Salome

Salome. Salome, the story of a woman. The woman who was all women

Salome, what a woman, what a part
Innocent body and a sinful heart
In flaming Herod's lust
But secretly loving a holy man
No one can play her like I can

Well, I had nothing urgent coming up
I thought I might as well skim it
It's fun to see how bad bad writing can be
This promised to go to the limit

There's so many great scenes, I can't wait
A boiling cauldron of love and hate
She toys with Herod
'Til he's putty in her hands
He reels tormented through the desert sands

It sure was a real cheery set up
The wind wheezing through an organ
Max shuffling around and a dead ape dumped on a shelf
And her staring like a Gorgon

They drag the Baptist up from the jails
She dances the dance of the seven veils
Herod says, "I'll give you anything"
Have you got to the scene where she asks for his head?
If she can't have him living, she'll take him dead
They bring in his head on a silver tray
She kisses his mouth, it's a great screenplay

It got to be eleven, I was feeling ill
What the hell was I doing?
Melodrama and sweet champagne
And a garbled plot from a scrambled brain
But I had my own plot brewing
(Spoken)
Just how old is Salome?

Sixteen

I see

Well?

Could be it's a little long
Maybe the opening's wrong
But it's extremely good for a beginner

No, it's a perfect start
I wrote that with my heart
The riverbank, the Baptist and the sinner

Shouldn't there be some dialogue?

I can say anything I want with my eyes

It could use a few cuts

I will not have any-

Gut said
I'm not talking limb from limb
I just mean a little trim
All you need is someone who can edit

I want someone with a knack
Not just any studio hack
And don't think for a moment I'd share credit
(Spoken)
When were you born?

December 21st. Why?

I like Sagittarians. You can trust them

Thanks

I want you to do this work

Me? Oh gee, I don't know, I'm busy. I just finished
One script, I'm about to start a new assignment-

I don't care

Well, I'm pretty expensive. I get five hundred a week

Oh, don't you worry about money, I'll make it worth your while, honey

Well, it's getting kind of late

Are you married, Mr...?

The name is Gillis. Single

Where do you live?

Hollywood. Alto Nido Apartments

Oh, you'll stay here

I'll come back early tomorrow

Nonsense, there's a room over the garage
Max will take you there. Max?

Yes, madame?

Take Mr. Gillis to the guest room. We'll begin at nine sharp

Now this is more like it

I made the bed up this afternoon

Thanks. How did you know I was gonna stay?

There's soap and a toothbrush in the bathroom

She's quite a character, isn't she? That Norma Desmond