Norma's House

New Ways to Dream (Reprise)

MAX:

When we met, she was a child

Barely sixteen

Awkward and yet

She had an air

I've never seen

I knew I'd found

My perfect face

Deep in her eyes

New ways to dream

And we inspired

New ways to dream

Talkies came

I stayed with her

Took up this life

Threw away fame

Please understand

She was my wife

We had achieved far more than most

We gave the world new ways to dream

Everyone needs new ways to dream

JOE (spoken):

Are you saying you were married to her?

MAX (spoken):

I was the first husband

(sung)

So I play this game

Keeper of the flame

Sharing with her one last dream

Don't you think I knew it never could come true?

She'll be the very last one to surrender

I will not allow her to surrender

The Phone Call

NORMA (spoken):

Hello, is this Gladstone 9281? Miss Schaefer? Hello, Miss Schaefer, you must forgive me for calling so late, but I really feel it's my duty. It's about Mr. Gillis - you do know a Mr. Gillis? Well, exactly how much do you know about him? Do you know where he lives? Do you know what he lives on?

(sung)

I want to spare you a lot of sadness

I don't know what he's told you

But I can guarantee you

He doesn't live with mother

Or what you'd call a roommate

He's just a - I can't say it

Poor Betty

You ask him

I'd love to hear his answer

Joe!

(spoken)

JOE:

That's right, Betty, why don't you ask me?

NORMA:

Don't

JOE:

Or better yet, come over and see for yourself. Yes, right now

The address is ten thousand eighty-six, Sunset Boulevard

NORMA:

Don't hate me, Joe. I did it because I need you. Look at me. Look at my hands. Look at my face. Look under my eyes. How can I go back to work if I'm wasting away? No! Don't stand there hating me, Joe. Shout at me, strike me, but say you don't hate me

The Final Scene

NORMA (spoken):

Joe! Joe!

JOE (spoken):

Come on in

BETTY:

What's going on, Joe?

Why am I so scared?

What was that woman saying?

She sounded so weird

I don't understand

Please, can you tell me what's happening?

You said you loved me tonight

Shall I just go?

Say something, Joe

JOE:

Have some pink champagne and caviar

When you go visit with a star

The hospitality is stellar

BETTY:

So this is where you're living?

JOE:

Yes, it's quite a place, sleeps seventeen

Eight sunken tubs, a movie screen

A bowling alley in the cellar

BETTY:

I didn't come to see a house, Joe

JOE:

Sunset Boulevard

Cruise the Boulevard

Win yourself a Hollywood palazzo

Sunset Boulevard

Mythic Boulevard

Valentino danced on that terrazzo

BETTY:

Who's it belong to?

JOE:

Just look around you

BETTY:

That's Norma Desmond

JOE:

Right on the money

That's Norma Desmond

That's Norma Desmond

That's Norma Desmond

That's Norma Desmond

BETTY:

Why did she call me?

JOE:

Give you three guesses

It's the oldest story in the book

Come see the taker being took

The world is full of Joes and Normas

Older woman, very well-to-do

Meets younger man, the standard cue

For two mechanical performers

BETTY:

Just pack your things and let's go

JOE:

You mean all my things?

Have you gone mad?

Leave all these things I've never had?

Leave this luxurious existence?

You want me to face that one-room hell

That Murphy bed, that rancid smell

Go back to living on subsistence?

It's no time to begin a new life

Now I've finally made a perfect landing

I'm afraid there's no room for a wife

Not unless she's uniquely understanding

You should go back to Artie and marry the fool

And you'll always be welcome to swim in my pool

BETTY (spoken):

I can't look at you any more, Joe

(BETTY leaves)

NORMA (spoken):

Thank you. Thank you, Joe! Thank you! Thank you! What are you doing, Joe? You're not leaving me?

JOE (spoken):

Yes, I am, Norma

NORMA (spoken):

You can't! Max!

JOE:

It's been a bundle of laughs

And thanks for the use of the trinkets

A little ritzy for the copy desk back in Dayton

And there's something you ought to know

I want to do you this favor

They'll never shoot that hopeless script of yours

They only wanted your car

NORMA:

That's a lie! They still want me!

What about all my fan-mail?

JOE:

It's Max who writes you letters

Your audience has vanished

They left when you weren't looking

Nothing's wrong with being fifty

Unless you're acting twenty

NORMA (spoken):

I am the greatest star of them all

JOE (spoken):

Goodbye, Norma

NORMA:

No one ever leaves a star

[NORMA shoots JOE.]

REPORTER (spoken):

And as dawn breaks over the murder house, Norma Desmond, famed star of yesteryear, is in a state of complete mental shock

NORMA:

This was dawn -

I don't know why I'm frightened -

Silent music starts to play -

Happy New Year, darling

If you're with me, next year will be -

Next year will be -

They bring in his head on a silver tray

She kisses his mouth

She kisses his mouth

She kisses his mouth -

Mad about the boy -

They'll say Norma's back at last

MAX (spoken):

Madame, the cameras have arrived

NORMA:

Max! Where am I?

MAX:

This is the staircase of the palace

And they're waiting for your dance

NORMA:

Of course

Now I remember

I was so frightened I might fall

MAX:

You are the greatest star of all!

(spoken)

Lights! Cameras! Action!

NORMA (sung):

When he scorned me I

Knew he'd have to die

Let me kiss his severed head

Compromise or death

He fought to his last breath

He never had in him to surrender

Just like me, he never could

Surrender

(spoken):

I can't go on with the scene! I'm too happy! May I say a few words, Mister DeMille? I can't tell you how wonderful it is to back in this studio making a picture. I promise you - I will never desert you again. This is my life. It always will be. There's nothing else. Just us. And the cameras. And all you wonderful people, out there in the dark. And now, Mr. DeMille, I am ready for my close-up.

(sung)

This time I'm staying

I'm staying for good

I'll be back where I was born to be

With one look I'll be me!