The Country Girl Page #3

She wanted to make the decisions,

had to be with me all the time.

Whenever I was away, she acted

as if I'd run off with another woman.

She had fits of depression.

One time she set fire

to a hotel suite.

That's when I hit the bottle.

- Does she still drink?

- No. She stopped when I began.

That figures. You were the weak one

now. That's what she wanted.

- Do you have to bring her to Boston?

- I couldn't leave her alone.

You thought it was funny I didn't

hang around after the audition.

If I'd taken this part

without talking to her,

I don't know what would've happened.

I had to make believe

that I was afraid.

That left it open for her

to convince me, like it was her idea.

They can get awful bent out of shape,

can't they?

My wife was so twisted she said to

me, "I hope your next play's a flop,

"so the world can see I love you

even though you're a failure."

Georgie?

Just coming from a movie,

thought you might be through.

- Your timing was perfect, Mrs Elgin.

- I have a knack that way.

Good evening, Mr Dodd.

How is my husband doing?

In my less than humble opinion,

he's a natural.

Don't let him kid you, honey.

I was floundering.

We'll have to rehearse those cues.

Thank her for the words I did know.

Thanks.

- Did I intrude?

- No, we're just breaking up.

I don't like to be obtrusive

when Frank's working,

unless he needs my help.

- You're sure I'm not in the way?

- No.

We're just closing up shop,

giving it back to the theatre ghosts.

There's nothing quite so mysterious

and silent as a dark theatre.

A night without a star.

- Why don't we get some coffee?

- Georgie? She makes the decisions.

Is that true, Mrs Elgin?

To the extent that Frank's brought

out the mother in me, yes.

I'd like some coffee, and I'd like

to get to know Mr Dodd better.

I'd like to get to know you better.

Shall we go along?

Yes, the theatre is mysterious.

It sure is.

Hi, Charlie. Excuse me a minute.

No, thanks, never use them. Are you

really satisfied with Frank's work?

I'll be happy when he gets

the part out of his hands.

He has his worries with those lines.

I'd appreciate it

if you didn't add to them.

He seems to be more concerned

about you than the audience.

You mean he's too focused

on my reaction?

That's one way of putting it.

You could help by being careful

of what you do and say.

I try to be careful, but being

an actor's wife is not easy.

If I tell him he's magnificent,

he says I'm not honest.

- If not, he says I don't love him.

- He's good but can be better.

- Is that what the critics will say?

- Are you a critic or a wife?

I try in my small way to help.

That's what my ex-wife used to

keep reminding me, tearfully.

She had a theory that behind

every great man was a great woman.

She was convinced that she was great

and that all I needed

was guidance on her part.

She worked hard at it. Too hard.

It doesn't prove her theory

was completely wrong.

One could go through history

and find a few good examples.

It's a pity that Leonardo da Vinci

never had a wife to guide him.

He might have really got somewhere.

You know who that was? Charlie Blair.

You remember him. He was...

Here's another oldie.

It's on the hit parade again.

Let's listen to the original

recording made by Frank Elgin.

He's backed up

by Jimmy Bolton's Orchestra.

See if you remember it.

- Was that OK, Jimmy?

- Good.

Harry, you want to buy that one?

Sure will. I'll give you

the playback in a second.

Take five, boys.

You pretty near broke me up

with your bad beat. How'd it sound?

- It's a lovely tune.

- And the singer?

- He has a pleasant voice.

- If you were my agent, we'd starve!

I've got a hair appointment.

- You're not taking him.

- It's Sally's day off.

Oh, no. He'll grow up to be

a hairdresser. I'll take him.

To the Lambs' Club to play pool?

It's better than teaching him how to

set a wave. I'll take him to the zoo.

And bring him home full of peanuts,

ice cream and chocolate?

Johnny, tell this lady to run along.

This is strictly stag.

- Strictly stag.

- He's your responsibility.

If he gets a stomach ache in

the night, that's strictly stag, too.

Goodbye.

Isn't Mommy a doll?

Bye, hon.

- Peanuts!

- Yeah. First we'll hear this playback.

- Then Charlie wants some pictures.

- Take two of the chorus.

Can I get one shot of you looking at

the trademark for the album cover?

Make it fast. I got a date

with my friend here.

I think it would be better

without the hat. Right.

Put your hands on the record.

Put the right one at the bottom, too.

That's perfect. Just hold it.

Hold it. Hold it.

Johnny!

The men for the trunk

are downstairs...

- When did you get these, Frank?

- Last night, after you fell asleep.

I went out and got a paper and...

What's the difference?

- I got a good night's sleep.

- No more, Frank.

I'll get you some sleeping pills.

One a night can't hurt.

I'm not sure I'm going to Boston.

What's the use? I'll never

go through with this show.

I'll mess it up,

like everything else.

- That day was an accident.

- That's what the paper said.

- He was my responsibility that day.

- Frank, stop it! Stop!

- Have you told Dodd about this?

- No. Don't you tell him either.

I won't, but I think maybe

you should. It might help.

Nobody is going to have any respect.

He'd tell Cook. He'd fire me.

Who'd risk $200,000

on a guy that irresponsible?

Let's say you were responsible.

You've got to prove to yourself...

You don't know what it's like

to stand on that stage all alone.

If I'm no good, the show's no good.

I've got the future of 100 people

in my hand. This hand.

- Elgin, trunk for Boston?

- Come in.

- Theatre or hotel?

- Theatre.

- No...

- Everything's packed. It's ready.

"THE LAND AROUND US"

THEATRE:

Joe's nothing but a dreamer.

Let him show you

what he's been dreaming about.

That's fair enough. Come on, Phil.

How do they expect me

to make these fast changes?

- Haven't I done it right?

- Yes, but I want you out front.

- Give me the dicky!

- You're doing wonderfully.

I am not! Why don't they get me

a dresser? They could afford a dozen.

- Do you want me to talk to Cook?

- Yes.

Tell him to stop that understudy

hovering there like a vulture.

- If you talked to Mr Dodd...

- You talk to him.

Tell him to keep that guy out front.

Get me some new tissue.

I will, right after rehearsal.

- I'm sorry I stepped on your line.

- Think nothing of it.

- I was so nervous.

- What about? It's just another show.

Where would you find

a star as sweet as that?

What a wonderful guy.

I'd like to hold the orchestra

for about a half-hour longer.

- Can't you do it in the morning?

- Can I take the doohickeys off?

- Yeah, go ahead.

- There we are.

- See you tomorrow.

- Paul mentioned something to me.

- Eleanor is way overboard.

- I know she is.

- I wasn't thinking about Eleanor.

- Don't you think I know?

- I have some notes.

- We'll go over them tomorrow.

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