Cactus Flower Page #11

You want a divorce?

It's I who wants a divorce.

I'll call the Registry

and have them

send you another nurse.

And here, give this to

your child-concubine.

Stephanie,

if you walk out now,

don't bother

to come back!

Don't worry,

Doctor Winston,

you won't see me again.

And that goes

for the children, too!

How late were you

out with her?

I thought you came here

to talk about my play?

Well, I'll wait

till they make it

into a movie.

I have a right to know

what went on.

She's my fiancee's wife.

Toni, I'd rather not

discuss the lady.

Well, I happen to know

this particular lady

swings with anybody.

Well, then I guess

I'm not anybody.

You mean, nothing?

She didn't want to, huh?

Maybe I didn't want to.

Oh, I doubt that.

I saw the way

you kissed her neck

like Dracula.

All we did was dance a lot,

drink a lot, talk a lot.

About what?

About my work,

about myself.

It isn't often

I find a woman

I, I enjoy talking to.

Are you implying

you can't talk to me?

Come to think of it,

I cannot. You're always

doing the talking,

and it's always

about your troubles

with that tooth jockey.

Julian is a fine man

and much too good

for his wife.

You ought to know

what I know.

Well, I know what I know.

She's a hell of a dame.

(STAMMERING)

She's good-looking, smart,

warm, very appealing.

Aha, then you

did want to!

Oh, for God's sake,

Toni, why don't

you act your age?

Or rather,

don't act your age.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Hey, Dracula,

it's for you.

Toni, I want to

talk to you.

Hi. How's your head

today?

Which one?

Igor, do you, do you

mind if I talk to...

Oh, of course not.

Wait a minute,

I live here.

You can wait

in my place.

(DOOR CLOSES)

And I used to

worry about you.

That's what caused

all the trouble.

Boy, you and Igor,

that child...

I didn't come

to talk about Igor.

I want to talk

about Julian and me.

All right.

What about Julian?

Are you keeping him

or can you spare him?

I want to know.

There is something else

you have to know,

and I'm going

straight to the point.

I have no patience

with people who shilly-shally

about these things.

Julian and I...

Julian, uh...

Oh, my God,

it isn't as easy

as I thought.

Well, I think

I can guess.

You're pregnant.

Pregnant? Whatever

gave you that idea?

That night Julian

took you home.

Why not?

You're still

Mrs. Winston.

I am not Mrs. Winston!

(SIGHS)

I'm Miss Dickinson.

Miss Dickinson?

But you...

The old maid?

That's ridiculous.

That's what I think.

Well, I hate

to be the one...

Now, wait a minute.

Now, let's not get excited.

You're Miss Dickinson,

Julian's nurse. Right?

Right.

Well, then,

who's Mrs. Winston?

But there is no

Mrs. Winston.

Julian isn't married.

Never has been.

This is a trick,

isn't it?

You're trying to confuse me,

so I'll do something.

You'll get to keep

him for yourself,

along with Harvey, and Igor

and that South American.

He lied to me.

(WHIMPERS)

I'm sorry, Toni.

I know this is a shock

for anyone.

And even greater

for someone with

your youth and idealism,

but...

That dirty son of a b*tch!

Well, that's one way

of looking at it.

Toni, wait!

Toni, Julian loves you.

Then why did

he lie like that?

He isn't a bad man.

He's just a little weak.

A weak man,

but a strong liar.

When I think of all those

thousands of details

the little things he told me

about his married life,

his children.

Igor, why don't...

Could I...

What are we playing,

Odd Man Out?

(DOOR SLAMS)

Damn it,

I've been swindled!

Toni, Julian is

marrying you.

A lot of girls would

leap at such a swindle.

I know you're expecting

Julian and I don't

want to run into him...

How come you decided

to unmess this mess?

Let's say, Miss Dickinson's

a very conscientious nurse

and likes to tidy up

before she goes.

Sooner or later,

Julian is going to

break down

and tell you the truth

on his own.

Please help him.

Accept him.

A man who lies cannot love.

That sounds like something

out of a fortune cookie.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Dirty, married bachelor.

Toni?

What did you want?

(SIGHS)

What's this all about?

Never mind.

Kiss me again.

Okay, but after this one,

I want

a complete explanation.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(WHISPERING)

Is that Julian?

(WHISPERING)

What if it is?

Toni, I don't know

what your game is,

but you're not gonna use me.

I'm getting out of here.

JULIAN:
Toni?

How? He's right outside.

Easy.

(LOUD KNOCKING ON DOOR)

JULIAN:
Toni?

I thought

you'd never answer.

What were you doing?

Getting rid

of my lover.

Oh, come on, Toni.

Please. Not tonight.

Tonight I...

I need all your help

and understanding.

What do you mean?

Well, I have something

to tell you and it's tough.

You've come

to tell me the truth.

Well, don't worry, darling.

If you've come to

tell me the truth...

You are going to

tell me the truth?

Well, go ahead, sweetheart.

I promise everything

will be all right.

Thanks, my love.

You're just marvelous.

This isn't going to

be easy.

But here it is.

My wife, Stephanie,

has changed her mind

about the divorce.

Try, try to remain

calm, dear.

It was a blow to me, too.

Oh, you poor man.

Well, now, let's see

if I can get this straight.

Your wife suddenly refuses

to give you a divorce?

It's hard to believe,

isn't it?

Very. When did

she tell you this?

This morning.

I fought like a tiger.

I pleaded with her.

I offered her everything

the house, money,

the car, more money.

But she and

her lawyer say no.

(SIGHS)

You can divorce her.

You have grounds,

all those lovers.

I can't because

of the children

and she knows it.

So, she's got us

over a barrel.

I'm absolutely sick about it.

Well, what happens

to me now?

We'll go right on

seeing each other

as before.

Good.

We'll manage

to snatch a few scraps

of happiness from life.

It's a compromise,

I know, but...

Well, dear,

if that's the way

it has to be...

Oh, baby,

how wonderfully well

you're taking this. Mmm.

You'll see,

we'll be even happier

than before.

Oh, well, it's not

such a bad arrangement.

And it, it's fair.

You'll still have

your wife, and me,

and I'll still have

you and Igor.

Igor?

(CHUCKLES) Igor.

But you said

you were just friends.

(STAMMERING)

You were lying to me?

(SIGHS)

I'm ashamed

to admit it.

I know how

you hate the thought

of a lie.

Oh, come on, Toni.

You're just putting me on,

aren't you?

What's that for?

That's our signal

that the coast is clear

and he can come over.

If I thought for one moment

that you and he...

You realize that if he walks

through that door,

it's all finished between us?

I realize that.

(WINDOW OPENING)

You called me?

What are you doing

coming through

the window like that?

Can't expect me

to come through

the hall like that.

Julian, don't feel

too bad about this.

You'll get over it...

I'll be fine, Toni.

You broke up my home.

You took me from my wife.

You alienated me

from my children.

But, thank God,

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