Evening star., 1942-01-27

same time" he grinned, II hear he's
going to marry Countess Saskia."
Really? How interesting" said
Livia formally.
When you finish excavating your
pasts, We'll do some work-that's
what we're here for" said Fordyce.
Today Fordyce hated all women.
He wished he were John Ford and
had only altman roles in his pic
lures.
Terry had a visitor-the Countess
Saskia.
Talk of an angel and here she
is" he said gaily to Livia and
Fordyce.
Hello" said the director unen-
Enthusiastically.
II dropped by to see Alice" gushed
the countess. But they tell me
she's gone. wanted to invite her
to party I'm giving in which every
one comes as themselves-so origi-
nal, don't you Think"
Quiet everyone" yelled the as
sistant director. The countess glared
at him and started to speak, but
Fordyce put a finger to his lips.
Livia Is Nervous.
We'll -" muttered the countess
and subsidized into a chair, with
Miss Delaware" written on the can
vas back in large, black letters. Her
presence made LiYia nervous. It's
strange she thought how well I can
act when I'm alone or rehearsing.
'Livia!" shouted Fordyce. do I
have to tell you again not to look
at the camera?"
Noting her tense face, the director
changed tactics and tricked her into
giving a good performance. He had
seen too many newcomers frozen or
nervous when they thought it was
the real thing. But in rehearsal,
If they could act at all. they did
well. So for the first few days he
usually pretended they were still
rehearsing.
Come on, Livia." He smiled at
her. 1T doesn't matter if you blow
up or where you look-the camera
man is in love with you and he
likes you to look at him, and
Schneider is rich. and we can re-
hearse for days-really, there's no
hurry
1t was the slapping scene. Exas-
perated ct the doctors indifference,
she had to waylay him in the hos
pital corridor and slaps his face
when he refused her plea to see
him in his room. 1t shouldn't be
too hard to slap Terry. He was In
a jovial mood.
Hit me as hard as you can," he
said. I'm tough"
Livia grinned at Fordyce, and he
reminiscently touched his jaw on
which she had broken her wrist in
repulsing his advances.
Not that hard" the director cau-
toned. use only so per cent Of
your strength. Now! Action!
Camera"
Livia was utterly confident. After
all, this was only a test. The camera
turned.
why do you always avoid me?"
she asked Terry. He attempted to
pass her. I'm coming to your room
tonight" she warned.
If you do, I'll report you," re-
piled Terry-pushing her aside. She
swung him around.
"Oh, no you don't. Look, know
too much about you," she said with
utter conviction. This was much
to much realism for Terry and his
face lost its assumption of nobility.
why, you little" And then
she slapped him. She thought of
Elizabeth Nolan and slapped him
again-much harder the second
time.
"Hey!" protested Terry, nursing
his Redeemed cheek.
Swell, that's SWELL" shouted
Fordyce, "it's take" he told her.
Fordyce Is Pleased.
"Oh, but I'd have tried harder If
I'd known it was really the picture"
protested Livia.
you were hard enough" NUT
tered Terry.
We're through for today" said
Fordyce shrewdly. He had a good
shot. Lets go out and have a
drink" he said jubilantly.
That's what I came here for"
said the Countess Frightening, II
want Terry, and you, and Alice-Oh,
she's gone, well, no matter, Miss
Clarkson can come perhaps. We
have to celebrate the formation Of
new picture company. The
Saskia Pictures. Inc" Terry wished
he had played up to the Countess
more. But it wasn't too late, he
hoped.
Darling, congratulations" he said
and kissed and Rugged her until the
Countess said:
stop! Dye want to change the
shape Of me?" Then she said breath
lessly to Fordyce, That's why came
to see you. I want you to direct my
first film. It's"
Sorry" said Fordyce. "but I'm
under contract to Schneider and
until he fires me" This was a
blow for the Countess, but she soon
recovered.
| wen, we'll nave q drink any
way" she said. you can wish good
luck to my new producer"
Who is it?" Terry asked. Who
ever it was would be worth cultivat-
ing.
You were engaged to his sister
once" she said sweetiy. "It's Bruce
Nolan"
Il don't believe it," said Livia in
voluntarily.
Continued tomorrow
(Copyright 1941, by sheilah Graham.) =.
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