Circus World Page #5

her around.

That's called dancing.

Taking advantage of a kid!

Do you deny it?

- I deny nothing. I was...

- I'm not gonna belt you.

Belt me!

You sounded off in Paris

about wanting to be my partner.

- That's right.

- Well, mister,

You're certainly going about it

in the wrong way.

But Like that you'll get nothing

except a busted head.

A busted head?

I've never seen anything as cheap

and disgusting.

Matt, can't I say something?

- Say it.

- She's a woman.

Not yet she isn't and she isn't

going to be made into one

By any flight-by-night

Circus bum.

When Toni meets a man it's

gonna be for true Love,

no penny-ante fella using her

for a blue chip.

You figured me about as wrong

as any man possibly could.

- Steve, where are you going?

- Steering clear at you.

Listen, do me a favor.

Just stay away from me.

I don't want a busted head.

Matt Masters, you're a bully.

What are you trying to do,

ruin my life?

Wait a minute.

- Don't treat me like a baby.

- I didn't call you a baby.

No, but if you had your way,

I'd be cooped up in a play-pen

with dolls

Or in a high chair eating mush

and drinking milk.

And my clothes!

I'm still wearing bloomers.

Maybe you're a grown-up,

but I've been trying to help you...

Help me! Make me look like an idiot

in front of everybody.

I'll never forgive you.

I'm going to grow up.

And you're not going to

stop me.

I can't stop you.

You arent a kid any more.

Then what am I? Say it.

Let me hear you say it once.

- Just once.

- You're a woman, Toni.

I got eyes.

You're beautiful

- young woman and,

- Then why?

Please, just let me talk.

Theres a lot of things

that I should've said before, but

Go on.

It's time you learned some

facts of life.

- I'm listening.

- Sometimes, with two people,

well, things can get out of hand,

and it's the woman that has

be strong.

Aman's generally no better

than he has to be.

Look at those idiots today

ogling you and whispering.

Because I wore that costume.

Why? Everybody loved it.

There isnt a man in this

place you can trust.

But there are exceptions.

A girl has to get married.

I'm not talking about Steve,

or any other man.

I don't want you to start off

stumbling.

But, I'm in love, Matt.

Honest. In love.

I guess maybe you are.

I don't know what to tell you.

Maybe you won't get hurt, but

I just don't want you to do

your first dive without a net.

Oh, funny. When I came in

I wanted to kill you.

I'm glad you changed your mind

There's something you're not saying,

Matt.

Something sad in you...

I've felt it before.

Nothing like that.

It isnt anything I've done

is it?

No, Toni.

You've given me nothing but

good things, and I'm grateful.

Matt, I owe you so much.

Please, don't worry.

If I do any high dive,

I'll use a net.

Hey, Matt!

- You coming to supper?

- No, and close the door.

Kind of cozy here.

Schuman claims on of his tigers

has got indigestion.

He wants a doctor to examine

him.

I told him flat -

I don't know any tiger doctors.

Go on to supper.

Don't bother me.

What's on the program?

I don't know.

Maybe we ought to take the new

Circus and dump it in the junk

Are you crazy?

We're only 2000 bucks shy

on the price of a tent.

I'm shy a lot more than that.

Just come on, let's shop it.

They got a new rice dish.

Well, you eat it.

I gotta go through all

these mail-letters

from agents, phony acts...

The always come crawling out,

you're putting on a circus.

Am I?

Well, it's my opinion.

In a circus you have to have

artist flying through the air,

Like musical notes,

somebody making a tune with em

Somebody with a calliope

inside...

Calliope? You got steam coming

out of your ears.

Go away, Cap.

Okay.

And close the door.

I think you and the tiger both

need a doctor.

Hello, Lili.

Hello, Cap.

Kind a wet out here, but,

might be worse inside.

Will you make up your mind

and stop opening and close?

Well, I washed my face.

And I combed my hair.

Look any better?

About eight pounds better.

Seven.

A rope and a rigging will

Take off another seven.

Matt, do you have a spot for

Another performer?

Lili, I...

Just a performer.

No relative.

She'll know you.

Not for a long time, Matt.

And, if you don't want it,

never.

I just don't want to be a performer,

working near her.

Hey, Matt! You in there!

You're the lady who told me about

salt for my ankle.

I thought you were looking for a job.

Yes, I was just talking to Mr. Masters

about it.

- What's your act?

- High trapeze.

We've got one woman working high.

We need someone.

What is your full name?

Margot Angeli.

I'm Toni Alfredo.

Will you join us for supper?

Well, I have to unpack, Toni.

Have you eaten, Miss Angeli?

No, I havent.

Well, you're more than

welcome to join us.

Oh, fine!

Under here you won't get wet.

Good morning, Miss Angeli.

You're early.

It's been a long time.

I need some practice.

Well, your rigging's secure.

- Thanks, Cap.

- Any time.

You're all right.

You only fainted.

You just lie quiet

and you'll be fine.

You're Aldo.

I shouldn't have surprised

you that way.

I thought...

Did I upset you?

It's nothing, Matt.

She just had a little shock.

I thought she knew I was here.

I'm sorry.

You fell. You're not going up again.

But, it had nothing to do

with my strength.

It was Aldo...

He stood there looking at me

in Alfredo's eyes and clothes.

I thought it was Alfredo.

It was just my imagination.

I wonder.

Well, anyway it won't work out,

Lili.

Because of Aldo?

I'm not afraid of him.

Not Aldo, you.

You and Toni.

But she likes me, Matt.

Last night...

Last night you were somebody

in the rain.

No, there's more to it than that.

She feels something.

Well, that's a feeling you're not

going to like.

You're a blacked out figure

in her scrapbook, Lili,

and in her life,

And I did that, and I meant

to do it.

Way back, when she was a

little kid,

She blamed herself because

you'd gone away.

It took a long time to convince her

it wasn't her fault.

I could have told her the

truth, bit I didnt.

I lied.

So she blacked you out, like

I did. I taught her that.

Then, why did you go to

Hamburg?

Matt, let me stay until

she finds out.

Maybe by then she'll get to know me.

I'm not a monster.

She's been hurt once.

That's enough.

Well, if she hates me,

it won't hurt her to find out.

She may curse me, spit at me

and tell me to get out.

She has a right.

And if she tells me to go, I'll go.

It won't hurt her to have revenge.

What happens to you?

I'll take my chances.

You've got guts, Lili.

I hope you win.

- Isn't it wonderful?

- Oh, yeah.

- What's the matter, Steve?

- Oh, nothing.

Yes, you kept your eyes open

when you kissed me.

I was doing sentry duty.

Stop worrying about Matt.

He isn't here.

Toni, hes all over the places.

I don't like acting like two kids,

scared of Matt.

- Do you like that, Toni?

- Not entirely.

I didnt tell you what was biting him.

He thinks that I'm courting you

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote