Lizzie Curry Lines For MTSS

I didn’t come here to apologize.

What did you come for, File?

To get something off my chest. There’s a wrong impression goin’ on in this town— that I’m a widower. Well, I’m not.

I know that, File.

I know you know it— but I gotta say it! Im a divorved man!

You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t—

Yes I do I’v been denying that I’m a divorced man— well, now I admit it. And that squares me with everybody!

Does it?

Yes it does. If I want to live alone— all by myself— it’s nobody’s business but my own!

No! You’re dead wrong! It’s everybodys buiness!

How do you figure that, Lizzie?

Because you owe something to people!

I dont owe anything to any body

Yes you do! Friendship! If somebody holds out his hand toward you, you’ve got to reach and take it!

What do you mean, “Got to”

Got to! If you’re lucky enough for somebody to want you— as a friend—! Its an obligation!

This ain’t something the two of us can settle by just talkin' for a minute.

No— It isn’t!

It’ll take some time.

Yes.. You and your wife, File… how did it happen?

You may be right— that it can last. And it oughta. But it didn’t… she walked out on me.

Was it-

—was it with someone else?

Yes, it was.. He was a schoolteacher. Dammit, a schoolteacher!

What was he like?

He had weak hand and nearsighted eyes!— and he always looked like he was about ready to faint! — and she ran off with him! And there I was—!

Maybe the teacher needed her and you didn’t.

Sure I needed her!

Did you tell her so?

No I didn’t. If its getting so bad that you have to say things like that—

You have to say things like that all the time! Why, if you had asked her, she might have stayed!

I know darn well she mighta stayed! The night she left, she said to me: “Tell me ‘don’t go’”.

And you didn’t?!

I tried— I couldn’t

Oh, pride!

If a women wants to go, let her go! If you have to hold her back—

Just two words— “don’t go”— and you couldn’t say them?

Its not the words! Its beggin— and I wont beg!

You’re a fool!

Oh me oh my what am I gettin so serious about

I’m really not a serious talkin girl at all—

Not at all!

What I am, is just happy go lucky!

Oh my!

What a lovely black bow tie!

I just adore a man in a black bow tie!

Do you make it yourself?

No, it comes ready made.

And oh! Those lovely buttons! How many buttons have you got? May I count your buttons? One— two—three—four—

Quit that! Stop sashayin’ around makin a fool of yourself!

And those pearly white teeth! How goodie-good lookin you are!

Stop it! What do you take me for? What do you take yourself for?

I was tryin to—tryin to— to—

Don’t be so danm ridiculous! Be yourself!

File!—File!