Expresso Bongo Page #11

I'd have said, 'Never.'

You're looking a little pale. I think

perhaps I ought to send you home.

I'm never going home, never, not ever.

- I've got a headache.

- I'll get you a hangover pill.

Don't worry, I'll get it.

Is it in there? I can look after myself.

Don't you worry.

- Look after myself, he says.

- Cor!

- It's really lovely.

- Oh, dear.

It really is very, very lovely.

I shouldn't have let you

take those drinks so fast.

How was I to know

your manager starves you? Here.

You've been a perfect lady to me, Dixie.

Does that feel better?

It's the loveliest feeling

I ever had in my life.

Good.

This is so comfy, so very, very comfy.

Oh, dear.

Are you awake, darling?

Come in, darling.

Only me.

- I hope you had a good sleep.

- Wonderful!

Such a success, darling.

They're all raving about...

Really? Let me see.

It's a wonderful press.

All the pictures of you

have come out so well.

Here's another one, darling.

You've done a great job, Rosemary.

I want you to know that.

You can hardly blame me, darling.

If you insist on asking a snotty-nosed

little teddy boy 'round

to your dressing room.

Rosemary, darling, take it very easy.

Because you're in terrible danger

of losing your livelihood.

Good morning! May I come in?

- I'd advise you not to.

- Good morning, Gus.

I salute you, my darling.

What sensational reviews!

I've done my best. For weeks now,

I've practically been sleeping

with the gentlemen of the press.

Don't be modest, darling.

Do I detect a certain amount of tension?

Dixie's a little concerned

about the space given to Bongo Herbert.

Both Garrick stars!

Both with records out this week!

It's marvellous.

That's what I always say,

go straight to the horse's mouth

and you get a load of horse blossoms.

Take it away.

- Let's be big about this.

- Why?

- Associated Press.

- I'll take it. Give it to me!

Yes, this is Dixie Collins.

Well, I'm a little overwhelmed, of course.

Oh, I was delighted with Bongo's success.

He's such a sweet, talented kid.

I'm sure he'll go far. Mmm.

In fact, I'm giving him a little party

to celebrate his success.

That's right. Bye.

- A party?

- Oh, what the hell, why not?

He's really a very cute boy.

Let the breakfast in, Rosemary.

You're hired again.

That's what I call

taking it like a real pro.

Tell me, Gus, is the kid really

that naive or is it an act?

Six months of such naivet

and he'll be earning 1,000 a week!

That'll be a neat 500

for that enterprising manager of his.

How so?

He's owns 50% of Bongo.

Fifty? This is monstrous!

- 50%?

- Have some coffee, Gus.

No, thanks, I'm too upset.

I'll see you later, beautiful. 50%!

I'm upset that you're upset, Mr Mayer,

but I have a completely legal

and binding contract with Bongo.

And so far, he's not complained.

I'm not questioning the legality

of your contract.

I'm simply suggesting that

you are being a little unfair.

So, poor little Bongo!

Instead of making a fortune every month,

he only makes half a fortune.

I'm not talking about Bongo!

It's me you are being unfair to!

Why should you own half

of such a property?

Are you suggesting perhaps

that, um, you should have an interest?

It could be to our mutual benefit.

I feel the need to contemplate.

If you don't mind,

not while I am talking business!

You may be talking business, Mr Mayer,

but I'm not!

I've been beating a bare living

out of this business

for too many years to be

of a generous nature!

Look, Johnny,

to me, money isn't everything.

How could it be,

with one foot in the classics?

You put me onto a good artist.

And in return, I'm not going to be

too small about it.

Just how small are you not

going to be, Mr Mayer?

I'm arranging a show for the halls

up north, featuring our recording stars.

I want Bongo to top the bill.

- How much?

- 400 a week on a 12-week tour.

Furthermore, I'm going to give you

a back royalty on both records.

So, charity begins

in the Charing Cross Road after all!

But there is a slight case of condition.

How stupid of me. Naturally.

There would be.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

With my delicate stomach?

From here to eternity,

Bongo will be on exclusive contract

to record for Garrick.

- In return, we feature him nationwide.

- I get it.

This way you both get it. Fair?

As things go, Mr Mayer, very fair.

It's like I always say, my boy,

in this business

even us, in this world,

nothing is for nothing.

This I already noticed, Mr Mayer.

Everything's for everyone

On the other side

There'll be free ambrosia

Beyond the great divide

Everything's for everyone

Where the living's high

There's a little snag, Jack

First, you've got to die

Nothing is for nothing

That's the human plan

Line up for the rat race

Man must live on man

Nothing is for nothing

Nothing is for free

I'll look after you, Jack

You look after me

Now?

Right.

That's it, boys, you've taken enough

for a souvenir programme.

- Bye-bye boys, thank you.

- Off you go.

Been wonderful having you, darling.

Good night.

Successful, I should say.

Rosemary, you're fantastico,

just fantastico!

- Super!

- Absolutely topping, Miss Collins.

- Word of an officer and a gentleman.

- We'll drop Bongo off for you.

Bongo and I have a little business

to discuss.

Oh, goodness!

Oh, well, I do hope you have

the happiest possible

business discussion, darling.

- Good night, Rosemary.

- Come along, celibate.

Come back later, boys.

See you in the morning, Rosemary.

Dixie, about my account.

In the morning, darling. Off you go.

Nighty-bye!

They're gone.

Bongo?

- High up, aren't we?

- I've been higher.

It was a smashing party, Dixie.

Thanks a lot. You can't half lay it on.

Glad you enjoyed it, sweetie.

They are some strange characters, though.

And that Lady Rosemary.

Funny to think that stuck-up Cynthia

is her chicko.

Rosemary's perfectly capable of breeding,

although naturally she avoids it

whenever possible.

Come over here, Bongo.

Let's talk about your future.

All those cars look real squashed.

Old Johnny's doing very well for me.

Old Johnny's doing very well

for old Johnny, too.

What does he plan for you?

Oh, this and that. A bit of variety.

You know, the usual.

So long as it brings in the loot.

I know the routine. Beat all you can

out of a singer for a year,

then when the kids are bored, dump him.

Johnny'd never dump me.

Not while you're getting bookings,

he won't.

But a pop singer's life is short.

I've had three lives already,

and I'm not that old.

- What's he doing to develop your talent?

- Like to swing with me, Dixie?

You can't go on being a teenage singer

for very far beyond your teenage,

you know.

Yeah, that's right.

What am I gonna do when I hit 20?

I'm gonna ask Johnny

what I'm gonna do when I hit 20.

He ought to be thinking about it.

Bad things can happen to you

in this racket

if you don't look ahead.

Be terrible to be out of it, though,

wouldn't it?

- You're infected, all right.

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