hr.thecarpetbaggers-第106章

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　She　heard　Bonner's　excited　protest　all　the　way　across　the　room。　〃I　don't　care；〃　Jonas　said。　〃Get　someone　else　to　play　it。　。　。　。　Who？　。　。　。　Hayworth；　Sheridan。　Anyone　you　want。　And　from　now　on；　Denton　isn't　to　be　scheduled　for　any　picture　until　I　approve　the　script。〃
　He　put　down　the　telephone　and　turned　to　her。　He　was　smiling。　〃You　hear　that？〃
　She　smiled　back　at　him。　〃Yes；　boss。〃
　The　photograph　had　been　an　instant　success。　Everywhere　you　went；　it　stared　out　at　you　…　from　walls；　from　display　counters；　from　calendars　and　from　posters。　And　she；　too；　had　gone　on　to　fame。　She　was　a　star　and　when　she　returned　to　the　Coast；　she　found　that　Jonas　had　approved　a　new　contract　for　her。
　But　a　year　had　gone　by；　including　the　bombs　at　Pearl　Harbor；　and　still　she　had　made　no　other　picture。　Not　that　it　mattered。　The　Sinner　was　in　its　second　year　at　the　big　Norman　Theater　in　New　York　and　was　still　playing　limited…first…run　engagements　wherever　it　opened。　It　was　proving　to　be　the　biggest…grossing　picture　the　pany　had　ever　made。
　Her　routine　became　rigid　and　unvarying。　Between　publicity　appearances　at　each　première；　as　the　picture　opened　across　the　country；　she　remained　on　the　Coast。　Each　morning；　she'd　go　to　the　studio。　There　her　day　would　be　filled　…　dramatic　lessons　in　the　morning；　luncheon；　generally　with　some　interviewer；　voice；　singing　and　dancing　lessons　in　the　afternoon。　Her　evenings　were　generally　spent　alone；　unless　Jonas　happened　to　be　in　town。　Then　she　was　with　him　every　night。
　Occasionally；　she'd　have　dinner　with　David　and　Rosa　Woolf。　She　liked　Rosa　and　their　happy　little　baby；　who　just　now　was　learning　how　to　walk　and　bore　the　impressive　name　of　Henry　Bernard；　after　David's　father　and　uncle。　But　most　of　the　time　she　spent　alone　in　her　small　house　with　the　Mexican　woman。　The　word　was　out。　She　was　Jonas'　girl。　And　Jonas'　girl　she　remained。
　It　was　only　when　she　was　with　him　that　she　did　not　feel　the　loneliness　and　lack　of　purpose　that　was　looming　larger　and　larger　inside。　She　began　to　grow　restless。　It　was　time　for　her　to　go　to　work。　She　read　scripts　avidly　and　several　times；　when　she　thought　she'd　found　one　she　might　like　to　do；　she　got　in　touch　with　Jonas。　As　always；　he'd　promise　to　read　it　and　then　call　her　several　days　later　to　say　he　didn't　think　it　was　right　for　her。　There　was　always　a　reason。
　Once；　in　exasperation；　she'd　asked　him　why　he　kept　her　on　the　payroll　if　he　had　nothing　for　her　to　do。　For　a　moment；　he'd　been　silent。　When　he　spoke；　his　voice　was　cold　and　final。　〃You're　not　an　actress；〃　he　said。　〃You're　a　star。　And　stars　can　only　shine　when　everything　else　is　right。〃
　A　few　days　later；　Al　Petrocelli；　the　publicity　man；　came　to　her　dressing　room　at　the　studio。　〃Bob　Hope's　doing　a　show　for　the　boys　at　Camp　Pendleton。　He　wants　you　on　it。〃
　She　turned　on　the　couch　on　which　she　was　sitting　and　put　down　the　script　she'd　been　reading。　〃I　can　do　it？〃　she　asked；　looking　at　him。
　They　both　knew　what　she　meant。　〃Bonner　talked　to　Cord。　They　both　agreed　the　exposure　would　be　good　for　you。　Di　Santis　will　be　in　charge　of　whipping　up　an　act　for　you。〃
　〃Good；〃　she　said；　getting　to　her　feet。　〃It　will　be　great　having　something　to　do　again。〃
　And　now；　after　six　weeks　of　extensive　rehearsal　of　a　small　introductory　speech　and　one　song；　which　had　been　carefully　polished；　phrased　and　orchestrated　to　show　her　low；　husky　voice　to　its　greatest　advantage；　she　stood　in　the　wings　of　the　makeshift　stage；　waiting　to　go　on。　She　shivered　in　the　cool　night　air　despite　the　mink　coat　wrapped　around　her。
　She　peeked　out　from　behind　the　wings　at　the　audience。　A　roar　of　laughter　rolled　toward　her　from　the　rows　upon　rows　of　soldiers；　stretching　into　the　night　as　far　as　the　eye　could　see。　Hope　had　just　delivered　one　of　his　famous　off…color；　serviceman…only　kind　of　jokes　that　could　never　have　got　on　the　air　during　his　coast…to…coast　broadcasts。　She　pulled　her　head　back；　still　shivering。　〃Nervous；　eh？〃　Al　asked。　〃Never　worked　before　an　audience　before？　Don't　worry；　it'll　soon　pass。〃
　A　sudden　memory　of　Aida　and　the　routine　she'd　made　her　perform　before　a　small　but　select　group　of　wealthy　men　in　New　Orleans　flashed　through　her　mind。　〃Oh；　I've　worked　in　front　of　an　audience　before。〃　Then　when　she　saw　the　look　of　surprise　on　his　face；　〃When　I　was　in　college；〃　she　added　dryly。　She　turned　back　to　watch　Bob　Hope。　Somehow；　the　memory　made　her　feel　better。
　Al　turned　to　the　soldier　standing　next　to　him。　〃Now；　you　know　what　you　got　to　do；　Sergeant？〃
　〃I　got　it　down　perfect；　Mr。　Petrocelli。〃
　〃Good；〃　Al　said。　He　glanced　out　at　the　stage。　Hope　was　nearing　the　end　of　his　routine。　Al　turned　back　to　the　soldier；　a　twenty…dollar　bill　appearing　magically　in　his　hand。　〃She'll　be　going　on　any　minute；〃　he　said。　〃Now；　you　get　down　there　in　the　front　near　the　stage。　And　don't　forget。　Speak　up　loud　and　clear。〃
　〃Yes；　Mr。　Petrocelli；〃　the　soldier　said；　the　twenty　disappearing　into　his　pocket。
　〃There'll　be　another　after　the　show　if　everything　goes　right。〃
　〃For　another　twenty；　Mr。　Petrocelli；〃　the　soldier　said；　〃you　don't　have　to　worry。　They'll　hear　me　clear　to　Alaska。〃
　Al　nodded　worriedly　and　turned　toward　the　stage　as　the　soldier　went　out　and　around　the　wings。　Hope　was　just　beginning　Jennie's　introduction。　〃And　now；　men；〃　he　said　into　the　microphone；　〃for　the　high　spot　of　the　evening…　〃　He　paused　for　a　moment；　holding　up　his　hands　to　still　the　starting　applause。　〃The　reason　we're　all　here。　Even　the　entire　officer's　club。〃　He　waited　until　the　laughter　died　away。　〃Girl…watching！〃
　〃Now；　men；〃　he　continued；　〃when　I　first　told　the　War　Department　who　was　ing　here　tonight；　they　said；　'Oh；　no；　Mr。　Hope。　We　just　haven't　enough　seat　belts　for　that　many　chairs。'　But　I　reassured　them。　I　told　them　you　soldiers　knew　how　to　handle　any　situation。〃　There　was　laughter　again　but　this　time；　there　was　an　expectancy　in　its　sound。　Hope　held　up　his　hands。　〃And　so；　fellers；　I　give　you…　〃
　The　lights　suddenly　dimmed　and　a　baby　spot　picked　up　Jennie's　head　as　she　peeked　out　past　the　curtain。　〃Fasten　your　seat　belts；　men！〃　Hope　shouted。　〃Jennie　Denton！〃
　And　the　stage　went　to　black　except　for　the　spotlight　on　Jennie。　A　roar　burst　from　the　audience　as　she　cautiously　and　tentatively；　in　the　manner　in　which　she　had　thoroughly　rehearsed；　walked　out　on　the　stage；　covered　pletely　by　the　full　mink　coat。
　The　noise　washed　over　her　and　she　felt　its　vibrations　in　the　wooden　floor　beneath　her　feet　as　she　came　to　a　stop　in　front　of　the　microphone。　She　stood　there　quietly；　looking　at　them；　her　blond　page…boy　haircut　catching　and　reflecting　the　gleaming　light。　The　soldiers　whistled　and　screamed　and　stomped。
　After　a　few　minutes　had　passed；　during　which　the　noise　showed　no　signs　of　abatement；　she　leaned　toward　the　microphone。　〃If　you　men　will　give　me　just　a　minute；〃　she　said　in　a　low　voice；　letting　her　coat　slip　from　one　shoulder。　〃I'll　take　my　coat　off。〃
　If　possible；　the　noise　grew　even　louder　as　she　slowly　and　deliberately　took　off　the　coat。　She　let　it　fall　to　the　stage　behind　her　and　stood　there；　revealed　in　a　white；　diamond…sequined；　skin…tight　evening　gown。　She　leaned　toward　the　microphone　again　and　one　shoulder　strap　slipped　from　her　shoulder。　Quickly　she　caught　at　it。　〃This　is　most　embarrassing。　I've　never　been　with　so　many　men　before。〃
　They　roared　enthusiastically。
　〃Now　I　don't　know　what　to　do；〃　she　said　in　a　soft　voice。
　〃Don't　do　nothin'；　baby；〃　came　a　stentorian　roar　from　down　front；　near　the　stage；　〃Jus'　stand　there！〃
　Again；　pandemonium　broke　loose　as　she　smiled　and　peered　in　the　direction　of　the　voice。　She　waited　until　the　sound　died　down　slightly。　〃I　have　a　little　song　I'd　like　to　sing　for　you；〃　she　said。　〃Would　you　like　that？〃
　〃Yes！〃　The　sound　came　back　from　a　thousand　throats。
　〃O。K。；〃　she　said　and　moved　closer　to　the　microphone；　clutching　again　at　her　falling　strap。　〃Now；　if　you'll　just　pretend　you're　at　home；　listening　to　the　radio；　if　you'll　close　your　eyes…　〃
　〃Close　our　eyes？〃　the　stentorian　voice　roared　again。　〃Baby；　we　may　be　in　the　Army　but　we're　not　crazy！〃
　She　smiled　helplessly　at　the　roar　of　laughter　as　the　music　slowly　came　up。　Slowly　the　spot　narrowed　to　just　her　face　as　silence　came　down　on　the　audience。　The　music　was　the　studio　arranger　at　his　best。　An　old　torch　song　but　done　in　beguine　rhythm　with　the　piano；　the　winds　and　the　violins　playing　the　melody　against　the　rhythm　of　the　drums　and　the　big　bass。
　She　came　in　right　on　cue；　her　eyes　half　closed　against　the　spotlight；　her　lower　lip　shining。　〃I　wanna　be　loved　by　you；〃　she　sang　huskily。　〃And　nobody　else　but　you。
　〃I　wanna　be　loved　by　you。
　〃A…low…oh…ohne。〃
　The　roar　that　came　rolling　out　from　the　audience　all　but　drowned　out　her　voice　and　for　a　moment　she　was　frightened　by　all　the　repressed　sexuality　she　heard　in　it。
　
　13
　
　MAURICE　BONNER　WALKED　INTO　THE　HOLLYWOOD　BROWN　DERBY；　THE　THICK　BLUE…PAPER…BOUND　SCRIPT　UNDER　HIS　ARM。　The　headwaiter　bowed。　〃Good　afternoon；　Mr。　Bonner。　Mr。　Pierce　is　already　here。〃
　They　walked　down　to　a　booth　in　the　rear　of　the　restaurant。　Dan　looked　up　from　a　copy　of　the　Hollywood　Reporter。　He　put　down　the　paper　next　to　his　drink。　〃Hello；　Maurice。〃
　Bonner　dropped　into　the　seat　opposite　him。　〃Hello；〃　he　said。　He　looked　over　at　the　trade　paper。　〃See　the　write…up　our　girl　got？〃
　Dan　nodded。
　〃That　wasn't　the　half　of　it；〃　Bonner　said。　〃Al　Petrocelli　told　me　he　never　saw　anything　like　it。　They　wouldn't　let　her　get　off　the　stage　and　then　when　it　was　over；　they　almost　tore　her　clothes　off　while　she　was　getting　to　the　car。　Hope　called　me　first　thing　this　morning　and　said　he　wants　her　any　time　she's　available。〃
　〃More　proof　that　I'm　right；〃　Pierce　said。　〃I　think　she's　bigger　now　than　Marlowe　ever　was。〃　He　shot　a　shrewd　glance　at　Bonner。　〃Still　going　up　there　one　night　a　week？〃
　Bonner　smiled。　There　were　no　secrets　in　this　town。　〃No。　After　The　Sinner　opened　in　New　York；　Cord　tore　up　her　old　contract　and　gave　her　a　new　one。〃
　〃I　don't　get　it。〃
　〃It's　simple；〃　Bonner　said。　〃The　morning　she　got　the　contract；　she　came　into　my　office。　She　borrowed　my　pen　and　signed　it；　then　looked　up　at　me　and　said；　'Now　I　don't　have　to　fuck　for　nobody。　Even　you！'　And　she　picks　up　the　contract　and　walks　out。〃
　Pierce　laughed。　〃I　don't　believe　her。　Once　a　cunt；　always　a　cunt。　She's　got　an　angle。〃
　〃She　has。　Jonas　Cord。　I　got　a　hunch　she's　going　to　marry　him。〃
　〃That　would　serve　the　son　of　a　bitch　right；〃　Pierce　said　harshly。　〃He　still　doesn't　know　she　was　a　whore？〃
　〃He　doesn't　know。〃
　〃Just　shows　you。　No　matter　how　smart　you　think　you　are；　there's　always　some　bint　that's　smarter。〃　Pierce　laughed。　〃How's　Jonas　doing？〃
　〃Making　nothing　but　money；〃　Bonner　said。　〃But　you　know　Jonas。　He　still　isn't　happy。〃
　〃Why　not？〃
　〃He　tried　to　get　into　the　Air　Corps　and　they　wouldn't　take　him。　They　refused　to　give　him　a　mission；　saying　he　was　too　important　to　the　war　effort。　So　he　leaves　Washington　in　a　huff　and　flies　to　New　York　and　enlists　as　a　private；　the　schmuck。〃
　〃But　he　still　ain't　in　the　Army；〃　Pierce　said。
　〃Of　course　not。　He　flunked　the　physical　…　perforated　eardrums　or　something　stupid　like　that。　So　they　classify　him　4…F　and　the　next　week；　they　take　Roger　Forrester　back　as　a　brigadier　general。〃
　〃I　hear　David's　going　up　for　his　physic