"The Abesons" Movie Script
Text / [United States] Orson Welles
Translation / Wengu
Narrator: The Abeson family began to prosper in 1873. The small town in the central region where they are located has gradually expanded and developed into a city with many houses. In these years, they have always been famous and witnessed all this...
In those days, all the women in the city in satin knew each other...
...Everyone who can afford a car and a horse also finds out each other.
The only public transport back then was the streetcar. ...a lady whistled to it in the window of the building, it stopped immediately, and when she closed the window, dressed up, slowly went downstairs, found the parasol, ordered the menu for the next meal to the maid, and then went out to board. vehicle.
Now that's too slow for us, because the less time we spend on the road, the more time we save. But in those days, there was time! ...
Time to go sledding...
...playing ball, attending rallies, dancing ballroom dancing, paying New Year's greetings...all day picnicking in the woods...
. . . and even serenading, the most beautiful of the vanished customs: on summer evenings, the boys and the band came under the window of a beautiful girl . . .
... flute, harp, violin, cello, cornet, and double bass play sweet tunes to the beautiful stars.
In the early days of this era, women's dresses were fashionable with bangs on the forehead and skirts with pleats on the back...
...Men, regardless of age, only wear one kind of hat: a stiff silk top hat, as the saying goes, "chimney" ...
...in the city or in the country, no other hats can be found, and men don't care to wear such hats and row boats with them...
…But here comes the bowler hat trend, this season with bucket tops…
...the next season is a water spoon.
Every house still has a boot remover...
... but the high-waisted boots have given way to pumps and leather leg covers, which are also refurbished, the toes now resembling the heads of coffins and the bows of racing boats. ...
...even if the trousers have creases, even if they have a sour taste, the creases indicate that the trousers have been on the shelf, that is, "ready-made"...
...the men's evening gown was a tan coat, short enough to see the swallowtail of the black jacket underneath, which grew five inches beyond the coat...
...but after a season or two, the coat grows back to the heels...
...the narrow trouser legs became trousers with large pockets.
The people of this small town live frugally, because they are all descendants of "early immigrants", their ancestors drove carriages, armed with axes and muskets, and pioneered the wasteland, and they were penniless. These pioneers lived frugally, otherwise they would not be able to sustain themselves; they had to store up food for the winter, or exchanged their goods for food, and they were often afraid of insufficient storage...their descendants still had lingering fears. In the minds of most people, frugality is second only to religion.
In such an environment that advocates simplicity, the prestige of the Abeson family is as striking as the appearance of a brass band at a funeral.
The dark screen gradually lit up. (circled) 1885.
1. An old-fashioned street with a house surrounded by a white fence. Two women in satin passed three women in satin on the pavement. They greeted each other.
2. A carriage enters the foreground from the right side of the screen, and as it crosses the screen, its passengers in satin wave to the women in the street, and they wave back. The carriage just came out of the frame...
3. A mule appears on the other side of the frame, pulling a street car. The upper-floor window of the house opened, a woman whistled, closed the window, and disappeared, when the driver had restrained the mule. Passengers wait patiently, some smoking cigarettes, some walking around the car, some chatting or reading newspapers. The woman came out of the house—dressed with a hat, a cape, a parasol, and a handbag. She got into the car, the passengers took their places, and the driver whipped the mule on the back.
4. The street car started suddenly and the wheels came off the track. The passengers all got out of the car and pushed the car onto the track. It went well this time. It drives off the left side of the picture frame.
5. (Into) the same house. winter. The moon is clear. Houses and streets are covered in snow. A horse-drawn sleigh filled with happy couples flies past in the foreground.
6. (Into) the same house. summer. night. A banquet is being held in the house. The carriage unloads guests outside the fence. The windows were all lit, and paper lanterns were lit in the yard. Pairs of cheerful young men and women are walking on the grass.
7. (Into) the same house. night. The house was pitch black. Eugene Morgan and Jack Abeson enter the frame drunkenly with five or six musicians with instruments and walk to the house. Camera pans: They walk past a statue of the god of the sea and come to the grass. They get ready to serenade close to the camera, with Eugene and Jack closest to the camera so that everyone can remember their faces when they reappear.
8. Eugene let the double bass accompany him and fell on it, the face collapsed and he fell into the body as if he had slipped into a bathtub.
9. (into) A close-up view of a window on the second floor of Abeson Sky Building. Isabelle closed the window angrily.
10. (Into) A close-up of Wilbur Minafer wearing a pipe hat.
11. (Into) Panorama: Wilbur Minafer and Isabel rowing. He wears a chimney cap.
12. (Into) A close-up of Eugene. He put on a bucket hat in the bedroom in front of the mirror.
13. (Into) Eugene Baibai close-up. He put on a water spoon bowler hat in front of the mirror.
14. (into) A close-up of Eugene's feet standing in front of a mirror. One foot is being inserted into a high-waisted boot, the other is not wearing shoes. With both hands he inserted the boot stripper into the shaft and pulled the boot up. His hand reaches out of the painting, presumably to get another boot.
15. (into) A close-up of Eugene's feet. No shoes on feet. His hand retracted, holding a pump with a toe like the bow of a racing boat. He started putting on shoes.
16. (into) A close-up of Eugene's feet. He has put on his shoes. The camera pans up as he pulls his trousers up, and we see him standing in front of a full-length mirror, looking at his uncreased trousers, the water-spoon bowler hat on his head, and a Long hem shirt.
17. (Into) Eugene's panorama. He has his back to the mirror, facing the camera, so we find him looking back at his back in the mirror. The dress was covered with a light-colored coat, and the black swallowtail grew five inches out of the coat.
18. (Into) Eugene's panorama in front of the mirror. Now wearing a coat that grows to the heel.
19. (Into) Eugene's panorama. He looked at himself in front of the mirror, wearing an afternoon suit with pants like a big pocket. He now wears a straw hat and holds a bamboo stick. Satisfied with his appearance, he stepped out of the camera.
20. (Turns into) Eugene comes out of his house dressed as in the previous shot. He went out the door and into the street.
21-25. Eugene walked past a series of houses of the same style, a game of croquet going on on a lawn; an iron shop; a school; a grocery or hardware store; It is "an environment that advocates simplicity".
26. Eugene walked through a small forest. The camera now pans with him, indicating that his destination is the illustrious Abeson Building, whose opulence stands in stark contrast to the house Eugene just walked through. The camera is about to turn to the building when we hear—
An old man's voice: Right there! Abeson Building! The pride of the town!
At this point the camera captures the entire building, and in the corner of the shot, on the side close to the camera, three men are sitting in a carriage parked in front of a road sign. The old man who spoke just now lowered his arm pointing at the building. A middle-aged man was clearly a foreigner, another middle-aged man was his friend, a resident of the city; the old man was his father. Out-of-towners visit and tour under their guidance. Eugene paid no attention to them. They were still talking as he continued toward the main entrance of the building.
Middle-aged locals: 60,000 yuan is spent on carpentry work alone! Yes, sir, there are hot and cold water upstairs and downstairs, and each bedroom has its own toilet!
Old man: Well, sir, if the major agrees, I think the president of the United States would be happy to exchange the White House with the Abesons' new building, but God knows, I bet the major won't agree!
At this time Eugene had reached the door of the building and rang the doorbell. When the door opens, we see:
27. A close-up of Eugene in front of the door. The door was opened by the black butler, Sam.
Eugene (closely linked to the last word of the old man's sentence): Is Miss Abeson at home?
Sam: No, Mr. Morgan, Miss Abeson isn't home.
Eugene looked at him for a moment.
Eugene: Thanks, Sam.
He turned and left the door.
28. Shot from the opposite direction: The three men in the carriage are in one corner of the frame. We saw another sign on the road sign that read: "Abeson Avenue," and in the back was the grove and the street Eugene walked. The eyes of the three men went beyond the camera to the building.
Middle-aged local: Look at that brick stable!
Old man: The beautiful new carriage, and the harness! The people of the Abeson family took to the streets after dark, and everyone in the city knew it was them just by hearing the bell.
Eugene enters the frame from the direction of the building.
Old Man: Phew, Eugene!
Eugene touched the brim of his hat as a salute and continued on his way, further and further away from the camera.
Middle-aged local: I wonder if she is still angry with him.
Outlander: Who?
Old man: Miss Isabelle.
Middle-aged native: Major Abeson's daughter.
OLD MAN: Eugene Morgan is her crush. I drank too much last night and stepped on the double bass that serenaded her. (turn out)
29. A grove. Eugene entered the woods again, he was walking towards the mansion. He changed his clothes, this time with a box of candy under his arm. Beneath the sign was another group of people — two couples, both local residents, who had apparently met halfway through their shopping. Eugene didn't notice them.
Husband A (laughing breathlessly): Old Alex Minafer...you know how stingy he is...well, it looks like Miss Isabel Aberson has some kind of dog...
Wife A: They say it's St. Bernard.
Husband A: So Fanny Minafer had to have one. Well, she said that the Abeson family bought the dog, and you can't do it without paying for it! ... as it should be!
Eugene had reached the door, rang the bell, and Sam opened it.
30. A close-up of Eugene in front of the door.
Sam: No, Miss Abeson isn't at home for you, Mr. Morgan.
Eugene: Thank you. (turns to go)
Sam: Mr. Morgan...
Eugene: Huh?
Sam: She's really out this time... boating with Mr. Wilbur Minafer!
Eugene: Thanks, Sam.
he's gone.
31. Shoot two couples from opposite directions.
Husband A: It takes fifty to one hundred to buy a dog! Old man Alex wants to know if I've ever heard of dogs being paid for. He thought it would make sense to ask someone to drown a dog for you for a dime, even two or five cents, but for fifty dollars, maybe more than fifty, hey, sir, that's like asking for him life.
Eugene then enters the frame from the direction of the building behind the camera.
Husband A: Phew, Eugene.
Eugene snaps his hat as he walks past them and walks out of the camera down the street.
Second Wife: It's a waste of money--but the dog looked like it was worth the money when she followed Miss Isabelle out for a walk.
Wife A: I haven't seen her since she returned to China.
Husband A: Well, she's no more than seventeen, maybe eighteen...well, how can I put it...she's...she's a pretty nice looking lady.
(Into) Exterior Scene, Cold Drink Shop, Daytime
32. A record player is playing music in the store. Isabelle came out of the store with a St. Bernard breeder next to Wilbur Minafer. They ran into Eugene. Eugene buttoned the hat as a gift. Isabelle pretended not to see him, Wilbur nodded coldly, they walked past him, out of the camera, Eugene looked at their backs unhappily. (change)
INTERIOR ·Small Barbershop ·Day
33. A man sat on a chair to get a shave, while others sat on a bench under a shelf for shaving equipment.
Customer (incredibly): Wilbur Minafer!
Barber (with razor in hand, making a fuss): Yes, sir!
Shaving customer (looks up): Well, Wilbur may not be a handsome man, but he's a solid young businessman.
INTERIOR SEWING ROOM - MRS. FOSTER'S HOUSE - DAY
34. Two middle-aged women, a seamstress and Mrs. Foster. Mrs. Foster was wearing a corset and underwear of the time.
Middle-aged woman A: It seems that Isabel is quite smart, don't look at her pushy.
Middle-aged Woman B: Wilbur Minafer! She picked him because the man whom every woman liked was a little wild one night when she sang a serenade!
Mrs. Foster: She was angry that he made a fool of himself in her own yard. It made her feel that he didn't think much of her for her. She might have been wrong, but it was too late to think of anything else. The wedding was in a big way, Abeson-style, with raw oysters floating in big ice blocks that were fished out, and a band from out of town...and then Wilbur did his best to take Isabel to make an arrangement. Be as thoughtful of a wedding trip as possible, and she'll be Wilbur's gracious wife, but their child will surely be the least spoiled child in town.
Middle-aged Woman A: Why do you say that, Mrs. Foster?
Mrs. Foster: She couldn't love Wilbur, could she?
No one spoke.
Mrs. Foster: Well, it's all on the children, she'll spoil them!
(turn out)
Exterior · Church · Daytime (1890)
35. Still the two middle-aged women and Mrs. Foster, whose close-ups take up a corner of the picture. In the background is the church. The scene begins with the backs of middle-aged women watching as Isabel ascends the steps of the church, with one hand on the arm of the next little boy, with her are Majors Wilbur and Aberson. .
Middle-aged woman A: It seems that Isabelle doesn't want to have any more children.
MRS FOSTER (turning to camera) Yeah, I think that's all I need, but I'll see how much she spoils this one. (change)
Exterior, A Pile of Sand, Day (1894)
36. A worker is sifting sand. George (nine) rode a little white horse across the sand, and the rising sand surrounded the workers.
Worker: Ouch, this town is yours!
GEORGE (turning his face immediately) When I grow up it's all mine. Now, it's my grandfather's, hum!
Worker: Yo, take care of yourself first!
George: No need. The doctor said it was unsanitary (Note 1)! But I can tell you that as long as you keep your mouth shut, I don't mind your business!
He turned the horse around and rushed over the sand again.
Narrator: Some people, adults, say they wish they could live to see the retribution the child deserves! He must fight, and one day, they wish they could be there!
36a. Footage of George galloping down the street on horseback. (change)
EXT - The Rev. Smith's Home - Daytime (1895)
37. George (ten years old) with curly hair and a shawl, wearing a riding suit, came galloping on his little white horse. Elijah, the priest's nephew, sat on the door latch.
Elijah (shouting): Look at that girl's curly hair! Hey, boy, where did you steal your mother's waistband!
George (restraining his horse): Your sister stole it for me! She stole it from my clothesline and gave it to me.
Elijah (angrily): You cut your hair! I don't have any sisters either!
George: I know you don't have one at home. I mean the one in jail.
Elijah: I see how dare you dismount!
When George jumped off the horse, Elijah jumped off the post—inside the gate.
George: I see you dare to go out the door.
Elijah: I see how dare you come forward. I see how dare you...
George jumped over the fence, grabbed Elijah, who was about to escape into the house, and began beating him. Pastor Smith rushed out of the house to block the frame. A neighbor heard the noise and went out to her yard to watch the fun. After a very uneven scuffle—because George is heavy, quick, and unobtrusive in this sort of thing—Pastor Smith pulled away and Elijah darted into the house. , the priest shook George's shoulder violently.
Pastor Smith: You kid... kid! Stop fighting! You little... yo!
GEORGE (throwing his hand away viciously): Don't grab me, you! You don't know who I am!
Pastor Smith (angrily): I know! You've lost your mother's face!
George: You don't even mention my mother!
Pastor Smith (too angry to speak calmly): She should be ashamed. A woman makes a bad boy like you...
George: Take care of yourself first, you old goat! Take care of yourself, keep your mouth shut,...go...
Exterior · Grape trellis · Abeson's house · Daytime (1895)
38. Isabelle is reading a letter to George. Butler Sam stood nearby, holding George's reins.
Isabel (reading): "...not only I heard and saw, but also my wife and the lady next door..."
George: The old guy is lying!
Isabel (putting down the letter): George, you are not allowed to "lie". Honey, did you say what he said you said?
George: Which sentence?
Isabelle: Did you call him...
George: Listen to me, Mom, Grandpa doesn't want to be associated with that old charlatan, does he?
Isabelle: George, you must not...
George: I mean, no one in the Abeson family wants to have anything to do with him, right? He doesn't know you at all, does he, Mom?
Isabelle: That's not what we're talking about.
George: I dare say...I dare say that if he wants to see any of us, he won't even step in the door!
Isabelle: No honey, we...
George: Yes, that's it, Mom! This kind of person, I don't understand why you can't talk straight to this kind of person.
Isabelle: No, George. You can't talk like that, my dear. Judging by his letters, he doesn't seem to be a very cunning person, but...
George: He's a hooligan.
Isabelle: You are not allowed to say that. You must promise me not to use such bad words again.
George (quickly) I'll never use it again. (quietly) Unless someone pissed me off!
He ran away. (speed up)
Exterior · Downtown · Abeson Building · Daytime (1902)
39. George (17) drove his carriage through the street at a frantic speed, scaring passers-by to avoid it, as if the land belonged to him. A middle-aged hardware dealer had to jump on the sidewalk to avoid a car running over.
Hardware Merchant (shouting): Crazy? Boy, does your mother know that you are out of the wild?
George didn't look at him at all, and skillfully waved the long whip in his hand towards him, and a small plume of smoke flew from the businessman's trousers. He wanted to find something to throw him, but when he couldn't find it, he shouted:
Hardware Merchant: Take off your pants, it's not a good thing! It's a hell of a life, not a good death!
The carriage turned a corner and stopped in front of the Abeson Building, an old-fashioned brick four-story office building. George tied his sweaty horse to a telephone pole, glanced disapprovingly at the building, went inside, and climbed the tattered stairs.
Interior · Four-story Corridor · Abeson Building · Daytime
40.George walked down the dark corridor to a door. The upper part of the door is made of frosted glass, without any signs. I don't know what business the renter is doing here; but on the top of the door frame, the words "Friends of the Ace" are written crookedly, and then there is a picture on it. A skull and two crossed bones. George knocked three times on the door; three answered from inside. The door was opened by Charlie Johnson, a well-dressed sixteen-year-old. George quickly entered the room and closed the door.
INTERIOR · CLUB · ABESON BUILDING · DAY
41. At one end of the room was a platform with a table on which hung a torn paper round shield, two battle axes, and two crossed swords. Fred Kinney stood on the platform, holding a Civil War-era cavalry pistol that doubled as a gavel. Facing him were seven teenagers of roughly the same age, sitting on a row of tattered office chairs arranged in a semicircle.
Fred Kinney (to George): Welcome, friend of Trump.
George: Welcome, friend of ace.
Other teens: Welcome, friends of ace.
FRED (to George) Please take a seat in the secret semicircle. We are now doing...
GEORGE (interrupting, to Charlie Johnson) Hey, Charlie Johnson, what is Fred Kinney doing in the chair? Haven't you agreed that I should still be the president even in school?
Fred slammed the table loudly and obeyed the order.
Fred (tit-for-tat): All ace friends, please sit down! I am now the president of Friends of Trump, George Minafer. (hitting the table again with the mallet) This meeting is now going to...
George: No, no. You put that mallet down. This is my grandfather's stuff.
Fred: I was legally elected.
George: All right. You are the chairman. Now for another election.
Fred (shouting): We're not doing it! We're going to have a regular meeting, and then play cards, five cents a family, that's what we're here for. This meeting will now be...
George (to members): Excuse me, who is the founder of Friends of Trump? Who made the janitor promise us these furniture? If I told my grandfather that I don't want any literature club, would you still have this room? I also want to sue it for what you members have done! If this is what you want, I can satisfy you. I was thinking of having a little celebration here some night with some wine, like we do at school. Hmm, you have a new chairman now?
He walked towards the door.
GEORGE (said as he walks, sadly, but with contempt in his grief): I think I'd better... resign! (he opens the door)
CHARLIE JOHNSON (hurriedly shouting): Say "yes" to those in favor of re-election!
All teens (except Fred Kinney): Agree!
Fred Kinney began to protest violently, but was immediately drowned out.
GEORGE (shouting): Say "yes" for me to replace Fred Kinney as chairman!
All the boys (except Fred Kinney, of course): Agree!
George: Majority agree!
FRED (goes off the platform swallowing his breath): I resign.
Fred found his hat and left amid the jeers of the crowd. George stepped onto the platform and picked up his cavalry pistol.
George: Old Scruffy Fred will be at the door next week. He will come and beg us to let him come back. Well, guys, I think you want to hear from your chairman. I had a good time at the old school in the east, and then there was a little trouble in the same department, and I went home. But my family supports me and I give what I want. Well, I don't see anything, let's play. Play anything, twenty-five cents a round of poker, no matter how much money a round is, why should I let everyone sit at the chairman's table!
He tapped the table with his cavalry pistol, and ended his speech with a grand gesture. Members began to rearrange the chairs arranged in a semicircle to suit the needs of the game. (turn out)
Narrator: When George Minafer came home for Christmas after his sophomore year of college, there was no sign that he was getting what he deserved...
...The invitation to the ball to welcome him has been sent out, and the ceremony is the last unforgettable grand ball that the locals "every household name" will never forget...
42. When the narrator utters the first sentence, it becomes a panorama of the Abeson Building. Now we can clearly see that the upper and lower floors of the building are lit with candles for the ceremony in progress. Music can be heard inside. The costumed guests were arriving one after another in carriages, and the "uninvited" crowd was standing in the snow as close to the gate as possible to watch the fun. becomes:
43. A close-up view of the main entrance of the building, with a Christmas wreath hanging on the door. Eugene Morgan stood in the doorway with his back to the camera, and the door was opened by Butler Sam, now quite old. All of this is manifested in the process of gradually changing into the picture...
George's voice (heard when the door opens): Of course I remember you.
Isabel's Voice: George, do you remember Uncle John Minafer?
At this time, Eugene had already crossed the threshold, and the transformation was over.
Interior, Living Room and Staircase, Abeson Building, Night (1904)
44. Take a panorama from the opposite direction, the gate is in the background, and Eugene is entering. We only see him for a split second as he is blocked by the crowd passing between the camera and the gate.
The hall and the various rooms connected to it are filled with flowers. Music played by zitra, harp, cello and violin is clearly audible. (The band is arranged among a clump of palm trees on one side.) The guests chat and laugh amid the music.
Major Abeson, Isabel and George (now nineteen) greet the guests. Uncle John Minafer was shaking hands with the Major, who glanced at the black suede "festival suit" Uncle John was wearing.
George: Of course I do.
(Note: George's statement was made when we first saw the shot, so as not to be out of touch with Isabelle's question above.)
Almost immediately after George's words, Uncle John's trembling, screeching sound, like a sawing machine, drowned out the music; he shouted, for he was half-deaf and could only hear My own voice, but I love to hear it.
Uncle John (to Major) Don't look at me like that, Major! I have never worn, and will never wear a tuxedo. (Turns to George and stretches out his hand) George, you look pretty good... Haha, when you were four months old, you were so skinny that no one thought you could survive.
George blushed suddenly, let go of the old man's hand, and turned to the next guest - someone's old maiden aunt.
GEORGE (viciously) Of course I remember you!
The camera pans a little, following John as he walks into the crowd, his sawing-machine-like voice directed at no one.
Uncle John: I was reminded of a funeral as soon as I smelled such a strong flower smell! The major's wife was buried here. They parked her in front of the big window, very bright. A hundred years from the Major, I think they'll park him there too...
Eugene Morgan enters the frame, and the camera pans back to follow him as he walks towards Isabelle.
Eugene: Isabelle...
Isabelle: Eugene!
They looked at each other. George stared intently at Eugene. Finally Eugene turned his eyes to George.
Eugene: Is this your child?
George noticed Eugene's out-of-fashion haircut, worn tie and top.
Isabel: George, this is Mr. Morgan...
GEORGE (Isabel cuts in before she finishes): Of course I remember you!
Eugene: George, you've never seen me in your life. But from now on, you will see me. I hope so.
Isabelle: I hope so too, Eugene.
Eugene: Where is Wilbur?
Isabel: He must be with someone in the game room. He's never been interested in proms, remember?
Eugene: Remember. Come back and ask you to dance.
Isabelle: Please come by all means.
Eugene turned to the major and held out his hand.
The camera turns away from George and focuses on Eugene and the Major, who can be heard greeting guests from the same family as they talk.
Eugene (to Major): Eugene Morgan, Major Abeson.
Major Abeson: Yeah, yeah. I heard you're back in town. Are you really going to settle here?
Eugene: It's going to be that way, Major. Yes.
Isabelle: Hello, Ruth...Matt...
George's Voice: Remember, remember.
George's Voice: Of course I remember you...
Eugene saw that Jack Aberson was nearby.
Eugene (calling): Jack! (to the major) I'm sorry, Major Abeson.
When Eugene and Jack meet, the camera pans slightly, they shake hands warmly, and they walk into the crowd.
The camera pans back to George and Isabel. George is shaking hands with Lucy Morgan.
George: Of course I remember you!
His tone suddenly became less cold and more modest as he spoke. He was clearly emotional.
Isabel (laughing): George, you won't remember her either, and of course you will. Miss Morgan is from out of town.
Lucy is unforgettable.
Isabel (continues): You can ask her to dance. I see that your mission here has come to a successful conclusion.
George: Willing to obey.
45. He asked her to hold hands and walk slowly through the crowd, past Jack and Eugene, towards the stairs. They went up the stairs.
Lucy: Who is he?
George: I didn't catch his name when my mother introduced me. Do you mean that weird looking guy?
Lucy: Well, I don't talk like that.
George: With him is my uncle Jack. Dear Jack Aberson. I think everyone knows him.
Lucy: He looks like everyone should know him. (impliedly) He's like the head of your family.
George (bewildered by her meaning): Well, of course, I think almost everyone knows him, especially in a place like ours. Besides, Uncle Jack is a congressman; the family would love to have someone there.
46.George and Lucy continue up the stairs. The music was loud and cheerful, and the guests had to speak loudly to hear each other. Uncle John squeezed through the crowd, his sawing machine voice overpowering everything.
Uncle John: Every inch is solid black walnut, and the railings and everything. The joinery in the house is worth sixty thousand dollars! Just like running water, turning money into running water! It used to be so! It's still like that now! Just like running water! God knows where the money comes from!
He saw Fanny close by.
Uncle John: Hello, Fanny!
Fanny (coming over) Hello, Uncle John.
They were now very close to Lucy and George.
Fanny (to George) Is this Lucy Morgan?
George: This is Miss Morgan...this is Miss Minave.
Fanny: Honey, you must look like your mother. I haven't seen her.
Uncle John: Come here, Fanny, it's dance time. Very lively! Let's squeeze in and see how those babes break their heels! The circus is on! Go watch the fun!
George started dancing with Lucy, and Uncle John dragged Fanny past them, scrambling like a wild monk. George and Lucy had just entered the dance floor when the music stopped.
George: The next one and the next one, dance with me every two songs tonight.
Lucy: Are you asking me?
George: What does "please" mean?
Lucy: It sounds like you just told me to do those dances with you.
George: Uh, I want to dance with you!
Lucy: What about all the other girls? You are not obligated to dance with them?
George: I don't care about them. (enthusiastically) Look! I want to know, will you dance with me that many...?
Lucy: Oh my gosh! and!
She laughed. The other dancers crowded around her for the rest of the chance, but they couldn't push George away from her, and George had made it quite clear that he hated them.
Uncle John leads Aunt Fanny across the frame.
Uncle John: Don't look! Just sliding around there, that's called dancing? Why don't you go to a quick dance one day?
Wilbur Minafer came to be with him, and Fanny was relieved. Then George and Lucy squeezed out of the lads.
Wilbur (to George) I'll accompany Uncle John home.
George: All right, Dad.
Wilbur and Uncle John walked away.
Uncle John: Some of them are not very good. I don't care about that, huh!
George dragged Lucy into the hall.
George: How did those gangsters get to know you so quickly?
Lucy: Yo, I've been here for a week.
George: Looks like you're quite busy! I really don't understand what my mother brought those guys in for.
Lucy: Don't you like them?
George: We had a club earlier, I was the president, and some of them were members, but I've long since lost interest in that sort of thing. I really don't understand why my mother asked them.
Lucy (gently): Maybe she didn't want to offend their parents.
George: In this familiar place, my mother doesn't care who offends anyone.
Lucy: That's really nice. This is really nice. Mr. Abeson... I mean Mr. Minafer.
George: Really good what?
Lucy: So arrogant!
George: It's not "fair." I think people with real status should be able to do whatever they want where they are.
They were sitting on the stairs by this time, and the music had been playing for several minutes. Their eyes turned to the dancing crowd.
47. The dance floor. Fanny and Eugene were dancing in high spirits. Eugene caught a glimpse of Lucy and raised his hand to say hello.
48. Stairs. Lucy and George. Lucy smiled and raised her hand slightly, but George stared indifferently.
George: Why so presumptuous.
Lucy: What?
George: That weird looking guy beckoned me like that.
Lucy: He waved to me.
George (furious): Is that so? As if everyone is rushing towards you! snort! Are you engaged to anyone already?
Lucy: No.
George: You seem to have a lot of friends! Where do you live?
Lucy: We are everywhere for home. Before I was born, my father lived in this city.
George: Why are you hanging around? Is he a salesman?
Lucy: No, he's an inventor.
George: What did he invent?
Lucy: Recently, he's been working on a new type of car that doesn't use horses.
George (with some pity): Well, I feel sorry for him. No horse-drawn car! You don't want to waste your life lying on the road full of oil!
Lucy: Dad would be grateful if he could have a good opinion.
GEORGE (blushes): I don't know what I've done to get scolded again.
LUCY (laughing heartily); you know I don't care about how powerful you are. I find it very interesting...but Dad is a great man!
George (restraining his temper): Really? Well, I hope so. I hope so, really.
LUCY (shaking her head in moderate surprise): I'm just starting to understand.
George: Understand what?
Lucy: What kind of person is a real Abeson in this town. Dad told me a little bit about this before he came here, but I don't think he's told half of it enough.
George (thought it was a compliment): Your father said he knew our family before he left this place?
Lucy: I don't think he thinks it's anything to brag about. He talks about these things quite indifferently.
George: Girls are usually wild. They should go to a man's university for a year! Teach them not to be so reckless!
49. The music stopped and everyone applauded. Eugene, Isabelle, Jack and Fanny came towards them. Lucy still pressed her face to a bouquet of flowers in her hand.
George: Look at you! Why are you always fiddling with this bunch of flowers, who gave it to you?
Lucy: He sent it.
George: Who is "he"?
Lucy: That weird looking guy.
George (laughs loudly): Oh, him? I see him as an old man with a dead wife! An old widower!
LUCY (becoming serious): Yes, he's a widower. I should have told you long ago that he is my father.
George (suddenly stops laughing): Uh, you're kidding me. If I had known he was your father...
Eugene, Isabelle, Jack and Fanny came up to them.
Eugene (to Lucy) I'm here to ask you to dance. But I don't want to insist on my request.
Isabelle: George, honey, are you having a good time?
George: Good, Mom. Sorry, we have to go. (signs Lucy to take his arm) Miss Morgan...
They walked away, and the older generation watched them go.
Isabelle: So cute, isn't it...
They looked at her and didn't understand what she meant.
Isabel (continues): Those kids... it's emotional, but of course they don't know what to do.
Jack: You know what I think every time I see these smooth, smug, youthful faces? I always thought, "Alas, how can you keep it."
Isabelle: Jack!
Jack: Well, yes, no mother's child is immune to the ravages of life.
Isabel (uncomfortably): Maybe... maybe some mothers can take care of their children.
JACK (emphasis added): At most, it's just a little wrinkle on her own face, and her son's face will inevitably end up with wrinkles. I think you know that a young face has to be wrinkled at the end, right?
Isabel (smiles thoughtfully): Maybe not. Maybe things will change and no one will have wrinkles anymore.
Eugene: The situation has only changed in one person I know.
She looked at him questioningly, and he smiled, indicating that she was "the one."
Jack: Why are there wrinkles on the face? Are you worried because of your age? We can't say it's the result of wisdom...we have to be respectful to Isabelle.
Eugene: Age is marked, troubles are marked, work is marked, but the deepest wrinkles are caused by lack of faith. The most serene face is that of the most steadfast in faith.
Isabel (meekly) Believe in what?
Eugene: Believe everything.
Isabelle looked at him questioningly again, and he laughed again.
Eugene (continues): Ah yes, you just believe everything.
Isabel (surprised) Phew, I believe...I believe I do!
The men all laughed.
Jack: Isabelle! Sometimes you look like you're no more than fourteen!
50. At the time of the above conversation, they had begun to walk towards a large bowl of wine, and now they have gone to the bowl to join the Major and Wilbur. Jack hands Isabel a glass of wine and Eugene a glass.
Eugene (refuses to accept): No, thank you.
MAJOR ABESON (laughing): You kept your word, Eugene. Isabel, I remember Eugene's last drink. (Laughs again) I believe that if Eugene hadn't broken the violin, Isabel would never have married Wilbur. What do you say, Wilbur?
Wilbur: But also. If your argument holds true, I'm glad Eugene broke the violin.
MAJOR ABESON (drinks his drink): What do you think, Isabelle? OMG! She is blushing!
Isabel (laughing): Who's blushing!
George and Lucy walked past them.
Fanny (jolly): The important thing is that Wilbur got her, and not only got her, but kept her!
Eugene was as embarrassed as Isabelle, but he laughed.
Eugene (looking at Lucy): And one more important thing...that's for me. That was the only thing that allowed me to forgive the double bass that got in my way.
Major Abeson: What's the matter?
Eugene (softly) Lucy.
George had grabbed Lucy again, and was walking with her in front of the group at the wine bowl, plate of ice cream and cake in hand.
Wilbur (as they pass by): Miss, are your ears hot?
George and Lucy continued walking without stopping. The camera pans with them. Before Lucy could answer Wilbur, George spoke.
George: What did you say your last name was?
Lucy: Morgan.
George: What a funny last name!
Lucy: Everyone else's last name is funny.
George: I don't mean really funny. It's just a joke one of my buddies in college loves to make.
Lucy: "Lucy" is a funny name too, right?
George: No. Lucy is such a good name! (Smile)
Lucy: Thank you for allowing me to be called Lucy.
Two couples of men and women approached, both with plates full of food in their hands. When George and Lucy brushed past them, one of the men had to jump to the side to make way. A little food spilled on his plate. George and Lucy continued on without looking back. The camera stops on the two men and women.
The man jumping aside: Look! Look at that lad! (shouting to George's back, but not too loudly) I'm sorry, Your Excellency!
Eugene and Jack were behind them as he spoke. They passed beside them or among them to the cold table. The camera pulls back towards them.
Jake (laughs): I don't understand why Isabelle can't see her son's fault.
Eugene: What's the matter with him?
Jack: I think the first thing is that the taste of the Abeson family is too strong. The second is that his mother literally fell at his feet from the day he was born and made him a god. Eugene, you know Isabel Abeson very well. She has a bit of Abeson's arrogance in her, but anyone who knows her can't deny that she is really the most outstanding woman in the world.
Eugene: Yes, no one denies that.
51. They have come to the cold table, which is now in the foreground, and have been busy loading their plates during the following actions and conversations.
Jack: Well, she thought he was an extraordinary person. She really made him a god! You can hear it in her voice when she talks to him. You can tell from the look in her eyes when she looks at him. Oh! What did she see when she looked at him?
Eugene (smiles): She sees something we don't.
Jack: What?
Eugene: An angel.
Someone squeezed behind them to get food. The men craned their necks over their shoulders to look at something on the table.
Male Guest: Here it is.
WOMAN (calling someone off-screen) Roger, come here and look at these olives.
Roger (forty-five) enters the frame, glancing broadly at the table.
Female Guest (going on, pointing at the camera smugly): This is what I want you to eat.
Roger enthusiastically picks up an olive (from under the camera), puts it between his thumb and middle finger, and plays with it. People crowded into the frame and gathered around him to study olives.
Male Guest: It's a green thing, like a hard plum. A friend of mine told me that this stuff tasted like spoiled pecans. (walks away after speaking)
Another guest: I heard you're going to eat nine, and you'll love it. (also walks away)
Roger: Well, I don't want to eat nine broken pecans just to like it. (continues to walk non-stop)
Another guest: It appears to be something a woman eats. (walked away)
Another male guest (nudges Roger with an elbow): Now that Abeson has brought this stuff into town, well, I think anyone has to bite the bullet and eat a few.
Roger put the olives back on the table and walked away with the man who nudged him.
JACK (looking out of the picture): Look at him...my nephew. Did you see an angel?
Eugene: No. What I saw was an extremely beautiful silly boy who was as proud as a devil and had a dashing demeanor when dealing with people.
Jack: What...
Eugene: The mothers are right. Mothers always see angels in their children, because the angels are there.
Jack: You're saying that George's mother was always right.
Eugene (lightly): I'm afraid it was always right.
Jack laughed, diluting the slightly awkward atmosphere on both sides.
Jack: Well, let's talk about it when you know more about little George.
Eugene: Jack, if you were a painter, you would paint mothers with angel eyes and little devils in their arms. As for me, I insist on drawing elders and little angels.
Jack: If anyone persuades you to believe that George Minapher is a little angel, they must have angel eyes!
Eugene: Yes, and more and more like an angel. (The music stops) Goodbye, I'm going to do this dance with her.
Jack: With whom?
Eugene: With Isabelle, of course.
Music starts.
Jack: It's been eighteen years, hasn't it? Tell me, did you dance with poor old Fanny tonight?
Eugene: Twice!
Jack: Oh my gosh! (groans, half-truth) The old days are back!
Eugene (laughing cheerfully): The old days? Totally wrong! There are never any old days. The old days are not old, but dead! There is no other day but a new day.
The camera pans with Eugene as Eugene leaves Jack. He passes George and Lucy, and continues to walk in the background when the camera stops on George and Lucy, and the camera pulls right on them as they walk forward.
Lucy: What do you read in school?
George: University! It's all useless and boring stuff!
Lucy: Why don't you read something useful?
George: What is "useful"?
Lucy: Something you can use later in business or employment.
GEORGE (impatiently): I'm not going to be in business or anything.
Lucy: No?
George (emphasis added): Of course not!
Lucy: Why not?
GEORGE (pointing to the people in front of you): Just look at them. It's all a good job! Lawyers, bankers, politicians! I'd love to know what they get out of life! What did they really understand? What are they doing again?
Lucy (whispering solemnly): What do you want to be?
George (quickly): The man who drives the speedboat.
Lucy looked at him for a moment, then turned her eyes to the ballroom. (Turn next to the foreground)
52. The dance floor is not full of people but only three or four people. The music is very sentimental. Eugene and Fanny are dancing. (turn out)
Interior · Living Room · Abeson Building · Night (1904)
53. The members of the band played in the center of the hall, wearing their coats, with instrument cases and hats on the floor beside them. Eugene and Isabelle are dancing. Jack and Fanny watched from one side, George and Lucy from the other near the stairs. The Morgans were apparently the last guests to leave, and Eugene asked the musicians to play the last waltz.
Lucy: How beautiful is your mother!
George (meekly): I think so too.
Lucy: She's the most graceful woman! She danced like a sixteen-year-old girl.
George: Sixteen-year-old girls are mostly poor dancers. I'm dancing unless I have to anyway...it's a good time to ski, and I'll pick you up in a sleigh at 2:10.
Lucy: Tomorrow? I may not be able to go.
The music stopped. Eugene and Isabelle nodded their thanks to the musicians, they picked up the box, put away their instruments, and got up and left. In the process, Eugene picked up the coat and hat and Lucy's coat.
Eugene: Lucy!
Lucy: Here you go, Dad.
George: If you don't go, I'll sit at your door on a sleigh, and if you want to go out with someone else, don't come near you unless he whips me.
Lucy walked towards Eugene, while Jack and George stood together near the stairs, and they watched for a moment in the foyer getting ready to go, Eugene helping Lucy put on her coat. George turned to Jack.
George: Uh...Uncle Jack...
Jack: Hmm.
George: Who is this Morgan?
Jack: He's a man with a beautiful daughter, George.
GEORGE (impatiently) He seems to be quite at ease here, look at how he dances with his mother and Aunt Fanny...
At this moment, they both began to walk slowly towards the door. Their voices became lower and lower as they approached the door.
Jake (laughs): I'm worried your Aunt Fanny can't help it, George.
George: You mean she's always been interested in him?
Jack: She wasn't eccentric back then, and he was—he was popular. Do you have such a strong interest in the parents of every girl you dance with?
George: Phew, fuck you! I just want to know...
They were too close to the crowd to talk anymore. Good night everyone. Eugene went out, Jack followed.
Eugene: Don't come out, Jack.
Jack: I'll go see your horseless car, Eugene.
Eugene (laughing all the way): Yes, good.
Jack: If we go to ride it tomorrow, I want to see if it's reliable.
By this time, Isabelle and Fanny had walked away and went back to the living room. George opened the door for Lucy.
George: We're going for a sleigh ride, and you're ready at 2:00.
Lucy: No, I'm not going.
George: Go, you go. It's ten past two.
Lucy: Okay, I'll go.
She went out. George closed the door.
54. As George walked in from the door, he saw Isabelle standing in the middle of the room, looking a little sad. George stepped forward.
George: Well, old lady, what's the matter? What's wrong?
Isabelle: You'll be leaving again soon.
George: Well, aren't I getting closer to home? Graduation is just four months away. Is this all your troubles?
Isabel (smiling, but shaking her head): I'll never let you go...I can't stand this the most.
They made their way to the stairs and began to climb up the steps, followed by the camera.
Isabel (continuing): I'm a little worried about your father too.
George: Why?
Isabelle: I don't think he looks bad.
George (laughs): He's been like this all his life, and I don't see any difference.
Isabelle: He's been worried about that investment last year. I see this has had an effect on his health.
George (following up): What investment? Has he joined Morgan's auto business?
Isabel (smiling): No. The "auto business" is wholly owned by Morgan. No,...your father's rolling mill...
55.Isabel and George went up the stairs to the second floor. They saw Wilbur come out of his bedroom in his bathrobe and nightgown. Isabelle put her hand on George's arm, motioning him to stop.
Isabel (to Wilbur) Hello, dear. Can't you sleep?
George (suddenly): Dad, what's up with this guy named Morgan and his old sewing machine? Does he want his grandfather to invest in it? Is this his intention?
When George spoke, Fanny had gone upstairs and was walking towards her bedroom. She stopped.
Fanny (sharply): You silly boy! What are you talking about? Eugene Morgan is now fully capable of funding his invention.
George: I bet he borrowed money from Uncle Jack.
Isabel (bewildered): Why do you say that, George?
GEORGE (stubbornly): I just thought he was that guy. isn't it, Dad?
Wilbur: Twenty years ago he was a pretty headstrong young man... (glances at Isabel absently) He's a bit like you, George: He messes with money, except he doesn't have a mother to take his place Asking foreigners for money. But I'm sure he's done a pretty good job over the years, and I don't think he needs anyone else's money to support his horseless car.
George: Well, so why did he bring that junk in here? People with elephants will not lead them as guests. What did he bring it for?
Wilbur: I definitely don't know. You ask him to go.
Wilbur went into the bedroom.
Isabel (to George): I'm going to say good night.
She followed Wilbur away. Fanny walked towards her bedroom but was stopped.
GEORGE (to Fanny): Aunt Fanny!
Fanny: What's the matter with you?
George: I don't think you know why Dad doesn't want to go for a ride in that horseless car tomorrow...
Fanny: What do you mean by that?
George: You're his only sister and you don't know it!
Fanny: I didn't hear that he didn't want to go out. What's the matter with you?
George: He doesn't want to go because he doesn't like this guy named Morgan.
Fanny (impatiently): God! Eugene Morgan wasn't even in your dad's mind! Why does he not like him?
George (hesitantly): Why are you and...everyone...so interested in him?
Fanny (sniffs): Interested! Can you be happy to see an old friend? What a fuss for a stupid kid like you! I also suggest that your mother entertain them once.
George: Who please?
Fanny: Please, George! Please Mr. Morgan and his daughter!
George (quickly): Phew! Don't do this! Mom must never do such a thing. It's not decent.
Fanny (bitterly, mockingly): Indecent! Well, George Minafer, I suggest you go back to your room quickly! The things you say sometimes show that your taste is quite low!
GEORGE (startled by her anger, curiously): What's the matter, why are you so angry?
Fanny (spiritually, lowering her voice): I know what you're thinking. You're implying that because Eugene Morgan is a widower, I'm going to ask your mother to come and invite him for me!
George (gasps, bewildered): I meant to imply that you were seducing him, asking my mother to do you a favor?
Fanny: Phew...
George: Is that what you mean?
Fanny (glances at him furiously): Mind your own business!
She walked away quickly, leaving him alone and standing there staring blankly at her.
George: Humph, I be damned! I... I'm so damn good!
Morgan's Stable Night (1904)
56. Several horses neighed as Eugene drove his car into the stable. During the following conversation, Eugene was busy taking antifreeze measures for the car: putting a gama's felt over the front of the car, draining the water tank, etc. Lucy looked at him thoughtfully and said nothing. after awhile……
Lucy: Dad...
Eugene: Um...
Lucy: Do you think George is arrogant and domineering?
Eugene (soothingly) Well, he's still a kid. There are many good things about him... it must be, he is the son of Isabel Abeson.
Lucy: Dad, I see you liked her in the past.
Eugene (calmly): Still like it.
Lucy: She's so cute...cute! Dad (pauses)...I feel weird sometimes...
Eugene: Strange what?
Lucy: Strange how she married Mr. Minafer.
Eugene: Well, Wilbur is fine.
Lucy: You know, I wish George wasn't so arrogant and grumpy. He...he's actually a nice guy. Maybe I shouldn't say he's so grumpy.
Eugene: Of course not, it's just when he's upset... You know, Lucy, all the strengths and weaknesses of George come from three reasons.
Lucy: Which three?
Eugene: He's Isabel's only child. He is a member of the Abeson family. He is a boy.
Lucy: So, Mr. Burns (Note 3), what are the advantages and disadvantages of these three points?
Eugene: All of them.
Interior View George's Bedroom Amberson Building Night (1904)
57.George stared sullenly in his chair. There was a light knock on the door, the door opened, and Isabelle entered the room. George bent down and started untying his shoelaces. silence. Isabelle looked at his face with bewilderment and pity.
Isabelle: Honey, I want you to tell me...
George: What, old lady?
Isabelle: Why don't you like Eugene?
George: Eugene Morgan? In his case, I like him enough.
Isabel (hurriedly): No, honey, I don't think you're very close to him tonight. As for your daughter...
George suddenly stopped unlacing his shoes and sat up straight.
George: What did I do to his daughter?
Isabelle smiled.
George (continuing): Well, so what? You've made a whole bunch of friends who probably don't care about your son at all...
Isabel (in protest immediately): No, nothing! If I knew anyone like this, I would...
George: I didn't say I didn't look down on Mr. Morgan...I didn't say I looked down on him...
Isabelle, still looking worriedly at his face, didn't seem to hear his last words. Qiao Qia stood up, walked to her side, and patted her shoulder to reassure her.
GEORGE (continuing) Well, old lady, I won't let him see that! Don't worry, go back to sleep, I'm going to change clothes.
Isabel (eagerly) But, George, you said you didn't like him. Why don't you like him? why don't you...
George: Alas, alas! Don't worry, go to sleep.
Isabelle: But, George...
George: I'm really going to bed now. Good night, old lady.
Isabelle: Good night, dear. But……
George: Good night, old lady. I'll be polite to him, don't worry...if we ever get a chance to be together. Well, good night!
Isabelle: But George, dear...
George: I'm in bed, old lady. Well, good night.
Isabelle kissed him and left.
58. Isabelle came out of George's room, closed the door, and stood thoughtfully for a moment. (fade out)
Exterior · Snow-Covered Road · Daytime (1904)
59. A close-up of the chute as George's toboggan flies past.
60. Panoramic view of the sled and horse when the sled overturns. Lucy and George tumbled together on a pile of snow after being dragged out for several yards.
61. Panoramic view of Eugene's car not far away. In the car were Isabel, Fanny and Jack, all staring at the overturned sled in horror. Eugene, who had been repairing the car, got out from under the car. He ran to the sled, and the others quickly got out of the car.
62. Overturned sled. The vigorous horse broke free from its harness and ran away in a hurry. George and Lucy looked at each other and said nothing, both blushing and panting. George suddenly grabbed Lucy and kissed her
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