“Do either of you fine-lookin’ swells have a spare cigarette for a lady?”
Is she making fun of us?
The last thing Nick and Jack looked like were swells. Their frayed workers’ clothing spoke more of day labourer than oil tycoon. She was either tipsy, stupid or really bad at buttering people up.
Before Nick could even respond to the ditzy girl with the high-pitched nasal voice, Jack had handed her a cigarette that she jammed into a rhinestone-studded holder.
“Thanks, baby.”
She winked at Jack and gave him a little air kiss with her bow-shaped lips that were carefully outlined with a bright red lipstick. Nick looked at Jack and frowned. He had a goofy puppy-dog look on his face, and Nick felt an irrational pang of jealousy. Jack had never shown the slightest interest in females sexually, so Nick didn’t understand why he suddenly felt so threatened.
This whole town makes me feel off-kilter.
“I’m Trixie Fox, by the way. Who are you? My name ain’t really Trixie, but an actor fella I met once said it sounded like a star-type name, so that’s who I am now. So far I ain’t a star, but I’m workin’ on it. I got to stand in the crowd for a Seesil D. Bemilly film. I think that’s how you say his name, but anyway, he’s a real swanky director person. He even looked at me—right at me—whiles we was filmin’. All those other girls, but I caught his eye. What didya say your names were?”
When does she come up for air?
Jack leaned over the table to extend his hand. “I’m Jack Stone, and this is Nick Gerard. We’re workin’ in films now too.”
Nick slapped his forehead. It was better than slapping Jack. Trixie took Jack’s fingers in her little hand, and gave them a couple of small shakes.
“That so? You actors?”
“No.” Nick said emphatically.
“I’d like to be someday.”
Nick whipped his head around to look directly at Jack.
“Since when?”
He couldn’t keep the anger out of his voice. Here he was thinking he’d made Jack’s dreams come true when he got them the set-building jobs, and before a day had even gone by, Jack wanted something else?
Jack looked a little sheepish. “You know how I love the pictures, Nick. Bein’ at the studio and seein’ all those people dressed up. I don’t know, it would just be so excitin’.”
“Oh it is, baby—it is!”
Trixie held onto the slats of the railing as if they were prison bars, and she was peeking through.
“There ain’t nothin’ like it when they get yas all ready with the costumes and makeup, and that camera’s pointin’ at ya—and all the people acting like you’re somethin’.”
Nick glared at her. “I thought you said all you done is stand around in some Bemilly movie.”
“Yeah. But I did a coupla other pictures. Smaller ones.”
She had a pouty look on her face.
“Geez, that’s real swell, Trixie. You’ll be a star in no time.”
Her face perked right back up when Jack spoke. A cauldron of fury brewed in Nick’s gut. This was supposed to be their night together to celebrate, and here was this doll interfering—filling Jack’s head with nonsense.
“So…you boys lookin’ for someplace really jumpin’? There’s a spiffy joint not too far from here. It’s much classier than this dive. Let me just grab some more giggle juice real quick, then we can get blow this joint. I’ll be right back, fellas, don’t go nowheres.”
She sent two more air-kisses in their direction, and trotted down the steps, an exaggerated swing to her hips, her fringed purse swaying on her long thin arm. Jack watched her as if she were an angel just descended from heaven. Nick was really boiling now, all the effects of the liquor he’d drank completely wiped out. As if to make matters worse, Bernie caught sight of them and was heading over.
The last thing I want to do is be around this creep outside of work.
He regretted leaving their room. Everything was safe and good when he and Jack were alone. Even the rough times were better than this.
Bernie made it to their table and bent down to be heard. Thankfully, there wasn’t a third chair for him to use.
“I see you guys made it. Enjoying yourselves?”
Nick kept his expression as flat as he could. As much as he’d love nothing more than to lay Bernie out, they still needed that job. They would get nothing at all if Nick acted out now. And besides, Jack could never find out about the deal Nick had made to guarantee them work at the studio.
Completely oblivious to any tension, Jack blurted out, “Oh yeah, Bernie! Thanks for tellin’ Nick about it. We’re real appreciative.”
“No problem, kid. I made sure to tell Nick about all sorts of opportunities that might be of interest.”
Bernie had a smirk on his face. Nick clenched his fists under the table so hard, he thought his fingernails might draw blood from his palms. Two of Bernie’s cronies from the studio walked up just then, drinks in hand.
One of them, whom Nick recognised as a lighting guy from the crew, nodded to Nick with his chin, and looked sideways at Jack.
“How you two farin’ with Wilson?”
Sweat broke out on Nick’s forehead.
“Fine.”
Nick hoped his sharp answer conveyed that he had no interest in discussing the topic.
“I wasn’t saying nothing. I’m just thinking maybe you should buy us a round since you’re getting the extra-special treatment from the boss.”
Nick couldn’t remember the lighting guy’s name, and he didn’t care. They needed to get out of there and fast. Jack looked more than confused. Nick could tell he was working up to not letting his questions about this particular topic drop.
“Hiya, fellas. Ooh, look at these big brutes you got here.”
Trixie was bent over between Nick and Jack, an arm draped across each of their shoulders. She whispered in Nick’s ear. “We don’t need these mugs. Let’s go have our own party.”
Their rescue had showed up in the most unlikely of people.
“I’d love to hang around, but Jack and I have a date here with Trixie Fox. She’s in pictures, ya know, and she knows of a speakeasy with genuine class.”
Nick pushed up from the table, his chair sliding behind him. Jack followed suit, and Trixie linked her arms in the crooks of Jack and Nick’s.
“See ya, fellas.”
She winked at the stunned men being left behind.
Nick drank in the shocked expressions of Bernie and his buddies with great satisfaction. They made their exit, and Nick noted that no one in the club cared that two men had their arms linked with one woman. They didn’t seem to care about much, except their own enjoyment. In the few moments before they made it up the stairs to leave, he saw two flappers sitting on one man’s lap, each girl tonguing one of his ears. A black woman danced lewdly, grinding up on a drunken white man who obviously loved every second of it. Two men leaned against a wall in the back near the musicians, deep in conversation, their hands in one another’s pockets. Everyone around them laughed, smoked, drank, danced. It was an orgy of fun and frolic. It both repelled and fascinated Nick. It was possible that he and Jack could live out in the open in a town like this.
But what price will we have to pay?
Jack was thrilled.
I know a real movie star. At least one who will be, soon. And she wants to be friends with us!
She was glamorous and had already been in actual pictures. He loved her constant chatter and cheerfulness. Being around her was like a guaranteed ticket to excitement. She had a little mark by her mouth, like a mole. It added to her overall look, and made her seem even more mysterious and desirable. He didn’t have any kind of romantic feelings for her—he’d never had them for any girl—but she fascinated him the same way Louise Brooks and Norma Talmadge did. What it must be like to be so beautiful and admired the way these women were.
She was absolutely thrilled when she’d discovered that they’d arrived fr
om New York the week before. Turned out that she was from the Bronx, and she had been in Hollywood for a year now trying to make it as an actress. She was a little vague about the other pictures she had made, but she said she had an audition the next morning for a part—dancing in a movie.
“Geez, Trixie, don’t ya wanna get home and get some rest?”
“No honey, I’ll just take a little toot in the mornin’, and I’ll be fine.”
Jack had no idea what she was talking about. He looked over at Nick who shrugged his shoulders.
Jack couldn’t keep his eyes off Trixie as she sashayed down the street. From the top of her head to the tips of her rhinestone-buckled shoes, she looked the part of a star. If he ever were to be famous with lots and lots of money, he would only wear sophisticated clothes with a diamond in his cravat, silk handkerchiefs and satin smoking jackets. He would cultivate a smouldering Rudolph Valentino look. Men and women would throw themselves at his feet, but he would only have eyes for Nick. Then he would be the one taking care of Nick, and Nick would never have to worry about anything again.
Finally they arrived at their destination, it seemed. The outside looked like a regular all-night diner. There was nothing swanky about it at all. Trixie winked at them as she arrived at the door, and crooked her finger for them to follow her inside. She pulled on the door knob, but Nick rushed to grab the door and hold it for her.
“Oooh, a gentleman. Not many of those in this crummy town.”
The bitterness in her voice was quite evident, and Jack was surprised. Even though he had just met her, all she’d done ever since was enthuse over Hollywood and the picture industry.
They stepped inside the quiet diner. The cook came from behind the counter to greet them, which seemed odd.
“Hey, Trixie. I see you got yourself some dates. Are they okay?”
“Oh yeah, Pops, they’re more than okay. You see how the tall one held the door for me? He’s a proper gentleman, knows a lady when he sees one.”
“I’ll hold the door for you too, Trixie,” Jack interjected. He wanted to make sure she knew that he was a gentleman as well.
“Oooh, I love you both already,” she said, pinching one of Jack’s cheeks. “A gal can wish her whole life for a knight in that shinin’ armour, and here I gots two a’ them!”
Jack was having a wonderful time. Their first real night out was shaping up to one of the most exciting of his life. He grinned and looked at Nick, but he seemed to be a bit grouchy. Trixie was still babbling on to the man she’d called Pops, so Jack sidled over to Nick.
“You okay, Nick?”
Nick smiled and reached down to secretly squeeze Jack’s hand. “Sure, Jacky boy. We’re getting’ to see all kindsa new stuff tonight. We’re really rubbin’ elbows with the Hollywood types now, aren’t we?”
“She sure is keen. I think she must know everybody in Hollywood!”
Nick’s lips curled into another smile, but it was the one he used when Jack felt like he was just putting up with something silly Jack had just said. It made him feel like that kid who knew nothing. Jack shook any bad thoughts out of his mind. He only wanted to absorb the fun they were having.
“Come on, boys, Pops is showing us into the Garden of Allah.”
Jack frowned.
What is she talking about?
Nick gave him no clue, as he was rolling his eyes and shrugging his shoulders. Jack wanted to laugh out loud. Nick had an air to him as though he were going to his execution, but had simply given up the fight to stop it.
“Come on, Nick, let’s have fun.”
“I’m with ya, Jack, don’t worry.”
They followed behind Trixie—still in a constant state of chatter—and Pops, as they headed to what looked like a pantry in the kitchen. Pops went to a large stack of crates in the back, and shoved them aside. He yanked up a door that was hidden underneath, and immediately the strains of Jazz music and laughter were released, along with a small cloud of smoke.
“Whaddya say, boys? Ready for some real fun?”
Trixie threw her head back and laughed. It was a delightfully musical sound that seemed to herald the night’s impending frivolity. Jack was eager to get downstairs. If this speakeasy was anything like Trixie, he knew they were going to have a swell time.
They descended the steps, and went through a short tunnel. They could barely see, but the noise from all of the action was getting louder. Jack felt his heart pounding as if it were trying to keep in time with the band. At last, Trixie yanked a curtain aside, and Jack was almost blinded by how bright and beautiful everything seemed. There were many dark corners for people who wanted to take their pleasures a little more discreetly, but there was also a large dance floor, a jazz orchestra and a glittering stage with scantily clad girls shimmying and shaking in feathers and sequins. It was easily five times as big as the Silver Star where they had just been. To complete the razzle-dazzle, there were colourful wispy drapes lining the walls, and Arabian lanterns, lit with candles, glowing about the room. Jack was fairly certain that his jaw was on the ground.
“Can you believe this, Nick?”
He lifted on his toes to say it as close to Nick’s ear as he could get. He didn’t want to seem like a rube if other people overheard. When he looked at Nick’s face, he could see that he was taken aback as well. There was a sense of wonder there that he didn’t usually associate with him. He had his mouth open a little, and a sparkle to his eye.
Nick leant down to Jack.
“This is somethin’ else, Jacky boy. Somethin’ else.”
Jack had the overwhelming urge to have Nick take his hand, and Jitterbug, Jive or Charleston with him on the black and white chequered dance floor. Or maybe Nick would lead him to one of the white cloth covered tables with the brass oil lamps, and pour him some champagne from the bottle that was chilling in an elegant bucket. Jack had no idea what champagne tasted like, but it seemed so fun with all of the bubbles, and was most certainly very swank.
A piercing squeal brought Jack out of his reverie, and Trixie, just a few paces in front of Nick and Jack, was holding her arms out to some dapper-looking young men. They had on the finest glad rags Jack had ever seen. These cats had plenty of scratch. They all wore pin-stripe, double-breasted suits with garish neck-ties. Every one of the four men had a silk kerchief that matched their ties in their jacket pocket. Jewelled cufflinks adorned fine white-collared shirts. Spats on their shoes completed their sophisticated look.
Jack looked down in horror at his own clothes.
I gotta get out of here!
He turned to make a hasty retreat, and Nick grabbed him by his arm.
“What’s wrong, Jacky? I thought you were dyin’ for all of this fancy stuff?”
Jack still kept his back to Trixie and the men. They seemed to be busy catching up with one another anyway.
Jack whispered close to Nick’s ear.
“I feel like a horse’s ass, Nick. Look at me! Those guys are all gussied up. They’ll probably think I’m a hobo that snuck into the joint.”
“Stop it, Jack. Don’t let these mugs ruin your good time. Look at me. I’m wearin’ the same thing. I don’t give a rat’s ass what they think of me. Why don’t we stay for a drink or two, and if you’re still feeling uncomfortable, we can go. You don’t want to disappoint Trixie, do you?”
Jack was very aware what Nick was doing, he’d done it plenty of times before. He was sure Nick was just as mortified as he was at their state of dress, but Nick would always put himself through anything just to comfort Jack.
I’ll do what he says. I just hope they don’t give us the bum’s rush.
“Boys, c’mere! These guys are my closest friends in the world. I don’t know what I would do without them!”
Trixie proceeded to introduce Jack and Nick to the high class-looking gentlemen. As Jack had suspected, they looked at him and Nick as if they were something that should be scraped off the bottom of their expensive patent-leather shoes. Nick was being
extremely well-behaved. Again, Jack knew this was for his sake. Once they had gone through the motions of barely acknowledging Jack and Nick’s presence, they went back to leering at Trixie. Through all of this, her prattling never ceased, and she seemed completely oblivious to the tension amongst all the men.
There was something else about them too, but Jack couldn’t figure it out. He could tell they were the extra macho type which they didn’t hang around with much, but it was more than that.
They invited Trixie to sit with them, and when there wasn’t enough room for everyone, Trixie went to leave with Jack and Nick. One of the men, with jet black hair that he had slicked back, with a cigaro balanced on his thin moustached lips, grabbed Trixie’s arm roughly.
“The guys here would really like it if you would join us, Trixie.”
“But, Mario, I invited them. I can’t just…”
“Sit down with us, Trixie, and we’ll make sure your friends are taken care of.”
Jack and Nick stood there awkwardly, not knowing if they should come to Trixie’s aid, make a hasty retreat or just wait. Mario raised his hand in the air and snapped his fingers twice. In what seemed like an instant, a man dressed in what could best be described as a mortician’s outfit appeared at his side. He had a hook nose, and a grim expression adorning a thin, drawn face. Mario yanked the guy down close to him, and whispered something in his ear. Hook-nose man approached Jack and Nick, and Jack had the bizarre fear that he was going to plug them or something.
“Gentlemen,” he said with a sneer. “I have a very fine table ready for you, please follow me. Shall I bring you champagne? It’s on the house.”
Jack couldn’t have spoken if his entire life had depended on it, even though in some ways it felt like it did. As usual, Nick was there to save him.
“That would be fine. Thank you kindly.”
“Hmmph,” was all the man had to say.
Hollywood Bound Page 12