Chapters (9)
Charles Some of the chaps on the set have been talking, Mr Taylor included, about living in California together, after the filming. Down in San Diego. There’s even talk that an architect is building houses for little people! Do you think we could get one, Bert?
Bert That’s all a cocksucking myth. Don’t believe that kinda bullshit, Charlie. I heard it all before, a nice community for little people. Houses for little people! Wise up, kid! Hell’s gonna get a cold snap before they build houses for the likes of us.
Charles looks cut to the quick.
Charles Oh my, I really hoped . . . I need to get out of here.
Bert Reckon the way it’s going, one more week we should be –
Charles A week?
Bert A week the very least is all.
Charles shoots over to Bert.
Bert What?
Charles (gripping hold of Bert’s lapels, pleading) No, no, a week! No, that’s no good. A week’s no good, I need –
Bert Woah, take it easy, take it easy, Charlie.
Charles This place is evil, Bert. It’s evil. I need to get out. I need to get away right now!
Bert Hey, evil’s a little over the top. Sure, they’ve got to calling this place Babylon Heights but I think you’re maybe overreacting here a little.
Charles I can’t – I just can’t face it any more.
Bert Face it? Face fucken what? You can’t face me and you suckin down on juicy sirloins and quarts o’ bourbon, maybe getting our dicks sucked by those two Dutch honeys later, uh?
Charles No, it’s, it’s not that.
Bert You gotta – look, you gotta calm down, Charlie, I’ll go down the liquor store, uh? Get us a drink, OK? You just need to calm down a little. Here, come on, lie down, uh, have a nap, Hollywood’s got a way o’ getting to little people.
Charles . . . I really need to get out, Bert.
Bert Yeah, yeah, sure you do, kid. You need – we all need to get out. You get a nap, you get a nap and I’ll get us a drink, OK?
Bert leads Charlie over to the bed. Philomena comes out of the bathroom, a towel over her hair and a long dressing gown buttoned up to her neck. She glowers at Bert.