Page 55 of The Gathering Storm

‘Reviewers don’t like long books because it takes too long for the reviewer to read them,’ Lennie said. ‘The public don’t mind. More to enjoy.’

‘Hmph,’ said Al. ‘They’re paying three dollars a shot for it – who ever heard of a book costing three dollars?’

‘I think you should make an offer,’ Lennie said.

‘You in?’

‘You know my condition.’

‘Yeah, Rose gets to be Scarlett. Hey,’ Al brightened, ‘Rose – Scarlett. She was pink, now she’s red.’ Al never made jokes, and was pleased with himself. He swirled the cigar from the side to the middle of his mouth and grinned round it. ‘Okay, I’ll make an offer. You visiting Rose now? She’s filming in Stage Three.’

‘I know,’ said Lennie.

Rose had returned to work, was doing back-to-back movies with the western star, Hoot Gibson – Al had got the idea of Rose on a horse into his head, and matters had gone from there. They were shooting The Arizona Ranger at present, a story about a retired ranger and his new young wife: the past returns to haunt him when a cattle-rustler he brought to justice is released from prison, vowing to avenge his brother, who was shot and killed by the ranger in a thwarted raid. Rose, playing the young wife, had some moving scenes. It wasn’t a bad part – a little meatier than the usual western offering.

Lennie had resigned himself to looking after her for a while yet – she seemed too fragile to cast off into the wider ocean, but she was definitely better for being at work. He hoped it would not be long.

They were doing the interior filming at the moment, and Lennie slipped into Stage Three and watched for a bit, but it was obvious they weren’t close to breaking, so he slipped out again, lit a cigarette, and strolled along the lot’s main street. There was always something interesting to see. He stopped by Stage Two, the largest, and looked in. There seemed to be some kind of Roman epic building, and he watched for a moment, wondering what it was. He hadn’t heard anything about it.

Then a man who had been bent over some plans at a table just inside the door straightened up, caught sight of Lennie, and came across, his hand out. It was Eric Chapel.

Lennie shook. ‘I didn’t know you were back in Hollywood. I thought you’d abandoned us for Paris and the world of fine art.’

‘I had an exhibition in London cancelled – my work was too modern for them. So I decided to come back to America, where I’m appreciated.’

‘And what are you doing here?’

‘Working. A man has to eat.’ Lennie waved his hand at the set, and Eric went on: ‘The interior of the great Library of Alexandria. Make it look Roman, Mr Feinstein said. People like Roman. But it’s supposed to be Greek, Mr Reznik said. So, make it Roman with a touch of Greek, said Mr Feinstein. I love the way that man cuts through all problems.’

‘By ignoring history.’

Chapel shrugged. ‘People don’t go to the movies for history. As long as it’s magnificent, they don’t mind if it’s Greek, Roman or Babylonian.’

‘What’s the film called?’

‘Alexander the Great.’

‘Hmm. I wonder why I haven’t heard about it.’

‘I think Mr Feinstein didn’t want you to know, in case you asked for Rose to have the part of Roxane. You are becoming known, my friend, for your advocacy. Producers and directors run away when they see you coming.’

Lennie laughed. ‘I know that’s not true. Producers and directors brush off agents like flies.’

‘It’s just my fun. I see she’s working again.’ He nodded towards Stage Three. ‘A cowboy film?’ he queried. ‘After The Falcon and the Rose?’

‘A woman has to eat.’ Lennie gave him his own words back. ‘And there are bigger things on the horizon.’

‘You mean Gone With the Wind? I heard the agents are getting quite ambitious. They have turned down the only offer they had, from Fox, because it’s not high enough. It would be a good role for Rose, if Mr Feinstein was willing to offer enough.’

‘You’ve read it?’

‘Everybody’s read it. A strong leading role, but not sympathique. I suspect the second-lead Melanie character will steal the show. By the way,’ he said, ‘I saw your cousin recently. Mrs Alexander that was – Mrs Morland, as she now is.’

Lennie’s heart contracted merely at the name. ‘In London?’

‘I didn’t go to London in the end. No, I saw her in New York.’

‘What was she doing there?’ Lennie was puzzled.