Rope Page #2

You wouldn't want the poor old man

to have to get on his knees to see them?

Well, I think it looks downright peculiar.

- Peculiar?

- Very.

Particularly those candlesticks.

They don't belong there at all.

On the contrary, I think they suggest a...

a ceremonial altar,

which you can heap with the foods

for our sacrificial feast.

Hmph, heap is right.

Isn't enough room for me to set

things out properly, is there, Mr Phillip?

Oh, you can make it do.

You two'll be the death of me.

What's to be done with the books?

We'll lay them out

on the dining room table.

A crazy idea, if you ask me.

Well, I have too much to do

to discuss this thoroughly, dear.

I still think it's peculiar.

- What on earth is the matter?

- I was sure she'd notice.

- Notice what?

- The rope, of course.

Brandon, we've got to hide it.

- Why?

- Why?

Yes, why? It's only a piece of rope,

an ordinary household article.

Why hide it?

It belongs in the kitchen drawer.

- Mrs Wilson?

- Yes?

There's champagne in the icebox.

- We're not giving them champagne?

- We are.

Oh, it's going to be that kind of party.

I'd better doll up a little.

We only serve champagne

at Mr Cadell's on very high occasions.

Matter of fact, he and I once had

a glass together on my birthday.

Tonight, Mrs Wilson, you'll have

an opportunity to renew that romance.

May I? Mr Cadell's coming.

Oh, my. Oh, Mr Cadell is terribly nice.

- Rupert's coming?

- Yes, I thought I told you.

No, you didn't.

Some people say he's a little peculiar,

but I always thi...

Well, you might let me finish.

I thought you liked Rupert.

- I do.

- Well, then?

Of all the people on this Earth, Rupert

Cadell is the one man likely to suspect.

He's the one man who might appreciate

this from our angle, the artistic one.

- That's what's exciting.

- I'm glad it excites you. It frightens me.

I suggest you keep your voice down.

It would have been too easy

with the others, Phillip, and too dull.

As for Rupert,

I once thought of inviting him to join us.

- Why didn't you? The more the merrier.

- He hasn't the nerve.

Oh, intellectually,

he could've come along. He's brilliant.

But he's a little too fastidious.

He could've invented and admired

but he never could have acted.

That's where we're superior.

We have courage. Rupert doesn't.

Mr Cadell got a bad leg in the war for his

courage. You've got your sleeve in the celery.

(Door Buzzer)

They're here. Are we ready?

As ready as we'll ever be.

Don't you be so busy

at that piano that you don't eat.

You're getting too thin.

And don't you let them gobble up

that pt before you have any.

Let's hope it's a success. Oh, my tray.

Take it in the kitchen.

I'll answer the door.

There wouldn't be this last minute

hustle bustle if you'd kept my table...

Now the fun begins.

- Hello, come in.

(Kenneth) - How are you, Brandon?

- Fine. Just put your hat there.

- Thank you.

lt's been quite a while.

Yes, that's why l sounded so stupid

on the phone. Surprised, l guess.

- Hello, Kenneth. Good to see you.

- You too.

- Been up to much lately?

- Oh, nothing to speak of. You?

Trying to get ready for exams. I have

to start cramming before everyone else.

- Am I the first?

- You are.

Why is it I'm always too early

at parties?

Probably because you're always on time.

Mrs Wilson, champagne.

Oh.

It... It isn't someone's birthday, is it?

Don't look so worried, Kenneth.

It's really almost the opposite.

The opposite?

Phillip's bidding the world a temporary

farewell. I'm driving him to Connecticut.

Oh. Where are you going?

To Brandon's mother's place

for a few weeks.

- I'm to be locked up.

- What?

To make sure he practices

six hours a day.

- I've finally wrangled a debut for him.

- Town Hall, at that.

That's wonderful.

I hope you knock 'em dead.

Thank you.

Mmm. Most decorative.

Think so?

- Hey.

- What is it?

- I feel pretty honoured.

- Oh, why?

Well, it looks like

a pretty small farewell party.

Well, we're really killing two birds

with one stone.

The party's also for Mr Kentley.

- David's father?

- Yes.

Oh. Is... David going to be here?

- Of course.

- Who else is coming?

No one you don't know,

if that's what's bothering you.

- The Kentleys, Janet Walker -

- Janet?

Yes. I thought you'd be glad to see her.

Won't you be?

Brandon, Janet and I are all washed up.

- Didn't you know?

- I'm sorry, I didn't.

Well, you knew, Phillip?

Oh, I'd heard vague rumours, but I never

pay attention to that sort of thing.

I wish you had. (Door Buzzer)

- Why?

- Well, Janet and David are -

(Janet) Hello, Mrs Wilson.

- May I?

- Help yourself.

Cheer up. I have a feeling your chances

with the lady are better than you think.

- What do you mean?

(Brandon) - Janet.

Hello, ducks. Angel!

Be careful of my hair. It took hours.

- You smell dreamy. What is it?

- That swill you gave me last Christmas.

- I knew I had good taste.

- You do. You look lovely.

I won't by the time it's all paid for.

Was that funny?

I never know when I'm being funny.

Whenever I try to be,

I lay the bomb of all time.

- Phillip, sweet.

- Hello.

What's this rumour

I hear about you and Town Hall?

I bet you're going to play a foul trick

on all of us and become...

horribly famous.

I believe you've met.

- Hello, Ken.

- Hello, Jan.

That was fascinating, wasn't it?

I seem to have run down.

What would you say

to some champagne?

'Hello, champagne.'

You see what I mean

about trying to be funny?

- How've you been, Ken?

- Dine, thanks.

- How's the new job?

- What are you doing?

Writing that same dreary column

on how to keep the body beautiful.

- Dor whom this time?

- An untidy little magazine called Allure.

Thanks, chum.

- Oh, isn't that painting new?

(Brandon) - Yes it is. Do you like it?

- Well, what is it?

- New Young American Primitive.

I have a new young American sister.

She's three

and her stuff is really primitive.

(Laughing)

(Janet quietly) - You dirty dog.

(Brandon quietly) - Why?

- Didn't I notice another one in the foyer?

I don't think so. Which?

This.

- I could really strangle you, Brandon.

- What have I done now?

At times, your sense of humour

is a little too malicious, chum.

What are you chattering about?

- Why did you invite Kenneth?

- Well, why not?

You know perfectly well why not.

We called it quits ages ago and I'm

practically engaged to his best friend.

- David?

- Yes, David.

Which makes everything

just ginger-peachy.

I'm terribly sorry, but it is difficult

trying to keep up with your romances.

After me came Kenneth,

and now it's David.

Why the switch

from Kenneth to David, anyway?

- Obviously, I think he's nicer.

- Well, he's certainly richer.

That's a new low even for you, chum.

(Kenneth) - Gave me a 'D' in conduct.

(Phillip) - How's your drink doing?

How many years has it been since I said,

'Oh, it tickles'? And don't you tell me.

- I hear Rupert's coming.

- He was invited, but you never know.

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