Evening star., 1942-01-29

his own. Tonight, he knew, he cou
Livia hesitated on the threshold
"Is Alice in there?" she queried.
What if she is?" said Fordyce
He knew she was not.
After the preview in the lobby OF
the theater, there had been the
usual gush and the people who
drooled, You were wonderful,
Alice" But she was so angry she
could barely control herself. In a
fierce undertone she had threatened
Hal Schneider with divorce. If only
she would, Fordyce had thought;
then he really could make pictures.
Husband and wife had gone home to
continue the fight in their luxurious
mansion.
IT wouldn't be surprised If Alice
murders Schneider tonight" For
dyce said to Livia. She giggled and
said:
perhaps Schneider will take the
initiative"
Not he" said Fordyce. Hes too
scored. He's still in love with her"
Weren't you at one timer" Livia
teased him.
Lets dance"
Ciro's was full Of people who had
attended the preview; they looked
with interest at Ltvia and Fordyce
Livia rested her red-gold head on
Charles shoulder and smiled hap
PLY at the dancers shufning on the
crowded floor, her eyes drifting to
the green and silver walls. She saw
Bruce with the Countess Saskia
He seemed unhappy. Things were
going badly with the Saskia Nolan
picture partnership.
When Bruce had agreeded to pro-
duce western Saga" the countess
had promised to furnish the money
and leave the rest to the experts
He had believed her Bruce hired
technicians he had worked with In
his stunting days. He was popular
with electricians. prop man, and car
penters They could depend on fair
treatment from Bruce.
The countess gave him $50, 900 the
day he signed the contract.
They drove to the bank together
to deposit the money.
The Countess Demurs.
The picture was ready to shoot In
three weeks. According to Their
agreement, the countess was to fur
nish another 100000.
But I gave you s5o00o," pouted
the countess. Bruce patiently ex-
planned where and how it had been
spent and reminded her Of their
agreement.
What do care about contracts?'
said the countess. "all I know il
that my money is gone, and the
picture hasn't been started yet
Bruce thought of the people who
awaited their weekly salaries from
him and refrained from quitting.
You must trust me, Saskia," he
said, taking her hands between his
own. BE patient and trust me-
She snuggled close to him.
you've neglected me shame
fully" she whispered.
"All these weeks it's business
business, every evening. That's not
fair to me-" He might have guessed
what would happen and saved him
self trouble by not working for a
woman in the first place. You have
to make love to them "a hours q
day or they said you were neglect
ing them.
"You still love NEEDN'T you?"
said Countess Saskia. He tried to
recall the exact occasion on which
he had said he loved her. And for
the life of him couldn't remember
Lets forget business this eve
ming. Well have dinner together
he suggested. Her face frightened.
That's my own Brucie. I'm sorry
I was mean to you. I'll bring you
check for the money tomorrow. "
Bruce stif1ed his sigh Of relief.
Once let him get the picture fin-
ished and he could convince the
countess that the arrangement was
purely one Of business.
But perhaps she guessed this. be-
cause after two weeks Of production,
she came to the set one afternoon
and tried to take control. Bruce
had hired q popular star. ranked
high in the list of open-air heroes.
After the countess had repeatedly
interrupted his dialogue, he turned
on his high-heeled boots and
marched off the set and into
Bruce's office.
I'm through he said. mo dame
can tell Jack Condor how to read
his lines"
Bruce Takes Control.
Bruce hurried to the sound stage
and found the countess haranguing
the director for not firing his star
Immediately.
Get off the Set" Bruce COM