Stowaway Page #6

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Look, I tried to adopt Ching-Ching,

but I'm unmarried.

- You're getting married.

- Richard might...

- You don't want her to go to an institution?

- Of course not.

Then listen.

I've gone completely soft about that kid.

Incredible, I know, but true.

Adopt her. Let me pay for her upbringing

until I can take her myself.

That'll be as quick as I can get to the States

and come back with a wife.

Will you do it? It wouldn't be for long.

You may not believe it, but there are quite

a few girls back home willing to marry me.

At least there used to be.

It's not for me, it's for Ching-Ching.

- I'll do it.

- I knew you would.

May I speak to you, Susan?

- Pardon me.

- Certainly.

Susan, I'm awfully sorry if I annoyed you

in speaking of that bracelet as I did.

Imagine my becoming so upset

over a mere trinket. Absurd, isn't it?

Oh, I was a little upset myself. I'm sorry.

There, that's better. Everything's all right now.

Here we are, the three happy Hopes.

One, two, three, and away we go.

Mother was a little weepy

when you stalked out.

Somehow she got the idea

you'd prefer her not to live with us.

- Why, whatever could've given her that idea?

- I don't know.

But I told her we couldn't get along

without her. Didn't I, Mother?

- Well, I don't suppose we could.

- That's awfully sweet of you, Susan.

Heaven protect us all from interfering

mothers-in-law is what I always say.

Goodness. I was married myself once

and I know what I'm talking about.

Not that Mr Hope's mother didn't mean well,

but then, you know... young love.

We do know, don't we?

- Richard.

- Yes?

Just one thing.

Well, I want to adopt little Ching-Ching

as soon as we're married.

Whoever heard of such a thing?

If I don't, they'll put her in an institution.

- That's what institutions are for.

- Oh, Richard, please.

I'm sure Richard doesn't want to start

his married life with a ready-made family.

Especially with a child called Ching-Ching.

It won't be for long,

just until Mr Randall gets back.

- Randall? What's he got to do with it?

- Well... You see, it's a favour to him.

He wants to adopt her as soon as he can.

When he gets back to the States,

he'll arrange to take her.

- Why should I do Mr Randall a favour?

- Why indeed?

It isn't for him, it's for the little girl.

Think of her future.

Don't meddle

with other people's destinies, my dear.

Forget this child. She got along before she

met you and she will after she leaves you.

Dismiss her from your mind completely.

Please, don't you think Richard and I

should settle this by ourselves?

After all, it concerns us.

Anything that concerns Richard concerns me.

I think Mother's right, Susan.

- You do?

- Yes.

- Your mother's right and I'm wrong?

- Well, yes. That is, I think you're mistaken.

So do I. I've been mistaken about you and me.

- Now, Susan...

- Listen, marriage is for two people.

I'm breaking our engagement.

Richard, she'll come back.

Meanwhile you wait.

The man should always wait,

otherwise he's weak.

Ching-Ching! Ching-Ching!

Goodbye, Uncle Tommy.

The captain says I have to go.

No, you don't.

Didn't you say she could be adopted by

someone who's married? She's going to be.

- Here she is now.

- Oh, darling.

- Don't I have to go ashore?

- Not now. Tell her, Susan.

- Miss Parker's going to adopt Ching-Ching.

- I'm not going to be married.

- What? Oh, but you said...

- I think we'd better go now, darling.

Just a minute.

This isn't really goodbye.

I'll come back for you real soon.

And in the meantime, you won't cry, will you?

No, Uncle Tommy, but remember,

one... one minute of waiting

is a century to the hopeful.

I'll remember, Ching-Ching.

Goodbye, sweetie.

If you ever come back again, you won't

forget to come and see me, will you?

- I'll be in the orphan asylum in Shanghai.

- Oh, sure, we'll look you up.

- Won't we?

- Of course we will.

Maybe we'll have some more fun

like we had.

We might even go back to jail again.

(Tommy) Yes, we might.

Well, I think I'd better run along now.

Before I really cry. Goodbye.

We can't let this happen to her.

Look, Susan, I've got an idea.

Please don't say no till you hear me out.

I know exactly what you think of me,

but that isn't important now.

Marry me. Don't misunderstand me.

You wouldn't have to put up with me.

It'd just be a marriage in name only.

Soon as we dock in San Francisco,

go to Reno and get a divorce.

My lawyers will take care of everything.

I wish you would. For Ching-Ching.

It's the only way.

- You'd really do that for her?

- I'd do anything in the world for her.

- So would I.

- Then you will?

Yes.

Hey, bring her back.

- What's that?

- We're getting married. We want to adopt her.

Come on, Ching-Ching, darling.

We're going back aboard ship again.

For as much

as Susan Parker and Thomas Randall

have consented together in holy wedlock,

and have witnessed the same

before this company,

and have given and pledged

their troth, each to the other,

and have declared the same by giving

and receiving a ring and joining hands,

I pronounce that they are man and wife.

Amen.

- All happiness, my dear. Good luck, my boy.

- Thank you.

Twice blessed is he who loves both bride

and groom, for their happiness is his.

Congratulations, Mr Randall.

Much joy to you, Mrs Randall.

- Thank you.

- A sailor's knot is as good as City Hall's.

There'll be some formalities about the child.

I'll have my lawyer take care of that.

- Susan, why did you do this?

- Young man, you're talking to my wife.

- Richard, dear!

- And you told me to wait.

- Are you really and truly my parents now?

- We're the best you've got, darling.

Sun Lo says a child without parents

is like a ship without a rudder.

Sun Lo ever say anything

about going to sleep?

Oh, yes.

He said sleep without dreams

is given to children for their innocence

and old men for their wisdom.

Well, off you go, then.

I'm almost too excited to sleep, but I'll try.

- Good night, sweetie.

- Good night, Aunt Susan, Uncle Tommy.

Good night, darling,

but I'm not your uncle any more.

- What are you, then?

- Can't you guess?

I know. You're my father now.

- Night, Dad.

- Good night, honey.

- Good night.

- Good night.

Well, here you are.

Did the stewardess move your things?

She said Mrs Hope almost bit her.

- I...

- I...

- Go ahead.

- No, you.

Well, I was just going to say

if there was anything you wanted me to do

to lend credibility to the situation,

I'll be glad to do it, you know.

- People will talk whatever we do.

- Sure, of course.

Well, I guess I'll be off.

I don't know how to thank you.

I'll try to make things

as easy for you as possible.

I'm cabling my lawyers tonight. You can go

direct to Reno as soon as the boat docks.

- Everything's arranged.

- Very thoughtful.

Not at all. You'll like Reno.

It's a fascinating place.

Lots of fresh air and horseback riding.

Full of nice, emotional people.

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