Stay Away, Joe

Joe sells the 20 heifers to fund home improvements for his stepmother Annie Lightcloud. The summary indicates he trades away his horse and converts cars to cash when funds run low, showing he prioritized immediate home repairs over the long-term cattle project. This decision creates tension with his father Charlie, who sees the heifers as essential to proving the Navajo can raise cattle successfully.

Bronc Hoverty accidentally barbecues the prize bull during a mishap on the reservation range. This disaster destroys the centerpiece of Joe's government-backed cattle experiment and forces him to improvise by borrowing an older bull named Dominick, who shows little interest in the heifers.

Glenda Callahan, the shotgun-toting tavern owner, chases Joe through the house during a confrontation involving her daughter Mamie's attraction to Joe. The chaotic scene occurs when the Hawkins mother-in-law visits to discuss Mary Lightcloud's potential marriage, creating a tense domestic situation that ends with Mrs. Hawkins fainting in the doorway.

Yes, Joe wins the contest. He organizes the rodeo-style event where riders must stay aboard Dominick the bull to raise money for his plans. Joe himself climbs onto Dominick, hangs on with steady grip, and wins the prize money, turning the tide in his favor despite earlier setbacks with the lost bull and heifers.

Joe trades his horse at a local used-car dealership for a red convertible, then strips the car for parts to sell at a salvage yard and raise cash. This reflects his willingness to quickly convert any asset to finance his plans, whether the cattle project or home improvements. The impulse demonstrates his resourcefulness but also his tendency to make hasty financial decisions.

Mary Lightcloud has a chance to marry into the Hawkins family, which could stabilize the family's finances. The potential match brings social pressure and new expectations, complicated by the chaotic visit from the Hawkins mother-in-law. Despite the tension from Glenda Callahan's shotgun chase and Mrs. Hawkins fainting, Mary and Joe reconcile, smoothing the immediate romantic tensions and aligning their prospects moving forward.

The tension stems from Joe's decision to sell the 20 heifers for home improvements rather than keeping them for the cattle project that would prove Navajo self-sufficiency to the government. Charlie stands by Joe's broader dream but questions his priorities when Joe sells the project's livestock for immediate home repairs instead of pursuing the longer-term goal of securing federal aid for the entire community.

After Joe wins the bull-riding contest, a large fight erupts among Joe and his friends at his father's house. The brawl spirals out of control and destroys the building they've been trying to repair for the family. The destruction serves as a raw reminder of how fragile progress can be in a community facing hardship, though the ending remains happy as Joe secures the prize money needed to continue his plans.

Joe starts in a gleaming white Cadillac convertible upon returning to the reservation, using it to move cattle across the rugged land. When he trades his horse for a red convertible and then strips it for parts to sell at a salvage yard, he exhausts his vehicles. He ends up riding a beat-up motorcycle around town, marking a visible decline in status but also demonstrating his adaptability as he pursues the cattle plan through different means.

Joe's plan involves convincing a congressman to allocate 20 heifers and a prize bull so he and his father can demonstrate successful cattle-raising on the reservation, with the goal of unlocking broader government aid. While the plan faces major obstacles, the bull gets barbecued, heifers get sold, and the house gets destroyed, Joe ultimately wins the bull-riding contest prize money, suggesting a positive resolution and the means to continue pursuing his vision for the community.