Episode 484 scene 6.  

     Steven is dining with Susan in the dining room of the mansion.
     Dialog between Betty and Steven Cord.
  
SW:  More coffee?
SC:  Huh, uh.  More Brandy?
SW:  Uh, huh.
SC:  All right.  Come and get it.
SW:  I'll forget what I came for.

     [Susan gets up from the table.] 
     [Steven gets up from the table.]
     [They kiss]
     [Chimes are heard.]
     [Steven approaches the door.]
     [Maid Mary admits Betty.]
     [Steven opens the dining room door.]

MM:  It's Mrs. Harrington.
SC:  Mrs. Harrington.  And how are you, Mrs. Harrington?
BA:  I hope I haven't interrupted your dinner.
SC:  Well, I'm afraid you've interrupted more than my dinner.  
BA:  Oh?
SW:  But it doesn't matter.  Happy with your portrait?
BA:  I always have been.  It's good to have it back.
BA:  Steven ... 

     [Betty is taken aback by the portrait above fire place]. 

SC:  You were saying?
BA:  I've come to ask you for another favor.
SC:  Oh.  Well, what is it this time?  I can't think of any other 
     souvenirs from our brief but interesting marriage. 
BA:  I want this house.  
SC:  Hah.  Well, you've wanted this house since the day you were born.  
BA:  I'm asking you to sell it to me.
SC:  It's not for sale.
BA:  Well, There's really no reason for you to hold on to it any more.  
     I mean, you've made your point.  You sat in grandfather's chair.  
     You've sipped his brandy.  And you've looked down on the world 
     around you.  Now what's left to prove? 
SC:  Rod hates this house.  He's lived most of these past few years 
     trying desperately to get away from it. 
BA:  I think I undestand my husband.
SC:  I hope you do.  You worked so hard at breaking the old man's 
     grip.  And now returning here to all these memories? 
BA:  Steven, this house is a symbol to you.  Now, you don't need a 
     symbol any more.  Your grandfather's dead.  Everyone knows how 
     important you are. 
SC:  The little girl with the big hungry eyes.  Little girl with the big 
     day dreams, named Betty Anderson Harrington Cord.

     [Steven touches her chin.] 

BA:  Steven. 
SC:  And Harrington again.  Well, that's quite a mouthful.  Smacks of 
     ambition.  With overtones of If at first you don't suceed, try 
     again.
BA:  Thanks.
SC:  Well, You already have my answer.  No.  And I won't change my mind.  

     [Steven walks over and pours himself a drink.] 

SC:  What about the honeymoon cottage? 
BA:  We loved it.
SC:  Briefly, but well.
BA:  But maybe it doesn't fit into our present needs.
SC:  Or your future pocketbook. 
BA:  The bedroom is in a loft up a steep flight of stairs.  Now, Rod 
     couldn't possibly manage them. 
SC:  Well, then move it down to the livingroom.
BA:  That would make it terribly crowded.
SC:  Then move to a larger house.  Look, why don't you buy one of those 
     ranch homes they built over by the golf course.  Well, they're not 
     much style but they've got plenty of floor space and no stairs. 
BA:  Steven, it would only be a white elephant to you.
SC:  You'd be surprised.
BA:  I could understand when your grandfather was alive.  I mean, your 
     living here was your way of getting back at him.  But now that he's 
     gone... 
SC:  Unfortunately I'm sentimental as well as vindictive. We were 
     married in this room.  You and I. 
BA:  That's over and done.  You'd be better off some place where you 
     could forget these memories. 
SC:  Thanks for the advice.
BA:  Steven, this huge old place must be a terrible burden to you, 
     financially. 

     [Susan appears.]

SW:  He can always float a loan.
BA:  Oh, I didn't know ministers could afford that kind of alimony. 
SW:  I was born into money.  I didn't have to marry it.
BA:  Oh, yes.  I had forgotten about your father.  But I'm sure other 
     people haven't.  You seem to have made yourself quite at home here. 
SW:  Oh, I have.  Thoroughly and completely.  I'm even allowed to select 
     the paintings.  Do you like it? 
BA:  No,  It's not quite my taste.
SW:  i didn't think you'd like it.  The other one was much more 
     flattering.  I told Steven when I brought this one home that it 
     somehow reminded me of your portrait.  Just a little. 
SC:  Well, I didn't agree.
SW:  That's why I bought it.  Tell me something, Mrs. Harrington, why do 
     you want to live up here on top of the hill?
BA:  To look down.
SE:  For Rod's sake.
SW:  Well, I think I can understand that.  She wants to be able to sit 
     by this fire and tell her children stories about grandma Catherine 
     who gave away only two of her children and then did her husband's 
     girlfriend in.  And then there was grandfather Leslie who just 
     hated to see great grandpapa Peyton linger on needlessly once he 
     learned what the provisions of the will were.  And oh yes, yes 
     course, there was half-uncle Steven who used to be married to 
     Mummsy, mind you. 
SC:  All right, Susan.
SW:  Well, I think it's charming.  Charming, Charming past.  Mrs. 
     Harrington, what are you trying to prove?  I mean, you have 
     Steven's grandfather's money.  Why do you find it necessary to rub 
     his nose in it? 
SC:  Susan.
BA:  Steven, it's all right.  I'm sure Mrs. Winter is only quoting.
SW:  I have a suggestion, if you really are so eager to live in the 
     Peyton mansion, why don't you buy another hill and put up a carbon 
     copy? 
SC:  But that wouldn't be the same, now would it, Betty?
SW:  Why, you could put in solid gold plumbing and diamond chandeliers. 
     Make it a whole story higher? 

     [Betty opens the front door and leaves.  Steven closes the door.]

SC:  Now, Rodney couldn't have changed his mind about this house.  It 
     held too much meaning for him.  Mainly a form of imprisonment.  
     Like an enormous jail. 
SW:  Let me tell you something darling, about the fair and gentle sex. 
     The lady wants the rainbow, the pot at the end of the rainbow, and 
     all the land under the rainbow.   And you, my darling, are standing 
     in the way.

     [Steven finishes his drink.] 


Episode 484, scene 6          HOME