A View from the Bridge Read Free Page A

sits, almost weak from tension: And they’ll let them off the ship all right? That’s fixed, heh?
    EDDIE: Sure, they give them regular seamen papers and they walk off with the crew. Don’t worry about it, B., there’s nothin’ to it. Couple of hours they’ll be here.
    BEATRICE: What happened? They wasn’t supposed to be till next Thursday.
    EDDIE: I don’t know; they put them on any ship they can get them out on. Maybe the other ship they was supposed to take there was some danger—What you cryin’ about?
    BEATRICE, astounded and afraid: I’m—I just—I can’t believe it! I didn’t even buy a new tablecloth; I was gonna wash the walls—
    EDDIE: Listen, they’ll think it’s a millionaire’s house compared to the way they live. Don’t worry about the walls. They’ll be thankful. To Catherine: Whyn’t you run down buy a tablecloth. Go ahead, here. He is reaching into his pocket.
    CATHERINE: There’s no stores open now.
    EDDIE, to Beatrice: You was gonna put a new cover on the chair.
    BEATRICE: I know—well, I thought it was gonna be next week! I was gonna clean the walls, I was gonna wax the floors. She stands disturbed.
    CATHERINE, pointing upward: Maybe Mrs. Dondero upstairs—
    BEATRICE, of the tablecloth: No, hers is worse than this one. Suddenly: My God, I don’t even have nothin’ to eat for them! She starts for the kitchen.
    EDDIE, reaching out and grabbing her arm: Hey, hey! Take it easy.
    BEATRICE: No, I’m just nervous, that’s all. To Cath erine: I’ll make the fish.
    EDDIE: You’re savin’ their lives, what’re you worryin’ about the tablecloth? They probably didn’t see a tablecloth in their whole life where they come from.
    BEATRICE, looking into his eyes: I’m just worried about you, that’s all I’m worried.
    EDDIE: Listen, as long as they know where they’re gonna sleep.
    BEATRICE: I told them in the letters. They’re sleepin’ on the floor.
    EDDIE: Beatrice, all I’m worried about is you got such a heart that I’ll end up on the floor with you, and they’ll be in our bed.
    BEATRICE: All right, stop it.
    EDDIE: Because as soon as you see a tired relative, I end up on the floor.
    BEATRICE: When did you end up on the floor?
    EDDIE: When your father’s house burned down I didn’t end up on the floor?
    BEATRICE: Well, their house burned down!
    EDDIE: Yeah, but it didn’t keep burnin’ for two weeks!
    BEATRICE: All right, look, I’ll tell them to go someplace else. She starts into the kitchen.
    EDDIE: Now wait a minute. Beatrice! She halts. He goes to her. I just don’t want you bein’ pushed around, that’s all. You got too big a heart. He touches her hand. What’re you so touchy?
    BEATRICE: I’m just afraid if it don’t turn out good you’ll be mad at me.
    EDDIE: Listen, if everybody keeps his mouth shut, nothin’ can happen. They’ll pay for their board.
    BEATRICE: Oh, I told them.
    EDDIE: Then what the hell. Pause. He moves. It’s an honor, B. I mean it. I was just thinkin’ before, comin’ home, suppose my father didn’t come to this country, and I was starvin’ like them over there ... and I had people in America could keep me a couple of months? The man would be honored to lend me a place to sleep.
    BEATRICE— there are tears in her eyes. She turns to Catherine: You see what he is? She turns and grabs Eddie’s face in her hands. Mmm! You’re an angel! God’ll bless you. He is gratefully smiling. You’ll see, you’ll get a blessing for this!
    EDDIE, laughing: I’ll settle for my own bed.
    BEATRICE: Go, Baby, set the table.
    CATHERINE : We didn’t tell him about me yet.
    BEATRICE: Let him eat first, then we’ll tell him. Bring everything in. She hurries Catherine out.
    EDDIE, sitting at the table: What’s all that about?