Musicals - Sunset Boulevard - Betty's Office At Paramount Lyrics
It is night on the Paramount lot and BETTY is once again at her typewriter,But this time there is some light on the standing New York street set,Which is being dressed for action the following day. JOE watches as BETTY finishes typing.BETTYT-H-E E-N-D! I can't believe it, I've finished my first script!JOEStop it, you're making me feel old.BETTYIt's exciting, though, isn't it?JOEHow old are you, anyway?BETTYTwenty-two.JOESmart girl.BETTYShouldn't we open some champagne?JOEBest I can offer is a stroll to the water cooler at the end of the lot.BETTYSounds good to me.(Pause)I love the back lot here. All cardboard, all hollow, all phoney, all done with mirrors;I think I love it better than any street in the world. I spent my childhood here.JOEWhat were you, a child actress?BETTYNo, but my family always expected me to become a great star.I had ten years of dramatic lessons, diction, dancing, everything you can think of;Then the studio made a test.JOE (Laughing)That's the saddest story I ever heard.BETTYNot at all. Come on.(Pause)BETTYI was born two blocks from here. My father was head electrician at the studio until he died,And Mother still works in wardrobe.JOESecond generation, huh?BETTYThird. Grandma did stunt work for Pearl White.(As THEY walk down the Manhattan street, the stage begins to revolve slowly,So that THEY end up walking Downstage;And the flimsy struts holding up the substantial sets are gradually revealed.JOE and BETTY walk in silence for a while; BETTY's expression is deeply preoccupied.They come to a halt in front of the water cooler.)JOEI guess it is kind of exciting, at that, finishing a script.(HE fixes a couple of paper cups of water, and hands one to BETTY,Who's miles away and comes to with a start when he touches her arm.)BETTYWhat?JOEAre you all right?BETTYSure.JOESomething's the matter, isn't it?(Pause. Then BETTY blurts out.)BETTYI had a telegram from Artie.JOEIs something wrong?BETTYHe wants me to come out to Tennessee.He says it would only cost 2 dollars to get married in Clinch.JOEWell, what's stopping you! Now we've finished the script...(He breaks off, amazed to see that SHE's crying.)JOEWhy are you crying? You're getting married, isn't that what you wanted?BETTYNot any more.JOEDon't you love Artie?BETTYOf course I do. I'm just not in love with him any more, that's all.JOEWhy not? What happened?BETTYYou did.(Suddenly, THEY're in each other's arms. A long kiss.)BETTYWhen I was a kid,I played on this street,I always loved illusion.I thought make-believeWas truer than lifeBut now it's all confusion.Please can you tell me what's happening?I just don't know any more.If this is real,How should I feel?What should I look for?JOEIf you were smart,You would keep on walkingOut of my life,As fast as you can.I'm not the oneYou should pin your hopes on,You're falling forThe wrong kind of man.This is crazy.You know we should call it a day.Sound advice, great advice,Let's throw it away.I can't controlAll the things I'm feeling,I haven't got a prayer.If I'm a fool,Well, I'm too much in love to care.I knew where I was,I'd given up hope,Made friends with disillusion.No one in my life,But I look at you,And now it's all confusion.BETTYPlease can you tell me what's happening?I just don't know any more.If this is real,How should I feel?What should I look for?I thought I hadEverything I needed.My life was set,My dreams were in place.My heart could seeWay into the future.All of that goesWhen I see your face.I should hate you,There I was, the world in my hand.Can one kiss kiss awayEverything I planned?I can't controlAll the things I'm feeling,I'm floating in mid-air.I know it's wrong,But I'm too much in love to care.JOE AND BETTYI thought I hadEverything I needed.My life was set,My dreams were in place.My heart could seeWay into the future.All of that goesWhen I see your face.This is crazy.You know we should call it a day.JOESound adviceBETTYGreat adviceJOE AND BETTYLet's throw it away.I can't controlAll the things I'm feeling.We're floating in mid-air.If we are fools,Well, we're too much in love to care.If we are fools,Well, we're too much in love to care!(They fall into each other's arms and embrace passionately.Then JOE leads BETTY by the hand back into the office.They kiss again and it is obvious that THEY're about to make love.)
