A Song Is Born Page #4

That's very interesting.

I should like to read it

after you're through with it.

Yeah. I particularly like the chapter

on hot rhythm.

Holds strange fascination for me.

I can understand that,

but I wouldn't allow myself

to neglect the Palestrina research.

Hold on.

- Why, that's our doorbell.

- At 3:
00 in the morning?

That will be the revisions

on Stravinsky's new ballet.

I asked them to be sent by air mail special.

I'll get it.

- Hiya, Professor.

- Oh, hi!

Am I late for school?

Oh, my goodness!

Well, are those kids in my class?

Oh, no, those are just my colleagues.

I must apologize for their lack of attire.

That's all right, Professor.

And for the fact

that I don't have any coat on.

You know, once I watched

my big brother shave.

You did?

Frankly, your coming here

was the last thing I expected.

Your "no" was so definite.

Well, I got thinking it over.

Music has done a lot for me.

And well, here was a chance

to do something for music.

Well, then I take it you've reconsidered?

Yep. You've talked me into it, Professor.

Oh, my goodness!

- What was that?

- That was Professor Oddly.

- Any more of them around?

- I hope not.

Boy, this place sure is loaded

with antiques,

present company excepted.

Thank you. Thank you.

- May I have your coat?

- Yeah. Thanks.

Mozart.

Say, I've got a copy like this

with a radio inside.

Are you sure you don't want your coat?

No, I'm fine.

Except I've got a run in this stocking.

Well, when do we start, Professor?

What's your method?

It's quite simple, really. If you'll be here

no later than 9:
30 tomorrow morning.

- Tomorrow morning?

- Yes.

Yes, we've arranged

a round table discussion

with a group of people

of various musical backgrounds.

You don't think we could

sort of begin right now?

Begin... Well, Miss Honey, it's past 3:00.

Oh, foo, Professor,

let's get ourselves a couple of drinks.

You light the fire maybe, and you could

start working on me right away.

I wouldn't dream of imposing at this hour.

Listen, I figured on working all night.

Oh, you did...

Well, any random discussion would...

Yes?

...prove of no scientific value whatsoever.

You see, I must have my notes

thoroughly prepared

for tomorrow morning's seminar.

Okay, where do I sleep?

- I beg your pardon.

- Where do I sleep?

I don't know. Where do you usually sleep?

I'm usually in Brooklyn,

but tonight I'm going to sleep here.

- Right. Here?

Why not?

Well, I mean, we're all bachelors here,

Miss Honey,

except maybe Professor Oddly...

- Professor.

- He was a widower.

But there's a... Sleep here?

Oh, no. See, no woman has ever...

Even Miss Bragg, our housekeeper,

goes home every night at 7:30.

Listen, if you want me here tomorrow

morning at 9:
30...

Yes, I do, Miss Honey. I definitely do.

But even the most free thinking people

would have to respect...

Now wait a minute.

Feel that.

Go on, feel that foot.

- Now, what have you got to say?

- It's cold.

It's cold and it's wet.

Now, come here.

Come here.

Closer.

- Hiya, kids.

- How do you do?

Now, look down my throat.

Oh, come on. Now, what do you see, huh?

I don't know what to look for.

Well, there is a slight rosiness

in the laryngeal region.

There. You see? He knows. Who are you?

- Who is he?

- This is Professor Twingle.

And Professor Gerkikoff, Dr. Elfini...

Wait a minute, not so fast.

I'll get to know them.

Come here, Twinkie.

I think I got a fever. Feel.

- Oh, yes. She definitely has. Oh, yes.

- Certainly.

And he wants to put me out.

- Oh, no.

- Frisbee, that is unkind.

You know it's been raining

and the streets are still wet.

- Of course.

- No 9:
30 for me if he puts me out in that.

- Naturally not.

- But you don't understand...

And the street's cold

and the subway's hot and full of germs.

And I'm a pushover for streptococcus.

- Could I have this, kid?

- Excuse me.

Really, I don't understand you, Frisbee.

Why take chances?

- Yeah. With such valuable material.

- Think of your work, Professor Frisbee.

I am thinking of my work.

- You see, they get the point.

- I get the point, too.

What I'm trying desperately to explain...

- Gentlemen, may I make a suggestion?

- Yes?

Why not let the young lady

sleep in my room?

- What?

- Well!

I often bunk with Dr. Elfini

during an electrical storm.

- He's afraid of thunder.

Yes.

Well, then it's all settled.

I guess I'll turn in.

- Could I have my coat?

- Yes, yes.

Couldn't you possibly reconsider?

- This way, please.

- I'll show you to my room.

Yes, we all will.

Oh, no. I know where my own room is,

without any help from anyone.

Well now,

why couldn't we all go?

Gentlemen. Please, don't bother. I'll

find it. Just rough out the directions.

Top of the stairs.

The first door to the right.

- Could I have my coat?

- Oh, please.

Thank you. Hi Di Ho.

Hi Di Ho.

Just one moment, please.

Gentlemen, this is all highly irregular.

Suppose this came to the attention

of the foundation,

and what about Miss Bragg

in the morning?

What are you talking about?

This is research, isn't it?

- Is it?

- Sure and I'm the guinea pig.

- Yes, a specimen under the microscope.

- Wonderful thing to research.

It is the searchlight of truth.

Without research, people

would still think the earth was flat.

- That's ridiculous.

- And they would still look upon

the tomato as a poisonous fruit.

There, you see.

And I want you to look at me,

Professor Frisbee, as another tomato.

- What?

Just another tomato.

That'll be sufficient

for the balance, gentlemen.

- Shall we record it now?

Sure, by all means.

Yes, even Beethoven

seems nice and gay this morning.

You're quite right.

- Gentlemen, before you start,

I should like to talk to you.

May I ask what all your trousers

are doing in my kitchen?

Well, I wanted mine pressed.

- That accounts for one pair.

- So did I.

And I.

All six pairs at once.

What's going on in this house, anyway?

No constitutional this morning.

You scarcely touched your breakfast.

And, Professor Frisbee,

this suitcase just came for you.

- For me?

- The man who left it,

a strange looking character,

said you'd understand.

- He left a message...

- Understand. I don't understand at all.

Well, why don't you open it up, Frisbee?

You say he left a message?

Well!

What were you saying about

the message, Miss Bragg?

- I am waiting for you to explain.

- Explain what?

- That.

- That's...

- He has taken on an assistant.

- Very charming.

- Hi, kids.

Good morning.

Say, where can I get a cup of coffee?

Hi. Who are you?

Miss Honey, may I present Miss Bragg,

our housekeeper.

Hi. This must be your apron I'm wearing.

This suitcase came for you

with a message.

- Yeah? What message?

- I don't know.

The message was it's getting

hotter and hotter and stay in the icebox

like a good little salad.

- Salad?

- What could that mean?

What time is your clambake, Professor?

My clambake is at...

We start at 9:
30 in the morning,

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