It's a big picture and if it comes off, he'll be in solid again."
"You mean he's shaky?" I asked.
"Everybody in Hollywood is. From Garbo and Gilbert on down.
No one is sure just what talking pictures are going to do to their career.
I hear John Gilbert's voice is so bad that MGM won't even pencil him in for another picture."
"What about Nevada's voice?"
"It's good," she said.
"Very good. We made a sound test the other day." "Well, that's one less thing to worry about."
"Are you going to do it?" she asked.
"What's in it for me if I do?" I countered.
"You could make a lot of money," she said.
"I don't need it," I said. "I’ll make a lot of money, anyway." Her eyes turned to me, her voice was cold.
"You haven't changed, have you?"
I shook my head. "No.
Why should I?
Does anybody?
Did you?" I reached for her hand. It was cold as ice. "Just how much are you willing to give to bail Nevada out?"
Her eyes were steady on mine.
"I'd give everything I've got if it would help."
I felt a kind of sadness creeping into me.
I wondered how many people would say that for me.
Right then, I couldn't think of one.
I let go of her hand and got out of the car.
She leaned toward me. "Well, Jonas, have you made up your mind?"
"Not yet," I said slowly. "There's a lot more I have to know about."
"Oh." She leaned back disappointedly.
"But don't you worry," I said. "If I do it, you'll be the first one I come to for payment."
She signaled the chauffeur. He put the car into gear. "Knowing you," she said quietly, "I never expected anything else."
The limousine rolled away and I turned and walked into the hotel.
I went up to my room and opened up the script.
It took about an hour and a half to go through it. It was almost six o'clock before I closed my eyes.
6.
The telephone kept banging away at my head.
I shook my head to clear it and looked at my watch. It was a few minutes past seven.
I picked up the phone.
"Mr. Cord?
Von Elster here.
I'm sorry to bother you so early, but I'm down in the lobby with Mr. Norman.
It's very important we see you before you meet with Nevada."
"Who's Norman?" I asked, still trying to clear my head.
"Bernard B. Norman of Norman Pictures. That's the company releasing the picture.
Mr. Norman feels he can be of help to you in making the right kind of deal with Nevada."
"Why should I need any help?" I asked.
"I've known Nevada all my life."
His voice grew confidential.
"Nevada's all right, Mr. Cord. But his agent, Dan Pierce, is a very sharp man.
Mr. Norman just wants to give you a few pointers before you tangle with him."
I reached for a cigarette.
Von Elster hadn't lost any time.
He'd run right back to his boss the minute he smelled my money.