Tonight or Never Page #3

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Fine.

And the dear, faithful dog-friend.

How we getting along Fido?

Thanks very much for your

gratifying interest Excellency.

I manage to keep a kennel over my head.

Good, good.

Pity me, dear child. I came to say how

sorry I am I can't take you out tonight.

I have an important engagement

at the government office.

If you'll excuse me, I'll hurry along.

I must get some dog-biscuits.

Excellency .. goodbye.

I think I must be hurrying along, too.

Sit down Albert, I must talk to you.

Has anything happened, darling?

Albert, we've been engaged

for three years.

That's a long time ..

Patience Nella.

A little more patience.

I can assure you I respect you quite as

much as though you were my wife.

You respect me so much, that you're

dining with Maida Linden tonight.

Alone ..

Albert, you're having an

affair with Maida Linden!

No .. now, now, don't be

angry. Don't get angry.

Really, I must laugh

you know .. ha ha ha.

Who told ..?

Who told you this ridiculous gossip?

It was Linden herself.

And she should know.

Linden? .. Impossible.

Are you telling me that I'm lying?

Last night, she came

to my dressing-room.

That's how I found out.

Well, as one of the directors

of the Opera House ..

I must take an interest

in art, mustn't I?

An "interest in art"?

So that's what you call it.

Art? Art? Well, that's merely a word.

Yes, and so is "untrue" a word, and

so is "hypocrisy" and so is "liar"!

Look here dove .. let's talk this thing

over sensibly, as we always do.

We're grown-up people aren't we?

Now darling, I'm not

going to lie to you.

Because that would only put

me in an undignified position.

Now, my dear child, I will confess that

my acquaintance with Linden ..

Has not been .. entirely official.

Now there .. see how frank

I am? How I trust you?

That should prove how fond I am of you.

And you dare to tell me all this!

Oh darling, look here, I

adore you, but three years?

That's a long time.

Yes, it's three long years ..

It's the way of human

nature, that's all.

It's like .. look here darling.

Even if a man has a wonderful

French cook in his house ..

Occasionally, he might like

to dine at a restaurant.

The food of the restaurant

is fine of course.

But he goes for, shall we say: variety.

Variety?

Yes, especially when he's become

accustomed to cold-cuts at home.

Cold-cuts do very well for people

who have neither taste nor appetite.

Oh!

If you find yourself in a better mood,

you may call me tomorrow. Good day.

Madame! Madame! That's genuine Delft.

You mean it was ..

Please Madame ..

A black gown? You wouldn't dress

me in black on an evening like this.

Madame .. it's a beautiful dress.

You told me yourself I should bring

it to you. You would wear it.

Oh Emma.

Lay out my new white satin.

And the wrap that goes with it.

But Madame ..

I'll wear my emeralds, my

earrings .. and all my bracelets.

Emma.

And my new French lingerie.

I must be all .. white, and glistening.

Conrad.

Yes Madame?

I want the car at 9 o'clock.

Very well Madame.

Now wait a minute.

Order a taxi.

Is Madame sure she wants a taxi?

Quite sure.

Yes, Madame.

And call the German Embassy

and present my regrets. I'm ill.

Oh and the florist Conrad ..

order a corsage of lilies.

No, no. That would be too much.

Order gardenias.

Very well Madame.

I've had plenty of chicken

sandwiches on dry toast.

Tonight I will dine in a restaurant.

Madame Vago's man speaking.

How much are gardenias?

I want a dozen, I want two dozen.

I want a very large corsage.

Gardenias are very expensive

Madame. I ordered six.

Six?

Here I am, starting for paradise and

you expect me to economize on the trip.

Send six gardenias. Yes,

that's the right number .. six.

Where is that music coming from?

Oh it's that new gypsy orchestra

playing downstairs in the garden.

You naughty boy .. you

haven't sweetened it.

Oh dear.

Voila!

Delicious .. close the window ..

the music is too exciting for me.

I know the real reason you're not

at the Opera tonight you know.

Oh you do? Clever woman ..

suppose you tell me.

Because Nella Vago is not singing.

Now come, own up, that's true isn't it?

Well, there's no-one else in this

Opera house worth listening to.

I cannot understand you. You! Usually

so un-impressionable, and now ..

What do you see in this woman?

I don't know.

There is something about her

I can't put out of my mind.

She leaves me absolutely unmoved. She's

always asleep, even when she's awake.

Oh yes, but if she'd only wake up.

If something or someone would ..

would only rouse her, shake her.

You'd like to be the alarm clock, eh?

I know.

Oh can't I admire an artist without

an outburst from you?

It's not the artist you're

admiring. It's the woman.

Now don't be jealous.

Jealous? I ..? Ha ha.

I'm never jealous .. no ..

Only every day, over

every new face I see.

Well, you have left me a

great deal alone, lately.

Is that a new melody?

Yes Madame. It's called

"Tell me tonight".

"Tell me tonight".

It's lovely .. beautiful.

Thank you.

The doctor tells me to associate

with young, younger .. people.

"Youthful interests" .. he calls it.

Of course, my common-sense tells

me I can never be sixteen again.

I don't know .. with you,

anything is possible.

Goodnight.

Well?

Well?

Well, don't I get one tiny,

little kiss before I go to bed?

Of course you do.

Sleep well .. and don't dream

about beautiful young women.

I won't .. I'll dream about very,

very handsome young men.

Goodnight dear.

Goodnight darling.

Goodnight dear.

Goodnight.

Anything else, sir?

No.

Excuse me, sir. I uh ..

That's all.

I .. I think perhaps there is

something you should know sir.

Oh really .. what is it?

I'm afraid it may be

a little indiscreet sir.

It's about a lady.

Oh.

Well don't so mysterious. Let's hear it.

If you please, sir ..

This evening, a lady came into

the dining-room all alone.

Well, go on.

What's this got to do with me?

What lady was it that ..

I you please sir .. it was Madame

Nella Vago from the opera.

Yes? Well, get on with it.

She asked me on what floor is the

apartment of Madame Marchesa?

This lady doesn't know the Marchesa.

And she wants to call

on her now, at night?

No sir, it's not the Marchesa

she wishes to see.

It's you sir.

Me?

Madame Vago wants to see me?

She wishes to see you alone, sir.

Oh very well. I'll go down at once.

Oh no, sir. She wishes to

come up here to you, sir.

She .. she asked me to tell her when

the Marchesa went to bed, sir.

She told me not to mention

the matter to you sir ..

But I thought perhaps I'd better.

Oh .. yes, yes of course.

Of course, I could say that you've

gone to bed too sir, if you like.

Oh no, don't do that .. no,

merely tell her that I'm alone.

Yes sir.

Oh ..

If you could manage to be

just a little bit surprised ..

Well .. I am surprised.

Oh waiter .. just take the latch

off that outer door, will you.

Yes, sir.

[ door knocks ]

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