by Tracy Kiely
5/6/96
Two stunt men walk through the moves of the fight that is to take place in a dancehall. Mattresses are placed on the floor for the actors to land on and chairs that easily break are placed in the appropriate spots. The men slowly circle each other, alternately jabbing and ducking, turning the violence into a slow dance. The camera stays on them, but voices can be heard nearby. One is raised in anger. It is the voice of Melanie Summers. The other voice is muffled.
MELANIE
Are you serious? You can’t be serious!
VOICE
I’m sorry.
MELANIE
You’re sorry? You’re sorry?
VOICE
Of course, I am. I don’t like this any more than you do. But we have to be pragmatic about this.
MELANIE
Pragmatic? Did you just tell me that I have to be pragmatic?
VOICE
No, I said we have to be pragmatic. I’m not going anywhere. But this … this can’t happen. Not now.
MELANIE (laughing)
Well, it’s a bit late to decide that, don’t you think? Because, news flash! It already did.
VOICE (calmly)
I know that, but it’s also something that can be easily undone.
MELANIE
Easy for who precisely?
VOICE
Easy was the wrong word. But you can’t tell me that you really want this. This movie is going to be epic! It will make us!
MELANIE
Oh, so now there is an “us” again. Funny how that word comes and goes. Just like you.
VOICE
That’s not fair.
MELANIE
I’ll tell you what’s not fair! Not fair is being lied to. Not fair is being told that you matter when you don’t. Not fair is being told that you have a future when you were just a fun time.
VOICE
That’s not what you are …
MELANIE
You’re a goddamn liar! You said it was over with her! You said you wanted to be with me! You said you would be with me! You promised me!
VOICE
I never promised you …
MELANIE
You did. (sounds of crying) You did, you bastard. You promised, you bastard, and I trusted you!
VOICE
Melly, shhh … keep your voice down. I do want to be with you. I just can’t right now. Surely you have to understand that.
MELANIE
Oh, I understand perfectly! And soon everyone else will too.
VOICE
What’s that supposed to mean?
MELANIE
It means I’m done. I’m done lying. And I’m done with you.
seven
“Let me introduce you to Christina,” said Mandy. “You’ll love her.”
I glanced over to where Christina sat. A few tendrils of her titian hair had escaped her chignon and now fanned out around her face. Her checks were flushed and her eyes were bright, either from the gold statue on the table before her or the martini glass beside it.
To one side of Christina, sat her twin brother, Sebastian. Although obviously not identical, there were some discernible similarities. They shared the same auburn hair and wide green eyes, high cheekbones, and taste in men. But whereas Christina was known for her reserved nature, Sebastian was just the opposite. He never met a microphone or camera that he didn’t like, and as such was something of a darling of the tabloids. His long frame was sprawled in his chair, his right ankle resting on his left knee, and his left arm slung causally around the back of Christina’s chair. With his right hand, he idly drummed out a rhythm on the linen tablecloth.
To Christina’s other side was a woman I didn’t recognize. Her blonde hair was arranged in a kind of puffy helmet. Her dress brought to mind a gruesome crime scene; blood red and seeming to go on forever. I guessed her to be about sixty-five, although I suspected that she’d punch me in the mouth if I actually said that out loud. Her skin had been pulled, her eyes had been lifted, and her lips had been plumped. The end result was a face that not only appeared to be at the mercy of a powerful g-force, but one that was also—and understandably—startled by the sensation.
“Who’s that next to Christina?” I asked as we made our way to the table.
Mandy’s lips twisted into a faint sneer. “That’s Janice Franklin. Christina’s mother.”
“I take it you’re not a fan?”
“Hardly,” she replied. “The woman is toxic. She’s done nothing but pimp out Christina since she was six months old. Christina didn’t have a childhood; she had a job.”
“Not exactly a unique story in this town,” I observed.
“True. But we all thought that one day Christina would come to her senses and get rid of her. But Janice still serves as her manager, publicist, and, no doubt, her accountant,” she said.
“Well, she is her mother,” I offered.
“She’s a bitch,” Mandy corrected.
I shrugged. “No one ever said the terms were exclusive.”
“What about Christina’s father?” Nigel asked. “Is he in the picture?”
Mandy shook her head. “No, and from the way Janice tells it, he never was.”
“So, it was an Immaculate Conception?” I asked, laughing. “Wow. You certainly don’t hear of too many of those these days.”
“That’s not true,” countered Nigel. “It happened to a cousin of mine.” He paused. “And now that I think about it, a few girls in high school.”
“Don’t be an ass,” said Mandy. “I just meant that he’s not a factor in their lives. I don’t know anything about him. No one does.”
Christina jumped to her feet when she saw Mandy approaching. Opening her arms wide, she cried out excitedly, “Mandy! Can you believe it? I actually won!”
Mandy laughed and walked to her, hugging her tight. “I told you you would,” she said.
“I honestly didn’t think I had a chance this year,” Christina said. “I really thought they were going to give it to Meryl.”
Mandy stepped back and playfully poked Christina in her shoulder. “Nonsense,” Mandy said. “I knew you had it sewn up the minute I saw that movie. You’re always surprised when you win, which is one of the many reasons I adore you. Now, I know you haven’t had a moment’s bit of peace tonight, but I wanted to introduce some friends of mine.” Turning to us, she said, “Christina, this is Nicole and Nigel Martini. They’re the couple that bought Frank’s old place and found the videos.”
At the sound of our names, Sebastian’s fingers ceased tapping, and Janice’s head turned in our direction as if pulled by some unseen chord. Christina gave us a bright smile. “How lovely! I was hoping to meet you tonight. Won’t you please join us?” she asked.
We said we would, and introductions were made. As we took our seats at the table, Sebastian deftly relieved a passing waitress of her tray of champagne cocktails and passed them around. I had just taken a sip of mine when Janice turned to me with a predatory smile. “I’m dying to hear all about these videos,” she said. “Where did you find them?”
“Boxed up in the attic along with some old Christmas decorations,” I explained. “They’ve just been collecting dust for the past twenty years. It’s lucky we checked them. They could have just as easily been tossed out.”
“Twenty years,” Christina repeated with a sigh. “God, sometimes it feels just like yesterday. Well, until I look in the mirror that is,” she added with a wry laugh.
“Oh, shut up,” Mandy scoffed, “You’ve hardly aged a bit. Honestly, I don’t know how you do it.”
“It’s the olive oil,” Janice said. When we looked at her blankly, she continued. “My mother swore by its benefits for the skin,” she explained. “She called it ‘youth in a bottle.’”
“I thought that’s what she called the scotch,” said Sebastian, his brows pulled confusion.
Janice shot him a censorious look. “Your Nana did no such thing,” she admonished.
“Well, mine certainly did,” said Nigel. “For a moment, I thought we might be related.”
Sebastian threw his head back and laughed. It was the same rich tenor as his sister’s. “Oh, I think I’m going to like you,” he said.
Janice shot her son a quelling look before turning back to me. “So, have you watched them all yet?” she asked. “Danielle’s videos, I mean.”
“No,” I answered, “It’s going to take some time to get through them all, of course, but we’re making progress. I’m looking forward to meeting Danielle. I’ve only spoken to her on the phone, but she said she and Frank would be here tonight.”
“I think I remember her,” said Sebastian slowly. Looking at Christina, he asked, “She was a little wisp of a thing, right? Long black hair; wore glasses?”
“That was Danielle,” said Christina nodding. “She was so shy. I don’t think I ever heard her say more than two words at a time. She reminded me of a little mouse; half the time you didn’t even realize she was there. But, she’s all grown up now. She recently started working for Frank, actually.”
“Looks just like him too,” said Janice. “It’s a shame, really because her mother, Zelda, was gorgeous.”
“She recently died, didn’t she?” asked Sebastian.
“Just last year,” Mandy said with a nod.
“Wasn’t she living in Italy?” he asked.
“In Bellagio. She moved back there after her and Frank’s divorce,” Mandy answered. “Zelda never really liked Hollywood to begin with. She only came here because of Frank.”
“Oh, that’s right,” said Christina. “Didn’t he discover her on a beach somewhere?”
“Yes,” confirmed Mandy. “In Camogli, on the Italian Riviera.”
“Was she an actress there?” asked Nigel.
Mandy grinned at him. “No, she was topless there.”
Nigel turned to me with an impish look in his eyes. “You know what I’m thinking we should do?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered. “But we’re not.”
Footage from the set of
A Winter’s Night
5/2/96
Melanie Summers and Christina Franklin sit while makeup technicians apply their makeup. Christina focuses on reading the script on her lap. Melanie watches Christina in the mirror.
MELANIE
Sorry to hear that your kitchen scene got pulled.
CHRISTINA (nods without looking up)
Yeah. Me too.
MELANIE
You were pretty good in it, I thought.
CHRISTINA
Thanks.
MELANIE
I wouldn’t take it personally. That kind of thing happens all the time.
CHRISTINA (still not looking up)
I’m sure it does.
MELANIE
You still have the scene in the bedroom though, right?
CHRISTINA (her hand pauses on the script
and she finally glances up)
As far as I know.
MELANIE (smiling)
Well, that’s good. So, I understand you’re seeing Johnny now, is that right?
CHRISTINA (warily)
That’s right.
MELANIE
How’s it going?
CHRISTINA
Fine.
MELANIE
That’s good. He seems pretty smitten.
CHRISTINA (awkwardly)
I …
MELANIE
It’s funny. Johnny and I were together for so long, I think people assumed that we would get back together someday. I certainly did. But I’m happy for you both. Just ignore all the crap people are saying.
CHRISTINA
I wasn’t aware that anyone was saying anything.
MELANIE (scoffs)
Oh, sweetie, in this town, someone is always saying something.
Melanie looks at herself in the mirror. She fluffs her hair and then stands up.
MELANIE
Well, I’m done here. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you get to keep your bedroom scene.
CHRISTINA (faintly smiling)
Okay. Thanks.
Melanie turns and waves her hand over her shoulder as she walks away. Christina stares at her retreating form.
CHRISTINA (quietly)
Bitch.
eight
“But getting back to the tapes,” said Janice. “How will it work exactly? You edit them and then publish the whole thing? Don’t the people in the videos have to sign off on them first or something?”
“Of course,” said Nigel. “And, obviously, we won’t include anything that those involved would rather we not. But I can’t imagine it being a problem,” he continued. “A Winter’s Night is an American Classic. It’s like finding behind-the-scenes footage of Gone with the Wind.”
Janice chewed the lipstick off her bottom lip before answering. “Still, it’s just that while they are off camera, sometimes the actors and the crew tend to—oh, you know—let their hair down. There may be footage that might prove embarrassing. Not to me, of course,” she added quickly, “but to others.”
Sebastian leaned his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his hands. With an impish grin, he said, “Me thinks the lady protests too much. Come on, darling. Let’s hear it. Did you let your hair down? What did you do? Try and find out why they call him the Best Boy? You did, didn’t you? Come on now, give. Tell us the whole sordid story, you saucy minx.”
Janice’s skin flushed. She pursed her lips together and turned her head in Sebastian’s direction. “Don’t be ridiculous. I did no such thing,” she said stiffly. “Unlike others in this town, I have always conducted myself as a lady. I never indulged in any of that kinky hanky-panky stuff.”
I wondered what kind of activity would meet the definition of both “hanky-panky” and “kinky.” From the befuddled expressions of the others at the table, I suspected I was not alone. I decided it was not a question I wanted answered. Ever. “Of course you didn’t, Mother,” Christina said after a moment. “Bash is only teasing.”
“Not that I wasn’t asked to, mind you,” said Janice. “I was. A lot. Oh, I could tell you some stories if I wanted to.”
“What do we have to do to make sure that you don’t?” Sebastian asked, his expression earnest.
“I’m only saying that there are some nasty things that go on in this town,” Janice said with an air of importance. “Some are done by the very people in this room, too.”
Sebastian suddenly tensed in his chair at the sight of something behind Christina. Glancing in that direction, I saw Barry Meagher heading toward our table with a purposeful stride. “Drop it, Mother,” Sebastian muttered quickly as he stood. “Barry’s heading this way.”
Footage from the set of
A Winter’s Tale
5/5/96
The set is a hospital. John’s character, Donny, has been injured and lies in a hospital bed. His head is bandaged and his arm is in a sling. Christina’s character, Freda, is his nurse. She sits in a chair next to him. She is in a nurse’s uniform. Various crew members move around them as they prepare for the next take. John idly smokes a cigarette as they wait to start. Christina flips through a magazine. Neither speaks to each other. Barry is talking to his assistant about the lighting. Off to the side, Melanie and her assistant, Sara Taylor, sit eating their lunch. Sara is about thirty years old. She is tall and thin, and her long brown hair is pulled up into a bun.
Although the camera stays focused on John, Melanie and Sara’s conversation can be heard.
SARA (in a low voice)
So, have you decided what you’re going to do?
MELANIE
I don’t know, Sara, I just don’t know.
SARA
But this could be your last chance! You’ve fought so hard for this, Melly, and now the goal is finally in sight. No one knows better than I all the crap you’ve had to endure for all of these years. I was there when your mom and stepdad sold you out to do that asinine show Life with Melanie. I’ve watched the men in this business try to seduce you with empty promises. I was there when the studio heads wrote you off as an insurance risk. Here’s your chance to finally be able to call your own shots.
MELANIE
I know, Sara. I know. It’s just that I don’t know if that’s what I want anymore. I’m so damn tired. You have no idea how tired I am. I never knew I could feel this tired at age twenty-three. Lately, I’ve been wondering if it’s even worth it. Let’s say I finally do make it to the top. Then what?
SARA
Then we make this town ours! We say which scripts you’ll do and which ones you won’t. We say who you’ll work with and who can kiss your ass. We will finally be in charge! Think of it, Melly! We’ll finally have it all.
MELANIE (voice raised)
We? We? Who the hell do you think you are? You’re my assistant, Sara. Assistant. Look it up if you need to be reminded of the definition. You fetch me coffee and make sure my dry cleaning is picked up. I’ve appreciated your work over the years, but there is no “we.” There is only me. I’m the one who gets in front of the camera. I’m the one who memorizes pages and pages of dialog. I’m the one the paparazzi follows around morning, noon, and night. I’m the one who deals with the touchy feely creeps. Got it? I decide what I want to do with my life. And I’ll decide if I want this—not you! Jesus! You’re as bad as the rest of them! Everyone wants a piece of me. Everyone wants to jump on the Melanie train. Well, I’m sick of it!
John and Christina are now staring at Melanie and openly listening to her rant. Barry has stopped talking to his assistant and is also watching Melanie.
SARA
That’s not what I meant, Melanie. I’m sorry. I just feel protective of you. I only have your best interests at heart. You know that.