Act 1 Scene 2 Flashcards
… how does she maintain her home?
Norma’s a very industrious woman. And Jim helps her around the house. Picking up and such.
… I don’t think he knows where we keep the carpet sweeper. Hmm.
What?
… Is Normie’s house clean?
Oh, quite. It sparkles. Like something out of an advertisement. Although, I’ll tell you a secret. If you look in her icebox, you know what you’ll find?
Tell me.
Frozen pie crust!
No! Stop, I cannot take it! You’re the devil!
You must swear you’ll never mention it! She’d positively die from embarassment!
Listen to us! Gossiping! Like real girlfriends!
Yes. These past few weeks have been such a kick.
I’ve never had girlfriends when I was younger. Did you?
I’ve had a few.
… I trapped every darn stray cat in the neighborhood, hid them in our cellar.
How many cats are we talking here?
Oh, probably, 15, 16. So many cats! And then I invited everyone over!
How’d that turn out?
There were a lot of injuries. But after that, everyone called me Kitty!
Ah. Well. How about that? Um, thank you so much for recommending that bakery, Kitty. I can’t believe all I picked up!
The French. They make the best pastries.
I do like a good crepe.
Always buy bread from the French, your produce from an Irishman, and get your meat from a Polack.
I’ll keep that in mind. I’d best get these things put away (cut)
Oh, Millie. You’re my very dearest friend!
Oh, Kitty, that’s so… unlikely. I mean, we’ve only known each other a few weeks.
No, I’m quite sincere! You and Normie, you’re such fun! We’re going to have so many adventures together!
Well, of course we will. Now, I hope you forgive (cut)
Something’s been bothering me, Millie dear. I was hoping I could speak with you. It’s about Normie’s husband.
Well of course. You can speak to me about anything at all. What about Jim?
Well, of this is so delicate…
No, I insist.
I don’t wish to offend.
Please, we’re dearest friends. I told you about the pie crust - we have a bond.
That is true.
Confide in me Kitty.
Well, it’s just that… when you see the Baxters together… Jim seems a little (trail / cut)
Young.
Young?
Younger than Norma.
Does he?
People usually don’t notice.
I’m good at noticing things.
Yes you are!
It’s so unusual.
There is a year or two between Normie and Jim, but nothing scandalous. Some fellows just have those faces, you know?
Like Mickey Rooney!
Exactly, like Mickey Rooney!
That makes sense! I could tell something was off, I just couldn’t (cut)
Also, Jim didn’t go to war like Bob did, and I think that ages a man. (sigh) Oh, war! I cannot stand war. It’s just awful, don’t you think?
It is!
It is!
… those Communists and drunks and fags before they destroy America!
Yes, well, I hope you’ll excuse me, I have to (cut)
… Imagine one day, you having to put your son in uniform to fight those freedom-hating primitaive monsters.
Wait, when did I have a baby again?
Well, really, sweetheart. You’re not getting any younger, I just naturally assumed –
Oh, Kitty, feel my hands!
Whatever for?
Aren’t they terribly soft?
Oh my, they are!
It’s Mrs. Franklin’s Hand Cream, and it belongs on your dressing table.
Well, if it’s Mrs. Franklin’s, doesn’t it belong on her dressing table?
Oh, you’re such a card. Go to the bedroom, you’ll see it right by my jewelry box. Give it a try while I put those parcels away in the kitchen.
Alright! I will! Eeeee! (Kitty exits)
Operator, I’m concerned my line isn’t working. Could you test it for me? Georgetown seventeen thirty-four. Thank you.
Oh, Millie, it smells like gardenias! Joan Crawford’s favorite! (phone rings)
Hello? Thank you, operator. Oh hi Bob, darling! How’s work? Home? Early? Really?
(Kitty enters)
Oh, darling, an early dinner and a show, that would be heaven! An hour! I suppose I could be ready in an hour, I’ll have to say goodbye to Kitty, though! I love you, dearest Bob, you wonderful man!
(Hangs up phone)
Oh, Kitty, did you hear? Dinner and a show!
What a dear man!
I’ll have to rush. I need to change, oh, and my hair–
I wish Teddy was still so romantical– (Bob enters)
Bob!
Was I?
Oh, Kitty dear, that was ages ago.
No, it couldn’t have been.
Oh my, the same thing used to happen to my Aunt Regina.
Really?
You remember poor Aunt Regina, Bob darling?
What happened to Aunt Regina?
Her memory started to slip. Whole afternoons, then a week or two. Although I’m sure that’s a long way off.
Suddenly I’m not feeling very well.
Oh, I hope it’s not the hand cream. It could be an allergy.
Really?
Yes! You hurry home and scrub up. We’ll leave the hand cream for Mrs. Franklin from now on.
I wonder what you mean.
The show we’re seeing tonight, Bob. On our little surprise date.
Where’s it playing? I love Cole Porter!
Oh, Cole Porter! Pity about that horse falling on him, that sounds just awful. Teaches us to be more careful, doesn’t it?
Yes, I suppose it does.
Absolutely. I’m always on the lookout for falling horses now, every time I leave the house. Do be careful if you see any mounted police.
My goodness, I will!
Ta!
What was all that about?
Nothing. Hand cream. Misdirection. That is not an intelligent woman. You’re home early.
Looking for Norma. She left work.
In the middle of the afternoon?
Sent a note, she wasn’t feeling well. I tried phoning here, but no one answered.
I’ve only just returned. I was out with Kitty most of the day.
She hasn’t come home since I got in from school.
I hope she’s alright.
If she’d hired a car she would’ve been here by now.
Do you think she went to a doctor? What was wrong?
…And the worst of it is, I think he was really just walking his dog.
Then why fire him?
Because he was arrested for loitering in Lafayette Park.
But if he didn’t–
We can’t take chances, Mildred. Think of the public perception. That kind of information, it leaks out, what would people think?
That he was walking a dog?
No. That’s not what they’d think. (Norma enters)
Norma! You had me worried, are you alright?
Yes, but–
Wanted to get a jump start on the weekend?
Yes, thank you, Jimmy. I am feeling better.
Are you sure? You seem a little tense.
I will. (Jim exits)
Babe? You want a drink?
I’m sorry. This is…it’s getting a little tricky, isn’t it?
Yes it is. But the arrangement gives us a lot of freedom other people don’t have. I love our life.
…I am frankly underwhelmed by my existence.
Everyone puts on a public face, Norma. People are entitled to private lives.
…I love you, Millie, and I’m growing weary of hating myself for it.
I understand.
I had hoped for children, one day.
I know.
…So there goes another hope, another compromise for the world at large.
That’s not an impossibility, darling. It’s just not something we can do right now.
…or are we just exhausting ourselves with maintaining the here and now?
I understand. You’re right. I’m on your side.
Okay, well. Is our side difference from the boys next door?
I don’t know the answer to that.
…But you’re on my side.
I’m on your side. I love you.
I love you too.
Let’s get you in a bath.
That sounds marvelous.
We’ll wash your hair, and you will hear the terrifying tale of how Kitty Sunderson got her name.
