Album: Sunset Boulevard

The House On Sunset (Exterior)

It is late at night as JOE, in the Isotta, glides back into the garage. HE steps down from the car with a gleam in his eye and a spring in his step, and is therefore thoroughly startled when the sombre figure of Max steps forward out of the darkness. However, HE recovers quickly. It is a murky night, wind rising, rain threatening.

JOE

What's the matter there, Max? You waiting to wash the car?

MAX

Please be careful when you cross the patio. Madame may be watching.

JOE

Suppose I tiptoe up the back stairs and undress in the dark, will that do it?

MAX

It's just that I am greatly worried about Madame.

JOE

Well, we're not helping any, feeding her lies and more lies. What happens when she finds out they're not going to make her picture?

MAX

She never will. That is my job. I made her a star and I will never let her be destroyed.

JOE

You made her a star?

MAX

I directed all her early pictures. In those days there were three young directors who showed promise: D. W Griffith, Cecil B. DeMille and...

(JOE interrupts, as the realisation suddenly dawns on him.)

JOE

Max von Mayerling.

MAX

That's right.

(By now, THEY've moved out of the garage on to the dimly lit patio.)

When we met

She was a child,

Barely sixteen;

Awkward, and yet

She had an air

I'd never seen.

I knew I'd found

My perfect face.

Deep in her eyes,

New ways to dream,

And we inspired

New ways to dream.

Talkies came,

I stayed with her,

Took up this life.

Threw away fame,

(He hesitates, before steeling himself to go on.)

MAX

Please understand,

(A beat)

She was my wife.

(Pause. JOE is staggered. MAX is fighting back a wave of emotion.)

MAX

We had achieved

Far more than most.

We gave the world

New ways to dream.

Everyone needs

New ways to dream.

(JOE shakes his head, still incredulous.)

JOE

You're telling me you were married to her!

MAX

I was the first husband.

So I play this game,

Keeper of the flame,

Sharing with her one last dream.

Don't you think I knew

It could never come true?

She'll be the very last one to surrender.

I will not allow her to surrender.