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?