Summer and Smoke Page #2

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Instead of fireworks...

That sort of thing.

I do wish Roger would get here.

Who gave this imitation.

At this party you speak of?

She wouldn't want that told.

It was a she, then.

A man wouldn't do it.

A lady wouldn't, either.

Oh... I didn't think.

It would make you so angry.

I wouldn't have mentioned it.

I'm not angry,

just mystified and amazed.

As I always am

by unprovoked malice.

These people

who call me affected.

And give unkind

imitations of me...

I wonder if they

ever stop to think.

That my circumstances.

Have been somewhat

different from theirs.

My father and I have

a certain cross to bear.

What cross?

Living next door to us,

You should know what cross.

Oh, you mean your mother?

She had her breakdown.

When I was still in high school.

And since that time,

I've had to manage the rectory.

And take over the social

and household duties.

That would ordinarily

belong to a minister's wife,

Not his daughter.

All you need.

Is to go out with young people.

I'm afraid that you and I

move in different circles.

And have different tastes.

If I was as

outspoken as you are,

Which is sometimes

an excuse for being rude,

I might ask you this...

What do you think

everyone says about you?

When your father

is patiently waiting.

For you to come home,

You have been seen in

certain neighboring cities,

Carrying on drunk, drunk and

disorderly like some stupid child!

Miss Alma.

Most of us have no choice

but to lead useless lives,

But you have a gift

for scientific research,

A chance to serve humanity

and relieve suffering.

And what do you do?

Conducting yourself like

some overgrown schoolboy.

Who wants to be

the wildest fellow in town.

You, a gifted young doctor,

magna cum laude.

I call it a desecration.

Miss Alma. Miss Alma.

You do talk up

a storm, don't you?

You followed me here uninvited.

To tease me

like when I was a child.

You wanted to

embarrass me and hurt me.

You've succeeded. I was hurt.

I made a fool of myself.

So let me go!

Miss Alma. Miss Alma.

Miss Alma, you're

attracting attention.

[Crying]

Don't you know I like you?

I don't believe that.

I wouldn't go to the trouble.

Of teasing you if I didn't.

[Fireworks exploding]

There goes a nice one.

Two, three, four, five, six.

That's all. No, seven.

Oh. Oh, dear.

How about going for a ride?

In your automobile?

I don't mean in a buggy.

Would you observe

the speed limit?

Strictly, with you, Miss Alma.

When? Tonight?

Sometime.

I'd be happy to, John.

Wear a hat with a plume!

I haven't got

a hat with a plume!

Well, get one!

Here, Thomas,

let me give you a hand.

Mighty nice to have

you back, Dr. John.

This house gets lonely,

just him and me.

Nice to see you, too.

John! Come here!

Hello, Dad.

You were due home 10 days ago.

I'm sorry, Dad.

News of your actions

preceded you.

I don't know what people said...

Stop smiling!

There isn't any room in

the medical profession.

Or in my house.

For wastrels,

drunkards, and lechers.

I married late in life.

I brought over 500

children into this world.

Before I had my own.

It looks like I've given myself.

The rottenest one of them all.

Anything else?

Thomas, you can stop

unpacking that car.

You can stay at

the Alhambra hotel.

I've phoned about a room.

If that's the way you want it.

Thomas!

Yes, sir?

You can take his bags

up to his room.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Father.

Better let me fix

your bed, Dr. John.

That long trip... you

could use some sleep.

Now, don't you

go prescribing, Thomas.

I'm the doctor,

and I think the patient.

Could use a little excitement.

Rosa?

John Buchanan.

Sure I didn't wake you, did I?

Fact is, uh, I'd like

to see more of you.

Tonight.

I thought maybe we could

stir up a little excitement.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Is it a legitimate game?

You got yourself a customer.

[John laughing]

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

It's one hell of a world, Johnny.

That's a fact.

A lady can't have some fun.

Without starting

tongues wagging.

Well, let them wag.

I shouldn't have left Memphis,

But I wanted my kid to grow

up in a nice little town.

The ante, gentlemen,

is two bits.

It's a pleasure getting

to know you, Sally.

I've heard a lot about you.

Heard what?

That you've brought good cheer.

And relaxed pastimes

into our fair city.

You're known as the Merry

Widow of Glorious Hill.

All in all, it looks like.

It's going to be a

very pleasant summer.

Pleasant? You watch

yourself, Rosa.

Seems you got

a tiger by the tail.

Mm. He's a tiger, all right.

You're the one

who can tame him. Ha ha!

Rosa, honey,

fetch me another beer.

You want another drink, Johnny?

I'm doing fine.

What I do want is...

Top of the stairs, handsome.

Second door down.

Johnny.

Let's go now. Let's go

to Moon Lake Casino.

Cash me in.

Oh, I'm sorry. I, uh...

Why, Dr. Johnny,

don't look so shocked.

You in search of

the little boys' room?

Uh, well, yes.

This isn't it.

It's down the hall.

Thank you.

You don't remember me, do you?

I'm Nellie Ewell.

I met you at your

father's office one day.

Oh, yes. I remember.

You, uh, live here?

Mrs. Ewell's my mother.

Sweet 16.

I'm 17, Dr. Johnny.

Mother keeps me

very well sheltered.

Why... I really

shouldn't tell you.

Oh, it's all right.

I'm past 16, too.

Well, she wouldn't answer

certain questions I'd asked,

So I had to go to your father.

What kind of questions

were they?

About the facts. What facts?

The facts of life, naturally.

Oh, and, uh, did he answer them?

Well, he gave me this,

But it's too full of long words.

Have you looked them up?

You know how dictionaries are.

You look up one word.

It gives you another.

You look up that word.

It gives you the word

you looked up first.

I'd much prefer it if...

If what?

If you'd explain it to me.

Uh... what is it that's

troubling you, Nellie?

I don't know. I get

these funny feelings.

Where and when?

Here. When I'm

with boys sometimes.

Oh? Not really boys.

Men. Especially if

they're handsome.

And?

I don't know. It's a feeling.

Tell me everything, Dr. Johnny.

I, uh, think you'd

better drop by the office.

Tomorrow?

Anytime you like, Nellie.

Well, I wondered

what had happened.

What are you doing here?

Nellie, get to sleep now.

It's not what you think.

He was looking for the

little boys' room.

And found the little

girl's instead.

Okay, okay, Mrs. Ewell.

Go on to sleep now.

All right, Mama.

You ought to be

ashamed of yourself.

What are you so proud about?

That's a very nice girl.

And she'll stay that way.

Not here, she won't,

With bums and drunks

hanging around.

You should talk.

And I will.

Why don't you send her

to a boarding school?

Boarding school?

Different environment.

Give the kid a break.

[Girl singing arpeggio]

Oh, Miss Alma, it's ever too hot.

To sing today.

Patience, Betty Lou.

Patience and perseverance.

Now, let's try again.

[Singing arpeggio]

That's fine, Betty Lou.

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