Come Back, Little Sheba

Good morning.

You've come to see the room?

Yes, I have. I'm Marie Buckholder.

Oh. How are you, dear?

You're from the university?

- Yes. I hope I didn't get you up.

- Oh, no, honey.

I had to get up, anyway.

It's up here. Is this the first room

you looked for?

- Yes, it is.

- I hope you like it.

- I'm sure I will.

- We haven't any children, you know.

Come right in. Right in here.

This is the room, honey.

See? You got a closet.

Nice, big closet.

And a lamp for reading.

I'll have to get you a bulb.

It's usually more quiet.

I guess a student needs it quiet.

But today being Saturday,

the Coffman kids is home.

The view isn't too important.

- It ain't too much money?

- No, the price seems all right.

Nice bed. A wonderful bed.

Good mattress.

I know, 'cause I slept here myself.

- You did?

- Well, not lately.

My husband used to be sickly.

But he's all right now.

I don't know, Mrs Delaney,

I'll think it over.

There isn't anything

closer to the university.

- It's very convenient, but...

- The bathroom's nice.

I just had it repainted three years ago.

We could put in another shelf

for your towels and things.

- And that's...

- That's our room.

My husband's asleep or I'd show you.

My husband's a doctor.

Not a real MD, a chiropractor.

But he's got a good practice.

If you was interested in the front room,

I could speak to him.

No, I wouldn't think of it.

I just started looking

and I feel I should look around a bit.

You could get your own meal.

Kitchen privileges, they call it.

And I could get you your own key.

You could come and go as...

That's my sewing room.

- It's a little upset now.

- I will think it over.

You could use the house

as if it was yours.

We wouldn't interfere,

'cause we're very quiet.

We don't have much company.

- It's only two blocks to the bus.

- Yes, it's very convenient.

- It's quite likely I will be back, only...

- I'll keep my fingers crossed.

- Thanks a lot. Goodbye.

- Bye.

- Who was that, Lola?

- Morning. I didn't hear ya.

You know what I just thought I saw?

Little Sheba.

But it was just some little grey dog.

- Who was that upstairs with you?

- She's an awful sweet little thing.

Her name is Marie Buckholder.

She's a student at the university.

I keep thinking

every little dog I see is Sheba.

- What did Miss Buckholder want?

- She came about renting the bedroom.

I called up the university.

You know, Daddy. After all, six dollars

ain't to be sneezed at.

- What are you thinking of?

- Lots of people rent rooms.

Not the Delaneys.

I didn't mean to upset you.

I just thought...

- I don't want anybody here.

- Are you mad at me?

You know, it ain't like before.

Nobody'd see you getting drunk,

'cause you don't get drunk any more.

When I remember the way you used

to be, drinking and getting into fights.

- Please, baby.

- I'm sorry, Daddy.

You gotta understand, honey.

Sure, I know I'm fine today.

Today, I know I can control myself.

That's enough.

Oh, sure, Doc.

Gee, must have been after three

when you got home last night.

Where was you working?

At the jail or the hospital?

At the jail.

- Want fruit juice?

- Oh, sure. Nice and cold.

- You sure drink it up fast.

- You know what the doctor said.

I'll stock in a lot today.

I was sure there was still some left.

Doc, can I go with you

to the AA meeting?

- For your birthday party.

- Sure.

- Wish I had some orange juice.

- I'll go to the store.

- Don't bother.

- Oh, it won't take a minute.

- I can get some on the way to work.

- No, let me do it for you.

I'll be right back. Won't take a second.

Mrs Delaney?

- I'm Miss Buckholder.

- Mrs Delaney's out.

I've come about renting the room,

and not the upstairs room.

If Mrs Delaney could let me have

this one, it's really what I had in mind.

More a studio than a bedroom.

I was here a few minutes ago.

You see, I'm studying art

and this would work out just great.

D'you think she'd consider it?

But if I'd be in your way...

- It's rather far from the bathroom.

- Running up stairs keeps my legs slim.

If I have to run in and out and it's late,

I won't be bothering you.

Mrs Delaney said

I could move in right away.

Right away?

Well, then... then why don't you?

- She wouldn't mind it being this room?

- It's my house.

That's just wonderful! Thank you

so much, Mr... Doctor Delaney.

She said two weeks in advance

was satisfactory.

- That can wait till later.

- No, I insist.

Tell her I'll be moving in around

four o'clock. Oh, gee, thanks so much.

I hope I didn't disturb you.

Daddy?

Doc?

Oh. Daddy, why didn't you answer me?

- I didn't hear you.

- I thought you'd gone.

- I rented your room.

- Did that nice girl come back?

Your sewing room.

You'll have to take your things out.

- Sure.

- There's your first two weeks' rent.

Oh. Thanks, Daddy.

The money'll come in handy.

Good evening.

- Hello.

- Hello.

May I have your attention, please?

Good evening. My name

is Ed Anderson, I'm an alcoholic.

I'm happy to welcome you to the AA.

Those of you who are new,

I hope you find what I found when I

walked in that door five years ago.

First, let's have

all the alcoholics raise their hands.

Thank you. Now those of you

who are here for the first time.

It's good to have you here.

Now for the birthday babies.

Elmo Chester, four years.

Pearl Stimson, three years.

Henrietta Colby, two years.

Doc Delaney, one year.

Elmo.

It's a long time between drinks.

Pearl.

Three years ago, I wouldn't have

the wind to do this.

Henrietta.

I don't know...

I don't know what to say,

except I thank God and

all my friends here who've helped me.

Doc.

- I never thought I'd make it.

- Neither did I.

- Hi there.

- Hello.

I bet I know who you're writing to.

I got a real long one from him today.

Four pages.

- Was it as interesting as usual?

- Especially interesting.

You hear that, Daddy?

Doc, she got a letter from Bruce.

- Bruce?

- As if you didn't know who that was.

You hear that, Marie?

The boy she's engaged to.

- The young man back home.

- We're not exactly engaged.

I just got my eye on him. You sound

tired, Doc. What'd you see tonight?

Oh, we didn't go to a movie. We...

We went to see some friends.

- Night.

- I'll be up in a minute, Doc.

Did Bruce get his raise?

He's getting $300 a month and

expenses and he gets to fly everywhere.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Well, I guess you're busy.

- Night, Marie.

- Good night, Mrs Delaney.

What about a little music?

I always think music

helps with letter writing.

Marie should really marry that fella.

He makes $300 a month

and he gets to fly every place.

Thought she wants to get an education.

Drawing pictures?

That's what she studies the most of.

Honey, do me a favour. I don't want

Marie to know about me being in AA.

But that's the first thing the AAs

teach you, to admit you're an alcoholic.

I'll tell everybody

when I'm more sure of myself.

You certainly ought to be sure

after tonight. I was so proud of you.

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