Love Me or Leave Me Page #2

You've never been there.

You said so yourself. You'll love it.

What's not to like?

She thinks it's a line.

She thinks I say Miami,

I mean Atlantic City.

- Georgie, show her the tickets.

- Here are the tickets.

Frobisher will keep your job for you.

Don't worry.

Mr. Snyder, I'm not going.

Georgie, get out of here.

Beat it.

- Look here, you stupid little broad...

- Don't you talk to me like that.

I'll talk to you any way I like.

You know who I am?

You think I let dames

get away with anything?

I'm not trying to get away with anything.

I didn't ask you for one thing.

You didn't ask but you wanted.

I did my share, what about you?

Who do you think you are? You're nothing.

Get funny with me, and I'll throw you

back to that crummy dance joint.

You won't have to. I'll walk back.

What are you doing?

I'm leaving.

All I wanted was a chance to sing.

And I'll get it.

You don't have to do a thing.

I'll get it for myself.

Hey, Etling.

What's her name?

Ruth. Ruthie, come on out.

What did I say that was so terrible?

What crime did I commit?

- Come on like a good girl.

- Want me to drag her out, Marty?

Get out of here.

- Deal me in.

- Hurry up.

That's all we wait for Etting.

All right, kids, rehearsal. Let's go.

- Gay, you take Etting's place.

- I'm a specialty.

- Mr. Snyder wants to see you right away.

- I'm working. Sorry.

Listen, I asked you nice, didn't I?

You want me to ask you not nice?

Sure. Might as well have both versions.

Johnny.

You think the Gimp found out

you talked to the girl?

Maybe. If he has, you think I should crawl

into the laundry and apologize?

Well, I would.

But I'm an old man and I want to live.

What else have I got? You better go.

But, Mr. Frobisher,

we can't rehearse without music.

- So hum to them.

- Hum?

All right, girls, line up. Come on, line up.

One, two, three, four.

You notice how the help all wear gloves?

Once the wash is washed,

it ain't touched by a human hand.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I like things clean.

Sit down, make yourself comfortable.

- Marty, the piano player.

- Oh, yeah.

How much you get an hour to coach?

- Coach?

- Miss Etling.

She wants to sing.

She thinks she shouldn't make bad habits

at the beginning.

She should have arrangements,

you know what I mean?

- What do you get by the hour?

- $5.

I'll give you $10.

Anybody hangs around me, they make.

Well, can she sing?

What is she, a dummy? Anybody can sing.

Put them on a stage, tell the public

they're singers. They're singers.

What does the public know?

You want the job?

- At $10 an hour? Sure.

- Right. You got yourself a deal.

- Georgie will take you back.

- When would you like to start?

You can fix it up between you later.

Don't take it too serious, the lessons.

A couple, to make her feel good.

I'll be taking her to Florida any day now.

You know what I mean.

Sorry I took so long changing.

I'm getting paid by the hour.

By the way, thanks for cutting me in.

I got the idea from you.

But I would've done it for nothing.

I thought it was better if you got paid.

- Let's get started and see what we got.

- All right.

You know this?

Yes.

Yes, ma'am.

Am I any good?

Am I good enough to get somewhere?

Will you tell that to Mr. Snyder, Johnny?

I need someone like him.

You know, sort of a manager.

- You expect him to be your manager?

- Why not? He has a lot of connections.

- You're kidding, aren't you?

- No.

You were quick enough to spot

a routine friendly pass when I made it.

You must have a vague idea

of what he wants.

Do you know

what his exact plans for you are?

He's taking you to Florida with him.

He told me so himself.

He told me that, too.

But I'm not packing.

- I had a date. I forgot.

- I wouldn't tell him that. Think fast, kid.

Just out of plain, simple curiosity...

I'd like to know why you gave me

a standup. You got my message.

I told her myself, Marty.

Let me hear the fancy story

you're gonna give me. Go on, I dare you.

No story, Mr. Snyder. I just forgot.

You forgot?

I don't know how I could have,

but I did. And I'm very sorry.

- Will you forgive me?

- Naturally, I thought...

I didn't know what to think.

You certainly didn't think

I'd do a thing like that to you?

That's all right, dear.

Everybody can make a mistake.

- How's she doing?

- Not bad, not bad at all.

In fact, she's quite a performer.

Did you hear that, Mr. Snyder?

Now will you talk to Mr. Frobisher

and ask if I can have a little song?

I'll talk to him when I get good and ready.

How do you like that?

You had one lesson.

Who says it's time for a swelled head?

You think you can fool the public?

You want to get up before people

and embarrass me?

I'm sorry.

It's just been on my mind, you know.

I guess this is my night

for making mistakes, isn't it?

It's because you're tired.

You're not thinking good.

You got no business

keeping her up so late.

Come on, I'll take you home.

You go right to bed.

Thank you.

Eddie Fulton.

- Where's Fulton?

- I don't know.

- Fulton, you're on.

- Great.

- What'd I tell you? A knockout.

- Yeah, you told me.

- Fulton, hurry up.

- You're on.

- I'm sorry.

- If it's hard for you to get here...

why not quit and spend all your time

at the crap table?

And don't forget, smile.

You got what you wanted, huh?

What's the matter? You don't look happy.

You wanted a chance to sing,

and I got you that.

But I'm on and off in a second.

- What did you expect?

- Well, it's not a real number.

I was just thinking of something.

Suppose Fulton missed a performance.

If I could substitute...

Fulton? He's a headliner,

you're a newcomer. You just started.

Well, somebody

would have to take his place.

How do you like that.

Here I'm suspecting she wants me...

to work Frobisher for an extra routine,

but no.

All the time,

she wants the whole business.

What do you want me to do?

Knock him off?

Of course not, Mr. Snyder.

But if he missed a show...

Why should he?

Answer me that, Miss Smart.

It could happen, couldn't it?

It almost happened tonight, didn't it?

The nerve you've got. The gall.

Look, would you consider coming into

the laundry business with me?

We'll be millionaires in no time.

Marty, I tell you, no. You've got a laundry.

I'm a customer, fine.

You asked me to give her a job.

I give her a job, fine. But there's a limit.

I'm not putting her on tonight

or any other night.

But you're stuck. You ain't got Fulton.

Why should he walk out on me?

He got deep in gambling.

They told him to get it up quick...

and the poor slob didn't have it.

How come the poor slob has it

to go to Florida?

What're you asking me?

Frobisher, she'll be a sensation.

To who? Whoever heard of her?

Who'll come to see her?

You want to close my club?

Are you kidding?

You know the contacts I got.

Personalities, people who'll be a credit

to the finest nightclubs.

They'll spend, they'll clap,

you'll make a fortune.

On the other hand, Frobisher,

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