Original subtitles

I'm Anthony Speer. I have a rendezvous with Mr. Danning. Here he is.

Hello, sir. Mark Danning. Welcome. Pleasure.

Miss Cole will be arriving shortly. She just stopped off at the theater for a

meeting with the director.

And everything's been taken care of?

Well, if you will show me to the suite, I will see if it fills our needs.

Up to you, sir.

Did you see the late show last night?

Catherine Cole and Terrence Knight in memories.

Talk about sex and sin.

Everything that makes life worth living.

How are we doing, Mike?

Uh, two minutes. Two minutes.

How'd you like that restaurant last night?

Not bad.

The, uh, salmon appetizer was great.

But the sauces were a little heavy -handed.

Well, maybe my palate is just not as refined as yours.

No, no. My date thought that the veal blanquette was the best she'd ever had.

So? So, I give it, uh, a star and a half.

Swiss, I believe.

Delicious. Get rid of all of them. Miss Cole is allergic.

And please remove all the strong spirits.

Restock with mineral waters. She prefers any of the natural wells. Any wine?

A bottle or two for effect.

A nice, buttery Chardonnay.

Oh, nothing French, please. The French were quite unreceptive to her last film.

You know, I'm pretty excited about meeting Catherine Cole.

She's something of a legend in her own time.

Legend does have a bit of a posthumous ring, like something cold and stony

chiseled into the face of Mount Rushmore. No, a simple adoration will be

received. Just keep smiling. She likes blondes with good teeth.

Hi.

Morning.

Oh, you sound awful.

Hey, morning, Mike. How are you doing? Hi, Miss McDermott. How are you? You

pretty good in that chair.

Ah.

I wouldn't trade places with your headache.

Oh, by the way, that chip you gave me on that stock, I'm already up five bucks a

share. Five will get you 25 by the end of the year.

See ya. Bye.

Oh, the Fairmont wants to know if we can take their overbooking. Oh, get on it.

Have Terry bring in those no -sell sheets.

Oh, well, Terry... You know, she sounds worse than I do.

I couldn't hardly even recognize her voice when I called in.

That's because Terry's out there.

Oh, well, then who's the... Good morning.

Excuse me. Excuse.

Hello, Mr. McDermott. I'm Roberta Abrams, the temp. Call me Bobby.

How do you do?

Better we don't with your cold.

Uh, look, Bobby, I really prefer coffee.

Coffee and honey is terrible.

Tea and honey, that's the secret.

And plenty of fresh orange juice.

It was either her or St. Bernard.

Ow!

Ow! That's it!

Nobody above the lobby. All reporters downstairs.

Boys!

Hello?

The least we can do for posterity is record the event.

They may want to put it in a time capsule.

Along with the San Francisco earthquake?

I thought your wonderful city was the perfect environment for me to open my

play. It has such happy memories for me. Is there a future between you and Lord

Killington?

My meeting in London with Lord Killington was strictly business.

He was trying to tempt me into a new movie.

And were you tempted?

Come.

I can just see the caption under this one when it's wise.

All right, that's it, gentlemen. Show and tell is over.

We'll find our way.

Oh, that's nice.

Nice.

It's a whole new direction from last year's line.

Pamela, you've really outdone yourself.

They're available in upholstery as well as papers and drapery complements. I

like it. I like it very much. Yeah.

Is Jeffrey on the line?

Would you excuse me? Of course.

Jeffrey, I'm so sorry.

I was waiting for your call.

I just got caught up in everything.

The showing's not until tomorrow, but I had to preview for some clients.

I just wanted to finish up what we talked about last night.

A vacation's just impossible.

I have to go down to L .A. and probably Denver on the way back.

What about us?

Timmy hardly ever sees his mommy anymore.

Please, don't make me feel guilty.

I have my work and you have yours.

You know how important it is to me.

Why? Is it more important than your family?

How much money do we need?

We have been through this a thousand times.

It's not about money, it's about my independence.

Tell it to your son.

Oh, Victoria.

Hello, Tony.

Hello. Oh, Catherine, may I present Peter McDermott, my general manager.

Peter, this is Tony Spear. How do you do?

I'm a big fan.

I think I've seen all of your pictures.

Maybe I could see a few of yours sometime.

I guess I'll be going.

If there's anything we can do for you... I'm sure I'll think of something.

Well,

you certainly keep yourself surrounded with attractive men. That blonde this

morning, this one, she's cute. She reminds me of Gable.

Oh, Kai, you dear man, you remember. All your favorites, Miss Cole.

Oh. Are you forgetting your allergy?

Oh, allergy.

That's Tony's public code word for my waistline.

Oh, come on, Tony.

One must be allowed an occasional transgression.

I'm sure that's what they said to the young Nero when they found him playing

with matches.

Christine, all the stuff on my desk, where is it?

Miss, uh... Bobby? Bobby.

There were a lot of papers on my desk. Files.

How's the sniffle? You sound better.

I'll live.

The payroll's out.

Found under arrest.

Found.

And the maintenance projections?

Under arrest.

Signification schedules?

Yes.

Maybe you should clue us in on your system.

Just in case you should come down with my call or something.

It's very simple. You got a bunch of papers you don't want to lose.

Where's the first place you look?

Eh? Safekeeping. Where else? Where else?

Everything else, you file under G.

I look like hell.

You look beautiful.

Oh, you have a little jet lag and a touch too much of that man.

Well, he's offering me a movie.

The only movie Lord Kinky wants to make with you is a home movie.

You should have stayed in New York, rehearsed the play, and gotten yourself

here a week earlier.

I've decided not to do the play.

Don't be ridiculous.

You opened it three days, the theatre sold out, and besides, you're going to

brilliant.

How can I be brilliant? I was a Gabriel Porter.

It's almost impossible to exchange lines with old alligator breath.

At least for me, they'd love to, William.

I will send him a roll of mints on opening night with your compliments.

Sometimes I wish I were a simple shop girl.

What roll is that?

There aren't any encores for sharp girls, are there?

No applause.

None of that really matters, you know.

No.

It's the excitement of going on.

Of plunging your whole being into a character.

Taking the audience with you.

Learning how to control them.

Making them laugh.

Cry, gasp, cheer.

It's power, Tony.

Fear, terror.

And I'm not going to do it.

Let's not overreact.

It's six o 'clock.

I will see that you get your 12 -hour sleep.

You will be another woman.

I adore you.

If you take those, you're fired.

I will save them for you for opening night.

I hate your condescending manner.

Good night, darling. If you need anything... Yes, I'll call that Mark

He knows how to relate to the guests.

Thankless bitch.

I heard that.

It's comforting to know that you will be able to hear the prompter on stage.

Oh, this is perfect.

Oh, it's beautiful. What a great color.

85 lines.

Oh, here's Mike. He'll have you set up in no time.

Mike, I'm so glad you could work late. We're going to need a lot of help to get

ready.

Mike, what is it?

Maybe she saw a ghost.

I don't understand.

We used to be... We were married, and... One night I went out for a pack of

cigarettes and never came back.

Excuse me.

Can we talk?

No.

I'll be in the showroom.

Yes.

I tried to call you last night.

Last night?

It's been seven years. There's been a lot of nights.

Look, I'm not here to make excuses.

I just want to talk, to explain.

Oh, you want to elaborate on your note?

Dear Pamela, I won't be back. I'm sorry. I love Michael. You mean that doesn't

say it all?

Look, I know it seemed cruel, but I couldn't help myself.

You know, I think I would have preferred it if you'd killed yourself.

Believe it or not, at first I thought it was some kind of joke.

I imagined all the women you ran off with. There was no woman. Well, that's

more humiliating.

How do you explain to your friends, our friends?

We were the perfect couple.

We had everything, didn't we?

We didn't talk.

I was trying to tell you, Pamela, I was coming apart.

Or maybe you should have sent me a note.

You know, I hoped you could forgive me by now.

I knew we were going to run into each other someday.

Yeah, I thought about that, too.

In fact, I dreamed about it for a long time.

And the dream was always the same.

We sat, we talked, and I got up and said to go to hell.

This is even worse than before.

I read the rewrite. They are exactly as you requested.

Maybe you'd like to stand up there spouting this bilious rot.

I would like to remind you that that man has won a Pulitzer, not to mention a

whole mantle full of Tonys.

Obviously, he's had an off year.

That egg looks overdone.

Tony, the clock on my career is ticking, and you're worried about the seconds on

an egg?

is energy. You must keep the proper diet.

Well, maybe I ought to eat the script.

That would be redundant.

You think I'm afraid, don't you?

Well, you haven't been in a play in years and there are no take twos on the

stage. Are you lecturing me on my craft or are you trying to frighten me?

Am I not your biggest fan?

Do I not worship the very board you tread upon?

Have I not supported you from the background through every major triumph

past 20 years?

Yes, you have.

Am I not your devoted toady?

Tony toady?

Oh, I'm so bad to you.

How do you stand me?

What is enough merely to be in the presence of the great diva.

I do depend on you, you know.

I don't know if I could do it without you.

I know.

I forgot how handy you were.

Oh, still am.

Francis told me where to find him.

The last chance to kick the ladder out.

Sorry, it was stored up for a long time.

I would like to talk.

I got a break coming up.

Well, maybe we could have dinner for old time's sake.

Well, I have an old necktie stored away somewhere. I think I could dig it out.

That night I lay awake, listening to the darkness.

I don't believe this.

Doug?

Doug, where are you?

This is your light, and this is your mark.

I was deliberately standing in the dark so as not to be seen uttering this

dribble. Alex rewrote the scene exactly as you wanted it.

Well, maybe he was lying awake listening to the darkness too long.

Where is the boy genius?

Catching up on his sleep?

Back in his hotel, finishing the pages. Okay, please. We cannot continue to

change the text. We can't act with strips in our hands.

I don't want to have to remind you that this dog and pony show will open in two

nights. Probably. Probably.

Without me.

We take five, please.

None of your wisdom.

You need this play. It has been six years. It has been three years since

been in a film.

Well, whose fault is that?

It is yours. You are becoming an untouchable.

What are you talking about? I don't need this player. I don't need a picture. I

don't need anybody.

Give me a light. No, you don't need a crutch.

And least of all, I don't need you.

I don't need you constantly running me into the ground, telling me what to do,

how to do it.

I can't even take a husband without your permission.

But no more.

The truth is, you need me.

And you have just lost me.

You're through.

You're fired.

I mean it.

Tony.

I thought we had everything.

I might have looked that way, but I was strangling.

Why?

My own success.

The pressure to maintain it.

But you seem so relaxed, carefree almost.

30 milligrams a day can keep you from feeling much pain.

Drugs?

Friendly prescription from my shrink.

Dr. Anna Mendelsohn, the other woman in my life.

One weekend, I went to Dallas on a business trip, and I decided to take Dr.

Mendelsohn's entire dose.

The old gal actually flew down there to haul me back to existence.

And you didn't think enough of me to tell me all this?

You were too busy being the rising executive's glamorous counterpart.

I just couldn't be that person anymore.

I'd get up every morning and the panic would begin.

They'll find out what a fraud I am.

You'd find out.

So you bailed out without me?

It wasn't the right thing to do.

It was just the easiest.

I couldn't face the final pain of your knowing what a miserable failure I was.

But I loved you, Michael.

Believe it or not, I think you're better off.

Oh, but you didn't ask me if I was happy.

Are you?

Yes, right now I am.

you people work late? No Mrs. McDermott to run home to?

I guess we're all too busy for that sort of thing.

A man and a woman need a little romance in their lives.

I agree.

I know a nice lady who doesn't mind a late dinner. She's a busy person

Maybe another time.

I gotta get down to the Carlisle room right now.

Uh, try Christine.

She likes to eat late.

for giving me a chance to explain.

Thanks for walking me home.

Would you like to?

Yeah.

Sorry I'm late.

Oh, I'm famished.

You hungry?

I'd be happy to hear the rehearsal went quite well once Doug came around.

I need a check.

A severance and eight years vacation pay.

Aren't you being silly?

You fired me, remember?

What makes this time so special?

Perhaps this time the feeling is mutual.

Aren't you overplaying the role?

You should know.

You're the mistress of overplay.

Where are you going?

Home.

You don't have a home.

Well, then maybe it's time that I made a place for myself where I am

appreciated.

Don't you think you should sleep on it?

I've been asleep for 20 years.

The Rip Van Winkle of Broadway.

Well...

Rip has finally wakened up.

I decided he does not like the dream.

You're as big a ham as I am.

Wrong, Miss Cole.

I have been a turkey.

But why?

Last night I lay awake, listening to the darkness, the shadows gathering outside

my room.

But only then I realized how much I'd lost.

It was only then I realized how much I...

Are you sorry?

No.

I've never stopped loving you.

Maybe... Maybe in time, you'll feel that

way again.

Delicious. Really wonderful.

But I had planned on passing up lunch today.

Maybe a salad.

You never get rid of a sniffle with salads or by not eating. And I don't

you want to meet Robin with a sniffle.

Robin? I mentioned you to her. She's interested, but she can't make it till

tomorrow. Bobby, I'll...

No offense, but I like to make my own social arrangements, and I also have a

habit of deciding what I eat.

You're angry with me.

I know you mean well.

Now, I don't mean to snap, but I'm a big boy.

You're absolutely right. I'm only a temp, and I'll be gone in a few days. I

shouldn't meddle.

You do understand.

Don't say another word. I'll call Robin right now and cancel.

She'll be so disappointed.

Call me if you hear anything, okay?

Bye.

Darling, this is a dress rehearsal.

You're not even in wardrobe.

I told you, Doug, I am not doing this without Tony.

Now, you better find him. I gave up my detective's guild card years ago.

Either get on that stage or you'll be searching for a director.

When I first went on the road, I worked in gas stations and on farms and washed

dishes in diners.

But I can't tell you what it felt like.

It was as if...

Someone had opened the lid on my coffin and let me breathe again.

You have to be that close, that close to death, before you know what it feels

like to get a second chance.

You never looked back.

Every day.

When you learned to talk, you could have called.

Well, I never did learn how to deal with that.

I'd like to try now.

It's too late, Michael. I'm married.

The obvious never occurs to me anymore.

I married Jeffrey.

He was always around, picking up the pieces, being my pillar.

But why last night?

I'm not sure.

I just wanted to be with you. Something left unresolved.

Is that why you took your ring off?

You better go. My showing's about to start.

I'm sorry about all the pain.

Whatever happened, I'll never regret last night.

He's as helpless as a child without me.

But you've always said how dependent you are on him.

I never said that.

He's efficient, dependable, but I can certainly manage my life without him.

This isn't the first time you two have had a tiff.

He's so temperamental.

It's a testament to my patience that I've been able to survive his tantrums.

sure he'll come back.

Once he works it out of his system.

The most awful visions of his body being fished up out of the bay.

Mrs. Cabot, it's Mr. Danning on the line. He says it's urgent regarding Mr.

Spear. Oh, my God.

Tony, forgive me.

Yes, Mark.

I see.

Yes, yes, of course.

They found Tony downstairs in one of the bars, dead drunk.

They want to know where to take him. And he... he keeps muttering that he has no

home.

Oh, he never could hold his liquor.

Coming.

You're early.

Rise, Mommy.

Timmy.

If Mohammed won't come to the mountain...

Jeffrey, why didn't you call?

It wouldn't have been a surprise.

But I have so much work.

Work by day, play by night. Timmy and I will ride the cable cars, go to the zoo.

Now, Mommy.

Listen to your son.

We put him to bed, Miss Cole. He's going to feel pretty awful in the morning.

I hope so.

Thank you, boys.

Good night, Miss Cole.

Good night.

Hello. You pleased you made an ass out of yourself?

You don't give a damn you scared everybody to death, do you?

Tomorrow you'll come back like a little puppy dog and beg forgiveness.

And I will, of course.

We're stuck with each other, you know.

He's watching television.

I really wish you hadn't sprung this on me.

Oh, come on.

Let's roll with it.

Something's happened and I have to go out for a little while.

Hi.

Sorry, I'm a little early.

I can't believe it.

Well, it finally happened.

The inevitable.

I guess we all knew it was going to happen sooner or later.

Is this the reason you didn't want me to come?

It was an accident. Michael works here.

Mom, it's all new stuff.

Hey, who's this?

Um, this is Kimmy.

Kimmy, this is Michael. Hi.

Hi, Timmy.

Say, you're a big guy.

How old are you?

I'm gonna be six and a half.

Six and a...

Terrific.

Come on, buddy.

We'll find something on that box for you.

I wanted to tell you this afternoon.

My God.

Oh, Michael.

I gotta go.

I think it's what I do best.

She hasn't said anything, but I think she's really upset.

I think she's a real nice lady, but I'm not going to be railroad... Well, she

really built you up to this Robin person.

Well, it's not as though it's a shit -ecker or anything.

A what?

You know, it's not really matchmaking.

She's just a date.

Remember dates?

Okay, okay, okay, I'll do it.

Bobby, about your niece, Robin?

Maybe I've got a few minutes tonight.

Before dinner.

I've got a dinner plan that hasn't confirmed yet.

She's loose.

I told her seven in the Cavalier bar.

Casual.

Jeffrey, I'm tired of talking about this. I have to get downstairs.

The hell with your show.

Am I supposed to sit by casually while this guy walks back into your life?

Claims his wife and son and trips off into the sunset?

That's not going to happen.

If anything, Michael's made me realize more than ever what I have now.

When did you realize it? When you met or when you slept together?

Please, Jeffrey.

Please, you're the last person I want to hurt.

Just don't lie to me, Pamela.

Do you still love him?

I love you.

But I was never really sure until now.

The man's a giant.

He's one of America's greatest living playwrights.

What am I, chopped liver?

We all recognize your talent. That goes without saying.

But he feels that he's lost the total focus of the play.

And by the time it hits New York, you won't even recognize it.

I have it.

I quit.

Oh, Kate, that's not the answer.

Why not?

Best line I've edited in weeks.

I quit.

With a... Well, the Bride of Frankenstein has risen from the dead.

Well, that only leaves the lead for you.

Frankenstein strikes again with Catherine Cole in the title role,

without the benefit of make -up or rehearsal.

Oh, I should have left you selling tickets at Radio City Music Hall.

Quit it!

So I'm going to see you.

I want you to know I don't hold any grudge.

Why not?

If I were you, I think I'd kick my butt clear across the lobby.

Well, I figure that's the chance to take.

Marry a lady who hasn't quite finished with her last husband.

Jeffrey. Are you afraid of me?

Yeah.

And what you might do about your son.

You know, it's funny. I kept pushing Pam to have a child.

She kept saying, not yet.

It's the final irony.

He's a great kid.

I love him like he's my own.

That's because he is.

You raised him.

You're the only father he's got.

One thing, Jeff.

Tell him to be careful of what he wants in life.

He may end up getting it.

And maybe, maybe you can tell him his dad.

Tell him that I wasn't such a bad guy.

Just in over my head.

Not too much. You'll kill the rouge. I'm just toning it down.

You are playing a lady from Georgia, not Pagliacci.

I'll look like death.

That is what play is about.

Fifteen minutes, Miss Cole. Oh, my God.

It's too long. I'm going to trip.

Remember, my dear, when I caught my slipper in the hem and almost

the front row?

Everybody thought you were doubled over in agony and critics fell.

Let's run the lines.

I... I enter.

I come from a long line of widows.

That is act two.

There was a time when I held his hand.

And suddenly, everything was brighter, sharper, more vibrant than...

I can't remember. I can't remember. I'm up.

Oh,

how did I let you walk me into doing this? You will remember once you're out

stage and into the character. I won't.

I've changed the damn line so many times that I don't know anything.

When in doubt, improvise. Work your way back.

Just tell that old dragon breath. I can just see the look of panic on his face

when I don't throw him the cues.

Look, a lot of people have paid money to see the great Catherine Cole.

You're not going to give me that you owe it to them speech.

To hell with them.

Give them back their money.

What about me?

Do I owe you something?

Nothing.

You have given me the greatest nights of my life in the theatre.

Transported me to other places.

You've made me weep with you, love with you, hope with you.

When you held an entire audience in your arms.

And they and I held you and... Why, we felt we were privy to...

One of the great moments.

One more time.

I wanted to say goodbye.

You know we'll never see each other again.

I know.

I do hope you find what you want.

Well, I think I already have.

It's just sad what I had to lose to get it.

Maybe when Timmy gets a little older and we explain a few things, maybe you can

come for a graduation or something.

I'd like that.

I wouldn't think a grown man would need someone to ride shotgun.

Well, I was never big on blind dates. It's one night out of your life. You'll

make Bobby very happy. How about me?

What kind of a person needs a blind date anyway?

Mr. McDermott? Yes.

Uh, Robin Greenfield.

Bobby's niece?

Yes.

Hi.

Excuse me.

Christine, where are you going?

I need to talk to somebody about a nephew.

There can be no doubt Clifton wrote the play with Catherine Cole in mind, and

she makes the most of her triumph and return to the stage. She is absolutely

transcendent. The play will be sometime getting to New York, if San Francisco

theatergoers have anything to say about it.

Welcome back, Kate. You are simply grand.

I'm Joel Siegel in San Francisco.

Oh, for your kindness.

As you know, no one does this alone.

There are special people that must be singled out. First of all, my wonderful

-star, Gabriel Porter.

And then the man who made it all happen.

Who believed in me from the beginning.

Who never gave up on me.

Even when I gave up on myself.

That illuminating presence in the theater.

Our director, Douglas Sloan.

What did you think?

You heard the reviews. You're a smash.

Oh, what do they know?

Did you think I was awful?

Oh, Catherine.

You were everything I expected.

Oh, I thank you, my faithful Sancho.

I couldn't exist without you.