All about Eve
INT. MARGO'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
It's many Martinis later. Most of the guests have gone. The
party has reached that static state - everyone's assumed more
or less permanent places.
Birdie passes, carrying a cup of coffee. CAMERA FOLLOWS her
to the piano where Margo sits on the bench beside the
pianist. He is just finishing "Liebestraum" and she stares
moodily into a Martini. Birdie halts beside her with the
coffee. Margo looks up. Birdie holds out the coffee. Margo
takes the onion out of the Martini, drops it into the coffee
and waves Birdie away. Birdie goes. "Liebestraum" comes to an
end. The pianist tries to ease into a more sophisticated
rhythm. Margo stops him.
MARGO
(quietly)
"Liebestraum."
PIANIST
I just played it.
MARGO
Play it again.
PIANIST
But that was the fourth straight
time.
MARGO
Then this will be five. I suppose
you think I'm too drunk to count.
PIANIST
No. You're just crazy about
"Liebestraum."
MARGO
"Liebestraum."
PIANIST
Look, Miss Channing... it's kind of
depressing. If you don't mind my
saying so, everybody's kind of
dying on the vine...
MARGO
My dear Horowitz. In the first
place, I'm paying you union scale.
Second, it's my piano. Third, if
everybody doesn't like kind of
dying on the vine, they can get off
the vine and go home.
"Liebestraum."
Unhappily, he plays "Liebestraum." Margo sips her Martini,
stares down into it again. Bill tiptoes up.
BILL
(whispers)
Many of your guests have been
wondering when they may be
permitted to view the body. Where
has it been laid out?
MARGO
(somberly)
It hasn't been laid out, we haven't
finished with the embalming. As a
matter of fact, you're looking at
it. The remains of Margo Channing.
Sitting up. It is my last wish to
be buried sitting up.
BILL
(trying to kid her out of
it)
Wouldn't you feel more natural
taking a bow?
MARGO
You know nothing about feelings,
natural or unnatural.
BILL
Then without feeling, your guests
were also wondering whether the
music couldn't be a shade more on
the - shall we say, happier side?
MARGO
If my guests do not like it here, I
suggest they accompany you to the
nursery where I'm sure you will all
feel more at home.
