Valley of the Dolls Page #2

a good impression.

On the contrary,

you've made an indelible one.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

"Barely Pink."

Hey, look at Jennifer.

Hey, Jennifer?

Six hundred bucks for a headdress

and not a soul will see it.

- I feel a little top-heavy.

- Honey, you are a little top-heavy.

All right, that's fine, dear.

Thank you.

Hold it. Hold it!

Cut the song?

- The show is a little long.

- Wait a minute!

That's the best piece of music

in the show.

- Take out one of Miss Lawson's songs.

- Miss Lawson is the star.

- The public pays to see her.

- But I'll have nothing but a few lines left.

- I'm sorry, Neely. We have no alternative.

Don't listen to him.

He's protecting Old Ironsides.

This was her idea.

She can't stand the competition.

- Let's skip the personalities.

- You've got a run-of-the-play contract.

They'll pay me $200 a week

to sit in my dressing room?

They've got to, Miss O'Hara.

If that's the way you want it.

Personally, I'd walk away with dignity.

There'll always be another show

and a better part...

...providing you have talent.

Talent? You know damn well

she has talent!

Believe me, by next week every producer

in town will be after you.

It gives you stature

to walk out on Helen Lawson.

Don't listen. They want you to quit

so they can save 200 bucks a week.

- Call your agent.

I know her agent.

I can tell you what he'll say.

"Take whatever crumbs are offered."

He's not about to give up

his lousy 10 percent.

If she were my client, I'd advise her

to leave the show with dignity.

Well, he's not gonna get

his lousy 10 percent.

Because I won't settle for crumbs.

I'll leave this stinking show...

...with dignity.

You can call Helen Lawson.

Tell her the SOB earned his oats.

We could all use a little fresh air.

Come on.

I had such big plans.

I was gonna be a big star.

I was gonna take acting lessons

and dancing lessons.

Now I don't even have a job.

All I have is my dignity.

Honey, I'm sorry.

That old witch ought to be boiled in oil.

Thanks, Jen.

Honey, listen. It's a rotten business.

I know. But I love it.

- That poor girl. And she was so good.

- I know.

After she signs the release the song

will go back in. With the understudy.

Go to the office. On my desk

you'll find a musical arrangement.

Get it to Miss O'Hara

and tell her to learn it fast.

- She'll be singing it tonight.

- Suppose she won't do it?

- I wouldn't.

- Then make her.

One of the nice things

about doing this telethon...

...in addition to raising money,

is discovering new talent.

I think you'll love our next performer.

Let's have a nice reception...

...for lovely Neely O'Hara.

Everybody, let's hear it out there.

Thank you very much.

You're right. It is an exciting business.

How about that? Where are you going?

Neely, you'll raise a lot of money for us.

Tell Frank, Dean and Sam

they're gonna have to wait.

Thank you.

- Dom Perignon, 1959.

- Fine.

The closest I ever got to champagne was

seeing it broken on a ship in a newsreel.

- Welcome, folks.

- Hello, Frank.

- Lyon.

- Hello.

- Miss O'Hara.

Hello.

I caught the telethon. We're doing

great business with Tony Polar.

So I see.

Excuse me.

Frank.

There's Jennifer with one of her

rich boyfriends. Doesn't she look great?

She's lovely.

- I bet beads pop off when she moves.

- Vodka and tonic.

- Same for me. Make it two.

Neely, I have some good news. You're

following Tony Polar in the club here.

- Oh, Lyon!

- Neely, how wonderful.

You'll have to build an act fast,

because I exaggerated a bit.

- I told Frank you already had one.

- I will. I will.

- Miriam's not gonna like that.

- Who's Miriam?

- His sister. Over there.

- She manages him.

She does very well.

He won't make a move without her.

He's making one now.

- Friend of yours?

- Never saw her before.

- But I'm gonna see her again.

- How many times do I have to tell you?

- At night, all cats are gray.

- You worry too much.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

I haven't snitched milk

since I was a kid in Pittsburgh.

There were six of us

and I never got enough.

I can't stop thinking

about that audience tonight.

You don't know how it feels, Mel,

when they all applaud and whistle.

- They did whistle, didn't they?

- They sure did.

I felt like they were all taking me

in their arms and holding me.

It's like when you

put your hands on me...

...only it was double-triple.

This place is too small.

I'm gonna get a bigger place.

Maybe two rooms and a kitchenette.

Mel, let's get married.

I thought you'd never ask.

I'm not kidding.

I'll be making good money.

And with your 150 a week, we can really

live. We can get a maid to clean up.

We can get a mink coat.

Well, right now you better get

a good night's sleep.

So give me a double-triple.

Hello?

Yes, I'll accept the call.

Hello, Mother. I just got in.

I thought it was too late to call you.

But I just sent you $50

last week, Mother.

Okay, I'll send you $50 as soon

as I get my paycheck.

You told me Gran's been sick,

and I know about the oil burner.

I'll take the mink to Uncle Ayers' again.

He'll give me a couple hundred for it.

Mother, I know I don't have any talent...

...and I know all I have is a body

and I am doing my bust exercises.

Goodbye, Mother. I'll wire you

the money first thing in the morning.

Oh, to hell with them. Let them droop.

Look, the models have goose bumps.

Yes, and come July

they'll be sweltering in mink.

You must be frozen.

- Are you sure you wanna walk?

- Positive.

Oh, how beautiful.

Oh, no. Sorry. Jewelry's not for you.

Maybe one single strand of pearls.

But not creamy.

Pink, to match your skin.

And don't expect flowers either,

because only white lilacs suit you.

And they're very difficult

to come by in New York in February.

But make a note,

remind me to send you some in May.

- Are you wooing me, Mr. Burke?

- If you wish to be wooed.

What about that fraternity pin you wear?

That's Sigma Chi, isn't it?

- Deke.

- Oh, Deke. Yes.

It can mean everything or nothing.

Then I'll settle for nothing.

Did you know you are the most beautiful

girl that ever left lipstick in my office?

- You like women, don't you?

- I like career girls. We're compatible.

- It's said they don't make good wives.

- I'm not looking for a wife.

Some men just don't pull well

in double harness.

You're fortunate. You know yourself.

I don't know who I am or what I want.

I only know I have to find out.

Off-stage I hate her,

but on-stage I'm madly in love with her.

- Do you think it's a hit?

- It is with me.

But we'll have to wait until

4 a.m. For the reviews.

4 a. m? Good heavens,

what do we do until then?

We could go to Helen's hotel suite,

listen to four-letter words and wait.

I have a better idea.

My father used to come here

when he was at Yale.

Well, I'm an Oxford man myself.

I know all about you.

You do?

- I know your mother was English...

...she was an ingnue at the Drury Lane

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