She hung up. Proud of her brainstorm. She wasn’t sure she’d go, but at least the idea had made Nicky nervous.
She lit a J, content with the way things had fallen into place once more. Glen would arrive the following day and she was sure they’d all get along famously. Dr. A had come through and arranged for someone in Boston to visit Val twice a week with his famous cocktail.
She looked in at Val curled up like a baby. She looked so peaceful. What a beauty, no doubt about that. “But it’s look and don’t touch time right now.” She smiled, proud of how disciplined she was. Her priorities list. That’s what needed her immediate attention. Val, Glen, Dr. A, Nicky leaving town, and the newest turn of events—the Première. The more she thought about that, the more she liked the idea. And of course, Peter. Priorities!
CHAPTER 29
Plus 1
Glen checked into the hotel, then made his way to the theater. He found Karen, and they sat in the back row watching the goings on. He was impressed with Val’s stage presence and found a few of the boys in the chorus very interesting. Karen told him sweetly but firmly not to touch, reminding him he was on a mission. She filled him in on the sordid details that had taken place. He’d never been a fan of Nicky’s, so it wasn’t hard for him to feel a certain amount of pathos toward Val.
The three of them met for dinner and, as Karen had predicted, Glen and Val hit it off immediately. He kept them in stitches with his stories about his summer on the French Riviera and all the juicy details about who was doing it with whom on the jet-set circuit. He was a gossip columnist’s dream. Before dinner was over, he agreed to stay on with Val when Karen had to return to the city.
The next couple of weeks were crazy for the three of them. Dr. A’s contact in Boston came and went, leaving Val feeling on top of the world. There was only one problem that haunted her: the realization that her part had definitely changed. True, the posters still gave her top billing and she still had the big song in the show, but the supporting cast was now doing more solo moments than she was, and her leading man gave her nothing; it was like playing opposite a piece of wood.
Coming from film, where every subtle move and gesture was enormous, it was difficult for her to get used to playing out to the audience. Every move seemed grotesque and without reason. She did shine when it came to her dance numbers, but even there things had changed. Some extremely dangerous lifts and throws had been added to her routines—the kinds of sequences usually left to the great dancers in the chorus. Val was being thrown about doing things that dancers knew to be very difficult, but the average person in the audience wouldn’t have any idea of the danger she was in. It didn’t make sense. Even her dancing partner confided in her that he felt it was “over the top” having her do such extreme moves. Of course, Val didn’t say anything. They were three weeks into rehearsals and in the middle of their precarious routine when he dropped her. She landed on her tailbone and didn’t know what to do. She was hurt, but didn’t want to make a fuss. The poor dancer who dropped her couldn’t stop apologizing. She got up and insisted it was nothing. A loud voice came from out front.
“Maybe we should cut that number. We still have a few minutes to shave off and we don’t want a leading lady with a bad back do we?”
So another Val moment was taken out. Graham came to her dressing room to apologize, saying how helpless he felt.
“It’s not your fault, Graham. Not much we can do about it, right? As they say somewhere, that’s showbiz.”
At night the three amigos still managed to have fun. They’d found new restaurants and a couple of gay bars where they danced their nights away. Over dinner, Karen announced she had to get back to the city for some legal business. They were having their final drink together when she brought up the subject of the movie Première. Val had all but forgotten about it , she’d been so involved with the show. When Karen suggested going in her place, she was floored.
“Don’t you see? We’ll send out a press release saying that I’m there on your behalf. You know, something like how impossible it was for you to get away when you were about to go into previews for your show at the same time etc., etc.”
Val couldn’t say anything.
“In fact, to make it perfect, I’ll take your mother. You’ll be properly represented that way. It’s a natural.”
Karen silently congratulated herself on the brilliant idea that had popped into her head. She’d blurted it out without thinking.
“You’ve got to be joking.”
“Not at all. In fact, now that I think about it, it’s the most logical thing to do. We’ll call her in the morning; you’ll suggest her going with me. Tell her we’ll be staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She won’t be able to resist that.”
Even Val had to laugh at that. It was true. Her mother wouldn’t want to miss all the glitter and glam of Hollywood.
“Now Glen here has the job of looking after my princess. The last couple of weeks of previews are going to be exhausting. Dr. A’s assistant is coming every Tuesday and Friday. Other than that, I think it’s all under control.”
Glen just nodded and smiled. He’d witnessed Karen in this mode before. He liked the idea of staying up there with Val. He’d been introduced to the gorgeous creature doing PR for the show, Kevin something or other. Their eye contact had been very inviting.
“Sounds good to me.”
“Can you believe you’re opening soon?”
“No. I’m in a whirl. I stand up there going through the motions. Sometimes it’s like I can stand back and watch myself work. And then on the other hand I seem to be standing around watching Danny work. His part keeps getting bigger.”
Karen cut her off.
“But he doesn’t look like you my blonde beauty!”
“I didn’t tell you the newest change. I’m no longer a blonde beauty. Now they have me wearing a bright red wig.”
Val tried to smile. Karen screamed.
“What the fuck for?”
“They said I looked too innocent and pretty with my blonde hair. I don’t think they ever bothered to look at my head shot before casting me.”
“Nonsense. Just continue doing your thing. Red, white, or blue hair isn’t going to make one iota of difference. You are the fucking star!”
But Karen knew it was another example of H.R.’s thinking process. If he had his way, Joe Public wouldn’t immediately link the redhead in the show with the blonde involved with Nicky Venuti. She couldn’t deny one thing about H.R. He was a brilliant businessman. But enough was enough. As far as she was concerned, he’d made his final change.
They forgot their problem de jour by dancing for hours at the hottest gay bar in town. The music was fantastic—as good as any in New York: the Temps, Sly, James Brown, Stevie, Diana and the Supremes. What a mix. Lots of soul and lots of funk. A couple of the kids from the chorus joined them, and Karen invited them back for a nightcap. She wanted a couple of extra ears and eyes to keep her posted about all the goings on, backstage included. When they left, they each received a small Cartier lighter—her giveaway of the season. They were hers from that moment on. If it had been the year before they would have received a Hermes scarf. She was always extremely generous and always knew the in thing owned by the few and coveted by the many.
Glen said good night and the two of them sank back on the bed with a J, both in their own worlds. Val felt a little sad. Another person she had grown to love and trust was leaving her. She gazed at Karen out of the corner of her eye. She looked beautiful lying there with her arm behind her head. She would have loved to kiss her, but didn’t have the nerve. She couldn’t help wondering why Karen had never come on to her.
“I’m sorry, hon. I was off on another planet.”
“I’m going to miss you, Karen.”
“Come on, silly. I have to go and it’s not for long.”
“Everyone I get close to disappears from my life.”
“I’m hardly disappearing. New York for a few days, then
LA, and then I’m turning right around to be back here for the opening night preview.”
“That’s true.”
Val went to the bathroom, brushed her hair, and on the spur of the moment changed into a sexy robe that clung to her body in a suggestive way.
“What do we have here? My, my. You look fantastic. Don’t tempt me like this.”
“Maybe I want to.”
Karen stood up, and without a word walked out of the room. Val was left standing there feeling rather stupid. She followed Karen and found her slumped in the armchair.
“Karen, what just happened?”
“It’s my problem.”
“But you don’t have problems.”
“Well I seem to.”
Val’s heart skipped a beat as she sat down opposite Karen.
“Val, I’m your friend and I love you. I could easily take you to bed right now. But I’m here for more important reasons. Trust me on this one, Val. Neither of us needs to complicate our lives any more than we already have.”
Val couldn’t argue with that. She hadn’t wanted to complicate things. All she had wanted was to know she was still appealing—to kiss, to feel a body next to hers again. She missed that closeness. Of course she didn’t say as much, and a very mixed-up Val went back into the bedroom.
She found the yellows and took two. She needed two since starting with Dr. A’s shots. Even with two, she didn’t get much sleep.
That night, she made a silent vow to herself. The first person who found her attractive and sexy was in for a very special treat.
CHAPTER 30
Good-bye and Hello
Breakfast wasn’t going that well for Val and Karen, but luckily, Glen arrived and cheered them up with stories about his new heartthrob Kevin. Then they called Anne, suggesting she accompany Karen to the coast for the Première. Much to Val’s surprise, her mother loved the whole idea.
“It would be my pleasure. I certainly don’t want that scallywag getting all the publicity.”
It was settled. Karen left with her usual “not to worry” advice and Val went to the theater. After a tough day of trying to keep her chin up as she saw her part change constantly, she begged off going out to dinner with Glen.
“I’m tired. I’m just going to call room service and have a quiet evening for a change.”
“I’ll look in on you when I get back. Take it easy.”
She was in a strange mood: full of energy, yet not wanting to do anything…on the verge of depression, yet too up to crash. She looked at herself in the mirror.
“If only I were playing Ophelia, I could do it to perfection. No wonder the poor darling went mad. Maybe I was Ophelia in another life?”
Still looking at herself, she laughed.
“Minor detail. Ophelia was a fictional character.”
She stopped smiling.
“Well so is Valerie Rhodes. How amusing is that.”
The door buzzer startled her.
“Val, its Glen.”
She was still wearing her rehearsal clothes, a one-piece black leotard with a man’s shirt, turquoise leg warmers, and heeled character shoes. She tied the shirttails at her waist and shook her hair, letting it fall over half her face. For once, she thought she looked rather good. She could tell by the reaction of the three people facing her that she had been right. She bowed them into the sitting room.
“Do come in. And where have you lovelies been tonight?”
“Val, you look divine. This, my dear is the Kevin you’ve been hearing about, and this is Deidra. Kevin is with the show’s PR firm, and Deidra is my wife.”
“Your what?”
Val, couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Deidra glided across the room, landing in lotus position on the couch. She lit a J and took a long drag before simply saying, “It’s true.”
Glen continued. “Deidra called me from New York this morning. She just flew in from London last night. Instead of letting her stay in the city alone, I told her all about you, so here we are to keep you company.”
Glen took over the bar and poured them all some white wine. Val felt a little flustered, but with the J and the wine she soon relaxed.
Didi, as she was now being called, had a wonderful, easygoing air about her. Her long, shiny black hair fell from a center part, framing her tanned face. She wore a beaded headband across her forehead. She was an uptown version of a Haight–Ashbury hippie. She had a full mouth, nearly Mick Jaggerish, with white, perfect teeth. Her eyelashes were so long and thick and her dark brown, almond-shaped eyes so alive, it was hard to take your eyes off her. Her hip-hugger jeans were shoved into red platform boots with yellow stars scattered across them, and her loose, white Indian top made it apparent she had joined the bra burners. Val sat next to her and Didi started to fill them in with her version of how the unlikely couple had met.
“We were in Switzerland and both in our late teens. We were part of a group attending a ski clinic in Chamonix. Most of the kids attending the clinic were American. Most had a story similar to ours: rich parents who considered us social threats.” This got a laugh. “Some of us had blown our inheritance money on drugs. Others embarrassed their parents by being expelled from prestigious schools for things that wouldn’t make good copy in the social columns.
Didi went on to explain that kids like her were frequently shipped off, out of the country. She had spent two hideous years in Spain at a chic but strict convent. After rebelling at first, she eventually learnt and played by the rules. When the nuns finally informed her parents that she’d made “remarkable progress,” she was allowed to go to the ski clinic in Chamonix as a reward. Glen came from a hellish situation himself. He’d spent two torturous years at a French military academy. Based on good behavior, he was allowed to go to the same clinic. They hit it off immediately. It was left unsaid, but they’d both understood there would be nothing physical between them. “We had a ball. Together we rediscovered life all over again. Toward the end of the program, we literally sat in Glen’s hotel room plotting our future.”
When they returned to the States, they announced their engagement. Their families were thrilled. It was a fine merger. Glen received an inheritance and his parents upped his trust fund allowance. Didi’s family did the same. They globe trotted for a couple of years and were now back in the States, cooling their heels while Didi’s aging aunt neared the end of her life. They planned to stick around to attend the funeral in person and then visit the lawyers for the reading of her will.
“That’s it in a nutshell,” Didi summed up.
“Wow that’s a big nutshell.”
“I’m not quite through yet.”
Everyone was laughing and enjoying the saga.
“I know this sounds harsh, but honestly they’re making it very hard for the rich these days. I mean at one time you didn’t have to be Onassis to make it. Now if you’re not ultrarich it’s hard to make ends meet. It’s not easy to live on inherited wealth with all this inflation. I used to be able to live on just my dividends. Now I have to find something to do. My trust funds are legally tied up for the next five years. I mean really, how can a human being function in New York City on two thousand dollars a month?”
This was Didi’s lament. Val couldn’t help thinking that most people managed on a lot less. She felt sorry for her in a way. Here was a person who had always been surrounded by wealth and didn’t know how to live any other way, yet her family still had the reins on her finances. It reminded her of her father’s situation.
Glen started singing, “What Do The Simple Folk Do?” and they all burst out laughing again. He went on bended knee in front of Didi and sang “Poor Little Rich Girl,” to which Didi tried to say without laughing, “It’s not funny.” But of course it was.
It ended up being a wonderful evening. They all loved film and the theater, so they had lots to talk about. Of course, it helped that Kevin knew a lot of the dirt that never made the headlines. They put on the TV and got hung up on a re-run of T
hat Girl without the sound on. Just watching Marlo Thomas’s facial expressions was hilarious, especially after a good puff and some wine. The phone invaded their space.
“I don’t want to answer it.”
Glen volunteered. “I’ll get it.”
It was a good thing he did. It was Karen.
“Just checking in.”
“Hi Karen. All quiet here on the Western front.”
This struck them as funny and they laughed too loudly. Karen heard them.
“Are you having a party without me?”
“You wouldn’t call it a party.”
“Sounds like fun to me. Who’s there?”
“Val, me, my friend Kevin, and Didi.”
“Didi? What the fuck is she doing there? Glen I left you in charge of the situation. Of all people. How could you? She’s not one of my favorites, and you know that. When did she get there?”
“Don’t lose it, Karen.”
He walked into the other room for privacy.
“It’s okay. She came up today. You may not like her, but she’s really very sweet. I don’t see any problem. The two of them hit it off right away.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. Just how well are they hitting it off?”
“Calm down. Personally, I think it’s just what Val needed. A breath of fresh air to take her mind off all the shit that’s going on with the show.”
“I guess you’re right. I’m sorry for the outburst.”
“Hey, it’s cool.”
“Let me talk to Val. And Glen, I love you.”
“And I love you, you idiot. Have a good trip to the coast, and we’ll look for you on the tube. Make sure you get on camera.”
He came back to the living room and motioned to Val to come to the phone.
“Hi, Karen.”
“Hello, princess. I just want to bring you up-to-date. I saw your mother today, and she’s so excited. She’s like a child. I sent her to Bonwit’s to buy a gown for the the major event. We leave at six p.m. tomorrow. Your agent and manager loved the whole idea. I think you’re going to come out of this with more publicity by not being there.”
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