NORMA
Is this what you're looking for, by any chance?

JOE
Why, yes.

NORMA
Whose phone number is this?
I've been worried about the line of my throat.
I think this woman has done wonders with it.

JOE
Good.

NORMA
And I've lost half a pound since Tuesday.

JOE
Very good.

NORMA
Now it's after nine. I'd better get to bed.

JOE
You had.

NORMA
Are you coming up?

JOE
I think I'll read a while longer.

NORMA
You went out last night, didn't you, Joe?

JOE
I went for a walk.

NORMA
You took the car.

JOE
I drove to the beach.

NORMA
Who's Betty Schaefer?

JOE
Surely, you don't want me to feel as if I'm a prisoner in this house?

NORMA
You don't understand, Joe. I'm under such a terrible strain.
It's been so hard I even got myself a revolver.
The only thing that stopped me from killing myself was the
Thought of all those people, waiting to see me back on the screen.
How could I disappoint them? All I ask is a little patience, a little understanding.

JOE
Norma, there's nothing to worry about. I haven't done anything.

NORMA
Of course you haven't. Good night, my darling.

JOE
I should have stayed there
Poor Norma
So desperate to be ready
For what would never happen
But Betty would be waiting
We had a script to finish
One unexpected love scene
Two people, both risking
A kind of happy ending