The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-01-28
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
SOC 10 oN ILL 10 JOE

ness OF pIlnC4pd4' 4foI vac OH VI
the chorus
Her salary made it unnecessary
for her to siImp along as the girls
in the ensemble did. All this made
life rather lonely for her. For com
pany she turned TO Jappy
Jappy was q chorus girl who had
Won her name for obvious reasons.
She had been a dancer billed as
an oriental taG-caste, an appella-
ton which ner slanting eyes did not
belle
Actually Jappy born Mildred
Cross, in PaSsaic, n. j., was thor
oughly American She was in the
chorus now because she could find
no better job.
Sheila liked Jappy. Even when
she had believed The press agents
tale that the other girl was half
japanese, 5heila had been drawn
to her.
They were in a small city in
PENNSYLVANIA. It was Friday and
they were to play there two nights,
making a jump on Sunday for an
other split week.
Jappy shared the chorus dress
ing room. Sheila missed that a
little. Girls, laughing and gay, at
long dressing shelves, mirrors, and
cretonne covered chairs all about.
She liked the crowded, brightly
lighted rooms with knots Of girls,
dressing, powdering, 1leXing, scold-
ing, rustling.
Sheila's dressing room was hall
as large as that into which the
thirty chorus girls we're crowded
Her costumes hung, as always,
against a sheet along the wall. She
invited Jappy to join these quar-
ters.
But Jappy shook her head. Tt
would get her in wrong with the
rest Of the girls, she said. They
would consider her high hat
However, after she had dressed,
Jappy frequently would leave the
gaiety of the dressing room and
seek Sheila's. A month later She
moved in.
NEITHER one of them was in
N Guided in any of the chorus
affairs little parties given after
the show e or in those given by the
other principals.
Ralph Mckee, the comedian, liked
Shcia.
Going out with him tonight?'
Jappy asked.
Il thought l might"
- "Alone?'
Il suppose so. Why?'
Jappy sighed q hope you aren't
hungry. He'll buy you crackers and
milk
Later Sheila understood this.
Mckee had definite ideas about
diet and crackers and milk were
his prescription for every i'll.
Il understand you turned down
a chance to work in New York, -
was one of the first things he said
to Shcila. They were seated at a
table in a restaurant that remained
open until late.
Sheila watched McKee's hands
long and slender-as they crumbled
crackers into a bowl of milk
He had ordered a steak for
Sheila. She needn't diet, he said,
lust because he did. His humorous
little eyes regarded her across the
table.
Sheila had heard that Mckee had
a wife and five daughters some
where on Long Island He made an
excellent salary and he was the
shows best drawing card.
Il did" Sheila admitted. 81
don't like to play in New York and
love the road"
NE'KEE sighed. But don't you
1FA know that a season there with
your name in electric lights would
give you a chance on the road later
with a bigger salary?
You could be a hcadliner instead
Of just one step up from the chorus
as YOU are now"
He regarded her thoughtfully 81
wonder if you know that your
dancing is extraordinary
"Of course"
ST mean it! It's too good for the
sort of part you haye-at the rate
they're paying you. Go back to
New York and try to land that
chance to play Broadway again.
That's my advicel'
Sheila told him. Il have a con-
tract to play forty weeks
well. forty weeks isn't forever.
Save your money then and go bacS
later. It's the only way to get
ahead
Mckee. Sheila knew, was playing
the road at a handsome salary. He
was a headliner. She was just a
dancer-not good enough for Broad
way. managers might conclude.
simply because they hadn't seen her
there.
III see about it, she told him.
Mckee offered more advice. You
ought to get married" he grunted.
Its not right for a girl like you
to try to shift for herself
The comedian might have been
her father from the way he talked
Sheila wondered what it would have
been like to play in a company with
her own father. She felt suddenly
very much alone.
And for several days this talk
with Ralph Mckee stayed in her
mind She talked it over with
Jappy and they agreed to save their
money.
They decided to do their own
washing, TO eat in cheaper
restaurants, and room together.
Eg N