Metropolitan

Don't listen to your brother.

There's no-one less an authority on female anatomy.

He can see it's enormous.

No, it isn't.

It's hideous.

Show me that dress again.

It is full here. Let me have it.

Thanks, Mom.

# DANCE BAND: "Farewell, ladies"

< Taxi?

Is this your cab?

No.

This your cab?

Really, it's not my cab.

We'll share it.

But I don't want it.

We'll share it. I insist. That way there's no ill feeling.

Are you going to Sally's, too?

No. >

That settles it. Come with us - we'll all go in the same direction.

We'll all freeze to death out here.

Come on.

'Hi. I'm Nick.'

'Hi, Nick. I'm Tom.'

-Nice to meet you.

-You are going to Sally's, aren't you?

(STAMMERS) Of course there's a God. We know it.

< I know no such thing.

Yes, you do. Just think - and most of our life is taken up thinking -

you must feel that your thoughts aren't wasted but are being heard,..

..silently listened to with total comprehension...

< Hi, Sally.

Hi.

Hello.

Nice to meet you.

What's his name, again?

Tom Townsend.

No, it was something else.

No, it's Tom Townsend, I'm sure.

He looks familiar. >

He sat at the table behind us, not talking to anyone all evening,...

..then tried to get the cab we flagged but insisted we take it.

Nick insisted he came along too.

(STAMMERS) Belief is innate in all of us. At some point most of us lose that.

It can only be regained by a conscious act of faith.

You've experienced that?

No, I haven't. I hope to, some day.

It wasn't my cab. I was waiting for a light to change. I never take cabs

You never take cabs?

No, I walk or take public transport.

Why?

You're a public transport snob? You look down on people who take taxis?

No, not at all.

That's how New York is seen in the popular imagination.

(STAMMERS) I don't think there is a "popular" imagination.

What do you mean?

Just that. I don't think there is a popular imagination.

Pomfret. Where did you go?

Farmington.

Both of us did.

Did you know Serena Slocum?

The inevitable question.

Why?

All the guys ask.

Serena had at least 20 boyfriends.

They were all at different schools and she wrote letters very quickly.

She became really famous. I can't believe how naive some guys are.

That might give a wrong impression.

She wrote a lot of guys but liked some more than others.

You think so? I never noticed. How do you know Serena?

I was one of her boyfriends.

You must be "Pomfret". Your letters were really good.

Yes.

What do you mean?

They were interesting.

Serena let you read my letters?

No, she read them aloud.

I can't believe it.

Only the really good ones or the very bad. Yours were good.

There's no suggestion of ridicule, as I recall.

I remember your letter on agrarian socialism - it set Alice Dreyer off on Marxism.

She joined the Red Underground Army. If she blows herself up, it's your fault.

I'm surprised you're here - your letters showed vehement opposition...

..to deb parties and society in general. Have you changed your mind?

No. I'm as much opposed as ever.

Why did you decide to come tonight?

He got an invitation.

Yes, I got an invitation and didn't have anything else to do.

That's the case of almost everybody.

Nick goes, invited or not.

I'm in favour of these parties and show my support however I can.

It's ridiculous to oppose deb parties and attend them anyways.

It's untenable.

Everyone does.

But that's no contradiction.

I wasn't trying to.

It's justifiable to go once to see what you oppose.

I'd read Veblen but I'm amazed it still goes on.

You're a Marxist?

Socialist, not Marxist. I favour the 19thC French social critic, Fourier.

You're a Fourierist?

Yes.

It was tried in the 19thC and failed

Wasn't Brook Farm Fourierist? It failed.

That's debatable.

That Brook Farm failed?

It ceased to exist, but does that make it a failure?

For me, ceasing to exist is failure - that's definitive.

Everyone ceases to exist. It doesn't mean everyone's a failure.

You really feel that way?

I really do.

Tom Townsend. Tom Townsend. A fine name.

What about Tommy? Tommy Townsend - sounds more UC.

Really? What's that?

We come here all the time, thus the SFRP - Sally Fowler Rat Pack.

Mine and Charlie's are, too.

But divorce is fairly rare amongst standard New York social types,...

..contrary to what people think.

There's often other problems, like dead fathers. Jane's died last year.

It must have been awful for her.

-Yes. It was tough on

-him,

-too.

That's not a broken home, though.

It still means your mother dates.

The image of divorce and decadence as prevalent among New Yorkers is inaccurate. That's more Southampton.

RECORD PLAYER: # Cha-cha

MUSIC & LAUGHTER

Cynthia, let's cha-cha-cha.

It's ridiculous.

The cha-cha is no more ridiculous than life itself.

I can't do it.

You must have learnt at school.

Ah? Cha-cha.

How is it possible to forget the cha-cha? Except by blocking it out.

# Tom? Audrey? Cha-cha-cha?

# Tom? Audrey? Cha-cha-cha?

# Cha-cha-cha #

Hi.

Hi.

What are you doing in the dark?

Just getting a glass of water.

It's awfully late.

What time do afterparties end?

No set time. Usually when everyone goes. Or when the parents get up.

Last time I was here at Thanksgiving

Sally's parents asked us to stay for breakfast.

Amazing.

No-one stayed, except Nick.

Really?

He likes everyone's parents.

I've never met anyone's parents.

Except Serena's. I once had quite a long talk with her father.

What's the situation between you and Serena, then?

There is none.

When did you stop seeing each other?

Yale game weekend.

Dawn in the big city. There are 8 million stories out there.

Give our apologies, Sally.

Oh, it's not necessary.

Oh, it is. Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Thanks, Sally.

You're welcome.

Thanks a lot.

You're welcome. Coming tonight?

No.

You should. Hope's a friend of ours.

Not coming to any more dances?

No.

That's a shame. Nice to meet you.

Thank you. Nice to meet you.

Ciao, Sally.

Ciao? Good luck with your Fourierism.

Thank you.

Unless we get a Checker we'll need two cabs.

I shall walk.

It's terribly cold.

I prefer to walk.

You'll freeze, dressed like that.

It has a lining.

Good night.

Ciao, good night.

Night.

Where are we headed?

He'll freeze, dressed like that.

Driver? Follow that pedestrian.

Hey? Fella?

We got a Checker. Can we give you a lift?

No, thanks.

Sure?

Yup. Thanks, anyway.

He's getting a cross-town bus. That explains it.

'A Westsider's amongst us.'

There is an escort shortage. It's no joke.

What was your impression?

He seemed nice. I didn't talk to him much.

Mom, I don't want to be rude. I got up late and I'm having "breakfast"

and I don't want to think about returning my tuxedo now.

It's just that it's getting late...

Get off my back?

It's nearly six and they're closing.

If I have to pay for another day...

They already closed? How much extra will it cost? >

25. I'm sorry about what I said.

Not at all. A girl called. Her number's by the kitchen phone. She said it was urgent.

We had trouble getting your number.

We'd all be together but officially you'd be Audrey's escort.

Who?

Audrey Rouget. The party should be of sociological interest.

It's Peter Duchin, Plaza Ballroom at seven. Can you come?

Erm...

There's a bit of an escort shortage.

What a mystery, Rick Von Sloneker and Serena Slocum, still together.

Seems like months.

-It

-has

-been months.

Well, one thing's for certain. She's lost her virginity by now.

How can you say that?

Right. Maybe she wasn't a virgin(?)

(Riff-raff.)

Hardly.

-Because of his title? Are we meant to be impressed?

-Titled

-aristocracy are the scum of the earth.

Tolstoy's "War and Peace" and Jane Austen's "Persuasion" and "Mansfield Park".

"Mansfield Park"? You're kidding.

No.

It's notoriously bad - even her great fan Lionel Trilling says so.

Then Trilling is an idiot.

The whole story revolves round the "immorality" of a group of young people putting on a play.

In the context of the novel it makes sense.

Nearly everything Austen wrote is ridiculous from today's perspective.

Today looked at from Jane Austen's perspective would look worse?

You'll freeze, dressed in that.

It has a lining.

What kind of lining? Are you gonna wear a raincoat all winter?

I guess Princeton's a lot warmer.

I didn't know where to get a good overcoat.

Brooks, Press, Tripler,...

I haven't had time to buy one.

# STRAUSS WALTZ

You shouldn't treat Serena that way.

What?

Giving her the silent treatment.

I'm not.

Come on.

It's not silent treatment. I just don't have anything to say.

You're angry, but it's not right to treat her that way. It's hurtful.

Give me a break? Serena Slocum, real feelings? >

She's basically good, with feelings like anybody else.

That's hard to believe. >

All this is pretty deceptive.

All what?

Well, (STAMMERS) I think we are all in a sense, doomed.

What are you talking about?

Downward social mobility.

We hear a lot about social mobility

focused usually on the comparative ease of moving upwards.

Less discussed is how easy it is to go down.

That's the direction we are heading.

The downward fall will be fast.

Not just for us as individuals, but the whole preppie class.

Where do you get all this?

Look at those of our fathers who grew up well off.

They started well but just as their contemporaries began to accomplish things, they quit,

rising above office politics, refusing to compete and risk failure,

-not doing the humdrum job or

-only

-the humdrum part,

or spending more time on interesting things - conservation or the arts -

where if they fail no-one notices.

I guess we all know who you're talking about.

I can't deny it, but, unlike you,

I always assumed I'd be a failure.

That's why I plan marrying a very rich woman.

That's depressing.

Overstated, don't you think?

I'm not so sure.

Doomed?

It wouldn't be a disaster

if some of these people lost their class prerogatives.

"These people" are everyone I know.

It's not a question of losing class prerogatives, whatever that means,

but of wasting your whole productive life, of personal failure.

That's so melodramatic.

-Life

-is

-melodramatic if you look at the whole sweep of it.

I don't know.

My father considers himself a failure. I don't think he's one.

I guess...few people's lives match their expectations.

I always drink two glasses of water before going to bed.

It's great for your complexion.

I've put you on the Christmas Ball committee.

You can go on your own rather than as someone's escort.

And you get a carnation buttonhole.

Thanks, but I'm not planning to go to any more dances.

You aren't? I advise you to change your mind.

Are your resources limited?

This is the only economical social life you'll find in New York.

Music, drinks, entertainment, meals at no expense to you.

Basically all you need is one evening suit and a tail coat.

Dances are either white tie or black tie so you only need two ties.

You rented that from where?

AT Harris.

Good. You know Harris. They sell them second-hand, inexpensively.

-Thanks a lot. My resources

-are

-limited, but that's not it.

You're opposed to parties on principle.

Yes.

What principle is that?

Well,...

The principle that one shouldn't be out at night, eating hors d'oeuvres

when one could be home, worrying about the less fortunate.

Pretty much. Yes.

-Has it occurred to you that you

-are

-the less fortunate?

There's something a bit arrogant

about people feeling sorry for others they consider less fortunate.

-Are the

-more

-fortunate so terrific?

Imagine some rich guy saying "Poor Tom doesn't have a winter jacket,...

so I can't go to any more parties"?

That's a bit cynical.

It's not a case of what you prefer.

I'll tell you this in confidence.

You've made a big impression...

Oh, come on?

I'm serious. They like you and are now counting on you as an escort.

I like them too, but that doesn't...

You may not realise these girls are at a vulnerable point in their lives

All this is more emotional and difficult for them than for us.

They are on display.

They must invite guys as escorts. Preppie girls mature socially later than others.

For many it's the first social life they've had, so if you disappear now

they'll take that as personal rejection.

Give me a break?

I'm not joking. You should go.

If Thorstein Veblen were here he'd tell you the same thing.

I'll meet you at 4.30 at Brooks,

main floor, southwest corner, across from the undershorts.

As a romance it never really existed.

Really?

My mistake was I fell in love with Serena before I met her.

I'd seen her but we didn't meet till later.

Meanwhile I'd built up this romantic vision.

But you should get to know someone gradually, before the possibility of falling in love occurs to you.

So the experience has hardened you?

Yes. It's a bad idea to fall for someone who doesn't for you.

But you can't know you'll feel the same all the time.

I suppose there's risk in any romance.

I suppose so.

This is my building.

Thanks very much for coming.

Thank you.

You'll come again tomorrow? It'll be as a group.

Yes.

Thanks, Mom, I know how tight things are.

They're never that tight.

I'll pay you back next month, or February. Has Dad called?

He never calls here. You know that.

I thought maybe his office had.

No.

Thanks a lot.

They're normally this long in the back?

Yes, sir. Like to try the tuxedo?

Okay.

I'd prefer one like the one I rented

-That

-is

-the one you rented, sir.

Oh? I didn't realise it looked like this. I guess it'll be all right.

Thank you, sir.

Ever seen one? Detachable collar. Not many people wear them now.

Like many things from the past they were abandoned for convenience.

I'd no idea anyone still wore those.

It's symbolically important.

Our parents weren't interested in keeping up standards.

They wanted to be happy, but the last way to be happy is to make it your objective.

Our generation's no better.

Far worse. Our generation's probably the worst since the Reformation.

It's barbaric - worse than the old-fashioned kind.

Now barbarism is cloaked in all sorts of self-righteousness.

Look at this!

You're talking about more than detachable collars!

Yeah, I am.

He's just a guy.

Why is he so successful with girls?

Rick Von Sloneker's rich, handsome, stupid, dishonest, conceited,...

..a bully, liar, drunk, and thief, an egomaniac and probably psychotic.

In short, highly attractive to women.

You're completely unfair. You know nothing about Rick. He's quite shy.

God!

He's considerate and sensitive.

The rest is a facade which you've been taken in by.

Such eagerness to justify the worst bastards as sensitive and shy?

If any guy who was shy dared talk to you, you wouldn't give him the time.

Your eyes would glaze.

You're really hung-up on Rick? He threatens you.

You're right. I feel threatened...

..- that I might get VD from one of the St Tim's girls he's been with.

Did you learn that from lovemaking with Rick? I hear it can get rough.

-HEY!

-God!

Don't.. do that.. again. For me, it isn't erotic.

What are you looking at?

My father's apartment.

Where?

There, the fourth floor. Corner.

That's Kate Preston's building.

Have your parents been divorced long?

Three years ago. They'd separated a year before.

Do you see your father much?

We have lunch when I'm in town.

It's very little.

We have a very good relationship,...

..better than people who see each other often, but having us around makes my stepmother nervous.

I read that Trilling essay.

You really like Trilling?

Yes.

He's very strange. He says nobody could like the heroine of "Mansfield Park". I like her.

Then he goes on about how we modern people of today bitterly resent "Mansfield Park"...

..because its heroine is virtuous.

What's wrong with a virtuous heroine?

-His point is that to say it is

-immoral

-for a group of young people to put on a play is absurd.

You found Fanny Price unlikeable?

Pretty unbearable, but I haven't read the book.

What?

You needn't read a book to have an opinion. Haven't read the Bible, either.

What Austen novels have you read?

None. I don't read novels. I prefer to get the novelist's idea and the critic's from literary criticism.

With fiction I am aware it never happened, it's all made up.

What I like is that he doesn't say all the expected things.

He doesn't just agree with everyone.

-That's true. He

-disagrees

-with everyone else. Not sure I like that.

He's good-looking. Serious guys tend to be better looking. OW?

The term "bourgeois" has almost always been one of contempt.

Yet it is the bourgeoisie who are responsible for...

..nearly everything good in our civilisation over four centuries.

You know the French film, "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie"?

I thought someone would finally tell the truth but I was disappointed.

It would be hard to imagine a less fair or accurate portrait.

Bunuel is a surrealist. Despising the bourgeoisie is their credo.

Where do they get off?

The bourgeoisie does have a lot of charm.

Of course it does. The surrealists were just social climbers.

Is there any more wine?

I like the French.

Really?

Those I met in Grenoble.

The only girl I knew who studied in France stayed and married.

She liked them, too.

I'm not sure I like them that much.

# MUSIC STOPS #

# BAND PLAYS CONGA

# MUSIC ENDS #

I'll visit the powder room.

What really goes on in there?

It's fabulous!

You're in a good mood tonight. Of course, you're in your element.

Are you kidding?

You're part of the Manhattan thing. But not us, from the country.

You're from Greenwich?

North Greenwich.

This is your world, not mine.

You're in the Sally Fowler crowd. Doesn't get more inside than that.

Not that I care - I don't believe in those things.

Oh, hi, Serena.

Hi,... Hi, Tom.

How's your brother?

Fine,... Tom, I think we should talk.

I haven't given you the silent treatment, just haven't been talking

Well, I felt it.

I love the St Regis and its nooks and crannies. It's really charming.

They'll probably knock it down soon.

BACKGROUND - WATER, VOICES, MUSIC

It hardly explains why you left me waiting without even a phone call to say why you didn't show up.

I'm sorry it was a bad time but it doesn't make me feel better.

-No? It always makes

-me

-feel better.

Well, I feel somewhat better. But it doesn't change anything.

It shows it wasn't intentional. That's an important distinction.

# DANCE BAND PLAYS IN BACKGROUND

It's definitely over with Rick.

The breaking up is easier to understand than how we got together in the first place.

Do you think I'll have trouble getting a cab?

Going already?

I'm exhausted. I've been having vitamins but they've worn off.

# DANCE BAND PLAYS

Fred, something's come up. Could you tell Audrey I should be back soon?

If there's a problem I'll see her at Sally's. Can you see she gets there?

I thought I was going to puke!

(RETCHES)

I had hardly anything to drink. It must have been something I ate. Those Vienna sausages.

I was surprised to see you at the dances. You were always opposed to that sort of thing.

I went to the first accidentally and met an extraordinarily nice group of people,...

..or I wouldn't have gone again.

I hardly call Nick Smith nice. He's a terrible snob.

He's basically a nice guy.

His behaviour towards Rick has been vicious.

What did he do?

A big stink about some girl.

Rick didn't want to talk about it. It was awful.

Rick thinks Nick could be crazy.

< Good night.

I'm worried something's happened.

Nothing can happen to him in a hotel

Maybe it was the same thing as Fred.

Tom hasn't much experience of hotels.

Maybe he went out a fire door that locked and shut him in the stairwell.

I use fire stairs when people forget to invite me to parties. No problem.

I don't understand where he could be.

There's very little social snobbery in the US. It's unacceptable.

There's almost a... a national taboo against it - it's looked down upon.

That's good, isn't it?

I'm not talking about good and bad. I'm just making an observation.

Well, that is good. I can't stand snobbery of any kind.

DOORBELL

Could you see who's there?

Sorry to be so late.

< Where were you?

Didn't Fred tell you?

Tell us what?

The only thing we heard from Fred was (IMITATES RETCHING).

Fred left ages ago.

Oh, Audrey, I am sorry.

Why?

I asked Fred to say that if I didn't get back...

Don't worry - it's nothing.

Well, where were you?

I had to take Serena home. She felt bad and was going home alone.

She's broken up with Rick. I was longer than I thought. I told Fred I'd meet you.

There was no message.

We thought you were stuck in the hotel. Audrey was worried.

I'm very sorry.

You sound very sorry.

It's hard to believe Serena broke up with Rick. It was probably the other way around.

I'm worried about Audrey. She's taken this hard. I'm surprised.

I had no idea Fred was going to get sick.

Where do you get off? You were Audrey's escort, but you left her..

..in the middle of the dance.

Then you shirk it onto Fred.

I'm not shirking it. I wasn't Audrey's escort - we were a group.

I'm sorry there was a mix-up.

There was no mix-up.

It wasn't intentional.

When you are an egoist, none of the harm you do is intentional.

You're going?

Yes, I'm tired.

I'll get my coat.

No, Charlie said he'd take me.

I'd like to.

Don't bother.

I'm sorry about what happened. I thought I'd be back more quickly.

Thank you very much.

Good night.

-Good night.

-Ready?

Night. Good night, Audrey.

Hope you feel better.

I never saw myself as an egoist.

Don't flatter yourself. Charlie's norm for behaviour is exaggerated.

He used to answer all his junk mail in case someone's feelings were hurt if he didn't.

I like him. But don't try to understand his thought processes.

When we were ten he tried to communicate with seagulls in East Hampton.

It was hopeless - the East Hampton seagulls are morons - but we spent days saying to birds,...

.."We come in friendship" and they couldn't care less - like the girls.

Great? I'm hated by the preppie St Francis.

I wouldn't worry.

That's where my father lives.

Kate Preston lives there.

Look at this? It's incredible, the things people throw out.

Steiff animals and an Aurora model motoring set. A Derringer? Remember the Derringer craze?

The toys of our generation - our whole childhood is represented here.

And they're just throwing it out.

Shall we rescue the electric car set - it might add to the afterparties.

I turn here.

Oh? See you tonight. Listen -...

..don't take Charlie too seriously.

No. See you tonight.

What happened last night had no real significance.

It's bad luck Fred got sick.

I can't believe you're saying this. He humiliated you last night.

Whether I've been humiliated or not I can judge for myself.

And I don't think Tom's that way.

I'm not sure you can judge. Careful, Audrey. Tom seems a bit dubious.

What?

This thing about being radical when he's obviously not,...

..or being over Serena when he's obviously not.

Everyone has some contradictions.

Anybody with as many as Tom, it's better not to get involved.

By those standards, none of us should get involved with anyone.

< Certainly.

Tom is the only guy I've ever liked.

I'm not going to forget him for some apparent inconsistencies.

You hardly know him.

I know him very well.

You couldn't. You only just met him.

Well, I do.

I didn't know you sent Christmas cards.

I haven't in years.

When we moved, do you know what happened to my toys?

They were put in storage.

Could some have been sent to Dad's?

Possibly. Why? You want them? You're a bit old for that.

No, I just had a feeling they went to Dad's.

< Why don't you call him, then?

I have. There's no answer.

Being dressed up in the city in winter is like "War and Peace".

Really?

Do you know what I mean?

I think so. Though I haven't read it.

Preppie is not a very useful term.

It might be descriptive of someone still in school...

..but it's ridiculous for a man in his seventies, like Averill Harriman.

None of the other terms - WASP, PLU - are much use either.

That's why I prefer the term UHB.

What?

UHB. It's an acronym for urban haute bourgeoisie.

Is our language so poor we need French acronyms to be understood?

Yes.

UHB. The term is brilliant. And long overdue.

But it's a bit of a mouthful, UHB. Wouldn't it be better to pronounce it "uhb"?

I didn't expect it to gain immediate acceptance.

No, no - it's useful. That it sounds ridiculous is part of its appeal.

From your lofty heights, everything below is comical, isn't it?

Yes.

You're obnoxious.

I don't know how you stand him. You complain about frauds and phoneys.

He's the phoney of the decade. Yet you act like he's your best friend.

Tom Townsend is hardly phoney, just mildly deluded, a nice guy.

That's just another aspect of his phoneyness.

And when he's not being phoney, he's a bastard.

Come on.

See how he treated Audrey last night

Audrey seems to have forgotten it.

She has to act that way, otherwise it would be even more humiliating.

But I don't have to pretend Tom Townsend's a nice guy.

You're really ga-ga about Audrey?

Well, if by ga-ga you mean do I like her? Yeah.

-Why not

-do

-something instead of going on about Tom Townsend?

What do I do? Declare myself? That'd be disaster. Don't think I haven't thought about this.

Rick and Serena broke up but today they went to Holly Gilchrist's party.

It was Holly who introduced them.

So she was responsible?

They went together?

-Separately. But how they come back? Rick's not the sort to let himself be dropped.

-Ha!

What's that mean?

Ha!

Rick really threatens you.

How?

By being more of a man than you?

Stupid slut!

What's Rick done that's so terrible?

-He

-is

-terrible. I don't have to go into sordid details.

Go into a few sordid details?

I don't think there are any reasons except for jealousy.

Rick makes him feel inadequate.

I'll tell you about Rick Von Sloneker.

Who knows the name Polly Perkins?

Sounds familiar.

She grew up in Virginia, a horse fanatic since childhood,...

..went to a horsey girls' school - Garrison Forest.

She got depressed - partly it was disillusionment with horses,...

..but there were psychological problems, too.

That summer she got a job and seemed recovered, but for idiosyncrasies - she'd only dress in blue,...

..and wouldn't eat hamburgers unless they were well done. Any redness and she'd send them back.

Loyal to her boyfriend back home, she only went on group dates.

Von Sloneker met her when he came to Edgartown for the regatta.

She showed no interest in him.

That makes sense as he's uninteresting.

For Von Sloneker that's inciting.

He swung into the full rigmarole...

..- how she was the first girl who made him feel that way...

..how they had an obligation to live life to the fullest.

Polly, meanwhile, quit her summer job and joined his boat.

He now ignored her - she became obsessed with him.

Polly was a masochist and prone to drink.

Von Sloneker exploited this to get her drunk...

..and had her...

..- do you know what "pulling a train" means?

I don't think so.

He got her drunk and got her to "pull a train"...

..him, Victor Lemley and the other crew member.

She arrived for her first semester, acting strangely,...

..always the same clothes, never washing, more and more make-up and perfume,..

..staying silent for hours and then talk obsessively of Paul McCartney.

She was sent to McLean's for treatment,...

..then went home to Virginia for Thanksgiving, went into their stables and killed herself.

I've heard about that - it wasn't Rick's fault.

He hardly knew her. She'd always had psychological problems and was a liar.

It was very sad but Rick had nothing to do with it.

I don't know. She was carrying his photo when she killed herself.

That doesn't mean anything.

What an appalling story.

Yep.

Not many know, or Von Sloneker could hardly show his face. You showed up Cynthia.

That's what made it worthwhile.

Why?

-There

-is

-no Polly Perkins.

-What?

-I made it up.

You're kidding?

I couldn't let Cynthia get away with that nonsense.

-It's true, cos Von Sloneker's

-doing

-those things all the time.

Polly Perkins is a composite, based on real people, like "New York" magazine does.

Cynthia said she knew all about her.

Yes. That was priceless. It shows Von Sloneker's doing those things.

But you must have had a factual basis for saying all those things?

Of course there's a factual basis.

# They lay keeping their sheep

# On a cold winter's night that was so deep #

'Excuse me, do you have any book on the French social philosopher, Fourier?'

He's still obsessed with Serena.

Better not get involved with a guy who's so mixed up.

He's not good news for anyone for a long time. >

Hi, Audrey? Merry Christmas.

Hi. Merry Christmas.

I talked to Tom Townsend the other night - he spoke highly of you.

Really?

Yes. He said you were very... erm...

..well read.

# O, come, all ye faithful

# Joyful and triumphant

# O, come, ye, O, come, ye, to Bethlehem

# Come and behold Him

# Born the King of Angels...

TV CANNED MUSIC: # JINGLE BELLS #

# Oh, come, let us adore Him

# Oh, come, let us adore Him

# Oh, come, let us adore Him

# Christ, the Lord #

Jane, are you familiar with Dr Pomeroy's work?

Who?

"Girls and Sex" by Wardell B Pomeroy.

"The long-needed guide to understanding girls growing up."

Quote - "The most frank and objective book currently available" - Library Journal.

"Puberty is difficult and frightening for many girls."

"It's the time they need objective facts...

..and sympathetic advice about physical and emotional changes."

We don't have enough - there's only seven of us.

That's impossible.

Tom's not here yet.

Is he coming?

-Sure... He

-is

-coming, isn't he?

You didn't call him?

I thought there were eight of us.

You told me he was...

Call him. He won't be doing anything

Surely someone in New York plays bridge other than Tom Townsend.

Seven can play.

What have you got against Tom?

Just one thing. He's not a good person.

What nonsense.

Go ahead, call him, I don't care.

Tom disapproves of bridge - we should ask him, anyway.

Have a seat.

Just say you pass.

I pass.

I couldn't believe it? Bridge is such a cliche of bourgeois life.

That's exactly why I play. I don't enjoy it one bit.

I got as far as the door.

And?

My mother was upset at being alone on Christmas Eve...

..and said it was important to be together.

My brother never comes home.

So I stayed and had a traditional Channel 11 Yule log Christmas.

Yeah, I think I've seen that.

Christmas Day every other year we go to my father's.

I was reluctant as I hadn't been able to get in touch with my father.

Mother insisted. It was a nightmare.

The doorman wouldn't let me in.

He didn't remember me.

Then there was some whispering.

Finally, he gave me a piece of paper with a Santa Fe address.

He'd moved to Santa Fe. I couldn't believe it.

They took me to the apartment - apart from litter and coat hangers it was empty.

He hadn't told me about moving.

It was quite a surprise.

That's awful. There must be some explanation.

He must have written and the letter got delayed.

< I don't know.

And you had such a good relationship.

In retrospect, I wonder how good. I hadn't seen him since spring.

Maybe I was just kidding myself.

I'm reading Jane Austen. Persuasion - I like it. I was surprised.

The titled aristocracy are the scum of the earth.

What maddens me is a whole class of people, mostly European,

looking down on me.

You always say "titled" aristocrats. What about untitled aristocrats?

I couldn't despise them.

That would be self-hatred, which is unhealthy?

You're so conceited?

Saying titled aristocracy are the scum of the earth is exaggeration.

It's true the forces that oblige the UHB to appear to act productively and responsibly...

..carries little weight with members of society...

..whose social positions are secure no matter what they do.

You had a trust fund? The pieces fall into place.

Not any more.

(STAMMERS) That's less important.

What's important, sociologically, is growing up

with the assumption of material security. It says a lot.

I call.

You had no cards. Why'd you call?

I felt like it.

Playing strip poker with an exhibitionist takes the challenge away.

Frank Goodrich handles financial things for my father.

It's a relief not having it hanging over my head.

Really?

The guilt that went with it although it wasn't money I counted on.

You're tragic. You've been robbed and you're relieved.

In part. Regarding my relationship with my father, I'm concerned.

He moves without telling me, doesn't contact me, and has me disinherited.

Our relationship is not what I thought.

Jeez (?)

It's as if he were angry and I can't think why. I don't know what it is.

You don't?

No.

One word.

Stepmother.

I hope I can talk to them and straighten things out.

Nothing you did or said has anything to do with it. Nothing you say or do will change anything.

That's awfully pessimistic.

It's the way things are. The most important thing to realise...

..is there's nothing you can do about parents.

You look terrific?

Like it?

That's really decadent?

That's nothing?

# BACKGROUND MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

Something's happened to Nick?

(MOANS) It's my head. It's my head.

< What happened?

There was a guy at school who took mescalin and went around doing this.

It's my head... it's my head...

Nick took mescalin?

No, the other guy.

We did take mescalin.

You what?

He shouldn't be reacting this way. It was really mild.

Are you joking?

It's "Truth" - stretch the Kleenex over the glass and put a dime on it.

We each burn holes with a cigarette. If the dime falls in you lose...

..and have to answer whatever you're asked. No matter how embarrassing.

The more embarrassing the better.

What are you reading?

"The Story of Babar"

I forgot how beautiful it was.

You can find out amazing things. It can really be incredible.

I don't think we should play.

Why not?

There are good reasons people don't tell their intimate thoughts.

What do you have to hide?

Games like this can be dangerous.

Dangerous?

I don't see what's dangerous.

You don't have to. Others have. That's how it became a convention.

People saw the harm excessive candour can do.

It's just a social convention.

Possibly, among people who don't know each other well, not us.

Then it's even worse.

Let's discuss this. Basically what this game needs is complete candour.

Honesty. Openness. I don't see how that can be bad.

It can.

Don't play, but don't wreck it for everyone.

If we're playing, we all should. That's the point.

If one isn't going to, none should.

(STAMMERS) Maybe Audrey's right.

Let's not disagree. You're really both saying the same thing.

That we should all play or none should.

It's all up to Audrey, then.

It isn't fair. If Audrey doesn't...

No, go ahead. I'll play.

LAUGHING

What now?

Ask the most embarrassing question you can think of.

I ask you the most embarrassing question I can think of?

What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?

Something specific. Who was your most recent conquest, or something.>

Who was your most recent conquest?

You mean who did I sleep with last?

You don't have to answer that.

It's okay. I'm not embarrassed.

It was Nick.

After all that about what a slut she was?

But a very attractive slut.

You're just another hypocrite.

That's not hypocrisy. It's sin.

It's hardly that?

LAUGHING

A question? With absolute honesty and frankness...

..list the girls you're interested in romantically...

..in descending order with significant detail.

I thought that was pretty obvious.

I've had a crush on Serena for two years.

Lately it developed into something more serious.

Who else do you like romantically?

I don't think it works that way.

If you're really interested in one person you're not in anyone else. It's possible, but what's the point?

If that doesn't work out there must be someone else.

If it doesn't work out I'll be off romance for a long time.

I suppose it's embarrassing, but it's hardly a revelation.

I'm sorry I asked him that. It was my fault.

I always think other people are foolish. I'm the big fool.

It's better to know the truth. The truth can't do any harm.

It's how and when you learn it.

I don't accept that.

(STAMMERS) You're right about that game - it's terrible.

You may not know, Audrey, but everyone likes you a lot.

I find that very hard to believe.

It's the truth.

Not just because you're smart and good-looking and charming...

..and have principles.

It's because they can see you're a good person.

This is not the best time to tease.

I know it isn't the best time. But for some time now, I...

..well, I like you very much.

I know you don't yet feel that way..

No? Please? Stop?

Doesn't Serena look awful here? She's not exactly photogenic.

There's one of you and Tom.

There it is.

Maybe Cynthia's right.

That's impossible.

Her view is that experience is good and she's set out to acquire it.

I'm the opposite. Everything's in my imagination. The romance is imaginary

She's a slut.

That's what Nick says.

He proved it.

That's unfair.

I don't think so.

I'm catching the dawn train upstate to East Aurora, father's place. First invitation in years.

I wonder why my stepmother's suddenly so willing to have me come.

If I should die there, would you see there's a thorough investigation...

..even if it looks like an accident or natural causes?

Promise?

Yes.

Even if I do return alive I won't be attending any dances after this.

It's probably the last deb season. I don't want to watch the decline.

Everyone's going tonight?

No, just me. The International's an inorganic debutante ball.

The others were natural outgrowths of UHB formations. This is more of a tourist attraction.

Each girl has two escorts, a cadet in uniform from one of the academies

..and a civilian like myself.

< It's televised on Channel 9.

You're kidding.

No. It's extremely vulgar. I like it a lot.

And these Texas and Oklahoma debs are really nice.

A real relief from these hypercritical New York girls.

What's everyone else doing, then?

They'll be glued to the set.

(TV) "From the state of Texas, Miss Sabina Johnson,..."

She's cute.

What about the dress??

-TV - # "YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS"

-Nick said this would be the last real deb season.

How come?

Because of everything going on.

Like what?

Well, everything.

(STAMMERS) Stock market, economy, contemporary social attitudes.

Is Audrey coming tonight?

She said she felt tired and might stay home. She can watch Channel 9.

ENTRYPHONE RINGS

I'll get it.

Thanks. >

TV - # "MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME"

"Ms McLean and Mr Von Sloneker."

(STAMMERS) Cynthia's coming up with Rick Von Sloneker.

She mentioned they might come by.

What would Nick say?

What Nick says or thinks, I couldn't care less.

PHONE RINGS

Hi? This is Rick Von Sloneker and Victor Lemley - Tom Townsend.

I've heard a lot about you.

Of course you have. So, who was talking about me? Nick Smith?

Yes, actually.

Jerk. How could anyone take him seriously?

He's just a jerk.

He feels threatened by you.

What a clown.

Is it true you're a baron?

As a matter of fact, it is. I don't take that sort of thing seriously.

That was Audrey. She is coming, after all.

Audrey Rouget?

Uh-huh.

She's getting pretty attractive. What are we watching?

The International.

In a little more than an hour the season will be over.

You take that seriously? I can't.

You don't take much seriously. One might think you're not very serious.

Who's this? A Nick Smith mimic? I was already sick of the original.

Tom, cut it out. It's tiresome. What Nick said was untrue.

I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean what I said.

No, it was idiotic to approach you that way.

I hadn't intended to.

It wasn't idiotic.

Miss Sabina Johnson of Texas, and Cadet Holly of our armed services.

ALL GREET VISITORS

GENERAL CONVERSATION

I go away for a couple of hours and you get Von Sloneker up here?

I can invite anyone I want.

So you invited him?

I didn't. But even if I did, it's none of your business.

How can you say that? Knowing the type? >

I don't. It's just what you say and you're completely untrustworthy.

Not about something serious. >

Hey, Smith? You're a liar.

I heard the crap you've been talking.

Oh, you have?

About how I supposedly mistreated Polly Perkins.

There isn't any Polly Perkins. The girl never existed.

Go on, tell 'em. You made it up.

< Is this true?

Yes and no.

Oh, God, Nick?

You did make it up.

There is no one Polly Perkins. There are many.

So you lied?

Polly Perkins is a composite. Like "New York" magazine does.

Name one girl.

Girls degraded by you

don't need their names bandied about non-exclusive Park Ave afterparties.

There isn't even one.

This looks bad, Nick.

Cathy Livingstone. No harm can be done to her now.

I had nothing to do with that. She was unstable.

It didn't stop you boozing her up to pull a train for you and Lemley.

That is not how it happened.

Oh? So what did happen, Rick-ee?

What happened between Cathy and myself is private and nothing to do with her suicide...

..which was months afterwards.

She tried to call you but you wouldn't even see her.

I liked Cathy but when things don't work out a clean break is best.

Spare us fake sensitivity. Are her panties still in your collection?

He has panties of girls he seduced.

When they kill themselves do you do anything to memorialise them?

I don't let anyone say that kind of thing to my face.

You complained I said it behind your back. Now it's to your face. How can you tell which is which?

He had that coming.

How dare he hit me.

-He's the scoundrel. I should've thrashed

-him.

You missed your chance.

I tried my damnedest not to splatter blood all over the apartment.

Nobody did anything to help.

I face one of the worst guys of our times and get whining criticism.

"This looks really bad, Nick."

Why should we believe you over Rick?

You're a hypocrite and your Polly Perkins story was a lie,...

A composite.

..you're out of control with a drug problem...

..and a fixation on Rick Von Sloneker's "wickedness".

You're a snob, a sexist, totally obnoxious and tiresome and weird.

Why believe anything you say?

I am not tiresome.

What's Rick to you, anyway?

Your shy friend hits me in the face.

I go to the domaine of a stepmother of untrammelled malevolence - maybe to be killed - and I get this.

Who can blame her? If not spouting blood was your objective you weren't terribly successful.

Well. I'm going to Grand Central. The people are friendly there.

I'll help you with your stuff.

Why don't we all go see Nick off?

This group has certain standards. I failed to live up to them.

Thanks for coming.

Goodbye, and thanks for coming.

Goodbye, Tom.

Good luck.

I'm counting on you and Charlie to maintain the ideals of the UHB where I obviously failed.

You and Charlie are the only ones who understand.

What?

Here. Thank you.

Also, remember, in case I die...?

Yes.

(ALL) Bye.

Is the Twenty-One Club very expensive?

< I believe so.

-That's priceless...

-"They look awfully big for mice".

She believed it? Priceless.

You mentioned it in a letter.

Over Christmas I went through some letters.

You saved my letters?

Of course, I save all the personal letters I get. And you?

No.

You threw away all the letters I wrote you?

I throw away everything.

I don't want to go through life with the mail I got at sixteen.

I'm surprised. Someone goes to the trouble of writing - I'd save it.

People don't write personal letters any more.

People in boarding school do.

What if the writer became famous?

Those letters could be the only record of their ideas at that time.

Anybody who writes me and expects to become famous should keep carbons.

It's a kind of trust.

Someone takes the trouble to write a letter, you do not throw it out.

I didn't save your letters but I didn't throw them out.

I don't understand. Is that a riddle?

There was a girl at school with a crush on you.

When I was throwing things out I gave her your letters.

Really?

I know it sounds queer.

She kept them?

Uh-hmm.

Strange. She must be really odd.

No. She's very nice.

You know her.

Audrey Rouget.

You mean... you think you've gotten over Serena... again?

It's different this time.

I was involved with her, in a negative way,...

..and feeling bitter. I don't feel that way now.

DOORBELL >

Charlie's on his way up.

Damn. I wanted to ask you something.

What was that "surprising thing"?

You probably already knew, but I was surprised.

About Audrey saving my letters?

What letters?

< The ones I wrote Serena.

Audrey saved them? God, how queer?

Not so queer. Serena was throwing them out...

..and Audrey didn't think letters should be destroyed.

But while I was with Serena, who is nice and good-looking...

Serena's basically a good person.

..on a night I'd looked forward to..

..I felt nostalgia for the talks with Audrey before the blow-up,

before I knew about the letters.

< I prefer arguing with Audrey to agreeing with Serena.

I had that calm perspective on our relationship with Serena for a while

..and I began getting this warm glow at the prospect of seeing Audrey.

Uh-oh?

I'd thought that if it didn't work out with Serena this time...

..I'd put romance on hold.

People shouldn't marry till the late twenties and that's a long way off.

Boy? Your timing's really awful.

How do you mean?

DOORBELL

Damn? I'll get it. I want to continue this.

Where's Jane?

Still in her room. What would you like to drink?

You're our host?

What do people who don't drink have?

Ginger ale? Iced water? Maybe a Coke and an aspirin.

You needn't put on eye shadow for us?

It's not for you. I have a date.

A date? What's that? Sounds like something from the 1950s.

Who's the feller?

None of you know him and I'd like to keep it that way.

Why did you say my timing was off?

Audrey's at Cynthia's for the weekend, and then goes back to France.

Besides that, she hates you.

Hates me?

Despises you. It's a bit my fault.

My "Truth" question was specifically to show you hadn't got over Serena.

A "Mr Andrews" is downstairs for you.

I'll be right down.

We'll go down with you.

No, you won't.

We can all go out together.

No.

It seems rude not to go down and check him out.

Please don't. Stay here, there's plenty of food and stuff.

All right to stay and wait for everyone else?

Sure, but what "everyone else"?

The rest of the SFRP.

You are the SFRP tonight.

Could you be out by midnight?

Feel free to stay till then. Bye.

(ALL) Bye.

Out by midnight?

What's this? Jane brings a guy she hardly knows back on an assignation?

We don't know that.

I'm surprised at Jane.

Some guy asks her out and she abandons everything - we can all just go to heck.

The rat pack is disintegrating.

Rat pack is down to the rats.

This is depressing. Let's get out.

She would prefer to go out on a date which offers romantic promise,...

..even if slight, than stay with us.

It's disappointing. I thought we were better friends than that.

I wonder whether we were at all, or just way stations between dates.

For them men are either dates, potential dates or date substitutes.

I find that dehumanising.

That might be so with Cynthia or Sally but Audrey is different.

She'd keep up friendships, no matter what.

Audrey has a largeness of mind, not obsessed with her love life.

She's good-looking, smart, charming,

principled, an unusual combination.

What do you mean? >

You've given her nothing but grief all the past week...

I think I'll be going now.

I have nothing to say and I am boring without a drink.

It's only midnight. You can't go.

Yeah, but without cocktails, staying up all night loses its charm.

I haven't had anything amusing to say since I stopped drinking.

Did you before you stopped?

It seemed amusing. Now it doesn't.

You were asleep.

Was that it? Good night, Charlie. Ciao, Tommy.

Ciao, Fred.

When I was in college we'd go to dances. Does that still go on?

Yes.

Much reduced, though. I wouldn't put much stock in them.

You go to a party, meet people, and think, "These people will be my friends forever."

Then you never see them again.

Wonder where they go.

Are people from this background doomed to failure?

Doomed? No, that would be easier.

We simply fail without being doomed.

But you have failed?

Yeah.

You still come to places like this?

I've a good job that pays decently.

It's all so mediocre, unimpressive.

The test is if you take pleasure in responding to the question,...

.."What do you do?" I can't bear it.

You start out expecting something and some contemporaries achieve it.

You read about them in the papers.

The danger of mid-town Manhattan is meeting successful contemporaries.

I avoid them when I can.

When I can't they are always friendly.

But inevitably they ask what am I doing.

It's hard to believe people of our background are successful.

Aren't you confusing them with normal people you knew in college?

It's not surprising an energetic, self-confident achiever,...

..free of uhb-illusions, should be successful.

Uhb? What's uhb?

UHB, an acronym for urban haute bourgeoisie.

It's a more precise alternative to preppie or other terms.

Well, you're partly right.

Some of the people I mention are not from... uhb?... uhb backgrounds.

But you are going to have to accept that people from our background...

..are not "doomed" to failure.

I wonder if they were typical uhbs?

There was probably some factor which set them apart.

Their career is not over.

The failure could still be to come.

He seems less pessimistic than you.

I know. It doesn't ring true.

Look - there's a light on.

(STAMMERS) We can't go up to her place unannounced after midnight.

Depends on who's on the elevator.

That's not the question.

You've known Sally ten days? And you go barging in?

She said any time we saw the lights on, which they clearly are.

Call first.

What? And wake up her parents?

You act as if her apartment were our living room.

It is.

(What are we doing here?)

(It'll be all right.)

What are you doing here?

You said to come up if we saw the lights on.

Sorry to bother you.

I was just about to go out.

Who is it? >

Just friends.

Come on in.

Al, these are my friends, Charlie and Tommy.

Alan is the record producer who discovered the "Hated Few".

They're very good.

Yes. And Sally will be very good. She has a wonderful voice.

So we have a friend in common. Rick Von Sloneker.

(STAMMERS) You're a friend of his?

Great guy. Our houses are next door in Southampton.

We'd better get going. There's no time for drinks after all.

Any idea when everyone's getting back? The SFRP's disintegrating.

We can't just keep getting together for the rest of our lives.

Why not?

It's inevitable that things get more back to normal.

This wasn't normal?

No.

Wish somebody'd told me.

When are Cynthia and Audrey back?

I don't know. That's their affair.

Cynthia's at Rick's house party.

< Southampton?

I'm not sure she was really going. You guys are so tiresome.

That was really embarrassing. Thank you for including me.

I can't believe it. God?

Maybe he's a nice guy. He doesn't make a good first impression.

No, what he said about Cynthia.

Audrey's meant to be visiting Cynthia, who's with Von Sloneker.

So they're in different states.

No, there's only one explanation.

Audrey has gone with Cynthia to Von Sloneker's house party.

You're always selling Audrey short. That's despicable.

I'm not being despicable. I'm worried about Audrey.

Jane says she's in a strange mood, saying she's not a "real woman".

She said that?

That's the way Cynthia talks.

I can't share your concern. Audrey wouldn't get in that situation.

She has very clear views on things.

She's a big admirer of Jane Austen?

She's turned her back on all that.

No, she's probably home, asleep, tucked up and surrounded by toys.

Let's call, then.

We can't.

It's only a local call.

It's 3am, we'll wake up her parents.

This is important to them, too.

If she's already at Von Sloneker's - I bet he's not asleep.

Older people tend to get up early. I'll call the Rougets at 7.

If there's any risk I'll give you a call. But I don't expect to have to.

Could you call me either way?

At seven? Okay.

Thanks. You're not such a bad fellow

I'll call you.

Call me.

"I hate him."

"Audrey Rouget? She's getting very attractive."

"She was the first girl to make him feel that way"

"She thinks you're a total jerk."

"None of the harm you do is intentional."

"She despises you."

"Him, Victor Lemley, the other crew member,..."

"I wanna be a real woman."

"You're the only girl who's ever made me feel this way."

"And she was completely unstable."

"I wanna be a real woman."

PHONE RINGS

I called Audrey's parents at 7am.