JOHN BOY AND OLIVIA WALTON ARE IN THE KITCHEN TALKING.

Ma, I just don't know. One day I feel like I just want to go in Ike's store and do business with him, and the next day I feel like I want to do business with Ike, if you know what I mean.

Well, John Boy, you're a budding writer. What would one of your stories' characters do in this situation?

Which character?

I don't know. How about Zeke, the good-ole-boy cowboy from your old west story, "The Cattle are Rowdy this Evening, Podna"? He'd know what to do.

Or, better than Zeke, how about Mr. Tony, the hairdresser, from my story, "Coiffe Me - Or Else!"? He was a real silly boy! He'd know what to do too, I think. Although, there was that time he found himself in a dilemma when Robert and Tom both both asked him to the prom. I don't know ...

John Boy, why don't you go ask your father about this?

Yeah, right! I caught him using my manuscripts for shellacing rags once. If he has such little respect for my writings then I just know he'd walk all over me on the feeling thing. No. Not father.

What about Grampa?

He's dead.

Oh, yeah. That's right. You sure?