The Marrying Kind Page #7

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Florence just stopped believing in it.

- That true, Florence?

- I don't know.

I know I got all tired out.

But that's not a permanent condition, is it?

He's tired out, too, Judge Carroll.

And he's right, what he said.

So, okay if we go now?

So it was last summer you lost the boy.

What about since then?

You want to? Go ahead.

I don't know what...

The thing with Joey,

I don't think we ever really got over that.

For a while there near the beginning

I just couldn't get it through my head.

Like, one day, it must have been

about a month after...

I was starting home from work...

and on the street,

a guy was selling these toys.

I thought to myself,

"I bet Joey would like that. "

They were only 65, so I took a flyer.

I just couldn't get it through my head, see?

So I bought this thing

and I started to walk away.

And all of a sudden I stopped...

and I remembered

what I was going home to...

and who was there and who wasn't.

So I started back to the guy to give it back,

the thing.

I didn't care about the money,

but I didn't want to have it.

But all of a sudden, it seemed wrong

to give it back, so I went again.

And I was thinking all kinds of crazy things,

like maybe it was a mistake...

and maybe the kid that got drowned

wasn't Joey, by the lake.

Maybe he was just lost or something...

and I thought of getting on the train

and going there to look for him.

I don't know, I admit it wasn't sensible...

but nothing I was doing around that time

was sensible.

Boy, I thought I'd never get out

of that hospital.

And it was sure great for Florence, too.

Every day, two, three times.

- You ever hear me complain?

- I didn't say that.

- I said I appreciated it.

- I know you appreciated it.

So, all right.

So, all right.

And if that wasn't tough enough...

the doctor makes me go

to Hudson Convalescent Home...

up there near Brewster.

And he says I got to stay there a month.

So naturally we can't get together,

only except on Sundays.

So then one time, the big subject came up...

about her going back to work.

It was funny, I was expecting it all the time...

and still I was surprised when it came up.

So I said to her:

Maybe I don't remember so good...

now this concussion's

knocked my buttons loose...

but don't you remember me telling you

I didn't want you to go back to work?

What's the harm finding out

what's the situation in case I have to?

- I don't want you to have to.

- Don't make a tragedy.

I don't want my wife supporting herself.

What am I? Some peculiar?

- No, just impractical.

- Why impractical?

Because you don't face facts.

There's a soda fountain.

Can I get a black and white?

- I don't want you to do it, that's all.

- Okay, Chet.

Do what, Ma? Don't want you to do what?

Just gonna tell him I got to get out sooner.

You'll just make it worse if you do that.

How about just a plain cone, Ma? Only 10.

- Not now.

- Here's 25.

- Get yourself a black and white.

- Hot dog!

Look, Florrie, I know I'm pretty tough

to get along with...

But if you have to take a job,

I guess you just have to.

- I'll make it up to you.

- Okay, Chet.

I don't know what's the matter with me.

I think it's all this no sleeping.

I can't seem to sleep up here. It's too quiet.

You have my personal guarantee,

everything's going to be okay.

I know it will, Chet.

- Lunch, Flo?

- Soon as I get this stuff finished.

- You going out or what?

- No, I brought today.

- See you.

- I'm going for coffee.

- Here.

- We'll settle up later.

- How does it feel, kid?

- All right.

You have a good chance for comparison:

Marriage life, also business life,

so which appeals?

It makes a difference with a child.

This way I'm always worried,

is she all right?

But without any shilly-shally, Flo,

which would you choose?

- My home, when things were going all right.

- When do they ever?

You'd be surprised.

What are you figuring out there?

Your withholding?

- My trip.

- This Sunday again?

- You'll knock yourself out.

- And what about money? Doesn't it cost?

Not so much by bus.

Ellen only takes a half fare...

so that brings the whole thing

to about $4.20, round trip.

- Don't that bus make you sick?

- It bothers Ellen a little...

but if I give her half an aspirin it's okay.

- Is that good? To feed a kid aspirin?

- It's only half a tablet.

I guess she knows what to do.

She's brought up two kids very nicely.

What?

I mean, Ellen.

I didn't mean anything, Flo.

If I get the early bus, then it gives us

practically the whole afternoon...

if I make the 5:
00 back.

It's the only one back on Sundays.

...departure for Boston

and points in Maine...

boarding at Gate 25 on the lower level.

For Greenwich, Stanford, Norwalk,

Bridgeport, New Haven, Middletown...

Hartford, Providence, Boston, Portland...

Last call.

I'm not sure.

I wish I had time to take in

the show at Radio City.

We had a breakdown, Daddy,

and two policemen came...

How do you like that.

A whole day and they kept saying

it was nothing serious...

just mechanical,

but you can't always believe.

This is the last trip you make out here.

We're gonna have to get that other bus.

It's the last one.

Five hours late. That's some service for you.

- You ought to get your money back.

- I will.

I want my money back, too.

- Boy, if I could just lay my hands on that...

- Don't get excited.

Here's your heavy sweater.

And you're feeling okay?

And here's the magazines you said.

- I'm sick of the bus. I'm not going!

- I think I'd better take her.

Thanks, honey. At least I saw you.

- Let's go, lady, if you're going.

- Okay.

I'm not going! We just got here!

- I wanna stay here with Daddy!

- Stop fussing.

Daddy will be home

in a couple of days, sweetheart.

- Is George going to be the only company?

- That's right.

Pop's got enough of a strain

without too much company yet.

- Why?

- Just getting back to work and all.

I thought maybe I was the strain.

Oh, no!

It's Daddy! I'll go.

- Hello.

- Hi, Daddy. Hi, George.

- Look what Daddy brought you.

- Hot dog! I'm gonna read it all tonight.

- Here's another present.

- What is it?

Indelible color pencils.

But dip them in water, not on your tongue.

Thank you, George.

How's the barmaid?

- Hi, George.

- Hi.

Sit down.

They're gonna leapfrog his promotion,

you hear about that?

Chet, honest?

Big mouth. I'd appreciate it

if you'd let me tell my wife something.

You were just sitting.

- When?

- Around a week or 10, he said.

- Say, I've got a great idea.

- Yeah, ball-bearing roller skates?

You gonna tell about the lawyer letter, Ma?

- What?

- The lawyer letter.

- What lawyer letter?

- I didn't open it.

- Why? Is it addressed to me?

- No, me.

So why didn't you?

I told you, 'cause it's a lawyer letter.

I didn't want to by myself, naturally.

Give me a cigarette, will you?

What is it?

Want me to step out?

"Wilson and Halperin, Counselors at Law,

1740 Broadway, New York.

"Mrs. Chester Keefer, New York.

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