“I don’t understand,” Priscilla said, a puzzled look on her face. “What do you mean all tied together?”
“Each film will last only about ten to twelve minutes, and the story will stop there. Then it will take up again in the next reel where that one left off. But here’s the thing. It will be an adventure film. At the end of the first reel you’ll be the heroine, and you’ll be about to be killed, or something awful will happen. Like in the stampede. We’ll cut the film off right when the cattle are about to run over you. Or we could have a scene where you’re about to be shoved off a cliff by the villain, or run over by a train. Something like that.”
Instantly Priscilla caught the notion. “And at the beginning of the next reel, the audience will see how I get saved from death?”
“Right! I think we’ll get people interested. They come to see the first one where you are about to die, then they’ll come back a week later to see the next episode.” He got up and began walking around the room, waving his arms with excitement. He was a volatile man, this Edwin Porter, a genius in his field, and now he felt that he’d come onto something new. He came over and reached out and grabbed Priscilla’s arm, squeezing it hard. “And listen to this. Guess who I signed to be the hero in this project? Todd Blakely!”
“Why, I’m surprised at that! He’s doing so well on Broadway.”
“He’s wanted to try the movies for some time, but he’s been waiting for his big chance. And I’ve convinced him that this will give him more exposure. It’ll be great. Todd as the hero, and you as the beautiful heroine.”
“What will you call it?”
“I’d like to call it The Dangers of Darlene. All the people like to see a beautiful, helpless woman in trouble, and then a dashing hero come galloping out of nowhere to save her.”
“Will it be all horses again?”
“It’ll have some horses, but there’ll be cars, too. It’ll be up-to-date.”
“If you need help with the cars, my brother Peter can help you. He knows all about them.”
“I’ll remember that,” Porter nodded. “Now, what about it? Are you willing to think about it, Priscilla?”
“It sounds like fun,” Priscilla said. “Something different from bouncing around on a horse.”
“It’ll make you a star, kid,” Porter said. He patted her shoulder and said, “I’ll get the contracts drawn up at once.”
****
Nolan Cole had waited outside of Andrew Winslow’s office for half an hour looking at his watch nervously. When Winslow appeared, walking rapidly and followed by three men, Nolan stepped forward, saying, “Pastor, I’ve got to see you.”
With an impatient look, Winslow said, “Can’t it wait? I’ve got an important meeting here. It’s taken a lot of work to get the architect, the building superintendent, and the banker here to tie this new building altogether.”
“I know you’re busy, but this is important.”
“All right. Would you gentlemen please step into my office?” Opening the door for them, he said, “I’ll be right with you.” He closed it again and turned to Nolan Cole. “What is it, Nolan?”
“I know you just got back from Sacramento, but have you been home?”
“No, I just got in this morning. What is it? Is someone sick?”
Cole stared at him in dismay. “Have you forgotten it’s Amelia’s birthday?”
A shock leaped into Andrew’s eyes, and his lips drew wide in a grimace. “Oh no! I did forget it! I didn’t sleep a wink last night! I haven’t even gotten her a present!”
“Well, the party’s starting in thirty minutes. Can’t you get through with this meeting, or at least let me handle it?”
“Thanks, Nolan, but I have to be here.” Andrew paused and said, “Look, go buy a present for Amelia and go on to the party. Tell them I’ll be there just as soon as I can.”
Nolan shook his head. “That’s not the same thing, Andrew. You know what kids want better than I do. Amelia’s been looking forward to this for a long time.”
“I know, I know, but I just can’t go now. I couldn’t get these three together again for three weeks. You go on. Buy her something nice.” Andrew reached into his pocket, pulled out some bills, and handed several of them to Nolan. “Get anything you can find. Don’t worry about the cost, and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“All right, but—” Nolan started to protest, but Andrew wheeled and disappeared into the office, closing the door behind him.
Nolan’s lips tightened and he shook his head. He left the church and drove rapidly to a department store. After looking through the whole toy department, he finally picked out a doll that he thought the girl might like, then went on to the party. As he parked his car, he noticed several others in front of the parsonage, and when he went inside, Helen, the maid, greeted him.
“The party’s in the big drawing room, Reverend Cole.”
“Thank you, Helen.”
As he made his way down the hall, he heard the sound of high-pitched giggling and laughing. Turning into the drawing room, he saw that it was decorated with balloons and streamers, and that eight or nine children about Amelia’s age were there with their mothers. He felt like a fool.
Dorothy excused herself from one of the women and came over to him and asked, “Where’s Andrew?”
“He’s . . . on his way,” he said briefly with some embarrassment. “He sent Amelia’s gift with me and said to tell you that he’d be here as soon as he could.”
All delight and pleasure drained from Dorothy Winslow’s face. She took the doll and studied the face of the assistant pastor, then said so quietly that no one but he could hear, “He forgot, didn’t he, Nolan?”
“Well, he just got in this morning from his trip, and there was a meeting—”
“There’s always a meeting,” Dorothy said, a harshness in her tone. “Amelia will be heartbroken. Did he pick the gift out himself?”
“Well, no. I’m afraid I did, and I’m not sure she’ll like it. It’s a doll.”
“She won’t like it unless her father is here to give it to her,” Dorothy said bitterly.
“I’m sorry, Dorothy,” Nolan said. He reached out and touched her hand briefly. She looked up, and he added, “It’s not right, and I’m terribly sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” Dorothy managed a smile and said, “Thank God you came. You can tell Amelia that her daddy is on the way.”
It was a fine birthday party with all that children like—cake and ice cream and games—but Nolan saw Amelia looking at the door from time to time. Finally the party was over and the children left, and Nolan went over and said, “I’m sorry your daddy didn’t make it. He was held up, Amelia, but he’ll make it up to you.”
“He didn’t come,” Amelia said, and tears welled up in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. She turned and ran out of the room.
As Nolan started to leave, Dorothy said, “Wait here, Nolan. I want to talk to you.” Turning, she met the eyes of Serena, who had brought her children to the party, and quickly looked away as sympathy showed on Serena’s face. Leaving the room, she went after Amelia to try to console her.
Nolan Cole wandered around the room, watching as the maid cleaned up, and fifteen minutes later Dorothy came back, her face puffy, and he knew she had been crying.
“Come into the library,” she said, casting a look at Helen and leading Nolan out of the large drawing room. When they were inside she shut the door and said, “Tell me about it.” She stood there listening as Nolan tried lamely to explain, but her lips hardened and she said, “He couldn’t even come to his own child’s birthday party.” Then she drew her shoulders together and tried to smile. “Come along. There’s some coffee in the kitchen. Can you stay?”
“Well, for a while, I suppose.” He followed her out of the room down to the kitchen, and soon the two were sitting at a table as the bright sunlight filtered in on them. Nolan said little, but Dorothy unburdened herself. She was angry to the bone at And
rew’s inexcusable thoughtlessness. He had terribly disappointed and hurt Amelia.
“I shouldn’t be complaining like this to you,” she finally said.
“It’s all right.” Nolan smiled and said, “I hear a lot of complaints from wives about how their husbands neglect them.”
“I bet you do,” she said. Curiosity came to her and she said, “Do any of these women ever—” She did not know how to finish, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to pry,” she said.
Nolan Cole leaned back in his chair and laughed and smiled. “Some of them do,” he said. “They’re lonely.”
“That’s no excuse.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Why have you never married, Nolan?”
The question caught him off guard, and he blinked with surprise. “That’s coming right out with it,” he said, then he began to trace a figure on the table with his forefinger. He was a man who was good with words, but confronted with this direct question, he seemed to be uncertain. The long pause of silence seemed to go on forever.
“You don’t have to tell me,” she said.
“I don’t mind, but, you see, I don’t really understand myself.” He looked up, and there was a vulnerable quality in his face. He was a strong man, active, able, but now somehow, there was a troubled light in his blue eyes. “I never found a woman that I loved.”
“That’s strange. You’re attractive and intelligent. Many women would love to have you, I’m sure.”
“But I’ve never found one that I wanted. Some have attracted me for a while, but nothing ever came of it.” He looked up and smiled briefly. “I don’t know how to explain it, Dorothy.”
“What do you want in a woman?” she asked, curious.
“Beauty, charm, intelligence, a sympathetic ear, and a lot more.”
Dorothy suddenly laughed. “No wonder you haven’t found one! There are no women that have all those qualities.”
“Certainly there are. You have them all.”
Dorothy was taken aback. “Why, Nolan! What a thing to say!”
Nolan suddenly stood to his feet. “I didn’t mean to say that, but it’s true enough.” He seemed disturbed and said, “I’ll have to go now, Dorothy. I’m sorry the party turned out badly for Amelia.”
She rose and came to him, putting out her hands. He took them both and stared at her with an odd expression in his eyes. She did not speak for a moment, then finally she whispered, “You made it bearable. Thank you for coming.”
He held her hands and studied her face for a moment. He seemed about to speak, then put his lips together as if to cut the words off. “I must go,” he said hurriedly. He turned and left the room without another word.
Dorothy sat down at the table and thought about how strangely he had behaved. Her cheeks grew warm as she remembered his words, “You have all those qualities.” She was starved for affection, and the warmth of his gaze and the sincerity of his words had driven away some of the anger she had felt at Andrew’s absence. She sat there for a long time, then finally rose and left the kitchen.
****
Todd Blakely proved to be a real charmer as Priscilla had suspected. She arrived at Edwin Porter’s office to meet with them, and she found the young actor to be as handsome as she remembered. “I saw you once on the stage when you played Hamlet,” she said. “You were marvelous. I always wanted to tell you.”
Blakely was not a tall man, but he was well built and had the classic handsome features demanded by the stage. He had an English nose, high forehead, and his hair was dark, as was the thin mustache on his upper lip. He smiled at Priscilla with perfect teeth and took her hand, gripping it firmly. “Thank you so much. It’s a compliment I appreciate from one of the profession.”
“Have you been in Los Angeles before?”
“No, it’s my first trip,” Blakely said. “I understand you’ve been here for a year.”
“Yes, I think you’ll like it.”
“Perhaps you’d show me around. I never do well in a strange town by myself.”
“Why, of course. I’d be happy to, Mr. Blakely.”
“Todd,” he corrected her. Then he said, “Perhaps we could go out and have dinner. You know the best places. We could talk about the new project.”
Familiar with actors and their ways, Priscilla knew she was being approached in a more than businesslike way. She smiled and said, “I’d be happy to, Todd. Come by about seven tonight.”
“That will be wonderful,” he said. He turned to the producer and said, “We’re going to have a hit, Edwin.”
“I believe we will. Want me to come along tonight? If you’re going to talk about the project, I’m sure I could give you some insight.” With a wicked light of humor in his eyes, he laughed at Todd’s expression. “Don’t worry. I was just kidding. Go out and have a good time with Priscilla.”
****
Blakely arrived precisely at seven, chauffeured in one of the studio’s new cars. He took her to the restaurant she recommended, where they enjoyed a fine meal and exchanged the usual pleasantries about their careers. Afterward they went to the theater for a rousing production of the latest Cohan musical. After the play, they were driven back to Priscilla’s place. When the car pulled up in front, Todd got out to walk Priscilla to her front door. As they came to the doorway, Todd asked, “May I come in for a while?”
“No, Todd,” Priscilla said. “I’m going to bed. We’ll probably have a hard day tomorrow. Edwin’s a real hard-driving man.”
He leaned forward and put his hands on her arms and attempted to draw her forward to kiss her, but she resisted. His eyes opened wide with surprise. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s been a nice evening.” Priscilla pulled back, put her hand out, and when he took it rather stunned, she laughed. “A nice try, Todd, but you’ll have to find your female companionship elsewhere. I don’t play the game.”
He knew exactly what she was saying, and his handsome face made a picture of puzzlement as he stared at her. “Well, that will be different,” he murmured.
“Are you angry?”
“No, of course not.” He smiled again, squeezed her hand, and said, “There’s always another day. Good night, Priscilla. Thank you for going out with me.”
“Good night, Todd.”
As Blakely left, he was amused by his own reaction. He was so accustomed to easy successes with women that Priscilla Winslow’s refusal had taken him completely by surprise. He leaned back in the seat and thought about her for a moment, finally murmuring, “A beautiful woman, and chaste as well. That might be a challenge, but I’ve always liked challenges.” He smiled in the darkness and began to whistle as the car made its way down the streets of Los Angeles.
****
Todd Blakely persisted in his attempts to form a close relationship with Priscilla. They went out several times the next week, but each time the ending of the evening was the same. She presented him a cool demeanor, and there was amusement in her eyes as she firmly resisted his attempts to come inside each time he took her home.
Stanislas Lem had observed Todd’s attempts to win over Priscilla at work. Lem knew the type of man Blakely was and decided to talk to Priscilla about it. He found her at work one day and said, “Are you going to be able to handle Blakely? He’s used to having women fall all over him.”
“He’s sure been making his try, but that’s the way Todd is. No, Stan. I won’t have any trouble with him. His pride might be hurt a little bit, but perhaps we can get the picture finished before he loses his temper.”
That same day Jason Ballard was standing close by when he heard Todd Blakely make a remark about Priscilla. The actor implied in his speech to one of the cameramen that he had been having some success with Miss Priscilla Winslow. “She’s not as cold as she seems,” Todd laughed. Actually, the man could not stand for anyone to think that he was ever unsuccessful in his single-minded pursuit of women.
The words
had struck Jason hard, and he had stepped in front of Blakely and said loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear, “You’re a liar, Blakely!”
Todd Blakely had never been challenged so abruptly, especially not by a lowly member of the crew. He knew Jason only as a cowboy who rode a horse and drove cattle, and now he exploded bitterly with a curse. Before he could say another word, he suddenly found himself flat on his back with a cut on his lips. He had been pulled to his feet by the cameramen and the assistant director, who apologized for Jason, but Jason had turned and walked coldly away.
Todd Blakely’s ego was enormous. He went immediately to Edwin Porter and demanded that the man be fired. Porter argued that Jason was a valuable man, but he saw the futility of it.
“All right,” Porter said wearily. “I’ll see that he leaves the lot.” Leaving his office, he went to Jason and said, “Jase, I’m sorry, but you shouldn’t have hit him.”
“I know,” Jason said. “I suppose you have to fire me.”
“I have no choice,” Edwin said grimly. “I can’t go against the star.”
“It’s okay, Mr. Porter. It’s not your fault.”
As soon as Priscilla heard of the incident and Jason’s firing, she went at once to Porter, who shook his head grimly, saying, “I can’t go against the star, Priscilla. You know that. Jason should have held his temper.”
Priscilla stared at Porter for a moment and then said, “I’ll talk to Todd.”
“It won’t do any good. His pride’s hurt. That’s a lot worse than the busted lip he got. I’m glad Jason didn’t break his teeth out,” he said. “That would have spoiled him for the camera.”
Priscilla turned and went straight to Todd’s dressing room. She knocked briefly, and when his voice bade her to come in, she opened the door. He rose and said, “Why, Priscilla—”
“Todd, I don’t want Jason Ballard fired.”
“Why are you interested in him?” Todd asked suspiciously.
“He’s an old friend of mine. He was the foreman on my parents’ ranch in Wyoming for years. He’s a good man.”
“No, he can’t stay,” Todd said stubbornly.
The Silver Star Page 18