Patton, Jr.(George C.Scott) was featured in the opening scene before the backdrop of a huge American flag.He was addressing Allied US troops of the Third Army (off-screen) in a memorable, brilliant pep-talk monologue to raise morale just before they were deployed overseas at the start of WWII.This misery can""t last.I must remember hat and try to control myself.Nothing lasts really.Neither happiness nor despair.Not even life lasts very long.They""ll come a time in the future when I shan""t mind about this anymore.But I can look back and say quite peacefully and cheerfully how silly I was.No, no I don""t want that time to come hither.I want to remember every minute, always, always to the end of my days.When Laura enters her home, her helpless husband Fred (Cyril Raymond) is relieved, explaining how their two children Bobbie (Richard Thomas) and Margaret (Henrietta Vincent) have been fighting and the "place has been in an uproar.She gleefully left the pawnshop to ell the Boy of the good news.[Note: The Girl heroine was the actual ""sleuth"" who would solve the crime, long before the Boy figured out the set-up.It""s like falling off a cliff in slow-motion, you know.Only after a while, you wish you""d hit the ground already, you know." He states he fell off a cliff when he met her.Then, she tries to bring up his spirits:Now you""ve gotta stop being sick...that guilty look on your face, it""s sick.Would you stop blaming yourself, you god-damn stupid preppy.It""s nobody""s fault.It""s not your fault.That""s he only thing I""m gonna ask you.Otherwise, I know you""re gonna be OK.(pause) Screw Paris!...Screw Paris and music and all that stuff you thought you stole from me.I don""t care, don""t you believe hat? (He shook his head no) Then get the hell out of here.I don""t want you at my god-damn deathbed.He finally admits: "I believe you.I really do." She responds with a last request: "That""s better.Would you please do something for me, Ollie? (He kisses her hand) Would you please hold me? (He half-heartedly hugs her) No, I mean really hold me.