Time Change by Elyse Douglas

Author:Elyse Douglas [Douglas, Elyse & Douglas, Elyse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Broadback
Published: 2019-06-17T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

1948

Rita Randall felt a stab of fright as she and Tony Lapano entered The Players, a two-level restaurant and supper club located on Sunset Boulevard. She leaned on Tony’s arm while he displayed his usual vast, substantial smile.

The restaurant was designed by the eccentric but wildly talented writer/director, Preston Sturges, who’d also hired the chefs and worked on both the menu and the menu’s design.

Rita wore an elegant, full length, side-slit emerald evening gown, with suede strap heels and a pearl choker with matching earrings. Her hair shined with luster. Her face was lovely but tense, her gaze searching and uncertain. She felt as though she were moving in a confused, cloudy atmosphere, her full memory still not completely returned. It was selective at best; at other times, a blank. Tony had drilled her on movie stars’ and directors’ photographs, helping her memorize their names and latest movies. She hoped she wouldn’t have to carry on a long conversation with any of them.

Tony was dressed in his usual pin-striped suit, crisp white shirt, burgundy tie and matching scarf blooming from his breast pocket.

The restaurant’s décor was restrained, vaguely gentlemen’s club in tone. The tables, with white tablecloths and table lamps, occupied two long interior rooms that were filled with a dinner crowd of the rich and famous.

The maître d’, whose face reminded Rita of a Russian Wolfhound’s, led them across the room with flair, his back erect, his chin up, the menus tucked neatly under his arm. As Rita passed the tables, she received nods from Orson Welles, Marlene Dietrich, Hedy Lamarr, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Barbara Stanwyck. Stanwyck motioned for Rita to come over. Rita hesitated. Tony placed a hand on her lower back and gave her a little shove. Barbara looked at Rita curiously, perhaps calculating Rita’s fixed, straining smile.

“How are you feeling, kid?” Stanwyck asked. “I heard you went through a rough one back in New York.”

Rita nodded. When she opened her mouth to speak, Tony abruptly spoke for her.

“She’s ace, Barbara. Never been better. Just look at her. Top drawer all the way.”

Stanwyck gave him a cool glance. “Knock off the Charlie McCarthy act, Tony,” Stanwyck said, referring to Edgar Bergen’s popular ventriloquism act with his dummy, Mortimer Snerd.

“So tell me, how are you, Rita?” Stanwyck repeated. “You looked absolutely stunning on the new cover of Movieland.”

Oddly, Rita recalled Barbara’s distinctive husky voice more than her face. “I’m much better, Barbara, thank you.”

Rita swiftly sought to change the subject. She glanced around. “The Players is still going strong,” she said. “Everybody’s here tonight.”

Stanwyck made a sour face. “This goddamned greasy spoon is ruining Preston. He should be out making more pictures, not wasting his time here.”

“He can do both,” Tony said, with a spread of his hands. “He’s crazy that way.”

Stanwyck ignored him, leaving her warm eyes on Rita. “You let me know if you need anything, hear? We Brooklyn girls have to stick together.”

“Yes,” Rita said brightly. “Thank you.”

Rita and Tony were sat

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