Episode 222, Scene 7.

     Dialog between Eli, Rita, and Norman in the General Store. 

     Norman is sweeping as a customer in a white coat is leaving.

EC:  Thank you.  Come back again.
C:   Thank you, Mr. Carson.

     Rita enters the store carrying a grocery sack.

C:   Good afternoon.
RJ:  Hi.

EC:  Hello, Mrs. Harrington.  What can I do for you?
RH:  He's not talking to me.  He's mad at me for something.  Would you 
     ask Norman if he'd like to have a picnic with me on the bandstand, 
     today?  
NH:  Tell her, No thanks.  I'm too busy. 
EC:  Well, If I come out to the bandstand as referee, who'll give me 
     half a sandwich? 
RH:  I will.

     Eli walks over to Norman.

EC:  Come on.
NH:  Well, who's going to mind the store?
EC:  I'm the boss.  And this is an order.

            [Eli, Rita, and Norman walk over to he bandstand.

EC:  Your corners, children.
RJ:  Oh, here's a sandwich for Norman.  

            [Rita hands a wrapped sandwich to Eli.  Eli tosses it to 
            Norman.  The sandwich is wrapped in waxed paper.]

RJ:  Here's one for you. 

EC:  You know, my friend William Shakespeare said that true love never 
     runs smooth.  Norman, you're too old and too sensible to act like 
     this.
NH:  This isn't any of your business, Mr. Carson.
EC:  Well, it's Rita's business.  And if you haven't got the courage to 
     tell her what it is you're quarrelling about, without getting 
     mad, then I'm going to make you madder. 
NH:  You have.  Thanks.
EC:  And if you can't talk this over reasonably and quietly, and above 
     all honestly ...
NH:  I get your point.
EC:  ... then you shouldn't be married.  That's all I came to say.
RJ:  Oh, but I've got some potato salad and deviled-eggs and carrots and 
     olives and pickles and a cupcake.  Don't go yet.
EC:  You two work this out together.

     Eli leaves.

RH:  Here's some celery and stuff, if you want it.

     offering them to Norman.

NH:  I got in a fight with grandfather.  Then Rodney ...

RH:  Why couldn't you tell me?
NH:  It was a dumb fight.  
RH:  Was it over me?
NH:  Who knows what it was over?  Grandfather suggested that he would 
     like to give me some money.  I said, "No thanks.  We'll make it on 
     our own."  Then he got rude.  And I got ruder.  Enter the meddler,
     Rodney.  I don't know who swung first.  I always wanted to be 
     independent.  Well, I guess I should be overjoyed. 

RH:  And you're miserable? 
NH:  No.  I enjoy baiting people until they can't stand it any more. 
     Until they have to kick me out.  Then I start feeling sorry for 
     myself.  Then I go around looking for other people to fight.  The 
     only trouble is, I'm running out of people.  I mean that's an odd 
     thing.  Just you and me. 
NH:  Do you want off?
RJ:  No.

     Norman walks over to Rita.

NH:  Even if I ...
RH:  No matter what.
NH:  You're crazy.
RJ:  You married me.  You're the one who's crazy.
NH:  I happen to love you.
RJ:  If it wasn't for me, you'd be in there with Rod.
NH:  Who needs to be in there?
RJ:  You'd have a brother and a father and a grandfather.
NH:  So what?  Who needs them?
RJ:  When we got married, I was going to try and straighten things out 
     between you and everybody.  I thought I could, because I wanted to 
     be part of the family, badly enough.  All I've done is drive them 
     all away from you. 
NH:  Good riddance.
RH:  Norm.
NH:  If they wanted to keep me in the family, they could have.  I'm much 
     more responsible now than before we got married.  They just don't 
     want me around.  I shout a lot.  I get into fights.  And what 
     really rubs them the wrong way, and I mean, Rod, too, is that I'm 
     getting along.  We're getting along without them.  That really 
     bothers them.  No applause? 

RH:  Maybe I'll go talk to your grandfather.
NH:  I dare you. [grins.]

NH:  Well, I'd better get back to work.  Thanks for the picnic.  And I'm 
     sorry.  I mean for being so rotten last night and this morning. 
RJ:  It's okay.

     Norman kisses Rita, then heads back toward the General Store.
     
Episode 222, scene 7          HOME