Penny Serenade Page #6

you buy on time...

and then when you can't keep up

the payments they take it away from you.

Now sit still and be a good girl.

Anyone could give up

those kinds of things.

But I ask you, Judge,

how can you give up your own child?

She is our child just as much

as if she'd been born to us.

No, Daddy isn't going to go away, dear.

Look, judge, we've had her

over a year now.

Why, we walked the floor with her

when she had the colic.

We've lost nights of sleep worrying

every time she had got a tooth.

We've gone through everything.

Everything that real parents have

with one of their own.

Ask Miss Oliver here about the inspections

we've had to have.

Her weight charts,

her vaccination certificates...

her toys, her dresses, her toothbrush.

They come around regularly

and check up on all those things

to see if we're taking care

of her properly.

How many real parents can keep one

of their own and go through that?

And you sit there

and say it's a matter of routine

for you to take her away from us.

Please, Mr. Adams.

I'm sorry, Judge.

But...

Well, you see, we weren't

as fortunate as most people.

We would have had

one of our own, only...

You don't know how badly

my wife wanted a child.

It wasn't so important to me, I...

I don't know, I suppose most men

are like this.

Children never meant a great deal to me.

I like them, all right, I suppose, but...

Well, what I'm trying to say is,

Your Honor...

the first time I saw her...

she looked so little and helpless...

I didn't know babies were so little.

And then when she took hold of

my finger and held on to it, she...

she just sort of walked

into my heart, Judge,

and she was there to stay.

I didn't know I could feel like that

I had always been kind of

careless and irresponsible.

I wanted to be a bigshot.

I couldn't work for anybody, I had to be

my own boss, that sort of thing.

Now here I am standing

in front of a judge...

pleading for just a little longer

so that I can prove to you...

I can support a little child

that doesn't weigh quite 20 lbs.

It's not only for my wife and me

I'm asking you to let us keep her, Judge,

it's for her sake too.

She doesn't know any parents but us.

She wouldn't know

what had happened to her.

You see, there are so many

little things about her...

nobody would understand her

the way Julie and I do.

We love her, Judge.

Please don't take her away from us.

I'm not a bigshot now, I....

I'll do anything.

I'll work for anybody.

I'll beg, I'll borrow, I'll....

Please, Judge, I'll sell anything I've got

until I get going again.

She'll never go hungry,

she'll never be without clothes...

not as long as I've got

two good hands to help me.

- She's yours, dear.

- Ours!

Now and forever.

Oh, Trina!

Nothing can ever take her

from us now.

You better hurry up, Daddy.

Mommie'll be home any minute now.

Yeah. You go and watch for her.

Let me know when she comes, hm?

- How are you getting along, Applejack?

- Ain't she a beauty?

- Here she comes.

- Now? Well, let's get the presents, quick.

Here she comes.

We'll get them later.

Where is everybody?

Quick!

Trina?

Trina?

Where can everybody be

this time of the day?

Surprise!

Surprise!

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday, darling.

- Oh, thank you.

- Sit down. Let's see the presents.

I had almost forgotten today

was my birthday.

- This is from Daddy.

- Daddy?

Why, Roger,

I always wanted one like that.

- Look Applejack.

- I'm glad you like it, darling.

And this is from Uncle Applejack.

From Applejack?

Oh, I think I can guess what this is.

Handkerchief.

Oh, it's beautiful, Applejack.

I always figured a person can't have

too many handkerchiefs.

Thank you.

- And this is from me.

- From you?

I can't imagine what this is.

What on earth can...

I got you a record,

as you love records.

And 'cause you and Daddy

love each other so much.

Oh, Trina, that's sweet, darling.

Thank you.

- Come on, let's play it see how it goes.

- Come on, Trina.

Dinner's ready. Come and get it

or I'll throw it in the crate

Oh, this is wonderful!

Dinner in my own home

and I didn't have to cook it.

Well.

We sure changed the complexion

of that bird.

We certainly did.

What did you do

in school today, darling?

Oh, I almost forgot. I was choosed.

I'm going to be in the Christmas play.

In the Christmas play.

What are you going to do?

I'm going to sing in the carol.

Why, Trina, that's wonderful.

It'll be fun making you a carol's costume.

I don't need any costume.

Nobody sees me.

Nobody sees you?

All I have to wear is a clean dress

and some sneakers.

I'm the echo.

I'm a way off behind the scene.

You only hear my voice.

Miss Hopkins says it gives

a faraway sound like angels in heaven.

Well, why do you have

to wear the sneakers?

The sneakers are so I'll be quiet.

I have to walk up in the sky behind

a cloud and take a big star with me.

Then, when I get over the manger,

I stop.

And then the angels sing.

And when my turn comes,

I sing the echo.

Then I sneak off quietly.

And next year, when I'm big...

I get to be an angel

and wear an angel suit.

I'll get seen then.

Of course you'll get seen then,

darling.

Is it a long time

until next year, Daddy?

Oh, no, darling.

It'll be here in no time at all.

Oh, I forgot.

Oh my, what happened to the lights?

Shh!

Did you see the lights go out?

Happy birthday to you,

happy birthday to you...

Happy birthday, dear Mommy,

happy birthday to you.

- Hurry up, Mommy.

- I'll park the car.

All right. See you out front.

Come on, dear.

I spoiled everything.

Now Miss Hopkins won't let me

be an angel next year.

- Yes, she will, darling.

- Certainly.

I was talking to her.

She said you did fine.

Why, you were better than

the rest of them put together.

See?

- Honest?

- Honest.

Gee, I don't know what people

would do without Christmas.

I don't know what we'd do

without you, honey.

Would you please stop that door

from banging?

I wish you wouldn't go out.

I've got to get out of here

and get some fresh air.

Isn't that someone downstairs?

There's someone at the front door.

May I use your phone, please?

Our car is stalled

and I'd like to call a taxi.

It's right here on the balcony.

If you'll just walk around that way.

Thank you.

I saw your light burning

and we're in such a hurry.

Cabs are always busy

on a night like this.

I do hope we can get one.

Tommy's in the Christmas play.

I hope we don't get late, Mommy.

Out car is right out in front.

I'll drive you over, if you like.

Oh, that's very kind of you.

But it wouldn't be too much trouble?

Not too much trouble.

Come, dear.

You can't start the car.

The battery's dead.

I'll have to crank it.

I do hope we're not late, Mama.

I can't thank you enough.

If you only knew what these things

mean to a child.

Let's get out of here.

Roger!

What's the matter?

Take the car on home.

- Roger!

- I'm not coming home.

I don't ever want to see anything

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