Mildred Pierce Page #7

Why did you take him to the beach house?

Did you know Beragon was there, dead?

-No, l didn't.

-Then you were at the beach house.

Why didn't you tell us that before?

Why did you run from the house?

Wasn't it because you

knew Beragon was there, dead?

And if you did know, why were you

trying to pin the murder onto Fay? Why?

l think you'd better

tell us the truth now.

l did it.

l killed him.

But why? Your restaurant was a success.

You were in love with Beragon.

What happened to all that?

The restaurant was a greater success

than l knew. Profits were enormous.

ln a few months l opened another place,

and then l started a chain.

In three years I built five restaurants.

Everywhere you went,

I had a restaurant. They made money.

Everything I touched turned into money,

and I needed it. I needed it for Veda.

She was becoming a young lady

with expensive tastes.

Veda was growing up.

That Ted Forrester is nice-looking.

Veda likes him.

Who wouldn't?

He has a million dollars.

-What's the matter?

-Nothing. l've just run out of jokes.

-What is it? Tell me.

-l've had a little bad luck lately.

l won't be able to afford

many more evenings like this.

-Do you need money?

-No, no. lt isn't anything like that.

-l think you do.

-Mildred, please don't do that.

You've been awfully good to us, Monte.

Take it, please.

lf you say so. But l'll pay it back.

l want it understood that it's only a loan.

Anything you say,

just as long as we're friends.

That's how it began. At first it

bothered Monte to take money from me.

Then it became a habit with him.

There's a total here

of $ 1 480.29 in six months.

-What's the big idea?

-We owe him.

The restaurant's paid for.

You don't owe him a cent.

l manage this business,

and l've done all right.

Keeping Beragon in shirts

is not my idea of business.

-No?

-No!

Look, l made this business for you

with my own hands.

l got the banks to give you credit.

l conned everybody, and for what?

So you could have a lap dog named Beragon?

When you walked out on Bert,

l was glad to see you get some sense.

-Beragon's worse.

-That's none of your business.

lt is. l helped you so l'd be around when your

mind changed about me. Maybe l was wrong.

-Maybe you were.

-Beragon is no good. He'll bleed you dry.

Suppose l'm in love with him.

Okay.

-At least now l know where l stand.

-Right. Now you know.

-l hate all women.

-My, my.

Thank goodness you're not one.

Laughing boy seems burned

at the edges. What's eating him?

-A small, green-eyed monster.

-Jealous?

Doesn't sound like Wally. No profit in it,

and that boy loves a dollar.

-l told him l was in love with Beragon.

-Are you?

l thought l was once, but not now.

Good.

-What's that?

-A $ 1 800 birthday present for Veda.

-The car. lt's here. Where is it?

-lt's that shiny thing a block long.

-Do you think she'll like it?

-lf she doesn't, have her head examined.

Here, you have to sign this in blood.

-lt isn't any of my business--

-lf it's about Monte, l agree.

lt's Veda.

She's been borrowing money.

-From whom?

-Anybody. Waitresses mostly.

Hasn't she paid them back?

They're afraid to say anything

or turn her down. You know how it is.

l'll see that they're paid back.

l'm sorry l had to tell you.

l don't blame her much.

Monte was with her--

Did you bring the Laguna Beach

and Los Feliz statements?

Yeah. They're over here.

-Hello, everybody!

-Hello.

-Hello, Mother.

-Hello.

l hope we aren't interrupting

a big conference.

-Just a teeny one.

-l wish l could get interested in work.

You were probably frightened

by a callus at an early age. l'll take that.

-Thank you.

-One missing.

You're sitting on

the Laguna Beach statement!

That's what l like about you.

You're so delightfully provincial.

l like you too. Don't look now,

but you're standing under a brick wall.

-l don't get it.

-You will, when it falls on you.

-When did you start smoking?

-Just the other day.

Monte gave me this for my birthday.

l couldn't hurt him by not using it.

l mean, that would have been dreadfully

recherche, n'est-ce pas?

Yes, l suppose so.

Here's something for your birthday too.

l hope you like it.

-Mother! A car? Where is it?

-Look out the window.

-Mother, it's beautiful.

-l'm so glad you like it.

How about me?

After all, l picked it out.

Monte, it's the nicest present

l ever got.

-You're sweet. Let's go for a drive.

-Nothing l'd like better.

-Do you mind? l'd like to talk to you.

-Not at all.

-Run along and dent your fenders.

-All right.

-See you later at the club.

-Be careful.

l will.

Bye.

-What's the matter?

-l want you to do me a favor.

-Sure. What?

-Stay away from Veda.

What's the matter with me?

Have l sprouted two heads?

l just don't want you

to take her out so much, that's all.

lt isn't funny.

She's only 1 7 and spoiled rotten.

-What has that got to do with me?

-l've worked hard...

...to give Veda the things l never had.

l've done without a lot of things

because l wanted her to have everything.

Now l'm losing her.

She's drifting away from me.

She hardly speaks to me

except to ask for money...

...or poke fun at me

because l work for a living.

-All kids are thoughtless.

-Perhaps. l still don't like it.

l blame it on the way she's living.

And on you.

l don't think you understand Veda

very well. She's not like you.

You'll never make a waitress

out of her.

You look down on me because

l work for a living, don't you?

All right, l work. l cook food,

sell it and make a profit...

...which you're not too proud to share.

Yes, l take money from you...

...but not enough to make me like

kitchens or cooks. They smell of grease.

You don't shrink away from a $50 bill

because it smells of grease.

-Take it easy.

-There's no point in going on like this.

You're interfering with my life

and business.

Worst of all, you're interfering

with my plans for Veda.

l always knew that someday

we'd come to this particular moment.

You want Veda and your business

and a nice, quiet life.

And the price of all that is me.

You can go back to making your pies

now, Mildred. We're through.

Wait a minute, Monte.

l forgot something.

You've been very good to us.

l know you've had expenses taking Veda out.

l don't know how much

we owe you, but....

lf that isn't enough,

you can let me know.

Thank you. l've always wondered

how it felt to take a tip.

Well, now you know.

You can mark

our account ''paid in full.''

-l'd like some of that.

-You gotta work for it.

Keep your motor running.

Bring me three glasses, will you?

-This is beginning to look serious.

-lt is.

-Yes, we finally made up our minds.

-This calls for a celebration.

-Congratulations.

-You've been swell to us.

l get a kick out of doing

things for people.

-Don't l, Veda?

-Absolutely.

Looks like we never serve

champagne in this joint. Or place.

Try this on for size. lt's our very best,

reserved for special customers.

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