Chapter Thirteen
JANET TURNS AUTHOR
Early the next morning Janet returned to the task of writing the storyfor Billy Fenstow's next picture. The story developed rapidly and shefound plenty of opportunities to provide the hard-riding action forwhich Curt Newsom was famous.
She worked steadily until mid-forenoon when Helen joined her in thegarden.
"How is it going?" she asked.
"It's lots of fun, and I think I have a fairly good idea. Whether I'mgetting it across is another thing," smiled Janet. "I suspect theregular studio writers will think it pretty much a mess when they gettheir hands on it."
"I wouldn't care much what they think as long as Mr. Fenstow likes it.After all, he's the one who will accept or reject it and the check youget will depend on his approval."
Janet leaned back in her chair and gazed at the scudding white cloudsfar overhead.
"How much do you suppose they'll pay if they accept the story?" shemused.
"Sometimes they pay thousands of dollars," said Helen.
"But only for outstanding books or plays. I mean for little stories likethis; the kind that perhaps have an idea in them that can be developedfurther by the studio staff."
"Maybe a thousand dollars," ventured Helen.
"That would be enough," said Janet, a faraway look in her eyes.
"Now just what do you mean by that?" Helen wanted to know.
"A thousand dollars would go a long ways toward guaranteeing me acollege education. Why, with what I've saved out of our salaries thissummer, I'd have nearly two thousand dollars and I could make that go along ways toward four years of college."
"I've saved a lot this summer, too," admitted Helen. "Dad and motherwere talking this morning. We're going back to Clarion."
Helen was silent for a moment. Then Janet spoke.
"When are you going back?"
"Soon; perhaps next week. But you and I will go on to New York to helpwith the radio promotion of 'Kings of the Air.'"
"Will you be happy in Clarion after a summer here?" asked Janet,watching her companion closely.
"I'm sure I will. After all, I'm a small town girl and all this amazesand scares me a little. Perhaps when college days are over I'll want tocome back and try to make a name for myself in pictures. Dad thinks thatwould be wise."
"What school are you going to go to?" Janet asked the question withbated breath. They had always planned on going to their own stateuniversity, Corn Belt U., but she thought it possible that Helen'sfather might have expressed some other preference since their arrival onthe coast.
"Corn Belt U.," replied Helen. "Dad left that entirely up to me and ofcourse I wanted to follow out our plans."
Janet sighed heartily. She was elated at Helen's words for it meant thatthe pleasant companionship they had enjoyed through high school dayscould continue through college.
"We'll have lots of fun," said Helen, "but if we go on to Radio City forthe promotion work we'll have to register late. Perhaps we can arrangefor that while we're home. It isn't more than half a day's drive fromhome to school."
"I'm sure we can, especially if we explain that the trip to New Yorkwill enable us to earn more money for our college educations."
"But, Janet, you know we don't actually have to earn our way throughschool. Dad's got plenty and your father is comfortably fixed."
"I know it, but it's a matter of pride. I'd like to have as much of myown money as possible for college. If I got in a pinch, I'd yell forDad's help, I suppose."
They talked on about college plans and were finally interrupted whenMrs. Thorne summoned them to lunch,
More plans for their return to Clarion were made at the luncheon table.Packing would have to be started soon.
"Let's pick out our college wardrobes here in Hollywood. Then we'll besure and have the latest styles."
"Maybe Hollywood styles won't be campus styles," smiled Janet, "but Iwould like a chance to wear that wonderful gown Roddy made for me to acollege party."
It was pleasant to think of their first experience in Hollywood whenRoddy, the famous designer of gowns at the Ace studio, had createdgorgeous evening gowns for them to wear at their first movie premiere.Janet could imagine that wearing such gowns at a party on the campus atCorn Belt U. would create quite a sensation, and she thrilled pleasantlyat the thought.
After luncheon was over, Janet returned to her writing and Helen joinedher beside the pool, stripping the wrapper off a copy of the _ClarionTimes_, which had arrived on the noonday mail.
"Look at this; what nerve!" exclaimed Helen, shoving the front page ofthe paper at Janet. She pointed to a story in the center of the page.
Janet stared at the headline with unbelieving eyes.
"LOCAL GIRLS FEATURED IN MOVIE."
Her eyes followed down to the story, which heralded the fact that CoraDean and Margie Blake, Clarion girls touring in the west, had beendrafted for roles in a western picture by Billy Fenstow, the famousdirector. Janet read on.
"Miss Dean and Miss Blake report that Janet Hardy and Helen Thorne alsohave roles in the picture," the story said.
It was then that Janet flushed. She could have told Cora and Margie justwhat she thought of them if they had been anywhere within hearingdistance but fortunately for them, perhaps, they were a good many milesaway.
"How do you suppose the _Times_ got that story?" asked Janet, the flushfading from her cheeks.
"I know," said Helen with emphasis. "Cora wrote to Pete Benda, the cityeditor, and gave him all of the information which is in the story.Imagine her telling him 'that we are also in the picture.' I'm certainlygoing to see that 'Water Hole' is shown in the theaters at home. Thatwill kind of spoil their story."
Janet laughed. "Perhaps Cora and Margie did feel that they had the majorroles. You never can tell what others will think is important."
"It would be a joke on them if the film cutters left out the sequencethey're in," chuckled Helen.
Janet looked at her quickly.
"Don't you suggest that to anyone," she warned.
"I won't," promised Helen.
Janet handed the paper back to her companion and went on with her work.She spent most of the afternoon at the typewriter and when she wasthrough, felt that she had done a good day's work. The manuscript wouldbe ready with only another morning's writing.
Billy Fenstow, dropping in after dinner for a visit with Helen's fatherinquired about the story and Janet handed him the first draft of as muchas she had completed.
The little director read it with interest, the lines around his eyesgathering in little puckers as he skimmed through the typed pages. Janetalmost held her breath through all the time he was reading and she sawHenry Thorne leaning forward, trying to read some reaction on BillyFenstow's face.
When the director had finished, he looked up and smiled at Janet.
"Reads well," he commented. "Of course there are a lot of rough spots,but we'll be able to use it."