The Object of Beauty Page #5

in the morning, okay?

Is it alright? It's the best I could

do on such short notice.

If you'd given me warning, I could've

cooked. I'm a good cook.

The eggs are great.

How long have you lived here?

Since college.

My mother married an Englishman.

The Major.

So, I came over one summer and never left.

Partly because the Major died and

partly because of other reasons.

The boyfriends.

I meant how long have you

lived in this apartment?

Oh, I thought you meant in England.

I did. I'm just teasing.

- Jake.

How come you don't have

anywhere to live?

My family has a house,

but my parents live there.

I don't go there very often.

I like to travel around.

Does Tina like it, too?

So far. Although I'm beginning to

think not so much anymore.

Women are different.

I'd sure be happy to travel

anywhere and see the world.

That's not an offer, though.

Why not?

Well, Tina's my friend.

- That's where your loyalties lie?

That's the way it should be.

Girls sticking together,

and whatever?

Safer that way.

I don't know that there is any safety, really.

You don't want any of this rice, do you?

I'll get some coffee.

It's been a really wet day

in most parts the country.

It does look as if this weather's

gonna continue for the next few days.

So a lot more rain.

- More rain.

Here's a list of today's rainfall amounts...

...and you can see London

topping the lead there.

Don't answer it.

- Lt might be important.

Not as important as this.

It'll only take a second.

Who's this? Tina?

Not yet, huh?

I wish I could help,

but I can't.

No, tonight's not a good idea.

I'm in bed and I'm half asleep.

Lunch. That's great.

I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye.

Hi, Tina.

Hi, Jonathan.

Your beard looks swell.

Can I come in?

Is Larry here?

- Yes, he's here, upstairs.

He's going to Tokyo in the morning.

He's got a cold so he went to bed early.

You want to see him?

- Sort of. That's why I'm here.

Upstairs.

Second door on the left.

Hi, Melissa.

You're looking great.

What is she doing here?

God knows.

It's me.

Can I come in?

You're in.

Sit down.

What's up?

I'm sorry for everything that's

happened. I just want you to know that.

I'm glad to know you're consistent.

You said that two years ago.

What's up?

- I need your help.

Why?

My mother's sick.

She needs some money for an operation.

What kind of operation?

Brain.

There's something wrong with her

brain and she needs an operation.

Where's she having it done?

- On her brain.

Tina, where? What hospital?

Pensacola?

Pensacola, probably.

We just don't know yet.

What'll it cost, this operation

on your mother's brain?

50 thousand dollars or so...

What are you doing?

I've got a headache and

I'm looking for aspirin.

In the bathroom.

No, I already looked there.

I couldn't see any.

What are you doing,

going through my things?

I've got a splitting headache,

and I'm not thinking straight.

If you don't want to give

money for my mother directly...

...would you consider buying back...

...that little Henry Moore?

That was an anniversary present.

I know. And I cherish it.

But, for my mother.

That's alright,

if you want me to.

There is one little problem.

And what's the little problem?

It's been stolen.

You want me to give you $50,000 for

a little head which you don't have?

Well, we're looking for it.

Have you been drinking?

Only a little bit.

I used to love you, Tina.

I used to love you, too, Larry.

I don't love you anymore, Tina.

I don't know what I feel anymore.

You're not in love with Jake?

Yes, I'm in love with Jake.

Then I can't help you.

Sorry.

They're in the bathroom.

I don't know how I didn't see them.

Boy, those are terrific pills.

I feel much better already.

You're a terrific girl. This is just

between you and me, right?

Are you a sh*t, Jake?

I don't think so.

Sometimes, yeah.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

You're a terrific guy.

This is between you and me,

right?

Hi, Mom. It's Jake. Yeah.

How are you?

No, I'm in London. Well,

after two o'clock here.

I know. It's been a while.

Yeah, I'm happy. Very well.

You don't have to worry about me, Morn.

Are you okay?

Oh, you just had dinner.

Well, it sounds like you just had dinner.

A vodka dinner or a gin dinner?

Let me see.

She's fine, thanks.

She's very well.

Tina. Tina.

She's a nice girl, Mom.

You'd like her.

I don't know.

I guess we're just not ready.

I need to talk to Dad.

Is he there?

I don't know why he wouldn't be.

Dad? Hello, sir. How are you?

I was just calling.

I knew your birthday was coming up

and I found this new shirt shop...

...I know you've got plenty of shirts.

I thought you might like one of these.

I wanted to check your size.

Sixteen-and-a-half, thirty-six.

How's business?

Mine?

It's going very well.

Good... l wanted to...

...see to...

...Is Mom alright?

No, it just sounded like she just had dinner.

Sixteen-and-a-half,

thirty-six. I see. Bye.

Tina, how can you have anything left?

You told me you just had half a hamburger.

And a bucket of martinis

and bottle of champagne.

Tina, you gotta get that

for me, okay, sweetie...

'Cause I absolutely cannot talk to him.

Except if it's that insurance guy.

I can't.

Hello. Mr. Mercer, the Manager.

I'm sorry. He's out.

Thanks. Tina, we are in real trouble now.

I want you to swear that you don't know

where that goddamn statue is.

Tina, I will sign a piece of...

this has writing on it...

...but I would sign a piece of

paper giving you its value...

...when the cocoa comes in.

Tina, you have to trust me.

Listen, I wanna get engaged.

That will make you trust me.

And then marry, maybe, someday.

If anything, I mean, children.

There's a Valium here.

Irwin, after your father.

Tina, Jr.

Children, a house maybe somewhere.

A dog, like whatever kind that is.

What do you say?

I've gotta get sick again.

Okay, let's see. Onions, celery...

Yeah, I know, usually 10%,

but 10% of what?

Yeah, I know you're not supposed

to tell me.

10% of what? 10% of 20 Grand?

Approximate, is it?

But somewhere in the neighborhood

of two thousand quid.

Water's trouble, isn't it?

If you're drowning, it is.

No, I mean in dreams.

I'm not a dream expert.

All the dreams I've been having these

days have been full of water.

Colored water, green water,

red water.

Are you sure it's water and not alcohol?

I only drink to be happy,

or if I'm a little worried..

Or to celebrate,

or something's wrong.

You should try it.

- I don't know that it would help.

It could help your card game.

It would make you looser.

Oh, I was loose enough.

Staying up all hours of the night...

...and not winning anything.

Oh, I broke even, more or less.

Do you have any cash?

- No, I don't, damn it.

Maybe I can get some from Joan at lunch.

No.

Why?

- Bad for credit.

What are we gonna do, Jake?

Tina...

You can cut loose,

if you want to.

I'm not in it only for the good times.

If we get it back...

...we can sell it...

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