sidneysheldon.astrangerinthemirror-第32章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


nis　was　rock　hard。　〃Quick；　baby；〃　he　said。　〃Get　on　top　of　me。〃　
　They　were　at　the　marina；　on　the　fill；　the　large　motorsailer　Toby　had　bought　for　her。　Toby's　first　television　show　of　the　new　season　was　to　tape　the　following　day。　
　〃This　is　the　best　vacation　I've　had　in　my　whole　life；〃　Toby　said。　〃I　hate　to　go　back　to　work。〃　
　〃It's　such　a　wonderful　show；〃　Jill　said。　〃I　had　fun　doing　it。　Everyone　was　so　nice。〃　She　paused　a　moment；　then　added　lightly；　〃Almost　everyone。〃　
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃　Toby's　voice　was　sharp。　〃Who　wasn't　nice　to　you？〃　
　〃No　one；　darling。　I　shouldn't　have　even　mentioned　it。〃　But　she　finally　allowed　Toby　to　worm　it　out　of　her；　and　the　next　day　Eddie　Berrigan；　the　casting　director；　was　fired。　
　
　In　the　months　that　followed；　Jill　told　Toby　little　fictions　about　other　casting　directors　on　her　list；　and　one　by　one　they　disappeared。　Everyone　who　had　ever　used　her　was　going　to　pay。　It　was；　she　thought；　like　the　rite　of　mating　with　the　queen　bee。　They　had　all　had　their　pleasure；　and　now　they　had　to　be　destroyed。　
　She　went　after　Sam　Winters；　the　man　who　had　told　Toby　she　had　no　talent。　She　never　said　a　word　against　him；　on　the　contrary；　she　praised　him　to　Toby。　But　she　always　praised　other　studio　heads　just　a　little　bit　more。。。。　The　other　studios　had　properties　better　suited　for　Toby。。。　directors　who　really　understood　him。　Jill　would　add　that　she　could　not　help　thinking　that　Sam　Winters　did　not　really　appreciate　Toby's　talent。　Before　long；　Toby　began　feeling　the　same　way。　With　Clifton　Lawrence　gone；　Toby　had　no　one　to　talk　to；　no　one　he　could　trust；　except　Jill。　When　Toby　decided　to　make　his　movies　at　another　studio；　he　believed　that　it　was　his　own　idea。　But　Jill　made　certain　that　Sam　Winters　knew　the　truth。　Retribution。　
　There　were　those　around　Toby　who　felt　that　Jill　could　not　last；　that　she　was　simply　a　temporary　intruder；　a　passing　fancy。　So　they　tolerated　her　or　treated　her　with　a　thinly　veiled　contempt。　It　was　their　mistake。　One　by　one；　Jill　eliminated　them。　She　wanted　no　one　around　who　had　been　important　in　Toby's　life　or　who　could　influence　him　against　her。　She　saw　to　it　that　Toby　changed　his　lawyer　and　his　public…relations　firm　and　she　hired　people　of　her　own　choosing。　She　got　rid　of　the　three　Macs　and　Toby's　entourage　of　stooges。　She　replaced　all　the　servants。　It　was　her　house　now　and　she　was　the　mistress　of　it。　
　A　party　at　the　Temples'　had　bee　the　hottest　ticket　in　town。　Everyone　who　was　anybody　was　there。　Actors　mingled　with　socialites　and　governors　and　heads　of　powerful　corporations。　The　press　was　always　there　in　full　force；　so　that　there　was　a　bonus　for　the　lucky　guests。　Not　only　did　they　go　to　the　Temples'　and　have　a　wonderful　time；　but　everyone　knew　that　they　had　been　to　the　Temples'　and　had　a　wonderful　time。　When　the　Temples　were　not　hosts；　they　were　guests。　There　was　an　avalanche　of　invitations。　They　were　invited　to　premieres；　charity　dinners；　political　affairs；　openings　of　restaurants　and　hotels。　Toby　would　have　been　content　to　stay　at　home　alone　with　Jill；　but　she　liked　going　out。　On　some　evenings；　they　had　three　or　four　parties　to　attend；　and　she　rushed　Toby　from　one　to　the　other。　
　〃Jesus；　you　should　have　been　a　social　director　at　Grossinger's；〃　Toby　laughed。　
　〃I'm　doing　it　for　you；　darling；〃　Jill　replied。　
　Toby　was　making　a　movie　for　MGM　and　had　a　grueling　schedule。　He　came　home　late　one　night；　exhausted；　to　find　his　evening　clothes　laid　out　for　him。　
　〃We're　not　going　out　again；　baby？　We　haven't　been　home　one　night　the　whole　fucking　yearl〃　
　〃It's　the　Davises'　anniversary　party。　They'd　be　terribly　hurt　if　we　didn't　show　up。〃　
　Toby　sat　down　heavily　on　the　bed。　〃I　was　looking　forward　to　a　nice　hot　bath　and　a　quiet　evening。　Just　the　two　of　us。〃　But　Toby　went　to　the　party。　And　because　he　always　had　to　be　〃on〃；　always　had　to　be　the　center　of　attention；　he　drew　on　his　enormous　reservoir　of　energy　until　everyone　was　laughing　and　applauding　and　telling　everyone　else　what　a　brilliantly　funny　man　Toby　Temple　was。　Late　that　night；　lying　in　his　bed；　Toby　was　unable　to　sleep；　his　body　drained；　but　his　mind　reliving　the　triumphs　of　the　evening　line　by　line；　laugh　by　laugh。　He　was　a　very　happy　man。　And　all　because　of　Jill。　How　his　mother　would　have　adored　her。　
　In　March　they　received　an　invitation　to　the　Cannes　Film　Festival。　
　〃No　way；〃　Toby　said；　when　Jill　showed　him　the　invitation。　〃The　only　Cannes　I'm　going　to　is　the　one　in　my　bathroom。　I'm　tired；　honey。　I've　been　working　my　butt　off。〃　
　Jerry　Guttman；　Toby's　public…relations　man；　had　told　Jill　that　there　was　a　good　chance　that　Toby's　movie　would　win　the　Best　Picture　Award　and　that　it　would　help　if　Toby　were　there。　He　felt　that　it　was　important　for　Toby　to　go。　
　Lately；　Toby　had　been　plaining　that　he　was　tired　all　the　time　and　was　unable　to　sleep。　At　night　he　took　sleeping　pills；　which　left　him　groggy　in　the　morning。　Jill　counteracted　the　feeling　of　tiredness　by　giving　him　benzedrine　at　breakfast　so　that　Toby　would　have　enough　energy　to　get　through　the　day。　Now；　the　cycle　of　uppers　and　downers　seemed　to　be　taking　its　toll　on　him。　
　〃I've　already　accepted　the　invitation；〃　Jill　told　Toby；　〃but　I'll　cancel。　No　problem；　darling。〃　
　〃Let's　go　down　to　the　Springs　for　a　month　and　just　lie　around　in　the　soap。〃　
　She　looked　at　him。　〃What？〃　
　He　sat　there；　very　still。　〃I　meant　sun。　I　don't　know　why　it　came　out　soap。〃　
　She　laughed。　〃Because　you're　funny。〃　Jill　squeezed　his　hand。　〃Anyway；　Palm　Springs　sounds　wonderful。　I　love　being　alone　with　you。〃　
　〃I　don't　know　what's　wrong　with　me；〃　Toby　sighed。　〃I　just　don't　have　the　juice　anymore。　I　guess　I'm　getting　old。〃　
　〃You'll　never　get　old。　You　can　wear　me　out。〃　He　grinned。　〃Yeah？　I　guess　my　pecker　will　live　long　after　I　die。〃　He　rubbed　the　back　of　his　head　and　said；　〃I　think　I'll　take　a　little　nap。　To　tell　the　truth；　I'm　not　feeling　so　hot。　We　don't　have　a　date　tonight；　do　we？〃　
　〃Nothing　that　I　can't　put　off。　I'll　send　the　servants　away　and　cook　dinner　myself　tonight。　Just　us。〃　
　〃Hey；　that'll　be　great。〃　He　watched　her　leave；　and　he　thought；　Jesus；　I'm　the　luckiest　guy　who　ever　lived。　
　They　were　lying　in　bed　late　that　night。　Jill　had　given　Toby　a　warm　bath　and　a　relaxing　massage；　kneading　his　tired　muscles；　soothing　away　his　tensions。　
　〃Ah；　that　feels　wonderful；〃　he　murmured。　〃How　did　I　ever　get　along　without　you？〃　
　〃I　can't　imagine。〃　She　nestled　close　to　him。　〃Toby；　tell　me　about　the　Cannes　Film　Festival。　What's　it　like？　I've　never　been　to　one。〃　
　〃It's　just　a　mob　of　hustlers　who　e　from　all　over　the　world　to　sell　their　lousy　movies　to　one　another。　It's　the　biggest　con　game　in　the　world。〃　
　〃You　make　it　sound　exciting；〃　Jill　said。　
　〃Yeah？　Well；　I　guess　it　is　kind　of　exciting。　The　place　is　filled　with　characters。〃　He　studied　her　for　a　moment。　〃Do　you　really　want　to　go　to　that　stupid　film　festival？〃　
　She　shook　her　head　quickly。　〃No。　We'll　go　to　Palm　Springs。〃　
　〃Hell；　we　can　go　to　Palm　Springs　anytime。〃　
　〃Really；　Toby；　it's　not　important。〃　He　smiled。　
　〃Do　you　know　why　I'm　so　crazy　about　you？　Any　other　woman　in　the　world　would　have　been　pestering　me　to　take　her　to　the　festival。　You're　dying　to　go；　but　do　you　say　anything？　No。　You　want　to　go　to　the　Springs　with　me。　Have　you　canceled　that　acceptance？〃　
　〃Not　yet；　but〃　
　〃Don't。　We're　going　to　India。〃　A　puzzled　look　came　over　his　face。　〃Did　I　say　India？　I　meant　　Cannes。〃　
　
　When　their　plane　landed　at　Orviy；　Toby　was　handed　a　cablegram。　His　father　had　died　in　the　nursing　home。　It　was　too　late　for　Toby　to　go　back　for　the　funeral。　He　arranged　to　have　a　new　wing　added　to　the　rest　home；　named　after　his　parents。　
　The　whole　world　was　at　Cannes。　It　was　Hollywood　and　London　and　Rome；　all　mixed　together　in　a　glorious；　many…tongued　cacophony　of　sound　and　fury；　in　Technicolor　and　Panavision。　From　all　over　the　globe；　picture　makers　nocked　to　the　French　Riviera；　carrying　cans　of　dreams　under　their　arms；　rolls　of　celluloid　made　in　English　and　French　and　Japanese　and　Hungarian　and　Polish；　that　were　going　to　make　them　rich　and　famous　overnight。　The　croisette　was　packed　with　professionals　and　amateurs；　veterans　and　tyros；　ers　and　has…beens；　all　peting　for　the　prestigious　prizes。　Being　awarded　a　prize　at　the　Cannes　Film　Festival　meant　money　in　the　bank；　if　the　winner　had　no　distribution　deal；　he　could　get　one；　and　if　he　already　had　one；　he　could　better　it。　Every　hotel　in　Cannes　was　filled；　and　the　overflow　had　spilled　up　and　down　the　coast　to　Antibes；　Beaulieu；　Saint'　Tropez　and　Menton。　The　residents　of　the　small　villages　gaped　in　awe　at　the　famous　faces　that　filled　their　streets　and　restaurants　and　bars。　Every　room　had　been　reserved　for　months　ahead；　but　Toby　Temple　had　no　difficulty　getting　a　large　suite　at　the　Carlton。　Toby　and　Jill　were　feted　everywhere　they　went。　News　photographers'　cameras　clicked　incessantly；　and　their　images　were　sent　around　the　world。　The　Golden　Couple；　the　King　and　Queen　of　Hollywood。　The　reporters　interviewed　Jill　and　asked　for　her　opinions　on　everything　from　French　wines　to　African　politics。　It　was　a　far　cry　from　Josephine　Czinski　of　Odessa；　Texas。　
　Toby's　picture　did　not　win　the　award；　but　two　nights　before　the　festival　was　to　end；　the　Judges　mittee　announced　that　they　were　presenting　a　Special　award　to　Toby　Temple　for　his　contribution　to　the　field　of　entertainment。　It　was　a　black…tie　affair；　and　the　large　banquet　hall　at　the　Carlton　Hotel　overflowed　with　guests。　
　Jill　was　seated　on　the　dais　next　to　Toby。　She　noticed　that　he　was　not　eating。　
　〃What's　the　matter；　darling？〃　she　asked。　
　Toby　shook　his　head。　〃Probably　had　too　much　sun　today。　I　feel　a　little　woozy。〃　
　〃Tomorrow　I'm　going　to　see　that　you　rest。〃　
　Jill　had　scheduled　interviews　for　Toby　with　Paris　Match　and　the　London　Times　in　the　morning；　luncheon　with　a　group　of　television　reporters；　followed　by　a　cocktail　party。　She　decided　she　would　cancel　the　least　important。　
　At　the　conclusion　of　dinner；　the　mayor　of　Cannes　rose　to　his　feet　and　introduced　Toby。　
　〃Mesdames；　messieurs；　et　invites　distingues；　c'est　un　grand　privilege　de　vow　presenter　un　homme　dont　Poeuvre　a　donne　plaisir　et　bonheur　all　monde　entier。　fai　Phonnew　de　ltd　presenter　cette　medaille　specvde；　un　signs　de　notre　affection　et　de　notre　appreciation。〃　He　held　up　a　gold　medal　and　ribbon　and　bowed　to　Toby。　〃Monsieur　Toby　Temple！〃　There　was　an　enthusiastic　burst　of　applause　from　the　audience；　as　everyone　in　the　great　banquet　hall　rose　to　his　feet　in　a　standing　ovation。　Toby　was　seated　in　his　chair；　not　moving。　
　〃Get　up；〃　Jill　whispered。　Slowly；　Toby　rose；　pale　and　unsteady。　He　stood　there　a　moment；　smiled；　then　started　toward　the　microphone。　Halfway　there；　he　stumbled　and　fell　to　the　floor；　unconscious。　
　Toby　Temple　was　flown　to　Paris　in　a　French　air　force　transport　jet　and　rushed　to　the　American　Hospital；　where　he　was　put　in　the　intensive…care　ward。　The　finest　specialists　in　France　were　summoned；　while　Jill　sat　in　a　private　room　at　the　hospital；　waiting。　For　thirty…six　hours　she　refused　to　eat　or　drink　or　take　any　of　the　phone　calls　that　were　flooding　into　the　hospital　from　all　over　the　world。　She　sat　alone；　staring　at　the　walls；　neither　seeing　nor　hearing　the　stir　of　activity　around　her。　Her　mind　was　focused　on　only　one　thing：　Toby　had　t