Florence Foster Jenkins Page #4

My little white hands are fine

Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!

My foot with its contour divine

Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!

- (sniggers)

- My speech so disarming

My waistline so slim and charming

No lady's maid could be

full of so much grace, you see

No lady's maid could be

full of so much grace, you see

Now you must own to your mistake

Your blunder almost takes the cake

Oh, how funny

- Ah, ha, ha!

- (laughs out loud)

- You amuse me

- For God's sake, woman, keep quiet.

If I laugh so! Ah, ha, ha

Pray excuse me

- Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!

- Quiet. Shh!

Ah, ha, ha! You amuse me

Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!

(Mr Stark) Be quiet.

- Is she unwell, Mr Stark?

- A coughing fit.

(Bayfield) She needs fresh air.

This way, Mrs Stark.

(mumbles words)

So look through your glasses

and see...

- Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!

- That's it. Shh.

- My costume, my air of grandee

- Control yourself, Agnes.

Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Your love is short-sighted

- Alas, you're benighted

- Shh!

- I am so sorry, Mr Bayfield.

- Not at all, not at all.

I wish you a speedy recovery, Mrs Stark.

She is the worst goddamn singer

in the entire world!

Honey, must you always embarrass me?

You seem to see her everywhere

It's very droll, I do declare

Oh how funny! Ah, ha, ha!

You amuse me! Ah, ha, ha!

Should I laugh so! Ah, ha, ha

Pray excuse me!

Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Oh how funny! Ah, ha, ha!

You amuse me! Ah, ha, ha!

Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Ha! Ha!

Ha, ha, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!

Ha, ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Ha!

Ha, ha, ah, ah, ah,

ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

Ha, ha

(shrieks) Ha, ha!

(sings sustained high note)

Bravo, Madam Florence! Bravo!

(man) Bravo! Encore!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

- Bravo, Madam Florence!

- Alright, sit down.

St Clair, congratulations.

What a wonderful evening.

- Thank you, madam.

- Oh, Mr Bayfield.

I don't hear very well, but I just think

Madam Florence is magical.

Well, I know how very grateful she is

for your friendship and your support.

- That little McMoon.

- I'm so very sorry. Just one moment.

- What a find.

- St Clair, a delightful evening.

The Donohughes, how nice to see you.

Mr and Mrs Wallace.

(man) It was spectacular.

- Darling, the Fledermaus was thrilling.

- You were magnificent.

- Absolutely thrilling.

- Is everything alright?

I don't...

I don't feel very well, Whitey.

Let's get you home.

Dr Hertz is in Washington,

but he sent his colleague Dr Hermann.

If I may, please.

I didn't have time

to look at your medical notes.

The scarring is from syphilis.

When did you contract the disease?

On my wedding night.

My first husband,

Dr Frank Thornton Jenkins.

Something of an alley cat.

- How old were you?

- 18.

- Where did the chancre first appear?

- It was on my left hand, right here.

- Are you taking any medication?

- Just mercury and arsenic, of course.

- Any other symptoms?

- No.

She has seizures from time to time,

when she has overexerted herself.

(Dr Hermann) I see.

Well, there is a murmur

and some palpitations

but no indication the disease

is entering the tertiary phase.

The two and a half hours of coloratura

you performed this evening

- might account for the tiredness.

- (chuckles)

Bed rest until your strength returns.

I'll speak to Dr Hertz and let him know.

Thank you, Doctor.

Thank you.

I've known patients survive 20 years

with syphilis but never nearly 50.

I'm amazed. What is her secret?

Music. She lives for music.

And no doubt your love

has proved to be a panacea too.

We were fortunate

to have found each other.

Clearly. I don't mean to pry,

Mr Bayfield, but how is your own health?

Florence and I have always abstained.

Very wise.

I have several patients

who observe the five-year rule,

but it's no sure prophylactic.

Well, from the start, Florence felt

that my health was paramount.

Excitement stimulates the disease.

She needs rest, Mr Bayfield.

Rest.

Rest, my love.

I can't help wondering

what my life would have been like

if I'd never met Frank Jenkins.

Well, he's in his grave now. Forget him.

But I could've...

could've given you a child.

We could've been a family.

We are a family.

A great and devoted family.

United by our love of music.

Are we not happy?

Hmm?

Shut your eyes. I'll recite for you.

Bright star!...

...would I... were steadfast

as thou art -

Not in lone splendour

hung aloft the night,

And watching, with eternal lids apart,

- Like Nature's patient, sleep...

- I think I'll read.

- Well, goodnight, my love.

- Night-night.

- "..recital at the Ritz-Carlton."

- (music and laughter)

"And the consensus was

that she'd never sung better."

"Her grace and brilliant personality

only added

to the remarkable quality of her voice."

"By the end of her performance,

the stage was a bower of blooms

and Madam Jenkins retired

to affectionate applause."

Make that "thunderous applause".

Alright.

Oh, everybody, look who's here!

(man) Bravo! Bravo!

Darling.

- Um...

- Oh, you don't mind?

I invited the showgirl.

She is simply adorable.

Darling, the concert was wonderful.

How is Florence?

She's absolutely...

Well, I couldn't not invite him.

Would you like a drink?

- In a minute.

- Oh.

(man) Hey, how about one more?

- Cosm.

- Good evening, Mr Bayfield.

Cigarette?

No, thank you.

I hope you don't mind me being here.

Your friend Kathleen

was most insistent that I stop by.

Really? Well, you're very welcome.

You have a drink?

Hmm. (slurps)

- Maybe I should get home.

- No, no, no.

- You stay where you are.

- This is all a little awkward.

I mean, I... thought

you and Madam Florence were married.

We are.

But you live here with Kathleen.

Is she... your sister?

- No, she's my girlfriend.

- Oh.

- It's a little complicated.

- Yes, it is.

But, Cosm,

you have nothing to worry about.

Florence and I have an understanding.

Madam Florence...

she knows about Kathleen?

Well, she understands

that love takes many forms.

Oh.

Believe me, there's no shortage of love

between any of us.

Surely you can see

I'm devoted to Florence.

Our marriage is a thing of the spirit.

It transcends this realm. It's...

Yes?

- Yes.

- I'm very fond of you, Cosm.

I think of you as a chum.

Oh! That's kind of you, Mr Bayfield.

Hmm.

Seeing as we're talking

in a familiar fashion,

could I possibly ask what it is Madam

Florence carries in that briefcase?

- No.

- No?

Now, what do you say we grab ourselves

a couple of Manhattans

and go and join the hepcats?

- OK.

- (whooping)

Come on.

(applause)

- Good evening.

- Hello.

Hmm.

Hi.

Mr Corbin's friends

are all so personable.

Yes, I bet.

Here we are. To a friendship.

In one. Go.

( Louis Prima:
"Sing Sing Sing")

Hey, Mr Bayfield, I wanna see you dance.

(all cheer)

No, no, no, no, no.

My dancing days are done.

Dance, St Clair, dance.

I wanna see you dance.

- No, I really... No. No.

- (man) Come on!

Go!

Whoo!

(cheering)

(all) Whoo!

(all) Whoo!

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