(SALLY FINDS CECIL SITTING ALONE IN A ROOM AT THE PARTY)

 

SALLY:

Oh, hullo, Cecil. I've been looking all over for you.

CECIL:

(SULKY) Well, I haven't been any place.

SALLY:

What'sa matter? Aren't ya having a good time?

CECIL:

(SARCASTIC) Sure. Great. Ha, ha, ha.

SALLY:

Oh, goodness, now what's the matter?

CECIL:

(HURT) Nothin's the matter. Go on and dance with that fellow wearing the trick costume again.

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) Oh, him? (GIGGLE) Did you notice that I had the last two dances with him?

CECIL:

(AIRILY) No. Did you?

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) Yes. You ought to know him, Cecil. He's awfully nice.

CECIL:

Thanks, I don't care to know him.

SALLY:

Why, Cecil. You didn't mind if I had just two little dances with him, did you?

CECIL:

Ha! Why should I mind?

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) Yes. Why should you?

CECIL:

Besides, it wasn't two. It was three. (VOICE WOBBLES) I can count.

SALLY:

Oh, then you DID notice.

CECIL:

N-n-no. I was talking to someone else. Oh, it doesn't make any difference, anyhow. I just mentioned it.

SALLY:

Well, good. I-I'm glad it's all right. Oh, he's the nicest boy!

CECIL:

(SULKING) Of course, I just brought ya. I'm not important.

SALLY:

Why, Cecil, we had the first two dances together.

CECIL:

Yeah. Wonderful break for the public.

SALLY:

Well, you shouldn't stay over here and stand against the wall. Why didn't YOU dance too?

CECIL:

Oh, that's all right. Don't mind me. I'm just playing like a wallflower.

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) You don't look very much like a flower.

CECIL:

Aren'tcha afraid your Little Lord-- Li'l Lord Fauntleroy'll get lonesome? Ain'tcha better run and look him up?

SALLY:

Cecil, don't act like that.

CECIL:

Like what?

SALLY:

Like you are.

CECIL:

I'm acting all right. Huh! I'm enjoying myself.

SALLY:

Well, why don't you smile and show it?

CECIL:

(HURT) You've danced with everybody here twice as much as you have with me.

SALLY:

Well, it's not MY fault if most of the boys would rather dance with me than some of the other girls.

CECIL:

Ohhh? Well, don't you hate yourself?

SALLY:

Well, I didn't mean it THAT way.

CECIL:

Well, it doesn't make any difference to me. I'll wait until the party's over to take you home.

SALLY:

You're going to dance this next dance with me?

CECIL:

Thanks, but I just broke my leg. I'm not dancing any more tonight.

SALLY:

Now, Cecil, don't go and spoil the party. Don't act like a baby.

CECIL:

I told ya once, not to mind me. Go ahead and dance some more with that... funny-looking egg in the... Lord Faunt-- well, in the Little Lord Fauntleroy, in the... boy's suit.

SALLY:

Well, I've danced with him once, Cecil.

CECIL:

Three times!

SALLY:

He does look cute in that costume, though, doesn't he? (GIGGLE)

CECIL:

(SARCASTIC) Want me to go get him for you?

SALLY:

Goodness, don't be so sarcastic.

CECIL:

(VOICE WOBBLES) Don't let ME stop you from having a good time.

SALLY:

Cecil, why do you always act like this when we go to a party? If I run away for a few minutes, you pout and sulk.

CECIL:

Ha! (VOICE WOBBLES. AIRILY) I've told you a thousand times, it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference.

SALLY:

(SARCASTIC) Oh, no. Here is a lovely big party, lovely music, lovely punch--

CECIL:

(PETULANT) Yeah, and a lovely boy dressed like Little Lord-- dressed like a little boy. And I'll see that he gets some lovely punch... right in the eye.

SALLY:

Now, Cecil, you've started enough trouble tonight. If you're going to act this way the rest of the night, we'll go home.

CECIL:

Fine! Let's get our things.

SALLY:

No, we won't either. The party isn't half over.

CECIL:

Well, it's all over, as far as I'm concerned. Didn't wanna come here in the first place.

SALLY:

Well, if this is the way you act, it'll be the last time, as far as I'M concerned.

CECIL:

Yeah, we'll I'd like to have that in writing.

SALLY:

Oh, Cecil, don't act like a spoiled baby.

CECIL:

(VOICE WOBBLES) And don't call me names!

SALLY:

Well, Cecil, everybody's been talking about how cute you look, dressed up like you are, and--

CECIL:

Oh, ye gods! Ohhhh...

SALLY:

Well, you DO look cute. Only, you shouldn't frown. Girls don't frown.

CECIL:

(SCOWLS AT HER)

SALLY:

That's right; frown more than ever. Oh, goodness.

CECIL:

You better run along and dance with that-- that-- Well, you better go on. I'll stand over here by the wall, and have a good time watching you.

SALLY:

I don't want to dance with him any more.

CECIL:

Whats'a matter? Does he have to go home?

SALLY:

I'm not interested in him.

CECIL:

(VOICE WOBBLES) You danced with him three times.

SALLY:

Well, is THAT any crime?

CECIL:

No! I don't care. It doesn't make any difference anyhow.

SALLY:

Well, he asked me to dance with him. I didn't see YOU around anywhere.

CECIL:

I... I was out trying to fix this... darn dress I have on.

SALLY:

And so, I danced with him.

CECIL:

(VOICE WOBBLES) You didn't have to lean your head on his shoulder.

SALLY:

Oh, did I do that?

CECIL:

Oh? Did you do that?

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) I didn't notice. Isn't that funny? (GIGGLE)

CECIL:

Of course, I don't mind, but it's-- But-- Well, it doesn't look right.

SALLY:

Well, I was tired.

CECIL:

You don't get tired when (VOICE WOBBLES) you're dancing with me.

SALLY:

Oh, yes I do, Cecil! I mean, uh (GIGGLE) no, I don't. Uh, no. Uh-uh.

CECIL:

Yeah. I know what you mean. Run along.

SALLY:

(SINGSONG) Ce-cil...

CECIL:

Now, don't start that!

SALLY:

Start what?

CECIL:

Whatever you're gonna start.

SALLY:

Let's dance.

CECIL:

(SULKY) I don't wanna dance.

SALLY:

But I do.

CECIL:

Wait a minute, and I'll go find that-- that-- Little Lord...

SALLY:

It's a Little Lord Fauntleroy suit.

CECIL:

Well, I'll get him for you.

SALLY:

But I don't want him. I wanna dance with you.

CECIL:

I'm sorry, but I just broke my leg.

SALLY:

Well, somebody ought to shoot you.

CECIL:

I'm no horse.

SALLY:

No, you're a stubborn mule! Why can't you come to a party and have a good time? Why can't you?

CECIL:

Why can't YOU come to a party without chasing off with everybody?

SALLY:

Where did I chase off to???

CECIL:

Have you forgotten so soon?

SALLY:

I just danced a couple of dances--

CECIL:

It wasn't a couple; it was three!

SALLY:

Well, THREE, then. I don't see any harm in that.

CECIL:

(VOICE WOBBLES) I tell you, it doesn't make the slightest bit o' difference, anyhow!

SALLY:

You could have danced with someone else. What did you do, anyhow?

CECIL:

Stood over here by the wall, and held my thumbs.

SALLY:

You didn't have to hold your thumbs.

CECIL:

Yeah, I did. If I let go of them, I'd have socked Lord... Fauntleroy in the snoot.

SALLY:

Well, HE didn't do anything.

CECIL:

He smiled at me, every time he danced by with you.

SALLY:

Well, what's wrong with that? I think that was nice.

CECIL:

It was the way he smiled. Don't like him anyhow. Anybody that would come to a party, dressed up like-- Well, I shouldn't say anything.

SALLY:

Ce-cil... Step out here on the porch with me.

CECIL:

(SULKY) Whatta you wanna go out on the porch for? There's no light out there.

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) I know it. Come on. (GIGGLE)

CECIL:

(GRUDGINGLY) All right, come on. I know what you're gonna say.

(THEY HEAD OUT TO THE PORCH)

 

SALLY:

What? (GIGGLE)

CECIL:

You're gonna say that I've been acting like-- Hey, let's go on back in. Someone's gonna play something.

SFX:

ROMANTIC INSTRUMENTAL, PLAYED ON A PHONOGRAPH, FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE

SALLY:

Oh no; we can hear them out here. Now, you know what I want?

CECIL:

I have nothing to apologize for.

SALLY:

Oh, I don't want that, Cecil. Don't act mad.

CECIL:

(SULKY) I'm not acting.

SALLY:

Is it real?

CECIL:

I'm not mad!

SALLY:

Well, what ARE you?

CECIL:

(SULKY) Well, just... nothin'.

SALLY:

(BEAT) Cecil? I-I'm sorry I danced with Phil three times, and left you standing by the wall.

CECIL:

Oh... well, that's all right. I didn't mind.

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) Then, it's all right?

CECIL:

Yeah.

SALLY:

And you're not peeved?

CECIL:

I wasn't peeved in the first place.

SALLY:

Cecil? I, um... (GIGGLE) You know something?

CECIL:

Yeah, that's what I've got a brain for.

SALLY:

When I was dancing with him, I, uh, was wishing it were you.

CECIL:

(SMILES WARMLY) Thanks.

(THEY LISTEN TO THE MUSIC FOR A MOMENT)

 

SALLY:

Isn't that pretty?

CECIL:

Oh, 's all right.

SALLY:

Are you happy, Cecil?

CECIL:

Oh, I'm all right.

SALLY:

I am. I want you to be happy too. Smile.

CECIL:

(CHUCKLES) You couldn't see me if I did.

SALLY:

Oh, yes I could. I could see your teeth shine. (GIGGLE)

CECIL:

(GRINS AT HER)

SALLY:

Oh, there. That's fine. (GIGGLE) Happy now?

CECIL:

(CHUCKLES) Oh, I'm all right.

SALLY:

(BEAT) Cecil? My hands are cold.

CECIL:

Why?

SALLY:

Oh, I don't know, but they ARE. (NO RESPONSE) Cecil, my HANDS are cold.

CECIL:

Here. (TAKES HER HANDS IN HIS. CHUCKLES) I-is that better?

SALLY:

(GIGGLE) Yes. I'm glad we're here together, tonight.

CECIL:

Me too. (CHUCKLING)

SALLY:

Are you really?

CECIL:

(CHUCKLING) Sure thing!

SALLY:

(BEAT) Ce-cil?

CECIL:

What?

SALLY:

A penny for your thoughts?

CECIL:

(VOICE CRACKS) Oh, is THAT all?

SALLY:

What are you thinking of?

CECIL:

Aw, nothin'.

SALLY:

Tell me.

CECIL:

(SMILING) You wouldn't believe me.

SALLY:

Cecil, I believe everything you say.

CECIL:

(SMILING) Awwww, Sally.

SALLY:

Honest. What are you thinking of, Cecil?

CECIL:

Do I have to tell ya?

SALLY:

Yes.

CECIL:

Well... I was just wondering.

SALLY:

What?

CECIL:

I was just wondering if I could possibly... that is... I was hopin' that maybe I didn't... ("AW SHUCKS") that maybe I didn't look as silly as I feel in this darn dress you made me wear to this dumb ol' party. (FADING) That's all I was thinking...