Born to Be Bad Page #5

How, curtis?

I think

that lecherous old man

ogling christabel's

portrait

is going to buy it.

Excuse me, donna.

Aquarius...

jupiter...

mars...

venus...

stop there.

Please, nick. It's getting

late. I ought to go in.

Not yet. I don't

want to lose you.

You won't lose me.

Well, not when we're

alone like this,

but when we're

with other people-

donna and curtis,

gobby-

you're gone.

It's just

your imagination.

Well, i admit it's vivid,

but it's very accurate.

Why don't you marry me

and quit getting lost?

Nick, please.

That's no answer.

I can't, darling. I need

time. Give me a little time.

Time for what?

Just a little longer.

All right.

I won't push you.

I'll give you till tomorrow

night. My place at 7:00.

I can't. I have to go

to the ball,

the carey charity ball.

Did anyone ever tell you

that charity begins at home?

All right.

The next night.

Good night, nick.

How many times do i have to tell you

how much

you love me?

What are you doing,

donna?

Packing.

Where are you going?

London.

With curtis?

I'm glad everything

is all right.

Did you think

anything was wrong?

Of course not, silly.

I just didn't know you

were planning quite so soon.

When?

Tomorrow afternoon.

But the ball.

I won't be at the ball.

But curtis

has to be there. He-

i said

i won't be there.

Donna, how terrible.

Yes, isn't it?

Terrible for everybody

but you.

I don't understand.

What do you mean?

You almost stumbled,

as i did once.

When you came here

that first day,

i fell flat on my face

over your suitcase.

I never really got up.

But surely you're not

blaming me for what happened.

You can't. I've done

everything.

I've even talked

to curtis.

Yes, you did,

and curtis talked to me.

He gave me the acid test

to see whether

i loved him enough

to give up all rights

to his money,

and then i realized it was

you who provided the acid.

But you're not fair. It's

not true. I only said that-

i know pretty well

what you said.

If i were you, curtis...

if i were donna...

i can just hear you,

being so helpful

and so helpless,

helping to mess up

people's lives

for your own

selfish purposes

and just about

as helpless as a wildcat.

Somebody should have told

the birds and bees about you.

Go ahead, donna.

I know

you're not happy,

and if it makes you

feel any better,

say whatever

you please.

Sacrificing to the end,

aren't you, christabel?

Only it doesn't fool me

anymore.

I'm not going to hold

this against you, donna.

You've been

very good to me,

and i'll never

forget that,

no matter

what you say.

That's very touching.

I'm sure curtis

will be deeply moved

when you tell him how

noble you've been to me,

and after the way

i've treated you.

You wouldn't think

that i could-

i've stopped thinking.

It's easier that way.

I told my agent

to rent the apartment,

but don't worry,

christabel.

I'm sure of one thing-

christabel will take care

of christabel...

every time.

And then i told donna

that i forgave her for all

the things that she'd said

and i didn't ever

want her to feel ashamed.

Don't worry.

She wasn't.

Uncle john, what did

donna say about me?

She said nothing

about you.

Nothing?

Donna and curtis were

in love, deeply in love.

What happened,

christabel?

L-i can't imagine.

Surely you don't believe that

i had anything to do with it.

Why did you confide in

me unless you were afraid

that donna had

already told me?

Or unless you had

a guilty conscience?

I confided in you because

you're the nearest thing

i've ever had

to a father,

because i love you

and i need you.

That's all

very well, but-

stop moving

my papers about.

I was tidying up

your desk.

Uncle john,

how would you like me

to help out

while donna is away?

I wouldn't like it.

Look, christabel, you left business school,

and since you're obviously not equipped

to work

in this office,

i can't see any point in your not returning

to santa flora

and your aunt clara.

But i like it here.

I've got friends here.

Nick is going

to boston.

My editor

can't get away,

so nick has to go there to work with him.

He leaves on

the midnight plane.

So soon?

You may as well

return tonight.

I'll send the car

for you.

But the ball is tonight.

I'll make

your excuses.

But i've looked forward to

it so. It's my first ball.

Probably my last ball.

Let me go back tomorrow. Another

day won't make any difference.

No. I guess

it won't at that.

Oh, uncle john,

you do understand me.

Curtis.

Gobby, isn't this

just like heaven?

Don't ask me.

I've never been there.

You know what they're saying

about curtis and donna?

No. What?

I don't know.

I thought maybe you did.

L-i wonder-

curtis is on the terrace.

Shall we dance?

Oh, let's

- let's say hello to uncle john.

All right.

Here's your niece,

john.

Good evening,

uncle john.

Good evening, christabel. Hello, gobby.

Hello, curtis.

How are you?

You look

lovely.

Thank you.

Curtis, my dear, it's going

even better than last year.

Money is just

flowing in.

That's because you always do everything

so charmingly,

mrs. Bolton.

Hello, john.

Hello.

Mrs. Bolton,

my niece christabel caine.

Why didn't you tell me you

had such a decorative niece?

I would have put her to work

selling programs. Well, next year.

I'm afraid

i won't be here.

My niece

is moving back

to santa flora

tomorrow.

What a pity.

Come along, john.

I need you to start the

bidding on the cadillac.

So long as i don't

have to end the bidding.

You, too, curtis.

When was all this decided

about your going away?

Uncle john

thought it was best,

and i suppose

he's right.

You see, donna-

i mean, the apartment is sublet,

so that sort of leaves me out in the cold.

I'm sorry, christabel.

I'll miss you.

Will you, curtis?

Why, of course i will.

Maybe you blame me,

too.

Blame you for what?

I'd rather not talk

about it.

I'd rather you had.

What is it, christabel?

You see,

donna had the idea

that what happened between

you two was my fault.

Your fault?

Yes, and if you felt that

way, i couldn't bear it.

We can't talk here.

Come on.

But your guests.

They'll survive.

I hope i haven't

upset you, curtis.

Why should you think that

i'd blame you for anything?

Maybe-maybe i am

to blame.

Why do you

say that?

Well, i wanted

to protect you.

L-i wanted you

to be happy,

even if it meant

sacrificing

my own happiness.

You shouldn't feel

responsible for my happiness.

L-i can't help it.

Christabel, l-

please, please

don't say that.

I've tried so hard to

fight against what i feel.

I didn't want you

to know ever.

You've been so sweet

and kind to me,

but that's your nature.

It doesn't mean anything.

Oh, it means

a great deal.

That's very generous of

you, curtis, and charitable.

I don't mean

to be charitable.

No. I know you didn't.

It's just you.

Well, i'd better be going home.

I have a lot of packing to do.

Don't look so unhappy,

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