Welcome to L.A. (1976) - full transcript
This mosaic comedy-drama tells the story of a La Ronde-like circle of romantic adventures and failed affairs centered around a songwriter named Carroll Barber and his father Carl Barber. There is a trail of Carroll's past relationship spread throughout the city of Los Angeles. Barber is an aloof womanizer who cannot commit to any relationship, and is used to illustrate the loneliness of Los Angeles big-city life. Among the women in his life are Ann Goode, a lonely real estate agent, Karen Hood, a Valley housewife addicted to taxi rides, Linda Murray, a woman prone to vacuuming in the nude and Nona Bruce, the snapshot-taking mistress of a wealthy man.
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
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