Imitation of Life Page #5

I've something more important

to do right now.

For instance?

I'm taking a drink

to a very charming lady.

You haven't lost any time,

have you?

I tried not to.

Don't you think it's time

you paid your respects

to your hostess?

Later.

Here she is, and

you're going to meet her,

whether you want to or not.

Bea, this is an old friend

of mine, Stephen Archer.

Steve, this is

Mrs. Pullman.

The pancake queen.

Oh.

I don't know what to say.

How to...

I've been so rude.

I'm so sorry.

Sorry! What are you

sorry about now?

I hope you'll

never know.

Say, what's the matter

with him anyway?

Don't feel too badly.

I led you on

to your downfall.

I feel all kinds

of a fool.

You see, I was to have

met Elmer here.

And then l...

I met you instead.

It's all right now,

isn't it?

If you say so, yes.

You know,

I'm not really civilized.

For the past eight months

I've been walking on the bottom

of the Pacific Ocean...

with jellyfish and whales.

What are you

talking about?

Let me introduce myself again.

My name is Stephen Archer,

and I am an ichthyologist.

A what?

Ichthyologist.

Fishes.

I study fishes for those

who are interested

in the life of the fish.

So you can better understand

why a man who spends

all of his time with fish...

should behave like one.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Have one?

No, thanks.

[Bea]

Good night.

[Bea]

Good night.

Well, it's getting late.

The guests are going home.

I said the guests

were going home.

Yes, I know.

It's after 2:
00.

Way after.

I'm aware of the time.

Also other things.

It's no use

you hanging around here.

Tomorrow you'll just be

the forgotten man, that's all.

Then I'd better make

the most of tonight.

She's got no time

for silly romance.

She's such

a charming woman.

Uh-huh.

And you're such

a fortunate man.

Why?

To be her

general manager.

You don't, by any chance,

need an office boy

down there, do you?

Yes. We've got one.

I'm it.

[Laughing]

Good night.

Good night, dear.

I'll see you Thursday.

I'll be there.

Good night.

Leaving, Elmer?

Or can I get you

something?

You can get my hat and coat.

I'm going home.

Jarvis, Mr. Smith's

hat and coat.

Where did you meet

that nice friend of yours?

I don't remember.

I think it was in a speakeasy.

He's a fugitive from justice.

I don't know how such people

get into your house.

## [Piano]

Put the piano

in the safe.

But he's a friend of yours,

isn't he?

That's my story,

and I'm going to stick to it.

That's all, Jarvis.

The old bear loves you,

doesn't he?

He's been such

a faithful watchdog

toJessie and me.

Jessie?

My daughter.

Here she is.

Oh.

She's older than that now.

She's away at school.

She's charming.

Like you.

She doesn't seem

so wonderful to others,

but to me,

she's the beginning

and the end of everything.

I don't wonder.

Not finished?

Are you

throwing me out?

I'm a working woman.

There's tomorrow morning,

you know.

This must be yours.

It's the only one left.

This is brutal.

I'll go

on two conditions.

What?

That you lunch

with me tomorrow.

I mean today at...

I never go out

for lunch.

At Pierre's at 1:15.

[Laughs]

All right.

But I said

two conditions.

What's the other?

Will you kiss me?

What?

So I'll know I'm forgiven.

You did lead me on, you know.

It was fun.

Just a little bit cruel,

aren't you?

I'm a woman.

You'reJuliet and Beatrice

and Diana of the Crossways.

All the women I've loved.

Have you only loved

characters in books?

Mostly.

Waiting for one

to come alive.

And now one has.

Thank you.

Pierre's at 1:
15.

Good night.

Good night.

By the way,

next time...

the bell is here.

I'll remember next time.

## [Whistling]

## [Whistling Continues]

[Bea]

Hello, Delilah.

Come on up.

Let's talk the party over.

It's the best part

of it anyway.

Everybody gone?

Mm-hmm.

I'm not a bit sleepy.

Don't bother about that now.

Let it go till morning.

Miss Bea, you sure had

a good party.

I think so.

It feels good

to get those off.

I'll bet it does.

Come here.

Let me take 'em.

Put 'em up here.

That's it.

That's what you used to do

in the old boardwalk days.

When my feet ached

from peddling maple syrup.

Remember?

I remembers.

We's gone a long ways

from there, ain't we, though?

We certainly have.

Miss Bea, there was

a very handsome gentleman

up here tonight.

I got a peek at him.

Who might he be?

I wonder which one.

Don't you know

a handsome gentleman

when you sees one, honey?

There was a handsome gentleman.

I wonder if I mean

the same one you mean.

You does, honey.

What's the gentleman's name?

Stephen Archer.

Hmm.

That's a good name

for a good man.

Funny thing, Miss Bea.

I got a great sense

about a man.

You ain't takin'

no chance there.

Mercy, Delilah!

Of course I'm not taking

a chance!

To hear you talk,

you'd think he'd proposed

and been accepted.

That's all right.

Leave him be.

Things is workin'.

Leave him be.

I'll leave him be.

You gotta do your part,

honey.

What on earth

do you mean?

If he makes a move

in the right direction,

you don't have to slap his hand,

in a manner of speakin'.

There's nothing farther

from my mind

than a husband.

What he do, Miss Bea?

He's an ichthyologist.

[Chuckles]

Yes'm.

I always say,

there ain't a better business

for a man to be in.

He make pretty good money

at it, I guess.

At what, Delilah?

At that

"ichylologist" business.

Yes, I think he does

very well at it.

Well, I declare.

Keep him indoors, I suppose.

No, outdoors

most of the time.

A travelin' man,

I reckon.

All over the world.

All over the world.

Say, honey, what is

this business of his?

[Laughing]

It's fishing, Delilah.

Just fishin'?

Uh-huh.

With a hook?

No. The study of fishes.

Oh.

But I wouldn't let that

stand in my way.

Let him go fishin'.

There's worse things.

Funny, though.

He don't look to be a lazy man.

Oh, Delilah.

You're incurably romantic.

It 'tain't romantic

to want a man. Just natural.

I've gotJessie.

And you've got Peola.

Yes'm. I got Peola,

Miss Bea.

What am I gonna do

about that poor child?

She's so unhappy.

Delilah, I've been wondering

if it might not be better

if you could send Peola...

to one of those good

colleges in the South

for colored people,

where she could finish

her education and she

wouldn't be faced...

with the problem of white

all the time.

You know what a disaster

her schooling has been here.

Yes'm.

If she'd only go.

Ask her anyway.

We've worked so long

and so hard

for our two girls.

And forJessie,

it's been well worthwhile.

I want you to have

the same satisfaction

with Peola.

You deserve it,

Delilah.

I'll do everything

in my power

to help you.

Maybe down there

in some other school...

Why don't you

talk to her?

Yes'm.

I'll go right down,

and if she ain't asleep,

I'll try and reason

with her.

Yes, try, Delilah.

Yes'm.

Good night, Miss Bea.

Good night, dear.

Asleep yet, honey?

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