Beloved Infidel Page #8

we build our character. "

So, the Collier's and Post

turned down your book.

But not really -

just the first couple of chapters.

Maybe they didn't grasp

what you're after.

All right, finish it.

Prove to 'em you still have it.

Yes, hello?

Sheilah, this is Scott.

Sheilah?

Sheilah? Please talk to me.

Then for the last two days

he's been bombarding me

with letters and telephone calls

at two and three in the morning.

He sent a telegram to

John Wheeler urging him

to have me sent back to England.

Why?

If John refused

he threatened to have me deported.

Oh, that's just the nature

of the beast.

I am finished. But really.

I have had Mr. Fitzgerald and his charm

and his liquor and his genius.

I have had it up to here.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I'm positive.

You don't know what it's been like.

I can't work. I can't sleep.

- Why don't you get a lawyer?

- Hm?

Yeah, take him into court.

No, hire a couple of detectives.

They'll pay a call on Mr. F

and promise to throw him in jail

if he doesn't stop annoying you.

- Could I do that?

- For a hundred bucks.

- I've got to get my sunglasses.

- I'll do anything...

to stop those telephone calls.

- I'll do anything!

- They'll stop him, all right.

A visit from the gendarmes

just before dawn

can be a nice little persuader.

They'll start by pounding on his door

about 5am...

- But they can't do that.

- They can't do what?

Pound on his door at that hour.

He'd just be falling asleep,

and he sleeps so badly.

Uh... Look, wouldn't you like a drink?

The next best thing to seeing you

was to spend the afternoon here

in the surroundings which

have brought me so much happiness.

I loved you with everything I had,

but something was terribly wrong.

We were doomed,

I'm afraid, from the start.

I said and did awful things,

but what I cannot bear is the thought

that you trusted me and I betrayed you.

I cannot bear the thought

that I gave grief to you

when I wanted to give joy.

I'm glad you're rid of me.

I hope you're happy, and that the last

impression will fade a little with time.

Goodbye, Sheil-o.

Sheil-o.

Sheil-o.

Sheil-o.

Yes?

Thank you, Sheil-o.

I must... see you.

Well, I...

I want... to talk to you too.

I'll pick you up, darling.

We'll drive somewhere where we can talk.

I'm through with the drinking

and... I'm finished with it for good.

The escape is much more horrible

than the reality.

I know you...

I know you mean what you say now,

but... how long will it last?

How do I...?

I've never promised before.

Not to you and not even to myself.

I'm through drinking, Sheil-o.

I've started writing again

on The Last Tycoon.

It's going to be the best thing

that I've ever done, thanks to you.

I love you, Scott.

I love you as you are now.

But that other Scott, I...

Well, it was a nightmare.

I couldn't stand that again,

I really couldn't.

Even if you don't take me back -

and I want you very, very much -

I'm through... drinking.

Through, through.

Yes, but how... how can I be sure?

How can I believe? How can I know?

Test me. Don't just take my word for it.

Test me.

Psst!

Hey.

You have been at it all day.

You must stop now.

Yes, I will.

It's... it's a very special chapter.

It's... very special.

Rather personal. It's...

Well, it's about us, about you and me.

It's about us?

Oh, darling!

- Read it to me.

- Well, I'd like to.

I'll see if I can find the place

where you and I first meet.

Yes, here it is.

I've christened you Kathleen,

and I'm called Monroe Stahr.

Yes, here it is.

"Stahr and Kathleen danced. "

"When she came close,

his several visions blurred. "

"She was momentarily unreal. "

"Stahr continued to be dazzled

as they danced out along the floor. "

"She was deep in it with him,

no matter what the words were. "

"Her eyes invited him to a romantic

communion of unbelievable intensity. "

"As if she realised this,

she said, frightened, 'I must go back'."

"Stahr held her close. "

"'I don't want to lose you.

Couldn't we have dinner?'"

"She dropped her arms and looked at him,

a laughing wanton. "

"'When I'm with you

I don't breathe quite right', she said. "

"She picked up her long dress

and turned. "

"'Thank you for the dance', she said. "

"'And now, really, good night'."

"Then she nearly ran. "

Oh...

It is us, isn't it?

I never realised that you'd...

Oh...

Read me some more.

There is another part

I'd like to read to you, but...

I have to polish it first. It's...

Tomorrow night. It's the part where

Kathleen is being educated by Stahr.

He's given her a schedule of books

to be read.

- Sound slightly familiar?

- Yes, slightly.

Well, am I... that wonderful

all the way through?

Haven't you written about the times

when I'm so stupid and foolish and silly?

Let's celebrate tonight.

What do you say we go out?

- Would you like to?

- Mm-hm.

You know what? I've had an invitation

to a private showing at the Fox studio.

It's nothing big, very informal.

Some of the industry and a few press.

It might be fun. It's a comedy.

A comedy sounds good.

Is it a funny comedy?

Well, it's said to be hilarious.

- Boa noite, night is through

- See, see, see, see, see the moon above

- Soon I'll dream and when I do

- Way, way, way, way up in the blue

I'll dream my way into your arms again

So boa noite

Until then

Oh, there they are.

Scott, what's the matter?

I feel awful. Awful.

- Darling, stay here for a minute.

- No, let's go.

- People might think I'm drunk again.

- No, darling. Nobody saw. Lean on me.

- Let me call the doctor...

- Hello, Sheilah, Scott.

Haven't seen you.

Where have you been?

He's working

on the most exciting novel.

Wonderful. If there's a picture in it,

be sure and let me read it.

- Scott, let me call Dr Hoffman.

- Talk to me. Make conversation.

- I can't...

- Hello, Scott. How are you?

Hello.

Help me. Do it. Talk to me.

Uh... Bob Carter had a funny row

with the police last night.

They stopped him outside Chasen's

restaurant making a U-turn...

- Hello, Sheilah, darling.

- Hello.

They asked his name

and he said, "Peter Rabbit. "

Then he told them he lived

in a lettuce patch.

And he was... he was very indignant

he had to spend the night

in the police station.

How do I look?

Oh, Scott,

please let me call Dr Hoffman.

I'm going to see him tomorrow anyway.

Darling, let me drive.

Thanks, Sheil-o.

Germany, Italy and Japan

have signed a mutual aid pact.

Well, that means we're going to be

in the war, sooner or later.

I'd like to go to Europe.

Get a job as a war correspondent.

Oh, you coward.

You needn't think you'll get away

from me by going to cover a war.

I'm going with you.

We'll go lots of places together,

when things get back to normal.

I'll take you anywhere you'd like to go.

Oh, I'd love that, darling.

I'd love to go to Europe with you.

I'd see everything for the first time.

I didn't really see anything anyway

until you opened my eyes.

Well, six chapters nearly finished.

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