Montgomery Clift and the All-Girl Fan Club

At rise: Midday rain light casts shadows on Montgomery Clift, 37, in silk pajamas. One side of his face is bandaged. He walks along the roof ledge.

Below in the waiting area, Dr. Billy, 32, boyish, confronts the glamorous Sunny Clift, 67.

DR. BILLY: Does Mr. Clift know we’re removing the bandage today?

SUNNY: Montgomery is used to his father’s innocent absences.

DR. BILLY: Your son could be violent–

SUNNY (Flirtatious): I can handle Southern depressives, my in-laws being from Chattanooga. Don’t worry, Doctor, I’m here to help if you need anything. (Shrieks) Mont-gom-ery! Maybe he’s in the “toilette”. (Teasing) If I pressure him, he thinks I’m a bad mother. (Calls) MONT-GOM-ERY.

DR. BILLY (Inspecting about): Books on . . . rewired jaws–?

SUNNY: I take them from his room so he can sleep. (Secretive) You wouldn’t believe the medical tomes he read . . . after the disfiguration. (Her smile cracking) That’s how I refer to his face since (Faltering) . . . the car crash. Even after six months I can’t stop thinking about how buttoned up elegant he was before.

ALL GIRL FAN CLUB (O.S.) (Faintly from distance): Montgomery! We lo-ve you!

SUNNY: Fans still surround the house–despite the rain. Sherry?

DR. BILLY: I HAVE TO REMOVE THE BANDAGE.

SUNNY: Shouldn’t his surgeon do that?

DR. BILLY: Your son keeps postponing him.

SUNNY: What’s the hurry?

DR. BILLY: It’s unhealthy for Montgomery to keep that gauze on. The surgeon thought his psychiatrist–