DAISY: I’m here!
(MARTHA and MINNA are speechless)
DAISY (cont’d): Sprechen zee English?
MINNA: The maid let you in.
DAISY: Thank God! I swear, no one in this town even speaks German. Whenever I try to talk to them, they look at me like I just escaped from the nuthouse–which, in a way, I did.
MINNA: And where is it you believe you have arrived?
DAISY: Isn’t this the Freud residence? 19 Berggasse Street, Vienna–Austria?
MARTHA: This is the home of Dr. Sigmund Freud.
DAISY: And Anna?
MARTHA: Anna?
DAISY: I’ve come here to be psychoanalyzed by Anna Freud.
(MARTHA and MINNA are dumbfounded)
DAISY (cont’d): Didn’t she get my letter? What am I saying? Of course she got it–she wrote back. It’s here somewhere.
(finding the letter tucked into her bra; reading the letter:)
“Dear Miss Davenport,”–that’s me–“I am flattered and honored by your unexpected letter in praise of my article. I beg you to understand that I myself am not a psychoanalyst, and that Dr. Freud is not currently receiving new patients, as he has recently undergone surgery. With greatest regards, Anna Freud.”
MARTHA: So you’ve come.
MINNA: And what did you take my niece’s letter to signify?
DAISY: I figured it was her super modest, extra polite European way of inviting me to come here so she can cure me of my illness.
MINNA: From which portion of her letter did you derive this subtle yet complex subtext?
DAISY: Oh…“flattered”…“honored”…“I beg you”…that sort of thing.
(ANNA enters from the office)
DAISY (cont’d): Anna! I’m thrilled to finally meet you!
MINNA: The letter.
DAISY: Look! Real Viennese chocolates! I got them especially for you.
ANNA: You are Miss Davenport of Boston, Massachusetts?
DAISY: See? I told them you knew I was coming!
ANNA: Won’t you please sit down, Miss Davenport.
DAISY: Daisy—please!
ANNA: This is my mother, Frau Freud.
DAISY: Pleased to meet you. It must be fascinating being married to a genius. I’ve read all of Dr. Freud’s books.
MARTHA: My husband’s books are not proper reading for a well-bred young lady.
ANNA: Aunt Minna.
DAISY: How lovely! I’m certain to be someone’s maiden old aunt one day. But I could never live with my sister–we’d probably end up poisoning each other.
MINNA: And where will you be staying?
DAISY: Oh, yes, well, I thought maybe Anna could suggest something.
ANNA: You must join us for supper, of course ….
DAISY: Goodie!
