You Were Never Lovelier Page #4

- You do not start dancing.

- Didn't you come to see about...?

- One of my daughters.

The one you so gallantly referred to

as the "inside of a refrigerator."

But I'm afraid I don't follow you.

She thinks you're in love with her.

Would it be rude of me to inquire

if there's any insanity in your family?

And what's worse, she has the

illusion that she's in love with you.

- Oh, my. Poor child.

- It's not her fault. It's yours.

- I still don't follow you.

- You took her the orchids, didn't you?

Why, I left some orchids

at your door, yes.

But what's that got to do with the

idea I'm in love with your daughter?

She's been receiving orchids and

love notes from an unknown admirer.

- Then she thinks I'm the fellow?

- So you've stirred her imagination.

I don't want to stir her imagination.

I didn't write any notes.

Don't you think I know that?

I wrote those notes myself.

- You? Then there is insanity.

- No, there isn't.

All you've got to do is to

let her think you wrote those notes.

- I see. Then what?

- Then disillusion her.

- Tell her I didn't send the flowers?

- Of course not.

Her pride would be crushed. She's got

to believe that you admire her...

...and yet for her own happiness, she's

got to lose her infatuation for you.

That's easy. Just tell her I'm a heel.

I want her to discover that

for herself.

Yeah? How?

By being your own obnoxious self

when you come to my house tonight.

Oh, I'm coming to your house tonight?

To complete the disillusionment...

...you'll tell her you're sailing

for North America tomorrow.

But I'm not. I like it here.

I'll pay your transportation

and a bonus as well.

Thanks just the same, Mr. Acuna.

My only interest at the moment

is in your Sky Room.

If you do this for me, I'll give you a

contract to dance, at some future date.

Will you put that in writing

and leave the date open?

- Yes.

- Okay.

- What time shall I show up?

- At 9:
00.

And don't stay too late.

- Something in my eye.

- A keyhole, no doubt.

- Until tonight at 9.

- And I won't stay too late.

Look what we found.

Is this your Robert Davis?

That's the one.

He brought the orchids.

He's "The Idol of New York."

I like his smile...

...and the twinkle in his eye.

- Remember Mama's advice:

Don't frighten him

with your intelligence.

- Just act simple and mysterious.

- I know, make an entrance.

Be casual, as though

I didn't know he was coming.

That's right. Come on, Cecy.

Eduardo.

- Do I look all right?

- You're as beautiful as ever, my dear.

It just takes longer now.

Ouch!

Oh, I forgot. I had a pin in my mouth.

Did it go in very deep?

I'll probably look like

a Ubangi by midnight.

Hurry, it's 9:
00.

If you giggle again, I'm going to

throw cold water in your face.

You think Mr. Davis wants to marry

into a family of gigglers?

Maria won't marry this young man.

She's not going to like him.

He has absolutely no good qualities.

That's not for you to decide.

I read in a book that a salmon swims

miles and miles to find a mate...

...and Maria has swum long enough.

Maria is going to wait

until the right man comes along.

Why should she? I didn't.

Oh, it's Mr. Davis. He can't meet us

scattered around the hall.

- Hurry, Mama.

- Come on.

- Good evening, Mr. Acuna.

- Mr. Davis.

- Did you receive the contract?

- Yes, sir.

Then I can depend on you?

Don't worry, she'll be disillusioned.

Maria, may I present

Mr. Robert Davis.

- We've met before, haven't we?

- Yes. No.

That is... In a way, but...

We will translate

that remarkable statement...

...after you've met

the rest of the family.

This is Mrs. Acuna.

My daughters Cecy and Lita.

Mr. Robert Davis.

He can't stay long.

Sit down, Mr. Davis.

I accidentally read

one of your beautiful notes to Maria.

It's a shame that such a talented

young man is unemployed, Eduardo.

Oh, but didn't Mr. Acuna tell you?

I'm to dance in his Sky Room

starting tomorrow night.

- Isn't that so, Mr. Acuna?

- The date was left open.

- But you meant tomorrow, didn't you?

- Oh, of course he did.

And you're going to love

working for Papa. Isn't he?

Oh, I'm sure I will.

Oh, I almost forgot.

These are for you.

There's no note this time, because...

I'd rather you'd say

what you might have written anyway.

- Do you mind if I smoke?

- Oh, of course not.

No, thank you.

Have I said something wrong?

He thinks it's real.

I had it made

into a cigarette lighter, Mr. Davis.

Oh, I see.

For a moment, it looked real.

Oh, I guess it's killed

many a man in its day...

...but it's only an antique now.

But you wouldn't mind

pointing it that way a little bit?

- Of course not, but it's harmless.

- Oh, I'm sure it is.

Do you mind?

I could stand a little air.

There's lots of it in the garden.

Remember?

- What if I'd killed him?

- Never mind him.

What about the vase?

Oh, now he'll never get back

into a romantic mood.

Maybe some music would

quiet his nerves. Come on.

After my notes, I must be

an awful disappointment to you.

Oh, on the contrary.

I like modest men.

Well, I don't know exactly

how to tell you, but...

I like bashfulness too.

Your city is so cosmopolitan, and this

shack of yours is so magnificent...

...frankly, I feel like

a duck out of water.

I think you'd fit in anyplace.

But I mean, I wouldn't fit into

this kind of life, your kind of life.

I don't like it much either.

But you don't know my kind of life.

- It's music and dancing, isn't it?

- Yes.

Well, we love your North American

music and dances down here.

Oh, but imagine a man like me

having to dance for a living.

I can't imagine a happier way

to earn one.

There's a great weakness

in my character.

- I'm a sucker for a horserace.

- They thrill me too.

I'd probably bet my last cent on

a horse. As a matter of fact, I did.

I have a gambler's heart myself.

You know...

...I think that's why

your notes intrigued me so.

Look, little lady,

as they'd say in Brooklyn:

"I can't bat in your league." I'm a plain,

ordinary guy from Omaha, Nebraska.

Just an old-fashioned,

everyday Middle Westerner.

Why, my grandfather

was a cattle raiser.

So was mine!

But you're streamlined. You're today.

Sister, I was raised amongst the

grasshoppers. I am strictly from corn.

It's getting late, Mr. Davis.

- It's your play, Eduardo.

- Well, I don't want that card.

Rummy.

Am I the first girl you never kissed?

I knew a fellow once who came

to a lull like this with a girl and...

Yes?

He didn't know what to say.

I heard of a man once

who was in love with a girl...

...and afraid to say so.

Cugat. I promised to meet him.

I almost forgot. You'll forgive me

if I go, won't you?

- Of course.

- I'm awfully sorry. I promised to see...

Good night.

- Why, he's leaving.

- Good.

Mr. Davis.

- Doesn't Maria dance beautifully?

- Yes.

You should've seen her

dressing for you.

No dress was good enough,

even though she has dozens.

- Not that she's extravagant, Mr. Davis.

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