“Really? Go ahead and tell Max. Tell him Georgie Shaw says, ‘no hoops,’ and if he doesn’t like it, that's a shame.” I paused, growing more upset at another unwelcome response. “No problem, Imogene. I’ll be happy to tell him that myself. Where is he? Uh-huh. I hear you. When isn’t Max in the middle of a big mess? I’ll take my chances. Goodbye.”
With that, I hung up the phone, slamming it but not nearly as loudly as I wanted to do. Then, before I could stop myself, I stuck out my tongue as if Imogene could see me. She didn’t, but someone else did.
“Georgie, you’re not going all Bridezilla on me, are you?” Leaning against the door frame in the entryway to my office, my fiancé, Jack Wheeler, had an expression on his face that feigned surprise. He was trying to mask a smile. It hadn’t even been a year yet since we’d met, but the man knows me well enough to hide his amusement when I’m peeved. Still, I could tell by the twinkle in his eye that he found the scene he had just witnessed funny. I leaned back in my chair and folded my arms across my chest.
“Did you hear all of it? That was an 8-year-old thing to do, I know, but she’s trying to convince me to wear a hoop skirt! When I said no, she threatened to tell Max on me—like she was going to tattle to daddy.” I suddenly felt embarrassed at having been caught making that silly gesture. I was still too furious to pull myself back into control entirely, however. “I’m not one of his Shepherdesses or some other character from a cartoon or movie he can dress up as he pleases. What kind of a madman wants a mature woman like me to wear a hoop skirt on her wedding day?” Jack stepped into my office and slipped into one of the chairs across from my desk. He wore a smile now—a sympathetic one.
“Mad Max, that’s who.” Mad Max is the moniker given to my boss and founder of the Marvelous Marley World entertainment empire where I’m Director of the Food and Beverage Division. After nearly three decades working for Maximilian Marley, you’d think I’d be better able to handle it when he goes off the rails.
“He’s supposed to give me away, not make me want to run for the nearest exit.”
“Okay, so forget Bridezilla, now you’re planning on becoming a runaway bride? You wouldn’t do that to me, would you? Leave me standing at the altar all alone?”
I should have responded “no” instantly, but I flashed on the idea of trying to force myself to walk down the aisle toward the man of my dreams in an enormous skirt, billowing out in every direction. In my mind, I wasn’t about to abandon him. I did have that skirt hiked up ready to run.
“No, I’d have a pair of cross-trainers on under that thing. I’d run up to the altar, grab your hand and pull you along behind me so we could do the sensible thing. Get married in a chapel in Vegas with an Elvis impersonator as our witness.”
The handsome detective I’m about to wed, has a much better sense of humor than I do. That revelation made him burst out laughing. At the sound of his laughter, my fury fled.
“I could handle that,” Jack said. “Vegas wouldn’t be the first place that came to mind as an alternative to Palm Springs, but I’d do it if that’s what it took to get you to walk down that aisle.”
“Why did I ever agree to have Max stand in for my deceased father? What was I thinking?” I leaned forward and propped my weary head on my hands. I should also have known better than to believe that we could pull a wedding together in a couple of months. Our wedding had gotten way out of hand once Max got involved and turned it into a Marvelous Marley World production.
“You thought that he cares for you as much as he ever cared about his daughter. A daughter he will never be able to escort down the aisle since she’s dead. You’ve known him for decades. Your fondness and loyalty toward him overrode reservations about the fact that your boss is not too-tightly-wrapped. His primary narcissism often gets the better of him even though he considers you a person dear to his heart.”
Jack’s voice had softened as he grew pensive. He had placed both hands behind his head in a gesture I had come to know and love. My Jack, the thinking man. Most often, Detective Wheeler prefers action. At times, though, he would settle in and do his best to put issues in proper perspective for me. That provided ballast as my fury or anxiety sent me overboard. Once again, it worked like a charm, and I found that sense of calm I had been grasping for earlier.
“Well, Dr. Detective Wheeler, that says it all. What do I do about it now? I’ll admit I’m upset. Not Bridezilla or a runaway bride moment. Let’s call this an ‘Oh, Rob’ moment.” Jack turned his head a bit to one side, a quizzical look in his eyes.
“A what?”
“A Laura Petrie ‘Oh, Rob’ moment. As in Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke—you know—Rob and Laura Petrie, remember them?” Recognition swept over Jack’s face as he nodded. “Except I refuse to break down and cry. Especially not so soon after you caught me sticking my tongue out at the telephone like a spoiled child.” I gave my desk a swat, to emphasize my unwillingness to give way to tears. A wave of nostalgia hit me.
“My mother loved that show. I used to watch the reruns with her, and she’d always laugh at Dick Van Dyke’s antics no matter how many times she’d seen him trip over a footstool. I don’t like slapstick, but I did like the way he supported his wife when she screwed up and had one of those ‘Oh, Rob’ moments. They reminded me of my parents.”
“A lot like mine, too, Georgie. Lucky people to find someone to rely on when a situation goes sideways. I’m sorry they didn’t live long enough to see us get hitched in Palm Springs or Vegas—wherever.”
“I’m going to have to go confront the guy and get tough with him. He may be a narcissist, but I come from stubborn stock. Besides, he promised not to micromanage my—our—wedding! We’ve already agreed to get married in Palm Springs to accommodate his desire to show off his New Arcadia Visitor Center.”
“At least he’s not demanding that we give up a church wedding to be the first couple married in New Arcadia. Palm Springs is gorgeous this time of year and that new visitor center is a showplace. A modern-day cathedral with those soaring ceilings and walls of glass. My only concern was that he couldn’t get it built in time and we’d be holding our wedding reception in a tent.”
“That doesn’t bother me, as long as I don’t appear to be wearing the tent. By the time we get to the reception we will have been married by a priest, in a church, so our parents won’t roll over in their graves. I love the vintage modernist architecture of St. Theresa’s.”
“There’s a nice symmetry to the idea of spending our special day in beautiful places that pay tribute to modernism, old and new.” That sweet, reflective mood still hung about Jack as he spoke those words.
“Yes, that is a pleasant thought—something old and something new. Something borrowed if I count Max as my borrowed father. All we need is something blue!”
“We could bring Miles and Ella to the proceedings. Those gorgeous blue eyes would do it.”
“Aw, wouldn’t that be sweet? Except that I can hear Miles’ booming voice echoing throughout the church the moment you’re supposed to say ‘I do.’ I’d prefer to hear you speak those words loud and clear.”
“I can out-boom Miles anytime. If it echoes, that’s even better. I want to make sure you hear it too, Georgie Shaw.”
Jack wore a devilishly handsome smile that gave me butterflies. If I were finally going to become a married woman after decades as a single person, I’d better handle the dress debacle.
“Are you starving? I may need back up when I speak to Max, depending on which Max is behind this latest ploy to take control of our wedding plans. My guess is that devil Max is on the loose.”
“Who?”
“Haven’t I already told you about the bizarre conversation I had with Max?”
“Maybe you did, but there have been so many conversations like that,” he sighed. I laughed.
“We weren’t alone at the time, so it’s one of the many reasons he’s earned the Mad Max nickname around here. He once told me that there are two Maxes.
An angel Max and a devil Max—one sitting on each shoulder telling him what to do. Sometimes one wins and sometimes the other.”
“I hope he doesn't mean that. Does he hear voices?”
“I don’t think so. Max doesn’t seem to be talking, outright, to the two of them.”
“The angel-devil conflict does offer insight into his erratic behavior. One way of explaining it. Probably not the most reassuring explanation to offer members of his management team.”
“I need to go knock that devil off his shoulder, or at least take it down a peg or two! I presume that’s the one issuing orders telling me to wear a hoop skirt on my wedding day. No angel would do that. Not to mention that the dress just so happens to resemble the one featured in the new Marvelous Marley World movie Max is making. I’m going to have to show devil Max what I think of being turned into a walking ad for The Lonely Swan Prince.” I stood up and pummeled the air with my fists, as I said, “Put ‘em up, go ahead, put ‘em up. How’s that?” That had Jack laughing and shaking his head.
Jack stood up too. When I stepped around from behind my desk and caught up to him, he swept me into his arms. He pulled me close, and I leaned my head against his chest. There went that moment of calm. My heart thumped, wildly, as Jack held me in that embrace.
“Um, backup’s a good idea, Georgie. I wouldn’t suggest you put your fists in the man’s face or stick your tongue out at him.”
I wanted to stay feisty and keep my dukes up, but Jack had put me in too good a mood. Why not run for that Vegas chapel right now? I wondered as I reached up and planted a kiss on Jack’s lips.
“That is stooping to Mad Max’s level, isn’t it? No kid stuff and no fisticuffs, I promise,” I said. “I am, after all, a grown woman.” I smiled in my most beguiling way—sure to fluster my betrothed. I’d learned lots about him, too, since we met during a murder investigation ten months ago. It worked.
“Don’t I know it, Myrna Loy,” Jack said referring to my favorite old Hollywood actress. He gave me a kiss worthy of a man who could deliver on that promise to provide backup. When we caught our breath, Jack was the first to speak.
“Where are we going?”
“To a wedding. A Marvelous Marley World wedding where it sounds like the bride has gone Bridezilla if Imogene’s correct. Max is messing with the wrong bride if he thinks he can make this one jump through hoops.”
2 The Ringmaster
Minutes later, we had driven from my office in the Marvelous Marley World Headquarters administration building to Max Marley Studios. Holiday decorations were out all over the World Headquarters office campus. Big red bows, candy canes, and large ornaments hung from street lamps. Banners with images of Marvelous Marley World characters clad in holiday getups were strewn overhead at intersections.
At night, the entire area was a wonderland that drew carloads of visitors. Families would park and stroll the area. Rope lights were wrapped around the trunks of the tall palm trees that lined the streets. Evergreens had been done up like Christmas trees with one enormous tree set up in the center of the corporate complex. It was a twin to the tree that had been set up in the Arcadia theme park nearby.
On weekends in December, Santa made visits, letting children tell him what they wanted him to bring them. A lovely, old world faux Santa was on display, with his sleigh and reindeer. Sitting next to him in Santa’s sleigh was an imposing figure of Marvelous Marley World’s most famous cartoon character, Catmmando Tom. The roads that led from the highway to the entrance of Arcadia Park danced with Max Marley’s version of Disney’s electric parade. Christmas tunes blared from speakers along that route that usually played nothing but Marvelous Marley World favorites from popular cartoons and movies.
I know it’s corny, but I love the excitement all the hoopla creates. Especially the bursts of joy from the children who visit. Children of all ages, I thought, as I felt a new flush of embarrassment about being caught in the act of allowing my inner child to throw a tantrum over a hoop skirt.
The studio complex has an impressive entrance, reminiscent of that used by Metro Goldwyn Mayer back in Hollywood’s heyday. Catmmando Tom is featured prominently instead of the MGM lion, however. The archways are even more imposing than the design used by Max’s most ardent rival, the Disney Company. Holiday decorations had been set out here, too. Two tall evergreens on either side of the gates displayed ornaments that sparkled in the sunlight.
“Ho-ho-ho, Georgie Shaw.” Said a guard wearing a Santa hat as he stepped out of his small gatehouse. He handed Jack a couple of candy canes as he leaned over, peered into the car, and greeted us. “Who’s this young fella with you today?”
“Big Al, meet Jack Wheeler,” I replied. Jack reached out and shook the big man’s hand. “Big Al’s worked at the Cat Factory longer than I have, Jack. If you ever need to know how to find your way around, Al’s the man to ask. Not just here on the studio grounds. Al knows his way around most of the properties in California since he’s spent time at all of them.”
“A few properties in other parts of the country, too. I used to go in with the opening teams and help set up security procedures. Even went to the Marvelous Marley World Island Resorts in the Bahamas—so I guess that makes my experience international. It’s been a while, Georgie. You’ve had quite a year working for The Cat with the trouble at Catmmando Mountain on Valentine’s Day and that break-in on Halloween.”
“That’s for sure. Let’s hope Christmas and New Year are uneventful,” I said.
“Hey, not too uneventful,” Jack said. “I have designs on the woman.” He raised both eyebrows a couple of times, clowning with Al.
“By that, he means we’re getting married.” I waved my hand that sported the engagement ring Jack had given me. “It’s probably dawned on him that he’s marrying a crazy woman. We got engaged right after the All Hallows’ Eve heist, and it was my bright idea to have a Christmas wedding.”
“That’s ambitious, Georgie. Smart, though, if you don’t want to give the guy a chance to change his mind.”
“That won’t happen, Al. I knew she was the woman for me when I saw her make a one-handed grab for a panicked, 7-foot-tall, white Persian cat seconds before that cat plowed into a pack of kids. Georgie caught Pursilla by the scruff of the neck and stopped her just like that.” Jack snapped his fingers. “She grabbed me then, too, even though I was standing in the middle of a crime scene.”
“Jack was the detective called in to investigate the murder at Catmmando Mountain. What a way to meet, huh?”
“You said it, Georgie! Confidentially, Jack, your story doesn’t surprise me one bit. The woman is known around here to have some skills,” Al said along with a big belly-laugh. “I’ll have to add one-armed cat wrestling to the list.”
“Make that one-armed, giant-cat-wrestling! It sounds like you have a few stories about my wife-to-be, Al. If I take you out for a burger and beer, will you give me the scoop?”
“I’d love to!” Al replied.
My mouth had popped open. What on earth was Al saying? Jack glanced my way and grinned devilishly.
“I can’t wait to hear them all.” Just then a car pulled up. Al looked up and acknowledged the car behind us, motioned to someone else in the gatehouse and the gate in front of us began to swing open.
“Where are you two headed?” I explained that I was going to speak to Max.
“He’s over on Soundstage 4 with the crew working on The Lonely Swan Prince. You don’t need directions, do you, Georgie?”
“No. It’s good to see you, Al.” I think, still pondering what stories he was going to share with Jack. “Merry Christmas!”
“Happy holidays and a merry Marvelous Marley World wedding to you, too.” He stood up straight, took a step back, and shook his head. “Stopped a runaway Pursilla with one hand! How do you like that?” I heard him mutter as he waved us on.
“The legend of Georgie Shaw grows,” Jack said, smirking as he drove through the gates.
“I didn
’t know there was a legend. If you stick around a place long enough, I suppose stories get around.”
“I’m sure there’s a little more to it than that. I can’t wait to have that tete a tete with Big Al. Do you think I should do it before I say ‘I do’?” He was teasing me now, so I tried to be a good sport.
“Go ahead. The sooner, the better. I’d love to hear what I’ve done around here that’s so legendary.” I couldn’t stop myself from harrumphing.
A large complex stretched out in front of us once we entered through those gates. More holiday decorations, including a toy shop that must have been a stage prop from a movie made years ago. It appeared familiar to me, but I couldn’t quite place it.
“That-a-way,” I said, pointing in front of us toward an imposing building that towered above the rest of the complex. As we got closer, we could see the new recently added façade featuring a large expanse of steel, cement and glass seemingly suspended in air.
“That’s what Max calls the ‘Marveling Room,’ Jack. It overlooks ‘Inspiration Garden’ that wanders into that wooded area behind the building.” As I spoke, I pointed to a parklike space filled with hedges, flowering plants, fountains, and benches. Interspersed were sculptures representing the legion of animated characters that gave rise to the Marvelous Marley World entertainment empire.
“It’s stunning. Max is daring, I’ll give him that.”
“Yes, there is something magical about it, isn’t there?”
“This studio complex is massive. Isn’t Max's movie-making magic all computer-generated at this point?”
“Most Max Marley productions do rely on computer graphics more than traditional soundstages with elaborate sets. Even when the studio makes live action films, they shoot a lot of the footage on location. Still, the studio hasn’t outgrown the use of soundstages altogether. This complex includes four. From the outside, they resemble large hangars like those used to house small aircraft. Two were built in the 80s when Max moved from little digs in Burbank where he first launched his career. When he moved more live action feature films into the mix of products, they needed much more space. A third soundstage was added in the nineties, and the fourth is less than a decade old.” I heard a little of the corporate tour guide in my voice as I shared that bit of studio history.
Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery Box Set Page 26
