Scene 3

Lionel’s grubby room. Empty bottle, papers, rubbish etc scattered everywhere.  An older Lionel is seated in a grubby chair, smoking a weed, a drink in his hand.

LIONEL: (to audience)

When you think about it, I only had six or seven years of real success. The rest of my life was one long struggle.

.Between 1959 and 1966, I made – and spent – more money than any reasonable human being could count. And I mean literally spent millions. Bloody millions!

What did I do with it all? I don’t really know. I knew I was earning a lot of money – and I let other people get on with taking care of it. I signed whatever I was asked to sign. If I wanted something – a piano, a new car, a holiday abroad, I just signed for it.

Pause

The last show I was involved in was COSTA PACKET – another Joan Littlewood production in 1972. Another disaster.

Pause

I have created nothing for the stage in the last 15 years. What was I doing? I hear you ask.  To be honest, I don’t remember much – apart from attending bloody bankruptcy meetings every other bloody day!

He jumps up and rages at the audience

LIONEL:

Look at me! You see before you a 57 year old loser. A has-been. I’m deader than the  deadest dodo

We hear music in the background. Maybe the lights change and a couple of musicians appear. Lional sings

“Life Ain’t Wot It Used T’Be”
(To the tune of “Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be”)

I sold all my rights to Ollie,
Now I feel like a right old Wally,
Cos life ain’t wot it used to be—
The money’s gone, and I’m skint, you see!

The royalties dried up, it’s a proper shame,
Now I’m stuck in the rain with no one to blame.
I thought I’d be rich, livin’ life so free,
But life ain’t wot it used to be!

(Spoken interlude, cheeky tone)
Oi, Lionel, mate, what’ve I done?
I signed it all away for a bit of fun!
Now I’m skint, I’m broke, I’m up the creek,
And all I’ve got’s this bleedin’ sheet… music!

(Back to singing)
The pubs are shut, the booze is gone,
I’m singin’ the blues from dusk till dawn.
I thought I’d be smilin’, livin’ carefree,
But life ain’t wot it used to be!

Scene 4

Lionel’s flat, 1966. The room is dimly lit, and Lionel is sitting alone, staring at a photo of Alma. There’s a knock at the door, and John enters.

JOHN:
(softly)
Lionel, I’ve got some bad news.

LIONEL:
(looking up)
What is it, John?

JOHN:
(taking a deep breath)
It’s Alma. She’s… she’s gone.

LIONEL:
(stunned)
Gone? What do you mean, gone?

JOHN:
(softly)
She passed away last night. Cancer.

LIONEL:
(breaking down)
No… no, it can’t be.

JOHN:
(placing a hand on Lionel’s shoulder)
I’m sorry, Lionel.

LIONEL:
(to the audience)
Alma was my muse, my friend, my confidante. And now she’s gone.

(He picks up the photo of Alma and holds it close.)

LIONEL:
(softly)
I should have been there for her. I should have…

JOHN:
(interrupting)
Don’t do this to yourself, Lionel. Alma wouldn’t want that.

LIONEL:
(sighing)
You’re right, John. But it doesn’t make it any easier. (pause) You know, she asked me to marry her once. And do you know what I said? I’d think about it. What was there to think about? I loved her – and she loved me. Maybe if we had got married she would be still alive.

JOHN:                                                                                                                          That’s stupid talk, Lionel. The cancer was too far gone. Terminal.

LIONEL:                                                                                                                          I know she’d been feeling unwell for months. Do you think she knew?

JOHN:                                                                                                                             I don ‘t think so. I think she just put it down to some stomach problems. (pause)
Lionel, you’ve got to get help. You can’t keep living like this.
LIONEL:
(bitterly)
What’s the point, John? I’ve lost everything

They sit in silence for a moment, the weight of Alma’s death hanging in the air. They sing the song  ALMA MY STAR

“Alma, My Star”
(A bittersweet ballad for Alma Cogan)

Verse 1
Alma, my star, you burned so bright,
A melody in the quiet night.
Your laughter danced, your voice would soar,
But now the stage is dark once more.

Pre-Chorus
I held your hand, but not your heart,
Too scared to play my part.
A question asked, a moment missed,
Now all I have is this…

Chorus
Alma, my love, my shining light,
Gone too soon, like a song in the night.
I hear your echo, soft and low,
In every note I’ll never let go.

Verse 2
You asked me once, “Will you stay?”
I hesitated, turned away.
Now all I have are memories,
Of what could’ve been, and what will never be.

Pre-Chorus
The world still hums your sweet refrain,
But I’m left here in the rain.
A melody I can’t complete,
Without your heart to beat.

Chorus
Alma, my love, my shining light,
Gone too soon, like a song in the night.
I hear your echo, soft and low,
In every note I’ll never let go.

Bridge
If I could turn back time, my dear,
I’d hold you close, I’d make it clear.
But now you’re gone, and all I see,
Is a world that’s lost its harmony.

Chorus
Alma, my love, my shining light,
Gone too soon, like a song in the night.
I hear your echo, soft and low,
In every note I’ll never let go.

Outro
Alma, my star, you’ll always shine,
A timeless tune, a love divine.
Though you’re gone, you’ll never fade,
Forever here, in every song I’ve made.

LIGHTS FADE, end of scene