The suite at the Plaza was high on the north-facing side of the hotel, with spectacular views of Central Park. Rick and Glenna took him to “21” for dinner and introduced him to the management there. Beginning the following morning, daily showings of the film for the press took place at a rented screening room, followed by the group question-and-answer session. He had at least two interviews daily with selected press: those with columns, like Ed Sullivan and Walter Winchell, or feature writers with the New York papers. Since he was, invariably, asked the same questions each time, his answers became more and more polished, funnier and, thus, more quotable.
Back in L.A., Susie was undergoing the same procedure with the West Coast press, and she found it tiring. She kept meaning to go to Hank Harmon’s apartment and pack her things, but there were more and more demands on her time. She and Vance talked daily, usually in the early evening.
“How are you, Sweetheart?” Vance asked on Friday evening.
“Exhausted, to tell you the truth; I never knew what hard work it is, being a movie star. In fact, I’m going to postpone my flight until Monday, just to have a day to rest. Do you mind?”
“Of course, I mind,” Vance replied, “but I understand. I don’t want you to have to spend your first days here in bed, except with me, of course.”
“I’ll rest up on Sunday and be ready for the long flight on Monday, but let’s don’t go out on Monday evening. Let me get one more night’s rest.”
“Have you moved into the house yet?”
“I haven’t had a moment. I’ll do it Sunday afternoon, when there won’t be anybody clawing at me for an interview.”
“I’m beginning to think you’re having second thoughts about moving in.”
“Of course, I’m not. In fact, I can’t wait until we’re back from New York and away from all this craziness and can have some uninterrupted time together at home.”
“Did Rick send you the treatment and pages for Greenwich Village Girl?”
“Oh, yes, and I just love it! What about you?”
“I think it’s very funny, and it will be fun to make.”
“I don’t suppose we can make all our pictures together, but I’m glad we’re doing two in a row.”
“So am I. Maybe, between the time we get back from New York and the start of the picture, we can get down to Mexico for a few days. Rick tells me there’s a wonderful little fishing village there called Puerto Vallarta that’s beautiful and peaceful.”
“It would be fun to lie on a beach for a few days.”
“I’ll get Rick to loan us the airplane to take us down there.”
“Lucky you, getting to fly to New York on the Centurion airplane, when I have to fly commercial.”
“Lucky me!”
They murmured affections for a minute or two, then said good night.
Susie attended the Chinese Theater opening of Bitter Creek on the arm of Eddie Harris and had a wonderful time being the center of attention. There was a late supper with the top press afterward, and she didn’t get to bed until nearly three A.M.
Vance had a nearly identical experience at Radio City, arriving with Glenna Gleason on his arm and Rick following close behind. He slept late and was awakened at one P.M. by Rick and Glenna banging on his door, bearing the New York papers.
He tied a robe around him and opened the door. “Come in.” He ordered brunch for them, then sat down to read the reviews.
“They’re spectacular,” Glenna said, handing him the Times review, “especially for you and Susie.”
They read them aloud to each other, then they had a leisurely brunch of eggs Benedict and mimosas.
Vance glanced at his watch. “Nearly three,” he said. “Time to call Susie; she’s slept enough.” He sat down on the bed and placed the call.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Calder,” the operator said. “There’s no answer at that number.”
“Will you try every half hour until you reach somebody, please?”
“Of course.”
Vance hung up the phone. “No answer,” he said.
“Is she at the house?”
“She should be.”
“Call the studio and see if she’s at her bungalow.”
Vance tried that with the same result. “She’s supposed to move all her things this afternoon from the flat she shared with a friend.”
“She’s probably doing that right now,” Rick said. “The operator will get her as soon as she returns.”
Susie had left the house moments before Vance’s call and headed for West Hollywood and Hank Harmon’s apartment. She had planned to take care of this when Hank was working, but her schedule had kept her from doing that, and she was uncomfortable with the idea of seeing Hank. Susie had not been returning her phone calls, and she felt guilty about that.
She drove around to the rear of the little Spanish-style apartment building and parked her car, then entered through the rear door and went upstairs, carrying some cardboard boxes she’d gotten from a liquor store the day before. She rang the bell and got no answer. Susie was relieved; maybe she’d be able to get everything out of the place without a confrontation. She unlocked the door with her key and went inside.
She packed and carried down the boxes, until there was only a remaining suitcase, and then she would be gone. She went back to the apartment and packed the case, then, as she was about to leave, she thought it would be best if she left a note. She went to Hank’s desk, took some of her stationery and wrote a two-page letter, intending to be both kind and grateful to Hank, while making clear that their relationship was over. She sealed it in an envelope, wrote Hank’s name on it and propped it up on the hall table.
Susie went back to the bedroom, picked up her suitcase and started out, then she heard the front door open and someone enter. She heard the envelope being ripped open. She could get out through the service door in the kitchen while Hank read the note. She took off her shoes, held them in one hand and her suitcase in the other and ran lightly down the hall.
36
After Rick and Glenna left, Vance sat alone in the suite, listening to some music on the radio and trying to read the Sunday papers. He thought of going out, but he wanted to be there when the hotel operator reached Susie.
He had dozed off on the sofa when the phone rang. He sat upright and reached for it. “Susie?”
“It’s Rick.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“You haven’t heard from her yet?”
“Not a word. I’ve checked with the operator twice, and she’s still calling every half hour.”
“I’m sure there’s a perfectly good reason she’s not at home. Maybe she had to do some last-minute shopping.”
“On Sunday?”
“Well, there is that. Look, why don’t you come out for dinner with us. We’ve been invited to a dinner party at some friends’ place in the Waldorf Towers. You can have the hotel operator forward any calls there.”
“Thanks, Rick, but I’m a little tired, and I want to be here when Susie calls.”
“All right. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
“I don’t have anything in the morning, do I?”
“No, just lunch with some people from Life magazine at a restaurant called He Voisin, on Park Avenue and Sixty-third Street. It’s on your schedule. A car is coming for us at twelve-thirty.”