Come Back, Little Sheba Page #6

It would be when I needed him most.

- Sure you don't need help?

- No, everything's ready.

- Marie, you sit here, honey.

- Thank you.

- Bruce, will you sit here?

- Thank you.

Three's a crowd, so I'm just gonna

serve you lovebirds.

- There's no hurry.

- Oh, sure.

Gotta start, 'cause the food will all spoil.

Let's have some candles.

- Let me do that.

- Thanks, Bruce.

I always think candlelight's so romantic.

If you'll just excuse me.

Just a minute.

Hello.

Oh, Ed. Have you seen Doc?

He went out this morning

and he isn't home yet.

We're having company for dinner.

No, but you know that bottle of whisky

we had in the kitchen all this time?

Well, Doc's never gone near it.

I was gonna make drinks

for the company

and I went to get it and it was gone.

No. I don't think so.

Oh. He said this morning

his stomach was kind of upset.

Would... would you, Ed?

Thanks, Ed. Thanks a million times.

Yes, I'll be here.

I'm afraid it's a little late for cocktails.

But tomato juice is real good for you.

I'm high already, getting my girl back.

- Sure you won't eat with us?

- I'm not a bit hungry.

Well...

What about a little music?

Oh, Ed, it's Mrs Delaney again.

I hated to call so early, but I just had to.

Did you find Doc?

No. No, he hasn't.

He probably won't come home until he's

had all he can drink and wants to sleep.

I don't know what else

to think, Ed. I'm scared.

I'm awfully scared.

If I need you later on,

will you come over?

Thanks.

Doc!

Are you all right, Daddy?

Where's the morning paper?

I want to see the paper.

We don't get any morning paper,

you know that.

Then I suppose I'm drunk.

Is that what you're trying to say?

- No, Daddy.

- Then get me the morning paper.

Sure, Doc.

Here we are.

- Now, you sit right there and be quiet.

- Why shouldn't I be quiet?

- Nothing, Doc.

- "Nothing, Doc."

- Doc? You're sure you're all right?

- Course I'm all right.

Doc, where've you been?

What business is it of yours

where I've been?

- Daddy, I...

- Just let me alone, that's all I ask.

Why did you do it?

You said you'd be home early

and I had a nice dinner fixed

for Bruce and you never came.

- Bruce. A big dinner for Bruce.

- But it was for you, too.

- Well, I don't want it.

- Daddy, don't get mad.

Where's Marie?

I don't know. She didn't come home

last night. She went out with Bruce.

I suppose you peeked through

the keyhole and applauded.

Daddy, don't say things like that. He's

a nice boy. They're going to be married.

Probably has to marry her.

Just 'cause she's pretty

and he got amorous one day.

- Like I had to marry you.

- Don't, Daddy.

You and Marie are a couple of sluts.

- Daddy, please don't talk like that.

- What are you good for?

- You can't even cook my breakfast.

- I will, Doc, I will.

You don't sweep the floors till some

bozo comes and makes love to Marie.

Then you fix things up like...

like Buckingham Palace.

Or a Chinese joint,

with perfume on the lamp bulbs.

And flowers. And china.

Gold-rimmed china.

China my mother gave us.

My mother didn't buy these

for sluts to eat off!

- Oh, Doc!

- Gonna get me a drink.

No, please don't!

Daddy, please don't!

- You stay away from me.

- Doc, you know what it does to you.

Makes me want to come home

and look at you, you...

Soon I'm gonna have another.

And another.

Ed, Ed, he's home.

Can you come over, Ed?

- He's drinking. I don't know what to do!

- Get away from that phone!

Please come. He's got a knife!

No! Daddy!

No. No, Doc. Please, Daddy.

That's right,

tell the whole world that I'm drunk.

Scream, you fat slut! Holler

so the neighbours think I've beaten you.

Where's Bruce now?

Under Marie's bed?

Got all pretty for him, didn't you?

Combed your hair. Even washed

your neck and put on a girdle.

Please don't talk like that.

I'd rather you hit me.

I can't bear you to say

things like that. Talking crazy!

I'm making sense for the first time ever!

Didn't think I knew about it, did you?

I heard 'em sneaking in.

I saw them! You thought you

were putting something over on me.

No, Doc, I didn't know anything about it.

You're crazy if you think I didn't know!

Running a regular Ionely-hearts place.

- Probably since we were married.

- No, it's not true!

- You're lying!

- No, Daddy! Daddy, please!

That's not gonna happen any more.

I'm gonna fix you.

- Once and for all!

- No! Don't do this to me!

Daddy! It's me, Lola!

What's going on? I heard...

- Are you all right, lady?

- Yes, I'm fine.

Some men will be here soon.

Everything will be all right.

We got here as soon as we could.

- Tried to use that on you?

- I'm all right.

We can't leave him here

if he's playing with knives.

Doc, it's Ed and Elmo.

We're gonna take care of you.

- Get off me.

- How much has he had?

- I don't know. He hasn't been home.

- It's hit him hard.

- Shall I get him some coffee?

- No, he's past that.

- Get out. This is my house.

- We're taking you with us.

- Where are you taking him?

- City hospital.

No! No, wait, don't take me there.

That's where they put the crazy people.

If you don't come peacefully,

we'll call the cops.

You'll have to wear this off in the cooler.

You wouldn't like that.

OK. OK, I'll go.

Just give me one more drink. Please.

- Please don't.

- Can't make much difference now.

OK, Doc, we're gonna give you a drink.

Take a good one. It's gonna be your last

for a long, long time.

He'll be there a few days,

then he'll be home, good as new.

OK. I'm all right.

It's all right.

Honey, stop them!

Don't let them take me!

Stop them, somebody! Please!

No! No, wait! Wait, Ed!

- Don't, Mrs Delaney.

- I want to go with him!

No, lady, that's no place for you.

You'll only be in the way.

- Is there anything I can do for you?

- No, I guess not.

Keep busy, Mrs Delaney.

Keep busy and forget it.

Yes. I'm gonna keep busy, Mrs Coffman.

Look at this mess.

And he'd been behaving so long.

I'll get it.

Hello? Yes.

Mrs Delaney, I'll get it.

A telegram from

Mr and Mrs Bruce Cunningham.

Yes, yes, I am listening.

Married tonight. Yes.

Mrs Delaney, you mustn't.

Thanks. Send it over later.

Delaney.

Is he all right, Ed? I had to come.

He gets scared without me.

- This is Mrs Delaney.

- Ma'am.

- Can I see him?

- You can see him later.

- We just gave him a sedative.

- No, I gotta see him now.

All right, come with me.

- Not in here?

- He's safer here.

He tried to throw himself out of the car.

Doc.

Daddy. Daddy?

- I don't think he hears me.

- Probably not.

He's trying to say something.

Who's Lola, pretty Lola?

He keeps mumbling, "Pretty Lola."

That's me.

Mrs Delaney.

You wanna come in for coffee?

No, thanks. We were having breakfast

when you called.

You get some sleep.

Long distance.

I want Maple 240.

This is Valley 846.

Hello, Mom. It's Lola, Mom.

How are you?

Yeah. Yeah, I know, Mom,

but Doc's sick again.

Do you think Dad would mind very

much if I came home for a little while?

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