On the Sunday, after being with Dallas the previous day, he had steeled himself into action. He had phoned Connie.
‘My God! I figured you died!’ she exclaimed. ‘Where have you been?’
‘Working,’ he explained. ‘Can I come over?’
‘I was just washing my—’
‘I’ll be there in time to dry it!’
‘Haven’t changed, have you?’
He hoped not. He rushed over to her apartment on Fountain, and within fifteen minutes had talked her into bed – wet hair and all.
She did not have a body like Dallas. No one had a body like Dallas.
He did not come all over her in one schoolboyish spurt. He indulged in twenty minutes polite foreplay and seventeen minutes of polite fucking. He then spent a further half hour being affectionate and considerate. Fell asleep for an acceptable hour, and then went home.
Things weren’t what they used to be.
* * *
Lew Margolis looked through the book of photographs once, then a second time. He didn’t speak.
Dallas, sitting across from him, lit a cigarette and tried to appear as calm as possible.
Lew studied the photos yet again.
‘Like them?’ Dallas inquired. She couldn’t stand the silence. Let’s get this show on the road and over and done with.
‘Is this the surprise you had for me?’ he asked at last.
‘I thought I’d show them to you first. Thought it might make rather a nice anniversary present for your wife. I understand you’ve been married nine years next week.’
‘Once a cunt always a cunt,’ he said wearily. ‘How much?’
‘How much for what?’
‘The pictures.’
‘No charge, Mister.’ She glared at him. ‘Just no more private meetings between us. Get your rocks off on somebody else’s time.’
His lips tightened. ‘We had an arrangement, you agreed.’
‘I agreed shit. You blackmailed me and now I’m throwing the ball back into your court.’
‘I can make or break you.’
‘Likewise.’
They stared at each other, then finally he said, ‘You don’t want to fuck me means you’re a silly girl. You got the pictures means you’re smart. But it’s all a game – remember that – just a game. And I am an ace player – an ace. What are you? Some down-and-out hooker I gave a break to.’
‘Thank you, Mr. Margolis.’ Her voice was thick with sarcasm. ‘May I please go now?’
He flicked through the photos again. ‘Yeah. Go. You’ve won this round – but if Doris ever sees these pictures you’ll find yourself washed up on the beach one morning along with the rest of the garbage. Remember that, it’s not an idle threat.’
‘I’ll remember. But you remember there’s a letter with my lawyer should anything happen to me. And the negatives will become very public property.’
‘You’ve been seeing too many movies. Get your ass back to work. If I can’t hump you I may as well make money out of you.’
She stood up. Christ! Was it worth it? She felt more dirty than if she’d slept with him a hundred times.
‘Get lost, cunt,’ he added. And it was the last she saw of him until Cody received an invitation for the two of them to attend a dinner party at the Margolis residence two days later.
‘I don’t want to go,’ she told Cody.
‘Are you kidding?’ he argued. ‘An invitation to one of their dinners is like the seal of approval in this town. He must really like you.’
She had no alternative but to accept the invitation. To refuse would certainly make Cody suspicious. Besides she was curious to see what Lew had in mind.
* * *
The dinner party was on a Saturday. Dallas spent the day doing pictures with the photographer from New York who was an outrageous, amusing fag. He was full of gossip about the so-called Beautiful People and told the most scandalous stories. He also took magnificent photos, and she continued her love affair with the camera. It was the only love affair she had.
When Cody picked her up, she was tired, irritable, and not at all looking forward to dinner at the Margolises.
‘You look wonderful,’ Cody told her.
‘Wonderful enough to make love to?’ she questioned. It was the first time either of them had mentioned it.
Cody was prepared. He knew that eventually she would have to say something. He pulled the car over to the side and turned to her. ‘You want to hear a really corny speech?’
‘Try me. I’d like to hear something. It’s our anniversary, you know. Exactly one week ago we made fast abortive love – or rather we nearly did. And I’d like to know why you’ve been trying to forget it ever happened.’
‘I…’
‘How do you think I feel?’ she continued, her emotions rushing to the surface. ‘I don’t enter into relationships easily, you know. You have no idea what it took for me to sleep with you.’
He was temporarily speechless. He hadn’t expected this. What about the night he had sneaked up to her house and seen her taking part in an orgy? What about her big black boyfriend?
‘Well?’ she demanded. ‘What’s the problem, Cody? Don’t I turn you on?’
Another laugh. She turned him on so goddamn fast it was over before it had even happened.
He took her hand. ‘You know I adore you…’
‘But?’ she interrupted.
‘But I think if you and I indulge in any sort of a thing you’re going to regret it.’
‘Oh, come on!’
‘I mean it, Dallas. Don’t you understand this is just the beginning for you? Once a week you’re going to be on millions of TV sets all over the country. Your face – you – will be public property. You’ll have all the pressures of being a star, plus all the advantages. I don’t want to get in the way of all your advantages.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘You know what I’m talking about. You’ll be able to have any guy you want, and I don’t want to be shoved in the background like some schmuck. It may surprise you but I’ve got an enormous ego.’
‘Terrific,’ said Dallas coldly, ‘really terrific!’
‘What?’
‘Your opinion of me.’
‘It’s not my opinion of you. I love you – and because I love you I don’t want to put you in a position of feeling guilty.’
‘Ha! We haven’t even made it properly and already I’ve discarded you for ten other men!’
He sighed. ‘Basically I’m being selfish. I don’t want to get kicked in the teeth.’
‘But I wouldn’t…’
‘But the chances are you would.’
‘Chances? What chances? I think you’re full of shit.’
‘So does my mother – that’s why she wants me to get married to a nice kosher lady who’ll stuff me full of Ex-Lax hidden in the chicken soup!’
Dallas couldn’t help laughing. She felt better after their talk, and in a way she understood how he felt, but that was only because he didn’t know her very well. ‘Take me to the party, Cody. Maybe I can get drunk and rape you when you’re not so busy protecting your enormous ego. I think we have a future together – let me see if I can convince you.’
The first person she saw at the party was Ed Kurlnik.
The second person she spotted was Aarron Mack. The two of them were engaged in an animated conversation – well, about as animated as two elderly billionaires could be.
Two of the richest men in America, and they had both wanted her. Not bad for a girl who had had to make it on her own.
Lew Margolis was bearing down on her, a fatherly smile suffusing his false teeth. ‘Glad you two kids could make it,’ he said warmly.
Tonight she was kid. What had happened to cunt?
‘Mr. Margolis.’ Eagerly Cody shook hands. ‘So nice of you to think of us.’
‘My pleasure. Got to look after my little star!’ He winked at her. ‘Right, Dallas?’
‘Right, Mr
. Margolis.’
‘Call me Lew, no need to be formal. Come, I want you to meet my wife.’
Dallas had seen Doris Andrews in so many movies that meeting her was like coming face to face with an old friend. The same wispy brown hair, cornflower-blue eyes, kindly smile, a little girl voice. ‘So pleased to meet you, Dallas dear. Lew has told me all about the wonderful series you’re doing for him. It sounds such fun.’
Dallas could hardly imagine the ordinary-looking Doris Andrews seducing every man she came in contact with. Lew’s games were probably a figment of his very vivid imagination.
‘Let me introduce you around,’ said Doris, adjusting the Peter Pan starched white collar of her dress. She certainly lived up to her screen image.
Both Ed and Aarron had spotted her at the same time, and their conversation was abruptly terminated, whilst they both tried to wander over in an unobtrusive way.
Aarron reached her first, as Ed was waylaid by a woman who Dallas realized with a shock was Dee Dee Kurlnik.
‘Dallas!’ exclaimed Aarron, clutching both her hands. ‘You leave New York just like that. No word, no address. I am hurt.’
She stared down at his bullet head. God, all the money in the world couldn’t make you tall.
Doris smiled. ‘Aarron, I didn’t realize you knew our little star.’
There were a lot of things Doris didn’t realize.
‘Yes, we are old friends.’
‘Of course you are.’ Doris grinned. ‘You know every beautiful girl in America! He’s such a naughty boy, Dallas, you’ll have to watch him!’
Naughty boy! The man was seventy-three years old!
Dallas smiled weakly and looked around for Cody. He was in deep conversation with Ed and Dee Dee. Oh Christ! This was a nightmare. Lew Margolis must have planned the whole thing.
A waiter hovered with a silver tray. She snatched a glass of champagne and gulped it down.
‘Now that I have found you again,’ Aarron said smugly, ‘escape will not be so easy.’ He leered at her breasts. ‘I have thought about you many times.’
She remembered their last dismal date. Such fun that she had contemplated suicide. She remembered him exposing his withered penis to her, expecting her to immediately get on her knees.
‘I think I had better circulate,’ she said.
‘Why?’ he wanted to know.
‘Because I think I should.’
He shook his head in admiration. ‘I like your spirit. I liked it in New York. You don’t care about my money, do you?’
‘Not particularly.’
‘I like that. Most women will do anything for money.’
‘Really?’ Her sarcasm was lost on him.
‘You’d be surprised,’ he brooded darkly, ‘but you are so different. I knew that at once.’
‘Good for you.’
‘I am in California for only three days. I want you to keep those days free. We shall be together.’
‘I’m working.’
‘Tomorrow is Sunday. We’ll take my plane to Palm Springs.’
‘I don’t want to go to Palm Springs.’
‘We’ll go where you want. I like your fiery spirit. You remind me of my dear departed wife. She was Swedish, you know. We were married for forty-six years. She was an independent woman – like you.’ He coughed, bending over and choking vigorously.
Dallas took the opportunity to escape. She walked out beside the Olympic pool and hoped that Aarron wouldn’t follow her.
So this was a chic Hollywood dinner party. Not quite what she had imagined. Apart from Cody and herself everyone was so old.
She sipped her champagne and marvelled at the mosaic initials embedded on the bottom of the pool. Inside she could see Cody still talking to Ed and Dee Dee. Aarron was looking around wondering what had happened to her.
She recalled the last time she had visited this house. As a hooker. Who would have thought that she would come back in such a different position. Oh come on, Cody – what the hell are you talking to those two old farts about?
Beautifully laid out tables were in position on the huge patio. Six tables, ten places per table. Sixty people. Some small dinner party.
She circled round the tables glancing at the delicate engraved place cards set in their exquisite silver holders. The names read like a Who’s Who of Hollywood. She found her own name positioned between two men she had never heard of. Now if she could only find Cody’s place – a quick switch and no one would be any the wiser. Dallas was still innocent of Hollywood party procedure. Doris Andrews had spent hours sweating over who should sit next to whom.
‘You want some help?’ A waiter who had been hovering on the sidelines approached her.
‘No, it doesn’t matter, thank you.’ She headed back for the house.
Doris Andrews was just emerging. ‘Ah, Dallas, dear. What are you doing out here? Aarron’s looking for you. I think you made quite a hit there. I didn’t even know you two knew each other. He’s such a sweet, sweet man, and so lonely.’
‘And so rich,’ Dallas added drily.
‘But of course. Isn’t everyone?’ Doris touched her lightly on the arm, then hesitating slightly she asked, ‘You do like men, don’t you?’
‘What do you mean?’
Doris’s fingers drummed a light pattern on her arm. ‘Sexually.’
‘Sexually?’ Dallas questioned, suddenly at a loss for words.
Doris laughed throatily. ‘Men are such brutes. Big and hairy. Rough. Unthinking. A woman’s touch is so much softer… kinder… Do you know what I mean now?’
‘I think I’m getting the message.’
Christ! Doris Andrews dykesville! Public image – Miss Clean – Husband’s image – Miss Randy. Lew – you are playing the wrong game!
‘Well, dear. Perhaps you and I will take lunch together one day. I can give you the benefit of my experience. Twenty years in this shitty business – you have to know how to handle yourself. I can see you’re going to be someone special…’ She trailed off. ‘Must get dinner organized. You run along and enjoy yourself.’
‘Yes,’ agreed Dallas, still in a state of shock. Doris Andrews. The only screen virgin left in Hollywood!
She wandered back into the house to be pounced on immediately by Aarron demanding to know where she had been.
‘I went for a walk,’ she replied, annoyed at being questioned. Then she saw Cody free from the Kurlniks at last, and beckoned him over.
He came on the trot, eager and delighted by the entire party. Before she could introduce him he was pumping Aarron by the hand and saying, ‘Mr. Mack. It’s a real pleasure to meet you. My name is Cody Hills. I am Dallas’s agent and manager.’
‘Good,’ wheezed Aarron, ‘then you can instruct her to come to Palm Springs with me.’
Cody laughed with just the right amount of deference. ‘Mr. Mack, unfortunately I can’t instruct Dallas to do anything. A very headstrong young lady is Dallas.’
They both regarded her with patronizing smiles.
She was furious. Headstrong indeed!
‘Mr. Mack, I know why you are in Los Angeles,’ Cody continued. ‘It’s the big search, isn’t it? You are looking for the new Mack girl. Well, has it ever occurred to you that Dallas is just the girl you’re looking for?’
‘Is she not signed for a television series?’
‘Yes, she is. And that could be just the tie-in to make the new Mack girl really exciting. Man Made Woman as your Mack girl – wearing your cosmetics – your perfumes. Think of the excitement that would generate. Of course… she doesn’t come cheap.’
Aarron was impressed with the idea. His small eyes gleamed.
‘What do you think, Mr. Mack? Is this a great idea or is it a great idea?’
Dallas walked away. Neither man noticed her go. Cody would have made a great Coca Cola salesman. She had never seen anyone so turned on by his own ideas. Maybe he was right. Maybe he wasn’t the man for her. She was seeing a side of him that she wasn’t sure she
could stomach. Mr. Kiss-your-ass. She had kissed too many asses in her life to go through that scene again.
‘Dallas!’ Ed Kurlnik had stationed himself behind a potted palm and was hissing her name.
She marched over to him. ‘How dare you stand me up in New York!’ she said loudly.
‘Sshh!’ he mumbled.
‘Don’t sshh me. I waited at Essex House all night. You never came.’
‘I did,’ he whispered.
‘Your wife’s coming over. Are you going to introduce us?’
‘What?’ he jumped. ‘Dallas, I…’
She strolled away feeling good.
Two of the richest men in the world grovelling for her favours.
Wow – if this was a taste of being a star – she liked it.
Chapter Forty
‘Look out the window,’ said Paul.
Al, emerging from the bathroom, went to the window, and saw, eighteen storeys below, crowds of girls blocking the street outside. They held a giant banner aloft – ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AL – YOU ARE KING.’
‘I think you should make an appearance,’ Paul said. ‘They’ve been there all day.’
‘How’s the security?’ snapped Al. He was starting to get slightly paranoiac about his personal safety.
‘There are cops all round the hotel. The management suggested you give ’em a wave from a first-storey balcony. Then we can smuggle you out to City Park through a back entrance.’
‘OK. Fine with me. That flight knocked me out this morning. I guess I’ve slept the day away.’
‘It’s your birthday – do what you want.’
I thought I always did anyway.’
‘Yeah – every day’s a birthday for you, Al.’
‘Right on, baby brother – right on!’
‘You get yourself together then. I’ll let them know you’ll be out on the balcony in an hour. Does that give you enough time?’
‘Yeah.’
Paul left. Al switched on the television. It would take him five minutes to dress. Idly he switched channels until he found a Western. Christ! Paul Newman looked young. An unlined, un-lived-in face. Must be a really old movie. Of course Newman still looked terrific – but you knew he was just another old guy that looked terrific. What was it that aged a person?