Original subtitles

Go on .. dare me.

Dare me.

Dare me to walk this rail right here.

Alright, I dare you.

You double-dare me?

I double, triple, skiffle dare you.

What is this, the best two out of three?

Okay .. okay.

Watch.

No Jim, no Jim.

Why do people always have to make such fools of themselves?

Well, they're having fun.

Besides, they're not hurting anyone.

You know, it's getting so it's no fun to go out on these boats anymore.

I love it .. it's so peaceful.

It can't be much fun for you, Amy.

A girl isn't meant to go on a trip like this with her sister and brother-in-law.

You ought to have a nice .. - Look.

I'll walk up and down.

And then maybe later.

I'll dance.

You fool, you'll fall overboard. Now ..

Don't go near him. Then he'll start talking and he will fall overboard.

Jimmy, come down.

Leave me alone.

You never want me to have any fun.

Jimmy. - Jim.

Jimmy.

Jimmy, get down. Get down!

Jimmy.

Jimmy, get down here.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

Be calm. Be calm everybody. This takes a cool head.

Be calm now, be calm.

Look, look. That young man is going in after him.

He'll get him alright, whoever he is.

Keep cool.

Keep cool.

Come here.

Come on .. hup .. hup ..

Don't pull me.

I got it.

Here, let me put this around you.

That was great.

Feeling alright?

Wait a minute. Let's hear what he has to say.

Isn't he wonderful? - How should I know?

Old man, it was a great rescue job you pulled off.

Elemental. Just a matter of keeping a cool head. That's all.

Weissmuller couldn't have done better.

Come now, when you speak of Weissmuller you're speaking of a great swimmer.

I'm sure if you had to name the two best swimmers in America ..

You'd have to include Weissmuller.

You'll bear me out, won't you Miss?

I think it was marvellous what you did. - No, no.

Just in a day's work really.

You know, I have discovered in this life you have to help those ..

Who are unable to help themselves.

But thank you very much just the same. - You're welcome.

Did anyone see the man fall off the rail?

I did. - Yes.

Just a minute, I'll have to take your names as witnesses, please.

Yours, Miss? - Amy Fisher.

Address?

The Fisher Realty Company. Douglas Mann in New York.

Newark. Thank you.

And yours, please? - Frank Hollings. 2033 Mutual Building.

I beg your pardon, could I have a light?

Certainly. - Thank you.

Interesting little gadget, this.

Isn't it. - Uhuh.

I think I'll put these lighters in all our dining cars.

A kind of an individual service.

Yes, it's getting pretty difficult these days to beat the bus competition.

To say nothing of the aeroplanes.

Believe me, they are not going to lick the Mid-Atlantic without a fight.

I was saying to J.B. only yesterday. - J.B.?

You mean J.B. Preston, the president?

Uhuh, the J. B. Preston the president.

Do you know Mr Preston?

I beg your pardon?

I say, do you know Mr Preston?

Do I know him?

He doesn't make a move without me.

Mind you, J.B. is a pretty smart old codger as far as that goes.

There's many of things on that railroad in the last few years ..

That J. Aubrey Piper could take a bow for it If he wanted to.

But yours-truly doesn't want to.

J. B. may be only a figurehead, but he's a good figurehead.

You have to hurry, John, if you want to make that phone call.

Hurry. And what does it get you?

Don't you see, my dear lady? That's the trouble with life.

You don't take any time to have any real pleasure, to really relax.

That's true, Mr Piper. I wonder if I might have my lighter back.

I gave it to you.

I beg your pardon. Here. - Thank you, Mister ..

'Piper', you said it was? - 'Piper' I said it was. 'Piper' it is.

Goodnight, old man.

Goodnight, sir.

How dare you tell my brother all that nonsense.

Well.

I didn't know he was your brother. Why didn't he tell me that?

Yes.

So, you are the power behind the throne, eh?

And I'm a figurehead, huh?

I didn't exactly say that, Mr Preston. I just said ..

I know what you said. Every word of it.

I don't know why I don't fire you right now.

Your office manager tells me you're the most demoralizing influence ..

He ever encountered.

How much do we pay you?

I'm glad you brought it up, Mr Preston. You pay me $32.50 a week.

I leave it to you whether a man of my ..

You are about the nerviest proposition that I have ever come in contact with.

If I did my duty I would fire you right now.

As it is, I'll be lenient.

Go on back to your work. - Yes, sir.

Now, Mr Preston.

Don't you think .. - Be quiet.

Nothing.

A fine way to encourage individuality I must say.

Going down.

Fourteen.

Believe me, the working men in this country will stand for so much. No more.

Look at the French Revolution. Look at ancient Rome.

Look at .. - 14th floor.

Piper .. come here.

Did you see Mr Preston?

Yes, I saw him. Believe me, I told him a thing or two.

Don't be surprised if there's a shake-up around here before long.

Before that shake-up happens.

Suppose you see if you can get out that statement to the National Warehouse.

Try to get it within ten thousand dollars of right.

If you can.

There's never any complaint against my work.

There'd be complaints against your work if there was work to complain against.

None of you fellows give me a chance.

I'm giving you your chance right now. Sit down and go to work.

How do you do?

Am I addressing the Fisher Realty Company?

Not exactly. This is my father's business.

But I'm taking care of the place right now.

He's out with some clients. Sunday is a very busy day.

Yes it is.

Your face is very familiar to me.

It sure is too lovely a face to forget. Haven't I met you somewhere?

Well, the .. the boat. - The boat?

The excursion boat that night ..

Oh .. that.

That was nothing.

It was wonderful. You were marvellous, what you did.

No. It was nothing at all. After all, somebody had to save the poor fellow.

I was just thinking.

I don't even know your name.

I did hear them say 'Weissmuller', But you're not?

No. My name is 'Piper'.

J. Aubrey Piper.

Piper?

My name is Amy. Amy Fisher.

Amy? A pretty name, isn't it?

A very pretty name for a very pretty girl.

Well.

Is there something I can do for you?

Yes, yes. I'm considering the purchase of a residence.

I thought I'd like to look over your list.

We have some wonderful new bungalows that just came in.

Bungalows? I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'm past the bungalow stage.

Well.

Now there's the Fleming place. That's quite large. You might like that.

The Fleming place? Who knows, I might like it.

Father took the car, so if you don't mind I'll just ..

No, no .. my car is right outside the door.

Now, if you show me where the places are we'll go and look at them. Can we go?

Yes, sure. I'll leave a note for father.

That's the spirit. Always leave a note for father.

You know, land is really the only investment these days.

That's what my father always says.

I can see your father and I are going to get along great.

I certainly hope so.

I'm sorry we couldn't find anything.

If you came in for a minute. I'm sure father is home.

Nothing I'd like more.

But the fact is I've an important business engagement downtown.

Awfully sorry. Thanks just the same.

Hello Joe. - Hello Amy.

Joe, I want you to meet Mr Piper.

This is my brother Joe - Aubrey. - How do you do?

Mister uh .. - Piper. J. Aubrey Piper.

Your sister has kindly conducted me around the neighboring mansions.

You are a realtor too, I take it? - No, Joe works for the city.

But he's working on an invention. - An invention?

Well, I used to be a bit of an inventor myself.

Inventing inventions. There's nothing like it, is there?

Especially for the inventor.

Yes, I guess that's right.

Well, I'm glad to have met you. - Thank you.

So long, Amy. - So long.

Sure you won't come in for a cup of tea?

There's nothing I'd like more. But business is business.

I'm sorry. Thank you very much for showing me around.

I was glad to.

You will surely come back on Sunday?

You have the word of a Piper, and a Piper never forgets.

Toodle-oo.

Hello mother. - Oh, it's you. Hello.

Did Pop get the note I left? - Yes. What was it, a rental?

No, he's a very important man.

A railroad official. He wants to buy a house.

Something like the Fleming place but bigger.

I didn't know they came any bigger than the Fleming place.

Did you show it to him? - Yes.

He has the loveliest smile.

Did he like it? - No. Not exactly.

We went in his car and he's got the nicest car I ever rode in. Big.

What about the Hollingsworth place?

I showed it to him but didn't have a key so we couldn't get in.

We had more fun.

We tried to get in via the kitchen window and couldn't open it.

Then we went around .. - I see.

Who is this miracle-man?

His name is 'Piper'. J. Aubrey Piper. He's coming out again next Sunday.

I uh ..

I'm going to get a list of new houses for him to look at.

I think your new green dress will be nice to show the houses in, don't you?

He's so nice, mother. - I hope so. If you like him.

But you mustn't judge on seeing him once.

You'd know what I mean if you'd seen him once.

Besides, I've seen him before. - Where?

Do you remember the excursion boat that night I was with Frank and Clara?

I told you about a man who jumped in to save another man from drowning?

He's the man. - The one that drowned?

No. The other man.

It was the other one that got drowned? - No, mother.

Anyway, he's coming out again.

I'm going to ask him to come in when he does.

I don't suppose he ever will.

I guess I'm just being silly.

He's much too important for us.

[ Car horn ]

Sorry to keep you waiting. We're busy preparing for the Auto Show tomorrow.

Any message for the chief, sir?

It's a nice little job.

But I'm afraid you have to tell him my girl doesn't like it.

Mr Roberts would be glad to demonstrate it for you again any time you say, sir.

Thank you very much. That's very nice of you. I will keep it in mind. Thanks.

You mean Piper is still coming here?

Sunday nights too, as well as Wednesdays.

It's like a steady thing.

Too steady for my taste, if you ask me.

Clara, you have never in your life heard anybody talk so much.

The 'Human Radio'. That's what your Pa calls him.

Maybe Amy doesn't look at him through Pop's eyes.

She doesn't know anything about him except he works for the Mid-Atlantic.

Him and his carnations.

I believe in my heart, Clara, that's what turned her head.

You often see things like that you know.

Any fool in the land can put a carnation in his coat or his hat over one eye.

And half a dozen sensible women will be dying about him.

I'll be that's him now.

They'll see you Ma.

No they won't .. that's him.

That's the third new car he's had in the last six weeks.

How do you suppose he keeps a car like that on his salary, Ma?

Demonstrations.

That's how he keeps a car like that on his salary.

He never has the same one more than three of four times in a row.

If they demonstrated suits and hats, he'd be the best-dressed man in America.

Your mother's home. I saw her in the window.

Yes, I saw her too.

I can feel my headache coming on already.

Why don't you go to bed, Ma? - What's the use?

He's got a voice you can hear in the next town.

I'll be right down, Aubrey.

Aubrey.

Try not to get into any arguments with mother. Please.

Count on me, Amy.

The soft answer that turneth away wrath.

Hello mother. Hello Clara. Back in a minute. Go right in, Aubrey.

Are the folk's home? Well, hello Clara.

Hello, Mrs Fisher. - Good evening.

'Good evening' you call it, Mrs Fisher. And good evening it is.

How's the little mother tonight?

I don't see Popsy. How is he? In fact, where is Popsy?

Mr Fisher has gone out. If you don't mind.

No, I don't mind at all.

Actually, I'm glad to see Popsy knows how to live.

A man has to go out now and then.

He can't stay in the same dull surroundings all the time.

People who live in glasshouses shouldn't talk about dull surroundings.

You mean me, huh? I get it Mrs Fisher, I get it.

Hello Aubrey.

Hello there, Joesy. How's the old inventing?

Everything invented alright?

Everything's alright. - Good.

Don't you go staying down in that cold cellar tonight, Joe.

I won't, Ma.

You be careful, Joe. Be careful. You can catch cold down there.

Great kid, Joe. Great kid. Gee, I almost forgot this.

There you are, Mrs Fisher. Sweets for the sweet.

For me? - For you alone.

I picked it out myself too. Chocolate bonbons, marshmallows and glac�s.

Thanks. - You are welcome.

To say that you're welcome, nay thrice welcome, would be putting it mildly.

Infinitely more blessed is he who gives than he who receives.

To bring a little happiness into a neighbor's heart.

To bring a smile where perhaps a tear has been.

That is the only true pleasure.

Don't you worry about me. There's no tears around here.

That's just a figure of speech, Mrs Fisher.

Come on, wherever English is spoken. You'll bear me out, won't you, Clara?

I wasn't long, was I, Aubrey?

How come you're not home tonight, Clara? - Frank had some business in town.

I came out to see Ma.

The old daughterly spirit Ah, touching, I call it.

When we want to know what you call it, we'll ask you.

Come on, Aubrey. I want to show you that book I was talking to you about.

By the way, mister Piper.

Try and remember our library is not just one large ashtray.

Ha. 'Not just one large ashtray'.

Score one for Mumsy.

Glad I saw you, Clara. - Thank you.

Now don't run away, Mumsy. I'll pop back shortly and we'll have a little chat.

Don't you bother about 'popping'. I'm alright as I am.

He called you 'Clara'.

I don't think he's seen you twice in his life, has he?

Just twice. But what does that matter?

I'm sure he means well.

It's a terrible thing, Amy, when people grow old.

Hard to believe they were once young and someone, no matter how foolish ..

Thought they were beautiful.

I'll give you three guesses who that clown thinks he's talking about.

That's your Pa, I guess.

Is that you, Pa? - Yeah, Ma.

Hello Pop. - Hello.

I guess I'll be going now you're back. - Where's Frank?

He had to have dinner downtown with some men, but he'll be home by now.

Live, laugh and be merry, Amy. There's more ways than one to skin a cat.

Who's that? Windy?

Who do you think it is?

There isn't but one voice like that in the whole world. You know that.

Yeah, I know.

Would it kill you when he dies laughing if he gets off one of his bum jokes.

Somebody's got to laugh.

Ah, that's the time I got you, Amy. Leave it to me to put it over the plate.

[ Laughter ]

He's got Amy laughing now too.

That radiator in our room is out of order again, Pop. I must get it fixed.

Get it fixed.

Goodnight Pop. - Goodnight.

Goodnight, Ma. - Night dear.

See you tomorrow.

Goodnight Aubrey, goodnight Amy. - Goodnight.

I'll just let it run for a minute and then it will be alright.

What's the matter?

Nothing. Aubrey just wants a drink of water.

I'd like to fix a drink for him sometime.

Hello Popsy-Wopsy. How are you Pop?

Now stay where you are folks. Don't move.

Just a little social attention. I'm going right out again on the next train.

There you are Mumsy-Wumsy.

Every woman's fancy, huh?

Right down to the little old carnation.

Ma. - Yes?

I have to have a double socket to keep two lights burning at once.

We have got one?

Yes. Over in the corner behind the settee.

Thanks. - Joe.

Why don't you stop for the night? You ought to get a rest now and then.

I'm not tired, Ma.

Now Joesy-boy, your dear Mama is right.

What do you know about it?

Joe, when you hear her speak you get words of wisdom direct from the well.

Let me tell you Mr Joesy-boy, you are wasting your time. When you're done ..

They'll offer twenty cents for it and sell it for twenty million dollars.

I know.

Because that's exactly what they did to little old yours-truly.

For a formula that solved the greatest problem in the industrial world today.

A formula to prevent the rusting of iron and steel.

A solution to be added to the metal in its molten state ..

Instead of applied externally as they have been doing.

What did you say, Aubrey?

I said ..

A simple combination of chemical elements to be added ..

To the metal in its molten state instead of applied externally ..

As they've been doing.

Did you get what you want, Joe?

Yeah, thanks.

Yes. You'll thank me for that advice someday, Joe.

I've been through the mill. I know. - Yeah, sure.

Amy.

Amy.

Third down and forty yards to go.

Come on, time out for water. You got a customer waiting here.

Gosh, a fellow must have a drink once in a while, ain't he Popsy-Wopsy old boy?

Let me alone, you. Keep your hands to yourself.

You're the worst pest I ever saw in my life.

Sign on the dotted line. No point in old Pop getting sore and walking out on us.

What do you know about that?

There she is herself. Not a moving picture.

Blushing as she gave it looking down.

At her feet so bare in her tattered gown.

What's wrong with her feet?

When it comes to slaughter you will do your work on water.

You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.

Here's to laughter, ladies. Here's to laughter.

Very nice .. very nice indeed.

A sweeter draught was never quaffed from a fairer hand.

Aubrey.

I'll change that someday, Mrs Fisher. Simplify the whole thing.

A woman does all the drudgery. And why?

Why should the fairer sex work their fingers to the bone? Why, I ask you?

You can't answer, can you? Know why? There is no answer.

Just negligence.

Amy look .. I was just telling your mother ..

I want to tell you what I told her.

Say Amy .. how uh ..

How do you think your mother's going to take it?

Well .. I don't know.

You see. - I know.

She's .. she's not as fond of me as she might be, is she?

It's not that she doesn't approve of you Aubrey, but ..

It's because I'm not serious enough.

I know .. I joke too much to suit a lot of people.

Sometimes, I just try to kid them you know, and they think I mean it.

You think I'm on the level don't you, Amy?

Aubrey.

I know .. sometimes I just say things in fun.

And I don't, you know ..

I mean, maybe I say things that ..

Aren't exactly true, but ..

But I want to tell you one thing that is true, Amy.

I want you to know it's true.

I love you, and you are the only girl in the world for me.

What's the matter mother? - It's 12 o'clock. Is what's the matter.

12 o'clock is late enough for decent people to go to bed.

Mother, don't you know Thomas Edison never retired until 4am?

You invent electric light and you can stay up all night for all I care.

Your Pa can't sleep. - It's alright, it's alright.

I was about to take my reluctant leave anyway.

I'll see you to the door, Aubrey. - Fine. Always free the parting guest.

Goodnight mother Fisher. - Goodnight.

Like the candy?

I didn't eat any of it.

Maybe you didn't eat any of it, but you sure practised.

Amy, I didn't know how hard it was going to be to lose you.

We're going to miss you, Amy. - Come now, mumsy-mumsy.

After all, you're not losing a daughter. You're just gaining a son.

How about that, Popsy-Wopsy? Am I on the nose or just in the money?

It's alright, mother. We'll be living in town.

You can see us anytime, Aubrey and I.

Come on Amy, we got to hurry up.

Come on, come on. Get moving.

Drive fast or we'll miss the boat. - What boat?

Secret of state. Can't tell you.

A man can't have his mother-in-law along on a honeymoon.

Don't you worry about me going along on your honeymoon.

Take care of her, Aubrey. - I will.

Goodbye, Amy. If it's raining where you go, don't forget to wear your rubbers.

Au revoir, farewell, so long, auf wiedersehen, arrivederci.

My blessings on you all, my good people.

Goodbye. Goodbye.

Will we miss him?

It's going to seem like we suddenly all want deaf.

Do you know where they're going, Ma? - No, I don't.

Hey, look.

Some travel folders.

They must have dropped from Aubrey's pocket.

Let me see it.

'Taj Mahal by the moonlight'.

Don't sound decent to me.

Here's another one.

'On the beach at Waikiki'.

'Underneath the Southern Cross'.

Going abroad.

You've certainly got to hand it to Aubrey.

He's no Piker.

Big crowd on the boat? - Packed.

That's fine. Fine.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Here, I'll take the pot.

Here we are. - Yeah.

Mrs Piper, what day is today? - An anniversary.

Correct, Mrs Piper.

What kind of an anniversary? - A wedding anniversary.

Whose wedding anniversary, Mrs Piper?

Ours, Aubrey.

Ours, Mr Piper. Yours and mine.

Correct again, Mrs Piper.

You'll be teaching the class yourself before the term is over.

Now, just one more little question.

What wedding anniversary?

The six month, four days and eleven hours wedding anniversary.

And four minutes.

But I won't hold that against you.

So, Professor Smithers.

On behalf of the graduating class.

We, the pupils of Central High School ..

Are very happy to present you with this tiny token of our esteem.

Aubrey .. it's cute. - Yeah.

I picked it out myself.

This is what you said you were going out to get cigarettes for last night?

I got the cigarettes too.

The shelf is getting pretty crowded.

We'll have to get another shelf.

Cute, isn't it? Huh?

Yeah, I tried to get you a cat with ..

That meows when you pull its tail. But they were out of them.

Ah, that's the trouble with the American retailer today.

He doesn't know how to buy.

All stocked up with a lot of stuff that people don't want.

Scared to death to really buy the things he could make a lot of dough on.

No vision.

Hello Clara. - Hello Ma.

You're late, Clara. - I'm sorry, Ma.

That's a nice coat you're wearing. New, isn't it?

Uhuh.

Your supper's getting cold and Pa's nearly starved.

Frank couldn't get away from his office until late.

I don't hold with a man making himself a slave to his office.

There's no reason why a body shouldn't be ready to have supper at six o'clock.

Hello Pa.

Hello Clare. Hello Frank. - Hello Pa.

What are you reading? - Just this.

I'll take your hat and coat, Frank.

No. Frank has to run along. He has an important meeting.

It seems to me Frank has always got an important meeting.

He has to see some men. This is really important.

It's a funny thing the way a married man, just as soon as it gets dark ..

Has to see some man and go to some lodge meeting.

I guess I'm not as bad as all that.

I'd like you cook for nine people and then have only four of them stay to eat.

What's the matter? Where's Aubrey and Amy?

I'll tell you where is Aubrey and Amy. At the Opera.

Listening to some foreigners holler. That's where they are.

That's right. I leant Amy my ermine coat.

Called up, big as life, Amy did, at five o'clock.

Said 'Aubrey's got two tickets to the Opera, so we're going to the Opera'.

The opera.

I never heard of anybody I knew ever going to the Opera. Did you Clara?

Yes .. Frank and I go sometimes.

That's different.

Frank can afford to buy tickets. But where Aubrey ever got the money ..

No, Ma. I really must be getting along.

I'll pick you up after the meeting? - No thanks.

I think I'll be going home early and Joe or Pa will take me with the car.

Alright. Goodnight Pa.

Goodnight, Ma. - Night, Frank.

Goodnight.

I must get the supper on the table. Come and help me, Clara.

What do you think of that clown Piper?

The Opera.

And him in debt up to his eyes.

Ma, you oughtn't always to be picking on Aubrey like that.

I don't care about Aubrey. It's Amy.

She's married to him. That's the trouble.

Amy doesn't mind it Ma, as long as it's Aubrey.

She's in love with him.

You're always talking about love. You give me a pain.

Don't you see she's in love with him? - How do I know whether she is or not?

I don't know anything about people when they're in love, except they act silly.

Most everybody I ever knew acted silly.

I'm sure she acted silly when she took him.

She might have taken worse, Ma.

He does his best. He works every day and he gives her his money.

Nobody ever heard of him looking at another woman.

But he's such a rattle-brain, Clara.

There are lots of things more difficult in a man to put up with than that, Ma.

But you can put up with anything.

If he loves you.

I never saw a married woman so full of love.

That's because I ..

I never knew of a butcher or grocer who takes love for spinach or lamb chops?

No Opera tickets either. The idea of that brass band.

The Opera.

Look, it's turning over. Amy, it's turning over.

Is that marvellous? I sure can't believe it.

It plays twelve records without stopping.

If you want to play the same record over again, just press the button.

You see?

[ Opera music ]

Remember that, Amy? Remember it from the Second Act?

Turn that thing off, Aubrey.

Turn it off? No, there's Bing Crosby on the other side.

Turn it off.

I want to talk to you.

Shoot.

While I was shopping this afternoon, I had to get some kitchen pots and pans.

At Charles Brown & Sons, they wouldn't let me have them.

Because we haven't paid for the bridge table and lamp we bought 3 months ago.

Gosh, that's right. I forgot.

Gee, I got to take care of that.

I thought you told me you won them in a raffle the boys in the office got up.

I did, didn't I?

You told me you wanted a bridge table and a bridge lamp.

I knew you'd not let me buy it as we had no money.

So I told you I won it in a raffle.

It was a good idea too. Gee, it brightens up the room.

You look so pretty there. With your book and everything.

But Aubrey, it wasn't right.

I didn't want a bridge table and lamp so badly ..

That I couldn't wait until we could afford them.

Amy. The whole thing don't amount to twenty bucks.

Twenty bucks.

You don't seem to realize that twenty bucks is two thirds of your salary.

I'm doing the best I can. I can't help it if I don't earn more.

I know, Aubrey.

But you don't seem to realize that ..

Do you want me to answer? - No, I'll go.

Hello .. yes.

This is Mrs Piper.

The Victrola?

It's very nice.

I'm sure there must be some mistake.

If Mr Piper said that, he wasn't in earnest.

Yes, Mr Jenkins. I understand that but it's absolutely impossible.

Please send for it first thing in the morning.

No, there's not a chance in the world.

Look. Look here.

'First, Satan galloped into the mists in black harness on a milk-white steed'.

'Death rode slowly behind on a ..' - Say.

I thought you said it was an old model that Jenkins was selling next week.

That he didn't have room for it in his store until then.

You see, I thought ..

You said you'd pay him $100 tomorrow morning as a deposit.

No, no. I didn't promise him that.

No. I just said, if you liked it. That is, I thought that ..

If we liked it, see. I thought maybe we could ..

Maybe we could what?

You know we haven't a hundred dollars. We haven't got a hundred cents.

It's not my fault if we have no money. I turn over every cent I make.

I know that, Aubrey.

I'm not picking on you, darling.

But .. well ..

Don't you see?

Amy.

Amy.

Aubrey.

If I could only make you see what a crime we're committing living this way.

Spending money we haven't got.

Every week we get deeper and deeper in debt.

It's not always going to be like that. You wait and see. Just wait and see.

My turn will come. You just let me get one break.

I know you're going to make good, Aubrey.

But why can't we wait until our turn comes, until you get your break.

Then we ..

[ Buzzer ]

I wonder who that could be.

Maybe it's Clara. She said she'd drop over tonight if Frank didn't come home.

Gosh, I hope it is Clara. You know, we don't see enough of Clara.

Good old Clara.

Mr Piper? - I'm Mr Piper.

J. Aubrey Piper?

You said it. J. Aubrey Piper.

Here, sir.

Thank you.

What is it Aubrey?

I don't know.

What is it?

Nothing at all. Just a little circular.

Let me see. - No, it's nothing. It's just a ..

Aubrey, they're attaching your salary.

They can't attach my salary. I'm a married man. They can only attach half.

Only half?

What is it, Aubrey? You knew this was coming.

They don't attach your salary until they try all ways to get their money.

It's just for a few little things I bought.

Maybe I said I paid less for them than I really did, but ..

Then of course, I had the florist's bill for all the flowers when we got married.

So, you didn't want to worry me.

Aubrey, you listen to me. - Ah, a speech.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me pleasure to introduce the little lady ..

Aubrey, that will do.

You didn't want to worry me. Now we've got to get by on half your salary for ..

For how long, Aubrey?

It's just a couple of hundred bucks.

That's about four months, roughly.

And we're head-over-heels in debt as it is.

This can't go on, Aubrey.

Listen, Amy. It won't be for long. I'll strike something big in no time.

Yes, and in the meantime we have to live on your salary.

It's only half of what we thought it was.

The first thing we've got to do, is to give up this apartment.

Well now, that's alright with me.

As a matter of fact, I've felt for a time the place is too small.

There's scarcely room to ..

We'll move to mother's house until we get straightened out.

Move to mother's?

Amy, you're joking.

I'm not joking.

I'll talk it with mother first thing in the morning and fix it up with her.

We can have my old room.

You're not going to get me to move into that dump.

I'm moving into that dump tomorrow, Aubrey.

I'm staying there until we've got solid ground beneath us again.

The first thing I'll do is get my old job back.

Amy, what are you talking about?

I'm not going to have my wife working for a living.

Gosh.

I guess I can take care of my family.

Of course you can, darling.

But.

Now you need a little help. And I'm going to help.

I won't do it.

I don't want to go to mother's tomorrow alone, Aubrey.

But I will if I have to.

There's no power in the world that can make me spend money I haven't got.

And you haven't got. It's dishonest.

If you want to keep on fooling yourself.

If you don't care people think you're a show-off with nothing to back it up.

I do care.

I'm through living that way.

Aubrey.

Amy.

Amy, can I come in?

Amy.

Amy, don't cry. Please don't, darling.

Please.

Aubrey.

It was terrible of me talking to you like that.

You know that? You see that. Don't you darling?

Sure I do, darling. I'll do anything you say. Honest.

And Aubrey, you'll see .. honest.

It won't be so hard. It won't take so long for us to get straightened out.

Then when we do, we'll be able to live on what you make and ..

Then what?

Well.

You try to remember.

You don't earn .. so very much, and ..

And you're not ..

Yeah .. yeah, I know.

I'm not the president of the railroad. Is that what you mean?

That I'm not the big-shot I try to make people think I am. Is that it?

You are a big-shot.

Not yet, of course. But .. - Listen, Amy. Listen.

I didn't give in at first because I was ashamed to, see. But ..

Well.

I don't want you to think I don't know you're right, because I do. Honest I do.

But it's all going to be different. - Is it really, Aubrey?

You can bet your life it is.

Yes sir. I'm going to get down to work.

No more going to the office late. Now, quarter of eight for me every morning.

I'll quit watching the clock too. To find out what time I can leave.

I'll make them promote me.

I'll quit talking big until I am big.

Yes sir.

You're going to be proud of me, Amy.

I'm so proud of you now, Aubrey.

We're not starting next week or next month.

We're going to start right now.

What was that for?

I suppose you think electric light don't cost money, huh?

Aubrey.

Morning Mr Edwards. - What time you got, Perry?

A quarter of eight. - Thank you.

Good morning, Piper. - Good morning.

You may be right, Amy.

It's got me so I don't know where I'm at, at all. Only ..

You'll see. You won't know Aubrey. You're going to love him.

The proof of the pudding, Amy.

You're going to be the proudest mother and mother-in-law in this town.

I hope so.

If it turns out the way you say Amy, it will be fine.

So, when he comes home tonight.

You'll try to be nice to him, won't you?

I promise from my heart, Amy.

Your Pa and I will do everything we can to make the two of you happy.

But if he ..

Now, there's going to be no more 'But if he's ..'

Aren't you going to lunch, Piper?

No Mr Edwards, it's a waste of time. Most people eat too much, anyway.

Piper. - Yes, sir?

Come here.

You'd better take those Barnabas papers up to the president's office.

Barnabas is coming in this afternoon to sign the contract.

All drawn up and checked. Ready to sign on the dotted line.

Everything is in order, Mr Edwards. - That's fine.

Say, Piper.

I always believed you had the right stuff in you.

I'm glad to see you made up your mind to take advantage of it.

I like your spirit .. keep it up.

Thanks.

18th floor. - Yes, sir.

A team that won't be beaten can't be beaten.

If you've the right stuff in you, it's bound to come out.

18th Floor.

I beg your pardon. - Yes?

I'm looking for the president's office. - Mr Preston? Fine. I go there myself.

You have an appointment with Mr Preston?

I sure have, but I don't know he's going to be so glad to see me.

I don't know that I want to do business his way.

Come now, come. After all, when you say his way you mean the Mid-Atlantic way.

There's nothing wrong with the Mid-Atlantic way to do business.

There hasn't been for sixty years. - I don't mean ..

When you cast a slur on Mid-Atlantic you cast a slur on Mr Preston personally.

And 18,000 loyal employees.

Now come, let's talk this thing over man-to-man.

We can step right in here. I'm sure I can show you that ..

You made some little mistake that colored your whole viewpoint.

My name is Piper. J. Aubrey Piper.

I'm sure I'll sort out your difficulty with the railroad.

Maybe you can. My name is Barnabas. Andrew Barnabas.

Barnabas? Mr Barnabas? I know all about you, Mr Barnabas.

It's about that land? - The land. Yes, it sure is.

Now, there's the situation in a nutshell.

You feel the railroad should buy 1,000 acres instead of the 100 it wants.

You feel that the 900 acres will be valueless when the 100 acres are gone.

But on the other hand, you must realize the railroad's position.

You see, all we really want is the 100 acres. Right?

Right.

Now, I'll make a little suggestion.

He came into the building alright and spoke to one of the starters.

I found the elevator man who carried him up. He started for this office alright.

Well, where is he?

You'll never regret it, Mr Barnabas.

I beg your pardon. Are you Mr Barnabas? - That's right.

Mr Preston is waiting for you. We wondered what became of you.

I guess Mr Preston will be glad of the delay when I tell him what it was about.

Eh, Mr Piper?

Goodbye, Mr Barnabas. I'll see you again sometime.

Aren't you going to ..? - No. I have other things to attend to.

I only came up to bring the contracts to Mr Preston for you to sign.

Will you see he gets these?

Goodbye again, Mr Barnabas. - Goodbye, Mr Piper. Goodbye sir.

Alright. Come on, come on. 14th floor.

14th floor.

Mr Edwards wants to see you. - Thanks, son.

Piper.

The president's office just telephoned.

Mr Preston wants to see you right away.

You haven't got yourself into a jam again, I hope.

No, sir. No more jams for J. Aubrey Piper.

Going up.

18th floor.

Let me tell you something young man.

There's a tide in the affairs of men ..

When taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.

18th floor.

Why, Mr Preston. It was nothing at all. Nothing at all, really.

Mr Preston, anybody would have done the same thing in my case. I mean ..

Almost anybody would have done the same thing.

Mr Preston.

One for all and all for one. That's my motto.

That's got it .. that's got it.

You can go right in, Mr Piper.

Ah ..

Do you know what you have done?

You have cost this railroad $30,000.

Mr Preston, I ..

How dare you butt into things that are none of your business.

What right have you?

I thought you'd be pleased.

Oh?

You thought I would be pleased, huh?

We have to buy 900 acres of land that is no good to anyone in the whole world.

And you thought we would be pleased?

You get your hat and coat and get out of here.

Mr Preston.

I hereby tender you my resignation from this railroad.

To take effect at your earliest convenience.

Mr Preston, I can see now this railroad isn't big enough for the two of us.

You know, you're not the kind of man I thought you were at all.

Know what I think you are, Mr Preston? And I choose my words very carefully.

I think you are an old fogey.

What?

Come in here, Smith.

Now then .. you get out of here.

Yes sir, an old fogey.

I repeat it in the presence of your hireling: I think you're an old fogey.

You can't see beyond the end of your nose.

Along comes a man like me trying to get you out of a rut.

What do you do? You denounce him, scream at him, send for your bouncer.

Smith.

See this man gets whatever is coming to him .. and leaves.

I've had as much patience with this situation as any man can expect to have.

I resign. - Get out of here.

Mr Preston, remember this. I bear you no ill-will personally. Really I don't.

You're nothing but a symbol. Just a symbol, that's all.

The old order, changing.

That's the way of the world, Mr Preston. The way of the world.

Good day to you, sir.

Think it over sir. When you've made a mistake, don't be afraid to admit it.

Remember this: 'To make errors is human'.

'But to forget about them is divine'.

Good day, sir.

I'm sorry Piper, really I am.

You don't have to feel sorry for me. Preston is the guy I'm sorry for.

There he stood before me, in all his nakedness, just like a hollow shell.

There it is. I thought I forgot my eraser.

I saw Jim Haggarty this morning. They're looking for people down at his place.

You know, the insurance firm.

Hammogher and Haggarty. 162 7th Avenue.

If you go down there you may land something.

Thanks.

Have them mail my check will you. - Alright.

What's the number again on 7th Avenue? - Here, I'll write it down for you.

I said to her right out, I said ..

'Amy, I want you to answer me one thing. Can the leopard change his spots'?

And she said:

'Maybe not a leopard. But I didn't know Aubrey'.

Give him a chance.

I'm going to give him a chance.

I promised Amy we'd be nice to him no matter what he said.

And he's sure to say something.

Now .. Ma.

No matter what he says or does, we've got to pretend not to notice it.

Good heavens, what happened to you?

Hello, hello.

It's beginning to rain outside.

Never mind the rain. It didn't do that to you.

Please don't get excited, dear little mother.

It was just a mistake by the traffic officer.

Don't tell me a traffic officer did that to you?

How are you tonight, Popsy?

Are you hurt? - Uhuh. It's nothing.

You look like a bandit.

The very-est trifle I assure you. Just a little scratch from the wind-shield.

What was it? Some car you borrowed?

Where is it?

If you must know, the police have got it.

Then you got arrested too?

I accompanied the officer to the Station House, yes.

And believe me, I told them a few things about the traffic in this city.

I guess they told you a few things too, didn't they?

Pardon me? - Never mind, you're welcome.

The potatoes.

Did they fine you, Aubrey?

They complied with the usual procedure in cases of this kind.

That is, they released the defendant.

On bail, pending the outcome of the victim's injuries.

Was there somebody injured?

Nobody but the traffic cop who ran into me.

Traffic cop?

Couldn't you find anybody but a traffic cop to run into?

Was he much hurt?

He was faking a broken arm when I left.

He ran into me right head-on.

Was he in a car too?

No, he was jaywalking.

Jaywalking? - Yeah.

Tried to beat me to the kerb after giving me the right-of-way.

Believe me, I told him a thing or two on the way to the hospital.

The hospital?

How much bail did they put you under, Aubrey?

$1,000.

Who did you get to go a $1,000 bail for you?

You know. Please, dear little mother, don't get excited.

I managed to keep the whole affair right within the family.

What do you mean?

Your other son-in-law was kind enough to come forward.

Frank? How did he happen to get into it?

Well, he was fortunate enough to witness the whole affair.

See, Frank was just coming from his business and ..

He happened to be on the trolley-car that ran into me.

Aubrey.

Aubrey, what happened?

Well, well. The old kid herself.

What happened, Aubrey? - Amy.

What happened to your head?

Nothing, darling. Take it easy. Nothing at all.

Are you hurt? - No, no.

Just some scratches from the windshield. That's all.

Just a little shake-up.

He nearly killed a traffic officer and ran smack into a trolley-car.

That's how little of a shake-up it was.

You didn't, Aubrey, did you?

Of course not, Amy. You know better than that. Your mother's raving.

The man's in hospital. That's how much I'm raving.

Is your head hurting, darling?

No, darling. Honestly, just some little scratches. That's all.

Come on, let me bathe it for you. - Amy.

Come on Aubrey. - Now listen.

Sit over there, Aubrey.

Where is it, Aubrey? - It's right up here.

It's just a little scratch, now Amy.

Aubrey.

It's alright, for heaven's sake. - It looks sore.

You fuss over a little thing like that.

I'll just sponge it off a little, Aubrey.

Where did you get the car, Aubrey?

It was one of those foreign cars. I was going along minding my own business.

Aubrey, where did you get the car?

I had it out on a demonstration.

Aubrey.

They won't do anything to you, will they?

Ah. No, no. They might try to take away my license.

You haven't got a license, have you?

No.

What time did all this happen?

It was around 4 o'clock.

4 o'clock?

Why weren't you at the office?

At the ..?

See, I meant to tell you, Amy.

I resigned today.

You what?

Yeah, I quit. Believe me, before I quit ..

Yes, I know. Before you quit, you told them a couple of things, huh Aubrey?

Yes.

Amy.

Amy.

You were fired, weren't you Aubrey?

I guess they were displeased, Amy. But I resigned.

What happened? You talked yourself into something, didn't you?

What was it?

I thought I was doing something to help them, Amy.

Honest, I tried my best. - It doesn't make any difference.

I'm not going on living with you, Aubrey.

What?

I honestly believe maybe it's my fault.

Maybe, if not for me you could make something of yourself.

Now, Amy. How could anything like ..

Maybe not. I don't know.

All I do know is, we can't go on this way.

If I live with you another day this way.

I'll lose all my respect for you.

You mean, you want to leave me?

I mean. I want you to be a man, Aubrey.

And you're not.

Until you are, I won't live with you.

Are you on the level with this?

I'm on the level, Aubrey.

Amy, I know. But I can change, Amy.

I will change. I don't know what made me do it.

But Amy, I'll never .. - It's too late Aubrey.

You've done something to me.

I don't know what it is.

But everything has changed.

You mean you don't love me? - I don't know, Aubrey.

All I do know is, that feeling the way I do about you now ..

I can't go on living with you.

Then it's all over, huh?

Uhuh.

You think maybe I'd better go .. now?

I think so, Aubrey.

Hello Amy.

Hello Aubrey.

Hello, Mrs Fisher.

I was just packing. - Yes.

I came to get the rest of my things too.

I thought you were staying here, Aubrey.

The rent is paid for this week. - Yeah, I thought so too. But ..

But I just can't stay here.

Come on, Amy.

Amy ..

Joe.

Hello Aubrey. - Hello.

You are up early. - Yeah, yeah.

How's everything at the house, Joe?

Alright I guess. - Good.

How is Amy?

Fine.

How does she sleep?

Alright, I guess.

Did your mother remember the pillows? - What pillows?

She can't sleep unless she's got two, you know.

How does she look? - Fine.

Good.

Not pale or anything, huh?

No.

Did she eat her breakfast alright?

Yes.

Orange juice and oatmeal? One egg in 3 minutes? Coffee?

Say, Joe. Was she wearing her wedding ring?

To tell the truth Aubrey, I didn't notice.

She didn't say anything, did she Joe? About anything? About me I mean.

She said she didn't want anybody to talk about you and her.

Yeah, I guess she hates me, huh?

I wouldn't blame her if she did, but ..

I wish I could help Aubrey.

Say, if a little dough would help you .. - No thanks, Joe.

What are you going to do, Aubrey? - I'll try to get a job.

That's the spirit.

Here's my car.

Good luck to you. - Thanks, Joe, thanks.

Hold it. That's enough.

That's all for today. No more men will be taken on until further notice.

Aubrey?

I thought it was you.

How have you been, Aubrey? - Alright, alright. How is ..?

Everything okay, Joe? - Yeah.

Yeah, I know it's not much. But I'm working anyway.

You'll get a break one day, Aubrey. - Sure.

How's the invention, Joe? - Great.

I think I'm going to put it over. Look.

I got this yesterday.

From the best firm of lawyers in town. 'Weitzenkorn, Kelly & Lebarsky'.

They're offering me $5,000 outright for the whole works.

I'm seeing them about it this afternoon at 2:30.

You mean, you'll take it? - Of course I'll take it.

But Joe, you must be crazy.

$5,000 for an invention that may be worth millions?

They can't do that to you Joe.

Easy, Aubrey. Easy.

Yeah, you're right. There I go again.

But Joe. No kidding. You shouldn't let them do that to you.

$5,000?

$5,000 is a lot of money, Aubrey.

If I get it, I can put in my time on a lot of things I've had on my mind.

You know, Aubrey. If a little money would tide you over ..

No. No thanks very much Joe. No, I'll work this out some way myself.

You can give me a cigarette though.

Sure.

Keep the pack, Aubrey.

So long. - So long.

Very odd that Mr Fisher never mentioned your name in any of our conversations.

He was acting under my instructions. Never let the enemy know your strength.

I see. And so?

So, Mr Weitzenkorn, there it is. Take it or leave it.

You've been offering buttons for the greatest invention of the century.

$5,000? You must be kidding.

It is nearly blasphemous to mention $5,000 in connection with the invention.

Indeed?

It was our impression that $5,000 was a very liberal sum to pay.

For an untried process that may prove worthless.

Why should you worry if it has value or not? I'll guarantee it has value.

That ought to be enough for anybody.

Now look here, I'm not the kind of man who's going to beat around the bush.

Unless you're prepared to pay Mr Fisher $100,000 against 50% of the profits ..

We'll just have to consider some other offers.

Let me get this right.

$100,000 against 50% of the net profit?

You got it right. $100,000 down against 50% of the net profit.

Signed on the dotted line.

Mr Piper, I bid you good-day.

But I thought ..

Absolutely useless to prolong this discussion any further.

You don't want to talk about it at all?

Exactly what I mean. Our interest in Mr Fisher's invention is at an end.

He has nobody to thank for it but you. Good day, Mr Piper.

Good-day.

[ Doorbell ]

Amy. - Yes, mother?

Answer the bell.

Alright.

Aubrey.

Amy.

Come in.

Thanks.

What's happened to you, Aubrey? - I'm alright.

Where's Joe? - You don't look well.

I'm fine.

Where is Joe, Amy?

Joe?

I must see him about something. Where is he? Do you know?

At work I guess.

He isn't. I called his office and he's not there. Won't be back all afternoon.

Maybe he's gone to see about his invention.

They're going to give him $5,000 for it today you know.

Yeah, I know.

That was what it was about.

Amy, there is something I've got to tell you.

Come on in, Aubrey.

Sit down.

Ma .. ma.

Here I am. What's the matter? - I've got something to tell you.

I wonder what's the matter with him.

Amy, I'm the lowest thing in the world. Even lower than that.

What is the matter, Aubrey?

Well.

You know the $5,000 they were going to give Joe for the invention?

Yes.

They won't give him the $5,000. They're not going to give him anything.

It's my fault.

What have you got to do with it?

Well.

I got to thinking about the thing today, see.

I thought maybe you'd ..

That is, I thought maybe you and I ..

Well.

Anyway, I figured out Amy.

If I could help Joe out a little.

Maybe it would make me look a little better.

Or that maybe you would ..

You see what I mean, don't you, Amy?

Go on, Aubrey.

Well .. I went to see his lawyers.

I told them that I was ..

That Joe wouldn't even think about $5,000.

That he had to have $100,000 down and 50% of the profits or the deal was off.

What did they say?

They said the deal was off.

I don't know what's the matter with me.

I don't seem able to put my hands on anything without making a mess of it.

But I'm going to quit making a mess of you and your family. I tell you that.

Where are you going, Aubrey? - I don't know.

I'm going away from here. I know that.

I want you to forget all about me, Amy.

I want you to forget I ever made you cry or that I hurt your feelings.

But Aubrey, after all it wasn't your fault ..

You meant it for the best.

Sure. I always mean it for the best.

But it just never works out. That's all.

If getting down on my knees to ask you to forgive me would help, I would do it.

Honest I would. In a minute. But that won't do any good.

I'm just all wrong.

Don't take it so hard, Aubrey. - It's alright.

I'm not going to be a burden to you any longer.

Goodbye.

Amy .. Amy.

He's found out about it. He'll kill me.

I hope he does.

Amy .. oh, hello Aubrey. - Yes, Joe?

Wait until I tell you what's happened. - What's happened to what?

Aubrey, you said I was getting cheated if I took $5,000 for that invention.

Mr Weitzenkorn called me an hour ago.

You remember my telling you about Mr Weitzenkorn?

Some such name as that, yes.

He asked me to meet him at the McAlpine.

He didn't want to see me in his office. - That's funny.

If you think that's funny, wait until I tell you what happened.

He said his people had been thinking things over and had new deal for me:

$50,000 down and 20% of the profits.

He had a check for $50,000 cash, certified, right there with him.

Joe.

He said I had to take it or leave it .. right there.

He said that was their final offer.

I had to make up my mind then and there without contacting my manager.

What did you do? - What did I do? I took it.

Joesy, I think you could have done better.

Aubrey.

You know, part of this dough is really yours.

Remember that time you told me you were working on an invention to prevent rust?

To be applied to the molten metal internally?

Did I tell you that? - You sure did.

You were forgetting what I told you two weeks before about my invention.

Only you got it mixed up and said 'internally' instead of 'externally'.

The way I was going about it.

It was you getting it mixed up like that, that put me on the right track.

Yes. Now you mention it, I remember having an idea or two on that subject.

Can you imagine that? Mr Weitzenkorn not wanting me to talk with my manager.

I haven't even got a manager.

Yes you have, Joesy-boy. Yes you have.

I'm your manager.

No, Aubrey. I think I can handle this myself.

There you are. The confidence of youth. How I envy you, Joesy.

If you really want to know the truth, Joesy.

I saw Mr Weitzenkorn this afternoon and believe me, I told him a thing or two.

You didn't?

Yes he did, Joe. He was just telling me about it.

I see it. You must have.

Aubrey, I hand it to you.

That's nothing, Joesy-boy. Nothing at all.

I just told him I was the head of the family.

What?

That I was the head of the family.

And if he wanted to do business with you he must talk to me first.

I told him I certainly wasn't going to let him take advantage of your youth.

Didn't you get arrested? - Who, me?

Ma .. Aubrey did it all.

He's the manager Mr Weitzenkorn was talking about.

Aubrey got them to raise the price.

Well I never.

Aubrey, you're wonderful. Isn't he, mother?

I guess so.

I just can't understand it, that's all.

Now Mumsy-Wumsy don't let it worry you. Don't let it worry you for a minute.

You let the little old Jersey kid take care of everything.

He'll see you through.

Say, you got a cigarette? - Sure, Aubrey.

What you been doing, Aubrey? - Nothing much. Nothing much, really.

Just been sort-of waiting around for one or two things to kind-of gel.

By the way, is there mail for me? Anything from the other place?

There's some bills, Aubrey.

There's something from the railway company, but just a circular I think.

Never mind the bills, just give me the letter from the Railroad Company.

What do you figure on doing, Aubrey? - I don't know. I really don't know.

Have a look around. See what develops. I may take a small flier on the markets.

I think the industrials are a little lower than they should be.

You think so, Aubrey? - Yeah.

Maybe if you didn't mind, you and I .. - Sure, Joe. You bet.

We'll talk that over another time.

Here you are, Aubrey. - Thanks, thanks.

What do you know about that?

About what, Aubrey?

A letter from J. B. Preston. J.B. himself.

Are they going to prosecute you? - Prosecute?

Wait until you hear this.

'My dear Mr Piper'.

'It's evident to me now'.

'That at your birth a special god was detailed to watch over you'.

'Thus you will be interested but I dare say not surprised ..'

'To learn the 900 acres of land ..'

'You so stupidly and ignorantly bought for the company ..'

'Have been discovered to be the only 900 acres of land in that county ..'

'Fit for intensive tobacco cultivation'.

'That the state has decided to so heavily subsidize'.

'We could if we wish sell the land today for five times what we paid for it'.

'And as you phrased it, dear Mr Piper, what this railroad needs is vision'.

That's just the first paragraph.

You mean, there's more?

Plenty.

'It scarcely seems likely that we could tempt you with any job short of my own'.

'But begging your indulgence'.

'I am extremely anxious to keep that job for a few more years myself'.

'If however, any lesser position should tempt you'.

'I inform you we will be willing to kill the fatted calf upon notice from you'.

That is the second paragraph.

'You will never know how hard it was for me to write this letter'.

'Trusting that someday, in a moment of weakness, you'll tell me your secret'.

'I beg to remain sincerely yours .. J.B. Preston'.

Then he's got 'J.B.' in parenthesis.

I'm going right out to telephone Pa.

Aubrey. It's too wonderful.

That's nothing. Nothing. I knew old J.B. would come around in time.

Just a question of time.

After all, he's too big a man not to give in when he knows he's licked.

The idea of a crazy man like that running a railroad.

Let me see that.

I can't believe it. - There it is, in black and white.

Mrs Piper, do you know what I want you to do tomorrow, huh?

I want you to go out and buy every suit, coat and hat there is in Newark.

Yes, sir.

It's time for the prettiest girl in town to have the clothes she should have.

With all that money it's a sure thing ..

Aubrey will be going from one room to another in a Rolls Royce.

Darling, while you're at it, look around for a little house for us to live in.

Aubrey, I thought we could stay with mother until you ..

Awfully nice of your mother but I doubt we need bother her anymore.

You know Preston lives on Long Island. They say it's nice out there.

Very nice. Maybe you can find a place for us there?

That is, I don't mean too little. Enough ground to ..

Where maybe I can play a little tennis.

Aubrey.

Maybe we'll let the tennis go for a while, huh?

All I can say is, heaven help me from now on.

Aubrey, I think you're wonderful. - That's nothing.

This is just the start.

You know I wouldn't be at all surprised if, with Preston's help ..

Within ten years we'll probably control every railroad in the country.

To say nothing of Europe, Asia and Africa.

You can't tell what will happen.

Just as long as you love me.

For ever and ever and ever. Without Europe, Asia and Africa.

Just with you.

..w-g..