Merrily We Roll Along (2025)

[bunniefuu]

[Audience chatter]

[Light laughter]

[Orchestra playing

Lively big band music]

[Audience cheering]

[Orchestra playing flourish]

-[Song ends]

-[Audience cheering]

[Hopeful music playing,

Merrily we roll along ]

Waitress: yesterday is done

See the pretty countryside

Jerome: merrily we roll along

Roll along

Bursting with dreams

Kt: traveling's the fun

Bunker:

Flashing by the countryside

Meg: everybody merrily

Bunker: merrily

Group i: catching at dreams

Rolling along

Rolling along

Rolling along

Dreams don't die

So keep an eye

On your dream

Group ii: and before you know

Where you are, there you are

Group i: time goes by

And hopes go dry

But you still can try

For your dream

Meg: tend your dream

Group ii:

How does it happen?

Tyler: dreams take time

Group ii:

Once it was all so clear

Bunker: time goes by

Group ii: how can you get

So far off the track?

Why don't you turn around

And go back?

Meg: bend your dream

Group ii:

How does it happen?

- Where is the moment?

- Group i: with the road

Group ii: how can

You miss it? Isn't it clear?

How can you let it

Slip out of gear?

All: how did you ever

Get there from here?

Group i: you roll

Group ii: how does

It happen?

- How does it happen?

- Group i: you just roll

Group ii and group iii:

Once it was all so clear

Group i: everybody roll

Group ii:

How does it start to go?

Group ii and group iii:

Does it slip away slow

All: so you never even notice

It's happening?

How did you get to be here?

All: what was the moment?

How did you get to be here?

Charley and mary:

Pick yourself a road

Get to know the countryside

Soon enough, you're merrily

All: merrily

Practicing dreams

Dreams that will explode

Waking up the countryside

Making you feel

Merrily, merrily

What can go wrong?

- Rolling along

- Group ii: some roads

Are soft

And some are bumpy

Some roads you really fly

Some rides are rough

And leave you jumpy

Why make it tough by

Getting grumpy?

Plenty of roads to try

- Some roads are soft

- Group i: one trip

Group ii: and some

Are bumpy

Group i: all you get

- Some roads you really fly

- Group i: is one

Quick ride

Look around a bit

Group ii:

Some rides are rough

Group i: one quick ride

Group ii:

And leave you jumpy

-Why make it tough

-Group i: through

The countryside

Group ii: by getting

Grumpy?

Group i: stay on the track

Plenty of roads to try

- Never look back

- Some roads you really fly

All: never look back

Never look back

Never look back

Never look back, never look

[Bright music playing]

How did you get to be here?

What was the moment?

How did you get to be here?

Bending with the road

Gliding through

The countryside

Merrily we roll along,

Roll along

Catching at dreams

Dreams that will explode

Waking up the countryside

Everybody merrily, merrily

Sing 'em your song

Rolling along

Rolling along

- Rolling along

- Rolling a...

-[Whoops]

-[Laughter]

[ That frank playing]

Hey.

[Lively chatter]

I said, "frank, this picture

Is a watershed"

Hey, let me tell you

About my new...

I said, "frank, one day

You'll run my studio"

[Lively chatter, laughter]

I said, "frank, will you

Listen to that response?"

I said, "frank really knows

What the public wants"

I said, "frank, this picture

Is a watershed"

-Know what I'm having?

-What?

Not much fun.

-Party!

-Oh, my god, look at him.

Group i: that frank

That guy is too much

Hey, the party's outside.

That frank

Do you like the picture?

The platinum touch

How about more champagne?

He has taste,

He has talent

Is he the best?

Plus, a fine head

For business

- The man is blessed

- That frank

[Lively chatter, laughter]

I wrote the screenplay

For frank's movie.

Your secret's safe with me.

Meg: frank.

Frank: oh, tyler,

I want you to meet meg,

The star of my movie.

My old friend tyler here

Is the man who invented

The telephone answering machine.

And people are living in fear

I'll invent something else.

Group i: that frank

So, what do you do?

Group i:

He's full of advice

I drink.

That frank

No, what do you really do?

All: and, god, is he nice

I really drink.

What a friend,

What a host

And his work is great

Has a wife

Who is gorgeous

A son who's straight

He's a type

You can easily learn to hate

That frank

[Lively chatter, laughter]

Who says,

"Lonely at the top"?

[Lively chatter, laughter]

I say, "let it never stop"

[Lively chatter]

It's our time

Coming through

All our dreams coming true

Working hard, getting rich

-[Laughs]

- Being happy

- There's a switch

- That smile

Bunker: don't you miss

Writing music?

He's hot, but he's cool

That was the old frank shepard.

What style

This guy's the american dream.

And what a great pool

If you had no idea

What "charisma" meant

And you just can't be jealous

He's such a gent

He's the kind of a man

- That you can't resist

- That frank

-Franklin.

-Meg, this is mary flynn.

Mary is my deepest, closest,

Best friend in all the world.

Congratulations on the movie.

Your performance will stay

With me for a long time.

We go way back.

But seldom forward.

Actually, franklin gave me

The novel you wrote,

And I read it over and over.

Well, didn't you get it

The first time?

Hey, g*ng,

We've got dancing outside!

Come on!

I said, "frank, you're

Coming down to mexico"

Honestly...

I think frank is moving

Back to paramount

What?

These are the movers

These are the shapers

These are the people

- Who fill the papers

-Group i: mexico

Mary: these are

The friends of frank

- Moving back to paramount

- Each one a perfect blank

When you see a movie

That's successful

What can you say?

-Congratulations!

-Thank you.

Mary: these are the movers

These are the shapers

These are the people

Who give you vapors

20 Years ago,

Who'd have guessed?

Who'd have guessed

We'd be standing here?

God, we would have been

So impressed

Now we're here

With the most

Group i: mexico

Brilliant minds

On the coast

Group ii: moving back

To paramount

And notice

Who is their host

-Group: mexico

- Beautiful, frank

Acapulco, mexico

Beautiful, frank

When you've made a movie

That's successful

Where do you go?

Paramount!

No!

Here's to us.

Who's like us?

-Damn few.

-Damn few.

Thanks, pal, for flying out.

[Chuckles]

Thanks, pal, for the ticket.

[Frank chuckles]

I got a letter from frankie.

Well, at least my son

Writes to you.

Yeah, to thank me

For coming to his graduation.

-He didn't invite me.

-He didn't invite me either.

-How is he anyway?

-[Scoffs]

I mean, he asked

The same thing about you.

-Frank, look,

Why don't the two of you...

-Kt: frank!

-...finally get on...

-I am beginning my broadcast.

Where franklin shepard goes,

I go,

Because that is where

The a-list goes.

[Frank and kt chuckle]

I just figured out

What the "a" stands for.

Now, I heard a reliable rumor

That you're selling

The malibu house.

You don't want it. The place

Doesn't even have a pool.

No pool?

[Laughs]

In my rat's hole in new york,

The john is terminally busted,

And the kitchen

Should be condemned.

But no pool?

Trash it!

Let's have some coffee, mary.

Group ii: poor frank

I never drink coffee.

He handled that well

Caffeine isn't good for you.

That frank

Look, I'm aware

This was just a formula movie.

He's loyal as hell

But my next picture, you wait.

I gave up waiting.

He's polite and considerate

Rain or shine

It began when I tasted

Communion wine

That frank

[Lively chatter]

Who says,

"Mustn't go too far"?

[Lively chatter]

I say,

"Look at where we are"

[Lively chatter]

It's our time

Coming through

I say, "good, me and you"

I say, "roll,"

I say, "ride"

I say, "hey,

There's food outside"

Group ii: that frank

Frank's movie was fun.

Group ii:

You'd think he'd relax

Frank knows

What the public wants.

Not frank

And frank made a star!

He's laying new tracks

I love a movie movie!

If you had no idea

What "charisma" meant

And you just can't be jealous

He's such a gent

He's the kind of a man

Who could be president

- That frank

-[Imperceptible]

That frank

That frank

[Lively chatter]

That frank

[Audience cheering]

Frank.

Tonight I saw a falling star.

I was running across the lawn,

And then right there

In front of me, I see...

And what do we see

In front of us?

-A rising star.

-[Chuckles] oh.

Because no matter

What the critics say

About this picture,

They are certain to love you.

They're certain to, no matter

What they say about the picture.

The plot thins.

Meg, you know my wife gussie.

Everybody who's been

To a broadway show

Knows gussie carnegie.

The hem of your garment.

I say, by tomorrow,

All of that

Will be at your feet.

-Oh.

-[Chuckles]

Scotty, that's the valley.

Have you been outside

All this time?

It's customary when you give

A party to attend it.

Did you sing?

No one asked.

Meg: franklin.

Frank: later.

You're ignoring me.

Yes, I am.

-I've got feelings.

-And I've got a wife.

I love you so much.

And I love you, too.

[Tyler clears throat]

Anyway, I'm off.

Tomorrow I fly to new york.

While you're there,

Do not miss

The new charles kringas play.

That is the only show in years

That actually deserves

Its pulitzer prize. [Chuckles]

I say, in every generation,

There's one playwright.

Oh, my god, what did I say?

[Chuckles] don't you know

That in this joint,

You must never, ever mention

The name charles kringas?

-Mary, for god's sake.

-Mary: yeah, see,

Charley, frank and I were once

These devoted,

Inseparable friends.

Gussie: would anyone

Care to come outside?

Up until that famous

Television interview

Where charley,

In front of the whole nation...

-Mary, enough!

-Mary, I've warned you.

Hey, the house numbers

Are in from the east coast.

And it went through the roof.

[Cheering, excited chatter]

"The surprise of

Darkness before dawn

"Is meg kincaid,

A starry-eyed find."

Tyler: to franklin shepard,

Who I've known ever since

We started out together

Back in a crummy little

Greenwich village saloon.

Jerome: to frank shepard,

Congratulations to the client

Every lawyer dreams of:

Forty years old,

A hit in new york,

-Now a hit in hollywood...

-[Group whoops]

-...married to

This broadway legend...

-Oh, stop.

...surrounded by the people who

Work for him, by his money...

-[Laughter, lively chatter]

-[Loud clanking]

[Chatter stops]

Are we making speeches?

To franklin shepard...

[Mockingly] ...the producer,

The man who has everything.

[Chuckles]

And... [Chuckles]

Fat, drunk and finished...

I would rather be me any day.

Well, look at the time.

I've got to go to bed.

He'll wait.

Hoo-hoo-hoo, call him.

-Gussie: get out of here, drunk.

-Gussie.

Gussie: get that fat sot

Out of here.

Frank: mary,

May I take your glass?

No, you may not take my glass.

-Frank.

-Oh, my god.

Gussie: frank!

[Laughter]

[Laughing]

Mary: well...

Now I won't be invited back.

Well, please don't all feel

You have to leave

Just because I'm leaving.

[Group chattering]

First, attention.

[Chatter continues]

-I said "attention"!

-[Chatter stops]

Are you all listening? Because I

Have something I must say.

You are all junk.

[Softly] and you...

[Sniffles]

You deserve them.

[Mary sniffles]

Damn sad.

Terry: isn't she somebody?

Dory: no, she's a critic.

Jerome: she wrote

A bestseller once.

I would never have believed it.

She's finally

Out of frank's life.

Yeah, and the loss

Is unbearable.

Meg: [winces] ow.

Dory: what happened?

Scotty: ooh, she cut her

Hand on a piece of glass.

Meg: oh, no, no.

It's nothing. Please, no.

No, meg's cut her hand

Rather badly.

-No, honestly, it's nothing.

-Ru, go get something.

-Get some iodine.

-Oh, see. [Clears throat]

When you're young

And the star,

How the slightest thing

And you're everybody's focus.

[Chuckles]

b*tch.

It's stopping. I'm just

Going to let it air out.

You two sure know

How to bring down a curtain.

I've got the iodine.

Where's the patient?

Down at the foot of the lawn.

-Doing her fawn imitation.

-Ru: mr. Shepard.

Frank.

Before I go,

I just want to know:

How do I get to be you?

[Frank chuckles]

The worst vice

In the world is advice,

So I don't give any.

Hey.

Don't just write what you know.

Write what you know.

Now get out of here.

Gussie: "the worst vice

Is advice"?

Did you get that

Off a t-shirt, frank?

I'm sorry. What's wrong?

You and that little punchboard

Are what's wrong.

Please, please don't do this.

We've got a party

Going on out there.

You may have betrayed me,

But you are not going

To humiliate me.

Gussie, when are you

Gonna let it go?

I never said you were

Too old for the part.

The studio said you were

Too old for the part.

To think I divorced a husband

Who worshipped

The ground I walked on

To marry a pitiful excuse

For a man like you.

I've made only one mistake

In my life,

But I've made it

Over and over and over.

That was saying yes

When I meant no.

-Forgive me.

-Don't you dare...

All right, you want to know

If it's true? It's true.

But what you would never

Understand is she's sensitive.

She cares. She's an inspiration.

She's the raft

That keeps me from drowning.

Pathetic.

After all these years,

I finally have to hand it

To charley kringas.

That driven little runt

Was always the one smart enough

To read your label.

And I envy charley kringas

Every day of my life.

[Laughs] hilarious.

This coming from a man

Whose work isn't remembered

By the time audiences

Reach the parking lot!

I swear, if I could go back

To the beginning,

If I could somehow

Be starting over with charley,

Writing shows,

Trying to change the world,

I would give

All this up like that.

Gussie: oh, you've lied

To yourself so long,

You probably believe that.

Do you really not see

That I'm ashamed of all this?

That I'm as sick of myself

As you are?

I'm just acting

Like it all matters

So people can't see

How much I hate my life

And how much I wish the whole

g*dd*mn thing was over.

I found her running

Along the lawn, singing.

-Ah, sorry. Here.

-Now, stand still and let me put

-Some iodine on that hand.

-Okay.

My significant other and I

Want to say good night.

Gussie: meg!

My husband was just telling me

That you're

The starry-eyed sl*t

-That keeps him from drowning.

-Gussie, stop it!

Gussie: oh, absolutely,

Frank. I will stop it.

But maybe she won't be

So starry-eyed now.

-[Meg screaming]

-[Frantic chatter]

Gussie: he was sleeping

With her, dory!

You said we were

Finished, frank!

Well, now we're finished!

[Distantly] you and her and me

And every g*dd*mn thing

Is finished!

[Bright music playing,

First transition ]

Scotty: how did you

Get to be here?

Group: what was the moment?

How did you get to be here?

Bunker: dreams don't die

So keep an eye on your dream

Group: or before you know

Where you are, there you are

Roads may wind

And you may find

What you've left behind

- Is your dream

- Dream

- Tend your dream

- How does it happen?

- Dreams take time

- Group ii: once it was

All so clear

Time goes by

How can you get

So far off the track?

Why don't you turn around

And go back?

- Terry: bend your dream

- How does it happen?

- Where is the moment?

- With the road

When did the road

Behind disappear?

Where did you let things

Slip out of gear?

Group: how did you

Ever get to be here?

- 1975

- 1974

1973

[Song ends]

[ Good thing going (going gone)

By frank sinatra plays]

And that is frank sinatra

Singing good thing going

From the broadway and film hit

Musical husbands.

The composers of that show,

Franklin shepard

And charles kringas,

Are in our studio tonight,

And we will be meeting

And talking with them.

But first, the news.

Hal?

[Dramatic news theme playing]

The lead-in story

From tonight's edition

Of "news from new york."

Today our nation is at long last

Celebrating a ceasefire

In vietnam,

The tragic death toll there

Now having cost

Nearly 46,000 american lives.

Judy?

On the local front,

Mayor abe beame...

Makeup artist: well,

Mr. Kringas, what do you think?

I think my worst nightmare

Has come true.

-I look like richard nixon.

-Charley.

-Mary: oh, charley!

-No, mary.

-No, do not speak to me.

-Oh!

This whole g*dd*mn thing

Is your fault.

I don't know why,

In christ's name,

I let you talk me

Into this humiliation.

Here is the drink

You ordered, miss flynn.

-Ooh.

-Oh, mary, how thoughtful.

Oh, come on, charley.

I need a drink.

Yeah, one drink.

What would you like?

A bottle of vodka and a straw.

-Where's frank?

-Frank?

Probably off signing

To score another movie

Or closing a record deal.

I can only tell you

Where frank never is,

And that is with me,

Working on our show.

All right, well, when I called

Kt to set up this interview,

I made it very clear

That the only thing you two

Were here to talk about...

[Exclaims]

Was your next show and how long

You both been working on it.

Oh, mary,

Since frank married gussie,

The only working he knows

Is working the room.

And just where did

He learn that, charley?

Off on that g*dd*mn yacht

Is where.

And, wait, who was it who sent

Him off on that g*dd*mn yacht?

-I say to hell with frank.

-Ugh.

Look, I have started a play

All on my own.

And if frank doesn't show up

In the next 30 seconds,

Me, I am walking

Right out that door.

Look, charley, I know frank.

If you connect with him again,

If you commit the guy

Today, publicly,

I swear, by tomorrow,

You two are gonna be

Back together working again.

You got to help

Save him, charley.

-[Old friends

(Part 1) plays]

-Hey, old friend

What do you say,

Old friend?

- Make it okay, old friend

-[Jaunty music playing]

Give the old friendship

A break

Why so grim?

We're going on forever

You, me, him

Too many lives are at stake

Friends this long

Has to mean

Something strong

So, if our

Old friend's wrong

Shouldn't an old friend

Come through?

It's us, old friend

What's to discuss

Old... [Grunts] ...friend?

Here's to us

Who's like us?

Damn few

[Mary chuckles]

[Pensive music playing,

Like it was ]

Charley

Why can't it be

Like it was?

I liked it

The way that it was

Charley, you and me

We were nicer then

We were nice

Kids and cities

And trees were nice

Everything

I don't know

Who we are any more

And I'm starting

Not to care

Look at us, charley

Nothing's the way

That it was

I want it

The way that it was

Help me stop

Remembering then

Don't you remember?

It was good

It was really good

Help me out, charley

Make it like it was

Come on. Ugh.

Look, we both know

It was better, charley,

The three of us.

And you, come on. Mary, we are

Not the three of us anymore.

Now we are

One and one and one.

Charley

Nothing's the way

That it was

I want it

The way that it was

God knows,

Things were easier then

Trouble is, charley

That's what everyone does

Blames the way it is

On the way it was

On the way it never

Ever

Was

Jesus, mary.

After all these years, you're

Still in love with the guy?

[Chuckling]

[Voice breaking] you got to

Help save me, then, charley.

Kt: charley, frank,

We are on the commercial break,

And then it's us. Follow me.

-Frank isn't here.

-He isn't here?

Where the hell is frank?

Frank is here,

And frank is sorry.

But ever since

Gussie and I got married,

Life is this series of meetings,

Meetings, meetings.

-Hey, pal!

-Hey, pal. Long time no see.

Frank: oh,

And I missed you, buddy.

-Mm.

-And, mary...

[Chuckles] oh, god, mary,

You look wonderful.

Lost a little weight?

A hundred and eighty pounds.

He still calls, though.

[Fingers snap]

Please, frank.

Frank, in the chair.

Charley, you come with me.

Gussie: kt, I think...

I think I saw my ex-husband

Hovering around outside.

Could you see to it

That nobody's allowed in?

He's become the eternal sponge.

-Got it. Charley, move, please.

-Thank you.

-We got to go!

-Excuse me.

Mrs. Shepard,

I know this is inappropriate,

But I wrote a film script,

Darkness before dawn,

That is so perfect for you.

It is inappropriate.

Give it to me.

I have accepted

That if I don't want people

Handing me scripts,

Then I can never go out.

Frank, did you tell mary about

Closing the three-picture deal?

Uh, no.

But please let me be

The one to tell charley.

I am waiting to choose

The exact moment.

Oh, god.

I've explained to frank:

You compose a broadway show,

You're something in new york,

But you produce a movie,

You're something

All over the world.

Frank, we're up! We got to move.

Oh.

Gussie.

[Exhales sharply]

Hiya, gus.

-Oh, joe.

-Joe: you look great.

[Chuckles] you've caught me

In the middle, joe.

Yeah, I was hoping,

I was, I was... [Chuckles]

I was hoping...

I was hoping maybe

You could spare me 100 or so.

Gussie: joe. Joe, i...

God.

You can't keep

Doing this to me, joe.

Now, this...

This is the last time.

I'm lining up backers

For my next play.

Oh.

Excuse me, joe.

-They're waiting for me.

-Yep.

[Sighs]

Gussie: I'm sorry.

[News theme playing]

And now our evening's

Top news story.

Today the supreme court

Made its final ruling

Legalizing ab*rtion.

The court stated

ab*rtion should be a decision

Between a woman

And her physician.

A longtime controversy

Now ended.

Judy?

[Frank sinatra singing

In background]

For those who have

Tuned in late,

We are hearing frank sinatra

Singing the hit song

By franklin shepard

And charles kringas,

Our next guests

Live from new york.

Oh, and, frank, I cannot

Thank you enough for this favor.

"Favor"? After what you did

For me during my divorce?

That's why we're here.

-Oh, and how's your son?

-Want to see a picture?

No, but do that on air,

And I'll coo, and I'll tear,

And I'll carry on

Like a mad thing.

-[Chuckles]

-People love cheap sentiment.

And I understand

Congratulations are in order.

I hear you just signed

A three-picture deal

To produce movies.

-Where'd you hear that?

-Kt: now, don't worry.

I understand I'm not supposed

To bring it up on the air.

I think you weren't supposed

To bring it up in front of me.

Oh? Oh.

Charley, I was waiting for

The exact moment to tell you.

But, see, it doesn't

Change our plan.

It's only two or three

Months at a time.

Frank, it is always

Two or three months at a time.

I haven't even signed

The contract yet.

Do you know

How long I have sat

And waited for you

To finish this project?

Hold it for one second, guys,

Will you? We're just about on.

Charley, I have

A son to support.

I have an ex-wife draining me.

What happens if we finish

This show, we get it on,

And they say it's no good?

Frank, I have four kids

To support.

I don't give a rat's a*s

What they say.

If I say it's good,

If you say it's good...

-[Bell rings]

-Okay, fellas,

We're just about to start.

He only knows it's good

If it makes a f*cking fortune.

Hi! We're back.

And welcome to "today

In new york's celebrity spot."

Here next to me, we have two

Brilliantly talented people.

The gentleman on my right is...

Oh, uh, franklin shepard.

-I almost forgot.

-[Chuckles] and?

And he is. Why would he lie?

And I have no idea who I am.

This is my great friend

And even greater collaborator,

Charley kringas.

They are the songwriters

For musical husbands,

Both the show and the movie.

They also wrote sweet sorrow.

And their newest collaboration

Will be called take a left.

But more about that later.

Apparently much later.

And you recently married

The star of those shows,

Gussie carnegie.

-Did you not?

-Yes, that's correct.

And I'm married to evelyn.

Now, all of broadway says

That you two are the next

Rodgers and hammerstein,

Lerner and loewe.

-Irving and berlin.

-[Chuckling]

Let's start at the beginning.

You're both from chicago.

You both went to the same

School and the same college?

Uh, nope. Me, columbia.

Him, juilliard.

So, your entire lives you've

Been very, very close friends.

Until today.

Frank: like all partners,

We have had fights

And other commitments,

But the magic is only there

When it's me and charley.

Charley and me.

I love it.

Now, how do you two

Work together?

Oh. May I answer that?

Please.

How do we work together?

Sure.

Well, he goes...

[Light piano riff plays]

And I go...

[Typewriter clicking musically]

-And soon we're

-[ Franklin shepard, inc.

Playing]

- Humming along

-[Upbeat music playing]

Hmm-mm-hmm

And that's called

Writing a song

Hmm-mm-hmm

- Then he goes

- [Light piano riff plays]

And I go

[Typewriter clicking musically]

And the phone goes,

"Drrrrring!"

And he goes, mutter, mutter,

Mutter, mutter

"Yes, jerome,"

Mutter, "no, jerome"

Mutter, mutter,

Mutter, mutter

That's his lawyer, jerome

Mutter, mutter, mutter,

Mutter, mutter

"Do it, jerome"

Click, "sorry, charley"

[Light piano riff plays]

So I go

[Typewriter clicking musically]

And he goes

-[Light piano riff plays]

-[Sighs]

And I go

[Typewriter clicking musically]

And soon we're tapping away

Hmm-mm-hmm

"Bzz!" "Sorry, charley"

"Bzz!"

It's the secretary, "bzz!"

On the intercom,

"Yes, ms. Bzz"

"It's a messenger"

"Thanks, ms. Bzz

Will you tell him to wait?

"Will you order the car?

Will you call up the bank?

"Will you wire the coast?

Will you..."'Drrrrring!'"

"Sorry, charley"

Mutter, mutter,

Mutter, mutter

"Sell the stock," mutter

"Buy the rights"

Mutter, mutter, mutter,

Mutter, mutter

"Bzz!" "Let me put you

On hold"

"Bzz!" "Yes, ms. Bzz"

"It's the interview"

"Thanks, ms. Bzz

Will you tell him to wait?

"Will you wire the car?

Will you order the coast?

"Will you send up

The bank?"

And the telephones blink

And the stocks get sold

And the rest of us

He keeps on hold

And he's into making movies

And he's now

A corporation, right

So I play at home

With my wife and kids

And I wait to hear

The movie bids

And I've got

A little sailboat

And I'm into

Meditation, right

He flies off to california

I discuss him

With my shrink

That's the story

Of the way we work

Me and

Franklin shepard, inc.

-[Music stops]

-I am beginning to enjoy this.

I promise to be honest if you

Promise to handle the lawsuit.

Now, frank,

When you do work together,

I have always been curious,

Which generally comes first,

The words or the music?

-Generally, the contract.

-Oh.

That sounds like

You think making money

Is a bad thing for an artist.

Sorry, money?

[Light piano riff plays]

Did I say "money"?

[Electronic riff plays]

No, I like

Money a lot, hmm-mm-hmm

I mean,

It's better than not

Hmm-mm-hmm

But when it's

[Grunting aggressively]

Money. Money.

When you're into...

[Grunting aggressively]

Money...

And you should be...

[Light piano riff plays]

Listen.

Frank does the money thing

Very well.

But you know what?

Other people do it better.

Yeah, and frank does

The music thing very well.

And you know what?

No one does it better.

Still, the telephones blink

And the buzzers buzz

And I really don't know

What he does

But he makes a ton of money

And a lot of it for me

Right, so I think, "okay"

And I start a play

But he somehow knows,

'Cause right away

It's, "drrrrring!"

"Hiya, buddy

"Want to write a show?

I got a great idea

"We'll own all the rights

With a two-week out

"And a turnaround

On the guarantee

"Plus a gross percent

Of the billing clause"

And there I am

In california

Talking deals

And turning pink

Back in business,

And I mean just that

Back with

Franklin shepard, inc.

Very sneaky how it happens

Much more sneaky

Than you think

You start with nothing

But a song to sing

And next,

You're franklin shepard...

Wait a second, wait one second.

I am getting in too deep here.

Franklin, let me ask you...

You see, frank and I

Are not that kind of close.

-Not like we used to be.

-Now, frank...

And friendship

Is like a garden.

You have to water it

And tend it and care about it.

And you know what? I miss it.

And I want it back.

-Look.

-[Pensive music playing]

Nothing permanent

Has happened

It's just a temporary kink

Friendship's something

You don't really lose

Ladies and gentlemen,

Don't let me lose

The greatest composer

Any lyricist has ever had.

Phone him. Write him.

Stop him on the street.

You will recognize him.

He's the one going

Through his checkbook.

And tell that man

To get back to his piano.

Very sneaky how it happens

Every day,

You're on the brink

First the prizes,

Then the interviews

- Oh, my god

-[Upbeat music playing]

I think it's happened

Stop me quick

Before I sink

One more triumph

That I can't refuse

In case you didn't notice,

This is my first time on tv

And my last! No!

Here's the point,

Whatever happens

Then we'll all go

Have a drink

That's the guy I love

The fella who's inside

Mutter, mutter,

Mutter, mutter

"Quick, jerome,

Get the president

"There's a crazy man

On my tv screen"

Inside

"Bzz, bzz!" "Drrrrring!"

Inside franklin shepard

Just write him,

Care of any bank, usa.

Inc.

-[Song ends]

-[Audience cheering]

Now let's take

A commercial break.

Oh, thanks, guys.

Jesus christ!

That was a real slaughter,

Charley. Congratulations.

-Frank, i...

-I think you said enough.

I know for years

You've been attacking me

And constantly putting me

In the position

Of having to defend myself,

But that...

See, I don't know why anyone

Would want to so humiliate

And betray the guy

Who is his oldest friend

In the world like that,

But I do know

You're never gonna

Have the opportunity

To do it again.

You're g*dd*mn

Out of my life, charley.

No, frank, I'm sorry. I...

You're sorry

After you publicly mock

And ridicule and belittle me,

When, man, I swear I would

Lay down my life for you.

-I know. If you let me...

-Shut up!

Charley, all these years,

I've loved you

No matter what you did,

But I guess because

I don't live my life like you

Or the way you'd like me to,

You had to sh**t me down

And watch me bleed.

Well, I like my life, charley.

So you can just

Get the hell out of it!

Hey, guys, now, what do you say

The three of us, we just...

We go for a humongous drink

And we talk, okay?

-I mean, we need to talk.

-Gussie: oh, frank.

-Frank, are you all right?

-Frank, can we go talk?

You know, in some cultures, when

Someone does something cruel

Or evil or betrays them,

They never see him again.

They simply never see him.

They never talk to him

Or look at him

Or acknowledge him in any way.

For them, he is dead,

Absolutely and irrevocably dead.

-Can I just explain...

-Frank!

...what all that came out of?

[Footsteps departing]

[Bright music playing,

Second transition ]

Some roads are soft

And some are bumpy

Some roads you really fly

Some rides are rough

And leave you jumpy

Why make it tough

By getting grumpy?

Plenty of roads to try

- 1972

- Meg: 1971

- Some roads are soft

- One trip

- And some are bumpy

- All you get

- Some roads you really fly

- Is one quick ride

Look around a bit

- Some rides are rough

- One quick ride

And leave you jumpy

- Through the countryside

- Why make it tough

- By getting grumpy?

- Stay on the track

Plenty of roads to try

1970

Some roads you really fly

1969

How does it start to go?

Does it slip away slow

So you never even notice

It's happening?

- 1968

-[Song ends]

What? You say she's not there?

Well, do you know

When she's expected back?

-[Doorbell buzzes]

-It's open!

Sorry. You don't expect

Her back until when?

Until after the theater?

No, no message.

Wait, yes, actually. Will you

Tell her that franklin...

Ta-da!

Frankie!

Oh, my god, frankie!

I don't believe my eyes!

Oh, did your daddy miss you!

And look how big you got, huh!

Daddy, we saw your boat,

But we didn't see you.

-No?

-Mary and charley: ta-da!

-Frank: wha...?

-[Laughing]

What is really amazing

Is we're not all still waiting

-At that dock to surprise you.

-[Laughing]

God, was our face red.

Well, first class

Doesn't get off at the dock!

We have this big ramp

At the prow

And a captain who leads you

Right into your limousine.

Right, of course. Silly us.

Mary, you should

Have known that.

[Frank grunts excitedly]

He got beth to send

Frankie from houston.

Daddy, I have 32 postcards

All over my wall.

My favorite are the alligator

And the panama canal.

[Laughing]

Charley: wow, look at that.

He brought frankie

An alligator back with him.

What a nice little...

Oh, god, frankie!

Frankie, you have to help me!

-Oh, god!

-[Laughter]

[Sighs] thanks, uncle charley.

That's bound to give

Someone here real nice dreams.

All right, start with the trip,

And then I want a sherpa guide

To show me this

Gargantuan apartment.

Frankie: well, I owe it all

To you guys for making me go.

I didn't do anything

That wasn't rich.

Rich living, rich food,

Rich people.

Well, poor evelyn, my poor wife,

Who never comes in

From our poor house

In the poor country, poor thing,

Is dropping off our four poor

Children with her poor mother.

Got it, charley.

Where they are

Expecting frankie.

And then evelyn is meeting

The three of us at...

Wait. Wait, wait,

Wait, wait, wait.

Where? Where?

-You're never gonna guess where.

-[Mouthing] downtown club.

-The downtown club.

-Charley.

-[Charley mutters]

-Now, let me think.

A smoky, dingy

Greenwich village dive

Or the homecoming party

At the colony club?

Hmm, what a choice.

Oh, frank, I'm so sorry.

You must give us a list

Of what's in and what's out.

You know how important

All of that is to me.

Ah! Wait.

Wait, wait, wait.

Presents.

I forgot... Presents.

This is for aunt mary.

[Gasps] ooh, thank you.

And this is for uncle charley.

Mary: [chuckles] well...

[Feet thudding]

Son, about 40 of yours

Are right now up in the air

Between gibraltar and texas,

But trust me, they are

Absolutely worth the wait.

It's my book in spanish.

I bought it

In valparaiso, chile,

Where there it was

In all these store windows.

Charley: oh, mary, tell frank

The story of how success

Has affected you.

Okay, I'll start.

-Mary has joined the enemy.

-[Chuckles]

-Charley.

-Frankie, tell aunt mary,

How many kids in your class say,

"When I grow up,

I want to be a drama critic"?

Oh, charley, just shut your

Mouth and open your present.

I did.

What is it?

-What is it?

-It's an option agreement.

We have been offered

A small fortune

To do a movie version

Of musical husbands!

Oh, my god!

-That is unbelievable! [Laughs]

-Frankie. Frankie, come here.

So, take this over to daddy

And say very clearly,

"There isn't enough money

In the universe."

You're welcome, charley.

I appreciate the gratitude.

Thanks very much.

There isn't enough money

In the universe.

Mary: [laughs] oh, boy.

Frankie, um, what do you say

The two of us go,

And we'll explore

This monster apartment?

Frank jr.: I'm tired.

Well, of course you are, tiger.

It's been a long day.

Yeah, you know, we can have

A lie-down upstairs.

-Good night, daddy.

-[Laughs] good night.

Mary: aw. All right, come on.

Let's see what we can

Find you up there.

What do you think they have?

Charley, I'm 31 years old.

Beth wiped me out

With the divorce.

I have a son to consider.

So forgive me, charley,

If I happen to need money.

So let's us do the work,

And the money will come.

Frank, we cannot keep

Making our stuff

-The other thing we do.

-Shh. Guys, not now.

Why do I have to be poor

To write music?

Because once you're rich,

You never will.

Charley, I am telling you,

We can make a statement

With this movie.

Nurse, doctor, guard,

Attendant, matron,

-Anybody else.

-Trust me.

-You trust me.

-Charley, listen!

Frank, you listen.

You listening?

No. No, no, never, ever. No.

Hey!

[ Old friends (part 2) plays]

Here's to us

Who's like us?

Damn few

[Pensive music playing]

Hey, old friend

Are you okay, old friend?

What do you say,

Old friend?

Are we or are we unique?

Time goes by

Everything else

Keeps changing

You and I

We get continued next week

Most friends fade

Or they don't make

The grade

New ones are quickly made

And in a pinch, sure,

They'll do

But us, old friend

What's to discuss,

Old friend?

Here's to us

Who's like us?

Damn few

[Jaunty music playing]

So, old friend

Fill me in slow, old friend

Start from hello,

Old friend

I want the when,

Where and how

Old friends

Do tend to become old habit

Never knew

How much

I missed you till now

Both: most friends fade

Or they don't make the grade

New ones are quickly made

Some of them

Worth something, too

All: but us, old friends

What's to discuss,

Old friends?

- Tell you something

-Huh.

Good friends

Point out your lies

Whereas old friends

Live and let live

Good friends

Like and advise

Whereas old friends

Love and forgive

Frank: and old friends

Let you go your own way

Help you find your own way

Let you off

When you're wrong

- If you're wrong

- When you're wrong

Right or wrong,

The point is, old friends

Shouldn't care

If you're wrong

Should but not for too long

- What's too long?

- If you're wrong

- When you're wrong

- The thing is, old friends

Do leave

Their brands on you

But old friends

Shouldn't compete

Old friends don't make

Demands on you

Should make demands on you

Well, don't make demands

You can't meet

Well, what's the point

Of demands you can meet?

Well, there's a time

For demands whether you...

-No, you are never wrong!

-If you were right, I would

-Be the first one to admit it!

-[Clamoring]

There is only your way

And the wrong way!

[Screams]

All: hey, old friends

How do we stay old friends?

Who is to say, old friends

How an old friendship

Survives?

One day chums having

A laugh a minute

One day comes

And they're

A part of your lives

New friends pour

Through the revolving door

Maybe there's

One that's more

Stop.

If you find one that'll do

But us, old friends

What's to discuss,

Old friends?

Here's to us

Who's like us?

Two old friends

Fewer won't do, old friends

Got to have two old friends

Helping you balance along

One upbraids you

For your faults and fancies

One persuades you

That the other one's wrong

Most friends fade

Or they don't make

sh*t.

The grade

New ones are quickly made

Perfect as long

As they're new

But us, old friends

What's to discuss,

Old friends?

Here's to us

- Who's like us?

-[Clears throat]

-Ah, okay.

-[All laugh]

Whoo!

[Harmonizing] damn few

-[Song ends]

-[Audience cheering]

Ah!

[Excited chatter]

Oh, anguish!

I hate it when

I've missed everything.

The wife here,

She misses nothing.

Well, I had no idea

The g*ng would be dropping in.

My understudy's been going on

For the last few weeks,

And joe insisted,

As a courtesy, I must see her.

But first, I insisted joe

Must see frank's new apartment.

Have you ever seen

That disaster he was living in?

I decorated it.

I am calling

The surgeon general tomorrow

To have him cut out my tongue!

Oh, h*, promises, promises.

Look, joe, it's charles.

[Gasps] now we can call

The night a success.

[Chuckles] hey, gussie.

Um, I didn't hear a doorbell.

Oh, I bet that's because

I didn't ring one. [Scoffs]

I never do

When I have keys.

I'm decorating this pad.

The price was right.

-Free.

-[Chuckles]

Here, I picture

All of the furniture in here,

The hues of anemones,

A chair...

A chair, a footstool...

And a sofa.

Oh, I should have

A brain transplant.

I forgot we bought this teeny,

Tiny housewarming nothing,

Some awesomely

Expensive champagne.

-[Imitates cork popping]

-I'll open it.

"Do." All right, I will.

Ugh, I'm gonna go

Check outside.

Always good to see you, joe.

And your wife.

Joe, precious, there are glasses

In the kitchen,

And it's frank's house,

So he can do the honors.

Oh. [Chuckles]

-Mushi-mushi, darling.

-I... I... I...

-We have a curtain to make.

-Oh. [Chuckles]

Home one day, and already

She's ordering me around.

-Gussie: st--

-[Laughing]

How nice to see the old g*ng.

[Chuckles]

Can they see us?

Frank: yes.

Gussie: I didn't even unpack.

I've made up my mind.

I'm leaving joe.

-He'll be destroyed.

-Or I will be.

I'll call you when I arrive

At the theater.

-I'm supposed to go out.

-Please.

Please, you've got

To wait for my call.

-Gussie.

-I'm desperate.

I'll wait for your call.

Consider yourself kissed.

Joe: you got this guy everything

Anybody could ever want

In a kitchen except for glasses.

Frank: here, I'll get them.

They're still packed.

Ugh, eek, look at me.

Oh, that means don't.

I'm going to the little

Boys' room to repair.

Joe: that's real

First-class champagne.

Oh, I don't drink.

What? Never?

Mmm, hardly ever.

No, I'm a very

Excessive personality.

[Chuckles]

You know,

It's too much caffeine,

Too much cigarettes,

Too much food.

Too much frank.

Is frank the only person

In the world

Who doesn't know

You're in love with him?

And how many people know

About those two? Oh.

Uh, I mean, I'm sure

There must be one or two...

[Joe chuckles]

...who don't.

I have decided not to know.

She is now

Broadway's hottest star.

And the guy,

He's hot, too, obviously,

In more than one sense.

[Chuckles]

I say, let them

Get it out of their systems.

As long as, please, god,

She don't leave me.

[Pours drink]

Mary: well, uh... [Chuckles]

I think frank's being on a boat

For the last eight months

Has put an end to it.

Gussie flew over and joined

The cruise, you know.

-What?

-Yeah. [Chuckles]

We had no idea

Gussie was on the cruise.

Joe: mm-hmm.

It will never cease to amaze me

How everyone in this town

Knows everything I do.

It was only

For the last two weeks.

Frank: okay.

Pretend these

Are champagne glasses.

Gussie: you've got yours.

Now, charles...

-Oh, just one, joe.

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Mary.

No.

-Thank you.

-Gussie: oh.

Oh, that's right.

You never do.

-Well, more for us.

-[Gussie and joe chuckle]

To our genius.

Thank you. Thank you.

It's always nice

-To be appreciated.

-Yes.

Okay, gus, curtain, curtain!

We got a curtain.

Oh, pooh.

But one minute late,

God, every column.

[Chuckles] and frank,

We will see you after.

Oh, uh, frank's coming with us.

-Oh?

-Actually, what I should do

Is stay here and look

After frankie.

-Frankie's here.

-You're kidding, aren't you?

Oh, now, mary,

Let's all let franklin

Get himself settled in.

Good night,

Mr. All-work-and-no-play.

And everybody's favorite,

Charley.

Charley: hmm.

Don't you guys

Stay strangers now.

Charley: good night, joe.

Mary: bye.

Joe: yep.

-So you're really not coming?

-Frank: I can't leave.

-[Laughing]

-Not right now, mary.

-Frank...

-Just accept that, will you?

Please.

-Here's to us.

-Frank: mary.

Mary: [voice breaking]

Come on, charley.

Let's go have ourselves

One hell of a time.

Charley:

I'll be down in a minute.

-[Door closes]

-Get rid of gussie, frank.

Gussie's none of

Your business, charley.

But you are.

Get rid of this

Whole pathetic life.

Charley, I love success, okay?

I love having

Two out of two shows hit,

Moving up in the world.

[Sighs]

Sorry, I need

Some time to think.

Charley: okay, well,

Begin by thinking about

Joining mary and me tonight.

Frank, there is something going

On with mary right now, okay?

She hasn't written a word

Since her book took off.

She needs us. Frank,

She needs both of us.

I made a promise

I would wait for a phone call.

I have to. I promised.

Wait for her call and get

Out of it, once and for all.

Drop frankie at ours and meet us

At the downtown club.

I'll be there. Come here.

You know I love you.

I love you.

I missed you.

I missed you.

And I just want us to get back

Working together.

Look, get out of here before

The both of us start wailing.

[Door opens, closes]

[Sighs]

[Sighs]

[Plays light piano riff]

[Plays light piano riff]

[Playing gentle music]

[Gentle music continues]

Bum, bum, bum, bum

[Gentle music playing,

Growing up ]

[Humming to music]

Thanks, old friends

[Humming]

Keep reminding me

Frank's old friends

Always seem to come through

Frank will, too

- So, old friends

-[Orchestra joins in]

Now it's time

To start growing up

Taking charge

Seeing things as they are

Facing facts

Not escaping them

Still with dreams,

Just reshaping them

Growing up

Charley is a hothead

Charley won't budge

Charley is a friend

Charley is a screamer

Charley won't bend

Charley's in your corner

Mary is a dreamer,

Mary's a friend

Mary is a nudge

Mary is a purist

Charley's a judge

Charley is a dropout

Everything's a cop-out

Why is it old friends

Don't want old friends

To change?

Every road has a turning

That's the way

You keep learning

So, old friends

Don't you see

We can have it all?

Moving on

Getting out of the past

Solving dreams

Not just trusting them

Taking dreams,

Readjusting them

Growing up

Growing up

Trying things

Being flexible

Bending with the road

Adding dreams

When the others don't last

Growing up

Understanding that growing

Never ends

Like old dreams

Some old dreams

Like old friends

[Humming]

[Music ends]

Don't stop.

I thought you were

Going to call.

I said I had a headache and had

The car bring me back here.

I have plans, gussie.

I'm going to meet

Mary and charley.

And there's something

I have to say to you.

-I think that it's...

-Frank!

I did it.

I had the driver

Take my things to a hotel.

Gussie, don't.

No, you can't do that.

We've already

Destroyed one marriage.

I could never live

With you leaving joe for me.

-I'm leaving him for me.

-Frank: but why?

Why suddenly? Why tonight?

I saw tonight I could lose you.

My friends are waiting.

Your friends will be there

For you tomorrow.

[Pensive music playing]

I need you tonight.

Life is knowing

What you want

Darling

That's the only thing

To know

As I told you moons ago

Darling

Nothing wrong with wanting

Nothing wrong

With wanting me

Darling

Also, nothing wrong with

Not

Though it's only fair

That you should be aware

That I want you a lot

Growing up

Means admitting

The things you want the most

Can't pursue

Every possible line

Letting go

Making choices

Ignoring all other voices

Including mine

You're divine

You decide on what you want

Darling

Not on what you think

You should

Not on what

You want to want

Darling

Not from force of habit

Once it's clearly

Understood

Darling

Better go and grab it

Things can slip away

For good

Darling

What is it you really

Hmm?

[Light music playing,

Third transition ]

-Yesterday is done

- Yesterday is done

See the pretty countryside

See the pretty countryside

Merrily we roll along,

Roll along

Gathering dreams

Men: traveling's the fun

Women: traveling's the fun

Flashing by the countryside

Flashing by the countryside

All: everybody

Merrily, merrily

Following dreams

Rolling along

Rolling along

Rolling along

Rolling a...

[Gavel banging]

Judge: in the case

Of shepard v. Shepard,

After serious consideration,

I have made a decision

To close this courtroom

To both the press

And the public.

After a one-hour recess, we will

Reconvene behind closed doors

With the next

Subpoenaed witness.

-[Camera clicks]

-This court is now adjourned.

-[Gavel banging]

-Photographer: hey!

You missed the star going in.

Stay close. We'll try

To grab her coming out.

I left as soon as

The peace march broke.

-What do you got?

-Composer's wife,

Who wants every last cent,

Plus the kid.

This cat's gonna be lucky if

They let him keep his clothes.

I thought you got something hot.

After the judge

Reads the deposition

From the star witness

And suddenly closes

The courtroom to the public,

Trust me, I got something hot.

[Chuckles]

You're a big star.

You got to know better.

It's an innocent

Little friendship

That's been blown

Totally out of proportion.

Kt: hold it. Miss carnegie,

Why were you subpoenaed?

Financial records,

Percentage chazerei.

Miss carnegie, how are you two

Involved in this scandal?

-We are not involved.

-And it is not a scandal.

We have no comment.

Can you tell us why you were

Subpoenaed to testify today?

The wife and me?

We are mr. Shepard's

Best friends, I guess, is why.

Do you not understand

That we have no comment?

-[Scoffs]

-Excuse me. I'm sorry.

-[Reporters clamoring]

-I'm very sorry.

And the public knows

"No comment"

Means guilty as hell.

Do you have any statement

For the press, counselor?

I have no statement.

Stay with me.

Kt: I understand

That gussie carnegie

Is scheduled to testify

This afternoon

-In a closed courtroom.

-That's what we understand.

-Why?

-We have no idea.

Maybe mr. Shepard can explain.

Isn't mr. Shepard coming out?

Mr. Shepard just left

By a side exit.

Photographer:

I know that exit! Come on!

Go get him, charley.

Frank, frank, this has

Gone on long enough.

Yeah, we all think

You should just

Get out of this

Any way you can.

-Give beth whatever she wants.

-Charley, she wants everything.

Jerome: I warned you

In the beginning, frank.

Settle for whatever, but settle.

A woman charging abandonment

Of a wife and child, come on!

Beth wants to move

Back to houston with my son,

And I will never

Allow that, never.

You know what they're planning

To do today, frank.

With beth sitting there,

With your kid on her lap.

Mary: just stop it now,

Frank. Walk away.

-Take a trip.

-Save yourself all this pain.

-I cannot just lose my family.

-Frank, I've taken that yacht.

Come on the cruise.

Get away. Get some rest.

Yeah, and when you come back,

You can stay with me.

Just go, frank.

We all want you out of this.

-Just get away.

-I can't live without my son.

Beth.

-Beth!

-Frank jr.: Daddy!

I am not gonna give up, jerome.

-Daddy, wait for me.

-Don't be a fool, elizabeth.

I said wait.

Honey, mommy will be

Right back, okay?

You go with grandpa.

-Daddy!

-Your mother would

-Turn over in her grave.

-Daddy!

Daddy! I want to see my daddy!

-I want you to give up, frank.

-Frank: never.

You're not gonna like

What you hear this afternoon.

It's not life without my son.

I am not out

To hurt you, frank,

But I will hurt you

If I have to.

[Pensive music playing,

Not a day goes by ]

How is frankie?

How do you think

He is, frank?

I keep thinking,

"I could have stopped it."

I was warned about gussie.

I could have stopped it.

Do you still love me?

Did you sleep with her,

Frank?

Do you still love me?

Not a day goes by

Not a single day

But you're somewhere

A part of my life

And it looks like

You'll stay

As the days go by

I keep thinking

When does it end?

Where's the day

I'll have started forgetting?

But I just go on thinking

And sweating

And cursing and crying

And turning and reaching

And waking and dying

[Voice cracks] and, no

Not a day goes by

Not a blessed day

But you're still somehow

Part of my life

And you won't go away

So there's hell to pay

And until I die

[Crying]

I'll die day after day

After day after day

After day after day

After day

Till the days go by

Till the days go by

Till the days go by

[Sobbing]

Did you sleep with gussie?

[Song ends]

I love you, beth.

[Sobbing softly]

Did you want that life so much

That you went with her?

I will always love you.

But did you?

Yes.

[Sobbing softly]

-Frank, I want us to...

-Daddy, daddy, daddy!

Frankie, you're to stay

With grandpa.

He's my child, too.

Get out of here!

Franklin, I can't!

I can't live like this, frank!

-I can't!

-For god's sakes, wait!

Are you satisfied?

It's my job, man.

-Then go find a decent one, man!

-Mary: careful!

-Whoa, whoa!

-Come on, frank!

Charley: break it up, frank!

Mary: stop it!

-Stop this. Stop.

-[Sobbing]

I'll k*ll these photos, genius,

But you owe me one.

Right?

[Sobbing continues]

Mary: frank, we want you

To just get away.

Hold me, mary.

All I want to do is get back

To work! I have to work!

No, you're in no shape

To write, pal.

Look, just go off

With tyler for a while.

I don't want to go away!

I am your agent,

And I'm telling you,

-Now is not the time to work.

-I love you, frank.

[Stuttering] and charley

Loves you, all right?

You just listen to us.

[Light music playing,

Now you know ]

Living well is the best revenge.

So you made a mistake

So you're singing the blues

So you'll take some time

Go visit some places

You gotta be somewhere

Where there's nothing

To remind you

Right?

What you need is a break

I'll arrange a nice cruise

You'll relax a bit

And see some new faces

You gotta do something

Only never look behind you

Group: right?

Best thing that ever

Could have happened

Right.

So you'll sit in the sun

You'll come back with a tan

Then we'll do that show

You've always been talking

The side is retired

So we start another inning

Right?

On a boat is such fun

You'll come back

A changed man

I've had lots of guests

And no one's squawking

Feels like an ending

But it's really a beginning

Charley and mary: right?

Scotty: best thing

That ever could have happened

Best thing that ever

Could have happened

- I say, best thing...

-[Overlapping singing]

It was all getting

Much too complicated

-Right!

-[Singing stops]

All right.

-[Jazzy music playing]

-Now you know

Life is crummy

Well, now you know

I mean, big surprise

People love you

And tell you lies

Bricks can tumble

From clear blue skies

Put your dimple down,

Now you know

Okay, there you go

That's the sum of it

Now you know

It's called flowers wilt

It's called apples rot

It's called thieves get rich

And saints get shot

It's called god don't

Answer prayers a lot

Okay, now you know

Okay, now you know

Now forget it

Don't fall apart at the seams

It's called letting go

Your illusions

And don't confuse them

With dreams

If the going's slow

Don't regret it and don't

Let's go to extremes

It's called

What's your choice

It's called count to ten

It's called burn your bridges

Start again

You should burn them

Every now and then

Or you'll never grow

Because now you grow

That's the k*ller

Is now you grow

You're right,

Nothing's fair

And it's all a plot

And tomorrow

Doesn't look too hot

Right?

You better look

At what you got

Over here

Hello?

Okay, now you know

Right?

Group: so you find a new gal

So you write a new play

In a month or two

You're going to thank us

You may have

Missed one road

But there's plenty more

To follow

Right?

We'll go through the canal

Up the coast to l.a.

You'll come see the place

I'm building at trancas

Hang around here, pal

And you're only gonna wallow

Right?

Best thing

That ever could have

I mean, you'll come back

I mean, what's the fuss?

I mean, sea and sun

And comfort plus

Happened

I mean, after all,

You still got us

Group: best thing

That ever could have happened

It was all getting

Much too complicated

Best thing that ever

Could have happened

Right, you gotta let go

Gotta do it from scratch

Take a long, deep breath

Go back to your sources

A little vacation

Which is all about forgetting

-Right? Right!

-Group: right.

Then we'll do a new show

No, we'll do a whole batch

Maybe one that's all

About divorces

I mean, a divorce court

What a fascinating setting,

Right?

Group: right.

Frank: right.

Group i: best thing that ever

Could have happened

Group ii: yesterday is done

Group i: best thing that

Ever could have happened

Group ii:

See the pretty countryside

Group iii:

So you'll sit in the sun

You'll come back with a tan

Group ii: soon enough

You're merrily, merrily

- Rolling along

-Chorus: it's your time,

Your time

Group ii: rolling along

Chorus: it's your time

[Excited chatter]

What's your choice?

It's called count to ten

It's called burn your bridges

Start again

You should burn them

Every now and then

- Or you'll never grow

-[Imperceptible]

Because now you grow,

Life's a k*ller

So now you grow

Mary: you're right

Nothing's fair

And it's all a plot

And tomorrow

Doesn't look too hot

Chorus: right.

You better look

At what you got

Chorus: over here, hello?

Group i: hello?

Group ii: hello?

Group i: over here, hello

Group ii: now you know it

Group i: it's here,

Hello, hello

Group ii: now you know it

Group i: it's here,

Hello, hello

Group ii: now you know it

Group i: it's here,

Hello, hello

Group ii: now you know it

-Right!

-Right!

-Write!

-Right!

-Right! Right! Right! Right!

-Right! Right! Right! Right!

-I love you, frank!

-[Incoherent yelling]

Chorus: now you know!

-[Song ends]

-[Audience cheering]

[Sultry music playing,

Gussie's opening number ]

He's only a boy

Why do I think he loves me?

Maybe he loves

What I can do for him

Maybe he thinks that

I'll come through for him

Maybe the moon is cheese

And yet maybe

Maybe

Something real

Is happening here

But, baby

You're a baby

And the man I'm married to

Needs me near

Ha!

Okay

The moon is cheese

And I love the guy

I shouldn't

And I don't

The one I should

Ah, but love is blind

And I go for the kind

That I finally find

Is no good

- Ah

-Backup singers: is no good

And as we're going along

And as we're going along

You take for granted

Some love will wear away

We took for granted a lot

But still I say

We could have

Kept on growing

Growing, bop

Instead of just kept on

Backup singers:

Kept on growing

On

-We had a good thing

-Backup singers:

Ba, ba-da

-Going

-Ba-da

Backup singers: going

- Going

- Backup singers: gone

-[Backup singers scatting]

- Gone

Backup singers: going

Backup singers: gone

-[Song ends]

-[Audience cheering]

Just in time,

But we got to go fast.

We're gonna make it

Just in time for the ending!

[Whimpering]

-Shh!

-Shush!

You got an opening night inside,

Or did you forget?

We're sorry, we're very sorry,

But something amazing happened.

Ah, I'll say amazing.

When, suddenly,

Right before the 11:00 number,

The whole pack of you

Jumps right out of your seats,

Turns and runs straight up the

Center aisle, like a bunch of...

-Like a bunch of meshuggeners.

-Yes.

It... It was evelyn.

Suddenly, just like that,

She went into labor.

And being evelyn,

She didn't tell us

Until her pains were

Only five minutes apart.

We just a second ago

Got her into a cab.

What in the hell

Are you doing here?

No, my wife would not

Let me into the cab.

Evelyn refused to let charley

Miss our first opening night.

She even brought a tape recorder

To record the applause.

[Chuckles] from your mouth

To god's ear.

At the very second

The applause is over,

Charley,

I have that cab waiting.

We are gonna fly

To the hospital in record time.

-I promise.

-Shh.

They're quiet.

Very quiet.

When an audience

Is quiet like that,

It means that they are

Really concentrating.

"Shut up, mary."

We should go back in

For the closing.

[Stammers]

I didn't mean "the closing."

Beth: okay, mama,

Now, the cab there

With the meter running

Is for charley,

So you and daddy take

The one right behind it.

And I will see you very soon,

Little bit, and I'll tell you

Every single thing

That happened.

Oh, I wanted him

To be here opening night.

Oh, frank, he's been here

-Opening night.

-[Frank chuckles]

-Mwah! We love you very much.

-[Cab horn honking]

And we thank you very much.

Mr. Spencer: I don't understand

Why in hell any human being

In his right mind would...

-Ever, ever live...

-All: ever, ever live...

-...in new york city.

-All: ...in new york city.

Charley, let's do another show.

Beth: yes.

Mary: yes, and then another,

And then another,

And then another.

Yeah, and, and...

I'll produce it.

Wait a minute, joe.

You'll produce "take a left"?

[Laughs]

First I say, get yourselves

A couple of hits.

Show 'em you can make money.

Then, then you can do

That political flop

And show 'em you got...

[Scoffs] ...integrity.

Me, I got such an idea

For you guys, so commercial.

First you'll hate it,

Then you'll love it.

Frank, you know

I never say anything,

But I'm gonna say this.

For me, for me,

Just do one more for joe,

And then you can

Go and do "take a left."

I know the kind of music

I want to write.

I also know that it's very

Hard on you right now,

But beth, I am asking you

To trust me.

And I am asking you

To trust me.

Beth, guys,

Right now is the time.

You got to do your own stuff.

Mary, you don't have a child

And you just had yourself

A bestseller,

So that's very easy

For you to say.

Yeah, beth, trust me,

Success ain't all

It's cracked up to be.

I think charley and I

Will handle success very well.

Look how well

We've handled failure.

[Crowd cheering and applauding]

[Stammers]

[Imitates cork popping]

-Listen to that

-[ It's a hit playing]

- Will you listen to that

-[Hopeful music playing]

Do you know

What that means?

Let me tell you

What that means

Wait, no, anyone

Who even thinks it

Don't say it,

You'll jinx it

[Cheering and applause continue]

- Listen to that

-[Laughing]

Did you listen to that?

Does that

Make you feel proud?

Well, feel more

Than just proud

Okay, wait, I'll tempt fate

And I'll state it out loud

[Cheering and applause continue]

That's the sound

Of a

Hit

It's a hit

g*ng, I think this is it

No more writing

Clever little shows

For those basement saloons

No more proclamations

From the pros

That you can't hum the tune

No more sneaking in

At intermission

To the plays you wish

You could afford

Or producers

Having you audition

Whenever they're bored

And who say right away

As you play the first chord

"Boys, boys, it's very...

-"What is the word? Interesting.

-[Others groan]

"And if I had

The slightest belief

"Any audiences would come,

I would do it in a minute.

"Next!"

We're a hit, we're a hit

Standing up, the whole bit

No more coaching

Those sopranos

With voices like bees

No more secondhand pianos

With six broken keys

No more agents

Giving you opinions

As they turn you over

To their minions

Group:

As for these guarantees

We should please

Thank the lord

It's a hit, it's a hit

Will my folks have a fit

After all of that baloney

They made me go through

All that, "honey,

Not that he's a phony

"But what does he do?"

Will their faces be stony

When they see on their sony

Someone handing the phony

A tony award

I would like to begin

By thanking

All the hundreds of people

Who have turned down

Every show I have ever written

So that I could win tonight

For this one.

[Crowd cheering

Over tape recorder]

Thank you.

Listen to that

Will you listen to that

Tell me, is that a noise

Or is that a noise?

That is a noise

We've been waiting

The whole

Of our lives to hear

Beth: listen to that

Frank: listen to that

- Will you listen to that

- To that

- Honey, is that a noise

- I can't stand it

Or is that a noise?

That is the loveliest noise

For a breadwinning wife

To hear

Listen to that,

That's obscene

-Joe: listen to that

- Listen to that

That is a noise,

That is really a

That's the noise

I've been waiting

- My life to hear

-[Overlapping singing]

Listen to that,

Listen to that

All: will you listen to that

Will you listen to that

That's the sound of

An audience losing its mind

It's the pope on his balcony

Blessing mankind

Folks, it's funny girl,

Fiddler

And dolly combine...

...d

[Chuckling]

It's a hit

It's a hit,

It's a palpable hit

If it only even runs

A minute

At least it's a wedge

It's the theater

And we're really in it

Not just on the edge

If your spirits

Ever need improving

You can drop in

Any night for free

But the thing

That's positively moving

You could have fooled me

Frank and charley:

Is we're still old friends

Nothing can

k*ll old friends

Frank, charley and mary:

Where there's a will,

Old friends

Don't need success

To survive

All: and us, old friends

What's to discuss,

Old friends?

We've got a surefire

Genuine, walkaway

Blockbuster,

Lines down to broadway

Boffola, sensational

Box office, lollapalooza

Gargantuan

Hit

It's a hit

It's a hit, it's a hit,

It's a hit

It's a hit!

-[Song ends]

-[Audience cheering]

[All laughing, murmuring]

This is what

Everybody lives for!

Now we go back in

And fake being modest.

[Laughing]

No, no, no, I'm having a baby!

-We're coming!

-God! Wait, wait, wait!

What about the opening party?

You two, go to the party.

Frank, I will do one more

For joe josephson,

-But just one more.

-One more.

-And then it's our time.

-One more. Okay, come on.

[Both scream excitedly]

Frank, I was there

For evelyn's last baby,

And I don't want to miss

This one, but you,

You go to the party without me.

No, honey. Absolutely not.

No, no, no.

Yes, yes, yes.

I am so proud of you.

Okay, if I don't see you

At the hospital,

I'll see you at home later.

-[Frank laughing]

-[Grunting excitedly]

I love you so much!

Wait, beth.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

Now, look, with,

With gussie there, I urge you,

You go with frank.

Sometimes you just

Have to trust, mary.

Well, and sometimes you don't.

I would never want

A man I couldn't trust.

Joe: hey! Hey, hey.

-Big man.

-[Frank chuckles]

You got a ride to this

Fancy-schmancy party?

I can only stay

One or two minutes.

Gussie: oh!

Was that not

Why we do all this?

Was that not just heaven?

[Joe grunts excitedly]

I got to go make nice

With the backers.

You two, take our car.

I won't be able to afford

This big man now.

You watch.

[Joe chuckles]

What a blessing it has been

To find another pure artist.

-[Laughs]

-So often I have just

Wanted to thank you.

But franklin shepard, I think

That there's been a conspiracy

To keep you from me.

Miss carnegie,

I owe you so much.

Didn't I tell you

A few years ago...

It's fate that brought us

Together?

Now you, all you've done

These past months

-Is work, work, work!

-[Chuckles]

Tonight, let me show you how

Divine it is to be number one.

Everyone is waiting to meet

The man of the hour.

[Crowd cheering

Over tape recorder]

[Pensive music playing,

Fourth transition ]

Tyler: dreams don't die

So keep an eye

On your dream

Group: 'cause before

You know where you are

There you are

Time goes by

And dreams go dry

But you can't give up

On your dream

Tend your dream

Chorus: some roads are easy

Dreams take time

Chorus:

Some roads are all uphill

Bunker: all uphill

Chorus: time goes by

Some roads

You plod along with a will

Some roads you travel

Just for the thrill

- Bend your dreams

-Dory: some roads

Are breezy

- Some roads are breezy

-Chorus: with the road

Some roads are full

Of jiggles and bumps

Can't let it get you down

In the dumps

Don't let it get you down

In the dumps

1964

1963

All: 1962

-[ The blob - part 1 playing]

-[Whooping excited chatter]

[Lively music playing]

- Have you seen?

- How was it?

- You're not serious

- Do you mean?

- That does it

- You're not serious

- Have you seen?

- Darling

How was it?

- You're not serious

- We bought the most

- Darling

- That does it

- You're not serious

-Man: we had the best

- How was it?

-[Overlapping singing]

-Women: darling

- Did you ever

- You're not serious

-Chorus: it's the best

It's the first,

It's the finest

It's the latest,

It's the least

It's the worst,

It's the absolutely lowest

It's the greatest,

It's the single

It's the only,

It's the perfect

It's the... Hi! Dreadful

Beth: oh, frank, frank.

-That's the mayor. [Exclaims]

-Frank: I know. I know.

[Gasps]

She's my favorite actress.

Frank: I see, I see.

Beth: oh, do you see

Who she's with?

Beth, I'm not looking

For celebrities.

-I'm looking for charley.

-Oh, frank, you can do both.

I've never seen

So many famous people.

[Screams excitedly]

All: what? Who? Where?

Oh.

So, what did he say?

I haven't talked to him yet,

But it's obvious

He didn't invite us here

Because we fit in so well.

I am more sure than ever that

He wants to option our show.

I'm sure, too,

But let's not be too sure.

I just have

The pastry concession.

You are the one who's supposed

To be handling the business.

I am handling it.

Charley, you watch.

All this time we put into our

Writing, it is gonna pay off.

Well, I don't care what he asks.

You just say yes.

All I want is for us to be rich

As long as we've been poor.

Frank: there are a lot

Of sophisticated people here.

Beth: oh, god.

If I had known that,

I would have worn earrings.

-Oh, gosh.

-Oh, what's going on?

-Those people over there.

-Uh-huh?

They're smoking marijuana.

I've smelled it before.

In the village.

I thought it was autumn.

-[Jaunty music playing]

-All: what? [Gasping]

All: darling,

We saw the new

Darling, we had the most

Bad, it was good

- It's the biggest

- He's a genius

Well, he can't,

But he used to

It's the dumbest,

She's a genius

It's the...

Frank: hi, hi, hi.

I don't know if you remember me.

I'm franklin shepard,

And this is charley kringas,

-Who writes my lyrics.

-Remember you?

You're the reason

We're giving this bash,

According to

Our accountant, anyway.

[Grunts] oh, god.

Sorry.

And this is beth, my wife beth.

-Do you write songs, too?

-Oh, no.

Right now,

I'm the family breadwinner.

You don't mind

If I kidnap him, do you?

I have invited the richest

And the most influential people

In this town tonight.

Not one of whom

Is as rich or influential

As you're going to be.

I call them "the blob."

They absorb everything.

Meet the blob

The bodies you read about

The ones who know everyone

That everyone knows

Group: hi! Dreadful!

- Fabulous!

-Gussie: meet the blob

- Not many and yet

- Group: oh, right

- You never see one

- Group: what? No

- They come as a set

- Group: who, him?

Gussie:

And we're in their debt

Group:

But what do you think?

Gussie: 'cause, honeybunch,

They write the books

And put on the shows

And run the saloons

- And design the clothes

-[Grunts]

- They keep us natives

On our toes

-[Moaning]

Group:

Albee, warhol, kurosawa

They read the books

And go to the shows

And swamp the saloons

Wearing all the clothes

What you might call a glut

But they're the most

Important people

In the most important city

In the most important country

In the you-know-what

Group: heavy! Miltown!

Gestalt

-[Song ends]

-Gussie: [chuckles] beth,

Darling.

You don't have any hooch.

Oh, oh! Oh!

Oh, I'm going to open my veins.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

That's okay.

It better be,

'Cause now I own it.

[Stutters]

Joe, joe, come quick.

We have a gigantic catastrophe.

Oh, this is scandalous.

Joe? Joe?

Come and take this gorgeous

Person up to my closet,

And she is gonna choose

Some rag of mine.

Move! Joe, please.

I am paralyzed with shame.

Oh, did you talk to my wife?

We have something in mind

Maybe for broadway.

Gussie:

Joe, if you don't hurry,

I'm going to throw myself

Down the garbage disposal.

-Now move!

-[Joe chuckles]

Your new songs

Are just beautiful.

I've got some newer ones.

[Laughs] you're wonderful.

I just admire

People like you so much.

You seem to know everyone

And do everything.

Yes, I do.

One day, I just made myself up.

And now I never change.

Instead, I change

The people around me.

-[Fingers snap]

-Scotty,

Precious,

This is your new client,

Franklin shepard.

Well, I'll holler

On you tomorrow.

Or you can yell on me.

I'm in the book.

So am i.

See how much you two

Have in common?

-[Squeals, giggles]

-[Laughs]

I just found you an agent.

Joe gave me this greenhouse

As a wedding present.

He has a tendency

To worship me.

It's great.

If you like it, take it home.

I married joe

Because he liked me

And I liked this life.

I married the one before him

Because, well,

I believed him

When he said he could write.

-[Chuckles]

-And the first one...

I don't really think

First ones count.

Do you?

This greenhouse seems as out

Of place in new york as I do.

Only at first, darling.

Now I find it to be

The best thing about this dump.

-How old are you?

-Twenty-five.

Which doesn't bother me,

And then I think I'm a quarter

Of a century, and I panic.

There's so much I want to do,

And I can't get started.

I can't even... [Chuckles] what?

Here's something I like to do

When I want to get to know

Someone very well, very fast.

It's a game.

I tell you something

Honest about me,

And you answer me right away

With something honest about you.

I call it "trading hostages."

[Chuckles, mutters nervously]

I'm not very happy.

Go on. [Chuckles]

-I'm not very happy.

-I'm very happy.

Huh.

I am inches away from the top.

I am miles away from the top.

Make that hundreds

Of thousands of miles away.

-Performing is my life.

-Composing is my life.

Success is not happening

Fast enough.

Success is not happening at all.

I have been

In five broadway shows.

I have seen the second act

Of every one.

[Laughing]

Someone's cheating.

I've done five broadway shows.

Me, I can't get started.

I can't even...

-My first love is singing.

-My first love is music.

-My second love is acting.

-My second love is music.

I think it's fate

That brought us together!

I...

Anyhoo. [Chuckles]

I did all those broadway shows.

Most of which didn't last

As long as this conversation.

And joe...

Joe has just optioned a vehicle

That could change my life.

And yours.

We both want you and

Your partner to do the score!

Do I see disappointment

On that sweet face?

We were hoping that

He wanted to do take a left,

The show that charley and I

Auditioned for him.

Oh, no, darling, not at all.

It's just we've been

Working on it for three years.

Well, you can do this one

Much faster.

But he wants me

To make sure you understand,

We want it fast, loud and funny.

I need a hit. What do you say?

[Pensive music playing,

Growing up (reprise) ]

Life is knowing

What you want

Darling

That's the thing

You have to

Know

You'll get everything

You want

Darling

Have a little patience

Climbing mountains

Can be slow

Darling

Take it easy as you

Climb

I'd say you're a winner

Also a beginner

One step at a time

Growing up

It's what they call

Growing up

It's when we're all

Starting out

And starting to sway

Growing up

You hate the delay

But after today

You'll be on your way

So what do you say?

Hmm?

Okay.

[Laughing excitedly]

Now... Now, this is not

A show about subtle.

It's not big on depth.

It's flash, bam, curtain.

It's fun!

It's opulent!

It's broadway.

[Laughs] god.

Okay.

Oh, what was that?

-A second thought.

-Oh, no, no.

That's something I do when

I want to hold on to a moment.

I close my eyes very tight

And I swallow,

Like I take a picture

That I can treasure.

You're a treasure.

-[Lively music playing]

-[Lively chatter]

-[Discordant piano notes]

-[Music and chatter stop]

Now, I want everyone

Who hasn't drunk, smoke

Or gorged themselves too much

To hurry over here. Chop-chop!

Ah, frank, look at this!

Oh, honey, it's beautiful!

Mary, where have you been?

I had to borrow a dress

From the guy upstairs.

Oh, darling!

It looks wonderful on you.

Keep it.

I'm too fat for it anyway.

Oh, uh, gussie,

This is our friend, mary flynn.

Mary's a copy editor,

But she's gonna have her own

Book published very soon.

Mary: sorry I'm late.

[Chuckles]

So glad you didn't wait.

Mary, charley and frank

Are these totally

Inseparable friends.

Well, I have to separate

For a minute.

-I got to go find charley.

-Oh, no.

I've got plans for you.

Mary flynn,

Would you be as sweet as

You look and go get charley?

Oh, thank you this much.

Come, come, come.

[Hissing]

Your husband is the most

Talented composer

I've ever heard.

-Oh.

-[Both laugh]

I hope it's all right that

I am just crazy about him.

I hope it's all right, too.

All right.

All right! Quiet now!

Listen now, please, because...

One day,

You are all going

To be able to say,

"I was there when."

Tyler: oh, my god.

I have next to me

The most exciting composer

Ever, ever, ever.

[Giggles] and he is going

To play a song he's written.

[Clicks tongue]

And when he finishes,

You are all going to want

To swallow poison,

Because there will be nothing

More to live for.

[Laughter]

So, so, find a place to park it.

Fermez all those bouches.

And I am now honored to present

Franklin shepard and charles...

Some funny little name.

Anyway, this song

Is from a little show

That they want to do

That we hope will be in a big

Show that we want to do!

[Applause, excited chatter]

Wait. What, frank? A big show?

-What is she talking about?

-Later.

Sing.

[Gentle piano music playing,

Good thing going ]

[Clears throat]

It started out like a song

We started quiet and slow

With no surprise

And then one morning I woke

To realize

We had a good thing going

Mary: psst!

-[Mouthing] take off the...

- Charley: it's not that

Nothing went wrong

Some angry moments,

Of course

But just a few

And only moments, no more

Because we knew

We had this

Good thing going

And if I wanted too much

Was that such a mistake

At the time?

You never wanted enough

All right, tough

I don't make that a crime

[Gentle piano music continues]

And while it's going along

You take for granted

Some love will wear away

We took for granted a lot

And still I say

It could have

Kept on growing

Instead of just kept on

We had a good thing going

Going

Gone

[Song ends]

[Applause, excited chatter]

Gussie: just wait.

Wait, wait, wait.

Charley: one time?

[Excited chatter continues]

We want to hear it again.

Tell them,

Wouldn't you all just like

To live your entire lives

To that music?

-Yes.

-Down.

Everybody, down, down, down.

They're going to do it again.

One more time!

No. Frank, say no.

-Yeah, charley's right.

-Beth: they loved it.

They thought we were great.

And do you know

What true greatness is?

It's knowing when to get off.

I'll sing with you. Come on.

[Gentle piano music playing,

The blob - part 2 ]

[Offbeat clapping]

Charley and frank:

It started out like a song

[Chimes in] song

We started quiet and slow

With no surprise

And then one morning

I woke to realize

Dory:

I said, "joe, this show

- "Will be a watershed"

- We had a good thing going

[Shushing]

Jerome:

Can you pass me the wine?

It's not that nothing

Went wrong

- Some angry moments...

- Did you hear

- Tyler: no kidding

- You're not serious

-[Laughter]

-[Shushing]

- And only moments

No more...

-[Joe vocalizing]

Dory: it's a clear case

Of tammany politics

Group: we were stuck

In the tunnel

Till half past six

It's a show that'll

m*rder 'em in the sticks

- Did you read?

-[Charley and frank

Continue singing]

It'll never,

They just don't mix

Women: what we need

Group: did you ever

-[Frantic music playing]

-Group: till half past six

It's a clear case

Of tammany politics

Did you read, it'll never

They just don't mix

What we need, did you ever,

Till half...

Charley and frank:

Wanted enough

All right, tough

I don't make that a crime

-[Laughing wildly]

-[Frantic music playing]

Chorus: darling

Group: we saw the new

Chorus: darling

Group: we had the most

Did you read, it'll never

They just don't mix

What we need, did you ever

Till half past six

- It's a show

That'll m*rder 'em

-[Imperceptible]

- In the sticks

-[Overlapping singing]

It's a clear case of

Tammany politics

It's the greatest,

It's the single

It's the only,

It's the perfect

It's the one

It's the real, it's the true

It's the final, it's the...

-[Wild chatter, whooping]

-[ Fifth transition playing]

[Lively music playing]

Chorus: traveling's the fun

Flashing by the countryside

Merrily we roll along,

Roll along

Catching at dreams

Yesterday is done

See the pretty countryside

Everybody merrily, merrily

1961

Chorus: some roads are easy

Some roads are breezy

Some roads,

The ride gets out of control

Grinds to a halt

And ends in a hole

Some roads you stall

Before you can roll

1960

It's 1960

And, gosh,

What a swell year it's been

Charley, frank and beth:

So many blessings

Such wonders it has brought

You hardly know

Where to begin

There's xerox and lasers

The twist and the pill

- A city in brazil

-[Rhythmic shaking]

That no one wants to fill

Khrushchev

Stopped screaming

And librium came in

And nixon didn't win

[Mock sobbing]

Goodbye, then,

To ike and the brass

To years that were cozy

But crass

It's true, ike was icky

But better him than dicky

Now meet the first

First family with class

En masse

-Ow!

-Sorry.

[Lighthearted music playing]

[Woman laughs nervously]

- There's bobby

- And jackie

And jack

And myriads more

In the back

There's ethel and teddy

And pat alone

Charley: plus eunice

Beth: and peter

- And jean

- And joan

- And what's-his-name

- Stephen

And hold the phone

The one in the army

- One in the army?

- Captain? Major?

- Sargent

- That's it

So many cards in the pack

You want to know

How to keep track

Well, one is good-looking

And young and rich

While one is good-looking

And young and rich

The rest are good-looking

And young and rich

There isn't a lot

That they lack

Not bobby and jackie

And jack

And ethel and ted

And eunice and pat

And joan and steve

And peter and jean and sarge

There's probably dozens

Of others at large

God knows

29, 32, 54! Hut, hut, hut!

Bobby, go long!

Hey. Hi. Nice to have you there.

We're bringing back style

To the white house

I'm painting it beige

For a start

We're making it into

A cultural lighthouse

- For glamour

- And beauty

And art

Evenings of the budapest

Playing vivaldi

And munch

Doing bits of ravel

- I'll get leontyne price

To sing her

-[Mouthing]

Medley from "meistersinger"

And margot fonteyn

To dance "giselle"

Together?

Won't it be

Perfectly swell?

We'll have

Bernstein play next

On the bechstein piano

And auden

Read poems and stuff

This is for you.

And galina vishnevskaya

Frank and charley: gesundheit.

The russian soprano

Just pronouncing her name

Is refreshing enough

[Holding high note]

[Glass shattering]

We're bringing back style

To the white house

With casual culture

The rule

Let's have tebaldi

She makes a guy feel good

- And oleg cassini

-[Frank and charlie gasp]

Well, I think

He's real good

And how about heifetz

- And callas

- And gielgud

And later,

When everything's cool

We'll push them

All into the pool

-Last one.

So sorry, sir. Thank you.

-[Whistle blowing]

Oh!

[Grunting]

[Frank and charley yell]

Okay, bobby, I'll make you

Attorney general.

Just get off my back.

- With bobby

- And jackie

And jack

The white house

Is under attack

Eight years is the limit

But eight will do

- By then,

There'll be bobby

- And teddy, too

Or peter or stephen

Or even you

Oh.

And then

There's the colonel

- Colonel?

- Major?

- Major?

- You know

- Sargent

- Yes

Dozens to pick up the slack

If anything

Goes out of whack

And someday elections

Will be unknown

'Cause each of our kids

Will ascend the throne

And their kids have more kids

With kids of their own

It's sort of a family knack

Till most of the nation's

Made up of relations

Of bobby and jackie

And jack

And ethel and ted

And eunice and pat and joan

And steve and peter

And jean

And sarge and joe and rose

And rows and rows

And rows and rows

And rows and rows

The decade is starting anew

And maybe

The country is, too

-[Song ends]

-[Audience cheering]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

The entire cast of our revue,

Frankly frank,

Now in its fifth successful,

Not quite record-breaking month,

Would like to thank you all

For coming to the downtown club,

Where we do two shows here

Every night

-With the exception of tonight.

-[Whistle blowing]

[Chuckles] cut that out.

[Horn squeaking]

Anyway, please come back

And bring a friend,

Or come back and make a friend,

Or just come back

And be a friend. Thank you.

Tyler: excuse me. Um, hey.

Excuse me,

But I got really excited

When I saw your name

On the reservation list,

Mr. Josephson.

Uh, me, I'm just a waiter here.

Well, actually,

I'm holding down

Three different jobs

At the moment,

But only until I can

Get my invention launched.

Uh, you see, I have invented

A brand-new machine

That can answer your telephone

When you're not at home.

Or even if you are.

-[Others chuckling]

-But I just somehow cannot

-Get all the investors...

-Joe: yeah. Hey, kid, kid!

They have answering services

With operators already

That, guess what,

Do exactly for people

What you want this verkakte

Machine here to do.

Mr. Josephson, for only $4,000,

I will right now sign a contract

Giving you 50% of the return.

Whoa, whoa.

I live in a penthouse, kid,

Not in an asylum.

Now, I will, however,

I will invest

My last red cent if you can

Come up with a sound idea,

Something like this new

Smell-o-vision movie process.

I... I...

When the hell am I gonna meet

A waiter who's just a waiter?

Mr. And mrs. Spencer, hi.

I... I'm mary flynn.

Frank and beth will be out in

Less than a minute. [Chuckles]

So, uh, I bet you two are

Excited about the wedding.

"Excited" is not the word.

You cannot imagine how important

Frank is gonna be someday.

No, we can't.

Are you in

The show business, too?

Oh, no. I'm just a fan.

But I have never heard

Music like frank's.

Us neither.

[Both laughing]

I work for look magazine...

See, now there is a steady,

Secure job.

I hate it.

Well, maybe that's why

They call it "work."

Frank: excuse me, mr. Josephson.

-[Gussie gasps]

-Frank shepard.

Do you remember me?

Our entire cast is overwhelmed,

Is what they are,

That an important man like you

Would actually come down

To see our little revue.

Aw. And you recall

Shirley akinola here?

-[Clears throat]

-Now gussie carnegie.

She fixed the nose.

She fixed the clothes.

She fixed the name.

And take a look

At what was underneath all that.

Oh, you. [Giggles]

I used to work part-time as

His secretary to pay for class.

We've all seen and admired you

Onstage so much.

-Oh, thank you.

-A big talent

Wasted in little shows,

Up until me.

But you boys, you boys must be

Doing something right,

Because the, uh...

Fiance here

Is going through

One hell of a divorce,

And you boys made her laugh.

-Gussie: joe, joe, joe.

-[Joe chuckles]

I thought it was just peaches.

Oh, see, us, we're usually

Light-years better,

But everybody was just,

God, so nervous

That the two of you were here.

And it's a pretty nervous

Night for me anyway.

I'm getting married.

-Is it the girl in the show?

-Frank: beth.

-Ah... You're awfully young.

-[Gussie sighs]

Marry in haste,

Repent in reno.

I'm 23. The guy who does

The lyrics, he's my age,

He's got a baby already.

Oh, excuse me, mr. Josephson.

You remember charley kringas

From the time

We auditioned for you,

My collaborator.

Uh, yes, I collabor him

And he collabors me.

-Sorry.

-[Joe clears throat]

Mazel tov.

Your stuff is getting

More commercial,

Which is good,

Because, trust me,

If you're gonna get married,

You're gonna need bucks.

[Chuckles] but I say,

Unless the girl is pregnant,

Get out of it.

[Chuckles]

Oh.

Have a good wedding. [Chuckles]

Um, frank, look, you know...

Unless you really want to,

You don't have to.

-I want to, charley.

-Okay, great.

Frank, if there's

Any truth at all

In "we turn out

Like our parents,"

[Chuckles]

You are in big trouble.

[Frank and mary laughing]

Mary, do you think

I'm making a wrong decision?

Well...

I mean, if you really want to

Know what I think, frank...

Frank, don't faint,

But my parents want to speak

To us before the ceremony.

Frank...

-I'm not pregnant.

-What?

Do you still want us

To get married?

Do you?

[Chuckles softly]

Before, my reason was the baby.

But now my reason is you.

And my reason is you.

[Laughing]

-I am pregnant.

-Beth!

I just wanted to be sure.

Mrs. Spencer: elizabeth!

Oh, god. Mama.

-How do I look?

-Elizabeth, your father and I

Have one thing we want to say.

Mama, you've said it all

For two days.

Elizabeth, the man

Doesn't even have a job.

My daughter is going back

To being a legal secretary

Just to support you.

Mama, I told you that

In private.

Mrs. Spencer, what I want

To do with my life

Isn't to play in this club.

I want to write music.

And to be able

To do that, I play here.

I accompany singers

At auditions.

I play for dance classes.

I do arrangements.

I do anything that I can just so

I can keep on writing music.

Boy...

We are prepared to give you

$2,000 Right here, right now.

-Daddy.

-Mr. Spencer: just call

This sorry excuse

For a wedding off!

Mr. Spencer, beth and I

Are getting married.

We hope that

It's with your blessing,

But we are getting married.

Um, the minister just got here.

-Where's evelyn?

-Who's evelyn?

Oh, the minister, I suppose!

Uh, no, evelyn is my wife,

And she is way

At the back of the room.

See, they often have to stop

Weddings right in the middle

Because of her sobbing.

Which I try not

To take personally.

Let's get started.

Mrs. Spencer: elizabeth.

Here's grandma's ring.

Thank you, mama.

[Laughs]

Daddy?

Elizabeth.

[Whispers] come here, baby.

[Sighs]

-[Beth crying softly]

-[Sniffles]

Oh, honey, it could be worse.

Both: at least

She's not pregnant.

My dear friends, good evening.

Before the marriage vows,

Frank and beth have each

Asked to speak.

Frank?

Beth...

I'm so happy to be marrying you

In the very place

Where I met you

And grew to love you.

Actually, I'm just happy

To be marrying you, period.

And I very much would like to

Thank our dear close friends

For being with us on this,

The most important moment

In both of our lives.

Minister: beth?

Not a day goes by

Not a single day

All: but you're somewhere

A part of my life

And it looks like

You'll stay

As the days go by

I keep thinking

"When does it end?"

That it can't get much better

Much longer

But it only gets better

And stronger

And deeper and nearer

Both: and simpler and freer

And richer and clearer

All: and no

Not a day goes by

Not a blessed day

But you somewhere

Come into my life

And you don't go away

And I have to say

If you do, I'll die

I want day after day

After day after day after

[Crying] I'll die

Day after day after day

After day after day

Till the days go by

Till the days go by

[Voice breaking]

Till the days go by

[Bright music playing,

Sixth transition ]

How does it happen?

Once it was all so clear

How did you get so far

Off the track?

Why don't you turn around

And go back?

How does it happen?

Where is the moment?

When did the road

Behind disappear?

Where did you let things

Slip out of gear?

Both: how did you ever

Get to be here?

1959

1958

-[Rhythmic typing]

-[Piano playing simple melody]

[Typewriter dings and rattles

Rhythmically]

[Piano music continues]

[Rhythmic typing]

-[Bangs piano keys]

-[Opening doors playing]

-How's it going?

-Good. You?

-Fair.

-Yeah, tell me.

-[Phone rings]

-Russian tea room.

-Hi.

-Mary.

-Say hello.

-I think I got a job.

-Where?

-True romances.

-Posing?

-Thank you. Writing captions.

-What about the book?

-What about the book?

-Nothing. Are you working

On the book?

-Yes.

-Frank: good.

-No.

-Mary.

-Right. I know.

Yes, me and balzac.

[Rhythmic typing]

[Piano playing simple melody]

[Rhythmic typing]

-[Piano playing simple melody]

-[Rhythmic typing and rattling]

Ugh.

-[Jaunty music playing]

-[Grunts]

[Grunts softly]

I finished the one-act

- I got an audition

- I started the story

- Rehearsal pianist

- So where are we eating?

- I'm moving to playboy

- The publisher called me

- I'm doing a rewrite

- My parents are coming

- I saw my fair lady

- I rewrote the rewrite

- I sort of enjoyed it

- I threw out the story

I'm meeting an agent

All: we'll all get together

On sunday

We're opening doors

Singing, "here we are"

We're filling up days

On a dime

That faraway shore's

Looking not too far

We're following every star

There's not enough time

[Whistles to music]

- I called a producer

- I sent off the one-act

- I started the story

- He said to come see him

- I dropped out of college

- I met this musician

- I'm playing a nightclub

- They're doing my one-act

- I'm working for redbook

- I rewrote the ballad

- I finished the story

- We started rehearsal

I threw out the story

And then the musician

I'm moving

To popular science

We're opening doors

Singing, "look who's here"

Beginning to sail on a dime

That faraway shore's

Getting very near

We haven't a thing to fear

We haven't got time

[Rhythmic typing]

[Whistles to music]

[Rhythmic typing]

Bum-bum-bu-bum-bum bum-bum

La-da-da-da-da da-dum

-How's it coming?

-Good. You?

Done!

-One minute.

-[Phone rings]

Hamburg heaven.

-Hi.

-Mary.

-Say hello.

-I got another job.

-Frank: where?

-Chic.

-What's that?

-A brand-new concept,

Pop-up pictures.

-What about the book?

-What about the book?

Did you give

The publisher the book?

-Yes. No.

-Good. Mary.

-Mary: look, I never...

-Finished!

-Let me call you back.

-Right.

-This is just a draft.

Probably it stinks.

-Right. Right.

Haven't had the time

To do a polish.

-Will you sing?

-Right.

Who wants

To live in new york?

Who wants

The worry, the noise

The dirt, the heat?

Who wants the garbage cans

Clanging in the street?

Suddenly I do

They're always popping

Their cork

I'll fix that line

The cops, the cabbies

The salesgirls up at saks

You gotta have a real taste

For maniacs

- Suddenly I do

-[Joe scoffs]

That's great, that's swell

The other stuff as well

It isn't every day

You hear a score this strong

But, fellas, if I may

There's only one thing wrong

It's not a tune you can hum

It's not a tune you go

Bum-bum-bum-di-dum

You need a tune you go

Bum-bum-bum-di-dum

Give me a melody

Why can't you

Throw 'em a crumb?

What's wrong with letting 'em

Tap their toes a bit?

I'll let you know

When stravinsky has a hit

Give me a melody

Oh, sure, I know

It's not that kind of show

But can't you have a score

That's sort of in-between?

Look, play a little more

I'll show you what I mean

Who wants

To live in new york?

I always hated the dirt

The heat, the noise

But ever since

I met you, i...

Listen, boys, maybe it's me

But that's just not a

Hum-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mable

Melody!

Write more, work hard

Leave your name with the girl

Less avant-garde

Leave your name

With the girl

Just write a plain old

Melodee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee

[Laughs]

A-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee

[Jaunty music playing]

They're stopping rehearsal

They ran out of money

We lasted one issue

My book was rejected

The nightclub was raided

I had to start coaching

- My parents are coming

- I screwed up the laundry

- My wallet was stolen

- I saw the musician

- We're being evicted

- I'm having a breakdown

We'll all get together

On sunday

They're slamming the doors

Singing, "go away"

It's less of a sail

Than a climb

That faraway shore's

Farther every day

We're learning to ricochet

We still have a lot to say

You know what we'll do?

What?

We'll do a revue

-Charley: what?

-What?

We'll do a revue of our own

-What?

-Where?

-Why?

-Charley: when?

Not just songs

But stories, scenes,

-Piano pieces, mime!

-Yeah.

"Frankly frank!"

A showcase of our own

-Where?

-The club's reopening.

-We'll write a lot of new stuff.

-Rewrite old stuff.

-What about the girl?

-What about the girl?

Only that

We're gonna need a girl.

-Well, mary.

-Thanks.

[In posh accent] I don't

Perform except at dinner.

[In shrill voice] who wants

To live in new york?

Who wants

The worry, the noise

The dirt, the heat?

Who wants the garbage cans

Clanging?

-Next!

-I can sing higher!

[Piano playing light music]

Who wants

To live in new york?

Who wants

To live in new york?

Who wants to live...

Thank you for coming!

They're always popping

Their cork

Up a tone.

The cops, the cabbies

The salesgirls up at saks

Up a tone.

You gotta have a real taste

For maniacs

Thank you! You're hired!

-[Exclaims] I'm beth

- I'm frank

I really thought I stank

- I'm mary

- Charley

By the way, I'm told

We open saturday

- What? You're not serious

- Nobody's ready

Apparently, somebody canceled

A booking

- The songs aren't finished

- And what about costumes?

And how do I learn

All these numbers?

I'll bring you the copies

Of everything

- Later this evening

- Not to mention

I still haven't finished

Okay, but I'll have to

Have all of the music

[Rapid overlapping singing]

All: we'll worry about it

On sunday

We're opening doors

Singing, "here we are"

We're filling up days

On a dime

That faraway shore's

Looking not too far

We're following every star

There's not enough time

We're banging on doors

Shouting, "here again"

We're risking it all

On a dime

That faraway shore's

Looking near again

The only thing left is when

We know

We should count to ten

We haven't got time

We haven't got time

-[Song ends]

-[Audience cheering]

[Chuckling]

[Pensive music playing,

Seventh transition ]

Group:

Bending with the road

Gliding through

The countryside

Merrily we roll along,

Roll along

Catching at dreams

Dreams that will explode

Waking up the countryside

Group:

Everybody merrily, merrily

Sing 'em your song

Rolling along

Rolling along

Rolling along

Rolling along

[Gentle music playing]

Oh, hey. Hey, what are you doing

Up on the roof?

I don't know.

I just came up here.

Well, you could have

Told a person.

-You were asleep.

-Yeah, the alarm just went off.

-You see anything?

-Mmm-mmm.

-Is something wrong?

-[Chuckles] no.

What are you doing

Up here so early?

I couldn't sleep.

Charley... I read

Your two plays last night.

They were so wonderful,

I couldn't sleep.

-I thought you were mad.

-[Chuckles]

I have to tell everyone

Who stays over

To always wake me whenever

You think I'm wonderful.

[Frank chuckles]

I tossed and turned.

I kept thinking about wasting

These last two years

In the army,

Then to come back

And read your plays...

"Wasting"?

What about that music

You played for me?

-Talk about wonderful.

-What?

Really?

Yes.

Yeah, frank, you... You don't

Just write what you know.

You write what you know.

Okay.

This play, pretty politics,

About the senate pages.

What do you think about

Making it into a musical?

-Go on.

-I've got a better title.

Take a left.

That's a better title?

[Laughs]

I think it's important.

-Musicals are popular.

-[ Our time playing]

They're a great way

To state important ideas,

Ideas that could really

Make a difference.

Charley, we can

Change the world.

[Chuckles]

Something is stirring,

Shifting ground

It's just begun

Edges are blurring

All around

And yesterday is done

Feel the flow

Hear what's happening

- We're what's happening

-[Chuckles]

Don't you know?

We're the movers

And we're the shapers

We're the names

- In tomorrow's papers

-[Chuckles]

Up to us, man, to show 'em

It's our time

Breathe it in

Worlds to change

And worlds to win

Our turn coming through

Me and you, man

Me and you

-Uh, uh.

-Hi.

Uh, we just wanted to see,

My roommate and... I. [Chuckles]

Excuse me.

She's probably from barnard.

Barnard girls are dippy.

[Both laugh]

-Do you have the time?

-Uh, yep.

Uh, quarter to 6:00.

Do you ever think

About getting married?

No.

Me neither.

But when I'm

A lot older, maybe.

Feel how it quivers

On the brink

What?

Everything

Gives you the shivers

Makes you think

There's so much

Stuff to sing

And you and me

We'll be singing it

Like the birds

[Chuckles] me with music

And you the words

Tell 'em things

They don't know

Up to us, pal, to show 'em

Both: our time,

Breathe it in

Worlds to change

And worlds to win

Our turn, we're what's new

Me and you, pal, me and you

- Feel the flow

- Feel the flow

Hear what's happening

We're what's happening

Long ago

All we had

Was that funny feeling

Saying someday

We'd send 'em reeling

Now it looks like we can

Someday just began

It's our heads on the block

Give us room

And start the clock

Our time coming through

Me and you, pal, me and you

Me and you

I didn't mean to be

So overdressed before.

-[Laughs]

-Am I too late?

No, I think

It's just about now.

Oh, my roommate's

Coming up, too.

Oh, I'm charley kringas.

This is frank shepard.

-Mary flynn. Hi.

-Hi.

-Hi.

-Um, we just took the apartment

-On five.

-Oh, I'm not officially moved in

Until I'm discharged

From the army next week.

Frank just got a weekend pass

To help us move in.

-Um, a lot to move in.

-[Music fades]

A typewriter, two mattresses

And a piano.

Are you the one playing

The piano the last two days?

-We're evicted.

-Oh, no.

You are wonderful.

I mean, sincerely wonderful.

I'm sincerely grateful.

Yeah, I even came up on the roof

So I could hear you better.

[Laughs awkwardly]

[Sighs] I tell everything,

Then go home and suffer.

[Chuckles] so, are you

Sincerely wonderful, too?

-I write.

-He is.

Aw.

Me, columbia. Him, juilliard.

Well, that's what

I want to do, write.

But how does anyone

Compose music, though?

I mean, to me,

That is the gift of gifts.

I just met the girl

I ought to marry.

Did anybody ever tell you

You say all the right things?

Never.

[Laughs]

Well, but i...

I really want to know.

Well, writing music

Is not about words.

It's about sounds and feelings.

And, to me, music is about

Everything. [Laughs]

Well, anyway, it's so creative.

If I didn't have music, I'd die.

Someday, frank is gonna be

A very important composer.

He is?

I think you already are.

Mary? Are you up here?

Oh.

You're with guys.

-[Shrieking] oh, no!

-[Chuckles]

Mary: evelyn.

Evelyn.

[Chuckles]

That was evelyn.

Oh! [Stammers]

We should probably look now.

It's supposed to be right now.

-Frank: see anything?

-God, I hope we didn't miss it.

It should come right over.

-Oh, yeah, there. There it is.

-[Gasps] yeah, I see it.

-Where?

-There it is. There.

It's just phenomenal.

It's phenomenal.

Do you call it sputnik or

"Spootnik"? [Voice cracks]

Mmm. Call it a miracle.

God.

We got to be the luckiest people

Who ever lived.

After this moment,

This moment that the three of us

Are sharing here together,

Nothing is ever gonna be the way

That it was, not ever again!

Do you guys realize that now

We're gonna be able

To do anything?

I mean, anything

We ever dreamed of.

What a time to be starting out.

What a time to be alive.

Something is stirring,

Shifting ground

It's just begun

Edges are blurring

All around

And yesterday is done

Feel the flow,

Hear what's happening

We're what's happening

Don't you know?

We're the movers

And we're the shapers

We're the names

In tomorrow's papers

Up to us now to show 'em

[Exhaling playfully]

All: it's our time,

Breathe it in

Worlds to change

And worlds to win

Our turn coming through

Me and you, pal, me and you

Years from now,

We'll remember

And we'll come back

Buy the rooftop

And hang a plaque

"This is where we began

"Being what we can"

It's our heads on the block

Give us room

And start the clock

Our dreams coming true

Me and you, pal, me and you

Group: me and you

Me and you, me and you

Me and you

Me and you, me and you

Me and

You

[Song ends]

[Gentle, hopeful music playing]

-[Music ends]

-[Audience cheering]

-[Lively music playing]

-[Audience applauding]

[Audience cheering]

-[Music ends]

-[Audience cheering]

[Jazz music playing]

[Music ends]

[Audience cheering]

[Cheering fades]