sidneysheldon.astrangerinthemirror-第8章

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　〃Sure。〃　He　gave　her　his　telephone　number；　and　Lucille　threw　it　into　the　wastebasket。　This　was　not　the　first　time　someone　had　tried　the　old…army…buddy　routine　on　her。　
　Dallas　Burke　was　one　of　the　motion…picture　industry's　pioneer　directors。　Burke's　films　were　shown　at　every　college　that　had　a　course　in　movie　making。　Half　a　dozen　of　his　earlier　pictures　were　considered　classics；　and　none　of　his　work　was　less　than　Brilliant　and　innovative。　Burke　was　in　his　late　seventies　now；　and　his　once　massive　frame　had　shrunk　so　that　his　clothes　seemed　to　flap　around　him。　
　〃It's　good　to　see　you　again；　Dallas；〃　Sam　said　as　the　old　man　walked　into　the　office。　
　〃Nice　to　see　you；　kid。〃　He　indicated　the　man　with　him。　
　〃You　know　my　agent。〃　
　〃Certainly。　How　are　you；　Peter？〃　They　all　found　seats。　
　〃I　hear　you　have　a　story　to　tell　me；〃　Sam　said　to　Dallas　Burke。　
　〃This　one's　a　beauty〃　There　was　a　quavering　excitement　in　the　old　man's　voice。　
　〃I'm　dying　to　hear　it；　Dallas；〃　Sam　said。　〃Shoot。〃　
　Dallas　Burke　leaned　forward　and　began　talking。　〃What's　everybody　in　the　world　most　interested　in；　kid？　Love　　right？　And　this　idea's　about　the　most　holy　land　of　love　there　is　　the　love　of　a　mother　for　her　child。〃　His　voice　grew　stronger　as　he　became　immersed　in　his　story。　
　〃We　open　in　Long　Island　with　a　nineteen…year…old　girl　working　as　a　secretary　for　a　wealthy　family。　Old　money。　Gives　us　a　chance　for　a　slick　background…know　what　I　mean？　High…society　suite。　The　man　she　works　for　is　married　to　a　tight…assed　blueblood。　He　likes　the　secretary；　and　she　likes　him；　even　though　he's　older。〃　
　Only　half…listening；　Sam　wondered　whether　the　story　was　going　to　be　Back　Street　or　Imitation　of　Life。　Not　that　it　mattered；　because　whichever　it　was；　Sam　was　going　to　buy　it。　It　had　been　almost　twenty　years　since　anyone　had　given　Dallas　Burke　a　picture　to　direct。　Sam　could　not　blame　the　industry。　Burke's　last　three　pictures　had　been　expensive；　old…fashioned　and　box…office　disasters。　Dallas　Burke　was　finished　forever　as　a　picture　maker。　But　he　was　a　human　being　and　he　was　still　alive；　and　somehow　he　had　to　be　taken　care　of；　because　he　had　not　saved　a　cent。　He　had　been　offered　a　room　in　the　Motion　Picture　Relief　Home；　but　he　had　indignantly　turned　it　down。　〃I　don't　want　your　fucking　charity！〃　he　had　shouted。　〃You're　talking　to　the　man　who　directed　Doug　Fairbanks　and　Jack　Barrymore　and　Milton　Sills　and　Bill　Farnum。　I'm　a　giant；　you　pygmy　sons　of　bitches！〃　And　he　was。　He　was　a　legend；　but　even　legends　had　to　eat。　When　Sam　had　bee　a　producer；　he　had　telephoned　an　agent　he　knew　and　told　him　to　bring　in　Dallas　Burke　with　a　story　idea。　Since　then；　Sam　had　bought　unusable　stories　from　Dallas　Burke　every　year　for　enough　money　for　the　old　man　to　live　on；　and　while　Sam　had　been　away　in　the　army；　he　had　seen　to　it　that　the　arrangement　continued。　
　〃。。。　so　you　see；〃　Dallas　Burke　was　saying；　〃the　baby　grows　up　without　knowing　her　mother。　But　the　mother　keeps　track　of　her。　At　the　end；　when　the　daughter　marries　this　rich　doctor；　we　have　a　big　wedding。　And　do　you　know　what　the　twist　is；　Sam？　Listen　to　this　…　it's　great。　They　won't　let　the　mother　in！　She　has　to　sneak　in　to　the　back　of　the　church　to　watch　her　own　kid　getting　married。　There　won't　be　a　dry　eye　in　the　audience。。。。　Well；　that's　it。　What　do　you　think？〃　
　Sam　had　guessed　wrong。　Stella　Dallas。　He　glanced　at　the　agent；　who　averted　his　eyes　and　studied　the　tips　of　his　expensive　shoes　in　embarrassment。　
　〃It's　great；〃　Sam　said。　〃It's　exactly　the　kind　of　picture　the　studio's　looking　for。〃　Sam　turned　to　the　agent。　〃Call　Business　Affairs　and　work　out　a　deal　with　them；　Peter。　I'll　tell　them　to　expect　your　call。〃　
　The　agent　nodded。　
　〃Tell　them　they're　gonna　have　to　pay　a　stiff　price　for　this　one；　or　I'll　take　it　to　Wamer　Brothers；〃　Dallas　Burke　said。　〃I'm　giving　you　first　crack　at　it　because　we're　friends。〃　
　〃I　appreciate　that；〃　Sam　said。　He　watched　as　the　two　men　left　the　office。　Strictly　speaking；　Sam　knew　he　had　no　right　to　spend　the　pany's　money　on　a　sentimental　gesture　like　this。　But　the　motionpicture　industry　owed　something　to　men　like　Dallas　Burke；　for　without　him　and　his　kind　there　would　have　been　no　industry。　
　At　eight　o'clock　the　following　morning；　Sam　Winters　drove　up　under　the　portico　of　the　Beverly　Hills　Hotel。　A　few　minutes　later；　he　was　threading　his　way　across　the　Polo　Lounge；　nodding　to　friends；　acquaintances　and　petitors。　More　deals　were　made　in　this　room　over　breakfast；　lunch　and　cocktails　than　were　consummated　in　all　the　offices　of　all　the　studios　bined。　
　Mel　Foss　looked　up　as　Sam　approached。　〃Morning；　Sam。〃　
　The　two　men　shook　hands　and　Sam　slid　into　the　booth　across　from　Foss。　Eight　months　ago　Sam　had　hired　Foss　to　run　the　television　division　of　Pan…Pacific　Studios。　Television　was　the　new　baby　in　the　entertainment　world；　and　it　was　growing　with　incredible　rapidity。　All　the　studios　that　had　once　looked　down　on　television　were　now　involved　in　it。　The　waitress　came　to　take　their　orders；　and　when　she　had　left；　Sam　said；　
　〃What's　the　good　news；　Mel？〃　
　Mel　Foss　shook　his　head。　〃There　is　no　good　news；〃　he　said。　〃We're　in　trouble。〃　
　Sam　waited；　saying　nothing。　〃We're　not　going　to　get　a　pickup　on　〃The　Raiders'。〃　
　Sam　looked　at　him　in　surprise。　〃The　ratings　are　great。　Why　would　the　network　want　to　cancel　it？　It's　tough　enough　to　get　a　hit　show。〃　
　〃It's　not　the　show；〃　Foss　said。　〃It's　Jack　Nolan。〃　
　Jack　Nolan　was　the　star　of　〃The　Raiders〃；　and　he　had　been　an　instant　success；　both　critically　and　with　the　public。　
　〃What's　the　matter　with　him？〃　Sam　asked。　He　hated　Mel　Foss's　habit　of　forcing　him　to　draw　information　from　him。　
　〃Have　you　read　this　week's　issue　of　Peek　magazine？〃　
　〃I　don't　read　it　any　week。　It's　a　garbage　pail。〃　He　suddenly　realized　what　Foss　was　driving　at。　〃They　nailed　Nolan！〃　
　〃In　black　and　white；〃　Foss　replied。　〃The　dumb　son　of　a　bitch　put　on　his　prettiest　lace　dress　and　went　out　to　a　party。　Someone　took　pictures。〃　
　〃How　bad　is　it？〃　
　〃Couldn't　be　worse。　I　got　a　dozen　calls　from　the　network　yesterday。　The　sponsors　and　the　network　want　out。　No　one　wants　to　be　associated　with　a　screaming　fag。〃　
　〃Transvestite；〃　Sam　said。　He　had　been　counting　heavily　on　presenting　a　strong　television　report　at　the　board　meeting　in　New　York　next　month。　The　news　from　Foss　would　put　an　end　to　that。　Losing　〃The　Raiders〃　would　be　a　blow。　Unless　he　could　do　something。　
　When　Sam　returned　to　his　office；　Lucille　waved　a　sheaf　of　messages　at　him。　
　〃The　emergencies　are　on　top；〃　she　said。　〃They　need　you　　〃　
　〃Later。　Get　me　William　Hunt　at　IBC。〃　Two　minutes　later；　Sam　was　talking　to　the　head　of　the　International　Broadcasting　pany。　Sam　had　known　Hunt　casually　for　a　number　of　years；　and　liked　him。　Hunt　had　started　as　a　bright　young　corporate　lawyer　and　had　worked　his　way　to　the　top　of　the　network　ladder。　They　seldom　had　any　business　dealings　because　Sam　was　not　directly　involved　with　television。　He　wished　now　that　he　had　taken　the　time　to　cultivate　Hunt。　When　Hunt　came　on　the　line；　Sam　forced　himself　to　sound　relaxed　and　casual。　
　〃Morning；　Bill。〃　
　〃This　is　a　pleasant　surprise；〃　Hunt　said。　〃It's　been　a　long　time；　Sam。〃　
　〃Much　too　long。　That's　the　trouble　with　this　business；　Bill。　You　never　have　time　for　the　people　you　like。〃　
　〃Too　true。〃　
　Sam　made　his　voice　sound　offhand。　〃By　the　way；　did　you　happen　to　saw　that　silly　article　in　Peek？〃　
　〃You　know　I　did。〃　Hunt　sa'd　quietly。　〃That's　why　we're　canceling　the　show；　Sam。〃　The　words　had　a　finality　to　them。　
　〃Bill；〃　Sam　said；　〃what　would　you　say　if　I　told　you　that　Jack　Nolan　was　framed？〃　
　There　was　a　laugh　from　the　other　end　of　the　line。　〃I'd　say　you　should　think　about　being　a　writer。〃　
　〃I'm　serious；〃　Sam　said；　earnestly。　〃I　know　Jack　Nolan。　He's　as　straight　as　we　are。　That　photograph　was　taken　at　a　costume　party。　It　was　his　girlfriend's　birthday；　and　he　put　the　dress　on　as　a　gag。〃　Sam　could　feel　his　palms　sweating。　
　〃I　can't〃　
　〃I'll　tell　you　how　much　confidence　I　have　in　Jack；〃　Sam　said　into　the　phone。　〃I've　just　set　him　for　the　lead　in　Laredo；　our　big　Western　feature　for　next　year。〃　
　There　was　a　pause。　〃Are　you　serious；　Sam？〃　
　〃You're　damn　right　I　am。　It's　a　three…million…dollar　picture。　If　Jack　Nolan　turned　out　to　be　a　fag；　he'd　be　laughed　off　the　screen。　The　exhibitors　wouldn't　touch　it。　Would　I　take　that　kind　of　gamble　if　I　didn't　know　what　I　was　talking　about？〃　
　〃Well。。。〃　There　was　hesitation　in　Bill　Hunt's　voice。　
　〃e　on；　Bill；　you're　not　going　to　let　a　lousy　gossip　sheet　like　Peek　destroy　a　good　man's　career。　You　like　the　show；　don't　you？〃　
　〃Very　much。　It's　a　damned　good　show。　But　the　sponsors　　〃　
　〃It's　your　network。　You've　got　more　sponsors　than　you　have　air　time。　We've　given　you　a　hit　show。　Let's　not　fool　around　with　a　success。〃　
　〃Well。。。〃　
　〃Has　Mel　Foss　talked　to　you　yet　about　the　studio's　plans　for　'The　Raiders'　for　next　season？〃　
　〃No。。。〃　
　〃I　guess　he　was　planning　to　surprise　you；〃　Sam　said。　〃Wait　until　you　hear　what　he　has　in　mind。　Guest　stars；　bigname　Western　writers；　shooting　on　locationthe　works！　If　〃The　Raiders'　doesn't　skyrocket　to　number　one；　I'm　in　the　wrong　business。〃　There　was　a　brief　hesitation。　Then　Bill　Hunt　said；　
　〃Have　Me！　phone　me。　Maybe　we　all　got　a　little　panicked　here。〃　
　〃He'll　call　you；〃　Sam　promised。　
　〃And；　Sam　…　you　understand　my　position。　I　wasn't　trying　to　hurt　anybody。〃　
　〃Of　course　you　weren't；〃　Sam　said；　generously。　〃I　know　you　too　well　to　think　that；　Bill。　That's　why　I　felt　I　owed　it　to　you　to　let　you　hear　the　truth。〃　
　〃I　appreciate　that。〃　
　〃What　about　lunch　next　week？〃　
　〃Love　it。　I'll　call　you　Monday。〃　
　They　exchanged　good…byes　and　hung　up。　Sam　sat　there；　drained。　Jack　Nolan　was　as　queer　as　an　Indian　dime。　Someone　should　have　taken　him　away　in　a　net　long　ago。　And　Sam's　whole　future　depended　on　maniacs　like　that。　Running　a　studio　was　like　walking　a　high　wire　over　Niagara　Falls　in　a　blizzard。　Anyone's　crazy　to　do　this　job；　Sam　thought。　He　picked　up　his　private　phone　and　dialed。　A　few　moments　later；　he　was　talking　to　Mel　Foss。　
　〃　'The　Raiders'　stays　on　the　air；〃　Sam　said。　
　〃What？〃　There　was　stunned　disbelief　in　Foss's　voice。　
　〃That's　right。　I　want　yon　to　have　a　fast　talk　with　Jack　Nolan。　Tell　him　if　he　ever　steps　out　of　line　again；　I'll　personally　ran　him　out　of　this　town　and　back　to　Fire　Island！　I　mean　it。　If　he　gets　the　urge　to　suck　something；　tell　him　to　try　a　banana！　〃　Sam　slammed　the　phone　down。　He　leaned　back　in　his　chair；　thinking。　He　had　forgotten　to　tell　Foss　about　the　format　changes　he　had　ad…libbed　to　Bill　Hunt。　He　would　have　to　find　a　writer　who　could　e　up　with　a　Western　script　called　Laredo。　The　door　burst　open　and　Lucille　stood　there；　her　face　white。　
　〃Can　you　get　right　down　to　Stage　Ten？　Someone　set　it　on　fire。〃　
　
　
　〃Mrs。　Tanner；　people　talk　about　your　school　and　the　wonderful　plays　you　put　on　here。　I'll　bet　you　have　no　idea　of　the　reputation　this　place　has。〃　
　She　studied　him　a　moment。　〃I　do　have　an　idea。　That's　why　I　have　to　be　careful　to　keep　out　phonies。〃　
　Toby　felt　his　face　begin　to　redden；　but　he　smiled　boyishly　and　said；　〃I'll　bet；　a　lot　of　them　must　try　to　crash　in　here。〃　
　''Quite　a　few；〃　Mrs。　Tanner　agreed。　She　glanced　at　the　card　she　held　in　her　hand。　
　〃Toby