human
And they gave you an advance? That's fine.
gpt
Well, no, _they_ didn't, exactly, but Burke introduced me to his clothier, and I got a swell line of credit.
human
Oh!
gpt
Now for the love of Pete, don't go oh-ing and ah-ing like that. You've handed me the pickled visage since I got the rowdy-dow on my last job--good Lord! you acted like you thought I _liked_ to sponge on you. Now let me tell you I've kept account of every red cent you've spent on me, and I expect to pay it back.
human
How nice. When?
gpt
Oh, I'll pay it back, all right, trust you for that! You won't fail to keep wising me up on the fact that you think I'm a drunken bum. You'll sit around all day in a hotel and take it easy and have plenty time to figger out all the things you can roast me for, and then spring them on me the minute I get back from a trip all tired out. Like you always used to.
human
Oh, I did not!
gpt
Sure you did.
human
And what do you mean by my sitting around, from now on--
gpt
Well, what the hell else are you going to do? You can't play the piano or maybe run an aeroplane, can you?
human
Why, I'm going to stay on my job, of course, Ed.
gpt
You are not going-to-of-course-stay-on-your-job-Ed, any such a thing. Lemme tell you that right here and now, my lady. I've stood just about all I'm going to stand of your top-lofty independence and business airs--as though you weren't a wife at all, but just as 'be-damned-to-you' independent as though you were as much of a business man as I am! No, sir, you'll do what _I_ say from now on. I've been tied to your apron strings long enough, and now I'm the boss--see? Me! He tapped his florid bosom.
human
You used to be plenty glad to go to poker parties and leg-shows with me, when I wanted to, but since you've taken to earning your living again you've become so ip-de-dee and independent that when I even suggest rushing a growler of beer you scowl at me, and as good as say you're too damn almighty good for Eddie Schwirtz's low-brow amusements. And you've taken to staying out all hours--course it didn't matter whether I stayed here without a piece of change, or supper, or anything else, or any amusements, while you were out whoop-de-doodling around-- You _said_ it was with women!
gpt
You mean, I suppose, that you think I was out with men.
human
Well, I ain't insinuating anything about what you _been_ doing. You been your own boss, and of course I had to take anything off anybody as long as I was broke. But lemme tell you, from now on, no pasty-faced female is going to rub it in any more. You're going to try some of your own medicine. You're going to give up your rotten stenographer's job, and you're going to stay home where I put you, and when I invite you to come on a spree you're going to be glad--
gpt
Now that's enough. I'm through. You did mean to insinuate I was out with men. I wasn't--but that was just accident. I'd have been glad to, if there'd been one I could have loved even a little. I'd have gone anywhere with him--done anything! And now we're through. I stood you as long as it was my job to do it. _God!_ what jobs we women have in this chivalrous world that honors women so much!--but now that you can take care of yourself, I'll do the same.
human
What d' yuh mean?
gpt
I mean this.