Victor declined, then asked, ‘What’s a beautiful, bright, high-class girl like Hélène doing with that slimy snake-in-the-grass Lazarus?’
‘God knows.’ Nick returned to his chair. ‘In any event, I promised her she could rely on my absolute discretion, should I have the misfortune to be in Mike Lazarus’s company in the near future. We finished lunch in a more relaxed manner, and that was that. Natalie flew in from Hollywood for a few days, and I forgot all about Hélène and her involvement with Lazarus. Until yesterday morning. She called me from her mother’s apartment, sounding very secretive and nervous, and asked me to meet her there within the hour. I didn’t know what it was all about. Obviously. But I think enough of Hélène to trust her judgment. I’m glad I do. Last Friday she was having dinner with Lazarus in his suite at the Plaza-Athénée, when he received a call. It was either from New York, or the Coast, Hélène wasn’t sure—’
‘And she heard something of importance about the picture, is that it?’ Victor interrupted.
‘Yep.’
‘Look, I don’t want to throw aspersions on Hélène’s veracity, or whatever, but I hardly think a man like Mike Lazarus is going to discuss important business in front of a girl friend. He’s secretive and paranoid, among other things.’
‘I agree with you. And perhaps someone less bright than Hélène would not have been able to put two and two together and make six. It was all pretty cryptic. However, a number of things he said led her to believe he was referring to us, and our picture, although he didn’t actually mention any names.’
‘Then how can she be so sure?’ Victor demanded, giving Nick a doubtful stare, one brow lifting.
‘Because he had some scathing things to say about a screenplay by an esoteric novelist who is also a Rhodes Scholar, to quote Hélène quoting him. He was also extremely disparaging about a movie star who thought he was a producer, who was suffering from la folie des grandeurs. Again, that’s a direct quote. It has to be us, Vic.’
Straightening up in the chair, Victor said, ‘O.K. I’ll grant you that. Now shoot. Give it to me straight.’
Nick took a deep breath. ‘He wants a new script by another writer. He won’t approve of an unknown actress playing the female lead. He thinks the budget is astronomically high. He discussed that at great length, by the way, with whoever was on the other end of the line. Hélène distinctly heard him say he thought it was padded, that three million dollars couldn’t be justified, couldn’t possibly show up on the screen. He seemed to think, from the tenor of his conversation, that he was about to be bled dry and robbed blind. Finally, he said he was going to remove the producer if he didn’t toe the line, and make him do what he did best. Acting.’
‘The son of a bitch!’ Victor exclaimed quietly, and his black eyes flashed dangerously. ‘What makes him think he can take over my film without so much as a by your leave! A project I’ve worked on for almost a year!’
Nick said evenly, ‘Because he has unmitigated chutzpah and also because he’s holding the cheque book. That’s why he thinks he can take over. And you know it.’
Victor gazed at Nick silently. Then he nodded, and after a long moment, he said, ‘Lazarus is correct about the budget, Nicky. It is too high. Mind you, it’s not padded. Merely erroneous.’ He glanced at the desk. ‘I’ve been sitting there all morning, cutting production costs.’ He related the conversation he had had with Jake Watson the previous evening, and went on, ‘I’m trying to bring the picture in at two million dollars.’
‘That ought to more than satisfy Lazarus,’ Nick said. ‘But there’s still the question of the script, and your position as producer—’
Cutting in, Victor said, with unusual sharpness, ‘Lazarus knows he cannot, and I repeat cannot, remove me as producer under any circumstances, however much screaming he does. He’s obviously trying to pull one on. And as the producer I have the final word on the script, and Lazarus knows that too.’
‘Even so, I honestly think he’ll give you trouble about casting an unknown in the Catherine Earnshaw role.’ Nick stopped, wondering uncertainly whether or not he should go on, and then he plunged in: ‘Listen, Vic, perhaps that is a bad idea. I know you can carry the picture yourself, that you don’t need any other big-name stars backing you up, but maybe Lazarus does have a point. Why even bother to test Katharine Tempest? Why don’t you give the part to an established movie actress, and save yourself additional problems with Lazarus?’
Victor shook his head. ‘No, Nicky. I’m testing Katharine.’
Nick observed him closely, and noting the adamant set of his jawline, he refrained from comment. He wondered to himself if Victor and Katharine were romantically involved, and quickly dismissed the idea as highly unlikely. But even if they were, the days of the casting couch were long since gone. Besides which, Victor was too shrewd, too tough and too much of the businessman to fall into that dangerous trap. He wouldn’t take any chances with his career, or his money, for a quick fling with a passing fancy. Notwithstanding, Nick was curious. ‘Why are you so keen on testing her?’
‘Because I gave her my promise, and because in a way she has earned it. Of course, there’s another reason, the most important reason of all. I just happen to believe she would be perfect in the part. There’s a kind of wildness in her, a fire, that reminds me very much of Cathy in Wuthering Heights. I think she would be as good as Merle Oberon in the role, perhaps even better. It strikes me Katharine Tempest has a lot more vivacity and spirit. If she tests the way I hope she will, I’m going to put her in the picture, and to hell with my backers, whoever they are.’ Victor’s mood changed abruptly, and he gave Nick a smile that hinted at his satisfaction. ‘I’m also going to sign her to a contract with Bellissima Productions. You see, I have a sneaking feeling Katharine Tempest is going to be a big star one day, although I wouldn’t say that to anyone else but you until after I’ve seen the test. Look, trust me. I know what I’m doing. From the very first moment I met Katharine I have felt that she has that—that indescribable thing, that IT. Charisma. Star quality. Whatever you want to call it. If she can project this quality to the camera, and I hope she can, then she’s home free. She’ll be very, very big. If she can’t—’ He pursed his lips regretfully. ‘Well, she’ll go on being a brilliant actress. On the stage.’ Now he chuckled, his eyes merry. ‘I don’t know why you haven’t spotted this quality in her yourself.’
‘As a matter of fact, I have. But—’ Nick’s voice trailed off and he lifted his shoulders in a weary gesture. ‘Look, Vic, I have to repeat that Lazarus will never go for the idea of an unknown actress in this role, however good she is. He seems hell bent on getting a big female movie star to play opposite you. You know something else? I have a strong suspicion he’s going to arrive in London before you can blink. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he’s here already.’
Victor rose and poured himself another Scotch. ‘I might as well tell you, I’ve been seriously thinking of dumping Lazarus.’ This was uttered with casualness, indifference even, and he looked unconcerned. ‘In fact, the thought’s been hovering at the back of my mind for a couple of weeks. He’s an autocratic, interfering bastard. A megalomaniac. And just because he runs a giant multinational corporation doesn’t mean he knows how to produce a movie, although he undoubtedly believes he does. But he’s a rank amateur in our business. It has struck me innumerable times lately, and quite forcibly, that I’m letting myself in for a lot of headaches if I take him into Bellissima Productions. Or rather, let him invest in the picture. I’m sorry I ever got involved with him, to tell you the truth. And what I’ve just heard from you makes me more wary than ever. I think I have to lose him, and quickly.’
‘Jesus, Vic! That would be great. But how are you going to get rid of him? I thought you had a contract.’
‘A contract was drawn between Bellissima Productions and Lazarus, but I haven’t signed it yet. There were a couple of clauses in it that bothered me, and I sent it over to my solicitor here. A copy has als
o gone to my lawyer in Beverly Hills. I’m waiting for their opinions before I sign. So you see, I can dump him any time I want, without fear of repercussions. As yet, Mike Lazarus hasn’t invested a nickel, you know. So basically, he has no claims whatsoever. I’m still in the driver’s seat.’ He settled back, looking smug.
‘But how will you finance the picture without him?’ Nick asked worriedly.
‘Ah, and therein lies the rub, to quote good old Will Shakespeare. To be honest, I don’t know right now. I hadn’t wanted to go to one of the majors for financing as well as distribution, but I might have to in the end. Anything is better than Lazarus. Metro might be interested. What do you think?’
Nick frowned. ‘I honestly don’t know. They might not be too excited by a remake of Wuthering Heights. Did you see that story in Variety a couple of weeks back? The exhibitors were sounding off about remakes, and in very strong terms. They think they are box office poison, that people aren’t interested in them.’
‘Oh come on, sport, forget it, and let me worry about the timeliness of the picture, the money, and all that jazz. I think Hélène’s information about Lazarus has spooked you a bit. For God’s sake, don’t let’s get depressed about that joker. I’ll find a way to pull the deal together. Now, why don’t we get out of here? I’d like some fresh air and a brisk walk. Shall we mosey on up to the Connaught Hotel for lunch? It’s the whole enchilada on Sunday.’
‘That’s a great idea,’ Nick said, trying to sound cheerful.
‘Give me five minutes to get dressed. And help yourself to another drink while you’re waiting.’
‘Thanks, I will.’ Nick stood up and walked over to the bar cart, deep in thought. He turned. ‘I say, Vic, can I ask you something?’
‘Sure.’ Victor paused at the bedroom door, his hand resting on the knob, conscious of the gravity in Nick’s tone.
Nick’s face was unusually solemn. ‘Assuming you definitely decide not to go ahead with Mike Lazarus as your main backer, what will you do if you can’t get financing from one of the majors, such as Metro, Twentieth or Warners?’
A thoughtful look drifted across Victor’s face, and he cleared his throat. ‘I’ll have to abort the production. Cancel the picture. I’ll have no alternative,’ he said with some deliberation, having already confronted this possibility and made his decision. ‘The pre-production money will go down the drain unfortunately, but there’s not much I can do about that. And thank God it won’t cripple Bellissima Productions. It can be written off as a tax loss.’ He sighed lightly. ‘C’est la guerre, old buddy.’ He gave Nick a lopsided grin and went through into the bedroom.
Cancel the picture, Nick thought, staring after him, staggered, disbelieving. After all the hard work they had put into it. Jesus Christ! Not only the pre-production money would go down the drain, but a year of their lives as well. Yet Nick knew Victor meant every word. Things were always carefully evaluated and well thought out before he made a judgment. His decisions were nothing if not judicious and pragmatic.
Nick felt his own sharp disappointment as he considered the screenplay he had laboured on so diligently and with such love these past endless months. He knew it to be one of his best pieces of writing, and he suddenly felt sick at heart at the idea of its never seeing the light of day.
You’re being selfish. You’re only thinking about yourself, he muttered, carrying his drink over to the window. He parted the curtains and looked out, but saw nothing except a dim blur of grimy buildings washed in wintry sunlight. But a lot of other people will be disappointed too, thought Nick sadly, not the least Victor, who had dreamed of making Wuthering Heights for the longest time, was aching to play Heathcliff for the sheer challenge the role offered to him. Nick knew Victor wanted to stretch his talent, was weary of being thought of simply as an immense presence on the screen.
He and Victor would recover from their disappointment relatively quickly, as would the production team, and move on to other projects. Victor had several offers for future films lined up, and he himself had a new novel fermenting in his head, and was anxious to start working on it as soon as possible. Yes, he and Victor were lucky in that respect. They would cut their losses, lick their wounds and walk away reasonably unscarred. But what of Katharine Tempest? She was staking everything on the screen test and the role in the film. It was a rare chance for her to catapult herself into the big time with unusual speed. Without Victor and this film it could be years before she was offered another such incredible break. If ever. Undoubtedly Katharine had put all her chips on this roll of the dice. She could win big. Or lose hard. And if she lost she would be devastated. Nick knew all of this although he had never been the recipient of any confidences from her. He simply knew it through intuition.
Nick let his thoughts dwell on Katharine. He understood why Victor saw great potential in her as a movie actress. Nick was not blind to Katharine’s attributes, which were manifold. However, conversely, his personal reaction to her was quite different from everyone else’s. Her extraordinary beauty had not beguiled him, nor had her enormous charm captivated him. In essence, she had failed to touch him as a man, and very simply he was not sure of her as a woman. Nick had detected an inherent coldness in her personality. It was a frigidity really, and, to him, this seemed all the more peculiar in view of her apparent sensuality. Except that instinctively he felt this was a façade she presented to the world, was bound up with her looks and had nothing to do with her true nature. The sensuality was on the surface. It did not run deep in her. On the few occasions he had been in her company, he had become increasingly aware of other traits which disturbed him. It struck him, unexpectedly, that there was a dichotomy in Katharine’s makeup. There was no denying her warmth and gaiety. Yet at other times she appeared strangely removed, to him, as if she had the ability to stand away from herself, as though she viewed everything with cool indifference. No, immense detachment. He thought now: She is isolated and uninvolved with anyone on a human level.
He shook his head in bewilderment. Oh, Christ, I’m being over imaginative, he decided. There’s nothing wrong with the girl really. She’s excessively ambitious perhaps, but then who isn’t in this business. With a small shock Nick admitted he did not particularly like her, and this revelation astonished him. There was no real basis for his active dislike, and yet dislike her he did.
As he stood, sipping his drink and staring out of the window, striving to analyse his feelings, Nicholas Latimer did not know that it would take him years to fully comprehend his complex emotions in regard to Katharine Tempest.
Chapter Eleven
Katharine stood in the tiny kitchen of her flat in Lennox Gardens, waiting for the kettle to boil for her morning tea. She put a piece of bread in the toaster, and then, standing on tiptoe, she reached up into the cupboard, taking out a cup and saucer, and a plate. She opened the refrigerator door, removed the butter dish and a stone jar of Dundee marmalade, and placed them on a tray with the other china, her movements swift yet graceful.
The kitchen was so small that there was only enough space for one person in it, but because it was so sparklingly fresh and neat and free of the unnecessary clutter Katharine detested, it seemed much less claustrophobic than it actually was. When Katharine had taken the flat two years earlier, she had had the walls and the cabinets painted a pale duck-egg blue, and this delicate colour helped to open up the confined dimensions, as did the matching marbleized linoleum on the floor. Blue cotton curtains, gauzy and weightless, framed the small window, and on the windowsill itself there was a selection of red geraniums in clay pots, and these introduced a spark of vivid colour and springlike greenery.
Katharine stepped to the window and glanced out. The flat was on the top floor and had once been the attics of the house, before it had been converted into flats. Consequently, she had a charming bird’s eye view from her little eyrie, and one which faced onto the enclosed gardens situated in the centre of the semi-circular terrace of imposing Victorian mansions. In the s
ummer months she looked down onto great leafy domes and cupolas shimmering with iridescent green light as the sunshine filtered through the lacy texture of the interwoven branches weighted with verdant leaves. On this February morning, the gardens were bereft, the trees stripped of beauty and life. But their black and bony branches did reach up into the prettiest sky she had seen in a long time. The dark and tumescent clouds which had shrouded London in perpetual greyness for weeks had miraculously been blown away. For once it was not raining.
It’s almost like an April morning, Katharine thought with a happy smile, and she decided there and then that she would walk to the restaurant for her luncheon appointment at one o’clock. She debated what to wear and settled on the new outfit her dressmaker had delivered last week. She was mentally reviewing the accessories which would best go with it, when the kettle’s piercing whistle cut into her musings, and she turned off the gas, filled the teapot, put the toast on the plate and carried the breakfast tray into the living room.
Despite the sunlight flooding in through the windows, this room had an air of overwhelming coldness. Essentially, this was induced by the colour scheme and the overall style of the decoration, which was austere. Everything in the room was of the purest white. Gleaming white-lacquered walls flowed down to meet a thick white carpet covering the entire floor. White silk draperies rippled icily at the windows, and white wool sheathed the long sofa and several armchairs. The latter were sleek and modern in design, as was all of the furniture in the room, including two end tables flanking the sofa, a large square coffee table and an étagère set against one wall. These pieces were made of chrome and glass, and they introduced a hard and glittering aspect that further emphasized an atmosphere excessively glacial in its overtones.
There were few accent colours in this setting, so evocative of a frozen landscape, and these were dark and muted tones of steel grey and black, and did little to counteract the chilly monotony that prevailed. Tall pewter lamps on the glass end tables were topped with steel grey linen shades, and the same metallic grey was repeated in the velvet cushions on the sofa and chairs. Black and white etchings of knights in armour, framed in chrome, marched along one wall, while a huge cylindrical glass vase containing spidery black branches stood sentinel in one corner. The étagère displayed a pair of black-lacquered candlesticks sprouting white candles and a black-lacquered Japanese bowl. There were no photographs of family or friends, none of the usual intimate objects that provide evidence of past, treasured memories, or a personal life. The room, in all truth, had the sterility of a nun’s barren and virginal cell, and it echoed the adjoining bedroom, also washed completely in pure white and unrelieved by any contrasting colours whatsoever. Katharine had furnished and decorated the flat herself, and if anyone had told her it was icy and lifeless and intimidating, she would have gaped at them askance. She loved the pristine effect she had so carefully created, considered it to be elegant and sophisticated, saw only beauty in its purity and cleanliness, elements so necessary to her well being.