Mildred Pierce Page #6

with an empty tray like that.

-lt looks like we're in.

-That's what it says here.

-lsn't that lovely?

-What would l do without you?

Probably have a nervous breakdown.

-Hello. How are you?

-Hello. We got your invitation.

l'm glad you came. Suzanne,

a booth for Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer.

-Congratulations, Mother.

-Thank you.

-How'd you like to sell?

-No. l know a good thing when l see it.

So do l. lt's some mob.

Those postcards you sent out did the trick.

Keep my seat and get me a drink.

l want to talk to your mother.

What do you want to talk to me about?

-lt's about Bert. He's coming here tonight.

-He is?

-He wants to see you about the divorce.

-What about it?

-He just wants to see you.

-Help me. l gotta go to the kitchen.

-All right, sure.

-Excuse me. l'm sorry.

-You big peasant.

-Look where you're going.

-Excuse me for living. l'm excited.

-What's this?

-We're swamped. Help us.

-Who me? l'm an executive.

-Now you're in charge of the potatoes.

-All right.

-Thanks.

-You look very pretty.

-Thank you.

Not at all.

What do you know?

Beragon just came in.

-Did he? He didn't say he was coming.

-What do you mean?

-You been seeing him?

-Don't let the potatoes burn.

l was just asking.

Don't ever go in like that.

Put more potatoes on.

-You'll never make money that way.

-Just so the customers are satisfied.

This is just like my wedding night.

So exciting.

-Will you give Mrs. Pierce these?

-Can l tell her your name or is it secret?

Tell her they're from

an old gypsy fortuneteller.

Sit down and read a teacup,

and l'll see if she's busy.

-Hey, Mildred! Real, live orchids.

-For me?

Orchids? What is this?

Who they from?

From an old gypsy fortuneteller

with beautiful eyes.

-Beg pardon?

-Put them in the icebox, Wally.

Here, muscles.

Put it on this table, please?

l'm sorry,

l didn't realize this table was taken.

lt's quite all right. We're so crowded

tonight. Do sit down, Mr. Beragon.

Thank you. May l have a dry martini?

-So you know me?

-Everyone knows the Monte Beragon.

You play polo, go yachting,

are an excellent hunter.

And are seen with the most

attractive debutantes.

-l read the society section.

-l gather.

-l should introduce myself.

-Don't tell me. Your hand, please.

-Can you tell from my hand?

-l come from a long line of fortunetellers.

Yes.

-What does it say?

-That you are very much like your mother.

And it says that

her name is Bierce. No. Pierce.

-How wonderful.

-And it says your name is Veda.

-Where does it say ''Veda''?

-That line right there. Unmistakable.

-Well, if it isn't Gypsy Beragon.

-The very same.

-lt looks like a good investment, huh?

-Anything would be an improvement.

Smile when you say that,

a third of this joint belongs to me.

-Congratulations.

-l've got another proposition.

-That orange grove you got--

-Save it.

-Well, here's to success.

-Yes.

Thank you.

-Four.

-Two special. One Grade A. One black.

Hot stuff coming through.

That's a wonderful piece.

-All you need is a pair of bobby socks.

-Maybe Veda will lend me a pair.

Well, the last customer

just folded his tent.

-Good. We've only got one chicken left.

-Put my initials on that.

l don't know whether

l'm on my feet or my ankles.

-You must be dead.

-Well, if l am, just bury me with this.

l wish l felt the way they do.

-You've got a nice voice. Did you know that?

-Thank you.

Hi. Congratulations. You're a success.

-We've been getting acquainted.

-He's promised to take me the races.

-lf your mother comes too.

-l'd love to.

-Wally, do me a favor.

-Anything.

-Take Veda home.

-What?

-Anyone would think l was a child.

-lt's past your bedtime.

lt's not past my bedtime.

Besides, l want to take you home.

l've got to close up.

l'll go home with lda.

Sure is a big night for me.

l came out for an evening of fun.

What do l get? Dishpan hands

and a date with a Girl Scout.

-Good night.

-Good night.

Good night, Mr. Beragon.

Thank you.

-l trust that we may meet again very soon.

-l hope so.

Thank you, Mrs. Pierce. l trust that l might

see you in the not-too-distant future.

-Come on.

-l'm coming.

Come on. Never mind. Hurry up.

For heaven's sake.

Leave something on me.

l might catch cold.

l was just thinking.

Not about you. Come on.

-That's a cute youngster of yours.

-lsn't she?

l thought you had two.

-Kay died.

-l'm sorry. You should have let me know.

-Let's not talk about it.

-You're going to make a go of this place.

Well, l hope so.

-Don't you ever do anything but work?

-Somebody's got to.

Not all the time. There's a time

for work and a time for--

Seventeen. Six minus seven.

Monte, don't. Not here.

Why not? l've been waiting

all evening. A lifetime.

-l didn't mean to bust in like this.

-That's all right.

This is my husband.

Mr. Beragon, Monte Beragon.

-l've heard a lot of things about you.

-Nice things, l hope.

-l'd like to speak to Mildred.

-Yes, of course.

-What is it, Bert?

-This'll only take a minute.

lt's funny. lt's harder

to say than l thought.

lt's about the divorce.

You can have it.

When l walked out, l told you

to see if you could get along without me.

l didn't think you could.

When you asked me for a divorce, l still

didn't think you could make a go of it alone.

Now l know better. You're doing

all right. You're doing fine.

-l never thought it would end like this.

-Who knows how anything is going to end?

-l'm sorry.

-Yes, l'm sorry too.

Well, that's what l came

to say, and now that l've said it...

...l want you to know l wish you

all the luck in the world.

Thank you, Bert. Thank you.

-Well, goodbye.

-Goodbye.

This calls for a drink.

ln the Beragon family,

there is an old Spanish proverb:

One man's poison

is another man's meat.

Bert!

l was in love with him,

and l knew it for the first time that night...

...but now he's dead, and l'm not sorry.

He wasn't worth it.

That may be. Whoever killed him

evidently agreed with you.

You haven't given us one reason why

your first husband wasn't the murderer.

ln fact, you've given us

a very good reason why he was.

Look at it our way. One: Beragon

was killed with Pierce's gun.

Two:
Pierce cannot account for

his movements at the time of the murder.

Three:
He had a motive. You've just

given it to us, Mrs. Beragon. Jealousy.

This just came in.

Thought you'd want it.

-Will you excuse me?

-Certainly.

-ls he sure?

-Charley don't like to make mistakes.

Just a minute.

Mrs. Beragon, we have some

information here which puzzles us a little.

For instance, your business manager....

-Right away.

-Okay.

lda Corwin. She tell us that you

called her at approximately 1 1 :45 p.m...

...and asked her where Mr. Beragon was.

-You seemed quite upset at the time.

-lt was just a business matter.

-Then there was nothing wrong?

-No.

Occasionally we run across

a witness who refuses to tell us...

...what we want to know, except under

pressure. Like Wally Fay, for example.

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