The Perfect Year

Ring out the old, ring in the new

A midnight wish to share with you

Your lips are warm, my heart is light

Were we alive before tonight?

I don't need a crowded ballroom

Everything I want is here

If you're with me

Next year will be

The perfect year

Before we play

Some dangerous game

Before we fan

Some harmless flame

We have to ask

If this is wise

And if the game

Is worth the prize

With this wine and this music

How can anything be clear?

Let's wait and see

It may just be

The perfect year(NORMA and JOE do silly dances together.)

It's New Year's Eve

And hopes are high

Dance one year in

Kiss one goodbye

Another chance, another start

So many dreams to tease the heart

We don't need a crowded ballroom

Everything we want is here

And face to face

We will embrace

The perfect year

What time are they supposed to get here?

Who?

The other guests

There... are no other guests.

(giggles)

Just you and me. I'm in love with you.

(beat)

Surely, you know that?[JOE, spoken]

Norma...

We'll have a wonderful time next year! I could have the pool filled for you... I could open up my house in Malibu, you could have the whole ocean

I have enough

money

to get us anything we want—

—Cut out that 'us' business!

What's the matter with you?

What right do you have to take me for granted?

What

right?

Oh, you want me to

tell

you?

Norma. What I'm trying to say is... that I'm the wrong guy for you. You need a big shot. Someone with... polo ponies. A Valentino

What you're trying to say is that you don't want me to love you. Say it.

Say it!

(NORMA knees JOE in the groin. JOE howls.)[JOE, sung]

I had to get out

I needed to be with people

My own age

To hear the sound of laughter

And mix with hungry actors

Under-employed composers

Nicotine-poisoned writers

Real people, real problems

Having a really good time