The Butcher's Wife Page #6

I'll think of it.

Countertransference!

You're not listening to me.

Yes, I am,

and I understand exactly...

why you're doing this.

You do?

Yes.

To get even.

What for?

Because you're angry at your husband

for commencing an extramarital affair.

What?

Yes.

Leo's seeing another woman?

Yes.

I'm sorry.

I thought you knew.

Well, if he was, I would.

Who is she?

I'm sorry.

I can't tell you that.

I can't believe

he's seeing another woman.

My God, we've only been married,

what, three days?

Marina, last night, you yourself said

you'd made a mistake.

Yes, but it was my mistake...

and I was doing the fixing.

And I'm gonna be the one deciding

who my husband should marry.

Honey, we got to talk.

I heard you yesterday,

you know, when you were talking.

So I suppose I've been wasting my time

trying to find you the right wife.

Of course you are, honey.

I've got a good wife.

And we can work things out.

Don't worry.

- I may be simple, but I'm not stupid.

- What's that supposed to mean?

I suppose lying and cheating

ain't in your vocabulary.

Another day, another dollar.

Eugene, I want

that money back in the till.

What's a till?

You know I know. You want to

borrow money, that's one thing.

- But I've got no time for thieving.

- Honey.

- What are you talking about?

- We're $50 short from last night.

Honey, is this what

you're looking for?

Why don't you get a couch, Doc?

I need some advice.

You remember I was telling you

about that girl I like?

Right.

She's got one of

these "Sybil" things going now.

One day she treats me

like I'm Romeo...

the next day she treats me

like I'm public enemy number one.

I can't figure it out.

The female psyche has eluded men

since the beginning of time, Eugene.

Nice tone, Doc.

Feeling hostile?

Yes... No.

- We're not here to talk about me.

- That's right. It's my dime.

I'm thinking about

my male pride with this girl.

Maybe I got to dump her.

Then I'm thinking, no...

maybe I ought to give her

another chance.

Maybe I got to go for broke,

maybe even ask her out.

- So?

- So what if she says no?

Eugene, when confronted

with a risky proposition...

Doc, 10 words or less.

I'm on the clock.

Love is the leap

that won't be denied.

I was going to say that. Good thinking.

I'll get her to dump the butcher.

I assume when you say "the butcher,"

you're speaking metaphorically.

No, I'm talking about

the old fart I work for.

Old Hannah Brown from 'cross town

Gets full of corn

and starts bringin' 'em down

Just at the break of day

You can hear old Hannah say

Give me a pigfoot

and a bottle of beer

Send me, I don't care

I feel just like I wanna clown

Bring the piano player a drink

Because he's bringin'me down

He's got a rhythm

Oh, yeah

When he stomps his feet

He sends me right off to sleep

Check all your razors and...

So, Leo,

what are you doing here?

I had to see you.

- I had to see you too.

- It's my wife.

- I know.

- She's looney tunes.

No, she's wonderful.

My wife?

- She's the one who got me singing.

- Marina?

So, the thing is...

The thing is...

You're grade "A," Stella,

prime cut.

Together we're choice.

But my wife ain't got

nobody but me...

to see her through

her time of trouble.

- We got to break it off, Leo.

- I can't just go abandoning her.

Are you women always one step ahead?

It's kind of spooky.

So...

do you want this back?

Damn.

I just want to tell you

I'm real sorry for accusing you.

I just don't know

what's the matter with me...

and I hope you can forgive me.

I can.

I really loved the flowers.

And the window.

Really.

There was an art lady

who came to the store today...

and she really loved it too.

She said you should call her...

and I think you should too...

'cause you've really got

something special.

No, I don't.

No, a true gift.

I mean it.

He's such a good man,

too, Doctor.

But I guess you were right,

as usual.

If only his wife wasn't

such a great lady.

But the thing is,

I know he loves me.

And I love him.

Such sweet sorrow.

God, love hurts!

Wait a second. You mean to tell me

that Leo broke it off?

Maybe they're really not

meant for each other.

Who?

Leo and Marina.

I never told you

her name was Marina.

Of course you did.

No, I don't think so.

Sorry, then. My mistake.

No. That's her name.

I just...

don't remember telling you that.

You two really love

each other, right?

- Who?

- You and Leo, for God's sake.

- Gee, I think so.

- Yes or no? Stella, commit.

- Yes!

- Fine!

There. Now, if he's

the right man for you...

you can't let him slip by, can you?

Do you mind if I...

Can I?

But...

he's married.

What about my addiction to failure

in the form of married men?

Your addiction to failure stems

from your failure to commit.

And your failure to commit

stems from, of course...

your lack of trust.

I'm a little confused.

You listen to me, Stella.

I am your psychiatrist.

You have got to commit

to this affair once and for all...

or you are doomed to fail.

And if you fail at this affair...

you're gonna end up...

a lonely, old spinster.

It's me, Stella.

I have to talk to you.

Hurry. Hurry.

Listen, Leo,

I'm no home-wrecker.

Well, actually, that's not true,

but I don't want to wreck your home.

I like your wife too much.

But I love you.

Anyway, the thing is...

Dr. Tremor thinks that maybe

we have a future together.

Who?

Dr. Tremor, my therapist.

Does it bother you

that I'm in therapy?

Okay! All right!

Why, why, why are you

f***ing with my life?

I never laid a hand on her.

My life, my life!

First you start...

by telling my wife

to get me a girlfriend.

Then you tell my girlfriend...

that we should have

an affair.

Meanwhile my wife finds out

about my girlfriend...

only it's no go for her...

because she didn't handpick her!

And now she's giving me looks

with the meat cleaver!

What did I ever do to you?

It's a very confusing world, Leo.

I'd be lying to tell you otherwise.

What's the problem?

Ten words or less.

Jesus Christ! I'm trying to hold on

to my marriage here.

Did it ever occur to you that your wife

might want you to leave her?

Did it ever occur to you

that your wife...

might have found someone else?

My wife ain't having an affair.

- You never know.

- I know. I know.

You know why?

'Cause if she was...

I'd cut off his balls

with a carving knife.

I apologize for the interruption.

Where were we?

What's on your mind, Doctor?

You can trust me.

I am having

a professional breakdown.

I have done something...

unforgivable.

Alex, you've got to stop

thinking of yourself...

as responsible for

the fate of the world.

You're just a psychiatrist...

trying to muddle through

this twisted web of life.

You're obviously experiencing

a stress-induced anxiety...

You know her too, don't you?

Know who?

The butcher's wife!

Okay, okay.

Goodness gracious.

I'm glad you're here.

I have so many things to tell you.

This has to stop now.

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