Love Me or Leave Me Page #3

maybe I got you all wrong.

Maybe you don't wanna oblige

a close personal pal.

Come in.

- How do I look?

- Top of the world.

Here it is, Johnny,

the chance I've been waiting for.

But you made sure

it wasn't too long a wait.

You bet I did. I'm in a hurry.

And I was right, wasn't I?

Told you he'd help me.

Ruth, get rid of him now.

It's not going to be worth it.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Why shouldn't I have a manager?

A manager? Don't lie to yourself.

If you're going ahead with this...

at least don't lie to yourself.

But don't go ahead with it.

You don't have to.

Yes, I do. I've tried it without help.

I didn't mind it being hard, Johnny.

I just minded that it didn't work.

Then let me help you.

I'll get you to the right people.

I'll work with you and they'll want you.

They won't have to be strong-armed,

blackmailed, or shoved around.

They'll want you because you're good.

Try it, Ruth. Try it that way.

Johnny, so many guys

have wanted to help me.

And they've all been on the make,

just like him.

- I suppose you're the one who's different?

- That's right.

And I mean it. But get yourself free, Ruth.

But I am free. I've made no promises.

- I'm as free as you are.

- Are you?

- Yes.

- Prove it.

Let's meet tonight after the show.

Have a cup of coffee together.

Just two free people

getting together over a cup of coffee.

Why not?

All right.

That's us. It will be great.

- I'm ready.

- Come on, it's time.

Get out there, do your stuff.

Don't make me out a horse's neck.

I got the place packed with biggies.

Get a load of that.

I thought it up myself.

Come on, I'm a nervous wreck.

Excuse me.

- Look at the flowers.

- Just a little token of the way I feel.

Oh, Marty. Thank you. They're lovely.

Don't thank me, hug me,

and throw me out so quick.

- I have to get dressed.

- Make it fast. We gotta celebrate.

- Marty.

- What?

I'm so tired and excited,

I don't think I can go out tonight.

Sure you can. It's all set up.

A big fancy blowout

over at Al Gaxley's place.

That's way out in Bay Cliff, in the country.

Sort of a house party for the weekend.

Hurry up. We gotta leave right away.

Look, why don't you go ahead

without me?

No.

It's just that I'm so tired.

No. Not this time, Ruthie.

That's all over.

What're you talking about?

About the way you brush me off.

The way you stall me.

And don't think

I didn't feel ridiculous at times.

In front of Georgie, even.

- Just because...

- I didn't get sore.

Tell the truth. Did I ever get sore?

Even about not going to Florida?

You wanted to see how far you could get.

Fine. I don't blame you, I give you credit.

But that's all.

I understand.

You got me a break and now...

All right.

I'll go with you.

Now you're talking, baby.

- And then you'll never see me again.

- Why?

Because that makes me a tramp...

and I'm not a tramp,

no matter what you think.

Ruthie, you're wrong.

Listen, I'll be honest with you.

When we first started up together,

I figured, you know...

a pickup, why not? Didn't mean nothing.

But lately a change come over me,

and I wanna do things for you. I'm anxious.

That's what I was hoping for.

That you would get to care about

what happened to me. But you don't.

What do you mean, I don't?

I'll show you you're out of your head.

You know that big fancy joint

where Helen Terral is singing?

The Oval Room?

Who do you think I had here tonight

taking a gander at you?

Just the owner, that's all.

Yeah, a close personal pal.

We're getting together Monday

to chew it over.

Now, does that sound like

I think you're a... What you said?

You got no idea the plans I've got.

If I go to Al Gaxley's for the weekend.

Well, what do you want of me? I'm human.

I'm stuck on you.

Thank you, Marty.

Now let me be honest with you, too.

In the time I've known you,

you've become more important to me...

than anyone else. And I like you.

But I'm not stuck on you.

Maybe it's because getting someplace

is such a big thing to me.

It seems as if I don't have room

for anything else. Not yet, anyway.

Can you understand that?

Yeah, sure, Ruthie...

but when?

I don't know.

If you still want me to go with you,

give me a minute and I'll get dressed.

Take yourself the minute.

We'll go out and get a bite to eat.

You'll never be sorry.

What do you mean? I'm sorry already.

I'll wait for you out in the car.

Only hurry up.

What a day I've had.

My feet are killing me.

We're going downtown

to get a bite to eat.

Call the restaurant and tell them

to get the champagne ready.

She don't wanna go away with you?

I don't want her to go!

How do you like that?

Bay Cliff ain't the right kind of a place

for a girl like her.

- She was great tonight, huh? A knockout.

- Great.

Here. A little extra.

You backed her up good. Go on, take it.

Get yourself a dame.

Have a big time on me.

Table for three for Mr. Snyder.

And champagne.

Yeah, that's right, the works. Right.

Come on, Ruthie.

Good night, Johnny.

This is on the level. This is legit.

I don't have to stack the joint no more.

Marty, sit for five minutes.

I gotta talk to you about things,

but I don't get a chance.

You're so busy running all the time.

The laundry.

You take care of it, Georgie.

I got confidence in you.

I got to get back.

She'll wonder I'm not there.

Hi. I want you to meet Mr. Loomis

of the Roger Black Agency in New York.

- This is Mr. Snyder.

- How do you do, Mr. Snyder?

Mr. Loomis caught the show and liked it.

In fact,

he has a booking for me in New York.

A club called The Black Hat.

- I hear it stinks.

- It's a beginning, Mr. Snyder.

We're not starting at the beginning.

Maybe I'm out of line and you're

handling your own bookings now?

You got it straight?

You want to talk business, talk to me.

- All right.

- Here's my card.

Call me up, make an appointment.

If I have time, I'll see you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Snyder.

It was nice seeing you, Miss Etting.

- Thank you for coming back.

- It was a pleasure.

Why do you have to act like that?

All that man wanted...

Shut up.

Who got you this far? You?

Look at me when I'm talking to you.

I knock myself out for you,

show me a little respect.

At least do that much.

You know that Black Hat

he's booking you in so fast?

It's a dump.

You even know where it's located?

So far uptown,

it's practically in the Bronx.

You know who goes in there? Dogs.

If you want to sing for dogs, go ahead.

But not with me.

How was I to know that?

All I heard was New York,

and naturally I was excited.

New York's crawling with

dames who can sing.

You know when you're going

to New York?

After I make their tongues

hang out for you.

I've got plans so big, a hick like you

wouldn't even understand them.

What plans?

Look whose tongue is hanging out now.

Never you mind what plans.

All you gotta do is sing.

The real work, I'll do.

Come on, hurry up, get dressed.

Who was the guy who came out?

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