Summary: Lorne Greene gets more than expected when Michael Landon suffers a break from reality and thinks he\u2019s Little Joe while they are rehearsing up at Eagle\u2019s Nest.\u00a0 Later, rallying the rest of the cast, everyone placates Little Joe hoping to snap Mike out of it. Inspired by \u201cBetween Heaven and Earth\u201d. Rating T, WC 14,758<\/p>\n
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In Between Heaven and Earth<\/strong><\/p>\n David Dortort, the creator and producer of the Bonanza television series, had recently discovered that he had a fear of heights.\u00a0 To be more accurate, that weekend he had learned that it was called acrophobia.\u00a0 Once he returned to Paramount Studios the following week, he went on to tell the cast members what he had discovered about himself while on a hike in the mountains with his son.\u00a0 Michael Landon\u2019s ears perked up and for an hour or so he listened but didn\u2019t comment.\u00a0 He had his own secret and didn\u2019t know if he should share it or not.\u00a0 Finally, before calling it quits for the day, he sought out David and confessed that he too was afraid of heights.\u00a0 He had explained that he could only tolerate the height of two stories, which came in handy because more than once in the five plus years of the show he had launched himself down from the hayloft in the barn.\u00a0 He and David compared their experiences and Michael felt better for having shared their mutual fear.\u00a0 That turned out to be a mistake in the long run.\u00a0 David knew the young man well and Michael wasn\u2019t the kind of person who could turn his back on a challenge especially one that was offered up as a dare.\u00a0 David got on the phone with a few writers that he knew and decided that it was time to write a Bonanza episode where the youngest son, Little Joe, would realize that he was afraid of heights and must learn how to overcome it.\u00a0 Ed Adamson ultimately penned the episode which was titled, \u201cBetween Heaven and Earth\u201d and David presented it to Michael Landon.\u00a0 The filming would begin right away, and to Michael\u2019s chagrin, it would be a very emotionally charged episode.\u00a0 There were rumors around the set that Mike really wasn\u2019t thrilled about going up to the range known as the Vasquez Rocks in California, about forty miles north of the studio.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the part that is well known to anyone who is familiar with the show.\u00a0 But what happened behind the scenes was a bizarre event which stayed out of the public eye until now.<\/p>\n The third day of shooting was over, and Michael Landon looked around the studio for his friend and co-worker, Lorne Greene.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t seen the man since they had shot a couple of scenes in the mockup of the inside of the Ponderosa Ranch house.\u00a0 The watchman pointed to the door when he had asked if the man had seen Lorne, so Mike jogged out into the parking lot.<\/p>\n \u201cLorne!\u201d Mike sang out when he saw the man about to get into his bright red Austin-Healey.\u00a0 \u201cHey \u2013 hold up a minute, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne turned around and watched the young man\u2019s approach.\u00a0 He smiled as he leaned against his car and waited.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s up, Michael?\u00a0 Haven\u2019t you had enough of your \u201cold pa\u201d for the day?\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling, Mike shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNever, Pa,\u201d He quipped.\u00a0 \u201cI was just wondering if you\u2019re busy tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo \u2013 not really.\u00a0 Nancy is visiting her mother, so I was just going to lounge around the house.\u00a0 Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI \u2013 well \u2013 I was wondering if you could help me with something?\u201d He asked nervously.<\/p>\n Lorne folded his arms across his chest and for just a moment it looked as though he was getting into character as Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n \u201cIs this real, Michael, or are you planning on pulling some kind of an outrageous prank on me again?\u201d\u00a0 He glared suspiciously at the young man.<\/p>\n \u201cMe?\u201d Mike\u2019s voice came out high-pierced as he feigned innocence.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, YOU<\/strong>!\u201d Lorne nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYou know I had one heck of a time getting that elephant out of my pool after you and Dan pulled that stunt!\u00a0 By the way, both of you are going to pay for the cleaning service once I get their bill!\u201d<\/p>\n Michael grinned mischievously and patted Lorne\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cIt was worth it.\u00a0 I\u2019ll never forget the look on your face, Lorne, it was priceless!\u201d\u00a0 He then broke out with his quirky laughter which forced his friend to fight off a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cThank your lucky stars that I\u2019m not really your father, Michael, because you wouldn\u2019t be smiling right now if I was,\u201d Lorne announced sternly.\u00a0 He had to admit it had been a very funny stunt that his co-workers had pulled on him.\u00a0 But he wasn\u2019t happy about the mess that the elephant had made.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Mike responded going into his best \u201cLittle Joe\u201d imitation.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, what do you need my help with?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael suddenly looked a bit nervous as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.\u00a0 \u201cI \u2013 well I\u2019m having some trouble with the new script.\u00a0 I was hoping that if you wouldn\u2019t mind \u2013 well can I drop by for a little while tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne pursed his lips as he studied his friend\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cOh \u2013 the Eagle\u2019s Nest thing \u2013 it\u2019s got you a bit frazzled, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n He frowned when he realized that having worked together for over five years, Lorne had honed the ability to read him very well.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Mike nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd \u2013 well \u2013 since it\u2019ll be just the two of us up there on that mountain \u2013 I just thought that maybe if we walked through those lines without anyone else listening that it might help.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne smiled and patted Mike\u2019s shoulder and replied, \u201cNo problem.\u00a0 Come to my house around noon and we\u2019ll have some lunch and then walk through those scenes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks a lot, Lorne,\u201d Michael grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what a pa is for, Son,\u201d He chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see you tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSee you, Lorne \u2013 or Pa \u2013 or whoever you happen to be right now,\u201d he laughed and waved to the man as he pulled away from the studio.<\/p>\n The maid waved Michael inside Lorne\u2019s house the next day and he was ushered to the den.\u00a0 Lorne stood and walked over to his friend and shook his outstretched hand.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on in and sit down.\u00a0 Jean has made us some lunch and then we can rehearse.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike sat down opposite Lorne and drew in a deep breath.\u00a0 He had another favor to ask the man and was a bit hesitant.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, spill it, Michael.\u00a0 I can tell that you\u2019re nervous \u2013 which is just not like you.\u201d<\/p>\n Shrugging his shoulders helplessly, Mike finally stared into Lorne\u2019s eyes and replied, \u201cLorne \u2013 well — I know this is asking a lot — but I was wondering,\u201d he paused.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I know \u2013 you want to go up there and look at it, right?\u201d Lorne stared into the young man\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 He had already guessed.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah \u2013 how did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne chuckled and patted Mike\u2019s arm to get him to relax.\u00a0 \u201cBecause I\u2019ve read the darn script, Michael.\u00a0 It\u2019s a hard one \u2013 and you\u2019ve got some tough scenes to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know I can usually get into the whole emotional Little Joe stuff\u2014but this time I\u2019ll be up on top of that mountain.\u00a0 I\u2019m worried that I\u2019ll be a bit distracted, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not too thrilled to be doing any of that climbing— no less in my boots!\u00a0 Sure, we\u2019ll go up there.\u00a0 It\u2019s a little over an hour\u2019s drive from here so we\u2019ll leave as soon as we eat.\u00a0 Now come on, let\u2019s get you fed,\u201d Lorne announced and tugged on his friend\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Lorne!\u201d Mike smiled as they walked into the dining room.<\/p>\n The two men climbed into Lorne\u2019s Austin Healy and headed north to the Vasquez Rocks.\u00a0 Lorne had wondered why, right before they had left, Mike had gone out to his car and retrieved a duffle bag.\u00a0 Then he asked if he could change his clothes.\u00a0 Lorne offered him one of the guest rooms and, when Michael reappeared, he was wearing the outfit that he wore on the set as Little Joe Cartwright.\u00a0 Lorne was keenly aware that actors were known for their idiosyncrasies, so he hadn\u2019t said a word about it.\u00a0 Throughout the drive they talked about their families and sports, and it wasn\u2019t until the mountain range appeared that the topic of conversation turned to the actual episode that they would be filming on Tuesday.\u00a0 Michael began his rant over how he felt about the script itself.<\/p>\n \u201cI just don\u2019t get the motivation behind this plot, Lorne.\u00a0 I mean why doesn\u2019t Little Joe just buy a new rifle and scuff it up a bit and then tell Pa that he got it down from the mountain?\u00a0 I also don\u2019t understand why Joe fought with Pa there at the corral,\u201d he complained.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I suppose if Little Joe bought a new rifle and scuffed it up and then used it to pull a fast one on his pa that we wouldn\u2019t have an episode to shoot now, Mike.\u00a0 And, yes, that scene we shot with the scuffle out at the corral was a bit intense, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d Lorne grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sure was!\u00a0 You know, Lorne, you held onto my arms so tightly while we were fighting out at that corral that I\u2019ve got bruises on them now!\u00a0 Geez, I hope I never really make you mad at me!\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne laughed and replied, \u201cWell, that\u2019s what you get for backtalking your pa,\u201d he quipped.\u00a0 \u201cYou did alright but don\u2019t push me or you\u2019ll find out that I\u2019m a bit spryer than I look!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo \u2013 seriously I\u2019ve got issues with that scene.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t like Little Joe pushing his father around like that.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think Ed understands the whole Pa Joe thing.\u00a0 Little Joe would die for his pa he\u2019d never get into that type of altercation with him.\u00a0 And I think that Pa should\u2019ve clocked Little Joe good when he got home that night.\u00a0 That would\u2019ve been more honest than the asinine way that his father just let him act up after breaking that horse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Little Joe didn\u2019t exactly break that horse.\u00a0 He broke the railing to the corral yes, but the horse not so much!\u201d Lorne nodded as he grinned over at his friend.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019re ever going to let Pa clock Little Joe, Mike, even if he does get a bit out of control at times. \u00a0He\u2019s got a bad temper.\u00a0 \u00a0But I do agree with you about the whole Pa Joe thing. The two of them have a very special relationship. \u00a0I guess it was to show how crazy your character had gotten due to him being afraid of heights.\u00a0 Ben let him get away with it I guess because he\u2019s supposed to be the favorite son, you know?\u00a0 Of course, that is if Ben had a favorite,\u201d he added diplomatically.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I know but I just don\u2019t get it.\u00a0 If I was Pa, I\u2019d choose Hoss as my favorite.\u00a0 He\u2019s not moody like Adam and he\u2019s not needy like Little Joe.\u00a0 He\u2019s always mellow.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0Mike\u2019s attention was drawn away when they pulled up in the parking lot.\u00a0 \u201cHey look!\u201d Mike pointed towards the mountain.\u00a0 \u201cOh, geez, there\u2019s kids climbing up there, Lorne!\u00a0 I\u2019m not getting out of this car until they\u2019re gone.\u00a0 Look how high they are.\u00a0 Parents shouldn\u2019t let their children climb up there!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMichael, those aren\u2019t kids.\u00a0 They\u2019re full-grown men,\u201d Lorne squinted to the top of the rocks.\u00a0 \u201cThey just look small because they\u2019re pretty high up there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGeesh why do people climb up to the top?\u00a0 I don\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/p>\n Clearing his throat, Lorne attempted to steer the conversation back to the script.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t exactly thrilled over Mike\u2019s wanting to climb up the mountain to rehearse nor was he happy that he would be going back up there on Tuesday when the filming began.<\/p>\n \u201cMike, what were you saying about the script?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe whole thing isn\u2019t realistic.\u00a0 I don\u2019t like that line that was in the night scene that we filmed yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich line?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know!\u201d Mike insisted, lifting his left hand in gesture.<\/p>\n Chuckling, Lorne responded, \u201cOh \u2013 the I\u2019m a big boy now, Pa, one?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it made me look stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand but you\u2019ve got to look at the big picture in all of this, Mike.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat big picture?\u00a0 The studio is trying to get me killed!\u00a0 Hey \u2013 you haven\u2019t seen Guy Williams lurking around the set, have you?\u201d He asked warily.<\/p>\n \u201cGeez you\u2019re getting awfully insecure here lately, Mike,\u201d Lorne remarked, staring into the troubled eyes of his friend.<\/p>\n \u201cWith good reason!\u201d Mike exclaimed brusquely.\u00a0 \u201cThe show doesn\u2019t need two swordsmen you know, Lorne?\u201d<\/p>\n Staring at the young man, Lorne fought back a grin as he replied, \u201cMike \u2013 do you really consider yourself to be a swordsman?\u00a0 Maybe an umbrella man might be a better term?\u201d<\/p>\n A pained appearance on his face, Mike answered, \u201cC\u2019mon, Lorne, you promised never to mention my using an umbrella to fence with from the pilot episode.\u00a0 I still won\u2019t touch one even when it rains!\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne opened the driver\u2019s side door and stepped out of the car.\u00a0 \u201cThose \u201ckids\u201d as you called them are driving off now.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go up and do a run through our lines.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike stared up at the mountain and tried not to show the increasing fear on his face.\u00a0 It took almost thirty minutes, but they made it two-thirds of the way and sat down.\u00a0 Lorne and Michael went over some of their lines and then took a short break.\u00a0 Michael continually stared down to the parking lot, which seemed very far away from his vantage point.\u00a0 He began to sweat profusely due to his fear of heights.<\/p>\n Lorne reached over and grabbed his friend\u2019s arm trying to get him to focus.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, let\u2019s try this again.\u00a0 This is where I say, \u201cwhen you were five years old, just a little kid you ran off one day \u2013\u201d He was cut off in midsentence by the young man.<\/p>\n \u201cHold it!\u201d Mike broke in.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re telling me that Little Joe ran away when he was only five?\u00a0 Geesh no wonder he always has emotional issues.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMichael, that\u2019s beside the point.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it\u2019s not if you\u2019re Little Joe!\u201d Mike insisted.<\/p>\n Lorne cleared his throat and hoped to offer his next words as delicately as he could.\u00a0 \u201cMichael, did you talk to that psychologist that the studio hired like David asked you to do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t trust Doctor Wallace.\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard things about him,\u201d he said flatly.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it might help you, Mike.\u00a0 You know here lately you\u2019ve been getting too close to your counterpart Little Joe.\u00a0 I\u2019ve found you quite a few times in the guest room at my house.\u00a0 Of course, I don\u2019t mind \u2013 but you\u2019ve scared Nancy a time or two.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t know why you\u2019re dressed in that Little Joe outfit of yours.\u00a0 This isn\u2019t a dress rehearsal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just thought that I\u2019d see if I\u2019m gonna sweat a lot when we film those scenes Tuesday.\u00a0 That\u2019s all there was to it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Michael, I\u2019ve watched you leave the studio on many occasions wearing your getup.\u00a0 Are you sure <\/em><\/strong>that you\u2019re okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa,\u201d he nodded.<\/p>\n Lorne examined his friend\u2019s face and his worry increased.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t really have to call me \u201cPa\u201d right now.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get me wrong \u2013 I don\u2019t mind.\u00a0 It\u2019s just \u2013 well \u2013frankly it worries me a little.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m okay.\u00a0 So, let\u2019s get back to it.\u00a0 Why did I run away when I was five, Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Lorne\u2019s eyes grew bigger as he began to worry that Mike might really be having a break from reality.\u00a0 He cleared his throat before responding.\u00a0 \u201cWell, the script never exactly said why you \u2013 that is \u2013 why Little Joe ran off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was probably because of Adam,\u201d He announced flatly.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, Pa, he\u2019s always picking on me and trying to make me look foolish.\u00a0 If it wasn\u2019t for Hoss, I don\u2019t know what I\u2019d do.\u00a0 He\u2019s the best brother that I have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh \u2013 Mike?\u00a0 None of what you just said is in our script.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u00a0 How long did it take you to find me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Lorne asked confounded by the question.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I ran away \u2013 how long was it before you found me?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne dropped his hand down onto Mike\u2019s arm and replied, \u201cMichael, it\u2019s nowhere in the script so I can\u2019t say.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael\u2019s face was the picture of confusion.\u00a0 He replied, \u201cWhy would I go up to a mountain anyway?\u00a0 Pa, you do know that I\u2019m afraid of heights, right?\u00a0 I get the shakes even up in our hayloft.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne closed his eyes and tried to determine if he should simply drive back to Los Angeles and perhaps get his friend some help.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Joseph, I\u2019m aware of that,\u201d he placated the young man.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m up here with you \u2013 Son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt sure is a long way down from here, Pa,\u201d he said looking over the edge and then clinging to a nearby rock.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to worry about, Michael — I mean Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa \u2013 I ran off one day.\u00a0 I remember it now.\u00a0 It took me all day to get here.\u00a0 And I waited for you, but you never showed up.\u00a0 I was alone and scared.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne drew in a deep breath.\u00a0 He knew that he was really in a fix now.\u00a0 Michael was acting strangely and the two of them were up far too high for anyone to spot the problem and offer any help.\u00a0 He hoped that his training as an actor would assist him in keeping his friend calm.\u00a0 He knew that he would have to play his best Pa scene in real life this time.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want Michael to fall apart and maybe fall off the side of the mountain.\u00a0 \u201cI did find you, Son.\u00a0 It just took me awhile to figure out where you\u2019d run off to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I was only five years old \u2013 just a little kid,\u201d Mike protested as he recited Lorne\u2019s lines from the script.<\/p>\n Lorne shook his head in disbelief.\u00a0 He now wished that it had been Dan Blocker\u2019s character who had acrophobia.\u00a0 At least Hoss wouldn\u2019t have heaped on the guilt like he was getting from a very confused Michael\/Little Joe combo who sat there staring over at him.\u00a0 Reaching over, he patted the young man\u2019s arm and said, \u201cIt\u2019s all going to be just fine, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa \u2013 that old Mitch \u2013 he\u2019s been snitching on me for years.\u00a0 Why did he have to tell you that I was chicken anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, he didn\u2019t say that,\u201d Lorne had to play along due to the circumstances.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he did!\u00a0 That\u2019s why I was so mad today out at the breaking corral.\u00a0 Are you still mad at me, Pa, for breaking the fence with my leg when the horse and I sort of fell over against it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo \u2013 it wasn\u2019t you who broke it.\u00a0 It was that stuntman,\u201d Lorne remarked before he could catch himself.<\/p>\n \u201cThe who, Pa?\u201d Mike asked bewildered.<\/p>\n Shaking himself out from his musings, Lorne replied, \u201cI was just saying that was quite a stunt, Young Man.\u00a0 But, no I wasn\u2019t mad at you.\u201d\u00a0 *** It\u2019s getting harder for me to keep up with my centuries.\u00a0 Come on, Lorne, remember that Mike is no longer here and I\u2019ve got Little Joe on my hands.\u00a0 That means it\u2019s eighteen hundred and sixty something! *** <\/em><\/strong>He sighed to himself.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you sure seemed mad to me!\u201d Michael exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got bruises on my arms from the way you grabbed me out there, Pa.\u201d He said and rubbed at his right arm.<\/p>\n Lorne sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 ***More guilt \u2013 like I need more after that story he just told me about Little Joe at five years old standing out here all alone waiting for me to find him! ***<\/em><\/strong> He groaned.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry you have bruises, Son.\u00a0 But getting back to what we were talking about \u2013 Mitch didn\u2019t call you chicken.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah, he did!\u00a0 I saw the two of you standing there at the corral as I was leaving.\u00a0 I knew that you were talking about me leaving my rifle up here.\u00a0 Let\u2019s face it, you\u2019d never have known about the rifle if Mitch hadn\u2019t opened his big fat mouth! \u00a0But that\u2019s okay — I got him good by beating him at arm wrestling,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n *** Oh brother! <\/em><\/strong> Lorne thought to himself.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong> I forgot that Little Joe turned his horse around and got a good look at me and Mitch.\u00a0 Now what do I say? ***<\/em><\/strong> Clearing his throat, he hoped that he could jolt his friend back to reality.\u00a0 \u201cMike, we haven\u2019t shot that scene in the saloon yet.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0He tried to bring his friend around gently by reminding him about the filming schedule.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh, Pa?\u201d he questioned very confused.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, never mind, SON<\/em><\/strong>,\u201d Lorne gave up trying to snap Michael out of his confusion realizing that he had apparently slipped a cog.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, I know you and Mitch will patch things up eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Sir \u2013 not if he\u2019s gonna sneak around behind my back.\u00a0 You know,\u201d he paused and looked up at the very top of the mountain where there was a split in the rock.\u00a0 In his mind he saw the rifle wedged tightly up there.\u00a0 \u201cI should have just paid that skunk to bring my rifle to me that day, Pa.\u00a0 That way I wouldn\u2019t have to climb all the way up there.\u201d Mike stared down at the bottom of the mountain once again and he began to get dizzy.\u00a0 \u201cThat sure is a long way down,\u201d he repeated.\u00a0 He continued to look over the edge grimacing in fear.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph \u2013 son \u2013 please stop looking down,\u201d Lorne insisted and grabbed Mike\u2019s arm to pull him away from the edge.\u00a0 The last thing he needed was to lose Michael Landon and have to explain to everyone that he had thought that he was Little Joe Cartwright before plummeting to his death.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph \u2013 it\u2019s time we head back.\u00a0 You know Hop Sing gets mad if we\u2019re late for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat Son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m scared to climb down from here.\u201d He confessed sadly and turned his eyes on the other man.<\/p>\n ***Oh no! ***<\/em><\/strong> Lorne thought fast.\u00a0 He decided to use some of his lines from the script.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to be afraid of.\u00a0 You know man has his little fears \u2013\u201d He was cut off by Mike.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, did you carry me down in your arms when you found me up here when I was five years old \u2013 just a little kid?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne nodded.\u00a0 He presumed that Michael had taken the time to memorize both of their lines from the script.\u00a0 \u201cWhy yes, Joseph, in fact I did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGee, Pa, I wish you could carry me now,\u201d Mike paused and looked over the side of the mountain once again.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Joseph, I don\u2019t think that I can manage that.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael stared at Lorne pensively and responded, \u201cPa \u2013 remember when I fell off Cochise because there was a rut in the front yard?\u00a0 You carried me into the house all by yourself after sending Hoss for the doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne closed his eyes and quickly thought up a response.\u00a0 \u201cSon, the front yard isn\u2019t on an incline like Eagle\u2019s Nest is.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think it would be safe to try to carry you because we might both go over the edge.\u201d\u00a0 He watched as Michael\u2019s face grew pale.<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Pa, because I\u2019m not five years old anymore!\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne sighed and mused to himself.\u00a0 *** Well, he got that line right \u2013 I guess the entire day wasn\u2019t a complete waste! ***<\/em><\/strong> He was very relieved to hear that he wouldn\u2019t have to lug Mike down the mountain.\u00a0 \u201cWhy that\u2019s right, Joseph.\u00a0 So, let\u2019s both take this slow and easy as we make our way down.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go first in case you need any help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n ***Oh no I was afraid this would happen next!! ***<\/em><\/strong> Lorne groaned.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Michael had learned his lines a bit too well.<\/p>\n Michael\/Little Joe began to cry, consumed by his fear of falling from the mountain.\u00a0 Both the actor and his counterpart apparently had acrophobia.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know how many times I\u2019ve come back to this mountain just to get my rifle?\u00a0 How many times I\u2019ve stood in front of it and cried \u2013 because I\u2019m afraid and I just don\u2019t know why!\u201d<\/p>\n *** Oh Lord what am I gonna do now?\u00a0 I\u2019ve already used the \u201cwhen you were just five years old\u201d line\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 Guess I\u2019m going to have to do an impromptu rewrite.\u00a0 David, you and your big ideas about making this kid challenge his fears!\u00a0 I don\u2019t see you up here dealing with this basket case! ***<\/em><\/strong> Lorne shook his head as he looked over at his friend.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, listen to me — listen to me good.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to pay someone to go and get that rifle for you.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to worry about it either.\u00a0 I\u2019ll make sure it\u2019s someone we both trust who won\u2019t say anything about it,\u201d He offered hopefully.\u00a0 *** That\u2019s what Pa should\u2019ve told Little Joe anyway!\u00a0 I think Michael was right \u2013 this script isn\u2019t realistic.\u00a0 The Cartwrights had money \u2013 why worry about the cost of one stupid rifle? *** <\/em><\/strong>He mused.<\/p>\n Michael pulled himself off the face of the mountain and stared over at Lorne.\u00a0 Wiping his tears off on his shirtsleeve he replied, \u201cIt can\u2019t be Adam, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Son \u2013 I won\u2019t let Adam hear anything about it \u2013 he\u2019s not in this episode anyhow \u2013\u201d Lorne was cut off in midsentence.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh \u2013 I was just saying that your brother Adam is up tending the herd right now,\u201d he quickly covered his faux pas.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Hoss?\u00a0 He likes me best \u2013 you think he\u2019d do it for me?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne smiled and nodded, \u201cSure \u2013 that\u2019s a great idea.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have Hoss come back here tomorrow and get the rifle down and there won\u2019t be another word ever said about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael thought for a minute and then shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa.\u00a0 You know I almost killed us both racing that wagon up here at Eagle\u2019s Nest and today when he found me up here, I almost bit his head off.\u00a0 I think Hoss is mad at me for doing that,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n Lorne let out a frustrated sigh.\u00a0 Now Mike was reciting Dan Blocker\u2019s lines from the script.\u00a0 He wondered if they would get down before nightfall.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Joseph.\u00a0 I had a long talk with your brother and he\u2019s not mad at you anymore.\u00a0 In fact, he offered to go fetch that rifle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe did?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, he did.\u00a0 Now didn\u2019t you tell me just a little while ago that he was your favorite brother?\u201d<\/p>\n Mike nodded and finally drew in a deep breath to calm himself.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, Pa \u2013 that will work.\u00a0 But make sure he doesn\u2019t tell Adam anything about it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe won\u2019t say a word,\u201d Lorne assured his friend.\u00a0 \u201cNow that we got the rifle issue settled how about the two of us climb down from here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Pa,\u201d Mike paused as he tried to loosen his grip on the nearby rock.\u00a0 \u201cBut, Pa,\u201d He paused and looked down to the bottom of the mountain before continuing.\u00a0 \u201cCan I keep my eyes closed?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne stared down at the steep drop and grimaced.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Joseph, that\u2019s probably a very good idea.\u00a0 Okay, let\u2019s start down now.\u00a0 And remember take it real slow and easy I\u2019ll be right down here below you.\u201d \u00a0*** Stupid script!\u00a0 I can\u2019t get my lines out of my head!\u00a0 Now I know why Ben Cartwright hit up that brandy every night! ***<\/em><\/strong> \u201cBefore you know it, we\u2019ll be sitting in the buckboard.\u00a0 It only took us about thirty minutes to get up here, so it shouldn\u2019t take much more than that to get down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019m closing my eyes now.\u00a0 So let me know when I hit the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I will, Joseph.\u00a0 You can count on it,\u201d he replied drawing in a deep breath.\u00a0 He said a silent prayer as they began to inch their way down the mountain.<\/p>\n Lorne had been far too optimistic about the length of time that it would take the two of them to descend from their perch two-thirds the way up the mountain.\u00a0 A full two hours later they stood in the parking lot.\u00a0 Lorne was exhausted both physically and emotionally and Mike\/Little Joe was soaked in perspiration due to his fear.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u00a0 Where\u2019s the buckboard?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh \u2013 well \u2013 this is the buckboard,\u201d Lorne explained as he touched his car door.\u00a0 \u201cThe horses are right under that hood,\u201d He announced and pointed to the front of the car.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did they fit under there, Pa?\u201d Mike questioned bewildered by what his friend had said.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t think about it, Joseph \u2013 just get in,\u201d Lorne sighed wearily as he opened the car door for the young man and helped him get inside.\u00a0 He then walked around and got in on the driver\u2019s side and turned the key in the ignition.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got to stop and make a phone call on our way out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA what, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Mike asked confused.<\/p>\n \u201cOh \u2013 sorry \u2013 I meant I need to send a telegram, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan we stop at the mercantile?\u00a0 I\u2019m really thirsty, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Boy, there\u2019s a seven-eleven just down the road.\u00a0 I can send that wire from there too.\u201d Lorne groaned and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Joseph, it\u2019s his competition.\u00a0 Now why don\u2019t you just ease back in your seat but buckle up first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am buckled up, Pa,\u201d He insisted looking down at the belt to his pants.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Son \u2013 that\u2019s \u2013 well \u2013never mind.\u00a0 But if you see the police \u2013 I mean Sheriff Coffee pretend like you have it on,\u201d Lorne instructed filled with dismay over what was going on over in the next seat.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Mike nodded obediently.<\/p>\n Ten miles down the road Lorne pulled into the convenience store.\u00a0 He had an important call to make but first he ran inside and tried to find something he could bring to the poor confused young man in the car\/buckboard.\u00a0 He found some ginger ale which he thought would possibly taste like sarsaparilla.\u00a0 Lorne paid for the drink and carried it outside to his television son who, evidently, was now, oddly enough, his real-life son for all intents and purposes.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I want you to sit right there, Young Man, and drink that.\u00a0 I\u2019ll only be a minute!\u201d<\/p>\n Mike smiled up at who he deemed to be his father and said, \u201cSure, Pa, I\u2019ll sit right here.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne smiled at his friend and slowly walked to the telephone booth.\u00a0 He knew that David Dortort wouldn\u2019t be expecting what he had to say to him.\u00a0 Somehow, he\u2019d have to explain to the man that Michael Landon was inexplicably off his rocker.<\/p>\n If a passerby had heard the one-sided conversation from outside the phone booth, they would have wondered what in the world was going on.<\/p>\n \u201cDavid, it\u2019s Lorne.\u00a0 No, it\u2019s not about the Pernell issue.\u00a0 Listen, we\u2019ve got real troubles.\u00a0 Michael and I were rehearsing and \u2013well \u2013 he\u2019s lost it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean I\u2019m pulling your leg?\u00a0 Do you think that I\u2019d call you on my day off to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u00a0 I just told you.\u00a0 We were rehearsing that whole Eagle\u2019s Nest thing and suddenly Mike just stopped being himself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m telling you that Michael has totally lost it.\u00a0 That damn mountain climbing thing sent him over the edge!\u00a0 \u00a0No, not the edge of the mountain — but it was close!\u00a0 I darn near lost him up at the Vasquez Rocks today!\u00a0 What a heartless thing to do to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do I mean?\u00a0 You knew that the kid was terrified of heights, but you just had to dare him to do this script!\u00a0 You know good and well that Michael has never been able to turn down a dare!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes, you did know about it!\u00a0 You remember when some idiot dared him to get in the horse trough naked when we were filming Ponderosa Matador?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you would!\u00a0 We lost our best script girl over that one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, David, that\u2019s exactly<\/em><\/strong> what I\u2019m saying!\u00a0 He wigged out and now he thinks that he\u2019s Little Joe Cartwright and that I\u2019m really his father!\u00a0 Stop laughing \u2013 it\u2019s not funny!\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to lose my wife once she finds out that Mike\u2019s moving in with us and he doesn\u2019t want a stepmother!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that\u2019s what\u2019s going on.\u00a0 The kid is ten bricks shy of a load.\u00a0 He\u2019s taken the A train to looneyville.\u00a0 His oars don\u2019t touch the water.\u00a0 So, mister producer, tell me what I\u2019m supposed to do now!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it\u2019s best we don\u2019t tell his family right now.\u00a0 They don\u2019t need to see him like this.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t want to be the one to tell Little Joe that he\u2019s married with kids either!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop congratulating me about finally having some grandchildren this is serious!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere should I take him to get help?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoctor Wallace?\u00a0 Which hospital?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay but we can\u2019t just dump him off with perfect strangers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u00a0 David, he is like a son to me!\u00a0 I care about him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you insane too?\u00a0 No, I\u2019m not keeping him!\u00a0 I\u2019ll visit him and even push aside his curls but just not at my house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I know how to solve this.\u00a0 Can you get Harry Holcombe to meet us?\u00a0 I think we need Doctor Martin in on this now.\u00a0 Mike \u2013 I mean Joseph trusts him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not funny, David.\u00a0 Do you know how hard it\u2019s been to talk to both<\/em><\/strong> of them today and worrying that they\u2019re going to take a nosedive off those blasted rocks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, here\u2019s what you need to do.\u00a0 Just give Harry a lab coat and have him and Doctor Wallace meet us in the emergency room.\u00a0 Oh, tell Harry that Wallace is supposed to be his cousin from back east.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean Wallace won\u2019t go for that?\u00a0\u00a0 Well, you can tell him that Mike \u2013 I mean Joseph only trusts relatives from back east.\u00a0 Hey — listen I\u2019ve got to go.\u00a0 He\u2019s looking around the seven-eleven for an outhouse.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got to hang up before he gets a public indecency citation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, I\u2019ll call you from the hospital.\u00a0 Goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Joseph!\u201d he sang out and hurried towards the front door of the convenience store.\u00a0 \u201cThis way, Boy!\u00a0 The outhouse is inside here!\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne had to do some quick thinking when he and Mike arrived at the hospital.\u00a0 He convinced his friend that he had been running a fever and needed to be checked over.\u00a0 Harry Holcombe had been advised by David that Michael apparently had some kind of a mental breakdown and thought that he was Little Joe Cartwright.\u00a0 As a skilled actor, Harry was very believable as he introduced Doctor Wallace to Mike and told him that it was his second cousin from back east.\u00a0 They escorted Michael to a private room and after Doctor Wallace had asked him numerous questions he walked out into the hall to talk to both Lorne and Harry.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d say that young man has some kind of dissociative disorder.\u00a0 He\u2019s very confused.\u00a0 Right now I think it\u2019s best that we all pretend that he really is Little Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it permanent?\u201d Lorne asked worriedly, now very concerned about his dear friend.<\/p>\n \u201cToo soon to tell, Lorne,\u201d the doctor replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think, Paul?\u201d Lorne asked the veteran actor.<\/p>\n Harry laughed and patted the man\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cLorne \u2013 I\u2019m not a doctor remember?\u00a0 I just play one on tv.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne groaned and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Lord \u2013 maybe we\u2019d better get a room with two beds!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay, you\u2019ve just had a long day.\u00a0 I know it must\u2019ve been awful sitting on top of that mountain with Mike,\u201d Harry reassured the other man.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I wasn\u2019t up there with Mike long.\u00a0 I spent the better part of the afternoon with Little Joe.\u00a0 He wanted to know why he ran away at the age of five and I had no idea what to tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou did a good job, Lorne,\u201d Wallace nodded over to the man.\u00a0 \u201cYou kept Michael safe and got him to where he\u2019ll be able to get the help that he needs.\u201d<\/p>\n A nurse came down the hall and stopped in front of the three men.\u00a0 Holding forms in her hands, she looked over at Lorne.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, I just need you to sign these as next of kin,\u201d she said and handed Lorne the forms to sign.<\/p>\n Staring down at numerous pieces of paper including a do not resuscitate order, Lorne winced his face.\u00a0 \u201cMiss \u2013 I\u2019m not really his next of kin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not?\u201d she asked confused.\u00a0 For some strange reason she automatically assumed that he was.\u00a0 \u201cOh \u2013 now I know!\u00a0 You\u2019re Ben Cartwright!\u201d She exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cHold it down,\u201d Lorne insisted.\u00a0 \u201cThat young man in there thinks that I am \u2013 but I\u2019m not!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I could have sworn that you were,\u201d she said shaking her head.<\/p>\n Lorne stared directly at Harry and returned, \u201cPerhaps as Joseph\u2019s doctor you could help us with this, Doctor Martin?\u201d<\/p>\n Harry fought back as smile and took the papers out of Lorne\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cSure, I can.\u00a0 Miss let\u2019s go down to the nurse\u2019s station and get this all squared away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Doctor,\u201d the woman nodded and then turned to walk down the hall with Harry at her side.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is going to be a problem, Doctor,\u201d Lorne sighed.\u00a0 \u201cFor Mike\u2019s sake we don\u2019t need people asking a lot of questions.\u00a0 He\u2019s got enough problems; the last thing he needs is bad publicity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I know, Lorne.\u00a0 Dan Blocker and I had a long talk the other day.\u00a0 He was telling me that Michael had been worried about Guy Williams coming back to the show if Pernell leaves.\u00a0 It seems like he\u2019s a bit insecure about his job.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take care of things on my end.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry.\u00a0 No-one will find out about his condition.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn this town?\u201d Lorne asked, raising his eyebrows.\u00a0 \u201cIf anyone hears that Michael Landon has been hospitalized due to some kind of a mental breakdown it will be all over for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Doctor Wallace smiled and pointed at the door.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why I had him admitted under the name Joseph Francis Cartwright,\u201d he grinned slyly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should take off that Francis part.\u00a0 Mike hates it as much as Little Joe does.\u00a0 But that\u2019ll work.\u00a0 Now \u2013 I can only stay for a few minutes.\u00a0 Will he be alright about my leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n Harry walked back and joined the other two men and answered, \u201cYes, Lorne.\u00a0 It\u2019s okay.\u00a0 I told \u201cLittle Joe\u201d that he can\u2019t have many visitors because he has contracted a rare disease and might be contagious for a little while.\u00a0 And besides that, Doctor Wallace is going to give him a sedative, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, so why don\u2019t you go in there for a minute, Lorne, to say goodnight.\u00a0 Then I\u2019ll bring the nurse in to give him a shot of valium.\u00a0 Before he knows it, he\u2019ll be sleeping like a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Lorne nodded and turned for Mike\u2019s room.\u00a0 Drawing in a deep breath he went into his role as Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n Dressed in a hospital gown and underneath several blankets, Michael watched as Lorne came into the room.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Son.\u00a0 How are you feeling?\u201d he asked as he settled down in the chair next to Mike\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n Michael pulled the sheet up to his nose and replied, \u201cBetter not get too close, Pa!\u00a0 Doc says I\u2019m contagious.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want you to get whatever I\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne fought back a smile and reached over to stroke his friend\u2019s arm, hoping to calm him.\u00a0 *** I\u2019ve done this enough times on the show, it was only a matter of time before it happened in real life. ***<\/em><\/strong> Lorne mused.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I\u2019m not going to catch anything, Joseph.\u00a0 As a matter of fact, I think I\u2019ve had what you have before so I can\u2019t catch it again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoc says it\u2019s a rare disease.\u00a0 Did you get it back when you were a clipper captain, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne closed his eyes and tried his best to come up with a good answer to Mike\u2019s question.\u00a0 \u201cWhy yes, Son, I believe that\u2019s when I had it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen you can stay here in the hospital with me, Pa?\u201d He asked hopefully.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t thrilled to be away from the ranch and his own bed.<\/p>\n *** Way to go, Lorne, you walked into that one!\u00a0 Now to walk myself back out. ***<\/em><\/strong> he thought to himself.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Joseph, I can\u2019t stay here tonight.\u00a0 Remember I just said that I \u201cthink\u201d<\/em><\/strong> I\u2019ve had what you have.\u00a0 But to be sure that I have Doc Martin is going to run some tests first.\u00a0 I just wanted to say goodnight before I have to go back to the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike\u2019s face took on a frightful expression.\u00a0 \u201cWhy can\u2019t I go back home?\u00a0 I can just stay up in my room.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to be here, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Drawing in a deep breath, Lorne had to act fast.\u00a0 He knew that Little Joe could cry without much provocation and if that happened, he\u2019d never be able to leave the room.\u00a0 Lorne did what would have been in all the Pa\/Joe scenes over the last five and a half years.\u00a0 Tenderly he pushed aside the young man\u2019s bangs.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Son, you won\u2019t be here long.\u00a0 I bet only a couple of days.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be back to see you tomorrow don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n Just then Harry and Doctor Wallace walked into the room with a nurse.\u00a0 She was holding a syringe with a healthy dose of valium inside of it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that, Pa?\u201d Mike asked fearfully.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just some medicine that\u2019ll help with your fever.\u00a0 Right, Doc?\u201d<\/p>\n Both Harry and Doctor Wallace nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d Mike said and motioned for Lorne to come closer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Joseph?\u201d Lorne asked, drawing nearer to his friend.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like needles \u2013 remember?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne turned and waved Harry over to intervene.\u00a0 \u201cTell Joseph that it won\u2019t hurt, Doc, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt won\u2019t hurt, Little Joe,\u201d Harry reassured smiling down at Mike.<\/p>\n Before Mike could reply, the nurse had already injected his arm with the medicine.<\/p>\n \u201cThere now, Son.\u00a0 That didn\u2019t hurt, now, did it?\u201d<\/p>\n Mike smiled and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou just close those eyes and before long you\u2019ll be feeling better, Joseph,\u201d Lorne said and patted his friend\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n \u201cLorne?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Doctor Wallace?\u201d he asked, turning around in his chair.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can stop talking to Michael now.\u00a0 He\u2019s sound asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne turned back toward the bed and Mike was lying there fast asleep with a smile on his lips.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what you just gave him, but I\u2019d like one too!\u00a0 It\u2019s been a rough day!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust go get some rest, Lorne.\u00a0 I\u2019ll keep a good eye on him.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne stood and stared down at Mike, feeling almost like a father to the young man lying there.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can fix him, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure \u2013 it\u2019ll just take some time to figure out how to jolt him back to reality,\u201d the doctor nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not going to use that shock stuff on him with the electricity, are you?\u201d He asked with a great deal of concern.<\/p>\n Laughing, Doctor Wallace shook his head, \u201cLorne, that stuff went out of practice years ago.\u00a0 These days we find it useful to talk to the patient.\u00a0 You know \u2013try to get their bottled-up emotions out.\u00a0 Sometimes that kind of therapy brings on spells of crying but it\u2019s useful to get a patient to come to terms with their emotional problems.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoctor Wallace?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave you EVER<\/strong> watched a Bonanza episode?\u201d Lorne asked staring at the man suspiciously.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve watched a few,\u201d He remarked.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat boy over there,\u201d He paused and pointed to the bed.\u00a0 \u201cHe doesn\u2019t keep his emotions bottled-up!\u00a0 In fact, he can cry at the drop of a hat.\u00a0 The rest of us have to put drops in our eyes, or at the very least smell an onion before we do a scene involving tears.\u00a0 But not Mike!\u00a0 It\u2019s the oddest thing any of us have ever seen.\u00a0 He can cry one minute and the next tell an outrageous joke.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see,\u201d Wallace nodded with a perplexed look on his face.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe it\u2019s not Mike who is crying?\u00a0 Maybe it\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne sighed and shook his head, \u201cYou are confusing me.\u00a0 I hope you\u2019ll do better with the kid.\u00a0 He\u2019s like a son to me and I don\u2019t want to see him like this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be okay, Lorne,\u201d Harry intervened.\u00a0 He had done numerous episodes, so he was aware of the bond that existed between the two actors.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got to go call David and tell him Mike\u2019s room number,\u201d Lorne sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do it.\u00a0 Just go get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, it\u2019s best that David doesn\u2019t call Michael.\u00a0 Joseph doesn\u2019t understand what a telephone is \u2013 so perhaps it would be wise to take that phone out of here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see to it, don\u2019t worry,\u201d Doctor Wallace patted the actor\u2019s shoulder trying to alleviate the man\u2019s mounting concern.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Lorne said and shook Doctor Wallace\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cHarry, do you need a ride home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo thanks, Lorne, I drove here.\u00a0 Hey tell Dan and Pernell hi for me.\u00a0 Pernell is still on the show, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne frowned and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cHe is for now, though he keeps telling everyone he\u2019s leaving any day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe that ruse about Guy Williams joining the cast wasn\u2019t such a good ploy on David\u2019s part?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne glanced over at Michael and replied, \u201cDavid makes some stupid decisions at times.\u00a0 I hold him responsible for Michael\u2019s breakdown.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you say that?\u201d Harry asked.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, he dared Mike to face his acrophobia!\u00a0 The kid flipped out once we got up there.\u201d<\/p>\n Harry chuckled and returned, \u201cOh yeah, Michael and his dares!\u00a0 I remember when he dropped down into that horse trough butt naked after Dan dared him to do it!\u00a0 Did the script girl really quit over that, Lorne?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne nodded, \u201cYeah, I think she\u2019s working over on the Big Valley set at CBS now.\u201d\u00a0 He stared over at Doctor Wallace and said, \u201cYou will keep this conversation private, right?\u00a0 I don\u2019t need any issues with the producer right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Lorne.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u00a0 Well, I guess I\u2019ll see you tomorrow,\u201d Lorne began to leave but his conscience got the better of him.\u00a0 He walked back to the bed and pushed Mike\u2019s bangs off his forehead.\u00a0 Casting a timid glance over his shoulder, to make sure that the two men weren\u2019t watching, he leaned down and planted a parting kiss on Michael\/Little Joe\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 When Lorne turned around, he noticed both Harry and Doctor Wallace staring at him.\u00a0 \u201cHey \u2013 he\u2019s supposed to be my son!\u201d Lorne complained and then hurried out of the hospital room.<\/p>\n Harry looked over at Wallace and whispered, \u201cYou might want to keep your eye on Lorne too, Doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I think I\u2019d better.\u00a0 Perhaps he\u2019ll be the next one to go off the deep end?\u201d he nodded as the two men watched Lorne walk out into the hall.<\/p>\n Michael endured intensive therapy for the next two weeks under Doctor Wallace\u2019s care.\u00a0 Lorne dropped by to see him almost every day, and always in the role of Ben Cartwright; dressed in his familiar garb.\u00a0 David Dortort called a cast meeting on the first day of the third week since the Eagle\u2019s Nest incident.\u00a0 He had given everyone the prior two weeks off with pay while he spoke with the network executives and came up with a plan to continue shooting the series.<\/p>\n Gathered in the living room of the Ponderosa, the three cast members and the producer spoke about the situation and how they could keep filming Bonanza.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pernell we\u2019re not calling it the day that Michael went insane!\u201d David exclaimed, offering the actor an exasperated glare.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re calling it the E.N.I.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d Dan Blocker asked as he settled down on the settee.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the Eagle\u2019s Nest Incident,\u201d Lorne sighed and sat down in the red leather chair.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, gotcha,\u201d Dan nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the M.W.C. is a far better acronym,\u201d Pernell said smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that stand for?\u201d Dan returned.<\/p>\n Pernell grinned over at Lorne and waited.\u00a0 He knew that the man was processing the information and that it wouldn\u2019t take long.<\/p>\n \u201cNot funny, Pernell,\u201d Lorne insisted angrily.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, somebody tell me, will you?\u201d Dan persisted.<\/p>\n Lorne shot Pernell a very displeasing glare and then looked at Dan.\u00a0 \u201cM.W.C. is Michael went crazy, that\u2019s what he\u2019s come up with, Dan!\u201d<\/p>\n Pernell laughed heartily and watched as the other three men shook their heads at him.<\/p>\n \u201cPernell, I know you have your issues with the show but that\u2019s not very kind and \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n Pernell cut the producer off and responded, \u201cIt\u2019s like I\u2019ve always said \u2013 staying on this show leads to insanity.\u00a0 Mike is younger than all of us, so he was more susceptible, that\u2019s why he went first.\u00a0 That\u2019s yet another reason why I\u2019m leaving the show!\u201d<\/p>\n The other three men all groaned in unison after hearing another threat by Pernell to quit the series.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know — we know,\u201d Lorne began shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t like saying the word \u201cPa\u201d and you don\u2019t like sharing the spotlight with your \u201cbrothers\u201d or father for that matter.\u201d<\/p>\n David cleared his throat, attempting to redirect the attention to the current problem.<\/p>\n \u201cDoctor Wallace is going to be bringing Mike here soon and we need to go over what we\u2019ll do once the two of them get here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHide the sharp implements?\u201d Pernell suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cNot funny, Pernell,\u201d Dan countered starting to get annoyed with his fellow actor.\u00a0 \u201cMike has had a bad time of it.\u00a0 I stopped by the hospital and saw him last night.\u00a0 I even brought the checkers with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid he remember how to play?\u201d Pernell was on a roll and having a good time at Mike\u2019s expense.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he did \u2013 and even beat me two out of three games!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo could a chimpanzee, Dan,\u201d Pernell laughed and ducked as the man tossed a throw pillow at him.\u00a0 \u201cHey, I\u2019m not trying to be mean about what Mike\u2019s going through!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d the other three men called out loudly.<\/p>\n \u201cReally, I mean \u2013 he\u2019s not a bad kid \u2013 a bit on the emotional side \u2013 but I don\u2019t wish anything bad on him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why do you keep telling Mike that you\u2019ve seen Guy Williams around the soundstage?\u00a0 You know how insecure he\u2019s been!\u201d\u00a0 Lorne exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I\u2019m supposed to be playing his big brother it\u2019s the least I can do, you know?\u00a0 That\u2019s what older brothers do \u2013 they pick on the youngest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t pick on him,\u201d Dan growled.<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Dan, and I personally appreciate that about you,\u201d David nodded over to one of his favorite actors.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019re a bit too close to your character, Dan.\u00a0 Better be careful that you don\u2019t end up thinking that you\u2019re Hoss,\u201d Pernell interjected.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s just get back to why I called this meeting,\u201d David insisted.\u00a0 \u201cNow we\u2019ve got three scripts and we\u2019re going to shoot all the scenes that Michael doesn\u2019t appear in to keep the production schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe scenes that the kid doesn\u2019t appear in? That\u2019s only about two scenes an episode, David.\u00a0 Mike\u2019s been hogging the limelight which is yet another reason I\u2019m leaving. Guess we\u2019re only going to have a couple of day\u2019s work before we get shut down,\u201d Pernell said sarcastically.<\/p>\n Dan turned to look at David ignoring Pernell\u2019s outburst.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019ll we do if \u2013 God forbid \u2013 Mike never comes back?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been working on two different scenarios, Dan.\u00a0 If Mike can\u2019t come back, I\u2019ll contact Guy Williams\u2019 agent.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh Lord,\u201d Lorne muttered shaking his head.\u00a0 He knew that if Michael had heard that he would\u2019ve gone even farther off the deep end.<\/p>\n Continuing, David said, \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure that he\u2019ll want to return to the show.\u00a0 And we can just say the marriage to Kathie Browne, Adam\u2019s former fianc\u00e9, didn\u2019t work out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Pernell added.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll come back because he only left because Michael whined about Guy getting too much fan mail.\u00a0 He always had to be the most popular star.\u00a0 Not to mention that he\u2019s Pa\u2019s favorite!\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne protested loudly, \u201cHey, Pernell, have a heart the kid is sick!\u201d<\/p>\n Dan stared over at the producer and said, \u201cDavid?\u00a0 Who\u2019s going to have to climb up that mountain now so we can finish the Eagle\u2019s Nest thing?\u00a0 Because I sure don\u2019t want to do it.\u00a0 I\u2019m not afraid of heights but I just can\u2019t see Pa talking Hoss down from there.\u201d<\/p>\n David stared over at Pernell, a peculiar look on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cCount me out!\u201d Pernell insisted vehemently.\u00a0 \u201cMichael likes to cry and get all overly dramatic about his neurosis but that\u2019s not what fans expect out of Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne frowned and piped up, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t such a bad script — however it\u2019s no doubt what sent that poor kid over the edge.\u00a0 I guess it\u2019s a good thing that he fell apart before the cameras were rolling on the two of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas Mike up there as Little Joe crying and moaning over how he\u2019s had such a tough time dealing with situations that any normal person wouldn\u2019t have fussed about, Lorne?\u00a0 You know Mike \u2013 was he doing his typical over-acting?\u201d Pernell smiled, trying to get the other man\u2019s goat.<\/p>\n \u201cStop busting on the kid!\u00a0 There\u2019s nothing wrong with the way Mike really gets into his role,\u201d Dan fired back.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Pernell paused for dramatic effect.\u00a0 \u201cHe got into his role so well that he\u2019s now Little Joe Cartwright permanently!\u201d<\/p>\n David cleared his throat to bring the room back to order.\u00a0 \u201cGentlemen, if you\u2019ll allow me to continue,\u201d He began, trying to put an end to the usual squabbles on the set.\u00a0 \u201cIf Doctor Wallace can\u2019t quite get Mike back to normal \u2013 but feels like he\u2019s not a threat to anyone \u2013 then we\u2019ll bring him back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are we going to do with him, David?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDan, it will be easy.\u00a0 Mike already thinks that he\u2019s Little Joe, so we simply pretend he\u2019s at home when he\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, David, there aren\u2019t any bedrooms upstairs.\u00a0 Where\u2019s the kid going to sleep?\u201d Lorne asked.<\/p>\n \u201cLorne, I\u2019ve been meaning to talk to you about something \u2013\u201d He was cut off in midsentence.<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely not!\u00a0 Hey, you all know that I like the kid, and I feel sorry for him.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been visiting him almost every night since he had the E.N.I. Do you think that I like being Ben Cartwright after eight p.m. every night?\u00a0 I don\u2019t!\u00a0 Random people come up to me at the hospital telling me their problems because they think that I\u2019ve got all the answers like Ben does.\u00a0 It grates on my nerves. \u00a0But I still offer them advice just so they won\u2019t think that the Cartwrights are snobs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Lorne –,\u201d David began but Lorne wasn\u2019t done quite yet and jumped in.<\/p>\n \u201cI take my Ben Cartwright wardrobe to the hospital with me and change into it so Mike \u2013 I mean Little Joe \u2013 will feel comfortable.\u00a0 I\u2019ve sat there night after night listening to all his problems — which aren\u2019t real ones by the way! \u00a0\u00a0But I pretend not to notice that he\u2019s reliving every episode that we\u2019ve shot since the pilot.\u00a0 Just the night before last he went on and on about his brother Clay.\u00a0 I had one heck of a time convincing him that the guy would bring his mother\u2019s locket back some day!\u201d<\/p>\n Pernell burst out laughing and it made Dan mad.\u00a0 \u201cCut it out, Pernell, it\u2019s not funny!\u201d he yelled.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah, it is!\u00a0 Hey, Lorne?\u00a0 Did you stroke the kid\u2019s arm and push back his bangs?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne frowned and grumbled, \u201cHe thinks that I\u2019m his pa \u2013 it\u2019s the least that I can do for the kid.\u201d<\/p>\n David jumped back into the rowdy conversation.\u00a0 \u201cLorne, we all know how close you are with Mike.\u00a0 Perhaps you could just let him stay with you for a couple of weeks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMichael has a family,\u201d Lorne insisted.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, technically yes \u2013 but he doesn\u2019t know it.\u00a0 As far as Mike knows the three of you are his family now.\u00a0 Oh, by the way, I\u2019ve sent his wife and kids on an extended trip to Europe.\u00a0 The network\u2019s paying for all the expenses.\u00a0 I just told her that we have a lot of location shoots and Mike wouldn\u2019t be around anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd she bought that malarkey?\u201d Pernell questioned incredulously.<\/p>\n David nervously coughed into his fist and replied, \u201cYou know I\u2019m a pretty good actor myself!\u00a0 She believed everything that I said.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s just hope that Mike snaps out of it for everyone\u2019s sake,\u201d Dan tried to sound optimistic.<\/p>\n David nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI agree.\u00a0 Now listen, Doctor Wallace will be here with Mike soon.\u00a0 We\u2019ll just see how it goes.\u00a0 He needs the warmth of family right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m out of here!\u201d Pernell fired back and stood from the blue winged back chair.<\/p>\n \u201cPernell, you\u2019ll be compensated for your time,\u201d David sighed.\u00a0 He knew the man wasn\u2019t much of a team player, so he had expected his comment.\u00a0 \u201cNow, just so we\u2019re all on the same page before he gets here.\u00a0 Nobody let Mike go upstairs!\u00a0 And I need all three of you to remember that you are his family so get into character.\u201d<\/p>\n Pernell shook his head and groaned.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad that I\u2019ll be leaving the show soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout that,\u201d David paused as he moved across the room to stand next to the actor.\u00a0 \u201cThe network is working on a new offer for you \u2013 so don\u2019t do anything rash right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDavid, listen they can offer me a million dollars an episode, and it wouldn\u2019t be enough.\u00a0 Bonanza isn\u2019t conducive to retaining a person\u2019s sanity.\u00a0 Just ask Michael \u2013 no wait \u2013 you can\u2019t!\u00a0 He\u2019s now certifiably nuts. For the rest of his life, he\u2019ll be Little Joe Cartwright and Lorne will be pushing curls off his forehead.\u00a0 Good luck with that, Lorne.\u00a0 But as for me — all the money in the world can\u2019t buy you your health.\u201d<\/p>\n Dan groaned as he pulled an apple from the bowl sitting on the coffee table.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be Michael\u2019s brother and you don\u2019t have to pay me for it neither!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpoken like a true brother,\u201d Lorne smiled and patted Dan\u2019s shoulder proudly.<\/p>\n Entering the set from the kitchen, Doctor Wallace and Michael Landon walked into the room.\u00a0 Mike held three straw baskets in his hands and wore a big smile as he drew closer to his family members.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, David,\u201d Doctor Wallace said and shook the man\u2019s outstretched hand.<\/p>\n \u201cGood to see you, Doctor \u2013 you know the Cartwrights, right?\u201d David returned.<\/p>\n Wallace nodded and said, \u201cYes \u2013 of course.\u00a0 Nice to see you all again.\u201d<\/p>\n The three other men all nodded over at the doctor as they eyed what Mike was holding in his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cHere, Adam,\u201d Mike said and handed the man a basket.\u00a0 \u201cI made this for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBaskets from a basket case.\u00a0 Oh brother!\u201d Pernell muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Brother?\u201d Mike asked, having caught only the last few words.<\/p>\n Pernell shot a quick glance around the room and noticed the warning look in everyone’s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cOh \u2013 Little Joe \u2013 I was just saying what a good job you did with the basket.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Mike smiled.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Adam, just let me know if you want another one, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Kid,\u201d He nodded and as soon as Mike turned to look at Dan, he held his right index finger to his temple and rotated it.\u00a0 Lorne and David shook their heads at the obvious attempt Pernell had made to show what he thought about Mike\u2019s state of mind.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, Doctor Martin\u2019s cousin here went to school to be a doctor back east.\u00a0 Maybe the two of you went to the same university?\u201d Mike asked, turning back towards Little Joe\u2019s oldest brother.<\/p>\n Pernell groaned loudly and was met by four pairs of eyes around the set all not happy with him.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Kid, I went to a college that was further back east than the one he went to.\u00a0 I have the diploma in my room upstairs. Do you want to go see it?\u201d He retorted with a sly grin, knowing that if he were to take Michael upstairs, he would be very surprised over the fact that not only was there no diploma but there wasn\u2019t a bedroom either.<\/p>\n Lorne jumped in quickly.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph \u2013 what do you have there?\u00a0 More baskets?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah,\u201d He answered and looked over at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cHere you go,\u201d Mike said as he handed his television brother a larger basket.\u00a0 \u201cBig Brother, I made yours bigger than Adam\u2019s because you\u2019re bigger than him!\u201d<\/p>\n Dan held the basket in his hands and tried to think of something nice to say about the gift.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Little Brother \u2013 it\u2019s \u2013 well — very big!\u201d<\/p>\n Mike smiled proudly and walked over to Lorne.\u00a0 \u201cHere, Pa.\u00a0 I made yours the best \u2013 because you are the best!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlways has to suck up to Pa,\u201d Pernell sighed and watched the displeased looks around the room.<\/p>\n Lorne stared down at the basket in his hands and then back up at Mike.<\/p>\n \u201cYou like it don\u2019t you, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, of course I do, Joseph!\u201d Lorne sang out enthusiastically only to see Pernell rolling his eyes in response.\u00a0 \u201cWhy this is mighty fine craftsmanship, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGlad you think so, Pa.\u00a0 Hey \u2013 you never made it up to my room last night.\u00a0 I was worried.\u00a0 Is everything okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne paused and cast an uneasy glance around the room.\u00a0 \u201cEverything is just fine, Son.\u00a0 I thought that I was coming down with a cold, so I thought it best that I didn\u2019t go up to the hospital — I mean your bedroom.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMike \u2013 sorry \u2013 Little Joe \u2013 all of us are going on a little ride today,\u201d David broke in, trying to assist Lorne.<\/p>\n \u201cWait,\u201d Mike said glaring at the man.\u00a0 \u201cAre you the new banker?\u00a0 What happened to Mister Bristol?\u201d<\/p>\n David looked over at Doctor Wallace and then back to Mike.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Little Joe, I\u2019m Mister Bristol’s cousin from back east.\u00a0 You know \u2013 like your cousin Muley is from back east?\u00a0 You can just call me David.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Mike began, still staring at the man warily.\u00a0 \u201cDo you sing awful like cousin Muley does?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo \u2013 I just help out at the bank and sell things like scripts \u2013 I mean books.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike looked back over to Lorne and asked, \u201cOh \u2013 hey, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid we order books from Mister Bristol’s cousin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm \u2013 no \u2013 son, he just came by so we could take him out and show him some of our favorite places here on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre we going to the overlook where my Ma is buried?\u00a0 Because if we are, I\u2019m going to need to stop along the way and pick some flowers first.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne looked around the set and noticed Pernell trying his best not to burst out laughing.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Joseph, we chose another place.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are we going, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne stared over at both David and Doctor Wallace before replying.\u00a0 Both men simply shrugged their shoulders leaving it all up to Little Joe\u2019s father as to what to say.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Bristol’s cousin David wants to go and see Eagle\u2019s Nest,\u201d He answered and waited to see if Michael would take the news well or not.<\/p>\n Mike\u2019s face went white with both fear and apprehension.\u00a0 Lowering his voice, he moved closer to Lorne and replied, \u201cPa \u2013 I think I\u2019d better go upstairs to my room and lay down for a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne grabbed Michael\u2019s arm before he could head up the stairs. He knew he\u2019d have to prevent him from discovering that there were no bedrooms up there.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Joseph \u2013 we need to get out to Eagle\u2019s Nest right now,\u201d Lorne insisted fervently.<\/p>\n \u201cBut \u2013 Pa –,\u201d He began, trying to figure out how he could prevent anyone from finding out that he had left his rifle up on top of the mountain.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n Mike signaled Lorne over to the front door.\u00a0 He paused at the credenza and waited for Ben\u2019s approach.\u00a0 There was dead quiet on the set as the four other men all nervously stared back and forth at each other wondering if they would need to call for back-up.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph?\u00a0 What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I didn\u2019t know you were up yet, Pa.\u00a0 I was trying to get an early start.\u00a0 I was going to leave you a note,\u201d Mike began to run his lines from the script.<\/p>\n Oh no! ***<\/em><\/strong> Lorne thought to himself.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>It\u2019s been three weeks since I read that thing<\/em><\/strong>!\u00a0 Now what was my reply in that scene? *** <\/em><\/strong>He tried to recall the line.\u00a0 Finally, he remembered and replied, \u201cNote saying what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was just going up to the rail head for a couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne cast another quick glance around the room and noticed that all eyes were focused on him.\u00a0 He went back to the script.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s saying where not why.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike answered, \u201cNo special reason \u2013 just to help Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne looked over to where Pernell stood.\u00a0 Pernell waved over at him and grinned, never missing an opportunity to show his amusement over what his television father had to contend with.\u00a0 \u201cSeems to me Adam has more than enough hands to help him.\u201d<\/p>\n Without skipping a beat Mike returned, \u201cI just want to get away for a few days.\u00a0 Pa let me go.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne drew in a deep breath.\u00a0 He had rehearsed that scene while holding a coffee cup in his hands, but he figured he\u2019d just have to wing it now.\u00a0 \u201cWhy the rail head?\u00a0 Why not Saint Louis?\u00a0 Or New York?\u00a0\u00a0 Africa?\u00a0 Why not to the very ends of the earth itself \u2013 or wouldn\u2019t that be far enough either?\u201d<\/p>\n Mike looked on top of the credenza for his bedroll but only found a script there so he lifted it up into his arms as he replied, \u201cI\u2019ve nothing to talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n David quickly advanced to the front door and whispered into Lorne\u2019s ear.\u00a0 \u201cSave it, Lorne.\u00a0 We don\u2019t have the cameras rolling right now.\u00a0 Hopefully we can get back to this scene after we shoot up at E.N. if we don\u2019t have another \u201cI\u201d.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael looked suspiciously at the producer.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t figure out why Mister Bristol’s cousin was bothering Pa and interrupting their conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne nodded towards David and turned his attention back to Mike.\u00a0 \u201cOh \u2013 yes, Son?\u00a0 You were saying?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019m supposed to go somewhere but I can\u2019t remember,\u201d he replied very confused.<\/p>\n Lorne eased a hand down onto Michael\u2019s shoulder and spoke out calmly, \u201cYes, Joseph, we\u2019re all going on a ride to show David \u2013 you know \u2013 Mister Bristol’s cousin \u2013 the scenery.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that where I was about to go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Son.\u00a0 Now come on you can ride with me in my wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe one where the horses are under the hood, Pa?\u00a0 Or are we taking bigger horses this trip?\u201d He asked.<\/p>\n Pernell rolled his eyes again while Dan just sat on the settee shaking his head and with an appearance of dread on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cJust come along, Joseph.\u00a0 Boys \u2013 let\u2019s go!\u201d Lorne addressed his other television sons.<\/p>\n Staring over at Lorne perplexed, Pernell said, \u201cWe aren\u2019t in those scenes, why do we have to go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoctor Martin\u2019s cousin here said that all of us need to go there with your little brother,\u201d David announced, a displeased look on his face.<\/p>\n Lorne moved away from Michael temporarily and over to Pernell.\u00a0 \u201cJust do it.\u00a0 If this doesn\u2019t work out the network might finally agree to all your demands since Michael won\u2019t be back for a very long time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLorne,\u201d Pernell whispered.\u00a0 \u201cThat kid is totally crackers!\u00a0 Good luck up there on that mountain.\u00a0 If he starts to fall just let him go.\u00a0 It\u2019s the only humane thing to do at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n Dan stood and stared at Pernell.\u00a0 He eased over to stand next to Lorne and said, \u201cJust go with it, Pernell, Mike might not be here much longer.\u00a0 Come on you can ride with me in my car – – I mean buckboard.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne moved back to where Mike was standing at the front door and took him by the elbow.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Joseph.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be alright.\u201d<\/p>\n The six men filtered out into the parking lot to head out to the Vasquez Rocks to see if Michael would somehow snap out of it or if he\u2019d be starting a new career as a full-time basket weaver.<\/p>\n Assembled at the Vasquez Rocks was the production crew, including cameramen and the sound technicians.\u00a0 The places where Michael and Lorne would be running their lines were marked on the incline of the face of the mountain, and a rifle was placed up at the very top where the rocks formed a V-shaped split.\u00a0 David had instructed the cameramen to keep rolling unless there was an issue and they would be splicing the film if Mike froze up or missed his lines.<\/p>\n Lorne and Michael were the last two to arrive that afternoon and parked the car next to the other actors who were already waiting at the base of the mountain.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry we\u2019re late,\u201d Lorne whispered to David as he hurried to get his make-up on.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d David asked as he watched Lorne sitting down.\u00a0 The make-up artist went right to work on him.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, \u201cLittle Joe\u201d asked me to stop by the seven-eleven.\u00a0 He needed to use the \u201couthouse\u201d and wanted a sarsaparilla.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey have that at the convenience store?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne had to wait until the make-up artist was through before replying.\u00a0 \u201cYes, it\u2019s called ginger ale!\u201d He grinned.\u00a0 \u201cHey \u2013 hand me that mirror, will you?\u201d he asked David.<\/p>\n \u201cHere,\u201d the producer said and retrieved the hand mirror that the make-up artist had in her kit.<\/p>\n Lorne studied his reflection and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI hope this looks natural.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want Little Joe to think that his father is a sissy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine, Lorne,\u201d David insisted and took the mirror from the actor\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, I guess it\u2019s about that time,\u201d Lorne groaned.<\/p>\n David watched as Mike walked around the base of the mountain with a look of dread on his face.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think, Lorne?\u00a0 You\u2019ve spent a lot of time with him.\u00a0 Will Mike be able to pull this off?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne stood and pulled the make-up cape off and tossed it onto the chair.\u00a0 \u201cHow should I know?\u00a0 What \u2013 am I, his father<\/em><\/strong>?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Came the voice of Doctor Wallace as he joined the two men.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re going to be up there with him, Lorne.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure how my patient will react.\u00a0 But Michael still thinks you are his pa so good luck!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks a lot,\u201d Lorne sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I\u2019m going to need to talk to him before we go make that climb,\u201d he said and walked over to Mike.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph?\u201d Lorne began and moved over to where the young man was staring up to the top of Eagle\u2019s Nest.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d Mike said, never taking his eyes off the top of the mountain.<\/p>\n \u201cSon, isn\u2019t there something at the top of Eagle\u2019s Nest that you perhaps want to go get?\u201d<\/p>\n Dropping his gaze down to the ground, Mike asked, \u201cOh \u2013 Pa?\u00a0 Exactly how much did Mitch tell you about the day that we were hunting that mountain lion?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he did mention that you lost something, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael tried to stall for time and cast another quick glance at the top of the mountain where the rifle was carefully secured.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph?\u201d Lorne continued and placed a hand onto Mike\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cWas it perhaps your rifle?\u201d<\/p>\n Mike just shrugged his shoulders not wanting to admit that he had lost his gun up at the very top.\u00a0 He looked over to where he spied Adam standing next to Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Pa?\u00a0 I thought that Adam was supposed to be up at the rail head?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne stared over at Pernell, who was both smiling and waving towards the two of them.\u00a0 \u201cWell \u2013 yes \u2013 he was up there \u2013 but he just got back.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael looked back up to the top of the mountain and said, \u201cMy rifle — I can shoot it down!\u00a0 Why do I have to climb it for?\u00a0 I\u2019ve got nothing to prove!\u201d<\/p>\n David heard Michael\u2019s rant and called for one of the production assistants and ordered them to get Little Joe\u2019s gun and holster.\u00a0 It was retrieved from one of the on-site trailers and David hurriedly brought it over to Mike.<\/p>\n \u201cHere, Little Joe, you forgot your gun!\u201d<\/p>\n Michael strapped the holster on and checked to make sure that there were bullets in the Colt.<\/p>\n Pernell watched what was happening and whispered to Dan, \u201cWe can thank our lucky stars that there\u2019s only blanks in that gun, Dan!\u00a0 The last thing that any of us needs is to be around Michael with a loaded weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne attempted to get back to the issue at hand.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, don\u2019t you remember that you tried to shoot that rifle down yesterday and it didn\u2019t work?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael frowned and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cOh yeah, I forgot, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Staring over at David, Lorne noticed that he was pointing at his watch.\u00a0 He knew that they had to get moving before the afternoon light faded.<\/p>\n Placing a comforting arm around Michael\u2019s shoulder, Lorne continued, \u201cNow, Joseph \u2013 wasn\u2019t that your favorite rifle?\u201d<\/p>\n Michael shook his head adamantly and answered, \u201cNo, Pa, to be perfectly honest with you I never really liked that rifle.\u00a0 You know it jammed up a lot.\u00a0 And besides, I\u2019ve got a birthday coming up soon and I was thinking that maybe you could get me a new one?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne sighed and tried to come up with something that Pa would say to his youngest son.\u00a0 \u201cI know you have a birthday coming up, Joseph \u2013\u201d he was cut off by Mike.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019m going to be seventeen, Pa, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait,\u201d Lorne began, staring at the character of Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cWeren\u2019t you seventeen last year, Son?\u00a0 Come to think of it, you\u2019ve had three birthdays in a row where you turned seventeen!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa \u2013 I\u2019m always seventeen!\u201d Mike exclaimed.<\/p>\n Lorne patted Michael\u2019s shoulder trying to placate him and to avoid any unnecessary sudden moves that might spook him.\u00a0 \u201cOf course you are, Joseph.\u201d\u00a0 *** Now to figure out how I\u2019m going to get this kid up the mountain.\u00a0 And after this is all over, I\u2019m going to make David pay me a writer\u2019s salary for all of these adlibs! *** <\/em><\/strong>He thought to himself.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Joseph, you wouldn\u2019t want me to think that you turned down a challenge, would you?\u00a0 You know how brave I\u2019ve always said that you were!\u201d<\/p>\n Mike looked sheepishly over at Lorne and said, \u201cBut Pa \u2013 it\u2019s an awfully long way up there, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Son, just see how far you can make it and I\u2019ll come up in just a couple of minutes.\u00a0 Okay?\u201d He urged him onward.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, could you tell me the story about when I was just five years old \u2013 just a little kid — and I ran off one day?\u201d Michael continued to stall for time, hoping that Pa would forget about the rifle.<\/p>\n Lorne shook his head and sighed wearily.\u00a0 He knew that he\u2019d have to think of something fast or he\u2019d never get the two of them up to their marks on the side of the mountain.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what, Joseph,\u201d He began and placed his arm across Mike\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ll go on up there \u2013 just as soon as I see you above me, I\u2019ll tell you that story again.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael looked over to where Hoss and Adam were standing and whispered into Lorne\u2019s ear, \u201cOkay, Pa \u2013 I\u2019ll go up \u2013 but tell my brothers that they can\u2019t watch me.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want them to make fun of me in case I don\u2019t quite make it to my rifle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Son,\u201d He smiled and patted Mike\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Pa \u2013 I\u2019m going,\u201d He remarked apprehensively and began to climb up the mountain.<\/p>\n Pernell and Dan joined Lorne at the base of Eagle\u2019s Nest.<\/p>\n \u201cHey listen how about the two of you standing somewhere that Mike won\u2019t be able to see you?\u00a0 Joseph is worried that you might witness him getting scared,\u201d Lorne suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope he makes it up there,\u201d Dan returned watching Michael ascending higher and higher and every now and then looking down.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s probably going to take awhile before he makes it to his mark,\u201d Lorne nodded over at Dan.<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Pernell began, smiling over at Lorne.\u00a0 \u201cIt might take Little Joe awhile to get up there \u2013 but he\u2019ll come down really fast!\u00a0 Don\u2019t let him knock you off the side of the mountain as he shoots past you, Lorne!\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne frowned.\u00a0 \u201cNot funny, Pernell!\u00a0 You\u2019d better hope that he doesn\u2019t do a Gainer off there!\u00a0 Bonanza will be shut down permanently if that happens!\u201d<\/p>\n Pernell burst out laughing.\u00a0 \u201cLorne, that\u2019s the same as heads I win, tails you lose!\u00a0\u00a0 You know I\u2019m leaving either way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou both go over to Dan\u2019s car so Michael won\u2019t see you,\u201d Lorne instructed with aggravation in his tone of voice.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Dan nodded and dragged Pernell off with him.<\/p>\n *** There\u2019s just got to be an easier way to make a living! ***<\/em><\/strong> Lorne grumbled and began scaling the mountain.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got fifty dollars that says Mike chokes and falls down that mountain,\u201d Pernell said to Dan.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019ll take that bet,\u201d Dan nodded hoping for the best.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ve got another fifty that says that if Mike falls that Lorne will follow him down!\u201d<\/p>\n Dan shook his head and frowned, \u201cNo bet \u2013 I know Lorne just as well as you do!\u201d<\/p>\n The cameras were in position as well as the two huge boom mics as Michael made it to his mark and rested.\u00a0 The director yelled action and everyone waited with bated breath to see what would happen and to find out if they\u2019d have to summon the paramedics for Mike.<\/p>\n Lorne lifted his head and peeked above him to see if Michael would react to the lines he was about to throw to him.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u00a0 Joe, listen to me!\u201d<\/p>\n Michael lifted his head off of his arms and replied, \u201cPa, leave me alone!\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne smiled to himself but didn\u2019t show it on his face since the cameras were rolling.\u00a0 *** I\u2019ll be damned, the kid\u2019s doing alright! ***<\/em><\/strong> he thought.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, listen to me good.\u00a0 Back down real slow and easy.\u00a0 I\u2019m right down here below you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, you\u2019ve got to try.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, please \u2013 I can\u2019t!\u201d Mike said breathlessly as he began to hyperventilate.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019m a grown man and I\u2019m afraid and I don\u2019t know why.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne stared down below and wondered if he could get out his next line.\u00a0 He was up very high, and the next words didn\u2019t ring true to him.\u00a0 *** Michael was right \u2013 this script isn\u2019t realistic! *** <\/em><\/strong>He thought to himself.\u00a0 He drew in a deep breath and continued.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to be afraid of.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that.\u00a0 I\u2019m not a kid anymore, Pa, but why am I acting like one?\u00a0 Do you know how many times I\u2019ve come back to this mountain just to get my rifle?\u00a0 How many times I\u2019ve stood in front of it and cried because I\u2019m afraid and I just don\u2019t know why,\u201d Mike said between sobs.\u00a0 None of the camera crew knew if the actor was in fact acting or if the tears were running down his face because he happened to be terrified at the time.<\/p>\n *** Oh, no.\u00a0 It\u2019s time for the five-years-old \u2013 just a little kid \u2013 story.\u00a0 I swear if Mike\/Little Joe asks me why he ran off at the age of five I\u2019m going to quit the series and go back to broadcasting the news in Canada! ***<\/em><\/strong> Lorne sighed to himself.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe \u2013 Joe, listen to me.\u00a0 When you were about five years old \u2013 just a little kid\u2014you ran off one day.\u00a0 And I had a whole bunch of people looking for you.\u00a0 And we combed this whole area.\u00a0 And I came up upon you late that night right up here at Eagle\u2019s Nest and I carried you down in my arms.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I\u2019m not five years old anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe \u2013 the human mind \u2013 well it\u2019s a funny thing.\u00a0 You know man has his little fears, and he gets them stored up in his mind.\u00a0 And there\u2019s no point in him being afraid of anything, especially now, Joe, when I think maybe you know why you might be afraid.\u201d\u00a0 *** Damn Ben Cartwright sounds like Doctor Wallace now.\u00a0 Maybe I should\u2019ve gone into psychology? ***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cMaybe that makes sense to you, Pa, but it doesn\u2019t make any sense to me!\u00a0 I know what I have to do and I\u2019m gonna do it. I\u2019m gonna do it by myself, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna \u2013 oh why\u2014oh why can\u2019t I do it?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne peered up at Michael again and saw that he was crying to beat the band.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure if it was Little Joe bawling or if it was Mike, but it didn\u2019t really matter.\u00a0 The kid was saying the right lines and that meant that the episode was well on the way of getting done.\u00a0 Lorne just wanted to get off the blasted mountain, and he swore to himself that he would never film anything with Michael Landon that was higher than the steps to the International House Hotel.<\/p>\n *** Here goes nothing! ***<\/em><\/strong> Lorne thought as he prepared to slide down a bit as soon as he yelled out for Little Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, I\u2019m coming up to the top of Eagle\u2019s Nest alongside you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I know you want to help me but you\u2019re only making it worse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m coming up alongside you, Joe.\u201d *** That seemed a bit redundant! ***<\/em><\/strong> Lorne sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease go home, Pa, I know I can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n *** Here I go! ***<\/em><\/strong> Lorne thought as he patted his hat down onto his head so it wouldn\u2019t fly off as he slid.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, help me!\u00a0 Help me, Joe!\u00a0 Help, Joe!\u201d Lorne cried out and slowly drifted down the face of the mountain.<\/p>\n Michael lifted his head and tried to get a look down below him.\u00a0 His face froze in fear for a few seconds before he said anything.\u00a0 The cameramen and the producer all drew in a deep breath and waited to see what was going to happen.<\/p>\n *** What in the hell am I doing up here? ***<\/em><\/strong> Michael thought to himself as he realized he was almost at the top of the Vasquez Rocks.\u00a0 He suddenly remembered hearing Lorne\u2019s voice crying out to him that he was falling.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my gosh, Lorne!\u00a0 Hang on I\u2019m coming \u2013 let me go get that rifle and I\u2019ll pull you up!\u201d Michael shouted and raced to the top of the mountain.<\/p>\n Lorne groaned as he watched Mike scurrying to where the rifle had been placed by the crew earlier.\u00a0 *** Great we almost had that whole scene filmed and now it\u2019s going to have to be re-shot!\u00a0 Just my luck that the kid snapped out of it now.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to have to climb back down this blasted mountain and let him pull me up twice now!***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m almost to you, Lorne \u2013 hang on!\u201d Michael shouted and slid down to just above where the other actor was clinging to a rocky overhang.\u00a0 \u201cLorne \u2013 don\u2019t worry \u2013just grab a hold of this!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine,\u201d Lorne announced and reached for the butt end of the rifle.\u00a0 *** You know this is really stupid anyway.\u00a0 If this thing was loaded Little Joe would probably get shot as his father tugged on the darn thing!\u00a0 At least it\u2019s not pointed at me, just him! ***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Michael finally got Lorne pulled up to him and they both collapsed onto the face of the mountain.\u00a0 They were both winded and didn\u2019t speak for a couple of minutes.<\/p>\n Down in the parking lot both Pernell and Dan watched through binoculars.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they got the scene done,\u201d Dan smiled over at the other actor.<\/p>\n Pernell shook his head and replied, \u201cI\u2019m not giving you the fifty bucks until they are both down at the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n Dan laughed and held out his hand.\u00a0 \u201cCough it up, Pernell.\u00a0 Both of them are gonna be down here soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Pernell groaned and pulled out his wallet.\u00a0 \u201cThis is yet another reason why I\u2019m leaving this stupid show!\u201d<\/p>\n The director had yelled cut the minute that the sound crew had reported back that Michael had called out the name Lorne.\u00a0 All the rest of the crew took a coffee break since they were aware that the whole scene would have to be redone.<\/p>\n \u201cLorne?\u00a0 You okay?\u201d\u00a0 Mike asked, still out of breath.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Joseph,\u201d He smiled.<\/p>\n Michael looked at the rifle held in his hands and then back over at Lorne.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Pa, you really didn\u2019t need me to help you \u2013 did you?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 Mike was running his lines and hadn\u2019t heard the director yelling \u201ccut\u201d.\u00a0 \u201cWell to be honest, Michael, I did need you to help me.\u00a0 I was starting to slip.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u00a0 That\u2019s not how we rehearsed this scene, Lorne.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne smiled and patted his friend\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Michael.\u00a0 We have to shoot the whole thing all over again anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh gee, Lorne \u2013 did I flub a line?\u201d He asked worriedly.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not.\u00a0 It \u2013 well \u2013 it was me.\u00a0 I messed up the line about Little Joe running off when he was just five years old.\u00a0 I forgot to add \u201cjust a little kid\u201d<\/em><\/strong>,\u201d He replied, trying to ease the young man\u2019s mind.\u00a0 Lorne was relieved to have his friend back mentally intact.<\/p>\n Michael thought about what Lorne had just said, his face taking on a perplexed appearance.\u00a0 \u201cHey I was wondering.\u00a0 Why did Little Joe run off when he was five anyhow?\u201d<\/p>\n Lorne drew in a deep breath wondering how he could answer that insane question which had been posed to him weeks ago by the same Mike\/Little Joe combo.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you see Little Joe wanted to prove that he wasn\u2019t afraid of heights and he was right!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was?\u201d Mike returned, very surprised by what his friend had just told him.\u00a0 \u201cIf that was true then why did Pa have to carry him down in his arms?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s an easy one,\u201d Lorne grinned and patted his friend\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cBecause Pa loves him best.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael smiled broadly, \u201cOh yeah, that\u2019s right!\u00a0 Well, I guess we\u2019d better get back to business.\u00a0 I\u2019ll climb back up and then you slide down, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0 Lorne questioned, wondering if Michael had wigged out again.<\/p>\n Mike looked at his friend and patted his arm.\u00a0 \u201cLorne, I always call you Pa when we\u2019re out on a shoot, don\u2019t you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, that\u2019s right,\u201d Lorne chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, Joseph, go on up to your marker and we\u2019ll get this over with.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike grinned and responded, \u201cYeah, Pa, I\u2019ll be glad when this is done.\u00a0 You know I think that I just might have a touch of acrophobia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Lorne replied, raising his eyebrows in feigned astonishment.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d never have known that about you if you hadn\u2019t told me.\u201d All the scenes were re-shot, and the filming went off without a hitch.\u00a0 The episode was a huge success.\u00a0 And the rest is television history.<\/p>\n (And Pernell left the show not too long afterwards, just as he had threatened at least a thousand times.)<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n Written by: Wrangler<\/p>\n 6-24-26\u00a0 \u00a0***Feedback is not required but is always appreciated.\u00a0 Thank you for reading! ***<\/p>\n (Dedicated to my story consultant Rob, without whom I would have quit.\u00a0 And to my grandson and two dear friends who won’t allow me to stop writing.)<\/p>\n ***Note from the writer: The episode \u201cBetween Heaven and Earth\u201d was my personal favorite and the only episode I can recite word for word.\u00a0 This parody was written tongue in cheek and isn\u2019t meant to lessen the impact of the wonderful script by Ed Adamson, who was a terrific writer.\u00a0 And all of my Pa\/Joe moments in my stories have been inspired by the wonderful way that both Lorne Greene and Michael Landon portrayed their characters in this episode.\u00a0 They were absolutely amazing! ***<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summary: Lorne Greene gets more than expected when Michael Landon suffers a break from reality and thinks he\u2019s Little Joe while they are rehearsing up at Eagle\u2019s Nest.\u00a0 Later, rallying the rest of the cast, everyone placates Little Joe hoping to snap Mike out of it. Inspired by \u201cBetween Heaven…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":140,"featured_media":65034,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7,1015,1008,4,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65198","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-u","category-joe-pa","category-family","category-humor","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-1015-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-4-id","wpcat-41-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot_20260609_004504_YouTube.jpg?fit=1709%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/140"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=65198"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65198\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/65034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=65198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=65198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=65198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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\n\u201cA seven what, Pa?\u00a0 Has Mister Keller sold the mercantile?\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nHearing that response Michael smiled proudly and hurried up to the top of the mountain.\u00a0 Suddenly he was just fine.<\/p>\n