| Subject: Chapter 205 - Part 1 (16 and above) |
Author:
KatherineG.
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Date Posted: Monday, October 10, 07:31:25am
In reply to:
KatherineG.
's message, "Dreams in the Dark (203 > )" on Monday, October 03, 07:35:40am
Extra warning: There are some unpleasant words in this part. I'll rate it 16 and above, just to be safe.
Dreams in the Dark (205/?)
by Katherine Gilbert
There *was* such a situation as having too much of a good thing, apparently; the fact annoyed her once again. While, for many years, she had believed that the success of Premier--and Paul's understanding of her intrinsic part in it--were all that she wished for, she was now beginning to see her error. Even if the studio were winning acclaim and attention like never before, it wasn't enough; one, far greater, goal was going unanswered. And it was this goal she would be seeing to tonight.
Madeline humored herself far enough to allow a deep sigh to escape, the current situation rather disgusting. The couple which most goaded her were being feted everywhere, were the toast of the town. Their union--the unexpected success of their latest, meaningless release--had every fan magazine and radio show begging for an appearance from them. The recent, and ever-more-threatening, news from the outer world only seemed to fan their desire for such distraction--the name of Wolfe's studio on everyone's lips. For one of the first times, they had all the right kind of attention, the type she had always wanted; something in her roiled. But all of these truths simply fanned the flames of her revulsion.
There was no way around this fact, the last several days a constant irritant. The news from the world was bad enough; with Canada's recent inclusion, the hostilities toward Germany were growing ever stronger--making worldwide distribution of their movies far more problematic. Perhaps Americans would aid their profits by seeking more distraction, but most in the country were unlikely to pay enough attention to outside events to assure it. This alone would make it difficult to stay sanguine, in the best of times.
Still, there was far worse than these smaller irritants prickling her lately. More revolting than any of these aggravations was the fact that, just a little over a week ago, she had been forced to attend the wedding of Premier's--of Hollywood's--greatest star and the silly little girl he had been foolish enough to convince himself he needed; it was utterly insupportable. That any true man could desire a woman to such an extent--to the point where he needed her far above the call of his own safety and happiness--was ludicrous. How could any man consistently look himself in the mirror after falling so very far?
There was no sane answer to this puzzle, none which could satisfy her--the facts appalling. But they had been unchanged for many, long months--for well over a year. Somehow, the man had decided to fall into the girl's insipid, romantic trap; her head nearly shook. How anyone could be so idiotic was absolutely beyond her.
This conundrum vexed her but went unsolved as always; she knew she would be calmer if she could simply accept it. Her eyes looked into the man across from her. But acceptance was a false virtue--and it was one she had abandoned quite some time ago.
It was in the eyes of her new partner--and constant opponent--that she understood this truth again. It had taken many months to goad him to this point, so very long to convince him to accede to her desires; the delay alone irritated her. When she had begun on this path, she had expected--if not instant compliance--then at least eventual vulnerability; her gaze burned coldly. That the son was living up to the father was a turn of events to which she had yet to reconcile herself.
The man spoke up again, the filthy whorehouse bedroom turned into a makeshift negotiating table for the two of them; it was just a good thing that Hillinger held so much control here, could get her such access without alerting Jones--but the son's words were at least as annoying as his father's usually were. "I've thought about your request." The boy smiled a smile which was undoubtedly an image of his father's. "What's in it for me, should I agree?"
This was a turn of events which Madeline had failed to anticipate fully, the boy usually too drunk at their meetings--too lost in a mid-lust haze--to do much but stare confusedly at her and vaguely agree. She had taken him to be none-too-bright--an idea which was only reinforced by his earlier disgrace, the one which had led him into seclusion to begin with. He had never seemed his father's son; her eyes narrowed slightly. But now she realized that at least some of the businessman's blood must have transferred to him.
She tried to answer, her look cold but displaying none of her surprise. "I thought I had made that clear. If you fulfill your part of this bargain, you're freed from possible usurpation by your sister." She watched him carefully for a second, judging his gaze, before she made her words more plain--pleased, at least, that he didn't seem bright enough to understand such vocabulary. "If you agree, you get to succeed your father, rather than your sister taking your job."
Ah, he got it now--or so his eyes seemed to say. Really, he was a bit brighter than he let on, but he was beginning to understand some advice his father had once given him. When it was to your advantage, it was best not to seem too intelligent; it put your opponent off-guard, convinced them that you were easy to manipulate. He almost laughed. And, right now, he was starting to see the advantages of such a plan.
He managed this, then--with a bit more inherent skill than he could comprehend--doing his best to balance between shrewd negotiator and unskilled lackey. If he found the right combination, this could all go his way. "I appreciate your help in that matter." He was imitating his father's business style without realizing it. "But there might be something else I want out of this deal."
Premier's tutor was starting to see what she had gotten herself into, was more than a little annoyed by the truth before her; her gaze met Hillinger's in reproach for just a second. Even if the original idea of including Jamie had been her own, she was not the sort of person who often found it possible to accept responsibility for her failings. Just like the man who had long been her unacknowledged partner, she frequently needed a scapegoat.
Hillinger met her look with a slightly smug little smile, amused--despite his annoyance with Jones's son--at her situation. He had never liked forceful women, had seen nothing interesting in this one from the first. Still, he did understand her disgust with Jamie, wished the boy would just hold to his usual pattern and give in with only a few, muttered protests. He had always been fairly malleable when he was given the few things he wanted--namely, booze, shows of admiration, and a few, choice whores--his attitude today sickeningly unusual; his look took his boss's son in, mind turning. He did hope that this plan would allow him to rid himself of the man. Jamie was way too much of an irritating little prick to have to put up with for much longer.
These thoughts went unsaid, of course, no one in the room crazy enough to tell their real goals--with the possible exception of Jamie. Madeline understood this, despite the goading of these unexpected negotiations, decided to see what it was the boy was getting at--reminding herself of the truth. If she understood his intentions, it would only give her more power; she managed a small, unwelcoming smile. It wasn't as though she had to carry out any promises she might give.
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