A Girl Named Jo - First Season

How's it coming, dear?

I know it must be hard going through Grandma Cathy's stuff.

Anything you want, it's yours, okay?

Okay.

- "For my beloved Monica to read when I'm gone.

"Love, Grandma Cathy."

What is this?

Jo?

- Everything changed the year I met Jo.

It was 1963, and America was on the brink of change.

Vietnam was heating up, and the nation marched

on Washington, schools were integrating,

the Beatles had landed.

We had credit cards and color TVs

and a new doll named Barbie.

But while the times were a-changin',

nobody knew just how quickly they could change,

and nowhere was that more true than Attaway.

My family had lived in Attaway ever since

my great-great-grandfather opened

the first auto plant in 1897.

By the time I was born, we owned half the town

and employed most of it.

We were the Fitzroys, unofficial royalty,

which of course made me the princess

locked away in her tower.

I had everything,

and knew nothing.

Well, next to nothing.

What I had learned was how little I knew

about those closest to me,

and how little I knew about myself.

My brother Henry had just left for military school,

and my parents turned all their attention on me.

Is that what you're wearing, dear?

Ray, you're not bringing your Willie Mays ball to school.

The guys wanna see it, Mom.

The guys?

We're gonna play after school.

Don't flip your wig.

Excuse me?

Don't have a conniption.

- Ray, I understand the sentiment, but I simply

cannot understand where you learned to speak that way,

and to your dear, loving mother.

It's all those movies, isn't it?

Hmm.

Pick it up.

Sorry, sorry, my mom.

Hop in, babe.

Neat blouse.

Cath, we need to talk about cheerleading.

Donna said there's some fab grade eights

we need to look out for, maybe we can--

Jo, on the other hand,

was from a different Attaway altogether.

Jo, you're gonna be late!

Jo's family had been in Attaway

almost as long as mine.

But our circles rarely overlapped.

Have you seen my book?

Morning, Jo.

He's still coming today, right?

Don't get your hopes up, kiddo.

Your Uncle Bobby never stays long.

Sure, better to be hopeless.

Where's Junior?

He's opening the diner.

He's gonna start working the morning shifts before school.

I still don't see why I can't help out.

I've got nothing but time.

Plus, I'm way stronger than he is.

- We may not be the fanciest family in Attaway,

but I'm not so poor as I have to send my daughter to work.

You just stay out of trouble.

That's a full-time job.

God, it's what, eight a.m.

and that scag is already reading.

Who, Jo?

Yes, ew.

Watch this.

(scoffs) Lawrence, don't.

Hey, Jo!

Hey, wait up, let me help you.

Oh, golly.

What's your problem?

(laughs) Welcome back to school.

Guys, that wasn't very nice.

It's just Jo Chambers.

- (sighs) We need a boy on Phoenix Fest committee.

I mean, 20 girls can handle the decorating,

but not the heavy lifting.

What about him?

I'd certainly like to see him lifting weights.

Babe, where's your pin?

Oh, right, my pin.

- Yeah, my varsity pin, the pin that lets everyone know

that we're going steady and that you're my girl.

- Sorry, my mom made me change outfits at the last minute.

I promise!

Let's get to class, girls.

(chuckles) Hey, Jo.

You got a little something on your shirt.

Whoa.

My office, Miss Chambers.

Class, ladies, now.

I wanted this year to be different, Jo,

a fresh start, a clean slate.

And then you come in on the first day

literally covered in mud.

You think I planned this?

(sighs) You never do, Jo.

Can I go?

Not so fast.

Somehow your schedule's already cockeyed.

You are signed up for shop.

Maybe they confused your name.

No, I wanted it that way.

You can't make me sit through home ec.

Sewing, cooking?

It's a violation of my fundamental rights.

- Jo, is this about what happened to your mother?

Because I've been assured by the committee--

(sighs) It has nothing to do with her.

Well, if you ever wanna talk about it,

Nurse Hagelman is just down the hall.

Now, we can't have you going to class

all covered in mud.

- Today's complex equation, as you can see on the board,

is actually linear algebra, what we will be doing today.

- How about we get a shake at the diner tonight?

- (sighs) Can't, gotta get started on festival planning.

Don't get all clanked.

- And don't you be a wet rat, we're supposed to be

going steady.

Continuing on.

What are you looking at?

- You reckon we have a chance of beating Millwood this year?

Reckon, I'm certain of it.

With me starting at point guard, of course.

- Oh, did Coach already give you the position?

- Well, not officially, but unless he wants a visit

from my father, he'll toe the line.

Quite a shot, Junior.

Are you going out for the team this year?

Ah, no, I started working the counter

at the diner after school.

Did you see that?

What an arm!

Don't get all hot and bothered.

Beginner's luck.

You know there's a new flick playing

at the Millwood Passion Pit.

Pick me up after work?

Sorry, Alice, we don't close until late.

- Well, maybe later I'll be craving a strawberry shake.

Uh, political statement?

Big puddle, mud, Alice.

Oh, that girl's a heel.

You know, I checked, I don't think she's once

checked out a book.

I'm not even sure she can read. (chuckles)

Speaking of, do you have an extra copy?

Aw, also Alice?

I think somebody checked out the last copy this morning.

Who?

Unknown quantity.

Check the card catalog.

Well, boys, welcome to auto shop.

First up, some safety rules and regulations.

I don't wanna lose any fingers this year.

How is Jeremy?

(sighs) If Lawrence were my guy,

I'd keep my pin on 24/7.

- Welcome to Home Economics, where girls become ladies.

Proper ladies.

Are we missing a lady?

- Excuse me. - Ratchets.

- Excuse me. - And wrenches.