Being Julia Page #8

That was acting.

If I-- if I truly felt

all the emotions I was representing,

I'd be a wreck.

You have a performance for everyone.

For the servants, for

daddy, for everybody.

And I don't think you really exist.

Roger!

Once you told me something.

I don't remember exactly what,

but the exact same night

you said the same line on the stage.

Even the things you say are second hand.

All I want is for you to be happy.

You should talk this

over with your father.

Mmm, daddy's worse than you are.

But he only acts one part, thank God,

and that's the

handsomest man in England.

Then talk it over with

someone of your own age, then.

Tom, for instance.

Tom?

I thought you liked him.

No, I didn't like him at all.

You've dropped him, haven't you?

I...

I suppose I have, more or less.

Good. He wasn't worthy of you.

Roger, do you think I'm getting old?

No, not you.

Mmm, Tom's little tart's

in your play, I hear.

By the way,

she's having a fling with daddy.

[Nasalized] "How's

your cousin Millicent?"

and I said you were well.

He wanted to

know-- Michael,

I'm not happy

sitting beside her on the bench.

After all, it's miss Crichton's scene,

I think I'm too dominant here.

Well, move if you want to, but where?

There, on the stool, with

my back to the audience.

All I am is a feed in this scene

and it-- it

feels wrong

to be on equal footing

with miss Crichton.

I don't mind, really, miss Lambert.

No, no, no, no,

I'm uncomfortable. It feels ungenerous.

Michael, what if I'm discovered there

when the scene starts?

(Julia) I could sit facing the swing.

Then I don't have to move.

I can stay here

right until miss Crichton's exit.

(Julia) to thunderous

applause, I've no doubt. Hmm?

Well, I'm-- I'm quite

happy to try it.

Go from the top.

[Singing]

(Julia) How was your

interview with sir Philip?

[Laughs]

Oh!

It was like a scene out of dickens.

[Gasps] He had

the most dread--

You see? It's much better

with me here, isn't it?

Well, yes, it is,

as long as you don't mind being

stuck down there for 10 minutes.

Mind? Why should I mind? I suggested it.

(Stagehand) Lower. Lower.

That's right.

[Singing]

[Exclaims]

It was like a scene out of dickens.

[Gasps]

He had the most dreadful cold.

(Avice) So I said,

"Should I come back another time?

And he said:

[Laughs]

[Nasalized] "No, no, no, no, no, no."

[All chattering]

(Michael) Thank you,

and then give me all

the light you've got.

Can't do comedy in the dark.

Dolly, darling.

(Dolly) How's it all going?

Splendid. How was--

how was France?

Splendid. How's Julia?

Splendid. And the new girl?

- We're ready, Mr. Gosselyn.

- Thank you, Mr. Turnbull.

Dolly, have a seat.

(Turnbull) Thank you, uh, miss Lambert,

Mr. Dexter, miss Crichton on the stage.

(Turnbull) Hold the banging.

(Julia) Michael.

I say, that's awfully plain, Julia.

Precisely. But I want it for 2 reasons.

Firstly, it's awfully

good for the quick change,

just hooks up the back.

Second, I simply don't want in any way

to distract from miss Crichton.

(Michael) All right. Happy, Archie?

Trousers need shortening a bit,

but that's all.

And miss Crichton?

I don't think it fits her properly.

Especially at the waist.

And she's got such a pretty figure,

I think it needs to come

in at least half an inch.

I don't like it.

Julia's being far too angelic.

["Bei mir bist du schon" by

Andrews Sisters playing]

Of all the boys I've

known, and I've known some

until I first met you I was lonesome

and when you came in sight, dear

my heart grew light and this

old world seemed new to me

you're really swell I have to admit

you deserve expressions

that really fit you.

' "Nowadays" from J. L.'

and the date. Very nice.

Here's the list. Can

you wrap each separately

and have them sent round to the theatre

no later than 5:
00 this evening?

Of course, miss Lambert.

I'm so looking forward

to seeing the play.

(Salesman) It will

make a beautiful gift.

Yeah.

T- O-M.

Julia.

Are you getting engaged to Avice?

Oh, this. Oh, no. No,

it's a first-night gift.

She doesn't want to get engaged.

Wants her freedom.

Doesn't want anything to

interfere with her career.

Her what?

Oh, yes, I-- I

see what you mean.

I'm going to be there tonight.

Michael's given me a box.

(Salesman) Will that be all, sir?

Yes.

Tom, how about giving me tea?

At your place. For old times' sake.

Why not?

- Give Avice this.

- Hmm?

It may bring her luck.

[Door closing]

[People chattering]

[Car honking]

(Chamberlain) I have in my

hand, this piece of paper

signed by me, Herr

Hitler, and Benito Macaroni

in Munich.

It is for peace in our time.

However, if there is a war,

then their majesties, the king and queen

and their 2 lovely daughters,

Elizabeth and Margaret rose

and me and the entire cabinet

will set sail immediately for Canada!

You will stay here!

[Laughs]

Break a leg.

(Michael) you're going

to be a sensation.

Terribly sorry.

[Laughing]

[All laughing]

Same from me, Julia.

And you're coming to the

party tonight, aren't you?

Of course, wouldn't

miss it. Thank you both.

Yes, thank you. Thank you.

Yes.

You don't have a whisky handy?

No, no, no, not here. I've

got all that set up in the bar.

Darling, we'll see you later.

Dolly, I'll do the other dressing

rooms and I'll see you in the foyer.

Uh, bring our distinguished

author with you, will you?

(Dolly) Yes, of course.

(Gibbs) Are-- are

we leaving?

Half an hour, miss Lambert.

[Both exclaiming]

So-- so-- so sorry.

[Laughing]

(Call boy) hello, Mr. Dexter.

[Knocking on door]

(Michael) It's me.

[Door closes]

[Knocking]

(Call boy) Half an hour

please, miss Crichton.

Oh, Michael.

Thank you for everything, Michael.

Here's your first-night present.

I'm putting you under contract.

[Gasping]

- Oh, Michael!

- Here it is.

Sign on the front.

Here you are.

Oh, thank you.

[People chattering]

Good evening, Mrs. De Vries.

[All chattering]

Good evening, Roger.

Charles.

Aunt Dolly.

Sweetheart, don't call me aunty.

Um, we should be going in.

Oh, yes.

I'm nervous. I'm going to get a drink.

It's that way. It's that way.

Join us upstairs. Got your ticket?

[Audience chattering]

(Michael) The first stage, come on.

(Usher) Sir.

(Michael) Thank you.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

[Door thudding]

(Julia) He did have the

most beautiful appearance.

[Audience applauding]

No, no, no, no, no, no. no, no, no.

No, that one, you silly cow. Quickly.

What are you up to?

[Objects thudding]

Well, give it.

[Audience applauding]

[Applause stops]

[Avice singing]

How was your interview with sir Philip?

[Exclaiming]

It was like a scene out of dickens.

[Gasps]

He had the most dreadful cold.

He was in-- in

bed, inhaling.

So I--

so I said,

"Should I come back another time?"

And he said:

[Julia laughing]

(Avice) "No, no."

[Audience laughing]

(Julia) I used to do that as a child.

I was very prone to colds.

In my nose. I sneezed a good deal.

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