What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Page #4

anything new to take?

He says it's arthritis.

And the only thing for me to do is

not to try and work until it clears up.

Did he suggest what we're going to use

for money in the meantime?

No, dear. But he's ever such a nice man.

Now, lovey, never you mind, anyway.

You know, we've still got a bit of savings.

You're my little worrier.

That's nice.

You've found something, have you?

You don't have to get so excited.

You haven't even seen what it is yet.

No, dear, but it's a possibility, isn't it?

I mean, there aren't that many jobs

that'd be suitable...

for someone with your qualifications.

What qualifications?

Well, you know, serious music and all that.

This sounds like just the ticket, doesn't it?

- You're gonna call?

- Call who?

These people.

- Might as well.

- Now?

Well, it wouldn't be a lot of bloody use

calling next week, would it?

No, dear.

Mom, I'll tell you what.

Why don't you call for me?

Tell them you're my secretary

or something.

All right, dear, I'll do that.

Listen, I won't let on who I am.

You see, I'll just tell them,

"I'm Mr. Flagg's seck-er-tary."

Secretary.

Do you know, I do believe your old mom...

would be a jolly good secretary at that.

Don't you think?

Hello?

This is Jane Hudson.

About the ad.

Who is this?

This is Mr. Flagg's secretary.

His secretary.

Mr. Flagg is very interested...

and he'd like to know

if he could have an appointment.

I think you'll find he's very well-qualified.

Sure, I'd be glad to give Mr. Flagg

an appointment.

Well, now, let me see...

how about 4:
00 this afternoon?

I think that would be fine.

Well, I'll be expecting him then.

Thanks.

It's all fixed, lovey.

Your old mom's managed everything...

hasn't she?

Oh, shut up!

Stop it!

- What do you want this time?

- Who was on the telephone?

None of your business.

What were you ringing for?

I'm hungry, Jane.

Of course you're hungry.

You didn't eat your dinner.

But you forgot my breakfast.

I didn't forget your breakfast.

I didn't bring your breakfast...

because you didn't eat your din-din.

We're right back where we started.

When I was on the stage,

you had to depend on me for everything.

Even the food you ate came from me.

Now you have to depend on me

for your food again.

So, you see,

we're right back where we started.

Why are you doing this to me? Why?

Doing what?

Making me afraid to eat,

trying to make me starve myself.

Don't be silly.

If you starve, you die.

I don't know what you're talking about.

You really must be sick.

Did you ever stop to think that...

if anything happened to me,

I mean, anything bad...

there wouldn't be any money for you?

I wouldn't be here to sign the checks.

You wouldn't even have pocket money.

Did you ever think of that?

Yeah, I've thought about that.

Why didn't you eat your dinner?

Because I'm afraid. You made me afraid.

I thought you were supposed to be

the big girl in this family.

Nothing wrong with it.

You're just a neurotic, Blanche.

You know that? You're just a neurotic.

- Good morning, Elvira.

- Good morning.

- Please, Jane, I'm so hungry.

- I have to go now.

But just a little, please.

No. You didn't eat your din-din,

so you'll have to wait till lunchtime.

Jane, please, don't do this to me.

Jane, please!

- Good morning, Elvira.

- Good morning, Miss Jane.

I wanna talk to you.

- I want to apologize.

- Apologize?

I wasn't feeling so well yesterday,

so I was unkind to you.

I want to make it up.

I got up this morning and fixed the house.

So you can have the whole day off.

Here's your $15.

Thanks, but does Miss...

What I mean is does Miss Blanche know

about my taking the day off?

Sure, she knows.

All right, if you say so.

See you next Tuesday then.

Have a good time.

Goodbye.

Bye.

- Who was that at the door earlier?

- Elvira.

Where is she now? In the kitchen?

No. I gave her the day off.

She has a pretty hard time, considering.

I told her to come back next week.

You know we got rats in the cellar?

Good afternoon.

Mr. Flagg?

Yes, I'm Edwin Flagg.

I have an appointment

with a Miss Hudson for 4:00.

I'm Jane Hudson.

My, you're right on time, aren't you?

Yes, I believe I am.

Come in.

We can talk here in the living room.

I say, what a perfectly charming room.

- So you're Edwin Flagg?

- Yes, that's right.

I'll bring you some tea. You like tea?

Oh, yes. I'm quite fond of tea.

You must've guessed that I'm English.

Oh, really? How nice for you.

Here, let me help you.

That's a terribly big burden

for such a little girl.

Thank you. You're very kind.

It's so hot today.

Did you drive here in your car?

Well, actually I took a cab.

It's a bit of a nuisance,

but I had to put my car in for servicing.

- Cream or lemon?

- Cream.

Sugar?

My, it looks good.

I always think it's nice to break bread...

- with strangers, don't you?

- Oh, yes, indeed.

I don't think you actually mentioned

the exact nature of...

I've been retired for some time now.

I've been taking care of someone

in my family who's sick.

And now you're free to return

to your profession?

Yes.

And what exactly...

I mean, I take it you are a soloist.

Some instrument?

I wonder if you can guess who I am.

Can you give me a hint?

Well, it's not really fair to make you guess.

I'm Baby Jane Hudson.

Do you mean

you're really the Baby Jane Hudson?

Yes, I am.

And I'm going to revive my act

exactly as I used to do it.

Of course, some arrangements

will have to be brought up to date.

Music changes so much, doesn't it?

And they're desperate for new acts.

Television, Las Vegas,

and all the clubs and...

There are a lot of people

who remember me, lots of them.

I don't see how you could fail.

You know, I had a kind of a feeling...

the minute I opened that door

and saw you standing there.

I just knew we were going to be friends.

I've been thinking about costumes.

Costumes?

Yes. I took some of my old ones

down to be copied.

- You think that's a good idea?

- Of course.

But I don't quite remember...

How silly of me, Edwin. How could you?

But I do want your opinion. I really do.

All my scrapbooks and stuff

are in the rehearsal room.

You can look at them

and tell me what you think.

- You'd like to see them, wouldn't you?

- Well, of course.

I wish Daddy could be here right now.

"You can never lose your talent,"

he used to tell me.

"You can lose everything else

but you can't lose your talent."

I think you'll find these clippings

very interesting.

Daddy saved them for me

from the very first.

He used to put them in special books.

I always liked that picture.

It's so sad.

- Will you excuse me?

- Certainly.

You always spoil everything, don't you?

- No, Jane. I just wanted to know...

- Who is down there? I'll tell you.

I got a friend down there.

Someone who's come to see me.

He doesn't even know you exist.

And you don't like that, do you?

You're wrong.

I've always wanted you to have friends.

- That's what I've always wanted.

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