Jezebel Page #3

in white because they're not married.

In New Orleans, they do.

Julie, you'd insult every woman

on the floor.

Mademoiselle, your aunt, she's right.

Look how beautiful this dress is.

Will you kindly get me out of this?

Julie, you can't be serious.

Never more serious in my life.

But, Julie, think of Pres.

That's just exactly

what I am thinking of.

Preston, I'm not convinced,

but I consider, I think.

- Gentlemen, bon soir.

- Evening, La Cour.

Well, cheer up, son.

You've got La Cour to thinking anyhow.

That, my boy, is as good

as starting a balky mule.

- It took your support, doctor.

- Nonsense.

I'd always be with Tom Dillard's son,

right or wrong.

Best man I ever knew.

Don't breed men like that nowadays.

You measured right up to him

this afternoon.

I'm afraid not, doctor.

You been having you

some little fuss with Miss Julie?

- If you don't mind, sir.

- Certainly, my boy.

None of my business anyhow.

But speaking abstractly,

and nothing personal intended...

...your generation

don't understand the darlings.

- Why, maybe not.

- Absolutely not, my boy.

Woman, sir, is a chalice...

...a frail, delicate chalice,

to be cherished and protected.

But nowadays, no proper respect

for our Southern womanhood.

Think your father would

have allowed his lady...

...to come surging

into his place of business?

What would he have done, sir?

He'd have cut him a hickory, sir.

A hickory.

He'd have flailed

the living daylights out of her...

...and then helped put lard on her welts

and bought her a diamond brooch.

That's what he'd have done, sir,

and she'd have loved it.

Good evening, my boy.

Thank you, doctor. Good evening, sir.

- Evening, Mr. Preston.

- Hello, Cato. Is Miss Julie about?

She's up to her room, sir.

I'll tell her you're here.

Just rest yourself in there

with the folks.

Thanks, Uncle Cato.

- Evening.

- Pres, I'm so glad you've come.

I thought you...

Julie said you'd quarreled again.

It's time we all stopped

hanging on every word she says.

Most times,

she only half means them.

I was telling your aunt

the same thing. That girl...

She just had a little fuss with Pres.

That's all, isn't it, Pres?

If you can call it a fuss, Miss Belle.

- You see, Theophilus?

- I'm going to speak out.

That girl is high-headed and willful.

Son, if you just come to realize it,

what she needs is a firm hand.

I appreciate your interest,

but I believe I can handle this.

Mr. Preston, Miss Julie say,

will you most politely excuse her?

- Is she ill?

- Why, no, Pres.

She's sound as a nut.

- Excuse me a moment.

- Take your own good time, my boy.

Now, Belle.

Julie?

Julie, it's Pres.

Open the door. I want to talk to you.

Julie, why don't you answer?

Look here, Julie, you and I

have got to straighten things out.

There's no sense to all this.

I'm here because I love you

and because I know you love me...

...but there are some things

we've got to see straight.

Julie, I couldn't leave the bank today,

you know that.

I was just as disappointed

as you were.

Now, please, Julie.

We've always had these silly quarrels.

Can't we stop?

Julie? Why don't you answer?

Darling, if you'll just open the door,

I'm sure I could...

Julie!

Open this door.

Julie!

Julie!

Who is it?

Open this door.

Why, Pres. Banging on a lady's door.

I'm scandalized at you.

Well, did you come up here

just to stand there?

Julie, how long must

we go on like this?

Like what, Pres?

Fighting, fussing all the time

like a couple of children.

Why do you treat me like a child?

Because you act like one.

A spoiled one.

You used to say

you liked me like that, once.

You never wanted me to change.

Remember?

Julie.

Why, Pres. In a lady's bedroom.

- Now you'll have to marry me.

- What do you figure I aim to do?

Then kiss me again.

- Would you like to see my new dress?

- That's what I wanted to do all day.

Well... Well, let me go, then.

There it is.

- For the Olympus ball?

- Isn't it lovely?

- Julie, it's red.

- It's gorgeously red.

- You can't wear red to the Olympus ball.

- Why not?

You never saw an unmarried girl

in anything but white.

And you're gonna see one

tomorrow night.

Julie, you can't be serious.

You afraid somebody will take me

for a girl from Gallatin Street?

- Julie!

- Oh, I'm sorry.

I forgot, I'm a child.

I'm not supposed to know about

things like Gallatin Street.

I'm supposed

to flutter around in white.

You're supposed to know better

than to scandalize the whole town.

It might be bad for the bank.

Of course.

Will you please hold another meeting

and ask them to decide what I can wear?

For heaven's sake,

will you be reasonable?

- Were you reasonable this afternoon?

- So that's it.

You're just nursing a spite.

Well, I'm not gonna let you.

You've made your point.

For once, you're gonna do as I say.

I'm calling for you

tomorrow night at 10...

...and you're gonna be dressed

properly in white.

Am I?

Oh, but, of course, Preston,

if you say so.

Don't be absurd.

Your own good sense will say so.

And if it doesn't?

Then, my sweet, you and I will sit

at home quietly with our embroidery.

Good night.

Tomorrow night at 10.

Oh, Preston, you forgot your stick.

So I did. I forgot to use it too.

So you did.

- Did you call me, Miss Julie?

- Yes, Zette. I've got an errand for you.

- I'd rather not trust the others.

- Yes, ma'am.

Miss Julie, this sure

is the most elegant dress.

You can have it after tomorrow.

- Me, Miss Julie?

- If you can keep a secret.

It's just like

you ain't never said nothing.

Zette, I want this delivered right away

to Mr. Buck Cantrell on Chartres Street.

And, Zette, remember,

not a word to anyone, understand?

I sure do understand, Miss Julie.

It's just like I was struck stone dumb

in both my ears.

Well, go on.

Zette. Zette, when Mr. Pres comes,

give him this.

Give him this, Miss Julie?

Just give it to him. He'll understand.

Yes, Miss Julie, ma'am.

- Good evening.

- Evening, Miss Julie.

You're late.

Sorry, I had a little business

to attend to.

Is it true about Mr. De Lautruc?

Don't you suppose

I know about the meeting?

- I don't know what you mean.

- Is it true you killed him?

Sure. I never did him that bad.

Dr. Livingstone,

he had him an elegant name for it:

A fractured...

Well, anyway, it just looked

like a busted hip to me.

My zing, Miss Julie,

you all dressed up for a hog killing?

I hoped you'd like it.

Well, makes me feel kind of all-overish.

Well, your note said 10:00,

side entrance, Miss Julie.

What you up to?

Buck, you're taking me

to the Olympus ball.

- You do me a great honor.

- Then we'd better hurry.

Just a minute.

You had a set-to with Pres?

- I'd rather not discuss it.

- We'd better. Pres isn't gonna like it.

What's the matter, Buck?

Afraid Pres will call you out?

He'd do that.

Can't say I'd blame him much.

Where do I stand, carrying his lady?

- If I ask you to, isn't that enough?

Rate this script:5.0 / 2 votes