Original subtitles

(emotional music)

(geese honking)

(whetstone grinds)

- Great, yes, I gotta go, okay?

Mr. Bolini.

I'm Paul Haight.

I'm with Pine Cone Properties.

Here's my card.

- What can I do for you?

- Man, this is a beautiful place here.

I just wanted to come out and meet you.

I'm just driving around the neighborhood introducing myself.

- Neighborhood, huh?

My nearest neighbor's over a half a mile away!

- Well that's what I wanted to talk with you about.

Mr. Bolini, time's are changing.

You know as well as I do that nobody

makes any money at farming anymore.

And frankly, this land is worth a hell of

a lot more developed into home sites.

Wait, wait, I'm sorry.

That just kind of blurted out like that.

I'm sure this land must mean a lot to you.

- Mister, this homestead was in my family before I was born.

I know every square inch of it.

So you don't know how much this means to me.

- Well, maybe not, but this is a great opportunity for you.

- Some other time.

- Look, I represent a group of investors

to manage a land use shift here in the township.

You know, bring in some nice roads,

utilities, that sort of thing.

You stand to make a fortune.

- Is that what they call it?

Land use shift?

- It's all around you, Mr. Bolini.

The Fullers over to the south?

They're ready to sell their whole deal to us, 185 acres.

And to the north, the Eschs.

They're totally ready to cash in!

And others are all set too.

Man, your place is smack in the middle

of a big, modern neighborhood.

You have to sell!

- I don't have to sell nothing!

And you're trespassing, mister!

- Okay, I'll give you some time to think about it.

(emotional music swells)

(engine starts)

- I thought you got rid of those horses.

- I did, got some goats instead.

- You got goats?

- Yep, last spring.

I thought they might give me a hand, you know,

getting rid of all that poison ivy on my farm.

- Do they do that kind of thing?

- Hey, they'd eat roofing nails if I let 'em!

(laughs)

- Can't imagine that it's good for 'em.

- Well, they seem to like it.

You know, I feed 'em other stuff of course,

but the best part is, they work cheap.

(laughs)

- Your next door neighbor Mr. Esch came in, yesterday?

- [Michael] Oh?

- He said he was thinking of selling his farm.

What's up with that?

- Well some guy is going around,

you know, wanting to buy up the whole world.

Ha, he's been bugging me too.

All they want to do is make home sites out of it.

- Yeah, everybody's talking about it.

You know, you've got a real nice spot over there.

You could retire with the money they'd give you.

- I don't want to retire.

Besides, retire to what?

- I'm guessing they're going to get it one way or another.

- Yeah?

Well, come on, keep tossing.

I gotta get on home.

(upbeat music)

(honks horn)

Yes sir!

Something I can do for you?

- Hi, Mr. Bolini, I'm Ed Bennett.

I work at the Bennett and Swinehort law firm?

- Oh, I know your dad!

- Yeah.

- Yeah, nice man.

- He said to say hello.

- Well thank you, thank you.

Yeah boys, hey ho.

(laughs)

- I'm just trying to get out and meet

all the clients I might be working with.

- Yeah but Mr. Bennett, you didn't come

out here just to chitchat.

- Well I do have some business we should go over.

It's about your property.

- Well, what's it about then?

- 50 years ago or so, your folks

got the title to your farm from your grandpa.

Now, when your dad died it went

to your mom because it was jointly owned.

When she passed away, it was still in her name.

- So, what's the problem?

- Well the title should have been put

in your name before she passed away.

- Who cares?

It's all in the family, no?

- The Internal Revenue Service cares.

(sighs)

- I haven't saved up that much, you know.

- Mr. Bolini, don't worry, I just wanted

to let you know that there might be a problem here,

but I'll start checking into it.

- You got a minute, Mr. Bennett?

- Sure.

- Come with me.

Come in, Mr. Bennett.

Come on here, in here.

I want to show you something.

1922, that was the year we brought in our first crop.

Rodriguez and the Mitchell families.

And they used to work the farm with my grandpa.

You know, I often wonder about the future of this place.

I have no kids.

My niece in California, she comes out here

and in ten minutes she goes stir crazy.

I haven't seen her in four years.

You know, Mr. Bennett, sometimes

I get a big lump in my throat

when I see the peacefulness of this place.

But then I know that there's a big change

knocking on my door.

- Well first things first, let me see about the title.

(jazz music)

(humming)

(chopping)

(sizzling)

(praying in Italian)

(sighs)

What the devil?

Morning.

Would you mind telling me what's going on here?

- We're marking the lot lines.

- You're marking what lot line?

- These.

- You're way off that lot line, sister.

Way off!

- No, he's right.

- What's going on up there anyway?

- Well I heard they were gonna try

and start construction in the spring.

- Should be a pretty nice deal.

135 lots.

- Yeah, it's gonna be pretty nice.

(engine sputters)

- I'll be right back.

(engine revs)

Maybe you might want to keep that engine running

until you get a new battery.

- Thanks.

- [Susan] Just sell the place.

- I may just have to, Susan, but--

- [Susan] Uncle Mike, times are changing.

I don't know why you don't just retire, take it easy!

- Yeah, and then what?

- [Susan] You can come out here to California.

There's a great new condo near here.

You'd never have to shovel snow again.

- I don't mind shoveling.

I like shoveling!

- [Susan] That's crazy!

- So, so how've you been?

- [Susan] Things are fine.

I just got promoted to partner.

- Oh, well that's nice, I guess.

- [Susan] I sure wish you lived out here.

- Oh, I just couldn't sit around, Susan.

- [Susan] You wouldn't, are you kidding?

There's tons to do here.

Walking, shopping, movies.

- Oh, no, no, I hate shopping!

- [Susan] What?

- I said I hate shopping!

- [Susan] You know, I feel bad for you

all by yourself out there.

- Well, don't feel bad, honest, because

well (sputters) I like to do things around here, you know?

Honest.

Besides, this place needs me you know, yes.

- [Susan] I don't know what you're waiting for.

- Can you hang on just a minute?

Just a minute, darling.

- [Susan] Sure, I guess.

What are you up to?

- Just a minute.

Okay, go ahead.

- [Susan] What's that noise?

- Nothing, nothing.

- [Susan] Yeah right, you see that's what I'm talking about.

Out here all that stuff is handled

so you can enjoy the things that you really like.

- Well, I like taking care of my place.

- [Susan] So what are you trying to prove?

- Ow, doggone it.

- [Susan] What's the matter?

- Ah, nothing, nothing, nothing.

- [Susan] Ah, you're hopeless.

Look, I've got to get going.

- Well, Susan, I appreciate you worrying about me

and for some people, you might be right you know, but--

- [Susan] I guess I can only imagine

what that farm must mean to you.

Think about what I said, all right?

I love you.

- I love you too, sweetheart.

Yeah, bye-bye darling, bye.

- [Susan] Bye-bye.

(ethereal music)

(coughs)

(ghostly voices speaking Spanish)

- Hello, Mr. Bolini?

Hello?

Mr. Bolini!

- Can I help you?

- I'm Lydia Bailey.

- Bailey?

We used to have a family by the

name of Bailey who worked here.

- That's us.

That was my mom, my dad, aunts,

uncles, everybody worked here.

I was just a kid then.

Probably seven or so.

- Your mom used to make the best apple pies!

She used maple syrup, right?

Haha, good to see you, yeah.

That was over 25 years ago, for heaven sakes!

So, how's everyone?

- Mom passed away a few years back.

- Aww.

- Daddy's good though.

He works for DeSoto County in Florida,

working in social services.

- So what are you doing up here?

- Well, I had some vacation time coming

and I work for the county too.

- Uh-huh?

- And just thought I'd take a road trip,

see if I could find your place.

- Well, good!

I'm glad you did.

- It seems a little bit smaller.

I remember the orchard seemed so far away from the house!

- Well that's 'cause you were smaller.

(laughs)

(sighs)

- I used to love running around here.

This was such a big part of my life back then.

Hey, how's your wife Miss Margaret?

- Uh, she died about ten years ago this month, yeah.

- I'm so sorry.

- She went out to hang up the wash one day

and she had a heart attack and died that afternoon.

- That's so sad.

- Well, it's all part of the big deal, you know?

My mom died just last month.

She lived to be 104 years old, can you imagine that?

God bless her.

- She was always such a strong lady.

- Yeah.

(laughs)

- So, how's your year?

- Well, not too bad, not too bad.

Yeah, well you know they shake the trees now with machines.

You don't have to hand pick anymore, yeah.

Well, I still hire some help but it's not like

the good old days anymore, you know?

- Hey Mr. Bolini, do you mind if I look around a little bit?

- Help yourself, not at all!

You go ahead.

Listen, I'm going to be through here in about a half hour.

And I'll meet you up on the porch.

- Sounds like a plan.

- All right, good to see you.

(laughs)

Oh listen, there's some great

cherry juice in the refrigerator.

Help yourself.

- I just might do that.

(chuckles)

- By golly.

I see you found the straggly things, huh?

- They are so cute!

- Yeah, everybody likes to pet 'em.

Listen, you gotta be careful of the

poison ivy around here, you know?

These screwballs eat the stuff.

- Really?

Oh, leaves of three, leave it be.

Poison ivy, right?

(laughs)

- I got five acres up in the back.

This stuff grows like myrtle.

They ought to make it the state flower.

- Can't you spray it or something?

- Nah, listen, I just let these guys nibble away at it.

Hey, I'm in no hurry.

Did you get some juice yet?

- Didn't make it that far.

- Well come on, let's go!

- Bye guys.

- Did you know that cherry juice cures arthritis?

- No I didn't!

- Yeah we sell a lot of cherries to the

juice companies, you know?

And they make concentrate, pretty popular.

Cheers!

- To you and the place!

- Ooh, yeah.

(both sighs)

Eh?

- That brings back so many memories.

- You know, I was looking at some photographs

of the different families that used

to be here working here, you know?

Let me take a look, I wonder.

Let me see.

Let's see.

That's my father.

That's...

Here!

Now isn't that your mom and dad, huh?

And that's you!

- It is!

- Huh?

- Oh, this seems like so long ago!

- It was!

And look at me, I still got the same hat.

- You do!

(laughs)

(phone rings)

- Ah, excuse me.

Hello!

- [Paul] Yeah, I wanted to give you the heads up

that there might be some surveyors in the neighborhood.

- They already were, in my front yard!

- [Paul] Ah, geez, I'm sorry about that.

I'll talk to 'em.

Hey look, I hope we have a chance--

- I am not interested!

- [Paul] Well I'll try and keep you posted

as to what's going on.

- Oh, I'm sure you will, goodbye!

- Friend of yours?

- You know sometimes I feel like I'm being invaded.

- What'd he want?

- Oh, some land developer wants to buy my farm.

And I don't know what to do 'cause I don't want to sell!

- Maybe you don't have to do anything.

- What?

- Well you own the land, the farm, everything.

Just ignore the guy.

- Ah, well, that's what I used to think too,

but it's not just me and my farm, it's other

farms and the industry and the way of life, you know?

(sighs)

- Mr. Bolini, is there more to this?

- Well, yes there is.

I got hit with a tax thing here and it

kind of took me by surprise, you know?

- Well, you don't have to sell, do you?

- No!

Well, I hope not anyway.

- I don't know much about taxes

but I do know something about zoning

and they can't just go carving up the farm next door

without community approval.

Do you know anything about this?

- No.

- Has the township sent you a notice or anything?

- Uh...

I don't think so.

- Well then it must not have happened yet.

I know they have to notify neighbors

if there's some kind of big zoning in the works.

At least, that's the way it works in Florida.

- Huh.

- Look, would you mind if I looked into this for you?

I mean, my calendar's pretty empty and I'm here anyway.

- Hey, what can it hurt?

- Well, it's early yet.

Maybe I can run into town and check out the township office.

Do you know where it is?

- Well you go right out here to the road

and turn right and go down about

three miles, you can't miss it!

- Right.

All right, I'll be back.

- Listen, if you haven't got a place to stay

I've got plenty of room here.

- I already booked a room in town.

But, I could cancel it, if your'e sure?

- The room at the top of the stairs is yours!

I'm so thankful that you're willing to help.

- It's my pleasure.

All right.

(laughs)

I'll be back.

- All right dear, bye-bye.

(sighs)

(speaks Italian)

- Everything from here on up is agricultural

except for the gas station and the store.

- I heard there might be a new

development up here somewhere?

- There is one fella who was trying to change

the zoning from agricultural to residential.

The way the zoning law is right now

pretty much every five acres can have a house on it.

He is pushing real hard to put a house on every acre.

- Aren't the farms out here pretty big?

- 200 to 400 acres.

- Well where does it stand?

- It was tabled at the last meeting.

But I think his site plan wasn't complete.

- A site plan, so he is pretty far along.

- Oh yeah.

Plus, he didn't have the proper drainage

and a couple of other things.

- Where is it, exactly?

- It's right here, south of Hawks Road.

It's the Louie Esch farm.

(sighs)

- When are these meetings?

- The first Tuesday of every month.

- That's next week.

What are the chances this guy's gonna get them to rezone?

- If he fixes the plan, I suppose

there's no reason it wouldn't pass.

He's made a pretty convincing case.

- And it sounds like a pretty big deal.

- Oh yeah, definitely.

He's applied for a planned unit development,

wants 135 home sites.

So far this guy has done everything by the book.

- And is that a complicated process?

- Not really.

To rezone we have to allow public comment

and then a vote is taken and if it goes

that far and it probably will, we'll have

to watch and see how good the engineering is.

Erosion has been a huge issue lately.

Basements flood, people sue, I get

caught in traffic, stuff like that.

The thing that bugs me the most

about all of this is the traffic!

The boundaries are up to here.

- Oh I see, wow.

(laughing)

- I've said enough.

- I'm Lydia Bailey.

- I'm Joanne Martin, you live out here?

- No, no, I'm just visiting.

My family used to work the Bolini farm when I was a kid.

I ran into Mr. Bolini and heard about some

of his troubles and offered to help if I could.

He's not really much into the mechanics of local government.

- His place is right next to this plan.

- I know.

He said some surveyors were already out on his property.

- Oh, that's part of the process.

Is he in trouble?

- He said something about a tax on his farm?

- Property taxes?

- I don't know, I don't think so.

- Oh, his mom just died.

Is this about an estate tax?

- It may be.

- Well if it is, it's not the first time

it's happened out here.

- I just think he wants things to stay the same.

- Most of the old farmers want to keep things simple

and I really can't blame them.

There are people coming out of the woodwork

tempting these guys to give up the family farm and cash in.

- And it's not just here.

- Oh, I know, it's everywhere.

(sighs)

Look, I've got to get some things finished before we close.

- Oh gosh I'm so sorry for taking up so much of your time.

- No, it's no problem.

Come by anytime.

- Thanks.

Joanne, one more thing.

Are people concerned about this?

- They're starting to see how one project

can impact the whole community.

That's why you need to bring Mr. Bolini

to the meeting next Tuesday.

- Well I will do my best.

Thank you so much.

- Seven o'clock.

- Seven o'clock.

Hey there.

- Mom always liked barns painted white.

She said they always looked cleaner, you know?

But I thought I'd give red a try.

What do you think?

- I think you're gonna need some more paint.

- No, no, I mean the color.

- Oh, red's good.

- You think she'd mind?

- I don't think so.

Besides, it's your decision now.

- Yeah well, you know, everybody around here

has red, you know, and I kind of like it

and it's sort of traditional, you know?

Are you hungry?

- Famished.

- Follow me.

Come on.

(laughs)

- Get your coat.

- Ah, thank you.

I'll get some squash all steamed up,

and we'll be all set, all right?

- Sounds good!

- Tell me, what'd you learn today?

- Well, there is a meeting next Tuesday

night at the township office.

I'm sorry it's like you were afraid of.

There's a guy trying to develop the property to the north.

- Oh, I don't believe it!

It's Esch's place!

- 135 houses.

- That old coot has been here as long as I have.

What's he thinking about?

(phone rings)

Hello.

- [Paul] Mr. Bolini, this is Paul Haight again.

Look, we need to talk.

I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time.

- It's dinner time, mister!

- [Paul] I'll keep it brief.

I was hoping you had a chance to think about my offer.

- The answer is I am not interested!

- [Paul] I know it's a big decision.

Could we just meet?

I'd like to explain what I'm proposing.

- Aha, I got a good idea of what

you're proposing, no thanks.

- [Paul] Wait, can I just come out tomorrow around three?

Just for a couple of minutes.

- Have him come out, just meet with him.

See what he has to say.

- [Michael] What?

- Have him come out.

- Well all right, tomorrow then

and listen, pick me up some bird seed

at the feed store will ya?

- [Paul] Bird seed? Sure!

Whatever it takes.

I'll see you at three.

- Make it two bags.

I'll call it in and they'll have it ready for ya.

- [Paul] Two bags it is!

- Bye.

- Two bags of bird seed?

- Saves me a trip.

(laughs)

Would you mind pass the salt and pepper please, darling?

- Sure.

- Thank you.

So, besides your dad, do you have a family?

- I have a boyfriend.

And a little kitty cat.

He's really sweet, he's a teacher.

- The cat?

(laughs)

- No, my boyfriend.

- Well I'd like to meet him someday.

- That'd be nice.

Do you eat like this every night?

- Hm, pretty much.

- Wow.

You have such a good life here.

- Yeah.

Can you imagine that just a couple of days ago

my lawyer came and told me about my estate tax?

Before that, everything was running hunky dooly.

Hard to believe, you know?

- I don't see how that could happen.

Your family has had this farm for so long!

- Well ya see, my mother had the farm in her name

and according to them, it was never

officially turned over to me, signed over, you know?

- So, it's like an inheritance tax?

- That's what you want to call it, yep.

Anyway, my lawyer says he's looking into it

and, you know...

- Is the whole farm, all the original farm intact?

- All 240 acres of it, you bet.

- Wow.

You know lately, I've really been wishing for

something meaningful to do with my life, you know?

That's why I jumped in the car and came up here.

I mean I didn't know why.

But, it just felt like I might find myself on an adventure.

And it seems like I have landed smack in the middle of one.

- Well, I don't know what kind of an adventure

it'll be, but you're welcome to stay

as long as you want my dear.

- Hey, if you cook like this every night, I'm staying!

(laughs)

So, tell me more about this guy

that's coming tomorrow at three with your bird seed.

- He's a developer.

Been circling around waiting for me

to kick the bucket, I guess.

- Has he made you an offer?

- Well, I don't know.

Sort of, I guess.

- Well just remember, you hold the cards in this situation.

- Yeah, well I'll agree with you on that.

Except for that lousy estate tax.

Ahh.

- I don't get it.

Does the township want to lose farmland?

- No, but our job is to enforce the laws.

If somebody wants to develop something, it's their right.

We just make sure it's done legally.

- Even if it's not in the best interest of the community?

- Look, I just work here.

Everything's handled by a committee or a board.

We've got a master plan that deals with this sort of thing.

Ugh, cost the township 150,000 bucks.

It's been sitting on that shelf for five years.

- They spent that kind of money

and they aren't following it?

- Well, actually the money came from a state grant

to help deal with sprawl, but nobody

seems to really pay attention to it.

- And most people are probably too busy

to make it to all the meetings.

- We elect officials to manage it.

Look at this.

- Is this around here someplace?

This is unbelievable.

How far along is it?

- It died, the developer went bankrupt.

But he put a lot of work into that.

He had big plans.

- And people went along with this?

- Yeah, most did.

- Well Mr. Bolini wouldn't have.

- Yeah I know, but everybody's got a dream, even developers.

- Mr. Bolini, he sees the whole picture.

- He won't last forever.

He's a dying breed, and he has no kids.

- He has a niece.

- You know what I mean.

- Still, we should respect the land.

Mr. Bolini or not.

- I'm not disagreeing with you.

(phone rings)

Excuse me.

Hello, this is Joanne.

I was just looking for that.

Yes, excuse me one second.

- Can I borrow this?

- It's not supposed to leave here.

- I will guard it with my life, please?

- Fine.

- Oh here, here, let me give you a hand.

- Thanks.

- Okay.

- Wow, something smells good.

- Warmed up leftovers.

- So, how did your meeting with Mr. Haight go?

- I must have missed him.

So, what's that?

- This is your township's master plan.

Cost them 150,000 dollars.

- Do you want some wine?

- Sure.

So how can I help?

- Get washed up.

- Yes sir.

(emotional music)

- You know, I'm dying to know but I'm afraid to ask.

Can you tell me about that master...

- Master plan?

- Master plan, yeah.

- Absolutely.

Believe it or not, no one's even looked

at the thing since they delivered it five years ago.

- So how come they don't use it?

- I don't know.

- Well is it because it's no good?

- It looks pretty thorough, has graphs and sketches.

Looks like it took a lot of work.

It's not like it's hidden or anything.

- Well, how do they treat this farm?

Is it still a farm or is it some kind of a shopping mall?

- It's a farm, this whole area is set aside for farm.

The only place they've used expansion

was down by the gas station and the store.

They pretty much kept it all there.

- I think Esch sold out.

Those surveyors told me that somebody's

gonna be breaking ground up here next spring.

- Maybe, see I think the master plan

isn't really the law, it's more like a community

vision or a guide or something.

- Well what's it good for then?

- I don't know.

Hey, I did check on the zoning though.

This whole area is set aside for agricultural use.

- Well then how can they carve up

agricultural land for houses?

Huh, isn't that what the zoning is for?

- Well, yeah, but get this, a developer can come in,

he can make a pitch to the township,

and then the township can decide

whether they want to keep the

zoning or change it completely.

- So the zoning isn't worth anything?

- It's not set in stone, no.

- So, so what should I do?

- You should be a that meeting Tuesday night.

- Want some ice cream?

- Sure.

(muffled crooning)

(singing)

(laughing)

- You're daddy's little girl, huh?

Yes you are, yes you are.

That's a girl, yes.

Yeah, you love that water, yes you do!

Yes you do, oh boy!

(laughs)

(emotional music)

(gravel crackles under car tires)

- Mr. Bolini, you are not gonna believe who I saw...

What?

I'm so sorry.

- Hey, you know what?

Susan sent me a tape here.

It's from her condominium people.

(chuckles)

So, what'd you find?

- Oh.

I thought I would make us some pasta.

- Pasta?

You know how to make pasta?

Well come on, I'll help you make the sauce.

- That stubborn old--

- Here's the plans.

- Oh, excellent.

Is that beautiful or what?

- It's amazing how much stuff you

can jam into that place, that's for sure.

- Right.

So, check this out.

Imagine you're driving home and you enter into this.

You go through a gateway that says

Oak Winds subdivision across the archway, like Ponderosa!

You know, Bonanza.

Never mind.

So, you go in here, drive up this way.

If you live in the north, you turn here, and you're home.

- Oak Wind's a good name.

Bolini has a ton of oaks up there.

- Yeah actually, we'd cut those down

and plant, there it is, juniperus something.

They grow faster and there's no leaves.

No messy yards to clean up, so they're perfect.

And no lousy squirrels.

Oh, and check this out.

I got a super deal on this ground cover.

Purple loosestrife, grows anywhere!

I don't know why it's so darn cheap.

Yep, 200 houses.

And once we add in the Esch's property to the north

and the Fullers to the south, we'll be rich.

Yeah, but Bolini's smack dab in the middle of all this.

If we can't get him out of here, those subdivisions

will have to look out over his barns

and crap and that old house.

- Well maybe people want to look at that old house.

- Don't be ridiculous, that house is a tear down.

Nobody wants to look at that old stuff anyways.

Ah, stuff's driving me crazy.

(phone rings)

- Pine Cone Properties, this is Annie.

He's right here.

- Thanks, Paul Haight.

Are you sure?

That is great news, thanks!

That was Vanderwall.

He's doing a little work for Bennett

and Swinehort, the lawyers, and he

overheard a conversation about Bolini.

Looks like Mr. Bolini's gonna have to come up

with some quick cash for the IRS.

Now he'll sell.

(chuckles)

He has to sell.

- I am not selling!

(wood clatters)

- Maybe you should talk to somebody about this.

I'm sure somebody's been through it before.

- Well you know, seems to me like Louie Esch

talked about something like that one time.

Maybe it's time for me to go see the old geezer.

- There you go.

Don't they make, like, mechanical

splitters or something for this?

- Yeah, I got one.

In the barn.

It needs a new head gasket.

- Can't you get somebody to fix it for ya?

- Ain't no big deal, I just haven't got around to it yet.

Besides, it's too noisy.

Oh.

- Are you okay?

- Oh yeah, yeah.

(sniffs)

Don't you just love the smell of fresh cut wood?

Here, smell, smell.

Huh?

Oh, I think that's enough for today.

(pleasant music)

Louie!

Hey, Louie!

Ha.

- How you doing, Michael?

- All right.

- Did you get remarried?

- Yep, yesterday.

No, this is Lydia Bailey.

Her family used to work for us.

- What are you hanging around this old coot for?

- I just came up for a visit.

I wanted to see the farm again.

- Things look different now, I suppose.

- In some ways, yeah.

- So what's up?

- Hey, Louie, what are you doing?

- I guess I might as well spit it out.

I'm thinking of selling the place.

They made a pretty good offer.

Look, my kids are grown.

None of them want to work the farm.

Why not take the money?

- How can you say that?

- What?

We struggle year after year to come up

with some fruit that gets thrown

into some freezer for God knows how long?

I don't know, with the insurance and labor costs

climbing this seems like a pretty good time to sell.

- Ah Louie, I like looking over here

and seeing your farm and knowing that you're my neighbor.

- I understand.

- Have you signed anything yet, Mr. Esch?

- They just brought the offer by yesterday.

I told 'em I'd have to read it over

and have my lawyer look at it.

- Did they give you a timetable?

- Yeah, five days I think.

- Louie, how can you say that?

- Look, I am not the only one doing this.

- We used to work together, Louie.

If you needed help, we were there to help you.

If Sullivan got into trouble hey, we were there to help.

- But that barn fire was 30 years ago!

- Look, maybe you should get everybody together.

You know, have a meeting.

I'm sure Mr. Esch doesn't take any of this lightly,

but you guys need to talk.

- Yeah, if you can pound any sense

into this old coot's head.

- After all these years, I don't want to leave

this farm any more than you want to leave yours.

- Well that township meeting is coming up pretty fast.

Can you meet on Monday?

- I suppose.

I can do it after four.

- After four, are you going to come over

to my place on Monday?

- It's fine, but it won't change my mind.

- This is a big deal, Louie, huh?

See you Monday, Louie, all right.

We'll see ya.

(emotional music)

(engine starts)

Might as well pick up the mail, huh?

- Will do.

See if I can get you closer than I did last time.

Ooh.

- There, you did fine.

- There we go.

- All right.

Okay, home and mother.

- Here we go.

Did you win the sweepstakes?

What is it?

- I'll open it later, the IRS.

(gasps)

- Mr. Bolini, just get it over with.

It is the IRS.

What does it say?

- Mr. Bolini, we have made several attempts

to contact you re--, blah blah blah blah blah.

- What do they mean by we've made several attempts?

- I don't know.

- Have there been other letters?

- Probably.

Yes, yes.

Yes!

In my case, my parents didn't think

to sign the title over to me while they were still alive.

So, the IRS figures I came into some inheritance,

and now they want their moolah.

- Same thing happened to me,

so I sold off those 20 acres down

by Murphy Road there where that cluster of houses is.

Worked out okay.

- Well, listen Charlie, those houses didn't do us

any favors being jammed into a place like that.

- I didn't have any choice.

- I know, I know, it's a tough situation partner.

- At least I got to keep the rest of my farm.

- Well listen, I've got a chance to sell off

this whole spread, the whole place.

- Well what's the problem?

- Well what would you do if they offered

you a million dollars and a month to get out?

What would you do then, huh?

- I'd move someplace warm.

- Oh that's ridiculous, come on!

Then what, huh?

- Nobody wants to be in debt.

- That cold snap last spring really hurt my crop.

A couple years in a row like that and I'd be done anyway.

If this opportunity would give me

a fresh start I'd say take it.

- Fresh start?

What about the rest of us?

And the community?

- That's what I'm talking about!

That's exactly what I'm talking about!

- You don't have a choice.

Sell a small piece, settle your debt.

What happens after that is out of your control,

but at least you've got most of your farm.

- No, I can't, I just can't!

- Oh come on, Bolini, times are changing.

- That's what I've been saying.

- If somebody wants to offer us easy money

to move on, I'm not gonna stand in their way.

- I got a purchase agreement sitting

on my kitchen table right now.

If I sign it, I'm rich, my debts are gone

and I find something else to do.

- [Michael] Come on Louie, what would you do

if you're not farming, huh?

What would you do?

- I don't know!

But it's kind of exciting thinking about it.

- Oh, for crying out loud.

- Mr. Bolini tell them about the meeting.

- Oh, no, you tell 'em sweetheart.

Come on, you tell 'em.

Tell 'em.

- Hi gentlemen.

I know I'm an outsider, but I just wanted

to let you know that there's going

to be a meeting tomorrow night at township hall.

They're going to vote whether or not to rezone

this entire area from agricultural to residential.

Now I would never presume to tell any of you what to do

with your land, but I am asking that you

don't let them make this decision

without your voice being heard.

- Well, what do you think?

- [Voiceover] Welcome to Southern California,

where the climate is always perfect.

A place where you can be yourself and enjoy

one of the most stunning and beautiful vistas in the world

and create for yourself a lifestyle that dreams are made of.

Through one of our many timeshare or purchase opportunities,

you can select the option that serves you best.

From just a week, a year, to full time, your choice.

Just imagine what the year round fresh air will do for you.

In addition, all maintenance for your

home and grounds is taken care of.

- That's enough of that.

Did you ever get that feeling

where you're going along a little bit too fast,

you know, and you pass by that police car

and he's got his radar out at ya, you know?

- I know the feeling.

- Well that's exactly how I feel when they talk

about selling, you know, the farms and everything else.

I get butterflies in my stomach.

Oh, terrible.

- I'm sure your niece just wants you to be happy.

- Oh, well listen, she's wonderful anyway.

She's always thinking about me, God bless her.

- Mr. Bolini?

I haven't been completely honest with you.

About the reason I'm here.

I feel like I need to tell you the whole story.

- Well?

(sighs)

- I work for the county, for the

Health Department, actually.

Well, one day this guy came in

to have a vaccination and I gave him a shot

and after it was over, I accidentally

pricked my hand with the needle.

A couple of days later we found

out the guy was HIV positive.

- Oh dear God.

- I don't know if I'm infected.

I still have some tests to take after Thanksgiving.

- Don't they have any medicine for that?

Can't they give you something?

- Well yeah, there's a couple of things.

But, until after Thanksgiving, I just, all I can do is wait.

- Oh you poor thing.

No wonder you wanted to take some time off.

Well, listen, I know everything's going to be all right.

Don't you worry about it, you hear?

- Yeah some, well most days, I think that.

But then there are others that are just...

- Lydia, listen to me.

Your whole world is ahead of you, believe it!

Your whole life is ahead of you, you understand?

(cries)

- I'm so glad I'm here, I'm so glad.

And it's gonna sound really weird,

but I'm kind of glad the accident happened.

Maybe I would have never come up here.

Not now, anyway.

Plus, what would you have done without me?

- Well.

I'd have probably watched that whole video.

(laughs)

- I'll get our plates.

(phone rings)

- Hello?

Yes.

No, no, no, he's dead.

Yes, he's dead!

Terrible tractor explosion, that's right.

Yeah, take him off the list.

That's it, bye-bye.

I hate those guys.

- Oh, there was a tractor explosion!

- Oh, never mind that.

Listen, Lydia, I got a secret for you too.

- What?

- About two weeks ago I went

to Minnesota to see a specialist.

- Why?

- Well, you know, my heart, and after a while

you know, at my age, parts start wearing out, you know?

- Well what did they say?

- Ah, I'm getting old.

But I can deal with it, you know?

Hey listen, right now I feel fine

and I'm getting along just fine, okay?

Look at my pop.

He died when he was 56, 56!

Just a kid.

- Still, there's gotta be some--

That's it, no more pie and ice cream for you!

- Ah, are you kidding?

You know the way I figure, if I didn't have that

and I died about a half hour later, I'd kick

myself for not having eaten it!

Make sense?

- Yes, yes it makes sense.

(laughs)

I'm gonna turn in.

- Okay.

- Okay.

Thank you.

- Night night, bye-bye dear.

(phone rings)

Hello?

- [Susan] Uncle Mike, did I wake you?

- Oh, Susan, yes yes.

I thought maybe it was somebody else.

No, never mind, never mind.

- [Susan] Well I just wanted to say hi

and see how it's going.

- Well, everything's fine, everything's fine dear.

Oh, you know Louie Esch next door, don't you?

- [Susan] Yeah, sure.

- Yeah, well he got an offer to sell his farm

and I think the coward's gonna take it.

- [Susan] Oh really?

- Yeah.

- [Susan] Well he's smart.

Have you thought about my idea?

- Yeah, but I'm gonna hold still yet.

I don't want to sell yet.

- [Susan] I worry about you.

- Ah, well, I thank you very much for your concern.

But everything's fine, and I'm okay.

I'm just a little tired is all.

- [Susan] I'm sorry to call so late.

I'll call back in a couple of days.

- I'll know something better tomorrow night

because there's gonna be a township meeting.

- [Susan] About what?

- Oh, it seems the developer wants

to go in there and try to convince the township

as to how he can slice up Esch's property, you know?

- [Susan] Oh, do you think they'll let him?

- Well I don't know.

We're all supposed to be there.

It's probably going to be a three ring circus if you ask me.

- [Susan] Huh, well maybe then you'll

come to your senses, and sell!

- Oh, yeah, okay, maybe.

- [Susan] All right then, call me anytime.

- All right, dear.

Thank you for calling.

- [Susan] Okay Uncle Mike.

- Bye-bye.

- [Susan] Bye-bye.

- The power company came through about

ten years ago or so.

They would not have it any other way.

They took out this whole line of Norway spruce.

- Isn't this the row that you planted?

- My pop and me, that's right, and those over there,

and those over there.

Yep.

- Couldn't they have just moved the lines

over and saved all these beautiful trees?

(laughs)

- Are you kidding?

We pleaded, we cajoled, we did everything!

And you see how much success we had, huh?

And you know, all we did was plant it

so that we could have a windbreak for the orchard.

- How do you feel about that, I mean even now?

- Ah, sometimes I feel mad, sometimes I feel bad

and sometimes I well, what are you gonna do?

Fight city hall?

But it's gone.

Yet, it's still beautiful.

- Oh, what's this?

- Let's see.

- It's from that guy that wants to buy the farm.

- I always thought that was a crazy expression.

Bought the farm.

Means to die, doesn't it?

- Well, are you gonna open it?

- Are you hungry?

- I'm starved.

- Well I'm making you the most perfect breakfast.

- You are?

- Yep, in a few minutes you will have

the greatest cornbread muffins in the world.

- Yum.

- Huh?

Smell that!

- So, do you think there would be enough

time for me to look through your letters?

- Oh, help yourself.

- Alrighty, here goes.

All right, let's see we've got Pine Cone Properties,

IRS, IRS, Pine Cone Properties, State of Michigan.

This one's certified, you even signed for it.

- So what can I tell you?

I've been busy!

(laughs)

- Um.

I've prepared some plans that will allow

you to visualize what I see for the Oak Winds subdivision.

Now you know, the north, this stuff is just making me nuts.

My God.

- Oh, try that my dear.

- Mmm, this is excellent!

- Uh-huh, my grandpop's recipe, good for ya!

- Even with the butter?

- What do you want to do, live forever?

- Mm, do you need anything from town?

- Not that I know of.

- I'm gonna run in to the township office

and pick up an agenda for tonight.

- What do you thinks gonna happen?

- I don't know.

I just don't want people to listen to that

developer and run to cash in.

Louie Esch might be the first one.

- Well maybe for him it's the right thing.

I just wish it wasn't right next door.

- Well like it or not, you're all in this together.

And that'll be our goal tonight, to get

everybody to work together.

And hopefully the township board

will put as much thought into this as it deserves.

- You should have been a lawyer.

Uh-huh.

- Ooh, ow!

- Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!

Oh, I wasn't paying attention.

- It's okay, I've been hit with worse.

- I feel so bad.

- Are you from around here?

- No, I'm visiting.

- Oh, well I'm Paul.

- Paul, Lydia.

- Nice to meet ya.

- You too.

- Are you heading in?

- Uh yeah, I was, why?

- Oh there's a township meeting tonight.

You know, a lot of fuss as usual.

- Really, what's the fuss all about?

- Well, the farmers have this great opportunity

to sell their land, and they'll make out like bandits,

but there's always some troublemaker screwing something up.

It's kinda complicated.

- Sounds like it.

- Yeah.

- Looks like a pretty nasty rash you got there.

- I don't know what the heck it is.

I'm doing all I can not to scratch it,

but it seems to be spreading.

- Looks like poison ivy to me.

Good thing you put that pink stuff on it.

- Oh, yeah, I sure hope it clears it up.

I don't know where I could have gotten it at.

- So, Paul right?

- Yeah.

- What is your interest in all this?

- Oh, well I don't want to brag or anything,

but I'm the guy that's trying

to put this whole deal together.

I'm the developer.

- Wow.

- Yeah.

- So, you must have your work cut out for ya.

- I've been through this stuff before.

This is like shooting fish in a barrel.

- Right, well I better get in before they close.

- Oh yeah, hey, sure.

Don't let me hold you up.

- Okay, well, bye-bye.

- Goodbye.

Wow.

(rain patters)

(somber music)

(knocks)

- There you are.

- Hi!

- Hey, I was wondering if I could get an agenda for tonight.

- Oh, sure.

Here you go.

- Perfect.

You are gonna be there, right?

- No I can't.

(gasps)

I've got a date.

- Ooh.

Hey, do you mind if I use your phone?

- Sure, go ahead.

- Thanks.

(phone rings)

Have fun tonight.

- Good luck.

- Thank you!

(rain patters)

Mr. Bolini?

Mr. Bolini!

(ominous music)

(rain patters)

Mr. Bolini?

Mr. Bolini!

Mr. Bolini!

Mr. Bolini!

(panting)

(sniffles)

- Must be almost 5:30, huh?

- We better head back or we're gonna miss the meeting.

- I dreamt I was at the meeting!

Somebody brought a cow and they had a couple

chickens and they're stuffed in their pockets

and they were dipping 'em to a sauce.

And they were selling them for ten dollars apiece.

It was Louie Esch!

He was selling them for ten dollars apiece!

(laughs)

Up there with the guy with the gavel.

Oh, oh.

Boy.

I oughta fall asleep more often, huh?

You ready?

- Yes.

- Come on, I'm ready.

(murmuring)

- Let's get this show on the road, shall we?

I hereby call this meeting to order.

First order of business.

John Miller wants to request a variance

on a setback requirement from

30 feet to ten for his new garage.

- Didn't we just have a request

like this at the last meeting?

- Meeting before last.

- Well according to Mr. Miller, who wants

to build a garage for his tractor,

says that this is the only sensible place.

- Doesn't the Miller farm have 150 acres or so?

How can this be the only place for a garage?

- Is Mr. Miller here?

John, why the request?

I mean, surely there's a better spot

that doesn't need a variance.

- Well I sold off some of my land last summer

and the new lot line shoots right by the house.

I've got it shoved up against the

other barn as close as I can.

I'd like to build it even bigger, but--

- What does the person that bought your property think?

- I don't know.

- Well what do you want us to do?

- I'd like you to consider allowing me the variance.

- Seems like there oughta be a better spot.

- Well now I regret selling off that much land.

- With all due respect, it's not really our problem.

- John, this is really an awkward request.

I'm not sure there's a hardship here.

- So how much land do you have?

- 75 acres, more or less.

- So you sold off half?

- About, yes.

- There's gotta be another place for this garage.

- This is the best spot!

- It takes a pretty special argument

to allow for a variance.

- If I can keep all of my buildings together,

I can use the orchards pretty much as they are.

I need to keep as many trees as I can.

- I'm still not seeing the hardship here.

- We've got a lot of things to cover tonight.

We've got to keep things moving.

Should we take a vote?

- Sure.

- All in favor of giving Mr. Miller his variance?

All opposed?

Sorry John, you know the deal.

We have guidelines.

Okay, next up is a request for a zoning change

with a planned unit development from Paul Haight.

Mr. Haight.

- On behalf of my partners and myself, thank you.

Mr. Wells, commissioners, ladies and gentlemen,

we're here tonight to share with you a vision of the future.

You know how the township is always perpetually,

well, how can I say it?

Broke.

We're always looking for new ways to bring in revenue.

Well I have a plan that would create a solid tax base

and infuse fresh, new money into your depressed economy.

Oak Wind subdivision.

A beautiful scenic residential community

with a great view and full access to utilities.

Starting with phase one, 135 houses

patterned after the classic American theme, the ranch.

Now I've done some homework and not only

will these homes provide a warm and maintenance

free environment for families to live and grow,

but they will also add, on an average,

of 2,600 dollars per year in taxes to the township.

- Phase one?

- Phase two and three would make a total of 675 homes,

but that could take a couple of years.

I know what you're thinking.

Where could we do this?

Can he really pull this off?

Can we do it and still be Earth friendly?

Well I'm here to tell you, yes, yes!

I've already optioned five separate farms,

three of which connect together

to make one super large parcel

so when it's time to expand, we're ready.

If you share this vision with me, you will benefit

from the fruits of a strong economy,

and the knowledge that you have been

a part of this new and exciting development.

Everybody wins!

- Mr. Haight, this is pretty different

from your first presentation.

- Yes, yes, I've improved it.

Thanks for noticing.

Are there any questions before I continue?

- Yeah, how many farms have you actual--

- Would you please stand up?

- How many farms have you actually signed up for this plan?

- Uh, two.

Well all right one, one actually.

Mr. Esch's place, but there's four others ready to go.

I'm all set to get financing from a bank out east

and they love projects up here.

- I've signed nothing yet.

According to his offer, I got until nine

tomorrow morning to decide.

- Well yes, that's true, but looks

pretty good, right Mr. Esch?

- I'm not so sure anymore.

(murmuring)

- All right, order, order, quiet.

Please, Louie, sit down.

Mr. Haight still has the floor.

- Two months ago you brought a preliminary plan

to us for review.

As I recall, it sort of made sense.

What happened?

- It's the same basic plan, it just

got a little bit bigger and even more successful.

(chuckles)

May I continue?

So, imagine you're driving up center highway there.

Just as you come down over the hill

off to the right you see this big beautiful entrance.

As you pass through the gate, you read Oak Wind subdivision.

Not really a gated community with security

and things like that, but it feels that way.

But, it is safe.

Now as you enter the complex, you have your usual

roads, sidewalks, everything,

but the best thing of all is the view.

Each home will have a beautiful view of the rolling meadows.

Now this is unprecedented for housing in this price range.

It will be a great place to live and raise your kids.

We've got a generous curb cut here

by the side of the road for the school buses.

All the utilities would be buried of course,

and the engineering would meet

or exceed state and local codes.

Each homeowner will have their choice

of six different styles of houses to keep

the uniformity and consistency.

Starting with a modest two bedroom, two car garage

and going all the way up to a five bedroom three car garage.

So, as you can see, there really is something for everybody.

Any questions?

- Over here.

- Yes.

- You said that each home has a view of the open meadow.

Is it not true that phases two and three

extend into that very same area?

- Well, the land is far too valuable to just let lay there

so even if we were to build these meadows, this field,

the area all to the west, even if that

were built on, the view would not be blocked.

The houses that we would build there

would not be high enough to cause any problems.

Yes, in the red sweater.

- I'm guessing that the people who are buying into this

aren't expecting that their houses will eventually

be looking out over rooftops.

- Well like I said, it technically won't block the view.

Ah yes, you in front.

- I know that land.

There's a stream that runs through

it on the southeast corner.

You've got houses drawn there.

- Okay, you know I'm really glad you brought that up.

This is really neat.

We have preliminary approval to put a culvert in there.

And without even diverting the stream!

We simply bury it.

The best part of all is the runoff from the road

comes right over there, over the culvert,

and into a retaining pond that we built.

Of course, it'd be fenced off to keep it safe for the kids.

- There's trout in that stream!

- Uh, just a second, hang on.

I gotta back up a bit.

Mr. Haight I have a number of problems here.

Now first, while your idea of generating more money

for the township is noble, the infrastructure

won't support a development of that size.

It'll cost more than we could possibly

raise with any additional tax revenues.

- We've tried to include as much of the

upfront cost in our plans as possible.

We'd even pay for installing a new expanded sewer pipe

and running it all the way out to the main road.

All of this will be paid for by us.

We'd simply tap into the existing sewer line.

We've even created a nice little two acre

green space for the kids to play in.

- But the sewers are at capacity now!

- What about traffic?

I don't want to live in an urban area,

and that's just what you're creating here.

- For every household you can count

on ten extra vehicle trips per day.

Ten times 675?

- Ah, perhaps, but you spread that out over an entire day--

- That's an extra 6,000 cars converging eventually

down here on Center and Hardwick every day.

- That road was designed to carry 10,000 a day, right?

- When it was built, what, eight years ago.

- Well the wear and tear on that road

is part of the infrastructure we can't ignore.

We're over 10,000 now.

- We concluded that there would be no impact.

- I don't agree.

- Believe it or not, new subdivisions cost us money.

They never make any money, not out here.

I mean, before you know it we have to beef up police,

fire, schools, more roads, more sewers,

I mean that kind of stuff costs serious money!

- As for the sewers, our studies

shows there's plenty of room left.

- Excuse me, sir, excuse me.

We could fight about the details

engineering and sewer and numbers,

but it seems to me that there's a bigger issue here.

It's the question, do we want to turn

our farmlands into neighborhoods?

Or don't we?

If we do, fine!

Let's accept Mr. Haight's proposal and work the bugs out.

Let's get it over with!

But if we don't, then we got to hang tough together!

And not spoil this place.

We got to hang tough together, and not foul this place up.

Things like this have happened thousands of times

all over this great country of ours.

Do we want to wake up some morning

and look and say, what the hell happened?

Do we?

(applause)

- Wait a second, I'm on the agenda here!

- Order, order, quiet please.

- I have a lot of time and money riding on this project

and I need to know whether you see the opportunity

so that I can move forward!

- All right, let's take a vote.

- No wait!

Do we all understand the exciting potential here?

- All those in favor of Mr. Haight's project?

All opposed.

(applause)

- Listen to those hayseeds.

We'll be back!

- I don't know, they seem kind of firm on this.

- Yeah, well just wait and see!

Aw, come on!

Are you kidding me?

This stuff's making me crazy!

I got a flat tire!

- It looks like you ran over a nail.

- This place is haunted.

- I guess I'm stuck being an old farmer for a while longer.

- What the heck?

- I sure liked the idea of a pile of money.

- Oh sure.

- I suppose this isn't worth anything.

- Fellas, you were amazing tonight!

- You know, if he had been a little

smoother, we might have bought into it.

- It was close, it was close.

- Gentlemen, there's someone I would like you to meet.

Mr. Meyers this is Mr. Esch and Mr. Bolini.

- Meyers.

Meyers, do I know you?

- Well I'm with the Conservancy.

- You deal with birds?

- No, land actually.

Lydia here's been giving me some

background about your situation.

I hope that's okay.

- I guess.

- Now, I know this might put a new spin on things,

but if you would consider a contribution

of your development rights to the Conservancy.

Just hear me out.

A couple of things would happen to help you.

- Look, I got enough debt for one man.

I can't afford to give this land away, too!

- Well, if the gift is made within nine months

of the death of the owner of the farm,

in this case your mom, there's no

inheritance tax liability to you, whatsoever.

- Oh?

- We try to preserve the character

of the region in a way that is consistent with the donors.

We'll attach that language right to the deed.

You can even stay as long as you want

and continue farming.

- You mean I could just give you enough

to avoid the tax and keep the rest?

- We'll need to look at your situation.

- I don't have his tax troubles,

but I've been thinking a lot lately

about getting out of farming.

- We have a budget too.

Every situation's a little different.

- So I wouldn't have to listen to

Bolini here whining all the time?

(laughing)

- We've been at it for years.

We're even getting federal grants now.

Preserving farms is a big issue.

- Where have you been during all this?

- Well, we've actually been following this

particular development for some time just

to see what the consensus was.

You know, some developments work out fine.

- Well that sure wouldn't have been the case here.

- You know, I sent you a couple of letters about this.

- You wrote me letters?

- Bet I know where they are.

- Well it's an important issue and I just want

to make sure that you understand your options.

If you folks will excuse me, I've got a kid

in a basketball game tonight and I still

might be able to catch it.

- Go, go, by all means!

It's a pleasure, thank you!

- It's been a pleasure.

- Thank you Mr. Meyers.

- Thanks for your time.

- All right.

Hot dog!

Suddenly I, suddenly I don't feel so stuck!

(laughs)

- Looks like your buddy's got some car troubles!

(laughs)

- You know, stop itching!

(laughing)

- Scratch mister, scratch!

- For a second there, I felt sorry for the guy.

You know when he started itching his poison ivy?

- I knew those old goats of mine would pay off someday.

(laughing)

No, no, no, that's shameful.

No, we shouldn't say that.

- I don't know.

- Well that went pretty well, considering.

- Well that's no skin off their nose.

Giving me a year to figure it out.

You all know where I live!

- Yeah but still.

- Yeah, I know.

What would you do?

- About the donation?

- Yeah.

- It's a great fit!

You get to stay where you are as long as you want

and the tax problem goes away.

- I set up a meeting for next Wednesday.

- You did.

You're not gonna make the guy bring you bird seed are you?

- No!

I'm actually going to his office, thank you very much.

- Well, good for you.

(laughs)

- What's the matter Lydia?

Something wrong?

- I got curious and had a blood test.

- So?

- I'm still negative.

- Oh, see I told you, it's nothing!

- I still have to take a test in two months.

- Yeah, but this is the best news yet!

- All right.

- All right!

(emotional music)

(geese honking)

You know, you might be getting a call one of these days.

- Well I hope so, at least write to me!

- No I mean, in case something happens to me.

- Do not talk like that!

- Well it happens, you know.

- I know it happens.

Just don't want to think about it.

- I'm gonna miss you, dear Lydia.

(emotional music)

- This meant a lot to me.

I'll never forget it.

- God bless ya.

Bye!

(emotional music)

(birds chirping)

My dear Lydia, you are the perfect friend

to come into my life when you did.

I thank God for your visit.

I decided to give half of the farm

to the Conservancy after all.

That was a deal I worked out with the IRS to avoid the tax.

But I saved the other half, 120 acres

including the house and barns for you.

I thought you should have them.

I made sure that if you ever wanted

to work the land, that you could.

The deal with the county is to stop sprawl, not farming.

You know the rest.

I wish, oh how I wish I could see your face.

I'm sure you're surprised.

That makes me very happy.

Love, Michael Bolini.

(emotional music)

♫ I have seen the golden summer light flicker in the trees

♫ In the orchard where the long grass sways in the breeze

♫ In the shade across the fence an old man in a chair

♫ Dreams of the names and faces who've been there

♫ But lately I have seen you fading

♫ As the world is changing

♫ As the seasons fly

♫ Still my heart in secret holds onto the deepest colors

♫ Of the earth and sky

♫ I will come and find you

♫ When the spring unbinds you

♫ Singing of an older time

♫ Still my heart in secret holding to the deepest colors

♫ Of the earth and sky ♫