back. -You would? -Why, darling? -You like it better than your other presents? -But I wish it was a real, live circus. Well, I guess you'll have to do a circus, Flo. Could you, Daddy? Well, I don't know. Let's see. I've never had any experience with circuses. But I can try. I'll tell you what. Let's make a chorus in front of these two wagons. Who's this fellow? That's the ringmaster in the center, where a ringmaster should be. Now, we'll put these two acrobats up next to him... ...then we'll put this Tyrollean fellow there. Put the clown next to him. He's a funny fellow, and there's the lion-tamer. Gosh, I bet he's a brave fellow too. And there's the drum major. And here is the strongman. We'll call him Sandow. -And who is this? -Well, that's.... Oh! Of course. That's little Harriet Hoctor. I've always wanted to give her a chance. I'll tell you what. Now, you hold her for a minute, and we'll bring her on later. Now... ...let's put it all back of a curtain, just as I do in the theater. Now, this is the curtain. -What's the laugh, Jack? -This article on Ziegfeld. Says he's broke and can't borrow a nickel from any bank. He wouldn't have to borrow if he'd commercialized. He'd never send out a number two company. He wanted the public to see his best production. Why doesn't he stick to his Follies? That other show is terrible. -Guess the old boy's washed-up. -He's been slipping for years. -White and Carroll have got it all over him. -Bob.... Let me have a cold towel, will you? Well, the guy's getting old. Yeah, and broke. He won't have another hit on Broadway. -Isn't someone making a theater for him? -Yeah. It's to be his monument. It's about time. He could use a monument. -I don't know you fellows. -You got nothing on me. I don't know you. You ought to. You've been burying me for five minutes. I'm Ziegfeld. You're right. I'm not gonna have another hit on Broadway. I'm gonna have four. Four at one time. You get that? Four! And all hits. Oh, Mr. Ziegfeld! You forgot your tie. He's gonna have four hits, and he hasn't got a tie left. Flo. Darling. Why did you come upstairs without saying hello? Are you trying to elude me? Well, I'm not feeling very well, dear. Poor darling. You're just tired. Where's your tie? What do you think of that? I.... I must have left it in the barbershop this afternoon. And you've been around without it ever since? Darling, that isn't like you. What's wrong, Flo? Billie, I'm all through. -Through with what? -Everything. I'm slipping. I'm... ...getting old. And who told you that? -Three men in the barbershop. -That's why you forgot your tie. Yes, I've never done anything like that in my whole life. Isn't that tragic? For the first time in your long career, you forgot a tie. It's a calamity. -Who were those men, Flo? -I don't know. I never saw them before. They said I'd never produce another hit. And what did you say? I told them I'd have four on Broadway at the same time. -Sounds more like you. -Yeah, but it was only a bluff. I'm sorry, dear. I don't mean to worry you. Where's Patricia? She's having her dinner. -You came home very late, dear. -Yes, dear. I'm sorry. I.... I've been so worried. The play is such a terrible failure. But you're not, darling. Afraid I am. -Well, shall we have some dinner? -Flo. I'm disappointed in you. I didn't think you'd ever lose confidence in yourself. But I must be the failure, not you. -Oh, Billie. -No, I mean it, darling. Before we were married... ...you never thought of failure even when you were broke. It was your sublime superiority more than anything else... ...that made me admire you so much. Please don't change, Flo. Don't let Patricia and me become a worry to you. We don't expect you to reduce your life to just us. I want you to go right on being just as you always were. I would never be jealous... ...because with your love of ------------------------------ Читайте также: - текст А зори здесь тихие на английском - текст Обломок империи на английском - текст Онг-Банк: Тайский Воин на английском - текст Выжившие на английском - текст Рождественские каникулы на английском |