Heller in Pink Tights Page #7

Thrown into jail for trying to blackmail me.

That's a serious crime.

So is murder.

In some places, even more serious.

That depends

on who the murderer is, Miss...

Rossini.

May I have the money, Mr. De Leon?

You are very sure I'll give it to you.

Mabry said you were a clever man.

And a rich one.

For a clever and rich man to save $5,000

and lose everything...

it's, how do you say, a false saving?

- You, too, are clever.

- Yeah. But not rich.

- You could be.

- Yes, I know.

All I would have to do is tell you

where Mabry is and what he plans to do.

He'll never be missed.

And whatever he's offered you,

I can offer a girl like you more.

- Much more.

- But you don't know the kind of girl I am.

But what does a girl like you want,

Miss Rossini?

Money. Mabry's money.

You see, you don't know the kind I am.

You think I'm clever, but I'm really not.

The money, Mr. De Leon, please.

- It's in the other office.

- I'll wait.

Goober.

There's a girl in my office.

She'll be leaving in a few minutes.

Get downstairs with Joe and follow her.

Don't let her out of your sight.

- Just watch her, that's all?

- That's enough.

- She's going to meet Mabry.

- Mabry?

- I thought he was...

- Just do as I tell you. Now, go on.

Thank you.

- Aren't you going to count it?

- We trust you, Mr. De Leon.

How did Mabry ever find someone like you?

It must have been his lucky day. Bye.

- Don't forget your curlers, baby.

- I won't be needing them anymore, Mama.

But, baby,

we're going to be among people again.

- I like my hair this way.

- Baby, it makes you look so old.

Call me Della, Mama,

that's what you named me.

I'm 20 years old.

Next month I'm going to be 21.

The end of next month.

- Goodbye, pop.

- The wagon's ready, Doc.

Goodbye. And thanks for everything.

Well, Mabry, I...

If you ever want to see a show, look us up.

Whatever else happened,

you did save our lives.

I want to thank you for that.

Maybe sometime I'll be in your neck

of the woods, and you can save my life.

You know, I probably would.

Well, folks, we're here.

Doc, you'll have your drink in a few minutes.

Driver! Stop!

Tom, look.

Well, I've got to give her credit.

- Don't be so quick about it.

- She got you a theater, Snoogie.

Come, Lorna, I'm not the only Healy.

It's a common name.

- Let's go inside, Mama.

- Yes, Della.

No, that doesn't work.

Let's try something else.

Here. This carpet. Just put it on.

Let's get ready.

Come on, let's start with the first act.

You in the middle, over here.

Where's the other boy? Come on. There.

All right.

"My pretty girl has left her nest

so early this morning. "

- Angela.

- It sure is good to see you again, Angie.

I didn't think we'd ever see you.

You naughty thing, you.

Now, where are the dressing rooms?

- Just back there. You'll find it.

- Thank you.

- Where'd you get the money?

- I stole it from Mabry.

Does he know it yet?

There is nothing he can do.

It's your theater, in your name.

Did you think you could just give me this

and I would take it?

Even the way you think...

did you really think I would take it?

Not really. I just hoped.

I wanted to do something for you.

Something nice.

So you...

I don't know, you could think of me as...

You see?

I only think of myself.

You're lucky to be rid of me.

But the theater is yours,

and I'll go whenever you want me to.

- What are you rehearsing? Is that Mazeppa?

- Yeah.

It's staged all wrong.

Everything is wrong. I'm trying

to make costumes from I don't know what...

old rags and carpets.

And these people have no experience.

They can't act

and I don't know how to tell them.

The horses didn't bring

as much as I'd hoped.

I don't want anything.

Doc and the girls can't go

to San Francisco without a new wardrobe.

No manager would look at them,

you know that.

I'll stage Mazeppa for you and play it...

until I can make enough money

to pay back what I owe.

- You can play your part, if you like.

- I'd like to.

- That's the only reason I'm staying.

- I understand. I know.

Everybody take your places. We'll pick up

the rehearsal where we left off.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mr. Healy.

"Why, how is it my pretty bird... "

"Has left her nest so early this morning?"

Ladies.

"Those downcast eyes

and colorless cheeks assure me...

"she has passed a sleepless night. "

- "I am deeply to be pitied. "

- "Pitied?"

"You to be pitied?

When there's news of nothing else... "

...throughout the castle except the news

of your approaching marriage...

to the young nobleman so rich, so elegant.

Those nuptials can never take place.

My heart, my soul,

each energy of my existence...

all is Casimir's.

Casimir's! Heavens! That friendless youth.

Someone approaches. 'Tis he. 'Tis Casimir.

Good heavens, how agitated.

Noble lady.

Oh, speak without reserve, Casimir.

My second mother here knows all.

Before her, then, pronounce my fate.

- Oh, your fate.

- Yes.

On you and on this moment,

depend the destinies of my life.

Like the show?

It's too bad you can't see the rest of it.

Gets mighty exciting later on.

Adieu, my love.

- Hello.

- I ain't got much time.

Old De Leon's got his boys watching

this place. Did you get that money?

- You're a real gooder.

- I have something to tell you.

- Just tell me where that money is.

- I spent it.

Hello, Mabry.

How many times do I have to tell you

not to move on my lines?

- But you always told me...

- On other actors', Della, not on Mother's.

Listen, I was lucky to get it. Everyone said

it's worth much more than $5,000.

And I'll pay you back every cent.

- Where do you think you're going?

- I'm going onstage.

- You ain't going nowhere.

- What do you mean?

What are you standing around for?

You're on next.

You stay out of this, Healy.

Keep your business with him

out of the theater.

- Go play your part.

- I said stay out of it.

When my cue comes, I will be onstage.

And we'll talk after the show.

You and me'll talk right now.

You trying to make a fool out of me.

I don't like that.

I'm only trying to explain.

- There's your cue. Go on.

- Don't give me no trouble.

You come on over here. I wanna talk.

You let her go. She has to go on the stage.

Mabry. Please don't.

These amateurs are the curse of my life.

You get on the stage. Run.

I'm gonna kill you, Healy.

I demand an...

I demand an explanation.

There's a man in our dressing room.

And he's drunk.

That your room?

Hold it, Joe.

They got any other ways in here?

- Who's after you?

- De Leon.

He missed me once,

but he'll make sure this time.

Lock the door

on the other side of the stage.

You come with me.

Come here. Can you see them out there?

Count, with the utmost joy

I shall attend thee.

- They're out there.

- All right.

You stay here and don't try anything.

I don't want you spoiling my show.

My esteemed Count Castellan.

Only pressing matters of state could have

kept me from your presence.

It was my wish, my fair Olinska...

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