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Man-Proof (1938)
Hello.
Mr. Wythe's apartment. Hasn't mr. Wythe come in yet? No, no message. Newark airport. Would you tell me what time The afternoon plane From palm beach landed, Please? At 3:00. Thank you. Maybe he's decided To stay over a few days. That may be, but he wrote me He'd be back today And promised to phone me From the airport the mo- Hello? Oh. Uh, just a moment, please. It's for hilda - Her butcher boy. Oh. Hilda, telephone! Yes, mrs. Wythe. Romance seems To be in the air. I'll bet alan was bored to death At palm beach. He always did hate House parties. For a man who had No appetite for boredom, He bit off A rather large slice - Three weeks, to be exact. Oh, there he is now. Oh. It's you. I think so. After that rousing welcome, May I come in? I'm sorry. I thought It was someone else. I got it. Hiya, meg! Hi, jimmy. How nice. I'll bet that dog hasn't caught A hat in 50 years. It's the gift, Not the thought. Oh, jimmy, They're beautiful. Well, they ought to be. They came right out Of your own garden. How's the new novel Coming along? Oh, not so hot. Of course The plot's all right. It's never failed me Before. I'm just having difficulty Getting new names For my characters. What brings you To the wilds of long island? An overwhelming desire To see the only woman That ever appreciated My genius... And her brat. To say nothing of the Possibility of a free meal. Children should be seen And not heard, meg. As a matter of fact, The paper sent me down To do a sketch of mrs. Jameson, The hatchet woman - You know, The one over in jamaica Who made love to her husband With an ax. Charming woman, Just a tomboy at heart. You ought to send mimi over To play with her some afternoon. I'll give you 10 to 1 We have to pay his fare home. You nasty child. She must take after Her father. Don't mind her, jimmy. She's been thwarted This afternoon. Oh, How ith mithter wythe? Pardon my lithp. You needn't be sarcastic. You don't even know him. Only by his deeds - Seen at el morocco, Seen at south hampton, Seen at noel coward's opening. How does he do it anyway? I'm broke, too. Nobody seems To see me anywhere. Society reporters don't Hang around corner saloons. Well, they ought to. They'd meet A much better class of people. Can't you two Ever get together Without leaping At each other's throats? Suits me. Shall we bury the hatchet, Mimi, As mrs. Jameson Said to her husband? I'm sorry, jimmy. Think nothing of it, My child. Why do you let Any man upset you? When will you learn To mind your own business And stop playing dutch uncle To me? I can't see that you've made Such a brilliant success Of your life, And what's more - Saved by the bell. Telegram for miss swift. Thank you. Sign here, please. Thank you. What is it? "want you to be the first To know of our engagement. "expect you to be Our loveliest bridesmaid. Elizabeth and... Alan. " Mimi, I'm so - Mother, don't - Don't say anything. Would you like me To scram? What for? There isn't going to be A scene. I won the consolation prize, Didn't I? I'm going to be a Bridesmaid. Mimi, stop it. Do bridesmaids Ever wear black? Jimmy, make her stop. No, Of course they don't. No, I'll - I'll wear The conventional organdy With forget-me-nots. Now, look, mimi. Cut it out. Stop being noble. Go ahead and cry. If there's anything in the world I hate, it's a noble woman. I'll be as noble As I like! Oh, no, you won't. Now cut it out. Jimmy, leave me alone! Now what do I do? Don't ask me. I'm just The innocent bystander. ...to have and to hold From this day forward... ...till death us do part. I, elizabeth, take thee, alan, To my wedded husband... ...to have and to hold From this day forward... ...till death us do part. With this ring, I thee wed. And with all my worldly goods, I thee endow. Do kneel down. Jimmy... Yeah? Look at mimi. Forasmuch As alan and elizabeth Have consented together In holy wedlock And thereto have given And pledged their troth Each to the other And have declared the same By giving and receiving a ring And by joining hands, I pronounce That they are man and wife. Are you the bride? Oh, no. Time goes so quickly - Elizabeth... Congratulations. Thank you, mimi. Ahh, the bride! Alan... Congratulations. Thank you, mimi. I hope You'll be very unhappy. What? I mean it... Because anything I wish for Never comes true. I do hope You'll be happy, elizabeth. Mimi... Will you marry me? I will For a glass of wine. We're married. Excuse us, please. Thanks, tommy... For the rescue. Oh, that's all right. It's just the boy scout In me. She's holding up, jimmy. She's all right. Guy must be crazy To have turned her down. That's what I think, But I love her. Jimmy... I wish You were in love with her. If I fell in love with anybody In the swift family, It wouldn't be mimi. It would be her mother. Well, I think It was cruel. Cruel? She didn't have to accept, Did she? I don't know. Just the same, I feel sorry for him. She didn't have to be A bridesmaid, did she? Well, she tried hard enough To be the bride. But what in the world she thought They were going to live on, I'm sure I don't - Oh, my. Now, who do suppose She meant? I can't imagine. Well, whoever she is, Here's to her. Yes, I'd like to meet her. Whosever being talked about Like that must be important. I should know her. Tommy... I didn't get any. Hmm? Why, sure enough. It's an outrage. Bartender. Uh, alex. I didn't know marrying you Could be so much work. Might as well have been Elected something. Hey. Huh? All right? Sure. Uh-oh. Stop fooling. What makes you think we're Fooling? Well, hurry up. Elizabeth, there's a deep plot To have you miss the train. Yes, you'll have to take My car. No, let me, sally. Your car is all painted With babies. They've got all sorts of crazy Things planned for you. Well, let's drive on to sharon And meet the train there. No one must see You leave. Go out your bedroom window, Down a ladder. You too, alan. You hurry up! When was the last time You climbed down a ladder? Say, lay off that stuff, Will you? Nice to have seen you Again, mimi. And you look lovely, mimi, Just lovely. Thank you. How am I doing? Putting on a good show? You're a good girl. But I would take it A little easy, mimi. Oh, I'm all right. Don't worry about me. Got to laugh, haven't we? Haven't we, tommy? Oh, sure, But not in their faces. Hello, tommy. Oh, hello. How's the veteran Best man? Positively exhausted, and There's still work to be done. Uh, excuse me, mimi. I've got Their railroad tickets. And, uh, see you later. Here are Your railroad tickets. And, listen... How near Ready are you? I'm all ready. Well, I'd try to get away without Seeing mimi again, if possible. Why? What's the matter? She's gloriously lit. And when mimi gets lit, She glows. You mean she might Pull a scene? No, I don't think she will At all. I'm just saying it's been A beautiful wedding. Let it ride. It's all Right. Nobody will see them. They're going down a ladder. Well, fine. Ladders are right In that lad's life. He goes down one with a girl And up another with her old man. What are You mumbling about? Say, that's no way To pack a bag. All right, you do it. Oh, easy on my stuff There, fellas. I'll go grab elizabeth. Elizabeth! Don't come in! What are you doing? Dressing. Oh. Hurry up, will you? How's she doing, girls? Well, if you'd come in a moment Ago, it would have been just did. Elizabeth... What is it now? It is now Just 20 minutes to 6:00. Say, I'll have to come in And help you. Alan, if you come in here This minute - All right, I'll give you 10 seconds. 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... Count slow. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Hello, sweetheart. Hello. Ah, are we going to do this All the time? Oh, wouldn't that be Just too bad? Wouldn't it? Will you go now, darling, Please? All right, I'll go, But very reluctantly. Oh, alan... Uh-huh. Uh, did you hear About mimi? A little, yes. Oh, I'm so sorry. Is someone looking after her? She's all right. It's a funny thing. I... I thought I'd be gloating Over her today, but... I'm not doing Any gloating... Not with those eyes Looking at me. She'll get over it, Darling. Well, I'm glad She's doing the getting. And now that goes For you, too. You get out of here. We've got to hurry. Talk to me through the door. All right. But don't you say Anything delightful Unless you lock this door. Hello, mimi. Been looking for you. Have you? I'm sorry about that crack I made downstairs. I was trying to be smart. It wasn't so hot. Oh, that's all right. No, no, it wasn't. The losing lover Must be a lovely loser. Well, you're lovely enough, Mimi. Sure. That's why you married me. Where are you going On your honeymoon? We don't know yet. Good place. Say, it is at that, Isn't it, huh? Boat someplace, I guess. Uh-huh. Big boat? Oh, I guess so. You know how we'd have gone On our honeymoon, alan? No. How? Rowboat. A rowboat? Say, that would have been fun, Wouldn't it, huh? Yeah. Wouldn't it? But, you know, you'd have Had to do the rowing. Yeah. Only we wouldn't Even had any oars. No oars? Oh, gee. No oars. We'd just sit on the sea. Uh-huh. And then a yacht would come Along and run into us. And the yacht would sink, And then they'd try To get on our boat, And we'd just leave them. How would we leave them Without any oars? Oh. We had an engine All the time. No? Say, I - I Must be a little - Listen, mimi, don't you Think you better blow? Yeah. Hmm. I get you. Congratulations. Thanks, mimi. And I do hope You'll be very happy. I know you do, dear. And you will. She's worth marrying. That job her father's gonna Give you is worth a million. The wine is a funny fellow, Isn't he? Imagine you saying A thing like that. Oh. Oh, I'm not a nice girl, Alan. I tried every trick in the bag To be the bride. But I'm this nice. I'm perfectly willing To warn you - When you come back... I wouldn't have anything to do With a girl like me If I were you. I'd keep the seven seas Between us And wish there were eight. Oh. Oh! Oh. It's you, mimi. It's all right. It's just me wishing you Goodbye and good luck. Thank you, mimi. That's sweet of you. Gee, you're pretty. So am I. How about some coffee? No, coffee Always makes me sleepy. Give it to jack. Three columns, rush. What is it? I don't know. Hello? Oh, hello, meg. Jimmy, Mimi isn't home yet. Where do you think She could be? Well, it's getting late. Won't you try and find her, Jimmy? I'm getting worried. Sure, I'll try, meg. I'll try. But if I do find her, What do I say? Yeah, but, look, I'm nobody To tell people to go home. I don't know When to go home myself. Yeah, but she's gonna be In a tough mood. She won't want to listen To any of this big-brother stuff Or any lectures. And I'm not so hot, anyway, When it comes to that. And you don't think For a minute, do you - It'll be all right, meg. It'll be all right. Sure, meg. Don't worry. Hello! Hello. Soused? No. Not so bad at that. You're a good barfly, mimi. I can take it. Pretty good. What you drinking? Alone. Do you mind? No. I'll just have a quick one And blow. How's the scotch Holding out, gus? Well, They're still making it. Make it high. Okay. Congratulations. Huh? You had A pretty close call. Had me worried For a minute. Worried about what? Did you think I was going To cave? Now, don't be dumb. I'm congratulating you Because you almost won that guy And didn't. What are you talking about? And what a fancy marriage That would have been. You don't like alan, Is that it? Well, Why didn't you say so? I have nothing against the lad, But he has no dough. What would you have lived on, I ask you? Your mother. I have answered you. Would you like to know Something? When alan comes back, I'll be waiting for him. Ah, now you're talking, Lassie. And, listen, he doesn't need Any guardian, that lad. He'll get a nice piece of change From her all for himself. You leave it to him. Sure. What could be sweeter? It's made-to-order. I don't like you. I don't know why Mother does. Don't you think I have any charm? No, I don't. But mother always had a fancy For no-account people. Look at father. Now, don't tell me Your old man isn't charming. Yes, he is, but he's no-account Just the same. He married mother, Lost all her money for her, And then walked out on her. And your great love alan? Isn't he a little bit no-account From that viewpoint, too? Jimmy, will you let up on me? I'm almost crazy. Look, I know you're having A tough time, mimi. I was at the wedding. I saw you from a front seat. And I heard What you said, too. "anything I ever hope for Never comes true. " If I had been alan wythe At that moment, I'm afraid I would Have picked you up And walked away with you. But mr. Wythe Won't forget that. No, you left Your calling card, lassie. You brought the curtain down, And you got that guy Thinking plenty. Still, love lost today. So, I know you're suffering, Mimi. I know it's no good To say I don't think Love's worth suffering for. Not the kind of love I've seen Isn't. All I've seen is the kind That's all around us. For my dough, The real thing Grows too high on a tree For us to reach it - On the highest branch. And I've seen a lot of jumping Up and down underneath the tree, But very few that really knew What they were jumping for. However, there's always The grape that can be reached. And while I believe Wine is for the victors And not for drowning sorrows, As is so popularly thought, Still, anything touched By the sun has kindness. So, let's get A little bit tight. That's better than mooning alone Behind walls. So, you won't hear any more Razzing of love from jimmy. Instead, We'll drink to it... If there is such a thing. Here's to love. Oh... Mother? Oh, awake? I don't know what I am. I remember One time I had a hangover. I never want another. Mm... What did you do for it? Ought I to take a drink? I don't know, dear. Every man Knows his own stomach. Ooh. I don't want to know mine. I must get the 12:15 Into town. See you later. Mother! Aren't you going To say something? I suppose I should. Well, I think you should. You know how I hate Playing that kind of mother. I'm ju- Just not the type. And there's something so awful About a mother advising you When you've had A crack on the jaw, To say nothing Of a hangover with it. But I want you to. Well, first of all, I suppose I should say You'll get over it. That is, if you're the kind Of girl you should be. What sort of a girl am I? I don't know exactly, mimi. You haven't been one thing Or another. You haven't wanted A career of any sort. And I don't think you're Socially inclined, like... Well, like elizabeth. You just haven't been Anything. Just a nothing But a nothing, hmm? Oh, But you have the makings. Remember, You're my daughter. And I don't want To forget that. Now... Don't be sentimental. You'll throw me off The stern-parent stuff. I'm sorry. Well, let's see. What are The roads to recovery? You get eager About another man. You get eager about work. I don't care What you're eager about, dear, But it should be something. What would you say if I thought That alan had made a mistake And that I intended to keep on Being eager about him? Do you intend to? Yes. I don't believe it. Why? Because I think You're better than that. That's the mother in you Speaking. I'm really not. Oh, mimi, I wish I knew What to say exactly. But this much I do know - You ought to lay off alan. Why? We- Becau- Well, I think you ought To answer that one yourself. Suppose I didn't feel that way About it. Suppose I felt that I had A right to alan. What would you say to that? Well, as long as you were doing What you thought was right, I'd be with you, even Fight for you if necessary. But I'm afraid I wouldn't have Much sympathy for the cause. Mother... Yes? That licks me. Well, you can go now. And you don't have to worry About me anymore. I'll get eager About something else. Maybe I'm not such A rotten novelist after all. Some of my characters Are pretty swell people. Well, I must run along. Hey, ma. Yeah? How'd I ever happen To get a mother like you? You're much to young To know. Well, here's another one. I'll take it. I can't look any longer. Apartment to let? Yes, ma'am. Step right in here. Can't you bring it down? Is this an apartment For both you ladies? No, just for my daughter. Uh, we live in bayside, But she just got a job On the new york chronicle In the art department, And this would be very nice. It's so close to the office. The art department? Yeah. Well, I think I have the very thing That will suit your daughter. Oh, good. How much is it, please? I'm asking $20 a week. That's almost more Than I make. But I'll love it. Come on, feet. Well, what about it? Well, you won't be The only things on my book. The lottery and two weeks' rent Are there already. Jimmy, What do you think? He thinks that flynn's Going to k. o. Nestor. And that thinking's gonna Cost him dough, mimi. Flynn has about as much Chance as you'd have. And who do you think's Going to win, mimi? I haven't any idea. Jimmy, what do you Think's happened? What do you think - Well, what's happened? You got my job? No. But you're not the only artist On this paper now, my boy. So, I was only going To draw borders, was I? Isn't that what you said, Or does my memory deceive me? I said you shouldn't expect To be drawing anything else For another year or so. Isn't that what I said? That's what you said. And as usual, You haven't been right yet. Who are you betting On at the fight? Flynn. Then I'm betting on nestor. All right, all right. Now, what's happened? Well, I've drawn something else. In fact, I've already drawn an ad For the Hercules furniture company, Which you see me Hugging with both arms. Why, mimi! Yeah. "why, mimi," indeed. Well, well. They start a new service To help the advertisers, And who gets first crack At making it work? And who gets a raise For doing it, I ask you? Yeah? You got a raise? How much? $6. That is, If you don't mind. That's fair enough. Jimmy, aren't you pleased With me? You know What I've drawn first? What? A bed. Well, that's just something You get out of. You want to see it? Sure. Well, after all, jimmy... Remember, I'm - I'm not jimmy kilmartin. Well, who is? Come on. Let's see it. What did you say it was? A bed. What does it look like? A horse? Well, it looks like A horse could sleep in it. The advertising manager Doesn't think so, And that's much more important Than any wisecrack you could - Oh, wait a minute. Ah. There it is. Looks as good As anything you ever drew. Then you're a success. And so you are, mimi. So you are. This is Only the beginning. Exciting, huh? Yes, I'm excited. I admit it. It means a lot to me. Means I'm making good. And that's what I started out to do. Well, what do you know? What? Oh, nothing. Just struck me as odd That here's the paper Full of news of the world, Life, and death, And destiny. What you're excited about's A furniture ad. Well? Funny being In the same paper. "for members of the wedding Party exclusively. " Mm. Will mimi swift be there? I've often wondered How I'd feel The day that would be In the paper. And I find, jimmy... I find that I'm still excited About my drawing. Do you get that, Mr. Kilmartin? It means I'm all right. I can go to their party. Will I be there? Will I be the same sad girl - That's what you mean, isn't it? Oh-ho! What a disappointment I'm going to give them. Why, alan wythe Means nothing to me now. I love this bed. Oh, yes, mr. Kilmartin. Mimi swift will be there, And I'm afraid she'll be A little drunk... With joy. Uh-huh. Flynn is a boxer. Yeah? And how many boxers Do y'all see With a sleep-inducing punch In both paws? Why, he's as fast As a lightweight. Yeah, with a kick like a Government mule. In both gloves. Well, boys, I tell you. Money still talks better Than I do, And it's even money That says nestor by a knockout. Good evening. Good evening. Mimi! Mimi swift. Tommy. I haven't seen you since the Night you proposed to marry me. How'd that end up? Where Have you been? Never mind. Help me find elizabeth And alan. Oh, I see. You want to get over The high hurdles first. All right. Come on, bright girl. Mimi! Oh, hello, mimi. Oh, elizabeth. Uh, elizabeth... Look who I found. Hello, mimi. Hello, elizabeth. I found her sitting On the front doorsteps, And I looked and I said, "I know you, don't I?" And, sure enough, I did. Ah, mimi. Nice to see you. Hello, alan. Well, marriage certainly Agrees with you two. Oh, now, mimi, don't be deceived By our looks. Someone has already Come between us. Who? Kid nestor. Oh. Hello. Charming swing. Is, uh, that What you're interested in? Yes. Oh, you didn't know. I'm drawing things like that For a newspaper. Oh. You don't mean You're working? Yes. Oh. On a paper, eh? Mm-hmm. Ads. Swell. Who's the singer? I haven't any idea. Somebody elizabeth Dug up from someplace. Lovely voice. This isn't Exactly what I expected. What are you talking about? I've been wondering For some time just - Just what it would be about When you and I met again. It's a cinch. I didn't think it was going to Be about furniture and singers. What did you think It was going to be about? Mimi, I was more or less Led to believe It was going To be about oceans. Oceans? Seas, as you put it. That it wouldn't be safe for us In this world Unless there were eight of them Between us. The wine is a funny fellow, As you put it. Oh. So, it was the wine then, After all, huh? And as soon as I left, All as if nothing had happened? No. Not at first. But I'm all right now. And, uh, talking to me is just Like talking to anybody else? Aren't you glad? No. Are you sorry I'm not suffering? No, I'm not sorry You're not suffering. What do you want? Hey. Some other sweetheart? Yes. Who? The furniture. Come on, now. Quit your fooling. Who else? Not a soul. So, this is the end, huh? You know, Somehow it's kind of sad. Why should it be? Can't we be friends? Friends? Would you like that? Sure. Say, I'd like that, too. I think that's A lovely idea - Friends, I mean. Of course. Real friends, Genuine friends. Yes. Swell. Is there any finer Friendship in this world Than between two friends, Huh? Alan dear, this party's Incredibly dull. I'm afraid we're just An old married couple. An old married couple Is right, pal. I'm sitting here talking About furniture. Well, stop it. That's a foul trick To play on mimi. No, it isn't. I'm in love with furniture. What? Yeah, It's a terrific affair. Everybody's talking about it. Mimi and duncan phyfe Have crawled in a wormhole. You two, by any chance, Aren't lucky enough to be A little bit tight, are you? Oh, darling, be kind to me. I've been insulted. My ego is hurt. I thought mimi Was carrying a torch for me, And she says she can't believe She ever was in love with me. Doesn't even know I exist. Oh, what is all this? Torches, egos, wormholes. I can't - Say, you haven't heard Anything yet. We've got it all figured out, Right down in blueprints. We're going to be friends. It's going to be Sort of a - Well, sort of a unique Friendship, you see? Uh, I, uh - she - Alan, let me tell her. Yes, you tell her. Elizabeth... Alan never loved me. He liked me. And now I like him. That's all there is to it. I want you to believe me. Thank you, mimi. And I do believe you. You see? There you are. That's what I said. We're all friends. Mimi and I are friends. You and mimi are friends. Why, everybody's friends. You might say we're saturated With friends, right? And, say, what about this? Why don't we all go at the Fights together tomorrow night? Oh, there we go again. Didn't I tell you, mimi? My rival - kid nestor. Well, ain't you got Anything left? No. Even the cops are gonna have To stand tonight. $100 on slugger flynn. Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Any of you guys Got an extra ducket? He wants a ducket. You can't get one in town. Nothing doing. Mother, you and jimmy are going, And that's final. No, mimi, no. I will - Mother, you love fights, And I don't. If I went and you didn't, I Wouldn't enjoy it. She means that. You wouldn't have me Have a rotten time, would you? Oh, what can I say? Nothing. No chance of your great love Coming through, is there? No. All alan could get was two. I'll be in my apartment Afterwards. Come around And tell me about it. Oh, jimmy. You might as well give me The 5 bucks right now. Ha! Anytime. You never won in your life, Laddie. You've even got it on me. But I'm going to the fights, And you're not. Laugh that off, lassie. If you were a gentleman, You'd give me your seat. But I'm not. My, my. How you surprise me. Goodbye. Alan. How are you? What are you doing here? Today of all days - The fight. That's what I'm doing here. There they are, And they're way down front, too. But you've only got two. What do we need more for? Elizabeth isn't going? Sick. Oh. What's the matter? I drove her to bed Talking about it. She told me not to feel bad, Said tomorrow would be The happiest day of her life. But, alan, I can't go with you alone. Are you crazy? Well, you must be crazy To think I would. Oh, well, mimi. I've got everything all wrong Then. How do you mean? Well, I thought we were friends, But I see I'm all haywire. But, alan... After all. Yeah, after all. "after all" what? Does elizabeth know You were going to take me? Of course she knows it. Look, mimi, you were there When we talked about being Friends, weren't you? Yes, I was there. Of course elizabeth Knows all about it. Oh. Oh, well. That's different. Listen, mimi, don't let's throw This idea of ours Right in the ash can Before it's even started. I've been thinking about it Ever since. And you and I Have got an opportunity No two other people Ever had before. The more I think of it, The more lovely it gets. Yeah. It will probably get lovelier All the time. You bet it will. Is there a finer friendship in This world than between two men? But I'm not a man. That's the idea Of the game. That's what makes it So different. We'll act exactly As if you were a man. Come on, now. Say you'll go. Let's try it once, anyway. Well... Who are you betting on? Nestor? Yes. Right? It's a cakewalk. Excuse me. Ooh. There you are, My pretty one. Is this all we're Going to have? Sure. We'll have something else After the fight. I'll take two more, If you don't mind. Two more? Two more, boy. All right. Coming up. Give me a couple Of these, sir. There you are. You'll lose me. This is the main event Of the evening. 15 rounds of boxing. Introducing, at 200 pounds, The marvelous challenger - Kid nestor. In this corner, we have... Miss mimi swift! Oh! 103 pounds. At 218... The champion - Slugger flynn. Jimmy, look! Come on! Come on! Come on! Right on the button! Come on! Come on, there! Come on! Come on, flynn! Come on, nestor! Nestor! Come on, flynn! 8... 9... 10. Just a few moments, please. We're going to try and get the winner, Kid nestor, to say a few words for you. And here he is right By the mike. Here he is, Ladies and gentlemen. Hello, mother. I ain't hurt none. It was a great fight, And the best man won. Goodbye, mother. Thanks a lot, kid. That's beautiful. Come on, mother. Well, the best man won. Good evening, radio audience. And now dempsey's caf?. During the evening, I'm going to introduce you To some well-known characters. But wait a minute. Here comes kid nestor. Yes, folks. He's going to speak to you. Kid nestor. 2 to 1 he says it. Oh, it couldn't happen. There they are right there. Okay, kid. Hello, mother. I ain't hurt none. It was a great fight, And the best man won. Goodbye, mother. Come on, kid nestor, I have a table for you. Thanks very much, mr. Nestor. Let's give him a hand. Right here. Yes, this is it. This is it. Waiter. Say. Oh! Well! This is the chair. This one here? Mm-hmm. I beg your pardon. Yes, ma'am. Would you do me a favor? If I could. Would you mind Moving over? I'm just as mystified As you are, old man, So it's all right. You don't mind, right? No, no. Watch your duck, now. It's not a duck. It's a capon, mister. Oh, I beg your pardon. It's all right. Hello, gus. You don't remember me, But do I remember you! Well, your face Is familiar, miss. Impossible. Oh, I get it. You were the young lady that Was here with jimmy kilmartin. Who? The cartoonist on my paper. The fellow mother was with Tonight at dempsey's. Oh, kilmartin. The fight expert. Yeah. He lost his shirt on the fight, And am I glad. Why? Don't you like him? Oh, he thinks He knows it all. Mm, I get it. What are you going to have To drink? I don't care. Couple of anythings, gus. I don't care, either. Ha-hum. A night in new york. It's a tall town, isn't it? It is when it hums. Oh, I'm beautifully tired. It's like a drug. Well, I'm gonna send you to bed Pretty soon. I'm not tired, really. Oh, no. I know you're not tired. I'll smoke one cigarette In your little house, And then I'll blow... With the smoke. It's time For fun and mating And I'll be with you soon All the best folks Are parading On a sunday afternoon We'll rent A horse and carriage And I'll be proud of you We'll talk about a marriage On the busy avenue And then we'll ride To the countryside I'll burst with pride In your sunday gown, You're the talk of the town Oh, you can have The twilight And you can have the moon Give me those happy moments On a sunday afternoon Shut up! I want to sleep! Uh-oh. Can you imagine Anybody going to sleep At this time Of the morning? Good night, My pretty one. You're not coming in? I'm going To walk out on you. And if it hasn't been the Gayest time I've had, mimi, Don't ever Give it to me gayer. I couldn't take it. Take your hat off a minute, Will you? Go on, take it off Just a minute. You're lovely. Good night. Good night. Jimmy! Yeah. How did you get in here? The landlady let me in. I told her I was your brother. Why? Oh, I just came up To talk about the fight. What do you think? Lovely fight, wasn't it? Nice and bloody. Or didn't you notice? I didn't notice. You didn't notice much At dempsey's either, did you? Except mr. Alan wythe. Well, well, well. "well, well, well" what? You must be surprised. About what? To find me alone. Of course not. I'll see you tomorrow. Oh, I see. You just came around And waited a few hours To say good night. That's sweet, jimmy. Yeah. You turned out to be pretty sweet Yourself when it comes to that. Oh, yeah, sure. You were going to the ball to show Them all how free you were of him. You showed them tonight, All right, sister. I just love you In the role of big brother. It suits you perfectly. Well, uh, good night. Good night. And thanks For coming around. Oh, sure. Okay. Glad to give you a laugh Anytime. What's the difference? Makes a lot of difference. And I'm not kidding now, Jimmy. I'm glad You came around. Why? When I came in, I wasn't thinking at all About why this evening Was so lovely. I - What I'm trying to say is... Your being here Made me realize That alan is much better Than you had expected him to be. I'm very grateful, jimmy. Are you trying to tell me You're slipping On that same old banana peel? Maybe I am. Would you like To tell your mother that? I know She'd love a little talk. Yes. Let's have lunch tomorrow. And I think I'll talk plenty. Oh, I don't know What I want. And stop stalling, anyway, You two. Tell me the talk I was promised. Coming up. You want a soapbox? No. I don't need any. I'm not trying To sell anything. Come, come, come. Let's have it. Well, mother... I'm in love. That's the big idea. And he's in love with me. Talked it all over, huh? We never said a word. And elizabeth - Where does she come in? I don't know. Have you any plans? No. We didn't talk. I wish There weren't any elizabeth. What makes you think He loves you? Jimmy did. No gags today, mimi. Please. All right, mother. I just mean that alan Didn't try to make love to me, And I know That he was happy. What do you think Will happen? He will get a divorce And marry me. Listen to her, will you? All right. You talk, and I'll listen. What do you think's going to Happen? It ought to be good. I've got no kick about what's Really gonna happen, mimi, But he isn't Gonna marry you. He isn't gonna get A divorce. That's not the way it's going To be. But I'm not kicking. My only quarrel with you is You're just trying to kid yourself. I'm not doing anything Of the kind. Oh, don't give me any more. I can't stand it. I'm not giving you anything. I wouldn't give you anything. Now, now, don't fight. Oh, mother. Jimmy's got such A rotten outlook on things. Now stop rewriting me. It's just the baloney I think's rotten. I told you, I've got no quarrel With the way things Are really gonna work out. As far as I'm concerned, That's all right. Oh, yeah? Yeah. Well, it's not all right With me. But I don't know What I can do about it. Mother, it isn't going To be like that, In spite Of what jimmy says. I promised you I'd try to get Interested in something else. Well, it didn't work. And now if alan loves me As much as I love him - And I think he does - He can't keep on With elizabeth. But whatever happens... Everything's going To be aboveboard. That's why I'm telling you All this, And I'm going To tell elizabeth. Well, that ought to make For a beautiful friendship. But, mimi - It's no use, meg. Elsie dinsmore's Discovered life and love. Hello? Who's calling? Just a minute. Miss swift, madam. Oh, thank you. Hello, mimi. Oh, yes, I'm better. Thank you. I- I'm just being lazy. Will I see you at dorothy's Tonight? No. I'm not going. And, uh, I suppose you can't. Well, I'm going to try. How were the fights Last night? Alan told me they were More than exciting. I'd rather have had Scarlet fever than gone. Not me. I wouldn't have missed it For anything. Oh, my, my. You must have enjoyed it. Elizabeth... You didn't mind my going alone With alan, did you? Mimi, of course I didn't mind. Elizabeth... Try to understand What I'm going to say. The other night, I said a lot Of things about friendship. I meant them then. But now, well... Now they're not true Anymore... At least not for me. What I'm trying to say is... ...I'm still in love With alan. Well, I - I guess that's all. This just came By special messenger, mr. Wythe. It was marked personal. So, you didn't open it, Eh? No, mr. Wythe. That's right. Hi, dear. Hello, sweetheart. How are you? Oh, I am Much, much better. Grand. Aren't you going To take my temperature? Temperature? Yes. Perfectly normal. I cure them In one sitting. Ah, I see. A swellheaded doctor, eh? Huh? Darling, Don't sit over there. Run and get dressed. We're going to be late. Yeah? For what? Now, you know we're going To dorothy's for dinner tonight. Oh, say. You know, I forgot all about that. Mm-hmm. Is there anything On your mind, alan? You seem A little preoccupied. No, nothing but business, I guess. What's that? Is father driving you again? Yeah. Say, what's the idea? Well, I'm sure I don't know. Do you know that I didn't get Out of there till nearly 4:30? No. Well, of all things. And then what did you do? Well, I was so all-in, I just had to go over To the club and recuperate. You certainly did. You know, there's reason In all things. Uh, Mimi telephoned today. Oh, did she? Mm-hmm. What did she have to say? Oh, she said she - She certainly enjoyed Those fights last night. Good. What's the matter? Well, I'm not going, Dear. No? Mnh-mnh. No. I - I really don't feel Up to it. Well, you don't think You don't feel any - Oh, no, no, no. I'm perfectly all right, Except I think it's rather Silly to risk it. Oh. Do you want to go alone? No, I don't think so. Well, then, I'll tell you what you do. There isn't any dinner here, So why don't you run down To the club and dine there? Why not? All right. You do that. I'll dine, then chat With the boys for a while, And then come on home. Uh-huh. Made-to-order. No. It's the order of my maid. Oh! Goodbye. Hello, gus. Evening. I would like, uh, One of anything. Yes, sir. It's not the mr. Alan wythe? I'm afraid I don't, uh - No, you don't know me. But I know you. I'm jimmy kilmartin. Oh, yes. Mimi swift Has told me about you. You're on her paper - The, uh, cartoonist. Staff artist to you. Have it your own way. How about a drink? What are you having? Anything. I'll take the same. Make that two, gus. Yes, sir. Seen mimi lately? I had lunch With her today. Oh. How is she? Don't you know? No. I haven't seen her Since last night. I don't like you. No? What have you got against me? A lot. Oh. Yeah. That's not all. More, eh? Yeah, there's mimi. Why don't you lay off? I just told you I haven't seen Her since last night. Yeah, but you're going to. Well, what's that to you, Anyway? A short life, But a gay one. A short life to you. What's that to you? Not a thing. I just think She's too good for you. Oh, you do, eh? How about a round on me? Thanks. Another round, gus. Yes, sir. Why don't you lay off Mimi? You said that before. It's worth repeating. You know, I don't like you much, either. No? No. To our meeting. And may it end quickly. Well, drink up. It's my turn. No thanks. Oh. You can't take it. It's not the drinks. It's the company. I see what you mean. Why don't you lay off Mimi? Why don't I punch you Right in the nose? Well, why don't you? I think I will. Gentlemen, gentlemen, Please, not in here. It'll only take a minute, Gus. Quit stalling. Sorry, gus. Thanks for the drink, Old man. Are you all right, Mr. Kilmartin? Sure, I'm all right. I always get hit. Oh. That man's here again. Carry him in. And where shall I put him? Oh, just dump him Anywhere. Hey. Now, wait a minute. You can't treat him Like that. He's marked fragile. He needs A lot of care and kindness. In fact, What he really needs Is more of the same kind Of medicine You gave him last night. There's plenty left over. That's what I mean, mimi. You're fun. You're swell. Say, why can't things Be like this all the time? Can't they? Alan... What is it, mimi? Is this the way You want it to be always? Of course it is. Of course, Elizabeth's to know. Did she tell you I telephoned? Uh, well... She - She just said you did. I didn't say anything About you caring for me. I put it all The other way. But now - No. Not now, mimi. I know that - Well, I know we've got A lot of talking to do, But don't let's do it now. Alan... I want another night Like last night. I want to laugh And have fun. Say, there's a peach of a fight In brooklyn, And we can just make it If you'll hurry. Come on, get your hat on. Will you? All right. Attagirl. Say, I'll bet you That's kilmartin. I had a little argument with him Over at gus'. You did? I did. That's elizabeth. Huh? How do you know? I just know. And I'm glad. May I come in? Of course. How long have you lived here, Mimi? About three months. Oh, I like it. Well, between three old friends, May I have a drink? Yes. What will you have? All I've got is scotch. Well, what a minute, mimi. Uh, let's talk first, And then we'll drink To whatever it is. How's that? All right. This isn't exactly As I expected it. You both look so - So self-assured. I don't get you, elizabeth. Well, all I mean, alan, Is that, uh, I'm confused By the way you look. I've never seen you look Quite like that before. I don't think We'll have to talk much. I don't think We'll have to talk any. I think you're in love With her, alan, And all you want Is a divorce. Well, you must be A magician, mimi. I'll tell you Why I'm so surprised. On our honeymoon, I knew, oh, right away That alan didn't love me. Women can hide the way They feel, but men can't. So, I was very unhappy For a time. I could only think That he was still in love With you, mimi... ...that he'd only married me Because I was a rich girl. Naturally, having rated him As something much higher Than a fortune hunter, I... I found myself married to a man Who had lost his size... ...and who was Just ordinary. Isn't very pretty, is it? And then... Then I began to realize Something else, And it was strange. He was trying to be in love With me. So hard. The effort was desperate. And I knew that alan had Never been in love And never would be. But in his not wanting To be like that, That made a difference. And instead of hating him For being ordinary, I felt sorry for him, Because I had on my hands A very lonely man. Well... Being in love with him, What was I to do? I knew there'd be a parade Of women, Since he'd be trying To find love someplace. But to offset that, They wouldn't have Any of his heart, Because he had none To give them. And in view of the fact That he married me Seemed to say That he liked me better Than any of the others. It wasn't much to have, But it was that much. And added to all that, It isn't everybody Who can charm and amuse me. So, I was going To let it all ride. But I - I wouldn't want alan In love with another woman. He wouldn't be very charming Or very amusing With a heavy heart. So, now that he is in love At last, I... ...I guess I had it pegged All wrong. And... I think I'll pass up that drink. I don't think I'll be good At being noble much longer. Elizabeth... Yes? You're wrong about alan And... And his parade. But you're first-class, Elizabeth. Wouldn't it be funny, mimi, If alan got sick And you and I Went to the fights? There goes a general In any woman's army... ...even though she did lose. The losers are always The wisest, aren't they? What, alan? We might promote her To a full general. Alan, don't. Dear, this had to happen. Might even make her An admiral. Please. It was best To get it over with. I never had My portrait painted before. Elizabeth's The real artist. All this time I've been married, I've been sitting For my portrait And didn't even know it. Wait a minute. I heard everything She said, too, And it hasn't changed anything For us. Nothing's gone. We haven't lost anything. And when the cards are called As pretty as she called them, There's nothing to do But let them ride. I had no idea of a divorce When I came down here, mimi. I wasn't even thinking of it. I was excited, that's all. But, alan. She clocked it, mimi. You were to be In the parade. Oh, right in front, But in the parade nevertheless. Then that charm of last night Gets busy again, and... You believed so strongly That it was a great love That, well, I guess I caught a little Of the high-powered magic From you And thought I was in love At last. That's what I thought, Mimi. That's what I thought. And brooklyn Was the garden of allah. But it could be. Alan, don't let's lose - And then in comes A wise guy And holds a mirror In front of my face, And there I am... Staring at myself The way I really am. Alan... Let's have it all. Don't stop there. This between you and me - It isn't just gone. It just wasn't ever there. That's what you're trying To say, isn't it? I guess that's it, mimi. I'm afraid you're A pretty lucky girl, mimi. Sure. Sure. We're both lucky... I guess. Yeah. Maybe I've got Some luck left. Alan... Yeah? You'd better go now. Yes. I'm a smart one, All right. Man, boy. They never saw Anything like me. I was going to be Modern and honest. Streamlined, I was. I was going to take you away From elizabeth. And all I did Was tuck you both In an old-fashioned four-poster For the rest of your lives. Who is it? It's me. Move over. You've got a new member. Is this a social call, Or are you just out Ringing doorbells? Don't gag, jimmy. Talk or shut up Or go back to sleep. I don't care. But don't be smart. I couldn't stand it. You want a drink, mimi? No, I don't want a drink. I don't know what I want. I wanted a bright new toy. Well, I got it For a moment... Only it wasn't very bright. It was dull... And not worth having. Well, why don't you say, "I told you so"? Go on - crow. It might help. Mimi, you know I never crow Before daybreak. Look, I was asleep. I was minding My own business. I was dreaming About a blonde. She was rich, too. I didn't come to see you. You woke me up. All right. Fight with me. Go on. Make me sore. At least Make me feel something. Oh, no, not me. I tried to make you cry once, And what did I get for it? If you want to cry, Go ahead. You won't get Any help from me. That's just it. I can't cry. I'm empty and dry. I've gone dead, And I don't like it. Jimmy, I'm frightened. You're not dead. You're just knocked out, That's all. You'll come to. Oh, you know it all, Don't you? Dr. Kilmartin knows all, Cures all. Dr. Kilmartin's a quack. He makes me sick. Now, wait a minute. Now, don't talk. I'm sick of talk. Just don't say anything. That's great. That's fine. You wake me up At 4:00 in the morning And tell me Not to say anything. Okay, you win. I'm going back to sleep. Thanks, jimmy. Jimmy... Yeah? Get me out of here. Get a car. Hire it. Steal it. I don't care. But get me out. Well, what will we use For money? I've got some. Give. Okay. Now you get out of here While I put on my pants. It's The old kilmartin code - Never put on your pants In public. And so, He walked out of my life And back into elizabeth's... Leaving me with my memories. As dismal a group As I'd ever kept company with. Feeling better? Yes, I'm feeling better, jimmy. Good. Well, I have to hand it to you. For once in your life, You were right. Remember what you said About alan That night After the wedding at gus'? Don't tell me I said something. Wait a minute. That wasn't all you said, Either. You said you didn't think Love was worth suffering for. There was no such thing As real love. Just a lot of people Trying to manufacture it. Remember, You said that, too? Yeah. And, jimmy, You were right. I know now Why I fell for alan again. You do? I fell for him because I still Wanted so much to be in love. I didn't believe you, Jimmy. I mean, I'm hearing For the first time What you were talking About that night. Oh. Came the dawn, huh? You knew what was going on All the time, didn't you? Even way back then. Well... You had it All figured out. And that's good going, jimmy. That's first-rate. Sure. I'm feeling fine now. I feel like you feel. I'm rid of All that longing For something That really isn't there. You sure? I feel all friendly. I like alan. I like elizabeth. I like you. Come, come. Now you're going too far. No, I mean it, jimmy. I like you especially. You dismiss love. Well... But you don't laugh at it. You're the best man I know. And if I'm lucky, I'm going to be your friend. You are? Well, that suits me. Yes. I mean the kind of friends That when we go out together And you see somebody Who strikes your fancy, You go and grab her, Walk out on me, Just as if I weren't there... Just as if I were One of the boys. And if she gives you the go-by, Well, there I am. Okay? I'll buy it. And to prove it's a deal, I'll cancel that 5 bucks I owe you. Hey, wait a minute. Stop the car. I didn't even touch you. No, stop the car. There's a man back there. So what? He wants a lift. Oh, I get it. Just brimming over With the milk of human kindness. Mimi swift, Friend of the people, huh? Okay. You want a lift, pop? Well, I certainly would Appreciate it. Hop in. Oh, thank you Very much. It's a big lift to me, You know? 'Cause I got Quite a distance to go. Well, I'm mighty obliged To you, sir. All right. Where you bound? Well, I was headed For new rochelle. New rochelle, it is. Jimmy, that's miles. He's your friend. You been hiking long? About three days. I live in baltimore. Baltimore? Yes. That's a city In the united states. She's not very bright. Is that so? I'm going to see My daughter. I haven't seen her Since she got married. Almost a year ago now. How old is she? She's, uh - let me see - Uh, 17. Yessum. Well, I'm 17, too. Is that so? I'd have took your old lady To be more than 17, sir. Oh, well, These brunettes fade early. You two got any children? Only two - twins. A couple of fine boys, If I do say it myself. That so? Ha. My daughter just had a boy. That's why I'm going up To new rochelle. What do you call your boys? John doe and richard roe. John's five minutes older Than richard, But you'd never know it. I expect It'll be nip and tuck Between them The rest of their lives. Hey, mother, why didn't We call them nip and tuck? You know How I hate family names. Darling, be careful. Remember your weak throat. Mm. I reckon your wife takes Mighty good care of you, sir. Wife? We're not married. Not married? But you said - No. We're just pals. Oh. Well, that's nice. You see, mother? See? Sure, she sees. What makes you think I see? Explain it to her, Jimmy. Well, it's like this. That's enough, jimmy. When anything starts, "well, it's like this," You can't explain it. Oh, mother. All you've said is, you've both Come to a great understanding - There's no such thing As love. That's right. You've put it Out of your lives. Friendship rules triumphant. How can you sit there And not get excited Over all this, meg? Why, mimi, Your own daughter - She's come out Of the ether. She's through With all that romantic mush. She isn't fooled by it Anymore. Why, she's one woman In a million. She's a real person now. Mimi, look at jimmy. Hmm? Not me. Him. Jimmy, look at mimi. What is all this? Look at her. Look at her eyes - They're sparkling. Well, why not? You idiots, don't you know love When you see it? Mother, stop it. It isn't what you say. This isn't like you, Meg. I can't help it. You look so foolish. Jimmy, make her stop it. Meg, behave yourself. All right. I apologize. Honest, I do. I... I'll see About your breakfast. It's ridiculous. It's idiotic. What came over her? I don't know. It was all so swell. And now everything's spoiled, Isn't it? Sure. I guess so. That is - Of course it is. Well, if you say so. What do you mean? Well, I didn't Say anything. Well, you - you didn't Not say anything. What are you grinning about? Hey, mimi, what if meg's Not so crazy after all? What? Why, jimmy, You don't mean - I mean, You don't think I... Gee whiz! Hey, wait a minute. Come here. Look at that. Look at him. Well? What do you feel? Calm. Uh-huh. What else? And I'm hungry. That'll do. Come here. How do you feel now? Well... Would you mind Trying that again? Does that excite you? Well... I'm not hungry anymore. That did it! The end Of a beautiful friendship. |
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