Chapter 7

The scene started and went really well; practically everybody was off script, a director’s dream. I motioned to Maurice. He played a beautiful interlude as Darlene started to sing...

MARILYN
“Everybody hears me talk,
but none of them actually care,
I’m trying my best to
rehearse all my lines,
While someone is doing my hair.”

“This whole damn movie business
is really hard to stand.
The lights, the cameras,
the lines and the people,
Have all become -- so grande”

“All I want is a drink.
A little scotch and water
All I want is a drink –
and a little bit of fame”

“My life has been one big mess,
Maybe now someone
might remember my name”

“All I want is a drink;
a chance to show to them all.
All I want is a drink –
This part is too damn small.”

“Davis, and Baxter
plus Merrill and Holm,
This movie is full of
all kinds of bad gnomes
The trouble I’m having
is hard to explain
I need a big movie –
and to drink some champagne”

“All I want is a drink,
a blast of something with whiskey,
All I want is a drink,
and maybe someone to get frisky”

“Just let me show everyone
what I can do,
Maybe sing and dance,
for a movie or two.
An agent who’ll let me show
them a bosom or two,”

“All I want ... is a drink!”

The applause came big and a real loud voice rang out saying, “That’s my girl, up there – ATTAGIRL DARLENE!” It was her father, Jim, and he sounded drunk as a skunk.

I walked over to him and quietly asked him to either sit down and be quieter, or leave.

Darlene ran off the stage to the backstage area, with her head in her hands sobbing. I saw Audrey go after her.

Jim hadn’t sat down yet, so I walked him to outside the theatre.

“As good a director as you are, you are equally a stupid son of a bitch, James Simpson. To embarrass your own daughter like that, escapes me!”

He just looked at me; he appeared to be on the brink of crying.

I saw a taxi and whistled for it.

I told him where to take him; I’d been to his home for a couple of cast parties. That’s when I first found out he was a loud drunk.

I went back inside and sent everyone home, except Darlene and Maurice.

My wife brought Darlene out, who was doing better than before. I asked Maurice to be ready to play, ‘It Won’t Happen Again.’

I went to Darlene and said, “He’s gone – I put him in a cab and sent him home. When he gets that way, does he hit, or just yell like today?”

“Oh, Richard – heavens no, he doesn’t hit me or my Mom, he just gets stupid drunk every now and again. He often just falls asleep in his chair and Mom doesn’t even bother trying to get him to their bedroom.”

“All right, well – while you are as emotional as you are at the moment, I thought we’d try ‘It Won’t Happen Again.’ Are you up to it, young lady?”

Sniffling she said, “Richard, the ‘Show Must Go On!’”

“That’s my girl, do you know this yet?” I asked.

“Yes, I do – I practice every night on the way home and whenever I’m driving in my car.”

“All right – Maurice, hit it!”

The prelude he added to this song, was amazing and Darlene stood up, ready...

NORMA
“This day has happened once before,
a day I give free rein,
The love I’ve had for each of them,
I just cannot explain.
It seems to be that I must have
some providence in mind,
Because I can’t go through this
life with blinders on, defined.”

“As the kind of girl
that they all want,
a ‘piece’ for everyone
I need a guy, that special guy,
and not ... just anyone.”

“It won’t happen again,
These men are all the same
It won’t happen again
I guess I am to blame”

“The day I hope will never come
I have to end it all
They’ll all ask, ‘what happened to her, ‘
they won’t care how I fall”

“It won’t happen again,
I’ll select a great stage-name
It won’t happen again,
They’ll, all remember my fame.”

(“That was marvelous, now the second verse.”)

MARILYN
“This day it is behind me now,
I thought I’d never see.
Those people watching there,
nobody’s come here for me
They all look at the silver screen
up at the famous star
Look ... what I’ve done to myself;
it’s gotten so bizarre.”

“I’m not the kind of girl –
that they will want to see,
That guy I left, should
be charged with theft,
I know now life’s for me.”

“It won’t happen again,
These men are all the same
It won’t happen again
They’re all drawn to the flame”

“The day is here, it’s here right now,
and my life it must begin
I’ve got to change my whole lifestyle...
makes my life a mortal sin!”

“It won’t happen again,
I ‘ll reach a new plateau
It won’t happen again,
They’ll, all remember
Marilyn Monroe!”

“Darlene, your Dad was right when he said you were perfect for the part, and on the two Sundays that the understudies perform, you are going to rock this place. Go on home, it’s been an interesting day today, don’t you think?”

“Audrey, can I give your hubby a kiss, please?” Darlene asked.

“All right, but no tongue?” Audrey said, causing all four of us to break into wonderful laughter.

I asked Maurice to play the overture and entre act he’d written. As we all sat down to listen to it, he asked, “How big do you want it, Mister director?”