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“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
