Limelight Page #5

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They've terminated the contract.

But they can't do that!

They can. They have.

You were engaged for the week!|You can insist.

It's no use. I'm finished.

Through!

Nonsense.

Are you, Calvero, going to allow|one performance to destroy you?

Of course not!|You're too great an artist.

Now's the time to show them|what you're made of. Time to fight!

Remember what you told me,|standing there by that window?

Remember what you said?

About the power of the universe|moving the earth?

Growing the trees,|and that power being within you?

Now is the time to use that power,|and to fight!

Calvero, look! I'm walking!

I'm walking!

I'm walking!

Just think, I can walk!

Well, I can't any further.|I have to quit right here.

Do you realize|it's almost five o'clock?

I know. But I couldn't stay|in that room another minute.

I don't blame you.

Cheer up.

Look, the dawn is breaking.

That's a good omen.

I know it. It will be.

It must be.

Don't be discouraged.|You'll get on your feet again.

On my what again?

But think how fortunate we are!

At least we both have our health.

Now I can get a job. There's always|chorus work to keep us going.

Us?

Yes.

Us.

You and me. Together.

- Mr. Bodalink!|- What is it?

- The front office, sir.|- Thank you.

Terry, I was about to leave you|a note about Calvero.

Have him see me tomorrow morning|before your audition.

- He's all set for the part.|- Wonderful!

Just a minute.

Why, Terry!|I didn't hear you come in.

How could you?

Allow me. My friends,

Mademoiselle Thereza.

How do you do.

We're just having a little beer,|Bach and Beethoven.

Isn't it rather late for music?

Not if we play a nocturne.

Proceed with the butchery,

only make it soft,|sentimental, largo.

- I'll stick to beer if you don't mind.|- Coming up!

But what will Mrs. Alsop say?

A fine thing! After climbing up|three flights of stairs,

I've just discovered I've got nothing|but a lot of empty beer bottles.

Why, Terry, is the show out?

I didn't realize it was that late.

It's very late.

That's our cue, we'd better go.

You're not going!|We were just about to celebrate.

- But it's almost one o'clock.|- So what?

Wait a minute!

Calvero gave me three horses|and I doubled up on them!

Now that only happens|once in a lifetime.

Wait a minute. Those stairs|are steep. I'll lead the way.

That's all right, I can handle myself.|Don't you worry about me.

Good night.

I'm sorry, my dear. I'm drunk.

It's your health I'm worried about.|You know what the doctor said.

Yes, I shouldn't drink.|It's bad for the heart.

What about the mind?

I suppose that should be clear and|alert so I can contemplate the future.

The prospects of joining|those gray-haired nymphs

that sleep|on the Thames embankment at night.

You'll never join them|while I'm alive.

Oh, I forgot to get your supper!|I'm no good.

I'll get it later on.|First I'm going to put you to bed.

But you've had nothing to eat.

Did you take your medicine?

What medicine?

You didn't.|It's to give you an appetite.

I've quenched my appetite.

You'll be ill again,|if you don't eat.

Well, I much prefer to drink.

A man's true character comes out|when he's drunk.

Me, I'm funnier.

Too bad I didn't drink|at the Middlesex.

I've got good news for you.

Mr. Bodalink wants to see you|tomorrow morning.

Who's he?

Our dance director. He wants you|to play a clown in the new ballet.

I'm through clowning.

Life isn't a gag anymore.|I can't see the joke.

From now on, I'm a retired humorist.

You'll feel differently|in the morning.

No, I hate the theatre!

Someday I'll buy|an acre of ground somewhere

and raise a few cut flowers,|and make a living that way.

What do you think?|It's all settled. I play the clown.

Let's sit down over here|and you can tell me all about it.

Of course, the salary isn't much.

Two pounds?

But it's a foot in the door.|Naturally I'm not using my own name.

This Bodalink's a nice chap.|Says you're quite a dancer.

If you'd have come to the theatre,|you might have known it.

Why didn't you tell me|you were auditioning?

I wanted to surprise you.

I'm not sure of the outcome.|It depends on Mr. Postant.

Postant!|I thought he'd retired years ago.

Why, do you know him?

Last time I worked for Postant,|I was the headline here.

Footlights!

Your hands are quite cold.

I think I've got the girl. Young,|sympathetic, a brilliant dancer.

Bring her on!

Thereza, please!

You understand|it's purely improvising.

That's how I always judge a dancer.

This is Thereza, Mr. Postant.

- How do you do.|- How do you do.

You'll be dancing to Mr. Neville's|music. Listen to it first.

This is Mr. Neville, our composer.

- How do you do.|- How do you do.

I believe we've met before.

Really?

It's 12:
30, we'd better call lunch.|Lunch everybody! Back at 1:30.

Allow me to congratulate|the next prima ballerina.

You're sopping wet, my dear.|Get your coat.

Put in on and then|we'll talk business.

Allow me.

- May I also congratulate you?|- Thank you.

Come dear. We'll meet at my office|at 2:30 and fix up her contract.

But we're rehearsing at 2.

Make it 6, after rehearsal.

Run up to your dressing room|before you get a chill.

- Where's Neville?|- Coming!

turn off those lights.

Here I am.

I was looking for you outside.

What are you doing|sitting in the dark?

I'd be ridiculous in the light.|Look at me, I'm shameless.

But I can't help it.

My dear, you are a true artist.

True artist.

This is absurd. Ridiculous.

I've waited for this moment.

I love you.

I've wanted to say it for so long.

Ever since the day you thought|I was a woman of the street.

You took me in,

cared for me,

saved my life,

inspired it.

But above all that,|I just love you.

Please, Calvero, marry me.

- What nonsense is this?|- It isn't nonsense.

My dear, I'm an old man.

I don't care what you are.

I love you.|That's all that matters.

Latest news, express!

While you're having lunch,|I'm going to see about my wig.

Then I'll go with you.

You'd better have lunch first.|I might be delayed.

I'll see you back at the theatre.

Have a good lunch.

Oh, hello there.

I'm the man at the piano|who played a moment ago.

It's quite crowded.

Always is at lunch time.

Two?

Very well.

Your order, please.

Bacon and eggs, toast and tea.

The same.

That's always safe.

Beautiful day to be rehearsing.

Although the papers|are predicting more rain.

Really?

What's the joke?

I finally have the chance to talk|to you and I've nothing to say.

What is more eloquent than silence?

- I'd better change tables.|- I won't bite.

I'm not too sure. I was|severely frostbitten a moment ago.

What do you mean?

This morning.|When we were introduced.

I don't understand.

My reception was rather cool,|I thought.

I still don't understand.

I'm sorry.

I seem to be getting|a little involved.

You see, I had an idea|that we'd met before.

Well, perhaps we have.

If we haven't,|then you have a twin sister.

Who is she?

Do you really want to know?

Yes.

A young girl|who used to work at Sardou's,

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