Original subtitles

recording.

Seems to me, every man I've ever met scared me.

Maybe it was just because they were afraid I couldn't be all I needed.

After all, I'm just a woman. No better.

It'll be great.

Put her out as Alfea's opening act.

I told you to throw enough beer into that boozed -up broad to straighten her

up.

But no matter what happens, you're going to have a star in your hand for Cassie.

Damn!

Don't worry, honey. We'll do it again.

Oh, I tell you, if that one phrase is giving me a problem... It's okay,

Take a minute while I pick up the cue.

She won't take any of Alfea's bullshit.

I mean, if the musician... We've been here, and I've been here at the same

while we recorded. It would have been great.

I'll tell you that Jimmy is such a tight ass.

Send her to my place for dinner.

Okay, Jimmy.

Scared me.

Maybe it was just because they were afraid they couldn't be all I needed

be.

Because after all, I'm just a woman.

No better.

making demos and doing backup my whole life.

And now, you're going to give me my big chance.

I've already rushed the release of your record.

I want you to see every DJ everywhere you play.

Get interviewed in the papers, every one of them.

I want ink so thick on you, you'll have to wash twice a day.

You'll be going on the road with Paul Fallon.

He runs my publicity department and he's the best in the business.

I want him to make you a household word.

With this kind of promotional blitz, who knows what could happen for you.

You sell sex the way Colonel Sanders sells chicken.

Tell me, are you as good as you seem?

Uh...

on your side.

I already got almost everything I want.

What do you want with me?

I want to know why you cut the budget on my tour that's coming up.

You know, the boys in the sound department must love the depth that

gives your voice.

I need a drink every time I come to see you. Now, why'd you cut my budget?

See, your tours, they just ain't making as much money as they used to.

And for us to make money, you got to draw the people in.

You ain't doing that anymore.

The hell I ain't. And maybe sometimes.

When you're there.

But you miss playing half your last concerts.

You were laid back in your dressing room, whacked out on booze or dope,

with your toys.

The booze relaxes me after work, and so does he.

You're beginning to read your lyrics off of idiot cards.

Elvis did.

You ain't Elvis.

And what about the dope?

It's all prescribed.

My body aches after bouncing around on a bus touring for you.

I'm going to tell you what's going to get bounced.

Your ass if you don't straighten up your act. You miss one.

Just one show.

And you're gone.

Capisce? You can't do that. This is T .J.'s company.

You can't do shit without checking with him first. Hell, I can't.

He may own the company, but I run it.

That's why he pays me so much money.

Now, if he has to get involved with your bullshit, there's going to be hell to

pay.

I'm the star.

They're coming to see me.

Who are you going to get as an opening act?

Who are you going to cover me up with?

Ha!

Your opening act is an unknown.

You're going to have to draw them in on your own now.

Let's just see what you draw.

You mean to tell me that you actually came for my whole tour just because I

missed one single performance?

Try me.

With advance ticket sales in my cut, I've already got back the money I put

I could go... to another label.

Better run, hon. I can hear them knocking on your door.

You're going to pay for this, Jimmy.

Come on!

Yeah, give me T .J.

Hello? T .J.? Yeah, who's this?

This is Jimmy.

We've got problems.

Problems? Althea's acting up, doing the star bit.

Acting up some more? Yeah, yeah, I know. She's up to her old tricks again.

Booze, pills, the whole routine.

So what she does in her private life shouldn't affect anything.

Yeah, I know, but it's beginning to affect her music.

You're my manager. You handle it.

I'm aware of that, but I may need your help on this one.

Cassie, Cassie, sit up. Let's get some business taken care of.

Oh, come on. We just do like this for a little long.

Come

on.

Let's stretch some muscles.

Nice guy, isn't he?

Yeah, but I mean, he's all business. When did we start loosening up and

fun around here?

Oh, I know what you mean.

I was assistant to Sam Thomas.

I've seen you around, but I wasn't quite sure what you do.

You have to interview me, too?

No, I don't do any of that kind of stuff yet.

What exactly do you assist him with?

I'm his closer.

See, on tours like this, when a company like Songbird needs heavy promotion on a

new record, they send out closers. That means Paul goes out and pitches a record

to the DJs, and if they don't want to play it, then I go in, close the deal,

make them play it.

Well, I don't quite understand. If the record's really good, right, and Paul

can't get it played, well then, what can you do?

Well, I take the demo in, and I tell them if they play it on the air.

And with this mouth, they can't refuse.

Anyway, after they find out how good I am, they always play it more than once.

You don't have to worry, though, because yours is real good to begin with.

What do you get out of it?

Well, good pay, and I want to get into PR.

See you on the bus.

That's three.

If you think you're mad enough, well, I know I'm mad enough to give a try.

And if you play my heart right, I'll be the very best lover that money can't

buy.

Seems to me every man I've ever met is scared to death of me.

Maybe it was just cause they were afraid they couldn't be all I needed them to

be.

Cause after all, I'm just a woman.

No bitter and no worse already.

But if you don't know a question, how the hell you ever gonna pass the test?

I'll be the very best lover that money can't buy.

After all, I'm just a woman, no better and no worse off.

Well, if you don't know questions, how the hell are you ever going to pass the

test?

Well, if you think you know some answers to some questions,

I'm ready to give you the test.

Better watch out. Althea's on the warpath.

Ready? Hit it. One, two, one.

It's your ass, Althea.

Ladies and gentlemen, a true legend, Althea Anderson.

Thank you, Althea.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much.

That's Miss Patsy Harlan. Isn't she hot?

She's a real comer.

At least that's what the boys in the band tell me.

I'm trying to get over you. It's got to be that way.

Cause every time I see you, it makes my poor heart.

Hey, Cassie, hon. How are you? Frank and Jessie, how you doing?

Nice to see you again.

I'd like you to meet a friend of mine, Melanie.

She works for Spring Song Records.

Melanie is taking care of my PR.

I used to tour with Frank and Jessie.

I'm not one yet.

That won't take long. It's a cinch. You sounded terrific.

Hey, if you're still hanging around with your old pals, we're living at the same

place and still partying like we used to.

Well, I don't party like I used to.

Listen, I'll see you guys later.

Enjoy the show.

Enjoy it? Hell, we've seen it a hundred times. Shut out this. You don't ever

change.

I'm trying to get over you the best that I know how.

Where the hell have you been the last couple of days?

I've been out doing my own thing, man.

Well, stay close.

We'll probably have to fluff her up later on.

Great.

I'll see you guys after the show.

Okay.

So what do you think? Am I a hit or a miss?

You're right on the money, and I'm real proud of you. Didn't you hear the

applause? Of course I heard it, but I'm more interested in what you think.

Well, I've been watching you do backup for a year now.

Frankly, your talent surprises me.

Well, I always thought that I had some talent.

Well, Jimmy's given me the chance to really prove it, and with the confidence

that you've given me, I'm starting to feel that there's absolutely nothing

I can't do.

Then what's the matter?

You tell me.

I mean, one thing I've never been accused of is being subtle.

When I set out the vibe, I know people feel it.

They sure do.

But I'm not into the fact that the bus romances.

Romance? Who said anything about romance?

What's wrong with a purely physical relationship?

Come on, guys.

Hey, I didn't think you'd party no more.

I don't party no less, either.

Our manager's letting us use it for a couple of months. He's out of town.

We might as well get comfortable.

It'll be good to see you guys again.

We're going to get down and party like we used to. Good old times.

It's beautiful.

Oh, man.

The time is near.

She's sex personified on stage at the Palomino.

Supposedly backing Althea Anderson.

What's this supposedly bullshit, T .J.? Who you got planting these reviews?

What the hell is the matter with you, Althea?

Is that booze soft in your brain or something?

You know we can't plant reviews.

You got some little chippy giving head to a newspaper man now? Oh, now listen

this. From a broad who's gone down on everything but the Titanic.

You better crawl in that bottle and get your act together.

And stop worrying about Cassie Harlan.

I got a better idea for you.

Why don't you get that broad out of my show?

You brought me all the way from Nashville to suggest to me? I wouldn't

call it a suggestion.

I want to give you the benefit of the doubt.

This is just how high up on the ignorance fence you set.

Now, you listen.

The last fool that threatened me is singing songs at the Winston School for

Deaf.

That is a threat.

That's a fact.

Now, you get your crusty ass on the road and do your job, and I'll do mine.

And if you're not good enough, then you just pack it in.

Don't even try it.

What the hell are you looking at?

Hello, gal. She's a bit fuzzy -brained.

She wants to dump Cassie. She wants to dump anybody who's a threat to her.

What the hell are you doing with that?

Handing it over to you.

I'm sticking with my old staple, Theria and the Rocks.

That's good, Paul.

But, uh... That's not the problem.

What are we gonna... about Althea.

That's some kind of a subtle hint.

The we.

I thought I was supposed to take care of Cassie. And I'm supposed to make sure

the right people know he's making something out of her.

Well, that's what I'm paying you for.

If you can't handle this, I can replace both of you.

I'm busting my ass building a record company.

And I got no time to have any half -ass drunk.

Tell me how to run it.

Maybe we should cool it a bit with Cassie's height.

Bullshit. No way.

We're getting a strong foothold. And Dick Sand's getting a sore throat.

No, absolutely not. Forget it.

It's not fair.

We've been working like dogs, and it's certainly not fair to Cassie, T .J.

I could give two shits about fair to you or Cassie.

I'm busting my ass on her first single.

And you're talking about fair.

Well, I'm not going to take it in the dustbin.

No, you keep pushing Cassie. That's exactly what's firing up Althea.

That's Paul's problem.

And you should be an expert.

Man, we're drunks.

Cassie's been getting a bit nervous.

Nervous? About what?

She just mentioned she's feeling some pressure lately.

She didn't say anything to me.

What can I tell you? It was nothing major.

She just mentioned it. It's just girl talk.

That's terrific.

That's just terrific.

You better take Cassie out for a couple of days and calm her down.

I don't want her to go sour on us.

Maybe we could use the company yacht?

Fine.

I don't care. Whatever works.

Just do it.

Take me away to somewhere new to

share with me our hidden treasures.

May each day bring awakening

to pleasures I've never known.

That I feel And that dreams

Can be real

Take me

away And fill my nights With sweet

delights And we'll discover So many things

We never knew.

I need you to take me away.

Take

me

away.

We'll make each moment new. If only you.

Take me away.

Take me away to somewhere new

to share with you.

Our hidden treasures make each day bring

awakening to pleasures

I'd never known.

Take me away, take me away.

Wow, do you believe it?

We're finally here.

Oh, God, look at the weather, too. It's just fantastic.

Ah, I'd love to ride a bicycle.

Mm -hmm.

God, it is so beautiful here, Melanie.

Thanks for bringing me. You're welcome.

I'd like to do some shopping, maybe some...

I need to buy some shoes, I tell you. That's okay.

Yeah, yeah.

It's so good to get off that damn bus. I swear.

Just what the doctor ordered. Oh, God, you could say that again. This is great.

Wow, you sure are a pretty together lady, Melanie.

How do you do it?

I guess I just knew what I wanted, Jen, and I went after it.

PR work?

No, no, success.

Didn't matter what field it was in.

PR work just seemed to come easy to me. And famous people fascinate me.

No matter how much time I spend around them, I still feel like that star

valley girl.

Melanie, with all your public relations experience, tell me the truth, all

right? How am I doing career -wise?

When your record was released, we all hoped for the best.

All except Althea.

As of this very moment, I'd say you're a little ahead of the game.

It's moving up the charts quite nicely and could hit the top ten.

For a first -time artist, that's not too bad.

Well, is there any chance of it going to number one?

I mean, aren't there little industry secrets?

I mean, what do I have to do?

Your best bet is the Tony Harper show.

Harper's a strange character.

But remember that his opinion is really respected in the industry.

If he played the song...

And if he talks it up, you're home free.

Well, you know I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it.

Do you think my chances are good?

Better than good.

You have the looks, you have the voice, you've got the body, and you've got a

head on your shoulders.

If you play your cards right, your future will be lined with roses.

Honestly, you're nothing like the witches and bitches I've often had to

I know that deep inside, you know what you want and how to get it.

but use your sweetness to your advantage.

You don't know how I'm looking forward to that boat.

After all the time in that bus, my butt is so sore and sensitive that it feels

like it's turning to stone.

Damn.

It's a long ride back, and we can bust it out.

Oh, God, this is a wonderful day.

I'd like to do some shopping. It doesn't matter if I'm doing it that well

because...

You're so beautiful.

I can't believe I have you here with me.

Touch me.

Everywhere.

Yes.

Lick me.

Lick everywhere.

Oh, won't you untie me?

Why don't you take those panties off?

Yeah.

That's it.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Give me a kiss.

Yeah.

Mm -hmm.

Mm -hmm.

Oh, yeah. Okay.

Oh, God.

Oh, yeah.

Bite me.

Bite me.

Like that?

Look at me, Kathy.

I'd crawl back down in his gutter again.

Goddamn reformed drunk.

TJ will get rid of you if you keep this up.

What, and replace me with that squeaky boy's little twist of his?

I'm the star.

Not for long, if you don't keep a check on yourself, star.

Let me try.

There's only one way that you could help me, Paul.

And I don't think you can do that anymore from what I hear about you and

new little son. bird you

just

ain't man enough Paul hey Gino get your ass in here Paul started something that

he can't finish

Whoever says me.

And what about you?

When I call you, I want you to be there.

I was him.

I mean, wherever he goes, I go.

When I say I need you, that means I need you.

Give me some air, too.

Sure. One moment.

That's it.

I'm down, but I want to get started, too.

Cassie Harlan, the newest sensation on the CNW scene. We'll find out where

been, where she's going, and what's been happening with her in between.

So y 'all keep that thing, that radio dial thing, keep it fine -tuned and fine

-honed, and we'll be right back.

Your picture doesn't do you justice.

Thank you again.

Don't thank me. Thank your mother and thank your father.

And fire your photographer.

Oh, I just love the way your DJs rhyme and everything.

Tell me, do you write song lyrics?

No, ma 'am.

Well, why not?

Who's going to do this interview? You or me?

I want to be honest with you.

I wasn't that impressed.

Really?

With what in particular?

A lot of your music came right from the Middle Ages.

I know it, Tommy, but I'm a newcomer in this business, and, well, I'm building

up my repertoire.

I also want to tell you that I was very impressed with the way you handled

yourself on stage.

Fact is...

Fact is, you got a big rise out of me.

Well, thank you, but you're not the only one who told me that.

I bet.

Look, Cassie, why don't we just cut to shit?

Just how sexy are you? I mean, are you as hot as you advertise on stage?

What?

Oh, now I understand.

Do you?

What I mean...

is that ever since I became a disc jockey, I have had a fantasy of doing an

interview with a beautiful woman like you who was naked.

Now, would you do that for me?

Yeah, someday.

Um, by the way, Tommy, are we on the air?

You little dip.

It's not nice to fool Tommy Harper.

I'm afraid that was only one in a row, folks, but that's because I am sitting

across from an absolute vision of loveliness who just happens to have a

record on her hand.

I'm just hoping this Cassie Harland is not a flash in the pan, folks, which she

could be without the proper seasoning and understanding of this business.

Maybe some of you caught her act at the PAL the other night. She's the opening

set for Althea Anderson, that country legend.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Cassie Harlan.

Hello. And I want to thank y 'all for being so nice.

Oh, you came down to see me the other night, I mean.

Cassie, what do you think of the current trend of song lyrics reflecting, well,

reflecting life as it really is?

Well, Tommy, I think it's really wonderful.

I believe performers should...

today's current trend.

They should be a part of their music.

And, well, I am what I am.

And I work with it all I can, if you know what I mean.

Ah, Kathy, you are great.

Uh,

uh, Miss Harlan is sipping some coffee, and... Oh.

Kathy, uh, how did you...

The name of Miss Harlan's record is

Can't Buy Money.

Money Can't Buy. Money Can't Buy. Can't.

Can't Buy.

supposed to do with this?

God damn, I don't even... I don't even got a separate tube.

I'm really thrilled that you asked me. I'm totally blown away. I just can't

believe it. I'm going to take a load off, darling.

I know exactly how you feel.

You know, it wasn't that long ago that I got invited to the home of the country

-western singer of the day.

You mean Paul Fallon?

Mm -hmm.

And all I could think was, good God, little Althea Anderson from Kentucky.

Oh, I mean, I was used to chasing off the studs by the droves back home, but

Steve Paul Fallon.

Now, later on, I learned that he was just as bad as those other snatch -crazy

males. He'd fuck the crack of...

Ain't you drinking, girl?

Oh, no, I really don't drink. I mean, I... Oh, God, I think I'm going to cry.

I don't believe it.

A walking, talking grown -up who don't drink.

Well, you know, Paul doesn't drink.

Well, that isn't anymore.

Give him a little time, darling. Just give him a little time.

It'll get to him.

What will?

Just about anything.

Paul can't take any real pressure.

Oh, sure, he plays the numbers real well.

He'll hustle up DJs.

He'll play at the reviews.

He'll fill the whole damn house up with shills.

But it'll get to him.

Why do you think he hasn't been on the road all this time? Thurlow knows he'll

crack.

Paul's doing really well.

Well, I guess you'd know.

Although I think that a good -looking bitch like yourself could do much

I've got to tell you something.

It takes a special breed to make it in this business.

It's just something that they got.

It ain't nothing you can learn, and it ain't nothing you can get through

practice. No, ma 'am, I'm here to tell you that right now.

You either got it or you don't.

Oh, sure, any old broad with a face and a figure can make it by being the new

town pump.

You know, going down on the DJs, screwing the writers to get some new

And I've even heard that some of them have to make it with old TJ just to get

some cover art for the new hit single.

Really? Instead of some white rapper.

I don't care what anybody says. I'm still the key player on this tour. Let

just tell you something, Althea Anderson.

You know what?

A star?

Don't make me laugh.

I mean, you know what? I just want to tell you one thing.

You already packed it in as a star, baby.

Really. I mean, look at you.

Look at you. I mean, you're a...

since I was, I mean, this little. But I looked up to the Althea Anderson. My

eye.

before she passed away.

I thought you said you were divorced.

Divorced? Well, yeah. First we were divorced, and then she passed on. You

like it made it harder, like a double loss. Really, now this is helping me out

lot. You don't know how much this is helping me.

Speaking of help, this is your stuff.

It sure is, baby.

I haven't got all night. I'd like to get out of here.

Well, I was just going to make the same suggestion.

I bet you are really something under the guard.

Oh, you know it, baby.

Can you take me home?

Home? What?

Yeah. Where do you live? No, you're home.

Do you live around here? Well, I... Please.

You really are hot to trot, aren't you?

Come on, let's go.

Oh, actually, you see, I don't live around here. You see, I live over on

Whitsitt and Mountain. I heard that the action was real good around here.

So I thought I'd come over and check it. That's too far. It's too far. I mean,

you do have a car, don't you? Oh, hey, baby, hold on. You're going to get

whiplash. Now, let's just slow down.

We can enjoy each other that way, see? And I've got my laundry over here. Hey,

listen, we can do it by hand. Come on. Yeah.

There's plenty of room here in the front seat. Oh, yeah, but if there's a back

seat, I could get down the floor.

Oh, baby.

It's kind of loud in the drive. But I thought you wanted to... I don't think.

Oh, shit.

Oh, baby, would you make up your mind?

I found your message to her in her room What happened?

Jimmy, you've got to help me.

Althea's crazy. She's out of her fucking mind, man.

She just had her goons try to work me over, and, you know, they're still after

me, so you've got to help me.

I should never want that for her.

All right, all right, look, look, I've got a surprise for you. I wasn't going

tell you right away, but here it is.

You never have to open for Althea Anderson again.

Nice to see you. You too.

Hi, Jimmy.

Hey, Cassie. How you doing?

Fine.

Thank you.

Listen, I want to thank you guys so much.

You know, I saw the new charts this morning.

My record has gone from number six to number one. Yeah. You know, Tommy was

telling me what he thinks of your future.

Your future, girly?

You see that wall behind you?

Yeah. You could cover that whole wall with gold records.

Listen to this.

Old Whalen himself called me today.

He wants to see about doing an album with you. Now that is the big time.

joking. Yeah, we're also talking about an even bigger tour after the first one.

Think you can handle 250 days on the road next year?

Come on, guys.

250 days?

Yeah, well, I guess so. You guess so?

I got a pain, Jimmy.

You guessed so.

Jimmy, she guesses so.

Hey, look, Cassie, it's time you learned a little about the music business.

Now, your whole success depends on decisions made by people like myself and

Tommy. Now, that's one thing Althea forgot, and she should have had the

remember it. She's trying to dry out in that fancy resort of hers.

And from what I hear, no, she's not making a lot of progress.

Let's just call it one of the unfortunate circumstances of this

know? By the way, Miss Harlan, don't we have a little unfinished business to

talk about?

What's that?

What's that?

Do you recall an interview with some old DJ you did a while back and a certain

deal that was made?

It seems... Let's see. There was going to be a payoff

when a certain singer we both know real well...

Had one of her songs go all the way up to number one on the charts.

Nationally.

Naturally.

Is that why you're so happy?

You come all the way out here just to repay that debt?

Now, is that why y 'all asked me here tonight, Mr. Tommy Hoffman? Well, a deal

is a deal.

Something's up here.

She's here for the little celebration that we're having for the signing of a

brand new artist on our spring song label.

Got a real surprise for you.

Yeah? I just signed a long -term contract with none other than Charlie

Strayhorn. Charlie Strayhorn? But I... Oh, he's in jail.

Was in jail.

But he's here, right now, in the flesh.

The number one country music outlaw of all time.

Get out of here. Charlie's straight on here. I'm sorry. I don't believe you.

Would you like to meet him, Cassie?

Would I like to meet him?

Sure. Just go on and say hello.

Can I really?

He's not really here.

He's right in there.

Why don't you just go introduce yourself?

I'm sure he won't mind.

Hey, Charlie. Got someone for you to meet.

Mr. Strayhorn?

Mr. Strayhorn?

Hello.

My name is Cassie Harlan.

How you doing, darling? Would you like a drink?

No, thank you.

Gee.

It certainly is a great pleasure to meet you.

Baby, suck it.

Suck it.

It's so good, baby.

Oh, baby.

Tell us. Tell us. I don't know.

Getting ready?

No?

Suck it, baby. Suck it.

Put some suction on it.

Suck that in.

What?

Oh, baby.