Martin Swanson wasn't such an easy deal. There were two more reporters assigned to him.
A stray paparazzo had managed to snatch a shot of Martin and Venus Maria strol ing on the grounds of the Bel-Air Hotel. Truth and Fact bought it and planned to run it front page in the next issue with the lurid headlines: LOVE NEST DISCOVERED!
THE BILLIONAIRE AND THE SHOWGIRL!
A third-week bonanza coming up.
Did Dennis ever have any regrets about invading people's privacy?
No way. He knew he was on to a good thing, and felt no guilt whatsoever.
When he got back from Hawaii, Emilio cal ed him up to whine. "There's a message from my sister on my machine tel ing me to fuck off. She's furious with me," Emilio said.
"And that's before my story has even appeared."
"It's out on the stands now," Dennis said. "Read it. Al good juicy. You'l be proud,,mate."
The Hawaii trip had cost Emilio more than he expected. He wouldn't mind making a further kil ing out of this story. After al , it was unlikely Venus would ever speak to him again.
"Uh, I've got more stuff for you," he told an insatiable Dennis.
"Yes? What?" Dennis asked curiously.
"Oh, just some more bits and pieces about Venus I remembered. Friends she went to school with. Her first boyfriend. That kind of thing."
Dennis was interested. "You have?"
"Yeah. How much can I get for it?"
"Why don't you tel me exactly what you got an' we'l see,"
Dennis said.
"I just told you. School friends, boyfriends--whatever you're after."
"Give me the day-she-lost-her-virginity story and I'l find out what it's worth."
Emilio decided to get his ass back to New York. With a little intel igent digging, he could come up with anything Dennis wanted.
Chapter 79
Cooper greeted Lucky at the door to the screening room, dressed casual y, and looking as good as ever. There was a showing of Strut, and Lucky was anxious to see it. She studied Cooper and idly wondered if she'd ever feel the desire to go to bed with another man again. She'd done as she pleased before Lennie. Now, if their relationship was over, what next? Going to bed with somebody in the eighties was a whole new thing. A dangerous commitment.
"Venus is joining us," Cooper said, taking her arm and leading her inside.
"I was hoping she could come."
"How's everything going? Are you enjoying running a studio?"
"It's time-consuming," she said as she took a seat at the back of the room.
"I hear you bumped the Sleazy Singles," he remarked, sitting down beside her.
"That was Lennie's nickname for them."
"Yeah, it's everybody's nickname for them. Are they hitting you with a lawsuit?"
Casual y she shrugged. "Who knows? Who cares? We're in good shape. I told them I was wil ing to honor their contract--it's just that I won't make any of their dumb movies. If they want to make sexist crap, they can make it elsewhere."
"I understand," he said. "Pretty smart move."
"I don't imagine they've got much of a case, do you?
Besides, the rumor is they'l fol ow Mickey to Orpheus."
He smiled. "Ah . . . Mickey, Arnie, and Frankie. The perfect team!"
Venus Maria rushed in late. "The paparazzi are driving me insane!" she complained. "They're camped outside my house like a band of gypsies. I nearly knocked a couple of
'em down this morning." Cooper kissed her on the cheek.
"Maybe you should have."
"Oh, yeah, great. I can see the headlines now: Venus Maria, the paparazzi kil er! Very tasteful!" Lucky picked up the phone and instructed Harry to rol the film. They settled down to watch.
From the moment Venus Maria appeared on the screen, everybody knew the film was hers. She looked sensational and her acting was captivating. Cooper didn't seem to mind; it made him look good as the director.
"Oh, God! I hate watching myself!" Venus Maria cried, half-covering her eyes. "It's so painful. Do you see how big my teeth look? And my hair--I hate my hair!"
Cooper groped for her hand in the dark and squeezed it.
"Shut up," he said firmly. "You're a star. Face it."
Cooper wasn't so bad himself.. On screen he came across with exactly the right amount of charm and self-deprecating humor. It was a skil ful performance. When the lights went up, Lucky said confidently, "We've got a winner--in spite of the fact that it was made under Mickey Stol i's regime."
"I did have something to do with it," Cooper chided gently.
"Mickey requested seventeen bare-breasted girls in the opening credits, but I told him, no, let's cool it."
"What does everybody think?" Venus Maria asked anxiously. "Am I bearable?"
It amazed Lucky that Venus Maria had to seek reassurance. Couldn't she see? "You're a natural," she assured her. "You light up the screen. You real y do."
Venus's face glowed with pleasure. "Yes?"
"Yes. You're going to be a movie megastar. And I'm going to make sure this film is handled in exactly the right way."
"Sure," Cooper interjected dryly. "Bud Graham is designing the poster now--a naked amazon surrounded by a dozen nymphets with their tits on fire!" Everyone laughed. Bud Graham's reputation was legendary.
Lucky suggested the three of them lunch together. They went to the Columbia Bar and Gril , where they pigged out on pasta and spent the entire time discussing everyone at the studio.
By the time they emerged, the paparazzi were gathered in force. Word traveled fast.
"Jesus!" Venus Maria exclaimed, "we can't go anywhere anymore. Hey--come on, Cooper, let's give 'em a picture they won't forget. Lucky, grab his other arm."
They held onto Cooper and smiled for the cameras. The photographers went wild.
Venus Maria giggled. "That's gonna give them something to think about."
"I can't believe the amount of publicity Martin's getting."
Cooper shook his head in amazement. "From a conservative unknown businessman in New York he's become a superstud!"
"Not exactly unknown," Venus Maria interrupted.
"Yeah, but not exactly Warren Beatty either," Cooper corrected. "Now he's on the cover of every magazine and newspaper across the country. The Battling Swansons.
What's going on with them anyway?" Venus Maria shrugged. "You think I know? One night in the Bel-Air Hotel does not a relationship make!"
"One night?" Cooper questioned.
"He was too busy with the Orpheus deal." "That figures.
Business first."
"Anyway, he's flying back to New York tomorrow. I guess we'l al find out together. I start shooting my new video soon, and that's al I'm into for the next couple of weeks.
What Martin decides is up to him." Lucky found herself liking Venus Maria more and more. The girl had spirit. She did what she wanted to do, and she did it her way. In some ways she reminded Lucky of herself.
Bobby and his nanny settled nicely into Malibu, but Bobby wouldn't stop asking about Lennie and Brigette, and when they were coming. To keep him occupied Lucky sent for one of his school friends from England.
Final y Lennie cal ed.
"Hi," Lucky said, holding her breath, hoping he was going to say, I'm sorry, I've behaved like a jerk, I'm on my way out there, and we'l get through this together.
"Lucky, what the hel is al this about my contract?" he asked tightly.
"I thought you'd be pleased," she replied. "Panther is releasing you from al future commitments. You can tear your contract up."
He didn't sound as pleased as she'd hoped. "Oh, real y," he He didn't sound as pleased as she'd hoped. "Oh, real y," he said.
"It's what you wanted, isn't it?"
"Sure."
"Now you don't have to worry about anyone suing you."
"Oh, you were thinking of suing me, huh?"
"Not me, Lennie. Mickey. But Mickey's out now, and I'm in."
She hesitated fo
r a moment. "If you wanted to, you could be here beside me."
"Hey--Lucky--we've had that conversation." When Lennie was impossible he was real y impossible. Her voice hardened. "Why are you cal ing? To thank me for releasing you from your contract? Is that it?"
"I wanted to say . . . uh . . . Jesus, I don't know. What's going on with us?"
He'd given her an opening, and she went for it. "If you flew out this weekend, maybe we could talk it out. That's what we need to do, Lennie. And I'm prepared to listen to your point of view if you're ready to listen to me."
There was a long silence, then, "No, it's not going to work.
I'm taking Brigette to France. We're leaving tomorrow."
Pleading wasn't her style, but Lennie was worth it. "We could al be here together. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"No, Lucky," he said resolutely, as if he'd given it a great deal of thought. "I can't fly in just because it suits you."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You're running Panther. You're in L. A. So now it's convenient, huh? You can fit us al into your busy schedule.
But what about next time? How about when you decide to buy a hotel in Hong Kong or India? Am I supposed to sit around and wait? Hey--Lucky, remember this: I'm not the waiting kind."
"Do you want a divorce?" The words almost stuck in her throat.
He came right back at her. "Do you?"
"If we're not together . . ."
"Hey--if it's what you want . . ."
"I didn't say that."
"Yeah, wel , we'l talk later." He hung up on her She couldn't believe he was taking it this far.
At first she was hurt, then angry. What did he want from her?
A baby.
Barefoot and knocked up.
A proper wife.
Wel , damn him! She had things to do first, and if he didn't like it--too bad.
She phoned Mary Lou and asked if she and Steven would like to come out with the baby and stay for a couple of weeks.
"A fine idea," Mary Lou said enthusiastical y. "I'l ask baby first, and then I'l run it by Steven."
"How is Carioca Jade?"
"Adorable!"
"When does your series start shooting again?" "You're not going to believe this, but we just got canceled. I go away and have a baby, and look what happens!"
"Are you upset?"
"Sure I am. But Steven's delighted. He wants me at home changing diapers!"
"Of course he does," Lucky said dryly.
"Steven's so traditional," Mary Lou explained. "But I go along with it--makes him feel good." Lucky thought about Steven for a moment. She missed him. It seemed like she never had time to spend with the people she real y cared about. "Hey--maybe when you come out here, we'l put you in a movie. How about it?"
Mary Lou laughed. "A movie?".
"You're a big television star. Why not?"
"Suits me," said Mary Lou happily. "I'l tel Steven. He'l kil himself. He thinks I should never work again."
"Men!" Lucky said.
"Yeah!" Mary Lou agreed.
Next, Lucky cal ed Gino and invited him. He was easy to persuade. "I'm feeling tired, kid," he said, sounding weary.
"Have you spoken to Paige?" she asked, knowing that Paige always perked him up.
"Nope. She knows how I feel. If she don't leave Ryder, I ain't seein' her again."
"Oh, come on, Gino. You and Paige have been sneaking into hotel bedrooms for years. What difference does it make if she's got a husband?"
"Hey, maybe in my old age I'm findin' out I got ethics. How about that, kid?"
"I'l believe it when I see it!"
"You'l see it."
"Sure.."
He promised he'd fly out soon. She couldn't wait for everyone to arrive. Maybe fil ing the house with people would take her mind off Lennie.
Meanwhile, business at the studio went on. Out of al the Panther executives, she decided Zev Lorenzo, Ford Werne, and Teddy T. Lauden were the best of the bunch.
She knew she was going to have to let Eddie Kane go. And Bud Graham wasn't about to dance to her tune. She hadn't decided about Grant Wendel , Junior.
The Sleazy Singles were definitely out. Natural y they'd threatened to sue.
"On what grounds?" Lucky had asked. "You have a three-year deal that says you make the movies and Panther pays.
But the studio has to approve them. Listen, I don't mind paying ybu the money while you sit here and play with yourselves for three years. How about it, huh?"
They'd told her to shove it and duly departed.
Ben Harrison requested a meeting. He came in and told her he'd be wil ing to stay and take over Mickey's job.
"I've taken over Mickey's job," she pointed out. What did they al think this was? A game?
She decided to keep Ben running the European side of things until she had the time to investigate his skil s.
Abe had cal ed both Mickey and Ben the "scums-inlaw."
Maybe he was wrong about Ben.
The important thing was to get the studio headed in the right direction. No more mindless violence against women.
No more tits-and-ass specials.
The word soon spread around Hol ywood that Panther was the place to take any interesting and exciting new projects and ideas. The scripts began pouring in.
And so business went on while Hol ywood watched and waited.
Lucky Santangelo was in charge. It felt good.
Chapter 80
The second time around, Abigaile knew exactly where to park. She didn't bother driving around the block. She dumped her car in the red zone, walked up to the front of the building, and pressed the buzzer marked Franklin.
"Warner Franklin?" she said imperiously when a woman's voice answered.
"Who's this?"
"Abigaile Stol i. I'd like to come up and talk to you."
There was a long pause while Warner decided what to do.
Final y she said, "Third floor, watch the elevator door, sometimes it sticks."
"Thank you," replied Abigaile politely, keeping a hold on herself. This time her heart wasn't beating fast at al . She wil ed herself to remain in control. Mickey Stol i had lied to her for the last time.
Once on the third floor she marched resolutely toward the apartment.
Warner flung open the door and stared at her. Abigaile stared back. "Can I come in?" she asked, feeling uncomfortable, but determined to fol ow through.
"You sure you're not gonna run away this time?" Warner said caustical y. "Seems to me you take one look at a black face an' you shit your pants."
"I beg your pardon?" said Abigaile, putting on her best Beverly Hil s Bitch face.
"Ah, forget it." Warner was anxious to know what Mickey's wife wanted. "Come in."
Abigaile fol owed Warner into her smal apartment.
"Drink?" offered Warner.
Abigaile noticed a holstered gun thrown casual y on a chair, and shuddered. "No, thank you."
"Sit down," said Warner.
Abigaile did so, folding her hands in her lap. Her perfect Beverly Hil s manicure glistened. Warner's nails were cut short, and unpolished.
"You told me something before," Abigaile began. "On the phone, do you remember?"
"No, what was that?" asked Warner. She wasn't in a good mood on account of the fact that Johnny Romano, the new love of her life, was not returning her cal s. Warner was not used to fuck and run. She didn't appreciate it.
"You said you were my husband's mistress," Abigaile rushed on. "Is that true?" *
" 'Was' is the operative word," said Warner. "Was?"
questioned Abigaile. "Does that mean it's over?"
"Hey--you think when I find my man making out with hookers it's going to continue?" Warner asked, surprised. "You might put up with it, but / certainly won't."
"I see you read about it too," sighed Abigaile. "No, I didn't read about it," corrected Warner. "/ was the arresting officer."
Abigaile felt quite faint. "H
ow long have you been seeing Mickey?"
"About eighteen months," Warner replied openly. Abigaile was horrified. "Eighteen months!"
"You may as wel make yourself comfortable," said Warner, thinking to herself that most men deserved everything they got. "And if you like--I'l tel you al about it."
Leslie was used to Eddie's erratic driving. She buckled her seat belt and hoped for the best.
It wasn't his driving that was causing anxiety to sweep over her in great waves. It was when she began to suspect where they were heading.
And sure enough, Eddie final y pul ed up outside Madame Loretta's house.
Leslie did not unbuckle her seat belt. She sat perfectly stil and waited.
He didn't say a word.
After a few minutes Leslie asked quietly, "Eddie? What are we doing here?"
"Hey," he said, "we're here for tea. Isn't that what you said you used to do here? Tea and a chat."
"Yes, that's right. But I always cal ed first." "That's O. K., honey. I hear Madame Loretta is very accommodating.
Always ready to receive people. She'l be pleased to see us."
"Eddie." She looked at him pleadingly. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"Why am I doing what, baby? I don't understand."
"You understand perfectly wel ."
"Somebody you don't want to see here?" he said, looking around innocently. "Come on, baby. Get out of the car, we're visiting just like you used to."
Slowly she unbuckled her seat belt and climbed out. He took her hand and marched her up to the front door.
One of the maids answered his ring.
"Is Madame Loretta around?" he asked.
"Who shal I say is cal ing?"
"Tel her . . . Leslie's here. Tel her. Leslie is ready to go back to work."
Leslie turned to him and her eyes fil ed with tears. "You bastard," she said in a low voice. "When did you find out?"
"Why didn't you tel me?" he demanded angrily.
"Because you wouldn't have understood."
"What makes you think that? You know you should have told me. 'I'm a hooker, Eddie,' that's al you had to say. 'Guys have sex with me for money.' You think that would have made me run, huh? You think I wouldn't have married you?"
"You're a mean son of a bitch."
"What I am is honest. What you are is a fraud. Now I'm leaving you here, baby, 'cause it's where you belong. Don't bother coming back to the house."
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