The Best Years of Our Lives Page #9

- Night.

- Have a good time, children.

- Thank you.

Give my best to Fred.

Al, come on!

Yes, Mr Milton!

- Hello, Peggy.

- Oh, Woody, don't be a bore.

We'll be late.

Our country must stand today

where it has always stood,

the citadel of individual initiative,

the land of unlimited opportunity for all.

It is peculiarly appropriate

that we meet here tonight to honour one

who has valiantly fought for that freedom.

Ladies and gentlemen, we greet

our friend, our co-worker, our hero,

Al Stephenson.

Come on, on your feet, Al.

On your feet.

(applause)

Ladies and gentlemen,

I'm very happy to be here.

In fact, I'm very happy to be anywhere.

In fact, I'm very happy!

Perhaps it'd be a good idea if you just

put that bottle down right here.

- Save yourself quite a number of trips.

- Good old Al! (polite laugh)

(ripple of laughter)

I'm glad to see

you've all pulled through so well.

As Mr Milton so perfectly expressed it,

our country stands today...

where it stands today. Wherever that is.

I'm sure you'd all agree with me if I said

that now's the time to stop this nonsense,

face facts, get down to brass tacks,

forget about the war, and go fishing.

But I'm not gonna say it.

I'm just going to sum the

whole thing up in one word.

(clears throat)

My wife doesn't think I'd better

sum it up in that one word.

The reason for my success as a sergeant

is due primarily to my previous training

in the Cornbelt Loan and Trust Company.

The knowledge I acquired

in the good old bank

I applied to my problems in the infantry.

For instance, one day in Okinawa,

a major says "You see that hill?"

I said "Yes, sir. I see it."

"All right," he said.

"You and your platoon will attack

said hill and take it."

So I said "But that operation

involves considerable risk."

"We haven't sufficient collateral."

"I'm aware of that", said the major, "but

you are the guys who are going to take it."

So I said to him "I'm sorry, Major.

No collateral, no hill."

So we didn't take the hill,

and we lost the war.

Uh, I think that little story

has considerable significance.

But I've... I've forgotten what it is.

Uh...

And now, in conclusion,

I'd like to tell you a humorous anecdote.

I know several humorous anecdotes, but

I can't think of any way to clean 'em up!

- (ripple of laughter)

- So I'll only say this much.

I love the Cornbelt

Loan and Trust Company.

Some say that the bank is suffering from

hardening of the arteries and of the heart.

I refuse to listen to such radical talk.

I say that our bank is alive,

it's generous, it's... it's human!

And we're going to have

such a line of customers

seeking and getting small loans

that people will think we're gambling

with the depositors' money.

And we will be!

We'll be gambling on

the future of this country.

I thank you.

(? swing)

Woody, I can't take it any more.

Let's sit down.

We can't get out. I'm trapped.

How do you do? Ow!

Beg your pardon!

Well, anyway, we can't fall down.

- Is that table satisfactory?

- Everything's lovely.

Thank you very much.

Would you care to order now?

Sorry.

- I can't understand it.

- What?

Why you're not mad about me.

I think I'm attractive.

You are, Woody. You're irresistible.

Then why do you go on resisting me?

All marriages don't have

to be like that one.

- Which one?

- Your friends, Fred and Marie.

- What's wrong with their marriage?

- Nothing, except one slight detail.

They just don't like each other.

It's murder on the dance floor. It's awful!

- You don't wanna dance any more?

- Love to! You don't mind if I borrow him?

No, not at all.

- Why did you do this, Peggy?

- Do what? What do you mean?

Calling up Marie

and going out like this. Together.

- I did it deliberately.

- Why?

To prove to myself that what happened

this afternoon didn't really happen.

But it did happen.

It had to happen.

And if we go on seeing each other, Peggy,

it'll happen again.

? Be-bop a-ree-bop

? Be-bop...

Excuse us.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

We want to have a picture taken

in a few minutes.

Fine. I'll be here.

Excuse me.

- Hello, Marie.

- Good evening.

- You got to watch yourself. More wolves!

- I know.

I'd pay no attention to the sign.

Go right in!

- Gee, Woody's a cute boy.

- He's a lot of fun.

He's got dough, too.

His family own half the city.

He has a terrific yen for you.

I don't want to butt into your affairs, but

if you take my advice, you'll grab Woody!

Woody and I are good friends,

but there's no romance.

Never mind the romantic part. That takes

care of itself. I speak from experience.

They'll tell you money isn't everything.

Maybe it isn't but, boy, how it helps!

While Fred was away

I was drawing over $500 a month.

I mean, from his army pay

and the job I had.

Now the two of us gotta live on what Fred

gets from the drugstore. 32.50 a week!

Poor Fred. Bet you think he's a sourpuss.

He didn't used to be that way, though.

Army's had an awful effect on him.

Knocked all the life out of him!

Fred isn't going to be satisfied

with that job at the drugstore.

- He'll get something better.

- Maybe in five years he'll draw 50 bucks.

You can't have happy marriages

on that kind of dough.

You know, Peggy, you're cute.

But you could use a little more make-up.

And get yourself a better hairdo.

I'll give you the name of my hairdresser.

Oh, but you've got nothing to worry about.

You'll get Woody and live

happily ever after. It's in the bag!

Thank you.

Now, everybody get in close together,

put our arms around each other.

Come on, Fred. I don't mind.

Ooh! Wait, I'll tell you when.

Everybody, happy. Let's all be talking.

What a marvellous party.

We'll have to do this again.

OK, shoot the picture!

We want four copies, honey.

Mr Milton certainly acted enthusiastic

about your speech.

Yeah, sure. That's how

he acted, the old hypocrite.

- Suppose he'll fire you in the morning?

- No, he'll never do anything impetuous.

He'll back me up, till the next time

I give a loan to some little guy.

- Then I'll have to fight it out again.

- (knock at door)

- Yes?

- It's me, Peggy.

Oh, come in, darling.

- Did you have a good time?

- Not very.

Ah, what's all this? Children's Hour?

(belches) I beg your pardon.

Well? What's she like?

I'm glad I went out with them.

Even though it was

a disagreeable experience.

It took guts, honey.

But you got plenty.

I'll need them.

I've made up my mind.

- Good girl.

- To do what?

I'm going to break that marriage up.

I can't stand seeing Fred tied

to a woman he doesn't love.

And who doesn't love him.

It's horrible for him. It's humiliating,

and it's killing his spirit.

Somebody's got to help him.

- Are you sure he doesn't love her?

- Of course I am.

Did he tell you?

- Did she?

- No.

So you just jumped to conclusions!

He doesn't love her, he hates her.

I know it.

- I know it.

- Who are you, God?!

How did you get this power

to interfere in people's lives?

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