- [first lines]
- Johnny Midnight: [Narration] It was after midnight when Bill Brooks, third-rate Broadway bit player and first-rate lush, was speeding toward the Village. He was in a hurry. He had an appointment with death.
- Johnny Midnight: [Aki opens door, sees Mona and Gerald in a passionate kiss, discreetly closes door] Aki, who is it?
- Aki: Miss Mona Kent and the writer of the new play - forgot his name.
- Johnny Midnight: Well, aren't you gonna let them in?
- Aki: Miss Kent seems to be busy with what she's nationally known for - expressing her extreme fondness for younger men.
- Johnny Midnight: C'mon, Aki, open up.
- [Aki reopens door]
- Mona Kent: Is Mr. Midnight here?
- Aki: Master expects to set happy eyes on shiny Broadway star instantly.
- Mona Kent: Oh, isn't he sweet?
- Johnny Midnight: When Fay found out about Mona, she threatened to send her these letters, but you calmed her down with a beautiful piece of prose. Here it is: "Believe me, darling, Miss Kent means nothing to me, but she can be very useful if I ever want to amount to anything on Broadway. Did you really think, angel face...
- Mona Kent: Angel face?
- Johnny Midnight: "that I could love a woman almost twice my age?"
- [Mona begins weeping]
- Johnny Midnight: We all have to grow up sometime, Mona.
- Johnny Midnight: It's a very clever plot, Gerald, but I'm changing the ending.
- Gerald: Oh, no, you aren't! I have a twist or two you haven't counted on.