Norma's House

Entr' Acte

Sunset Boulevard

JOE:

Sure I came out here to make my name

Wanted my pool, my dose of fame

Wanted my parking space at Warner's

But after a year, a one room hell

A Murphy bed, a rancid smell

Wallpaper peeling at the corners

Sunset Boulevard, twisting boulevard

Secretive and rich, a little scary

Sunset Boulevard, tempting boulevard

Waiting there to swallow the unwary

Dreams are not enough to win a war

Out here they're always keeping score

Beneath the tan the battle rages

Smile a rented smile, fill someone's glass

Kiss someone's wife, kiss someone's ass

We do whatever pays the wages

Sunset Boulevard, headline boulevard

Getting here is only the beginning

Sunset Boulevard, jackpot boulevard

Once you've won you have to go on winning

You think I've sold out?

Dead right I've sold out

I just keep waiting for the right offer

Comfortable quarters, regular rations

24-hour Five Star room service

And if I'm honest, I like the lady

I can't help being touched by her folly

I'm treading water, taking the money

Watching her sun set

Well, I'm a writer

L.A.'s changed a lot over the years

Since those brave gold rush pioneers

Came in their creaky covered wagons

Far as they could go end of the line

Their dreams were yours, their dreams were mine

But in those dreams were hidden dragons

Sunset Boulevard, frenzied boulevard

Swamped with every kind of false emotion

Sunset Boulevard, brutal boulevard

Just like you, we'll wind up in the ocean

She was sinking fast, I threw a rope

Now I have suits and she has hope

It seemed an elegant solution

One day this must end, it isn't real

Still I'll enjoy a hearty meal

Before tomorrow's execution

Sunset Boulevard, ruthless boulevard

Destination for the stony-hearted

Sunset Boulevard, lethal boulevard

Everyone's forgotten how they started

Here on Sunset Boulevard!

There's Been a Call/Journey to Paramount

NORMA:

There's been a call

What did I say

They want to see me right away

Joe, Paramount, they love our child

Mr. DeMille is going wild

JOE (spoken):

Well, that's wonderful, Norma

NORMA:

But it was some fool assistant

Not acceptable at all

It he wants me, then Cecil B

Himself must call

JOE (spoken):

I don't know if this is the time to stand on ceremony

NORMA:

I've been waiting twenty years now

What's a few more days, my dear?

It's happened, Joe

I told you so

The perfect year

Now, let's go upstairs

JOE:

Shouldn't you at least call back?

NORMA (spoken):

No; they can wait until I'm good and ready

JOE (voiceover):

It took her three days and she was ready

She checked with her astrologer

Who sacrificed a chicken

She dressed up like a pharaoh

Slapped on a pound of make-up

And set forth in her chariot

Poor Norma

So happy

Re-entering her kingdom

MAX (voiceover):

If you will pardon me, Madame, the shadow over the left eye is not quite balanced

NORMA (voiceover):

Thank you, Max

(spoken)

GUARD:

Hey, that's enough of that

MAX:

To see Mr. DeMille. Open the gate

GUARD:

Mr. DeMille is shooting. You need an appointment

MAX:

This is Norma Desmond. No appointment is necessary

GUARD:

Norma who?

NORMA:

Jonesy?

JONES:

Why, if it isn't Miss Desmond. How have you been, Miss Desmond?

NORMA:

Fine, Jonesy. Open the gate

JONES:

You heard Miss Desmond

GUARD:

They don't have a pass

JONES:

Stage 18, Miss Desmond

NORMA:

Thank you, Jonesy. And teach your friend some manners. Tell him without me, there wouldn't be any Paramount Studio

JONES:

Get me Stage 18. I have a message for Mr. DeMille

HEATHER:

Mr. DeMille?

DEMILLE:

What is it?

HEATHER:

Norma Desmond is here to see you, Mr. DeMille

DEMILLE:

Norma Desmond?

HEATHER:

She's here at the studio

DEMILLE:

It must be about that appalling script of hers. What shall I say?

HEATHER:

Maybe I could give her the brush

DEMILLE:

Thirty million fans have given her the brush. Isn't that enough? Give me a minute

NORMA:

Won't you come along, darling?

JOE:

It's your script. It's your show. Good luck

NORMA:

Thank you, darling

HEATHER:

Miss Desmond

DEMILLE:

Well, well, well

NORMA:

Hello, Mr. DeMille. The last time I saw you, we were someplace terribly gay. I was dancing on the table

DEMILLE:

A lot of people were. Lindbergh had just landed

NORMA:

You read the script, of course

DEMILLE:

Well, yes...

NORMA:

Now, I know how busy you are during shooting, but I really think you could have picked up the phone yourself, instead of leaving it so some assistant

DEMILLE:

I don't know what you mean, Norma

NORMA:

Yes, you do

DEMILLE:

Come on in