Paramount

Paramount Song Lyrics

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The gates and open areas at the front of the Paramount lot, leading to the studios and the administration blocks. it is morning and a variety of YOUNG HOPEFULS are milling about in the forecourt, waiting for their interviews, assignments or auditions, and trying to impress one another. As this world gradually assembles before our eyes, JOE'S tone changes; HE continues to address the audience.

JOE (V.O.)
Let me take you back six months
I was at the bottom of the barrel
I'd had a contract down at Fox
but I'd fallen foul of Darryl.
Now I had a date at Paramount
along with about a thousand other writers,
if it didn't come up roses, I'd be covering funerals
back in Dayton, Ohio.
I'd hidden my car three blocks away,
turned out to be a smart move.

(Joe joins the young hopefuls; these include MYRON, a director; MARY, an actress, blonde and beautiful, artfully dishevelled; and JOANNA, a writer, dark and intense. THEY greet each other with air-kisses, casual waves and ritualized exchanges.)

JOE
Hi there, Myron

MYRON
How's it hanging?

JOE
I've got a date with Sheldrake

MYRON
I'm shooting a western down at Fox

JOE
How can you work with Darryl?

MYRON
We should talk

JOE
Gotta run

BOTH
Let's have lunch

MARY
Hi, Mr. Gillis

JOE
You look great

MARY
I'm up for an audition

JOE
Sheldrake is driving me insane

MARY
Don't forget me when you're casting

JOE
We should talk

MARY
Gotta run

BOTH
Let's have lunch

JOE
Morning, Joanna

MARY
Hi there, Myron

JOANNA
Who are you meeting

MYRON
You look great

JOE
Sheldrake, but do I need it?

MARY
I've spent the last month fasting

JOANNA
I'm handing in my second draft

MYRON
I'm shooting a western down at Fox

JOE
I'd really love to read it

MARY
Don't forget me when you're casting

JOANNA
We should talk

MYRON
We should talk

JOE
Gotta run

MARY
Gotta run

BOTH
Let's have lunch

BOTH
Let's have lunch

(JOE approaches the gate, where he's challenged by JONES, the elderly guard. Underscoring continues.)

JOE
Yeh, I have an appointment with Mr. Sheldrake

JONES
Name?

JOE
Gillis, Joseph Gillis

(JONES consults his clipboard.)

JONES
All right, sir, you know your way?

JOE
Yeah

(JOE is suddenly waylaid by two men in hats and bad suits: FINANCEMEN.)

1ST FIN.
We want the key to your car

2ND FIN.
You're way behind the payments

1ST FIN.
Don't give us any fancy footwork....

2ND FIN.
Give us the keys.

JOE
I only wish I could help.
I loaned it to my accountant
he has an important client down in Palm Springs
felt like shooting the breeze

1ST FIN.
Are you telling us you walked here?

JOE
I believe in self-denial
I'm in training for the priesthood

2ND FIN.
Okay wise guy, three hundred bucks

1ST FIN
Or we're taking the car

2ND FIN
We have a court order

JOE
I love it when you talk dirty

(The Paramount gates open. JOE slips away from the FINANCEMEN, back into the social whirl.)