A Summer Place Page #8

the consequences.

I guess that's horrible.

I guess I'm horrible.

No, you're not.

I love you, Johnny,

don't ever forget that.

And if you need me, then I need you,

only twice as much.

Now...

...about King Kong.

There's this big ape, and he's on top

of the Empire State Building...

...and there are thousands of planes

coming to attack him.

And he bats at them like flies.

But they kill him.

It's kind of sad.

If anybody asks,

just tell them about the end.

That's the part everybody remembers.

They probably stopped someplace

for a soda.

Everything closes at midnight.

Then they went for a walk on the beach.

What's wrong with that?

It's not easy for them.

They're both so intense and in love.

Anyone can see that.

So were we at their age.

And we didn't settle

for a walk on the beach.

It's after 2 a.m.

- Maybe we should talk to them.

- What should we say?

That they should...

...take it easy, I guess.

Do you think that'd help?

Would it have helped you 20 years ago?

No.

The trouble with most parents...

...is that they attribute

their own guilty memories to their young.

Like father, like son.

Like mother, like daughter.

But that's not true.

Molly's completely unlike Helen.

And Johnny's not like Bart.

They've got us in them.

And that's why I can't sleep.

I love you.

You're right.

And they love each other as we did,

passionately.

I've gotta talk to her.

But what do I say?

You might start by reminding her...

...that passions, once aroused,

aren't easily controlled.

You mean kiss a little, but not too much?

Don't let Johnny make love to you,

but don't be too angry if he tries...

...because you can freeze yourself

and become like your mother?

Just what honest advice can I give her?

To be a half-virgin?

To allow herself to be fondled?

To go halfway

in the back seats of parked cars...

...but always draw back in time?

How do I tell her

that one single reckless night...

...can destroy her happiness and her life?

But I can't tell her

to welcome passion either.

To take joy in the giving of it,

because that would destroy her.

I can't tell her to be half good.

I'd feel like a hypocrite.

Is there no completely honest answer

I can give her?

Is the only answer that youth must be

a time of suspended animation?

Or is the solution for parents to maintain

a frightened, worried silence?

You can tell her, if...

If they experiment...

...they must always remember

what the cost can be.

And you can warn her...

...that at first it's the passions

and the desires that rule a girl's wants...

...but that love is much deeper

and far wider than that.

Love is a learned thing

between a man and a woman.

And after those first fierce passions

start to fade...

...it's that love, that learned love,

that counts for everything.

You know...

...after 18 years, I had almost forgotten

how it was...

...being as they are.

The loneliness and the hunger.

The impatience and the waste.

- Who is it?

- It's me.

- It's almost noon. May I come in?

- Yes.

What do you want?

- Just to caution you a little.

- About what?

You and Johnny.

I love him.

You gotta use your head.

You gotta be sensible.

Yes, Father, we will be sensible.

I mean...

...I just want your help.

I don't wanna see you get yourself

into a mess.

I know.

Now, if you don't mind,

I'd like to get dressed.

- Are you sure?

- Yes.

- Where are you now?

- In the doctor's office.

- At Briarwood?

- No, I signed out to go to a movie.

I'm in the next town.

- Does anybody else know?

- No. But I had to call you.

Darling, don't cry.

- We'll... We'll figure this out.

- How?

I need you so much, Johnny.

- I'll come to you.

- When?

Tonight. I'll come tonight.

Thank God. I'd imagined awful things.

I thought you were gonna tell me

that it was all my fault.

And I was so ashamed.

Well, we've gotta keep this a secret until

we decide what we're gonna do about it.

I don't know how long

it's gonna take me to get there.

- I'll make it as soon as I possibly can.

- What are we going to do?

We'll figure something out.

They can't lick us together.

No, they can't.

Be brave now, till we meet.

I'll try. Goodbye, Johnny.

It pays to be cautious.

- Yeah, that's what I always say.

- Climb in.

Briarwood, son.

Thank you.

Why, John Hunter.

What a pleasant surprise.

Don't sit close, Johnny,

they might be watching.

Darling, I've thought it all out,

and it's very simple...

...we're gonna get married.

- Papa would kill me and Mama would die.

- Let them.

They can't do anything

after we're married.

We'll go to my father.

He's broad-minded about everything.

- He'll help us.

- Couldn't we just run away?

I'm broke. I had to hitchhike all the way.

I still have the coat Daddy gave me.

We could sell it.

- Where is it?

- Up in the closet, still in the box.

I'll bring it to you.

Johnny, I've just gotta hold your hand.

Can you put it where no one would see us?

Your hand's ice-cold.

I get like that all over

when I think about it.

It's just the opposite with me.

I feel warm all over.

We're going to have a child.

Stop looking at me like that, Johnny.

They'll think you're my lover.

Well...

You'd better take the coat into Boston

to sell it.

I don't even have bus fare.

I'm broke too. I paid the doctor in cash

so there wouldn't be any bill.

- Is there a pawnshop in town?

- Yes.

We'll have to take our chances there.

When can we start, Johnny?

I signed out till midnight,

I don't think I'll be missed till after then.

By that time,

we'll be receiving Dad's blessing.

- Wait for us. We'll only be a minute.

- Okay, Johnny.

There's no signs of life in there.

Dad?

Dad?

Dad?

You'd better wait out here

while I break the news to him.

You gonna be warm enough?

Dad?

Dad?

Dad?

Who's there?

- Who's there, Coast Guard?

- It's your son, Johnny.

Hello, Dad. Are you all right?

What are you wearing

your old uniform for?

I was expecting the Coast Guard.

What are you doing here?

Did you flunk out?

I just came to talk to you

about something.

- Oh, have a drink?

- No, thanks.

You're wise.

Stay off it as long as you can.

So, what did you come here for?

- Father, I'm in love.

- At your age, why not?

With Molly Jorgenson.

I wanna marry her.

Now? That's absurd.

- Are you in trouble with her?

- No.

Yes, we are.

Oh, no, not so young.

You're both still wet behind the ears.

We're gonna be all right, Dad.

We wanna get married and come here

and make Pine Island our home.

We could run things for you, Dad.

She loves it here, I love it here.

Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves

in three generations.

At least you won't have to start

where I did, from the top.

Pour me a drink, three fingers.

This will be painful for you,

but you might as well face the truth.

The raw truth.

Take a good look at your parents.

We've got no more secrets to hide.

All the cats are out of the bag.

All the scrawling, mangy, obscene...

...horrible cats of your inheritance.

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