Scene 4 Flashcards
(28 cards)
Alfieri
His eyes were like tunnels; my first thought was that he had committed a crime – but soon I saw it was only a passion that had moved into his body, like a stranger.
I don’t quite understand what I can do for you. Is there a question of law somewhere?
That’s what I want to ask you.
Alfieri
Because there’s nothing illegal about a girl falling in love with an immigrant.
Yeah, but what about it if the only reason for it is to get his papers?
Alfieri
First of all you don’t know that.
I see it in his eyes; he’s laughin’ at her and he’s laughin’ at me.
Alfieri
Eddie, even if you could prove that –
Listen . . . will you listen to me a minute? My father always said you was a smart man. I want you to listen to me.
Alfieri
I’m only a lawyer, Eddie.
Will you listen a minute? I’m talkin’ about the law. Lemme just bring out what I mean. A man, which he comes into the country illegal, don’t it stand to reason he’s gonna take every penny and put it in the sock? Because they don’t know from one day to another, right?
Alfieri
Well? What about it?
All right. (He glances at Alfieri, then down to the floor.) I’m talking to you confidential, ain’t I?
Alfieri
Certainly.
I mean it don’t go no place but here. Because I don’t like to say this about anybody. Even my wife I didn’t exactly say this.
Alfieri
What is it?
The guy ain’t right, Mr Alfieri.
Alfieri
I don’t get you.
Dja ever get a look at him?
Alfieri
Well that doesn’t mean –
Wait a minute, I’m tellin’ you sump’m. He sings, see. Which is – I mean it’s all right, but sometimes he hits a note, see. I turn around. I mean – high. You know what I mean?
Alfieri
Well, that’s a tenor.
I know a tenor, Mr Alfieri. This ain’t no tenor. I mean if you came in the house and you didn’t know who was singin’, you wouldn’t be lookin’ for him you be lookin’ for her.
Alfieri
Yes, but that’s not –
I’m tellin’ you sump’m, wait a minute. Please, Mr Alfieri. I’m tryin’ to bring out my thoughts here. Couple of nights ago my niece brings out a dress which it’s too small for her, because she shot up like a light this last year. He takes the dress, lays it on the table, he cuts it up; one-two-three, he makes a new dress. I mean he looked so sweet there, like an angel – you could kiss him he was so sweet.
Alfieri
Now look, Eddie –
Mr. Alfieri, they’re laughin’ at him on the piers. I’m ashamed. Paper Doll they call him. Blondie now. His brother thinks it’s because he’s got a sense of humor, see – which he’s got – but that ain’t what they’re laughin’. Which they’re not goin’ to come out with it because they know he’s my relative, which they have to see me if they make a crack, y’know? But I know what they’re laughin’ at, and when I think of that guy layin’ his hands on her I could – I mean it’s eatin’ me out, Mr Alfieri, because I struggled for that girl. And now he comes in my house and –
Alfieri
Eddie, look – I have my own children. I understand you. But the law is very specific. The law does not . . .
You mean to tell me that there’s no law that a guy which he ain’t right can go to work and marry a girl and – ?
Alfieri
You have no recourse in the law, Eddie.
Yeah, but if he ain’t right, Mr Alfieri, you mean to tell me –
Alfieri
There is nothing you can do, Eddie, believe me.
Nothin’.
Alfieri
Nothing at all. There’s only one legal question here.
What?
Alfieri
The manner in which they entered the country. But I don’t think you want to do anything about that, do you?
You mean – ?
Alfieri
Well, they entered illegally.
Oh, Jesus, no, I wouldn’t do nothin’ about that, I mean –
Alfieri
All right, then, let me talk now, eh?
Mr Alfieri, I can’t believe what you tell me. I mean there must be some kinda law which –
Alfieri
Eddie, I want you to listen to me. (Pause.) You know, sometimes God mixes up the people. We all love somebody, the wife, the kids – every man’s got somebody that he loves, heh? But sometimes . . . there’s too much. You know? There’s too much, and it goes where it mustn’t. A man works hard, he brings up a child, sometimes it’s a niece, sometimes even a daughter, and he never realizes it, but through the years – there is too much love for the daughter, there is too much love for the niece. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?
What do you mean, I shouldn’t look out for her good?
Alfieri
Yes, but these things have to end, Eddie, that’s all. The child has to grow up and go away, and the man has to learn to forget. Because after all, Eddie – what other way can it end?
Let her go. That’s my advice. You did your job, now it’s her life; wish her luck, and let her go.
Will you do that? Because there’s no law, Eddie; make up your mind to it; the law is not interested in this.
You mean to tell me, even if he’s a punk? If he’s –
Alfieri
There’s nothing you can do.
Well, all right, thanks. Thanks very much.
Alfieri
What are you going to do?
What can I do? I’m a patsy, what can a patsy do? I worked like a dog twenty years so a punk could have her, so that’s what I done. I mean, in the worst times, in the worst, when there wasn’t a ship comin’ in the harbor, I didn’t stand around lookin’ for relief – I hustled. When there was empty piers in Brooklyn I went to Hoboken, Staten Island, the West Side, Jersey, all over – because I made a promise. I took out of my own mouth to give to her. I took out of my wife’s mouth. I walked hungry plenty days in this city!
And now I gotta sit in my own house and look at a son-of-a-bitch punk like that – which he came out of nowhere! I give him my house to sleep! I take the blankets off my bed for him, and he takes and puts his dirty filthy hands on her like a goddam thief !
