Their Exits and their Entrances: The New Chronicles of Barset: Book Two

by ILIL ARBEL

  “My dear Estella, you can’t have any real romances now for quite a few years,” said Mrs. Lewis. “Not if you want to be a movie star. When you are a big star, you can have all the romances you want, you will be safe, but right now, you have to go along with the beaux that the studio supplies. Look how beautifully Rush Yukon is handling it. He has been connected, in the public eye, to at least ten actresses, and now he is about to marry his secretary, which the studio will say was always his true love.”

  “I don’t know, Mrs. Lewis. It’s just so strange to live like that… and then, what if Mr. Alcott gets it into his head that he really wants to marry me? He seems to like me a bit too much.”

  “If that becomes an issue, we will discuss it with Mr. Goldwasser. He won’t let Mr. Alcott do or say anything that will interfere with Mr. Alcott’s career or yours.”

  “Perhaps Mr. Goldwasser will want me to marry Mr. Alcott. What do I do then?”

  “I don’t think there is a chance of that, Estella. Mr. Goldwasser has other plans for both of you.”

  Miss Moonshadow did not look entirely convinced, and Mrs. Lewis was beginning to feel a bit worried herself. Perhaps Mr. Goldwasser was right; the girl did not seem to have as much star quality anymore.

  The evening was a great success in every way, and when finally it was over, and everyone dispersed, Lady Norton went to her private sitting room, which was situated right by her bedroom. The house was very quiet, since everyone went to bed and the washing up was done at the distant kitchen. Throughout dinner, Lady Norton was in suspense, wondering if Shymmering would find anything in Professor Hilliard-Sabre’s room. She did not have to wait too long before she heard a discreet knock on her door. “Come in,” she said, and Shymmering walked in.

  “Lady Norton, I have found the seeds in Professor Hilliard-Sabre’s room,” said Shymmering without further ado.

  “So we were right,” said Lady Norton. “In a way, I am sad. I had begun to like Professor Hilliard-Sabre. Well, let me see.”

  Shymmering handed her a matchbox, in which was hidden a bit of paper, containing a small amount of brown powder. “Should I call the police, my lady?” he asked.

  “Oh, no,” said Lady Norton. “Just leave it with me, Shymmering. I’ll show it to Professor Buckholz-Schuller and we’ll proceed from there. I don’t think we will involve the police in such a matter, though. It is more a rivalry gone too far than a crime.”

  “Very well, my lady,” said Shymmering. One could not tell if he was disappointed or not.

  “In the meantime, don’t say anything to Professor Buckholz-Schuller. I am going to wait until some of the guests leave and the festivities are over. I really don’t want a scandal.”

  “Of course, my lady,” said Shymmering. “Is there anything else?”

  “No, nothing else, and thank you for a job well done, Shymmering,” said Lady Norton, very sadly. She really liked Professor Hilliard-Sabre. What a pity she was a mastermind of crime.

  ***

  When Aubrey and Jessica stopped for a visit at Norton Hall, a day after the events described above, everyone was extremely pleased to see them. Few people can maintain a cheerful and bubbly attitude during the heavy days of Christmas, but nothing could keep Jessica and Aubrey down, and Christmas was no exception. They were to have dinner, spend the night, and go back to the Dean’s family home on the next day.

  “Miss Dean, Mr. Clover, I would like to introduce Miss Moonshadow,” said Glamora. “She is being groomed to become a big star. Miss Moonshadow, I am sure you have heard of Miss Dean and Mr. Clover, they need no introduction.”

  Aubrey could tell that Miss Moonshadow did not know much about either of them, but of course he said nothing. During the evening, he paid close attention to her, though no one would have noticed. After dinner, he waylaid Mrs. Lewis and by the power of turning into a father confessor, heard the entire story of Miss Moonshadow, and also Mrs. Lewis’ secret fears that the girl was not exactly suitable for her part.

  “But was she good at the film she did with Rush Yukon?” asked Aubrey.

  “There was not much to do, only parade in costumes,” said Mrs. Lewis. “Of course she could do that. She is very beautiful.”

  “Beauty is not enough,” said Aubrey. “What did Rush Yukon think of her? He is a shrewd person.”

  “He disliked her. She had taken a fancy to him, and despite being warned that he was engaged to his secretary, and the fact that he did not encourage her at all, she made a spectacle of herself a couple of times. But her real interest remained Julian Rivers. She is infatuated with him, and keeps asking about him. Fortunately, he left for England before seeing her again, and now, he is with Mrs. Rivers at their home, so he cannot see her. I imagine he had forgotten her, anyway. I am just worried that she would contact him.”

  “Can she do that?”

  “If she knew exactly where to reach him, she would undoubtedly call him,” said Mrs. Lewis. “But I told her that no one knows where he is spending the holiday, and that is what everyone else was instructed to do in case she asked.”

  “Well, I am going to smoke a cigarette, Mrs. Lewis. Would you join me?”

  “Thanks, no, I have to see to some matters, Mr. Clover. You will find some cigarettes and probably a few people in the library.”

  Aubrey entered the library, and found Maisie and Mr. Alcott there. Mr. Alcott seemed to be in deep despair.

  “So what is the matter now, Alcott?” asked Aubrey indulgently, since he regarded Mr. Alcott as a rather juvenile character.

  “She turned me down, Mr. Clover.”

  Aubrey glanced at Maisie. Did she turn Mr. Alcott down? No, that was impossible. The woman who turned Mr. Alcott down had to be someone else, or Maisie would not have been sitting there, he reasoned with himself. But who was it?

  “Who turned you down?” he asked patiently.

  “Estella Moonshadow. A few minutes ago I offered her my heart and my hand and she said that she does not even like me and I could never be a part of her social group in Peoria,” said Mr. Alcott.

  “And would you like to be a part of a social group in Peoria?” asked Aubrey.

  “I don’t know,” said Mr. Alcott, considering. “I have never been to Peoria.”

  “For the love of God, Nes, you are a star. You are supposed to break women’s hearts, not break yours over some starlet,” said Maisie.

  “Why would I want to break anyone’s heart? It’s not nice to do so,” said Mr. Alcott.

  “Because it is your job,” said Aubrey. “That is what it is all about. You are supposed to be dashing and attractive and careless, and dress like Valentino and have women talk about your magnificent eyes and your smile.”

  “But if I couldn’t even appeal to Estella... Miss Moonshadow, I mean...”

  “Her name is Madge,” said Maisie. “Madge Sorensen. She is no more Estella Moonshadow than I am.”

  Aubrey burst out laughing. “You could fall in love with someone called Madge Sorensen? From Peoria? Long live O. Henry!”

  Maisie did not read O. Henry, as we had mentioned before, so she did not understand Aubrey’s point, but she said, anyway, “She is a simple little small town girl, who just happened to look exotic when properly dressed. A fool as well.”

  “No, no, she is not a fool... I could not love a fool,” said Mr. Alcott.

  “But you never loved her,” said Aubrey calmly, assuming the role of a wise advisor and as usual, looking the part to perfection.

  “I didn’t?” asked Mr. Alcott, surprised.

  “No, you didn’t,” said Aubrey.

  “But I told her that I would go with her to Peoria, leave the business, if that is what she wanted,” said Mr. Alcott. “I must love her, as I was willing to sacrifice everything for her...”

  “That would not be much of a sacrifice, my boy,” said Aubrey. “You are undoubtedly good at acting, singing, dancing, and all the trimmings, but you don’t love the life of an actor. There is not a trace of the gypsy in
your soul. You would have been happier had you stayed on the production side, like when you originally worked as Mr. Goldwasser’s assistant.”

  “That was such fun,” said Mr. Alcott wistfully. “Such challenges to overcome, so much to arrange, truly interesting business... I used my brain doing that, Mr. Clover. As a star, all I do is pretence work. It’s just not real.”

  “I know how you feel, my boy, even though as a playwright who loves acting and theatre and films I must disagree with you, but things turned out as they did, and now you are a huge success. Don’t worry about what could have been, it never does to do so. Do your job properly. Be the star you are supposed to be, make lots of money, and in a few years, when you begin to fade as a heartthrob, get back into the business with Mr. Goldwasser.”

  “Would he want me?” asked Mr. Alcott.

  “Why shouldn’t he want you? You were very good at the business side of GMG, and you could rejoin on a higher position, since you would be experienced, older, and well-to-do. I believe he would be more than happy to take you back into the GMG business, perhaps even groom you as his successor, to step into his shoes when he decides to retire.”

  “Wow,” said Mr. Alcott, deeply impressed. “Do you really think he would... what a wonderful thing that would be...”

  “It’s a good plan, and it has great potential. But in the meantime, you have to do your part, Alcott, and stop these stupid infatuations with women who don’t care about you. Most important, stop feeling sorry for yourself – there is nothing to whine about.”

  “Everything you say sounds so good, Mr. Clover,” said Maisie with admiration. “You can resolve anything.”

  “Only if people cooperate with me, Miss Robinson,” said Aubrey, laughing. “If only I could make this silly boy understand that he never cared about the girl, what’s her name, Madge... honestly, the idea of settling with her in Peoria. What a joke.”

  “I was really going to do it, I guess... but I was also worrying about you, Maise, when I suggested going with her to Peoria. I was wondering if you would visit us, keep in touch. I would miss you so much if you didn’t.”

  “Why?” said Aubrey. “Why would you miss her so much if you were happily married to your idol?”

  “Because... she is my best friend, I can talk to her about anything, and she always understands everything,” said Mr. Alcott. “We go back a long way. Right, Maise? You are still my best friend after all this mess? I always feel so safe with you, I couldn’t bear to lose you.”

  “Of course, Nes, I will always be your friend,” said Maisie, feeling a certain amount of pity toward him, despite her anger. “However, if you married Miss Moonshadow I would not have visited you. I would have quietly disappeared from your life.”

  “Heavens,” said Mr. Alcott, his face turning pale with apprehension. “Really? I could never stand that... how could I live without you?”

  “Miss Robinson, I am going to have to say a few things that require your forgiveness in advance,” said Aubrey. “But I find that I must say them.”

  “You may say anything you think right, Mr. Clover,” said Maisie. “I will object to nothing that may help Nes get back to normal. I am losing my patience with insane behaviour.”

  “Thank you for your trust,” said Aubrey. “Are you sure?”

  “I am sure,” said Maisie, bracing herself for the worst.

  “Very well. Alcott, do you even begin to guess what a fool you are?” said Aubrey pleasantly. “Just listen to yourself. When will you realize that you care more about Maisie Robinson than about anyone in the world, that her opinion means everything to you, and that parting from her, even in the company of a pretty starlet, would make you miserable for the rest of your life?”

  Mr. Alcott sat up, raised his head, which was buried in his hands, and stared at Mr. Clover, then looked at Maisie. No one in the history of romance had ever been as surprised at anything as Mr. Alcott, realizing how much he loved Maisie Robinson.

  “Wow,” he said. “I didn’t know…”

  “You should have known!” said Aubrey severely, turning into a stern father about to engage in a shotgun wedding.

  “My goodness, what a mess I have made,” said Mr. Alcott, ignoring Aubrey’s sudden transformation. “Why didn’t you tell me, Maise? You know I would have listened to you if you told me I that I loved you.”

  We regret to say that hearing this intelligent and original comment, Maisie burst out laughing without a trace of sentimentality. But then again, over-emotional romance was not necessary to her, though she had loved Nes just as well and for much longer. As always, real life had nothing to do with maudlin scripts as far as Maisie was concerned.

  “Don’t worry, Nes,” she said in a comforting manner. “We’ll work everything out. Just remember, anything we say here must remain a secret. You have a public to consider and you should never let Mr. Goldwasser down.”

  “Whatever you say, Maise,” said Mr. Alcott meekly, a sense of wonderful relief going through his mind. It was so good to know that he would never have to part from Maisie, that she would take care of everything, and that the future held such happiness...

  Aubrey shook his head, became a wise old man to such a point that one could almost see him stroking a long white beard, and said, “I’ll leave you now to sort out your affairs, children. Ah, the things I do... and of course I must tell Jessica. She will be so pleased, and she knows how to keep a secret, bless her. A good day’s work, I say.”

  The next morning, Mr. Goldwasser was reading a book in one of the sitting rooms, and for once, really relaxing. He had no idea, not the slightest touch of his usual talent of divination or prophecy, of what was about to hit him when he welcomed Mrs. Lewis with a happy and comfortable smile. She walked into the room and sat on the edge of a very comfortable couch that would normally encourage lounging, but Mrs. Lewis did not lounge. She sat straight up, unable for a few seconds to bring herself to discuss most disturbing news with Mr. Goldwasser. But she was a strong and honest woman, she was not used to shirking her duty, so she finally plunged in.

  “Mr. Goldwasser, I have bad news,” she said.

  “What is it?” asked Mr. Goldwasser, prepared for the worst, since Mrs. Lewis was not one to be upset over small matters.

  “I have just found this note in Miss Moonshaodow’s room,” said Mrs. Lewis in a voice that had a tone of desperation. She handed him a note, her hand visibly trembling. Mr. Goldwasser’s heart sank, but he made no comment and glanced at the note. It was covered with a sprawling, childish handwriting, each line containing only a few words.

  “Dear Mr. Goldwasser and Mrs. Lewis,” he read. “When you read this, I will be far away, so please don’t try to find me. I am going away with my true love, Julian Rivers. I’d rather be his moose, or is it musse, I am not sure what the word is exactly, but that is what he called it, than be a star, since being a star means wearing only black and white and short hair like a man and dating a stupid creature like Mr. Alcott who is so very annoying and useless. He asked me to marry him and I was afraid you will force me to do so and I won’t marry Mr. Alcott if he was the last man on earth. Julian says that I should grow my hair long again and wear bright colours and he will always paint me and the whole world will know me and I’ll be famous. I hope Julian agrees to settle in Peoria after we get married, but if not, I will go wherever he goes. Thank you for everything and goodbye.”

  “How about that,” said Mr. Goldwasser, putting the note on the side table.

  “It’s my fault,” said Mrs. Lewis. “I thought she would be the right person. You had a hunch she was not.”

  “Nonsense,” said Mr. Goldwasser. “It was my fault just as much as yours. Like everyone else, I was misled by her exotic looks. Can you imagine, she thinks we would look for her... good riddance, I say.”

  “But a new star is needed as soon as possible,” said Mrs. Lewis. “And now we have lost so much time, and a new film will be starting soon and we will have no star.”

&
nbsp; “I know, I know. But please, my dear Mrs. Lewis, don’t fret over it. I always formulate a plan B. You know that.”

  “Yes, I do know that,” said Mrs. Lewis. “It’s just...”

  “There is always a solution,” said Mr. Goldwasser. “We’ll think of something.”

  “The new film is to start shooting only three months from now, Mr. Goldwasser. Can you groom someone in such a short time?”

  “As we say in Montana,” said Mr. Goldwasser, “God created the world in seven days.”

  Mrs. Lewis laughed, a little relieved, but she was not really fooled. Mr. Goldwasser, for once, had no idea what to do, and she knew it. Her eyes smarted, and as she quickly left the room so Mr. Goldwasser would not notice her crying, she bumped into Glamora, who was just about to walk in.

  “Sorry, Miss Tudor,” she said, wiping her eyes.

  “My dear Mrs. Lewis, you are crying! What is the matter?” asked Glamora.

  Mrs. Lewis hesitated, then motioned to Glamora to come with her quietly. Glamora followed her to another room, and Mrs. Lewis told her the entire story.

  “Well, well,” said Glamora. “To throw away her future just like that… still, that is her concern. So what is going to happen now?”

  “I don’t know, Miss Tudor. I don’t think Mr. Goldwasser knows. He said he would develop Plan B, as usual, but I don’t think he really has one.”

  Glamora thought for a few minutes, then looked at Mrs. Lewis with a bright smile.

  “I will have to stay for a while, Mrs. Lewis,” she said simply.

  “How wonderful, Miss Tudor,” said Mrs. Lewis with indescribable relief. “Mr. Goldwasser needs you.”

  “I know, I know. I will never let him down.”

  “A few more years would not make much of a difference, would they?” said Mrs. Lewis.

  “A few more years? How do you know how long it would take?” asked Glamora, surprised at the prophetic statement.

  “The world is changing rapidly, Miss Tudor. For a few more years, Hollywood will go on as it does, with the kind of films you are so famous for, and musicals, and marvellous costumes, and Glorious Technicolor… but soon the changes will come. I do not know what they will be, but they will come.”