Original subtitles

Dad, are we rich?

Oh, I guess that depends on how you look at it.

Well, how do we look at it?

When it comes to money, we manage to scrape by.

We have more than many people and less than some.

Oh, so you mean I get more allowance than Kenny P. Landers, but less than

Marvin. That's it, Nicholas.

You've got it.

But are we rich?

Well, riches are not just having money, Nicholas.

We're rich in other ways.

Oh, you mean it's checks and credit cards?

No, Nicholas.

I meant more lasting things.

Just having a family.

Being able to be together.

That's worth more than gold or diamonds.

It is?

Yeah, it is.

Well, then we are rich.

I feel that we are.

I'm glad you feel that way.

Now can we talk about this great sale they're having on dirt bikes?

Look at this.

It's a portrait of the happiness that we feel and always

will.

Obeyed enough to fill our lives with love.

Always spend our days like bright and shiny news.

Well,

it's just how temporary is temporary.

Donna will be back in three weeks, Mr. Bradford, and I know I'll serve you as

efficiently as she does.

Unless...

Unless what, Mrs. Pennington? Unless you need me to take shorthand.

Shorthand? Oh, no, no. I wouldn't expect my secretary to take shorthand.

Donna would kill me.

You're very understanding, Mr. Bradford. Oh, well, well -trained is really the

word. And you're much more dashing than I thought you'd be.

Dashing? I had you pictured as more literary, a man of words.

You strike me as a man of action.

Action?

I have a lot of work to do.

Can I get you coffee?

Don't bother.

I'll get it.

Hello?

Oh, David.

Thanks for calling.

Well,

I'll tell you later.

Yeah, that sounds important, son.

I'd love to talk to you.

talk to you about it. Yeah, well, let's do that. No, no, not here.

Hi. We'll talk about it at home. I'm going to do the rest of my work there.

see you there in about a half an hour.

Bye -bye, David.

You're working at your home?

No, I am.

I'll need you here to take messages.

Oh, that's too bad.

When will I see you again?

That will be one of the messages.

I still don't know about this.

What other alternatives do you have?

It may take months before there's money for new buildings. If Bradford

Construction is going to survive, you have to go after the home remodeling

market. Yeah, but it's a real comedown after building your own houses. Yeah, I

know, but it'll keep you going until the upturn comes.

I just don't want you as client bankrupt.

What is that?

mean, what's he doing here?

You know him? Yeah, that's Joe Simons.

Wait, I've heard about him. He's the one who saved Nicholas's life.

Yeah, I guess you could say that.

When Nicholas ran away to San Diego, Joe took him in and eventually brought him

home to us, but not in a limousine.

Well, how?

They hitchhiked. Well, I'd say his fortunes have changed a bit. Yeah, I

believe it. Hey, Joe!

Joe! Is that really you?

David!

That's David, isn't it?

Good to see you. I'd like to meet my wife, Janet. Oh, how do you do, ma 'am?

do you do?

Joe Simons.

For Pete's sakes! Joe, welcome to Sacramento!

Hello, Mr. Bradford.

Oh, boy, it's good to see you. Wait till Nicholas finds out you're here.

Wait till I see him. You'll never guess what I brought that boy.

Gold!

That's right, Nicholas.

Gold!

Just where is this gold mine of yours, Joe?

Where fate led me, Mr. Bradford. Up in the Yukon.

Just like you said it would be. That's right, Nicholas.

Joe, I don't understand something.

The last time that we heard, you went to Hawaii, not the Yukon. Right.

I took a little detour. I had to consult with my geologist. Then I headed north

and found the Lucky Nick mine.

The Lucky Nick?

Uh, named after my partner and inspiration here.

Uh, what part of Yukon, Joe?

Way up there.

In the north part.

And it's cold up there. That's why I had to come down here. Oh, that and this.

There you are, son.

What's this?

That's the partnership papers. That says you own seven and one half percent of

the Lucky Nick mine.

Sort of a finder's fee.

Thanks, Joe.

But I didn't find the gold mine. You did.

Well, I'd have never looked for it if it hadn't been for you.

That's very generous of you, Mr. Simon.

Well, some people might say that.

When the profits start rolling in, which would be any day now, the wealth

involved could be untold.

You sure have grown, son.

It's been too long.

Yep, but I never forgot what you taught me.

Oh, you mean about always being polite and minding your elders?

No, I mean about three of a kind beats two pair and never con a con.

Joe Simon's found a gold mine. I found Nirvana.

I know it's a little hard to believe, but he's delightful.

Oh. Yeah, he's delightful, all right. I just hope he's not up to something.

Well, why would he be up to something? Well, you never heard what the San Diego

police told me about Joe Simons.

Apparently, the only trustworthy thing he ever did in his whole life is when he

brought Nicholas home.

Could we forget about Joe for a second and talk about our problem?

Oh, right.

Since no one's giving David a goldmine, we need some financial advice.

Oh, yeah? Sure. What's up?

Well, my attorney here talked me into going after some remodeling jobs.

That means we have to advertise to the public.

Do you think we could afford a little campaign in the register?

Well, how much money do you have available?

Well, we'd have to start with a few hundred dollars, and, you know, if it

off, we'd keep it up.

Yeah, I don't know that much about advertising, but I can put you in touch

Bob Leroy.

Uh, excuse me, Dad, there's somebody for you at the door. Oh, for me? Who is it?

Uh, Mrs. Pennington from the office.

She's here?

Well, that's highly irregular.

Um, she said it was an emergency.

Oh, well, I better see what she wants.

Dad, what about Bob Leroy?

Oh, yeah, well, he's our advertising manager. I know he'd be very happy to

you. I'll be right back and we'll discuss it.

Hey,

what's all this about advertising?

Oh, I'm just considering, you know, a little campaign in Dad's paper for

Bradford Construction.

Really?

You're kidding.

He's serious enough to appropriate our entertainment budget and our savings for

the next six months. Hey, you mean you'd spend money on a newspaper ad when Dad

could get you on television?

We can't afford television.

Sure you can.

You got a sister in the business.

He said the message was important.

Oh, very important, Mr. Bradford. That's why I'm here. Here, I wrote down his

name. Oh, well, Mrs. Pennington, I can't read your writing. Oh, let me help you.

It's from Dr.

Meglip. Dr. Meglip?

Meglip? I don't know who that is.

Something like that.

I believe it's Gregory Meglip.

Could the Meglip possibly be Maxwell?

Possibly. He said he had to cancel the appointment.

Should I call another doctor? We must protect your health now, mustn't we? No,

no, please, don't bother. This appointment was to play tennis.

Oh, tennis!

I knew there was a reason that you looked so vigorous.

Maybe you and I could play sometime.

Abby! Who's Abby?

Abby is my wife. I'd like you to meet her. I have a wife and eight children.

You are vigorous.

Abby!

Children!

What was that?

Oh, that was just Dad yelling.

You'll get used to it.

Did they find your reservation?

Not yet, Nicholas.

I don't understand that hotel.

Well, now what am I going to do?

Well, maybe you can spend the night with us.

Gee, I never thought of that.

Oh, no. You already got a full house. I couldn't put you out.

You took me and Joe when I ran away?

You might just mention that to your father.

Dad, I want Joe to spend the night here.

Well, that might not be easy, Nicholas.

See, I'd have to cancel my appointment with my stockbroker.

Dad, can't Grandpa Joe spend the night here, please?

Well, we don't want Joe to cancel any important appointments. Right, Nicholas?

Well, on the other hand, what's money compared to disappointing my adopted

grandson?

We'd love to have you, Joe.

Oh, thank you, ma 'am.

Thanks, Abby. Come on, Joe. We'll go make your bed on the screen for you.

I hope this isn't a mistake.

We owe him a lot.

Yeah, but I owe this family a little basic protection, too. I mean, that

of Joe's about the gold miners is a little questionable.

I'd be more than a fool to accept him at face value.

First you think Mrs.

Pennington is after your virtue, and now you think that Joe is after your money.

I think you're getting paranoid.

I heard about it at a staff meeting.

Channel 8 has a new spot package that is perfect for the beginning advertiser.

You know, you can buy time on the midnight movie for less than you can in

newspaper. Yeah, but how many insomniacs are into getting their bathrooms

remodeled? Oh, David, that's not the point. A few inches of newsprint, it's

boring. But with 60 seconds of dramatic television, you could really make an

impression.

I don't know, Joanie. What would I say on television?

The least of your worries. Leave that to me.

You? Yeah, I'll write, produce, and direct your commercial.

I don't know, Joanie. Oh, Dave, I would work real hard.

It's a big gamble with my money and Janet's. No, no, no. I'm not going to

you anything.

Well, Joanie does no drama.

What has that got to do with commercials?

Oh, well, commercials are... Like little plays, sort of.

Okay, okay, I think... Oh, David, thank you!

Paranoid, am I?

I just called the hotel.

They never heard of Joe Simons. There's no chauffeur there waiting for him.

Obviously, there's no gold mine. And obviously, I was right.

That old rascal is setting us up.

tell you the Huff and Puff story?

Why not?

It's one of my favorites.

It's a baby story. I don't like it anymore.

I got a better one. It's about pirates.

Space pirates.

Oh. Okay.

You tell me about space pirates.

First you tell me about our gold mine.

When am I going to get to see it?

Well, we're going to have to wait till summer when them icebergs melt.

Then will you take me?

Well, if your dad will let you go.

Will we camp out again and eat grub?

Sure.

I don't mind eating grub, just as long as we take some food.

You know something, Joe?

I met my real grandfather this summer.

I mean, it's great. Now I've got two of you.

Oh.

I'm real happy for you, Nicholas.

What's your real grandpa like?

Well, he's neat.

His name is Matt, and he builds a pretty good fan castle.

He does that?

But not as good as yours, Joe.

In fact, he's a good grandpa, but not as good a friend.

I better tuck you in.

Yeah.

I know what he's up to. Who?

Joe Simons. I just figured it out. He's here to sell us stock in the Lucky Nick

gold mine.

Do you really believe that? Yes, it's a classic con. He arrives here pretending

to be rich. Then he gives Nicholas an interest in his little gold mine to gain

our gratitude.

Then he lets us buy in on the bonanza for as much as he can chisel us out of.

Tom, that's so cynical.

Oh, no. You don't know how this guy lives. You never met any of his shady

cohorts. If he's as bad as you think, it could break Nichols' heart.

He won't have a chance, because I'm going to stop him tonight.

How? I'm going to trick him into exposing his little scheme.

You? Me.

I'll sting the stinger.

Mr. Joe Simon. Oh, Mr.

Bradford. I was just checking this refrigerator door.

Somebody left it ajar. Oh, for Pete's sake. Well, I was very thoughtful of

Thank you.

Listen, as long as it's open, would you care to join me in a sandwich?

Oh, no thanks.

I'm not hungry.

Oh, that's too bad.

He'd like to be sociable.

Good, good.

You know, I've been meaning to thank you for your most generous gift to

Nicholas.

Don't mention it.

Wish I had a hundred minds to share with that boy.

He's a special one, Mr. Bradford.

Yes, that he is, Mr. Simons.

That he is.

You know, I was thinking, the way gold is going these days,

well... Just having one gold mine must be quite a responsibility.

Oh, keeps me hopping, all right.

Yes, and with all those financial responsibilities and management

responsibilities, it must be a whole new world for you.

I'm learning, Mr. Bradford.

Good, good.

You're probably looking for some experienced businessman to help guide

your efforts.

What? Now, I don't... mean to take advantage of our friendship or our

regard for Nicholas.

But it occurred to me that you could probably use some investors.

Investors? Yes.

Men who might share the financial risks and management responsibilities.

And, of course, share in the eventual rewards.

As minor partners, of course.

Are you saying you'd like to buy some stock in the Lucky Nick mine?

Yes. Not only me. I thought maybe I could interest some of my friends in

investing. If you could just put in writing exactly what your stock offers,

would be very happy to submit it to them.

I'm sorry, Mr. Bradford. I'd never sell stock in that mine.

Never. I waited too long. It means too much to me and to Nicholas.

I wouldn't think of it.

Come on. Joanie, I haven't even had my coffee yet.

That's exactly what I said when she dragged me over here. No, it's too good

idea to wait. It is perfect. I think you're going to hate it, Dave. No, no.

here, Susan.

See, it has impact. It's never been done before, and it has emotional appeal to

your target audience. You'll see.

Okay, Susan, now read this exactly the way you did it in rehearsal.

As long as you understand this wasn't my idea.

Hello there, homeowners.

As you can see, I'm having an audition.

If you want an addition... No, no, no. Turn, turn.

If you want an addition, a new bathroom or a new family room, call Bradford

Construction. Take it from me, they're the addition experts.

Stop.

What? What's wrong?

It's terrible, Joanie.

Pat decides it. We're going into newspapers.

No, no, David. Oh, David.

David, that's just a suggestion. I mean, I can think of others.

Oh, give me another chance, please.

Maybe you should, David. I mean, it is terrible, but...

It does stick in your mind. And in your throat.

So I'll keep on trying.

I'll get it. You'll see.

You're absolutely sure about that, Charles.

There is no Lucky Nick mine in all of the Yukon?

Boy, oh boy.

That's what I figured.

Well, listen, thank you so much for calling up there and checking it out.

You're not only the best agency in the state, but you're a true friend.

Charles, thanks.

I owe you one.

Right. Bye -bye.

It's coffee time, Mr. Bradford. Oh, no, not right now. I have some calls to

make. You work too hard, Mr. Bradford. I worry about you. Have some health

cookies. Health cookies? I made them myself, just for you. Oh, gosh, that was

very nice. But, I mean, that's not part of your secretarial work.

Donna never made cookies.

I really enjoyed it, Mr. Bradford. I think men should be fussed over. Oh,

but no, no, not during work hours.

Then I'll save them for lunch. Oh, I've prepared a wonderful lunch for you, and

I'll serve it right here at your desk. No, I tell you, I won't be here for

lunch. I have some family business to attend to, and I will remain at home

because I will continue to write my column there. Again? Thank you. Yes,

But I'll see you later, Mrs. Pennington. Well, I could serve you lunch right

there. Oh, no, no, no. That won't be necessary. You stay here and take

Take them, but don't deliver them.

I'll miss you. Oh, isn't that nice? I'll miss you. Well, I mean, I won't miss

you. I'll see you later. Goodbye, Mrs. Pennington.

Come on, Joe. Show me it one more time.

I've already showed you so many times you can show me.

Hey, you want me to?

Yeah, might as well. You're going to have to find it yourself this summer

anyway.

Okay.

See, now, this is Grizzly Peak, and this is the

Two Indian River.

Now, you come around Grizzly Peak like that, come all the way down here, you

cross over at the bend, and then you go two miles north, and there's Lucky Nick.

And how do you know it's the Lucky Nick?

Because the nuggets are as big as your nose.

Now, that's an exaggeration, Nicholas.

They're as big as your nose, not mine.

Well, that's what I meant.

You know something?

I wish me and you were at the Yukon right now.

What's the hurry, partner?

Well, tomorrow when I go to school, I got a math test.

Oh, I see.

Well, baby, I better go help you study for it. Do we have to?

Yep, come on.

What's wrong, Joe?

I don't feel so good.

Joe!

Help, somebody!

Help, somebody!

Black! Help!

Help! Somebody, help Black!

Shh, Nicholas, Nicholas, what is it? It's Joe! He fell out there!

What? Who fell?

Joe! That's it.

It's the old car.

It's the insurance hustle. He's faking.

Joe, he makes me he falls down and hurts his back and claims whiplash.

Dad, call the paramedics.

I think Joe's had a heart attack.

I sure am glad you didn't have to spend the night at the hospital.

So am I.

How are you feeling?

I feel good now that I'm back here with you.

You're gonna be okay.

Yeah.

I could tell you the Huff and Puff story.

Yeah, that'd be nice.

That'd be real nice.

Actually, uh, Barry's diagnosis was quite understandable.

Angina's often mistaken for a heart attack. The symptoms are quite similar.

But he's gonna be okay.

Well... With a little rest, we'll be fine.

If he doesn't stop taking his medication again.

Again? That's what brought on the angina attack.

He says he forgot, but frankly, I think he just couldn't afford it.

But he said he was rich.

Hardly. If he's had one meal a day in the past weeks, I'd be surprised.

He's bordering on malnutrition.

Malnutrition? I don't get it. What's going on with him?

It's about time we asked Joe Simons exactly that.

I don't think you should do that, Tom. He's in no condition for any...

Inquisition. Okay.

But there are other ways of finding out.

What was the name of that police detective down in San Diego that I met

was looking for Nicholas? He knew all about Joe Simons. He kept a complete

on him. I don't know. You never told me.

I have it in my address book.

Oh, shucks. I left it in the office.

Call Mrs. Pennington.

I don't want to talk to that woman.

What woman?

It's Tom's new secretary.

According to him, she practically chases him around the desk.

I hope that's true. You can use the exercise.

Maybe I can sneak in without her seeing me.

Well, Nicholas is sure going to be disappointed when he finds out about

Nicholas isn't going to find out. Not just yet.

Don't you agree?

There we go.

Oh, Mr. Bradford, you came back. Yes, I did. I have a very important phone call

to make.

Well, I won't bother you.

Excellent.

I just have one teensy question to ask.

Would you join me for dinner tonight?

What? Dinner at my apartment. Would you join me?

What? I eat dinner with my wife and my children in my current crisis every

night.

Couldn't you make this one exception?

No, Mrs. Pennington, I could not. Now, I'm having a very difficult time right

now. I have a serious problem at home. I don't have time for any of this

adolescent foolishness of yours. I would appreciate it very much if you would

leave me alone.

I knew you wouldn't understand. How could you?

Understand?

I understand that I am constantly embarrassed and interrupted.

I can't even get any work done in my own office, and I'm not going to put up

with it any longer. Mr. Bradford, we don't... I don't want any aspirin. I

want to be left alone.

Mr. Bradford, please, now let me explain.

No, let me explain, all right? After I make this very important phone call, I

going to call Mrs. Cooper, and I'm going to tell her to replace you and get me

another secretary until Donna returns.

Now, I really think that's the best thing for both of us.

Mr. Bradford... That's the last thing I'm going to say. Goodbye, Mrs.

Pennington.

Thank you very much, Mr. Bradford.

Thank you?

What the devil is she thanking me about?

You want it to sound like who?

Boss Gags. You know, soft, sophisticated, semi -symphonic.

I think the only thing that we have that even comes close to sounding like Boss

Gags is our imitation of Sean on Ah.

We could try, I guess.

Let me see the lyrics in the lead sheet. Oh, there's no lead sheet, Ernie, but

the tune's real easy. It's She Loves You.

She loves you? Yeah, you know, the Beatles.

Gee, I don't know, Joanie. Come on, Bradford, it's a classic.

Oh, let's see.

You think you lost your roof Well, I saw it yesterday

That's it, you got it. On David Bradford's drawing board And he told me

say He said, remodel And you know that can't be bad

You said remodel, and you know you should be glad.

The builder who will please your budget here.

I praise you, too.

It's time to take your medicine.

You just took it.

No, Joe, that was two hours ago.

Uh -huh.

I'll, uh... I'll see you two. I got Jackson's sevens.

Three little ladies.

By golly, you haven't lost your touch, kid.

Next thing I know, you'll be telling me to take my vitamins.

Not now. You take those with meals.

I do, do I?

Feeling better?

Yeah, little Nicholas.

I'm sorry about this. I didn't mean to scare you.

Well, I'm not scared now. Now that Dr. Max and Mary said you're going to be

to your old self after you get a lot of rest and eat a lot.

Well, sometimes it isn't easy to be your old self.

You mean you're still sick?

Has nothing to do with a man's body, Nicholas.

Has to do with how he feels about himself.

How other people look at him.

Yeah, well, you shouldn't worry about that, Joe. I mean, you're important.

You got a cool mind.

Yeah, that's right, Nicholas. I'm a big man.

Real big.

Dad, what's this all about?

I had several talks on the phone with Detective Marshall down in San Diego.

He's done some checking for me, and now I know why Joe Simons is here.

It's obviously not to give Nicholas a share in his gold mine.

Hardly. He's never even been to the Yukon.

When he came back from Hawaii, he went right back to San Diego, where he had

some hard times.

He had two friends down there, Nathan, who died eight months ago, and Anna, who

went east to live with her niece.

Right after she left, he started getting these angina attacks, and there was

nobody there to help him, so the welfare people just put him into a nursing home

as a ward of the state.

Well, he must have hated that.

Yeah, I guess so.

Last month, he ran away.

Well, where's he been in the meantime?

Wherever I was, he was literally starving.

Why was he pretending to be so rich?

I don't know.

Pride? Habit?

Well, maybe he intended a con and got sick before he could pull it off.

Maybe he was just... conning us for a place to live and food to eat.

Dad, we can't turn him out now.

He has no place else to go.

Good morning, Joe.

Did you have a good night's sleep?

Just fine, Mr. Bradford. That's wonderful.

Well, it's a beautiful day.

Morning, Joe.

Morning.

Should I make your breakfast now, or do you want to wait until everybody gets

up?

What do you think your father'd like best?

What's the difference?

He's a hard man to figure sometimes.

You mean he gets bossy?

No, it's not that.

He's been so nice lately, it's scary.

Yeah, well, sometimes he's like that.

I used to try and figure it out, but nobody else in the family can, so why

should I?

Come here, son.

Did your father say anything about me having to leave?

You don't have to leave, Joe.

Do you? I'm just asking you if he said anything.

Nothing.

Well, he's up to something.

Why do you think that?

Because he's acting kind of funny.

He's just trying to be friendly.

Friendly ain't normal.

I like it when people are friendly. Don't you?

Yeah, but it ain't normal.

But I like it.

Sure got a nice home here, Nicholas.

Real nice family.

Why'd you like it? It's homey.

Real homey.

Makes a man feel proud just being here.

Hello?

Uh, hi, Jack.

Um... Wolf, uh, yeah, well, listen, um, why don't I call you back, okay?

Bye -bye.

Really,

that's one I'd almost see again, you know?

So, what's it like being an intern?

Well, let's see.

Dad,

I don't think we can hack it anymore.

How can we have people in the living room? Oh, you don't mean people. You

Dale Reese?

I mean anybody.

Look, Dad, how can we have guests when Joe's always there in his undershirt?

Well, I'll enter my pajamas and my bathrobe. And anyway, it wasn't my idea

have Joe stay here. As I remember, it was Nancy who moved for the motion, and

the rest of you voted unanimously for approval.

Why is it the few times in history this house is a democracy, it just doesn't

work? Dad, look, Joe's a nice little guy, but... Dad, look, I am very

about Joe's health and his well -being, but maybe it would have been easier if

he just pulled a con and...

He disappeared again. But he didn't disappear. He's here.

And he's not well.

And I'm sure he spent his last dollars on that rented limousine.

And we owe him the same kindness and care that he gave to Nicholas.

Now, this isn't exactly my line of work. Oh, no, it's all right, Mr. Simons.

Really, all you have to do is just read this.

I mean, I really think you can do this job.

You exude a kind of sincerity, you know?

Sure you do, Joe.

Well, if you say so.

How much does sincerity pay these days?

Well, I still have to finalize the budget with David, but it will

worth your time.

Oh, yeah? In that case, what do I do?

Well, I kind of visualize that you'd be digging, see?

And then you'd pause and...

And you'd lean on your shovel and you'd turn to the camera and just start

talking. You know? I mean, of course, right now, all you have to do is read

That's all I gotta do?

Yeah. Okay.

Hello there, friends and neighbors.

I'm Joe Simons.

I'm a gold miner.

And I just hit pay dirt in Sacramento.

The gold I found was Bradford Construction Company.

Let Bradford Construction remodel your house.

Take it from an old miner.

This is a company you'll really dig.

Oh, that is sensational, Mr. Simons. Really, I've got to tell David about

right away. I don't think so, Johnny.

Why not? You were really wonderful.

Well, I don't want to hurt your feelings.

That's all right, Mr. Simons. You just go ahead and tell me. There's no room

sensitive egos in the creative arts.

Well, the truth is, I like it here.

I got a family now and a nice home.

And I don't want to risk being run out of town.

I'm sorry, Jack. I can't.

Oh, no, you don't want to come over here. This place is still pretty dreary.

You got it, Nicholas's friend.

Well, we all feel sorry for him, but he sure makes life complicated.

We can't have people over, we can't play music or watch TV.

It's just awkward.

I know, the poor guy doesn't mean to be a burden, but I'm worried about Dad and

the family budget.

I mean, you know this family does not need another mouth to feed and more

medical bills.

Let's me and you run away.

Run away?

Yeah. You remember how much fun we had in San Diego?

Well, let's have fun like that.

Now, hold on here, Nicholas. What brought this on?

Nothing.

People only worry about money around here.

I've got it.

Well, give him some gold.

Give who some gold? The family. Then they can't say it.

Say what?

What do they say, Nicholas?

They said you're a burden, Joe.

That's what they say, huh?

It doesn't matter, Joe.

You'll never be a burden to me.

No, Nicholas, I never will.

Never.

I'm sorry, Joe. I didn't mean to scare you.

I didn't know anybody else was here.

Are you going out? You should be resting.

Oh, I feel fine.

I got to catch that next plane north.

You're leaving?

Joe, you can't.

I've got no choice. See, business is business.

Well, maybe you could just postpone your trip for a little while, you know,

because you're really not ready to travel yet.

Well, you and I could go see Dr. Max together.

Well, that's mighty nice of you, ma 'am, but like I said, I've got no choice.

Seems like nobody knows how to run that gold mine when I'm not there.

Does Nicholas know?

Well, there wasn't time to tell him.

I don't know if I could face him if there was time.

Would you tell him for me?

Well, he'll be home from school in just 40 minutes. Can't you wait?

No, I don't want to miss that airplane.

Well, I could call the school and have him dismissed early.

He'd be so disappointed if he doesn't see you.

Joe, it could be a really long time before you'd see each other again, you

I mean, what with your business obligations and all.

Just let him say goodbye.

Yeah, I guess maybe you're right.

Could be a long time.

I've got the number upstairs.

I'll call him.

He's leaving?

What got into him?

I talked to Nicholas when he got home, and it seems they were discussing the

fact that Joe was a burden.

Wonderful.

Listen, Abby, I think it's about time we laid our cards on the table.

I mean, let's tell him that we know the true situation. It's about time he faced

the facts about himself and about his phony gold mine.

I mean, he's got to confront reality sometime.

Hold him there. I'll be right home. Okay.

Bradford? Oh, Mrs. Pennington, please. I thought we had an understanding.

Not really. That's why I have to talk to you.

Well, I have an emergency.

This is an emergency.

It's taken me days to get enough courage to come here.

I wanted to thank you. Thank me? For what? Dismissing you?

For helping.

I don't understand.

How could you? If you knew what was going on, it wouldn't have worked.

This is the first job I've had in 35 years.

Arthur. My husband never wanted me to work.

When he passed away, I was terror -stricken.

And I just stayed in the house.

I didn't want to be alone.

But I didn't know how to reach out and find someone to share with again.

And then when I finally went for help, they said that I should find a man and

experiment with asking for companionship. But why me?

Because I had no one else.

Of course, it's no mistake you're happily married.

It's safer that way.

I see.

I'm sorry for being so unfeeling.

Don't be sorry.

I needed to risk making a fool of myself.

What you did, that was very brave.

Thank you, Mr. Bradford.

Tom. Thank you, Tom.

And you're right. I was brave.

And you know something?

I feel a lot better about myself.

I mean, I know everything isn't over and I can still keep fighting for my

happiness. I think you'll win.

Oh, well, even if I don't, that's better than losing, isn't it?

I'm never going to let anybody tell me my life is over.

A person needs her pride.

You know what, Joe?

What?

Well, I got some long underwear.

It used to be Tommy's before he grew.

He says it's so warm that you don't even have to wear a sweater.

Sorry, Nicholas, you still can't come with me.

But I got David's old ski mittens.

Oh, it's too cold up there.

I'll write you about you maybe coming up in the summer.

You promise?

I promise.

Okay, but do you think you can maybe write before summer?

You know, the kind of a letter writer I ain't.

And I'm going to be very busy.

Well, maybe you can just send me a postcard. You know, just to say you miss

I'll miss you.

I'll really miss you, Joe.

Give your grandpa a hug?

Sure.

Tom, don't be too hard on him. I don't think he pulled the gold con to con us.

think he did it to con himself, so he could just have back a little of his

-respect and his dignity.

He's penniless. We can't let him go on the highway looking for greener

Well, obviously he'd rather do that than go back to that nursing home. Well,

what will he do?

He's gone being Joe Simons. Yeah, the man who'd rather pull a hustle than eat.

All we can do is send him off with our good wishes.

Yeah, but you can't go too far on good wishes these days. It takes cash.

Well, you know how it feels about charity. He's not going to accept our

and we can't offer it to him in front of Nicholas and embarrass him.

There may be another way.

Joe, I don't want to impose on our friendship.

or your special relationship with Nicholas.

But I can't let you leave town without asking you once more, please, as a

special favor to me, make an exception, and let me invest in the Lucky Nick gold

mine.

I know it's against your policy, and I know I am imposing on our friendship,

I tell you the truth, I really need a good blue -chip investment right now.

If it would be all right with you, I could write you out a check.

Well, check.

Oh, it's good. I mean, the banks are open and you can go right there and cash

right away.

I guess it could be arranged.

Oh, thanks a lot.

I appreciate it.

You can send me the proper stock certificates as soon as you get to your

executive office.

You'd trust me to do that?

There's no man I'd trust more.

In fact...

You don't have to send them down to me.

You just bring them the next time you visit us.

You got quite a dad here, Nicholas. You take care of him.

I will.

Well, I guess I'll be moseying on.

Do you need a ride to the airport?

No, thanks.

Nice day. I'll just stroll down to my hotel and my chauffeur can do it.

Of course.

Your chauffeur will take you.

Is there anything else that we can do for you?

I got everything a man could ask for.

walk you to the corner, Joe?

Sure, Nicholas. Come on.

Bye, Joe.

You old con man. You reprobate.

No, I'm not so good.

I wanted so much to give him his dignity.

And yet I feel like he could see through me.

So he'll just know how much we love him.

The money's going to keep him going, but the love will keep him happy.

So where do we fit into Spectacular? Well... Um, all I need from you,

is about 75 male and female dancers.

75? Well, there's got to be at least that many in the university dance club,

right? What about budget?

Hey, you know, David is not going to go for this. Well, I think the dancers

would... David's not going to go for what? Oh, 75 male... No, no, no,

don't tell him. It's not fair. You've got to describe the whole concept, you

know? David, I have such a great idea for you this time. Forget it, Johnny.

to start with, we shoot on actual location. We find a house that's

trouble remodeling -wise.

Forget it?

I'm not going to go on TV.

Oh, David, why not?

Because I got four remodeling jobs yesterday.

Well, congratulations.

Four? How'd you do that?

Well, the first one came when Merle told some of his Cyclone teammates about the

commercial Joanie asked him to do. The second one came when Susan did the same

thing at the daycare center and Ernie got me the others. Hey, David, my

commercials work so great, you know, without even being filmed. Think how

wonderful they'd be on TV.

I know, but I've got more remodeling jobs than I can handle right now.

If I need some more, I know who to come to.

Okay.

B is for the best way to remark.