Evening star., 1942-01-29

that again" he warned her IN his
Office. I'm through. Dye under
stand?"
She wept. you're the meanest
man I ever met. can't think why
fell In love with you or trusted
you. I hate you"
Never mind that now," said
Bruce. Either I finish this picture
without interference from you-or
you finish it yourself" Countess
Saskia was frightened. There was
now $150,000 tied up In the film
And she did not want to lose it
or Bruce.
IF you only came to see me once
in 4 while I wouldn't come to the
silly studio at ALL"
Bruce compromised. I'LL see you
on Sunday"
There were two more weeks to go
on the picture.
Lets celebrate the end of the
picture by getting married." said
the countess slowly.
Bruce grinned and said, Where I
come from the man asks the
woman"
You're cruel to me-" she whim-
pered. But she was not discour-
aged. There were more ways Of
getting what you wanted than by
asking. And she was shrewd enough
to know that at the moment Bruce
meant what he said.
The film was completed. And
now the countess played her trump
card. She decided to hold up the
release until Bruce yielded to her
charms.
When Livia saw them at Ciro's.
Bruce was making a final plea for
Justice. The countess was vague
and exasperating when he men,
toned the Aim. He was getting
angry And seeing Livia dancing
with Fordyce did not make him feel
better.
A Sudden Development.
Livia called after him as they
crossed the ballroom floor to the
exit, but he pretended not to hear.
You really like that guy, don't
you?" said Fordyce. tightening his
arm around her slender waist. She
blushed and said vehemently:
II wanted to tell him about our
picture-that was all"
"You look lovely" Charles told
her. Can you blush in techni-
color?" Her eyes clouded.
I'm going to be star she told
herself with renewed exultation.
Then I can have Bruce or any man
I want"
The next day she was fired.
At 10 in the morning Hal
Schneider telephoned Fordyce.
Are you coming in?" he asked.
The director had intended driving
Livia to the beach.
Can it wait until tomorrow" he
asked his boss.
NO" said Schneider heavily.
As Fordyce entered Schneider's
of1ice Alice said, why was not
told that Livia Clarkson was in my
picture?"
"You can read, can't you? Or can
you?" said Fordyce. "It was in all
the trade papers"
"Oh, no it wasn't" she screamed.
She was right. At Livia's sugges-
ton, her name had been kept of
the production schedule.
One of Schneider's three secre-
taries interrupted:
THE New York call is waiting
Mr.. Schneider" He picked up the
receiver.
mo you don't" said Alice. She
snatched the receiver and brought
it down on his hand. Schneider
squealed in pain and looked help
lessly at Fordyce, but made no at
tempt to recover the telephone.
you both thought you were pretty
smart" Alice said, You and that
girl-you thought you could put
something over on me"
Alice, my darling, what are you
complaining about? The picture is
success-the Office in New York
wants to congratulate me. It'll make
a million dollars
you" Alice wheeled on her hus-
band, "You-why you miserable
little" Schneider retreated to the
back Of his desk Fordyce grinned.
Schneider was the most important
producer in Hollywood, but no one
would guess it now.
Alice, my darling. the girl is
fired. I told you. She is fired
This was the first Charles had
heard of it.
Alice Forces Issue.
IT want her part cut out OF the
picture" Alice hissed dramatically
"She would never have been in 1t in
the first place if you hadn't tricked
me-" Alice glared at Fordyce, who
met her eyes steadily and with con-
tempt.
But. my darling, we can't do that
now without re-making the picture"
moaned Schneider.
Then re-make the picture" MIN
licked Alice in her husbands slightly
foreign accent. Schneider clutched
his portly-bald head.
What have ever done to deserve
such treatment" he asked the cell
ing. He was due at a bankers meet
ing in ten minutes. and to placate
his wife, if only temporarily, he said,
"All right, I will see if we can re-
make the picture and cut Miss
Clarkson out entirely
You don't mean that Schneider"
said Fordyce quietly. The producer
tried to convey with his eyes that of
course he didn't mean that. But
Alice was watching him. He spread
his hands significantly first to
Fordyce, then to Alice.
Tell him what you really mean,
darling" cooed Alice.
I'VE will cut Miss Clarkson's part
and re-shoot with another girl" he
said heavily. And now excuse me.
I have to 60 to an important meet
ing" Fordyce blocked his way to
the door.
Its a good picture, Schneider"
he said softly.
It know, but what can I do?"
Schneider said helplessly. please,
Charles, have my troubles. Don't