Brooke Hayward credited as playing...
Paula Harper
- Emily Harper: [early draft: the family examines their Cajun-crafted masks] ... Father, you don't mean that -- that we have to *wear* these ugly things!
- Jason Foster: Only for a few hours, Emily. Only 'till the unmasking at midnight.
- Paula Harper: Well, I won't wear mine.
- Wilfred Harper, Jr.: Me neither; it's stupid.
- Wilfred Harper: Well, Father, it seems we're somewhat at odds here.
- Jason Foster: Not really, Wilfred. You all came here for one purpose, and one purpose only: to watch me go and cry *bon voyage*, and then do the Charleston on my grave. To put coins on my closed eyes and, with your free hands, start pocketing things from my shelves.
- Emily Harper: Father, that's cruel.
- Jason Foster: That's *truth!* You came like the IRS: to reap everything I've sown; to collect everything I've earned; to claim everything I've built. Well, I shall not disappoint you; everything is yours! All is prepared; the will's been made, and the four of you inherit everything I own: money, house, property holdings, stocks, bonds, *everything.*
- Wilfred Harper: Father, you're breaking our hearts.
- Jason Foster: Well, that's the most touching thing you ever dredged up by way of conversation, Wilfred. But I must include this addendum, this small proviso: You shall wear your masks until midnight. If even one of you should commit the slightest or briefest deviation from said proviso -- take them off early, refuse to don them, etcetera -- then, from my estate you shall each receive train fare back to Boston. And that's *it!*
- Wilfred Harper: ... Well, we shan't be spoil-sports! If this is your pleasure, Father, we'll indulge you!
- [the whole family dons their masks, however unwillingly]
- Paula Harper: [doing her makeup in the mirror] Delighted to see you, Grandfather.
- Jason Foster: Well, that's friendly of you to tell me that, considering that you haven't seen me yet. All you've seen is your mirror image.
- Paula Harper: The whole city of New Orleans is dancing, and what do we do? We have a death watch for a crazy old man!