The Jolson Story Page #10

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I couldn't have any happiness

out of wishing the tiniest misery on you.

Any way you look at it,

there's got to be misery for both of us.

And the way we feel about each other, rather

than let that die a slow, painful death...

I think we ought to have the courage

to quit now.

That's the one thing that can't happen.

- Be honest, Al.

- I never understood a thing.

You've heard of fellas who hit the bottle

and wind up hopeless drunks.

Whatever drives me that way

and won't let me understand...

it's the same thing.

I've been like a fella

who's been drunk all his life.

And you know,

a guy like that will get so bad...

he'll pass up the thing he wants

more than anything else.

You don't have to tell me

how you feel about me. I know that.

No, listen, baby.

I do have to tell you, because listen...

I've been kicked around in my time.

I thought I could take anything,

but your saying you want to quit because...

Look, baby, if it means losing you...

It isn't even a contest.

I don't want any more contracts, or shows,

or any singing in the world.

You can't make me a gift of your whole life.

I just couldn't take it.

No, look, baby, it's giving you nothing...

except this show business,

and that's cheated me all my life.

It stands to cheat me right now

because I know what would happen.

I'd go on the same way,

working my head off...

living everybody's life but my own,

and at the same time...

Iose the only thing

I was lucky to get out of it.

I know what you're thinking.

I'm kidding myself and don't know it.

Maybe, yes. I don't know.

When you've been all your life like a drunk...

you can't quit all of a sudden.

Sometimes you crave this stuff.

But I am sober now, baby.

And I want you to help me.

If I start yelling, hit me over the head,

tie me down.

Because when you go, baby,

I got nothing left.

So, be a pal, Julie. Do what I ask you.

- Hello, Henry.

- Sir, welcome.

Honey, it's a miracle.

Why, it fell from heaven.

You're over the threshold, you fool.

Put me down.

- It's a sensational job, Julie.

- Thank you, boys. Thank you.

Alice, Henry, the house looks beautiful.

You've done a wonderful job.

You've worked hard enough now.

Why don't you take the rest of the day off?

That's right. Go ahead.

- Don't worry about dinner. We'll get a snack.

- Kitchen snack. That's for me.

- Shall I take the bags up now?

- Don't worry. We'll take care of them.

Yeah, so long, Henry. Have a good time.

Checkers.

I used to be a champ back in Washington.

Come on, I'll play you a game.

Checkers, now? You just came in.

How about unpacking?

- We got months to unpack.

- Months.

Wood and everything. I'll light a fire.

We'll play right over here, nice and cozy.

It's not cold enough for a fire.

If he wants to light a fire

in his own home, he can.

That's telling him, baby.

Move that lamp off.

We'll bring the table right here.

Steve, get this one out of the way.

- What'll I do with it?

- Put it anyplace.

Get that, will you, Steve?

- Where?

- In the library.

Put it there. Steve, the phone.

Let's take that telephone out, Julie.

Don't be silly. We need a telephone.

Why? People got along without them

for thousands of years.

Anybody wants to get in touch with us,

let them do it by carrier pigeon.

We've retired, sweetheart.

Come on, sit down.

I'll play you for who's going to be boss

in this house.

- It's Dick Glenn, the studio.

- Not here.

- He wants to wish you luck in the new home.

- Tell him thanks.

If the studio has this telephone number,

change it.

Your move, baby.

- Big fire, isn't it?

- Yeah, it sure is.

- Want to move this way a little bit, baby?

- All right.

Cozy, Steve?

For a Turkish bath, it's very nice.

- Is it a little warm in here, baby?

- It is, a little.

There's nothing like a five-alarm fire

on a nice spring day.

You know,

I never wanted this table in the living room.

It should be in the library.

It's much cozier in there.

- You want to move in there now, honey?

- Yeah, let's.

We'll be with you in a minute, Steve.

Just sit down and relax.

It's your home, too, you know.

New Zealand. Go Into Your Dance

was playing there lately. Funny.

Still hearing from places like that

after all this time.

It's the fan letters from China I like to read.

- Where's Julie?

- She'll be back.

- For lunch?

- That's what she said.

- Where'd she go?

- Into town. I don't know.

Why didn't she tell me?

I could have gone along for the ride.

Your folks' wedding anniversary tomorrow.

You'll phone them?

- I wish we'd have gone east and celebrated.

- Julie wanted to go, and you said no.

I know. I just didn't feel like it then.

We should've brought the folks

to California for their anniversary this year.

We talk about doing it every year,

and never do. It would have been nice.

I wish Julie had told me

where she was going.

She'll be here in a little while. Look, Al...

this manuscript of Baron's new show.

You want to change your mind and read it,

or shall I send it back?

I don't know. Better send it back.

- He's wired about it twice.

- Why doesn't he stop wiring?

We've told him 50 times in this last year,

I'm not interested in any shows.

Wait a minute. Tom knows that.

All he wants is your opinion,

and any ideas you might have.

Tell him I'm sorry, Steve.

I don't want to read it. Haven't the patience.

- Hello, Al.

- There she is.

Surprise!

- Mama, Papa!

- Asa!

- What a surprise. Who thought of this?

- Steve.

- Julie.

- Mama.

No, Papa.

- Look, he's gonna cry.

- Go away.

A big boy like him.

This is the life.

You know, Mama,

if I tried, I could get used to this.

- You go right ahead and try, Papa.

- You and Mama ought to move out here.

Henry, will you see who that is, please?

We've got acres of land.

We'll build you a house right next door.

Next door?

How would Papa get to a synagogue

on the Sabbath?

You know, on the Sabbath, you mustn't ride.

It would be a long walk back to Washington,

especially two trips a week.

Mr. Baron.

- Hello, everybody.

- Tom, how wonderful to see you.

- Looking fine. Where'd you drop from?

- New York, Steve. How are you?

- Cantor, please sit down.

- Thank you.

- Mrs. Yoelson.

- How do you do, Mr. Baron?

Al, you look wonderful.

- Hello, Tom. When did you arrive?

- Just flew in.

- Had no idea I'd find the whole family here.

- You lost no time finding me.

- That's right...

- You wasted a trip.

You can turn around and go back.

I'm not interested in your show.

Steve's told you that, hasn't he?

- AI, wait a second.

- I've quit. I've worked enough.

For you, too. Busting out here

like this'll get you nothing.

Al, what's the matter with you?

You happen to be wrong, Al.

To cast a Broadway show these days...

you have to come to Hollywood

to find the actors.

I can't imagine coming here

and not saying hello to you...

- after quite a few years together.

- Of course.

- You'll have lunch with us, won't you?

- Julie, I'd love to, but as a matter of fact...

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