Stowaway Page #3

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I was just scared, and I knew

Uncle Tommy would help me.

You know I will. I'm sorry, Captain,

to have caused all this trouble.

I'll accept full responsibility.

I'll be only too glad to pay for her passage.

I'll have to communicate with her people.

From what she tells me, she has no people.

In fact, she has all the earmarks of a waif.

But she must have someone.

She didn't live in China by herself.

I lived with the Kruikshanks,

but they won't care if I stay here.

- Who are the Kruikshanks, dear?

- They're missionaries in Sanchow.

Make a note of that name and get in touch

through the American consul.

In the meantime, I'll look after her.

This time, I really mean it.

I'm inclined to think that Miss Parker

is better company for the child.

Oh, he's good company too.

Maybe you had better go with Miss Parker.

You can call her Susan like I do.

Can't he, Susan?

Well, I suppose so.

I'll see you later, then, Ching-Ching.

- And I hope you too... Susan.

- Thank you.

- Bye, Uncle Tommy.

- Goodbye, darling.

Goodbye, Uncle Tommy.

Goodbye, Uncle Tommy.

Uncle Tom's cabin.

(ship's whistle)

- I can't understand it, Atkins.

- Understand what, sir?

Your gross neglect of your duties.

The most beautiful girl in the world

is on this ship and you never told me.

Begging your pardon, sir,

but you don't usually have to be told.

- Who is she?

- You met her mother on Monday night.

- I did?

- Unhappily, sir.

I...

- I didn't...?

- You did, sir.

Let me have it, Atkins.

You emptied a bottle of champagne

in her lap, sir.

Oh!

(meows)

(mimics a train whistle)

Ding, ding!

(mimics train whistle)

Ding, ding!

Now, now, come, come, Atkins.

You can do better than that.

- You're not even trying.

- I thought it was rather good, sir.

Perhaps you can suggest something else

that I can imitate better.

Well, let me see...

- Sleepy?

- Mm-hm.

It's not ten yet. You'll never be popular

if you fold up right after dinner.

Begging your pardon, sir,

but I think it's customary

for little children to retire rather early.

- Is it really your bedtime, Ching-Ching?

- Mm-hm.

- Atkins, prepare Miss Ching-Ching for bed.

- Me, sir?

- I don't know anything about children.

- I've never...

- There's a first time for everything.

- Sir, this is very awkward.

Please, Uncle Tommy, I can undress myself.

I always do.

- I wish I could say the same.

- Oh, thank you, Miss.

Now, you close your eyes. Come on.

Atkins, a lullaby for Miss Ching-Ching.

- A what, sir?

- A lullaby.

- You know, a vocal Mickey Finn.

- Sir, I can't sing a lullaby.

You're one of the most untalented persons

I've ever met.

Can't do imitations or sing.

How do you ever entertain your friends?

- I can try, sir.

- Very well, start crooning.

One, two...

(flat) Lullaby baby on the treetop

Lullaby baby on the treetop

- Oh...

- Please. You'll give her nightmares.

Perhaps you could do better yourself, sir.

(too low) Rock-a-bye baby on... (coughs)

(too high) ..on...

I'm not in very good voice tonight.

I know a lullaby my mommy used to sing me.

I'll teach it to you.

Things have come to a pretty pass

when a baby has to sing herself to sleep.

Sit down, Atkins.

Very well, Ching-Ching. Go ahead.

Good night, my love

Your mommy is kneeling beside you

Good night, my love

To dreamland the sandman will guide you

Come, now, you sleepyhead

Close your eyes, go to bed

My precious sleepyhead

You mustn't play peekaboo

Good night, my love

Your little Dutch dolly is yawning

Good night, my love

Your teddy bear's called it a day

Your doggy's fast asleep

(tuts)

My, but he's smart

Sleep tight, my love

Good night, my love

God bless you

Pleasant dreams

Sweetheart

(knocking)

- Should I...?

- I didn't make any noise.

- Is she asleep?

- (Ching-Ching) Not yet.

Well, you should be.

- Good night, darling.

- Good night, Aunt Susan.

- Good night, Uncle Tommy.

- Good night, darling.

Good night, Atkins.

You've been very sweet to that child,

Mr Randall. Good night.

Good night? Don't tell me

you go to bed at ten o'clock too?

- Let me see you to your room.

- It's only four doors away.

Still, let me come with you.

You might meet somebody.

Footpads, thugs, people like that.

It's not safe for a girl to be out alone

after dark on the ocean.

(jazz band plays)

it's beautiful.

Yes, beautiful.

And so peaceful.

- Peaceful too.

- It's really almost overdone, isn't it?

The moonlight on the water.

Stars in the sky. Music.

They might've at least had the decency

to omit the music.

Yes, everything is here. Including you.

And me. Taken all together,

that spells romance.

- Not for me.

- Why not?

- Romance takes two.

- We've got two here.

Yes, but not the right two.

You see, I'm engaged.

Oh...

To Richard Hope. Mrs Hope's son, you know.

- Yes, I know.

- He's meeting the boat at Bangkok.

- We're to be married there.

- Mm-hm? And why Bangkok?

He lives there. He's with an exporting firm.

- Exporting what?

- Oh, ivory, apes, peacocks.

Things like that. He came out here

two years ago and he's worked very hard.

You mean to say you've been engaged for two

years and you haven't seen him in that time?

You Latins.

What a hot-blooded race you are!

Well, Richard isn't quite like that. We've

known each other since we were children.

Oh, I see.

Well, I must say, it all sounds very lyrical.

- Well, it may not be exactly lyrical.

- Me, of course, I've never been engaged.

Not definitely, that is.

- But if I were to be...

- Not definitely is right.

I seem to recall something

in the newspapers:

"Millionaire playboy

sued for breach of promise."

I practically won that suit.

She only got $10,000.

Poor kid, she'd been counting on 50.

$10,000?

That's more than Richard earns in a year.

Well, you shouldn't be so narrow. After all,

I can't help it if I've been cursed with wealth.

Not that it isn't as nice a curse

as anyone could ask for.

- Have you ever worked for a living?

- Pardon?

You know, work. Like most people do.

Oh, work. Of course. I've worked my father...

Why should I take a job

from someone else who needs it?

I sacrifice myself

for the good of humanity. See?

Do you know what you are?

No, but I have a feeling

that you're about to tell me.

A museum piece. You should be in a glass

case in an exhibit of the terrible Twenties,

cocktail shaker in your hand, shirt scrawled

with chorus girls' telephone numbers,

and a label - "Playboy BC, Before The Crash,

former habitat, Broadway, now extinct."

Hmm...

You don't exactly pull your punches, do you?

Would it please you to know that I feel

about that high and six years old?

You should grow up.

That's what I've been trying to tell you.

Oh, but forget it. At least forget it for now.

I'm really not a reformer always.

Anyway, beneath that too-smooth exterior

beats a heart of gold... I think.

- It's beating awfully fast right now.

- Good night.

(band plays "Goodnight, My Love")

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