The Curse of the Cat People Page #2

Little girl. Come into the garden.

It's pleasant and cool here.

Come into the garden.

Little girl.

Step back, away from the house...

...so that I can see you.

Give me that.

Go away, little girl. Go away.

- May I have my milk, Edward?

- Certainly, little miss.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Look at my ring.

- That's a fine-looking ring.

- A lady threw it to me.

Most surely that was a nice lady

to give a ring to a little girl.

It's a pretty ring.

I wouldn't be a bit surprised

if it were a true wishing ring.

A ring that I can wish on

like I wished on the candles?

Maybe. If it's a real morning ring

like we have in Jamaica...

...all you've got to do

is turn it on your finger...

- ... close your eyes and make a wish.

- If it's a real morning ring...

...I'm going to think hard

for something I want...

...more than anything

in the world before I wish.

That's the clever way to do it.

You look good and hot

and good and tired.

You played real hard with your friends?

I didn't play, Edward.

They wouldn't play with me.

Your daddy isn't going to like that.

He had his heart all set

on your playing with the other children.

I'd better tell him.

Daddy.

Amy, come over here

and take a look at this.

Your daddy is so pleased with you...

...that he's built you a model ship

for your very own.

You see, when you're a good girl

and play with the other children...

...don't go moping

and dreaming by yourself...

...your daddy wants to do everything

he can to make you happy.

Now, you run along

and find the other children.

I wanted to talk to you.

I wanted to tell you

about the other children.

- Can't you tell me later?

- I didn't play with them.

They wouldn't play with me.

What do you mean?

They wouldn't play with me

on account of the birthday party.

Because you didn't ask them?

I don't blame them for being angry.

- Why didn't you explain what happened?

- They ran away.

- Why didn't you run after them?

- I did.

I came to an old, dark house...

...and a voice called to me.

- A lovely sweet voice.

- Now, Amy...

- It's true.

- Who did the voice belong to?

- It was just a voice.

- Now, look, this is the last time...

...you come to me with such stories.

I'm sick of this thing.

- But it's true.

- Let me be the judge of that.

Old, dark houses and voices.

Run out and play with the other children

and never let me hear that again.

Your mother may excuse it

as imagination, but I call it plain lying...

...I'll have none of it. Understand?

My, my, what a coil we're in.

- What's this all about?

- Oh, Amy's been lying again.

No, I didn't.

Voices from an old, dark house.

Did you hear the child out?

- Well, it seemed to me that...

- You mean you didn't.

Seems to me the least you could do.

You can't jump at conclusions that way.

- I think you're being unfair.

- I'm never unfair.

- Ollie, you're shouting at me.

- I'm not shouting at you.

But there's no doubt in my mind

that you spoil this child.

I'm sorry, darling.

Daddy and Mommy are a little upset.

You're upset about me.

I made you fight.

I hate for you to fight.

We're not really fighting, darling.

We're just having a little discussion.

You run out and play,

and we'll make up. Go on, now.

I wish...

...for a friend.

Amy looks happy. Looks almost as if

she were playing with another child.

Like somebody else

were running with her and playing.

Well, nothing wrong

with your appetite, is there?

- I didn't have to coax her tonight.

- She made a promise...

- ... and she's keeping it. Aren't you?

- Yes.

- Saw the way she played this afternoon.

- Indeed, I did.

Up and down the garden she went,

laughing and singing to herself.

I wasn't singing to myself.

I suppose it was to the wind you sang.

Or maybe to the clouds or the sun.

Or perhaps it was to the flowers

in the garden.

All finished, darling?

- Yes, Mommy.

- All right, come along, then.

- Good night, Daddy.

- Good night, darling.

- Pleasant dreams.

- Same to you.

She'll surely have

pleasant dreams tonight.

She's been such a good girl

all day long.

- What are you saying, darling?

- I wasn't saying anything. I was singing.

I suppose any note, no matter how sour,

sounds like a song...

...if you hold on to it long enough.

I thought I'd never forget that song.

- What song, dear?

- The song I was trying to hum.

The song my friend taught me.

You'll remember it sometime.

- Mommy.

- Yes, darling.

- Did you ever make a wish?

- Lots of times.

- Did your wishes ever come true?

- Sometimes.

I made a wish today, and it came true,

just like Edward said it would.

- Where did you get this ring?

- That's what I wished on.

- Edward says it's a wishing ring, and it is.

- But where did you get it?

At the old house with the voice.

Someone gave it you?

But you shouldn't accept gifts

from strangers.

Yes, Mommy.

Where was this old house?

On the back street. A green house.

- The Farren house.

- Do you know the people?

No, I don't know them,

but I've heard about them.

- Are they nice?

- I really don't know.

But I do know

that you must return the ring.

Get Edward to take you there

and give it back to the old lady.

Well, the mother or daughter,

whichever one gave it you.

But ask Edward to go with you.

I'll take it back.

I got my wish anyway.

You mustn't tell anybody,

or it won't come true.

But it's already come true.

Then you must keep it true.

- Good night, darling.

- Good night.

Little miss, you're stopping me

in my work.

I want to talk to you.

Mommy says for you to come

to the old house with me.

I've got to take back this ring.

You just wait until I finish here. I've got

to dust these ships off for your dad.

- Will you come soon?

- Soon as I finish.

- Now, little miss?

- You're going to be busy all day long.

I do suppose so...

...but since you were there yesterday,

guess you can get there today.

That means I can go alone?

- Hello, Amy.

- Hello.

Were you coming to see us,

Ms. Callahan?

- No, darling, I hadn't intended to.

- I live right here.

Well, maybe I'll drop in

and see your mommy.

- Goodbye, Ms. Callahan.

- Goodbye, Amy.

I like to see a home like this.

A home connected with people's

thoughts and work. Things they love.

- This is some of Oliver's handiwork.

- Good too.

- It was fun getting this room together.

- I should think so.

It doesn't fit, does it?

Yet it's a part of our lives too.

A part of our past.

I've often thought of getting rid of it,

but Oliver wouldn't stand for it.

It was his first wife's favorite picture.

She was an artist.

I didn't know Mr. Reed

had been married before.

Yes, he was.

As a matter of fact, I was on the point

of telling you about it yesterday.

It was a tragic, terrible experience.

Oliver's never really gotten over it.

- What is it?

- My mother told me to give back...

...the ring to the lady

who gave it to me.

You're not the lady.

Sit over there.

I quite agree with you.

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