You Were Never Lovelier Page #5

- I'm sure she's not. Good night, girls.

When Mama was away once,

Maria ran the house herself.

- Papa said the bills were cut in half.

- And what meals we had!

- Maria majored in domestic science.

- She did?

Everyone remarks on what

a perfect wife she'll make.

I agree. Absolute...

If I could just have my hat.

- Oh, of course.

- You must forgive the girls...

...they're just anxious for Maria

to get married so they can be married.

- Well, thank you very much...

- They don't need to worry any longer.

- I'd say Maria's falling in love.

- We'd miss her if she left.

We'd be willing to make the sacrifice

for her happiness.

Thanks. It's been so nice.

- Leaving so soon, Mr. Davis?

- Yes.

But I hate to.

- Good night.

- Good night.

- Thanks a lot.

- Oh, you're very welcome.

Will you three stop interfering

with Maria's life?

Will you leave that to me?

- Oh, Maria!

- Oh, Maria!

- Isn't he just wonderful?

- How'd you make out?

The first time in my life I ever

really wanted a man to kiss me...

...and he had something else to do.

But the next time,

it's going to be different.

Eduardo, did you hear that?

- Hi, Fernie.

- Oh, no. Over my dead body.

- I'm not going to get fired again today.

- Must you clutter up the doorway?

- You betrayed me last night.

- Me? How?

By deliberately concealing

your true and obnoxious nature...

...and making yourself be charming.

- I did not.

Maybe there is insanity

in the female branch of the family.

They've conceived

a misguided affection for you.

- They think I'm in love with Maria.

- The mention of love between you...

...makes my flesh creep.

How you can be the father of such

a lovely girl absolutely amazes me.

- I resent that remark.

- I resent how you butt into her life.

But you have absolutely

no right to resent anything.

Mr. Acuna, I've arranged to fly back

to New York by the next plane.

- You've what?

- You can tear up that contract.

- I've decided to beat it.

- Oh, you have? Just like that?

Yes, sir, I'm going to dump

your entire asinine predicament...

...right back into your lap.

Oh, I see. You want them to think

that I forced you to leave.

Isn't that exactly what you're doing?

You want Maria to think you're a

martyr, sacrificed on the altar of love.

That idiotic statement didn't come

from your wife's side of the family.

Mr. Davis, you signed

a binding contract with me.

You'll stay here,

or I'll file an injunction.

- Yesterday, you wanted...

- That was before...

...your hideous display of charm

last night. Now I have a new plan.

You will live up to your contract

in the Sky Room...

...but you will keep away from Maria.

- Is that supposed to be brilliant?

That will let her know that you

merely used her to get the contract.

Naturally, then, she will loathe you.

That's just dandy. Then what?

Then, to show you how little

you've meant to her...

...she will immediately fall in love

with a more acceptable young man.

One of many whom I will invite

to my home in the immediate future.

- You think she'll fall in love quickly?

- Mr. Davis...

...I have an instinct about emotional

responses of the feminine heart.

Don't you think

I ought to explain to Maria that...?

No.

- Why, I thought perhaps...

- No.

Our mutual aim

is that she loathe you, isn't it?

I guess so.

- I was just thinking...

- No.

You do the dancing,

I'll do the thinking.

Fernando, in making out the guest list

for the wedding anniversary ball...

... I wanna include the most

outstanding and charming men...

... who have ever been guests

in my home.

Yes, sir.

Wait a minute!

I thought I discharged you yesterday!

Mrs. Acuna told me to forgive

your display of temper, so I have.

I forgive you, Mr. Acuna.

Oh, thank you very much.

Not at all, sir.

I'll prepare the list.

"Mr. And Mrs. Acuna request

the pleasure of your company...

...at the 25th anniversary

of their wedding.

Fancy dress."

I can't believe

it's been 25 years, Delfina.

That's because

you aren't married to Eduardo.

I might have been

if you hadn't seen him first.

- Where's Maria?

- Tennis lesson.

But her mind isn't on the ball.

She's still trying to figure out why

Mr. Davis didn't kiss her, I guess.

- Oh, hello, Fernando.

- Good afternoon, Lita...

...Mrs. Acuna, Castro, Cecy.

Mr. Acuna sent me with his approved

list of young men he wishes invited.

- Oh, swell!

- Let me see.

I don't see Mr. Davis' name here,

Fernando. Mr. Robert Davis.

It seems that Mr. Robert Davis

is not on Mr. Acuna's approved list.

He's the only one on my list.

- Hello, Aunt Maria.

- Hello.

- Fernando.

- Hello.

Do you know why Papa

left Mr. Davis off the list?

He said something about Mr. Davis

devoting himself to the Sky Room...

...from now, henceforth.

- Thank you, Fernando.

You know, we're expecting you

at the celebration.

Thank you, Mrs. Acuna.

You honour me. Sweet.

- Bye.

- Goodbye, Fernando.

I'd be interested in meeting

your Robert Davis, Maria.

Well, I haven't a thing to do

right now.

How nice. Neither have I.

A little faster, Cugie, please.

Once more.

One, two.

Hold it.

Well, hello.

- Does your father know you're here?

- No, why should he?

- Mrs. Castro, may I present...

- Why, I remember you.

- So you're Maria's Robert.

- Yes... Well, I don't know. Am I?

Won't you come in and sit down?

We are special emissaries

from Mr. And Mrs. Acuna.

We're asking the pleasure of your

company on Wednesday evening.

- Thank you.

- At 9 p.m., but...

...you can come earlier if you like.

Are you sure Mr. Acuna

wants me to come?

Oh, he'd be devastated if you didn't.

And so would I.

You were coming back

in half an hour, weren't you, Auntie?

Oh, yes, in a half an hour. Goodbye.

Won't you sit down?

Well, this is a pleasant surprise.

We were just running over

a little thing from Harlem.

But I don't suppose

you've heard of Harlem here.

Isn't that where the zoot suit

with the reet pleat comes from?

Yeah.

- I'd like to hear it. May I?

- Certainly.

Oh, Cugie, let's have it.

Are you sure he's coming?

Does Papa know?

Do you think he'll propose tonight?

Well, if he doesn't,

it won't be my fault.

Maria!

My, isn't Papa handsome?

Just think, Papa, you've been

married longer than we've lived.

Well, I consider that a very fortunate

coincidence, my dear.

Maria.

It just occurred to me

that I neglected to ask Mr. Davis...

...to come to the house tonight.

That doesn't bother you, does it?

- Should it, Papa?

- It's just, I thought it unforgivable...

...that he didn't call on you

after starting his contract with me.

He hasn't sent

any more orchids, has he?

- No more notes?

- Nope.

- You don't seem upset about it.

- I'm not.

Well, that's fine.

There'll be some handsome

young men tonight.

I want you to have a happy time.

I expect this to be

the happiest night of my life.

That's a good girl. I knew you'd let Mr.

Davis know exactly where he stands.

Yes, Papa,

that's just what I intend to do.

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