“Welcome to sunny California, ladies. You have some catching up to do. I think champagne is in order.”
By the time they left the Polo Lounge, none of them was feeling any pain. They had dinner reservations at the Townhouse, the in spot on Sunset. Anne opted to go with Herby and his wife in his Rolls. Palm trees and a Rolls Royce— just to her liking. Karen went in the limo with Sharon and Shelly. Coke and a J appeared before the door even closed. Sharon slipped a book of matches in Karen’s pocket during the trip whispering, “for later.”
The three-story Townhouse had a restaurant on the main floor, a discotheque on the second, and on the third floor, a private gaming room where enormous amounts of money were exchanged among those playing backgammon on suede, Hermes backgammon sets.
The main talk during dinner was about the Première and the private screening they’d been invited to at the studio the next day before the main event. After dinner they all went to the second floor to dance. Their table was on a raised platform, and Anne felt like the queen. It took a couple of minutes to adjust to the lights, and then she saw him. Nicky was on the dance floor with a crowd of young men and beautiful girls. It looked as though they were having a marvelous time. She had to admit he looked extremely handsome, but that didn’t stop the anger welling up inside her. She felt Karen’s hand take hers.
“It had to happen, Mrs. Rhodes, I mean Anne. And it’s better here than at the Première.”
“It’s not going to be easy. I hope I can be cordial.”
The others at the table were aware of the situation and didn’t know what to do.
Karen stood up and waved. “Look there’s Nicky.”
“I don’t think he’ll see you from the dance floor with all those lights flashing.”
“Then I’ll go and join them.”
She headed for the dance floor before anyone could agree or disagree. Anne saw the smile briefly leave Nicky’s face when he saw Karen. Only for a second she noted. He kissed her and they continued dancing. When the music stopped he walked back to the table with her.
“Hi, everyone. I see Herby still has enough pull to get the best table in town. And of course the beautiful Mrs. Rhodes, welcome to the West Coast.”
She answered in her saccharine voice.
“Thank you, Nick.”
The loud music started up again and luckily it was impossible to carry on a conversation. He whispered a couple of things in Karen’s ear and then told Herby something as he made his way around the table to Anne. He kissed her lightly on the cheek. She flinched, but managed to smile as she spoke through her teeth.
“I hope I don’t see much of you whilst I’m here.”
“You won’t if I have anything to do with it.”
He stood up and announced to the whole table he’d see them the next day at the screening, and with his trademark smile a mile wide, he went back to his crowd. It wasn’t long before he left with his entourage waving and blowing kisses.
Karen had been impressed by Anne’s performance.
“You handled that very well.”
“You didn’t think that pipsqueak was going to get the best of me, did you?” She tossed her head like a proud horse.
“Good for you, Anne.”
When they arrived back at the hotel Karen insisted on walking her back to her bungalow.
“By the way, Anne, did you speak with Val earlier?”
“Yes dear, she sends her love. It did my heart good to hear her in such good spirits. As you know I’ve been quite concerned lately.”
“I know. I’m glad you got through. I tried calling, but she had a do not disturb on.”
“I told her to do that. I’m glad to hear she listened to me for a change.”
Anne leaned forward, allowing Karen to brush her cheek with a good-night kiss, and disappeared inside.
Back in her room, Karen started pacing. She’d done a lot of coke and knew herself well enough—it was going to be a while before she’d get any sleep. Something bothered her. She found it relaxing at these times to try to figure out the culprit.
First Val. I’ll get back to that. The Première and Nicky, Boston previews, the New York opening. New York and the Peter thing, although that sounded like it was settled. That brings me back to Nicky. What if he really has people trying to dig up stuff? What do I have on him?
At the beginning of their friendship, during one of his weaker moments, Nicky had confided in her about his sexual preferences. She’d told him, “so what.” It had come up in conversation at a discotheque, when he’d seen a guy named Marco Benito. He explained how they’d grown up together. He’d joined their table and they’d had a good time, but Nicky had been on edge all evening. He told her later he could never let any of his old friends or family know his scene.
“It’s not like I’m trying to hide anything, but if my friend Marco and his crowd, or my uncle Vinnie knew, they’d freak out. It’s not acceptable, is the way they put it. I think Marco would have me whacked.”
Wouldn’t it be a nice surprise for Nicky if his old pal Marco showed up. That would straighten him out. All Karen had to do was figure out how to get him there, pronto. Two lines of coke and a glass of champagne later she was emptying her jacket pocket when she found the matchbook with Sharon’s number on it. Without hesitating she picked up the phone and dialed the number.
“Hello, Sharon. I hope I didn’t disturb you. It’s Karen. From earlier this evening”
“The only thing you disturbed were my thoughts, and they were about you.”
Oh my God, she’s got to be kidding, thought Karen. “I hope they were good.”
Sharon giggled. “I came three times.”
“I think you just made me blush.”
“I wish I was there to see that.”
“Where are you exactly?”
“Hollywood, about twenty minutes away.”
“Will it take you that long to get here?”
“I’ll try to make it sooner.”
“Bungalow twenty-four. Come straight to the door and knock twice. I’ll be waiting.”
The phone went dead.
My, my, she’s eager. What a shame; that’s always such a turn off. But it could be amusing. I’ll have Sharon call Marco and tell him she saw Nicky, and someone at the table had mentioned that Nicky didn’t have any close friends or family coming to the Première. Someone else said Marco Benito was like family to him. She’d say she was calling because she’d heard what a nice guy he was, and how handsome, plus other good things she couldn’t possibly mention over the phone. Long story short, she’d stress that the whole crowd thought it would be a nice surprise for Nicky to have Marco show up at the screening. He could even be her date and go with her to the Première if he wanted. She couldn’t wait to meet him. And so on, and so on.
Karen knew from two minutes on the phone with that broad, she could pull it off. Especially with someone like Marco. He’d be happier than a pig in shit to know his good looks and special talents had traveled from one coast to the other. All Karen had to do was find his number. She put her answering service voice lady on the job, and in twenty minutes she was sitting with his number written neatly on the hotel scratch pad. She took two yellows, knowing where that would take her, and settled back to wait for Sharon’s arrival, remembering to add a call to Dr. A in the morning to her must do list.
Two knocks on the door brought her back to Beverly Hills.
“Hurrah for Hollywood.”
Laughing at her own joke she opened the door. Sharon stood there looking totally different. She wasn’t the little sexy starlet Karen had met earlier. She wore a simple safari jacket with white gabardine pants, pink wire sunglasses, and not much makeup. Her short blonde hair bounced as she walked across the room. Karen was pleasantly surprised.
“Wow, I wouldn’t have known you. You’re a very good actress, I must say.”
“Glad you like it.”
“I think this is going to be fun.”
“I
hope so. I haven’t had any fun in ages.”
Karen took a bottle of Taittenger from the fridge.
“Champagne is in order. I didn’t expect to have so much to celebrate.”
She popped the cork. They toasted each other and from then on, it was more fun than Sharon could have ever imagined. After the intimate getting-to-know-you, totally exhausted they relaxed with a cigarette and the remaining champagne.
“Now, my dear, a little business break. I need your help. Actually, I need a very big favor.”
Sharon smiled
“I can’t imagine what kind of favor I could possibly do for you. But if I can, no problem. I’d love to help you out.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be too difficult. In fact, I think you’ll enjoy it.”
She filled her in on the surprise she had in store for Nicky without telling her the reason.
“I think that’s a beautiful thing to do. You’re right. I don’t mind in the least.”
Karen went to the wall safe, came back, and counted ten one hundred dollar bills. She handed them to Sharon.
“I know a girl has to make a living in this town. I appreciate this.”
Sharon looked at the thousand bucks lying in her hand. Hers for just calling some dude in New York and persuading him to go to a Hollywood Première with her. This was definitely her lucky day. Shelly had given her a C-note for the evening and a blow job. This seemed simple, and besides she really liked Karen. At five in the morning L.A. time she put the call through. It went without a hitch. Her honeyed voice promised Marco the time of his life. He said he’d be on the first plane he could get and asked her to make a reservation for him. Karen took care of that. For a couple of hundred bucks, the hotel manager always managed to find an extra room.
CHAPTER 33
Surprise, Surprise
They made it to the pool and were enjoying a Bloody Mary when Sharon’s name came over the PA. She picked up the house phone. It was Marco. She told him to join them at the pool. The smile on his face was a mile wide when he realized the pool boy was bringing him over to them. Both of them did a bikini justice, and he didn’t know where to look first. They had a couple of drinks, and while Marco checked in, the girls went to Karen’s bungalow and made a quick change into something appropriate for the screening.
Sharon called Marco and went to his room with a couple of lines of coke. He loved that touch. They had twenty minutes to say hello, his way. He was just getting to know how far the broad would be willing to go when the phone rang. Karen said it was time for everyone to meet in the lobby.
As soon as they were all comfortable in the limo, Karen lit a J after asking Anne if she objected. Of course she didn’t, she insisted. She was in her own little world anyway and really didn’t know what they meant by contact high. She slipped into the feeling without being concerned one iota. Marco liked Karen. He’d put two and two together and couldn’t believe she was the same chick Nicky had bad-mouthed. So far, this trip he was on had more perks than he could have ever dreamed of. He’d been in town for three hours, he’d been laid, had great eats, great drugs, and the scenery was unfucking real. What more could a man want?
That lucky bastard Nicky had this life all the time? Maybe he was smart to get into show business, after all. This Sharon chick is a freak. I haven’t seen a fox like her in years, and she’s not shy, that’s for sure. Can’t wait for the next stop on this ride. Is that son of a bitch Nicky gonna be surprised, or what?
That turned out to be the understatement of the century. Nicky arrived at the screening with his entourage and Steve at his side. They’d taken over the first couple of rows in the screening room and lit up a J, acting like they owned the place. The room suddenly went quiet when Karen arrived with her crowd.
Nicky had prepared himself for their entrance. He was draped in his seat in a very James Dean pose. When he saw Marco he sat up as if he’d been struck by lightning, totally losing his cool.
“What the fuck.”
He quickly got it together and managed to get up and go over to him.
“Marco! My man! I don’t believe it. How the fuck did you get to be here?”
“Pisano, you have to thank this little lady here!”
He pointed at Sharon.
“Hi, Nicky. Hope you like the surprise I got for you.”
Who was this joker? Nicky didn’t know her from shit, but he didn’t want to look like an idiot.
“Sure. Definitely. I feel like a goddamn kid at a surprise party.”
He patted his friend Marco on the back, then shouted to his friends down in front.
“Hey kids, you’ll have to see the flick without me. This is my good buddy from back East. He surprised me.”
He caught a quick glimpse of the hate on Steve’s face and sat down with Marco, hoping Steve wouldn’t come near him.
“I feel like This Is Your Life man. Where’s Ralph Edwards?”
This got a laugh. The lights started to dim. The movie started. The opening credits were still running when Sharon started to feel Marco’s cock. As it got harder she carefully unzipped his pants and massaged him. He thought he was going to burst. Nicky saw what was happening and bit his lip. What could he do? He was fucked again. Fucked!
Karen caught the action out of the corner of her eye. Sharon would deserve a nice bonus. What a find. Sometimes luck was on her side. Lady Luck.
Val made her first appearance on the screen. There were a lot of whispers all around the room. Notes were being written and phones, placed at important stations around the room, lit up. The press knew they had a hit on their hands. The scenes between Nicky and Val were exquisite. The young lovers they portrayed were so real, you just knew they were in love. Nicky remembered some of the tender moments they’d had on and off screen. A mix of anger and regret filled him, leaving him on the verge of tears.
The film editing was brilliant—not one unnecessary frame. The story was schmaltzy but serious enough to keep you interested. The special effects and theme song were definite Oscar material.
When the lights came up, Anne was surrounded by the press. She told them she’d be happy to meet with them after the Première.
“Right now, I have to go somewhere and compose myself. It’s the first time I’ve seen my baby larger than life. It’s…overwhelming!”
Murray shouted.
“Let’s call Val right now! What time is it back east?”
His girl Friday (every night when needed) secretary, answered.
“Around six, boss,”
“Baby, you’re a genius.”
She laughed at his sarcasm, letting him shoot off his mouth off in public knowing she had him by the balls at her apartment he paid for. She dialed the number before anyone could stop her.
“Miss Valerie Rhodes please. Mr. Murray Segull calling from California.”
Murray joked as he took the phone.
“Is she dynamite, or is she dynamite? Hello, beautiful, it’s your old Uncle Murray. How’s my favorite little girl in the whole wide world?”
He heard a groggy voice.
“Who? Murray. Oh, how are you?”
“Did I wake you, honey?”
“Yes. A tiring day. I’m having a nap. How are you?”
“Go back to sleep, honey. I just wanted to tell you, you’re the greatest thing to hit this town since chopped liver.”
“Give my love to everyone. Is my mother there?”
“Yeah. And if I’ve ever seen a proud mother, it’s yours.”
“I can’t talk now, Murray. I’m half-asleep.”
“No problem baby. Don’t forget to watch the tube.”
“I will. I’ll talk to you all tomorrow.”
The phone went dead.
“She was asleep, poor kid. They must be working her fanny off. She sounded like she thought the Première was tomorrow.” He got caught up answering the press. “She’s a trooper, that’s for sure!”
When she heard Murray say Val was already slee
ping, Karen was concerned. She wondered how many yellows she had already swallowed. She hoped Glen was still there keeping an eye on things. She’d call him later. A smile crossed her face as she realized she’d been so involved with the Sharon and Marco scenario, she’d almost forgotten Val. She decided she needed a computer in her head to keep it all straight. All the baby, honey, chicks, and broads talk was getting tiresome. She suddenly couldn’t wait to get back to the East Coast, away from all the phony California bull shit.
One person grooving on whole thing was Marco. He felt like a king!
His uncle owned a piece of one of the big casinos in Vegas and, wanting to act the big shot, he stood up, put his arm around Sharon’s waist, and announced that after the Première he would love his new friends to join the two of them as his guests in Vegas for a couple of days.
Nicky begged off, as did Karen saying she and Mrs. Rhodes had to get back to New York. Murray, Shelly, and Herbie all jumped at the idea. They could screw their heads off with all the chicks there and maybe work out a couple of deals at the same time.
Arrangements were made to meet later at the Beverly Hills for cocktails. From there, the cars would caravan to Grauman’s. It was time to get ready for the big night. Murray pulled Karen aside before she left and told her he thought Val had said she’d tune in the next day to watch the show.
“I’m not one hundred percent sure, but she sounded stoned to me. Listen, I don’t need any screwups now. This is too big a deal!”
“Stop worrying. Val’s okay. I’ll see to that.”
“You’d better, honey. It means a lot of bread to you, too. You know sometimes you just amaze me. I thought I had a hard time keeping things straight, but you…well let’s just say, I don’t know how you do it. I’m going to sit back and watch you for a change. Who’s this kid Marco anyway? Doesn’t seem like your kind of bag.”
They got to the limo at that moment, so Karen didn’t have to answer. She was glad to get rid of Murray and just sit back and listen to Anne rave about Val all the way back to the hotel. She finally escaped from everyone and went to have some very necessary down time, alone.
Murder! Hollywood Style Page 16