Original subtitles

When you're growing up...

Septembers have a special feeling.

Another carefree summer is all too quickly ended...

and a new school year is about to begin.

There was an extra excitement for me in the September of 1934.

My years at Miss Hunter's school on Walton's Mountain...

were over and I was ready to take those first...

faltering steps into the strange world outside.

How vividly I recall the edgy excitement...

the awful exhilaration of preparing for my first day...

at Boatwright University.

It was a day which showed me how little I knew...

about some things and how well my parents...

had prepared me for others.

John-Boy, what are you doing up and dressed at this hour?

Well, too excited to sleep. Didn't mean to wake you.

Come in.

I just wanted to be sure I'm 100% ready for them.

Was there ever such a worrier?

I reckon I come by it naturally.

Those creases could be a bit sharper.

Well, they're sharp enough for me.

You do look nice.

How I look isn't gonna count for as much as how I do.

You'll do just fine.

It's a long way from this room to Boatwright University.

Are you scared?

Me, too.

-Got butterflies in your tummy? -More like crocodiles.

I'll be down in a minute.

If you don't stop brushing your hair...

it's all gonna fall out.

Mama brushes her hair 100 times a day and it doesn't fall out.

If you brush your teeth too much will they fall out?

They only fall out if you don't brush them.

When mom sees that on your face she's gonna have a fit.

It makes me glamorous.

Makes you look like you have a fever.

We're gonna be late if we don't move on.

Erin's the one that's holding up everything.

I'm not. I have to look nice. A new boy is joining school.

You better hope he likes bald girls.

You're funny, Mary Ellen. Brushing's good for your hair.

Jim-Bob, who ever told you that you could sew?

Looks pretty good to me.

-Sissy! -Hey, Jim-Bob! Stop that!

-He called me a sissy! -Look what you made me do.

Serves you right!

If you don't stop fighting, I'm gonna call Daddy.

He won't hear you. He's milking the cow.

-Let me up! -Say uncle!

-Daddy! -Say uncle!

No! Let me up!

John-Boy, do you know how to tie a bow tie?

Jason, you know, I'm not gonna be here for the next four years.

You gonna let them behave like this...

or you gonna keep them in line?

Come on, Ben, get up. That's enough. Cut it out.

Think it's funny, don't you?

Mary Ellen, wipe that rouge off your face.

Erin, that's enough hair brushing!

Come on, everybody. Everybody out.

Jim-Bob, get dressed!

Elizabeth, come on! Everybody move, come on, go!

Relax!

Okay, brother?

Okay.

Not the bread this time.

Here.

Elizabeth, you haven't eaten a thing.

I'm not hungry.

You're not going unless you have a good breakfast.

Then I get to stay home?

You wouldn't want to stay home...

when everybody was there, would you?

I'd try it.

It's the first day back to school I don't like.

After that you get back into the same old boring rut.

-Boring? -She thinks everything's boring.

-It's her new word. -You children are gonna look...

back on these days as the best time of your life.

* School days, school days *

* Dear old golden rule days *

* Readin' and writin' and 'rithmetic *

* Taught to the tune of the hick'ry *

* You were my queen in Calico *

* I was your bashful, barefoot beau *

You were barefoot, alright...

but you were as bashful as a buzz saw.

Is that the way you remember it?

-That's the way it was. -Was, till I met you.

Still being bashful?

Maybe someday going to school will be romantic...

but right now it's just boring.

I never thought learning new things was boring.

What new things?

Same old subtraction and multiplication...

same old conjunctions, adjectives and adverbs...

same old history dates: 1492, 1776, 1861.

Same old faces, same old squeaky pencil sharpener.

Why don't you try oiling it this year?

You can laugh, John-Boy. You're going off to college...

and you'll be seeing new things.

-New subjects, new faces. -New faces, that's the truth.

I'm going from someplace where I know everybody...

to someplace where I don't know anybody.

-That's scary. -But not boring.

Ben, Jim-Bob, Erin, time to get your things together.

-Says you. -Yeah, says me. I'm not gonna...

have you straggling in late the first day.

I'm not going till John-Boy leaves.

Well, it's time for John-Boy to leave right now.

You didn't eat your breakfast, either.

Well, I'll make up for it at suppertime.

Say, what did happen in 1861?

Can I learn to drive soon?

Here he comes!

-Looks pretty good. -Thank you.

John-Boy!

John-Boy...

I want you to take this.

-$2. -And 50 cents.

-$2.50, for what? -For emergencies.

I've got this planned to the last penny--

You don't plan emergencies. They just happen. Now, you take that.

Thank you.

Thank you. I can't believe I'm really going.

Come on, honey.

Who thought that my burying suit would be going to college...

instead of going up to heaven with some harp-twanging angels?

Or pitch forking devils.

-Looky here, Esther-- -Oh, hush.

-I'll see everybody tonight. -Okay.

-We bought this for you. -And Erin initialed it for you.

-Thank you. Thank you. -Have a nice day.

Okay.

Remember everything so you can tell us later.

-I will. -Kiss the girls for me, okay?

I will.

-Good luck. -Good luck, son.

-Goodbye. -Bye-bye.

-Good luck. -Bye.

Okay, let's go.

Since when are you so anxious to go to school?

-Jim-Bob, where's your lunch? -I gotta get my books.

Hurry up, and I want you to get organized this year.

We're not gonna wait for you every morning.

-We can start. She'll catch up. -Bye-bye.

Sounds like our number two boy is beginning to take over.

Turned into a regular drill sergeant, Pa.

Well, our John-Boy is surely riding high.

Most important day of his life.

What we always wanted. Isn't it, Liv?

Please, please say you're going to the Boatwright campus.

I am going to the Boatwright campus.

You're an angel! An absolute, lifesaving angel!

-Hi. -I'm Polly Thompson.

-Oh, I'm-- -A friend was supposed...

to drive me to the campus. I was only a few minutes late.

Heavens. I thought I was stranded...

absolutely quaking at the thought of being late...

dreadfully late, on my very first day.

And just when I was about to succumb to despair rescue.

Are you a student at Boatwright?

I'm a freshman. My name is John--

It is such a relief to be my own person finally.

All those terrible games you boys expect a girl to play...

pretending to be helpless, inadequate, totally dependant.

Well, this morning is the beginning of a new life for me.

Old acquaintances won't recognize me.

Self-sufficient, resourceful, equal to anything.

Oh, you haven't told me your name yet.

John...Walton, John Walton, Jr.

Well, John Walton, don't you think we better push on?

You know, we could still be late.

Oh, of...Absolutely. Of course.

The first day of college. There's nothing like it for...

excitement and adventure..

Young man!

Hello there!

-Me? -Yes, you're the young man.

Isn't it marvelous how friendly everyone is?

I'm not so sure he's being friendly.

Of course he is.

Look on the positive side and life will be positive.

-Where are we hurrying? -To meet my dearest friend.

Thanks for saving my life.

Okay.

Excuse me, do the freshmen register...

in the administration building?

-You really are a freshman? -Yeah.

No upperclassman would ever come on campus looking like that.

Well, it's such a special day...

I thought everybody'd be dressed up.

Friend, never dress up. Dress down.

Casual, offhand.

-I'm Mike West. -I'm John Walton Jr.

What year are you in?

I'm a freshman, but you won't catch me advertising it.

Listen, let me give you some advice.

You want to make it in college, first...

you never call attention to yourself.

And second, don't volunteer for anything.

And above everything, don't look eager.

Eager?

The way you look right now, open, vulnerable.

You never let them see you're interested.

Look, here's the look you want.

Always aloof, superior.

-You make them feel uneasy. -Alright.

Hey! Hey, fellas.

-How are you? -Ignore them.

Why? They're just being friendly.

-C'mon over. -Don't pay attention to them.

C'mon. They're just being friendly.

-Hi, how are you? -Hi.

-It's your first day here? -Very first.

-What's your name? -John Walton Jr.

It's time you started learning your place, frosh.

Which is lower than low.

What do you mean walking on Sophomore Circle?

You fellas called me over, didn't you?

Well, no freshman's allowed on this walk.

Or maybe you think you're special?

No.

-Where's your beanie? -My what?

-Your freshman cap. -I don't suppose I have one.

Well, get one, fast. Okay?

-Well, I suppose I might. -Say, "Yes, sir."

Well..

Anytime an upperclassman is kind enough...

to even notice you're alive, you must address him as "sir."

Let's hear a heartfelt apology for your inexcusable behavior.

I really wasn't aware I was breaking any rules...

and, I don't think it's very fair of you--

All freshmen are ignorant. We are aware of that...

but your ignorance is no excuse. Now you must apologize.

-I apologize. -"Sir."

Sir.

-What's this? -It's my handkerchief.

Looks like a shoe rag.

You're right. It's a shoe rag.

And next time, I'll let you shine them.

-Yeah, okay. -Hold it.

Did you give the frosh permission to leave?

-He didn't ask. -Well?

May I have permission to leave, sir?

For now.

-But get that beanie on. -Or you go swimming in the lake.

-Might not be such a bad idea. -Oh, Walton.

Welcome to Boatwright!

Alright, Pa, take a breather.

It's hotter than a Turkish bath.

You think, maybe that we bit off more than we can...

chew contracting with Talbot for six loads?

-We'll manage. -I sure miss John-Boy.

He'll still help us.

No. Less and less. He's flown the coop.

What with his job, school, and his homework, less and less.

What do you want me to do? Tell him to forget what he wants?

Settle for piecemealing lumber and a jitney sawmill?

No, you will do what you have to do, John...

and John-Boy will do what he has to do.

But we are sure gonna miss him.

-Well, you're right there, Pa. -But we will manage.

Alright, now, take it easy.

Did you lose something, Walton, besides your dignity?

No, I'm just trying to find my big brother.

Oh, mine found me. Davis, this is Walton.

-How do you do? -Hi.

Mike's been telling me how I could get more out of college.

-Your irony isn't lost on me. -I'm relieved.

I came here expecting a lot of questions...

and so far I've had nothing but answers.

What's your big brother's name?

-Hewlett, Shanks Hewlett. -Oh, he's over there.

The tall guy talking to the pretty girl.

-Oh, thank you very much. -It's nice to be needed.

Walton, listen, don't be subservient.

The first 30 seconds of any relationship are critical.

-Thank you. -It's still no.

-You can't turn me down. -I most certainly can.

-Excuse me, but I believe-- -Freshmen pick up their...

orientation packets at the appropriate table.

-I won't take no for an answer. -Well, you just might have to.

I have my packet.

If you have any questions, try the information booth.

I've been looking forward to this all summer.

Well, under those circumstances then the answer is still no.

You are my big brother.

-Oh, yeah, Walston. -Walton.

I wondered where you were. Nice to have you, Walston.

-Thank you. Walton. -You seem to be doing...

okay on your own. That's the best way.

You know, self-reliance and all that.

If you come up with anything you can't handle...

give me a whistle. Okay?

-Okay, thank you. Bye. -See you around.

Now, we are going to reconsider that answer, aren't we?

Because you're too nice a girl to turn down...

a sensitive guy like old Shanks.

John?

I am so glad to see you.

I was beginning to think I'd never see a friendly face again.

-Been having some problems? -Problems?

Nothing's gone right for me today, not one blessed thing.

Some sophomores were exceedingly rude and obnoxious.

And now I can't find my big sister.

That sounds familiar.

The nice thing that's happened to me has been meeting you.

Hearing that's the first nice thing...

-that's happened to me. -Oh, my goodness!

What?

I am utterly ruined, destroyed, annihilated.

-What? -My book bag.

I must have left it on that bench by the fountain.

It has my papers, my five-year diary, everything.

I'm gonna get it. On the bench, by the fountain. Okay.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

I'll have them picked up in just a second, sir. Everything.

In alphabetical order?

I've seen you someplace before, haven't I?

No. No, I don't think so. I'm new here.

Children, I want you.. Elizabeth, pay attention.

I want you to read the first page of your book...

and if you come across any word that you don't know...

just write it down on your papers...

and we'll talk about them later.

Mary Ellen, are you changing your desk?

I've been sitting in the same desk for years.

-I've decided I need a change. -Good idea.

As you all know, this year we're gonna be studying...

civics the mechanics of our governments...

federal, state and local.

Now, in our federal government there are three branches.

Who can name them?

Surely somebody must know that.

Jason.

-Yes? -I guess I don't know.

Then why did you raise your hand?

I don't know why, Miss Hunter.

You know I always appreciate it when students volunteer...

but to volunteer when you have no answers just wastes...

everybody's time.

I'm sorry.

The three branches are the executive...

the legislative and the judicial.

What's wrong with Jason?

I don't know. He's acting really weird.

-Here you go. -Oh, John, thank you!

If you hadn't found this, I'd have died!

Well, you would have been inconvenienced and mortified...

-but you would have survived. -Oh, you know what I mean.

Finally. A new student who looks as if he might have...

an IQ over 70 and some minimal sense of responsibility.

-Walton, is it? -Yes, sir.

Randolph, student chairman of orientation.

-How do you do? -My co-chairman.

No, actually, this is your freshman class mascot.

Our mascot?

Walton, can I trust you to carry out a simple assignment?

Of course he can. He's most dependable.

Well, this mascot, with a suitable escort...

is to accompany the freshman class sponsor...

to the platform for the orientation ceremonies...

in about 10 minutes.

Can I trust you to take your mascot to Room 11 in...

the administration building...

and escort the faculty sponsor to the amphitheater?

All I do is just lead the goat?

And try to keep him from eating the sponsor's academic robe.

Alright, sure.

-Room 11. -11.

-Administration building. -Administration building.

-Better get moving. -Okay, thank you.

-C'mon. Let's go. -Don't go.

Well, why not?

Tie this beast to the nearest tree. Let's get out of here.

You're just jealous because he picked John instead of you.

Jealous?

It's an honor to be placed in charge of our class mascot.

You are both so gullible.

You just don't trust anybody, do you, son?

No, that's the first rule of survival.

I said I was going to take this goat...

and I'm gonna take this goat.

Bye.

I warned you!

What's the matter, none of you ever seen a goat before?

Here we are.

Oh, no.

Sir.

You've dedicated yourself to making an impression on me.

I was asked to come here, Professor Ghote.

Sophomoric humor.

Somebody should do a study.

On the other hand, it's hardly worth it.

Young man, as you can see my name is...

"W" for William, K. Ghote.

Naturally, the campus wits promptly dubbed me...

"Billy Ghote." An insult to us both, dear friend.

However, under these circumstances...

Walton, it would appear that you are the goat.

Come on, goat.

Thank heaven that's done.

Oh, Livie, you still on that ironing?

It would be easier to get things done...

without seven children interrupting all the time.

Doesn't work that way. It's too quiet.

-I can't get anything done. -You know how I used to get...

things done when I missed my kids?

You join in, you see it works.

* Work for the night is coming *

* Work through the morning hours *

* Work while the dew sparkling *

* Work 'mid springing flowers *

Oh, Gran, I can't, I feel foolish.

Well, I don't. Let me finish that.

We haven't got all day. You do something else. Go on.

I'll fix something special for supper tonight.

-Applesauce cake? -Well, now, how did you know?

-It's John-Boy's favorite. -It's John-Boy's favorite.

Welcome to Boatwright University.

-John Walton. How are you? -It's good to see you again.

-Good to see you here, finally. -Thank you.

I never got chance to thank you in person...

for fixing it so I could take that exam.

I'm happy that it worked out the way that it did.

Now, let's see.

I need your certificate of admissions.

-It's in here, isn't it? -I don't find it.

Oh, boy.

I can't register you without that certificate.

Sorry, it's not here.

How long do the freshmen have to register?

Till 4:00 this afternoon.

After that, you'll have to pay a late penalty.

-$5. -$5!

Oh, Lord.

I'm sorry. I'll be back. Thank you.

Something smells all mighty good over there in the oven.

-You can't have any of it. -Why not?

-Not till tonight. -It's applesauce cake.

John-Boy will appreciate that.

Pa.

Oh, Lord, look down upon us...

and those who are absent from us.

-Amen. -Amen.

-I hope he's making out alright. -Why not?

-He's a Walton, isn't he? -He is a Walton.

You think that's the answer to everything.

Well, was for you, wasn't it, sweetie?

He's gonna be coming up against a lot of people...

with some mighty strange notions.

Well, isn't that what education is all about?

Just don't wanna see him getting hurt, that's all.

John-Boy can take care of himself, alright.

Just like big John.

If he doesn't know how to take care...

he's gonna have to learn.

Oh, no.

-Professor Ghote. -No, no, no, Walton...

I'd like you to stay well away from me...

until I've gotten safely in my car.

I can understand how you must feel about me.

-Wary. -Sir, my car happens...

to have disappeared.

-And you parked it here? -Yes, sir.

Well, Walton, I must say, you have been consistent.

You're not aware that this is faculty parking?

I'm not aware of that, sir.

And you didn't bother to read any of this.

-They're covered up. -Yes, with banners.

Well, that certainly is an extenuating circumstance.

Where do you think my car is, sir?

I would guess that the campus policeman...

who is a model of vigilance and integrity...

has had it towed to the garage.

-Where is that? -Directly behind administration.

-Thank you. -Walton...

explain to them about the signs being covered.

Yes, sir, I will. I'll also tell them I'm new.

Walton...

that, I imagine, will be apparent.

-Hi. -Hi.

-This is my car, okay? -That's too bad.

It's gonna set you back some dough to bail it out.

I didn't realize it was faculty parking only.

All the signs were covered up with banners.

-Is that a fact? -So it wasn't really my fault.

I told the boss when he hauled it...

the first day he ought to be lenient but Gib...

he goes after parking violators like they were public enemies.

Gonna be mighty red-faced when you tell him.

-Where is he? -He's gone to lunch.

He'll be back in an hour or two.

An hour or two! I don't have time. I've gotta take it now.

I'd really like to help you, but I..

I mean, I just don't have the right to let you take the car.

Gib's real touchy, and if I lose this job, I'm out of school.

You understand?

Yeah.

It's okay, thank you.

-Yeah, I'll see you later. -Bye.

Where in the world were you? I've looked everywhere for you.

I can't stop to talk because I've gotta do something.

Please, help me. Just look what they've done to my schedule.

They put me in two classes at the same time.

Now how can I be in English Lit. 101A in Ryland Hall...

and also in Sociology 101A in Richmond Hall?

Why don't you ask someone in the registrar's office?

-There's a huge line. -How about the faculty advisor?

I can't find her. I can't find anyone who cares.

I'd like to help you but I can't. I've gotta make a call.

You wouldn't turn your back on a drowning person.

I'm drowning too, don't grab onto me or we're both goners.

Ask somebody else to help you. I can't, I'm sorry.

Excuse me. I'm sorry.

Creep!

Thank you.

The operator says 15 cents for three minutes.

It's not gonna take anything like three minutes.

Here you go. Thank you.

It's ringing now.

-Godsey's. -Ike, this is John.

-John, who? -Me, John.

John-Boy.

Oh, John-Boy, hey, sure is a surprise to hear from you.

Listen, Ike, I have to ask you a favor.

I managed to leave the house today...

without my admission certificate.

Admission certificate.

Yeah, I can't get registered without it.

Yeah.

I see.

But you're gonna get your car back?

Okay, could you have my daddy drive it over here...

-in the truck this afternoon? -Okay, I'll take care of it.

Students, before we begin this afternoon's session...

I'd like you to meet Andrew Clark.

Andrew's family just moved here from Tennessee...

and I'm sure that you're all gonna make him feel at home.

Is there anything you'd like to say, Andrew?

-Hi. -Hi.

Jason.

Well, I'd just like to say that...

to tell Andrew that he's more than welcome here...

and I'm speaking for all of us.

Thanks.

What does he think he's doing, speaking for all of us?

I wanna see it again.

Excuse me.

Walton, how's it going?

I reckon I've seen better days on the mountain.

-You seen Polly Thompson? -No, not since lunch.

With that girl, hysteria is a way of life.

You seem to be doing alright.

It's one of my specialties, analyzing people.

I decide what it is they want from me...

and then fool them into thinking that they're getting it.

-Sounds mighty complicated. -Not really.

Take these frosh-baiting sophomores, for instance.

Now, they're just looking for proof that they're superior.

The only way they're gonna find...

that is with greenies who volunteer to be humiliated.

Like me.

Well, you give them too much of a target.

Where you're from, the way you dress, the way you talk.

The way I talk?

"I reckon I've seen better days on the mountain."

Well, that's me. That's the way I am.

-No, anybody can change. -Maybe.

Look it.

For a start, take off the coat and the vest and that tie.

And if anybody asks you where you're from, you say Richmond.

Richmond! I don't look like I'm from Richmond.

Obviously, I don't talk like I'm from Richmond.

-Okay, okay. Say Charleston. -No, no, no, no.

Alright, "not very far from here."

But don't say, "Walton's Mountain."

Look, Mike, I appreciate your help--

No, listen, it's last names. I'm West and you're Walton.

There's gotta be some other way.

No, listen, they're looking for guys who are different.

For a while, don't let them see that you are.

I gotta register.

John-Boy say why he didn't come back and get the paper?

He parked his car in the wrong place and they towed it away.

Towed it away?

But there's no problem. He's gonna get it back later on.

Seems to me Livie's having a devil of a time locating it.

Where you going?

Well, I thought I'd just have a look-see for myself.

Now, just sit down. You'll just get in Livie's way.

I have still got eyes like a hawk.

Well, then settle back on your perch.

Livie's quite capable of finding what she's..

Was almost ready to give up.

-Where was it? -In his writing tablet.

-4:00's the deadline, John. -I'm on my way.

Oh, Walton...

haven't we met somewhere before?

It's possible.

Did you say you were from Roanoke?

No, no. I don't live very far from here.

I know the Waltons from Newport News.

It's not us. No.

Hi, Ich.

Hey, what's your hurry, Ich?

Hey, Ich, don't trip over those clodhoppers!

Hey, Ichabod, get a mule!

Do you believe he's the runt of the family?

I saw an old hillbilly one time, up near Afton...

nearly 8 feet tall.

-Hi, boys. -Hi, West.

-You see what I see? -I don't believe it.

Looks like it's right out of a museum.

Or a junkyard.

Hey, Walton...

look what's driving it.

Hey, maybe it's Ichabod's old man.

Will you gentlemen excuse me? It's my father.

-Still got time to register? -Thanks to you.

I'm sorry for being such an absent-minded wonder.

With all that excitement, could forget anything.

This morning I thought I had the world by the tail...

it's been wagging me ever since.

I heard somewhere that education is mostly finding out...

how little we know.

Well, I seem to be off to a right good start.

You got yourself some new friends?

No friends of mine.

You better get yourself signed up.

Daddy.

When I left the house this morning...

I thought I was gonna be a different man.

-Just like that, huh? -Same old country boy.

-Can't seem to get rid of him. -Can't seem to.

Son, you're gonna be alright.

Thank you.

I'll see you tonight.

-Tennessee, huh? -Yeah.

-Must be a beautiful place. -It's really nice down there.

Well, Andrew, don't worry. After a while, you'll make friends...

get used to being here, and you'll feel fine then.

I hope so. Thanks a lot.

-Bye-bye. -Bye-bye.

Ben.

Why don't you go talk to the new boy?

-Try to make him feel welcome? -Why don't you?

-I've already spoken to him. -Go speak to him again.

Oh, shoot.

Erin, as soon as class is out...

you collect Jim-Bob and Elizabeth...

so we can start home right away.

-Mary Ellen-- -Don't give me any orders.

-Listen here, Mary-- -I have been listening...

and watching you all day, Jason...

it isn't Andrew Clark, who's the stranger, it's you.

Come on, Erin.

Guess John-Boy went off to Boatwright this morning.

Yes, ma'am.

I'm sure he's gonna make the most of it.

John-Boy does that.

Like my older sister.

My, but she cast a long shadow...

and how I tried to be exactly like her.

-You did? -Oh, yes.

I made myself and everybody else miserable.

Until I faced up to the simple fact that I wasn't like her.

Never could have been, and I never should have...

wasted a minute trying to be.

It was as foolish as you try to be exactly like John-Boy.

-I never could. -Well, thank goodness.

If you could make yourself into a carbon copy of John-Boy...

it would only mean that we'd lost Jason...

and that's a very special person...

and in his own way.

-Give John-Boy my best. -I surely will, Miss Hunter.

There we are.

-Thank you. -Now everything's in order.

-Thank you very much. -And 10 minutes to spare.

I hope I'm not gonna be this much trouble to you...

for the next four years.

Polly.

I'm really sorry about the way I talked to you this afternoon.

-I just had things on my mind. -I don't blame you.

This morning I was so full of talk about being...

self-sufficient, independent.

I found out I'm just a scared little kid...

not even ready for kindergarten, much less college.

One thing I found out is that every freshman...

-is as scared as we are. -They don't look it.

Some of them do a better job of hiding it.

Did you get your schedule fixed up?

-Do you really want to help me? -Well, sure.

You might just be stuck with me for the next four years.

Well, I'll risk it. Come on.

-Hi, Walton, Thompson. -Hello.

I see you're all dressed up again.

I can't seem to follow your advice.

I hope we can still be friends.

If you want to play the bleeding martyr...

just count on me for iodine and bandages.

Freshmen.

Off the bridge.

Yes, sir.

-May we cross now? -"Sir."

-Sir? -No, you can't.

-Why not, sir? -Well, because you're freshmen.

Yes, we apologize for that, but it is only temporary...

and I'm sure you understand. After all, only last year...

you were just as big a fool as any of us.

Excuse us, please.

Looks like we got a hotshot here.

If you try to put me in that dirty water...

in the only good suit I've ever owned...

I'm gonna take you in with me.

Let's get him!

Help! Freshmen. Help! Freshmen!

Help! Come on, freshmen, help!

Help! No!

-Gentlemen, Paxton, Hobgood. -Hold it.

Walton?

Yes, sir.

Walton, it occurs to me that I'd like a word with you.

Gentlemen, would you kindly clear the bridge?

Your first name, by any chance, wouldn't be Horatio, would it?

No, sir. John.

What did you want to say to me?

Don't you think you've caused enough damage...

for your first day?

-Why don't you go home now? -Thank you.

-Thank you. -Angelique.

So what happened to that goat?

I never saw it but I had to wait...

a half-hour to get my car back.

Wearing funny hats, throwing people into lakes...

college sounds more like kid stuff to me.

Hooligans!

I recollect one of your grandmas rowdy friends...

wanted to dunk me in the river with all my clothes on.

What they had in mind was baptizing you.

When I go for a swim, I prefer skinny-dipping!

Oh, Zeb!

We missed you at school, John-Boy.

Miss Hunter said to give you her best.

She must have crossed through my mind a thousand times today.

She sure taught me something.

I suppose you were bored, Mary Ellen?

Well, not as much as I expected to be.

-Interesting new subject? -More like interesting new boy.

Andrew Clark. Mary Ellen's crazy about him.

I am not.

Then how come you kept practicing your name...

-Mary Ellen Clark? -Oh, this family.

Nothing quite like it, is there, huh?

Now leave that!

If anybody touches that cake, I want you to hog-tie them.

Alright, let him eat. Let him eat, now. Let him eat.

There have been many other first days in my life...

since that long-ago September.

But I have been sustained through them...

all by two certainties.

I am who I am, with whatever shortcomings.

And family ties may lengthen to accommodate distance...

but they are never broken.

-John-Boy? -Yes, Elizabeth?

Did they really give you a big brother?

-They did. -Was he nice?

He was very busy. He didn't pay too much attention to me.

That's the way most big brothers are.

-I'll try to remember that. -But they're still nice to have.

-Goodnight, Elizabeth. -Goodnight, John-Boy.