Ta da! The Corrina Corrina transcript is here for all you fans of Whoopi Goldberg. The entire dialogue script, all the quotes, the whole shebang. If you have any corrections, feel free to drop me a line. You won't hurt my feelings. Honest.
Corrina, Corrina
SCENE 1
SHIRL
Oh, I know I shouldn't have worn three-inch heels. I kept sinking into
the grass during the eulogy. Manny, there you are. How ya doin',
Sweety? There's just so much to say, um ...
DORIS
Annie looked so gorgeous laid out with all those flowers around her.
You know, it just looked like she was taking a nap. We bought that
dress together. She said she didn't have any place to wear it.
SHIRL
Where's Molly?
MANNY
She's probably in her room. We better go. I'll check and see how
she's doing.
SHIRL
Doris! I can't believe you!
DORIS
Where's my head, I ...
EVA
What's the matter? Everybody on a hunger strike or something?
SHIRL
Eva! I was just eating one of your famous cookies. They're fabulous.
Not too sweet.
EVA
Well, two cups sugar for a wedding, one cup for a funeral. And today,
I used a half cup. It seemed right. Easy on the strudel, Harry!
HARRY
Mollinchka!
SHIRL
Did you try that apricot bundt cake?
DORIS
Are you kidding? The only thing I haven't eaten is the table cloth.
SHIRL
Poor kid. Thank goodness she's so young.
DORIS
Well, if she's lucky, she won't remember.
EVA
Don't tell me I've lost Harry. Mollinchka! Darling?
SHIRL
Oh, Molly.
MANNY
Come here.
SCENE 2
MANNY
See you, Dad.
SID
Okay, bus is leaving!
SHIRL
All right. Here we go. Here. All right. Okay. Give me the duck.
Give me the duck.
SID
Shirl.
SHIRL
I'm sorry. I just miss Annie already.
SID
Shirl, please, huh?
SHIRL
Okay. Okay. I love you Sweetie. Okay? Bye Princess. You'll give us
a call.
SID
Shirl, please. Take care, old man.
SHIRL
You'll call.
EVA
Bye-bye Mollinchka. Bye-bye.
MANNY
Say good-bye to Grandma and Grandpa.
EVA
Bye-bye. Bye-bye.
SCENE 3
MANNY
Don't you want to wear the matching top? How's about I sing you a
lullaby to you? How does that go? What was the song that Mommy sang?
Do you want to teach me a lullaby to sing to you every night? Okay,
here's a fun one. "Oh, the coffee that they give you, they say it's
mighty fine. It's good for cuts and bruises, and tastes like iodine.
Oh, I don't want no more of Army life. Gee, Mom, I wanna go ... Gee,
...." We're gonna be fine Molly. Just fine you and me.
SCENE 4
TV
"I'm glad to see your smiling face. Here I haven't been able to get
Lambchop to smile all day."
MANNY
Salisbury steak. And then, veal parmesan for me. There you go. Look
Molly, Tater Tots. Your fav's. Mmm! Very good! Very good! (Phone
rings) Wanna get that? I didn't think so. Hello? Hey, hi Sid. I'm
not ready to come back to work quite yet. I have some people coming by
tomorrow who might be able to stay with Molly so I can leave.
SCENE 5
O'HERLY
I start at 8:00. I will have had my breakfast and I assume the child
will have had hers. At noon, a brisk walk, followed by two hours of
Bible study. Where is the child?
RITA
I feel like Sophia Loren in "Houseboat." When she meets the widowed
Cary Grant and selflessly gives herself to his family. (Speaks
Italian) Did you see it?
WANDA
I know what it's like to lose someone close to your heart. I
understand. Winnie and I, we both understand.
DOLL
"I'm so tired."
WANDA
And I'm not tired?! Ha! Kids!
DORIS
Oh, I love kids. I have a real way with children.
WANG
(Speaks Chinese)
TOMMY
And no windows!
DORIS
I get a little nervous. If I put my head down between my knees, I'll
feel a little better.
RITA
I realize it's your decision, but I also sing. (Sings) Kids love
that!
MAN
Kids love me, Mr. Singer. I walk into a room full of kids, they drift
to me. Like a ... goddamn kid magnet!
JONES
Uh, let's see, um. I'm not sure where to begin. Well, Mr. Jones died
and um, we never had any children. And believe me, I would treat your
little Molly with all the love and tenderness I'd have given my own.
SCENE 6
JONES
Okay, Sweet Pea, let's see about making you some breakfast! What might
be good? What's the matter, cat got your tongue? Jonesy's famous
blueberry pancakes will loosen you up! Just making sure we got all the
makings. Oh boy! Aren't we having fun? Oh boy.
SCENE 7
JONES
Hi. It's for after work.
MANNY
Oh, thanks.
JONES
She's been playing that little ditty all day. Maybe you could talk to
her about that.
MANNY
Her mother was teaching her that.
JONES
Hide and Seek Noodle Casserole! Peek-a-boo! This is just the first
course.
MANNY
It looks fabulous.
JONES
They're hidden throughout the room. Chicken Marango.
MANNY
It looks fabulous, doesn't it Mol?
JONES
I bet your wife wasn't this good a cook. You think, huh?
MANNY
Molly!
JONES
No, it's perfectly all right.
MANNY
No. No. I'm sorry. Excuse me.
SCENE 8
MANNY
What are you doing here?
JONES
I'm doing everything a wife does. Shouldn't I be gettin' everything a
wife gets?
SCENE 9
CORRINA
Hello, kid. My name's Corrina. I'll bet you're Molly. And I hear you
don't like talkin' much these days, but that's all right with me
because it makes my job that much easier. Oh, nice wheels.
SCENE 10
CORRINA
When would you like me to start?
MANNY
Uh, why don't you have a seat here. I thought we would talk a bit.
CORRINA
Talk? All right. Uh, how long have you lived in the house?
MANNY
Uh, three years. Do you have any references?
CORRINA
Have you had maids before?
MANNY
My wife used to take care of everything.
CORRINA
Oh, so you're a beginner. All right. Let's get some things straight.
MANNY
Yes, let's.
CORRINA
Salary does not include supplies. I don't need to be out there buyin'
when you want me in here usin' them ...
MANNY
Excuse me, Mrs. Washington, but did the agency explain that this was
just an interview?
CORRINA
Look, Mr. Singer. What shall we discuss?
MANNY
I was wondering if you had any children ... any experience with
children.
CORRINA
You know, I met your little girl out there. She's got your eyes.
MANNY
Do you have any references? A résumé or anything? Thanks. Uh,
Professor Louise Gordon, Fisk University. How long were you with her?
CORRINA
Four years.
MANNY
What happened then?
CORRINA
I graduated. Oh! I'm sorry! I'm sorry. Mr. Singer, I'll ...
MANNY
It's okay.
CORRINA
Uh, well, if you some glue, I'm really good at gluing. I could just
glue it. I mean, I could just snap this back together.
MANNY
No, uh, I'll take care of it. Thanks for ...
CORRINA
Look, Mr. Singer. I'm having a really bad day and I'm sure you know
what that's like. I really need this job.
MANNY
Thanks for coming by. I'll let you know.
SCENE 11
MANNY
I lost my keys.
CORRINA
Well, they're not in the refrigerator, that's for sure.
MANNY
I forgot, you're gonna have to do marketing. Ah, we're gonna need.
Uh, we need ...
CORRINA
There's a list started there.
MANNY
Uh, yeah. It's my wife's writing. I haven't wanted to ...
CORRINA
Well, I'll just add on from here.
MANNY
Okay, thanks. Molly, you and Corrina are going to go shopping for some
breakfast and pick up some other things. Okay? Um, uh, the keys to my
wife's care are on the dresser. You know how to drive?
CORRINA
I'm an old pro.
SCENE 12
CORRINA
I was just testing the brakes, Molly. It'll do your heart good to know
they're fine, and I made a slight boo-boo that I hope you won't tell
your father about. But you won't because you don't talk. You're the
short, silent type, I can tell. Oh, here she comes.
WILMA
A hip-hop happy good morning to you both. Welcome to Del's Diner. So
glad you came that extra mile for another breakfast with a smile. I'LL
BE RIGHT THERE! So, what'll be for starters?
CORRINA
I need a cup of your strongest coffee. (To Molly): Would you like a
hot cocoa? Pecan waffles? How do you feel about the slim-starter?
WILMA
Look ladies, I ain't got all day.
CORRINA
Wilma, where's your boss?
WILMA
He's inside.
CORRINA
Tell you what. Why don't you slip into the back seat. I gotta talk to
my friend here for a second. Take a load off. I know what you're
goin' through. I used to do this. Come on in.
WILMA
Okay. Just a minute.
CORRINA
She's comin' on inside. You in?
WILMA
Oh yeah.
CORRINA
All right. Now Molly, I understand you don't wanna talk 'cause you've
got your reasons. But you and I got to figure out a way to
communicate. So, if I ask you if you want somethin' and the answer is
yes, I want you to pat your nose like that 'cause then I'll know. If
the answer is no, why then you don't have to do anything. Do you want
to have the pecan waffles with lots and lots of syrup and butter? All
right. That's good what you're doin'. Would you rather have the slim-
starter with the cottage cheese, the hard-boiled egg, and the tomatoes?
WILMA
Honey, if it's a choice between those pecan waffles and that stupid
egg, for God's sake, pat your little nose!
CORRINA
Good try, Wilma. Hah! She did it! She did it! Okay.
SCENE 13
MANNY
"Mr. Potato Head. Mr. Potato Head ... was always dead."
SID
I love it! I love it. Mr. Potato Head, the untold story.
MANNY
Sid! I have a great opening here ... I tried to ...
SID
Manny. Manny. Uh, I'm with you. C'mon, I know how hard it's been,
okay? And we're in this together.
MANNY
I really appreciate that. Thanks.
SID
Imagine how hard things would be if the job got shaky.
MANNY
What d'ya mean?
SID
What?
MANNY
Did someone say something?
SID
Absolutely not.
MANNY
Sid, tell me! Did somebody ...
SID
Absolutely not. Once! Maybe a couple of times. It's always said very
affectionately, at least to me. And I always say: "The old man
Singer's gonna be back." And they say: "When?" And I say: "Any day
now." And they say: "Great. Because it'll be your job, too." And
it's always very positive, very positive feedback.
SCENE 14
CORRINA
"Yeah, we bought some sunglasses ... Yeah, we bought some sunglasses
... Bought some sunglasses ... to protect our eyes from the sun." You
look good. "Yeah, we bought some sunglasses ..."
SCENE 15
CORRINA
Anybody want some more? Anybody want any?
MANNY
No. No. No. It's good. It's just a little more spice than we're
used to.
CORRINA
Oh. Well, that was just to bring out the flavor.
MANNY
Oh, it's good! It's just ...
CORRINA
Spicy.
MANNY
"Yada ... dada ... dadahh! You can make him funny, or you can make him
sunny, he's Mr. Potato Head! Oh yes, it's true he's lumpy, okay, he's
kind of dumpy, he's not a french fry, he's a potato surprise!" Did you
like it? Do you think my boss will like it, Molly?
CORRINA
Maybe it's the iambic pentameter is off just a bit.
MANNY
"Yes it's true he's lumpy, okay, he's kind of dumpy ..."
CORRINA
Now, you thought that was kind of clunky, didn't you? I just knew we
were in sync.
SCENE 16
MAN
Where do you want it?
MANNY
Uh, I'm sorry. I think you've got the wrong address.
MAN
Why don't I just talk to Mrs. Singer?
MANNY
She's um ... She's in the bathtub right now ... Come in.
SCENE 17 Molly sits in the empty bathtub. Then Molly puts a doll in
her doll house bathtub.
SCENE 18
CORRINA
I bet if you were inside of a morroca, that's what it would sound like.
"Ooh! Ooh! That tickles!"
SCENE 19
CORRINA
Oh, wait. (BLOWS) I hate to impose, but could you give me a little
help? (BLOWS) I mean, I just don't know if I can do this last one
alone. (BLOWS) Hah! You know, the first time I saw you, I knew you
had this magic. Oh, there's another one. (BLOWS) Well done. I think
you're Dad's really gonna like this present that you picked out. And
we have to emphasize that you picked it out yourself.
SCENE 20
CORRINA
Hey Molly. It's time to eat. C'mon. And bring Lois.
TV
"Would you like to be queen for a day?"
CORRINA
Molly, what are you listening to this garbage for? Why are you
watching this? Be queen for a day. I know a guy in my neighborhood
who wanted to be queen for a day. And you know what happened to him,
don't you? Well, my husband's gone, too, but that doesn't make me a
queen, does it? "Ladies and gentlemen, we've heard from all of our
contestants. Is it going to be Lois? Yes! Yes! Queen Lois!"
TV
"All I asked for was a dog, and look what I'm getting."
CORRINA
"I want to thank everyone out there. I want to thank everyone who made
this possible. Phggh!" Lois! Lois! Lois made a sissy on the couch.
SCENE 21 Molly lies in bed unable to sleep.
SCENE 22
CORRINA
You know what, Molly? I think your Mom is lookin' down at you from
heaven right now. If you look really closely, I'll bet you'll see
she's waving.
MANNY
Corrina, um, I appreciate everything you're doing here, and whatever
you believe in is fine. Your heaven is fine for you. But Molly's
mother was an atheist and so am I. And I don't want you telling her
she's somewhere she isn't.
CORRINA
Yes, Mr. Singer. I'll just continue to tell Molly that her mother's in
the bathtub.
SCENE 23
TV
"Did you ever undress in front of a dog?"
MANNY
Hey. What's the matter, Sweetie? Can't sleep? Did you have a bad
dream? Oh. You okay? How about I break out some graham crackers and
we'll sit up and watch the late, late show, okay? Until you fall
asleep? Okay? Don't hit your nose.
TV
"A recent report from the Surgeon General links cigarette smoking to
lung cancer. Statistics show that one out of every ten male smokers
will die from lung cancer. Meanwhile, in Washington today, President
Eisenhower announced ..."
MANNY
Molly, what are you doing? Molly, look. Cigarettes are for adults.
If you want, I'll get you some bubble gum cigarettes tomorrow. Molly.
Molly! Stop it! What's the matter? Mol ...!
SCENE 24 Molly takes her father's cigarettes in the middle of the
night.
SCENE 25
MANNY
I really feel like I should stay.
CORRINA
Well, it's your house.
MANNY
I just really can't be late for this meeting.
CORRINA
Then go.
MANNY
Bye Molly! (RETURNS) You know what it is, is that Mr. Potato Head is
in from Trenton, so I really can't be late.
CORRINA
Really/ "The" Mr. "P"?
MANNY
Yeah. Yeah. The one and only.
CORRINA
Well, you better get your heiny goin'.
MANNY
Yeah, I'm gone. Okay. Bye. Thanks.
SCENE 26
CORRINA
You know what I've discovered about your Dad? He likes to eat cookies
in bed. Will you get that corner for me? Just pull it down. Right
there, the white one. Malomars, or whatever they call those things.
They look like little humps.
MOLLY
Corrina? This is where my Mommy sleeps.
CORRINA
You're right. Your Mommy used to sleep here.
MOLLY
When's she coming back?
CORRINA
You know Molly, I ... She's not coming home, because when you die, the
angels take you up to heaven.
MOLLY
Well, then I want to die, too.
CORRINA
Oh, no, no, no, no. You don't want to die. You don't want to die.
It's too soon.
MOLLY
Was I bad?
CORRINA
No. People don't' die because you're bad. They die because it's their
time or lots of things happen. But no, you were not bad at all. You
are wonderful. And think of all the people who are here now who love
you. They'd be so sad and upset if you went. And your Daddy loves
you, and he really needs you, too.
MOLLY
But my Dad doesn't think she's in heaven.
CORRINA
Well, maybe deep down inside he does. And he's just so jealous of
those angels who get to play with Mommy everyday that he just can't
bring himself to say so. 'Cause he's he hurting, you know? Like
you're hurting. And you're gonna hurt for a long time. Everyday'll
get a little bit better, but you'll always miss your Mommy and that's
okay. You know, the other thing is, how many of the thirty-one flavors
have you tasted?
MOLLY
Chocolate and vanilla.
CORRINA
Well, that's my point. That is my point. No one should go anywhere
until they've at least tried mint on the rocks and cherry's jubilee,
and bing-bang cherry. So much for you to do.
SCENE 27
MANNY
Molly! Moll! I'm home!
MOLLY
Look, Daddy. I made you some pig knuckles.
MANNY
Oh Molly! Oh, that's wonderful! I'm so happy! Molly!
SCENE 28
MANNY
I think someone's inviting you to dinner.
CORRINA
Well, thank you very much, but maybe another time.
MANNY
No. No. No. I'd like you to join us, too.
CORRINA
Well, I guess I don't have much of a choice. Thank you.
MANNY
Oh. Here. Here. Have one of mine.
CORRINA
Thank you.
MANNY
I think I'll have one with you.
CORRINA
That's so pretty.
MANNY
Yeah, that's Eric Sachs. He's a French composer.
CORRINA
Yes, I know. He was 22 when he wrote this. Can you imagine being so
poised and having such boldness in a composition when you're only 22?
MOLLY
Can Corrina sleep over tonight?
CORRINA
No.
MANNY
No. She's got to get home to her husband.
MOLLY
No she doesn't. Her husband's gone.
CORRINA
I'll get it.
MANNY
No. No. I'll get it. You're our guest.
MOLLY
What happened to Mr. Potato Head's wife?
MANNY
Um, Oh, she's around. As a matter of fact, here she is! (To Corrina):
You wanna split this?
CORRINA
No, thank you.
MANNY
Sure?
CORRINA
Go ahead.
MOLLY
Is Tater Tot Mr. Potato Head's son?
MANNY
That's funny, Molly! Yeah, uh, he's their first born. Oh boy! I got
it! Butter fingers!
MOLLY
Corrina, did your husband die like Mommy did?
CORRINA
No, Baby. Though it is hard to tell with Ol' Deadbeat Washington.
Actually, he said he was goin' out for a pack of cigarettes and he
never came back.
MANNY
Oh! Oh!
CORRINA
I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
MANNY
It's okay.
CORRINA
I'm sorry. I'll get it.
MANNY
No. No. No. I'll get it. You just sit and eat. I'll take care of
it. I'll do it.
CORRINA
Mr. Singer, thank you for inviting me to dinner. Thank you very much.
But I really just made enough for two and I have to go. Goodnight ...
Goodnight.
SCENE 29
MANNY
"You can make him funny, or you can make him sunny, his name is Mr.
Potato Head!" ... There was something that I wanted to tell you guys
that I thought you'd really get a big kick out of. The other day, my
seven-year-old asked ... You're gonna love this ...
SID
Well, we all love kids! I mean ...
MANNY
... She asked me, is ... is, Tater Tots Mr. Potato Head's son?!
SID
Ha! Ha! Illegitimate ...!
MANNY
My wife would have loved that. The way kid's minds work. It's the
kind of thing we'd talk about for hours, laughing. She had this great
laugh.
SCENE 30
SID
Hey!
MANNY
Sid, I'm really sorry.
SID
Stop it. Stop it. There's no problem. They could see where you're
headed with it. I had a small stroke, but I think they were all right.
MANNY
You did!
SID
Stop it. C'mon now. That's not why I'm here. Sunday, Shirl and the
boss's new squeeze are throwing a party at his place.
MANNY
Sid, I can't. Sunday I've got Molly.
SID
She'll understand. Get a sitter! Get a sitter! Whatever it is, get a
sitter! Okay? Sunday, get a sitter. Sunday, get a sitter. Sunday,
get a sitter.
SCENE 31
SHIRL
Work, work, work. Talk, talk, talk. That's not what we're here for.
C'mon Manny.
MANNY
Thank you.
SHIRL
Oh, don't thank me. I'm selfish. I miss you.
SCENE 32
WOMAN
(Singing): "Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue ... and the
dreams that you dare to dream will come true ... Someday, I'll wish
upon a star, and wake up where the clouds are far ... behind me ...
where troubles fall like lemon drops ... way above the chimney tops ...
That's where you will find me ...Yeah!"
KID
"Somewhere, over the rainbow ...!"
LIZZIE
Mama, Percy threw his baloney on the floor.
PERCY
I didn't throw it. It fell.
JEVINA
Percy, how many times I gotta tell you to hold on to your sandwich with
two hands? That dog gets more baloney than we do.
MAVIS
In choir practice today Carl Johnson laughed at me when I was singing.
Said I had a double chin. Said I looked fat.
FRANK
You ain't fat. You're beautiful. Now Baby, go a little easy on that
potato salad.
PERCY
Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!
CORRINA
Wait! Wait! Hello? Uh, I don't know. Percy? Is Percy here?
PERCY
He's right here.
CORRINA
It's for you.
PERCY
Oh yes, my lovely!
CORRINA
Sit down. Sit down.
PERCY
I'm on the phone.
CORRINA
I know you're on the phone, but I want you to sit down when you're on
the phone.
JEVINA
So, uh, did you talk to Charlie today?
FRANK
Yeah. Ten more paid off, laid off.
JEVINA
Oh, that's all right. I'll pick up some new shifts. As long as
someone's here to watch Percy.
CORRINA
I'll call up Mrs. Hopkins and clean some fancy houses.
FRANK
Hey. Hey. Hey. That's ... that's ... that's enough.
SCENE 33
SHIRL
Eat! Enjoy! It's Sunday. You need some fattening up. How about a
little guacamole? I made it. It's delicious. Oh look! Two of my
favorite people! Jenny Davis, Manny Singer. Manny Singer, Jenny
Davis.
JENNY
How do you do?
SHIRL
Oh, well, there's the doorbell. And where's Sid, you ask. Sidney!
SCENE 34
JEVINA
Corrina. Look who's in the neighborhood.
FRANK
Hey!
ANTHONY
Hi-ho everybody! Hey Frank, how ya doin'?
FRANK
Good. Good.
ANTHONY
Good! Good! Good! Corrina, I was thinkin', did you do somethin'
different with your hair?
CORRINA
No.
ANTHONY
I knew it! I knew it! And it looks absolutely beautiful!
SCENE 35
MANNY
I don't think I've ever had such good guacamole.
JENNY
Really? Well, you haven't tasted mine.
SCENE 36
PERCY
Baba-loo! Baba-loo!
CORRINA
Half-time. Nap time. That means no more noise from you, Percy.
PERCY
You ain't my Mama! You can't tell me what to do!
CORRINA
Goodnight.
SCENE 37
MAVIS
Come on up, Percy. Ain't ya lonely over there?
PERCY
Yuk! I don't want to sleep with no girls!
SCENE 38
CORRINA
What? Now look. This is nice, huh?
JEVINA
Oh no. Now that's cute.
CORRINA
You can't fit in that.
JEVINA
I can still fit in somethin' like that.
CORRINA
You cannot. Have you seen what's behind you recently? Let me turn to
the maternity page.
JEVINA
Listen. I think I'm still lookin' ... Maternity?! C'mon now!
CORRINA
Yeah, because this is about where you are. You done had three kids!
JEVINA
That's not fair.
CORRINA
If you'd kept that nickel between your knees like Mama told you, you'd
still be able to fit in that little, tiny outfit!
JEVINA
You know, you talk more stuff!
CORRINA
I know I do.
JEVINA
Listen, Corrina.
CORRINA
What?
JEVINA
More importantly, why are you giving Anthony such a hard time?
CORRINA
Oh, please! Anthony, Anthony ...
JEVINA
Yeah. That's who I'm talkin' about. Why?
CORRINA
Because, in the words of Gertrude Stein, girl, there ain't no "there"
there.
JEVINA
Oh.
CORRINA
Yeah.
JEVINA
And you think "there" is in there?
CORRINA
What?
JEVINA
Now, I don't care what your friend Gertrude says, there's more over
there with Anthony than there's ever gonna be in there. So there.
SCENE 39 The children are taking a nap together.
SCENE 40
SID
Relax, Manny. C'mon. She's just divorced. She feels the same way you
do.
MANNY
Sid! It's too soon.
SID
To talk to a woman? Look, she needs a ride home and Shirl and I
thought ... that, you know ...
MANNY
What is this, high school? Sid, please!
SID
Look old man, I know how you feel. I'm your friend. I know ... I know
...
MANNY
No you don't.
SID
Huh?
MANNY
You don't know how I feel.
SID
I don't know how you feel, all right? You're right. I don't know how
you feel at all. But a lot of the guys at work got a pretty good idea
of how you feel, and you know what? They got problems of their own,
okay? So the bottom line is, Manny, you need someone to talk to. You
have me, but frankly, I'm not that fond of you.
SCENE 41
MANNY
And, and then, then all of a sudden, out of the blue, my Molly says,
um, "Is Tater Tot M. Potato Head's son?"
JENNY
Ha! Ha! Oh, that is what is called adorable! Oh, kids, huh?
MANNY
Yeah. Just the way they work!
HOWARD
Where were you on the night of April 31st? How much money do you make?
Are you just interested in you know what?
JENNY
Lewis!
MANNY
Kids.
JENNY
Well, as Voltaire says: "Un homme n'est pas juge par ce qu'il fait,
mais par cequi lui fait rire!" And these are my boys. Manny, this is
my son, Lewis.
MANNY
Hi, Lewis.
JENNY
And this is Howard.
MANNY
Hi, Howard.
HOWARD
Hi, Manny.
MANNY
How are you fellas?
HOWARD
Good.
JENNY
If Molly is looking for some playmates, why don't you give me a call?
MANNY
Okay.
JENNY
C'mon, let's go! Leave the briefcase! (To Manny): Bye.
SCENE 42
MOLLY
"Over my head ... I'm music ... Over the rainbow ... Over my rainbow
..." Hi, Daddy! Catch me!
MANNY
You look just like Molly when you smile.
MOLLY
Can we play like we did with Mommy and fly to Kalamazoo? Daddy?
You're supposed to say: "Make sure you get tickets for three, not
two."
MANNY
Uh, Daddy can't fly right now. I had a really hard day. Just get
ready for sleep.
SCENE 43
MOLLY
Hey, Daddy-Oh! Every cat talks to God in his own way and God
understands Chinese. So Corrina says, don't be jealous of the angels.
Bo-Daddy-Bo!
MANNY
What did Corrina say?
MOLLY
Well, Corrina said that you're jealous of the angels.
MANNY
Why?
MOLLY
Because they get to spend all that time with Mommy.
MANNY
Molly, listen to me, okay? The heaven, the angels, and all that, it's
just something that people make up so they won't feel sad anymore.
MOLLY
Well, what's wrong with that? What color eyes did Mommy have? I can't
remember.
MANNY
Let's talk about it later.
MOLLY
No, now!
MANNY
C'mon, Molly. It's time for bed.
MOLLY
What did she smell like?
MANNY
Molly, I said we'll talk about it later!
MOLLY
Liar! You don't even remember her anymore!
MANNY
Molly, of course I do.
MOLLY
No you don't! She's disappearing! She's almost gone!
SCENE 44
MOLLY
No!
CORRINA
C'mon. What's the matter?
MOLLY
I don't want to! No! No!
CORRINA
What's the matter? There's nothing to be afraid of!
MOLLY
You're not gonna come back!
CORRINA
What are you sayin' to me?
MOLLY
You're not gonna come back!
CORRINA
Of course I'm gonna comeback! I'm gonna be back at 3:00!
MOLLY
You promise?
CORRINA
Oh, yeah. I promise. Now come on.
MOLLY
Maybe they won't like me.
CORRINA
Maybe they won't like you? Are you kidding? Have you looked in the
mirror today? That's the most likeable face in America! You're goin'
about this the wrong way. You have to think to yourself: "My name is
Molly Singer and there is no one in the world better than me." That's
what you've got to say to yourself. Try it!
MOLLY
I am Molly Singer and there is nobody in the world better than me.
CORRINA
Yeah! Now, walk right in there, say that as you're walking! Go ahead!
MOLLY/
"I am Molly Singer and there is no one in the world better than me."
CORRINA
MOLLY
I am Molly Singer and there is no one in the world better than me.
CORRINA
Chin up! Up! You're too young to have two! Up! Good for you!
SCENE 45
CORRINA
Good morning. I'm sorry I'm late.
MRS.
WARNER
Oh, I'm so sorry, too. Wouldn't it be the day I need my windows
washed? All of them!
CORRINA
All of them? What do you mean, all of them? Mrs. Warner, you want all
of the windows done?
MRS.
WARNER
All of them. This is the day I expect them to be done.
SCENE 46
CORRINA
I'm sorry! I'm sorry I'm late!
FRANK
It's all right.
CORRINA
That crazy woman! All those windows ... standing there watching me!
I'm sorry! You go ahead! Don't be late! Go ahead. Percy! Don't
move, at all. Okay?
SCENE 47
BOY
Who's hogging the black crayon? You used it all up! That's not fair!
My Dad has a big beard! Huh! You didn't even do it right!
MOLLY
I did so!
BOY
She drew her maid, not her Mommy! What a dodo head!
MOLLY
I am Molly Singer and there's nobody in the world better than me.
BOY
Nobody's stupider than you! Gimme that crayon!
SCENE 48
MAVIS
"I think Ed Sullivan should run for president because he knows a lot of
different kinds of people and can help world peace. Because he's very
good with Russian acrobats."
SCENE 49 Molly waits for Corrina at school.
SCENE 50
JEVINA
Corrina?
CORRINA
Yes!
JEVINA
Honey, I'm late. I'm sorry. They couldn't balance the cash register.
MAVIS
But I'm not done!
CORRINA
I'll hear the rest of it after dinner, Mavis.
JEVINA
Okay.
SCENE 51
CORRINA
Molly! I'm sorry I'm late! I will never be late again.
MOLLY
Oh!
CORRINA
I will never be late again, but you don't know what happened to me! As
I was coming up the street, a band of elephants, stuck in the middle of
the street to have a drink of water and I didn't know what to do! So
... Are you stuck on me with Elmer's glue? I guess I'm not just gonna
have to carry you. I can't get you off! C'mon!
SCENE 52
CORRINA
Hi.
MANNY
What a day I've had. Worked my tail off and for what? Where're my
cigarettes?
CORRINA
I just put a carton in there this week.
MANNY
That's funny, I don't see them.
CORRINA
Well, I can't even offer you one of mine. Since you've taken to
smoking them, too.
MANNY
And what is that supposed to mean?
CORRINA
It means, if you're going to smoke my cigarettes, I'd appreciate your
tellin' me.
MANNY
Fine. And if you're going to smoke my cigarettes, I'd appreciate it if
you told me.
CORRINA
All right.
MANNY
Great.
SCENE 53
MOLLY
Mommy! Mommy!
MANNY
Molly? Molly, wake up!
MOLLY
Mommy! She didn't turn around!
MANNY
Who?
MOLLY
Mommy! She was on the hill! I saw her! She didn't turn around! She
just kept walking!
MANNY
Oh, Molly. If I'd been there ...
MOLLY
You were there! You couldn't stop her! Why couldn't you? She walked
right through you! It's all your fault she's gone! You never talked
about her! You made her disappear!
MANNY
Molly! Molly!
MOLLY
It's all your fault she's gone! I hate you!
MANNY
Molly! Molly!
CORRINA
Molly! Molly! It's okay.
MOLLY
I'm just so ... I'm just so ...
CORRINA
... just so mad! You're just so mad. And you can be mad. It's okay.
MANNY
Molly, listen to me. I'm mad, too. I'm mad at Mommy for leaving us.
I'm mad because I wanna talk to Mommy everyday and I can't. I'm mad
because I want to bring Mommy back to you and I can't do it.
MOLLY
I'm mad because she didn't even say good-bye!
MANNY
I'm mad about that, too, Molly.
CORRINA
Me, too. I'm mad that she made you mad! I'm mad that she ... she
should've said good-bye! I'm really mad at her! I'm ... just ... so
... mad! C'mon! C'mon! This is her! You can be mad! You can come
over here and be mad! C'mon! Be mad! Hit it! Yeah! Hit it again!
Yeah! Hit him again, Molly!
MANNY
Hit him!
CORRINA
Yeah! Hit him again, Molly! Hit him! Hit him! Hit him!
MOLLY
Stupid head!
CORRINA
Sock him again!
MOLLY
It's not fair!
CORRINA
I'm really mad at you!
MANNY
I'm ... mad ..., too!
SCENE 54
CORRINA
Isn't that Bill's piece?
MANNY
Mm hm.
MOLLY
My Dad always listens to it.
CORRINA
I love it. You know, when you listen to Bill Evans, it's as though
you've held up a really beautifully clear crystal in front of a warm
light.
MANNY
That's lovely. Who wrote that?
CORRINA
I did.
MANNY
You're so "inside" the music. The way you phrase things, you could
write poetry.
CORRINA
I do. You know, I'd like to write liner notes. You know, on the back
of the albums. And I want to have my own column in "High Hat"
magazine. "Listen'in Up" with Corrina Washington. Not that it would,
you know, take away my joy and love of scrubbing wax build-up from
linoleum floors.
MANNY
Did you ever try?
CORRINA
What? Scrubbing wax build-up?
MANNY
No, no. no. Liner notes and poetry.
CORRINA
Uh, basically they just let us play the music. They don't let us write
about it. ...Ooh, this is really bad.
MANNY
Well, I wouldn't say it's really bad.
CORRINA
I would.
SCENE 55
TV
"You have 30 seconds to name five songs. Name all five correctly and
you'll have $15,000. Next week, you'll come back and try to make it
$20,000."
CORRINA
You know how much money I've won so far on this show? Millions of
dollars.
MANNY
I've won about ... half a billion.
CORRINA
Half a billion dollars?
MANNY
Yeah. I'm good at this one.
CORRINA
Well, we'll see how good you are.
TV
"Name this tune ..."
CORRINA/
MANNY
"Turkey in the Straw!"
TV
"Do you know the name of that song? 'Turkey in the Straw.' 'Turkey in
the Straw!' You're right!"
CORRINA
I think I beat you by just a hair.
MANNY
No!
MOLLY
Tie! Tie!
MANNY
Tie?
MOLLY
One-to-one.
CORRINA
Fine, side with your Dad.
MANNY
Molly's the judge! ... "Sailor's Turnpike!"
CORRINA
"Sailor's Turnpike?"
MOLLY
Two-to-two.
MANNY
Listen. ...What's two-to-two? Listen!
TV
"Sailor's Hornpike."
MANNY
Ha!
CORRINA
"Sailor's HORNPIKE!"
MANNY
I wonder what happened to that guy's head?
CORRINA
She probably slapped him for giving the wrong answers.
SCENE 56
JEVINA
Why you tippin' in here?
CORRINA
Why you lurkin' on the couch?
JEVINA
You're awfully late.
CORRINA
The little girl had a nightmare, that's all.
JEVINA
They payin' you overtime?
CORRINA
Jevina, it wasn't that kind of night.
JEVINA
Ooh, Sistah Child. You need to stop kiddin' yo'self. Now you know
these white folks are gonna pretend you're part of the family so they
can work you all hours and not pay you for your time. Corrina, you're
working too hard to be givin' it away for free.
CORRINA
Giving what away for free, Jevina? My letter come today?
JEVINA
Nope. Not today.
CORRINA
Thank you. Good night.
SCENE 57
CORRINA
No, the first few weeks are always hard for everyone. C'mon. Well,
now you ain't even gonna talk to me? It's just not that bad.
MOLLY
Please don't make me go to school again!
CORRINA
Okay. All right. All right. Don't cry. Come on.
SCENE 58
MRS.
MORGAN
Thank you, Corrina. Say good-bye, Sophia.
CORRINA
Good-bye ... Psst!
MOLLY
Wow!
SCENE 59
CORRINA
(On phone): Well, it's just a light fever. I'm sure she'll be ready
to come back tomorrow. If you could just let Mrs. Rodgers know. Yes.
All right. Thank you. Bye-bye. (To Molly): All right, you. You get
one day and that's it. Got it?
MOLLY
Got it.
CORRINA
Good.
SCENE 60
MOLLY
Isn't it fun to make things shiny?
CORRINA
Well, I think the thrill for me is gone.
MOLLY
After lunch, can we go swimming in the park?
CORRINA
That's not a park, that's their backyard. And no, we can't, 'cause we
have way too much work to do.
MOLLY
Oh, come on. Please?
CORRINA
No.
MOLLY
Yes!
CORRINA
No, we simply can't, my Dear. We simply can't.
SCENE 61
CORRINA
"Every time it rains, it rains ..."
MOLLY
"... pennies from heaven."
CORRINA
Sing out more!
MOLLY
"Don't you know each cloud contains ..."
CORRINA
Feel it girl!
MOLLY
"... pennies from heaven."
CORRINA
Oh, wait! I hear Esther Williams coming on. "...da, da, da ..."
MOLLY
"Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven. Don't you know
each cloud contains, pennies from heaven ..."
CORRINA
Feel it, girl! Very good!
CORRINA/
MOLLY
"You'll find your fortune all over town ... Be sure that your umbrella
is upside down ..."
SCENE 62
SID
"Pudding" ... "Shoulding" ... "Coulding." The problem is that
"pudding" doesn't rhyme with anything. It's like "knockwurst."
MANNY
Please! Just rhyme with "jello!"
SID
I'm not helping?
MANNY
No! "Jello" ... "Fellow" ...
SID
"For he's a jolly good ... jolly good ..."
MANNY
"Armadillo."
SID
"Armadillo" ... "Armajello!"
MANNY
Yeah, that'll work.
SID
Little hunks of jello that run across the road!
SCENE 63
CORRINA
Oh, very Abraham Lincoln. Very Abraham Lincoln, yeah.
MOLLY
Will I have chi-chis like yours someday?
CORRINA
Why do you call them "chi-chis?" Where did you hear that?
MOLLY
My Daddy calls them that.
CORRINA
He calls them chi-chis?" I heard them called a lot of things:
"hooters," "ta-tas," but never "chi-chis."
MANNY
Anybody home?! Oh, you're in there. Hey Molly, I was thinking. It's
such a beautiful night out, why don't you and I cook dinner for Corrina
tonight?
SCENE 64
CORRINA
My favorite song.
MANNY
Mine, too.
CORRINA
You know, Billy does a better of it.
MANNY
No one's better than Louis!
CORRINA
Nice hat!
SCENE 65
CORRINA
Now, listen to this. He writes: "Basically, Louis needs nobody but
Louis. He can stand all alone in the middle of the Sahara singing
selected excerpts from the Tules Telephone Directory and we suspect
that he could make it for a week without food and water." Now, who
writes this garbage? Somebody named "Bob" obviously. (To Molly): And
listen, I don't want you filling up on the these potato chips because I
know you want that fudge sundae after dinner, so please finish your
milk.
MOLLY
I hate milk.
MANNY
Listen to your mother. (To Corrina): Somebody once wrote that writing
about jazz is like dancing about architecture.
CORRINA
That is exactly what we're talking about! I mean, if I had written
something like this ... I mean, I couldn't write something like this!
This is how ... Who could write this?!
SCENE 66
MANNY
"Pudding" ... "Pudding" ..., okay. "Milk makes pudding ... pudding is
gooding ..."
CORRINA
You sound like a doorbell. "Pudding" ... "Pudding ..."
MANNY
Ha! Ha! Oh, have you ever had a block?
CORRINA
Yeah. All my life. ... That's a very kind face.
MANNY
She was ... kind. She had a real sweetness about her. Didn't have
much of a sense of humor, but she loved to laugh. What about Edward
B.?
CORRINA
Oh. Edward B. ...Edward B. He was not kind. But he did have a good
sense of humor. Sometimes, that's not enough. You know, I could
really use a ...
MANNY
Me, too.
SCENE 67
MANNY
"You say you don't have time to cook, come over here and take a look
..." And then ...
CORRINA
Right. Right.
MANNY
See, and I don't have the middle here is what's ... And I can't get it
... And then I have to end it with "pudding."
MANNY/
CORRINA
"You say you don't have time to cook, come over here and take a look
..."
CORRINA
"It's smooth, ... It's ... smooth. ...It's ..."
MANNY
"... fast."
CORRINA
"It's smooth, it's cool, ..."
MANNY
"... It breaks the rules."
CORRINA
Really?
MANNY
"Ba-dum" ... "Ba-dum" ... " pudding!" See. I'm stuck on this ...
"puddin'!" See, it's this "pudding." This "pudding." Like the
doorbell. You're right, it's a doorbell, and I can't ... I have to
..."
CORRINA
You just ... you did it. You just fixed your problem. You took the
"g" off the end of "pudding." Who says you shouldn't have instant
"puddin'?" I mean, it could be that simple.
MANNY
Oh! "Who says you shouldn't, have instant puddin' ... ba-dum, ba-dum
... ba-dum."
CORRINA
Good.
MANNY
Corrina!
SCENE 68 Molly is jumping on her bed in complete ecstasy.
SCENE 69 Manny and Corrina play a beautiful song on the piano
together.
SCENE 70
JENNY
"By the light ..."
LEWIS/
HOWARD
"...by the light, by the light ..."
JENNY
"... of the silvery moon ..."
LEWIS/
HOWARD
"... of the moon, of the moon ..."
JENNY
"... I want to spoon ..." Good boys! "... to my honey I'll croon
love's tune ..." Sing Molly! "...Honeymoon ... keep it shining in
June ... Your silvery beans will bring long strings ... we'll be
cuddling soon ..."
JENNY/
LEWIS/
HOWARD
"... by the silvery moon."
SCENE 71
EVA
Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Now, make a wish! Make a wish!
MANNY
Make a wish! ... Ah! Hey! You got all of 'em! Hey, look-it, Molly!
Happy Birthday!
EVA
What is that?
MANNY
It's a Hoola-hoop!
EVA
Hoola-hoop?
MANNY
Come here, try it. ... Hey! There ya go! Uh, you gotta get some
"oomph" into it!
CORRINA
Yeah, she's gotta get some "hoop" into it! I'm a "hooper" from way
back.
MANNY
C'mon!
CORRINA
Yes! Yes! Oh, no, no. I have to show her. "Cause it don't mean a
thing if you ain't got the swing. You remember that.
MANNY
Swing! Oh, yeah!
EVA
Come on. Come on. Mollinchka, you're the birthday girl. You get to
choose wherever you want to go.
MOLLY
Can Corrina come, too?
EVA
Oh, no, no, no. Corrina's worked a long day. I'm sure she wants to go
home. Come on Mollinchka. Pick your favorite place in the whole
world!
SCENE 72
EVA
I don't know if I like this very much.
SCENE 73
MOLLY
She should have cleaned this up before we got here.
CORRINA
That's a novel idea. Oh! My!
MOLLY
Well, let's get started!
CORRINA
All right.
SCENE 74
CORRINA
We deserve a break.
SCENE 75
MAVIS
Molly, I hope that lady has more parties. These are some leftovers!
PERCY
Yuk! Cream ones. I hate cream ones!
MAVIS
Give it here, Percy. I don't mind cream ones.
PERCY
Yuk! Coconut! I hate coconut!
MAVIS
Give it here, Percy. I don't mind coconut.
PERCY
You don't mind nothin' girl!
SCENE 76
PERCY
Look! Look!
TV
"Buckwheat. and he's wearin' diamonds." "Oh yes, he's rich, too. And
makes hundreds of thousands of dollars."
CORRINA
Molly! I know you're pretending you can't hear me, Molly. But I'm
tellin' you, you're going back to school tomorrow and that's that!
SCENE 77
MANNY
"You say you don't have time to cook ... Come over here and take a look
... It's smooth, ... it's cool, ...it breaks the rules! ... Chocolate,
cherry, sweet strawberry! ... Who says you couldn't, have instant
puddin' ...J-E-L-L-O!"
SCENE 78
MANNY
Molly? (To Corrina): It's okay. It's okay. I'm sorry I'm late. I
had to stop off and get you something. Um, I had a good day at work.
A real good day. And I have you to thank for it. So ... I'm sure you
could write better liner notes. I was thinking, why don't I take us
all out to dinner and celebrate?
SCENE 79
MANNY
How was school today, Mol?
MOLLY
Hard work.
MANNY
What did you do?
MOLLY
I won the spelling bee.
MANNY
You did? Oh!
CORRINA
Well, what do you say we all go on out? Is everybody hungry?
MANNY
Did you hear that? Molly won the spelling bee.
CORRINA
I heard.
MANNY
What was the word?
MOLLY
Vacuum.
CORRINA
Ha! Ha! Why don't we vacuum ourselves right into the car and go get
some dinner, 'cause I'm starvin'!
MANNY
Vacuum? That's a hard word. How do you spell it?
MOLLY
H-O-O-V-E-R.
SCENE 80
MANNY
For Molly Singer! Oh ... "A major romance is headed your way" young
lady!
MOLLY
No. That one's yours, Daddy!
CORRINA
Ooh. An angel just flew over.
MOLLY
Where?
CORRINA
Well, you can't see 'em, but whenever people get really quiet at the
same time at a table, that means an angel's flying over. Which reminds
me. I think I'm gonna go pay my water bill. Excuse me.
MAN #1
Ma'am. My wife spilled tea all over the table and everything. Hey!
MANNY
Hey! What's the matter with you? You don't grab somebody like that!
What's the matter? Does she look like a waiter or waitress to you?!
MAN #1
Well, I don't care whose waitress she is. What's it to you?
MAN #2
So look at this kid. Look at that. Another nigger lover.
MANNY
I mean, is she wearing red?! Sit down and clean it yourself! Check,
please!
SCENE 81
TV
"Here now is one of the most outstanding vocal groups in the country
today. They're on the top of ..."
CORRINA
Hi.
JEVINA
Girl, when you gonna wake up and smell the coffee?
CORRINA
God, Jevina! Don't you have anything better to do?
JEVINA
Lonely man. Lost his wife. Left with that poor little girl. Now
Honey, I seen this coming from a mile away!
CORRINA
You know, I don't need a mother!
JEVINA
What you need is that nice, tall drink of water across the street,
Baby! What's the matter, Professor Washington? Your own kind ain't
good enough for you? And I thought we said you weren't gonna buy no
more albums for a while!
CORRINA
I didn't!
JEVINA
Oh! He buyin' you presents now? You know, Corrina. You may have your
fancy education and you got these fancy dresses that you sew and
everything, and that all ...
CORRINA
...And that bothers you, doesn't it? Don't do this!
JEVINA
That still don't make you smart! What you come home to Baby? Alone,
every night!
CORRINA
When did this come? It doesn't even feel like the other ones. It's
skinny. Look. Read it slow.
JEVINA
Slow. "Dear Miss Washington. "High Hat" magazine would like to thank
you for your article. Unfortunately, "...We are not interested in
publishing articles by unknown colored women. No matter how talented
they are. Sincerely ... Best regards ... Yours truly ... Whitey.
SCENE 82
MOLLY
Do you taste like chocolate?
LIZZIE
I don't know. Do you take like vanilla?
SINGING
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine ... Let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine ..."
SCENE 83
SINGING
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine ... Let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine ..."
MOLLY
I'm a nigger lover.
LIZZIE
Molly! What a mean thing to say! You're not my best friend anymore!
MOLLY
Well, I didn't know. What's so mean about it?
LIZZIE
I don't know. It just is. That means you think I'm better than you,
honky!
MOLLY
But you just called me a donkey!
PERCY
Not "donkey," "honky!" You white, gringo, womp-heiny, macaroni face!
LIZZIE
Shut up! She is not! She's my best friend!
SCENE 84
CORRINA
God does not like ugly. You're going back to school tomorrow and
that's it.
MOLLY
But I don't want to go back. I want to be with you.
MANNY
You don't want to go back where? Huh?
MOLLY
Back to Jenny's.
MANNY
Well, we'll talk about that later. Okay? You know why? Because more
importantly, you are looking at the winner of the new "Mr. Bromide"
account!
MOLLY
Yea!
MANNY
Yea! It absorbs twenty-seven times it's weight in excess acid. It's
still unofficial, but I would like to thank the people who got me
there. Mademoiselle. Madame. Thank you. Yea! Another yea!
(Doorbell rings) It must be the press. "You say you don't have time
to cook, come over here and take a look ..."
SCENE 85
JENNY
Ta da! Congratulations, Manny Singer! Manny! Oh, your mother just
called me with the fabulous news, and I thought we could toast "Mr.
Bromide" with a little bubbly, huh? (To Molly): Hi, Molly. Aren't
you proud of your Daddy? Oh! I got your nose! (To Manny): Oh, this
must be your girl.
MANNY
Uh, yeah. Corrina Washington, this is Jenny Davis.
JENNY
How very nice to meet you. You know, I hear you're a real wonder with
children. Katrina, could you get us an ice bucket and two glasses?
MANNY
No. I'll do that.
JENNY
Oh. Okay. Gosh, aren't those lovely flowers!
MANNY
Uh, has anybody seen my cigarettes?
CORRINA
I just got you a carton. I can't help it if you're tearing through
them. You know, the three of you could go for a drive and maybe pick
some up.
JENNY
Or, this is what is called a good time to quit.
CORRINA
You're so right. (To Molly): Good night.
JENNY
Something sure smells good. I'll turn off the oven.
SCENE 86
JENNY
Well, I've never ... experienced another man, except Douglas, and ...
(Phone rings).
MANNY
Excuse me.
JENNY
Yeah.
MANNY
Hello? Hello?
MOLLY
Operator? We're having trouble on our line. Can you dial the number
again?
MANNY
There.
JENNY
But I ... (Phone rings again) Don't answer it.
MANNY
I really should. Hello?
MOLLY
Hi, Daddy!
MANNY
Molly?
MOLLY
You recognized my voice.
MANNY
What do you think you're doing?
MOLLY
Well, I can't sleep.
MANNY
Good night, Molly.
JENNY
Maybe our voices are keeping her up.
MANNY
You okay?
SCENE 87
ANTHONY
Boy, I'll tell ya. When Louis down and low in the middle of the
Sahara, singin' selected excerpts from the Tules Telephone Directory.
...You know, Louis is cool, he's cool, but Billy Holiday's version ...
just a bit tastier.
SCENE 88
MANNY
Jenny.
JENNY
Manny?
MANNY
This is all very new for me. This is all very confusing. And I just
don't feel like I'm ready to ...
JENNY
Oh, Manny. I know. I know. I know how hard it is to let yourself
love again.
MOLLY
Would you like a cigarette?
JENNY
No, thank you. I don't smoke.
MOLLY
Well, maybe you should start.
JENNY
And maybe you should get some sleep, huh? That's a very pretty frock,
but it's a little late Molly, for dress up!
SCENE 89
CORRINA
Excuse me. I'll get it. (Into phone): Hello?
MOLLY
You know what's goin' on over here?
CORRINA
I don't want to hear it.
MOLLY
My Dad's in the living room with Jenny.
CORRINA
I don't want to hear it. I want you to go right to sleep.
MOLLY
But I can't go to sleep if I have to go back to school.
CORRINA
All right. I'll think about it, if you promise to go right to sleep.
MOLLY
Okay. I promise. I love you.
CORRINA
I love you, too, Molly. Okay? Go to sleep.
MOLLY
I'll sing you to sleep first, though.
CORRINA
Well, Honey, you don't have to ...
MOLLY
"Hush little lady don't say a word, Molly's gonna buy you a Mockingbird
... If that Mockingbird don't sing, Molly's gonna buy you a diamond
ring ... If that diamond ring ..."
ANTHONY
Yeah, well ... It's been a long time since I felt serious about it.
But I still play a little piano every now and then.
JEVINA
Well, you know, I used to sing myself.
ANTHONY
No kidding?
SCENE 90
MANNY
Hi.
CORRINA
The bus driver was twenty-minutes late.
MANNY
I have to talk to you. Corrina! Corrina! We need to ...Whether you
like it or not, I employ you!
CORRINA
Oh, yes! You did! I meant to tell you, I'm giving you my notice.
MANNY
What?
CORRINA
A week in advance, which is fair, though you don't deserve it.
MANNY
Look, about last night.
CORRINA
This is what is called one week's notice, Mr. Singer.
MANNY
Listen to me, please. Jenny is a friend of mine and I wasn't expecting
her to come over. And what I really wanted was for you to stay. I
just wanted to apologize.
CORRINA
Well, thank you. But let's get one thing straight.
MANNY
All right.
CORRINA
This is my job. I work for you, nine to five, time and a half for
overtime. No more, no less.
MANNY
Absolutely.
CORRINA
Fine.
MANNY
Okay. I'm really late. I'll be home around five.
CORRINA
Would you just wait a minute! Turn around. You have your thing that's
all messed up. Good bye.
SCENE 91 Molly colors one of her doll's faces with a brown crayon.
SCENE 92
EVA
I tell you, Manfred. I think she's spending too much time with this
Mrs. Washington. Go on, tell me I'm wrong. Take a look at your baby.
Am I blind, or is she becoming a ...?
MANNY
Ma, enough. Kids are impressionable, that's all. Corrina is the best
thing that could have happened to her. Okay? Try the light.
MOLLY
Grandma, you've got water spots on your glasses. Maybe you're using
the wrong soap.
EVA
Ha! Ha! Ha! Since when have you become such an expert on cleaning?
Which reminds me, did you see how the crystal sparkled at Jenny's
house? I couldn't get over it.
MANNY
Ma, please. Don't start, please?
EVA
Listen, Manny. It wouldn't be so bad for your father to see you with a
lovely new wife while he's still here.
MANNY
Ma, no one's going anywhere. You'll both be around to dance at Molly's
wedding.
EVA
Ha! Ha! Molly's wedding!
MANNY
Pop? Pop? Show me an A. And a C sharp.
EVA
That was beautiful, Harry! Oh, before you skedaddle, Maestro, could
you spare a moment to fix the light in the frigidaire?
MANNY
Ma, the light works fine.
EVA
So, are we gonna talk about it or what?
MOLLY
Grandpa? Can you hear me? Make Daddy marry Corrina, okay?
MANNY
I told you. She's the best thing in the world for Molly. Look at her.
She's glowing.
EVA
Manny, I wasn't born yesterday.
MANNY
Well, it's just a tremendous relief to ...
EVA
You were kissing Miss Washington on your front steps.
MANNY
What?
EVA
I got a call from your neighbor, Mrs. Murphy.
MANNY
This is sick. This is really sick.
EVA
Don't worry about Mrs. Murphy. She's a small, unhappy woman with big
feet. But that's the world. It may not be a perfect world, but it's
the world we live in. Listen to what I'm telling you, Manfred. A fish
and a bird can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?
SCENE 93
MOLLY
It's flying!
MANNY
There it is!
MOLLY
It's flying!
MANNY
Oh, no! Here it is. Here it is. Under the tree.
MOLLY
I'll go get it!
MANNY
In the sandbox. In the sandbox ... What the ...?
SCENE 94
MANNY
Molly! This isn't a joke! Now you have some explaining to do, young
lady. Cigarettes cost money. They're not your toys. Now, why did you
do a thing like that?
MOLLY
Corrina's husband went out for a pack of cigarettes and died.
MANNY
What are you saying?
MOLLY
They all die. That's what the TV says. Even the Surgery General says
it.
MANNY
Oh, Molly. You have my promise that I will never, ever, ever leave
you. Ever.
MOLLY
Promise? Because Mommy said it's bad to be a breaker of promises.
MANNY
Yeah, she did say that. You see, we remember. You know what? If
Mommy were here right now, she'd be smiling. She had the bluest,
bluest eyes. Just like yours.
MOLLY
Blue like mine?
MANNY
Mm hm. And you know what else? ... Yep. She smelled just like you
do. ...What was that?
MOLLY
What?
MANNY
Did you hear that? I think it was a plane. Who wants to take a trip
to Kalamazoo?!
MOLLY
Make sure you get tickets for three, not two!
MANNY
Come here! Let's go fly!
SCENE 95
MANNY
Uh oh. Here you go.
MOLLY
I'll have this one.
MAN #1
Okay. Okay.
MAN #2
We appreciate your patience. They had to special order the fabric from
France.
CORRINA
Your wife had taste.
MANNY
Yes, she did. Wasn't great with dimensions, though.
CORRINA
Well, nobody's perfect.
SCENE 96
MANNY
One of the last things my wife said to me was: "Don't forget to pick
up some almonds on the way home." She said she had a coupon for
roasted ... But I was in a hurry and I didn't wait until she found it.
CORRINA
I don't think she was angry, Manny. I think she understood. Now, do
you wanna know the last thing I said to my husband?
MANNY
What?
CORRINA
Slow down.
MANNY
Hm?
CORRINA
Slow ... down.
MANNY
You have such an amazing smile.
CORRINA
Thank you.
MANNY
You want to dance?
CORRINA
What?
MANNY
You wanna dance?
CORRINA
Sure. It's been a while for me. ...Manny, look at the window.
MANNY
What?
CORRINA
Take a look at the window. ... I have to go.
SCENE 97
CORRINA
I beg your pardon, madame, but I have a gift for you. Now, close your
eyes. Here you are. I made this special for you, in honor of you
going back to school tomorrow, so that you have a place to put all your
papers and your poems and your drawings, and you can show them to your
Dad. Here. I don't think anyone else at your school has anything like
this. Did you notice that is Lois on the cover there? I just wanted
to point that out to you.
SCENE 98
MRS.
RODGERS
Yes, Gregory, what is it?
GREGORY
I was just wondering when Molly Singer would be coming back to class.
MRS.
RODGERS
She'll be back as soon as she's all better.
GREGORY
That means that she'll be here later today?
MRS.
RODGERS
What makes you say that, Gregory? She's been very sick.
SCENE 99
MANNY
Hello, Manny Singer. Hello Mrs. Rodgers, how are you? ... What?
SCENE 100
MANNY
Corrina! Where's Molly?!
CORRINA
She's in the room. What's happening?
MANNY
How dare you keep her out of school and not tell me!
CORRINA
There's an explanation!
MANNY
No, there is no explanation!
CORRINA
There is an explanation!
MANNY
Molly!
CORRINA
She just wasn't ready!
MANNY
Corrina, I trusted you!
CORRINA
She was not ready to go back! She was not ready!
MANNY
Corrina, you're not her mother! It's not your decision! How dare you
lie to me, Corrina! Stay away! You're fired, Corrina!
MOLLY
Please, stop! Corrina! Corrina! Corrina! Corrina!
MANNY
Why did you lie to me? Hm? Why did you lie to me? What are you
doing? Molly! Molly! Molly, you have to talk to me!
SCENE 101
MANNY
Go on. What happened? (Phone rings) Jesus! Hello? Ma, look, this
isn't a good time right now, let me call you back later. ... What? Oh
no.
SCENE 102
JENNY
Howard, here. Why don't you take this piece of cake over to Grandma?
MAN
Pardon me, could you just slow down? Mr. Singer just hired me.
JENNY
I want all the ashtrays emptied, please. And another pot of hot
coffee.
MAN
Sure.
JENNY
Hi. How are you?
MAN
Where's the coffee?
SCENE 103 Molly is under a mountain of clothes on the bed, staring up
at the ceiling.
SCENE 104
MOLLY
C'mon Lois, try to eat.
SCENE 105
JENNY
You know, I can stay. Make a good dinner. Hm? Howard! Untie him
right now! I could clean up a little. I could put Molly to bed. You
need me right now.
MANNY
That's okay. I appreciate it.
JENNY
Okay.
MANNY
What are you doing with that?
JENNY
Oh! I was going to surprise you and get it restored. You know, I bet
I can get rid of all these cracks.
MANNY
No, I like the cracks.
JENNY
No you don't.
MANNY
Yeah, I do. I like them a lot.
JENNY
Manny, you are what is called ... upset. Uh, perhaps you need a little
time. Okay. Um, we'll talk later. All right boys, slow down. Come
on.
MANNY
Jenny. Thanks for everything.
SCENE 106
PERCY
Uh oh! He's back!
MAVIS
Come on the house, Percy.
MANNY
Hi. I should have called. My father died. And it gets you thinking
about the people you love, and the things that you've done, or wished
you hadn't done.
JEVINA
Corrina. Your supper's gettin' cold.
CORRINA
I'm really sorry about your father. I liked him a lot.
MANNY
Corrina. I'm sorry. I don't want the last words I said to you to be
...
CORRINA
It's all right.
MANNY
You know, I'm not very good at this. Um, can you please help me out
here? Just this once?
CORRINA
Manny. Who you talkin' to?
MANNY
What's his name?
CORRINA
Oh, a new friend.
MANNY
Yeah. Yeah.
CORRINA
I made this for Molly.
MANNY
Would you like to give it to her yourself?
CORRINA
I might.
MANNY
Okay.
CORRINA
I just want to clear up one thing.
MANNY
Okay.
CORRINA
Really clear.
MANNY
Okay.
CORRINA
So there's no mistake. I quit.
MANNY
Okay.
CORRINA
Okay?
MANNY
Yeah.
CORRINA
All right.
MANNY
You'll be happy to know that I hired somebody else. I think you'll
like him.
CORRINA
Did you check their references?
MANNY
Yeah!
CORRINA
Yeah. Good. "Cause you're no picnic.
MANNY
I know.
CORRINA
Manny. Manny! I live in this neighborhood. Come inside!
SCENE 107
PERCY
Ha! That's the funniest thing you've ever told me in your whole life!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
CORRINA
This is Manny.
MANNY
Hello, everybody. Manny Singer.
FRANK
Good to meet you.
MANNY
Good to meet you.
JEVINA
Percy, get your jaw off the table and pull up an extra seat.
LIZZIE
Is this Mr. Puddin' Face?
CORRINA
Yes, this is the face himself.
PERCY
Sit there. Go ahead, sit there.
MANNY
Thank you. What's your name?
PERCY
Percy.
MANNY
Percy. Thank you, Percy.
PERCY
You're welcome. You know, you can eat all my vegetables if you want.
SCENE 108
MOLLY
"... let it shine, let it shine. All through the night, I'm gonna let
it shine. All through the night, I'm gonna let it shine ..." Grandma,
that's your part.
EVA
Mollinchka, enough.
MOLLY
I'll sing it with you. "All down the road ..." Take it, Grandma!
"All down the road ..."
EVA
"I'm going to let it shine."
MOLLY/
EVA
"All down the road, I'm gonna let it shine. All down the road, I'm
gonna let it shine ... Let it shine, let it shine, shine, shine, let it
shine ..."
13