|
|
This is only a preview of the paper
Click here to register and get the full text.
Existing members click here to login
|
|
|
... A long table of honor, for
about thirty people, has been placed upon a dais. ... It is a gold statuette, about a
foot high, of Sarah Siddons as The Tragic Muse. ... The waiters are all aged and venerable. ... Minor
awards are for such as the writer
and director - since their function
is merely to construct a tower so
that the world can applaud a light
which flashes on top of it and no
brighter light has ever dazzled the
eye than Eve Harrington. Eve. ... but
more of Eve, later. All about Eve,
in fact. ... Lloyd is the author of
Footsteps on the Ceiling - the
play which has won for Eve
Harrington the Sarah Siddons
Award. ... He is the
producer of the play which has won
Eve Harrington the Sarah Siddons
Award. ... the part for which Eve
Harrington is receiving the Sarah
Siddons Award was intended
originally for Margo Channing. ...
EVE HANDS: Lovely, beautifully groomed. ...
(a slight pause)
Honored members, ladies and
gentlemen - for distinguished
achievement in the Theater - the
Sarah Siddons Award to Miss Eve
Harrington. ...
Flash bulbs start popping about halfway down the table of the
Aged Actors left. ...
Eve rises - beautiful, radiant, poised, exquisitely gowned. ...
A dozen photographers skip, squat, and dart about like water
bugs. ...
EVE smiles sweetly to her left, then to her right. ... But you sense no deliberate slight,
merely an impression that as she looks at Eve her mind is on
something else. ... But her gaze is similarly fixed
on Eve in a strange, faraway fashion. ... Then he directs them back to Eve. ... EVE turns now, and moves
gracefully toward the Aged Actor. ...
ADDISONS VOICE
Eve. Eve, the Golden Girl. ... Time has been
good to Eve, Life goes where she
goes - shes been profiled,
covered, revealed, reported, what
she eats and when and where, whom
she knows and where she was and
when and where shes going. ...
ADDISON has stopped applauding, hes sitting forward, staring
intently at Eve. ... Eve. You all know all about
Eve. ... Addisons look moves slowly from Eve to Karen.
KAREN, she leans forward now, her eyes intently on Eve. ... She takes a step, hesitates, then looks about
curiously:
KARENS VOICE
Where was she? ... She passes a recess in the
wall - perhaps an exit - about halfway. ... Eve is barely distinguishable in the
shadow of the recess. ... Eve comes out. ...
EVE
Why should you think I wouldnt be? ... After all, six
nights a week - for weeks - of
watching even Margo Channing enter
and leave a theater-
EVE
I hope you dont mind my speaking
to you. ...
KAREN
Not at all.
EVE
Ive seen you so often - it took
every bit of courage I could raise-
KAREN
(smiles)
To speak to just a playwrights
wife? ...
EVE
Youre Margo Channings best
friend. ...
EVE
Hes the best. ...
EVE
Oh, no. ...
(Eve nods)
But, dont you find it - I mean
apart from everything else - dont
you find it expensive?
EVE
Standing room doesnt cost much. ...
Karen contemplates Eve. ...
EVE
(hanging back)
Oh, no. ...
KAREN
Shes got to meet you-
EVE
No, Id be imposing on her, Id be
just another tongue-tied gushing
fan. ...
KAREN
(insisting)
There isnt another like you, there
couldnt be-
EVE
But if Id known. ...
EVE
Eve. Eve Harrington. ...
Eve enters like a novitiates first visit to the Vatican. ... Eve, drinking in the
wonderment of all the surveys, lags behind. ...
EVE
You can breathe it - cant you? ...
As Karen and Eve approach it, an uninhibited guffaw from
Margo makes them pause. ... now dont run away-
Eve smiles shakily. At the same moment:
MARGOS VOICE
(loudly; through the door)
"Honey chile," I said, "if the
South had won the war, you could
write the same plays about the
North! ...
(she goes right on - in a
think "Suthn" accent)
"Well, now Mis Channin, ah dont
think you can rightly say we lost
the wah, we was mo stahved out,
you might say - an thats what ah
don unnerstand about all these
plays about love-stahved Suthn
women - love is one thing we was
nevah stahved for the South! ...
LLOYD
Margos interview with a lady
reporter from the South-
BIRDIE
The minute it gets printed theyre
gonna fire on Gettysburg all over
again. ... You know,
I can remember plays about women -
even from the South - where it
never even occurred to them whether
they wanted to marry their fathers
more than their brothers. ...
Write me one about a nice, normal
woman who shoots her husband. ... of all the women in
the world with nothing to complain
about-
MARGO
(dryly)
Aint it the truth? ... Its all in whisper, now,
until Eve comes in. ...
They all laugh. ... Eve comes
in. ...
EVE
(simply)
I thought youd forgotten about me.
KAREN
Not at all.
(her arm through Eves)
Margo, this is Eve Harrington. ...
EVE
Hello, Miss Channing. ...
EVE
How do you do, Mr. ... all of a
sudden shes playin Hamlets
mother. ...
EVE
Thank you. ...
KAREN
I was telling Margo and Lloyd about
how often youd seen the play. ... But not Eve.
EVE
(to Margo)
No, thank you. ...
EVE
Id like anything Miss Channing
played. ...
EVE
Please, dont misunderstand me, Mr. ...
LLOYD
Howd hear about it?
EVE
There was an item in the Times. ...
(Eve nods)
Why? ...
Eve looks at Margo, then drops her eyes.
EVE
Well. ...
EVE
Not with you in them. ...
LLOYD
But you must have friends, a
family, a home-
Eve pauses. ...
KAREN
Tell us about it - Eve. ...
Eve looks at her - grateful because Karen called her "Eve. ...
EVE
If I only knew how. ...
EVE
Well. ...
EVE
Well. ...
EVE
San Francisco. ...
Eve looks at her unsmilingly, then back to her hands.
KAREN
Eve. ...
EVE
It couldnt possibly interest you. ...
Eve speaks simply and without self-pity.
EVE
I guess it started back home. ... I was the
only child, and I made believe a
lot when I was a kid - I acted out
all sorts of things. ...
LLOYD
Not at all. ...
EVE
Farmers were poor in those days,
thats what dad was - a farmer. ... They forwarded
the telegram from Milwaukee - the
one that came from Washington to
say that Eddie wasnt coming at
all. ...
(to Eve)
I want to apologize for Birdies-
BIRDIE
(snaps in)
You dont have to apologize for me!
(to Eve)
Im sorry if I hurt your feelings. ...
EVE
(nicely)
You didnt hurt my feelings, Miss
Coonan. ...
KAREN
(conscious of Eve)
Bill. ...
KAREN
This is Eve Harrington.
Bill flashes a fleeting look at Eve. ...
Bill grins, rises, sees Eve as if for the first time. ...
EVE
Eve. Eve Harrington. ... All this admiration in
just one room. ... Eve gets up. ...
EVE
I think Id better. ...
EVE
The four of you must have so much
to say to each other - with Mr. ...
Margo, impulsively crosses to Eve. ...
EVE
Well - if Im not in the way. ... Eve sits down again. ...
LLOYD
Im not worried about you. ... Karen and Lloyd move to Eve.
KAREN
Good night, Eve. I hope I see you
again soon-
EVE
Ill be at the old stand, tomorrow
matinee-
KAREN
Not just that way. ...
EVE
Id like that.
LLOYD
Its been a real pleasure, Eve.
EVE
I hope so, Mr. ...
EVE
Mrs. ...
KARENS VOICE
- and Ill never forget you, Eve. ... MARGOS DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT
Eve sits on the same chair. ... Eve
never takes her eyes off him. ...
EVE
You said forty-seven minutes. ...
EVE
(finally)
So youre going to Hollywood. ...
EVE
I just wondered. ...
EVE
Why. ...
EVE
Why you have to go out there. ...
EVE
Is it the money? ...
EVE
Then why? ... Also rodeos,
carnivals, ballets, Indian tribal
dances, Punch and Judy, a one-man
band - all Theater. ... You dont understand them
all, you dont like them all, why
should you? ...
EVE
I just asked a simple question. ...
EVE
But Hollywood. ...
EVE
So few come back. ...
EVE
I read George Jean Nathan every
week. ...
EVE
Every day. ...
EVE
(concerned)
Where do you suppose it could be? ...
MARGO
(to Eve)
Cant keep his eyes off my legs. ...
Margo and Eve precede Bill out of the door. ...
Margo, Eve, and Bill are stymied behind two or three couples
waiting to be checked in. ... Eve
senses her superfluity. ...
EVE
I have a suggestion. ...
EVE
Of course not.
Bill hands Eve the ticket. ...
Eve smiles back. ...
MARGO
Eve. ...
BILL
The lack of pretense, that sort of
strange directness and
understanding-
MARGO
Did she tell you about the Theater
and what it meant? ...
MARGO
All the religions in the world
rolled into one, and were Gods and
Goddesses. ...
He starts to kiss her, stops when he becomes aware of Eve
standing near them. ...
EVE
All ready. ... Bill hands his ticket
to the guard, turns to Eve. ...
EVE
Goodbye, Mr. ... Eve puts her arms through Margos. ...
Margo turns to look at him with Eve. ...
Eve looks at Margo. ...
EVE
Dont worry. ...
Margo and eve turn to go. ... As they
walk, Eve gently disengages her arm from Margos and puts it
comfortingly about her. ... Then, she raises her eyes to look at Eve. ... Eve
became my sister, lawyer, mother,
friend, psychiatrist and cop - the
honeymoon was on. ...
Eve sits at a smart desk. ... She hands the
scrips up to Eve, shakes her head and holds her nose. Eve
smiles, takes the script, hands Margo the letters to sign. ...
Birdie and Eve both go for it. Eve gets there first. ... Eve in the
f. ...
EVE, watching and listening to the storm of applause. ...
THE STAGE, Eve again in the f. ...
EVE, that same hypnotic look. ...
She walks as she talks and winds up at Eve - still in the
wings. ...
EVE
I could watch you play that last
scene a thousand times and cry
every time-
MARGO
(grins)
Performance number one thousand of
this one - if I play it that long -
will take place in a well-padded
booby hatch. ...
EVE
I must say you can certainly tell
Mr. ...
EVE
I mean the performance. ...
EVE
During your second act scene with
your father, Roger Ferradays
supposed to stay way upstage at the
arch. ...
EVE
You havent noticed my latest bit
of interior decorating. ...
EVE
The curtains. ... It was very thoughtful,
Eve, and I appreciate it-
A pause. Eve rises, picking up Margos costume.
EVE
While youre cleaning up, Ill take
this to the wardrobe mistress-
MARGO
Dont bother. ...
EVE
No trouble at all. ...
As she talks, Margo hurries to the door and out after Eve. ... BACKSTAGE - CURRAN THEATER - NIGHT
Margo pops out, looks for Eve, then stares in amazement.
EVE, near the wings. ...
MARGO
(calling)
Eve-
EVE, startled, whips the gown away, turns to Margo. ...
Wordlessly, Eve brings it toward her. ...
BILL
I leave in a week - the pictures
all wrapped up, we previewed last
night. ...
MARGO
A big hurry, be quick about it - so
good night, darling, and sleep
tight. ...
BILL
(laughs)
Its no secret, I know all about
the party - Eve wrote me. ...
BILL
She hasnt missed a week since I
left - but you know all that, you
probably tell her what to write. ...
BILL
How is Eve? ...
MARGO
(mutters)
Ill check with Eve. ...
MARGO
You dont like Eve, do you? ... lets say she thinks only
about you, anyway. ... Eve comes in. ...
EVE
Good morning! ... Eve shows off
the suit, proudly.
EVE
Well - what do you think of my
elegant new suit? ...
EVE
(scoffs)
I can imagine. ... you know, all it
needed was some taking in here and
letting out there - are you sure
you wont want it yourself? ...
EVE
(laughs)
Oh, come now, as though you were an
old lady. ...
MARGO
Theres the script to go back to
the Guild-
EVE
Ive got it. ...
EVE
Right here. ...
EVE
(smile)
Thats my job. ...
MARGO
Eve. ...
(Eve turns at the door)
. ...
EVE
(gasps)
Oh, golly. ... You forgot all about it.
EVE
Well, I was sure youd want to, of
course, being his birthday, and
youve been so busy these past few
days, and last night I meant to
tell you before you went out with
the Richards - and I guess I was
asleep when you got home. ... It - it was
very thoughtful of you, Eve.
EVE
Mr. ... Then the smile fades as
she looks reflectively back to Eve. ...
KARENS VOICE
I saw Eve quite often after our
first meeting, but we never really
talked again - until the party
Margo gave for Bill when he
returned from Hollywood. ...
KARENS VOICE
Its always convenient at a party
to know the hostess well enough to
use her bedroom rather than go
where all the others have to go. ... Eve
enters, carrying a magnificent sable coat which she drops on
the bed. ...
(Eve holds it up; Karen
whistles)
. ...
EVE
Some Hollywood movie star, her
plane got in late. ...
EVE
Hollywood.
KAREN
Tell me, Eve - how are things with
you? ...
Eve melts into warmth. ...
EVE
There should be a new word for
happiness. ... youve done your share, Eve. ...
EVE
(hesitantly)
Mrs. ...
EVE
Karen. ... isnt it awful, Im about to
ask you for another favor - after
all youve already done.
KAREN
(crosses to her)
Nobodys done so much, Eve, youve
got to stop thinking of yourself as
one of the Hundred Neediest
Cases. ...
EVE
Well. ...
EVE
I dont let myself think about it,
even-
(she looks up, rises as
she speaks)
- but I do know the part so well,
and every bit of the staging,
thered be no need to break in a
new girl-
(suddenly afraid, she
sits)
- but suppose I had to go on one
night? ...
KAREN
(laughs)
Dont worry too much about that. ...
EVE
(nods proudly)
The show must go on. ...
(she sits beside Eve)
As a matter of fact, I see no
reason why you shouldnt be Margos
understudy. ...
EVE
Do you think Miss Channing would
approve? ...
EVE
But Mr. ...
Eve smiles a little. ...
EVE
Then - would you talk to Mr. Fabian
about it? ...
EVE
You wont forget it? ...
EVE
I seem to be forever thanking you
for something, dont I? ... Eve.
They are all seated on the steps. ...
ADDISON
We all have abnormality in common. ...
BILL
(laughs; to Eve)
You dont have to read his column
tomorrow - you just heard it. ... All I
want is a drink. ...
EVE
(abruptly)
Yes. ...
Eve speaks almost unaware of what she says. ...
EVE
So little. ... Her fake smile fades as Eve
gets up. ...
EVE
(hurt)
Im sorry, I didnt mean to-
BILL
(sharply)
Outside of a beehive, Margo, your
behavior would hardly be considered
either queenly or motherly! ... Were all busy little
bees, full of stings, making honey
day and night-
(to Eve)
- arent we, honey? ...
LLOYD
How about calling it a night? ... A
situation pregnant with
possibilities - and all you can
think of is everybody to go to
sleep. ...
LLOYD
Now lets not get into a big hassle-
KAREN
Its about time we did! Its about
time Margo realized that whats
attractive on stage need not
necessarily be attractive off.
MARGO
(suddenly)
All right! ...
Happy Birthday, welcome home, and
we-who-are-about-to-die-salute-you. ... eve
would. Wouldnt you, Eve?
EVE
If youd like. ...
Eve turns away abruptly, in sudden tears. ...
She crosses to Eve, puts an arm around her. ...
EVE
But there must be some reason,
something Ive done without
knowing. ...
EVE
If I thought Id offended her, of
all people-
KAREN
Eve. ...
EVE
(smiles)
Well - if shes got to pick on
someone, Id just as soon it was
me. ...
(to Eve)
And you come sit by me. ... As Eve
crosses to Addison:
EVE
Karen. ...
What we talked about before?
KAREN
(smiles)
No, Eve, I wont forget. ... Margo is all dressed except for jewelry. ...
BIRDIE
You all put together? ... What about the
food? ...
Sound of Bill and Eve laughing together from the living room. ...
We see Eve seated, looking up fascinated at Bill as he talks -
out of the laughter. ...
BILL
"Dont let it worry you," said the
cameraman, "Even DeMille couldnt
see anything looking through the
wrong end-"
(Eve chuckles)
So that was the first and last time-
Eve sees Margo approach. ... About when I
looked through the wrong end of a
camera finder.
MARGO
(to Eve)
Remind me to tell you about when I
looked into the heart of an
artichoke.
EVE
Id like to hear it. ... in the meantime, while
were on the subject, will you
check about the hors doeuvres? ...
EVE
Of course. ...
BILL
I ran into Eve on my way upstairs;
she told me you were dressing. ...
BILL
Well, we started talking, she
wanted to know all about Hollywood,
she seemed so interested. ...
BILL
Of course its funny - this is all
too laughable to be anything else.
You know what I think about this -
this age obsession of yours - and
now this ridiculous attempt to whip
yourself up into a jealous froth
because I spent ten minutes with a
stage-struck kid-
MARGO
Twenty minutes! ... All right.
But you will not sharpen them on me
- or on Eve. ...
MARGO
What about her teeth? What about
her fangs? ... Eve Harrington has
never by word, look, thought or
suggestion indicated anything to me
but her adoration for you and her
happiness at our being in love! ... Eve is in the room. ...
EVE
The hors doeuvres are here. ...
MARGO
Thank you, Eve. ...
(he crosses to Eve)
Whatll you have?
Eve, involuntarily, looks to Margo. ...
Eve smiles, turns to Bill.
EVE
A Martini. ... Eve and then Margo come up to add
their welcome. ...
EVE
(to Karen)
May I have your coat? ...
EVE
Please. ...
Karen yields with a "thank you, Eve-." Eve goes up with the
coat. ...
KAREN
Margo, nothing youve ever done has
made me as happy as your taking Eve
in. ... You had a
pretty mixed-up inventory when she
took over - merchandise laying all
over the shop. ... How about you, Max?
MAX
How about me what? ... What
about your inventory? ... What has or is about to
happen?
MARGO
(to Bill)
What is he talking about? ...
Margo surveys them all. ...
(his glance is attracted
by Eve coming downstairs)
Ah. ... Eve.
EVE
(deferentially)
Good evening, Mr. ...
MARGO
(smiles)
Eve, this is an old friend of Mr. ...
(the two girls say hello)
Addison, Ive been wanting you to
meet Eve for the longest time-
ADDISON
(murmurs)
It could only have been your
natural timidity that kept you from
mentioning it. ...
MARGO
Then you two must have a long talk-
EVE
Im afraid Mr. ...
ADDISON
(to Margo)
You mustnt worry about your little
charge. ...
Eve smiles uncertainly at Margo as he leads her away. ... Youre just crazy about
"Liebestraum. ...
MARGO
You know nothing about feelings,
natural or unnatural. ...
MARGO
If my guests do not like it here, I
suggest they accompany you to the
nursery where Im sure you will all
feel more at home.
Bill is about to get mad - when Max bustles up. ...
MARGO
Not at all. And you could do me a
big favor, if you would-
MAX
All you got to do is name it.
MARGO
Give Eve Harrington job in you
office. ...
MARGO
You said yourself my inventory was
in good shape - all of my
merchandise put away. ... All right, I guess. ...
MARGO
Dont you think its about time it
became important? ...
LLOYD
I know what Im talking about,
after all theyre my plays. ... Now I
feel as if Id suddenly taken all
my clothes off. ...
(Margo doesnt answer)
You know what this is all about,
dont you? ... , Eve is talking to the group. ...
EVE
(in the b. ... Two
weeks later - the day of the
audition - all was well with Bill
and me, the world and me-
INT. ...
Shell be all right once it starts. ... Eve Harrington.
MARGO
Eve! ... I have no other
world, no other life - and once in
a great while I experience that
moment of Revelation for which all
true believers wait and pray. ... Eve
Harrington will be among them. ... And how nice
for Eve. ...
ADDISON
Eve was incredibly modest. ...
ADDISON
Thats all television is, my dear. ...
There is no one in the theater but Max, seated on the aisle
about two-thirds down, and Eve with Lloyd and Bill on the
stage. ... Eve rises. ... Oh, hello, Eve. ...
EVE
Hello, Miss Channing. ...
BILL
Its all over.
MARGO
Whats all over? ...
MARGO
(pleased astonishment)
Eve? ...
(to Lloyd and Bill)
Wherever did you get the idea of
having Eve read with Miss Caswell? ...
MARGO
Eve? Eve, my understudy? ... So Eve is not
working for Max after all-
(out to Max again)
- Max you sly puss. ...
EVE
Miss Channing, I cant tell you how
glad I am that you arrived so late.
MARGO
Really, Eve? ...
EVE
Well, if youd been here to begin
with, I wouldnt have dared to read
at all. ...
EVE
. ... and if youd come in the
middle, Id have stopped, I
couldnt have gone on-
MARGO
(murmurs)
What a pity, all that fire and
music being turned off. ... But Eve. Margo,
let me tell you about Eve-
EVE
(breaking in)
I was dreadful, Miss Channing,
believe me - I have no right to be
anyones understudy, much less
yours. ...
MARGO
Im sure you underestimate
yourself, Eve. ...
(to Lloyd)
You were about to tell me about
Eve. ...
LLOYD
You knew when you came in that the
audition was over, that Eve was
your understudy! ... Eve stands frozen with fear. ... All playwrights should be dead
for three hundred years! ...
MAX
This is for lawyers to talk about,
this concerns a run-of-the-play
contract, and this you cant
rewrite or ad lib! ...
LLOYD
Its about time the piano realized
it has not written the concerto! ... No
body, no voice, all mind! ...
MARGO
Such nonsense, what do you all take
me for - little Nell from the
country? ...
BILL
Youve been all through that with
Lloyd-
MARGO
The playwright doesnt make the
performance - and it doesnt just
happen! ...
BILL
I didnt know Eve Harrington was
your understudy until half past two
this afternoon! ... ")
- kid like Eve to turn you into a
hysterical, screaming harpy! Now
once and for all, stop it! ... Just stopping all
this nonsense about Eve - and Eve
and me? ... Margo, tell
me whats behind all this. ... To find
Eve? ... Of all the star
ridden, presumptuous, hysterical-
KAREN
Margo, again. ...
LLOYD
Then a childish, heavy-handed
routine about not knowing Eve was
her understudy-
KAREN
Its just possible she didnt. ... For one thing,
Addison told her how superbly Eve
had read the part-!
(suddenly softening)
Karen, let me tell you about Eve. ...
LLOYD
- everything a playwright first
thinks of wanting to write about. ...
She can play Pecks Bad Boy all she
wants, and whos to stop her? ... just be sure to lock up all
blunt instruments and throwable
objects. ...
From me, from Lloyd, from Eve,
Bill, Max, and so on - wed all
felt those size fives of hers often
enough. ... It would all seem perfectly
legitimate. ...
Also, the boot would land where it
would do the most good for all
concerned-
She puts the brush away and crosses to the phone which is by
Lloyds work chair. As she crosses:
KARENS VOICE
And after all, it was not more than
a perfectly harmless joke which
Margo, herself, would be the first
to enjoy. ... and no reason why she shouldnt
be told about it - in time. ... will you call Miss Eve
Harrington to the phone, please?
Not at all. ... Bill didnt come at all. ... All three in the front seat. ...
KAREN
Of all people you should know what
it means to want some peace and
quiet-
MARGO
Peace and quit is for libraries. ...
LLOYD
Just a little skid, thats all. ...
They all laugh. ... Im going to walk up about
half a mile, just in case. ...
KAREN
Dont joke about such things. ...
KAREN
Weve all seemed a little tense
lately. ... I wish someone would tell be
about me. ...
Besides something called
temperament, which consists mostly
of swooping about on a broomstick
creaming at the top of my voice. ...
KAREN
What about Bill?
MARGO
What about Bill? ... Bill is all of eight years
younger than you. ...
MARGO
About Eve. ...
Thats one career all females have
in common - whether we like it or
not - being a woman.
Sooner or later weve all got to
work at it, no matter what other
careers weve had or wanted. ...
(she hesitates)
Margo, I want you to know how sorry
I am about this. ...
MARGO
About what? ... After
all, you didnt personally drain
the gasoline out of the tank. ...
ADDISONS VOICE
Eve, of course, was superb. ...
But those who remained cheered
loudly, lustily and long for Eve. ... All of us - invited that
afternoon to attend an understudys
performance. ... about which the management knew
nothing until they were forced to
ring up the curtain at nine
oclock. ... you were better than all right,
kid, you gave a performance, you
rang a bell-
Addison uses his cane to swing the door open farther, so that
both he and WE can see as well as hear. ... MARGOS DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT
Bill faces Eve, who wears Margos costume. ...
EVE
(quietly)
Are you proud of me, Bill? ...
EVE
You shouldnt have had any doubts.
BILL
- after all, the other day was one
scene, the woods are full of one
scene sensations. ...
EVE
Is that what you want me to be?
BILL
Im talking about you. ...
EVE
So am I. ...
EVE
Everything. ...
EVE
Dont run away, Bill. ...
EVE
Youre always after truth - on the
stage. What about off? ...
EVE
Then face it. ...
EVE
When you told me that whatever I
became, it would be because of you-
BILL
Your make-ups a little heavy.
EVE
- and for you. ...
EVE
You think? ...
EVE
You hear all kinds of things. ...
EVE
Find out. ... Eve glares
after Bill, tears the wig from her head, throws it on the
dressing table. ... Eve
turns. ...
EVE
Certainly, Mr. ...
EVE
I consider myself lucky they didnt
throw things. ...
EVE
Youre more than kind. ...
EVE
Its not modesty. ...
EVE
Please do. ... It
is just as false not to blow your
horn at all as it is to blow it too
loudly. ...
EVE
I dont think Ive done anything to
sound off about.
ADDISON
We all come into this world with
our little egos equipped with
individual horns. ...
EVE
Even so. ...
EVE
Even if I wanted to - as you say -
be less humble, blow my own horn. ...
Eve rises. ...
EVE
You certainly are. ...
Eve does so. ...
EVE
(from the bathroom)
Id love to! ...
Ill want to do a column about you-
EVE
Im not enough for a paragraph. ...
EVE
Thats right. ...
EVE
Yes. ...
EVE
(a slight pause)
Yes. ...
EVE
Eddie. ...
Eve sticks her head and naked shoulder around the door.
EVE
Im about to go into the shower, I
wont be able to hear you. ...
EVE
(trustingly)
You take charge. ... "
KARENS VOICE
Some of the morning papers carried
a little squib about Eves
performance. ...
I couldnt imagine how they found
out about it - but Lloyd said Maxs
publicity man probably sent out the
story. ...
Karen sees Eve who waits as Addison hands his hat, coat, and
cane to an attendant. ...
KAREN
Eve. Ive heard the most wonderful
things about your performance-
EVE
Mostly relief that I managed to
stagger through it at all. ...
EVE
(quickly)
Were having lunch with a movie
talent scout. ...
EVE
Nothing definite yet - its just to
have lunch. ... Eve has no
intention of going to Hollywood. ...
He goes up the stairs with Eve. ... MARGOS LIVING ROOM - DAY
Addisons column quivers in Margos hand as she strides about
reading it. ... my hat which has, lo, these
many seasons become more firmly
rooted about my ears, is lifted to
Miss Harrington. ... Miss Harrington had much to
tell - and these columns shall
report her faithfully - about the
lamentable practice in our Theater
of permitting, shall we say -
mature - actresses to continue
playing roles requiring a youth and
vigor of which they retain but a
dim memory-"
KAREN
I just cant believe it. ... "- About the
understandable reluctance on the
part of our entrenched First Ladies
of the Stage to encourage, shall we
say - younger - actresses; about
Miss Harringtons own long and
unsupported struggle for
opportunity-"
KAREN
I cant believe Eve said those
things! ... what gets me is how all of
those papers in town happened to
catch that particular performance! ... If Equity or my lawyer
cant or wont do anything about
it, I will personally stuff that
pathetic little lost lamb down Mr. ... I ran all the way. ... Everythings all
right, now. ... taking advantage of a kid
like that, twisting her words,
making her say what he wanted her
to say-
KAREN
Whered you get all that
information?
LLOYD
(put out his cigarette)
Eve.
KAREN
Eve? ...
LLOYD
(gets up)
She wanted to explain about her
interview, wanted to apologize to
someone - and didnt dare face
Margo. ...
Lloyd wanders about - he seems to be searching for words, for
a position to maintain. ...
LLOYD
She started to tell me all about it
- and she couldnt finish, she
cried so. ... Or Eve. ...
LLOYD
Eve did mention the play, you know. ...
KAREN
Eve would ask Abbott to give her
Costello. ... "
LLOYD
Now just a minute-
KAREN
Margo Channing has not been exactly
a compromise all these years, half
the playwrights in the world would
give their shirts for that
particular compromise! ...
LLOYD
All this fuss and hysteria because
an impulsive kid got carried away
by excitement and the conniving of
a professional manure slinger named
deWitt! ... no, not at all,
Karen and I were just chatting. ...
LLOYD
Darling, I didnt promise Eve
anything. ... Just refer all
of Miss Harringtons future
requests to me. ...
BILL
(eyes still on Margo)
Im broken up about it. ...
Somebodys got to be very witty
about a toast. ... With all my heart. ...
LLOYD
Well of all-
KAREN
Margo! ...
MARGO
Ill marry you if it turns out you
have no blood at all. ...
Lloyd fills all the glasses. ...
(he lifts his glass)
To each of us and all of us. ...
MARGO
Lloyd, I want you to be big about
this. ...
KAREN
(angrily)
This beats all worlds records for
running, standing and jumping gall! ... Eve. ...
MARGO
(looking about)
Pass me the empty bottle. ...
LLOYD
(to Karen)
After all, maybe she just wants to
apologize. ...
MARGO
Karen, in all the years of our
friendship, I have never let you go
to the Ladies Room alone. ... all right. ... All cafe
society - including one young drunk stretched out under a
mink coat and a wet towel. ... Eve
waits there. ...
EVE
I was wondering whether youd come
at all. ...
EVE
I dont expect you to be pleasant. ...
EVE
Cant we sit down? ...
EVE
Ive got a lot to say. ...
KAREN
There cant be very much-
EVE
Oh, but there is-
KAREN
- and easy or not, I wont believe
a word.
EVE
Why shouldnt you? ...
EVE
You know, Ive always considered
myself a very clever girl. ...
EVE
(nods)
In a way. You find yourself trying
to say what you mean, but somehow
the words change - and they become
his words - and suddenly youre not
saying what you mean, but what he
means-
KAREN
(sharply)
Do you expect me to believe that
you didnt say any of those things -
that they were all Addison?
EVE
No! ...
EVE
(smiles grimly)
Youve really got a low opinion of
me, havent you? ... Ive been
told off in no uncertain terms all
over town. ...
KAREN
Eve. ...
EVE
(turned away)
Im not crying. ...
EVE
Some vague promises of a test,
thats all - if a particular part
should come along, one of those
things-
KAREN
But the raves about your
performance-
EVE
- an understudys performance. ...
EVE
Hes not my friend. ...
EVE
I wish Id never met him, Id like
him to be dead. ... Karen looks about. ... She puts an arm around Eve.
KAREN
Eve. ...
EVE
Ill never get over it. ...
EVE
I wish I could believe that. ... Dont worry too
much about what people think,
youre very young and very
talented. ... and, believe it or not, if
theres anything I can do-
Eve has reached up to take Karens hand. ...
EVE
There is something. ...
EVE
Something most important you can
do. ...
EVE
If you told him so, hed give me
the part. ...
KAREN
After all youve said. ...
EVE
It could have been - fifteen years
ago. ...
EVE
"Cora" is my part. ...
EVE
Addison wants me to play it. ...
EVE
(cold, relentless)
That wont be necessary. ...
(now Eve gets up)
No. ... Youd do all that
- just for a part in a play.
EVE
(smiles)
Id do much more - for a part that
good. ... CUB ROOM - NIGHT
Eve enters and slides in beside Addison. ...
EVE
Just some coffee. ... After all that
humble pie. ...
EVE
Nothing of the kind. ...
EVE
I discussed it very openly. ...
& | | |