Original subtitles

CARROLL: ♪ When morning came to Sloane Square

♪ On that wet December night

♪ Spoken with a ghost

♪ Had a ticket for a flight

♪ I left you with your beauty

♪ And I left you with your sight

♪ I was 1,000 miles beyond you

♪ In the coming

♪ Of the light

♪ There's nothing like the northern sea

♪ At 30,000 feet

♪ Spread out with an icy mist

♪ Shivers like a sheet

♪ Canada's green boundaries, finally welcome to LA

KAREN: People deceive themselves here, don't you think?

Yes.

And that's how they fall in love.

And then when everything is over,

it's the other person that gets deceived.

Am I right?

Now...

Van Nuys Boulevard.

I don't need to be loved by anyone.

I don't mind waiting.

It's how you wait that's important, anyway, I think.

But everyone gets deceived.

Don't they?

♪ I had my bags packed for adventure

♪ And a free seat on a flight

♪ And soon it didn't matter

♪ What was wrong or what was right

♪ I was 1,000 miles beyond you

♪ In the coming of the light

♪ Of the light

SUSAN: I'm calling about the house.

The one that's advertised in The Hollywood Reporter that's for rent.

[KNOCKING]

Who's there?

Haven't figured that out yet.

Oh, it's Nona. Oh.

Darling, I'm going to have to see you in a few minutes.

Can you wait in the office?

Sure. Yeah.

And don't take a picture of me, okay?

I wouldn't do that.

[CAMERA CLICKING]

Oh...

You're a bitch, you know. You really are.

ANN ON PHONE: It's a warm, cozy house.

Yeah, I'm taking it.

Terrific.

And I'm taking it on your recommendation, but I do need the key.

SUSAN: What? I need it right away, right? And where's it located?

That's all I need to know.

Silver Lake? Where's... Larry, where's Silver Lake?

Huh? Oh, I see.

Uh... Okay, okay. At 350, huh?

[STUTTERING] Is that... Four hundred?

No, darling, that's too much.

Come on, Christmas and everything.

For one of my clients, right?

It's a deal, but I do need the key.

I'll pick it up at your house tonight. How about that?

Where do you live?

ANN: I live in Encino.

Encino. Yeah, that's not too bad. I need a drive.

9161 Havenhurst. I'll be by.

I still have some work to do, so I'll be by around 7:00, 7:30, 8:00.

Okay? Yeah, I do. I do. Mmm...

Oh, God. I'm having a massage. It's absolutely terrific.

[CAMERA CLICKING]

[PIANO PLAYING]

JACK: Well, do your patients lie down?

MAN: Well, I need a couch.

JACK: Oh, I've got a beauty.

[KNOCKING]Dark, tan, leather.

Wait, wait, hold on.

Oh, hi, Jack.How you doing?

Some more people at the party.

Well, how... Oh, excuse me.

Hi.

My name's Jack and this is the house I built.

What's your secret?

Well, I'm here to pick up a key from Ann. I'm Susan Moore.

♪ Oh, shining over the sea

♪ Every time I catch you looking over my shoulder

♪ Something happens to me

JACK: I decorate my home. That's my business.

Right here. Honey?

You have a friend here. Susan Moore.

She wanted to talk to you about a key.

She didn't know who you were, but...

Sure. Oh, how beautiful.

You look just like your voice.

Oh, God. I pictured you dark. I don't know why.

JACK: Ah, that's nice. Everybody's happy.

ANN: Oh, maybe I sound so moody. I don't know.

I don't know, I pictured you sort of plump and tiny and with black, curly hair.

Really?

Aggressive.

Here you are, soft and blonde and pretty.

Oh, thank you.

And here you are, so beautiful.

Do you know there's a full moon out tonight?

You know what that means, Linda?

No.

That means that I have a Thai stick in my pocket, and you know what that means.

I don't smoke, Mr. Goode.

Oh, yes, you do, Linda.

You smoke like nobody else.

I watch a lot of people, Linda, but I see you.

No, don't pull away.

Linda,

when you sell yourself, be sure you don't misrepresent the goods.

[GROWLS]

[ERIC SINGING ON STEREO]

I love that music.

Eric Wood.

He's my client.

He is?Mmm-hmm.

You know, the boy, or... I suppose he's a young man, really, now.

The young man who's coming from England to rent your house,

he's going to be working with Eric.

I can't wait to see those two together.

It's gonna be fabulous, really fabulous.

JERRY ON PHONE: Ken Hood's office.

LINDA: May I speak to him, please?

He's in a meeting.

It's pretty late for a meeting, isn't it?

Well, he's still in a meeting.

Uh, well, could I speak to him, please? I know him.

[SIGHS] Ken. Right in the middle of a game.

No name.

Hello. Kenneth Hood.

Time to see you?

Why would you want to waste your time seeing me?

His wife?

Uh-uh.

What are you doing, Linda? Were you working?

Yeah, dumb old party.

Christmas party full of horny old men.

No horny young men?

LINDA: Yeah, oh, a couple. But they acted old.

It's not his wife?

Well, those are choices you have to make.

I like when you make my choices.

[PLAYING PIANO]I knew it, I knew it all the time.

You're fabulous.

Gorgeous, gorgeous man. You're gonna do it alone.

[CACKLING]

No stinking cast, no nobody.

Just me, baby. Okay, do it for Mama.

Come on, baby, do it for Mama.

[CAMERA CLICKING]

[ERIC LAUGHING]

SUSAN: You got it, Nona? Eh? Did you?

[SUSAN CACKLES]

With an artist, you never got any problems, right?

[PIANO PLAYING]

ERIC: ♪ So I've been living

♪ In the city of the one-night stands

♪ And sleeping next to pity and she's crazy

It's a match, Papa, it's a match.

The son of a bitch is trying not to like it.

Come on, stop it.

♪ Been looking for somebody

♪ Got my mind made up

♪ Who doesn't need a lot to say

♪ So that when we talk

♪ At least we're not playing games ♪

CARL: Tell him he can have anything he wants.

Come on, don't talk money. Don't talk money.

You arrange it, I'll pay for it.

Come on, he's got more money than you and I put together. Shut up.

[CLICKING]

Perfect! Perfect. And then that bench.

And Hansel, would you please put that table behind the sofa?

Right there. Oh, it's gorgeous.Susan.

Hey! How do you like the place?

Oh, I love it. How do you like it?

Oh, I'm crazy about it.Oh, I told you you would.

And the piano, don't you think that's a perfect spot?

Yeah. Perfect. Perfect. That beautiful view!Huh?

See... Carroll's going to sit here.

He's going to brood, be tormented and write his beautiful music.

ANN: Who did you say was going to live here?

My client.

My God, I feel like a newlywed who's just decorating her first home.

Happens every time you get domestic with a man.

Actually, I think he's sort of upset with me.

Oh, really?

Mmm-hmm.

A couple of years ago we sort of violated our...

[PHONE RINGING]

Saved by the telephone.

Ooh, my back! I don't want it to kick up today.

Hello, Larry.

Yeah! God.

I don't want a massage.

Not today, baby.

I don't need one.

[LAUGHS]

Well, I think I'm not going to need one. What?

Kids. Children.

Hey, Eric is jealous, huh?

[CHUCKLES]

You didn't get him to sign the contract, right?

You didn't get him to sign the contract. Now, come on.

[WATER RUNNING]Is that true?

[SUSAN CHATTERING]

OPERATOR: Your London call is ready. Go ahead, please.

Hello.

CARROLL: Yeah?

Who do you think this is?

Susan?

Good guess.

How'd you get my number?

I missed you, baby.

I got good news for you.

Your City Suiteis going to be recorded. It's all arranged.

Immortalized by Eric Wood. How do you like that, hmm?

[CHUCKLES]

Eric who?

Oh, come on.

You haven't changed, have you?

Don't you want to see me?

I've seen you.

Mmm, I've seen you. I liked it.

I'm going to have your ticket delivered tomorrow.

CARROLL: ♪ There's nothing like the northern sea

♪ At 30,000 feet

♪ Spread out with an icy mist

♪ Shivers like a sheet

♪ Canada's green boundaries, finally welcome to LA ♪

SUSAN: Welcome to LA.

It sounds crazy, but you're back.

Oh!

[CHUCKLES]

No sweet memories.

Okay. Have it your way.

Mmm. I do like the beard.

Very British.

Eric doesn't want you around when he records in the studio.

He wants to do it alone. Okay?

When do I get my pool table?

Oh, come on, Carroll. Talk to me, I'm Susan.

You know, I'm your friend.

Advance.

Big times, baby, big times, huh?

Okay?

Oh, that hat. I'm just crazy about that hat.

Irish. Oh, I thought it was British.

Hey, did you understand what I said about Eric?

And did you get it into your little head?

Who?

Oh, come on. Do we have to be strangers?

I hope you don't mind driving in traffic.

I can't handle freeways.

Can't daydream.

Besides, I don't know anybody on freeways.

I always know somebody on the streets.

That's what Los Angeles is all about.

CARROLL: Daydreams and traffic.

Exactly.

Can't stand Christmas here, though. It's so feeble.

LA's fine in the long run, though.

You get to choose who you want to be, and how you want to live.

It sounds like heaven on Earth.

[CHUCKLES]

Heaven.

Want a steamboat?

Oh, no, thanks.

I think you're going to love the house. It really fits you.

Where is it?

Echo Park.

Echo Park.

Well, it's Silver Lake.

It's... It's a fantastic location. You're just going to love it.

You'll like Hollywood.

You have to go through it to get to your house.

I just love Hollywood.

I don't know a thing about it, but I really love it.

Does that sound like a line?

I didn't mean it to.

I guess everything sounds like a line these days.

[CHUCKLES]

Shameless, aren't I?

What are you thinking?

About your shame.

You must be excited about your music and Eric Wood and everything, huh?

I think it's terrific.

Yeah, I think it's crazy.

You do?

I have a headache.

ERIC: ♪ Well, I've been looking for somebody

♪ Got my mind made up

♪ Who doesn't need a lot to say ♪

And this is the bedroom.

Oh, I'm not supposed to say that.

It's one of the first things you learn in real estate.

Not to say, "This is the living room," when it's the living room.

I'm out.

♪ Oh, I've been living

♪ In the city of the one-night stands ♪

Merry Christmas! Barber Dairy's.

Oh, hi. Yeah, I can talk now.

Mr. Hood is in with Mr. Howard.

I don't know what they're doing.

Mr. Howard has got a lot of problems.

[CAMERA CLICKING]

That's really nice work.

Ken, can I talk to you privately?

Sure, but I only have a minute.

I'll study this in detail later.

Ken, I need some reasonable help.

I don't know what I'm feeling.

About something specific?

I... Yeah. Women.

[STAMMERING] I don't understand their demands.

I don't know what they want from me,

and I don't know what I want from them.

And I'm 30, and I'm confused, and I'm frustrated, and I...

My only pleasure is here at the office with you and Russell and...

I mean, that's...

I mean, it's nothing sexual.

Of course not.

It doesn't have to be sexual if men enjoy each other's company.

[PENCIL SCRATCHING]

Everyone says that romance is dying.

I'm romantic.

Aren't I?

Well, I think I am.

Hello. I'm Kenneth Hood. Can I help you?

Hi. I'm waiting to see my dad.

Carroll! Hey, how are you?

I'm okay. How are you?

Fine. Nice to see you. Welcome to Los Angeles.

Thank you.

There he is.

Welcome home.

How are you?

Okay.Good.

Well, you guys have a lot to talk about.

Stop in on your way out.

No, no, stick around, Ken, stick around.

We've got no secrets from each other. Right, Son?

No, not that I'd tell.

Now, sit down, sit down.

What'll you have to drink?

Wine, wine, I guess. White wine.

Good. Freshen mine up, will you, Ken?

Sure thing.

Well. Been busy?

Yeah.

Susan told me about your new-found fame.

Enough to make an old man proud.

Real proud.

On, this is Nona.

She's a professional photographer.

Shoots corners.

Makes sense out of them, too.

I love her.

She calls me Carl Barber.

Never "Carl" or "Mr. Barber" or just, "Hey, there, Carl Barber."

[LAUGHS]

Like I was some goddamn tombstone or something.

What do you think of the cave?

Mmm?

It's a far cry from that red barn that we started out in, isn't it?

Yeah. I liked the barn.

You would. You lost your virginity in that barn.

[CHUCKLES]

I'm leaving.

Later.

Every woman that I've been with was a virgin.

Every woman that's been with me was a whore.

I don't think I ever met a man that knew the difference.

[CARL LAUGHS]

She's something else, isn't she?

Hey, you need any money?

No, my old man's a millionaire.

You're damn right he is.

Hell, look around you. Look at these offices. Look at these clothes.

I get my hair cut in this goddamn chair by a woman called Grace.

Get my nails done. Do you believe that?

Jesus.

You want to get out of here, don't you?

Merry Christmas, old friend.

See you, Kenneth.

JEANETTE: Mr. Barber.

Yeah.

Miss Bruce left this for you.

Thank you.

It hasn't been my day. I'm sorry, I didn't make the connection.

What connection?

That you're Carl Barber's son.

Oh, yeah.

What's your name?

"Jeanette Ross."

Aren't you going to welcome me to LA, Jeanette?

Last year, for my birthday, Ken...

Mr. Kenneth Hood gave me a case of yogurt.

I hate yogurt.

I hate you.

Oh, I hate you, too.

It was vanilla yogurt.

Do you know what I did with that yogurt?

ERIC: ♪ When the moon and stars and the winds conspire

♪ With the kiss of night, and some fresh desire

♪ It don't matter what you're thinking

♪ Pretty soon you got the notion

♪ And God

♪ It's the best temptation of all

♪ Take back those golden rings

♪ They're just jeweled chains

♪ I don't need those things

♪ I don't need to be afraid

♪ Been to the ocean

♪ With a sweet child of devotion

♪ Like truth and form, she put me in motion

♪ And God, it's the best temptation

♪ And God, it's the best temptation

♪ And God

♪ It's the best temptation

♪ Of all

Don't have a solo, man, when I'm trying to listen to Eric.

Sorry.

Can I help you?

No, that's okay. I just thought I'd listen a little.

Who are you?

I'm Carroll Barber.

The writer?

Yes.

Okay.

[CAMERA CLICKING]

Am I following you?

♪ And God, it's the best temptation

♪ And God, it's the best temptation

♪ And God

♪ It's the best

♪ Temptation of all

After you.

Where is my father tonight?

Messing around, I suppose.

♪ There's so many bodies and scenes

♪ So many faces and feelings, dreams

That's right, cowpoke, give in.

♪ Wet-tasting dreams

♪ When those silky infatuations come

♪ Enticing me

♪ Inviting me

♪ Exciting me

♪ Then God damn it

♪ It's the best temptation of all ♪

[WOMAN SPEAKING SPANISH]

Good night, darling.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Good... Good night.

[EXCLAIMS IN MOCK DISGUST]

KAREN: Taxi.

MAN: Taxi.

[BOTH CHATTERING]

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello.

KEN: Hi.

Kenny!

I was just taking a nap.

Listen, another late one tonight.

Carl and I are having dinner.

Oh.

I met his son today. He's got an ax.

Nothing new.

Oh, cancel breakfast tomorrow. I've got a dentist date.

CLIFF: You busy?

Got to go, Karen.

Did the plumber ever show up?

Oh, oh, I don't know. I left.

Damn it! ...Colorado Boulevard.

Try and arrange the plumber, all right?

Kenny, I love you.

I love you.

Okay. Goodbye.

[PHONE HANGS UP]

I love you.

ERIC: ♪ The best temptation of all ♪

[LAUGHING]

Hey, no lights? What are you doing sitting on the floor?

God, these headaches are driving me crazy, babe.

I'll be so damn glad when these holidays are over.

I've got inventories, I got deliveries that have to be there yesterday.

I got problems. I hate the holidays.

Hey, you all right?

Sure.

Okay.

♪ Breakfast time

[PIANO PLAYING]

Hi, Carroll.

I have a surprise for you.

I brought you a housekeeper.

I didn't order one.

Well, Susan and I thought you'd need one.

I'm Linda.

Hi.LINDA: Hi.

I'd better put these in water before they die.

[ERIC SINGING ON TAPE]

Is that Eric Wood?

More or less.

I love Eric Wood.

Carroll's writing all the songs for Eric's new album.

Oh. Really?

God, I'd love to meet Eric Wood.

He's great.

Linda, huh?

Yeah.

Can I use your phone sometimes?

You can use the phone all the time.

Great view.

Oh, God, you got a pool table!

Aren't they cute?

I thought the gold looked so good in here.

I think about you.

Carroll, come here a minute.

Come here.

Please?

Where are you going?

I'm going to the bathroom.

Carroll,

I don't know what I'm doing.

But please don't be mad at me.

You're okay.

You don't need any help.

Just don't try so hard.

I gotta pee.

What are you doing?

What?

What are you doing?

I'm cleaning.

Like that?

Put your shirt on.Too sweaty.

Linda, put your shirt on.

Oh, I already just love this job.

I mean, look at the view out there.

And I just went into the pool room and there's a closet and nobody's using it.

All you have to do is take the door off

and turn it into a room and...

Carroll, he's really neat

and I'm sure he's writing lots of good songs, but isn't that a girl's name?

Karen.

[COUGHING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Yeah.

Ken, can you give me a lift to Carl's party?

Russell went on ahead without me.

Maybe we could talk.

Sure.

Karen's not coming. She's not feeling well.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Let's go.

She's an interesting girl, that wife of yours.

[CHUCKLES]

Yes, she is. She keeps herself busy. She collects things.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

Who do you know here?

NONA: Almost everybody.

You packed?

Don't lie to me.

Dana.

Mr. Barber.

Would you see what the people want?

Yes, sir.

Get us a cherry.

Well, how's it going, Carl Barber?

I think everyone has seen the prodigal son by now. Ask him to join us.

Is that an order?

If you happen to be going that way.

I'm going.

I got it.

Ah, I'm going to get Carroll to sing tonight.

Oh, he sings, too?

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. He does everything.

KEN: That's nice.

Would you hold my cigarette?

Your dad would like to see you.

Downstairs.

Do you really care about him?

He really cares about me.

Thank you.

I keep thinking you're not a frozen dinner but I've been wrong before.

Your tie is crooked.

Don't do that.

Why not? I'm careful.

Nona, I changed my mind.

That was an order.

Okay.

SUSAN: You like your yogurt?

KEN: Like my yogurt.

Nice talking to you.

SUSAN: Yeah. See you around.

Well, Susan. Enjoying yourself, darling?

[CHUCKLES]

Huh?

Having a good time?Yes.

Hey, guy.

Hello, Kenneth.

Fire.

You gonna sing for us tonight?

I don't know.

Maybe if I get drunk enough.

Look at old Ken in there. He's a goddamn saint.

He works hard in my name. Takes care of everything.

But he's not my son.

Oh, come on, Dad, let's not go into that now.

Why not?

Everything with my name on it belongs to you.

I don't want it.

You don't have any choice.

Now, you get in a huff and you go off to England.

That's all right. A man will do that.

But I don't get one goddamn letter in three years.

Now, that's not all right. I don't deserve that.

I deserve better than that.

I wanted to see you for Christmas.

Take a good look.

[VIOLINS PLAYING]

ERIC: ♪ And still it seems that breaking up

♪ Is more than I could take this time

♪ She didn't mean to hurt me

♪ But she didn't really try being kind

♪ My left hand says get out of here

♪ My right says it don't matter anymore

♪ And I think I hear

♪ The knocking at the door

♪ Then take me back to SoHo

♪ In some half-suspended moment I'll forget

♪ That Shakespeare with her distant tones

♪ Could love me better than I've known, and yet

♪ Amidst all that emotion

♪ I never stopped to ask what it was for

♪ And I think I hear

♪ The knocking at the door

Would you like a ride?

Mmm?

Want a ride?

I don't drive.

That's okay, I do.

[COUGHING]

That's a great cough.

I know.

I've just been to a movie and I was the only person there.

I love Greta Garbo.

Yeah, she's nice when you're by yourself.

Well, men always have a better time.

Maybe it's because they understand the situation.

[COUGHING]

Do you take anything for that?

Valium.

You tried this?

Now, listen.

[COUGHS]

That's really good.

It was so sad at the end, when she died.

Camille.

She said,

"Nanine.

"Nanine."

You coming or not?

Benjamin Franklin said,

"The sleep of reason produces monsters."

Goya said that.

Did he?

How do you know?

He was over last week. We talked about it.

Are you coming?

Can I have another drink?

Why don't you finish it?

ERIC: ♪ Those soft, elusive

♪ Childlike, loving

♪ Innocences

♪ Go

KAREN: I know the name of every street I've been on for the past two years.

And the name of every taxi that I've ever taken in my whole life,

and also its number.

I just think it's important.

Well! So, this is the way you live.

You invite strange ladies to your house

and then you tell them that you love them,

and that you're going to make them happy for the rest of their lives and...

Oh, you didn't say that. Whoops.

Is that what you need?

Some people do.

Do you have a hanger?

No, sorry, I don't.

[COUGHING]

I'm sorry.

I'll have a Valium.

You want some more of this?

Alcohol doesn't affect me.

Me neither.

I just get drunk.

[POOL BALLS CLACKING]

I don't think I have too long to live.

I'm married.

My husband...

We're going to go and live in the country.

I think that will be nice.

Would you like to know anything about me?

Well...

In the film,

Camille had to leave Armand

and go back to the Baron.

And she couldn't tell him that she still loved him.

The only thing she said was...

In a really nasty tone, she said,

"I've always wanted to see the inside of a chateau."

Then she left.

And she's aching.

Aching and aching.

Pain.

Because she still loved him.

She couldn't tell him.

Just a minute.

I have to go.

Where's the fire?

I know.

We could go to that movie tonight.

We'd be the only people there.

I love Greta Garbo.

I never would have known.

[COUGHING]

You ought to see a doctor about that.

I know.

Listen to this one.

[COUGHS]

Oh, that's really cute.

That's a great performance. You proud of yourself?

Are you really proud of yourself?

Why can't we go and live in the country, Kenny?

It would be so beautiful,

with trees and lakes and rivers.

And you could have long walks.

And it'd be so good for my health.

For your health you ought to see a doctor.

For my health I need my work.

I'm not going to live very long, Kenny.

I'm dying.

[DOOR CLOSES]

Oh, damn it, I can't cry.

Nanine.

Well, I'm dying, too.

And before I die, I'd like to have a real lamb chop instead of venison,

if that's all right with you.

Oh, but those were lamb chops, Kenny.

The only thing is, you see, I have to marinate them so that they taste like venison.

Then why don't you call them lamb chops?

I love you, Kenny.

You love me.

I love you.

Everything I do is for you.

You ride around in taxi cabs all day long just for me?

I got you a housekeeper so that you could spend more time with our son.

Now, you're out riding around town all day and he's at home with the housekeeper,

and he speaks more Spanish than he does English.

And what is that nonsense about the photo album?

What is that?

Is that supposed to make you something that I'm not?

Am I supposed to be ashamed of myself because I made something out of my life?

"The sleep of reason produces monsters." Goya said that.

And he was right.

You should have married Goya.

Carroll, do you mind if I share your closet?

My room doesn't have one.

No, it's okay.

This is for you, I think.

I'll be in my room.

[PHONE RINGING]

KAREN: Don't answer it.

That part of the month was day 22.

It's probably a wrong number.

Or the great romance of my life.

Do you want anything?

I got some king clams.

No, thanks, I'm not hungry.

You going to be home all day?

Why? You got something planned?

I've made a lot of new friends lately.

You wish to protect them from me?

No.

I just want to know if it'd be all right if I had company.

I don't have to.

Making a profit?

No.

Oh, I felt like getting out today anyway.

Maybe I'll go down to the Civic Center and watch the earthquake.

No, wait, listen to me.

I believe that you and I can go far beyond your quote-unquote

"normal man-woman relationship."

I think we can, too.

We can. And I want you to really believe that, because we can.

I believe it.

Hey, guy.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Great, who's that?

LINDA: Hi.ANN: Hi, Linda. Is Carroll here?

LINDA: No, he's not.

ANN: Oh, you have company.

[PHONE RINGING]Hey, would you like some wine?

Oh, excuse me.

The phone.

Hello. Ann Goode.

Kenneth Hood.

They rhyme.

Yes.

I'm a realtor. I rented this house.

Mmm-hmm.

What do you do?

Work too hard. But that's my choice.

I've seen you before.

Oh?

I really think I have.

Do you play tennis?

Mmm-hmm.

Mulholland Club?

Sometimes.

That's probably it.

This is quite a hideaway, isn't it?

Well, not my style.

Not mine, either.

It's so nice to be driving in the Valley in the afternoon.

ERIC: ♪ Morning comes early in a stranger's bed

♪ It's never quite as easy when you're straight

♪ I'd like to have a dime for all the promises

♪ That stony lovers make when it gets late

♪ Sure, it hurts, still it feels pretty good

♪ To be living in the city

♪ Of the one-night stands

♪ Where the nighttime makes it easy to feel crazy

♪ You try to get saved

♪ But there's nothing there

♪ Worth saving

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

Hello.

Hello.

CARROLL: You've been hiding from me.

Are you crazy?

Yeah, I'm crazy.

Did you miss me?

Yes. I do.

Do you miss me more than anyone else in the whole world?

Yes, I concede.

Just come over here, okay?

You're funny.

You know, my sister went back to England.

I think it's a good thing, really.

She's so romantic.

Oh, Karen, don't put up the smoke screen, okay?

Well, she needs someone.

Romantic people need someone.

You don't need me.

I'm not the one you need.

I think you are.

No, I'm not.

But it's nice of you to think so.

[PHONE HANGS UP]

Karen?

Hello?

[RECEIVER THUDDING]

I'm 60 years old, and I want to work until I'm dead.

My trip to this desk began

by shoveling cow shit 14 hours a day.

And I...

Oh, hell, I'm making a goddamn speech out of this.

What I'm trying to say is that before you came here,

I had a tiny little business with a so-so potential.

Now I have a very successful business

with unlimited potential.

I think you've earned the partnership.

Carl.

We'll get with Reasoner the first thing tomorrow morning,

make out the contracts and stock options.

You'll have a full vote.

My God, Carl!

I don't know what to say.

That's the nicest Christmas present I could have gotten.

You're going to earn it.

Carroll is my son.

I know there's love there.

Do you understand?

Carl, give him a little time.

Time has a way of resolving these problems.

I will have that drink with you now.

Merry Christmas, Carroll.

[CHUCKLES]

Christmas carols.

♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly

♪ Fa la la la la

♪ La la

Oh, you did it, you. You, you, you...

You did it! You...

Give me a "K" give me an "E" give me a "N".

What do you get? Kenneth!

[CARROLL PLAYING PIANO]

CARROLL: ♪ Well, I've been looking for a lover

♪ Got my mind made up

♪ Doesn't need a lot to say

♪ So that when we talk

♪ At least we're not playing games

♪ Well, I've been in love before

♪ But I got hurt so bad

♪ That I still can feel the pain

♪ I'd like to love again

♪ But I still feel too afraid

It's so beautiful.

It's for Eric, isn't it?

Please take me to meet him, Carroll.

♪ So I've been living in the city

♪ Of the one-night stands

♪ Sleeping next to pity and it's crazy

ANN: I swear, there's less than 12 people in LA.

Ann Goode.Hello.

Hello, how are you?

Fine.

This is my friend, Dana Howard.

Well, nice to meet you.

And I think we're fast becoming old friends.

♪ Living in the city

♪ Of the one-night stands

Nice to meet you.

♪ Living in the city of the... ♪

♪ Ho, ho, ho, hee, hee, hee

KAREN: [GASPS] Santa Claus.

♪ The king of the pirates is home from sea

♪ Ho, ho, ho, hee, hee, hee

♪ Where is the little pirate of the sea? ♪

Give Daddy a kiss.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Speak English.

♪ Ho, ho, ho, hee, hee, hee ♪

Santa Claus.

I have a present for you. Close your eyes.

Close my eyes?Close your eyes.

KAREN: What are you...

KEN: I want you to take a look. Come on.

Come on.

Carl made me a partner.

Isn't that great?

Oh, my God!

Do you like them?

Oh, Kenny.

Is that terrific? It came as such a surprise.

I just had no idea in the world he'd do that.

I can't believe it.

Oh, Kenny.

Stock options, the whole works, Karen.

Aren't they beautiful?

Oh, yes.

♪ Ho, ho, ho, hee, hee, hee

♪ Your daddy is the king of the sea ♪

What's for dinner?

Venison.

Venison.

KEN: ♪ Ho, ho, ho, hee, hee, hee ♪

♪ When the moon and stars

♪ And the wind conspire

♪ With the kiss of night

♪ And some fresh desire

♪ It don't matter what you're thinking

♪ 'Cause pretty soon you got the notion

♪ And God, it's the best temptation

♪ Of all

Black book. Other room.

Linda, Linda, Linda.

[GROANING]

[TELEPHONE RINGING]

Hello.

JACK: Hey, Linda, is that you?

Yeah. Who's this?

This is the big bad wolf.

[LINDA LAUGHING]

Hi, Mr. Snyder.

Shit, Linda, it's Jack Goode.

Oh. Oh, hi.

That's it?

Well...

Hey, Linda, look, it's Christmas Eve.

What are you going to do to celebrate?

Nothing.

Nothing? No.

Fantastic.

What do you say we do nothing together?

Maybe it'll turn into something.

It's Christmas Eve.

JACK: I know, darling. I just can't help it. I'll make it up to you.

Listen, why don't you and Nancy go out and get a bite or something

and just save me a little bit, huh?

Okay.

Okay. I'm sorry, baby.

Okay.

Bye.

[PHONE HANGS UP]

RUSSELL: On the weekend,

every year I vow not to do it, and every year I get sentimental.

Oh, yes.

And this is for you.

I got it at Marvin Hime.

Thank you, Russell.

I hope it holds a lot.

Well, it's rather small. Oh, it's great.

Ken would like this.

[PHONE RINGING]

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello?

KEN: Ann?Yes.

Hello! How are you? This is Kenneth Hood.

Hi, Ken. How are you?

I'm just fine. How are you feeling?

Oh, I'm fine now that I hear your voice.

Ah, that's very nice. It's nice to hear your voice.

I'm not very good at this sort of thing.

I want to see you.

I don't care if it's for five minutes or ten minutes,

[STUTTERING] or 12 minutes, I would just like to see you.

Ken.

Yes? Yes?

[ERIC PLAYING PIANO]

♪ Nighttime

♪ And the raindrops pour down like tears

♪ Nighttime

♪ And the hours seem like years

♪ You want to scream

♪ But there's nobody there to hear

♪ And some voice inside says

♪ I don't know

♪ But Jesus, I'm scared ♪

♪ Every time I catch you looking over my shoulder

Sing it, Mr.B.

♪ Something happens to

♪ Me

[SCATTING]

Oh, I'm having a good time.

[SCATTING]

You're pretty.

Carroll's going to be home soon.

Let him come.

Any man who rents furniture from Jack Goode can't be all bad.

Yeah, but if he comes home we won't be alone.

Oh, that's all right. Oh, that's all right, too.

Be greedy.

Eat the whole thing, baby.

And then start on my brain.

That's got to be digested slowly.

Slow. Slow.

[MOANING]

Let me go to the men's room for a minute.

Sure.

Just let me get the key.

[WHISTLES]

ERIC: ♪ Nighttime

♪ With the darknesses

♪ Changing their hues

♪ Nighttime

♪ And the blacknesses

♪ Turn to blues

♪ You'd want to run

♪ But sometimes you've just got to choose

♪ Between what you need and

♪ What you're too damn scared to lose ♪

I have a little headache.

I think maybe I drank too much.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Does that make you feel better?

What are you thinking about?

Ken. Ken, look at me.

What do you see?

I see a very striking woman.

Then why don't you want to make love to me?

Ken, what are you thinking about?

Tell me.

My wife.

Well, don't.

No. She... Don't... She doesn't know me.

She sees people that aren't there.

She says we're always being watched.

Nobody's watching us, Ken.

Can you believe that?

No, come on, don't. I don't want you to do that!

You're not talking about money?

Oh.

No.

I don't believe you.

Not for this.

I have money.

Don't take it, Linda.

Okay, you take it. Take it.

Scrunch it up.

Put it down your blouse, just like a hustler.

All right, babe.

Now you give me my money's worth.

What are you doing?Come on.

Come on!Get away from me.

Your customer's getting itchy.

Get away from me!

Lie down and be still!

Look at me!

You look at me. Look at me, I said!

Now, will you listen to this?

I'm about one inch away from going all the way.

Gone, babe.

You want some?

[PHONE RINGING]

Don't answer it.

It's probably a wrong number.

Don't answer it.

God damn it, Karen!

I said don't answer it!

Hello?

CARROLL: I found that piece of paper again.

I think you have the wrong number.

Let me talk to your husband.

No, he doesn't live here.

If you hang up, I'll just call back.

Don't mention it.

Karen, if I can't see you, I'm going to go crazy.

All right.

Thank you. Goodbye.

[PHONE HANGS UP]

It was the wrong number.

You phony.

You goddamn phony.

Don't you want to talk to me, Kenny?

No, I don't want to talk to you.

[DOOR SLAMMING]

[CAMERA CLICKING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[DOOR CLOSING]

Ooh.

Turn you loose, kiddo.Okay.

FAYE: Hello, writer.

Hello, producer.

Oh, Nona.

Nona, can I borrow your apartment just for a few minutes?

Please.

[CAMERA CLICKING]

I mean, Merry Christmas wouldn't be civilized to say, now.

Or thank you.

I mean, after all, I brought you home, didn't I?

God.

Yeah, but who did you do that for? For me or for you?

I got news for you, baby.

Eric didn't like your song.

I forced it on him.

Your father paid for this.

We wanted you home, baby, safe for Christmas, you know.

'Cause we're going to eat you up alive, understand?

I believe that.

Watch out. Big bad wolf.

[GROWLING]

I don't care.

You don't?

You should, you know.

You've been bought, baby. You've been merchandised.

I'll tell you something. I'm beginning not to care.

[EXCLAIMING] About anything.

I really don't.

Excuse me, are you people coming inside?

Yeah. Come in my own time, right?

ERIC: One, two, three, four.

One.

[BAND PLAYING UPBEAT MUSIC]

Three.

Four.

[ERIC SCATTING]

Five.

Six.

Six.

[ERIC SCATTING]

Seven.

♪ They say the heart

♪ Is a lonely hunter

♪ The fresh tracking of tears

♪ The solitude and the sighs

♪ Then is your heart

♪ On the straight and narrow

♪ When the arrow flies

♪ When the arrow flies?

Are you ready to make a commitment?

Maybe.

ERIC: Four.

♪ The woman's heart was a coy deceiver

♪ The skinning of my truths

♪ The tanning of my pride

♪ Is your heart pure

♪ And pure enough for all fair men to feel

♪ When the arrow flies

♪ When the arrow flies?

♪ When the arrow flies, scraping itself against the skies

♪ Amongst the pinks and the blues and the grays

♪ You are a fey accepter

♪ Conducting the vectors of our every pale exchange

♪ I see you look to the west for an answer

♪ It's not in the setting of the sun

♪ Why not take a chance, let their gravities play

♪ Play!

♪ They say the heart is the lonely hunter

♪ The cooing of your voice

♪ The grooming of your furs

♪ Does your call bend

♪ Sweetly beckoned by the flutter of your thighs

♪ When the arrow

♪ Flies

♪ I don't care

♪ About your perceptions or your needs

♪ Those velvet thoughts and mindful deeds

♪ Baby, right now they don't mean anything to me

♪ 'Cause you, you

♪ You got a way of making me want to succeed

♪ To wound by excitement

♪ To make you laugh, to make you bleed

♪ Some say the heart is a lonely hunter

♪ Some say the heart is a lonely hunter ♪

♪ And after the end, baby, when the blues come on

♪ And the moon is gone

Finished!

[SOBBING]

♪ Lady

♪ I must have met you once before

♪ But looking at you now I ain't so sure

You need a massage.

♪ And after the end, baby, there's so much time

♪ And there's nothing to do

♪ I see you with your tales and fables

♪ Closing doors, the empty tables

♪ Smoking cigarettes and thinking until dawn

♪ Dodging your demons

♪ All night long

♪ After the end, baby, there's so much desperation

♪ And those silent accusations

♪ Bullshit expectations

♪ Drinking wine by the jug

♪ I guess it's like trying to get back the blood

[MOANING]

[MOANING]

Oh, please don't go.

Oh, let go, babe.

Just keep coming in me.

♪ After the end, baby, when the blues come on

♪ And the moon is gone

[PHONE RINGING]

Don't answer it.

Oh, I think we should answer it.

There is nobody I want to talk to.

Well, I'll answer it.

KEN: Hello?

This better be good.

Who is this, please?

Uh-uh. You first.

My name is... Listen, I obviously don't know you.

I was left a message to call this number.

So?

Well, the message was left by my wife. Her name is Karen.

She said for me to call her at this number.

Do you want to talk to your husband?

Hello.

Where are you?

It doesn't really matter.

Damn it, Karen, where are you?

Who answered the phone?

How long has this been going on, damn it?

It doesn't matter who answered the phone.

Karen, I want an answer.

You and I, it's not working.

Are you kidding?

And I'm sorry. It's...

Karen, you just stop this nonsense and get yourself home.

[PHONE HANGS UP]

Karen...

KAREN: I'm naked now.

[PHONE RINGING]

Don't answer it.

It's probably a wrong number.

We know who it is.

And you know I've got to answer it.

[RINGING CONTINUES]

Damn phone.

CARROLL: Yeah?

Phony.

You just did that.

Goddamn phony.

Well, yes, I know, but I really would like to

speak to her again, please.

It's for you.

Kenny.

Karen, now, listen. Don't hang up.

Tell me, why have you phoned back?

Just don't hang up. I promise I'm not going to get mad again.

I'd just like to speak to you.

I don't know what there is you can possibly say.

Well, I've been looking through

that photo album you gave me and...

You didn't like that.

Well, that's true, I didn't like it when you first...

You asked me what did I mean by giving you that.

I mean, I thought you'd love it.

Well, that's just it. You see,

when you first gave it to me, I was really upset by it.

Yeah, I know.

[STUTTERING] It was kind of like

bringing me back to something that I once was

and I just didn't want to remember it.

But I want you to remember it.

And I want us to remember it.

Anyway, that's what I wanted.

I know it's...

Kenny, don't. Stop it.

Karen, I really loved that.

[SOBBING]

Oh, Kenny.

Oh, Kenny, you're not without me.

I haven't left.

I'm coming back.

You know I am.

Listen.

Let's just talk on the phone for awhile.

Kenny, answer me one thing.

What about the other woman?

What other woman?

Listen, there's never...

There's never going to be any other woman but you.

No matter what.

Kenny, I don't know.

You're not going to change.

I mean, I'm always talking about changes,

but you're not going to change

because people don't change.

People do change.

No, they don't.

Nothing ever changes here, not even the weather.

No, people do change.

Love you, Kenny.

Kenny.

Don't cry when I say I love you.

I don't know.

[CHUCKLING] You silly old thing.

Hey, you should be smiling.

Are you smiling?

Yeah.

[STUTTERING] I love you, too.

Is that it?

What time are you going to come back?

Oh, I can't tell you that.

Well, I know I'm going to try and make things different.

I mean, I know I haven't been paying

the kind of attention to you than I should've been.

But if I was more involved

in the things that you liked being involved in...

I'll go and see Camille again.

It's not playing anymore.

Kenny, about your promotion.

Carroll, you were right.

I was with him all day,

and all he did was look at himself in the mirror

and fluff his hair and talk about himself.

It was awful.

Oh, that's a pretty sweater.

Thanks.

Where you going?

Out.

You like hats?

Yeah.

Do you like keys?

Yeah.

See you.

Bye.

Hey, Kenny, listen.

Oh, excuse me.

I'm Linda. This is my house.

Listen, Kenny.

I'm going to make you one big promise, one enormous promise.

I'm just going to get my Christmas packages.

I'll be out of your way.

The next time we see each other...

If you need anything, just holler, I'll be in my room.

I may never cook those horrible wild animals like venison and wild boar.

I mean, I'll just give you... Mmm... Lamb chops.

Plain old lamb chops. Okay?

And listen. I promise never to...

No, maybe you could promise to listen to me cough?

KEN: Listen.

I want you to understand something.

I believe that you and I can go beyond your normal

male and female relationship.

KAREN: Oh, Kenny.

And we could go and live in the country.

Well, I...

Just the family.

Oh, it'd be so lovely. It will be so lovely.

Hello?

Hello, Karen?

Karen?

Kenny?

It'd be so lovely in the country.

It'd be beautiful in the country.

[GASPING]

Scrub pads.

[GASPING]

I just had

the most lovely conversation with my husband.

He's giving up his job.

We're going to go live in the country

for my health.

What's the matter?

I don't think I have very long to live.

You don't?

I'm dying.

My cousin died

once.

My husband is looking for a chateau.

I've always wanted to see the inside of a real chateau.

Now I will.

What's a chateau?

A castle.

Oh.

What's your name?

Linda.

What's yours?

Marguerite.

Mine's really Virginia.

Your real name's Virginia?

A lovely name. Virginia,

the sleep of reason produces monsters.

[TAPE FAST-FORWARDING]

Couldn't stay away, huh, writer?

Where's the artist?

The writer wishes to speak to the artist.

He's gone.Huh?

Where'd he go?

This is a strange town.

Eric did not like it.

He's not going to finish the album.

It's okay. You'll get your money.

I like LA.

Yeah.

[DOOR CLOSING]

[CARROLL PLAYING PIANO]

It's all ready, man.

♪ When morning came to Sloane Square

♪ On that wet December night

♪ Spoken with a ghost

♪ Had a ticket for a flight

♪ I left you with your beauty

♪ And I left you with your sight

♪ I was 1,000 miles beyond you

♪ In the coming

♪ Of the light

♪ There's nothing like the northern sea

♪ At 30,000 feet

♪ Spread out with an icy mist

♪ Shivers like a sheet

♪ Canada's green boundaries, finally welcome to LA

♪ Where the air was thick and yellow

♪ With the stale taste

♪ Of decay

♪ But first I loved your soft complexion

♪ Your tawny cheeks and lip confections

♪ They photographed you for your style

♪ Your body held me for a while

♪ You could disguise with such beguile

♪ Now lying here, remembering it

♪ Better than it used to be is loneliness

♪ But it doesn't even matter 'cause

♪ I never really loved you much

♪ I guess

♪ When morning came to Sloane Square

♪ From that cold December night

♪ I had my bags packed for adventure

♪ And a free seat on a flight

♪ And soon it didn't matter

♪ What was wrong or what was right

♪ I was 1,000 miles beyond you

♪ In the coming

♪ Of the light

♪ Of the light