Madame X

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)

Good morning, sir.

Good morning, Cronyn.

Thank you.

It isn't exactly cozy,

darling, but it's home.

And I thought

I was living

on a grand scale

when I moved into

a five-room apartment.

Hello, my darling!

Hello, Mother.

Mother,

this is Holly.

Welcome, Holly.

I hope you'll be

very happy.

Thank you.

Eloping!

When you know

how I love

to stage weddings.

That's exactly

why we did it.

This is your home now,

my dear.

It's magnificent.

There's not

another house

to equal it

in all

Fairfield County.

CLAY:
My ancestors,

darling.

Were your ancestors

all men?

I've always had

a sneaking hunch

they drowned

the girls at birth.

Who'd have

the courage to face

one of these pirates

and say, "It's a girl"?

Holly, my dear,

I'm sure you're longing

to unpack and relax.

Let me show you

your room.

You've changed

the colors in here.

I thought

it should be fresh

for the new bride.

If ashes of roses

doesn't please you,

you must pick

something that does.

I won't be offended.

It's difficult to choose

for someone

you've never met.

It was kind of you

to bother.

Not at all,

I wanted you

to feel welcome.

Clay will want

to show you

the house.

I'll acquaint you with

the inner workings later.

It's good

to have you back.

It's good

to be back, Mother.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)

Congratulations,

Mrs. Anderson.

I didn't think the woman lived

that could

ever get Clay

to the altar again.

You know Phil Benton,

of course.

Everyone knows Phil.

Well, I do now.

Hello, Mr. Benton.

My pleasure,

Mrs. Anderson.

Phil and I

were in last year's

Bermuda Race.

Yes, in different boats.

Mine came in last.

We must

have lunch sometime.

I'll call you.

Marvelous party, Estelle.

You're the host.

Start hosting.

You're consumed

with jealousy,

aren't you?

Absolutely destroyed.

I am Phil Benton.

But of course,

everyone knows

Phil Benton.

How do you like

the Bed of Antiquity?

Fairacres?

Well,

I admire the antiques,

but I worry

about the plumbing.

In our neck of the woods,

it's the facade that counts.

It covers our corrosion.

Well, that's hardly unique

to Fairfield County.

It was spawned here.

This is the breeding ground

of the shallow set.

Holly,

time for the wedding pictures.

Will you excuse me?

Well,

I have no choice.

Estelle has us all

under her iron thumb.

And don't you

forget it!

You made it! You made it!

You made it!

Merry Christmas, darling.

Merry Christmas.

CLAY:
That Swiss angel

could go a little

to the left.

(CLAY EXCLAIMS)

That's the German angel.

Well, how do you

tell the difference

between a Swiss angel

and a German angel?

Swiss angels are thin.

German angels are fat.

CLAY:
Mother,

there aren't enough

icicles on your side,

and that finial

is still a little crooked.

Thank you, dear.

I can't imagine how we ever

trimmed this tree

without your help.

That's why

I hurried home.

I always enjoy

decorating the tree.

And you do it

with such style.

You know it.

You're cold.

Someone's walking

across my grave.

That's an

old wives' tale.

Clay.

It's so good

to have you home.

It's so good

to be here.

(BELL CHIMING)

It's midnight.

This is

the happiest Christmas

in my life.

You say that

every Christmas.

I guess

it's my time

of year.

Next stop,

Virginia City.

Passengers change

for Central City,

Boulder and

Denver, Colorado.

Denver?

This is Albany.

Can't you read

what it says

on the depot?

Well, not

with my imagination.

Have I ever told you

you have the most

beautiful imagination?

Well,

it's about time

you noticed.

Make the train go,

Daddy.

Yes, sir!

I'll meet you in Denver

when he takes his nap.

I would love to.

I have a weakness

for railroad men.

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello? Yes,

this is Mr. Anderson.

It's the Secretary

of State.

Good afternoon, sir.

Merry Christmas!

That's quite

all right.

Where?

North Africa?

Yes, yes,

I know it is.

I understand.

Well, when would you

like me to leave?

Clay,

I'm your wife,

at least

I'd like to be.

Of course

you're my wife.

Now what kind

of a thing

is that to say?

I don't share

your life.

I exist in a cubbyhole

of it.

Half the time

I don't even know

where you are.

Darling,

I am so close now

to getting

what I want.

What is it

you want?

Well, you've heard

of the old family disease,

Washington fever.

But if you

want Washington,

why are you going

to North Africa?

Because reputations

can be made in places

like North Africa,

and being

a troubleshooter

is one way

of coming

to the attention

of the right people.

Darling,

I have got to prove

that I stand for something

on my own.

That I'm not just another

rich man's son

living on dividends.

One of these days,

you're going to be

a senator's wife,

and we'll settle down

in Washington,

and I'll be around so much

that you'll be sick of me.

(IMITATING CAR HORN)

CLAY:
I hesitated to

tell you until I was sure,

but the situation

is much more complicated

than I thought.

It looks as though

I'll be here

several more weeks.

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello.

Darling,

I've asked

Phil Benton to be

extra man tonight.

He'll pick you up

around 7:
30,

okay?

Well, I have

a dreadful headache.

I was just about to call

and beg off.

I won't hear of it.

I've already asked Phil

to take Clay's place.

You can't become a recluse

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