Stuart put his head in his hands. ‘Jesus Christ. Surely your source is wrong.’
‘I wish it wasn’t true,’ said Nerida.
‘Goddamn it!’ He waved his fist. ‘How the hell did the tabloids know before us? I thought he and his agent had this deal signed!’
‘I believe his agent had been stalling.’
‘We offered him more money! Extra benefits! What more does he want?’
‘Top billing. Looks like he’s got it from Moonlight Studios,’ Nerida said matter-of-factly.
‘Why didn’t we give that to him?’ Stuart’s face was so red Lena worried he would have a heart attack.
‘Because Jeanne ensured Reeves Garrity was our number one studio actor when she renewed her contract last year.’
‘Goddamn diva,’ he mumbled. ‘Why didn’t Montreaux come to me before signing with them? Isn’t there a clause in the Fortitude Studios contract saying he has to sign with us for eternity?’
‘Not quite. We—’
‘Bloody lawyers. The ungrateful bastard will regret doing this.’ Stuart’s fist pounded the desk so hard his coffee cup bounced off the saucer. ‘This is the last thing we need! I’ll call the lawyers. You figure out what we do about the gaping hole left by Jeanne.’
‘I’ll give Ernie from casting a call. Get him in here,’ said Nerida.
‘No, we’re fixing this right now. You’re the one who’s going to be handling this publicity nightmare anyway. The last thing we need is for our studio to be the centre of another scandal. First Jeanne, now Montreaux.’ He snapped a pencil. ‘This studio will be the death of me.’
Nerida rubbed the back of her head. ‘Everyone is tied up on other projects, except …’ She looked at Lena then Stuart. ‘Lena has some free time.’
‘No, I don’t. I’m filming with Pierre in … oh.’
Stuart lit a cigarette and sucked on it. ‘You could be Jeanne.’
‘Excuse me?’ The last person she’d ever want to be compared to—or be—was Jeanne Harris.
Stuart tapped his cigarette against the ashtray. ‘I have no idea how long it will take Jeanne to dry out—if she ever does—and I can’t have Reeves Garrity kicking around the studio and twiddling his thumbs. Same goes for you, Lena. It makes perfect sense for you two to do this film. We’ve just started so we could cut Jeanne and use you.’
‘We don’t know if they have any on-screen chemistry,’ said Nerida.
‘They’ll find it,’ Stuart puffed. ‘They’re both attractive and can actually act.’ He laughed and slapped the desk. ‘Why haven’t we paired them before? They’ll be perfect!’
‘Because Lena works with Pierre and Jeanne works with Reeves. We’ve not separated them for a reason—audiences want the same couples in different roles. Although … maybe a change is good. We certainly can’t go on the way we have, especially given the circumstances now.’
Lena shuffled on the chair. ‘I’m not so sure this is a good—’
‘She’s perfect,’ said Stuart, not taking his eyes off her. ‘When she did an on-the-spot audition for me she played the siren—just what we need for this role.’
‘But I’ve always played wholesome parts. That’s what my fans expect and love me for. Plus, Pierre and I play the quintessential couple with strong morals.’
‘So much for Montreaux and morals,’ spat out Stuart. ‘You’re taking her place. For the next little while when in public you’ll be heartbroken, burying yourself in tubs of ice-cream or whatever it is that women do when they’ve been jilted, but behind the scenes we’ll be getting you ready for your new role. You’ll need to pull out the best acting you’ve ever done and convince the public you are devastated.’ Stuart rested against his chair.
‘I am devastated that Pierre left the studio. And I’m also furious.’ With the amount of time they’d spent together every week, surely Pierre could have dropped a hint. Oh. He absolutely had. Well, changes are afoot. How could she have not picked that up? Although she’d been so wrapped up in her own concerns she’d missed Pierre’s clues.
‘Lena? Will you do it?’
‘Do what?’ She hated the way her voice had gone up an octave, but the rising panic was hard to quell.
‘Will you play the role of the heartbroken lover?’
‘About Pierre leaving the studio?’ She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. ‘No.’
‘What?’ Stuart’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
Nerida gave a quick shake of her head.
‘I’m done with misleading the public about an affair that never happened. I won’t ever admit to it being a charade. Don’t worry, I’ll protect the studio. And I am sad that Pierre’s left as I actually enjoyed working with him even though he drove me crazy at times. His betrayal upsets and angers me beyond words. However, I refuse to play the role of the heartbroken jilted girlfriend whose life has fallen apart because she doesn’t have a man. I’m going to demonstrate to women everywhere that being single is not the end of the world. It is a chance to hold your head high and move on with things that make you happy and to continue with your own dreams.’
Stuart put his elbow on the desk and rested his forehead in the palm of his hand. He muttered, ‘If it’s not one thing, it’s another.’
‘I wouldn’t do this unless I felt strongly about it,’ she said, terrified she’d just leaped over the very fine line between being offered a new contract or not.
‘Why?’ Stuart threw his arms wide. ‘Why are you doing this to me?’
‘Why?’ she asked, incredulous. ‘This isn’t about you, Mr Cooper. It’s about the Hays Code that has done its darndest to stamp out people’s freedom. They’ve been dictators by deciding what people should or shouldn’t see. The public is smart enough to make up its own mind. The stories we tell in movies and the way actors’ lives are presented in public can inspire—not just entertain—so why can’t I show young women that it is not a tragedy if they endure heartache?’
Stuart stared at the ceiling as if begging for patience. Or a lightning bolt to strike him dead. ‘This is not an opportunity for you to get on your soapbox.’
Nerida covered her mouth and coughed. ‘She has a point.’
‘Not you, too,’ said Stuart.
‘Think about it. Jeanne Harris has been the studio’s leading woman for quite some time. She’s had public brawls, been arrested, fallen in gutters, flirted openly with married men … you name it. Now she’s in rehab and even though we’re trying to keep it under wraps it won’t be long before it leaks. I hate to say it, but my female friends gave up on Jeanne Harris a while ago. The only reason they go to her movies is to watch Reeves Garrity. The role meant for Jeanne in Monterey Nights is a sassy one and is totally out of character for Lena, but she’s just suffered a public break-up and is no longer part of one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming couples. So …’
‘So, reinventing herself is a good thing?’ asked Stuart.
‘Of course it is!’ said Nerida. ‘She will be doing the exact opposite to what people expect. Everyone loves surprises.’
‘I detest them.’ Stuart pushed away from the desk and paced the room, his hands clasped behind his back. ‘You really think this will work?’
‘Absolutely!’ Nerida’s enthusiasm bolstered Lena’s spirit.
Stuart reached for another cigarette, lit it, and offered one to Lena. She shook her head. Nerida grabbed one and lit it quickly. She inhaled deeply, and a smoky cloud wafted above her perfect coiffure.
Stuart rubbed his chin vigorously. ‘Fine. But,’ he held up a finger, ‘this is not going to turn into some farce where women get all up in arms and block the studio driveway demanding things.’
‘I promise you, it won’t.’ If Pierre was going to do the dirty on her then she had every right to have a win, no matter how big or small. ‘This will all be done with dignity.’
‘Her fans will lap it up.’ Nerida leaned forward, her excitement palpable. ‘This could really turn things around—take the
focus off both Jeanne and Pierre and turn the light onto Lena and Reeves.’
‘Oh no!’ Lena said a little too loudly. ‘We are not becoming a fake couple.’
‘No, no, not what I meant at all,’ said Nerida. ‘Far from it. In fact, if you and Reeves became romantically entangled it would look like you’ve had an affair behind Pierre’s back and he left because of it. It would also be detrimental to Reeves if he were to start a romance while Jeanne was in rehab.’
‘So, we’re just two professionals doing our best for the studio,’ she said.
‘Correct,’ said Nerida. She turned to Stuart. ‘Does that work for you?’
Stuart grunted then followed with a nod.
‘Great!’ Nerida stood.
Stuart’s gaze travelled from Lena to Nerida. ‘Go on, get started. You’ve both got a lot of work ahead of you.’
Lena followed Nerida out of the room and into her office.
‘What happened back there?’ Lena asked.
‘A major change for the studio.’ She trawled through a pile of magazines and scripts.
‘I’m worried this will push Jeanne over the edge.’ Lena sat on the chair and rubbed her temples.
‘The best thing we can do right now is get on with making movies. Stuart will make sure Jeanne is looked after and gets the help she needs. There’s nothing you or I can do right now that will help her.’
The throbbing in her temples grew worse. ‘I just can’t believe … I have no words.’
‘Well, you’re going to need to study these words in a hurry.’ Nerida handed over a script.
Lena stared at the script titled Monterey Nights. ‘How can Stuart put so much faith in me and Reeves when he’s never seen us act together?’
‘Stuart Cooper did not become head of the studio because he takes risks that won’t pay off. Everything he does is for a reason and he’s always right.’
‘He can’t always be right. He didn’t see Pierre with his foot out the door.’
‘Fine, Stuart is right most of the time. We need the focus off Jeanne and Pierre now. Everything will work out, don’t worry.’
‘The Worry Train has already left the station and it’s just delivered me to Panic City.’ She tried to keep the tone light because if she let the seriousness of the situation—situations—affect her she’d be paralysed with fear.
‘Just go home and start learning your lines. It’s the best script I’ve seen in a long time. You will love it. Between you and me, I’d always thought this role was better suited to you than Jeanne.’
‘So why didn’t I get it?’
‘Because Reeves Garrity is one hundred per cent perfect in the role and he is … was … Jeanne’s leading man. We’d never thought of pairing you and Reeves but now that we are, I have absolutely no doubt this will work.’
Lena stared at the script lying innocently on her lap. ‘Who’s going to inform Mr Garrity of his new leading lady?’
Nerida looked expectant. ‘You?’
She shook her head. ‘That’s not my job.’
‘You do know him, though.’
Lena prayed the heat rushing across her face didn’t show on her skin. ‘Yes, we’ve met a few times.’
‘No problems?’
‘What?’ It came out quickly and she wondered if she sounded too defensive. ‘Why would we have problems?’
‘Personality clashes happen.’
‘Definitely no personality clash.’ Far from it, in fact.
‘Good, good.’
‘Yes. Good,’ Lena said. What else could she say?
‘Look, I’ll talk to Reeves and tomorrow we’ll meet with Stuart to discuss how we’ll approach this change in events. The studio will need to plan this very carefully.’
‘Indeed.’
‘It will all work out brilliantly, Lena.’ Nerida’s tone sounded motherly and a pang of homesickness struck. It always knocked her about when it came out of the blue.
‘I hope so,’ Lena said, feeling as fragile as the vase on Nerida’s desk.
CHAPTER 25
1952 – Hollywood
The next day Lena sat in Stuart’s office, her lips dry, a lump in her throat. Nerida sat between her and Reeves, who had smiled as he entered the room but they were yet to exchange words. She’d considered talking to him the night before, but she’d barely been able to comprehend the changes herself. All she needed was time but given the tight schedule that had now landed in her lap, time was a luxury.
Lena stifled a yawn, wishing she’d had more than two hours’ sleep.
‘And that’s it,’ said Stuart, wrapping up the meeting. ‘As far as you two are concerned, you’ve both put aside your personal heartache over Jeanne and Pierre and have now stepped up to the plate because you don’t want to disappoint your fans.’
‘They’ll buy that?’ asked Reeves. ‘Are you sure no one will work out where Jeanne is?’
‘I’m not paying through the nose for someone to blab that she’s in rehab. As far as everyone outside this room knows, she’s had a minor health setback but will be recovered and shooting her next movie in no time.’ He looked at Lena. ‘I take it you’ve read the script.’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Although I wondered …’
‘What?’ Stuart didn’t bother hiding his annoyance.
‘In the past I’ve had a role similar to this that was written out.’
Stuart lit a cigarette and offered one to Nerida. ‘It’s already been vetted and we know it will pass.’
‘It will?’ she asked, surprised.
‘All you need to concern yourself with is learning your lines and we’ll look after everything else.’
She chanced a glance at Reeves, who focussed outside the window behind their boss. ‘Actually, there’s one more thing,’ said Lena.
‘You better not be asking for the moon.’
‘Not at all.’ She took a moment to compose herself, mindful this could fall in a heap very quickly. Lena didn’t like holding her boss’s feet to the flame but her reasons were entirely unselfish. ‘About the women at the studio, especially the chorus girls.’
Stuart grunted.
‘They have a hard life with the long hours they put in. They know the chance of them being discovered is miniscule and they always put in one hundred per cent—for a pittance. Many of these girls are living in small apartments with ten others. They eat one meal a day. They sleep three to a bed. Something has to change.’
‘They chose this industry.’
‘Regardless, they should be paid fairly for their work.’
‘They are.’
‘Not compared to the men in the chorus. I’ve checked. The men earn forty per cent more than the women. Forty per cent!’
Stuart looked at Reeves, who shifted in his chair.
Reeves rested his elbows on his knees. ‘She’s right.’
‘Of course she’s damn right but it doesn’t mean I can start yanking money out of the company account and give everyone an instant pay rise! I’d be broke! They’re hired for a job, they’re offered a certain amount of money and they accept it or they don’t.’
‘Obviously they’re going to accept it,’ said Lena. ‘They don’t really have a choice.’
‘There’s always a choice.’ Stuart’s face turned red and he clenched his fists. ‘What do you want me to do about it?’
‘I want the women to be paid the same as the men. That’s all.’
‘That’s all?’ He jumped up and started pacing. ‘That’s all?’
‘Yes.’
‘And I suppose you want to earn the same money as Garrity?’
Although this hadn’t been on her agenda, she certainly liked the idea. Before she lost nerve, Lena said, ‘Yes.’
Stuart pulled at the hair near his temples. ‘You are going to send me broke!’
‘That’s not my intention. All I’m asking is for fair pay for everyone.’
‘Good god.’ Stuart flopped onto his chair. ‘If you ever give up acting yo
u’d be an excellent politician.’
* * *
Lena sat under a shady tree in Cavendish Park, her bare feet rubbing lightly against the grass. The scent of roses and purple sage hung in the air and birds dipped between the overhanging trees above. She alternated between chewing on the end of the pencil and using it to mark up the script that had been her main focus for the past twenty-four hours.
Thoughts of Pierre and Jeanne occasionally popped into her head and she reminded herself that Stuart had things under control. She prayed he wasn’t feeding her a pile of manure. Though why would he? Certainly it would be in his best interests to keep her happy given she was about to step into her biggest role to date and he desperately needed her. He also knew her well enough to know she would be keeping a keen eye on developments.
‘Coffee?’ Reeves sauntered over, his broad shoulders perfectly filling out his grey suit. He carried a picnic basket and sat down on her tartan blanket.
‘Yes, thanks.’ She put down the script while he pulled out a thermos and two metal mugs.
‘Cream?’
‘Black, thanks.’
He passed her the mug and she took a sip. The thick, black coffee sent a zing down her spine. ‘This is so good!’
‘Cookie?’ He proffered a plate of chocolate chip delights.
‘Did you make these?’
‘No, no. One of my fans delivers them to the studio every Tuesday.’
‘Are you serious?’ she asked.
‘Absolutely.’
‘She could poison you!’ Lena picked up a cookie and examined it.
‘I don’t know many eighty-year-old ladies whose goal in life is to poison actors.’
‘She’s eighty?’ Lena took a bite and marvelled at the combination of gooey chocolate and buttery cookie. ‘Mmmm. These are incredible.’
‘Mrs Schultz makes some pretty mean cookies. You should try her cakes!’
‘Is she trying to make you fat?’ Lena wiped the crumbs from her mouth and eyed off another cookie. No, no. Don’t do it. But oh … so good!
‘She lost her husband two years ago and all her children and grandchildren are scattered around the country.’ Reeves offered her another one and she took it, refusing to give in to the guilt.
The Cinema at Starlight Creek Page 24
