Hollywood Connections

Palo Alto, California, 1965—A Monday morning early in March
Ted and Excy Wallace were in their living room when the phone rang. Ted answered the telephone on the desk, and after a short conversation he laid the phone on its cradle and announced to Excy, “The verdict is in. Arson has been proven. There’s been a good settlement and we can even start rebuilding right away.”
Excy immediately ran to Ted and gave him a big hug.
The previous Halloween just before midnight, all the buildings for their Shakespearean Theatre and Learning Centre had burned to the ground. It was more than a major disappointment. For years, the Wallaces had been teaching acting and staging of Shakespearean and Elizabethan drama. They planned to celebrate the opening of their new centre with a festive civic event for the entire community.
“That’s great!” exclaimed Excy. “I’m so glad we can start rebuilding immediately. But can we still go to Hollywood to see Hal next week? He’s already found good scriptwriters and I know he’ll pay us well to do our part. We could sure use the money right now.”
“About that, dear,” Ted said and paused a bit. “I may have to go down to LA right away. We’ve found a backer who’ll employ our actors in summer stock, and I want to tie down the deal as soon as possible.”
“Oh, I’m so glad. I don’t want to borrow more money from your mother. She’s had a lot to adjust to this year. She likes living in Carmel Valley but I know she misses her life in Los Angeles.”
“If I leave for LA this morning, I’ll be back as soon as possible to sign papers for the insurance people,” Ted replied.
“Good. I’ll call Aunt Tillie and tell her you’ll be staying at her house tonight. Last week when I told her we might be in LA soon, her voice perked up and she even suggested places we could go out for dinner. She’s been so lonely since Paul died.”
“I don’t want to bother Aunt Tillie with this short trip. She doesn’t live near where I have to go. You know how spread out everything is in LA.”
“Is time that essential?” Excy asked.
“Yes. There’s a time limit on the offer.”
“That sounds odd.”
“The major backer for the summer theater has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.”
“Then by all means you should go this morning so you can be back to sign the insurance settlement papers right away,” Excy agreed.
“I knew you would understand,” Ted said, and he looked more relaxed. “I’ll make a phone call to firm up the offer right now.”
“I’ll call Tillie and tell her we’re coming next week instead,” said Excy.
“Wait until we know the dates for sure, honey,” Ted answered, and he hurried to the French doors on the side porch because he heard someone call his name.
“Don’t be alarmed, Mr. Wallace. It might be good news,” said the familiar voice of the Western Union messenger.
Excy arose from the couch and came forward saying, “I’m expecting something from Hal about seeing him next week.”
“It’s for me, Excy,” Ted answered.
“Is it about the court settlement?” she called.
“No dear. It’s about renting an outdoor theater this summer, and it’s part of the deal I’m working on.”
“I was hoping it wasn’t a telegram from Irene. She always attaches strings to whatever she wants to do for us,” Excy said.
“It’ll be OK this time. She says it’s purely a business deal—and you know she has some of the best business contacts in LA.” Ted had known Irene deVere for nearly thirty years. They met when he took a course she was teaching at Pasadena City College.
A few minutes later they heard a knock at the front door. Excy answered the door this time.
“Sorry, Mrs. Wallace. I forgot that I had something for you, too.”
“Thank you, Peter. I’m glad you discovered it so soon.” After tipping him, she quickly crossed the room.
Ted was engrossed in reading his telegram but looked up and smiled. “So you have something too,” he commented and continued reading his telegram.
Excy slid a letter knife along the top of her envelope with extra vigor as she thought about Irene and her schemes to have Ted come to visit her.
As Ted left the room, she read Hal Sonderson’s telegram about his plans for them. He had decided to call his latest movie That Flapper Girl, and it was to be about Hollywood in the 1920s.
When Ted returned to the room, Excy pointed to the telegram.
“Hal still wants me to play a role in this new film.”
Ted came to where she was sitting and put his hands softly on her shoulders.
“Are you up to that much involvement with the project? I’ve noticed that sometimes even talking about your mother can upset you.”
“Oh, it’s OK for me to act in the movie,” she reassured him. “When I’m involved in acting, I’m in another world. It might even help me understand her better.”
“What else did Hal say?” Ted asked.
“He’s lined up some of the best scriptwriters in Hollywood. He wants to meet with us first and then we can get started in three weeks.”
“That’s great! All the more reason we should be in Los Angeles this summer.”
“Where would we live if we stayed all summer?” Excy asked.
“The Fowler’s lease on the Larchmont house will be up in May. They’re moving to Nantucket. So we can stay in our own house. At least for awhile.”
“Are we really going to have a chance to rent the Greek Theatre?” Excy asked.
“Maybe not for the whole season, but for the next few months, and that will give our actors some summer jobs. Also,” Ted suddenly stopped before continuing, “Cybil wants to act on the stage of the Greek Theatre.”
“Who’s Cybil?”
“She’s Irene’s niece from Chicago. She is living with her now.”
“Then Irene is included in this deal?”
“Well . . .yes,” drawled Ted. “At least for now, and I think it will all fit together.”
“I guess it’s OK,” stammered Excy. “As long as I’m included in all of it.”
“Of course you are included,” Ted promised with emphasis. “I’ll go down to LA today and get the deal started. Then we can tie it all up next week when we’re both down there together. I’ll go and pack an overnight bag and be on my way.” “Can I call Aunt Tillie and tell her about it now?” Excy asked. “Of course! I know she’s like a mom to you.” When Tillie heard the news she was delighted. “The two of you should stay as long as you want to. Now tell me about Mattie and Kris.” Tillie had always been close to Mattie, who was Ted and Excy’s oldest child. She had taken care of Mattie when she was growing up in LA during World War II, before the young family moved to Palo Alto.
“They are both so excited. She’s just a month away from delivery,” answered Excy. “But if we take the job assignment from Hal, I may not be in Palo Alto when the baby comes.”
“Then count on me to help. What about the insurance settlement?” asked Tillie.
“We don’t know much yet, but since the fire was caused by an explosion, it was found to be too sophisticated to be some teenage prank. It was deliberately planned and set by people who knew what they were doing. It’s still a mystery, but we’re getting a pretty good settlement. In the meantime, Ted wants to keep our actors working and that’s why he contacted Irene to help us rent or lease the Greek Theatre for the summer.”
“So Irene is still lurking around?”
“Ted is always scarce on details when he does business with her, but evidently she still has a lot of good contacts in the theater world.”
“Then he’ll probably stay at her mansion in Holmby Hills.”
“Do you think so?” asked Excy.
“Does a dog have fleas?” Tillie stated with finality.
“Well it has to be a quick trip because he is needed here in Palo Alto before we return to LA for a longer visit with Hal.”