The Principle Of Chance (12 page)

When they left, Frank stayed for a while
to discuss Justin’s business. He wondered, not for the first time, what kept
Justin so grounded in the world of music, especially regarding women.

‘I do like Amy.’ Frank said.

‘She's clever!’ Justin responded.

‘The girl knows her mind!’

‘Knows the business she's in Frank.’

‘… and people!’

‘… in this city.’

‘Confident girl!’

‘Have we finished praising her
Frank? I know your game! Yes, I like her. That’s all you need to know!’

‘She's important to me Justin!’
Frank said seriously.

‘She is?!’

‘It’s a long story. I will tell you
one day.’

Another of Frank’s secrets, what was
it this time, he wondered. There was time enough to find out. The trip to
Europe was going to be full of surprises.

She was young and she was beautiful.
Her dark hair, cut short in the latest style, shimmered in the sunshine. The
bright red lipstick on her lips was perfectly applied. Who was she? – Frank
wondered as he watched her from his office window elegantly holding a
cigarette.

‘Are you watching Ellie?’ Someone
asked next to Frank. ‘She eats men for breakfast – that’s what I’ve heard,
anyway.’

Frank turned around to face Jotty, a
cameraman who always seemed to know the current gossip.

‘She does?’

‘Ellie has a different man every
night.’ Jotty happily shared what he had heard.

‘Good for her.’ Frank said.

It was 1943; Frank’s Studio was
already in full swing, turning out movie after movie. After losing his friend
Jim Wellsenry, he was surprised to find that he suddenly had money. Frank
invested it wisely. There was a fierce competition between the big Film Studios
and Frank wanted to come up with something new, to be different.

He concentrated on short films of
seventy minutes with a quick turnaround. The filming took place in a studio to
keep costs to a minimum. Frank only employed the few key people he needed; a
director, cameraman and producer. Wardrobe and make up girls were very easy to
find as women liked to look good, therefore, they usually perfected the art of
applying makeup themselves. Hollywood’s newly established agents were in Europe
looking for cheap actors as the film production industry was in full swing and
needed new faces.

Frank didn’t want to be part of that,
but nevertheless he found Austrian, German and Hungarian immigrant actors
knocking on the Studio doors. The war didn’t help, he tried to offer a job to
as many as he could but he also needed to make a living. Studios usually signed
actors for three or five year contracts, adding them onto their weekly payroll
but Frank only offered them a contract for a particular film. This saved him
paying actors the usual weekly salary. He slowly built a reputation as a sharp
film maker as his movies made it to the box office. The hard work paid off and
Frank made a decent life for himself in America.

Ellie was one of the chorus girls at
the time, Frank found out later that day. She was noted for her willingness to
work long hours and give a perfect performance. Frank’s rule was not to get
involved with any of the girls in his studio.

They met one late night after a
musical rehearsal wasn’t going right. Ellie was with the dancing girls but the
leading actress wasn’t right for the part.

Frank tried to make it work, but by
past midnight everyone wanted to go home. The girls usually had their admirers
waiting after a long day by the back door - including Ellie. That night, Frank
saw her waiting alone. When he was locking up she was still there. Frank
offered to drive her home in his battered sedan and surprisingly, she accepted.

Their secret relationship started
that very night. Ellie didn’t want to be seen with the head of the Studio she
worked for and Frank had a rule. Being a chorus girl wasn’t what Ellie wanted
for herself, she wanted to have a husband and children. She was an immigrant as
well, born in Austria. She had no family left, therefore she was desperate to
have her own. When she mentioned this to Frank, he pulled back, - he wasn’t
ready for a family yet.

‘I need to be able to provide for a
wife and children.’ Frank explained but Ellie wasn’t listening.

‘Frank, we have enough money to buy
a house and start a life together.’ Ellie argued.

‘Look Ellie, it has taken me years
to get where I am today, the movie business is struggling now, – I need to be
in a better position.’

‘Money isn’t everything Frank!’
Ellie said stubbornly.

‘To me, money means a lot right now,
sweetheart.’

It certainly did mean a lot to
Frank, he never ever wanted to be in the same position as when he arrived in
America. Filming was slowing down and other big studios were issuing temporary
contracts for actors – just like Frank did.

Still, their relationship continued
but now under a strain. Ellie flirted with the usual crowd of admirers, which
Frank seemingly ignored. She was offered a small speaking role in a movie for
one of the big studios.

She was away for a few months and
when she returned to Frank’s studio she was different.

Frank detected something was up and
he wasn’t surprised when he heard the girls talking about Ellie’s new man.

‘Who is the guy?’ Frank enquired.

‘He is in politics.’ Ellie answered.

‘Interesting …..’ Frank wanted to
steer clear of politicians, they had already tried to get his studio to make
propaganda films, but Frank didn’t want to be involved.

‘He wants to marry me.’ Her voice
was only a whisper.

‘He does?’ Frank wasn’t expecting
this answer.

‘You love him?’

‘You know I love you Frank!’

‘Then don’t marry him!’ Frank
couldn’t believe what she was saying.

‘I want security.’

‘You are protected with me Ellie –
you know that!’

‘No, Frank, I am not.’

‘Think about it …. don’t make a
sudden decision.’

Frank hoped this was a passing
infatuation, but as the weeks passed Ellie wasn’t changing her mind. Frank
needed to step aside to let Ellie get on with her life.

He backed off and Ellie moved on –
she married her new man and left show business.

Ellie Chrystal walked out of Frank’s
life – and he watched her go!

****

Jasmine’s plan didn’t work! She
waited all night for an opportunity to meet Jack by his house, and he never
showed up. Plan B wasn’t going her way either! Now she was sat in a restaurant
waiting for a ‘date’. Of course, the date wasn’t coming but Jack was there.

Jasmine had numerous sources to
reach for, to find out what she wanted. Just pay the asking price and take the
information! – it was so easy. Tonight, if she played her cards right, she will
have him. Jack had already noticed her; of course he never missed a blonde.
Unknown to Jasmine, she wasn’t Jack’s type. Jack liked classy girls with
something to say. When he checked Jasmine out, he had a feeling something was
wrong. Jack wasn’t a fool, his reputation as a stud was well publicised and
women chased Jack all the time. Women, who wanted to use him to gain
‘something’, were quite prepared to sleep with him for any opportunity.

Jack knew the girl staring at him
was one of them.

Jasmine wasn’t giving up on Jack;
she needed an opportunity to meet him outside. She waited patiently.

****

Jack was disappointed in the girl
sitting opposite him. She was a social climber desperately wanting to be an
actress and she wasn’t even hiding the fact. He was tired of dinners, movie premiers
or whatever event he received an invite to and was also getting weary of
blondes.

There were girls he enjoyed
listening
to and then there were girls he wanted to get rid of. The blonde was sadly the
second type.

‘I was in the ‘Bluebell’ Jack. It
was only a small part but the director said I was incredible! He said that he’d
been after such a talented girl for a long time.’ She gushed, nearly tipping
over her champagne glass. ‘He also wrote a line, - for me!’

‘Did you have to sleep with him
darling?’ Jack didn’t care, this wasn’t right.

‘Oh Jack! You shouldn’t ask me
questions like that!’ She giggled, not missing the passing macho waiter.

‘Why not? You are in show business!’
Jack was on the edge, he wanted to leave.

‘Do you think you could talk to Frank
Orban? There is this part in one of his movies that would be perfect for me!’

Jack felt her hand grabbing his
crotch and quickly removed it. She felt disappointed.

‘I can be very grateful Jack!’ She leaned
over to give Jack a full view of her breasts.

‘I have no doubts darling.’ He
excused himself, walked out to the reception area and asked for the check.

‘Wait ten minutes then tell the girl
I had to leave.’ He said, tipping the headwaiter generously.

‘No problem Mr Harvey.’ The waiter
pocketed the tip.

Jack waited outside for his driver,
when the voluptuous blonde he’d seen inside appeared by his side.

‘Mr Harvey, such a delight meeting
you here.’ She purred into his ear.

The girl had enormous breasts and a
very slim body. Jack didn’t answer; he wanted to be shot of the place. His
driver brought the car around, and swiftly opened the passenger door.

‘I have seen all your movies, you
look
even better
in real life!’ She continued, following him to his car.

‘Thank you.’ Something didn’t add up
with the big breasted blonde. He couldn’t figure it out what it was. He
searched around, waiting for the paparazzi to start snapping.

‘I am an actress too. I am playing
Charlotte in ‘Firefox’, - the new girl!’ Jasmine said.

‘Are you? Good for you girl.’ Jack
wasn’t interested.

‘As a matter of fact, we are filming
a love scene tomorrow which I don’t fully understand.’

‘Look darling, ‘Firefox’ was
cancelled two weeks ago!’ Jack revealed, this was a setup, for sure. He needed
to get away and fast. He got into the waiting car.

‘Take me to Frank’s.’ He told his
driver.

Shit! Shit! And more Shit. Jasmine
was furious; she’d screwed up this time. Why wasn’t she told that the stupid
movie was cancelled! Jack had figured her out - big deal - she will have to
find another way to get Mr Harvey! - but she will!

****

Frank’s housekeeper looked surprised
to see Jack arriving early. She had instructions that Jack will be coming
around past midnight. 

‘I
know, I know!’ Jack apologised.

Frank was working in his study, when
he heard Jack’s voice.

‘You had dinner Jack? I am about to
have something, want to join me?’

‘Sounds good, steak?’

‘Whatever you want.’ Frank was clad
in a pair of faded jeans and a shirt.

‘When was the last time you wore
jeans Frank?’ Jack teased. ‘Where is your suit?’

‘Yesterday Jack, as you well know.’

‘Was it? Never mind me Frank, I need
a drink.’

‘Come into the study, what is the
problem?’ Frank fixed the drinks and sat down to listen.

‘We are two old and predictable
guys!’ Jack said taking a big gulp of his whisky.

‘You don’t say …’

‘I enjoy a good life Frank. It
wasn’t always good, but here we are, we made it to a good age.’

Frank studied his crystal glass.
They’d made it for sure, life treated them good but what price had they paid?
 

‘Looking back at your life Jack – is
there anything you would do differently?’

‘Not a thing Frank. Wouldn’t change
a day!’

Frank’s housekeeper entered,
manoeuvring an elegant food trolley.

‘This smells delicious Teresa.’ Jack
commented.

‘I’ll tell the chef Mr Harvey.’
Teresa rewarded him with a kind smile. Jack was one of Frank’s friends; she
liked to have him around the house.