“For example, if you intend to invite actors and actresses, as you evidently do, I think somebody should go thru the Central Casting Directory, or the Academy lists and pick out all the actors or actresses above a certain level of importance, unless they are ruled out for some reason such as I have suggested above.
“I only ask that it be based upon some consistency,” Hughes insisted, as he continued to unfold his mad scheme.
“For example, in view of some of the people included, such as the head of Reynolds Electric, I certainly think you should include all the very top people at Lockheed, and this may make it necessary to include the heads of other aircraft companies, and this immediately brings up the question of the heads of the airlines whom I know well.”
The inclusion of one local businessman suddenly seemed to require invitations to all the executives in two entire industries and also raised the thorny issue of what to do about Hughes’s old friends. Earlier he had decided to bring in the entire old gang for the big bash. Now he was having second thoughts.
“This is one most important question, Bob. If you ask too many people who are good friends of mine, then you must consider how many of these may be disappointed if I do not see them. Also, you must consider how many others may unavoidably be forgotten and who will be deeply hurt for this reason.
“When you boil it down, Bob, I think, for a number of reasons, it would be a mistake to invite anybody just because he is a friend of mine,” he concluded, relieved to have headed off the clamoring hordes he pictured pounding at his door.
“I think you should divide the list into categories,” he reiterated, “and try to be consistant in inviting all people in each category who are equally qualified.”
What could be more reasonable? Maheu, however, recoiled from the task. Afraid to challenge the theoretical construct Hughes had so passionately presented, he was also wary of trying to apply it to the billionaire’s satisfaction. He suggested that Hughes himself compose the new guest list.
“Bob, I do not have the facilities to compile a list,” the master host replied. “You will have to make the list.”
Clearly that was Maheu’s job. Hughes’s job was to approve it, a task he attacked with relish as soon as the new completely categorized and carefully calibrated list arrived at the penthouse.
“I am starting on the businessmen,” reported Hughes, plunging right in. “I dont expect it to take long.
“Your first name is an automobile dealer,” he noted. And got stuck right there. At the first name.
“I know there are a number of prominent car dealers in this area,” he mused. “I recognize that, if you attempt to include all the businessmen in the area, it would be a completely impractical number of people. I only want to know what ground rules and formula was used in selecting these names.
“In other words, if some auto dealer should complain that he was not invited, I would like to know what satisfactory explanation could be given.
“I am not suggesting that it is likely Fletcher Jones or Pete Finley, etc., are likely to give anybody an opportunity to explain,” continued Hughes, conjuring up the image of sullen car salesmen to impress upon Maheu the need for rigorous analysis of the invitations. “I am just thinking that, in the event you should hear a rumor that one of these dealers is unhappy, then it would be helpful for you and for me to feel that there was a sound valid reason for such dealer not being included, based upon the list being prepared in compliance with some clearly understood formula or set of ground rules which you and I fully approve.
“So, Bob, if you will just explain the basis of the establishment of this list, I will give you immediate action in clearing it.”
Obviously there was no point in reviewing the rest of the businessmen until the question of the auto dealers was resolved, and that would require a great deal more information. Awaiting Maheu’s annotations, Hughes moved on to the next category. Actors and actresses. Again, there were problems.
“I am well aware of the time element on the invitations and do not need to be reminded,” Hughes began impatiently, annoyed by Maheu’s hurried approach to this complex undertaking.
“Bob, re your list, you have really left out a lot of people who will be awfully offended—for example, you have included Rita Hayworth, Sidney Poitier and Connie Stevens, but omitted Darryl Zanuck and the heads of all the major studios, plus many other important stars. Susan Hayward for example. Dont you remember my comments on this?”
Clearly Maheu had failed to consult either the Central Casting directory or the Academy rolls, had made no real effort to include all equally qualified candidates. And what was Connie Stevens doing on this list, anyway? Hughes decided to check that out personally, secretly contacting his Hollywood lawyer Greg Bautzer for solid intelligence.
Meanwhile, he plowed in to the next batch of invitations. Once more, there were unanswered questions.
“Re the list of invitees from the news media,” he inquired, “do you think the list should be slightly expanded?
“I dont know. I am just asking.
“I see you have nobody from the radio stations. I am not criticizing. Only asking.”
It went on like that for days, the guest list ballooning to embrace everybody as qualified as those already included, until Maheu finally suggested two separate parties to accommodate all the proposed guests, a pre-opening preview to be followed by the big opening gala.
Hughes, however, had not yet actually approved any invitations. And now he started to move in reverse, questioning every name on the list, eliminating entire categories.
“I have reviewed carefully the new integrated complete lists,” he advised Maheu. “I suggest you make new lists as follows:
“Why dont you eliminate all out-of-towners plus as many locals as you feel would not be harmful.
“Studio Execs—all out of town, so understand will be eliminated.
“Union Officials—urge you review with objective of shortening slightly and eliminating any questionables.
“Local Business Men—I urge that you, Bob, personally go thru this list. I would like to see it slightly shorter if it can be done without hurting too many feelings.
“Airline and Aircraft Industries—I feel all of these can be eliminated.
“Hotel Industry—this seems an awful long list, Bob.”
For the third time in three days, Maheu revised the guest list for the still unscheduled party. Hughes was not satisfied. He demanded the same absolute consistency in excluding guests as he had in including them, dropping all who were equally unqualified, and the once swollen list was now shrinking at an alarming rate.
“These will be my final comments on the invitation lists,” Hughes assured his harried underling, as he started to prune the undesirables, slashing away with wild abandon.
“Do you really think so many hotel executives should be included?” he asked dubiously. “If I am going to eliminate all of my friends in the movie business and in the aircraft business, such as my friends at Lockheed, then I just wonder about such names as those I have noted.”
Having decided not to invite his old friends for fear they would insist on seeing him, having eliminated all out-of-towners to cover their exclusion, Hughes now questioned every name still on the list. Why invite a bunch of strangers, if not his friends?
“Please give me your views,” he encouraged Maheu, not at all close-minded, “but bear in mind that I am not inviting about 500 highly qualified candidates of mine in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, and Houston.
“You may say: ‘Go ahead and invite them.’
“But we have discussed that and agreed that there are many disadvantages.
“I just feel that if all of my out-of-town friends are going to be excluded, it will be easier for me to explain if the list is confined to the people who would normally be included under almost any kind of analysis.
“This surely includes Laxalt, Baring, Bible, etc.,” he continued, citing the governor, Nevad
a’s only congressman, and one of its two senators.
“Whether it includes a man, because he is the biggest meat packer in town, or not—I just really dont know, Bob, and that is why I solicit your advice.
“Please feel free to resubmit to me a reccomendation for reinstatement of any of the names,” Hughes concluded generously, “together with an explanation of what specific qualifications you desire to use as the controlling guidelines in reinstating them.”
Maheu had reached his limit. He had been filing an endless series of reports, justifying his proposed lists, explaining the qualifications of each proposed guest, quickly agreeing to drop those Hughes challenged, to add those he suggested, to drop the names added as the billionaire suddenly questioned invitations he had just insisted upon, submitting revised lists and revising the revisions.
It was all futile.
Every name added and every name deleted called into question all the other names, causing Hughes to re-analyze the entire list. Over and over again.
“I am certain that one submission back to me of the revised and shortened lists I have proposed will be sufficient,” he once more assured Maheu. “I am hoping to give you a green lite within an hour after you re-submit the lists.
“Re the opening date, etc., I urge you count the number after the revisions. It looks to me as tho the number, in total, after the revisions I have requested, will be small enough to permit one event only, which I strongly recommend .”
Hughes’s demand for yet another revised guest list came just after midnight, three days before the still tentative date of the grand Landmark party. He had lopped so many names off the list that the big gala could now fit comfortably in the hotel’s constantly malfunctioning elevator. He had not yet approved a single invitation. And he had stubbornly kept the opening date open.
Maheu finally lost control.
“Howard,” he exploded, “we don’t have a revised guest list because, as of right now, we don’t know whether we’re going to have one group or two groups—or any group. If we don’t have any invitees at all, then it becomes moot to furnish a guest list.
“I have given you the schedule of events about ten times now,” he raved at Hughes, who all along had been peppering him with questions about details of the still unscheduled party, especially about food for the still uninvited guests, which he refused to allow Maheu to order.
“Unfortunately, I have been so busy with this and many other of your problems, that I have no idea about the menu, except that, as I indicated to you in a previous memorandum, it will cost us about $10 per head to feed the beasts.
“At this point,” Maheu concluded, “I couldn’t care less whether we have an affair on the 30th, on the 1st, or whether we ever open up the damned joint. My recommendation to you, Howard, seriously, is that we put this whole caper aside, not take advantage of the fact that we can make the International look foolish, let them make us look foolish instead, and wait until you are satisfied that you have capable people around you to have your opening, at which time I wish you the greatest success.”
Hughes absorbed the diatribe with uncharacteristic calm. Having waited so patiently for Maheu to bite, he did not want to try to hook him too soon. Also, Hughes was himself hooked on the guest list. He was not willing to be diverted. Not quite yet.
“Bob, I dont think I have been unreasonable about this invitation list,” he wrote, replying with elaborate patience to his aide’s intemperate outburst.
“I honestly feel, Bob, that if I can bear to devote the time to go through this list, you should be willing likewise to do so.
“I am sure there will be another occasion like this some time, and if this list can be refined and analyzed to the end of the line, all this work will be done and not necessary to be repeated.”
With that, Hughes was off again, refining and analyzing with undiminished zeal, urging Maheu to go the last mile, not for the sake of this party alone, but for the Eternal List.
“Please consider the remaining names,” he continued. “I would appreciate the facts supporting invitations of these people, and I would also appreciate the names and qualifications of any other people you think should be added in the event these names are returned to the list.
“In other words, if these real estate men and contractors are restored, aren’t there other people in the same line of work whom, in all propriety, should be included?
“Re Morrie Friedman, please tell me the story on him.
“Also, Bob, I am awaiting a list of other auto dealers who perhaps should be included, in view of the fact that I have returned Ackerman to the list.”
Ackerman. The first name on Maheu’s first list. The one that had stopped Hughes right off. Ackerman had finally made it back onto the list. But the larger issue raised by his inclusion—what to do about the rest of the automobile dealers—still preoccupied the would-be host.
It remained a troubling inconsistency. Hughes, however, had promised Maheu a green light within an hour after receiving the latest revised guest list. Now, at 7:40 A.M. on June 28, twenty minutes ahead of schedule, Hughes, true to his word, gave the big go-ahead.
“Here, finally, is the first installment of names for the invitation list,” Hughes announced triumphantly.
“I have marked 3 of the names OK.
“I give my complete blessing to your going ahead and phoning these men.
“What time do you desire to ask them to arrive?
“As I understand it, there will be no written invitations. That is important.”
Three names. And one small problem. Hughes had still not told Maheu the opening date. He could not even invite the three guests Hughes had grudgingly approved.
Three. Maheu had been working day and night for weeks to put together the big party, having to call on all his skills as a clandestine operative to pull it off despite Hughes’s best efforts at sabotage. He had again gone without sleep to prepare the final revised guest list and humor his mad boss. Here was his reward. Three guests. No food. No opening date.
Maheu finally snapped.
“Howard, I really don’t know what you are trying to do to me,” he wrote more in pain than in anger, “but if your desire is to place me in a state of complete depression you are succeeding.
“Howard, I don’t mind making myself available to you every moment of the day, 24 hours a day. It is a hell of a sacrafice to do so, but your staff can verify that in the last 2½ years they have never spent but a few moments to locate me. I feel, however, that all of my efforts to cooperate with you in this matter are becoming an exercise of complete futility.
“Now, Howard, I am getting pretty damned disturbed about what seems to be developing into a compulsive need to give Bob hell,” he added, his anger rising. “I find it very depressing to pick up the telephone and, practically in each instance of the recent past, I am catching hell for what I did, or what I did not do. I am being second-guessed at each corner.”
The longer Maheu went on, the angrier he got. Finally, the scheming Jesuit lost all control, forgot his cold calculations, stopped caring about the consequences, and, as if this absurd party were what really counted, allowed himself to get drawn fully into the Landmark brawl.
“Now, Howard, this may come to you as a shock, but we are soon entering the realm of not being believable.
“All I know is that we have an opening taking place in a few days. Everyone seems prepared for it, except you. There have been many hours of sweat and blood poured into this project, and all we need is evidence of confidence from you. After all, Howard, in the last analysis, only you have something to gain or lose. In my present state of mind, I couldn’t care less if it takes place or not.”
But Maheu did care. Cared deeply. This was his party. It was his sweat and blood that had gone into planning it. And it was he, not Hughes, who was going to be up there in that bubble when the whole thing blew up.
“Howard, all I can tell you in conclusion, is that I have no desire to be iden
tified with a fiasco. But if you are so hell-bent on being the author of one, I am afraid that there is nothing else I can do to prevent you from accomplishing just that.
“If this whole thing means nothing to you, why in the hell should I be concerned about it?
“The opening, if we have one, is now only a few days away, and, as much as I want to help you, we have almost, already, run out of time.
“It is becoming urgent that we announce a definite date.
“If, on the other hand, Howard, you would prefer that I not be involved at all in the Landmark caper, just simply tell me, and you will never live long enough to see how quickly this Frenchman can make the disappearing act thru the nearest escape hatch.”
This was the moment Hughes had been waiting for. Maheu had finally taken the bait. Now it was time to reel him in.
“I am sorry,” Hughes wrote with a heavy heart that barely concealed his secret satisfaction, “but I cannot give a go-ahead on the Landmark until the situation of disaccord which has developed between us is put in better condition.”
It was all working out so well. Not only had he succeeded in drawing Maheu fully into the fight, but now the fight itself was a perfect excuse to keep the opening date open. Better yet, it was clearly Maheu’s own fault. And beyond all else, he had finally flushed out his partner’s true feelings, all the anger he feared, all the passion he desired.
“You keep telling me that I am imagining things when I speak of misunderstandings between us and that none exists except in my mind,” continued Hughes. “Then a time comes like this morning and you take the wraps off and expose a pent-up condition of resentment that is just boiling over.
“I do not agree with anything in your message—not anything at all,” he added.
“I think today is fortunate, in a way, because you have finally taken the wraps off and said what is on your mind, and what is at the root of all our troubles.
“It does no good to gloss over these things and pretend they dont exist,” Hughes went on, warming to his role as marriage counselor in his own stormy marriage. “If we dont lay them on the table in front of us, they will never be resolved.
Citizen Hughes Page 36
