Evening star., 1932-09-18


red bus to Vitatone City.
Years ago, but Rocky wasn't so old. Those
days seemed long way behind him, that was
all
Actually he was very much like Hollywood
ITSELF still young, but with lot of experience.
AS for the experience-wen the girl who got on
at the boulevard that morning and asked Rocky
to tell her when she should get off didn't even
suspect the thumbnan epic in his answer
sure he told her. 7 used to ride out there
myself only it was smaller then
He could tell that she was new in town. Soon
she would be one of the reg lars probably; he
knew most of them, because he hauled them
back and forth so often His story was about
the same as theirs, too, except that they still
carried their makeup cases in their hands and
their dreams of fame in their hearts.
Rocky had given up both quite while ago.
Sold his soul, it were, for ticket-punch and
three square meals day
uCINDEREILAS," he would think to him.
~ self as they crowded into the bus,
wishing for a fairy godmother"
In his own way, Rocky would wish with
them. Often he did more than that, because
he knew what they were up against. Only too
we'll he knew the slender meals and cherries
rooms, the eternal wait for the phone to ring
and the endless search for a days work here
day there-the ceaseless, gnawing hope that
some day Lady Luck would wave her wand and
make a miracle happen.
He deadheaded lot Of the reglars at one
time and another. Simply couldn't bring him.
self TO turn them down. They might connect
with a check at the end of the line. and they'd
miss it If he didn't carry them. Usually,
though, he didn't see them much after that
New ones soon took their places, anyhow.
Seemed to be no end Of them He could just
about pick them as they came, too, the first
time they ever got on the bus
That new Girl this morning nOW-he had
known exactly where she was going before she
asked him to tell her when she got there
Beauty contest winner, likely enough, in her
own home town. dozens and dozens OF 'em out
here. Anyway here she was. At the bottom
of the steepest grade in the world.
She wouldn't know anything about that,
though, yet. New girls never did. Maybe she
never would; anyway, that was mighty de-
termined little chin she had to 60 with her
tilted, saucy little nose. She might have the
nerve to stick and the luck to get break
Rocky hoped so-her deep brown eyes and
cornsilk hair should screen like million dollars
If she did
He wondered whether she had enough money
to see her through. Her clothes were obviously
new, now; q trinity tailored suit and hat. sort
of powder gray. And the tiny feather stuck
right above her ear seemed to be part OF her,
somehow. Straight up and chirpy it was, as
full of spunk and courage as the bluejay 1t had
come from.
"vitatone City!"
He called it out as he swung the bus to the
curb and brought it to a stop in front of the
enormous white facade. Then, as she came
forward:
you'll probably want to 60 through that
archway at the left, miss
He knew she was a bit afraid, really because
she flashed him such a brave little smile. Then
she began to walk up the graveled, box-hedged
path.
DOCKY breathed a little sigh He looked at
u the high, spike-topped wall encircling the
studio looked at the acres Of white buildings
beyond the heavy iron gates. He looked at
the flower beds, the trees, the spacious lawns;
looked I'D into the sky at the huge sign.
He looked at them all and shook his head.
Just one more girl; her hopes her dreams,
among all the rest.
Rocky made two round trips before he saw
her waiting to go back into Hollywood. She
was standing with a couple Of the reg lars,
dabbing that bit of a nose of hers with pow
der puff. AS he bore down on them, Rocky
wondered how she had come out. The reg lars,
he saw, hadn't had any luck.
The slight droop to their shoulders was an
old tale to him. But there was no droop TO
her shoulders. Instead, there was little smile
on her face, an eager brightness in her eyes
as she dropped her nickel and dime into the
box and sat down in the last seat. Rocky could
just see her in q corner Of the driving mirrors,
and all the way in she just sat and looked out
of the window.
She didn't seem to be taking much notice
Of the scenery, though. Perhaps she was
painting still prettier picture with her
thoughts, and was too busy looking at that.
Rocky didn't see her again until the follow
ing Monday, and then only on the trip in. She
stepped aboard with a mob Of others leaving
the studio; it was after 6 by then, and none
of them had stopped to take their makeup off.