The World of Henry Orient Page #2

He's simply got to go back to the only

woman he's ever loved in his whole life.

Goodbye, second wife.

- You think that's possible?

- He's got no choice.

He can't live a lie, can he?

He's got to go back to his one true love.

Maybe... during Christmas.

- Christmas Eve, maybe.

- About six o'clock.

You and your mother are all alone

trimming the tree when the doorbell rings.

- I'd be the one to answer it.

- You'd be wondering who it could be.

You weren't expecting anyone.

You'd open the door and he'd be standing

there, simply loaded with presents.

Before you could say anything,

he'd say "Sh",

because he wants

to surprise your mother.

But first he'd give you a big hug

just as tight as he could.

Then Mom would come to see who it was.

She'd been wondering why

she didn't hear anybody say anything.

For a long time they'd just stand there and

stare at each other, not saying anything.

They wouldn't have to.

And then he'd take her in his arms

and rain kisses on her upturned face.

And they'd just love each other to death

right there in the front door.

Do you really think...

- Who'd like some clam chowder?

- Clam chowder!

Wash your hands first.

Then two small bladders

came out of their mouths.

- If you'd been at rehearsals...

- Just as she was beginning to hum.

Henry, you've got to remember

you're not Van Cliburn.

If Van Cliburn misses a rehearsal,

nobody says "Throw the bum out. "

Not too much off the back.

I tried to phone them.

But I feel I would be remiss

in my obligation to you as your manager

if I didn't inform you

that they're not prepared

to take this understanding

attitude toward a...

well, let us say a non-Van Cliburn.

- What is it, Sidney? It's unnatural, isn't it?

- You're in a little slump, that's all.

Now look at me. Can you see

any difference? Be honest with me.

On my mother's grave,

you don't look a day older

than when we played

stickball in Brooklyn.

I will give somebody 1,000 dinars

who can find one grey hair in my head.

Henry, don't you understand

what I'm telling you? You're in trouble.

If I keep on telling them you're at the

dentist, they'll wanna count your teeth.

Very funny.

You seem to be pretty chummy

with Boyd these days.

Any reason why I shouldn't be?

Not if you don't mind going around

with somebody who's crazy.

I think you're the one that's crazy.

You know why she gets let out of school

early every day?

What makes you think I don't?

You'd never guess in a thousand years.

- All right, how much?

- It's worth at least a quarter.

- I'll give you 15 cents. It's all I've got.

- Give me the dime tomorrow, can't you?

If it's really interesting...

All right. The reason she gets out

every day, she goes to a psychiatrist.

- You mean a doctor?

- Doctor for the head, for the mind.

- Who told you that?

- Never mind. It's absolutely true.

School knows it,

but nobody else is supposed to.

- Are you making this up?

- It's the absolute truth.

Miss Cooney said Boyd

had asked her to keep it a secret.

Miss Rollyman said she was right,

the other eighths might think she's crazy.

"But if I was that rich,"

she said "anybody could call me crazy... "

Who said?

Miss Rollyman said

"In view of Boyd's marvellous IQ,

she's a prize to the school,

even if she's a little difficult. "

- What's IQ?

- Intelligent quota.

If you're smart, you have a high one.

If you're not, it's low.

The way they talked,

Boyd's some kind of a genius.

- Gosh sakes.

- And very, very rich besides.

- Want some more, darling?

- Yeah, I think I'd like some.

- I hate to go, but Emma's gonna skin me.

- What for? It's not late.

- I missed Dr Greentree.

- Who's Dr Greentree?

- Her doctor. Who do you think?

- Naturally, but I just wondered.

I don't mind your knowing.

Dr Greentree's my psychiatrist.

- Your what?!

- Boothy, please!

- He's my psychiatrist.

- Now I've heard everything.

It's not a thing to joke about.

Boothy's not really joking.

It's just that Val's so young.

I was well into my 30s

before I hit the couch.

- Why did you go, Mrs Booth?

- It's become part of the ritual of divorce.

- I'm sorry.

- The only fun I got out of that little scuffle.

- This is the first time I ever heard about it.

- May as well know I took a shot at it too.

- Mom!

- We had to.

In those days it would

have been like not owning a TV set.

When people need help, they go

wherever they think they can find it.

That's what Val did,

cos she needed help. Isn't that right?

- That's what everybody says anyway.

- Your mother went twice.

The third afternoon there was

a sale on at Bergdorf Goodman.

- That's not true. It was Lord & Taylor.

- You know the only reason I quit?

One day I was telling this wizard

a most delightful dream.

Straight out of Henry Miller.

I heard him snoring.

Now really, Boothy.

- My trouble was I couldn't dream.

- That's my trouble.

- Dr Greentree gets mad if I don't dream.

- I dream all the time.

You stay out of this. You're normal.

Have you ever tried eating

a bowl of chilli con carne before retiring?

- That gives you nightmares, doesn't it?

- Psychiatrists love nightmares.

- I'll give her some of my dreams.

- That's a wonderful idea.

Tell him my dreams and tell us

what he said. I'll get treated for nothing.

- And then you'll be one of us.

- Three kooks and a hitchhiker.

I've got to run.

- I'll get my coat and walk you to the bus.

- It's been fun, Val.

- Will you ask me again?

- What about next Friday?

Dinner, maybe tickets for something.

And any other time you can come, dear.

Boothy.

From one kook to another.

You know what I thought it was,

why you had to leave school every day?

- I thought you had an incurable disease.

- You mean I was gonna die?

Maybe they'd given you a year to live,

even with daily injections.

- May I take your arm?

- And so young too.

They tried to keep it from me.

They told me it was a bad cold.

- Did you try Mayo brothers?

- Yes, they were completely baffled.

- John Hopkins?

- He knew less than they did.

I knew a girl who was dying once.

She lingered and lingered

till everybody nearly went crazy.

- I have too many red corpuscles.

- You mean white.

- Sure?

- That's what I read once.

I have too many white corpuscles.

May we stop for a moment?

Have you some Kleenex?

No, but...

- It was only a momentary faintness.

- Here, try this pill.

- You are so good to me.

- You are my friend.

I'm determined that your last year will be

the happiest of your life. When's it up?

- October 18th. What's this flavour?

- Chocklo-Mint.

It's fabulous!

You know what I hate most

about this tragedy?

- Dying?

- No.

Being such a burden on everyone.

But what can I do?

Doctors have done all that is humanly

possible and yet I suffer day and night.

What's the matter with her?

- What's wrong?

- It's one of my attacks.

- This kid needs help.

- No, really.

I can't see. Everything's gone black.

- Open her collar.

- No, she'll freeze.

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