All language subtitles for The.Waltons.S07E23.The.Tailspin.WEBRip.x264-ION10

Alright, Elizabeth.
This is where you get off.

Aren't you coming
to school, too?

I'm flunking out. Besides,
what's the use of me graduating?

Daddy's gonna hit the roof
when he finds out.

I don't care.
Come on, I'm in a hurry.

What will I tell them at school?

Tell them anything.
Tell them I'm sick.

Tell them I'm leaving
and I'm never coming back.

JOHN-BOY: Although my brother,
Jim-Bob, loved the mountain

as much as the rest of us,

since childhood he had dreamed
of heights beyond its summit.

Now, in the spring of 1942,

as those dreams appeared
to be within his reach,

it seemed that he was finding
new energy and purpose.

If we were disappointed,

it was only because Jim-Bob was
quietly building to a crisis

that would turn his life
in a different direction.

Jim-Bob, get down here!

Jim-Bob!

-How do you explain this?
-It's just a paper airplane.

Look again.

I was using
some old school papers.

Jim-Bob, that's an F. And I
don't think it stands for funny.

I haven't been doing very well
in English lately.

I'll say you haven't been
doing very well.

How are you doing in math
and science and history?

Not so good.

But I'm only flunking
English, Daddy.

How am I gonna get you to get
your head out of the clouds?

I'm sorry, Daddy. I don't know
what's wrong with me.

Just haven't been able
to concentrate lately.

You're always talking about
joining the Air Corps someday.

Do you mean that?

More than anything in the world.

Then you got to
graduate first, Son.

You got to have more than good
eyesight and coordination.

-You got to be smart, too.
-I know that, Daddy.

Wish John-Boy was around
to help you with this English.

I know who could help him.
Corabeth.

She knows lots about books and
she speaks very good English.

-Elizabeth, who asked you?
-That's a good idea, Elizabeth.

You call her, see if she can
give you some private lessons.

And do it now.

You're a real menace,
you know that?

Excuse me, I have to put my cake
in the oven.

Miss Fanny, give me
the general store, please.

Well, Mr. Godsey,
what do you think?

47, 48, 49, 50.
What is it, Corabeth?

It is James Robert's
reading chart.

He's to appear for his first
tutoring lesson today.

Looks pretty official.

The title of the book
is to be entered here,

the author,number of pages,
and the date the assignment.

What goes in that
little column over there?

Gold stars.

You're kidding.

Well, no, a gold star
is to be entered here

for every book completed.

Corabeth, it's bad enough the
books you're having Jim-Bob read

would cure insomnia
in 20 minutes.

(BELLS TINKLING)

But what do you think,
Jim-Bob's a little boy?

Oh, James Robert, your father
told me about your difficulties.

I am so pleased
to be of assistance.

IKE: You're a lucky young man,
Jim-Bob.

Nobody knows more about books
and literature than Corabeth,

or likes to spread it around
so much.

Can we get it over with?

Well, your teacher and I have
made out a reading assignment,

which if you put
your mind to it,

she guarantees me
will get you a passing grade.

She allowed me
to choose the books, of course.

I hope they're not boring.

James Robert, the classics
are deep, but never boring.

Now our goal
is two books a week.

You will appear here
on Tuesday and Friday afternoons

for stimulating discussion,

after which you will write
a book report and turn it in.

Now, are there any questions?

Can I read some books
about flying?

James Robert,
there are no books on flying.

IKE: Well, sure there are,
Corabeth.

There's Dickie Dinsfield
and the Flying Machine

and Wings Over the Sea.

Mr. Godsey,
you are speaking of pulp.

I am speaking of literature.

Come along, James Robert,
and I will introduce you

to the Mayor of Casterbridge.

Who?

And, James Robert,
I want you to think of me

not as your tutor, but rather
as your literary consultant.

Good luck, Jim-Bob.

I bet his name is John Curtis.

-How did you know that?
-And you're Mary Ellen.

I'm sorry, have we met?

I'm Sergeant Charles W. Turner.

Chuck.

I'm...

I was a friend of Curt's.

-Come, sit down.
-Thank you.

I should have called,
but I didn't get a pass

until the last minute.

-Sit down.
-Thank you.

Where did you know Curt?

In Wheeling, West Virginia,
where I grew up.

He was like a big brother.

Smarter and tougher
than all the rest of us.

We all looked up to him.

So, you're that Chuck,

the little towhead
who lived down the street.

Curt used to talk about you.

When I heard I was going to be
stationed at Camp Rockfish,

I knew I had to come over
and meet the woman he married.

It seems strange that
you knew him longer than I did.

I'll always think of him
as being alive,

helping me through geometry

or getting up
a game of stickball.

I knew he'd turn out
to be somebody.

He was somebody.

What do you do
when you're not in uniform?

Little bit of everything.

Used to be a short-order cook,
a door-to-door salesman.

I even tried a little
bush-league baseball.

I never managed to get to
college the way Curt did,

but once this war is over
nothing's gonna stop me.

I'm glad you came.
Can you stay for supper?

I'm due back at camp soon.

Anyway, this was just
a get-acquainted visit.

I don't want to keep you
from what you're doing.

Can I take a rain check?

Sure. I'll even introduce you
to my sister Erin.

Oh, well, if she's anything
like you, I'd like to meet her.

Come on, John Curtis and I
will walk you back to your car.

Thank you.

And then she said,
"Jim-Bob, how do you ever expect

"to appreciate truth and beauty
unless you understand

"the nature of
Mr. Browning's poetry?"

-Or something like that.
-How do you stand it, Jim-Bob?

-Promise not to laugh?
-Yeah, I promise.

I pretend they're
Messerschmitts.

What?

Those dumb books
Corabeth makes me read.

Every time I have to start one

I tell myself
it's a German fighter

and I have to shoot it down.

BEN: And five of them
makes you an ace, huh?

JIM-BOB: Yeah.

Ben, we're being followed
by a policeman.

Uh-oh. Better pull over.

-Let me see your license, sonny.
-What did I do?

You could have killed someone,
the way you was driving.

What? He was only doing
the speed limit.

It's okay, Ben.
I got it.

He didn't even slow down
for that stop sign back there.

Stop sign! What stop sign?

I've got a perfect
driving record, sir.

I've driven this road
hundreds of times

and I've never seen a stop sign.

Well, there is now. Are you
going to argue with me about it?

Fact is, this is the first time
I've ever been pulled over.

You're lucky there wasn't
anybody coming out

of that side street back there.

That little street back there?
There never is!

Oh, I am sorry, fellows.

I'm gonna have to run you in.

-Where are we going?
-County courthouse.

-Oh, come on!
-Thanks a lot, Ben.

You can save that arguing
for the judge.

Your driver's license
has expired. Just follow me.

If we're having company

why can't we use
the good dishes?

'Cause he won't feel at home
if everything's too fancy.

I sure hope he likes spaghetti.

We've got enough of it here
to feed an army.

You're really
gonna like him, Erin.

Mary Ellen, that's the
tenth time you've told me that.

I know he's gonna be
just crazy about you.

Are you playing cupid?

Well, can you blame me?

My sister and an old buddy
of Curt's?

Ben and Jim-Bob
still aren't back?

They should have been here
hours ago.

Probably just taking in
the sights.

I sent them to Charlottesville

to get a blade
for the power saw.

I don't know,
something must have happened.

If there'd been an accident,
we'd have heard.

You know, I'm beginning
to sound like your mama,

and you're beginning to sound
like me comforting her.

Helps to have someone
to worry with.

(CAR APPROACHING)

JOHN: Here they come now.

-You boys alright?
-Sorry we're late, Daddy.

-Where have you been?
-Charlottesville courthouse.

Jim-Bob ran a stop sign
and I argued with the deputy

and he ran us in.

Jim-Bob was driving
with an expired license.

He better be able
to explain that.

Go easy on him, Daddy.

They gave him
a temporary license right now,

but he's feeling awful bad.

You gonna sit here
all night, Son?

No, sir.

Something wrong?

I had to apply for
a new driver's license today.

Made me take the eye examination
and I flunked it.

Could be a little problem
with your eyes like John-Boy.

Doesn't mean
you can't drive again.

It means I can't fly, Dad.

To be a pilot in the Air Corps
you have to have 20-20 vision.

MARY ELLEN:
Looks like we didn't make
too much spaghetti after all.

Jim-Bob, you sure
you wouldn't like some

before Chuck eats it all?

No, thanks.

Hey, that's not fair.
I'm sitting right in the middle.

You don't expect me
not to help myself.

Looks like you've had some
experience with army chow.

Yes, sir.

Erin, why don't you
tell Chuck about your job?

ERIN:
Oh, there isn't much to tell.
I work at Pickett Defense Plant.

She's in personnel. She's
not only beautiful, but smart.

Mary Ellen...

Well, Chuck played
some minor league ball.

Why don't you tell her about it?

-You like baseball?
-Well, I'm not much for sports.

Mary Ellen was
our baseball star.

JASON: She was the best
shortstop we ever had.

Still is.

If you play baseball
the way you cook,

I want to sign up
for your team.

Well, wait until you taste
Erin's chocolate pie.

Oh, don't bother, Erin.
I'll get these.

-You finished?
-Yes.

Daddy, can I be excused?
I'm not very hungry.

Alright, Son.
We'll save some dessert for you,

if you change your mind.

ELIZABETH: He hardly even
touched his plate.

Excuse me, I think I'll skip
dessert, too.

Pass the pie, Mary Ellen.

BEN: Thank you.

-Jim-Bob?
-Up here, Daddy.

Move over, Son.
I'm coming up.

Been a long time
since I climbed up this ladder.

(EXHALES)

(SIGHS)

JOHN: I wonder if they'll
ever put a man up there.

JIM-BOB: I know one thing.
It won't be me.

I didn't know
you wanted to go the moon.

Even from the top of the
mountain,

it looks like
you can see everything.

Wonder what it'd look like
from the top of the sky.

Jim-Bob, you're gonna fly,
if you're meant to fly.

If I'd wanted to be
a schoolteacher or a salesman,

not being able to see so good

wouldn't make
so much difference.

My whole life I planned on
going into the Air Corps.

I know, Son.

You know,

when I was a lot younger
than you, about 10 years old,

a circus came to Rockfish.

They had a parade right down
the middle of town,

and there were elephants

with ladies in spangles
on top of them.

A whole line of things.

I wanted to go to that circus

more than I wanted to
do anything in my life.

So I ran home
and I went to all the neighbors.

I did chores for them.
I carried water, I chopped wood.

Finally after a couple of days
I'd made 25 cents.

Well, I couldn't sleep
all night, that night.

The next morning
I was up bright and early.

I had my chores done by 8:00.

-And you went?
-I went,

but when I got there

the tent was gone. It was
nothing but an empty field,

just candy wrappers
and empty peanut bags.

Circus had left a day early.

Bet you could have died.

What I did was, I came up here

and I stayed up here
for two whole days.

That's a long time.

Yeah, to be alone.

Finally Grandma brought me
some sandwiches

and Uncle Ben threw up
a blanket after a while,

and finally Grandpa brought me
a telescope.

And he told me to look around.

What good was that?

Well, I did look around
through that telescope

and I got a feeling for how

big the sky is.

And then
I got a feeling that maybe

my little hurt wasn't
so important after all.

The only problem is
when I look out into the sky,

all I can think about
is wanting to be a part of it.

Jim-Bob.

Then you can't give up hope
too quick, Son.

BEN: Lot of times
I've wanted to march down

to that recruiting office
and just join up.

You've got plenty of time.

The war's going to be around
for a while, it looks like.

Daddy says he can't
replace me at the mill.

Besides, we are doing
essential war work.

And Cindy would kill you
if you joined up.

-He's still on his honeymoon.
-Some honeymoon.

She's right now visiting
her daddy in Washington.

He's a colonel in the army.

ELIZABETH: Maybe he can put in
a good word for Chuck.

Here you are.
I hope you like picture puzzles.

This is the Matterhorn
in a thousand pieces.

Guaranteed to give you
snow blindness.

Ben, I thought you were gonna be
doing some work in the mill.

Oh, I forgot.

Elizabeth, why don't we leave
the dishes until morning?

We never leave dishes!

Well, then tonight
will be a first.

If you want some music,
just turn on the radio.

Have a good time, you two.

Do you like picture puzzles?

-Not particularly.
-Well, I love them.

(SIGHS)

Mary Lou Prince says you look
cute with your sunglasses.

Wondered why she was
following me around all day.

I told her you stayed at the
Dew Drop till 4:00 this morning.

She believes anything.

Elizabeth, you think
this is gonna work?

Robert McJilton had eyestrain
from studying too much.

So, he wore sunglasses and had
people read him his lessons

until he got better.

It's Corabeth's fault
I can't see.

It's all that dumb reading
she's been making me do.

Mary Ellen?

-Hi, get in.
-What for?

I'm taking you
to the eye doctor.

I don't need a doctor.

I've been taking care of my eyes
and I can see better already.

Well, good. Then you have
nothing to worry about. Get in.

JIM-BOB: Mary Ellen,
this is a waste of time.

-Bye.
-Bye.

Alright, James Robert,
I'm going to cover your left eye

and I want you to read the fifth
line on that chart over there.

"P, E, C, F, D."

Mmm-hmm. Fine, fine.

Now read the line
directly below that one.

"E, D, F, C."

No, "O."

"Z, P."

Mmm-hmm. Mmm-hmm.

Now let's try that line again
with your other eye.

"E, D, F,

"O, Z, P."

A little light reading?

Just something to help me
get to sleep at night.

What are you doing here?

"Building a House,
Framing Through Finishing."

I'm reading my way
through the construction shelf.

I figure when the war's over,

there's going to be
a demand for houses,

and I'm going to know
how to build them.

You make me feel guilty.
I'm reading Mardi Gras Summer.

I had a wonderful time
the other night at your house.

I knew you and Erin
would hit it off.

I'm going to a bond rally
in Charlottesville

on Saturday night.

Kay Kyser and his orchestra
are gonna play.

Sounds like a lot of fun.

What do you do for fun?

John Curtis and I fly to Florida
every other weekend.

We're planning a tour
of South America next month.

I'd ask you to go
to the bond rally,

but I guess it's too soon.

People might think
it was a date or something.

I'm sure Erin would love to go.

I'll give her a call.

I'd better hurry.
I have to go pick up Jim-Bob.

Carry your books?

Bad news, huh?

Doctor Canfield says
I have astigmatism.

Says I need glasses.

No wonder you've been having
trouble at school.

Says it's the kind of eyes
I was born with

and there's nothing
I can do about it.

I'm sorry, Jim-Bob.

At least the glasses
will help you to see better.

I'm not gonna wear them.
It's not fair!

A lot of things in life aren't.

Jim-Bob, what are you doing?

I don't feel like
looking at this stuff anymore.

You've been saving these things
for a long time.

There's no reason
to save them now.

Jim-Bob, there's all kinds of
jobs you can do in the Air Corps

and still wear glasses.

You don't have to tell me.

I've been reading up on it
since I was 12.

You could be a navigator
or a maintenance officer.

Somebody's got to keep
those planes flying.

Your kind of skill
could be valuable to them.

How would you like it if you had
to spend your life tuning pianos

and nobody ever let you play?

Looks to me like about $2.50
worth of stuff.

Yeah.

Well, now, Jim-Bob, I know
you drive a stiff bargain.

I suppose you're
going to tell me

this is Orville Wright's
old flying hat.

That's just something I got
when I was a kid.

I'll throw in an extra
two bits for it anyway.

Thanks.

Not much need for any of these
things anymore, you know.

I guess not.

The workmanship
on this biplane isn't bad.

Tell you what I'll do, Jim-Bob,

I'm gonna offer you $3 for the
whole lot, and not a penny more.

I'll take it.

Don't you want to swap?

What are you selling
all these things for anyway?

I always thought
you wanted to be an aviator.

That's kid stuff.
I changed my mind.

Well, I'll keep it a while

just in case
you wanna come back for it.

-Here's $5.
-You sure?

Jim-Bob, you drive the hardest
bargain of anyone I know.

Thanks, Buck.

Yes, Mary Ellen
did tell me about it.

It sounds very nice.

That's fine, I'll see you
on Saturday. Bye, Chuck.

That's true.

-Here you go.
-You didn't sound very enthused.

If you don't like the way
I talk on the phone,

don't listen to me.

What am I supposed to do
about Jim-Bob's breakfast?

Just leave it right there.
He's gonna have to eat it cold.

I don't know where he is.
He was awake early today.

Doesn't mean a thing
with Jim-Bob.

He's the all-time
world champion dawdler.

I swear it.

It's about time.

You're gonna have to eat
breakfast on the way to school.

I'm not going.

Feeling sick, Son?

Just not going,
not today, not ever.

I'm quitting school.

I hope you're joking.

I could've quit two years ago
if I wanted to.

It was the Air Corps
that was stopping me.

I have no reason to go anymore.

(ALL PROTESTING)

Alright, everybody,
you'd better be on your way.

Let me talk to Jim-Bob alone.

-Goodbye.
-Bye, Daddy.

Jim-Bob.

I know you're disappointed, Son,

but this doesn't make
any sense at all.

Once when I was your age,
I wanted to quit school.

Grandpa went through the roof

and I've always been glad
he did.

It's different now, Daddy.
There's a war on.

That's not the end
of the world, Son.

In fact, one of the reasons
we're fighting this war,

so you can have
a right to an education.

By give up school you're giving
up your chance for a good life.

I'm not going back.
I wanna join the army.

You're too young,
and you know it.

And I won't give you
my permission.

I don't need your permission.
I'll lie about my age.

Come here.

Who's gonna believe you?

Now get to school.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

I thought you retired that dress
a long time ago.

It's not the dress that's
retired, it's the owner.

I'm going to cut it down
for Elizabeth.

You outgrown it?

No, fits me perfectly.

I'll just never wear
something this frivolous again.

I'm a grown woman,
a widow with responsibilities.

Mary Ellen, you may have
had some hard times,

but you're still young.

One of these days you may feel
like having a social life again.

My social life is at home.

It has to be that way for now.

Since when did you play
by the rules?

I thought I saw the old
Mary Ellen the other night.

The Mary Ellen who loved to
laugh and have a good time.

When was that?

When Sergeant Turner
came for supper.

Chuck is a friend of Curt's.

I was being nice to him,
that's all!

Sorry if I hit a nerve.

You have a right to have
a friend, you know.

Jason, would you please
get out of here,

so I can and get going
on this dress?

I knew I came in here
for something.

I borrowed your scissors.
Thanks.

Why don't you take that dress
and make it into an apron

and tie yourself to the house?

Elizabeth.

Finally getting around
to oiling these hinges.

Grandpa always said
they did enough complaining

for the whole house.

Where's Jim-Bob? Didn't he
come home from school with you?

I guess he's still
hanging around there.

That's funny. He's usually out
before the bell stops ringing.

-Yoo-hoo! John?
-Corabeth.

John, I have come
to plead with Jim-Bob

to continue
our literary discussions.

I didn't know he quit
the literary discussions.

Nor did I,
until I spoke to his teacher.

Oh, poor lamb,
needing glasses all this time.

Of course, he was bound to feel
self-conscious about it.

They'll call you
"four-eyes" at school.

Well, in view of the fact
of his visual difficulties,

I have acquired a novel,

Vanity Fair by
William Makepeace Thackeray.

-The print is very large.
-That's nice of you, Corabeth.

Jim-Bob's glasses
should be ready soon.

His glasses are ready. It's just
he won't go to pick them up.

Miss Winfield assures me
that it is not too late,

and she will give him
every consideration

when he is well enough
to return to school.

Well enough
to return to school?

I'd better go do my homework.

Hold on, young lady.

What is this,
"return to school"?

Well, he hasn't been
attending classes.

He's been sick for a week.

Have you been covering up
for your brother?

I told them he had a cold.

Where does he go?
What does he do?

I don't know.

He said he just can't stand
to go to school anymore.

Sometimes I know how he feels.

You do? You go up to your room.
I'll be up there in a minute.

Yes, Daddy.

John, I assure you, I did not
come here to stir up trouble.

I would just like to know what's
going on around here, Corabeth.

I suppose Jim-Bob
wouldn't care much

for William Makepeace
Thackeray anyway.

Here you are, Jim-Bob.

You've got some explaining
to do, Son.

Corabeth's been
to see your teacher.

You've been cutting school.

I might have known Corabeth
would go snooping around.

Oh, Jim-Bob,
that was not my intent.

It's bad enough you had to
push those dumb books on me.

But how come you had to
go butting in at school?

That's enough, Jim-Bob.

You think you're so important.

All that fancy talk
about art and the classics.

Well, everybody laughs
at you, Corabeth.

I said that's enough!

You apologize to Corabeth
right now!

That will not be
necessary, John.

I would not accept Jim-Bob's
apology were it offered.

I oughta take you
to the woodshed right now.

How dare you talk to her
like that? She's your friend!

-She was trying to help you!
-I don't need any help.

What has gotten into you?

Not going to school,
what have you been doing?

Trying to join the army.

Been to every recruiting office
around till Richmond

and I'm not gonna stop
till I find one that'll take me.

Alright.
You been walking around here

like you're the only one
that hasn't gotten his way.

You've been lying to me,
you had your sister lie to me

and you've been talking
to your elders like that!

Maybe you oughta go in the army,
that would straighten you out.

Then just sign this form.

It says I have your permission
to enlist.

Alright.

Jason? Dew Drop closed already?

It's after 12:30.
What are you working on so late?

Trying to shine up
this old telescope.

-You worried about Jim-Bob?
-Yes, I am, Son.

You did the right thing, Daddy.

Didn't have much choice.
He had his mind pretty well set.

Jim-Bob's so quiet.

It's easy to forget
how headstrong he is.

Your mama and me
have always been able

to help you kids
with your problems.

Not this time.

(SIGHS) I kind of feel
like I've failed Jim-Bob.

Signing that paper

told him you trusted him
to solve his own problems.

You know, Jason,
it's kind of nice

having a grown-up son
around sometimes.

You don't have to worry about
how your hair looks anymore.

Army's going to
cut it all off anyway.

Wish you were going
with me, Ben.

Sooner or later they're gonna
replace all essential workers

with women and older men.

When that time comes,
I'll be joining you.

Never thought I'd wind up
a foot soldier.

I know. That is a tough break.

We're gonna have to
really give you

a wing-ding of a party
before you go.

Thanks. I really don't feel
like celebrating.

Mary Ellen, you'd better not
hold supper for me.

I'm gonna have
a lot of forms to fill out.

Well, here.
These might help you.

I picked them up for you
this morning.

Why don't you try them on,
Jim-Bob? See how they look.

I'm never gonna wear them.

It's your life, Jim-Bob.

But you might enjoy it
a little bit more

if you could see past
the end of your nose.

Are you leaving now?

Just on my way
to the recruiting office.

I'm sorry I got you in trouble.

I'd do it again.

You know, sometimes I can't
believe we're growing up.

You know, you're
one of my best brothers.

Even though you are going
into the army.

I'm glad you're my sister,
Elizabeth. Bye-bye.

Daddy? I'm leaving
for Rockfish now.

Still planning on going ahead
with it, huh, Son?

Yes, sir.

You know, Jim-Bob,

I've always been
proud of my kids

when they discovered
what they want to do in life

and went ahead and did it.

I sure wish I felt this way
about you joining the army.

It's what I want, Daddy.

Okay, Son. I just hope
you don't wake up someday

and be sorry for what you did.

I already made up my mind.

Remember, it's not final
till you take that oath.

-Thanks, Daddy.
-Good luck, Son.

Looks like
you got a flat tire, Corabeth.

I had already ascertained that.

Can I change it for you?

That will not be necessary.

I can go back to the store
for assistance.

Please, Corabeth,
I'd like to help you.

Very well.
The tools are in the trunk.

-Hi, Chuck.
-Hi.

-Come on in.
-Thanks.

Is Erin ready to go?

Probably not. She's not famous
for being on time.

It's alright. I was hoping
I'd get a chance to talk to you.

I'd better see
if I can hurry her up.

Guess you're stuck with me.

Well, I've been stuck
with worse.

I have to stay in the house
all weekend.

-You don't look sick.
-I'm being punished.

You must have done
something really bad.

Depends on whose side you're on.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

-MARY ELLEN: Erin? Erin?
-What?

Erin, what are you doing?

Baking a cake.
What does it look like?

Erin, Chuck is downstairs.

You're supposed to go to that
bond rally with him.

Oh, no, I forgot!
Help me rinse out. Quick!

I could just drown you
for being so stupid.

It's gonna takean hour
for your hair to dry.

It's not like I really wanted
to go out with him.

What do you mean?
You accepted the date!

Only because
you kept pushing me at him

and reminding me
he was one of Curt's friend.

What an awful thing to say.

He's a warm, wonderful,
funny person.

Then you should be going out
with him, not me. Ouch!

Oh, Erin. You don't deserve
anybody so nice.

He may be a nice guy,
but he just isn't my type.

Mary Ellen, would you
leave me some hair?

Ow!

Erin, here, finish it yourself!

Corabeth, you should watch
how I'm doing this,

in case you have to
change a tire someday.

I'm afraid I'm not
very mechanical.

I'm not very literary myself.

Sometimes you get stuck doing
things you're not very good at.

Jim-Bob.

Is it true what I hear,
that you're joining the army?

I was just on my way to sign up.

Jim-Bob, I know I didn't seem
very sympathetic to your flying,

but I do want you to know
that I found it admirable.

Really?

There is such daring,

such poetry in flight.

Sure was counting on
joining the Air Corps.

Jim-Bob.

I hate to see you give up
the whole dream

just because a part of it
can't come true.

Corabeth, I'm sorry about those
awful things I said to you.

I didn't mean them.

Do you think I don't know
what people say about me?

They don't know
what they're talking about.

Jim-Bob,

when I dreamed what my life
would be like,

I never dreamed I'd be behind
the counter of a general store.

I was going to be a ballerina

or a great tragic actress

or marry an aristocrat
and travel the world.

Well, when I found myself
behind the counter

of a general store
at a little country crossroads,

I had to either give up
those dreams,

or find a way of
keeping part of them alive.

I'll never go to Paris,

but if I speak a French phrase
or two, from time to time

I am transported
to the Champs Élysées.

And if I quote Shakespeare,

it is to satisfy that
never-to-be-fulfilled longing

to be center stage

when the house lights dim

(GASPS)

and the curtain is up.

Look at me, Jim-Bob.

On the outside
I may be a storekeeper's wife,

but on the inside
I am a ballerina.

And if it was flying I wanted,

I wouldn't let
a pair of glasses stop me.

I'd find a way to fly.

You'd better get a patch on
your spare. You might need it.

Thank you, Jim-Bob.

Jim-Bob, have you
ever seen an albatross?

No, ma'am.

Well, they're very slow
and clumsy taking off,

but once airborne,

they can stay aloft
for days at a time.

Corabeth.

Goodbye.

Find out what's holding up
the parade?

More or less.

You know something? It's not so
bad having to stay in after all.

I might have gone
to the movies this afternoon

and missed the show
going on here.

Anything I should know?

Well, here comes your date.

I hope you don't mind.

There's been a little change
in the plans.

Are you sure?

I am, if you are.

Hey, Mary Ellen,
where you going?

On a date!

I don't know how that happened,
but I'm glad it did.

I am, too.

And I asked her to get
Kay Kyser's autograph for me.

Oh, I wish I had asked her.

I don't believe it.
Hey, Daddy! Come quick!

Howdy!

BEN: Where have you been?
What's that propeller doing?

Guess what? I'm gonna build
an airplane!

-An airplane?
-An airplane?

The Air Corps needs
good mechanics

and that's the best way
for me to learn.

Let's go put this
behind the house.

-Give me a hand here.
-See you later.

BEN: It's heavy.
JIM-BOB: Don't drop it.

Jim-Bob?

Daddy.

I decided not to join the army.

I'm real glad to hear that, Son.

Wanna see a picture of
the airplane I'm gonna build?

Sure do.

Hey, Daddy,
I can really see you!

Well, it's about time, Son.

JOHN-BOY: Jim-Bob failed
English that term,

but with Corabeth's help

he managed to catch up
in summer school.

He never did excel
in literature,

and he never flew
for the Air Corps.

But he hung onto his dream,

and one glorious day
after the war,

the airplane that he had built
on Walton's Mountain

carried him briefly
into the sky.

And all of us were there
to cheer him on.

JIM-BOB: Goodnight, Daddy.
Goodnight, Jason.

JASON: Goodnight, Jim-Bob.
Goodnight, Erin.

ERIN: Goodnight, Jason.
Goodnight, Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH: Goodnight, Erin.
Goodnight, Mary Ellen.

JOHN: Mary Ellen?

ERIN: She's not home yet.

JOHN: Oh, Lord.
Goodnight, everyone.