My Forbidden Past

Goodbye. Till tomorrow.

No, I'm taking a boat to South America tonight.

How long will you be gone? A couple of months.

I got the university to send me. Why didn't you tell me?

I wanted to cut it sharp with a knife. But why?

You know why. I don't like hiding.

Why?

Come with me.

Just like that? Just like that.

The captain will marry us on the boat.

Mark, it sounds so crazy and wonderful but...

You won't say a word to anybody,

you'll go and pack and meet me on the boat at eight o'clock.

Will I, Mark? Will you, Barbara?

Yes!

Barbara, you're late. I'm sorry, Aunt Eulah.

Come here for a moment, my dear.

We are having company for dinner. I have invited Monsieur Duchaine.

Monsieur Duchaine is a fine man, my dear, a great gentleman. Yes, Aunt Eulah.

It is proper

that money should be a large consideration in your marriage.

You may wear your new dress. Thank you, Aunt Eulah.

Thank you, Robbie.

In a hurry, Cousin?

Paul!

Yes, Mother.

We're dining at home, you know.

Aren't you wearing your new dress, Cousin dear?

Is it necessary to pack a suitcase to go down to dinner?

I'm going away, Paul.

Oh, that's what the suitcase is for.

Is it that research fellow, Barbara, from the university? How did you know? I thought nobody knew.

Well, you're my favourite cousin!

Is it by any chance the boat that sails tonight at eight o'clock?

I'd better see you off, it's not au fait for a young lady to go alone.

What's the matter? You're not going to tell your mother?

Her heart.

As a matter of a fact she won't have an attack immediately, not until your entire story comes out.

You don't intend, of course, to come back to New Orleans. Why not?

You'd be a figure of some notoriety. People would dig into your... shall we say, ancestry.

Well, Mother's old, she hadn't many years to live anyhow.

I don't blame you for wanting to live your own life.

You don't blame me?

You don't blame anyone as long as it doesn't interfere with you.

I don't know whether you should write Dear Mark or Dear Doctor.

"Darling". Of course, that's much more simple and direct.

Very sweet.

Very commendable.

And you will always be here, waiting.

Mother might ask questions if you whisper with the servants. I'll see that it gets to the ship.

Promise, Paul.

I promise, Barbara.

You'll be lovely in your new dress, Cousin dear!

< Lower your gangplank! Lower your gangplank!

< Stand by your lines!

Nowadays, Mr Duchaine, it's considered old-fashioned

to be proud of one's origins. Well, Madame, I prefer to be considered old-fashioned.

I feel it's our duty to remember our heritage and be proud of it.

SHIP'S HOOTER BLOWS

You know, Clay, whenever Barbara hears a ship's whistle at eight o'clock, she spills her soup.

# The spirits creep

# The ghosties run

# The skeletons rattle and moan

# The goblins holler... # Where's 39, Elisa Street?

# Takes magic to scare off dead bones... # Thank you.

Buy a cute little skeleton for Halloween? Do I look like a man who'd buy a skeleton? No, sir.

Why don't you look where you're going? Why don't YOU!

# Goblins holler on All Saints Eve... #

Is this number 39? Yes, sir. Does a Barbara Beaurevel live here?

All the Beaurevels live here, sir. Miss, Madame and the Mister. Thank you.

My dear man, I suggest that you find yourself an attorney.

"Luther Toplady. Attorney at law."

Well, Mr Luther Toplady, I don't think you have any action against me.

I'm not even interested in you, unless your name is Barbara.

Barbara? I've come all the way from California to see her. Paul! Yes, Mother? I wish to see the gentleman.

Mr Toplady. From California. Your business, please? Are you Barbara Beaurevel?

We are the only Beaurevels in New Orleans. I'm tracing the relatives of a lady who died. A Mrs Crandall.

We have no Crandalls in our family. This is a matter of a bequest.

I've traced a Barbara Beaurevel to this address. Good day.

Mother, you might listen. All the diamonds in Africa couldn't join Carrie Crandall to my family.

I'm sure you'll forgive me for asking how you knew I meant Carrie Crandall?

I see that you have your hat... I came 3,000 miles to see Barbara Beaurevel and...

Barbara Beaurevel is dead!

Good day, Madam.

I'm afraid you don't understand our traditions. The older I grow, the more I see, the less I understand.

Yes, I'm sure life is much more simple in California. Aunt Eulah!

Isn't that.... Goodbye, Mr Toplady!

Aunt Eulah... Barbara, do not come rushing down the stairs, it's extremely unbecoming.

You saw the gentleman who just left this house? Yes. You're not to see him again even if he asks for you.

He talked about your unsavoury relation. Paul! Can't we even shake Barbara's skeleton in private?

There's some sordid bequest I said you were dead. We don't need the money.

That's not funny, Paul. I agree. I'd like permission to meet Cousin Philippe's boat. Alone?

It's just to meet a boat. You didn't see him off when he left for South America. May I?

Clay wouldn't like it. I'm not married to Clay!

He can't object if you accompany her. I shall be happy to carry you to the boat, Cousin.

Paul is always charming! Tell Philippe he must come to dinner! I'll see if the carriage is ready.

Paul!

Mmm?

The gangplank isn't down yet.

You know, when you're eager and excited, you're wonderfully pretty! Am I, Paul?

I wish I had a nice dress. I could do with some new shoes, myself.

Oh, dear, what a lucky fellow he is. Who? My cousin Philippe, of course.

It's a pity you haven't got money, I'd marry you myself.

Oh, that's a very interesting idea! They're coming ashore!

You're the most attractive woman I've ever seen. You should make something out of it.

I'm sure you'll make sure that I do!

Here he is, right in front of you. Hello, Philippe!

How extremely nice of you to come!

Barbara insisted. Welcome home, Philippe. My dear beautiful cousin! Aunt Eulah wants you to dinner.

How extremely kind of her.

Oh, you want to get through customs quickly.

Paul, help Philippe. I imagine you'll find something to do till I get back.

Mark!

Darling, it's been so long! Has it? Two months can be a lifetime. I never knew that before.

How is your dear family(?) Oh, Corinne, this is Miss Beaurevel. My wife.

How do you do?

How do you do? I believe you're the first native of New Orleans my wife has met.

It's like eating the core of the apple before taking the first bite.

I'm glad we married before coming here if they're all as pretty as you are.

They're not, and besides, they're most undependable,

wouldn't you say so, Miss Beaurevel? Would you, Dr Lucas? Possibly only the great beauties.

Delighted to have seen you, Miss Beaurevel. Goodbye.

Hello, Dean Casley. I didn't expect to be met. I'm anxious to get your reports.

Barbara, you must be practical.

You're well out of it the man has neither family nor money.

I admit he might be famous some day but let other people have the fame, luxury is much more pleasant.

I don't know what's going on under that pretty hat,

but Mother is right when she talks about a good name. Paul...

Hmm? Do you mind if I don't come in? I'd like to take a drive. Alone.

Don't do any thinking, it's bad for the complexion. All right, Pappy.

Where to, Miss Barbie?

I'll tell you on the way.

Is Mr Toplady registered here, sir?

Yes. Would you ask him to come to the ladies' parlour, please? Yes, madam. This way, Miss Barbie.

Your name IS Barbara. Wait outside the door, Pappy. I'll be in shouting distance, Miss Barbie.

Thank you, that's a great comfort.

Won't you sit down, Miss Beaurevel?

May I get you some coffee? No, thank you.

Do you know what Carrie Crandall was?

She was a sister of James McDougall who has died leaving a bequest to her heirs.

I am Carrie Crandall's granddaughter.

Well?

I'm delighted to find someone who admits Carrie Crandall ever existed! My aunt has been deathly afraid

that it would come out that my grandmother was...

Such a notorious woman.

They even point at her grave and make jokes.

Even now I'm not sure that Aunt Eulah isn't right.

If the truth were known,

I couldn't live in New Orleans any more. Would it be so terrible? I think I should die!

I don't think you'll be forced into an early suicide. There's no need of court action or publicity.

Carrie Crandall's daughter entered into a convent under a false name

and married your father under that false name,

I have documented proof of this. Furthermore, you resemble your grandmother greatly.

You knew her?

That's how I recognised you.

Imagine her with your complexion, with your proud look.

I didn't know I had a proud look.

Just as she had.

She married a gambler. He left her before the child was born.

She did whatever she had to for the welfare of the little girl,

even to hiding her own motherhood and love.

But she was... Yes, she was.

So if because of what she was you refuse the inheritance... No!

In spite of your aunt's wishes you still want the money? Yes. The estate can be easily liquidated,

it comes from gold. Is there much?

By certain standards, yes. How much?

A little over...900,000 dollars.

When do I get it?

I'll have the papers ready for your signature tomorrow.

At first I thought Toplady was a silly name but now I love it!

Miss Beaurevel... Yes?

I'm not sure I like the feeling behind your smile.

I trust you'll use the money wisely?

I will. I can promise you I will!

Why should I finance you in a brokerage house, Paul?

I'd be very good at it and would make you a lot of money.

I don't need any more money. That's where we differ.

Miss Beaurevel. Mr Duchaine has been waiting for you, Barbara. I'm sorry. You're always worth waiting for.

Would you mind if I talked to Barbara alone? Why, of course not.

Well? I wanted to make sure about the costume ball tonight.

I hadn't forgotten. I'll come by at ten. No, Clay.

There's somewhere I'd like to go first, alone. Is that wise?

It's what I'm going to do.

There's something different about you, Barbara.

I don't know quite how to say it.

It's as though there was a secret that warms you.

Do you mind?

I mind nothing that you do or are.

Even the fact that my family wants me to marry you for your money?

If being poor puts them on my side,

I'm glad they're poor.

If you'll marry me, Barbara,

I'll do anything you want. I'll be anything you want. I like you, Clay, better than I ever have before.

Goodbye, Clay.

Say goodbye to your aunt for me.

You must be out of your mind. You WERE listening, weren't you? Where are you going before the ball?

If you listened carefully, you'll know I didn't even tell Clay. You'll lose him.

And then where would your brokerage business be?

We don't approve of your going anywhere alone. That's too bad because nobody's coming with me!

PEOPLE SING AND SHOUT