Holiday Page #8

why, we'll have it.

Haven't you the remotest idea

of what I'm after?

Yes, Johnny, I know.

But you haven't any idea yet

of how exciting business can be.

See it through.

You'll love it. I know you will.

There's no such thrill in the world

as making money.

Darling, you don't see

what I'm aiming at either.

Try a little blind faith for a while, won't you?

- Come along with me?

- But...

No, the whole way, dear.

Johnny, wait till next year or two years

and we'll think about it again.

You can do that for me, for us, can't you?

You think by then I'd be a good sport...

...and come around,

that's what you think, don't you?

It lacks six minutes to the New Year

if anyone's interested.

Come on, Johnny.

Have Nick and Susan gone?

I don't know. They weren't in my room.

- Perhaps they're downstairs.

- Perhaps.

Anyone care for a few cold cuts

before the fun starts?

Come?

This is plain stubbornness and you know it.

Listen, Julia.

No, that gets you nowhere, does it?

Are you coming?

I think I'll wait a moment with Linda

if you don't mind.

But I do mind.

Will you come, please?

In a moment, Julia.

You'd better run on down now,

don't you think?

Not right away.

I'm afraid I won't know how to entertain you.

I've done all my stuff.

I don't need entertaining.

You wouldn't care to step into a waltz

as the old year dies, would you, Mr. Case?

Yes, I would. I'd love it.

There's a conspiracy

against you and me, child.

What's that?

- The vested interests.

- I know.

They won't let you have any fun

and they won't give me time to think.

I suppose like the fathead you are, you told

Father all your little hopes and dreams?

Pretty disappointing?

- Bad enough.

- Poor boy.

What about your own evening?

Not so hot either.

Poor girl.

- Of course, they may be right.

- Don't you believe it.

I don't know. They seem so awfully sure.

It's still your ride, isn't it?

You know where you want to go, don't you?

- I thought I did.

- So did I.

Pathetic, wasn't it, all my fuss and fury

over anything as unimportant as this party.

Maybe it is important.

Well, if it is, I'm not,

and I guess that's the answer.

Linda, you're so sweet.

Thanks, that's enough.

It was grand.

Listen.

That's it, all right.

Happy New Year, Johnny.

Happy New Year, Linda.

You can count on sister Linda, Johnny.

Run on down now. They'll be waiting.

Linda.

What?

They've...

- Your father put me in a position...

- Johnny, do you love Julia?

Of course I do.

Well, if ever she needed you,

she needs you now.

You're all that's left.

Go on, Johnny.

Happy New Year.

Same to you.

- What's it like to get drunk, Ned?

- It's...

How drunk?

Good and drunk.

Grand.

How is it?

Well, to begin with it brings you to life.

Does it?

And after a while

you begin to know all about it.

You feel, I don't know, important.

That must be good.

It is.

And then pretty soon the game starts.

What game?

A swell game, a terribly exciting game.

You think clear as crystal...

...but every move,

every sentence is a problem.

That gets pretty interesting.

- You get beaten though, don't you?

- Sure, but that's good, too.

Then you don't mind anything,

not anything at all.

Then you sleep.

How long can you keep it up?

A long while. As long as you last.

Ned, that's awful.

Think so? Other things are worse.

Where do you end up?

Where does everybody end up? You die.

And that's all right, too.

Ned, can you do it on champagne?

Why?

What's the matter, Linda?

Nothing.

- I know.

- Yes?

Johnny.

Give me some more wine, Ned.

- He's in a spot, isn't he?

- Give me some, Ned.

You can tell me about it, dear.

I love the boy, Neddie.

I thought so.

Great, isn't it?

Great.

Here's luck to you.

I don't want any luck.

Ladies and gentlemen, my good friends,

I have the honour to announce to you...

...the engagement of my daughter Julia

to Mr. John Case.

An event which doubles the pleasure

I take in wishing you and them...

...a most happy and prosperous New Year.

So happy together.

Congratulations.

Ned.

Poor lamb.

- Aren't you thrilled? Isn't it...

- I am.

- I'm sure you'll be very happy.

- You're thinking of my sister.

- What?

- Not I! My sister.

Linda, now you must get married yourself.

- Thank you.

- I'm so happy for you.

Thank you for coming down.

You must go back to bed. The doctor said

you shouldn't excite yourself.

What is this? Where's the lucky boy?

I haven't seen the lucky boy

since the announcement.

- Linda, did you know about it?

- Of course I did.

- Where is he?

- That's something I wouldn't know.

I don't know. He wanted to argue

with Father. He didn't make sense.

He said things to Father

he had no right to say.

Then after the announcement to go

downstairs and leave us. It's horrible.

Please don't be so upset.

I'll find him and bring him back.

Then everything will be fine.

Of all times...

- Linda, isn't it too marvellous?

- Too, too marvellous.

I'll...

- Linda, now you must get married.

- I hope I shall.

Linda needs to find a husband.

- Hello. It is wonderful, isn't it?

- It's simply lovely.

- Hello. How's Baltimore?

- It's fine, thank you.

- Have you seen Mr. Case anywhere?

- Mr. Case went through here a moment ago.

Through there?

- Did Mr. Case come in here?

- Yes, ma'am, right through here, ma'am.

"Happy New Year," he says.

Congratulations to Miss Julia, ma'am.

Thank you.

- Linda. Come in.

- Hello, Susan. I'm sorry to butt in.

Well, as I live. Look, it's the acrobat lady.

- Glad to see you.

- Glad to see you, too.

Run to the drug store

and get some champagne.

- I tried to call.

- The phone's been discontinued.

We pay our bills.

It's that we're planning a little trip.

- You're sailing?

- Tonight.

Come on in and help us pack.

The university gave me leave to work

in France. And we're doing our best...

You ought to have some tea or something.

You look peaked.

I've been hunting for Johnny.

I thought he'd be here. Have you seen him?

Not since that night.

- You knew he walked out.

- Yes.

He came here

and we talked until New Year's noon.

Then he left town to think things over.

- His letter said he'd be back today.

- Then I can see him!

He's probably on his way.

Hasn't your sister heard from him?

If she has, she hasn't told me.

- You love her a great deal, don't you?

- Yes. A lot of good that does.

Can't you see

that if she feels as your father does...

Johnny'll fix that. Johnny'll fix everything.

If I could only make Julia and Father

listen to me. I've got to.

Johnny's so sweet, he's so attractive.

What's the matter with the girl anyway?

She ought to know by now that men

like Johnny don't grow on every bush.

Linda, isn't it just possible

that the things we like in Johnny...

...may be the very things she can't stand?

The fate that you feel he'll save her from is

the one fate in this whole world she wants?

I don't believe that.

Even so,

she loves him and there's been a break.

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