The Talk of the Town Page #3

- You want a cook, naturally.

- And a stenographer.

Would you object to both functions

being performed by one person?

Very advantageous.

You want it quiet,

no extraneous people tramping about.

Do I understand that you are

applying for this position?

Yes.

Judging by the last 12 hours...

...how quiet could the house be

with you in it?

You mustn't judge by that.

Take right now, for instance.

Nice and peaceful, isn't it?

Excuse me, please.

- Michael Lightcap?

- Yes, indeed. Telegram for you.

Professor Lightcap, for you.

Of course, if you get telegrams,

it's not my fault.

Bad news?

- It's from my man, Tilney.

- Is he arriving?

Not for a few days.

You see, it happens to be my birthday,

and Tilney always remembers it.

- Congratulations.

- Thank you.

- Do I look 40 years old?

- Yes, you...

That is, in a way, you do.

Will you let me have

Mrs. Hines' number?

As I said, I represent

the perfect solution.

Cook and secretary.

$40 a week and board.

- I dictate 150 words a minute.

- Some think more slowly than others.

- Breakfast at 8, eggs every other day.

- No eggs tomorrow.

Lunch at 1, an hour for correspondence,

work from 3 to 6, dinner at 7.

How could you find time

for all of that?

I could cook while you're reading,

you see?

- I think someone more mature...

- Let me try. I'd love to work for you.

It'd be a mental holiday for me. You

only need a cook until your man arrives.

It'd be a shame

to hire a woman temporarily.

It doesn't matter to me. I'm a

teacher and this is my summer vacation.

Don't you agree with me?

You'll never regret this move.

Your clothes, Miss Shelley.

We got them here as quick as we could.

Take them right upstairs.

First door to the right.

Yes, ma'am.

I'll get out of these pyjamas.

Collect your thoughts.

When I come down,

you can plunge right into work.

The beginning is always

a little difficult.

Yes, sir.

Jot down this title:

The Relation of Literature to

Legislation in 18th-Century England.

Yes, sir.

The effects...

There's no need to say "Yes, sir."

No, sir.

The effects of literature

upon legislation...

...is a study that has long claimed

the interests of scientists...

...social scientists...

...in every country in the world.

The law is the sum of the experience

of civilized man...

...the sign that man

has emerged from the jungle.

Period.

The 18th century was the high point

of man's intellectual development.

Reason, simple and pure...

...was the weight against which

human problems were held in balance.

Law became, for the first time...

...the instrument of pure logic...

...with each man's rights

and responsibilities...

...considered from the viewpoint

of the possible and reasonable...

...rather than the...

Bless you.

Thank you.

Pay close attention.

Did you get that?

"...from the viewpoint of the possible

and reasonable rather than..."

- rather than the feudal conventions

of divine and everlasting rights.

It was the aim of the lawmakers

and the law administrators...

...to build the law firmly

on principles...

...which are above small emotions,

greed...

...and the loose thinking

of everyday life.

Impossible.

The law is a gun

pointed at somebody's head.

It all depends upon which

end of the gun you stand.

Who is he?

He's the gardener, Joseph.

Joseph, this is Professor Lightcap,

the new tenant.

Pleased to know you.

Excuse me, I...

Still, your point of view

is very interesting.

- Thank you.

- It represents the ideal condition.

I like people who think in terms

of ideal conditions.

They're the dreamers, poets, tragic

figures in this world, but interesting.

- How are the zinnias getting along?

- Dying.

- You see, professor...

- I must get on with my dictation.

You might see if you

can save the zinnias.

Certainly. Still, it might do you good

to talk to somebody like me.

I have certain very practical

relations with the law.

The zinnias, Joseph.

Miss Shelley, we might as well take

our work inside. It's getting chilly.

Bless you.

If you'll excuse us, Joseph.

And now, what's that?

- What are you trying to do?

- When I hear nonsense, I get an impulse.

- Get upstairs.

- With this ankle, it's too late.

Then hide somewhere, quick.

Get in there.

See who it is, will you?

I'm looking for Michael Lightcap.

I was told he arrived yesterday.

Yes, indeed. Come right in.

- Well, well, Senator Boyd.

- How are you? I'm glad to see you.

- This is quite a surprise. Sit down.

- No, thanks, I'll only be a minute.

I have a bit of news for you.

- Rather important.

- Excuse me.

Senator, my secretary.

- And cook.

- And cook?

- How do you do, senator?

- How do you do?

- Excuse me.

- Now, sit down.

The news I have for you couldn't

be entrusted to the mail or telegraph.

By the way, what party

do you belong to?

- I vote whichever way I see fit.

- An independent voter.

The backbone of the country.

Senator Boyd, please,

won't you tell me what...

Well, Lightcap...

...the president would be

pleased to appoint you...

...to the bench of the

Supreme Court in September.

Well? Would you be willing to accept?

- I'd be willing to accept.

- Wonderful. Perfect.

Congratulations. In six weeks, your

name will be submitted to the Senate.

The Senate will investigate, naturally,

but I don't think we have to fear that.

But I'd be careful.

I'd keep the name out of the papers

if I were you.

I've been keeping my name

out of the papers for years.

- I've got to start back.

- You must have something first.

No, thanks, really.

- Goodbye, Michael. Congratulations.

- Thank you.

- You'll hear from me.

- Goodbye.

Miss Shelley, yes...

Where were we?

Oh, yes, bring your book.

You're not going back to work now.

- Bring your book.

- But you've done a good morning's work.

Besides, this is your birthday.

And really, professor, you've

got a honey of a cold.

I feel responsible for it.

I'm going to take care of you.

I'm going to put you to bed and feed

you nourishing broths and hot lemonade.

- Hot lemonade?

- Yes.

Now, now, don't be silly.

Bring your book.

There's something to what she says.

Take care of your health.

- Supreme Court. What do you know?

- This stuff he reads is remarkably dead.

- You eating again?

- That prison food was terrible.

Supreme Court appointment

or not, we're dragging him into this.

Yeah, we certainly must.

We must, must we?

Look at him. Calm and relaxed

like he was on his yacht.

He got his neck in a noose

and now he says, "We certainly must."

How do you suggest we start, Leopold?

Well, what have we here?

An intelligent man, but cold.

No blood in his thinking.

So we must start to thaw him out.

We thaw him.

Can't let a man like that take a seat

on the highest court in our land.

I see. All of a sudden what

he's concerned about is our country.

Our country first, yes.

Then my neck next.

That's beautiful, but this thawing-out

process... We haven't got months.

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