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01:17In every town or village, there used to be the hidden people.
01:21Those who, for one reason or another, are shut away from life.
01:25Or who, for some strange reason, shut themselves away from the world.
01:30My quest for a car, in which to drive back and forth to college,
01:34was eventually to lead me to two of those hidden people.
01:38🎵
01:43Now, daddy, she's not exactly in mint condition,
01:45but between you and me, we could probably fix her up pretty good.
01:48She needs a new paint job, a little work on the upholstery.
01:51How much is Buck asking?
01:52Hey, I didn't talk money with him. I wanted to speak to you first.
01:56All right, take this on over there. We'll chop it up for firewood later.
02:00Fix up this fence, and we'll go see about it.
02:02All right.
02:06John boy, can a chicken talk?
02:08I never heard one talk, Elizabeth.
02:11I heard that old Rhode Island reindeer talk.
02:15What'd she say?
02:17Ouch.
02:18Ha, ha, ha.
02:25Whew.
02:26Hey.
02:27Good thing I knew the storm was coming, so I could cover up the bustle.
02:32How'd you know it was coming? You feel it in your bone?
02:34I heard it on the radio first, then I felt it in my bone.
02:38Hey, I thought you was going over to Buck's to get yourself a new tin Lizzie.
02:42Ah, daddy wants us to clean up this storm damage first.
02:45Well, I could clean it up and cut it up in the firewood with the help of the young'uns.
02:48You run along.
02:49You reckon?
02:50Hmm.
02:51Hey, daddy. Grandpa says he can do the work.
02:55Jim Bob.
02:56Yeah?
02:57Jason.
03:03Calm down.
03:05I just wish we'd left earlier. Mighty could be gone by now.
03:08It's only 8.30 in the morning. It was there last night, wasn't it?
03:11Well, sure it was, but anything could have happened since I saw it last.
03:14I doubt if Buck Higgins is going to have to fight off buyers.
03:17Just isn't that much money around.
03:22Couldn't we go just a little faster?
03:25We could, except I don't want to burn out the motor this morning.
03:37Mr. Higgins!
03:40Morning.
03:41Oh, howdy.
03:42Howdy.
03:43How'd it go, Buck?
03:44Oh, can't complain. John?
03:48Getting three squares a day. How many of us can make that claim?
03:52Don't do much damage out here.
03:54Oh, didn't she blow.
03:56A while there, I thought I was going to pick up the house and land in Bascom's Hollow.
04:00Mr. Higgins? You still got her?
04:02Sitting right where you left her.
04:04Keys and ignition.
04:05Great.
04:10How's your daddy, John?
04:12Hold on.
04:13How's everybody out here?
04:15Oh, little one's been down with a whooping cough.
04:19But then if it ain't one thing, it's another.
04:23Well, uh, what can I do for you, John?
04:27The boy's got his heart set on that old Ford of yours.
04:30He already got the truck. What do you need a car for, too?
04:33Bus schedule at Western's been changed.
04:35Yeah, the boy was telling me about going down there to that college.
04:38It's up at the crack of dawn he can make it.
04:41Thing is, the last bus back leaves about noon.
04:43He's not out of classes yet.
04:45Well, now, why don't you give him your truck, John, and retire?
04:48I might just do that, Buck.
04:56Yeah, $35, and she's all yours.
04:59$35, well, that's a reasonable price.
05:02That much money will get you a whole year of cut lumber.
05:06Lumber? How'd we get on the subject of lumber, John?
05:08I thought we'd make a bargain, let my boy have that car,
05:11and I'll supply you with all the lumber you need.
05:15Afraid I can't do that, John.
05:19Sounds like a fair deal to me.
05:22Me, too. Some other time I'll probably jump at it.
05:25The only reason I'm trying to sell the car at all is I'm hot up for the cash.
05:33Whoo! All I need now is a raccoon's tail.
05:39John, boy.
05:40I declare now that I'm real sorry.
05:45We get here too late?
05:47Not that, son. This Buck here needs money. We just don't have it.
05:52Times weren't so hard.
05:56Sure, I understand.
06:02You can leave her there.
06:04Thanks, anyway.
06:08Thank you, Buck.
06:10Don't mention it, John.
06:20Don't worry, son.
06:21You'll get there whether I have to drive you coming and going.
06:29I need some gas.
06:39Hey, John, boy. Hi, John.
06:41What's going on, Mike?
06:43Well, your ears must sure be burning.
06:44You know, I was just thinking about you this minute.
06:46You still looking for a car?
06:48Hopeless.
06:49Well, why don't you let Agassi take care of all your problems for you?
06:52You know, I think I found just the right liver for you.
06:55The problem isn't finding a car, Ike.
06:56It's getting someone willing to barter for it.
06:58Everybody seems to need cash.
07:00You know how to run?
07:02I know where he lives, but that's about all.
07:04He never gets off his place. What does he need a car for?
07:06I don't know, but he's got one.
07:07He and his wife had one when they drove in here the first time.
07:09But what he doesn't have is a roof.
07:12He lost it in a storm last night.
07:13You know, I thought I was going to lose mine, too.
07:15I was up half the night with those rafters shaking around.
07:17Ike, what about the car?
07:18Oh, yeah, the car.
07:19Well, when I drove by the Rudge place this morning,
07:22I noticed that about half of his roof was laying out there in the yard.
07:25Well, I thought I'd go in and check on he and the missus, and...
07:28Well, he wouldn't let me in.
07:29But he told me through the door that he couldn't fix it himself.
07:32And he asked me if I knew anybody who could.
07:34You know how much he'd be willing to pay for it?
07:36Well, I don't know. Not much.
07:38But I figure he hasn't driven that car since he's been here,
07:42and he might just be willing to trade it for something he does need.
07:46Wouldn't hurt to ask, young boy.
07:48Ike, I begin to see angel wings sprouting on your back
07:51and the hint of a halo coming up from behind your left ear.
07:54I told him you'd probably drop by later today.
07:56Well, I'll do it.
07:57Daddy, I've kept you away from the mill a long time.
07:59You want to manage this yourself, son?
08:00Yeah. I'll ride up the house with you,
08:02and then I'll take old Blue over to the rudge place, okay?
08:30Mr. Rudge?
08:32Name's John Walton.
08:34I was down at Ike Godsey's store.
08:36He said you were looking around for somebody to help fix up around here.
08:42I got no money to tell you that.
08:44He said you might be willing to make a trade.
08:46Well, I'll take it.
08:48I'll take it.
08:49I'll take it.
08:50I'll take it.
08:51I'll take it.
08:52I'll take it.
08:53I'll take it.
08:54I'll take it.
08:55I'll take it.
08:56I got no money to tell you that.
08:57He said you might be willing to make a trade.
09:00Might be.
09:02It's something about an old car you might be willing to trade for the work.
09:06He's wrong.
09:08I got a good set of machinist tools.
09:11Might be willing to part with that.
09:14Well, thank you, but that won't help me out any.
09:18I got a game leg, and I can't manage myself.
09:23So maybe I can throw in a patroller.
09:27I'm sorry, but a car is what I really need.
09:31You take it or leave it.
09:34Thank you, but I really can't afford to put in the time unless I'm working for a car.
09:39Good day to you.
09:42Boy!
09:44If I was willing to strike this bargain that you want, you'd have to do a powerful lot more than just fixing my roof.
09:56Well, I'll do whatever has to be done.
10:01Get your chill out here.
10:03Catch you worse than inside, you don't get that roof repaired.
10:07You're the Walton boy, aren't you?
10:09Yes, ma'am.
10:10I was down at Godsey's store the other day, saw you in there.
10:14You gonna help out with the chores?
10:16I'd like to, if Mr. Rudge be willing to trade the car you have for the work I do.
10:20Go in the house, Martha. I got more to say to this boy here.
10:23But, Hyde, are you not gonna...
10:25Talk to you later.
10:32Nice to have met you.
10:37Can I see the car?
10:39What for?
10:41Well, Mr. Rudge, I'll fix the roof for you. I'll do any other chores you want done.
10:45But I'd like to know what I'm working for.
10:47When can you start?
10:49First thing in the morning, if you like.
10:51I'll show you the car then.
10:54I'd like to see it now.
10:57You're so feeble, you can't use your feet.
11:00I don't see how you can do all the work needs doing here.
11:03Mr. Rudge, I don't think you understand.
11:06See, I'm gonna be going off to college in the fall.
11:09And my family's got a truck, but they need it for work. There's no bus I can take.
11:12And if I've got to walk 28 miles back and forth to college every day,
11:15I'm not gonna have much time to do any studying.
11:18My education is very important to me.
11:23You'll have to pay the roof,
11:25clean up this here yard,
11:28fix all them windows and doors,
11:31nail down all the loose floorboards in the house,
11:34and chop me enough wood for the winter.
11:40All right.
11:42That's a lot of work.
11:44That's an unfair lot of work,
11:46but I can't afford to worry about that right now.
11:49May I see the car?
11:52Come along.
12:27Oh!
12:29This is beautiful.
12:33Oh, she's got a rumble seat.
12:38She is really beautiful.
12:40Now you've seen it.
12:42How's the engine?
12:43Perfect running order.
12:44May I try her out?
12:46Just have to take my word for it.
12:48Just like I'm gonna take your word you can do my chores.
12:50Okay, okay.
12:52But after a day's work, if you're satisfied I can do it,
12:54I'll have to be satisfied with your engine.
13:00What age are you, boy?
13:02Eighteen.
13:05What are you gonna do with your life?
13:09Well, I'm enrolled at the School of Journalism at Boatwright University.
13:13What would your daddy think of that?
13:15He's for it.
13:19You'll be here early.
13:21I'll be here at the crack of dawn if you want me to.
13:23Afternoon, Mr. Wright.
13:29Good-bye.
14:00Look, Mama, it's a going-away present.
14:02No, son.
14:03It's not for going away.
14:05It's for coming home.
14:06You, too.
14:07What am I gonna do with you?
14:09Come on in now.
14:10Have some birthday cake.
14:15Absolutely beautiful.
14:16It's not new or anything, but it's in amazing condition,
14:19the way it's all waxed and polished.
14:21You'd think it was a baby the way he takes care of it.
14:25It's all waxed and polished.
14:27You'd think it was a baby the way he takes care of it.
14:29He's a strange man.
14:31Oh.
14:32Why do you say that?
14:33Well, I've been down at Ike's.
14:35When Rudger's come in, he asks for his mail right off the bat.
14:37He looks things over
14:39and then leaves without saying so much as fare thee well.
14:42I saw her once.
14:43She's a sweet-looking woman.
14:45Looks like a ghost now.
14:46I'm scared.
14:48Said she looked like a ghost and says she is one.
14:51I'm still scared.
14:53Seems to me if they were right-thinking people,
14:55we'd see them in church.
14:56Hold your horses, everybody.
14:58Rudger's have problems.
14:59They must, the way they're acting.
15:01But it's none of our business.
15:03That's absolutely right.
15:04I'm gonna go down there and do my work,
15:06and when it's all done, I'm gonna drive my car home.
15:08Can't you drive it home tomorrow, John-boy, just so we can see it?
15:11I can't even touch it until I've put in a full day's work.
15:14That reminds me, Mama, I gotta get down there at dawn.
15:16Would you pack me up a lunch?
15:18Sure, ham and biscuits,
15:19and how about some vegetable soup and a jar?
15:21Sounds good.
15:22When I was your age and worked out among strangers, they'd feed me.
15:26Even over at Esther's, they'd usually feed me something or other.
15:29You ate too much.
15:31I don't think they're that kind of people, Grandpa.
15:33Ham and biscuits will be fine.
15:35We'll take your lunch to you, John-boy.
15:37Yeah, and see the car at the same time.
15:38We can all go.
15:39And have lunch with you.
15:40I really don't think they're the kind of people who like company.
15:43Company or no company.
15:44I think John will pay him a visit and make sure everything's all right.
15:48Grandma, everything's all right.
15:49They're just not the kind of people we're used to.
15:51It's gonna work out just fine.
16:06Tider?
16:07Yes, Martha.
16:09Come on in, then.
16:11I'll be in directly.
16:14It's getting late.
16:16I'll be tired soon. I'll be alone.
16:21The Walton boy thinks you're gonna let him have the car.
16:24That's what I told him.
16:26I know.
16:28But I don't believe you're gonna be able to let it go.
16:47Mr. Rudd!
16:49We're having a lucky streak.
16:51I think most of this wood's gonna be good enough to use again.
16:54Fine, fine.
16:56I'll tell you the truth.
16:57I thought I was gonna have to make up a whole new batch of shingles.
17:00But I see that that's not the case.
17:02I'm gonna tie these shingles up in batches of 20 with a length of rope.
17:06And I'll just hitch that length of rope up there onto the roof.
17:09And when the time comes to do the job, I'll be able to save us a little time.
17:12You always talk so much.
17:15Well...
17:17I just hope you'll be satisfied...
17:19at this point...
17:21that I'll be able to do the job.
17:25Glad to see you in such a fine mood today.
17:31He doesn't mean any harm.
17:33Oh, man.
17:35No, I understand.
17:37Some people just don't take kindly to young folks, that's all.
17:40It's not that.
17:43Well, it doesn't matter much.
17:45It's because of the car.
17:47Mrs. Rudge...
17:49I hope you understand that I don't want that car for any foolish reason.
17:53I know why you want it.
17:55And even if I didn't...
17:57you don't appear to me to be a boy who goes in for too much foolishness.
18:01No, I don't reckon I am.
18:03John boy...
18:05do you know anything about Hyder and me?
18:08I don't think I know what you mean.
18:10There's something you ought to understand.
18:12I'd appreciate it if this went no further than the two of us.
18:16But I sense that you're a person who will honor his promise.
18:19Well...
18:21I didn't make a promise.
18:23I want you to promise me that you won't repeat anything of what I'm going to tell you.
18:27Now, ma'am, honestly, I don't know if I could keep a promise like that.
18:32Well, in that case, I...
18:34Staying around isn't my idea of working.
18:37Nor mine.
18:39I'm gonna need a ladder.
18:41There's one in the garage.
18:43Never mind, I'll get it for you.
18:44Let me help you.
18:45Hyder, let him get the ladder.
18:47Mr. Rudge...
18:48I happen to need a ladder.
18:50It's in your garage.
18:52Now, you can come right along with me while I get it...
18:54and satisfy yourself that I am not going to steal my car.
18:57It ain't yours yet.
19:06Mr. Rudge, I have struck a bargain with you.
19:08You have struck a bargain with me.
19:10In order for me to hold up my end of the bargain, I've got to have the use of your ladder.
19:13That's the only reason I want to get in there.
19:20You wait out here.
19:25Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you very much.
20:01So the coach said,
20:03You've got good form there, Rudge.
20:05Why don't you come out for track?
20:07I said, I've got better things to do.
20:10And Dad and me are driving down to Norfolk to see a battleship.
20:17I don't know what's going on down there.
20:19She started to talk to him, and then he walked up and she stopped.
20:23But he did start the car up once.
20:25I tell you, that engine sounds like it ought to be in a Duesenberg.
20:27Probably was. Maybe that's why he's acting so funny.
20:29Maybe the car's made up of stolen parts.
20:31Maybe there's a machine gun in the rumble seat left over from a bank robbery.
20:36I think you children are letting your imaginations run away with you.
20:39John boy, Aaron and I have been thinking,
20:41And we don't want your car to look like every other car.
20:43So we think we ought to have a family project.
20:45Designed to what?
20:47Designed to design you a new-looking car.
20:49We can paint it.
20:51Red like a firetruck. Then everybody will think you're the fire chief.
20:54No, I think it ought to be something more college.
20:57You know, like painting slogans on it.
20:5923 Skidoo Razzmatazz, that kind of stuff.
21:01I don't think it's a very good idea for me
21:03To make my first appearance on campus too noticeable.
21:06Maybe you ought to let John boy decide what he wants to do.
21:09Well, first I want to have it.
21:11And then I'd like to paint it a nice dignified shade of tan, I think.
21:16I want our car with white fenders and a black and white checkered body.
21:19What did it look like, a butterfly with wheels?
21:21No, it looked like a newspaper with wheels.
21:24John boy, can we paint the rumble seat a special color?
21:27Why the rumble seat?
21:29Because that's where I'm gonna sit.
21:31John boy, can I be the first one to ride in the new car?
21:34Me too.
21:35All that fuss over an old car.
21:37You'd think no one ever had one before.
21:39No one ever did in this family. That old truck doesn't count.
21:43Counts if you want to get somewhere.
21:45Well, I got to get somewhere right now.
21:47I got to get to bed. Mr. Rudge is getting his money's worth
21:50And my back's telling me it's time to say good night.
21:52It's time everybody got to bed. Upstairs.
21:54Good night, mama. Good night, dad.
21:56Good night, son. Good night, everybody.
21:58Good night, grandma. Good night.
22:00Good night, daddy. Good night, mama.
22:02Good night, Mary Ellen. I'll be up.
22:07I think one of us ought to go and visit the Rudges.
22:09Doesn't sound like they want anyone around.
22:11Well, I suppose so, but with John boy working over there,
22:15Well, I think we ought to know more about those people.
22:18They're not taking advantage of John boy.
22:20Don't worry, Liv. He's gonna be in all kinds of situations.
22:22We're not gonna be around to help him. He's gonna have to learn.
22:31Got yourself a new roof?
22:33Oh, the house feels cozier already.
22:35I thought you might be thirsty.
22:39I purely love milk.
22:42Never realized how much I loved it
22:44Till we lost our cow a while back and had to do without.
22:47Oh, I'd be glad to send your mom over some.
22:49With a family that big, she must be lost without a cow.
22:52Oh, well, thank you, ma'am, but we got another one.
22:55I walked past your house.
22:57I was in some kind of a mood, and I felt like walking,
23:00So I just kept going and going
23:02Till there I was in front of your house.
23:04It was around 9 o'clock, and all the lights were on,
23:07And I could hear all those children's voices all over the house.
23:10Well, there's enough of us.
23:12We make enough noise at bedtime.
23:14I just stood there and listened till it all got quiet.
23:18Then I came back here.
23:22Then I came back here.
23:26Martha!
23:28Right away, Hider.
23:30My husband needs me.
23:32Thank you, ma'am.
23:40John boy.
23:42Why didn't you have your dinner with us?
23:45Oh, thank you, ma'am. I brought my own.
23:47Ham, biscuits, and a jelly jar of soup.
23:50I've been watching you through the window.
23:53Well, if you don't think Mr. Rudge would mind.
23:56Oh, I can't tell you what a pleasure it would give the both of us
23:59To hear the sound of a young person's voice sharing our meal.
24:06Thank you. I believe I will.
24:08Let me wash up first.
24:16Now, she'd always wanted to see herself as a blonde,
24:19But she was too afraid to try that goop out on her own hair.
24:22So she tried it out on Jim Bob,
24:24And his hair turned the awfulest shade of pink you ever saw.
24:28Mama made her memorize ten bible verses that very night.
24:33I'm going on talking like a fool.
24:35I haven't let you say a word yet.
24:38What brought you up here to Walton's Mountain anyway?
24:41I don't think it's nothing to bother me, Martha.
24:43I think I'll go to my room.
24:49Ma'am, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. I really didn't.
24:52I know you didn't, John boy.
24:55There is one thing I'd like to know, though.
24:58How come you act so peculiar about that car?
25:02He'll have to tell you that.
25:50Get out of that seat.
25:52Get out!
25:54I'm sorry.
25:55That car don't belong to you.
25:57I was just sitting in it. I wasn't going to drive it out of here.
25:59It won't be working. Not sitting and stumbling in eight years and acting like it was.
26:02Sir, I'm sorry. I really...
26:04Go on. Get out of here. It's none of your business.
26:20He was right behind me, and wham!
26:22He just grabs me by the shoulder and just yanks me right out of the car.
26:26John boy, car or no car, I don't want you going up there again.
26:29That man sounds dangerous to me.
26:31He wasn't trying to hurt me.
26:33How'd you handle it, son?
26:34He started accusing me of not doing my work properly, so...
26:37I got back to it as quickly as I could.
26:39It sounds to me like he's just used you.
26:41Like he never intends to give you that car at all.
26:43Mama, it's a chance I've got to take.
26:45No, you don't. We'll find another way to get a car.
26:47The man may be a lunatic for all we know.
26:49He's not a lunatic. He's just a crotchety old man.
26:52But I've struck a bargain with him.
26:54And he's gonna live up to his end of it.
26:56Don't you reckon?
26:57Sounds right to me.
26:58What if he doesn't live up to his end of it?
27:00I'll just have to take it up with Sheriff Bridges.
27:17Come in.
27:19Come in.
27:20Hey, Jason, how are you?
27:30Want me to keep on reading, or do you want something?
27:36Do you know Patty Ann Summers?
27:38Yeah. Cute.
27:41I like her a lot, John boy.
27:43You asked her out yet?
27:47Well, last Sunday, I asked her if I could walk her home from church.
27:50And she went with Matt Nelson instead.
27:52What?
27:53How could she turn you down for that creep?
27:57Well, I don't know.
27:58I think the reason is because he's got a car, a roadster, and they go driving in it.
28:03Oh, up to Flea Rock where it's nice and quiet.
28:06Yeah, that's the place.
28:08Well, look, Jason, if the only way to get Patty Ann Summers on a date is to have a car,
28:12that sure doesn't say very much for her character, does it?
28:16Well, I've thought about that.
28:18I want to take her on a date anyway.
28:20Up to Flea Rock where it's nice and quiet, huh?
28:23Yeah, well, I figured maybe if she knew I had a car, then maybe I'd stand a chance.
28:27Look, Jason, to tell you the truth, I don't know if I'm going to end up with this car or not.
28:32But if I do, as soon as it's part of the family, it's yours for the ask, and don't worry about it.
28:38Thanks.
28:39You're welcome.
28:41Good night.
28:42Good night.
28:45Thanks.
28:47Good luck.
28:58Come in.
28:59Hi, John-Boy.
29:00Hi. I'll have to ask Mom and Daddy first.
29:02Ask them what?
29:03If you can learn how to drive and use my car.
29:05Are you some kind of a witch or something?
29:08A male witch is called a warlock. Yes, I am.
29:11Well, what do you think they'll say?
29:14I reckon Mama wouldn't mind learning how to drive herself.
29:17Mama, she's too old.
29:19She is not too old. You're just too young.
29:21I'm old enough to learn to drive.
29:23Well, if they say you can, then I'll teach you.
29:26You're too young to understand is what I mean.
29:29I don't understand.
29:30Right. Good night.
29:31Good night.
29:40Oh, no, no, no, no.
29:42Come in, come in, come in, come in.
29:50John-Boy, can we ask you something?
29:51Yeah.
29:52Can we be the first ones to ride in the rumble seat of your new car?
29:55Well, you're the first ones to ask. I don't see why not.
29:57You promise?
29:59Well, the only person who hasn't asked for a ride in the car yet is Grandma.
30:02And I doubt that she'll want to ride in the rumble seat.
30:05Thanks, John-Boy.
30:06Good night. You're welcome.
30:07Good night.
30:08Close the door.
30:13Oh, gosh.
30:19I'm asleep.
30:20Good night.
30:22I'll talk to you in the morning.
30:23Night, John-Boy.
30:24Grandma?
30:25Grandma, no, no, no.
30:26Come in, come in.
30:28It's nothing.
30:29It's awake.
30:30No, no, I'm wide awake.
30:31I didn't know it was you.
30:33Well,
30:36you know,
30:37I've always had a kind of a hankering to
30:40well, I was wondering if
30:43well, would you mind taking me for a ride in your new car?
30:47Oh, sure.
30:48In the rumble seat?
30:53Well, that's a date.
30:55Oh, that'll be just wonderful.
30:57Yes, it will.
30:58Good night.
30:59Thank you, John-Boy.
31:00You're welcome.
31:01Good night.
31:02Watch out for the door.
31:05Sleep tight.
31:06Yeah, you too.
31:11Oh, Mr. Rug, there's a lot of Waltons depending on that car.
31:23What are you two doing here?
31:25Oh, we came to measure.
31:26Measure what?
31:27We're making you surprise seat covers,
31:29but we need to know what size they should be.
31:31Wow.
31:32Well, I guess it won't be such a surprise anymore, but...
31:34Oh, of course they will.
31:35I think it's wonderful.
31:37Thank you very much.
31:38It'll only take a second.
31:39And we've got the measuring tape and a pen and pencil to write it down.
31:42Grandma said she'd help.
31:45Yeah.
31:47Listen, girls, I'm having a little bit of a problem here.
31:50Mr. Rug is acting awful peculiar about the car.
31:53He's got it locked up in the garage, doesn't want me to look at it.
31:56Tell you the truth, I'm kind of afraid to ask him for the garage keys.
32:00But it's yours, isn't it?
32:02Sort of, yeah.
32:03Sort of? You've been working for weeks to earn it.
32:05Well, yes, I have, and I'm going to own it.
32:07I'm going to finish today, but...
32:09Well, the material's all ready.
32:10We even dyed it dark green like you wanted.
32:12Yeah?
32:13It's all set to be cut out, but we need to know the size.
32:17Well, he's sick in bed today.
32:19Maybe if I ask Mrs. Rug, she'll let me have the keys, okay?
32:22Okay.
32:23I'm going to go find out.
32:30Come in.
32:37Excuse me, ma'am.
32:38You finished with those shutters already?
32:40Yes, ma'am. Two of my sisters are here.
32:41Oh, I'd love to meet them.
32:43Well, they're right outside, but I've got a problem.
32:45See, the children want to surprise me.
32:47They want to make seat covers for the car, but they've come out here to measure it.
32:51Oh, I see.
32:52I'm kind of afraid to mention it to Mr. Rug myself.
32:55But I don't want to disappoint the sisters.
32:57You know, they've made a whole project out of this, gone to a lot of trouble, so...
33:01And you want me to ask Hyda for the keys to the garage?
33:05If you wouldn't mind.
33:06No, I'll ask him.
33:07You have every right to do whatever you like with that car.
33:11I'll be right back.
33:17Is it okay?
33:19She's asking him.
33:20You just wait and see, John-boy.
33:21You're going to have the cheekiest car in town.
33:24Sheekest.
33:25Sheek, sheeker, sheekest.
33:27What do you know?
33:28I made the same mistake one time.
33:30Miss Hunter corrected me on it.
33:31What does she know?
33:32You're beginning to sound just like her.
33:34So what's wrong with that?
33:36Miss Rose, I'd like you to meet two of my sisters.
33:38Erin, Mary Ellen, Walton.
33:39Hello.
33:40John-boy, he's not in his room.
33:55Where is it?
34:07Mr. Rudge, what have you done with my car?
34:10It's not yours and it never will be.
34:36I'm sorry.
34:53I'm leaving now.
34:56We have to wait, Martha.
34:59You should be here, too.
35:01Hyda, it's not like I'm leaving you and this house for something else.
35:04I've got nothing else.
35:07But the way we've been living is like having nothing 24 hours a day.
35:14Things will be better.
35:16Now that Walton boy won't be around.
35:18He's the only sign of life we've had in this house for three years.
35:24You'll see, I know.
35:27All that time we spent waiting is going to end soon.
35:35Poor Hyda.
35:42We could never have the wonderful life we had before.
35:44I know that.
35:47But somehow between the two of us we could have saved something.
35:52This way we've got nothing.
35:56We've got hope.
36:05What did you do with the car?
36:10I won't tell you.
36:15The Walton boy's going to live whether he gets that car or not.
36:20Hyda, if you could only let him have it.
36:24He worked for it, he's earned it.
36:28More important, you'd be giving yourself a real life here.
36:34Here with me.
36:36And whatever time we've got left.
36:41I can't.
36:42Well then you're just going to have to sit here and wait for nothing.
36:46Alone.
37:05Mrs. Rudge, are you sure you know what you're doing?
37:09It's something I should have done a long time ago.
37:14Where will you go?
37:16I've got a sister in Lynchburg.
37:19I feel so badly about all this.
37:21If we'd known, we never would have let John boy get involved.
37:24First day I saw him, I felt like telling him to go on home, he was never going to get that car.
37:30Then I got to thinking.
37:31Maybe because he was so full of life.
37:34And so young.
37:36Maybe Hyda had come to understand what he was doing to himself.
37:40And to me.
37:47Mrs. Rudge.
37:48Daddy, this is Mrs. Rudge.
37:49How do.
37:50How do you do.
37:51John boy, I came by here to see you.
37:54It's about time you got told the truth.
37:56Oh.
37:57Can't say as I disagree with that.
37:59Can't say as I disagree with that.
38:10You see, before we moved here.
38:13We had a son.
38:16He was an only child.
38:18And we made him our whole life.
38:21We worshipped that boy.
38:24Adored him.
38:27Loved him.
38:30Where is he?
38:34He's dead.
38:36I'm sorry.
38:38When he was only 20.
38:40He joined the merchant marines.
38:42He'd always been in love with the sea.
38:45Ran away once just to get there.
38:49He was like you in many respects, John boy.
38:53Curious.
38:55Full of ideas.
38:57What happened to him?
39:00The ship he sailed on was sunk.
39:04There was a.
39:06A collision at sea.
39:11We were told there were no survivors.
39:15Was the car his?
39:19All this time, Hyder's been taking care of that car.
39:22Polishing it.
39:23Treating it like it was some kind of living thing.
39:25As if it was some kind of magic for him.
39:28As if somehow.
39:30That car was going to bring back our boy.
39:36Pam, I sure wish you'd told me this before.
39:41I kept hoping that seeing you so anxious and so happy to have the car.
39:47Wanting to put it to such good use.
39:50That maybe Hyder could give it up.
39:52Maybe Hyder could give it up.
39:57You shouldn't be deprived of your future because Hyder can't give up the past.
40:02I feel awful funny taking that car now.
40:05You go and get that car, boy.
40:07If I'm right.
40:08Hyder probably drove it down to that little glen just the other side of Drusilla's pond.
40:13He used to take it there sometimes to wash it and it's a place that he liked.
40:18You earned it fair and square, son.
40:21You have a bargain with Mr. Rudge.
40:29If the car means so much to him.
40:36If you could help him to face the truth.
40:39Maybe he could start living again.
40:48Please.
40:51Okay.
42:04It's a good thing you brought that car here.
42:07We'd be in a lot of trouble.
42:09Mr. Rudge, I know about your son.
42:12I'm sorry.
42:14I want your pity.
42:16You brought the car back.
42:20And now you can go.
42:23Your name was Hyde, wasn't it?
42:25What do you care?
42:28Well, I care.
42:30I'd like to know about him.
42:33The color of his eyes.
42:35The color of his hair.
42:37Books he read. Sports he liked.
42:42Blue.
42:45Like his mother's.
42:48Blue like seawater.
42:52And his hair was the color of corn silk.
42:59And he's a good runner.
43:02Fast on his feet.
43:07That way from the beginning.
43:11His mother always running to keep up with him.
43:15Full of mischief.
43:18Never bad, you know, just...
43:21Getting into things the way kids do.
43:25I remember one time we...
43:29We bought him a pair of rubber boots when he was five.
43:32He used to like to break the crust on the...
43:36Frozen puddle of water.
43:40One day he...
43:42Picked up a chunk of ice and...
43:46I held it in front of his face.
43:48It was like...
43:50I was looking at him through water.
43:57It gave me chill.
44:00Seeing his face through that ice.
44:07In high school his...
44:09His track coach was always...
44:11Trying to get him to come out for the team.
44:13I kind of was such a good runner, see, and...
44:17He wouldn't do it.
44:19He...
44:21Wanted to be home with us.
44:28Once I took him down to...
44:31See, Battleship.
44:33Norfolk.
44:37And when he was old enough he...
44:41He went to...
44:43Back to the sea.
44:48Took him up there in the car.
44:53Coming home car, he called it.
45:04Showed so much love on that boy.
45:10He was all we had.
45:14Now...
45:18God, now he's gone.
45:23And he's never coming home again.
45:43Never coming home again.
46:13Mom.
46:24Mom.
46:26I need you home.
46:29It hasn't been a home, Heider.
46:39Well, maybe now...
46:41It can be one.
46:44All right.
46:51I'll drive you.
46:53Thank you, Mrs. Wharton.
46:55Goodbye.
47:14Mama, Daddy, job boy, look at us.
47:17Oh, what a good job.
47:19That's good.
47:21Look at that.
47:24Children, would you mind letting Grandma have the first ride in the rumble seat?
47:27But you promised.
47:29I know I promised, but I promised her too.
47:31Would it be okay if you went second?
47:33Well, I know we can all sit in the rumble seat.
47:36If Elizabeth don't mind sitting in the rumble seat.
47:38I'll sit in the rumble seat.
47:40I'll sit in the rumble seat.
47:41If Elizabeth don't mind sitting on my lap.
47:43Sure.
47:44Okay, let's go.
47:46Don't step on me.
47:48Don't sit on me either.
47:50Take it easy.
47:52Go on, be a girl again.
47:58Everybody on?
48:00The Rudgers remained hidden people to a certain extent,
48:03rarely involving themselves in our lives or that of the community.
48:07Perhaps they just didn't need us.
48:08That without the false dream,
48:10they were finally able to find contentment in their lives together.
48:17I'm getting to be a pretty good driver.
48:19You're supposed to watch the road,
48:21not look around to see if G.W. Haynes is watching you.
48:24He sure did look surprised when I drove by.
48:26Can't blame him.
48:28You headed straight for him.
48:30Can I drive it again tomorrow, alone?
48:32You can't drive it alone until after I graduate.
48:35But that's four years from now.
48:36I know. Good night, Mary Ellen.
48:38That's not fair.
48:40I know. Good night, Mary Ellen.
48:42Good night, Mama.
48:44Good night, Daddy.
48:46Good night, Mary Ellen.
48:48Oh, good night.
49:06Good night.
49:36© transcript Emily Beynon