Metropolitan (1990) Edit

A bit overstated, don't you think?

A bully, liar, drunk and thief...

A composite!

A date? What's that? It sounds like something from the 1950s.

A Derringer. Do you remember the Derringer craze?

A girl called. Her number's by the kitchen phone.

A horse fanatic since childhood.

A little embarrassment could do you some good.

A Polly Perkins? There isn't any Polly Perkins. You know that.

A real relief from these hypercritical New York girls.

A Westsider is amongst us.

About how desperately in love he was with her...

About people going around feeling sorry for other people they consider less fortunate.

Actually, I don't think Tom approves of bridge, but we should ask him anyway.

Actually, I haven't had time to buy one.

Actually, I was surprised to see you at the dances this week.

Actually, I was thinking of coming back when the semester ends.

Actually, it wasn't my cab. I was just there waiting for the light to change when it pulled up.

Actually, it's a tremendous relief, not having that hanging over my head anymore.

Actually, that might give someone the wrong impression.

After all that about what a slut she was.

After two weeks, she was sent to McLean's for treatment...

After which it can only be regained by a conscious act of faith.

Ah, the cha cha.

Ah, well, I wouldn't put much stock in them.

All at no expense to you.

All of this is much more emotional and difficult for them than it is for us.

All the guys ask that. Serena had an incredible number of boyfriends. At least 20.

All the romance imaginary, nothing real.

Allen is the record producer who discovered The Hated Few.

Allen, these are my friends, Charlie and Tommy.

Although I don't think he's one.

Although the last time I was here, over Thanksgiving...

Always wearing the same clothes...

An egomaniac and probably psychotic.

An incompetence in mastering the common tasks of everyday life.

And a fixation on what you consider Rick Von Sloneker's wickedness.

And all I get's this whining criticism

And Audrey apparently didn't think people's letters should be destroyed that way.

And basically has me disinherited.

And basically it's all true. I mean, Von Sloneker's doing those kinds of things all the time.

And being over Serena when he's obviously not.

And besides that, she thinks you're a total jerk.

And besides, it's not a question of losing class prerogatives, whatever that means...

And by Jane Austen, Persuasion and Mansfield Park.

And by the way, whose are these?

And Cadet Lieutenant George Frawley of our armed services.

And Cynthia insisted I come. She's terribly impressed with Rick.

And Cynthia's in Southampton with Von Sloneker, what does that mean?

And don't think I haven't thought about these things.

And had her

And had nothing to do with her suicide, which was months afterwards.

And I get this.

And I never really counted on having it.

And I really don't want to think about returning my tuxedo right now.

And I think that the downward fall is gonna be very fast.

And I wasn't even Audrey's escort. We were all there as a group.

And if Audrey's as upset and bitter as it seems, well, then anything could happen.

And if you just disappear now, they're gonna take that as personal rejection.

And it's not just because you're smart and good looking and

And killed herself.

And none of the other terms people use WASP, P.L.U., et cetera are of much use either.

And nostalgia for all those conversations with Audrey before the big blowup.

And nothing you say or do will change anything.

And preppy girls mature socially much later than others do.

And said some really odd things.

And Sally will be very good. She's got a wonderful voice.

And she wouldn't eat hamburgers unless they were completely well done.

And she wrote letters incredibly quickly.

And that it was really important that the family be together then.

And that you'll get a white carnation for your lapel.

And that's why I prefer the term U.H.B.

And the last anyone has seen of either of them...

And the whole thing's televised on Channel 9.

And then attend them anyways.

And then on Wednesday she flies back to France.

And then she told Miss Radford, They look awfully big for mice.

And then talk obsessively about Paul McCartney.

And then you try to shirk the whole thing off on Fred.

And these Texas and Oklahoma debs are really nice...

And they're just throwing it out.

And to conventional society in general.

And what if someone who wrote you becomes famous?

And when he's not being a phony, h he's a bastard.

And wire coat hangers lying around, it was completely empty.

And you had such a good relationship.

And you have to answer, with absolute honesty...

And you're barging in on her uninvited in the middle of the night?

And, also, their their career is not over.

And, finally, they gave me a piece of paper with a Santa Fe, New Mexico address on it.

And, lately, you've gotten just weird.

Any hint of redness and she'd send them back.

Anybody who writes me who expects to become famous should keep carbons.

Anybody with as many conflicts as Tom...

Anything that happened between Cathy Livingstone and myself...

Apparently it was awful.

Apparently, I failed to live up to them.

Are not doomed to failure.

Are the more fortunate really so terrific?

Are you joking?

Are you really going back next week?

Aren't you confusing them with people that you might have known from college...

As a matter of fact, it is.

As being sensitive and shy.

At 7:00? Okay.

At school he used to individually answer all his junk mail.

At some point most of us lose that...

Audrey has gone with Cynthia to Von Sloneker's house party in Southampton.

Audrey Rouget.

Audrey's gone to Cynthia's in Connecticut for the weekend...

Based on real people, like New York magazine does.

Basically, all you need is one suit of evening clothes...

Basically, we'd all be going together, although officially you'd be Audrey's escort.

Basically, what this game requires is complete candor...

Be careful, Audrey.

Because actually there's very little social snobbery in the United States.

Because he's obviously not an interesting guy.

Before the possibility of falling in love even occurs to you.

Before you complained that I said it behind your back.

Being prevalent among New York social types...

Besides, I don't think Tom's that way.

Besides, I haven't had anything amusing to say since I stopped drinking.

Bitterly resent Mansfield Park because its heroine is virtuous?

Both of us did.

But But I don't expect to have to.

But But it's true that the forces that oblige members of the U.H.B...

But a very attractive slut.

But Audrey, for instance, is completely different.

But for someone like Von Sloneker, that's just inciting.

But he insisted that we take it, so Nick insisted that he come along too...

But I I don't know how we're going to get back.

But I am authorized to use my mother's card.

But I don't have to pretend that Tom Townsend's a nice guy.

But I'm having what, for me, is breakfast...

But if any guy who really was shy dared talk to you...

But if that doesn't work out, there must be someone else.

But inevitably they ask, what am I doing, or think it.

But it's a bit of a mouthful, isn't it U.H.B.?

But it's all right if we stay here and wait for everyone else?

But it's ridiculous to refer to a man in his 7 Os, like Averell Harriman, as a preppy.

But it's still not right to treat her that way. I think Serena really feels hurt by it.

But it's true. I mean, he's done some unspeakable things.

But just as their contemporaries really began to accomplish things...

But my mother insisted. It was a real nightmare.

But she said that Cynthia was visiting Audrey.

But surely not with us.

But that's the ex exception though.

But the context of the novel, and nearly everything Jane Austen wrote...

But the prospect of wasting your whole productive life...

But the truth is, the bourgeoisie does have a lot of charm.

But there were some real psychological problems too.

But they they thought that Audrey was with Cynthia in Connecticut too.

But they were separated for a year before that.

But this afternoon they both went down to Washington for Holly Gilchrist's party.

But when I can't, they're always very friendly...

But whether it was really a failure I don't think can be definitively said.

By any chance, would you have any book on the French social philosopher Fourier?

By Tolstoy, War and Peace...

Bye.

Bye. Be out by midnight? What's going on?

Call him if you want. I don't care.

Carries little weight, or none at all...

Cathy Livingstone. No more harm can be done to her now.

Charlie's on his way up.

Charlie's standard of polite behavior is so exaggerated.

Charming, principled.

Come on.!

Contrary to what people might think.

Could really add to these after parties.

Could you call me either way?

Could you go into a few sordid details?

Could you see who's there?

Could you stop calling me despicable? I'm really worried about Audrey.

Damn. I'll get it. I want to continue this.

Damn. There's something I wanted to ask you.

Dances are either white tie or black tie, so you only need two ties.

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roderick Johnston.

Dawn in the big city.

Dead fathers are a common problem.

Did anything happen?

Did you have anything amusing to say before you stopped?

Did you know Serena Slocum there?

Did you learn that from your lovemaking with Rick?

Do you have any idea when everyone's getting back? It's as if the whole S.F.R.P. had disintegrated.

Do you know what pulling a train means?

Do you really think I'm flat chested?

Do you think I'd have any trouble getting a cab?

Do you think it's true, though, that, generally speaking...

Do you think some of them could have been sent to Dad's?

Does the name Polly Perkins mean anything to you?

Doesn't Serena look awful here? She's not exactly photogenic.

Don't bother.

Downward social mobility.

Driver, follow that pedestrian.

Each girl has two escorts

Either we should all play or none of us should.

Essentially, all it means is, you'll be able to go on your own rather than as someone's escort...

Even before we started going out, I'd built up this huge romantic vision about her.

Even if he seems nice, is better not to get involved with.

Even if he were right...

Even if I do return alive, I don't think I'll be attending any more dances after this one.

Even if it looks like an accident or natural causes?

Even if it looks like an accident or natural causes?

Even Lionel Trilling, one of her greatest admirers, thought that.

Even within this group, there are certain standards.

Everyone has some contradictions.

Except for a couple of idiosyncrasies she'd only dress in blue...

Excuse me.

Finally, someone's gonna tell the truth about the bourgeoisie.

First, the doorman at my father's building wouldn't let me up.

For many of them, this is the first serious social life they've had...

For me, it isn't erotic.

Fourierism was tried in the 19th century and failed.

Free of UHB illusions...

French.

Ginger ale? Ice water? Ah, maybe a Coke with an aspirin.

Girls And Sex by Wardell B. Pomeroy.

Girls that have been degraded by you don't need the further humiliation...

Go on. Tell 'em. You made it up.

God, how queer.

Great. I'm hated by the preppy St. Francis.

Ha!

Has it ever occurred to you that today, looked at from Jane Austen's perspective...

Has it ever occurred to you that you are the less fortunate?

Have your parents been divorced long?

Having grown up with the assumption of material security.

He can see. It's enormous.

He doesn't just agree with everything everyone else is saying.

He got an invitation.

He had taken mescaline, and he went around doing this about his head.

He had that coming for a long time.

He hadn't told me anything about moving.

He is terrible.

He likes everyone's parents.

He looks familiar.

He might not be too pleased to see us.

He moves to another state without telling me...

He must have written you or something, and the letter got delayed.

He now completely ignored her.

He says he can't. He's about to get fired as it is.

He says that nobody could like the heroine of Mansfield Park.

He shouldn't be reacting this way though. I don't know what happened.

He talked her into pulling a train

He totally humiliated you last night.

He was always saying what a lousy job it was.

He was trying to establish communications with the seagulls of Easthampton.

He's a considerate and sensitive man.

He's always complaining about what a lousy job it is.

He's basically a nice guy, I think.

He's getting a crosstown bus.

He's gonna freeze dressed like that in weather like this.

He's quite good looking though. I think serious guys tend to be better looking.

He's right. I got an invitation and didn't particularly have anything else to do.

He's the guy that was sitting at the table behind ours without talking to anyone all evening.

He's the scoundrel. I should have thrashed him.

Her essential view is experience is good, and she's set out to acquire it.

Here you go.

Hey, I think it's this sensation of silently being listened to...

Hey! Hey!

Hi, Rick.

Him, Victor Lemley, the other crew member.

His behavior toward Rick has been vicious.

His ideas completely unworkable.

His point is that the novel's premise

How can you say that? I mean, you know what kind of guy he is.

How dare he hit me!

How dare you break in here? Did they break that?

How does he threaten me?

How it was their obligation to themselves...

How much extra will it cost?

How she was the first girl that ever made him feel that way...

How strange. She must be really odd.

I I find it hard to believe that many people from our background are successful.

I I wonder if they were typical UHBs.

I I hope to someday.

I I mean, what can really happen?

I always drink two glasses of water before going to bed anyway.

I always think other people are foolish. I'm the big fool.

I asked for that Truth question with a specific idea in mind...

I asked Fred to tell you that if I didn't make it back, I'd meet you here.

I believe so.

I believe so.

I call.

I called Audrey's parents exactly at 7:00.

I can tell he's still obsessed with Serena.

I can't I can't really share your concern.

I can't bear it.

I can't believe it.

I can't believe it. God!

I can't believe you're talking like this.

I can't deny your point, but...

I can't help wondering why my stepmother's suddenly so willing to have me come.

I can't stand snobbery or snobbish attitudes of any kind.

I can't think of anyone less an authority on female anatomy.

I couldn't believe you were actually going to play bridge. It's such a cliché of bourgeois life.

I couldn't let Cynthia get away with that nonsense about Von Sloneker.

I didn't realize it looked like this. I guess it'll be all right.

I didn't save your letters, but I didn't throw them out.

I didn't, but even if I did, it's none of your business.

I don't accept that.

I don't feel that way now.

I don't go out to the Hamptons. You could have gotten one easily.

I don't have one anymore.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know. It depends on what the situation is.

I don't know. That's their affair.

I don't know. What do people who don't drink have?

I don't let anyone say that kind of thing to my face.

I don't see how how anything could happen to him in a hotel.

I don't see how you can stand him.

I don't see why not.

I don't take that sort of thing seriously though.

I don't think I've ever met anyone's parents, except Serena's.

I don't think it works that way.

I don't think it's possible to forget the cha cha. I think you're blocking it out.

I don't think so.

I don't think so.

I don't think that Rick is the sort of guy who lets himself be dropped.

I don't think that there is a popular imagination.

I don't think that there is a popular imagination.

I don't think there are any reasons, except for maybe jealousy.

I don't think there's time for drinks after all.

I don't understand. Is that a riddle?

I don't want to go through the rest of my life with the mail I got when I was 16.

I don't want to just hang around, watching the decline.

I don't. It's just what you say, and you're completely untrustworthy.

I favor the socialist model developed by the 19th century French social critic Fourier.

I fell in love with Serena long before I met her.

I felt like it.

I find it very hard to believe that Serena broke up with Rick.

I find that dehumanizing.

I forgot how beautiful it was.

I go away for a couple of hours, and you have Von Sloneker up here?

I got back, he was gone. Nobody did anything to help me.

I guess few people's lives...

I guess he didn't remember me there from Christmas two years ago.

I guess it's understandable that she would prefer to go out on a date...

I guess so.

I guess we all know who you're talking about.

I had hardly anything to drink.

I had no cards. Why did you call?

I had no idea Fred was gonna get sick.

I had nothing to do with that, and, anyway, she was completely unstable.

I had nothing to do with that, and, anyway, she was completely unstable.

I hate him.

I have a question.

I have nothing to hide. It was Nick.

I have nothing to say, and I'm completely boring without a drink.

I haven't been giving you the silent treatment. I just haven't been talking to you.

I haven't read the Bible either.

I haven't the slightest idea. Just get out of here, you twerps!

I hear it can get really rough.

I imagine they'll be glued to the set.

I intended to go and got as far as the door.

I just don't understand where he could be.

I know it sounds queer.

I know it's very late, but we had trouble getting your number.

I know, but it seemed amusing. Now it doesn't.

I know. You're opposed to these parties on principle.

I leave, counting on you and Charlie to maintain the standards and ideals of the U.H.B.

I like her.

I like him a lot, but don't try to understand his thought processes.

I like it a lot.

I like it. I was surprised.

I like the French.

I liked Cathy, but sometimes these things don't work out, and a clean break is usually the best.

I love the St. Regis.

I love this.

I mean, Audrey wouldn't put herself in the situation you describe.

I mean, capable of anything.

I mean, for them, men are either dates, potential dates or date substitutes.

I mean, I find that that really despicable.

I mean, I I know that you don't yet feel that way, but

I mean, I suppose there will be risk in any romance.

I mean, it might be descriptive for someone who is still in school or college...

I mean, it's considered unacceptable.

I mean, maybe this isn't the best time, but for some time now, I

I mean, so so sociologically, I mean, what's important is...

I mean, that's that's pretty definitive.

I mean, the failure could still be to come.

I mean, there's something a tiny bit arrogant...

I mean, wasn't Brook Farm Fourierist?

I mean, what does that really mean today?

I mean, you you were right about that game.

I mean, you know that that she's a big admirer of Jane Austen.

I mean, you know, seven can play.

I mean, you're surprised?

I mean, you've known Sally for, what, 10 days?

I never thought of myself as a bastard, an egoist.

I once had quite a long talk with her father.

I prefer good literary criticism.

I read that Lionel Trilling essay you mentioned.

I remember a long letter you wrote Serena about agrarian socialism.

I save all the personal letters I get. Don't you?

I started feeling this incredible loneliness being with Serena...

I still am, basically.

I suppose Europe is over there.

I suppose he thought someone's feelings would be hurt if he didn't.

I suppose it's possible, but what's the point?

I suppose so.

I suppose this is embarrassing, but it's hardly a revelation.

I think I preferred arguing with Audrey than to agreeing with Serena or someone else.

I think I'd prefer one more like the one I rented.

I think if one of us isn't going to play, then none of us should.

I think it just shows that Von Sloneker's doing those sorts of things.

I think it was one of the first things to set Alice Dreyer off about Marxism.

I think it's justifiable to go once, to know firsthand what it is you oppose.

I think my father considers himself a failure...

I think that that that we are all, in a sense, doomed.

I think that's the the direction that we're all heading in.

I think that's the case with almost everybody.

I think we also have a friend in common Rick Von Sloneker.

I thought I should mention I'm putting you on the floor committee for the Christmas ball.

I thought that was pretty obvious.

I throw away nearly everything.

I try to avoid them whenever I can.

I use it all the time.

I want to be a real woman.

I was not trying to shirk the whole thing off on Fred.

I was one of her boyfriends.

I was sure th that we agreed on 120 as the full price.

I was thinking of going over, though not necessarily to Grenoble, but to France or Italy.

I wasn't trying to.

I went to the first one almost accidentally and that night just happened to fall in...

I wish somebody had told me that before.

I wonder if our generation's any better than our parents'.

I wonder whether we're really friends for them at all.

I would have if I hadn't been doing my damnedest not to splatter blood all over the apartment.

I wouldn't want to live on a farm with a lot of other people.

I wouldn't worry about it.

I'd hardly call Nick Smith nice. He's a terrible snob.

I'd only had that calmly unemotional perspective on my relationship with Serena for a little while...

I'd put that sort of thing on hold for a long time.

I'd read Veblen, but it was amazing to see that these things still go on.

I'd seen her at a Chapin dance, but I didn't really meet her until a year later.

I'll get it.

I'll help you with your stuff.

I'll meet you at 4:30 at Brooks, main floor, southwest corner...

I'll tell you this in confidence. You've made a big impression on these girls

I'm a bit surprised.

I'm about to go upstate to the domain of a stepmother of untrammeled malevolence...

I'm catching the dawn train upstate to East Aurora.

I'm facing one of the worst guys of modern times...

I'm going to Grand Central.

I'm not destitute. I've got a good job that pays decently.

I'm not gonna forget about him because of some apparent inconsistencies.

I'm not sure I like them that much.

I'm not sure I prefer that.

I'm not sure I wanna go back to Princeton next year. It's too much of a country club for me.

I'm not sure if you realize this, but these girls are at a very vulnerable point in their lives.

I'm really surprised at Jane.

I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean what I said.

I'm sorry I asked him that. It was my fault.

I'm sorry it was such a bad time for you, but I don't see how that should make me feel any better.

I'm sure he's not asleep.

I'm sure nothing you did or said has anything to do with it...

I'm surprised.

I'm worried about Audrey. She seems to have taken this so hard.

I've been just the opposite. Everything's been in my imagination.

I've had a crush on Serena, with some ups and downs, for over two years.

I've heard about that girl, and it wasn't Rick's fault.

I've never had any trouble.

I've obviously failed to.

If I have to pay for another day

If I should die while there, would you see that there's a thorough investigation...

If I should die while there, would you see that there's a thorough investigation...

If it doesn't work out this time, I'll be off romance for a long time.

If not spattering blood was your objective, you weren't terribly successful.

If only Nick were here. He'd know what to do.

If she blows herself up, it'll be your fault.

If someone takes the trouble to write you a substantial letter, you do not throw it out.

If the dime falls in on your turn, you lose...

If there's any risk of Audrey going out to Von Sloneker's, I'll give you a call.

If Thorstein Veblen were here, he'd tell you the same thing.

If you want to tease me, this is not the best time.

In a little bit more than an hour, the, uh, season will be over.

In descending order of interest, and why, including significant detail.

In part, regarding the money.

In retrospect, I wonder how good it was. I hadn't seen him since last spring.

In short, highly attractive to women.

In the context of the novel it makes perfect sense.

In your letters, you expressed a vehement opposition to deb parties...

Instead of just going on and on about what a bastard Tom Townsend is.

Is well, is obviously an exaggeration.

Is Audrey coming tonight?

Is entirely private and entirely personal...

Is he coming?

Is it that your resources are limited?

Is near ridiculous from today's perspective.

Is not really accurate.

Is our language so impoverished...

Is that there's absolutely nothing you can do about them.

Is the 21 Club very expensive?

Is the 21 Club very expensive?

Is this true?

It It explains a lot.

It can really be incredible.

It hardly explains why you just left me there waiting for you to call...

It is a bit full here. Let me have it.

It is our living room.

It just seems to me that it's a kind of trust.

It might sound melodramatic to say that he's ruined girls.

It must have been something I ate those Vienna sausages.

It should be just the reverse.

It shows that it wasn't intentional.

It shows that it wasn't intentional.

It surprised me because I thought that if if it didn't work out with Serena this time...

It turns out that they're not not such early risers.

It was Holly who was responsible for getting them together in the first place.

It was just bad luck that Fred got sick.

It was probably the other way around.

It was quite a surprise.

It was really mild.

It was tough on him too.

It was utterly hopeless. The Easthampton seagulls are complete morons.

It was very sad what happened, but Rick had absolutely nothing to do with it.

It would be hard to imagine a less fair or accurate portrait.

It would seem a shame not to take advantage of them.

It wouldn't be any great tragedy if some of these people lost their class prerogatives.

It's It's untenable.

It's a bit ridiculous for someone to say they're morally opposed to deb parties...

It's a fine name.

It's a more sociologically precise alternative...

It's a toy or an antique or something.

It's actually surprising to see you at something like this.

It's an acronym for urban haute bourgeoisie.

It's as if he were incredibly angry with me, but I can't think of why.

It's barbaric, but a barbarism even worse than the old fashioned, straightforward kind.

It's because they can see that that you're a good person.

It's better for her to know the truth. I don't see how knowing the truth could do anyone any harm.

It's called Truth.

It's completely ridiculous.

It's different for those of us from the country.

It's great for your complexion.

It's incredible how naive some guys are. How do you know Serena?

It's incredible, the eagerness of girls like you to justify the worst bastards imaginable...

It's incredible, the things some people throw away.

It's just that it's all so mediocre, so unimpressive.

It's just that my stepmother is a writer and having us around makes her nervous.

It's nearly 6:00. They're going to close.

It's no joke.

It's not for you. I've got a date.

It's not something Jane Austen would have done.

It's not surprising that that an energetic, self confident achiever...

It's only midnight. You can't go.

It's possible. Why? Do you want them?

It's really charming.

It's sounds more U.C.

It's terrible.

It's the first time they've invited me in years.

It's the truth.

Jane brings this guy she hardly knows back for some kind of assignation?

Jane's father's dead. Very suddenly, last year.

Jesus!

Just one thing He's not not a good person.

Just some friends.

Life is melodramatic, if you look at the whole sweep of it.

Like who was your most recent conquest? Something like that.

List all the girls you're interested in romantically...

Listen, don't flatter yourself.

Listen, don't take this thing with Charlie too seriously.

Listen, I know you're angry with her. You're probably right to be.

Listen, I'm really sorry about what happened tonight.

Look, get out of here and take this flat chested goody goody pain in the neck with you.

Look, if Audrey's supposed to be visiting Cynthia in Connecticut...

Look, there's a light on.

Look.

Mansfield Park? You've got to be kidding.

Match their own expectations.

Maybe by being more of a man than you are.

Maybe he went through one of those fire doors that lock from the inside and shut himself in the stairwell.

Maybe I was just kidding myself.

Maybe it was the same thing that happened to Fred.

Maybe their careers started out well enough...

Maybe we should rescue the electric car set.

Maybe, underneath it all, he's a nice guy, but he sure doesn't make a very good first impression.

Mine and Charlie's are too.

Mine and Charlie's are too.

Miss Sabina Johnston of Tyler, Texas...

Mom, I don't want to seem rude. I know I got up very late.

Mostly Europeans all looking down at me.

Music, drinks, entertainment, hot, nutritious meals...

My father's place.

My feeling is that what happened last night had no real significance.

My mother's doctor's been giving me these vitamin shots. They've worn off or something.

My point was that the common image of divorce and decadent behavior...

My resources are limited, but actually that's not it.

Name one girl.

Never washing, except just putting on more and more makeup and perfume.

Nick said he thought this would be the last real deb season.

No, I either walk or take public transportation.

No, I just didn't know where to get a good overcoat.

No, I just know that games like this can be really dangerous.

No, I think it is. Good night.

No, I think it was something else.

No, I'm I'm gonna get a license soon.

No, I'm not talking about what's good or bad.

No, if we're going to play, we all should. That's the whole point.

No, it's not that far. It's, like, an hour.

No, it's Tom Townsend, I'm sure.

No, no, I think it's a useful term. The fact that it sounds ridiculous could be part of its appeal.

No, please. Stop.

No, she's very nice.

No, something specific.

No, that'd be more Brazil. Europe would be more that way.

No, that's okay. Charlie said he'd take me.

No, we simply fail without being doomed.

No, we'll share it. I insist. That way there'll be no ill feelings.

No.

No.

No. I mean, it was idiotic of me to... approach you that way.

No. Nick goes whether he's invited or not.

No. See you tonight.

No. She read them aloud.

No. There's only one explanation.

None of you know him, and I'd like to keep it that way.

None. I don't read novels.

Noon on Christmas Day, every other year, we go to my father's place.

Not just for us as individuals, but the whole preppy class.

Not many people could know about it.

Not many people wear them anymore. They look much better.

Now barbarism is cloaked with all sorts of self righteousness and moral superiority.

Now it's that it's to your face. Frankly, how can you tell which is which?

Now, partly it was finally becoming disillusioned with horses.

Of course it does.

Of course not.

Of course there's a God. We all basically know there is.

Of course you have. So, who was talking about me?

Of course, there's a factual basis.

Of course, you have been right up till now, and Von Sloneker is a bad guy...

Of having their names bandied about non exclusive Park Avenue after parties.

Of personal failure.

Of showing her you hadn't gotten over Serena yet.

Oh, come on.

Oh, could you be out by midnight? Feel free to stay until then though. Bye!

Oh, Fred, something's come up and I've got to go out for a while.

Oh, give me a break!

Oh, good! You know about Harris.

Oh, I was talking with Tom Townsend the other night.

Oh, I was talking with Tom Townsend the other night.

Oh, I've been reading Jane Austen. Persuasion.

Oh, it's fabulous.

Oh, it's far worse. Our generation's probably the worst since the Protestant Reformation.

Oh, no. Um, we need you to take us back. That That was understood.

Oh, now, the cha cha is no more ridiculous than life itself.

Oh, oh, before you go

Oh, spare us this fake sensitivity. Are her panties still in your collection?

Oh, sure. Rick's a great guy. Our houses are next to each other in Southampton.

Oh, that didn't stop you from boozing her up and then talking her into pulling a train for you and Lemley.

Oh, that.

Oh, that's priceless.

Oh, the International.

Oh, this looks really bad, Nick.

Oh, when they later kill themselves, do you do anything special to memorialize them?

Oh, yeah. I think I've seen that.

Oh, yeah. What was that surprising thing Serena told you?

Oh, you mean because of his title. We're supposed to be impressed by that.

Oh, you think so? I never noticed that. How do you know Serena?

Oh!

Oh! ♪ Cha cha cha ♪

Oh.

Oh. You must be Pomfret.

Okay, Cynthia, let's cha cha cha.

Okay, I'll tell you about Rick Von Sloneker.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Older people tend to get up really early. I'll call the Rougets at 7:00.

On rising above office politics...

On the big night I'd looked forward to for a week...

On the contrary, I think the titled aristocracy are the scum of the Earth.

One could get the impression you're not a very serious person.

One thing I like about him is he doesn't say all the expected things.

One word stepmother.

One, a cadet in uniform from one of the service academies...

Or or refusing to compete and risk open failure.

Or gradually spending more and more time on something more interesting

Or in February.

Or not not doing the humdrum part of the job.

Or only doing the humdrum part.

Or really bad. But yours were really good.

Or whenever the parents get up.

Other than Tom Townsend.

Otherwise I wouldn't have gone to any more.

Our parents' generation was never interested in keeping up standards.

Ow!

People don't write many personal letters anymore.

People from this sort of background are doomed to failure?

People in boarding school do.

People shouldn't get married till their late 20s, and that's a long way off.

Peter Duchin, the Plaza ballroom, et cetera.

Playing strip poker with an exhibitionist somehow takes the challenge away.

Please don't. Feel free to stay here. There's plenty of food and stuff.

Polly had, meanwhile, quit her summer job and joined his boat for the rest of the cruise.

Polly Perkins is a composite, like New York magazine does.

Polly was a bit of a masochist and prone to drink too much.

Poor Tom Townsend doesn't even have a winter jacket I can't go to any more parties?

Possibly not even then.

Pretty depressing.

Pretty much, yes.

Princeton's south of here. I guess it's a lot warmer.

Quote: 'The most frank and objective book currently available. ' Library Journal.

Really?

Really?

Really? What's that?

Recently it seems to have developed into something more serious.

Regarding my relationship with my father, of course I'm concerned.

Rick keeps a collection of panties of the girls that he's seduced.

Rick makes him feel terribly inadequate somehow.

Rick really threatens you somehow.

Rick thinks Nick could be really crazy.

Rick Von Sloneker is tall, rich, good looking...

Right across from the undershorts counter.

Running across far more successful contemporaries.

S.P.S., we used to call him.

Sally's parents asked us to stay for breakfast.

See you. Hi! Hi!

Serena let you read my letters?

Serena Slocum, a real feeling?

Serena was about to throw them out...

Serena's basically a good person.

She came into my room when I was throwing things out, so I gave her your letters.

She can watch Channel 9 equally well from there.

She could manage it because they were all at different schools...

She grew up in Virginia.

She has to act that way. Otherwise, it would be even more humiliating.

She only read us the ones that she thought were really good.

She said it was a bit urgent.

She said she felt tired and thought she'd stay at home.

She said that she couldn't face being alone on Christmas Eve...

She said we should come up anytime we saw the living room lights on, which they clearly are.

She showed no interest in him at all initially...

She sounds pretty unbearable. But I haven't read the book.

She thinks you're a total jerk. She hates you.

She was carrying his photo when she killed herself.

She was feeling badly and she was going to go home alone.

She was just some girl who had a crush on him, but whom he hardly knew.

She wrote a lot of guys, but I'm sure she liked some a lot more than others.

She, in turn, became obsessed with him.

She'd always had psychological problems and was, in fact, a pathological liar.

She'd only go on group dates, never individual ones.

She'd remain silent for hours...

She's broken up with Rick. It just took longer than I expected.

She's good looking, smart...

She's got very, very clear views on these things.

She's probably at home, asleep right now...

She's someone who would keep up her friendships no matter what.

Should be successful.