In a bank in Riverdale. Marilyn and Richard are speaking with a loan officer about borrowing money to buy a house.
Riley:	How do you do?
Richard:	Hello.
Riley:	I'm Ralph Riley. [He shakes Richard's hand.]
Richard:	I'm Richard Stewart, and this is my wife, Marilyn.
Riley:	Pleased to meet you.
Marilyn:	[She shakes his hand.] Likewise, Mr. Riley.
Riley:	Please, sit down. What can I do for you?
Richard:	We'd like to discuss a mortgage.
Marilyn:	For a house.
Riley:	Fine. Are you buying a house or are you refinancing your present home?
Richard:	We're planning to buy a house.
Marilyn:	And we'd like to find out about a mortgage.
Richard:	We are customers of the bank. As a matter of fact, my whole family banks here.
Riley:	I have some questions to ask. [He writes on a form.] Do you own your house or do you rent?
Richard:	Neither. We live with my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Philip Stewart.
Riley:	And how old are you?
Marilyn:	I'm twenty-nine.
Richard:	I'm thirty.
Riley:	And, Mr. Stewart, what is your occupation?
Richard:	I'm a freelance photographer.
Riley:	And, Mrs. Stewart, are you working?
Marilyn:	Yes. I'm a designer, and I work in a boutique.
Riley:	Did you bring any savings or salary information? Last year's tax forms?
Richard:	Yes. Here they are.
Riley:	OK. What ... what kind of house did you have in mind?
Richard:	We're talking about buying a two-bedroom house in Mount Kisco. Here are the financial details on the house.
Riley:	Thank you. [He reads the details.] Are you prepared to make a ten-percent down payment?
Richard:	Yes, we are.
Riley:	Payments over thirty years? [Marilyn and Richard nod their heads.]
Richard:	Yes.
Marilyn:	Do you think we can get a loan?
Riley:	Well, it depends. Do you own any other property? Any stocks or bonds?
Richard:	No.
Riley:	I see. Then you don't have any collateral. Perhaps you could get a guarantor—someone to sign for the loan for you.
Richard:	Why is that necessary?
Riley:	Since you don't have enough income, and you don't already own any property, the bank needs to be sure you can pay the mortgage every month. A guarantor is responsible for the loan if you can't make the payments.
Richard:	I see. Well, the idea of buying a house is exciting.
Marilyn:	Thank you, Mr. Riley. We'll read this over carefully.
Riley:	Thank you.
Richard:	Good-bye. Thanks.
Riley:	Good-bye. And hope to see you soon.
Richard:	I hope so, too. [They all shake hands.]
Riley:	Take care.
Marilyn:	Good-bye.
Later, on the patio of the Stewarts' home. Richard and Marilyn are speaking about their experience at the bank.
Richard:	It all sounded so easy until they mentioned needing collateral or a guarantor.
Marilyn:	We have no collateral.
Richard:	And I don't think it's a good idea to ask Dad to sign as a guarantor. I don't feel right about it.
Marilyn:	I understand your feelings about it, Richard.
Ellen:	[She comes out to the patio with a tray of food.] Now, tell me, what's the problem?
Marilyn:	We can get a loan from the bank if we can put up some collateral.
Richard:	And we don't own anything to use as collateral.
Marilyn:	Or someone can sign with us as a guarantor.
Ellen:	Why don't you speak to Dad?
Richard:	No. If we buy a house, I want to be able to handle it alone.
Ellen:	Everybody needs help sometimes, Richard.
Marilyn:	I understand Richard's feelings about it, Ellen.
Richard:	In two or three months, I'll have an advance on my book and be able to put more money down.
Marilyn:	What about the house in Mount Kisco? Somebody else'll buy it by then.
Richard:	Then there'll be other houses, Marilyn.
Ellen:	Richard has a point. You're just beginning to look.
Marilyn:	We're in no great rush. It's true.
Richard:	This has been a great learning experience for us, Marilyn. Talking to the real-estate agent. Looking at the houses. Talking to the loan officer at the bank.
Marilyn:	It has been a learning experience. That's true.
Ellen:	I think you're doing the right thing. Taking your time. Looking around. Especially with a purchase of this kind. You're talking about a lot of money.
Marilyn:	We'll call Mrs. Martinelli and tell her to keep looking for us.
Richard:	And I'll call Mr. Riley at the bank and tell him we'll see him in a couple of months.
Ellen:	And if you ever need Dad or me to help you ...
Marilyn:	We know.
Ellen:	You know we'll be there for you.
Richard:	It's a Stewart tradition. We're a family.