“I want you as my
“But what about...whoever she is? The one you
He took another sip of bourbon. “Tricia Talbot. She threw in the towel.”
“What?”
“Quit. Last night.”
Sandy found herself smiling. “You’re kidding. Why’d she quit?”
“We had...creative differences.”
“What do you mean?”
“She wanted to do things her way, not mine. I refused to give in, so she walked.” He grinned. “Not only did she walk, but she
“Can’t you just make a phone call, or something, and get yourself a real actress?”
“Why would I want to do that, when
“I’m not going to be in your movie, that’s why.”
“You
“No, I mustn’t.”
“You’ll be perfect. You’ll
“Why don’t you get Janice? She’s right here in town.”
“She won’t be in the movie.”
“Well, that makes two of us.”
“Twenty-five thousand dollars.”
Sandy stared at him, shocked.
“
“For just ten or twelve weeks of work.”
She murmured, “Can’t.”
“And why can’t you?”
“Just can’t. I’m not any actress.”
“You don’t
She smirked. “Oh, yeah. A star. Every day and twice on Sundays.”
“You’ve got the
“I don’t look much like Janice.”
“There’s no reason why you should. We’ll color your hair, of course. You’ll be spectacular as a blonde.”
“Think so?”
“I know so.”
She grinned.
“And what’s
She imagined herself saying, “I’ve got a little secret for you, buddy. Underneath this ugly brown dye job, I
That’d sure open a can of worms.
“Is something amusing?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t want to turn into a dumb blonde.”
“It would only be for the role.”
“I don’t want the role.”
“I think you do, Margaret. I
“No, I don’t.”
“The
“Bull.”
Marlon took another sip of bourbon, then leaned sideways and set his glass on. the lamp table. “Let me show you something,” he said, getting to his feet. “Do you have a mirror?”
“What kind of mirror?”
“The largest you have.”
“What do you want to do?”
“Come, come, come.” He swept toward Sandy, reaching for her.
She put out a hand to signal him back.
He took hold of it and drew her after him, striding toward the hallway.
“Hey, what’re you doing?”
“We’re off to see the mirror!”
“My dad’ll be home!”
“I doubt it. I’m a director. I know stage props when I see them. A smoker doesn’t live in this trailer.”
“He does, too.”
“My nose tells me otherwise. And it’s a wise nose.”
He pulled her into the bathroom and halted in front of the medicine cabinet mirror. “Surely we can do better than this!”
He barged past her and towed her along.
“You live here alone,” he said. “Admit it.”
“I do not.”
“Just like
“No.”
“Bet you did.”
He stopped in front of Eric’s room.
He reached for the door.
Sandy gave his hand a hard jerk, tugging him away from it. “Not in there,” she gasped. “It’s my dad’s room.”
“Ah, Dad.”
“I’ve got a big mirror in
This time, Sandy led the way, rushing onward, pulling Marlon through the doorway of her bedroom. She stepped around the end of the bed and drew him to her side. They both faced her dresser.
And the mirror above it.
She went ahead and looked at herself.
“Big deal,” she muttered.
She could see Marlon in the mirror, too. He stood by the doorway, his hand on the light switch. “Behold!” he proclaimed in a deep, resonant tone. Then he flicked the switch.
Crimson light filled the room.
“My lord,” Marlon said.
“It’s just a red bulb,” Sandy explained.
“How remarkably gawdy.” In the mirror, she watched him glide toward her, his arms spread like wings, his shiny black shirt fluttering. The shirt looked purple in the red glow.
She felt a tingle creep up her back.
