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I'd like to see Mr Dwight Saxon.

Saxon?

Shooting "I Wanted Wings" on Stage 5.

What's your name?

Iscovescu, but I don't think he remembers me.

- You haven't got an appointment? - No.

- Listen, Mr Saxon is shooting. - It's very important.

I can't call him on the set. Write a letter or try another time. Next!

Are the ladies and gentlemen from the Seattle Kiwanis here?

- They sure are. - Then we can start our tour.

This way please.

Well, now, let's begin with the various buildings,

then take the laboratories, the permanent sets, and so on,

then wind up in the restaurant

where I'll try to point out some of our beautiful stars.

You can't make it the other way around?

- Horace! - I'm hungry!

Quiet down. Here we go. You ready?

- Yes, sir. - Right, roll 'em.

Speed.

OK, ready? All right, action!

Hello, Jeff. Why haven't you called?

I've been busy.

Well, you can't be so busy. I hear there's a dance out there tonight.

It's just a small party. Our last night at Randolph.

I can get away early.

I thought we'd been through this.

I thought we were going to be intelligent about it.

What does that mean? Goodbye, good luck, we've had our fun?

You go your way, I'll go mine? Don't try and sell me that routine, Jeff!

I wish I could think up a better ending, but I can't.

Listen, Mr Jeff Young, you drop off at my place after that dance

or I'll start making a few plans of my own.

I'm expecting you.

OK, cut! That was a good one.

- Pick the second and last. - Second and last.

- Script? - Here it is.

- What do we do next? - Lunch, if you ask me.

Who's asking you?

Golly, it is one o'clock. All right, break for lunch.

OK, lunch. One hour, boys.

Back at two.

- Mr Saxon? - Yes?

- Could I talk to you a minute? - Yes, what is it?

We met in France, in Nice. At the Perroquet, remember?

Oh, yes. Yes. How do you do?

Mr Saxon, I need 500 dollars.

- You what? - 500 dollars. I must have it.

- Isn't that a little large for a touch? - This is not charity.

For that money I have something to sell.

- Yes? What? - A story.

Oh, look, we have a story department down in front.

- We also have a lot of stories. - No, you haven't got this one.

Look, you take it down and leave it at the front office

with a self-addressed envelope.

But you see, Mr Saxon, I'm not a writer.

I would not try to tell you that story if I didn't need the money.

- I understand, but some other time. - No, I must have it now,

before the... before the federal police take me.

Federal police? What do they want you for?

Well, that's part of the story.

Please, Mr Saxon. I have very little time.

OK. Sit down.

Of course, I won't be able to tell you the real names of the other people.

- You understand that? - Yeah.

My own name is Georges Iscovescu.

I was born in Romania, but I have spent most of my life in Paris and in Biarritz.

Thanks. At the Lido. You know, following the seasons,

going where rich people went, rich women to be exact.

Thank you.

My papers give my occupation as a dancer,

which is correct in a general way.

It was an easy life,

if you had a deep voice and knew how to look at a woman.

But the war came.

People who had money made for America.

You need a visa to go to America, unfortunately,

and there had been some scandal in the papers

about me and a lady from New York.

I thought I'd better not apply for my visa where they might know me.

I thought it was wiser to try to get in more discreetly.

So I went to Mexico,

to a little town that straddles the border to California.

'There is a wire fence.

'You can see right through it into the United States.

'If you're American or if you have a visa you just walk in.

'Yes, a wire fence.

'Don't let them tell you it's only 12 feet high.

'It's a thousand miles high.

'The main street is called Calle Ruiz.

'It looks like what you would expect: a small, sleepy town, baking in the heat.

\x22Well, you can stand anything for a day or two," I thought.

'There is an American consulate where you can apply for a visa.

'I knew there were some formalities to be met

'before I could cross the border, but my papers were in order.

'I had a little money. I felt very confident.'

I see from your questionnaire

that you wish to enter the United States permanently.

Yes, sir.

That will require a quota number.

- Do you know what a quota is? - No.

Every year the United States permits the entrance of 150,000 immigrants.

That number is proportioned among the various European countries.

You were born in Bucharest so you come under the Romanian quota.

Yes?

The Romanian quota is very small and very crowded.

That means I have to wait?

Between five and eight years,

Mr Iscovescu.

Between five and eight years?

'Five to eight years! Like a prison sentence.

'Eight times 365 days with these flies and this heat

'and eight times 365 nights in this place.

'I was used to the Ritz and the Savoy.

'One of the local hotels is called the Esperanza.

'The rate is a dollar a day, cheaper by the week.

'But you'd better take your room by the year, if you can get one.

'They're all taken, crammed with people that are waiting,

'waiting.

'I had one stroke of luck that day, however.

'There was an unexpected, shall I say, departure.

'A man by the name of Wechsler.'

What's the matter?

He's dead! He's dead!

Senor Flores, it's the German.

Lupita, what's the matter?

The German killed himself. The poor man!

What is it? What happened?

The German killed himself, señor, the German from room 27.

Senor Flores, come quick!

The German killed himself.

Maybe you can recommend another place where I could get a room?

One moment.

Señorita, call the police.

Tell them to get an ambulance down to the hotel.

There's been an accident. Yes, yes.

I will have a room for you. Just wait.

'So the German moved out of room 27 and I moved in.

'I didn't expect to stay long.

'I thought some lucky chance must come my way.

'Somehow I would pull some strings and get across the border.

'Five months later I was still in room 27,

'my nerves in such a state by now

'that that hook on the ceiling seemed to be beckoning.'

Mr Iscovescu.

Mr Iscovescu.

- Mr Iscovescu. - Yes?

It would give us great pleasure if you would join us.

We're all having a little celebration in our room.

Celebration of what?

Americans' Independence Day, the 4th of July.

I don't think so. I have nothing to celebrate.

We are serving all American dishes: Boston baked beans with donuts.

- Thank you. - With donuts!

Thank you very kindly, but no.

- Father, your coat. - Yes.

They'll be here any minute.

- And what goes on here? - I beg your pardon?

The name is Hammock,

from the department of immigration in Washington.

- Father. - How do you do?

- What's your name? - Van Den Luecken.

Professor Van Den Luecken, and these are my daughters.

- You're waiting for your quota? - I have been for eight months.

I thought you were new, otherwise you'd know me.

I come down here once or twice a year to look certain things over.

I see.

- Boston baked beans? - They permit us to cook in our room.

Maybe we had no right to hang out the flag.

- With a slice of salt pork in them? - Of course.

You know, I was always a sucker for Boston baked beans.

Then perhaps you would join us?

Mrs Kurz. How are you?

You've taken on a little weight.

Well, temporarily, Mr Hammock. Isn't it lovely?

- Congratulations, both of you. - Thank you.

Thank you very much. And we call it Opus No.1.

Mr Hammock. When did you get here?

Just today. I've been looking for you.

- Any news about my immigration? - No. I need a haircut and a shampoo.

That's why he keeps me this side of the border.

- So I can do his hair. - Shall we eat?

On this 4th of July

let us, all of us, say grace.

For that which we are about to receive...

Better still,

for the great country which is about to receive us,

God make us truly thankful.

And for Mexico, Father, that is sheltering us while we wait.

And for Mexico.

Don't let us be impatient.

Let's always remember the words they have put on the Statue of Liberty.

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

No, you are referring to the words of Thomas Jefferson

in the Declaration of Independence.

What I meant was a simple poem inscribed on the base of said statue.

The beans, Father, please.

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses,

"yearning to breathe free,

"the wretched refuse of your teeming shores.

"Send these,

"the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

"I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

Or is it the shining door, Mr Inspector?

I'm afraid you've got me there, Professor.

- Well... - Now we can eat.

Are you going to the bullfight, señor?

Oh, is that what they've come for?

They always come when there is some saint's day in the States.

A little whooping, a little fiesta.

Oh, Flores, I need a dollar. Put it on the bill.

No more money for you.

Two months' rent you owe and 39 dollars cash.

40 is easier to remember.

You said 25 was so easy to remember.

Did I? Thank you.

Who did that?

I said, "Who did that?"

- It was me. - You mean, "It was I," Tony.

No, it wasn't you, Miss Brown, it was me!

I'm not very proud of you, Tony.

Would you mind coming over here for a moment, please?

Now, Tony, you've behaved outrageously and you're going to apologize.

Throw that thing away!

- Oh, I'm so sorry. - Thank you very much, madam.

No, no, please, the boy must apologize. It's a matter of discipline.

Your form of humor I don't appreciate.

You know what American boys are like.

They store up mischief all year long for the 4th of July.

Yes. I think it would be better if they let off their high spirits in America,

under the feet of Americans.

Well, now, let's don't get into international complications.

You see, there is a fence back there.

You Americans make a very definite point of it.

I gather you don't like us very much.

Very little.

Shall I apologize now, Miss Brown?

Don't you dare to!

You can't drink out of that, Joe. There's a hole in it.

There's a hole?

Who says I can't? I'll keep my thumb in the dyke.

- Tequila. - Tequila.

- You can't drink from the shoe. - Leave him alone.

- Give me my slipper. - No, I'm going to drink out of it.

- Now, Joe, I ask you... - Will you leave me alone, please?

- Where are you going? - To ask them for a tune.

Now watch...

Play "La Cumparsita", will you?

Si, senorita.

And now we present the dance sensation of the Riviera,

Georges and Anita.

- Anita! - And you!

Stop staring, Georges. It's me!

I'd say it must be. Still using too much Ecstase No.9.

I saw the back of your head. It's different from any other head.

- You mean I need a haircut? - Idiot that I am,

the sight of you is still like touching a high-tension wire

after all these years.

After that last goodbye of ours.

The casino at Cannes? An abrupt goodbye, if I remember.

Very, slapping my face in the middle of the Baccarat room!

You behaved like a fool. We were doing all right.

You had that rich baron. You know, the one with the glass eye.

- I had Mrs Sweeney. - Ah, canned-soup Sweeney!

There were plenty enough cigarette cases in that soup.

You had to step in and spoil everything.

I simply said, "All right, Mrs Rich Witch, I happen to be his dancing partner

"and just because you have a lot of... money..."

Well, maybe it wasn't the right way to talk to a paying customer.

Good to see you, just the same.

Come, let's sit over there.

What are you doing here?

I'm down from Los Angeles with some people.

Those drunks over there.

It's not the same Anita, Georges.

It's not the same Georges.

Have you seen my wrist watch?

From Cartier's to a Mexican pawnshop.

- That's my story in brief. - You're living here?

- Waiting to get across. - Hotel Esperanza.

Oh, I served time there.

Oh, that's right. You're Australian.

Vaguely. My father was Polish. My mother was Australian.

How long for your quota?

Whatever it was I didn't wait that long.

How did you get in?

Meet Mrs Shaughnessy.

- I married an American. - And what?

And simple. If you're married to an American, you get preference.

Once your papers go to Washington, everything is settled in four weeks.

You mean, you become an American citizen in four weeks?

No, but you get into the country.

Three years before you become a citizen.

Anita! Where are you, Anita?

- Your husband? - No.

No. Shaughnessy was a jockey from Caliente.

Five foot three.

Once over the border I went to a judge.

I said a woman wants a man, not a radiator cap.

- Divorce granted, 50 dollars. - Very smart, Anita.

I, er...

I haven't been very smart since.

Hey, did anybody see anybody that goes with this, hm?

You'd better go.

Let him wait. It'll only be an imitation fur jacket.

All those years with all the others I've shut my eyes and thought of you.

I want to keep them open once again, Georges.

- You better go. - Hey, what goes on?

It's all right, my great big bull.

- You know this guy? - Come on, give me my slipper, will you?

Whose little torero am I?

I won't let any guys steal my girl.

'What did she say?

'You just marry an American, as easy as that.

'Five to eight years for idiots maybe.

'Get hold of a wedding ring and you can swing right over that fence.

'Just get into a good suit of clothes, shave...

'Go on, go ahead.

'What do they call it? The pursuit of happiness?

'This is the day. The town full of Americans.'

'Most of the women had escorts, of course,

'but there were enough alone,

'enough clay pigeons for a sharpshooter.

'You may think it was cold-blooded, calculating,

'the act of a cad, perhaps,

'but on second thought I'm sure you will realize

'that my intentions were entirely honorable.

'Object: matrimony.'

- Bravo! - Hey, lady, sit down, will you?

Oh, pipe down!

Bravo! Bravo!

'She was the eager, enthusiastic type.

'I told her about Spain and Seville and the bullfights I had seen there.

'She was easy to impress.'

You know, I'd like to listen to you all day long.

Really I would, all day long.

Oh, thank you, madame.

Especially the "madame". That's what gets me, I think.

- Really? - Well, here is my car.

Well, perhaps... perhaps we might have a drink at the village?

Oh, I don't think I better.

Wait a minute.

Clarence. Clarence.

Maybe we can. He's asleep.

- Who? - Clarence.

He can't stand the sight of blood. He almost fainted.

- Your husband? - Yes.

Maybe we can take your car?

I'm sorry, madame.

In Europe we respect the institution of marriage.

- Clarence! - Yes, dear?

'I met some other American ladies that afternoon.

'But the sharpshooter seemed to have lost his eye.

'They were not clay pigeons.

'All they wanted was a few hours of fun.

'When you go serious, they flutter away.

'Yes, the day was wasted.

'It would be a long time before another holiday

'brought American tourists over the border.'

Come on, honey. Get in there.

We've been here all day. It's time to go home.

Come on, get in there. It's time to go home.

Get in there, darling. It's time to go home.

'I was very depressed, but on my way back to the hotel...'

And you too, Sam. I told you to go and sit down with the others.

Can't you give me some idea how much longer it'll be?

How long will it be?

I have to get the radiator out and it takes a while.

Soon.

But you promised it would be done by three

and you swore it would be ready by five.

There were three holes in the radiator.

But you tore the motor all apart.

She was flooded. We had to dry her out.

Also, tell her to shut up. It's making me nervous.

- I can't work like this. - What did you say?

He says you're only making us nervous.

Nervous!

Good evening. Still with us?

I know you don't like us

but I promise you that we'll get back over that border as soon as we can.

Oh, now, please.

I am partly responsible for all this.

- I feel very badly about it. - You should.

I brought the children to show them a fiesta in Mexico,

hand-weaving and how they make pottery.

We've been sitting here in this awful garage all day.

Give me my hat or I'll shoot you!

The children are as cross as two sticks.

Are any of them your children?

No. I'm a schoolteacher.

And I'm responsible for them.

They'll be in a perfect tizzy about us back home.

Yes, yes, of course.

Their parents and perhaps your husband?

Oh, I haven't any husband.

If we don't get back by nine

Mr MacAdams, the principal, will think we're all dead in a ditch.

Well, while you're waiting for the car,

why not telephone him and tell him you're all right?

Well, they say there isn't any telephone.

- Yes, at the hotel. - Yes?

Just across the street.

- May I show you? - You will?

Just a moment, please.

Children? Children, I'm going to be leaving you for a few moments

and I want you to behave.

How long is "soon" in your language?

Soon? 20 minutes.

Keep on with it.

There you are.

Oh, I say!

You better keep this out here. That won't do.

- Sam, I want you to be monitor. - Yes, Miss Brown.

Ray, will you hand me my bag and gloves, please? And my coat.

- Yes, Miss Brown. - Thank you.

There. I'm ready, Mr, er...?

- Georges Iscovescu. - I'm Miss Brown.

Hey, come on, boys! Get back! Get back!

Here, let's play with the tire!

Oh, Flores? We want to telephone.

- What is the number? - Azusa, California. 30991.

That is not cheap. It is long-distance.

- Flores... - 30991, Azusa.

That firecracker this morning...

Maybe I should be grateful to your pupil now.

I, er... I hope that they get that call through right away.

You should see Mr MacAdams, the principal.

He always bites his fingernails

and I'm afraid he's chewed them right down to the knuckles by now.

No, thank you. I don't smoke.

The school board doesn't approve. Tell you the truth, I don't like them much.

May I ask you something?

What?

Will you take off your hat, please?

- My hat? - Yes, your hat.

I want to see you without it.

- What an odd request! - Doesn't the school board approve?

I don't think there are any regulations about it.

Well?

It's amazing.

- Your name is not Margot? - No, it's Emmy.

She had the same hair,

only it was always messed by the wind that winter in St. Moritz.

Who are you talking about?

You thought I was bitter, Miss Brown, when you first spoke to me on the street.

It was because I saw another woman in your face.

Margot.

Of course, those are not her eyes.

Hers were bad. I had to run away.

I had to come here, to the end of the earth,

to know that I really hated her, that I had always hated her.

Oh. I'm sorry.

Just look at me, Miss Brown.

Keep looking at me.

It's like a sudden breeze on a stifling day.

Azusa 30991 is on the telephone.

Yes.

Yes? Who is it?

Oh, yes, Mr MacAdams. What is it?

Oh! Oh, yes!

I, er... I called to say that we've had an accident.

No. No, no, not really an accident. It's just that, er...

Yes, Mr MacAdams. I'll drive carefully.

No, not one bit over 30. What was that, Mr MacAdams?

Oh, yes, Mr MacAdams. I'll look out for drunken drivers.

Yes, Mr MacAdams.

Goodbye. Goodbye, Mr MacAdams.

I do appreciate your going to so much trouble.

- Thank you very much. - Not at all.

I think the car must be ready by now.

- Oh, yes. - Oh, I want to pay for the call.

- I think it was just three minut... - No. I am in your debt.

But there is no way I can pay you for... for the loveliness of these few minutes.

I thank you, Miss Brown.

You're the strangest man.

Perhaps the loneliest man.

Miss Brown. Miss Brown!

It's you! It's you, you little son of a...!

I'll show you.

- What's the meaning of this? - He spit in my face!

Oh, Tony! Why did you do such a thing?

Because he twisted my arm.

- Why did you twist his arm? - Because he stole the gasket.

- I did not. I didn't even touch it. - We didn't even see it.

- We didn't see it. - What's this about the gadget?

The gasket. Do you know English?

The gask... the rotary for the distributor.

- On our car? - It was there. We tried it.

- Is it important? - The car, she will not run without it.

Oh, boys, this is serious. Did any of you take it?

No, Miss Brown! We didn't. It wasn't us.

- Did you look everywhere? - Did we look everywhere?

Yes.

Can it be replaced?

Sure, we have to get it over on the American side.

Oh, that's all right, then.

Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, when they open the shop.

Oh, but that's impossible.

Of course it's impossible. Miss Brown is very anxious to get home.

We can't spend the night here.

The car, she will not run!

- Maybe we can find another car? - No, that would never do.

I couldn't leave the bus here. It's school property.

Very well, Miss Brown. Flores, we're having guests.

- Who is having guests? - Oh, no, I can't spend all night here.

- I mean, we... we can't. - But of course you can.

- That one little room next to yours? - It's out of the question.

It's gone, anyway, I rented it this afternoon.

We'll find something.

I will not let the children out of my sight, not for one single second.

But of course you won't.

You and the children can sleep here in the lobby.

There are enough chairs and couches.

- Get pillows and blankets. - That sounds like fun.

- Who is going to pay for this? - This is important.

Children! Children!

Can't you take one off another car?

- But not that size. - Or make one up?

Make one up! Make...!

You ever see a distributor?

- No. - No.

She's a little thing about... about... about that size.

Twists like that,

turns like that.

With wires to fit like that.

You know?

- It looks like... - About this size?

Yes, about that size.

Maybe a little bit bigger, if it's not smaller.

Because if it is smaller...

Come on down. Come along.

Here you are.

Well, I guess we're all settled.

- Good night. - It's better than good.

Somehow these walls will not seem so empty and sad.

You will be here very close to me, breathing in the same night.

Yes.

- Good night. - Good night.

- Oh, no. Please no. - Good night.

- Hey, you! Give me that. - I got it.

Hello, Georges.

- What are you doing here? - Your door was unlocked.

I just dropped in to borrow a cup of sugar.

- I thought you were with some people. - I walked out on him, Georges.

He wanted to buy me a pair of earrings.

Suddenly I couldn't stand his fingers another minute.

I threw a bowl of chili right in his face and ran.

Was that very wise?

Who cares?

Georges? I've taken the room next door.

What do you want?

I've been thinking about you all day,

the way used to hold me away from you when we danced.

Those gigolo eyes of yours,

you cold, selfish...

Haven't you ever loved anybody in your life?

I want you to go, Anita.

Georges...

You're wasting my time.

Excuse me.

Georges, if we were in the States together...

We're a team. I wouldn't mess things up again.

I'll get you across the border somehow.

There's still good seasons in New York and Florida.

I'll get a lawyer. Maybe he can fix it up.

I don't need a lawyer now.

I'll scrape together some money.

I've got a few things I can sell.

I'll give you anything, anything you want.

- Anything anything? - Anything.

- I'll take this. - What do you want that for?

I can use a wedding ring.

'She had a hard time going to sleep that night, Miss Brown,

'and it wasn't just the children.

'Her heart was beating fast

'and her neat, tidy senses were all thrown out of gear.

'She found a kind of half-sleep at last.

'Then about five o'clock in the morning she opened her eyes.'

What is it?

What are you doing here?

You have no right to be here.

Of course I've no right to be here,

no right to sit watching your face, learning it like a poem,

no right to listen to the stir of your heart,

no right to tell you that...

...I love you very much.

You must go away.

Right now, please.

Oh, you needn't be afraid, Miss Brown.

Not a bit.

You see, we are like...

like two trains

halted for a moment at the same station

but we're going in different directions.

We can't change our course

any more than... than we can hold back the dawn.

All that connects us is a foolish little part lost from a motor.

It's getting light already.

Soon they'll be waking up.

Shops will open.

And you will be gone forever.

It is getting light, isn't it?

- Please, don't come near. - You needn't be afraid, Miss Brown.

Not of a dead man.

I am dead, you see.

I've asked myself thousands of times why they shouldn't bury me,

why I should go on breathing and talking and walking

when I was dead.

Perhaps I know now.

Perhaps it was to see the sunrise once more,

to hear enchantment in a woman's voice,

to feel her nearness, the warmth of her lips.

- Oh, no. - Of course no.

You needn't be afraid.

It's like a classroom, isn't it?

The pupils and their teacher,

with rules of deportment, schedules and discipline.

You are very conscientious, Miss Brown.

No infringement of the regulations for you.

No rebellions, no violent desires.

If you found one in your sober little mind,

you would tell it to go and stand in a corner, wouldn't you, Miss Brown?

I don't know.

Not for you the sudden flash that lights up your whole life,

one split second to snatch at happiness before it's dark again.

It is not this kiss I want.

It is all your kisses, it's all your life.

Look at your hand, Miss Brown.

No, the left one.

Yes. Yes, it's a wedding ring, Miss Brown.

I put it on your hand as you slept.

It was my mother's.

You see? You see how wild a dream can be?

But you are wise and sane and cool.

You needn't be afraid, Miss Brown.

Please don't walk so fast.

Thank you very much.

About your being lonesome, other people are lonesome too,

so lonesome they almost give up waiting.

Mr MacAdams always said I was crazy,

but I knew all the time, way down deep in my heart,

that someday, somebody, somehow,

even though Azusa was at the end of the world...

'Oh, she talked and talked.

'I had thrown some crumbs of romance before her hungry heart.

'The trap was set. She never had a chance.

'We had to get the Mexican judge out of bed.

'The ceremony was brief, the office rather dismal,

'but to Emmy Brown being there was like standing at an altar

'in a cathedral with great bells ringing.'

I always expected to be married

in the marvelous Martyrs' Memorial Church in Azusa.

- You did? - I never dreamed

that it would be anything so beautiful and exciting as this.

My, they'll be surprised back home.

Mrs Georges Iscovescu. Or is it 'visco'?

Iscovescu.

I don't even know what you are. Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief?

Well, a poor man now, but I have plans for when I am in America.

You know, some business connections. I hope to get together a little capital.

I see.

And the thought of the family

when we arrive in the station wagon, the children and you and I!

Unfortunately, I will not be able to go with you right away, my dear.

- You won't? - No, not for four weeks or so.

Oh, but why, Georges?

You see, I am a foreigner. I have to wait for my visa.

Four weeks! You mean that you'll stay here and I...?

- Can't you can come down? - Oh, how can I?

We're all tied up with summer classes. I'm terribly busy.

Well, it's only four weeks.

Well, perhaps it's for the best.

I'll have a chance to break it to them gently.

Where you come from doesn't the bridegroom kiss the bride?

Oh, but of course, my dear.

Mercy on us, the children!

Stop it at once! At once!

That's enough!

He tried to grab me again!

Only to kill him, señorita, to make sausage of him.

Look at my hotel!

Boys, I'm heartily ashamed of you.

Heartily ashamed.

I shall have to report you to Mr MacAdams.

- He'll deal with you. - Let me deal with them.

Don't give me a tip, just let me deal with them.

- Is the car ready? - Yes, she's ready.

But I wish I could fill her up with rattlesnakes.

How much do I owe you?

Ten dollars.

Boys, I want you to go out to the car, sit down and try to behave.

Yes, Miss Brown.

Thank you.

I'll punish Tony when we get back home.

How, señorita, how?

Oh, I'll make him go kneel in the corner.

On broken glass. I beg you, on broken glass, please!

- Telephone for you, señorita. - For me?

It's been ringing all morning.

Oh, good heavens! It must be Mr MacAdams.

I didn't call him back last night.

Hello?

This is Miss Brown speaking.

Put him on, please.

Hello, Mr MacAdams.

Yes, we're alive, Mr MacAdams.

It's just the car didn't get ready, but we're on our way,

starting right now.

No, nothing, really.

Only...

Mr MacAdams...

I got married.

Mr MacAdams?

Mr MacAdams?

Operator! Azusa operator?

Please send somebody over to school number 2.

Something has happened to Mr MacAdams.

Yes. I think he's... fainted.

Thank you.

You see, we were...

kind of engaged.

Miss Brown!

Oh, Georges...

It's awful to have to go away.

Well, what must be must be.

You will write, won't you?

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

So will I.

You won't be so lonesome anymore.

Promise?

Oh, no.

I won't either.

I'll have... this.

Please, Georges,

will you put the ring on my finger and say the words?

Hm? The words?

For richer, for poorer,

for better, for worse,

with this ring I thee wed.

For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse,

with this ring I thee wed.

Till death do us part.

Till death do us part.

Don't come out with me, please.

Come in!

Hello. What happened?

It went all right.

Well! Congratulations, bridegroom.

'It was two or three days after Miss Brown,

'or should I say Mrs Iscovescu,

'had gone back home on her half of this curious honeymoon,

'a hot July day with thunder in the air.'

Mademoiselle.

- Monsieur Bonbois. - Hello there.

- Professor. - Ah, Mr Iscovescu.

I have an official letter to write.

I was wondering if I could borrow your typewriter.

But I see that you're working. I'll come later.

Of course you may. I'm practically finished.

Only, I warn you, the semicolon broke off.

In the heat of the Battle of Saratoga.

- I'll make my sentences very short. - Good.

We understand you are to be congratulated.

- Am I? - The wife of the judge,

who is kind enough to let me do her hair, tells me that you got married.

Oh, yes. Yes, I did.

- Our best wishes. - Thank you.

I think I caught a glimpse of the bride this morning.

- She's very smart. - This morning?

No, my wife is not here. Oh, thank you.

The lady next door is not your wife?

- I'll bring it back in half an hour. - Take your time.

That is my cousin. Excuse me.

About this great-great-grandfather of yours, where did he live?

In Nantes.

- In Nantes? - Mm-hm.

I remember in my family papers it says somewhere,

"Jean Bonbois, boulanger, Nantes".

- With a big "B" or a small "b"? - Well, er... What? I don't know.

If it's a small "b" it's a baker.

If it's a big "B"...

...it's a name.

Where are your papers?

On the way back from Washington. Why? Is it important?

Important?

My dear friend, Bonbois Boulanger

was the son-in-law of the Marquis de Lafayette.

- Yes? - If it's a big "B"

you are a direct descendent of Lafayette.

- Then I'm a marquis? - Better than that,

you are an honorary citizen of the United States.

An honor... And can I go back?

Anytime you want.

My!

- Marriage certificate enclosed. - Don't go so fast, now.

And that you, as an American citizen,

birth certificate enclosed,

are applying for the entry of your husband.

Emily Agnes Cecilia Brown.

And so young! Look at that birth date.

Well, her letter certainly showed it.

How did you like that bit about the eyes?

What eyes?

Wait.

"There is one thing I didn't tell you, beloved.

"I just couldn't.

"You said you liked my eyes.

"You might as well know, Georges, that when I read a long time

"or correct papers, I often wear 'me' glasses."

Shut up.

"Four more weeks, darling.

"Mother is fixing up the spare room for us.

"The scrap of chintz in this letter is what she's going to use for curtains,

"if you like it."

Oh! How do you like this for curtains, Georges?

It's all rosebuds. Look, dear.

That's enough. I think my wife is wonderful.

I couldn't have found anybody any better.

She leaves me alone, doesn't she? I write her a few letters.

I call her up on the telephone from time to time.

- And once I cross the border... - We'll be on our way to New York.

With a short stop in Azusa, half an hour,

long enough to tell her of a love that was too great to last,

a mistake that was too lovely not to have been made.

That she was too good and you too low.

Half an hour, Anita.

She'll brush off like a drop of rain.

You swine!

The large envelope. It must be the large one.

Stay calm. Stay calm.

It's it. It's it.

- Good morning. - Good morning, Inspector.

- I'm here to see Mrs Kurz. - Number 25.

I think I've got a crisis of nerves, Professor.

- A crisis of nerves! - What's the matter?

My papers, they've come back from Washington.

And so?

He thinks I haven't got a chance to get in.

You bet I do.

- How much? - Ten to one.

- Your ten dollars against my one dollar? - You've got it.

- Well, open it. - Sure, sure, sure. Open it.

I can't. You open it.

Good morning, Mr Hammock.

What is it, Mr Hammock?

About our immigration?

Yes.

Bad?

We can't get in in time so I can have the baby there?

I just ran into the immigration doctor.

But he said I was in fine shape.

It's not you, it's him.

His lungs.

They can't let anybody in with...

Tuberculosis. Oh!

I thought you could break it to him.

Oh, please, yes, but... not now,

now while he's so worried about me.

Whenever you think.

Mr Hammock, does this mean...

we can never get in?

Sure you can, when he's better.

And he will be.

Berta.

- Berta. - Come on.

Berta, where are you?

Out here with me, Mr Kurz, having a little chat.

You know, I've got quite a crush on your wife, Mr Kurz.

Grandfather, grandmother,

great-grandfather, great-grandmother.

- Ah, here it is. - No! No, no, no.

Don't say it. Don't say it.

- Bonbois! Bonbois! - What is the matter?

'Now, Anita had a superstition.

'She said the letter to Washington

'needed a drop of champagne for good luck.

'Or maybe she just liked champagne.'

Start with champagne, it'll be champagne all the way.

I hope it will be a better vintage.

It will be.

Only the very rich will get a crack at Georges and Anita.

We'll be very expensive, I'm afraid.

They can deduct us from their income tax.

You'll make a wonderful deduction.

And you.

- Hello, Mrs Shaughnessy. - Hello.

You remember me, Mrs Shaughnessy?

Of course.

- The name is Hammock. - Oh, this is Mr Iscovescu.

Mr Hammock is from Washington with the immigration department.

Is it somebody's birthday?

Don't worry, I brought my own.

It's quite a surprise

to see you down this side of the fence, Mrs Shaughnessy.

A gal who couldn't wait to hug every stripe and kiss every star,

all 48 of them.

You see, Mrs Shaughnessy and I are old friends.

I happened to be around here when we had the honor

of lowering the bars for her.

- Cigarette? - No, thanks.

- How long are you staying this time? - Oh, two or three days.

Just making sure the old gate is still here.

How is your husband, Mrs Shaughnessy?

- Fine. - Mm...

I was playing him for a couple of bucks that day he was thrown at Santa Anita.

- Oh, I'm sorry. - Is he still in a cast?

I really don't know, Mr Hammock.

You don't know whether your husband is in a wheelchair

or apt to pop right in that door?

We're divorced, Mr Hammock. It's about a year now.

No! Not really? You mean it's gone?

That beautiful love match?

I really loved him then.

Sure, sure.

Only once he got you over the border

you found you didn't like the cut of his nose.

Well, if you insist, I will have a little of this stuff.

I'm not saying anything, Mrs Shaughnessy.

You made the grade. In is in.

Only, there's been an awful epidemic of marrying

up and down the border lately.

We finally got our eyes wide open. No kidding any more.

The department has a new theme song,

"Is it love or is it immigration?"

If you'll forgive me, I must be leaving.

Oh, we both must be going.

No, no, you stay. I have to see someone.

- Yes? - Yes.

That woman about the chintz curtains.

- It was a pleasure, Mr Hammock. - Good night, mister.

Chintz curtains?

That's how they say it in Romania.

- Emmy. - Yes, Georges.

- Open the door. - Just a minute, Georges.

Wait a minute.

You can come in now.

- I wasn't expecting you. - I know.

Look.

Oh, Georges!

Georges!

Mr MacAdams is so nice, he's got a substitute teacher from Riverside

and he says that I can take the week off and that I can use the car.

Isn't that lovely? A honeymoon for a wedding present.

Oh, Georges. Look what the class gave me.

Look. Isn't it perfectly beautiful?

And, Georges, this is from Mother.

This is from Mother to you. It was Father's.

That dent on it, that's where I cut my teeth on it.

That's very kind.

And this is for you. I mean, for us, to start out on.

- What is it? - I saved it up for a postgraduate course,

teacher's college for high-school work.

I won't have time to take a course now.

- I don't want any money from you. - Georges, please!

- No, no. - It's ours.

Community property. It's the law in California.

And this I bought for myself.

Only it's really for you because you didn't like the other one.

I bought it in Azusa, but it's an importation from Los Angeles.

She said I could wear it like this.

Or maybe a little bit further over on the face like that.

You do like it, Georges, don't you?

I never saw one quite like it.

Oh, thank you, Georges.

Well, let's cut the cake.

It was a perfect madhouse back home. Nobody could believe it.

And the questions they asked,

how it happened and who you were and what you did.

I had to make up a lot of the answers.

You ought to hear how they pronounce our name.

Itski-bitski and Whiski-whiski.

You have to put your hand over mine.

Do I?

Did you see what the kids put on the station wagon?

Do they do that in Romania?

Everybody laughed at me all the way down here.

It's been soaked in port wine.

Mr MacAdams says that it's worth getting married just to have a bite of it.

Not now.

Look, darling, er... I must tell them to make up the room.

Now there are two of us.

Let me have the key to your car.

Yes, dear.

I'll park it in the alley. Police regulations, you know.

- All right, Georges. - Thank you.

Oh, it's the square one.

- Well, here he is again. - Hello.

How did it go with the chintz curtains?

- All right. - Uh-huh.

Well, it looks as if we have some honeymooners in our midst.

- Apparently, yes. - What do you know?

The old Esperanza cutting in on the Niagara Falls trade.

Well, we've got a bowling match on the American side.

- Good night, Mrs Shaughnessy. - Good night.

I'll be seeing you. Good night, Mr...

- What was the name? - Iscovescu.

Oh, yeah. I'll be seeing you.

- She did seem too good to be true. - Staying for a week, too.

A nice week to pick with Hammock in town.

- You'll have to send her back. - How?

Or take her away before he runs into the pair of you

- and starts asking questions. - I can answer any questions.

Oh, you can?

For instance, why you didn't mention you married an American?

All that happened a little fast, didn't it? And what does she know about you?

And isn't it a little unusual

for a bridegroom to be sitting in a bar kissing Mrs Shaughnessy

who also married an American to ease herself over the border?

- Shut up. Where can I take her? - Santo Tomàs, Guadalupe, I don't know!

You've got the car. There's nothing more natural than a little wedding trip.

What's the matter? Is she so unattractive?

What did you do with the letter to Washington?

Oh, here. Mail it. And here's some money.

- How come? - Never mind. Er, let's see.

I owe 180 dollars to Flores. Pay him.

- And get the things out of pawn. - 500 dollars?

- And anything you need. - Well, this is like old times.

Good luck.

No. No, no, no. Your hotel is filthy.

Filthy! Look at those towels.

And that, do you call that a mattress?

Do you think I'll have my wife sleep on that?

No, I don't want any others. Filthy, filthy.

What's the matter, darling?

This place is horrible. I won't let you stay here.

- I really don't mind. - No, pack your things, Emmy.

I'm taking you away.

This place is for cockroaches, for despair.

This is no place to begin our lives.

- Georges... - Oh, dearest.

These few days they gave you,

please, don't let us throw them away here.

Quick! Pack your things.

Oh, Georges, it's raining.

- I love it. - So do I. Where are we going?

Oh, anywhere, darling, anywhere.

Follow the road, any road, wherever it leads.

Maybe to a lake or a palace with all the windows lighted.

Maybe to a little fishing village with nets stretched out in the wind.

Did you ever notice how things talk sometimes?

Listen to those windshield wipers.

Together.

Together.

Can you hear it?

Yes.

'I thought I would take her to Santo Tomàs,

'a matter of 50 miles, two or three hours at the most.

'but in the night and the storm I must have taken a wrong turn.

'There was no one to ask.

'It didn't matter. I drove on and on.

'My only thought was of Mr Hammock

'and the way I had slipped from under his nose.'

Who's cake is that?

They left that on the table, señor, when they went on their honeymoon.

No good letting it spoil.

- Mr and Mrs Iscovescu? - Senor.

And it's got cherries in it.

- Who did he marry? - An American young lady.

He met her the 4th of July. On the 5th they got married.

You have a piece.

- Yeah. - Such a good cake.

'Of course, I didn't know what was happening at Hotel Esperanza.

'All I knew was that my foot had gone to sleep on the gas pedal

'and my hands were numb from holding the steering wheel.

'Around 11 the sun came out

'and we seemed to be approaching some village.'

What is it, Emmy?

I thought it was a funny noise for my alarm clock to make.

- Where we are, Georges? - Back of an oxcart.

Hey, you there! Why so much traffic?

There is a fiesta in honor of the patron saint.

Where are they going?

It's their patron saint's day.

They're having some kind of a celebration.

Alto!

Newlyweds are being blessed at the village.

Vamos!

What saint is it, Georges?

Whoever is the saint of brides and bridegrooms.

Brides and bridegrooms?

Yes. They're being blessed in the village.

Oh, Georges, that's the dearest thing I ever heard.

Yes?

All this time not telling me where we were going.

Georges, you're wonderful!

Thank you, Emmy.

'The name of the town was Coloya,

'or Colonia, I'm not sure which.

'But the whole place was filled with young Mexican couples

'and with the sound of bells and laughter and with desire.

'I bought her a cheap little Mexican scarf.

'The Mariachis were playing.

'There was a kind of curious primitive magic about the place.

'It got hold of you

'and carried you along with all the rest.

'In the afternoon, the parade started for the church.'

Señor Cura is coming!

Everyone, señor Cura is coming.

Line up, please.

Oh, Georges. Please, give me ten cents.

- Just ten cents. - Yes, of course.

- Come on, Georges. - Hm?

Please, come on. They won't mind.

Anybody can do with a little blessing.

Amen.

Benedictio Dei omnipotentis.

Patris et filii et spiritus sancti

descendat super vos et maneat semper.

Amen.

Dominus vos benedicat.

Dominus vos benedicat.

Dominus vos benedicat.

May God be with you, good neighbors.

The newlyweds!

'There was a foolish legend about an olive tree outside the church.

'If a married couple shook it, however many olives fell,

'they would have that many children.'

This must be their golden wedding.

- Golden wedding? - No, they got married yesterday!

He said they got married yesterday.

- Can I keep one? - You can have three!

- What did he say? - He asked if they could adopt one.

It's your turn!

This one is Joshua, after my father.

And this one is Helen, because that's what I wish I were named.

Oh, I hate "Emmy".

And this one... Georges, what was your father's name?

- Gregor. - Gregor Iscovescu then.

Oh, Mother was so foolish.

She thought we ought to change our name

to Ingersoll or at least to Ives.

And I said, "Why?" And she said, "For your children.

"Nobody would think of going to a grocery store by that name

"and nobody would think of going to a notary public called Iscovescu."

And I said, "Nonsense! There'll be a doctor Iscovescu,

"a lawyer Iscovescu, a chief justice, a governor Iscovescu.

"This is America.

"For the Rockefellers and the Joneses.

"For the McGonagalls and the Frankfurters.

"For the Jeffersons and the Slivinskys."

You see?

It's... it's like a... like a lake, clear and fresh.

And it will never get stagnant while new streams are flowing in.

But your people are building pretty high dams to stop those streams.

Just to keep out the scum, Georges. Don't you see?

Now in Azusa,

when they learned that I had married a foreigner,

there was only one person who said anything nasty about you.

And that was Mrs Bigelow, who runs Ye Old Pilgrim Tea Shoppe.

She said, "I suppose he's just one of those foreigners

"coming with empty hands to grab from America everything he can."

Mr MacAdams put her in her place.

He said, "I suppose your great-great-grandmother

"was Pocahontas, Mrs Bigelow."

Funny?

Very funny.

Oh, she's just jealous.

You see, her husband ran away from her the first week she was married.

Georges? You do speak French, don't you?

Yes.

You know, I just thought

that you could make a nice living in Azusa,

if you had nothing else to do, teaching French.

But then I suppose you'd like to go into some kind of business.

There are plenty of opportunities. It's an up and coming little place.

Fastest growing town between Los Angeles and San Berdoo.

People coming and going and building and selling and making...

Well, you know why we call it Azusa?

Everything from A to Z in the USA.

I suppose I could sell quantities of brushes

with this accent of mine.

Oh, I don't worry about you.

Only for one thing, Georges.

Yes?

You smoke too much.

Thank you, Georges.

Oh...

Not in front of the children.

'I don't quite know how to say it.

'That hot July afternoon

'it was like kissing fresh snow.

'I could feel her hand trembling on my shoulder.

'From the church behind us came the breath of incense.

'Of course, there was nothing like an inn in the village.

'Most of the people slept out in the woods.

'We had the bus

'and we got some sarapes to make ourselves comfortable.

'It was a clear night, starred with great stars.

'She was humming some little tune,

'perhaps so I would not hear her heart beat.

'Mine was beating too.'

Well...

there are no more, Emmy.

Will you get me my dressing case, please?

Well, I guess that's the threshold.

So it is.

Well...

I'll only be a minute.

It'll give you time to go out to the kitchen to see if I turned the gas off.

Fine.

I love my husband very much, Georges.

Thank you, Emmy.

'She loved her husband very much.

'I kept seeing her as she knelt in the church.

'And I thought of a room in Azusa, the one with the chintz,

'and the day I was to tell her it was all over,

'the day I was to cast her overboard because she couldn't fit in with my plans.

'Wasn't that enough? I had no right to touch her.

'I had no right to involve her.

'I wanted her to be still Miss Brown when I left her.

'That's why I did the trick about my shoulder.'

Georges?

Yes, Emmy? Just putting in my suitcase.

- What is it? - Emmy, quick!

The hand-brake. Pull it, will you?

Oh, Georges, what happened? Are you hurt?

When I put in the suitcase, it must have hit the brake.

- Are you hurt? - Just my shoulder.

I've thrown it out. It's happened before.

- Well, let's take your coat off. - Don't touch it, please.

It's just a nerve, you know. It's twisted over.

- You'll put a compress on it. - No, I can't move it to take off my coat.

Let me sit here with my arm up, will you?

If we could just drive somewhere and find a doctor.

Oh, no, not over these roads. No, I'll be all right.

Go to sleep, Emmy, will you?

If it hurts too much, you blow the horn. Promise?

All right.

I'm so sorry, Georges.

Isn't it a devil though?

'The next morning we drove to Tabutayo

'where I pretended to have seen a doctor.

'And down to San Miguel.

'It was the third day that we started back along the Gulf.

'It was very hot. Over 100, I should think.

'She kept talking about the United States,

'about Boulder Dam, and how her brother went to school

'with a very famous man by the name of Joe DiMaggio,

'and what the FHA is and what the word "swell" means.

'That's exactly what she was, swell.'

There she goes, yelling for a drink again.

Oh-oh. No more water.

- There's plenty down there. - Salt water? Will she take that?

Well, if she doesn't, she won't get anything.

Georges!

I couldn't resist it. It's like lime freeze.

Keep your back turned, Georges.

All right.

My hair's sopping. Bring me my scarf.

Ah!

I'm like a cucumber in an ice-box. Feel my cheek.

- Georges, your shoulder! - What about my shoulder?

'It was the 13th of July, the last day of Emmy's vacation.

'But we were still not back.

Liebchen, he's here. Her doctor is here.

- What? - Are we too late? Where's the baby?

No, what is all this foolishness?

- You should be in bed, Mrs Kurz. - She won't even sit down.

There's no need.

- What's that, Berta? - I'm going out.

- Going out? - To buy our dinner.

Berta.

She fainted, Doctor. She fainted twice.

I fainted on account of the heat.

The time is getting very close, Mrs Kurz.

I think we'd better move you to the hospital.

Oh, nonsense, Doctor.

We have an agreement, my baby and I.

It's going to be born in the United States.

Yes, but the papers don't come.

Well, if the baby is willing to wait, I guess we can, huh?

Well, goodbye.

Er, if you'd care to stay for some coffee,

Josef will make it for you.

Goodbye, Liebling.

- Well, how about some coffee? - All right, let's have some. Thank you.

- I'm sorry, Doctor. - It is all right, my boy. It's all right.

Oh, that was the shortest 100 miles.

Couldn't we drive around the block just once?

Could you make a mistake and think it is tomorrow you're due back in Azusa?

July 13th, parent-teachers meeting, auditorium, eight o'clock.

- Sounds very dull. - I have to, Georges.

Mr MacAdams would be savage.

- How long to Azusa? - Five hours.

Well, in that case I think we better leave your suitcase right here

and get the rest.

Oh, hello. How are you, Mrs Kurz?

- This is Mrs Iscovescu. - Hello.

Oh, we heard about you.

Lots of luck.

- Thank you very much. - Thank you, Mrs Kurz.

- Hello, Flores. - Glad to see you back.

See that this gets to my room, will you? And let Mrs Iscovescu in, please.

Darling, while you pack

I'll have them fill up the car and get the salt water out.

Georges, you don't suppose if I went to the American authorities

and talked to them, they'd let you come with me?

No, darling. Three more weeks.

Regulations.

I could ask them how they'd like to be without their wives for three weeks.

I have seen their wives. I'm afraid they'd like it very much.

- Georges. - Hello, Anita.

Darling, I thought you'd never come. I've been dying here, day after day,

looking down the street, watching for your car.

- Bad news? - Good news. Two offers.

One, the Casanova in New York, and the Savoy in Chicago.

Both for the 1st of October. We'll take New York.

As for Hammock, not a word. He's in Tijuana.

Flores is paid. Your things are out of hock,

and if we need a little cash for immediate expenses...

Don't look, but...

right in back of me, Mr Elvestad, a big diamond man from The Hague.

He just arrived the other day, tried to rent a whole floor.

Might be good for a little wardrobe.

New tails for you and a couple of dresses for me.

We have to be ourselves before the 1st of October.

Not the 1st of October.

We can make it. Out of here in three weeks.

Plenty of time in New York to brush up the old tango.

I'm not going right down to New York.

Oh, the stopover in Azusa. Well, that'll be half an hour, you said.

- It will be however long it takes. - But we had it so simple.

She was too good, you were too low.

I'll do it my own way. Do you mind?

How? The slow way?

Wait till the 1st of November or December maybe?

And then comes Christmas?

And jingle bells and the family standing around the flaming plum...?

You like the girl?

Yes.

I like her enough not to give her a sudden kick,

not to slap her face in front of her whole little town.

I like her enough to... to do it all with a little style.

I like her enough not to behave like a swine for once in my life.

Well, hallelujah!

That will do! You've got enough money to get back to New York.

I'll find you there when I'm ready.

Thanks!

You just stand right in the middle of Times Square and whistle.

Come in.

- Mrs Iscovescu? - Yes?

Funny, I... I just didn't picture you looking like that.

You know, when one hears about a school teacher...

I'm Anita.

I don't suppose Georges told you about me, did he?

No. No, he didn't.

- Are you in a hurry? - I have to get back this evening.

Good, but before you go,

there's something of mine I want you to give me back.

- Of yours? - Yes, my wedding ring.

What would I be doing with your wedding ring?

You're, er... wearing it, I think.

You see, I loaned it to Georges.

This?

- It belonged to his mother. - Oh!

Isn't he wonderful?

He certainly knows how to pluck at a heartstring.

You see, I gave him the whole idea.

What idea?

About the marriage.

And let's give him credit, his execution was brilliant.

He sees you, cuts off your retreat.

What?

You remember the 4th of July?

Yes.

Why did you stay overnight?

Oh, my car broke down.

A part was lost.

He kicked it down the drain to keep you here.

He only needed a few hours.

I don't know what story he told you. He varies his repertory.

But by the time your car was fixed, you were safely married.

Why, this is insane! He married me because...

Yes, he married you. He married you to pass that gate.

For the same reason that I married my little American

and with the same ring.

Just take a look inside at the engraving.

"To Toots, for keeps."

Go on, look at it.

No.

Maybe you'd like me to tell you a little more

about the history of Georges Iscovescu.

Get out.

Please.

Please!

The first time I heard of Georges I was in Ostend.

Lady Whitwood and her daughter

both tried to turn on the gas because of him.

- Hi, there, Mrs Kurz. - How do you do, Mr Hammock?

- Anything wrong? - Oh, no.

It's so hot.

I'm just... on the way to the market.

What's going on at the hotel? The Iscovescus back?

- This afternoon. - That's neat.

Now, you take care of yourself. That sun's bad.

Yes.

Hold it, lady.

- Anything we can do for you? - I'm coming to see Mr Hammock.

- He just passed through. - I know. I, er... I talked to him.

He said to wait for him in the office.

- OK, lady. Go on in. - Thank you.

- Howdy! - Oh, good afternoon.

Quite a spell of heat we've had, Mr Iscovescu.

Yes, it's...

Got me a new tie the other day. Kinda loud, don't you think?

Delicious smell of tamales they have in this lobby,

don't they, Mr Iscovescu?

- I want to speak to Mrs Iscovescu. - Upstairs, señor.

- Get her. - Now, wait.

What is it, Mr Hammock?

I just want to talk a few things over with your wife.

If you don't mind.

Oh, if there are any questions, I'll be glad to answer them.

It's your wife I want to hear from.

You just sit down here and keep quiet.

Understand?

- Go on, get her. - Sí, señor.

I know you're thinking, "This woman is a tramp and she's in love with him."

Well, I am a tramp and I am in love with him.

For years I've loved him, just as you do.

Only there's this difference:

I'm his sort.

I'm dirt but so is he. We belong together.

You think you're a teacher.

Why, you're a schoolgirl that's learned life out of a book.

You'd have learned this lesson in six weeks or six months.

I'm telling it to you in six minutes.

Get away! Get in your car and don't come back.

Yes?

- You are wanted in the lobby. - Who is?

- Mrs Iscovescu. - Who wants her?

- Mr Hammock. - Who?

He's from the immigration department. He's gonna ask a lot of questions.

Don't see him.

I'll be right down. Take my bags, please.

You can't give him away. What for? What good will it do you?

I learned life from a school book,

remember?

You know what I'm gonna do if I ever win those sweepstakes?

Buy me a gold ear spoon with a diamond handle, the best,

to dig out all the baloney I have to hear.

- Emmy! - I'll handle this.

Right this way, Mrs Iscovescu.

Have a chair, please.

Now, I have no right to bother you with any questions,

not down here in Mexico.

It's just, if we think an American might be getting a dirty deal...

I'll answer any questions, Mr Hammock.

How long had you known Mr Iscovescu when you married him?

A few hours.

Isn't it kind of rash marrying a man straight off like that?

Yes.

Had you any idea that he was waiting to get into the country?

Yes.

And that he might have married you to turn the trick?

He might.

OK. Now, if you just take the trouble

and start scraping the varnish off Mr Iscovescu,

a lot of interesting things come to light, for instance...

For instance, the way he made his living?

That he was involved with a lot of women?

And one particular woman right here in this hotel.

The dancer, his partner.

OK.

And once in America, the two of them were gonna team up again.

Now, look here, Mrs Iscovescu,

anybody can see the setup with half an eye.

He asked you to marry him with the express purpose...

You're making one mistake. I asked him to marry me.

All right.

He got you to ask him to marry you.

Look, Mrs Iscovescu, you make things very simple for the department.

With this evidence you can get an annulment.

It's a cinch.

That'll slam the door right in his face.

- Get a what? - An annulment, I said.

An annulment?

How do you like that, Georges?

That's America. You pay your taxes but you get a lot of protection.

No, thank you, Mr Hammock. It's very sweet of you.

But you see, there's nothing wrong.

He told me everything. There were no false pretenses.

You people are always looking for plots and traps.

It's a fine marriage.

I am sorry for your sake, Mr Hammock, but you haven't got a case.

We love each other very much.

I'll be the doggonedest dog to end all doggone dogs.

Maybe I'm just dumb.

Emmy...

I've always been full of words, you know,

big ones, fancy ones.

Just one more word.

- Thanks. - No.

You see, I come from a small town.

We don't have any of those fine hotels.

We eat at the drugstore.

But we leave a tip just the same.

I don't think I've been too generous for those seven days.

Only perhaps, when I first met you, I shouldn't have been so vain.

I should have looked at your face more closely.

Goodbye.

Hey, did you forget that lady that's waiting for you?

- What lady? - That Austrian one from the hotel.

- She says that you told her... - Said what? Where is she?

In the office.

American? Oh, hello, there. Pass.

Help! Help, somebody, help!

- Hey, can't you hear me yelling for help? - What's wrong?

Get a doctor, boil some water. Get a midwife!

Get Mr Kurz from the hotel.

Let's get an ambulance to take them back where they belong.

Says you. That kid is an American citizen.

Operator, operator! Yeah, get a doctor, please. Hurry!

What's the matter, Georges? Why are you so quiet?

Well, if you hate me so much, why don't you say it?

Well, go on, hit me.

I'd much rather.

'I will tell you what was the matter.

'Do you believe in premonitions?

'Where a black wave breaks over you

'and you suddenly know something terrible is going to happen?

'In my ears was the screeching of brakes,

'of tires taking a wild curve.

'Before my eyes was her foot on the gas pedal, pressing it down.'

But we don't know where Mr Iscovescu is.

Yes, I will give him the message,

so soon as he comes.

Poor thing.

Yes, I have the name.

- What a calamity! - Bad, isn't it?

On a straight, empty road. No one knows how.

Rolled over three times.

What is it?

What is it?

- What happened to her? - Georges!

- There was an accident, wasn't there? - Yes.

Bad?

Where is she?

They took her to the general hospital, Los Angeles.

- I'll take your car, Flores. - They won't let you cross the border.

- Give me the keys. - Are you going to crash that gate?

They'll catch you. If they catch you, they'll never let you in again.

Don't! Georges, please, listen to me!

All you wanted was a chance to get into the country legally.

I won't let you throw it away.

Listen to me, you idiot! They'll catch you!

You haven't got a chance. Georges!

Why, nowadays babies are born everywhere.

Airplanes, rumble seats...

All right, stop.

Hey, stop! Can't you see that sign?

- Hey, stop! - Well, what do you know?

Get the patrol. It had a Mexican license!

My old friend Iscovescu stepping right into my parlor.

- Well, he won't get far. - You bet he won't.

And I'll be there at the kill. That's my pigeon.

What is the quickest way to Los Angeles?

Well, you can keep on this road till you get to the next boulevard stop.

Turn to your right and that'll take you to Highway 101.

Did you see a light gray coupé with a Mexican license go by here?

Why, yes! He just filled up a few minutes ago.

He asked...

'It was five o'clock this morning when I got to the hospital.

'It wasn't until I climbed those steps that I was really afraid.

'Yes, afraid it was too late and nothing left that I could do.'

- Mrs Iscovescu, please. - Room 735.

- Er, Mr Iscovescu? - Yes.

I'm John MacAdams.

This is Mrs Brown.

- How is she? - Unconscious.

We're very much afraid.

The steering wheel was crushed against her and...

- There's no fight left in her. - It hurts her to breathe.

- May I go in? - Of course.

I'm her husband.

Emmy.

Emmy.

She doesn't hear.

Emmy?

It's Georges.

Emmy, I've come.

I'm here.

Emmy...

Breathe.

Try, darling.

Try hard.

Breathe.

That's it.

Again, darling.

Now again.

Breathe.

It's all right.

Remember?

Remember the rain beating on the windshield that night?

And the wiper going? And the word it spoke?

Together.

Together.

Together.

Together.

Breathe, darling.

We are together.

Together.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathe.

- How do you like that for parking? - Sassy, awful sassy.

Say, that's a Mexican license.

Weren't they looking for some Mexican car?

Sure.

'I don't know how long I sat there.

'But I must have said it a million times.

\x22Together, together, together.\x22

Mr MacAdams?

You'd better buy our friend here a cup of coffee.

- How is she? - Coming along.

She was tougher than we thought.

- Would you like a cup of coffee? - No, thank you, I'll wait.

- She smiled once. - Oh, did she?

I don't know if she ever told you,

but for a while I had some hopes about Emmy.

She couldn't quite make up her mind between me and teacher's college.

She was saving up for a postgraduate course.

Yes, I know.

Then you came along and we were both out,

teacher's college and I.

Yes, she had saved 500 dollars.

Looks kind of big from here, doesn't it?

It's the first American city I've seen.

This big street runs right straight down to the beach.

And you see those hills? That's Hollywood.

Over there, Beverly Hills.

Down. Going down.

You see, it's rather...

Mr Iscovescu!

There were 500 dollars missing to square an account.

So when MacAdams said "Hollywood",

I remembered you and I thought that...

Well, you know, I had...

I had a vague hope that if you liked the story...

- How about Hammock? - Yeah. What about him?

Come on, Mr I, you've led us quite a chase.

Halfway across California,

through every operating room in the hospital,

up and down Hollywood, and now into a motion picture studio.

Just one more thing, Mr Hammock.

What I've told you, if they can use it, the money goes to her.

Here, let me give you a... real name,

and address.

- I trust your discretion. - Come on.

Where are you taking him? To jail?

And have him eat off the government for a couple of months?

I'm dumping him right back where he came from, for good.

Say, look... is there something I can do?

Listen, you stick to directing pictures.

Let me direct the traffic across the border.

Mind?

On our way.

'That's the story as Georges Iscovescu told it.

'But the real ending happened several weeks later.'

What's cooking?

Hi, Mr Hammock. Back for the celebration?

What celebration?

Oh, they're bringing in somebody special today.

An honorary citizen.

A what?

An old friend of yours. Haven't you heard?

Well, I'll be the doggonedest...

- Goodbye, Professor. - Goodbye, Bonbois. And good luck.

- Thanks a million. Señor Flores. - Goodbye, Bonbois.

- Goodbye, my good Lupita. - Adiós, señor.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye, Anni, Christine. Goodbye.

- Frau Kurz. - Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Mr Kurz. - Goodbye.

Goodbye, Washington Roosevelt Kurz!

Well, the Inspector is back. Hello, Mr Hammock.

Where's Iscovescu?

Who? Glum Georgie? Oh, he's around, I guess.

We don't move in the same set any more.

- Meet Mr Elvestad. - How do you do?

This, Mr Hammock, is the greatest fall guy of all time.

Fall, winter, summer and spring.

But he's got 340,000 dollars in his checking account, the big dope.

Say, is he deaf?

No, no, he just doesn't speak a word of English.

That's why he hired me as a secretary.

And I mean secretary.

He wants somebody to show him America,

watch his expenses and, er... keep his check book.

Don't you, big boy?

Are you all washed up with Iscovescu, really?

If you carry a torch long enough it burns out.

I scorched my hand.

Maybe if I bandage it with a couple of bracelets...

What do you think, my little Edam cheese?

How do you do?

I'm fine, sucker. How are you?

Well, hello, Mr Hammock.

What are you doing? Writing letters?

Yes. Yes, I come here every day to write them. Lots of letters.

To Azusa, to the Consul, to Washington, to you.

The letter to Azusa was very long.

Clear from here to the sidewalk.

They go by airmail, see?

That's a good way to save postage. Who was that one for?

That's not a letter. That's an advertisement.

"Slightly reformed character, eager for some decent work

"any place on the globe where they will have him."

In answer to your ad, we herewith inform you

that we've made an opening for you right there in that border.

A certain immigration inspector neglected to report a certain incident.

There's no use shooting off your mouth about it once you get in there.

In where?

In the United States. There's somebody waiting at the gate with all your papers.

You're the husband of an American wife, aren't you?

Go on. Don't keep her waiting.

And say, what was this she was telling me all the way down

about the two of you raising olives?

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