Morning Glory Page #8

I wanted to kill myself when I didn't hear

from him. I didn't see a reason to go on.

- Poor kid.

- I couldn't make good.

I did all sorts of things trying to pretend

it was all a sort of joke, just experience.

- I'd make up for it all someday.

- You will tonight.

Yes. Yes, but suppose I do go on tonight

and I'm not wonderful?

Then everything's gone.

If I can't act, there's nothing left.

Because even if he came to me now

on his knees, I think it'd be too late.

And that's a tragedy.

And I don't think I can act, Joseph.

I think I'm too tired.

- Even if I can, what does it matter?

- It matters a lot.

It's the chance

you've always dreamed of.

If I thought you were gonna fail me

or yourself...

You're right, Joseph.

Of course you're right.

Oh, it was silly the way I just talked.

Listen, I'll give a performance tonight

that will make you proud of me.

Here's the script.

You'd better go over the lines.

The wardrobe woman will be here

in a moment.

You have a little time.

You don't go on till the middle of the act.

I'm going out to make an announcement.

Now, don't worry. I'll stall.

There you are.

This is history. Why, you haven't stayed

for a last act in years.

Well, my boy,

I'm going to stay for this one.

Last act, ladies and gentlemen.

Third act.

The pupil is better.

Far better than the teacher.

I'll be quick and change

and come right back.

It was delightful.

- I'm so happy for you.

- Thank you so much.

I just want to shake the hand

of this wonderful young girl.

Your performance, my dear,

was inspirational.

I've seen them come,

and I've seen them go.

This is your moment.

May God bless you while it lasts.

Thank you so much.

All right, Nellie.

I'll be right outside if you want me.

- Well, you really liked me?

- How could I help it? You were superb.

Joseph, he never forgets anything,

does he?

Everything's perfectly glorious, isn't it?

Well, why do we keep standing up?

We keep standing as though we were

waiting for something.

We are. There's something that

I've been wanting to say to you.

About us?

About you and me?

You've taught me how...

How different a person can be

if given a chance.

I can't tell you how I feel

that I never gave you one before.

- You gave me a chance.

- No, that wasn't a chance.

- I didn't have faith then.

- Oh, that's nothing.

You've been so brave that I feel particularly

ashamed of what happened once.

I should have taken better care of you,

not let you get lost.

Let's not talk about that, please.

You mustn't think

any more about it, really.

It's been so beautiful

just as it's been.

I'm glad you feel that way about it.

And it's going to be

so much more wonderful now.

You'll be so proud of me, really you will.

I can be so wonderful for you.

You see, you're in my heart.

Please, Eva.

You must put me out of your heart.

I don't belong there,

and you don't belong in mine.

I'm not the man for you. I never was.

You don't belong to any man now.

You belong to Broadway,

to theater, lights.

From now on, you're under

my professional wing.

Why, you're the most valuable

piece of theatrical property I've ever had.

I understand.

Why, it's going to be difficult

because I'm a very difficult taskmaster.

I'm likely to make a pest of myself...

...but you're far too valuable

ever to get out of my sight.

Come in.

May we come in?

Come right in, please.

My dear, words fail me.

From now on, I'm going all over the town

shouting from the housetops...

...that Eva Lovelace was once my pupil.

I wish I'd given you more lessons.

I should like to have been

able to take more credit...

...for the beautiful performance

you gave this evening.

The three of you make me proud,

and I'm going to make you proud of me.

- I'll be so wonderful.

- Oh, lots of people can be wonderful.

Every year, in every theater,

some young person makes a hit.

Sometimes it's a big hit,

sometimes a little one.

It's a distinct success.

But how many of them keep their heads?

How many of them work?

Youth comes to the fore.

Youth has its hour of glory...

...but too often it's only

a morning glory.

A flower that fades before

the sun is very high.

I'd like to take your gown, my dear,

to have it altered for tomorrow.

Let her wear it tonight. Morning will do.

You might wanna wear it out.

We ought to celebrate.

Very well.

- I'll be back to help you dress for the street.

- Thank you.

Talking of morning glory...

...it's a coincidence

that she should be here.

She's an example for you, my dear.

Her name's Nellie Navarre.

And once, years ago,

over night, all Broadway knew it.

She was just like you,

young, inspired.

She became the toast of the town

and then faded out.

- Was that before your time?

- No, no. Bob's right.

You're coming tomorrow to sign a contract

to play this part...

...as long as the public wants to see you.

It's going to be hard, maybe,

night after night, doing the same job.

You mustn't take the people

running after you too seriously...

...telling you what to do.

Keep your health, your money

and your head if you wanna go on.

There's more newspapermen

wanting to interview Miss Lovelace.

Oh, fine. I'll be right back.

Come along, Bob.

I'd like to go over the light cues

with you in the second act.

You look tired.

I am.

Crushed?

Yeah.

You seem to have been the only one who's

understood me through it all, Joseph.

You've always been ready to help me.

I don't know. Things have been happening

so fast, I hardly know where I am.

Once I thought Mr. Easton loved me.

That seems awfully long ago.

You've always been awfully good

to me Joseph. Why?

I'll tell you why.

- I love you.

- Oh, Joseph, don't say that.

I know.

I won't tell you now.

You've...

You've always understood me, Joseph.

Of course.

I understand.

You've got to take care of yourself now,

you know.

You can't think of anyone

or anything else in all the world.

You've suffered so.

You've got to eat the right foods,

you know.

Health, keep your feet warm.

Oh, you've so much to do.

You've got to hang on to all this.

But be careful, my dear. Do be careful.

Shut the door, Nellie.

Are you ready to dress

for the street now, my dear?

No, not yet, Nellie.

I just want to be alone with you.

Success seems so empty.

Yes, my dear.

There's only one thing in life

that means anything.

I've found that out.

Joseph told me just now

that he loved me.

And I begged him not to say it.

And now I wish I hadn't

because I'm lonely.

Lonely now in the moment

I've lived for and dreamed for.

I wish I'd listened years ago...

...when someone told me he loved me.

Nellie, I could make him happy.

Of course you can, my dear.

And he could make me happy too.

Certainly he can.

Nellie, they've all been trying

to frighten me.

Trying to frighten me into being sensible,

but they can't do it.

Not now.

Not yet.

They've got to let me be

as foolish as I wanna be.

l... I wanna ride through the park.

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