Shakeup

12

Stone got a glimpse of a very nice body before he surfaced, a polite distance from her.

“I’m Lara Parks,” she said.

“And I’m Stone Barrington.”

“Are you in the film business?”

“On the edges of it, you might say. I’m an attorney. Are you in the film business?”

“I suppose you could say I’m on the edges, too. Heretofore, I’ve done only television.”

“But you have designs on feature films?”

She laughed. “Yes, I have designs.”

“Then I wish you luck.”

“One always needs a little luck. I have an appointment tomorrow with a director named Peter Barrington... Any relation?”

“Yes, he’s my son. And this hotel is named for his mother.”

“May I tell him I know you?”

“If you do, he will take that as knowledge of a wild affair between us. Anyway, you already have an appointment with him; that’s the hard part. All you have to do now is to show him you can act.”

“And how would I do that?”

“It’s called an audition, I believe.”

“He called it a reading. I think there will be other actors there, too.”

“Good, you won’t be all alone.”

“Any advice?”

“I’m in no position to advise you, but I’ll tell you a story that an old friend of mine, who was a producer and director, told me. He and the head of the studio had a meeting with a young actor who was very assertive, unlike most actors, who are nervous on such occasions. The studio head grilled him about the part and his interpretation, and he gave smart-ass answers. My friend suddenly realized that the actor wasn’t just chatting; he was acting the character he had been called in to audition for. He got the part.”

“That was very clever,” she said. “Risky, too. I wonder if I could pull that off?”

“I wonder, too, but I don’t know. It’s just something to consider, especially if the studio head is at the meeting. Directors are smarter about such things.”

“Now I don’t know what to do.”

“Study your lines and give them your best reading,” Stone said.

“Now that is good advice. You don’t look old enough to be Peter Barrington’s father.”

“That means either that Peter is younger than you think, or I’m older than I look. Either way, it was the right thing to say.”

They were quiet for a moment.

“Is Lara Parks your real name, or did someone suggest it to you?”

“My parents are Swiss, and the name they gave me was Helga Glick. Everyone suggested I change it, so I made up Lara Parks.”

“Has anyone ever asked you if you’re related to Larry Parks?”

“No. I’ve never heard of him.”

“He was a talented actor in the forties and fifties, but he ran afoul of a congressional committee investigation into communism in the movie business... He was blacklisted, as a result, and didn’t work in films for several years, so the correct answer to that question, as well as the truthful one, is no.”

“I’ll google him, so I’ll know what I’m talking about.”

Stone looked at his Rolex. “I believe the sun is over the yardarm, as they say. Would you like a drink?”

“Yes, I would. May I have a vodka and tonic, please?”

“Of course.” Stone swam to the other end of the pool, climbed out, put on his robe, picked up a phone, and ordered. Then he picked up Lara’s robe, took it to a ladder, and held it open for her, screening his view.

She climbed out and slipped into it. “Thank you for being so nice, but I’m not shy.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Stone replied, offering her a seat. The butler appeared with their drinks and left them to it.

“Have you ever been asked not to be shy when auditioning?”

“Yes. When that happens, I become shy. Have you ever noticed that the biggest female stars seem never to show so much as a nipple?”

“I have noticed that. There must be a reason.”

“I think the reasoning is: leave them wanting more.”

Stone laughed. “I expect that’s good advice.”

“I’m surprised that you haven’t made a pass at me.”

“Are you free for dinner this evening?”

“Yes.”

“Then come to my house at seven, and the cook will cook for us. I promise to be on my worst behavior.”

She laughed. “I’ll hold you to that. Now, I have to go. They’re sending a hairdresser over to do me up for tomorrow.”

“The studio?”

“Yes.”

“And they put you up in this hotel?”

“Apparently, they keep a cottage for out-of-town guests.”

“I’d say you’re getting star treatment.”

“I could get used to that,” she said. She kissed him on the forehead and walked away.

He was napping on his bed when the phone rang. “Yes?”

“Dad? It’s Peter.”

“How are you?” Stone asked.

“Just fine. Will you dine with us tonight?”

“I’m afraid I already have plans. I’m sorry.”

“Can’t you bring her with you?”

“I’m afraid not. I’ll explain it all later. I’ll be here for a few days, so we’ll find time.”

“As you wish.” They caught up a bit, then hung up. Stone had a shower and a shave and got dressed, in preparation of being on his worst behavior. His phone rang. “Hello?”

“Hi, it’s Lara Parks.”

“Good evening.”

“Tell me, did you mean what you said?”

“My recollection is that I didn’t say much, but I meant all of it.”

“I’d prefer it if you were on your best behavior, rather than your worst.”

“Granted. Would you like to put another quarter in the machine?”

“See you at seven,” she said, then hung up.