All language subtitles for Mildred.Pierce.S01E01

(DOOR CLOSES)

Well, don't think
there's much else I
can do around here.

Might take a little
walk down the street.

You going to be
home for supper?

Sure.

But if I'm not home by
six, don't wait for me.
I may be tied up.

I want
to know.

Told you if I'm
not home by six…

Well that doesn't do me any
good. Mrs. Whitley's paying
three dollars for this cake

and if you're going to be home
I'll spend part of that money
on lamb chops for your supper.

If not, I'll buy something
the girls will like better.

Then count
me out.

That's all I
wanted to know.

I fixed up
those trees.

Cut the grass.
Looks pretty
nice out there.

You going to
water the grass?

I did water it. Gave
it a good wetting down.

Most people, when they water
the grass, wait till later,
when the sun's not so hot,

and it'll do some good,
and not be a waste of good
water that somebody else

has to pay for.

You see any work I can
do that I don't do?

So you get
done early.

Come on, Mildred, what
are you getting at?

(SIGHS)

She's waiting for
you, so go on.

Who's waiting
for me?
Ugh.

I think
you know.

If you're talking about
Maggie Biederhof, I haven't
seen her for a week,

and she never did mean
a thing to me except
somebody to play rummy with

when I had nothing
else to do.

Which is practically all
the time, if you ask me.

I wasn't
asking you!

So what do you
do with her?

Play rummy for a while,
then unbutton that red
dress she's always wearing

without any brassiere
under it, and then
flop her on the bed?

And then play rummy
some more and then flop
her on the bed again?

Gee, that must be swell.
I can't think of anything
nicer than that!

How'd you like
to go to hell!

MILDRED: Ever since
you met that woman…
Useless, do you hear me?

BERT: Oh for
cryin' out loud…

MILDRED: Then tell…
Then tell me I'm wrong.
Tell me that's not

precisely where
you're going!

BERT:
Suppose I am?

MILDRED: Then you might
as well go pack your
bags and leave for good,

because if you
go out that door,
I swear to God, Bert,

I'm not letting
you back inside.

BERT: Keep on, Mildred.
Keep right on.

'Cause one of these days,
you don't watch out,
I'm calling you!

MILDRED: You're
not calling me.
I'm calling you!

You go over there today Bert,
and that's the last you see
of this place, so help me God.

BERT: I go where I
goddamn please!

Then pack up!

Fine! If that's
what you want? Okay!

(CRASH)

(DOOR SLAMS)

(NEIGHBORS
CHATTING)

Mildred!

Oh hey, honey.

He took
the car.

Who, you
mean Bert?

Yes, Bert.
He's gone.

What do
you mean?

Just now.
He just left.

He just walked
out on you?
Just like that?

Maybe he got
a little help.

What?

For that floppy-looking
frump? What did he say?

How can he even
look at that woman?

Oh, what's the
use of talking?

If she likes him,
all right then,
she's got him.

That wasn't even
the reason.

And I did pester
him, but I just can't
take things lying down.

I don't care how bad things
are. If she can, then fine,

because that's just
the way he's built.

I've got my own ideas
and I just can't change
them for somebody else.

So what are
you gonna do?

You just joined the
biggest army on earth.

You're the great
American institution that
never gets mentioned

on the Fourth of July…
A "grass widow,"

with two small children
to raise on your own.
That dirty bastard.

Oh, Bert's
all right.

He's all right, but he's
a dirty bastard. They're
all dirty bastards.

We're not
so perfect.

Yeah, well, we wouldn't
pull what they pull.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(WHISPERS)
Not right now.

I almost forgot,
I fricasseed some
chicken for supper,

but Ike's got a call
in Long Beach, so
I'm going with him.

I thought it
might spoil.
Thank you.

(SIGHS) Mildred, I don't
know how you do it.

What?

That cake.
(HORN HONKING)

It's beautiful!

(LAUGHS)

MILDRED:
Hello, dear.

Hello,
Mother.

How was
practice?

Hmm, pas
extraordinaire.

That is, if Chopin's
Grand Valse Brilliante
doesn't give me palsy.

Where's
your sister?

Outside.

Now what
did I say?

RAY: Mommy!

Oh. Uh, the, the
Grand Valse…

Valse Brilliante.

Really, Mother.

And who, pray
tell, is 'Bob'?

Here. I had
extra batter.

Oh, Mother,
it's darling!

Bob Whitley.

Oh, of course.
The paper boy.

Ray! Time
to come in!

RAY: Mommy,
guess what?

He'll be a paper boy without a
birthday cake if I don't find
some way to get it over there.

Maybe your grandfather
wouldn't mind taking me.

Why can't we
use our car?

Your father's out with it,
and he, he may be late.

Oh! What time is it?
Richard Crooks is back
on the Voice of Firestone.

He's doing a medley
of the The Student Prince.
RAY: Mommy!

You still
have time.

Mommy, guess what?
Mommy, look! I fixed my
skates all by myself,

and I added string,
and now they're not
too small anymore!

Ray, dear, please be
careful around the cake.

(LAUGHS)

Ray!

I'm just
pretending.

Look Mommy,
guess who I am!

♪ Swaa-neee!
How I love ya, my
dear old swanee…

Ray, please!

♪ The folks up north
will see me no more…

Sit down.

♪ When I get to
that swanee shore ♪

(LAUGHING)

Look. I made you
a special treat.

RAY: In class, Miss Pinkins
said my caterpillar was
the most beautiful.

(CHUCKLES)

Mother, where's
Father?

(WOMAN SINGING
ON RADIO)

He had to
go somewhere.

Now please, dear,
come sit down and…

Then where are
his clothes?

He's gone away.

Where to?

I don't know.

Is he coming back?

No. No.

But why? Why is
he gone away?

I can't explain
it all this instant.

Someday you girls
will understand.

What's important
to know is there's
nothing to worry about.

But,

Daddy's

gone?

Oh! Oh, it's
all right, dear.

Hey.

I just wanted to know why
his clothes were gone.

Oh, darling,
don't worry.

You know, you know
your father thinks
the world of you girls.

But he, he didn't want
to say goodbye because

he, he didn't want to
upset you or worry you.

But it's not his fault.
It's no one's fault. It's
simply due to things that,

that happen.
All right?

Hmm?

If you mean
Mrs. Biederhof, Mother,

I quite agree. I think she's
distinctly middle class.

(LAUGHS)

Oh, Veda.

Oh.

My darling.

What would I do
without you girls? Hmm?

My beautiful, lovely,
lovely girls.

Aw, cut
the mush!

(ALL LAUGHING)

(SIGHS)

Great American
institution.

WOMAN: Given your age,
I'm afraid it's going to be
rather difficult to place you.

MAN: I worked a counter,
I can stock goods,

MAN: Whatever they
need, ma'am.
WOMAN: I'm terribly sorry,

MAN: I can do it!
WOMAN: but I have a room
full of people to get to.

WOMAN: If you'll
excuse me.

(DOOR OPENS
AND CLOSES)

MAN: Never mind
about all them years
behind a register.

Doesn't mean a damn thing!
Why, I've been working
since I was six years old.

Six years old!

At the Abba-Zabba
factory!

MAN: If that don't account
for any darn skill…
WOMAN: Mrs. Pierce?

(DOOR SLAMS)

Receptionist, eh?

Sorry, dearie.

Just so happens, at the
moment, receptionists are out.

Out?

That was then.

In those good old
days, when even a
hockshop had to stick

this receptionist thing
out there in front to
show it had class.

WOMAN: Mr. O'Donnell?

Well…

WOMAN: Charles
O'Donnell, please?

certainly there are
other things I can do.

I'm an
excellent cook.

I sell my own
pies and cakes,

I wrote down receptionist,
but that's not all I can do.

Sure it is.

Or you would have
written it on the card.

I go by the cards.

Stenographers,
secretaries,

laboratory
assistants,

nurses,
chemists.

I mean, some of these
girls have PhDs. ScDs.

Bookkeepers,
salespeople.

All laid off.

Sitting by their phones,
hoping and praying I'll call.

I won't call.

What I'm trying
to tell you is,

you haven't
got a chance.

BUTCHER: Okay, let me get
that wrapped up for you.

BUTCHER: Here you
go. All right. Anything
else I can get for you?

BUTCHER: Would you
like that on the blue
side, or…very good.

CASHIER: Next, please.

BUTCHER: Oh hi, ma'am,
what can I get for you?

MR. PIERCE: All right,
off to the beach.

(CHUCKLING)

I want to get you
that inner tube, too.

There's Mother!

Mommy, Mommy, can we
go over to Grandpa
and Grandma's house

for dinner
and sleepover?

Can we, Mommy?
Please?

We thought it'd be
nice for the girls,

what with everything
you've got on your plate.

I just bought
groceries.

Please, Mommy,
say yes.

Veda already packed up
a case for the weekend.

Well, of course
you can, dear.

There.

Thank you mommy,
thank you!

Don't worry, Mother.
I brought her slippers
and her little bear.

So long as you girls
are sure to help out.

And look after
your sister.

All aboard!
Naturally, Mother.

You sure Bert didn't
put you up to this?

Bert?

The girls were
all alone.

Well, have a wonderful
time, you two. And mind
your grandparents!

TOGETHER:
We will.

Bye.
Bye, Mother.

Bye, darlings.

I can't wait to
go swimming!

(HORN HONKS)

Bye!

(HORN HONKS)

MAN IN CAR:
Simmer down.

(CAR PULLING UP)

(CAR IDLING)

(SIGHS)

(CAR DOOR SLAMS)

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS)

(SNIFFS)

(KNOCKING)

(SIGHS)

Well, that
was fast.

Hello, Mildred.
Is Bert around?

Wally. Uh…

No. Not right
now he isn't.

Do you know
where he went?

I don't.

All right.
Well, um,

we had a little trouble over
at Pierce Homes over a title.

Thought maybe he
could help out.

Ask him to drop
over, will you?

Is it…would
there be a fee?

We could probably
cook up something.

Ah.

Wally, come in,
will you?

If it's important, Wally,
it might be better you
look Bert up yourself.

He's, he's not
living here, anymore.

What?

He went away.

Where?

I don't know.
I didn't ask.

But I'm sure old Mr. Pierce
might know, or perhaps

Maggie Biederhof. At
least how to reach him.

Well.

When did all
this happen?

Just a few
days ago.

So you're saying you're
busted up for good?

Well,

yes, as far
as I know.

Well, that's a
hell of a note.

So what have you been
doing with yourself?

Oh, I keep
myself busy.

You don't
look busy.

The girls are away
with their grandparents
and I have the day off.

You know, I wouldn't
ask too much to take
it off with you.

Never did mind being
around you, Mildred.

Oh!

Well…

You certainly kept
it to yourself.

Me, I'm
conscientious.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

But say. What are you
doing tomorrow night?

Well?

LUCY:
Wally Burgan?

(LAUGHING) Yes,
Wally Burgan.

(LAUGHING)

Since when was Wally
Burgan interested in you?

I don't think
he ever was.

But the second he
heard Bert was gone,

(LAUGHING) well it
was almost funny the
effect it had on him.

Yeah, I forgot to
mention that.

The morals they
give you credit for,
you'd be surprised.

To him, you were
a red-hot mama the
second he found out.

Found out what?

Grass widow!

From now on,
honey, you're fast.

Are you serious?
I am.

And they are.

So how'd you leave
it for tomorrow?

Well, he's picking
me up at seven,

and taking me
out somewhere.

All right. See, there's
mistake number one.

First thing, I wouldn't let
that cluck buy your dinner.

No, I would sit him right
down and give him one of
those Mildred Pierce specials,

just like…
What?

Me work when he's
willing to take me out?
As an investment, baby!

Now shut up and
let me talk.

Why do you suppose
he wants to take
you out someplace?

To show
respect?

To prove his high regard
for you? Malarkey! They
take us out for one reason,

and one reason
only. To get a drink.

Them.

And, baby, right there
is where I come in.

Come with me.

(STUTTERING)
What? Now?

Now this stuff, the
gin and the Scotch,
is right off the boat,

but it's legit, wherever Ike
got it from. And it's A-1.

Now the other stuff,
the wine, is from right
here in California

but it's okay booze,
so lean on it.

That's the
trick, baby.

You handle the wine
right and the high-priced
stuff will last and last.

Now, what are
you serving?

Who says I'm
serving anything?

Baby, baby. You
go out with him,

and he buys you dinner,
and you get a little tight,

and you come home
and something happens…

Don't worry.
Nothing'll happen.

Of course something'll
happen, eventually.

And when it
happens, it's sin.

It's sin because you're
a grass widow and fast

and he's all paid up
because he bought you dinner.

That makes
it square.

But if you bought his
dinner, and cooked it
for him the way you do,

and just happened to look
cute in that little apron,

and something just
happened to happen,

well that's
just nature.

Old Mother Nature, baby,
and we all know she's no bum.

And Wally's not paid
up. Not even close.

Anyway, last I heard
you were up against it.

Play your cards right, and
within a month he'll be taking
you shoppin' for a divorce!

So, you really think
I want to be kept?

Yes.

MILDRED: My goodness!
It's really coming down!

WALLY: You
ready to go?

You mean in this?

Well, it's what we
said, isn't it?

It's just so awful out!
Why don't I fix you
something here tonight

and we can go out
some other time…

Hey, hey, hey, I'm
taking you out.

Holy smokes. I got
no idea, Mildred.

Oh!

I thought the
hired girl did
all the cooking.

Oh! Goodness.
A hired girl.

Not me. Plate's
a little hot.

Oh!

Mildred, that
was something.

The pie!

Well, that's another thing you
might have noticed, all the
times you've been over here.

I don't know how much of
a bartender I am, but I'm
an awfully good cook.

And the gin!

I haven't had real gin
since God knows when.

All they serve in
these speaks is smoke,

and a guy's taking his life
in his hands, to boot.

Well, I'm glad
you enjoyed it.

(SIGHS)

I feel a chill.

As soon as the
cook gets these
dishes out of sight,

she's going to put
on a warmer dress.

You need
any help?

I could see giving those
apron strings a pull.

You do and I might
just put it on you,
make you do the dishes.

(CHUCKLES)

I thought you
might need a
little help.

I don't
need help.

And I didn't ask you
to come in here.

Jesus…

Gosh, I'm
sorry, Mildred.

I just come in to pull
on those apron strings,
you know, as a gag.

You know I wouldn't pull
any cheap tricks on you.

Oh!

Mmm.

Yeah. Oh!

There.

(GRUNTS)

Wait a sec.

(GRUNTS)
Over here.

Oh. Oh!

(LAUGHING)

Don't move. Don't
move! Don't move.

(MOANS)

Oh.

Oh!

Mmm.

(GRUNTING)

(TOILET FLUSHING)

Penny?

Uh…

Nothing, really.

Just thinking
about Bert.

Bert?

What's there to
think about him?

Bert's a good friend.
A goddamn good friend.

Well, that's rich.

Not to me,
it's not.

A good friend.

But not so goddamn good that
you wouldn't block him out
of a job he was entitled to,

then go around playing
politics so you can
get it for yourself.

It was Bert who started
Pierce Homes, you may recall.

Bert owned farmland. The
developers came knocking.
He got lucky, that's all.

Anyway, it's no good cussing,
Mildred, coming from you.

Well, double-crossing's
no good, coming from anybody.

I don't
like that.

(SIGHS)

I don't care whether
you like it or not.

They needed
a lawyer.

After you talked
to them they did!

Oh yes, at least a dozen
people came to Bert,

and warned him what you were
doing and begged him to go
down and put his claim in,

but he wouldn't do it.

He didn't think
it was proper.

Till he found out
what was proper, and
what a pal you were.

That's… Mildred,
I swear to you,
I give you my word!

What's that
worth, exactly?

Why don't you tell
the truth, Wally?

You've gotten what you
came for, haven't you?
A drink, a dinner,

some things I'd
prefer not to mention.

And now you want
to duck, so you start
talking about Bert.

Funny how you didn't
talk about Bert when
you came in here,

wanting to pull those
apron strings. You
remember them, don't you?

I didn't hear
you saying no.

No, I was a sap! And you're
just like all the rest!

(SIGHS)

I'm sorry, Wally.

No, hell, it's
all right.

I've been a little
upset lately.

Who wouldn't be?

(GARBAGE CAN CLANGING)

Say, doll! How'd
it go last night?

Well,

I'm on the town.

Yeah? How's
it feel?

Fast.

(CHUCKLING)

BUS DRIVER: Figueroa and
Sixth. Watch your step.

MAN: There will be some
dames coming up from the
notice I posted downstairs.

ELEVATOR OPERATOR:
Eighth floor. Tea room.

WAITRESS: More
tea? Certainly.

(DISHES CLINKING)

(PATRONS CHATTING)

Thank you.

MAN: You here
for the job?

No, I was…

No.

ELEVATOR OPERATOR:
Going down.

RADIO ANNOUNCER: And coming up
next on the KFI music hour is

ANNOUNCER: Johann Strauss'
Fruhlingsstimmen Walzer.
Mrs. Whitley?

It's Mildred Pierce.

MRS. WHITLEY:
Mrs. Pierce. Did you not
receive the check we posted?

No, nothing
like that.

I just hadn't heard and was
wondering if you wanted

your usual order
for next week or…

Uh, no, Mrs. Pierce,
I'm afraid not.
I can do it! I can do it!

We've had a very busy month
or I would have phoned.

Okay.
Oh. No, certainly.

But I'll be sure and let
you know next time around.

You know where
to find me.

All right.

VEDA: Ray, please.

Thank you.

Good bye.

Bye now.

Shoot.

What is it,
Mother?

Nothing, dear.
Everything's fine.

Mother, I wish you
wouldn't worry so.

I just know everything's
going to work itself
out, I know it will.

Remember?

"Do your duty and a little
more and the future will
take care of itself."

Aw, cut the mush.

(PHONE RINGING)

Now what? Veda, finish
up then help your sister
gather her school things.

It's quarter
past.

Yes, Mother.
Hello?

WOMAN ON PHONE:
Mrs. Pierce?
Come on, Ray.

Yes?
We need to
finish up.

Mrs. Pierce, it's
Mrs. Turner calling.

I don't know if
you remember…
Mrs. Turner!

(CLEARS THROAT)

Yes. You left your
card with me.

Of course I remember. From
the employment agency…

Well, something
just came up.

It did?

If you had a moment to
stop by sometime today…
(GRUNTS) Of course,

certainly.

I'll be there
as soon as… I will.

Thank you,
Mrs. Turner.

All right.
Thank you.

You see?

Yes.

Now, hurry up and
finish, you two.

You're going to be
late for school!

MRS. TURNER: The agency
doesn't normally
handle domestic help,

so this one's strictly
off the books.

I was over in Beverly
the other night,

and I got talking to
this lady that's going
to marry this director.

He doesn't know it
yet, but his house is
in for a big shake-up.

So, she needs
a housekeeper.

And on account of all that
fine domestic efficiency
you were telling me about,

I told her
about you.

Oh!

Well, I hardly
know what to say.

You see I recently came
across a similar job, as…

A waitress, and…

And you turned
it down?

(STAMMERING)
Well, I couldn't,

I just can't
go home,

and face my children knowing
their mother works
all day at taking tips,

and wearing
a uniform,

and mopping
up crumbs.

But you can face them
just fine when there's
nothing left to eat?

That will never be
the case, Mrs. Turner.

I'd…

I'm extremely grateful that
you thought of me, though
I can't see why you did.

And certainly I'll
go over there, as
a courtesy to you.

What have I got
to do with it?

You either you want
it or you don't.

Listen. I've got my own
little business, sure.

But if that went bust and
I had to choose between
my belly and my pride,

I'm telling you right
now, I'm picking my
belly every time.

You want to know why
I recommended you?

Sure, you've got a head
on your shoulders and
a good physique.

But you let half your life
slip by without anything
but sleeping, cooking,

and setting
the table,

and lo and behold, that's
all you're good for.

So get
over it.

Housekeeper?

Yes, I was
sent by…

Back door.

Mrs. Forrester will
be with you shortly.

How do you do?
I'm Mrs. Forrester.

How do you do?

(OPENS LETTER)

It's customary, Mildred,
for the servant to sit on
the Mistress' invitation,

not on her own
initiative.

It's perfectly
all right,

but on little things,
especially with an
inexperienced woman,

I find it well to
begin at the beginning.

Do sit down.

We've many things
to talk about,

and it'll make me
quite uncomfortable to
have you standing there.

This is
all right.

Mildred,

I invited you
to sit down.

Now.

As the employment agency
people no doubt informed you,

Mr. Lenhardt and I are
to be married next month,

and I am determined to
bring this mausoleum of
his into the 20th century.

And I shall need a highly
capable person to take
charge of the plans.

Now.

Private quarters are above
the garage, around back,

and your daughters
are welcome to come
and live with you there.

I, myself, have
two children from
my previous marriage,

though, of course,
fraternization
between the children

would not
be permitted.

I don't foresee a problem,
though, seeing as you'd have
your own entrance on the lane

and, whatever the case,
any such concerns can
certainly be taken care of.

I don't think I'm quite
the person that you want
here, Mrs. Forrester.

I beg your pardon?

I don't think I'm quite
the person for the job.

If you'll
excuse me.

The mistress terminates
the interview, Mildred.

Mrs. Pierce, if
you don't mind.

And I'm
terminating it.

Harris will
show you out.

I'll find
my way.

(SOBS)

NEWSBOY: Nine have been
arrested for attacking white
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Get your Times here
for five cents!

Riot feared in
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Nine have been arrested
for attacking white girls!

Read all about it!

Get your Times here!
Only a nickel!

Extra! Extra! Read
all about it!

Riot feared in Scottsboro,
Alabama! Nine arrested for
attacking white girls!

(DISHES CLINKING)

(PATRONS CHATTING)

(BELL RINGS)

I'll just get a ham
sandwich with lettuce,
a glass of milk,

and please, just
as soon as…

Coming right up.

(PANTING)

Here you go.

Thank you.

MAN 1: What I hear is
we're coming out of it.
Things are turning around.

Next year, we'll be back
where we were. Wheels of
industry rolling again.

MAN 2: I don't know
what newspapers
you're reading, pal.

The Times,
The Chronicle.

All the editorial
pages say the same…

Check the crime
blotter. That's where
the real news is.

Well, they say next
year at the latest.

Word on the street
says different.

WOMAN: I don't see
the big fuss.

Oh, you didn't
care for it?

Well, it's no Flesh
and the Devil, anyway.

I just think she's
heaven on screen. I
could watch her sleep.

Oh, Garbo
snores!

(BOTH LAUGHING)

WAITRESS: The usual? I hear
the soup's good today.

Yeah.

WAITRESS:
Hold on…

You!

You dirty little crook!
I caught you red-handed!
Ow!

I caught you
right in the act!
Ow!

WAITRESS 2: I didn't
do anything!

I caught her! She's been doing
it right along, she's been
stealing tips off my tables!

She stole 10 cents off
table 18, right after
that lady sat down,

and just now she
stole 15 off a 40-cent
tip right under my nose,

and I seen
her do it!

IDA: All right! Quiet
down, both of you!

We got no
time for this!

Ida, what the hell
you got out here?

Anna says she caught
Doris is stealin' my tips!

Doris glommin' tips.
I just seen her steal
off of table 14!

That's it. Both of
you, you're fired!

What? I didn't do nothin'!
What? Mr. Chris!

Oh, no? You turn my
place into boxing ring!

That's it!
You are out!

No! That's
so unfair!

I don't need this kind of
treatment. The nerve!

MR. CHRIS: Ladies and
gentlemen, I apologize
for such commotion, okay?

Please…

And then? We got, we got
two waitresses gone, we
got a whole lunch trade,

what do
you expect?

(WAITRESSES
SHOUTING)

IDA: Mr. Chris, we don't
have time for this.

MR. CHRIS: I, I'm
trying to keep…

IDA: Girls! Please!
You're not helping us!

MR. CHRIS:
Get out.

IDA:
Get out!

MR. CHRIS: Somebody
get out now.

IDA: Anna's a good waitress,
you just can't let her go.

Me? I got my
hands full.

I'm telling you,
Mr. Chris, this is
not the way to waitress.

Who are you gonna put on now?
You've got to put somebody on!
It's a mess out there!

Yes, because
everybody is here
ignoring their tables!

I'm telling you, Mr. Chris,
this is a lunch train. You
gum up the tracks, you lose.

What's
this?

Oh, you mean to
tell me she's here
to take over for me?

Oh, no! Nothing
doing!

Who is
she?

No way does Anna
get the boot for some
ankle off the street.

If it wasn't for Anna,
we'd all be gettin'
our tips nicked.

Wait a minute,
wait a minute!

You. You here
to work?

Well,

yes, if
you…

That's it, I'm
quits! No way am I
staying with her!

How can you drag in some dame
off the street just 'cause
Anna had the guts to…

(ALL ARGUING)

(LOUD BANGING)

Okay, okay, cut
the hoo-ha!

Anna and the
new girl stay.

Now go, go,
go! Go!

ANNA: Thank
you very much.
Go, go.

Follow me.
Go.

MR. CHRIS: Go!

WAITRESS: Liver and
onions, thank you gentlemen.

Study that while
I find you something.
Prices specially.

What size
you wear?

Ten.

You ever work
in a restaurant?

No.

WAITRESS 1: Is that your
chicken or my chicken?

WAITRESS 2:
That's my chicken.

Your uniform comes
off the first check.

Three ninety-five, and
you keep it laundered.

The pay is 25 cents an hour,
and you keep your own tips.

And what's your
name, miss?

Ida.
Yours?

Mildred Pierce.

I'm giving you a light
station, see? Tables
one through six.

That's so's you don't
get no fours. Singles
and two's are easier.

WOMAN: Miss? Hello?

Now, all them that's just
come in, you take them, I'll
cover the others. Come on.

CASHIER: Now you show,
after two stiffs, one
goose cursing at me non-stop

and two fours about
to torch the place!

So here you mark
your number.
You're number nine.

Here you mark the number of
the table, and here the number
of customers on the check,

and down here,
everything they order.

Now, you got to account
for every check, see?

If you make a mistake,
it's deducted, and you
got to pay for it. Got it?

Got it.

Go.

WOMAN 1: Here she
comes, we'll see.

I don't think
there's even any
time, I have no idea.

(HUFFS)

Can I help you?

Well, we're not
sure we're having
anything at all.

What kind of place
is this, anyway,

letting people sit around
and not even asking them
if they minded waiting?

Well, it's been a…
Little trouble earlier,

but if you could just be
patient for a moment,

I'll see that you're
served at once.

The roast chicken is
awfully good today.

Well then. I'll
have the 67-cent
lunch with chicken.

I'll do
the same.

But see to it that
there's no gravy on mine
in any way, shape or form.

I hate
brown gravy.

Yes, Miss.
I'll remember.

WOMAN 2: I bet you
ten dollars she puts
brown gravy on mine.

IDA: The train was
derailed, boys, but
we're chugging again.

Two roast chicken.
One without gravy.

"Hold" one gravy. "Hold" it.
You gotta call it right!

You can't work nowhere
without you're in
good with the chef.

You gotta call it
right for him.

Never "without,"
always "hold."

Yes, Miss.

Hold!

Pick up your starters.
Pick up your starters!

IDA: Have they
got water?

Uh, not yet.

Oh, for crying
out loud.

Okay, get
in there.

Well,

can I have
a tray?

Get the soup!
The soup!

IDA: She's
new. Very new.

(GIGGLES)

Good work,
January.

(LAUGHS)

IDA: Pick up
something.

Don't never make a trip,
in or out, without
something in your hand.

Grab that!

One moment.

Mildred.

You're short
35 cents
on table five.

What?

Personally, Mildred,
I don't think you're
suited for it.

And Mr. Chris was
not a bit impressed.

But the chef thinks you'll do,
so we're giving you a trial.

Well, please thank Archie
for me and tell him I hope
I won't disappoint him.

(LAUGHING)

Your hours are 11:00 in
the morning, 10:30 if
you want breakfast,

to 3:00 in
the afternoon.

We don't do a big dinner
trade, but most girls are
on call twice a week,

five to nine, same
wages as daytime.

And we're
closed Sundays.

You'll need
white shoes.

Ask for nurses' regulation
at any of the stores, $2.95.

What's the matter, Mildred?
You don't want the job?

I'm a little
tired, is all.

I don't wonder,
the way you trot.

Hold still, Ray!
I can't do it if
you keep squirming!

'Cause it's
hurting!

Mrs. Gessler, do you
know the name of Catherine
Earnshaw's immortal beloved

in Emily Bronte's
Wuthering Heights?

I can't say
I do, Veda.

It's quite
famous.

Will you girls be
all right while I
speak to Mrs. Gessler?

BOTH:
Yes, Mother.

Now hold still.

He phoned around 9:00,
saying he had a hurry call
that might keep him out.

Didn't see him till
10:00 this morning.

Sure, all in his line of
business, but just the same.

Lucy, can I borrow $3?

More, if you want.

No. Thanks.

I just need a
few things.

I've taken
a job.

A job? What
kind of job?

Just a job.

Then I hope for your
sake you picked a $5
house and not a two.

(WHISPERING)
I'm a waitress.

In a hash house.

Sort of rhymes up
the same way.

Just about.

That's funny. And I know
it's none of my business,

but all that time you
were answering those ads,

trying to get hired on as a
saleswoman, receptionist,
whatever it was,

I kept wondering to
myself why you didn't
try something like this.

Why?

Suppose you did get
a job as a saleswoman?

Who's buying
any goods?

You'd be standing around
some store all day,

just waiting for the
chance to make a living
and never making it.

People eat,
though.

Even now.

It might sound funny,
but, at selling, I'd say
you weren't the type,

but at this, I
don't know why…

Mildred.
Oh, no!

(VOMITING)

Oh, honey, just let it
come. Let it come.

(GASPING)

(RUNNING
FAUCET)

I can't do
it, Lucy!

I just can't!

(TOILET FLUSHING)

Do what?

Wear a uniform.

Take their tips. Face
those awful people.

They call me names!
One of them, one of
them grabbed me…

Put his hand clear
up, clear up…

What do they
pay you?

25 cents an hour.

And tips
extra?

Mmm-hmm.

Baby, you're nuts.

Those tips will bring in a
couple of dollars a day,

and before you know it, you'll
be making fifteen, twenty
dollars a week, at least.

More money than you've seen
since Pierce Homes blew up.

You've got to do
it, for your own sake.

Nobody pays attention to
that uniform stuff anymore.

I bet you look cute
in that uniform.

(SIGHS)

And besides, people have
to do what they can…

No, Lucy, stop!
I'll go mad!

I'll…that's what,
that's what everyone's
been telling me,

the employment people,
everybody, that, that
all I'm good for

is waiting tables and
putting on a uniform.

And maybe
they're right.

Because maybe what they're
trying to tell you is what
I'm trying to tell you.

You're in
a spot.

You're starving
to death, baby.

(SIGHS)

Don't you suppose my
heart's been heavy for you?

Don't you know I'd have
brought a roast beef in here,
or a ham, whatever I had,

every night
of the week,

except that I knew
you'd hate me for it?

Oh honey, you've just
got to take this job.

I know it.

I can't.

(SNIFFS)

But I've
got to.

Then if you've got to, you've
got to, so quit bawling.

Hmm?

Lucy, promise me
one thing. Promise
you won't tell a soul.

Hell, I won't
even tell Ike.

I don't care about Ike,
or any of these people,
what they think.

It's on account of the
children. The chance
of them finding out.

I just,

I just can't have them
knowing anything about
it. Veda in particular.

Veda, if you ask me,
has some funny ideas.

You don't understand
her, Lucy.

No, she has something
in her that,

that I thought
I had.

And now find
I don't.

(SNIFFS)

Pride, or
nobility,

or whatever it is.

That pride, I wouldn't give
a snap of my finger for it.
But you're right about her.

Veda wouldn't do it herself,
but she's willing to let
you do it and eat the cake.

That's what I want,
for both of them.

(SIGHS)

Not just
bread.

All the cake
in the world.