Ziegfeld Girls

by Sarah Barthel

  The train jolted and both Ann and Suzanne lunged to one side. Ann moaned and rolled over to lie down. A queer sensation came over her as she sat, watching the trees go by.

  “Ann,” she said loud enough that her friend opened her eyes. “Have you received any threats?”

  Her eyes opened wider and she pushed herself back up to a sitting position.

  “Threats?” Her voice sounded thick.

  Suzanne nodded. “Has anyone threatened you? Perhaps by note or something?” Her pulse pounded in her ears as she asked the question, but she had to know.

  Ann’s face went grayer than it already was. “No, no threats. Have you?”

  “Some of the girls have.” Suzanne deflected the question.

  “What?” Ann sat up, fully alert now.

  The train swayed again as Suzanne checked the hallway for Laura or other girls. For some reason, she knew this news shouldn’t spread far.

  “Before Ruby was injured she received some threatening notes. And the day she fell there was a grease mark onstage. Now, I don’t know if that was there on purpose or accident, but it feels connected.”

  “Have you received any?” Ann asked.

  Suzanne looked away. “Not like Ruby’s, but I have gotten strange notes. I just wanted to be sure this illness isn’t contrived.”

  “Contrived!” Ann asked, insulted. Then she wretched again and held up a hand. “I am not that good an actress.”

  “No,” Suzanne laughed. “I meant that it isn’t someone else’s doing.”

  Ann reached her hand out for the hatbox. All thought of being sick seemed to disappear from her face. “You mean poison?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “But . . .” She grabbed the hatbox just in time. After she regained herself, she asked, “Who? If you believe me poisoned, then you believe it to be someone within the company.”

  The door to their small cabin opened and Laura returned. She made a face and propped their door open. Suzanne hadn’t realized how bad it smelled in their room until fresh air spilled in. She took a deep breath to clear the stench from her nose.

  Laura held out a metal pail. “Here, Ann. It is the best I could find.” She pulled the hatbox from Ann’s grasp and covered it up. “They promised a boy would be around any moment to help tidy our cabin. He can dispose of that.”

  Ann nodded and lay down on the bench again. After a moment she reached for the pail and wretched again. Suzanne turned away.

  “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll visit some of the other girls.” Laura’s nose wrinkled as she looked around their cabin.

  “Of course,” Suzanne said. “I’ll stay with Ann. Go have fun. Let me know if any plans are made for tonight.”

  “Thanks, Laura,” Ann said. Laura waved to Suzanne before ducking out and leaving the two alone with the open door.

  This time her eyes closed, and Suzanne knew she wouldn’t get much more discussion from her. But one thing stuck in Suzanne’s mind: Did she think someone in their small company capable of such acts? She had thought Lillian capable of threats, but poison? Suzanne returned her gaze out the window.

  * * *

  A few hours later the entire company was standing on the stage of their Boston theater. Ann had been dismissed to the hotel when Julian saw that she was genuinely ill. Suzanne didn’t dare voice her concerns aloud to the director, as she hardly knew what to make of the events herself. Instead, she stood with Laura at the far right of the company, waiting for dressing room assignments and her call sheet.

  “Previews start in one week, ladies and gentlemen. I would hate to see anyone’s hard work ruined by too many late nights. If it were up to me, I’d enforce a curfew on all of you, but I was overruled. So, let me say this. If any of you are late to rehearsals or final fittings, there will be severe consequences.”

  Laura leaned over to Suzanne and whispered, “Last year Ruby was three minutes late to the final rehearsal due to a final fitting and Julian sentenced her to running up and down every row in the theater. It would have been comical if we weren’t all so angry with him for it.”

  Suzanne looked out over the vast audience. Rows upon rows reached far back into the shadows and then started again in the balcony. Mentally, she promised herself she’d be in bed by nine each evening.

  “Julian?” Laura asked with her hand in the air.

  “Yes, Laura?”

  “When is our full dress rehearsal?”

  Julian rubbed his temples and closed his eyes before explaining. “We will do a complete run-through with the cast this Friday. That gives us three days to adapt to this stage and put those final touches in that make us special. It will be a hard week, but worthwhile.”

  “Thank you.” Laura stretched her legs out far in front of her and pointed her toes.

  Jonathon walked onto the stage and whispered in Julian’s ear.

  “Suzanne Haskins?” Julian called out abruptly.

  Suzanne jumped to her feet. “Yes?” she asked.

  “You are wanted in the main office. Jonathon will show you the way.” He held out an envelope. “Your call sheet and dressing room assignment. Your belongings will be delivered in time for rehearsal tomorrow, and your hotel key is in the envelope as well. I assume you can find the hotel without direction?”

  Jonathon stepped forward. “I’ll be sure she arrives to the hotel after her meeting.”

  Julian nodded. “Very good of you. Plenty of rest, Suzanne.” He tapped his nose and then turned back to the rest of the theater.

  Suzanne fell in step beside Jonathon as he led her through the wings and down the side hallway of backstage. His pace was swift and her shorter legs had to work double to keep up with him.

  “Where is this office?” she asked when he opened a door and they found themselves in the theater lobby.

  Jonathon blushed. “We aren’t actually going to the office.”

  “What?” Suzanne stopped walking. “But you pulled me offstage. If Julian finds out—”

  Jonathon took her hand. “Leave Julian to me. Flo knows where we are going, and nothing else matters.”

  His hand was soft and his grip gentle, but Suzanne refused to be wooed so easily.

  “I deserve to know where you are taking me,” she said.

  Jonathon blinked. “I would have thought it obvious. We are going to see Ann. As luck has it her room is directly across from yours, so if anyone sees us there it will just appear that your meeting was short and I escorted you back to the hotel as promised.”

  “Has Ann worsened?” Suzanne asked as she started toward the door.

  Jonathon held it open for her, and the autumn air felt fresh and bright on her skin.

  “Flo sent a doctor to see her, but they suspect food poisoning. While she is sleeping, he wants us to investigate her room.”

  “Us?” Suzanne asked. “He thinks me credible to investigate this mystery?”

  “Well, not exactly. He asked me to look, but I told him I needed your help. You are the one who found the cards and tied them to the other girls. Without your keen eyes I’d likely miss something.”

  Suzanne’s steps slowed. “The credit really lies with Jada, not me,” she admitted. He was still holding her hand. She squeezed it. “But thank you for your confidence, Jonathon.”

  A breeze shifted the part in his hair so he looked younger than he already appeared. She smiled as she looked up at him. Jonathon didn’t reply. Instead he took her hand and tucked it through his arm so they were walking closer than before. Suzanne felt her skirt move back and forth against his legs as they walked, and it left goose bumps all over her. Craig had been closer to her when his slithering hands tried to hold her close, but the thrill of being so naughty was nothing compared to the thrill of being close to someone who actually cared for her. She looked up at his smooth face and let the warm glow of happiness spread over her. This was good.

  “Here we are,” Jonathon said, gesturing ahead to the Lenox Hotel. The tall, square building sat o
n the corner of the block, making an impressive figure. A line of carriages and automobiles sat in front of it, waiting for passengers. Jonathon gestured toward the line. “Flo or Julian will be tipping those drivers to let them know which girls are out late.”

  Suzanne nodded. “I am not surprised. Julian was very clear about the expectations this week.”

  The doorman opened the door and tipped his hat to Jonathon.

  The hotel lobby was spectacular. Red velvet circular couches dotted the grand room while gentlemen sat at a pillared bar sipping from wide glasses. The gold-leafed ceiling gave the room a shine of luxury. The check-in desk was made of marble and extended the length of the lobby. It presented the world with an air of both confidence in business and beauty in design.

  “Flo has exquisite taste in hotels,” she said.

  Jonathon grinned. “Ann and you are on the third floor.”

  They took the elevator up in silence; then Jonathon guided her to the correct room.

  “Ann?” he asked as he keyed into her room.

  Neither expected the jubilant “Jonathon?” that Ann declared as the door opened.

  She lay on a rose-colored sofa, her dressing gown draped loosely about her waist. Her brown curls rested on her back and shoulders. A cup of tea was nestled in her hands.

  “Ann?” Suzanne said. “You seem much better.”

  The pair walked into the small sitting room. Jonathon shut the door behind them and ran his hand over the entryway table.

  “I feel much better. Flo had someone drive me here and they nearly carried me up to the room. But once all that train food was out of my system it was as if a cloud lifted off of me and I could see again. I hope I didn’t miss much at rehearsal.”

  Jonathon snorted. “You know the drill. Julian is scaring everyone into early bed this week and handing out room assignments and call sheets.”

  Ann glanced at Suzanne. “Don’t push Julian. He makes good on his threats.”

  “Laura told me about Ruby.”

  Ann smiled. “That was horrible to watch. But what a good story.”

  “Not one I would like repeated about me, however,” Suzanne admitted.

  Ann smiled. “I doubt anyone could find a bad story about you.”

  If Ann only knew the skeletons Suzanne buried in her closet. She instantly redirected the conversation. “Do you remember what we talked about on the train?” Suzanne said.

  The smile fell off Ann’s face. “How could I forget?”

  Jonathon moved to the bouquet of flowers on the center table. He reached in and pulled out a card.

  “May I open this?” he asked Ann.

  Ann and Suzanne turned their attention to Jonathon. Ann walked over and took the card from Jonathon. She tore the envelope open and pulled the card out.

  “Darling, Suzanne,” she began.

  “Me?” Suzanne asked.

  Ann continued reading: “Darling, Suzanne, perform with that Nigger and it will be the last performance you dance. Do not ignore me again. That blue gown is too pretty to waste for a funeral.”

  Suzanne took a step back, as if being too close to the flowers would bring ruin as well as the card. Blue gown? Was she referring to the blue gown they were wearing for the Williams-Errol number?

  “Ann. The dress.” She stared at her friend.

  “The dress?” Ann repeated. “How did they know?”

  “Know what?” Jonathon asked.

  “Before we got on the train this morning Julian told us we’d have to meet with the costume staff first thing tomorrow because they changed our dresses for the Williams-Errol number. We were to wear these pink French things, but after seeing it onstage, they want to prevent us from blending in and are changing them to these bright blue gowns. They are working around the clock on them and we have a fitting first thing tomorrow. He only told Suzanne and myself. I don’t think Lillian even knows.”

  “So, whoever is sending these notes is in the costume department?” Jonathon asked.

  Suzanne sat on the edge of one of the satin chairs. “It is someone in the company. Someone in our family is trying to push girls out.”

  CHAPTER 26

  Jada perched on the large bed, a book on her lap, but her mind was elsewhere. A gentleman had come the previous day to collect Suzanne’s trunk. The room was empty without it. Angry or not, Suzanne’s presence changed a room. She made the room shine with her excitement and frivolousness. Without her, the room was quiet, but not peaceful. No matter how much Jada had longed for this silence, she missed Suzanne’s energy.

  She tried to read more of the essays, but the room was simply too quiet. And that is how it would remain until Suzanne returned from Boston. She placed the book back on the nightstand and stood up. She was in charge of the room until Suzanne returned, perhaps she should make it feel more like her home.

  Sally knocked on the door. “What are you doing in here?”

  “Oh!” Jada jumped. “I was straightening things.” She wasn’t sure if she should admit that she missed Suzanne. Not to Sally.

  “You don’t have to do that. You don’t work for her no more.” Sally cocked her hip out.

  “She shouldn’t come back to such a mess.” Jada replaced the book on the nightstand. “Perhaps I don’t work for her, but she is still family. Besides, much of this is mine too.”

  “I suppose.” Sally glanced over her shoulder. “I was sent to fetch you actually. You have a visitor.”

  “A visitor?” Jada asked. Instinctively she glanced in the mirror. Luckily she wasn’t a mess. Sitting on the bed reading for so long had wrinkled her skirt a bit, but her hair was pinned up with small ringlets framing her face.

  “Danny is here.” Sally couldn’t keep the grin from her face. “Are you two . . . ?”

  Jada scowled. “I don’t think so. Not at all.”

  Sally stepped into the room defensively. “But you’re interested?”

  An image of Danny’s strong arms came to mind, but Jada shook it away. “No. Don’t misunderstand, I enjoy Danny. He is a good guy. I just don’t have time for a good guy right now. It isn’t the right time.” Jada pinched her cheek to give herself a bit more color.

  “Well, he asked to speak with you.” She picked a nut out of the bowl and popped it into her mouth.

  “Very well.” Jada looked around the room one last time. She’d figure out what to do with it later.

  Sally nearly pulled her out of the room and then pushed her down the hall. “You be nice to him. He doesn’t make visits often.”

  “How else would I treat him?” Jada shook her head, amused before she walked away and down the stairs to meet the piano man.

  “Danny?” Jada asked once she was in the doorway to the parlor.

  “Jada!” He spun from the window and smiled at her. “I was hoping you would be here.”

  The room buzzed with excitement. Danny held his hat in his hands, turning it round and round nervously. The white around his eyes was more pronounced than usual. Jada gestured for him to sit.

  Once he settled into the sofa and she perched on the green chair, she asked, “What can I do for you?”

  Alone in the room together, Jada realized she didn’t know much about Danny. Sure he played a great tune and had always been kind to her. But that didn’t help her know what to say when sitting in a room with him alone looking for a way to break the ice.

  “Oh my,” Danny said. “I didn’t realize how inappropriate this visit would feel.” His cheeks flushed as he cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “Roger gave me the address once we received the news and I had to rush over.”

  His formal tone wasn’t what Jada expected. She leaned forward. “Danny, I’m not upset. I’m surprised to see you here. You are welcome to visit anytime. If we are going to work together, there should be as few walls as possible between us.”

  A long exhale slid from Danny. “I’m glad you feel the same way I do. I have come with news . . . exciting news.” He grinned.

&n
bsp; “Oh?”

  “You know Bert comes to the bar frequently.”

  She laughed despite herself. “I’ve seen him there more times than I ever expected.”

  “Well, before he left for Boston with the Follies, he left a message for me. For us, really.” Danny nearly bounced with excitement. “When they return, Mr. Ziegfeld is going to visit us. He is interested in us for his new revue, Darktown Follies.”

  “The what?”

  “At the Bijou Theatre on Broadway. He is starting a revue with Negro acts and is thinking about signing us. What do you think?”

  For a moment Jada couldn’t move. Her hands felt like two dead weights in her lap and her ears buzzed. Then, suddenly, her heart pounded in her ears and she gushed, “Really? He wants to put us on Broadway?”

  Danny nodded. He stood up and came over to her. “I’d be a fool not to see that this audition is directly related to you. I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “I doubt that very much. You are incredibly talented, Danny.”

  “And yet, Bert only got the audition for me once I paired with you. We make a good team.”

  “We do.” She smiled.

  Performing at the Bijou Theatre was something she never considered. Oddly it seemed less obtainable than the Follies. Only the very best Negro performers played there, and she had only yet performed in a nightclub. But if Mr. Ziegfeld was starting a Negro revue, suddenly it seemed possible.

  “I never imagined Flo would seek me out.” Jada stumbled over her words. “I don’t know what to say. This is amazing.”

  “You sound like I feel.” Danny laughed. “In a matter of weeks we will be sitting in the same room as Florenz Ziegfeld.”

  Jada swallowed her rambling. “We should practice a defined act, shouldn’t we? Really choose songs that highlight your skills and my voice.”

  Danny nodded. “Roger has offered his bar for us during the day if we need a space to rehearse.”

  Jada stood up. “Do you have time now?”

  “You aren’t busy here?” Danny looked around. “I thought you worked for that girl?”

  “No, this opportunity comes first. Regardless, I do not work for Suzanne anymore, not in an official capacity.”