“You do?”
He nodded. “You’re a fine actor.”
“Just fine?” My ego struck unexpectedly.
He patted my leg. “Acting is like any other muscle; it gets stronger with time and practice. How old are you?”
“Twenty-one and a half.”
He held back a smile. “Well, then, the world’s your oyster.” He took my glass and sniffed it. “Oh my. The cheapest option on the menu?”
I nodded, my face growing warm.
“I know what you’ll like.” He called over a waiter and told her the name of a drink I’d never heard before. Watching his profile, I reckoned he was in his mid-thirties. With his impeccable black suit and alligator boots, he looked more like a movie star than a club owner.
“You’re in for a treat,” he said and leaned back on the couch. I did the same, trying to decide if there was a hint of flirtation in his behavior. I was wearing my straight costume suit tonight—as I did every night. This being the early ‘90s, being a gay actor in Hollywood wasn’t as taboo as it used to be, but I couldn’t risk it. Agatha had been blunt about the difference between what the city portrayed to the world and how things truly worked behind the scenes.
“I didn’t catch your name,” I said.
“Eliot Fitzgerald. And you are the promising Jonah Carter.”
Hearing my name from his mouth spread a sweet feeling in my chest.
The waiter came with our drinks. Mine looked purply and thick.
“Cheers.” I clinked my glass with his and took a sip. The taste of blueberries caressed my tongue, with a touch of bitterness. “Oh, wow.”
He winked. “Told you.”
We continued to chat, and I grew more relaxed around him, and not just because of the excellent alcohol. He asked aboutmy first days in LA and my first acting gigs. I had started with silly commercials and a failed TV show. My big break came in a supporting role inHigh Life,shortly after signing with Agatha. The film had no famous cast members, but the script was incredible, bringing me to tears the first time I read it. We’d gotten a Golden Globe nomination for Best Screenplay but ended up losing. Between the premieres, award shows, and interviews, I’d been confident that new roles would be coming my way. I’d scored a decent number of auditions, but nothing worked out. I wasn’t superstitious, but I began to worry that someone might have put an evil eye on me.
Eliot stopped me mid-sentence when someone approached us. “What a nice surprise! I haven’t seen you in ages, Steven.” He rose to his feet and hugged Steven-freaking-Nixson! I stared open-mouthed as one of my favorite directors stood within arm’s reach. His movies had never been big at the box office, but they always played at festivals. He was as tall as Eliot but much stockier, his gray hair tied in a ponytail.
“I just wrapped up a production in goddamn Alabama,” Steven said. “It’s time to celebrate civilization.”
“I’m honored you’d consider my club as civilization.” Eliot signaled me to stand. “I’m sure you’ve heard of Jonah Carter.”
I jumped to my feet, heart racing. Steven eyed me as if he were trying to place me in his memory. Eliot put his arm around my shoulders. “Jonah isveryup and coming. Better keep an eye out for him.”
I wanted to say something witty, but I lost my vocabulary.
“Nice to meet you, up and coming.” Steven held out his hand, and I hurried to shake it, my wide smile hurting my cheeks.
“I lovedLiving in the Dark!” I blurted.
Steven crossed his arms. “Oh, did you? Most people hated it. What did you love the most?”
“When Sally decided to stay with Roger at the end and lie to the police.”
He sighed. “That was what people hated.”
“I prefer for characters to make mistakes, like in real life.”
Steven patted my shoulder. “I prefer it as well, Mr. Carter.”
Eliot cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, would you care for a special treat in a place less crowded?”
Steven chuckled like he knew what Eliot had in mind. “I’ll never say no to that.”
