“Well, you did, so …” Aidan looked down at his sandwich. He wasn’t one for small talk and wished she’d leave and let him enjoy his meal in peace.
Fiona shoved a newspaper picture of him in his face. “Can I have your autograph?”
In the photograph, Aidan wore Spike’s red jacket, a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and scuffed black boots. He leaned against a brick wall with his arms crossed in front of him and a look of defiance etched in his face.
Fiona handed him a pencil and he grudgingly scribbled down his real name, wondering if she usually carried around his photograph or if it was just a coincidence she had it on her now.
Aidan watched incredulously as she rolled the pencil he used in a napkin and placed it into the front pocket of her dress. After he handed over his autograph, she remained beside him, twirling her ponytail around her forefinger and staring at him with wide eyes.
He was now beyond annoyed with her intrusion. His sour mood was the culmination of everything he’d dealt with over the last few days, especially his experiences with meddlesome people. Unfortunately, Fiona had come around at the wrong time.
“Listen, I’m trying to finish my food.” With a scowl, he picked up his sandwich again.
Fiona’s face fell like Wally’s did when Aidan couldn’t tell him where to buy Spike’s red jacket. Aidan felt no sympathy toward them. He staunchly believed his only obligation to the public was to provide them with authentic performances. He didn’t understand why they couldn’t just enjoy his work and leave him alone.
Fiona still didn’t budge.
Aidan swallowed a bite of his sandwich and peered over at her with arched eyebrows. “Is there something else?”
She chewed on her bottom lip. “Um, would you mind joining my fan club?”
Aidan scoffed. “You mean, be a fan of myself?”
She nodded.
With a frustrated sigh, he placed his sandwich back down onto his plate. If his co-operation got her to leave, then it was worth it. “Fine, what do I gotta do?”
“A one year membership costs ten cents,” she said, as though she was a seasoned saleswoman, “and you get a membership card, a subscription to our monthly newsletter, and—”
“Listen, how about I give you twenty cents for two years and you can keep the membership card and newsletter?”
Fiona clutched Aidan’s picture to her chest. “Gosh, you’re the greatest!”
Aidan handed her twenty cents and she finally skipped off, admiring his photograph with starry eyes. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to enjoy the rest of his food in peace. Word had gotten out that he was at Googie’s and people started to pile in from the street, whispering and pointing at him. It was only a matter of time before they worked up the nerve to talk to him like Wally and Fiona did.
After putting his sunglasses back on, Aidan stood and tossed a dollar bill onto the table, which was more than enough to cover his tab. With his expression set coldly, a warning to everyone to stay away from him, he wrapped his half-eaten sandwich in a napkin, forced to leave his coffee behind. Food in hand, he darted past his admirers to the door, with the intention of stocking his icebox and eating in his apartment for a while.
In Aidan’s opinion, there were two reactions to fame: Some people lapped it up and went to all of the popular places on purpose, desperate for recognition and welcoming the attention. Then there were people like him who withdrew even further. He was the most talked about guy in town, yet he was miserable and felt lonelier than ever. His fear of people approaching him had turned him into a worse recluse than before.
In one way he was fortunate because he was able to make a living doing something he loved, but he still felt there had to be a compromise somewhere. The studio offered actors like Karl Malden and Richard Widmark quality roles. They worked with top directors and actors, received critical acclaim, and were paid well, yet publications didn’t gossip about them nor were they followed down the street. To him, they were the real lucky ones.
As Aidan raced down Sunset on his motorcycle, his thoughts drifted to Beth. She was one of the few people uninfluenced by his popularity, yet he pushed her away. He missed her, but if he wanted her in his life he could no longer conceal who he really was. He owed her all or nothing.
As he pulled up to his apartment complex, an idea struck him. With Beth gone on her promotional tour, he had nothing keeping him in town at the moment. In fact, if he was sick of being bothered every time he went outside, Los Angeles was the worst place for him right now.
Beth’s premiere was in New York next week—the city Aidan would always consider his home. If he wanted to make things right between them sooner rather than later, he could head out there and find her. Plus, he was sure Elia Kazan and Lee Strasberg would appreciate him dropping by the Actors Studio and telling them directly about his first film experience and how he took what they had taught him and applied it to his role.
The more Aidan rationalized, the saner his idea became, and he ended up making his decision before he reached his apartment. His departure from L.A. was long overdue. It was time for a trip back to the East Coast.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Through the tinted window of a studio limousine, Beth watched Manhattan pass her by on the drive back to her hotel. She had arrived in New York City four days ago, but had spent most of her time in her hotel room or conducting press interviews. Everything about the city excited her, from the crowds and old-style buildings to the lights of Broadway. Unfortunately, she had only seen them through glass.
During the day, Beth was chaperoned by an older gentleman named Henry, who was assigned to her for her entire press tour. Usually, she arrived back at her hotel at six o’clock every evening and then had dinner in the restaurant off the main lobby. Although her schedule was clear in the evenings, she was not allowed to venture outside after dark with or without a chaperone. Henry told her it wasn’t safe. Alternatively, she spent her time reading or went to bed early.
These rules applied to Beth only. Mr. Mertz didn’t assign Will a chaperone and he was allowed to stay out all night if he wished as long as he showed up on time for his appointments the following day. Will wasn’t the most responsible person to Beth, so she found it unfair that her actions were so restricted while he was free to come and go as he pleased.
Upon Beth’s arrival in New York, she contacted Olivia and provided the telephone number of her hotel as well as her room number. Olivia called Beth every evening since, mindful of the time difference, and helped pass her downtime. Beth told Olivia all about her day and whatever she saw of the city while she was whisked from one interview to another, and during their first conversation, she described her journey east. It was Beth’s first plane ride, and since Olivia had never traveled by air, she wanted all of the details. Beth flew overnight so she was unable to describe the view, but she told Olivia as much about the experience as she could.
For the remainder of the tour, the Sparkling Meadow company would travel by airplanes or trains, depending on the distance from one destination to the next. Beth looked forward to the travel, even though it was tiresome, because she felt grateful for the opportunity to see more of the country.
Beth had never been anywhere outside of Clarkson until she made the bus trip down along the west coast of the United States to Los Angeles, and neither had Olivia. Olivia asked about the New York City styles, and Beth told her friend, using her minimal fashion knowledge, that earthier tones and more layered clothing was worn here compared to L.A. Olivia was very excited by Beth’s descriptions and hoped to see them for herself one day.
Olivia also asked if Beth ran into any interesting people. Other than Will, Henry, reporters, waiters, and her chauffeur, Beth had very limited contact with others, so she didn’t have any exciting stories to share.
Olivia’s latest job at the studio was going well, and in Beth’s absence, she spent most of her time with Nathan. She gushed about how wonderfully their relationship was progressing, but
insisted she still missed Beth’s company very much. Beth missed her, too.
Beth leaned her head back against the headrest with a sigh and closed her eyes. Her early mornings weren’t easy, but because she was always in bed, at the very latest, by ten o’clock, she was coping much better than Will. He stayed out late every night. She knew this because every morning he told her all about his adventures from the previous evening. She was jealous of his freedom, in spite of the fact that the places he frequented didn’t interest her.
Today’s interviews ended early and Beth didn’t have anything scheduled until the Sparkling Meadow premiere in two days. She was grateful for the break because she was already tired of responding to the same questions repeatedly, although she attempted to make each answer sound unique.
Opening her eyes, she glanced at her wristwatch. It was two o’clock and she knew exactly what she wanted to do with the rest of her afternoon. She just had to convince her chaperone first.
Beth looked across the limousine at Henry. “Excuse me, sir.”
“Yes, Miss Sutton?” Henry’s eyes remained trained on his appointment book.
“Since I have the rest of the afternoon off, I was wondering if you could accompany me around the city so I could see some of the sights.”
Henry frowned. “You’ve already been all over the city.”
“No, sir, what I mean is I’d like to get out of the car and walk around a bit.”
The creases in Henry’s forehead deepened. “You’ve had a very busy week, Elizabeth. I suggest you retire to your room for the rest of the day and get to bed early.”
“I have tomorrow off, so there’s no reason for me to go to sleep early. In particular, there is a stop in the city I’d like to make—”
“Furthermore,” he said pointedly. “I simply don’t have the time or energy to accompany you all over town.” He looked back down at his agenda and Beth assumed the matter was not up for further discussion.
Her hope dissipated. She believed it was a waste to spend the next two days in her hotel room, especially since the Actors Studio’s open workshop was at four o’clock today and ran only twice a week.
Actress and member, Patricia Neal, who was a friend of Will’s, invited Beth to the workshop two nights ago over dinner. They didn’t make specific plans, but Beth assumed if she showed up this afternoon, Patricia wouldn’t mind. After watching Aidan’s performance in Spike Rollins, she really wanted to experience Method acting instruction firsthand.
Beth spent many of her quiet, lonely nights in her hotel room thinking about Aidan. Spike Rollins’ box office and critical success was unmatched and he was the most talked about actor in the country, but after their encounter on the night of his premiere, she had a feeling he wasn’t as happy about the attention and praise as many assumed someone in his position would’ve been.
Beth decided she wasn’t going to give up on her desire to witness a Method acting class so easily. “If I promise to attend the Actors Studio’s workshop at four o’clock and come straight back to the hotel afterward, would you let me go by myself?”
Henry looked up from his agenda, his eyebrows raised. He didn’t say anything.
“And I’ll ride in the studio car each way, of course,” she added promptly.
He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
Beth frowned. She understood the press scrutinized her every move, but as long as she didn’t do anything to embarrass the studio, she believed she should’ve been able to spend her free time as she wished. She hated that Henry treated her like a child.
“Please, sir.”
Henry shifted in his seat. “I had a situation with Terry Moore a few years back where she snuck out to a bar in midtown and …” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, it was a dreadful clean up job for our publicity department.”
“Forget about me touring the city, Henry. I’m really only interested in attending the Actors Studio’s one hour workshop. It’s a credible organization and I’ll be on my best behavior.”
Henry shut his appointment book. “You know what Luther Mertz thinks about the Actors Studio.”
Beth didn’t know exactly, but she assumed he shared the same view as many of his employees. “I won’t give you any trouble. And I’ll be back before dinner.”
Henry sighed. “If you promise to return to the hotel immediately afterward and check in with me upon your arrival, you may go.”
Beth’s face brightened. “Oh, thank you, Henry!”
The limousine pulled up to the entrance of their hotel. Gordon, their driver, opened the back door. Beth stepped onto the sidewalk, smiling as she breathed in the crisp, autumn air. She enjoyed the change in weather after being in sunny California for so long.
Gordon tipped his chauffeur’s hat. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Miss Sutton.”
Beth realized she needed Gordon’s assistance if she wanted to attend the Actors Studio’s workshop this afternoon. She felt bad asking him to drive her because she was sure he was looking forward to ending his day early as well. At the same time, she had to take advantage of her time here. She didn’t know if she would ever return.
“Gordon?”
He lifted his eyebrows. “Yes, Miss Sutton?”
“Henry is retiring to his room for the remainder of the day, but I’m not tired yet, so … I was wondering if you would drive me to and from the Actors Studio. You see, they’re holding a workshop today at four o’clock.”
A large grin crept across Gordon’s face. “Miss Sutton, I’m happy to take you anywhere you want to go, as long as your destination is approved by the studio.”
“Henry said it’s all right,” Beth replied, excited that her afternoon plans were falling nicely into place.
Gordon leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Quite frankly, Miss Sutton, it’s about time you ditched Henry, and went out on your own.”
Beth giggled, but composed herself when Henry joined them on the sidewalk. “Great news, Gordon agreed to take me!”
Henry turned to the chauffeur. “Now, you listen to me. This girl is very important to the studio.”
Gordon nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“You will drop her off right in front of the Actors Studio and pick her up right in front—not down the street or around the corner—directly in front of the building. Do I make myself clear?”
Gordon bowed his head. “Yes, of course.”
Henry stalked off toward the entrance.
Gordon’s smile reappeared as he focused on Beth. “Okay, my dear, what time would you like to leave?”
“Well, I don’t know where the Actors Studio is located.” She frowned. “To be honest, I’m not exactly sure where my hotel is located in relation to the entire city. I’m afraid I can’t judge how far apart the two places are.”
“Right now, you’re in uptown Manhattan at the corner of Central Park South and Fifth Avenue,” Gordon explained. “The Actors Studio is located on West Forty-Fourth Street near Broadway, in midtown. You said the workshop starts at four. Considering traffic, you may want to leave around three to ensure you arrive on time.”
Even though the street names and intersections meant nothing to Beth, she was grateful to Gordon for going into such detail. At least he was making the effort, unlike Henry, who dragged her from one place to another and gave her no sense of where they were. It was only yesterday that the doorman of her hotel informed her that the beautiful park across the street, which she admired every morning from her suite, was the famous Central Park. She was embarrassed by her lack of knowledge and knew if the rest of her tour continued that way, she wasn’t going to see much of anything besides the inside of different hotel rooms.
After agreeing to meet Gordon in the lobby in an hour, Beth followed Henry into the hotel and up to their separate suites.
Henry stopped in the doorway of his room down the hallway from hers and gave her a stern look. “Check in with me as soon as you get back, Miss Sutton.”
“I will, I promise.
” Beth entered her room, kicked off her high heels, and tossed her purse and coat onto the bed. Since people at the Actors Studio wouldn’t recognize her as a Starlight Studios employee because her film wasn’t out yet, and she wasn’t on official studio business, she figured she could dress down for her visit.
After settling on black flats, black pedal pushers, a coral-colored scoop neck cotton sweater, and replacing her heavy makeup with mascara and lip gloss, she secured her hair into a bun and tied a pink scarf around the base. She was ready just in time to meet Gordon downstairs at three o’clock.
With her black trapeze coat and clutch purse in hand, she left her hotel room, excited for an opportunity to be a silent observer of the mysterious, yet thrilling art of Method acting.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Aidan walked along Central Park West toward his apartment with a small duffel bag in hand and a large smile on his face. As he watched people walk through the park and listened to the crunch of the fallen leaves beneath his feet, he felt like he was seeing everything for the first time. And, finally, there was not one palm tree in sight. He felt jetlagged, but glad to be back in New York, especially since Beth was here as well.
For October first, the weather was unusually cool, but Aidan chose to keep his jacket packed, opting to wear only his worn jeans and T-shirt instead. Being back in Manhattan energized him to the point he didn’t even feel a chill. He had always loved it here but his absence over the last several months made him appreciate the city even more. There was something about walking down the street and having people crisscross in front of him as he tried to dodge them that made New York much more appealing than L.A. He even enjoyed riding the subway more than riding around Hollywood on his motorcycle.
Another plus was that ever since he landed in New York, not one person had approached him for an autograph. It wasn’t that New Yorkers didn’t recognize him—he saw a few double takes—they just didn’t care for the most part. He didn’t expect to be left alone entirely during his visit, but knew it wouldn’t be as overwhelming as the reactions he received in Hollywood.
Starlight Page 29