Escape To Hollywood

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 219, 16 September 1939, Page 5

Escape To Hollywood

Serial Story

SYNOPSIS. Till and lovely, brunette Linda ■alley learns from Lawyer Oebler that h«r supposedly wealthy father has died almost penniless—that ahe will raoelve only a few thousand dollars ghs decides to go to Hollywood to tacape tlio humiliation of poverty and tails hor unbelieving fiance, Fred Lancaster, of her deolalon. Eauall* unbelieving but secretly pleased at her misfortune and at her decision to ao ■way 's Helen Oebler. the lawyer's daughter end Linda's would-be rival for the affections of the popular Fred, regarded as a matrimonial prlie. Linda, against all advice, sets out for hor dream city, Hollywood in her motor car—alono. She is robbed of all her cash and petrol —but along comes the handsomest of motorists and givoa her a car-push. Other motorists help similarly, but alono comes handsome Martin, this time to buy the stranded Linda enough petrol to got to Loa Angeles. At tha Granada Arms she Ands her aunt—no guest, but linen mistress! She also had had hor evil days, financially Vu t •he takes Linda In warmheartedly Linda meets Mae Baxter a hi. Illusioned chorus girl who '.a* ei h lr from a fako dramatic school scout

CHAPTER XV. MAE studied Linda covertly as they drove toward the downtown district. "Had any dramatic experience? she asked suddenly. Koad shows or summer stock?" "No," Linda con'essed. "But I took a course in dramatics in the Last last year, and the director said I was a good type for the screen." "U-m-m." Alae shrugged. "Maybe tie was right. And experience doesn't ,-iit much ice in this burg." She was silent for a while, and seemed thoughtful. Then, she said hesitantly. "Look I've an idea. How—how would you like to team up with me?" «m l tlr !' 1 i frla,u ' < ' fl at hor in surprise. What do you mean?" "Well, you say your aunt really hasn't room to put you up. I don't want to horn in, but I've got a little apartment, and I was wondering whether you'd like to share it with me? I've been sharing it with another girl, but she packed up and went home last week. Back to Oklahoma and the boy friend whoa been waiting for her. The rent's cheap, rtnly twenty dollars a month, and . . . well, what do you say? Would you like it, or would you rather go it alone /' I think that would be wonderful!" exclaimed Linda, a bit overcome by such friendliness. "And I think you're awfullv kind to suggest it. But first, \ must find out whether I can get enough money out of the car to keep up my end." "Leave that to me," Mae advised. "I'll show you how to handle it to get the best deal possible." ° Linda was learning fast. She learned n lot more when Mae had her stop at a used-car dealer's and went into action against a stout, little man who began by contemptuously offering a hundred and ten dollars for the car. In half an hour, his offer was up to two hundred and ten. Mac stood fiat on her asking price of three hundred. It took another half hour to reach a compromise at two hundred and fifty. The dealer fixed up a 'bill of sale, and sent a man with them to the Granada Anns to get Linda' 9 certificate of title and to bring the coupe back, leaving a certified cheque for two hundred end tlfty dollars in Linda's possession. Mao and Linda then went up to Aunt Nora's room to repack Linda's things, planning to move them to Mae's apartment that afternoon. They were in the midst of the packing, when the telephone rang. Linda answered it and when she heard a man's voice asking for her, she knew there was no mistako this time —it was Martin. "Martin! I've wondered . . . that is . . Ohl You're downstairs? Yes, I'll be right down!" t)he was flushed as she turned from the 'phone. Rushing to the mirror, she dabbed her nose with a powder puff and fluffed out her hair. She saw Mae watching her curiously. "It's a man I met on the way out," she explained hastily. "I'll tell you about him later . . . he's waiting downstairs now. I'll be back in a little while." Then she dashed out.

froVtT 7 n " tes later > as she stepped In w\L t ° r ° n the first floor > and a' lor her in the lobby, ad l '^' 1 throu ff h her - She ad been trying not to think of him him vp I'"''® Sh ° had f ,artod from " ester,lay, she had been thinking •it inm a great deal. s „ N "T' forward with outtietched hands and a smile of n-reetin-. Ie seemed even handsomer than%he had remembered him. * "You made it all right, I nee," he said. i";""" 1 j,u ', 1 •• w °"»« 1 "Oh, y 0 «. I made it with gasoline *o well sustained by sandwiches! As soon as I can get a cheque cashed, 1m going to repay you." He waved th suggestion aside. "That's quite unnecessary. 1 suppose you've been \ery busy this morning—signing movie contracts and that sort of thin"-?" He smiled down at her, a twinkle"™ his eyos. She knew lie was making f un D f aspirations, but she didn't'niind. Oil, yes! she said, laughingly. "The producers have been here, bidding against each other for my services! But they want me to sign five-year contracts, and I don t want to tie mvself up that long." "And quite right," he told her. "You just tell them to go jump in the ocean with their contracts. An attractive girl like you will probably be married long before five whole years go by!" Though he spoke in a teasing tone, there was a note of seriousness in nis voice which set the tingle dancing through Linda again. "If 1 met the right man," she pa rricd. His hand was on her arm, and he was leading her toward a divan. "Are you quite sure you haven't already met the right man?" He gave her a quick glance. "Well . . . there i& a boy back home in Ccntervillc." "Let's not talk about him." They sit down together on the divan, and one of Linda's hands had somehow got in'.o one of his. "LcCs talk about you — your career." "You're laughing at me again," she accused. ">Co —-I'm serious now," he assured her. "I've been thinking that I . . . might be able to get you a screen test." ♦ ♦ * * CHAPTER XVI. LINDA stared at him. Who was Martin? How could he get a screen test? Was he someone with influence? That that would be wonderful, she stammered. "I cant promise anything definite.*' Her was studying her. "Hut you know, of course, that you are beautiful. That helps, though it isn't every thing. The day is past when mere surface beautv is enough to make a star. The studios test thousands of girls every year anil only a few of them are chosen for screen roles. Remember what I told you about tile odds that are against you." "I remember," Linda notified soberly. "But I have to succeed! It's . . . it's awfully important."

By Kathryn Culver

I m not sure that I want vou to," he said slowly. "Hollywood success does something to girls. . . . I've seen it happen 6o often. I hate to think of it happening to you."

"Doesn't that depend on the girl?" •Partially. Xot altogether. Everything i* so hectic out here. It's not quite sane. When you're on your way us, you re fighting every step for advancement. And when you reach the top, there arc always eager hands clutching to pull you down to make room for someone elc-e. It s not at all the glamorous thing that it seems/'