Ziegfeld Girls

by Sarah Barthel

  “Oh.” Jada glanced out into the back of the audience. Opening night, all those white faces would be looking at Bert. The stage suddenly felt very large and lonely.

  This melancholy man was not the same man she saw onstage, nor the man who asked her to dance for him. As the silence grew, Jada suspected that this was the true Bert, the one behind the stage persona. As that dawned on her, it suddenly felt too personal to stand so close to him. Too awkward to try to discuss Suzanne or anything about the Follies with him.

  “Do you know where Jonathon is?” she asked.

  Bert shrugged. “If he isn’t outside Flo’s office, he’s probably gone home for the night. I hear there are some parties tonight. I suspect he may be invited to those.”

  “I’ll look for him at the office then,” Jada said.

  “Jada? I don’t know you well, but I know what Sally and Roger say, and they don’t lie. I’m usually the last to rehearse here at night. My offer is always open.”

  “I will think about it,” Jada promised. “But now, I should go see Jonathon.”

  Jada left Bert sitting on the stage, looking out over the empty seats, quite alone in his thoughts.

  Mr. Ziegfeld’s office was a few flights up, above the theater. Jada stopped at the top of the stairwell to collect herself. Jonathon might be upset that she has held this information back for so long, but she couldn’t correct the past. Only move forward in the future. She made her way down the hall to the grand office.

  “Mr. Franks?” she called out as she stepped into the room.

  The fire was still blazing in the fireplace and papers were strewn across Jonathon’s desk. Jada stood in the center of the room, wondering where the gentlemen was and how long she should wait for him before it became improper.

  “We are leaving in a week for Boston. These arrangements should have been done by now!” Ziegfeld’s voice carried from down the hall.

  Oh no, thought Jada. I don’t want to be caught in the middle of a disagreement.

  “Of course, sir. I won’t leave until they are complete. Travel, hotel, and theater arrangements will be double-checked and complete. Do not worry, sir.”

  The out-of-town trial was starting so quickly. Jada had her own preparations to make for Suzanne.

  The two men entered the front part of the office. Mr. Ziegfeld glanced at Jada before walking into his office without a word. Jonathon dashed behind his desk and started sorting papers.

  “Hello, Jada.” Jonathon’s head didn’t look up from his work.

  “Hello,” Jada said. “You said you were available if I were to need help.” She clenched the note in her pocket.

  Jonathon stopped what he was doing and looked at her. “I did. What’s happened?”

  She pulled out the note and handed it to him. “Ruby and Suzanne have been receiving notes like this since rehearsals started.”

  “Notes?” Jonathon raised his eyebrows. “You think people are leaving the Follies . . . the Ziegfeld Follies over some notes?”

  “It isn’t just notes. Someone sent Ruby chocolates, possibly poisoned.”

  “Possibly poisoned?” Jonathon shifted in his chair.

  “Look, here is the note that accompanied the chocolates. ‘Eat up’? It is a threat that implies poison, if nothing else.” She swallowed. “I threw them away just in case.”

  Jonathon reread the note. “How could something so short cause so much fear?”

  Frustrated, Jada walked around the room. “When you put it like that it sounds silly, but you didn’t see Ruby’s face when these cards came.”

  “No, I didn’t.” Jonathon rested his head on the back of his chair for a moment before getting up.

  “Suzanne told me about Francine. I don’t want to see Ruby leave too.”

  “We agreed that the notes were not what pushed Francine over the edge. These notes were not enough.”

  Suzanne hadn’t mentioned that when she and Jada spoke. That did change the perspective. Jada couldn’t think of anything to say.

  “I am very behind in making plans for our Boston opening and even if I had the time, I’m not sure where to start looking for an answer to this problem.

  “I beg to differ,” Jada said, hoping he would listen. “Whoever is sending these cards is a part of the theater. They reference things that happen onstage. Ruby was told to eat more by Julian today and not an hour later those chocolates were in her dressing room. Suzanne was given a part with Bert and soon after was sent a card saying not to dance with that . . . with Bert. This person is in the company.”

  “In the company? That feels like a large leap. Look at Ruby, anyone can see she needs to eat more. And many people knew about Suzanne’s promotion. I think it might have been in the paper even. I don’t think one of our own would scare her friends in such a manner.”

  “I disagree,” Jada stated firmly.

  “I really am sorry.” Jonathon went back to sorting his papers. “If you find proof of a specific culprit, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll keep my eyes and ears open and will have the company manager inspect deliveries from now on so more girls aren’t upset by this mess.”

  “I really think it could be one of the girls. Suzanne agrees.”

  Jonathon clenched his hands into a fist. “I told you what I thought. I have a lot of work to do. Please, Jada. Another time.”

  Jada sighed. “Very well, thank you for your time.” She did a poor job of masking the bitterness in her words.

  CHAPTER 18

  Trying to slip out of Miss Mitzi’s boardinghouse unnoticed was like walking through a den of wolves. No matter what time Suzanne went down for breakfast, Miss Mitzi was always there, waiting to accost her about her celebration tea. With the trip to Boston less than a week away, she was now calling it an opening night celebration. It seemed she was hell-bent on having a houseful of Ziegfeld girls, and nothing Suzanne said changed her mind.

  Suzanne had come in so late from the party at Mary’s house that she’d hardly slept at all. But it was their first production rehearsal and she wanted to be the first at the theater if possible. Jada didn’t stir as Suzanne picked up her shoes and slipped out of the room. Ever since they discovered the threats against Ruby, Jada had been in a bad mood. She kept starting conversations with Suzanne, only to end in the middle of sentences and then sulk. Suzanne was perfectly happy to leave her behind.

  As she came down the staircase, she found most of the floor was still dark. The only light came from the kitchen. Even a conversation with Miss Mitzi was worth the toast and oranges she knew awaited her in the kitchen. She hadn’t planned on stopping a moment before she was handed her food, but when she heard her name spoken, she paused to listen.

  “But she only holds back because of Suzanne. If it wasn’t for her, Jada might be auditioning for Ziegfeld right now!” Sally whined.

  Of all the remarks Suzanne could’ve imagined, Jada auditioning for Flo was the farthest from her imagination. What had Jada been telling Sally about their theater life? Surely she’d never met Ziegfeld; even Suzanne had only spoken with him a handful of times and she was in the theater every day. Yet, she’d never known Jada to tell a lie.

  “It doesn’t pay to meddle in other people’s relationships, Sally,” Miss Mitzi said through the sounds of shuffling coals. “Jada made her choice and you should respect that.”

  “But it was Bert Williams! How can she keep working for that Suzanne girl when Bert keeps throwing possibility in her face?” Sally slammed something on the table. “This is her dream, why is she pushing it away?”

  Miss Mitzi clucked her tongue. “Just because she can do it well doesn’t mean she dreams of being on the stage. Maybe she is happy with Suzanne.”

  Sally snorted.

  Suzanne leaned against the wall and tried to absorb all she heard. Jada had met Bert Williams and hadn’t told her. It should have been her introducing Bert and Jada. Suzanne clenched her fists in frustration with herself. If Sally was right and Jada had given up the chance t
o dance with Bert Williams, Suzanne would have to find some way to thank her.

  With that thought, Suzanne walked straight into the kitchen, purposefully interrupting their conversation. If anything else had happened to Jada, she didn’t want it pressing on her mind.

  “Good morning,” she said. She hoped no one noticed how her voice trembled.

  “Good morning, Suzanne.” Miss Mitzi sounded warm and inviting. Sally, however, took one look at Suzanne and clomped out of the room muttering something about laundry. “Don’t you mind her. She’s gets irritable easy.”

  Suzanne watched Sally go before asking, “Is there any toast made yet? I have an early call this morning.”

  Miss Mitzi lifted the cover from one of the baskets on the small table revealing a pile of freshly warmed bread. Suzanne immediately lunged forward and grabbed two pieces from the basket and leaned back against her chair as she ate. Her corset dug in uncomfortably, forcing her to sit up a bit straighter. She’d have to adjust the laces once she arrived at the theater. As she adjusted herself, she caught Miss Mitzi raising an eyebrow in her direction.

  When Miss Mitzi finished stoking the stove fire, she walked over to the table and sat across from Suzanne. “I’m going to speak plainly to you, Suzanne.”

  Suzanne swallowed her mouthful of bread before she croaked, “Very well.”

  “I’m sure you overheard what my Sally was saying before you came into the room; she was speaking too loud for you to have turned a deaf ear. Now, it is none of our business what goes on between you and Jada, but I would like to remind you that she’s a good worker and deserves your respect.”

  Suzanne’s mouth went dry at the woman’s words. Her heart beating in her ears, she wet her lips before she replied. “You’re right. This is none of your business. My relationship with Jada is not for you to understand or to judge.”

  Immediately, she jumped up from her seat, grabbed an apple, and headed toward the door. Before she got there, Miss Mitzi grasped her arm. It was the kindness in her touch that made Suzanne turn around and look at her accuser.

  “Suzanne. No one questions that you care for Jada. That is evident in how you are with each other. I know how busy your life can be and wanted to make sure that you remember that Jada has talent beyond washing clothes.” Miss Mitzi’s brown eyes bore into Suzanne.

  “I can’t let her . . . I need her.”

  Miss Mitzi’s mouth fell open in surprise at the compassion in Suzanne’s words, but before she could say anything Suzanne pulled her arm away and was running toward the front door.

  * * *

  Even with her brief delay at breakfast, Suzanne was one of the first people on the stage that morning. Although she walked across the stage nearly every day, it looked larger that morning. Perhaps it was because they were finally going to be performing on the stage, or it was because the houselights were all on, revealing how deep the seating actually went.

  Suzanne shook the impending stage fright from her mind and sat in the center of the stage and began her stretches. In the past few days she had made an intense routine for herself and had the tendency to get lost in the movement. She breathed in the smell of dust and grease paint and let the red velvet chairs fade together into one large red mass as she focused on her body.

  The next thing she knew Suzanne was surrounded by her costars and the sound of dozens of voices melding together. Ann was standing in the corner intently talking to Leon Errol and didn’t see Suzanne’s wave to her. In the back of the balcony Suzanne could see Ziegfeld looking down at all of them. Although she couldn’t see any details, she was sure it was Mr. Ziegfeld, as that is where it was said he liked to watch rehearsals. Immediately she opened her legs in a wide split and leaned over them. She had to be more prepared than ever today if Ziegfeld was to be watching them.

  “Ruby,” Laura whined. “Ruby, give me back my sweater!”

  Suzanne turned around and saw Ruby and Lillian tossing a lavender cardigan back and forth over Laura’s head. She rolled her eyes at Ruby and Lillian’s silliness. Poor Laura!

  Pulling herself to her feet, Suzanne walked behind Lillian and pulled the sweater from her hands. “At least try to be mature, Ziegfeld is watching,” she hissed as she handed Laura back her sweater.

  “Thanks.” She held up the sweater before giving Lillian a glare and walking toward the front of the stage.

  “Well, la-di-da,” Ruby said, still giggling.

  “I know,” Lillian said.

  “You two can be so childish,” Suzanne said, trying to hide the annoyance in her voice.

  “Give it up, Suzanne. You know it was funny. Laura is almost four inches taller than me and she couldn’t get her sweater back. What a joke.” Lillian glanced toward where Laura was standing and shrugged.

  Suzanne forced a smile on her face and shook her head. “You guys better get warmed up. I expect we’ll be starting soon.”

  Without another word Ruby and Lillian sat on the stage and began stretching their legs out. Suzanne took a few steps away from them and raised her arms above her head, working out a tight spot on her side.

  Suzanne glanced up to find Laura and Ann sitting next to her, deep in their own stretches.

  “Thanks,” Laura said again.

  “No problem. You’d have done the same for me,” Suzanne replied. “They didn’t mean anything by it. They are just immature.”

  Ann rolled her eyes. “They choose to behave poorly.”

  Suzanne agreed, but didn’t want to discuss them anymore. To Laura she asked, “Do you see your beau often?”

  Laura rolled her eyes. “Not as much as others. He is a busy man.”

  “Oh, I see.” Ann giggled. “Is he busy or are you busy?”

  “It’s always the same thing,” Laura replied. “Bottom line is I don’t want to be tied down. There are too many men out there.”

  “Shall we go out tonight and see some of them?” Ann asked.

  “Didn’t you mention a new hot spot?” Suzanne asked Laura.

  “Oh! The Club!”

  Ann perked up. “I haven’t been there yet. Tonight?”

  “Tonight,” Suzanne and Laura agreed.

  Laura stood up and began her tendus. Suzanne moved closer to Ann to accommodate Laura’s long legs.

  Julian clomped across the stage. In a few moments the entire theater was silent. He stood before them, his hair greased back in an oddly stiff fashion. Finally he broke the silence.

  “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I believe we’ll start with the Open Rose this morning and then move into the finale.”

  Laura raised her head. “Are they so early in the show?”

  “No,” Julian didn’t explain further.

  “But this was to be a full rehearsal. I thought Bert and Ann started the show.”

  Julian gave her an exasperated look. “The Rose number has had the least amount of rehearsal and the finale has not been performed without mistakes yet. We will run through those numbers before we start the full rehearsal. Is that to your satisfaction?”

  Properly embarrassed, Laura turned from Julian and stalked off the stage. Suzanne tried to catch her eye once she was seated in the audience, but Laura didn’t look up once.

  Ann nudged Suzanne. “What’s wrong with Ruby? She looks awfully pale.”

  “She probably overpowdered her face or forgot to rouge her lips. She was just playing keep-away from Laura. I’m sure she’s fine.” Suzanne glanced at Ruby, however. She continued to glance around as if someone was behind her.

  Julian clapped his hands. “Clear the stage, people.”

  Instantly, the girls parted and Ruby, Mary, Lillian, and Suzanne were left alone on the stage. The pianist sat at the piano and readied himself to play. The girls took their places. Suzanne licked her lips. This was it.

  Suzanne shifted her posture and raised her arms into fourth position. Lillian was offstage awaiting her and Ruby was behind her. The piano began and Suzanne started her motions. The music was fluid an
d sensuous, and she felt the audience inhale with the beauty of her movements. Ruby moved from behind and took her hand as Mary burst onstage and took her other. The three moved as one for eight counts until Suzanne dipped back and headed offstage.

  But instead of letting go of Suzanne’s hand, Ruby made a wild grab to keep grasping tighter and suddenly both Suzanne and Ruby toppled to the ground. Suzanne felt the wooden floor bruise her hip but managed to keep her head from landing on it as well.

  Mary stopped dancing and turned to Suzanne on the floor.

  “Are you hurt?” Mary asked.

  Suzanne sat up and untangled herself from Ruby. Her hands felt slick and she wiped her hands on the floor, but the feeling wouldn’t go away. She looked down and saw a line of grease shine through one of the cracks in the floor. The stage hands must have been working on the stage last night and forgot to clean up. And now the grease was all over her. She glanced at her practice skirt, and sure enough a small yellow stain streaked against her left side. Jada would not enjoy getting that out of the white fabric.

  “I’ll be fine once I change clothes,” she said. “Ruby?”

  She turned toward her friend and frowned. Ruby remained on the floor, her arms limp and her leg at an uncomfortable angle. She scowled as she rolled her head toward Suzanne.

  “Owww,” she moaned.

  “Ruby is injured!” Lillian exclaimed as she ran in from the wings.

  From the back of the balcony Flo shouted, “Don’t move her. Jonathon will bring the car around and take her to the hospital. Jonathon!” He left the balcony in search of his assistant.

  Julian and Leon jumped onto the stage and were quickly at their side.

  “What on earth happened? We’ve rehearsed that a dozen times and no one has even so much as tripped.”

  Ruby moaned again and Lillian grasped her hand. “It will be fine, Ruby.”

  “I don’t know,” Suzanne said. “I went to exit and she didn’t let go of me. She slid and then pulled me down with her.”

  Jonathon appeared from the wings. “Was Flo calling me?” he asked. His eyes landed on Ruby. “Oh no.” He crossed the stage in a matter of seconds.