Swing Time Page #4

That's right. Don't worry at all, my dear...

because you're not going to dance.

Because there isn't going to be any music.

But, Ricky, you promised.

I promised you could dance

anytime you want, alone.

I'll dance with Lucky or not at all.

That's what I said, too, not at all.

Good night.

Come on, we'll see about that.

- Mr. Simpson?

- Hello, Garnett.

Will you please tell Romero

that he has to play for our dance?

I'm sorry, but I can't.

Romero's played his last tune for me.

- But you said that...

- I know I did.

But I lost his contract last night

playing cards.

He's now the property of Dice Raymond.

Orchestras usually play for somebody.

This is the first I've heard

of anybody playing for an orchestra.

- I guess there's nothing we can do.

- Wait a minute.

Do you think we could interest Raymond

in another game for that contract?

I doubt it.

He's always wanted Romero's band

for his club...

but he's a gambler.

Where is this Raymond's place?

Thirty-sixth floor, Club Raymond.

Thirty-six.

- Hello, Raymond.

- Hello, Ricardo. Looks like a big night.

Because where Ricardo Romero goes,

the others come.

Here goes everything on the red.

Will you excuse me for a second?

I think I need a bit of fresh air.

- I can't stand the strain.

- Wait a second.

Twenty-seven, red, and third dozen.

This is no strain.

Please, don't be angry.

I want to talk to you.

I don't want to talk to you.

I'm awfully sorry if I hurt you...

but I didn't want to see anyone else

dance with you.

It makes me jealous.

Jealous?

Because...

I love you.

You have a very funny way of showing it.

On the red.

I want you to look at this new fellow.

He's taking me, and fast.

Say, if that hits for you,

you'll have just exactly enough.

Enough for what?

Why, enough to go back

and marry Margaret.

What? Wait a minute. No bet.

Seven. The red wins, and the first dozen.

Pop, you're a pal.

In fact, you're more than a pal...

you're a partner. I'm going to cash in.

So you won enough,

you're going to leave us.

Yes, winning more money

doesn't interest me.

Boy, you like to gamble.

I'll cut you once, double or nothing.

- No, thanks.

- Scared?

You have a contract with Romero,

haven't you?

I'll tell you what I will do.

All my winnings against his contract.

No, I win the orchestra...

I keep the orchestra.

Scared?

You're on. I'll high-card you.

Tony, bring a fresh deck.

Keeps them on the ice.

You're covered.

Shuffle.

- Cut.

- After you.

King of spades.

Wait a minute.

Let me, will you?

Sure, let the old boy cut.

Ace of spades.

Excuse me, boys,

I got to go and get a double sundae.

Maybe we play

for this orchestra again someday.

Thank you, Mr. Raymond.

Pop, cash in for me, will you?

Okay, give us dough for these, will you?

Maybe we can have that dance after all.

- How?

- Look, I just won Romero's contract.

- That's a nice orchestra you have there.

- Just about the best.

- The leader's the same as the orchestra.

- It's awfully nice of you to say that.

I wonder if you'd be kind enough

to play something for us...

- if you don't mind.

- But I do.

I'm afraid you'll have to because, you see,

I now own you.

What do you mean, you own me?

He just won you at the gambling tables.

I see.

Congratulations on winning

such a valuable piece of property.

Thank you.

Now will you play your waltz for us?

No. If you read the contract carefully...

you will see I don't have to play

after this hour unless I want to.

So you won't play?

You're right. I won't play for you.

I see.

That's all, boys.

Ladies and gentlemen,

my favorite maestro, Ricardo Romero...

has very kindly requested that Ms. Carrol

and I dance to his newest composition...

the lovely Waltz in Swing Time.

- Wait a minute. I didn't say...

- Look, he wants to be coaxed.

What's the matter, Ricky, old boy,

you bashful?

My pal.

This is the moment I've been waiting for.

- Wait a minute. Where are you going?

- I'm going to get Pop.

I'll get him. I mean, I'll do it for you.

Sit still.

What's the matter with Lucky?

He seems to have something on his mind.

You mean something else besides you?

I don't know. I only get to see him

at the rehearsals or with you and Pop...

or when somebody else is around.

Don't worry, darling. I'm going to see

that you get a break this afternoon.

Say, whose idea was this, anyway?

Going to the country on a day like this.

It was Mabel's, but she's made it mine.

Listen, you got to do me a favor.

No matter where we go or what we do,

don't leave me alone with Penny.

What's the matter,

ain't you in love with her?

You wouldn't pin me down

with a question like that, would you?

I see. Why, that's fine.

Why don't you tell her?

She's too sweet a kid, and besides that...

I can't go on like this without her knowing

something about Margaret...

and I haven't got the nerve

to come out and tell her, that's all.

You don't have to go back to Margaret

unless you get $25,000.

Yeah, I know.

So you haven't got it.

So you don't have to go back.

Yes, but it's more than money.

I'm in a fine spot.

- I'm going to take care of this.

- Pop, no.

- You better lay off gambling for a while.

- But I don't want to lay off.

- Hello, Lucky.

- Hello, Mr. Simpson.

I was looking for you.

Have you seen the improvements?

The decorators are working day and night,

and when we're through...

the Silver Sandal

should be the finest place in town.

And with you and Penny

dancing to Romero's music...

we're going to clean up.

Yes, but I'm not sure I can stick around.

Yes, you can.

But you must. Look, if you're not satisfied

with the terms...

I'll make you a half partner.

I'll give you 50%. That should make you

about $30,000 for the season.

My advice is to take 25%

and be on the safe side.

Let me see.

25%, that would give me $15,000.

You're right. Not over 25%.

- Is it a deal?

- Sure.

Right.

Remember what I told you about

not leaving me alone with, you know...

Would you say he was crazy, or am I?

I wouldn't say.

What's the name of this place

we're going to?

The New Amsterdam.

I used to go there in summer as a kid.

You know, before the war.

Which war?

If this is the New Amsterdam,

I'd hate to see the old one.

I hope there are no wild animals

around here.

I'm cold.

I think maybe...

we ought to go home now.

No.

Edwin, you come with me.

I wanna show you

where we fished through the ice.

I thought you said

you only came here in the summertime.

Well, I'll show you where

we didn't use to fish through the ice.

I think they want to be alone.

I don't know what for.

It's lovely, isn't it?

Come on in.

It's a bit drafty, don't you think?

Well, we seem to be here, don't we?

Let's sit down.

- Won't you be too cold?

- No.

I like being off alone like this.

You're not alone, you're with me.

Then I like being off alone with you.

I am a little cold.

Flap your arms.

That'll restore circulation. Look.

Makes me feel warmer already.

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