Although Sherry’s first two shows of the evening brought a good audience response, she knew that she had performed poorly. Deep inside, she feared her father would discover the missing checkbooks and papers and that an ugly confrontation would ensue. Thus far, he hadn’t discovered their absence and she and Tony sat in the hotel coffee shop in a large booth with Victor Redgrave and the most proper Miss Sheila Whitcomb. They made small talk, waiting for both Sherry’s and Tony’s final shows of the night to begin. Sheila was sipping a cup of hot chocolate when a man wearing a tuxedo came over and informed her that there was a long distance telephone call for her. She excused herself, slid out of the booth and followed the man.
“Probably one of her country club chums in Paris got bored and decided to call for a chat,” Tony said.
Victor found the remark amusing and laughed as he dabbed his lips with his napkin. Sheila returned a few minutes later looking whit, aced and in a state of shock. She slid into the booth without uttering a word.
“Anything the matter, my dear?” Victor asked.
“Are you all right?” Sherry asked, concerned. The girl did look ghastly and she dabbed tears from her cheeks.
“Yes, I’m all right now,” she said, finally. “Thank you.” In a matter of seconds she seemed to have completely regained her composure. “It was about mother and father,” she said evenly. “The plane they chartered for Las Vegas crashed and there were no survivors. The pilot and mommy and Daddy are dead.”
Sherry stared in amazement. She had heard about people being made of steel but she had never actually seen one. Sheila sipped her hot chocolate now almost as though nothing had happened. She was unbelievably calm.
“I don’t know what to say,” Victor said. “I’m terribly sorry. You’re absolutely certain?”
“Oh, Sheila, how terrible, dear. Is there anything we-we can do?”
“No,” she replied. “I’m afraid there’s nothing anyone can do. There’s no question about it. The identification of the bodies was positive.”
“Would you like to go to your room?” Victor asked.
“Yes,” Sherry agreed. “Why don’t you go to your room and — and rest? You can let yourself — well, give vent to the way you feel, dear. Daddy, maybe you ought to call the house physician.” If Sherry was correct, Sheila didn’t much care that her parents were dead. No, she thought. No, she’s simply in a state of shock.
That’s it. Shock. But then as Sheila spoke Sherry realized that this pampered, spoiled girl was not in shock at all. She had ice water instead of blood in her veins.
“That won’t be necessary,” Sheila said, smiling. She was actually smiling — not any forced, stoic front — but smiling! “I’d rather watch your last show. Perhaps later, Victor, you and I can have a late snack in my room.”
“Whatever you say,” Victor said, stunned.
“Look,” Tony said, “I think you should go and lie down.” He started to rise.
“Please sit down,” Sheila said. “I assure you that I’m perfectly all right. Mother and father are gone. They went quickly and nothing can be done to bring them back. The real problems will come in the near future. That’s when I’ll need rest. God, there’ll be a giant funeral with every relative imaginable there. There’ll be endless arrangements and, of course, the probating of the will. You see, I’m the sole heir to over four million dollars — a bit less I suspect after the government and lawyers get their grubby hands on the estate. So you can see that this isn’t exactly an occasion for mourning, is it? Champagne anyone?”
Sherry could stand it no longer. She ran from the booth and went down the stairs to her dressing room. Tony entered right behind her. “If that girl’s in the audience for my last show I’ll-I’ll walk off, I swear,” Sherry said. “I never saw anything like her in my life…”
“Easy,” Tony said. “Obviously she’s sick. It’s her problem, not yours. Why get yourself upset because she doesn’t mourn the loss of her parents? You can’t do anything about it, so you might as well accept it.” He held her close and tried to console her.
“I guess you’re right,” she said, nuzzling in Tony’s shoulder, “but I couldn’t stay in that booth a second longer.”
“Look,” Tony said. “Sheila said something about having a late snack with your father after the show. If your father does go to her room, I want you to get all your things out of your room and spend the night with me. We should be together when Bruce Morris arrives to look at your papers anyway in the morning. I’ll help you move, all right?”
Sherry nodded. “Yes, Daddy will stay with her tonight,” she said. “Jesus, she’ll probably give him the blow job of the century — in memory of her ma and pa.”
“Sherry!”
“I’m sorry,” Sherry said. “I’m not myself.” Tony glanced at his watch. “I’m on in just a few minutes. When your show is over I’ll meet you at the stage door. Give your usual performance no matter what, understand?”
Sherry agreed.
As she had promised, Sheila watched Sherry’s last show with Sherry’s father. Then Victor went up to Sheila’s room with Sheila as planned. It was nearly two in the morning when Sherry and Tony finished moving Sherry’s things to his room in the Alpine Hotel. They did not make love but cuddled close and thought of lawyer Bruce Morris’s arrival.
“There’s no problem in preventing your father from withdrawing any funds or cashing in stocks and bonds,” Bruce Morris said. “We’ll put an immediate freeze on everything. Naturally, your father is entitled to, say, ten percent of whatever you’ve earned since he has acted in your behalf as your business manager. No more. We’ll arrange a comfortable allowance for you until you’re of age and then you can have the entire sum. These cases are not as infrequent as you might think,” Bruce said. “I assure you that the judge’s decision in this case is very very predictable.”
Bruce Morris smiled confidently, stacking the evidence on the coffee table before him. He was a distinguished-looking man with a pleasant smile and the look of efficiency. In his late forties, be had a ruddy complexion and the beginnings of a paunch beneath his expensive, gray mohair suit.
“Thanks a million, Bruce,” Tony said. “That’s what she wanted to hear. I appreciate your flying up on such short notice.”
Sherry gave Tony’s lawyer-friend a kiss. “I feel much better,” she said. “I didn’t want to seem grasping or selfish, but when I realized Daddy had been lying to me all these years Tony thought I should get help.”
“Wait until you receive the bill before you think me,” Bruce said, grinning at Tony. “Morris, Blaney, and Abernathy is not an inexpensive law firm. Let’s see, there’s the cost of plane fare from Tahoe to Los Angeles roundtrip, court costs naturally, and now a three-martini lunch. No use trying to bribe me with kisses young lady. A fee is a fee and…”
Tony slugged Bruce playfully in the stomach and they embraced each other as the three of them went downstairs for lunch. “You didn’t know that young Caruso’s father here put me through law school, did you?” Bruce said.
“No,” Sherry said. “Did he really?”
“Yes, really. Just keep me advised of your whereabouts if you’re still traveling around. When things start popping in court I’ll want to contact you.”
“Will Daddy go to jail?” Sherry asked.
“No, nothing like that,” Bruce said. “He’ll be just a little less rich than he thought, that’s all. You were very wise in contacting me now. It’s a hell of a lot smarter than waiting till they liquidate everything and head for Arabia or some God forsaken place.”
“I-I don’t think Daddy would do anything like, that,” Sherry said.
Bruce glanced skeptically at Tony. “I wasn’t implying that he would,” he said. “But this way we’re certain, aren’t we? When it comes to money, dear, never trust anyone. Sounds awful, I know, but listen to a veteran who has witnessed example after greedy example that would curl your teeth.” They entered the elevator. “Oh, one other thing,” Bruce said, smiling at Tony, then at Sherry, “when you get married make up your wills for Christ’s sake, will you? You wouldn’t believe the delay and red tape you save.”
“Who’s getting married?” Sherry said, blushing.
“And who’s planning on dying?” Tony said. The elevator opened on the casino floor and they exited and entered the main dining room. Sherry and Tony ordered hotcakes and eggs and sausage. Bruce ordered a double martini and the dietetic luncheon. Sherry realized why he had a paunch and why his complexion was ruddy. She liked Tony’s friend very much though. He was friendly, told funny jokes and inspired unquestionable confidence. Bruce was on his second double martini when Victor Redgrave arrived. Sherry introduced Bruce to her father, not mentioning that he was a lawyer. Victor Redgrave was visibly distressed and merely nodded at Bruce.
“Is Sheila all right?” Sherry asked.
“Yes, how did she manage through the night?” Tony added, his sarcasm intentional.
Victor ignored Tony with a hasty, “Fine, fine.” Then he questioned Sherry fretfully. “Dear, I just returned from our motel. There were some papers and things in one of the — uh — dresser drawers. They seem to be — uh — missing. I was just wondering if I misplaced them. Have you seen them?” Sherry glanced back and forth from Tony to Bruce, not knowing what to say. The moment she had dreaded had arrived.
“They’re very important, dear,” Victor went on. “And — uh — I noticed that your things are gone. Do you suppose we could have been robbed? Did you take your clothing and things?”
Tony suddenly interrupted the silence. “Mr. Redgrave, your daughter’s things are in my apartment along with the papers and things you mentioned. Sherry told me about the checkbooks and things yesterday — she found them by accident — and I advised her to see a lawyer. Mr. Morris is an attorney. Your things are not missing and you were not robbed. Mr. Morris has everything and he will be in touch with you. Meanwhile don’t try to write any checks or cash any stocks and bonds?” Victor Redgrave turned scarlet, his face twisted in rage. “You Goddamn meddling Wop!” he said. “What gave you the right to interfere in my daughter’s and my affairs?”
“Affairs is right,” Tony said, not bothering to elaborate on the sexual aspect of the comment, though he could clearly see that Sherry’s father caught his meaning.
“I demand that you return my property,” Victor said.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Bruce Morris said, picking up his briefcase from the floor and holding it tightly on his lap. “If and when she gives something to me I’ll inform you.”
“No!” Sherry interrupted. “I don’t want to lie about this. I gave everything to Mr. Morris and he’s going to see that everybody gets a fair share. You’ve been my business manager so you’ll get ten percent, Daddy. Maybe even a little more.”
Victor tried to grab the briefcase, but Bruce Morris held on tight. “Ten percent! What the hell are you talking about, you ungrateful little — little bitch! Ten percent? Ten percent?”
Bruce Morris spoke calmly. “Precisely,” he said. “Isn’t it true that you told your daughter that you were saving her money for her and investing her earnings for her benefit? That she would be financially well off some day?”
“Well, yes, of course, but…”
“Fine,” Bruce said. “We’re just formalizing your promise to her, that’s all. You did intend to keep your promise to your daughter, didn’t you?”
“Naturally.” Victor seemed trapped, at a loss of words.
Bruce shrugged as though the matter were simple. “Then simply because you neglected to place her name on her property doesn’t change anything one bit. We’re simply putting her name on things so that if anything should happen to you, her ownership can be easily established. You wouldn’t want Sherry to go through all the legal red tape to determine her right of inheritance if you should become deceased, would you?”
Victor thought for a moment. “I made a will,” he said.
“Good, I’d like to see it,” Bruce said. “Why don’t you sit down and have a drink and then we’ll look at the will?”
Victor Redgrave glared at all of them. “So thank you,” he snarled and left.
“Daddy never mentioned anything about a will to me,” Sherry said.
“That’s the reason I pressed him about it,” Bruce said. “I doubt if he has one.”
They sat talking during breakfast while Bruce finished his third martini. Finally, his food arrived. He was nearly through with his brunch when Victor Redgrave returned, this time with Sheila.
“Sherry,” Victor said, “Sheila and I have something to tell you. Right after her parents’ funeral — uh — we plan to go to Europe for a brief vacation. When we return we plan to be married.”
“Tell them the rest,” Sheila said.
“Yes, yes, of course,” Victor said. “So you see, I won’t be able to act as your business manager any longer. I’ll be working with Sheila, trying to make a career for her in show business. I expect great things for her. She has a fine voice and so I’ll be acting as her business manager and all around coach.”
There was a long, long silence. It seemed incredible that Victor had snared an heiress for a wife on such short notice. Upon learning that, he was practically broke he had managed to finagle a potential fortune in a matter of minutes! Tony and Bruce broker into hysterical laughter and gradually even Sherry joined them.
“What’s so funny?” Sheila asked, angry. “Don’t you realize that I’m going to become a star? Isn’t anybody going to offer congratulations? Oh, I see. It amuses you that a wealthy girl would even bother to achieve stardom. It’s true that show people don’t count for much among my friends, but I’ve always been independent.”
“Good luck and congratulations,” Tony said, and Bruce chorused in.
“Yes, Daddy,” Sherry said. “I hope you’re both very happy. Be sure and drop me a postcard from Paris or someplace. Goodbye and good luck to you both.”
Victor just stood there, as though there were something else to say but he couldn’t quite say it. His bride-to-be had already headed for the exit. “Victor, I think we’ve said quite enough to these people. Now let’s go!” she commanded.
“Yes, dear,” he said and waved goodbye to his daughter as he back stepped away.
When they had gone, Tony shook his head. “Jesus, if I ever saw two people who deserve each other more I don’t remember it. I’m glad he didn’t squawk about the money. We could have brought a few other charges against him, too.”
“What other charges?” Bruce asked, puzzled.
“Oh, maybe child molesting or…”
“Please, Tony,” Sherry interrupted. “I’d rather we didn’t go into this any further.”
“All right, honey,” Tony said, calming himself. “I’m sorry.”
Bruce glanced at his watch. “Well, gang, I’d better be heading for the airport. The flight lasts only a little more than an hour, but they serve the dandiest martinis.” He stood up. “Glad to be of service. If you know of anybody who needs a divorce…” — he glanced toward the door where Sherry’s father and Sheila had just exited — “… be sure and get in touch. I don’t handle divorce cases personally but I have a partner who does. I have a feeling if the young lady does become a star and your father doesn’t get control of a nice chunk of money soon they may require my colleague’s services. No offense, Sherry. It’s just that in these matters has taught me to be a skeptic, especially where money and a considerable difference in age is involved. Bye.”
Sherry and Tony walked Bruce to the front door of the casino. He refused Tony’s offer of a ride to the airport and hailed a taxi. A moment later he was off.
“Feel better?” Tony asked Sherry.
“I guess so,” she said. “But I must say that an awful lot has happened fast. I didn’t expect Daddy to marry ever and now — I just don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. It’s time for me to say something. Let’s go for a little hike in the wood, okay?”
Sherry grinned. “You mean a bike-hike or a fuck-hike?”
“Maybe both,” Tony said. “Come on.” He took her by the band and they strolled down behind the hotel and along the golf course to the lake front. They walked slowly, enjoying the fresh air and the blue water to their right and the mountains and big trees to their left. They had been silent for a long time. “I don’t ever want to be away from you, Sherry,” Tony said.
“You just think I’m a good lay,” she said, squeezing his hand.
“True, but there’s more to it than that. I’m pretty good in the sack too, aren’t I? I mean, can I screw good or can’t I?”
They both laughed.
“Seriously, Sherry, I didn’t mention this before because I wasn’t sure how I felt about you, but I have a chance to do a variety show with Rory Cramden when I finish here.”
“Really?!” Sherry said. Rory Cramden was possibly the biggest comedian outside of television. “That’s wonderful.”
“As you know, Rory travels all around the country. He presents just one big show a month maybe — in an auditorium or a concert hall — where he can make a bundle in one shot. None of this working every night. Just scattered rehearsals and the pay is damn good. Since it’s a variety type show he uses all kinds of performers. I think between your agent and my agent it could be arranged for you to travel with the company. You might make less money but at least we could be together. What do you say? And even if you can’t work on this tour, you could at least arrange to work the next one. I’m talking about Mr. and Mrs. Agnello, Sherry.”
Sherry stopped in her tracks and tried to look thoughtful, as though deliberating. Then, despite herself, she was smiling through her tears. “How do I know you’re not worse than my father?” she teased. “How do I know that you don’t want to marry me just because I have stocks and bonds and money in the bank?” She draped her arms about his broad shoulders and kissed him full on the lips. They embraced for a long time. There was only the sound of the forest and their deep breathing and the gentle lapping of the water against the shore. They parted and Sherry walked more jauntily now, sure of herself, even a little independent. Cocky.
“I don’t know,” she sing-songed. “I read a book once where a man married a girl and then tossed her in the lake so he could have all her money. Insurance money.”
“Come on. Cut it out, Sherry.”
“I’m under age,” she said. “I’m only sixteen you know. Daddy might not give me permission.” She made an ugly face. “Sherry Agnello. Ugh. I just don’t know, Tony.”
“Keep it up and you are going in the lake,” Tony said.
“The kids would be half Italian. All of them Agnellos. Their schoolmates would maybe call them Wops.”
“Okay, they’d get called Wops.”
“And my career would suffer. I’d make less money.”
“Your career would suffer and you’d make less money.”
“In bed you’d be just an oaf. You’d use me selfishly and I’d just be sacrificing myself. A love object for your pleasure. Also, your peter’s too big and you’d hurt me I’d probably develop female trouble and you’d go seek female companionship elsewhere.”
“Cut it out, Sherry. I mean it.”
Sherry broke into a run along the shore. Tony sprinted after her, but she had a good head start.
“I can’t go through with it,” Sherry called, laughing over her shoulder. “I can’t cook spaghetti. You’re just not Mr. Right.”
Sherry darted through the trees and began running away from the lake. Tony raced after her. She wasn’t all that fast but she was agile. Tricky. Like a chipmunk. It took twenty or thirty yards before Tony could down her. He pinned her shoulders to a bed of pine needles finally and then they lay huffing and puffing staring at each other.
“Now what?” Sherry said. “I could scream, Tony. You know that. Mounted police or somebody would come and rescue me. I’m only sixteen. They’d put you in jail.”
“Never mind. Go ahead and scream. I want to get used to Mrs. Agnello’s screams. Let me hear it.”
“When the curtain goes up tonight you won’t be there,” Sherry said. “The show won’t go on. You’ll be locked up in the pokey. Just what do you think you’re doing?” His hand was under her blouse. “You can’t do this to a minor,” she said.
“If I’m going to jail I’m getting my money’s worth.” Now his other hand was tugging at her hip-huggers, pulling them down.
“You’ll get ten years for this, Tony. Don’t be a fool, you lustful Italian.”
“Statutory rape isn’t ten years. They’ll find your clothes at my place and know you cooperated.”
“I forgot about that. You tricked me into moving my things to your room.”
“Now you let the picture, baby. See my plan? See how it all fits in?”
Sherry was practically naked now. Her hand found him and she spread her legs apart just a little. She still feigned a lingering trace of resistance. “Yes, I see now. I-I want to see how it all fits in.”
“Good, I thought you might,” Tony said. He shifted so that his weight was not pressing so heavily on the future Mrs. Agnello. Agnello men always showed consideration for their wormen. It was a family tradition and he didn’t want to break with tradition.
“Ummmm,” Sherry said.
Birds, bees and sundry creatures of the forest went about their business paying no special attention to the lovers beneath the trees. One squirrel paused, then moved on. He had better things to do than watch a couple of other living things (even if they were rather large ones) mating on the ground.
“Probably one of her country club chums in Paris got bored and decided to call for a chat,” Tony said.
Victor found the remark amusing and laughed as he dabbed his lips with his napkin. Sheila returned a few minutes later looking whit, aced and in a state of shock. She slid into the booth without uttering a word.
“Anything the matter, my dear?” Victor asked.
“Are you all right?” Sherry asked, concerned. The girl did look ghastly and she dabbed tears from her cheeks.
“Yes, I’m all right now,” she said, finally. “Thank you.” In a matter of seconds she seemed to have completely regained her composure. “It was about mother and father,” she said evenly. “The plane they chartered for Las Vegas crashed and there were no survivors. The pilot and mommy and Daddy are dead.”
Sherry stared in amazement. She had heard about people being made of steel but she had never actually seen one. Sheila sipped her hot chocolate now almost as though nothing had happened. She was unbelievably calm.
“I don’t know what to say,” Victor said. “I’m terribly sorry. You’re absolutely certain?”
“Oh, Sheila, how terrible, dear. Is there anything we-we can do?”
“No,” she replied. “I’m afraid there’s nothing anyone can do. There’s no question about it. The identification of the bodies was positive.”
“Would you like to go to your room?” Victor asked.
“Yes,” Sherry agreed. “Why don’t you go to your room and — and rest? You can let yourself — well, give vent to the way you feel, dear. Daddy, maybe you ought to call the house physician.” If Sherry was correct, Sheila didn’t much care that her parents were dead. No, she thought. No, she’s simply in a state of shock.
That’s it. Shock. But then as Sheila spoke Sherry realized that this pampered, spoiled girl was not in shock at all. She had ice water instead of blood in her veins.
“That won’t be necessary,” Sheila said, smiling. She was actually smiling — not any forced, stoic front — but smiling! “I’d rather watch your last show. Perhaps later, Victor, you and I can have a late snack in my room.”
“Whatever you say,” Victor said, stunned.
“Look,” Tony said, “I think you should go and lie down.” He started to rise.
“Please sit down,” Sheila said. “I assure you that I’m perfectly all right. Mother and father are gone. They went quickly and nothing can be done to bring them back. The real problems will come in the near future. That’s when I’ll need rest. God, there’ll be a giant funeral with every relative imaginable there. There’ll be endless arrangements and, of course, the probating of the will. You see, I’m the sole heir to over four million dollars — a bit less I suspect after the government and lawyers get their grubby hands on the estate. So you can see that this isn’t exactly an occasion for mourning, is it? Champagne anyone?”
Sherry could stand it no longer. She ran from the booth and went down the stairs to her dressing room. Tony entered right behind her. “If that girl’s in the audience for my last show I’ll-I’ll walk off, I swear,” Sherry said. “I never saw anything like her in my life…”
“Easy,” Tony said. “Obviously she’s sick. It’s her problem, not yours. Why get yourself upset because she doesn’t mourn the loss of her parents? You can’t do anything about it, so you might as well accept it.” He held her close and tried to console her.
“I guess you’re right,” she said, nuzzling in Tony’s shoulder, “but I couldn’t stay in that booth a second longer.”
“Look,” Tony said. “Sheila said something about having a late snack with your father after the show. If your father does go to her room, I want you to get all your things out of your room and spend the night with me. We should be together when Bruce Morris arrives to look at your papers anyway in the morning. I’ll help you move, all right?”
Sherry nodded. “Yes, Daddy will stay with her tonight,” she said. “Jesus, she’ll probably give him the blow job of the century — in memory of her ma and pa.”
“Sherry!”
“I’m sorry,” Sherry said. “I’m not myself.” Tony glanced at his watch. “I’m on in just a few minutes. When your show is over I’ll meet you at the stage door. Give your usual performance no matter what, understand?”
Sherry agreed.
As she had promised, Sheila watched Sherry’s last show with Sherry’s father. Then Victor went up to Sheila’s room with Sheila as planned. It was nearly two in the morning when Sherry and Tony finished moving Sherry’s things to his room in the Alpine Hotel. They did not make love but cuddled close and thought of lawyer Bruce Morris’s arrival.
“There’s no problem in preventing your father from withdrawing any funds or cashing in stocks and bonds,” Bruce Morris said. “We’ll put an immediate freeze on everything. Naturally, your father is entitled to, say, ten percent of whatever you’ve earned since he has acted in your behalf as your business manager. No more. We’ll arrange a comfortable allowance for you until you’re of age and then you can have the entire sum. These cases are not as infrequent as you might think,” Bruce said. “I assure you that the judge’s decision in this case is very very predictable.”
Bruce Morris smiled confidently, stacking the evidence on the coffee table before him. He was a distinguished-looking man with a pleasant smile and the look of efficiency. In his late forties, be had a ruddy complexion and the beginnings of a paunch beneath his expensive, gray mohair suit.
“Thanks a million, Bruce,” Tony said. “That’s what she wanted to hear. I appreciate your flying up on such short notice.”
Sherry gave Tony’s lawyer-friend a kiss. “I feel much better,” she said. “I didn’t want to seem grasping or selfish, but when I realized Daddy had been lying to me all these years Tony thought I should get help.”
“Wait until you receive the bill before you think me,” Bruce said, grinning at Tony. “Morris, Blaney, and Abernathy is not an inexpensive law firm. Let’s see, there’s the cost of plane fare from Tahoe to Los Angeles roundtrip, court costs naturally, and now a three-martini lunch. No use trying to bribe me with kisses young lady. A fee is a fee and…”
Tony slugged Bruce playfully in the stomach and they embraced each other as the three of them went downstairs for lunch. “You didn’t know that young Caruso’s father here put me through law school, did you?” Bruce said.
“No,” Sherry said. “Did he really?”
“Yes, really. Just keep me advised of your whereabouts if you’re still traveling around. When things start popping in court I’ll want to contact you.”
“Will Daddy go to jail?” Sherry asked.
“No, nothing like that,” Bruce said. “He’ll be just a little less rich than he thought, that’s all. You were very wise in contacting me now. It’s a hell of a lot smarter than waiting till they liquidate everything and head for Arabia or some God forsaken place.”
“I-I don’t think Daddy would do anything like, that,” Sherry said.
Bruce glanced skeptically at Tony. “I wasn’t implying that he would,” he said. “But this way we’re certain, aren’t we? When it comes to money, dear, never trust anyone. Sounds awful, I know, but listen to a veteran who has witnessed example after greedy example that would curl your teeth.” They entered the elevator. “Oh, one other thing,” Bruce said, smiling at Tony, then at Sherry, “when you get married make up your wills for Christ’s sake, will you? You wouldn’t believe the delay and red tape you save.”
“Who’s getting married?” Sherry said, blushing.
“And who’s planning on dying?” Tony said. The elevator opened on the casino floor and they exited and entered the main dining room. Sherry and Tony ordered hotcakes and eggs and sausage. Bruce ordered a double martini and the dietetic luncheon. Sherry realized why he had a paunch and why his complexion was ruddy. She liked Tony’s friend very much though. He was friendly, told funny jokes and inspired unquestionable confidence. Bruce was on his second double martini when Victor Redgrave arrived. Sherry introduced Bruce to her father, not mentioning that he was a lawyer. Victor Redgrave was visibly distressed and merely nodded at Bruce.
“Is Sheila all right?” Sherry asked.
“Yes, how did she manage through the night?” Tony added, his sarcasm intentional.
Victor ignored Tony with a hasty, “Fine, fine.” Then he questioned Sherry fretfully. “Dear, I just returned from our motel. There were some papers and things in one of the — uh — dresser drawers. They seem to be — uh — missing. I was just wondering if I misplaced them. Have you seen them?” Sherry glanced back and forth from Tony to Bruce, not knowing what to say. The moment she had dreaded had arrived.
“They’re very important, dear,” Victor went on. “And — uh — I noticed that your things are gone. Do you suppose we could have been robbed? Did you take your clothing and things?”
Tony suddenly interrupted the silence. “Mr. Redgrave, your daughter’s things are in my apartment along with the papers and things you mentioned. Sherry told me about the checkbooks and things yesterday — she found them by accident — and I advised her to see a lawyer. Mr. Morris is an attorney. Your things are not missing and you were not robbed. Mr. Morris has everything and he will be in touch with you. Meanwhile don’t try to write any checks or cash any stocks and bonds?” Victor Redgrave turned scarlet, his face twisted in rage. “You Goddamn meddling Wop!” he said. “What gave you the right to interfere in my daughter’s and my affairs?”
“Affairs is right,” Tony said, not bothering to elaborate on the sexual aspect of the comment, though he could clearly see that Sherry’s father caught his meaning.
“I demand that you return my property,” Victor said.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Bruce Morris said, picking up his briefcase from the floor and holding it tightly on his lap. “If and when she gives something to me I’ll inform you.”
“No!” Sherry interrupted. “I don’t want to lie about this. I gave everything to Mr. Morris and he’s going to see that everybody gets a fair share. You’ve been my business manager so you’ll get ten percent, Daddy. Maybe even a little more.”
Victor tried to grab the briefcase, but Bruce Morris held on tight. “Ten percent! What the hell are you talking about, you ungrateful little — little bitch! Ten percent? Ten percent?”
Bruce Morris spoke calmly. “Precisely,” he said. “Isn’t it true that you told your daughter that you were saving her money for her and investing her earnings for her benefit? That she would be financially well off some day?”
“Well, yes, of course, but…”
“Fine,” Bruce said. “We’re just formalizing your promise to her, that’s all. You did intend to keep your promise to your daughter, didn’t you?”
“Naturally.” Victor seemed trapped, at a loss of words.
Bruce shrugged as though the matter were simple. “Then simply because you neglected to place her name on her property doesn’t change anything one bit. We’re simply putting her name on things so that if anything should happen to you, her ownership can be easily established. You wouldn’t want Sherry to go through all the legal red tape to determine her right of inheritance if you should become deceased, would you?”
Victor thought for a moment. “I made a will,” he said.
“Good, I’d like to see it,” Bruce said. “Why don’t you sit down and have a drink and then we’ll look at the will?”
Victor Redgrave glared at all of them. “So thank you,” he snarled and left.
“Daddy never mentioned anything about a will to me,” Sherry said.
“That’s the reason I pressed him about it,” Bruce said. “I doubt if he has one.”
They sat talking during breakfast while Bruce finished his third martini. Finally, his food arrived. He was nearly through with his brunch when Victor Redgrave returned, this time with Sheila.
“Sherry,” Victor said, “Sheila and I have something to tell you. Right after her parents’ funeral — uh — we plan to go to Europe for a brief vacation. When we return we plan to be married.”
“Tell them the rest,” Sheila said.
“Yes, yes, of course,” Victor said. “So you see, I won’t be able to act as your business manager any longer. I’ll be working with Sheila, trying to make a career for her in show business. I expect great things for her. She has a fine voice and so I’ll be acting as her business manager and all around coach.”
There was a long, long silence. It seemed incredible that Victor had snared an heiress for a wife on such short notice. Upon learning that, he was practically broke he had managed to finagle a potential fortune in a matter of minutes! Tony and Bruce broker into hysterical laughter and gradually even Sherry joined them.
“What’s so funny?” Sheila asked, angry. “Don’t you realize that I’m going to become a star? Isn’t anybody going to offer congratulations? Oh, I see. It amuses you that a wealthy girl would even bother to achieve stardom. It’s true that show people don’t count for much among my friends, but I’ve always been independent.”
“Good luck and congratulations,” Tony said, and Bruce chorused in.
“Yes, Daddy,” Sherry said. “I hope you’re both very happy. Be sure and drop me a postcard from Paris or someplace. Goodbye and good luck to you both.”
Victor just stood there, as though there were something else to say but he couldn’t quite say it. His bride-to-be had already headed for the exit. “Victor, I think we’ve said quite enough to these people. Now let’s go!” she commanded.
“Yes, dear,” he said and waved goodbye to his daughter as he back stepped away.
When they had gone, Tony shook his head. “Jesus, if I ever saw two people who deserve each other more I don’t remember it. I’m glad he didn’t squawk about the money. We could have brought a few other charges against him, too.”
“What other charges?” Bruce asked, puzzled.
“Oh, maybe child molesting or…”
“Please, Tony,” Sherry interrupted. “I’d rather we didn’t go into this any further.”
“All right, honey,” Tony said, calming himself. “I’m sorry.”
Bruce glanced at his watch. “Well, gang, I’d better be heading for the airport. The flight lasts only a little more than an hour, but they serve the dandiest martinis.” He stood up. “Glad to be of service. If you know of anybody who needs a divorce…” — he glanced toward the door where Sherry’s father and Sheila had just exited — “… be sure and get in touch. I don’t handle divorce cases personally but I have a partner who does. I have a feeling if the young lady does become a star and your father doesn’t get control of a nice chunk of money soon they may require my colleague’s services. No offense, Sherry. It’s just that in these matters has taught me to be a skeptic, especially where money and a considerable difference in age is involved. Bye.”
Sherry and Tony walked Bruce to the front door of the casino. He refused Tony’s offer of a ride to the airport and hailed a taxi. A moment later he was off.
“Feel better?” Tony asked Sherry.
“I guess so,” she said. “But I must say that an awful lot has happened fast. I didn’t expect Daddy to marry ever and now — I just don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. It’s time for me to say something. Let’s go for a little hike in the wood, okay?”
Sherry grinned. “You mean a bike-hike or a fuck-hike?”
“Maybe both,” Tony said. “Come on.” He took her by the band and they strolled down behind the hotel and along the golf course to the lake front. They walked slowly, enjoying the fresh air and the blue water to their right and the mountains and big trees to their left. They had been silent for a long time. “I don’t ever want to be away from you, Sherry,” Tony said.
“You just think I’m a good lay,” she said, squeezing his hand.
“True, but there’s more to it than that. I’m pretty good in the sack too, aren’t I? I mean, can I screw good or can’t I?”
They both laughed.
“Seriously, Sherry, I didn’t mention this before because I wasn’t sure how I felt about you, but I have a chance to do a variety show with Rory Cramden when I finish here.”
“Really?!” Sherry said. Rory Cramden was possibly the biggest comedian outside of television. “That’s wonderful.”
“As you know, Rory travels all around the country. He presents just one big show a month maybe — in an auditorium or a concert hall — where he can make a bundle in one shot. None of this working every night. Just scattered rehearsals and the pay is damn good. Since it’s a variety type show he uses all kinds of performers. I think between your agent and my agent it could be arranged for you to travel with the company. You might make less money but at least we could be together. What do you say? And even if you can’t work on this tour, you could at least arrange to work the next one. I’m talking about Mr. and Mrs. Agnello, Sherry.”
Sherry stopped in her tracks and tried to look thoughtful, as though deliberating. Then, despite herself, she was smiling through her tears. “How do I know you’re not worse than my father?” she teased. “How do I know that you don’t want to marry me just because I have stocks and bonds and money in the bank?” She draped her arms about his broad shoulders and kissed him full on the lips. They embraced for a long time. There was only the sound of the forest and their deep breathing and the gentle lapping of the water against the shore. They parted and Sherry walked more jauntily now, sure of herself, even a little independent. Cocky.
“I don’t know,” she sing-songed. “I read a book once where a man married a girl and then tossed her in the lake so he could have all her money. Insurance money.”
“Come on. Cut it out, Sherry.”
“I’m under age,” she said. “I’m only sixteen you know. Daddy might not give me permission.” She made an ugly face. “Sherry Agnello. Ugh. I just don’t know, Tony.”
“Keep it up and you are going in the lake,” Tony said.
“The kids would be half Italian. All of them Agnellos. Their schoolmates would maybe call them Wops.”
“Okay, they’d get called Wops.”
“And my career would suffer. I’d make less money.”
“Your career would suffer and you’d make less money.”
“In bed you’d be just an oaf. You’d use me selfishly and I’d just be sacrificing myself. A love object for your pleasure. Also, your peter’s too big and you’d hurt me I’d probably develop female trouble and you’d go seek female companionship elsewhere.”
“Cut it out, Sherry. I mean it.”
Sherry broke into a run along the shore. Tony sprinted after her, but she had a good head start.
“I can’t go through with it,” Sherry called, laughing over her shoulder. “I can’t cook spaghetti. You’re just not Mr. Right.”
Sherry darted through the trees and began running away from the lake. Tony raced after her. She wasn’t all that fast but she was agile. Tricky. Like a chipmunk. It took twenty or thirty yards before Tony could down her. He pinned her shoulders to a bed of pine needles finally and then they lay huffing and puffing staring at each other.
“Now what?” Sherry said. “I could scream, Tony. You know that. Mounted police or somebody would come and rescue me. I’m only sixteen. They’d put you in jail.”
“Never mind. Go ahead and scream. I want to get used to Mrs. Agnello’s screams. Let me hear it.”
“When the curtain goes up tonight you won’t be there,” Sherry said. “The show won’t go on. You’ll be locked up in the pokey. Just what do you think you’re doing?” His hand was under her blouse. “You can’t do this to a minor,” she said.
“If I’m going to jail I’m getting my money’s worth.” Now his other hand was tugging at her hip-huggers, pulling them down.
“You’ll get ten years for this, Tony. Don’t be a fool, you lustful Italian.”
“Statutory rape isn’t ten years. They’ll find your clothes at my place and know you cooperated.”
“I forgot about that. You tricked me into moving my things to your room.”
“Now you let the picture, baby. See my plan? See how it all fits in?”
Sherry was practically naked now. Her hand found him and she spread her legs apart just a little. She still feigned a lingering trace of resistance. “Yes, I see now. I-I want to see how it all fits in.”
“Good, I thought you might,” Tony said. He shifted so that his weight was not pressing so heavily on the future Mrs. Agnello. Agnello men always showed consideration for their wormen. It was a family tradition and he didn’t want to break with tradition.
“Ummmm,” Sherry said.
Birds, bees and sundry creatures of the forest went about their business paying no special attention to the lovers beneath the trees. One squirrel paused, then moved on. He had better things to do than watch a couple of other living things (even if they were rather large ones) mating on the ground.
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