Write Margo’s inner monologue, as she is lying in bed after the ‘Happy Birthday, Bill’ telephone call; followed by some frank advice from Birdie.
The clock reads 3 am as Margo and Bill are in the middle of a phone call. The bright lighting makes Bill appear youthful while dim lighting highlights Margo’s aging face.
BILL: I get a party, don't I?
MARGO: Of course, birthday and welcome home... who'll I ask?
BILL: (laughs) It's no secret, I know all about the party - Eve wrote me…
MARGO: She did...?
BILL: She hasn't missed a week since I left - but you know all that, you probably tell her what to write... anyway, I sent her a list of people to ask - check with her.
MARGO’S INNER VOICE: yes, I definitely will be checking with her, she didn’t mention any of this to me!
MARGO: Yeah... I will.
BILL: How is Eve? Okay?
MARGO’S INNER VOICE: why does Bill care about her all of a sudden? He barely spared her a glance when Karen first introduced Eve to us in my dressing room after my performance ‘Aged in Wood’.
MARGO: Okay.
BILL: I love you...
MARGO: I love you too. Good night, darling-
Margo puts the phone down, reaches over for a cigarette and lights it as the camera zooms up to her face, accentuating her wrinkles and conveying her disquiet.
MARGO: What a strange conversation. I wonder what else Eve has been doing behind my back.
MARGO’S INNER VOICE: I must admit, Bill’s new-found interest in Eve is rather worrisome. She’s young, beautiful and feminine, everything I want to be for Bill. But I’m forty years old! And Bill’s only thirty two. He says he loves me, but how long will that love last? Everyday I’m getting older, while Bill stays the same. If there's one thing I’ve learnt from being a part of the theatre, it’s that nothing is permanent.
I should ask Birdie for her opinion on Eve as soon as I wake up, she always knows best.
The light permeates the spacious bedroom the next morning as Margo is sitting in bed, pensively smoking while Birdie walks in with her breakfast tray and starts to do some chores.
MARGO: Birdie- You don't like Eve, do you?
BIRDIE: Wow you look terrible Margo! Did you even get any sleep? And to answer your question, no I don’t like her.
MARGO: Thank you so much, how come?
BIRDIE: I'll tell you how. Like - let's see - like she was studyin' you, like you were a play or a book or a set of blueprints. How you walk, talk, think, eat, sleep-
MARGO’S INNER VOICE: She does have a point. I always found it quite odd that Eve follows me all around the country like a lost puppy just to watch every single one my performances. I said it once and I’ll say it again, fans are autograph fiends, they’re just juvenile delinquents. But why don’t I believe my own words?
MARGO: I'm sure that's very flattering, Birdie, and I'm sure there's nothing wrong with that!
BIRDIE: Why would she go through all that effort of working hard day and night? She obviously wants something from you. From the beginning I thought her tear-jerking story sounded like something out of a play or a movie. If I wasn’t suspicious enough when I first met her, I definitely am now after we saw her posing in the mirror with your dress. I think she’s a sycophant who is merely attracted to your reputation in the theatre, but that’s just my opinion.
MARGO’S INNER VOICE: It seems like there’s more to Eve than meets the eye. Is she as loyal as she appears to be? I’ve only known her for a few weeks, I shouldn’t trust her so easily. At the time I thought it was heartwarming when she was replicating my gesture with the dress in front of the mirror, that I was her idol, but listening to Birdie has opened my eyes to a different perspective. Does she have some sort of unhealthy obsession with me? Or worse, is she trying to take my place in the theatre? Maybe she isn’t just a lamb loose in our big stone jungle...
There is a sharp knock and Eve confidently walks in carrying a leather portfolio
MARGO’S INNER VOICE: Speak of the devil and he shall appear!
Birdie throws a shrewd look at Margo as they realise Eve is wearing one of Margo’s suits, confirming their earlier suspicions.
MARGO: Eve, by any chance, did you place a call from me to Bill for midnight California time?
EVE: (gasps) Oh, golly. And I forgot to tell you-
MARGO: Yes, dear. You forgot all about it.
EVE: I guess I was asleep when you got home...
MARGO’S INNER VOICE: Excuses, excuses… I’ve been in the theatre for 36 years now! I can tell when someone is being duplicitous. Perhaps I should sack Eve, but no, she’s quite interesting and besides, maybe I’m just being paranoid. After all, the theatre world tends to bring such anxiety along with it. Yes that must be it, I’ll let her stay a while longer making sure to keep a closer eye on her this time.
Suspenseful music plays as Eve exits the room followed by Birdie who has a disdainful look on her face.
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