Musicals - Sunset Boulevard - Salome Lyrics
NORMANow go.JOENext time I'll bring my autograph album.NORMAJust a minute, you.Did you say you were a writer?JOEThat's what it says on my guild card.NORMAAnd you're written pictures?JOESure have. Would you like to see my credits?NORMACome over here. I want to ask you something.Just what sort of length is a movie script these days?JOEDepends.NORMAI wrote this. It's a very important picture.JOELook like six very important pictures.NORMAIt's for DeMille to direct.JOEOh, yeah? And will you be in it?NORMAOf course. What do you think?JOEJust asking. I didn't know you were planning a comeback.NORMAI hate that word. It's a return.JOEWell...fair enough.NORMAI want you to read it.JOEYou shouldn't let another writer read your stuff. He may steal it.NORMAI'm not afraid. Sit down. Max!Bring something to drink.MAXYes, Madame.NORMAI said sit down!It's about Salome.Salome: the story of a woman. The woman who was all women.Salome, what a woman, what a part!Innocent body and a sinful heartInflaming Herod's lustBut secretly loving a holy manNo one could play her like I canJOEWell, I had nothing urgent coming upI thought I might as well skim itIt's fun to see how bad bad writing can beThis promised to go to the limitNORMAThere's so many great scenes, I can't waitA boiling cauldron of love and hateShe toys with Herod'Til he's putty in her handsHe reels tormented through the desert sandsJOEIt sure was a real cheery set-upThe wind wheezing through that organMax shuffling around and a dead ape dumped on a shelfAnd her staring like a gorgonNORMAThey drag the Baptist up from the jailsShe dances the dance of the seven veilsHerod says: I'll give you anythingJOENow it was time for some comedy reliefThe guy with the baby casketMust have seen a thing or two, that chimpShame it was too late to ask itNORMAHave you got to the scene where asks for his head?If she can't have him livingShe'll take him deadThey bring in his head on a silver trayShe kisses his mouth. It's a great screenplay!JOEIt got to be eleven, I was feeling illWhat the hell was I doing?Melodrama and sweet champagneAnd a garbled plot from a scrambled brainBut I had my own plot brewingJust how old is Salome?NORMASixteen.JOEI see.NORMAWell?JOEIt's fascinating.NORMAOf course it is.JOECould be it's a little longMaybe the opening's wrongBut it's extremely good for a beginnerNORMANo, it's a perfect startI wrote that with my heartThe river-bank, the baptist and the sinnerJOEShouldn't there be some dialogue?NORMAI can say anything I want with my eyesJOEIt could use a few cutsNORMAI will not have it butchered!JOEI'm not talking limb from limbI just mean a little trimAll you need is someone who can editNORMAI want someone with a knackNot just any studio hackAnd don't think for a moment I'd share credit!When were you born?JOEDecember 21st, why?NORMAI like Sagittarians. You can trust them.JOEThanks.NORMAI want you to do this work.JOEMe? Gee, I don't know, I'm busy. I just finished one script and I'm about to start a new assignment.NORMAI don't care.JOEI'm pretty expensive. I get five hundred a week.NORMADon't you worry about money. I'll make it worth your while.JOEWell, it's getting kind of late.NORMAAre you married, Mr...?JOEThe name is Gillis. Single.NORMAWhere do you live?JOEHollywood. Alto Nido Apartments.NORMAYou'll stay here.JOEI'll come back early tomorrow.NORMANonsense, there's a room over the garage. Max will take you there. Max!MAXYes, Madame.NORMATake Mr. Gillis to the guest room.We'll begin a nine sharp.JOENow this is more like it.MAXI made up the bed this afternoon.JOEThanks.How did you know I was going to stay?MAXThere's soap and a toothbrush in the bathroom.JOEShe's quite a character, isn't she, that Norma Desmond?
