Perfectly Marvellous

Lyrics

[SALLY, spoken] This is your novel! It's in German. Mein Kampf. [CLIFF, spoken] It's not my novel.  I thought I should know something about German politics.  [SALLY, spoken] Why? You're an American.  You know, I've never known a novelist.  Will I be allowed to watch you work? I promise to be incredibly quiet.  [CLIFF, spoken] I don't think I can write with someone else on the premises.  [SALLY, spoken] Oh, but I'm hardly noticeable! Really! [CLIFF, spoken] And there's another thing. I'm not a prude. At least I don't think I'm a prude.  No, no, I've got work to do.  I could never explain this arrangement. It's too peculiar.  [SALLY, spoken] Peculiar? No, not in the least.  I think people are people, I really do, Cliff. Don't you? I don't think they should be made to apologize for anything they do.  For example, if I paint my fingernails green And it happens that I do paint them green Well, if someone should ask me why I think it's pretty "I think it's pretty," that's what I reply.  So if anyone should ask you about me one day You have two alternatives: You can either say "Yes, it's true, we are living in delicious sin" Or you can simply tell them the truth and say: [SALLY] I met this perfectly marvelous girl In this perfectly wonderful place As I lifted a glass to the start of a marvelous year Before you knew it she called on the phone, inviting Next moment I was no longer alone But sat reciting Some perfectly beautiful verse In my charming American style How I dazzled her senses was truly no less than a crime Now I've this perfectly marvelous girl In my perfectly beautiful room And we're living together and having a marvelous time [CLIFF, spoken] Sally, I'm afraid it wouldn't work. You're much too distracting.  [SALLY, spoken] Distracting? No, inspiring! [SALLY] She tells me perfectly marvelous tales Of her thrillingly scandalous life Which I'll probably use as a chapter or two in my book And since my stay in Berlin was to force creation What luck to fall on a fabulous source of stimulation! And perfectly marvelous too Is her perfect agreement to be Just as still as a mouse while I'm giving my novel a whirl Yes, I've a highly agreeable life In my perfectly beautiful room With my nearly invisible, perfectly marvelous girl [SALLY, spoken] Oh, it's the taxi man. Hello, taxi man.  Just put them anywhere, I'll unpack later.  Oh, things do accumulate. I'll throw most of it away tomorrow, I promise.  One, two, three, four, five.  Oh, there's really not much point in counting.  I never remember how many they're supposed to be.  Could you let me have three marks? That includes the tip.  Thank you.  So quite seriously, Cliff. Please, may I stay?  [CLIFF, spoken] Sally, I can't afford— [SALLY, spoken] Only for a day or two. Please? [CLIFF] I met this Truly remarkable girl In this really incredible town And she skillfully managed to talk her way into my room [SALLY, spoken] Oh, Cliff! [CLIFF] I have a terrible feeling I've said A dumb thing Besides, I've only got one narrow bed [SALLY] We'll think of something [CLIFF] And now this wild, unpredictable girl [SALLY] And this perfectly beautiful man [SALLY & CLIFF] Will be living together and having a marvelous time!