Belle of the Nineties Page #2

STOGIE:
Miss Carter, New Orleans

is the town for you.

Why, they'll go wild about you down there,

you'll be a sensation.

Excuse me, Stogie, what were you saying?

I said you'd be sorry

if you didn't take Ace La Mont's offer.

How do I know I won't?

Because he can make you one

of the richest women in New Orleans.

I've heard things like that before.

With your talent he can do it.

You'll have New Orleans at your feet.

- When they like you, money means nothing.

- Well, it...

- Pardon me, what were you going to say?

- It sounds all right.

It's perfect. I got the contracts all made out.

All you have to do is sign them.

[Knocking on door]

RUBY:
Come in.

Hello, Ruby.

RUBY:
What do you want?

There's something important

I gotta talk to you about.

Private.

If it's so important.

RUBY:
Help yourself to a drink.

STOGIE:
Thanks.

RUBY:
Come in here.

What's it all about?

I heard that you and Tiger had a little scrap.

- You heard? You're sure you didn't frame it?

- Wait a minute, Ruby.

Miss Carter.

I got the Tiger's best interests at heart.

I don't ask you to do anything for me.

But if you really think anything of him...

you'll let him alone

until I can make him champ.

I ain't got a heart of stone,

I can listen to reason.

Maybe it would be the best thing

to let him go on thinking the way he does.

That's nice of you.

If you only knew what this meant to me.

I've worked on him for months

trying to make him champ...

building him up, then you came along.

If he were to lose

this championship on your account...

Get out of here before I stick a hatpin in you.

RUBY:
Give me those contracts.

STOGIE:
Here you are.

When do we leave?

There ain't anybody in town

that don't know she's coming, by now.

I've seen to that, just like you wanted, Ace.

Only hope Stogie didn't slip up on his end.

ACE:
He knows better than to slip up.

ACE:
Wait until you see her, boys,

what a woman she is.

We knew you wouldn't bother with her

if she wasn't something special.

ACE:
You're right.

ACE:
How about the preparations,

have my instructions been carried out?

Absolutely.

ACE:
We'll see, come along.

Well, my dear Molly.

Why this extraordinary curiosity about me?

From you of all people, I have no secrets.

I'll see you later.

- Ace, I must talk to you now...

- I said I'd see you later.

I wouldn't mind being a woman myself

and have a place like this.

I'm afraid you haven't the necessary charm.

Very nice.

Where are the flowers?

Confound it, where are they?

I don't know, they were ordered.

- Get them here immediately.

- I'll attend to it myself.

In less than an hour, the lovely Ruby Carter

will be occupying this room.

She's all you say she is, Ace.

She's more.

ACE:
See if you can catch sight of Stogie.

MAN:
There he is!

MAN:
Hi, Stogie!

ACE:
I'm happy to welcome you.

RUBY:
Thanks.

- We're all happy to welcome you.

- Thank you.

ACE:
Take care of these men.

RUBY:
Yes, give them all my address.

MAN 2:
That's the way.

Our carriage is waiting, shall we go?

Sure, but you'll have to show me the way

because I'm just a babe-in-the-woods.

Great town, St. Louis.

ACE:
You were born there?

RUBY:
Yes.

ACE:
What part?

RUBY:
All of me.

BROOKS:
I beg your pardon,

but you've dropped your glove.

Thank you.

Perhaps I could do something

for you sometime.

Yeah.

Home.

RUBY:
Where's that?

ACE:
The Sensation House.

The Sensation House?

What a home that must be.

[Light piano music]

This is a pretty classy spot.

I had everything carried out

in French architecture.

I always did like French art.

And the house has plenty of atmosphere.

Good or bad?

ACE:
There's no denying,

it's a perfect setting for a woman like you.

Yes, I guess I could do things

in a place like this.

Of course, it won't be all work.

- You'll have moments of your own.

- I do have my moments.

- You have?

- Yeah, but they're all weak ones.

RUBY:
Lovely painting.

RUBY:
What is this? One of your ancestors?

ACE:
No, but it's very valuable.

This one in particular is an old master.

Looks more like an old mistress to me.

I trust you'll find I've left nothing undone

to make you comfortable.

I want you to enjoy every minute here.

Of course, I'll be right here in the house

all the time.

A man in the house

is worth two on the street.

Gorgeous layout. Your idea, of course?

I believe I may accept that compliment.

By the way, where's Jasmine, my maid?

Another carriage is bringing her,

and your luggage. I've thought of everything.

I bet you have.

Driving you here has been very pleasant.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

I just can't wait till I see you again.

You've got to wait.

MOLLY:
Ace, what about this woman?

I won't have you bothering me

at a time like this. There's too much to do.

- I think we're gonna like it here.

- Yes, ma'am.

[Knocking on door]

Come in.

MOLLY:
So you're Ruby Carter.

The only thing my mother told me.

Everything else, I found out for myself.

I'm Molly Brant. I guess you've never heard

of me, but I'm Ace La Mont's sweetheart.

- You understand?

- That's fine.

He's a swell guy, you want to hold on to him.

- I guess I can do that all right.

- Then what've you got to worry about?

[Lively instrumental music]

Big crowd tonight.

You're lucky you reserved a table.

This Ruby Carter's certainly

packed the place.

- You've he heard of her, haven't you?

- I was on the same boat with her.

- Really? What sort of a person is she?

- I only saw her for a moment.

[Fanfare playing]

Now the most important announcement

in the history of the Sensation House.

I have spared no expense in bringing,

to New Orleans and you...

the queen of all entertainers.

Ladies and gentlemen, I take great pleasure

in presenting to you, for your enjoyment...

the artistic talents of a lady,

whose fame has travelled far and wide.

A lady who has made St. Louis

the most famous town on the Mississippi.

Miss Ruby Carter.

[Applause]

[Rousing instrumental music playing]

[Singing] When a St. Louis woman

comes down to New Orleans

When a St. Louis woman

comes down to New Orleans

She'll be wearing more diamonds

than Uncle Sam's got Marines

I had a good man in Memphis

but the fool, he laid down and died

I had a good man in Memphis

but the fool, he laid down and died

Because his old woman

she hung a knife in his side

Now he was her man

but he came to see me sometimes

I said, he was her man,

but he came to see me sometimes

I lived six flights up

and he sure was willing to climb

When it came to romancing

my man, he sure knew how

But that narrow-minded woman

she had to start a row

And so you see he's no good to

either one of us now

So bring on your papas

from down in New Orleans

Bring on those fancy-loving papas

you got in New Orleans

'Cause I just came from Missouri

I guess you know what that means

I've never seen anyone like her.

She is simply divine.

If she is as interesting to meet

as she is on the stage...

she is just the inspiration I need.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes