The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 9, Episode 7 - The Last Ten Days - full transcript

You'd think the Japanese would
have come to their senses by now.

I still don't think they
know what hit 'em.

If they haven't figured that
after Nagasaki and Hiroshima,

then perhaps we'd best
continue the bombing.

You know what worries me?
I'll tell you what worries me.

The Japanese
haven't surrendered.

Do you think it's because
they have an atomic bomb?

Won't be long, Ike,
before everybody does.

Why can't the Japanese see
that it's time to stop fighting?

What are they going to do to Ben if
they don't even care about their own lives?

Murderers die now!



Colonel Mitaui even threatened

to execute all the
prisoners today.

It really worries me, Ben.
He's crazy enough to do it.

In all our lives,
there are moments

we are meant to
remember forever,

in every small
detail and shading.

To my family, on
Walton's Mountain,

such a moment came in
the late summer of 1945.

The war in Europe was over.

The worst of the Japanese
war still la y ahead.

On that hot Sunday in August,

an unexpected visitor
came to Walton's Mountain,

brought by the notion that something
was wrong with my brother Jason,

who was waiting to be
shipped home from France.



- Hi, Toni!
- Hi, Toni!

Hi! How you doing?

What brings you here?

It's Jason. I think there's
something's wrong.

- What makes you think that?
- I got a letter from him yesterday,

and there was just
something in his tone.

Well, what did the letter say?

You know Jason. He
didn't say much of anything.

But he was obviously trying to
hide something. He is so transparent.

Well, now, do you think
he's in some kind of trouble?

- No.
- Well, could he be sick?

I don't think so.

Well, thank the Lord. If he's not sick and
he's not in trouble, then he's all right.

Now we can go back
to worrying about Ben.

Jason is not all right!

If you say so, Toni.

Well, you've heard
from him since we have.

I'm sorry. I didn't come
here to upset everybody.

It's just that... I
have this feeling.

Look, how about a nice,
cold glass of lemonade?

No, thank you. I've got
to get to the Baldwins'

before I get back
to Camp Rockfish.

What's at the Baldwins'?

Just delivering a
present from Jason.

Something he picked up
for them, just before I left.

I'll see you all later. Bye-bye.

- Bye.
- Bye-bye.

Well, it looks like Cindy isn't
the only one with a premonition.

Either that, or Toni just wanted to make
sure that Jason hadn't been here already.

- John-Boy.
- Cindy!

- Hi.
- Sit down.

I know you wanted to
get away from the family.

I hope I'm not bothering you.

Oh, no. It's the work
that's bothering me.

Well, I thought I'd get out and take a
walk, try and keep my mind off of things.

Cindy, Ben's
going to be just fine.

I wish that I could be as
sure of that as you are.

At least we know he's a prisoner.
That's a lot better than missing in action.

Yes. You know,

I woke up this morning,
and all I could think about was

how hot and pasty
Walton's Mountain was.

If it's this hot here, what's it like in
that jungle on the other side of the world?

If that's where he is, he's
probably a lot cooler than we are.

Why?

For one thing, they're
used to this kind of weather.

And for another, it's
the middle of the night.

- Hey, Ben?
- Yeah?

- It's Norm. Are you okay?
- Oh, God! It's hotter than hell in here.

- Here, I brought you some chow.
- Thank you.

- What is this mess?
- Chef's special.

I think it started out to
be boiled rice and fish.

It's awful.

Yeah, well, the way the war's going, the
Nips ain't eating much better than we are.

Sleeping, they
aren't doing as good.

Everyone's so nervous in
the service out there, huh?

Yeah, every day
it's a little worse.

Colonel Mitaui even threatened
to execute all the prisoners today.

It really worries me, Ben.
He's crazy enough to do it.

- MacArthur starting to worry them?
- I bet there's more than that.

Hold it.

What's going on?

You talking.

Come on, Corporal. You
can't stop me from dreaming.

Quiet!

What the hell
was all that about?

That's Corporal Kiyono.
He heard us talking.

Get the hell back to the
barracks. Man, he's a weirdo.

Yeah, well, maybe you'd be, too,

if your whole family was
wiped out by enemy bombers.

- Norm, thanks.
- Take care of yourself, Ben.

What a dear,
thoughtful boy, Sister.

All the way from Paris, Sister.

- And it's just like the other.
- The other?

The one that was broken, dear.

It always stood on the piano
until it was accidentally knocked off.

We won't say by whom.

But it was very nice
of him to replace it.

It's the telephone, Sister.

- So it is!
- I believe it's your turn to answer it.

I do love the
sound of that bell.

Telephone calls used to be such
a rarity, but lately we've become

quite accustomed to them.

I do hope that's
cousin Mirabelle.

She had aphids when we last spoke
and we've been most concerned.

We get at least one call a week
from the bank in Charlottesville

and several from Corabeth.

And you'd be surprised
at the number of

ailing people in Jefferson County
who call in need of the Recipe.

Sister, the telephone!

Well, it was your
turn and you lost it.

The Baldwin ladies are
usually always home at this hour.

Well, maybe they heard
about Jason and left.

Well, who could have told them?

Yeah, you've got a point there.

I think the operator just
got the wrong number.

- It's the telephone again, Sister.
- I'll get it!

I believe it's my
turn this time, Emily.

Surely you're not going to
count that last turn as a turn.

I most certainly am.

Why don't you let
me get it? Excuse me.

Hello? Yes, it is. This is
Toni Hazelton speaking.

Oh, Toni! This is Corabeth.

I have been trying to call
Miss Mamie and Miss Emily

and tell them that Jason
is home from the war.

He's on his way to
the house right now.

Toni?

I just looked out in the yard,
and I said, "That can't be Jason!"

- Oh, I can't believe that you're home!
- I can't believe it either!

- You just look terrific, Jason.
- And you never looked better.

Oh, Jason!

Ben will be back
with us soon, sweetie.

Oh, I hope so. I'm just
so glad that you're home.

Hey, last time I saw you, you were
looking forward to a little leisure time

in the South of France.

Yeah, but thanks to an article in Stars
and Stripes about active minefields,

they decided to put me
on a demolition squad.

If I'm not mistaken, that article
was written by a certain reporter

I know very well.

- Oh, no, not me.
- Where's Daddy?

Oh, he had some
business in Richmond.

He won't be home till late.

Hey!

- Where did you come from?
- Who cares? I'm here, aren't I?

That's my girl.
Don't ever change.

- Jason!
- Daddy!

I thought I was
seeing things, Son.

Why didn't you tell
somebody you were coming?

I like surprises.

So do I, especially like this.
How long are you home for?

Thirty days.

That's a long furlough,
they must have plans for you.

Yeah. They're shipping
me out to the Pacific.

You're looking good,
Son. You're looking good.

So are you, Daddy.

Go!

Where do you think we're going?

I don't know. Maybe
to build some ditches.

Or graves.

- Good morning, Jason.
- Good morning, Rose.

- Mmm, bacon.
- And eggs. How's that?

Sounds great. Sure
is quiet around here.

Well, everybody thought
you'd want to sleep late today.

I don't know why they'd
think a thing like that.

What's the news this morning?

Well, President Truman's
still not back from Potsdam.

I'm sure glad I didn't try
to get a ride home with him.

Well, they're sending more
Superfortresses to bomb Japan

and there's more fighting in China
and MacArthur is closing the trap

on Yamashita in the Philippines.

- Ben could be there, somewhere.
- I know.

Cindy seems to be
taking it pretty well.

Well, she's trying very
hard, Jason, she really is.

But doggone it, sometimes
it just bubbles over.

It's this...

It's this waiting, that's
what it is. This awful waiting.

There's no getting around it.

Wednesday and Thursday
Song of Bernadette is playing.

A girl I know said
she cried four times.

- Well, that's a shame.
- Drew, what did I just say?

Well, you said something
about... I don't know.

You wanna get out and walk
to Charlottesville or hitch a ride?

'Cause I've got no reason
for going there at all.

Well, look, if it means that
much to you, just say it again.

I mean, if it's that important.

- I wouldn't dream of it.
- Okay. Fine then.

Since about Friday of last week, I
don't know what's come over you.

You're thoughtless. You
hardly pay attention to anything.

Me! Why, you're not even
looking where you're driving.

Well, I'm not the one who goes
running his bicycle into trees.

It's not my wheel we're
picking up in Charlottesville.

- Drew, there's no bicycle shop here.
- Well, I lied.

Oh, you don't have a busted bicycle
wheel, is that what you're telling me?

What I'm telling you is that what
happened Friday changed my whole life.

Well, a lot happened on Friday.
What exactly are you talking about?

What I'm talking about is an
army airplane with a jet engine

that flew from Dayton,
Ohio to LaGuardia Field.

That's 544 miles and
it did it in 62 minutes.

That's not the plane that ran into
the Empire State Building, is it?

No, that was an old B-25 bomber.

What we're talking about is a
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star.

The fastest plane in the world.

I had a funny idea we
were talking about a bicycle.

Look, Elizabeth, there's only
one thing I want to be now

and it's a jet engine pilot.

- What about us?
- War is hell, Elizabeth.

The men got to go,
the women got to wait.

And the kids stand
around talking dumb.

Look. They are going
to need 500 new pilots

for the P-80 Shooting Star
and I'm going to be one of them.

When they ask you where
your high school diploma is,

just tell them you'll come
back when you grow up.

- I thought you were writing today.
- Hey, Jason.

No, I got too many other
things on my mind, I guess.

Like keeping out the cold weather,
huh? What is that stuff, anyway?

It's a secret
formula called mud.

What will they dream up next?

- I've been thinking.
- Yeah?

With everything coming
up in the Pacific now,

maybe I ought to be out
there helping to cover it.

Are you crazy?

As a civilian correspondent, I
mean. For one of the magazines.

I've been listening to
you now for 24 years

and in all that time, that
is the silliest damned thing

I have ever heard
come out of you.

How long could it go on? The whole
invasion of Germany was only 11 months.

Japan's rugged. We are not going
to be able to use any heavy artillery.

Just rifles, bayonets,
flame throwers.

That's going to be a
pretty hairy invasion.

We might not need an invasion.
They've got no planes left.

Like in the Philippines, before we
hit the beaches. And then, suddenly...

Boy!

And no Navy. We could sail
right into Tokyo Harbor today.

Sailing is nice. Going
ashore is more of a problem.

Whatever happened
to the old Jason Walton?

The world's most
incurable optimist.

He was standing between
two friends in Germany

when they were both
killed by sniper fire.

- You all right?
- I don't know.

I got a gash on my leg.

- Walk. Walk.
- Here, let me help you.

Come on.

I can't go any further.

Let me take a look at it.

- I think you're going to be all right.
- Damn.

What about us?

- What are these things?
- Sweet potatoes.

Quiet.

Why do I get the feeling
this is like the last supper?

Be quiet, Norm,
or it just might be.

Walk.

- That's better.
- Better than what?

Your whole general
attitude these last few days.

Oh, yeah. General Attitude.
I served under him in France.

I'm sorry. I guess I have
had a lot on my mind, lately.

Oh, no need to guess.

When something is on your
mind, it pops out in all directions.

That's what I've been
missing. The abuse.

I'm glad you're back.

It's just the reason
you're back that I don't like.

I've been doing a
lot of thinking, lately.

You better watch out.

You can get kicked
out of the army for that.

John-Boy says I'm not
an optimist anymore.

My father said he was always
a pessimist, until he got married.

- I said, my father always said...
- I heard what your father said.

He was a very smart man.

Toni, your father is
not going to Japan.

- I am.
- That's why I brought it up,

instead of waiting
for you to mention it.

The reason I haven't mentioned
it, all the times I've wanted to,

is because I'm going to
be gone for a very long time.

- Right now you're here.
- Two years, maybe three.

And the ones who get back alive aren't
going to be the same people anymore.

What are you saying,
Jason? In brief.

- What I'm saying is...
- I know what you're saying.

Okay.

This is the last time I
ever propose to you.

Where are you going?

- Back to Camp Rockfish.
- Toni, wait.

Please don't try and
stop me. I've had it, Jason.

Really. We are through.

Her jeep's outside. She
taking him away again?

She who, honey?

Oh, can't you tell by the
tone of her voice, Rose?

It's either Toni Hazelton
or Typhoid Mary.

We don't see her
for a year at a time

and all of a sudden, she's
prowling around every day.

What is she up to?

Anyone who would ask a question
like that is too young to get an answer.

Some people's minds don't work
like other people I could name.

Oh, get with it, Elizabeth. That
woman is 23 years old if she's a day.

And dying on the vine.

Now, if you were an
old maid army sergeant

and somebody as absolutely
eligible as Jason was wandering loose,

where do you think you would
be prowling around every day?

But there are millions
of guys in the army.

- Not as gorgeous as your brother.
- And not as thick-headed, either.

- When it comes to women, that is.
- You three are all alike, you know that?

Everybody's all alike, Elizabeth,
when it comes to hunting husbands.

Oh, they hiked out of
here about 20 minutes ago,

so I can bet just about where
they have gotten to by now.

Or where she's gotten to.

They're probably sitting
on Whittler's Rock right now.

This little one isn't
as naive as she looks!

What have you and
Drew been up to anyway?

I don't have to take this,
especially not from my sisters.

- All right, everybody, warm up the radio!
- What is it?

I just heard they are about to
make an important announcement.

They have been making a lot of important
announcements all through this war,

but none of them seem
to bring it closer to an end.

This one is extra important.

News service has just
announced that a single bomb,

described as an atomic bomb,

2,000 times more powerful than
any explosive ever before devised,

was dropped today on the important
Japanese army center of Hiroshima.

The atomic device was said
to have the destructive force

- of 20,000 tons of TNT.
- God almighty!

Details of the bomb's
effects are still not known

because of an impenetrable cloud
of dust and smoke covering the city.

But it is believed that the
devastation must have been total,

with the loss of life numbering
into the tens of thousands.

The President said that if the
Japanese do not now accept our terms,

they ma y expect a
rain of ruin from the air.

I'm sorry, Mary Ellen, but
we're all out of canned peas.

How can you be out of peas?

Oh, my suppliers these
days are moving like snails.

They all got one
ear glued to the radio

and they are waiting for
the other shoe to drop.

You'd think the Japanese would
have come to their senses by now.

I still don't think they
know what hit 'em.

If they haven't figured that
after Nagasaki and Hiroshima,

then perhaps we'd best
continue the bombing.

Well, it doesn't sound
very appealing to me.

Well, I'll settle for just one
delivery truck from Richmond.

I know how your suppliers feel.

I haven't had the heart to
write a single word all week.

I don't know what to
think about the bomb.

If it ends the war, that's fine.

But right now, it doesn't
seem to be doing that.

It's such a terrifying weapon.

Well, I would think that it would
be obvious to everyone by now

that the cosmic bomb is
intended as a weapon of mercy.

All I know is that we
dropped one bomb Monday

and probably killed
200,000 people.

Thursday, another 200,000.

How much mercy
can these people take?

Mary Ellen, you got to remember,
these people are fanatics.

We're wiping out cities half the size
of Washington and they're fanatics?

My husband was killed at
Pearl Harbor by the Japanese

and I would like to see them
brought to their knees for that,

but I'm also a nurse
and that part of me

is horrified by what's
happening over there.

You know what worries me?
I'll tell you what worries me.

The Japanese
haven't surrendered.

Do you think it's because
they have an atomic bomb?

Won't be long, Ike,
before everybody does.

- Why, a face from the past.
- Oh, Elizabeth, come on!

I thought you'd be out in
the wild blue yonder by now.

Didn't you join the army?

Yeah. Well, I would have. But I
couldn't get my parents' permission.

Isn't that just terrible?

If you've come to
apologize, don't bother.

Apologize! What for?

For being rude and disagreeable
Monday in Charlottesville.

No. Actually, what I came
for was to borrow some of

Jim-Bob's books on aviation,
if you know what I mean.

No, I don't. If you want to do that,
you will have to talk to my brother.

He may be home this
weekend, he may not.

There's a war on, you know?

Look, I guess I'll
talk to you later.

The way things keep changing,
Drew Cutler, who can tell?

What did I ever see in him?

Poured it to him, did you?

Made him choose
between the Shooting Star

and the love of a good woman?

All of a sudden, it really
didn't seem worth the bother.

I'd worry if I thought
you really believed that.

I wonder sometimes. Men!

Elizabeth!

You're a little young to be
getting so jaded, don't you think?

I'm also a little young to play
second fiddle to an airplane.

- Hey, everybody!
- Jim-Bob!

- What's for supper?
- What are you doing here?

- I got a pass.
- I thought you just had a pass.

Well, if they can't
remember, you expect me to?

Well, praise the Lord
for army oversights.

You know, I just saw Drew
walking down the road a minute ago.

I waved to him, but
he didn't see me.

Is there something
the matter with him?

Nothing a good clunk
on the head wouldn't fix.

- Well, here you go, Jason.
- Thanks, Ike.

Your family used
to get a lot more mail

before you and John-Boy
got back from overseas.

- And the Japanese took Ben prisoner.
- Yeah.

Well, we're all praying
for him. The whole town is.

Thanks, Ike. That
means a lot to us.

Yeah.

Jason. Jason! You dear boy.

Hello, ladies.

- Sister, Jason is back. Can you imagine?
- I believe I am going to have a vapor.

I shall have to sit down.

Oh, nonsense, Sister.
Now, control yourself.

What can I do for you, ladies?

Oh, we came by for
a tankful of gasoline.

Coming right up.

Jason, when are you going
to come by and serenade us?

Since you went away, Sister and I
have been looking forward to your return.

So have I.

Well, then why don't you come by
and have dinner with us this evening?

I'm going to be having
dinner with the family,

but I'd like to come
by this afternoon.

Oh, that would be lovely!

And be sure and bring that
delightful Miss Hazelton along.

Well, I would like
to, Miss Mamie,

but I'm afraid we are not exactly
on speaking terms right now.

Oh, not on speaking terms?

Sister, I do believe these two dear
young people have had a lover's tiff.

Well, we are certainly
experienced in that area.

Having had our share
of disagreements.

Now, if there are any
problems that you have...

Or any advice you need...

Sister and I are quite
knowledgeable about such things.

All our love affairs
ended in failure.

Well, that's good to know.

I'll see you ladies
this afternoon.

Oh, yes.

Sister, I have an idea.

And I know just what it is.

- Oh, Jason, what a treat.
- Hello, Miss Emily.

- A most welcome surprise.
- I thought you were expecting me.

As I was saying, a
complete surprise.

Do come in.

- Miss Mamie.
- Jason.

- Sergeant Hazelton.
- Sergeant Walton.

- Won't you sit down, Jason?
- Thank you.

Excuse me.

Isn't this cozy?

Jason, would you
care for some ice tea?

Yes, ma'am. I don't think there
is any need to put any ice in it.

I think it will chill
just sitting there.

- Weren't you going to sing for us, Jason?
- Sure, Miss Emily.

I would hope that Miss
Hazelton would join him.

Thank you.

I was hoping that Toni would
join me for a walk this evening.

Would you please tell Jason that I have
a date with an army captain this evening.

- Jason, I believe...
- Ask Toni if her army captain

knows any nice, young blonds?

I've always been very
attracted to blonds.

Why, thank you, Jason.

- When I was younger...
- Tell Jason that my army captain friend

is a nice, young blond. I, too, have
always been attracted to blonds.

Jason, I believe you and Miss
Hazelton have something in common.

If you two young people are going to
grace our home with your presence,

you can at least address
each other directly.

- Yes, ma'am.
- All right.

Jason Walton, you are a cad.

But you're still crazy about
me. I can see it in your eyes.

I'm not crazy about you.

And if you see anything at all,
it is anger, pure and undiluted.

No. No, all I see in
there is my own reflection.

You know, in all my travels, I have
never met a four-striped sergeant

with such sparkling,
elegant eyes.

You can stop right there, Jason.

Sergeant Hazelton is not only
very bright and incredibly pretty,

she is also a Staff Sergeant,
which is a very high command level

that entitles her to a better
berth on the train than mine.

I just might take it, too.

- They are talking, Sister.
- I would prefer to hear them sing.

So would I.

From dawn till dusk.

From dawn till dusk,
for the rest of our lives?

If the Japanese won't surrender,
how can you expect me to?

That does it.

Ladies, thank you for your
hospitality. Please excuse me.

- Where are you going?
- I have a date, remember?

Would you have more tea, Jason?

You wouldn't happen to have a
little of the Recipe, would you?

Well... Yes, of course!
Of course we have.

Saw the light on. Thought
you might be working.

Trying to work. Just can't
seem to keep my mind on it.

Guess we're both thinking
about the same thing.

I guess we are.

- I want Ben to come home!
- Oh, honey, he's going to come home.

He's going to come home.

Why can't the Japanese see
that it's time to stop fighting?

I think they see the
handwriting on the wall.

Throughout this whole war,
they've fought to the death!

These kamikaze pilots, they
would rather die than surrender.

What are you trying to say?

Can't you see? What are they
going to do to their prisoners?

What are they going to do to Ben if
they don't even care about their own lives?

Quiet!

- I don't hear anything.
- Quiet!

Murderers die now!

Where he takes you,
you will die anyway.

- Hello.
- I thought you were going to spend

the rest of the day
doing your rounds.

None of my patients are
where they're supposed to be.

Grandma Floyd is
over at Ronie Cotter's

and George Meeker decided to
ride his mule over to visit his cousin

in Fluvanna County and
Amy Cavanaugh's daughter

drove her into Charlottesville
to visit with her family.

If you've got any
medicine in that bag,

I'm sure we could all use some to
make the waiting a little bit easier.

The only medicine I know is the
same thing my patients are using,

just visiting with
family and friends.

If the war is over all of a sudden,
what would be the first thing you'd do?

Well, I think I'd sleep till supper
and then I'll think about it later.

Well, I wish you'd
think about supper, too,

because I may be
off dancing up a storm.

Take me with you, Rose.

What about you, Cindy?

Oh, I don't know.

Here, take a look at this.

If it's more war
news, I don't want it.

No, it's not. Take a look.

All of the hairdressers in London got
dressed up for a fancy ball in Albert Hall.

Look at these hairdos!

They're sensational.

I know one fellow who would absolutely
die if I walked around looking like this.

Might do him some good.

You know, I think I'm going
to do a little experimenting.

- Good luck.
- Excuse me.

I hate the waiting as much as
you do, Cindy, if it's any comfort.

We all do.

Thanks.

Just look what it's doing to Jason
and Toni and Elizabeth and Drew.

We decided to take
the rest of the day off.

Oh, join the crowd!

I haven't got the willpower to even
look at a mop, much less use one.

The way I'm feeling today,
I can turn a ten minute job

into a full day's work.

With the growing
indications that the Japanese

are moving closer to surrender,
there are also growing concerns

for the safety of
American prisoners of war.

Throughout the history
of the war in the Pacific,

there have been numerous,
isolated instances of Japanese captors

killing their prisoners
when faced with defeat.

Excuse me.

Poor child.

Damn!

Don't worry, Daddy,
Ben will be okay.

That's just what
I'm hoping for, Son.

Cindy.

I'm afraid that I'm not very
good company today, Rose.

And you shouldn't be, either.

I just won't believe that
anything has happened to Ben.

I just won't.

Hey, Drew. Give me a hint.
You're looking for somebody, right?

Yeah, I'm looking for
Elizabeth. Is she around?

- Just a minute.
- All right.

Drew, what do you want?

Well, I was talking
with my parents.

They didn't seem
to want to listen.

- They didn't?
- No. I...

Thought maybe I'd
come talk with you.

Well, look, Drew. If it's
about the airplanes...

The airplane? What airplane?

I have a fever,
Ben. I can feel it.

Come on, Norm,
it's just hot today.

Now I feel like you must
have felt in that hot-box.

My leg is burning up.

Americans! Americans!

I your prisoner.

I don't get it.

I do. Don't you see?
We're his ticket to safety.

All this time, he's been
leading us to our troops.

The sense of anticipation
here at the White House

is as great as it has ever been at
any time since the start of the war.

A large crowd has
gathered outside

to await the appearance
of President Truman,

who is scheduled to address
the nation in just a few minutes.

Until then, our recorded
music continues.

May we join you?

Well, I should say so, Mamie.

- Thank you, Rose.
- Emily.

We couldn't bear being
alone and listening to the radio.

Well, I don't blame
you. Hello, Toni.

- Hello, Jason.
- Hello, ladies.

Hi.

I've missed you.

You may have gotten on my nerves
lately, but at least you're not dull.

Like your army captain friend?

Besides, with all the
news today, I don't know,

Camp Rockfish just
wasn't where I wanted to be.

When you could hear
the news with me?

- You are so presumptuous, Jason.
- Yup.

- You looking for company?
- As a matter of fact, we were.

We just heard there's going
to be an important message

on the radio in a few minutes.

Come on in. Half the
Mountain's here already.

Yeah.

Hey, Corabeth, Ike.

Is it on yet?

Not yet, we're
waiting. Have a seat.

There is great excitement here,

and continued speculation.

The crowd began
gathering early this morning

here at the White House.

La dies and gentlemen, the
President of the United States!

I have received this afternoon a
message from the Japanese government

in reply to the message
forwarded to that government

by the Secretary of
State on August, 11th.

Say it, Harry.

I deem this reply a full acceptance
of the Potsdam Declaration,

which specifies the
unconditional surrender of Japan.

It's over.

I don't believe it!

I don't believe it!

That's right.

Oh, that's the best
news I ever had.

All right, Sergeant,
outside. That's an order.

- An order?
- On the double.

All right, I'm here. Now,
what's your next command?

You want me to present arms?

You don't have the War
to hide behind anymore.

You got to fish
or fall off the boat.

What are you talking about?

As if you didn't know! Are
you going to marry me or not?

You mean right now?

More or less.

You have strung me along and
bandied me about for a year now.

This is kind of sudden. I'm
going to need a little time.

Time? For what?

Well, as much as I love you,
which is ridiculously much...

Then prove it!

I don't usually marry a lady until
I've had a little time to court her.

I do not believe it!

Okay, Jason. Court.

Who? What, from where?

Honolulu?

What? Oh, just a
minute, don't go away.

Cindy! Cindy!

Telephone. It's a shortwave
radio operator in Charlottesville.

I don't know anybody
in Charlottesville.

Well, they're talking to
somebody in San Diego,

who's on the phone with
somebody in Honolulu,

who's got somebody in Manila.

Do you want to talk to
your husband or don't you?

Daddy, it's Ben.
He's alive, he's safe!

Ben? Ben, is that really you?

Of course, I'm crying and
laughing and smiling. We all are.

Ben, I love you.

Dear Lord, our
hearts are full today

and we thank you for bringing
this terrible war to an end.

And we thank you especially

for keeping our
boys safe and alive.

We hope you're gonna be with
all those folks on both sides now,

who have to live with the
death and destruction of this war.

The words of blessing
were also a memorial,

for lost, missing in action,
somewhere in that war,

was the world we
ha d grown up in.

My father's world and Jason's.

Gentle and generous,
naive and optimistic.

Some other sort of world would begin
on Wednesday morning. Until then...

- Daddy?
- Elizabeth?

It's the middle of August and
it feels like a Christmas carol.

Peace on earth.

Goodwill to men.

From Heaven's all-gracious King.

The earth in solemn stillness
lay to hear the angels sing.

Good night, everybody.

English -SDH