MUSIC:

"ON STAGE" INTRO, THEN OUT

ANNCR:

Cathy and Elliott Lewis - On Stage.

MUSIC:

"ON STAGE" THEME. ESTABLISH, AND CONTINUE UNDER

ANNCR:

Cathy Lewis. Elliott Lewis. Two of the most distinguished names in Radio. Appearing each week, in their own theatre. Starring in a repertory of transcribed stories of their own, and your, choosing. Radio's foremost players in Radio's foremost plays.

Ladies and gentlemen, Elliott Lewis!

MUSIC:

THEME TO A FINISH

ELLIOTT:

Good evening. May I present my wife, Cathy.

CATHY:

Good evening.

ELLIOTT:

I had the opportunity, the week before last, to catch up on some of my reading. And I fortunately had available before me, a short story by a writer new to our program: Het Mannheim, by name.

CATHY:

Elliott was fascinated with the story. I read it, and agreed with him, and we asked Mr. Mannheim if he would let us do it on "On Stage".

ELLIOTT:

He agreed. We asked E. Jack Neuman to adapt it for us; he agreed. And that's how a radio show gets to the point where we're able to say...

CATHY:

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we present "The Fling". Based on the short story by Het Mannheim.

MUSIC:

OMINOUS, DRAMATIC, THEN QUIETLY TENSE

SFX:

DESERT WIND, UNDER

SFX:

WIND RATTLES SCREEN DOOR

KATIE:

(STARTLED AWAKE) Oh, Jim!

JIM:

(GENTLY) It's all right. It's just the wind.

KATIE (RELIEVED) Oh. What time is it?

JIM:

It must be about three. You need your rest, Katie. Go back to sleep now.

KATIE:

Jim... Do you remember the night we met at the Elks dance, in Carver?

JIM:

Of course I remember.

KATIE:

I was very pretty, wasn't I?

JIM:

You've always been pretty, Katie.

KATIE:

We didn't know this was going to happen, then. If it hadn't happened, if I hadn't gotten sick, what do you think it would be like now?

JIM:

(GENTLY) We can't think about that, Katie. Now, please, go back to sleep, huh?

KATIE:

You miss home, don't you, Jim?

JIM:

This is home now. The Mojave Desert's as good as Carver, Indiana, if it's the place that you can get well in. That's all I want you to do. Get well.

KATIE:

Do you think I ever will, Jim?

JIM:

Sure you will. We were told this takes time. We- we have to take each day as it comes.

KATIE:

You're right, Jim. (HUGS HIM) I love you, Jim.

JIM:

(SAD SMILE) M-hm.

KATIE:

You're wonderful to me. And I love you.

JIM:

I love you, Katie.

KATIE:

Later on, maybe the wind'll let up.

JIM:

G'night, Katie.

KATIE:

(YAWNS) Night. (LIES DOWN) Mmm. Ah.

JIM:

(WATCHES HER FOR A WHILE, THEN EXHALES)

SFX:

HE LEAVES HER ROOM, GENTLY CLOSING DOOR ... STEPS WEARILY INTO KITCHEN, LIGHTS A CIGARETTE

JIM:

(TAKES A DRAG, EXHALES, STARES OFF INTO THE DISTANCE. WEARY AND BITTER) Wind'll never let up. Never. It's always strong. Hot. Dry.

MUSIC:

REMINISCENT OF SWIRLING WIND, THEN DRAMATIC, THEN OUT

SFX:

SCREEN DOOR OF DINER OPENS, THEN SHUTS ... JIM WALKS IN, UNDER

POP:

(SLIGHTLY OFF-MIKE) Hey, Stranger! (SEES JIM) Well! Hi!

JIM:

(HAPPY AND LIVELY) Hi, Pop! How's it goin'?

SFX:

JIM WALKS TO A TABLE, UNDER

POPS:

Okay, Jim! How's it with you? How's Katherine?

SFX:

SCRAPE OF CHAIR, AS JIM SITS DOWN

JIM:

Huh? Oh, she's so-so.

POPS:

Not so good, huh?

JIM:

About the same.

POPS:

You tell her I'll be gettin' some o' those duck, pretty soon. I'll fix her some, just like before.

JIM:

That's great, Pop. Thanks.

POPS:

Katherine's a fine woman, Jim. Just about the best. I sure wish I could do somethin' for her. I sure do.

JIM:

Oh, you do enough, Pop. We'll never forget it.

POPS:

Could I get ya somethin'?

JIM:

Oh, it's hot. How 'bout a Coke?

POPS:

Sure!

SFX:

HE WALKS TO FRIDGE ... OPENS FRIDGE ...TAKES OUT A BOTTLE OF COKE ... CLOSES FRIDGE ... OPENS BOTTLE ... WALKS TO TABLE ... PUTS BOTTLE ON TABLE

POPS:

There! Cool your valves with that, boy!

JIM:

(CHUCKLES) All right. (DRINKS)

STELLA:

(OFF, CALLING) Pop? Oh, Pop?

POPS:

(CALLING) Yeah?

STELLA:

(OFF, CALLING) What kind of a place you running here? I can't find the aprons anywhere!

JIM:

Hey, what is all this?

POPS:

Surprised, huh?

JIM:

(CHUCKLING) Sure!

POPS:

Yeah. New waitress. Blew in last night for coffee, and I hired her. (SNAPS FINGERS) Just like that!

JIM:

Oh.

POPS:

I'm no fool, huh? Some doll!

STELLA:

(APPROACHING) I been lookin' high and low, Pop, and I-- (SEES JIM) Well, I didn't know we had any trade in yet today.

POPS:

Uh, this is Jim, Stella. Friend o' mine. Stella Kailish, Jim.

JIM:

Hello, Stella.

STELLA:

Hello, Jim. Nice to meet you.

POPS:

What were ya lookin' for back there?

STELLA:

I was lookin' for an apron, Pop. Ya know, apron?

POPS:

Oh.

STELLA:

Til I get a uniform, I have to work in this skirt and sweater. I don't wanna ruin it. This sweater set me back three bucks, last week.

POPS:

I kinda... like the sweater, honey bunch.

STELLA:

(LITTLE SMILE) Where are the aprons, Pop?

POPS:

I think they just came back from the laundry, yesterday.

SFX:

HE WALKS TOWARDS THE BACK, UNDER

POPS:

(FADING) I'll unpack 'em for ya, kiddo!

STELLA:

(CALLING) Thanks! (TO JIM) He's a nice old coot, isn't he?

JIM:

The best.

STELLA:

You live somewhere around here, do ya, Jim?

JIM:

Yeah. Seven miles... that way.

STELLA:

Lord! Out on the desert, huh?

JIM:

Right smack in the middle of it. In a brick shack.

STELLA:

Oh. Must get pretty warm.

JIM:

It sure does. I've had eight years of it.

STELLA:

I must say, ya don't look like a desert rat.

JIM:

Neither do you.

STELLA:

I hope not.

JIM:

How'd ya happen to land here with Pop?

STELLA:

Oh, I just flapped my little ol' wings. When they got tired, this is where I was perched.

JIM:

I bet they miss you, wherever you flapped in from.

STELLA:

Ha! I don't think they miss anybody in San Berdoo. Some town, that one.

JIM:

Well, at least you can walk in a store, and buy a blue suit, or loaf on a street corner and talk things over with a neighbour.

STELLA:

Who needs 'em?

SFX:

SCRAPE, AS SHE PICKS UP BOTTLE OF COKE FROM TABLE

STELLA:

How 'bout puttin' that in a glass for ya, with some ice, huh?

SFX:

SHE WALKS BEHIND COUNTER ... GETS A GLASS ... FILLS IT WITH ICE

STELLA:

(SLIGHTLY OFF-MIKE) Y'know, I got a theory. I always say, if you don't like a place, leave it.

SFX:

POURS COKE INTO GLASS, UNDER

JIM:

That's a pretty nice thing to be able to say, Stella.

SFX:

SHE BRINGS GLASS TO HIM, AND PUTS IT ON THE TABLE

STELLA:

(SMILING) Yeah. Here ya are.

JIM:

Thanks.

STELLA:

Whatsa matter? You staked down?

JIM:

Well, this climate's supposed to be good for my wife.

STELLA:

(COLDER) Oh, you got a wife, huh?

JIM:

Yeah.

STELLA:

She sick or somethin'?

JIM:

Yeah. Her lungs.

STELLA:

That's too bad. They say this is the place. I heard it was awful good for that kinda thing. Sure glad I'm hittin' on all four.

SFX:

SHE SITS DOWN AT TABLE

STELLA:

Hope I stay that way. You take care of her yourself, do ya?

JIM:

Uh-huh.

STELLA:

The washing, the cooking, and everything?

JIM:

Someone has to do it.

STELLA:

Yeah, that's the breaks, I guess. Eight years, huh?

JIM:

Yeah.

STELLA:

She been sick all that time?

JIM:

M-hm.

STELLA:

She oughtta be gettin' well, pretty soon. Gimme a nickel, huh?

JIM:

For the Cokes?

STELLA:

For fun.

JIM:

Oh.

STELLA:

(LITTLE LAUGH)

SFX:

HE DROPS A NICKEL ON TABLE

STELLA:

Thanks.

SFX:

SHE WALKS TO JUKEBOX, UNDER

STELLA:

(FADING, SLIGHTLY) A little music goes a long way, in a joint like this.

JIM:

Ah, it's not very lively, is it?

SFX:

SHE PUTS NICKEL IN JUKEBOX

STELLA:

(OFF-MIKE) Oh, I dunno.

SFX:

SHE SELECTS A TUNE ... JUKEBOX STARTS UP

MUSIC:

(FILTER) LIVELY INSTRUMENTAL SAMBA ON JUKEBOX

STELLA:

(SINGS ALONG WITH IT, THEN) If there was room, I'd ask you for a little dance.

JIM:

(SMILING) If there was room, I WOULD dance. You wouldn't have to ask me.

STELLA:

(LAUGHING)

POPS:

(OFF-MIKE) I couldn't find the aprons either, Stella.

SFX:

POP WALKS INTO ROOM, UNDER

POPS:

(APPROACHING) I guess they didn't come back yet. The laundry guy'll be in, this afternoon, though.

STELLA:

(SIGHS) If it keeps gettin' hotter, I'll roast in this sweater! The heck with the apron, Pop! I oughtta have a nice cool uniform right away, anyhow.

POPS:

Okay, Sugar! But... (FRISKY) I'll buy it for ya! I'll buy ya a real classy uniform.

STELLA:

(SMILING) Cut it out, Pop. You'll make me blush.

POPS:

(LAUGHS KNOWINGLY) The day you bust out in a blush, I'll be an old man with whiskers down to my knees, honey bun!

STELLA:

(LAUGHS OUT LOUD, SLAPS HIM ON THE BACK) Pop!

POPS:

(FRISKY) Oh, Stella!

STELLA:

(LAUGHING) Oh, Pop!

SFX:

JIM STANDS UP SUDDENLY

JIM:

(TENSE) I... I better get goin'.

STELLA:

Yeah, don't rush off. The party's just gettin' rough!

POPS:

Yeah, Jim, don't rush off mad. D'you need gas or anything?

JIM:

No, I'm all set, Pop. Nice to have met you, Stella.

STELLA:

Same here, Jim ol' boy. Drop in anytime. This is the classiest mudhole you'll ever find!

POPS:

Oh, Jim?

JIM:

Huh?

POPS:

Give my very best to Katherine. You tell her about the duck I'm gonna fix for her. And tell her I love her.

JIM:

(SMILING) She knows that, Pop, but I'll tell her, just the same.

POPS:

Don't forget.

STELLA:

I don't know your missus, but you can say hello for me too, if you wannna.

JIM:

Yeah, okay. Well, so long.

STELLA:

Take it easy!

POPS:

So long!

SFX:

JIM WALKS TO DOOR ... DOOR OPENS ... HE STEPS OUT ... DOOR CLOSES

MUSIC:

JUKEBOX STILL PLAYING, SLIGHTLY DISTANT

SFX:

DESERT WIND, UNDER

SFX:

JIM WALKS ON SAND, TO CAR

JIM:

(PAUSE. WORLD-WEARY SIGH) Home.

SFX:

OUT

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, WEARY, TIME PASSING, ENDING WITH LAST FEW NOTES OF THE INSTRUMENTAL SAMBA TUNE

SFX:

DESERT WIND OUTSIDE, UNDER

SFX:

KATIE STEPS INTO KITCHEN

KATIE:

(GLAD TO SEE HIM) Oh! I thought I heard the car drive up. How long you been home?

JIM:

I just got here.

SFX:

RATTLE OF BOTTLES IN PAPER SACK

JIM:

How's it going?

KATIE:

Oh, fine, just fine! I slept a little, this afternoon.

JIM:

Didya take your temp?

KATIE:

M-hm. It was up a little, but it's all right now.

JIM:

Good. I... got some things for you, from Doctor Mapes.

SFX:

HE WALKS TO FRIDGE ... OPENS IT

KATIE:

Oh, I was about out.

JIM:

I think they'll keep a little better in here.

SFX:

PUTS BOTTLES IN FRIDGE ... CLOSES FRIDGE

KATIE:

Yes, uh-huh.

SFX:

RATTLE OF BULLETS IN LITTLE BOX

JIM:

Oh. Been lookin' all over for these things.

KATIE:

For what--? Oh. The cartridges?

JIM:

Yeah. Saw some snakes out by the water tank.

SFX:

SEARCHING

JIM:

Where's the gun, Katie?

KATIE:

In the drawer, dear.

SFX:

HE WALKS TO DRAWER

JIM:

Hm.

SFX:

IT'S STUCK ... HE FIGHTS WITH IT

JIM:

Darn thing's stuck.

SFX:

HE FINALLY GETS IT OPEN

KATIE:

You aren't going out now?

JIM:

No. Just wanna put these in with the gun.

SFX:

PUTS BOX INTO DRAWER ... FIGHTS TO CLOSE IT

JIM:

I'll have to fix that.

SFX:

WALKS TO TABLE

JIM:

There. (SMILING) You hungry?

KATIE:

Just a little bit.

JIM:

I picked up some lettuce and things. How 'bout a nice salad for dinner?

KATIE:

Good! It's nicer when it gets dark. W- why don't we wait?

JIM:

(SMILING) There's no hurry.

KATIE:

Where will we eat, tonight?

JIM:

Well... Shall we make it the Waldorf? Or someplace in Europe?

KATIE:

(LITTLE LAUGH) Let's make it European tonight. I'm getting tired of this American cooking.

JIM:

You're on.

KATIE:

I had a dream, this afternoon, Jim.

JIM:

What'd you dream about, Katie?

KATIE:

I... dreamt we were back in Carver. The trees were green, and... the grass was damp, and smelled fresh. I could just smell that grass, Jim.

JIM:

Uh-huh.

KATIE:

And I heard water. I guess it was a stream. No wind. Just the sound of water.

JIM:

(WISTFUL SMILE) We'll be there again, someday.

KATIE:

No, Jim, it wasn't that kind of a dream. I mean, the kind that misses all of the things that stop you from being, or having what you want. It had another part in it.

JIM:

What other part was that, Katie?

KATIE:

A memory of having been to Europe, Jim. To Switzerland. And a doctor who could help me. The way we read about in the article. It was sort of a practical dream. (PAUSE) Did Doctor Mapes show you my new X-rays?

JIM:

Yeah. About the same, Katie.

KATIE:

(LITTLE QUIVER) No better, huh?

JIM:

They're no worse.

KATIE:

(STARTING TO CRY) Oh, Jim!

JIM:

(HOLDING HER, TENDERLY) Here, here.

KATIE:

(SOBBING) I'm nothing to you, this way! Pale and thin and just... lying in this bed. You need someone with life in them!

JIM:

Now, now, now, now...

KATIE:

(SOBBING) Oh, Jim, I DO love you so! Please. Please don't ever leave me. Ever!

JIM:

(TENDERLY, BUT THINKING OF STELLA) No, dear. No. Never.

MUSIC:

SWARMING VERSION OF INSTRUMENTAL SAMBA, LIKE AN OMINOUS WIND BUILDING, THEN OUT

SFX:

DINER DOOR OPENS, THEN CLOSES ... JIM WALK IN, UNDER

STELLA:

(OFF-MIKE, CALLING) I'll be with you in a minute. Have a chair.

JIM:

(SMILING) Hi!

STELLA:

(OFF-MIKE) That you, Jim?

JIM:

Yeah!

SFX:

SCRAPE OF CHAIR, AS HE SITS DOWN

JIM:

Where's Pop?

STELLA:

(OFF-MIKE) Buyin' the grub. I'm tryin' to fix my hair. What'll ya have? Vichysoissie or a roast pheasant a la Pops?

JIM:

(LAUGHING) Roast pheasant a la Pops, huh? That's pretty good!

STELLA:

(OFF-MIKE) Be there in a second.

JIM:

(FRIENDLY) Take your time. I'm in no hurry.

STELLA:

(OFF-MIKE) Who is, around here?

SFX:

SHE WALKS INTO ROOM, AND TO HIM, UNDER

STELLA:

That's all there is. Time. Wow. What a hot hole, this turned out to be.

JIM:

Oh, it's not so bad, lately.

STELLA:

Oh, you, you just say that. You've gotta stay here, and-- (PAUSE) Sorry. I... I didn't mean that, Jim.

JIM:

It's okay. You didn't say anything, Stella. It's okay.

STELLA:

I'm always yakkin'. Hey, you shaved again!

JIM:

(SHEEPISH LAUGH) Oh...

STELLA:

That first day you came in, I wondered if you ever shaved much, and, bingo! You've been shaved every time you've been in, since. (EXHALES) Ooh, it's hot, isn't it?

JIM:

Yeah. (UPBEAT) Want a little music?

STELLA:

Aw, I'm gettin' sick of it.

JIM:

Hey...

STELLA:

Huh?

JIM:

Um... How'd ya like to take a ride down to San Berdoo, sometime? Have a coupla drinks?

STELLA:

With you?

JIM:

Well, sure. What'sa matter with me?

STELLA:

Oh, I didn't mean it like that.

JIM:

Well, how 'bout it? Would ya like to do it? Uh, it'd give ya a chance to look at some fresh scenery.

STELLA:

I came from there, remember?

JIM:

How 'bout tonight?

STELLA:

You really mean it, don't ya?

JIM:

Why not?

(PAUSE. SHE CONSIDERS IT.)

 

STELLA:

I'll tell you what. Jim boy, I'll let ya know. You come around after nine, when Pop goes to bed. Okay?

JIM:

(SMILING) Okay. Okay, Stella!

MUSIC:

INSTRUMENTAL SAMBA "PERDIDO", AS IF FROM JUKEBOX, GETTING DISCHORDANT, TO AN OMINOUS FINISH

ANNCR:

You are listening to Cathy and Elliott Lewis - On Stage. Tonight's play: "The Fling".

Wood for your home, water in the faucet, the newspaper on the front porch every day. Behind all of these taken-for-granted items of everyday life, are America's forests. Whenever a forest burns, those things are being destroyed. And we ourselves are destroying them. Because nine-tenths of all forest fires are man-made. Let's stop this needless destruction. And be careful of fire in forest areas.

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, OMINOUS, TURNING INTO "PERDIDO", THEN OUT

SFX:

DESERT WIND, UNDER

JIM:

(SINGS "PERDIDO" TUNE TO HIMSELF)

KATIE:

What's his name?

JIM:

Uh, Al Brennan.

KATIE:

Al Brennan. You went to school with him?

JIM:

Yeah. Where's my shirt, Katie?

KATIE:

Oh, there.

JIM:

Oh, yeah.

SFX:

WALKS TO IT

KATIE:

D'you have to be there any special time?

JIM:

(PUTTING ON SHIRT) No. 'Bout when I get there. You can understand that, can't ya?

KATIE:

Why, sure, Jim.

JIM:

(IRRITATED) Hang around here, day in and day out, I never go anywhere or do anything, and the minute I wanna take a little trip to San Bernardino, to meet an old friend, I get the question treatment.

KATIE:

I'm sorry, dear.

JIM:

Aw, I'm sorry, Katie.

KATIE:

Going to wear your blue sportcoat, huh?

SFX:

HE WALKS TO GET IT

JIM:

(SMILING) Yeah. (PUTS IT ON) It could stand a trip to the cleaners, I guess.

SFX:

HE WALKS TO KATIE

JIM:

Well? How do I look?

KATIE:

Wonderful!

JIM:

Now, you'll be all right while I'm gone, won't ya?

KATIE:

Oh, sure!

JIM:

Well... I guess I got everything.

KATIE:

What time will you be home?

JIM:

Well, I dunno. I d-- Well... Probably after midnight. (PAUSE) You get to sleep, ya hear?

KATIE:

Uh-huh.

JIM:

Well... G'night.

KATIE:

G'night.

SFX:

HE WALKS TO THE DOOR

KATIE:

Oh, Jim?

SFX:

HE STOPS

JIM:

Yeah, Katie?

KATIE:

Have a good time with your... friend.

JIM:

All right, Katie.

SFX:

HE WALKS TO DOOR ... OPENS IT ... STEPS OUT ... CLOSES DOOR

SFX:

DESERT WIND LOUDER

MUSIC:

UNEASY, THEN REMINISCENT OF A TENSE HEARTBEAT WITH A BIT OF "PERDIDO", THEN OUT

SFX:

JIM DRIVES TO DINER ... PARKS CAR ... TURNS OFF MOTOR ... OPENS CAR DOOR ... GETS OUT ... CLOSES CAR DOOR ... WALKS ON SAND

SFX:

DESERT WIND, UNDER

SFX:

STOPS WALKING

JIM:

(URGENT WHISPER) Stella?

SFX:

URGENT KNOCKS ON SCREEN DOOR

JIM:

(WHISPER) Stella? (NO ANSWER) Hey, baby, it's me. Jim.

SFX:

SHE WALKS TO DOOR, AND OPENS IT

STELLA:

(SHE'S DRUNK) Hi.

JIM:

Hi.

STELLA:

Right on time.

JIM:

Look, why don't ya change your clothes, and we'll get started.

STELLA:

You're all gussied up, huh?

JIM:

Now, come on; we'd better hurry before Pop wakes up.

POPS:

(OFF-MIKE, SINGING VERY DRUNKENLY) Mademoiselle from Armentiers, parlez-vous!

JIM:

(HORRIFIED WHISPER) Pop!

POPS:

(APPROACHING, STILL SINGING) Mademoiselle from-- (STOPS SINGING) Uh... Who is this guy, huh?

STELLA:

Jim.

JIM:

I thought he was in bed!

STELLA:

You thought wrong, kiddo.

POPS:

Jimmy! Jimmy boy! Just the man I wanna see. Get him a glass, Stel'! We'll all have a drink together, huh?

JIM:

You... You two have been having quite a time, huh?

POPS:

(LAUGHS FRISKILY) Yeah, we sure have! Get in here! (PULLS JIM INSIDE)

SFX:

DOOR CLOSES

POPS:

We sure have, huh, honey bun?

STELLA:

Pop's been fightin' the battle of Chateau Thierry, since six o'clock.

POPS:

(HICCUP, GIGGLE)

STELLA:

Get the Legion Cap'! (LAUGHS)

POPS:

(LAUGHS) That ain't the only battle I been fightin'! Eh, baby?

STELLA:

Oh, yeah, there's a lotta life in him.

JIM:

(AWKWARD) Uh... Chateau Thierry, huh?

POPS:

(WILDLY) We gave it to him, Jimmy! We sure gave it to him there! (HICCUP) All right?

SFX:

STELLA FILLS GLASSES WITH ICE, UNDER

STELLA:

I know, I know. One for you, and one for him.

POPS:

That's right.

SFX:

STELLA FILLS GLASSES WITH COOKING WINE, UNDER

POPS:

All the way, baby! All the way to the top! Over the top, we went! We really give it to 'em there, Jimmy boy, really give it to 'em!

STELLA:

(DISTRIBUTING DRINKS) Here.

POPS:

Hey, thanks!

JIM:

(PLAYING ALONG) Well, cheers, Pop!

POPS:

CHEERS!

(THEY ALL DRINK)

 

SFX:

GLASSES PUT DOWN ON BAR

POPS:

(SUDDENLY QUIET) Well, what have I got now? Nothin'. This rat-hole in the middle o' nowhere, and ONE LOUSY MEDAL. Ya know that, huh?

JIM:

You got a lot, Pop.

STELLA:

(EXTREMELY DRUNK) Yeah. How're you talkin? You got ME, dearie!

SFX:

SHE SLAPS POP ON THE BACK

POPS:

(COUGHS, THEN LAUGHS)

STELLA:

(LAUGHS WITH POP)

POPS:

You're right, honey bunch; I got you! Hey, let's have a ball! C'mon, Jim, let's have a ball. Whatta ya say? You and me and mademoiselle Stella here! (SINGING DRUNKENLY) Oh, mademoiselle from Ar--

JIM:

Oh, I can't, Pop. Some other time, maybe.

POPS:

(DISAPPOINTED) Oh, now, Jim--

SFX:

PUTS GLASS DOWN ON BAR

JIM:

No, I... I gotta get back home.

STELLA:

HA!

POPS:

(MAUDLIN) Aw, the man's gotta get home, to the nicest little wife in the world. Sick or not, Katherine's the best. I always said that, Jim, and ya know I mean it.

JIM:

I know, Pop.

STELLA:

He ain't got to go home at all, Pop. He came down here to take little Stella to good ol' San Berdoo tonight.

POPS:

What???

STELLA:

Yeah, him and little Stella has got a date. Imagine that, Pop. Him and little Stella has got a warm, cozy date.

SFX:

POP BANGS GLASS DOWN ON BAR

POPS:

(ANGRY) You WHAT?

SFX:

POP STAGGERS

POPS:

You've got a WHAT???

JIM:

It wasn't anything, Pop.

STELLA:

(LAUGHING) Oh, is that so? He's tryin' to take your little tootsie away from ya, Pop. You take care of him! Go on! Hit him, Pop! HIT HIM! HIT HIM THE WAY YA HIT HIM AT CHATEAU THIERRY! (LAUGHS WILDLY)

JIM:

Now, Pop, you've both been drinking... I was goin' down to San Bernardino to get Katherine some things, Pop. I just... asked Stella here to ride along with me.

STELLA:

(LAUGHS WILDLY) HA, HA, HA! That is a lie! That's a lie. A lousy, stinkin' lie. Ya know what he wanted me to do? He wanted me to go down and have some drinks with him, and wh-- who knows what else, Pop. That's what he wanted me to do!

JIM:

(DESPERATELY) I tell ya, Pop, I was just goin' down to get some things for Katherine--

SFX:

POPS GRABS A BOTTLE

POPS:

(VICIOUS) I'm gonna use this bottle on you, boy!

JIM:

I tell you, Katherine needs--

POPS:

KATHERINE! You oughtta be ashamed to mention her name. I'LL KILL YOU!!! (LUNGES AT JIM)

STELLA:

(SCREAMING WITH LAUGHTER) Let him have it, Pop!!!

SFX:

VICIOUS FIGHT ... BOTTLES GET SMASHED ... FURNITURE GETS BROKEN, UNDER

STELLA:

Just the way ya did at Chateau Thierry!!! (LAUGHING)

JIM:

(STRUGGLING TO DEFEND HIMSELF) Now, Pop, that bottle's dangerous!

POPS:

YOU DIRTY FINK!!! (GROANS, THEN LUNGES AT JIM AGAIN) LOUSE!!!

STELLA:

(LAUGHING) That's my Pops!

JIM:

(SHOCKED) Ya cut my face open, Pops! (TRYING TO STOP THE BLOOD) Ya cut my face open!

STELLA:

Why don't ya go home to your wife? We were doin' good til you showed up. Who do you think you are, anyway, (COMPLETE CONTEMPT) you cheap fink?

SFX:

JIM STAGGERS A BIT, WOUNDED

JIM:

My coat... It's all full o' blood.

POPS:

(GRUDGINGLY) Throw him a towel, Stella.

STELLA:

(THROWS ONE) Here!

SFX:

JIM CATCHES IT

POPS:

Don't you ever come back here again, as long as you live. Doing that to a woman like Katherine! I should'a killed you!

STELLA:

Give it to him again, Pop!

POPS:

(TO STELLA) YOU SHUT UP!

STELLA:

(POUTING) Aw, bun, that's no way to talk to your bride.

JIM:

Bride?

POPS:

WHAT'S IT TO YOU??? (PAUSE) Yeah. We're goin' down to San Berdoo, and get married tonight! So what? What's it to you, you cheap fink?!

JIM:

I- I... I didn't know, Pop. I'm sorry.

POPS:

Wipe off your face, and get outta here. That's all I want you to do.

JIM:

Yeah. Yeah. I'm going.

STELLA:

Come on, Pop! (LAUGHING) This is my wedding night! I want ya to last long enough to carry me across the threshold! (LAUGHS HYSTERICALLY)

POPS:

Yeah, but not until Romeo gets himself outta here!

JIM:

(QUIETLY) I'm going.

SFX:

HE WALKS SLOWLY TO DOOR ... OPENS IT ... WALKS OUT, UNDER

STELLA:

(ALMOST UNINTELLIGIBLE) Me! A little ol' blushin' bride! Isn't that something? (LAUGHS WILDLY)

POPS:

Yeah!

STELLA:

Love, honour, and hot dogs with Pop! (LAUGHS) C'mere, you mangy old rat! You give me a kiss, huh?

POPS:

Yeah, yeah! (LAUGHING) Yeah!

(THEY LAUGH WILDLY TOGETHER, FADING AS JIM WALKS AWAY)

 

SFX:

DINER DOOR CLOSES ... JIM WALKS SLOWLY ON SAND, TO CAR

SFX:

DESERT WIND, UNDER

MUSIC:

JUKEBOX "PERDIDO", QUIETLY, UNDER

JIM:

(STARTS TO CRY SOFTLY) I- I only... w- wanted somebody who was whole. Just for a little while. (TO HIMSELF) You... you IDIOT. (SOBS)

MUSIC:

DRAMATIC, ACHING, TRAGIC, THEN OUT

SFX:

DESERT WIND, UNDER

KATIE:

(TENDERLY) Does your face feel any better?

JIM:

It's all right, Katie. It doesn't bother me.

KATIE:

Pop should be more careful around that place--

JIM:

(FIRMLY) I told you. It wasn't Pop's fault. He'd already turned out the lights in the lunchroom, and I ran into a sharp edge on that gas pump on the way out. (PAUSE) I had no business being there, anyhow.

KATIE:

And you missed your friend, too.

JIM:

That doesn't matter either. (PAUSE) Go to sleep, honey.

KATIE:

Before I do, Jim, I- I wanna tell you...

JIM:

What?

KATIE:

It doesn't matter about the place in Switzerland. They're always writing articles about some clinic, in the paper. Probably no better than what I'm doing right here. So, please. Don't worry about it so.

JIM:

(THROATY) Thanks, Katie. (PAUSE) I'm not worrying about anything any more. Go to sleep, huh?

KATIE:

You'll fall asleep in that chair, honey. Don't you wanna come to bed?

JIM:

In a little while.

SFX:

SHE GOES TO BED

JIM:

(PAUSE. HE SIGHS, AND FALLS ASLEEP)

MUSIC:

OMINOUS, LIKE SOMETHING PURSUING HIM, UNDER

JIM:

No. (BREATHING HARD, AS IF RUNNING) No! No! No! (AWAKES SUDDENLY)

MUSIC:

OUT

JIM:

(STARTING TO CRY) I... just... can't take it... any more!

SFX:

WALKS INTO KITCHEN ... FIGHTS TO OPEN DRAWER ... PULLS OUT GUN AND BULLETS

JIM:

(CRYING)

SFX:

LOADS GUN

JIM:

(SOFTLY) G'bye, Katie.

SFX:

SLOWLY WALKS INTO BEDROOM ... SUDDENLY, THERE'S KNOCKING AT THE DOOR

KATIE:

(STARTLED AWAKE) Oh, Jim!

JIM:

Huh?

KATIE:

(FRIGHTENED) Jim, I wonder who that could be at this hour!

JIM:

Huh?

SHERIFF:

(SLIGHTLY OFF-MIKE) Jim?

SFX:

KNOCKING ON DOOR

SHERIFF:

(DITTO) Jim? Open up!

JIM:

I better see who it is.

KATIE:

Yes!

SFX:

JIM WALKS TO KITCHEN ... TURNS ON LIGHT ... OPENS SCREEN DOOR

SHERIFF:

Sorry, Jim. I know you folks turn in early, but I... thought I better wake you. (NOTICES JIM LIMPLY HOLDING GUN) Uh... You don't need the gun. It's only me.

JIM:

Oh, Earl. C'mon in, Sheriff. (CALLING) I- it's Earl Coons, Katherine.

KATIE:

(APPROACHING) Well, hello, Earl.

SHERIFF:

Evenin', Katherine. I didn't want to wake you up.

KATIE:

It's all right, Earl. Uh, come in.

SFX:

SHERIFF STEPS IN ... SCREEN DOOR CLOSES ... THEY WALK INTO KITCHEN

KATIE:

What in the world's wrong? Y- you look upset.

JIM:

Katie, I think I oughtta tell you--

SHERIFF:

I always get upset when it happens to somebody I know. It ain't very pleasant, Katherine. (PAUSE) There's been a bad smashup, down at Cajone. Pop Narovny and that... new waitress o' his are dead.

JIM:

Dead?

KATIE:

Oh, no! Not Pop. Oh, how terrible.

JIM:

It's awful. W- what can we do? Anything?

SHERIFF:

I guess... nobody can do anything now.

JIM:

How'd it happen?

SHERIFF:

Well, I hate to say this. I know how you two liked Pop. But I'm afraid they were drinking a little.

KATIE:

(TEARFUL) How terrible. Oh, poor Pop. I liked him so much. And that poor girl.

SHERIFF:

Stella. Stella Kailish. There's... one more thing, Jim.

JIM:

Oh?

SHERIFF:

You'd better go down to Riverside in the morning, and see Captain Foote of the Highway Patrol.

JIM:

Captain Foote? Why?

SHERIFF:

The whole thing's in his hands. Pop had an old Veterans' Insurance policy for ten-thousand. It's made payable to... Katherine here.

KATIE:

Me?

SHERIFF:

Yes. All these years, Pop had you on that policy. I guess he liked you a lot. (PAUSE) He ain't got nobody else.

KATIE:

(TEARFUL) Why, that poor old man.

SHERIFF:

Well... You can go to Switzerland now, can't you?

KATIE:

Yes... Oh, yes! (CRYING) Oh, Jim!

JIM:

(HOLDING HER, TENDERLY) Now, now...

KATIE:

(CRYING, UNDER)

SHERIFF:

Well, folks, I've... gotta be going.

SFX:

WALKS TO DOOR, UNDER

SHERIFF:

Night, Jim. Katie.

JIM:

So long, Earl.

SFX:

DESERT WIND OUT

SFX:

(SLIGHTLY OFF-MIKE) SCREEN DOOR OPENS ... SHERIFF LEAVES ... SCREEN DOOR CLOSES, UNDER

JIM:

Thanks.

KATIE:

(TEARFUL) Poor old Pop. I- I didn't know he thought that much of me.

JIM:

(THROATY) I did, Katie.

KATIE:

What?

JIM:

Katie... There's something I have to tell you. Tonight, when I went by Pop's--

KATIE:

Do you really have to tell me, Jim?

JIM:

Katie, I know--

KATIE:

Why, Jim, don't you know what this means? I- I'm going to be whole again! And yours again. If you want me.

JIM:

Katie...

KATIE:

Listen, Jim!

JIM:

(PAUSE. SILENCE) I'll be darned.

KATIE:

The wind's stopped blowing. It's all gone.

JIM:

Yeah, Katie. (PAUSE) It's all gone.

MUSIC:

UP, WEARY, BUT DRAMATIC, TO A HOPEFUL FINISH

ANNCR:

"The Fling", starring Cathy and Elliott Lewis - On Stage. In a moment, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis will tell you about next week's play.

If you have wearied of run-of-the-mill Western yarns, you'll find exceptional listening on the program called "Gunsmoke". "Gunsmoke", presented by CBS Radio, tells the startling, poignant, highly human story of a United States Marshall in frontier Dodge City. Listen for "Gunsmoke", every Saturday night, on most of these same CBS Radio stations. You'll like Matt Dillon, and everything he stands for. Meet him, Saturday night, on CBS Radio.

And now, once again, Cathy and Elliott Lewis.

MUSIC:

"ON STAGE" TRANSITIONAL, THEN OUT

ELLIOTT:

We switched the parts around tonight, and Cathy didn't play my wife; she was Stella.

CATHY:

And lovely Sammie Hill played your wife.

ELLIOTT:

While Stella's boss and husband-to-be was Herb Butterfield.

CATHY:

Next week, another searching look at ourselves and our neighbours, as we present E. Jack Neuman's new radio play, "The Girl I Tried to Love".

ELLIOTT:

Until next week, thank you for listening. And goodnight.

CATHY:

Goodnight.

MUSIC:

"ON STAGE" THEME UP, UNDER

ANNCR:

Music for tonight's story was arranged and conducted by Fred Steiner. The "Cathy and Elliott Theme" is by Ray Noble. And the program is transcribed and directed by Mr. Lewis. Roy Rowan speaking.

MUSIC:

"ON STAGE" THEME CONTINUES TO END