The Silver Screen

by The Silver Screen (retail) (epub)

  Kate sighed. “All right. I didn’t do anything too bad, except . . .” She paused.

  “Except?” Jack repeated.

  “Well, I encouraged him to slow down on the smoking. You know, I just didn’t have the heart not to try.”

  “Kate, what are we going to do with you?” Jack said.

  “Well, I was just hoping maybe it would give him and Lauren Bacall a few more years.” Kate looked at Jack, her eyes full of genuine concern.

  “All right. I get it.” Jack said. “But no more interfering. We really don’t know what will happen until we get back to our time.”

  Kate nodded. Archie and Tilly came over to them at that point, and the decision was made to call it a night. As they walked through the large double front doors to where the cars were waiting, a few stray photographers lined up to get some parting shots.

  “Jack,” Kate said, “You know? This is going to sound odd.”

  Jack raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  “Yeah. You know that photographer tonight, the one that was with Jimmy? I swear I know him. I saw him the other day when Tilly and I went out for shopping. He kind of chased us out of the Beverly Wilshire. But the thing is, I feel like I know him, like I’ve known him before. Is that possible?”

  Jack looked at Kate and knew she was telling the truth. He knew there was a good chance that this guy could be the unexpected transfer. “Well,” Jack said, “We will talk about this later. But you may have helped us out this time.”

  “Really?” Kate said.

  Jack nodded as the car driver pulled up, but his mind had already left the party and he was contemplating what he was going to do next about the problem with Hawk.

  CHAPTER XIV

  Hawk had talked Jimmy into letting him stay a few days at his place. He explained he was short on cash, which Jimmy completely understood. Hawk offered him a little cash to help, and it was all set. Jimmy let Hawk out on the side of the Beverly Wilshire as he had requested. This let him sneak in unseen. He figured that at 3:00 A.M. no one would be around to notice. Exiting the car, he thanked Jimmy who said he would park the car and meet him in the lobby to help him with his luggage.

  Hawk hurried into the Beverly Wilshire and got into the first available elevator. He didn’t bother to request a key. In the name of speed, he just picked the lock to his room. He quickly threw everything into the overnight bag, scanned the bathroom for any freebies, and jammed them into the side of the bag. He did a quick check of his camera equipment, all good there. He zipped up the overnight bag, grabbed his backpack and headed back down the hallway to the elevators. Exiting, he quickly scanned the lobby as he walked towards the front desk. A cleaning lady was dusting, an old guy, his back to him, was napping, and only one desk clerk looked up as he approached the front desk.

  “Can I help you, sir?”

  Hawk nodded. “I need to check out.”

  “Of course, sir. May I have your room number, please?”

  Hawk gave him the number as he fished out some cash to pay the bill. As he placed the money on the counter, the clerk looked up to his left as if somebody was behind him. He raised an eyebrow, nodded quickly and returned his attention to the paperwork in front of him. Then Hawk heard the voice.

  “So I hear you were looking for me.”

  Hawk nearly jumped out of his skin. Turning quickly, he came eyeball to eyeball with Jack Baldwin. Shocked and stunned, he was speechless for barely seconds as he managed to mumble, “Uh, well, uh . . .” His brain raced commanding him to figure out a way to handle what was now his worst nightmare. “Yeah. You could say that,” he finally said.

  “Good. Why don’t you come over here?” He pointed to the empty sofas. “And we can sit down and talk.”

  The desk clerk interrupted just then. “Excuse me, sir. Is there a change regarding your stay with us?” The desk clerk recognized something was clearly going on between Mr. Baldwin and Hawk.

  Hawk paused, turning around. “I’m not sure. I’ll have to let you know.”

  “Of course, sir,” the clerk said, diverting his glance back to the paperwork.

  Hawk picked up his bag and backpack and followed Jack to the group of chairs.

  “You know,” Jack began. “You are definitely not where you are supposed to be.”

  Hawk swallowed, nervous. “Yeah, but I didn’t mean to . . .”

  Jack held up a hand to stop him. “No excuses. We both know what you did.”

  Hawk sighed. Sitting down, he looked at his hands. He was a drowning man with only one hope to survive. Tell the truth. “So,” he finally said, “. . . I suppose I should start at the beginning.”

  “Always good,” Jack agreed.

  Hawk launched into a short version of his fascination with time travel, the Silver Screen myth and Kate’s friend panicked at Kate’s sudden disappearance. Jack’s patience was frayed now at 3:30 A.M. as Hawk’s fantastic story unfolded. If he had his way he would have marched him downstairs, cranked up the Silver Screen sending him back to 1999. The problem was they were all stuck in 1939 for another week or two with maintenance on the Silver Screen.

  Jack let Hawk ramble on until there was a noise. The front door opened and a young man walked in. Jack recognized the photographer Jimmy Smith as he came closer. “Hi, Hawk. I just thought I would . . .” He paused. As he got closer, he recognized Jack Baldwin and the nervous expression on Hawk’s face. Looking at Jack he said, “Mr. Baldwin, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I was just coming in to . . .” He

  frowned and paused for a few seconds, “. . . to pick up Hawk,” he finished.

  Jack looked at Jimmy who was a bit disheveled, and then at Hawk, wondering how these two got together. “So you two are friends?” Jack asked.

  “Yes,” Jimmy replied. “He’s just here from back east, you know. A fellow photographer.”

  “From back east,” Jack repeated.

  Jimmy nodded. “Yes. He’s staying with me.” Then he stopped talking, noticing how quiet Hawk was. “Is there something wrong, Mr. Baldwin? I mean, if you need to talk in private with Hawk I can wait outside.”

  “No. No, Jimmy. Nothing’s wrong. But we have a special project for Hawk so we are going to keep him here for now.”

  Hawk did not even look at Jack over that remark.

  “Oh, okay.” Jimmy looked at Hawk who hadn’t said much and asked, “You okay, Hawk? Sounds like good work.”

  You have no idea, flew through Hawk’s mind when he said, “Yeah. I think it’s the best. But thanks for the offer to help me out.” Hawk knew Jack was lying through his teeth, but now, he held all the cards.

  “Sure, Hawk. It’s been swell meeting you. If I ever get back east I’ll look you up.”

  Hawk smiled thinking That really would be interesting.

  “By the way, Jimmy,” Jack said, “I need some help from

  you.

  “Sure, Mr. Baldwin. What can I do?”

  “You know those photos you took at Sonja Henie’s party?”

  Jimmy nodded.

  “I would really appreciate it if you could print up some copies for me. A few eight by tens.”

  “Just you and Miss Kate?” Jimmy asked.

  “Yes. That would be fine.”

  “Sure thing, Mr. Baldwin. When do you need them?”

  “In the next few days. You can leave them under my name at the front desk and we will have a nice check for you for all your work.”

  “Gee, thanks. I’ll get right on it.”

  Jack stood and pulled out a few dollar bills, handing them to Jimmy. “Something to help get you started.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Baldwin. I appreciate it.”

  Jack nodded and smiled. Hawk stood then as Jimmy reached out to shake his hand. “Nice meeting you, Hawk. Good luck.”

  “Thanks. Same to you.”

&n
bsp; They stood watching Jimmy walk away out the front door and turned, picking up Hawk’s bags and moved to the elevators as Hawk commented, “He’s just a kid. Can’t be more than 19 or 20.”

  “Actually, he’s 25,” Jack said.

  “Seriously?” Hawk commented, completely surprised.

  Jack nodded and asked, “How old are you?”

  “34,” Hawk replied. “How old are you?” Hawk bounced back.

  “At the moment, about 110.”

  Hawk chuckled as the elevator doors opened. “So where are we going?” Hawk asked.

  “To put you in the doghouse.”

  “I figured as much,” Hawk said as the elevator doors closed.

  * * *

  Kate woke up rested with a sense of anticipation. This was the day she was going to the Brown Derby to see her mother. She had fallen into an easy routine with her life in 1939. Breakfast in her suite. She enjoyed the hair salon services, sitting outside and reading. Tilly made a point of touching base with her on almost a daily basis. She had taken her shopping and for a hot fudge sundae at the Brown Derby. It played into her plans and allowed her a preview of the Brown Derby’s location on Wilshire Boulevard. She wanted to look her best for her mother and selected carefully a simple dress with short sleeves, as it was a sunny warm day. Rosy came in to launder some items and helped her pull her hair back and choose a simple hat to complete the outfit. She still couldn’t get over how people dressed to go out for the simplest things. No jogging outfits or blue jeans here. Kate looked at her reflection feeling so feminine in the beautiful purple linen dress with a flutter neckline, padded shoulders and elbow length sleeves. It had a snappy gold belt. Very smart.

  She reached for her purse as Rosy said, “Don’t forget your gloves, Miss.”

  “Oh, yes. Thank you, Rosy.” Gloves, she reflected. Rarely did anyone wear them anymore. But she had to admit, it gave her look a polished image. Kate smiled. “Thanks, Rosy.”

  Rosy smiled in return and nodded as she turned her attention to Kate’s wardrobe. No one noticed Kate as she walked

  through the hotel lobby and asked the door attendant to get her a cab.

  Settled in the vintage yellow cab, the driver, an older man, said, “Where to, lady?”

  “I’m going to the Brown Derby, but I need to make a quick stop on the way.”

  “Sure. Where to?”

  “Ralph’s should have what I need.”

  The driver frowned. “Sorry, lady. Don’t know any Ralph.”

  “Okay. Vons would be fine.”

  Now the driver was clearly getting frustrated. “Look, lady, I don’t know who Ralph and Vons is.”

  Kate rolled her eyes under her sunglasses. Keep focused. She forgot for a moment where she was. But before she could comment, the driver said, “You’re not from around here.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “I figured,” the driver interjected.

  And Kate thought, You have no idea.

  “Okay.” Kate finally said. “Maybe we should just go straight to the Brown Derby.”

  “All right, lady. Now that I know.” As he put his foot on the gas, easing the vintage yellow cab into the light early afternoon traffic on Wilshire Boulevard.

  By the time they reached the Brown Derby Kate had a nervous knot in her stomach and her palms were damp. She put on her gloves. She paid the driver and walked into the Brown Derby. She was assaulted with a lively group of people talking and laughing. She was early. She knew her mother wouldn’t be there until sometime between 1:30 and 2:00, so she asked for the restroom, which the hostess pointed out to her. Luckily, there was no one in there. She took a few moments to wash her hands and take a deep breath. She picked up her gloves and purse, stepping out of the ladies’ room when a man rushed past her and bumped into her in the

  process. Her head jerked up and she came face-to-face with Errol Flynn.

  He turned as quickly to look at her and looked into one of the most beautiful faces he had ever seen. But he felt there was something odd with this instantly. He reflected that his usual standard reply, “I thought I had met every pretty girl in Hollywood,” choked and stuck in his throat. He realized the look on her face was genuine surprise, not adoration. He faltered a moment. This was so odd. “Excuse me. I . . .” He frowned. “Have we met before?”

  Kate shook her head, taking a few seconds to calm her beating heart. “No,” she finally added. “But I have really enjoyed your work. Your films.”

  He smiled then, and Kate instantly saw that irresistible charm that women, it was said, could not resist. She recognized how you could fall in love with him, abandoning any reason or concern in reality. She smiled in return. This was her dad. She couldn’t believe it. In those bare seconds, for just a few moments, they connected, and Kate instantly realized this would be all she would have for the rest of her life. Out of the corner of her eye, she recognized her mother was walking towards the restaurant entrance. She turned to get a better view, and Errol Flynn followed her gaze.

  “Oh, that looks like my lunch date.”

  Kate nodded, “Of course. I didn’t mean to detain you. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

  “The pleasure was all mine.” But a flicker of confusion lingered in his eyes as some deep primal instinct curtailed his natural flirting instincts. As if he felt an unexpected bond with this woman, whome he had never met. It baffled him.

  But before he could work through the confusion, the hostess approached him. “Your table is ready, Mr. Flynn.” He nodded at the hostess.

  But before turning away he smiled again at Kate saying, “It was sure nice meeting you. Goodbye.” And the strangest pang of loss shot through him, but he didn’t look back and followed the hostess to his table.

  Kate’s heart restricted. She never really had considered the impact of meeting him, even for such brief moments. The weight of it engulfed her heart. But she turned then, heading to the entrance, putting on her sunglasses. She knew her mother wouldn’t recognize her, but there was too much emotion in her eyes. She needed to hide that behind the sunglasses. A potted palm got in her way, and as she brushed it aside she backed into someone and turned, stunned, to realize her mother had bumped into her.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I . . .” Kate paused as she looked at her mother’s vibrant youthfulness. She looked wonderful. Her mother, she always said, never knew a stranger.

  When her mother replied, “Heavens, don’t worry. It can get a bit busy in here.”

  “What a lovely dress,” Kate commented.

  “Oh, thank you.” And as her mother rambled on about where she bought it, Kate drank in her warmth wishing she could give her a hug, tell her how much she loved her, but all she could do was smile and nod. She looked lovely in a middy spring dress, full of rich pinks and magenta flowers. Her dark hair was pulled back neatly under a jaunty small hat. She had removed her gloves, holding them with her handbag. She looked so fresh and happy, but then Kate rationalized, Who wouldn’t be? She was having lunch with Errol Flynn.

  The small group of people in front of them was quickly seated when the hostess returned and said, “Can I help you?” to her mother.

  “Oh, yes.” Her mother said. “I am here to meet Mr. Flynn.”

  “Of course. He’s already here. I will take you to him.”

  Her mother turned then and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t get your name.”

  “It’s Kate.”

  “Oh, after my favorite actress, Katherine Hepburn.” And Kate remembered the stories that she had shared with her about enjoying her movies.

  “Well, it was nice meeting you.”

  Kate smiled, “It was nice meeting you.” The hostess led her mother to the discrete table in the back where Errol Flynn waited for her. Kate just stood there, not prepared for the second wave of sadness and despair. She never felt so helpless in her
life. But she had kept her word to Jack Baldwin. She had not interfered or said anything that could change the future. She realized at least she had a few moments again with her and that would have to hold her for a very long time.

  The hostess returned and said, “Do you need anything, Miss?”

  “Yes, please. I need a taxi.”

  The hostess said, “Fine. Just a moment.” After making the call she said, “They will be here in a few minutes and meet you at the entrance of the restaurant.

  Kate thanked the hostess who had turned her attention to the couple waiting to be seated. She reluctantly turned away, moving through the front door to wait for the taxi. As Kate entered the hotel and approached the front desk to collect her key, the clerk said, “There is a letter for you, Miss Clifford.”

  She nodded, wondering what that could be about. Curious, she quickly opened the note to discover it was from Jack.

  We need to talk. Tomorrow 6:00 P.M. Meet me in the lobby.

  —Jack

  Clear and to the point, Kate reflected as the clerk cut into her thoughts. “Would you like to leave a reply, Miss?”

  Kate looked at him for a moment and then nodded. He handed her some hotel stationary, an envelope and a pen. As Kate replied in saying,

  6:00 P.M. in the lobby tomorrow. Will be there.

  —Kate

  Handing it back to the clerk, she watched him place it in the wall slot, obviously Jack’s room. She proceeded to the elevators realizing she was emotionally exhausted. But as she waited for the elevators, her mind wandered, reflecting that after her time travel freak out her relationship with Jack had mellowed a bit. She wondered if there wasn’t more beneath his pleasant but reserved front. Maybe she would find out more tomorrow night. And of course she knew he wanted to talk with her about the mystery of her father. She sighed, her mind wandering to her life in 1939. She had to admit, she kind of liked the easier pace, a simpler quality of life. She found it welcoming. Of course, the absence of her love of Starbucks and more comfortable clothing she missed dearly.

  As the elevator doors opened for the first time, she let some thoughts that had been sitting in the shadows of her mind step forward. What would happen if she decided to stay in 1939?