"Hello?" " Excuse me, professional man coming out." " Oh, it's just you." " Huh?" " Bob isn't in there anywhere, is he?" "Not unless somebody's standing on him." "Well, where is he?" "It's 9:30 already." "He's late." " What time's his first appointment?" " 10:00." "Carol, check me if I'm wrong, but doesn't 9:30 precede 10:00?" "I know." "Jerry." "But I have to talk to him about something before he gets busy." "Uh-huh." "Maybe I can help out." "I'm a good listener." " Oh, no." "Jer." "No." " No, come on, really." "Well, all right." "I guess it couldn't hurt." "Listen, see, the thing is, a long time ago" " Is the coffee ready?" " No." " I'll make some." " Uh-huh." "Good." "So, what did you want to talk to me about?" " Never mind." " Oh, come on, Carol." "Carol, no calls, no interruptions." "Right, Bob." " Carol, I thought I said" " I know." "No calls, no interruptions." "I guess I forgot to mention no tailgating." "Oh, Bob, I'm sorry, but it's important." "Carol, I have 20 minutes to review the case history of a man... who's been in analysis for 18 years." "Now, this guy- this guy is a pro." "I mean, I can't amuse him with some inkblots." " Now, is what you have to say more important than that?" " No." "No, Bob, no." " I just have to go into the hospital, that's all." " Fine" "The hospital?" "Oh, Bob, it's nothing serious." "Oh, no, it's just a little minor surgery, as it were." "And I'm going in on Saturday morning, so I'll just miss a couple days work." "Well, Carol, I don't care about your missing a couple days work... but is everything all right?" "Oh, sure, Bob, sure." "I just need to talk to somebody, that's all." " Well, sit down." "We'll talk." " Oh." "What about your other patient?" "I'll stall him with some inkblots." "Well, talk." "Uh, well, okay, Bob." "Now, see I did this foolish thing... and now I've got to, take care of it." " I see." " You do?" "Look, Carol, the important thing is this won't make any difference... to myself or all of your friends." "I mean, we're gonna stick by you." "You're certainly not the first girl who has ever found herself in this predicament." " You won't be" " Oh!" "Oh, Bob, no." "It's not a baby." "Oh." "I knew that." "What is it?" "Oh." "This foolish thing happened a long time ago... way back in high school." "See, I belonged to this social club... called the Midnight Marauders." "I was their treasurer, which meant they kept their hubcaps in our garage." "Well, one night, the whole club did this really crazy thing." "Uh, we ran out of things to maraud... and so we all went down to the tattoo parlor." "And you got yourself tattooed?" "Yeah." "And now you want to get yourself untattooed." "I think that's the medical term for it." "Carol, I've never noticed you had a tattoo." "Ah, there's a reason for that." "Oh, you mean it isn't where I could see it?" "Oh, Bob, it's not even where I can see it." "Does it, say anything?" "Wh-You mean like "This end up"?" "Bob, I mean, what do you take me for?" "I'll have you know this was a tattoo of a butterfly." "A monarch butterfly." "They're really beautiful." "Oh, it really was beautiful when I was fat." "Now it looks kinda like a flying prune." "Bob, please." "And please, please, you've got to treat this as a sacred trust now." "Because if this gets out, it'll just be one fanny joke right after the other." "Well, Carol, you know I would never let you become the butt of any joke." "Oh, excuse me." "This letter got mixed up in my mail." "I, thought it might important, Bob." "Oh, thank you." "Jerry." "Yeah." "I could see how a letter... addressed to Mr. Professional Man from a crutch company could be deemed urgent." "Jerry, what did you really come in for?" "I want to find out what Carol's problem was." "There's no problem." "She just has to go into the hospital for some very minor surgery." "Why couldn't she tell me that?" "Jerry, it's personal surgery." "Personal, huh?" "I got it." "You're gonna have your butterfly removed." " Honey, we're home." " Oh, hi, dear." "Hi, Carol." "Hi, Emily." "Gosh, I suddenly feel like I'm really causing you guys a lot of trouble." "Oh, don't be silly." "I've already made up your bed in the den... and tomorrow morning, Bob and I'll just whisk you off to the hospital." "Oh, boy, you guys are real friends." " Oh, you'd do the same for us, wouldn't you?" " No." " You wouldn't?" " No." "Oh, listen, I'd put you up for the night... but I just wouldn't take you anywhere near a hospital." "I'm terrified of hospitals." "Oh, Carol, hospitals are nothing, really." "I mean, just pretend the tattoo fairy is gonna wave her magic wand... and make your butterfly disappear." "When I had my appendix taken out, it was a breeze." "I mean, people waited on me hand and foot." "I had wonderful meals, back rubs, massages." "It was fabulous." " Really?" " Well, then comes the operation." "No, I'm kidding." "It's really-It's easy." "I'll get it." " Oh, hi, Howard." " Hi, Emily." "I'm back." " Hi, Bob." "Oh, hi, Carol." "How are you?" " Hi, Howard" "Here's your mail and a package." "Oh, my Captain Asteroid rocket finally came." "Oh." "Wow, it took a lot box tops, but I finally got it." "You the first one on your plane to get yours, Howard?" "No, this is for little Howie." "Hey, thanks for your help, Bob." "Well, I'm glad we finally made it." "I don't think I could have eaten another box... of those honey-coated sugar craters." " Howard, have you had dinner?" " Yeah." "I had dinner over Duluth." "You want to stay and watch me eat my last supper?" " Your last supper?" " I'm having some surgery in the morning." "Surgery?" "Ugh" "Don't tell me what it is." "I don't want to know." "The whole idea of going under the knife makes my flesh crawl." "You had to say it, Howard." "Under the knife." "Howard, I think you scared Carol." "Oh, well, let's not talk about hospitals." "Let's talk about something else." " Oh, good." " What hospital are you going to?" " St. Matthews." " Oh, really?" "Now don't you tell me anything bad about St. Matthews." "No, no." "That's a wonderful hospital." "They have a priest on every floor." "Howard, why don't you test fly your Captain Asteroid rocket, huh?" "Good idea." "And, please, no more talk about hospitals till after dinner." "You're not supposed to have dinner before surgery." "I mean, everybody knows that." "And even my dog didn't eat before she got spayed." "I don't even care anymore about eating, Howard." "What did your dog do about drinking?" " I think she drank." " Bob, I would like a drink." " Way ahead of you." "Scotch all right?" " Whatever Howard's dog drank." "Oh, thanks, Bob." "All that talk about hospitals really got to me." "Well, here's to, the operation." "Tomorrow, all your troubles will be behind you." "Carol, bottoms up." "Oh, I get it." "You're having your butterfly removed." "Excuse me, Sister." "May we see Miss Kester now?" "Oh, of course." "Do come in." "Oh, what lovely flowers." "I'm so glad you didn't bring candy." "That's one thing I don't need." "Oh, Carol, you look absolutely radiant." "You look just great, Carol." "Thank you, thank you." "But it must be this gown." "I had it especially made for me by the, Acme Linen Supply Company." "Well, was the operation successful?" "How'd it go?" "Flew away, Bob." "It's now in tattoo heaven with all those moms and anchors." " Ah." "Poor butterfly." "Ah." " Yeah." " Ah, there you are." " Jer, how are you?" "Oh, you know, got a headache." "I'm all sweaty from parking the car." "Sinuses are all clogged up from the filthy air out there." " I'm fine, thanks." " How are you?" " Look, I brought you a cactus." " Oh." "Jerry, how nice." "I wonder why people don't bring candy anymore." " So, how are they treating you, Carol?" " Oh, they're treating me okay." "He is treating me like I was some kind of goddess or something." "He?" "Carol, what have you got going?" "Carol, you, haven't fallen in love with one of the priests, have you?" "Oh, Bob, no." "My doctor." "He's just wonderful." "Oh, and I'm sure he feels the same way about you, right?" "I think he likes me." "He removed a mole for no extra charge." "And then during the operation, his hands" "Why, I just never felt hands like that." "What skill." "And he's been in twice to see me since the operation." "Oh, he's so beautiful." "He's a truly beautiful human being." "Oh, Carol, I think I'm gonna cry." "Well, what's his name?" "Oh, are you ready?" "Dr. Scott Rivers." "Scott Rivers?" "Sounds like a great place to catch trout." "Oh." "Jerry" " Oh, hi, Carol." " Hi." " Oh, you look great." "How're you feeling?" " Fine. just fine." "You are fine." "All right, we'll be back in a little while." "Don't you go anywhere now." " Oh, don't worry." "I won't." " Aren't you gonna introduce us?" "Oh, I'm sorry." "Scott!" " Yes, Carol?" " Everybody, this is Dr. Scott Rivers." "How do you do, sir?" "Ma'am." " Hello, there." " Hi." "Isn't he wonderful?" "Okay, it's all set." "They're gonna phone us from the lobby as soon as Carol's on her way up... so we'll be ready when she gets off the elevator." "Jerry, don't you think Carol's been through enough the last few days?" "Do you think she wants a lot of commotion her first day back?" "Oh, this is good for her, Bob." "She'll love it." "All right." "I have to read this article." "Why don't you call me when she gets here?" "Fine, Bob." "I'll do that." "Is there, something else." "Jerry?" "There was something I wanted to talk to you about..." " but it's really none of my business." " Fine." "Okay, I'll tell you, Bob." "Now this, Dr. Scott Rivers, I'm sure is a very respected surgeon." "I'm sure he's a fine gentleman." "I'm also sure there's a lot of fine gentlemen... sitting around park benches feeding pigeons... but that's no reason why Carol has to date 'em." "Bob, she's robbing the wheelchair." "I mean, she's making a big mistake." "I really like Carol." "I don't want to see her hurt herself like this." "I mean, I can't understand why she's fallen for that old coot." "Jerry, you're right." "It's none of your business." "Maybe so, Bob, but I just can't help it." "Last night, I went to the hospital, and she was in there with Scott." "I guess they thought the door was locked or something... but what I saw them doing, together, just made me sick." "I had to leave." "What, what were they doing?" "They were in there holding hands... watching a gall bladder operation on the hospital television." "And they were counting the stones." "How many were there?" "Bob, I mean, aren't you worried?" "Jerry, I'm a little worried, but it's, it's none of my business either." "They just called from the lobby." "She's on her way up." "Yep, you're right, Bob." "It's none of your business." " Okay." "We'll have lunch." " Welcome back, Carol!" " What's this?" " A funny chair." "Oh, funny." " See this doughnut, Carol?" " Yeah." "I was gonna get you a huge cup of coffee to go with it... with a sign that said, "Go dunk yourself,"" "but I didn't want you to get hurt laughing." "Oh, Bernie, that's so thoughtful, I'm almost hysterical already." "Oh, roses." "Oh!" "You guys shouldn't have." "Uh, we didn't." " Uh, I did." " Oh, Bob." "That's so you." "Thank you." "I think I've had enough partying." "I have to get back to my article on manic depression." "Bye." "Nothing like a little two-minute party to pick up the spirits." "Oh, there's gonna be plenty of partying later on." "Tupperman and I are taking you out to lunch." "Yeah, we got the hot dog stand all picked out." "Oh, gee, fellas, I'm sorry, but Scott's taking me to lunch." " Scott?" " Yeah, her doctor." "Old Man Rivers." "Well, bring him along." " Jerry, listen, can I talk to you for a minute?" " Sure, sure." "Jerry, the next time you call him Old Man Rivers, I'm going to rip your smock." " Now, Carol, could I talk to you for a minute?" " Go ahead." " Would you sit down, please?" " I can't." "Oh, yeah." "Right." " I'll lean." " Good." "Now, Carol, I know this is none of my business, but since you brought it up... you can't be serious about this old guy, can you?" "Jer, I don't think of him as old." "I think of him as mature." " Mature?" " Yes." "If he was any more mature, he'd be, cheese." "Oh." "Jerry, Jerry" " I really appreciate your concern, I do." " Oh, that's all right." " And I know you're only saying what you think is best for me." " Well" " But, let me ask you a question, okay?" " Sure." "Uh, let's just say that... if you were in your 60s and you met a 29-year-old girl... and you really liked her, and she really liked you... you'd take her out, wouldn't you." "Jer?" "Well, well- but" "Uh, I really don't have time for any more of your problems now, Carol." "Well, the second feature wasn't much better." "The ad in the paper made it sound so good, you know?" "It was on the radio too. "If you liked The Godfather and The Vilachi Papers... you'll love Big Al"" "I liked The Godfather and The Vilachi Papers, and I hated Big Al" "Oh, Bob, you have to admit the machine gunnings were done very well." "I don't know." "Uh, Ryan O'Neal is not my idea of Al Capone." "I don't think Al would have been happy with that choice either." " How about some brandy?" " Okay, but a short one, then we've got to run." "You know, I think those movies about Chicago in the '20s are exaggerated, don't you?" " No, I don't." " You don't." " No." "I was here, you know." " Oh, that's right." "Who is it?" " Howard - just a minute." "Hi, dear." "Hi, Emily." "Here's your vacuum cleaner." "It's all fixed." "Howard, there wasn't anything wrong with it." "Well, once I got the curtains out of it." " Your curtains?" " Yeah." "Sucked them right off the wall." "Boy, these uprights are really powerful." "Howard, why don't you come in and have some brandy?" "Oh, brandy." "I love brandy." "Oh, hi, Carol." "How are you feeling?" "Fine, Howard." "Listen, I'd like you to meet somebody who's really kind of special." " Ah, don't tell me." "It's your dad." " No!" "No, Howard, no!" " It's not my dad." " Oh." "It's your uncle?" "No." "No, Howard, no." "It's my date." "As a matter of fact, it's my boyfriend." "Uh, Dr. Scott Rivers, Howard Borden." "How are you, Howard?" "It's your boyfriend." "Yeah, well, sure, why not?" "Howard, why don't you gulp that down?" "I'll make you another one." "Thank you." "Listen, Howard, I don't blame you for being surprised." "I mean, let's face it- I am old enough to be Carol's father." "Well, what's age anyway?" "I mean, look at Walter Brennan." "Look how chipper he is." "You know, a lot of those May-December romances work out very well." "Look at Justice Douglas, Bing and Kathy..." "Bob and me." "Oh, Emily." "You're right, Emily." "There are a lot of marriages like that." "I used to be married to a woman who was 15 years older than I was." " Of course, she's gone now." " Gee, I'm, really sorry to hear that." "Yeah." "She ran off with a premed student." "Well, I really am sorry to hear that." "Oh, but don't be." "No, it was a long time ago." "If it didn't happen, well, I wouldn't have met Carol..." " and I just wouldn't be sitting here right now." " Scott." "As a matter of fact, I shouldn't be sitting here right now." "I have surgery in the morning." "Well, it's been a really nice evening." "Yeah, we must do it again soon." "Okay, but next time I'm gonna have you over to my place." "Oh, you should see his apartment." "It's full of antiques." "You know it's funny." "They weren't antiques when I bought them." " Goodnight" " Good night now." "Well, I'll just finish up my brandy." "You know, Bob, I get the feeling you don't think what Carol is doing is okay." "Well, I just- I don't want to see Carol get hurt." "Well, Carol's not afraid of getting hurt." "I mean, if she's willing to take a chance, why aren't we?" "Emily's right, Bob." "I mean, love has no barriers." "I mean, I think it's beautiful." "I mean, here's a vital, young girl who's willing to share her youth... out of the goodness of her heart with a man who's in his sunset years." "I mean, you have to admire the warmth and the unselfishness... and the dedication that goes into something like that." "On the other hand, maybe she's after his money." "Yes, Carol." "Mr. McGuinness has canceled his 10:00." "Again?" "He's been my patient for six months." "I haven't even met him yet." "Now I got a whole hour to kill." "Thank you, Carol." "Let me kill it with ya." "I really need your help, Bob." " Sit down, let's talk." " Oh, thank you." " What's, what's on your mind?" " Scott." " What's the problem?" " Scott." "Carol, can you give me a little more then that to go on?" "Okay, Bob." "Now, I really like him, and he really likes me... but I get the feeling we're alone out there." "Well, I like you, and I like Scott." "A lot of people like us... but nobody seems to like us, together." "I'm beginning to wonder if maybe they're right." "Carol, why don't you go with that?" "Well, now you know, Bob, that I can take a lot of kidding." "I mean, I thought it was funny at first." "But now it's starting to really bug me." "This morning some wise guy sent me this brochure in the mail." "You know what- You know what it said?" "When your days dwindle down to a precious few... spend them with us in Shuffleboard City." "That's kind of funny." "No, Bob, that's cruel." "Yeah, but in a funny sort of way." "But, Bob, nobody can accept us as a couple." "One day, we were walking along the lake holding hands... and some guy ran up and said..." ""If you're tired, lady, I'll walk him for a while."" "Bob, now we don't have to take that." "This is a vital, alive, robust man." " And he jogs five miles a day." " A man his age?" "Ah, you're doing it too." "Carol, I just meant that, I don't jog five miles in a whole year." "Well, anyway, our friends don't approve." "Jerry doesn't approve." "I'm not even sure you approve." "Do you approve, Bob?" "Uh, well, it's not... you know, it's not important whether I approve or disapprove... or Jerry or anybody else." "I mean, the main thing is for you to get in touch with your true feelings about Scott." "I mean, are you happier now then you were when you were dating men your own age?" "Oh, yes." "Bob, do you know what it's like dating men your own age?" "No." "They're not even called dates anymore." "They're called weekends." "Then, when it's over, they throw women's lib in your face and make you pay half." " That's not nice." " No." "Scott is different." "He's a gentle, nice, thoughtful man." "He's a human being, Bob." "He is kind and considerate... and he has a wonderful sense of humor and" "Oh, what do I care what people think?" "Well, Bob, you've done it again." "Oh, thank you." "Thank you." "You have just helped me make the most important decision of my life." " Great." " I've got to go to lunch." "Carol, it's only 10:15 in the morning." "Oh, Bob, I need the time." "Now I have to pick out a dress... and it's got to be perfect because tonight is a very special occasion." "Well, what's so special about tonight?" "Scott is taking me home to meet his parents." "You know, Bob hates liver, bacon and water chestnuts... but when I call it rumaki, he thinks it's delicious." "Oh." "Mmm!" "It is delicious." " Emily, did you make this?" " No, Howard, it came that way." "Hmm." "It's an interesting tasting dip." "It's, mustard, Howard." "Well, it's good mustard." "You know, you never did tell us:" "How did your evening with Scott's parents go?" "Oh, it was fantastic, wasn't it, Scott?" " Oh, it was fun." " Oh, they're great people." "And they just love athletics." " Did you go watch a ball game?" " No, we all went figure skating." "Figure skating?" "Yeah." "Scott's dad made a figure one."