Heaven Can Wait Page #11

famous for coming down a staircase?

- Look, we're all grown up, aren't we?

- Why, certainly.

- Well, I had a crush on her.

- Ah, and why not?

- Why shouldn't he?

- I don't know. And don't ask me.

I, uh - I understand

she's a very attractive girl.

Oh, she is,

and I took her pretty seriously.

- Oh, you did, huh?

- Yes, very.

- And then after a little time...

- Yes?

- I got tired of her.

- Oh.

Oh, you did, huh?

So then I faced the problem

of how to get rid of her.

- Things like that aren't easy.

- I should say not.

- Don't ask me.

- I didn't ask you. I merely made a statement.

- Go on, Jack.

- After all, what could she do to me?

I hadn't promised her anything.

- You hadn't?

- I should say not.

I wasn't the first romance in her life.

You know, I'm no baby.

But nevertheless, you went there

expecting a lot of trouble, didn't you?

Yes, but to my surprise,

she was so big about the whole thing...

and let me off so easily.

Oh, she did, eh?

Well, isn't that fortunate.

Yes.

She was so wonderful about the whole thing,

I almost fell in love with her again.

Y- Oh.

Oh, but it's all over now,

and I'm glad of it.

- And so am I.

- And so am I.

As a matter of fact,

I never was happier in my life.

And while we're on the subject, Jack,

I think you're getting to the age...

where you should start to look around

for a really nice girl.

Oh, I don't have to look around.

I've met her already.

- You have?

- A wonderful girl.

- The most wonderful girl I ever met in my life.

- Really! Well, isn't that nice.

Tell me, who is the young lady?

Is she someone I might know?

A New York girl, perhaps?

Oh, no.

She comes from Philadelphia.

Oh! From Philadelphia.

Somehow Philadelphia always sounds right,

doesn't it, Martha?

- Yes, it does. Tell us who she is.

- Yes, tell us.

Well, have you been to

Earl Carroll's Vanities?

You mean this girl

comes down a staircase too?

I should say not.

Not this girl.

This one slides down the bannister,

falls in the orchestra...

and lands - bang -

right on the big drum.

Oh, you'll be crazy about her.

See you tomorrow.

I have to run along.

What's the matter with that boy?

He's young, Henry.

That's all.

Come on, dear.

It's time to go to bed.

Martha, I want to ask you something.

And don't spare my feelings.

Be absolutely frank.

I always am.

If you didn't know me

and you saw me for the first time...

on the street or in a restaurant -

Martha, do you think

I'm getting a little heavy?

Don't let that worry you.

As a matter of fact, I like it.

Let me tell you something.

Nearly 15 years ago, when you and Grandfather

brought me back from Kansas...

I still didn't feel that you really

belonged to me, and only to me.

I can't put my finger

on anything definite...

but still, whenever I wasn't with you

I was always a little uncertain...

and nervous

about my little Casanova.

And then...

one day I noticed

that you began to have a little -

Well, just a little tummy.

Then I knew I was safe.

From that moment on I knew that you

were really mine, that you'd settle down.

Now go to bed, darling.

You've had a hard day.

- Good night.

- Good night, dear.

Yes, we were married 25 years.

We were celebrating

our silver wedding anniversary.

- Have you seen Mrs. Van Cleve?

- No, sir. I've been in the kitchen.

- Jack, is your mother upstairs?

- No. I haven't seen her.

Darling.

What are you doing in here all alone?

Nothing.

I just want to take a little rest.

- After all, it's been such an exciting evening.

- Nothing wrong, is there?

- No, nothing.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, dear.

- You're feeling all right, aren't you?

- Of course, darling. I'm just -

- Just what?

Well, to tell you the truth,

I was being a little sentimental...

so I came in here for a few minutes.

Ah.

Yes.

This is where it all started.

Twenty-five years ago.

I was -

Yes, I was standing over there

by that desk.

No, you were sitting in a chair.

Yes. You're right.

And then you came in

and you stood by the desk.

Then suddenly

you started walking toward me...

very slowly, very slowly.

I could count every step.

Oh, you were such a frightened little girl.

The closer I came, the more frightened you were.

Darling, I want to make a confession.

- After all, we've been married 25 years.

- What is it?

I wasn't frightened at all.

- You weren't?

- Not at all.

And when you were walking toward me

so very slowly, do you know what was in my mind?

- No.

- I thought, What's the matter with him? Can't he walk faster?

- And then I ran out into the hall.

- But you came back.

- Only because I had to sneeze.

- Mm-hmm.

I beg your pardon, madam.

You are wanted on the telephone.

Oh.

Hello?

Yes, I called you.

Well, it's really not important.

Yes, everything is all right now.

I'll call you soon.

All right, tomorrow.

- Who was that?

- Oh, nothing special.

- Let's go back to our guests, shall we?

- Darling, who was that on the phone?

- I'll tell you all about it some other time.

- Why not now?

- Our guests will be wondering where we are.

- Now, Martha, who was that?

All right, I'll tell you.

It's another confession.

- My lover.

- I don't think that's funny at all.

- Are you jealous?

- Oh, don't be silly, Martha.

But why can't you tell your husband

whom you talk to over the telephone?

Besides, I wouldn't have brought it up

right now, but just the same...

for the past several weeks

you've been going out in the afternoons...

and you've always managed

to avoid telling me where you were.

You are jealous!

Henry, at last, after 25 years!

- Thank you, darling.

- Martha, whom did you talk to?

Darling, don't be a baby. What dashing

young cavalier would be pursuing me?

Plenty. You're still very attractive,

and - and you know it.

Henry...

I don't think you realize

how sweet you're being at this moment.

No husband could have said anything lovelier

to his wife on their 25th anniversary.

Imagine if, 25 years ago,

I hadn't sneezed.

I wouldn't be

the happiest woman in the world right now.

- Are you?

- Yes, Henry.

- Now, who was it?

- I'll tell you tomorrow.

I am not going to leave this room

until you tell me.

Well, knowing my obstinate little boy-

You promise to be sensible

and not make a mountain out of a molehill?

- I promise. Now -

- Well, you know how women are.

We have too much time on our hands, and we

begin to imagine there are things wrong with us.

And I'm no exception,

so I've been going to a doctor, that's all.

Darling, I feel like a fool.

Now I have a confession I must make to you -

I really was jealous.

Martha. What did you go to the doctor for?

What's wrong?

- Nothing, really.

- So that's why you came in this room.

- You weren't feeling well. Darling, is it serious?

- I tell you, it's nothing at all.

- Just a little dizzy spell.

- Darling -

Now, you promised to be sensible.

Come on, let's dance.

Martha, what did the doctor say?

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