All I Desire

Naomi Murdoch, that's me.

Not quit at the bottom of the bill yet,

and not quite at the end of my rope, but I can't say that I'm making

an impression on audiences these days

not that I ever made much.

Now with the season over and the heat of the summer coming,

the air in these theaters is even staler than usual.

Brother, there's not much to look forward to.

I guess some people would say I asked for it.

Boy! That audience is like ice out there tonight.

These Hicks wouldn't get off their hands for Lillian Russell.

Here's some mail for you.

I started out holding the hoops for Miller's wonder dogs,

- I can always go back to it. - For Pete's sake, Naomi?

You're too classy for vaudeville you ought to go back to legit.

- They love me in Detroit. - There's real prestige in legit.

New parts all the time..

You don't have to worry about getting old.

What's the matter honey? You look like you saw a ghost.

- No. - Bad news?

I think it's a laugh, that's all.

- "Dearest mother." - I told you it was a laugh.

"I don't know if you ever think of me but I think of you.

I'm graduating from high school this year

and 'miin the senior play on may 20th.

I suppose this doesn't sound like much to a great star like you."

- Go ahead. - "I know your career

- must keep you busy." - Lt gets funnier, doesn't it?

"There's only one present I would like

and that is to have you there. Your adoring, Lily."

I got three, two girls and a boy. I walked out on them, husband too.

In 1900 it wasn't going to be a happy new year for me,

it was going to be a happy new century.

Not much to be proud of is it?

And you haven't seen them in all these years?

I had a reason, lots of reasons.

Should have seen me trying to be the wife of a school teacher

in the big town of riverdale, wi. Don't think the town approved of me.

After a while he didn't either.

He always said I'd wind up disgracing him and the kids.

- I guess maybe I did. - Another man?

I pulled out before there was a scandal that would have...

I guess I did the right thing.

There's someone back there who lets me know how they're doing.

She says they're doing just fine.

It'd sure be fun to go up there and see how they all look.

The catch is they'd see me, the great big star.

I'm supposed to be in Europe doing Shakespeare.

- That so? - That's my story. I'm stuck with it.

It'll be great going back. You got to, Naomi.

- Oh belle... - The kid's counting on it.

They don't have to know how you're doing.

Let your hair go back to natural,

act real classy. You'd be their idea of a perfect lady

- and a big star. - Belle, I've done it on the stage.

- Do you need a few bucks? - No, I got enough for a trip.

What I saved to see me through the summer.

- I could get a couple outfits and... - Yeah.

Sure. What do I need with a bank account?

Something will turn up before August, it always does.

- Sure. - Oh belle! It would be fun.

- Yeah. - I'd never thought I'd see

that town of riverdale, Wisconsin again.

What a burg.

What a burg. I'll bet it hasn't changed a bit.

The population must still be under 5,000.

Not a new building on the town's square since I left,

and where a buggy ride in the country is a big thrill.

Same solid white frame houses in the residential district,

the lawns, the husbands are so proud of

and those carriage steps. Oh golly.

I wonder if the old granite one in front of the house is still there

with Murdoch chiseled in it.

- See you later, Russ. - What's your hurry?

I've got so many things to take care of today.

- Lily's play... - Oh for Pete's sake...

And the party tonight.

And poor dad's so busy with graduation week

he's no help, and if I didn't look after dad,

- and Ted and Lily, who would? - I want you to look after me too.

I'm sorry, Russ, if I don't meet with your approval.

Wait a minute Joyce. This is me, your fiancé, remember?

- Don't go away peeved. - "M not peeved.

Well alright then.

Shall we scandalize the neighbors.

Oh, Russ! Really!

Thanks for bringing me home. You're welcome.

- Lily! - You can find me, dear sister

in the scullery!

Lily, come upstairs so that I can finish your costume.

Everything's here Lena. Paper baskets are on top.

- So be careful. - Alright Joyce.

It's not a costume. It's a gown and is it a Daisy.

And just put one pecan and one almond in each basket.

Then you can fill them up with the cheap ones.

Lily, how many times have I said one doesn't eat honey without bread?

- What if one doesn't care for bread? - That's not the point.

- Is Ted home? - Uptown someplace.

You shouldn't have your feet up. It's not ladylike.

- Anna held even smokes cigars. - You're not Anna held yet young lady.

Did you buy the sash? Well of course I did.

Would I forget the most important accessory of all?

It's really divine, isn'tit Lena?

- The most heavenly cyclamen. - Pink.

- Come on, we've got a lot to do. - I'll be there in just a minute.

Lena, is it all going to be wasted?

What's wasted?

This evening, my performance.

- All my preparations... - Lily, we sent the letter

to that agency in Chicago. That's all we could do.

If your mother doesn't come, don't be too disappointed.

What else could I be? If she were here tonight,

my performance would be like Mr. halley's comet

streaking across the Autumn sky.

But if she wouldn't come back for this, she'll never come back.

Maybe she will, maybe she won't. Who can figure her?

Why should she come back? She was smart to get out.

Maybe she was smart. Maybe she wasn't at all.

And I'm just like her. I won't stay put here either.

Either.

Who could endure this silly town with all the silly people?

- Thank you. - Not you Lena. You understand.

Lily, are you coming? I'll be there in a minute I said!

They'll not bury me in this provincial burg.

Some day, somehow, Lily Murdoch will give her talent to the world.

Miss Harper told daddy I was the best drama student

at riverdale high.

Comeiin.

I'm sorry. You're busy. Sara...

- Come in. We're all through. - If I know col. Underwood,

- he's just beginning. - Just you don't begin teaching

that progressive nonsense they're spouting down in Washington.

You see? The principal either gets his knuckles rapped

for being too progressive or for not being modern enough.

I hope the other councilmen don't give me as much trouble as you.

Just satisfy me Henry, and you'll find being superintendent of schools

in this county is no trouble at all.

Happy to recommend you. You've done a fine job.

- Thank you, colonel. - Goodbye. Goodbye miss Harper.

Goodbye col. Underwood.

Henry

- finally after all these years. - After all these years.

You know what a help you've been, don't you Sara?

I'm very glad if I have been.

If you ever decide to stop school teaching,

you're going to make someone a very wonderful wife.

Thank you, Henry.

Well...

You will be on time tonight? The curtain can't go up

- until you arrive. - I think we can trust Joyce

to see that Ted and I are politely early and properly combed.

Riverdale! Next stop! Riverdale! Riverdale!

Riverdale! Next stop! Riverdale!

What a spiffy!

- Someone meeting you ma'am? - No, I'm not expected.

- Stopping at hathaway's hotel? - Yes, the hotel. Still only one?

Say! That's Naomi. Naomi Murdoch!

Giddy up!

Hot choo! Won't the ladies be talking tonight.

Hey. I think I'll take a walk.

- Hot petootie! - Listen Ted, you snookered me

into a bad bet. You'll never miss.

I'll be buying root beers the rest of the summer.

- You teached me too good, Dutch. - Dutch, by jiminy, I don't mind

waiting in myself and figuring how much I owe,

but would it be too much trouble for you to take my money?

Target practice is more important than profits oley.

I'll put the guns back.

That's 93 cents.

A dollar bill won't go nowhere these days.

- Here you are. - Thank you.

- Hey, oley. - Hello.

- Thanks a lot, oley. - So long, Dutch.

Hi clem. Railroad get along without you?

Been a coon's age Dutch, I don't see you around.

I still hunt, still fish, the store's still open.

But what I mean is

I don't see you riding out by the lake the way you used to.

You do any riding at all now Dutch?

- Ted! - Yes, Dutch.

New case of shells in the back.

Do me a favor and bring 'em in? Sure.

What's in your craw, clem?

That lady you used to meet up with out riding

I seen her just now down at the depot.

She's back. I just thought you might like to know.

I don't know what you're talking about, clem.

She still looks pretty speedy, Dutch.

Who's speedy, Dutch? You got a new girl?

No. Here. I'll take the shells.

No, it's sort of an old girl. Clem!

You know Ted Murdoch, don't you? His father's the principal.

- Hello. - Hello.

Train's in, Ted.

Run down to the post office and see if there's anything for me, ok?

Sure. See you.

Say. What you gonna do, Dutch?

What you gonna do?

Come on, Nellie, come on.

Excuse me for being late. Got to go wash my hands.