Mildred Pierce1945

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.

Mildred:
[horrified] How could you do such a thing?! How could you?

Veda:
I got the money, didn't I?

Mildred:
Oh, I see.

Veda:
I'll have to give Wally part of it to keep him quiet, but there's enough left for me.

Mildred:
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?

Mildred:
All right, why?

Veda:
Are you sure you want to know?

Mildred:
Yes.

Veda:
Then I'll tell you. With this money, I can get away from you.

Mildred:
Veda!

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.

Mildred:
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]

Mildred:
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.