“There are a lot of differences between the two of us.”
“Do you know the one in particular I’m talking about?” I said.
“What is it?”
“That I know I use people. I’m fine with the idea of using people. And all of that energy that you spend trying to convince yourself that you’re not using people I spend getting better at it.”
“And you’re proud of that?”
“I’m proud of where it’s gotten me.”
“Are you using me? Now?”
“If I was, you’d never know.”
“That’s why I’m asking.”
The guy behind the counter came back with our milk shakes. He appeared to have to give himself a pep talk just to give them to us.
“No,” I said to Celia, once he was gone.
“No what?”
“No, I’m not using you.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Celia said. It struck me as painfully naive, the way she so easily, so readily believed me. I was telling the truth, but still.
“Do you know why I’m not using you?” I said.
“This should be good,” Celia said as she took a sip of her shake. I laughed, surprised by both the world-weariness in her voice and the speed with which she spoke.
Celia would go on to win more Oscars than anybody else in our circle back then. And it was always for intense, dramatic roles. But I always thought she’d be dynamite in a comedy. She was so quick.
“The reason I’m not using you is that you have nothing to offer me. Not yet, at least.”
Celia took a sip of her shake again, stung. And then I leaned forward and took a sip of mine.
“I don’t think that’s true,” Celia said. “I’ll give you that you’re more famous than me. Being married to Captain Hollywood can have that effect on a person. But other than that, we’re at the same place, Evelyn. You’ve turned in a couple of good performances. So have I. And now we’re in a movie together, which both of us took on because we want an Academy Award. And let’s be honest, I have a leg up on you in that regard.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I’m a better actress.”
I stopped sipping the thick shake through the straw and turned myself toward her.
“How do you figure that?”
Celia shrugged. “It’s not something we can measure, I suppose. But it’s true. I’ve seen One More Day. You’re really good. But I’m better. And you know I’m better. That’s why you and Don almost had me kicked off the project.”
“No, we didn’t.”
“Yes, you did. Ruby told me.”
I wasn’t mad at Ruby for telling Celia what I’d told her, the same way you’re not mad at a dog for barking at a mailman. That’s just what they do.
“Oh, fine. So you’re a better actress than me. And sure, maybe Don and I discussed getting you fired. So what? Big deal.”
“Well, that’s just my point exactly. I’m more talented than you, and you’re more powerful than me.”
“So?”
“So you’re right, I’m not very good at using people. So I’m trying this a different way. Let’s help each other out.”
I sipped my milk shake again, mildly intrigued. “How so?” I said.
“After hours, I’ll help you with your scenes. I’ll teach you what I know.”
“And I go with you to Schwab’s?”
“You help me do what you’ve done. Become a star.”
“But then what?” I said. “We both end up famous and talented? Competing for every job in town?”
“I suppose that is one option.”
“And the other?”
“I really like you, Evelyn.”
I looked at her sideways.
She laughed at me. “I know that’s probably not something most actresses mean in this town, but I don’t want to be like most actresses. I really like you. I like watching you on-screen. I like how the moment you show up in a scene, I can’t look at anything else. I like the way your skin is too dark for your blond hair, the way the two shouldn’t go together and yet seem so natural on you. And to be honest, I like how calculating and awful you kind of are.”
“I am not awful!”
Celia laughed. “Oh, you definitely are. Getting me fired because you think I’ll show you up? Awful. That’s just awful, Evelyn. And walking around bragging about how you use people? Just terrible. But I really like it when you talk about it. I like how honest you are, how unashamed. So many women around here are full of crap with everything they say and do. I like that you’re full of crap only when it gets you something.”
“This laundry list of compliments seems to have a lot of insults in it,” I said.
Celia nodded, hearing me. “You know what you want, and you go after it. I don’t think there is anyone in this town doubting that Evelyn Hugo is going to be the biggest star in Hollywood one of these days. And that’s not just because you’re something to look at. It’s because you decided you wanted to be huge, and now you’re going to be. I want to be friends with a woman like that. That’s what I’m saying. Real friends. None of this Ruby Reilly, backstabbing, talking-about-each-other-behind-our-backs crap. Friendship. Where each of us gets better, lives better, because we know the other.”
I considered her. “Do we have to do each other’s hair and stuff like that?”
“Sunset pays people to do that. So no.”
“Do I have to listen to your man troubles?”
“Certainly not.”
“So what, then? We choose to spend time together and try to be there for each other?”
“Evelyn, have you never had a friend before?”
“Of course I’ve had friends before.”
“A real one, a close friend? A true friend?”
“I have a true friend, thank you very much.”
“Who is it?”
“Harry Cameron.”
“Harry Cameron is your friend?”
“He’s my best friend.”
“Well, fine,” Celia said, putting out her hand for me to shake. “I will be your second-best friend, next to Harry Cameron.”
I took her hand and shook it firmly. “Fine. Tomorrow I’ll take you to Schwab’s. And afterward, we can rehearse together.”
“Thank you,” she said, and she smiled brightly, as if she’d gotten everything she’d ever wanted in the world. She hugged me, and when we broke away, the man behind the counter was staring at us.
I asked for the check.
“It’s on the house,” he said, which I thought was the dumbest thing, because if there is anyone that should be getting free food, it isn’t rich people.
“Will you tell your husband I loved The Gun at Point Dume?” the man said as Celia and I got up to leave.
“What husband?” I said as coyly as possible.
Celia laughed, and I flashed her a grin.
But what I was really thinking was, I can’t tell him that. He’ll think I’m making fun of him, and he’ll smack me.
Sub Rosa June 22, 1959
COLD, COLD EVELYN
Why would a beautiful couple with a gorgeous five-bedroom home not be interested in filling it up with a brood of children? You’d have to ask Don Adler and Evelyn Hugo that question.
Or maybe you’d just have to ask Evelyn.
Don wants a baby, and certainly we’ve all been waiting with bated breath to find out when the progeny of those two beautiful creatures will make his or her way into the world. We know any child they have would be sure to send us into fits of swooning.