It Happens Every Spring Page #7

-Do you have to use those splints?

-What else?

I mean, do they have to be wood?

What do you want 'em made of?

Mother of pearl?

Monk, look, I don't think you better try to-

Ah, quit worrying, will ya?

This ain't the first clipped finger I ever had.

I know, but those splints.

Kelly, you worry about the pitchin'.

I'll worry about the catchin'.

[Smack, cheer]

You're out!

Monk, why not let somebody else catch?

What, and let you down, kid?

Come on.

Foul!

Jumpin' Jupiter, I'm seein' things.

-You see, Monk, I was afraid that-

-It ain't me finger, it's me eyes.

Foul!

Cock-eyed son of a sea cook.

Get outta there, Monk.

Ah, but Jimmy-

You can't even pick 'em up after you drop 'em.

It isn't his fault, Jimmy-

Don't worry, he'll get his purple heart later.

Go get that X-rayed, Monk.

Calahan catching.

Calahan catching for St. Louis.

[Crowd booing]

I'd like to see Mr. Kelly.

I'm a friend of his.

I'm sorry, lady. You won't be able to go up there.

All the boys'll be in the shower.

Oh. Well.

I'll wait.

'Night.

Hey, you're Madame X.

You're Kelly's girl, ain't ya?

Yes.

Wait, I want to see him.

Oh no you don't. Jumpin' Jupiter,

It's lucky I seen ya. Come on, sister.

-Why? What's the matter?

-Don't ask no questions, honey.

Just get outta here. Come on.

I feel like you and me's been livin' together

for a long time, honey.

I see you the first thing every morning,

and the last thing every night.

You do?

Yeah, Kelly's got your picture

right in the middle of the dresser.

I'm Lannigan- Kelly's catcher, roommate,

bodyguard, and everything else.

Also his pal.

I'm for the guy, see?

That's why I shanghaied ya.

I don't quite understand.

Well, if he knew you or

anybody else was watchin' him

he'd walk right out of the ballpark.

He done it the other day.

Oh. Well that must've been the day

dad was there.

He's liable to walk out altogether.

And if he blows it quits,

we're dead and so is he.

You don't wanna hurt the guy

just when he's right on top.

Or do ya?

Oh, no!

Of course not.

Well, then come to the games, see?

Bring your friends.

I'll even send ya passes

only don't let Kelly see.

I'll sit way up in the farthest corner.

You're not sore at the guy?

Oh, no.

But it is quite a shock

to fall in love with a college professor,

and have him turn out to be

a big league pitcher.

That's what he is, a professor.

Well, I'll be.

Are you surprised?

I certainly am, because that's

exactly what I thought he was.

You know it seems so fantastic.

I only came to the game today to make sure.

But after I got over the shock,

I found myself rooting for Vernon like mad.

I think it's wonderful.

Vernon, so that's what his name is?

Maybe I shouldn't have told you.

No, no, no.

Leave us have no secrets, you and me.

All right.

This Kelly or Vernon is quite a character,

but he can pick dames.

You know, young lady, I could fall in love

with you myself very easy.

[Crowd cheering]

That a boy, Kelly!

Isn't he wonderful?

Yes, lady.

One run and we have the pennant.

Only we're not gonna get it this inning.

Why not?

Because the tail end of the batting order is up.

Lannigan, and then Kelly.

Relax, kid.

I'm gonna win this one for ya.

Go, Monk!

Come on, you gotta do it!

Strike one!

[Crack, crowd cheering]

It's a homer!

Lannigan's hit a homer!

That's the game, folks.

And the pennant for St. Louis.

Debbie, where have you been?

St. Louis.

Again?

Deborah, you're not a child,

but all these mysterious trips,

I can't help but worry.

Mother, if you promise not to tell-

Yes?

Both managers are starting their ace pitchers

for the first game of the series.

Here are the batteries.

It's Keets and Topina for New York.

St. Louis-

Kelly and Lannigan.

It seems so incredible.

I can hardly believe it.

What do you think of it, Joe?

I think it's outrageous-

that he never pitched on the varsity.

Now right at the end of the fifth game here in New York,

and it's still anybody's series.

Talk about a neck and neck and a tight race,

how about this one?

The series is tied, two games all,

First of the ninth-

St. Louis has a two run lead.

Steiner's up.

Kelly stretches.

Steiner swings and misses.

Strike one!

Atta boy, Kelly!

Nice going, Professor.

Professor?

Sure, don't you know who Kelly is?

And Steiner goes down swinging.

That's the game, folks.

Kelly's done it again.

[Cheering]

Vernon's won again!

Who?

Vernon, Daddy.

Vernon is King Kelly.

What?

Monk, Monk, time to get up.

[Groan]

[Crackling]

[Crackling and groaning]

Hey, Monk.

Have you been using my hair tonic?

Hair tonic?

Oh yeah. I'm growin' a whole new crop

Ain't ya noticed?

Did you take the bottle out of my suitcase?

Oh yeah. I meant to tell ya.

I seen it in there last week.

I didn't think you'd mind.

It's my last bottle.

What did you do with it?

I give it to Jimmy.

He's gettin' a little thin on top, ya know.

Oh, I gotta go get it.

What for? You're wearing a cap.

[Door slams]

Jumpin' Jupiter. What a character.

[Crackling]

[Crackling]

[Crackling]

[Knocking at door]

Come in.

Oh, Jimmy, I'm sorry to bother you, but uh-

Oh, it's you, Kelly.

[Crackling]

[Crackling]

[Crackling]

Must be a lot of electricity in the air,

the way my hair's behavin'.

Well I-

I wanted to talk to you, Jimmy.

What's on your mind?

Well it's the hair tonic.

What?

The hair tonic.

Did Monk give you a bottle of my hair tonic?

Oh yeah. I just tried it.

I was losin' a few.

Monk said it'd grow hair on a billiard ball.

Kind of an insult.

Well, you see, it's a very rare solution,

and I can't duplicate it.

Ok, I'm willing to pay for it.

How much do you want?

Well, no, no. It isn't that.

It's my last bottle, and I need it.

You need it?

What for?

You gonna play for the House of David?

No, no- it's a little ideosyncrosy of mine.

It's sort of a superstition, and

especially today, you know?

Now I've heard of everything from

a rabbit's foot to an elk's tooth,

but hair tonic- that's a new one.

Please, Jimmy-

Have you got it?

Yeah, yeah.

Where did I put it?

Ah, here it is. On the top shelf.

[weakly] Oh-

[Crowd cheering]

First half of the eighth, fans.

St. Louis still trailing 6 to 5.

Something's happened to Kelly.

He's not himself today.

Maybe it's the strain.

After all, this game means the series.

He's been in trouble a couple of times,

but those St. Louis boys have come back strong.

[Crack, crowd cheers]

I can't understand it.

What's happened with Vernon?

It's another hit for Hopkins,

and Marconi scores.

It's New York 7, St. Louis 5

There's two out, but Kelly's in real trouble again.

Where's the old hop, kid?

I haven't got it anymore, Monk.

It's gone.

OK, kid. Steady down, steady down.

Let 'em hit a few.

There's seven men behind you.

They can handle it.

They're a great ball club.

Well, they better be.

And he's out.

That ends the inning,

and New York has a two run lead.

[Clapping]

[Crack, crowd cheers]

Quit worryin'. This ball game ain't over yet.

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