Living on Velvet Page #5

The Schwarnbassles are coming for dinner.

Or was it the Basslechwassels?

Or whatever their name is?

Some other time, aunt Martha.

Thanks, just the same.

Terry, have you any plans for the future?

I don't believe in the future.

I've never had a plan in my life. If I had

one I wouldn't know what to do with it.

No .. you wouldn't.

Let me tell you something,

young man .. it's time you did.

Do you think so?

I certainly do.

I'm not going to stand by any longer

and see Amy miserable and unhappy.

Because of your stupid callousness.

Haven't we been through all this before?

You married Amy against my

wishes and her better judgement.

But that doesn't give you the

privilege of wrecking her life.

I will not tolerate it.

I tell you I will not!

I tell you what you should do.

Mind your own business.

Oh .. Oh!

I quite understand, Martha.

Terry didn't mean it.

My dear, I never want

to see that man again.

Please, aunt Martha.

I'm terribly sorry.

Amy.

Amy .. don't you think

you've made a mistake?

Aunt Martha's right .. it is impossible.

And you are unhappy.

Don't you think you'd better

go back to aunt Martha's?

You'll wake up tomorrow morning

in a lovely room. Another world.

A sane and beautiful world.

Among friends.

With the comfort of security.

And the beginning of happiness again.

Won't you go?

Goodnight, dear.

But Amy, you've got to listen to me.

You mustn't think this is a

temporary idiocy of mine. It isn't.

It is my credo, my platform.

I shall always be on the wrong side

of the road. Outside, looking in.

I'll never change.

Won't you go back to aunt Martha?

Sorry.

I've simply got to stay to see what

makes you tick that funny way.

Goodnight, dear.

Goodnight.

[ doorbell ]

Terry, I'm afraid.

That's the first time anyone but you or

Walter or me has rung that front bell.

It's my theory that it's some

pilgrim who has lost his way.

And is making inquiries

about his bearings.

Or some urchin ringing bells

in rehearsal for Halloween.

Oh, half urchin, half pilgrim.

A telegram for Mr Parker.

Read that, Amy.

Must be the Washington Society

going to put a tablet over my bed.

Thank you.

Terry, listen.

Yes, yes.

Livewright offers twenty a

share for Overland Express.

Congratulations. Walter.

Fancy that, now.

How many shares we got?

I don't know.

Didn't you say four hundred?

That's right.

Terry .. we're plutocrats!

We're worth eight thousand dollars.

Oh, my darling ..

Amy .. Champagne.

But of course, Champagne.

Oh no. Wait. There isn't any.

There never has been any.

But there is milk. Lots of milk.

Grade A? Pasteurized?

Oh, congratulations, Terry.

My lucky star!

My clever husband.

Gentlemen, a toast.

To what shall it be?

Let's be frank. To the $8,000.

No .. no, to the new regime.

Lets see. The upstairs bedroom completely

refurnished. New rugs, drapes, curtains.

I can make most of those myself.

All together about $1,000 and

we'll have a brand-new home.

And do you think we can afford a new

inexpensive car? Is that too much, Terry?

There'll be enough for a new and very

expensive car. We're all through stinting.

Rugs from Damascus,

spices from India ..

Nectar from ..

Oh yes .. and there is

something I must get for myself.

Plaid drapes for upstairs.

Slips for the living room.

What, Terry?

You'll see.

Thank you, madam.

Taxi, ma'am?

No thanks.

Yes please.

Put those there, will you please.

Terry!

Here you are. Thanks.

Terry!

Hello, Terry.

Isn't it great?

What is it? Just what are you planning?

Is this some new irrigation project,

or agriculture on a large scale or what?

It's nothing as primitive

as irrigation or agriculture.

My plan teems with timeliness.

In fact it's as modern

as the morning paper.

It's going to be the

vital force of the future.

Yes, of course, Terry.

Now, just what's it all about?

Aviation, Amy. You've heard of it.

Those worthy men are going to clear the

back-lot and make into a landing field.

When through with that,

they'll put up a makeshift hangar.

And I figure, with the agreed method,

I should be through in about three days.

I see.

Yes. And not only that ..

What do you intend

to put into this hangar?

Well, the most suitable thing to put into

an aeroplane hangar, is an aeroplane.

Don't you think so?

Yes.

I have a surprise for you.

No .. it won't be a surprise.

You've gone and bought

yourself a plane, haven't you?

Yep .. I'm going in business.

You .. you're what?

I'm going in business.

Listen, Amy. With a plane, an amphibian.

I can take commuters

from here to Wall Street.

At so much per person.

Now, it takes an hour

and a half on the train.

And it only takes fifteen

minutes the Parker way.

Why, we'll clean up.

Oh.

Of course, I'll have to be

a little modest for a while.

I don't suppose I'll make anything

in the first year. Probably lose some.

But it's the coming business, Amy.

And .. and I'll be in the air.

The plane .. everything .. how much?

Well, it's second-hand,

but its a beauty.

How much, Terry?

Well, now, that's ..

That's going to take a little

figuring .. let me see.

The cost of the plane.

Leasing the extra ground.

Hangar. Labour. Implements.

And of course, your

salary as field manager.

I hope you're not going to be too

unreasonable about that salary.

You know, I always had to

cheat at math in school to pass.

This brings it all back to me.

The amount comes to ten thousand ..

One hundred and twenty-one

dollars, and seventy-six cents.

Well, don't look so aghast, Amy.

After all, I've got eight thousand.

That means I'll have to dig up a

couple of thousand more, that's all.

That should be easy.

I've spent the last two days

in town buying things.

Furniture .. rugs .. lamps.

Everything that goes into

making a beautiful home.

It's what I've been thinking

of for months, Terry.

A really beautiful home.

That's been my plan.

No .. no, more than a plan.

It's been my dream.

What of that now, Terry?

That is tough.

But after all Amy, this is business.

You know we're ..

Ah .. smile ..

Frown.

Well little Amy, do something.

Information, please.

I want to speak to Stones,

Tower Square, New York.

What do you want me to do, Amy?

I'll do it.

About the plane?

I don't care one way or the other.

Hello, Stones?

I want to cancel an order.

How's this strike you, Amy?

It's fine, dear.

Ah, too bad we haven't any Champagne.

Would you say that was very good ketchup?

It is good ketchup.

Amy, do me the honour.

I christen thee "Amy".

Well done, Amy.

The first of the Parker "Patchogue

to Wall Street" fleet is launched.

Step right in, Madame and

join the inaugural flight.

No fee at all. Compliments

of the management.

Look, I tell you I'd rather not.

But Madame, it's the Amy's first flight.

No, Terry.

Oh well, never mind. I won't

be long. Just about ten minutes.

I'm leaving you, Terry.

Oh, take off those silly clothes, Amy.

And get about preparing the vittles.

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