-1-

(OPENING

(FADE INTO FILM SEQUENCE:

( A SMALL NEW ENGLAND TOWN IN THE DISTANCE, NESTLED IN A VALLEY. AT FIRST ONLY THE CHURCH STEEPLES ARE VISIBLE, THEN OTHER BUILDINGS COME INTO VIEW AS THE CAMERA APPROACHES DOWNHILL AND AT CONSIDERABLE SPEED.

(SUPERIMPOSE THE TITLE "OUR TOWN"-- IN LARGE LETTERS. HOLD BRIEFLY AND FADE.

(NB-- CREDIT TITLES, ETC. WILL NOT APPEAR UNTIL THE END OF THE PROGRAM.

(THE CAMERA, AS IT MOVES CLOSER TOWARDS THE TOWN, CATCHES AN OLD-FASHIONED SIGNPOST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ITS MARKERS READ: "Jaffrey--4 mi.", "East Jaffrey--3½ mi.", "Grover's Corners"

(THIS THIRD MARKER POINTS DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE TOWN AHEAD AND THE NAME GROVER'S CORNERS COMES INTO FULL VIEW ON THE SCREEN. THE CAMERA PASSES THE SIGNPOST AND CONTINUES ITS DOWNHILL JOURNEY.

(AS THE TOWN COMES INTO THE MIDDLE DISTANCE, THE CAMERA'S MOVEMENT IS ARRESTED.

(OVER THE FILM WE HEAR THE NARRATOR'S VOICE)

NARRATOR'S VOICE

There's our town down there. Grover's Corners, New Hampshire-- just across the Massachusetts line: longitude 42 degrees 40 minutes; latitude 70 degrees 37 minutes.

(NB-- THE ABOVE IS SUGGESTED AS A STANDARD OPENING FOR EACH EPISODE)

(DISSOLVE FROM FILM SEQUENCE TO-- A HILLTOP OVERLOOKING THE TOWN. THE SETTING IS A FENCE AGAINST THE SKY. THE NARRATOR IS LEANING AGAINST THE FENCE, HIS BACK TOWARDS US. AT FIRST HE GOES ON TALKING WITHOUT FACING US.)

-2-

NARRATOR

It's a nice town. Can you see Main Street
down there-- all those stores? And there's
the new post office, that red brick
building. Public school's over yonder. High
School's still farther over.

(HE TURNS TO THE AUDIENCE)

Oh, I don't suppose it's so very diff'rent
from a thousand other towns--North, East,
South or West. We got started earlier'n
some, that's about the main difference. In
the cemetery up there on the mountain, you'll
find tombstones going back to 1670; they
belong to Grovers and Cartwrights and Gibbses
and Herseys --same names as are around here
now.

You know, when a town's been going for close
to three hundred years, it means that an awful
lot of people, good and bad, have lived and
died there. And, during their lifetimes every
one of 'em must've felt certain joys and
disappointments, every one of 'em had their
secret dreams and hopes. Well, that's what
concerns me most about our town: the sum
total of all the living--the quiet, everyday
living--that's gone on here.

T'aint always the kind of human experience
that gets written down or that even finds its

-3-

NARRATOR (CONT'D)

way into ordinary gossip. But it's there,
clinging to the old houses and farms, no
matter how much they change hands.

(HE POINTS INTO THE DISTANCE)

See that rooftop down there? That's the
old Gibbs house. Doc Gibbs --he was once the
only doctor here in town-- he used to live
there.

(HE POINTS TOWARDS THE CEMETERY)

Now he's buried up yonder and so's his
wife, but that won't stop us from visiting
them.

(HE WALKS TOWARDS THE CAMERA)

Y'see, friends, in case you're wondering,
I'm here so's we can jump around in time.
After all, it's only when you lose sight of
clocks 'n calendars that you really get to
know people.

So when I tell you that it's ten or twenty
or fifty years ago, you just take my word
for it. If that's perfectly agreeable to
you, then we might's well begin.

We'll begin on a weekday morning in April.
The year is 1901.

(DISSOLVE TO--

EXTERIOR OF THE GIBBS' HOUSE--A PHOTOGRAPH
BLOW-UP.

-4-

(DISSOLVE TO ACTUAL SET--
A PORTION OF THE HOUSE SHOWING THE
PORCH AND FRONT DOOR. THE HOUSE IS SET
BACK FROM THE STREET WITH A PICKET FENCE
FRONTING THE SIDEWALK.

(THE CAMERA MOVES INTO THE GATE AND
ALONG THE LAWN PATH. IT LOOKS THROUGH
THE PORCH WINDOW AND INTO THE GIBBS'
PARLOR WHERE A HIGHBOY OCCUPIES A
PROMINENT POSITION AGAINST ONE WALL.

(MRS. GIBBS IS BUSY TIDYING THE PARLOR.
THE CAMERA FOLLOWS HER TO THE HIGHBOY
WHICH SHE POLISHES VIGOROUSLY FOR
SEVERAL SECONDS.)

NARRATOR'S VOICE (OVER
SCENE)
Mrs. Gibbs, the Doctor's wife, always used
to get started on her housework earlier 'n
most folks in town.

(THE SCHOOL BELL IS HEARD OUTSIDE.
MRS. GIBBS GOES INTO THE HALL AND CALLS
UP THE STAIRS)

MRS.GIBBS
Child-run! Child-run! First bell.

(REBECCA GIBBS APPEARS AT THE TOP
OF THE STAIRS)

REBECCA
We heard, Ma.
(SHE CALLS INTO ONE OF THE
BEDROOMS)

Last one down's a rotten egg!
(BOOKS IN HAND, REBECCA STARTS TO
POUND DOWN THE STAIRS)

MRS GIBBS
Don't make such a clatter, Rebecca.

(REBECCA CONTINUES ON TIP-TOES)
Your father was out til all hours on a
sick-call; I want him to sleep.

-5-

REBECCA

He's awake already. I heard him shaving.

(AT FOOT OF STAIRS)

Thank you for pressing my new hair ribbon, Ma.

MRS.GIBBS(FLUFFING THE RIBBON BOW)

It looks highly becoming, dear. Mind you
don't lose it during recess.

(SHE CALLS UP THE STAIRS)

George--hurry.

(GEORGE GIBBS APPEARS ON THE STAIRS AND COMES DOWN)

GEORGE

Ma, it suddenly entered my mind: I never
cut your wood for you.

MRS.GIBBS

It entered my mind when I entered the
woodshed first thing this morning.

GEORGE(GUILTILY)

Aw, you did it yourself?

MRS GIBBS

Kindling don't grow on trees, young man.

How else do you s'pose you got a good hot
breakfast?

(THE CHILDREN PUT ON COATS, SCARVES ETC. WHICH ARE HANGING IN THE HALL. THEY GO OUT THE FRONT DOOR AND DOWN THE PORCH STEPS. MRS GIBBS COMES TO THE DOOR AND CALLS AFTER THEM)

George--pull up your pants at the knee.

Rebecca, carry yourself straight.

CHILDREN

Goodbye...

-6-

(AS GEORGE AND REBECCA COME DOWN
THE YARD TOWARDS THE PICKET FENCE,
TWO OTHER YOUNGSTERS--EMILY AND WALLY
WEBB-- COME INTO THE SCENE IN THE
FOREGROUND. THEY ALSO CARRY SCHOOL-
BOOKS.

(ALL FOUR CHILDREN MURMUR SALUTATIONS)

'Lo, Emily... 'Lo, George... 'Morning,
Rebecca....Hi, Wally...

(THEY ALL GO OFF AD LIBBING)

(OUT TO--

MRS. GIBBS TURNING BACK TO THE PARLOR
WHERE SHE CONTINUES HER DUSTING.

(PRESENTLY, FOOTSTEPS ON THE STAIRS)

MRS.GIBBS

That you, Frank?

DR.GIBBS' VOICE

Good morning, Julia. Children left for
school yet?

MRS GIBBS

Last minute as usual.

(DR GIBBS APPEARS IN THE PARLOR
DOORWAY)

Three hours sleep! For the life of me,
I don't know how you can keep going.

DR GIBBS

I promised to call on Mrs. Crofut over to
Rattlesnake Hill.

MRS GIBBS

Liver again?

DR GIBBS

Shingles, this time. Anybody comes, I'll
be back around noon.

-7-

MRS GIBBS

I wish I could get you to go away some
place, Frank Gibbs.

DR GIBBS

Go 'way-- what for?

MRS GIBBS

You could do with a rest, instead of
prescribin' it to your patients. Day and
night, never a let-up for you.

DR.GIBBS

Well, 'long as folks have troubles with
their insides and outsides---

(MRS GIBBS GOES BACK TO HER
DUSTING)

MRS GIBBS

I declare, things get twice as dusty around
here as when I was a girl.

DR GIBBS

Twice as many people in town.

MRS GIBBS

I finished up my ironing yesterday, thank
goodness, so I'm free to give all day to a
good, thorough cleaning. My, the house needs
it something terrible.

(SHE PAUSES, SHAKING HER DUST
CLOTH)

I don't know why it is. I never seem to
get things done around here.

DR GIBBS

I can't see why not. Far as I can judge,

-8-

DR GIBBS(CONT'D)
you never sit still.

(HE TURNS BACK TO THE HALL)

MRS GIBBS

Your breakfast's on the stove. Want me to
get it for you?

DR GIBBS

Stay with what you're doing. Guess I know
how to pour coffee well's the next one.

(HE GOES OUT. MRS GIBBS CONTINUES
WITH HER CLEANING)

(FADE SCENE TO---

THE NARRATOR STANDING ON THE HILL
AS AT OPENING)

NARRATOR

Well, now you've met Doc Gibbs and his
family. She was a Hersey 'fore she married
him in the Congregational church down
yonder. The boy's fifteen at this point;
girl's two years younger.

We're going to stay with the Gibbses tonight
for quite a spell, 'bout ten years all told.
Nice family--average, nothing remarkable.
They're just quietly running the course of
their lives, same's everybody else in our
town.

The Cartwright factory whistle fetches 'em
out of bed; the school bell fetches the
youngsters to school. One morning follows
the next and, mostly, the days seem like

-9-

NARRATOR (CONT'D)

peas in a pod. Fact is, 'twouldn't surprise
me none if you're wondering why I picked on
this particular day to start with. Well, now
we're going to skip a couple of hours.

(DISSOLVE TO---

THE OUTSIDE OF THE GIBBS' HOUSE AGAIN.
DR GIBBS ENTERS THE GATE, BLACK BAG IN
HAND.

(A YOUNG WOMAN GROSSES THE SIDEWALK
AS HE GOES TOWARDS THE PORCH)

YOUNG WOMAN

Afternoon, Doc Gibbs.

DR GIBBS

Afternoon, Hessie. How's your Pa?

YOUNG WOMAN

Much better, thank you. That medicine's
doing him a world of good.

DR GIBBS

That was my general intention.

(HE CLIMBS THE PORCH AND GOES
INTO THE HOUSE. AS HE HANGS UP HIS
CAP AND COAT, HE CALLS)

I'm back, Julia. Dinner ready?

(MRS GIBBS COMES INTO THE HALL,
ALL EXCITED)

MRS GIBBS

Frank, what do you s'pose happened after
you left this morning?

DR GIBBS

Somebody took sick.

-10-

MRS GIBBS

Thought so myself at first, but twasn't
that. This man--I thought he was a patient--
he wormed his way into the parlor, and then
he turned out to be one of those second-
hand furniture men from Boston.

X DR GIBBS

What'd he want in our house?

MRS GIBBS

You'll never guess.

(SHE POINTS TO THE HIGHBOY IN
THE PARLOR)

He wanted *that*.

(DR GIBBS FOLLOWS HER INTO THE PARLOR.
THE CAMERA CENTERS ON THE HIGHBOY)

DR GIBBS

Your Grandmother Wentworth's highboy?

MRS GIBBS

As I'm standing here, he offered me three
hundred and fifty dollars for it!

DR GIBBS

For that old thing?

MRS GIBBS

I came near laughing out loud. Remember,
last year I almost gave it away to Cousin
Hester Wilcox. What do you think--should I
sell it, Frank?

DR GIBBS

Comes from your side of the family. Seems to
me it's up to you to decide.

-11-

MRS GIBBS

Parlor'd look mighty diff'rent without it.

DR GIBBS

Be a big improvement, if you ask me.

MRS GIBBS

I'd sell it like that, if I could get you
to make good use of the money.

DR GIBBS

I reckon that wouldn't be too hard.

MRS GIBBS

I mean, use it for a trip somewhere. The
kind of change and rest that you've been
needing since Hector-was-a-pup.

DR GIBBS

Well, it might be worth considering.
Gettysburg or Mammoth Cave, somewhere like
that.

(HE OPENS HIS DOCTOR'S BAG AND
BEGINS RUMMAGING THROUGH IT)

Time enough when you sell the highboy.
--Julia, remind me to stop in Morgan's
drugstore for some mercury ointment.

MRS GIBBS

You want to know something? Ever since I
was that high, I've had the notion that I'd
like to see Paris.

(DR GIBBS LOOKS UP SURPRISED)

DR GIBBS

Paris--France?

-12-

MRS GIBBS

Mmm, Paris France.

DR GIBBS

Julia Hersey--I declare!

MRS GIBBS

Even the name's always had a kind of magic
in it for me--Paris. I s'pose I'm crazy.

DR GIBBS

No denying, it 'ud be quite a change from
Grover's Corners.

MRS GIBBS

Frank--supposing this money was to come our
way, and supposing I could get Aunt Norah
to come from Concord and keep house for
the children. How would you feel about it?

DR GIBBS

Peculiar.

MRS GIBBS

Mmm, I was afraid of that.

DR GIBBS

Europe? Why, nobody in this town's ever
been to Europe, 'cept Banker Cartwright and
his family. 'Twouldn't be natural for us.

MRS GIBBS

Oh, I don't know.

DR GIBBS

Now, visiting Gettysburg battlefield, that
'ud be natural. But you and me sailing all

-13-

DR GIBBS(CONT'D)

the way across the Atlantic Ocean and,
when we get there, eating frog's legs, that's
not natural.

(HE CONSULTS HIS WATCH)

We better eat, I got some patients due here
at two.

(HE GOES INTO THE HALL AND SHE
FOLLOWS HIM)

MRS GIBBS

I hope you don't mind, I'm just giving you
left-overs. Frank--

DR GIBBS(TURNING)

H'mm?

MRS GIBBS

Just seems to me that once in your life
before you die you ought to see a country
where they don't talk and think in English
and don't even want to.

DR GIBBS

Can't say I see much point in it myself.

(THE SCENE FADES)

(FADE INTO--

CLOSE-UP OF MASTHEAD OF A RURAL
NEWSPAPER: "GROVER'S CORNERS SENTINEL"

(CAMERA MOVES DOWN THE PAGE TO A SMALL
ITEM HEADED: "Gibbs F family Antique Sold"

(CAMERA PULLS BACK TO SHOW THE NARRATOR
STANDING ON THE HILLTOP, READING THE
PAPER. HE PUTS IT ASIDE BRIEFLY AND
ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE)

-14-

NARRATOR

In those days, our newspaper come out twice a week. Mr. Webb, the editor, had what they call a real nose for news. Fightin' in the Balkans, doings down in Washington, stuff like that, he left for the Boston papers. No room for it in the *Sentinel*, he said. Too many important things, close to home, goin' on all around us.

(HE HOLDS UP THE PAPER AGAIN AND BEGINS TO READ)

"Mrs. Frank Gibbs, wife of Dr. Frank B. Gibbs, last week sold to the furniture firm of A. Trowbridge & Sons, Boston, the maple highboy which stood in her parlor, a familiar sight to many residents of this community..."

(AS HE READS, THE SCENE SLOWLY DISSOLVES TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE GIBBS' HOUSE)

(IN THE FOREGROUND, ON THIS SIDE OF THE PICKET FENCE, VARIOUS PASSERSBY ARE WATCHING WITH INTEREST AS THE PORCH DOOR OPENS AND TWO MOVING MEN CARRY THE HIGHBOY OUT OF THE HOUSE.)

(DR GIBBS, MRS GIBBS AND THE CHILDREN FOLLOW THE MOVERS OUT ON THE PORCH AND STAND WATCHING AS THE HIGHBOY IS CARRIED DOWN THE LAWN PATH)

(CAMERA PANS TO WHERE THE NARRATOR IS STANDING AGAINST THE GIBBS' FENCE TO ONE SIDE OF THE CROWD)

Folks talked a heap about Julia Gibbs selling off that piece of furniture--some for, some against. Big topic of conversation in the

-15-

NARRATOR(CONT'D)

grocery store and in Mr. Morgan's drugstore
at the time. Then, you know how this with
such passing matters. By and by, folks
forget all about 'em.

(CLOSE-UP OF NARRATOR TALKING DIRECTLY
AT AUDIENCE)

But that's just the time to look behind the
scenes. Right this minute, walk down the
street you're living in. Why, you got no
idea, all the secret notions that people
just won't let die.

(DISSOLVE TO--

CLOSE UP OF A TABLE AND, ABOVE IT, A
PICTURE. THEY ARE IN THE PARLOR,
REPLACING THE HIGHBOY)

NARRATOR'S VOICE

We've skipped a hull year. You'll notice the
wallpaper where that highboy stood. It's
darker in the rest, but getting lighter as
time goes on.

(CAMERA PANS TO HALL AS MRS GIBBS
ENTERS FROM PORCH. SHE IS CARRYING A
PACKAGE. SHE HANGS HER COAT IN THE HALL
AND ENTERS THE PARLOR)

MRS GIBBS(CALLS)

Frank!

(CUT TO --

THE DOOR TO DR GIBBS' OFFICE JUST OFF
THE PARLOR)

DR GIBBS' VOICE(BEHIND DOOR)

In my office, Julia.

-16-

(MRS GIBBS OPENS HER PACKAGE AND LIFTS OUT A DRESS; SHE HOLDS IT UP APPRAISINGLY. PRESENTLY SHE KNOCKS ON THE DOCTOR'S DOOR)

MRS GIBBS

You all alone? I want to show you something.

(DR GIBBS COMES FROM HIS OFFICE.)

DR GIBBS

Julia Hersey! New dress.

MRS GIBBS

From Sears, Roebuck. I just picked it up down to the post office.

DR GIBBS

You'll look pretty as a picture in it.

MRS GIBBS

I didn't buy it for looks. I bought it for a good, practical traveling dress.

DR GIBBS (FROWNING)

Oh...

MRS GIBBS

To wear on the boat.

DR GIBBS

Julia, have you told the children yet?

MRS GIBBS

Not a blessed word. Not till you hear from that young doctor over in Manchester.

DR GIBBS (WORRIEDLY)

Wish I could be certain in my mind, Julia.

MRS GIBBS

Now, don't get cold feet, Frank. You know

-17-

MRS GIBBS(CONT'D)

his father; you know his record at medical
school; the dean even recommended him --

DR GIBBS

I didn't write him yet, Julia.

MRS GIBBS

Well, I'm surprised at you.

DR GIBBS

Two hull months away, and a substitute
taking care of my patients. It's a big step,
Julia; it's an awful big step.

MRS GIBBS

It's the only chance you'll ever get for a
vacation.

(DR GIBBS PACES ABOUT)

If you shilly-shally, that young man'll be
taking a place somewheres else for the
summer.

DR GIBBS

Well, I'll write him. I'll write him this
afternoon, like I promised you.

(REBECCA COMES INTO THE HALL FROM
OUTSIDE)

REBECCA(OFF)

Hello, Ma.

(MRS GIBBS CROSSES TO THE HALL)

MRS GIBBS

Rebecca, why aren't you still in school?

REBECCA

I don't feel good, Ma. Miss Foster said I

-18-

REBECCA(CONT'D)
better come home.

(DR GIBBS GROSSES TO HALL)

DR GIBBS

What's the matter with my girl?

REBECCA

I don't know. Kind of dizzy like, Pa.

(MRS GIBBS FEELS HER HEAD)

MRS GIBBS

The poor child's burning up.

(DR GIBBS FEELS HER HEAD)

DR GIBBS

You march upstairs to bed, young lady,
straightaway.

REBECCA(GOING UPSTAIRS)

I got a fever, haven't I? That's just what
I thought: I got a fever.

MRS GIBBS(CALLING AFTER
HER)

Start getting undressed, dear. I'll be
right up to turn down your bed.

(DR GIBBS TAKES A THERMOMETER
FROM HIS POCKET AND STARTS SHAKING
IT)

What do you think, Frank?

DR GIBBS

Oh, I reckon it's no more'n a cold coming
on. But the thing is, I'm here when it's
starting. --Julia, don't you see why I
won't rest easy, bein' away for so long?

MRS GIBBS

Yes, Frank, I see.

-19-

DR GIBBS

I don't care how good that young feller is.
I feel it about my own children; I feel it
about the hull town.

(HE STARTS UPSTAIRS)

MRS GIBBS

I wouldn't want you to feel any diff'rent.

(SHE PUTS THE DRESS BACK IN ITS BOX)

The trip can wait, Frank. It can wait.

(THE SCENE FADES)

(FADE INTO NARRATOR)

NARRATOR

Well, as you can see, this is Mrs.Gibbs'
story. It's pretty even sledding all the way.
No particular excitement, no deep-dyed
frustration neither, I'm glad to say.
Now, just while I'm talking to you, friends,
the years are passing by. Our town's gotten
bigger. There's a new doctor, Dr.Ritchie,
who's set up practice--with more'n enough
folks to keep both him and Drx.Gibbs on the
go.

George, the Gibbs boy, is eighteen now,
in last year of High; he plans to go on to
State Agriculture School, wants to be a
farmer.

The children keep growing, things keep
changing. Wished I had time to tell you more

-20-

NARRATOR(CONT'D)

about Mrs.Gibbs' everyday life: the meals
she cooked, the beds she made, the buttons
she sewed, the flower gardens she planted.
You'll just have to take that part of her
for granted.

There's ten thousand sides to every human
 creature, friends. What I want to keep
 following up is that single notion of
 Mrs Gibbs'.

All right, then...

(DISSOLVE TO--
MRS GIBBS' BEDROOM.)

(MRS GIBBS IS STANDING BEFORE THE
MIRROR. SHE HOLDS IN FRONT OF HER THE
DRESS SHOWN IN THE PREVIOUS SCENE. SHE
HAS PINNED A NEW COLLAR ON IT)

(THE LATCH RATTLE ON THE DOOR)

MRS GIBBS

If that's you, Rebecca, I'm busy, dear.

DR GIBBS(OUTSIDE)

It's me, Julia.

(SHE UNBOLTS THE DOOR AND DR GIBBS
COMES IN)

What on earth are you up to, locking the
door?

(MRS GIBBS HOLDS UP THE DRESS)

MRS GIBBS

Just seeing if it still looks all right.

I didn't want the children bursting in.

DR GIBBS

Right in style, if you ask me.

-21-

MRS GIBBS

Sometimes it's seemed to me as if the only
time I'd ever get to wear it was to my
grave.

DR GIBBS

Don't worry. You'll be using it this summer,
Julia.

MRS GIBBS

You talked to Dr. Ritchie?

DR GIBBS

Promised you I would, didn't I?

MRS GIBBS

Well?

DR GIBBS

He says there's no reason why he can't
take my patients, along with his, during
June and July.

MRS GIBBS(PLEASED)

There now! I told you.

DR GIBBS

You better get busy and write your Aunt
Norah about coming here.

MRS GIBBS

I'll do it tonight, right after supper.
And, Frank, when the children come home
from school, why don't we tell 'em?

(DR GIBBS IS AT THE WINDOW)

DR GIBBS

George is coming along now.

-22-

MRS GIBBS

When he hears about his globe-trotting parents, he'll be the most surprised boy in the state of New Hampshire.

DR GIBBS (STILL AT THE WINDOW)

He's walking with Emily Webb.

MRS GIBBS

Nothing strange about that. They're thick as thieves nowadays, those two.

DR GIBBS

Emily's a fine girl.

MRS GIBBS

I couldn't feel closer to her than my own daughter.

(SHE TURNS FROM THE WINDOW)

Frank, I can't rightly believe it! You and me, actually headed for a real vacation.

DR GIBBS

One of these days you ought to talk to Mamie Cartwright, and get the name of some nice, reasonable hotel in Paris.

MRS GIBBS

I won't have to.

(SHE TAKES A SMALL BOOK FROM A BUREAU DRAWER)

Don't laugh at me, Frank. I bought this book one time down in Boston.

(DR GIBBS LOOKS AT IT)

DR GIBBS

"The American Tourist's Guide to France."

-23-

MRS GIBBS

I can tell you by heart all the places I want us to visit--the Eiffel Tower, the cathedral of Notre Dame. And, Frank, I was reading about the restaurants: they have places to eat right in the open, alongside the river. And, in the parks--the gardens--the flowers---!

(WHILE SHE IS TALKING, DISSOLVE TO--GEORGE AND EMILY STANDING IN FRONT OF THE GIBBS' FENCE)

EMILY

Well, thanks for carrying my books, George. And thanks for the ice cream soda.

GEORGE

I guess that was a pretty important talk we had, Emily.

EMILY

Yes.

(THEY SMILE AT EACH OTHER)

GEORGE

Emily.

EMILY

Yes, George.

GEORGE

If you don't mind, I'm going to tell my folks. About my decision, I mean.

EMILY

I don't mind, George. I think when a person reaches an important decision, they ought

-24-

EMILY(CONT'D)

to tell their folks.

(SHE TAKES HER BOOKS FROM HIM)

Well, goodbye...

GEORGE

I'll see you tonight, Emily, after supper.

(EMILY MOVES ALONG THE SIDEWALK.
GEORGE GOES TOWARDS THE HOUSE)

(DISSOLVE TO--
CLOSEUP OF DR GIBBS AND MRS GIBBS,
SIDE BY SIDE IN THE PARLOR)

DR GIBBS

Well now, George, I don't rightly agree
with you about Agriculture School being a
waste of time.

MRS GIBBS

There's a lot to learn about farming,
George, 'fore your Uncle Luke turns the
farm over to you.

(CAMERA PULLS BACK TO INCLUDE
GEORGE IN THE SCENE)

GEORGE

Well, I'm sorry, Ma. I'm not going to
college. 'Soon as school's out, I want to
move over to the farm and get started working
it.

DR GIBBS

And live all alone out there?

GEORGE

Well....

-25-

MRS GIBBS

When'd you decide this?

GEORGE

Oh, this afternoon. It sort of came over me
in Mr. Morgan's drugstore.

MRS GIBBS

With Emily Webb?

GEORGE

She happened to be with me, yes.

MRS GIBBS

Well, it'll take thinking over, a lot of
thinking over.

(GEORGE GOES OUT OF THE PARLOR
AND UPSTAIRS)

DR GIBBS

I bet I know what's in the back of their
minds, and so do you: to get married 'soon
as school's out.

MRS GIBBS

Oh, they can't! They're too young, Frank.

DR GIBBS

Well, it's what George is hinting at, all
right: a wedding in June.

MRS GIBBS

How can we let them--such children? When
I think of what we went through in the
first years --

DR GIBBS

Emily's a fine girl. People are meant to

-26-

DR GIBBS (CONT'D)

live two by two in this world, Julia

(A PAUSE)

I don't know what to say now about our
planning to go 'way this spring.

MRS GIBBS

I know what to say. Our place'll be
close to home. Mighty close to home.

(FADE SCENE)

NARRATOR'S VOICE (OVER BLANK SCREEN)

George Gibbs and Emily Webb were married
in June of 1904. And two-three years after
that, Rebecca Gibbs married a feller in
the insurance business in Canton, Ohio.
Yes--children grow up before you realize.

(FADE INTO--

THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE. THERE IS NO
LONGER ANY FOLIAGE)

Afterwards, Doc Gibbs always said the
house seemed kind of big. Well, it was.
Big and lonesome for only two people.

(DR GIBBS COMES ALONG THE SIDEWALK
CARRYING A TRAVELING BAG. AS HE TURNS
IN THE GATE, A NEIGHBOR PASSES BY)

NEIGHBOR

'Morning, Doc. Cold enough for you?

DR GIBBS

Good morning, Harry. Right cold; feels
like snow.

(THE NEIGHBOR HOLDS UP HIS
NEWSPAPER)

-27-

NEIGHBOR

I see by The Sentinel that you been down
to Manchester for a couple of days.

DR GIBBS

Just got back. Medical meeting down there.

NEIGHBOR

Miz Gibbs go with you?

DR GIBBS

She's been feeling kind of tuckered out
lately, so she begged off.

(THE NEIGHBOR MOVES OFF. DR GIBBS
GOES TOWARDS THE HOUSE)

(CUT TO—

THE PARLOR—MRS GIBBS IS DUSTING.
SHE BENDS OVER, THEN STRAIGHTENS UP,
LEANING AGAINST A CHAIR FOR SUPPORT.

(THE FRONT DOOR IS OPENED, OFF SCENE.
MRS GIBBS HASTILY RESUMES HER WORK)

MRS GIBBS (CALLS)

That you, Frank?

(DR GIBBS HANGS UP HIS COAT AND HAT
ON THE HALL RACK AND COMES INTO THE
PARLOR)

How was the conference?

DR GIBBS

Oh, the usual amount of speechifying.

Been feeling all right?

MRS GIBBS

Little tired. Nothing to speak of.

DR GIBBS

Got some news for you. Remember Dr.

Medcroft--the surgeon over in Concord? I

-28-

DR GIBBS(CONT'D)

ran into him at the meeting. He and his
wife are going to Europe next summer--July
and August. Seems they go every few years.

MRS GIBBS

Oh?

DR GIBBS

I got to talking with him and told him
how you always wanted to go. So, he suggested,
why not go on the same boat.

MRS GIBBS

Well...

DR GIBBS

Is that all you've got to say?

MRS GIBBS

It's something to think about.

DR GIBBS

You don't sound exactly enthusiastic.

MRS GIBBS

To tell the truth, Frank, we've talked
about it so many times--

DR GIBBS

Well, waiting for the pie to bake never
made it less tasty. You ought to hear Medcroft
tell about Paris 'n Rome 'n Berlin. --Why not,
Mulia? What's to stop us now?

MRS GIBBS

I s'pose it *would* be something to travel with

-29-

MRS GIBBS(CONT'D)

folks who know the ropes.

DR GIBBS

With the children gone, we could close
the house up, and---

(THE FRONT DOOR OPENS, OFF)

GEORGE(OFF,CALLS)

Anybody home?

EMILY(OFF)

Hello!

MRS GIBBS

Why, it's George and Emily.

8

DR GIBBS

Funny time for them to be coming in from
the farm.

(THEY BOTH LOOK TOWARDS THE HALL.
CUT TO HALL--GEORGE AND EMILY)

EMILY

You better tell them.

GEORGE

Aw, I'm no good at that, Emily. You better
had.

(THEY GO INTO THE PARLOR)

Hello, Ma---Pa---

EMILY

How are you, Mother Gibbs?

MRS GIBBS

This is a real surprise. We don't expect
you farmers in town in the middle of the day.

-30-

GEORGE

Emily had an appointment so I drove her in. Go on, Emily, tell them--

EMILY

Mama and Papa aren't home, so you'll be the first to know.

GEORGE

Outside of me, that is.

(MRS GIBBS AND DR GIBBS LOOK AT EACH OTHER)

DR GIBBS

Your appointment was with Dr. Ritchie?

EMILY

Yes.

(GEORGE PUMPS HIS FATHER'S HAND)

GEORGE

Congratulations, Grampa!

DR GIBBS

Well, what do you know?!

(MRS GIBBS KISSES EMILY)

MRS GIBBS

Oh, if I told you how we've been waiting for this!

DR GIBBS (TO EMILY)

When?

EMILY

Some time in August, Dr Ritchie says.

(MRS GIBBS (HAPPILY)

We'll be here. We'll be here, won't we, Frank?

-31-

(FADE SCENE)

(FADE INTO CLOSE-UP OF NARRATOR LEANING AGAINST THE FENCE ON THE HILLTOP)

NARRATOR

By now, most of you have guessed that Mrs. Gibbs wasn't slated to leave Grover's Corners. Smarter ones, more'n likely, guessed it from the start.

Did I hear somebody say: well, what's the story in that? You'll have to be the judge, friends.

One in a thousand finds the goal he's reaching for. One in a thousand burns with despair in not finding it.

And for the rest? Quiet waiting. Quiet seeking, from cradle to grave. A few faint stirrings, not enough to change the pattern or make a new one.

And then, before we realize, our time has come.

(FADE INTO--

THE HALLWAY. A LONG SHOT LOOKING INTO THE PARLOR WHERE THE FAMILY IS SEATED: Dr GIBBS, GEORGE AND EMILY, REBECCA AND HER HUSBAND CHARLES.

(THEY ARE ALL SITTING CLOSE TOGETHER, SILENT AND WAITING)

(THE DOORBELL RINGS. DR GIBBS GOES TO ANSWER)

DR GIBBS

That will be Dr Ritchie.

-32-

(HE GOES TO THE FRONT DOOR AND ADMITS DR RITCHIE. THE TWO MEN SHAKE HANDS GRAVELY AND MURMUR IN UNDERTONES)

(THE CAMERA MOVES TO THE SILENT GROUP IN THE PARLOR. WHEN THEY TALK, IT IS AGAINST THE LOW MURMURS OF THE TWO MEN IN THE HALL)

REBECCA

Who's taking care of your baby, Emily?

EMILY

A neighbor down the road.

(REBECCA NODS. A PAUSE)

GEORGE(PRESENTLY, TO CHARLES)

You 'n Rebecca have a bad train trip?

CHARLES

Had to sit up all the way.

(THEY ALL LOOK TOWARDS THE HALL AS THE TWO DOCTORS GO UPSTAIRS)

REBECCA(PRESENTLY, GLANCING AROUND THE ROOM)

It hasn't changed a bit.

(TO CHARLES)

Every morning, 'fore we even left for school, Ma would be in here tidying up, so's Pa's patients could use it for a waiting room.

When I was little, Charlie, there was a high-boy stood over there. Ma sold it, and Emily's father put a piece about it in the paper.

(SHE PUTS A HANDKERCHIEF TO HER EYES)

Well-- it's a waiting room now, all right.

(ANOTHER PAUSE.)

CHARLES(PRESENTLY)

How's your farm coming along, George?

-33-

GEORGE

Fine, fine...

REBECCA(TO EMILY)

When I went up to her before, she didn't
remember that I've been away.

EMILY

I've sat with her when she's like that.

REBECCA

She made me bring her a dress to hold in her
hand. It wasn't a dress from her closet; she
had it stuck in a bureau drawer.

GEORGE

What'd she want it for?

REBECCA

Said she wants to wear it when....

(SHE STOPS ABRUPTLY, AND CHARLES
PATS HER HAND)

(THE TWO DOCTORS COME DOWNSTAIRS AGAIN.
FROM THE PARLOR, THE OTHERS CAN BE
SEEN WATCHING THEM. DR RITCHIE PATS
DR GIBBS' ARM AND GOES OUT.

(DR GIBBS RETURNS TO THE PARLOR)

DR GIBBS

Your Ma missed you, Rebecca.

REBECCA

I missed her. Every letter I wrote, I asked
her to come to Ohio and visit us.

DR GIBBS

Oh, she talked about it.

GEORGE(TO REBECCA)

You could never get Ma to go traveling anywheres.

-34-

## EMILY

Mother Gibbs always felt so contented right
here at home.

(TO DOCTOR GIBBS)

Doctor, I just admire the way she always
found the whole world right here in
Grover's Corners.

DR GIBBS

Yes, Emily.

(THE CAMERA MOVES TO A CLOSE-UP OF HIS FACE. WE HEAR HIS VOICE NOW ON SOUND TRACK; HIS LIPS DO NOT MOVE)

Upstairs just now, I saw that dress in
her hand. It's too late, Julia! I never
understood it: that hankering to go half-
way across the world. 'Taint as if you'd
been a scholar or a painter. --What was it,
what kept pulling at you?

(AS WE HEAR THE DOCTOR'S VOICE, THE CAMERA MOVES TO THE HALL AND UP THE STAIRS TO THE CLOSED DOOR OF MRS GIBBS' ROOM)

(DISSOLVE TO--

MRS GIBBS' ROOM. A CLOSE-UP OF MRS GIBBS IN BED.
LIKE DR GIBBS, SHE DOES NOT SPEAK, BUT WE HEAR HER VOICE ON SOUNDTRACK)

MRS GIBBS

They say it's a hard life being a doctor's
wife, but I had a good life. I've got no
complaints. Still, no use denying: I looked
for something here in Grover's Corners that
I couldn't ever find. I hope nobody noticed.

-35-

MRS GIBBS(CONT'D)

I wouldn't 've wanted my children or
friends to think that I was ever discontented.
Trouble is, these dreams take hold of us
so young--

LITTLE GIRL'S VOICE

I'd like to return this book to the
library, please.

(CUT TO---

A LITTLE GIRL STANDING AT THE FOOT
OF MRS. GIBBS' BED. SHE IS DRESSED
IN THE FASHION OF SOME FORTY YEARS
EARLIER. SHE HOLDS OUT A BOOK)

MRS GIBBS (ACTUALLY SPEAKING
NOW)

What name, little girl?

LITTLE GIRL

Julia Hersey, Miss Marshall.

MRS GIBBS

Well, give it to me. I'll take it.

(THE LITTLE GIRL HANDS HER THE
BOOK)

"The Three Musketeers". Did you enjoy it,
Julia?

LITTLE GIRL

Oh, yes.

MRS GIBBS

What did you like best?

LITTLE GIRL

I liked, well, all about Paris. All those
fine ladies and gentlemen, and everybody so
important and polite. I liked the parties in

-36-

LITTLE GIRL(CONT'D)

the big palaces and the people all dressed
up at Court. I want to go to Paris some day,
Miss Marshall.

MRS GIBBS

Well, it's a long way from here, Julia.

LITTLE GIRL

I don't care, I want to go there. With all
my heart. I love to read about wonderful,
faraway places, and some day I'll visit them,
allof them.

(CUT TO--
CLOSE-UP OF MRS GIBBS)

MRS GIBBS

You won't get there! Julia, do you hear me?!

(CUT TO--THE SIDE OF THE BED. THE LITTLE GIRL IS NO LONGER THERE)

(CUT TO--
THE FAMILY IN THE PARLOR.

(THE CAMERA AGAIN MOVES TO A CLOSE-UP OF
DR GIBBS. HE IS STANDING MOTIONLESS AS
WE HEAR HIS VOICE)

DR GIBBS

Folks spend half a lifetime together, like
Julia and me. After twentyfive years, add
up all the conversation's we've had, all
the confiding, and I guess there isn't much
we don't know about one another. --Even so,
how much do we really know?

(CUT BACK TO--
THE BEDROOM. CLOSE-UP OF MRS GIBBS)

YOUNG MAN'S VOICE

Julia---Julia---

-37-

(MRS GIBBS LOOKS OVER TOWARDS THE
WINDOW)

MRS GIBBS' VOICE (ON
SOUNDTRACK)

I remember him. I was sixteen and his name
was Robert Carricks. He only stayed in town
a month or so; his family was visiting here.
Oh, there's no harm in remembering. It was
so long ago.

(NEAR THE WINDOW, A YOUNG GIRL IS
SEATED IN A CHAIR, HER BACK TO US.
THE YOUNG MAN IS STANDING NEXT TO HER)

YOUNG MAN

Julia.

THE GIRL

Yes, Robert?

YOUNG MAN

I'm leaving Grover's Corners next week.
We're going back to Europe.

THE GIRL (WITHOUT TURNING
HER HEAD)

Yes, I know, Robert. I heard.

YOUNG MAN

Julia--will you write to me? I'll send
you my address from Paris. I never met any
girl like you before, Julia.

THE GIRL

Of course I'll write to you, Robert.

YOUNG MAN

I wish you could be there. Everything I told
you about Paris 'ud be ten times as wonderful
if you were there. Julia, you don't belong
here. You don't belong in a town like this.

-38-

(CUT BACK TO CLOSE-UP OF
MRS GIBBS)

MRS GIBBS' VOICE (SOUND TRACK)
Stop him, make him stop. He never
meant a thing to me.

NARRATOR'S VOICE

'Course he didn't. A puppy romance, that's
all. He went out of your life; why, he never
even wrote you, did he?

MRS GIBBS

Has he been in my mind all this time?

NARRATOR'S VOICE

Not him. What he stood for, maybe.

MRS GIBBS

I remember, he told me about far-off places.
He made Grovers Corners seem so small.

NARRATOR'S VOICE

Then Dr Gibbs came back from medical school,
and you married him, and had your babies.
You walked 'em up and down at three in the
morning, nursed 'em through whooping cough,
watched 'em grow up. But, don't you see,
all the time you kept hanging on to a picture
of a world you'd never know.

(SHE IS LYING BACK ON THE PILLOW.
THE DOOR OPENS AND DR GIBBS COMES IN)

Well, the time 's come, Mrs Gibbs. Time 's
here for you to decide how much you missed out
on.

(DR GIBBS SITS BY THE BEDSIDE.
HE HOLDS HER HAND IN SILENCE)

-39-

MRS GIBBS' VOICE(SOUND TRACK)

I missed nothing. I don't regret one
blessed minute.

NARRATOR'S VOICE

Good for you, Mrs Gibbs. After all, how
diff'rent can Paris or any other place be
from Grover's Corners? I mean, not counting
things like language and architecture. Every
town, every city on the face of this green
earth is just a place where people live out
their lives same's you have. When you look
at the world like that, Mrs Gibbs, you'd
be surprised at how much traveling you've
done right here at home.

(DR GIBBS, SITTING BY THE BED,
HAS BOWED HIS HEAD ON HIS WIFE'S
HAND.

(THE SCENE FADES)

(FADE INTO CLOSE UP OF A WREATH ON THE
PORCH DOOR)

(DISSOLVE TO--

THE PARLOR. THE FAMILY, ALL IN MOURNING,
MOURNING, FILE IN. LAWYER HENDERSON IS
PRESENT)

DR GIBBS

All right, Lawyer Henderson. We're ready.

(LAWYER HENDERSON TAKES UP A
DOCUMENT)

LAWYER HENDERSON (READING)

Now therefore, I, Julia Hersey Gibbs, of
Grover's Corners, Sutton County, State of
New Hampshire, being of sound mind, do hereby

-40-

LAWYER HENDERSON (CONT'D)

make my last will and testament. To my husband,
Frank Gibbs, I bequeath the house which I
brought him, together with the furnishings
therein. To my son George and his wife,
Emily, I leave the sum of money derived from
the sale of an antique highboy which once stood
in my parlor.

(THE FAMILY ALL LOOK TOWARDS THE
WALL WHERE THE HIGHBOY ONCE STOOD)

(SLOW FADE) To my beloved daughter Rebecca
I leave my linens and wedding silver, along
with such personal effects as....

(WHILE HE IS READING, THE SCENE
SLOWLY DISSOLVES TO--
THE NARRATOR STANDING ON THE HILL
AS AT OPENING)

NARRATOR (POINTING)

There it is down there--George and Emily's
farm. You can just see one corner of it
peekin' round that bend in the road. Good
land, good farm. George is a hard worker.
The other day, he bought a new ce-ment
drinking fountain for the stock. It's got a
patent device so that it never overflows, and
it never sinks below a certain mark. It's
fine. Cost three hundred and fifty dollars--
the legacy they got from Mrs Gibbs.

Y'know something? If you or I or anyone else
was to say to George 'n Emily Gibbs: "there's

-41-

NARRATOR (CONT'D)

a tiny part of Paris, France, located right
on your farm <u>xx</u> in Sutton County", well,
I expect they'd give us a queer look.

But that's how it ended, friends. And kind
of appropriate, to my way of thinking.

Mrs Gibbs put that legacy back into the land
from which it come originally. As a sort of
monument, you might say, A monument to a
lady that never got where she wanted to go.

Or did she?

(FADE OUT)

(FADE INTO--

FIILM SEQUENCE--THE TOWN IN THE DISTANCE.

THIS TIME THE CAMERA IS RECEDING FROM
THE TOWN.

(SUPERIMPOSE TITLE AND CREDITS)

THE END