NORMA

There's been a call

What did I say

They want to see me right away

Joe, Paramount, they love our child

Mr. DeMille is going wild



JOE

Well, that's wonderful, Norma.



NORMA

But it was some fool assistant

Not acceptable at all

It he wants me, then Cecil B.

Himself must call



JOE

I don't know if this is the time to stand on ceremony.



NORMA

I've been waiting twenty years now

What's a few more days, my dear?

It's happened, Joe

I told you so

The perfect year



Now, let's go upstairs



JOE

Shouldn't you at least call back?



NORMA

No; they can wait until I'm good and ready.



JOE (V.O.)

It took her three days and she was ready

She checked with her astrologer

Who sacrificed a chicken

She dressed up like a pharaoh

Slapped on a pound of make-up

And set forth in her chariot

Poor Norma

So happy

Re-entering her kingdom



MAX (V.O.)

If you will pardon me, Madame, the shadow over the left eye is not quite balanced.



NORMA (V.O.)

Thank you, Max.



GUARD

Hey, that's enough of that.



MAX

To see Mr. DeMille. Open the gate.



GUARD

Mr. DeMille is shooting. You need an appointment.



MAX

This is Norma Desmond. No appointment is necessary.



GUARD

Norma who?



NORMA

Jonesy?



JONES

Why, if it isn't Miss Desmond. How have you been, Miss Desmond?



NORMA

Fine, Jonesy. Open the gate.



JONES

You heard Miss Desmond.



GUARD

They don't have a pass.



JONES

Stage 18, Miss Desmond.



NORMA

Thank you, Jonesy. And teach your friend some manners.

Tell him without me, there wouldn't be any Paramount Studio.



JONES

Get me Stage 18. I have a message for Mr. DeMille.



HEATHER

Mr. DeMille?



DEMILLE

What is it?



HEATHER

Norma Desmond is here to see you, Mr. DeMille.



DEMILLE

Norma Desmond?



HEATHER

She's here at the studio.



DEMILLE

It must be about that appalling script of hers. What shall I say?



HEATHER

Maybe I could give her the brush.



DEMILLE

Thirty million fans have given her the brush. Isn't that enough? Give me a minute.



NORMA

Won't you come along, darling?



JOE

It's your script. It's your show. Good luck.



NORMA

Thank you, darling.



HEATHER

Miss Desmond.



DEMILLE

Well, well, well.



NORMA

Hello, Mr. DeMille.

The last time I saw you, we were someplace terribly gay. I was dancing on the table.



DEMILLE

A lot of people were. Lindbergh had just landed.



NORMA

You read the script, of course.



DEMILLE

Well, yes...



NORMA

Now, I know how busy you are during shooting,

But I really think you could have picked up the phone yourself,

Instead of leaving it so some assistant.



DEMILLE

I don't know what you mean, Norma.



NORMA

Yes, you do.



DEMILLE

Come on in.