Confessions of a Hollywood Agent

by William Louis Gardner

  When Dorothy came back from Washington she went into a picture at Paramount. Her studio loaned her out for the part. It was a big budget picture with name stars in the cast. Dorothy’s part was the mistress of a New York racketeer.

  Nathan was true to his word. There was no mention of their appearance in Washington. No more indictments, so Marsh International traded again on the stock exchange.

  Dorothy’s relationship with Nathan had cooled. Washington had caused the rift. Through the years Dorothy had given Nathan sex and the privilege to be able to tell his cronies how much money she cost him.

  She was his girl and expensive. What better way for Nathan to show off his money than through an expensive mistress. She had heard that he had a new mistress, some new starlet that could use his help. She’d miss his presents, but happily she didn’t have to see him again in her bed. He had made it happen for her. She wished him luck and happiness.

  Dorothy was spinning the marriage web. She made every effort to get Johannes to marry her. She had learned through observation that men don’t marry women, women marry men, and Johannes was a formidable task. He gave her no idea that he would marry her, so she plotted constantly to get him. He divorced his French wife which was one of the major obstacles to marrying him. He gave her expensive gifts: a diamond watch, three strings of twelve millimeter pearls, an emerald ring; but he hadn’t told her he loved her or spoken of the future. Teasing her with beautiful presents, but no talk of marriage, had her frustrated.

  When she finished her part in the picture, Johannes asked her to fly to Aspen, Colorado in his plane for a skiing vacation. They checked into a suite at the Jerome Hotel in downtown Aspen.

  Aspen was a quaint little village built at the foot of a mountain and in its early days silver was mined. Most of the homes were Victorian.

  Gary Cooper and his family spent time there in the winter skiing and brought attention to the place. Now it had become a major ski resort that rivaled Sun Valley. Skiing had become a major sport in the United States and attracted a large group of enthusiasts. Stein Ericson, the Olympic gold medal winner from Norway, ran the ski school and taught a new technique of skiing that everyone tried to learn.

  Dorothy saw how good she looked in Bogner ski pants and bought them in all colors with sweaters to match.

  Johannes had been skiing since his youth. Dorothy was new to the sport and took private lessons from Stein while Johannes skied on the upper mountain. They would meet for lunch at a restaurant at the bottom of Little Nel, a ski run near the town. She enjoyed the sport and was getting on to its technique, according to her instructor, Stein. She and Johannes acted like kids in the snow.

  The beauty of Aspen relaxed her. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so comfortable. All the pressures of Hollywood had disappeared, until she tried to ski by herself practicing what she had learned.

  A tall man skied up beside her and said. “Nathan sends his regards,” and skied off.

  The remark upset her. Will I ever get away from him? she thought.

  Sex with Johannes was like a dream. No more acting out phony climaxes, not with Johannes. What he did with her in bed made the real Dorothy, not the actress, cry out in the night. Johannes had changed. He wasn’t as cagey. He spoke to her with feelings and emotions. She could tell they were falling in love.

  He asked her to join him for lunch on the top of the hill and after lunch they would ski together down to the bottom. Dorothy was nervous. She didn’t think she was ready, but was willing to give it a try.

  She took the lift to the top. She marveled at the beauty of the snowcovered mountains in the distance and the serenity and quietness of the upper mountain. In the silent surroundings she could almost hear her heart beat. As she approached the top of the lift she knew she was going to fall when she got off, and she did. She was glad Johannes wasn’t there to see her make a fool of herself. There was no shortage of young men to assist her in getting up from the snow. She thanked them and proceeded cautiously over to the snow hut that served as the restaurant.

  When she took off her skis and entered, she saw Johannes sitting at a table that looked out over the Rocky Mountain range. She felt exhilarated with the view, the height, and how she felt about him. The wind had made her skin feel hot. She checked herself in a mirror when she walked by it and saw the rosiness of her cheeks and the clearness of her eyes. Johannes got up when she came to the table. She gazed into his eyes and could see her reflected beauty in his face.

  “I’m so embarrassed. I fell when I got off the lift,” she said smiling at him.

  “Ja, happens to all of us,” he said as she sat at his table.

  “I love Aspen. Do you think we could come back next year?”

  “We will. I was skiing with this man, and he told me he would like to sell his house. It’s over on Red Mountain right above the town. I told him we’d come over later and have a look.”

  Dorothy smiled. He said we. I love that word we, she thought.

  “Are you thinking of buying a home?”

  “Why not? I like it here. They say the summers are better than the winters. How about you, would you like to live in Aspen?”

  “You bet your handsome face I would. I’d move tomorrow if I could.”

  “Why couldn’t you?”

  “I work, darling, I’ve got a contract at the studio.” She peered at him closely but he said nothing more.

  After they had finished their leisurely lunch they went to put on their skis. Johannes helped her get hers on. He led the way as they started down the slope. Johannes took off slowly turning around keeping an eye on her as they skied down the mountainside. He gave her some tips on how to handle her skis, which improved her skiing immediately. He yelled out. “You’re doing well. Keep it up. Keep those skis together. Wunderbar, machen,” he said.

  Dorothy felt she was doing better with every turn. She had fallen twice coming down that long hill. Johannes was always there to help her back on her skis. He was so handsome in his ski clothes, she thought. It was the best time she had ever had with him. When they got to the bottom of the hill, they went back to the Jerome Hotel and sat in the bar telling each other stories of what a great day it had been.

  Johannes checked his watch. “Let’s see that house.” They left and drove up to Red Mountain. They came up to a large log and stone house sitting at the end of the road that peered out over Aspen Valley. They rang the bell and a man greeted them and welcomed them in. They walked into a massive living room constructed of logs with a stone fireplace where a fire burned and crackled at the end of the room. The floors were large wooden planks. Bright red Navajo rugs were scattered around. The furniture was covered in old Indian rug fabrics. An impressive collection of Indian baskets sat on a shelf in the corner.

  “How many bedrooms?” asked Johannes.

  “Four, a master and three others. Come, I’ll show you.” They followed the man through the house. Dorothy imagined how she would decorate it.

  “How much did you say you wanted?” he asked the man.

  “Two hundred thousand,” he answered.

  “If you throw in the furniture, we’ll take it,” he said.

  The man thought for a minute and said. “You got a deal.” He shook Johannes’ hand.

  “Would you excuse us for a minute?” Johannes opened the door for Dorothy and they walked out onto the broad deck.

  “Do you like it?” he asked.

  “Like it? I love it! I could be very happy here with you.”

  “Will you marry me?” he asked.

  She gazed at him with wonderment. “Yes, yes I’ll marry you.” She moved into his arms.

  A cold wind came up as they peered into the sky. They could tell a storm was on its way and returned to the house. Dorothy felt she had never been happier.

  Johannes talked over the details of the sale and said he would have his lawyer get in touch in the morning and they left for the Jerome Hotel. Dorothy held on to him, not wanting to let h
im go. When they came into the hotel lobby and got to the desk to pick up the key, the desk clerk handed Dorothy a message.

  “It’s from my agent. I’ll call him from the pay phone.” She pointed to a phone booth in the lobby.

  Johannes left and took the key and walked up an old staircase off the lobby.

  Dorothy got on the phone to Clint.

  “I’m getting married. Johannes has just proposed to me. We’re buying a house here and moving,” she said excitedly, rushing her words.

  “That’s the most stupid thing you’ve every said to me. What about your career? What about me?”

  “I’m quitting the business to become a housewife.”

  “Ha! You’re making it sound worse. You a housewife. Get a hold of yourself. If I were there I’d shake you to bring you to your senses.”

  “Why are you so nasty? Don’t you want me to be happy?”

  “You’re happy when you’re working in front of a camera.”

  “I need security in my life, and Johannes can offer me that.”

  “What happens when you get bored with him? And you will. The social life you think you want won’t be there. Remember your past, darling. There are more holes in it than a cheesecloth. It wouldn’t take much work for a private detective to put a thick file together on you, and it won’t be redeeming to a future husband. Some people shouldn’t get married, and you’re one of them. I never heard you discuss having a baby. Isn’t that what marriage is about?”

  “I can’t believe you are saying these awful things to me. You sound like you don’t want me to be happy. Johannes tells me he loves me.

  That’s all I care about. You’re just unhappy because you can’t find anyone. That’s why you’re being so mean.”

  “Meanness has nothing to do with it. I always thought that maybe, you and me could find a good reason to be together. We’re better suited for each other. Remember you put me where I’m at, and I helped it happen for you”

  “Ah, that’s it. You’re jealous. What are you calling me about?”

  “They need you back at the studio for retakes. You’ll have to come back tomorrow, because one of the leads is to be in Paris for another commitment. Can you get out of Aspen by tomorrow?”

  “I’ll try.”

  “It sure would make everything a lot easier if you do. Call me back with your schedule. I’ll meet you at the airport and take you to the studio. I love you, and I’m not going to say congratulations.” Clint hung up.

  When Dorothy left the phone she was confused. Maybe he’s right, she thought. She peered outside and saw a snowstorm on its way. The wind was blowing the snow into small drifts. She checked the barometer by the front desk and saw it falling as well as the temperature.

  The desk clerk watched her. “That blizzard is finally getting here.

  It’ll be no fun out tonight,” he said.

  Dorothy looked out again and then went to the stairway and up to the suite. When she got in the room, Johannes had already changed for dinner.

  “I have to go back to Hollywood tomorrow for some retakes. I hate to cut our wonderful vacation short,” she said.

  Johannes was concerned. “There’s a blizzard. I hope we can get off in the morning. I’ll call Tim, my co-pilot, and have him get the weather for tomorrow,” said Johannes as he went to the phone.

  Dorothy went into the bathroom and drew a hot bath. She poured strawberry Jell-o into the tub and removed her ski clothes and got into the steamy tub. The smell of strawberry came up around her neck as she lay back and stretched out in the large old-fashioned claw-foot tub. As the cold chill of the day disappeared from her muscle-sore body, she started to think back on the day she’d had, and imagined what their life would be like together. She’d have to spend time in Europe with him, which she looked forward to. It would be wonderful to have Johannes show it to her the way he knew it. Hollywood had served its purpose. She felt she wasn’t going to miss it. What better way to leave the business than on the top? She started thinking about what Clint had said. Clint had his nerve to bring up my past, she thought. Should she tell Johannes about her time in jail? No. That he’d never understand.

  She got out of the tub and dried herself with a large bath towel. She gazed at her reflection in the long mirror in the room and examined her body. It was no different to her than it did when she met Clint. Her soft pink nipples still made her look like a girl of twenty. Not bad for not doing exercise. I wonder, she thought, how long all of this is going to last. She put those thoughts out of her head for the time being and began to think about planning her wedding.

  She put on a pink sweater and a pair of pink stretch Bogner ski pants. She pulled her hair into a ponytail and tied it with a pink scarf.

  Her skin glowed from the hot bath. She checked herself in the mirror in the bedroom. She might look twenty, but didn’t feel it as a result of the new muscles she never knew were there before she began to ski.

  Johannes watched her as she entered the room.

  “How long do you think it will take before I can start skiing with you, darling?” she asked.

  “About another week of lessons and you’ll be going to the top of Aspen mountain every day,” he said. She was happy with that bit of information. “If you spend a season here you’d be a great skier.

  “It’s too bad we have to leave tomorrow. Did you hear from the pilot?”

  “Ja, he called while you were in the bath. He said the blizzard was going to last into tomorrow. I don’t like this airport. It can be unsafe at times, but we have the instruments to get off and above the storm.”

  “Honey, let’s stay in tonight and have room service. It’s our last night together. I want to be with you alone,” she said sitting on his lap.

  He gave her a small pinch and she let out a tiny squeal.

  “You’re tickling me,” she said as he turned her over and they fell onto the floor next to the bright fire. He rolled over on top of her gazing into her face.

  “Johannes, you have made me the happiest little girl alive.”

  “That’s good. I like little girls,” he said as they embraced. The phone rang. Dorothy said. “Let it ring.”

  “I’m expecting a call from Europe,” he said and got up to answer.

  “Hello.”

  A voice said. “Miss Dorothy Winters, please.”

  “Who’s calling her?”

  “The White House,” said the voice. “She said it was the White House.” Dorothy got up and left for the bedroom and said. “I’ll take it in here.” And closed the door. She picked up the phone and listened for Johannes to hang up.

  “Hello.”

  “Is this Dorothy Winters?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hold for the President.” said a female voice.

  “Hi, Red. I’m glad I found you. I’m coming to Palm Springs this weekend. I want see you there. I will be staying at Frank Sinatra’s house. Kenny O` Donnell will call you when all the plans are formulated. I’m looking forward to seeing you again. You’ve been on my mind. It will be lovely to renew our friendship. We can lie around the pool and get some sun. It’s cold in Washington and I’m looking forward to some California sun.”

  “Oh, Jack, I can’t wait to see you again. I’ll be there. I just got a new bikini from Rio. You’ll like how it fits me.”

  “I can’t wait. I have another call to take. I’ll see you then, Red.

  Bye.” He hung up.

  Dorothy felt excited. He likes me, I can tell. I have to think up a special presidential trick for him, she thought.

  The room service waiter had come while she was on the phone and set the table. She came back into the room, felt flushed, and acted vague. Clint was right. I’m just an old hooker. I can’t seem to figure out my priorities. Johannes tells me he wants to marry me, and I’m all excited about what I’m going to do with the President.

  Johannes helped her into her chair and sat down. He picked up the bottle of iced champagne that the waiter had ope
ned and poured Dorothy a glass and then his own.

  “Was that Kennedy calling you?”

  “Yes. He called about a benefit he wanted me to appear at.”

  “It must be an important event to call you personally. Doesn’t he have a staff that does that?” He lifted up the glass in a toast.

  “May our lives be full of happiness and love,” he said as he raised his glass and they both drank.

  Dorothy put her glass down. “That’s a lovely toast. Thank you for making it,” she said.

  “Now that we’re going to the altar, will you want to work after we’re married?”

  “I’ve been working since I was six years old. I have never had a childhood. My teen years were all work, too. I’m through forever. I only want to be Mrs. Johannes Dietrich, your hausfrau.” A smile came to Johannes and he picked up his glass to make another toast.

  “To miem schoen hausfrau.” Dorothy clicked her glass against his and they both laughed.

  “There’s something I have to tell you. I haven’t mentioned it because I didn’t think it was important, but I want to clear everything between us before we get married. I’m Jewish. Does that make a difference to you?” she asked looking into his pale blue eyes.

  Johannes facial expression changed. His eyes went icy cold.

  “I can see by your expression it does. I’m absolutely amazed.

  You’re prejudiced! I was told you were a Nazi, but I didn’t want to believe it. I thought they were jealous, but I see I was wrong. You told someone you were Hitler’s godson. Is that true? I think I need an explanation.”

  Johannes got up and went to the window and peered out. “It’s true.

  I am, but by decree. During the war Hitler wanted more children born to fight in the war. To get the people to do this he issued a decree, that the seventh son would automatically become his godson. It worked, the German people started having more children, I was a seventh son and to all in Germany a very special person.”

  Dorothy stared at him with disbelief. “You could never marry me, I’m a Jew. How could I ever explain you to my Jewish friends, if I married you? This is awful. Don’t just stand there. Say something!”