**********
MADGE
Warlock's been busy again. Another little bundle from Bedlam.
PHILIP
Oh no. Not again.
MADGE
Look from the bright side: when he's writing you letters, he's
not writing music.
PHILIP
Now what did I do?
MADGE
You'll see.
PHILIP
Angus! What a pleasant surprise!
ANGUS
Ay, it would be, I suppose. It's about this notice of Mr. Warlock's latest extravaganza.
PHILIP
You didn't run it this morning?
ANGUS
That's correct, Philip. I felt it my duty to hold it back. 'Mr.
Warlock's music is an anthology of musical platitude, stolen from
the pages of prominent modern composers, excess light and frothy
as a tub of wet cement.' Really droll, Philip, I must say. But is it
kind? Is it generous? Is it necessary?
PHILIP
It is an honest review, Angus. It is what you pay me for.
ANGUS
We pay you to fill a column, not to stir up trouble. Tone it down, laddie. That
stuff is libelous.
PHILIP
You are joking!
ANGUS
I never joke. It doesn't suit me. I haven't the face for it. You
are calling that chap a thief.
PHILIP
But he is!
ANGUS
And you're doing it in print. Our lawyers say that we must not go to press without notice. So put away your
wee razor, laddie.
**********
PHILIP
This is Philip Heseltine. Madge's desk, please.
LILY
Ma, is that you? Can you hear me okay?
PHILIP
There is nothing I could commend in this insipid music.
MADGE
Insipid?
PHILIP
That's right. Hell, unfortunately, is full of musical amateurs.
LILY
Hey, Ma, I gotta go. Can I call you tomorrow?
MADGE
Amateurs?
LILY
No, just give him a kiss from me.
PHILIP
That's right. Amateurs.
LILY
Ma, I gotta go. I love you, too. Bye.
PHILIP
This recital began with an alleged melody which reached a climax
with the most dismal tinkling and wailing.
MADGE
Tinkling and wailing. Are you serious?
PHILIP
Yes, wailing. Ever let loose even in London. That the future
of--
LILY
Excuse me.
PHILIP
Madge, just a second. Yes?
LILY
I couldn't help overhearing your review.
PHILIP
Do you like it?
LILY
Oh, what's not to like? I always enjoy the ravings of
some-pencil-pushing-supercilious-know- nothing. You're destroying
something people have sweated bullets over.
PHILIP
As well as sweating bullets over something doesn't necessary to make
it good.
LILY
Typical critic!
PHILIP
Miss Buxton, I think there's been some misunderstanding. You see-
LILY
No. You see. It's a good show and if people want to come, they'll
come and you won't stop them. Go hang yourself.
**********
PHILIP
Morning. I was beginning to give up on you two. Miss Buxton, that
misunderstanding, I think this might help clear it up. It's the
second column, towards the bottom.
OSCAR
A day to forget and a night to remember.
LILY
Privileged to be present at the birth of something quite fresh
and unique. Times Square Torch Songs sung by prodigiously
talented American chanteuse, Lily Buxton, accompanied by the
fleet fingers of our own, Oscar Butterworth.
OSCAR
Again. Again. Let me hear it again.
LILY
Accompanied by the fleet fingers of our own, Oscar Butterworth, it was an event to remember. This critic has never heard popular
songs sung with such purity. But I thought I heard you panning us.
OSCAR
That's the review of some poor diabolical Peter Warlock. That's for wearing
the clover.
LILY
Honestly, I had no idea.
PHILIP
There's no need to apologize. But you could make it up to me.
LILY
I could? Oscar says you could have broken us just like that.
PHILIP
Well, Oscar is wrong. You are too good to be broken just like
that.
LILY
What is so funny?
PHILIP
The ravings of a supercilious know nothing.
LILY
Oh, Geez, did I really say that?
PHILIP
Yes. But don't apologize. It was rather good. Besides, I'm a
critic. People call me all sort of things.
LILY
Maybe you get what you deserve.
PHILIP
I gave you good notice.
LILY
Oh, I know and I am grateful. But what about the other poor
devil?
PHILIP
Who?
LILY
Your other review.
PHILIP
Oh. That was just Peter Warlock. Being a critic's a bit like
being a surgeon. Sometimes I have to be cruel to be kind.
LILY
Kind? You know when I was reading those two reviews, I noticed
something. Our review was good, but it was short. Mr. Warlock's
was very bad and very long.
PHILIP
Yes. Well, you have me there. I suppose it is easier to criticize
than to praise. But I'm working on it. Promise.
LILY
My parents believe in education, so that meant two engineers and
one attorney. As for me, I always wanted to be a singer. So my
parents sent me to Julliard.
PHILIP
Well, my people still aren't convinced what I do is any kind of job
for a grown man.
LILY
You went ahead and did it anyway.
PHILIP
Music is still the only thing I ever really care about.
LILY
I have to tell you something.
PHILIP
You have a boyfriend.
LILY
No.
PHILIP
Engaged?
LILY
Nope.
PHILIP
Married?
LILY
Much worse.
PHILIP
What could be worse than married?
LILY
I don't like critics.
PHILIP
Oh.
LILY
I like you.
PHILIP
Well, thank you.
LILY
I just don't like critics as a species.
PHILIP
Well, perhaps you should let me try to change your mind.
**********
PHILIP
You've never been here before?
LILY
Well, I've never been anywhere here before. The only thing I've
seen is the cover of my bedroom. I'm just getting busier every night. Thanks to you. The club, I mean.
PHILIP
Well, we shouldn't stay here too long. We mustn't be late for the
concert. Angus hates if critics being late.
LILY
Blame it on me if we are. I am starving.
VIRGINIA
Philip!
PHILIP
Ah. Virginia.
VIRGINIA
I read your Warlock notice the other day. You are naughty.
PHILIP
If you bothered to read my good notice--
VIRGINIA
It was boring.
PHILIP
--you'd already known about somebody with aa real talent. Lily,
this is an old friend. Virginia Milford.
LILY
Hello.
VIRGINIA
Hello, charmed. You must be American. Only Americans dress like that with so few inhibitions. I always wanted to visit the
colonies, but my present husband is too nervous. All those gangsters, and organ
grinders.
PHILIP
Thanks. That shouldn't deter you, Virginia. You were married to
at least three of them.
VIRGINIA
Four. You're forgetting Albert.
LILY
Goodbye. Tell me she's not real.
PHILIP
No, she's not. She's totally artificial. It's taken her years,
but she's finally made it. She'll be a regular at the club before
the week is out. Where Virginia goes, the town will follow.
**********
LILY
Are you all right, Philip?
PHILIP
I will be if this piece ever ends.
A MAN
Would you kindly keep quiet? It's impossible to enjoy this.
PHILIP
I couldn't agree with you more. No, it wasn't the performance.
Gerald's musicians are as good as any in London.
LILY
So what was the problem?
PHILIP
It was the music he chose. He is far too good to waste his time
on Warlock.
**********
PHILIP
There he is.
GERALD
Philip. Glad you can make it, my boy.
PHILIP
Gerald, this is Lily.
GERALD
Have you said 'hello' to Eric?
PHILIP
Gerald Duffy. He's my oldest friend.
GERALD
He's over there between the cold buffet and the woman in white.
PHILIP
We've known each other since Oxford.
LILY
I enjoyed your concert so much.
GERALD
Well, she may stay. What about you? Any chance of a decent notice?
PHILIP
You always get what you deserve.
GERALD
Why do I bother to ask? Phil says I waste my talent on composers who are second-rate.
PHILIP
Worse than second rate. Warlock steals his words from Yeats and
his music from Delius and Byrd.
GERALD
Phil thinks I am the champion of musical lost causes.
LILY
That's very romantic.
PHILIP
Gerald plays just about anything, provided the composers are
young and new and not so young.
GERALD
And attractive. Why don't you go and get Lily a drink?
PHILIP
Take good care of her while I'm gone.
**********
PHILIP
Do you like him?
LILY
Gerald? He tried to make a pass off me.
PHILIP
No, no. I don't think so.
LILY
Well, thanks. It has been known to happen.
PHILIP
Lily, Gerald is a --um. Well, Gerald's man's man, Lily. It
always has been.
LILY
So why did he warn me off you?
PHILIP
Well, he has a rather odd sense of humour.
**********
PHILIP
It's about Warlock's sheets.
SIR THOMAS
I thought so.
PHILIP
I have it on a very good authority that he is stealing Delius's
ideas again.
SIR THOMAS
Good.
PHILIP
What?
SIR THOMAS
Genius is to steal, Heseltine. The talent is merely born.
PHILIP
Sir Thomas, I hardly think it is in your best interest to perform
the-
SIR THOMAS
Oh, you hardly think, do you? You hardly think. Frankly I don't
give a monkey's arse what you think.
PHILIP
Sir Thomas, I know Warlock's music. It's-
SIR THOMAS
It isn't even finished yet. Besides, what do you know
about it? Bugger all! You criticize music. You don't make it.
Stick to your grubby scribblings, Heseltine, and leave the
creative work to Warlock and me.
**********
MADGE
Mr. Heseltine's line.
PETER
Heseltine.
MADGE
Who is this?
PETER
This is Peter Warlock.
MADGE
What do you want?
PETER
I want to speak to Philip Heseltine.
MADGE
I'm sorry. Mr. Heseltine isn't here at the moment. Can I take a
message, please?
PETER
You tell him: he's gone too far this time. He tried to threaten
Beecham, he tried to turn him against me. I know all about it. He
can't stop my music being performed, do you hear? I know he is trying to cut me off from my audience and he called me a thief.
Why? He's a
cheat. He's a liar. You tell him to stop or I'll stop him myself.
**********
LILY
Do you play?
PHILIP
Oh, no. No. This came with the flat. I'm not much of a pianist. I can only play
one thing.
LILY
That's nice. What is it?
PHILIP
Oh, it doesn't have a name. Um, my mother used to sing me to
sleep with it. Don't be jealous, Mandra.
LILY
You better get it.
MADGE
Oh, thank heavens, you're here. I've been calling all night.
PHILIP
Madge, I really just got in. Couldn't this wait till morning?
MADGE
No, Philip. I don't think it can. When I couldn't reach you, I
didn't know what to do. You got a terrible call at the office. It
was Peter Warlock.
PHILIP
Warlock telephoned?
MADGE
He was making terrible threats, Philip. He said he was going to
hurt you if you don't stop.
PHILIP
Look, Madge, just go home and don't worry. I'll take care of
this. Get yourself a taxi. Madge, just keep this to yourself.
LILY
Who was it, Philip? Is everything all right?
PHILIP
Would you mind if I took you home?
**********
PHILIP
I just want to say I'm sorry for the other night. Close your eyes. Go
on. Keep them closed. Now to make up for my bad manners. Open.
Your very own New York picnic. You see: bagels, lox,--
LILY
Oh, Philip.
PHILIP
It is lox, isn't it? Good. Well, this is, um, Scottish salmon
that my sources assure me they are cousins. And the pièce de resistance-
LILY
Cheese cake!
PHILIP
No. Lindy's famous strawberry cheese cake. Do you forgive me?
**********
PHILIP
Lily, there is someone I want you to meet. Hurry and get changed.
I've got a taxi waiting. This is just about time for you to get
back to your digs and pack a bag. Come on. We've got a train to
catch.
**********
LILY
This one. [...] What are you doing?
PHILIP
Only we don't want to be disturbed.
LILY
Someone might come in.
PHILIP
Let them. This is for you if you accept
it.
LILY
God, it's beautiful. It's so old. It must have been in your
family for years.
PHILIP
Well, it has been in someone's family for years. It's been mine
since half past three last Saturday afternoon. But if you accept
it, I promise we'll keep it in our family forever.
LILY
Are you sure it's me you want?
PHILIP
I'm completely sure. Aren't you?
LILY
I'm completely sure I want to marry you-- one day. I just-- I don't
want either one of us to rush in and make a mistake. We will spend years
regretting.
PHILIP
Is that a 'yes' or a 'no'?
LILY
I call it a 'definite maybe'.
**********
MRS. HESELTINE
Philip. How wonderful.
PHILIP
Hello, Mother. This is Lily, your future daughter-in-law.
MRS. HESELTINE
Hello, dear. My goodness, she's very beautiful. Come in. Come in.
The hot chocolate is in the study.
LILY
Your mother looked so surprised. I hope she approves.
PHILIP
She's been dying to meet you.
LILY
Is this an English custom drinking a hot chocolate before going
to bed?
PHILIP
Well, it was meant to help you sleep. Mother served it to my
father every night. He felt one child was enough. This is your
room.
LILY
Where are you going to be?
PHILIP
Well, I'm over there. The walls are like paper and Mother is a very
light sleeper.
LILY
We should've served her some hot chocolate. Goodnight.
PHILIP
Night.
**********
PHILIP
There you are. How are you two getting along?
MRS. HESELTINE
Marvelously. I keep meaning to ask you, dear, how's the writing
been going?
PHILIP
I think they still sell The Journal in the village. Perhaps you
should send down for a copy.
MRS. HESELTINE
Oh, it's much too clever for me.
PHILIP
Mother picked up that habit from her late husband.
LILY
What habit?
PHILIP
Of using the phrase 'too clever' as a term of mild abuse.
MRS. HESELTINE
I did not, Philip. You're being unfair. George always said Philip
could have made his fortune in the city.
PHILIP
No. What he said was I was too clever to waste my time on music.
MRS. HESELTINE
He was only thinking of you, dear. He loved you in his way. I
indulged Philip's passion for music far beyond his ability. And
you have to admit, dear, music was never your strongest suit.
**********
PHILIP
God, I'm going to miss you.
LILY
Miss me?
PHILIP
I've got to go up north for business for a few days. What's that?
LILY
Oh God! Philip.
PHILIP
Gas. Gas, Lily. Get out! Quick.
LILY
Oh, God. Those poor animals. We could have been killed.
PHILIP
He did it. He came for me. Warlock turned on the gas.
LILY
'Your cowardly attacks have pushed me too far. My ideas are my
ideas. Not stolen from Yeats, Delius, Byrd, or anyone else. And
I'll defend them to the death.' Philip, how did he know?
PHILIP
Know what?
LILY
Yeats, Delius and Byrd. How did Warlock know you said that?
PHILIP
I must have said stuff like that about a dozen of times.
LILY
But in those precise words? You used those words that night at the
party. Someone must have told him.
**********
PETER
Dammit!
LILY
Gerald? It's Lily Buxton. We met a few weeks ago at your party.
PETER
There is no Gerald here. It must be some mistake. Goodnight.
LILY
Please. Mr. Warlock, I've come a long way. I heard your music a
few weeks ago at a concert. I think it's wonderful.
PETER
Well, I-- You'd better come in then.
LILY
I know it's late, but I have to speak to you. It's about Philip
Heseltine. Philip. What's going on?
PETER
What do you mean?
LILY
Is this some kind of a joke? Philip! Philip! What are you doing?
PETER
Sorry, it's a perfume. Look, are you sure you got the right
person? I thought you came to see me.
LILY
No. You're exactly the person I came to see.
PETER
Then what seems to be the matter? This is nothing. I cut it on a bottle. It's-
It's-- You're shivering.
LILY
Am I?
PETER
And I have been keeping you standing here without offering you
anything. I don't get many visitors. I think you need a cup of
tea. Milk and sugar?
**********
PHILIP
Rubbish!
**********
VIRGINIA
Then I suppose this must be his double. Philip! We were just
talking about you.
PHILIP
Gossiping you mean, Virginia? Only good things I hope.
VIRGINIA
Of course not. Where's the fun in that? It was quite wonderful to
hear you sing, dear.
LILY
Philip, I didn't expect you back.
PHILIP
Well, it was meant to be a surprise. We had to see you.
LILY
We?
PHILIP
Yes. Us. I found him on the street in Harrogate. Come on, get
changed. Let's get out of here.
LILY
How was your week?
PHILIP
Hectic. Started off at Manchester. You see, Sir Barbirolli was conducting
some very interesting new pieces and, um, I had a chance to interview him
afterwards. In fact, I ended up spending the whole of the next day
with him, just talking about music. But I was thinking about you.
LILY
What happened to your hand?
PHILIP
My hand? You know? I've no idea. Come on. Let's go home.
**********
LILY
Peter!
PETER
Where is he hiding? Look! I don't understand, Lily. I don't
understand.
LILY
Peter, please. It's all right. I am here. I'm here. It's all
right. I'm here. You have to believe me, I would never hurt you.
PETER
Lily... You can't marry him, Lily. Please. My soul will bleed to
death.
**********
PETER
Hello. Hello, who is this?
**********
PETER
You said you might come back. You said you'd visit me again. But
it's been over a week and you never came. I--euh-- I heard you
sing. I was in the alley.
LILY
I really should go. I have a cab waiting.
PETER
Euh, Miss Buxton, I've been thinking a great deal about you and, um, you've inspired me to write something for you.
It's still unfinished, but
I'd love you to hear it.
LILY
I know this.
PETER
What do you mean you know it?
LILY
Oh it just sounds familiar.
PETER
That's impossible.
LILY
I was wrong. I only meant--
PETER
You meant that I might have stolen it. That's what you meant.
LILY
No, I didn't. Forget it. It doesn't matter.
PETER
Oh, but it does matter. Don't you see?
LILY
No, I don't see.
PETER
I don't think I steal my music. Well, you know, perhaps without realizing it. No! It's not true. I write my own
music. You see, I found it. I found it in a park. And it seemed to
follow me home. Do you like it?
LILY
It's beautiful.
PETER
It's a nocturne I am arranging for an orchestra. You're the most beautiful thing
I have ever known.
**********
LILY
Where are you taking me?
PETER
To hear the angels sing.
Too high for you? Oh, come on. Just this phrase.
LILY
No. Not here. I'll make a fool of myself.
PETER
Some people say I do it all the time. For me?
CHORUS
Lullaby, lullaby, sleep sweetly, sleep sweetly,
Let nothing affright ye, in calm contentments lie.
LILY (singing)
Let nothing affright ye,
In calm contentments-
Calm contentments-
Calm contentments lie.
PETER
I knew I was right. Every stone in that church will remember you
now.
LILY
Thank you, Peter.
PETER
For what?
LILY
For making me sing today.
PETER
You have a glorious voice, Lily.
**********
LILY (singing)
Thus, dear damsels, I do give
Good night, and so am gone-
PETER
That's it. Very relaxed.
LILY (singing)
With your hearts' desires long live-
PETER
Let the words guide the phrasing.
LILY (singing)
Still joy and never mourn.
PETER
Good.
Now keep going.
LILY (singing)
Lullaby, lullaby-
PETER
Now breathe.
LILY (singing)
Sleep sweetly, sleep sweetly,
Let nothing affright ye-
PETER
Lovely.
LILY (singing)
In calm contentments lie.
PETER
Sustain it, Lily. Sustain it.
LILY (singing)
Let nothing-
PHILIP
No, no, no.
LILY (singing)
-affright ye--
PHILIP
There's no breath there. Why do you breathe there?
Look at the score, Lily!
PETER
Why? Why did you stop? You were doing so well.
**********
PHILIP
My mother telephoned me. What on earth have you been telling her?
You have no business going down to see her behind my back!
LILY
I was trying to help you.
PHILIP
So that's why you went to see Peter Warlock?
LILY
Philip.
PHILIP
You've betrayed me.
**********
ANGUS
I don't like it. The old man wanting to see us, rather
he wants to see you, laddie. It doesn't bode well if you ask me.
SIR CHARLES
I'll be the last to advise you on artistic matters, but
regrettably the matter at hand isn't artistic. It concerns Peter
Warlock. Mr. Warlock has contacted our solicitors and he alleges that
your notices demonstrate an irrational and extreme prejudice which
constitute a libel against both himself and his work. Now
Fergusson tells me that you are to review Mr. Warlock's new
composition named--
ANGUS
Nocturne for Strings, Sir Charles.
SIR CHARLES
Yes. Tommy Beecham's Christmas Concert to be organized by Mr.
Gerald Duffy.
PHILIP
Gerald?
SIR CHARLES
And since Her Majesty is to be in attendance, this places an
extra burden of responsibility on all of us.
PHILIP
I am not sure I understand.
SIR CHARLES
Temper your criticism, Mr. Heseltine. We have no wish to enter into litigation for something as silly as music.
PHILIP
And what if the music is bad?
SIR CHARLES
You miss the point, Heseltine. As music critic of The Journal you reign supreme in your field. Finding a post on another paper would
be second best and most tedious for you. So fair play for
Warlock's music, Heseltine, if you please. Fair play.
**********
PHILIP
Gerald!
GERALD
Phil.
PHILIP
How could you?
GERALD
This is a surprise?
PHILIP
Peter Warlock at the Metropolitan Hall!!! In front of the King!!
GERALD
That's wonderful. He finally made it.
PHILIP
I really do not understand you. I thought I could count on you.
You are my oldest friend.
GERALD
Still I am, Phil. Always will be.
PHILIP
That's old date now.
GERALD
Come on, Phil. This doesn't get us anywhere. Can't you see? I'm
helping you.
PHILIP
By promoting that fraud Warlock? Without you his music wouldn't
be played.
GERALD
Oh, rubbish! He doesn't need me.
PHILIP
So that's how it is, is it? Heseltine has no friends.
GERALD
Oh, stop it Phil! Stop playing games! I have had enough of this. You
are Peter Warlock.
**********
PHILIP
This is nonsense. Stop!
A MAN
Sir, are you all right?
PHILIP
Stop it! Shut up! Cheap trick! Cheap tricks! Don't pretend you can't hear it! I am the
composer!
A GUARD
Come along now.
PHILIP
Get away from me! Get away from me! I am the composer. You know
it, don't you, Sir Peter? You know? Why? Why? Don't! No!
**********
PHILIP
You stole my music. Can't you be more original?!?!
PETER
Dreamless-- dreamless slip away.
PHILIP
No, no, no! You listen. You listen to me! I know more than anyone
about life being ruined. You're not the one who's in pain. You're
not the one who's bleeding. You're not -- What was that? Oh, yes, you are right. I'm sick.
I'm sick of you and I'm sick of what you've done to my life.
Rages, footnotes, and history of art; you should have had whole pages.
PETER
I dissolve myself into myself. I want to sleep-- which needn't dream
of days without torment.
LILY
What happened? It's all right. It's just me. I've been so worried
about you. Let's go. You're coming with me.
PHILIP
Who are you talking to?
LILY
To you.
PHILIP
Who's 'you', Lily?
LILY
You.
PHILIP
No. Me or him? Which one?
LILY
Please. Don't do this.
PHILIP
Peter or Philip? You have to choose.
LILY
I can't. I love you. Just tell me who you want me to choose.
PHILIP
This is no place for you.
LILY
No. Please. Let me be with you, please.
**********
Directed by Malcolm Clarke.
Written by Peter Barnes & Nicholas Meyer, based on the book "Double Jeopardy" by Mark A. Stuart.