I want the world to see what it would miss if Bombshell went away.
(VOCALIZING)
KAREN: Previously on Smash...
Oh, my God. You're letting me go. Because of her?
Word on the street is that you couldn't hack it on Bombshell.
We're now allowed to resume work on the show.
How much do you need?
(SINGING) Mama makes three
Beyond directing one of Broadway's biggest stars in The Wiz, yes,
I have several offers.
They're letting you go.
Just because I shagged a couple of actresses?
(SINGING) I'm falling, baby, through the sky through the sky
Your friend said you guys are writing a musical, I'd love to hear more.
(SINGING) I'm ready to drown
Stay out of this, princess.
I just think you're really talented. I want to help.
Would it have killed you to do something for me, for once?
This is everything I've written so far.
You're a singular talent. Don't give up.
Is this a bad time? Do you have company or something?
Oh, hi.
KAREN: What did Ivy want? DEREK: Nothing important.
(DANCE MUSIC PLAYING)
(SINGING) If you start the party Don't end up leaving early
'Cause I've been waiting for you all night long
If you're falling I'll make it easy for you
'Cause I've been waiting for them all night long
You've got me dizzy It's quite a show
With all this spinning I won't let me let you go
Oh, I, oh, I
Think I could be good for you
I could be good for you
It's a good song, so what?
All their songs are good.
If they had an album, I'd buy it. Maybe.
But I'm a director of musicals, and there's no musical here.
That's because I'm only playing you the songs.
Which you did last week, as well.
And you liked them. I thought you'd want to hear more.
With you conveniently singing the demo this time?
Well, it is a song my character would sing.
She's an aspiring pop star.
Oh, there are characters, are there? Is there a plot as well?
Of course. And the writers would love to tell you about it themselves.
Can't I just read the book?
They're still working on it.
Meet with them. Let them explain their vision to you.
Look, I think it's great that you're hustling while Bombshell sorts itself out,
but new musicals take years to develop.
I need something right now. Something big.
This is big. I promise.
How about later today?
No, I've got a meeting.
The producers of The Wiz can't find my replacement yet.
Surprise, surprise.
I've convinced Ronnie to hear me out.
It's been a while since I've had something to prove.
It's quite refreshing.
Then you know how these guys feel.
All right. I will meet them.
Yay! Yes.
Yes.
So, tomorrow then?
So, what's going on, Eileen? Do we have news?
Well, we all agree there are some problems on the show that need fixing.
So, let's hone in on yours.
The book. Of course.
Tom and I have already started compiling some notes,
talking about a few new numbers,
maybe reordering some of the scenes.
I fear that's not going to be enough.
I think we need a fresh eye on the show.
A fresh eye? Yes.
There's someone I want you to meet. His name is Peter Gilman.
And I think you'll like him very much.
And what does this Peter Gilman do?
He's a professional dramaturg.
A dramaturg? Are you joking?
(LAUGHING)
Of course she's joking.
Well, actually, it's a very common practice these days.
Most of the big shows use one to reshape the book.
Look, I know I dropped the ball in Boston,
but Tom and I are incredibly focused,
ready to work 24l7.
And since neither of us has, actually, a life anymore...
I'm sorry, there just isn't enough time.
We've been allowed back into rehearsal, but the most we can do
is restage a few numbers if we don't have a new book.
And we need it fast.
I'll set the meeting for 3:00 p.m.
Today.
(IVY VOCALIZING)
That was really good, Ivy. We'll be in touch.
Thank you.
Bernie,
I know I shouldn't be asking this,
but I was wondering if I could come back and read for the role of Cecile as well?
Cecile? Mmm-hmm.
Every actress in town wants to do that part.
Well, I understand, but I read the script,
and I really think I can bring something special to it.
Aren't you committed to Bombshell when it moves to Broadway?
Okay, okay. I'm gonna give you a shot, but don't let me down.
I won't. Thanks, Bernie.
RONNIE: (SINGING) Here I am alone Though it feels the same
I don't know where I'm going
I'm here on my own And it's not a game
And a strange wind is blowing
I am so amazed by the things that I see here
Don't wanna be afraid I just don't wanna be here
In my mind, this is clear
What am I doing here?
I wish I was home
(CHUCKLES) DEREK: The Wiz has never sounded better.
Just familiarizing myself with the music.
(SIGHS)
Which one you like?
None of them.
Really? Why?
Why does the innocence of Dorothy have to be quite so on the nose?
And why is it period?
It should feel now, not nostalgic.
That's why we haven't found a director.
The producers keep sending me people with the same safe take.
I want to do something exciting for a change.
Yeah, well, producers rarely have vision.
That's why they need us to show it to them.
Look, I know I'm not their favorite person right now,
but what if I could change their mind?
Show them how family-friendly I can be?
I don't think that's possible.
Oh, I do.
We could stage a scene together, just you and me.
How about As Soon As I Get Home?
Derek Wills, auditioning?
Let's just call it, "Rubbing their noses in it,"
but if it gets it back for me, then yes,
it's an audition.
All right. Let me see if I can set it up.
You know what happens?
People hear that you have a dramaturg,
and the rumor gets out that the show's in trouble.
Okay, right.
But what about the part where people think I've lost it?
That I couldn't do it on my own?
Some dramaturgs really do help. Hi, three for Levitt, please.
Yeah. And then there are some who say they're going to help,
but then end up suing for credit.
WAITRESS: Enjoy your meal.
(SIGHS)
I looked the guy up on IBDB.
He's had one legitimate production in New York, and it was a play.
Eileen said he shepherded three musicals currently on Broadway,
and they're all hits.
And he didn't take credit on any of them.
A man who makes his living feeding off the work of other writers,
without creating anything of his own, is not a shepherd.
He's a parasite.
Hi, I'm Peter. The parasite.
Nice to meet you both.
Uh...
Don't worry. This part is always awkward.
Dramaturgs are like dentists. No one ever wants to see them,
but once the pain wears off, you're always glad you went.
I have perfect teeth.
It's true. She's never had a cavity.
Not my whole life, no.
Look, I know you guys don't want me here.
But you should know I wouldn't even take this meeting if I did not love your work.
Really? What've you seen?
Three on a Match, of course. Temps, which I thought was brilliant.
Didn't get a fair shake from the Times.
Uh, Heaven on Earth, a really fun night at the theater.
And I've been to three HoustonlLevitt nights at Joe's Pub.
There were only two.
I loved the 7:30 so much last time, I stayed for the 10:00.
(CHUCKLES)
Bombshell is your baby, I get that.
If you were to work with me, I would only be the midwife
helping to usher it safely into the world.
JULIA: You've read it, I assume?
Two or three times, just to get a sense, yeah.
I mean, I have some thoughts, but there's a great foundation.
I think it'll be extraordinary.
I've got a list of writers that I've worked with who will apparently sing my praises.
(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)
(SIGHS) I'm so sorry. Would you excuse me a minute?
(SCOFFS) We know half of the people on this list.
And we didn't know he worked on their shows.
He did that one?
I don't know. He seems pretty credible.
(SIGHS)
(JULIA SCOFFS)
God, I hope we don't regret this.
He wants to meet? No joke?
He loves the songs. Now he just has to hear the story.
Oh, my God. Derek Wills directing our show. I would die.
Whoa. Slow down there, Ky. It's just a meeting.
The guy's probably just being polite to his star, anyway.
Derek's never polite. He wants to meet tomorrow night at 9:00.
Tomorrow?
I know you know the story, Kyle. You've told it to me.
Of course I do. I'm just a little nervous.
Well, try not to be. You only get one shot with a guy like Derek.
What did you have to do to get yours?
It's what she didn't do.
Oh, wait. That was a private story?
Don't worry about us. One shot's all we need.
Wow, you didn't get all of this from, uh, your one play.
(CHUCKLES)
Script doctoring must pay well.
Well, my collaborators make more.
There's something you should know about me,
Julia, is I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to my coffee.
I prepare each cup individually, with this pour-over carafe.
Smell that? Mmm. Isn't it incredible?
I get the beans flown in directly from this little shop in...
I don't like coffee, I never did. I drink tea.
Why don't you just give me your thoughts
since you seem to have (CHUCKLES) a lot of them?
(CHUCKLES) I wouldn't say I have a lot. Yet.
Uh, I can start with some big picture stuff.
Now, I apologize if this sounds a little reductive,
but Bombshell, as it stands now, it's not a Broadway musical.
Excuse me?
(SCOFFS) It's a biopic. And not a very in-depth one at that.
There's no character development outside of the songs,
which are, admittedly, the best part.
Did you just call my book shallow?
Well, no. No, not at all.
Two-dimensional, maybe.
(LAUGHS)
The audience cried when Marilyn died.
We had standing ovations every night!
It was Boston.
I think you would feel differently if you had seen it.
I shouldn't have to.
It should live on the page, with no protection.
I think we should start on the first page...
Was there anything that you liked?
I think Marilyn Monroe is an interesting subject for a musical.
Tom, I was ambushed!
He wants to change everything.
So you didn't have fun with our potential collaborator?
Russell Crowe is more collaborative.
North Korea is more collaborative!
I'm going to Eileen's right now to tell her
that there is no way that we are working with that man.
Okay. Go to Eileen, get rid of the parasite.
In the meantime, I may have an idea.
(LAUGHS)
You look like that crazy dude from A Beautiful Mind.
You could help. I am.
I'm taking a hit every time you throw your hands up like that.
You think this is funny? Our meeting with Derek is tonight.
Look, you're the one that told Karen we'd have it all written out.
There are gaps. Things we lost when we moved, or stuff out of order.
Move.
What? This scene shouldn't be here. We had it at the top.
We cut this song. This one, too.
We had a better version of this entire sequence.
We worked on it all night, wasted, remember, Fourth of July?
I thought it was on my computer, but I can't find it anywhere.
It's in my old notebook. Which I left back at...
Forget it.
I thought this was important to you.
We'll remember it. I'm sure.
Not exactly how it was.
You can't go back there, Jimmy. End of story. (SIGHS)
Hello. Hey.
Can't believe Bombshell's back in rehearsal.
So what are we working on?
Moving the Line.
Just so long as we're done by dinner.
Hmm?
Kyle Bishop and Jimmy Collins? We're meeting them tonight.
Oh, no, yeah, we'll be done in plenty of time.
What is it?
I was starting to think I was never gonna be Marilyn again.
I wouldn't let that happen.
(CELL PHONE RINGING) Would you excuse me for a sec?
Ronnie, hi. Listen, Derek,
turns out one of the producers of The Wiz is in town right now.
He was open to your idea, but he's leaving town tomorrow.
Um, we're presenting a number from Bombshell for the team tomorrow.
Why don't you just bring him along?
It's a beautiful song. Might serve the same purpose. (SIGHS)
I'll get him there. Okay, good.
4:00, yeah?
All right, everyone, tomorrow just got a lot more important.
Dancers, Karen's going to sing a song, you're going to listen,
and then we're going to get to work. Karen?
(PLAYING PIANO)
(SINGING) The field was bright with clover I saw the finish sign
I started as a rover
And then victory was mine
I thought the race was over
But they just keep movin' the line
IVY: Tom? (DOOR OPENING)
They cheered at my persistence...
Look how good you are in the workshop last winter.
Why are you watching this?
I wanted to be reminded of our initial instincts before jumping back into it.
Wanna watch with me?
Did you find the CD?
(GASPS) Thank you. Apparently, this is out of print.
I've only seen the Dangerous Liaisons movie. This was based on the book.
And it's a lost gem. It's about time somebody revived it.
Well, I may have talked my way into an audition for it.
For Cecile?
Oh, my God. That is the best part in the show.
Madeline Kahn got nominated for Featured for it.
(CHUCKLING) Yeah, but I don't know who I think I'm kidding.
They're auditioning real names for it,
like Jenn Damiano and Jessie Mueller. And I'm...
Perfect for the part, Ivy.
This could be your breakout.
I don't know what came over me. I just knew I wanted it.
(SIGHS) I never thought somebody would give me the chance, after...
Keep moving
TOM: Just bring what you brought here,
and you'll crush this audition. I'm sure of it.
(VOCALIZING)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
Why can't they just set the deposition?
My whole company's waiting on this.
I don't care if they want to find Nick Felder first,
my team should not be penalized for their incompetence!
No, Eileen. No way.
I've put in way too much work to let this happen.
I'm gonna have to call you back, David.
Julia, what is it? What's so important? I'm juggling chainsaws here.
Peter Gilman wants to create a whole new Bombshell.
I don't even think he wants to call it Bombshell.
His notes were completely insane.
I think he was rather on the mark myself.
You knew about them? Well, how do you think I chose him?
He pitched his take to me in Boston.
He said he never saw the show.
Oh, Julia, he saw it four times.
This was a setup?
I thought if you came to this idea on your own,
that you'd be more comfortable.
I won't be forced to destroy my work like this.
Then you don't have to.
Thank you.
Julia, no one has invested more in this show than I have.
And if you don't want to do the work, I will find someone who will.
KAREN: (SINGING) They cheered at my persistence
But prayed for my decline
The path of least resistance led to Hollywood and Vine
DEREK: No. No, that's not it.
Remember, this number is about Marilyn realizing
that being taken seriously as an actress
is not the same thing as becoming a star.
I understand the song, thanks.
You might get it up here, but I'm not feeling it in here.
And when you come downstage here,
there should be a little sigh in the movement
before you pick yourself back up.
All right. Let's take it from the top, please.
Ivy?
Hi. Hey.
When you said you were here, I didn't realize Bombshell was back up.
Yeah, a little bit. It's not legally cleared yet, but soon.
What's up?
I was just gonna ask for a small favor, but I can see...
No, no, no, no. I could do with an audience right now.
Can you just watch something for me, please?
Uh, I don't think that's...
Ivy has a great eye. She can tell us where we're going wrong.
Okay, five minutes, we'll take it from the top.
Karen, a couple of things.
If the makers don't like the harvest,
they refuse to produce a single bottle.
It's one of the most highly regarded wines in the world.
Tobacco, graphite, plum...
You son of a bitch.
Contrary to the way this looks,
I am not sleeping with this woman.
How did you like my show in Boston, huh? Liar? (ALL CHUCKLING)
All four times you came?
Excuse me a minute.
How did you find me here?
You have a chatty doorman.
And this meeting could not wait till tomorrow?
Uh, a meeting is something two people agree to.
We've never had a meeting. That was a trap.
If I have no choice, then I want specifics.
Act by act, scene by scene, line by line!
First of all, I didn't lie about Boston. You did not ask.
Now you want specifics? Fine. Let's talk about the scope of your show.
Let's. Educate me. All right.
You chose to focus on DiMaggio, right? The domestication of Monroe?
Barefoot in the kitchen, making spaghetti sauce for her man.
It's a good center. For what?
You really think an audience wants to watch Marilyn the housewife?
The show is about the biggest movie star in the world
feeling like she still needs the stability
of home to become a complete woman.
It's her struggle to find balance between career and family.
Look, that conflict might be your way into Marilyn's story,
but it is not necessarily the most sellable
or even relevant to a Broadway audience.
(LAUGHS) It's relevant to most women I know.
And women buy the majority of the tickets on Broadway!
Or maybe you concentrated on DiMaggio
because you were in love with the actor who played him. (GASPS)
Which, actually, I find surprising,
because it damn sure didn't come through in the text.
Marilyn Monroe was the greatest sex symbol in American history, okay?
And the show had no sex. No sweat!
Just a few sly songs with lyrics that faded to black before it got good.
I mean, where was the steam on the windows, Julia, huh?
The excruciatingly slow striptease?
The, um...
The heat?
I don't know. Maybe you've just never felt it yourself.
You think I don't know heat?
Mmm-mmm.
I broke up a perfectly good marriage for heat.
I sacrificed everything for it.
I know heat better than anyone!
Then prove it.
Go to hell.
(SIGHS)
(WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY)
(KAREN CHUCKLES)
(SINGING) Somebody said you got a new friend
(INAUDIBLE)
Does she love you better than I can?
There's a big, black sky over my town
I know where you're at I bet she's around
Yeah, I know it's stupid
I just gotta see it for myself
I'm in the corner, watching you kiss her
Oh
I'm right over here, why can't you see me?
Oh
I'm giving it my all but I'm not the girl you're taking home
Ooh
I keep dancing on my own
Ooh
I just came to say good-bye
(PIANO PLAYING)
No, no, no!
You're still outside it, Karen.
I don't understand what you want. I'm not sure you do, either.
JOSH: Okay, let's take five.
Hey.
(SIGHS)
I thought you wanted a favor.
I changed my mind.
What? The number was that bad?
(SIGHS) It's not the number.
Ivy, Ivy...
What can I do to make this better?
It's not you. I shouldn't have come.
I meant the number.
(SIGHS)
You're doubting yourself.
You don't do that, remember? And neither should I.
(DOG BARKING)
(POLICE SIREN WAILING)
You've got balls, Jimmy. I'll give you that.
Hey.
(SIGHS) You're late.
But it's okay, everyone is.
I really hope this is good enough.
Will this help?
Your lip... Jimmy, what did you do?
I told you not to go back there.
It's your one shot, right, pal?
Our shot, Jimmy.
(CELL PHONE BUZZING)
Karen, hey. Really? That's, um...
Karen, what's up?
Hey, I'm rehearsing with Derek, and we can't get away. I'm so sorry.
The good news is he knows you were ready, and he's very excited.
DEREK: Karen? I'll call you tomorrow to reschedule, okay?
What did she say?
Nothing. Let's bounce.
Ah, there you are. I've been waiting to talk to you about some...
Get your butt into the studio now, Tom. We're going to be working all night.
I said now!
"Valmont, you have asked, and I have answered.
"But we cannot go on like this.
(SIGHS) "I belong to Danceny.
(YAWNS)
"You wear jealousy well, but on him..."
Sorry, Ivy, it's not you! I was up all night working with Julia.
I don't blame you for yawning. I'm so boring.
And my accent's horrible!
I should just cancel the whole audition.
Hey! You asked me for help, let me help.
We just haven't found her yet. And by "we," I mean "you."
(CHUCKLES) So who is Cecile?
At the start, she's innocent...
Unbroken. Mmm-hmm.
Untouched. Floating through a life that's, uh...
Preordained.
Secretly waiting for something,
anything to pull her out of it.
Sounds like Karen Cartwright.
Be nice.
Sorry.
I'm Cecile. I'm innocent and nice and yearning. Continue.
So, she's easily corrupted.
Over time, though, she learns to manipulate the men in turn.
Oh, my God. She's Marilyn.
Know who else she is? You.
You know what it's like to learn how to fight back.
So Cecile tortures the men who hurt her.
Sounds like fun. (CHUCKLES) You bet your ass it does.
See, look at your face, you're already feeling it.
This role is in you. You can do this.
Tom, five minutes.
Okay.
I'm so proud of you. You're gonna do great today.
Thank you. Okay.
(DOOR OPENING)
What's going on?
Who are you?
This is our friend Matt. He's gonna be doing us a favor for the day.
You do realize we're doing Moving the Line today?
Not anymore. We have a new number for you.
Matt will play JFK until Simon arrives.
No. We're doing my number, as planned.
(DOOR OPENING)
Oh, God, who's this one, RFK?
No. This is the dramaturg you signed off on.
You wanted him, now you're going to watch what I've done.
Okay, this is Kennedy and Marilyn.
The mating dance between them at Bing Crosby's country home,
that leads to the first time they have sex.
This isn't going to help you with The Wiz.
No, it's not.
I texted Karen again, but I haven't heard back yet.
I'm sure she'll call later with a new time.
Oh, yes, much later.
Like eight months. Or never.
Karen's worked too hard to just disappear.
She got Derek excited about us.
And recorded a demo for free.
And you're basing this on what?
You've known her for two minutes.
I can just tell. She's not fake.
Promise.
We haven't had much time to work on this.
All right. Let's see what you've got.
All right. We'll just have to stagger through it in the start, okay?
Okay.
DEREK: It's good of you to come, Henry.
Veronica believes in you.
I figure I owe her the benefit of the doubt.
You're very kind. Ronnie, come here.
Listen, there's been a bit of a change of plan.
Um, we're gonna do a number that's not exactly PG, you know.
So if you want to just go for drinks, I can meet you after.
Well, we're here. We want to watch you work. It'll be fine.
Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Enjoy.
Here we go.
Okay, so the scene is Bing Crosby's house in Palm Springs.
Kennedy and Marilyn have arranged to meet for the first time.
Space is transformed. We hear music and sounds of a party.
Kennedy sees Marilyn enter, and their eyes lock across the room.
Mr. President.
Call me Jack.
I'm a huge fan of your pictures.
(CHUCKLES) I'm a fan of yours as well.
Glad to finally meet you in the, uh, flesh.
Disappointed?
(SCOFFS) Shall we go somewhere to talk, get to know each other better?
Go somewhere where there's...
(SINGING) No FBI getting nervous No CIA peeking through
I've got my own Secret Service to take care of you
We can get to know each other right here, can't we?
Why don't we go where...
(SINGING) No one from Time or from Newsweek can document our rendezvous
It's our little secret Just us two
Everyone's watching.
Is your wife?
Jackie doesn't approve of my parties. Or my friends.
I hear you have a lot of friends. Maybe that's why.
Our host wants to see you.
Bing? Now? Where is he?
I had to get you alone.
Do you always get what you want?
I haven't told you what I want yet.
How about I never do, and you have to guess?
(SINGING) Outside of this room there's a Cold War
But you'd never know it in here
There's just no defense The heat's too intense
And, oh, how it rises whenever you're near
You want the same thing everyone wants. I thought you'd be different.
So let's do it now for our country
I'll raise the old red, white and blue
It's our little secret
Just us two
(JIMMY APPLAUDING)
Who are you?
You must be Derek. I'm Jimmy Collins.
Jimmy who?
Exactly.
HENRY: That's supposed to change our minds?
That was absolutely the right direction for Kennedy.
It's got glamour, power, sex. It's the new Broadway. Good job.
Look at you. You proved me wrong.
That was almost an apology. Try again?
Am I supposed to be sorry for something?
The way you talked to me yesterday, for starters.
I'm not sorry about that. I rather enjoyed it myself.
You're even crazier than I thought. Hmm.
Now tell Eileen that I did this on my own,
and that we won't be needing your services.
On your own?
You never would've written it without me pushing you.
Sorry, kid. You're stuck with me now.
Oh, my God, Tom. Tom, guess what?
I got the part! I am Cecile!
Oh, my God, Ivy! (GIGGLING)
Yeah, they said all the other girls played the innocence.
And I found the drive underneath.
I wish you could see my face. I'm grinning like an ape.
After everything that's happened, you're the one who's going to be on Broadway!
Well, thanks to you.
You'd make a really great director, you know.
(SCOFFS) Please.
(LAUGHS) Seriously! You understand style and intention,
and you know how to get the best out of people without torturing them.
That's no small thing.
Hmm. Art without torture. I don't think it's possible.
KAREN: What happened to your lip? Doesn't matter, all right.
Jimmy, I'm sorry about the last few days. It's just been...
You don't have to explain, Karen. Your show is in rehearsals.
It's totally fine. I get it.
Just because I'm in Bombshell doesn't mean I'm any less available for you and Kyle.
I totally meant what I said about your musical.
We're going to get it moving.
Uh, how? Derek doesn't even know who the hell we are!
That's not true.
I played him your songs and he loved it.
He was just in the moment and it was our first day in rehearsal in a long time,
and he just couldn't place you, that's all.
Look, I really don't care either way.
This is a bunch of crap that I scribbled down when I was wasted.
But to Kyle, this is everything.
And for the first time in his life, you have him believing
that the one thing that he's ever wanted could actually come true.
Now, if that's not the case, you tell him.
(SIGHS)
If we're really stuck with you, then let's talk process going forward.
What are you thinking?
Well, now that you know I can hit a scene out of the park,
I think it would be good to go back and take a broader view.
I don't agree.
About a broader view?
No, that she hit the scene out of the park.
(CHUCKLING) Excuse me! Everyone loved the scene.
Well, that's because it was good, but it wasn't right.
What the hell does that mean?
Oh, come on. Julia, you got it backwards.
You had Kennedy as the predator and poor Marilyn as the prey.
He and Bobby destroyed Marilyn. (LAUGHS)
You know, for such a sophisticated woman,
that's an incredibly naive point of view.
I mean, Marilyn only slept with very powerful men who could help her.
Ergo, she was the predator. Ergo?
Jack and Bobby's cruelty led to her death.
But I guess she was asking for it, huh?
Blame the victim, now that is a sophisticated point of view!
Jack and Bobby died, too, let's not forget it.
Oh, are you saying Marilyn Monroe killed the Kennedys?
Did you run that little twist by Eileen in Boston on one of your four trips?
You know, it's a lot better than Shadow Selves, that's for sure.
Now those are out? With extreme prejudice.
Ding, ding, ding. Both of you, back to your corners, take a rest.
Wow.
You're still here?
I came back. Sorry I ran off before.
It's okay.
Seeing what you did up there made me jealous.
I've never been allowed chances like that.
When I first got in this business, all I wanted to do was get to the top.
And now I'm stuck there.
Broadway's sweetheart, playing Dorothy at almost 30 years old.
It's not too late.
Which is why I just dropped out of The Wiz.
It's time I show everyone what I'm capable of.
What can I do to help?
I want to do a one-night-only show.
The kind of concert that people talk about years from now,
kick themselves for missing.
Of course.
I want the world to know that Veronica Moore is not their Broadway baby anymore.
Can you do that?
Can you?
(SIGHS)
It's scary, but if I'm going to grow, I got to take this chance.
Do you want to grab a drink and talk about it?
Uh, yeah, you know what? Can we just take a rain check?
There's something I've got to do.
But we'll do it very soon, okay?
Karen?
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(LAUGHS)
Uh...
Jimmy, Karen is outside with Derek Wills.
(LAUGHING) You're that drunk already? You're such a lightweight.
No, they are really here! Yeah? Well, they can go
'cause I'm not having this meeting right now. Screw them.
What did I just...
Hi. Derek. Kyle Bishop.
Hey.
I can't believe you're standing in my apartment.
Hello again, Jimmy.
I'm Derek.
I like your work.
Sorry, I was a bit busy earlier.
Plus I'm not a huge fan of uninvited guests in my rehearsal room.
Well, you had a lot on your plate.
Yes, I did.
But I'm here now.
It's cool you came, you kept your promise.
That's, uh, rare.
KYLE: Beer?
Thank you.
KYLE: So, there's this kid, right? He comes from a nothing family.
You know, dad dies, mom remarries some animal, beats the crap out of him.
The kid packs up, he lives on the streets.
Drugs, stealing, you know, whatever.
You've heard all this stuff before.
Which is why it's all done away with in the opening number.
JIMMY: Yeah, he hates the world. He thinks everybody's against him.
Which... He's probably right.
He wishes he could show everyone how they really are.
And I should care if he does because, what?
His music, right? It's, like, the one thing he's got.
Songs about all the people who've lied to him.
People who've broken his heart, tried to take him, been fake.
He calls them his hit list. It's how he gets his revenge.
Yeah, they're good, maybe great, but he's a nobody from nowhere,
with no way out and no way in.
Until he meets this girl that he can't have.
There's always a girl.
She's rich, she's beautiful, she has everything money can buy.
And she has this amazing voice. You know, she wants to be a singer,
but, you know, who cares about what some rich girl wants? You know?
She's never even given him a second look,
till she hears him playing one of his songs one night.
(PLAYING PIANO)
They hang out, hook up. Total dream come true for this guy.
But in the morning, girl's gone.
Disappears. Not even her family knows where.
Until he hears his songs on the radio.
Sung by her. Yeah. She stole them.
She changed her name. She became someone else.
And after a while, she needs more.
Because she's like a junkie now, but her drug is fame.
And he gives them to her.
But he gives them to her because he loves her.
He doesn't care if she is using him,
he doesn't care if his love for her destroys him,
because when he hears her sing...
It gets pretty dark after that.
There's all these other characters, too...
So it's A Star Is Born plus Hamlet, with a bit of Romeo and Juliet.
Moulin Rouge, Gaga, JT LeRoy.
Or none of those things.
You like it.
It feels quite current.
I think "Hit List" might be quite a good title, don't you?
Uh, well, I'm warning you,
everybody dies in the end.
No, they don't. You just need one really good death.
But we'll get to that.
Good, 'cause we kind of don't have the second act yet.
Well, that's lucky. Second acts are my specialty.
God knows I've had enough of them myself.
Well, why don't we have some more beers, and we can talk about how this might work.
Even better. I'll get the beers while Jimmy plays you some songs.
(CHUCKLES) On it!
Why don't we take it from the top?
(PIANO PLAYING)