All I Desire Page #2

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You know what a help you've been to me,

don't you, Sara?

I'm very glad if I have been.

If you ever decide to stop school teaching...

you're gonna make somebody

a very wonderful wife.

Thank you, Henry.

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

Well...

You will be on time tonight, won't you?

The curtain can't go up until you arrive.

We can trust Joyce to see that Ted and I

are politely early and properly combed.

CONDUCTOR:
Riverdale, next stop.

Riverdale.

Riverdale, next stop. Riverdale.

(WHISTLING)

What a spiffy.

- Someone meeting you, ma'am?

- No, I'm not expected.

- Stopping at Hathaway's Hotel?

- Yes, the hotel.

- There's still only one, isn't there?

- CONDUCTOR:
All aboard!

Say, that's Naomi! Naomi Murdoch.

At you!

Won't the ladies be talking tonight.

Hey, I think Ill take a walk.

Hot patootie!

Ted, you snookered me into a bad bet.

If you're never gonna miss,

Ill be buying root beers rest of the summer.

You teach me too good, Dutch.

Say, Dutch,

by jimminy, I don't mind waiting on myself

and figuring out how much I owe,

but would it be too much trouble

for you to take my money?

Target practice is a lot more important

than profits, Ollie.

Ill put the guns back.

It's 93 cents.

By golly,

a $1 bill don't go nowhere these days.

- There you are.

- Thank you.

- Hi, Ollie.

- Hello.

- Thanks a lot, Ollie.

- So long, Dutch.

Hi, Clem.

- Railroad get along without you?

- It's been a coon's age, Dutch.

- I don't see you around.

- Still hunt, still fish, store's still open.

Uh-huh, but what I mean is,

I don't see you riding out by the lake

the way you used to.

You do any riding at all now, Dutch?

- Ted?

- Yes, Dutch?

New case of shells in the back.

Do me a favour and bring them in.

Sure.

Now, what's in your craw, Clem?

That lady you used to meet up with

out riding.

I seen her just now down at the depot.

She's back.

Just thought you'd like to know.

I don't know

what you're talking about, Clem.

She still looks pretty speedy, Dutch.

- Who's speedy, Dutch? You got a new girl?

- No. Here, Ill take the shells.

- No, it's sort of an old girl.

- Clem.

You know Ted Murdoch, don't you?

Father's the principal.

- Hello.

- Hello.

Train's in, Ted. Run down to the post office

and see if there's anything for me.

Sure. See you.

Say, er, what you gonna do, Dutch?

What you gonna do?

(DOG BARKING)

Come on, Nellie. Come on.

Excuse me for being late.

Gotta go wash my hands.

JOYCE:
Lily will have to be there early.

I have most of your things ready.

LILY:
The only thing I'm concerned about

is that second act change.

LILY:
Ill get Nancy to help me.

JOYCE:
I'm sure she will, dear.

- Lily, you just picked at your food.

- I'm not hungry.

If you're nervous, honey,

perhaps a glass of warm milk...

Nervous about acting in a play? Oh, Daddy!

You're just burned up

because you can't do the main part

- and play piano and pull up the curtain!

- Daddy, make him shut up.

Lena, Ted is here

and you forgot to serve the beets.

- Ted, that wasn't very polite, was it, sonny?

- No, sir.

Go have your dinner.

Excuse me, but with the show and the party,

I think my head is screwed on backwards.

I was ready to pour the good soup

right down the sink.

- Hello, Lena.

- Naomi.

LILY:
Mother!

Mother, you came!

You got the letter, Mother. You came.

- I'm Lily, Mother.

- Of course you're Lily, and so pretty.

Am I what you expected?

What a dramatic entrance you made.

How stunning you look,

doesn't she, Daddy?

- Naomi.

- Hello, Henry.

This is quite a surprise.

Do you think I could stay away

after I got that wonderful letter?

- What letter?

- Daddy, I didn't want to bother you.

I see.

Well, at any rate, it was nice of you to come.

- I hope you enjoy Lily's play.

- Thank you, Henry.

Ted, you were too young

to remember your mother.

- Naomi, this is Ted.

- Hello, Ted, it's wonderful to see you.

- How do you do?

- And, Joyce.

Oh, my goodness.

What a difference, darling.

I should think so.

(NELLIE BARKING SOFTLY)

- There's somebody I don't know at all.

- That's Nellie.

Dutch says she can be the best hunting dog

in this neck of the woods.

Dutch?

Dutch Heinemann.

He owns the hunting and fishing store.

He's the greatest.

It's so good to see you all.

Lily, you're going to be a great actress.

Wait till you see my gown.

I practically designed it myself.

Wait till you see the one

I've got at the hotel for tonight.

I've got to see it right away.

Is it from New York?

I can't wait till after.

Ted, go get Mother's suitcase.

You can change here.

Could I, Henry?

- If you two would like.

- Wonderful.

Lily, it's time you got ready.

I have to do your collar

and press your sash.

There's plenty of time.

Listen, the first thing an actress has to learn

is that the show must go on.

All right. Ill be upstairs.

I'm so glad that you're going to see me

as Baroness Barclay tonight.

It's a wonderful part and in the second act...

- Lily!

- Wait till you see the second act.

Well, we don't have to stand here.

Did you have your supper yet?

Frankly, I'm starved.

I was too excited to think about food.

Then have something.

You'll have to excuse me,

I've got to get dressed.

Come in the kitchen like the old days.

Gosh. What do you know.

Gosh.

Oh, Lena!

- I never thought, I never let myself hope...

- I was really scared for a minute.

- It will be all right.

- Thank you for writing, for everything.

- Somebody got to.

- Lena, you've baked.

Now I know I'm really home.

Kitchen hasn't changed much,

same old rocker.

And the matchbox.

- I used to be able to kick it, remember?

- Could you now?

- I'm not as young as I was.

- Who is? But could you?

Well, I...

- One, two...

- Three!

- Joyce.

- Did you press the petticoat, Lena?

I have to get Lily ready.

Joyce really takes care of the whole house.

- Only since I've had to.

- Well, you seem to be thriving on it.

Why did you come back?

Didn't you make us

unhappy enough before?

Joyce, please!

Am I supposed to admire her

for what she did?

As far as I'm concerned,

we aren't your family

and you're not our mother.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

HENRY:
Hello?

Of course, I don't see what else we can do.

Do you, Sara?

Yes, a lot has happened

since this afternoon.

Certainly. Goodbye.

Honestly, Henry,

I thought you knew all about the letter.

- If I had dreamed how Joyce felt...

- Only Joyce?

Thank you for not making a scene.

How could I in front of Lily?

She idolises you, Naomi.

Joyce is different, she's more like me.

I don't think she'll forgive years of desertion

for a few minutes of charm.

I'm sorry. It's a good thing

I'm leaving right after the play.

Naomi, honestly, why did you come back?

You hate this town.

I told you. Lily.

It was an impulse. I couldn't help it.

Are you trying to tell me after all these years,

you were suddenly seized

with an irresistible impulse?

Don't you think

I wanted to see the children before?

- You never tried!

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