Christopher Hampton - Salome lyrics

[NORMA, spoken] Now go [JOE, spoken] Next time I'll bring my autograph album [NORMA, spoken] Just a minute, you. Did you say you were a writer? [JOE, spoken] That's what it says on my guild card [NORMA, spoken] And you've written pictures? [JOE, spoken] Sure have. Would you like to see my credits? [NORMA, spoken] Come over here. I want to ask you something. Just what sort of length is a movie script these days? [JOE, spoken] Depends [NORMA, spoken] I wrote this. It's a very important picture [JOE, spoken] Look like six very important pictures [NORMA, spoken] It's for DeMille to direct [JOE, spoken] Oh, yeah? And will you be in it? [NORMA, spoken] Of course. What do you think? [JOE, spoken] Just asking. I didn't know you were planning a comeback [NORMA, spoken] I hate that word. It's a return [JOE, spoken] Well...fair enough [NORMA, spoken] I want you to read it [JOE, spoken] You shouldn't let another writer read your stuff. He may steal it [NORMA, spoken] I'm not afraid. Sit down. Max! Bring something to drink [MAX, spoken] Yes, Madame [NORMA, spoken] I said sit down! It's about Salome. Salome - the story of a woman. The woman who was all women [NORMA] 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 [JOE] 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 [NORMA] 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 [JOE] 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 [NORMA] They drag the Baptist up from the jails She dances the dance of the seven veils Herod says "I'll give you anything" [JOE] 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 [NORMA] Have you got to the scene where 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! [JOE] 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 [JOE, spoken] Just how old is Salome? [NORMA] Sixteen [JOE, spoken] I see [NORMA] Well? [JOE, spoken] It's fascinating [NORMA] Of course it is [JOE] Could be it's a little long Maybe the opening's wrong But it's extremely good for a beginner [NORMA] No, it's a perfect start I wrote that with my heart The river-bank, the baptist, and the sinner [JOE] Shouldn't there be some dialogue? [NORMA] I can say anything I want with my eyes [JOE] It could use a few cuts [NORMA] I will not have it butchered! [JOE] I'm not talking limb from limb I just mean a little trim All you need is someone who can edit [NORMA] I want someone with a knack Not just any studio hack And don't think for a moment I'd share credit! [NORMA, spoken] When were you born? [JOE, spoken] December 21st, why? [NORMA, spoken] I like Sagittarians. You can trust them [JOE, spoken] Thanks [NORMA, spoken] I want you to do this work [JOE, spoken] Me? Gee, I don't know, I'm busy. I just finished one script and I'm about to start a new a**ignment [NORMA, spoken] I don't care [JOE, spoken] I'm pretty expensive. I get five hundred a week [NORMA, spoken] Don't you worry about money. I'll make it worth your while [JOE, spoken] Well, it's getting kind of late [NORMA, spoken] Are you married, Mr. - [JOE, spoken] The name is Gillis. Single [NORMA, spoken] Where do you live? [JOE, spoken] Hollywood. Alto Nido Apartments [NORMA, spoken] You'll stay here [JOE, spoken] I'll come back early tomorrow [NORMA, spoken] Nonsense, there's a room over the garage. Max will take you there. Max! [MAX, spoken] Yes, Madame [NORMA, spoken] Take Mr. Gillis to the guest room. We'll begin at nine sharp [JOE, spoken] Now this is more like it [MAX, spoken] I made up the bed this afternoon [JOE, spoken] Thanks. How did you know I was going to stay? [MAX, spoken] There's soap and a toothbrush in the bathroom [JOE, spoken] She's quite a character, isn't she, that Norma Desmond?