The World of Henry Orient Page #7

straight to the telephone.

- Heard anything else?

- The police are after you.

- For what?

- Missing Persons Bureau.

How do you like that!

Maybe they'll drag the river.

- We could watch them.

- If they find somebody else's body...

I talked to your mother too.

- I bet she's burning.

- She said she talked to Henry.

- You really think she did?

- That's what she said.

- What did she say?

- It sounded like she bawled him out.

- Oh, no.

- I didn't think you cared any more.

I didn't think so either,

but I still think about him a lot.

- What he must have thought!

- Probably that she was crazy.

Can you imagine him trying to figure out

what on earth she was talking about?

Somebody take her away

before she starts climbing up the wall.

I guess that's the end.

Goodbye, Henry, darling.

It can't be. We mustn't let it be.

It's too late. She's spoiled it.

- Wait a minute. Where's the Bible?

- Right here.

- What are you doing?

- I've got a super idea.

- What's that?

- I got it over on 3rd Avenue for 75 cents.

What is it?

The eternal flame of

the garden of the gods. Turn off the light.

August flame of the 10,000 mandarins,

hark your humble servants.

Come on. Kowtow to it.

Moon of my secret heart, speak to

your worshipful Cherry Blossom...

Golden Bells. I'm Cherry Blossom now.

Speak to your worshipful Golden Bells,

moon of the glorious apricot.

Give us the wisdom of the mysterious

Orient, mighty King of the Kong.

A magical sign from the tomb

of our honourable ancestors.

Golly Moses.

The honourable gods have spoken.

- Mr Boyd?

- Yes. Is she still here?

- Yes, sir.

- That's all. Thanks. Good night.

Night, sir.

- Who is it?

- Mrs Gilbert?

It's Frank Boyd, Valerie's father.

I apologise for this

but could I come in for a few minutes?

- Yes, of course.

- I promise not to keep you too long.

It's not late really.

We just finished cleaning up.

- Can I fix you a drink?

- Thank you, if you'll join me.

- Scotch or bourbon?

- Scotch and plain water'll be just fine.

- It's about Valerie, of course.

- Is she back?

- That's all right. I know she's here.

- No, I wouldn't do a thing like that.

I would have called Mrs Boyd at once.

You really don't know, do you?

I know she's not here,

if that's what you mean.

She came in through the basement.

The man from the Missing Persons

Bureau was across the street.

- There's no way out back, is there?

- No.

Then she's still here.

She's probably hiding in Marian's room.

- That little...

- No, please. Not yet.

I'd like to just sit for a few minutes,

if you're sure you're not too tired.

Yes, of course.

I can see why Val

considers this a real home,

the only one, in fact, she's ever known.

I can't think of a more shameful thing

for a father to have to admit.

People can't always control

their circumstances.

No, not always.

Val knows you have to travel a lot

and she's very understanding,

much more so than you realise.

- That's what I'm afraid of.

- In any case, let's not worry about that.

The little lost lambs are home again

and that's all that matters.

You're right and I apologise.

- To the return of the prodigals.

- I'll drink to that.

- Splitsing!

- Splitsing!

Please be careful.

Where can I find Mr Orient?

The posse is forming around back

at the stage door.

- What's the matter?

- I'm scared.

That's all right. I'll talk to him first.

What will you say?

How about explaining

we'd like to apologise for your mother?

That's wild!

Why don't you stick to "Chopsticks",

you bum?

You'd better take some lessons!

- Who told you you could play?

- When do we get our money back?

Get outta here!

- I told you he didn't practise.

- Come on. We'll try PJs.

- Are you sure he comes here every night?

- After every concert, to unwind.

Wait here.

Fink. He's not here. Come on.

- Do you know Mr Henry Orient?

- What about him?

- Is he here?

- I haven't seen him tonight.

Thanks.

He's not there either.

We've got to find him.

I've got a feeling he needs me tonight.

- And you're not scared any more?

- Not a bit.

He's probably crushed.

Maybe I can comfort him.

I've got an idea. Come on.

He's not back yet.

In a way I'm glad it happened,

even if it was his own fault.

Now maybe he'll appreciate

my understanding.

That's when a man really needs a woman,

when he's in a jam.

If we never see each other again,

this'll be the night of nights,

and we'll never forget each other

as long as we live.

They'll kill us if they ever find out.

It's one of the great mysteries

of the Orient.

It's on.

- How'd he get in?

- I'll tell you what I bet.

He came home from the concert

and took a nap.

- To unwind, I guess.

- Hey, look.

Come on.

- Come on.

- Wait, wait.

- What are you gonna do?

- Exactly what we said.

I'm gonna ring his bell and I'll explain that

you're his greatest admirer in the world

and we'll ask for his autograph, all right?

Wait. You're not gonna tell him

I love him, are you?

Of course not. If he asks us in for a drink,

we'll tell him what a nut your mother is.

August moon of my delight!

Sh!

I'll ring the bell and...

- What are we gonna do?

- Whoever it is is going and he'll be alone.

- Yes, but...

- Sh!

I have drunk deep of joy tonight, my love.

Now there can be no other wine

in life left for me.

- Tomorrow?

- What time?

- Fiveish.

- Fiveish.

Good night.

A demain, carissima.

Good night.

Val?

Come on, Val.

Don't worry, Val.

I'll never tell anybody. Honest.

Val? Val?

Val!

Val?

- Are you all right?

- Yes, sir.

You caused us

considerable worry tonight.

I'm sorry.

- What was it, Mr Orient again?

- No. That's all over.

I should certainly hope so.

Where were you?

Goofing around,

looking at Christmas windows.

Till 2am you were looking in windows?

- On Broadway and Fifth Avenue.

- You don't expect me to believe that?

- I'm sorry.

- And is that all you have to say?

I don't think we oughta

go on with this tonight.

It's very late and we're all too tired

and edgy to discuss it sensibly.

You hungry? Would you like

a glass of milk or a sandwich?

No, thank you.

You go on upstairs.

We'll talk about it in the morning.

One thing. In case you and Miss Gilbert

are planning any further adventures,

I had a little talk

with your Mr Orient this afternoon.

If you ever go anywhere near him again,

I've asked him to let me know,

instead of calling the police,

as he had intended.

Call the police for what?

He's got a right to protect himself

from that sort of harassment.

- He was really gonna call the cops?

- Indeed he was.

- He sounds nuttier than the girls.

- What would you do?

If I couldn't buy them off with sodas,

I'd feel compelled to pack a rod.

You talk as if you saw nothing serious

in her behaving like a little tart.

Now look... for one thing I don't think

that's a fair description of her behaviour.

And if we go on like this, we're all liable

to say things we'll wish we hadn't.

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