Torch Song Page #4

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Why be bored?

You're right, it was dull.

But it was the only party in town tonight.

All right, we'll do what you want.

You go on home, drop me off at my place.

I'll curl up in front of the fire

with a good book...

...or a bad girl.

Yes, madam?

Sorry, I was looking

for Mr. Graham's apartment.

Yes, ma'am. Come in, please.

- He lives here?

- Yes, ma'am.

Mr. Graham expecting you, ma'am?

No, but he'll see me.

Please sit down, ma'am.

Mr. Graham not wish interruptions.

You wait, please, ma'am.

- Tell him I wanna see him. Jenny Stewart.

- You take a seat, please, ma'am.

Duchess, you came in

in the wrong number.

The next one is

"Quintet for Concerto and Growl. "

- You have a visitor, Tye.

- Oh.

I think it's Jenny Stewart.

Quiet, Duchess.

Why don't you freshen

your drinks, boys?

I'd enjoy a touch. How about you, Jean?

Mr. Graham.

- What a pleasant surprise.

- Won't you come in?

- No, thanks.

I certainly didn't expect

your ivory tower to be jumping.

We were trying to find something new

in "Blue Moon. " Come and listen.

I'm on my way to a party and I'm late.

I wouldn't have come by at all if Joe hadn't

said you wouldn't come back to work.

Even if I asked you personally.

You never turn down a challenge,

do you?

We called it a bet.

Well, how big a bet?

Joe's a friend of mine...

Don't worry, it won't break him.

We start rehearsals

tomorrow morning at 9.

Good night.

Good night, Jenny.

- I know you weren't eavesdropping, Martha.

- Yes, I was.

They you know I've become a controversy

in the life of Jenny Stewart.

Even if it's only

a commercial controversy, a bet.

Tye, I don't get it.

You tell me you want her,

but you don't tell me why.

Is it because she's impossible to have?

That you wanna beat her down

and feel like a conqueror?

- No, it's nothing like that.

- Well, then what? There's no love in her.

Who knows?

If I thought it would do any good,

I'd fight you too.

Insult you, degrade you.

You don't have to do

anything like that, Martha.

I like you as you are.

But not enough.

What's the matter with me?

L...

I guess you're everything

that any sensible man would ever want.

You're intelligent, sensitive and faithful.

But I can't see you.

I don't know what you look like.

- But you can see Jenny Stewart.

- Yes, I know what she looks like.

I'm sure you're lovely, but...

But it would be like putting my arms

around a shadow.

Well, I told you what I look like.

The boys have described me

down to the smallest detail.

And every detail sounds beautiful.

But it still isn't good enough.

I could never really see you.

Oh, Tye.

Tye, why didn't I know you before?

Why?

Why are you playing that?

I didn't know you'd come in yet,

Miss Stewart.

Play it again.

"Tenderly. "

I sang that in my first show.

- Did you know that?

- Vaguely.

I thought everybody had forgotten it.

Not everybody.

Miss Stewart, may I ask you a question?

Sure.

Did Joe pay off?

I always collect.

Let's cut the music.

- Get to the rehearsal.

- Are you sure there really was a bet?

That was fine, boys. Whoops.

Have to break for dinner.

Be back at 7:
15 ready to play.

Seven-fifteen, sharp.

Tye, I think she's doing a beautiful job.

How was that?

The consensus of opinion

is you're doing fine.

Consensus of opinion?

Would that include you?

By definition.

Why, yes, of course.

By definition.

How stupid of me to ask.

I liked it.

See you later.

Martha.

Joe.

Yeah?

Let's keep the visitors out

during rehearsals, huh?

- Miss Stewart?

- Yes?

I'm leaving now.

Your dinner's in the icebox.

All you have to do is heat it.

Thanks, Anne.

It's a beautiful day.

No Sunday's beautiful.

Have a good time.

Right. Bye.

Anne?

When you hear the tone...

...the time will be

exactly 11:
28 and three-quarters.

Stay tuned for your 11:30 edition

of the news broadcast which follows in six...

Nine-fifteen.

A- B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-o-P.

The number you have dialed is incorrect.

Please be sure you know the right number

and have dialed it correctly.

This is a recording.

The number you have dialed is incorrect.

Hello, Mom?

Heh. So I says, "Well, that's all

very flattering, Professor Pirkheimer...

...but really, $ 10 a lesson, twice a week.

Huh.

We ain't got that much money.

We're poor people. "

So he says,

"Well, what about Miss Stewart?

Wouldn't she help?"

And I says, "I wouldn't hear of it.

I wouldn't allow it.

All right, I know what you're thinking.

My daughter, Jenny,

she's a very successful girl.

A wealthy woman, if you like. "

New necklace, dear?

"That's no reason why she should pay

for her sister's education...

...and buy her brother Marty a new car.

Just because a new car would give him a

better territory for his salesmanship career...

...is no reason she should shell out

her poor hard-earned money. "

We're not talking about Marty's car.

We're talking about my piano lessons.

The professor says that Celia

will play Carnegie Hall yet.

- That with a talent like...

- All right, you sold me.

I'll pay for her lessons.

Send me the bills, I'll take care of them.

Celia, play something soothing.

Excuse me,

I have to make a telephone call.

Stop it. I hate that piece.

Monty? Jenny.

Listen, I've decided

to throw a party tonight.

Get some of the gang together, will you?

Oh, Cliff Willard, Ted, Jerry maybe.

You know who I like.

What do you mean, short notice?

Well, don't tell me

everybody's busy on Sunday night.

I know.

I have a family too.

And listen.

I think it'd be nice

if we had some music, don't you?

Some of the boys from the band.

And why don't you call that new man?

Tye...

What's his name, Tye Graham?

Yeah.

Okay. See you around 6.

Chuck.

Thank you.

Good voice, huh?

In fact, a little too good

ever to be invited here again.

As long as they like him,

why should I care?

You're pure storybook.

You're a handmaid child of destiny.

You take a swatch of life,

twist it into the shape you want...

...and then shove it down

to the throats of the weaklings.

What's more,

they buy tickets to watch you.

You drink too much.

Hmm. This is my lens.

Strangely enough,

it brings everything into focus.

You know what I see?

The future:
You without me.

- Did I ever tell you otherwise?

- No, no, you never did.

I never stood a chance with you, did I?

Jenny, there's no one like you on Earth.

You're the distilled

essence of effectiveness.

Your leg moves

and a million faces look up.

You throat utters a word

and even a blind man can see you.

Why don't you switch to water?

Monty. Excuse me.

I told you to get Tye Graham.

Why isn't he here?

He couldn't make it.

Like they say, if you want anything done,

do it yourself.

- It's no use, Jen. He isn't home.

- Where is he?

He was going to dinner with Joe.

Why isn't Joe here?

He's entertaining Tye Graham.

Very funny.

You're a laugh a minute.

Give me a cigarette between jokes.

Light?

What's the matter, Jen?

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