by M Howson
There were girls he enjoyed listening to and then there were girls he wanted to get rid of. The blonde was sadly the second type.
‘I was in the ‘Bluebell’ Jack. It was only a small part but the director said I was incredible! He said that he’d been after such a talented girl for a long time.’ She gushed, nearly tipping over her champagne glass. ‘He also wrote a line, - for me!’
‘Did you have to sleep with him darling?’ Jack didn’t care, this wasn’t right.
‘Oh Jack! You shouldn’t ask me questions like that!’ She giggled, not missing the passing macho waiter.
‘Why not? You are in show business!’ Jack was on the edge, he wanted to leave.
‘Do you think you could talk to Frank Orban? There is this part in one of his movies that would be perfect for me!’
Jack felt her hand grabbing his crotch and quickly removed it. She felt disappointed.
‘I can be very grateful Jack!’ She leaned over to give Jack a full view of her breasts.
‘I have no doubts darling.’ He excused himself, walked out to the reception area and asked for the check.
‘Wait ten minutes then tell the girl I had to leave.’ He said, tipping the headwaiter generously.
‘No problem Mr Harvey.’ The waiter pocketed the tip.
Jack waited outside for his driver, when the voluptuous blonde he’d seen inside appeared by his side.
‘Mr Harvey, such a delight meeting you here.’ She purred into his ear.
The girl had enormous breasts and a very slim body. Jack didn’t answer; he wanted to be shot of the place. His driver brought the car around, and swiftly opened the passenger door.
‘I have seen all your movies, you look even better in real life!’ She continued, following him to his car.
‘Thank you.’ Something didn’t add up with the big breasted blonde. He couldn’t figure it out what it was. He searched around, waiting for the paparazzi to start snapping.
‘I am an actress too. I am playing Charlotte in ‘Firefox’, - the new girl!’ Jasmine said.
‘Are you? Good for you girl.’ Jack wasn’t interested.
‘As a matter of fact, we are filming a love scene tomorrow which I don’t fully understand.’
‘Look darling, ‘Firefox’ was cancelled two weeks ago!’ Jack revealed, this was a setup, for sure. He needed to get away and fast. He got into the waiting car.
‘Take me to Frank’s.’ He told his driver.
Shit! Shit! And more Shit. Jasmine was furious; she’d screwed up this time. Why wasn’t she told that the stupid movie was cancelled! Jack had figured her out - big deal - she will have to find another way to get Mr Harvey! - but she will!
****
Frank’s housekeeper looked surprised to see Jack arriving early. She had instructions that Jack will be coming around past midnight.
‘I know, I know!’ Jack apologised.
Frank was working in his study, when he heard Jack’s voice.
‘You had dinner Jack? I am about to have something, want to join me?’
‘Sounds good, steak?’
‘Whatever you want.’ Frank was clad in a pair of faded jeans and a shirt.
‘When was the last time you wore jeans Frank?’ Jack teased. ‘Where is your suit?’
‘Yesterday Jack, as you well know.’
‘Was it? Never mind me Frank, I need a drink.’
‘Come into the study, what is the problem?’ Frank fixed the drinks and sat down to listen.
‘We are two old and predictable guys!’ Jack said taking a big gulp of his whisky.
‘You don’t say …’
‘I enjoy a good life Frank. It wasn’t always good, but here we are, we made it to a good age.’
Frank studied his crystal glass. They’d made it for sure, life treated them good but what price had they paid?
‘Looking back at your life Jack – is there anything you would do differently?’
‘Not a thing Frank. Wouldn’t change a day!’
Frank’s housekeeper entered, manoeuvring an elegant food trolley.
‘This smells delicious Teresa.’ Jack commented.
‘I’ll tell the chef Mr Harvey.’ Teresa rewarded him with a kind smile. Jack was one of Frank’s friends; she liked to have him around the house.
‘I read through the report Jack, we have done well!’ Frank indicated to Jack to take a seat at the table.
‘I agree, the last one has taken a little longer than I thought.’ Jack added.
‘Yes, she was a difficult one!’
‘Now all the cases are finished and finalised, do you want to continue Frank?’
Frank thought for a moment, it was a difficult decision to make. ‘I prefer to take time out Jack. I seem to have a lot on.’
‘All right, but can’t help thinking we are abandoning the cause!?’ Jack mused, sampling the food.
‘It crossed my mind too. Are you aware that we met over two hundred people?’
‘As many as that?’
‘Now, that puts a different perspective on it.’ Frank admitted, two hundred was way too big a number.
‘Shall we reconsider?’
‘Whatever you say...’ Frank was relieved; he didn’t want to abandon the case. ‘Give it some time, for now, there is another project we need to get on with.’
Chapter Sixteen
‘Ladies and gentlemen my name is Peter Appletree, I’m the Captain of this airplane on your flight to Hungary. Everything is running smoothly and we anticipate landing in Budapest Ferihegy Airport around six in the evening. The weather is currently on the cold side as it is January – reported temperature is minus fifteen Celsius, lightly snowing.’
Amy sat on Frank’s private plane thinking how much had happened in the last few weeks. Her life had changed considerably. From working in a quiet office, she had moved to work twelve hours a day including weekends, - but working for Frank was interesting and rewarding.
She spent nearly every day in Frank’s company. She met many new people and had dived into the world of mercenary show business. It was full on, yet she found she was looking forward to a new challenge every day.
Frank introduced her to actors and agents and explained the contracts he wanted her to draw up. She discovered Frank certainly knew what he wanted and how to get it! Frank had taken Amy to a number of happening restaurants for business meetings and by the end of the day she usually ended up at Frank’s house with Jack and Justin in tow.
Justin and Amy both felt there was a thrilling chemistry between them but, not wanting to fall into a trap, Amy took charge and proceeded with a friendship phase.
Justin kept his thoughts to himself, but he was looking forward to every evening with Amy.
Amy slowly learned about Frank’s life, but he wouldn’t talk much about his family.
‘Read the script.’ He would say, but would refuse to discuss any of it.
For Amy, it was left to the script to try to reconstruct Frank’s life piece by piece.
She appreciated why it was so important for the main cast to see where Frank came from. Rumour had it, ‘important facts’ were tweaked in the script to protect Jack and Frank but the main story remained.
Justin, who sat opposite her, rewarded Amy with a smile.
She needed to stay focused on her job, but Justin, a main distraction, was everywhere. She’d turned down a dinner invitation from him some weeks ago and he hadn’t tried again.
The plane was truly pure luxury. There were small lounge sections, each with its own plasma TV, bar and as much privacy as you wanted. Everyone was relaxing after a meal served by Frank’s chefs, except Don who was working on something - as usual.
Frank and Jack were reading the papers whilst Justin and Monica were discussing the trip.
‘What exactly do you want out of this trip Frank, apart from filming?’ Justin asked with a hint of suspicion in his voice. ‘You do have a separate agenda, we know that.’
A roar of laughter co
ming from Frank and Jack was the reply. ‘No agenda, nothing at all.’
‘You two are the same – unbelievable!’ Amy agreed with Justin. ‘There is something else, even I know that!’
‘I am glad to see someone agrees with me.’ Justin didn’t think Amy was listening. ‘I thought you were part of the secrets. These guys don’t seem to be able to resist you.’
Justin felt embarrassed when he thought of the first night they met. He’d come onto her too strong…. a pattern some men follow. He regretted his behaviour the next day and fully backed off, until one day he invited Amy on a date, without success - he assumed she wasn’t interested. Now, she was sitting in an armchair looking a picture of trendy elegance, clad in tall, dark boots and a red mohair dress. He imagined what it would be like to kiss her again. God! He had to stop himself. Friendship was more important to him.
‘A compliment – I hope?’ Amy responded, forcing Justin to finish his daydream.
‘Of course Amy, can I get you another drink?’ He asked, getting back to reality.
‘Gin and tonic please.’ They had a long flight ahead of them, a drink couldn’t hurt.
‘Shall we move into the theatre? The film should start shortly.’ Frank stood up to give instructions to his staff.
There was a big movie room at the back of the plane and Frank had suggested earlier that they watch Monica’s finished movie The Blue Velvet.
‘Good idea.’ Jack said.
Probably for the first time in his life, Jack had left his ‘lady friends’ behind. Bizarrely, he didn’t miss them. He willingly got involved with the preparations for the trip; his days were filled with work.
‘Jack darling, don’t you dare fall asleep.’ Monica said, sitting down next to him and running her hand down his thigh.
‘But dear lady, how could I do that when I have got you all over me!’ Jack protested.
‘What do you mean Jack? If I was all over you, you would definitely feel it.’ Even Monica surprised herself by coming out with those words.
‘Did I hear you right?’ Jack pulled himself up, painfully aware of listening ears nearby.
Monica felt something strange happening to her senses, Jack didn’t look his age at all, clad in a white polo shirt and trendy, dark jeans. She was fond of him but had never thought of him as an available man. Until now…. There was something about Jack…!
‘You did.’ Monica snuggled up to him as close as she could without giving him ideas, she was playing a dangerous game but it takes two ….
‘Now, this should be a pleasurable viewing.’ Jack played along.
Frank was relaxed and content, everyone settled down to watch the movie and he finally managed to collect his thoughts over the last few weeks.
Amy seemed to enjoy spending time at his house. She worked late into the night and Frank found it refreshing having Amy at his breakfast table in the morning. It was a new world for Frank to share the breakfast table with family.
He wanted to tell her all about the past and present but he felt it would be going too far, too soon. Maybe he hadn’t handled things correctly in the past but there wasn’t much he could change about it now. This time his plan was going to work, he will tell Amy one day when an opportunity arose.
For now – it was a present, a precious gift that he could be near her, Amy was part of his life and he hoped she wanted to stay there.
Chapter Seventeen
Monica, watching her movie on the big screen and cuddled up to Jack, felt content. Jack didn’t make a move but let her take the lead – and she did. She couldn’t remember when they started kissing but, hey sunshine! – Jack was an expert in the field. Sitting in the back row just like teenagers, she felt thrillingly happy.
Her feelings drifted towards her crumbled relationship with Al, which had resulted in a nightmare the night she’d met Amy at Jack’s house.
That night, after she left the beach house, she went to Al’s place. When she arrived, she discovered Al sitting on his kitchen floor surrounded by broken plates and glasses.
‘Get the hell out!’ He shouted and threw a plate at her.
‘Al, what happened?’ She stood there shocked.
‘Not your business, get back to your friends, leave me alone.’
Monica turned to walk away; this was a situation she didn’t need. Al was high, drunk or simply crazy.
‘Wait, … I will explain.’ Al said in a whisper.
Monica stayed, sat down on a stool by the door and waited for him to speak.
‘I am an addict Monica, addicted to pills that should treat my head. Call it depression!’ Al revealed.
‘What?’
‘I am taking the drugs – they just don’t work!’ He added bitterly.
‘Have you seen a specialist? Her voice was flat, she knew of people who battled the same condition.
‘Yeah, a useless lot!’ He snapped. ‘I am making a lot of money I’m good at what I do! – but my personal life sucks!’
‘There must be help, why not check into a clinic?’
‘Oh, please! I don’t need to check into a clinic – I’m not an addicted celebrity!’
Monica was shattered; here was a situation she didn’t know how to handle. Al needed help, but she didn’t want to get involved – they’d only known each other for a few weeks, - still….!
‘You are too good for me Monica.’ He stood in front of her grabbing her hands. ‘If you stay I will drag you down – you don’t deserve that!’
‘I want to help you Al.’
‘You can’t, forget it.’ He pulled her from the stool and proceeded to push her towards the door.
‘Al,….’
‘Get out, forget about me and this mess. Go back to your famous friends and your special work.’ He pushed her out and slammed the door. Monica found herself wishing she was reading a script, not living a nightmare.
Al was in his thirties, a tall, good looking man with dark eyes, olive skin and a commanding exterior. He was a financial consultant - born into money. Al had divorced two demanding wives and loved entertaining Monica with tales of their cruelty towards him.
Al also had terrible mood swings. There were times when he showed up on a date and he didn’t say a word, but just watched her sadly. Monica felt apprehensive but hoped this was only passing, everyone had a bad day. Now, it all made crazy sense.
A week after the incident she got a call from Al, informing her that he’d left the Cedar Falls Hall clinic and was back on top form. She was pleased to hear from him, but when he told her that he’d booked a weekend in Paris as a gift to Monica, she didn’t want to know. He was so sincere with his apology that Monica agreed to go to Paris, where they spent a weekend together.
Everything was fine for a while as Al was his “usual” self. Things seemed perfect until one dreadful night – when Monica stayed at his house.
She woke up in the middle of the night to a tremendous noise coming from downstairs. She dressed hurriedly, expecting some sort of a disaster. When she sneaked downstairs, she was stunned by what she saw.
Al was standing in front of a tall book case, throwing books, CDs, pictures and anything that he could get his hands on around the living room. He was in a state!
Al stopped for a moment, picked up a knife from the floor and swiftly cut into his forearm. He didn’t make a sound but blood started to stream from the deep cut.
Monica panicked, Al was shouting and pointing into space that he wanted to be left alone. He looked like he was talking to someone – but there was nobody there!
Monica acted on an impulse, she slipped out of the house and dialled the clinic where Al was admitted previously.
The woman on the phone advised her to stay away from him but not to leave. In the state Al was in, he would hurt her next.
She waited anxiously in her car biting her nails until the people arrived from the clinic in an unmarked car. Suddenly car doors opened, people rushed towards the house. A tall man clad in denims and a sweater dis
covered the trembling Monica in her car.
‘You placed the call?’ He asked.
Monica nodded numbly.
‘Don’t go anywhere, I’ll need to talk to you.’ He said and hurried off to the house.
Monica waited edgily, but within minutes they brought Al outside on a gurney.
The man also returned and opened the passenger door on Monica’s car.
‘Monica, is it? I am Doctor Hollbrog.’ He introduced himself. ‘It is lucky that you were here tonight. His condition is severe, which I was aware of when Al asked to be discharged last time.’
‘What do you mean, last time?’
‘It wasn’t his first time in our clinic.’
The things she didn’t know!
‘Al has taken an overdose – he passed out.’ The doctor continued.
‘Overdose?’
‘Al was taking drugs Monica. We treated him for drug addiction before.’
‘Drug addiction? Is he ok?’ She managed to say.
‘He's fine now. I suggest you go home and try to get some sleep.’ He said. ‘Are you his partner?’
‘Why?’ She asked puzzled.
‘On our records, you are his only contact.’
‘Oh God!’
‘Has he got any family?’ The doctor was filling out a form.
‘I think he has a mother who he is very close to.’
‘I see, do you have her number?’
‘No, I don’t.’ Monica was speechless. The nurses locked up the house.
‘What will happen to Al?’
‘It will largely depend on him. Do you want to stay as the main contact?’
‘Uhm….’
‘Your decision Monica, I will call you with an update.’ He shut the door and walked off, leaving Monica in a sticky situation.
She should’ve known Al was on drugs. What, was she blind? There were the signs …. damn!
Monica dived into her work, she was impressed with Justin’s script and was looking forward to working with him. Moreover, she had a new friend in Amy, who opened up more to Monica and they found they had a thing or two in common.