The Miracle of Morgan's Creek Page #2

- Then they bring you home.

Yeah, by way of Cincinnati

with a side trip through Detroit!

I was a soldier, too, in the last war.

But, Papa, I've already promised

and I'm all dressed up.

You can go get undressed.

It says here in the paper...

But, Papa...

People aren't as evil-minded as they

used to be when you were a soldier, Papa.

When I want any advice out of you,

I'll ask for it.

- And you'll get it.

- Yeah?

I wish Mama was here.

So do I, believe me.

But she ain't. Daughters.

So, as your father and mother combined...

I'm here to tell you that

you ain't going on no more military parties.

Read what it says here in the paper!

If you don't mind my mentioning it, Father,

I think you have a mind like a swamp.

What!

- Aren't you going out tonight?

- No, ma'am.

I thought you were going to the picture.

I thought I would,

and then I figured I wouldn't.

Isn't there a dance or something tonight?

For the soldiers.

I'm sorry, Norval.

If they don't want me, they don't want me.

Couldn't the doctor

give you something to calm you?

Just long enough for the examination,

like whiskey or something?

I'm perfectly calm. I'm as cool as ice.

I start to figure maybe they won't take me...

and some cold sweat runs down the middle

of my back, and my head begins to buzz...

and everything in the middle of the room

begins to swim...

and I get black spots in front of my eyes...

and they say I've got

high blood pressure again.

And all the time I'm cool as ice!

- Don't get so excited, Norval.

- Who's excited?

Hello. Yes.

Gee, that's swell, Trudy.

Kind of a lucky break, huh?

I certainly appreciate you calling me

right away. I'll be right over.

Goodbye. Oh, boy!

- Have you got any money?

- Money?

What for? Yeah, I've got plenty. Goodbye.

- Your coat!

- My coat.

- I got it.

- Don't get so excited!

What kind of music is that?

Hello?

Hello, Trudy. Hello, Emmy.

Good evening, Mr. Kockenlocker.

I'm glad you're going to

the picture show with me tonight.

- Who, me?

- I'm very glad to go with you, Norval.

Fine. I don't want to sound unpatriotic

but I'm glad they called that dance off...

- for my sake, I mean.

- It wasn't exactly for your...

- It was just called off.

- Come on, Norval. Good night, Emmy, Papa.

- Be home right after the picture.

- Where else could I go?

- I didn't ask where else...

- There's a new boogie-woogie joint...

- Listen, you.

- Come on, Norval.

Right after the picture.

- Yes, Papa.

- Yes, Mr. Kockenlocker.

Now, what do you know about

this little boogie-woogie joint?

Nothing, Papa.

I just heard you were there,

digging quite a trench.

It was certainly very sweet of you

to come and get me right away, Norval.

The pleasure's all mine, Trudy.

Except to get into the Army,

I can't hardly think of anything...

that gives me as much pleasure

as taking you out.

That's nice to hear. You certainly

helped me out by taking me out tonight.

After I was all dressed up

like a horse and everything.

The pleasure's mine, Trudy.

Not that you look anything like a horse.

- Maybe I should have worn my tuxedo.

- Thank you, Norval.

- You certainly helped me out.

- Any time.

- You really mean that, Norval?

- Really mean what, Trudy?

You'd help me out anytime?

Why, Trudy, that's almost all I live for,

except maybe getting into the Army.

I can't think of anything that

makes me more happy than helping you out.

I almost wish you'd be in a lot of trouble

sometime so I could prove it to you.

You can prove it tonight.

I am in a lot of trouble, Norval.

They didn't call off that military dance.

Papa just called it off

as far as I was concerned.

He did?

He probably had pretty good reasons, then.

That's what parents are for,

to listen to their advice.

That's why I always missed

losing my parents so much.

I know. But he didn't have a good reason.

He's just old-fashioned.

Soldiers aren't like they used to be

when he was a soldier.

You know, all in France and like that.

- Aren't they?

- Of course they're not.

They're fine, clean young boys

from good homes...

and we can't send them off to be killed...

in the rockets' red glare,

bombs bursting in air...

without anybody to say

goodbye to them, can we?

They've probably got their families.

Even if they have, they ought to have

girls and dancing.

How about those who haven't

got any families? How about the orphans?

Who says goodbye to them?

You ought to know about them.

The superintendent probably comes down

from the asylum for old times' sake.

Norval, I think you're perfectly heartless.

I hope you get into the Army someday

and the last thing that happens to you...

before you sail away,

the last thing you have to treasure...

while you're fighting beneath foreign skies

is a kiss from the superintendent!

- What do you want me to say?

- I want you to say:

"Trudy, it's your bounden duty

to say goodbye to our boys.

"To dance with them, to give them

something to remember, to fight for.

"I won't take no for an answer, so

I'll drop you off at the church basement...

"take in a movie, then pick you up

and take you home...

"like a chivalrous gentleman

so you won't get in wrong with Papa."

- That's what I want you to say.

- I won't say it.

- Please, Norval.

- I won't do it.

I won't sit through three features

all by myself.

Couldn't you sleep through

a couple of them?

Suppose you get caught?

Where does that put me with your father?

Why should I get caught?

Anyway, I'm not doing anything wrong.

The whole idea sounds

very cheesy to me, Trudy.

I'm not trying to be disagreeable...

but if you want me

as a kind of a false front, a kind of decoy...

I might just as well take you home

right now and say goodbye to you.

That doesn't cut any ice with me.

Go ahead, cry all you like.

I've seen you cry before.

- Stop it, will you?

- I'm not crying for me.

I'm just thinking of those poor boys

going away like poor little orphans.

- You're not the only dame in town, are you?

- That's right, insult me.

I'm not insulting you, Trudy. I...

Where will I meet you?

It doesn't matter now

that you've spoiled everything.

- Doesn't it?

- What time is the third feature over?

About 1:
10, if my seat holds out.

- All right, I'll pick you up at 1: 10.

- Pick me up?

What do you mean pick me up?

Don't you think I ought to take your car?

The boys mightn't have any.

Take my car?

First, you get me out

under false pretenses...

which you never had

the slightest intention of...

Then you want me to sit through

three features all by myself...

and now you want to take my car

in the bargain for a bunch...

Of all the confounded nerve I ever...

All right! Here.

The car's in front of my house.

Is there anything else you want?

How about my gas card?

My money? My watch?

Maybe one of the boys could use it.

What a war.

- Say, I've got a wonderful idea.

- What?

Let's all get married.

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes