The Man I Love

Hey, boys, hit the road.

The joint's closed for the night.

Oh, yeah?

How about that music?

There's a jam session going on, but it's private.

It's just for them maniacs in there.

- We only want to go in for-- - Shh, shh.

Private party for crazy people.

Boys, you really knocked that one around.

That was strictly in the groove, Petey.

How about some refreshment?

Well, just one for the road won't hurt.

- Cubanola, wasn't it? - Petey,

where's your boyfriend tonight?

- Yeah. - I don't know why.

I'm a sucker for the drinks, keeping me up till this hour

of the morning as if I didn't hear enough

of that racket when the joint's open.

Go on, Barbara, you know you love it.

I must have been born a sucker.

Thanks, sucker.

Hi, Bud. Here's looking at you.

Haven't seen you for a long time. Where you been?

Eddie's club.

Say, they got a guitar player down there

who is really fine.

Another broken-down guitar player.

Oh, it isn't the usual kind of guitar.

You remember the record that San Thomas made

of "The Man I Love?" The one with the guitar in it?

Well, that's this guy.

Yeah. San Thomas made some great recordings.

Remember the way he came in the first four bars of the tune?

Sure.

Come to the party, kid. What's the matter?

- I was just thinking, honey. - About George?

Oh. What a pill he turned out to be.

Ah, so that's why you look so worried.

Well, the only thing that bothers me

is he made off with my only watch.

I've never been worried about a guy in my life.

You've never been worried about anything, even your career.

You haven't any ambition. That's your trouble.

I'm happy, honey. I've got a little dough.

Yeah, but it's all on your back.

Well, is that bad? I can always get a job.

Why worry? Worry gives you wrinkles.

So does this.

Now look, baby. You don't fool me.

I know you don't sit with your chin

down to your knees for nothing.

Well, do you want a great big laugh?

I'm homesick.

- And I'm on my way. - Where are you going?

Out to California to visit my family.

I didn't know you had a family.

Sure, honey. Everyone has a family someplace.

Not me. Haven't seen hide nor hair of them in 30 years.

I hate to tell you where some of them are.

Now it's just us kids left.

It's my sister Sally I'm going to see.

She lives in Long Beach.

The other two kids live with her,

a young sister and brother.

I haven't spent a Christmas with them in years.

Does Sally look like you, Petey?

Hmm, sort of. Poor kid.

I'm gonna try and do something for her when I get out there.

She slings spaghetti for a living.

You get awfully tired carrying those trays.

Receipts are alright tonight, huh, kid?

Pretty good for the holidays, Mr. Toresca.

Aren't you getting off pretty soon? It's Christmas Eve.

Well, I think Tony will let me go as soon as I finish

this order. I haven't even bought a tree yet.

I see the big, uh, boss is here again tonight.

- Sure gave you the once-over. - Who do you mean?

Don't give me that double-talk, kid.

You know, Nicky Toresca.

- He really goes for you. - So what?

Boy, I sure could go for him.

He's one of the biggest shots in town.

Who are you to be so choosy, anyway?

Why don't you go home? I'll let you.

Well, I was gonna finish this order first.

Oh, don't worry. Lee will take care of it.

Christmas only comes but once a year. Go on, shoo, shoo.

Gee. Well, thanks, Mr. Toresca.

- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.

Don't come back until the day after tomorrow.

- Lee, please... - Yeah?

- ...will you take care of this? - Sure.

Uncle Tony, is Sally through for the night?

Well, it's Christmas Eve.

She's a nice girl. Works hard. She's got a kid.

That's not what I asked you.

Oh, now I see.

Look here, Nicky. Don't try nothing with her.

She's a good girl. She's got a husband.

I only want to offer her a job at the club.

No, that's not why you wanna talk to her.

I know you, Nicky.

Is that a nice way to talk to your own nephew?

I mean it.

You've got plenty of girls.

Blondes, redheads, all kinds.

- Please, Nicky. - Okay.

Sorry if I scared you, Sally. Can I take you someplace?

Well, well, I'm sorry, Mr. Toresca. I can't, I...

Come on, I'll take you home.

Well, I really have to buy a Christmas tree,

and I don't want to put you to any trouble, Mr. Toresca.

Trouble? That's silly.

We won't have any trouble, now, will we, Sally?

Besides, I like to shop for Christmas trees.

I wish you'd let me pay for the tree, Mr. Toresca.

Forget it. This one's on me.

Thanks a lot. I have to go now.

I'm having some friends in to help me trim the tree and...

Listen, Mr. Toresca, I think you've got things

a little mixed up about me.

I ain't got nothing mixed up about you.

I don't have boyfriends.

Well, that's too bad because I could do a lot for you.

Yes, I know it, and it doesn't make any difference.

And you know your brother Joey's working for me, too

on account of he is your brother.

You see, if I, if I like people, I do a lot for them.

You're only making trouble for him.

Now look, I've been nice and friendly with you.

Is that right? But sometimes I'm not so nice to people.

Hey, wait a minute. I don't want this tree.

Neither do I.

Hi, mom. Gee, is that our tree?

Hey, wait. I'll come down and help you carry it up.

Mr. O'Connor, Mrs. O'Connor!

- Come and see our tree. - It's beautiful.

- Hi, Gloria. - Hello.

Hey, Sally, I'd help you, but I got my hands full.

Gee, what a beautiful tree. Must have cost you a lot of money.

Well, uh, come on over to help us trim it.

As soon as I finish feeding the family.

Aunt Ginny, Aunt Ginny, look what we've got!

Gosh! Why, that's bigger than the one we had last year.

Honey, will you get the scissors from the kitchen?

- Okay. - Virginia.

Did you remember to get the ornaments and stuff?

Mm-hmm. They're over there under the table.

- Hi, Joe. - Hi, sis.

Can you fix my tie for me?

I thought you'd gone to work. Want to help us trim the tree?

I haven't got time now.

You aren't going to Toresca's tonight, are you?

Yeah. I got a little business to attend to over there.

Oh, Joe, that kind of business isn't any good.

Stick to your own job.

I got big prospects with Nicky.

No, you haven't.

Too bad you can't stay home with your family

on Christmas Eve, instead of hanging--

Oh, why don't you shut up?

Oh, Virginia, why do you always say things to make him sore?

He makes me sick, brother or no brother.

Well, Gloria and Johnny are coming over

to help us trim the tree.

- Oh, swell. - I am tired.

Buddy, what's wrong with your eye?

I was wondering when you were going to notice it.

I wasn't going to say anything.

Have you been in another fight?

I had to.

Billy Gideon told everybody that dad was in the loony bin.

I said, "You take that back!"

He hit me and I socked him.

Buddy.

When anybody says anything to you about your dad

just remember this. Look at him.

Does he look like anybody who's been in the loony bin?

Does he?

Now promise me you won't get into anymore fights about dad.

And when people like Billy Gideon say things to you

just don't listen.

We know better, don't we?

Now change your clothes and put some witch-hazel on that eye

before the O'Connors get here.

Sometimes I'd like to take that Mrs. Gideon by the hair

and throw her down the stairs.

She's a nosy woman. I hate her.

Did you go to Eleanor's party today?

Gee whiz, if I'm happy staying home and looking after the house

what difference does it make to you?

Look, Virginia, you're just 18.

You aren't getting out and having any fun.

You aren't meeting any fellows.

I don't want just any fellows.

Well, you're never gonna meet anybody

sitting around here all the time.

Oh, dear, that's Johnny and Gloria.

I've got to fix my hair.

- Come in. - Hey.