Love Me or Leave Me Page #6

But you gotta make cracks.

It's enough

to take the heart out of a person.

Never mind the dramatics.

What's the big news this time?

You're merely going to make

a picture in Hollywood. That's all.

I merely kill myself for the past two weeks

setting a deal up for you. That's all.

And what a deal!

Between you and me,

the things I told Loomis to ask for...

I didn't dream we had a chance.

You should've heard Paul Hunter

on the phone just now.

Long distance.

The head of the whole studio.

He acted like you was the Queen of Sheba,

or something.

Well, how about it?

It's going to be a change, anyway.

- You glad at least?

- Sure, why not?

Mrs. Snyder, could you just once...

show some plain, common enthusiasm?

What do you want? A thank-you note?

You know something, Ruthie?

You ought to lay off that stuff.

You're getting to look like an old bag.

Hello.

Miss Ruth Etting, please.

Hollywood calling.

This is Miss Etting. Hollywood?

Operator, are you sure

this call isn't for Mr. Snyder?

No, ma 'am. Miss Ruth Etting.

Well, this is she speaking.

- Hello, Ruth?

- Hello?

This is Johnny.

Johnny Alderman.

You can hang up, Ruth. I don't know

how you feel about talking to me.

I feel fine about it, Johnny.

But I can't believe it.

What made you call after all this time?

I've wanted to call you often enough,

only I didn't think I should.

Not after I heard you were married.

I just heard you're coming out

to do a picture for Paul Hunter.

- Yes.

- I work here, too, Ruth.

And what's more,

I'm going to be working with you.

- How do you like that?

- Johnny, you're making it up.

Ruth, I just came in to tell you...

Who are you talking to?

No, I'm sorry.

I don't know what my future plans are.

I see. I gather you don't

want to talk anymore.

Thank you. Thank you for calling.

It was one of the newspapers.

Why didn't they call me?

I handle the publicity.

Ruthie, we're leaving for the Coast

on Sunday.

And I picked a late train, so that

you wouldn't have to rush getting up.

You know what I mean?

It'll do you good, Hollywood.

You'll enjoy it.

It's good for a person to change.

You and me have been getting

pretty jumpy lately, anyway.

- I don't want to go.

- What?

It's just that I'm so tired. I need a rest.

But I asked you

before I started on the deal.

"Take a little vacation," I said.

"Lay off awhile," I said. But, no.

You wait until I get the deal all sewed up

hook, line and sinker.

Answer why. Explain me why!

It's just a feeling that I have. Forget it.

I'm taking Mr. Snyder in to see Mr. Hunter.

Yes. Second corner to the right.

- Hello, Paul.

- Hello.

This is Mr. Snyder.

Mr. Hunter, Mr. Snyder.

Very nice to meet you, Mr. Snyder.

But hasn't Miss Etting come with you?

No, Mrs. Snyder just sings.

I'm the one who does the talking.

I see. Well, let's start with the story.

I'm sure you'll like it. I don't mind saying

we're all very proud of it.

Where's the music? I don't see no music.

It comes separately, Marty. I have it here.

What's he doing here?

Mr. Alderman

is the music director on this picture.

I used to work for Mr. Snyder

and Miss Etting.

That makes everything nice and friendly.

These are the numbers.

I think she'll like them. I've chosen...

You've chosen?

Nobody else got nothing to say?

They're all subject to Ruth's approval.

She ain't a kid in the chorus no more.

She knows what she's doing.

And when she don't, believe you me, I do.

Of course, Mr. Snyder.

That's why we're so happy

to have you both with us.

Why don't we all sit down

and talk things over?

- Look who's gone Hollywood.

- Yeah.

Come on, Marty.

Come on, Georgie.

Everybody comes to California

to lay around in the sun...

and she gotta sit in the house.

- Hello, Ruth.

- Hello, Barney.

- Can I get you a drink?

- Thanks.

- Everything go all right?

- Fine.

Of course, Mr. Hunter was disappointed

that you weren't with us.

You have a lot of meetings tomorrow.

There's wardrobe, make-up, and publicity.

Marty has the list.

Yeah, you start with the music director.

And wait till you hear who that is.

Johnny Alderman,

the piano player from Chicago.

Is that a laugh!

It's a small world, isn't it?

What's with you and this fellow, Marty?

He seemed to bother you

at the conference.

He don't bother me one bit.

He ain't important enough to bother me.

I just don't like him.

There's something about his personality.

He always gave me a swift pain, that guy.

Why should he be on a picture?

A piano player like that.

We ought to have somebody good.

A name.

He's making a name for himself.

Let him make it on his own time.

How do you feel about it, Ruth?

I don't care one way or the other.

Whatever you say.

We'll leave it lay

for the time being, anyway.

Hunter's a nice fellow, don't you think?

A four-flusher, just like the rest of them.

You know how long it took me

to get his number?

Just about one minute.

And I let him know it, too.

Did you see the expression on his face...

when I told him

his last three pictures were stinkeroos?

I really let him have it, didn't I, Barney?

It's the only way with those phonies.

You gotta let them know who you are.

Who are you, Marty?

- What do you mean?

- What have you accomplished?

Can you produce a picture?

Have you done one successful thing

on your own?

Just who do you think you are?

Pretty sharp, the little lady.

Whoever I am, kiddo...

I'm what makes you tick.

Don't you ever forget that.

Is it always like this, Ruth?

I'll make a deal with you, Barney.

You don't tell me your sad stories,

and I won't tell you mine.

How do you like it?

Have I ever done one successful thing

on my own?

Listen, Marty.

I figure I get what she means.

Back in Chicago, you were a big man, see?

But since then,

the people we do business with...

your name don't mean nothing.

After all, it ain't like it's up anywhere.

"Marty Snyder presents. "

Sure, you're married to her.

But for all they know, you could be a guy

that's hanging on to a good thing.

A meal ticket.

You follow what I mean, Marty?

I'll show them.

She'll see.

Well, get up!

What are you laying there for?

Barney, come in here. I wanna talk to you.

Barney, get free tomorrow, all day.

We got business.

And, Georgie, you take Ruth to the studio

instead of me.

And stick with her.

If she wants to know where I am,

just tell her I'm too busy.

That's right, tell her I'm just too busy.

- Hello, Johnny.

- Hello, Ruth.

- It's good to see you again.

- Good to see you.

- I'm sorry I'm late.

- It doesn't matter.

- You know Georgie?

- Sure.

- How are you, Georgie?

- Fine.

Why don't you sit down over here

and make yourself comfortable?

We'll be in there by the piano.

This way, Ruth.

Let's have a good look at you.

- A good look?

- A good look.

- Have I changed?

- Yes.

A lot's happened to you. And it shows.

You're beautiful.

It's good to see you, Johnny.

I'm awfully glad we're going to make

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