Janet Hardy in Radio City

by Ruthe S. Wheeler

  Chapter Three

  SURPRISE CALLERS

  The newcomers were Cora Dean and Margie Blake, classmates from Clarion,who had been Janet and Helen's chief rivals for almost every honorduring their last four years in school.

  "What under the sun do you suppose they want here?" asked Helen underher breath.

  "We'll soon find out," retorted Janet, rising and advancing to greetCora and Margie.

  Cora was dark like Helen, while Margie's hair was almost as goldenblonde as Janet's, the difference being that Margie used drug storecoloring, and Janet depended on the natural shade.

  "Hello Cora, hello Margie. This is a surprise," said Janet as shegreeted them and Helen echoed the sentiment a minute later.

  "We've been touring through the west. When we learned a company wasshooting a picture out here we came on over. We didn't know until westopped in the village that it was the company you're with." It wasCora, her tongue as sharp as ever, making the explanation.

  Margie was taking in everything and fairly gaping at the cowboys who intheir picturesque garb, were lounging nearby waiting for the gong tocall them to supper.

  Billy Fenstow came by and Janet called to him, introducing Cora andMargie.

  "Have them stay for dinner and meet the company," said the director,who, with the film on schedule, felt particularly hospitable.

  "Oh, we'd love that," gurgled Cora. "We've always wanted to see apicture being taken."

  Billy Fenstow scratched his head.

  "Well, we're all through for today, but if Janet and Helen could bunkdouble and give you one of the beds in their room, you could stay overand see the final shooting tomorrow."

  "Why, that would be grand," put in Margie, "and I'm sure Janet and Helenwon't mind doubling up."

  There was little Janet or Helen could say, except to agree, and theyhelped Cora and Margie get their bags out of the car and escorted themup to the room which they occupied.

  At dinner that night they introduced the girls to all of the members ofthe company who ate at the ranchhouse and Janet noted that Cora couldhardly keep her eyes off tall, handsome Curt Newsom. Curt was nice tothem, as he was to everybody, explaining carefully all of the questionsthey asked.

  That night Cora asked a question that had kept her on edge all evening.

  "Do you suppose we could get in one of the scenes tomorrow?" she askedJanet. "Surely you or Helen could get the director to use us just alittle bit."

  Janet was dubious. It was the last day at the ranch and there would bemuch to be done. Billy Fenstow would be in no mood for trifles such asworking friends into scenes.

  "If it wasn't the last day I think it could be arranged," put in Helen,"but I'd hate to ask Mr. Fenstow to do it under the circumstances."

  Margie pouted visibly and Cora, always arrogant, flared up.

  "Oh, of course you won't. Just because your father's a director and theyhave to put you in pictures you won't say a good word for anyone else.How do we know you're even in this company?"

  "You'll have to take our word for it until you see the picture on thescreen," retorted Helen.

  Janet could understand the tremendous desire of Cora and Margie toappear in a scene. It was the most natural thing in the world and shefelt just a little sorry for them.

  "I'll speak to Mr. Fenstow in the morning," she promised. "If he's in agood mood he may find a spot for you, but if he's grouchy he'll probablyorder you away from the place."

  "How do you know when he's grouchy?" asked Margie.

  "You don't until after you've asked him," replied Janet, with a thinsmile.

  Cora and Margie exhibited a tremendous curiosity, asking questions abouteverything and from almost everyone, Cora especially plaguing CurtNewsom, until the tall cowboy star finally found an excuse to escapefrom her constant barrage.

  It was late when they went to bed and Janet and Helen, sleeping in anarrow, single bed, did not rest well. They were awake at dawn, both ofthem feeling tired and worn.

  Cora and Margie, imbued with the excitement of actually being with amovie company, appeared as vivacious as ever.

  At breakfast Billy Fenstow outlined plans for the final day's shooting.

  "We've got one more scene to take in the village," he explained. "It's ashot of a group of townspeople watching the arrival of Curt and therustlers he has captured."

  Impetuous Cora Dean broke in.

  "May Margie and I get in the crowd scene?" she asked eagerly.

  A frown appeared on Billy Fenstow's usually bland face, for he dislikedgreatly being interrupted when he was outlining his plans to hiscompany.

  "We'll see about it later," he said curtly, and continued with hisexplanation.

  After breakfast Cora faced Janet.

  "Too bad you couldn't have said a good word for us with your director,"she flared.

  "There wasn't a real good chance," replied Janet. "I warned you lastnight not to bother him if he wasn't in a good mood."

  "But how was I to know?" complained Cora.

  "Well, you do now," said Janet, and it was hard to keep from smiling.But she could realize how much it would mean to Cora and Margie and itwould be mean of her not to help them just a little so later she spoketo "Skeets" Irwin, the assistant director, and "Skeets" promised to getCora and Margie into the crowd scene.

  Janet and Helen were in the same scene and they changed into theircostumes, Janet into a dusty riding habit and Helen into a gingham dressand the apron that was her badge as a waitress in the village's onerestaurant.

  The girls rode down to the village, Cora and Margie following in theirown car. "Skeets" had provided them with appropriate costumes and theywere so excited they could hardly talk.

  Billy Fenstow was back giving instructions to the riders who were tosweep down into the village while "Skeets" handled the scene at thevillage.

  "Don't stand around like a bunch of wooden Indians," said the assistantdirector. "Show some interest when those horsemen come over the hills. Iwant plenty of action in this scene."

  "Keep close to us," Janet advised Cora and Margie. "All you have to dois look excited."

  "That's going to be easy," smiled Margie. "I'm so nervous now I can'tstay still a minute."

  Final instructions were given and the cameras started grinding as amassed body of riders swept over the crest of the hills and gallopedmadly toward the village.

  The girls, who had been in the restaurant, rushed into the street andjoined the other members of the company and the villagers who had beenpressed into service as extras.

  It was action and good action. Janet thrilled at the magnificent ridingof Curt Newsom, who rode with consumate skill and grace. He was a partof the horse he was astride and it was no effort to Janet to registerextreme excitement.

  The mounted men, a band of captives in the center of the group, reinedin before the astonished villagers and Curt, dismounting, pulled one ofthe captives from his saddle and strode toward the door which was markedsheriff's office. Curt pulled the protesting rider after him,disappearing into the sheriff's office. That finished the sequence andthe cameras stopped clicking.

  It was the last of the big scenes and the rest of the day was to bespent in picking up shots to fill out the story.

  "Do you suppose we looked all right?" asked Cora, who had been fittedout in a housedress and sunbonnet. Margie was similarly attired.

  "I'm sure you looked your parts," Janet assured them, "but don't be toodisappointed when you see the picture. There'll only be a flash of thisaction on the screen and the 'mob' scene won't last more than a fewseconds."

  "We'll see that one of the theaters at home books it," declared Margiefirmly, "and maybe Pete Benda will run a story about us."

  "I wouldn't be surprised if he did," agreed Janet.

  They went back to the ranchhouse for lunch and Billy Fenstow beamed.

  "We're ahead of schedule now. Another two hours and we'll be ready tostart for the studio where we can finish up the interiors in a couplemore da
ys."

  The bus which had brought them from Hollywood rolled into the valley andseveral of the cowboys started loading baggage and equipment aboard it.

  Janet and Helen went upstairs, followed by Cora and Margie. Both of thelatter had been hinting that they would like an invitation to stay for atime in Hollywood, but they had been so mean and small during their highschool days that neither Janet nor Helen could bear the thought ofentertaining them.

  "Coming back to Clarion this fall?" asked Cora, her dark eyes fairlysnapping as she waited eagerly for the answer to her question.

  "I haven't the slightest idea," replied Janet, quite truthfully.

  "How about you, Helen?" It was Margie asking this time.

  Helen shook her head. "Your guess is as good as mine."

  "Can't you stay on in pictures?" asked Cora, a tinge of sarcasm in hervoice.

  That nettled Janet. "If we want to," she retorted, "but neither one ofus can see much of a future in being actresses in western films."

  "With all of the influence your father has, you ought to be able to getinto better pictures," Margie told Helen, and it was her turn to feel amounting flood of color in her cheeks.

  "You can leave Dad out of this. He gave us an introduction, but we'vewon our parts," snapped Helen.

  The girls finished packing in silence and were ready to go down stairswhen "Skeets" stuck his head in the door.

  "Bus is all ready to start back for the city," he said, picking upJanet's and Helen's bags.

  Cora and Margie took their own luggage and followed them down stairs.

  "Do you think we ought to invite them to Hollywood with us?" whisperedHelen.

  "That's up to you," replied Janet, "for they would have to beentertained in your home."

  "Well, what do you honestly think?"

  Janet didn't answer at once, but as they reached the bus, she said, "Ithink I've had about all of the insinuations I can stand from either oneof them."

  Helen smiled. "That's a help, for I feel the same way." She turnedtoward the other girls, who were putting their baggage in their car.

  "We may see you in Clarion before college starts this fall," she said.

  "Thanks for all your help," flipped Cora, seating herself behind thewheel. "I'm sure we'll enjoy ourselves in Hollywood. We may run into yousomeplace."

  She threw in the gears and the car lurched away along the dusty roadthat wound through the hills to the main highway some miles away.

  "Wasn't she nice and cordial?" smiled Helen as she turned back to Janet.

  "Cora hasn't changed a bit and I don't suppose she will. What fun shecould have if she'd only be a little less selfish," said Janet.