Original subtitles

[soft lively music]

[soft lively music]

- Hi.

- Are you on Consolidated?

- You have a Consolidated Credit Card?

- You have a Consolidated Credit Card?

Hm, don't see many of these.

Hm, don't see many of these.

Is it true you can buy anything with a Consolidated card?

Is it true you can buy anything with a Consolidated card?

Like they advertise?

Like they advertise?

- Well, I don't know if you could buy a Polaris or a B-52

but that's about it.

but that's about it.

- Well I wouldn't want the responsibility.

I might flip out and buy a ticket to Tahiti.

I might flip out and buy a ticket to Tahiti.

I might flip out and buy a ticket to Tahiti.

- Well, what are you doing this weekend?

- Don't I wish.

- Don't I wish.

- Thanks.

- Thanks.

- Bye.

[soft lively music]

[soft lively music]

[jubilant music]

[jubilant music]

[car door shuts]

[soft cheerful music]

[soft cheerful music]

Well now, whose little boy are you?

Well now, whose little boy are you?

- And whose little boy are you?

- Unlicensed, unregistered, unclaimed and

- Unlicensed, unregistered, unclaimed and

waiting to be unleashed.

- Tonight?

Eight-ish?

Eight-ish?

- Where?

- Same place you closed Saturday night.

- Same place you closed Saturday night.

- How do you know where I was Saturday night?

- How do you know where I was Saturday night?

I'm Tod, who might you be?

I'm Tod, who might you be?

[jubilant music]

[jubilant music]

- Thank you very much, sir.

- Reservation for two, Stiles.

- Yes, Mr. Stiles, this way please.

- Well, maybe I better wait at the bar.

- Well, maybe I better wait at the bar.

- The young lady suggested you might prefer

waiting at your table.

- The young lady?

- Yes sir. [phone ringing]

- Yes sir. [phone ringing]

Enjoy your dinner, sir.

[bottle squeaking]

[bottle squeaking]

- But I haven't-- - It's six to one, sir.

- But I haven't-- - It's six to one, sir.

And two tomolives.

- Ordered.

Well, what's the lady drinking?

- She only ordered for you, sir.

- She only ordered for you, sir.

- Up the rebels.

- Up the rebels.

- Can we make it a threesome?

- Can we make it a threesome?

Is it six to one?

Is it six to one?

- [Tod] Have you ever been in London?

- And cold enough?

- And cold enough?

- [Tod] Why two tomolives?

- [Tod] Why two tomolives?

- Three summers ago.

And Scotland, too, and Wales.

And Scotland, too, and Wales.

Adored Wales.

- The English have a word uniquely

suited to this moment, waffling.

suited to this moment, waffling.

- I found the English uniquely suited for all occasions.

- I found the English uniquely suited for all occasions.

Splendid cashmeres, you know?

Splendid cashmeres, you know?

- Waffling.

It means saying nothing at great length, so um

It means saying nothing at great length, so um

do we waffle or do we talk?

do we waffle or do we talk?

- People who ride on roller coasters

- People who ride on roller coasters

pay money to be frightened to death.

pay money to be frightened to death.

But do they know why?

- I feel like a fella who's already inside the room

but can't move around because

but can't move around because

his foot's still stuck in the door.

his foot's still stuck in the door.

Are you sure you don't have the wrong boy?

Are you sure you don't have the wrong boy?

Or maybe amnesia?

- A girl is known by the company she avoids.

- A girl is known by the company she avoids.

- Oh, I see.

Not even one clue like who you are

Not even one clue like who you are

or why me?

- Why don't we say

I'm just a little something for the man who has everything.

I'm just a little something for the man who has everything.

Shall we order?

Shall we order?

- Well, I don't know, I'm afraid to.

- Well, I don't know, I'm afraid to.

I'm afraid you already know what salad dressing--

- Oil and vinegar.

- Oil and vinegar.

- Prefer.

How I like my--

How I like my--

- [Isabelle] Medium rare.

- Steak.

- Steak.

- And chives with the sour cream on your baked potato.

- And chives with the sour cream on your baked potato.

- Waiter.

[machine whirring]

[machine whirring]

- Well you mean you let her get away?

- What am I supposed to whisper in her ear, "Hey, you?"

- What am I supposed to whisper in her ear, "Hey, you?"

I didn't know her name and she wasn't talking.

- You need words with your music?

- You need words with your music?

- I told you somebody had been following me.

- I told you somebody had been following me.

It was this girl all week.

She admitted it, been standing in my shoes.

She picked me out of a crowd to, quote, learn me.

She picked me out of a crowd to, quote, learn me.

She knows where I work, where I'm staying.

She knows where I work, where I'm staying.

She knows I'm on a two week luxury binge

She knows I'm on a two week luxury binge

working all day and spoiling myself at night.

She even knows my collar size.

She even knows my collar size.

- And you came out fighting?

- Well, you can't go into a thing like this

without knowing what it's all about.

without knowing what it's all about.

- Who can't?

When an angel lands on your shoulder

When an angel lands on your shoulder

don't ask her what makes her fly.

- [Gus] Hey, roughneck.

- [Gus] Hey, roughneck.

- We know all about him, his name's Gus.

- We know all about him, his name's Gus.

Make you wanna whisper in his ear?

Make you wanna whisper in his ear?

[bags thumping]

[bags thumping]

[soft music]

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

- Hello.

- [Lee] [on phone] Hey, how you doing?

- Oh, hi, Lee.

- Oh, hi, Lee.

- [Lee] [on phone] Well?

- No, no message, nothing.

- No, no message, nothing.

Not a word.

- [Lee] [on phone] That's the way the ball bounces.

- [Lee] [on phone] That's the way the ball bounces.

When you gonna start listening to your

good buddy Lee, here, huh?

You know, you gotta learn those things my man

You know, you gotta learn those things my man

because you got a lot to learn that way.

[hangs up phone]

[hangs up phone]

[soft romantic music]

[soft romantic music]

- Is this what it's like?

- I know I shouldn't ask this.

- I know I shouldn't ask this.

Why me?

- Hm.

I've never been in love before.

I've never been in love before.

It's time, and I chose you.

It's time, and I chose you.

Out of a whole constellation of strangers.

Out of a whole constellation of strangers.

[laughs]

[laughs]

Don't explorers in space have to land somewhere?

Don't explorers in space have to land somewhere?

Sometime?

- If you can trust me with your love

- If you can trust me with your love

why not with your name?

why not with your name?

- Suppose I said I was the Queen of Spain?

- Suppose I said I was the Queen of Spain?

Suppose I said I was the daughter of a lighthouse keeper?

Suppose I said I was the daughter of a lighthouse keeper?

Suppose I said that I don't exist?

Suppose I said that I don't exist?

That I'm an illusion.

A light that vanishes by morning.

A light that vanishes by morning.

Is love dependent on a category?

Is love dependent on a category?

On substance?

On reality?

[soft music]

[soft music]

- The first Queen of Spain was Isabelle.

- The first Queen of Spain was Isabelle.

I dub you, lovely stranger, Isabelle.

I dub you, lovely stranger, Isabelle.

- Isabelle.

- Isabelle, darling.

- Isabelle, darling.

[romantic music]

[romantic music]

[dishes clanking]

[dishes clanking]

- I'll get you some fresh coffee.

- I'll get you some fresh coffee.

My name is Ethel, I'm happy to serve you.

May I bring you coffee now?

May I bring you coffee now?

I said may I serve you coffee first?

I said may I serve you coffee first?

I'll be back in a minute.

I'll be back in a minute.

Give the coffee some thought, huh?

Everything okay here?

How are the pancakes?

How are the pancakes?

- Good, Ethel.

- Here, let me help.

- Here, let me help.

My name is still Ethel, in case anybody cares.

My name is still Ethel, in case anybody cares.

- Oh, hello Ethel.

- Oh, hello Ethel.

Ethel, this is Isabelle, Isabelle, this is Ethel.

Ethel, this is Isabelle, Isabelle, this is Ethel.

My name's Tod, Ethel.

And do you suppose you could bring us

And do you suppose you could bring us

some nice, hot coffee Ethel?

Some coffee for Isabelle and some coffee for Tod.

Some coffee for Isabelle and some coffee for Tod.

Okay, Ethel?

[cheerful music]

[cheerful music]

Which window's yours?

Which window's yours?

- When you say, I open.

But when you ask, I close.

But when you ask, I close.

You know, I read somewhere once that

You know, I read somewhere once that

love without reason is love without end.

love without reason is love without end.

- Well, when do I see you again?

- Well, when do I see you again?

Oh, okay [laughs].

Oh, okay [laughs].

I want to see you again.

I want to see you again.

Very soon.

- Tomorrow I'm 27.

- Tomorrow I'm 27.

- It's tomorrow, Isabelle.

- It's tomorrow, Isabelle.

We'll drive up to Lake Arrowhead.

We'll drive up to Lake Arrowhead.

Listen, there's a special sunrise up there.

The sun gets hung up on top of the pine trees.

The sun gets hung up on top of the pine trees.

If we leave right now we can just make it.

If we leave right now we can just make it.

- I have to pack.

- I'll help you. - No.

- I'll help you. - No.

- Hey. [door shuts]

- Hey. [door shuts]

You have this long.

[soft music]

- There's a young man outside waiting in a car.

- There's a young man outside waiting in a car.

Tell him

the Queen of Spain sailed with Columbus.

the Queen of Spain sailed with Columbus.

Into a new world.

Into a new world.

Tell him she said goodbye.

Tell him she said goodbye.

Goodbye, Tod, darling.

Goodbye, Tod, darling.

[somber music]

[somber music]

- Need some help?

- I don't know.

They told me at the company

I should come down here and talk to somebody.

I should come down here and talk to somebody.

Somebody in bunco.

- Third floor.

- I hate to do that, you know?

- Look, if somebody took ya--

- Look, if somebody took ya--

- I don't even know if I've been taken.

- Now, you don't have a complaint you've got a problem.

- Now, you don't have a complaint you've got a problem.

- I met this girl and now she's gone.

- I met this girl and now she's gone.

But that sounds more like missing person's to me.

- Gone with the wind, missing person's.

- Gone with the wind, missing person's.

Gone with your wallet, bunco, third floor.

Gone with your wallet, bunco, third floor.

- Well the only thing that's missing is my credit card

and I could've left that someplace.

and I could've left that someplace.

I don't think she--

- Take the elevator, it's easier on your feet.

- Take the elevator, it's easier on your feet.

- Thanks.

- Thanks.

- This file covers the dinner grafters.

When you get through those you can go through

When you get through those you can go through

the boosters and the lamisters

and the seat tippers and the cannons.

and the seat tippers and the cannons.

Didn't even get here name, huh?

- I quote, suppose I said I was the Queen of Spain, unquote.

- I quote, suppose I said I was the Queen of Spain, unquote.

- I quote, suppose I said I was the Queen of Spain, unquote.

So I named her Isabelle.

- She sounds bright.

- She sounds bright.

- Do you know about the [indistinct]?

- Do you know about the [indistinct]?

- She did?

Think I'll ask for a computer check on

college grads we booked for bunco.

She might fall out of a sheet.

She might fall out of a sheet.

Any more?

Any more?

- Yeah, she had a poodle.

- Gray?

Miniature, rhinestone collar?

Miniature, rhinestone collar?

[laughing] It's standard equipment.

They stamp them out, one girl, one poodle.

They stamp them out, one girl, one poodle.

- Look lieutenant, I wanna make one thing very clear.

- Look lieutenant, I wanna make one thing very clear.

Now, I'm here going through the motions

because the credit card company insisted.

because the credit card company insisted.

Now, I don't know whether she took the card or not

but even if she did, how much damage could she do?

but even if she did, how much damage could she do?

I reported it to the Consolidated people

as soon as I knew it was gone.

- How soon was that after she left your city?

- How soon was that after she left your city?

- Well, just a couple of days.

- [laughs] Rots of ruck.

- [laughs] Rots of ruck.

- Frankly lieutenant, I look at these pictures

- Frankly lieutenant, I look at these pictures

of these women.

Every page makes me sicker.

Every page makes me sicker.

To compare her to these people.

- We've also got some books on female impersonators.

Maybe you better run through those, too.

Maybe you better run through those, too.

[lieutenant laughing]

[lieutenant laughing]

- Well that's not too funny.

[laughing] In this business, Mr. Stiles

[laughing] In this business, Mr. Stiles

a man has to reach for his laughs.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

- Stiles?

Tod Stiles?

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

How do you do, Mr. Mills?

- We have your credit card.

- We have your credit card.

- See, I told you she wouldn't steal it.

Where'd you find it?

- It was mailed to us.

- It was mailed to us.

- Ah.

- There's one school of thought

- There's one school of thought

in the Hollywood branch, Mr. Stiles

which concedes you've established a new record.

which concedes you've established a new record.

To date, we are charged...

To date, we are charged...

Let me amend that.

You are charged

You are charged

with $9,216.43 worth of purchases.

with $9,216.43 worth of purchases.

Of course, there may be more.

These are only the early returns.

These are only the early returns.

- Nine thousand?

- Nine thousand?

- Oh, we've had higher purchases but never on one day.

At least not in the Hollywood branch.

At least not in the Hollywood branch.

- 216 dollars.

- 216 dollars.

- Obviously she attached some special importance

- Obviously she attached some special importance

to that particular day.

- 43 cents.

It was her birthday.

It was her birthday.

- Given the circumstances, it is my responsibility

- Given the circumstances, it is my responsibility

to advise you that we cannot return your card.

Additionally, I've been instructed to tell you

Additionally, I've been instructed to tell you

the supervisor himself would appreciate

the supervisor himself would appreciate

if you would stop by at your earliest convenience

to discuss the settling of your account.

to discuss the settling of your account.

- What's to discuss?

- What's to discuss?

- $9216.43.

- $9216.43.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

- Three bucks.

It's cheaper than a gun.

It's cheaper than a gun.

[laughing] Unlucky at cards.

[laughing] Unlucky at cards.

Credit cards.

And unlucky at love.

And unlucky at love.

[laughing] I'm just unlucky.

[laughing] I'm just unlucky.

- I'll drive you home.

- I'll drive you home.

- Where's to drive?

I can fly.

I can fly.

[somber music]

[somber music]

Thanks, Lee.

Thanks, Lee.

- How about some food?

- No, I...

No you take the car, I'm gonna walk.

No you take the car, I'm gonna walk.

- I'll come back later and pick you up.

- I'll come back later and pick you up.

- Is this the most rundown part of town?

- Is this the most rundown part of town?

I wanna see some of the losers.

It'll help me remember what my dad

It'll help me remember what my dad

taught me a long time ago.

taught me a long time ago.

- What are you gonna do about the tab at Consolidated?

- What are you gonna do about the tab at Consolidated?

- First I'm gonna sell the car.

- First I'm gonna sell the car.

Then I'm gonna try to arrange to pay the balance

off 50 bucks a month.

off 50 bucks a month.

That way I should be able to swallow it in about 10 years.

That way I should be able to swallow it in about 10 years.

- Well why don't you file under the Bankruptcy Act?

It's got a lot of class and you'd be

It's got a lot of class and you'd be

the only bankrupt roughneck in the whole oil field.

[laughs]

[laughs]

- See you later.

- See you later.

[somber music]

[somber music]

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

Isabelle!

[dishes clanking]

You and I have a date with the bunco squad.

You and I have a date with the bunco squad.

- Young man.

- Young man.

- You stay out of this.

- Do you know this man, Susan?

- I'm afraid not.

- Alright Isabelle you can hide behind that uniform

and that Alice in Wonderland look.

But I'm not leaving until lieutenant Cook gets here

But I'm not leaving until lieutenant Cook gets here

to slap the cuffs on you!

[dramatic music]

I'm making a citizen's arrest.

I'm making a citizen's arrest.

- Susan.

- He looks so hungry and tired.

- He looks so hungry and tired.

May we get you something, young man?

May we get you something, young man?

- Yeah, the bunco squad.

- Let go of her, fink.

- Let go of her, fink.

[grunts]

[dramatic music] [rustling]

[dramatic music] [rustling]

- Listen lieutenant, I don't care what she says

- Listen lieutenant, I don't care what she says

I'm telling you that's Isabelle!

I'm telling you that's Isabelle!

- I seem to remember the last time around

you insisted she was innocent.

you insisted she was innocent.

- Well yeah, that was before the nine grand.

- Well, you can't blame him.

- Well, you can't blame him.

- What kind of girl would do that to a fine young man?

- What kind of girl would do that to a fine young man?

[sighs]

[sighs]

- Well, this young lady's telling the truth.

Her social security checks out.

Her social security checks out.

Her name is Susan Anders.

She's identified herself, committed no crime.

She's identified herself, committed no crime.

We pulled her fingerprints, checked them against

our files, checked them against the FBI.

our files, checked them against the FBI.

No one's got a ticket out for her.

No one's got a ticket out for her.

- Well call the credit card company.

Impound my car and take the fingerprints off the car

Impound my car and take the fingerprints off the car

and check them with hers.

Isn't that what you fellas call a make?

Isn't that what you fellas call a make?

[thud]

- You see what TV's done?

- You see what TV's done?

Stolen all our little trade secrets, have them make.

Last officer used that jazzy jargon

Last officer used that jazzy jargon

was retired to Catalina 10 years ago.

was retired to Catalina 10 years ago.

Thank you for coming in Ms. Anders.

- You mean you're just gonna let her go.

You're just gonna let her walk out of here?

You're just gonna let her walk out of here?

- Mr. Stiles?

- Mr. Stiles?

Don't lose faith in all women

because one woman used you badly.

because one woman used you badly.

- Let me tell you something, Isabelle, your majesty.

- Let me tell you something, Isabelle, your majesty.

Susan, daughter of lighthouse keepers.

I'll haunt you.

I'll haunt you.

I'll eat mission doughnuts and drink mission soup

and camp on your doorstep til you admit who you are.

and camp on your doorstep til you admit who you are.

- Easy Stiles. - Easy?

- Easy Stiles. - Easy?

I'm faced with 10 years hard labor.

- Bye, Ms. Anders.

We stopped using thumb screws a long time ago.

We stopped using thumb screws a long time ago.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

- You teach forgiveness at the mission, right?

- You teach forgiveness at the mission, right?

Okay?

- There's nothing to forgive.

- There's nothing to forgive.

The main thing is not to let the experience embitter you.

The main thing is not to let the experience embitter you.

- Benjamin Franklin once said, "There's a time to wink

"as well as a time to see."

"as well as a time to see."

- Do you like to walk?

- Yeah, I haven't been in Los Angeles long enough

- Yeah, I haven't been in Los Angeles long enough

to learn not to like it.

- Do you like hardware stores?

- Do you like hardware stores?

- They're my very favorite thing.

- Well, this is a fine street for hardware stores.

- Well, this is a fine street for hardware stores.

Wait til you see.

They've got these tremendous pots and pans in the windows

They've got these tremendous pots and pans in the windows

and these huge ladles.

and these huge ladles.

Certainly use them at the mission.

Certainly use them at the mission.

You'd be surprised how expensive they are.

- Oh, no.

- Oh, no.

Nothing would surprise me.

- Why did she leave you?

- Why did she leave you?

- It's done.

- My wrist is bruised where you grabbed me.

- My wrist is bruised where you grabbed me.

I don't think it's done.

May I call you Tod?

May I call you Tod?

Tod, why do you want to see me?

Tod, why do you want to see me?

Is it because you still don't believe me

Is it because you still don't believe me

or because I remind you of her?

- Ah, do I have to have a reason?

- Ah, do I have to have a reason?

- What's anything without a reason?

That's illusion, who can live with illusion?

That's illusion, who can live with illusion?

Did you love her that much?

Did you love her that much?

- You answered that question yourself.

- You answered that question yourself.

Who can live with illusion?

Who can live with illusion?

- Look.

Pots and pans and spoons and forks.

That's life, Tod, a good life.

That's life, Tod, a good life.

What else did she steal from you?

What else did she steal from you?

- I don't wanna talk about her anymore.

- I don't wanna talk about her anymore.

- The lieutenant said she took almost 10,000 dollars.

- The lieutenant said she took almost 10,000 dollars.

Are you that rich?

- Credit card.

- Credit card.

It was a credit card and her birthday.

It was a credit card and her birthday.

She bought a ticket on the champagne flight to Hong Kong.

She bought a ticket on the champagne flight to Hong Kong.

And a train ticket to New York.

And a train ticket to New York.

And a boat ticket on the solar deck

outside state room to Rio.

outside state room to Rio.

And a bus ticket, the scenic dome ride to Yellowstone.

And a bus ticket, the scenic dome ride to Yellowstone.

East, west, north and south.

East, west, north and south.

And then she bought a wardrobe for each place.

And then she bought a wardrobe for each place.

- Four places at once?

- Yeah.

You might say that when she decided to go

You might say that when she decided to go

she went all to pieces.

- How could anyone ever say goodbye to you?

- How could anyone ever say goodbye to you?

Today is my birthday.

Today is my birthday.

I'm 22 today.

And there's a better hardware store across the street.

And there's a better hardware store across the street.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

[car door shuts]

- I'm seeing him first thing in the morning, okay?

- I'm seeing him first thing in the morning, okay?

- Curious thing.

Truly has the branch baffled.

Truly has the branch baffled.

All those travel tickets, you know?

All those travel tickets, you know?

All mailed back to us.

None of them were used.

None of them were used.

Oh, of course in the case of two of the carriers

there was a slight service charge for failing to cancel.

there was a slight service charge for failing to cancel.

there was a slight service charge for failing to cancel.

Comes to $116.75.

Comes to $116.75.

Quite the difference, wouldn't you say?

And all of the clothes she ordered?

And all of the clothes she ordered?

Well, apparently there was no such address that she gave.

Well, apparently there was no such address that she gave.

No such person.

Everything's been returned, even the mink boa.

Everything's been returned, even the mink boa.

And your account's been credited.

Supervisor is indeed relieved.

Supervisor is indeed relieved.

On behalf of the Consolidated Credit Card Corporation

On behalf of the Consolidated Credit Card Corporation

we are honored to welcome you back

to the legion of satisfied card holders.

to the legion of satisfied card holders.

However, not without this admonition.

However, not without this admonition.

In the words of William Makepeace Thackeray

In the words of William Makepeace Thackeray

"Character is credit."

And supervisor adds, with the whimsy of his own

And supervisor adds, with the whimsy of his own

"Credit is character."

Guard it, Mr. Stiles?

Guard it well.

Mr. Stiles?

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

Mr. Stiles.

Have you nothing to say?

Have you nothing to say?

- Yeah, she's the girl I love.

- Yeah, she's the girl I love.

Susan, Isabelle, whoever she is.

Illusion, reality, who cares?

Illusion, reality, who cares?

[mellow music]

- Alright, here we have lot number 27.

Made of genuine Mexican cactus fiber, ladies and gentlemen.

Made of genuine Mexican cactus fiber, ladies and gentlemen.

Hand-crafted by skilled artisans

descended directly from the ancient Aztecs.

descended directly from the ancient Aztecs.

Just the thing for your patio wall, ladies and gentlemen.

Just the thing for your patio wall, ladies and gentlemen.

Alright now, what am I bid, what am I bid?

Let me remind you, ladies and gentlemen

Let me remind you, ladies and gentlemen

all proceeds go to the Midnight Mission.

all proceeds go to the Midnight Mission.

Do I hear 20 dollars?

Do I hear 20 dollars?

- $52.50.

- $52.50?

I've got $52.50, I've got $52.50.

I've got $52.50, I've got $52.50.

Do I hear $60?

- I don't understand.

- What?

- Well she said tell him--

- Well she said tell him--

well frankly she left in such a hurry I didn't catch it all.

Something about Columbus.

Something about Columbus.

- And Isabelle?

- And Isabelle?

- Yes, and I remember this part.

- Yes, and I remember this part.

She said, "There are too many worlds to discover."

She said, "There are too many worlds to discover."

What does it mean? [somber music]

What does it mean? [somber music]

Is she really gone?

Is she really gone?

Isn't she coming back?

- How do I find her?

How would you go about finding her?

- Well, Tod, you take me.

I live inside a circle I draw around myself.

I live inside a circle I draw around myself.

My wife, my kids, my job, and that's it.

My wife, my kids, my job, and that's it.

Now, I like my circle so I stay in it

like most people, right?

like most people, right?

Now I don't say that I don't have dreams.

Now I don't say that I don't have dreams.

But I stick, right?

Now you take the bigamy cases.

Now you take the bigamy cases.

Last year I had a man...

Last year I had a man...

Well I guess you could call it trigamy, he had three wives.

One in L.A., one in Glendale and one at Santa Monica.

Well I asked him how come three?

Well I asked him how come three?

Well, he said, "I used to have only two.

Well, he said, "I used to have only two.

"But since they completed the freeway system

"a man can cover a lot more ground."

"a man can cover a lot more ground."

Well that boy's got three circles, right?

Well that boy's got three circles, right?

Susan Anders, Isabelle.

Who knows how many names.

Who knows how many names.

She comes in, she lives a quick life

She comes in, she lives a quick life

and she closes the book.

and she closes the book.

She moves out to a completely different life.

She moves out to a completely different life.

It's as though she's got to know them all

like a kid in a candy store.

like a kid in a candy store.

- Mr. Stiles?

- Mr. Stiles?

For you, a lady.

- Where are you?

- Where are you?

[somber music]

[somber music]

Tomorrow, she wants me to meet her tomorrow.

Bartender.

[soft music]

[soft music]

- Oh, I'm sorry, I thought...

I thought I knew you.

I thought I knew you.

- I was supposed to meet someone here.

- I was supposed to meet someone here.

- Oh, the building isn't open yet.

- Oh, the building isn't open yet.

It's still under construction.

- Maybe you saw her.

- You know, in my opinion, UCLA has the finest

- You know, in my opinion, UCLA has the finest

Department of Theater Arts than any university

Department of Theater Arts than any university

in the United States.

That's why I chose it.

That's why I chose it.

I believe if a person wants a career in the creative arts

she should take the best training available.

she should take the best training available.

she should take the best training available.

- She said 10:00.

I'm a little early, is there some place she could've gone?

I'm a little early, is there some place she could've gone?

Some place close for

Some place close for

coffee or doughnuts?

- Inside, our main theater

- Inside, our main theater

will be able to accommodate 600.

will be able to accommodate 600.

Of course, the stage is empty now but

when it's all finished it'll have

a flexible proscenium, an elevator four stages

a flexible proscenium, an elevator four stages

and a grid winch system and wagon space.

and a grid winch system and wagon space.

And the most advanced lighting control.

And the most advanced lighting control.

Are you interested in theater?

Are you interested in theater?

- Yeah, very.

- Would you like to see it?

Oh, my name's Lila Gunther.

Oh, my name's Lila Gunther.

[dramatic music]

- Tod Stiles.

- Will your friend mind?

- Will your friend mind?

- We have time.

- This way.

[somber music]

[somber music]

You need 21 units for a major.

You need 21 units for a major.

- How many do you have?

- Oh, I'm just starting.

- Oh, I'm just starting.

Do you think she'd mind if we

Do you think she'd mind if we

took another minute or two?

took another minute or two?

Would you sit down over there, please?

Would you sit down over there, please?

I'm going to impose on you dreadfully.

I'm going to impose on you dreadfully.

Have you read many Russian novels?

Have you read many Russian novels?

The characters in Russian novels are always on trains.

The characters in Russian novels are always on trains.

Going somewhere in the night.

Going somewhere in the night.

And always carrying terrible burdens in their hearts.

And always carrying terrible burdens in their hearts.

And invariably they meet a stranger on the train.

And invariably they meet a stranger on the train.

And they unburden themselves.

A complete catharsis, you know?

A complete catharsis, you know?

Telling the stranger things

Telling the stranger things

that they would never dream of telling a loved one.

that they would never dream of telling a loved one.

Well...

I'm working on a kind of

I'm working on a kind of

play, I guess you'd call it.

play, I guess you'd call it.

I hope to use it as an exercise in class.

I hope to use it as an exercise in class.

May I...

May I try it on you?

May I try it on you?

From the stage?

Would you listen?

Would you listen?

As only strangers can?

With complete honesty?

Suppose I do the prologue?

Suppose I do the prologue?

The opening address to the audience.

The opening address to the audience.

Ladies and gentlemen.

This is a play very much like human life.

This is a play very much like human life.

Obviously it has a beginning.

Unfortunately, it has an end.

And most important of all

it is not what it appears to be.

it is not what it appears to be.

You see me here, alone.

Yet, if you watch.

Yet, if you watch.

If you listen.

If you listen.

You will discover a person within a person.

You will discover a person within a person.

A reason within a reason.

A reason within a reason.

Like, like one of those lovely

wooden Japanese eggs.

Which, when you open

Which, when you open

disclose to you another egg.

disclose to you another egg.

Then, still, another.

Then, still, another.

You are free to choose what you may from my play.

You are free to choose what you may from my play.

Tragedy, if that's what you prefer.

Romance, if you'd rather have that.

You are also free

to cast your own players.

Who are they?

Can you hear what they say?

Are they children?

Do they want everything as children do?

Only here shall I give you a hint.

Only here shall I give you a hint.

Yes.

They do want everything.

But, reaching for everything

But, reaching for everything

they can have nothing.

they can have nothing.

Because...

If you say yes to one thing

If you say yes to one thing

to one person

are you not at the very same moment saying no to

are you not at the very same moment saying no to

ten thousand other things?

ten thousand other things?

Other people you have yet to meet.

Other people you have yet to meet.

But since my players

But since my players

can say no to nothing

they can't say yes to anything.

they can't say yes to anything.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Ladies and gentlemen.

One more caution before you watch.

One more caution before you watch.

Please do not take any of this too seriously.

Please do not take any of this too seriously.

Don't reason it out, don't look for causes.

Don't reason it out, don't look for causes.

And when it ends

think about it no longer.

Don't follow the players and ask them

Don't follow the players and ask them

"What did you mean?"

"What did you mean?"

Because they are migratory.

Because they are migratory.

And they do not know what it means either.

And they do not know what it means either.

Except that they fly south.

Except that they fly south.

And they fly north.

And they fly south again.

Now...

Now...

Before the curtain rises

this last hint.

When a child plays with a doll

When a child plays with a doll

the child knows that the doll is not alive.

the child knows that the doll is not alive.

But she wants so much

But she wants so much

to believe that the doll lives.

to believe that the doll lives.

That for a while

That for a while

the doll does live.

In the child's mind.

In this fashion

In this fashion

if I were to say

if I were to say

I were the Queen of Spain

in my heart I know that it is not true.

in my heart I know that it is not true.

But I can still live the enchantment.

But I can still live the enchantment.

[soft dramatic music]

[soft dramatic music]

And that is the play, ladies and gentlemen

which you are about to see.

which you are about to see.

I've kept you too long.

Your friend must be back by now.

Your friend must be back by now.

What do you think of the introduction?

Do you think it sounds too much like...

Do you think it sounds too much like...

Do you think it sounds too much like...

Like Guerto or Pirandello?

- I'm sorry I won't get to see the rest of the play.

- I'm sorry I won't get to see the rest of the play.

- I'm sorry, too.

- I'm sorry, too.

- Can you tell me how it ends?

- Like all plays end.

The curtain closes.

The actors take their pause.

The audience applauds.

The audience applauds.

- And then?

- And then?

- And then

- And then

everyone goes his own way.

everyone goes his own way.

[slowly applauding]

[slowly applauding]

[somber music]

[somber music]

- [Narrator] This has been a Screen Gems film presentation.

- [Narrator] This has been a Screen Gems film presentation.

Herbert B. Leonard, executive producer.

Herbert B. Leonard, executive producer.

[END CREDITS]