This Property Is Condemned Page #7

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You have that habit... of staring.

I'm sorry.

I missed you, Alva. I didn't know I would.

New Orleans is not a place

where a person needs to feel

the pain of separation for long.

You, Miss Starr, were a missed person.

I was?

Deeply missed.

And you'll stay...

...and you'll stay...

...because of all you give me.

Do I?

Thoughts I never had.

And things...

...such things.

What are you gonna do all day?

Wait for you to come home.

Owen.

I'll have supper ready in just a second.

- They're golden!

- Well, almost.

By the way, my section chief Macferson

told me something of no interest.

What? Even though I'm not interested.

He said that there was a job opening

for some dull young man.

Too bad we don't know any.

Is it a travelling job?

No, no. It's a stay-put job.

- Chicago.

- Well, did he offer it?

- Well, they call it a feeler.

- What did you say?

Well, I said I'd have to ask my wife.

What's the matter?

I am asking my wife.

I thought I saw Willie today.

- Where?

- In the street.

Just a flash. Dumb hair all over her face.

Wearing one of my old dresses.

It was crazy...

It was just another dumb little kid.

- Where do you think Willie is? Dodson?

- She could be anywhere.

- Wherever Mama is.

- Well, I can find out.

I can write to Knopke. He's still on.

We can send for Willie.

We could take her with us to Chicago.

Would that please you, Alva?

Oh, dear!

I'd love to see Willie take Chicago.

- For a girl who's afraid of the thunder...

- Well, I was just passing by.

Come on in, honey.

- Mama!

- Oh, you come right in.

You are soaked to the bone. I hope you

don't mind my making myself at home.

You never did know when to lock up.

Take off that wet coat.

You'll catch your death.

- How did you find us?

- Willie showed me Alva's postcard.

You look cold, too. I made some coffee.

- Please don't tell him!

- Grab me those cups.

- I don't know what he'll do if you tell him.

- I don't know what you mean.

- Please!

- Where's the sugar?

Mama, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!

- Believe me I am!

- It's all right, honey. Now we need milk.

Mama, if you tell Owen,

it'll just kill him, I swear it!

You haven't even asked me how

I'm feeling. Don't you care about me?

He wants to marry me.

This coffee's getting cold.

In we go.

Nice little place here, honey.

Did you help him fix it up?

- Did you come here to pour coffee?

- I hear you're thinking of marrying Alva.

- That's right.

- You weren't going to tell me about it?

- It's between Alva and me.

- I thought so.

I had an idea you weren't a man

who'd want his wife's mama helping out.

You got it right.

- How's the coffee?

- It's fine...

...just fine.

You drink it up and put your coat on.

We got things to do, places to go.

- What?

- I'm not licked yet.

Mr Johnson finally turned sour. I've got

one or two schemes up my sleeve.

She's not going anywhere.

- Oh, no?

- No. Not unless it's with me.

You have nothing to say about it.

She's not yours. Didn't you tell him?

- Get out!

- It must have slipped her mind.

That little girl's all wrapped up.

She and JJ got married.

The next morning, she went through

his pockets and rolled him.

You never quite give up, do you?

Tell him, Alva!

- Oh, my God...

- What?

Oh, my God!

Alva! Alva!

Mama ran off with a man named Sam

and they went somewhere in Arkansas.

Papa, he never did come back.

You know where Alva is now?

- New Orleans?

- No.

- Chicago?

- No.

- Memphis?

- You'll never guess.

Where is she, then?

- She's in the bone orchard.

- What?

Bone orchard, cemetery, graveyard!

Don't you understand English?

- That's pretty tough.

- You don't know the half of it, buddy.

Her lungs got affected. Did you see that

movie at the Delta Brilliant last fall?

Which is what Alva died of.

Lung affection.

Only, the way she had it in the movie,

it was very beautiful.

You know, violins playing, all her lovers

come back in a beautiful scene.

Wish me a rainbow

Wish me a star

I'm going back now.

I'm gonna live for a long, long time,

like my sister.

When my lungs get affected,

I'm gonna die like she did,

with all my rings and my gold

charm bracelet from Marshall Field's.

And then, I guess, somebody else'll

inherit all my beaux.

The sky sure is white.

- Well, so long.

- So long.

Wish me a rainbow and wish me a star

All this you can give me

Wherever you are

And dreams for my pillow

And stars for my eyes

And a masquerade ball

Where our love wins first prize

Wish me red roses

And yellow balloons

Black sequins whirling

To gay dancing tunes

I want all these treasures

The most you can give

So wish me a rainbow

As long as I live

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