Evening star., 1942-01-12
CHAPTER 1.
Screen Test.

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Screen Test.
Iivia took Q taxi. It was extrava-
CANT, but, she said to herself, when
she was q movie star, she would
have her own car and chauffeur.
The big iron gates 1T the studio
were closed, but there was = small
er entrance on the side. Here in .
glassed-in cupboard sat . gray
haired man in uniform.
GOOD morning." Livia smiled
winningly at him. He waited polite
". So, they hadn't told him? And
where was the executive who had
promised to meet her at the gate?
For q moment her confidence d.
minished, but it came back at once
when, after telling the gateman, Il
am Livia GARRISON" his face re-
laxed, and he said:
"Oh, yes-just been reading about
you" A copy of the Gazette was
under his coffee cup. "Mr. Nevins
he was the executive Livia had ex-
pected at the gate-"Mr. Nevins
telephoned me he'll be q bit late
But you're to go to the makeup
department. He'll meet you there"
Livia was walking In the direc-
ton he had pointed when he called
her back.
"Oh, Mr.. Clarkson-here's . tele-
gram for you"
Who could 1t be' She tore 1t open.
Good luck" she read. 1t was
signed Bruce"
ITS from Bruce Nolan" she told
the gatemen. Dye know him?"
Sure do-one Of the best stunt
men In the business. Too bad about
his accident"
TT wasn't serious-just his arm. "
Livia told him happily. When she
was . star, she would do . lot for
Bruce. He was too nice to be Q
stunt man. risking his life for other
people.
She walked with dancing feet to
the long, low wooden building.
Opening the door Of the first booth,
she sprang back with a startled,
oh" A man in q white coat was
leaning over famous star painting
her lips with q long, thin brush.
I'm sorry," said Lvia-'Im
I'm" The star smiled at her.
and pointed to the Gazette on her
dressing table.
Miss Clarksonf"
A Grudging Acceptance.
YES" breathed Livia. It was
strange to be talking to real star.
"I-er-I have to be made-up for
my test," she told the star shyly.
"You sAn have Smithy. He won't
be . minute more" The man in
the wA5e coat glared at Lvia.
IT have something else to do"
But you'll do me . favor and take
are Of Miss Clarkson?" the star
said.
IT don't want to be any trouble"
said Livia.
"1t's no trouble, Is it smithy?"
mot If you say So" he replied
grudgingly The star left with a
parting good luck" and Livia sat
down carefully In her chair.
Can you make me as beautiful
Is she is?' Mvia asked Smithy.
He shrugged his shoulders.
THAT, my dear lady, Is not pos
sible. I will do the best can"
Livia dwindled before his cold, i'm
personal glare. But she couldn't be
that bad. After all, she had won
the Charm Girl' contest.
hAvaA~ thar tH{etS ~
she said timidly as he continued to
stare at her as though she were
something in q museum, maybe
you could do something to tone
them down."
MY dear young lady, I am not q
magician. am an artist. Your
cheek bones are high. That IS your
misfortune" He suddenly swung
the chair backward.
Il mustn't irritate him any more" I"
Livia thought as he slapped a
brownish grease paint on her face.
But she made a last plea. my
eyes-could you" She thought he
was going to burst as he glared
down on her.
Livia Wants 70 Laugh.
Look, Miss Clarkson, I have made
up the biggest stars in the busi-
ness. And not once have I been
told how should do my work. You
stick to your job. I'll stick to
mine"
Livia choked back q desire to
laugh. His red face and little black
eyes were 50 funny.
I'm sorry" she told him, II
didn't mean"
You didn't mean, you didn't
mean," he mumbled.
Mr.. Nevins appeared at the door
He was . welcome interruption for
Livia.
And hows the Charm Girr?"
he asked her.
Fine" she lied. Smithy put
down the brush with which he was
curving . line on Livia's lips.
How can I work with all this
conversation going on?" he asked
the world reproachfully. Nevins
winked at LiWa.
"I'll be outside when you're
through"
She was glad when it was over.
Am I all right?" she asked
Eevins.
"Oh, sure. Hurry, we're late"
They walked swiftly to the sound
cage. It seemed empty and stuffy.
Their footsteps were loud on the
vide, dark floor. They picked their
way carefully over a network of
cables to the far side of the stage.
Carpenters were setting up the
scene; a small, three-sided room
With bright arc lamps converging
en- the only piece OF furniture in
Ia sofa. Livia was introduced to
the man who was to share the test
with her. His hand was damp.
A Beastly Bore.
"Howd'ye do," he said in a high,
British voice. He tugged nervously
1t his collar and added, "Beastly
bore all this"
They sat on the sofa while the
cameraman and his assistant ar
ranged the lights. It was all done
cASually And no one there Seemed