The Hard Way1943

Paul Collins:
You feel good, don't you? Don't you ever wake up at night and say to yourself, 'Maybe there's something just a little poisonous about me?'

Mrs. Helen Chernen:
Mind your business!

Paul Collins:
[With thinly disguised contempt] You know, in a queer, crazy kind of a way I admire you. I like to watch you work. It's like watching the manuveurs of the atlantic Fleet... and after you've done something particularly mean and nasty, I'd like to take you in my arms and kiss you.

Mrs. Helen Chernen:
[a little taken back] Hmmmp! That's a lovely unique. Is this the line you feed all those girls of yours?

Paul Collins:
[With slight sarcasm] No, seriously, you're marvelous... a regular machine... no heart, no blood, no feelings. [Helen's eyes begin to become more and more vulnerable as he continues] I'll bet you never had a useless daydream in your life... never thought of a man. I'll bet you couldn't fall in love if you wanted to. [He takes her into his arms and kisses her]

Mrs. Helen Chernen:
[the kiss has obviously released a well of supressed passion] Oh, paul, Paul! You don't know!

Paul Collins:
But, darling, I do. I've known all along.

Mrs. Helen Chernen:
[Passionately] No, you don't. I know what you think about me. There are so many things, Paul, I can't explain.

Paul Collins:
[Turning cold] I tell you what, sweetheart...

Mrs. Helen Chernen:
[Vulnerably] What, Paul?

Paul Collins:
[Coldly calculated] Write me... write me in Duluth. [She slaps him, and he smiles with satisfaction]