The Woman in the Photograph by Dana Gynther

Author:Dana Gynther
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery Books

XIX

It was Man’s idea to go to the cabaret le Boeuf sur le Toit that night.

“Clement is going to be playing the songs from the new Cole Porter musical. I can’t wait!” He attached his left cuff link, then looked over at Lee. “You ready?”

Lee looked up from blowing on her nails—she’d just painted them a brilliant crimson to match her lipstick—and nodded. She’d always like the Boeuf, the half-restaurant, half-nightclub where all kinds of people met and the latest music played at the loudest volume.

When they stepped into the crowded room, the maître appeared at once, exclaiming, “Monsieur and Madame Man Ray!” and the barmen, vigorously shaking their latest creations, called out hellos. As they were escorted to one of the coveted tables next to the piano, Lee dodged champagne buckets and waving cigarette holders, smiling at her various acquaintances. They quickly whispered their drink orders as everyone settled into the semidarkness, waiting for the first set. A saxophone player, his face nearly covered by a fedora, helped a scrawny French girl to her feet. She teetered in front of the microphone, then grasped it with satin gloves and, with her eyes closed, crooned “Love for Sale.”

Her heavy accent in English and her youthful innocence—her thin body swaying artlessly, her lipstick a dull pink—made the lyrics even more tragic. A prostitute peddling her wares, a nighttime salesgirl. Lee shivered at the idea of a young girl using her body as currency. Love for sale, indeed.

When the combo took a break, Jean Cocteau came up to their table. Lee liked Jean, such a talented and charismatic man, but knew he got on Man’s nerves. Artistic groups in Paris were always breaking into fractions and, currently, André Breton couldn’t stand Cocteau—he called him an unctuous dandy—which had undoubtedly influenced Man’s opinion.

“Good evening, Man, Lee.” He bent down and kissed her hand. “Great music tonight, wouldn’t you say?”

“Delicious,” Lee said. “Lovely to see you, Jean. Won’t you sit down?”

“No, thank you. I’m on a quest.” He looked at them with an air of mystery. “Man, you know a lot of models. Do you happen to know any actresses? I need a real beauty to play a part in a film.”

“You’re making a film?” Man’s look combined condescension and envy. “Have you found anyone to finance it yet?”

“Yes, of course.” Jean’s voice was velvet. “Viscount Charles de Noailles. I believe you made a film for him a year or two ago, didn’t you?” He ignored Man’s clouding brow and continued. “He approached me about backing a film. He wants a talkie this time. I’ve got a marvelous idea, but I need a beauty to play a Greek statue.”

Lee nearly jumped out of her chair. “I’ll do it, Jean!”

Both men stared at her. Jean gently took her chin in his hand and studied her face. “You are gorgeous, Lee. Yes, I think you’ll be perfect.”

“Fabulous.” She kissed him on the cheek. “What’s the title of the film?”

“The Blood of a Poet.”

“Ah, there will be violence?” She jiggled her eyebrows.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.