America America Page #7

For your happiness,

don't trust me.

You're all I have.

I can't do different.

Don't trust me.

Stavros.

Stavros...

it will pass, Baba said so.

Once we have children,

you won't feel the same way.

You can't, how could you?

What?

Stavros, it will pass.

I'll count on it.

Don't count on it.

Where are you going?

Wait!

Wait one year, and then if...

Of course, it's up to you

to decide.

I won't say anything to my father,

Stavros.

I'll wait.

I saved these pretty pieces,

nine by twelve, for you.

Faster, boys!

In the back of the store,

like eggs under a hen.

Go on, show it!

Come on!

This was woven, ideal

for the home...

of the biggest American millionaire.

Feel. You know rugs

better than I...

but you've never

seen anything like it.

Yes, yes, yes.

I know.

Mrs. Kebabian,

Mrs. Kebabian...

I beg you, put your

hands on this, feel.

She doesn't know about the business

except how to live off it.

Well, if only for her pleasure.

Feel it.

Can I see you later,

for a minute?

Stavros! Wake up, for God's sake,

and bring this rug over here.

-What's the matter?

-Don't inconvenience yourself.

I don't like rugs.

Mrs. Kebabian, may I present

the future king.

One day, all this will be his.

Stavros Topouzoglo,

my future son-in-law.

Stavros, kiss Mrs. Kebabian's hand.

You don't have

to kiss my hand, boy.

Of course, in America,

you don't do that.

Would you please show him

how they do in America?

Believe me when I tell you

that this boy's whole dream...

Mr. Sinnikoglou, don't tell me,

tell my husband.

He's going to buy,

he's just torturing you first.

May I offer you some sherry?

It's very sweet, very light sherry.

-No, thank you.

-It's really very light.

No, thank you.

Show him how they do in America,

Mrs. Kebabian.

-Go on.

-Well...

Here...

No, not like that,

take hold of it.

Good, now, shake it like this.

You do this too, in America?

I mean, men to women?

-Of course.

-His whole dream...

is to go to America,

imagine!

-People have done it.

-But not a boy, like this.

Men! Aratoon,

where are you going?

Aratoon, don't go.

The rug.

I'm beat. My stomach

is my clock.

-All right, I'll take 25.

-Take them all.

You're American?

Yes. I was born here...

Mr. Kebabian brought me to America

What?

Sofia, I'm going.

I'm not.

But you must. They're waiting

for us at Abdullah's.

-My package!

-I spoke to the shop.

Later, please.

...when I told him that

Mr and Mrs Aratoon Kebabian...

You know that everything

you ever ate here was remarked on.

She must come,

she's getting thinner.

She doesn't eat.

I married a woman, now look.

I don't enjoy eating

when I'm not hungry.

See how she talks back?

They ruined her.

The day she became

an American citizen, ruined.

The declaration of independence

was politics only...

not for women!

There's no hope for her.

-Sofia, I'm leaving the carriage.

-Aratoon!

Stavros, help her with the package.

Aratoon, Aratoon.

Thank you.

Thank you.

-Hello, Madam.

-Bertha, get lunch for Mr...

Topouzoglou.

No, don't trouble yourself.

Put the packages on the sofa.

See what Mr. Topouzoglou will have.

No, too much trouble,

too much trouble.

No. No, it's not any trouble.

I don't enjoy eating

when I'm not hungry.

Well...

all Greeks are taught

to refuse twice.

It's the third refusal

that's to be believed.

Can I get you something?

You've been so kind.

That's a bureau?

A whole bureau?

And it travels with you?

Can I...?

Please, come in. Here.

And down there, look,

that's for shoes.

America, America!

Do you have any magazines

from there?

Pictures?

Would you like to see them?

Can I?

I'll show you the "Saturday Evening

Post" and "Ladies' Home Journal".

No, no more, Mrs. Kebabian.

-Is he still here?

-Yes, Mrs. Kebabian.

Good.

You still here?

He's still here.

Good evening, Mr. Kebabian.

-He'll have dinner with us.

-Don't put your things on my bed.

He'll show us some dancing.

Do you know where

we can see dancing?

You do, don't you?

Yes.

Enough! Enough!

I pay, I pay!

I pay!

I pay!

I was eighteen when my father

said to marry him.

I'd never been permitted to see...

that wonder of man,

alone, till him.

The day after the wedding...

he took me to America...

and before I knew how,

I had two sons.

After that...

What?

He'd had what he wanted of me.

There I was...

an almost old woman...

two sons, a husband

with a good business...

who played cards every night.

I have never known...

a young man.

I've never lived my 20th year

or my 21st...

my 22nd year...

is still inside me,

waiting like a baby to be born.

Do you understand?

How could you understand?

Let's take him home.

Third class reservation,

First, give me the ticket.

Yes, sir.

I'm Mr. Agnastis.

Do you have my tickets ready?

-Yes.

-I'm here with my boys.

Yes, let me find your ticket.

You! You're going, eh?

Didn't I tell you not to give up?

You're good.

Tell me what happened.

That man is taking us all.

Eight boys, yes, in one cabin.

That was the understanding.

I've done this every year,

eight boys in one cabin...

you've always allowed it.

-Only now, suddenly, objections.

-Just a moment.

You're all going?

Yes.

There's a place to shine shoes

in New York City.

He's paying our passages.

What do you do?

We shine shoes.

We work for him...

two years, without pay.

Would he take another?

No.

Many boys want it,

but he'll only take eight.

I came to the store once

to tell you, but...

you got into a carriage

with a rich man.

You looked very busy,

very big...

plenty to eat,

so I thought...

Right or wrong is for the rich.

You can afford it, I can't.

You come from a good family.

Yes, who are now waiting for

one piece of good news.

One piece!

But your father...

I don't want to be my father,

or your father...

I don't want that good family life,

good family life...

all those good people stay here

and live in this shame.

The churchgoers who give

to the poor live in shame.

The respectable, polite ones

with good manners.

But, I am going.

No matter how. No matter,

no matter. I am going!

I told you to come here...

because I wanted to tell you

the truth.

The truth of what I am, so you

don't go on thinking about me.

You took off your...

That was for your father.

What's that?

Oh, are you taking that with you?

Of course. You can't count

on anybody or anything.

With this,

I can always eat.

Oh, Stavros.

I know that I'll never again

find anyone like you.

Oh, God!

What will happen to you?

I believe...

I believe that, in America...

I believe that I will be

washed clean.

Mr. Topouzoglou.

Would you like some tea?

Madam prefers it when you smile.

I've been waiting.

Bertha...

how do flies get on a ship?

Mr. Agnastis, what's that

over there? Is that land?

America!

America, America!

-What's the disturbance?

-Long Island.

Oh, well...

-How long did I sleep?

-A couple of hours.

I'll tell Mrs. Kebabian

you're awake.

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