All language subtitles for Eight Is Enough s05e08 Strike

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.