The Careless Years

Sam Vernon: [talking to Jerry about Jerry wanting to marry Emily] Uhh, I remember how I felt when I was your age, I have respect for it. It was 1929... I was 18 and graduated from high school back in Kentucky. I remember saying goodbye to your mother when I went away looking for work. I went clear to Alaska trying to find a job... I knew she was waiting for me... so she waited 8 years. That's how times were then.

Jerry Vernon: [looks puzzled] Well, what's that got to do with it?

Sam Vernon: Now at least it's better, your girl won't have to wait so long.

Jerry Vernon: No, Emily and I don't want to wait at all.

Sam Vernon: We better never have anything like 1929 again. Just the same, you *learn* from it... money's a whip. Sometimes it gets to be like a whip on your bare back.

Jerry Vernon: [looks puzzled] Well, why do you keep going back over that? Things are different now, it's easy to get a job.

Sam Vernon: Yeah, but what kind of a job...

Jerry Vernon: Any kind.

Sam Vernon: Oh, no! No, not any kind. Kind where you make something of yourself. That's why I done what I could to have something in the bank for you... when you go to Tech.

[Jerry turns away]

Sam Vernon: Er, you're not thinkin' of givin' it up?

Jerry Vernon: It depends on whether my grades are good enough.

Sam Vernon: Well, you're not studying as much as you were.

Jerry Vernon: So what?

Sam Vernon: So what! Well, what are yuh gonna do, get some two-bit job and stick to it your whole life?

Jerry Vernon: No, I'm not gonna do that.

Sam Vernon: Well, that's what you'll end up doin' if you don't get some *sense* in your head!

Jerry Vernon: Look, Pa, there's no sense in getting sore.

Sam Vernon: You *think* you know all the answers, don't you, Jerry, just bec...

Jerry Vernon: [with attitude] I'm sorry, Dad. You say you know how I feel but you don't. I *love* her, that's what's important.

[Sam looks at him glaringly and walks away]