On Approval Page #2

her mouth shut about anything.

Oh how I dislike him.

I'm sorry because I like him so much.

Yes, but you wouldn't marry him.

How far is it in a hansom to

St Georges Hanover square?

20 minutes, why?

If he asked me to marry him tonight...

I'd run it in five.

Well if he did marry you

it'd only be for your money.

Well why not? Plenty of women

have lived with him for his.

I've loved her for more years

than I care to remember.

You mean to tell me that

you've loved that old...

Silence, you were about

to call her by a name...

that would prevent me

speaking to you ever again.

Have a drink.

Or have you had too many?

I will have a drink and

i've not had too many.

Richard old boy, I love you as a brother...

but i'd rather see you dead than...

George I must warn you, if you say

another word against Mrs Wislack...

our friendship is at an end.

Very well, but you can't stop

me wishing you were dead.

Are you addressing me sir?

I see your point.

You'd never marry again? Not even

if you loved someone terribly?

Well I should require to know a

great deal more about my next.

Well how can you until you marry him?

I shall take him away with

me for a month alone.

Take him away?

On approval.

Take a man a... way with...

but Maria, how can you

think of such a thing?

Helen, I thought you

Americans were unconventional.

Well I don't think we'd

go as far as that.

No?

Well our men are different. Perhaps

Englishmen are less amorous less...

enterprising.

I shouldn't rely too much on that.

Did you know her late

husband Arthur Wislack?

Did I know him? Did I watch

him with murder in my heart?

Treating that divine creature with

cruelty and neglect and...

eventually dying of drink.

He hated drink.

Then why did he?

He chose it as the most agreeable

way of being unconcious...

while awaiting his release.

George I warn you, if you say...

Richard old boy, if I have in any way

hurt your feelings I apologise.

Have a cigar.

Now I know your a politician

seer. Is it yours?

Certainly not, it was

provided by our hostess.

But Maria, is it fair to expose

a man to such temptation?

Suppose his love for you overcame

him and he should attempt to...

I should of course take a revolver.

If suppose you came to care for him?

Then my aim might not be so accurate.

What is more important, have you

asked her if she loves you?

How can I? My income is 300 a year...

her's is 25,000.

Oh I take everything back...

you have given me a reason

why you are right to love her.

Are you suggesting I love

her for her money?

I'm suggesting it's

a reason you should.

What do you think you could

learn about a man in a month?

As much as I wish.

But Maria, the scandal.

I should choose someone less

inclined to gossip than most men.

Maria, I believe you've

got someone in mind.

Well as a matter of fact, there

is a man in your party tonight...

who in a month might surprise me.

There's nothing for it Richard,

you must propose to her.

I haven't the courage.

Ever tried brandy?

One day I sat with a bottle

of brandy in front of me...

and recited to it the language I should

use when asking her to be my wife.

With the result that

when I was in the room...

I was unable even to

wish her good evening.

Bad luck. But Richard...

do as I say and I give you my

word that a month from tonight...

you'll pop in to her bed with

a cry "Maria, here I am".

George, that is an observation

which I consider most unsuitable.

Either here or in the

place you suggest.

I was speaking metaphorically.

I trust so.

You must have courage Richard. Think

what marriage to Maria means to you.

Someone to be with, to talk to, no

money cares, no cares of any kind.

It's not for me. Think of the little

ones crackling up and down the room.

No no I take that back.

Why?

Very well, if you insist.

But my dear George, married life

to me without children is...

are you laughing George?

No no i've got a cold coming on.

It's the sort of thing you would laugh at.

One other little thing,

please be polite to Maria.

That's not a little thing,

but I will help you Richard.

I'll even warm Maria up

for you to make your proposal.

Cigars in the drawing room'll

not impress Maria favourably.

No 16 then after the lancers.

Charming I'm sure.

Thank you.

Maria.

Well?

Tonight I apparantly said something quite

unintentionally that hurt your feelings.

Well?

I'm sorry.

Obviously you have been drinking.

Why?

Otherwise you would

never have apologised.

I admit I have been drinking. I

drank because I was depressed.

Richard depressed me.

Richard has been pointing

out to me, my limitations...

and so gently, so understandingly

that I was compelled to listen.

Until tonight I never knew the

real Richard, dear Richard.

Have you lost your

voice by any chance?

No, why?

It's unlike you only

to be able to say "ho".

George.

There you are, let's

all have some supper.

Would you mind Dr Graham?

What's that?

May we join you?

Oh yes yes certainly, I'm just

going when I finished this.

Dr Graham, famous ear specialist.

Great success apparantly.

We were talking of Richard.

You were talking of Richard.

Of his gentleness, love of little children.

How many has he got?

Richard is a bachelor.

That has not answered my question.

None.

How do you know?

He's not that kind of a man.

I trust not.

And it is through Richard that

tonight i've a feeling

i'd like to get near

nature, to walk on grass...

to hear the birds sing

their simple songs of love.

Birds don't sing at night.

Perhaps not for you Maria.

Would it amuse you

to accompany me Helen?

I'd love to George.

How about supper?

We are to move to eat.

Besides, there's a

buffet in the marquee.

I've not forgotten that.

Just what were you saying to George.

I was telling him of the need men

have for the affection of a good woman.

Go on.

I drew a little picture of returning

to one's home in the evening...

Where'd you been in the afternoon?

Oh, nowhere in particular.

I see, go on.

And there, seated at one's

dinner table, a divine lady.

To whom you would address

a few kind words...

before going out to

dine with someone else.

Not at all, I should

stay and dine with her.

That's original.

I never really thanked you for letting

me rent this lovely house of yours.

I've never really thanked

you for renting it.

Somehow I hate te thought of leaving

it when I go back to America.

Somehow so do I.

You know Helen, I

am not appreciated.

You easily could be.

But how?

Well don't you ever want

to do anything for anyone?

My dear, the most that can be

expected from any duke is to think.

Well then, if you feel you're

not being appreciated...

why don't you marry?

None of that!

I will tell you.

Feeing as you do Richard, I

wonder why you never married.

Ah.

Meaning?

The love of a good

woman is not for me.

Then why not try one of the

others? There's plenty to choose from.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes