Belle of the Nineties Page #3

MAN:
Well spoken.

Gentlemen, I want you to meet

Miss Ruby Carter.

How do you do?

These gentlemen are all friends of mine.

A pleasure.

Friends of yours are friends of mine.

- Won't you join us at the bar?

- We beg of you to join us.

You have a nice way of asking.

I you will excuse Miss Carter now...

I'm sure she'll be happy to join you later

at the roulette table.

- We'll be anxiously waiting for you.

- Yes. Lovely.

- At the roulette table.

- Yes.

Marvellous, wasn't it?

I guess that's the word for it.

- And it's the word for you, too.

- Thanks.

Ruby, I'd like to have a little talk with you.

I'm listening.

- You and I could go a long way together.

- How do you mean?

With your beauty and talents, and my

business ability, we could make a fortune.

Sounds interesting.

Of course, you know

why I brought you down here, don't you?

I got a rough idea.

You're the kind of a woman I've dreamed

about, always desired. I'm wild about you.

Some of the wildest men make the best pets.

- Ruby, please.

- Wait a minute, Ace.

- What about this dame Molly?

- Molly?

She doesn't mean a thing.

Just a passing fancy.

Maybe you think I'm a passing fancy.

- You couldn't be.

- You bet your life I couldn't.

ACE:
Ruby, please.

RUBY:
Listen, Ace, I like you and all that...

but I ain't stepping

into another dame's shoes.

I never took a man away

from another woman yet.

Not unless she done me dirt.

It's a principle with me.

But I wish you forget your principles.

Ruby, I must have you.

Your golden hair, your fascinating eyes,

alluring smile, and lovely arms.

- Your form divine.

- Wait a minute.

Is this a proposal

or are you taking inventory?

Am I to understand

that you're rejecting my proposal?

Oh, no. I just want little time

to figure this out.

You see, I'm in the habit

of picking my own men.

- In that case I still have hopes.

- Oh, yes.

Get your bets down, ladies and gentlemen,

the wheel is now going.

Do I bother you if I look over your shoulder?

No, do I bother you?

Twelve on the red wins.

Are you in town for good?

I expect to be here but not for good.

BROOKS:
I beg your pardon.

CROUPIER:
Twenty-three on the red wins.

How do you do?

I'm glad you remember me

after our rather informal meeting.

CROUPIER:
All bets down,

the wheel is now turning.

Make your play.

I had almost forgotten.

CROUPIER:
One on the red wins.

That's too bad. Well, that's roulette for you.

DOORMAN:
Good night, sir.

MAN:
Good night?

MAN:
You mean good morning?

DOORMAN:
Good morning, sir.

RUBY:
[Singing] Some like short men

some like them tall

I'm funny that way 'cause I like them all

Tell me how long do I have to wait?

Can I get you now?

Or must I hesitate?

I hate to wait

SPECTATOR:
Bravo!

MAN 1:
May I offer you a New Orleans Fizz.

Permit me to call you an old dear.

MAN 1:
A New Orleans Fizz for the lady.

BARTENDER:
Yes, sir.

I'm so glad to see so many men here.

The kind I like, too.

You flatter us.

May we ask what types of men you prefer?

Just two, domestic and foreign.

Won't you tell us where you're stopping

during your visit here?

Stopping at nothing.

[Toasting in French]

French toast. It's all right.

Drink to her who long has made

strong men sigh...

to the girl that gave to song

what gold could never buy.

Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you.

It's better to be looked over than overlooked.

MAN 2:
Won't you sing once more for us?

RUBY:
I'm sorry, gents, but I have to retire.

Please sing.

The fun's all over if you go to bed.

All right, I'll sing.

- What will it be?

- Sing St. Louis Woman again.

No, why not sing your own favourite?

My favourite?

All right. Play it, boys.

[Band playing soft music]

[Singing] My old flame

I can't even think of his name

But it's funny now and then

How my thoughts go drifting back again

To my old flame

My old flame

My new lovers all seem so tame

For there never was a gent

More magnificent or elegant

than my old flame

I've met so many who have fascinating ways

A fascinating gaze in their face

Some that took me up to the skies

But their attempts at love

were only imitations

Of, ah, my old flame

Just can't think of his name

But I'll never be the same

until I discover what became

of my old flame

[Sweeping instrumental music]

JEWELLER:
This one is less expensive,

Mr. Claybourne.

But I think she will like this one better.

- Very well.

- Put this card with it.

JEWELLER:
Thank you very much,

Mr. Claybourne.

Why, you can see for yourself

what's on her mind.

She's been out with this Claybourne

every afternoon for two weeks.

He's up here every night gambling.

But it's just to see her.

Maybe you noticed she was wearing

some more new diamonds lately.

- It's another present from him.

- And why are you telling me this?

Just thought you'd like to know.

Thought maybe you'd appreciate

what you got...

instead of wanting something you can't get.

RUBY:
Oh.

ACE:
Come in.

What's the matter with her?

What's the matter with you?

Don't seem like you're in a very good mood.

That's too bad.

- I was just gonna ask you something.

- Is that so? What is it?

I was just thinking,

I ought to have a little vacation.

- Vacation?

- Yeah, just about a week or so.

Why, that's impossible.

You're my main attraction.

- Business is just picking up.

- I know it.

I haven't noticed you overworking yourself.

Well, I never overwork myself for anybody.

In fact, the only reason I work at all

is to pass the time.

ACE:
I suppose you're going driving

with young Claybourne.

RUBY:
How did you guess?

ACE:
Did he suggest this vacation?

I don't know what you see

in that inexperienced young blade.

Experience isn't always necessary.

Of course, I don't want to argue with you.

About the week off, do I get it or don't I?

- You don't.

- All right...

if that's the way you feel about it.

You know, I don't have to do this for a living.

Don't have to work at all.

Send in Slade or Dirk or anybody.

Ace, you're in a mess. You got the champ

signed to fight in two weeks, haven't you?

- Yeah.

- And he'll fight Lefty Dougan.

- You ain't got Lefty Dougan.

- What?

- You ain't got Dougan.

- No?

- He ran out.

- Ran out?

That is a mess. To have the match all set,

and the contender backs out.

That's the same thing with different words.

Let's go down to the gym.

- Hi, boys.

- Hello, Mr. La Mont.

Don't forget

you're coming to my party tonight.

ACE:
Hi, Jim.

JIM:
How are you, Ace?

Hey, Ace!

Ace, what do you think of that guy Dougan?

I'm not through with him.

Wait till he tries to get another fight.

I'm gonna get in touch

with every promoter...

What you gonna do? Call it off?

If I call it off, I got to pay the champ anyway.

The kind of money he gets, it's...

Who is that fellow?

That's my boy, the Tiger Kid.

Hello, Kirby.

When did you get in New Orleans?

I just got in this morning.

- So that's the Tiger Kid?

- Yeah, that's him.

- Ace, can I see you a minute?

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