Mr. Skeffington Page #12

they can vote too.

You can't overlook that, you know.

Jim, have I changed much?

That is, very much?

Well...

- Have I?

- I asked you first.

Changed?

In what way, Fanny?

You know perfectly well in what way.

You know, Jim, it's so difficult

to see oneself as others see one.

Well, Fanny, you mustn't forget you were

still almost a girl when we were friends.

And, of course, since then

you've grown up.

Then you do think I've changed.

Fanny...

...shall I tell you what I really think?

I wish you would.

You always were and always will be...

...enshrined in my memory...

...as the nearest thing to perfect loveliness

that I have ever known.

That sounds very hollow, Jim.

There's a gentleman in the library

to see you, madam. Mr. Morrison.

Did you enjoy your walk in the park?

Yes, thank you, Clinton.

Well, good afternoon, Fanny.

Good afternoon, Edward.

This is a surprise.

Yes.

I probably should have phoned.

That's quite all right, Edward.

Fanny, I tried to talk to you

all last evening, but...

Did you? I didn't notice.

Someone always beat me to it.

I see.

Yes.

Edward, wouldn't you like Clinton

to bring you a drink?

No. No, thank you.

- Little bit early for me.

- Do sit down.

We're not going to be polite and formal with

each other, are we, after all these years?

Why, Edward.

Have you forgotten

how much we meant to each other?

Fanny, feel that.

Feel that, you bad girl.

Feel that thumping?

I feel some sort of activity,

but I'd hardly call it a thump.

Well, it is. And it's all because of you.

Oh, Edward, you're not going to get

romantic now, are you?

At this time of life?

- Why not?

- Well, look at us.

Just look at us.

You're bald and I'm dilapidated.

Oh, Edward.

You didn't used to keep saying,

"Oh, Edward." What's come over you?

- Age.

- Age?

- Listen, my girl...

- Edward, must you call me "my girl"?

Now, let's get this clear.

You and I are both in the prime of life.

- I suppose you want to cheer me up.

- I don't want to cheer you up. Fanny.

- Fanny, I want to marry you.

- Edward, please.

You can't put me off any longer.

Will you say yes?

Edward.

You can't be serious.

I've never been more serious about anything.

You don't know what this means to me.

Fanny, my darling, we'll have

a glorious life together.

You can't use words like

"age" and "old" about us.

We're just beginning the best part

of our lives. I love you.

I love you, Fanny.

Yes, my curls.

You see, I buy all my hair at Henri's.

Pretty. Very pretty.

May I pin it on for you, darling?

No, thank you, Edward.

I think I'd better do it myself.

They're very expensive, you know.

Thank heavens you don't have to worry

about things like that.

Henri keeps me practically broke.

Broke.

Did you say "broke," Fanny?

Well, practically.

But...

...you can't mean that, Fanny.

It's not generally known, Edward...

...but I'm very hard up.

I had no idea.

I was under the impression

that Skeffington...

Well, you see, all the best people

make the worst investments.

That's true.

If I'd only had a man to advise me.

You should have returned

a few years earlier, Edward.

Yes, I should have.

I wonder if you'd forgive me, Edward.

I have an engagement.

Yes, of course.

I'll think over your proposal.

Well, don't be too hasty, Fanny.

Marriage is a very serious step.

Yes, I know.

- Don't bother seeing me to the door.

- Clinton will get you your things.

Oh, that's all right. Thank you.

Well, Fanny, I'll give you

a ring one of these days.

We'll have lunch together.

That would be very nice.

Goodbye, Edward.

Goodbye.

Fanny...

...you don't know anyone who'd like

to buy a coffee plantation, do you?

No, but if I hear of anyone...

...l'll be very glad to let you know.

Thank you, Fanny.

Get me my hat and coat, please.

Mother.

May I speak to you for a moment?

Of course, Fanny.

Yes, Fanny?

Johnny Mitchell and I

are going to be married.

Johnny Mitchell.

Well...

I had no idea.

But, Fanny, you haven't

known him very long.

I've known him several months.

As long as I've known you.

But don't you think you should have

talked it over with your mother?

Have I a mother?

That's not kind of you, darling.

I've always loved you very much.

Sort of a long-distance love,

wasn't it, Mother?

Fanny, I never wanted you to leave me.

It was just that...

Well, just that you

loved your father so much.

And it was just that my father

loved me so much.

Oh, I know you had

a difficult choice to make.

You couldn't be both

a beauty and a mother.

Oh, Mother, I used to worry

about my looks too...

...when I was 13 and all arms and legs.

I used to hate

that brace I had on my teeth.

But Father would always comfort me.

"A woman is beautiful

only when she's loved," he'd say.

Yes, he said that to me once too.

So you see, Mother, you mustn't blame

your illness for no longer being beautiful.

You haven't really been beautiful

since the day you sent Father away.

Because since that day there's been

no man who's really loved you.

Don't you see if they had,

it wouldn't matter to them now?

Goodbye, Mother.

Fanny, darling.

Do you suppose it's too late for me

to be a real mother to you now?

It would have to be

a long-distance love again.

I'm willing to try.

It wouldn't work out, Mother.

We're leaving for Seattle tonight.

Johnny's opening a branch office there.

Well, I suppose you wish me luck.

Of course, darling.

- Goodbye, Fanny.

- Goodbye, Mother.

Manby.

Why, Mrs. Skeffington.

What is it?

What's the matter?

Manby. Manby. Don't leave me.

- Why, of course I won't.

- Promise me you'll never leave me.

- Of course I won't.

- You're the only one I have left.

I'll never leave you. Never.

You see. You see, I'm all alone.

- I'm all alone.

- Mrs. Skeffington, wouldn't you like to rest?

Yes. Yes, I think I would.

You'll feel better

after you've had a little rest.

You're the only one I have left.

- Morning, Manby.

- Morning, Mr. Trellis.

- Morning, Fanny.

- Hello, Georgie.

What brought you here

so early in the morning?

Nothing. I just thought I'd drop by

and see how you were.

Well, it was nice seeing

all your old friends at the party...

...the other night, wasn't it?

- It was pure vanity, Georgie.

A desire in these waning days of mine

to feel the assurance of beauty again.

But I find one should never look

for admirers...

...while at the same time

one is falling to bits.

Georgie, you seem very nervous.

Anything the matter?

- May I smoke?

- Of course.

- Fanny, I'm worried.

- What about?

About you. I want you to promise me

that you're not going to let me down.

Georgie, what are you talking about?

The fact is, Fanny, that I've seen Job.

You've seen Job?

- You mean, the way I've been seeing him?

- No.

I've really seen him.

- But you couldn't have. Job's in Germany.

- No, he isn't. He's here in New York.

I saw him in the park. He was

on a bench, sunning himself.

Job never sunned himself in his life.

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