why not write a cookbook, instead?

 

Mr. Marie refuses to introduce Ann and Don to the publisher, T.L. Harrison, or to point out where he is, in the restaurant.  Mr. Marie gestures toward the manuscript and says, "No!  You want to give him that!"

        Ann starts doing a bit of detective work around the dining area, searching for bowls of onion soup since her father had mentioned that's one of the items Mr. Harrison orders when he dines there.

        She doesn't locate him, so she goes back and sits at the table with Donald.  Her dad comes over and says, "Nice try."

Then another man walks into the shot saying to Lew Marie, "Good-night, Lew!  Very good."

Lew:

Oh, thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it.  See you next time.

the customer:

Excuse me, is this Ann - aren't you Lew's daughter?

Ann:

Yes, yes I am.

customer:

I thought I recognized you.  My name is --

Lew:

This is my daughter, Ann.  And this is her boyfriend, Don Hollinger.  And this is one of my oldest and dearest customers and friends.

------------ He stops, not giving the man's name.

Ann and Donald exchange a glance.

Ann:

Mr. -

customer:

T.L. -

Ann:

Harrison!

Lew (trying to hustle him out)

OK, T.L., no blocking the aisles!

Harrison:

You have a lovely daughter, Lew.

Lew:

Yes, well, when you've seen one daughter, you've seen them all.

Ann:

Donald is a novelist.

Harrison:

Really?  I'm a publisher, myself.

Don:

Yes, we know.

Ann:

And Donald's written a novel, and it's called City Of Strangers.

Harrison:

Well!  I'd love to read it sometime.

Ann:

Well, you know what they say, there's no time like the present.  Why don't you take it with you?

Lew:

No!  Don't take it.

Harrison:

Why not?

Lew:

Oh, well, because it needs a lot of work.  You - know how novels are....

Harrison:

Well, of course I do!  I'll give it special attention.  

Don:

Well I appreciate it, sir.  Thank you very much.

-------------------------------------------- After Ann hands him the manuscript and Mr. Harrison leaves, Mr. Marie sort of gracefully accepts defeat of his efforts to keep the book from the publisher.  Ann says they are going back to New York - her father says it's too late at night for that long drive, and asks them to stay over at the Marie home.  

        Then the waiter comes to take their order, and Mr. Marie tells him, "No check."

____________________________

The next morning Mr. and Mrs. Marie and Ann and Donald are at the breakfast table.

Lew speaks sternly to Don:

Now tell me why you didn't write a book about boats.  Or about a young couple who climb Mount Rushmore and discover the true meaning of America. Or - what's the matter with a cookbook?

-30-