Veda [about Wally]
You could marry him if you wanted to...if you married him, maybe we could have a maid like we used to, and a limousine, and maybe a new house. I don't like this house, Mother.
Veda, does a new house mean so much to you that you would trade me for it?
Veda I didn't mean it, Mother. I don't care what we have, as long as we're together. It's just that there are so many things that I [pause] - that we should have, and haven't got.
I know, darling, I know. I want you to have nice things. And you will have. Wait and see. I'll get you everything. Anything you want. I promise.
Veda How?
I don't know. But I will. I promise. I love you, Veda.
Veda I love you, Mother. Really I do. [Mildred hugs her] But let's not be sticky about it.
Veda If you bought the uniform for Lottie, and I certainly can't imagine who else you could have bought it for, then why shouldn't she wear it?
You've been snooping around ever since I got this job, trying to find out what it is. And now you know! You know, don't you?
Veda Know what? Know what, Mother?
You knew when you gave that uniform to Lottie that it was mine, didn't you?
Veda Your uniform?
Yes, I'm waiting tables in a downtown restaurant.
Veda My mother - a waitress.
I took the only job I could get so you and your sister could eat and have a place to sleep and some clothes on your backs.
Veda Aren't the pies bad enough? Did you have to degrade us?
Veda, don't talk like that!
Veda I'm really not surprised. You've never spoken of your people - who you came from - so perhaps it's natural - Maybe that's why father...
[Mildred suddenly lashes out and viciously slaps Veda across the face.]
I'm sorry I did that. I'd have rather cut off my hand. I never would have taken the job if I hadn't wanted to keep us all together. Besides, I wanted to learn the business the best way possible.
Veda What kind of business?
The restaurant business. I'm planning on opening a place of my own. There's money in a restaurant if it's run right.
Veda You mean, you mean we'll be rich?
Some people have gotten rich that way.
Wally, do me a favor...Take Veda home.
Veda Anyone would think I was a child.
You are, and besides, it's past your bedtime.
Well it's not way past my bedtime. [To Mildred] Besides, I want to take you home.
Wally, I've got to close up. I'll go home with Ida. Please, come on.
OK, OK. Sure was a big night for me. I come out looking for an evening of fun and laughter and what do I get? Dishpan hands and a date with a Girl Scout.
Veda Good night, Mother. Goodnight, Mr. Beragon. Thank you for everything. I trust that we may meet again very soon.
Thank you for a divine evening, Mrs. Pierce. And I trust that I might see you again in the not too distant future. [To Monte] Good night. [To Veda] Come on, small fry. Come on, hurry up. [As he leaves, Wally leers at Ida]
Leave something on me. I might catch cold.
Just thinking. Not about you.
Veda At this stage, it's a matter of opinion. And in my opinion, I'm going to have a baby. I can always be mistaken.
[horrified]
How could you do such a thing?! How could you?
Veda I got the money, didn't I?
Veda I'll have to give Wally part of it to keep him quiet, but there's enough left for me.
Money - that's what you live for, isn't it? You'd do anything for money, wouldn't you? Even blackmail. I've never denied you anything - anything money could buy I've given you. But that wasn't enough, was it? All right, Veda, from now on, things are going to be different.
Veda I'll say they're going to be different. Why do you think I went to all this trouble? Why do you think I want money so badly?
Veda Are you sure you want to know?
Veda Then I'll tell you. With this money, I can get away from you.
Veda From you and your chickens and your pies and your kitchens and everything that smells of grease. I can get away from this shack with its cheap furniture, and this town and its dollar days, and its women that wear uniforms and its men that wear overalls.
Veda, I think I'm really seeing you for the first time in my life and you're cheap and horrible.
Veda You think just because you've made a little money you can get a new hairdo and some expensive clothes and turn yourself into a lady. But you can't, because you'll never be anything but a common frump, whose father lived over a grocery store and whose mother took in washing. With this money, I can get away from every rotten, stinking thing that makes me think of this place or you!
[Mildred tears the settlement check up. Ceda slaps Mildred, knocking her down]
Get out, Veda. Get your things out of this house right now before I throw them into the street and you with them. Get out before I kill you.
Veda It's Monte. [Crying, she cups her head in her hands] He's dead. He said horrible things. He didn't want me around anymore. He told me to get out. And then he laughed at me. He wouldn't stop laughing. I told him I'd kill him. He said I didn't have guts enough. I didn't mean to do it. I didn't mean to, I tell you. But the gun kept going off, over and over again. Then he was lying there, looking at me, just looking at me. You've got to help me. Give me money to get away - and time. I've got to get away before they find him.
I can't get you out of this, Veda.
Veda What are you going to do? What are you going to do? Think what will happen if they find me. Think what will happen...Give me another chance. It's your fault as much as mine. You've got to help me. Help me, Mother! Just this once. I'll change, I promise I will. I'll be different. Just give me another chance. It's your fault I'm the way I am. Help me.
I went to the house. Monte was alone. And I killed him.
You're lying, Mrs. Beragon. We know you weren't alone in the house with him. We have proof of that and various other things. [picks up the telephone] Okay, now. Yes. [hangs up and turns to Mildred] You see, Mrs. Beragon, we've had a slant on you from the beginning. You were the key and we had to put the pressure on you. Well, the key turned, the door opened, and there was the murderer.
ND Detective [The door opens and two detectives escort Veda into the office]
We picked her up at the airport. They grabbed her off a plane headed for Arizona. She didn't like it much.
Veda I don't understand.
You will. We know all about it. Your mother told us everything. Why did you kill him?
Veda You promised not to tell. You promised. You said you'd help me get away!
Veda, don't say anything more!
Too late, Mrs. Beragon. That's all we needed.
