(no subject)
Seymour doesn't sleep well. He doesn't eat meat. He's living on fear and worry about where Twoie's next meal is coming from - and who it will be.
They're waiting for his answer. Mr. Bernstein from NBC (dazzling smile, called him a prince and pinched his cheek), Mrs. Luce the editor's wife (smells like lilacs, kissed him on the cheek, called him precious and baby-doll), Skip Snip from the William Morris Agency (extremely loud, gave him a hug, lightly slapped his cheek), and Seymour's backup, Ronnette, Crystal and Chiffon (called him incredible, famous, handsome, on his way to the top). They want to see if he'll sign those contracts.
(The stress is getting to him, but Audrey saves his bacon. When customers are getting angry because they've been waiting a while, or he forgot an order, she'll slip in and work her magic.)
Seymour stares at the contracts as he sings.
"My future's starting,
I've got to let it.
Stick with that plant
And, gee, my bank account will thrive."
(When Seymour told her that the shop would be decorating the senior prom, Audrey laughed in delight and hugged him in front of all the customers. She hugged him in public and wasn't embarrassed.)
"What am I saying?
No way, forget it!
It's much too dangerous to keep the plant alive."
(They chat as they close up shop. She used to be unsure about telling him stuff. He told her he wanted to hear what she thought, no matter what. She's getting better. She told him she likes Pat Boone the other day, even after he said he didn't care much for the guy's sound.)
"I take these offers,
That means more killing.
Who knew success would come
With messy nasty strings.
I sign these contracts,
That means I'm willing
To keep on doing
Bloody, awful, evil things."
(Every night he walks her home. He holds her hand. It's November, and it's cold out. It's not an excuse to touch her, because Seymour is a good boy who isn't going to rush things. It's for her health.)
Seymour tosses the contracts on the floor. "No! No! There’s only so far you can bend!
No! No!
This nightmare must come to an end!
No! No!
You've got no alternative, Seymour, old boy!
Though it means you'll be broke again, and unemployed!
It's the only solution, it can't be avoided!
The vegetable must be destroyed!"
("It's a little development I dream up. Not fancy, like Levittown. Just a sweet little place by a stream in the suburbs." Her face shines like the sun when she talks about it. "So, what's your dream, Seymour? What keeps you going?"
"My dream was...you."
Audrey looks surprised. "Me? But why?"
That she has to ask breaks his heart and makes it swell at the same time. "Because from the moment I saw you, I...I liked you. And now that you're with me, you're not a dream anymore, you're real, but you're still kind of a dream, in a way....I'm not explaining this well. Sorry."
"Don't apologize, Seymour. I think I understand." She smiles, so tenderly, so perfectly - it's a good thing he's already on his knees sweeping up, or he'd fall to them.)
"But, then, there's Audrey.
Lovely Audrey.
If life were tawdry,
And impoverished as before,
She might not like me.
She might not want me.
Without my plant
She might not love me anymore."
(Audrey is at the door to her apartment building when she says, "Thanks, Seymour."
"What for, Audrey?"
"I was startin' to wondah if I could feel like this. And now I know I can."
"Like what?"
"Happy."
She kisses him, runs her fingers through his hair. He slides one arm around her waist, his other hand touching her silky cheek and neck. Her skin is flushed. So's his. Which is good for their health, because it's November and it's cold and this is one hell of a way to keep warm. He's kissing her neck before he remembers he's a good boy; she gives a breathy, short sigh like maybe she regrets him being a good boy, but says "Good night," because she's a good girl and that's how things go.)
He picks up the contracts, turns back to the uptown folks. The girls start up with the chorus: "They say the meek shall inherit."
Seymour grabs a pen. "Where do I sign?"
"You know the book doesn't lie."
Bernstein: "Right on the line."
"It's not a question of merit."
Skip Snip: "This copy's mine."
"It's not demand and supply."
Mrs. Luce: "That'll do fine."
"They say the meek gonna get it."
Bernstein: "Couldn't go wrong."
"And you a meek little guy."
Skip Snip: "Bye bye, so long!"
The uptown folks leave. It's Seymour, the girls and Twoie. Seymour watches the plant. Is it smiling?
"You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to 'em.
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to 'em.
You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to 'em,
By and by."
Seymour doesn't sleep well. He doesn't eat meat. He's living on fear and worry about where Twoie's next meal is coming from - and who it will be.
But Seymour also loves Audrey. And he'll do anything to get her what she deserves.