The Arrangement Page #3

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- That's killing you.

- "That's killing you. "

- And that's killing you.

- "That's killing you. "

Who the hell were you talking to?

I- I can't sleep. I think I'll get a drink.

Oh, Eddie, you don't have to pretend

you need a drink.

Eddie.

I'm gonna tell you the truth.

The- The physical part,

that wasn't it really.

Somehow, by insulting me...

...got me mad...

...she made me look at myself

in a way I hadn't done for years.

That's why I held onto her the way I did.

Finally, when I wouldn't leave you,

she got fed up.

What do I have to do to convince you

I'm not your girl anymore?

It was at Collier's house in Connecticut.

That night,

we were both out of our heads.

Why don't you put that thing away,

let me interview you for a change?

- What are you, Syrian?

- No.

Well, you' re some kind of wog.

I'm a Greek.

And what's your name?

It certainly isn't Evans Arness.

That's my pen name.

I started out as a writer and then...

- In the office, I'm called Eddie Anderson.

- What the hell's your real name?

- Depends on how far back you wanna go.

- T o when your name meant something.

Me, for instance. Collier. Coal miner.

Topouzoglou.

- How's that again?

- That's my name, Evangelos Topouzoglou.

Now, that is one hell of a name.

We've been together almost a year.

"Give you time"?

She said, "We were together a year.

'Give you time'? "

Now, you listen to me.

Go back to your original name.

You never really meant it.

The truth is, you thought

you were too good for me.

I knew like you did Finnegan quick,

you'd do me quick.

Then what the hell were you

stringing me along all those months for?

- Lying to me all those months.

- Gwen. Gwen.

Okay. Okay.

Okay, you're too good for me, right.

Mr. Collier, I'll be going to bed now.

- Is there anything else?

- Let's go, Gwen.

No, thank you, Sheila. Good night.

- Good night.

- Gwen.

I think I'll stay here.

Do you mind?

Welcome.

Gwen, we're leaving.

That is for the lady to say.

Mr. Collier...

...she came with me

and she's leaving with me.

Sit down, Gwen.

I walked away

and left her with him, like that.

Why?

I've often wondered.

Was I glad to be out of it?

I don't know.

The strangest thing happened.

All I could think of...

My mother, the way she used to-

I don't know what one thing has to do

with the other, but I left her there...

...and went back to the city.

About 2:
00 in the morning,

I was in a bar, dead drunk.

And for no reason in the world...

...I picked a fight

with an absolute stranger.

And you don't wanna make a complaint?

No, officer. I had it coming.

Since that night, Florence,

I don't like my life.

I don't like the way we live, this house.

I don't like-

Then change it!

If you don't like the way we live,

then change it!

I'm not here because I like it here,

I'm here because of you.

Goddamn it, Eddie, goddamn it.

I mean, Eddie, be just.

Be fair.

I guess what I don't like

is the person I am.

Can't do anything about that, can I?

But, darling, you can.

With help, you can change who you are.

Can a 44-year-old man who doesn't

like himself go back and start again?

That's the plot of our true romance,

my faithful reader.

And you don't have to wait

till next month's issue for the answer.

She spoke the truth, Gwen.

I'll never change.

This is me, let's face it.

Our hero hasn't got

the courage to leave his wife...

...even though- Even though

he knows it would save her life.

Florence.

Thanks.

Darling, if I didn't see you through this,

what would I be for?

Well, I'll go back to work

tomorrow morning.

Touch up my sideburns,

grow my mustache back.

I don't know

if I can take that scene anymore...

...but I'm going to try.

Eddie, I'm so glad.

I think a lot of you, Florence,

you know that.

I know you do, baby.

We'll do the best we can.

Oh, we'll do better than that.

Why are you all that glad I'm going back?

Oh, I don't know.

I guess because I get the bills...

- ... and I write the checks.

- I wish I had more.

We have enough money.

No, no. I meant something else.

More stomach.

Courage.

I'm awfully tired.

Yes, yes.

Yes, of course you are.

I'll just hold you.

Oh, Eddie...

...I know it's going to be good again.

Like it was in the beginning.

I have faith in that.

Yes.

You sleep.

Sleep, baby.

Sleep.

Sleep.

What happened to you, Eddie?

- What?

- What you could have been.

- What?

- A wonderful man.

Eddie.

- Here, have one of mine.

- Okay. What is it?

It's a Zephyr.

I'm sorry, Florence.

I'm awfully sorry.

So this is a Zephyr?

- Isn't bad.

- I like them.

Tastes clean.

And when are you gonna

change to Zephyr?

I'm going to work now.

We now bring you the local news...

...followed by sports

and the latest weather report.

In Greendale yesterday,

a local man, Frederick Beck...

...went berserk, killing his wife

and three children.

No comment.

Glad to see you, Eddie.

Glad to be back.

Glenn, get him a drink.

Here's the computerized for you.

We've gotta do something about it.

It's up to you.

Bullshit.

You know what we're gonna put

on the tip of everybody's tongue.

Mustn't say the dirty word here, but

it's not the "clean" one, it's the big C.

That's it, huh?

Thanks.

Now listen, Anderson, $5 million.

You better get a hold of yourself.

You're about to cost this company

$5 million in billings.

Hello, Frank? Finnegan. Yes.

First, I wanna say that Eddie Anderson...

...does not represent

the thinking of this company.

I'm taking over

the Zephyr account myself.

Damned if I know.

He ought to see a psychiatrist.

Baron, zero, zero, Romeo.

Baron, zero, zero, Romeo.

Leave area immediately.

You 're in violation

of federal and city regulations.

Here he comes.

- You all right?

- Of course.

Hey, mister, we' re here.

Eddie?

Eddie, dear?

I don't know what's the matter with him.

What's the matter with you, mister?

- Hello, all. Arthur, how are you?

- Eddie.

Hey, cabbie, this is my lawyer,

Mr. Arthur Houghton.

Take care of the gentleman, Arthur, huh?

Eddie. Eddie, your brother

called from Connecticut.

It's about your father.

And Mr. Finnegan called.

He owes me 62.70.

Sixty-two seventy?

Gentlemen, Mr. Anderson has been under

severe emotional stress recently.

I'm the consulting doctor here.

I can attest to the fact

he's not been himself recently.

He told me to wait

while he went up in the plane.

Have you got a pilot's license?

They want to see

your pilot's license and ownership.

They're waiting, Eddie.

- In the bottom drawer.

- Thank you.

Mike?

What's that, Mike?

I was just coming east.

Pop?

When? When did that happen?

Sure.

Did he ask for me?

When did it-? Yeah.

Okay.

United Airlines flight 16

nonstop to New York...

...now departing Gate 75.

All aboard, please.

I'm out of breath. I called your brother.

He told me about your father.

Pneumonia?

- Seems to be under control.

- Good.

Now, if I could persuade you

to take a later plane.

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