Original subtitles

I have a column to turn in. I have to cross the picket line.

I thought you were a friend. I am. You got a funny way of showing it. We have

got to do their jobs for them. That's the only way we can get them back to

on our terms.

I've seen the terms.

They're not ours.

You mean it?

I mean it. They can't fire me. I have a contract.

Even when you picket? Even when I picket.

Corporate just called. They're shutting us down.

What? We're out of business, Tom.

There's a magic in the early morning we found.

When the sunrise smiles on everything around.

We spend our days like bright and shiny new dyes

If we're ever puzzled by the changing

times There's a plate of homemade

wishes On the kitchen window sill And

eight is enough to fill our lives with

Now, how can I drop you at school by 8 .30 when I have to get married to the

hospital by 8 .15? It's impossible.

I guess you're right.

Maybe I could con Tommy into it.

Oh, Elizabeth, that'd be real nice of you. I can hardly wait. I'm going to get

conned. Tommy, that was just a figure of speech.

Actually, I know you'll be thrilled to drop me by campus, huh?

Well, here's another figure of speech.

Forget it. Oh, Tommy, please. I can't miss this class. We're having a quiz.

Yeah, and I've got band rehearsal.

Ask Dad. Maybe he'll take you.

Think I should?

Why not?

Uh, Dad, it's me. Can I talk to you a sec?

How many times do I have to tell you not to interrupt me when I'm having a

writer's block?

That's why not.

Tom? Oh, what now?

Well, I just had to leave. I just wanted to see how you were getting along.

Well, you know, this column is not the easiest thing in the world to write.

Yeah, I gathered that when you kept groaning in your sleep all night. Who

I spent most of the night trying to figure which side to take. Until 2 a

was agreeing with management.

And from 2 to 7, I was on the side of labor.

And all of it happened on my side of the bed.

Why don't you just write about something else?

Because it's impossible to think about anything else.

Abby, these contract negotiations are very tense.

I mean, it's like an armed camp down there.

Union calling management names that I wouldn't want Nicholas to read off a

Why don't you just tell them to slow down and take a look at themselves?

Hmm.

You know, that is a good idea.

And I could be, like, the voice of calm and reason.

Look, would you please knock it off out there? I can't even hear myself be calm.

He's even making more noise than we are. You better be quiet or you're going to

really hear something.

Okay, listen, everybody, I've got an idea.

Now, Nancy, you can take Jeremy and Nicholas, all right? Elizabeth can ride

me, and Tommy, you can take Mary, huh? That's it. It'll work. Joanie, you don't

understand. I can't spend all morning chauffeuring you people around.

All I want is somebody to move the cars so I can get out. Look, I'll move the

wagon. No, Nancy, I'm taking the wagon. No, I'm taking the wagon, Elizabeth.

I think I'm sick of this. Nicholas, let's walk.

To school together?

Same side of the street? Yeah, same side.

It's a miracle.

Well, I have an idea. Johnny, you could ride with me. Abby, we don't need any

ideas. All's we need is somebody to move the car so I can get out.

You're in such a great big hurry, Tommy. Why don't you park at the end of the

line? When I parked, it was the end of the line.

I think they all need counseling.

Yeah. You know, when I'm 16, I want to buy my own car so I don't have to put up

with that hassle.

Me too.

You? I bet you don't even know how much money it takes to buy a car.

Well, maybe I can get my car without money.

The old hot wire, huh?

No. I'll do what the pioneers did. I'll barter for it. You'll what?

You know, barter. Trade stuff. We're learning about it in school.

It means you don't even need money.

Oh, sure. Just like you don't need blood, right?

Well, let me show you how it works. Suppose you have a turkey.

I don't want a turkey.

I want a Doberman Pinscher.

Just have a turkey. It's not realistic.

Oh, it's one of those hypothetical turkeys, huh?

No, it's just pretend.

Okay, so I got this pretend turkey. Now what?

Now you're gonna trade it for my musket.

How come you get a musket and I get a turkey?

Because that's the way Mrs. Rogers said it works.

But you're too young for a musket. See, but we're bartering, so everything's

gonna work out perfect.

I'm gonna get the turkey, and you're gonna get the musket. Yeah, what I

have got was that ride from Nancy.

In short, let the negotiations continue in a spirit of patience and cooperation.

Well, that's perfect.

That's terrible.

Where is everybody?

Well, little pumpkin, you want to get that or you want me to?

Come on in.

Oh, Susan.

You won't believe this. I'm marooned. Oh, well, believe it, Daddy. We just saw

everybody leaving. No, no, I'm going to miss my deadline if I can't borrow

Merle's truck.

Well, I don't know, Dad. You know, Merle's pretty fussy about who drives

truck. And you haven't even been checked out in it. Think you can handle it?

Young lady, who taught you how to drive?

The same person who taught me that you don't lend cars to everybody who wants

borrow them.

You. I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't an emergency.

Well, Dad, you know how many times I've had an emergency and you wouldn't let me

use your car?

Please, take your revenge out at some other time. Now, I'm late. I really mean

it. Well, I can feel that strongly about it here. Hold Sanderson while I get the

keys. Huh?

Oh, well... Remind me to talk to you, kiddo, about not growing up.

What happened?

Management got real stubborn, Tom. Wouldn't budge an inch. It wasn't

negotiations. It was a stone wall. So we voted a strike.

Oh, gosh. I never thought it would go this far. Well, we tried.

Don't blame us.

Here. Oh, what's this?

Well, you're not going to cross the line, so you might as well join it.

I have a column to turn in. I have to cross the picket line.

Hey, you'd trust somebody else to set your column in type?

No, not the way I trust you.

But my contract says I have to hand in this column.

It's a good one, too, Joe. It might even help settle this thing.

It'd help a lot more if you'd honor this picket line.

Try to understand. I have to do what I promised I'd do.

Yeah. I guess after 12 years, I should know that.

Hey, make some room. Tom Bradford's coming through.

Oh, morning, Aldo. Morning, George.

I thought you were a friend.

I am.

You got a funny way of showing it.

Platitudes, Tom. Empty platitudes.

That's right, which both sides around here should have listened to. You'll

to write something else.

There is no time. My deadline was up ten minutes ago.

There's plenty of time.

We just got to push all the deadlines back until we figure out some way to get

the presses rolling.

Tom, why don't you write a column exposing the irresponsibility of these

strikers for walking out on us?

Well, I prefer to restate my old column and bring it up to date in light of the

strike. More dull clichés, Tom?

Well, I'll try to write some exciting clichés. Oh, Roland, yes.

Roland, hold on a moment, please.

Tom, it's Roland Armstrong in New York. Corporate headquarters has had a meeting

trying to make up their minds what to do about the strike.

I'm sure you understand.

Oh, yes, I understand. I'll go and write some clichés.

Oh, good, good, Tom. And, Tom, keep a stiff upper lip.

But not that one.

Hey, it's my favorite roommate. How you doing?

Want to play some darts?

Get it, Jeremy.

Forget darts, but I let you win.

Forget whatever it is you want from me.

You said I want anything.

You did when you called me your favorite.

Yeah, but you are my favorite.

Okay, then don't ask for whatever it is you want from me.

This is something you'll be happy to do, and I'd pay you back every penny.

Hold it. You want money?

Nothing you can't afford.

After everything I said to you, you want money.

Two measly bucks for my favorite person?

Why do you need money when you can barter for what you want?

Barter?

Yeah, you know. Remember you had the turkey and I had the musket?

Yeah, I remember.

But if you want to stay my favorite person, just forget it.

Rapper.

Have the rewrite coming.

Oh, no, the rewrites are finished at 3 o 'clock this afternoon. I'm now working

on the second revised rewrite of the rewrite.

I know.

It's been a real tough day.

What makes it really hard is knowing that this may never see print.

Oh, no, you'll be happy to know that corporate finally solved the typesetting

impressment problem. How'd they do that?

Oh, I know. It was that Mr. Randolph wants to see you immediately with your

column ready to go.

But I haven't finished the rewrite.

Hand in the next to the last rewrite.

Oh, I hate it.

Well, uh, in that case, uh... Here.

Oh, this is the original.

Yeah, I know.

Face it, Mr. Bradford, you'd like it the best anyway.

And the truth is, so do I.

In that case, make way for the dull clichés.

Hey, Tommy, how's my favorite roommate?

What? I said, how would my favorite roommate like to discuss my financial

Jeremy, will you pipe down a minute? I'm trying to hear my muffler. How could

you hear anything with this engine running so loud?

Don't bug me, Jeremy.

Hey,

what's happening, man?

Well... I'm trying to decide whether I've got some transportation here or a

piece of junk.

Are

you

all right?

Can you believe it, not a scratch?

At least not on me.

I sure hope the old...

Tom's home in a good mood.

I can't do it, Elliot.

Tom, even I'll be doing it. All the executives, all the editorial personnel

got to do the striker's work for them. Otherwise, we'll never get this paper

out. I'm sorry, Elliot.

Tom, I know that you can set type. You may be a little rusty, you may make a

mistakes, but I know you can do it. My contract says I have to write columns,

not provide scab labor while my colleagues are out on strike.

Tom, how can you still call them colleagues?

I mean, have you heard what they're calling me out there?

Well, how can you not call them colleagues?

You've known every one of those men as long as I have.

I thought I knew them, Tom.

I can't help destroy their livelihoods. Tom, they're trying to destroy this

newspaper. Now, we have got to do their jobs for them. That's the only way we

can get them back to work on our terms.

I've seen the terms.

They're not ours.

I'm sorry, Elliot, but that's what I believe.

You look tired.

You look mad.

Take a break.

I'll take that sign.

You mean it?

Yeah, I mean it.

And did you see the approaching car, ma 'am?

Well, she had to see it. Oh, I didn't see anything. I was too busy trying to

unstick my accelerator.

You ever hear of your break?

I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry.

Don't do me a favor. Please don't cry.

Well, that's easy for you to say. You're innocent.

How fast were you going now?

It had to be at least 35.

Oh, are you kidding? I bet it was more like 50.

I don't think so.

I do. It was 50. Put it down. No, it wasn't that fast. It was at least 50. It

was all my fault.

You sure you want me to say that?

Don't you believe me?

Well, it's not that I don't believe you, ma 'am. It's just that I don't know

where to put it in my accident report.

I mean, nobody's ever said that before.

Knew you wouldn't let us down.

What happened in there?

Oh, you'll read about it in my column.

You mean you're still writing a column?

Well, right now, it's all up here, but it's in favor of the strike.

Never printed. But I have a contract that says they have to.

Thanks.

I appreciate what you're doing, Tom. I know the boys do, too. It's been rough

all of us. You won't believe what I've been called.

I bet it wasn't colleague.

What?

Private joke.

I guess you realize that stand of yours won't make you too popular in there,

either. I can handle it.

You can't preserve your principles by backing away from a fight.

That sounds like a good lead for your column.

Yeah.

It might be at that.

You know, I think it might be a good idea if you go home and get it down on

paper. It'll do us a lot more good than just carrying that sign.

Maybe you're right. I know I'm right, buddy.

Go on home, where you can find some quiet.

What about my apoplexy?

I can't believe this. How did it happen?

I take full responsibility.

It was my own klutziness, and I'm sorry.

Oh, no, Rowena, take it easy.

Breathe deeply.

Wait a minute. Doesn't anybody care about my breathing?

Oh, yes, of course we do, Dad. But, Rowena, just rest easy now, okay?

Oh. This is your father?

Yes, this is Dad.

I've got some mail for you, Mr. Bradford, back in the truck.

Mail?

Uh, oh, I'm afraid it's mostly bills.

Oh, well, thank you.

You can thank me after all this?

Oh, that's sweet.

Oh.

Well, as long as I had to run into somebody, I'm lucky it was nice.

People like you.

No,

Nicholas, I don't think you should bother Dad with your idea.

What about the deductible?

What about it? When Dad was talking to the insurance man, he said a deductible

on four cars would send him to the poorhouse.

Dad was exaggerating. He'll find the money.

Yeah, but that's just it. You don't need money. You can borrow... What would

anyone barter for the deductible? Sure.

What would anyone barter for the deductible?

Lots and lots of things.

Well, like what?

You really want me to tell you?

Yeah, I really do.

Okay, I will.

But first you tell me something.

What? What's a deductible?

But the rest of the damage is covered and you'll start repairing the cars

tomorrow? Yes. And no.

Yes, what, and no, what?

Well, you're fully covered. But as your insurance carrier, we're taking the

position that the mail service should pay all expenses, including your

deductibles. So repairs can't start until they inspect the accident. Company

policy. Well, when will that be?

Well, they promised to send an accident analyst out tomorrow.

I hope he's not coming by mail.

Well, I advise you not to disturb the accident scene until the analyst makes

report. Well, how do we get to work?

Well, I advised Mr. Bradford at renewal time that he should buy the extra

coverage which would provide rental cars in a situation like this. And I advised

you that I'd have to sell all the Bradford cars to pay for it. So how do

to work? Oh, I'm sure they'll take it under advisement.

Well, you could call in sick.

Well, but that would be lying.

It would?

I want you to know, Mr. Bradford, that we're 100 % behind you. Yes, like the

mail truck was behind David.

You didn't deserve that. I'm sorry. It's just I've had a hard day.

Well, if it's any consolation, I'm going to submit you to Insurance News as

claim of the month.

Well, I feel better already.

Oh, Donna.

Hi, Mr. Bradford. I was just looking at your driveway. Looks like I came at the

worst possible time. Oh, well, come on in.

I'm interrupting.

Oh, no, I'm just leaving. And don't forget...

I'm as close as your phone. Oh, I appreciate that. Good night.

So, what is this all about?

Donna was fired?

With just one hour's notice.

Well, how could they do that?

It's called cutting expenses, and it begins with firing the secretaries.

But that's terrible.

Yeah, but these things happen in strikes. The paper figures it's facing

rough days ahead.

So they figure they're going to share them generously with Donna, huh?

What is she going to do? Does she have any money?

Just what I lent her tonight.

Hey, that's really nice.

And I might have been a little hasty. What with the money that Donna needed

the accident, our emergency fund is in a severe state of emergency.

Well, it doesn't matter, because they can't fire me. I have a contract.

Even when you pick it?

Even when I pick it.

I wish I'd been there. I had no idea you were Closet Samuel Gompers.

Well, I mean, it was good exercise, and the register is being unfair to the

pressman and to people like Donna.

Well, it sounds like you have a lot to write about in your next column.

It's going to be a minor classic.

A minor?

Well, it could be a major classic.

If only Elliot will have the guts to print it.

Uh -huh.

Oh, yeah.

So how soon do we get it fixed?

Please, when I want your official statement, I'll ask for it. I don't

why we have to go through all of this. I mean, your own driver said it was all

her fault.

We have not yet determined the fault.

But she said that to the police.

I know. I have the police report right here.

You don't understand.

We've got three witnesses that can testify to exactly what happened. I

David L. Bradford, Thomas B. Bradford, Jr., Jeremy, no middle initial, and

Dreddy, a minor child.

So what's the hang -up?

There is no hang -up. Everything is proceeding precisely on schedule.

I

don't

believe this guy.

He's going to make our accident his whole life's work.

Please tell us how soon the cars will be fixed.

Well, that depends on when he's ready for retirement.

Well, I'm not going to ride to work like this ever again.

Yeah, you know, Tommy here, it's kind of crowded for everybody. Maybe I'll sit

in the cab.

Just what gives you that privilege?

Well, you guys, you know, how is it going to look for me to show up at a TV

station looking like a load of turnips? The same way Elizabeth and I will look.

Yeah.

Well, are you ready, girls?

Who could be ready for this?

Well,

if you're not ready to walk, you're ready.

Remember now, hang on tight.

I wish I had a picture of this. You wouldn't dare.

Right. Call it the Jode family meets Sacramento.

More money! More money!

More money! More money!

Come on! Yes, Roland, I do understand, and I'll take care of it.

Well, Tom, I see you've given up picketing this morning.

What changed your mind?

No, I'm sorry, Elliot, but it isn't changed.

In fact, you're going to like this column even less than you did

but why don't you read it for yourself?

Well, come on, Elliot, just because you don't agree with me, that doesn't mean

that you have a right to see that the column never sees print.

Please, Tom, it just doesn't matter.

My opinion doesn't matter? Oh, don't get autistic on me, Tom.

I could agree a thousand percent with you, and still the writing of this

would be an exercise in futility.

I'll read it if it pleases you.

I'm the only one who will.

You can't kill my column.

Don't you understand, Tom? It's not just you, it's the paper.

Corporate just called.

They're shutting us down.

What?

They can't meet the union demands.

We can't afford to keep going with unskilled help.

of business, Tom.

Finished.

Don't worry, Dad.

Look, we'll all cut our expenses to bare bones.

Oh, thanks, Nancy, but have you priced bare bones lately?

Look, Dad, we all know it's going to be rough, but I'll contribute my salary to

the family till the strike's over. Yeah, me too, and with Abby and Mary, that's

four incomes.

Yeah, and ten outdoors.

I have to agree with Jeremy.

You're all very generous, but, I mean, we've been running this house with a

heavy deficit.

Well, look at it this way, Dad. The strike can't last forever.

The strike has already lasted longer than our savings.

Dad, I can't keep the register closed down.

Let me tell you something.

Did you know that last year over a dozen newspapers just folded up?

Anyway, we'll fall off that bridge when we come to it. What Tom is trying to say

is that we've got to prepare for the worst. So if you're not going to eat it,

don't buy it, okay?

Right, and everybody go on a diet. Right, pinch those pennies.

So what else is new?

All right, does anyone other than Jeremy have any smart aleck remarks to make?

I have an idea, and it doesn't take any money.

No money?

None at all?

Not a penny.

You still get anything you want. I don't believe it, Nicholas.

Okay, just try it. What do you want?

Besides Robert Redford and a trip to Paris.

Give me a break.

Well, I could use a new scarf.

Something to tie my hair back when I have to ride in that horrible truck pool

Dad's organized.

One scarf.

What would you like to trade?

Well, how about this lipstick?

Tropical interlude. Yuck.

Right. One lipstick.

I can't spell interlude.

I'll take care of it.

Wait a minute, Nicholas.

There's still something I don't understand.

What do you get out of this?

Proof. Of what?

That I know what I'm talking about, which is more than most people around

Good morning. I wonder if you could help me. What kind of help? I'm Bradley

Crothers from the city of Sacramento, Department of Traffic Safety.

Is this really 1436 Oak Street?

It really is.

I don't understand.

Where's the intersection?

Intersection? Yes.

Where did that disaster occur?

Right over there.

There?

In the driveway?

Yeah. I thought the wrecks had been towed there.

Well, it was a very convenient accident as far as towing is concerned.

Well, I must say, this makes my assignment challenging.

It does?

Well, where do you think the traffic light should be? In the driveway or on

front lawn?

Traffic light.

That's crazy.

No, actually, it's very logical. You see, we recently computerized our

All police reports regarding multi -car crashes, four or more vehicles are

flagged to my attention.

I then investigate these high -risk areas to see if a sign, signal, or

light is needed.

Couldn't you just tell the computer it's our driveway?

Well, yes.

I mean, obviously, it's your driveway. And I think on the basis of my field

inspection, I should recommend a negative decision.

Thanks.

My pleasure.

By the way, don't you make your report near the city hall?

That's right.

Well, you know, that's just right near my brokerage office. And, well, would

mind some company?

I'd be delighted.

Great. Just a second.

What do you think?

I think you should let me finish before you ask questions.

Well?

You want my opinion as your accountant or as your friend?

What's the difference?

As your friend, I could loan you money.

Well, thanks anyway.

Be my accountant.

Well, we don't know when or if the strike is going to end and the paper

call you back, but it's a little too soon to start thinking about finding

another job.

But you have an immediate cash flow problem here. Yes, I noticed that.

Yes, you've got to get as many dollars as you can coming into this house.

The way the interest rates are these days, I just refuse to put you in debt.

If I were you, I'd apply for unemployment insurance.

Unemployment? Never.

But, Tom, you are unemployed.

No, no, wrong, Sidney. My employer quit.

I mean, I wasn't raised to be unemployed, much less paid for it.

We need a bucket. I'll get it. No, just keep mopping.

What happened?

Daddy, could you help us? Could you get a bucket?

Oh, the washing machine OD'd. On baby clothes.

But listen, Dad, don't worry about it. The repairman's on his way, and I insist

on paying for it. Well, I'm glad to hear that.

But I need a cash advance until Merle gets his paycheck.

Cash?

Hmm.

Well, do you think that you could get along without a washer temporarily?

Well, yeah, sure, we could. But your granddaughter can't. Oh, well, then

worry, Susan. We'll work it out.

Thanks, Dad.

Yes. Are things really that tight?

Yeah, I'm afraid so.

I don't even want to tell you what my accountant said.

What?

I don't want to mention it.

Well, then maybe I shouldn't mention what I was going to mention.

No mention. It'll take my mind off what I don't want to mention.

Well, I was going to ask you about my tuition, but I guess I should just drop

out this semester and find a job.

Oh, no, you can't do that. Don't worry, I'll raise the tuition money.

How?

Don't ask.

I prefer we keep it a secret.

A secret?

You aren't planning something illegal, are you?

Oh, no, it's perfectly legal.

It's just hard to swallow.

Nick?

Next. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm next.

Right.

Well?

Hi.

What do I do?

What do you mean, what do you do?

I've never been here before. I don't know the procedure.

Give me your form.

What form?

The procedure is that this line is for people with forms.

You belong in another line.

Which line do I go to? What's your name?

My name?

Yeah, what is it?

Thomas C.

Bradford. What?

Thomas C.

Or Bradford.

Bradford.

These go to window two.

Over there, Mr. Bradford.

Next.

Mr.

Bradford? Mr. Bradford, how you doing?

Hello there, Sharon.

I never expected to see you here.

No, neither did I.

I guess nobody's safe. You, Mr. Randolph.

Oh, Elliot, too?

Mm -hmm.

You, uh, you're just smiling.

Yeah, it's just smiling.

It's kind of like old times, huh?

I'll go up to the winner. I'll just say, Mr. Bradford can't come to the line

right now. He's in conference.

That's funny.

Oh, I'm really sorry, Mr. Bradford.

I really am. If I'd known this was going to happen, I never would have asked you

for that money.

I know, Donna.

You want it back?

No, no.

You sure?

Positive. I wouldn't do a thing like that. That's good, because I already

it.

Mr. Bradford, you had no idea how fast money disappears when there's nothing

coming in. I'm learning.

You know, you look great in those glasses.

If it were anybody but me, they'd never recognize you. Thanks a lot, Donna. It's

sweet to hear.

Good luck.

Yes, to all of us.

I'll see you.

Hi.

How's this, Nancy?

Nicholas, that is really pretty.

Yeah, well, it's all yours.

Just goes to show you what barter can do. You're not still into that, are you?

What next, astrology?

Jeremy, barter works.

and I traded it to Kenny P. Landers for his Little League catcher's mask.

What does Kenny P. Landers want with a lipstick?

Sounds like an identity crisis.

I don't know. He says something about fireworks.

Fireworks? Yeah. He said he's going to hide one in his dad's glove compartment

and let his mom find it. That's terrible.

That's ingenious.

So anyways, I traded the catcher's mask to Marvin for three tennis balls and

that scarf his little sister didn't want. What happened to the tennis balls?

They're upstairs in my room. My commission.

Your commission?

Yeah.

Nicholas, me and you gotta talk.

Mr. Willoughby, you must get these cars to the repair shop. I'd love to.

But the mail service has asked for a district inspection team to come up from

San Francisco and verify all the details of the accident.

Why? They have photos. They have police reports.

They have eyewitness testimony.

Their own driver even said it was her fault.

I just did it.

It puts them in a very vulnerable position.

What about our position?

Well, it should only take another day.

They're trying to make sure that any liability they have is justified. It's

justified.

Think of it this way.

Do you want to be responsible for an increase in the price of stamps?

If my truck doesn't get fixed, I won't be able to afford stamps.

$147 .11?

Are you sure?

Yes, Daddy, I'm sure. I saw the old motor and it had to be replaced.

The diamonds?

All right.

I know the timing's lousy. Oh, it's not your fault. I mean, appliances seem to

have ESP for the worst possible moments.

Here. Look, thanks.

You're talking to her all night, and we're gonna pay you back.

All right.

Hey, Dad.

Remember when I was Nicholas's age, and there was this real nice man who used to

set my name in type when I visited the paper?

Joe? Joe Jackson?

Yeah, that's his name. He's here to see you. Really? Bring him on in.

Come on in, Mr. Jackson.

Good to see you again. Thank you.

Hello, Tom. Hiya, Joe. What brings you here?

That's my boys. They're all pretty discouraged. We hadn't figured on this

lockout. Yeah, well, it fooled a lot of us.

I, uh... I wondered if you'd come down to the Union Hall and give us a pep

Me? All you have to do is tell them the things you said you were putting in your

column supporting the strike.

I'm sorry, Joe, but I don't think I can do that.

I don't understand.

Well, since I planned that column, well, there's been a lot of changes.

My daughter Elizabeth may have to drop out of college. My secretary's having

financial problems. I might even have to go on unemployment insurance. I mean,

what next?

So it's rough.

But it seems to me you're the man who told me you don't preserve your

by backing away from a fight.

But it's not Elizabeth's fight.

It's not my secretary's fight.

It's not even my family's fight.

I mean, the strike is hurting a lot of innocent people.

In other words, writing columns is one thing, but standing behind them is

another.

No, I've seen what can happen, and I've changed my mind.

Your mind or your principles?

Please try to understand.

I think I understand.

My old friend Tom Bradford is a hypocrite.

Well, we really appreciate the two of you agreeing to come here and meet with

us. Yeah, maybe now we can get some straight answers. Well, what David means

that sometimes it's very helpful when two opposing sides can actually

on a one -to -one basis.

No, I mean now maybe we can get some straight answers.

Well, that's what we're here for, David. Right, Byron? No, that's right, Jack.

See, what I don't think you understand is that Byron has a very difficult

assignment here.

True, but I sure wouldn't want to be in your shoes on this one.

An accident of this proportion will probably be reviewed all the way to the

Byron could get transferred down to Podunk if they catch him off base.

On the other hand, Chuck's company has to be positive that they're not

overcommitting themselves on items that we won't reimburse, for which they would

blame Chuck.

I have to tell you, frankly, that Byron's doing a better job than I could

Well, I'd just like to say, if I were a member of the Bradford family, I'd sure

want Chuck as my insurance agent.

Now, what was it you wanted to tell us?

We were just hoping to break this logjam by working together.

But not this together.

He's been more than a friend.

And now we're enemies.

All because I worry about my family.

I mean, is that so wrong?

Don't you think Joe's just worried about his family, too?

Yeah, you're right.

How did this thing get so far out of control so fast?

And when's it going to end?

And how.

I'm glad I'm not writing a column.

Why?

I don't have the answer.

Don't worry, Elizabeth. We'll work it out.

You think so? No problem.

Nicholas thought it was.

Yeah, well, he's the junior partner. You just tell me what you want to treat.

A Strand album.

Impossible.

Don't listen to him. It's a simple transaction.

Nicholas, just tell me where you got felled up. Okay, you want to trade Tommy

car wash for a guitar lesson, right?

Right. Tommy doesn't want a car wash. He wants to trade Mary a guitar lesson for

Mary's racquetball racket. And Mary doesn't want a guitar lesson.

Wait, I got it. If Elizabeth trades me the album, then I'll give her a car

I don't want a car wash.

See, that's what always happens. Don't panic.

If Tommy takes the album and I trade him a car wash, and he trades Mary for the

racquetball racket, then he gives the racquetball racket to Elizabeth.

I could accept that.

But that means Tommy has to give the guitar lesson to himself.

You sure?

I think so.

Figure it out.

No, Nicholas, you figure it out. You just became senior partner in sole

proprietor. Elizabeth, I have a few bucks stashed, so why don't you show me

album? Did you say money?

Yeah.

No.

I don't regard that as your failure, Nicholas.

Yeah, but if it hadn't worked, this whole family could have saved money when

really need it.

No. It was the system that fails, not you.

Yeah, but it could have gotten greater.

If what?

If people wanted to give something good to get something good. It doesn't work

when you only think about your part of the trade.

I'll drink to that.

It wasn't you that failed, Nicholas.

Not by a long shot.

In fact...

Hello, George.

Tom. I was hoping I could find Joe Jackson.

He's meeting with the attorneys.

I hope it's about a settlement.

No, we're going to sue.

Unfair labor practices.

Terrific. We've got to do something, Tom. Things are desperate.

It's like picketing a corpse.

Yeah, I can see that.

Do me a favor, George.

If you see Joe, tell him I'm looking for him.

I'll be inside for a while.

a new truck and yours are still here?

Yes, I'm afraid so.

I sure am sorry I caused this mess.

You're my favorite house on the whole block.

So warm, so friendly.

And besides, I get rid of half my mail in this one stop.

Listen, you don't have any suggestions as to how we can clear this mess up, do

you?

Do you mean you're giving me the chance to help you?

You Bradfords are unbelievable.

I'm honored.

And I'll do it.

Come on.

Oh, it's you, Mr. Bradford.

Is there anything I can do for you? Hi, Mark.

I was just looking for Mr. Randolph. Oh, he's taking some personal things out of

his office.

Anybody else around?

No, sir.

Nobody.

The whole place is kind of spooky.

Spooky is right.

I hate to think of it staying this way.

It'd be a terrible waste.

It shouldn't just die, Mr. Bradford.

It's a newspaper.

Hello, Elliot.

Can we talk?

Battered.

Crushed.

Demolished. Just like my career.

Well, frankly, Rowena, you should have considered that before you lost control

of your truck and your mouth.

I know. I'm sorry.

Thank heavens I have the two of you here to rescue me.

Rescue you?

Oh, hold on. Are you suggesting a cover -up? Oh, never. I wouldn't ask you to do

such a thing.

And you wouldn't do it. I'll take my punishment. Just let it be fair.

Rowena, we're proceeding as judiciously and carefully as we can.

Don't you see how that can ruin me?

The longer you keep the investigation going, the more attention I attract.

I become the subject of meetings.

They name a committee after me. I'll never get promoted. Is that true, Byron?

She has a point, Chuck.

Just ask yourselves how you would feel in my shoes.

Wouldn't you want this over as fast as possible?

I suppose we are prolonging your punishment.

Well, as long as we've double -checked the facts, why triple -check them?

All right with you, Byron? Oh, if it's okay with you, Chuck.

Well, fine, and I'll authorize immediate repair.

We'll guarantee prompt reimbursement.

When?

Well, I think we can get the paperwork on its way.

By lunch? By lunch. Oh, thank you, gentlemen.

I had a hunch you would understand.

Dad's right in here, Mr. Jackson.

Thank you.

Hello, Joe.

I'm glad you could make it.

What's up?

You change your mind about that pep talk?

No, no, no, Joe, please, don't go. I want you to hear something.

You know my youngest son, Nicholas?

Hi.

Nicholas was just going to explain something to all of us. Go on, son.

It's about barter, Mr. Jackson.

Barter? Well, he tried to start this barter system in the house, and the

thing fell apart.

People didn't want to give what other people wanted to get.

Sounds familiar.

And people didn't want to get what other people wanted to give.

Yes, I've noticed that.

If the other guy can't give what you want, well, then you gotta want

he can give, or else nobody gets anything.

I think he's right.

I'm sorry, Tom.

It's a cute gimmick, but it didn't work.

No, Joe, come on, don't go.

We've been friends too long, all of us.

A friend of mine wouldn't set me up like this.

Joe, this is no set -up.

Look, I didn't know you'd be here, but I'm glad you're here.

I don't like what's happened to us.

You think I do?

I think we need each other, Joe.

I think we need to talk to each other.

Well?

Like colleagues.

Or just like friends.

Nicholas, why don't you and I go in the other room?

But I only had one donut. No, but there's a whole box of donuts in the

Good thing.

Dad, I like your style.

Yeah, and I kind of like yours too, Nicholas.

Tom, I got a message for you. And I've got a message for you, young man.

I'll let you know when you can call me Tom.

Yeah, okay, Mr. Bradford. I got carried away. You know all the excitement and

all. I never thought watching cars being towed away could be so beautiful. Yeah,

it's not that excitement.

Jeremy, we interrupted you. What excitement?

Well, some Mr.

Randolph called.

Mr. Bradford. The strike's been set. All right.

Listen, you can call me Tom to celebrate the occasion.

All right.

That luck couldn't last forever.

What a relief. Only a few more days of riding in the back of a Merle.