Evening star., 1941-07-31

Above the hubbub IN her room
Ewes voice rose. 1t was sharp and
soft at the same time, the tone one
uses to reprimand child.
Phillip, darling, haven't you had
enough acting for one evening?
I'm sure all these people have had
their moneys worth
"You have the whole play to your
self" Ashley's voice was hvld and
I was glad I couldn't see his face.
"Is it absolutely necessary Tor you
to steal my only Scene?'
Eve laughed. Dear Philip.
have no idea what you're talking
about. Really I haven't"
jeff slipped into our room, A grin
stretching across his face. He jerked
his thumb toward the wall and sat
close to it where he wouldn't miss
a thing.
Ashley was saying: You know
perfectly well. You stood at that
table and ratified silver, you rat
tied glassware all during my long
scene. Why didn't you overturn
the table. Eve? 1t would have been
much more effective"
A Bitter Fuss.
"Oh. that" Ewes words had a
dismissing shrug in them. That
was Tom Nelson's S fault, or the little
Thompson girls. I'm supposed to
arrange flowers during your speech,
and where were they? Was l to
stand there like mummy while you
droned through your lines?"
ITS customary to be quiet while
another actor is speaking Ashley
said acidly. They teach that at
dramatic school"
Phillip, dear Philip, you must
read the script one day. I'm not
supposed to be interested, even lis
tening while you make that endless
speech of yours. Philip never reads
a script. you know, just his part.
There was a roar from Ewes audi
ence while Ashley said something
that ended in hell and was punctu-
ated by a slamming door.
"It's over" Jeff said sadly. Eve
BY a technical knockout"
7 punched my purse and gloves
together and took jeff by the arm.
Cmon. Jeff. I've had enough OF
actors for one day" The moment
T said it I could have bitten out
my tongue, for I had forgotten that
Carol was still there. But she
hadn't heard me.
"Haila" she said as We reached
the door, may I take your key?
7 guess I must have left mine in
my blue purse"
"Of course" I flshed through my
pocketbook for it and tossed il to
her. Put it on the ridge over the
door. Jeff and I may be late
You're sure you'll be all right?"
Sure, I will. Go on, you two,
have fun"
After the sticky warmth of back
stage the night outside seemed
bitter cold. A few snowflakes flut-
tered down and lost themselves
on the pavement and the Forty
fourth street wind whisked up stray
programs and Whirled them toward
Broadway.
"What'll we do, jeff"
Waiting for Fate.
He laughed at me. There was
really no question of what we would
do: we had an old opening might
custom We would tramp all over
town biting flngernailS and chaf1ng
at bits until the reviews appeared
at daybreak.
Then. if the notices were bad,
Jeff'S shoulder would be handy to
weep on and together We could
curse the critics for their illiteracy
and lack of taste. If they were
good there would be one more drink
scholars. 1t was fine for me. I could
sleep all the next day; it was jeff
who took the beating. I asked my
usual next question.
What about work tomorrow,
Jeff?"
I'm on my vacation"
"Vacation!" That wasn't part of
the routine. when did this hap
pen?"
To-day at noon. Want to take
two-week vacation, Troy?'
Anything to accommodate you
JEFF" said, trying my darndest
TO mean it, you really should get
away. Why don't you go to Florida
for two Weeks?"
I've never been to Florida"
"Well?"
u don't want to break my record"
1t was early and the smoke at
Ralph's was still thin enough for
us to find a table. Teddy Hart
whom jeff considered America s
greatest actor since w. c. Fields
gave up his career to go into the
movies. was at the bar and Jeff
heamed at the sight of him. JEFF
ordered Scotch and soda and I went
overheard with a Cuba Libra minus
the rum.
"Cr I might get married" jeff
said, picking up the conversation
we hao dropped on Eighth avenue.
ITO me?"
TITS time we broke up our friend
ship.
Lets"
HaiIa Wants to Marry.
i've never been married d.
you know anybody in New York
who's married? We could find out
about it."
My father and mother were mar
ried."
And look what happened tc
them. You" He took somebody
else's stray arm off the back Of
his chair and moved closer to me
Look, Haila, 1 love you"
'T love you, too, jeff"
"If only could save some money!
JEFF, if the critics come through
I'll be making money for while
Green Apples might run a year"
NO. We've been through that
Ill have to pick up some more
money somehow"
i