Lady Boss

  ‘It’s time-consuming,’ she said, taking a seat at the back.

  ‘I hear you bumped the Sleazy Singles,’ he remarked, sitting down beside her.

  ‘That was Lennie’s nickname for them.’

  ‘Yeah, it’s everybody’s nickname for them. Are they hitting you with a law suit?’

  She shrugged casually. ‘Who knows? Who cares? We’re in good shape. I told them I was willing to honour their contract, it’s just that I won’t make any of their dumb movies. If they want to make sexist crap, they can make it elsewhere.’

  ‘I understand,’ he said. ‘Pretty smart move.’

  ‘I don’t imagine they’ve got much of a case, do you? Besides, the rumour is they’ll follow Mickey to Orpheus.’

  He smiled. ‘Ah… Mickey, Arnie, and Frankie. The perfect team.’

  Venus Maria rushed in late. ‘The paparazzi are driving me insane!’ she complained. ‘They’re camped outside my house like a band of Gypsies. I nearly knocked a couple of ’em down this morning.’

  Cooper kissed her on the cheek. ‘Maybe you should have.’

  ‘Oh, yeah, great. I can see the headlines now – Venus Maria – the paparazzi killer! Very tasteful!’

  Lucky picked up the phone and instructed Harry to roll the film. They settled down to watch.

  From the moment Venus Maria appeared on the screen everybody knew the film was hers. She looked sensational and her acting was captivating. Even Cooper was aware of it, and yet he didn’t seem to mind because it made him look good as the director.

  ‘Oh, God! I hate watching myself!’ Venus Maria cried, half-covering her eyes. ‘It’s so painful. God! Do you see how big my teeth look? And my hair – I hate my hair!’

  Cooper groped for her hand in the dark and squeezed it. ‘Shut up,’ he said firmly. ‘You’re a star. Face it.’

  Cooper wasn’t so bad himself. On screen he came across with exactly the right amount of charm and self-deprecating humour. It was a skillful performance.

  When the lights went up, Lucky said confidently, ‘We’ve got a winner. In spite of the fact it was made under Mickey Stolli’s regime.’

  ‘I did have something to do with it,’ Cooper chided gently. ‘Mickey requested seventeen bare-breasted girls in the opening credits, but I told him no, let’s cool it.’

  ‘What does everybody think?’ Venus Maria asked anxiously. ‘Am I OK?’

  It amazed Lucky that Venus Maria had to seek reassurance. Couldn’t she see? ‘You’re a natural,’ she told her. ‘You light up the screen. You really do.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Yes. You’re going to be a mega movie star. And I’m going to make sure this film is handled in exactly the right way.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Cooper interjected dryly. ‘Bud Graham is designing the poster now. A naked Amazon surrounded by a dozen nymphettes with their tits on fire!’

  Everyone laughed. Bud Graham’s reputation went before him.

  Lucky suggested the three of them lunch together. They went to the Columbia Bar and Grill, where they pigged out on pasta and spent the entire time discussing everyone at the studio.

  By the time they emerged the paparazzi were gathered in force. Word travelled fast.

  ‘Jesus!’ Venus Maria exclaimed. ‘We can’t go anywhere anymore. Hey – come on, Cooper, let’s give ’em a picture they won’t forget. Lucky, grab his other arm.’

  They held onto Cooper and smiled for the cameras. The photographers went wild.

  Venus Maria giggled. ‘That’s gonna give them something to think about.’

  ‘I can’t believe the amount of publicity Martin’s getting.’ Cooper shook his head in amazement. ‘From a conservative unknown businessman in New York he’s become a super-stud.’

  ‘Not exactly unknown,’ Venus Maria interjected.

  ‘Yeah, but not exactly Warren Beatty either,’ Cooper corrected. ‘Now he’s on the cover of every magazine and newspaper across the country. The Battling Swansons. What’s going on with them anyway?’

  Venus Maria shrugged. ‘You think I know? One night in the Bel Air Hotel does not a relationship make!’

  ‘One night?’ Cooper asked.

  ‘He was too busy with the Orpheus deal.’

  ‘That figures. Business first.’

  ‘Anyway, he’s flying back to New York tomorrow. I guess we’ll all find out together. I start shooting my new video soon, and that’s all I’m into for the next couple of weeks. What Martin decides is up to him.’

  Lucky found herself liking Venus Maria more and more. The girl had spirit. She did what she wanted, and she did it her way. She reminded Lucky of herself.

  Bobby and his nanny settled nicely into Malibu, but Bobby wouldn’t stop asking about Lennie and Brigette and when they were coming. To keep him occupied Lucky sent for one of his school friends from England.

  Finally Lennie called.

  ‘Hi,’ Lucky said, holding her breath, hoping he was going to say – I’m sorry, I’ve behaved like a jerk, I’m on my way out there, and we’ll get through this together.

  ‘Lucky, what the hell is all this about my contract?’ he asked bluntly.

  ‘I thought you’d be pleased,’ she replied. ‘Panther is releasing you from all future commitments. You can tear your contract up.’

  He didn’t sound as pleased as she’d hoped. ‘Oh, really,’ he said.

  ‘It’s what you wanted, isn’t it?’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘Now you don’t have to worry about anyone suing you.’

  ‘Oh, you were thinking of suing me, huh?’

  ‘Not me, Lennie. Mickey. But Mickey’s out now and I’m in.’ She hesitated for a moment. ‘If you wanted to, you could be here beside me.’

  ‘Hey – Lucky – we’ve had that conversation.’

  When Lennie was impossible he was really impossible. Her voice hardened. ‘Why are you calling? To thank me for releasing you from your contract? Is that it?’

  ‘I wanted to say… uh… Jesus, I don’t know. What’s going on with us?’

  He’d given her an opening and she went for it. ‘If you flew out this weekend, maybe we could talk it out. That’s what we need to do, Lennie. And I’m prepared to listen to your point of view if you’re ready to listen to me.’

  There was a long silence, then, ‘No, it’s not going to work. I’m taking Brigette to France. We’re leaving tomorrow.’

  Pleading wasn’t her style, but Lennie was worth it. ‘We could all be here together. Isn’t that what you wanted?’

  ‘No, Lucky,’ he said resolutely, as if he’d given it a great deal of thought. ‘I can’t fly in because it suits you.’

  ‘What do you mean by that?’

  ‘You’re running Panther. You’re in L.A. So now it’s convenient, huh. You can fit us all into your busy schedule. But what about next time? How about when you decide to buy a hotel in Hong Kong or India? Am I supposed to sit around and wait? Hey, Lucky, remember this – I’m not the waiting kind.’

  The words almost stuck in her throat. ‘Do you want a divorce?’

  He came right back at her. ‘Do you?’

  ‘If we’re not together…’

  ‘Hey – if it’s what you want…’

  ‘I didn’t say that.’

  ‘Yeah, well, we’ll talk later.’ He hung up on her.

  She couldn’t believe he was taking it this far.

  At first she was hurt, then angry. What did he want from her?

  A baby.

  Barefoot and knocked up.

  A proper wife.

  Well, damn him! She had things to do first, and if he didn’t like it – too bad.

  She phoned Mary-Lou and asked if she and Steven would like to come out and stay for a couple of weeks with the baby.

  ‘A fine idea,’ Mary-Lou said enthusiastically. ‘I’ll ask Baby first, and then I’ll run it by Steven.’

  ‘How is Carioca Jade?’

  ‘Adorable!’

  ‘When does your ser
ies start reshooting?’

  ‘You’re not going to believe this, but we just got cancelled. I go away and have a baby, and look what happens!’

  ‘Are you upset?’

  ‘Sure I am. But Steven’s delighted. He wants me at home changing diapers.’

  ‘Of course he does,’ Lucky said dryly.

  ‘Steven’s so traditional,’ Mary-Lou explained. ‘But I go along with it – makes him feel good.’

  Lucky thought about Steven for a moment. She missed him. It seemed like she never had time to spend with the people she really cared about.

  ‘Hey – maybe when you come out here, we’ll put you in a movie. How about it?’

  Mary-Lou laughed. ‘A movie?’

  ‘You’re a big television star. Why not?’

  ‘Suits me,’ said Mary-Lou happily. ‘I’ll tell Steven. He’ll kill himself. He thinks I should never work again!’

  ‘Men!’ Lucky said.

  ‘Yeah!’ Mary-Lou agreed.

  Next Lucky called Gino and invited him. He was easy to persuade. ‘I’m feeling tired, kid,’ he said, sounding weary.

  ‘Have you spoken to Paige?’ she asked, knowing that Paige always perked him up.

  ‘Nope. She knows how I feel. If she don’t leave Ryder, I ain’t seein’ her again.’

  ‘Oh, come on, Gino. You and Paige have been sneaking into hotel bedrooms for years. What difference does it make if she has a husband?’

  ‘Hey, maybe in my old age I’m findin’ out I got ethics. How about that, kid?’

  ‘I’ll believe it when I see it!’

  ‘You’ll see it.’

  ‘Sure.’

  He promised he’d fly out soon. She couldn’t wait for everyone to arrive. Maybe filling the house with people would take her mind off Lennie.

  Meanwhile, business at the studio went on. Out of the Panther executives, she decided Zev Lorenzo, Ford Werne, and Teddy T. Lauden were the best of the bunch. She knew she was going to have to let Eddie Kane go. And Bud Graham wasn’t about to dance to her tune. She hadn’t decided about Grant Wendell, Jr.

  The Sleazy Singles were definitely out. Naturally they’d threatened to sue.

  ‘On what grounds?’ Lucky had asked. ‘You have a three-year deal that says you make the movies and Panther pays. But the studio has to approve them. Listen, I don’t mind paying you the money while you sit here and play with yourselves for three years. How about it, huh?’

  They’d told her to shove it and duly departed.

  Ben Harrison requested a meeting. He came in and told her he’d be willing to stay and take over Mickey’s job.

  ‘I’ve taken over Mickey’s job,’ she pointed out. What did they all think this was? A game?

  She decided to keep Ben running the European side of things until she had the time to investigate his skills. Abe had called them both the ‘scum-in-laws’. Maybe he was wrong about Ben.

  The important thing was to get the studio headed in the right direction. No more mindless violence against women. No more tits-and-ass specials.

  The word soon spread around Hollywood that Panther was the place to take any interesting and exciting new projects and ideas. The scripts began pouring in.

  And so business went on while Hollywood watched and waited.

  Lucky Santangelo was in charge. It felt good.

  Chapter 80

  The second time around Abigaile knew exactly where to park. She didn’t bother driving around the block. She dumped her car on the red zone, walked up to the front of the building and pressed the buzzer marked Franklin.

  ‘Warner Franklin?’ she said imperiously when a woman’s voice answered.

  ‘Who’s this?’

  ‘Abigaile Stolli. I’d like to come up and talk to you.’

  There was a long pause while Warner decided what to do. Finally she said, ‘Third floor – watch the elevator door, sometimes it sticks.’

  ‘Thank you,’ replied Abigaile politely, keeping a hold on herself. This time her heart wasn’t beating fast at all. She willed herself to remain in control. Mickey Stolli had lied to her for the last time.

  Once on the third floor she marched resolutely towards the apartment.

  Warner flung open the door and stared at her.

  Abigaile stared back. ‘Can I come in?’ she asked, feeling uncomfortable, but determined to follow through.

  ‘You sure you’re not gonna run away this time?’ Warner said caustically. ‘Seems to me you take one look at a black face an’ shit your pants.’

  ‘I beg your pardon?’ said Abigaile, putting on her best Beverly Hills Bitch face.

  ‘Ah, forget it.’ Warner was anxious to know what Mickey’s wife wanted. ‘Come in.’

  Abigaile followed Warner into her small apartment.

  ‘Drink?’ offered Warner.

  Abigaile noticed a holstered gun thrown casually on a chair and shuddered. ‘No, thank you.’

  ‘Sit down,’ said Warner.

  Abigaile did so, folding her hands in her lap. Her perfect Beverly Hills manicure glistened. Warner’s nails were cut short and unpolished.

  ‘You told me something before,’ Abigaile began. ‘On the phone, do you remember?’

  ‘No, what was that?’ asked Warner. She wasn’t in a good mood on account of the fact that Johnny Romano – the new love of her life – was not returning her calls. Warner was not used to fuck and run. She didn’t appreciate it.

  ‘You said you were my husband’s mistress,’ Abigaile rushed on. ‘Is that true?’

  ‘Was is the operative word,’ said Warner.

  ‘Was?’ echoed Abigaile. ‘Does that mean it’s over?’

  ‘Hey – you think when I find my man making out with hookers it’s going to continue?’ Warner asked, surprised. ‘You might put up with it, but I certainly won’t.’

  ‘I see you read about it too,’ sighed Abigaile.

  ‘No, I didn’t read about it,’ corrected Warner, ‘I was the arresting officer.’

  Abigaile felt quite faint. ‘How long have you been seeing Mickey?’

  ‘About eighteen months.’

  Abigaile was horrified. ‘Eighteen months!’

  ‘You may as well make yourself comfortable,’ said Warner, thinking to herself that most men deserved everything they got. ‘And if you like – I’ll tell you all about it.’

  * * *

  Leslie was used to Eddie’s erratic driving. She buckled her seat belt and hoped for the best.

  It wasn’t his driving that was causing anxiety to sweep over her in great waves. It was when she began to suspect where they were heading.

  Sure enough, Eddie finally pulled up outside Madame Loretta’s house.

  Leslie didn’t unbuckle her seat belt. She sat perfectly still and waited.

  He didn’t say a word.

  After a few minutes Leslie asked quietly, ‘Eddie? What are we doing here?’

  ‘Hey,’ he said, ‘we’re gonna have tea. Isn’t that what you said you used to do here? Tea and a chat.’

  ‘Yes, that’s right. But I always called first.’

  ‘That’s OK, honey. I hear Madame Loretta is very accommodating, always ready to receive people. She’ll be pleased to see us.’

  ‘Eddie.’ She looked at him imploringly. ‘Why are you doing this to me?’

  ‘Why am I doing what, baby? I don’t understand.’

  ‘You understand perfectly well.’

  ‘Somebody you don’t want to see here?’ he said, looking around innocently. ‘Come on, baby, get out of the car. We’re visiting, just like you used to.’

  Slowly she unbuckled her seat belt and climbed out.

  He took her hand and marched her up to the front door.

  One of the maids answered his ring.

  ‘Is Madame Loretta around?’ he asked.

  ‘Who shall I say is calling?’

  ‘Tell her… Leslie’s here. Tell her… Leslie is ready to go back to work.’

  Leslie turned to him and he
r eyes filled with tears. ‘You bastard,’ she said in a low voice. ‘When did you find out?’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ he demanded angrily.

  ‘Because you wouldn’t have understood.’

  ‘What makes you think that? You know you should have told me. “I’m a hooker, Eddie,” that’s all you had to say. “Guys have sex with me for money.” You think that would have made me run, huh? You think I wouldn’t have married you?’

  ‘You’re a mean son of a bitch.’

  ‘What I am is honest. What you are is a fraud. Now I’m leaving you here, baby, ’cause it’s where you belong. Don’t bother coming back to the house.’

  ‘You can’t do this,’ she said.

  ‘Watch me.’

  ‘Don’t you love me?’ she asked sadly. ‘You always told me you did.’

  ‘Hey – I loved the pretty little girl from Iowa. I don’t love the hooker who’s probably had every guy in town.’ He turned to leave. ‘Goodbye, Leslie. Thanks for the free ride.’

  ‘Is this the way you want it, Eddie? Because if it is, don’t expect me to come back.’

  He laughed aloud. ‘Who wants you back? I gotta be out of my head to take you back.’

  He walked away, swaggering over to his prized Maserati.

  Stoned as usual, Eddie didn’t really know what he was doing.

  Chapter 81

  ‘There’s some guy to see you,’ Otis said. ‘Says he knows you. Informs me you’re an old friend.’

  ‘Does he have an appointment?’ Lucky asked.

  ‘Nope. The man drove onto the lot in a limousine with a driver and two other guys in the car. I guess the limo impressed the guards. Nobody stopped him.’

  ‘What’s his name?’

  ‘Carlo Bonnatti,’ Otis said. ‘Sounds like an Italian hood. Looks like one too. Central Casting couldn’t have done better.’

  ‘Bonnatti?’ Lucky said. ‘What’s Carlo doing here?’

  ‘So you do know him. Shall I show the man in?’

  Carlo Bonnatti. A name from her past. The Santangelos and the Bonnattis went way back. Too many years…

  ‘Yes. Show him in,’ she said.

  Carlo had the Bonnatti swagger and the same ominously hooded eyes. When he walked into her office Lucky felt as if she was in some crazy time machine. Suddenly all kinds of bad memories came flooding back. Her mother’s murder… The time she’d gone to Enzio Bonnatti for money to help finance her Vegas hotel…