“Then Veritas fell into his lap. And not just Veritas, it was York’s treatment,
‘V’, based on a nightmare scenario Skinner had made up to show York what a huge responsibility they had. It laid out exactly how Veritas could be used not only to amass a fortune, but also to control world public opinion by its direct connection into their minds. The rest of York’s scenario had the good guys defeating the bad guys, of course, but Rand knew that that usually happened only in the movies. The core ideas in the treatment are what appealed to him. In his early day’s push to get ahead in this town, Rand used to secure drugs for people. He saw first hand the impact of a product that, by its nature, created its own demand. The English had done it to the Chinese with opium. Philip Morris does it to kids with tobacco. It’s the perfect business. Rand experienced Veritas on York’s houseboat. He knew immediately that it could be addictive. Anything that provides escape from the mundane, mean, short brutish lives of most people is naturally addictive—and a Midas money machine. Now combine that with its potential as a mind altering ‘drug. ’ If Veritas can get into your head and completely convince you of a truth, any truth, never needing to rely for even a second on suspension of disbelief, or metaphor, then the people who manufacture these truths have ultimate power.
“His plan, I believe was simple. Prefect Veritas; patent it; introduce it to the world consumer market as the greatest entertainment form ever; add just enough educational and therapeutic applications for good will; get masses of people addicted to it; amass a fortune. Then decide what opinions to feed your customers, exactly what to dictate to their hearts and minds. I’m not sure Rand had that part all figured out yet. He was taking first things first. But he had thought ahead enough to know that if others got to know about Veritas, he would have to defend it with viciousness, for he knew that’s how people would try to take it away from him. So he turned to Batsarov, in anticipation and paranoia, paranoia inflamed when York reported that Finch had given V to Hinckley, and Hinckley was trying to buy it. It may have only been a movie treatment. But it revealed his hand. A revelation that he knew could hinder him. Then Finch was dead. And then he let Batsarov loose. ”
“But you got ‘em, Fixxer! You fought the good fight and you won the day,” the
Captain said.
“Did I? How do we know Rand would not have been a benevolent dictator?”
“What are you saying?” Anne seemed shocked. “He was vicious, obviously condoning any method, including mass murder, to get what he wanted. ”
“Is that so unusual? Often been done that way in the past. If the outcome would have been a peaceful world, efficiently run, might it not have been worth it?”
“No, of course not?” Anne protested.
“Why?” I challenged.
“Because, well, because… . ”
“Because such a world probably wouldn’t tolerate a loud mouth weirdo like me!” Petey piped up. “And that would be a woeful tragedy!”
I smiled at Petey. He was such a neat guy. “Thank you Petey. For that grounding in reality alone, you may have the Bear Rug Program. ”
“Oh, thank you, Fixxer! You’re my Santa Claus!”
*
The rest of the evening was devoted to lighter topics, good food and a wine that Roee had presented to us with great enthusiasm, and which I was sad to have to report to him I didn’t much care for. The others, though, seemed to enjoy it.
“One thing remains unanswered,” I announced. The assembled looked at me, questioning, wondering what it could be. “Since about the same time this whole affair started, I’ve been trying to remember where Mae West had lived. I know it was a building on Rossmore, either the El Royale or the Ravenswood, but I can’t remember which. It’s been driving me nuts. I asked Finch, he didn’t know. I should have asked George at Hollywood Book and Poster, but I forgot. Roee, you even failed me. ”
“And I fail you still. I just can’t remember. ”
“And Skinner, a film buff, not to mention a genius, if ever there was one, couldn’t remember. So it remains a mystery. ”
“Hey,” Anne said rather pointedly. “You never thought to ask me?”
“Uh… ”
“It was the Ravenswood. ”
“How do you know that?”
“Dad use to take me to revivals of her movies when I was a kid. I loved her. She was strong, sexy, independent, nobody’s victim. What a role model for a young girl who wanted to go to Hollywood! I wrote her letters. She wrote me back. Gave me a lot of advice. Especially about men. ”
“Really, such as?”
“Oh, no. Name, rank and serial number, that’s all you’ll get out of me. ”
*
The evening ended and the Captain left, Petey went to his room to pack, and Roee retired, leaving Anne and me alone.
“I’m not going to stay the night, you know,” Anne informed me.
“You’re not?”
“Nope. ”
“Why not?”
“This time of year, the morning sun comes in my bedroom window at just the most pleasant angle, kind of kissing me awake. I absolutely love it. Hate to miss it. ”
“I understand. ”
“It’s really hard to explain. You kind of have to experience it yourself. ”
“I’m sure. ”
“Fixxer!”
“What?”
“If you don’t beg me to take you home with me right now, I’ll—. ”
The kiss was long, deep and heady. When we broke the aquamarine of her eyes seemed the key element in a penetrating force that disturbed as it excited.
As to the rest of the evening, I’ll give no further account. I may not actually be a gentleman, but I do try to act like one on occasion.
The End
The Fixxer will return in
Hollywood is an All Volunteer Army
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steven Paul Leiva toiled for many years in the hills and valleys of Hollywood as a producer and writer, working with the great and the not-so-great, who were often one and the same. He produced the animation for Space Jam, pairing the witty Bugs Bunny with the sweaty Michael Jordan. His play, Made on the Moon, had its world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His novelization, The 12 Dogs of Christmas, based on his own film adaptation of the best-selling picture book of the same name, won the Scribe Award for the Best Young Adult Adapted Novel from the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Amanda, and his daughter, Miranda, who are known collectively as the Andas. You can contact the author at Firstfixxer@aol. com.
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