Professional Lover Part 15

"No... oh, no."

Al breathed something under his breath. It sounded suspiciously like "liar."

Aloud he, said, "Is that why you refused to play opposite him?"

"Yes... well, not altogether. You see, I promised Stephen, Stephen Desmond..."

An oath escaped him. "And how the h.e.l.l does Stephen Desmond come into all this? As if it wasn't complicated enough already."

"Stephen doesn't want me to have a film career."

"Oh, he doesn't, does he?" His voice was almost a snarl.

Suddenly Starr felt she had to know something.

"Mr. Hammond," * her voice was tentative * "why isn't Stephen directing your new big picture, Lovable Rake?"

"My in heaven's name should he?"

'But * but he's directed most of Rex's pictures."

"Yes, and nearly made a flop of the last two. If it hadn't been for Rex's genius they would have flopped. I wanted to take the last one, Gentleman Pirate, away from him, but Rex wouldn't hear of it. Begged me to give Stephen another chance. Well, I gave it to him, and look at the mess he's made of things. Complaints from the entire cast."

"Did Rex complain?"

"He was the only one who didn't! But he should have! Stephen managed to queer his acting in almost every scene. You see," he explained a moment later as he lit a fresh cigar, "for the past year or so Stephen's been simply swollen with conceit. His early successes must have gone to his head. Lately he hasnt been able to take a hint or a suggestion from anyone. It's about as much as my life is worth to put an idea to him. I thought if I put him on two*reelers for a time he might get his sense back. Because I believe he has talent. Only talent and conceit don't mix, you know."

Starr didn't say anything for a minute. She was staring out of the window. There was a far*

away look in her eyes. Curiously she found she couldn't resent what Al had just said to her.

Perhaps for some time past in her secret heart she had known it. Only that strong streak of stubbornness in her had refused to let her admit it. No, instead of feeling enraged she only felt tired. And strangely detached. As though she stood watching something that had been very precious pa.s.s out of her life. She might have tried to recapture it. But she hadn't the strength.

Neither did she feel she wanted to very much.

"The point is," said Al, "leaving Rex out of it entirely, are you prepared to reconsider your decision not to play in the picture? Luckily you've still time. I've got some girls lined up for tests tomorrow, but" * he winked broadly * "the tests needn't come out so good, if you say the word."'"May I tell you tomorrow morning?" Starr asked quietly.

'h.e.l.l, no!" he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed irritably. "I've been put off enough today as it is. You tell me now, young lady, and look sharp about it."

Starr drew a deep breath. She felt curiously as though she were on the end of a diving board, her arms and head pointed downwards, ready to take the plunge. Should she? A curious dizziness crept over her. On one hand was Stephen, her promise to him, her... but she knew now that for some time past she had ceased to love him. On the other hand was a career, possible fame and... but her mind closed down abruptly. A career, fame... that was all.

She drew a deep breath. "Yes, Mr. Hammond, if you still want me to..."

"That's a sensible girl!" He chuckled and bit off an end of a fresh cigar.

"And Rex?" she asked quickly. 'You will give him more time to reconsider?"

Having gained a victory, Al was inclined to be magnanimous.

"He can have until midnight," he told her. He banged his desk sharply and added, "But not another moment, and that's final. Either he telephones me or comes round to my house before twelve or else he can go to Timbuctoo as far as I'm concerned. Understand me?"

Starr said that she did.

Starr felt an entirely different being as, some little time later, she was driven away from the studios. She knew she was on the threshold of a new life. She felt that, within the last half*

hour, she had been shorn of a lot of worn*out beliefs and ideas. Funny how your beliefs and ideas did get worn out, but it needed a sharp shock to make you realize it. And your affections?

A little shiver ran through her. It hurt to realize that those, too, could become worn out. It made her feel sad and a little desperate. She had always thought that once she fell in love she would never change. Was it her fault entirely? Could any of the blame be with Stephen?

She thought, "I've got to have it out with him this afternoon." It wasn't in Starr's nature to evade or put things off.

Stephen was at home. He opened the door to her himself. She looked at him, almost as though seeing him for the first time. And when he tried to kiss her she moved sharply away from him.

He led her into the sitting room. "Awfully sorry I won't be able to go out tonight, Starr," he said. "But I'm expecting a cable from England. Some time ago a big film corporation there made me an excellent offer. I didn't accept then, but I didn't definitely turn it down, either.

Well, after lunch, I cabled that I'd accept if they still wanted me. I've got to wait in for a reply."

"Then you've definitely decided to go to England if their offer still holds good?" she asked quietly. She was sitting on the arm of a chair, staring down into the empty fireplace. She hadn't taken off her hat, and she still held her gloves, rolled up into a tight clammy ball, in her hands.

He nodded. "You bet I have! I'm sick of conditions over here. They haven't enough sense to appreciate a man who has genius. Besides, you're up against such petty jealousies and backbiting. I'll be glad to shake the dust of this country off my feet.... And you, Starr," he added a moment later, "you'll enjoy it over there. Be a swell adventure for you. You can come and join me directly the divorce is granted and we can be married."She shook her head. Her lips felt very dry suddenly. She wet them with the point of her tongue.

"I'm afraid that's out of the question, Stephen. You see," * she paused and gave a faint, forced smile * "I think I'll be very busy over here for some time to come."

He started and stared down at her. Perhaps for the first time since she had come into the room he noticed some change in her.

"Busy over here, Starr? What do you mean?"

"I've just been seeing Al Hammond," she said, a little breathlessly. "I am going to take that part he offered me. I told him I would."

"What?" He seemed completely stunned. He ran a hand back through his hair and continued to stare down at her. As though he didn't quite know what to say. "You mean you're going to play opposite Rex Brandon?" he said at last.

"If he's still to be in the picture."

He laughed harshly. "Oh, he will be in it right enough! I see it all now. That's why he threatened to walk out on them. So as to get them to bring influence to bear on you. And" * his voice sharpened with anger * "you've been such a fool as to fall for an obvious trick like that!"

Her own color mounted, but she managed to control her voice. "Don't let's quarrel about it, Stephen. I've * I've been thinking it over. I do want to go in for film work. I do want to have my own career."

He raised his thick eyebrows. "In direct opposition to my wishes?" he asked harshly.

"Why should one person try to control another person's actions?" she demurred. "Why shouldn't we all be free agents to do what we want to do? I loved playing in that last picture. I don't want to give it up."

"Your small success has turned your head, I see," he said bitterly.

"Then you don't think I have real talent?" she asked.

He strode the length of the room before replying. He kicked a footstool out of his way irritably. "Oh, I don't know, Starr. You were good enough," he grumbled. "But I dont want you to go on with it. I want you to help me. As you used to. You can help me, dear, an awful lot. You might do well yourself, but, after all, don't you think it's more important*"

"You mean don't you think you're more important?" she asked quietly. "You want me to sink my career in yours? That's it, isn't it?"

He swung towards her. 'Well, supposing it is? Once we're married, my career will be your career, and mine's a definitely established thing. After all, a man's work is more important.

You can't deny that."

Again that faint smile touched her lips. "You may be right, Stephen, but... I am going to play in that picture."

He drew his dark brows together. "And supposing I say I won't let you? I won't have my future wife playing opposite a notorious bounder like Brandon. Directly he hears you're in the picture he'll come scuttling back into it, curse him*"

"I thought you said you hated petty jealousies and backbiting," she said coldly.His face turned slowly red. "Petty jealousy you call it, eh? Petty jealousy when that man's done everything in his power to wreck both my life and my career? He wanted Al Hammond to take that last picture away from me. But for his rotten lies I'm sure I'd be directing Lovable Rake."

"That isn't true," Starr said quietly. "Rex didn't influence Al Hammond's decision in any way."

Stephen laughed sharply. "You expect me to believe that?"

"But it's true," she insisted. "Al Hammond told me so himself."

"Oh, so you've been discussing me with Al Hammond, have you?" he threw at her angrily.

Her face aled slightly. " Well, yes, in a way. I wanted to know if Rex had really done all the mean things you accused him of." She drew a tight breath and added, "I'm glad he hasn't."

The angry color in Stephen's face deepened. "You won't take my word, I see!" His lips twisted sarcastically. "It's nice to feel your future wife has such confidence in you that she has to question a third party about the truth of your statements!"

There was a pause. Starr said slowly, "But I don't think I am going to be your future wife, Stephen."

They looked at each other. Starr's eyes were sad. She wanted to say, "Don't let's hurt each other any more than we have to, Stephen. Don't let us say unkind things we won't want to look back on. There's been something beautiful about our relationship in the past. Let us, at least, keep the memory of that beauty."

But Stephen was too angry to respond to the plea in her eyes.

"I see," he said shortly. And added, with something which very nearly approached a snarl, "It's Rex, of course!"

"Why should you presume it's Rex?" she asked quickly.

"But it is, isn't it?" he insisted. "You've fallen for his cunning just as Rita did. I thought you had more sense, Starr. I didn't think you'd be taken in by someone so obviously cheap*"

"How dare you, Stephen!"

"I am right then!" He laughed bitterly. "We directors put a poor sawdust figure up before the public gaze. We dangle him attractively before the women's eyes, and instead of having the sense to see it's all us, they swallow him hook, line, and sinker. They actually believe in him!

Why, Rex Brandon was nothing but a poor actor when I found him. I started him, and if it hadn't been for me*"

'Won't you give Rex credit for anything?" she cut in quietly.

"Why should I give credit where there's no credit due?" he demanded, hoa.r.s.ely. "What is he except a few cheap tricks, a knack of smiling, a way of lifting one eyebrow, that appeals to a lot of silly women? I never thought I should have to cla.s.s you in that category, Starr!" he ended bitterly.

She thought with a faint smile, "Perhaps that's what I am. Just one of a myriad of silly women.... But it's rather nice to be a silly woman for a change."

There was a ring on the telephone. Stephen almost ran across the room to answer it. "Yes, yes, this is Stephen Desmond," she heard him say into the transmitter. "Yes, yes, read it out tome.... What's that? Will you repeat it, please? Thank you. Yes, you can post a copy of the cable, please."

When he turned towards her again there could be no disguising his satisfaction. 'It's all right.

They're taking me on my own terms. That ought to show old Al, oughtn't it? The trouble with our movies is that they don't recognize a good man when they've got one. Oh, well," he shrugged, "it's their own funeral. But they'll be sorry."

Starr said generously, "I'm awfully glad it's turned out so well for you, Stephen. I think you will do big things over there."

He misunderstood her. "You feel differently now? Now you see I'm not the abject failure Rex has painted me?"

"But Rex has said nothing about you." Her voice was tired.

"As if I'd believe that.... How has he got you away from me, then?"

"He didn't get me away from you, Stephen." She smiled faintly and added, "I think you did it yourself!"

He laughed hollowly. 'Women always try to put the blame on the man they're tired of!"

She stood up. "I'm going now, Stephen. I * I suppose it sounds awfully trite, but can't we part friends?"

"Do you care enough to want to?" His voice was bitter. Perhaps more hurt than bitter. And because Starr sensed this, she answered impulsively, "Of course I care, Stephen! You've meant so much to me for so long. I can't cut you altogether out of my life, even though I might wish to. I'll always be interested in your career, tremendously interested, and wish for your success.

I'm sure you're going to be successful, too, Stephen."

The warmth of her tones mollified him. "Starr, can't * can't we still go on together?" His voice softened. "I think I'm going to miss you very much, my dear."

She turned her face aside sharply. The tears were stinging the backs of her eyes. She had wanted them to part without bitterness, but now she felt she would even have welcomed that bitterness. At least it wouldn't have hurt like this.

"I'll miss you, too, Stephen..."

"Starr, I am going to do big things." There was the old eager, enthusiastic ring in his voice.

"I want to do big things and give all my success to you, dear."

"But, Stephen, I wouldn't have enough to give you in exchange," she said quietly. "And unless you give just as much as you receive, no marriage is ever a success."

She left shortly afterwards. But she cried softly to herself all the way down the stairs. She felt that something big had gone out of her life, and as yet there was nothing to take its place.

At least nothing she would allow herself to recognize. She thought, "I wish your feelings always stayed the same towards people. They don't, and you can't help it. But it always hurts.

And, somehow, I think it hurts more if you're the first to change."

She was still dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief when she got out into the street and hailed a taxi. She told the driver to take her to Rex's apartment. She had to see him. She had to see him at once and persuade him to get in touch with Al Hammond before midnight.

20

Mason, Rex's servant, told her that he hadn't seen his master since early that morning. He expected him in to dinner, however. Starr said she would come in and wait.

The late*afternoon sunlight filtered into the sitting room, giving it a pleasant, faintly amber appearance. Starr sank down into a deep armchair, but she couldn't relax. Just what would she say to Rex when he arrived? How explain her sudden capitulation and change of front? She felt that if he laughed at her she would never forgive him. She didn't mind his laughing at a lot of things about her, but she couldn't bear him to laugh about this.