeffrey,

I think you ought to paint it fire-engine
red with a big white stripe down the side.

I still say blue.

Jeffrey, you can paint
that car any color you want.

I'm not sure anymore.

I think I can make
delivery on those orders.

You're gonna be able to get
the mill put back together in time?

I won't have to. I've
been out at the old mill.

I think that saw
will do the job.

You can't finish an
order with that old thing.

It'd take forever.

Me and Pa started with that
saw. It'll do the job or else...

I forgot how back-breaking
this work was.

At least we're making
some headway.

It'll be in shape for the
Air Corps, that's for sure.

Oh, no. Oh, no.

Oh, no.

I might be able to fix it,
Daddy, but it'll take a while.

With your broken arm?
This motor is ruined.

I don't believe this.

I don't believe this.

Daddy.

You know what?

I quit.

I quit. That's it.

I quit.

- How's it going, Jeffrey?
- Okay, I guess.

You want me to help
you put that screw in?

I can do it.

I still got one good
arm, you know.

The book says I'm
supposed to do it by myself.

Well, you are,

everybody needs a
little help, now and then.

I don't mind helping
you. I'd enjoy it.

Thanks just the same.

I'm supposed to tell you
it's time to get ready for bed.

I'd sure like to finish this.

Well, if you hold it, and
I turned the screwdriver,

you'd be helping me,
not me helping you.

Hi, honey. Come, sit down.

I can't sleep.

I remember when you couldn't
sleep when you were a little girl.

You'd come out here and you'd
curl up with your mama and me.

Next thing I knew, I'd
wake up back in my own bed

with the sun shining
through the curtains.

You know, your ma and me
would be sitting here late at night,

sitting real close together.

We'd look up and there you'd be,
and you'd snuggle in right between us,

somehow, you'd
get right in there.

And you'd never let me take
you up to bed till you were asleep.

If I'd try to take you up too early,
you'd say, "No, not yet, Daddy, not yet."

- Daddy, are you all right?
- Oh, sure, honey. I'm fine.

What are we gonna
do about the mill?

You know, all my life,

I got real upset if
there was no work.

When I was younger,
I'd take it out on Grandpa.

I'd start yelling at him, and
he'd give me a hard look,

and he'd turn around
and he'd walk away.

And pretty soon, I'd see
him walking down the road

with a fishing pole
on his shoulder.

A few hours later, he'd come back
with a peaceful look on his face,

couple of bass on a string.

And he'd come up to
me, and he'd say, "Son,

"we've got a roof over our
head. We're not starving.

"That's all that counts."

Well, he was getting older and probably
a lot more tired than he ever let on.

You've always been the one
who's had to make ends meet.

You know, you're grown now, you've
got your own work. So does Erin.

Jason and Ben
are in the service.

Pa's gone.

Ma's off visiting.

Liv is over at the
hospital with John-Boy.

Daddy, do you know
what battle fatigue is?

I've seen it a lot
at the hospital.

Soldiers who've been
in combat too long.

There's nothing wrong
with them physically.

They're just
exhausted, like you.

Well, there's a cure for that.

Just sit back and enjoy.

I think a vacation would
do you a lot of good.

I'm not talking about
a vacation, honey.

I've cut my last
piece of lumber.

I'm through.

- Isn't love grand?
- Yes, but time-consuming.

It's the same letter she was writing to
Ben last night. How much can you write?

You'd be surprised.

I'm trying to get this done,

so that you can drop it off
for me on your way to work.

All right, but only if
we can read it first.

The morning bird does
sing, does sing, does sing

- Good morning, everyone.
- Good morning, John.

How are you,
honey. Good morning.

Rose, what's for
breakfast? I'm starved.

- Sit down and find out.
- And how are you two this morning?

- I'm fine.
- Good morning.

- John Curtis, what are you up to?
- Throwing food.

- Did you sleep well, Daddy?
- I slept wonderfully.

Did anybody notice what
a nice day it is outside?

Thank you, Rose. Where's Jason?

The boys are out
doing their chores.

Well, I was gonna take him
up on his offer to go hunting.

What's the matter? I
say something wrong?

Or doesn't anybody like rabbit
stew around here anymore?

Pass the bread, will you, honey.

Jason, Jason, just
take a look at that.

Just look at the way the
sun's coming through that tree.

Is it not beautiful?

It's been a dog's age since
we've been up here, Daddy.

You know, Pa taught
me to hunt in these woods

when I was just a little boy.

Many a time, we'd come
home empty-handed,

but Pa said that didn't matter.

There's nothing like
a walk in the woods

to show a man what's important
and what's not important.

Right.

It'd be nice if there was
some snow on the ground.

It'd make it a lot
easier to track.

Daddy.

It's yours.

You remember the day
John-Boy shot that bear?

- Don't let him go, Daddy.
- He saved my life, you know.

I thought we were gonna
have rabbit stew tonight.

Oh, don't worry about
that old rabbit, Jason.

You know, that was his first hunt.
He was no bigger than Elizabeth.

I remember. You
were hunting turkey.

That's right, that's right.
And we found one, a big one.

And I said to
John-Boy, "Take it, Son."

And he got that old
turkey right in his sights,

and the old turkey
stared back at him.

And they stared at
each other for a while.

And then John-Boy
put down his gun.

He felt like a real
coward that day.

- Until he shot the bear.
- That's right.

What a day that was.

You know, Pa and me came up
here and looked all over for that turkey

for about a week, week-and-a-half,
never could find him.

- But I'll tell you a secret?
- Yeah?

I did find him one day on
the other side of the mountain,

and I had him cornered,
and I had him in my sights,

and he stared back at me
just like he stared at John-Boy.

Far as I know, he's still
wandering around these woods.

"Here, the spinner cap is placed
outside the third set of washers,

"between the locknut
and the wheel?"

Well, that's starting
to look like a real racer.

If only I could get this
wheel on so that it would spin.

Well, let's have a look at
the directions there, huh?

Well, now, that
doesn't look too difficult.

Well, your washer is the key
there. You see, that's the trick.

Now, what you want to do
is put your washer on here,

and then you mount
your wheel, like so.

Now, then, you got your two
more washers here, you see.

There you go. Now, you
want to get your spin-nut going.

There's your...

You see? Now after
that goes your locknut.

Your grandpa wasn't very handy,
so I had to learn a thing or two.

Well, I've got to do
my woman's work now.

That's going to be a
mighty fine car, Jeffrey.

It really is.

- It's just like the old days, isn't it?
- Sure is, honey.

We used to go fishing, and then
you'd tell me stories about old Joe.

Yeah, you think
we'll snag him today?

I don't know that I believe
in a 10-foot catfish anymore.

Joe's not 10-foot.
He's much bigger.

He's grown since I
first told you about him.

- You don't believe me, Elizabeth?
- I believe you.

Yeah, well, you know,
I hear lately he's been...

He's been eating
fishing boats for supper

and fishermen, especially
little fishermen, for dessert.

Well, then, I think that we had better
get some better fishing equipment,

because he can break
these fishing poles right in half.

Elizabeth, there was a
time you used to believe me.

Well, I still like
it when you try.

Come on, let's go
catch that old Joe.

After you, my dear.

- Hi, Ike.
- Hi, John.

Gee, I'm sorry to hear about all
that trouble you had at the mill.

All that's behind me now.

Ike, how about a
little game of pool?

I'd like to, John,

but every time I get started, somebody
comes in, and then I gotta stop.

Let Corabeth run the store.

She's not here, she went into
Charlottesville this morning.

In fact, she's been there twice this week
buying perfume for the perfume counter.

I don't understand it.

Sounds like she needs an
excuse to get out of the store.

Remember the old days, Ike. We
played pool, you'd close up the store,

Pa would rack them up, we'd
get out a jug of the Recipe,

- and we'd play till suppertime.
- Yeah.

Well, that was before I
was married to Corabeth.

But you got to admit, she's
made this place shipshape.

What do you say, Ike?

I don't know.

That old jug still around?

Rack them up.

- Here you go, John.
- You're up, Ike.

How much to bet?

Boy, do I feel hot today.

How much you owe me, Ike?

I think I owe you 50 cents.

Right after this shot, you're
gonna owe me the store.

Just watch.

Mr. Godsey, I want to know,

what in the name
of Jove is going on?

I decided to take
the afternoon off.

Hi, Corabeth.

John, please, I am
speaking to my husband.

Corabeth, could I have my
cue ball, because it's my shot?

This is a respectable
establishment and not a pool hall.

Corabeth, I sincerely request
that you give me the cue ball,

because if you don't, John
Walton is going to bankrupt us.

Godsey, you shock
me to the very core.

We're drinking, too.

You got any nice cigars
in this place, Corabeth?

Out of here, both
of you, this minute.

Boy, I know when
I'm not wanted, Ike.

Out.

Keep going. CORABETH:
And do not come back.

- Hello?
- Jason, this is Corabeth.

I was wondering, is Mr. Godsey
over there, by any chance?

No, he isn't. I thought
maybe Daddy was over there.

Oh, dear.

What's the matter?

Oh, well, I'm afraid
I've done a terrible thing.

I ordered them both
out of the store today.

But I thought surely Mr. Godsey
would've returned by now.

- Daddy hasn't come home either.
- Oh!

Where on earth do
you suppose they are?

Well, if they didn't say anything to
you, Corabeth, they could be anywhere.

Oh, dear, I feel
like such a fool.

I had just returned

from a very unsuccessful
shopping trip in Charlottesville,

only to discover that
they were playing billiards.

I'm afraid that they had been drinking
some of the Baldwin Recipe, as well.

Perhaps, I spoke a
little too vehemently.

I wouldn't worry about it, Corabeth.
They'll be home soon enough.

Well, if you see Mr. Godsey,

please tell him that I spoke
in the heat of the moment.

I will, Corabeth. Bye-bye.

Thank you.

You know, you're all
right, you know that?

For you're a jolly good fellow

For you're a jolly good fellow
JOHN: For he's a jolly good fellow

- No, you're a jolly good fellow
- For he's a jolly good fellow

You're a jolly good fellow

Jason Walton, why didn't
you come in earlier, Son?

- How are you, boy?
- Hey, Ike.

Ike? Ike?

Corabeth called.
She's looking for you.

She's a pretty lady. You
should take me to her.

We've gotta get you straightened
up before we take you home, Ike.

He's in no condition to
see Corabeth right now.

Wait a second, I
only had two drinks.

I'm not gonna drive, Ike.

Ten hut.

Forward march.

Hut, two, three, four.

- Hut, two, three, four.
- Come on, Ike, stay in step.

Hut, two. Left.

- Left.
- Left.

Left. IKE: Left.

Hut, two, three, four, hut...

Stay in step there,
Private Godsey.

Hut, two, three, four, hut.

Squad, halt!

You see, they should've taken
us into the Army, right, Ike?

You know, if they had taken the two of
us in the Army, the war would be over now.

Well, if you two
decide to join up,

I hope they don't send
you to Camp Rockfish.

He'd be our sergeant.

Now, just a minute,
young whippersnapper.

We may look like
two old geezers,

but we got a lot of vim
and vigor left in us still.

That's right, boy, we'd
show them a thing or three.

As a matter of fact, would you like to
see how it was done in the First World War?

- Yeah. The big war.
- Yeah, go right ahead.

- Ike, are you ready?
- Are you gonna be the sergeant?

- I was then and I am now.
- And I'll be the private.

Okay, are you ready? Come on.

And attention.

About face.

Come on, come...

Let's show him,
come on. Right. Face.

Forward march.

I ain't going in that water.

You said you'd follow
me anywhere, Ike.

I said I'll follow you, but I ain't
going in. I'll follow you, all right?

Okay.

Now, watch this, here we go.

Ten hut.

About face.

Forward march.

Who's got the soap?

Listen you all, I...

I got something to tell you.

I've been going through
a tough time, lately.

I guess I haven't
been very happy,

but that's all right.
Those things happen.

It's just that I don't bounce
back as quick as I used to.

That happens when
you get older, you know?

There's nothing wrong with
acting like a kid once in a while.

You gotta find a way to blow off
steam when things get too much.

But enough is enough.

I mean, I got Ike in all
kinds of trouble tonight.

Corabeth sure had a few choice
words for him when he got home,

but Ike hardly listened.
He'll be all right.

I almost drowned your brother.

But even more
important than that, I...

I've noticed the look in
your eyes the past few days.

I don't want to hurt you. I
don't want to confuse you.

So, I just want you to know
I love you all very much,

and I'm still your dad, and
I'm going to be your dad.

I'm not saying I'm not
gonna act silly once in a while,

but...

I'm too old to change.

Tell you what, I'll
make you a bargain.

I won't quit on you if
you don't quit on me.

John, what are you gonna do?

I don't know.

I know you'll probably say no, but
J.D. has offered you a job at Pickett's.

That's right, honey, I'd say no.

I guess I...

I'll probably get up tomorrow morning
and go out to the mill and clean it up

and hunt around for some new
machinery and get back in business.

It won't be easy, but you'll
all be around to help me.

Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do.

Welcome back, Daddy.

- Hey. That's nice.
- Nice?

Well, I mean, you know, it's
really, I mean, it's really great.

Jim-Bob loaned me his
horn and hood ornament.

Really classy.

It steers easy and
it's got good brakes.

That's great.

- Is there something wrong?
- No.

Well, as a matter of fact,
there is something the matter.

Did I spell the name
wrong or something?

Oh, no, no, you
spelled it right, Jeffrey.

I got a letter from the All-American
Soap Box Derby people in Ohio and...

What did they say?

The race has been postponed
this year because of the war, but...

I'm sorry.

They aren't gonna
even have it at all?

No, but they'll have it next
year, and then you can enter.

If the war's over.

Well, but you did a really great
job. That's what's important.

What's a racer without a race?

Well, I mean, it looks sleek and
great just sitting there, you know.

Well, if you like it, and
it's got your name on it,

then you should keep it.

Here, Easy, hold that
up there for a minute.

I heard you was back
in business, John.

Got a long way to go before I
can say I'm back in business.

Well, you ain't quit.
That's the main thing.

I'd like to help you get going.

You would, huh?

Yeah.

Easy, I'm not sure I can
pay anybody for a while.

Well, I figure I owe you for the work
I didn't do when I was here before.

Maybe Rose could make me a
sandwich every now and then.

Maybe.

How'd you hear I
was back in business?

Old Joe Murdock told me.

- All the folks are glad you're back, John.
- Is that right?

That's right.

Come on, Easy, get to work.

J.D.?

Sure glad to hear
you're rolling again, John.

Well...

Here's your first order.

I appreciate this, J.D., it's gonna be
a long time before I can fill any orders.

Well, that may be, John, but
after doing business elsewhere,

I'd rather deal with you, even
if it means I have to wait a little.

You just let me know if you
need anything to speed things up.

Well, J.D., how about some
manpower and some equipment?

Well, I don't know about
that right now, John.

I'm pretty hard put to
keep my own plant going,

but I'll surely
see what I can do.

On to victory, John.

Oh, Ben, don't hang up yet.
It's so good to hear your voice.

I'm just about
running out of quarters.

Besides, there's a group of guys
here waiting to use the phone.

I can't wait to see
you this weekend.

Is Daddy there?

No, he's still
working in the mill.

He's trying to get things
back together again.

Don't tell him I'm
coming. We'll surprise him.

I won't.

I love you, Ben.

Virginia loves you.

We both miss you.

I miss you both, also.

I'll be seeing you soon.

Good night, honey.

- Good night, Ben.
- I love you.

Keep your shirt on, sailor.

- It's not the end of the world, Jeffrey.
- Leave me alone.

Life goes on, you know.

Now, things are
bound to get better.

- Well, they can't get any worse.
- You're a help.

Hey, Jeffrey, Ike's
here to see you.

Come on.

Hi, Jeffrey.

- Are you ready for the race?
- What race?

Well, the First Annual Walton's Mountain
Soap Box Derby Time Trials Race,

- that's what race.
- Every racer has to have a racing scarf.

- And don't forget the gloves.
- You gotta have goggles.

Certainly looks like
he's getting ready.

But I thought there
wasn't gonna be any race.

Well, just because the
Derby's been postponed,

that doesn't mean that
we can't have a race.

- But it won't be a real one.
- Sure it will.

If you're gonna enter the next
one, you got to test your racer.

Sure, Jeffrey, you've
got to make sure it works.

Just like the time trials
at the Indianapolis 500.

Racing against time.

- Well, what are we waiting for?
- Nothing. Let's go.

Hey, wait for me.

All right. We're all
ready down here.

Okay, Nana.

Is it fire the gun and pull the rope,
or pull the rope and fire the gun?

Oh, no, fire the gun
and pull the rope.

Driver ready?

On your mark.

Go, Jeffrey, go.

- Let's go, Jeffrey.
- Come on, Jeffrey.

There he goes.

- Come on, Jeffrey.
- Hey, come on, Jeffrey.

Come on, Jeffrey, you got this.

- Come on, here he comes.
- Come on, Jeffrey.

Okay, come on, now.

All right. - You did it,

on behalf of the Godsey Store.

Hold it now. Hold it, now,
everybody. I'll be right back.

I've got something right here.

Okay, quiet, everybody. Quiet,
everybody. Now, I've got a presentation.

On behalf of the Godsey Store, I take
great pleasure in presenting this trophy

to the winner of the First Annual Walton's
Mountain Soap Box Derby Time Trials,

Jeffrey Burton.

- All right.
- There you go.

- Gotcha.
- Now, everybody tickle the boy.

Hi, there. How's the truck doing?
- Doing good.

Easy found some parts
over at the junkyard.

One of them sandwiches for me?

You help yourself.
We're having a picnic.

Well, what's going on here?

- Ben!
- Surprise, Daddy.

- Good to see you.
- Good to see you, too.

What is this?

Brought my buddies
along with me to help.

Yeah, a good thing, too, 'cause we
needed all the hands we could get.

What's going on?

Looks like a
barn-raising to me, John.

Except it's not the barn
we're raising, it's the mill.

I borrowed a bunch
of tools from the base.

Surprise!

I can't believe this.

It would've taken me weeks
to get this kind of work done.

Well, it's just our way
of saying thank you

to somebody that's always been
willing to help us when we needed it.

That's right, John. I'm not
an old skinflint all the time,

especially when I can't do
business without your lumber.

Matt Sarver's no skinflint,
either. He sent you a new joiner.

- I'm about to faint.
- We need a speech.

- Speech.
- Speech.

Come on. Come on. Come on, John.

- Come on, Dad.
- Speech.

Well,

I can't believe all this. I
don't know what to say,

except that I guess
with friends like you all,

and this family I got,

there's just no way a
man's gonna give up.

Nice to have you back, Daddy.

Thanks to the efforts
of friends and family,

the mill was soon
back in operation.

My father, armed with a renewed
sense of purpose and confidence,

continued to serve as a source of
strength and assurance in the days to come.

Elizabeth, are you sure there's a
10-foot catfish in Drucilla's Pond?

- I'm sure.
- Did you ever see it?

- No, but it's there.
- I don't believe it.

Will you girls be quiet?
I'm trying to get some sleep.

How do you know it's
there if you've never seen it?

'Cause Daddy told
me. Good night, Daddy.

Good night, honey.

English -SDH