Chapter 10
Hollywood, California
It was the biggest filming day we’d had in years.
Over fifty extras had been brought in to film the crowd scenes needed throughout the movie.
From the opening in Concord at Christmastime, to the street scene when Jo leaves a publishing house with her first check, to the wedding when Meg marries Mr. Brooke, there were several scenes that needed to be shot, and we would be at the studio until late that night.
Papa was in his element as he directed. Some scenes would be shot on our back lot, where buildings and streets for different movies had been created over the years. Everything from Middle Eastern markets to Wild West frontier towns could be found there.
“Spencer!” Lydia called during one of the breaks.
I glanced up from where I was sitting on my canvas folding chair, memorizing my lines. Spencer was late. Papa had been forced to rearrange his schedule to accommodate Spencer’s absence, and though Papa would be happy that Spencer had finally arrived, there would probably be tension between them.
Lydia and Annette rushed to Spencer’s side, both talking at the same time. They were so far away, and the space was so full of people, I couldn’t hear them. Spencer was laughing and shaking his head at Lydia.
“Are things getting serious between you?” Vicky asked from her spot next to me. She was watching as I studied him, and I could see that my response was important to her.
“I wouldn’t say it’s getting serious. We’re just having fun.” It was the truth. Spencer was fun to be around. Sometimes he exasperated me, and he could come across as arrogant, but I’d learned that he was usually joking, and he liked when I teased him right back.
For some reason, Vicky’s question made me think about Sam, too.
I’d been working at Bess’s Place for the past few days, and though Sam was different, I was enjoying my time with him, as well.
He didn’t tease in the same sense that Spencer did, but I’d had fun learning how to cook with him, and when he did tease me, it was about funny things I said or did—and not to get a reaction out of me.
I looked forward to waking up each morning because Sam and I had a few moments together as he lit the cookstove before he fetched the water.
Then we would begin breakfast and talk about whatever came to mind.
I didn’t know anything about his life before he arrived in California because I didn’t ask.
But I had a feeling that if I did, he would tell me.
Sam wasn’t one to hide information about himself.
I was almost afraid of learning the truth and thinking differently about him.
It was easier to watch the way he treated people to understand his character instead of learning about the horrible things he’d done before I’d met him.
“I’m happy to hear it’s not serious,” Vicky said, touching her brown wig, which was styled in an updo.
Her comment tore my thoughts away from Sam and returned my attention to Spencer.
Vicky was attracted to him, and the last thing I wanted was another rivalry between us.
For the time being, Spencer was contractually obligated to be in a relationship with me.
It would only cause trouble if she tried to pursue him.
“It doesn’t mean it couldn’t become serious,” I added, trying to sound nonchalant.
Vicky didn’t respond but turned her gaze on Spencer and watched as he came closer.
People milled around the soundstage, waiting for the next scene.
They were dressed in period costumes, all of which had been rented or borrowed or repurposed by the costume department at a huge expense.
There were elderly adults, children, and every age group in between.
Several of them noticed Spencer’s arrival, and though he didn’t acknowledge their attention, his shoulders grew stiff.
“You’re finally here,” Vicky said as she got off her chair to meet him. “It’s nice to see you again, Spencer.”
He smiled at Vicky, but then his gaze slipped over her shoulder and landed on me.
There was a softening to his eyes as he regarded me. It didn’t feel forced or obligatory, but natural and genuine, making me wonder if he really liked me.
I returned his smile as my cheeks warmed. I wasn’t sure if his attention made me feel good because everyone else was looking at him and he was looking at me—or if I enjoyed it because I was starting to like Spencer.
The way my heart melted when I saw him made me think it was the latter.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Vicky said to Spencer as she stepped to the left, blocking his view of me, “do you have any tips for me? I’m wondering if I’m underacting Meg’s character.
It’s so hard since this is the first time I’ve had dialogue, and I feel like I need to balance my acting with my speech.
Do you feel this way? This isn’t your first talkie, is it?
You’ve done two others for MGM, if I remember correctly. ”
She dominated his attention, and every time he shifted to look at me, she moved to stand in his way. Eventually, his focus was directed solely at her, and he stopped trying to see me.
Even though I knew she couldn’t win, something ugly rose up inside my chest.
The sensation took me by surprise. I had never been jealous of Vicky before now, and I didn’t like how it made me feel. Especially over a man who was pretending to be in a relationship with me.
Or was he?
When Spencer finally moved away from Vicky and smiled at me, there was something gentle in his voice as he said, “Hello, Ally.”
“Hi, Spencer.”
“Mr. Fellbaum will be here later today.” He put his hand on the back of my chair, getting closer than necessary. “He’d like to speak to both of us, if you’re available.”
I started to nod, but Vicky interrupted. “Who is Mr. Fellbaum?”
“MGM’s press secretary.”
Vicky frowned. “Why would he come here?”
“He has something he wants to show us.” Spencer was talking to Vicky but still looking at me, making me blush.
“It seems odd that MGM’s press secretary would want to meet with Ally.”
Spencer shrugged. “Publicity.”
“I still don’t understand.” Vicky tried to laugh, but her shoulders were rigid, and her voice held an edge. “I guess I’m not smart enough to comprehend something so simple.”
That drew Spencer’s attention, and he pulled away from my chair to frown. “Of course you’re smart. You’re brilliant, Vicky.”
She lowered her gaze and shook her head. “Don’t say things you don’t mean.”
“I mean it.” He smiled, stepping away from me. “I’ve loved watching you perform. I think you’ve done an exceptional job under difficult circumstances.”
“Really? That means a lot to me, Spencer.” She motioned to the script in her hand. “Will you look over some lines with me while you wait for Mr. Fellbaum? I’d love your expertise.”
“Of course.”
She wrapped her arm through his and led him away.
It was one thing to watch her flirt with him, another to see her pretend to be incompetent to draw compliments from him.
I wouldn’t stoop to that level.
But I didn’t like how it felt when he walked away with her.
It took us an hour to shoot the wedding scene, which we did in the studio garden near an arbor that the set designers had created. The cameras surrounded us as large microphones picked up the sound.
Since Vicky played the part of Meg, who was getting married to Mr. Brooke, she was occupied for most of the scene.
After the wedding, the party danced around the couple, and as Jo, I was supposed to be upset that Meg was now married and life was changing for the March family.
Spencer, playing Laurie, kept his focus on me for most of the scene, knowing how upset my character was.
I was very familiar with the book and knew that Laurie would soon propose to Jo and she would turn him down.
I thought often of the Alcott family as we made the movie.
Louisa was just sixteen when our fathers closed their school and the Alcotts moved to Boston in 1848.
She was still growing into the woman who would one day write her famous books.
Her older sister, Anna, was passionate about the stage, and I’d once heard her say she secretly longed to be a famous actress.
What would she think if she knew she would be represented in film and on stage long after her death?
I took great inspiration from the family as I privately coached Vicky, Annette, and Lydia in their character development.
But not all the actors knew I was a time-crosser.
During breaks, Vicky took every opportunity to touch Spencer’s arm or laugh at his comments now that she knew how to get his attention. She looked pretty in the wedding attire, and he seemed to notice.
“Ally.” Mama approached when we were done with the scene. “Mr. Fellbaum is here. He’s waiting in Papa’s office and wants to speak to you and Spencer. Can you let Spencer know? He’s been waiting for quite a while.”
“Of course.” I left Mama and walked up to Spencer and Vicky. “Mr. Fellbaum has been waiting for us in Papa’s office.”
“I’d almost forgotten.” He smiled at Vicky. “I’ll see you later.”
“Do I have to let you go?” she asked.
I wanted to roll my eyes.
Vicky’s stare followed us all the way out the door.
“I’m sensing a little animosity between you and Vicky,” Spencer said as we stepped out of the soundstage and onto the sidewalk. “I hope it’s not because of me.”
“Of course you do.” I gave him the side-eye. “You love it.”
He laughed. “You’d think I was used to women fighting over me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Mr. Hayes—or should I say, Mr. Leeds?” I smiled at his teasing, which I had once mistaken for arrogance. “My rivalry with Vicky precedes your arrival in our lives.”
He was quiet for a moment as we walked toward the executive offices, then he took my hand and said, “You know she won’t win.”
My heart did a little flip-flop. Was he only playacting?
“Of course I know she won’t win.” I laughed, trying to ignore the flutter of emotions welling up inside me as I disentangled my hand from his. “With a contract between us, it would be even more upsetting if she did.”
He laughed and shook his head as I led him across the studio lot.
At one time, there had been a dozen people working in the executive offices, but now there were only three. Papa’s secretary greeted us as we entered and told us to go into his office, where Mr. Fellbaum was waiting.
“There you are,” Mr. Fellbaum said in a gregarious voice when we entered. “I was just about to go looking for you.”
“Hi, Frank.” Spencer closed the door behind me. “What was so important you needed to see us today?”
“I have the first copy of today’s issue of Photoplay.” He held up the popular magazine that followed the lives of actors and actresses and grinned. “I like what I’m seeing, you two.”
Spencer took the copy from him and found the page Mr. Fellbaum had marked.
“Your initial meeting got a centerfold placement.” Mr. Fellbaum rocked back on his heels with pleasure. “You’ll see that they interviewed some of the cast, and everyone had a glowing report about you two.”
Spencer’s gaze found mine, and we shared a smile.
“Who did they interview?” I asked, needing to direct my attention away from him. He moved so that I could see the magazine properly.
Mr. Fellbaum shrugged. “Your sister and niece.”
It was good that they’d interviewed Vicky last week before she had set her cap for Spencer.
“Keep up the good work,” Mr. Fellbaum said, clapping both of us on our shoulders. “I like this publicity, and more importantly, Mr. Mayer likes it.”
“Is that all?” Spencer asked. “You came all this way to show us this?”
“That’s it from me. This was such good news, though, I wanted to deliver it in person. I’m expecting Film Daily to have an article about you any day now. A positive article for once.”
Spencer gave him a look.
Mr. Fellbaum ignored it as he said, “I’m sure Mr. Bennett doesn’t want me to monopolize all your time, so I’ll leave.
But I do want you to know that Mr. Harrison is hoping to visit your house soon, Miss Bennett, to get some pictures of you and Spencer on the front porch or sitting around the dinner table with your family.
I’ll have my secretary call and arrange it with you soon. ”
I nodded and smiled, though I wasn’t sure how that would go over with Vicky.
Mr. Fellbaum said good-bye, then left Papa’s office.
Spencer slowly looked over the magazine. “It looks like we’re playing our parts well.”
“It appears that way.”
He regarded me, that same tender look coming over his face. “Unless we’re not acting.”
Nerves filled my stomach, and I swallowed the unexpected anxiety racing up my throat.
Then he laughed.
“I like teasing you, Ally. You make it too easy.” He shook his head as he looked back at the magazine.
“If nothing else, my mother and Aunt Sherry are going to be pleased when they see this. They’ll think I’m finally on the straight and narrow, and I have Mr. Mayer to thank.
This was a good deal he worked out for us. ”
I swallowed the strange disappointment I felt and nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”
This was all for show. Not only did I need to keep telling myself that, but I needed to believe it. I wasn’t just playing around with my life in 1929. I also had a life in 1849, with people who depended on me. I wasn’t sure what would happen before my birthday, or where I would end up staying.
Especially when the history books claimed I would marry Sam.
Something I still couldn’t fathom.