The Great Lie Page #2

Well, there was only one thing

I ever asked you.

One thing I begged you to do.

To be a sober, solid citizen.

Well, sober anyway.

But I guess the prospect

was too dull for you.

Well, now it's all over...

...and I feel the way I did

when they took the bands off my teeth.

And I had those blasted things

for four years too.

Yeah, I know.

Tell me honestly,

is this marriage of yours going to help?

If I thought it would, I'd be so for it.

Well, you know Sandra.

Yes, I do.

You like her?

I hate her.

Oh, not because you're married

to her, Pete, but you know.

Well, I won't talk about her.

The fact remains that whatever she was

or is...

...she is your wife

and I can't discuss her.

- Maggie, let me...

- Oh, Violet was right.

You shouldn't have come

and I shouldn't have seen you.

I wonder what you think of me, really.

You know what I think of you.

You think of me as you would

a nagging, haggling wife and I'm not.

I'm young. I like to drink and dance

and go to parties...

...like other people do.

Every time I see you, I feel like

your little old gray-haired mother...

...with the roses over the door

and the lamp in the window.

Well, the lamp's out.

That's not true.

Anyway, I'm tired of being your...

Your haven.

- Did your wife know you came here?

- No.

Don't you think it would've been nicer

if you'd told her?

Yes, but she was asleep.

Besides, I wanted some fresh air...

...and I wanted to talk to you

about something.

Aviation.

No, but...

Well, we all make blunders.

Have you come behind her back in the

first week to tell me you've blundered?

- No.

- Then what did you come here to tell me?

I don't know.

I'm sorry.

Come in.

Excuse me, Miss Maggie,

I just had to come up.

- Mr. Pete, you is bad for us around here.

- Violet.

Your lady wife must be waiting

for you now.

I'm sure your intentions are of the best

but this is a personal matter.

There's nothing personal between

Maggie that ain't personal with me.

- Why, since she's that big, I've always...

- Violet, please.

Pete, you'd better go.

Perhaps I'd better.

I did tell you about that aviation thing,

didn't I?

- Yes. Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

Sorry, Violet.

Please, Violet. Stop, please.

- Are you still here?

- Yes.

Did you see her?

No, and I'm not leaving till I do.

She sent word

she would wait till you got back...

...and then talk it over with you.

It's a crime.

Those are her new records out today.

The woman's a sensation.

And this concert waiting for her

with the Philadelphia Symphony.

How would you like a little drink?

Cigarette? Glass of milk?

No, I want Madam Kovak.

- Oh, that's where I came in.

- No.

- What's that?

- Oh, that's been going on for a long time.

No.

- What's the matter?

- You opened the window this morning...

...and I caught cold in my shoulder.

Do I get a kiss or don't I?

We've been talking

and he agrees with me.

That's nice.

About going on with my work.

After all these years of working,

it'd be silly to give it up.

Of course, he's right.

My name is Peter Van Allen.

Oh, I'm so sorry, darling.

Get out. You hurt.

Pardon, madam.

This is Worthington James.

Oscar.

Well, how do you do?

How do you do?

Oh, Petie, ring the bell.

I don't think I've ever had

such a headache in my life.

Pay that little man.

I think he's made it worse. Bertha.

Bertha, I want a cup of black coffee

with brandy in it.

Do you think that'd be best?

Would you like one?

- No, dear.

- No?

No.

Worthy James waited to meet you.

He's one of my oldest and best friends.

He gave me the money for my piano

lessons here in New York with Vannez.

How old was I then, Worthy?

Too young.

How do you like my Pete

now that you've seen him?

Very good.

Go get a drink, Petie. You look sad.

You failed me. I expected you to come in

with something to say.

Something amusing.

He's a gay lad, really.

I'm sure of it.

Oh, Pete, go and tell poor old Joshua

I'll call him up in an hour.

I want to talk to you first.

Go along now.

Well, I must be hopping.

Oh, don't hop yet, Worthy.

Stick around a bit.

- Would you like cheese or some port?

- No.

- What about Philadelphia?

- She'll call you in an hour.

- I guarantee it.

- Thanks. I'll be at home waiting.

- I'll show you out.

- No, don't bother.

- Goodbye, old man.

- Goodbye.

Bertha.

Come here.

Take this tray away.

I hate the smell of food.

- Don't look like that. Are you angry?

- No.

Worthy James has been like a father

to me.

Oh, why, I haven't a jealous emotion

in me.

I could take that two ways.

Where were you today?

You didn't even call.

Oh, I went down to see my good lawyer,

Jock...

...then I flew down to Maryland.

- Whatever for?

- Fresh air.

- Did you get it?

- What?

The air.

Well, what would you like to do?

Do you feel like kissing me?

Oh, Pete.

You've got to be patient with me, Pete.

I've been a bachelor so long.

So have you, for that matter.

I should have been a dutiful wife...

...and whipped up a little home dinner

for you today.

You know, one of the most

attractive things about you to me...

...has always been

that you understood women.

Now, you're going to try

and understand me, aren't you?

I wonder if you could ease up

on this party life of yours.

You know,

come away some place quietly.

Some golf and some walks

and some fresh air.

Golf? Walks? Me?

Pete, this is a side of you

I've never seen.

By the way, I haven't told you.

We'll have to do it again.

- What?

- Get married.

- Are you kidding?

- No.

I'll have to propose

and you'll have to say yes...

...and then we can be married again.

That's what Jock wanted

to see me about today.

But I don't see what was wrong.

It seems your divorce from Mr. Stokes

will not be final until next Tuesday.

Ridiculous.

It was final when I married you.

I'm afraid you're mistaken.

The decree can't be entered

until next Tuesday.

- You had your dates mixed.

- Dates bore me.

Then we're not actually married.

That's it.

Did you tell someone

in Maryland all this?

She must have been very amused.

And if there's one thing I adore,

it's being laughed at. And by a woman.

Of course I haven't told anyone.

Well, are you gonna propose

to me again?

I think we should sit down

and talk this thing out...

...and see where we're going.

Then we can be married next Tuesday.

- I'll be playing in Philadelphia.

- Put it off.

Is there a doubt in your mind

that we could make a go of this?

Well, I'm asking you to marry me.

You were much more amusing

the first time.

I'm sober now.

Well, suppose you go out

and get yourself into another mood?

All right.

Pete.

When are you coming back?

- Next Tuesday.

- I'll be in Philadelphia.

That's the day

we're going to be married.

I have asked you to marry me

on Tuesday.

I've already told you I won't be here.

Then don't go to Philadelphia.

- Is that Miss Kovak's room?

- In there, ma'am.

Bravo. Bravo. Bravo.

Bravo.

- Here you are.

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