Judy      No – no – just a tiny drop. With soda. I’ve got a terrible headache. It’s so I can sleep.

Mickey      You won’t sleep. You’re being treated for mange.

Judy      Please – I’m begging you.

Mickey      No!

Judy      Okay – okay … So long as you stay …

She cuddles up closer to him.

… Remember when we were together that first night at your club. Remember how beautiful that was? We talked for hours … We talked through breakfast … That’s what it will be like, Mickey. Oh, I know I have bad days. Bad nights.

And we may need to buy the odd fruit bowl … But there’ll be more good than bad. I promise you that.

She takes hold of a nearby cushion and lays down on the floor, exhausted.

Mickey      … You want a bath or a shower?

Judy (not listening)      I’ll try harder … Don’t give up on me. – I love you, Mickey. You do know that, don’t you?

Realising he won’t get an answer, he exits into the bathroom. She doesn’t notice and keeps talking.

I just need you to know that because – … they tend not to stay around. The men I love. They go while I’m not even looking. I don’t mean it to happen … I won’t lose you, will I, Mickey?

He returns from the bathroom. She looks up at him with sad eyes.

… Will I?

Mickey      … You want anything?

Judy      … I want cigarettes. There are no cigarettes.

He grabs the room keys and exits. She watches him go, wondering if he’s coming back. She cries out to him.

Judy      … Mickey …?!

Music begins. Lighting change. Transition into song sequence. We are not in concert here. This is nowhere in particular, a space in her mind. The first lyrics are half-spoken, half-sung as she eases gradually into the song.

SONG
‘THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY

The song ends. She exits slowly to the bathroom as lights fade to blackout.

Act Two

Scene One

Lights rise on Judy sat at her dressing-room table in the hotel room. She is without make-up and draped in her dressing gown. Anthony enters.

Anthony      I’ve come from the theatre.

Judy      I’m not there.

Anthony      So I realised. And where’s Mickey?

Judy      He has a meeting with Delfont. To discuss a problem.

Anthony      And they didn’t invite you?

Judy      I am the fucking problem …!

Anthony      … What time’s your car?

Judy      Eleven. I’ll walk straight on.

Anthony      But you haven’t done your make-up?

Judy      I was just getting around to it. I could have put on some foundation, but – I forgot to bring my bucket and shovel.

He smiles.

Anthony      Would you like some help?

Judy      No.

Anthony      I’ll take that as a ‘Yes’.

He starts preparing all the make-up.

Judy      You’ll take ‘No’ as a ‘Yes’? – How does that work?