Since You Went Away Page #7

---

Why, Mr. Willett...

it's just the way

I always wanted to look.

Someday I'll do you in oil.

I haven't much time. I want

to say good-bye to everybody.

You say your farewells.

I'll tote your bag for you.

That's very nice of you.

Mr. Willett, I must

have been stone blind

not to see what

a lovely gentleman you is.

- Leaving, Lieutenant?

- On my way, Colonel.

I'll tell Miz Hilton

you's ready, Mr. Tony.

I rather envy you,

if I may say so.

We could use you, sir.

In the Navy?

- Good luck, Mr. Willett.

- Thank you, sir.

I guess we have to have a Navy.

- Don't come in, please!

- Don't you want to say good-bye?

I have an awful disease.

Can't scare me.

I'm coming in.

Wait a minute, Tony, please.

- All right, Jane?

- Yes.

But I wish you wouldn't.

Hello, Janie.

Hello, Tony.

You look fine in that kerchief.

Probably start a new fashion.

- I look terrible.

- No, you don't.

You could never look terrible.

You're pretty, that's what you are.

Don't laugh at me.

I never laugh

at anybody I love.

And I've loved you

from the moment you were born.

Is that all?

It's the best love I have, Janie.

It's a special kind of love

I keep just for Anne and Tim

and the two sweet girls

who are part of Anne and Tim.

Tony, you're going way

and maybe you'll be killed,

and I've got the mumps

just like a baby.

I hope the mumps are the worst

things that ever happen to you.

I won't be killed. Only the good

die young... haven't you heard?

And I'm neither good nor young.

But, Tony, you're just

the right age for a man.

Little Janie.

Wanna make a bet?

What?

I'll bet by the time I see you again,

you're in love.

You're silly.

You're the silliest man I ever knew.

Now you're making sense.

I knew you had a good head.

Will you write to me?

There won't be anything to write.

There won't be anything

happening after you're gone, ever.

All right.

But I'll write to you.

I have to go now, dear.

Good-bye.

- Good-bye, Janie.

- Bye, Tony.

I'll write to you.

I'll write to you all the time.

You'll catch the mumps.

Do you want to keep them

all to yourself?

Besides, I'm no hero.

I've had the mumps. I'm immune.

I wish...

Let me wish this time.

I wish that I was 17.

What are you doing

sitting in that holy of holies

as though it were yours?

I'm getting it used

to being just another chair.

- Can I wake her up?

- You'd better.

She'd never forgive you

if you left without saying good-bye.

If ever I have any children,

God will punish me... they'll be boys.

I couldn't possibly have

anything as nice as that.

The first step usually

is to get married.

- Are you leaving soon, Tony?

- In just a little while.

Say good-bye to Tony, darling.

It's way past your bedtime.

I want to talk to him

before he leaves.

- Good-bye, Tony.

- Good-bye, Brig, dear.

It's sort of like

saying good-bye to Pop again.

Coming from you, Brig,

that's the compliment

to top all compliments.

I'll have another kiss on that.

- Your cab's here, Mr. Tony.

- Thank you, Fidelia.

Would you ask him

if he'd mind waiting?

I got it all arranged.

He's waiting.

Good-bye, Tony.

Come back soon.

Good night, Mother.

Good night, darling.

- Don't catch those mumps.

- What do you think I am, a child?

- Happy dreams.

- Happy landing.

- Bye, Mr. Tony.

- Good-bye, Fidelia.

I'll take myself

along now before I...

Just when did you

captivate Fidelia?

It was my art that did the trick.

I sketched her.

As a Wave?

Sometimes your ingratitude

saddens me.

- You'll recover.

- I've got to leave in three minutes.

Tony, I'm so sorry

to see you go.

We've all loved having you.

By the way,

how did you leave Jane?

With the mumps.

And with tears, I'm afraid.

I haven't much tact, I guess.

I didn't know what to say.

I know. Poor dear.

But you are very attractive, Tony.

- A bone from Mrs. Hilton.

- No, I mean it.

It won't be too easy for Jane,

getting over it.

Nonsense. Older men...

every girl goes through it. Didn't you?

- Still going through it.

- Yeah. Older men named Hilton.

Don't you ever worry about Jane.

I won't, as long as

the older men are like you.

You know something, Anne?

I'm chump enough to go on

living on your compliments

for the next six months.

Like a camel and water,

you know?

- How long can they go?

- I never knew one.

Tony, don't tell me any secrets,

but is it action this time?

Down the St. Lawrence,

and then I don't even know myself.

- I won't say what I feel.

- No, don't.

You'd better get some rest.

You look tired.

I will. I have a little

letter-writing to do first.

I see.

How often do you write him?

You won't think me foolish

if I tell you?

I try to write at least

a few lines every night.

You know that's a little nuts.

It's pretty wonderful, too.

Well, good night, Anne.

Good night, Tony.

Come here.

You're a swell guy, Tony.

Go away.

Well, she finally hit one.

Now don't drop it.

Bowl it.

It's no use, Bill.

I'll never learn.

Sure you will.

- I hurt my thumb.

- I'm so sorry. Let me see.

It's your turn now, Bill.

Let's see if you can

knock them all down.

Well, I don't know about that.

Like a piece of tape?

Thank you.

It's your turn now, Jane.

I was just...

He just gave me a piece of tape.

- Hi, buddy.

- Hi.

- Have a smoke?

- No.

I'd advise you

to mind your own business.

I know she's a nice girl.

Anybody could see that.

I don't like

your laughing either.

Bill, please come down

and show me again how to do it.

Look, buddy, you can

have a fight if you want it,

but I was just trying

to be friendly.

Well, all right, then.

- Bill, speak to me.

- Gee, I'm sorry.

- Look what you've done.

- I didn't do anything.

I guess that'll teach him.

You know, I've never been

to the beach in my whole life.

- I've never seen the ocean.

- You haven't?

I never saw it

till a couple of months ago.

But you're a sailor.

- I was brought up on a farm.

- I see.

- I've never been on a farm.

- You haven't?

I was brought up

on an Army post.

I see.

I have to catch a train.

Gotta be back at the base

in the morning.

Sure wish you could spend

the rest of the evening with us.

No, you don't.

I've butted in enough already.

- No, we loved meeting you.

- Sure we did.

I'll catch a bus here.

- So long, buddy.

- Good-bye.

You've both been swell.

You're the only people I met

since I came to town.

Why didn't you go

to the canteen?

They're so crowded and everything,

and I don't dance so very good.

You and me both.

Next time you come to town,

maybe we can all go bowling again.

Gee, I don't know

if I'll ever be back this way.

I expect we'll get going

any day now.

The war looks

pretty good, doesn't it?

It sure does.

Well, good-bye, miss.

My name's Harold E. Smith.

I'm Bill Smollett,

and this is Miss Hilton.

- How are you?

- Jane's my first name.

- Good-bye, Jane.

- Good-bye.

- Bye, Harold.

- Hal.

Bye, Hal.

- He's nice.

- Yeah, he's a nice fella.

You were sweet to him, Bill.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes