All language subtitles for The.Waltons.S09E22.The.Revel.WEBRip.x264-ION10

I couldn't wait to hear
about my new manuscript.

Sit down, John.

I'm sorry you came
so far for bad news.

The manuscript was rejected.
I wrote you about it yesterday.

-I'm trying to find my brother.
-What's his name?

-John Walton.
-That deadbeat. I threw him out.

I'm gonna ask Betty Grable
out on a date with me.

We're gonna go dancing.

Hey, watch it, you jerk.

Get your hands off me!

For the first time in years,

I feel like a failure.

Because of one rejection?

I'm thinking about quitting.

JOHN-BOY: On Walton's Mountain,
we marked time

by the passage of the seasons.

In autumn, we'd build fires
in bee trees to gather honey.

Our lives ebbed during
winter while the earth slept.

Spring crocus brought
the first blossoms,

foreshadowing
the abundance of summer

with its sweet corn
and lightning bugs.

Generations of living
on the Mountain

yoked us
to the rhythm of the land,

a touchstone to the strength

each of us carries
within ourselves.

I was to discover this
when I left my home

full of expectations

only to find
that my destiny was not

where I thought it would be.

JIM-BOB: Sure you don't
want a lift John-Boy?

No thanks. It's my last chance
to see open sky for a while.

MARY ELLEN: You should let
your editor know you're coming.

I don't think it'll
be a great surprise.

She was very
encouraging in her letter.

I'd love to go to New York.
J.D. goes all the time.

- Think he'd take me some day?
- That'll be the day!

Good luck with your
book, John-Boy.

Hope you make a lotta money.

I just hope I make enough
to find a little apartment,

get settled in and start
on my next novel.

I better get going
or I'm gonna miss the bus.

MARY ELLEN:
Goodbye, John-Boy.
Don't forget to write.

CINDY: Good luck.

I'm gonna miss ya.

JIM-BOB:
Don't forget to send
us some money, okay?

-Bye.
-Bye, John-Boy.

You know what to do if someone
offers you the Brooklyn Bridge.

Let me guess, send it to you?

Look out, New York.
Here comes John-Boy.

-Bye!
-ALL: Bye!

Goodbye.

Congratulations, Belle.

The MacKenzie manuscript
can go right to the typesetters.

That's marvelous.

Mr. Fairfield himself said that
this was the best first novel

he ever read. He wants
10,000 copies printed

for the first edition.

He's a man after my own heart.

Belle, how do you do it?

You've unearthed
more fine, young talent

than any editor I know.

I like to read.
Scratch a few words

on paper and I'm a happy woman.

-Almost 6:00. Celebrate?
-I wish I could, Clayton.

But I have more
talent to unearth.

-Another time.
-What about the Walton novel?

-Did you come to a decision?
-We passed on it.

It got a unanimous thumbs
down at the board meeting.

I don't understand.
With a few revisions,

it could be a solid
piece of work.

-You said so yourself.
-Yes, I know.

But we've three war novels
in the bookstores now,

and four more coming out
in the next few months.

We just can't afford
to spread ourselves any thinner.

John Walton is going
to be a substantial writer

in years to come.

He's welcome
to explore possibilities

with other publishers.
But he's going to find

that this is a town
full of closed doors.

What am I supposed to tell him?

Tell him to write another book.

Goodnight.

-Tea, Sister?
-Thank you.

Emily? Tea?

Oh, forgive me, Sister, but I
was reading the news bulletin

from Miss Sophie Bell's
Finishing School for Girls.

Lyla Thrush Walker
has passed on.

Lyla Thrush Walker.
I don't place her.

She pledged with us
at our sorority.

Remember initiation week,
we put Limburger cheese

on all the radiators
and we locked ourselves

in her bathroom
so we wouldn't get caught?

Ah, Lyla.
So filled with vitality.

But then,
we all were, in those days.

Such joyful times.

Nothing lasts forever, Sister.

Alas, we too, are mortal.

Do you really
believe that, Mamie?

I do. If anyone
was immortal, it was Papa.

And death caught
up, even with him.

Sad how all things
come to an end.

Life is so fleeting.

I always thought
it would be lovely

to have one last grand
ball here at the house.

We could wear our finest gowns
and waltz until morning.

That is a lovely idea.

We can invite all our old
schoolmates from Miss Sophie's.

A school reunion.

A celebration of life
while we're still here.

We will raise the roof
with our own eulogy.

(MISS MAMIE LAUGHING)

Whatever that means.
Don't you know?

We must start planning at once.

It will be the finest ball
ever held on the Mountain.

(DOOR OPENING)

John. What a surprise.

I'm sorry about bursting
in on you like this.

I came right from the station.

It's always a pleasure to see
one of my favorite writers.

I couldn't wait to hear
about my manuscript.

Every day that's gone by
without knowing has been hell.

Sit down, John.

I'm sorry you came
so far for bad news.

The manuscript was rejected
by the editorial board.

I wrote you about it yesterday.

If it were up to me I'd have
you revise it for publication.

But I have to abide
with the board's decision.

I was so sure
that it would sell.

Where did I go wrong?

The market is glutted
with war novels right now.

Your book isn't strong enough
to compete with the others.

-I'll revise it.
BELLE: No.

It was rejected for publication.

I suggest you work
on something else.

I was hoping to use the advance
money to get settled in.

I'm terribly sorry. I know
how this must disappoint you.

(SCOFFS)
What a fool I've been.

Everyone at home thinks I've
sold the book and am living

in a penthouse on Park Avenue.

This kind of thing
happens to every writer.

Don't let it discourage you.
You know you have talent.

Right now, it seems
I have a talent for failure.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

Start another book.

Doesn't look like
I have much choice.

(PLAYING LIGHT TUNE ON GUITAR)

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

I'll get it.

Hello, ladies.

-MISS MAMIE: Hello.
-Come in.

-Elizabeth, Mary Ellen.
-Hello, everybody.

We have grand news. Sister and I
are going to give a soiree.

A fancy dress ball
for all our schoolmates

at Miss Sophie Bell's
Finishing School.

It is going
to be an extravaganza.

And we're so excited about it.

We were wondering, Jason,

if it is possible for you
to advise us about the music.

MISS MAMIE: We'd like some new
records for Papa's gramophone.

What kind of music
did you have in mind?

Waltzes.
I do so enjoy a good waltz.

MISS EMILY: Or perhaps
a foxtrot.

I could pick some
at the record store

in Charlottesville.
And maybe you'd be interested

in one of those automatic record
changers while you're at it.

Would we, Mamie?

Sister, I think
we should venture

into this confusing
new world gradually.

Well, then, we'll rely on Papa's
gramophone. Thank you, Jason.

Mary Ellen, your mother's
recipe for applesauce cake

was the most delicious
in all the world.

I'd be glad to give it to you.

MISS EMILY: Thank you.
We'll be making for 100.

Mary Ellen will
help you make it.

Elizabeth, would you help
us with the invitations?

I remember the charming things
you'd make out of paper doilies.

That was a long time ago. I....

Elizabeth would love
to make them for you.

MISS EMILY:
Wonderful! Oh, Elizabeth,
you've taken a load off my mind.

You are all so kind.

With your help, my friends, this
party is going to be remembered

-for the rest of our lives.
-Till we die.

-Or live.
-Or both!

(ALL LAUGHING)

Hey, John! Walton!

Mike O'Brien!

-You old snake!
-Glad to see a familiar face!

Me, too! It's been a while.

What have you been doing
since Stars and Stripes?

Looking for my fame and fortune
in the big city. What about you?

I came to take
the town by storm,

but the town
took me instead.

I just saw my editor.
They rejected my book.

That's tough. I'm trying to sell
a play I wrote, not a bite.

I spent my money before I even
made it. I'm almost broke.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Listen, let's step into this
friendly little gin mill here

and have a couple
for old times' sake, huh?

JOHN-BOY: Sort of kill the pain?

O'BRIEN: Well, soften
the sharp edges, at least.

O'Brien, that's
the best idea I heard all day!

-Careful.
-What are all of these?

The Baldwins' party invitations.

I've a date.
How am I gonna dress?

Step over them.

-Why're they on the floor?
-Well, they need to dry.

-Elizabeth, this...
-Careful!

-This is a stupid...
-Erin!

-Get these off of me.
-I've to do them all over again!

-I said I was sorry.
-And I hate pasting.

You're a real pain
sometimes, you know that!

Me? You're tromping
all over the invitations!

-This is my room, too, you know!
-How could I forget?

When I'm free, I'm moving
into Mama and Daddy's old room!

Good riddance!

ERIN: Move.

This play of mine
is going to put my name

up in lights, you'll see.

They don't know
anything in this town.

And that editorial board
doesn't know

good writing
from a hole in the wall.

I bet there're many publishers
who'd love to publish my book.

We ought to go to Hollywood.

You ought to take
your book to Hollywood

and sell it to the movies.

-California?
-Yeah!

Sure, why not? Faulkner did it.

Isherwood.
Scott Fitzgerald, too.

Sure! Sure!
I'll take them my play.

They need great
screenwriters like us.

I'm gonna ask Betty Grable
to out on a date with me.

We're gonna go dancing.

Hey! Watch it, you jerk!

Get your hands off me!

Look what he did!
I didn't do it!

John!

Hey, Walton! Walton!

-Jim-Bob, what're you doing?
-I'm moving in.

Besides, that other room's
small for Jason and me.

You can't! I was planning on
using this room.

-I beat you to it, huh?
-That's not fair!

-Look, first come, first served.
-You don't need all this space.

-I'm already moved in.
-We should draw straws.

-Forget it.
-It's the only fair thing to do,

since there's only one room
and we both want this room.

Look, I'm not moving out!

We'll see about that!

-Hi, ladies!
-Good morning!

These must be the invitations
to your school reunion.

Look, Corabeth!

Elizabeth did a simply splendid
job of making them.

If the invitations
are any indication,

the ball should be
a grand success.

I'd like to do this for some
of my classmates sometime.

From Ward-Belmont.

These are going out all
over the country, right?

Well,
Miss Sophie's Finishing School

attracted the best girls
from everywhere.

Oh, look! Here's one going to
President and Mrs. Harry Truman.

Did Bess go to your school?

Well, no,
but Sister and I felt

a few dignitaries
should be present.

We must run. We have simply
hundreds of errands.

-Goodbye!
-Have a nice day, ladies!

Inviting the Trumans, indeed!

Where else are they gonna
get a piano player?

(CLANKING)

Sorry, it slipped.

Where are we?

My place.

Between the booze and the bump,

you got so stewed last night
you could hardly walk.

It's beginning to come back
to me. I wish it wouldn't.

Here, drink this.
It'll fix you up.

-What is it?
-Hair of the dog that bit you.

This is bourbon!

Drink it. It's the best thing
in the world for a hangover.

(JOHN-BOY SIGHS)

(JOHN-BOY GASPS)

I've been thinking. You're
broke, you need a place to stay.

Why don't you move
in here with me for a while?

No, I couldn't do that.

How come? We get
along okay, always have.

I don't want to crowd you.

Listen, you'd be doing me a
favor. I'm a little broke, too.

After ten years,
when we're both rich and famous,

it'll make
a great publicity story.

-Make that five years, not 10.
-It's a deal?

Yeah, it's a deal.

Where is your typewriter?

Oh, I had to pawn it.
How about yours?

It's in a locker at the bus
station with my suitcase.

-My first stop of the day.
-You going now?

I have to look for a job.
I'm not rich and famous yet.

So why don't you
give yourself a day off?

I know this restaurant
that's got great Chinese food

for practically nothing.

Chinese food for breakfast?

Egg foo yung's just another
word for scrambled eggs.

You know, we've a minister
back home who would tell me

that you're leading me
down the path of wickedness,

vice and depravity.

Let's hope he's not
too far from wrong,

'cause it sure
is a lot of fun.

This ought to do it.

We do so appreciate this, Ben.

Sister and I aren't very
handy with mechanical things.

And we must keep the machine
running at full capacity

so we'll have enough
Recipe for the party.

Find anything yet, Ben?

Yeah, the coil is clogged.

It's so nice to have some men
around the house, isn't it?

Oh, my, yes!
By the way, would either of you

be interested in helping us out
at the party?

Sure, Ben would.

Splendid! Thank you, Ben.
It means so much to us.

What you want Ben to do?

MISS MAMIE: We need someone
to park the cars,

the elegant cars
that're certain to arrive.

A lot of fancy cars
expected there?

Oh, we expect
limousines by the dozen.

I wouldn't mind sitting behind
the wheel of a limousine.

(BEN BLOWING HARD)

(MISS EMILY
AND MISS MAMIE LAUGHING)

Well, there you go.

And Jim-Bob and I would
be happy to help you

with your parking problems.

MISS EMILY: I can hardly
wait to see the look

on Wilma Wigglesworth's face
when she sees our domestic help!

That's right, Sid. Your offer
makes it hardly worth my while.

I mean, who's going to take care
of my penthouse view here?

No, it's not that
I'm not interested.

It's just that they're offering
me $1,000 more to stay in town.

Could you hold on a minute?

Miss Jones, cut out
the typing, please,

I'm talking long distance!

I gotta finish
these job applications!

(O'BRIEN SHUSHING)

-He'll think I'm out of work.
-You are!

You've been
on the phone all day!

John, I'm trying to get us a job
in Hollywood. Trust me, okay.

I'm sorry, Sid.
Sid, wait! Don't hang... Sid...

He hung up.

I'm not surprised, with all the
baloney you were feeding him.

I was tantalizing him.

It's the same old O'Brien.

I remember the time
you traded your M1 rifle

for a case
of French champagne.

Champagne! That reminds me,

I got one more call
to one more Hollywood agent.

Could you hold off on the typing
till I'm done, John?

You asked me that two hours ago.

John, this is my last call.

Go ahead.

I'm gonna take the classifieds
and hit the street.

You gotta think big.

Oh, I'm, about your phone bill.

Now that Jim-Bob's stuff
is out of here,

I can start moving my stuff in!

What do you think
you're doing?

I'm moving
into Mama and Daddy's room.

-This is my room now.
-ELIZABETH: We moved you out.

Elizabeth and I decided that

when you were so unreasonable
about drawing straws,

that all's fair in love and war.

And this is war.

-You guys can't do this!
-We just did!

Hey! What do you guys
think you're doing?

Erin! Elizabeth! You're not
going to get away with this!

Oh, look, Sister.

Dance programs. Ha!

Look. Look, Emily. I had the
third dance with Calvin Spencer.

His eyes were so blue,
you could swim in them!

He tripped when he came in
that night

and he blushed to his ears
when he saw that I'd noticed.

He was trying
so hard to be gallant!

He joined the foreign service,
you know.

-Disappeared in the Sahara.
-Oh, look, Sister.

Oh, heavens! Our ball gowns!

(MISS EMILY GASPING)

They were brand new
when we put them away!

Oh, but, Sister,
that was 50 years ago.

They've faded so.

And the mildew has gotten
to them, as well.

Oh, Sister, we do need
a fairy godmother.

No, we need a sewing machine
and some new material

and we haven't
a minute to spare!

O'BRIEN: Dear John, sorry
to give you such short notice,

but I got a deal put together
and I had to run.

I'm off to Hollywood to seek
my fortune in the sun.

I'm leaving you the rest of
this bottle to keep you warm.

I won't need it
where I'm going.

Good luck, old boy.
Sincerely, O'Brien.

P.S., if I see Betty Grable,

I'll tell her
you're on your way.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

I've been waiting
for you to get back.

-What can I do for you?
-That's rich! The rent's due.

You're the landlady?

Your friend said
you had the rent money.

-O'Brien told you that?
-That's right. Do you?

-How much is it?
-$40.

I'm looking for a job.
Can it wait a couple days?

I've waited as long as I'm going
to. You can pay now or get out.

It's up to you.

How about if I pay you half now
and half when I get the job?

It's by the month, in advance.

This is all I got right now.

I don't like
installment payments!

You get the rest or out you go!

Make it honest, Ben.

-Why would I cheat?
-Because the men in this family

have a habit
of sticking together.

I don't know why we're doing
this in the first place.

'Cause all four of us should've
had a chance for it, Jim-Bob.

Take heart, Jim-Bob.
At least the odds are even.

Okay. Here's four straws,

shortest one gets
Mama and Daddy's room.

Elizabeth won!

Wait, I don't think
it's the shortest one!

Oh, Jason, she won
fair and square.

-When are you moving in?
-Right away!

Before they make it
two out of three.

-And I'll help her.
-(CHUCKLING) Good idea.

-How much did she pay you, Ben?
-Oh, come on, I didn't do that!

You look healthy enough.
You get sick much?

No, sir.

It says here
you were a journalist

for Stars and Stripes.

That's right.

You've had two novels published?

Yes, sir.

-That's very impressive.
-Thank you.

Well, son, you seem bright,
you seem honest,

but I'm afraid
I can't offer you a job.

But I'm willing to do anything.
I'll run errands, whatever.

That's not it.
You're a poor risk.

You only want to work until you
can find another writing job,

then you're gonna quit.

Look, I'm desperate.

I've been all over this town
looking for a job.

I've run out of money. I'll
be thrown out of my apartment.

Artists, actors, writers,

they just don't last long
at these desk jobs.

We need somebody more stable.

I see.

I hope you understand.

How could I? I'm too unstable.

CORABETH:
Mr. Godsey, are all these
for the Baldwins?

IKE: That's right.

-How odd.
-Why?

Some look as though
they've never been opened.

Some of them haven't.

Well, we can't give them these!

Corabeth, it says
"Return to sender."

They were sent out
by the Baldwin ladies.

They're gonna be returned
to Miss Emily Baldwin

and Miss Mamie Baldwin.

Those poor dear girls
will be disconsolate.

This one says, "Party deceased."

It is illegal to tamper
with the United States mail.

I'm not suggesting that we
tamper with the U.S. mails.

What I'm saying is that
we should hold some of these

until we get enough acceptances
to make up the difference.

I can't do it.

Oh, Mr. Godsey, you are a cruel
and heartless man.

(BELL TINKLING)

-Hello, Corabeth.
-Hello.

Do we have any mail, Ike?

-No, not today.
-Are you sure?

Positive.

MISS MAMIE: It's peculiar
that we haven't heard anything.

We should have heard
from the White House.

I'm sure that there are dozens
of acceptances in the mail.

It's simply
a matter of patience.

Corabeth's right, Sister.

Perhaps we'll hear tomorrow.

-Morning!
-ALL: Oh, hello, Mary Ellen.

-Ike, a list for you.
-IKE: Okay, Mary Ellen.

How're the plans
for your ball going?

We've just returned from the
florist in Charlottesville.

And he's making us
the loveliest arrangements.

Oh, I do hope that
the Charlottesville Courier

is covering it,

because I know that real estate
prices are going to ascend.

Sounds like you're going
to a lot of trouble.

Well, Sister and I feel
it would be worthwhile.

If only for the memories
we shall have to cherish.

MISS MAMIE:
Everything must be momentous.

Oh, that reminds me,
Sister, our gowns.

I know an excellent little gown
shop in Charlottesville.

Well, Sister and I had planned
to make them ourselves.

But Mama's sewing machine
is broken.

We were wondering
if Olivia's machine

-is operable, Mary Ellen.
-Yes, you're welcome to use it.

Thank you. Tomorrow, then,
if that's not inopportune?

MARY ELLEN: That
sounds fine, Miss Mamie.

-We'll see you then.
-MARY ELLEN: Goodbye!

-Goodbye!
-Goodbye!

Can you imagine those poor dear
girls with a sewing machine?

That sounds very interesting.

Interesting?
It's positively dangerous.

Here's your order
and a letter from New York.

-It's from John-Boy.
-It sure is.

How is he progressing?

Last letter, he wrote
he'd found a wonderful apartment

and was starting on a new book.

I must write
and tell we miss him.

I'm sure he'd like
that very much, Corabeth.

He said things are going so well
he's planning to stay up there.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

You've gotta
cut out that racket.

I'm only typing.

That clickety clack is driving
me crazy. I can't sleep.

Look, I'm a writer. I'm working.

And I'm a movie star!

You're creating a nuisance.
I'm asking you nicely to stop.

If you don't,
I'll have you out of here

and I'll get a nice,
quiet tenant in your place.

-Okay, I'll stop typing.
-And another thing.

I'm tired of waiting
for the rest of your rent.

I haven't even got eating money!

You pay up or get out!

-Who is it?
-It's me.

What are you doing here?
It's late.

I couldn't sleep
in Mama and Daddy's room.

-It's your room, now.
-Can't I stay in here tonight?

Alright. I couldn't get to
sleep, anyway. It was too quiet.

Thanks.

-Goodnight, Erin.
-Goodnight, Elizabeth.

They say Dolly Davis
got so mad at her husband

that she threw all his clothes
out of the house.

I also heard
she threw a bucket of water

out the upstairs window
and got him soaking wet.

-I'm surprised he returned home!
-He didn't! Not after that!

(LAUGHS)

You know, this reminds me
of the quilting bees

we used to have
in the old days.

It's been ages since I caught up
on all the gossip.

I'm sure we would never have
finished our gowns in time

if it weren't for your help.

We know Mama's sewing machine.
It has some funny quirks.

Like sticking my thumb
with its needle.

CINDY: That could
happen to anybody.

But to both of us? Twice?

I'm off to New York!

Surely you're taking
more than that small bag.

Why, your riding habit,
an evening dress,

another pair of shoes...

I have everything I need
packed in the suitcase.

MISS MAMIE: How clever!
Did you hear that, Sister?

I'm only going for one day.

I still don't know
how you swung it.

J.D. has never let you
go anywhere in his place.

He uses any excuse he can
to get away from his wife.

That's exactly what I threatened
to tell Mrs. Pickett.

-CINDY: You didn't.
-I did.

I cannot wait to see
the look on John-Boy's face

when he opens the door
to his apartment.

Come on in.

The apartment comes
with a hotplate.

If you want a refrigerator,

you'll have to supply
one of your own.

I'm not here
about the apartment.

I'm trying to find my brother.
He's supposed to live here.

What's his name?

-John Walton.
-That deadbeat! I threw him out.

I'm sorry, there
must be some mistake.

My brother's a writer,
he's not a deadbeat.

Yeah, he said he was a writer.

Besides, he was always making
a racket. Couldn't pay his rent.

Liquor bottles
all over the place.

-John-Boy?
-"John-Boy"? Who?

I'm certain we must be talking
about a different person.

Let me show you
a picture of him.

My brother has sold two novels.
Here's here on his third.

That's him, alright!
Didn't look that good

when I kicked him out of here.
Looked kinda like a ghost.

Well, where he is? Did he
leave a forwarding address?

Girl, he could be
in Florida, for all I know!

MARY ELLEN: I think
we're getting concerned

before there's any reason to.

John-Boy's old enough
to take care of himself.

ERIN: Mary Ellen,
what if he's sick?

You didn't hear the way the
landlady talked about him.

MARY ELLEN:
She probably exaggerated.

-Welcome home!
-How was New York?

New York was fine,
but I couldn't find John-Boy.

He's got thrown out
of his apartment.

And that's not the worst part.

His apartment isn't anything
like he wrote in his letters.

-It's dark, dirty and small.
-Do we have to look for him?

ERIN: No, we'd never find him.

We should all have
a little faith in John-Boy.

We'll hear from him.
I know we will.

I think Mary Ellen's right.

At least we ought to give
him a little time. Come on.

What can I get you?

-Nothing, thanks.
-Come back when you're thirsty.

-I'm looking for a job.
-You are, huh?

You ever tended bar before?

No, but I could learn.

(BARTENDER CHUCKLING)

Every Tom, Dick and Harry
that's ever mixed a martini

thinks he's
a world-champion bartender.

Well, I could
wash dishes, clean up.

Living in the street, are you?

Uh, no, I'm looking
for an apartment.

Yeah, I'll bet you are.

Haven't I seen you
in here before?

Yeah, I was here once.

Yeah, I remember you.
Got yourself in a fight.

Look, I'm just
not used to drinking.

Yeah, I've heard
that one before.

Sorry, buddy.

Listen, I need a job, any job.

I'm a hard worker
and I don't drink.

Forget it.

-MISS MAMIE: Good morning, Ike.
-Good morning, ladies.

MISS MAMIE:
Checking for mails, Ike.

Yes, you've been
here quite a bit recently.

Well, Sister and I are extremely
anxious about our ball.

Of the numerous invitations
we've sent out,

we received only
a handful of responses.

And for reasons
of distance and health

those who have
responded have declined.

And we don't understand
what has happened

to our other invitations.

Ladies, I have
a confession to make.

Mr. Godsey, I hardly think
we're of the proper denomination

to hear your confession.

(MISS EMILY AND IKE CHUCKLING)

Our invitations!

-They haven't even been opened.
-I'm sorry about all this.

"Return to sender,"
"Forwarding address unknown."

Oh! Sister!
This one's marked, "Deceased."

Poor Alvira Stoakes.

I was hoping you could
see some acceptances

before you saw all these.

We can only hope that these
responses are not typical.

Sister, I believe we've waited
too long for our school reunion.

No. I don't think
you should let this bother you.

You should go ahead
and have your ball.

Of course. Sister,
we can't give up hope.

This represents only half
the invitations we sent out.

And surely some of our old
friends intend to come.

You mean they've just
been late in answering?

That's it!

And if no one comes,

we'll just simply have
to celebrate by ourselves.

I try every day, Sister.
I grow tired of my own company.

Surely there must be some
rewards for people of our age.

There are, Sister! There are!

If no one comes, why,
we'll just make the most of it!

Hey, what are you doing?

-I'm moving back to my old room.
-Where's Erin moving?

Nowhere.

Great! I'll move
my stuff back in here.

-I don't think so.
-Why not?

I thought this could be
my room, but I was wrong.

It's Mama's and Daddy's.
And it always will be.

I think we should
leave it that way,

so when Mama gets better, she'll
know it's waiting for her.

Hey, Elizabeth, remember
when I made this for Mama

when I was in the sixth grade?

I dreamed that
they were home last night.

Mama better. Daddy smiling.

We were all standing in the
doorway. We woke them up.

Everybody was happy.

It was just the way
it used to be.

I guess you're right, Elizabeth.

This always will be
Mama and Daddy's room.

Come on, I'll give you a hand
with your stuff.

Thanks.

-You got everything?
-Mm-hmm.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

BELLE: Come in.

John! Are you alright?

-Yeah.
-Well, you look terrible!

I ran out of money,
couldn't find a job.

Lost my apartment,
had my typewriter stolen,

sold my suitcase and clothes
to get some money for food.

Been living on ketchup
and hot water.

Not the kind of nutrition that
produces good writing, is it?

I haven't written a thing
since I got to New York.

You've got
such a special talent.

I hate to see you misuse it
feeling sorry for yourself.

For the first time in years,

I feel like a failure.

Because of one rejection?

I'm thinking about quitting.

I'll get a job that's not filled
with so many disappointments.

Sure, you could
always ignore your talent

and take the easy way out.

I've seen it happen before.
But you won't be happy.

You're a writer, and all
the security in the world

won't make a bit of difference.

Yeah, I used to believe that.

Do you think that
by not writing anymore

you can protect
yourself from failure?

Well, let me tell you something,
life isn't like that.

The only way you can fail
is to refuse to participate.

What am I supposed to do?

Go back to your mountain,
start a new book.

I can't go back there. I don't
know how I could face them.

If they're anything like
the characters you described

in your first book,
they'll understand.

I'll give you
the money to get home.

Consider it an advance
on a new book.

What is there to keep you here?

I had such big plans.

Make new ones.

I don't know
if I can do that, Belle.

Then you're
in trouble, John Walton,

and you're the only one
that can get you out of it!

Get off your rear and get busy!

I would've thought we would've
heard from John-Boy by now.

I can't get that dingy little
apartment outta my mind.

If he couldn't afford that,
wonder where he's living now.

Nowhere. He didn't even
leave a forwarding address.

-Hi, everybody.
-Jason,

how would you like
to go to New York?

I can't. I'm late
for the Dew Drop already.

It's not a joke. I really think
we should try and find John-Boy.

ELIZABETH: What's that?

It's a bus ticket
for New York City.

I'm leaving in the morning.

Did you two parking attendants
decide to abandon

the Baldwin class reunion?

Nope, the reunion
decided to abandon us.

It was supposed
to start two hours ago.

They didn't even
have a single guest.

Those poor ladies.

After all the trouble
they went to.

They intend to go ahead
with their plans.

I don't know what for.

The reunion
isn't going to happen.

Why not? Why should
the ladies' evening be ruined

just because their
guests didn't show up?

(MISS EMILY SIGHING)

If I blow up one more balloon,
I shall faint.

Well, I think
perhaps we have enough.

Mamie, I don't believe
anyone is coming.

Now, after all
the work we've gone to,

don't you even
think such a thing!

I'm sorry, Sister.

I know. We shall dance.

Yes, but who with?

Why, with each other, of course,

the way we used to do
when we were girls practicing

for the cotillion.

Yes. Yes, we did, didn't we?

(WALTZ MUSIC PLAYING)

(GRAMOPHONE NEEDLE SCRATCHING)

Sister, we must stop pretending.

I know. No one is coming.

It was a foolish dream.

Mamie, I must tell you
a dreadful secret.

I am not in a receptive mood
for dreadful secrets, Sister.

I feel old.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Someone is here!

MISS EMILY: Oh!

Ladies. We just happened
to be in the neighborhood

and we thought we'd drop in!

(ALL LAUGHING)

MISS MAMIE: Hello there!

It's wonderful. I'm so...

Isn't that wonderful?

Hello! Anybody home?

Mary Ellen! Erin!

Jim-Bob! Where is everybody?

(ALL CHATTERING)

Sister, they're all so happy.

(CHUCKLING) Oh, no. No.

(WOMEN LAUGHING)

CORABETH:
Quiet, everyone, please!

I think, at this point,
it would be most appropriate

if we had a few words
from our hostesses.

MISS MAMIE:
First of all,

we are most grateful
for your company.

My sister and I had planned
this party as a celebration

of the precious time that
we have here on this earth.

MISS EMILY: A tribute
to all the beautiful things

that make up our lives.

We have not been so much
participants in life,

as observers.

And we feel most fortunate

to have lived in this special
place and time.

Most especially do we treasure
our friends and memories.

It seems to us that there
are many memorable events.

The turning of the seasons,
the vibrancy of spring.

MISS EMILY: When life
renews itself with daffodils

and crocuses blooming
along the walkway,

dogwood, redbud.

MISS MAMIE: And the indolence of
summer and the coming of autumn.

MISS EMILY: And the incredible
beauty of a shower

of golden leaves.

Having someone to love.

And someone who
loves you in return.

And kisses are important.

Most especially
are kisses to be remembered.

MISS MAMIE: We are here
for such a brief time,

but if we can make
some sense out of life,

and look at it
with wonder and amazement,

and leave some record of it
behind for those who follow us,

then we have made
a contribution.

MISS EMILY: And it
has all been worthwhile.

Amen.

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

JOHN-BOY: I had returned
to the Mountain once again

to find the inspiration
I needed to write.

Soon I was back
in New York City

laboring over another book,

and because of the renewed
courage they brought me,

I would never forget
Miss Mamie and Miss Emily

and their zest for life.

I hope that you will remember
this house as I do.

The mystical blue ridges
that stretch beyond it

into infinity.

The sound of warm voices
drifting out upon

the night air,

a family waiting and a light
in the window. Goodnight.