Scene 7

The Adams living room immediately after. GOLDIE, wearing an apron, is cleaning off the dining room table. BRADLEY has fallen asleep in one of the armchairs. MR. ADAMS is puffing on a cigar, very contentedly. GOLDIE You're sure you're allowed to smoke?

MR. ADAMS

Would you doubt an arthritic old man in a wheelchair?

GOLDIE

Oi vey, a little violin music please.

MR. ADAMS

Come sit here, you voluptuous wench!

GOLDIE

It's ten-fifteen, and I still haven't done the dishes.

MR. ADAMS

Blast the dishes. How often do I meet a woman of the world in this godforsaken place?

GOLDIE

A woman of the world? You were expecting maybe Wally Simpson?

MR. ADAMS

You are Wally Simpson if she had been born in Odessa instead of wherever the hell she was born. But I want you to know one thing. I have no intention of renouncing my wheelchair.

GOLDIE

If you did, would I be in trouble!
                                                     (glancing at Bradley)
Look at him sleeping. Wouldn't you like to be able to sleep like that again?

MR. ADAMS

You wouldn't believe that that supposed child is the same little person who performed a sword dance at Hallie Saillassie's coronation.

GOLDIE

I thought he looked familiar. Look at his baseball cap and his little Hawaiian shirt. Whatever happened to Buster Brown hats and Little Lord Fauntleroy suits?

MR. ADAMS

They disappeared…and not a moment too soon. You didn't actually like them, did you?

GOLDIE

Like, schmike. It's change that bothers me.

MR. ADAMS

Why, Mrs. Simpson, I would think you socialites of all people would appreciate change.

GOLDIE

If I appreciated change so much, I wouldn't have been married to Hymie for thirty-five years. And you? Do you appreciate change?

MR. ADAMS

What kind of newsman would I have made if I didn't?

GOLDIE

Of course. I forgot. I wouldn't have made a very good reporter myself. I'd have kept trying to print the same stories over and over.

MR. ADAMS

Naturally there are things I would have preferred to stay the same.

GOLDIE

Many things.

Life passes by so fast,
Life's made of such fragility;
Since life wasn't meant to last,
You'd think the Good Lord would have given it
Some stability.

Why does the world have to change?
Just when you are used to
Union suits
And pompadours,
You bob your hair
And raise your drawers.
Why does the world have to change?

MR. ADAMS

Why does the world have to change?
Just when you are used to
Kickapoo
To cure your ills,
You turn around---
It's sulfa pills.
Why does the world have to change?

GOLDIE

Detachable collar,
Detachable cuff---
The damned thing's sewn on now---
Enough is enough!

MR. ADAMS

Why does the world have to change?
Just when you are used to
Photoplays
That made us think,

GOLDIE                               They learned to talk,

MR. ADAMS

                               And then to stink.

GOLDIE

                              Why does the world have to change?

MR. ADAMS

Why does the world have to change?
Just when you are used to
Butter tubs
And pickle bins,
They come in jars,
They come in tins.
Why does the world have to change?

GOLDIE

Why does the world have to change?
Just when you have learned to
Do the Fox
And Turkey Trot,
The Lindy Hop
Is what you got.
Why does the world have to change?
Our life is electric,
And one thing I know:

MR. ADAMS                               The iceman, he cometh,
                              The iceman, he go.

GOLDIE

                              Why does the world have to change?
                               Orville Wright and Wilbur---
                               They both gave
                               Us just a glimpse---

MR. ADAMS

                               You turn around.
                               It's Goodyear blimps!

TOGETHER

                               Why does the world have to change, change, change?

GOLDIE

Come talk to me while I do the dishes. (SHE exits into the kitchen with MR. ADAMS following in his wheelchair. A moment passes, then the front door opens stealthily and ADELINE appears, dazed and dejected. SHE sees Bradley asleep in the chair, falls to her knees and places her arms about him. HE awakens slightly.) BRADLEY Hi…

ADELINE

Go to sleep, darling. Go to sleep.

BRADLEY

How was the movie?

ADELINE

Smashing. (From the kitchen we hear the sound of laughter. ADELINE rises and goes to the telephone. SHE places her hand on the receiver, then withdraws it. But after a moment, SHE returns to the phone.) ADELINE Alice…Adeline here…Yes, it's I. Maybe I sound funny because I'm coming down with a cold. Can you put me through to the Broward Hotel?…Hello? I'd like Mr. Bryman's room. Mr. Will Bryman…Oh? He did? Well, would you be so kind as to take a message?…Will you tell him that Miss Adams called? Miss Adeline Adams. And I changed my mind. I do need a Chungking bristle fingernail brush after all.
 
 

LIGHTS DIM