Portrait of Jennie Page #3

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stand alone here at the bar.

And it wouldn't cost you a cent.

- It sounds kind of interesting.

- Here's how I see it.

Or should I say how my

friend Mac here sees it.

Its an early dawn in

a small hill in Ireland.

There on a carpet of shavlock

under an old elm

stands Mick Collins.

Leaning on his skull wig for zero hour.

All the Murphys, Flannegan and

O'Shea awaiting with them.

In a brief moment Mick himself

will lead them in a battle

and lead them to victory.

Up the rebels !

You better paint it, Mr. Adams !

Up the rebels !

- What's this ?

- Sketch of a little girl I saw in the park.

Very good.

Isn't it, Miss Spinney ?

Yes, I think you have

something there, Adam.

- Do you know why I like it ?

- Why ?

Its the quality of the girl

which reminds me of long ago.

And there's ought to be something

timeless about a woman.

Something eternal. You can see it

all the great portraits of the past.

They make you feel you could

meet those women anywhere

and be inspired by them.

Well then, Mr. Adams,

I will tell you what I do,

I'll take the sketch.

I give you 25 $ for it, and I don't

care what Miss Spinny says.

I'm not going to say anything.

Now Adams, you can stop

feeling sorry for yourself.

Now things are looking up.

Getting three meals a day for painting a mural,

and now, 25 $,thank you,

for a sketch.

A sketch, well, thank you.

- Where're you going now ?

- Nowhere, anywhere .

Where I come from nobody nows.

Where I'm going, anything goes.

- What's that ? - That's a song

the girl sang in the park.

Well, we don't know

where you are coming

or going but would you

like to have a tea ?

I'll be happy to do.

Come along.

- Thank you.

- See you later, Mr. Matthews.

Oh ! Yes, as you

say, Miss Spinney.

No, I've not skated since

I was a kid in Maine.

- You where brought up in Maine?

- South Paris, Maine. thats where they are?

Nice little town.

Rivers , lakes , mountains.

My father had a general

store till he died.

My mother died a few years later,

and I work for two

three years of college.

- Facinating, no ?

- I think its interesting.

I wannt to ask you

right about something.

I don't feel sorry for myself,

the way you said.

I'm facing a very practical problem.

That is something.

An artist facing practical problem.

Not the kind you think.

I don't mind being hungry.

I don't even care

to entice the land lady.

But I do know this way artists

have to endure more than I have.

But they knew they had something.

You can take a lot

if you know that.

Do you know I think I am why ?

should I believe it

all the thousands of struggling artists,

I am one who has something

worth saying ?

Relax, Adams.

Come and sit down, it irritates

me if you go on walking.

You know, something

about you appears to me.

I can't imagine what.

I think you are like the beau

I wanted when I was young.

When I was doubting myself.

- Not you too?

- Even me.

Look where its brought me.

Just a frustrated old maid lettering

a frustrated young artist.

Miss Spinny

What shall I do ?

I think the sketch shows

what you can do.

All it needs is a little inspiration.

That little girl in the park.

Its there, does it.

I'll bet you're needing a tour on the ice?

So long with you.

Thanks , Miss Spinney.

Hello, Mr. Adams.

Hello, Jennie.

Its fun ?

- I can't believe its you .

- Why not ?

You have grown so much taller.

You are making me

feel small as before.

No, I'm serious you have grown.

Of course. I have.

- Don't you remember our wish?

- Sure I do.

Lets skate.

Lets go a little faster.

You so funny.

That seems so funny too.

Oh, by the way, I have

something here of yours.

Oh what a pretty scarf.

I crossed on the bench itself.

You said it was yours.

Did I ?

Well if I said so, it must be true.

I will tell you what ? Why don't

you keep it for me till I grow up

Then I will have one more

reason to grow up fast.

All right , I owe you a favour anyway.

You do ? Why ?

I sketched you the

other day and sold it.

Oh I am glad.

And the party told me

how to paint portraits.

What do you think of that ?

Well , who would you paint, Mr. Adams ?

I don't knows.

I haven't decided yet.

Maybe, would it have to be me?

Well ?

I'm going to have a picture painted.

Won't Emily be mad ?

Emily is my best friend.

She had her picture painted by Mr. Fromkes.

And I said you are

going to do mine.

How did you know that ?

When I wished it , then I closed my

eyes and turned around three times.

But Emily still said you wouldn't do it,

so I slapped her.

Emily ? I thought it was Cecily

who always fought with you.

Oh you don't mean

Cecily Brown, do you?

But she moved to Boston three

years ago. I thought I told you.

No, you didn't.

- Thats funny.

- Well, it doesn't matter.

Come on. Lets skate.

Weel I have to be going pretty soon.

No, don't go.

How would you like some hot chocolate?

- Oh! I love hot chocolate.

- Get it right over there.

- Oh how wonderful, Thank you .

- Welcome.

Jennie, where do you live?

I'd like to come and see you.

Well I don't think there is any place

where you can come and see me.

- Why ?

- Its just the way it is.

When will you start my portrait?

Whenever your parents will let you.

Where are they now?

At Hammerstein.

They are still in Hammerstein ?

And they got wonderful new tricks,

way up on high wire.

Sometimes, it scares me to watch them.

Of course its silly.

Thats why they are so famous.

They scare everybody.

I would like to see them.

Then I can ask their permission

for you to come and sit for me.

Why don't you take me to

Hammerstein to see them.

Oh yes, do lets go.

We could get ourselves in free.

- Could you come at matinee on Saturday ?

- I think so.

Where do we meet ?

Well lets meet, here in the park.

At the bench we met before

I'll be there at 2 o'clock ,

at least I'll try.

That was wonderful chocolate.

- Thank you.

- Well I really must go now.

- Must you?

I hate it to stop, when will

we ever have it again ?

- Well, goodbye .

- Goodbye.

Looking for someone , Adams?

Just watching the little girl I

was talking to you about.

I know now that Spinny can't see Jennie .

But all I knew then was,

she kept a watchful eye on me

as though i were a patient

that needed watching.

I was happy when I realised it was Saturday,

and i could scaresly wait to find

what Jennie was going to

present to me as Hammerstein.

Alas, there was no sign of Jennie.

Apparently, she had forgotten.

On impulse, I decided to find

out for myself what I could

about Jennie's parents.

well, I had a bet with a friend of mine.

I wonder if you can help me.

- You remember the old Hammerstein theatre ?

- Do I remember ?

Pardon, You came to the right

party to ask about Hammersteins.

I think it used to be right

about here somewhere ...

My friend thinks he knows it.

Hammersteins used to stand right there,

where the Realto is now. Yes Sir.

Just I will ask you one more question.

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