merton of the movies-第17章

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f　the　glamour　had　gone。　It　was　not　so　easy　now　to　be　excited　by　those　glimpses　of　the　street　beyond　the　gate。　A　certain　haze　had　vanished；　leaving　all　too　apparent　the　circumstance　that　others　were　working　beyond　the　gate　while　Merton　Gill　loitered　outside；　his　talent；　his　training；　ignored。　His　early　air　of　careless　confidence　had　changed　to　one　not　at　all　careless　or　confident。　He　was　looking　rather　desperate　and　rather　unbelieving。　And　it　daily　grew　easier　to　count　his　savings。　He　made　no　mistakes　now。　His　hoard　no　longer　enjoyed　the　addition　of　fifteen　dollars　a　week。　Only　subtractions　were　made。

There　came　a　morning　when　but　one　bill　remained。　It　was　a　ten…dollar　bill；　bearing　at　its　centre　a　steel…engraved　portrait　of　Andrew　Jackson。　He　studied　it　in　consternation；　though　still　permitting　himself　to　notice　that　Jackson　would　have　made　a　good　motion…picture　typethe　long；　narrow；　severe　face；　the　stiff　uncomprising　mane　of　gray　hair；　probably　they　would　have　cast　him　for　a　feuding　mountaineer；　deadly　with　his　rifle；　or　perhaps　as　an　inventor　whose　device　was　stolen　on　his　death…bed　by　his　wicked　Wall　Street　partner；　thus　leaving　his　motherless　daughter　at　the　mercy　of　Society's　wolves。

But　this　was　not　the　part　that　Jackson　played　in　the　gripping　drama　of　Merton　Gill。　His　face　merely　stared　from　the　last　money　brought　from　Simsbury；　Illinois；　and　the　stare　was　not　reassuring。　It　seemed　to　say　that　there　was　no　other　money　in　all　the　world。　Decidedly　things　must　take　a　turn。　Merton　Gill　had　a　quite　definite　feeling　that　he　had　already　struggled　and　sacrificed　enough　to　give　the　public　something　better　and　finer。　It　was　time　the　public　realized　this。

Still　he　waited；　not　even　again　reaching　the　heart　of　things；　for　his　friend　beyond　the　window　had　suffered　no　relapse。　He　came　to　resent　a　certain　inconsequence　in　the　woman。　She　might　have　had　those　headaches　oftener。　He　had　been　led　to　suppose　that　she　would；　and　now　she　continued　to　be　weary　but　entirely　well。

More　waiting　and　the　ten…dollar　bill　went　for　a　five　and　some　silver。　He　was　illogically　not　sorry　to　be　rid　of　Andrew　Jackson；　who　had　looked　so　tragically　skeptical。　The　five…dollar　bill　was　much　more　cheerful。　It　bore　the　portrait　of　Benjamin　Harrison；　a　smooth；　cheerful　face　adorned　with　whiskers　that　radiated　success。　They　were　little　short　of　smug　with　success。　He　would　almost　rather　have　had　Benjamin　Harrison　on　five　dollars　than　the　grim…faced　Jackson　on　ten。　Still；　facts　were　facts。　You　couldn't　wait　as　long　on　five　dollars　as　you　could　on　ten。

Then　on　the　afternoon　of　a　day　that　promised　to　end　as　other　days　had　ended；　a　wave　of　animation　swept　through　the　waiting　room　and　the　casting　office。　〃Swell　cabaret　stuff〃　was　the　phrase　that　brought　the　applicants　to　a　lively　swarm　about　the　little　window。　Evening　clothes；　glad　wraps；　cigarette　cases；　vanity…boxesthe　Victor　people　doing　The　Blight　of　Broadway　with　Muriel　MercerStage　Number　Four　at　8：30　to…morrow　morning。　There　seemed　no　limit　to　the　people　desired。　Merton　Gill　joined　the　throng　about　the　window。　Engagements　were　rapidly　made；　both　through　the　window　and　over　the　telephone　that　was　now　ringing　those　people　who　had　so　long　been　told　that　there　was　nothing　to…day。　He　did　not　push　ahead　of　the　women　as　some　of　the　other　men　did。　He　even　stood　out　of　the　line　for　the　Montague　girl　who　had　suddenly　appeared　and　who　from　the　rear　had　been　exclaiming：　〃Women　and　children　first！〃

〃Thanks；　old　dear；〃　she　acknowledged　the　courtesy　and　beamed　through　the　window。　〃Hullo；　Countess！〃　The　woman　nodded　briefly。　〃All　right；　Flips；　I　was　just　going　to　telephone　you。　Henshaw　wants　you　for　some　baby…vamp　stuff　in　the　cabaret　scene　and　in　the　gambling　hell。　Better　wear　that　salmon…pink　chiffon　and　the　yellow　curls。　Eight…　thirty；　Stage　Four。　Goo'…by。〃

〃Thanks；　Countess！　Me　for　the　jumping　tintypes　at　the　hour　named。　I'm　glad　enough　to　be　doing　even　third　business。　How　about　Ma？〃

〃Sure！　Tell　her　grand…dame　stuff；　chaperone　or　something；　the　gray　georgette　and　all　her　pearls　and　the　cigarette　case。〃

〃I'll　tell　her。　She'll　be　glad　there's　something　doing　once　more　on　the　perpendicular　stage。　Goo'…by。〃

She　stepped　aside　with　〃You're　next；　brother！〃　Merton　Gill　acknowledged　this　with　a　haughty　inclination　of　the　head。　He　must　not　encourage　this　hoyden。　He　glanced　expectantly　through　the　little　window。　His　friend　held　a　telephone　receiver　at　her　ear。　She　smiled　wearily。　〃All　right；　son。　You　got　evening　clothes；　haven't　you？　Of　course；　I　remember　now。　Stage　Four　at　8：30。　Goo'…by。〃

〃　I　want　to　thank　you　for　this　opportunity〃　he　began；　but　was　pushed　aside　by　an　athletic　young　woman　who　spoke　from　under　a　broad　hat。　〃Hullo；　dearie！　How　about　me　and　Ella？〃

〃Hullo；　Maizie。　All　right。　Stage　Four；　at　8：30；　in　your　swellest　evening　stuff。〃

At　the　door　the　Montague　girl　called　to　an　approaching　group　who　seemed　to　have　heard　by　wireless　or　occult　means　the　report　of　new　activity　in　the　casting　office。　〃Hurry；　you　troupers。　You　can　eat　to…morrow　night；　maybe！〃　They　hurried。　She　turned　to　Merton　Gill。　〃Seems　like　old　times；〃　she　observed。

〃Does　it？〃　he　replied　coldly。　Would　this　chit　never　understand　that　he　disapproved　of　her　trifling　ways？

He　went　on；　rejoicing　that　he　had　not　been　compelled　to　part；　even　temporarily；　with　a　first…class　full…dress　suit；　hitherto　worn　only　in　the　privacy　of　Lowell　Hardy's　studio。　It　would　have　been　awkward；　he　thought；　if　the　demand　for　it　had　been　much　longer　delayed。　He　would　surely　have　let　that　go　before　sacrificing　his　Buck　Benson　outfit。　He　had　traversed　the　eucalyptus　avenue　in　this　ecstasy；　and　was　on　a　busier　thoroughfare。　Before　a　motion…picture　theatre　he　paused　to　study　the　billing　of　Muriel　Mercer　in　Hearts　Aflame。　The　beauteous　girl；　in　an　alarming　gown；　was　at　the　mercy　of　a　fiend　in　evening　dress　whose　hellish　purpose　was　all　too　plainly　read　in　his　fevered　eyes。　The　girl　writhed　in　his　grasp。　Doubtless　he　was　demanding　her　hand　in　marriage。　It　was　a　tense　bit。　And　to…morrow　he　would　act　with　this　petted　idol　of　the　screen。　And　under　the　direction　of　that　Mr。　Henshaw　who　seemed　to　take　screen　art　with　proper　seriousness。　He　wondered　if　by　any　chance　Mr。　Henshaw　would　call　upon　him　to　do　a　quadruple　transition；　hate；　fear；　love；　despair。　He　practised　a　few　transitions　as　he　went　on　to　press　his　evening　clothes　in　the　Patterson　kitchen；　and　to　dream；　that　night；　that　he　rode　his　good　old　pal；　Pinto；　into　the　gilded　cabaret　to　carry　off　Muriel　Mercer；　Broadway's　pampered　society　pet；　to　the　clean　life　out　there　in　the　open　spaces　where　men　are　men。

At　eight　the　following　morning　he　was　made　up　in　a　large　dressing　room　by　a　grumbling　extra　who　said　that　it　was　a　dog's　life　plastering　grease　paint　over　the　maps　of　dubs。　He　was　presently　on　Stage　Four　in　the　prescribed　evening　regalia　for　gentlemen。　He　found　the　cabaret　set；　a　gilded　haunt　of　pleasure　with　small　tables　set　about　an　oblong　of　dancing　floor。　Back　of　these　on　three　sides　were　raised　platforms　with　other　tables；　and　above　these　discreet　boxes；　half　masked　by　drapery；　for　the　seclusion　of　more　retiring　merry…　makers。　The　scene　was　deserted　as　yet；　but　presently　he　was　joined　by　another　early　comer；　a　beautiful　young　woman　of　Spanish　type　with　a　thin　face　and　eager；　dark　eyes。　Her　gown　was　glistening　black　set　low　about　her　polished　shoulders；　and　she　carried　a　red　rose。　So　exotic　did　she　appear　he　was　surprised　when　she　addressed　him　in　the　purest　English。

〃Say；　listen　here；　old　timer！　Let's　pick　a　good　table　right　on　the　edge　before　the　mob　scene　starts。　Lemme　see〃　She　glanced　up　and　down　the　rows　of　tables。　〃The　cam'ras'll　be　back　there；　so　we　can　set　a　little　closer；　but　not　too　close；　or　we'll　be　moved　over。　How　'bout　this　here？　Let's　try　it。〃　She　sat；　motioning　him　to　the　other　chair。　Even　so　early　in　his　picture　career　did　he　detect　that　in　facing　this　girl　his　back　would　be　to　the　camera。　He　hitched　his　chair　about。

〃That's　right；〃　said　the　girl；　〃I　wasn't　meaning　to　hog　it。　Say；　we　was　just　in　time；　wasn't　we？〃

Ladies　and　gentlemen　in　evening　dress　were　already　entering。　They　looked　inquiringly　about　and　chose　tables。　Those　next　to　the　dancing　space　were　quickly　filled。　Many　of　the　ladies　permitted　costly　wraps　of　fur　or　brocade　to　spill　across　the　backs　of　their　chairs。　Many　of　the　gentlemen　lighted　cigarettes　from　gleaming　metal　cases。　There　was　a　lively　interchange　of　talk。

〃We　better　light　up；　too；〃　said　the　dark　girl。　Merton　Gill　had　neglected　cigarettes　and　confessed　this　with　some　embarrassment。　The　girl　presented　an　open　case　of　gold　attached　to　a　chain　pendent　from　her　girdle。　They　both　smoked。　On　their　table　were　small　plates；　two　wine　glasses　half　filled　with　a　pale　liquid；　and　small　coffee…cups。　Spirals　of　smoke　ascended　over　a　finished　repast。　Of　course　if　the　part　called　for　cigarettes　you　must　smoke　whether　you　had　quit　or　not。

The　places　back　of　the　prized　first　row　were　now　filling　up　with　the　later　comers。　One　of　these；　a　masterful…looking　man　of　middle　age　he　would　surely　be　a　wealthy　club…man　accustomed　to　command　tables　regarded　the　filled　row　around　the　dancing　space　with　frank　irritation；　and　paused　significantly　at　Merton's　side。　He　seemed　about　to　voice　a　demand；　but　the　young　actor　glanced　slowly　up　at　him；　achieving　a　superb　transitionsurprise；　annoyance；　and；　as　the　invader　turned　quickly　away；　pitying　contempt。

〃Atta　boy！〃　said　his　companion；　who　was；　with　the　aid　of　a　tiny　gold…backed　mirror　suspended　with　the　cigarette　case；　heightening　the　crimson　of　her　full　lips。

Two　cameras　were　now　in　view；　and　men　were　sighting　through　them。　Merton　saw　Henshaw；　plump　but　worried　looking；　scan　the　scene　from　the　rear。　He　gave　hurried　direction　to　an　assistant　who　came　down　the　line　of　tables　with　a　running　glance　at　their　occupants。　He　made　changes。　A　couple　here　and　a　couple　there　would　be　moved　from　the　first　row　and　other　couples　would　come　to　take　their　places。　Under　the　eyes　of　this　assistant　the　Spanish　girl　had　become　coquettish。　With　veiled　glances；　with　flashing　smiles　from　the　red　lips；　with　a　small　gloved　hand　upon　Merton　Gill's　sleeve；　she　allured　him。　The　assistant　paused　before　them。　The　Spanish　girl　continued　to　allure。　Merton　Gill　stared　moodily　at　the　half…empty　wine　glass；　then　exhaled　smoke　as　he　glanced　up　at　his　companion　in　profound　ennui。　If　it　was　The　Blight　of　Broadway　probably　they　would　want　him　to　look　bored。

〃You　two　stay　where　you　are；〃　said　the　assistant；　and　passed　on。

〃Good　work；〃　said　the　girl。　〃I　knew　you　was　a　type　the　minute　I　made　you。〃

Red…coated　musicians　entered　an　orchestra　loft　far　down　the　set。　The　voice　of　Henshaw　came　through　a　megaphone：　〃Everybody　that's　near　the　floor　fox…trot。〃　In　a　moment　the　space　was　thronged　with　dancers。　Another　voice　called　〃Kick　it！〃　and　a　glare　of　light　came　on。

〃You　an'　me　both！〃　said　the　Spanish　girl；　rising。

Merton　Gill　remained　seated。　〃Can't；〃　he　said。　〃Sprained　ankle。〃　How　was　he　to　tell　her　that　there　had　been　no　chance　to　learn　this　dance　back　in　Simsbury；　Illinois；　where　such　things　were　frowned　upon　by　pulpit　and　press？　The　girl　resumed　her　seat；　at　first　with　annoyance；　then　brightened。　〃All　right　at　that；〃　she　said。　〃I　bet　we　get　more　footage　this　way。〃　She