Salome

Now go
Next time I'll bring my autograph album
Just a minute, you. Did you say you were a writer
That's what it says on my guild card
And you've written pictures
Sure have. Would you like to see my credits

Come over here, I want to ask you something. Just what sort of length is a movie script these days
Depends
I wrote this. It's a very important picture
Look like six very important pictures
It's for DeMille to direct
Oh, yeah? And will you be in it

Of course. What do you think
Just asking. I didn't know you were planning a comeback
I hate that word. It's a return
Well... fair enough
I want you to read it
You shouldn't let another writer read your stuff. He may steal it
I'm not afraid. Sit down. Max! Bring something to drink
Yes, Madame
I 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 heart
Inflaming Herod's lust
But secretly loving a holy man
No one could play her like I can

Well, I had nothing urgent coming up
I thought I might as well skim it
It's fun to see how bad bad writing can be
This promised to go to the limit

There's so many great scenes, I can't wait
A boiling cauldron of love and hate
She toys with Herod
'Til he's putty in her hands
He reels tormented through the desert sands

It sure was a real cheery set up
The wind wheezing through that organ
Max shuffling around and a dead ape dumped on a shelf
And her staring like a Gorgon

They drag the Baptist up from the jails
She dances the dance of the seven veils
Herod says "I'll give you anything

Now it was time for some comedy relief
The guy with the baby casket
Must have seen a thing or two, that chimp
Shame it was too late to ask it

Have you got to the scene where she asks for his head
If she can't have him living
She'll take him dead
They bring in his head on a silver tray
She kisses his mouth, it's a great screenplay

It got to be eleven, I was feeling ill
What the hell was I doing
Melodrama and sweet champagne
And a garbled plot from a scrambled brain
But I had my own plot brewing

Just how old is Salome
Sixteen
I see
Well
It's fascinating
Of course it is

Could be it's a little long
Maybe the opening's wrong
But it's extremely good for a beginner

No, it's a perfect start
I wrote that with my heart
The river-bank, the baptist, and the sinner

Shouldn't there be some dialogue

I can say anything I want with my eyes

It could use a few cuts

I will not have it butchered

I'm not talking limb from limb
I just mean a little trim
All you need is someone who can edit

I want someone with a knack
Not just any studio hack
And don't think for a moment I'd share credit

When were you born
December 21st, why

I like Sagittarians. You can trust them

Thanks

I want you to do this work

Me? Gee, I don't know, I'm busy. I just finished one script and I'm about to start a new assignment

I don't care

I'm pretty expensive. I get five hundred a week

Don't you worry about money. I'll make it worth your while

Well, it's getting kind of late

Are you married, Mr

The name is Gillis. Single

Where do you live

Hollywood. Alto Nido Apartments

You'll stay here

I'll come back early tomorrow

Nonsense, there's a room over the garage
Max will take you there
Max

Yes, Madame

Take Mr. Gillis to the guest room
We'll begin at nine sharp

Now this is more like it

I made up the bed this afternoon
Thanks. How did you know I was going to stay
There's soap and a toothbrush in the bathroom
She's quite a character, isn't she, that Norma Desmond