Dark Desire

"'42's The Lady or the Spider? was a classic-and one of your most versatile performances."

"Versatile. That's sweet, dearest-but 'brilliant' probably would be closer to the truth..."

Madra was at the opening of another picture, chatting with an admirer who had fanned her ego enough to push her past a perfunctory "Pleased-To-Meetcha"-and now that she had his ear, she held on like a terrier.

"I FOUND that story you know, in a little woman's magazine. I had to practically LAY my CONTRACT on the line to get R.L. to produce the thing. And what thanks did I get?"

"The enduring love and admiration of your public for a 'brilliant' performance?" the fan offered.

"Well, of course, THAT-but I was hoping more for an award of some kind. I mean, look at the range of acting: I ran the gamut from A to Z and back again, PDQ. Passion. Tears. Deceit. Gape-jawed innocence. And the scene in the witness box..."

The fan sighed. "On trial for the murder of your third husband. In your widow's weeds..." The fan took on the voice of the Bailiff. "State your name..."

Without batting an eye, Madra chimed in with her line. "Winifred Ives Donnely Odom Waterston."

"How did you remember all that?" gushed the fan.

"Easy, darling: I just took the first letter of each name-a little mnemonic trick we actors use. And did you notice the way I eyed the prosecuting attorney all through that scene-whose last name was BLACK?"

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Gene® is a registered trademark of The Ashton-Drake Galleries® and was created by Mel Odom. I have no affiliation with these or any other doll companies.