Chapter 2 #3
It was Mr. Mayer’s turn to lift his chin. “What if she couldn’t? What if someone went to the other studios and suggested that Miss Bennett should not be hired?”
“Are you threatening to sabotage her career?” Papa took a step toward Mr. Mayer. “I refuse—”
“Papa.” I put my hand on his arm. Mr. Mayer’s proposition was full of risks—so many, I didn’t even want to think about them.
But we had few other choices. “Mr. Mayer’s offer would benefit us, perhaps more than it would Mr. Hayes.
His name is bigger than any other in Hollywood, even with the scandal.
If we can improve his reputation and have him in the film, it would guarantee our success. ”
Papa’s shoulders were still tight as he turned to me. “But you’d have to pretend to be in a romantic relationship with him to make it work. And even then, it’s a gamble.”
“I’m an actress.” I smiled, though my voice trembled. “I can pretend almost anything.”
“This is a business deal, nothing more,” Mr. Mayer assured Papa. “You gain something; I gain something. All we’re doing is trading services.”
I glanced at Mr. Hayes, but it was still hard to read his expression. Did he want to pretend to date me? He was under contract to MGM Studios, so he didn’t have a say in the movies he acted in. But he could refuse the plan.
Couldn’t he?
I wasn’t eager to stage a relationship with him, but if it meant saving Bennett Studios, I would do almost anything.
“I don’t like it,” Papa said. “What if people learn the truth?”
“Who would ever know if the five of us don’t tell them?” Mr. Mayer watched Papa closely. “I’m being generous with you, Grant. But I also acknowledge that I need this for Spence and for us.”
Papa looked like he was going to protest again, so I stepped forward. We had to do something drastic to save our family’s studio. “I agree to your proposal, Mr. Mayer.”
“Ally.” Papa’s voice held censure.
I turned to him. “I know what I’m doing. This is the answer we’ve been praying for.”
He studied me for a moment and then sighed before looking at Mr. Mayer.
“I am accelerating the production of this film and will need full cooperation from Mr. Hayes every day. I hope to release the movie as soon as possible, and after it has successfully launched, Ally will be under no obligation to continue the farce.”
“I see no problem with those stipulations.”
“Good.”
“I will have my lawyer draw up some legal documents and bring them by your studio tomorrow.”
“Fine.” Papa addressed Mr. Hayes, his face serious. “I want you at the studio at eight tomorrow morning—sober. And if you hurt Ally in any way, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or professionally, you will have to deal with me.”
Spencer pulled back in defense, his jaw clenching.
“He agrees,” Mr. Mayer said, sticking out his hand.
Papa glared at Mr. Mayer for a moment and then shook his hand before turning and leaving the ballroom.
“Please excuse us.” Mama offered a stiff smile and followed him.
“Well”—Mr. Mayer clapped his hands together—“I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.
I trust you’ll both be professional but, more importantly, believable and discreet.
No one must know the truth.” His gaze narrowed on Spencer.
“I don’t need to reiterate the consequences if you mess this up. This is your last chance.”
The muscles in Spencer’s cheek twitched.
After Mr. Mayer walked away, Spencer turned to me, a spark of irritation in his face as he said, “It appears that you have your work cut out for you, Miss Bennett. You’re a good actress, but are you good enough to convince people that you’d fall for a worthless guy like me?”
His voice suggested he was teasing, but his eyes told a different story.
“I enjoy a good challenge.” I smiled. Though this wasn’t a challenge I would have signed up for under any other circumstance, it was one I would take on for my family.
Spencer’s scandal was still fresh in everyone’s minds.
His girlfriend, Fanny Parker, caught him cheating on her with an up-and-coming actress named Mabel Collins.
When Fanny saw Mabel leaving Spencer’s house late one night, she hit her with her automobile.
The impact put Mabel into a coma for several days as she fought for her life.
Fanny had gone to jail, but thankfully, Mabel had started to recover, and Fanny was released.
Both actresses had fled Hollywood shortly after, and Spencer’s reputation was in tatters.
“I enjoyed your performance in Gold Rush! last year,” I said to change the subject.
He reached inside his coat and paused, glancing at me. “I suppose you don’t want me to drink.”
I blinked several times and then said, “I’d prefer if you didn’t, since it’s not only illegal but not good for you, either.”
Slowly, he removed his hand and sighed. “I can tell this is going to be a long affair.”
“I’ve been doing a little research about the gold rush,” I said, steering the conversation back. “Your performance was so convincing, I thought perhaps you had done some research, as well.”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m just curious about the movie that earned you a nomination for best actor.”
“I just did what the director told me to do.”
“You don’t know anything about the history of San Francisco? Or your character, Cole Goodman? What about Sam Kendal? Or Bess Kendal?”
“Whoa.” He put up his hand. “Slow down. Is this a test? Do you often harass men with so many questions?”
I pulled back, feeling both embarrassed and chastised. “I’m just curious.”
“I don’t remember much about any of it.” He reached into his coat again and this time pulled out the flask. He held his finger to his lips as if to suggest I be quiet, then took a sip of the contents. “I’ll only have a little,” he said with a wink.
Irritation replaced my embarrassment. I wasn’t a prude, but I also wasn’t willing to get into trouble—with the press, the authorities, or my fans.
My voice hardened. “If you plan to drink while we’re together, then this agreement is off, Mr. Hayes.
My father was right. I have a reputation to uphold, and I cannot be—”
“Whoa,” he said again, slipping the flask into his coat, frowning. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Of course I’m serious.” I spoke louder than I intended and had to lower my voice as I checked to see if anyone noticed. “If we’re going to make people believe we’re romantically involved, then you’ll have to act like a man I would date.”
He gave me a devastating smile, one I’m sure he’d used on countless other women. “No one will have a hard time believing you’re interested in me.”
I wasn’t about to fall for it, so I gave him a look that wiped away his smile.
“You’re right.” He held up his hands. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I won’t drink again.”
“Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea.” I scanned the ballroom for Mr. Mayer.
Spencer sobered as he took a step closer. “I’m sorry, Miss Bennett. Really, I am. I need this more than you might realize. I can play by the rules. Trust me.”
I studied his earnest face, looking for any pretense or guile, and found none.
“Fine. But I will have Mr. Mayer’s lawyer include a caveat in the contract. If you drink even a drop of alcohol during this agreement, all bets are off.”
“You have my word. I will be a saint—today is the last day I’ll drink.”
It went against my better judgment, but I nodded and then turned to leave him.
“Miss Bennett?”
“Yes?”
“There is one thing I remember about San Francisco from 1849. The first big fire took place just before midnight on August 30, 1849.”
Frowning, I asked, “How do you remember that?”
“Because August 30th is my birthday.” His handsome smile was lopsided. “Tomorrow I turn thirty-two.”
“Happy birthday.”
He started to walk backward. “This year is looking better than the last one. I’ll see you in the morning.” With a final salute, he turned and joined the others on the dance floor.
I sighed, already regretting my decision.
Vicky’s gaze followed me across the room, and when I smiled at her, she turned back to her friend.
I went to the punch bowl to fill a glass but realized with sudden clarity that if I didn’t get Hazel and Father out of Bess’s Place tomorrow, we might be caught in the fire that Sam would start.
And that Bess would die in.