Who Am I This Time? (1982) 7.6

[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, have you, uh, have you ever... acted? [She stares at him with what might be hostility but is more likely bafflement] George Johnson:

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Uh, what do you do? With the machine?

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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, is, well, you see, I've got this idea. We're, 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. [Helene is auditioning for "A Streetcar named Desire," but she reads the lines stiltedly] Doris: With a little feeling. Now, pretend that George is Stanley, and that you love him very passionately. [George smiles flirtatiously - in a rugged, manly way, of course] Doris: On second thought, just try to imagine Stanley. Now, let's take it from where we left off. [George frowns at Doris, then looks down at the desk, deflated] [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! [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:

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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.