Random Harvest Page #6

- I thoroughly approve.

- You do.

I do, Mr. Rainier.

Will you get me a copy...

of the Brown-Severing prospectus

while I'm out?

- Yes, I will.

- Have I any appointments for 2:00?

- Yes.

- Can you postpone them?

- Yes, I can.

- Thanks.

All right, young woman...

I can give you precisely

one hour and a half from door to door.

No. Miss Hanson said two hours.

Thank you.

- Cigarette?

- Please.

You're being very charming today.

You haven't looked at your watch once.

- That reminds me.

- No, please. Can't you relax for an hour?

An hour? It's just on 3:00.

- You used to say that you hated business.

- Did I?

You know you did.

You were going to whip things into shape

and get out quickly.

That was the original idea.

To save the family and then be off

before they needed more saving.

- In that slow and careful way of yours?

- I began to look into things, yes.

I found that Rainier's

kept other families going, too.

Little families in little homes.

Thousands of them, all over England.

I see. Uncle Atlas, eh?

Don't you ever want to get out

and have fun?

Kitty, the last time I...

It's that woman you sent me,

Lady Maxton.

One of the most interesting cases

I've had...

since I have been in private practice.

Well, goodbye.

Goodbye, Lola, and don't forget

that you're dining with me on Thursday.

Goodbye.

What is it?

Pardon me. It was nothing.

It was just for a moment, that voice...

- Was familiar?

- Not that, exactly...

but it seemed to remind me of something

that I didn't have time to get a grip on.

That happens to me sometimes.

A sort of wisp of memory

that can't be caught before it fades away.

- From those lost years?

- Perhaps.

Now, what were you saying?

That you should take a holiday.

You've got money enough, heaven knows.

- Money, yes, but not the time.

- That's nonsense.

You could make the time.

How old are you?

None of your business.

- You're awfully nice-looking, Charles.

- Thank you.

Clever, interesting.

It's not fair.

Why?

Because you've spoiled me for other men,

that's why.

Kitty.

It's no secret, is it?

I've always been mad about you...

even as a schoolgirl.

It might be fun if you loved me now.

We're a lot alike, you know.

We laugh at the same things.

We have marvelous times together.

I sometimes wonder why you don't.

In my slow and careful way...

I've wondered sometimes, too.

Why don't you? Just to be curious.

I haven't said that I don't.

Oh, no.

Would it be too incredible?

- It would be fantastic.

- Then it is fantastic.

But I don't believe it.

I don't believe that you mean it.

That you'll go on meaning it.

I shall wake up and find

it isn't real at all.

- It's just a dream.

- No.

You do want me?

I'm not just a schoolgirl to you?

Darling, you're very sweet and dear to me.

I'm building a great hope on you.

I don't believe any of it.

At the office tomorrow,

you'll have forgotten all about it.

I'll have Miss Hanson remind me.

Charles, darling, it's too wonderful.

Take me out of here.

Take me somewhere and kiss me.

- Yes?

- Mr. Rainier, may I bring in...

Yes, Miss Hanson. I'm sorry.

Bring it in, please.

I've scribbled a note here.

Will you take care of it? And this.

Is the Ray-Novaille prospectus ready yet?

They promised it for 4:00.

I'll send it in as soon as it arrives.

You saw this offer

from Harwood and Williams?

Yes, Mr. Rainier.

You worked for Harwood and Williams

once, I believe.

They're driving a hard bargain.

- Do you think they're bluffing?

- I think not.

I used to know Mr. Williams pretty well.

- I was his secretary.

- Yes. I remember he was quite annoyed...

when you came to me.

He called me a pirate.

That was not fair.

It was really all my doing.

Indeed?

I'd heard Miss Lindy was leaving you,

and I applied for the position.

May I ask why?

A few weeks before, I'd come across

a picture of you in a magazine.

Underneath, it said,

"Industrial Prince of England."

- Dear me.

- I was impressed.

I decided then I must leave

Harwood and Williams to better myself.

I'm sincerely glad you did.

You make things much easier for me.

What's all this?

That's the report on that firm

in the Midlands.

The Melbridge Cable Company.

Yes, my brother thinks this would be

a very valuable subsidiary.

I have a large file.

Photographs of the works.

- Would you care to see it?

- Please, yes.

Bring me

the Melbridge Cable Company report.

Yes, Miss Hanson.

Hello.

Yes, I did, Mr. Manders.

Can you make it 4:30 this afternoon?

That would be splendid. He's very busy.

Thank you.

Market reports?

In 10 minutes, and thanks

for the flowers. They're lovely.

I thought you'd like them.

Thank you, Sheila.

Their equipment's up-to-date.

And they seem to have plenty of space.

It does seem worth investigating.

I'll get my brother to run down.

I'm taking a long holiday.

- Are you? At once?

- In about a month or so.

Why, I think that's a very good idea.

I may be gone a year.

If things can be arranged.

A year?

If it's humanly possible.

I'm being married, Miss Hanson.

You're the first to hear my news.

I'm afraid it'll mean

a lot of extra work for you...

putting things in order so I can get away.

- It's Miss Chilcet, I suppose.

- Yes, it's Kitty.

- Was it so obvious?

- Not at all. She's a very charming girl.

Yes, I fully agree.

I hope you won't take it into your head

to follow my example, Miss Hanson.

I don't know what I should do without you.

I have been married, Mr. Rainier.

Remember, I told you

when I took the position.

Yes, to be sure. It slipped my memory.

You had a child, I believe.

Yes. A little boy. He died.

Yes. I remember. I'm sorry.

You'll see that Mr. Chetwynd gets this,

will you?

And I'll let him have the file later.

Hello?

Yes, he's here. Miss Chilcet.

Hello.

Definitely. You want me to confirm it

in writing?

You absurd young person.

What's that? No, Kitty. Of course not.

- Paula, don't.

- John, let me tell him.

- That you're his wife?

- Yes.

You can risk it, if you wish.

I hope you won't.

But what do I risk now?

What do you want of him, Paula?

His name? His protection?

I want him as he was.

I want his love.

Paula, two years ago,

you walked into his office.

If the sight of you

did nothing to restore his memory...

what can words do?

When you came to me at Melbridge

shortly after he disappeared...

I told you I was sure

he hadn't deserted you knowingly.

I told you a door in his mind had opened,

but another had closed.

I warned you even that if you found him...

the chances were

he wouldn't recognize you.

You gave me a hope.

There's always that hope,

but the impetus must come from within.

It can't be forced on him from outside.

You can tell him the truth

and claim your legal rights.

But what is going to be his attitude

when a strange woman appears...

and suddenly claims to be his wife?

He'd resent me.

He'd accept me.

He'd pity me...

and he'd resent me.

I can only offer you that frail hope

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