She breaks away from him. He is infuriated. He paces around the room, tormented by the situation. Then he stops and looks at her.

Mickey      … Alright … Tell me what you – … Judy. (She looks at him.) … Tell me what you want, I’ll get it for you.

Judy      … What?

Mickey      … You can take whatever you want, so long as it gets you back up there – What do you need? … Ritalin?

Judy      You’ve spent the last month getting me off them.

Mickey      Yes, but … (A beat.) … You have to finish the show. So – how many?

Judy      You’ve got some?

He goes to locate the pills which are well hidden elsewhere in the room. Her attitude changes immediately and she gets hungry for the pills. She crosses to him, her hand out ready.

Judy      Well, I – (She stares at the bottle.)

Mickey      You finish the programme from the first half and then go straight into the second set. We still have to give them the full show, okay?

Judy      … Okay … You’ll have to let me go to my dressing room when we get there. In 15 minutes, I’m gonna want a piss … And I don’t want to do it half-way through ‘Ol’ Man River’.

Mickey      Fine.

He empties some pills into his hand and counts out half a dozen. He pauses before giving them to her, uncertain again. Unable to wait, she grabs the pills out of his hands. And swallows a couple of them dry. As she does so, Anthony walks into the room.

Anthony      So? (He sees Mickey and Judy with the pills.) – What are you doing? Mickey – what the hell are you – ?! What are they?

She fetches herself a drink and swallows the rest of the tablets, one at a time.

Mickey      I know what I’m doing.

Anthony      No, Mickey.

Mickey      Look, there’s no choice here – I’m resolving the situation.

Anthony      Oh, well that’s real genius. This is the great plan, is it? Drugs to make her sing, make her dance – then a few more to get her down the aisle.

He crosses to her.

Don’t drink as well.

He takes the glass from her and puts it down.

Anthony      This is insanity. Why don’t we just cancel?

Mickey      Because she needs this show.

Anthony      You mean you need it. This is your meal ticket. You’re here for every penny you can get.

Mickey      You don’t understand this.

Anthony      Oh, don’t I? (Heavy sarcasm.) When’s your book coming out?

Mickey      Will you give your mouth a rest. You have no idea how deep in the ditch she is. She’s got nothing! I’m all she has.

Anthony      And I thought less than nothing wasn’t possible.

Mickey      Somebody has to help her. You guys – you fags – you just stand back and watch!

Anthony      Oh, don’t be –