03x16 - Sylvia

[bunniefuu]

Good evening,
parents, children,

babysitters and sittees.

Tonight's discussion is concerned
with that thorny problem

that all parents face
as they survey their children.

Is coexistence
really possible?

The problems of the teenager
are well discussed,

but I would like to say a word
for his father, the middle-ager.

The middle-ager is truly
an outcast from society.

Youth pays no attention to him
except to steal his hubcaps,

those traditional symbols
of virility.

He can only drive down
the dusty road toward senility

in a cooled-off hotrod.

Forever doomed to be a mere spectator
in the great drag race of life.

Of course, any connection
between this treacle and tonight's
story is pure coincidence.

Sylvia!

Sylvia, what on earth are you
doing with that thing?

Nothing. I was just trying
to see how it works.

You know, I've never even
seen a g*n before, except
in the movies.

But where did you get it?

I bought it.

Why are you looking at me
like that? It isn't loaded.

g*ns are always dangerous.

That's why I never have one
in the house.

Well, you don't have to get
so excited about it, Daddy.

I only bought it because

with your being away
I thought I'd feel safer.

The way you're acting anyone
would think you expected me
to sh**t myself or something.

You did think that,
didn't you?

I don't know what I thought.

It just startled me to come in here
and find you sitting with a g*n.

Daddy, I'm quite all right now,
remember?

Oh, I know you are, my dear.

It's just that I worry
about you sometimes.

But you mustn't.
I'll get rid of it if it bothers you.

I'm sure I wouldn't know
how to use it anyway,

even if a burglar did get in.

What bothers me is
why you bought it.

If you're afraid of being
here alone...

No, but I'm not, really.

Sylvia, if you weren't,

you wouldn't have even
thought of buying a g*n
in the first place.

Maybe you're right.
Anyway, it's silly of me

'cause I won't be alone
most of the time.

George and Bertha
will be here.

There's no need for you to be
alone at all.

I only agreed to take
this trip because I thought
you wanted me to.

Oh, but I do.
Besides, you need a vacation.

It'd be a lot better vacation
if you'd go with me.

Why don't you, Syl?

A change of scene would
do you a world of good,
and so would a little sun.

We could go down to the south
of France for a couple of weeks...

I've had a change of scene
and all the sun I could
take in Reno.

Oh, that wasn't the same.

I'd never gotten through
if it hadn't been for you.

You were so wonderful.

I knew what you were going through
because I'd been through it all myself

when your mother left me.

Oh, yes.

I don't know what would have
happened to me in those days,

if she hadn't decided
after a few months that you'd

be better off with me.

Don't you mean if my mother
hadn't decided that she couldn't
be bothered with me?

Oh, that's not true.

It's all right, Daddy.

It doesn't hurt anymore.

Syl...
Let's not talk about it.

And don't be so gloomy.

People are supposed to be gay
who are going to Europe
on vacation.

Syl, come with me, please.

I can't.

Don't you understand?
It's too soon.

I know it used to be the custom
when a girl was disappointed in love,

that you shipped her off to Europe
to find somebody else.

But I don't want to find
anyone else.

Not for a long time, anyway.

We don't have to go to Europe.

I don't want to go anywhere.

I want to stay here
and work in the garden,
have a quiet time.

That's what I need most.

Please let me have it, Daddy.

All right, my dear.
If that's what you really want.

That's what I really want.

Now what are your plans?
Are you going into town today?

I have to,
for a couple of hours, anyway.

I have a couple of last minute things
to clear up at the office.

I think I'll lie down
for a while,

and I'll finish your packing
this afternoon.

All right.

And no more worrying, please.

No more worrying.

Did you call me, sir?

Yes, Bertha.
We'll have dinner at : .

I have to go to the office for a few hours.
I should be back by : .

Yes, sir.

Mr. Leeds,

there's something
you should know about.

You told me last week
when you went on this trip

I shouldn't let Miss Sylvia be
alone any more than I could
help.

Yes. But if you think
it's too much responsibility...

No. No, no, it's not that.

I won't be able to
because I won't be here.

She's given me and George
three weeks vacation
starting tonight.

She asked me not to tell you

because she didn't want you
to worry about her.

I thought I'd better.

Yes. Thank you, Bertha.

You go ahead
and take your vacation.

Don't worry.
I'll handle things here.

Yes, sir.

I honestly don't know
what to think now, Doctor.

She's been doing so well
these last few months.

You knew nothing about
the servants going away?

No, not a thing.

Doctor, this is a terrible
thing to think,

let alone say.

But is it possible she...

She plans to k*ll herself
and wants to be alone to do it?

I can't answer that
any more than you can.

I haven't seen Sylvia
for several months.

But when you were treating her
you saw her every day.

She must have told you things,

told you how she felt
about what happened.

Mr. Leeds, I couldn't discuss
anything your daughter told me.

Not even with you.

I'm sorry.
Of course you can't.

I honestly didn't mean to pry.
I was just trying to help her.

Of course you were.

But how?

Well, I can't discuss
anything Sylvia told me,

but I can certainly listen.

Now this might give me
a different picture

if I heard about this marriage
from your point of view.

I'll be glad
to tell you anything,

although I'm sure
you already know most of it.

Yes. Repetition is one way
of getting at the truth.

I don't know where to begin.

Well, say, at the beginning,
when she first met him.

Well, it all began on a boat when
we were coming back from Europe.

It used to worry me
that she knew so few people
her own age.

You should be in there
dancing, enjoying yourself.

I'm enjoying myself, Daddy.

Just the same,
that's where you should be,
not out here with me.

I'm perfectly happy
right where I am.

Well, you're old enough to
know your own mind, I suppose.

It isn't as though you couldn't have gone
if you wanted to.

This, what's his name?
Kent?

He invited you to go with him,
didn't he?

As a matter of fact, he did.

Why didn't you?
Don't you like him?

I hardly know him, Daddy.

He seems nice.
Why then?

Oh, I don't know.

I don't dance very well.

Oh, let's not talk about it.

Syl...

Miss Leeds.

I wondered if you'd changed
your mind about dancing.

Oh, thank you.
But I...

I don't think you know my father.
Daddy, this is Peter Kent.

How do you do, sir?

How do you do?

Well...

You go right ahead.
I was just going to turn in,
anyway.

So early?
I'm a little tired.

You run along
and enjoy yourself.

Nice to have met you,
Mr. Kent.

Nice to have met you, sir.

Are you sure, Daddy?

Perfectly sure.

Good night, Sylvia, dear.

Good night.

They married rather quickly,
didn't they?

Two months.

Did you see much of them
after they were married?

Less and less as time went on.

Why was that?

Well, didn't Sylvia
tell you about it?

Yes, but I'd still like to hear it
from you, if you don't mind.

We just never got along,
Peter and I.

Maybe I'm just old-fashioned.

But I've never been able to stand a man
who lived off a woman.

Is Sylvia independently
wealthy?

No. But I've always given
her a fairly large allowance.

Although, at one time
I stopped it.

I thought it might
force him to do something
about finding a job.

But it didn't.

I couldn't very well let her
do without.

But even the allowance
didn't satisfy him.

And when this business
of the check came up,

that was the last straw.

Check?

A check of mine
which he forged.

I suppose you know you could
spend the next years
in jail for this.

I'm sure I could.

But you don't think you will.

I doubt very much
that you'd press charges

against your daughter's husband.

You seem very sure of that?

More or less.

You don't know me very well
if you think I'll let this pass.

I won't have my daughter
married to a thief.

Such strong language.

But I know Sylvia will understand
when I explain it to her.

Understand and forgive.

She might. I won't.

Oh?

What do you propose to do?

I'll show you.

Get me the district attorney.

Well, aren't you being
a bit hasty?

I don't believe in putting things off,
even unpleasant things.

You realize, of course,
what you're doing to Sylvia

if you go through with this.

I'm not doing it to Sylvia,
I'm doing it for her.

Yes?

Hello?
Oh, how are you, Robert?

Good.

No unfortunately,
this is not a social call.

I wonder if you could
lunch with me?

Good, : would be fine.

I'd come to your office
about this, Robert,

but I want to avoid
any publicity.

Thanks, I appreciate it.
Yeah, see you at : . Goodbye.

Well, I underestimated you.

That was stupid of me.

Very stupid.

Well, we all make mistakes.

But this is one
that can be rectified.

I'll make a bargain with you.

I won't make any bargains.

Oh, I think you will,
this one.

Destroy that check
and I'll clear out.

Sylvia can get a divorce
and I won't contest it.

All right. On one condition.

That you never see
Sylvia again.

I'll have your things
sent to you.

I'm not in a very good
bargaining position, am I?

All right, it's a deal.

But just to satisfy
my curiosity,

what will you tell her?

I don't know.

Whatever I think
will make it easier for her.

No, Peter, I don't want
an explanation.

That's not the reason
why I called.

I love you
and I want you back,

if you'll come.

Father's leaving
on the : plane tonight.

Can you come here after that?

Please.

Thank you, darling.

I'll be waiting for you.

Cancel my plane reservations for tonight,
will you, Miss Brown?

No, nothing's wrong.
I've just changed my mind.

Yes?

Who?

All right, send him in.

Nice of you to see me.

Sorry I wasn't able to give
you more notice.

What do you want?

I thought we might have
a little talk.

Mind if I sit down?

We have nothing
to talk about.

I wouldn't say that.

Sylvia called me this morning.

I don't believe you.

Well, she did just the same.

Yeah, she...

She wants me to come back.

As a matter of fact, she wants
me to come back tonight,

right after you take off
on your trip.

You aren't thinking
of doing it, are you?

Why not?

It sounds like
a very good idea.

We have an agreement
you seem to have forgotten.

Uh-uh. We had an agreement.

You were to destroy the check,

I was to let Sylvia
divorce me.

There was no provision
for after the divorce
that I remember.

I see. And I was stupid
enough to destroy it.

Well, I thought you might.

What do you want?

I must say I admire the way
you get right to the point.

Oh, I don't especially
want to go back,

but I do need money.

How much?

Twenty-five thousand.

That's a lot of money,

however I won't argue with you.
You can have it.

Hello, Mr. Leeds.

Bertha.

Where's Miss Sylvia?

I don't know, sir.
I think she's in the garden.
Should I get her for you?

No, don't bother.
Yes, sir.

Hello, Daddy.

Aren't they beautiful?
Beautiful.

I'm going to make a lovely
centerpiece for the table.

And I've ordered
your favorite dessert
and a very special wine.

And you know what?
I think we should dress for
dinner, be really festive.

You seem very gay.
Oh, I am.

I've had a lovely
afternoon in the garden.
It affects me that way.

Does it?

Oh, Daddy, you look so tired.

Won't you lie down
for a bit before dinner?

Yes, I think I will.

Good.

I'll put these in water
before they droop.

I'll call you in an hour.

You know, I think I better
make a list of the things

I want you to bring me.

Otherwise, you'll forget half
or bring the wrong kind.

Now, let's see.

There's my perfume.

And it doesn't seem possible

I could've used all that I brought
last time, but I have.

Oh, and, Daddy, if you're going
down to Spain, you could bring me...

Will you please stop
chattering?

I'm sorry.

Do you realize you haven't
stopped talking since we sat
down to dinner?

And you haven't really
said anything.

I thought I was amusing you.

Why should you
have to amuse me?

Well, you seem so down.
It wasn't the best way to
start a vacation.

Sylvia, I don't suppose

there's any way I could persuade
you to come with me, is there?

I honestly don't
want to go, Daddy.

And there isn't anything
you want to tell me?

I don't think so. I...

I've taken care of everything,
I think.

I asked George to put
the luggage in the car.

Here's your tickets
and your passport...
That's not what I meant.

I don't understand.

I was referring to your plans
while I was away.

What you intended to do.

But I told you.

I know you did, but I was
hoping you'd tell me more.

There's nothing more to tell.

Isn't there?

He's not coming, Sylvia.

Oh.

He came to the office
this afternoon.

What did he want, money?

Yes.

Did you give it to him?

Yes.

I thought he might do that.

I wasn't sure, but I...

I thought he might.

I'm sorry, Sylvia.

I know you are.

And you're hurt, too, because
you think I lied to you.

But, Father,
it wasn't really a lie.

You see, I hoped if he came
while you were in Europe

we'd have five or six weeks
to try again and...

I even let myself dream
that when you got back

everything would be
all right between us.

I even let George and Bertha
take their vacation

so we could be
completely alone.

Is that all?

What else is there?
I tried and it didn't work.

Sylvia, why did you buy a g*n
if you weren't going to be alone?

I suppose deep down

I never thought
it would really happen.

And if he hadn't come,

I really would be alone,

and that frightened me.

I think there's more
to it than that.

All right. There was.

I thought if he came
to talk things over,

but wouldn't come back to me,

I'd k*ll him.

I don't suppose
I would have, really,

but I did think about it.

He's not worth k*lling, Sylvia.

I never told you this because
I thought it would hurt you less

if you never knew.

But he forged a check
for quite a lot of money,

and when I found out,

he offered to let you
get a divorce

in exchange for
my not pressing charges.

Was that how it was?

Oh, I wish you'd told me.

It'd have been easier
than thinking

that he was just bored.

I'm sorry. I should have.

I should've.
It was a mistake not to.

But I did think it was best,
Syl. Best for you, I mean.

I've never known you do
anything that you didn't think
was best for me.

Daddy, you don't have to
go away tonight, do you?

No dear.
Could we go away
somewhere tomorrow?

Well, not tonight,
but in a day or two.

Please. Let's go to Maine
where we used to.

I was so happy there.

I think you'd be better go
back to Dr. Jason,

for a little while, anyway.

Maybe I should.

He could help you
if you'd let him.

All right,
I'll go back to him.

And we can go to Maine
later on, can we?

I'm so tired all of a sudden.

Confession may be good
to the soul,

but it takes a lot out of you.

It'll get better, darling.
You must believe that.

All you need is a little time.

Yes, a little time.

Daddy...

Now then, dear,
you better go on up to bed.

I'll look in on you
when I turn in.

Hello? Dr. Jason?

Sorry to bother you.
This is John Leeds.

Sylvia's willing to start back
with you again.

Well, I'm pleased, too.

Well, there have been
a couple of developments
since I talked to you.

g*n.

Mr. Leeds?
The g*n!

Mr. Leeds! Mr. Leeds!

Going to bed so early?

No, no. I just thought

you might like me to
get you a hot glass of milk
to help you sleep.

I'd much rather you stayed
and talked to me.

Remember?
When I was a little girl?

I was always allowed
to have five minutes to talk

before I went to sleep.

Yes, I remember.

Sylvia, as long as I'm here,
maybe you'd better give me that g*n

so I can put it
in a safe place, hmm?

You're still worried about it,
aren't you?

Not really. I just don't
like having g*ns around.

Why are you
looking at me like that?

I was just wondering why
I was never allowed to have
anything of my own.

Everything was always
a gift from you

that I had to be
grateful for.

You're talking nonsense.

Not really.

In some funny way,
you always thought

that if I had anything
of my own,

it took away from you somehow,
so I couldn't have it.

I couldn't have anything
that really belonged to me,

even a husband.

That's why I bought the g*n,
you know.

I knew you would never go
on this trip.

But I was determined
to get free, anyway.

And I still am.

And I'm going to get
Peter back.

I know I can,
if you're not here to stop me.

Sylvia!

Daddy, why wouldn't you
let me go?

Why?

Why wouldn't you let me go?

Why?

Well, I'm not sure the psychiatrist
straightened out Sylvia's mind,

but he certainly
improved her aim.

You will be pleased to know

that Mr. Milton stopped
interfering with Sylvia's life,

and her interference with his life was
limited to this one culminating stroke.

If you found
this story amusing,

you will be pleased to know

that we have prepared another
for our next presentation.

So until then,
good hyphen night.