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In the Orient Express.
Mary: They're not open for dinner yet.
Mason: Good. We have the place all to ourselves. Mmm… I believe Merilyn McCoo is rehearsing.
Mary: Well… A private concert.
Marilyn McCoo sings “Heart Stop Beating in Time”.
Mason: Madam, shall we dance?
Mason and Mary dance.
* * *
Mason: I'm glad we came early. I like having the place to ourselves.
Mary: So do I. You're staring at me.
Mason: Yeah, I know.
Mary: Well, now, my make up is perfect and I can't have a hair out of place, so… why?
Mason: I like what the candlelight does to your eyes.
Mary: You know the Spanish have a saying “Never choose ladies or linen by candlelight”. And they know what they are talking about.
Mason: Well, I've seen you un-candlelit too and it doesn't change a thing. What do Spanish say about that?
Mary: I've no idea, that's the only Spanish I know.
Mason: You know you're very adroit at turning aside compliments. Is it because you don't like them?
Mary: No, that's because they embarrass me.
Mason: Well, I don't understand… If I tell you, you are beautiful why should that make you uncomfortable.
Mary: Chuck it up to a social… dis-ease. (short pause) Can I give you a compliment?
Mason: Go ahead. See if I blush.
Mary: I like being with you.
Mason: Not enough to make me blush.
Mary: Yeah, I'm not finished yet.
Mason: Oh, good. Go ahead.
Mary: I like to talk to you. I like to listen to you. I like what the candlelight does to your eyes.
Mason: Well, the focus seems to have shifted here. I started out as the aggressor; somehow you've usurped my place.
Mary: Well, you've encouraged me to say what I think.
Mason: Well, as long as it's complimentary I'm glad. (kisses Mary's hand)
Later on the party is in full swing. Mason takes Mary to the dance-floor.
Mason: We'll now have to take up where we left off.
Mary: You seem to do that a lot.
Mason: I like it that way. It gives me a sense of continuity.
They start dancing.
Mason: I hope you brought a sweater. It's gonna be cool on the yacht.
Mary: You know I don't remember ever saying definitively that I would go.
Mason: You're not gonna back out, are you?
Mary: Well, I still can't make up my mind.
Mason: I have every confidence you'll make the right decision.
Gina:(to Kirk Cranston) Here's Mason and Mary. I must talk to them. Do excuse me.
Gina comes over to the couple.
Gina: The moment I saw you two I said to myself: “Now, there is the best looking couple in the room”.
Mason: Gina, what are you doing here? Eden told me you weren't coming.
Gina: Well, Eden says all sorts of things. But you mustn't take anything she says for truth.
Mason: As a matter of fact you told me you weren't coming to this party.
Gina: Why, you mustn't take anything I say for truth either. Mary, may I still Mason away from you while I have something I need to say to him.
Mary: Ah… of course.
Gina: Common, Mason!
They dance together.
Mason: What is it Gina?
Gina: Well… I just want you to dance with me.
Mason: That's… idiotic. I don't wanna dance with you.
Gina: I know you don't. But you're going to. Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves.
Mason: I think they are enjoying watching you make a spectacle out of yourself. And me.
Gina: I think we make a very nice spectacle Mason. Just dance with me. (puts her head on his chest)
Later on Mason and Mary are enjoying a drink when Eden comes over to them.
Mason: Aha! Our hostess has returned and I must say you look more ravishing than before.
Mary: I agree.
Eden: I don't.
Mason: Then you're wrong.
Eden: I didn't intend to wear this. Excuse me. (wants to leave)
Mason:(stops her) Eden! Eden, are you all right? You seem a little confused. Oh, God. Didn't little Gina spilling the shrimp cocktail on your dress put a damper on your whole evening?
Eden: She didn't spill it! She threw it!!! I'm fine.
Mason: Yes, well, under the circumstances… I'd say you've handled yourself with… remarkable poise. A lesser woman might have resorted to violence, giving Gina the thrashing she so richly deserves.
Mary: Mason… I don't think Eden wants to talk about this.
Mason: Well, I think you're absolutely right. Let's change the subject. (to Eden) What were we discussing? Your dress?
Eden: Mason!
Mason: When you think of it, Dad was partial to that one, wasn't he? I can see why. It brings out the colour of your eyes.
Eden: I don't wanna talk about my dress.
Mason: Well, pardon me… for being polite. It won't happen again.
Eden: I'm sorry. Mary…
Mary: Eden, it's OK. You don't have to say anything.
Eden: No. I just don't know what's wrong with me. I'm having a weird night.
Mason: It's your party. You're entitled. Here. Have some champagne.
Eden: Thank you. Cheers!
Cruz:(takes a glass away from Eden) Sweetheart… I don't think you need any more of that right now.
Eden: I hate being treated like a child.
Mason: Mary, I believe they're playing our song. Would you excuse us, you two.
Cruz: Sure.
* * *
Mason leads Mary back to the dance floor.
Mary: Mason! Where are you taking me? The party's in there.
Mason: I just want a moment of privacy with you.
Mary: You're not very subtle about it.
Mason: It suddenly occurred to me that we have some unfinished business. I'll return to my dignified subtle self once I've taken care of it.
Mary: In... there?
Mason: Or would you rather go next door?
Mary: No!
Mason: I didn't think so! (gets Mary inside the room. A woman comes out of there.)
Mary (to the woman) : Oh... This is not what you're thinking really... (Mason and Mary start talking over each other)
Mason: It's all right...
Mary: We just... we have some... business...
Mason: It will only be a moment... Thank you!
(Once inside the room Mason and Mary cannot resist a long kiss.)
Mary: Oh... you were saying...
Mason: Remember the other day... when we were on a beach and I told you I loved you?
Mary: I remember.
Mason: Well, I meant it. I still do. But... a... declaration of love usually calls for some kind of response.
(Mary gazes at him but doesn't say a word.)
Mason: Well?
Mary: I don't think I can.
Mason: I see.
Mary: It... It's not what you think Mason. I just never said that to anyone before.
Mason: Always the first time...
(Mary moves away from him.)
Mary: There... This isn't the most romantic sight in the world... (looks around the room)
Mason: Oh, that's easily rectified. Just imagine that we are alone on the yacht... Gonna stay for long... Just us... wrapped in each other's arms... bathed in the soft glare of candle light...
Mary: That sounds wonderful.
Mason: Then go to the yacht with me tonight. Say "Yes"!
Mary: Would you settle for an enthusiastic "May be"?
Mason: If I have to... only for now...
(They kiss again.)
* * *
Nurse: (on the phone) I'm trying to reach Mary Duval. (Gina overhears her.) She… she is a guest at the Capwell Party. Thank you. Thank you.
Gina:(to herself) Oh, no! Not Mary! [Of] all the nurses in Santa Barbara.
In the Orient Express.
Mary:(to the waiter) Are you sure it's for me?
Waiter: Are you Mary Duval? (She nods her head.)
Mason: I vouch for her. (gives the waiter his empty glass) Would you mind?
Mary:(picks up the receiver) Hello. Mary Duval.
Nurse: Oh, thank goodness, Mary! This is Iris at the Capwell House. Look, I'm sorry to bother you on your night out. There was no one else I could ask.
Mary: Is… is… is Mr Capwell all right?
Nurse: No change, Mary. No, it's my mother. She's broken her hip. They've taken her to the hospital, but she's asking for me now. I don't like to ask you, but… do you think you could…
Mary: I understand. I'll be right there.
Mason: You understand what? Who is this rude person, that's trying to take you away from me?
Mary: It… it's Iris's mother. She broke her hip. I have to get back to the house and cover for her.
Mason: No, no, absolutely not. Tell her there is no way. I'll have you in a full Nelson and then kidnap you to the yacht…
Mary: Mason! This is an emergency! Iris, get your coat on. I'm on my way. (puts down the receiver) Mason, it's the hazards of dating a nurse. I know you'll understand.
Mason: What I don't understand is why every time I get close to a little happiness my father somehow gets in the way.
Mary: You can't blame this on your father.
Mason: Don't underestimate the man.
Mary: Listen… Thank you for a wonderful evening.
Mason: No, it's not over yet. I'm gonna come with you.
Mary: No, you don't have to do that.
Mason: Ma… Mary, this is our night. And no one, not even my father, is going to spoil it.
Mary: Mason…
Mason: Let's go.
They leave Orient Express.
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