But never toVictoria...
That's over, he reminded himself.Over...
There had been some compromises made throughout the entire month's work on the first video, but the result had been so gratifying that before the final wrap they had found themselves fast friends. And the video had hit the tube with astounding success, both commercial and critical.
"I only have one disagreement with you, Lee,"Garywas saying now. "I like the concept; I have to admit I even like the arrangement of the song. But I think--with your career in mind--that we should have shots of you guys with your instruments. I know you're going to tell me that it's a Civil War ballad, which it is, but think of it this way-->''
"Excuse me, Gary," Tony cut in quickly. "I'm going to go and get started with the dancers."
"Sure, Tony,"Garysaid. "Go ahead. Now, Lee, I'm not talking about a shot of more than a second or two--''
"Sorry, Gary," Lee interrupted this time, his eyes following Tony as he started across the ballroom toward the group of colorfully clad dancers. "I'll be right back."
"But, Lee..."
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"Go with it,Gary. Go with whatever you want!" A smile spread acrossGary's features, but Lee didn't notice, nor would he have minded. He was anxious to catch up with the dance director.
"Tony!"
The other man stopped quickly and turned around.
"Tony, see the willowy redhead over there?"
"Redhead?I don't see a redhead."
"Dark red, Tony.She's in a black leotard, pink tights.About five-foot-six. Tony, are you blind?"
"Oh! Yeah, I see her now. Boy, do I see her now!"
"Quit gawking, Tony. You should be accustomed to nice bodies."
"I am, but, hey..."
"Tony, we're being aesthetic here for a minute, okay? What do you think about using her for our Lorena?"
Tony's "aesthetic" mind went into action. "Perfect! Nice long hair, good height against yours.Thin waist--good for the costume. And nice full breasts--great for the costume. She's perfect!"
"If she can dance."
"I guarantee you, Lee, they can all dance. Barbara Vinton doesn't cast people unless they know their business. I'll chat with Barbara for a minute, make sure the girl's one of the best and bring her over to meet you."
"Good. I see Perry and Andrew. I'm going to talk with them for a minute, then take a look at the staircase."
Tony nodded,then hurried over to the group of dancers. Lee walked toward the door to greet his fellow band members, Andrew McCabe, Perry Litton and MickSkyhawk .
"Damn, Lee, the place looks great!" Andrew said admiringly.
"Super," Mick agreed.
"Glad you like it," Lee laughed. "I just hope you're really seeing it. Even for a red man, you have red eyes, my friend!"
Mick, a full-blooded Blackfoot, flushed, making his naturally bronzed features darken to rust. The others laughed; Mick joined in with them good-naturedly.
"Hey, I'm here, aren't I? And you're the ones who keep telling me I need to settle down. How will I ever settle down if I don't spend an evening now and then with a member of the opposite sex?"
"You spend plenty of evenings with members of the opposite sex," Andrew told him, sighing with feigned Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
exasperation.' 'It would help if you spent these nights with the same member of the opposite sex."
Lee felt his smile fade a little uneasily. Be careful, Mick, he thought fleetingly. Sometimes you're better off when you don't know a woman well, when you both come and go in the dark. Because you may think that you know her, but you never will, and dark secrets can hide in the heart....
"I want to go and take a look at the staircase," Lee murmured, "Mick,they've set your piano up at the rear of the ballroom, if you want to go take a look." "I'll do that," Mick replied.
The group parted, and Lee headed toward the gracefully curving stairway. He smiled for a minute, pleased and proud that theFultonplace had turned out so well. When he had first seen it, the old marble floors had been covered in inches of dust. The stairway had been charred and broken in places, and the elegant light fixtures--including a couple of priceless chandeliers--had been so tangled inspiderwebs as to be unrecognizable. They had all thought he was crazy when he decided to buy the place and renovate it for the video of "Lorena." But now, cleaned up and fixed up, the place was perfect.
Just as music had always been a passion with him, an integral part of living, film had become an almost-obsession.
"Lee, good morning!I'd like you to meet Bryn Keller. Bryn, Lee Condor."
He had turned instantly at the sound of Barbara's voice, greeting her with a warm smile. Keller...the name was familiar.
He smiled at the woman he had chosen and extended a hand in greeting. As he studied her, he murmured something polite in return to the introduction.