Passing

- Hot enough for you? - She's tried everything.

What about the looks she was getting…

We were all, frankly, keen on…

No, it's not right for a girl.

…giving you any more money to…

- Look at it this way… - It's simple to me.

I must stay away from…

- Goin'-- - Excuse me.

Feels like the whole city is out today.

Summer sales.

-Can't keep a New Yorker from a bargain. - Ain't that the truth?

Let's get to the toy store and out of this heat.

I'll never hear the end of it if I don't get my niece a doll.

She asking for some special sort?

They have those ones with darling hair you can braid.

- Yes, maybe she'd like that. - Taxi!

- Oh. - There now, that's better.

Look at that precious little pickaninny one.

-That, she'll love. -No.

She's never even met a colored who didn't work for us. Thank heavens.

- -Oh.

No, never mind, ladies. Accidents will happen.

- My goodness. -Here you are.

- Here. - Oh! Thank you.

-What a nice lady. - Mm-hmm.

There you go, miss. Thank you so much.

- Thank you. - Mama, I want that one.

Do you have the Mother Goose Drawing and Tracing Book?

All sold out.

Figures. I've tried all over town. My son won't settle for anything but.

Try again in a couple weeks. Might get lucky.

-His birthday's tomorrow. - Well, better luck next time.

Thank you.

Mister? Hey, are you all right, sir?

Please, somebody, help me. I… I… Help me out.

He's fallen down. Sir, can you hear me?

Sir. Sir, you all right?

- What's happened? -I don't know.

He all right?

This heat. Feels like I'm about to pass out myself.

Yes. I guess it's tea I need. I'm a little faint.

The Drayton, ma'am? They do say as how there's always a breeze up there.

- The Drayton would be lovely. -

Oh! Taxi!

Take him to a hospital.

Thank you.

-Good afternoon. -Good afternoon.

The waiter will be with you.

Stop it.

-Now? - Yes, now.

You satisfied?

Come here.

See you later.

Don't be long. I'll get another one.

I won't. I hope.

-You'll be all right? - I'll be just fine.

I'm going to sit here and enjoy this cool room.

- All right. - All right.

- I suppose I should… - I suppose you should.

- -Oh!

[indistinct whispering and chuckling continues]

We'll be married soon.

As far as they know, we are.

Pardon me. I don't mean to stare, but I think I know you.

I'm afraid you're mistaken.

No, of course I know you, Rene.

You look just the same. Tell me, do they still call you Rene?

Yes, though no one's called me that for a long time.

Don't you know me?

Not really, Rene?

I'm afraid I can't seem to place…

-Clare? - Mm-hmm.

That's right.

-Not Clare Kendry? - Mm-hmm.

Now, don't run away.

You simply must stay and talk.

Fancy meeting you here. It's simply too lucky.

It's awfully surprising, yes.

Mmm.

I'd never have known you if you hadn't laughed.

You've changed so.

Well, it's been 12 years at least.

You know, I almost dropped by your father's house not so long ago.

I've thought of you so often.

-You have? - Of course.

You know, since I've been here, I've hoped I might run into someone.

Preferably you, though. And now you're here.

I'll wager you haven't given me a thought.

So…

Tell me.

I want to know everything. Married? Children?

-Yes. Two boys. You? -Mm-hmm.

One girl. Margery. She's my angel.

My husband John's here on business.

Banking business. In this heat! Can you imagine?

That was your husband?

We've been here a whole week from Chicago.

That's home.

Although I come here and remember what home really is.

Well, we can see lots of one another these days that I'm here, can't we?

I don't know… I mean… I'm just…

I live in Harlem, still.

I don't come to this part of town a whole lot.

Oh, that's sad.

Perhaps I can come visit with you another time in Harlem?

Meet your boys?

We're here quite often.

And if this trip goes well, well, John's quite sure we'll move.

It's my dream to come back, Rene.

I'm sure.

Clare…

does he…

Know?

Let's go up to my suite, where we can talk properly.

Waiter!

Ugh. I can't bear this heat! I have to change.

John'll be back soon.

And here I am, sweatin' up a storm.

-That's nice. -Oh!

I found Gert Johnson in the phone book. Well, Gertrude Martin now.

She married Fred. Remember?

Yes. I haven't seen Fred for an unmentionable time.

Well, they have twins. Isn't that wonderful?

-Mmm. -Boys. Oh, I'd love boys.

I'd never risk it again, though.

I went through hell those nine months for fear Margery might turn out dark.

Mine are dark.

Oh. And your husband, he…

He… couldn't exactly "pass," if that's what you mean.

Oh, I thought…

Oh.

Oh, well, then.

Would you?

Would you?

Well, anyway, she goes as white.

-So, you haven't ever thought to? -What?

I'm asking if you ever thought of passing, Rene.

No, why should I?

I mean, for convenience, occasionally, I suppose. But no.

I just mean I have everything I've ever wanted.

Except perhaps a little more money.

Of course. That's all anybody ever wants, a little more money.

Money's an awfully nice thing to have.

In fact, all things considered, I think it's entirely worth the price.

I should go, Clare.

I'm not sure it's such a good idea if John…

Oh, no, Rene, it is.

Oh, you must stay a little while longer. Oh, please say you'll stay.

Hang it! I've made a mess.

Give me a second, and I'll order us some food up here.

All right.

Whatcha thinking, Rene?

You're curious, is that it?

You can ask me anything. Anything you want.

What have you told him… of your family?

You know, I haven't had to worry as much as you'd think.

There were my aunts, you see.

They took me in after Father died and gave me a home of sorts.

Very white, very respectable, very religious.

I met John not long after,

and as soon as I turned 18 and legal, we got married and…

well, went off and left for good.

And you're happy?

Of course, Rene.

As you say, I have everything I ever wanted.

I'm sorry, Clare, that was rude of me.

Of course you're happy.

-Look at you. -

-And your daughter? -Margery? Oh, she's divine.

John wants to put her in one of those Swiss boarding schools in the fall.

I dare say she'll get quite the education. Not like anything we had.

Room service, hello?

We want cakes. The most beautiful cakes you have.

Mm-hmm.

Tell me, what tea you got passes for French champagne?

Oh, I'm messing!

Yes, we'll take a pitcher of iced tea in champagne flutes.

Mm-hmm. We're celebrating.

- That's enough, thank you. -Have a drop more. You've hardly had any.

- Nig? -John, dear!

I ran into an old, old friend of mine from school.

Irene Westover. Irene, this is my husband, John Bellew.

Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Westover.

-Actually, it's Mrs. Redfield. - Mm.

Oh, of course, I… I didn't even think to ask.

I am sorry if I've interrupted.

-Will you get me a drink, honey? - Here.

Thank you.

Hmm.

So, what do you say, then? To old friends?

-To old friends! -To old friends.