About Mrs. Leslie Page #3

he'd been that anxious,

and I was glad.

I'd been wondering

how he'd greet me.

You know, when you meet a person

for the second time,

so often it's hard to recapture

the mood of your first meeting,

but not with Mr. Leslie.

He was easy to talk to,

and I liked him.

But he seemed

to have something special

that he wanted to say.

Over coffee, he suggested a walk

in central park.

Oh, don't forget your book.

Thank you, madam.

Thank you.

You know,

you haven't said a word

since we left the restaurant.

You don't talk very much,

do you?

I'm a listener.

A very important part

of society, listening.

Without us, who would

the talkers talk to, each other?

Talkers don't listen

to themselves,

much less other talkers.

Well, for a listener,

that's quite a lot of gab.

I may not say anything

again until June 14th,

but how else could I

let you know?

- Know what?

- That I like you.

It's coming through.

I'm very flattered.

It doesn't take much

to please you.

Oh, no, no.

It takes a great deal:

Flowers, mountains,

pretty shoes,

children, trees,

and the smell of hot bread.

How about you?

When I find out,

I'll let you know.

The long, hungry search, huh?

One of those deep men.

You think

there's going to be a war?

There's always going

to be a war.

- Why always?

- The long, hungry search.

Man doesn't know

what pleases him yet.

See how lucky you are?

You know.

The other night, a couple

of soldiers came into the club.

One of them was a Southern boy,

just a kid.

He was so excited about

his first night in New York.

And I asked him

if there was going to be a war,

and he said, "you're durn right

there is, lady."

They're not biding us

for no peacetime army."

And then I said, "well, who do

you think we'll be fighting?"

And he thought for a long time,

and then he said very seriously,

"well, I can't say right off,

but you can bet it'll be

one of them foreign countries."

Would you like

to go to California?

Oh, I should say so.

Every year about this time,

I start doodling palm trees.

I've dreamed of a job

in California,

but they only book

high-price acts out there.

Do you make much money?

Oh, I make $200 a week,

when I work.

Is that much?

Is it?

For what I do, yes.

For what I spend, no.

Do you make a lot?

Yes.

- Doing what?

- Manufacturing.

Oh.

Suppose we get a cab.

Why?

Where are we going?

California.

But I have to go

to Washington first.

Wait a minute, you mean

you weren't kidding back there?

You were really serious

about my going?

I'm usually too serious.

That's what a couple

of specialists tell me.

I have to have a vacation.

Could you leave in,

say, four days?

I'll pay your salary

for as long as you're gone.

I tell you what.

Let's you and me

start a pen pal club.

We'll keep in touch that way.

Please, don't be angry, honey.

I don't mean it that way.

Companion is what I want.

We'll even be chaperoned.

The last time

I was chaperoned,

she wound up with my date.

You don't believe me

about just friends.

Are you sick or something?

No, I'm perfectly well,

just tired.

Nerves, I think they call it.

Sorry, vivien.

Sorry for what?

My invitation should at least

have had the chance

of growing

out of a friendship.

Penn station, please.

Why did you ask me

to go with you, Mr. Leslie?

Because I have to get away

for six weeks,

and I don't know

anyone else I could...

I'd want to ask.

Oh.

Please don't make me ask you

again if you'll come, vivien.

It was difficult enough

the first time.

All right.

You've got yourself

a companion, Mr. Leslie.

Plays piano,

sings risque songs,

has wardrobe,

and will travel.

There's something

more than that.

Oh, I know

what I'm letting myself in for.

No, you'll have to contribute

whatever honesty

there is to our relationship.

Well, I'm no boy scout,

but I'm prepared.

Here's enough for two weeks.

There's nothing binding you

if you're not happy

after the first few days.

I'll send the tickets

up to your apartment

this afternoon.

All right.

And a note on making

connections in Los Angeles.

It's up the coastal way.

Well,

good-bye till California.

Oh, it's all right,

Mr. Leslie.

You're lost in the crowd

of a big city.

See you out west, partner.

Mr. Leslie.

Hi, Rick.

Rick, I'm going to California.

- Oh, you are?

- Yes, Monday, for six weeks.

Who's the guy?

Never mind,

it's not what you think,

but you've got to let me

off the hook.

I'll make up the six weeks.

You got a little piece

of paper with me, vivi.

Says you work.

You ain't no hidalgo,

but you work anyway.

Look, Rick, Sam, please.

Well, Rick,

I'm gonnago anyway.

You'll find someone to fill in

the six weeks,

and when I get back...

if you go, don't come back,

'cause you

won't be working here.

You break a contract with me,

you work no place ever.

Follow me?

Well, that's a chance

I've got to take.

You got a contract.

She ain't goin'.

I wondered how I should act.

I decided to let him

make the ground rules.

After all,

it was his ballpark.

Hi, I just came

to make a delivery.

You forgot this.

Glad to have it back.

Oh, you look wonderful.

All tan.

I've had nothing to do

for three long days

but lie in the sun

and wait for you.

So this is California.

Santa hilda... i never heard

of it myself

till two weeks ago.

Jim, would you get

the luggage, please?

Certainly a well-kept secret.

I thought it was going to be

so lush, all palm trees.

Maybe I should have been

more explicit

than just California.

Either way, you were

pretty certain I'd come,

weren't you?

I'm old enough

not to be certain of anything.

Vivien, this is Jim.

He goes with the house.

Welcome to California,

Mrs. Leslie.

Mrs. Leslie.

Had he told Jim that,

or was it just Jim's idea?

I didn't know enough

about Mr. Leslie to be sure.

All I knew was

that he needed me,

and that was enough.

It's longer this way.

The ocean drive is nicer.

Camilla will probably have lunch

ready when we get there.

Won't she, Jim?

Yes, sir.

You'll like the house,

Mrs. Leslie.

It's a wonderful place

for a holiday.

Is it, Mr. Leslie?

Can be.

It's up to us.

It's beautiful, Mr. Leslie.

It's simply beautiful.

Excuse me, Mrs. Leslie,

when would you like

luncheon served?

Oh, well, that's up to you.

Maybe after we...

After a swim.

Yes, that'll be fine,

Camilla.

Yes, ma'am.

I suppose in the future

you'll want

to make out the menus.

And what about the shopping?

Well, I'm on my vacation.

Why don't you tend to all that?

Thank you.

There's just one thing

to remember:

Mr. Leslie likes

just a whisper of garlic

in his salad dressing.

Yes, ma'am, just a whisper.

I'm not sure

I took the course for this.

"Mrs. Leslie."

"Madam."

You must have.

You remembered my instructions

to the waiter.

Well, shall we...

what?

- Go for a swim?

- Now?

Why not?

I'll show you upstairs.

You can change.

Oh, that's my room.

And this is the study,

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