by Liz Eagle
“Yes, I did,” she responded, happy to talk about something more comfortable. “I auditioned for a movie called Arsenic and Old Lace, but they hired some unknown actress by the name of Priscilla Lane for the lead. I have more this week, according to my agent. He is sending me to audition for a movie called Cobra Woman. I am not sure about that one, but I will certainly take what I can get. At least it would be a start and get my name out there.”
“Cobra Woman!” the seamstress shouted, stopped what she was doing and started laughing. They both chimed in at the silly thought of Jacqueline adorning a skintight snake costume and slithering along on the floor.
For years, Jacqueline had dreamed of someday being the leading lady in a film starring Bob Hope, Gary Cooper, or Cary Grant. But it seemed the producers always tended to select Lauren Bacall or Bette Davis.
“You know,” Jacqueline told her seamstress, “I took acting classes at the Academy with those gals, and I know I have more talent than either of them. I also have a better voice, and my eyes are much more beautiful. There is no doubt about that. What, then, do they have that I don’t have?” she asked as she swayed in her gown and carefully stepped down from the seamstress’s platform.
But in the meantime, Jacqueline was forced to count her pennies and manage her money just as her mother had taught her long ago. “Never pay more in rent than you can make in a week,” her mother used to say. Jacqueline followed this to the letter even though she was struggling. She made it a point to save her money so that she would have enough to attend a few shows off Broadway, believing that keeping up with what was playing was a good investment in her career. Besides, Jacqueline never knew when she might meet some handsome leading actor at those venues. Maybe then her career would explode.
Jacqueline’s mother, Caroline, or Carol as most people called her, passed away years ago, leaving Jacqueline and her father to fend for themselves. Carol had worked hanging draperies, and one day she had fallen from the stepladder on which she was standing and hit her head on a radiator. She had died of an aneurysm.
As an only child, Jacqueline realized early on that she could not count on her father to help her and there was simply no one else. They moved from penthouse to penthouse in New York City because of his job. At least that is what he would tell her. She often wondered if it was for other reasons.
Several months passed until Jacqueline received a cable from her father. “Good day, my sweet Jackie,” the telegraph stated. Jackie was his pet name for her. The message said he had concluded his business in Buffalo and had made reservations at the inn in Warsaw for the upcoming weekend. He asked her to join him.
“Of course,” she thought to herself. “I hope Max still has some wine!” Jacqueline called the train station, made reservations, and started to feel rejuvenated again. She still had time to go on a strict diet and lose a few pounds, so she would look her best for this trip. Maybe this would be the time she would meet someone special.
Chapter 7
Spring 1945 Warsaw, New York
Max and Gynnie were excited that Gus and Jacqueline had returned for a visit in the spring. The weather in upstate New York was still chilly, but the trees were budding, and the crocuses and daffodils were beginning to bloom. Gynnie maintained a beautiful flower garden in the backyard every year.
“I did not notice the garden in the backyard during our visit in the fall,” Jacqueline said to Gynnie as they strolled along the stone path toward a wooden archway. They were both smoking cigarettes inserted into holders. It made their smoking appear much more elegant.
“Oh yes,” Gynnie said as she took Jacqueline’s hand and placed it on her arm. “Max and I planted the bulbs just before you and your father arrived last fall, and I am so glad you have returned to see the blooms.” They walked through the wooden gable archway and into the garden while Gynnie filled Jacqueline in on the happenings in the town, and Jacqueline gave her hostess the latest news on her acting and modeling career.
“I went to an Off Broadway show a few weeks ago,” Jacqueline told her. “The star of the show was Vincent Price’s brother. When I took my seat, it was right next to Vincent Price.” Jacqueline was excited to share this with Gynnie. “He is just as polite and debonair in person as he is on the screen. When we went to the lobby for intermission, he lit my cigarette for me.” Jacqueline hoped this story would quickly spread through the town and that Gynnie and Max would enjoy telling about one of their renters’ famous connections. She did not bother to add that Vincent’s brother had bombed and that the show was a complete flop.
“You are one lucky girl to have the opportunity to meet famous people,” Gynnie said. “For someone as pretty as you, you should be the one in the pictures or on stage. It sounds as though you are doing all you can to end up with a bright future. We will look for you on the big screen soon.”
Jacqueline laughed at that thought. “Well, I suppose I am lucky,” she said, “but it takes time to get a big break. I actually like this town a lot better than the city. It is so peaceful.” They discussed their plans for the weekend and returned to the house.
Max and Gus were talking in the formal living room when the women walked back inside. “So, you said on our last visit that Gynnie has a big family,” Gus said. “Do any of them live nearby?”
“Yes, Gynnie’s brother and sister-in-law live just a few streets across town,” Max said. “Her brother is a distinguished attorney in town. They are the Chandlers.” Max sounded a bit uneasy.“That is wonderful,” Gus said. “You are fortunate to have them so close.” He had already done his homework and knew all their relatives, where they lived, and what they did for a living. His questions were only meant to put Max’s honesty to the test. So far, so good.
Gus also knew that Gynnie and Max had never had children. They had one nephew, Phillip Chandler, and they appeared to be proud that he was attending the State University of New York at Buffalo and was well on his way to completing law school. Max never missed an opportunity to brag about him receiving his undergraduate degree from the prestigious Rutgers University.
When she and Jacqueline were back inside, Gynnie walked down the hallway just in time to pick up the ringing phone. “Hello,” she said. “Oh hello, Phillip ... yes, they are still staying here. Well, I am not certain she wants to meet anyone,” Gynnie said quietly, cupping her hand over the phone so no one would hear her conversation with her nephew. “She told me that she was focusing on her career,” she continued. “I get the feeling that she had a bad experience recently and has sworn off men.”
“If she is the knockout Uncle Max says she is,” Phillip said to Gynnie, “I want to meet her. Now line it up, Aunt Gynnie, or I will complain to mom and you know how she gets,” her nephew said, just on the verge of threatening his aunt. Gynnie knew when to acquiesce when it came to dealing with Phillip, and she certainly did not want to make any trouble when it came to his father, her brother. She did not want to ruin anything about their relationship; it was perhaps the most special thing she had.
Gynnie was not that attractive, and she knew it. She had no shape to her body and wore a tight corset made of whalebone. Everyone wore them, even her sister-in-law. It was highly advertised as the best on the market, and she had to go all the way to Buffalo to buy it. Having other men, even her own brother, look at her sexually, was so pleasurable it excited her, and she did not intend on tarnishing that over an argument with their son.
Phillip was spoiled rotten, the only child of the town’s sole private attorney. He attended an expensive, out-of-state, prestigious university, and his future was being handed to him on a silver platter. Phillip was slated to go into partnership with his father after law school, for which his parents were paying. He was as stubborn and bullheaded as they come.
“Alright, alright,” Gynnie said to Phillip. “I will make up a story about your parents being over at the lake for the weekend and tell Jacqueline and Gus
that we invited you for dinner. Will that be sufficient?” Gynnie knew not to push her nephew. It would be just like him to show up uninvited, make a scene, and embarrass them if she did not make it appear that it was all scheduled ahead of time.
“Wonderful,” Phillip said, not even bothering to thank her. He just wanted to take a look at this New York City beauty he had heard so much about.
Phillip was home from law school on spring break. He was not the best student, but he did not care. His parents paid for college, law school, and bought him a new car. He made himself busy at school by getting laid as many nights as possible. Phillip had lost count of the number of co-eds he had bedded last semester, and he didn’t care. After graduation, he had no plans to see any of them again.
To make matters worse in the spoiling department, his mother Louise was an Eastman of the Eastman Kodaks of Rochester. Everyone in Warsaw knew that Louise was heir to the Eastman fortune. These were the rich camera people and they were in the process of developing all sorts of newfangled cameras that were going to explode onto the market soon. Phillip expected to inherit all her money upon her death, but he also knew that he would soon be making a ton of money off of all of the saps in this small town by joining his father’s law firm after graduation.
He started having ideas about trying to seduce Jacqueline. Perhaps the cupola in the attic? That had worked for him plenty of times before. It was very private. The thought of what he planned to do made him so excited, he could not wait.
Chapter 8
1945 Warsaw, New York
The inn’s dinner schedule was much the same as it was the last time Jacqueline and Gus visited, with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. sharp in the formal living room. She and her father walked down the staircase at the same time, arm in arm, both of them dressed for a formal dinner. Jacqueline had chosen a simple, black, off-the-shoulder dress that showed off her perfectly shaped shoulders and slim waist. She carried a fashionable small silver purse on a chain. Because she worked in the fashion industry, Jacqueline knew that this was what everyone was wearing to dinner engagements in the city.
“My, my,” Max said, marveling at the way Jacqueline carried herself. She walked just like the models going down a runway with toes first and then heels, putting one foot right in front of the other. “You both look like you are going out on the town,” he said, purposefully including Gus so as not to sound too forward talking about the way his daughter looked. Max was looking her up and down, coming to terms with the fact that he was aging, and would never have a chance to make love to a young beauty like that. He tried to distract himself with other thoughts to calm himself down.
“Thank you, Max,” Jacqueline said with more confidence than she had felt in a long time. She knew she looked gorgeous in the dress. This small town certainly had a way of making her feel more like her old, confident self. “That was a very nice thing to say,” she added, thoroughly enjoying the compliment. When Jacqueline stood in one place, she put one foot in front of the other at an angle. This was how she had been taught to stand for modeling. The placement of her feet made her appear slimmer, though she did not need any illusions at all.
“By the way,” Gynnie chimed in, “we have invited our nephew, Phillip, to join us for dinner this evening.” Max glared at Gynnie as she spoke, he was clearly not too pleased with this revelation. “His parents are staying at their lake house, and he is home from law school in Buffalo for spring break. We don’t want him to go hungry, now do we?” Max was irritated that Phillip finagled his way into their home. He was such a spoiled little brat that didn’t deserve anyone inviting him anywhere.
“That will be fine with us,” Gus said. “But, if you would you prefer that Jacqueline and I find another place to dine in town this evening so that you can spend time with your nephew, we are comfortable with that, as well.”
“Oh, no, not at all,” Max said. “You just stay right here and dine with us. Gynnie has probably prepared enough food for the whole damn town. We just wanted you to know so you would not be surprised when he arrives. He should be here any minute.”
Jacqueline had never met a lawyer, and a young one at that. She wondered what he looked like. Max was as tall as her father, slender, and fairly good looking. Perhaps good looks ran in the family. She was now very glad she had thought to pack the sexy black dress.
As if on cue, Phillip walked into the formal room from the back of the house. “Hello everyone,” he said, tipping his hat to his aunt and uncle as he walked into the room. “Hi, Uncle Max,” he said. “Hello, Aunt Gynnie.” Then he looked over at Jacqueline and from that point on, focused the entirety of his attention on her.
“Now what...I mean who...do we have here?” Phillip asked, removing his hat and meandering over to Jacqueline. He took her left hand in his and lifted it to his lips, keeping his eyes on her the whole time. After gently kissing her hand, Phillip said, “Well, hello there. I am Phillip Chandler. Whose hand do I have the pleasure of kissing?”
Jacqueline thought she was back in New York City with some sleazy producer trying to seduce her. “My name is Jacqueline Gaylord. Would you be nice enough to return my hand, kind sir, please?” Jacqueline was all too familiar with this type of man. She encountered them frequently in the city, but thought she knew how to handle herself. She was strong, but at the same time was certainly in the mood to find Mister Right.
Phillip’s eyes were obviously looking her up and down. This made Gus feel very uncomfortable, and he got up from his chair and advanced to Phillip and Jacqueline. He cleared his throat, “And I am Gus Gaylord, Jacqueline’s father. I am pleased to meet you, Counselor.” He extended his hand in a manner that made Phillip let go of Jacqueline’s.
“Oh, hello, Mr. Gaylord, it is a pleasure to meet you as well,” he said. “I am not quite a counselor, not yet, but thank you for the recognition.” Phillip didn’t act the least bit embarrassed over his actions or threatened by Gus. He quickly pulled his hand away and said, “Hey, Uncle Max, I will have what she is having.” Afterward, Phillip walked over to Max to get a glass of wine.
Max replied, “Well, Gynnie and I are glad to see you, Phillip. How is law school going?” He was hoping to get his nephew’s eyes off of their young guest, fully aware of Phillip’s impetuousness and the way he treated women. The apple did not fall far from the tree, so to speak. Max did not want Phillip messing around with his guests and their potential income for the inn. If he did anything to scare them off, Max would be very upset and he was prepared to do whatever needed to be done to prevent that from happening.
“Dinner is served!” Gynnie shouted from the dining room. The group retreated to the table, which reflected her immaculate style. Phillip purposefully sat directly across from Jacqueline. During the meal, he noticed how many glasses of wine she consumed. He hoped this would make it easier for him to get her up to the attic and the cupola for some fun. They engaged in a pleasant conversation about Phillip’s parents and the lake house they had inherited in 1930. It was a fashionable thing for the upper class to have a second home on a lake. Phillip couldn’t resist bragging about his sailing expertise.
Gus was getting tired of listening to Max’s nephew, with all his bragging and talking about himself. He also noticed that Jacqueline was consuming enough wine so that she was not put off by Phillip in the slightest. In fact, she seemed quite enthralled with this young cad. Gus felt a bit uneasy at this, but knew his daughter was intelligent and could fend for herself.
At the conclusion of the meal, Gynnie emerged from the kitchen with the same silver platter. This time she carried five snifters of blueberry wine along with a homemade peach pie. The crust was perfect, Jacqueline noticed; it was just like she had seen in the bakeries in the city. Though she wanted to comment on the perfection of the meal and the pie, she hesitated because she thought her dad might make another snide comment about her lack of cooking skills. It could have been the wine, but she had begu
n to think that Phillip was not as bad as she first thought, and she really did not want him to think ill of her.
“Boy, you have really outdone yourself, Gynnie,” Max said, rubbing his stomach. “This was a perfect meal. Jacqueline did you and Gus have enough to eat?” he asked as he was about to light a cigarette with his cigarette lighter.
Phillip interrupted before either Gus or Jacqueline could respond. “I have an idea,” he said. “Let’s go to the front room for a toast to our visitors from the big city.” With that, they all got up from the table. Phillip knew Max had more wine in the cabinet, and he intended to get Jacqueline as drunk as possible.
“A toast!” Phillip called out as they all raised their glasses and drank.
Jacqueline knew she had drunk too much because she was laughing at Phillip’s jokes and stories and was starting to feel pretty good about him now. Phillip was not that crass, in fact, he was rather witty and charming. And he was not bad looking, even though he was a few inches shorter than she was. Phillip could see her looking at him from their reflection in the big mirror and that made him more confident of his next move. He would prefer that her father leave the room first. Phillip was typically lucky with women most of the time, but with her father in the same room, this might take a while. Maybe his luck was about to change for the worse.
Gus placed his empty glass on the table and put his cigarette out in the ashtray, saying, “Listen folks, this has been a wonderful evening, but I have some business to take care of early in the morning, so I am going to call it a night.” He hated to leave his daughter but knew she was raised in the big city and was perfectly capable of handling herself. He trusted that Max and Gynnie would not let anything bad happen to her in their own home. As Gus went up to his room, Max and Gynnie retreated into the kitchen to clean up after dinner.