The Naked Venus Page #3

You will be hearing from me, Mrs. Dixon.

I'm so happy you came, Miss Wingate.

Oh, I almost forgot.

Your uncle cabled an advance to me.

And some money for

you to cover expenses.

It might be some time

before we get a trial date.

But you will be hearing from me.

Goodbye.

Well, Miss Wingate,

how do you like it here?

I love nature. I'll just

have to get used to it.

Fine. That's the attitude.

- See you soon.

- Thank you so much. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Well Bob, now that you're

famous, how about a portrait?

Any way you like.

Laura, you don't just sit down and

paint. You've got to feel it first.

Poor me. Don't you feel anything?

Bob would love to paint you.

Here comes John.

Hello everybody.

Mary Louise... Bob.

Why, hello Laura.

I just saw your father.

The old boy is really going ahead.

Raising the entire block

on 4th and Broadway.

If you leave it to Dad, he'll

tear down the whole town.

- What will you have, John?

- Scotch, thank you. On the rocks.

This isn't purely a social call.

You may talk freely, John.

- Laura is like one of the family.

- Thank you, Mrs. Dixon.

But I wouldn't dream of intruding, dear.

- It's alright Laura. Have you found them?

- Bob, really...

I'm sorry, Bob. No.

And even if I had,

that's outside the case.

You have certain rights

and so has your wife.

He has no right to steal

my granddaughter.

And you make her sorry she ever did.

I'll do the best I can.

In the interest of my client.

But for now, Mrs. Dixon has

served us with a counter-suit.

- The nerve!

- What can you expect.

I won't go into the charges now.

They are not without merit, though.

Cooked up by her and some fresh

lawyer who probably needs the money.

Not exactly, Marie Louise.

- She is represented by Lynn Wingate.

- And who is that?

Miss Wingate's father is a judge.

Important. Federal district.

She is quite a capable young lady.

Has already earned herself

a very fine reputation.

Quite a feat at her age.

You know her attorney,

but you haven't found her?

If I did, I'd tell you.

Let me tell you something.

I don't give a hoot who her

attorney is or where she is now.

But I'll make her wish she'd

never tangled with me.

I hired a detective who's

been checking up on her.

- And I only hope he did a good job.

- Mother, I want no part of this.

- Bob, your mother's only thinking of you.

- Will you keep out of this.

That's gratitude for you, John.

I will not stand for dirty tactics.

Yvonne happens to be

my wife. She still is.

May I say something?

After all Bob, you retain

me as your legal Counsel.

Suppose you let me handle

this as civilly as possible.

There is hardly any need for detectives.

That's tabloid stuff.

And we prefer to keep this out

of the public eye. Don't we?

It was nice having your little Sherie.

I hope you'll come back and see us soon.

- And all the luck.

- Thank you. I'll need it.

- Goodbye.

- So long.

Mrs. Dixon, I'd like to brief you on

some of the recent developments.

I had a long talk with

your husband's attorney.

You met Mr. Rutledge I understand?

Well, I've known him for a long time.

John is ethical. I'll say that for him.

We discussed the entire case at length

and we came to a tentative agreement.

We agreed to the following.

You are go get the divorce.

You are to retain custody of Sherie.

Which means plainly and

sweetly, you're not at fault.

Miss Wingate, what about Bob?

He's not my client. You are.

Your husband and Mr. Rutledge

made the following stipulation.

You are to agree not

to leave the country.

I don't understand.

I never wanted a divorce.

Bob wanted it.

Why, I'll never know.

And now he doesn't want me to go?

Is it some kind of a trick?

If it were, I wouldn't advise

you to go along with it.

But I think it's a fair proposal.

If substantiated by sufficient alimony.

You've been hurt. Not Mr. Dixon.

We're dealing with a breed of

mother-in-law that can't be trusted.

You are so right.

This is my suggestion.

Speak softly... and carry a big stick.

It's a pretty good maxim to follow.

Teddy Roosevelt said that.

One of our great presidents.

Now, Mr. Dixon.

When a man like you, an artist from an

excellent family, agrees to a divorce.

He must have a reason.

A very good reason.

I have.

Would you tell us just

what reason, or reasons...

Well, I love my wife and

daughter very much.

Would you speak a little louder, please?

We were quite happy.

Very happy in Paris.

Counsel wishes you to state your

reasons. Answer the question.

Mrs. Dixon never wanted to leave Paris.

From the moment I told her that I had to

go back to America, she began arguing.

She knew why you had to go?

Yes. My father died and

my mother needed me.

Your mother hadn't seen

you in several years.

Is that correct?

Yes.

You wanted your wife

and daughter with you.

To meet your mother.

Naturally.

You felt that your bereaved mother...

Would find comfort in having her

daughter-in-law and grandchild with her?

- I hoped so.

- Weren't you sure?

Was there any friction between

your mother and wife?

She never liked my mother.

- Without having met her?

- Yes.

How did your wife express her dislike?

- Did she make scenes?

- Well, she would scream at me.

- In front of your small daughter?

- Yes.

- And she locked herself in the bedroom.

- What did you do?

- Did you try to enter the bedroom?

- I did.

How? What did you do?

I... pounded on the door.

Did you make threats in case

she wouldn't open the door?

I think so.

On such occasions, what kind of

language did you and Mrs. Dixon use?

English.

I will not tolerate any demonstrations.

Did she explain?

No, my wife wouldn't talk to me.

When you arrived here.

- Would she talk to your mother?

- She said hello.

- Is that all?

- About.

Objection, Your Honor. Mrs. Dixon

isn't divorcing her mother-in-law.

I consider Mrs. Dixon senior an

integral part of Mr. Dixon junior.

Objection overruled.

You may proceed, Counsel.

How does your mother feel about that?

After looking forward with such eager

love to embrace her granddaughter?

She was unhappy.

She was very unhappy.

Did you try to reason with your wife?

I did, but she wouldn't listen.

Then what happened?

She left the house with our daughter.

You were present?

No. I was away with my mother.

She deserted you?

Objection! My client has never

been charged with desertion.

With Your Honor's permission,

I'll rephrase that.

Mrs. Dixon decided to leave you following

another incident of mutual antagonism.

- Is this correct?

- I guess so.

No more questions, Your Honor.

Your witness.

No more questions

at this time, Your Honor.

But I petition for the right to

recall the witness at a later time.

Permission granted.

You may step down.

If it pleases the court I will introduce

as our first witness, Miss Laura Weston.

Raise your right hand.

Do you swear to tell the whole

truth and nothing but the truth?

- I do.

- Be seated.

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