Mitchell, Ian D.

Digital Commons @ Butler University

28 MANUSCRIPTSwant to talk, you talk to yourself." And he picked up a blanket andwent to the sofa in the living room.Oh, it had been a wonderful evening, all right. She snapped thecar into the driveway and was delighted at the sound of the bumperripping the side of the garage door.Joe got off the six-fifty-seven feeling fine. The car was in itscustomary place. He walked toward it with a light stride, then heremember-ed. Well, if she was still in that same mood, he'd have tospend the evening talking her out of it. He opened the door. "Hello,baby," he said, and got in behind the wheel."Darling," she said timidly, "I stopped at Druding's for gas to-day, and Ted told me all about the trouble you had last night. Youpoor lamb, you."Joe knew enough not to smile. "Women," he thought, "you justcan't figure them."Jules KesslerIan D. Mitchell"LET me speak to Charley Swan.""One moment, please, I'll see if he is here.""He's there all right. Tell him that Jules Kessler IS onthe phone.""Yes sir, Mr. Kessler . . .""Hello, Charley, wipe your chin and pull up a chair.""What do you want, Jules? I'm entertaining a few guests rightnow. Why don't you call back later?""Can't, Charley, I'm going right down to the theater. Why guestsat the Variety Club, Annunziata not paying off?""We're getting good reviews,""Georgia Fain's the only one they're talking about.""Gassner seems to think it's pretty good theater.""Yeah, and Gassner would purr for Rumplestilskin if it satisfiedthe 'aht and theatah' crowd. Don't kid me, Charley, Annunziatawon't last more than a week and all you'll have to show for it will bea couple of squibs in your scrapbook.""You're wrong about the show, Jules; it's booked ahead for threemonths. You're also wrong about Georgia Fain, They're not talk-ing about her, they're raving about her. But you didn't call me todiscuss the success of the show. What is it you want?""Georgia Fain's contract,""What!"MANUSCRIPTS"I can do for her in a week what would take her ten years playingin those East Lynnes of yours." ."Is this another Kessler party stunt? You must be kidding.""Serious as hell.""Well, don't be, Jules. I'm not giving up Georgia's contract toanyone. Why if she heard this one, she'd laugh her head off. Bythe way, what new show would you star her in?""No new show, the one we're running now.""Burleskapad.es _?""Of course.""Are you crazy? Ha, ha, some gag. Listen, my steak is gettingcold. What do you really want?""Her contract."O. K., Jules ... for two million 111 cash, the llelasco Theater.and parking rights on Times Square.""Don't play with me, Swan. I want Georgia Fain for Illy show.I'm not joking. This is strictly business.""Take it somewhere else, Jules. If this isn't a comedy then you'dbetter scratch the act because it's not going over.""The act stays, Swan, and I'm going to finish it center stage front.Bring Georgia to my office at eleven tomorrow and we'll settle itthen.""And if we don't show up I suppose you'll burn down our theater.The melodrama is tiresome, Jules. I can listen to Lawyer Cribbs fortwo bits, musical background, free beer and pretzels.""You had better show up, Swan, or the two bits and free lunchwill be the only things you'll have left after Annunziata folds.""A threat? This begins to sound like the old Jules Kessler.Winchell was right. 'Kessler back on Broadway ... Drive slowly,juley, we love our kids.' Well, what's the fraud this time?""No fraud, Charley. Just drop in tomorrow. Bring the star andher contract. I pay well. Ten thousand to you and I double hersalary. You're both making money.""While you get the greatest star since Bernhardt and cripple thefinest show we've had here in years. You're either drunk or crazyto think you can call me up and demand my actress. Forget thisnonsense and I'll forget you ever mentioned it. Good-bye, Jules.""Be there, Swan, or I'll ruin you.""Georgia Fain's not eating husks with 3IO/{. and the rest oj' theswine l"... "Charley ... did you ever hear of the A. Y. D. ?""What do you mean?""They have a Georgia Fain on their books.""You wouldn't dare . . .""McCarthy's boys are in town and they're licking their chops.""You lousy . . ."29

Jules Kessler

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Jules Kessler

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