Minute 090: What Sort of Hospital?

What this episode covers

Guest Host: Katie-O Daughter of Jim, climber of rocks, lover of whiskey and scotch. By day, a product manager at a technology firm, by night, a swing dancing, two stepping, theater loving music junkie. Whatever restaurant you’re thinking of in Austin, she probably knows a better one and where to park for free. In spite of Jim’s child rearing techniques via weekly viewings of Airport, she has frequent flier accounts on Delta, American, and Frontier Airlines. Summary Inez is explaining to Tanya about the letter from the travel agency she received just that night. “I only saw it after he left,” says Inez. Mel leans forward. “Does your husband have business in Italy?” he asks Inez. Inez shakes her head. Mel stands up and walks toward where Inez is seated. “What is your husband’s business?” he asks. “Oh, he’s uh, ” stammers Inez, “He was — he did — excavation, for buildings.” “You said ‘was’ — he’s not in that business any more?” asks Mel. Inez shakes her head. “Things — went wrong,” she explains. “Financial trouble?” asks Mel. “Yes,” says Inez. “Bad trouble?” asks Mel. Inez quietly nods. “Broke, in debt?” asks Mel. Inez continues to nod. “Then how did he get the money for his ticket?” asks Mel. “I think, uh,” begins Inez, “he pawned my mother’s wedding ring. When I looked tonight, the case – – it was empty. He — he — he can’t seem to hold a job lately.” “Why not?” asks Mel. “He gets in arguments,” says Inez. “They fire him. It’s his temper. He’s been like that — ever since he got out of the hospital.” Mel stares at her intently. “What sort of hospital?” asks Mel. Inez pauses, looks at him and says “Army hospital.” “Yes,” says Mel. In this minute Maureen Stapleton as Inez Guerrero Burt Lancaster as Mel Bakersfeld Jean Seberg as Tanya Livingston Clark Howat as Bert Weatherby Lloyd Nolan as Harry Standish Albert Reed as Lt. Ned Ordway