A Streetcar Named Desire Page #8

the president of the United States...

...only she's not respected by any party.

Without your love

It's a honky-tonk parade

So she moved to a hotel

called the Flamingo...

...which is a second-class hotel...

...and has the advantages...

...of not interfering with the private

and social life of the personalities there.

Now, the Flamingo is used to

all kinds of goings on.

But the management of the Flamingo

was impressed by Dame Blanche.

In fact, they were so impressed

that they requested her...

...to turn in her room key

for permanently.

And this happened a couple of weeks

before she showed here.

Honey, I know how

this is gonna upset you.

But listen, she pulled the wool

over your eyes just as much as Mitch's.

Pure invention.

Not a word of truth in it.

Baby, listen. I checked on every story.

The trouble was she couldn't

put on her act anymore in Auriol...

...because they wised up.

And after two, three days they quit,

then she goes on to another one.

The same old line, the same old act

and the same old hooey.

And as time went by,

she became the town character...

...regarded not just as different,

but downright loco and nuts...

...which brings us to lie number two...

Stella.

Baby, now...

She didn't resign temporarily because

of her nerves. She was kicked out...

...before the spring term ended.

And, now, I hate to tell you the reason

that step was taken.

A 17-year-old kid

she got mixed up with.

The boy's dad learned about it...

...and he got in touch

with the high school superintendent.

And it was practically a town ordinance

passed against her.

BLANCHE:
Stella.

- Yes, Blanche?

Can I have another bath towel

to dry my hair with? I just washed it.

Yes, honey.

- What's the matter, honey?

- Matter, what?

You have such a strange

expression on your face.

- I guess I'm a little tired, is...

- Well...

...why don't you take a hot bath

as soon as I get out?

How soon is that gonna be, Blanche?

Not so terribly long,

possess your soul in patience.

It's not my soul I'm worried about.

Well?

How many candles

you sticking in the cake?

I stopped at 25.

You got company expected?

We asked Mitch to come over.

Well, don't expect Mitch

over here tonight.

Why?

Mitch is a buddy of mine.

We was together in the 241 st Engineers.

We work in the same plant,

we're on the same bowling team.

Stanley Kowalski, did you repeat

what that...?

You bet I told him.

I would have that on my conscience...

...if I knew all that

and let my best friend get caught.

- Is Mitch through with her?

- I don't know...

...but he's wised up.

- Mitch was gonna marry her.

He's not gonna marry her now.

He's not gonna jump into a tank

with a school of sharks.

- What'll she do? What will she do?

- Oh, her future is mapped out for her.

What do you mean?

Hey, toots! Canary bird,

will you get out of the bathroom!

Oh.

Oh, I feel so good

after a long, hot bath.

I feel so good and cool and rested.

- Do you, Blanche?

- Yes, I do. So refreshed.

Why, a hot bath

and a long, cold drink...

...always gives me

a brand-new outlook on life.

What's the matter?

What's happened.

- What is it?

- Nothing's happened, Blanche.

You're lying.

Something has.

Stanley?

Stanley, tell us a joke.

Tell us a funny little story

to make us all laugh.

I don't know what's the matter,

we're all so solemn.

Is it because I've been

stood up by my beau?

First time in my experience with men...

And I've had a good deal of all sorts.

- That I've been stood up by anyone.

Ha, ha.

I don't know how to take it.

Tell us a funny little story, Stanley.

Something to help us out.

I didn't think you liked

my stories, Blanche.

I like them when they're amusing,

but not indecent.

I don't know any refined enough

for your taste.

Well, then. Let me tell one.

Yes, tell one, Blanche.

You used to know a lot of good stories.

Now, let me see. I have to run

through my repertoire.

Oh, yes, I love parrot stories.

You all like parrot stories? This is about

the old maid and the parrot.

This old maid, she had a parrot

that cursed a blue streak...

...and knew more vulgar expressions

than Mr. Kowalski.

Well, the only way to hush the parrot up

was to put the cover...

Must be upstairs.

Well, the only way

to hush the parrot up was to put...

Go on, Blanche.

No.

I don't think

Mr. Kowalski will be amused.

Mr. Kowalski is too busy making

a pig of himself to think of anything else.

Your face and your fingers

are disgustingly greasy.

Go wash up

and then help me clear the table.

Now, that's how

I'm gonna clear the table.

Don't you ever talk that way to me.

Pig, Polack, disgusting, vulgar, greasy.

Those words have been on your tongue

and your sister's tongue...

...just too much around here.

Who do you think you are,

a pair of queens?

Remember Huey Long said: Every man's

a king, and I'm the king around here.

And don't you forget it.

My place is all cleared up now.

You want me to clear yours?

Stella...

...what happened while I was bathing?

- What did he tell you?

- Nothing. Nothing, nothing, Blanche.

- I think he told you about Mitch and me.

- No.

You know why Mitch didn't come,

but you won't tell.

- No.

- I'm gonna call him.

- Don't call him!

- Yes, I am. I'll call him on the phone.

Blanche, I wouldn't call him.

Got to be given some explanation

from someone.

Well, I hope you're

pleased with your doings.

I never had so much trouble

swallowing food in my life...

...looking at that girl's face

and that empty chair.

Hello? I want to talk

to Mr. Mitchell, please.

I'd like to leave a number, if I may.

- Honey.

- Tulane-4947.

And say it's important to call, please.

Honey, it's gonna be all right after

she goes and after you have the baby.

It's gonna be all right again

between you and me, the way it was.

Remember how it was?

It's gonna be so sweet when we can

get them colored lights going...

...with nobody's sister

behind the curtains to hear us.

Steve and Eunice.

Come on back in.

Blanche?

Blanche.

- Yes?

- Oh, come on, hon.

Oh, what pretty, pretty candles.

Don't burn them, Stella.

- I certainly will.

- No.

You ought to save them

for baby's birthdays.

Oh, I hope candles are gonna

glow in his life.

I hope his eyes are gonna be

like candles...

...like two blue candles...

Lining a white cake.

What poetry.

I shouldn't have called him.

Blanche. You know, it's hot in there

with the steam from that bathroom!

I said I was sorry three times!

I take hot baths for my nerves.

Hydrotherapy, they call it.

You healthy Polack,

without a nerve in your body.

How can you possibly know

what anxiety feels like?

I am not a Polack!

People from Poland are Poles,

they are not Polacks!

But what I am

is 100 percent American!

I'm born and raised in the greatest

country on earth and I'm proud of it!

- And don't you ever call me a Polack!

- That's for me, I'm sure!

Just keep your seat.

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