Ladies of the Chorus Page #5

---

Yes, but one must consider

one's mother, you know?

True. How true.

Shall I see you at the dog show?

I'll be the third Airedale

from the left.

We don't get to see each other

much these days, do we, dear?

No, we don't. I've been

seeing Randy constantly.

Me socialising

along with his mother.

Gosh, the way she gets around

makes my head dizzy.

The Brewsters, the Lindseys,

the cocktail parties

and the bridge.

It's like

playing one-night stands.

It's exciting, though,

meeting all these nice people

and feeling you can

be a part of them.

Makes you happy,

doesn't it, darling?

Yes, but I only hope

it isn't all a dream

and that someday

I'll wake up and...

Who is it?

Randy, are you still up?

Yes, Mother, come in.

I shan't stay but a few moments.

Sit down, dear.

Well, this must be

pretty important.

It is.

Well, come on. Give.

It's about Peggy.

Peggy?

It is time we discussed it.

Yes. I, uh... I was

going to tell you. I, uh...

I mean Peggy's

engagement party.

Engagement party?

Oh, the engagement party.

Yes, what did you

think I meant?

Oh, I thought that, well,

maybe you, uh... I don't know.

Well, if being in love

affects you like that,

perhaps you'd better

remain a bachelor.

Oh, now, wait a minute.

Don't get any ideas like that.

But honestly, I hadn't given

a thought to the party.

Men never do.

Well, why should I worry

about such things

when I've got a mother

like you who does?

Calm down, dear,

and listen to me.

Madam, you have

my undivided attention.

Which includes listening.

Well, we'll give the party here.

We'll get an orchestra

and some entertainment.

You know, you're

the only son I have.

Salisbury?

Oh, Salisbury.

Have the decorators arrived yet?

No, Madame.

I beg pardon, Mrs Carroll.

Mrs Windrift on the phone.

Oh, dear, and she'll talk

for an hour.

Well, here, you take this and arrange

the room according to my diagram.

And when the decorators

do arrive,

tell them I suggest the orchestra should

be placed... Well, there. In the alcove.

Yes?

Well, how do you do.

Who are you?

I'm Ripple.

You do? I mean, you are?

I'm the decorator.

Oh.

But there was to be three of you.

That's right, but there's

another man coming, sir.

That'll only make two.

Oh, no. You see, I brought

Junior along to help me.

Say hello to

the gentleman, Junior.

Well, how do you do.

Come in.

This way, please.

You see, we're

a little short of help.

You are very

short of help.

All the carpets

ought to be out.

The chairs to be placed

against the walls.

There are more

chairs coming.

The piano goes

in the alcove.

The floors

must be waxed.

Hmm. Well, I was just wondering

if it wouldn't be better to, uh...

Let's not quibble, Dribble.

Not Dribble. Ripple.

All right, we're ready.

All right, we're ready.

Well, let's go. You know what to do.

That must be

the other man.

That must be

the other man.

Hello. Is this

the Carroll residence?

Yes, come in.

Don't just stand there.

There is work to be done.

Is this where the engagement

party for Miss Martin's being held?

Yes, yes, come in.

Let's start work.

I don't think you understand.

I understand perfectly.

This way, please.

This way, please.

Here's your man, Ripple.

Oh, he's here?

Looks like I'm here.

Uncle Billy, I'm so happy

to see you.

Hello, Peggy.

How are you?

Hiya, Mae.

Hello, Billy.

Mrs Carroll, I want you

to meet Mr Mackay.

How do you do.

How do you do.

I'll have Salisbury

look after you. Salisbury.

Randy, this is Uncle Billy.

Glad to know you.

Heard a lot about you.

Heard a lot about you, too, Randy.

Yes, Madame?

Will you show Mr Mackay to his room?

He is not here yet, Madame.

Salisbury, this is Mr Mackay.

Oh.

Mr Mackay,

this way, please.

Oh, Mr and Mrs Windrift.

I want you to meet my son's

fiance, Miss Peggy Martin.

And Mrs Martin.

How do you do.

Oh, and I don't want you to miss

this trio. Come on. Let's all go in.

# When the jungle moon

Is shining bright #

# High in the sky above #

# The strangest noises fill the night #

# When Ubangis #

# Plight their love #

# When they speak of love and passion

Their lips beat in rhythmic fashion #

# All you hear is clackety clop clop

Chop chop, boogie wop, boogie bop #

# Even if they whisper, "Honey"

What comes out is loud and funny #

# All you hear is clackety clop clop

Chop chop, boogie wop, boogie bop #

# Though it's loud enough

When Johnny whispers to his Jane #

# Just imagine what it sounds like

Down in Lovers' Lane #

# All together, love's expression

Sounds like drummers In jam sessions #

# All you hear is clackety clop clop

chop chop, boogie wop, boogie bop #

# La-la-la-la!

Ba da da #

# Woolie, bop bop, woolie

Bop bop, woolie bop #

# Oh, just imagine waiting

For a sweet and tender sigh #

# Then you hear a bop bop, mop mop

What a strange reply #

# Love is deafening, no wonder

Every kiss comes out like thunder #

# All you hear is clackety clop clop

Chop chop, boogie wop, boogie bop #

# When Ubangis plot their clackety

Clop clop, chop chop, boogie wop #

# Clackety, clop clop

Chop chop, boogie wop, mop ##

Hey, Bobby, that's Peggy Martin.

Hello, Peggy.

Hello, Bobby.

How about a song?

Folks, you all know Peggy

Martin, queen of burlesque.

Let's get her

to sing a song.

Did he say "burlesque"?

That's what he said.

Burlesque queen? I am surprised.

Lmagine Randy getting

mixed up with a girl like that.

Didn't Randy tell his mother?

No.

Gee, I'm sorry, Mr Carroll.

It's Randy.

Randy, please leave us alone.

But I want to talk to Peggy.

She'll see you later.

Randy should have told

his mother. You were right.

And so was Uncle Billy.

Yes, darling. Uncle Billy

was right. Both times.

Where's Peggy?

Inside. She won't talk to me.

She'll talk to me.

Please, Randy.

It's not

Randy. It's Mrs Carroll.

Please open the door.

Well, where do you

think you're going?

Home, where we belong.

That's ridiculous.

Ridiculous? After

what's happened?

So, you want to run away

because a few narrow-minded people

object to the way you've been

earning your own living?

You'd be willing to give up the man

you love, everything, without a fight?

Just what are

you driving at?

Running away will only

make things worse.

Peggy would be bitter and

frustrated for the rest of her life.

Now, our children love each other and want

to get married. Does anything else matter?

I should have told you. I promised

Peggy and her mother I would.

But you didn't. Not that it would

have made much difference anyway.

Randy, take Peggy

and her mother downstairs.

Well, what about your friends?

I'll take care of my friends.

Hurry up, now. Hurry, Randy.

You know, Mrs Carroll,

I like the way you talk.

Thank you.

Honey, it's like

an opening night.

Just keep smiling,

and it'll keep them guessing.

Well, this is it, Billy.

Um, attention. Attention.

Quiet, everybody.

We're going right on

with the entertainment.

But first, I want you to meet Mr Mackay,

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes