“It won’t be necessary,” Papa said. “Ally would never agree, and I wouldn’t let her even if she did.”
“Agree to what?” I asked.
“There he is.” Mr. Mayer left us and went to Spencer’s side. He leaned down and spoke into Spencer’s ear, causing the actor to glance up at me, his handsome expression impossible to read.
“You don’t have to say anything.” Mama put her hand on my forearm. “Papa has already taken care of things.”
“L.B. needs to know that he can’t own everyone in Hollywood.” Papa’s face was lined with concern. At the age of sixty-two, most men were starting to contemplate slowing down in life, but Papa had enough energy for three young men. “He wants all the smaller studios to fold so he can monopolize the business, but I won’t give in.”
“What are you talking about, Papa?”
It was hard to watch him become increasingly bitter and defensive as his world was changing. At one time, Papa had been a leading filmmaker and movie artist. Now he was a Poverty Row member, unwilling to go into business with men like Mayer, who were more interested in celebrities, mass production, and fame.
“He made a ludicrous suggestion,” Papa said. “A business proposition, according to him, but I’m not sure it would even be ethical.”
“Does anyone care about ethics in Hollywood anymore?” Mama asked, her voice dry and disappointed.
“He’s bringing Spencer over.” Papa crossed his arms again. “Don’t worry about it, Ally.”
“Worry about what?” I was bewildered by their conversation. “What did Mr. Mayer suggest?”
Before Papa could tell me, Mr. Mayer arrived at our side with Spencer Hayes. He was in his early thirties and had risen to fame over the past five or six years. His charisma and charm on the screen had been irresistible. In person, it was even more so. There was something that had always drawn me toward him. Even without speaking, his magnetic persona made me curious, though I had no interest in getting my head turned by one of the biggest playboys in Hollywood.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bennett,” Mr. Mayer said, “may I present Mr. Spencer Hayes, my brightest star at MGM Studios. Spence, this is Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and their daughter Miss Ally Bennett.”
Spencer shook hands with my parents and then turned his practiced smile on me. His brown eyes were glossy from alcohol as hegave a slight bow. “Miss Bennett, your work precedes you. I enjoyed your performance inAnnieOakleylast year. I had thought you were a shoo-in for the best actress award.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hayes.”
“Call me Spencer—or Spence.” He winked. “Whatever you prefer.”
“I was just telling the Bennetts that I’ve schemed up a plan that will benefit all of us,” Mr. Mayer said.
Papa’s jaw hardened as he began to shake his head.
“I want them to hear me out.” Mr. Mayer turned slightly, offering his back to Papa as the orchestra music continued. “Spence, your reputation has suffered almost irreparable damage. Miss Bennett, if your family doesn’t make something of this last-ditch effort to stay afloat, you will be out of a job. Your picture needs a famous leading man to play Laurie, and Spence needs to link himself to someone with a stellar reputation.”
My lips parted at the proposition.
“I’m willing to loan Spencer to Bennett Studios to play Laurie inLittle Womenfor free,” he said, “if you are willing to stage a romance with him to improve his public image. If people saw him dating Hollywood’s sweetheart, and we could getPhotoplayorFilm Dailyto run some positive publicity, I think we could get the scandal to die down. I’ve invested far too much money in Spencer’s career to let him fail now, and Grant, you’ve invested too much in your studio. This will benefit us both. All you need to do is say the word.”
Thankfully the orchestra was playing “Ain’t We Got Fun?,” and everyone was either dancing or in conversation. No one seemed to pay attention to the five of us in the corner. I’d heard Mr. Mayer was famous for creating his stars’ images, but I didn’t think he’d go to such lengths. Offering his biggest star to our small studio for free was unheard of.
“As I said”—Papa lifted his chin—“it’s out of the question. Ally has a spotless reputation because she’s stayedawayfrom men like Spencer Hayes.”
“Grant.” Mama shook her head in a warning as Spencer stiffened beside me.
“It’s true.” Papa’s jaw tightened. “What would happen if Spencer’s poor reputation wore off on Ally instead? Then where would she be? At this point, even if my studio closes, Ally could still go anywhere in Hollywood and find a job.”
It was Mr. Mayer’s turn to lift his chin. “What if she couldn’t? What if someone went to the other studios and suggested that Miss Bennett shouldnotbe hired?”
“Are you threatening to sabotage her career?” Papa took a step toward Mr. Mayer. “I refuse—”
“Papa.” I put my hand on his arm. Mr. Mayer’s proposition was full of risks—so many, I didn’t even want to think about them. But we had few other choices. “Mr. Mayer’s offer would benefit us, perhaps more than it would Mr. Hayes. His name is bigger than any other in Hollywood, even with the scandal. If we can improve his reputation and have him in the film, it would guarantee our success.”
Papa’s shoulders were still tight as he turned to me. “But you’d have to pretend to be in a romantic relationship with him to make it work. And even then, it’s a gamble.”
“I’m an actress.” I smiled, though my voice trembled. “I can pretend almost anything.”
