Blonde Venus Page #2

I won't have you do that.

But the doctor says you must go away.

If I worked a few weeks,

I might make enough for your passage.

And then we'll find a way

to keep you over there...

until you get well.

It's out of the question.

I won't have you go back to the stage.

- Ned?

- What is it?

I was going back to my old work anyway.

- Will it make you happy?

- It isn't that. We need money.

It's only a question of weeks.

My formula is almost completed...

- and then we'll have all the money we need.

- I know, dear.

But in the meantime, I'm going to do

something to give you a chance to get well.

Have you come to be placed?

Yes.

- What's your name?

- Faraday.

- What's that?

- Helen Faraday.

- Got an appointment?

- No, I haven't.

You'll have to wait,

all these people are ahead of you.

Thank you, honey. I'll see you later.

Going to lunch, Sally,

be back in 10 minutes.

Morning, Mr. Smith.

You remember me?

What about the job

you said you had for me?

Just a minute, folks.

Just a minute...

You remember my dramatic sketch,

Mr. Smith?

Just a minute, Jim.

You're waiting to see me, aren't you?

Run along, Eddy, I'll see you later.

Come on in, baby.

I beg your pardon,

we've been here a long time!

You'll be here a long time after

she's gone.

Sit down, take a load off your feet.

- When was the last time you worked?

- Five or six years ago.

- Where?

- Germany.

- Can you put over a song?

- I used to be able to.

- How much will you take?

- Anything I can get. It doesn't matter.

Don't tell me you're working

just for the love of your art.

- Who's your boyfriend?

- I haven't any.

- Will you work for $25 a week?

- Yes.

Well, you're in luck, baby.

You came to the right man.

I guess, maybe I can get you $30 or $40.

I might be able to raise it to $50.

That includes commission, of course.

I generally get 20%,

but seeing it's you, I'll make it 15.

- Is that okay?

- Yes.

You know that ain't a high commission...

considering the personal service

I give my clientele.

Why, the minute you put yourself

in my hands, baby...

your interests are closer to me

than my own. Get me?

Get up and walk around a bit.

Let's see what you got.

- What I've got?

- Let's see your legs.

- Is that enough?

- For the time being.

- What did you say your name was?

- Helen Faraday.

No, we got to get something different.

Something unusual. Something that's

easy to say and hard to forget.

Jones. I got it. Helen Jones.

But my name isn't Jones.

What of it? My name ain't Smith either,

but I get by just the same, don't I?

Hello.

Tell her I'm out to lunch. Hey, wait a minute.

Call up O'Connor's and tell him

I'm bringing him a pip.

You've certainly got me all hopped up, baby.

Yup, you certainly got me hopped up.

So, this is the pip you phoned about.

Where did you pick her up?

I ran across her a long time ago.

I've been saving her for a spot like this.

- Can she croon? What I need's a crooner.

- She can croon in a pinch. Who can't?

I got one good-looker

eating her head off on me already.

- I don't know if I can use another.

- All right, then. All right.

I got three or four spots I can

place this dame without half trying.

Come on, baby.

Wait a minute. What's your hurry?

I didn't say I wouldn't give her a tryout,

did I?

All right.

And if she makes good, it's $40 a week

and her grub the first week.

$50 the next, and $75 if she stays on.

And you take out my 15%

every Saturday night.

- I was figuring on starting her at $30.

- $30?

I don't handle no $30 junks. Scram.

All right. All right. Keep your shirt on.

- What did you say your name was?

- Jones.

Well, we'll change that. Come on,

I'll show you your dressing room.

What time is it?

A little after 6:00. What's all the rush?

You said you weren't on till 10:00.

Yes I know, but I have to rehearse again.

Johnny, darling, I forgot my hairbrush.

It's on my dresser.

Good heavens, where is my music?

- This it?

- Here you are, Mummy.

Thank you, Johnny. Yes, thank you.

Johnny is to have his soup, carrots, toast,

a glass of milk, and a pudding.

And don't let him stay up late.

Here you are, Mummy.

- What's that for?

- Good luck.

Thank you, Johnny. I need it.

- Goodbye, Ned.

- Goodbye, Helen.

I hate to see you do this.

Don't, Ned. Don't make it too difficult.

Good night, Ned. Good night, Johnny.

Good night, Helen.

What time will you be back?

It might be late, better not sit up for me.

Good night.

- Bye, Mummy.

- Goodbye, Johnny.

Come on, Johnny,

we better have our dinner now.

Gee whiz, are we going to have dinner

on our own every night?

I don't know, Johnny.

So you're the Blonde Venus?

Don't tell me you thought of that label

all by yourself.

No, Mr. O'Connor told me

it would help me in my work.

He would. He didn't have to think up

any name for me...

when I helped put this dump on the map.

My name's "Taxi Belle" Hooper.

Taxi for short.

Do you charge for the first mile?

Say, you trying to ride me?

Don't get the wrong idea.

They call me Taxi...

because I won't ride in nothing else.

Safety first, that's my motto.

Good drinking partners

always make bad drivers.

"Do I charge for the first mile?"

- Hello, Taxi.

- Hello.

How are you getting along, Miss Jones?

Almost ready?

Almost, thank you.

That "Blonde Venus" gag of mine

did the trick.

The house is packed.

I'll have my hands full tonight.

- Why were you late again? Run out of gas?

- Don't crab, I couldn't help it.

- Nick just came in.

- Why tell me?

You're not pulling any wool over my eyes.

I'm sick and tired of this joint.

O'Connor would jump all over me

if it wasn't for Nick.

Look what he gave me the other night.

- Who, O'Connor?

- No, that tightwad wouldn't give you...

the sleeves out of his vest.

This bracelet is a present from

Nick Townsend. You've heard of him.

The politician, loads of jack.

Runs this end of town.

I can hock it any day I like for $1500.

- $1500?

- Yeah, maybe I can get more.

I did him a little favour once

and this is how he came through.

I wish he'd ask me for some other favours,

if you know what I mean.

I told you once before

my name wasn't Georgy.

- And it ain't Oscar either.

- All right, Rudolph, have it your own way.

Are you going to get up,

or are you going to take it sitting down?

Why don't you go back to your table

and behave yourself?

- Come on, guy.

- O'Connor, leave him alone. I'll manage him.

Now look, why don't you cool down

and run along? We don't want any trouble.

- Yellow, huh?

- Yes, maybe I am.

As a matter of fact, I'm scared stiff.

And being reasonably certain that

someone's going to get a punch in the jaw...

I'm going to make sure it isn't me.

Are you going back for more,

or will we go home, you big stiff?

Come on, Mary.

Who hit me?

Sorry this happened, Mr. Townsend.

That's all right, O'Connor.

I rather enjoyed it.

All right, Jimmie, let's go. Trot 'em out.

Say, I wish you'd quit picking

on these fellows.

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