Little Women

Excuse me.

I was looking for the Weekly Volcano office.

I wish to see Mr. Dashwood.

A friend of mine desired me to offer a story by her.

She-- She wrote it.

-She'd be glad to write more if this suits. -Not a first attempt, I take it.

No, sir. She has sold to Olympic and Scandal,

and got a prize for a tale at the Blarneystone Banner.

A prize?

Yes.

Sit.

We'll take this.

Oh, you will?

With alterations. It's too long.

But you've cut...

I took care to have a few of my sinners repent.

The country just went through a war.

People want to be amused, not preached at.

Morals don't sell nowadays.

Perhaps mention that to your friend.

What compensation--? How do you--?

We pay 25 to 30 for things of this sort.

We'll pay 20 for that.

You can have it. Make the edits.

Should I tell my friend that you'll take another if she had one better than this?

We'll look at it. Tell her to make it short and spicy.

And if the main character's a girl, make sure she's married by the end.

-Or dead. Either way. -Excuse me?

What name would she like put to the story?

Yes, none at all, if you please.

Just as she likes, of course.

Oh, well...

Good morning, sir. Good day.

Yes!

My Beth would like you very much.

-I'd like a room for two people. -Perfect. That's 4.50 a week.

-And that's a good price. -Isn't that a little expensive?

This is a boardinghouse, not a charity.

I need the rent on time.

Good afternoon, Miss March.

Oh, good afternoon.

You're on fire.

Thank you.

You're on fire!

-Thank you. -I have the same habit. You see?

Kitty and Minnie are waiting.

-My students need me. -Always working.

Money is the end and aim of my mercenary existence.

No one gets ink stains like yours just out of a desire for money.

My sister Amy's in Paris, and until she marries someone wealthy,

it's up to me to keep the family afloat.

Goodbye.

The Decadents have ruined Paris, if you ask me.

These French women couldn't lift a hairbrush.

Amy!

I said, these French women couldn't lift a hairbrush.

Oh, yes. Very true, Aunt March.

Don't humor me, girl.

What do they write, your troublemaking family?

Mother doesn't say anything about Beth.

-I feel I should go back, but they all say, "Stay." -You can do nothing if you go back.

The girl is sick, not lonely.

And you shouldn't go home until you and Fred Vaughn are properly engaged.

Yes, and until I've completed all of my painting lessons.

Oh, yes, yes.

Of course.

-Stop the carriage! Laurie! -What are you doing?

-Laurie, Laurie, Laurie! -Amy!

-Laurie! -Amy!

Amy!

How are you?

-You've grown so much. -You wrote you'd meet me at the hotel.

-I couldn't find you. -You didn't look hard enough.

-I didn't recognize you. You're so beautiful now. -Stop it.

-I thought you liked that? -Where's your grandfather?

In Germany. He's still traveling. I'm traveling on my own now. Just relaxing.

-Flirting and gambling and drinking. -Yes. Don't tell your mother.

Are you chasing some young girl across Europe?

No.

I couldn't believe Jo turned you down. I'm so sorry.

Don't be, Amy. I-- I'm not.

Amy!

Amy March!

-Come back here right this instant! Come. -Aunt March.

Come on.

-Aren't you looking grand? -Get him off me!

We need to be somewhere. Off you go!

Come to the New Year's Eve party. Everyone will be there, including Fred.

Pick me up at the hotel at 8, The Chavain.

And, Laurie, dress for festivities!

Top hats and silks!

I will. I'll wear my best silk.

It's Laurie.

I know.

Twenty yards of the blue silk, as well as pink. Someone will be by for it later.

Meg, that'd look lovely on you. I know just the dressmaker to send you to.

-You'll be the prettiest wife in Concord. -Oh, I...

John needs a new coat for winter, and Daisy and Demi need new clothes, I--

-And his wife needs a new dress. -I can't. It's--

I just can't.

He'll be so pleased with how you look, he'll forget all about the expense.

I don't suppose it's too much an extravagance.

Will 20 yards do?

-Yes. -Very good.

Fifty dollars? What was I thinking?

-Mommy! -Mommy!

Oh, my loves.

Go play.

Beth!

Beth?

There lies your way, due west.

Then westward ho!

Grace and good disposition attend, Your Ladyship.

You'll nothing, madam, to my lord by me?

Stay, I prithee, tell me what thou thinkest of me.

That you do think you are not what you are.

-If I think so, I think the same of you. -Then think you right, I am not what I am.

Like, a big one. Like, a big one... Like that.

Excuse me?

I only speak English. I'm sorry, what?

-What did you say? -Come dance!

I know exactly who I wanna dance with.

-Who will you dance with, Jo? -I never dance.

Why can't we all go? It's not fair.

-Wear your regular shoes. -These fit last winter.

My nose will not look refined.

-I like your nose. -Now, Jo.

Don't touch me, thanks. I already feel ridiculous. I don't wanna look it.

-You could be pretty if you tried. -Don't want to. Won't do it.

I don't want to go, but I wish I could hear the music.

-I'll keep it in my head and sing it for you. -Ought they to smoke like that?

It's the dampness drying.

What a queer smell, like burnt feathers.

Now I'll take this off and you'll see a perfect ringlet.

Why is her hair off?

-Meg, I'm so sorry. -What have you done?!

Sorry. You shouldn't have asked me to do it.

Marmee!

I can't go, I'm spoiled!

My hair!

Don't stare, don't put your hands behind your back, don't say "Christopher Columbus" or "capital."

-All right. -Don't shake hands. Don't whistle.

Meg March, you look so pretty.

Meg.

Thank you.

No, it's so early. No.

Fine.

-Sorry. I didn't know anyone was here. -Not at all. Stay if you like.

-I won't disturb you? -No. I don't know many people here.

-I felt rather strange at first, you know? -So do I.

-Miss March, isn't it? -Yes, Mr. Laurence, but I'm not Miss March.

-I'm only Jo. -And I'm not Mr. Laurence, I'm only Laurie.

Don't you dance?

I don't know how you do things here yet. I've spent most of my life in Europe.

Europe! Oh, that's capital!

Shouldn't use words like that.

-Says who? -Oh, Meg. She's my older sister. Here.

Oh, that's her. See?

The girl in the violet dress.

It's very pretty.

She reminds me to be good, so Father will be proud when he returns.

Where is he?

He volunteered for the Union Army.

I wanted to go fight with him. I can't get over my disappointment in being a girl.

Jo, would you like to dance with me?

I can't because...

Because of what?

-You won't tell? -Never.

I scorched my dress. See? There.

Meg told me to keep still, so no one would see it.

You can laugh if you want to. It's funny, I know.

I have an idea of how we can manage.

-What? -My foot.

I've hurt my ankle.

How am I gonna get home?

I don't see what you can do, except get a carriage or stay here all night.

-Carriages are too expensive. -Let me take you. It's right next door.

Oh, no, thank you. We cannot accept.

You must take mine, please?

No. It's so early. You can't mean to leave yet.

I always leave early. I do, truly.

What choice do you have?

-I told you those shoes were too small. -Goodness gracious...

What have you done?

She's lame and can't walk. She's hobbling.

Clear that chair. You're supposed to be asleep.

All right, help your sister, then back to bed.

Make room. Meg is a wounded soldier.

I sprained my ankle.

Meg, you'll kill yourself for fashion one of these days.

Here. Hannah, we need ice!

-Oh, come in. Come in. -Is it all right?

Apologies for the chaos. I enjoy baking in the middle of the night.

-Don't mind the clutter, Mr. Laurence. We don't. -Laurie, please.

-Can I call you Teddy? -Yes.

You must be part of their theatricals. They could use an extra player.

-I'm Amy. -Hello.

You'll have to fight Jo for the male roles or play a girl.

-Have a scone. -Yes, thank you.

And ice.