Morning Glory Page #7

Come in.

- Hello there.

- Oh, it's you. I thought it was Easton.

If you happen to see him,

will you tell him to come back?

There's a matter of business

I'd like to talk over with him.

I'll tell him.

First, I wanna go over a couple of points,

unless last-minute advice will upset you.

No, not a bit.

But sit down. You look all in,

I think you need a drink.

Oh, no, thanks.

I'm afraid to take anything until it's all over.

- You nervous?

- Not a bit.

Well, I wanna tell you right now

you surprised me.

I can't tell you how pleased I am.

You've worked hard.

You've been patient.

And tonight you're gonna make

the hit of your life.

That's what you tell me

before every opening...

...but they always like me

no matter what I give them.

Come in.

Oh, more flowers.

Just put them over there.

Half hour. Half hour.

In the last act, try to imagine that your long

speech is a series of speeches, which it is.

You take it too fast.

They'll begin to cough.

If you play it as it should be played,

they won't think of coughing.

Now, listen,

finish one phase of the speech...

...then imagine that someone...

That someone differs with it...

...then begin again as if

arguing with them.

All right, all right. Go on.

Now, let me see.

Oh, when your purse falls

in the second act, don't pick it up.

Let it lay. Don't even see it.

No, I won't. That's good.

Now...

No, no, that's enough.

- What have you got there?

- Nothing. It's just an idea.

Well, what is it?

Well, I thought that instead of trying

to hide your tears...

...you might cry as if you didn't know

people were about.

- Oh, that's terrible. That's awful.

- Yes, I know.

Perfectly awful. That's very bad.

I know, too childish.

If it were played differently...

Well, it's not going to be

played differently.

Come In.

- Hello, Rita.

- Hello, Louis.

- Is everything all right?

- Everything will be.

Oh, that's fine. I just came in

to wish you good luck and success.

Thank you, Louis, thank you.

And the same to you.

I was just sending for you.

Shall I talk to you

in front of Joseph?

Why not?

Very well.

You know when I started in with you

four years ago...

...I told you I didn't want a contract.

- Yes.

That I'd take your word,

and you'd have to take mine.

Yes.

And we've never had

any trouble so far, have we?

No.

You asked me what I wanted

the first year and I told you.

The second year I told you.

And last year, Blue Skies, and I told you.

You got what you asked for.

You always have.

Yes, but I didn't ask for

what I really wanted.

And you knew I didn't ask for it,

and you knew why.

So you're asking for it now

instead of then.

No. What I'm asking for now

is not back pay.

Joseph never wanted me for this part.

I knew that.

And I knew I'd loose the chance to play it

if I seemed unreasonable.

That's why I've been so reasonable

these last two years.

- When I've been making a fortune for you.

- Go on, go on.

Have you ever thought it funny...

...that I didn't come to talk salary

in these last two years?

No, why should I?

Anyhow, you thought I'd go on

being reasonable.

Leave it to you to do the right thing

after I'd made a hit in this part...

...which you doubted, all of you.

- That was my fault.

- Now quiet.

You thought... You thought that I would do

a flop in Atlantic City or Baltimore...

...and you'd take the play off

and find somebody else.

I meant to be fair, but I know and

you know that whatever happened...

...the governor would do the right thing...

- Why, should I have known it?

A year ago, at a party you gave,

one of your best friends told me...

...I should be getting $ 1000 a week

and half the profits.

Charley Van Duesen, I know.

Rita, what are you driving at?

I want my name in electric lights

from tomorrow on.

I want a run of the play contract

to play the part in New York and in London.

I want $ 1500 a week and half the profits,

and a cut in on the picture rights.

- Think it over.

- It's a holdup.

Wanting this 15 minutes

before curtain time?

- Well, if I don't...

- She wants my right eye!

- You can't throw a play like that.

- What's to stop me?

There's plenty of ways.

I'll get you before

the Equity Association.

- I'll see you never work again.

- Do anything you like.

- I don't need Broadway.

- Yes, you do.

I could sign a contract...

...that would knock your eye out!

- I wonder.

- Don't bring up that curtain until I tell you.

- Yes.

What are you trying to do?

An outrage with a crowd out there...

Oh, nuts to you.

What are they doing?

Feeding that old hag meat again?

- What are you doing?

- Showing you I mean business.

- I'm washed up.

- You can't get away with it.

- Can't I?

- I wanna see you outside.

Please, governor!

- Listen, now you'll regret this...

- Yes, is that so?

I wouldn't be too long

if I were you. Get out. God.

She's a rat.

He brings me out here to tell me

she's a rat. I know she is.

- I'm caught. I have to give in.

- Don't give in.

- I'd close the theater before I'd do that.

- And my investment?

I've got a girl, she's done nothing much,

but she's an understudy.

- She could play the part.

- You'd take a chance on her?

- Yes, sir.

- Without a rehearsal?

I give my word it's okay.

You know what this means to me.

- You wouldn't have done it if I hadn't urged.

- It's my play.

You think I'm a fool?

I know something about acting.

- We couldn't take a chance.

- She's okay.

- Who is she?

- The Lovelace girl.

He's screwy.

Come along with me

and don't ask questions. Come on.

This is the chance you've been

talking about. Don't muff it.

- What?

- I'm vouching for you.

- You've got to come through now.

- Good luck, kiddie.

Throw all your highbrow theories

right out the window.

Listen, give them all you've got.

Don't think I've tried to put anything

over on you. I didn't plan this.

- Is that all you got to say?

- Yes.

Well, all I've got to say is that you'd

better be good. Come with me.

I hope you come out all right

with Mr. Easton.

Don't worry. I know how to bluff him.

He'll never let me go.

I've got enough on him to hang him.

Go on, Emma, and get your hat

and coat. We're going.

- Well, Rita.

- Yes?

Since you've decided to act

in this unprofessional manner...

...and to take advantage of me

at a moment like this...

...l've decided to let you do

exactly as you please.

Oh, is that so?

Very well. Come, Emma.

- Goodbye, Mr. Easton.

- Goodbye, Rita.

And before I get through with you,

I'll tell where you buried the body.

Bring her in here, Joseph.

Come on now.

- I'll get the wardrobe woman.

- All right.

They're holding the curtain for you.

I can't do it. I'd be frightened

if I knew he were watching.

Forget about him.

I can't, even though

I've never seen him since.

I suppose he didn't love me.

Did you notice how pale

and tired he looked?

And I'm tired. I'm tired too.

It's just come over me

how terribly tired I am.

Pull yourself together.

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