American Playhouse (TV Series)
Who Am I This Time? (1982)
Robert Ridgely: George Johnson
Quotes
-
[after trying to audition, Helene leaves the room, sobs, and then returns]
Helene Shaw : I'm terrible, aren't I?
George Johnson : No! No, you're not, you're fine.
Helene Shaw : [attempting a laugh] No, I'm not. It was awful. I...
George Johnson : You were...
Helene Shaw : - It's like I'm a walking ice-box or something.
Doris : Oh, nobody could look at you and say that, dearie.
Helene Shaw : When people get to know me, that's when they *do* say it. I don't want to be the way that I am. I just can't help it. I feel like I'm in... Well, when I get to know somebody nice, you know, like, like in real life? I feel like I'm in... Like I'm...
[She lifts her hands and mimes being trapped in glass]
Helene Shaw : ...in some, some kind of, um, a bottle, a-a-as though I can't touch that person, no matter how hard I try. I know what this play is about. I know what's Stella's feeling, I -
[shakes her head]
Helene Shaw : - I know I should feel it, I, I just...
[She raises her hands again, pressing against the imaginary bottle, and lowers them]
Doris : You what, dear?
Helene Shaw : I, I just, I don't know how to begin!
-
[In the phone company office, George can't help noticing that Helene is a nice-looking lady. He lowers his voice]
George Johnson : Uh, excuse me, um, have you, have you ever... acted?
[She stares at him with what might be hostility but is more likely bafflement]
George Johnson : Um, what do you do? With the machine?
Helene Shaw : I teach the local girls how to operate them.
George Johnson : Ahh. How long are you gonna be in North Crawford?
Helene Shaw : [still officious] I stay in each place eight weeks, sir, then I take a new machine to a new town.
George Johnson : You see, the reason I'm asking is, uh, well, I've got this idea. You see, we're having auditions for our Dramatic Club. We're doing a new play, and, uh... Why don't you come over? There's a part in there that'd be perfect for you!
[Helene looks down, and then looks up, but does not quite meet his eyes for a few seconds, as she is having a revelation]
Helene Shaw : I've been going from town to town for two years. That's the very first time anyone has ever approached me about participating in any community thing.
-
[Right after Helene has sobbed her self-confession to George and Doris, they hear Harry shout from the doorway - in full Stanley Kowalski mode]
Harry Nash : Are you ready for me yet, George? There's nobody else outside!
George Johnson : Harry, come here. I'm, I'm sorry I kept you waiting, Harry. Excuse me.
[Helene surreptitiously wipes her eyes]
George Johnson : Uh, Harry, this is Helene Shaw. Helene, this is Harry Nash. Ehh, now, if you get the part of Stella, he'll be your husband in the play.
[Helene turns to look at Harry and her eyes widen. Music suggesting imminent romance begins to play. Harry is still in his dorky hardware-store outfit, with glasses, hat, and bow-tie, but he removes his glasses and smiles slightly as he looks her up and down appreciatively]
George Johnson : Say, I, uh, I wonder if, uh, if you two would read a scene for me from this play, all right? Right here.
[Helene tears her eyes away from Harry to look at the playbook]
George Johnson : Could you do that?
Harry Nash : Sure! If Stella's game.
[She looks up, still wide-eyed]
Helene Shaw : Huh?
Harry Nash : Stella! Stella, that's you.
[then, gently:]
Harry Nash : Stella's my wife.
Helene Shaw : [weakly] Oh.
[He turns away to remove his vest and shirt, and a heartbeat rhythm replaces the music. Stella sees Harry's muscular back and she can't look away. He begins shadow-boxing, and she begins to fall in love]
-
[after Harry and Helene have just given a dynamic performance of a scene at the audition, Harry has returned to his dorky clothes and leans over to whisper to Harry]
Harry Nash : Was that all right?
[George pretends that he hasn't already determined that Harry will play the part of Stanley Kowalski]
George Johnson : Oh, uh, for a first reading, that, that wasn't too bad, Harry, yeah.
Harry Nash : Is there a chance I'll get the part?
George Johnson : Uh, I think we can safely say that we, we're leaning powerfully in your direction, Harry.
-
[after a rehearsal that has gone very well, with Helene and Harry acting powerfully, and almost erotically, with each other:]
George Johnson : Lydia. Do we have a play, or do we have a play?
Lydia : What play? There isn't any play going on now.
George Johnson : What?
Harry Nash : [still in Kowalski mode, though with that undeniable Walken accent:] Hey, you!
[George points toward himself questioningly, to be sure that Harry is speaking to him]
Harry Nash : You t'rough wit' me?
George Johnson : What?
Harry Nash : [shouting] Can I go home now?
George Johnson : Sure, Harry, yeah.
[Harry waves his hand in a sort of angry farewell and turns away]
Lydia : You aren't directing this play, George.
George Johnson : What do you - What are you saying, what do you mean, "I'm not directing this play"? Who is?
Lydia : Mother Nature at her worst.
[Helene is watching Harry leave with a hungry, almost feral look. Harry turns back to give Helene a predatory, seductive smile]
Lydia : What's going to happen to that girl when she discovers what Harry really is? What Harry really *isn't*.
-
[last lines]
[Harry is proposing to Helene, and they quote - or paraphrase - "The Importance of Being Earnest."]
Harry Nash : I've never loved anyone in the world but you.
Helene Shaw : I hope that after we marry, you'll always look at me just like this...
[They kiss passionately. Then Helene realizes that they have drawn a crowd: George, Doris, and their other friends. She laughs in embarrassment]
Helene Shaw : ...especially in front of other people!
[the others gather around, clapping and laughing]
Helene Shaw : How are you all?
George Johnson : Obviously, not as happy as you two are.
Helene Shaw : Well, George, you know, this week I've been pursued by Marc Antony, and romanced by Henry Higgins, loved by Henry the Fifth, and I was just proposed to by Ernest Worthing.
[the others laugh and clap again, with exclamations of "awww!" and the like]
Helene Shaw : Now, don't you think I'm just about the luckiest girl in town?
George Johnson : Listen, not only do I think so, but most of the women in town think so too, may I say, hmm?
[Two young ladies pass by, glaring jealously at Helene]
Helene Shaw : Well, they had their chance!
Doris : Probably most of them couldn't stand the excitement.
George Johnson : See, I don't think, I don't know if you've heard or not, but I've been asked to direct the next play.
Helene Shaw : George, that's wonderful!
George Johnson : Thank you. I, uh, I was just wondering if you two might be available for the cast?
[Harry whispers into her ear]
Helene Shaw : [grinning with delight] Who are we this time?
-
[George finds Harry in the hardware store. They are both nervous: George because he will be directing a play for the first time, Harry because he is always nervous. First thing, Harry spills a box of nails from the shelf and they crash upon the floor]
George Johnson : Anyway, I suppose you heard about the, uh, the next play!
[pause. Harry's face is blank, giving nothing away, good or bad]
George Johnson : Well, they asked me to direct, Harry! And I, I know you've only worked with Doris before, so I hope that isn't a problem.
[Another pause. Harry does a hilarious, spasmodic job of nervousness: looking away, rearranging his glasses, adjusting cap, causing George in turn to tug his ears, twitch, and stammer]
George Johnson : You've seen me act, Harry. Directing can only be a step up. You know?
[He chuckles, then gets serious]
George Johnson : That club needs you, Harry. I mean, uh, actually, I need you, Harry. I don't even know if I can direct traffic, let alone a play!
[Harry is silent throughout, gazing at him]
George Johnson : Would you consider playing the lead in this one, Harry?
[Harry takes off his cap and runs his hand through his hair, looking almost distressed]
Harry Nash : Who am I this time?
