Being Julia Page #4

You remember that young

chap I introduced you to?

Which young chap?

That American good-looking fellow.

Remember?

[Clearing throat] No.

He wants to learn the business.

Tom Fennel's his name.

American, you must remember.

Vaguely.

Well, he's frightfully good at his job.

He's a wizard with money.

Lots of American ideas for avoiding tax.

What about him?

Well, I thought we might invite him down

for a couple of weeks to

spend his holiday with us.

Why would we want to do that?

He'll be company for Roger.

He's only a bit older.

Roger will like him, I'm sure of it.

Shall I ask him?

Hmm.

Ah!

(Julia) Remind me to keep exercising.

So, will you come and stay?

Michael says the house is

frightfully comfortable.

Probably not.

I'm going abroad for a couple of months.

(Julia) What fun.

Well, you'll be busy, won't you?

Looking for a new play, reading scripts.

So, what do you think?

He hasn't done justice to your eyes.

As a matter of fact,

there is a play that interests me.

It's about an older woman

who has an affair with a younger man.

Oh, a farce.

Why do you say that?

Well, because everyone

laughs at the older woman.

No, not in this play. It's all serious.

The act 1 curtain's good.

It comes as a shock to her.

What does?

That she's fallen in love with the boy.

And it happens just when everything

seemed to her so dull and unpromising,

as if her life was over.

She finds the affair exhilarating.

And everyone keeps telling her

she looks 10 years younger.

I trust she doesn't confess to the boy

that she loves him. That's always fatal.

Does it sound like something for me?

Oh, don't be ridiculous, Julia.

No, your public would

never stand for it.

If such a woman asked me,

I know what advice I'd give her.

- What?

- Break it off at once.

It will only end in tears.

But, Charles, she can't do that.

Why ever not?

Because she's fallen in love with him,

That's why. She's helpless.

Hmm.

The character in the play.

[Door opens]

Dolly, old thing,

how are you?

I haven't seen you for ages.

Sit down and make yourself, uh,

comfy.

So, come to see that

the old firm's raking in

the dividends for you?

Michael, I'll come

straight to the point.

You know I'm not one to gossip,

but-- but I'm

upset about Julia.

[Sighing]

I think you ought to know that

people are beginning to talk.

What the devil do you mean?

Well, it's absurd that at her age,

she should make herself so conspicuous

with a young boy.

Oh, you mean Tom Fennel?

don't be such a fool, Dolly.

I'm not a fool.

When someone is as well-known as Julia

and they're always seen with the

same man, naturally people talk.

Tom Fennel is a very

good type of American.

He's clean, honest and by

way of being a gentleman.

He's boring, dull, common and a snob.

He's just using Julia.

He's a little gold digger.

Can you look me in the eyes, Dolly,

and tell me you really think

Julia's having an affair with him?

No.

Ah.

the truth is, Michael,

I've hardly seen her.

She never telephones anymore, and...

and...

I understand, Dolly, believe me.

[Sniffling]

She's very fond of you, you know that,

but she's bound to have other friends.

I don't think chaps

should talk about their wives to others.

I think it's frightfully bad form

but let me explain

something to you about Julia.

Sex doesn't mean a thing to her.

it was different in the beginning.

Then she could be somewhat

tiresome sometimes.

But after she had Roger, she changed.

Having a baby seemed to settle her.

All those instincts went

into her acting, you see.

Gossip isn't good for business, Michael.

I mean, if Julia had one flagrant

affair after another, nobody would notice

but-- but this boy,

he's half her age.

The public has always looked up to you

as such a devoted and loyal couple.

And so we are, damn it. In our way.

Devoted, united, but not...

How shall I put it? Not possessive.

We're a very modern couple.

[Lighter clicking]

(Michael) Hello, Roger, my boy.

Hello, daddy.

Glad to be finished at Eton?

No mummy?

No, it's Saturday. she's got 2 shows.

3 and 4 pence, sir.

She'll be down first

thing in the morning.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, sir.

Here, let me give you a hand.

She's bringing a young

chap down with her,

your age more or less.

A yank. I think you'll like him.

[Birds chirping]

[I get a kick out of you

by Frank Sinatra playing]

I get no kick from champagne

mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all

so tell me why should it be true

that I get a kick out of you

[Sighing] What's the matter?

Nothing.

Tell me.

It's... I-- I-- I just don't...

I'm worried sick, that's all.

What about?

Tell me, Tom. What?

It's money, I owe money.

Oh.

Is that all?

I thought it was something serious.

Well, it's ok for you, Julia,

but I just can't afford

all the things we do.

Nightclubs, restaurants.

Sweetheart.

How can you let a trifle

like that upset you?

Don't worry about it.

I'll give you the money.

No, I-- I couldn't take

any money from you.

What nonsense.

Why grudge me the happiness

it gives me to get you out of a hole?

I get a kick out of you

[Ducks quacking]

(Julia) I thought tonight

we might play Mahjong.

Do you play

Mahjong, Tom? no, I--

Sorry, um, no can do. We're going down

to the pub to assess the local talent.

(Michael) Oh, I might come with you.

The barmaid is an absolute stunner.

God, you're all so vulgar.

Well, mummy, you have an early night.

It'll do you good.

You're looking awfully fagged.

[Michael humming]

More wine?

[All clamoring]

(Woman) First word.

(Archie) First word.

(All) Film. Cinema.

3 words. The first word...

She'll never get this

one. Never get this.

(Archie) Small.

(Woman) Very small.

Oh, um, wee. wee, wee, wee.

(Man) Wee.

(Archie) 2nd word.

There you go.

(Archie) 2nd word, fly.

Very nice, Julia.

Wee, wee. wee, wee. wee, wee, wee, wee.

Julia, Julia, Julia,

we're in mixed company.

[Laughing]

(Woman) Oh, let's do the 3rd word.

(Archie) 3rd word. 3rd word.

Winking! winking!

Oh, oh, oh.

- "Wee Willie winkie!"

- Yes.

[People cheering]

Yes. yes, you idiots. "Wee Willie winkie".

Shirley Temple, God, you're stupid.

I don't get "Willie."

I don't get "Willie."

Oh, well, they did.

It-it's an English thing.

Ah.

Ok.

[All chattering]

(Avice) Hello, you.

(Tom) Hey.

[Avice squealing]

(Roger) More water.

(Avice) No, stop it!

[Boys laughing]

(Roger) I told you.

Oh, no. I just dried

off, Tom, I hate you.

[Tom laughing]

I'm going to get you back.

(Roger) You're an uncivilized oaf.

And you're running away.

(Girl) Come on, Michael,

you promised me a dance.

So I did, sorry.

I might be out of practice.

(Grace) Answer my question, Julia.

(Julia) What question?

Would you?

Would I what?

Tour in the second Mrs. Tanqueray

for 17 pounds a week.

And it's a 6-month tour, darling.

6 months.

No, I can't be away

from home for 6 months.

What would Archie do without me?

Oh, he'll think of something.

Rate this script:4.0 / 2 votes