Imitation Of Life Page #3

Annette, get me Hollywood,

Mr. Robert Hayes.

International Studios,

right? International...

Um.

Maybe you better not

go through with that call.

You don't think so?

Why not?

Because Robert Hayes

doesn't exist.

I understand.

Annette, cancel the call.

Yes, Mr. Loomis.

I was desperate.

You were pretty good.

You lied. All actresses lie.

I know that.

But I believed you.

I'm sorry.

Don't leave.

You took me in.

For all of 20 seconds,

you took me in,

but I don't mind.

It was a good acting job,

and you're very pretty.

Now, about tonight.

Shall I pick you up?

Um, no, it'll be easier

for me to meet you here.

You'll find me

very prompt, Mr. Loomis.

Come on in.

Sit down. I just have

a few letters to sign.

Oh, drink?

No, thank you.

But aren't we going

to be late to the party?

Plenty of time, plenty.

And I need a drink.

So relax.

Say, you're not allergic

to mink, are you?

Mink? No,

I don't think so.

Good.

Try this on for size.

But whose is it?

Mine. And I only loan it

to very special clients.

I want you to wear it

tonight.

You want me to wear...

Please. Got to think

of my reputation.

I haven't been seen

with a girl without a mink

since the heat wave of'39.

Come on.

We should spend

a little time talking

about our future.

You can act. Well,

that's of no importance

at the moment.

The main thing is,

you're a beaut.

Please, don't.

Oh, and you're decent too.

No doubt possess

some fine principles.

Well, me, I'm a man

of very few principles,

and they're all open

to revision.

But I'm in a position

to do something for you.

You'll get 10% of everything

I make. Isn't that enough?

No. Now,

sit down and listen.

Here it is, short and clear.

You're not a chicken.

You're no high-hearted kid

out of some drama school,

wanting to do or die

for dear old Thespis.

And you're beginning

under a handicap.

I know I'm starting late.

So time isn't on your side.

But you do have

some qualifications.

Your face will pass.

You've good, nice, long

silky legs. I like them.

You have a chest full

of quality and quantity.

I like it.

Aren't you taking

a few things for granted?

Me? I don't count.

But there are certain

people who do, and you're

going to meet all of them.

That is, if you're really

serious about your career.

I am, but...

Good, then you're going

every place with me.

Every party, opening night,

every saloon in town.

With a complete new

wardrobe at my expense.

Oh, it's tax deductible.

This is a tough,

competitive racket.

Although it's a lot

more than any agent

is supposed to do,

I'd do it.

What's this got

to do with acting?

Nothing.

But I'll show you how to

realize your ambitions,

if you do as I say.

If the dramatists' club wants

to eat and sleep with you,

you eat and sleep with them.

If some producer with a hand

as cold as a toad wants to do

a painting of you in the nude,

you'll accommodate him

for a very small part.

It's disgusting!

It pays off.

You're disgusting.

Maybe I am.

But let me assure you,

once you get it made,

you can be idealistic

all of ten seconds

before you die.

You're trying to cheapen me.

But you won't. Not me.

Oh, I'll make it, Mr. Loomis,

but it'll be my way.

You have a wonderful

handwriting, Annie.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Steve.

But my spellin'

won't take no prizes.

I don't think Lora

has anything to worry about

as long as you're with her.

Oh, we'll get by.

I made an agreement

with the landlord.

He's really

a nice person.

Oh?

Just for doin'

the staircases twice a week,

we get $10 off our rent.

Is that a fact?

I answered an ad

and got a job while

the kids are at school.

Doing what?

Doing shirts

for a gentleman.

He's real persnickety

about his shirts.

Oh, Steve.

Hello.

I'm sorry. It's just

that I got so involved.

We're having

a wonderful time.

How'd everything go?

Oh, just fine. I went

to the 21 with Mr. Loomis.

Everybody there

was somebody exciting.

For the first time,

I felt that I was somebody too.

Is Mr. Loomis gonna

find you a job?

Well, he, uh,

he wanted to represent me,

but...

But I...

Oh, Annie.

What's wrong, Miss Lora?

Everything. Everything.

Now, you just rest.

Everything will work out.

I'll go get you

a glass of hot milk, huh?

Can I help in any way?

No.

No one can.

No one.

I'm so ashamed.

It was horrible.

He tried to make me

feel so cheap.

You could never

be cheap.

You don't know

what I mean.

Yes, I do.

It happens all the time.

Not just in the theater.

I love the theater.

It's what I want.

Then hold onto your dreams.

Forget tonight.

But they seem so stale

after tonight.

So stale I can't believe

in them anymore.

M-Maybe I'm a fool.

Maybe I should see things

as they really are...

and not as

I want them to be.

If I know you,

they'll have to be

the way you want them.

Thanks, Steve.

You're so, so good

for what ails me.

It's all part of

the Archer service...

day or night.

I'll call you soon,

Lora.

Tomorrow.

Yes, please, tomorrow.

Annie, what's happened

to Susie's wrist?

Oh, nothin' serious.

Just a little experiment.

Experiment?

Sarah Jane's fault.

After class, one of the kids

said that Negro blood

was different.

So later this evenin',

Sarah Jane wanted to compare

her blood with Susie's.

Well, I spanked her good.

Oh, well, you know

how children are.

They were only playing.

I hope so, Miss Lora.

I hope so.

Santa Claus has many names

in many different countries.

In Holland, he is

called Sinter Klaas.

In France,

Saint Nicolas.

In Sweden, he is

known as Jul Tomte.

In Germany, he is...

Oh, can I do something

for you?

Sorry to trouble you,

but I brought these

for my little girl.

I'm afraid you've

made a mistake.

I don't have any little

colored girl in my class.

But they said 3-B.

This is 3-B, isn't...

Why, there's Sarah Jane.

There's my baby.

You mean Sarah Jane

Johnson?

Yes, ma'am.

I'm Mrs. Johnson.

Sarah Jane, baby,

I brought you your...

Sarah Jane!

We didn't know.

Sarah Jane?

Wait.

Sarah Jane?

Baby? Wait.

Sarah Jane?

Sarah Jane, wait.

Wait. Now, now,

let me do it.

Now, put your coat on.

What do you want to do,

catch pneumonia?

I hope I do!

I hope I die!

Honey, nothing's hurt.

You shouldn't

have let them...

They didn't ask me.

Why should I tell them?

Because that's what you

are, and it's nothin'

to be ashamed of.

Why do you have to be

my mother? Why?

Why, you're

practically normal.

You two are soaking wet.

Get out of those things

and I'll make some tea.

I'll be fine.

You better get ready.

Mr. Steve's comin'.

Serve him right to wait.

He was due here

over an hour ago.

I just don't want

everybody having colds.

Cups and...

What's wrong?

Sarah Jane's been

passing at school,

pretending she's white.

But I am white!

I'm as white as Susie.

Oh, honey,

don't you see it doesn't

make any difference to us?

Because we all love you.

I'll take you back

to school myself.

I'm never going back

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote