merton of the movies-第35章

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nty…five　bucks　invested　in　his　screen　career。　And；　Jeff；　he'll　be　easy　to　work；　except　he　don't　know　he's　funny。　If　he　found　out　he　was；　it　might　queer　himsee　what　I　mean？　He's　one　of　that　kindyou　can　tell　it。　How　will　you　use　him？　He　could　never　do　Buckeye　stuff。〃

〃Sure　not。　But　ain't　I　told　you？　In　this　new　piece　Jack　is　stage　struck　and　gets　a　job　as　valet　to　a　ham　that's　just　about　Parmalee's　type；　and　we　show　Parmalee　acting　in　the　screen；　but　all　straight　stuff；　you　understand。　Unless　he's　a　wise　guy　he'll　go　all　through　the　piece　and　never　get　on　that　it's　funny。　See；　his　part's　dead　straight　and　serious　in　a　regular　drama；　and　the　less　he　thinks　he's　funny　the　bigger　scream　he'll　be。　He's　got　to　be　Harold　Parmalee　acting　right　out；　all　over　the　set；　as　serious　as　the　lumbagoget　what　I　mean？〃

〃I　got　you；〃　said　the　girl；　〃and　you'll　get　him　to…morrow　morning。　I　told　him　to　be　over　with　his　stills。　And　he'll　be　serious　all　the　time；　make　no　mistake　there。　He's　no　wise　guy。　And　one　thing；　Jeff；　he's　as　innocent　as　a　cupcustard；　so　you'll　have　to　keep　that　bunch　of　Buckeye　roughnecks　from　riding　him。　I　can　tell　you　that　much。　Once　they　started　kidding　him；　it　would　be　all　off。〃

〃And；　besides〃　She　hesitated　briefly。　〃Somehow　I　don't　want　him　kidded。　I'm　pretty　hard…boiled；　but　he　sort　of　made　me　feel　like　a　fifty…year…old　mother　watching　her　only　boy　go　out　into　the　rough　world。　See？〃

〃I'll　watch　out　for　that；〃　said　Baird。




CHAPTER　XII

ALIAS　HAROLD　PARMALEE


Merton　Gill　awoke　to　the　comforting　realization　that　he　was　between　sheets　instead　of　blankets；　and　that　this　morning　he　need　not　obscurely　leave　his　room　by　means　of　a　window。　As　he　dressed；　however；　certain　misgivings；　to　which　he　had　been　immune　the　day　before；　gnawed　into　his　optimism。　He　was　sober　now。　The　sheer　intoxication　of　food　after　fasting；　of　friendly　concern　after　so　long　a　period　when　no　one　had　spoken　him　kindly　or　otherwise；　had　evaporated。　He　felt　the　depression　following　success。

He　had　been　rescued　from　death　by　starvation；　but　had　anything　more　than　this　come　about？　Had　he　not　fed　upon　the　charity　of　a　strange　girl；　taking　her　money　without　seeing　ways　to　discharge　the　debt？　How　could　he　ever　discharge　it？　Probably　before　this　she　had　begun　to　think　of　him　as　a　cheat。　She　had　asked　him　to　come　to　the　lot；　but　had　been　vague　as　to　the　purpose。　Probably　his　ordeal　of　struggle　and　sacrifice　was　not　yet　over。　At　any　rate；　he　must　find　a　job　that　would　let　him　pay　back　the　borrowed　twenty…five　dollars。

He　would　meet　her　as　she　had　requested；　assure　her　of　his　honest　intentions；　and　then　seek　for　work。　He　would　try　all　the　emporiums　in　Hollywood。　They　were　numerous　and　some　one　of　them　would　need　the　services　of　an　experienced　assistant。　This　plan　of　endeavour　crystallized　as　he　made　his　way　to　the　Holden　lot。　He　had　brought　his　package　of　stills；　but　only　because　the　girl　had　insisted　on　seeing　them。

The　Countess　made　nothing　of　letting　him　in。　She　had　missed　him；　she　said；　for　what　seemed　like　months；　and　was　glad　to　hear　that　he　now　had　something　definite　in　view；　because　the　picture　game　was　mighty　uncertain　and　it　was　only　the　lucky　few　nowadays　that　could　see　something　definite。　He　did　not　confide　to　her　that　the　definite　something　now　within　his　view　would　demand　his　presence　at　some　distance　from　her　friendly　self。

He　approached　the　entrance　to　Stage　Five　with　head　bent　in　calculation；　and　not　until　he　heard　her　voice　did　he　glance　up　to　observe　that　the　Montague　girl　was　dancing　from　pleasure；　it　would　seem；　at　merely　beholding　him。　She　seized　both　his　hands　in　her　strong　grasp　and　revolved　him　at　the　centre　of　a　circle　she　danced。　Then　she　held　him　off　while　her　eyes　took　in　the　details　of　his　restoration。

〃Well；　well；　well！　That　shows　what　a　few　ham　and　eggs　and　sleep　will　do。　Kid；　you　gross　a　million　at　this　minute。　New　suit；　new　shoes；　snappy　cravat　right　from　the　Men's　Quality　Shop；　and　all　shaved　and　combed　slick　and　everything！　Sayand　I　was　afraid　maybe　you　wouldn't　show。〃

He　regarded　her　earnestly。　〃Oh；　I　would　have　come　back；　all　right；　I'd　never　forget　that　twenty…five　dollars　I　owe　you；　and　you'll　get　it　all　back；　only　it　may　take　a　little　time。　I　thought　I'd　see　you　for　a　minute；　then　go　out　and　find　a　jobyou　know；　a　regular　job　in　a　store。〃

〃Nothing　of　the　sort；　old　Trouper！〃　She　danced　again　about　him；　both　his　hands　in　hers；　which　annoyed　him　because　it　was　rather　loud　public　behaviour；　though　he　forgave　her　in　the　light　of　youth　and　kindliness。　〃No　regular　job　for　you；　old　Pippinnothing　but　acting　all　over　the　placereal　acting　that　people　come　miles　to　see。〃

〃Do　you　think　I　can　really　get　a　part？〃　Perhaps　the　creature　had　something　definite　in　view　for　him。

〃Sure　you　can　get　a　part！　Yesterday　morning　I　simply　walked　into　a　part　for　you。　Come　along　over　to　the　office　with　me。　GoodyI　see　you　brought　the　stills。　I'll　take　a　peek　at　'em　myself　before　Baird　gets　here。〃　〃Baird？　Not　the　Buckeye　comedy　man？〃　He　was　chilled　by　a　sudden　fear。

〃Yes；　Jeff　Baird。　You　see　he　is　going　to　do　some　fivereelers　and　this　first　one　has　a　part　that　might　do　for　you。　At　least；　I　told　him　some　things　about　you；　and　he　thinks　you　can　get　away　with　it。〃

He　went　moodily　at　her　side；　thinking　swift　thoughts。　It　seemed　ungracious　to　tell　her　of　his　loathing　for　the　Buckeye　comedies；　those　blasphemous　caricatures　of　worth…while　screen　art。　It　would　not　be　fair。　And　perhaps　here　was　a　quick　way　to　discharge　his　debt　and　be　free　of　obligation　to　the　girl。　Of　course　he　would　always　feel　a　warm　gratitude　for　her　trusting　kindness；　but　when　he　no　longer　owed　her　money　he　could　choose　his　own　line　of　work。　Rather　bondage　to　some　Hollywood　Gashwiler　than　clowning　in　Baird's　infamies！

〃Well；　I'll　try　anything　he　gives　me；〃　he　said　at　last；　striving　for　the　enthusiasm　he　could　not　feel。

〃You'll　go　big；　too；〃　said　the　girl。　〃Believe；　me　Kid；　you'll　go　grand。〃

In　Baird's　offices　he　sat　at　the　desk　and　excitedly　undid　the　package　of　stills。　〃We'll　give　'em　the　once…over　before　he　comes；〃　she　said；　and　was　presently　exclaiming　with　delight　at　the　art　study　of　Clifford　Armytage　in　evening　dress；　two　straight　fingers　pressing　the　left　temple；　the　face　in　three…quarter　view。

〃Well；　now；　if　that　ain't　Harold　Parmalee　to　the　life！　If　it　wasn't　for　that　Clifford　Armytage　signed　under　it；　you'd　had　me　guessing。　I　knew　yesterday　you　looked　like　him；　but　I　didn't　dream　it　would　be　as　much　like　him　as　this　picture　is。　Say；　we　won't　show　Baird　this　at　first。　We'll　let　him　size　you　up　and　see　if　your　face　don't　remind　him　of　Parmalee　right　away。　Then　we'll　show　him　this　and　it'll　be　a　cinch。　And　my；　look　at　these　othershere　you're　a　soldier；　and　here　you're　a…a…a　polo　playerthat　is　polo；　ain't　it；　or　is　it　tennis？　And　will　you　look　at　these　stunning　Westerns！　These　are　simply　the　best　of　allon　horseback；　and　throwing　a　rope；　and　the　fighting　face　with　the　gun　drawn；　and　rolling　a　cigaretteand；　as　I　live；　saying　good…by　to　the　horse。　Wouldn't　that　get　youBuck　Benson　to　the　life！〃

Again　and　again　she　shuffled　over　the　stills；　dwelling　on　each　with　excited　admiration。　Her　excitement　was　pronounced。　It　seemed　to　be　a　sort　of　nervous　excitement。　It　had　caused　her　face　to　flush　deeply；　and　her　manner；　especially　over　the　Western　pictures；　at　moments　oddly　approached　hysteria。　Merton　was　deeply　gratified。　He　had　expected　the　art　studies　to　produce　no　such　impression　as　this。　The　Countess　in　the　casting　office　had　certainly　manifested　nothing　like　hysteria　at　beholding　them。　It　must　be　that　the　Montague　girl　was　a　better　judge　of　art　studies。

〃I　always　liked　this　one；　after　the　Westerns；〃　he　observed；　indicating　the　Harold　Parmalee　pose。

〃It's　stunning；〃　agreed　the　girl；　still　with　her　nervous　manner。　〃I　tell　you；　sit　over　there　in　Jeff's　chair　and　take　the　same　pose；　so　I　can　compare　you　with　the　photo。〃

Merton　obliged。　He　leaned　an　elbow　on　the　chair…arm　and　a　temple　on　the　two　straightened　fingers。　〃Is　the　light　right？〃　he　asked；　as　he　turned　his　face　to　the　pictured　angle。

〃Fine；〃　applauded　the　girl。　〃Hold　it。〃　He　held　it　until　shocked　by　shrill　laughter　from　the　observer。　Peal　followed　peal。　She　had　seemed　oddly　threatened　with　hysteria；　perhaps　now　it　had　come。　She　rocked　on　her　heels　and　held　her　hands　to　her　sides。　Merton　arose　in　some　alarm；　and　was　reassured　when　the　victim　betrayed　signs　of　mastering　her　infirmity。　She　wiped　her　eyes　presently　and　explained　her　outbreak。

〃You　looked　so　much　like　Parmalee　I　just　couldn't　help　thinking　how　funny　it　wasit　just　seemed　to　go　over　me　like　anything；　like　a　spasm　or　something；　when　I　got　to　thinking　what　Parmalee　would　say　if　he　saw　someone　looking　so　much　like　him。　See？　That　was　why　I　laughed。〃

He　was　sympathetic　and　delighted　in　equal　parts。　The　girl　had　really　seemed　to　suffer　from　her　paroxysm；　yet　it　was　a　splendid　tribute　to　his　screen　worth。

It　was　at　this　moment　that　Baird　entered。　He　tossed　his　hat　on　a　chair　and　turned　to　the　couple。

〃Mr。　Baird；　shake　hands　with　my　friend　Merton　Gill。　His　stage　name　is　Clifford　Armytage。〃

〃Very　pleased　to　meet　you；〃　said　Merton；　grasping　the　extended　hand。　He　hoped　he　had　not　been　too　dignified；　too　condescending。　Baird　would　sometime　doubtless　know　that　he　did　not　approve　of　those　so…　called　comedies；　but　for　the　present　he　must　demean　himself　to　pay　back　some　money　borrowed　from　a　working　girl。

〃Delighted；〃　said　Baird；　then　he　bent　a　suddenly　troubled　gaze　upon　the　Gill　lineaments。　He　held　this　a　long　moment；　breaking　it　only　with　a　sudden　dramatic　turning　to　Miss　Montague。

〃What's　this；　my　child？　You're　playing　tricks　on　the　old　man。〃　Again　he　incredulously　scanned　the　face　of　Merton。　〃Who　is　this　man？〃　he　demanded。

〃I　told　you；　he's　Merton　Gill　from　Gushwomp；　Ohio；〃　said　the　girl；　looking　pleased　and　expectant。

〃Simsbury；　Illinois；〃　put　in　Merton　quickly；　wishing　the　girl　could　be　better　at　remembering　names。

Baird　at　last　seemed　to　be　convinced。　He　heavily　smote　an　open　palm　with　a　clenched　fist。　〃Well；　I'll　be　swoshed！　I　thought　you　must　be　kidding。　If　I'd　seen　him　out　on　the　lot　I'd　'a'　said　he　was　the　twin　brother　of　Harold　Parmalee。〃

〃There！〃　exclaimed　the　girl　triumphantly。　〃Didn't　I　say　he'd　see　it　right　quick？　You　can't　keep　a　thing　from　this　old　bey。　Now　you　just　came　over　here　to　this　desk　and　look　at　this　fine　batch　of　stills　he　had　taken　by　a　regular　artist　back　in　Cranberry。〃

〃Ah！〃　exclaimed　Baird　unctuously；　〃I　bet　they're　good。　Show　me。〃　He　went　to　the　desk。　〃Be　seated；　Mr。　Gill；　while　I　have　a　look　at　these。〃

Merton　Gill；　under　the　eye　of　Baird　which　clung　to　him　with　something　close　to　fascination；　sat　down。　He　took　the　chair　with　fine　dignity；　a　certain　masterly　deliberation。　He　sat　easily；　and　seemed　to　await　a　verdict　confidently　foreknown。　Baird's　eyes　did　not　leave　him　for　the　stills　until　he　had　assumed　a　slightly　Harold　Parmalee　pose。　Then　his　head　with　the　girl's　bent　over　the　pictures；　he　began　to　examine　them。

Exclamations　of　delight　came　from　the　pair。　Merton　Gill　listened　amiably。　He　was　not　greatly　thrilled　by　an　admiration　which　he　had　long　believed　to　be　his　due。　Had　he　not　always　supposed　that　things　of　precisely　this　sort　would　be　said　about　those　still