The Butcher's Wife Page #2

- Could we get off her and on to us?

- I'm concerned.

No, curious. Yes.

If you're going to talk

about getting married...

why would you approach some

strange woman in a butcher shop?

Why wouldn't you just come to me?

Forget it! Just forget it!

I should've told you I dreamed it.

We'd be at the altar by now.

- Can we talk about this rationally?

- No.

Can you fight like a man

instead of a shrink?

All I am trying to say is that

marriage is an inspired decision.

And I told you I'm uncomfortable

with the term "shrink."

Shrink!

"We are all in the gutter...

but some of us are

looking at the stars."

Who'd have done that?

- It's beautiful.

- It's vandalism.

I could wash it off

for a couple of bucks.

Don't you want to

let it stay put?

What?

Well, what would it hurt?

We got some chores around the shop,

if you're handy with a broom.

- We do?

- Sure.

We've got that big delivery

arriving late this afternoon.

This morning.

Can I talk to you for a minute?

Excuse me.

I know this kid. He's trouble.

No, I don't see that.

Maybe a little misunderstood.

He could use a job.

What do you say?

Hey, what are you waiting for?

Get in here

before he changes his mind.

Eugene, come on out here!

Just come on out here!

I want you to go out

and sweep out the back room.

- Right now?

- No. Tomorrow.

And a dollar and a quarter.

You stop back soon.

Thanks. I will.

Love your window.

It's so original.

Thank you. See ya later.

Afternoon, Dr. Tremor.

What would you be needing?

I'm just looking for someone.

He's in the back.

I wouldn't fret yourself none

over Eugene.

- He's a good boy.

- Of course he's a good boy.

Doctor, Leo said the chops

are real nice today.

Good. I'd like to talk to you

for a moment.

Sorry, Doc.

I'm on the clock.

Then I'll just take

a moment of your time.

It's okay. Go on.

Eugene, what are you doing?

- I'm sweeping out the bad luck.

- What?

It's a sedge broom

from Ocracoke.

That's an island off the coast

of North Carolina, where I'm from.

Will you excuse us for a moment?

Eugene...

- Did you forget our appointment?

- I got a job now.

I don't need a shrink anymore.

I don't think he likes

being called that.

I'm sorry.

- Hey, Doc. How's it going?

- I'm fine. Thanks, Leo.

Just trying to have a chat

with Eugene, if that's all right.

Sure, sure.

Take your time.

Honey, what are you doing

cutting up all those chops?

We'll have no place to put them

when the delivery truck shows up.

I don't see that as a problem.

They won't be arriving today.

- They called?

- No, not yet.

- I'm really getting good at this.

- I thought we had an agreement.

You were going to see me

until the end of the summer...

before we decided whether

you need a shrink... psychiatrist.

That was an agreement that you

and my probation officer made.

I'm just a troubled kid, Doc.

Who's been telling you that?

You're no trouble at all.

Eugene, I am thrilled

you found a job.

It's a positive move, but I

don't think it precludes therapy.

We've still got some things

to talk about.

Honey, those chops

are gonna dry out.

Nobody's gonna want

to buy them tomorrow.

It's all in the rhythm, isn't it?

Out of my way, a**hole.

Oh, thank God you're open.

He's standing there with

that little-boy-lost look.

"I'm an artist, so it's cool

if my right brain's oatmeal.

Did Jackson Pollack remember

to bring home veal chops?"

I said,

"Cut it out, Julian.

That stopped being cute the day

you got out of art school.

I pay for the food!

You can pick it up!"

So now I've got a sit-down dinner

for 24 influential critics...

and art dealers

in less than three hours.

I'm hoping one will discover the

bugger and take him off my hands.

Of course you're thinking,

"It's her fault.

What kind of sane woman

gets involved with a man...

with pretensions to paint?"

But I'm throwing myself

on your mercy.

I need veal chops.

Lots of them. Now.

- What's this?

- Veal chops. Lots of them. Now.

How'd you do that?

- Oh, great window.

- Bye.

Yeah. How did she do that?

Eugene, why don't you

stop by tonight at 6:00?

We'll talk about this choice.

Don't worry, Doctor.

I'll take good care of him.

I appreciate that, Mrs. Lemke.

Say hey to your gal for me.

Oh, that's right.

You and Robyn had a brief...

or, shall we say,

influential, encounter.

I'm curious, Mrs. Lemke.

Why would you suggest

we get married?

What I say and what people hear

aren't always the same thing.

Don't you find that

in your calling, Doctor?

I never told your sweetheart

to marry with you.

I can see you sparking to her.

A man like you needs someone

bigger than life itself.

But she's not gonna be the one

you'll settle with.

Could you give me a hand?

Yes. Sure.

Thanks.

Can I offer you

a little professional advice?

A scholar like you?

I'd be honored.

Good.

I believe in female intuition,

Mrs. Lemke, to an extent...

It's just a specific manifestation

of the collective unconscious...

but you might want to be careful

about ordering your life...

or anyone else's

for that matter...

on such a primitive instinct.

I'll keep that in mind.

Good. Good.

Would you get the door?

Eugene, I'll see you later.

That boy's tongue's

long enough to cut his throat.

I was going to say that.

Honey, it's for...

You want to get that?

Lemke's.

What do you mean

you can't get here?

I need the goddamn beef today!

I better take

my mess out of here.

- What? A cracked axle?

- Eugene, mind the store.

You bet.

Wash your hands before

you touch that meat.

Hi, girls.

How are you today?

Good, real good.

Just out for a stroll.

I don't think

I've seen you here before.

I just moved up here

with my husband.

Maybe you know him.

His name's Leo Lemke.

The butcher?

Hi. Let me know

if you need help.

Well, actually, I do.

I'm looking for

something dowdy and plain.

What's the occasion?

A church recital.

"Lead us not into temptation."

It's so glamorous.

You know, with your hair done up

and some nice shoes...

Been a while since

you were in church.

I see you wearing this

at a nightclub...

and you're standing

in front of a room full of people...

and you're...

and you're singing.

You could always frump these up

with pearls and pumps.

I'll take this one.

How much are these?

Those are 350.

I think I got that.

This is three.

I got the change.

There you go.

I got to get back to work.

Thank ya.

See ya later.

I think I've made a breakthrough.

I'm gonna sing the blues.

Sing the blues.

What exactly does that mean to you?

A lounge act.

Actually, I met

this wonderful woman...

in a clothing store...

and I don't remember

exactly what she said...

but it feels right.

I'm gonna sing.

All right.

You feel you'd like to sing.

But why do you think

a clerk in a clothing store...

is having such a profound

effect on you?

No, no.

She's not a clerk.

I think she works

in the butcher's shop...

or something, but...

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