East Side, West Side Page #5

Oh, I suppose I could.

For a day, or a week,

or maybe even a month.

But I couldn't maintain it.

Neither can you, Bran.

- Can't I?

- No.

Not you. Not a chance.

You're kidding yourself, my friend.

You're kidding yourself.

- You think so, huh?

- Mmm-hmm.

You're here, aren't you?

Nobody held a revolver to your head.

You certainly don't think my being here

is any kind of victory, do you?

Why, yes, I do.

You know why I'm here,

to get this finished.

You could have made

your little speech anywhere, Bran,

back at your office, in the taxi,

even last night at the Del Rio.

It would have stopped me

anywhere along the way,

if I'd believed it.

Earrings off, shoes off. Same old routine.

It still works.

Aren't you getting a little obvious, darling?

I always was.

That's what you like.

That business visit to the office,

that wasn't up to your usual standard.

Aren't you stooping a little?

I don't have to.

We're on the same level, eye to eye.

I just don't have to be too clever.

You're spoiling

what was a beautiful memory, Isabel.

I don't remember you as being this cheap.

I always was.

That's what you like.

That's why you're still here

after everything's been said,

that's why you haven't left.

It's all right, Bran.

What difference does it make,

today, or another day?

There's no hurry. You'll be back.

That's better, isn't it, Bran?

That's what you don't get at home.

That's what you've been missing, isn't it?

Gets so tiresome, being restrained,

and soft-spoken, and gentlemanly.

What you really want

is to be a little rotten, like me.

Hello?

It's Mr. Dawning, downstairs.

Shall I be in or out?

Tell Mr. Dawning I'm not at home.

Have him call me later.

Is Mr. Bourne home?

Oh, no, Josephine.

I guess he had to work late.

He probably thinks

I've gone on to the party without him.

I'd better hurry and get dressed.

He'll expect me to meet him there.

Yes, Mrs. Bourne.

Shall I clear away?

No, thank you, Josephine.

We'll have supper when we get home.

Has Mr. Bourne arrived yet?

- No, Mrs. Bourne. Not yet.

- Thank you.

- Hi! I've been watching for you.

- You look absolutely beautiful.

My grandmother's,

my great-grandmother's,

the bargain basement.

- How do you like Mark?

- Oh, tremendously.

He thinks you're terrific.

He said, "What a dame."

He's around here somewhere

with the Lees.

I'm crazy about them.

I've got to find them.

I haven't said hello yet.

Okay, then, I'll be getting back

to the party. See you later.

Jess! I thought you'd never get here.

Where's Bran?

He's meeting me here.

Looks like a wonderful party.

It'd be even better if it had a host.

That Owen...

- Where is he?

- Up in the den with your man Dwyer.

My man Dwyer?

All I know is, he asked about you

the moment he came in.

He doesn't know anyone else.

Listen, darling, do me a favor.

Go up there, break it up,

and chase Owen out. I need him.

I'll try.

But you're asking for something

that only top correspondents get.

I'm not asking for anything.

You want some stuff from Europe?

Fine, I'll send it, if you print it as is.

I'll print what I want, how I want!

Nobody's going to dictate to me.

Look, I don't know how you stand

on any one of a million subjects.

A man can only see out of

his own eyes, Owen.

I'll write what I see.

I don't even know

if you can write your name.

Oh, nonsense. He signed thousands

of traffic tickets when he was a cop.

You keep out of it.

- Now, look, Dwyer...

- I thought this was supposed to be a party.

So did Helen.

She's getting a deserted look, Owen.

Okay. Okay.

Soften him up for me, will you, Jess?

I'm not through with him.

Are you going to work for him?

Well, if he stops talking long enough

for me to say yes.

Do you always look this good?

No, I tried especially hard tonight.

- For me, I suppose?

- Well, of course.

- Would you like a drink?

- No, thank you.

I saw Rosa as I came in,

looking beautiful,

and charming everyone in sight.

- She's a wonderful girl.

- Oh, you're something very special to her.

She had a crush on me

when she was a kid.

You know, kids get crushes on teachers,

movie actors and cops.

If I'd been around, she'd be over it by now,

but because I've been away

having adventures...

That's a small word

for what you've been having.

Oh, now, don't build it up. I'm a cop.

The last few years,

a glorified cloak-and-dagger sort of a cop,

but I did what I was told,

and I was paid to do it.

All right. I won't dramatize you.

Well, you can, just a little now.

I was very good at what I did. Very gallant.

- On that, I need a drink.

- Fine.

Do I get to meet that guy of yours?

Yes, of course, as soon as he gets here.

Oh, you came alone?

He's late. He's been working very hard.

What does he do for a living?

He's an investment counselor.

Lorfield and Bourne.

Why are you so worried

about his being late?

I'm not so worried.

I'm sorry, Jess.

I just had the feeling

that something's bothering you.

We're almost strangers, Mark Dwyer.

You mustn't be concerned

about whatever is bothering me.

All right.

Will you come to the party with me,

just until your husband gets here?

I'll join you in a few minutes,

I have a call to make.

Okay.

Hello, Joan? Joan, this is Mrs. Bourne.

Forgive me for bothering you at home,

but what time did

Mr. Bourne leave the office?

At 6:
00? Was he planning to

come straight home, do you know?

A Miss Lorrison?

Yes, I see.

Thank you, Joan. I'm...

I'm sorry if I disturbed you.

Excuse me.

Jessie, what is it?

I think I'll be leaving. I'm tired.

I'm very tired.

- What about your husband?

- He won't be here.

- Oh, well, I'll take you home.

- My driver's here.

Well, please, let me come along then,

just for the ride, huh?

- But Rosa will...

- That's all right. I'll see she gets home.

- I don't want her to be hurt.

- She won't be.

Go ahead and get your things.

I'll tell Rosa.

- Rosa...

- Didn't her husband ever get here?

Well, no.

He's involved with something or other...

Oh. He was involved with

an old girlfriend at Del Rio last night,

a dame named Isabel Lorrison.

- That's rough on Jessie.

- Yeah.

Mark, don't let her go home alone.

You take her.

- I was gonna ask you if you'd mind.

- Of course not.

- When will I see you, tomorrow?

- Well, when are you through work?

- About 3:
00.

- I'll pick you up.

I want to have a long talk with you.

Mark, I'm all right, really.

This is your first night home.

There must be places you want to go,

and people you want to see.

I'm where I want to be.

Have a heart, will you?

I've been to five parties today,

and nobody's thought of

giving me any food.

I'll fix you something.

Listen to her. She'll fix me something.

Obviously, the woman doesn't know

she's talking to

one of the greatest cooks of our time.

Oh, now, Jessie,

you shouldn't have gone to

that much trouble.

No, that was a bad joke, wasn't it?

Come on, let's find the kitchen,

get down to work, huh?

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