A Young Man comes along the street and rings the bell.

BLANCHE: Come in.

BLANCHE: Well, well! What can I do for you?
YOUNG MAN: I'm collecting for The Evening Star.
BLANCHE: I didn't know that stars took up collections.
YOUNG MAN: It's the paper.
BLANCHE: I know. I was joking--feebly! Will you--have a drink?
YOUNG MAN: No, ma'am. No, thank you. I can't drink on the job.
BLANCHE: Oh, well, now, let's see.... No, I don't have a dime!
I'm not the lady of the house. I'm her sister from Mississippi.
I'm one
of those poor relations you've heard about.
YOUNG MAN: That's all right I'll drop by later. [He starts to go
out. She approaches a little.]
BLANCHE: Hey! [He turns back shyly. She puts a cigarette in a
long holder] Could you give me a light?
YOUNG MAN: Sure. [He takes out a lighter] This doesn't always
work
BLANCHE: It's temperamental? [It flares] Ah!--thank you. [He
starts away again] Hey! [He turns again, still more uncertainly.
She goes
close to him] Uh--what time is it?
YOUNG MAN: Fifteen of seven, ma'am.
BLANCHE: So late? Don't you just love these long rainy
afternoons in New Orleans when an hour isn't just an hour--but a
little
piece of eternity dropped into your hands--and who knows what to
do with it? [She touches his shoulders.] You--uh--didn't get wet
in
the rain?
YOUNG MAN: No, ma'am. I stepped inside.
BLANCHE: In a drug-store? And had a soda?
YOUNG MAN: Uh-huh.
BLANCHE: Chocolate?
YOUNG MAN: No, ma'am. Cherry.
BLANCHE [laughing]: Cherry!
YOUNG MAN: A cherry soda.
BLANCHE: You make my mouth water. [She touches his cheek
lightly, and smiles. Then she goes to the trunk.]
YOUNG MAN: Well, I'd better be going--
BLANCHE [stopping him]: Young man! Young man! Young, young,
young man! Has anyone ever told you that you look like a
young Prince out of the Arabian Nights? [The Young Man laughs
uncomfortably and stands like a bashful kid. Blanche speaks
softly to him.]
Well, you do, honey lamb! Come here. I want to kiss you, just
once, softly and sweetly on your mouth! [Without waiting for him
to
accept, she crosses quickly to him and presses her lips to his.]
Now run along, now, quickly! It would be nice to keep you, but
I've got to be
good--and keep my hands off children.